On today's Hardball, guest hosted by Michael Smerconish, former RNC Chair Michael Steele admitted that while they do know the truth, Republican pols have been seeking to mislead the public about the Affordable Care Act penalty. Furthermore, he admits that the Romney campaign's statement that the penalty isn't a tax has thrown a wrench into the GOP's plans to deceive the electorate.
Smerconish: Hey Michael, one of the ramifications - I think - of the Supreme Court decision is that many Americans are walking around saying "Oh, the Supreme Court confirmed it's a tax", and people who won't be subject to any increase are nevertheless thinking "I'm getting taxed...for Obamacare "
Steele: Yeah, yeah. There is, there is that element of confusion that now exists out there, you're again talking about a small percentage of people - those who do not comply with the new law - who would be subject to this penalty/tax. But the broader population believes it applies to them. That is part of the narrative that the RNC and Republicans around the country are going to be driving home, which is why what was said yesterday on the program was kind of a gaffe...
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People who know the truth need to realize that the responsibility falls on their shoulders. If the ACA and healthcare reform is important to you, speak out the truth! If the GOP gets its way and takes back the Senate or the White House, we'll be headed back to the GOP's
2009 plans for healthcare, which was found by the CBO to cost more and cover even fewer people than were covered before the reforms we have now were put in place.