Watchdog Radio: Obamacare and ‘Obamacare for the Internet’

By Eric Boehm and Ben Yount | Watchdog.org

Democrats probably hoped that Obamacare would fade from the national political discussion after the mid-term elections had passed, but that will not be the case.

First, video-after-video of Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber have surfaced on the Internet. In some, Gruber is belittling voters for not understanding the law, while in others he is talking down to elected officials who have concerns about the Affordable Care Act — no matter how legit those concerns might be.

In all the videos, the smug MIT economist who was a close adviser to the White House in 2010 when Obamacare was crafted is providing a glimpse into the thinking of those who were trusted with reforming America’s health care insurance system.

And Obamacare won’t be falling off the national radar anytime soon. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take a look at a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of health care subsidies given out by the federal government — a case that could undermine the entire structure of the law.

The Obama administration, meanwhile, is pivoting towards net neutrality. That would give the government greater control over the Internet, and it’s already being called “Obamacare for the Internet” by one prominent Republican senator.

All that, and more, on this edition of Watchdog Radio.

Part 1: Hosts Eric Boehm and Ben Yount thank our veterans for their service to the country and talk about the big news of the week, including the leaked videos showing Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber mocking voters and Vermont lawmakers. Also, could an election in Florida come down to the flip of a coin? Our hosts debate better — or at least more entertaining — ways to settle a close election in the state known for electoral controversies.

http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/11/11414WatchdogRadio1.mp3

Part 2: Boehm sits down with Sam Kazman, an attorney with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, to talk about the King v. Burwell case that landed before the Supreme Court. The legal challenge seeks to undo a critical part of Obamacare, and the high court will hear oral arguments early in 2015, a year that is shaping up to be a critical one for the Affordable Care Act.

http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/11/11414WatchdogRadio2.mp3

Part 3: Watchdog.org’s Josh Peterson joins Boehm and Yount to discuss net neutrality and what it could mean for the Internet, for the government and for you.

http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/11/11414WatchdogRadio3.mp3

Part 4: Our hosts talk about an infuriating story out of Connecticut, where a woman was sent to prison for trying to get her kids into a better school. Then, they take a look at the emerging media narrative that suggests Republicans “have to prove they can govern” now that they control Congress. Was the election really about Republicans governing, or was it voters telling Republicans to stop Democrats from doing exactly that?

http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/11/11414WatchdogRadio4.mp3