by Jon Ralston Fri, 03/07/2014 - 14:59
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Guys, if you can't help an old roommate's law firm when you attain power, what is the point of attaining power? t.co/DMK7TnLcrw
12 hours 3 min ago.
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"Cooper & Kirk’s lawyers will bill $795 an hour...The boutique firm’s roster of lawyers includes Adam Laxalt, who r… t.co/0iGHBaDDhw
12 hours 4 min ago.
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@canewby The one and same.
12 hours 6 min ago.
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@johnnykats Love it. Seems like a good dude.
13 hours 54 min ago.
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Glad to see @johnnykats set the newest Vegas resident straight on how to pronounce the state's name. As the state's… t.co/pIjT40NHcY
14 hours 9 min ago.
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@BuzzIzarownd2 @SWMcDonald86 Thank you!
15 hours 14 min ago.
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State senator loses bid for North Las Vegas mayor, then goes back to Carson City and proposes bill to try to impose… t.co/Aivu5Kou87
22 hours 3 sec ago.
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Good morning from The #WeMatter State.
On this date in 1960, the Black Book, or List of Excluded Persons, emerged… t.co/DhQVjtfrKV
23 hours 48 min ago.
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Wait, I had no idea my staff EVER made mistakes!
Seriously, this is hilarious and shows, once again, that laughter… t.co/95wFWsC5WO
1 day 14 hours ago.
As national Democrats prepare to run against the GOP on income equality issues, a giant union has issued a scathing Obamacare document that could undermine that case.
"The Irony of ObamaCare: Making Inequality Worse" is the title of the UNITE HERE (Culinary parent) document that is posted here and soon to be making its way to Capitol Hill. It is devastating to the Democrats. To wit:
Ironically, the Administration’s own signature healthcare victory poses one of the most immediate challenges to redressing inequality. Yes, the Affordable Care Act will help many more Americans gain some health insurance coverage, a significant step forward for equality. At the same time, without smart fixes, the ACA threatens the middle class with higher premiums, loss of hours, and a shift to part-time work and less comprehensive coverage.
The paper argues that the Affordable Care Act will transfer a billion dollars in wealth to insurance companies, create an unlevel playing field in the market, force employers to cut back hours and result in pay decreases. It lays it out in detail, with examples of union workers affected by Obamacare.
And then it concludes:
For two years, labor unions and employer partners have patiently explained to the Obama Administration and Congress the potential damage that the ACA poses to these unique, successful non-profit health plans.
Having already made efforts to accommodate businesses, churches and congressional staff, it is ironic that the Administration is now highlighting issues of economic inequality without acting to preserve health plans that have been achieving the goals of the ACA for decades. Without a smart fix, the ACA will heighten the inequality that the Administration seeks to reduce.
We take seriously the promise that “if you like your health plan, you can keep it. Period.” UNITE HERE members like their health plans. UNITE HERE’s plans are ready to compete with the corporate giants of the health insurance industry if Washington will simply create a level playing field.
UNITE HERE leader D. Taylor has sent the paper to national union leaders, with a cover letter (also attached here) that pivots at one point over comments attributed to New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez:
In other words, rollback what you have and take one for the team. Ironic given that Congress and the President carved out an exemption for staffers on the ACA.
We cannot sit idly by as the politicians carve up our health plans while they carve out exceptions for themselves and every special interest feeding at the trough in Washington.
Anyone who thought the unions would just slink back into the fold better rethink that notion.
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