American Republic Online

Following up on our Cigar Tax story, I’ve found out even more. In fact, The more I dig into this legislation the more surprises I find.

First there was the amendment to limit free insurance to people at 2x the poverty line instead of 4x or more (you know the supposed rich) - proposed by Republicans, voted down by Democrats.

Then another amendment to require 60 votes (to make it more difficult) for increasing excise taxes that disproportionately affects taxpayers with income less than 2x the poverty line… proposed by Republicans, voted down by Democrats. Am I in the twilight zone? When did the Dems & Repubs switch places on defending the poor?

And here’s some more proof that the goal was universal government health care:

• Amendment to limit adults enrolled until children were enrolled: failed
• Amendment to exclude alternative min taxpayers (more supposed rich): failed
• Amendment to minimize the erosion of private health coverage: failed
• Amendment to exclude persons that could get employer health coverage: failed

All of these amendments occurred in the Senate because the House fast tracked the bill. I believe the procedure is to “suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended” which requires a 2/3rds vote. Final votes in Senate & House. Sad how many people were afraid to vote against the “children”.