The reason Hawley is worried about Medicaid cuts is that, after the Republican Legislature refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA, it went to a ballot initiative, which passed rather handily. The GOP tried very hard to undo and ignore it, but after a couple of years of were forced by the courts to (grudgingly, and making it as hard as possible to enroll) actually do what the voters wanted and expanded Medicaid. As a result, they got lumbered with ballot language that actually said that the state had to expand Medicaid, even if federal money dried up. Oopsie. Should have just taken it in the first place. So he is absolutely terrified at what that's going to mean.
I hope no one took even a second of their life's energy thinking, "Huh. Maybe Hawley isn't the white supremacist autocrat-loving insurrectionist jerk I thought he was," because he is.
No worries. One must assume everything Hawley does is based on self centered, political calculation. The only question now is, what will he do when Ron Johnson, Rand Paul and the others who initially balked eventually capitulate? I think we all know the answer to that one too….
Thanks, Ellen - you cleared up something puzzling that had me wondering if maybe, because he's young, Hawley might actually know that the Republican base is no longer well to do suburban white professionals but is now the inhabitants of trailer parks, working for minimum wages, in rural areas, and was therefore concerned that killing them by closing rural hospitals would be bad for the party.
They won't be initiating these changes until after the 2026 midterms, but there won't be a rural hospital left open within 12 months of these changes kicking in. That leaves PLENTY of time before that 2030 census to kill many reliably red Congressional districts, permanently - and I'm glad that's on the menu.
Today's GQP supporters are incapable of learning anything without being hit in the face with a baseball bat, and it's going to be fun watching their party weild it.
I have to admit - Ernst follow up video floored me: it had me howling with laughter AND getting slightly hopeful that the Democrats may pick up her seat next year!
Super important to keep in mind: "I hope no one took even a second of their life's energy thinking, "Huh. Maybe Hawley isn't the white supremacist autocrat-loving insurrectionist jerk I thought he was," because he is."
It’s not confusion over the Medicaid cuts. It’s deliberate obfuscation by Trump, and probably even Hawley, who is preparing himself to say: “I must’ve been taking a bathroom break when they cut the Medicaid, and I didn’t even notice it. Sorry.“
Hawley realizes that Missouri doesn't have any money to fund Medicaid. The legislators just congratulated themselves for cutting 1 billion from the state's budget.
And, my recollection is that the MO voters enshrined Medicaid in the MO constitution, so if the feds cut funds, the state will have to tax to pay for it.
I posted elsewhere that he will do the Collins and throw Trump under the bus and tell his constituents he feels just as betrayed as they do whenever they realize they got fucked. Hawley is a skilled politician who knows exactly what he’s doing.
The beauty is, when Red State MAGAs complain about their lost Medicaid, we'll all be able to comfortably say, "This was the result of integrity and accountability activities aimed to keep undeserving people off of Medicaid rolls. I can only assume then that you're one of those undeserving people."
Just like they like to point out that if a person is here without a visa, they are breaking the law and therefore criminals who deserve to be apprehended like they are a threat to the social safety and order, even the children and not given due process because... only citizens deserve that.
Crossing against the light is also breaking the law. So is speeding. My guess is you (and everyone) does it.
Depending on the person, over staying a visa is a civil violation of the law, not much different than crossing against a light. As for due process, EVERYONE is owed due process. Maybe revisit the constitution, this would be considered an inalienable right, you get it for being alive on this world, it doesn't matter if you got lucky and were born here in the USA, or less lucky and born in Canada.
I've been trying to think this thru (as if there's any real thought behind it) with the speeding analogy. I think a logical MAGA (ha ha ha) would tell you, "maybe when you're speeding you're illegal, but once you slow down you're legal again. The immigrant is illegal cuz they crossed the border/overstayed - they can only become legal by leaving the US."
In terms of law, of course, things don't really work that way - cops can mail you a ticket if you were caught on speed camera (tho I think in some jurisdictions the camera violations are more a civil violation than criminal).
So, take murder - you're not just illegal while in the act of committing it. Once you've done the deed, that illegality sticks to ya through arrest, trial, conviction & sentence. As is the case for most crimes. Yet we don't typically call any other offenders "illegals." Curious, ain't it?
Maybe this sounds harsh but even though they will have a big effect on me, I'm not as concerned about medicaid and other cuts as I am the provisions that weaken the courts. MAGA needs to feel the economic damage of the cuts, and the sooner they come the better, and changes can be made relatively quickly. But once we lose what remains of the powers of the courts, it's going to take lots more to change it. I am not going to read the bill, but I imagine there's more stealth provisions taking away our rights that few are talking about.
That’s a good point. Save the courts and the judicial system, but let “we the people” touch a red hot stove. I know people on Medicaid, and I’m sure some of them voted for Trump, mostly to get rid of pronouns, trans activists, and immigrants. It never occurred to them it might mean getting rid of their Medicaid. Burn, baby, burn. You bought it, you own it.
“why is Trump so determined to place tariffs on all goods, including clothing, if he doesn’t want to bring all of those industries back to the United States? “
Because he can extort kickbacks of various kinds from those industries and companies. Because he can dominate them, scare them, and make them cower before him. Because knowing they know he can fuck them over makes him feel powerful.
And congratulations, Joe. The Henleys wish you and yours every happiness. We just celebrated 34 years in April.
And on Hegseth on a sexual incident, monitor, come on, his real strategy is to eliminate women from the Armed Forces. That way sexual assault cases will come down to locker room enforcement.
Hegseth misled Ernst? What a surprise! Said absolutely no one. Good thing it was just Joni Ernst. She’s gonna die anyway, right? I see I didn’t need to post this. It was too easy.
it should not have mattered what Hegseth promised Ernst. He is a credibly accused sexual predator. She is a victim of sexual assault. Her NO vote should have been guaranteed. I can just see the-night-before-the-vote pressure. "Joni, you WILL vote yes. Ask him to appoint a sexual assault officer. that will give you CYA. But you will vote yes."
In this stage of Trump 2.0, nothing gets done and that’s the point. Neither Trump nor anyone in his Cabinet knows how to run their department or wants to learn. Meanwhile, China is stealing our scientists, kids are still getting hospitalized for measles, other countries will develop new drugs, better clothing, buy food from other countries, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel continue. Trump now needs to close the border to keep people IN!
Won't work, since that means he has to put up with their belly-aching until the Final Double Cheeseburger finds its way between his gums, as that toast saying has it: Over the teeth and by the gums, look out stomach, here it comes.
This is a misread of Hawley's motivations, even though in normal circumstances I'm sure he'd be fine with the cuts. As commenter Ellen Thomas (no relation to me) already pointed out, Medicaid was expanded in Missouri by a vote of the people. Had it been a "normal" referendum, the legislature could over-ride it with new legislation, which I'm sure they would, since they never wanted to expand Medicaid in the first place, which is why it was brought forward by initiative/referendum. However, of key importance is that it was passed as an amendment to the state constitution. That means the only way to reverse it is by another vote of the people. For those who want to cut Medicaid, at best this takes time, at worst it might fail with people continuing to support Medicaid fully funded. If the current BBB goes through with the House version of cuts, it's estimated that Missouri government will go bankrupt within 10 years. That's why Hawley is so adamant. I disagree with Hawley on just about everything. But in this case, it's not just semantics or posturing. I hope the BBB fails, but if it passes, Missouri will be in a real conundrum. I'm kind of amazed our other equally bad US Senator isn't also on the march about this.
However will Missouri raise the money to pay for Medicaid? Do they currently have a recreational cannabis law that licenses stores and charges a surtax? I think that is how other states have managed to raise revenues.
When Ernst asked Hegseth about his promise recently, he said "I guess you believed in the tooth fairy too?"
Or maybe, “Why ask? We’re all going to die someday!”
Ernst won’t worry. After all, sexual assault victims end up dying like everyone else.
If I could upvote this more, I would.
The reason Hawley is worried about Medicaid cuts is that, after the Republican Legislature refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA, it went to a ballot initiative, which passed rather handily. The GOP tried very hard to undo and ignore it, but after a couple of years of were forced by the courts to (grudgingly, and making it as hard as possible to enroll) actually do what the voters wanted and expanded Medicaid. As a result, they got lumbered with ballot language that actually said that the state had to expand Medicaid, even if federal money dried up. Oopsie. Should have just taken it in the first place. So he is absolutely terrified at what that's going to mean.
I hope no one took even a second of their life's energy thinking, "Huh. Maybe Hawley isn't the white supremacist autocrat-loving insurrectionist jerk I thought he was," because he is.
No worries. One must assume everything Hawley does is based on self centered, political calculation. The only question now is, what will he do when Ron Johnson, Rand Paul and the others who initially balked eventually capitulate? I think we all know the answer to that one too….
I'm afraid you are right on that one.
Thanks, Ellen - you cleared up something puzzling that had me wondering if maybe, because he's young, Hawley might actually know that the Republican base is no longer well to do suburban white professionals but is now the inhabitants of trailer parks, working for minimum wages, in rural areas, and was therefore concerned that killing them by closing rural hospitals would be bad for the party.
They won't be initiating these changes until after the 2026 midterms, but there won't be a rural hospital left open within 12 months of these changes kicking in. That leaves PLENTY of time before that 2030 census to kill many reliably red Congressional districts, permanently - and I'm glad that's on the menu.
Today's GQP supporters are incapable of learning anything without being hit in the face with a baseball bat, and it's going to be fun watching their party weild it.
I guess the GOP is OK with closing hospitals and killing people, because as Ernst said "everyone's going to die eventually."
I have to admit - Ernst follow up video floored me: it had me howling with laughter AND getting slightly hopeful that the Democrats may pick up her seat next year!
There are a lot of Iowa Democrats trying very hard to make that happen!
Super important to keep in mind: "I hope no one took even a second of their life's energy thinking, "Huh. Maybe Hawley isn't the white supremacist autocrat-loving insurrectionist jerk I thought he was," because he is."
It’s not confusion over the Medicaid cuts. It’s deliberate obfuscation by Trump, and probably even Hawley, who is preparing himself to say: “I must’ve been taking a bathroom break when they cut the Medicaid, and I didn’t even notice it. Sorry.“
Hawley realizes that Missouri doesn't have any money to fund Medicaid. The legislators just congratulated themselves for cutting 1 billion from the state's budget.
And, my recollection is that the MO voters enshrined Medicaid in the MO constitution, so if the feds cut funds, the state will have to tax to pay for it.
oops.
Is that the same "oops" as Dictator Ukelele used?
They aren’t really cutting anything. This hospital is actually waste. Or is it fraud? Or maybe abuse. One of those, but not a cut./s
I posted elsewhere that he will do the Collins and throw Trump under the bus and tell his constituents he feels just as betrayed as they do whenever they realize they got fucked. Hawley is a skilled politician who knows exactly what he’s doing.
The beauty is, when Red State MAGAs complain about their lost Medicaid, we'll all be able to comfortably say, "This was the result of integrity and accountability activities aimed to keep undeserving people off of Medicaid rolls. I can only assume then that you're one of those undeserving people."
"And remember, we're all going to die".
Thanks, Joni.
Any day, thanks to RFK Jr and the bird flu.
And raw milk. Did you know that 96% of food poisoning incidents in dairy products comes from raw milk consumption? The things you learn on YouTube!
Or fraudulently obtaining the benefits.
Just like they like to point out that if a person is here without a visa, they are breaking the law and therefore criminals who deserve to be apprehended like they are a threat to the social safety and order, even the children and not given due process because... only citizens deserve that.
Crossing against the light is also breaking the law. So is speeding. My guess is you (and everyone) does it.
Depending on the person, over staying a visa is a civil violation of the law, not much different than crossing against a light. As for due process, EVERYONE is owed due process. Maybe revisit the constitution, this would be considered an inalienable right, you get it for being alive on this world, it doesn't matter if you got lucky and were born here in the USA, or less lucky and born in Canada.
Good luck to you, in fascist America!
I've been trying to think this thru (as if there's any real thought behind it) with the speeding analogy. I think a logical MAGA (ha ha ha) would tell you, "maybe when you're speeding you're illegal, but once you slow down you're legal again. The immigrant is illegal cuz they crossed the border/overstayed - they can only become legal by leaving the US."
In terms of law, of course, things don't really work that way - cops can mail you a ticket if you were caught on speed camera (tho I think in some jurisdictions the camera violations are more a civil violation than criminal).
So, take murder - you're not just illegal while in the act of committing it. Once you've done the deed, that illegality sticks to ya through arrest, trial, conviction & sentence. As is the case for most crimes. Yet we don't typically call any other offenders "illegals." Curious, ain't it?
Yep. All 10 million of you.
Hawley will fold. And then he’ll lie about it.
Good luck, Missourians.
TACO!
Hegseth can simply say “Joni, we’re all going to be lied to eventually.”
Maybe this sounds harsh but even though they will have a big effect on me, I'm not as concerned about medicaid and other cuts as I am the provisions that weaken the courts. MAGA needs to feel the economic damage of the cuts, and the sooner they come the better, and changes can be made relatively quickly. But once we lose what remains of the powers of the courts, it's going to take lots more to change it. I am not going to read the bill, but I imagine there's more stealth provisions taking away our rights that few are talking about.
That’s a good point. Save the courts and the judicial system, but let “we the people” touch a red hot stove. I know people on Medicaid, and I’m sure some of them voted for Trump, mostly to get rid of pronouns, trans activists, and immigrants. It never occurred to them it might mean getting rid of their Medicaid. Burn, baby, burn. You bought it, you own it.
YES! that is further immunity of a different stripe.
“why is Trump so determined to place tariffs on all goods, including clothing, if he doesn’t want to bring all of those industries back to the United States? “
Because he can extort kickbacks of various kinds from those industries and companies. Because he can dominate them, scare them, and make them cower before him. Because knowing they know he can fuck them over makes him feel powerful.
And congratulations, Joe. The Henleys wish you and yours every happiness. We just celebrated 34 years in April.
Happy belated anniversary!
Thank you!
And on Hegseth on a sexual incident, monitor, come on, his real strategy is to eliminate women from the Armed Forces. That way sexual assault cases will come down to locker room enforcement.
Hegseth misled Ernst? What a surprise! Said absolutely no one. Good thing it was just Joni Ernst. She’s gonna die anyway, right? I see I didn’t need to post this. It was too easy.
it should not have mattered what Hegseth promised Ernst. He is a credibly accused sexual predator. She is a victim of sexual assault. Her NO vote should have been guaranteed. I can just see the-night-before-the-vote pressure. "Joni, you WILL vote yes. Ask him to appoint a sexual assault officer. that will give you CYA. But you will vote yes."
I, too, am in favor for work requirements as foundational for receiving benefits - for members of Congress!
Good idea, which, like any good idea these days, hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of being passed.
I don't think I'd be willing to lend Senator Ernst the benefit of doubt, particularly in light of recent events
In this stage of Trump 2.0, nothing gets done and that’s the point. Neither Trump nor anyone in his Cabinet knows how to run their department or wants to learn. Meanwhile, China is stealing our scientists, kids are still getting hospitalized for measles, other countries will develop new drugs, better clothing, buy food from other countries, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel continue. Trump now needs to close the border to keep people IN!
Please, don’t give him any ideas!
Won't work, since that means he has to put up with their belly-aching until the Final Double Cheeseburger finds its way between his gums, as that toast saying has it: Over the teeth and by the gums, look out stomach, here it comes.
This is a misread of Hawley's motivations, even though in normal circumstances I'm sure he'd be fine with the cuts. As commenter Ellen Thomas (no relation to me) already pointed out, Medicaid was expanded in Missouri by a vote of the people. Had it been a "normal" referendum, the legislature could over-ride it with new legislation, which I'm sure they would, since they never wanted to expand Medicaid in the first place, which is why it was brought forward by initiative/referendum. However, of key importance is that it was passed as an amendment to the state constitution. That means the only way to reverse it is by another vote of the people. For those who want to cut Medicaid, at best this takes time, at worst it might fail with people continuing to support Medicaid fully funded. If the current BBB goes through with the House version of cuts, it's estimated that Missouri government will go bankrupt within 10 years. That's why Hawley is so adamant. I disagree with Hawley on just about everything. But in this case, it's not just semantics or posturing. I hope the BBB fails, but if it passes, Missouri will be in a real conundrum. I'm kind of amazed our other equally bad US Senator isn't also on the march about this.
However will Missouri raise the money to pay for Medicaid? Do they currently have a recreational cannabis law that licenses stores and charges a surtax? I think that is how other states have managed to raise revenues.
"“No Medicaid benefit cuts,” Hawley told reporters. “He was unequivocal. No Medicaid benefit cuts.”"
As the article points out, the cuts in eligibility are effectively Medicaid cuts. They are so disingenuous as well as cruel.