So 'you could lose your seat' has become kryptonite to career politicians.
13
Trump is behaving like the bully he is. He doesn't persuade, he threatens. In his mind he thinks he has the power of a CEO or a king. The writer uses the phrase "he summoned" which is what a king does -- he summons his couriers. The bill deserves to fail as it will strip millions of their healthcare and rather than decrease will dramatically increase the cost of health insurance for millions more and probably make it unaffordable. All in the name of tax cuts.
30
After reading Mr. Nunes vague unsubstantiated and irrelevant comments on the investigation of Trump calls from foreigners one wonders if he shouldn't be investigated himself??? He certainly wants to agitate the already paranoid president. What is his gig...0ne wonders?? He is the head of what was supposed to be a neutral investigation. Is it neutral? Unlikely with him at the helm.
10
Question to the elected officials influenced by Donald Trump, Paul Ryan and Pence regarding how to vote: the CBO has done the math, the facts are out there for everyone to read. How can one rationalize their conscience and say yes to a healthcare plan that is proven to be a disaster for millions of older and lower income citizens, benfitting the insurance industry and the wealthy, and obviously does not have the support of the people, all in the name of 2018 re-election? WHO DO YOU REALLY WORK FOR?! Next question: did you get to where you are today because you bow down to bullies and dont do the right thing, or because you represented the needs of your people and they believed you? I have been an RN for 22 years and worked with patients from all walks of life, why dont you ask us, those who serve the people in health care, what is really important? So disappointed in this even having to be an issue. Save Trump and his lies, or serve the people, really simple.
34
Reprehensible trump! Vote NO against the repeal. Investigate trump and russia.
14
Republicans whose constituents would be hurt by the repeal had better think twice before they allow the Donald to bully them into voting for this disaster of a healthcare bill. They may well lose their seats if they vote yes.
16
I remember when the vote to enact the Affordable Care Act came up in the House, President Obama saying that he knew there were some vulnerable Democratic House members -- he mentioned specifically a first-term congresswoman from Colorado whose first name was Betsy (don't remember her last name) -- who could lose their next election because they represented swing districts where there was a lot of opposition to the "socialized medicine" health care bill. He said he appreciated what could end up being their sacrifice of their congressional seat, but he added that they were doing their jobs right, because the American people would benefit.
My, how times have changed.
My, how times have changed.
20
If T/his admin. were part the crew on my ship, they would either be in irons or have been keel hauled. Or sent on a brief walk on a short board, the plank.
10
Easy for Trump to say when he isn't the one up for reelection next year.
12
"Representative Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina, was said to have been told by President Trump, “I’m going to come after you.”
Now if it were Vladimir Putin making that threat I would be concerned. Donald Trump lost the popular vote, and his approval rating continues to sink like the fortunes of one of the many businesses he bankrupted. Rep. Meadows, do what's best for your constituents.
Now if it were Vladimir Putin making that threat I would be concerned. Donald Trump lost the popular vote, and his approval rating continues to sink like the fortunes of one of the many businesses he bankrupted. Rep. Meadows, do what's best for your constituents.
29
Yes, the wrecking crew is here, and they are not fooling around. In their "if you are not with us you are against us"mentality, the real losers will be the 99%.
The health law is just the tip of the iceberg, they are gutting every agency except the military. They see security only in military terms, while other countries recognize that serving their populations and achieving economic progress is the real security. The Republican party lapdogs will do nothing to stop him while he continues to serve their interests and those of the wealthy.
The health law is just the tip of the iceberg, they are gutting every agency except the military. They see security only in military terms, while other countries recognize that serving their populations and achieving economic progress is the real security. The Republican party lapdogs will do nothing to stop him while he continues to serve their interests and those of the wealthy.
20
Trump may have threatened to primary them all if they don't vote his way, an unethical coercion tactic that only makes his detractor's dictator arguments stronger, but it seems the Republicans realize that if they hack away at the ACA aimlessly and hastily, ending coverage for millions of their voters, they will lose those elections even harder anyway.
8
No. Trump got it backwards. The warning should be, "Repeal Health Law and Lose Your Seats." Most Republicans know what will happen in 2018 if the ACA is repealed. One could add that they'll also lose their souls if they vote "Aye."
19
A recent report by Oxfam states that the 8 richest people on earth have wealth that is the equivalent of 50% of the entire world's wealth. I can't get that out of my head. How did we let this level of inequality happen? How can a handful of callous individuals be allowed to decide the fate of millions? I'm calling every Congressperson this afternoon. This thing cannot pass.
Ashamed of our so called head of state and his administration.
DT is a tyrant, nothing more.
DT is a tyrant, nothing more.
18
Given Trump's dubious veracity and his plummeting popularity, the comment about Representatives losing their seats seems more an empty threat than a real possibility.
Nice try, Donald.
Nice try, Donald.
12
As a geriatric nurse I suggest that some of Trump's confused and confusing behavior: the protective lies, the paranoia, the sleepless nights and bizarre tweets could be an illness he has no control over: early dementia. His father died of this illness and so he has a suggestive family history and is the right age for onset. He should be tested. Indeed government officials of like age (70) should in future all be tested. Trump may be too ill for his job. Should he then be a world leader? Important to know...
42
I agree 100%.
14
Memo to Ryan, Pence, and Trump:
You can put all the lipstick you want on this pig. But it's still a pig.
You can put all the lipstick you want on this pig. But it's still a pig.
24
"...AND lose your jobs," is what he meant.
5
This is just more evidence of what kind of person Trump is. My way or I'll come and get you! Really? How mature and presidential.
16
How can one rationalize the fact that the Republicans health care bill will hurt Trump voters the most and yet these voters still support Trump?
14
Speaker Ryan has stated that lawmakers could fulfill their promise to repeal the ACA. The lawmakers made this promises to themselves, not the millions of people that are on it and have benefited from it.
8
What a shift from the America that was loved by all because its government and its people - it used to be that its government and its people were one and the same, but not anymore - had empathy and policies that reflected that empathy. Now we have hate, bigotry and cold-hearts dictating policies that needlessly hurt people. These are the kind of polices that cause terrorism.
9
President Trump has lost his way because he cannot have his way. So sad for him, America and the world. And, for those who may lose their health insurance, I feel especially sorry for them.
13
I think that voting for it should be more of a bell weather for re-election. If you do, you are out.
7
Reference's to Trump's narcissistic world view are constantly reaffirmed by his belief that his tantrums, threats and exercise of outrageous and unconstitutional authority. He really thinks that by threatening elected congressional representatives within the Republican Party he could command their compliance with his desires. Trump is that piece of work that most of us would classify as so worthless we take no other option but to toss in the trash.
16
This is part of the Hippocratic Oath. I wonder if Tom Price ever took it (maybe with his fingers crossed):
"I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm."
Price is Trump's health care Howdy-Doody (look it up, young ones) - Tillerson is the same for foreign affairs.
"I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm."
Price is Trump's health care Howdy-Doody (look it up, young ones) - Tillerson is the same for foreign affairs.
6
Leave the Republican Party or forfeit your membership in the human race.
10
Trump is a terribly impatient man and ignorant in a world ever more demanding of patience and diplomacy.
His vanity and thin skin and refusal to learn are real liabilities in the real world, and he is making the world a lot more dangerous every day. "Donald Trump was a stock market disaster: Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts reported losses of $647 million from 1995 through 2004" http://www.marketwatch.com/story/donald-trump-was-a-stock-market-disaste...
His vanity and thin skin and refusal to learn are real liabilities in the real world, and he is making the world a lot more dangerous every day. "Donald Trump was a stock market disaster: Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts reported losses of $647 million from 1995 through 2004" http://www.marketwatch.com/story/donald-trump-was-a-stock-market-disaste...
11
One can only hope that those House Republicans Trump is pressuring recognize Trump's star is no longer a rising one and don't give in. I'd like to think that of my own Congressman Tom Rooney, but since Trump won his district by over 20% of the vote, Tom will probably not have the political courage to buck him.
2
Better yet: Defeat the bill, and Trump loses his job.
14
If the choice is between keeping one's job v/s 20 million people losing their health care, the republicans, as always, can be expected to make the right choice: keep their jobs. Right choice for them and their families, obviously.
4
Trump does not have the power to fire them. They are not in danger of losing their jobs.
3
How much more do they need to impeach Trump...
16
I am no registered Democrat, but I do believe innthe balance of power across the branches of government. Pres Trump is 1/3 of that equation. He does not get to dangle the sword over the heads of the other 2 branches unless the members of those other two branches are as feckless as they appear to be. Stand up for the principles of either side, but STAND UP and stand up for PRINCIPLE. Cowardly acquiesence does not equate to legitimate political compromise.
8
the man should be impeached for such a threat. It shows his absolute disregard for due process in our government.
6
My way or the highway. (Corollary to America, love it or leave it.)
6
“I’m going to come after you,” . Nice words from the president of the United States. Sounds more like Tony Soprano.
19
And in other news the Secret Service needs and additional $60 million for Donnie and his families "protection"
6
Trump's threats to US Reps are nothing, compared to the threat they face from constituents if they DO pass this piece of garbage bill. If they want to be turned out of their seats in 2018, then, sure, go ahead and approve Trumpcare. The voters will take care of them with dispatch.
14
You sure got that right! This guy who struts around as president needs some Civics 101. Oh yes -- how could one forget -- he never got around to that course, or probably much of any others.
5
Actually the opposite of what Trump says is true, shocking. If they want to keep their jobs and are listening to their constituents at all, even the Trump supporters, what they are hearing is not to vote for Trumpcare, because no one wants to lose their health insurance.
Trump promised voters, “We’re going to have insurance for everybody, There was a philosophy in some circles that if you can’t pay for it, you don’t get it. That’s not going to happen with us.”
But he lied because this bill he is threatening Congress to pass would take away coverage from 24 million Americans, many of them Trump voters. So if they really want to keep their jobs they know they have to vote no.
Trump promised voters, “We’re going to have insurance for everybody, There was a philosophy in some circles that if you can’t pay for it, you don’t get it. That’s not going to happen with us.”
But he lied because this bill he is threatening Congress to pass would take away coverage from 24 million Americans, many of them Trump voters. So if they really want to keep their jobs they know they have to vote no.
9
My warning to Congress: Pass this garbage and plan on having to get a real job come your next election. Sensible adults do not listen to Lyin' Donald other than to assume whatever he says is a really, really dumb idea and thus do the exact opposite.
9
Better do what Trump says or he will send you to Russia.
5
Evidently the healthcare bill has become all about Trump's ego. The specifics of the bill no longer matter, only a victory for Trump does. Representatives in Congress don't need to worry about their constituents, they need to worry about the President. He's telling Republicans that they'll "blow it" if they don't support the bill. At least some of the Republicans know that they'll blow it if they do.
Unless and until any of them starts to put the healthcare of Americans first I'm just going to enjoy watching them dig themselves deeper into their respective political graves.
Unless and until any of them starts to put the healthcare of Americans first I'm just going to enjoy watching them dig themselves deeper into their respective political graves.
8
The difference between Trumpcare and a nuclear attack by North Korea - millions dies slower under Trumpcare.
10
Don the Con has it wrong. The price will be paid by anyone who supports this fruitcake.
Mafia tactics may work, occasionally, in his "business" world, but these people are supposed to represent constituents, not themselves and a few wealth donors. Let's see who is going to stand up to the bully and take names of those who do not.
Mafia tactics may work, occasionally, in his "business" world, but these people are supposed to represent constituents, not themselves and a few wealth donors. Let's see who is going to stand up to the bully and take names of those who do not.
8
Quid expectabamus? What were we expecting? Place an amoral, corporate bully in the White House and you get amoral corporate-style bullying of anyone who disagrees with the bully-in-chief, or C.B.O.
That "public" in "Republican" hasn't meant much for years. Now it means even less. What's more: the representatives Trump bullies are, in many cases, bullies themselves.
The "Rebullycans," or GOP (Got Other Priorities).
That "public" in "Republican" hasn't meant much for years. Now it means even less. What's more: the representatives Trump bullies are, in many cases, bullies themselves.
The "Rebullycans," or GOP (Got Other Priorities).
7
Trump might actually get some legislation passed and the kind of legislation that republican voters have been demanding for years (ex., relief from Obamacare mandates and exorbitant rates).
The level of bellyaching here bodes poorly for the left. It's going to be a rough 4 years for them if this is any indication how they respond to things actually getting done. Trump is a machine.
The level of bellyaching here bodes poorly for the left. It's going to be a rough 4 years for them if this is any indication how they respond to things actually getting done. Trump is a machine.
2
Yes, Trump is a machine- a Rube Goldberg machine.
The guy lied straight up about having a health plan. Now the GOP has to run this through their cabal of gazillionaires to see if they like it while we pay their bills for them. Heads will roll if they repeal and leave the giant mess it looks like they will leave.
They work for us, remember.
The guy lied straight up about having a health plan. Now the GOP has to run this through their cabal of gazillionaires to see if they like it while we pay their bills for them. Heads will roll if they repeal and leave the giant mess it looks like they will leave.
They work for us, remember.
7
A different style, perhaps, than Lyndon Johnson calling reps at their home at 3am, and announcing, "This is your President calling", before explaining why they had to vote for such-and-such a bill.
The main difference: Johnson knew how the House and Senate functioned, and knew which buttons to push and which knobs to turn. Trump still uses the strategy that got him personally into bankruptcy court.
The main difference: Johnson knew how the House and Senate functioned, and knew which buttons to push and which knobs to turn. Trump still uses the strategy that got him personally into bankruptcy court.
24
Yeah, it's a real tongue-twister to say: "This is your so-called president calling".
Besides, isn't 3 AM is his private time with Twitter?
Besides, isn't 3 AM is his private time with Twitter?
7
And dont forget one truly important difference, Dave: Johnson was actually thinking at 3am. Trumps tiny thumbs are too busy tweeting at that time.
2
OK, so now we find out who these recalcitrant Republicans actually work for. Their constituents or Captain Queeg with a long red tie..... This should be a no brainer. Threats to get the job done- that does not engender loyalty. Sam was when Don bashed the intelligence services- men and women who have given their lives and careers for their country - not conservative or liberal- for everybody. Trump vilified and mocked them, then wonders - who leaked, why aren't they "loyal"? Well Don, they are loyal - to this country- first and forever.
14
The idea of making profit from someone's misfortune runs high in this administration. When will this end?
Hmm, did not realize he was able to fire people that were elected into office. Must have missed that lecture in University.
The Republican's have obviously painted themselves into a corner ... voting dozens of times to repeal the ACA knowing repeal would not occur under Obama, and not having an acceptable alternative. The current American Health Care Act, termed a "repeal and replace" is in reality just changes to the ACA, which will raise premiums for the same level of benefits and protections, cause millions to lose coverage, etc. Just as some Republicans may lose their seats if they don't vote for the bill, there are some Republicans who will lose their seats if they do ... as voters, not Trump decides who represents them. Perhaps the only "good" in passing the current bill, is that government supported healthcare is here to stay ... not supported at the appropriate levels, but clearly not repealed. Shoring up the system by restoring the appropriate funding, etc. will be left for future administrations as the backlash from those losing insurance drives restoration.
7
So this is the best they've got..after seven years of whining about the ACA, they throw together a bad bill in a few weeks, and then strong-arm their party to go along. Not just 'Sad.' - it's pathetic.
What a contemptible popinjay!
Those who favor this cruel legislation have no conscience, and no real core convictions except to make life easier for their client base, the 1-percenters. They will say and do anything to advance their agenda. So everyone is Shocked! just Shocked! that they have lied about the effects of funeralcare (good one, Socrates!) ... the truly sad thing is that the victims of this move, working class folks, can't seem to figure out what's going on.
8
Yeah they are fired
4
Let's see.... Trump says Republican House members who don't vote for Ryan's tax cut bill will lose their seats, apparently because donors offended by the stinginess of a mere $600 billion tax cut will put their millions of dollars behind a more generous candidate in the primary next year.
On the other hand, they're increasingly aware that they risk losing their seats if they do vote for it, as a significant number of the 16 million people who will lose their health care next year will surely express their anger in the voting booth next year.
Those Republicans are now between the proverbial rock and hard place, desperately triangulating a way to reconcile the far-right donors who idolize Ayn Rand's virtuous selfishness with the voters who will suffer greatly in the name of that selfishness. As someone who benefits from the ACA, I'm enjoying watching them squirm. It's a welcome diversion from literally fearing for my life.
On the other hand, they're increasingly aware that they risk losing their seats if they do vote for it, as a significant number of the 16 million people who will lose their health care next year will surely express their anger in the voting booth next year.
Those Republicans are now between the proverbial rock and hard place, desperately triangulating a way to reconcile the far-right donors who idolize Ayn Rand's virtuous selfishness with the voters who will suffer greatly in the name of that selfishness. As someone who benefits from the ACA, I'm enjoying watching them squirm. It's a welcome diversion from literally fearing for my life.
9
I don't see this Trump "threat" as especially newsworthy. Presidents and party leaders always "bully" reluctant Congress members to get on board and those who don't are always subject to political punishment from their party. It's a power game. Nothing new. Stop making mountains out of molehills.
1
Trump has now become the alligator in the swamp
11
The word "thug" is defined as cutthroat, or ruffian, a hoodlum. Why does the "man" not qualify for the title?
8
For a man who claims to be a brilliant negotiator, isn't it interesting that his arguments to his party members made no mention of the strengths and benefits of the new proposed bill, but appear to have consisted solely of bullying and threats to oppose them in the upcoming primaries? He doesn't know how to negotiate; he is used to simply strong-arming his opponents, or using his wealth to defeat those who would pursue him for breach of contract. It is satisfying to see him begin to realize that his wealth and bullying tactics just don't work in government.
96
But they do work, that's the problem!
I'll gladly take a so-called "bully" who gets legislators to do their jobs than an effete talker who cannot lower himself to negotiate with those beneath him in Congress.
By the way, "bully" is a name used by children. It's an inappropriate term for the kind of sparring and negotiating that goes on in Congress. After 8 years of inaction, I welcome this kind of straight talk. It's long overdue and precisely what voters would be saying if they had the president's bully pulpit.
By the way, "bully" is a name used by children. It's an inappropriate term for the kind of sparring and negotiating that goes on in Congress. After 8 years of inaction, I welcome this kind of straight talk. It's long overdue and precisely what voters would be saying if they had the president's bully pulpit.
I couldn't agree more. He runs the presidency exactly as he runs his businesses: Bullying, intimidating, and using his lawyers to pick up the pieces. He doesn't care about policies or the way in which they affect people's lives. He just wants to keep up the image of a fighter and be able to tell those who admire him that everything would be great, if only he had it his way. That's his way of 'keeping his promises' and this is why he needs his idiotic tweets and rallies.
5
Why are we still talking about this fraud, Trump? Clearly, he is just a "sad" imitation of the (actual) author and gameshow master, Chuck Barris:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/22/arts/chuck-barris-dead-gong-show-crea...®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/22/arts/chuck-barris-dead-gong-show-crea...®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
2
Trump characterized not losing the ACA as a "loss". It's painful to watch people get mesmerized by the cheesiest salesman tactics available.
7
Trump is starting to remind me of when Rex Ryan came to the Buffalo Bills with lots of fanfare, promises and volume but eventually exposed. Its going to be fascinating watching reality gradually set in especially among Trumps diehard fans. The guy simply isn't a leader.
5
You republicans are in a fine pickle now. Support your lying, blow hard President, or support your constituents that would like a fair chance at life. The Health Care Plan does not care for people, it harms. Vote no, loud and clear. Get over yourselves and do your jobs. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him. Tell Trump no. You'll all be better human beings for your efforts.
26
Trump and to a lesser extent Ryan have to pass something, anything, changing the ACA so that they can claim victory. Trump's already tattered credibility is threatened with complete dissolution by a loss. Ryan is already 'damaged goods' due to past failures, but is less politically threatened by a failure that most will ascribe to Trump.
3
Republicans could add a public option and leave the ACA intact. That would certainly mitigate the effects of a tea party rebellion.
1
They should be thinking more about the effects of their decisions on 320 million Americans rather than losing one job.
21
Trump doesn't have enough allies or supporters left to threaten anyone. Just over a third of the country thinks he's presidenting. The rest know he's Captain Queeg with a big red tie.
16
Bully and a Liar. What else is new.
14
Trump obviously doesn't care how this bill affects the 37 percent who support him. He can raise their premiums and take away their insurance and they will still support him. His comment about pushing the bill through to get on with tax cuts for the 1 percent, who already benefit greatly from the AHCA, is quite telling because it's all about looking powerful.
3
You back Trump, and you go down when he goes down.
Unless you really believe (as just one example) that Obama had Trump's bizarre home (tower) in NYC "tapped", then you had better distance yourself from this bully.
Unless the Russians are also your "special friends", you'd better get disassociated with Trump. He'll bring you down, and deep inside, you know this.
Unless you really believe (as just one example) that Obama had Trump's bizarre home (tower) in NYC "tapped", then you had better distance yourself from this bully.
Unless the Russians are also your "special friends", you'd better get disassociated with Trump. He'll bring you down, and deep inside, you know this.
8
Back Trump or be sent to Russia. Trump thinks he is King and now is moving first lady Ivanka to be at his side. The whole family is sick and perverted.
1
In Trump's head:
I don’t know anything about ObamaCare but I'm going to call it a disaster. I don’t know anything about the Congress(Paul Ryan) proposed TrumpCare (but please don’t call it that - better to call it TrumpLackOfCareOrConcernAndDownrightCruel ) but I am going to call it wonderful. It will be cheaper, more comprehensive and cover everyone - even thou it's estimated that 24 million will lose coverage, be probably just as expensive and less comprehensive. Above all, don’t try for sensible policy if it gets in the way of politics. After all, it's just a game. The art of the deal as it were.
To the Republicans in Congress: There must be men and women in your ranks better than this and Trump, surely.
I don’t know anything about ObamaCare but I'm going to call it a disaster. I don’t know anything about the Congress(Paul Ryan) proposed TrumpCare (but please don’t call it that - better to call it TrumpLackOfCareOrConcernAndDownrightCruel ) but I am going to call it wonderful. It will be cheaper, more comprehensive and cover everyone - even thou it's estimated that 24 million will lose coverage, be probably just as expensive and less comprehensive. Above all, don’t try for sensible policy if it gets in the way of politics. After all, it's just a game. The art of the deal as it were.
To the Republicans in Congress: There must be men and women in your ranks better than this and Trump, surely.
3
To those Republicans in relatively expensive suburban districts, I can see a more direct reason for why you will lose your seats if you vote for the AHCA: Because the majority of your constituents rely on Medicaid for nursing home and home care for their family members, which typically exceeds $10,000 per month, and they will have to pay a lot more out of pocket once the “per capita” limit/cap on traditional Medicaid payments under the AHCA.
2
I cannot understand why people think healthcare insurance should be different from automobile insurance. Nobody wants to abolish automobile insurance. The principle is the same; you need car insurance because you cannot foresee whether you will have an accident or not. You cannot foresee if you will get sick or not, so everybody needs health insurance. Simple!
6
Not quite. With car insurance, the idea is that you have the money to pay for damages you are causing to someone else. With no health insurance, you only cause damage to yourself. Unless, of course, you are very ill, run out of money and then the county or the other insured people are picking up your tab. In that case, the only fair solution would be to throw you out on the streets and letting you die. Preferably wearing a shirt advertising the GOP health plan...
1
At least you have options (thanks to competition) for those other forms of insurance. With Obamacare, there was one product that everyone was forced to buy. It was so unattractive that even with penalties people refused to buy it, and so unprofitable that insurers stop offering it (ex., individual policies).
Republicans are trying to re-introduce some flexibility, which should open the market up again to both buyers and providers.
Republicans are trying to re-introduce some flexibility, which should open the market up again to both buyers and providers.
Trump playbook: Lie. Threaten. Bully. Lie. Obscure. Deflect. Lie. Repeat as needed.
11
This bully goes too far. He is not a president, except in name. Shame on him.
I have called the Congressman for my district (I don't consider him my congressman), Mike Bishop, of Michigan's 8th district to let him know I am appalled that he supports this attack on our neediest for the benefit of those already richer than they need to be.
With an approval rating of 37%, I really don't think Congressmen voting against this terrible travesty need to fear 45's threats. They do need to fear the voters.
I have called the Congressman for my district (I don't consider him my congressman), Mike Bishop, of Michigan's 8th district to let him know I am appalled that he supports this attack on our neediest for the benefit of those already richer than they need to be.
With an approval rating of 37%, I really don't think Congressmen voting against this terrible travesty need to fear 45's threats. They do need to fear the voters.
13
Guess we'll find out how many fear the Trump effect - which is "Half the things he says are the opposite of reality"
The uber-conservatives will be held accountable for voting for a big-gummint health plan
The moderates will be held accountable for putting risk back into the lives of many of their constituents by stripping benefits. (The ubers will be, too, but don't seem to care)
The uber-conservatives will be held accountable for voting for a big-gummint health plan
The moderates will be held accountable for putting risk back into the lives of many of their constituents by stripping benefits. (The ubers will be, too, but don't seem to care)
2
Dan Donovan (R-Staten Island), Trump-weasel extraordinaire, is giving Trump the single-finger salute on the AHCA.
This says it all -- "thieves fall out." Donovan has a variety of very solid reasons to vote his district and not vote Trump's interests -- but among them is the Collins/Faso amendment to the AHCA that shifts the county contribution for Medicaid back to the state, for all of New York except New York city. In otherwords, Staten Island (and the other boroughs) pay twice and pay all the rural Medicaid.
Smooth move Republicans ... you don't have the brains to see what stunts like this get you?
This says it all -- "thieves fall out." Donovan has a variety of very solid reasons to vote his district and not vote Trump's interests -- but among them is the Collins/Faso amendment to the AHCA that shifts the county contribution for Medicaid back to the state, for all of New York except New York city. In otherwords, Staten Island (and the other boroughs) pay twice and pay all the rural Medicaid.
Smooth move Republicans ... you don't have the brains to see what stunts like this get you?
1
the congress for the most part is filled with sniveling, fearful, spineless, greedy, amoral, shape-shifting hypocrites.
chances are they will go with that which they fear most.
the only thing they do not fear it seems is money in their pockets, go with whatever leads to the money.
chances are they will go with that which they fear most.
the only thing they do not fear it seems is money in their pockets, go with whatever leads to the money.
9
The secret sauce in Trump's deal making, whether buying a building in the Bronx, demanding defense outlays from allies, a wall from his neighbor, or votes from congressmen, is bullying. The art of the deal is no more than that; bully the other guy. Trump's tools of the trade are threats and intimidation. Will it work? We'll find out.
2
Sorry Donald, you're not in charge of people that disagree with you. You might want to explore why a good number of Republicans disagree with your budget and Trumpcare.
Sure, threaten them, and then watch what happens. Your poll numbers are not that great, your party is divided, and your constituents cannot agree on a lot of issues too. You seed your own demise, Donald, and it cannot come soon enough!
Sure, threaten them, and then watch what happens. Your poll numbers are not that great, your party is divided, and your constituents cannot agree on a lot of issues too. You seed your own demise, Donald, and it cannot come soon enough!
5
Does he even know what's in this bill? Does he care?
6
Trump being the belligerent bully he is now threatens fellow Republicans in congress.
2
Trump the bully is at it again. Try to intimidate whoever he disagrees with. This is a great role model for bullies in the world. Perhaps this behavior is even impeachable.
4
The message to the voting public should be: Repeal Health Law AND Lose Your Seats.
Good riddance to the once who are incapable of providing healthcare to the once who need it the most
Good riddance to the once who are incapable of providing healthcare to the once who need it the most
5
Doesn't sound like a man who wants to be full-term president let alone, re-election. I think Comrad Trump is pushing the system to oust him so he can go back to his creditors (Russian millionaires) and blame the American political process. Is possible trump is being set up?
Yes. But by Putin, or 'Obama'? If his Trump tower server really was hacked to appear as though it was connected to Alpha bank, then the Russians see the same moron as we do. They know he lost the popular vote by some 2.8 million votes. Putin knows what this means.
Yes. But by Putin, or 'Obama'? If his Trump tower server really was hacked to appear as though it was connected to Alpha bank, then the Russians see the same moron as we do. They know he lost the popular vote by some 2.8 million votes. Putin knows what this means.
1
If members of Congress really want to keep their seats in 2018, they might think about this before they vote: "Publish by House District the number of people enrolled in Obamacare and report on the votes rendered by their House Representatives. Let the people in each District know who, by name, took their healthcare coverage away." The quotes are there because this was an idea from another NYT's reader that was so good it needs to be repeated over and over....Hold your Representatives accountable....They were not elected to promote some Faustian fantasy....
5
I find it ironic that the Republican Party has turned out to be America's poor's Death Penal.
6
Trump could not care less about health care for the nation's citizens. If you listen closely, all you hear is his bombast about repealing anything associated with his hated predecessor Barack Obama. Trump is obsessed with Obama. He is not FOR healthcare -- he is AGAINST President Obama! And he is employing strategies he has used all his life to control and intimidate. This is not leadership. Nor is it presidential. It is ugly bullying behavior. It will catch up with him.
6
If they support Trump programs without looking into whether the programs actually help the middle class they are going to lose their seats anyway. Trump says one thing and does a different thing. He's a liar and he acts as if he doesn't know it. That's really sick.
5
In a just moral fair world the House Republicans would lose their seats along with their heads followed by their naked empty-headed emperor Donald John Trump.
7
The house and senate need to present Trump with a plan that aligns with his campaign promise to provide insurance to ALL. The only plan that does that is Medicare for ALL.
Take some of the 100's of billions of $$ away from the military and assign that to the Medicare for All plan.
Take some of the 100's of billions of $$ away from the military and assign that to the Medicare for All plan.
5
How much clearer does it have to get.
He is stamping it on their foreheads.
Forget your constituents, morals, ethics, individuality - any reason you entered political life. You are not here to serve your people - you hare here to serve your master trump.
He is stamping it on their foreheads.
Forget your constituents, morals, ethics, individuality - any reason you entered political life. You are not here to serve your people - you hare here to serve your master trump.
10
Every day in DC brings more delusional behavior from POTUS and the GOP. This bill is a transparent attempt to transfer more wealth from the poorest to the richest. Since the richest comprise only about 1% of the population, how is there a mandate for Trumpcare? He doesn't even want his name on it, and he puts his name on EVERYTHING, the tackier the better.
Instead of getting health care we get a lecture. Next we'll be advised to eat cake if there's no bread.
Instead of getting health care we get a lecture. Next we'll be advised to eat cake if there's no bread.
43
From the L.A. Times: "New polling Monday showed that most Americans want to fix the the Affordable Care Act, rather than gut it, as Republicans have long promised.
Fully 68% of Americans want to keep what works and fix the rest, while just 32% prefer the GOP's repeal and replace approach, according to polling from Hart Research. Moreover, the polling showed most Americans — including 54% of President Trump's voters — have a favorable view of the Medicaid system, which would face steep cuts under the Republican plan."
Lose their job if they don't vote to repeal it? Another "alternative fact."
Fully 68% of Americans want to keep what works and fix the rest, while just 32% prefer the GOP's repeal and replace approach, according to polling from Hart Research. Moreover, the polling showed most Americans — including 54% of President Trump's voters — have a favorable view of the Medicaid system, which would face steep cuts under the Republican plan."
Lose their job if they don't vote to repeal it? Another "alternative fact."
6
Who would have guessed ?! - Donald Trump is no Barack Obama
4
Trump's credibility is declining by the hour. A bully and a bumbler. The GOP knows they will face a greater backlash if they pass this bill.
6
If the reporting is accurate about the president's behavior yesterday, we are given proof that donald has no clue that two different elections occurred in 2016 and that the reasons he won are not the reasons why GOP held on to seats in both Houses of Congress. Furthermore, I believe it demonstrates that when donald has no idea, he resorts to the bully he was (and is) on reality-tv. America elected a cry-baby psycho and everyone-liberal and conservative-will end up paying the price, especially in the larger world that we all belong to.
3
Contrary to what Trump says, I believe that House members who DO vote to repeal the ACA are likely to lose their next election. Voters are watching closely to see what they do. Almost 800,000 Americans have signed the Change.org petition that would require Congress to have the same exact healthcare policies that they are proposing for the rest of us. Let's see how they like being forced to live with the perilous healthcare policy that they want to create!
4
Has anyone told Trump he's not on the Apprentice anymore? And that he can't fire members of Congress? The majority of Americans don't like this health care proposal so no one's going to lose their jobs by rejecting it. The only ones it benefits are the wealthy and they don't make up the majority of the voting public.
7
Price is supposed to be protecting the health of Americans as DHS secretary. It is irresponsible for him to lie to the public about the consequences of this cost cutting legislation.
He needs to be fired.
He needs to be fired.
6
"The use of a political threat was a classic tactic for Mr. Trump...."
There is an eery parallel here with "Monty Python And The Holy Grail- The Black Knight." I believe Twitter, itself, was actually inspired by a helmet shouting threats from the ground. I don't know. That's what I was told. Somebody should look into it...?
There is an eery parallel here with "Monty Python And The Holy Grail- The Black Knight." I believe Twitter, itself, was actually inspired by a helmet shouting threats from the ground. I don't know. That's what I was told. Somebody should look into it...?
3
"Speaker Paul D. Ryan was upbeat after the Capitol meeting. “The president just came here and knocked the ball out of the park,” he said. “He knocked the cover off the ball.”
Sycophants on parade. I'm nauseous.
Sycophants on parade. I'm nauseous.
10
Don't know what was wrong with my comment, but I'd like to point out that the president threatening members of Congress in order to get his legislation passed is unprecedented and worrisomely fascist. Trump is undignified, unpresidential, and clearly incompetent. Impeach before it's too late.
10
It's cslled "arm twisting" and Presidents have done it from Washington on. LBJ was famous for it, famous for being good at it.
The difference is two-fold: 1. most presidents have taken a more positive line in their arm-twisting, a "you get more flies with honey" approach. 2. But the stick is always there too, and the reality here is that Trump has no stick; it's just all bluster.
The difference is two-fold: 1. most presidents have taken a more positive line in their arm-twisting, a "you get more flies with honey" approach. 2. But the stick is always there too, and the reality here is that Trump has no stick; it's just all bluster.
Isn't this: " Mr. Trump has not focused on the specifics of the health care bill, arguing in recent days that he is more concerned with pushing it through Congress " somewhat reminiscent of Pelosi's comment about passing Obamacare: "We have to pass it to see what's in it" .....
2
Whatever kind of new 'health' bill is passed, all member of congress should be required to participate with the rest of the American people and no longer benefit from the free health care provided by our taxes.
6
As the President likes to say, the Republican health "care" bill is a "DISASTER"!
It's so obvious that what this country really needs is Medicare for all - single payee, universal health care coverage at a cost people can afford. No need to threaten people with a mandate - it comes with the territory so that the younger and healthier population supports health care with their payroll deductions just like those currently on Medicare did, who paid into the system during their working years and continue to pay a reasonable amount deducted from their social security payments.
As far as the Trump threat to congressman unwilling to support this disastrous bill is concerned, the real solution for Republicans wanting to continue their careers is to do what Americans who rebelled by electing "the Donald" really want them to do, which is to work with Democrats to do the people's business, to compromise and work for a just society instead of pandering to the richest of the rich.
It's so obvious that what this country really needs is Medicare for all - single payee, universal health care coverage at a cost people can afford. No need to threaten people with a mandate - it comes with the territory so that the younger and healthier population supports health care with their payroll deductions just like those currently on Medicare did, who paid into the system during their working years and continue to pay a reasonable amount deducted from their social security payments.
As far as the Trump threat to congressman unwilling to support this disastrous bill is concerned, the real solution for Republicans wanting to continue their careers is to do what Americans who rebelled by electing "the Donald" really want them to do, which is to work with Democrats to do the people's business, to compromise and work for a just society instead of pandering to the richest of the rich.
1
Time to dig your heels if you have any backbone left. Surely not all people in a political party can be such clones as to not defend their own values above the orders of a fool. If it doesn't fit the people who voted you in and those you represent then show some gumption.
3
Thank goodness for representatives such as Mr. Meadows of North Carolina. I don't care if Trump is President of the US, he has no right to threaten anyone. it sickened me to see, during his first press conference when he told that Jewish man to sit down and be quiet, because he knew the answer to his question. He did not answer his question. It was obvious that the man was totally unnerved. A total bully at work. Getting back to elected officials, it is up to the people to decide whether or not he or she should lose their seat. Insofar as Representative Meadows is concerned, I hope he holds out as long as he feels he needs to do so. More Republicans should have the backbone Meadows has and the insight they should have in light of what is going on in the Trump administration.
26
TrumpCare is already making my husband sick.
1
Last week Trump told Tucker Carlson that he knew the bill would disproportionately hurt his supporters and that it was a first draft. This week, with nothing more than a few cosmetic tweaks he is bullying the House to pass it regardless of how it affects people in general and his supporters in particular. So, basically, Trump is a monomaniac in the sense that he is so obsessed with closing a deal he doesn't really care how good a deal it actually is. Hence, Trump University and multiple bankruptcies for Trump controlled entities. I am the last person to advise Republican members of the House, but this just doesn't strike me as a credible threat because there are so many toxic provisions in the bill.
15
The idea that Trump will "go after" Republicans who disobey him is hilarious -- Trump's narcissism and empty blowtardery in full splendor.
We've got a WSJ editorial today saying that "President Donald Trump's repeated lack of "respect for the truth" puts him in jeopardy of being viewed as "a fake President." Yes indeed. When a Republican gets that from the WSJ -- game over.
Trump's polling numbers are swirling around the drain, and virtually certain to get worse. Large fractions of Republicans who voted for him are beginning to see that Trump lies incessantly, has no intent whatsoever of delivering on his grandiose promises, and that the Trump/Ryan healthcare plan is a bad farce.
Polls of March 8 show that only 24% of Americans supported the AHCA, and that fraction is dropping, as its harm to ordinary Americans becomes more apparent. Even among Republicans there is no longer a public majority for the AHCA.
Trump has become a toothless house cat pretending to be a tiger.
The Republicans need to use whatever hook they can to pull this man off-stage. Impeachment will be long and hard, and bring with it a great deal more damage. It is unlikely that the 25th amendment part D can be used, as all of Trump's cabinet are hand-picked sycophants whose power and tenure depend on Trump remaining President.
There is however a very simple solution: enforce the emoluments clause. Trump will quit in an instant.
We've got a WSJ editorial today saying that "President Donald Trump's repeated lack of "respect for the truth" puts him in jeopardy of being viewed as "a fake President." Yes indeed. When a Republican gets that from the WSJ -- game over.
Trump's polling numbers are swirling around the drain, and virtually certain to get worse. Large fractions of Republicans who voted for him are beginning to see that Trump lies incessantly, has no intent whatsoever of delivering on his grandiose promises, and that the Trump/Ryan healthcare plan is a bad farce.
Polls of March 8 show that only 24% of Americans supported the AHCA, and that fraction is dropping, as its harm to ordinary Americans becomes more apparent. Even among Republicans there is no longer a public majority for the AHCA.
Trump has become a toothless house cat pretending to be a tiger.
The Republicans need to use whatever hook they can to pull this man off-stage. Impeachment will be long and hard, and bring with it a great deal more damage. It is unlikely that the 25th amendment part D can be used, as all of Trump's cabinet are hand-picked sycophants whose power and tenure depend on Trump remaining President.
There is however a very simple solution: enforce the emoluments clause. Trump will quit in an instant.
20
"There is however a very simple solution: enforce the emoluments clause. Trump will quit in an instant."
Agreed. Donate to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. They are the lead watchdog for the Emoluments / conflict of interest issues.
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/citizens-for-ethics/donate
Agreed. Donate to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. They are the lead watchdog for the Emoluments / conflict of interest issues.
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/citizens-for-ethics/donate
3
“A bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.”
It really isn’t such a bill. Most of the changes are about reducing taxes collected and government subsidies. Those parts of Obamacare that Republicans love, such as allowing a 26 year old child to remain on his/her parents’ plan are still there. Those who are in employer sponsored plans will continue to get a 50% subsidy through the Federal and State tax codes.
It is a disgraceful piece of legislation that gives relief to high income earners, while taking much needed support from their lower earning fellow citizens.
It really isn’t such a bill. Most of the changes are about reducing taxes collected and government subsidies. Those parts of Obamacare that Republicans love, such as allowing a 26 year old child to remain on his/her parents’ plan are still there. Those who are in employer sponsored plans will continue to get a 50% subsidy through the Federal and State tax codes.
It is a disgraceful piece of legislation that gives relief to high income earners, while taking much needed support from their lower earning fellow citizens.
23
So Trump's not concerned with the specifics of the health care bill, just pushing it through so he can move onto other things. Am I reading this right? So he's bullying everyone and we all end up with a poor health care bill just so they can say they repealed Obamacare and replaced it. We need to stand up to a bully.
20
mmm... that is what we call blackmail against the average american citizen...
18
Trump is wrong on this. If Trumpcare is voted in and ACA out, everyone voting for it can expect backlash come in 2018. That will be just long enough for their base to realize just how badly they got hurt.
24
House members should be warned: vote to repeal the ACA, and you will lose your seat in 2018. Few people now advantaged by having some health care coverage for the first time cannot predict whether they will be tossed out by this vote, and they will have the same insecurity in November, 2018. You can be sure if their Congressional rep voted to repeal, they will vote to oust that representative.
31
The jobs Trump promised to bring back...are all for Republicans in congress?
17
With Trump's credibility declining by the day, his approval rating sinking to historic lows for a new President, he already lacks the political capital to threaten anyone. And it's a huge gamble he's taking in backing this bill, just trying to get a "win", a bill that breaks nearly every promise he made on health care and betraying his base.
It's more like "vote for this bill and you will lose your job".
And those who vote "no" will go home in the upcoming recess and brag to their constituents about the courage they displayed in standing up to Trump.
It's more like "vote for this bill and you will lose your job".
And those who vote "no" will go home in the upcoming recess and brag to their constituents about the courage they displayed in standing up to Trump.
16
In so many rust-belt cities like mine, with their aging populations, a resurgence in health care has been the economic engine of our recovery from the industrial collapse of the 1980s and the financial meltdown of the 2010s. Now in 2017 another Republican presidency looms, apparently aiming for a trifecta of calamity.
Beyond just cutting patients off at the knees, the impact of this bill will ripple upward through the ranks of health care workers, growing to tsunami proportions as it prunes out licensed professionals and the diverse swath of service workers who support them, their patients and families, and their communities. Here is the real "carnage" which Trump had in mind for us. Who knew that he was so prescient?
Beyond just cutting patients off at the knees, the impact of this bill will ripple upward through the ranks of health care workers, growing to tsunami proportions as it prunes out licensed professionals and the diverse swath of service workers who support them, their patients and families, and their communities. Here is the real "carnage" which Trump had in mind for us. Who knew that he was so prescient?
24
Sounds a lot like Obama. Though he hasn't paid anyone off so far to get his bill passed. Louisiana still laughing all the way to the bank. That vote alone cost 300 million dollars, if you'll remember. To let you know where we are heading. I just had an operation under Medicare, which I thought was doing a pretty good job, and only costs me $110 a month. The bill was $38,000. Medicare paid $2800, and I'm on the hook for $675. The hospital wrote off the rest. $38,000 seemed way too much, but $2800 seems way too little. They are supposed to pay 80%, but they make these deals with the hospital I'm told. That write off raises everyone's bills at the hospital going forward. Keep the government out of healthcare. Mandate that everyone has health care, like car insurance, and give incentives to business to provide it to all employees, including part time. Obama care is a train wreck, the republican plan little better.
1
Yes, 24 million OFF healthcare is better than getting 22 million healthcare, and shutting down rural hospitals. Nothing like Obama.
2
Fake president.
16
If you oppose this bill, calling your representative today is critical. The vote is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday). This is no time to be shy about telling your representatives or someone on their staff where you stand on this supremely important issue in your life.
Find your Congressional representative using your zip code on the house.gov website. Once on their homepage there will be a link to his/her contact information.
It is actually most important if you live in a Republican/red district. Turning a handful of their votes against the bill will stop it, and they care first and foremost about their own reelection prospects next year. So the more opposition they hear from their constituents, the more they get will reconsider voting for it.
Calling and simply expressing your opposition is fundamental and far more important than whether you have a carefully crafted argument to present. However, you might mention: 1) 24 million will lose insurance according to the CBO; 2) Insurance premiums will skyrocket under the house plan, and the proposed tax credits will not nearly keep up, particularly for low-income persons aged 50-65; and 3) Cuts to Medicaid will hurt the working poor, as well as drain the resources of middle class families with parents in nursing homes.
Oh, yes, and you might point out that 4) all these cuts to the working and middle class are particularly scandalous in light of the $600 billion tax cut it gives to the wealthy.
Find your Congressional representative using your zip code on the house.gov website. Once on their homepage there will be a link to his/her contact information.
It is actually most important if you live in a Republican/red district. Turning a handful of their votes against the bill will stop it, and they care first and foremost about their own reelection prospects next year. So the more opposition they hear from their constituents, the more they get will reconsider voting for it.
Calling and simply expressing your opposition is fundamental and far more important than whether you have a carefully crafted argument to present. However, you might mention: 1) 24 million will lose insurance according to the CBO; 2) Insurance premiums will skyrocket under the house plan, and the proposed tax credits will not nearly keep up, particularly for low-income persons aged 50-65; and 3) Cuts to Medicaid will hurt the working poor, as well as drain the resources of middle class families with parents in nursing homes.
Oh, yes, and you might point out that 4) all these cuts to the working and middle class are particularly scandalous in light of the $600 billion tax cut it gives to the wealthy.
11
Yes, I called 63 congress members. Because my own representative took his phones off the hook. So much for " representation"......
I seriously doubt if Trump or Pence have even read the bill. They don't care about the effect on people, all they care about is the perception of doing something even if it may cause death and financial ruin. They all are preaching; we have to do what the people elected us to do, repeal Obamacare, but they have conveniently left out the part about replacing it with something much, much better and cheaper, that will cover every body.
19
This bill stinks! What are these guys thinking?
12
They're simply not thinking. They are praying no one will notice their tax cuts for the wealthy, which in plain English means that the rest of us will make up the loss of revenue from the tax cuts for the super-rich.
2
They aren't thinking.
2
Hey, Republican House Members: The first day of Trump University will be tomorrow and Dean Trump will be taking names. We will soon find out who will be on Double Secret Probation. Enjoy the new regime.
19
Trump does not realize that he needs the Congressional representatives and Senators in his own party in order to accomplish anything substantial (other than the smoke and mirrors of his Executive Orders). Even if he does understand this, he has no political skills --- let alone discipline --- to persuade them to abandon their constituents and join their fates with his. Trump is going to start a war because he knows that so many Americans will stop questioning his leadership when we're in a war. Trump might not know this yet, but Bannon surely does.
17
Republicans must realize that many will lose votes if they DO vote against the Affordable Care Act.
13
I vote for Lose Your Jobs
12
Picturing Trump and Price meeting with the House "freedom caucus" calls to mind a Seinfeld reference....."you've got a real 'Algonquin Roundtable' there!"
11
Denying tens of thousands of their constituents basic health care is going to have a WAY bigger impact than the bluster of the least popular politician in the United States, a man who is 100% illegitimate and under FBI investigation for possible treason.
No repeal
No repeal
23
"Pass Health Bill or Lose Your Jobs, Trump Tells Holdouts"
To the republican "holdouts": Pass this bill, as it is now, and you will lose your jobs in next years election. That is a guarantee, whereas Trump's statement is just that of a bully running off making hollow threats.
To the republican "holdouts": Pass this bill, as it is now, and you will lose your jobs in next years election. That is a guarantee, whereas Trump's statement is just that of a bully running off making hollow threats.
13
Who’s kidding who here. This is more Trump Jedi mind games. They worked on his tribe, maybe they’ll work on his legions. Trumps trying to convince his merry persons he and they won on an at-any-cost repeal and replace of Obamacare. What they sold was repeal and replace with better coverage, more choice at a lower cost (ignoring the better coverage for everyone hooey). There are signs that it’s working, which would be a true lose-lose. I wonder if losing affordable care for a term is a fair price for really draining the swamp.
5
Logic and self preservation would suggest Republican lawmakers should rethink their loyalty to a pathological liar whose current and past staff members may be facing treason charges in the near future.
16
You expect logic or reason from these jokers? Or, God forbid, putting their country before their party? Dream on...
13
After promising healthcare for everyone, Donald Trump discovers healthcare is more complicated than he could have imagined, washes his hands of the whole thing and gives it over to Paul Ryan who is eager to turn it into one his prized political crusades. The CBO comes in with a score estimating that over 10 million people will lose healthcare under the Ryan plan in the 1st year, but Trump gives the plan raves anyway, and threatens house members who oppose it.
Don't the political attack ads write themselves?
Don't the political attack ads write themselves?
10
Do the members of Congress really want to line up with the sinking U.S.S. Trump? When tens of millions of American people lose access to healthcare they have only recently gained, and thousands of people suffer or die because of it there will be a lot of losers who voted FOR this misbegotten mess of a bill.
10
It seems very tough to predict what effect this vote will have on the midterm elections. Certainly showing that Trump is not effective at getting legislation put together and passed will weaken him in future efforts. On the other hand, some of his efforts, like a huge tax cut, will be much more uniformly favorable to House and Senate than health care or wiping out NIH or the Appalachian Regional Commission. If he is eventually pushed out on the Russian affair will Mike Pence inherit his bizarre cabinet?
5
It's obvious that Trump doesn't care about, and probably doesn't fully understand, complexity. Consider that he said, apparently without shame, "Who knew health care was so complicated?" He's even ignorant of his ignorance.
He doesn't care about details. "Losing is not an option" -- it begins and ends there. It's sad and pitiful that this emotional child finds himself in the big boy chair. And so frightening for the rest of us that he and many in his cabinet are catastrophically unprepared for their present jobs. This won't end well.
He doesn't care about details. "Losing is not an option" -- it begins and ends there. It's sad and pitiful that this emotional child finds himself in the big boy chair. And so frightening for the rest of us that he and many in his cabinet are catastrophically unprepared for their present jobs. This won't end well.
11
We are now seeing the unvarnished truth and it's ugly. Conservatives want to eliminate a provision that compels insurers to spend a specific percentage of money on health care. What else should they spend it on? Cars? Boats, third homes for CEOs and other top administrators? Message is loud and clear: too many conservatives don't care about what happens to sick people, or anyone else for that matter. Yet these districts/states keep sending them back to do more damage.
11
The "my way or the highway" tactic may work in business (where the so-called president has then found himself in court with stiffed contractors), but this is government. He has NO say over the voters (a clear MINORITY) that allowed him to slip into the WH (with foreign assistance). He does NOT "run" the party, no matter what his sycophant advisors tell him. The health plan is horrible. It will actually KILL PEOPLE. It's insane to vote for something that will clearly end the political careers of legislators and governors. The traitor-in-chief's threats carry no weight. Logic (and even compassion!) must prevail. This bill is wrong for America.
10
Here is my message to the Republicans, Pass this bill and loose your seat.
If you sell out my fellow citizens in the name of profit I will personally join and contribute to any political movement that is dedicated to crushing your party and it's backers.
Enough is enough.
If you sell out my fellow citizens in the name of profit I will personally join and contribute to any political movement that is dedicated to crushing your party and it's backers.
Enough is enough.
6
Now if they would just tell Trump stop tweeting and release your taxes or lose your job.
10
Finally here we are: Trump will attack fellow Republicans who vote to prevent 24 million people from losing their insurance by 2026. However, here is the real deal:
Obamacare gave us the following coverage which Pres. Trump and the GOP now want to claim as their own because they know they must not touch them:
1. 300 million people cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions
2. Children can stay on parents coverage till age 26
3. No monetary caps on treatment
4. All insurance companies must cover 10 basic services including preventive care
5. Women cannot be charged more than men for insurance.
In 2010, not a single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted for these benefits. So, it boils down to this. The GOP wants to destroy insurance coverage for millions currently covered via Obamacare while claiming credit for what Obamacare already guarantees to all Americans.
The racism within GOP is so severe, they cannot make themselves give credit to an American President who happens to be Black for these benefits that millions of Americans now enjoy.
Obamacare gave us the following coverage which Pres. Trump and the GOP now want to claim as their own because they know they must not touch them:
1. 300 million people cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions
2. Children can stay on parents coverage till age 26
3. No monetary caps on treatment
4. All insurance companies must cover 10 basic services including preventive care
5. Women cannot be charged more than men for insurance.
In 2010, not a single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted for these benefits. So, it boils down to this. The GOP wants to destroy insurance coverage for millions currently covered via Obamacare while claiming credit for what Obamacare already guarantees to all Americans.
The racism within GOP is so severe, they cannot make themselves give credit to an American President who happens to be Black for these benefits that millions of Americans now enjoy.
11
Eliminating the ACA is a ' check ' off his to do list. Trump doesn't care about the details. Doesn't care about the impacts. Wants to move on to next item. All for his base. What's with the threat? Maybe some legislators are not buying into your bullying.
9
Trump and Putin are often compared, and punishing dissention seems a common quality they share. We will see if representatives will put their values and responsibilities above their desire to get "rehired".
8
"Lose your jobs?" Trump knows these Reps will be replaced by Democrats so these are very empty, typical bullying threats by Trump. Trump doesnt dare take a chance on these Republican Reps being defeated in 2018. What typical garbage from Trump.
4
"[T]he president also delivered a blunt warning that many of those present would lose their seats in next year’s midterm congressional elections if the effort failed. 'I’m going to come after you,' Mr. Trump told Representative Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina, a prime holdout."
The perfect retort would, of course, have been: "That's assuming you're still in office, Mr. President. The FBI is not investigating ME."
With apologies to equines everywhere, Trump is such a one-trick pony. Doesn't get what he wants; then throws tantrums and threatens people. The fact that Republicans haven't abandoned this sick, crooked man in droves tells us that our national malaise runs much deeper than the fool in the Oval Office. Much. much deeper.
The perfect retort would, of course, have been: "That's assuming you're still in office, Mr. President. The FBI is not investigating ME."
With apologies to equines everywhere, Trump is such a one-trick pony. Doesn't get what he wants; then throws tantrums and threatens people. The fact that Republicans haven't abandoned this sick, crooked man in droves tells us that our national malaise runs much deeper than the fool in the Oval Office. Much. much deeper.
21
It's very interesting that Trump thinks that towing the line for him will be a benefit in 2018 and/or 2020. Right now he and his team are just hellbent on being able to say that they did what they said they were going to, the actual realities and consequences attached notwithstanding.
4
Hmmmmmmm!
Me thinks that GOP Congressmen are more concerned that suppoting president Trump on his healthcare proposal will cause them losing their seats in 2018 rather than the opposite as alleged by Trump.
The current GOP reps are heeding their constituents. It appears to them to be a case of don't do or die, might also label it a severe case of "Electile Disfunction"!
Me thinks that GOP Congressmen are more concerned that suppoting president Trump on his healthcare proposal will cause them losing their seats in 2018 rather than the opposite as alleged by Trump.
The current GOP reps are heeding their constituents. It appears to them to be a case of don't do or die, might also label it a severe case of "Electile Disfunction"!
4
'Dissent is highest form of patriotism!' TJ ca. 1803
18
So he is going to "fire" elected reps if they don't go along with him??? Their constituents may fire them for going along with him....!!!!
33
Are you sure it isn't "pass the law and you _will_ lose your jobs?"
18
With the president's poll numbers sinking, his deep ties to Putin and Russian oligarchs begin uncovered, and his potential impeachment due to Constitutional breaches, I would think that no Republican would want to be aligned with him. His threat of "we're going to remember those who stood by us" gets emptier by the day as his power wanes and his atrocities toward America pile up. Republicans have nothing to lose by voting against this bill and everything to lose by voting for it.
22
You're fired! Pretty laughable as he threatens Republicans to vote against the wishes of their gerrymanded districts.
And have to think somewhere in the crevices of their dark minds ... Trump is headed for Impeachment.
And have to think somewhere in the crevices of their dark minds ... Trump is headed for Impeachment.
12
A simple "Trump, you're permanently relieved of duty" would do nicely. PLEASE?
4
Trump better gets ready to learn that governing is not the same as being CEO. First, he will not get his way with this healthcare bill and second, he will not get his way with the budget. No matter how much he bullies Reps.
11
House and senate seat will be lost if it does pass is more likely. The economic impact goes far beyond individual insurance, many jobs will be lost, hospitals and care centers will close. If it passes waves of pain will move through nearly every community. Why are Republicans so messed up?
18
The truly amazing thing is that so many of them were elected at all - an event that will never happen again now. It's painfully clear that without the Democrats, Republicans are only capable of fighting among themselves while the country descends into chaos. They're not a party destined to lead anyone anywhere.
7
Getting a bill passed is a win for the White House. What's in the bill doesn't matter to Trump--it's the art of the deal!
20
EXACTLY. He does not give a rats backside what is IN the legislation, or how much damage it will do to people's lives or the economy. He just sees getting ANYTHING passed as "winning." He is worse than an amateur.
7
He has yet to even read the bill. I don't even think it was read to him. Perhaps he heard about it on Fox News.
1
Bully. Telling us to take the knuckle sandwich or else.
9
Trump Is used to conning one person at a time. He's used to bullying one person at a time.
It's not gonna work anymore. Cuz he's up against a multitude of voters, governors, senators, congress people, lobbyists, corporations, etc. He can't schmooze or threaten all of them. And they all have different agendas.
Also he lacks a deep understanding of what he's trying to "sell." He's focused on one thing. Himself.
He's a political failure. But doesn't know it yet.
It's not gonna work anymore. Cuz he's up against a multitude of voters, governors, senators, congress people, lobbyists, corporations, etc. He can't schmooze or threaten all of them. And they all have different agendas.
Also he lacks a deep understanding of what he's trying to "sell." He's focused on one thing. Himself.
He's a political failure. But doesn't know it yet.
11
They're going to lose their seats anyway. Trump said he'll drain the swamp and keep those career politicians away from Washington. He won't have their back. If anything, when the less privileged people start revolting he's going to blame career politicians for writing and passing that bill. Can't you see he's trying to stay out of the new bill? All he's doing is to repeal Obama care and put Paul Ryan at the forefront for the new bill so that he'll get all the fallout. He doesn't care about what's in the new plan. If it goes well, he'll take the credit. When it goes wrong, he'll blame the Republicans and use it as an excuse to get rid of career politicians to 'deliver his campaign promise. Getting rid of Paul Ryan will be a sweet revenge for him since he came late in supporting him during the election. He's using all of you. Don't get conned yet again.
3
hoping the Dems take back the house
2
If the bill goes through it will result in many, many people being dumped from their health care plans and in the long run that may be a political boon because chances are they won't vote Trump next time, realizing he is full of hot air, knows not of what he speaks and breaks promises left, right and centre.
2
“He made it very clear he’s all in on this legislation,” ... "Mr. Trump has not focused on the specifics of the health care bill, arguing in recent days that he is more concerned with pushing it through Congress so he can move on to issues he cares more about"
Our president doesn't worry about the constituency, or the details of healthcare in the US. Why should he care anything about affordability or coverage? Since he is a low-end billionaire, paying for a doctor to visit him, wherever he may be, is an insignificant nuisance.
Just remember to shut up, stay out of his way and do what he wants ...
Our president doesn't worry about the constituency, or the details of healthcare in the US. Why should he care anything about affordability or coverage? Since he is a low-end billionaire, paying for a doctor to visit him, wherever he may be, is an insignificant nuisance.
Just remember to shut up, stay out of his way and do what he wants ...
7
A new name for the republican's "health care act": The American Carnage Act of 2017.
11
GOP...you own this POTUS. Enjoy!
20
Many Pres. have singled out Congressmen before and tried the old threat of vote or you are out. Usually these threats are behind closed doors. Who does he think he is? These are elected representatives and there are rules. We recall them or not elect them. Does he mean he won't let the Republican Party fund their campaigns or what? I guess he thinks he is King. Well we all know how to get rid of a King.
7
Corrected Post:
It would appear our "Deal Maker in Chief" is not really a deal maker at all but rather a blustering bully. Really Donald, you think threatening House Republicans, is exercising leadership and making deals? Why not pull out all the stops and threaten them with nukes?
It would appear our "Deal Maker in Chief" is not really a deal maker at all but rather a blustering bully. Really Donald, you think threatening House Republicans, is exercising leadership and making deals? Why not pull out all the stops and threaten them with nukes?
9
The voters don't intend to send them back again if they DO pass it so why all the discussion? make plans to do something else as of 2018 and walk away. Bowing to a threat from this laughable shadow of a human will follow you forever.
6
Trump reminds me of the Villains in James Bond movies that eliminated fellow crooks at the meeting table if they did not agree with his plans. Pity he does not understand you can not run a country with the same abuse you run a company.
7
What should scare everyone is Trumps own statement that he doesn't care much about the healthcare legislation and just wants to get it over with to move onto taxes. This is a very important piece of legislation and if handled poorly will significantly impact 10's of million of citizens who will suffer from the consequences. It should not be treated as a throw away piece of legislation that is just voted on to try and insufficiently fulfill a campaign promise that offered nirvana to all ( better care, lower costs, lower taxes, unicorns and shamrocks for everyone, etc.)
20
Why would any sane Republican vote for this lousy bill? It doesn't do what Trump promised which is to cover everybody at far lower cost.
Every time he bullies one of these feckless politicians and says you're gonna lose your seat, they should immediately reply we're going to lose our seats anyway if this passes because the bill is so bad.
Every time he bullies one of these feckless politicians and says you're gonna lose your seat, they should immediately reply we're going to lose our seats anyway if this passes because the bill is so bad.
25
With a few rare exceptions, history shows that at most mid-term elections the party of the incumbent President loses some seats! This is nothing new and to be expected. How many depends on how many disgruntled or betrayed voters bother to go and vote!
2
Except for the very wealthy, the majority of the elderly in nursing homes in 2017 are Medicaid recipients in what's called "Medicaid beds", and that's clear across this country. Why is no one talking about that? When America wakes up to the fact that grandma & gramps are being evicted for lack of funds there may finally be hell to pay with this man. This new law that the President and GOP Congress are trying to pass, may be the actual Death Squads they screamed about during passage of Obamacare. They know not what they do.
1
Republican operatives for the BIG democracy-destroying money masters who bought their seats can forget what The Con Don says. WE THE PEOPLE who love democracy are going to throw you out in the next election.
Meantime, there was no election on November 8, 2016. It was a financial/social media coup by Russia and The Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/ Corporate Cabal to try to destroy democracy in America.
WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND that the current illegal inhabitant of OUR White House and his administration be thrown out RIGHT NOW and the popular-vote winner take over.
This must not stand in America. Not now. Not ever.
Meantime, there was no election on November 8, 2016. It was a financial/social media coup by Russia and The Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/ Corporate Cabal to try to destroy democracy in America.
WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND that the current illegal inhabitant of OUR White House and his administration be thrown out RIGHT NOW and the popular-vote winner take over.
This must not stand in America. Not now. Not ever.
27
Seems to me that those who DO VOTE FOR REPEAL are much more than likely to lose their seats in the upcoming elections. Even the most ignorant among us can understand that healthcare being yanked away is not a good thing. Republicans have proven over and over again to NOT have the public's best interest at heart - in fact, those that are hesitating to vote to approve the repeal are doing so because they feel that the new healthcare plan IS NOT STRICT ENOUGH. These people have blinders on and care absolutely nothing for their constituents except around election time when all of a sudden they are reminded that. oh by the way, they are elected officials.
18
Those who oppose this bill are all along the political spectrum, very liberal to very conservative. Interesting mix. One thing is for sure, 45 can thump his chest as much as he wants, but any member of congress who votes for this bill will be turned out of office in 2018. Resist.
18
Trump is, after just 8 weeks, the worst president we have ever had. I shudder to think of the pending chaos he will surely bring down upon us all.
If he is not removed as soon as possible, we will surely regret it.
If he is not removed as soon as possible, we will surely regret it.
23
Let's get him out of the White House before we have to paint Melania's suite!
4
AWOL Bush and War Deferments Cheney were worse.
I suppose it would be fun to watch the Republicans implode and collapse in on themselves, but who will that leave to fix the big crater that results? If the Republicans want to start a third sectarian war with themselves now, I suppose they're welcome to. But I hope they're aware that the Iraqis with all theirs will be laughing at them and saying: Not as easy as you thought, is it? But thanks for all the empty lectures, your actions now speak louder than any words.
1
Trump is only president, on a good day, to the 25 percent of the electorate who barely elected him, and this support may be in doubt given how mediocre the so-called replacement health care bill is compared to the ACA. But Trump is a lifelong bully who is psychologically compromised in many ways, and facts are of no interest to him. Perhaps he simply wants to be forced to resign because he's discovered how much he really doesn't like being president. He is a failure at it.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
12
Support GOP deathcare or not,most normal people will see the Repubs are selling them down the river. The trumpets will support him no matter what. Sad.
10
Okay, Democrats. Don't miss this opportunity to show some governance instead of gloating. Use this time to fix what's broken about Obamacare. You keep saying you know that it's not perfect. So Fix It! We are all clearly listening to the Republicans argue among themselves but you can learn from their argument. Quit governing by watching the other side fall and thinking that actually helps you. Republicans had 7 years to craft something better and they wasted that time just battling democrats or waiting. Don't make your platform the essential failure of Republicans. Present your own fixes to the ACA. Get busy!!!!
9
Single payer for all. That is the only real fix.
4
they are not in power to fix much...are you naive or in the GOP?
1
With all due respect, Bob, you're badly out of touch. This regime will not allow any fixes to ACA by Democrats. That ship has sailed with the election of our so-called President. Republicans own health care now. They weren't interested in making the ACA work before the election, and they aren't now. Letting them hang themselves is the best solution.
2
Always good to "negotiate" from a position of power. But djt may find the reps are a bit tougher than he thinks. I hope they understand that collectively they have far more power than our "not my president" president. If they don't teach him that now, the future will be far darker than anyone can imagine.
5
Trump is not carrying out the "will of the people" by any stretch of the imagination. Not only did Hillary receive more votes, but many people voted for neither of the two major candidates. So he received well under 50% of the vote.
Any normal president in his position would at least make an effort to connect with the non-supporters who represent the majority of the people. Instead, he continues his obsession with dismantling the legacy of his predecessor - who truly did win the popular vote, twice, and probably would have won a third time if he had been able to run.
If Trump and his minions in Congress keep ignoring this reality and acting as if Trump's win means he has a mandate to do anything he wants, the protests will continue and I wouldn't be surprised to see consequences for Republicans who don't stand up to Trump at the ballot box next election.
Any normal president in his position would at least make an effort to connect with the non-supporters who represent the majority of the people. Instead, he continues his obsession with dismantling the legacy of his predecessor - who truly did win the popular vote, twice, and probably would have won a third time if he had been able to run.
If Trump and his minions in Congress keep ignoring this reality and acting as if Trump's win means he has a mandate to do anything he wants, the protests will continue and I wouldn't be surprised to see consequences for Republicans who don't stand up to Trump at the ballot box next election.
9
BANNON is running the show....he wants to install a dictator...
4
GOP leaders keep whining that the bill hasn't been "sold"correctly to the voters.
So, they have failed to con voters. Failed to sell a losing product.
The GOP always thinks about PR first. Not value. Not compassion. Certainly not People! Nope, the sales deal. Like sleazy used-car salesman, they're out to swindle the public!
So really, the leaders are whining that their swindle message isn't working.
So, they have failed to con voters. Failed to sell a losing product.
The GOP always thinks about PR first. Not value. Not compassion. Certainly not People! Nope, the sales deal. Like sleazy used-car salesman, they're out to swindle the public!
So really, the leaders are whining that their swindle message isn't working.
19
As this latest Manafort scandal unfolds, methinks it should Drumpf looking for a new job.
This doofus hired a Russian agent as his campaign manager, allowed him to shape the GOP's national platform, and the AP apparently has the paperwork.
If Drumpf was too stupid not to know that Manafort was a Russian agent, then he's too stupid to be President.
This doofus hired a Russian agent as his campaign manager, allowed him to shape the GOP's national platform, and the AP apparently has the paperwork.
If Drumpf was too stupid not to know that Manafort was a Russian agent, then he's too stupid to be President.
14
From my perspective, this is a "win-win". The House GOP fails to repeal the ACA, and then Trump targets them in GOP primaries. Those opponents will be even more extreme, opening the door for Democrats to win seats, thus assuring that the ACA will not be repealed. The Democrats should start recruiting potential candidates ASAP.
22
Ahhh, now we know what "Don" stands for: Don Vito Corleone!
"Nice House seat you got there, shame if something would happen to it..."
"I will make you an offer you can't vote against..."
"I am just a legitimate businessman..."
"Neri, take Paul "Fredo" Ryan on a fishing trip down the Potomac..."
I could go through my DVD-collection and come up with another 100 of these, but I'll leave that to Steven Colbert :-)
"Nice House seat you got there, shame if something would happen to it..."
"I will make you an offer you can't vote against..."
"I am just a legitimate businessman..."
"Neri, take Paul "Fredo" Ryan on a fishing trip down the Potomac..."
I could go through my DVD-collection and come up with another 100 of these, but I'll leave that to Steven Colbert :-)
6
Trump, leave our elected representatives alone. They represent us, not you. You are not representing us, not doing your job. All you care about is money - for yourself and your cronies. There are not enough of you to defeat us in any future election. Plus, you lie.
7
Constituents to representatives: maintain the ACA or lose your seats!
6
It seems to be more than just a song lyric that people "don't know what you've got 'till it's gone". Some voters have to feel pain acutely themselves before they figure things out. The pain of others means nothing to them.
I hope I'm wrong, but it might be that some Trump die hards are going to have to die hard, before this turns around.
It's unfair that many innocents are going to die with them. We need to start fund raising for their war memorial.
I hope I'm wrong, but it might be that some Trump die hards are going to have to die hard, before this turns around.
It's unfair that many innocents are going to die with them. We need to start fund raising for their war memorial.
11
You are absolutely correct on this. Republicans lack the empathy gene. I won't say "defect" because there may be a genetic benefit from not caring about anyone else.
1
How twisted and out of touch with reality is this man? He's demanding Republicans vote away their constituents' health care or face his wrath and lose their next election? Even the voters who put him in office must now realize their healthcare is on the line.
Or perhaps War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength.
Or perhaps War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength.
9
I hope the NYT and other responsible media will cover extensively and intensely the throusands of avoidable early deaths resulting from the repeal of the ACA and its replacement with Trumpcare - remember supposed to be bigger and better and cover everybody?
Let these people be called out with the blood of innocents on their hands.
Let these people be called out with the blood of innocents on their hands.
7
This is the behavior of a mob boss, not a President!
17
Hey Liar-in-Chief: you don't get to fire anyone in congress. We do that.
19
And what have republicans ever done for me?
They seem like just a huge waste of money.
They seem like just a huge waste of money.
5
The bully pulpit at new lows.
5
The effort to repeal the ACA began the minute it was passed--for the same reasons such meager attempts at solving the problem of paying for health care in America have always been opposed: they are perceived as ideologically impure by the right wing of the political spectrum--which, despite their current lop-sided clout has ALWAYS been a minority in America. So when you consider the fact that Clinton got over 4 million more votes than Trump, and that over 90 million people didn't even bother to vote, you get an idea of the enormity of the lie that Trump and Ryan are repeatedly stating, which is that, with the repeal of the ACA, "the American people" are getting what they voted for. Based on who actually voted and why, this is a transparently bold-faced lie.
6
It's a well documented fact that lies are all the Republican Party has.
2
Mr. Meadows won with 63 percent of the vote, Trump with under 50. Do you think he has to listen to a man less popular than he whose power wanes daily?
15
Those Congressmen who believe Trump will come after them for not supporting the current Republican Health bill have only to look to their constituencies for the real danger to their re-election. Trump is a paper tiger who may not last to the 2018 election. People who lose their health insurance (those who don't die first because of lack of affordable health care) will come after their Congressmen with a vengeance.
18
Threaten to use his 37% "mandate" to unseat elected representatives. WOOOOOooo!
The art of the deal.
The art of the deal.
27
What do you expect from an egocentric, narcissistic president who does not want to face defeat on his 1st legislation? Apply any tactics you can including intimidation and fear.
He is too dumb to know that this legislation is hurting those who voted for him.
I hate to say this - but to those voters who voted for Trump and Republican lawmakers - now get ready to pay for your misdeeds. I know you are poor and you thought Trump is your savior. Don't forget to vote in 2018 for the people who care for you.
He is too dumb to know that this legislation is hurting those who voted for him.
I hate to say this - but to those voters who voted for Trump and Republican lawmakers - now get ready to pay for your misdeeds. I know you are poor and you thought Trump is your savior. Don't forget to vote in 2018 for the people who care for you.
2
I'm tired of this being tossed around in Congress.
Let's put it to the popular vote. No electoral college needed.
Let's put it to the popular vote. No electoral college needed.
4
This is a golden opportunity for the GOP (or at least for some of them) to truly demonstrate that they are working for the US people and not for Trump. The GOP lawmakers opposing the disaster waiting to happen that is scheduled to replace the Affordable Care Act should wear Trump's threats as a badge of honor, and their constituents should gather around them.
Negotiation skills, my foot. The only thing this man knows how to do is impose, threat, and bully. Why did so many Americans fell for such a con, I will never comprehend.
Negotiation skills, my foot. The only thing this man knows how to do is impose, threat, and bully. Why did so many Americans fell for such a con, I will never comprehend.
6
a strong arming tyrant - not the essence of democracy in my opinion.
4
Anyone who lives in NY, or has been paying attention for the last few decades, knows the con man is all about revenge and nothing else. He has no smarts, no finesse, and absolutely no diplomacy. Threatening people is what he does best. That he feels the need to do it to his own party members this early in the game, only demonstrates his utter lack of comprehension of the ideas of politics and his desperation for a win. It is not going to happen. Either way these Republican stooges vote, they will lose their seats in 2018 and that is a very good thing. In America, we need our elected officials to actually care about the people.
9
Yea, I want health care based on threats. Stay healthy or else ! Though if you think about it, that's how it's going to work isn't. SIMPLE, you can't afford health care, stay healthy ! Brilliant!
3
But the access will be huge
2
If you don't vote my way, 'I'm going to come after you"?
This guy is playing a TV character.
Trump didn't win this job by a majority of voters in this country.
Me thinks, this president is a joke.
This guy is playing a TV character.
Trump didn't win this job by a majority of voters in this country.
Me thinks, this president is a joke.
4
GOP congress members vote 'yes' will be rewarded by the president and congressional leadership may loose in 2018 election. Congress approval is around 12 % and the president's approval is 36% (is going down everyday). There is no public support for this Trumpcare bill. When people will loose their coverage, they will teach the congress members a good lesson. Trump and Ryan are playing with fire.
2
LBJ, master of the politics of shrewd persuasion, must be spinning in his grave at Lyin' Donnie Trump's ham-handed approach to building support for Trumpcare. Sad!
2
I know republicans firmly believe in alt reality but I truly believe that they are committing mass suicide and taking their voters with them.
God Bless America.
We will need it.
God Bless America.
We will need it.
5
Don't worry, Mr. Spicer; Putin is standing with you.
3
Sounds like he is saying you are either with me or against me.
Why is he being allowed to do this?
Given how his Russian friends influenced the election, he seems here to be threatening his own allies and saying he will make sure they do not hold office again because of their opinions.
This cannot continue.
Given how his Russian friends influenced the election, he seems here to be threatening his own allies and saying he will make sure they do not hold office again because of their opinions.
This cannot continue.
3
His approval ratings are 37%. How deluded is this guy? At this point, the GOP would be better off distancing themselves.
10
Trump is a bully of the first order, make that worse order. Trump has made his bones by kissing up and kicking down, and for him those deemed inferior, losers as Trump sees them, includes most of US.
The problem with Trump: his entire life has been spent being the Bully, and he has gotten away with it. Trump used his father's name as a cudgel to browbeat real estate power brokers, to get special favors he believed were due him. He takes all the credit for winners, casts blame on others for losers.
And so it goes with this illegitimate president. Trump will take the credit for "his"/(Ryan's) fantastic health care plan if it passes, but blame Ryan should it fall short. Just as Trump did when he lost another "Ryan", a Navy Seal in Yemen. He went about blaming his not-so "great" Generals ("They lost Ryan").
Trump plays the public for chumps. And chumps they are to believe such horseradish. Trumpets will cling to Trump as they do their guns and bibles. Some will enter the bunker with him, never actualizing the fools he's made of them. And so it goes.
DD
Manhattan
The problem with Trump: his entire life has been spent being the Bully, and he has gotten away with it. Trump used his father's name as a cudgel to browbeat real estate power brokers, to get special favors he believed were due him. He takes all the credit for winners, casts blame on others for losers.
And so it goes with this illegitimate president. Trump will take the credit for "his"/(Ryan's) fantastic health care plan if it passes, but blame Ryan should it fall short. Just as Trump did when he lost another "Ryan", a Navy Seal in Yemen. He went about blaming his not-so "great" Generals ("They lost Ryan").
Trump plays the public for chumps. And chumps they are to believe such horseradish. Trumpets will cling to Trump as they do their guns and bibles. Some will enter the bunker with him, never actualizing the fools he's made of them. And so it goes.
DD
Manhattan
17
So the Republican Congress is between a rock and a hard spot. Vote to support this bill and lose your seat in the next election. Refuse to support it and risk being "primaried" by the wealthy donors. It seems to be fairly simple to tell voters that the Ryan plan was a) not what Trump promised, and b) did not repeal Obamacare. Voters who voted for you last time should vote for you again. Problem solved. And Trump can tweet and threaten and bully all he wants, but really, no one believes him anymore.
2
By all means, Republicans, please repeal Obamacare; grind it all up in a blender and offer "Victory Smoothies" to all. Form over substance is classic Trumpism.
The disastrous unintended consequences of the Republican's pathetic replacement of Obamacare while peak just in time for the mid-terms. All of this reminds me of those Teapublicans ranting about getting the government out of their lives yet simultaneously screeching that this oppressive government should not touch their Social Security. I'm certain there are elements in the new replacement bill that haven't seen the light of day, because the health care industry and pharmaceuticals aren't quiet finished drafting the bill.
The disastrous unintended consequences of the Republican's pathetic replacement of Obamacare while peak just in time for the mid-terms. All of this reminds me of those Teapublicans ranting about getting the government out of their lives yet simultaneously screeching that this oppressive government should not touch their Social Security. I'm certain there are elements in the new replacement bill that haven't seen the light of day, because the health care industry and pharmaceuticals aren't quiet finished drafting the bill.
4
Let's not forget who is the apprentice here.
17
It is not a democracy when the President of the United States threatens to come after members of Congress who will not vote the way he wants them to, especially when they are voting in accordance with the preference expressed by their constituents who elected them to represent them.
Government for the people, by the people..."not by a lose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires- these are the days of miracle and wonder"-
Government for the people, by the people..."not by a lose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires- these are the days of miracle and wonder"-
12
Nothing beats, "you have to pass the bill to find out what's in it".
4
Maybe you should read the entire statement Ms. Pelosi made instead of cherry-picking that sentence as your friends at FOX and Breitbart have done over and over again. The entire context changes, but that would not fit your agenda or preconceived ideological stance. Unfortunately, however, we are seeing that your propaganda spreaders rule the day.
5
He's a real estate developer, a bunco artist. All of this was predictable...in fact it was predicted.
5
Republicans are widely (if grudgingly) admired for their campaign chops, which has led to the GOP being in control of Congress, through favorable redistricting, well into the future. They must be good; with some help from Russia, they got their man into the White House.
What the Republicans cannot do well is govern, probably because almost to a man, they loathe the Federal government. Since they don't really believe government works, other than by providing tax benefits to their rich benefactors and piling up unneeded military toys, it's no wonder they've come to this cross in the road: should they support health care, funded by government, for most Americans, or not?
The answer is all too obvious. The GOP has never had a replacement plan because the party doesn't believe in government sponsored health care. This plan, upon which Trump is staking his reputation as a deal maker, is no plan at all. It is a statement devoid of principles, goals or rationale, proving once again that the modern-day GOP does not know or care how to govern.
What the Republicans cannot do well is govern, probably because almost to a man, they loathe the Federal government. Since they don't really believe government works, other than by providing tax benefits to their rich benefactors and piling up unneeded military toys, it's no wonder they've come to this cross in the road: should they support health care, funded by government, for most Americans, or not?
The answer is all too obvious. The GOP has never had a replacement plan because the party doesn't believe in government sponsored health care. This plan, upon which Trump is staking his reputation as a deal maker, is no plan at all. It is a statement devoid of principles, goals or rationale, proving once again that the modern-day GOP does not know or care how to govern.
Oh no, GOP is going to lose a bunch of seats because when they had the opportunity to denounce Trump, they still chose party over an incompetent, unqualified, dangerous, and toxic candidate.
Trump winning the presidency may actually end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Democratic Party.
Trump winning the presidency may actually end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Democratic Party.
9
[[Prosun Lake Charles
Trump winning the presidency may actually end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Democratic Party.]]
Hillary Clinton losing was the best thing to happen to the democratic party. We got to see how useless she actually is. It took her four months after the election to resume her political fan dance...she's thinkinig of coming out of the woods...feh!!!
All platitudes, no leadership.
Trump winning the presidency may actually end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Democratic Party.]]
Hillary Clinton losing was the best thing to happen to the democratic party. We got to see how useless she actually is. It took her four months after the election to resume her political fan dance...she's thinkinig of coming out of the woods...feh!!!
All platitudes, no leadership.
So, Trump's negotiating expertise all boils down to bullying his own Party members with threats of extinction to those that do not do as he orders them to do.
Who could of seen that coming?
Who could of seen that coming?
15
Trump is threatening members of Congress? Is this what he means by "coming after" them? http://www.palmerreport.com/news/key-witness-in-preet-bhararas-russian-c...
Having made this threat, if something happens to our elected officials, will Trump be held accountable?
The American people are speaking out about what they need. Trump is a public servant, not the dictator he believes he is. Impeach.
Having made this threat, if something happens to our elected officials, will Trump be held accountable?
The American people are speaking out about what they need. Trump is a public servant, not the dictator he believes he is. Impeach.
8
The most ironic part of all this is that if the Republican Health Care Bill fails (as we know it will) and people get upset (as we know they will) -- Trump will blame the whole bill on the Republicans, and take zero blame for himself.
At this point, even the Republicans in Congress are being conned by this guy. He's a bully, and they don't care. They've been gleefully basking in the glow of cutting funds for school breakfast programs and Meals on Wheels. But eventually, the bully is going to hurt them, too. That's what bullies do. And they will have only themselves to blame when he takes away Congress's power -- using their "failures" and unpopularity as an excuse.
At this point, even the Republicans in Congress are being conned by this guy. He's a bully, and they don't care. They've been gleefully basking in the glow of cutting funds for school breakfast programs and Meals on Wheels. But eventually, the bully is going to hurt them, too. That's what bullies do. And they will have only themselves to blame when he takes away Congress's power -- using their "failures" and unpopularity as an excuse.
9
Let's see...he lost the popular vote by 3 million. What happens when 24 million are kicked off their health care, thanks to him and Republicans?
35
and if they vote "yes" they will definitely loose their seats in 2018...
34
Excerpts of Trump's comments to members of Congress...
"You, over there, I've seen your wife. I'll be tweeting bad pictures of her next to pictures of my beautiful 3rd wife."
"You, buddy. I think I heard your dead father went to a Cuban restaurant. I'll be tweeting about his possible involvement in the Kennedy assassination."
"Hey, sweetheart - yea you. I'll be tweeting that you're a fat, ugly, dog."
"And you, in the back. I'll be tweeting you did a wire tapp on my phones, and your a bad, sick, person."
"You, over there, I've seen your wife. I'll be tweeting bad pictures of her next to pictures of my beautiful 3rd wife."
"You, buddy. I think I heard your dead father went to a Cuban restaurant. I'll be tweeting about his possible involvement in the Kennedy assassination."
"Hey, sweetheart - yea you. I'll be tweeting that you're a fat, ugly, dog."
"And you, in the back. I'll be tweeting you did a wire tapp on my phones, and your a bad, sick, person."
47
David,
I know you're kidding, but it's totally believable. So while very funny, it's also a pretty sad commentary about our current POTUS.
I know you're kidding, but it's totally believable. So while very funny, it's also a pretty sad commentary about our current POTUS.
5
Don't forget this one, "You, the supposed war hero. You got shot down down, captured and spent years in a prisoner of war camp. A real hero doesn't get caught."
5
...says the president with 37% approval ratinng.
37
Prediciton: Trump and the GOP will pass this into law, millions will lose health insurance, and the Democrats will be blamed. I will continue to lose my mind.
Why? Because for 1/3 of their contituency, their personal well being means nothing; hatred and fear toward others drives them. For another 1/3, their personal well being is all that drives them. They are well off, this bill makes them more well off, and who cares about the poor and sick? For the final 1/3, this bill is the best, and we have always been at war with East Asia.
Why? Because for 1/3 of their contituency, their personal well being means nothing; hatred and fear toward others drives them. For another 1/3, their personal well being is all that drives them. They are well off, this bill makes them more well off, and who cares about the poor and sick? For the final 1/3, this bill is the best, and we have always been at war with East Asia.
16
"Trump warns?" Oh puhlease! Straight out of the the Old Trump Corporate CEO handbook of "Guidelines on How to Keep the Troops Under Control." What a laugh!
The newly elected Republicans are not about to give up their seats to an old guard of hard liners who show every sign of self destruct mode. First, they allow a CEO they knew had a bad "rep" that preceded him for over 3 decades. Then, they partake in a smear campaign to make sure he gets elected, which by the way, at this point is beginning to look more like a Republican election sabotage against Hillary Clinton and now their Faker in Chief is "reining" in the troops? Do tell?
If this healthcare law passes and thousands die, the Republican Party who has bullied their way into massive government takeover they call, "majority rule" which is a backhanded Putin version of "tyrannical dictatorship" and all that malarkey spouted by the likes of Ryan and McConnell about "the people" they pepper into every sentence, is not going over with the other "majority"...the American public.
Why any Republican bull should ever think they can pull the wool over the eyes of ALL the people, ALL the time is beyond comprehension.
But do continue on boys. Trump is down for the count and your Party will be too thanks to that cruel slash and burn of the most vulnerable Americans dying in the streets. OH..right. Too too too liberal if you care about what happens to our elderly, sick or our kids, right? Too FAR right for human rights.
The newly elected Republicans are not about to give up their seats to an old guard of hard liners who show every sign of self destruct mode. First, they allow a CEO they knew had a bad "rep" that preceded him for over 3 decades. Then, they partake in a smear campaign to make sure he gets elected, which by the way, at this point is beginning to look more like a Republican election sabotage against Hillary Clinton and now their Faker in Chief is "reining" in the troops? Do tell?
If this healthcare law passes and thousands die, the Republican Party who has bullied their way into massive government takeover they call, "majority rule" which is a backhanded Putin version of "tyrannical dictatorship" and all that malarkey spouted by the likes of Ryan and McConnell about "the people" they pepper into every sentence, is not going over with the other "majority"...the American public.
Why any Republican bull should ever think they can pull the wool over the eyes of ALL the people, ALL the time is beyond comprehension.
But do continue on boys. Trump is down for the count and your Party will be too thanks to that cruel slash and burn of the most vulnerable Americans dying in the streets. OH..right. Too too too liberal if you care about what happens to our elderly, sick or our kids, right? Too FAR right for human rights.
24
I'm not sure anyone works harder or faster than the folks reading and printing our comments to Trump articles. Kudos.
16
Now we have the Liar in Chief threatening to come after a congressional representative if that person votes his/her conscience or for their constituents' needs? It is unbelievable that this huckster/terrorist should be in the office of the President of the US. How did our country sink to this depth? Oh yes, alternative facts--say them enough and people will believe. Time to use facts to impeach the Liar in Chief.
17
Hey "Mr. President" - sign off on this bill and you will lose your job.
20
" lose your seats". Maybe they should lose the part of their anatomy in contact with those SEATS. Just saying.
10
Message to Republicans: You're fearless leader is going down. Along with many around him, including Paul Ryan. If you want to go down too, climb aboard. Everybody's hoping the country doesn't go down with him. Under investigation by the FBI three months in? Designating completely incompetent people to most positions? Destroying everything and getting the GOP in trouble constantly?Tweeting? We don't have the space to go there.
And the lying,even for a politician, it's breathtaking. If the Dems weren't so incompetent themselves all of you would be in trouble already.
So, do your destruction while you will. His days are numbered. So are yours if you follow him.
And the lying,even for a politician, it's breathtaking. If the Dems weren't so incompetent themselves all of you would be in trouble already.
So, do your destruction while you will. His days are numbered. So are yours if you follow him.
23
His constant lying and growing concerns over his Russian ties are already eroding his credibility. Polls show he is not just the worst liked president but still falling !! This will directly reflect on the GOP who have turned a blind eye to his childish bullying ways in the hopes of being able to turn in a worse record than Bush did.
Remember when there were cries in during the primaries that he might destroy the GOP? He still might !
As long as he is tanking and they are firmly attached to his butt at the lips they will be sucked down with him. You are often judged by the company you keep. Bad as the GOP is, they have attached themselves to someone worse.
How long can they hold their breath?
http://joethevoter.org
Remember when there were cries in during the primaries that he might destroy the GOP? He still might !
As long as he is tanking and they are firmly attached to his butt at the lips they will be sucked down with him. You are often judged by the company you keep. Bad as the GOP is, they have attached themselves to someone worse.
How long can they hold their breath?
http://joethevoter.org
8
DT's credibility isn't "eroding." I do believe, with all due respect, that it has eroded.
1
DT is nothing more than a thug and a bully. He doesn't care about those of us out here, especially we who need healthcare, he just wants to win at any cost. I am not a Republican, but I admire those willing to stand up to this bully for whatever the reason. Please hold strong!!!
15
Last week Trump boasted how he hosted 12 republican "no" voters and an hour later they were all going to support the ACA. This says very little about the quality of your elected representatives if it takes less than an hour of arm twisting to get them to reverse their vote.
Should not your representative represent the people he/she is elected to serve rather than the party position?
Should not the representative vote based on the quality of the bill and the impact it will have on his district rather than on whether or not it the president will support his re-election?
Should not the elected official more interested in his own re-election than in the citizens he represents and votes only in his own interests rather than what his district wants be the first to be defeated at the polls
How fine a line it is between democracy where the elected official represents the people and fascism where the representative represents the authoritarian leader!
Should not your representative represent the people he/she is elected to serve rather than the party position?
Should not the representative vote based on the quality of the bill and the impact it will have on his district rather than on whether or not it the president will support his re-election?
Should not the elected official more interested in his own re-election than in the citizens he represents and votes only in his own interests rather than what his district wants be the first to be defeated at the polls
How fine a line it is between democracy where the elected official represents the people and fascism where the representative represents the authoritarian leader!
11
At least with all this chaos we'll certainly get cheaper Potatoes and Vodka from the Kremlin.
Oh and authentic Russian Dressing. I bet it's more Robust than a Lil Bit?
And I don't even know what Robust means.
Oh and authentic Russian Dressing. I bet it's more Robust than a Lil Bit?
And I don't even know what Robust means.
5
Yeah, but strawberries will cost $20 dollars a pound and navel oranges will be $4 each! We can drink cheap vodka in our misery.
4
Honestly, it wouldn't be such a bad idea if plenty of them lost their jobs! Sitting in comfortable gerrymandered districts and catering to lobbyists and being re elected in "sham" one party dominated elections is not the stuff of democracy! Let's throw the rascals out and start over.
Since his attention span is unfortunately that of a toddler, there is a good opportunity that he has never even read a single page of that plan. Wasting the affection of 24 million voters?! Guess Trump is in the awkward predicament of either admitting that he has absolutely no in-depth knowledge of that plan, or supporting it and risking to lose million voters.
5
GOP -- Now here this! We lose our insurance, you will lose your jobs. Remember, many of your states voted for Trump and received ACA benefits. How are they going to feel about you when they don't have insurance anymore? How are the 50 - 64 crowd going to feel when they're charged 5 times more than someone in their 20s?
Trump is the least of your worries. He can't vote you out of office. We will.
Trump is the least of your worries. He can't vote you out of office. We will.
8
It make sense to charge an older person more because they are more likely to get an serious illness than a younger person, which will cost the insurance company a lot more.
Just like an insurance company charge an older person more for life insurance because they know that the chance of a older person dying is greater.
Insurance is not your neighbor responsibility it is an individual responsibility.
Just like an insurance company charge an older person more for life insurance because they know that the chance of a older person dying is greater.
Insurance is not your neighbor responsibility it is an individual responsibility.
Susie..let's see if you whistle the same tune when you get older. What an outrageous statement. I mean really..
1
What I find most amazing in Trump's comment is his basic message to GOP reps: Never mind who will be helped (or hurt) by voting for this legislation, YOU (the rep) will be HURT if you don't support it! Again it tells us (voters) that we are secondary to the interests of the politicians! This is making America Great Again? No, it's just another lie from this illegitimate administration.
8
WSJ editorial says he's in danger of becoming a fake president. It is starting to happen.
9
For a "fake" president, he's certainly getting legislation through a very divided Republican Congress, all the while Democrats are throwing rocks.
We would be lucky to have many more "fake" elected officials like that.
We would be lucky to have many more "fake" elected officials like that.
Lets be clear, the only legislation he has passed is: to authorize Nasa to put a man on Mars, Named a VA clinic in Pa. allowed coal companies to dump pollution into local streams, a bill to provide an exemption for his Sect of Defense to accept his position, a bill allowing Financial advisors to act against the interest of their clients, and a bill defining access and oversight of the GAO. I didn't understand that last one, but the others are really earth shaking, and the two that actually have any wide spread affect are mean spirited, allowing big business to pollute and allow financial advisors to cheat you out of your savings. If you think these are great accomplishments, it says a lot about you.
2
which legislation is that?
2
I don't believe we can change hearts on the health care issue, but perhaps we can change minds by explaining how HEALTH care provides measurable benefits even to people who DON'T care.
Do you want the people cooking your food, serving your food, washing your car and your steering wheel and door handles, handling your groceries and handing you your grocery bag, caring for your children and wiping their noses, brewing your coffee and putting the lid on the cup and handing it to you, touching your credit card and putting it through the machine and handing it back to you - to give you highly infectious germs that put you, your newborn, your elderly parent in the hospital?
Worse, antibiotic-resistant diseases are on the rise - which means this deregulation administration is even more hazardous to your health: that disease you get after you handle a credit card given back to you could be unstoppable.
Do you want the people cooking your food, serving your food, washing your car and your steering wheel and door handles, handling your groceries and handing you your grocery bag, caring for your children and wiping their noses, brewing your coffee and putting the lid on the cup and handing it to you, touching your credit card and putting it through the machine and handing it back to you - to give you highly infectious germs that put you, your newborn, your elderly parent in the hospital?
Worse, antibiotic-resistant diseases are on the rise - which means this deregulation administration is even more hazardous to your health: that disease you get after you handle a credit card given back to you could be unstoppable.
The art of the deal...tell everybody how you're going give healthcare to everybody with your "terrific" plan, then don't. Wow, those coal miners and the rust belt unemployed will be ever so grateful!
4
ALL REPUBLICANS should be in hiding - not the elected ones but the ones that voted these hate filled people into office.
Where are the STATS on Obamacare that gave millions to doctors and hospitals to get computerized and connected, and HIPAA? It created jobs, advanced the once sorry state of medical records, and improved healthcare services - yet, NO one is championing how GREAT Obamacare was for big companies (software companies, hospitals, insurance company, etc) and the nation.
Where are the STATS on how hospitals finally could count more on their patient's insurance to pay for patients instead of writing off the losses or patients having to go into bankruptcy? This was one of the great benefits that I don't want to go back to. We needed to health insurance to put our American families on a little bit safer ground.
WHY are we not talking about this???
Where are the STATS on Obamacare that gave millions to doctors and hospitals to get computerized and connected, and HIPAA? It created jobs, advanced the once sorry state of medical records, and improved healthcare services - yet, NO one is championing how GREAT Obamacare was for big companies (software companies, hospitals, insurance company, etc) and the nation.
Where are the STATS on how hospitals finally could count more on their patient's insurance to pay for patients instead of writing off the losses or patients having to go into bankruptcy? This was one of the great benefits that I don't want to go back to. We needed to health insurance to put our American families on a little bit safer ground.
WHY are we not talking about this???
5
Those who will lose their jobs will be those who vote for the current House Republicans' Health Bill which is so flawed that only the most diehard Congressmen really like it. And they will die the hardest.
2
Which is only fitting since it is GOP deathcare.
1
Has anyone explained the basic tenants of our government to Mr. Trump yet?The President can't fire Congress. Only voters can fire Congress. That's how the system works.
3
What's next for Trump? Will he hold a gun to their heads? The Republican Congress is in a real pickle. They are between a rock and a hard place in every respect. At one end they have Trump, who obviously chooses business and the rich over all humanity, and on the other end of the spectrum, the people who voted them into power in the first place. The voters are finally realizing that their very lives are at risk and that the politicians who are representing them don’t really care.
4
Let's see whether GOP lawmakers care more about the healthcare of their constituents or the bragging rights of Trump and Ryan.
4
This has the potential to be fascinating to watch play out...
5
Recalcitrant Tea Party legislators who don't vote for the bill because it doesn't hurt enough people fast enough will please their constituents even if the bill gets enough votes to pass, and they'll keep office while scrambling for a way to explain that the reason their constituents lost their insurance was, somehow, Obama's fault. But the bill does pass and if it wipes as many people from the roles of the insured as predicted by the CBO, many of them from the realm of the living (statistically most of those will be Trump supporters of the most virulent type) the Republican Party could very well be wiped from the political map. This bill, the entire Trump agenda, is a no-win for the Far Right but how many senseless deaths and needless bankruptcies will it take to finally wipe those fools from the political map?
3
It's gratifying to see that the so-called "freedom caucus" members are being threatened this way by their own champion.
5
If House republicans pass the bill to rip health care coverage from millions, they WILL certainly lose their jobs.
5
Take away an entitlement (healthcare) and lose your seat. Most Trump voters have by now realized that ACA is Obamacare.
2
Why are we still allowing ANY business the Republicans have in mind to continue? Cease and desist until Trump and the rest of them are removed from Washington in handcuffs.
6
Passing the Republican health care bill would be disastrous to the Republican Party as that would further bolster Trump. With Trump the leader of the Republican Party that may sound odd, but it’s the party of Trump that will take credit and everyone else, including the final remnants of the “old” Republican Party, to take any and all blame. And given the Republican health care bill would cover fewer people than a full Obamacare repeal, guess which party will take the brunt of that blame (as soon as Trump “publically” learns what’s in the actual bill)?
Short term loss, for a longer term gain.
Short term loss, for a longer term gain.
3
What political capital does Trump have to offer these Congressmen? Given his approval ratings his threats are as politically bankrupt his casinos.
7
A president with historically low approval ratings, threatening House Members with not endorsing them for reelection. Trump does realize he needs to maintain a majority in Congress, and in two years he probably won't be able to fill up arenas like in 2016, right?
4
Yesterday, I wrote to my representative, David Schweikert, after seeing he tweeted out charts saying how Trumpcare would benefit people. Sadly, I am guessing that most of his constituents will take this as gospel & won't do their homework to see that he's wrong.
4
Trump's threats should be hollow, but he's threatening to whip up his base to vote against their Republican representatives. The bill won't pass and Trump can hold rallies promising that his plan is great, but Congress is holding him back from repealing "evil Obamacare," which is now, according to him, driving doctors in droves to leave the profession.
2
"So much winning! We're going to be sick of winning!" We're going to be sick IF this wins.
3
Well, the CBO didn't tell the American people 24 million would be cut off that terrible, terrible Obamacare before the November election, did it?
Republicans now telling America "this is what the people voted for" is a big fat lie and those that voted for Trump are now "getting it" and angry.
All the bullying and all the lies could not put the king's voters together again!
Or perhaps, the king's faithful colleagues either.
They need to choose - Trump or their constituents.
Republicans now telling America "this is what the people voted for" is a big fat lie and those that voted for Trump are now "getting it" and angry.
All the bullying and all the lies could not put the king's voters together again!
Or perhaps, the king's faithful colleagues either.
They need to choose - Trump or their constituents.
3
He doesnt want to be the President, he just wants to be called President.
4
for this president to be threatening anyone is ridiculous.he is in no position to and has no hold over anyone.he should be threatened with impeachment and treason for the appalling display he has put on since being elected.his lying,ineptitude and sleazy performance does NOT put him in the driver's seat as to congress or for that matter the citizenry of this country.he is unfit and must be removed before he does anymore damage to our country
5
He's practicing, as always, the "Art of the Threat." When bereft of logic, compassion, communication skills, and substantive product, as he clearly is, he simply threatens. Those who bow to his threats reveal their characters for all to see; an essential element of a successful threat. Once cowed, always cowed with no clear and easy path to self-respect let alone universal respect. The Republicans may have built a political machine but, in the Trump era, it's clearly a superficial Potemkin machine on the verge of utter collapse.
2
Trump has been all over the map since he began his run for the White House. What he says one day is totally contradicted the next. So in this context it seems to me that Trump's "warning" could go in the opposite direction! Costs of insurance are expected to go UP as the number of folks covered is to go DOWN. So how many Republican Congressmen will LOSE their seats if they vote YES?
I don't recall any president ever publicly threatening members of congress from his own party over their vote on a single issue. I wonder how this would play out. Would Trump find a replacement for these errant and disloyal members and support the replacements in the republican primary next year? This could get interesting. Will republican members grow a backbone and refuse to change their vote because they don't like the president's bullying tactics? There may be a few who would risk their political futures rather than obey the bully. Will many republicans conclude that the bill won't pass the senate anyway and then they would weak and stupid? Vote the way Trump wants them to and hope it fails? In the end it should be voted on based on it's content and overall value. I don't think we will see that any time soon.
Too bad the Constitution doesn't list stupidity as grounds for removing a President. Trump obviously thinks that members of Congress are his employees and can be fired if they don't do as they are told.
The Constitution obviously needs an overhaul -- removing the Electoral College rule, making it easier to remove an incompetent President, and putting a time limit on Congressional duties so they can't stall things like hearings on nominees. And some liberal abuses should be removed as well, such as inventing a new right and using it to strike down laws that "violate" it.
The Constitution obviously needs an overhaul -- removing the Electoral College rule, making it easier to remove an incompetent President, and putting a time limit on Congressional duties so they can't stall things like hearings on nominees. And some liberal abuses should be removed as well, such as inventing a new right and using it to strike down laws that "violate" it.
14
Congress sure does have inflated notions about its powers to impose religious fantasies on people through legislation. It has ONLY the powers delegated to it in the Constitution, and is specifically denied any power whatsoever to give respect to religious fantasies in laws.
2
Re: "Trump Warns House Republicans: Repeal Health Law or Lose Your Seats." What if it's the other way around? What if there are so many millions of people who will lose their health insurance (and the collateral damage to the health care industry, etc.) that voting **for** the GOP bill ensures those that do will lose their seats in 2018. Where's headline that says: "GOP be warned: Vote for the health care bill at your peril"?
30
I agree. He makes empty threats that he cannot control. And obviously he is not seeing that the mood of the country EVEN in areas where he carried the electoral co,legs have woken up to what they will lose. Remember the republican town halls in their home districts.
This is nit a bully pulpit but a bully president
This is nit a bully pulpit but a bully president
1
Well, as a sincere voter with a health-of-the-nation focus, I'd position myself wherever the most citizens have coverage. Trumpcare, Obamacare....I DON'T care, as long as the most people are covered at the lowest price point that can be attained. Either way, I'd surely eliminate the allowance by which states could fiddle with it or opt out. Social Security would never have become the undeniable success it did had such a provision been applied at the onset.
2
I hope that's true but I'm not sure the red states will ever vote in their own interests.
1
Two things:
1. Publicly funded elections
2. Term limits
1. Publicly funded elections
2. Term limits
How about repeal health law and lose your seats because the new law is garbage? Guess Trump thinks he is more important than good legislation.
Trump is so interested in completing his campaign promises that he doesn't care how it gets done. I bet if it doesn't pass, he will actively campaign against Republicans who vote against it. He's a real piece of work.
Trump is so interested in completing his campaign promises that he doesn't care how it gets done. I bet if it doesn't pass, he will actively campaign against Republicans who vote against it. He's a real piece of work.
Republicans shouldn't want the crippling burden of a badly-drawn half-baked healthcare bill, rushed through Congress to placate Trump. Especially since he'll most likely be out of office before the end of this year, leaving congressional Republicans holding the bag. For the GOP, there's no downside to flatly rejecting Trump.
12
Trump's talk sounds more like Underwood on House of Cards than what should be a non-threatening negotiation over the most important issue on the minds of many Americans. Winning by force or whatever means deemed necessary seems to be the order of Trump's day.
7
He may be right, the repeal of the euphemistically named Affordable Care Act was one of the main reasons why so many Americans voted for him.
1
The ACA works fine in my solvent blue state.
2
many of those very same voters wanted obamacare repealed NOT ACA.they thought they were two different things.Now they are in a tizzie because they realize they are one and the same.
1
Of course, he's right. People here continue to ignore the millions of Americans for whom Obamacare was a you-know-what sandwich that they were forced to eat and told how enjoyable ("successful") it was.
Poor BDP (Borderline Personality Disorder) Trump thinks that negotiating means holding a gun to the temple of anyone who won't go along with him, even though the Congress-members he threatens know that Trump has no bullets and that his gun is empty.
When negotiating with America’s allies, Trump holds his gun to his own temple and to those of American Security and of the American economy.
If the Republican Party is to survive, Congressional Republicans need to acknowledge that Trump is unable to perform his duties as President, to remove him from office, and to be kind, by giving him an Aspirin and sending him to bed with some attractive therapist.
When negotiating with America’s allies, Trump holds his gun to his own temple and to those of American Security and of the American economy.
If the Republican Party is to survive, Congressional Republicans need to acknowledge that Trump is unable to perform his duties as President, to remove him from office, and to be kind, by giving him an Aspirin and sending him to bed with some attractive therapist.
I believe Trump has it backwards: pass the healthcare bill and you will lose your seat sooner or later.
12
And no vote for Supreme Court nominee either.
Mitch MCConnell held up Merrick Garlands.
What could be more important to our national security than to find out our elections were interferried with by a foreign nation, and an enemy of the state no less???
Mitch MCConnell held up Merrick Garlands.
What could be more important to our national security than to find out our elections were interferried with by a foreign nation, and an enemy of the state no less???
13
Boy those Republicans are in a tight spot. Vote for the bill and face the wrath of the majority of Americans come election time or vote against the bill and face the wrath of the Trumpster. Then again they may not be worrying one way or the other with the short attention spans of The American Voter and Trump.
4
It's democrats have been feeling the wrath of voters who oppose Obamacare for years. I highly doubt those voters will forget the republicans' promise to get rid of it.
2
I don't think that George W. Bush in the last couple of years of his tenure as president was able to leverage 24% approval into pressure on those in his party who disagreed with him. If the president's approval rating (and I know his rabid supporters do not believe any poll, though the pollsters essentially got the national numbers right last year) drops down to Bush levels, he may find those he threatens giggling back at him from the other end of the phone line. More disturbing than the threat is that the president wastes time and neurons on keeping mental lists of who supports him and who doesn't and puts that list ahead of doing good for the American people. A good leader determines whom to support based on what good they will do for the country, not what good they will do for him. Haven't we all had colleagues whom we didn't like personally, but whose good idea in a meeting we supported, regardless of our personal feelings? It's not like there's some rule that Pres. Trump has to appoint any of the balkers to the White House staff and work with them daily. Leaders who are afraid to alter or even discard their own ideas, as long as the problem is solved by an alternate one that garners more support, are weak leaders.
6
He's intimidating and inappropriately coercing elected representatives. That behavior should be illegal. It erodes our democracy, simply to make Mr Evil look good. Who's supposed to look out for me and my family if my representative's wrist has been twisted by a billionaire with much more power?
12
Don't look yet, but there is a fair chance your representative's wrist has been twisted beyond recognition already. There are precedents. If intimidation were illegal, it would only move to a back room (yes, go ahead - think abortion) where your representative could really get his/her wrist (or even neck) twisted. I speak metaphorically, of course. The metaphor is drawn from butchery.
1
Hmmm....a showdown so soon? DJT’s threat to “come after” Republicans in Congress who do not change a “no” to a “yes” on a vote to repeal the ACA should effectively separate those with moral fiber from the would-be moral cowards. Though I understand the “no’s” are politicians, my (naïve?) hope is that their position is founded in their principles regarding what is best for their people. What other motive could they have but a transparently personal-political one? As of today, they claim they best represent their constituents with a “no” vote. If they become a “yes” (on a dime, mind you) then those constituents should “come after” them. When this is over, we should have a clearer sense of who is shillying and who is shallying. The “no’s” can win this, even if winning means only a delay (for weeks, probably). DJT hates to back down, and will further weaken his position if he agrees to or is faced with a delay. Either way, short of a victory for "yes", he and Ryan are the losers.
2
Nothing I've read about this meeting has any indication that Trump actually argued for the actual merits of the bill, except maybe that it's a repeal of Obamacare, which in many ways it isn't. We all know why. He probably barely knows the details. His arguments were all about winning and getting big, cheering crowds and not a quality healthcare bill.
12
Really! If you do what I say then the rich will get richer and I do not care what happens to the middle class and the poor. That is the short version of trump's plan.
10
"I'll come after you" says the treasonous buffoon with a 37% approval rating about a healthcare bill with 34% support.
I bet they're scared!
I bet they're scared!
14
Bull in a China Shop?
Nah, more like Bully in a playground.
Last time I checked, when we gave the conch to the wrong leader, the kids burnt the island down and had to be saved by the adults.
Who's the adult in our present Lord of the Flies? I sure hope it's our Senators and Representatives.
Nah, more like Bully in a playground.
Last time I checked, when we gave the conch to the wrong leader, the kids burnt the island down and had to be saved by the adults.
Who's the adult in our present Lord of the Flies? I sure hope it's our Senators and Representatives.
10
It makes no sense to move forward with TrumpCare or the Gorsuch appointment until we learn the results of the FBI investigation of Our so-called prez, D. Trump.
6
This is where Trump starts to find out that a lot of people who voted for him are not going to be unreservedly supporting whatever he decides to do .
Conservative opponents of the bill such as Sen. Tom Cotton and Re@. Justin Amash are correct in pointing out that the bill does nothing to control costs - which is the proverbial 900 pound gorilla here - and that it is far more important to take the time to come up with something truly workable than to rush through this turkey of a bill.
Trump appear to have it completely backwards. By blowing such credibility and political capital as he has to push through something that will satisfy neither opponents nor supporters of Obamacare he is risking a replay in reverse of how the midterm blowout the Democrats suffered in 1994.
The very people he is putting pressure on are the ones who are, in fact, trying to do him, the party and their constituents a favor by opposing RINO
Care.
Conservative opponents of the bill such as Sen. Tom Cotton and Re@. Justin Amash are correct in pointing out that the bill does nothing to control costs - which is the proverbial 900 pound gorilla here - and that it is far more important to take the time to come up with something truly workable than to rush through this turkey of a bill.
Trump appear to have it completely backwards. By blowing such credibility and political capital as he has to push through something that will satisfy neither opponents nor supporters of Obamacare he is risking a replay in reverse of how the midterm blowout the Democrats suffered in 1994.
The very people he is putting pressure on are the ones who are, in fact, trying to do him, the party and their constituents a favor by opposing RINO
Care.
2
Perfect, just perfect! The Bum-in-Chief is threatening to fire people which he has no legal authority to do. Everyone is frustrated and angry. This is the optimal outcome to assure that the functioning ACA stays intact.
At this point, most Democrats should just step aside and let the carnage occur unmanaged and unaided. Only a few in leadership positions have to diplomatically keep the nation informed of key hot-button issues and manage policy flare-up's, as required.
At this point, most Democrats should just step aside and let the carnage occur unmanaged and unaided. Only a few in leadership positions have to diplomatically keep the nation informed of key hot-button issues and manage policy flare-up's, as required.
5
The Freedom Caucus is holding strong, as are a handful of senators. Thank goodness.
Mr. President, you want support for this bill? Then tell Ryan to scrap it, and actually repeal Obamacare.
Mr. President, you want support for this bill? Then tell Ryan to scrap it, and actually repeal Obamacare.
3
Trump is going to have to make a deal with the Freedom Caucus. That's a good thing. In fact, the entire process is working gain. It's great to see Congress actually legislating. People are funny in their reactions to actual sausage making.
I also love knowing that the majority of voters not receiving subsidies finally have representation on health care. Democrats pretty much pretended they didn't exist, extolling the success of new Medicaid enrollees. Those paying full price need to have a say too.
I also love knowing that the majority of voters not receiving subsidies finally have representation on health care. Democrats pretty much pretended they didn't exist, extolling the success of new Medicaid enrollees. Those paying full price need to have a say too.
1
And here's me thinking Trump would go to the House to debate the proposed legislation in order to convince the people's representatives that it is In the best interests of their constituents, the American people.
Silly me!
Silly me!
4
What what a liar!!!
This so-called president aka Putins puppet promised his supporters the best health care at the lowest prices for everyone because Obama care was a disaster.
This is how a dictator behaves. I hope the GOP aren't slaves to their master.
WE THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE SURE THEY LOSE THEIR SEATS!!!!
This so-called president aka Putins puppet promised his supporters the best health care at the lowest prices for everyone because Obama care was a disaster.
This is how a dictator behaves. I hope the GOP aren't slaves to their master.
WE THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE SURE THEY LOSE THEIR SEATS!!!!
9
This is your gangster government up close and personal.
Whenever republicans are voted into power ( no matter if it was a minority ), they gover as if they have carte blanche to enact whatever they wish. Their mantra is that they are following the will of the people.
If they have to break a few arms and legs along the way, then so be it as well.
Whenever republicans are voted into power ( no matter if it was a minority ), they gover as if they have carte blanche to enact whatever they wish. Their mantra is that they are following the will of the people.
If they have to break a few arms and legs along the way, then so be it as well.
5
It looks like they will lose their seats if they vote for the stupid health reform! I am so disappointed by the Republican lawmakers at the House Intelligence Committee Hearing, trying to deflect the national crisis of Russian meddling and possible collusion to hold on to the power they finally grabbed. Shame on you!
2
A piece in The Hill reports that several state focused think tanks have projected dire circumstances for their respective states in individuals losing coverage in addition to jobs lost in the healthcare industry if the GOP bill becomes law.
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/325007-state-think-tanks-issue-s...
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/325007-state-think-tanks-issue-s...
1
When President Trump threatens Republican legislators with the loss of their seats, what exactly does he have in mind? Refusing to appear at their campaign rallies? Refusing to be photographed shaking hands with them? Declaring them personae non gratae at Mar-a-Lago?
This man's getting farther out of touch with reality every day. Observers who want to stay ahead of the political curve need to recognize what many Republicans must have recognized already: that the big story of the 2018 election season will be how few members of Trump's party can expect to benefit by associating themselves with him.
Trump won't fire Republicans, they'll fire him.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
This man's getting farther out of touch with reality every day. Observers who want to stay ahead of the political curve need to recognize what many Republicans must have recognized already: that the big story of the 2018 election season will be how few members of Trump's party can expect to benefit by associating themselves with him.
Trump won't fire Republicans, they'll fire him.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
4
This is totally laughable! He is threatening elected officials jobs? Did the law change when I blinked? No, you cannot ay "you're fired." Pfffft
9
“I think if we do do this, we lose the majority,” said Representative Mo Brooks...
And... if you DON’T do this... you lose the majority!
Quite a conundrum! Perhaps if you re-read “Atlas Shrugged” a few dozen more times the answer will magically appear?
Hoisted on their own canard.
: ) L
And... if you DON’T do this... you lose the majority!
Quite a conundrum! Perhaps if you re-read “Atlas Shrugged” a few dozen more times the answer will magically appear?
Hoisted on their own canard.
: ) L
4
Geez... When did blackmail become a legitimate tool?......
2
Who is this imbecile kidding?
Republicans in Congress stand more of a chance losing their jobs if...
1). They approve his "death plan."
2). They continue to stonewall an independent investigation into the
"Russian Dossier Affair."
3). They also approve his Stone Age budget proposal.
The art of the disastrous deal.
Republicans in Congress stand more of a chance losing their jobs if...
1). They approve his "death plan."
2). They continue to stonewall an independent investigation into the
"Russian Dossier Affair."
3). They also approve his Stone Age budget proposal.
The art of the disastrous deal.
9
To me this dilemma is actually funny. If this thing passes, seniors will be harmed and AARP will not rest until politicians are punished for it.
To Trump, this is all about stupid mindless power plays. He was not hired by the extreme wing of the GOP to do anything but make American great again.
Looks to me like most GOP seats will soon be in hot water. You want to see a powerless lame duck President? Lose your majority during the 2018 midterms because average Americans got screwed and you'll have an example of a quacking lame duck tweeter.
To Trump, this is all about stupid mindless power plays. He was not hired by the extreme wing of the GOP to do anything but make American great again.
Looks to me like most GOP seats will soon be in hot water. You want to see a powerless lame duck President? Lose your majority during the 2018 midterms because average Americans got screwed and you'll have an example of a quacking lame duck tweeter.
2
Trump Warns House Republicans: Repeal Health Law or Lose Your Seats
================
Good - Now let's help them along - get them out of office- keep them out of office - and do not let new ones in office.
TRUMPCARE - RYANCARE = REPUBLICANCARE - no matter which name you choose it is a failure that will do more harm to millions of Americans who over the next 10 years be without health insurance because they can not afford it, don't want it, don't know how to obtain it and so forth - the Individual Mandate gone - sky rocketing prices for people with pre=existing conditions, seniors too.
Great Plan- GOP
================
Good - Now let's help them along - get them out of office- keep them out of office - and do not let new ones in office.
TRUMPCARE - RYANCARE = REPUBLICANCARE - no matter which name you choose it is a failure that will do more harm to millions of Americans who over the next 10 years be without health insurance because they can not afford it, don't want it, don't know how to obtain it and so forth - the Individual Mandate gone - sky rocketing prices for people with pre=existing conditions, seniors too.
Great Plan- GOP
2
This is what you get when you put a person in power who shows no interest in researching and studying issues, nor desires to practice empathy. You have a shallow person with a middle schoolers focus on winning and that same level of maturity and communication skills leading his pack towards the goal. Too bad real people are significantly damaged by it.
10
“I’m going to come after you.” "“We’re going to make sure to remember...”
Repubs claimed that they didn't cooperate with Obama because he didn't woo them enough. Is this what they prefer—someone who threatens them?
NOBODY likes this bill. But apparently we're supposed to pass it to please it as a "win" for Trump, even though it MASSIVELY breaks his promises on healthcare.
When will Repubs grow a spine?
Repubs claimed that they didn't cooperate with Obama because he didn't woo them enough. Is this what they prefer—someone who threatens them?
NOBODY likes this bill. But apparently we're supposed to pass it to please it as a "win" for Trump, even though it MASSIVELY breaks his promises on healthcare.
When will Repubs grow a spine?
13
Never. They are totally strung out juvenile delinquents on the payrolls of too-rich nihilists.
4
A spine is not enough, they need a heart a brain and a SOUL.
4
"nobody knew that health care could be so complicated,”
"Blow it" and lose the House majority.
The latter is perhaps the one truthful statement uttered by the 45th president to date.
However, to "blow it" is complicated by the fact that the so-called House Freedom Caucus opposes the repeal bill, a/k/a, Trumpcareless. Because it does not completely obliterates Obamacare. But if passed by the House, the Senate is likely to reject it, since millions of Americans, including Trump's most ardent supporters, face losing their healthcare coverage and/or financial ruin.
So the House GOP members are between the proverbial rock and a hard demagogue in place. Vote for the bill and remain on record for its failure, vote against it and remain on record for its failure.
Brilliant! Keep winning like that for the American people.
"Blow it" and lose the House majority.
The latter is perhaps the one truthful statement uttered by the 45th president to date.
However, to "blow it" is complicated by the fact that the so-called House Freedom Caucus opposes the repeal bill, a/k/a, Trumpcareless. Because it does not completely obliterates Obamacare. But if passed by the House, the Senate is likely to reject it, since millions of Americans, including Trump's most ardent supporters, face losing their healthcare coverage and/or financial ruin.
So the House GOP members are between the proverbial rock and a hard demagogue in place. Vote for the bill and remain on record for its failure, vote against it and remain on record for its failure.
Brilliant! Keep winning like that for the American people.
4
So Trump has made it clear (if he didn't already when he stated who knew healthcare could be so complicated) that he doesn't give a darn about it, or the millions of American lives it effects. He just wants a 'win' so he can move on to other things.
HEAR THAT, AMERICA? Your healthcare is a speed bump to POTUS.
HEAR THAT, AMERICA? Your healthcare is a speed bump to POTUS.
10
The real bullying, the bullying that counts, is by the Koch Brothers who want those tax cuts so they can add more millions to their billions. The GOP lawmakers supporting this big tax cut for the 1% disguised as a health care bill don't care about Trump or their constituents. It's about the money they want from the Koch Brothers and their fellow billionaires that will be withheld unless they pass this bill. This is not about health care or useless threats from a lousy president. It's about greed. So, dear New York Times, stop referring to this bill as a health care bill. It's a bill for tax cuts for the wealthy that contains provisions to gut health care coverage to pay for the tax cut.
10
Leadership by threat. Reminds me of many communist countries and banana republics. What's next? " If you don't do what I say I'll tell mom"?
What I didn't see in this article is Trump saying this bill is the 'greatest'. I hope he's loosing his edge.
What I didn't see in this article is Trump saying this bill is the 'greatest'. I hope he's loosing his edge.
6
Wait until his approval rating drops even further and then the pictures of people dying begin. Good luck with the next round of elections GOP. Read from Ayn Rand while someones relative or child is ill and cannot get care? What a plan.
5
While So-called President Trump, so powerful that his approval ratings are in the tank and the FBI is investigating him and his henchmen for treason, demands that the GOP roll over and pass the Trump/Ryandontcare bill or face losing seats. At the same time the American people are telling their so-called representatives that if they do vote for the Trump/Ryandontcare bill that they will vote them out.
What's a Republican to do? Put party over country of course, it's what they do. This bill will pass, have no doubt about that. People will die as a result. And those hurt the worst by it will be convinced that it's all because of Obama, or Democrats, or immigrants, or minorities or libruls.....
What's a Republican to do? Put party over country of course, it's what they do. This bill will pass, have no doubt about that. People will die as a result. And those hurt the worst by it will be convinced that it's all because of Obama, or Democrats, or immigrants, or minorities or libruls.....
5
GOP Congressmen and senators are in a deservedly difficult position. If they pass the TrumpNoCare bill and take away health insurance and fund tax cuts for the rich with stripping 24 million if health care, they will get slammed for it in the next election. If they don't pass this bill, they will get slammed for it in the next election.
2
The Ryan plan has less to do with health care, despite the name of the bill, and more to do with tax cuts for the wealthy whose taxes in part funded Obamacare and the defederalization of an entitlement program (Medicaid).
5
If this monster succeeds in his program of anarchy and greed, we will see increased emigration of the brightest and most capable native-born Americans of child-bearing age. The national IQ will decline into double digits, comparable to a gorilla. Then the country will splinter in a civil war, and we will become the new model of fourth-world aberrations.
6
Mr. Romney, a sensible Republican Governor created the blueprint in Massachusetts for the national Affordable Care Act that was signed into law by President Obama. WHY must Republicans repeal this act? Why not refine it and tweak it? This is shameful and Congress will fill the heat at the polls during Midterm elections in 2018. The reckoning awaits!!!!
7
I wonder how deep Trump's hatred of Obama is. That he cares less about what the consequences of Trumpcare for Americans are than he cares about pushing it through no matter what, threads to Representatives and his own voters losing healthcare included.
He promised a better healthcare for everyone. Lower costs, better care. Yet Trumpcare is the opposite.
To say that he wants to fulfill all his campaign promises and therefore is keeping the pressure high, and out of line, doesn't quite grasp it. He is only focussed on eliminating the ACA and I believe it is just out of spite towards Obama.
Whatever Trump is touching, health care or budget, the focus seems to be to undone what Obama achieved. The consequences for the American people he doesn't care about. That they'll lose their healthcare or have a worse healthcare, that the air they breathe and the water they drink is more polluted, the higher prices they have to pay for their everyday life (cue border tax and living costs) it all doesn't matter to Trump.
Now that more and more of the dossier check out to be true I also wouldn't be suprised if Golden Showers was true. This deep hatred for Obama being mentioned there, it doesn't sound unlikely anymore.
He promised a better healthcare for everyone. Lower costs, better care. Yet Trumpcare is the opposite.
To say that he wants to fulfill all his campaign promises and therefore is keeping the pressure high, and out of line, doesn't quite grasp it. He is only focussed on eliminating the ACA and I believe it is just out of spite towards Obama.
Whatever Trump is touching, health care or budget, the focus seems to be to undone what Obama achieved. The consequences for the American people he doesn't care about. That they'll lose their healthcare or have a worse healthcare, that the air they breathe and the water they drink is more polluted, the higher prices they have to pay for their everyday life (cue border tax and living costs) it all doesn't matter to Trump.
Now that more and more of the dossier check out to be true I also wouldn't be suprised if Golden Showers was true. This deep hatred for Obama being mentioned there, it doesn't sound unlikely anymore.
4
Surely single payor is better than 20,000 needless deaths of uninsured per year and the gouging of the American people for lacklustre coverage at stratospheric costs.
By merely translating current employer contributions into a business tax credit and negotiating with doctors to slightly drop fees everyone can be covered at NO additional cost. That means foregoing the $15,000 deduction for 100% coverage right away, for everyone. Same doctors, same hospitals, full coverage without any qualifications.
Americans can still have their perks through remaining private insurers, but all useful healthcare would already be covered.
A no-brainer.
By merely translating current employer contributions into a business tax credit and negotiating with doctors to slightly drop fees everyone can be covered at NO additional cost. That means foregoing the $15,000 deduction for 100% coverage right away, for everyone. Same doctors, same hospitals, full coverage without any qualifications.
Americans can still have their perks through remaining private insurers, but all useful healthcare would already be covered.
A no-brainer.
2
So the idea is rather than doing improvements flip this thing. Spackle over the cracks in Obamacare. Then strip away everything you can and sell it for pennies as a cash downpayment to keep the ponzi afloat. Take away the foundations, and sell off the stonework for profit to your cronies. Paint the whole thing gold and stick a gold logo on it and sell it quick before the midterms and before the chumps realize they have been trumped.
5
[[“I’m going to come after you,” Mr. Trump told Representative Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina.]]
So a Yankee told a a Southerner he was gonna come down there and whup up on him something terrible, give him what for and set him straight.
Seems like there's only one possible response from a self-respecting North Carolinian.
So a Yankee told a a Southerner he was gonna come down there and whup up on him something terrible, give him what for and set him straight.
Seems like there's only one possible response from a self-respecting North Carolinian.
4
Which ever way the houses vote on healthcare, many of their GOP members are walking the plank. This is the beginning of the karma they get for supporting Trump's inevitable train wreck
6
I do not think anyone is too frightened of Trump or his low approval number, these days. They are, however, afraid of their voters.
When the FBI and other intel agencies finally gather some damning evidence on Team Trump, I doubt there will be even 10 voices of support on his behalf from even the most trumpesque of Republicans.
The motivation to be a big winner, to frighten people, to best Hillary, to humiliate Obama, and to be adored by the nasty right-wingers - only goes so far in the REAL WORLD of the folk of the USA.
When the FBI and other intel agencies finally gather some damning evidence on Team Trump, I doubt there will be even 10 voices of support on his behalf from even the most trumpesque of Republicans.
The motivation to be a big winner, to frighten people, to best Hillary, to humiliate Obama, and to be adored by the nasty right-wingers - only goes so far in the REAL WORLD of the folk of the USA.
4
If you read the constitution, you would have realized people choose house seats. You have lied your way to presidency just as you have lied through out your business ventures. It is a tragedy that people didn't take time to see who you are before they voted.
3
While it would still appear that Trump thinks he still on his TV show, or his businesses where he is "THE BOSS" and what he says is the only thing that MATTERS. Hopefully some of the republicains will br a MAN and stand up to the bully. Another point is he should quit promoting his florida white house and stay home and get more work done, instead of having to move everything to flroida. Also I wonder how much the government is charged for the use of his property.
1
The local papers here in CNY have already been writing about how many people would lose coverage under ACA. Our congreesional representatives are Republicans, thanks to Hillary-hating mostly. They face a quandary. Should they fall into line behind Ryan and Trump or should they listen to their constituents who are worried.
We are older and poorer than a lot of the state, so perhaps the changes being proposed will help. A provision was added to make the state pay the bill for Medicaid, which will help county budgets. Will the changes be enough.
Whatever happens, Democrats in the area seem energized. This has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but Republican ideology doesn't do much to address our very real problems. Maybe, tipping the balance toward Democrats will be an unintended consequence of the single-minded focus on repeal of ACA. I plan to do whatever I can to help that happen.
We are older and poorer than a lot of the state, so perhaps the changes being proposed will help. A provision was added to make the state pay the bill for Medicaid, which will help county budgets. Will the changes be enough.
Whatever happens, Democrats in the area seem energized. This has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but Republican ideology doesn't do much to address our very real problems. Maybe, tipping the balance toward Democrats will be an unintended consequence of the single-minded focus on repeal of ACA. I plan to do whatever I can to help that happen.
5
If the House Republicans were smart were smart, they would vote "no," and hand the Great Negotiator a defeat. He's like Godzilla. The more nuclear energy, he absorbs the more powerful and dangerous he becomes. For Trump, "winning" - bending others to his will - is his nuclear energy. He doesn't care what's in the bill, or who is hurt. All he wants is to cut taxes on the top 1% bigly, and to win. If the House GOP deprives him of this win, he will be furious, but much less powerful. If they feed his need to win, they will make him so powerful that he will make slaves of them all.
The GOP House is composed mainly of the craven and cowardly, so Trump may get some to flip. But the entire Freedom Caucus? It makes no sense for most of them to give Trump what he wants. If they thwart him, he becomes the thing he most fears - a loser. His whole mystique was that of the Great Negotiator who would cut through the Gordian Knot of unsolvable governmental problems by "winning." If they make a failure of him now, he will have to follow their agenda if he ever wants to win again. If they bow to his blackmail, he'll be extorting them for the rest of his term.
Or does Trump really believe that making enemies out of the people that can impeach him is a good deal?
The GOP House is composed mainly of the craven and cowardly, so Trump may get some to flip. But the entire Freedom Caucus? It makes no sense for most of them to give Trump what he wants. If they thwart him, he becomes the thing he most fears - a loser. His whole mystique was that of the Great Negotiator who would cut through the Gordian Knot of unsolvable governmental problems by "winning." If they make a failure of him now, he will have to follow their agenda if he ever wants to win again. If they bow to his blackmail, he'll be extorting them for the rest of his term.
Or does Trump really believe that making enemies out of the people that can impeach him is a good deal?
Trumpcare for dummies
You will have choices , depending on what you can afford , You will be able to chose the Gold , Silver , Copper or Uranium Plan
If you have cancer in your leg , your treatment will determined as follows ,
Gold plan - You will have the best treatment available until you are cured
Silver plan - You will get limited treatment ,but it may be necessary to amputate your leg.
Copper plan - They will just simply amputate your leg .
Uranium plan - They will take the least expensive test necessary to be able to inform you how much longer you have to live .
Kiss the baby goodbye .
You will have choices , depending on what you can afford , You will be able to chose the Gold , Silver , Copper or Uranium Plan
If you have cancer in your leg , your treatment will determined as follows ,
Gold plan - You will have the best treatment available until you are cured
Silver plan - You will get limited treatment ,but it may be necessary to amputate your leg.
Copper plan - They will just simply amputate your leg .
Uranium plan - They will take the least expensive test necessary to be able to inform you how much longer you have to live .
Kiss the baby goodbye .
So-called president trump's reassuring words still ring in my ears ... "Obamacare is an utter disaster folks. I will repeal it entirely and replace it with something much much better, believe me ... and very quickly". Ringing ringing ringing ... like an unanswered telephone.v
2
Substance: until the government creates a national risk pool, and agrees to become the insurer of last resort, no rework of ACA or Trump-Care will succeed.
Otherwise, state specific risk in states with older populations will continue to experience higher and climbing rates...if, in fact, insurers decide to offer coverage in those states. States' rights have to be put aside in this case.
Everything else is smoke and mirrors...and a government with its head in the sand.
As for the blustering bully in chief...his true colors continue to emerge.
Impeachment for foreign corrupt practices, or conflict of interest, cannot come soon enough.
Otherwise, state specific risk in states with older populations will continue to experience higher and climbing rates...if, in fact, insurers decide to offer coverage in those states. States' rights have to be put aside in this case.
Everything else is smoke and mirrors...and a government with its head in the sand.
As for the blustering bully in chief...his true colors continue to emerge.
Impeachment for foreign corrupt practices, or conflict of interest, cannot come soon enough.
2
Like others I think "warn" is giving Trump too much credit. LBJ was in the position to warn, with the many tools available to a president at the time. I sat in caucuses when Bill Clinton persuaded members that certain tough votes were not political suicide--that they could run on their votes, not away from them. But that empathy, among other things, is foreign to Trump. He threatens, warns, dictates. Most of the members he warned yesterday didn't need Trump before (when they were first elected) and don't need him now.
Leave it to Trump to blame everyone, including his own party, for his own failures - or should I say, their failure to make him look good.
The next election is a year and half away, and he threatens them with re-election fears when he is their biggest liability? What a guy!
The next election is a year and half away, and he threatens them with re-election fears when he is their biggest liability? What a guy!
2
He's a bully! Used to getting his way at hs company by abusing his power. If he can;t get his way, he makes thing up. Not a president.
2
Does anyone see the similarity here to Jean Shepard's "A Christmas Story"? Donald Trump is Scut Farkus (orange hair to boot) and of course Sean Spicer playing the role of Drover Gill. Just like Scut, Trump is trying to get the hold out republicans to say "Uncle" by threatening them. Good luck with that.
Every aspect of the Trump-Ryan-Non-Care plan makes perfect sense if you subscribe to Paul Ryan's notion of freedom: "Freedom is the ability to buy what you want to fit what you need."
Ryan's definition is "The Readers' Digest" condensed version of the current "conservative" notion: "Freedom is the opportunity to utilize your time, talents and resources in any way you believe serves your self-interest."
No one has the right to determine for you just which decisions and actions promote your "enlightened" or "unenlightened" self-interest. You, in your subjectivity, are the sole determiner of your "true" interests.
To directly and obviously thwart another's free pursuit of self interest is an absolute no-no.
Coercive mandates are forbidden, but manipulation by means of emotive appeals, misdirection, and misinformation are proven means to "free"-market (and political-market) success.
Within the "free"-market context, this ideal gives rise to an anti-beatitude: "Cursed be those who pursue unenlightened self-interest for they will be readily manipulated and victimized by their enlightened betters."
Is President Trump--arch-manipulator, con-man and bully--the supreme embodiment of this "freedom"?
How about the snake in the Garden of Eden? Did that snake initiate the first "free"-market exchange?
Ryan's definition is "The Readers' Digest" condensed version of the current "conservative" notion: "Freedom is the opportunity to utilize your time, talents and resources in any way you believe serves your self-interest."
No one has the right to determine for you just which decisions and actions promote your "enlightened" or "unenlightened" self-interest. You, in your subjectivity, are the sole determiner of your "true" interests.
To directly and obviously thwart another's free pursuit of self interest is an absolute no-no.
Coercive mandates are forbidden, but manipulation by means of emotive appeals, misdirection, and misinformation are proven means to "free"-market (and political-market) success.
Within the "free"-market context, this ideal gives rise to an anti-beatitude: "Cursed be those who pursue unenlightened self-interest for they will be readily manipulated and victimized by their enlightened betters."
Is President Trump--arch-manipulator, con-man and bully--the supreme embodiment of this "freedom"?
How about the snake in the Garden of Eden? Did that snake initiate the first "free"-market exchange?
Why is anyone paying any attention to Trump? Trump is corrupt and may have jeopardized our National Security and certainly is not our President but a con man on his way out. Stop his nominations, send Gorsuch home. Stop this healthcare disaster and sit down with Democrats. Stop imagining that any leader in the world takes Trump seriously. He is over.
Congress has one primary duty. End this presidency. He cannot fire anyone. He must be fired before any Congressional agenda can be pursued. Trump has created the situation that requires bipartisanship. What kind of country are we if Trump has any further influence?
Congress has one primary duty. End this presidency. He cannot fire anyone. He must be fired before any Congressional agenda can be pursued. Trump has created the situation that requires bipartisanship. What kind of country are we if Trump has any further influence?
3
An inconvenient fact - The Repub plan will eliminate the part of Obamacare which guarantees miners with black lung disease health care for life - Many of these people have the disease because coal companies paid doctors for false negatives and / or threatened to fire miners who reported having the disease - So the coal companies have gone bankrupt, their owners kept those fancy houses and cars, while the American people clean up the mess ... Where have you gone Mitch McConnell ? What did you say Mitch McConnell ?
Who are you Mitch McConnell ?
Who are you Mitch McConnell ?
2
You can be sure that Trump will not deal with equanimity in any loss he suffers in this legislative arena that is an entirely new realm for him to believe he controls. Who knows what he is capable of? Oh, wait. It won't be reasoned and it won't be disciplined.
2
How Trump deals: When you can't cut a deal, threaten that you'll take revenge on your "enemy" now...or in the future, because you NEVER forget or forgive ANYONE who ever, EVER challenges you! Ever. And every single one of those Republicans who "crossed" him, called him names, challenged him in the primaries, well, he'll "smile and smile and be a villain".
The time WILL come when Trump exacts his wrath on Ted Cruz, on Marco Rubio, on John McCain, on Lindsey Graham, on John Kasich, on Paul Ryan. And on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. We've already seen how deep in the cesspool of lies Trump will go to "get" Obama, who is no threat to him whatsoever.
If the GOP Congress doesn't pass Trump's bill on Thursday, for their own survival they need to begin the process of impeachment.
The time WILL come when Trump exacts his wrath on Ted Cruz, on Marco Rubio, on John McCain, on Lindsey Graham, on John Kasich, on Paul Ryan. And on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. We've already seen how deep in the cesspool of lies Trump will go to "get" Obama, who is no threat to him whatsoever.
If the GOP Congress doesn't pass Trump's bill on Thursday, for their own survival they need to begin the process of impeachment.
1
Here's a silver lining: Trump is bungling this miserable excuse for an ACA replacement so badly that the candidates who want to win in 2018 and 2020 will be the ones advocating single-payer healthcare for everyone. Can't go back to Obamacare? Move forward and finally join the rest of the civilized world.
1
It is alarming to me the rate at which the president is effectively collapsing the three branches of government into one, directly under the control of the Executive branch.
I initially (and naively) comforted myself with the thought that Trump would come up against the reality of a tripartite government. Say it ain't so Joe. I was ill-prepared for him to succeed at becoming the Head Bully in Charge. Come on Congress: where's your spine? You don't work for him or the lobbyists or the dark money. Remember us?
I initially (and naively) comforted myself with the thought that Trump would come up against the reality of a tripartite government. Say it ain't so Joe. I was ill-prepared for him to succeed at becoming the Head Bully in Charge. Come on Congress: where's your spine? You don't work for him or the lobbyists or the dark money. Remember us?
1
Not only is this president completely lacking in compassion and integrity, he wants others to follow in his footsteps, and is threatening them the "loss of their seats" if they do not. Well guess what: will they still have health insurance? Affordable? of course they will because they can afford health insurance irrespective of the cost. Its the rest of us who cannot, and that "Freedom Caucus" - an insidious euphemism if I ever heard one - wants to make it even less affordable for even more people.
2
Trump keeps telling his followers "his" plan will give everybody healthcare and be cheaper than Obamacare. This is of course a lie. Trump could care less. Now he is telling congressmen/women support or else. He is a clear dictator. Well in his own mind he is a dictator. Trump will blame everyone else when the vote fails. How much can the republicans take of this clown? Trump has done great damage to the office. Again, he blames everyone else and still tweets the phone tap story. WOW..
1
Prez. Chaos read/said everyone would have better and cheaper health care and health insurance. So many lies, so little time.
Yeah, repeal it.
We Americans dare you.
Come on rightist's, man up.
Stop barking little puppy dogs and bite!!!
You could actually repeal it today ifin' y'all wanted to boys.
Do it...what are y'all chicken?
"BAWKAWWK!"
We Americans dare you.
Come on rightist's, man up.
Stop barking little puppy dogs and bite!!!
You could actually repeal it today ifin' y'all wanted to boys.
Do it...what are y'all chicken?
"BAWKAWWK!"
2
What Trump means by "I'll come after you." is that he will start a smear campaign against the NC Representative. This statement says it all. Trump will pull all tricks out of the narcissist playbook and this playbook assumes that the narcissist has no shame built into their psyche. (Trump shows little shame). This is a foreign concept to normal people: this representative will be astounded by the lengths Trump will go to destroy him. Trump feels that it is his right as this representative has caused "narcissistic injury" to him and there is no bigger fury as a narcissist scorned. Righteous anger.... Our state representatives cannot vote like they feel is correct because of fear of reprisal from our narcissist/psychopath Trump president.
1
Trump promised healthcare everybody; better and less expensive healthcare.
Trump lied.
Classic bait & switch -- like Trump University.
Trump lied.
Classic bait & switch -- like Trump University.
2
Within 2 weeks, with his Muslim ban rejected by the courts, Trumpcare dead and his "Comey hit" baked in, what will Trump's approval ratings be: Low 30s? High 20s? Either way, his political clout will be nil, zip, nada. The question is will he go to the classic authoritarian playbook and try to launch a war to rally the country behind him? It's the final card these toxic clowns always play. I wonder if his voters will reflect on whatever absurd stories they told themselves to justify voting for this toxic clown. My breathing continues uninterrupted. America is in an unhealthy place when it can elect such an obvious buffoon. What's more, we shouldn't congratulate ourselves for having survived (assuming we do) the authoritarian threat. He's an amateur. If we had a guy with Cheney's mind and Reagan's charisma, we'd be tested. Hopefully, we'll get some fundamental reforms out of this and the GOP will be obliterated so a party interested in authentic governance can replace these corporate toadies.
1
“I think if we do do this, we lose the majority." You 'think'?
2
"And I hate your little notes. It took me three hours to figure out FU meant Felix Unger!" We don't mean Felix Unger, trump.
The American Voter
The American Voter
To use Gail Collins words, our president is a "nut job". The whole world has now figured it out. I hope that in the future when he is telepromptered (or straight-jacketed or medicated?) for a speech or even a few weeks that people don't allow that reprieve to count as "normal" or erase past sins. The crazy things he's already done don't go away because his team can puppetize him periodically.
Russian ties? Taxes? Trump Inc conflicts? Independent investigation!!!
Russian ties? Taxes? Trump Inc conflicts? Independent investigation!!!
1
Poor Trump just can't get Americans to like him. We all know it not going to get better for him. All we can do is sit back and watch him implode. He got what he thought he wanted. He thought O'Bama had it so easy. It hard to knock another President Down when he was loved by so many and got voted in with not one major recount.
1
We are going from Obamacare to TrumpNoCare
1
Some will lose their seats anyway. Most likely the ones who are recalcitrant know if they vote for this particular bill they will lose next year so why appease Trump? They don't like him anyway. They never did. They only played along because they represent the "poorly educated" voters who adore Trump. So they are between a rock and a hard place. Maybe Trump will give all of them a ride on Air Force 1 to nowhere.
1
"But Mr. Meadows said he was neither bothered nor persuaded by Mr. Trump’s warning that he would lose his constituents’ support if he did not fall in line."
Trump really has these people quaking in their boots, doesn't he? As most Americans have quickly learned, Trump is all mouth and that's it. When he was a failing businessman he could threaten contractors with lawsuits but he can't do that now. One by one, even Republicans are starting to understand that you can't hitch your wagon to a bullying lunatic.
Trump really has these people quaking in their boots, doesn't he? As most Americans have quickly learned, Trump is all mouth and that's it. When he was a failing businessman he could threaten contractors with lawsuits but he can't do that now. One by one, even Republicans are starting to understand that you can't hitch your wagon to a bullying lunatic.
1
The real American health crisis is that people making money off other's misfortunes. Reading the following paragraph makes me sick:
"A prime concern for holdouts was the measure’s lack of provisions to relax federal health insurance regulations that require insurers to provide certain minimum benefits and to spend certain percentages of premium revenues on medical care."
So what these hold outs want is to let insurance companies offer no minimum benefits and be able to make as much profit as they can off the ill. That's what these Republicans are fighting for, when their constituents just want affordable health care?
If we pass a law that says people can't profit off of the medical needs of others, we would have plenty of money to pay for health care. Doctors and insurers, and everyone else could still be paid, but the huge profits that stockholders make would instead go to paying for medical costs instead of making people rich.
"A prime concern for holdouts was the measure’s lack of provisions to relax federal health insurance regulations that require insurers to provide certain minimum benefits and to spend certain percentages of premium revenues on medical care."
So what these hold outs want is to let insurance companies offer no minimum benefits and be able to make as much profit as they can off the ill. That's what these Republicans are fighting for, when their constituents just want affordable health care?
If we pass a law that says people can't profit off of the medical needs of others, we would have plenty of money to pay for health care. Doctors and insurers, and everyone else could still be paid, but the huge profits that stockholders make would instead go to paying for medical costs instead of making people rich.
An unpopular president leading the charge AGAINST healthcare that
now covers many more previously uncovered Americans, and most
Republicans clamoring to also dislodge this needed coverage and
actually thinking they will be thought of more highly by voters
now yelling at them in town hall meetings!
Trump and GOP legislators keep infecting each other with
their nuttiness which makes it harder and harder to tell who is
more out of touch with an enlightened world.
now covers many more previously uncovered Americans, and most
Republicans clamoring to also dislodge this needed coverage and
actually thinking they will be thought of more highly by voters
now yelling at them in town hall meetings!
Trump and GOP legislators keep infecting each other with
their nuttiness which makes it harder and harder to tell who is
more out of touch with an enlightened world.
1
Trump's narcissism is on full display. He acts as if winning and losing is all about him. The fact that some Republicans cannot support the American Health Care Act, is an opportunity to craft a more well balanced bill. It's a chance for Trump to bring the parties together. Instead he views the health care issue as a war for his personal power. Plus he actually believes he can make good on his threats, which is grandiosity. Narcissists believe every word they say. That's why Trump appears so convincing. Health care for Americans should not be a battleground for a psychopathic president to prove he's powerful. This is truly a disgusting display.
1
Seriously. Does Trump actually think that he has any political capital other than the "people" that put him in office? Each day that goes by in this administration, I'm becoming more convinced that Republican primary challengers are going to be the least of the Republicans' worries come November, 2018.
Wasn't there a time when the President of the United States was supposed to be the best the country had to offer? Now we have a President that sounds like an extra in "Casino." It's truly ridiculous.
Wasn't there a time when the President of the United States was supposed to be the best the country had to offer? Now we have a President that sounds like an extra in "Casino." It's truly ridiculous.
1
I'll attempt to predict the future like others do.
The GOP will pull its ranks together and get something passed. Backs will be patted, colored balloons released. DEMS will wail and moan.
Millions (especially the poor in rural, redder states) will lose coverage...
And IF (big IF) the DEMs can get their message across they'll have a shot at rebuilding support and eventually a majority.
The GOP will pull its ranks together and get something passed. Backs will be patted, colored balloons released. DEMS will wail and moan.
Millions (especially the poor in rural, redder states) will lose coverage...
And IF (big IF) the DEMs can get their message across they'll have a shot at rebuilding support and eventually a majority.
1
Republicans, you've been played.
Trump got you all worked up about immigrants, so that you would vote for him.
But his real goal was to take away your healthcare so that he could give himself and his rich friends more tax cuts.
You've been conned by Russia's puppet.
Remember that when you lose your health coverage.
Trump got you all worked up about immigrants, so that you would vote for him.
But his real goal was to take away your healthcare so that he could give himself and his rich friends more tax cuts.
You've been conned by Russia's puppet.
Remember that when you lose your health coverage.
1
WOW! There are 3 dozen Republicans who will vote for America rather than their party. Now if there were only 17 dozen more that would vote for AMERICA.
Then we could have our country back.
Then we could have our country back.
1
The House will pass this and then the American people will pass the Republicans into the trash bin of history.
1
The Republicans just spent eight years trying to keep President Obama from accomplishing ANYTHING and now they are spending every minute in trying to destroy his accomplishments. Trump is insanely jealous of President Obama. Trump is just another poor example of a Republican leader: Trump, Palin, George W. Bush. They are the Republican Party's leaders. Enough said.
2
So now the grate (sic) orange one is threatening people?? Will they find a dead horses head in each of their beds? He gets more ridiculous with each passing day! What's next he'll hold his breath til he turns blue? How much longer will our country undergo this torture!?
2
"Mr. Trump has not focused on the specifics of the health care bill, arguing in recent days that he is more concerned with pushing it through Congress so he can move on to issues he cares more about, including a large tax cut."
That really should say "another, even larger, tax cut" because the AHCA is a large tax cut for the 0.5% by itself. Who knows, after the AHCA maybe Medicare could be cut in order to cap Medicare taxes on the 1%, and then it's on to the estate tax.
That really should say "another, even larger, tax cut" because the AHCA is a large tax cut for the 0.5% by itself. Who knows, after the AHCA maybe Medicare could be cut in order to cap Medicare taxes on the 1%, and then it's on to the estate tax.
1
With 45 it's all about winning. He doesn't care who he hurts, he just has to win win win. Go ahead, pass the bill. 45's private news station Fox will spin it like a win to those folks who will lose. Lies, lies, and more lies...
"Mr. Trump has not focused on the specifics of the health care bill, arguing in recent days that he is more concerned with pushing it through Congress so he can move on to issues he cares more about, including a large tax cut." What a wonderful example of Republican priorities! How long will it be before a large majority of voters wakes up to the fact that few Republican and many Corporate Democrat legislators don't represent their interests? This country is in desperate need of a third political party.
1
"Trump Warns House Republicans: Repeal Health Law or Lose Your Seats"
The title of this article already demonstrates the fundamental issue. The aim of members of congress should not be to do what the President says or blindly push a party agenda that will negatively impact millions of Americans. Their job is to REPRESENT the people (hell the word "Representative" is even in the name of the lower chamber) that elect them and do what is in the best interest of their constituents and the American people in general.
The title of this article already demonstrates the fundamental issue. The aim of members of congress should not be to do what the President says or blindly push a party agenda that will negatively impact millions of Americans. Their job is to REPRESENT the people (hell the word "Representative" is even in the name of the lower chamber) that elect them and do what is in the best interest of their constituents and the American people in general.
1
Read M. Haberman's piece today "Why Letting Go, for Trump, is no small thing" describing why Trump's obsessed w/ lying & fighting with everyone.
Trump's insane. He isn't fit to be president, he doesn't understand the job, doesn't understand what's required in terms of behavior & decorum - if he understands, he doesn't care. His rudeness toward Chancellor Merkel embarrassed our country.
Trump's isn't necessarily going to leave because he colluded with Russia - although it's a possibility. Trump must go because he's temperamentally unfit to be president. Lots of people are speaking about this openly.
What needs to happen is more leaking from inside the White House about Trump's unstable behavior interfering with his job - like blowing a fuse & hanging up on the Australian P.M. We need more reports from insiders about Trump's struggle to maintain sanity - & losing.
Better, the advisors who put their patriotism & love of country before Donald Trump need to start resigning & saying why - "The White House is dysfunctional" for example. We'll all get it. We've heard about Trump's rage, insecurity & need to continue fights, distractions & conspiracy theories for months.
Patriots need to resign & out Trump on his behavior. Sec'y Tillerson, Advisor Cohn, General Mattis, Mr. Preibus, V.P. Pence, Ambassador Haley, Sec'y Chao, General Kelly, sane people who love this country & don't want to see Trump imperil or destroy it - help us, your fellow citizens!
Because this is scary.
Trump's insane. He isn't fit to be president, he doesn't understand the job, doesn't understand what's required in terms of behavior & decorum - if he understands, he doesn't care. His rudeness toward Chancellor Merkel embarrassed our country.
Trump's isn't necessarily going to leave because he colluded with Russia - although it's a possibility. Trump must go because he's temperamentally unfit to be president. Lots of people are speaking about this openly.
What needs to happen is more leaking from inside the White House about Trump's unstable behavior interfering with his job - like blowing a fuse & hanging up on the Australian P.M. We need more reports from insiders about Trump's struggle to maintain sanity - & losing.
Better, the advisors who put their patriotism & love of country before Donald Trump need to start resigning & saying why - "The White House is dysfunctional" for example. We'll all get it. We've heard about Trump's rage, insecurity & need to continue fights, distractions & conspiracy theories for months.
Patriots need to resign & out Trump on his behavior. Sec'y Tillerson, Advisor Cohn, General Mattis, Mr. Preibus, V.P. Pence, Ambassador Haley, Sec'y Chao, General Kelly, sane people who love this country & don't want to see Trump imperil or destroy it - help us, your fellow citizens!
Because this is scary.
1
"Mr. Trump has not focused on the specifics of the health care bill, arguing in recent days that he is more concerned with pushing it through Congress so he can move on to issues he cares more about, including a large tax cut."
This says it all; the healthcare of the entire population of his country is nothing but a stumbling block standing in the way of his enriching his and his cronies coffers. A sad, sad day for the nation.
This says it all; the healthcare of the entire population of his country is nothing but a stumbling block standing in the way of his enriching his and his cronies coffers. A sad, sad day for the nation.
2
Shouldn't this article be retitled:
Trump Warns House Republicans: Repeal Health Law AND Lose Your Seats ??
Trump Warns House Republicans: Repeal Health Law AND Lose Your Seats ??
1
"The People Warn Congressmen: Repeal Health Bill and Lose your Job."
There. Fixed it.
There. Fixed it.
All Trump cares about is winning and his own image as a winner. The facts of this bill mean little. Millions lose their health care? None of the bill does what I promised? So what? I won!
1
Actually it is more like REPEAL OBAMACARE AND LOSE YOUR SEATS.
Now we have a BULLY for a president. Threatening those who disagree with him?
You do know he now has "loyalty officers" who now monitor all employees to make sure they are loyal only to Comrade Trump? NOT America, just Trump.
Remember the movie Hunt For Red October? Colin Firth played the Communist Party Officer who had one job and that was to watch everyone to make sure they said nothing against Comrade President Gorbachev or the Communist Party.
NOW we have a "leader" and I use the term loosely, who has people whose only job is to make sure you never say a bad word about Comrade Trump and as usual the republicans keep giving this traitor a pass on everything he does. EVERYTHING.
Had this been Obama, he would have already been impeached, convicted and on his way to the gallows.
But Comrade Trump can lie by the hour and they ignore him.WHY?
Simple, he signs whatever they put in front of him and has no idea of what he signed because he is incapable of understanding what he signs.
NOW he threatens senators and representatives.
You Trumpanzees sure elected a loser.
Now we have a BULLY for a president. Threatening those who disagree with him?
You do know he now has "loyalty officers" who now monitor all employees to make sure they are loyal only to Comrade Trump? NOT America, just Trump.
Remember the movie Hunt For Red October? Colin Firth played the Communist Party Officer who had one job and that was to watch everyone to make sure they said nothing against Comrade President Gorbachev or the Communist Party.
NOW we have a "leader" and I use the term loosely, who has people whose only job is to make sure you never say a bad word about Comrade Trump and as usual the republicans keep giving this traitor a pass on everything he does. EVERYTHING.
Had this been Obama, he would have already been impeached, convicted and on his way to the gallows.
But Comrade Trump can lie by the hour and they ignore him.WHY?
Simple, he signs whatever they put in front of him and has no idea of what he signed because he is incapable of understanding what he signs.
NOW he threatens senators and representatives.
You Trumpanzees sure elected a loser.
We are all living in this absurdist drama together, and how much longer can we go on like this? Why are we not thronging DC by the 1000s and demanding this all end?
Talking about healthcare, SCOTUS nominees, etc? It's like building a house, knowing a category 5 hurricane is on the way. And we all just keep hammering and sawing like it's normal.
I'd like to wake up tomorrow and every news source in America just not report one word about this person. Just. One. Day. Of. Sanity.
Talking about healthcare, SCOTUS nominees, etc? It's like building a house, knowing a category 5 hurricane is on the way. And we all just keep hammering and sawing like it's normal.
I'd like to wake up tomorrow and every news source in America just not report one word about this person. Just. One. Day. Of. Sanity.
Trump is doing exactly what democratic leaders have always done. He's cajoling, arm-twisting, charming, promising, and threatening legislators to get a bill passed. It's the ugly, sausage-making, necessary process of democracy.
After years of significant disengagement between the president and Congress, we should be celebrating a return to this process, regardless of the merits of the specific bill or its eventual passage or defeat.
After years of significant disengagement between the president and Congress, we should be celebrating a return to this process, regardless of the merits of the specific bill or its eventual passage or defeat.
9
If only it were to benefit the country.
2
Idiot, yes lets enjoy watching the destruction of the country.
2
And we should "celebrate" meddling of the Executive branch in the Legislative branch because?????
It says everything about Trump, that he attempts to marshal support for his bill by threatening to pursue primary opponents against Republican House members and blame them if there's a loss of the majority, not the merits of the bill.
9
Voting for this horrible bill will jeopardize there seats in the next election.
They have a better chance of staying in office (yuk) by voting against it.
The GOP has worked hard for this situation and deserve it.
They have a better chance of staying in office (yuk) by voting against it.
The GOP has worked hard for this situation and deserve it.
7
I think it goes the other way. If these guys pass a bill which harms more people than mere repeal of the ACA would, their constituents will use their dying act to vote these guys out.
7
A joke of a president with 37% approval has not the political capital to issue threats against the GOP. Call his bluff, Republicans. As Lucy said to Charlie Brown, "do something right for a change."
10
Trump is wrong on the politics. There will be a greater political cost to these legislators when millions lose their benefits than if Trump gets a legislative loss.
5
In districts where Republican Congresspersons are elected by slim majorities, voting for the bill will cost them their jobs if and only if the opposition bothers to vote. Not voting for the bill probably keeps those folks in office.
3
If dissenting Republicans join Democrats to block the repeal, one can hope other issues, EPA, cutting the lifeline of the neediest amongst us and numerous other issues, mustn't forget the beautiful wall and its cost, may also get a fair hearing. And if these things happen, as thin-skinned and bombastic as Mr Trump is and given the many other unresolved issues of the election and he and his family's business entanglements, maybe impeachment in the near term is not so farfetched.
1
More likely - supporters of this bill will be in danger of losing their jobs in 2018.
4
Government by intimidation. Where is that in the Constitution?
5
This statement alone is good reason NOT to vote for bill:
A prime concern for holdouts was the measure’s lack of provisions to relax federal health insurance regulations that require insurers to provide certain minimum benefits and to spend certain percentages of premium revenues on medical care.
No standards for what care needs is provided and no requirements on spending premiums on medical care.
This is what they are fighting about?
A prime concern for holdouts was the measure’s lack of provisions to relax federal health insurance regulations that require insurers to provide certain minimum benefits and to spend certain percentages of premium revenues on medical care.
No standards for what care needs is provided and no requirements on spending premiums on medical care.
This is what they are fighting about?
2
Translation: Pass this or I'll lose my job.
4
How much simpler can this discussion be? Yes, Paul Ryan and the Freedom caucus ran on a promise of repealing and replacing Obamacare but were clear about their ultimate goal.....budget reduction. President Trump ran using the same mantra but had do idea of any ultimate goal other than getting elected. His promise was "repeal and replace but I'll never touch your benefits...specifically Medicaid". The hypocrisy of his position now is stunning. In reality, the cost of health care for all Americans for exceeds the public's individual ability to pay for it without some degree of help from our own government. A totally free market approach to this problem will never resolve that fundamental problem.
3
I take it the President hasn't read all those books that explain how a president's only power is that of persuasion and horse-trading.
As political analysts have noted since Election Day 2016, Trump's populist Plainspeak simply does not translate into any policy preference that carries a majority in the House.
I'm hoping someone will write a Broadway play in which the ghost of LBJ comes back to try to rescue Trump.
As political analysts have noted since Election Day 2016, Trump's populist Plainspeak simply does not translate into any policy preference that carries a majority in the House.
I'm hoping someone will write a Broadway play in which the ghost of LBJ comes back to try to rescue Trump.
2
By reading nyt article 'Is America’s Military Big Enough' i see donald not knows what he wants. I guess this is generally, i see it myself often changing mind and not know what i want. But is THIS a leader? One day this and other day that you americans have no leader knowing what direction at all. Sad.
1
As the first President ever to be under investigation by the FBI for colluding with a foreign enemy of the US in order to influence an election, it may be Trump that ultimately loses his job.
5
How does that work? You stand with your constituents and you lose your seat, or you do as the boss says and then you lose your seat. Sounds like a lose-lose.
3
So, Representative Claudia Tenney of NY wants the state to pay for the Medicare benefits? That's the deal she's brokered with Trump? We need a new representative.
6
This is a completely empty threat. Which is more likely to cost representatives their re-election -- stripping their constituents of healthcare, or having a historically unpopular president campaigning against you. By 2018, Trump's approval rate is likely to be in the 20s, and by 2020, I would be shocked to see him not impeached or in the midst of another scandal.
On the other hand, does anyone doubt that Trump is vindictive enough to campaign against a Republican, even in the general election, as revenge for slighting him?
On the other hand, does anyone doubt that Trump is vindictive enough to campaign against a Republican, even in the general election, as revenge for slighting him?
2
Obama's pitch on ACA: vote for this bill because it is the right thing to do, regardless of the political cost. Trump's pitch: vote for this bill not because it is the right thing to do but because there will be a political cost. Draining the swamp indeed.
4
It will be interesting to see how the republicans react to this arm twisting of the bully-in-chief. It seems that Ryan, McConnell, Pence and a cast of lesser characters and imps such as Spicer, Conway, Priebus and creepy Bannon, are willing to join in to assist in cowering the rank and file. The public, thoughtful republicans included, who see the the plan for what it is, a flawed document thrown together at the last minute and serving, in large part, special interests, will hopefully act to send a clear message to Trump that they will not be intimidated.
1
I hope that those who are wavering hold their ground. Threatening congress people is not only unpresidential, the threats are just words. Senators and congressmen are elected by people in their states. Trump has no power over them.
Beyond that, we need a one-payer universal health care system like most other civilized countries.
Beyond that, we need a one-payer universal health care system like most other civilized countries.
One of the many big lies perpetrated by Trumpcare's supporters about health insurance is that is must mimic all other types of insurance by covering only catastrophic illness. First, that principle does not hold for other types of insurance. Your car insurance indeed cover small dents, a punctured windshield, as well as a total wreck, albeit with a deductible. Same with your homeowners. Secondly, not covering early health problems all too often lead to a preventable catastrophe, so what's the point of failing to cover the smaller problem?
Trump is selling his constituencies and the other 67% of us down a river of medical waste with this sickly bill built on lies about what insurance is and simple meanness in the face of our suffering fellow citizens.
Trump is selling his constituencies and the other 67% of us down a river of medical waste with this sickly bill built on lies about what insurance is and simple meanness in the face of our suffering fellow citizens.
1
Given Trump 1984-style slogans, many Republicans Congresspersons have translated his threat to "Repeal Health Law or Lose Your Jobs" correctly as "Repeal Health Care AND Lose Your Jobs." This bill is toxic as in it deeply wounds Medicaid, throws millions off of health care with a death sentence for tens of thousands, and "Oh my gosh, poor me, I may lose my job." It's a sick and cynical piece of legislation whose only cure is to make it DOA.
4
ANYONE wanting a 'Healthcare Bill' of any kind from either side of the isle are just uninformed government controlled fools! My wife has worked in both the insurance business (biggest rip off there is) and presently in the healthcare field. (people who care and KNOW the problems) Requiring (read forcing) people to have health insurance will solve NOTHING other than make things worse. REMEMBER I SAID THIS!
1
Which is why Obamacare, with its plethora of regulated products, pricing, etc., was doomed to fail.
Republicans are trying to give more control back to Americans. I'll take whatever control I can get.
Republicans are trying to give more control back to Americans. I'll take whatever control I can get.
1
OK, how does one deal with folks that don't have coverage?
Do you expect them all to live their lives and DIE w/o using any healthcare?
For a significant ISSUE/Problem with folks that don't have coverage,..it doesn't STOP them from having very expensive medical bills in which they're not paid, expensive procedures-that otherwise wouldn't of been so expensive if they had healthcare coverage prior?
Not covering folks in advance (see insurance) is one of the primary reasons we have healthcare coverage/expense issues.
Do you expect them all to live their lives and DIE w/o using any healthcare?
For a significant ISSUE/Problem with folks that don't have coverage,..it doesn't STOP them from having very expensive medical bills in which they're not paid, expensive procedures-that otherwise wouldn't of been so expensive if they had healthcare coverage prior?
Not covering folks in advance (see insurance) is one of the primary reasons we have healthcare coverage/expense issues.
1
Except in every other country, where somehow it works better and is cheaper.
1
It is interesting to see how uninformed Trump is about how the American political system works. Congress is an equal partner to the President, not his subjects. They were elected to represent their constituents not to bow to every demand of someone who apparently believes that he was elected dictator and not president.
Someone had better figure out how to put some constraints on this authoritarian monster or the republic is doomed. If our best hope lies with the integrity of the Republicans in Congress, I for one am not particularly hopeful.
Someone had better figure out how to put some constraints on this authoritarian monster or the republic is doomed. If our best hope lies with the integrity of the Republicans in Congress, I for one am not particularly hopeful.
2
The repeal of the ACA and its substitution by some half-baked not-though-out plan is a triumph of blind allegiance over critical thinking.
It is also a triumph of blind faith in fuzzy platitudes ("Make American great again") over self-preservation (24 million of you will lose your healthcare).
What a weird country we have created.
It is also a triumph of blind faith in fuzzy platitudes ("Make American great again") over self-preservation (24 million of you will lose your healthcare).
What a weird country we have created.
2
That the ACA is still alive and breathing is the first headline that has not made me feel sick since November.
1
Trump is NOT the problem. The problem is we Americans. We are the problem because we want to tie business into health care. The game starts when I have to spend $800 for a three-month supply of daily 10 mg tablets of Exitimbe, a cholesterol-lowering drug; when a 50 g tube of Finacea cream (for rosacea) costs $300 and when a 30 g tube of the SAME cream costs $30 in France; when a hernia operation (2006; it's more now) costs $14,000 when it would have cost $1400 in France (2006); when doctors are paid $350 per (short) visit when in Europe they would have been paid $35. If a doctor can make $140 an hour in France (4 visits per hour x$35) what is wrong with that? Why does s/he have to make 4x that in the USA? Then the game continues here with deductibles, huge monthly health insurance payments, high co-pays; when you have to fill out 10 detailed pages of legal waivers just to see a doctor in the USA. And this situation has just worsened under every US president, Democrat or Republican.
Trump--spending his well-earned retirement time and own money trying to get elected (primaries)-- is just trying to say stop to all of this; to say Obamacare (could have been any former President-care) should be repealed and replaced, that the Republicans have had eight years to do so, and that those who just say no and offer no solutions should be voted out in 2018.
Trump makes perfect sense!
Trump--spending his well-earned retirement time and own money trying to get elected (primaries)-- is just trying to say stop to all of this; to say Obamacare (could have been any former President-care) should be repealed and replaced, that the Republicans have had eight years to do so, and that those who just say no and offer no solutions should be voted out in 2018.
Trump makes perfect sense!
why won't the dems prevent it coming to the floor in the senate as reps did for 8 years?
we all know a single senator can do this. Dems won't fight for their own skins let alone americans
we all know a single senator can do this. Dems won't fight for their own skins let alone americans
Given the Republican "plan" I want to see repeal. Complete, utter repeal. Let them own their irresponsibility in elections to come.
It's the various constituencies that will decide whether these people get re-elected, not the president. Why is the press making so much of this?
The way the GOP will lose their seats is by rubber stamping Trump's sickening agenda.
The GOP healthcare plan will hurt tens of millions of people, including a LOT of Republicans. The budget proposal is draconian in its cuts to essential programs that seniors rely on - seniors who vote, I might add.
Factor in the growing taint in regards to Russia and Trump's associates, the inanity of blowing money on that stupid wall, and Trump's ability to anger our allies with false assertions and generally stupid comments. Next look at Trump's poll numbers which are decidedly poor, and the GOP should realize that hitching their wagon to a demagogue is more than foolish.
Follow Trump's lead, and 2018 will see a course correction via the electorate. It will be a big year for the Dems.
The GOP healthcare plan will hurt tens of millions of people, including a LOT of Republicans. The budget proposal is draconian in its cuts to essential programs that seniors rely on - seniors who vote, I might add.
Factor in the growing taint in regards to Russia and Trump's associates, the inanity of blowing money on that stupid wall, and Trump's ability to anger our allies with false assertions and generally stupid comments. Next look at Trump's poll numbers which are decidedly poor, and the GOP should realize that hitching their wagon to a demagogue is more than foolish.
Follow Trump's lead, and 2018 will see a course correction via the electorate. It will be a big year for the Dems.
1
Lose your seats indeed. Trump is an ethically corrupt ego maniac who has no idea or sense of the concept of right and wrong.
His actions show a compete disregard for anyone but himself.
His actions show a compete disregard for anyone but himself.
It's almost amusing to watch this sinking would-be tyrant issue empty threats against yet more folks who are mostly on his side. Does he really expect everyone to pretend the FBI's not investigating leads that, if proved true, would make him the most criminal president in history? And he's only held office 2 months.
I hope they all drown in public contempt with Trump.
Wishful thinking. As usual, you ignore the millions of voters who have nothing but contempt for Obama, democrats and Obamacare.
There are millions of Americans looking forward to not being forced to purchase one Obamacare product from one insurer, if they're lucky enough to have an insurer left in their area.
Those paying full price tend to notice when they're being taken for a ride, and most importantly, THEY VOTE.
There are millions of Americans looking forward to not being forced to purchase one Obamacare product from one insurer, if they're lucky enough to have an insurer left in their area.
Those paying full price tend to notice when they're being taken for a ride, and most importantly, THEY VOTE.
So Mr create jobs threatens to sack people he can't sack and still has hundreds of senior positions yet to fill. Maybe there just arent enough billionaires to go round ! He will be exhausted after a busy week, maybe a round of golf might help.
So we get to see another round of Trump's "masterful" negotiating at work and, surprise, there's no art, it's just ham-fisted, belligerent fear-mongering. He's a fraud through and through.
Why is it the Republican's need to destroy this healthcare plan in its totality. Why can't they use it and make it better. Even Obama knew it wasn't the best that could be done. But you have something in place you can work from to improve together for the good of the people - all the people! And for the right reasons. Where is this approach? I know it doesn't exist any more with this person in the White House and the other kids in their houses. It makes me very sad that these people continue to just destroy what America is all about...in the name of??? I don't know anymore, but god bless my kids and their future! Because there are no blessings coming out of Washington anytime soon.....
The delightful alternative is that actually repealing Obamacare and replacing it with the harsh, uneven, expensive, and ideological dogs breakfast now before the slavering House Republicans (well, some of them anyway) may lead to the very outcome Trump has threatened -- they'll all lose their jobs in 2018.
That a long sentence. The short version is that they'll lose either way, hooray, hooray! Unfortunately, that means the rest of us do, too. Surely, if Congress just said "let's design a system that really works" it should be possible to do so. Fat chance they will, though.
That a long sentence. The short version is that they'll lose either way, hooray, hooray! Unfortunately, that means the rest of us do, too. Surely, if Congress just said "let's design a system that really works" it should be possible to do so. Fat chance they will, though.
1
As reported in elsewhere in the NYTimes, the Republican scheme to replace the Affordable Care Act actually results in 1million more people losing health coverage than if the Republicans opted only to repeal and not replace. That's how bad the replacement is https://nyti.ms/2mMjNlL
Again, this outcome highlights the misguided priorities of the Republicans' scheme. For them, saving the 1% from the horror of paying more on capital gains vastly outweighs improving the lives of millions of ordinary Americans. The 400 wealthiest taxpayers will save about $7million/year. I'm guessing Trump knows most of those people by name.
Again, this outcome highlights the misguided priorities of the Republicans' scheme. For them, saving the 1% from the horror of paying more on capital gains vastly outweighs improving the lives of millions of ordinary Americans. The 400 wealthiest taxpayers will save about $7million/year. I'm guessing Trump knows most of those people by name.
1
Threats and fear now run the Republican Party! All hale our Fearless Negotiator Donald "most obey" Trump, the enforcer President?
Now I know trump is delusional. He thinks has political capital.
More likely Mr. President they'll lose their job voting For this terrible charade. That's what I've warned my Representative's office on the phone this morning. I'm recently retired and have lots of time to go door to door in 2018.
It´s a giant circus. Never the United States were deapest sunken. In Europe nobody undertands how the people has voted this person. Welcome to a dictatorial era like the years of Franco or Mussolini, here in Europe. A pity for Human Race. (in Europe health is a public service. It´s more cheap, less expensive. Here nobody dies because the money intervene)
2
A president with a 37% approval rating and dropping, likely inditments for top staffers, no legislator with a spine would be intimidated by this windbag.
I live in Hungary, a country ruled by its own Putin mini-me (affectionately known as Pocket Putin), so you know things are bad when people are now saying, "well, things are bad here, but it could be worse. We could be living in the US." It's not a joke. At least here we have universal healthcare and the government believes in science.
1
I would take the complaints with a grain of salt. It's not as though democrats would ever support anything proposed by republicans.
When and if Americans want universal care, they'll let their politicians know. Right now, Americans are demanding to be unshackled from Obamacare. They want their old plans, doctors, specialists, etc., back. They hated having to (a) purchase a product over which they had no control; and (b) pay an inflated price for something they didn't want.
After all, this isn't the old Soviet Russia, where citizens are told what they must buy and that they must like it.
When and if Americans want universal care, they'll let their politicians know. Right now, Americans are demanding to be unshackled from Obamacare. They want their old plans, doctors, specialists, etc., back. They hated having to (a) purchase a product over which they had no control; and (b) pay an inflated price for something they didn't want.
After all, this isn't the old Soviet Russia, where citizens are told what they must buy and that they must like it.
Great! Trump is threatening his own party, insisting they cut their own voters' throats. They're the second-to-the-last group he's got left on his side; the last is the mob of his diehard fans.
It's jaw-dropping. He's under investigation for collusion with the Russians, and the circumstantial evidence looks really bad—but he's continuing to pretend to have strong-arm power. The only thing more jaw-dropping is that he still has his fans fooled. Will they understand when they or their relatives lose healthcare?
I just hope his crash-and-burn comes soon, before he can do any more damage to this country and its international relations.
It's jaw-dropping. He's under investigation for collusion with the Russians, and the circumstantial evidence looks really bad—but he's continuing to pretend to have strong-arm power. The only thing more jaw-dropping is that he still has his fans fooled. Will they understand when they or their relatives lose healthcare?
I just hope his crash-and-burn comes soon, before he can do any more damage to this country and its international relations.
1
Trump believes all his ill conceived policies must be enacted immediately. Paul Ryan wants to deliver a tax cut gift to wealthy Americans. It is a run away train.
Trump is looking old, haggard, every bit of his 70 years. He has regained his big spare tire, fat ring around his middle. Looks like someone is aging quite fast due to all the stress created by himself. Couldn't happen to a more deserving person.
Trump is looking old, haggard, every bit of his 70 years. He has regained his big spare tire, fat ring around his middle. Looks like someone is aging quite fast due to all the stress created by himself. Couldn't happen to a more deserving person.
2
Folks, nothing about DT's behavior should surprise anyone who has a basic understanding of narcissistic personality disorder. His flailing and state of constant turmoil has little to do with being woefully unprepared to be in the white house. Flailing and constant turmoil is what he "is" and what he brings to any situation he attends to. What I find most disturbing is the sickening smirks on the faces of guys like Tom Price, Paul Ryan, and Mitch McConnell who ALL know they are hanging around a very sick individual, but could care less because now they can safely stop pretending to be "decent" men and can ride fast and free on DTs coat tails.
While DT may currently be under the delusion that these men all admire him. The truth is, they are the same breed of parasites that need to be on the radar of anyone with great wealth. These kinds of relationships never end well. One of two things will likely happen in the next year, DT will realize that nobody likes him and will start attacking all of these men while becoming more and more erratic, or his tanking public support will cause these parasites to move onto their next host and he will become more and more erratic. Either way, we are watching a ticking time-bomb. Narcissists lack depth and don't do well under the microscope. DT is going to crack, because that is who he is. Let's just hope the rest of us can get out of the way when it happens.
While DT may currently be under the delusion that these men all admire him. The truth is, they are the same breed of parasites that need to be on the radar of anyone with great wealth. These kinds of relationships never end well. One of two things will likely happen in the next year, DT will realize that nobody likes him and will start attacking all of these men while becoming more and more erratic, or his tanking public support will cause these parasites to move onto their next host and he will become more and more erratic. Either way, we are watching a ticking time-bomb. Narcissists lack depth and don't do well under the microscope. DT is going to crack, because that is who he is. Let's just hope the rest of us can get out of the way when it happens.
Trump doesn't know or care what Obamacare does; he doesn't know or care what TrumpCare#1 does; he doesn't know or care what is in TrumpCare#2.
All trump wants is a photo-op, while he signs whatever they put in front of him; and the glowing headlines he'll expect for winning; and endless tweeting: we've won - we've killed Obama.
He's likely dreaming of a Friday morning triumphal trip up Pennsylvania Avenue astride his golden chariot: woe be to anybody who interferes with that.
For the sake of Americans I hope he fails.
If he fails he's going to lose it on those republicans who voted against him. They'll be at each other's throats...might turn out to be a fun tv weekend for a change.
All trump wants is a photo-op, while he signs whatever they put in front of him; and the glowing headlines he'll expect for winning; and endless tweeting: we've won - we've killed Obama.
He's likely dreaming of a Friday morning triumphal trip up Pennsylvania Avenue astride his golden chariot: woe be to anybody who interferes with that.
For the sake of Americans I hope he fails.
If he fails he's going to lose it on those republicans who voted against him. They'll be at each other's throats...might turn out to be a fun tv weekend for a change.
Wait, didn't Trump tell us just a few weeks ago that "nobody knew how complicated it was" to create a health care plan and it might take all this year and maybe the next? Then, a few weeks before that, he said that he had a "Wonderful, wonderful" plan that would cover EVERYONE?
And people are only realizing now what a compulsive liar he is and expects to continue to be?
And people are only realizing now what a compulsive liar he is and expects to continue to be?
Well, as Mr. Trump knows, there's a sucker born every day. And these Republicans who are terrified of his mumble, grumble, "I'll fire you!" threats, are pure suckers with absolutely no backbone. The Republican party is the biggest, most embarrassing display of stupidity, fear, chaotic thinking and outright thuggery that this country has ever seen. They disgust anyone with an ounce of dignity.
If Trumpcare passes it is because Trump is such a good snake oil salesman. We have to admit Trump made a brilliant argument to House Republicans:
"If you do not vote for Trumpcare you will lose your seat."
Trump could have argued
"Tumpcare will get healthcare to every last American and will save us billions in the process."
Trump has already said bigger lies than that but he knows that giving healthcare to Americans is not persuasive with Republicans in Congress.
We have to give it to Trump. What Congressman would oppose Trumpcare if you threaten them with losing his or her seat? Of course this is a lie, but hey if you going to trade in alternative facts you may as well go for the jugular.
"If you do not vote for Trumpcare you will lose your seat."
Trump could have argued
"Tumpcare will get healthcare to every last American and will save us billions in the process."
Trump has already said bigger lies than that but he knows that giving healthcare to Americans is not persuasive with Republicans in Congress.
We have to give it to Trump. What Congressman would oppose Trumpcare if you threaten them with losing his or her seat? Of course this is a lie, but hey if you going to trade in alternative facts you may as well go for the jugular.
1
Trump is no President. He is a big bully. The big question is, will the Republican legislators allow themselves to be brow-beaten?
"The use of a political threat was a classic tactic for Mr. Trump, who keeps a running mental tally of his backers and detractors, and frequently boasts of his efforts to exact revenge from those who have crossed him."
This land mass is, at least at this point, still the United States of America, and not some sublet of North Korea or the Kremlin. Or is it?
This land mass is, at least at this point, still the United States of America, and not some sublet of North Korea or the Kremlin. Or is it?
"I'm going to come after you"
The bully in chief threatens legislators with the loss of their seats if they refuse to pass a bill that is surely to bring about the loss of their seats...
The GOP is self destructing at a dizzying speed.
The bully in chief threatens legislators with the loss of their seats if they refuse to pass a bill that is surely to bring about the loss of their seats...
The GOP is self destructing at a dizzying speed.
1
The only way POTUS Trump's HealthCare Plan could be cheaper and cover more people than ObamaCare is if they replace it with (drum roll),...
Russia's HealthCare System.
Which we all know is possible since his BFF, Partner-n-Crime, His March of Dimes, His Wind Chimes, His Lemon to the Lime, His Now is the Time,..is Vladimir.
Russia's HealthCare System.
Which we all know is possible since his BFF, Partner-n-Crime, His March of Dimes, His Wind Chimes, His Lemon to the Lime, His Now is the Time,..is Vladimir.
3
How much do we bet Trump doesn't even understand the details of this Bill?! He is such a boorish, broken record. Threats, lies & attacks - He is quickly approaching bankruptcy on any political capital this man may have had. Actually - who would ever trust them with their health care?! He has a minority of enthusiastically committed voters who he needs to hold rallies with to build his faltering/gigantic ego.
Obamacare has it's problems and by far the best hope to craft something better is to negotiate - give & take; something Congress & the GOP know little about. Trump simply wants Health Care off his To Do List no matter how bad it may be for America.
Obamacare has it's problems and by far the best hope to craft something better is to negotiate - give & take; something Congress & the GOP know little about. Trump simply wants Health Care off his To Do List no matter how bad it may be for America.
This guy has 37% approval amongst American people and under investigation by the FBI. He needs to save his own skin.
It's typical of the bait and switch tactics so beloved of Trump.
First he promises voters a better healthcare bill for everyone. Who wouldn't want that? Then even though the actual bill will be more expensive for almost everyone, will mean 24 million 'everyones' will lose their healthcare coverage and the insurance companies will squeeze even greater profits, Trump threatens legislators who don't back the bill they (he) promised the voters.
The art of the deal is lie up front and dodge later. That's what we elected.
First he promises voters a better healthcare bill for everyone. Who wouldn't want that? Then even though the actual bill will be more expensive for almost everyone, will mean 24 million 'everyones' will lose their healthcare coverage and the insurance companies will squeeze even greater profits, Trump threatens legislators who don't back the bill they (he) promised the voters.
The art of the deal is lie up front and dodge later. That's what we elected.
196
And you,sir, believed him?
Not for a millisecond, Mr. Pressman, did I believe him. Snake oil has a unique smell and it has always surrounded Trump's bubble.
But he was elected all the same.
But he was elected all the same.
No sir. "We" did *not* elect him. Historically, the use of the word "we" when referring to the voters is taken to mean the *majority" of the voters. This is something that 45 certainly is *not*. He was, rather *selected* by the Electoral College, who reneged on their constitutional obligation to prevent just such an incompetent demagogue as this inflicted upon us.
Mr. Trump promises wonderful things and then twists the arms of Congressmen who indicate they'll oppose a bill that won't deliver those wonderful things that are so important to people.
I picture a day when Trump will go to a rally in Ohio or Kentucky or one of his other favorite "give me my love fix" locations and find himself booed off the stage.
I picture a day when Trump will go to a rally in Ohio or Kentucky or one of his other favorite "give me my love fix" locations and find himself booed off the stage.
5
All these process shows exactly how Trump run his business: by bullying. It is very sad to see it in action in the highest office of this country.
7
I hope both those on the Right and on the Left combine to erase Obamacare totaly, without making the mistake of trying for Obamacare 2.0. The free marketplace is where healthcare should happen, not from congressmen trying to buy votes by spending the productive citizens tax money. The first law, survival of the fittest should be the law that takes place in healthcare.
So Trump threatens to "come after" Republicans who disobey him and make them lose their seats.
Is he under the impression that he has the clout to succeed at that?
Is he under the impression that he has the clout to succeed at that?
2
trump's abysmal ignorance and mindless reckless combativeness is leading him to ruin
5
Trump promised not to change Medicaid.
Unfortunately he'll purposefully do harm to the nation's health + wellness to be seen as the 'great negotiator' who brought this horrible bill to fruition, even if it destroys every last one of us.
Meanwhile, he oversees a party using scorched earth tactics believing they have a mandate to eliminate soundly designed health care forever.
Unfortunately he'll purposefully do harm to the nation's health + wellness to be seen as the 'great negotiator' who brought this horrible bill to fruition, even if it destroys every last one of us.
Meanwhile, he oversees a party using scorched earth tactics believing they have a mandate to eliminate soundly designed health care forever.
4
Trump's logic and threats are wrong. House Republicans will lose their seats, if the VOTE FOR this "so-called" Health Care Law.
4
The Empowering Insurance Act kicks 24 million off insurance, provides a smoking tax break for people that don't need it, and establishes the First American Death Panel: T-rump, Pence, McConnell, Ryan and Price.
5
Not exactly the move I'd make if I were in Trump's shoes. With all that is coming out with the potential to be damaging to him, giving verbal warnings to the very people who could soon be voting for or against his impeachment doesn't seem like the wisest strategy.
Of course, one might be forgiven at this point for wondering if Trump is in the slightest motivated by considerations over what strategy is wisest. He seems to be far more concerned about what will satisfy his ego over the next five minutes, rather than what will benefit the country over the next ten years.
Of course, one might be forgiven at this point for wondering if Trump is in the slightest motivated by considerations over what strategy is wisest. He seems to be far more concerned about what will satisfy his ego over the next five minutes, rather than what will benefit the country over the next ten years.
6
Around this time when Obamacare was being rolled out, Obama was running around the country promising everyone he/she could keep his/her doctor and plan. Pelosi hadn't a clue and admitted as much. It's highly unlikely republicans will make the same mistakes.
Considering (a) they are still negotiating/drafting the legislation, and (b) they will actually know what's in it, I feel confident it will never be the disaster that was Obamacare.
Considering (a) they are still negotiating/drafting the legislation, and (b) they will actually know what's in it, I feel confident it will never be the disaster that was Obamacare.
Nothing demonstrates the failure of "democracy" in America better than this. A single vote in congress in some gerrymandered district is used to do what is perceived to be in the interest of the "party" over the best and right thing for the country - using blackmail, bribery, and threats.
This has been going on for years in both parties - ONE vote in congress and winning a future election is worth destroying society bit by bit because of "party". Gerrymandering and money in politics have destroyed the very idea of democracy. Pretending otherwise or looking away from this problem can only lead to ruin.
This has been going on for years in both parties - ONE vote in congress and winning a future election is worth destroying society bit by bit because of "party". Gerrymandering and money in politics have destroyed the very idea of democracy. Pretending otherwise or looking away from this problem can only lead to ruin.
6
Trump's "all in" on this push for not-even-his health care bill so he can move on to cutting taxes. Tricky fellow: He's hoping most folks will not realize this bill IS the first tax cut...the other cuts for the 1% will be gravy.
2
Actually, Republicans have more to worry about in 2018 if they follow Trump into the abyss. Trump is nothing but a loudmouth whose approval ratings continue to slump.
3
Trumpcare is to health insurance what Trump University was to higher education.
5
He can’t be ignored, but we can take some satisfaction from the fact that -- having scraped the absolute bottom of the barrel of potential Presidents -- the only possible direction from here is up.
3
It is very likely that if the Republicans lose their seats in 2018 (which is highly unlikely), it will be more of a reflection on trump and his antics than on the Republican congressmen.
2
Apparently, the so-called President is as confused about the electoral process as he is about the roles of the three branches of government. For the record, the reps might lose their seats in mid-terms but it will be the voters call not Trump's.
3
The ACA is flawed. Nonetheless, friends of those who are currently insured via the ACA should inform them: "Anyone who tells you that 'Trump-Ryan-Care will provide you with greater benefits at lower premium costs' is either a liar, a nut-case, shamelessly unconcerned about your welfare or hopelessly misinformed."
3
It's long past the time when anyone can claim the ACA is a success for moving 80% of its enrollees onto Medicaid.
The problem is that there is also a very large cohort who hate the ACA. They don't like higher premiums for fewer choices. And they don't appreciate having to subsidize others while their premiums skyrocket. To them, having more insurance options and being able to pick their doctors is a very big deal.
The problem is that there is also a very large cohort who hate the ACA. They don't like higher premiums for fewer choices. And they don't appreciate having to subsidize others while their premiums skyrocket. To them, having more insurance options and being able to pick their doctors is a very big deal.
This is my first look at the Trump style.. fear through intimidation. This is about the healthcare of the nation, not nursing Trump's ego.
Healthcare, especially appealing, universal healthcare has always been a political football in some countries, such as the UK, where the ruling party has always tried to do something "flashy" to woo the crowd over.
Following the football analogy, it's starting to seem that though the republicans have total control of the field, their coach is screaming for them to kick it into the goal or be sacked, only he's not sure which side is the right one.
Following the football analogy, it's starting to seem that though the republicans have total control of the field, their coach is screaming for them to kick it into the goal or be sacked, only he's not sure which side is the right one.
Pretty strong for a President with a 37% approval rating, his bullying isn't helping him win votes...
1
What could be equally observed is that they may well be voted out of office if they vote to repeal the ACA in favor of their proposal. The question is: will these Republicans be scared of Trump or will they be smart enough to consider that they could be replaced by Democrats if they vote to do something which harms the very people who voted them into office?
2
Affordable Care or trump's Don't Care are health insurance plans not health care plans. Insurance companies should be summoned to congressional hearings. Insurance companies decide who they cover and how much they charge.
2
I doubt that being threatened by a bully with a 37% approval rating and who has abdicated the unofficial title of "leader of the free world" to Angela Merkel is going to have much impact. Congressional Republicans are more afraid of their angry constituents than a President who becomes less popular and less powerful every day.
3
I hope the congress people are doing their own research to see the impact to their re-electability. Seems like the "electoral math" is (hopefully) against this one.
Constituents warn House Republicans: Support new health law and lose your seat.
2
On this one Trump is doing what every wily politician does...uses his alleged political strength to deliver the legislative goods. In this case the holdouts are right. The legislation is more damaging than correcting of the current health care law. But I relish the sight of Trump going after Republicans in their home districts. I think it may prove finally to be the exposure of the wizard for the popular fraud that he is.
2
President Trump cannot use authoritarian tactics to push any bill through Congress, especially a bill as important to all Americans as healthcare. Representatives know their constituents and their needs. If they are worried about losing their seats, it is because they do not consider the needs of their constituents. President Trump cannot threaten those who go against him and should consider losing his own seat.
1
Just wait until there is a breakdown of each congressional district and state with the number of people who will lose insurance or at least be negatively impacted. There will be recriminations.
How does a President trending between 37-39% job approval and under criminal investigation send this kind of message threatening others' jobs? lol
1
It's called Bullying 101 - the hallmark of his leadership style.
Trump and party leadership refute the concept of "representatives" of the people as they expect House members to do as told to as members of the House and at-will employees of Trump, Inc.
1
There will be only one question during the next election which needs to be answered: "Are you better now after Trump or were you better off before?" The answer to that question should determine the outcome.
In reality, it may well turn out to be "repeal health law and then lose your seat".
1
It seems to me Trump is trying to blackmail Rpublicans in the House of Representatives to vote for this bill. The take away message is if you don't do as I say, I make sure you loose your job, for clearly Trump believes these Representatives work for him and not for the people they suppose to represent.
How can these Representatives in the House forget Trump's favored saying on his TV show which was "you are fired". If the Representatives in the House cave in to Trump's blackmail they certainly deserve to be voted out of office in 2018.
Clearly the tide has turned and more people are now in favor of healthcare coverage and members in Congress need to listen to their constituents and do what is good for them.
How can these Representatives in the House forget Trump's favored saying on his TV show which was "you are fired". If the Representatives in the House cave in to Trump's blackmail they certainly deserve to be voted out of office in 2018.
Clearly the tide has turned and more people are now in favor of healthcare coverage and members in Congress need to listen to their constituents and do what is good for them.
2
Our President isn't asking members of Congress to vote using their best judgement and their conscience on the facts of this bill, instead he's threatening to work to remove them from office if they don't vote the way he wants them to vote. Yes, we are moving closer and closer to that dictatorship that everyone thinks is impossible in the U.S.A.
2
Would someone tell him how the three branches of government work -- please!
1
Doesn't Trump know that his numbers are tanking? Representatives might do better to vote against him.
1
Fasten your seatbelt. 2018 is going to be good!
But isn't blackmail a felony?
2
Here in the gerrymandered PA-16, I understand & appreciate the financial & political pressures pushing at our GOP rookie representative to support Trumpcare, but there is an alternative, for which he & his GOP colleagues have enthusiastic popular support.
Thursday's YEA-votes will just add to that Enemy-of-the-People list.
Thursday's YEA-votes will just add to that Enemy-of-the-People list.
1
How do you know when Trump is making progress? He is called a "big bully," and his critics start quoting media reports of his low approval ratings, which are likely just as wrong now as they were before.
1
Is this what they teach you at Trump University after they swindle you out of your life savings? Don't forget that every student Trump bankrupted started as a Trump admirer. To Trump, that made them easily-conned suckers. See you on the quad.
I can''t presume to have any experience with presidential pressure. But, as a voter in Indiana, I can promise my representatives that I will vote against any of them that support Tryancare (Trump + Ryan) health bill.
2
Although additional evidence of Trump's stupidity and political unawareness is hardly needed, once again his bullying of House Republicans delivers more.
Dumb Donald doesn't realize that with his 37% approval rating, standing up to him and being identified as a legislator who DOESN'T succumb to his threats - is more a badge of honor than to appear selfish by doing as he says.
Many political campaigns have succeeded by distancing a local candidate from an unpopular national figure. Does Trump think that his "mandate" from a popular vote minority gives him standing to instill fear in a Congressman? "Running Against Trump" would be the easiest campaign plan possible in 2018 - especially if Trump continues his current "leadership" of "Making America Great Again" by alienates allies, demeaning America's international image, refilling the "Swamp," and "leading" under a cloud of suspicion unprecedented in Presidential annals.
Trump attracted a minority of the popular vote by "Running Against Hillary." He's done such a "great" job at the helm thus far that he would be even dumber than he's appeared to be as to think "Running Against Trump" in 2018 or 2020 wouldn't be the easiest path to (re)-election.
This alleged show of muscle comes in the midst of several ongoing investigations that have already begun to show cracks in Trump's credibility both here and abroad.
One is not certain he'd like his election/re-election campaign supported by the political astuteness of Trump.
Dumb Donald doesn't realize that with his 37% approval rating, standing up to him and being identified as a legislator who DOESN'T succumb to his threats - is more a badge of honor than to appear selfish by doing as he says.
Many political campaigns have succeeded by distancing a local candidate from an unpopular national figure. Does Trump think that his "mandate" from a popular vote minority gives him standing to instill fear in a Congressman? "Running Against Trump" would be the easiest campaign plan possible in 2018 - especially if Trump continues his current "leadership" of "Making America Great Again" by alienates allies, demeaning America's international image, refilling the "Swamp," and "leading" under a cloud of suspicion unprecedented in Presidential annals.
Trump attracted a minority of the popular vote by "Running Against Hillary." He's done such a "great" job at the helm thus far that he would be even dumber than he's appeared to be as to think "Running Against Trump" in 2018 or 2020 wouldn't be the easiest path to (re)-election.
This alleged show of muscle comes in the midst of several ongoing investigations that have already begun to show cracks in Trump's credibility both here and abroad.
One is not certain he'd like his election/re-election campaign supported by the political astuteness of Trump.
3
I am an Italian - now living in Spain. As an Italian, I have already voiced this: me and my compatriots have already seen these antics, in the long reign of Berlusconi. Exactly the same: "Do as I say, or else your seat is gone".
B. literally owned his party, whereas Trump is maybe just deluded, but their inability to understand that the freedom to vote as they saw fit is what distinguishes representatives in a democracy from "yes-men" in a regime seems to be the same.
A word of cautions to the whole GOP: beware, it is a no-way-back road.
Once a party accepts to be little more than a chorus of supporters for its chief, then its successor will pretend the same - and it can also spread to the adversary party.
These GOP "resisters" have their reasons to not vote a law that they believe is not worth of their support, making their choice on behalf of their voters.
That's what they have been elected for, the whole reason of their presence in the aisles.
If representatives becomes nothing more than rubber-stampers on the executive power's initiatives, there is little to no reason to have them in the first place... they become useless.
In fact, after twenty years in which this has become the norm in my country, the opposite party of B.'s started slashing their numbers - supposedly an effort to curb the cost of politics, really one aimed at tightening the reigns on the few free-thinkers still around.
Beware, GOP: authoritarianism is a slippery slope.
Once it takes hold...
B. literally owned his party, whereas Trump is maybe just deluded, but their inability to understand that the freedom to vote as they saw fit is what distinguishes representatives in a democracy from "yes-men" in a regime seems to be the same.
A word of cautions to the whole GOP: beware, it is a no-way-back road.
Once a party accepts to be little more than a chorus of supporters for its chief, then its successor will pretend the same - and it can also spread to the adversary party.
These GOP "resisters" have their reasons to not vote a law that they believe is not worth of their support, making their choice on behalf of their voters.
That's what they have been elected for, the whole reason of their presence in the aisles.
If representatives becomes nothing more than rubber-stampers on the executive power's initiatives, there is little to no reason to have them in the first place... they become useless.
In fact, after twenty years in which this has become the norm in my country, the opposite party of B.'s started slashing their numbers - supposedly an effort to curb the cost of politics, really one aimed at tightening the reigns on the few free-thinkers still around.
Beware, GOP: authoritarianism is a slippery slope.
Once it takes hold...
1
If Obama had threatened to campaign against the Blue Dog Democrats, he could have pushed through universal single payer healthcare. The Supreme Court would not have been able to declare pieces of it unconstitutional, and this repeal and replace thing would be dead on arrival because people would not want to give up healthcare paid for with taxes on the rich.
So with their usual fear of doing the right thing for political reasons, Republicans will probably push this, or something just as bad, through.
So with their usual fear of doing the right thing for political reasons, Republicans will probably push this, or something just as bad, through.
For years Republicans wailed that Democrats passed a bill that nobody had read. It is true that Democrats did some last minute rework on the bill to get the necessary votes (which happens to a lot of legislation), but the bill had spent 10 months being developed with a lot of meetings and input from industry.
And here are the Republicans thinking that 10 months was too rushed, trying to create their own version in two months.
And here are the Republicans thinking that 10 months was too rushed, trying to create their own version in two months.
"Repeal health law or lose your seats." Trump has often boasted about being the best deal maker in the history of the world. If so, why can't he cut a deal with the Republican holdouts? He wouldn't have to resort to coercion and vengeance.
Trump is weak and scared of losing, call him out and push him in a corner until he breaks! Then, "he will lose his job".
This is how a supposed "successful businessman" who managed to become president, with the help of Russia, negotiates? Threats, bullying, appeals to personal vanity? It shouldn't be surprising since that's who he is, but I guess his skill at making deals deals is yet another lie.
1
As if Donald Trump will be in a position to make or break anybody come the 2018 mid-terms. At that point he may be struggling to keep his own job.
1
Trump seems not to understand that Congress is answerable to the voters, not to the President. The voters can fire them, but the President can't.
Pass this bill and lose your seats. Ryan/Trump put vulnerable Republicans in a no win situation. They went along with repeal and replace but their constituencies will never buy the replacement.
2
Next series of tweets from 44.5
"Ah, but the strawberries, that's, that's where I had them, they laughed at me and made jokes, but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, with geometric logic, that a duplicate key to the White House icebox did exist, and I've had produced that key if they hadn't taken the nuclear codes away from me as a distraction."
"Ah, but the strawberries, that's, that's where I had them, they laughed at me and made jokes, but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, with geometric logic, that a duplicate key to the White House icebox did exist, and I've had produced that key if they hadn't taken the nuclear codes away from me as a distraction."
I predict the opposite of what Trump is saying. If this bill were to pass I predict many of the legislators who voted for it will lose many votes in the next election. The bill doesn't expand access and will cause millions who have coverage to lose it. It shifts the cost burden to the States and reduces the Federal budget for health care. It will hurt the Republican Party badly.
1
Welcome to the calculus of politicians beholden to the those working class Whites dependent upon Obamacare. These politicians must weigh their own political survival against the prospect of voting for Trumpcare/Ryancare, and, thereby, wasting political capital on a President whose administration is hounded by investigations that could possible lead to, at the very least further erosion of Trump's dismal approving ratings, and, at worst, his downfall.
2
Is he implying that he does have the power to affect elections?
Every day is another threat. It's amazing how he's getting away with this.
Every day is another threat. It's amazing how he's getting away with this.
If that's what Trump says then it's rick and a hard place for the GOP. It's just as likely passing this ill considered mess of a plan will cost them their jobs.
If the boss threatens to make a worker redundant through a lack of sycophancy but pretends that this attempt at blackmail is an alternative misinterpretation of non-factual fake dialogue he heard elsewhere despite saying it before countless witnesses, is he still open to litigation from his employees or is the spoken word no longer slanderous where everything is taken out of context - and to truly understand the content we must visit the speakers heart - thus ignoring the perceived threats of reprisal directed at a worker showing an independent mind?
He said, she said, don't blame me, I just work here?
He said, she said, don't blame me, I just work here?
1
An "early test of his negotiating power" you say? Since when has threatening, "I'm going to come after you," legislators "with political payback" been called "negotiating" and stopped being called browbeating?
Trump is extorting votes but he is also preparing his excuses for the hammering the GOP will take in the mid-term elections. These guys don't have much time remaining before the public throws them out, lock, stock, and barrel.
2
Trump is blowing hot air - he can't determine who gets re-elected or not. In fact, by the next midterm elections, Trump may find that an endorsement from him is the equivalent of a poison blow-dart in the jugular for those congress members.
Better for the congress members look WITHIN THEMSELVES and try to locate a center of morality, decency, and sanity - and vote based on what is best for THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY. WE ARE THEIR CONSTITUENCY, not Trump.
And if they don't have the guts or spine to do that, they deserve to be voted out, but it won't be because of Trump's blustering.
Better for the congress members look WITHIN THEMSELVES and try to locate a center of morality, decency, and sanity - and vote based on what is best for THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY. WE ARE THEIR CONSTITUENCY, not Trump.
And if they don't have the guts or spine to do that, they deserve to be voted out, but it won't be because of Trump's blustering.
1
I expect the same from Trump- health care FOR ALL Americans while also lowering premiums. Otherwise, he is out of a job.
I doubt that anyone believes that their job rests in the hands of a madman who won't last the year in office.
1
The American people still have the "trump" card over President Trump and his reprehensible political party.
President Trump can only THREATEN lawmakers with losing their seats. He can't actually make it happen.
The American people, on the other hand, CAN make that happen.
And if this bill passes, that's exactly what Americans should do.
President Trump can only THREATEN lawmakers with losing their seats. He can't actually make it happen.
The American people, on the other hand, CAN make that happen.
And if this bill passes, that's exactly what Americans should do.
1
President Trump threats to members of Congress sound more like the mafia, than how politics is supposed to work.
President Trump, who attracted 62,985,106 votes or 45.9% of those who voted, continues to ignore that 54.1% of voters who did not want a President Trump. This will not end well, when an unpopular candidate tries to enforce his will and politics on members of Congress. In under nine weeks of his Presidency, Donald Trump continues to show on a daily basis, why he is unfit to remain as President of the United States.
President Trump, who attracted 62,985,106 votes or 45.9% of those who voted, continues to ignore that 54.1% of voters who did not want a President Trump. This will not end well, when an unpopular candidate tries to enforce his will and politics on members of Congress. In under nine weeks of his Presidency, Donald Trump continues to show on a daily basis, why he is unfit to remain as President of the United States.
Legislators should think of the people they represent rather than the person at 1600 Pa Ave, not only because that is what they were elected to do but also because the people they represent will be the ones voting for or against them in the next election.
They are many; he is one. It is they who should remove him from his seat, not the other way around.
They are many; he is one. It is they who should remove him from his seat, not the other way around.
1
So now Trump is threatening legislators. He still doesn't get it. He's not the boss of the Congress, the Judiciary or the American people. He doesn't get to decide who gets elected unless he's engaged in massive election fraud.
The picture with this article represents the epitome of why this proposed "better" healthcare coverage bill is such a farce...wealthy and out of touch with the common (wo)man.
I'm willing to bet that Trump, Price, Ryan and many other of their cronies pushing this joke of a bill have never experienced someone they care about lose everything due to illness and an inability to afford decent (if any) coverage...or know (or have known) someone in dire need of mental health services, end up on the street or dead due to a lack of community services and/or no or shoddy coverage...or sick kids getting sicker due to the same. The situations described above are countless and to Trump and his ilk they belong to the faceless out of sight, out of mind citizens/tax payers of this country.
From every objective source I've seen, this bill will be detrimental to all who need affordable, (not the same thing as accessible) coverage; the older population and the poor. I continue to be baffled that Trump supporters aren't as outraged as the rest of us.
I'm willing to bet that Trump, Price, Ryan and many other of their cronies pushing this joke of a bill have never experienced someone they care about lose everything due to illness and an inability to afford decent (if any) coverage...or know (or have known) someone in dire need of mental health services, end up on the street or dead due to a lack of community services and/or no or shoddy coverage...or sick kids getting sicker due to the same. The situations described above are countless and to Trump and his ilk they belong to the faceless out of sight, out of mind citizens/tax payers of this country.
From every objective source I've seen, this bill will be detrimental to all who need affordable, (not the same thing as accessible) coverage; the older population and the poor. I continue to be baffled that Trump supporters aren't as outraged as the rest of us.
1
"I'm going to come after you" are words from the mouth of a paper tiger. After all, it's the House that has impeachment powers over the president and not the other way around.
At this point a case can easily be made that 45 has violated the Emoluments Clause and so 45 is now president solely at the pleasure of Republicans in Congress.
At this point a case can easily be made that 45 has violated the Emoluments Clause and so 45 is now president solely at the pleasure of Republicans in Congress.
The president is threatening legislators with political retaliation? I guess I am not too surprised, because on Planet Trump this may seem like something acceptable to do. For the rest of us it smacks more and more of dictatorship.