WaPo healthcare book gets free promo via article touting Obamacare

By Kay B. Day

There have been quite a few moments as I read my morning paper when I threatened to cancel our subscription, and another one occurred on Sunday.

In Section A, occupying a full page spread with a lengthy text that jumped to another page, the article ‘Reform takes aim at doctors’ not only touted Obamacare. The article is a soft pitch for the new book ‘Landmark: The Inside Story of America’s New Healthcare Law and What It Means for Us All.’ That book was written by Washington Post staff.

The subtitle to the newspaper article borders on inanity—‘How the health-care law might make them [doctors] better informed, more efficient and, maybe, happier.’

Happier?

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Democrat health bill signed, sealed and delivering surprises, part 3

Pt. 3 of 3

Taxes and Center for Comparative Effectiveness place big question marks on healthcare bill’s cost and policy impact.

On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) commented on healthcare legislation passed by Democrats: "This fight is not over."As Democrats promise benefits to Main Street, some elements of their healthcare bill promise nasty surprises for those expecting more quality care for less money. What the bill arguably delivers in questionable promises of premium decreases by President Barack Obama, it may take back in taxes through the back door Democrats are so fond of.

Political analyst and Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Charles Krauthammer pegged one outcome—he predicted a national sales tax during an interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported the Obama administration was looking at a value-added tax (VAT) in May, 2009. National media said the idea came from a book written by the brother of the White House Chief of Staff, Ezekiel Emanuel who allegedly endorsed the idea in a book he wrote about guaranteed healthcare.

A VAT tax would not replace the income tax or any of the other numerous taxes the feds levy on everything from gas to cell phones—such a tax would be in addition to existing taxes.

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Healthcare legislation alert: Ask your representative to oppose HR 3200

Updated on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 6:24PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

Rep. Ander Crenshaw will oppose HR 3200. Shown here: Crenshaw attending a ceremony honoring the Duval County Shoreline Protection Project in Atlantic Beach.Dems are desperately rushing healthcare legislation most of them haven’t even read. A bulletin from Red State said, “House Democrats have cut a deal on healthcare reform with the Blue Dog Democrats. They meet this afternoon to mark up their bill and rush it through the House of Representatives.”

Every time I hear the term ‘Blue Dog’ I do two things: cringe and admire. I cringe because you cannot be a Democrat and be a true conservative. I admire because the branding is brilliant—the big government-loving Democratic Party garners independent votes by claiming a conservative coalition. It’s rather like cheesecake leering from your dessert plate promising you cholesterol is actually good for you.

Call your representative now.

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