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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP senator: ‘Stop celebrating’ good Obamacare news
Posted with permission.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-senator-stop-celebrating-good-obamacare-news?cid=sm_fb_maddow
GOP senator: Stop celebrating good Obamacare news
03/12/15 10:42 AM
By Steve Benen
For those hoping to see the Affordable Care Act succeed, recent developments have been amazing. Obamacare is working better than expected on practically every front, from increased enrollments to lower costs, from expanded coverage to increased competition. Even the most knee-jerk, far-right ideologue has very little to complain about.
But that wont stop them from trying.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), for example, called the ACA a monstrosity the other day, insisting, {T}he greatest job suppressor in the so-called recovery that weve gone through is Obamacare.
In reality, there is literally no evidence to suggest the reform law is suppressing job growth. On the contrary, 2014 was the first full year for ACA implementation and it was the best year for U.S. job creation since the 1990s. Or put another way, after Obamacare took effect, America created more jobs than any year in which Bushs brother or father was president.
But Jebs argument was almost coherent compared to Sen. John Barrassos (R-Wyo.) latest ACA criticisms.
Its time for the White House to stop celebrating and start thinking about the people, Barrasso said on the Senate floor on Wednesday.
I generally find Barrassos health care arguments odd, but if The Hill quoted him properly, this latest offensive is genuinely bizarre. When the White House celebrates millions of Americans gaining access to affordable medical care, they are, in reality, thinking about the people. Thats the point. Theyre cheering good news for actual people.
The far-right senator reportedly added, The Obama administration and every Democrat who voted for it should be embarrassed for it.
Embarrassed by success?
Barrassos rhetoric on the ACA has been strange for quite a while. After learning about lower premiums, the Wyoming Republican complained about the ACA increasing premiums. After learning about great enrollment totals, Barrasso, without proof, accused the administration of fraud.
But whats striking about this latest broadside is Barrassos reluctance to deal with the facts as they exist. Instead of refuting the ACAs recent successes, the Senate Republican leader simply ignores them, as if the good news didnt happen at all.
The Hills report concluded, Barrasso is leading the Senates working group to create an ObamaCare alternative.
I cant wait to see it, though I have a strong hunch the alternative will remain imaginary.
Rex
(65,616 posts)They are the most warped creatures in US history.
NoJusticeNoPeace
(5,018 posts)and it aint got nuttin to do with Obamacare or IRS or any of those things'
It is ONLY about his race and name, nothing else.
NOTHING ELSE
They HATE the idea that non white people are getting free healthcare, it makes them shake with anger
they are vicious and disgusting wastes of space
msongs
(67,420 posts)compare the bush depression with how things are now. oh wait, that was the FIRST bush depression where clinton and the dems bailed out the nation. now we have the second bush depression where obama and the dems have bailed out the nation. and hardly a peep to celebrate that Ive seen.