If opting-out becomes a reality in the healthcare reform bill, it is almost certain to be a political wedge and a litmus test of Conservative Values for Republicans. No GOP incumbent will stave off primary challenges without walking the coals and rejecting ’socialized medicine’.
As a anecdote, consider this Wired magazine article about parents who opt-out of vaccination for their children (via kottke):
The sales tax increase may be an ideological cause for concern, but it certainly isn’t a rational one.
People talk about going to the outside counties (ie. Bucks, Chester, etc., at a 6% sales tax) or going to Delaware (for a 0% sales tax). I would only do this for big purchases (note cars are taxes where they are registered, not purchased), and I would likely do that regardless of the Philadelphia sales tax anyway.
From the Department of Karma (KDKA via Keystone Politics):
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s right to vote in Penn Hills has been challenged — and election officials will not count his absentee ballot (or that of his wife) until the matter is resolved, Allegheny County Elections Department director Mark Wolosik confirmed.Erin Vecchio, chairman of the Penn Hills School Board and chair of the Penn Hills Democratic Party, says she challenged the Santorums’ right to vote in Pennsylvania this morning because they really live in Virginia. …
Vecchio, who has had a long-running dispute with Santorum over his residency, says the former senator and his family live in “an undisclosed location” in northern Virginia and that his attempt to vote here is “voter fraud.”
Voter fraud. It’s not just for brown people. ACORN had no comment. I wonder if he’s registered and voted in VA?
Pony. Not yours.
There’s a Democratic-sponsored attack ad that is somewhat unfair to Ridley Park native, University of Pennsylvania graduate, and Army veteran of both Iraq and Bosnia that makes somewhat unfair and groundless criticism of 26-year old baby-faced Miccarelli.
The ad, which I’ve only seen aired once on local (Delco) cable-TV hits Miccarelli for inaction regarding actions, both Congressional and Presidential that had effect on Delaware County. The ad knocks Miccarelli for not taking action, either by advocating as leader of the College Republicans or as a campaign aid to intervene. Of course, this is unfair. In 2004, Miccarelli, although already a veteran, was merely 23, and serving on a variety of campaigns. Although he made have had access to a handful of political decisionmakers, the influence of Miccarelli was essentially no more than that of the average Delco constituent. Furthermore, the need to burnish his political resume and cultivate ideological bonafides means that he in no way could deviate from the company line.
