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Health

Chairman Ryan Endorses Key Concept In The Health Reform Law: ‘Exchange Is Not Necessarily A Dirty Word’

By Pat Garofalo on Mar 17, 2011 at 8:10 pm

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), in addition to his radical Roadmap for America’s Future (which turns Medicare into a privatized voucher system), has also released the Ryan-Rivlin Medicare plan, which he co-authored with former Congressional Budget Office director Alice Rivlin. While the plan would dramatically change Medicare for the worse by turning it into a voucherized system, it does rely on one key similarity with the Affordable Care Act: it sets up exchanges where various private health insurance plans would compete for customers.

As the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein explained, “the theory behind Ryan-Rivlin’s cost controls is the same theory behind the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges — they even work the same way.” The Tax Policy Center agreed, saying that the exchanges are “exactly the model of the ACA.” Rivlin herself confirms this view, saying “I keep talking to Paul and trying to convince him of that…But even if he agreed with me, he couldn’t say so.”

Today, at a “Playbook Breakfast” event hosted by Politico, I asked Ryan to square this seeming contradiction. If he believes exchanges will work in Ryan-Rivlin, why does he believe that they won’t in the Affordable Care Act? He said that it’s not the idea, but the execution that he disagrees with:

Exchange is not necessarily a dirty word. How I would do exchanges are very different than how Alice wants to do exchanges. So Rivlin-Ryan didn’t get to the level of specificity of how these exchanges must be designed, because I have a different opinion with Alice on how they ought to be designed. She would just continue ObamaCare in throughout the system. I disagree with that.

Watch it:

Ryan is so receptive toward this concept that he even calls it the same thing in Ryan-Rivlin that it’s called in the Affordable Care Act: an exchange. The problem with Ryan’s exchanges, however, is that the vouchers he and Rivlin envision replacing current Medicare payments would likely not be enough to cover the cost of plans in the exchange. Plus, as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found, there would be insufficient consumer protections within those exchanges:

The Ryan-Rivlin proposal sets no specific benefit standards for the private plans offered in the Medicare Exchange. The plans would therefore likely vary widely, presenting a potentially bewildering set of choices to many people who are very old or frail. Seniors and people with disabilities would receive only whatever benefits they could afford to purchase with their voucher and personal resources.

But Ryan’s willingness to endorse the concept of an exchange as an effective policy tool runs counter to the Republican message on the Affordable Care Act, which is that it is a socialist abomination that must be repealed in its entirety.

Politics

TX Democratic County Chairman Dan Ramos Says Gays ‘Are Like Termites’ Infiltrating The Democratic Party

By Zaid Jilani on Mar 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm

Last week, Bexar County, TX, Democratic Party chairman Dan Ramos made local headlines when he lashed out at LGBT groups that were seeking to influence Democratic Party policies. He told the San Antonio Current that gay activists like the Stonewall Democrats were “like termites” that had invaded his party and that the group was like both the Tea Party and the Nazi party because “they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo“:

In an interview with the Current today, Ramos blamed homosexuals in the party for both undermining his authority and for the poor election results in Bexar County in 2010. “They are all connected to the gay Democratic Party, the so-called Stonewall Democrats. Just like termites they managed to get some of their people in key positions,” he said. [...]

Ramos said he opposes homosexuality on religious grounds and doesn’t believe gay-friendly Democrats like Stonewall reflect the values of Bexar County voters. “I liken them to the Tea Party — the Tea Party and the fucking Nazi Party — because they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo, and I don’t give a fuck who knows that. Just like the blacks … they’re American, but you can’t get your way just because you’re black.”

This morning, Ramos held a press conference where he refused to apologize for his comments. “I believe I’m dealing with the truth, sometimes the truth hurts. So be it,” he said. Local news station KSAT 12 filed a report from the press conference. Watch it:

Over the weekend, Boyd Richie, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, issued a statement calling for Ramos to resign. “I will not dignify Mr. Ramos’ most recent outburst by restating it, but I will make it clear that the bigoted attitudes he expressed are totally contrary to the Beliefs and Declarations of the Texas Democratic Party,” said Boyd. “What is necessary is for Dan Ramos to immediately resign and allow the Bexar County Democratic Party to move forward with new, more unifying leadership.”

Climate Progress

Status of Japanese reactors, spent fuel ponds, and possible outcomes

By Joe Romm on Mar 17, 2011 at 7:04 pm

Video of ruined nukes

The latest NYT banner headline is “Taming Reactors May Take Weeks.”  They also have a good story today on “Danger of Spent Fuel Outweighs Reactor Threat.”  CP readers learned that crucial fact back on Monday.

The Oil Drum has a useful piece today, “Fukushima Dai-ichi status and potential outcomes,” that may demystify the situation (if that’s possible).

I’ll excerpt those below, but first, an amazing video of the smoldering wreckage shot by intrepid Japanese in a low-flying helicopter:

Read more

Climate Progress

Koch Brothers Pump More Money To Scott Brown

By Brad Johnson on Mar 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm

The Koch petrochemical billionaires are continuing to bankroll Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), the Tea Party Republican who won Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat in a special election last year, campaign disclosure forms reveal. The Koch Industries political action committee dropped $2500 on Brown in February, according to their March filing. Before Brown’s election in 2010, the Kochs had directed $50,400 to his campaign. Brown directly expressed his gratitude to the Kochs at the March opening of the David H. Koch Integrative Cancer Institute, as this ThinkProgress video shows:

The exchange “belied Brown’s claims that he won’t be politicking until next year,” the Globe’s Glen Johnson notes. Brown “may spend $25 million on his campaign.”

Other recipients of the Kochs’ carbon cash in February include the PACs of Sen. Jim DeMint ($5000), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) ($5000), Rep. Steve Roskam (R-IL) ($2500), and Sen. Mitch McConnell ($2500), and the campaigns of Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) ($5000), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) ($3000), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) ($2500), Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL) ($2500), Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) ($2500), Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) ($2000), Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) ($2000), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) ($1000), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) ($1000), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) ($1000), and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) ($1500).

Ross, Rogers, Kinzinger, and Burgess are all part of the “Committee From Koch” — the members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce who voted this week to overturn the scientific finding that global warming is a threat and block EPA rules against climate pollution.

Security

UN Security Council Approves No-Fly Zone Over Libya

By Ben Armbruster on Mar 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi have driven back rebels to the eastern city of Benghazi this week. And after weeks of ambiguity about an official position on Libya, the Obama administration yesterday said the U.S. would support military action beyond a no-fly zone to prevent a humanitarian disaster. “We need to be prepared to contemplate steps that include, but perhaps go beyond, a no-fly zone at this point, as the situation on the ground has evolved, and as a no-fly zone has inherent limitations in terms of protection of civilians at immediate risk,” U.S. ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said.

With a UN Security Council resolution authorizing military action in Libya looming, Qaddafi today warned rebels in Benghazi, “We are coming tonight.” He promised amnesty for those who surrender, but added that his forces will show “no mercy or compassion” to those who resist.

But just minutes ago, the UN Security Council voted 10-0 to authorize the no-fly zone and any measures necessary to protect civilians from attacks by Qaddafi’s forces. Five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia and China. A UN source tells ThinkProgress that the resolution also demands an immediate cease fire and rules out any foreign occupation of any part of Libyan territory.

A French official said before the vote that the French and British, along with cooperation from some other Arab allies, would be prepared to begin implementing the UN resolution within hours of its passage. The official added that Britain and France were prepared to act with limited assistance from the U.S., which currently has five warships off the Libyan coast. However, “On the NATO side,” a senior NATO official said, “we’re not yet ready.”

Update

CNN reports that Obama will insist on a large Arab role in patrolling the no-fly zone.

LGBT

TX Democratic County Chairman Dan Ramos Says Gays ‘Are Like Termites’ Infiltrating The Democratic Party

By Zaid Jilani on Mar 17, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Last week, Bexar County, Texas, Democratic Party chairman Dan Ramos made local headlines when he lashed out at LGBT groups that were seeking to influence Democratic Party policies. He told the San Antonio Current that gay activists like the Stonewall Democrats were like termites that had invaded his party and that the group was like both the Tea Party and the Nazi party because “they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo“:

In an interview with the Current today, Ramos blamed homosexuals in the party for both undermining his authority and for the poor election results in Bexar County in 2010. “They are all connected to the gay Democratic Party, the so-called Stonewall Democrats. Just like termites they managed to get some of their people in key positions,” he said. [...]

Ramos said he opposes homosexuality on religious grounds and doesn’t believe gay-friendly Democrats like Stonewall reflect the values of Bexar County voters. “I liken them to the Tea Party — the Tea Party and the fucking Nazi Party — because they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo, and I don’t give a fuck who knows that. Just like the blacks … they’re American, but you can’t get your way just because you’re black.”

This morning, Ramos held a press conference where he refused to apologize for his comments. “I believe I’m dealing with the truth, sometimes the truth hurts. So be it,” he said. Local news station KSAT 12 filed a report from the press conference. Watch it:

Over the weekend, Boyd Richie, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, issued a statement calling for Ramos to resign. “I will not dignify Mr. Ramos’ most recent outburst by restating it, but I will make it clear that the bigoted attitudes he expressed are totally contrary to the Beliefs and Declarations of the Texas Democratic Party,” said Boyd. “What is necessary is for Dan Ramos to immediately resign and allow the Bexar County Democratic Party to move forward with new, more unifying leadership.”

Politics

Sharron Angle Boldly Defends Public School Teachers: They Are Over-Worked And Under-Paid

By Lee Fang on Mar 17, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Over the past few months, conservatives have beat a steady drum accusing public servants, particularly public school teachers, of being a blight on the nation. Republicans governors from across the county, along with a chorus of Fox News personalities, have scapegoated teachers as overpaid workers who receive too many benefits on the taxpayers’ dime.

However, public teachers have found an unlikely ally: failed Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV). Speaking to a class at Dutch Fork High School in South Carolina recently, the staunch conservative told students that public school teachers are dedicated public servants who are generally over-worked and under-paid for their profession:

ANGLE: I think that improving public education in Nevada is the same as improving public education all over the nation. [...] Teachers who are really good teachers do this not because of the pay, not because of the three month vacation, and not because they work a six hour day. And if you know a good teacher you know none of those things are true.

They don’t get paid like other professionals do. Their three month vacation turns out usually to be more like two months in the summer and they’re usually going back to school so they can learn more so they can stay ahead of you. Their six hour day is more like a sixty hour work week because they have more than they do than the six hours they spend in the classroom. They are dedicated professionals and they are dedicated to you. They are usually very honest, caring individuals and they want what’s best for you. When you talk about the three people who are most vested in education, that’s where our resources should be put, that’s where our concentration should be, that’s what we should be asking ‘what would make a better school?’

Watch it:

Earlier this week, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof rebuked the Republican war on teachers and pointed out that teacher pay has been plummeting for decades. “In 1970, in New York City, a newly minted teacher at a public school earned about $2,000 less in salary than a starting lawyer at a prominent law firm,” Kristof noted. “These days the lawyer takes home, including bonus, $115,000 more than the teacher, the McKinsey study found.”

Yglesias

Myron’s Law and Romer’s Corollary

By Matthew Yglesias on Mar 17, 2011 at 5:29 pm

This Paul Romer presentation (PDF) for the IMF makes an excellent point. He quotes Myron’s Law: “Asymptotically, any finite tax code collects zero revenue.”

That’s to say that if you write down a tax law, then over time people will get better and better at tax evasion and revenue will slowly but surely drop. Then he offers Romer’s Corollary: “Every decade or so, any finite system of financial regulation will lead to systemic financial crisis.”

That’s exactly why I think it was misguided to criticize Dodd-Frank for relying on regulatory discretion rather than being entirely rule-based. A rule-based system would guarantee you no crisis for a while, but ultimately it presents a fixed target for canny bankers to exploit and undermine. Discretionary systems may well fail, especially if our politics remains dysfunction, but they offer the only hope we have.

Security

SC Immigration Bill Would Tax Wire Transfers To Fund Special Police Force

By Andrea Nill Sanchez on Mar 17, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Last week, the South Carolina state Senate approved an immigration bill similar to SB-1070 — the controversial Arizona legislation that was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer (R). However, South Carolina’s version, S-20, contains a few extra provisions that were not included in Arizona’s bill. One of the most troubling additions is a provision which creates the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit, a new police force meant to patrol the state’s borders. The Columbia Free Times reports:

South Carolina’s proposed Arizona-style immigration bill, passed last week by the Senate, would do more than require police to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect might be in the country illegally — it would also create a whole new police force to patrol the state’s borders.

Called the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit, the squad of officers would have their own insignia, patrol cars, uniforms and statewide jurisdiction while operating within the Department of Public Safety, but outside the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Given that it is probably pretty expensive to set up a whole new police force, South Carolina legislators decided to pay for the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit by taxing international wire transfers. Tammy Besherse of the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center believes that lawmakers are trying to tax undocumented immigrants who are sending money home to their families. Besherse also doubts that the tactic will work. “I assure you people are going to be smart and figure out some other way to send money home so they don’t get taxed,” she says. “So what happens when that funding source goes away? Then your funding source is going to dry up and you’re going to have to take it out of the general budget and cut other services that taxpayers may prefer.”

There are a couple of other problems with the tax. First of all, the whole purpose of the law is to drive undocumented immigrants out of the state. So, if S-20 actually fulfills its objectives, there would presumably be no one to tax under the logic that Besherse presents.

Yet, the thing is, undocumented immigrants are not the only people sending money wire transfers abroad. There are a lot of legal immigrant families (my own included) which send money back to their home countries through wire transfers as well. Although it’s estimated that 75 percent of business to business wire transfers are domestic, that still means that the remaining 25 percent could be taxed by South Carolina under this law. Ultimately, unless South Carolina wants to force wire transfer companies to verify the immigration status of their customers, a lot of other people who aren’t undocumented immigrants will have to deal with the economic burden of the tax.

Meanwhile, South Carolina state lawmakers reportedly have no idea how much an Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit is even going to cost.

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