During debate over the new health care law, concerns were raised about a wide variety of provisions in the bill, but few provisions raised quite as many eyebrows as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program. CLASS established a new federal long-term care insurance entitlement program. Despite bipartisan warnings that the CLASS program was financially unsustainable and a budget gimmick, the program was included anyway to help “pay for” the health care bill.

According to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), the CLASS program was “A Ponzi scheme of the first order, the kind of thing Bernie Madoff would be proud of.” The program was set to start collecting premiums for eight years of the ten year budget window (at the time, 2010-2019), but not pay any benefits until 2017. This rigging of the delayed payment of benefits allowed Democrats to claim the bill reduced the deficit by $70 billion by counting CLASS program enrollees’ premiums as “revenue.”

Beyond the budget gimmicks used to sell the health care law, many people raised serious concerns about the structure and viability of the CLASS program itself.

Fortunately, a provision was included in the law that required the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to certify that the program would be solvent for seventy-five years before it could be implemented.

Click here to read his entire column.

At a time when more than 13 million Americans are unemployed, we should be doing everything it can to create a stable atmosphere for our economy and encourage job creation.

Too often, the message from Washington speaks of job creation, but the actions do not match the words.

One action that could be taken to immediately open the door to 20,000 jobs is approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The proposed pipeline would transport 500,000 barrels of oil daily from Canada to oil refineries in the U.S. A group of House Democrats even wrote to President Obama in support of the pipeline noting the 20,000 direct jobs and that the project would “spur the creation of 118,000 spin-off jobs.” Recognizing the positive economic impact of the project, it has won broad support from business groups to labor unions. Read more about the project including the letters of support at http://transcanada.com/keystone.html.

The Keystone XL Pipeline represents one of the most straightforward and simple opportunities to create American jobs. This shovel-ready project not only creates jobs, but decreases U.S. dependence on unstable foreign sources of oil.

Click here to read the entire thing.

Then foam at the mouth about the environmental woes.

We think his final days in office would be better spent focusing on Kentucky.

“I am happy to announce my candidacy for the House of Representatives. More than ever Congress needs a conservative, independent thinker who has a track record of innovation and problem solving in the private sector.

“Our founding fathers weren’t career politicians or government employees. In fact, they were farmers, inventors, and small businessmen that came together to craft the most impressive document in the history of government. Our Constitution is packed full of common sense, and that is desperately needed in Congress today.

“We need someone who is committed to lowering taxes, cutting government waste, and ending run away spending. I have done that in Lewis County and I will do that in Washington D.C. as your representative.” said Massie.

From his release:

Having acquired outside commitments for over $100,000.00, Massie is primed to enter this race on solid financial footing.

Thomas Massie earned two engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Based on his invention that made computers easier to use, he founded SensAble Technologies, Inc., raised over $32 million of venture capital, created 70 jobs, and obtained 24 patents. Ten years ago, he moved back to Kentucky with his wife and high school sweetheart, Rhonda, to raise their four children on a farm. He began battling big government as a concerned citizen in 2007, and stopped or lowered four separate tax initiatives in his county. In 2010, Massie challenged two establishment candidates in the republican primary for Lewis County Judge Executive, and beat them both by a two to one margin. In the first nine months of his administration, he eliminated enough wasteful government spending to pay his three years’ salary as Judge Executive.

Massie has retained a veteran Rand Paul staffer as his campaign manager. Ryan Hogan recently served as a field representative and body man for Senator Paul. Before that, Hogan was an essential part of Paul’s successful run for U.S. Senate in 2010, serving in many capacities from the campaigns onset.

Regardless of politics, it appears that Massie will be a formidable opponent for other Republicans in the primary. He’s already pulling in lots of traditional Republican support on top of the Paul Camp backing.

Though, he probably shouldn’t have mentioned that he got $100K+ in commitments prior to announcing his candidacy or filing official paperwork.

This race is going to be fun.

P.S. Here’s footage of Massie at a recent Lawrenceburg gathering:

Kentuckians already know there’s going to be a wild Republican primary to replace Geoff Davis in the 4th District. [Roll Call]

Kentucky’s getting $4,577,316 from the feds to cover April 2011 storm damages to roads & bridges. [Press Release]

What a travesty! Alison Lundergan Grimes appointed communications staffers but did not appoint the meemaws to anything! [Facebook]

Congressman John Yarmuth filed for re-election today and unlike other outlets, we don’t see what’s major or newsworthy about it to warrant an entire story. You’d think it was earth-shattering news with all the hoopla today. [Press Releases Galore]

How many people has Mitt Romney fired? Fifteen billion? Something like that? Let’s just pray he doesn’t get eated (intentional spelling) by that mob guy in New Jersey. [Wonkette]

Maybe Republicrats are realizing Jon Huntsman is the least nutty of all candidates currently running for pretzeldent. [HuffPo]

Even Former President Bill Clinton thinks Occupy Wall Street needs to simplify its messaging. And the folks in Louisville should take note. [The 'Ville Voice]

Meanwhile, that city’s Metro Sewer District scandal is raging out of control and there is apparently no real accountability. Just a bunch of smoke blowing. [Page One]

Looks like copper thieves may be responsible for the latest home explosion in Kentucky. This is why the Commonwealth can’t have nice things. [WKYT]

Woah, Cecil New admitted to drowning four-year-old Cesar Ivan Aguilar Cano. This nightmarish story has haunted Louisville for several years. [FOX41]

Instant racing revenue in Kentucky continues to climb. Up a whopping 17% in the month of December. [H-L]

Americans drastically overestimate how many unauthorized immigrants are in the United States and they don’t want to know the truth. [Slate]

“Gategood Galbraith missed some chances” is how A Kentucky Newspaper decided to weirdly headline Joe Gerth’s column about Galbraith’s death. [C-J/AKN]

What? Yet another way to evolve? Yet another way to piss off the Ark Parkers? [The Economist]

Papaw Beshear wisely rejected the University of Louisville Hospital merger request. Again. [WHAS11]

Since the new health care law was enacted in March 2010, debate has swirled about the constitutionality of one provision in particular: the individual mandate.

The individual mandate of the 2010 health care law is a provision that requires everyone to obtain health insurance (whether it is paid by you, an employer, or the federal government and taxpayers) starting in 2014, or pay a fine. The mandate is unconstitutional because nothing in the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the power to impose such a requirement. If the federal government can require everyone to purchase a product or service, what will the next requirement be? What then are the bounds on constitutionally-limited government?

This debate will be heard in March by the Supreme Court with a crucial final decision in the months to follow.

-SNIP-

Most major pieces of legislation include a severability clause as protection in case any provision within the law is found to be invalid and unenforceable. The severability clause states that, in that case, the rest of a law should not be affected. The health care law, however, did not include such a clause.

To put severability into an everyday example, think of a recipe. Spaghetti and meatballs is a common meal popular in many households.

Click here to read the entire piece.

Yep, health care in the United States is just like spaghetti and meatballs. Makes you fat as all hell, clogs your arteries, requires something to die for you to benefit, a lot of the country can’t afford it.

We thought it was no big deal but it’s becoming more and more obvious that the woman needs to learn to stand on her own if she hopes to succeed.

Her campaign needs to reimburse the federal government for, well, just read it:

From: VanMeter, Rick
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 5:56 PM
To: VanMeter, Rick
Subject: Moving on….

Friends,

After nearly three years with Congressman Davis, I am both sad and excited to let you know that I will be leaving the office for a new opportunity and challenge. Tomorrow (Monday), I will officially start as the campaign manager for Alecia Webb-Edgington for Congress in Kentucky’s Fourth District. I have already moved back to Kentucky to run the campaign.

It has been a pleasure working with you, and I greatly appreciate your help, advice, and most importantly, your friendship. I’m sorry that because of the timing of this opportunity, I was not able to say goodbye to anyone before leaving for the holidays, but I hope you will stay in touch.

I will be turning in my computer and blackberry in the morning, but I can always be reached at: REDACTED or 859-XXX-XXXX.

Thanks again, and I hope that our paths will cross again soon!

Rick VanMeter
Communications Director | Congressman Geoff Davis, KY-04

Who the hell sends that – with the resources of Congressman Davis’ office – after moving back to Kentucky and leaving the job? We normally wouldn’t even mention it (because it seems like common practice) if we hadn’t been flooded with all kinds of comments about similar activity.

Geoff Davis generally has top-notch staffers and rivals John Yarmuth when it comes to providing constituent support but this has really gotten out-of-hand.

Come on, Alecia, stop listening to bad advice. Because you’re about to get Trey Graysoned.

Way to hitch to the gubmint teat. And to take advantage of Davis. Head – desk.

Looks like KRS board member Tommy Elliott’s fun within Greg Fischer’s world is coming under fire from the Louisville Metro Council. To think this is the guy Steve Beshear thinks is great news for Kentucky Retirement Systems. [WFPL]

Dear teabaggers: Told ya so. David Williams remains as State Senate President. [Bluegrass Politics]

Hunter Bates thinks he’s going to be able to replace Geoff Davis. What do you think? [Roll Call]

Here comes everybody saying they want to run to take Geoff Davis’ place in Congress. [Ryan Alessi]

Expanded gambling is already gaining attention in Frankfort but there’s no coordinated effort to make sure it passes. It’s almost like Democrats want it to fail again. [Ronnie Ellis]

Greg Stumbo says he expects legislation in the upcoming legislative session to stop pill mills. [WMYT]

The latest polling data show that the public backs a payroll tax deduction and half of Americans think President Barack Obama should lose. [AP]

Mostly, as you prepare to get obliterated today to deal with more holiday crap, you should be remember that Sexytime Herman Cain said he wants to be secretary of defense. Just don’t remember it too hard or you’ll likely wet yourself. [Wonkette]

And then you can remember that Michele Bachmann is still trying to run for the presidency. And you really will wet yourself. [HuffPo]

Or maybe you can dry heave over the headline “Santorum On Your TV Screen.” [Slate]

Child-death records show a need for more talk between social workers and doctors. This story gets worse and worse and sadder and sadder. [H-L]

The American Federation of Teachers is leading an effort to turn a West Virginia school system around. [WaPo]

How silly is Washington? So silly that some mouth-breathers blocked light bulb standards with the spending bill. [Politico]

Friends:

In order to devote more time to my family, I have decided not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

It is an honor to have the trust and confidence of the citizens of Kentucky’s Fourth Congressional District.

I have been blessed with an exceptionally competent staff who have helped thousands of Kentuckians over the years. Moreover, together we have passed critical pieces of legislation and enacted laws to reform our government, strengthen our national security, protect our veterans and service members, create economic revival and energy independence, and improve transparency and accountability of the government.

As Chairman of the Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Human Resources, we have set a new tone that combines genuine concern for the least among us, with pragmatic process reforms that are both compassionate and conservative. That attitude and focus have produced real results and proactive bi-partisan legislation, despite the negative partisan climate in Washington. Indeed, we have proven that people of diverse world views can find common ground and produce meaningful results.

I thank the people of Kentucky’s Fourth District for this honor and look forward to continued service to our community and to our Republic in other capacities as I return to the private sector. I also want to thank my friend and mentor, former Senator Jim Bunning, for his example of steadfast character and unimpeachable integrity in service.

Most of all, I thank my wonderful wife Pat and our children for their unfailing love, grace under pressure, and tireless encouragement in answering this call to serve.

I am grateful that I live in a country where a boy like me, growing up with little hope, could walk a path by God’s grace that has allowed me to encounter His peace, the joy of true love, and service at the highest levels of our elected national government. Truly, we are blessed in this Republic.

Sincerely,

Geoff Davis
Member of Congress

This opens up all kinds of doors.

Let the speculation on a successor begin.

What’s your take?

With the latest unemployment numbers showing a slight drop to 8.6%, we know that too many Americans are still unable to find work and some have dropped out of the labor market altogether. House Republicans have made removing the barriers to job creation a top legislative priority.

Federal regulations and uncertainty about new regulations are among the obstacles preventing the private sector from growing and hiring more workers. A recent Gallop poll among owners of small businesses, which are responsible for sixty-four percent of net new hires over the last fifteen years, found that complying with government regulations is the most important problem facing them today.

To address this problem, the House of Representatives has passed several bills to address specific regulations that are holding our economy back, and we are now turning our attention to reforming the regulatory process going forward.

The House recently passed two important bills that would help reduce potential hurdles to economic growth and job creation in future regulations.

Click here to read the rest.

Hogwash? A good move? What do you think?