The View From The Ditch Bank

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY--Have you ever seen that movie. A spaghetti western staring Clint Eastwood. One of the few movies that I didn't particularly like. I only actually walked out on one movie that I had paid money to see. And the above named movie isn't it. I think I should have, though. And what does that have to do with this post. Well, since this is another post about the health care bill, I think maybe the title fits. So, lets look at it a bit. This bill is over 2000 pages, a bill that President Obama wanted, but was crafted by Nancy Pelosi.( This was on the news this morning.) Oh,but they didn't really pass their bill, since the House of Reprobates, had to pass the one the Senate had already passed back in December. The House only agreed to pass that one, if the Senate would then make some changes on their bill and then pass the changes on something called reconciliation. they only need a simple majority of 51 votes to do that. That vote is coming soon. One can only assume that it will pass also. Now, the people of this country has been at odds with each other over something or other since way back to George Washington. The civil war, ( can war actually be civil?) Although there have been times of the people splitting over something down through the times, the last time in my life that I saw the country split really bad was during the Vietnam War. Until now. This country is split on the health care issue. According to the news, 46% for it 45% against it. Uh! where is the other 9%? makes one wonder if they were even ask. Or having a tea party or something.So, maybe that is the ugly.The people at odds with each other. lets see if there is any good, or bad. The bill comes with a price tag of $940 billion over 10 years. Bad. The congressional Budget Office says it will cut the deficit $130 billion in the next 10 years and $1.2 Trillion in the following 10 years. if it does, Good. Now, if what is being reported is correct, most of the items in this bill will not even take affect until 2014, some not until 2018. So, there will be very little immediate affect. Except by the insurance company legal offices, trying to find the loopholes. And they will find them. You can't convince me that the government can write a bill of over 2000 pages and not leave some loopholes. MAYBE not intentionally, but they will be there. And the insurance company lawyers will find them. Assuming that all actually does go as planned, then all Americans will have access to health care by 2014. Good. The insurance companies can't drop you or raise your premiums cause you got sick. Good. There will be no public option, so you can't buy insurance from the Government, except Medicare and Medicaid. Good. In fact I would rather use my company insurance and drop medicare all together. But I can't. bad. All Americans, except for those making less money than my piddling retirement, will be required to have insurance, or be fined. $95.00 the first year and up to $695.00 in years after that. Bad. This bill will cover abortions. bad Unless that gets changed in the upcoming reconciliation vote. If so, and no loopholes, then Good. Since I am retired, and have to have Medicare, by law, I have no choice, Medicare will be cut. Bad. I don't know yet how much, but it makes it Bad for those of us who had to sign up for medicare, and then be told, sorry, we can't help you as much as we have been doing. Bad. Bet my premiums don't go down, though. It will tax those making over $200,000 a year to pay for this. If this bill is going to cut the deficit, why do we need the extra taxes? Maybe congress needs a raise to compensate for all the hard work they did crafting this bill. If it actually does cut the deficit, that will be good. if not, then my grandchildren will be paying a large tax to pay for this. I am leery of any thing the government says is good for me, but I hope this one turns out to be the exception. And that is the View From The Ditch Bank.