Wednesday, August 26, 2009

With hip waders on ... I visit the fetid swamp

I don't know why, 'cause I have better things I should be doing RIGHT NOW, but this sucked me in. Kennedy's Medicare for all:

Medicare for All Act - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (Medicare for All) under which: (1) each eligible individual is entitled to benefits which include the full range and scope of benefits available under the original fee-for-service program under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare), with parity in coverage of mental health benefits, subject to appropriate cost sharing; (2) each enrollee is free to choose his or her own doctor and private health plan; and (3) benefits are not less than the benefits offered to Members of Congress and Federal employees under FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program).
Establishes the Medicare for All Trust Fund.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose: (1) on the income of every individual a tax equal to 1.7% of wages received; (2) on every employer an excise tax equal to 7% of the wages paid to each employee; and (3) on the self-employment income of every individual, a tax equal to the applicable percentage of the self-employment income for such taxable year.


Ok ... so an almost 9% tax on everyone. 9% in addition to all the other taxes they pay.

Great.

Those geniuses at Kos are claiming Medicare for all is a "Civil right." I weep for our educational system.