http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/07/22/19617125-what-sabotage-governing-looks-like
Yesterday, I commented on John Boehner's claim that Congress should be judged, not on how many laws they pass, but on how many they repeal: http://whateyethynk-politics.blogspot.com/2013/07/congress-accomplishes-nothing-and.html
Today, I want to share this article by Mr. Benen who exposes the way congressional Republicans are working to repeal the ACA with near religious fervor."When we talk about efforts to 'sabotage' Obamacare, what are we referring to? Several--by my count, seven--specific efforts.
First congressional Republicans are actively trying to undermine the federal health care system by refusing to help their own constituents navigate the system...
..(Republicans are) enormously frustrated that the law has persevered through two elections and a Supreme Court challenge and believe a botched implementation could help build momentum for the repeal movement.
Some Republicans indicated...they will not assist constituents in navigating the law and obtaining benefits...
...'We know how to forward a phone call,' said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). He added, 'All we can do is pass them back to the Obama administration. The ball's in their court. They're responsible for it.'"
All members of Congress have staffs, paid for with your tax money, whose job it is to provide assistance to their constituents, including assistance with negotiating government programs. These politicians, in another example of childish pique, have decided that hurting their constituents by denying them assistance in getting the benefits to which they are entitled is a better use of their office budgets than helping them."Second, there's systemic lying to the public.
In recent weeks, officials in states like New York and California have boasted about lower premiums for residents thanks to the Affordable Care Act. But on Friday Indiana, where Republican officials dominate, announced the law would force a premium increase of 72%...
...Indiana Republicans wanted to push a political narrative, and generate some headlines, but they had to play fast and loose with the facts, on purpose, in the hopes of fooling the public."
Tips on the art of lying with a straight face must be given a full chapter in the How to Be a Republican Handbook."Third, there are the dozens upon dozens of repeal votes congressional Republicans keep holding. The latest was last week, and yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) vowed to hold even more...
...These repeal votes tell the public that the future of the law is still in doubt--a significant chunk of the country actually believes the Affordable Care Act has already been repealed--and discourages participation needed to make the law work."
Thirty-nine repeal votes and counting! It's becoming a routine part of a Republican's schedule: Shower. Check -- Brush teeth. Check -- Drive to office. Check -- Vote to repeal ACA. Check -- Attend meeting to plan for next week's ACA repeal vote. Check"Fourth, congressional Republicans have repeatedly denied the Obama administration funds needed for implementation. Fifth, GOP leaders have shamelessly discouraged private-sector partnerships with Washington on public-awareness campaigns, in the hopes that public ignorance might help undermine the efficacy of the system."
A Republican motto for the 113th Congress: If you can't defeat it, defund it.
More about the Republican double standard on public awareness campaigns here: http://whateyethynk-politics.blogspot.com/2013/07/eye-recommend-unsportsmanlike-conduct.html"Sixth, many Republicans at the state level are refusing to allow Medicaid expansion, no matter how much damage it does to their state. And seventh, these same GOP officials in the states are refusing to create exchanges, making it that much more difficult for federal officials to meet deadlines and fully implement the law on time."
By refusing to expand Medicaid or to create an exchange, state Republican officials are taking a page out of John Boehner's playbook: Stand tall, proud and defiant; but most of all, be sure to do no good."Again, don't forget that this has simply never happened before. There is no precedent in American history for Congress approving a massive new public benefit, a president signing it into law, the Supreme Court endorsing the benefit's legality, and then having an entire political party actively and shamelessly working to sabotage the law."
But then, we've never had a Republican Party like this one.
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