U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson : Serving the 3rd District of Texas

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson : Serving the 3rd District of Texas

This is a list of each "sweet deal" the Dems have added into this pathetic bill. Above is the link. Below is the list. I copied it from the site. Therefore, please visit the site and thank him and his staff for being true Americans.

he Democrats' Health Bill Does What?!!?!
Eleven Alarming Tax Issues

Washington, Mar 20 -

From the Way and Means press office: The Prescription Pad

1. Creates a special deal for union members. Starting in 2018, a single union worker in a multiemployer health plan would be completely exempt from the "Cadillac tax" (a 40% tax on high-cost plans) unless the price of that plan exceeds $27,500. In contrast, a single, non-union worker living right next door would start paying that Cadillac tax as soon as the value of her health plan exceeds $10,200.

2. Makes a bad surtax worse. Twenty-two House Democrats opposed a surtax contained in an earlier version of the Democrats' health care bill. That surtax would have started at a rate of 2% and would have applied to Americans earning over $280,000 for singles and $350,000 for couples. Under the current version of the bill, however, the Medicare surtaxes on both earned income (imposed at a rate of 0.9%) and investment income (imposed at a higher rate of 3.8%) feature far lower thresholds - $200,000 for singles and $250,000 for couples.

3. Increases taxes on real estate investments. The 3.8% Medicare surtax would hit average, middle-class investors in real estate. A middle-class taxpayer who happens to sell real estate for a significant gain in a particular year would be liable for this new tax, regardless of how low her income might be in other, more typical years. The National Association of Realtors wrote to Speaker Pelosi and Ways and Means Chairman Levin urging that Congress reject this unfair tax increase, especially given the flagging economy.

4. Vastly expands IRS powers. According to a new report , the Democrats' health care bill vastly expands the responsibilities of the Internal Revenue Service and would strengthen the IRS's heavy hand in dealing with ordinary taxpayers who play by the rules. If this bill becomes law, the IRS may have to hire up to 16,500 additional auditors, agents, and other employees just to enforce all the new taxes and penalties. The bill would empower the IRS to: (1) verify that Americans have "acceptable" health care coverage; (2) fine Americans up to $2,085 or 2 percent of income (whichever is greater) for the failure to purchase "minimum essential coverage"; (3) confiscate tax refunds; and (4) increase audits.

5. Imposes new marriage penalties. Because the Democrats' subsidies for health insurance are solely based on the federal poverty level, if two people make $32,000 per year, they would pay between $6,000 and $10,000 more for health insurance than before they said "I do." This is because as singles they were poor enough to receive health care subsidies, but as a married couple, these Americans are too rich for federal assistance. A discussion of how a prior version of the bill would have imposed these marriage penalties can be accessed here .

6. Breaks the President's pledge on not taxing the middle class in at least a dozen ways. The Democrats' health care bill contains at least a dozen direct and indirect tax increases that would break President Obama's pledge not to raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 for singles and $250,000 for couples. These include: (1) a "Cadillac tax" on high-cost plans, (2) an individual mandate tax on Americans who do not purchase government-approved health insurance, (3) an increase in the 7.5% AGI floor for medical expense deductions to 10%, (4) limits on Flexible Spending Accounts in cafeteria plans, (5) increased penalties for nonqualified HSA distributions, (6) other restrictions on Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts, and Flexible Spending Accounts, (7) a tax on tanning services, (8) an employer mandate tax, (9) a sales tax on medical devices, (10) a tax on health insurance premiums, (11) a tax on prescription drugs, and (12) a tax on insured and self-insured health plans.

7. Ensnares a growing number of people in the Cadillac tax. The Cadillac tax in the Democrats' health care bill would not keep pace with medical inflation after it comes into effect in 2018, meaning a larger and larger tax hit over time. Beginning in 2020, this tax would be indexed by only the consumer price index. Given that health insurance premiums will likely increase faster than CPI, the Cadillac tax would hit more and more plans each year and take a bigger bite from those already covered

8. Repeats the mistakes of the AMT. Instead of learning the lesson of the Alternative Minimum Tax, which hits more and more Americans every year because the exemption level is not indexed for inflation, the Democrats' bill repeats this mistake by failing to index the exemption threshold for the Medicare surtaxes on both earned and unearned income.

9. Forces those with catastrophic costs to pay even more. Current law provides important tax relief to Americans who suffer catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenses, permitting a deduction for costs above 7.5% of income. The Democrats' bill would raise that threshold to 10% of income in 2012 (2016 for seniors and the disabled). This is a particularly hard hit on those with the highest medical costs who can least afford to pay more taxes. And, according to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, more than 95% of the revenue generated from this tax increase would come from taxpayers earning less than $200,000.

10. Punishes investment in our economy. Under the Democrats' bill, the Medicare tax would, for the very first time, apply to capital gains, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and other investment income of singles earning over $200,000 and couples earning over $250,000. Currently, capital gains and dividends are taxed at a top rate of 15%, but those rates are already scheduled to rise in 2011 to 20% and 39.6%, respectively. When the expansion of the Medicare tax is coupled with the already scheduled rate increase, capital gains rates on these types of investment income, long-term capital gains rates would rise by almost 60% next year - from 15% to 23.8% - and the top tax rate on dividends would nearly triple - from 15% to 43.4%.

11. Robs Peter and leaves Paul broke. The Senate-passed Tax Extenders bill (H.R. 4213, as amended) includes one-year extensions of important tax relief policies for both individuals and businesses that expired on December 31, 2009. These include the deduction for state and local sales taxes, the R&D tax credit, and numerous energy-related incentives. Just weeks ago, the Senate decided to "pay for" those provisions by making "black liquor" ineligible for the cellulosic biofuel producer credit and by codifying the economic substance doctrine into law. Yet Democrats have now chosen to steal those very same revenue offsets - totaling $28.1 billion - to help finance their trillion dollar health bill instead. This begs the question: To the extent Democratic Leaders decide to adhere to PAYGO on Tax Extenders, what new taxes will they raise to replace all that lost revenue?

Senator From Texas Is Sen. Sam Johnson: American Patriot! A Laundry List Of The Disgusting Special Interest Deals

Checkout his site here. And thank him!


Shady Deals and Backroom Bargains in the Senate Takeover of Health Care


Washington, Mar 18 -

“These negotiations will be on C-Span, and so the public will be part of the conversation and we’ll see the choices that are being made.”
—President Barack Obama, January 20, 2008

“The Speaker is trying to pass the healthcare bill without letting America see it first. In fact, she said, ‘We have to pass the bill so you can find out what’s in it.’ She’s also shooting for a vote-less passage. That is unconstitutional! Well, I can tell my Democratic colleagues what’s in it. The healthcare bill is littered full of one sweetheart deal after another – from the Louisiana Purchase to the Cornhusker

Kickback. What’s another term for hustling votes? Buying them! The American people are fed up with secret backroom deals in smoke-filled rooms.” U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson

1) “The Louisiana Purchase”
Who: Democrat Senator Mary Landrieu (Louisiana)
Cost: $300 million
Section 2006 provides a “Special Adjustment” for states recovering from a major disaster. Though the state is not named specifically, this provision appears to help only Louisiana – providing $300 million to the state Medicaid program. At the request of Senator Mary Landrieu, this provision was inserted into the Senate bill shortly before it was brought to the floor for a vote. Source: Sweeteners for the South:The Washington Post (November 22, 2009)

2) “The Cornhusker Kickback”
Who: Democrat Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska)
Cost: $100 million
Section 10201(C)(4) provides that Nebraska, and only the State of Nebraska, would see the federal government pick up the extra Medicaid “tab” created by Obamacare. The underlying legislation expands Medicaid eligibility. Since Medicaid is a program paid for by both the federal and state governments, the Cornhusker Kickback has the federal government absorbing all the extra costs of this eligibility expansion that other states must still pay.
Source: CBO Pegs Nelson's Deal for Nebraska at $100 million: The Hill (December 20, 2009)

3) “Gator Aid”
Who: Democrat Senator Bill Nelson (Florida)
Cost: ???
The Senate bill cuts billions from the Medicare Advantage program – forcing millions of seniors off of their current health care plan. However, Senator Bill Nelson negotiated a special deal that protects Florida seniors from these cuts. Nelson inserted this amendment during the Senate Finance Committee’s markup. Source: White House Cuts Special Help for Nebraska, but Other Deals Remain in Reform Bill: ABC News Blog (February 22, 2010)

4) The Dodd Clinic
Who: Democrat Senator Chris Dodd (Connecticut)
Cost: $100 million
Section 10502 provides $100 million in funding for "a health care facility that provides research, inpatient tertiary care, or outpatient clinical services." The AP has reported that the funding was inserted at the request of Chris Dodd and will likely go to a University of Connecticut hospital.
Source: Health Bill Money for Hospitals Sought by Dodd: Politico (December 20, 2009)

5) “The Hoffa Handout”
Who: Democrat Senators John Kerry (Massachusetts) and Debbie Stabenow (Michigan)
Cost: $5 billion
Section 1102 provides $5 billion for a reinsurance program to defray the medical costs of union members—extra cash for union healthcare plans. This provision was added at the behest of Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow and Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry. Source: States of Personal Privilege: The Wall Street Journal (October 15, 2009)

6) “Favors for Fat Cats”
Who: Democrat Senators Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Debbie Stabenow (Michigan)
Cost: ???
Section 10905 of the Senate bill levies a new annual fee on health insurers. However, the bill provides an exemption to a narrow group of companies due to their political importance to a few senators. This section will exempt Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Source: Concessions Lawmakers Won in the Health Bill: The Boston Globe (December 22, 2009)

7) “The Beantown Buy-off”
Who: Independent Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and Democrat Senator John Kerry (Massachusetts)
Cost: $1.1 billion
Section 10201 adjusts federal payment to states for their Medicaid program. This section provides Vermont ($600 million) and Massachusetts ($500 million) extra federal Medicaid funds.
Source: Democrats Protect Backroom Deals: Politico (February 3, 2010)

8) “Another Joke from Jersey”
Who: Democrat Senator Bob Menendez (New Jersey)
Cost: $1 billion
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) secured a $1 billion research subsidy for drug companies in the Senate health care bill. According to Menendez’ website, 86 percent of New Jersey’s biotech companies would qualify for the subsidy contained in Section 9023. Source: States of Personal Privilege: The Wall Street Journal (October 15, 2009)

9) “Coal Miner Carve-out”
Who: Democrat Senator Max Baucus (Montana)
Cost: ???
Section 10323 provides Medicare coverage for workers exposed to “environmental health hazards.” Though not named specifically in the bill, the provision was added by Senator Max Baucus to ensure special health coverage for miners in Libby, Montana. Source: Deep In Health Bill, Very Specific Beneficiaries: The New York Times (December 20, 2009)

10) “The Fargo Freebie”
Who: Democrat Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan (North Dakota)
Cost: ???
Section 10324 generously provides higher Medicare payments to hospitals and doctors in “frontier counties.” Though not named specifically, providers in North Dakota counties would qualify for higher Medicare payments.
Source: On Health-care Bill, Democratic Senators are in States of Denial: The Washington Post (December 22, 2009)

11) “The Hawaiian Handout”
Who: Democrat Senators Dan Inouye and Daniel Akaka (Hawaii)
Cost: ???
The Senate bill reduces payments to hospitals for treating uninsured patients under the federal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program. However, Hawaii’s two Democrat Senators inserted a special deal for their state hospitals. Section 10201 shields Hawaii facilities from proposed cuts in DSH payments.
Source: On Health-care Bill, Democratic Senators are in States of Denial: The Washington Post (December 22, 2009)

12) “The Oregon Fail”
Who: Democrat Senator Jeff Merkley (Oregon)
Cost: ???
The Senate health care bill imposes a new tax on employer-sponsored health plans. Yet Senator Merkley was able to secure a special deal. Section 10901 of the Senate bill shields longshoremen from the full impact of the new tax.
Source: Concessions Lawmakers Won in the Health Bill: The Boston Globe (December 22, 2009)

Eric "Jackass" Massa Pulls Back On Democratic Gangster Tactics

WARNING!! PLEASE CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO LISTEN WHILE READING, THANK YOU!



Last night Glenn Beck decided to host his show with the flamboyant former Sen Eric "Jackass" Massa. Massa, disgruntled and a little disoriented, has been firing off his mouth about the threatening tactics of the Democratic elite. He pointed out how Rham ( aka Rommel) Emmanuel has been cornering him in the shower, apparently bringing new meaning to the word manhandle. The reference to "pointing his finger at me" may have been a metaphor for pointing something else when one looks at the "sense of humor" this fool showed on the Glenn Beck Show last night.



The next peculiar behavior displayed by this "jackass" is the gay question. Larry King had him as a guest. He never answered the question definitively except for " I answered that question 3 times already." He admitted to groping another male which a straight man would never ever do. I am getting flashbacks of Blogavich when I hear him say he is not going away.



I never realized that tickling another man was capable of stopping someone. Maybe it should be taught to FBI and Police as a nonviolent riot control tactic. And Sen Jackass Massa, blackbelt of the tickle martial arts form, should have used this technique in the shower when he was cornered by Rham.

Tickling? Behavior worthy of a Senator!?! RUCKING FIDICULOUS

JOSEPH LIEBERMANN DEFINITELY NOT PRO-ISRAEL

I went to see Liebermann when he came to my area locally in order to show his support for McCain (while running for President). He spoke about his undying loyalty towards supporting Israel. He went on to say that the Republicans have become the guardians for Israel and have properly recognized Israel's importance as an ally. He took the bold step to actually cross party lines based on principle, deciding to designate his party affiliation as "independent" rather than Dem or Rep.
Senator Liebermann has a nasty habit of speaking out for Israel and voting against Israel! That's right! He voted several years ago when a bill came up for sending approx $200 million to Israel. The purpose was to help boost the economy there because a terrorist attack during Passover. Only two Senators stopped the passing temporarily because the of the threat of philibuster. The threat was due to the fact that no provisions were made for the Palestinian economy. The argument was that the terror attack was more detramental to their livelihood and needed to be addressed additionally. The two senators were: Shmuck Schumer, a jew and Liebermann aka pruneface. These dumb Jews forced an earmark for $50 million to be granted to the Palestinians. First, they were the perpetrators of the attack. Second, how many Senators would have represented the Israeli situation had the shoe been on the other foot? None. These two Jews should NEVER be voted back into office.
In keeping with the tradition to constantly vote against Israel and America, both Schmuck Schumer and Liebermann voted for the Stimulus Bill. As per my prior post, the bill set aside money for Palestinian terrorists to immigrate to the US. I plan on keeping a record for these 2 Senators. I will make sure when they are up for reelection, the public is aware of their poor judgement.

Joseph Lieberman: Former Democrat Liberal Learns Not All Jews Are Whinning Liberals, But Serious Conservatives

I had the privilege of seeing the Senator yesterday in the Palm Beach Synagogue. I have been to the synagogue on several occasions and learned a few things about the Rabbi and its members. The Rabbi is a young, charismatic, powerful individual who has influence far beyond the walls of the Temple. He is a Conservative (Ba Ruch HaShem!), a quiet Kahane admirer (I have been told), and an intellectual. His speaking ability would have Obama shaking in his boots! I only wish I knew him on a more personal basis. As a Jew with family in Israel and as a Jewish Conservative, I find I have more in common with his views than any other Rabbi in the Palm Beach area. The temple has had some high profile lecturers, to its credit, and appears to be politically active and motivated. The Republicans were represented by a young upstart in Adam Hasner. He is approx 40 years old and very friendly. I am sorry to say I know little more than that. I hope he has taken it upon himself to get their message across to the liberal constituency groups of the Jewish Left, which Democrats always assume they can count on. The Democrats are notorious for making national news media coverage in south Florida because they had issues involving the 2000 election, the 2004 election and will absolutely complicate the 2008 election. They already have done damage to the electoral process for this election where they were disqualified from participation in the primaries.
My initial impression of the Senator was of confidence and approachable. He was introduced by the Rabbi who MCed the meeting, and by a colleague from Harvard 1964 Class. The Rabbi was about as charming as one could hope for. His anecdotal short stories profoundly press important issues in a unique manner which make the listener appreciate and remember them. After the introductions, the Senator proceeded to make the point that after some internal overview, his future of independent party or non affiliation politics is the choice for the future. That America has lost confidence in partisan politics and the real CHANGE is the politician who is willing to change parties if necessary. Sticking to party line should no longer dictate a politician's views. The Senator stated he was a Democrat when they had the right message. He went independent when he could not follow anyone. Now, McCain is the only pathway forward for America and Israel.
He mentioned McCain and He were in Israel together at The Wall. He spent sometime talking about Iran and what problems they hold. No time was spent on Obama talking him down with negative comments. He was asked a few questions about McCain's VP pick. He said he didn't know yet. The only major point he mentioned was 2 fold: Iran has turned down every negotiation for stopping of nuclear ambitions and 2) the US will has an office of some kind in Iran to try some persuasion at any juncture should more trying issues come up (such as a military strike).



Lieberman showed up in a McCain bus so his support is clear. I remember him saying he was an Orthodox Jew but much of his behavior doesn't prove it. He doesn't wear a skull cap or Yarmulka for instance. He says he puts on Tsfilllin which is a traditional practice of the religious. He ended the night with answering a few questions. Nothing terribly difficult and nothing overtly clear what is to come in Congress..He made one thing clear to me: He DOES support Israel openly. Hearing him with my own ears say it clear in Temple. My mind wanders in question as I ponder something I remember JTF or the Jewish Task Force said a few years back. Chaim Ben Pesach said Senator Lieberman never VOTES Pro-Israel, he always has to put some stipulation in for the Palestinians. Chaim's argument was based on how the Senator responded to the bombing that took place after Passover either in 2002 or 2004. The country was in mourning because many people were killed and maimed. When a bill went before the Congress to help the Israeli economy by injecting the county with a stimulation package for 100 million dollars. 2 Senators threatened to filibuster unless a provision was inserted to give the Palestinians a 50 million dollar incentive for their economy. Who were the 2 Senators: Lieberman ans "SCHMUCK" Schumer. The argument was any stimulation package for the perpetrators was victimizing the Israelis a second time. Also, why should the passage of one bill for Israel have any bearing on Palestinians. It was also legitimizing their ad hock government. Also, where are the punishments for the non compliance of the Oslo Agreements (Disagreements). By giving them anything and continuing their resent for the Agreement, they spit in the face of America too. Why should Saddam have negotiated when we never followed through on any non compliance with him, or why should Ahmedinajad negotiate when he knows he can win economic lifting on policy from the West if he waits long enough for us to get desperate. He also can continue nuclear experiments in secret and eventually openly because he will get no repercussion. Nobody wants war, everyone expects us to do it anyway. Lifting any embargo is the same as rewarding Iran win a stimulus package. And anyone who knows the behavior of past Middle Eastern leaders can easily predict a secret nuclear program continuing unabated behind closed doors.
I hope for the sake of Israel, the Senator clearly sees any appeasement discussed in Congress and puts it to rest. I hesitated to get in line quickly enough to ask questions. I believe my questions would have been a more perplexing scene than what had taken place. Questions like: If Ehud Olmert, the current PM of Israel is stepping down in September, how do you see the Israeli election and the Israeli election affecting one another? Do you think either election will determine the Israeli response time frame and what do you think Israel will do in both instances? I enjoyed his time and thank him and especially the Rabbi but next time the questions come up at the microphone.........!