From: AlleyCat <katt@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh,can.politics,alt.politics.trump,alt.politics.liberalism,alt.politics.democrats,alt.politics.usa.republican
Subject: P3 - Obama Ignored What The Constitution Says SO Many Fucking Times
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2025 10:39:36 -0500
Organization: AlleyCat Computing, Inc.
On Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:28:38 +0000, Lee says...
> Trump is already ignoring what the
> Constitution says. And his lackeys on
> the Supreme Court are fine with that.
So... SC Judges on the right are lackeys, but those on the left aren't when there's a left-wing President?
Explain the difference.
Name ONE President who HASN'T ignored the Constitution. (see below)
The Supreme Court makes those decisions, stupid.
What... you think all laws came from the burning bush or the stone tablets?
Gawd, what an idiot.
Name the laws Trump is ignoring and tell us that THAT argument in front of the Supreme Court is unprecedented.
Burning the American Flag was NOT written in stone, before the Supreme Court handed down a decision on it 35 fucking years ago.
How many Amendments are you fags on the left trying to get reversed, because they're "old" in your eyes?
WHO ever said a Amendment was NEVER supposed to be argued again OR reversed?
Obama Ignored What The Constitution Says SO Many Fucking Times
===============================================================================
Cronyism, Hypocrisy, Waste, Etc.
201) Illegally bypassed Congress to delay Obamacare's employer mandate
As the Obamacare law was written, the employer mandate was to begin in January
2014. This is what the law said when it was passed by the House and Senate, and
signed by President Obama.
However, in July 2013, Obama delayed the employer mandate part of Obamacare
until January 2015. Obama did this without approval from Congress.
For Obama to change a law that was passed by Congress, without first getting
approval from Congress, is a violation of the Presidential oath that Obama took
to uphold and defend the Constitution.
What Obama did here is an action of a dictator, not an action of a President
whose power is limited by a written constitution.
If Obama can get away with this, then it sets a horribly dangerous precedent,
and means that the President can arbitrarily make any change to any law that
has been passed by Congress, without first getting approval from Congress.
202) Made it too hard for some doctors to continue their practices
In July 2013, ABC News reported that some doctors were shutting down their
practices in response to Obamacare.
Dr. Robert WcWilliams, an obstetrician/gynecologist with more than 5,000
patients, said:
"It's going to be run by bureaucrats - and it's going to be run by politicians
- who have no idea what is in your best interests, then I'm getting out."
203) Falsely told Africans that contaminated water is a smaller problem than
global warming
In July 2013, while speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Obama
said that global warming was "the biggest challenge we have environmentally"
and that it was worse than "dirty water, dirty air."
However, according to the World Health Organization, while global warming kills
140,000 people each year, air pollution kills 3 million people per year.
According to UNESCO, each year, contaminated water causes 4 billion cases of
diarrhea, 120,000 cases of cholera, 300 million cases of malaria, 12 million
cases of typhoid, 6 million cases of trachoma, 200 million cases of
schistosomiesis, and more than 1 billion incidents of intestinal parasites.
You know what's worse than global warming? How about living your entire life
without ever having access to a toilet?
The World Health Organization says that dirty water is "the leading cause of
disease and death around the world."
That Obama would downplay these problems shows how scientifically illiterate he
is.
That he would do so while giving a speech in Africa, which has the highest rate
of water borne illness of any continent, shows how thoughtless and insensitive
he is.
204) Spent $630,000 of taxpayers' money to get more Facebook "likes"
In July 2013, it was reported that Obama had spent $630,000 of taxpayers' money
in order to get more Facebook "likes."
205) Declared that hacking was an act of war, then hacked the EU
In 2011, the Obama administration issued a statement which said that when one
country hacked another country's computers, the hacking constituted an "act of
war."
In July 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration had hacked
computers which were owned by the European Union.
206) Said "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon"
In Florida, after a school security camera showed Trayvon Martin marking
graffiti, a search of his backpack showed that it contained 12 pieces of
women's jewelry, including silver wedding rings, and earrings with diamonds.
The backpack also had a screwdriver, which is often used as a tool by burglars.
Martin said that the jewelry belonged to a friend, but refused to say who that
friend was.
Why would a teenage boy bring a backpack full of silver wedding rings and
diamond earrings to school? Do Martin's millions of defenders really think that
he was not a burglar?
The fact that Martin was in possession of stolen jewelry at school is perfectly
in line with George Zimmerman's claim on the 911 call that Martin was acting
suspiciously. And there had been quite a few burglaries in the area recently.
Also on the 911 call, Zimmerman had said that Martin was acting as if he was on
drugs. Martin's autopsy showed that there was THC in his system. And while
other parts of marijuana can stay in the system for weeks after it's smoked,
the THC only stays in the person's system for a few hours. Therefore, Martin
was indeed high when Zimmerman saw him.
So Trayvon Martin was a burglar, used illegal drugs, broke Zimmerman's nose,
and smashed Zimmerman's head against the concrete.
And how does Obama respond to all of this?
Obama said:
"If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon."
207) Falsely said that Secretary of State John Kerry had not been on his yacht
during the regime change in Egypt
In July 2013, the Obama administration falsely said that Secretary of State
John Kerry had not been on his yacht during the regime change in Egypt.
Evan after CBS news presented the Obama administration with photographic
evidence that Kerry had been on his yacht during that time, the Obama
administration still continued to falsely claim that Kerry had not been on his
yacht.
CBS News reported:
On Thursday night, CBS News obtained a photo of Kerry on his boat and sent it
to the State Department, asking whether they still stand by their denial that
Kerry was on a boat.
The response: "Yes."
208) Said "the planet will boil over" if African citizens adopt a first world
standard of living
In July 2013, Obama said "the planet will boil over" if African citizens adopt
a first world standard of living.
"the planet will boil over
209) "Among those who Strongly Approve of the president, more fear the Tea
Party than radical Muslims."
In June 2013, Rasmussen conducted a poll to find out what people considered to
be the "nation's top terror threat."
Reporting on the results of the poll, Rasmussen wrote:
"Among those who Strongly Approve of the president, more fear the Tea Party
than radical Muslims."
210) Illegally forced 2,200 privately owned auto dealerships to close, which
destroyed 120,000 jobs
In 2009, Obama illegally forced 2,200 privately owned auto dealerships to
close. These dealerships had employed 120,000 people.
211) Subsidized the production of alcoholic beverages
In June 2013, Breitbart reported:
The USDA Rural Development agency also touted a program to subsidize the Wine
Barn LLC in "marketing and increasing production of its Kansas produced wine."
That cost $25,000. The USDA Rural Development also said it would hand $300,000
to the Mackinaw Trail Winery in Michigan, $100,000 for the Appleton Creek
Winery in New York, $162,500 for the Old Westminster Winery in Maryland, and
tens of thousands of dollars to wineries in Nebraska and Iowa.
Liquor is the name of the game for the USDA, apparently - they're also
subsidizing the production of vodka in North Carolina, Bloody Mary mix in West
Virginia, and hard cider in Virginia.
212) Gave 23,994 tax refunds worth a total of $46,378,040 to illegal aliens who
all used the same address
In 2011, the IRS gave 23,994 tax refunds worth a total of $46,378,040 to
illegal aliens who all used the same address in Atlanta, Ga.
213) Sued private businesses for using "racist" criminal background checks to
screen employees
In June 2013, the Obama administration filed lawsuits against Dollar General
and BMW for using criminal background checks to screen employees. The Obama
administration claimed that such background checks were "racist."
214) Used tax money to pay federal employees to organize protests against
George Zimmerman
In March and April of 2012, Obama used tax money to pay federal employees to
organize protests against George Zimmerman.
215) Illegally continued giving foreign aid to Egypt after it had a coup
Federal law requires that U.S. foreign aid to Egypt be ended if and when Egypt
has a coup. However, after Egypt had a coup in July 2013, the Obama
administration said that it would continue giving foreign aid to Egypt.
216) Broke promise to end Bush's surveillance of U.S. citizens who were not
suspected of committing a crime
In August 2007, Obama promised that he would end Bush's surveillance of U.S.
citizens who were not suspected of committing a crime. However, in June 2013,
such surveillance was still being conducted.
217) Spent $3 million to study the health risks of dating Mexican prostitutes
In July 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration had spent $3
million to study the health risks of dating Mexican prostitutes.
218) Lied about the cost of IRS conferences
In June 2013 it was reported that the Obama administration had lied about the
cost of IRS conferences. While the actual cost was $50 million, the Obama
administration had claimed that the cost was only 1% of that mount.
219) Spent $890,000 per year on service fees for bank accounts that had no
money
In April 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration was spending
$890,000 each year on service fees for bank accounts that did not have any
money in them. At the time, the government had 13,712 empty accounts which it
was supposed to have closed, but which it had kept open anyway.
220) Spent $34 million to construct a new military headquarters in Afghanistan
after U.S. military commanders said they did not want it
After U.S. military commanders said in 2010 that they did not want a new
headquarters in Afghanistan, the Obama administration spent $34 million to
build it anyway.
221) Falsely said that his scandals were "phony"
In July 2013, Obama said
"With an endless parade of distractions, political posturing and phony
scandals, Washington has taken its eye off the ball."
These scandals are not "phony." I have cited a huge number of sources in this
list to show that these scandals are real.
222) Falsely guaranteed that people could keep their doctor
Before Obamacare was passed, Obama said:
"Here is a guarantee that I've made... If you've got a doctor that you like,
you will be able to keep your doctor."
However, in July 2013, the Obama administration said that people "may" be able
to keep their doctor.
223) Falsely said the auto bailouts prevented Detroit from going bankrupt
Obama falsely stated that the auto bailouts prevented Detroit from going
bankrupt.
224) Illegally seized a privately owned gun from a law abiding citizen
After a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty, the Obama administration
announced that it would seize his gun. This violated the double jeopardy clause
of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the takings clause of the fifth amendment.
225) Broke his promise to have real time verifiability of Obamacare subsidies
In July 2013, Investor's Business Daily wrote:
Meanwhile, the administration tacitly admitted last week that its promise of
real-time verification of a consumer's eligibility to buy subsidized coverage
at an ObamaCare exchange wasn't exactly panning out.
Under ObamaCare, only those who don't have access to "affordable" insurance at
work can buy coverage in an exchange, and only those below certain income
levels are eligible for tax subsidies.
Rather than a high-tech instant check, the administration told states they
could simply take the applicants' word for it when it comes to their employer-
provided coverage, as well as their "projected annual household income,"
without the need for "further verification."
226) Signed health care reform whose rules contradicted each other
Obamacare allows insurance companies to charge higher premiums for smokers. At
the same time, it prohibits insurance companies from charging more than three
times as much for older people as it does for younger people. In June 2013,
Obama's computer programmers said that they had been unable to write a computer
program that simultaneously agreed with both of these rules.
227) Signed a health care reform plan that is so horrible that even the IRS
agents who run it don't want to participate in it
Obama hired 16,500 new IRS agents to run Obamacare.
But Obamacare is so awful that even the IRS agents who run it don't want to
participate in it.
In July 2013, the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents the IRS
employees who will be running Obamacare, provided a form letter to its members
to send to their Congressmen. The letter stated:
"I am very concerned about legislation that has been introduced by Congressman
Dave Camp to push federal employees out of the Federal Employees Health
Benefits Program and into the insurance exchanges established under the
Affordable Care Act."
When asked about this, IRS chief Daniel Werfel responded by saying:
"I don't want to speak for the NTEU, but I'll offer a perspective as a federal
employee myself and a federal employee at the IRS. And that is, we have right
now as employees of the government, of the IRS, affordable health care
coverage. I think the ACA was designed to provide an option or an alternative
for individuals that do not. And all else being equal, I think if you're an
individual who is satisfied with your health care coverage, you're probably in
a better position to stick with that coverage than go through the change of
moving into a different environment and going through that process. So I think
for a federal employee, I think more likely, and I would - can speak for
myself, I would prefer to stay with the current policy that I'm pleased with
rather than go through a change if I don't need to go through that change."
228) Tried to tax small businesses at a higher rate than corporations
Obama raised the top tax rate on small businesses to 39.6%, and tried to lower
the top tax rate on corporations to 28%.
229) Illegally prevented individual employees of small businesses from choosing
their own plan during the first year of Obamacare
Obamacare requires that individual employees of small businesses be allowed to
choose their own insurance plan during the first year of Obamacare. However, in
March 2013, the Obama administration announced that it would not be allowing
them to make this choice during the first year.
230) Falsely said that Obamacare had not hurt jobs
In July 2013, the Obama administration said that Obamacare had not hurt jobs.
However, in the real world, in response to the medical device tax that is part
of Obamacare, some medical device manufacturers have announced plans to layoff
employees, including Welch Allyn (275 planned layoffs), Stryker (1,170 planned
layoffs), and Medtronic (1,000 planned layoffs). In December 2012, Al Franken,
Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry, and 15 other Democrats who supported the passage
of Obamacare wrote a letter to Harry Reid, asking him to delay the tax on
medical devices, claiming that the tax would hurt job creation in their
districts. The New York Times reported that Obamacare "sharply penalizes full-
time employment in favor of part-time employment." In response to the employer
mandate of Obamacare, some restaurants have announced plans to switch some of
their employees from full time to part time, including some franchises of Olive
Garden, Red Lobster, Wendy's, Taco Bell, White Castle, and Fatburger. Community
College of Allegheny County switched 200 professors and 200 other employees
from full time to part time in response to Obamacare. Clint Benjamin, an
English professor at Community College of Allegheny County, said that this
would reduce his own monthly pay by $600. Also in response to the employer
mandate of Obamacare, other colleges have announced plans to switch some of
their employees from full time to part time, including Florida's Palm Beach
State College, Ohio's Youngstown State University, and New Jersey's Kean
University. In Virginia, thousands of government employees had their hours
reduced because of Obamacare. The Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh reduced the
hours of 48 of its employees in response to Obamacare. Regal Entertainment
Group, the largest chain of movie theaters in the country, announced that it
would be switching thousands of its employees from full time to part time in
response to the Obamacare mandate. Utah's Granite School District reduced the
hours of 1,200 of its employees in response to Obamacare. In response to
Obamacare, many Wal-Mart stores have stopped hiring full time workers. In
response to Obamacare, Forever 21 reduced its employees' hours. As of September
2013, more than 200 public-sector employers had reduced their employees' hours
in response to Obamacare. Sea World reduced the weekly hours of its part time
employees from 32 to 28 in response to Obamacare. Lands' End limited its part
time employees to 29 hours per week in response to Obamacare. As of September
2013, at least 34 universities and colleges had reduced some of their
employees' hours in response to Obamacare. In September 2013, it was reported
that in response to Obamacare, Indiana University would be laying off 50 of its
employees and switching them to a temp agency. In July 2013, leaders of the
Teamsters, UFCW, and UNITE-HERE sent a letter to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi
which said that Obamacare will "destroy the foundation of the 40 hour work week
that is the backbone of the American middle class... the law creates an
incentive for employers to keep employees' work hours below 30 hours a week.
Numerous employers have begun to cut workers' hours to avoid this obligation."
231) Falsely said that health insurance premiums would be reduced by $2,500 per
family by the end of his first term
In February 2008, Obama said:
"We are going to work with you to lower your premiums by $2,500. We will not
wait 20 years from now to do it, or 10 years from now to do it. We will do it
by the end of my first term as president."
However, by the time his first term was over, family premiums had gotten
bigger, not smaller. The increase was $3,065 per family.
232) Illegally gave Obamacare waiver to Massachusetts
In August 2013, Obama gave an Obamacare waiver to Massachusetts.
This waiver was illegal for two reasons. First, the waiver was not approved by
the U.S. Congress. Second, the U.S. Constitution requires that the federal
government treat all states the same.
233) Betrayed the unions that helped him to get elected
In January 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported:
Some Unions Grow Wary of Health Law They Backed
Labor unions enthusiastically backed the Obama administration's health-care
overhaul when it was up for debate. Now that the law is rolling out, some are
turning sour.
Union leaders say many of the law's requirements will drive up the costs for
their health-care plans and make unionized workers less competitive. Among
other things, the law eliminates the caps on medical benefits and prescription
drugs used as cost-containment measures in many health-care plans. It also
allows children to stay on their parents' plans until they turn 26.
Some 20 million Americans are covered by the health-care plans at issue
Top officers at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the AFL-CIO and
other large labor groups plan to keep pressing the Obama administration to
expand the federal subsidies to these jointly run plans, warning that unionized
employers may otherwise drop coverage. A handful of unions say they already
have examined whether it makes sense to shift workers off their current plans
"We are going back to the administration to say that this is not acceptable,"
said Ken Hall, general secretary-treasurer for the Teamsters, which has 1.6
million members and dependents in health-care plans. Other unions involved in
the push include the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and
Unite Here
Sheet Metal Workers Local 85 in Atlanta, which has about 1,900 members. Next
year it must lift the $250,000 annual cap on the amount it will pay for medical
claims. The law's requirements will add between 50 cents to $1 an hour to the
cost of members' compensation package
234) Illegally changed Obamacare to benefit members of Congress and their staff
Obamacare was passed by the House and Senate, and signed by President Obama.
Three years later, members of Congress and their staff complained that
Obamacare was going to cost them a lot of money, and said that this would
likely cause a brain drain among their staff. In response to this, Obama made
changes to Obamacare so that these things would not happen. However, Obama's
actions were illegal, because he made these changes without Congress voting on
them first.
The New York Times wrote of this:
... the language of the health care law requires Congressional employees to
obtain health insurance through an exchange created by the law, but other parts
of the federal legal code restrict the ability of the federal government to pay
the usual employer share for group insurance programs approved by the Office of
Personnel Management.
A straightforward reading of the law thus means that Congressional staff
members, starting in January 2014, will have to obtain insurance through the
Affordable Care Act but pay for it on their own without the normal contribution
from their employer - Congress. This would be a multi-thousand-dollar income
hit for those affected... many... would potentially feel the pain, giving rise
to concerns over a potential brain drain of Congressional staff members finding
other employment.
... the federal personnel office initially ruled that Congressional staff
members would not be eligible for the subsidies, and then changed this decision
under pressure from the White House...
235) Told General Mills to stop making true claims about Cheerios
For quite some time, advertisements for the breakfast cereal Cheerios made the
true and accurate claim that eating Cheerios lowers a person's cholesterol.
However, even though this claim is true and accurate, in May 2009, the Obama
administration ordered General Mills, the maker of Cheerios, to stop making
this claim in its commercials.
236) Illegally avoided enforcing the required income verification of people who
receive subsidies for Obamacare exchanges
Even though Obamacare requires the government to verify the income of people
who receive subsidies for Obamacare exchanges, in August 2013 it was reported
that Obama would not be verifying their incomes.
237) Placed a 40% tax on so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans
Obamacare includes a 40% tax on so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans. In August
2013, unions that supported the passage of Obamacare complained about this tax.
238) Made medical care for special needs children more expensive
In August 2013, it was reported that Obamacare would make it more expensive for
the parents of special needs children to pay for their children's medical
equipment and specialized private schools that cater to their medical needs.
239) Responded to the Benghazi attack by going back to bed, and then later got
up and headed off to Las Vegas for a fundraiser
In September 2012, after Obama found out that U.S. citizens were being killed
in Benghazi, Libya, he went back to bed. After he got up in the morning, he
went off to Las Vegas for a fundraiser.
240) Illegally delayed the caps on out of pocket health care payments without
Congressional approval
As it was passed by the House and Senate and signed by Obama, Obamacare sets
caps on the out of pocket payments that people pay for health care, and these
caps were legally required to take effect in January 2014.
However, in August 2013, Obama delayed these caps until January 2015.
Because Obama imposed this delay without it first being approved by Congress,
Obama's action was illegal. The President does not have the legal authority to
change an Act that was passed by Congress, without that change first being
approved by Congress. What Obama did here is not the act of a President whose
power is limited by a written constitution, but is, instead, the action of a
dictator.
241) Holds a double standard when it comes to supporting "gun free" zones
In December 2012, a petition at whitehouse.gov stated:
"Eliminate armed guards for the President, Vice-President, and their families,
and establish Gun Free Zones around them"
"Gun Free Zones are supposed to protect our children, and some politicians wish
to strip us of our right to keep and bear arms. Those same politicians and
their families are currently under the protection of armed Secret Service
agents. If Gun Free Zones are sufficient protection for our children, then Gun
Free Zones should be good enough for politicians."
The Obama administration rejected the proposal.
242) Outlawed the low-premium, high-deductible health insurance that some
people prefer
Obamacare bans to the low-premium, high-deductible health insurance that some
people prefer.
243) Lied about how many people he had helped to protect from mortgage fraud
In August 2013, it was reported that less than one month before the 2012
election, the Obama administration had lied about the number of people that it
had helped to protect from mortgage fraud, as well as the total amount of money
involved. In August 2013, when the truth was revealed, Newsbusters reported:
"Thus, the number of defendants fell by 80% from what DOJ claimed less than a
month before the presidential election. The number of victims fell by 76%. The
amount of losses involved dropped by over 90%."
244) Falsely said the NSA review was being conducted by an "independent" body
In August 2013, Obama said that he would establish an "independent"
investigation of NSA surveillance.
However, three days later, it was reported that this so-called "independent"
investigation would be run by James Clapper, who had falsely testified to
Congress that the NSA was not collecting information on U.S. citizens.
245) Used tax money to pay for a separate flight just for his dog
In August 2013, Obama forced taxpayers to pay for a separate airplane flight
just for his dog Bo.
246) Closed off public roads so he could buy books
In August 2013, Obama had public roads closed to the public so he could go to a
bookstore. Why didn't he just order the books online?
247) Gave illegal EPA exemption to one oil refinery, and would not say which
refinery it was
The EPA has a very expensive ethanol mandate that applies to all oil
refineries. However, in August 2013, it was reported that Obama had given one
oil refinery an exemption from this mandate.
This exemption is illegal for two reasons. First, the exemption was not
approved by Congress. And secondly, the Constitution requires that federal laws
apply equally to everyone.
In addition, Obama refused to say which refinery it was that received this
exemption, which is completely contrary to his repeated promises of
"transparency."
248) Created new fines for charitable hospitals that give treatment to
uninsured people
In August 2013, it was reported that Obamacare creates new fines for charitable
hospitals that give treatment to uninsured people.
249) Blamed poverty on zip codes instead of on behavior
In July 2013, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said:
"Unfortunately, in too many of our hardest-hit communities, no matter how hard
a child or her parents work, the life chances of that child, even her lifespan,
is determined by the ZIP Code she grows up in. This is simply wrong."
However, let's consider two groups of people in the U.S. The first group has a
poverty rate of 2%. The second group has a poverty rate of 76%.
The first group consists of people who followed all three of these steps:
1) Finish high school.
2) Get a full-time job.
3) Wait until age 21 and get married before having children.
The second group consists of people who followed zero of those three steps.
Among people who follow all three of these steps, the poverty rate is 2%.
Among people who follow zero of these steps, the poverty rate is 76%.
(My source for that information is this article, which refers to this PDF, and
the relevant data is on page 15 of the PDF. The study uses data from the U.S.
Census Bureau.)
250) Nominated a telecommunications lobbyist and Obama fundraiser to head the
FCC
In May 2013, Obama nominated Tom Wheeler to head the FCC. Wheeler had
previously been the head of the National Cable and Telecommunications
Association, which is a lobbying organization for the cable TV industry. He had
also been the head of CTIA, a lobbying organization for cellphone carriers. In
addition, he had also been a fundraiser for Obama.
251) Tried to violate defendants' right to a fair trial
In August 2013, Reuters reported:
A secretive U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration unit is funneling information
from intelligence intercepts, wiretaps, informants and a massive database of
telephone records to authorities across the nation to help them launch criminal
investigations of Americans.
Although these cases rarely involve national security issues, documents
reviewed by Reuters show that law enforcement agents have been directed to
conceal how such investigations truly begin - not only from defense lawyers but
also sometimes from prosecutors and judges.
The undated documents show that federal agents are trained to "recreate" the
investigative trail to effectively cover up where the information originated, a
practice that some experts say violates a defendant's Constitutional right to a
fair trial. If defendants don't know how an investigation began, they cannot
know to ask to review potential sources of exculpatory evidence - information
that could reveal entrapment, mistakes or biased witnesses.
"I have never heard of anything like this at all," said Nancy Gertner, a
Harvard Law School professor who served as a federal judge from 1994 to 2011.
Gertner and other legal experts said the program sounds more troubling than
recent disclosures that the National Security Agency has been collecting
domestic phone records. The NSA effort is geared toward stopping terrorists;
the DEA program targets common criminals, primarily drug dealers.
"It is one thing to create special rules for national security," Gertner said.
"Ordinary crime is entirely different. It sounds like they are phonying up
investigations."
252) Threatened Internet service providers with contempt of court if they did
not install surveillance software
In August 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration had pressured
Internet service providers to install surveillance software, so that it could
monitor Internet traffic without a warrant. Internet service providers who did
not cave in to this pressure were threatened by the Obama administration with
contempt of court. This violated the Constitution's ban on warrantless
searches. In addition, the executive branch does not have the legal authority
to declare contempt of court, as this power is reserved exclusively for the
judicial branch.
253) Sued Louisiana to keep low income blacks trapped in bad schools, and lied
about why he did it
In August 2013, the Obama administration sued Louisiana to try to bring an end
to its school voucher program - a program which had just been passed in 2012.
Under the Louisiana program, both of the following criteria had to be met in
order for a student to get a school voucher. First, the student must come from
a family whose income is below 250% of the poverty level. And second, the
current public school that the student is attending must be rated as "C" or
below.
86% of students who received vouchers had used those vouchers to flee from
public schools which had been rated as "D" or "F."
Only the most vulnerable children were eligible for the vouchers - the poorest
students attending the worst schools.
Obama's reason for filing the lawsuit was that "many of those vouchers impeded
the desegregation process."
However, in response to Obama's claim that the vouchers discriminated against
blacks, Louisiana Education Superintendent John White pointed out that almost
all of the students using the vouchers were black, and said that "it's a little
ridiculous" for Obama to claim that these vouchers caused discrimination
against blacks. The Washington Post reported that 90% of the students who
receive the vouchers are black.
It's also worth noting that only students whose parents request such vouchers
are eligible to participate in the voucher program. Obama is therefore claiming
that parents want their own children to be discriminated against. Obama is
extremely wrong on this. These parents do not want their children to be
discriminated against. In reality, what these parents want is for their
children to have a chance at a better education.
This also makes Obama a hypocrite, because while he was living in both Chicago
and Washington D.C., he always sent his own children to private schools. Does
Obama really want us to believe that he subjected his own children to racial
discrimination by sending them to private schools?
254) Encouraged 40,000 longshoremen to quit the AFL-CIO
In September 2013, it was reported that 40,000 longshoremen had quit the AFL-
CIO, and that they had cited Obamacare as one of their reasons for doing so.
255) Paid $67 million to so-called "volunteers"
In August 2013, it was reported that Obama has paid $67 million to so-called
"volunteers" to teach people about Obamacare.
256) Illegally used Obamacare to fund pre-K education without approval from
Congress
In August 2013, it was reported that Obama had illegally used Obamacare to fund
pre-K education without approval from Congress.
257) Obama's "hunger-free" program left students feeling hungry
In December 2010, Obama signed the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act," which
limited school lunches to a maximum of 850 calories. Students complained that
this so-called "hunger-free" program left them feeling hungry.
258) Signed health care reform that is so terrible that less than 3% of federal
employees want to join it
In August 2013, it was reported that less than 3% of federal employees wanted
to participate in Obamacare.
259) Avoided doing background checks on Obamacare "navigators"
In August 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration would not be
doing background checks on Obamacare "navigators," despite the fact that these
"navigators" would have access to people's personal, private, and financial
information.
260) Illegally paid White House interns less than minimum wage
In June 2013, a federal court ruled that Fox Searchlight Pictures had violated
the minimum wage law by using unpaid interns. Two months later, it was reported
that the Obama administration was using unpaid interns. In addition to this
being illegal, it also makes Obama a hypocrite, because he had previously
spoken out in favor of raising the minimum wage.
261) Said broccoli was his favorite food
In July 2013, Obama said that broccoli was his favorite food. However, before
he made this claim, even though the media showed many pictures of him eating,
and even though there were many articles published about the foods that he ate,
as far as I know, none of those pictures or articles ever showed or mentioned
him eating broccoli. While this may seem trivial, it shows that there is
nothing - absolutely nothing at all - that Obama is not willing to lie about.
262) Illegally missed half of Obamacare's deadlines
In August 2013, it was reported that Obama had illegally missed 41 of
Obamacare's 82 deadlines.
263) Tried to give illegal Obamacare subsidies to unions without Congressional
approval
In August 2013 it was reported that Obama was trying to give illegal Obamacare
subsidies to unions, without approval from Congress.
264) Made it harder for writers, actors, artists, and musicians to obtain
health insurance
In September 2013, the Weekly Standard reported:
Nancy Pelosi waxed rhapsodic in 2010 as she imagined the benefits of Obamacare:
"Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or a
writer without worrying about keeping their day job in order to have health
insurance."
But as Obamacare begins to kick in, artists, photographers, writers, and other
members of the "creative class" who have access to health insurance programs
through numerous professional organizations will lose that coverage.
Up until now professional organizations have worked with insurance providers to
craft reduced-rate plans for their members. But thanks to the fine print in the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), on January 1, 2014, many of
these plans will fail to pass legal muster.
The College Art Association website posted a notice this month: "The New York
Life Insurance Company recently informed CAA that it will no longer offer
catastrophic healthcare coverage previously available to CAA members."
The Entertainment Industry Group Insurance Trust (TEIGIT) website posts the
following notice: "All individual and/or Sole Proprietor Health Insurance will
terminate January 1, 2014. This includes plans acquired as Members of our
Affiliated Associations & their groups." Those affiliated associations include
the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Dramatists Guild,
the Graphic Arts Guild, NY Women in Film and Television, and many others.
This will affect huge numbers of freelance artists, musicians, disc jockeys,
and so forth.
freelance artists, designers, and musicians forced to enter the state-run
exchanges are far more likely to see their rates go up
Pelosi's vision of a world full of carefree artists, musicians, and writers is
a mirage and becoming fainter the closer we get to January 1.
265) Banned the sale of flavored cigarettes, but gave an exemption to the most
dangerous flavor
In September 2009, the Obama administration banned the sale of flavored
cigarettes, but exempted menthol from the ban. Although I am opposed to this
ban, it's this exemption that I find to be the most troubling. If Obama thinks
that flavored cigarettes are so dangerous that they deserve to be banned, then
why did he exempt one particular flavor?
The Obama administration later announced that menthol cigarettes were more
dangerous than other flavors such as cherry, cloves, chocolate, coconut, and
cinnamon, but still continued to exempt menthol from the ban. If Obama thinks
that flavored cigarettes are so dangerous that they should be banned, then why
did he knowingly continue to give an exemption to the most dangerous flavor?
266) Tried to censor the Washington Post
In August 2013, the Washington Post reported:
The Obama administration referred all questions for this article to John
DeLong, the NSA's director of compliance, who answered questions freely in a
90-minute interview. DeLong and members of the NSA communications staff said he
could be quoted "by name and title" on some of his answers after an unspecified
internal review. The Post said it would not permit the editing of quotes. Two
days later, White House and NSA spokesmen said that none of DeLong's comments
could be quoted on the record and sent instead a prepared statement in his
name. The Post declines to accept the substitute language as quotations from
DeLong.
267) Dumbed down math education to make wrong answers acceptable
In August 2013, the Daily Caller reported:
Quick: what's 3 x 4?
If you said 11 - or, hell, if you said 7, pi, or infinity squared - that's just
fine under the Common Core, the new national curriculum that the Obama
administration will impose on American public school students this fall.
In a pretty amazing YouTube video, Amanda August, a curriculum coordinator in a
suburb of Chicago called Grayslake, explains that getting the right answer in
math just doesn't matter as long as kids can explain the necessarily faulty
reasoning they used to get to that wrong answer.
"Even if they said, '3 x 4 was 11,' if they were able to explain their
reasoning and explain how they came up with their answer really in, umm, words
and oral explanation, and they showed it in the picture but they just got the
final number wrong, we're really more focused on the how," August says in the
video.
268) Broke his promise to label genetically modified food
Before the 2008 election, Obama promised to require labeling of genetically
modified food. He broke that promise.
269) Asked the Supreme Court to allow warrantless cell phone searches
In August 2013, the Obama administration asked the U.S Supreme Court to allow
warrantless cell phone searches.
270) Used an armed SWAT team to check for water pollution
In September 2013, the Alaska Dispatch reported:
When agents with the Alaska Environmental Crimes Task Force surged out of the
wilderness around the remote community of Chicken wearing body armor and
jackets emblazoned with POLICE in big, bold letters, local placer miners didn't
quite know what to think.
Did it really take eight armed men and a squad-size display of paramilitary
force to check for dirty water? Some of the miners, who run small businesses,
say they felt intimidated.
Miners suggest it might have been better all around if officials had just shown
up at the door - as they used to do - and said they wanted to check the water.
The EPA has refused to publicly explain why it used armed officers as part of
what it called a "multi-jurisdictional" investigation of possible Clean Water
Act violations in the area.
271) Purchased 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition for the Department of Homeland
Security to use in the U.S.
In March 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration had purchased 1.6
billion rounds of ammunition for the Department of Homeland Security to use in
the U.S.
272) Released 2,837 convicted sex offenders from prison
In September 2013, the Obama administration released 2,837 convicted sex
offenders from prison.
Although the Obama administration had released these sex offenders in response
to a court order to alleviate prison overcrowding, it could have released non-
violent drug offenders instead. See #7 on this list for how Obama has carried
out the biggest war against medical marijuana of any President in history.
Apparently, Obama thinks that people with doctors' prescriptions for medical
marijuana are a bigger threat than rapists and child molesters.
273) Refused to fire or prosecute Obamacare employee who released private info
of 2,400 people
In September 2013, it was reported that an Obamacare employee had released the
private information of 2,400 people. Obama refused to fire or prosecute this
Obamacare employee.
274) Tried to monitor 80% of all credit card transactions
In September 2013, it was reported that the Obama administration was trying to
monitor 80% of all credit card transactions.
275) Tried to censor the AFL-CIO
In September 2013, Associated Press reported:
The AFL-CIO on Wednesday approved a resolution critical of parts of President
Barack Obama's health care law in spite of efforts by White House officials to
discourage the labor federation from making its concerns so prominent.
The strongly worded resolution says the Affordable Care Act will drive up the
costs of union-sponsored health plans to the point that workers and employers
are forced to abandon them. Labor unions still support the law's overall goals
of reducing health costs and bringing coverage to all Americans, the resolution
says, but adds that the law is being implemented in a way that is "highly
disruptive" to union health care plans.
Some individual unions have complained about the law's impact for months. The
resolution marks the first time the nation's largest labor federation has gone
on record embracing that view. Unions were among the most enthusiastic backers
of the law when it passed in 2010.
A labor official told The Associated Press that White House officials had been
calling labor leaders for days to urge them not to voice their concerns in the
form of a resolution.
276) Falsely said that he had not declared a "red line" on Syria
In August 2012, while talking about Syria, Obama said:
"A red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving
around or being utilized."
However, in September 2013, while talking about Syria, Obama said:
"I didn't set a red line."
277) Falsely gave himself credit for John Kerry's idea about Syria
In September 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry suggested that Syria turn
over all of its chemical weapons to an international body.
The Obama's administration initially responded to Kerry's statement by saying
that Kerry had not been serious, and that his statement had just been a
"rhetorical" answer to a hypothetical question.
However, after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Kerry's idea
made sense, Obama falsely stated that he had talked about the idea a week
earlier.
278) Made it more difficult and bureaucratic for restaurant employees to
collect automatic tips from parties of eight or more
In September 2013, the Obama administration announced new paperwork
requirements for restaurants that collect automatic tips from parties of eight
or more. These new regulations create additional paperwork for restaurants each
and every time a party of eight or more leaves an automatic tip. It also means
that restaurant employees would have to wait extra time to receive these
automatic tips from parties of eight or more. In addition, in some cases,
restaurant employees might not get any tip at all from some parties of eight or
more, because their employer might decide that the paperwork is too burdensome,
and stop collecting automatic tips altogether.
There's also the fact that Obama imposed these new regulations without approval
from Congress, which means that Obama's actions were illegal.
279) Secretly and illegally reversed NSA restrictions without approval from
Congress
In September 2013, the Washington Post reported:
The Obama administration secretly won permission from a surveillance court in
2011 to reverse restrictions on the National Security Agency's use of
intercepted phone calls and e-mails, permitting the agency to search
deliberately for Americans' communications in its massive databases, according
to interviews with government officials and recently declassified material.
In addition, the court extended the length of time that the NSA is allowed to
retain intercepted U.S. communications from five years to six years - and more
under special circumstances, according to the documents, which include a
recently released 2011 opinion by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, then chief
judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Together the permission to search and to keep data longer expanded the NSA's
authority in significant ways without public debate or any specific authority
from Congress. The enlarged authority is part of a fundamental shift in the
government's approach to surveillance: collecting first, and protecting
Americans' privacy later.
The court decision allowed the NSA "to query the vast majority" of its e-mail
and phone call databases using the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of
Americans and legal residents without a warrant, according to Bates's opinion.
The court in 2008 imposed a wholesale ban on such searches at the government's
request, said Alex Joel, civil liberties protection officer at the Office of
the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The government included this
restriction "to remain consistent with NSA policies and procedures that NSA
applied to other authorized collection activities," he said.
280) Encouraged employers to use temp agencies
In September 2013, it was reported that in response to Obamacare, Indiana
University would be laying off 50 of its employees and switching them to a temp
agency.
In June 2013, Time magazine wrote:
Why Temp Agencies Are Learning to Love the Affordable Care Act
Staffing companies like Robert Half International and On Assignment have seen
their stock prices soar since President Obama's reelection in November, as the
election made it nearly certain that the implementation of the law would
continue as planned. "In general is viewed as something that will lead to
increases in the penetration rate of temporary workers," says Tobey Sommer, an
analyst with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. Firms like Robert Half International
are especially well positioned to benefit from the law, Sommer says, because
they specialize in small and medium-sized companies, the very sort that may be
using temporary workers to help them stay below that all-important 50-worker
mark.
There's also an opening for staffing companies to present themselves as experts
in the labor rules of the Obamacare law, and as a resource that other
businesses can turn to for help with its many rules and regulations. "The
increasing burden of these regulations will cause some clients to throw up
their hands and say, 'I can't deal with all of this," says Sommer. And when
that happens, a full-service staffing company could be the perfect place to
seek help navigating the unknown waters of Obamacare.
281) Encouraged layoffs of health care workers
In September 2013, it was reported that in response to Obamacare, Emory
Healthcare, which is in Georgia, would be laying off more than 100 of its
employees.
In September 2013, it was reported that in response to Obamacare, the Cleveland
Clinic would be laying off some of its employees.
282) Encouraged insurance companies to reduce their customers' choices of
doctors and hospitals
In September 2013, the Los Angeles Times reported:
The doctor can't see you now.
Consumers may hear that a lot more often after getting health insurance under
President Obama's Affordable Care Act.
To hold down premiums, major insurers in California have sharply limited the
number of doctors and hospitals available to patients in the state's new health
insurance market opening Oct. 1.
New data reveal the extent of those cuts in California, a crucial test bed for
the federal healthcare law.
These diminished medical networks are fueling growing concerns that many
patients will still struggle to get care despite the nation's biggest
healthcare expansion in half a century.
Consumers could see long wait times, a scarcity of specialists and loss of a
longtime doctor.
In September 2013, the New York Times reported:
... under President Obama's health care law... many insurers are significantly
limiting the choices of doctors and hospitals available to consumers.
From California to Illinois to New Hampshire, and in many states in between,
insurers are... restricting the number of providers who will treat patients in
their new health plans.
... insurers... have created smaller networks of doctors and hospitals than are
typically found in commercial insurance.
Consumers should be prepared for "much tighter, narrower networks" of doctors
and hospitals, said Adam M. Linker, a health policy analyst at the North
Carolina Justice Center, a statewide advocacy group.
In a new study, the Health Research Institute of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the
consulting company, says that "insurers passed over major medical centers" when
selecting providers in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee,
among other states.
Juan Carlos Davila, an executive vice president of Blue Shield of California,
said the network for its exchange plans... did not include the five medical
centers of the University of California.
Daniel R. Hawkins Jr., a senior vice president of the National Association of
Community Health Centers, which represents 9,000 clinics around the country,
said: "... insurers have shown little interest in including us in their
provider networks."
Dr. Bruce Siegel, the president of America's Essential Hospitals, formerly
known as the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, said
insurers were telling his members: "We don't want you in our network. We are
worried about having your patients, who are sick and have complicated
conditions."
In New Hampshire, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a unit of WellPoint, one
of the nation's largest insurers, has touched off a furor by excluding 10 of
the state's 26 hospitals from the health plans that it will sell through the
insurance exchange.
283) Encouraged a hospital to close
In September 2013, WCYB reported:
Jonesville, Va. - A local hospital is closing its doors.
Wellmont Health System is citing unprecedented changes in health care as the
reason for closing Lee Regional Medical Center.
Company officials say three reasons led to the decision reimbursement cuts
associated with the Affordable Care Act, extremely low community use of the
hospital and a lack of consistent physician coverage.
Lee Regional will cease all operations on October 1.
284) Required doctors to ask patients sexual questions and put their answers in
an electronic database
In September 2013, it was reported that Obamacare requires doctors to ask
patients personal questions about their sex lives, and to put their answers
into an electronic database. Doctors who avoid doing this will be penalized.
Dr. Adam Budzikowski, a New York cardiologist, said these sex question were
"insensitive, stupid and very intrusive," and that he could not think of any
reason why a cardiologist would need such information.
Dr. Richard Amerling, an associate professor of medicine at Albert Einstein
Medical College, said that a patient's medical record should be "a story
created by you and your doctor solely for your treatment and benefit," and that
Obamacare turns doctor appointments "into an interrogation, and the data will
not be confidential."
The New York Civil Liberties Union said that these requirements were a
violation of patients' privacy.
The Obama administration said that patients who wished to keep their
information out of the electronic database should pay in cash.
285) Listed wrong prices for Obamacare
On September 20, 2013, just 10 days before the Obamacare exchanges were legally
required to be ready, it was reported that they had the wrong prices.
286) Made it easier for people to commit health care fraud
In September 2013, CNBC reported:
Deep staff cuts are hitting a federal agency responsible for investigating
health care fraud just as Obamacare is due to kick in, leaving less people to
investigate an ever-growing crime that costs taxpayers billions of dollars.
And in a perverse twist, the funding cuts at the Health and Human Services
Department's Inspector General's Office might save money in the short term for
the U.S. taxpayer. But over the long run, more money that could have been
recouped from the fraud cases now going un-pursued, is being left on the table,
the agency said.
For every $1 spent on health-care fraud probes, nearly $8 is recouped in fines,
restitution or settlements, according to HHS.
287) Included a so-called "family glitch" in his health care reform
In September 2013, USA Today reported:
A so-called "family glitch" in the 2010 health care law threatens to cost some
families thousands of dollars in health insurance costs and leave up to 500,000
children without coverage, insurance and health care analysts say.
That's unless Congress fixes the problem, which seems unlikely given the
House's latest move Friday to strip funding from the law, which is also called
the Affordable Care Act.
Congress defined "affordable" as 9.5% or less of an employee's household
income, mostly to make sure people did not leave their workplace plans for
subsidized coverage through the exchanges. But the "error" was that it only
applies to the employee - and not his or her family. So, if an employer offers
a woman affordable insurance, but doesn't provide it for her family, they
cannot get subsidized help through the state health exchanges.
That can make a huge difference; the Kaiser Family Foundation said an average
plan for an individual is about $5,600, but it goes up to $15,700 for families.
288) Made it harder for Canadian politicians to get health care
Canada has had so-called "universal health care" for a long time.
However, when Robert Bourassa, the premier of Quebec, Canada, needed cancer
treatment, he came to the United States and paid for his health care with his
own money.
And when Canadian Liberal MP Belinda Stronach needed cancer treatment, she also
came to the United States and paid for her health care with her own money.
And when Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams needed heart surgery,
he, too, came to the United States and paid for his health care with his own
money.
Now that Obama has given the U.S. so-called "universal health care," where will
Canadian politicians go when they get sick?
289) Gave married couples an annual tax of up to $11,028 for being married
instead of single
In front of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Obama administration argued that
Obamacare is a tax.
According to the Obamacare calculator, Obamacare places an annual tax on
married couples for being married instead of single. The amount of this tax
depends upon the ages, incomes, and parental status of the married couple.
According to the Obamacare calculator, the extreme case of this tax occurs with
a 60-year-old married couple with no children, where the two spouses have
identical incomes totaling $62,041 per year. Under this scenario, according to
the Obamacare calculator, Obamacare gives them an annual tax of $11,028 for
being married instead of single.
290) Gave people an annual tax increase of up to $12,214 for earning one more
dollar of income
In front of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Obama administration argued that
Obamacare is a tax.
Obamacare gives some people a tax increase if they increase their income by one
dollar. The amount of this tax increase depends upon the person's age, income,
and marital status.
According to the Obamacare calculator, the extreme case of this occurs with a
64-year-old married couple with a combined income of $62,041. Under this
scenario, according to the Obamacare calculator, Obamacare gives them an annual
tax increase of $12,214 when their income increases by one dollar, in the case
of their income going from $62,040 to $62,041.
This amounts to a marginal tax rate of 1,221,400%. That's not a typo - the
marginal tax rate on that one dollar of additional income is more than one
million per cent.
291) Refused to fire IRS employees who "lost" $67 million from Obamacare "slush
fund"
In September 2013, it was reported that IRS employees had "lost" $67 million
from a "slush fund." Obama refused to fire those employees. Obama had created
the "slush fund" as part of Obamacare.
292) Refused to fire ATF employees who "lost" 420 million cigarettes
In September 2013, it was reported that ATF employees had "lost" 420 million
cigarettes. Obama refused to fire them.
293) Falsely said his mother's insurance company had refused to pay for her
cancer treatment
During the 2008 election campaign, Obama falsely said that his mother's health
insurance company had refused to pay for her cancer treatment.
294) Had 19.5 million fake Twitter followers
As of September 2013, Obama had 19.5 million fake Twitter followers.
295) Illegally delayed online registration of Obamacare for small businesses
Obamacare requires that the online registration for small businesses be ready
by October 1, 2013. However, five days before that date, Associated Press
reported that this deadline would not be met.
296) Encouraged 30,000 Puget Sound grocery workers to vote in favor of
authorizing a strike
In September 2013, a union representing 30,000 employees at Safeway, Fred
Meyer, QFC, and Albertson's in the Puget Sound area of Washington state voted
in favor of authorizing a strike. Union members said that one of their reasons
for voting in favor of the strike was that their employers were trying to
switch their part time employees form employer provided insurance to the
Obamacare exchanges.
297) Waived the U.S. ban on arming terrorists
In September 2013, the Washington Examiner reported:
Obama waives ban on arming terrorists to allow aid to Syrian opposition
President Obama waived a provision of federal law designed to prevent the
supply of arms to terrorist groups to clear the way for the U.S. to provide
military assistance to "vetted" opposition groups fighting Syrian dictator
Bashar Assad.
Some elements of the Syrian opposition are associated with radical Islamic
terrorist groups, including al Qaeda
The law allows the president to waive those prohibitions if he "determines that
the transaction is essential to the national security interests of the United
States."
298) Caused a family's monthly insurance premium to increase from $333 to $965
Andy and Amy Mangione and their two sons live in Louisville, Kentucky. In
September 2013, they received a letter from Humana, their insurance company,
which said that Obamacare would be causing their monthly premium to increase
from $333 to $965.
299) Caused Michelle Malkin's family to lose their health insurance policy
In September 2013, conservative writer Michelle Malkin, who has always opposed
Obamacare, wrote:
Like an estimated 22 million other Americans, I am a self-employed small-
business owner who buys health insurance for my family directly on the
individual market. We have a high-deductible PPO plan that allows us to choose
from a wide range of doctors.
Or rather, we had such a plan.
Last week, our family received notice from Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of
Colorado that we can no longer keep the plan we like because of "changes from
health care reform (also called the Affordable Care Act or ACA)." The letter
informed us that "(t)o meet the requirements of the new laws, your current plan
can no longer be continued beyond your 2014 renewal date."
This isn't just partisan business. It's personal. Our cancellation letter
states that Anthem is "not going to be selling new individual PPO plans." When
we asked whether we could keep our children's doctors, an agent for Anthem told
my husband and me she didn't know.
300) Tried to force Little Sisters of the Poor and other Catholic organizations
to violate their religious principles
In September 2013, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sued the Obama
administration on behalf of Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic charity.
Other Catholic organizations were also represented in the lawsuit.
Sister Loraine Marie said of this lawsuit:
"We cannot violate our vows by participating in the government's program to
provide access to abortion-inducing drugs."
Mark Rienzi, one of the lawyers representing these Catholic organizations,
said:
"These women just want to take care of the elderly poor without being forced to
violate the faith that animates their work. The money they collect should be
used to care for the poor like it always has - and not to pay the IRS."