Senators Voted for ObamaCare – Now Protect Medical Devices Makers from a Tax Increase

Democracy and Power 112: Fidelity to Leadership

To be elected, a politician must please his constituents. However, to be a powerful legislative force, a politician must be an obedient member of a party – Democrat or Republican. Since most constituents are busy making a living, raising families and focused on immediate community concerns, loyalty to the party most often prevails.

Senators Voted for ObamaCare – Now Protect Medical Devices  Makers from a Tax Increase

Sixteen Democrat Senators have signed a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asking him to delay the implementation of an ObamaCare tax on medical devises.  All 16 Senators obediently voted in favor of ObamaCare.  On January 1, a 2.3% tax increase will be implemented on medical devises.  Of course, the medical devise industry is strongly opposed to the tax.  So, these sixteen Senators plus two Democrat Senator-Elects are seeking to protect their corporate constituents, which is exactly how politics works in DC. 

First, these Senators followed the dictates of the leadership – Pelosi, Reid, and Obana – so they could be part of the majority.  Now, they feel the heat of their constituents and they need a favor in return.  This is what H.L. Mencken called political prostitution.  

A professional politician is a professionally dishonorable man. In order to get anywhere near high office has to make so many compromises and submit to so many humiliations that he becomes indistinguishable from a streetwalker. 

Of course, these eighteen Senators still favor other taxes to be raised on New Years Day:

  • A limit on the tax deductibility of medical expenses for people who pay some of their medical costs out of pocket.
  • A limit on tax-sheltered health flexible spending accounts. 
  • An increase on the Medicare payroll tax for single-earners making more than $200,000 and married couples making more than $250,000.

At least not until the above impacted groups hire lobbyists and apply pressure.  As the late Senator Everett Dirksen famously said, “When I feel the heat, I see the light.”

This is the sad reality of politicians in America.