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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, July 23, 2010

Dent: Government Health Care Takeover Will Kill Jobs

When Congressional wannabe John Callahan finally took a position on Pelosi-care, a day after it passed, he somberly stated, "The legislation passed last night brings down health care costs for families and small businesses." Guess what? A hidden provision of the government health care takeover touted by Callahan’s blessing will swamp small businesses with paperwork, costing them time, money and resources that could be used to create new jobs.

That's according to a CNN report. "[J]ust a few lines buried in the 2,409-page document ... mandates that beginning in 2012 all companies will have to issue 1099 tax forms not just to contract workers but to any individual or corporation from which they buy more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The stealth change radically alters the nature of 1099s and means businesses will have to issue millions of new tax documents each year.”

According to the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent office within the IRS, this new provision will affect about 40 million taxpayers, including 26 million sole proprietors and one million charities. The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) adds that new Form 1099 expansion is “another crippling paperwork mandate that unfairly targets small businesses," and estimates average costs associated with tax paperwork is about $74 per hour.

“John Callahan should take heed – this is what happens when you blindly support a bill you didn’t bother to read,” said Congressman Charlie Dent in a news release. “This is only one of dozens of mandates in the health care bill that will cost more American jobs.”

Dent is a cosponsor of HR 5141, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, which would repeal this unnecessary and costly piece of red tape for American job creators.

The 1099 provision has been derided by Democrats and Republicans alike. Four Democratic Senators - Mark Begich (Alaska), Ben Nelson (Nebraska), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Evan Bayh (Indiana) – have publicly expressed concern about the regulation and asked the IRS to correct it administratively.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...will swamp small businesses with paperwork, costing them time, money and resources that could be used to create new jobs."

This is a classic "Republican" retort that really is tiring. Apparently, Dent is not a student of history. Republicans have been demonizing social reforms since the end of the 19th century. They've been saying that small businesses would get hurt when workers compensation became a law. They've been saying that small businesses would get hurt when social security became law. Now they are saying that small businesses will get hurt with this legislation. Dent and the rest need to come up with a different scare tactic. This one's tiresome and inaccurate. Small businesses will survive, just like when other social legislation was passed.

And BO - I liked reading your blog a few years ago, when there was honest reporting. Now, your blindly posting Dent's public relations BS. I'm definitely not a Callahan fan, but it seems when Dent feeds you info, you deem it 100% factual. Find your own opinion again and leave Dent post his own press releases. You're a better and honest read when you do this.

Lighthouse said...

This points to a much bigger picture/problem: HOW TO PAY for all the D and R "what are you going to do for me?" programs, as society has been conditioned to expect government to solve every problem in society NOW (if its not solved instantly, you're daily polls go down).

I like to read a range of conservative and liberal magazines. However, reading in a recent "The Nation" (liberal) article series on "inequality in America and what to do about it"-- it all boils down in their eyes to wealth redistribution. I was particularly fascinated by an article from Robert Reich. In one paragraph he goes on how since the 80s onward government could have "given employees more bargaining power to get higher wages...Safety nets enlarged...unemployment insurance covering part-time work, wage insurance if pay drops, transition assistance to move to new jobs...insurance for communities...Medicare for all, betters schools...more extensive public transportation. AND if more money was needed, taxes could have been raised on the rich."

Simple as that. Robin Hood government. Somehow, the government can provide all our needs and we just need to tax business and the rich a little--or a lot--more. I am not in business, nor am I rich, but somehow I fail to see the fairness (nor what used to be American individualism) in this. . .

and as your post implies, eventually who gets qualified as "the rich" gets blurry and small businesses get sucked into the money sucking vacuum. As Dent points out, how does that help the economy?

However, BOTH parties have been to blame in their own ways. The contradictory pressures to provide the "goodies" before elections, and fight the wars, while cutting taxes at the same time... As our debt explodes, when will Americans finally realize that nothing is really for "free"?

Lighthouse said...
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Lighthouse said...
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Lighthouse said...

Sorry for the deletes...I clicked on "publish your comment" and it put it on three times. I deleted two.

Anonymous said...

Lighthouse,

How were you able to delete your comments? Do you have administrative rights to BO's blog? I thought only BO has administrative rights to delete comments.

Lighthouse said...

when you are on your own blogger identity, and are still in the same session, there is a little garbage can you can click on to delete your own (and only your own) comments if you wish. Maybe when you post annonymously it doesn't give you that option??

Bernie O'Hare said...

If you go to Blogger.com and register a name, you can delete comments you post here, too. Anyone can do that. I can delete my comments on other blogspot blogs, too, even though I have no administrative privileges there.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anon 12:54, that must be why the repeal bill co-sponored by Dent has bi-partisan support.

Anonymous said...

The merit of the legislation is undeniable. Could it be better? Dent even said yes. If Congress goes back and does it's homework, could better legislation pass? Possibly. Will the repeal go through? I doubt it. The main point I was making was Dent shouldn't use the same old tired scare tactics. It's been said before and it doesn't resonate with what history teaches us about other reforms.

Anonymous said...

"Robin Hood government"

That's a good one. Yet, I'm sure, when you retire, you'll be the first one in line at the Social Security Office demanding your check that you are entitled to.

"nor what used to be American individualism"

That went away with the monopoly busting legislation of the late 19th century. Americans think they live in a capitalist society, when in reality, they live in a neo-socialist society. Yet, R's dream of sending us back to the days of steel magnates, railroad barons and coal company tyrants. Social legislation is here to stay. Enron made sure of it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"It's been said before and it doesn't resonate with what history teaches us about other reforms."

What history teaches about other reforms is that, to be successful, they need bipartisan support. That was the real failure here.

Anonymous said...

Respectfully, the success or failure of this legislation, will not be known for a few years. Dent (and you) is putting the cart before the horse.

Anonymous said...

If we had a comprehensive Nationally driven healthcare policy many of the problems the local businessmen bitched about in trying to create a Local Health Department would be addressed.

The only way public systems can function is to stress early intervention and incentivize medical professionals who can show measurable improvements on health at the front end.

So what we have today are entrenched groups who wave the "individualism" flag while demanding tax brakes on KOZ's, Enterprise Zones, and regional tax sharing? Really??? The bullshit never ends.

So what they advocate is that we treat people at the end of a life of over-drinking, over-eating, smoking and lack of exercise. The cost of that care is astronomical. But a better plan is that they can get an overpriced brochure from an overpaid Public Health bureaucrat telling them tobacco is bad and drinking while pregnant is also bad. Of course the County will pay for this.

There is a reality disconnect that is unbelievable. Rather than support a National strategy to improve all folks health and habits through the healthcare system through inexpensive early intervention. Our esteemed business community favors the overpriced, inefficient healthcare system we have that deals with the end results amd makes boatloads of money on high end expensive procedures and drugs. Yet they endorse local government spending its meager resources on the preventative piece.

Wave the "individualism" flag but remember folks. You already fully subsidize healthcare for the poor(medicaid) and the elderly(medicare) and veterans(VA). Also poverty has been linked to the worse health habits and cost. So who falls through the cracks, the very people who work hard and play by the rules but are unfortunate enough to lose a full-time job or have a pre-existing condition.

Put down the political kool-aide and try drinking some reality.

Veritas

Anonymous said...

Lighthouse,

I read the Nation and the New Republic for years, that effort turned me into a conservative. I still listen to NPR but subscribe to National Review.
The Left really believes government is the answer to every problem. They believe the world/humanity/human nature can be what they want it to be rather than what it is. They believe in their own righteousness and the need to be empowered to work their altruistic will. The Health Care Bill is just the most recent example of this.

Scott Armstrong

Anonymous said...

veritas,

that was beautiful

snoring solutions said...

This is a classic "Republican" retort that really is tiring. Apparently, Dent is not a student of history. Republicans have been demonizing social reforms since the end of the 19th century.What history teaches about other reforms is that, to be successful, they need bipartisan support. That was the real failure here.This site is great.

Anonymous said...

hat's according to a CNN report. "[J]ust a few lines buried in the 2,409-page document ... mandates that beginning in 2012 all companies will have to issue 1099 tax forms not just to contract workers but to any individual or corporation from which they buy more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The stealth change radically alters the nature of 1099s and means businesses will have to issue millions of new tax documents each year.”

Imagine the time and effort for a one-man type business this will entail! What is the point of this regulation? Someone said
it is to stifle business growth and employee hiring. What do others think?

Anonymous said...

He's very out of touch with the real world. Small businesses can't afford American private insurance.

Anonymous said...

it is well known that few if any legislators read every line of every bill they must must vote on.

When you skew this story into an anti-Callahan screed you betray your utter lack of objectivity

Why didn't Dent (or any Republican) complain about this at the time the legislation was up for vote? Cause he hadn't read it either

Anonymous said...

So this whole argument, basically, boils down to who do you screw? The businesses or workers? According to Scott Armstrong, it's the government taking over healthcare. That's what detractors want you to think. This legislation actually is to reform and regulate healthcare insurance. Yes, to regulate insurance companies. The SOBs that are getting rich on everyone. During the Bush era, there was deregulation, and we found out that big business will screw you for profit over ethics anytime. That's why we had a meltdown of the economy. Now, you have Obama wanting government to regulate big business (not take over as pundants will want you to think). Will it cost. Sure it will. Nobody denies that. But, it will save us in the long run. Scott Armstrong has a very short memory, he can't remember Enron and what happened to their own employees. That's why America got fed up with big business (including insurance companies that screw small businesses and workers alike) and wanted regulation put back in place. There needs to be protective measures from swindlers that detractors defends.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"you betray your utter lack of objectivity"

When the hell have I ever claimed to be ojective?

Anonymous said...

"you betray your utter lack of objectivity"

When the hell have I ever claimed to be ojective?

there goes your Pulitzer

Anonymous said...

"This is a classic "Republican" retort that really is tiring."

that is the argument that moderate Democrats made against this provision as well! Its clearly the provision is bad, not the 'retort.'

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yes, it's a bad provision that does the opposite of what Callahan claims - it kills jobs. Both sides agree. Now let's fix the damn thing.

Anonymous said...

"...- it kills jobs. Both sides agree. Now let's fix the damn thing."

This is nonsense and only detractors hang their hats on it. The same thing was said about workers compensation. Since 1855, when Georgia and Alabama passed workers compensation like laws in their states, the result was reduced medical litigation. It saved jobs. Cost containment to small businesses can use holistic approaches to keep costs down. When social security was introduced, the detractors back then said it would doom the American economy. The naysayers were wrong then, and their wrong now. The benefits of this legislation far outweigh what needs to get fixed. The law should not be repealed.

Anonymous said...

"This is nonsense and only detractors hang their hats on it."

Read the post, SUPPORTERS of the bill are saying the same thing. Your either stupid, or blinded by partisanism. This provision needs to be fixed.

Anonymous said...

"The benefits of this legislation far outweigh what needs to get fixed. The law should not be repealed."

Bernie wasnt even talking about repeal. He was talking about fixing a provision that will cost businesses a significant amount of time and money. It should be fixed. You clearly do not run a business.

Anonymous said...

Good point Anon 1:29.

At one of his Townhall meetings, did Charlie Dent dismiss the notion from a participant that healthcare reform would result in death pane? NO. It was better to lead to public in the wrong direction because it was better for the propaganda war.

Have your heard the scares that healthcare reform will now tax flexible spending accounts (false), or did you hear that some day you will no longer have a tax deduction for your mortgage (false), or Obama does not place his hand on his heart for the playing of the National Anthem when infact the band was playing Hail to the Chief ....and on and on and on.

They Distort...you decide.

Anonymous said...

At one of his Townhall meetings, did Charlie Dent dismiss the notion from a participant that healthcare reform would result in "death panel"? NO.

Anonymous said...

I was told because of the Obama Communist Healthcare Bill the North Koreans are invading California.

Normally I would be worried but with the Terminator in charge, hopefully all will be OK.


DJ Spinmeister

Bernie O'Hare said...

I've only been to one (Nazareth) of Charlie's town halls, where he allowed people from left and right alike to share their views. He stated his own, too, and has remained pretty consistent. During this time, Johnny Casino must have been playing craps. He sure as hell ran, and still runs, from taking stands.

Anonymous said...

"Have your heard the scares that healthcare reform will now tax flexible spending accounts"

The bill restricts contributions to FSA's, it increases the tax penalties for non-qualified HSA withdrawals, and it limits the definition of qualifying medical expenses for FSA's and HSA's.

The idea that these consumer friendly accounts are becoming wildly popular drives liberals mad. According to them, only government should be allowed to determine how you spend your money. That is why they are starting to more heavily regulate them.

These are facts, nothing distorted.

Anonymous said...

"At one of his Townhall meetings, did Charlie Dent dismiss the notion from a participant that healthcare reform would result in "death panel"? NO."

Pathetic attempt to turn the conversation from Callahan's blind support of a bill that he never read nor understood.

Anonymous said...

"Bernie wasnt even talking about repeal."

Then what the hell is this?

" Bernie O'Hare said...
Anon 12:54, that must be why the repeal bill co-sponored by Dent has bi-partisan support.

1:16 AM"

Anonymous said...

"He was talking about fixing a provision that will cost businesses a significant amount of time and money."

Yeah, it is a real shame when you have to pick between spending time and money, or having decent, equitable healthcare for everyone. Therein lies the difference between the argument of Rs and Ds. You said it in a nutshell, better than I could.

Anonymous said...

"Yeah, it is a real shame when you have to pick between spending time and money, or having decent, equitable healthcare for everyone."

In the world of small business Extra time + extra money = no food for your family. You must have a) a union job; or b) a government job.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Then what the hell is this?

" Bernie O'Hare said...
Anon 12:54, that must be why the repeal bill co-sponored by Dent has bi-partisan support.


That's the Paperwork Manddate Elimination Act, which will repeal the portion of the health care overhaul imposing this burden on small business. It is not a repeal of the entire act.

Anonymous said...

"In the world of small business Extra time + extra money = no food for your family. You must have a) a union job; or b) a government job."

Let me translate this - I'm going to screw my workers as long as I can put extra money in for me. For example, the waitress that works for tips gets screwed, because she can't afford healthcare, while the owner pleads he's a small business owner. Yet his outside accountant will be able to cook the books for the owner, while the waitress lives day to day. Yeah, we're all union or government workers in this world. Yeah, we all can afford health insurance like you. We all live above the poverty level like you. Save your sanctimonious hands-off neo-capitalism republican scare tactics to the ignorant.

Anonymous said...

Right, we are all ignorant except you.

My "workers" are me. I get screwed because Im not eligible for any of these wonderful tax credits they are talking about. I live above the poverty level because I work my butt off and dont sit around waiting for the government to give me anything.

Anonymous said...

Dent, stop MISLEADING the people with your catchy slogan. Fact is Doctors and Hospitals still provide healthcare…not the Government. Government wants to curb excessive costs and make affordable healthcare more accessible to Americans.

You seem to forget that You are benefitring for Government provided HealthCare. We the taxpayers pay for your Cadillac plan. I find it appalling that Republicans think that the right to carry a gun is a God given right, but think the Healthcare is only for those that can afford the full burden of a profit driven industry.