Get used to it, America, because this wasn't, isn't, and won't be the last one:
"Democrats may tax health benefits; They discuss exclusion limit for wealthier" by Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff | December 1, 2008
WASHINGTON - In the last month of the presidential campaign, it was one of Barack Obama and Joe Biden's strongest attack lines: John McCain, they warned, would "tax your healthcare benefits for the first time ever."
But now, some Congressional Democrats in charge of health reform are talking about doing just that. They would not go as far as McCain, who wanted to end the tax exclusion entirely for employer-sponsored insurance, which excludes money spent by employees and their employers on health benefits from income and payroll taxes.
But some key Democrats are talking about limiting the benefit for workers, so that those with higher incomes or more generous health benefits might pay taxes on some portion of the income they use to pay for their health premiums.
That is OFFENSIVE to me!! How about LIMITING the WAR LOOTERS?! How about SHUTTING DOWN the BILLION DOLLAR OCCUPATIONS? How about GETTING the $$$ from WALL STREET EXECUTIVES?!! I mean, COME ON!!!!
The issue is just one in an unfolding discussion of how to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, a goal Obama has said will be an urgent priority when he takes office Jan. 20. The political climate appears right for dramatic changes that could affect millions of families, and interest groups are moving fast to position themselves....
Translation: They are going to SHOVE THIS THING DOWN YOUR THROAT whether you like it or not!!!!
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Democrats... want to limit the exclusion - not least because the benefit costs the government more than $300 billion a year in potential tax revenues, so it is one of the few large pools of cash available to help fund a major health reform package at a time when money is scarce....
Yeah, let's FUND the HEALTHCARE on the BACKS of WORKERS because THAT is where the $$$ is!!! Oh, HOW OFFENSIVE!!!! Why don't you go and get some of the $700 BILLION BAILOUT for US, huh?!!!!! How about SHUTTING DOWN the DAMN WARS?!!!!!!
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There are a number of arguments for limiting the exclusion.... Some economists believe it encourages people to use too much healthcare because it lets them buy an unlimited amount of healthcare tax-free. The exclusion is also regressive because it gives bigger breaks to those in higher tax brackets - which means those who can afford the best healthcare get the largest tax benefit, rather than those who need government's help the most.
Translation: the program is a TAX SHELTER for the WEALTHY -- so I wouldn't worry about it going away!!!!
How and why a WORKER is pouring in and WASTING HARD-EARNED DOUGH is beyond me, but....
A 2004 study found that tax breaks on health benefits averaged $2,780 for families with incomes of $100,000 or more, but $102 for those with $10,000 or less, wrote Jonathan Oberlander, a professor of political science and health policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in a recent article in Health Affairs.
Limiting the amount of healthcare premiums that can be excluded from taxable income to $4,000 for individuals and $11,000 for families would generate $1 trillion over the next decade, Oberlander wrote, citing a 2007 report by the Congressional Budget Office. That's roughly the cost of the health reform plan Obama put out in the campaign, according to a recent assessment by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
So we would need $100 BILLION a YEAR, give or take a few billion, huh? And the Congress and Fed toss around trillions like confetti. But YOU can't have health care without taking your (tax) medicine, AmeriKa!!!!
I mean, WHY THEY GOTTA HIT the POOR BLOKES?!! If you think 4k or 11k/family is gravy, let me introduce you to my bowl-of-shit dinner.
But even a cap of that size would mean that many middle-class people would suddenly have to pay taxes on some of the income they now use to pay health premiums....
Ah, we warned you, America, but would you listen? No, no, you wouldn't listen, naw, naw....
Competing political pressures make the idea difficult to dismiss.
Turn, drop trou, bend, and spread, Amurka.
There is an unprecedented demand for a major health reform package among business groups, health insurers, unions, and liberal advocacy groups, and Obama has promised to deliver one.
Whether you like it or not, America! Now OPEN UP for the spoonful of castor oil!
The escalating deficit and the recession will make it hard to afford. And a growing number of moderate Democrats in Congress whose support will be needed to pass a plan will be reluctant to support expensive new benefits without a funding source.
Why? They BORROWED for the WARS and WAR LOOTERS!! They BORROWED for the BAILOUTS?! SINCE WHEN did FUNDING SOURCES become such a concern down there?
Oh, I see, when it comes to what the PEOPLE MIGHT WANT, oh!! Yeah, then the $$$ might be a problem, huh?
Gonna have to COUGH UP SOME MORE, taxpayers!!!!
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