Last year in February President Obama staged one of his stimulus speeches at a large Caterpillar plant in the Midwest. He used his appearance to sell economic stimulus and tote his upcoming health care initiative.
President Obama stated that Caterpillar agreed the stimulus would allow them to hire back some of the 22,000 employees that had been laid off.
- It turned out later that Mr. Obama miss spoke. CEO Jim Owens corrected the President and further clarified that Caterpillar would probably have to lay off more employees before they could rehire.
This seems to be a common theme with this President. He tells you exactly what you want to hear to support his initiatives. Not the truth.
Since that speech Obama has appealed to employees of Caterpillar and other corporate giants to support his upcoming health care legislation. He told his heart wrenching stories and gave his usual promise - "If you like your current insurance - you can keep your current insurance".
Caterpillar has 150,000 current, retired employees and their dependents on their medical insurance program.
- In my family my two brothers-in-law, plus several cousins are retired employees who worked at the York Pa plant. I can tell you first hand that Caterpillar has some of the finest medical coverage in the United States.
- They are not a company who tries to get away with the bare minimum.
- Caterpillar currently receives a financial incentive from the federal government to underwrite their prescription drug coverage.
Caterpillar, the construction giant has been earnestly opposing the health care legislation. In recent days they have been very vocal lobbying to have this bill defeated.
- As the details of this bill began to leak out, it became apparent that the federal subsidy Caterpillar and other large employers receive are not in the Presidents Health Care Bill. They have been eliminated.
You were told this bill would be funded by Medicare savings etc, and not cost you a dime. The administration did not tell you that a hidden effect of this bill would be to cancel current federal subsidies in place.
- No one knows even on the day of the vote exactly what is in the bill. Surprise America! Those who blindly support this legislation are in for a rude awakening.
In a letter to Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner Caterpillar cited the new regulations would drive up health care cost for the Peoria Ill based manufacturer by 20%.
- "In our fragile economy, we can ill-afford cost increases that place us at a disadvantage versus global competitors that are not similarly burdened," Gregory Folley, vice president of the company, wrote.
Caterpillar announced that the health care plan would cost them and shareholders 100 million dollars in the 1st year.
- Stop and think! One major manufacturer who is already reeling from economic down turns is informing this administration how disastrous this bill would be on their business and ability to compete.
If you were Caterpillar what would your next decision be?
- Continue to cover your employees with health care regardless of the cost to your business?
- Would you consider dropping health care all together and pay the $300,000.00 fine annually?
- Not only would you save the potential 99.7 million in insurance increase, you would save the millions you are currently spending on group insurance.
- What a boost to the bottom line that would be for your solvency and shareholders.
"If you like your insurance - you can keep your insurance." Sure - if your employer decides to keep it. This has been the biggest lie, but certainly not the only one, this administration has used to deceive those who think health care is a "right".
- You and every other American who has employer based health care insurance is AT RISK!
Many have been trying to tell Democrats who support this bill how disastrous it is for employers and employees. Those who are on the moral soap box that health care is a "right" have failed to see beyond the brass ring.
- Like a little Johnny who begs his parents for a puppy. He desperately wants a puppy and will agree to anything to get it.
- The parents concede on the condition that little Johnny take care of the dog. Suddenly little Johnny finds out that the darling little puppy needs to be walked 3 or 4 times a day, in the rain, snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. There were consequences little Johnny ignored even though he was warned.
- Are you little Johnny or are you the parents who already see the pitfalls of puppy ownership?
Because the informative messages were being delivered via Conservatives, those who had their eye on the brass ring ignored the warnings. It was chalked up to be sensationalism by Beck and Hannity. Oh those Repub talking points!
Those trying to warn and ask for restraint have been attacked and demonized.
- Well folks, I'm pretty sure Caterpillar is not a card carrying member of the GOP.
- Here you have a major employer standing up for America, and telling you THIS IS A JOBS KILLER.
Walmart employees 2 million people. McDonald's employees 500,000 employees. The new health care bill will require all employers insure even part time workers. You figure it out.
- Is it cheaper for an employer to supply insurance under this bill or cheaper for them to pay the fine?
- Do you think employers buy into the concept that health insurance is your right as an employee?
If your employer drops health care insurance as a benefit, you are going to be forced to find insurance and pay the bill WITHOUT CONTRIBUTION FROM YOUR EMPLOYER.
How much will it cost you? Who knows! No one knows what's in the bill being jammed down our throats.
- This bill is not about insuring the 30 million who are uninsured!
This bill is about fundamentally transforming America and forcing all Americans into a government run health care insurance.
Caterpillar Against Health Care Bill
P.S. Before commenting on this blog - bear in mind - I'm a card carrying registered Democrat. Address the facts - not a party line.
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