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Obama said to be open to taxing health benefits
Let's see--I tell you one thing, then I may do the other! Don't do as I said, watch what I may do! No added taxes on those making less than--what was the number--Politics as usual--no change, little hope.......................
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is leaving the door open to taxing health care benefits, something he campaigned hard against while running for president.Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., raised the issue with Obama during a private meeting Tuesday with the president and other Democratic senators and later reported the president's response: "It's on the table. It's an option."
Full Article--A.P.
3 comments:
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This is just one more example of Obamas continueing habit of "Flip-Flopping" on issues that he campaigned succesfully on, only to change His tune once in Office. Granted that a few of these changes may indeed be needed, and maybe He truly wishes He could stand behind many of the things He opposed, however the number of "Flip-Flops" seems to mount dailey.
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But, as I understand it, the report that Obama agreed that "it's on the table" came from the legislators who put it there, not Obama. At best, that statement is out of context, true, and not Obama's doing.
Those who are actually speak for or Obama on the subject have said:
"The president made it clear during the campaign that he has serious concerns about taxing health care benefits. He stated again his belief that health reform can't wait another year, and that while all options should be considered, those options should include the revenue proposals that he included in his budget." Obama spokesman Reid Cherlin (6/2/2009)
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“The president has serious concerns about taxing benefits. He doesn’t like it.”
Linda Douglass, communications director for the White House Office of Health Reform (6/3/2009)
So, has offered other proposals, dosen't like the idea, but has asked congress to consider all options. Not much of a flip-flop to me - at least not yet.
What are some of the other flip-flops in the continuing list that seems to mount daily?
OK. So Baccus and other members of congress have suggested the possibility to help pay for the plan they are developing.
I remember campaign ads opposing McCain's plan to tax health care benefits, and only presume they were paid for or approved by Obama. Nonetheless, it seems that some such idea is "on the table" in Congress.
What should Obama have said?