Dropping the Ball

It's You!

And WND's 2009 'Person of the Year' is ...

Honored is the one who 'marches for the future of America'

Posted: December 29, 2009

9:03 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh

The tea-party participant – the individual who is frustrated America's leaders don't seem to want to "preserve and protect" the republic and gives up his or her own time, talents and money to warn elected leaders to choose the straight and narrow – has been selected by WorldNetDaily editors as WND's 2009 "Person of the Year."... http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=120392

Happy New Year

from

The Ketchikan Tea Party!

Rush Limbaugh Hospitalized for Chest Pain

Report: Rush Limbaugh taken to Hawaii hospital

Dec 30 10:02 PM US/Eastern

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9CU18G81&show_article=1

Our prayers are with you, Rush. Get well very soon!

For updates on his condition go to

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/today.guest.html

Healthy Skepticism

Unhealthy arrogance

By Thomas Sowell

Dec. 29, 2009

The only thing healthy about Congress' health insurance legislation is the healthy skepticism about it by most of the public, as revealed by polls. What is most unhealthy about this legislation is the raw arrogance in the way it was conceived and passed.... http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell122909.php3

More Bail-0uts!!!!!

Back In The Tank With Fannie, Fred

Posted 12/29/2009 06:50 PM ET

Fiscal Follies: While Americans are distracted by the holidays and a failed terror attack, Washington is giving another blank check to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Say, isn't this how we got into trouble before?... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=516537

Bankers Get $4 Trillion Gift From Barney Frank: David Reilly

Commentary by David Reilly

Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- To close out 2009, I decided to do something I bet no member of Congress has done -- actually read from cover to cover one of the pieces of sweeping legislation bouncing around Capitol Hill.

Hunkering down by the fire, I snuggled up with H.R. 4173, the financial-reform legislation passed earlier this month by the House of Representatives. The Senate has yet to pass its own reform plan.... http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=a48c8UpUMxKQ

GMAC to get $3.5 billion more in government aid

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - GMAC Financial Services is expected to get about $3.5 billion in additional U.S. government aid to help the troubled lender absorb mortgage losses, a financial industry source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.... http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BT06O20091230

Michael Ramirez Cartoon 12/30/2009

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/PhotoPopup.aspx?id=516610

Voters Are Angry!!

71% Angry at Federal Government, Up Five Points Since September

Monday, November 30, 2009

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters nationwide say they’re at least somewhat angry about the current policies of the federal government. That figure includes 46% who are Very Angry.... http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/november_2009/71_angry_at_federal_government_up_five_points_since_september

A Warning to Other Politicians

Politicians had better take note before they vote for the final time on this health care bill.

Election 2012: Nebraska Senate

Health Care Vote Puts Nelson 30 Points Down in Reelection Bid

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Nelson's health care vote is clearly dragging his numbers down. Just 17% of Nebraska voters approve of the deal their senator made on Medicaid in exchange for his vote in support of the plan. Overall, 64% oppose the health care legislation, including 53% who are Strongly Opposed.... http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/nebraska/election_2012_nebraska_senate

A Strike of Luck

Yes, Janet, There Is A 'War On Terror'

Posted 12/28/2009 07:11 PM ET

Homeland Security: Al-Qaida's botched Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Flight 253 raises a series of concerns about U.S. vulnerability. Chief among them: a Homeland Security chief in denial that we are at war.

The nearly 300 trans-Atlantic passengers targeted for death by alleged would-be suicide bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab were saved not by any policy of the Homeland Security Department, but by the good luck of a detonator malfunctioning.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=516425

Not T'd Off - Teeing Off

An Absentee and Complacent President

Posted December 28th, 2009 at 4.51pm

By now, you’ve heard the news. On Christmas Day, a 23-year-old Nigerian named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow a full Northwest Airlines jet out of the air above Detroit. The only events that stopped this from happening were courageous passengers and a faulty explosive device. If either one of these two events had not taken place, nearly 300 passengers and crew would be dead, and immeasurable collateral damage would have occurred on the ground in Michigan. What you did not hear between this attempted attack on our nation and 3:00 pm EST today, was President Obama’s voice. Over 72 hours; almost three days later.... http://blog.heritage.org/2009/12/28/an-absentee-and-complacent-president/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

Health Care Bill Will Cost Jobs

62% Payrole Tax Hike Hidden In Health Care Bill

Talk About Health Care Reform...

CROSS THE RIVER, BURN THE BRIDGE

By MARK STEYN

Last week, during a bit of banter on Fox News, my colleague Jonah Goldberg reminded me of something I’d all but forgotten. Last September, during his address to Congress on health care, Barack Obama declared:

“I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.”

Dream on. The monstrous mountain of toxic pustules sprouting from greasy boils metastasizing from malign carbuncles that passed the Senate on Christmas Eve is not the last word in “health” “care” but the first. It ensures that this is all we’ll be talking about, now and forever.

Government can’t just annex “one-sixth of the US economy” (ie, the equivalent of annexing the entire British or French economy, or annexing the entire Indian economy twice over) and then just say: “Okay, what’s next? On to cap-and-trade…” Nations that governmentalize health care soon find themselves talking about little else.... http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=1886

A Soldier's Christmas - Call to Action

Poem was made popular by LCDR Jeff Giles, CS, USN, stationed in Al Taqqadum Iraq.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Ketchikan Tea Party!

Food Shortages in Venezuela Due to Hugo Chavez

Hugo's Public Option

Posted 12/24/2009 06:56 PM ET

Politics: One might be tempted to think there's no comparison between Democrats' health care overhaul and Hugo Chavez's orgy of class warfare on Venezuela's private sector. But consider Chavez's new public eateries.

Last week, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez announced he would start a chain of government-run "areperas" to sell arepas — filled white-corn patties, similar to tacos — at state prices.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=516306

Jim DeMint Challenges Change of Rules in the Senate

This is an outrage! The Democrats are trying to prevent changes in their legislation by future congresses with an amendment that clearly breaks the rules of the Senate.

Senators Challenge Health Care Bill Section Making Death Panels Permanent

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 22, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two pro-life senators plan to raise a constitutional challenge to a section of the Senate health care bill that makes the infamous "death panels" permanent. They say it is unconstitutional to pass a law that prevents Congress from overturning the law at a later point.... http://washingtonnewsalert.com/

Here is the video of Senator DeMint's challenge.

Forever Gone

Posted 06:52 PM ET

Health Reform: Any law can be repealed, but the Democrats' radical health bill contains unprecedented language that could wreck the U.S. health system permanently. It's one of the dirtiest tricks yet.

'Page 1,020" — it may soon be a mantra for one of the most disturbing abuses of legislative power in history.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=516040

White House Attempts to Silence Congressmen

Rep. Stupak: White House Pressuring Me to Keep Quiet on Abortion Language in Senate Health Bill

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

By Pete Winn, Senior Writer/Editor

In his interview with CNSNews.com on Tuesday, Stupak said that the White House "asked me just to hold off for awhile and not to say anything about this language. But as soon as the news broke that they had this [compromise], and they got the 60 votes, folks were asking me, and I’m not going to run from the issue I’m going to stand up and say, ‘Look, here’s my objections.' Here – it’s not just my objections – but there’s a number of my [colleagues] who feel strongly about this issue, and these are the parts that have to be fixed.” ... http://cnsnews.com/news/article/58921

Representative Griffith Switches Parties

Ala. Dem defects to GOP over health care, policy

Dec 22, 4:23 PM (ET)

By JAY REEVES

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A U.S. House Democrat who opposes the health care overhaul announced Tuesday he is defecting to the GOP, another blow to Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.

"I believe our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt," Griffith said as his wife Virginia stood by his side.... http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091222/D9COJHCO0.html

Global Warming? Not so much.

European weather deaths pass 100

Freezing weather brings death and disruption in Germany, Italy and across eastern Europe

Lizzy Davies

Tuesday 22 December 2009 17.31 GMT

More than 100 people have been killed in the cold snap across Europe, with temperatures plummeting and snowfall causing chaos from Moscow to Milan.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/22/cold-weather-europe-death-toll

Votes for Sale

Louisiana Purchase And Omaha Stakes

Posted 12/21/2009 07:04 PM ET

Politics: Sen. Mary Landrieu was the new "Louisiana Purchase." Sen. Ben Nelson got the federal government to pick up his state's future Medicaid tab. Maybe we should just put Senate votes up on eBay.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515933

"you sold me out"

A Nebraska doctor’s message for Ben Nelson; Updated

By Michelle Malkin • December 20, 2009 08:59 AM

Dear Senator Nelson:

I send this message under “Tort Reform” because the current monstrosity you have pledged your support to says nothing whatsoever about Tort Reform. You have sold the physicians of Nebraska for zilch (zilch for us, but beaucoup federal bucks for you and the liberal partisans in this state). As a family practice physician in Small Town, Nebraska, I was counting on you to be the lone voice of Democratic sanity on this issue, but you sold me out.... http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/20/a-nebraska-doctors-message-for-ben-nelson/

Government Bribery

Cash for Cloture: Demcare bribe list, Pt. II

By Michelle Malkin • December 21, 2009 02:48 AM

Sen. Ben Nelson’s “Cornhusker Kickback.” The CBO says the Nebraska Democrat sellout’s special Medicaid expansion subsidy will initially cost an estimated $100 million....

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/21/cash-for-cloture-demcare-bribe-list-pt-ii/

Health Care Math

"Here is a math problem for you: Assume that the legislation establishing government control of medical care is passed and that it "brings down the cost of medical care." You pay $500 a year less for your medical care, but the new costs put on employers is passed on to consumers, so that you pay $300 a year more for groceries and $200 a year more for gasoline, while the new mandates put on insurance companies raise your premiums by $300 a year, how much money have you saved?" -Thomas Sowell

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell120109.php3

Abortion Funding Is Still in The Bill

Sen. Reid’s Government-Run Health Plan STILL Requires a Monthly Abortion Fee

Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on December 19th, 2009

Fixed it is not. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) latest health care “manager’s amendment” would STILL levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans under the Democrats’ health care plan. Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) and the last version of Senator Reid’s 2,074-page bill, this latest 383-page amendment levies an abortion premium and does not fix the problem of government funds being used to subsidize elective abortions.... http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=725

No More Meddling?

The US Continues to Interfere in Honduran Affairs

Hondurans are understandably angry. Read more at La Gringa's Blogicito

I honestly have no idea what side the US is on anymore. I'm so confused, so tired, so burned out, so disgusted with US policy − or better said, tired of 'trying to figure out what is the US policy'...

http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-you-cant-beat-em-buy-em.html

American's Are Against This Health Care Bill

Just 34% Say Passing Health Care Bill is Better Than Passing Nothing

Friday, December 18, 2009

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide say that it would be better to pass no health care reform bill this year instead of passing the plan currently being considered by Congress. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% think that passing that bill would be better... http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/december_2009/just_34_say_passing_health_care_bill_is_better_than_passing_nothing

Glenn Beck - 12/17/2009

Senator Nelson Agrees to Vote Yes - For a Price

Democrats Clinch a Deal on Health Bill

By ROBERT PEAR, DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and CARL HULSE

Published: December 19, 2009

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats said on Saturday that they had clinched an agreement on a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health care system, and that they were on track to approve the legislation by Christmas over fierce Republican opposition.... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/health/policy/20health.html

Stormy Debate Saturday in DC

Another sneaky Saturday in the Senate — and Teddy K’s ghost rises again

By Michelle Malkin • December 19, 2009 01:14 AM

Well, the word on the Hill as of late Friday night/early Saturday morning is that Dirty Harry has made “real progress” in “talks” with Democrat holdout Sen. Ben Nelson over abortion — and over his payoff.... http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/19/another-sneaky-saturday-in-the-senate/

It's Going to be a White Christmas

Valdez socked in

Dispatch Staff

Dec 17, 2009

Valdez got more than four inches per hour at the height of the snowstorm that began there Monday and ran through the week. By the time the citizens of Alaska's only oil port finally caught a break, the snow was piled 5 feet, 8 inches deep.... http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/3334-valdez-socked-in

Video: Winter weather snow storm slams the East Coast

December 18, 4:37 PM

Several East Coast areas are anticipating some of the highest snowfall accumulations ever, if the storm remains on its current course.... http://www.examiner.com/x-19632-Salt-Lake-City-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m12d18-Video-Winter-weather-snow-storm-slams-the-East-Coast

Copenhagen Conference in a Nutshell

Thankfully, the agreement wasn't made binding.

Losers Of World Unite — In Denmark

Posted 12/17/2009 07:46 PM ET

Copenhagen Conference: The United Nations summit was promoted as a serious effort to mitigate climate change. But it's turned into an attack on capitalism. So what does the U.S. do? It pledges money.

Any international meeting that invites Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe to speak has no legitimacy..... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515696

Obama Speaks in Copenhagen Today

Barack Obama's speech disappoints and fuels frustration at Copenhagen

US president offers no further commitment on reducing emissions or on finance to poor countries

Suzanne Goldenberg and Allegra Stratton in Copenhagen

Friday 18 December 2009 12.53 GMT

The lacklustre speech proved a huge frustration to a summit that had been looking to Obama to use his stature on the world stage – and his special following among African leaders – to try to come to an ambitious deal.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/18/obama-speech-copenhagen

It's Really All About Spreading Your Wealth Worldwide

These are protesters in Copenhagen. They know what this meeting is really all about. It is about creating a government that is above all the governments of the world in order to "spread the wealth" - your wealth. Green is the new Red. Don't be fooled into believing that it is about decreasing carbon and global warming.

Highlight from the Conference...

Hugo Chavez is given a deafening applause when he makes anti-capitalistic statements...

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/putting_our_economy_in_the_hands_of_chavez_fans

Hillary Clinton offers money - your money - to keep the conference from falling apart...

http://www.sphere.com/nation/article/clinton-offers-last-minute-deal-at-copenhagen-conference/19285128

Meanwhile, it is snowing and much colder in Copenhagen than normal...

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/copenhagen_con_how_the_socialists_are_making_capitalists_pay/

Encouraging Words From Mark Alexander of the Patriot Post

The Time Has Come

By Mark Alexander · Thursday, December 17, 2009

"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth -- and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. ... Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not?" --Patrick Henry

A year ago, a majority of our countrymen were hoodwinked into electing a charlatan with dubious credentials to the highest constitutional office in the land. Since then, millions of Americans who had become complacent about the Leftist threat to our liberty have begun to realize that our Constitution is now suffering an unprecedented assault...

If Barack Obama has given us one thing of value, it is the opportunity to clearly discern between Left and Right, between rule of men and Rule of Law. He is the quintessential socialist, and his domestic and foreign policies present a contrast between tyranny and liberty that has rarely been so apparent. Many who have been hitherto reluctant to rise on behalf of liberty or have been too comfortable to be concerned by such conflict, are now making an ever-louder stand.... http://patriotpost.us/alexander/2009/12/17/the-time-has-come/

More From Svetlana Kunin, a Russian Immigrant

There are many in the tea party movement who have come from other countries where there is oppression. They see things more clearly than we do. Sometimes we who were born here can't see the forest for the trees.

Perspective Of A Russian Immigrant (No. 4)

By SVETLANA KUNIN

Posted 12/08/2009 07:02 PM ET

I look at the people who support the transformation of America in disbelief: They are destroying the very land that gave them so much opportunity.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=514694

EPA a "Bludgeon"

Sing Along: 'This Land Is EPA's Land'

Posted 12/16/2009 06:55 PM ET

Regulations: The Clean Water Act is being rewritten to give a government bureaucracy the power to regulate every body of water from the Mississippi River to a rain-flooded field. The first casualty may be American coal.

With all the concern for the harm that cap-and-trade and regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant might do to the American economy and free markets, the Environmental Protection Agency is doing quite enough damage with an existing law on the books — the Clean Water Act. Congress plans to revise it to make it an even more powerful bludgeon against industry, energy producers and just plain folks.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515490

Thug Politics

The Chicago Way

Posted 12/16/2009 06:55 PM ET

Deal-making and political hardball have long been a part of the legislative process. But as this particular sausage has been made behind closed doors it has reached new levels of arm-twisting that make the smoke-filled rooms of earlier eras seem like Athenian democracy. http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515487

"Staring into an Abyss of Statism"

On The Precipice

Posted 12/16/2009 06:55 PM ET

Health Reform: The president used an illuminating choice of words to describe the transformation of the health system Congress is set to enact. We are indeed "on the precipice" — staring into an abyss of statism.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515486

Glenn Beck 12/16/2009

Powerful show tonight...

"The Death Watch is On"

A Death Blow To Health 'Reform'

Posted 07:09 PM ET

Socialized Medicine: The administration's own health department, in a devastating analysis, warns of rising costs, shrinking benefits and a long-term health care "death spiral." "Reform" has been pronounced dead.

hen even the liberal Washington Post warns that congressional Democrats, in trying to save their increasingly unpopular health reform bill, are sneakily making it more like European-style socialized medicine, it means the death watch is on.... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=515257

Kill the Bill

Demcare crunch time: Kill the bill and start over; Update: Medicare expansion under the bus?

By Michelle Malkin • December 14, 2009 09:46 AM

Sen. Joe Lieberman won’t vote for Harry Reid’s health care monstrosity. Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson is also balking.

Let’s hope they mean it:...

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/12/14/demcare-crunch-time-kill-the-bill-and-start-over/

Baby It's Cold Outside

Canada freezes as snow storm strands thousands

Posted Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:07pm AEDT

People in the north-central part of the Canadian province of Ontario are digging out after one of the worst snow storms on record... http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/13/2770207.htm

A snowy dusting in Victoria's summer

Sam Terry, Friday December 11, 2009 - 18:12 EDT

Most people consider summer a time to wear shorts and thongs wherever one pleases, with little thought of ski jackets or snowboards. However Victoria's Mount Baw Baw saw a light dusting of snow, and it's already two weeks into summer... http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/a-snowy-dusting-in-victorias-summer/13262

WE THE PEOPLE disapprove...

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.... http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

The EPA's Carbon Bomb Fizzles

By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL

In the high-stakes game of chicken the Obama White House has been playing with Congress over who will regulate the earth's climate, the president's team just motored into a ditch. So much for threats.

The threat the White House has been leveling at Congress is the Environmental Protection Agency's "endangerment finding," which EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson finally issued this week. The finding lays the groundwork for the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy, on the grounds that global warming is hazardous to human health.

From the start, the Obama team has wielded the EPA action as a club, warning Congress that if it did not come up with cap-and-trade legislation the EPA would act on its own—and in a far more blunt fashion than Congress preferred. As one anonymous administration official menaced again this week: "If [Congress doesn't] pass this legislation," the EPA is going to have to "regulate in a command-and-control way, which will probably generate even more uncertainty."

CODE RED RALLY!

Tuesday, December 15, 1:00 PM at the U.S. Capitol

EMERGENCY RALLY TO STOP GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE

The fight is on in the U.S. Senate over the future of your health care and the proper role of government. Senator Reid only needs3 more VOTES to make government-run health care a reality in America.

If that happens, brace yourself for:

• Roughly $500 billion in tax INCREASES
• Mandates forcing you into government insurance
• $464 billion in Medicare CUTS
• Higher Insurance Premiums
• A cost of $2.5 Trillion that just might break the Treasury.

The Real Guantanamo Bay

This video will make you want to thank our service men and women for the wonderful job they do and expose the lie the mainstream media has feed us about Gitmo.

http://www.pjtv.com/video/Louder_With_Crowder/The_Real_Guantanamo_Bay/2717/

Begich: Senate bill will cut health care costs for Alaskans . . . or maybe not

By KIRSTEN ADAMS

Anchorage Daily Planet

A statement released Thursday by the office of Sen. Mark Begich said health care reforms would reduce insurance premiums for Alaskan families, but press secretary Julie Hasquet said later that is not the case.

Hasquet said the wording of the statement was misleading because the reform bill would not lower costs for Alaskans, simply increase them at a slower rate....

Hasquet said Begich has not read the entire health care bill and refused to comment on how much of the 2,000-page bill Begich had covered.

A Cool Trillion Later– Now Obama Tells Us Government Spending Is Not the Answer

by Jim Hoft

Now he tells us.The biggest public spender in world history now says…“True economic recovery will only come from the private sector”

And that is why his next jobs plan will only cost $300 billion.

Obama and Democrats tripled the national deficit in less than one year.They’ve increased the national debt to $12 Trillion.And they’ve nearly doubled the unemployment rate since the Bush years.
It only took a trillion plus dollars for Obama to see that they were wrong.
http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2009/12/huh-obama-tells-us-government-spending-is-not-the-answer/

The $300 million Louisiana Purchase

By THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, Louisiana Democrat, provided one of the last two votes needed to bring the government health care takeover to the Senate. She didn't even blush about selling her vote. "I am not going to be defensive. And it's not a $100 million fix. It's a $300 million fix," Mrs. Landrieu bragged on Nov. 21. This gross windfall will flood into her state through added benefits in the health care bill. This is government at its worst.
Mrs. Landrieu's big payday shows how useless the Congressional Budget Office's cost estimates are. Right now, each dollar that Louisiana's Medicaid program spends is matched by $1 in federal funds. If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill passes, each $1 Louisiana spends will be matched by $4 in federal funds. The CBO, falling back on its typical static analysis, assumes that both population coverage and Medicaid payments per beneficiary will remain unchanged. Neither assumption is reasonable.