In a big announcement this morning, Starbucks has introduced two new beverage sizes to its U.S. stores: the Plenta and the Micra.
Hugh Mungis, Starbucks VP of Volume issued the following statement:
Whether customers are looking for a large or small size, the Plenta and the Micra satisfy all U.S. and Canada customers' needs for more and less coffee. Our size selection is now plentiful.
Republicans have responded by saying "Hell No, You Can't" and blasting this as a direct result of the recently signed health care reform (HCR) legislation.
Records that would document the time, resources and meetings involved in the lawsuit that the Virginia attorney general's office filed against federal health-care legislation either don't exist or are classified as confidential "working papers" of the agency, a ranking deputy said yesterday.
Stephen R. McCullough, senior appellate counsel for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, was responding to a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act filed by Democratic Party officials and several media outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Yesterday, Cuccinelli issued a release saying that the work of the suit was being done in-house and said costs would be minimal beyond the $350 fee to file the suit in U.S. District Court.
That's right, Cooch is seriously claiming that a lawsuit, taking hundreds if not thousands of hours of lawyers' time to prepare and argue, costs just $350. Of course, as we all know, lawsuits cost a lot of money. For instance, OJ Simpson spent $3-$6 million on his criminal case alone. Another case, this one by the state of Ohio to pursue a civil case against investment adviser Mark D. Lay, cost taxpayers $1.8 million. Yet Cooch claims his lawsuit against the federal government will cost Virginia taxpayers just $350. That's not just absurdly false, it's wildly insulting to the intelligence of Virginia residents. No wonder why Cooch hates sunshine.
Could Ken Cuccinelli and his right-wingnut allies' crusade against health care reform provide a boost to Democrats this fall? It's starting to appear this could be the case.
Top Republicans are increasingly worried that GOP candidates this fall might be burned by a fire that's roaring through the conservative base: demand for the repeal of President Barack Obama's new health care law.
It's fine to criticize the health law and the way Democrats pushed it through Congress without a single GOP vote, these party leaders say. But focusing on its outright repeal carries two big risks.
Repeal is politically and legally unlikely, and grass-roots activists may feel disillusioned by a failed crusade. More important, say strategists from both parties, a fiercely repeal-the-bill stance might prove far less popular in a general election than in a conservative-dominated GOP primary, especially in states such as Illinois and California.
Democrats are counting on that scenario...
Yes, we are counting on that scenario. Which is why I say: Go Cooch Go!
...when you actually look at the bill itself, it incorporates all sorts of Republican ideas. I mean a lot of commentators have said, you know, this is sort of similar to the bill that Mitt Romney, the Republican governor and now presidential candidate, passed in Massachusetts. A lot of the ideas in terms of the exchange, just being able to pool and improve the purchasing power of individuals in the insurance market. That originated from the Heritage Foundation and...
RICHMOND - In less than a week, more than 10,000 Virginians have signed a petition calling on Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to "stop wasting our tax dollars on his personal political agenda."
The petition, which the Democratic Party of Virginia launched on Wednesday, already has 11,267 signatures from Virginians who want Cuccinelli to focus his time and state resources on pressing issues such as rising utility rates, predatory lending and combating foreclosures.
"Every minute you spend on this frivolous, politically motivated lawsuit is time spent away from battling the real legal issues we expect our Attorney General to work on," wrote Diane Perkins of Burke, Virginia, in signing the petition.
As we know, Ken Cuccinelli continues to waste Virginia taxpayer's money, as well as the time of the Attorney General's office, pursuing his wild goose chase against health care reform. What makes this even more of a waste is that, as this morning's New York Times points out, there's almost no chance of Cooch's lawsuit succeeding. To the contrary, the Times writes, the attempt is "sure to be ineffective." Why not? Two reasons.
First, as I pointed out the other day, the "mandate" to purchase health insurance isn't much of a "mandate," if it's a "mandate" at all. Instead, as the Times notes, "[t]he penalties for not buying insurance have been structured as a tax, to be collected by the Internal Revenue Service." There are also huge subisidies in this legislation to help people get health insurance. Combined, it's not so much a "mandate" as a combination of incentives (subsidies) and disincentives (taxes); nothing new, certainly nothing unconstitutional. Combined with the fact that "most policies are sold and claims paid through interstate commerce," this makes the new law "bullet-proof," or at least "a long shot that the Supreme Court would invalidate the mandate, if the cases ever reach that level."
Second, regarding the "states sovereignty" argument, the bottom line is that "[n]o state is required to set up an exchange...[n]or is any state required to participate in Medicaid, a joint federal-state program in which Washington pays half or more of the costs."
If no state - including Virginia - is required to participate in setting up health insurance exchanges, then how can it be an infringement on "state sovereignty" (to the extent there is such a thing)? Short answer: it can't. To the contrary, all Ken Cuccinelli is accomplishing here is to waste our taxpayer money and to distract his office from its main job -- cracking down on crime! So much for "tough on crime" Republicans, I guess. In the end, it's 99% certain that Cooch's lawsuit will end in failure. In the meantime, however, as the New York Times concludes, he and his fellow right-wing warriors are "doing a disservice to their constituents." Not that this will stop him, of course...
UPDATE 9:25 am: David Frum tweets, "Repeal is literally impossible. GOP cannot over-ride Obama veto even if they win evry single Senate seat in 2010...Promising repeal stokes rage in GOP base but promises results that cannot be delivered." In other words, this is politically dangerous for the GOP, but go for it guys! :)
(Thanks to Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair Mike Lieberman for this. - promoted by lowkell)
Sixteen short months ago, Barack Obama stood in Grant Park and reminded us that elections are not the change we seek; they are only the chance for us to make that change. With this week's historic vote on health care reform, our President made good on that promise.
Health care reform is about providing for those who cannot provide for themselves. It is about lowering costs to make health care more affordable for everyday Americans. It is about modernizing our health care infrastructure to ensure it can respond to ever-increasing demands.
It is normal these days to be cynical about politics. Indeed, you cannot help but scratch your head at the name-calling and personal attacks that all-too-often characterize our political discourse.
But as my wife and I sat watching the health care vote on C-SPAN this Sunday evening, I was reminded that through all the noise and all the bickering, real good can happen through politics. I firmly believe that this health care package will not only bring needed reform to the health care system; it will provide new momentum and renewed energy among Democrats to take on the many other areas in need of change in our country - environmental protections, financial reform, and a balanced budget, just to name a few.
Democrats in Arlington should feel proud that we had a role in electing President Barack Obama. The health care bill stands as a telling reminder about why we work so hard at election time. But it should also serve as a reminder that activism does not end at the ballot box. It is our duty as Democrats to work year round, to ensure that our voices are heard by our elected officials, and to ensure that our neighbors know how important it is to get involved.
I will always remember the passage of this year's health care bill as a moment that renewed my faith in the political process. It was a moment that made me believe that the President was right when he said three simple words - Yes We Can.
Mike Lieberman is the Chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee.
As I'm sure you heard, our fine Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, is working hard to defend us against the evils of having to buy health insurance. In fact, Cooch claims, this is not just a bad policy but actually unconstitutional, and he's on a mission to prove it. Now, there are any number of obstacles to this suit making any headway, including the fact that its utterly devoid of any merit. But minor quibbles aside (heh), let's start at the beginning, with Cooch claiming a "mandate" is unconstitutional. There's only one problem, as Ezra Klein explains: this isn't really a "mandate" at all.
Most people will never notice the mandate, as they get insurance through their employer and that's good enough for the government. But of those who aren't exempt and aren't insured, the choice will be this: Purchase insurance or pay a small fine. In 2016, the first year the fine is fully in place, it will be $695 a year or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is higher. That makes the mandate progressive.
And what happens if you don't buy insurance and you don't pay the penalty? Well, not much. The law specifically says that no criminal action or liens can be imposed on people who don't pay the fine. If this actually leads to a world in which large numbers of people don't buy insurance and tell the IRS to stuff it, you could see that change. But for now, the penalties are low and the enforcement is non-existent.
That's right, you have the option of buying health insurance or not buying health insurance. And if you don't buy health insurance, what happens to you? Not much, or at worst a "fine" - essentially a fee for being a "free rider" on the system - that you have essentially chosen to pay in order to not carry health insurance coverage. That's some onerous "mandate," huh? No, didn't think so. In fact, it's far more accurate to call this a combination incentive and disincentive to purchase health insurance. But you don't HAVE to. So where's the "mandate" exactly?
By the way, what's so hilarious about the sudden Republican hysteria on the individual (non-)mandate is that they're the ones who came up with this idea in the first place! That's right, back in 1993, Republicans supported the individual mandate "as a competition to the employer mandate focus of the Democrats at the time." Even in 2006, Republican Mitt Romney wrote the following in the Wall Street Journal:
Some of my libertarian friends balk at what looks like an individual mandate...But remember, someone has to pay for the health care that must, by law, be provided: Either the individual pays or the taxpayers pay. A free ride on government is not libertarian.
Today, suddenly, Romney and other Republicans are against THEIR OWN IDEA of an "individual mandate," because that's the politically expedient thing for them to do. But that doesn't mean there's any merit to their argument that it's "unconstitutional." And that's before we even address the question of whether being given the OPTION of purchasing insurance or paying a fee/fine/whatever is truly a "mandate" at all. I'd argue it isn't, since you don't have to do it (which is what "mandate" means, right?).
Regardless, there's almost certainly nothing unconstitutional about government requiring people to pay a fee/fine/tax/whatever, unless the courts decide to overturn centuries of legal precedent. Which means that Ken Cuccinelli is simply wasting everyone's time and money on a wild goose chase that will lead nowhere, instead of doing his job - cracking down on predatory lenders, internet predators, gangs, etc., etc. Gee, aren't you glad you hired the "tough-on-crime" Republican as Attorney General?
Thank you to Jim Webb and Mark Warner, who both voted for the House "reconciliation" bill this afternoon, sending it back to the House of Representatives for final approval. Hopefully, the House will vote early this evening and send the "fixes" package to President Obama for his signature. With that, the year-long odyssey of health care reform will be finished, and we can move on to other, pressing business - the economy, immigration reform, clean energy/climate legislation, financial reform, etc.
At least one prominent, national Republican understands why health reform requires that everybody have insurance. Thank you, Mitt Romney! Well, sort of. Watch the video and see for yourself.
Good for Terry McAuliffe, calling out Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli for their crusade against health care coverage for all Virginians.
Both Republicans, McAuliffe told CNN, "are playing a divisive game of politics that hurts Virginia families and clearly hurts and affects the health care of millions of Virginians."
"This is all bogus," he said in a phone interview. "It's nothing more than pure politics. These lawsuits will not be successful. This is more about playing to their own political base."
What's ironic is that many in the Republican "base," particularly those in the middle and working classes, will benefit greatly from health care reform. So, as usual, Republicans are working against their own self interest, but apparently oblivious that they are doing so. Crazy.
P.S. See here for more on the McDonnell/Cooch news conference this afternoon, "where the governor ceremoniously signed a bill that will make it illegal for the state to require citizens to purchase health care." As Terry McAuliffe said, "this is all bogus."
I agree with some of their points that we don't go far enough on cost containment...but how this bill is implemented is really going to be where the rubber hits the road. I, for one, believe there's more we can do around this issue of cost containment. And I would hope in the coming weeks and months, rather than fighting to repeal, that they would join with us in finding that common ground to make this legislation even better.
Ken Cuccinelli is arguing that a "mandate" by government for citizens to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. Is it? Let's ask George Washington.
The truth, however, is that the Second Militia Act of 1792, required a significant percentage of the U.S. civilian population to purchase a long list of military equipment:
[E]very citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided...
This Act became law only a few years after the Constitution was ratified, in President George Washington's first term. Many of the Members of Congress who voted for the Act also were members of the Philadelphia Convention that wrote the Constitution. In other words, they probably knew a little bit more about the Constitution than Ken Cuccinelli.
Yes, they certainly did know more than our (not-so) esteemed Attorney General. But then again, so does anyone, their uncle, their pet hamster, their goldfish, etc. Ken Cuccinelli: lowering the collective IQ of Virginia government since 2002!
UPDATE: According to Washington and Lee University law professor Timothy Stoltzfus "Health bill lawsuits are going nowhere". Total demolition of Cooch; case dismissed!
Americans by 9 percentage points have a favorable view of the health care overhaul that President Obama signed into law Tuesday, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, a notable turnaround from surveys before the vote that showed a plurality against it.
By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was "a good thing" rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. Half describe their reaction in positive terms, as "enthusiastic" or "pleased," while about four in 10 describe it in negative ways, as "disappointed" or "angry."
The largest single group, 48%, calls the bill "a good first step" that should be followed by more action on health care. An additional 4% also have a favorable view, saying the bill makes the most important changes needed in the nation's health care system.
Also interesting, Gallup now has Barack Obama's job approval rating at +8 (51%-43%), the highest since late February. It will be interesting to track these numbers in coming days and weeks, but right now, it looks like the expression, "nothing succeeds like success," is holding true in this case. So, how long until Republicans realize this and start dialing back their diehard opposition to a reform package that includes many popular elements (e.g., no more denial of coverage for "pre-existing conditions")?
I'll be watching on CSPAN as President Obama sign historic health care reform into law and speaks about what it means. Oh, and if you're Ken Cuccinelli, freedom ends and socialism/communism/fascism begins now! LOL
UPDATE: You can also watch it on the White House's live stream, embedded here,
UPDATE 11:32 am: VP Biden speaking about how "history is made." "Mr. President, you're the guy that made this happen." "You delivered on a promise." "The greatest wealth is health."
UPDATE 11:37 am: Now it's President Obama's turn for a victory lap. The "overheated rhetoric" about reform will shortly "confront the reality" about reform. Urges Senate to pass reconciliation package. Talks about the benefits that will kick in "this year." Health insurance exchanges will be set up to allow people to get the same deal members of Congress get. Tax breaks to afford coverage, largest middle class tax cut in history. Will reduce deficit, is paid for and fiscally responsible, will reduce drag on economy. Great work by Congress, kudos to Nancy Pelosi ("one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had") and Harry Reid ("one of the best majority leaders the Senate has ever had"). Shoutout to Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle.
Signing this bill "on behalf of my mother." Also mentions Natoma Canfield and others. Kudos to Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, LBJ, Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Dingell, Ted Kennedy.
"Our presence here today is remarkable and improbable." "It's easy to succumb to the sense of cynicism about what is possible in this country." We are "not a nation that scales back its aspirations, we are not a nation that falls prey to doubt or mistrust, we don't fall prey to fear. we are not a nation that does what's easy, that's not who we are...we are a nation that does what is hard, what is necessary, what is right." "That is what makes us the United States of America." Core principle: everyone should have "some basic security" when it comes to their health care.
UPDATE 12:32 pm: And here's a photo of the Republican press conference to discuss health care reform legislation. Great attendance, huh?
If Republicans want to campaign this year on repealing health care reform, that's fine with me. In fact, I encourage them to argue for repealing provisions in health care reform legislation like:
*Preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for "pre-existing conditions"
*Allowing children to be covered on their parents' insurance plan up to the age of 26.
*Closing the "donut hole" (the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug benefit)
*Ending lifetime spending limits on policies
*Forbidding insurers from retroactively canceling policies
*Removing co-pays for seniors to get checkups
All of these provisions are in the health care reform legislation passed by Congress, and all are extremely popular with the American people. If Republicans like Rob Wittman, Frank Wolf, Robert Hurt, Scott Rigell, Keith Fimian, Pat Herrity, Morgan Griffith, etc. want to run on repealing these things, I strongly encourage them to do so and see how the voters respond in November. This should be interesting! :)
P.S. It might even be Republicans' "Waterloo." Wouldn't that be ironic?
Yesterday, Democrats took a historic vote that was certainly the right thing to do, but which was difficult politically for many of them. Now, it's time for us to tell them - as Adam B writes on Daily Kos - that "when Democrats act courageously in the interests of our country, progressives will have their backs and support them." So, please give generously to the members on this list, particularly to Virginia's own Tom Perriello. In addition, please call Tom and say "thank you!" at (202) 225-4711. To thank Gerry Connolly, call (202) 225-1492; to thank Bobby Scott, call (202) 225-8351, and to thank Jim Moran, call (202) 225-4376.
UPDATE: Matthew Yglesias argues that, with the passage of health care reform, "Barack Obama will go down in history as one of America's finest presidents" and that "he's reshaped the policy landscape in a way that no progressive politician has done in decades." So far, in a little over a year, President Obama has helped keep America from Great Depression Part II and has achieved a victory on health care reform that had eluded presidents, Republican and Democratic, for decades. Not too shabby, and there's a lot more to come - clean energy, climate change, immigration, education, financial reform. If President Obama gets all of those done, he'd seriously be in the ranks of the greatest, most transformative U.S. Presidents.
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Why does Ken Cuccinelli 
Could Ken Cuccinelli and his right-wingnut allies' crusade against health care reform provide a boost to Democrats this fall? It's 
From the 
As we know, Ken Cuccinelli continues to waste Virginia taxpayer's money, as well as the time of the Attorney General's office, pursuing his wild goose chase against health care reform. What makes this even more of a waste is that, as 
Sixteen short months ago, Barack Obama stood in Grant Park and reminded us that elections are not the change we seek; they are only the chance for us to make that change. With this week's historic vote on health care reform, our President made good on that promise.
Thank you to Jim Webb and Mark Warner, who 
If Republicans want to campaign this year on repealing health care reform, that's fine with me. In fact, I encourage them to argue for repealing provisions in health care reform legislation like:
Yesterday, Democrats took a historic vote that was certainly the right thing to do, but which was difficult politically for many of them. Now, it's time for us to tell them - as 
