By John W. Lillpop
After two completely unnecessary weeks of government shutdown precipitated by the ego-maniacal refusal of Barack Obama and Democrat goons in Congress to even talk with Republicans, much less negotiate, the pendulum is starting to swing in favor of common sense and against progressives and their political albatross, the ungodly, unlovable, unfathomable, unaffordable, unwieldy, and unworkable Marxist scheme, known with universal scorn and disaffection as Obamacare.
Indeed, the operative phrase in Washington, D.C. these days seems to be, “Move over, Ted Cruz!” as anxious Democrats scheduled to face voters for re-election in 2014 are echoing the words of the embattled freshman Senator from Texas with calls to put the brakes on the “Train wreck” before professional health care is obliterated entirely from America.
As reported at the reference:
Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday said he plans to back Republican legislation that would delay ObamaCare’s individual mandate to have insurance.
The West Virginia Democrat is set to announce during Wednesday night’s “The O'Reilly Factor” that he's joining forces with Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) on legislation that would delay the penalty by a year.
The host of the Fox show, Bill O’Reilly, on Tuesday encouraged Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to recruit Manchin to sponsor the legislation, which would postpone the requirement until users can consistently access the ObamaCare website.
"Well, we're going to give everybody a chance to be on the right side of this," Rubio said. "Eventually they're going to have to do something about it. Because it's going to take more than a few months to fix these websites, and it's going to be unfair to go after people for not buying health insurance when the ability to buy it is not being made available."
Manchin has long voiced his opposition to the mandate, which would require uninsured individuals to either purchase health coverage or pay a fine.
Supporters of ObamaCare say its necessary to offset the costs involved with benefits now available under the program, such as making sure people with preexisting conditions could purchase coverage.
Manchin's move comes as Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) said Wednesday the Obama administration should extend the enrollment period for those looking to purchase healthcare due to the problems with the federal enrollment site. He joins Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who on Tuesday became the first Senate Democrat to join Republicans in asking for an extension.
"I believe, given the technical issues, it makes sense to extend the time for people to sign up," Pryor said in a statement. "In addition, the Administration should state clearly how the enforcement mechanism will work if people can’t sign up in time. We all want to see the law work, and I hope the Administration will take a hard look at this reasonable suggestion."
White House press secretary Jay Carney on Wednesday sidestepped a question about whether the administration would consider a delay in the law's individual mandate, although the spokesman did hint that the administration did not view that move as warranted.”
Bottom Line: With 17 percent of the national economy and their cushy, high-pay jobs at risk, some Democrats are finally able to see beyond the snake-oil proffered by their fallen Messiah, Barack Obama.
All of which is making “Cruz Cadets” out of Democrats who just days ago were “celebrating” their victory in the deadly game of chicken waged against the American people.
Take heart, Ted Cruz: You were dead right, and your vindication is nigh!
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/330261-manchin-delay-obamacare-mandate#ixzz2ieavpo9L
