Daily Obamacare Round-up 08-21

WASHINGTON – Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses.

In scathing reports this week, the VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between two VA employees.

The above is from an AP report on YahooNews titled, "As vets await checks, VA workers get $24M bonuses." I wonder if Obama is going to fire this IG? Let's face it, scandals like this don't inspire confidence in creating even larger government-run healthcare programs.

The government has had its chance to run healthcare for our Veterns, our elderly, and our poorest of poor and has done a DISMAL job with all three. Why on earth should we trust them with the healthcare for all Americans when they've had decades to practice with these three groups and failed, failed, failed?

An undefined but interesting Washington Post op-ed by Michael Gerson titled, "When Planners Decide Life."

This Wall Street Journal op-ed explains, "Health 'Co-ops' Are Government Care, The Democrats' latest proposal bears no resemblance to the voluntary organizations that are known as cooperatives." 'Death panels' in sheep's clothing?

Michelle Malkin's anti-corruption crusade continues as she describes how only the insurance and pharmaceutical companies that are NOT lining Team Obama's pockets are bad in this New York Post article titled, "CORPORATE SHILLS FOR 'CHANGE'"

Heather Richardson Higgins is calling for "No Compromise on Health 'Reform,' Why the GOP should resist all entreaties to be 'bipartisan.'" in this Wall Street Journal op-ed. Let's face it, compromise on crap is still crap.

From The Washington Examiner, "Heather Heidelbaugh: Obama is governing as a community organizer." She closes with an observation that should have been obvious to all MSM journalists, "Despite the smooth talk and charisma, Obama adopted the beliefs and tactics of the organization he helped grow into a mighty tree. You want to understand the real Obama? Understand ACORN." Duh.

"How Obama miscalculated on health care." is the title from this Fortune Magazine article reviewing the political decisions Obama will face in the fall - "Obama is trying to walk a tightrope on this question, but the rope is really too thin to walk."

Want a preview of ObamaCare in action? Sneak a look at what has happened in Maine. In 2003, the state to great fanfare enacted its own version of universal health care. Democratic Governor John Baldacci signed the plan into law with a bevy of familiar promises. By 2009, it would cover all of Maine's approximately 128,000 uninsured citizens. System-wide controls on hospital and physician costs would hold down insurance premiums. There would be no tax increases. The program was going to provide insurance for everyone and save businesses and patients money at the same time.

After five years, fiscal realities as brutal as the waves that crash along Maine's famous coastline have hit the insurance plan. The system that was supposed to save money has cost taxpayers $155 million and is still rising.

The above are the opening two paragraphs to this Wall Street Journal op-ed titled, "No Maine Miracle Cure Another state 'public option' that failed." Read the whole thing.

"Faith in Obama Drops As Reform Fears Rise." From the Washington Post's big book of DUH.

Peggy Noonan has her say in this op-ed in The Wall Street Journal titled, "Pull the Plug on ObamaCare, It's the best cure for what ails the Obama presidency."

A Virginia-based gun rights group has taken issue with the Democrat-led healthcare proposals, saying that the proposed plans could strip citizens of their rights to own a gun.

The above is the opening paragraph to a TheHill.com website post titled "Gun rights, control groups find fight in health debate." Like Obama wants those two groups to get together.

Louder with Crowder PJTV video is here. Let's not congratulate ourselves so soon. "It's very possible Obama will try to reword the public option..." Otherwise, keep up the good work, people.

Obama, Conspiracy Theorist. Keep blaming anyone other than yourself, Obama.

Oh wait. Obama is blaming everyone but himself. Here in this Bloomberg.com report by Caroline Baum titled, "Obama Snares Palin, Media in Wide Blame-Game Net."

At Politico.com, Charles Mahtesian writes about Charlie Cooke's take "Dem situation has 'slipped completely out of control'" Like they had "control" over the American People. People, all politicians are supposed to REPRESENT in this country, not control.

"Pelosi Says ‘No Way’ Health Plan Can Pass Without Public Option" over at Bloomberg.com. Interesting. Because there is "no way" Obamacare will pass with it either. And if it does, there is also "no way" politicians who voted for it will have a political career afterwards.