Perry to Obama: You force us to buy ObamaCare but not Congress? —unconscionable…

8-10-13 (CUSA) Governor Rick Perry of Texas wrote to the President yesterday wanting to know why he was cutting special deals for Congress to avoid ObamaCare premiums but the rest of us—who don’t want it—must bear the burden. The following is the complete text of Perry’s letter—

Dear President Obama,

It is simply unconscionable that your administration is allowing members of Congress to escape the harshest economic consequences of Obamacare, while ignoring the plight of middle class Americans.

I have maintained from the start that forcing anyone to purchase a product they do not want creates a burden and a hardship. Allowing this exemption effectively amounts to an admission by you that this mandate will, indeed, have that impact on people.

However, it’s hard to understand why the hardships of Congress are somehow more important than the hardships of hard-working Americans and businesses throughout the country.

Who is looking out for those not in Congress? Why is it okay for working Americans to face skyrocketing premiums and more out-of-pocket costs and not okay for Washington politicians?

Since the ACA was passed, you have assured us that the more we get to know the ACA, the more we would like it. It’s telling that the people who know the ACA best – members of our Congress – want nothing to do with it.

This is yet another example of how little to nothing about the ACA has gone as you said it would, as it becomes increasingly convoluted by steps taken by your administration to gain support for this misguided law.

I urge you to reverse this decision. Members of Congress must be treated just like everyone else in the country.

Sincerely,

Rick Perry

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Permalink Reply by Tara on August 12, 2013 at 12:27am

Congress asks Congress for help in escaping Obamacare

No, there isn't a typo in the headline. This story would be hilarious if it weren't so disgustingly infuriating -- and, ultimately, predictable. Your must-read today comes from Politico:

Congressional leaders in both parties are engaged in high-level, confidential talks about exempting lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides from the insurance exchanges they are mandated to join as part of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, sources in both parties said.

The talks -- which involve Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), the Obama administration and other top lawmakers -- are extraordinarily sensitive, with both sides acutely aware of the potential for political fallout from giving carve-outs from the hugely controversial law to 535 lawmakers and thousands of their aides.

"Political fallout" for imposing an unwanted, unpopular, unworkable law on the rest of America and then exempting themselves? Yes. I think there might be.

The whole story must be read to understand just how despicably congressional leaders are acting here. In fact, let's go through it point by point:

A source close to the talks says: “Everyone has to hold hands on this and jump, or nothing is going to get done.”

Translation: They can't vote us all out, can they? I think the better question to ask -- strictly with regard to their political lives, of course -- is: Say, did any members of that Hale-Bopp comet cult survive the mass suicide?

Answer: No. Now let's continue: