Obama Doesn't Rule Out Jail for No Health Insurance

During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, President Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance.
 
“What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don't, you're subject to some penalty, that in this situation, if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so, forcing you and me and everybody else to subsidize you, you know, there's a thousand dollar hidden tax that families all across America are -- are burdened by because of the fact that people don't have health insurance, you know, there's nothing wrong with a penalty.”

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50 Comments

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C.Rangel the THEIF

THE ONLY JOBS WILL BE ALL THE GUARDS AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEW JAILS.THAT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY SO WILL NO ON OBAMACARE.

Friday, November 13, 2009 at 01:58 PM Report 

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jcandme85

Coma and get me, Nancy. NOT going to subscribe to your "whims"

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:46 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

RASMUSSEN POLL: OBAMA AT 46% APPROVAL...
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 05:36 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

Lieberman on Public Option Health Care: 'I Have No Other Choice ... I've Got To Stop It'
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http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/56948

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 04:41 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

by Andrew Napolitano
*
We Can't Sit Back and Allow the Loss of Our Freedoms
*
We elect the government. It works for us. As we watch the Democrats' plans for health care take shape, we can only ask how did our government get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives?
*
Last Saturday, at 11 o’clock in the evening, the House of Representatives voted by a five vote margin to have the federal government manage the health care of every American at a cost of $1 trillion dollars over the next ten years.
*
For the first time in American history, if this bill becomes law, the Feds will force you to buy insurance you might not want, or may not need, or cannot afford. If you don’t purchase what the government tells you to buy, if you don’t do so when they tell you to do it, and if you don’t buy just what they say is right for you, the government may fine you, prosecute you, and even put you in jail. Freedom of choice and control over your own body will be lost. The privacy of your communications and medical decision making with your physician will be gone. More of your hard earned dollars will be at the disposal of federal bureaucrats.
*
It was not supposed to be this way. We elect the government. It works for us. How did it get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives? Evil rarely comes upon us all at once, and liberty is rarely lost in one stroke. It happens gradually, over the years and decades and even centuries. A little stretch here, a cave in there, powers are slowly taken from the states and the people and before you know it, we have one big monster government that recognizes no restraint on its ability to tell us how to live. It claims the power to regulate any activity, tax any behavior, and demand conformity to any standard it chooses.
*
The Founders did not give us a government like the one we have today. The government they gave us was strictly limited in its scope, guaranteed individual liberty, preserved the free market, and on matters that pertain to our private behavior was supposed to leave us alone.
*
In the Constitution, the Founders built in checks and balances. If the Congress got out of hand, the states would restrain it. If the states stole liberty or property, the Congress would cure it. If the President tried to become a king, the courts would prevent it.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 03:25 PM Report 

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StandFree

I thank God for patriots like yourself who are willing to standup and encourage all God fearing, freedom loving citizens to do the same..they are counting on us 'doing nothing', but this 'astro turf' is not going to let the tyrants step on me or my house without a fight.

Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

Sen. Ben Nelson: ‘I’m Not Going to Be Able to Answer That Question’ of Where Constitution Authorizes Congress to Force Americans to Buy Health Insurance
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http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/57007

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 03:24 PM Report 

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Independent1776

So this administration thinks auto Insurance and health Insurance are the same. First, auto insurance is not "required" in every state and there is no federal level requirement because it is a state's rights issue. But most importantly, driving is a privilege. Does this admin think life is a privilege? I guess that's a redundant question.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:47 PM Report 

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FAILURE-IN-CHIEF

Is there any wonder why ammunition is hard to find after the 2008 election?? Hmmmm........ .

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:12 PM Report 

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FAILURE-IN-CHIEF

Seems the health care issue is part one of that plan. Part two, "Cap and Scam."
.
Quote
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism,but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."
— Nikita Khrushchev

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:11 PM Report 

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Carolina Blues Billy-Bob

But Golly, Mr. President - we heard you say it was FREE..... and now us working folk gotta pay or go to jail - HEALTHCARE 2010 - the new board game for the family - play money - no doctors when you need one - and plan on going to jail.... one heck of a bill!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 01:59 PM Report 

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FAILURE-IN-CHIEF

In the Eighteenth Century, Congressmen were so naive and stupid, they actually listened to the people they represented instead of the other way around.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 01:33 PM Report 

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Jim in JAX

He doesn't rule out jail for Americans who either won't or can't buy his socialist healthcare, but won't jump to any conclusion about a Muslim terrorist? Yeah, that's real patriotic Obama. Thanks for your change. (sic)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 01:16 PM Report 

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Lourdes

They don't want you in jail, they want your MONEY. When taxes and premiums aren't nearly enough to pay for this HUGE fiasco, people who own property or have assets will see them seized through IRS liens to recoup the costs of their care.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:27 PM Report 

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C.Rangel the THEIF

A ---------
B ------- arak
C ------- hannel
PUT US IN JAIL BECAUSE OF THAT ( WE ARE NO LONGER FREE )

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:14 PM Report 

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joeyblueyes

GET THE GULAGS READY, OBITLA, STRIKES SOON

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM Report 

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JV-IL

Wow! That is the government can tell you if you don't buy insurance you will go to jail, is so unconstitutional. Better build more jails!!!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:16 AM Report 

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moesite

oh dont worry - once they let out all the murderers and rapists there'll be plenty of room for us !!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM Report 

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Lucy

Does his statement encompass ILLEGALS too? Or just American CITIZENS who already paying for ILLEGALS' health care? So great, we pay a TAX because we cannot afford this new health care, or we go to jail but the ILLEGALS still have FREE health care.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:26 AM Report 

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moesite

UNITE AND FIGHT NOW NOW NOW NOW !!
Contact ALL SENATORS and tell them NO STINKING
GOVT HEALTH "CARE" !
START NOW AND DONT STOP -- THEYRE NERVOUS
AND WE NEED TO KEEP THEM THAT WAY !!!
www.senate.gov

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM Report 

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USA Made

Americans farked up by voting for him and that's being realized, but who in the sam-hell gave him permission to ignore the Constitution!!! He's not of American heritage and needs to go. Why Does Obama Hate This Country?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:23 AM Report 

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moesite

who? congress and the supreme court. why arent any of THEM screaming their heads off and initiating investigations?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:35 PM Report 

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Nancy N

Has anyone in Congress read the Constitution? This is really going too far. This bill has nothing to do with health care it is a government power grab that will not, cannot stand.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:23 AM Report 

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moesite

UNITE AND FIGHT NOW NOW NOW NOW !!
Contact ALL SENATORS and tell them YOU DEMAND ACTION AGAINST THESE ILLEGAL DOINGS !
START NOW AND DONT STOP -- THEYRE NERVOUS
AND WE NEED TO KEEP THEM THAT WAY !!!
www.senate.gov

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:36 PM Report 

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JustinCase

This particular percentage of people who don't want insurance is also included in the percentage of total uninsured Americans. So in reality, some of the people used to inflate the numbers are going to be penalized by the reform. And I ask you...is that freedom?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:19 AM Report 

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observer

(Wian) That would demoralize the democrats base voters they can't do that .It's just more intimidation, and extortion from the presidents throne room .They have so many freeloaders now it's breaking the system thats the whole reason they have to have a taxpayers/workers bailout money to shore up these failed gov. policies .

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 08:40 AM Report 

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mrcfiman

66,882,230 that voted for Obama were duped into thinking this "hope thing" or this " change thing " would bring about progress and solve some huge problems . But he rest of us are being swept into this morass of endless government control. When in the hell are people going to wake up ? This is NOT the change we need !

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 08:39 AM Report 

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Jim in JAX

I hope the socialist Obama signs a bill forcing Americans to buy their insurance or go to jail. That only adds to the case about all this garbage being unconstitutional to begin with.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 08:19 AM Report 

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doktor

The only ones that should be sent to jail is BHO, the CZARS, and his leftist
Pelosi anti-Americans.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 07:49 AM Report 

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koa

Does this mean Siberia, like where the Communist sent dissenter's to in Soviet Russia? It is time for every American to study Communism, and learn why it failed, in Soviet Russia, why this country has fought it for so many years, and why the leftist are -----bent on ramming it down our throats.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 07:25 AM Report 

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BamaCop

Can anyone say Russia? If you do not buy what we tell you to buy we will put you in jail. Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say the Government can put you in jail for not buying what they tell you to.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 06:03 AM Report 

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Sharon

That's a good point. Also, isn't there something that says they cannot do that in the Constitution? Wouldn't this open up lawsuits against the government for violating our Constitutional rights?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:04 PM Report 

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NeverLeft

Obama - Biden. Because two moron's in the White House just has to be better than one

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 03:23 AM Report 

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dss

Tyranny! Slavery! Absolutely UNconstitutional. We are all completely INSANE if we go along with this. The Founders must be spinning in their graves. JAIL citizens for not having insurance?!!? I cannot wait to vote this tyrant out of office in 2012.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:28 AM Report 

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biker

I am still wondering why we can't all have the health insurance congress has...seem to remember this was in a speech or two of obamas.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 01:51 AM Report 

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John S.

Tar and Feather.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 01:28 AM Report 

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Estasia

It is time to begin a large roar to our state leaders,it is time to put a halt on the ever growing government.Control was lost and we the people must regain it,no longer can we allow this form of a dictator in our mist.Our Constitution has been swept aside and the people who have pushed their agenda before the rights of the people should be brought to justice.The fornicating Clinton was pushing the health care agenda to the senate,pass it no matter what it says..just pass it..their is no care for anyone in this,it is a feather in their Democratic caps.The idea is to pass it and amend the bill after it passes,any one who votes for this needs to be removed from their post.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

by Andrew Napolitano
*
We Can't Sit Back and Allow the Loss of Our Freedoms
*
We elect the government. It works for us. As we watch the Democrats' plans for health care take shape, we can only ask how did our government get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives?
*
Last Saturday, at 11 o’clock in the evening, the House of Representatives voted by a five vote margin to have the federal government manage the health care of every American at a cost of $1 trillion dollars over the next ten years.
*
For the first time in American history, if this bill becomes law, the Feds will force you to buy insurance you might not want, or may not need, or cannot afford. If you don’t purchase what the government tells you to buy, if you don’t do so when they tell you to do it, and if you don’t buy just what they say is right for you, the government may fine you, prosecute you, and even put you in jail. Freedom of choice and control over your own body will be lost. The privacy of your communications and medical decision making with your physician will be gone. More of your hard earned dollars will be at the disposal of federal bureaucrats.
*
It was not supposed to be this way. We elect the government. It works for us. How did it get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives? Evil rarely comes upon us all at once, and liberty is rarely lost in one stroke. It happens gradually, over the years and decades and even centuries. A little stretch here, a cave in there, powers are slowly taken from the states and the people and before you know it, we have one big monster government that recognizes no restraint on its ability to tell us how to live. It claims the power to regulate any activity, tax any behavior, and demand conformity to any standard it chooses.
*
The Founders did not give us a government like the one we have today. The government they gave us was strictly limited in its scope, guaranteed individual liberty, preserved the free market, and on matters that pertain to our private behavior was supposed to leave us alone.
*
In the Constitution, the Founders built in checks and balances. If the Congress got out of hand, the states would restrain it. If the states stole liberty or property, the Congress would cure it. If the President tried to become a king, the courts would prevent it.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 09:35 PM Report 

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Authentic Conservative

by Andrew Napolitano
*
- FOXNews.com
*
- November 10, 2009
*
We Can't Sit Back and Allow the Loss of Our Freedoms
*
We elect the government. It works for us. As we watch the Democrats' plans for health care take shape, we can only ask how did our government get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives?
*
Last Saturday, at 11 o’clock in the evening, the House of Representatives voted by a five vote margin to have the federal government manage the health care of every American at a cost of $1 trillion dollars over the next ten years.
*
For the first time in American history, if this bill becomes law, the Feds will force you to buy insurance you might not want, or may not need, or cannot afford. If you don’t purchase what the government tells you to buy, if you don’t do so when they tell you to do it, and if you don’t buy just what they say is right for you, the government may fine you, prosecute you, and even put you in jail. Freedom of choice and control over your own body will be lost. The privacy of your communications and medical decision making with your physician will be gone. More of your hard earned dollars will be at the disposal of federal bureaucrats.
*
It was not supposed to be this way. We elect the government. It works for us. How did it get so removed, so unbridled, so arrogant that it can tell us how to live our personal lives? Evil rarely comes upon us all at once, and liberty is rarely lost in one stroke. It happens gradually, over the years and decades and even centuries. A little stretch here, a cave in there, powers are slowly taken from the states and the people and before you know it, we have one big monster government that recognizes no restraint on its ability to tell us how to live. It claims the power to regulate any activity, tax any behavior, and demand conformity to any standard it chooses.
*
The Founders did not give us a government like the one we have today. The government they gave us was strictly limited in its scope, guaranteed individual liberty, preserved the free market, and on matters that pertain to our private behavior was supposed to leave us alone.
*
In the Constitution, the Founders built in checks and balances. If the Congress got out of hand, the states would restrain it. If the states stole liberty or property, the Congress would cure it. If the President tried to become a king, the courts would prevent it.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 09:32 PM Report 

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soonan TX

I have never been well off. To my remembrance I have never had free health care. I have always paid something even at the worst of times or I didn't get health care at all. I have paid enough taxes in my lifetime to earn a discount occasionally. Mostly it has been without any health care. But I have never even considered my government would monetarily penalize anyone or jail them for not buying insurance. I consider this so wrong. And it is not like auto insurance. You can opt for only liability when you have satisfied your loan. But even then I am not sure you have to insure your own physical safety. This is another takeover of my life and everyone else’s. They refuse to believe it is a takeover but it is. It is really very simple. If you can afford it and don’t take it you should be refused care if you can’t pay the bill. Not sure how that would be accomplished in knowing who can but a way could be found.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 09:09 PM Report 

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CHRISTINA IMHO

Well said holyman and susan!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:59 PM Report 

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ar547

The Jails are Overcrowded aren't they??

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:53 PM Report 

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susanm

SHOW ME THE WAY TO THE JAIL! IF THIS GETS SIGNED H.C. AND I LOSE MY INSURANCE THAT MY HUSBAND WORKED FOR 46 YRS FOR, PUT ME IN JAIL, FINE ME 250,000 ITS LIKE THIS? I DON'T GIVE A SH** ANYMORE. TO SAY WE WANT A FREE RIDE, LOOK AT 30 MILLION ILLEGALS GETTING A FREE RIDE, THEN THEIR KIDS HAVE BABIES, LOOK AT THE ONE'S ON WELFARE FOR 30 YRS, LOOK AT THE KIDS HAVING KIDS JUST TO GET WELFARE? I'V PAID FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE ''WE WORKED'' NOT SIT HOME WATCHING T.V. & EATING POM-POMS ALL DAY, SO GET OFF MY BACK?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:47 PM Report 

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REVOLT 9am To 3pm Non-Stop

OBAMA DOES NOT HAVE TO RULE IT OUT ! IM RULING IT OUT FOR ME!
Better bring a lot of body bags when they come for me!
SUPPORT THE EMAIL REVOLUTION AGAINST THE LIBS IN CONGRESS & PRESIDENT OBAMA!
USE MY LINK SEND PEOPLE TO MY SITE TO LOBBY OBAMA & THE DEMS! http://stormlobby.50webs.com
CONTACT CONGRESS,OBAMA, OR THE LIBERAL MEDIA CNN,MSNBC,CBS,ABC,NBC
CONTACT THEM AT http://stormlobby.50webs.com ACT NOW!
STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT! FIGHT BACK! SEND ME PEOPLE TO EMAIL CONGRESS!
ISSUES!
HEALTHCARE! Once it passes their is no going back! higher taxes & less care! (THINK)
CAP & TRADE! You will pay more for everything you buy! (THINK)
OBAMAS CZARS! Nobody including congress knows what they are doing! (THINK)
IMMIGRATION REFORM! Obama plans to make all illegals (THINK)
OBAMA IN OUR SCHOOLS (SICK)
LIBERAL MEDIA! TRYING TO COVER UP TERRORIST ATTACK TO PROTECT OBAMA CNN MSNBC CBS ABC CONTACT THEM!
NOTHING obama is doing is good for our country! Hes destroying it!
If we don't act & act now tomarrow may be to late!
CONTACT CONGRESS AT http://stormlobby.50webs.com
Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/stormlobby
USE MY LINK SEND PEOPLE TO MY SITE TO LOBBY OBAMA & THE DEMS! http://stormlobby.50webs.com
Join twitter & send people to my site to email their senators!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:46 PM Report 

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holyman

I myself have been poor my whole life (I’m 49 & less than 15k per year) but I do not want nor expect free health care benefits. I don’t think it’s right.
The whole world is sick !! By that I mean there are injustices to no end & there is little to nothing anyone can really do about it. Everyone thinks they have all the answers…left, center & right…conservatives & liberals…republics, democracies, communists & dictatorships. We all need to just get used to it to some extent because it AINT gonna go away till the King of Kings comes back to set things straight.
The only thing we can do is make the best of an evil (wrong) world in the mean time & live according to God’s dictates. People don’t want to consider religion, yet it has everything to do with our state of being & quality of life.
I said all that to say this, the best (though not perfect) form of government in history has been that established by our founding fathers. We desperately need to get back to that!
It’s no coincidence that the decline of our once great nation & the diminished role of Christianity go hand in hand. No thanks to things like being PC & separation of church & state.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:45 PM Report 

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soonan TX

Amen

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 09:32 PM Report 

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proud_american

And "I" won't rule out jail for presidents that attempt to crush the American Dream! It is no doubt premeditated and should be punishable by "the remainder of life" spent between Hugo and Fidel's fantasies! "We the People" must keep the pressure on, his excuses are constantly getting weaker. Harry and Bawney sold him this mortgage and it looks like his agenda may default!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:28 PM Report 

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The Lone Conspirator

He`s thinking concentration camp, not jail. How would you feel about an annual inspection of your body by a government "doctor" at an authorized inspection facility, like your car inspection. That rejection sticker could really get you off the road, so to speak. Not possible? You don`t know the half of what`s possible.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:16 PM Report 

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wlan

With the government mandating "affordable" health insurance for everyone, the penalty for not purchasing health insurance should be simply that one would have to pay up-front out-of-pocket for any health care he/she receives. No free care would be provided.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:38 PM Report 

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JustinCase

Yes...but that's not the plan. Wish you'd been in on the talks.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:21 AM Report 

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