Isn't this typical of what the democrats think of this country? In their eyes everyone is incapable of making sacrifices or choices unless the government steps in and makes the choices for you.

I feel bad for the child and the family that obviously doesn't realize what fools the democrats are trying to play them as by using them as a poster-child for a politically charged social program.

It also goes to show you that no matter what social program gets passed, they want more passed. and more and more and more. No matter if everyone is covered by government health care they will find something else the government needs to run until they run everything...

Every clear thinking American should and needs to oppose this current move toward socialism by these ignorant buffoons.

Really, there are plenty of cowards to go around both parties on this issue.

Targeting smokers, primarily because they are a politically weak constituency, is daily fare on the local, state and federal side.

No one is going to vote against this because it's supposedly about 'the children'. It's a done deal. Veto override is certain. I'll bet on it.

President Bush earns $400,000 a year and receives publicly funded health care. The SCHIP program on the other hand was to be funded by a $7 billion dollar year increase of fees on tobacco because of the destructive effects it has on the public health and unwillingness of the tobacco industry to remove lead, nickel, cadmium and 4,000 harmful substances, or to clean up the unwanted secondhand smoke danger to others.

Anyhew, SCHIP is peanuts next to the BILLION DOLLAR (AFTER RE-DO'S AND COST-PLUS CONTRACTS)
Iraq Embassy.

But, that SCHIP program.....of all the spending boondoggles, THAT is what rankles the Right.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/06/AR2007100601450.html

So, raise the taxes on tobacco products to a point where people stop using them... and the income from that tax goes away. So where will the money come from to fund the SCHIP program? Your pocket and mine, through other raised taxes. Because 'it's for the children!' is ALWAYS a good justification for ANYTHING!

I can name that tune in three words, Chuck:

"Fake, but accurate."

Who cares that we had to lie and commit fraud to make our point, we were in pursuit of a GREATER TRUTH!

And if that doesn't work, Miss Cleo has fallback plan B: "Hey, look over there!"

J.

Where?

Ooooh! Something shiny!

Is you life more important then say your car? If the answer is yes then why would you let the government insure you or your employer who always looks for the cheapest deal.

I feel bad for the child and the family that obviously doesn't realize what fools the democrats are trying to play them as by using them as a poster-child for a politically charged social program.

That's the seduction of incremental socialism. There are people who see the big cash they will get from the Democrats for their 'thing' meanwhile they don't see the thousand other little ways that cash (and more) is taken back.

The real answer to their problem is to have school vouchers to send their kids to a good private school. Then they can use the money not spent on private tuition to buy really, really good health care. They are paying twice for education, that is their problem. The solution is not to steal from other much poorer Americans who smoke tobacco or drink alcohol.

It's BS like this that is causing the destruction of this country. Damn thieves.

The kids probably get financial aid for the private school.

The rest of the information actually makes the GOP look worse, since you'd have people sell the roofs over their heads to pay for health insurance.

Hooson:

The SCHIP program on the other hand was to be funded by a $7 billion dollar year increase of fees on tobacco because of the destructive effects it has on the public health and unwillingness of the tobacco industry to remove lead, nickel, cadmium and 4,000 harmful substances, or to clean up the unwanted secondhand smoke danger to others.

Tax the hell out of them.

yeah, jpe, sell the 3000 sq ft roof ...

ROFL

JPE - The kids probably get financial aid for the private school.

Let me know where I can get $40k worth of aid then, at his apparent income level. We can use it to pay for the little guy' private school, because the school we're zoned for is ranked 39th percentile in a 49th ranked state. Unfortunately, we're not destitute or on public assistance, so we pay the whole tuition PLUS our school taxes. I'd dearly love to see vouchers come available - we could use the money!

Ok, so it's funded by something that no one is supposed to do because of it's effects. So basically make something "good" depend on the "bad" behavior..

That makes absolutely no sense...

People who smoke are going to continue to die off, not smoke as much, or whatever the case may be. Then guess what, they have a huge problem. The initial money they could take from smokers is going to decrease while the program funding needs more and more money to sustain it. Where are they going to go to get the money? They'll raid any other fund or simply offer tax increases on other things.

If you think that taxes should be raised on smokers and you think it won't affect you because you don't smoke, think again. Just wait till the money from smokers isn't enough to cover the program anymore...

Let me know where I can get $40k worth of aid then, at his apparent income level.

I've seen making 150k getting 75% financial aid. It just depends on the school.

That should be people making 150k; now that I think about it, is was more in the neighborhood of half. At any rate, the school's site notes that FA has been given to people making up to 160k/yr, so I wouldn't be surprised if 45k got a full ride.

Where have you seen that JPE? What school system and where? Got a www site?

Where in the Constitution is the federal government given the job of paying for the medical bills of its citizens. If you want socialism move to a socialist country. You forebears moved here for the freedom. Why do you want to give that freedom to the government? Remember, life, liberty and the purcuit of happiness. Nothing about health.

Go to the FA page of the Park School, where these kids go. Like I said, FA for people that earn up to 160k. Every toney school I've seen in NYC gives pretty substantial FA, too. If your kids are smart, a lot of schools will cut a decent deal.

The Democrats really are the party of the rich. In the name of fairness and the "people", they loot the vast majority of the lower middle class and working poor so they can get free rides. This SCHIP reminds me of the subsidies for the network for the wealthy, PBS.

I'm starting to think that we are headed for a second American Revolution. Except this one will more resemble the French Revolution where the ruling classes get slaughtered after decades of stupidity.

Conservatives, you know that George "Is-our-children-learning-yet?" Bush receives taxpayer-funded health care. Do you truly believe that The Chimp is more deserving of health insurance than the other children, some of whom have moved who have moved beyond the Pet Goat story??? WELL??????????

Get the entire story on this family before you buy the dead horse the democrats are selling. They own their own business, 'report' $45,000 per year in income, Pay $40,000 per year for private schools, Their home is worth over 1/4 million and so is the 'building' they own for the business. Can anyone say 'Tax Evasion' to a large degree? Or you can say lying democrats as usual.

Herman et al:

Do you realize your postman receives government sponsored health care? And thousands of other government workers, elected officials, military personnel and so on. So why demean yourself by trying to distract from the thread by making donkeys out of yourselves by making such statements? I guess you just can't fix stupid.

Herman, that was an immensely silly comment.

Herman, Hooson, you mooks... of course a govt. employee gets govt. funded healthcare.
Honestly, you're not even trying anymore.

President Bush IS a federal employee, by definition. So are Congressmen, Senators, all federal employees, like the military, CIA, DIA, etc. Of course, he has federal medical coverage. I work for the state and have state insurance. In the winter, I work for another company and pay half of my insurance costs. I have said this once, and I will say it again: It is NOT my responsibility, or anyone else in this country's to pay health care for people that make a whole lot more money than I do. It is this kind of thing that really makes me sick.

herman:

Conservatives, you know that George "Is-our-children-learning-yet?" Bush receives taxpayer-funded health care. Do you truly believe that The Chimp is more deserving of health insurance than the other children, some of whom have moved who have moved beyond the Pet Goat story??? WELL??????????

Can we assume you have requested your senator and Rep forgo their free health coverage? (not to mention Shillary if she's elected)

Or should we rightfully assume you have zero comments of relevance to add to this discussion?

Excellent post Kim. Isn't it amazing how lazy the media are when it comes to some poster child for a Democrat cause? I wonder how long it would have taken for the media to have dug up those facts if the tables were turned and it was the Republicans using this kid? In fact, I think the Republicans should use this kids' family as an example of someone expecting taxpayers less fortunate than them to pay their health insurance bill.

I live in a house less than half the size of these people and we pay over $500 per month for our health insurance, plus pay a $35 copay per doctor visit, and I don't even remember what our deductible is before the insurance pays a dime at all and this family thinks I should pay for their health insurance with my tax dollars. This really frost me. Pun intended.

The Dems life blood are useful idiots like JPE.
Here is more data on that poor struggling Frost family .
Funny how Bonnie and her husband 1992 wedding had a nice write up in the NY Times was missed by the Baltimore Sun . Watch out for the smell of old family money which could knock you over. Libs think everyone should pay there bills , just ask the Clinton's who have lived off our govt taxes for decades !

Pay $40,000 per year for private schools

Their home is worth over 1/4 million and so is the 'building' they own for the business.

Lorie:

In fact, I think the Republicans should use this kids' family as an example of someone expecting taxpayers less fortunate than them to pay their health insurance bill.

It would be interesting to see this families reaction if the RNC requested they appear in an ad for them.

Somehow I don't believe they would accept the offer. They've already proven to be shills and as dishonest as the DNC.

JPE, I just put a small part of what has surfaced about this 'poor' family. The rest has been forwarded to the IRS with a demand for an investigation. As a fact this 'poor' family must 'clear' well over $100,000 per year (did they in fact report only $45,000?) to live the lifestyle and afford where they live. $200K for the building that houses his business.? Someone has more bills than they can pay. Are you in this class or just a fool?

jpe's Democratic Party - solving the problem of a lack of health care insurance for the top quintile of income earners.

>As a fact this 'poor' family must 'clear' well over $100,000 per year

You just pulled that out of thin air.

$200K for the building that houses his business.?

I don't think he paid in cash, guy. We have this thing called a "mortgage," that allows one to pay fixed payments over time, and which can cost about the same as rent if there are favorable terms.

Throw in interest deductions, and mortage payments can be cheaper than rent. I guess living in your moms' basements means I'm probably going over your heads with all this.

jpe, mortgage payments are only "cheaper" than rent when the mortgage payer has income to deduct it against.

And even then the interest payment vs rent is only "cheaper" by the marginal tax rate.

I suspect that it is your head that this is all going over.

Once again, the Democrats decide that people making their own economic choices is a "crisis".

The point, which you seem to have grasped, is that there's a lot we don't know. If his kids are getting full rides and his mortgage payments are comparable to rent, than his situation is not being misrepresented. In fact, if that's the case, than he's done everything right and still would struggle for health insurance for his kids.

At the same time, there could be lots of assets on his business' balance sheet. We just don't know. Everyone wants a story so bad they're assuming the worst, a very MSM way of going about it.

What we do know is that the so-called "example" of a family that can't afford health insurance is suspicious.

Which matches so much of the Democrats' demogoguery on this issue.

Late to this, but did Cleo just say something worthwhile?

She may bet on the override (I wouldn't put dough on it) but her original point of bi-partisan cowardice is fairly unprecedented for her. Her realization that nanny-state targeting of smokers is a camel's nose due to public condemnation and lack of political power on the smoker's part is, I earnestly hope, indicative of an awakening. And you wee buggers want to club the imago as it emerges from its chysalis of dumb.

Shame.

We all have a responsibility to encourage and foster rational neophytes. If Cleo is not doing drive-bys, but rather viewing a situation from both sides, I'll consider that progress and congratulate her for it.

Prolly the first time I've wanted to give her a carrot and withhold the dumb-stick.

'Course twenty-five minutes later she has fallen into bad habits, but she made an effort. She is learning and growing. This is not the time to spank the baby with an axe, but to gently, gently, correct it.

Eternally optimistic,

UP

jpe

a little over 20 years ago my father spent 6 months in the hospital after suffering from an abdominal aneurysm.

he was fired from his job and couldn't get another because he was medically "uninsurable" (no employer's med insurance would take him)

so, he started his own business because he COULD get medi insurance that way

Frost was gambling with his family's well being by foregoing insurance, not even covering his "employee" his wife.

Good lord man, he could have carried a catastrophic/hospitalization only policy and paid for doc office visits out-of-pocket.

I feel sorry for the kid, but why does poor planning on Frost's part constitute an emergency on ours?

"In 2007, 18% of Park students in grades 1-12 received over $2 million in financial assistance that ranged from $1,000 per year to full tuition."

The odds are they were not getting a full free ride tuition on all the kids.

If this is the best example the Dems can dig up then it would indicate we have a pretty good system already. Why they want to ruin it is hard to understand unless they are just very lacking in intelligence or just don't like the private sector and want it destroyed.

So a small business owner making less than $50K a year with four kids and putting his daughters in private schools through the help of fundraisers and tuition breaks should be a figure of scorn because he can't pay the $1200 a month insurance.

Maybe the next times your kids go to the hospital because of a severe car wreck left-wing idiots will attack your family. Oh I forgot, we don't do that, we're not the compassionate conservatives.

http://elemming2.blogspot.com/2007/10/next-time-your-kids-are-in-hospital.html

Assuming full funding for $2 million would only cover 100 students. And this would imply the student body is only ~550 students. Something tells me this school is much larger than that and the average award is far less.

And the purpose of financial aid at the school seems to have a role in making the school diverse as the financial aid statistic is brought up on their Diversity pages. This decreases further the likelihood that both children are getting full funding.

Even if they were getting assistance for which there is no proof, it doesn't explain the 3000 ft house on the $45,000 year that wifie just started earning this year.

The funny part is even though the lefties are accusing the righties of jumping to conclusion, the idea both children are receiving fully funded scholarships has evolved into fact for the lefties when there is zero proof of that.

Denton, he is not a figure of scorn - he is just a perfect example of the kind of people who make the economic choice not to buy health insurance and blame others for their lack.

And Democrats of course have a word for people making their own economic choices - "crisis".

sounds like the dad is cheating (stealing) another good gov program going bad. how can maryland not check out familys income before giving it away. This family should pay the govt back every cent they stole.

Back in March, I took a detailed look into a similar NPR report that showcased a working mother that was described as "[A] victim of her own success".

See: "[A] victim of her own success" and the convenient omission of a 'little' detail

and

State Children's Health Insurance Program: When do federal benefits start becoming an economic disincentive?

Back in March I did a similar piece on an NPR report that described an SCHIP recipient as "[A] victim of her own success".

I followed up with "State Children's Health Insurance Program: When do federal benefits start becoming an economic disincentive?".

Woah folks. You're all wrong on this one. The kids both receive scholarships for their educations at private schools. And the Frost's home has gone up in value since they bought it 16 years ago, at a price of about $55,000.

Like the Free Republic guy's point was. Look deeper into this. And, I might add, when you investigate something, be willing to be wrong.

These people needed help.

Kim, you should be ashamed of yourself, and so should all the other rabid right-wing bloggers who have been attacking a 12-year-old boy and his family without having clue one about the facts.

Here are the facts (courtesy of Think Progresss):

1) Graeme has a scholarship to a private school. The school costs $15K a year, but the family only pays $500 a year.

2) His sister Gemma attends another private school to help her with the brain injuries that occurred due to her accident. The school costs $23,000 a year, but the state pays the entire cost.

3) They bought their "lavish house" sixteen years ago for $55,000 at a time when the neighborhood was less than safe.

4) Last year, the Frost's made $45,000 combined. Over the past few years they have made no more than $50,000 combined.

5) The state of Maryland has found them eligible to participate in the CHIP program.

I called it way upthread.

Just sayin.

Wow, isn't it embarrassing when reality slaps you upside the head and makes you look like a fool?

I would say you should feel ashamed, but lets face it, no modern right winger ever feels shame.

I'm outraged by your comments, Dominion. Your "facts" are just a tool of the LIEberal media!

Thank you, Michelle Malkin and the right-wing blogs! A thousand times thank you! You've gone and smeared a 12-year-old boy and the parents who are working hard to their family. You've shown your true colors. Thank you!

Turns out that this is in fact a struggling family. A rich right-winger can't get it, of course, but anyone else knows that $45,000 doesn't go very far, especially when you're self employed. The schools are special-ed places, and one's a scholarship. They bought the house a long time ago. Oh, and they have a car. How terrible. They should sell the car and go live in a cardboard box.

Like I say, thank you. See, you can't throw a pebble in America without hitting someone who has trouble paying for their health care. There are a whole lot more of them than there are of you. You are going to find out just how many more next November. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Tell me, do you have any more public relations triumphs up your sleeve?

I unfortunately went over to that Think Progress site (there wasn't much thinking in the comments) and fail to see where any of the info re: the scholarships, schools and income was substantiated.

I can't imagine being the kind of parent who held one hand out for my parents/in-laws to pay for my children's education while holding the other out to our government to pay for their healthcare.

I can't imagine doing either if I could sell my house I bought for $55K 17 years ago that was now valued at $400K+, using the profits from the sale to make my family, that is MY responsibility, not my parent's or the government's, better off.

from a comment at Michelle's

"Why are the Republicans not putting this information out front and center?"

Maybe because like so mnay things the above quoted people push out, it isn't true? Like most of it?

This happens all the time. The right gets all fired up about a pack of lies and distortions and then thinks they are being persecuted when the MSM and the repub leaders don't jump all over it. Many times the MSM does fall for it but let's hope Michelle's lies and stalking of this kid is rejected this time and maybe take the whole bus back to reality.

The world laughs at you and our nation weeps.

Why do you fear the truth?
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/08/attacking-graeme-frost/

And who gets this rolling? Malkin who is dicredited what - on everything she writes? I am still savoring her book supporting internment and she never did say if her parents were illegals - if she did I missed it.

Oh and one other hot reporter for the right, a freeper.

I got one for you then. It actaully has a lot of REAL links in it. Check it out. You know how you get all fuzzy headed when someone mentions a few million from Soros going to liberal causes over the last few years?

Well look at your NUMBER ONE SUGAR DADDY.

Magic dog, et al

You can't "stalk" someone who was put out voluntarily as an example of the supposed ills of a political policy discussion.

Josh, if the house has gone up so much in value then they are indeed quite wealthy people. That's the definition of wealth you know, possessing assets of high value.

SPQR, love the your moniker. It fits the 'wingers, and it explains why you couldn't possibly care less about that kid and his family. By the way, I never accused anyone of "stalking."

p.s.: Isn't it interesting that so few 'winger blogs allow comments? Malkin looks like it's closed for registrations while the National Review and the Weekly Standard don't even bother. Free Republic is censored, Soviet style. You've got to love it!

Josh, if the house has gone up so much in value then they are indeed quite wealthy people. That's the definition of wealth you know, possessing assets of high value.

You people are a joke. A vile, disgusting and obscene joke, but a joke nonetheless. If you all weren't so horrifyingly disgusting, we'd just laugh at you. As it is, we mock you viciously, and you deserve it.

Xanthippas, I agree! I really hope someone in the outside media will hone in on what the right-wingers are trying to do to this family. I don't think America will be too happy with the them, to put it mildly.

How can you tell when a Republican is lying?

Their lips move.
They put words to paper.
They type on a keyboard.
They spend more time here on a Blog instead of actually serving their country.

Unfortunately for the rest of the world, Republicans don't base anything on facts, only ideology.

Lies can only get you so far. Try the truth once in a while. That's what Jesus would do.

But not you.

Looks like the trap was set and the RW blog stepped right in it. Ouch, that's got-a-hurt. Now not only does the RW look cold and unfeeling toward children by supporting the Bush SCHIP veto, they are showing their willingness to swift boat a 12 year old accident victim just to prop up a failed political ideology. Great job of carrying on the Reagan legacy Wizbang.

This is my first stop along the right-wing web today in search of apologies from folks who have decided that stalking a 12 year old boy and his family is fair game. Stalking is never fair game, but I'm confident the boy himself will do quite well in life, having qualified for a merit-based scholarship to a fine private school. "Merit-based" anything used to be something Republicans praised. Evidently not anymore. The kid's sister goes to a private school at the state's expense. Everyone with traumatic brain injury in Maryland is treated the same way.

So, you've attacked a smart kid for achieving, and a kid with a brain injury. I sure hope you're not proud of that or anything.

Graeme has a scholarship to a private school. The school costs $15K a year, but the family only pays $500 a year.

His sister Gemma attends another private school to help her with the brain injuries that occurred due to her accident. The school costs $23,000 a year, but the state pays the entire cost.

They bought their "lavish house" sixteen years ago for $55,000 at a time when the neighborhood was less than safe.

Last year, the Frost's made $45,000 combined. Over the past few years they have made no more than $50,000 combined.

Here are the facts that the right-wing distorted in order to attack young Graeme:

1) Graeme has a scholarship to a private school. The school costs $15K a year, but the family only pays $500 a year.

2) His sister Gemma attends another private school to help her with the brain injuries that occurred due to her accident. The school costs $23,000 a year, but the state pays the entire cost.

3) They bought their "lavish house" sixteen years ago for $55,000 at a time when the neighborhood was less than safe.

4) Last year, the Frost's made $45,000 combined. Over the past few years they have made no more than $50,000 combined.

5) The state of Maryland has found them eligible to participate in the CHIP program

Pretty funny how all those posters jumped on the bandwagon to call the kid and his family liars and tax cheats and now can't even muster the courage to say, I was wrong or sorry.

Ok, yeah on the surface this does look like someone scamming the system, however if you look further into it the facts are there and they vindicate the family. Both of the children are receiving scholarships to go to those schools. they pay $500 a year for graeme to attend and his sister gets a full ride to attend a special school to help her cope with serious mental problems as a result of the accident. The house they are living in was bought 16 years agor for around $50,000. crime and drug use have moved away and the property values have risen accordingly. Last year the family made a total of $45,000.
this smear campaign is disgraceful, whatever your politics are the commitment to truth should be paramount.

I love it.

Conservatives and Republicans are more worried about a family supposedly scamming the state for health coverage for their injured children yet don't say a peep about their party's members engaging in bribery scams costing the taxpayers billions.

Don't hold your breath waiting for a wingnut apology. These people know how to do only one thing: Attack. If it means heaping lie upon lie, so be it.

Congrats wingnuts. Thank you for helping to insure the override of President Goofy's veto.

Funny about the wingnut objections to the Democrats having 12-year-old Graeme Frost talk about SCHIP.

What short memories they have! These elephants seem to forget about 9-year-old Noah McCullough, who actually TRAVELED with Bush to support his failed scheme to hand over one-third of the Social Security trust fund to the banks.

And then there was Bush's 2004 TV ad, which featured the grief of a girl whose mother was killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

But see, for the wingnuts, anything the Republicans do is good. Anything the Democrats do is bad. Even if they are the very same things. Republicans good, Democrats bad.

And now we have a family that has angered the Republican Party first by living through a car crash, and then by THANKING this country for the medical care that has helped them so much. Amazing, but sadly not surprising.