Obama Can’t Win Healthcare Test

U.S. Supreme Court building.

U.S. Supreme Court building.

Note: This blog was originally written at the time of oral arguments before the Supreme Court in March. It’s still timely. 

Today the U.S. Supreme Court takes up legal arguments for and against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The plaintiffs are 25 Attorney’s General, including Washington State gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.

Rob McKenna

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna

The defendants, technically, are the U.S. Government. For an unprecedented three days lawyers for either side will try to convince the nine justices of the Robert’s Court that Obamacare should continue to be the law of the land, which it is currently; or that several aspects of the 27-hundred page law are un-Constitutional and ought to be overturned and disallowed.

By the time The Court hears the arguments and issues their decision it will be Summer, probably June. At that time we almost certainly will have chosen a Republican Presidential candidate and it almost certainly will be Mitt Romney. And the Presidential, Senate and Congressional election campaigns will be gearing up for the fall vote. And while the Court’s ruling on the Patients Protection and Affordable Care Act will have serious legal, judicial, legislative, and personal impacts all across this country; another aspect of impact that is undeniable is the political impact. And the good news on that front is Republicans can’t lose. The GOP will get a huge boost this Summer no matter if the Court rules for or against Obamacare.

If you are one of the 70% of Americans who don’t like Obamacare and feel it should be struck down or repealed how are you going to feel about The Court telling you, “tough”. You are going to feel angry and you are going to feel charged up. With an affirmative vote from the court upholding Obamacare the last, best hope of actually removing this albatross from around the necks of the American people and American business will be to win the November elections for Congress and The White House. Failure to do either will undoubtedly mean Obamacare will NEVER be repealed. Even winning the White House and retaining the House of Representatives will not be enough for the GOP, because the Senate has proven to be a place where good ideas go to die. Filibustering is used as a method to block legislation far more than was intended by James Madison and the other authors of our Constitution when they penned it for consideration 225 years ago. So winning in November becomes an all-or-nothing proposition.

Sarah Palin at the Americans for Prosperity-ru...

Sarah Palin at the Americans for Prosperity-run Wisconsin 2011 Tax Day Tea Party Rally.

As was demonstrated by the Tea Party movement in 2010 Americans will respond when pushed to the brink. If Obamacare is upheld, the Democrats will face a desperate GOP that can’t help but win.

If, as I expect, the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare, saying the Individual Mandate represents an extreme over-reach by Congress, an example of government tyranny our Founding Fathers fought to get rid of, then you will have a President facing re-election with egg all over his face. More significantly you will have a President asking to be re-elected after having accomplished near nothing in his four plus years in office. (That fact remains true even if Obamacare is upheld since the bill was not written by Obama or any of his administration).

Barack Obama signing the Patient Protection an...

Barack Obama signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the White House Español: Barack Obama firmando la Ley de Protección al Paciente y Cuidado de Salud Asequible en la Casa Blanca (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A President Obama with no healthcare legislation to hang his hat on has only a weak economy, high unemployment, high gas prices, a more dangerous world, and an ardent promise to raise taxes in which to campaign-on. That is a formula for disaster from a Democrats standpoint.

And do you think Mitt Romney might benefit from having the Obamacare discussion removed from the table? Since much of Obamacare was written, based on the Health Care Law in Massachusetts which Mitt Romney signed into law Romney is likely to dance a jig when the John Robert’s led Supreme Court returns their ruling. He won’t have to continually defend a law that’s very unpopular, or be faced with the comparisons with a law that no longer exists. Instead he can do the right thing and campaign on really fixing the healthcare system in this country.

I can’t imagine how President Obama successfully campaigns in the fall. As expected I believe he will only have negative, slime to throw at Mitt Romney. He won’t be able to run a positive campaign. This is another reason Romney is the best candidate for the GOP. He has led such a squeaky clean life his worst foibles aren’t all that bad. In fact, his worst foibles amount to not always being Conservative enough. And President Obama can’t win that argument either.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Please Share this blog if you find it interesting.

Related articles

March 26, 2012
Categories: National Politics . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: 1 Comment

The Conservative Purity Test.

“When a guys on the ground and another is dancing around the ring with his hands in the air, the guy dancing is the winner.” -Unknown

Like most people I like to win. Which is why I have always been troubled by the Conservative Purity Test so many who vote Republican feel they must apply to their candidates. It’s a scenario I call the “Take my ball and go home” method of choosing our leaders.

Rush Limbaugh - Caricature

Rush Limbaugh is a very vocal enthusiast of this flawed manner of leadership. The mega-popular radio host is almost as tough on Republicans that fail his Conservative purity test as he is on Democrats.  And he is tough on Democrats. (BTW – Side note- Why is it that Democrats don’t recognize that Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh are in the exact same business? Entertainment? Hello!) He says too many Republicans “settle” for what he terms “moderates” because we’ve been told we have no other choice. He says nominating a “true” Conservative is the only way to win. Limbaugh is not the only one who feels this way. It gives me no joy in saying that these people are idiots. By Limbaugh’s standards the only true Conservative nominated by Republicans in the past 30 years is Ronald Reagan in 1984 when he was re-elected President. No one since has passed the Conservative purity test.

This Purity Test has the following requirements of the candidates:

1. Be Pro-Life; NO EXCEPTIONS!

2. Never once raise taxes, ever.

3. Be anti-Gay marriage.

4. Never make a deal with any Democrat at any time.

5. Be a devout Christian (Mormons not included).

6. Don’t be a flip-flopper; never change your mind at any time in your life.

There are probably a few others that I’m forgetting. But these six are the hard-core rock solid minimum requirements necessary to pass the Conservative Purity Test.

Česky: Oficiální portrét amerického prezidenta...

I got news for you Conservative ideologues…Ronald Reagan would not have passed this test. And more significantly neither would ANY of the current GOP Presidential candidates. Mitt Romneyis a flip-flopper.

November 8: Republicans gain control of Congre...

Newt Gingrichembraced health care mandatory requirements AND endorsed Cap & Trade.

, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.

Rick Santorum has voted in favor of tax hikes. Ron Paul is an idiot (while true…more significant than he’s an idiot is the fact that he’s irrelevant).

The nominee of the Republican party will be Mitt Romney. Simple math tells us this. So I felt it was time to get something straight about our next President, whom I have chosen to support. He is a panderer. The more politically damaging term “flip-flopper” may apply to Romney but I choose to look at the simple fact that he is pandering to his electorate for votes. SHOCKING! No politician has ever done that before have they? Obviously I jest.

Congressman Poe and Governor Mitt Romney

What ought to concern those considering voting for Romney, especially as it applies to the Conservative Purity Test, is who or what is the TRUE Romney? Is it the Massachusetts’ Governor who had previously taken positions that were not purely Pro-Life and passed a health care law that include a form of the individual mandate? Or is it the rock-hard Conservative who now professes an entirely Pro-Life stance and claims he would repeal Obamacare? Who is he specifically? Well, I tend to believe he’s a lot like Bill Clinton only Conservative. Bill Clinton never seemed to have a conviction that couldn’t be swayed by the latest opinion poll.

Still, giving Romney the benefit of the doubt and keeping my eye on the ball…I want to win…I just have to employ a little common sense. What’s more likely that this life long Mormon with a family heritage that goes back to the beginning of the LDS Church is really a liberal rejecting nearly all the tenets of this church;OR that while serving as a Republican Governor in the most Liberal state in the Union and dealing with a legislature that was 70% Democrat he had to bend or twist or possibly ignore the Conservative Purity Test in order to…1. Get elected…and 2. Govern effectively? Isn’t it obvious? Say what you will about the LDS Church but their dogma is most definitely Conservative.

Come November I want to be dancing around the ring with my hands in the air. And since neither Gingrich or Santorum pass the stupid Conservative Purity Test either; and since Romney will be the GOP Presidential candidate I strongly suggest the “my-way-or-the-highway” Conservatives realize that the ultimate Championship Belt isn’t found in the nominating process. The hands are raised and the champion’s belt is rewarded in November. So come on board. And lets win.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Related articles

March 19, 2012
Categories: National Politics . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on The Conservative Purity Test.

Republicans are Stepping into Obama’s Bear Trap!

George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos

When George Stephanopoulos quizzically asked Mitt Romney whether state’s could ban contraception during an ABC News televised Republican Presidential Debate in January we were witnessing the first bear trap laid in the woods by the Obama administration in their hopes of having GOP Presidential candidates decisively put their foot in it. On that night Romney didn’t, in spite of Stephanopoulos’s dogged effort to get him to do so. He was clearly stunned by the question and saw no relevance in it.

Mitt Romney at one of his presidential campaig...

GOP front-runner Mitt Romney

He adeptly avoided committing himself to a dangerous anti-contraception, anti-woman position from which Obama would string him from a tree like a hunting prize.

Unfortunately since that time Republicans have repeatedly put their foot squarely in the steel jaws of Obama’s Machiavellian plot. Once again Obama has proven himself to be one of the most thoroughly cut-throat politicians ever to occupy the White House. Chicago trained him well.

Shortly after Stephanopoulos’ covert opening volley, Obama announced the H-H-S plan to have church owned organizations, specifically the Catholic church,

St. Peter's Basilica at Early Morning

St. Peter's Basilica

supply contraception and the morning-after pill to their workers free of charge. AND THEN he quickly amended the policy to make it so the church’s insurance company’s paid for the contraception. In doing so Obama revealed his political motivation. He wanted to introduce the more extreme position as a track official would want to fire his starting gun to signal that runners should begin running. He wanted the debate, the fight. Again, he put politics ahead of country, dividing our country and creating controversy where none existed. He tailored his argument, and coached his Democratic minions to make the argument about a woman’s right to have contraception.

Should the Catholic church have contraception prohibited from the insurance coverage of all its employees in their churches, hospitals, colleges and universities no woman would be denied contraception. Those church employees could still get contraception on their own; they could still buy their own private insurance policies; they could choose to work for some company or organization that has beliefs and policies in line with their values and that does provide contraception coverage; and as shocking as this suggestion may be they could choose to refrain from sex until such time as they are ready to have a child. (I’m not advocating any of these options. I’m just correctly pointing out that choices do exist. The fact that the choices for the individual may be less desirable than being given something for free is immaterial.)

U.S. Senate Republicans introduced a bill that would exempt churches AND private businesses from providing contraception or other medical procedures in their employees insurance coverage if the leader or leaders of the business have a religious or moral objection. The measure was narrowly defeated 51-49; for which I am grateful. The legislation was a tremendous over-reach by Republicans too distracted by a big steel clamp around their ankles. A trap engraved with Barrack Obama‘s signature.

English: Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was also encumbered by the bear trap when he referred to a Georgetown University Law Student as a “slut” and a “prostitute”. The woman’s testimony before a Democratic Senate panel advocating free contraception WAS laughable. But in trying to laugh and make others laugh Limbaugh went too far and too crude, as he so often does. And he again turned the discussion back to a woman’s right to birth control rather than religious freedom.

It’s all so pathetic. I hope Romney continues to avoid the subject.

Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012

And all other Republicans should wise up and refuse to discuss the matter further. The media is Obama’s tool to manipulate and Republicans can’t win for losing. Any discussion of the matter will be turned by Democrats AND by the media into a false debate over birth control an argument Republicans will always lose. Let the Catholic church defend itself. It can. And it will. The Catholic church is the largest church in America and the richest church in the world. They are more than capable of winning a judicial fight over Obama’s CLEAR violation of the Bill of Right’s 1st Amendment.

Obama didn’t want a 1st Amendment fight. He wants to win an election. He can’t win talking about the economy or his record. So he divided the country and changed the subject. He laid a trap. Republicans stepped in it. And what’s really scary is that it won’t be Obama’s last trap. Let’s hope Republicans avoid the clumsiness they’ve displayed around this one.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

March 4, 2012
Categories: National Politics . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: 1 Comment

A Brokered Convention? Why be Afraid?

English: Obama-Clinton rally in Orlando. Barac...

President Obama with former competitor Hillary Clinton

Do I really need to remind you that only four years ago Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama fought tooth and nail through the Democratic Primaries before Obama emerged with his party’s nomination? Do I need to remind you that Obama went on to win the Presidential election rather handily against a weakened Republican party? Do I need to remind you that the Tea Party activism wave that swept Republicans back into leadership in the House of Representatives and severely cut into Democrat leads in the Senate didn’t start gaining momentum and news coverage until the Summer of 2010?

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney

I ask these questions because you would think the state of the Republican presidential contest were in free fall the way “pundits” are discussing recent polls on the cable news channels and talk radio. There is increasing discussion of a possible brokered convention for Republicans thanks to the surge in popularity by

speaking at CPAC in Washington D.C. on Februar...

former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, and the subsequent fall in popularity of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

First of all polls are not news. Though the news agencies do their best to tell us they are. Second the reason you are hearing so much about this stuff is because there is so little else to report right now. Their have been no primaries for over a week, and there won’t be any for another week. No news on who has momentum, no news on who is going to secure the nomination and by when. The news media is like a hungry dog. If you don’t give it something to chew on, they’ll find your slippers and have at-it.

Republicans have no cause to worry about a brokered convention. Romney still has the money and the expectation of getting the nomination and I think he will. Santorum has too many quirky little missteps in his past to survive the scrutiny he is only now undergoing for the first time in the political process.

English: Newt Gingrich at a political conferen...

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich isn’t even trying to win in upcoming primaries in Michigan and Arizona; pinning all his hopes on a good showing Super Tuesday March 6th in numerous southern states. Gingrich has only one win under his belt, in South Carolina. Not running in all the states, like Romney is, is a sure way to give up the state during the general election. And giving up swing states like Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona, none of which Gingrich competed in, shows you are not prepared to lead the whole country.

Those who cling to fantasies of Sarah Palin

English: This is an alternate crop of an image...

, Jeb Bush, or Chris Christie stepping forward at the Republican National Convention in August and then sweeping into the White House are smoking too many Florida Chads or something. Had these Republican luminaries had the belly for running for President they would have done so. But they didn’t. So that settles that. Even if Romney or Santorum fail to reach the 1,144 delegates to secure a nomination, you can expect some wheeling and dealing between what candidates hold delegates to come up with a nominee from among the three remaining. (Yes, three. Paul doesn’t count. Paul has never counted.)

My money and currently my vote remain with Romney. And Republicans don’t need to hurry up and get to where I already am. They can take their time. In the end, November is what counts. Beat Obama.

Barack Obama

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Please Share if you found this interesting.

Related articles

February 21, 2012
Categories: National Politics . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on A Brokered Convention? Why be Afraid?

Our Most Machiavellian President Ever?

Famous posthumous portrait of Niccolò Machiave...

Image via Wikipedia

When I read how former Bill Clinton advisor Dick Morris theorized that President Obama and his crafty political operatives had devised a strategy to manufacture the issue of birth-control and paint Republicans as being against something that virtually everyone in America, even Catholics, are in favor of I was skeptical. I know Obama built his entire career with the Chicago style of politics, and merely took out his opponents as a primary strategy. But this scheme seemed too Machiavellian even for him. This morning…I’m convinced. Obama has made the whole country fight each other over birth control where previously no argument existed.

Remember when ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Mitt Romney what seemed like a bizarre question about banning contraception during the New Hampshire Presidential debate?

Romney was so taken aback by the question he literally didn’t know how to answer it. And yet…Stephanopoulos persisted demanding that Romney take a stand on whether states can ban contraception. As one who has watched all the debates since August I can tell you it was one of the most diligent pursuits of an answer I’ve seen a moderator perform. And only now we can realize why. The former Clinton aide was doing the work of the Obama Administration and trying to get Romney to step into the trap. Fortunately, Romney avoided the trap skillfully.

Some weeks later Obama announces his directive to require all churches and church run organizations to include free contraception and the abortion pill in all health care coverage they are now required to provide all their employees. It was such a blatant violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment it seemed like Obama had really stepped in it. The fact that Obama’s announced accommodation one week later removed the requirement that churches pay for the contraception didn’t remove the fact that Catholic churches, in particular, were still required to provide insurance covering for their employees what the church considers a grave sin.

Of course in a choreographed defense of the Obama strategy Democrats of many stripes jumped in to turn the matter away from the only subject for which anyone was objecting, religious rights, and turned it into a defense of contraceptive rights. The left-wing media has fallen into line and began chasing down old quotes from Catholic Rick Santorum, taken them out of context, and painted the GOP Presidential candidate as anti-contraception.

The left and the mindless who fell in love with Obama in 2008 either ignored or were ignorant of his background. Obama got elected to the Illinois State Senate by underhandedly finding some technical loophole to have his opponent in the race declared ineligible. He did nearly the same thing in the race that got him elected to the U.S. Senate. There his underlings found unflattering details about his GOP opponent in his opponents long-ago divorce papers. Obama leaked the stories to the press and his Christian family values Republican opponent was suddenly looked upon as a sexual degenerate and a hypocrite. Obama slid into office.

The straw the tipped me into the broken camel’s back category came this morning during my morning workout. While on my exercise bike and watching MSNBC (my gym doesn’t provide FOX News) Luke Russert asked his visiting journalist panel for their “shameless plugs”. A woman, a journalist supposedly, said she was going to go out and join the “contraception rights” rally taking place in New York. And she pumped her fist as she said this. As if there really is some fight going on.

Attention Democrats!! Attention! You’ve been bamboozled again! You’ve been deceived. Not surprisingly you all seem to be falling for it. Now hear this…Now hear this…THERE IS NO FIGHT OVER CONTRACEPTION! NO ONE, NOT REPUBLICANS, NOT ANYONE IS TRYING TO TAKE THE PILL FROM YOUR FERTILE LITTLE HANDS. This fight is manufactured by a President who can’t stand on his record and needs to create controversy and division among Americans where no controversy or division exists.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

If you find this blog interesting please Share it. TY

Related articles

February 17, 2012
Categories: National Politics . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on Our Most Machiavellian President Ever?

« Previous Page — Previous page Next page — Next Page »