ACA's Alice in Wonderland Twist: HHS Unilateral Delay of Regs for One State

Some recent ACA interpretations seem drawn from the popular story Alice in Wonderland. Image Source: freecodesource.com

A recent decision by HHS illustrates the arbitrary nature by which some implementation decisions are being made at CMS while highlighting the problem of a top-down approach in Obamacare. After months of small businesses anxiety in Massachusetts surrounding the impact of fewer rating factors due to an ACA mandated one-size-fits all policy, the Federal government recently pulled a piecemeal delayed implementation of the regulations out of thin air. (Background on the rating issue can be found in this post). One is now left to wonder if there is a legal rationale for such a decision, and begs the question if other states should be making similar appeals to HHS to forestall regulations that will spike premiums for many younger individuals 30-100 percent.

Delay

Jason Milliman and Kyle Cheney at Politico had the story first:

Federal health officials on Friday granted Massachusetts a phase-in for certain ACA rules that the state warned would have inflicted serious damage to small businesses because of a conflict with state’s 2006 health care overhaul….

The temporary relief, explained in a letter CCIIO Director Gary Cohen sent to Massachusetts officials Friday, allows the state to phase out its insurance rating system for small businesses over three years. Bay State officials and business groups had warned Obama administration officials that switching immediately to ACA rules would have meant serious rate shock in 2014.

Takeaways

1)      Romneycare and Obamacare are Not the Same Law

The decision by the Obama Administration to phase-in the rating factors in Massachusetts should make one point very clear; the ACA will cause insurance premiums for small businesses to spike in the state– so much for the claims that the two laws are the same.

The only difference now is that the premium shock will be seen over three years instead of one. This is like telling an innocent man that his life-sentence in prison will be delayed over 3 years, with him spending a little more time in prison each year. I’m not sure if this makes the end result any easier to swallow.

Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance, Joe Murphy, seems to miss the point in his related statement on the decision, “This is good news for small businesses and individual insurance consumers all across the commonwealth.”

How?

Is it because they won’t see the whole state predicted “extreme premium increase” next year, but will end up paying the full amount in three years off the highest premium base in the nation?

Pioneer Institute has put in a Freedom of Information Act request to see drafts of the report. The state has failed to respond within the required 10 working day time table, so the estimated impact of the changes remain unknown. However, the Division has informed sources that premiums could raise by 17 percent.

2)      Danger of One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Massachusetts is not the only state that finds itself in the position of trying to protect a pre-existing state regulations or programs from Obamacare.

Governor Mark Dayton (D-MN) is trying to protect a program called MinnesotaCare for 100,000 low-income residents. (Kevin Diaz at Star Tribune had the story.) The federal law would also kill off a well functioning state-high risk pool called the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association. Reporter Christopher Snowbeck contends is “one of the reasons that Minnesota traditionally has had one of the nation’s lowest rates of residents who lack health insurance.” State officials worry that dumping these high risk individuals into the exchange will cause premiums to spike for everyone.

The state of Idaho may lose its cost-effective and successful reinsurance system, which was most recently copied by Maine in the form of its Guaranteed Access Plan (GAP). (See paper by Tarren Bragdon and Joel Allumbaugh for more detail.) So much for state flexibly and tailored reform approaches.

3)      HHS is Inventing Implementation Decisions

In an April 5th letter from Gary Cohen from CCIIO to the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance, CMS concocts a phase-in schedule. He writes:

The Affordable Care Act makes clear that Congress had significant interest in promoting stability for states that, like Massachusetts, had implemented robust Exchanges and were succeeding in providing health insurance coverage for their residents prior to the enactment of the law. Specifically, in section 1321(e) of the law Congress created a presumption in favor of the ongoing operational processes of such existing Exchanges. The law created a transition period for those Exchanges to come into compliance with the standards of the Affordable Care Act.

While the rating requirements of section 2701 of the Public Health Service Act are not among the Exchange standards that are described in section 1321(e) of the Affordable Care Act, there is a relationship between those requirements and the operational concerns that Congress envisioned when it enacted section 1321(e). For this reason, we have concluded that it is appropriate to afford issuers in Massachusetts a three year transition period instead of coming into full and immediate compliance with the rating requirements at issue. (Bold Added)

Putting aside the fact that section 1321 (e) was not a “transition” period at all, but instead an assumption of complaince for states with an exchange, Mr. Cohen acknowledges that this issue is not addressed in the ACA. His rationale of rating factors being primarily related to exchange operations is weak at best. Rating factor impacts will fall almost exclusively on small companies outside of the exchange, and doesn’t impact the operational nature of the public exchange. The HHS letter makes it clear the agency lacks a concrete legal standing for such a decision.

One is left to wonder why other states can’t make an equally valid claim in order to meet the spirit of the ACA language to preserve the “right to maintain existing coverage” or offer “affordable choices of health benefit plans.” Evidence suggest they too will need a delayed phase-in as well.

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North Pole

(Difference between revisions)By air - the successful attempt  was by Roald Amundsen in a dirigible (balloon) in May, 1926 and, in 1948, the Soviets managed to land there, becoming the first men to stand at the Pole.   By air - the successful attempt  was by Roald Amundsen in a dirigible (balloon) in May, 1926 and, in 1948, the Soviets managed to land there, becoming the first men to stand at the Pole.   *Hattendorf,John B, (editor in chief) ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History'' Oxford University Press (2007) Volume 3. pp93-95

The North Pole is a point that describes the northernmost place on Earth. It is the the northern end of the north-south axis of the Earth where every direction is south and is the northern point where all longitudinal meridians begin. Its latitude is 90 degrees north. It is the opposite of the South Pole.

It lies under the waters of the Arctic Ocean at a point more or less equidistant between the northern coasts of Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. The sea there is usually ice-bound but not always. (The ice was thin enough in August 1958 for the US Submarine "Skate" to surface there.) It is. as one would think, cold, it is usually still and, depending on the season, has 24 hours a day sunlight (midsummer) or darkness (midwinter.) (The Arctic Circle, at about 66 degrees N is the latitude above which this occurs.)

The first attempts by Europeans to get there were by English navigator/traders sponsored by the Muscovy Company in 1607, 1610 and 1611. They were all frustrated by the ice but opened up the area for whaling. The British then left it to the Russians (who reached about 80 degrees north) until the Royal Navy became interested and mounted a series of expeditions during the late 1700s and into the nineteenth century. The Americans tried in 1860 and in the 1870s. All these later attempts were sparked by the myth of an area of “open water” around the Pole. Only in the 1870s was this myth exploded. Lives were lost in these attempts.

In the late nineteenth century and well into the twentieth it was thought that a ship could drift passively in the ice to the pole. Various attempts failed, one of them led by Roald Amundsen, the conqueror of the South Pole. It was left to the Americans to reach the Pole – by submarines. On 3 August 1958, USS Nautilus passed over the Pole and, 8 days later, the aforementioned “Skate” surfaced. To date, at least 12 different surface vessels, all especially equipped, have reached the Pole.

Meanwhile attempts were made over the ice, by foot, dog-team and finally by snowmobile. William Parry tried boats fitted with sleds in 1827, The Royal Navy, using man-hauled sleds, reached latitude 83N in 1875-6. Robert Peary reached 85N in his first attempt in 1902, however an Italian expedition had reached 86N in 1900. Perry then reached 87N in 1906. The first man to claim to have reached the Pole was Frederick Cook in 1908; he was followed by Peary (again} in 1909.

The claims by Frederick Cook and Robert Peary are now doubted - although Peary almost certainly got within a few miles of his goal - and recognition is given to Ralph Plaited, by snowmobile, in April 1968, his claim confirmed by navigation on board an aircraft. The first dog-team followed almost exactly a year later. The first solo success was in 1978. Now it is nearly a yearly occurrence.

By air - the successful attempt was by Roald Amundsen in a dirigible (balloon) in May, 1926 and, in 1948, the Soviets managed to land there, becoming the first men to stand at the Pole.

Hattendorf,John B, (editor in chief) The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History Oxford University Press (2007) Volume 3. pp93-95

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Hagel is not reneging on military benefits

By Lawrence J. Korb, senior fellow, Center for American Progress - 04/25/13 01:16 PM ET

As a life member of the Military Officers Association (MOAA), I am chagrined at the efforts of its leaders to prevent the Congress from restoring benefits for active duty and retired military personnel to their rightful level.  In presenting incorrect and misleading information to Congress and the general public, these individuals are stooping to the level of many special interest groups and are not putting the interests of the country first. This unacceptable behavior can be demonstrated by analyzing the full page ads they took out in Capitol Hill newspapers, including The Hill, on April 17, 2003.

In their ad, MOAA’s leaders claim that the changes that Secretary Hagel has recommended that the Congress make to the current compensation system are unfair and unnecessary. They claim that they are unfair because they renege on promises made to service members and their families. This is not true.

Hagel is proposing that working age military retirees pay no more than 14 percent of the costs of their Tricare healthcare plan. When Tricare was instituted in 1996, the executive and legislative branches agreed that the share would be 27 percent. But because of a dereliction of duty on the part of several military leaders for over a decade, the share dropped to less than 11 percent and the costs to the Pentagon and the taxpayers skyrocketed.  Having working age retirees pay only 14 percent is actually reneging on a promise to the American taxpayers, not to military retirees.

The new secretary is also proposing that retirees over 65 who are eligible for Tricare for Life pay a small enrollment fee based on a percentage of their retired pay. Since Tricare for Life did not come into existence until 2001, there is no retiree over 65 who made his or her career decisions based on getting Tricare for Life benefits. Those who assumed Tricare for Life would always be free cannot retire before 2021. Under Hagel’s plan, when they retire, they would pay between $613 and $818 a year depending on their rank.

Finally, like all of his predecessors, Hagel is proposing that raises in military basic pay be indexed to inflation as stipulated by law and policy. Since basic pay is 20 percent above that mark now, it would mean that for the next few years the raises would be slightly less than the rate of inflation. In effect, this would be keeping a promise to the military and the taxpayers, not reneging on any promises.

The MOAA ad also claims that changes are unnecessary, presenting a chart which purports to show that military personnel and health care costs now account for the same percentage of the defense budget as they have since 1980. Even if this were true, it would be irrelevant because these benefits are indexed to specific standards, not a percentage of the budget.  But the chart is not accurate, for two reasons.

First, these costs support a much smaller force than 1980. In that year, there were 2.3 million people on active duty. Today that number is 1.4 million. Moreover, the defense budget in 2010 was twice as large, in real terms, than it was in 1980.

Second, their chart ignores the fact that since 1986 almost $100 billion in personnel costs have been transferred out of the defense budget. In 1980, the DOD budget was charged for the full cost of military retired pay. Today, DOD pays only a small accrual for those on active duty who will probably retire. In 2012, that amounted to about $20 billion. However, military retirees received over $50 billion from the US treasury, which was not charged to the DOD budget.

In addition, the Treasury had to pay the interest on the unfunded liability of the military retired system which is about $1 trillion. This amounted to another $20 billion.

Military men and women should be fairly compensated for their service. And today they are. For example, the regular military compensation (base pay, tax free housing, and food allowances) are $44,000 for an E-4. For an O-3, it is $95,000. Over the past decade, the average cost of pay and benefits per active duty service member increased by more than 50 percent in real terms. In addition, they can receive number of special pays (flight pay, family separation pay, etc.). This is far more than what people comparable education receive in the private sector.

Hagel is not trying to cut their pay or renege on promises. MOAA knows this, but like any other special interest group, it is cooking the books to get a larger share of the pie for its members. But its members and the country deserve better.

Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, served as an assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration.

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Edward Snowden

(Difference between revisions)'''Edward Snowden''' is a 29-year-old IT specialist for defense contractor [[Booz Allen Hamilton]] who revealed the [[PRISM]] Internet snooping program of the [[National Security Agency]].'''Edward J. Snowden''' (b. ca. 1984) is a 29-year-old IT specialist for defense contractor [[Booz Allen Hamilton]] who revealed the [[PRISM]] Internet snooping program of the [[National Security Agency]].  He is a former CIA employee who made himself famous in May and June 2013, by revealing to the world that the National Security Agency had in effect built a dossier on every man, woman and child in the country.  

Edward J. Snowden (b. ca. 1984) is a 29-year-old IT specialist for defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton who revealed the PRISM Internet snooping program of the National Security Agency. He is a former CIA employee who made himself famous in May and June 2013, by revealing to the world that the National Security Agency had in effect built a dossier on every man, woman and child in the country.

He told a British newspaper

The Washington Post quotes him as saying

? Meet the NSA leaker, Human Events

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Remarks by President Obama at Dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Bush Presidential Center
Dallas, Texas

10:42 A.M. CDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Please be seated.  To President Bush and Mrs. Bush; to President Clinton and now-former Secretary Clinton; to President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush; to President and Mrs. Carter; to current and former world leaders and all the distinguished guests here today -- Michelle and I are honored to be with you to mark this historic occasion.

This is a Texas-sized party.  And that’s worthy of what we’re here to do today:  honor the life and legacy of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. 

When all the living former Presidents are together, it’s also a special day for our democracy.  We’ve been called “the world’s most exclusive club” -- and we do have a pretty nice clubhouse.  But the truth is, our club is more like a support group.  The last time we all got together was just before I took office.  And I needed that.  Because as each of these leaders will tell you, no matter how much you may think you’re ready to assume the office of the presidency, it’s impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it’s yours, until you’re sitting at that desk. 

And that’s why every President gains a greater appreciation for all those who served before him; for the leaders from both parties who have taken on the momentous challenges and felt the enormous weight of a nation on their shoulders.  And for me, that appreciation very much extends to President Bush.

The first thing I found in that desk the day I took office was a letter from George, and one that demonstrated his compassion and generosity.  For he knew that I would come to learn what he had learned -- that being President, above all, is a humbling job.  There are moments where you make mistakes.  There are times where you wish you could turn back the clock.  And what I know is true about President Bush, and I hope my successor will say about me, is that we love this country and we do our best. 

Now, in the past, President Bush has said it’s impossible to pass judgment on his presidency while he’s still alive.  So maybe this is a little bit premature.  But even now, there are certain things that we know for certain.

We know about the son who was raised by two strong, loving parents in Midland, famously inheriting, as he says, “my daddy’s eyes and my mother’s mouth.”  (Laughter.)  The young boy who once came home after a trip to a museum and proudly presented his horrified mother with a small dinosaur tailbone he had smuggled home in his pocket.  (Laughter.)  I’ll bet that went over great with Barbara.

We know about the young man who met the love of his life at a dinner party, ditching his plans to go to bed early and instead talking with the brilliant and charming Laura Welch late into the night. 

We know about the father who raised two remarkable, caring, beautiful daughters, even after they tried to discourage him from running for President, saying, “Dad, you’re not as cool as you think you are.”  (Laughter.)  Mr. President, I can relate.  (Laughter.)  And now we see President Bush the grandfather, just beginning to spoil his brand-new granddaughter. 

So we know President Bush the man.  And what President Clinton said is absolutely true -- to know the man is to like the man, because he’s comfortable in his own skin.  He knows who he is.  He doesn’t put on any pretenses.  He takes his job seriously, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously.  He is a good man.

But we also know something about George Bush the leader.  As we walk through this library, obviously we’re reminded of the incredible strength and resolve that came through that bullhorn as he stood amid the rubble and the ruins of Ground Zero, promising to deliver justice to those who had sought to destroy our way of life. 

We remember the compassion that he showed by leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, helping to save millions of lives and reminding people in some of the poorest corners of the globe that America cares and that we’re here to help.

We remember his commitment to reaching across the aisle to unlikely allies like Ted Kennedy, because he believed that we had to reform our schools in ways that help every child learn, not just some; that we have to repair a broken immigration system; and that this progress is only possible when we do it together.

Seven years ago, President Bush restarted an important conversation by speaking with the American people about our history as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.  And even though comprehensive immigration reform has taken a little longer than any of us expected, I am hopeful that this year, with the help of Speaker Boehner and some of the senators and members of Congress who are here today, that we bring it home -- for our families, and our economy, and our security, and for this incredible country that we love.  And if we do that, it will be in large part thanks to the hard work of President George W. Bush.  (Applause.)

And finally, a President bears no greater decision and no more solemn burden than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the greatest military that the world has ever known.  As President Bush himself has said, “America must and will keep its word to the men and women who have given us so much."  So even as we Americans may at times disagree on matters of foreign policy, we share a profound respect and reverence for the men and women of our military and their families.  And we are united in our determination to comfort the families of the fallen and to care for those who wear the uniform of the United States.  (Applause.) 

On the flight back from Russia, after negotiating with Nikita Khrushchev at the height of the Cold War, President Kennedy's secretary found a small slip of paper on which the President had written a favorite saying:  "I know there is a God.  And I see a storm coming.  If he has a place for me, I believe I am ready." 

No one can be completely ready for this office.  But America needs leaders who are willing to face the storm head on, even as they pray for God's strength and wisdom so that they can do what they believe is right.  And that’s what the leaders with whom I share this stage have all done.  That’s what President George W. Bush chose to do.  That’s why I'm honored to be part of today's celebration.

Mr. President, for your service, for your courage, for your sense of humor, and, most of all, for your love of country, thank you very much.  From all the citizens of the United States of America, God bless you.  And God bless these United States.  (Applause.) 

END               
10:50 A.M. CDT

President Obama travels to Waco, Texas to speak at a memorial service for those lost and injured in the deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in nearby West, Texas.

President and Mrs. Obama joined all the former living Presidents -- and four previous First Ladies -- for the event in Dallas, Texas.

Shaun Donovan and Cecilia Munoz highlight the impact of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative.

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McCain: White House looking for excuses not to intervene in Syria

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Thursday accused the Obama administration of being overly cautious in analyzing intelligence about the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, saying he feared the White House was looking for excuses not to get involved.

“I’m worried that the president and the administration will use the caveats as an excuse to not act right away or to not act at all,” he told Fox News. “The president clearly stated that it was a red line and that it couldn’t be crossed without the United States taking vigorous action.”

The White House on Thursday said the intelligence community believes the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad used chemical weapons on its own people. However, the Obama administration cautioned that it still has to “build on these intelligence assessments as we seek to establish credible and corroborated facts.”

In addition, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was careful to qualify his statement, saying that U.S. intelligence can say with "some degree of varying confidence" that the Syrian regime has used sarin gas on protesters and rebels.

McCain said it was clear in his view that the Syrian regime had crossed the red line and this required immediate military intervention from the U.S.

“In my view it was crossed,” he said. “Not only have our intelligence people concluded that, but as importantly, the Israelis, the British and the French have as well. Obviously we know Bashar al-Assad will do whatever is necessary to stay in power, [including] massacres of his own people.”

McCain warned that if the U.S. fails to follow through on its warning to the Syrian regime, that other rogue regimes and terrorist groups in the region would be emboldened by a perceived lack of will on behalf of the U.S. to follow through on its threats.

“If we don’t take action, the Iranians, Hezbollah, the other countries in the region will be paying close attention as to whether we react to what the president clearly stated on numerous occasions what was a red line,” he said.

The Arizona Republican added that the U.S. was perhaps unprepared for the burgeoning situation because of spending cuts that hit the military in the wake of the sequester.

“Right now I think we have plans, but I don’t believe that we have the capability to react in a very short time period,” he said. “And that’s a capability that now I think a compelling argument has been made for.”

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Template:Mainpageright

Great Conservative Sports Star Tim Tebow is reportedly joining the New England Patriots, from where he will be able to defeat the liberal New York Jets at least twice a year. [1] God does indeed have a sense of humor.

Why is big government a Goliath and why should you fear it? Start with watching a girl with cystic fibrosis nearly die from some arcane rule, while the government waives said rule for a big campaign donor. Then remember a little bit of history. [2]

Homeschooling surge underway: Education at home is growing seven times faster than K-12 enrollment. The homeschool option makes perfect sense, "significantly higher ACT-Composite scores as high schoolers and higher grade point averages as college students." [3]

Michael Reagan: Reform the U.S. tax code. [4]

The joke sport of "rhythmic gymnastics" is part of the 2020 Olympic Games roster.[5]

2013 continues to be a TERRIBLE year for evolutionary belief just like creationists predicted. The formerly popular Whyevolutionistrue blog sees its web traffic plunge in 2013.[6]

Britain has a debt-to-revenue ratio of 212%. Britain's external debt to GDP ratio was 390% in 2011.[7]

How long will you keep Charles Darwin on your currency Britain? How long will you run inefficient Darwinism indoctrinating public schools? Behold! Creationism will grow mightily in your land!

Multi-ethnic, Bible-believing church is adding 40-50 new members a year via the internet. Also, will a "God-ordained meeting" prove to yield more fruit than boring atheist meetings led by boring, white, atheist males? [8]

Atheists and evolutionists: Why are atheism and evolutionary beliefs so stale and boring?[9]

Conservative Rand Paul may challenge the privacy-invading conduct of the Obama Administration in court. [10] Even a few Dems express their opposition to the Big Brother program.

Promoters of marijuana are quiet about the arrest Saturday of a crane operator charged with causing the deaths of 6 people while under the alleged influence of the drug. [11] Authorities still conceal how much pot was in the system of "College Weed Dealer" Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. [12]

Trust the government? How can we in light of the recent scandals? [13]

Leftist vie for the Dem nomination for the special U.S. Senate election in New Jersey, with Rush Holt and media-promoted Cory Booker jumping into the race. [14]

Tag team of scientists show why the eye is still a thorn in the side of Darwinists.[15]

Protecting Christians in populist Muslim countries.[16]

Who is the enemy of the people? Barack Hussein Obama? Or institutions that enable him? [17]

Psychiatry and Darwinism: Pseudosciences in crisis.[18][19]

Primal scream therapy? A liberal evolutionist must have come up with that one!

Marijuana apparently killed again: six deaths in a building collapse have been traced back to a demolition equipment operator who, accordingly to toxicology reports, was allegedly high on pot. [20]

A Great Conservative Sports Star, the center who led the Ravens offense to the Super Bowl victory, declined to attend the White House celebration because Obama is so pro-abortion. [21] Obama-supported "Planned Parenthood performs about 330,000 abortions a year," Matt Birk observed.

"Reading by Bumps: How to navigate the Hebrew Braille Bible, and not go to prison" by Bishop Bert [22]

Obama administration mining Facebook data to predict crimes.[23]

New York City Mayor candidate Anthony Weiner and the New York Times are tying to rehabilitate his sleazy image, but Michelle Malkin has doubts that it will work.[24]

Barack Hussein Obama flip-flops on the Patriot Act.[25]

Why do liberals, RINOs and Darwinist posers like to flip-flop so often?[26][27] Lack of convictions?

High unemployment, mistrust of government and a porous Mexican border makes odds of passing U.S. immigration bill longer.[28]

"The administration has now lost all credibility..."
And this statement comes from the editorial board of the New York Times, a liberal newspaper. [29][30]

The NSA's domestic spying - and they are spying on Americans - violates the Fourth Amendment. [31]

The special Senate election in New Jersey got a lot more interesting today. Governor Chris Christie named a close ally as a caretaker Senator, and several candidates said they would try to qualify. [32]

A Tea Party activist denounces Chris Christie for calling a special election instead of simply appointing an interim United States Senator. (And calling a special election so fast most candidates won't have time to qualify.) [33] While we're at it: is Chris Christie really a Republican? [34]

The Bully-crats: [35]

Trolls' attempts to silence conservatives just won't work. [36]

Robert Bauer: former White House Counsel, who could be the one most responsible for the IRS targeting of the Tea Party and conservatives in general. [37]

10-year old boy fends off armed home intruders with a gun.[38]

Remember this Father's Day: The left's policies are undermining the family.[39]

The Common Core State Standards for education are unconstitutional and illegal. See here for all the laws they violate. [40]

BREAKING NEWS: Steve Lonegan will start at once to gather signatures to get on the primary ballot in the New Jersey special Senate election. [41][42]

Chris Christie called a special election to fill Frank Lautenberg's Senate seat to benefit one man only: himself. And why is he drawing big money from prominent Democratic Party financiers? [43]

The Obama administration is as transparent as a tar pit.[44] American conservatives, like the ones in Florida and Texas, like the refreshing, clear waters of government transparency.

The IRS discriminates because they are a bunch of self-serving, liberal, money grubbers.[45] Eliminate the IRS and slash U.S federal government spending.

Real austerity and not "faux austerity" will help European economies.[46] How long will the liberal heathen rage and deny the obvious?

What's really "transparent" about Barack Hussein Obama? His war on America, and American women, that's what. [47]

Conservative landslide victory Tuesday, by a remarkable 67-27% margin, for an open congressional seat in Missouri. [48]

Tyranny gets a new face today. It is not just the IRS. It is the Democratic Party Caucus of the United States House of Representatives. [49]

BREAKING NEWS: Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey will not name an interim United States Senator immediately. He will call a special election, to take place this October, to name a replacement for the late Senator Frank Lautenberg. [50]

New Jersey voters! Vote today. A Tea Party group publishes its last list of endorsements in races from sheriff to township council. [51]

The lamestream media admit that Tim Tebow is being excluded not primarily because of his quarterbacking skills. [52] Why should the public support the NFL as it discriminates against outspoken Christians?

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) died Monday. Now Governor Chris Christie must appoint someone to replace him. Whom will that be? [53][54]

Liberal hatred of the First Amendment: [55]

Evolutionists failed to overturn Louisiana pro-creationism law - again! Also, another creationist mother is eager to have her daughter read a draft of the Question evolution! campaign book for middle school students.[56]

Forbes: Religion is an essential driver of economic growth. Evangelicalism is improving the cultures of third world countries and boosting their economies. [57]

UN Agenda 21 threatens San Francisco Bay. But two activists are preparing to sue to fight it. [58]

Liberal censorship continues, by making a big deal out of an offhand reference to "no homo" by a triumphant basketball player. [59] But there's no exception to the First Amendment allowing censorship to promote the homosexual agenda.

Are the Koch Brothers hoping to buy the Los Angeles Times? If so, conservatives should applaud, not decry, them for that. [60]

Anti-Darwinism has now entered into a mainstream public university. Indiana's Ball State University is now offering a course which is intelligent design friendly.[61]

Same-sex marriage is defeated in the liberal state of Illinois, despite Obama's push for it in his home state. [62] Has Obama become irrelevant?

The academic journal Sociology of Religion shows secularism losing momentum and beginning to decline in both Europe and America by 2050. Other academic research shows it may begin to happen much earlier.[63]

August 2012: A summer of triumph for biblical creation belief. Will August 2013 be a watershed month as well?[64]

Media-promoted Tiger Woods "shot his worst nine-hole score as a professional" but afterward his comments were again self-serving: "I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggled out there." [65] Actually, Woods' score is worse than 69 other players.

The number of adherents of liberal Christianity who will be spit out of Jesus's mouth will be many.[66]

The country with the world's biggest atheist population is very interested in information debunking Darwinism.[67]

The first review of the Question evolution! campaign book for middle school students is in! Rachel finds the book "very interesting". Sarah is "very interested" in reading the book.[68]

Evolutionists, learning science is exciting. The force feeding of stale, evolutionary bunkum is not.[69][70]

New Jersey voters! This Tuesday is Primary Day. Herewith a voter guide. [71][72][73]

The IRS and the White House definitely worked together. The visitor logs show how often IRS Commissioner Shulman visited – and how rarely anyone else did with whom he would have had meetings, of not with Barack Obama. [74]

A Tea Party activist withdraws his earlier call for a temporary criminal registry, in wake of the scandals surrounding the Internal Revenue Service. This is the same agency that will police Obamacare. [75]

Liberal double standard: when undefeated Michele Bachmann declined to run for reelection, there was liberal claptrap galore by the media. Then her Dem opponent pulled out of the race too, and the media are nearly speechless. [76]

Eric Holder gave a private party for his friends in the Mainstream Media, and less than half of them showed up. What does that say about those who did? [77]

After cutting Tim Tebow, the New York Jets now try to stop the building of a family amusement park. [78] Why should the increasingly anti-Christian NFL receive favoritism??

Associated Press reports that Americans may lose the health plan they like under Obamacare.[79]

Student Loan money profits are being siphoned off to pay for ObamaCare.[80]

An activist advises people to elect a sheriff who remembers his Constitutional duty to those who elect him. [81]

"Memorial Day 2013: How it was. What it will be" by Bishop Bert [82]

1960s liberalism is not only financially unsustainable, but its champions are a dying breed.[83]

Understanding gold market dynamics.[84]

Evolutionary racism directed towards an accomplished footballer puts a sour note on a football game.[85] Why are so many liberals racists?

When a republic turns into a democracy, it will surely fail. [86]

Remembering a fallen police officer in Phoenix, Arizona. [87]

Media bullying alert: the lamestream media spend all day picking on undefeated conservative Michele Bachmann, who repeatedly won in a liberal district. Rather their cheap criticism, the media should be asking why they could never defeat her.

Wikipedia continues to lose influence in the world in 2013.[88] Also, interest in Project 200 plus keeps expanding.

Undefeated five-term congressman Michele Bachmann announces that she will retire from her position, and may run for higher office. [89] The liberal machine was never able to defeat her in a Dem state.

Professor attacked by liberals. His "crime"? Teaching students to think for themselves. [90]

Judge-Shopping, or, How Eric Holder Got Away With Spying On A Reporter's Emails: [91]

The liberal nanny mayor of New York City doesn't like street cafes now. [92]

The IRS scandal that the news is not covering, because it's tied in with Obamacare: [93]

Eric Holder now faces investigation for perjury before Congress. Is Barack Hussein Obama paying attention? [94]

France struggles to find a strategy to turn around their economy even though it is right under their nose.[95] The Bible, Adam Smith and Friedrich Hayek

Many things happen in life that cannot be explained by science or philosophy. Atheists and agnostics self intellectually cripple themselves and are clueless about much of reality.[96]

Example of how modern conservatism is more conservative than Republicans from yesteryear: Bob Dole, Republican nominee in 1996, admits that "Reagan couldn't have made it. Certainly, Nixon couldn't have made it .... We might've made it, but I doubt it." [97]

A United States Senator finally says it: Barack H. Obama is throwing away his moral authority to lead. But in fact he never had legal authority to lead, either. [98]

Conservapedia pauses in prayer (not a liberal "moment of silence") in honor of Memorial Day.

RichardDawkins.net keeps getting smited! Has a plague of locusts eaten Richard Dawkins' daily website visitors?[99]

How long will you refuse to humble yourself before the Lord, Richard Dawkins?

Vox Day and a supporter of the Question evolution! campaign agree: The speed at which the secular left is collapsing is happening at an unexpectedly fast rate. [100]

Google USA estimates 101,000,000 search results for the search "Evolution and just so stories".[101]

"President Obama forgets to salute," but the lamestream media downplay gaffes by liberals. [102]

A Tea Party activist urges Congress to seize the moment, now that Obama's luck seems to have run out. [103]

Another study finds that obesity may decrease brain function.[104] See also: Atheism and obesity and Lesbianism and obesity

Have liberal policies destroyed Sweden? "Stockholm rioting continues for fifth night." [105]

The inventor of the concept "Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder" admitted, before he died, that he made the whole thing up. Think about that when the school district tells you to drug your kids. [106]

Dems admit they lack the votes to pass their amnesty-for-illegal-aliens bill, where 60 votes are the minimum needed in the U.S. Senate. [107]

The cold temperatures this spring have even hurt the sale of sporting goods. [108] Yet liberal denial about the cold weather persists, in order to perpetrate a fictional global warming.

World's most popular site devoted to atheism/agnosticism sees a massive loss of global market share according to Alexa. Also, new Question evolution! campaign group leader expected to be installed in June of 2013.[109]

Obama's paternalistic, sexist reference Thursday to a heckler as a "young lady" is no problem for the liberal media, [110] but an Hispanic golfer's offhand racial quip about Tiger Woods is unforgivable.

7 creationist groups have now joined Project 200 plus. Also, 7 ways the Question evolution! campaign is strengthening itself.[111]

An IRS official takes the Fifth Amendment. Or does she? Besides botching her plea, she shows hypocrisy in claiming a freedom she does not grant to others. [112]

Liberal double standard: racist remarks by Joe Biden are no problem, but the lamestream media and Tiger Woods make a big deal about an offhand joke by an Hispanic golfer. [113] Will media bullying enable Tiger Woods to end nearly 5 years without his winning a major?

The BBC News opened a story with this nonsense: “A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they became extinct because they had larger eyes than our species.”[114] Why does Darwinism spawn such lame just so stories?

Thomas Sowell recommends parents having their children read the book The New Leviathan which has a number of essays which debunk various liberal sacred cows.[115]

Barack Hussein Obama's "I am an idiot" defense about his recent scandals undermines his "cult of expertise" and statist redemption fantasies that he has been peddling.[116]

Ask yourselves right now: is this still America? Representative Mike Kelly asked that of IRS Acting Commissioner Miller. We should ask it of ourselves. [117]

Contrast the regal behavior of Barack Hussein Obama with the humble behavior of George Washington. [118]

Expert says that the discovery of a 20-year long rainfall in Ireland points to the Great Flood of the Bible being historical.[119]

Why do so many faux Christians deny the Great Flood and try to turn it into a non-Great Flood?[120] Did Jesus, Peter and Moses lie?[121]

Animals are where they are today, not because they evolved there, nor yet because of continental drift, but because they went there after the Great Flood. [122]

A description of "Common Core Education," the harm it can do, and a list of New Jersey primary candidates pledged to stop it. [123]

Outspokenly Christian Kevin Durant gives $1 million to the tornado victims. Durant uaually outscores LeBron, but the liberal media do not promote outspoken Christians.

Why does Glenn Beck, who loves to chart conspiracies on his famous chalkboards, ignore a conspiracy right under his nose? [124]

28 million Americans will be caught in a "massive game of health coverage pingpong" under ObamaCare, and even the liberal media are beginning to panic about this. [125]

Classic communist tactic by the Obama Administration: it files a document in court alleging that a reporter at Fox News is a possible co-conspirator in the "crime" of informing the public. [126] In fact this goes back further – to Henry II. Are we all Thomas Becket now? [127]

Teen awarded for improved capacitor - Intel gave a $50,000 scholarship to a girl whose titanium dioxide capacitor can store almost three times as much electrical energy as previous capacitors and is intended as a battery alternative. [128]

Most mainstream media got the story wrong, claiming incorrectly that her invention can charge a cell phone battery in 30 seconds. (Charging a battery too quickly reduces its life, which is why Motorola and Samsung and the rest keep the amperage low.)

Franklin Graham, one of America's most prominent evangelical Christians, says the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service included two of his ministries.[129]

Are many evangelical Christian churches primarily growing in America due to birth rates or due to evangelism?[130]

"Quiverfull" evangelical Christianity, which does not believe in contraception, is now spreading in the UK.[131] In the past 30 years, the number of Anabaptists in North America, including the Amish, has grown significantly, from 313,000 baptized members in 1978 to more than 535,000 in 2010. [132]

Unfortunately for militant atheists, secularist philosophy breeds sub-replacement levels of fertility. See: Decline of atheism

Reuters reports: "Europe is in the midst of its longest recession since it began keeping records in 1995 — even surpassing the calamity that hit the region in the financial crisis of 2008-2009."[133]

Biblical creationism is growing in Europe and its growth rate will accelerate amidst Europe's economic woes.[134]

The UK has experienced one lost economic decade, and it's about to enter a second. [135] When is the UK going to remove Charles Darwin off its currency?[136]

Turkey, a world leader in anti-evolutionism, had its Moody’s credit rating upgraded to investment-grade quality. [137][138]

What is the real IRS scandal? It's the tax code itself. [139]

A video was recently produced on the topic "Why Christianity and the Bible are true." [140]

Abortion: an indispensable right or violence against women?[141]

A New Jersey activist promotes the primarying of a RINO State Senator. See his side-by-side of a typical RINO and his challenger. [142]

The first rule of grassroots anti-evolution social movements: What's behind us in inane evolutionist commentary is NOT important![143]

Is the Question evolution! campaign entering a new phase? If so, what new tactics are being employed by a Question evolution campaign group?

Bradlee Dean has this scathing commentary on Minnesota's gay "marriage" law. [144]

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