why the GOP is frantically trying to smother Obamacare in the crib

[scheming daemons]

They know that if Obamacare makes it to full implementation in 2014 that it will become very popular and very hard to overturn.

There will be generations of voters that will hear Democrats crow about this very popular thing that got ZERO Republican votes in either house of congress.

It is similar to the early days of Social Security. The GOP tried every method they could to kill it in its infancy... The courts, congressional votes, you name it. They KNEW that if it ever got a foothold it would be supremely popular and impossible for them to get rid of.

They failed in their quest, and generations of FDR Democrats touted this "third rail" of politics and Democrats have run the House of Representatives for 66 of the past 80 years, including 40 straight from '54 to '94.

Killing Obamacare is a matter of survival for the Republican party. After 2014 there is no turning back. And they are on the record as opposing it en masse in over 30 votes.

The Demographic changes in America are threatening to wipe out the GOP. Their base is old, white, and dying off. The Democratic base is younger, browner, and growing exponentially. The voter ID laws are their way of slowing it down until they can formulate a way to win these growing groups.

Because by 2016, Obamacare will be entrenched and Democrats will have figured out how to get past voter ID roadblocks.

2012 is a critical election for the GOP. They will pull out every stop, because their survival depends on killing Obamacare before its benefits hit the masses.

Be ready.

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[WCGreen]

2. I certainly agree that the GOP is in real demographic trouble...

And that this election is what can be call a crucial vote for the future of the US as we know it.

We know, for instance, that the GOP will continue to bankrupt the country through draconian tax breaks.

We also know that the GOP would make it even harder to vote in the near future.

We also know that most of their real agenda is championed by fewer and fewer people as we speak.

That is why this one, this 2012 election, is going to be the defining election for the US as we know it.

If we win, enough people that subscribe to the GOPs way of looking at things will drop out of the voting pool through natural attrition that it will be hard for them to cobble together a viable coalition of voters from here on end.

[mercymechap]

22. You are so right, this election will

either make us or break us. If Republicans get back in, the US will never be the same again. They will corrupt the SC, they will make sure that the under privileged never vote again and they will fix it so only Republicans will be elected. Our education system will go down the drain, police and firefighters and teachers will be working for some private company that will screw them out of their retirement, the poor will get poorer still, and the rich will get richer.

[sofa king]

39. Speaking of attrition....

Source: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/06/map-day-falling-life-expectancies

I'll just let that be my thousand words and leave the comments to the rest of you.

[xmas74]

48. I think my county in Missouri is one of them.

I know my old county is one-I recognize the shape. It's known for cancer and has only on OB/Gyn for the entire county. At least he now has a midwife.

[sofa king]

61. It's telling me that Republicans are dying faster...

...as a result of their own policies.

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/life-expectancy-white?order=0

And it's fastest in states with the most Republican control. For white males, the obvious cornerstone of the GOP, the states with the lowest life expectancy are:

West Virginia
Alabama
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Kentucky
Louisiana
Arkansas
Tennessee
Nevada
Georgia

Not counting Nevada, which is often a tossup, that's 76 electoral votes that are demographically changing faster than all the others. Not in any way that is good for the GOP, because they rely heavily on hateful old party-line voters to carry them.

Now, the hateful old party-line voters in Republican states are dying three elections sooner than yellow-dog Democrats in Hawaii. This is the beginning of the end for the Grand Old Party, which has existed as an evil entity for eight years less than their entire history.

I hope I'm still around to piss on their grave. But probably not, as I'm an uninsured white male in a southern state.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. The biggee is

all the money insurance companies and medical devices have to pay after January 1.

[cbdo2007]

4. I don't think they're taking the election too seriously or they wouldn't be behind Romney....

they MUST know he's going to implode over the next few months. It's not a matter of *if* but when we find out some horrible truths about Romney and he is rendered unelectable. If they really wanted to win they would choose someone more likely to get tons of votes.

[Andy823]

18. I think they have a plan

They have to "look" like they are backing Romney, but I think their main goal is to keep the house, and try and take control of the senate. I also think they will put a lot of effort into trying to get republicans in control of state governments. They don't really have any kind of a plan if they did take the WH, nothing has been put out by republicans to "fix" the countries problems, and all Mitt can do is say "elect me now and then see what I do", which is pretty much insane!

As you said, if they really wanted to win the WH, they wouldn't have had the "clown parade" they had during the primaries with the winning "clown" being a lying, egotistic, rich blow hard like Romney. All of their "A" team, those like Jeb Bush, Christie, Thune, and others who were being talked about as running all stepped aside. One needs to ask why they did that. Those republicans all will be sitting back and waiting for 2016 when they hope things will be better. If Mitt, by some miracle, did win, the "A" team would not be able to run in 2016. Also look at all the "A" team republicans that say they "WON'T" be the VP. Romney's numbers will get lower and lower the more people hear him speak, and I am pretty sure the Obama team has a lot more on him than they have talked about already, they are just waiting till he gets the nomination at the republican convention.

I think Rove is counting on all the money going into the presidential race and not enough will be put out for those running for congress, and at state levels. I hope americans have gotten wiser since 2010, and can see just how bad it was for states like Wisconsin, Main, Florida, and others once republicans got control.

[Woody Woodpecker]

25. They are failing BADLY in any attempts to keep the House and capture the Senate

In fact, I'm going against Silver and boldly predict a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate (but not quite filibuster-proof, but Reid will arm Democrats with more tools to defeat idiotic filibusters and whines from the R's)

Then in 2014, the Senate are deep on the R side that is up for re-election. I expect the defeat of about 2/3 of the R's.

[Stardust]

47. I have to agree with you. In reality, Congress (both houses, that is) is more powerful than

the presidency. With enough votes they can easily override any vetoes. Repealing everything Obama's accomplished would be first on the agenda. Then would come the onslaught of batshit crazy laws.

I hope enough voters realize the importance of regaining a Dem-controlled Congress. Without it, Obama will continue to be hamstrung.

[flamingdem]

60. THIS IS THE STRATEGY! Sometimes we need to look past the Romney party

to see that it's all about controlling congress. Rove has it mapped out.

[lastlib]

33. I don't think they HAVE anyone else more likely to get tons of votes!

I think they realize they are stuck with Mittens, and they sink or swim with him.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. I agree SD

This is precisely why we need to work our butts off to make sure that President Obama gets re-elected in November. Once it gets fully implemented in 2014, it's game, set, and match for the GOP. This is going to be a VERY ugly election season. Thankfully, Obama is running ahead so far and the Republicans have nominated a severely compromised candidate on this particular issue.

[Brigid]

6. I hope that the debates will be the end for Romney.

Everybody and their brother will see President Obama shred Romney to ribbons. Even the dumbest wingnuts won't have anything to cheer about after that.

As for the ACA, think it's already too late for the Repugs. Already they're all on record as having tried to overturn it 30 times.

Not to be overconfident, though. We must vote, and do everything we can to help others who may run into problems because of the new voter suppression laws or who need transport to the polls.

[LynneSin]

7. I am guessing by 2016 alot of those racist GOP governors will be gone and a few replaced by dems

I don't see Kasich (OH), Christie (NJ), Corbett (PA) or Walker (WI) getting 2nd terms.

[bluedigger]

9. You forgot LePage.

No way he gets another term.

[Drunken Irishman]

12. Or Scott.

[peace frog]

44. Don't bet the rent

Rick Scott may be unpopular but you have to understand something about Florida. This is a conservative state, voters may not be happy with their current governor but they will hold their noses and re-elect him before they will ever consider voting for some dirty commie hippie Democrat. Much as it pains me to say it, expect Rick Scott for another term as Florida's governor.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. They know it's the first step to single-payer. n/t

[Brigid]

11. I hope it is.

That's the only real reason I support it, because by itself ACA is inadequate. I would have gone for Medicare for all myself.

[Abra]

10. They WROTE the thing. They oppose it because Obama signed it

If Obama says he likes kittens, douchebags like Limbaugh would say kittens are socialist and muslim (Eygptians had them) and the GOP reps in congress would slash funding to animal shelters.

[FailureToCommunicate]

32. Welcome to DU!

You've been busy! (45 posts in 2.5 days?)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

13. People that will have medical treatment thanks to Obamacare will likely not vote GOP again nt

[Paka]

19. I wish I believed that voters were that smart.

Unfortunately, I have several family members who are already affected positively by PPACA and they are still loud supporters of the GOP. I get disgusting viral emails from them until I challenge them with facts and then I hear no more.

[Blanks]

28. I'm with you.

I do believe that the democrats will hold the senate and regain the house, but don't think you're gonna change a lot of conservative minds.

I liken it to cheering for a sports team. Just because the Giants win the Super Bowl doesn't mean I'm going to cheer for them next year.

I think the republicans would have to personally screw some of these people (and I mean personally) before there was even a glimmer of discontent. Don't get your hopes up.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

63. There does need to be a website reflecting actual stories of people who were benefited by PPACA. nt

[Beartracks]

34. How will people know?

I'm concerned that many people who directly benefit from Obamacare will have no idea that the benefit was courtesy of the ACA. You know how you drive by construction projects and see signs that say "Your tax dollars at work" or "This road improvement project is being funded by the 2012 Streets & Sewers Bond"? The ACA needs some marketing like that, so people will know.

===============

[Sarah Ibarruri]

62. They'll know. You don't go from having no care to having care without something changing

They'll find out what changed.

[pasto76]

14. good point; the voter ID laws are an attempt to delay their demise

not that Im overly confident the GOP will perish anytime soon, but hopefully in 40 years, what we now know as GOP will not be around.

[GopperStopper2680]

15. Well they'd better not hold their breath.

It appears they've tried 31 times since Obama Care passed to veto it and 31 times they have FAILED. That has to be some kind of record. And they can't see the obvious when it's spitting in their face. They're beating a long dead horse. What they're doing is like striking back at the snake that's already delivered its deadly bite. Step on its head if you like-the poison is inside and it's already doing its work. And I hope the venom proves lethal.

[joycejnr]

16. And if you think they won't stop to fix the voting machines...

...again, I have a "fake voter i.d" to sell you.

[AC_Mem]

17. AGREE

"The Demographic changes in America are threatening to wipe out the GOP. Their base is old, white, and dying off. The Democratic base is younger, browner, and growing exponentially. The voter ID laws are their way of slowing it down until they can formulate a way to win these growing groups.

Because by 2016, Obamacare will be entrenched and Democrats will have figured out how to get past voter ID roadblocks. "
*******

I completely agree with you on this! Almost every young adult I encounter (who isn't brainwashed by "religion&quot is liberal-minded, concerned about their environment, accepting of alternative lifestyles, and very aware of the political toxicity of the GOP.

If we can get through this election, I think the tide is going to change. I have great hope, going FORWARD.

Shine on,
Annette

[bhikkhu]

35. Though it is undue kindness to blame simply "demographic changes"

...when really it is that their own asshattery, lies and malfeasance, incompetence and hatred, have alienated just about every demographic group except "evangelic leaning" white males. Who are quite comfortable with asshattery and lies, delusional thinking, and privilege taken rather than earned.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. It also will expose them once again of being Drama Queens feeding into people's fears

The Reagan recording claiming Medicare would lead to Socialism with visions of Soviet Tanks rolling down Main Street USA is mocked these days, as will all of the floor speeches of the Republicans who sided against "Obamacare".

They are on the wrong side of history so they want to stop the future from judging them.

[MissMillie]

21. to appeal to their base

Most folks don't know that the bill is completely paid for and might save the govt money in the long run.

I hate to say the electorate is stupid because I'm part of the electorate.

But most people don't know that the bill was completely paid for.

(Just like most people don't know Reagan raised taxes..... seriously...... I've got a drinking game set up for the GOP convention....)

[loyalsister]

24. It was hard for people to hear the truth over the rancor

When the ACA was being debated and discussed in the media, the Koch sponsored protestors, and constant GOP misinformation propaganda were making it impossible for people to actually learn the facts without going to quite a bit of effort. Not too many people have the time to sit in front of the computer reading legislation.

I think that the voters who are generally too busy working way too hard to feed their families and generally having more important things to attend to will be pleasantly surprised in 2014.

[RKP5637]

27. The dems should IMO be running short spots on TV outlining the

basic facts of ACA, as more or less a hard hitting short commercial. An effective campaign strategy to me is to take several things similar to ACA that R's use as talking points on to try to destroy. This could be rolled into an informative message, as well as a campaign strategy rolled into one. It need not be long, maybe 15 second spots.

I have long felt the dems to not know how to effectively communicate to the masses. I often think the dems underestimate how ignorant many Americans are, and also how little time many have.

[trof]

23. GREAT POST! K&R

[RKP5637]

26. K&R !!! n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

29. K&R

[Incitatus]

30. Prediction: The more people realize they like OBAMACARE, the less often Republicans will call it

OBAMACARE.

[HughBeaumont]

31. "until they can formulate a way to win these growing groups."

That would require them to be the complete opposite of what they are now. They'd have to renounce Reaganomics, renounce laissez-faire, renounce inequality, renounce job offshoring, renounce imperialism, renounce creating enemies, renounce scandal, and renounce the idea of a benevolent Plutonomy.

Sooooooooooooooo . . . no.

[gollygee]

36. People are going to love it

And they'll wonder how they managed before it. And how American could have waited so long for some kind of attempt to fix the problem we've had.

[bucolic_frolic]

37. Gee ....

you make the GOP sound like the Dodo Birds they really are!

[wakemewhenitsover]

38. Well said -- and, hey -- they're STILL trying to kill Social Security! Fuckers.

[Doctor_J]

40. If Dems wait until 2016 to figure out how to

get past voter ID roadblocks, the game will be long over, and they will have been declared the losers.

[PatrynXX]

41. only way to do this is to steal the vote en masse.

Iranian style..

[robinlynne]

46. You mena, as they have been doing for the past 12 years?

[SidDithers]

42. DU rec...

well said.

Sid

[moondust]

43. Another reason.

The more health care options Americans have available to them the less dependent (and submissive) they become on employers.

[robinlynne]

45. very interesting perspective.

[mick063]

49. Strange how strangers can think so much alike

Your theory has been thought out on a personal level and is exactly the same conclusion I came up with.

Every bit is a mirror image of what I have believed for some time now.

It is why i have some confidence in the future.

Being an old, white, upper middle class man, I can tell you directly that I have dialog with many folks in my demographic on a daily basis. They are serious when they say this next election is the most important ever for them. The old guard will not relinquish power easily. Everything from Citizens United to voter disenfranchising, from castrating government to using "Leave it to Beaver" as a social model for reverting back in time. They know this is the fight for their lives. Our president is very symbolic of our slow metamorphosis. It really isn't about his agenda....it is all about him.

It is reminiscent of the collapse of apartheid in South Africa. The ruling class fought change with every fiber of their being, but they simply couldn't manage as a minority. Deep inside, the European descendants know that their grip is slowly slipping away.

[eridani]

50. Way overanalyzed. The simple fact is that Obama is for ACA

That's all they need on order to be against it. They were strongly in favor of it when it was known as a Heritage Foundation plan, after all.

The people who will be happy about ACA are the healthy people who account for only 15% of all health care expenses. The other 15% who account for the lion's share of costs are going to be miserable, bankrupt and possibly dead, because the really shitty Bronze and Silver coverage is of no help to people with really high ongoing expenses. In MA, 50% of all bankruptcies are STILL health care related, even after reform.

[steve2470]

51. k&r nt

[Mosaic]

52. They are Toast

There is no way they can repeal ACA. Obama will most likely get re-elected in a land slide, even with their cheating attempt.

[vlyons]

53. You are absolutely right

The actuarial tables for the GOP are not favorable, especially since their Southern state power base is very racist. The GOP brand is bankrupt. What actually do they have to offer people who are young, non-white, Hispanic, poor, or struggling middle class? Not too much.

[AlbertCat]

54. Which raises the question....

Why does it go into effect in 2014 in the 1st place?

Why this long delay? Didn't we used to pass laws and they went into effect in months, or a year maybe? Is the delay to give the GOP and Insurance companies time to figure out how to weaken everything? Or is there a real reason for the slow progress? Where did the 2014 date come from in the 1st place?

[Orsino]

55. And there aren't any likely 2016 GOP candidates...

...who aren't already on record as working to take away ACA. They're on the wrong side of history in this matter.

[caseymoz]

56. That and . . .

ACA is a policy that presumes, or admits, the free market cannot be applied to health care.

There's no way free market capitalists can admit their ideal can't be applied to a basic human need, if not a right. If they do, it's over.

As health care in the US was mess, they could always claim it needed more deregulation. If it's made better by a government intervention, the argument is over, in favor of government regulation.

Never mind that no industrialized country has let the free market handle medicine the way the US has tried. And the failure is demonstrated everywhere in the world except here, to conservatives. They still hold the fantasy that if only we could deregulate medicine, it will work far better than anywhere else.

And if it's not true, they think the 1% should at least be able to get richer by being part of the problem.

[LaPera]

57. KICK!

Post speaks for itself.

[NYC Liberal]

58. K&R. This is EXACTLY what I've said.

Once it's been law for a few years and people have gotten used to the benefits and protections, it will be extremely difficult to repeal. They will have to attempt to weaken it by cutting funding or in other ways like they try with SS and Medicare, but they won't be able to run on repealing it.

[sadbear]

59. Yep, it'll be third rail pretty soon.

As untouchable as Social Security and Medicare, for what it's worth.