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TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#195376: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:31:43 AM

[up]

well a good many healthcare professionals are Republicans. Not all, of course,but certainly enough to muddy the waters

Couldn't find much data on administrative leanings, unfortunately.

However, most young doctors lean Democrat, so depending on when the debate happens that may tilt things in our favor.

New Survey coming this weekend!
IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#195377: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:41:32 AM

Remeber how Republicans in congress seem to only care about helping people when it's about them or people close to them? Well, there's exactly one healthcare related thing McConnell made sure was covered under Republicare.

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#195378: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:43:06 AM

Single payer wouldn't be destroying the healthcare market as much as nationalizing it; and if that would be for the betterment of the nation, so be it. Extraneous workers would obviously have to find jobs in new fields, which is unfortunate for them and their families, but that's a problem that more or less every trade deal ever also has, so arguing from the position of wanting to protect jobs in the insurance industry is a non-starter if you also support free trade deals, regardless of whether that argument is being framed in terms of pragmatism* or altruism**.

* Displacing these workers will likely cause them to vote Republican in greater numbers.

** Displacing a worker can really be disruptive to their lives, even if they ultimately don't have much trouble finding new work.

edited 25th Jun '17 1:04:32 PM by CaptainCapsase

Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#195379: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:47:13 AM

Qatar diplomatic crisis: what are Trump's financial links to the region?

Trump’s financial history with Saudi Arabia, which is leading the blockade, and Saudi ally the United Arab Emirates, includes the purchase of tens of millions of dollars in Trump’s real estate properties by wealthy Saudis over the years. The situation raises questions about whether the president’s personal financial relationships are dictating US policy, rather than his stated claims that he is concerned about Qatar’s alleged link to terror financing.

There is no evidence that Trump has been untruthful about his reasons to support the blockade. But the US State Department and the Pentagon – acutely aware of Qatar’s role hosting thousands of US and US-led coalition forces on a large airbase south-west of Doha – have taken different positions from the White House. A State Department spokeswoman recently said that the Saudi and UAE move against Qatar was “mystifying”.

It is clear that Trump does not have many business connections to Qatar. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly sought but failed to entice Qatari investors to help recapitalise a huge investment in a New York property – 666 Fifth Avenue – that is laden with debt.

Saudi Arabia, however, has been an important partner to the president. In 1995, when Trump was struggling to make payments on one of his most important New York properties, the landmark Plaza Hotel, it was Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a Saudi prince, who came to his rescue with an investment, which relegated Trump to a minority shareholder in the property. A few years earlier, in 1991, bin Talal bought a huge yacht, the Trump Princess, from creditors at a time when Trump’s other big venture, the Atlantic City casinos, were under pressure.

More recently, the Saudi government invested $20bn in a fund earmarked for US infrastructure, part of a broader policy that has been endorsed by the White House. The fund is being administered by Blackstone, which also has ties to Trump and his family.

A lawsuit brought by two Democratic officials – from the US state of Maryland and the DC – named Saudi Arabia as one of several foreign countries that have made payments to Trump’s businesses in alleged violation of an anti-corruption clause in the US constitution. The lawsuit cites a public relations firm that was hired by Saudi Arabia that has spent $270,000 on rooms and meals at Trump’s DC hotel.

Dubai has also been an important bright spot for Trump’s business. According to election-related financial disclosures, The Trump Organization, which is run by the president’s son, Donald Jr, has been paid between $2m to $10m for golfing projects in Dubai that bear Trump’s name and are being built by a group called DAMAC Properties, which is owned by a Emirati billionaire named Hussain Sajwani.

According to an account in the New York Times, Sajwani, who attended Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, offered to pay Trump an additional $2bn to develop more properties.

A 16 May post on Sajwani’s Instagram account showed him having a meal with Trump Jr, who Sajwani called his “dear friend and business partner”.

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#195380: Jun 25th 2017 at 6:05:00 PM

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin becomes 6th Republican to be against the Senate Healthcare Plan, wanting it to be delayed and worked on. Although Johnson appears to be a Conservative(/leaning Teapublican) Republican, when it comes to Healthcare, he seems more compassionate, as he is against closed door talks for Healthcare talks and has not supported trying to fund the Government by defunding Obamacare.

Currently, 54 Against (6 Reps, 46 Dems, 2 Independents) BRCA, and the closer we get to Thursday, the more Republicans drop support for the measure. Obamacare may be 'safe' until 2019.

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#195381: Jun 25th 2017 at 6:06:04 PM

Forgive my ignorance, but is there a reason that they couldn't do anything to it in between now and 2019?

Oh God! Natural light!
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#195382: Jun 25th 2017 at 6:08:01 PM

[up] Campaign Season, which actually takes a lot of time and resources away from the House and Senate. Technically, it's not impossible, but it would be more politically toxic to do it during Campaign Season that it would be to do it on Safe Years.

Also, on the 4th, their going on a 3 month Vacation, and when they return, they got to focus on the Fiscal Budget for 2018, or the Government will Shut Down.

edited 25th Jun '17 6:12:52 PM by DingoWalley1

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#195384: Jun 25th 2017 at 6:56:20 PM

[up][up] if the government shuts down no doubt they'll spin it to their benefit.

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#195386: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:03:40 PM

Have we got a list on how the republican dissenters breakdown as far as right-wing vs. moderate?

I'm also curious if the next funding gap has another risk of debt default involved with it like back in 2013. If so things could get hilariously bad, especially if Trump starts talking that old talk about renegotiating our debt seriously.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#195387: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:05:18 PM

[up][up]I know what he'd be thinking: "Suckers."

Disgusted, but not surprised
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#195388: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:10:21 PM

[up]Yeah, he doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself.

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#195389: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:11:09 PM

[up][up][up][up]He already talked about it a long while back shortly after he became president, going back on what he said and that he "didn't promise that for Carrier".

I assume he'd just keep denying it.

edited 25th Jun '17 7:11:26 PM by Draghinazzo

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#195390: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:27:50 PM

[up]X5 So much for the doomsaying here previously that such people would blame Democrats.

People blame whoever is in charge when they loose their job, regardless of actual responsibility, now it's Trump's turn.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#195391: Jun 25th 2017 at 7:41:25 PM

The Washington Post might have gotten Trump to (backhandedly) agree the Russians interfered in the election...by printing a story that could be twisted into "blame it on Obama"

The analysis is from a guy who did counter-propaganda in Iraq; dunno if the Post knows they're cribbing intellifence strategies but it's intriguing.

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#195392: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:20:06 PM

Pro-Trump group's health care offensive warns GOP senators to get in line. This just gets more disgusting every day. Hopefully Heller isn't intimidated by this blatant strongarm tactic.

edited 25th Jun '17 9:20:22 PM by speedyboris

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#195393: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:23:41 PM

@fruitpork: Not going to be easy. There's no one to pass the buck to, and it's really hard to blame Democrats for a government shutdown if the entire government is in Republican hands.

Obviously, the Foxosphere will do so, but the "swing voter?" She's gonna look at how the Republicans couldn't pass a budget with full control of the government.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#195394: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:28:20 PM

[up][up] Even if Heller does, there are still 4 Teapublicans who won't vote for the Measure in it's current form, and they've got 5 Days to make it more Conservative then it already is. Doing so might make more Conservatives (Collins and Murkowski, specifically) not support the measure.

Also, I made a mistake by claiming Johnson was the 6th Senator to come out against the BCRA, he was one of the Teapublicans to come out of the gate and say it. My bad. It's still 5 Republicans against the measure, though...

unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#195395: Jun 25th 2017 at 9:33:24 PM

[up][up]people are already blaming the democrat for obstruct, as to give another advice in how to deal with authoritarians like Trump, is fanbase will only turn the moment their ases are on line, the problem will be when they insist they never liked trump to being with(because belive be, it will happen)

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#195396: Jun 25th 2017 at 10:09:29 PM

[up] Which is kinda odd, in the sense that outside of Senate bills requiring 60 votes Democrats can't obstruct anything. The GOP's been its own worst enemy.

That said, it makes perfect sense if looked at through the "THEIR SIDE BAD!" mentality.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#195397: Jun 25th 2017 at 11:18:22 PM

If you already have the narrative going that Obamacare is a useless and broken bill, and then paint the Democrats as lazy political grubbers who aren't willing to help the Republicans fix something that needs to be fixed, then yeah, you can easily spin that to blame the Democrats.

If Obamacare is a flawed but currently acceptable bill, the Republicans scrambling to ruin it and failing despite owning the whole government is them shooting themselves in the feet.

If Obamacare is a horrible disaster of a bill that needs to be fixed, but the Republicans can't because the Democrats aren't willing to help fix up the broken crap they shoved into law in the first place, then the story is a lot different, see?

edited 25th Jun '17 11:18:58 PM by RedSavant

It's been fun.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#195398: Jun 25th 2017 at 11:23:53 PM

[up]One could however spin that as "The ACA may be messed up, but the GOP is so fucking incompetent that their bill is even worse."

Disgusted, but not surprised
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#195399: Jun 26th 2017 at 12:06:29 AM

We've already seen Trump try to spin that argument as the Dems not being willing to help, and I think the ACA failing because the Democrats didn't want to help "feels" truer and therefore is more convincing to people who vote based on what "feels" true.

Well, we'll see. Are they trying to shove it through this week?

edited 26th Jun '17 12:06:48 AM by RedSavant

It's been fun.
NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#195400: Jun 26th 2017 at 5:59:37 AM

Are they trying to shove it through this week?
Yes, they kinda have to for the reasons mentioned above. Indication seems to be that McConnell doesn't much care if it fails (which seems likely at this point, but not guaranteed), since they need to get it out of the way to move on to other things.

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.

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