When politicians decide to tax something new, taxpayers rarely see the end of it. This adage is especially true of so-called “sin taxes,” levies on products like alcohol, tobacco, and, increasingly, soda. Those in government always appreciate more money, and politicians like beating up on unpopular industries. It’s a two-pronged argument: you shouldn’t be buying […]
President Trump’s Executive Order on Healthcare
Today, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO), “Promote Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States,” with the goals of bringing financial relief and more healthcare choices to millions of Americans. Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, was signed into law, Americans have seen their health insurance options limited while […]
Welcome to Medicare … or not
Individuals who are not on Social Security at age 65 are supposed to sign up for Medicare anytime between three months before their 65th birthday and three months thereafter. I turn 65 on January 9, 2018, and thought I should get an early start by checking everything out exactly three months before that date. After […]
Epic Fail or Phoenix Rising?: Obamacare Repeal and Replace
For seven years, Republicans in Congress have promised that repealing Obamacare would be a top priority. They have failed, at least for now. The Republican Senate made the decision yesterday not to have a vote on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson legislation that would have repealed and replaced the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. At least […]
Graham-Cassidy is Far Superior to Obamacare
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) introduced a replacement plan for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, on September 13, 2017. The Graham-Cassidy bill is expected to be considered on the floor of the Senate next week. As it gains support […]
Connecticut Legislature Passes a Bipartisan Budget Plan
Faced with a budget deficit of $3.5 billion over the next two years, and three months overdue on a budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, Connecticut lawmakers face a difficult situation and must make tough choices. In 2011 and 2015, the legislature tried to solve the state’s fiscal woes by passing big tax increases. […]
Liberal States Are Trying to Prop Up Obamacare
As Washington struggles with what may be its final chance to repeal Obamacare, the law’s problems in the states continue. One major problem that has plagued Obamacare for years is that not enough young and healthy people are signing up for health insurance coverage. The Obama administration, to coax more Americans into signing up, attempted […]
Eligibility Check Reveals Massive Medicaid Problems in Oregon
Oregon attracted national ridicule in 2013 and 2014 as its state-run online Obamacare exchange, Cover Oregon, epically failed to sign up even one person for coverage, despite a federal grant of $303 million. The fiasco was so colossal that the state gave up completely and had the federal government take over its enrollment for the […]
Are You Ready for Some Legalized Sports Betting?
If you were ready for some football, then the National Football League’s 2017 season opener on Thursday, September 7, provided quite a tasty first course: The Kansas City Chiefs upset the favored New England Patriots by a final score of 42-27, well outside the 8-point spread that bookmakers offered on the game. Bettors supporting the […]
Bill Addresses International Challenges to Online Privacy
American businesses have taken the lead in cloud computing technologies, enabling citizens around the world to communicate with each other, store photos, videos, and documents with greater security and at lower costs. However, as this technology continues to evolve, challenges in protecting individual privacy become more evident, including data of U.S. citizens that is stored […]