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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: Specbid on January 15, 2010, 09:33:06 AM

Title: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Specbid on January 15, 2010, 09:33:06 AM
Big Labor got some big love from President Obama and congressional Democrats yesterday after they agreed to exempt union workers from the whopping “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health-care plans until 2018.

The sweetheart deal, hammered out behind closed doors, will save union employees at least $60 billion over the years involved, while others won't be as lucky -- they'll have to cough up almost $90 billion.

The 40 percent excise tax on what have come to be called "Cadillac" health-care plans would exempt collective-bargaining contracts covering government employees and other union members until Jan. 1, 2018.

In another major concession to labor, the value of dental and vision plans would be exempt from the tax even after the deal expires in eight years, negotiators said.

Under the plan to help fund health-care reform, the tax would kick in for plans valued at $8,900 or more for individuals and $24,000 or more for families.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/unions_get_pecial_treatment_in_health_AB053CwqPIJlIxXAm37DOM
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Karin on January 15, 2010, 12:17:35 PM
Zero comments, because we're all speechless, I guess. 
Someone please tell me how this is constitutional under the equal protection clause?  The whole bill is fraught with special interest picking and choosing.  Where is my country? 
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 15, 2010, 12:20:26 PM
It was all part of the plan.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: DefiantSix on January 15, 2010, 12:27:20 PM
Zero comments, because we're all speechless, I guess. 
Someone please tell me how this is constitutional under the equal protection clause?  The whole bill is fraught with special interest picking and choosing.  Where is my country? 

Since when has the Constitution mattered a damn to The Øne?
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 15, 2010, 12:28:27 PM
Since when has the Constitution mattered a damn to anyone in Politics?

FIFY.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Carl on January 15, 2010, 12:35:20 PM
No real surprise here and it will mean that the remaining majority of the work force will pick up the difference.

Hopefully will be another nail in the coffin come November.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Splashdown on January 15, 2010, 12:51:20 PM
How is this legal?
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 15, 2010, 12:51:58 PM
How is this legal?

What makes you think that question needs to be asked OR answered? It's irrelevant.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: ColonialMarine0431 on January 15, 2010, 02:18:08 PM
Well. Isn't that SPECIAL. :bird:
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: NHSparky on January 15, 2010, 05:52:57 PM
I looked at my premium through my employer--nothing particularly spectacular, less so because I have to go through CIGNA.  Yet even then they're saying MY plan--single person--is over $6K a year.

I hope to Christ this cutoff is indexed to inflation.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: miskie on January 16, 2010, 05:53:24 PM
Zero comments, because we're all speechless, I guess. 
Someone please tell me how this is constitutional under the equal protection clause?  The whole bill is fraught with special interest picking and choosing.  Where is my country? 

Its not -which is why it wont become reality- Its just a way to garner support, then once its too late, respond with "Well guys, we really tried - but those radical right wingers on the Supreme Cort installed by both of them 'Bushies' took your ponies away. Blame them."
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Ptarmigan on January 17, 2010, 01:49:51 PM
That makes no sense.  :mental:
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: rich_t on January 17, 2010, 08:11:37 PM
That makes no sense.  :mental:

Which part?
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Oceander on January 17, 2010, 08:13:09 PM
I looked at my premium through my employer--nothing particularly spectacular, less so because I have to go through CIGNA.  Yet even then they're saying MY plan--single person--is over $6K a year.

I hope to Christ this cutoff is indexed to inflation.

You mean like the AMT, which was supposed to be just a tax on rich people when it was enacted in the 60s.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: Ptarmigan on January 17, 2010, 11:02:51 PM
Which part?

The whole thing including this.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: debk on January 18, 2010, 12:00:40 AM
I heard a guy explain it on Fox the other day....

He said....."Hypothetically....if my neighbor and I have each have a "cadillac" insurance plan, and he works for a union....he won't pay a dime extra in taxes until January of 2018. On the other hand, since I don't work for a union, I will have to start paying extra in taxes immediately."

Hmmm...let's see how this works.

Our wonderful government bailed out the auto companies ....that are all unionized....with my tax dollars.

All those highly paid union bosses got to keep their jobs ....because of my tax dollars.

Now, I get to pay for their health care taxes....with my tax dollars.

Well shit.

I need to go find a union job...

Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 18, 2010, 11:56:02 AM
I heard a guy explain it on Fox the other day....

He said....."Hypothetically....if my neighbor and I have each have a "cadillac" insurance plan, and he works for a union....he won't pay a dime extra in taxes until January of 2018. On the other hand, since I don't work for a union, I will have to start paying extra in taxes immediately."

Hmmm...let's see how this works.

Our wonderful government bailed out the auto companies ....that are all unionized....with my tax dollars.

All those highly paid union bosses got to keep their jobs ....because of my tax dollars.

Now, I get to pay for their health care taxes....with my tax dollars.

Well shit.

I need to go find a union job...



Spot-on... And that's exactly how it was planned out. This is NOT an accident.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: debk on January 18, 2010, 12:16:57 PM
Spot-on... And that's exactly how it was planned out. This is NOT an accident.


No it isn't an accident.

Obama and the dems want to eternally keep the union vote, and this is how to do it.

I have no problem if an individual joins a union in order to have a job. I'm not sure there are always benefits to it for the worker bee....God knows,  the union bosses have the best jobs.

However....but those of us who do not belong to a union SHOULD NOT have to be penalized directly or indirectly....and that's exactly what is happening with this union member exemption.

Seems to me is blantant discrimination. May not be racial or gender....but non-union members are just as much a "classification" as anything else is. If it's illegal to discriminate because religion or sexual preference...then this should be the same thing.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 18, 2010, 12:22:18 PM

Seems to me is blantant discrimination. May not be racial or gender....but non-union members are just as much a "classification" as anything else is. If it's illegal to discriminate because religion or sexual preference...then this should be the same thing.

You seem to be invoking the idea of the 14th amendment... Please note, that amendment applies only to gay marriage and has no place in the rest of conversation.

kthxbye  :tongue:
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: debk on January 18, 2010, 12:38:19 PM
You seem to be invoking the idea of the 14th amendment... Please note, that amendment applies only to gay marriage and has no place in the rest of conversation.

kthxbye  :tongue:


welllllll.....I'm just a pahthole....so I don't always unnerstan' this stuff..... :tongue:
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 18, 2010, 12:40:46 PM

welllllll.....I'm just a pahthole....so I don't always unnerstan' this stuff..... :tongue:

I'm cynical today... and pissed that I had to come back to MN from three days in Dallas last week.
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: debk on January 18, 2010, 12:41:31 PM
I'm cynical today... and pissed that I had to come back to MN from three days in Dallas last week.


Wondered where you had been.....missed yourself! :-)
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 18, 2010, 12:43:30 PM

Wondered where you had been.....missed yourself! :-)

I need a job down there. I'm tired of this place... and the young ladies are much nicer down there. :)
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: debk on January 18, 2010, 12:45:49 PM
I need a job down there. I'm tired of this place... and the young ladies are much nicer down there. :)


We Southern women are in a class all of our own.... :-)
Title: Re: Unions will dodge O's health tax
Post by: bkg on January 18, 2010, 12:47:33 PM

We Southern women are in a class all of our own.... :-)

that's an understatement... I'd definitley like to spend a little more time with young Holly. Quite the girl-next-door type who says "y'all" with a great southern accent (and yes, I was and will always be a complete gentleman). I did have to laugh at her when I got into the Hotel van (she was driving) and the HEAT WAS ON!  I was 55 degrees outside! :lmao: