"Yes. Doing your job is part of your job." Job Placement Consultants
March 8, 2017
By: Linda Case Gibbons
I know what you're thinking. I was thinking it, too.
As soon as I saw Paul Ryan roll up his sleeves and point at a flip chart...with a pointer...my heart sank. I knew he was going to tell us what can't be done to repeal Obamacare.
And he did.
Yep. Even though Republicans scored a hat trick, capturing the presidency and a majority in Congress, they're back to their old ways: Telling us what they can't do and why they can't do it. And usually on TV.
It's complex, the speaker of the House sighed, then apologized for "getting a little technical," sounding like the architect of Obamacare, Jonathan Gruber, who gloated that Obamacare passed because "of the stupidity of the American people."
That can't be good.
Ryan glibly rattled off the problems, the "Byrd Rule," "reconciliation," and "goofy Senate rules," and shared how confused Congressmen were about "what you can and cannot put in what we call the reconciliation bill."
That can't be good, either.
Aren't Congressmen supposed to know stuff like that? Obamacare was passed in March 2010, and now they're getting confused? Everyone except Paul Ryan?
There has to be Three Phases, Ryan patiently explained, and Americans have to wait until Phase Three to get what they wanted in Phase One.
"We have to pass a bill we don't like, so we can convince the Senate to pass one that we can change, to put in stuff we do like...and want...later," was basically the jist of it. It sounded a lot like Nancy Pelosi when she told us, "We have to pass it, so you can find out what is in it."
Reconciliation is no picnic, Ryan kinda' said, with mandates that are strictly enforced. And unless the bill is only about fiscal/money/budget, it won't fly. If there's anything extra, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough will throw it out.
Them's the Senate rules, and no Republican protested. Except a few.
Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus opposing the plan, brought up an interesting point.
"Somehow Obamacare made it through reconciliation," Brat said. "So how did they do that and we can't."
Why, indeed.
So the real question is, can Paul Ryan be trusted?
We already know he hates Trump. He wanted to be president and thought he had a good shot at it at the Republican Convention. But, it didn't work out, and he's been grouchy ever since.
He doesn't look like a guy to help put a Healthcare Feather in Donald Trump's hat. Just glance at Ryan's face in an unguarded moment, when he's standing by President Trump. The Look of Love it ain't.
But, there's a deeper problem here, one poetically being called the "Deep State," which is just another phrase for "Secret Coup." We all know "Keeping your friends close and your enemies closer," is a swell rule of thumb, but nowadays, how can you tell which is which?
Especially for Donald Trump. There are a lot of guys who want his job, and want him out of there.
Especially Barack Obama.
So here's a suggested Three Pronged Plan:
First: We know in our hearts none of these guys ever read the Obamacare bill, so now they should. With about 20,000 pages, which includes regulations, and 435 Congressmen, give or take five, that's only about 50 pages each. Then have them write a book report. On how to repeal it.
Then they'll be part of the solution.
Second: Did you know Congress is working only eight days in April? Yes, you heard me right. And yes, it is strange.
See, in the real world, people who work show up for work a bunch of days, like five a week, and put in overtime and still work the month of April. Now Congressmen should do the same, and show up. Because doing their job is part of their job.
If it makes it easier, and fun, they can make believe they are all accountants and it's tax season. Everyone knows no accountant worth his salt takes a day off during tax season.
Third: Republicans have to start helping, not hindering their president. So the new American voter Rule of Thumb for our President is this: "If you're not a friend to this president, we presume you're an enemy. And we will not allow you to sabotage President Trump. Not in our government."
And "Deep Staters" need to be told, "Obama's not the president anymore, kiddies," then quote them a familiar refrain, heard at watering holes everywhere at closin' time, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."*
Hold the line, America.
*Greg Gutfeld