[MikeGotTalentz]

So smokers have to pay for uninsured kids?

ACK!

[idobestbuyonlinepp]

[JetePlentuara]

Universal Health care needs to be passed.

[HonestSean]

Who's going to pay for it?

If it gets passed you'll see the same thing we do here. Massive tax increases, and a decrease in the quality of health care. You'll see rationing, and waiting lists.

It's likely we will see an increase in waiting lines, since we'd be adding the tens of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured. I don't see how you can predict a decrease in the quality of health care, given the atrocious state of America's current system. We already rank below developed countries with evil "socialized" medicine, while at the same time our per capita spending is 2-3x more.

[yarita]

oh, and no more whining from liberals about regressive taxes, this nails people who cant afford it

[perpelverw]

The problem with cig taxes is, of course, if people wise up and quit, your revenue goes poof.

Universal Healthcare I'm for. But it's gotta be financed via income taxes.

-Arrian

[seervezex]

Yeah... but if you had to finance it via income taxes, then eveybody would have to pay for it, and wouldn't be as popular. Now they can just dump on the smokers, since eveybody hates them anyway Bingo.

To be fair about the costs of Uni Healthcare, the cost increase in taxes would be offset (in whole or in part) by not having to pay for your employer plan anymore (and, theoretically at least, the savings by the employer is equivalent to a juicy tax cut for businesses. Wait, why do Republicans hate this idea again? ).

-Arrian

[KraskiNetu]

Yeah... but if you had to finance it via income taxes, then eveybody would have to pay for it, and wouldn't be as popular. Now they can just dump on the smokers, since eveybody hates them anyway

And yes, a stupid idea since the costs will only increase over time while the revenue continues to decline. Real brilliant economics there...

Yes sir, why thinking about future revenue streams when you could use a political boogeyman?

[Yyaqyped]

Just for once, I would love to see them say they are going to fund a new program by cutting some other spending... Like foreign aid to countries that don't support our global efforts, pork projects, or some other area where spending should be trimmed. But no, they always seem to just want to spend more overall instead of making hard choices.

I'm sure there has to be more efficient use of the money we are already giving them

[imporesweemo]

I dislike children more than smokers so I am against this. Children

[Ganoshenko]

Leukemia is nothing. It helps build character.

[sam]

It's likely we will see an increase in waiting lines, since we'd be adding the tens of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured. Not just that, you will also see a decrease in private insurance. Why pay when the state will pay for you instead.

I don't see how you can predict a decrease in the quality of health care, given the atrocious state of America's current system. One of the things I was surprised is that you have much better equipment down there then we do up here. I'm not sure how they are ranking quality, but when Canadians are willing to pay for care in the US, that they cannot get up here, I would presume your quality to be greater. YMMV.

We already rank below developed countries with evil "socialized" medicine, while at the same time our per capita spending is 2-3x more. I'd be less likely to trust MM who's never actually been to Canada.

[Kneefrenolf]

Most likely once the headlines go away the costs will be shifted to income taxes.

We'll see whether or not Obama will do the "line-by-line" cost cutting of govt expenditure.

[RagonaCon]

Only when there's a republican president

[jeargefef]

Yeah... but if you had to finance it via income taxes, then eveybody would have to pay for it, and wouldn't be as popular.

Why not? They could trot out House members with insipid "Think of the children!" stories and still pass a program that does what they wish yet doesn't rely on a revenue stream who's sole reason for existing is to eliminate itself or contain any of the other flaws listed in DaShi's article.

[trubreTab]

If the pattern holds, they'll divide into factions and go to work on one another as the Republicans look on, grinning.

-Arrian

[gomosopions]

If the pattern holds, they'll divide into factions and go to work on one another as the Republicans look on, grinning. It's our only hope. but yes, it wouldn't be unexpected.

[wantedLOX]

Republicans and Democrats just want power. That is what is a major part of what is wrong with them.

JM

[Wachearex]

That seems like the dumbest way to finance a program like this I've ever heard of.

It is all in their plan to stop people from smoking.

[frkksptn]

I'd be less likely to trust MM who's never actually been to Canada.

MM = Michael Moore?

If so... wow, that's so wrong it's funny.