Investors Business Daily and other publications have chronicled numerous and serious problems associated with the implementation of Obamacare, from huge cost spikes to a long list of companies cutting workers to avoid the impending regulations. The President recently claimed, “There’s no widespread evidence that the Affordable Care Act is hurting jobs.” I don’t know how he defines widespread, but other Obamacare defenders have acknowledged some of the “glitches,” referring to them as unintended consequences.
An unintended consequence is when something happens that was, well, unintended. If these consequences were unintended, then the follow-up question should be unintended to whom? No serious economist, politician, or businessperson should have ever doubted that many companies will cut hours whenever possible if doing so avoids retribution from Washington, or drop or modify their own plans if they become too expensive in the new system. History tells us that any new government program can be expected to cost much more and deliver much last than originally touted. A cursory analysis of Amtrak, the post office, or the IRS should tell us all we need to know about government’s inability to manage organizations effectively and efficiently.
If we take those who claim unintended consequences at their word, then we should also insist that they join the opposition, because there’s a lot more to come. I’m not so generous. I think many supporters expected these problems are simply want another round of “reforms” to whip the American public into shape. They favor the inherent wealth redistribution in the plan and don’t mind forcing it into place. When the Republicans likely cave, I expect those on the left to propose more regulations to fix the problems created by the current ones. Such is the process of socializing a once free nation.
You have to be ignorant not to see this coming. Everything was predicted here and by others. Obamacare is not about insurance but about government control and more income redistribution.
The Republicans are sore losers. Obamacare is the law of the land. Just fund it like everything else and stop holding the economy hostage.
Will – The original form of the law was passed and signed into law and deemed constituational by the Supreme Court, although I disagree with it being constritutional. However, I believe Obama has made at least 5 changes to that law including exemptions for some corporations, congress and White House staff. He made these changes by executive order which I do not believe is legal. How does that sit with you? Is it acceptable for congress to pass laws that they do not have to abide by? The government is FORCING individuals to buy a product (life insurance) and while we can debate weather it’s a good idea or not, where in the constrituion is this allowed? (Hint – it’s not). What if the government made these super wonderful multi-vitamins and required us to all buy/take them? Is that ok too?
The $1M dollar question is what has the government EVER done right or on budget? (Hint – NOTHING).
Where do you stand on the debt ceiling?
Willberry…Obamacare was enacted without a single Republican vote. The legislation was never popular and still is not. It was rammed through with a parliamentary gimmick – reconciliation – after all sorts of unsavory and probably unethical backroom deals and vote buying aka the “Cornhusker Kickback”, etc… Let’s not forget the election of Republican Scott Brown, who specifically campaigned and was elected to vote against Obamacare, in one of the most liberal states in the country. There has never been a major entitlement law passed in this country without bipartisan support (until this one) whose support would have helped to make the law more palatable to all. Call the Republicans sore losers or any name you want. Those are the facts and the resulting political chaos is what we have to show for it. Now the unintended consequences will require more government fixes, resulting in more loss of freedom and the dwindling spiral continues. Some win.