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Title: Freedom Caucus drives dagger into heart of young Trump presidency
Source:
FOX News
URL Source: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017 ... rt-young-trump-presidency.html
Published: Mar 25, 2017
Author: Elizabeth Peek
Post Date: 2017-03-25 07:06:24 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 5358
Comments: 28
It is hard to overestimate the damage the Freedom Caucus has done to the fledgling presidency of Donald Trump, and to the country. By blocking the American Health Care Act of 2017, the conservative group has guaranteed that Americans will struggle forward under the burden of Obamacare. In the next few months insurers will announce their premium hikes for the coming year; chances are, given the continuing withdrawal of major companies from the marketplaces and the ongoing failure of the bill to attract enough young and healthy participants, the new rates will not be pretty. Last year premiums went up 25%; it’s likely the increases will be higher this year. Republicans will own those higher rates. Their failure to repeal the financial underpinnings of Obamacare and start replacing that failing program with an approach that encourages competition and that embodies numerous other common sense reforms will mean that families hit by ever-higher costs will blame the GOP. Voters elected Donald Trump and a GOP Congress to get this job done – the number one promise of every Republican campaign since 2010. Now the Republican Party inherits the Sisyphean task of managing Obamacare’s inevitable decline. They are no longer critics; they are now the producers of the show. It is unlikely that House Speaker Paul Ryan or Trump will have the political will and patience to return to the drawing board and attempt to craft a brand new bill. They have made other commitments to voters, and so Obamacare, as a defeated Paul Ryan admitted after withdrawing the AHCA, is the law of the land. Live with it. Of course, the damage is not limited to healthcare reform. The undermining of the House leadership is profound and clouds prospects of tax reform, infrastructure spending and other important jobs to be done. If Ryan cannot be counted on to herd the cats on healthcare, how do we know he can round up votes on tax reform? It is the young Trump presidency, however, that takes the biggest hit here. Trump was elected because people across the political spectrum thought he could fix some of our problems. He was the businessman who could import common sense to Washington, and the deal maker who could bring people together. He made big promises; a country tired of stalemate and disappointment believed that he could bring back jobs, reduce our debt, build the wall, find a better healthcare solution. His credibility and credentials now lie in tatters. All that optimism that has stoked the stock market and boosted investment plans – all that may fade. Who is to blame? House Speaker Paul Ryan will be dragged through the mud for failing to win enough votes. He will also be criticized for concocting an arguably complicated and overly cerebral approach to the mission at hand. The AHCA was only part of the solution; Ryan vowed to press forward with more changes – like allowing insurers to compete across state lines, expanded health savings accounts and Medicaid reforms – in future legislation. It was a complex three- step approach; framing a sales pitch was all but impossible. He was hemmed in by the strictures of reconciliation, through which Obamacare was to be dismantled but even so, it was a hard story to tell. Once the CBO published their score, showing that 24 million would lose coverage by 2026, Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues were off to the races, souring the country on Ryan’s bill. Few noted that subsequent measures would make the numbers significantly more appealing. Negative polling encouraged those keen to defeat it, and defeat it they did. Nancy Pelosi mocked Trump for bringing the bill to the floor before he had the votes; that won’t sit well with a president who likes winning. So far, he is blaming Democrats, but he will doubtless find others – including perhaps the Speaker – to chastise for the loss. That will be unfortunate. As an outsider, President Trump has to rely on some seasoned hands to move bills through Congress; notwithstanding this recent defeat, Vice President Pence, chief of staff Reince Priebus and Paul Ryan are an excellent and necessary team. Relying on executive orders, as Obama did, produces unsustainable measures easily overturned by the courts. Outraged Republicans should save most of their ire for the Freedom Caucus. The group of 30-odd conservatives are patting themselves on the backs this evening; joining their celebration are Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Hillary Clinton declared the failure a victory, while disgusted Republicans across the country wonder how it went so wrong. Caucus leader Mark Meadows, who hails from western North Carolina, may find himself under scrutiny. People may wonder why the American Society of Anesthesiologists was one of the top five funders of Meadows’ campaign and why health professionals were among the top five industries donating to his reelection in 2016. Medical groups typically like Obamacare, which provides healthcare services to an expanded population. Did they count on Meadows undermining Obamacare repeal? Did they know that thanks to his efforts, Obamacare would carry on? Meadows could well find himself with a primary challenger in 2018 who promises to support Donald Trump. After all, Trump carried North Carolina, and especially the western regions. And Meadows may not be alone. The National Republican Congressional Committee has been hauling in record amounts of money these past few months – money that can go to fielding candidates that support the White House. The Chair of the NRCC is Ohio’s Steve Stivers, who was a yes vote for the AHCA. His predecessor at the NRCC was Oregon Representative Greg Walden, who campaigned all-out for the AHCA. It’ unlikely either Stivers or Walden will champion the reelection of Meadows or his colleagues. The Trump White House is apparently going to move on to the other items on the agenda. The country will watch to see if the administration can bring tax reform about. With Democrats obstructing every move, nothing will be easy. But with Democrats and the Freedom Caucus standing in the way of the Trump agenda, nearly everything becomes impossible.
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#1. To: All (#0)
Republicans will own those higher rates. Their failure to repeal the financial underpinnings of Obamacare and start replacing that failing program with an approach that encourages competition and that embodies numerous other common sense reforms will mean that families hit by ever-higher costs will blame the GOP. Voters elected Donald Trump and a GOP Congress to get this job done – the number one promise of every Republican campaign since 2010.
Whoa! The Republicans??? Those higher rates are the result of Obamacare -- a bill passed without one single Republican vote. The Democrats OWN Obamacare. Trump tried to stop this. Not one single Democrat stepped in to help.
1) Democrats (without one single Republican vote) passed Obamacare.
Could this sad old whore be any more spread-eagled in her devotion to Trump? More RINO lies and hysteria. They will not. It isn't possible. Not a single Republican has ever voted for this bill (unless you want to count Chief Justice Roberts).
I think Gatlin is angling for a guest spot on MSNBC. Certainly, he's demonstrated he's dishonest enough.
Please let me clearly understand you, and not this sad old whore who spread- eagled in her devotion to Trump. It’s insane that anyone should care so much for Trump…eh? Are you saying that Rand Paul and the Freedom Caucus absolutely did Donald Trump NO harm by forcing this bill to be pulled? And are you saying that since the Pubs had a chance to stop the “higher rates” and did nothing….everyone will now just say: “That’s okay, you darling Pubs….thanks anyway for trying and maybe next time?” Just trying to understand….that no one is going to be pissed at the Pubs for this failure?
Trump should have been a lot smarter and kept his distance. He is harmed to exactly the extent that he exposed himself to it. He should have kept quiet in the White House. I bet he wishes now that he had. Pretty much. There is no GOP healthcare law. The only thing is 0bamaCare. Even you can't deny it. Obviously, you are. Of course, this is merely an extension of your usual hate-da-libertrarians stuff so no one is going to care. And obviously you don't care personally since you suck all your healthcare out of the government already. Let me point out again: the most recent polling showed support for this bill by the public was at 17%. That is about half of the diehard segment of Trump supporters in the general population. Why, again, should anyone want to pass such a turd? And that is what doomed it ultimately.
How about this Conclusion? The Republican’s had a golden opportunity to reduce those higher premiums, yet they did NOTHING but argue about it and place blame….ergo, the higher premiums are STILL the Democrats’ fault. Who will now be blaming whom….if anyone is blaming anybody?
Yea, you are right....I am wrong.
Based on what?? I follow this stuff and even I didn't kow what was in the final version. By the way, I thought "the most recent polling" showed Hillary winning.
As I said yesterday, even if you grant the 17% isn't accurate, just double it and you still haven't got a single vote more than the diehard Trump support base. And many of those are retired like you. Or they live in KY, AL, NV, AZ, NE and the other states whose 55-65 age groups would see very large premium increases (some for no good reason).
young Trump The loser. Oops, I accidentally quadrupled it and got 68% support. Hey! That's a good number. Why didn't it pass with 68% support? "55-65 age groups would see very large premium increases (some for no good reason)." What are you talking about? A large premium increase based on what? An Obamacare platinum health insurance policy that covers everything under the sun issued by the last remaining provider in the same state? Who taught you to do static analysis?
Hmmmm. Is that how he reacted or how you wish he reacted? All I remember is that he said he's going to move on to tax reform. He never gave healthcare a second thought.
Certainly, he's demonstrated he's dishonest enough. What I do obviously BOTHERS you GREATLY ... GOOD ..
All of that is of course true. But whom will the public now blame for the higher rates still being there since the Pubs failed to keep their promise to repeal and replace Obamacare and drastically lower those high rates? I don’t know … But I can see whom the public may blame … [BTW, you are a much nicer person to exchange posts with than that grumpy opinionated fart, Tooconservative….who USED to be my literary hero].
I'm still your literary hero. Just admit it.
Whoever said they were going to vote no -- Democrat or Republican. But we don't know who those people are because they never actually voted. What's to stop them from saying, "Yes, initially I was against it, but I made a decision to vote for it when it came up." Hopefully, every Freedom Caucus member will get primaried out and Trump can try again in two years.
You walked a thin line today, calling me an "asshole." I am serioulsly considering probation. In the meantime, an apology may suffice to influence my decision in a favorable way against that
OMG, now you have gone and done it … Quickly, let me cue old Burl Ives ..
Serioulsly?
Actually, Trump wasn't that pissed about it. He was a bit puzzled by all the different factions and the politics of it. I think he really thought it would be much easier to deal with these swamp creatures. I noticed Politico reported that Trump was far more upset (according to leaky staffers) over the reporting on Sessions recusing himself (his angriest episode when he blew up all over the WH within hearing of the staff) and over the reporting on the size of the inauguration crowds. They had one other time he was mad but I don't recall it now. I think the Trumpkins are far more upset than Trump himself. Trump mostly regrets letting them talk him into healthcare before he scored wins on tax cuts and infrastructure. I'm hearing that Priebus and Ryan are on thin ice with Trump and that Bannon and his gang are trying to get rid of both of them. Bannon, as you recall, used to refer to Ryan as "the enemy".
I think you might mean: "Actually, Trump didn't show how oissed he was about it." There....that's better. I bet you a "dollar to a doughnut" [I justaged myself] that he was oissed....really pissed.
Trump isn't that subtle or reserved. Ever.
Serioulsly? I explained this before to Deckard, so I will do it here for you … I apologize for these kind of errors….I am undergoing eye surgery, starting with a recent cornea transplant in the right eye that brought my blind vision in that eye back up to 20/70. I do have trouble keying and proof reading is nearly impossible. I will have yet another new pair of glasses on Tuesday….and I will probably look like Mister Magoo. So, I ask for your indulgence … And I confess, that while I have trouble seeing….I am still the best looking and smartest man around anywhere.
"We learned a lot about loyalty" @3:44 Trump's whining about being disloyal to the Wisconsin cheese heads, Rience Priebus and Paul Ryan. There's a lot of whining and sniveling about being losers, but that part sticks out to me. It's like a declaration of war against those who don't tow the communist party line on TrumpCare, including both the Senate & House, and their "arcane rules". Trump isn't that subtle or reserved. Ever. I think he was this time. I believe I may have seen a drop or so of blood from his biting his lip as he sat at the desk making his statement ... Edit: You gave me a complex....I went back and added a missing "e" in "believe." You should NEVER ridicule an 83-year old man....yo mama taught you better, I'm sure.
My impression was that Trump is finding it hard to adjust to idea that D.C. is full of...politicans. And other scumbags. He's getting bogged down in a Swamp.
It is hard to overestimate the damage the Freedom Caucus has done to the fledgling presidency of Donald Trump, and to the country. In the next few months insurers will announce their premium hikes for the coming year; chances are, given the continuing withdrawal of major companies from the marketplaces and the ongoing failure of the bill to attract enough young and healthy participants, the new rates will not be pretty. Last year premiums went up 25%; it’s likely the increases will be higher this year.
Great Job, Rand Paul and the Freedom Caucus….you laid the problem right in the laps of the Pubs.
#2. To: Gatlin (#0)
"Republicans will own those higher rates."
#3. To: Gatlin (#1)
"you laid the problem right in the laps of the Pubs."
2) Insurance premiums are skyrocketing under Obamacare.
3) Trump tried to stop it and failed.
4) No Democrat supported Trump's effort.
5) Conclusion? Higher premiums are the Republican's fault.
#4. To: Gatlin (#1)
It is hard to overestimate the damage the Freedom Caucus has done to the fledgling presidency of Donald Trump, and to the country.
Republicans will own those higher rates.
#5. To: misterwhite, Gatlin (#3)
5) Conclusion? Higher premiums are the Republican's fault.
#6. To: Tooconservative (#4)
#7. To: Gatlin (#6)
(Edited)
Are you saying that Rand Paul and the Freedom Caucus absolutely did Donald Trump NO harm by forcing this bill to be pulled?
And are you saying that since the Pubs had a chance to stop the “higher rates” and did nothing….everyone will now just say: “That’s okay, you darling Pubs….thanks anyway for trying and maybe next time?”
Just trying to understand….that no one is going to be pissed at the Pubs for this failure?
#8. To: misterwhite (#3)
Conclusion? Higher premiums are the Republican's fault.
#9. To: Tooconservative (#7)
#10. To: Tooconservative (#7)
"the most recent polling showed support for this bill by the public was at 17%."
#11. To: misterwhite (#10)
#12. To: Gatlin, young Trump, baby Donald, loser (#0)
The D&R terrorists hate us because we're free, to vote second party
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#13. To: Tooconservative (#11)
"even if you grant the 17% isn't accurate, just double it and you still haven't got a single vote"
#14. To: hondo68 (#12)
#15. To: Tooconservative (#5)
(Edited)
I think Gatlin is angling for a guest spot on MSNBC.
#16. To: misterwhite (#2)
"Republicans will own those higher rates."
Whoa! The Republicans???
Those higher rates are the result of Obamacare -- a bill passed without one single Republican vote. The Democrats OWN Obamacare.
Trump tried to stop this. Not one single Democrat stepped in to help.
#17. To: Gatlin (#16)
that grumpy opinionated fart, Tooconservative….who USED to be my literary hero
#18. To: Gatlin (#16)
"But whom will the public now blame"
#19. To: Tooconservative (#17)
(Edited)
I'm still your literary hero. Just admit it.
#20. To: misterwhite (#18)
Hopefully, every Freedom Caucus member will get primaried out and Trump can try again in two years.
#21. To: Gatlin (#19)
I am serioulsly considering probation.
#22. To: hondo68 (#12)
young Trump
#23. To: Tooconservative (#22)
Actually, Trump wasn't that pissed about it.
#24. To: Gatlin (#23)
I think you might mean: "Actually, Trump didn't show how oissed he was about it."
#25. To: Tooconservative, misterwhite, A K A Stone (#21)
I am serioulsly considering probation.
#26. To: misterwhite (#13)
The D&R terrorists hate us because we're free, to vote second party
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#27. To: Tooconservative (#24)
(Edited)
I think you might mean: "Actually, Trump didn't show how oissed he was about it."
#28. To: hondo68 (#26)
Trump's whining about being disloyal to the Wisconsin cheese heads, Rience Priebus and Paul Ryan. There's a lot of whining and sniveling about being losers, but that part sticks out to me.
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