A couple of days ago I posted that on Monday, the Romney campaign was in agreement with the President that the health care mandate was a penalty and not a tax. I also said: “Of course this opinion can (and probably will) change at any minute, so prepare to shake the Etch-A-Sketch.”
It took an entire 48 hours, as Raw Story reports: “Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Wednesday reversed his campaign’s position that mandates to buy health care are a “penalty” and not a “tax,” telling CBS News that “the majority of the [Supreme Court] has said it is a tax, and therefore it is a tax.” “They have spoken,” he said. “There’s no way around that.” Romney’s new position is the exact opposite of what the campaign was saying on Monday.”
Raw Story also helpfully points out one important difference between Romneycare and Obamacare:
“Yet, the Massachusetts law clearly says that the state “shall have all enforcement and collection procedures available under chapter 62C to collect any penalties assessed under this section.” Those procedures, as described by chapter 62C, include seizing violators’ property and directly taking their wages. It becomes even more complicated for Romney due to his continued insistence that President Obama’s health reforms amount to a “government takeover” of the health care industry — but somehow, when Romney did it that wasn’t the case.
“To be clear, President Obama’s health mandate does not empower the IRS to come after citizens, and instead leaves the agency to figure out how much is owed and crib the penalty from violators’ annual tax returns and Social Security payments. This has led to an expansion of the agency’s manpower — I.E. created new jobs — which Republicans have been fuming over since the law was passed. The IRS is also specifically blocked from charging taxpayers interest on penalties accumulated.
“Putting it another way, IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman explained to Congress in 2010 that all they can really do is send people a letter letting them know that they’re in violation.
“Romney’s latest turnabout is also problematic for fellow Republicans — many of whom have been wrongly claiming that the IRS will soon be applying liens and levies against violators — because they would now appear to be criticizing Romney’s health plan and not President Obama’s.”
Romney’s political positions are only as good as the last person he converses with. .Romney’s mind has the same firmness of Jello.
Mitt is in a difficult position in regard to Healthcare Reform in that
such reform long overdue / that the USA need catch up with most
nations on this matter /not at the present continue lagging behind.
The media spinning out that Healthcare for all as a right being an
socialist (communist) (cubian) plot to destroy democracy freedom
which of course utter nonsense / it is but accepting a reality there
being act’s bill’s that one need not debate /it but the people’s right
such the case in Healthcare a basic care (affordable) a right for all.
Thus Mitt must adapt his position if to be elected / & take the party
with him & deal with the media that they end propaganda which is
doing the nation grave harm / not only in regard to Healthcare but
many issues // the main being with politicians whom bought as are
funded by wealthy backers whom wish fullfilling / their own agenda
agendas which not in the interest of nation or interest of its people.
America has gone off course through political corruption / where
weath can buy anything or anybody /the result of such has been
dir for the nation its people / endless conflict / international law in
having been abandoned // USA military spending / but destroying
the social structure of the nation in it being left starved of funding
the wealthy having but one aim / in growing richer / gaining power
while the poorer become poorer // whom are being stripped of all
rights // even in peaceful protest /the media calling them terrorists.
America needs to change course / its not going to do such under
BARACK / BARACK’s in power because he has the a great ability
to deceive to lie to cheat / he but full of empty promises / political
spin / his wealthy backers so in awe at his ability to fleece people
that they very quickly in appreciation awarded him an Nobel Prize.
Mitt need be given the oppertunity in bringing the nation to rights
with BARACK it as the TITANIC in heading towards the ICEBERG.
The concept of Govt they were the voice / servants of the people
though decades of political corruption /the situation has reversed
its the people whom now the servants of Govt / Govts that having
stripped them of all rights / freedom / as one’s vote being a farce.
T’will be no easy task / yet in people working together all possible.
@ww: i disagree w/u abt mitt need 2 have a chance @ the wheel. He should be put down. Prexident Obama is doing just fine. Another 4 @ the helm will not hurt anyone. & when we change’ hopefully it won’t have a mitt as a candidate. 4 sure we need to change the course of political corruption, but mitt would just make things worse.