By Steve Rhodes
“Lack of action by the Illinois General Assembly this fall to send Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn a bill creating a statewide health-insurance exchange hasn’t discouraged supporters of President Barack Obama’s signature legislative accomplishment: the federal Affordable Care Act,” the State Journal-Register reports.
“However, there is some worry about how long lawmakers could wait in 2012 before votes are taken in the Illinois House and Senate. The state could lose more than $80 million in federal startup grants if inaction extends into the summer.
“‘We expected the General Assembly to act on what is really a bipartisan set of concepts that the Affordable Care Act is based on,’ said Michael Gelder, Quinn’s senior health-care policy adviser. ‘The exchange really is a very Republican approach. It’s not a government takeover.'”
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I wonder if that will be part of the president’s re-election pitch: “I passed health care reform that’s really very Republican!”
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Isn’t it funny how Democrats are always at pains to assure everyone that they’re really very Republican? We like war too! We’re tough on crime too! We hate poor people too! We give tax breaks to business too! We hate teachers too! So vote for us, not those crazies over there!
Olyndra
“Since the failure of [Solyndra], Obama’s entire $80 billion clean-
technology program has begun to look like a political liability for an administration about to enter a bruising reelection campaign,” the Washington Post reports.
“Meant to create jobs and cut reliance on foreign oil, Obama’s green-technology program was infused with politics at every level, The Washington Post found in an analysis of thousands of memos, company records and internal e-mails. Political considerations were raised repeatedly by company investors, Energy Department bureaucrats and White House officials.
“The records, some previously unreported, show that when warned that financial disaster might lie ahead, the administration remained steadfast in its support for Solyndra.”
The Derrick Rose Facts
It’s his world, he just lets Chuck Norris live in it.
Jesus Just Left Chicago
He was waiting for the bus.
Corruption Tax Absurdium
Thelma Ruffin sued Chicago for refusing to hire her because of political considerations and won. Now the IRS has ruled that she has to pay taxes on her settlement.
Her Cheating (Ex) Boyfriend Watching From Couch
While she’s at Lambeau.
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Deadspin: We’ve Identified Jilted Packergirl.
Programming Note
The bar is open this week; I’ll be slinging Old Styles and judging your jukebox picks as usual tonight at the venerable Inn. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Jilty.
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Posted on December 26, 2011