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[slit]

Just for one year? If businesses get a pass for a year, why won't it fall apart there? If that part isn't necessary, why is it there at all? [/show me the receipts]

edit:


Too late for it now, but why not agree to it earlier in his 20 previous negotiations? I just feel that it's a good point that he was willing to bend the law for business and not for the people.

The businesses should not have, but that doesn't mean you give in to irrational babies.The penalty for the first year is $95 dollars. If don't even make enough to file income tax you would be exempt anyway. A year from now the GOP is not going to be any more cooperative so why put it off?

 

[The Technomancer]

Unfortunately as dumbed down as this speech is, I'd be willing to bet it's still going over a lot of heads.

Which is what I'm worried about. Textually its pretty straightforward but you have to actually think about what he's saying, it lacks emotional oomph

 

[PrivateWHudson]

The exemption from the IRS was made for practical reasons. How does that relate in any way to delaying the implementation of the individual mandate to appease political ideology?

What practical reasons?

 

[B-Dubs]

He does. I prefer the angrier immovable object Obama but he is successfully conveying the desperation of this situation at least. "It makes me nervous" sounded pretty genuine to me.

It probably was. Defaulting on our debt would be akin to plunging the world into an economic depression. Right now the US dollar is the world's safest investment, imagine if all of a sudden it wasn't.

 

[RustyNails]

What did Obama say about Citizens United?

 

[kirblar]

Just for one year? If businesses get a pass for a year, why won't it fall apart there? If that part isn't necessary, why is it there at all? [/show me the receipts]

edit:


Too late for it now, but why not agree to it earlier in his 20 previous negotiations? I just feel that it's a good point that he was willing to bend the law for business and not for the people.

The thing being waived for businesses is a terrible policy that is unlikely to be let into play by any R or D administration. (This isn't a political issue, there's near-unanimity on this from economists.) It arbitrarily penalizes businesses with 50+ people for not providing insurance, and would result in terrible incentives.

 

[Sanky Panky]

Wow @ Obama on Citizens United.

I'm glad he's being as candid as he can be without saying that he's a puppet himself.

He explicitly said that members are going against their conscience in order to not get pushed out by donors. I hope this gets a lot of attention.

 

[SenorArdilla]

Summary & explanations please. I haven't been following this for the last few days.

I'm aware that Democrats want a clean bill and that Republicans are trying to push the narrative that Democrats are refusing to negotiate. The Republicans are trying to kill funding for the ACA which already passed and push such legislature into the bill. And they are willing to default the government to get ACA removed.

 

[Hawkian]

It probably was. Defaulting on our debt would be akin to plunging the world into an economic depression. Right now the US dollar is the world's safest investment, imagine if all of a sudden it wasn't.

Exactly; you could really tell how unbelievably stressful it feels for him to realize he needs to explain it at all. "It should make the American people nervous" was like the gentlest way possible out there to say "those of you who aren't getting it"

 

[kirblar]

Summary & explanations please. I haven't been following this for the last few days.

I'm aware that Democrats want a clean bill and that Republicans are trying to push the narrative that Democrats are refusing to negotiate. The Republicans are trying to kill funding for the ACA which already passed and push such legislature into the bill. And they are willing to default the government to get ACA removed.

The GOP doesn't believe the problem is with their policies or actions. On any issue. They believe it's because they haven't "gotten the marketing right."

This is why they're failing.

 

[Lv99 Slacker]

What did Obama say about Citizens United?

Paraphrasing: There aren't too many democracies in the world that have this and for good reason. Part of the reason why we're having this breakdown in what should be a routine operation is because of extremists that have the financial backing of a few individuals.

 

[The Technomancer]

Exactly; you could really tell how unbelievably stressful it feels for him to realize he needs to explain it at all. "It should make the American people nervous" was like the gentlest way possible out there to say "those of you who aren't getting it"

That's what I think is stressing him out. He so very clearly is incredibly frustrated and worried that so much of the country doesn't get how big of a fucking problem this is.

 

[Jonm1010]

I'm glad he's being as candid as he can be without saying that he's a puppet himself.

He explicitly said that members are going against their conscience in order to not get pushed out by donors. I hope this gets a lot of attention.

He also brought up gerrymandering and it's influence.

Honestly those two things are the two most pressing issues threatening democracy outside of this crisis.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

Tantrum aside (I agree, politically he shouldn't do it), how much would extending the Mandate out one year hurt? Just winging the numbers, but if there are 30MM uninsured, half want to be insured that leave 15MM. Out of that, 10MM will fall under the expanded Medicaid and say 2MM will either find a loophole, or just not have enough in their return to pay the fine. So what, maybe 3MM would really fall under the forced to get insurance umbrella. Is that worth the trouble for just a year? Or are my numbers way the fuck off?

It would hurt a lot because the projections anticipate that it would severely hurt rates in the marketplaces going forward, which run on the assumption that all people will be required to get insurance. Delaying the mandate would significantly hurt the industry, raising premiums when the mandate DID go into effect, and in turn bombing the whole thing. Postponing the mandate seems to be a non-starter at this point for economic reasons as well as political.

 

[Mr. E. Yis]

Damn pulling out all the stops. Obama hitting a home run with this press conference. Talking about Citizen's United; he's even talking about gerrymandering.

 

[RustyNails]

Paraphrasing: There aren't too many democracies in the world that have this and for good reason. Part of the reason why we're having this breakdown in what should be a routine operation is because of extremists that have the financial backing of a few individuals.

Thanks.

 

[JonCha]

The GOP doesn't believe the problem is with their policies or actions. On any issue. They believe it's because they haven't "gotten the marketing right."

This is why they're failing.

Marketing??

 

[kirblar]

Marketing??

They think they can spin anything.

 

[KHarvey16]

What practical reasons?

Businesses had issues setting up systems and ways to manage compliance. Many weren't able to implement the changes in time even though they were trying. It came down to, if I remember, reporting who had what insurance when, and for how long. This is easy with 50 employees but not with 50,000. The IRS received feedback from many businesses and decided to push back the requirement for 1 year.

 

[Clevinger]

Oh man, that fat little Fox News weasel. In all these pressers he's always contorting in his seat, barely holding in a shit eating grin. He can't wait to ask his awful question.

 

[PrivateWHudson]

The thing being waived for businesses is a terrible policy that is unlikely to be let into play by any R or D administration. (This isn't a political issue, there's near-unanimity on this from economists.) It arbitrarily penalizes businesses with 50+ people for not providing insurance, and would result in terrible incentives.

So it's not a one year waiver, but kicking a shitty part of the law down the road? How did it get passed, I thought the law is the law and if it part of the law it should be enacted.

edit:

Businesses had issues setting up systems and ways to manage compliance. Many weren't able to implement the changes in time even though they were trying. It came down to, if I remember, reporting who had what insurance when, and for how long. This is easy with 50 employees but not with 50,000. The IRS received feedback from many businesses and decided to push back the requirement for 1 year.

So they had years to set up a system, but couldn't? Maybe some people just can't get the money together to buy into the exchanges. Maybe they've been giving feedback to their Representatives since they don't have a direct line or pull with the IRS.

 

[RustyNails]

Oh man, that fat little Fox News weasel. In all these pressers he's always contorting in his seat, barely holding in a shit eating grin. He can't wait to ask his awful question.

"Mr President how many babies have you killed since the shutdown started?"

 

[Sanky Panky]

He also brought up gerrymandering and it's influence.

Honestly those two things are the two most pressing issues threatening democracy outside of this crisis.

If only the mainstream press would latch onto this and press (lol pun) for change. It is honestly the root of most of all our problems.

 

[CoffeeJanitor]

Please search Twitter for people's reactions guys. Its terrible

 

[The Technomancer]

Please search Twitter for people's reactions guys. Its terrible

No thanks. I'm in class and hurling my laptop at the wall would draw attention

 

[kirblar]

So it's not a one year waiver, but kicking a shitty part of the law down the road? How did it get passed, I thought the law is the law and if it part of the law it should be enacted.

Because it sounds like it's protecting the mythical "Small Business" unicorn and thus appeals to legislators.

Executive action has replaced legislative action in many of these things because our legislature has essentially become unable to function over the past few decades.

 

[JonCha]

They think they can spin anything.

Where have they said this? Are they basically saying their messaging is wrong as to why they're not moving on this?

Seems like there are bigger issues in the short-term.

 

[Hawkian]

Summary & explanations please. I haven't been following this for the last few days.

I'm aware that Democrats want a clean bill and that Republicans are trying to push the narrative that Democrats are refusing to negotiate. The Republicans are trying to kill funding for the ACA which already passed and push such legislature into the bill. And they are willing to default the government to get ACA removed.

Man, the narrative barely even has anything to do with the ACA anymore

“This fight now has become about veterans and about national guard folks that perhaps — reservists that are not getting paid,” he said. “That’s where the fight is today. Obamacare is mandatory spending that’s going on.”

For the people who are pulling Boehner's strings, at this point it's an exercise in proving how stubborn they are.

 

[kirblar]

Where have they said this? Are they basically saying their messaging is wrong as to why they're not moving on this?

Seems like there are bigger issues in the short-term.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMfg0E2Ekc This is their approach on most issues. It's why they're dying off among younger voters. (Thanks, Internet!)

 

[cdkee]

Please search Twitter for people's reactions guys. Its terrible

All I saw were some right pundits.

I don't get it. It's like they don't know how government works and hate him so much they'd rather see the country burn to the ground rather than let him do anything.

It's mind boggling.

 

[Jonm1010]

If only the mainstream press would latch onto this and press (lol pun) for change. It is honestly the root of most of all our problems.

Yeah Thomas Friedman, who I often disagree with, has been driving home the point that basically the three issues most threatening democracy right now are reaching a tipping point: money in politics, gerrymandering and partisan media.

Congress can(theoretically) deal with two of them, the third may be a bit more difficult.

 

[SenorArdilla]

Man, the narrative barely even has anything to do with the ACA anymore


For the people who are pulling Boehner's strings, at this point it's an exercise in proving how stubborn they are.

So basically, they're trying to see if they can get Obama to cave?

 

[j_k_redtail]

TRANSCRIPT:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...88c0-3038-11e3-8906-3daa2bcde110_story_4.html

In the same way, members of Congress, and the House Republicans in particular, don't get to demand ransom in exchange for doing their jobs. And two of their very basic jobs are passing a budget and making sure that America's paying its bills. They don't also get to say, you know, unless you give me what the voters rejected in the last election, I'm going to cause a recession.


That's not how it works. No American president would deal with a foreign leader like this. Most of you would not deal with either co- workers or business associates in this fashion. And we shouldn't be dealing this way here in Washington.

And you know, I've heard Republicans suggest that, well, no, this is reasonable, that this is entirely appropriate. But as I've said before, imagine if a Democratic Congress threatened to crash the global economy unless a Republican president agreed to gun background checks or immigration reform. I think it's fair to say that Republicans would not think that was appropriate.
...
Now the last time that the tea party Republicans flirted with the idea of default, two years ago, markets plunged, business and consumer confidence plunged, America's credit rating was downgraded for the first time, and a decision to actually go through with it, to actually permit default, according to many CEOs and economists, would be -- and I'm quoting here -- "insane, catastrophic, chaos" -- these are some of the more polite words.
...
So we can't afford these manufactured crises every few months. And as I said, this one isn't even about deficits or spending or budgets. Our deficits are falling at the fastest pace in 60 years. The budget that the Senate passed is at Republican spending levels. It's their budget that Democrats were willing to put votes on just to make sure the government was open while negotiations took place for a longer-term budget. And what's happened -- the way we got to this point was one thing and one thing only, and that was Republican obsession with dismantling the Affordable Care Act and denying health care to millions of people. That law ironically is moving forward.
...
We can't make extortion routine as part of our democracy. Democracy doesn't function this way. And this is not just for me; it's also for my successors in office. Whatever party they're from, they shouldn't have to pay a ransom either for Congress doing its basic job. We've got to put a stop to it.
...
The greatest nation on earth shouldn't have to get permission from a few irresponsible members of Congress every couple months just to keep our government open or to prevent an economic catastrophe.

Added bold

 

[cdkee]

So basically, they're trying to see if they can get Obama to cave?

Yes, though at times it almost seems like they're hell bent on collapsing the government totally.

 

[JonCha]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMfg0E2Ekc This is their approach on most issues. It's why they're dying off among younger voters. (Thanks, Internet!)

Thanks. Hardly doing their job and keeping their constituents in mind.

If I understand that clip correctly, they're saying 'we're not willing to say we'll compromise'?

 

[Black Mamba]

Just for one year? If businesses get a pass for a year, why won't it fall apart there? If that part isn't necessary, why is it there at all? [/show me the receipts]

edit:


Too late for it now, but why not agree to it earlier in his 20 previous negotiations? I just feel that it's a good point that he was willing to bend the law for business and not for the people.

As I keep explaining.

The employer mandate roughly covers 1% of the entire labor force. That's it. Very few businesses are actually subject to being affected by it. It is an inconsequential and almost useless part of the ACA. The delay was done because those few businesses were having a bit of trouble complying on time for the admin threw them a bone.

On the flip side, the individual mandate makes up 95% of the ACA. Without it, the law falls apart. The insurance industry would be a mess, as well. Their actuaries set prices based on the fact that the mandate exists. Without it, many people will simply not get insurance until they get sick. This drives prices up, enormously. Don't believe me? Look at NY. Their have similar laws to the ACA without the mandate and their individual market for healthy people starts at like $1k per month. Only about 6k people in the entire state have individual insurance as a result!

So arguing that the individual mandate should be delayed a year as reasonable is absurd. Without it, the entire law fails. The GOP knows this and that's why they are messaging it. If Obama delays the mandate, the ACA will fail and everyone will see it fail.

It's a bullshit underhanded way of crippling the law.

 

[The Technomancer]

Thanks. Hardly doing their job and keeping their constituents in mind.

If I understand that clip correctly, they're saying 'we're not willing to say we'll compromise'?

Basically. Its genuine fanaticism among a healthy segment of the party now.

 

[kirblar]

Thanks. Hardly doing their job and keeping their constituents in mind.

If I understand that clip correctly, they're saying 'we're not willing to say we'll compromise'?

They're shocked, shocked that the Dems are saying the same things publicly and privately.

The GOP has been telling different things to the press/public, to the administration, to the Tea Party, and to Wall Street.

 

[Rayis]

Please search Twitter for people's reactions guys. Its terrible

The ratio of people saying terrible things and having the words"freedom" "liberty" or "patriot" in their name with an eagle and American flag as the display picture is too high!

 

[lednerg]

I'm loving this Q&A

 

[DyTonic]

Doubt a default would happen.

 

[KHarvey16]

So they had years to set up a system, but couldn't? Maybe some people just can't get the money together to buy into the exchanges. Maybe they've been giving feedback to their Representatives since they don't have a direct line or pull with the IRS.

Huh? No. Companies provided feedback to the IRS regarding their inability to meet the deadline due to the reporting requirements.

 

[newshinycd]

Doubt a default would happen.

I said the same thing about a government shutdown. Don't underestimate the sheer stupidity of Boehner and Co.

 

[The Technomancer]

Oh here we go

 

[Cymbal Head]

The Fox News homepage is slaying me right now.

 

[Bodacious]

Just for one year? If businesses get a pass for a year, why won't it fall apart there? If that part isn't necessary, why is it there at all? [/show me the receipts]

Did you see this? Sebelius on Jon Stewart. He asks her over and over and over again. Never gets a straight answer.

http://youtu.be/sCXNeHmx9Qw

At the end of the show he even says flat out maybe she was just lying to him.

http://youtu.be/uOM8SJ0KUrc

 

[Blader]

Doubt a default would happen.

I think it's more likely than not. Many Republicans flat out don't even understand it, which is why you have some starting to tout how defaulting wouldn't even be that big of a deal.

 

[JonCha]

Basically. Its genuine fanaticism among a healthy segment of the party now.

They're shocked, shocked that the Dems are saying the same things publicly and privately.

The GOP has been telling different things to the press/public, to the administration, to the Tea Party, and to Wall Street.

Ridiculous. Seems too obvious that they do this in a more civil way, i.e. no shutdown.

 

[Trey]

I think it's more likely than not. Many Republicans flat out don't even understand it, which is why you have some starting to tout how defaulting wouldn't even be that big of a deal.

Boehner understands it, and enough House Republicans understand it. Put a clean CR to a vote and it will pass.

 

[kirblar]

Did you see this? Sebelius on Jon Stewart. He asks her over and over and over again. Never gets a straight answer.

http://youtu.be/sCXNeHmx9Qw

At the end of the show he even says flat out maybe she was just lying to him.

http://youtu.be/uOM8SJ0KUrc

The bill falls apart without the individual mandate. Her background is law and political office, and she's essentially an administrator. I'm not surprised she's fall apart when pressed on the economics of it as it's not actually her background, and the debate over that part's actually been long over.