WASHINGTON POST ON MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH PLAN

Robert E. Moffit, director of the Center for Health Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation, wrote a column in the Washington Times concerning RomneyCare. He outlines two key parts of the health care plan. 1. The "connector" end of the package which allows individuals to choose there own health care and 2. Restructuring of the state goverments spending of money towards health care services.

Perhaps the point to be brought out in this peice, besides the great summary of the details, is this quote:

Massachusetts is a very liberal state, governed by heavy levels of regulation and control. Critics of the Massachusetts health care reform say that it doesn't go far enough in deregulating the health system, and they oppose the near universal coverage through government mandates to buy health insurance. Regardless of their political views, the rest of America should not overlook Massachusetts' innovations in health insurance market and financing reform. In the more conservative states, with greater opportunities to cut costly red tape, the possibilities for more far reaching free market health reform could be revolutionary.

Many are critical of this plan as it does not conform nearly enough to their sense of small goverment. What should be noted are the situational realities Romney deals with in liberal Massachusetts. He has a choice, to be pragmatic and get things accomplished, or be hardlined conservative and stop all progress in the blueist of blue states. As Moffit stated, hopefully this plan will be a model that other more conservative states can take their cues from and tinker with to an outcome of their liking.

As for Romney, he has been on the forefront of the medical debate, showing that his fresh perspective is what some of our age old national debates need.In a short period of a few years he has done more to advance medical reform than Hillary has in her 20+ years on the seen. Showing that HillaryCare lacked the inovational genius that only someone of Romney's caliber can provide

NATIONAL VALUES AND MITT ROMNEY

An article I wrote on Mitt Romney can be found on Red State, along with an article by Jeff Fuller.

ABC POLL PAINTS GOOD SCENARIO FOR MR08

ABC Released a new poll today concerning Hillary and McCain. While the poll did not mention Romney, it shows that the nation is ready for a different type of leadership. 42% of america has definitly ruled out Hillary, and only 11%have said they would definitly vote for McCain. While many pundits have given Hillary the lead for the Democratic ticket, Republicans are looking to fill a void.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

As a tribute for Memorial Day I thought I would add a couple pictures of our nations Capitol. This is of the Capitol Building during a Memorial Service honoring Police Officers who were killed in 2005. Bush was the Keynote speaker.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The story pertaining to the creation of Arlington National Cementary is quite interesting. During the Civil War, and prior to it, Arlington was the Estate of General Lee, of the Southern Rebellion.

When the National Cementary ran out of land, they began to use the earlier confiscated land of Arlington as a burial ground. A life long reminder to Lee of the Carnage he created. Needless to say he never returned.

LEAVE COMMENTS

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RESPONSE TO ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE MA STATE HEALTH PLAN

Romney's requirement of health insurance sounds too much like socialism.

The MA state plan is the result of a 1 billion dollar drain on taxpayers those without insurance represent. 500,000 people in MA carry no insurance. 40% can afford it but feel they don't need to and 20% would qualify for medicaid if they were to apply. The plan requires the individual to carry the responsibilty instead of the tax payers, much in the same way car insurance does.

To Quote Romney,"Either the individual pays or the taxpayers pay. A free ride on government is not libertarian." Individual choice must always be balanced by it's effect on the surrounding community.

Romney also has been able to lower insurance premiums by allowing higher deductables, more options, and getting insurers to offer plans at 50% of current premiums.

The Plan's $295 penalty on small buisness for not providing insurance will be their death sentence.

It should be remembered that although this penalty is in the plan, it was added by the Democratic legislature. Romney vetoed it, they overrid him. Romney said the penalty is "unnecessary and probably counterproductive, and so I will take corrective action."

ROMNEY LEADING GOVERNORS FOR PRESIDENT

Stanford Review editor Carl J. Kelm has an online article titled "A Ship Without a Captain: A survey of possible Republican presidential candidates for 2008."

Kelm provides and insightful look at each republican canidates weaknesses and strengths. On Romney he aptly points out that he is far ahead of the other canidates as far as governors are concerned. Of course he raises the mormon/evangelical point, that will become nauseating as time goes by...

One peice of misinformation he raises that others have raised to me personally is the penalty on small buisness the Health Care plan in Massachusetts contains. While it's true that it exists, it should be noted that Romney vetoed that along with the requirement for small buisness to carry both Dental and Eye insurance. Actually he made 5 vetoes in all. All vetoes were overridden by the Democratic State Legislature. These facts should be remembered when criticisms are waged.

I sent a kind email to Kelm reminding him of these vetoes.

ROMNEY HELPS CUT MASS. INCOME TAX

While not a major story on Romney, Reuters published an article today that outlines the Massachusetts state budget for 2007. Amongst other things including a minimum wage increase, a tax cut referendum passed in 2000 was reinstated due to a positive outlook on the state finances. The state income tax rate was lowered in the 2000 referendum from 5.95% to 5.0%, but later frozen due to fiscal problems. Now the legislature has agreed to allow it to be lowered to 5% over the next three years. Not suprisingly, Romney called for this tax cut.

Several points can be inferred from this. First of all, would the fiscal condition of the state budget been in a condition for this tax cut had Romney not been governor? Probably not. Second, would a Democrat been likely to push for a tax cut? Probably not. Third, this is yet another sign that Romney can get conservative agendas through a partisan legislature.

ROMNEY IN IOWA

Mitt Romney will visit Iowa again.

NO MUDSLINGING WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

Its an oldie-but-goodie. What more could you expect from the "Tax Your Money and Spend Your Money Party?"

It seems like every Democratic Party idea involves making choices for other people. One can't help but assume they must think were too dumb to think for ourselves.

MR08 DEVELOPMENTS

Two important MR08 Developements today:

Romney hired Doug Goss today as director of his political efforts in the early caucus state of Iowa. Goss was the Finance Chairman for Iowa on G.W.'s campaign in 2000 and 2004. Goss should be aggressive and knows how to win. Goss decided to work for Romney after looking at all the other potential canidates, and deciding Romney was the best of the best. Smart man.

Read the article on Goss.

Along with this Romney made a visit to Iraq. Also, an interview with Romney while in Iraq.

Thanks to all those who have helped get this started.

READY TO START

This Blog is just starting. We hope for it to become a good source for info, and the latest news on Mitt Romney. Check back daily. If you have ideas, feel free to email them.

We wouldn't mind offering "Illinoisans For Mitt" t-shirts, and other items in the future. It would be also good to try and get him out here to speak. If you feel you have some pull in that area let me know. As time goes on we hope to become a strong force for Gov. Romney's Presidential Election bid in Illinois.

If you want to be included in a mailing list email mittromney2008@hotmail.com and we'll add you. Add more contact info if you want to help out in any way, shape or form.