There’s a religious exemption from the Demcare insurance mandate
I think there’s going to be a wave of religious conversions this year. The Watertown Daily News reported this weekend that Amish families can claim an exemption from the Demcare’s planned government health care insurance mandate as a matter of faith:
Federal health care reform will require most Northern New Yorkers — but not all, it turns out — to carry health insurance or risk a fine.
Hundreds of Amish families in the region are likely to be free from that requirement.
The Amish, as well as some other religious sects, are covered by a “religious conscience” exemption, which allows people with religious objections to insurance to opt out of the mandate. It is in both the House and Senate versions of the bill, making its appearance in the final version routine unless there are last-minute objections.
Although the Amish consist of several branches, some more conservative than others, they generally rely upon a community ethic that disdains government assistance. Families rely upon one another, and communities pitch in to help neighbors pay health care expenses.
…Lawmakers reportedly included the provision at the urging of Amish constituents, although the legislation does not specify that community and the provision could apply to other groups as well, including Old Order Mennonites and perhaps Christian Scientists.
…Congressional aides said the exemption is based on a carve-out the Amish have had from Social Security and Medicare taxes since the 1960s. Whether Amish businesses, however, would fall under the bill’s mandates is still an open question.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., who was a key negotiator on the Senate bill, supports the religious exemption, said a spokesman, Maxwell Young, who called the provision a “no brainer.”
Don Surber beat me to the punchline: “We are all Amish now.”
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
Catholic lawsuit against Obamacare mandate cites 1993 legislation written by Ted Kennedy and Chuck Schumer
May 22, 2012 04:35 PM by Doug Powers
48 Comments
Illinois Republicans flirting with cigarette tax hike for Obamacare — and a reminder about Orrin Hatch
May 21, 2012 11:03 AM by Michelle Malkin
32 CommentsHigh school fined $15,000 for… selling soda pop during lunch
May 19, 2012 01:29 PM by Doug Powers
101 Comments
Destroying private health insurance was always the goal
May 16, 2012 09:40 AM by Michelle Malkin
43 CommentsObamacare cronyism: The First Lady’s patient-dumping, privacy-meddling scheme
May 16, 2012 08:56 AM by Michelle Malkin
102 CommentsInsurers issuing new round of rebates must credit Obamacare
May 14, 2012 11:26 AM by Doug Powers
66 CommentsWhite House to SCOTUS: ‘Extraordinary disruptions’ to Medicare if Obamacare struck down
May 4, 2012 02:03 PM by Doug Powers
86 Comments
Biden predicts Supreme Court will uphold Obamacare
April 1, 2012 12:49 PM by Doug Powers
63 Comments
Categories: Health care
Nice Deb
» The Organized Left Now Stalking RomneyNice Deb
» Uncovered Ad Shows Obama Appeared At 1996 Event Hosted By Democratic Socialists of AmericaNice Deb
» Uncovered Ad Shows Obama Appeared At 1996 Event Hosted By Democratic Socialists of AmericaNewsBusters.org
» Reuters's Freeland: 'Anorexic' Americans Think Tax Bite Too Heavy When In Fact It's Dangerously Thin
Interesting
But can we be Amish without the prairie dresses?
I would become Amish except for the air conditioning issue I have. I need central air. If that is now ok I will consider…
I am going to buy stock in a company that makes horse-drawn buggies. I wonder if you declare yourself as Reformed Amish you can keep your electicity?
We have Amish in our area. Very fine people.
Reform Amish, Neo Amish, Progressive Amish and New Age Amish all qualify for this inclusive exemption.
About mid-day, I become famished. I think that will count for the purpose of the exemption, if this unconstitutional P.O.S. passes.
Waiting for the Muslim exemption….
There are several other sects that should be exempt – why does only 1 culture receive special treatment?!
In all seriousness, this issue points out the lunacy of any “one-size fits all” program in a country as vast as the U.S. that contains 300 million people from who knows how many races and religious disciplines.
Celebrate Diversity goes out the window when the government wants to seize control of anything. They start dealing with all of the exceptions and the whole thing turns into a mess.
So the religious exemption against abortion is ok too?
Call me Yoder and move along government run socialism.
Do the Amish have Internet access? Did they pull this off through the blogosphere?
I LOVE the Amish. Nothing makes me feel safer than the knowledge that I live about 2 miles away from a Mennonite family out here in the country.
If we do have WWIII and no electricity, no gas, no creature comforts, I’m heading there to learn from them how to live without this stuff.
All that said, I think my favorite group of Christians is probably the Mormons. I don’t agree with all of their doctrines, but the people are nice and have great families. And they live healthy lifestyles so they won’t use up much health care.
The thought of zeroangel as an Amish convert does make for an interesting daydream.
If you’re out there, sorry to pick on you zero. JUST KIDDING!!!
BuckeyeSam,
They use cans, string and typewriters. It is an amazing feat of technology. One drawback: Dial-up speeds.
I’m brushing up on my Amish by watching “Witness” and “Kingpin”
Yes of course. Clothing is optional. Please include pics, thank you in advance.
Count me in
Wow! What a radical idea! Won’t belong before the liberals move in to “re-educate” them.
Do you qualify if you are Squeamish? A lot of people do not like needles.
What about Christian Scientists for whom using modern medicine is a sin?
And if they get an exemption then how can I compete with my (theoretical) IT Consultant Christian Scientist neighbor who will have the advantage of several thousand dollars less business expenses than I have?
You betcha! Also, if you have Indian blood in you and your a little on the effeminate side, that would make you squawmish. Exempt!
I noted this article doesn’t really say if this “exemption” will cover those in states outside of New York.
At least, not expressly stated.
I pointed this out on Don Surber’s blog earlier this morning as well.
How about it, Sen. Schumer? Going to fix this Senate Bill to cover all of these Amish, Mennonites and others throughout the United States? Or just in New York? If that remains, then this is discriminatory, plain and simple.
http://danielmcandrew.com
I guess they don’t know the Amish are christians. And they’re white.
For liberals, driving people into church is the ultimate unintended consequence.
So if start a religion that will “rely upon a community ethic that disdains government assistance. Families rely upon one another, and communities pitch in to help neighbors pay health care expenses” I can be exempt?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that what the Tea Parties are all about? Somebody baptize me as a member of the Teabagging sect.
Yes, there are several, including the sect that has a duty to uphold and defend the constitution, which is somthing this bill flies in the face of.
Coming from a family of Christian Scientists this has certainly been a matter of interest around here. A lot of people who are unhappy about the prospect of being forced to buy insurance they don’t want and won’t use.
Small point, but it is the Watertown Daily Times, not Daily News. That’s my hometown newspaper.
And there is definitely a burgeoning Amish community up there. Which is pretty cool, except when you need to get somewhere fast and get caught behind a buggy.
Are you really into teabagging sects? Anderson Cooper is.
I couldn’t resist.
What about a religious objection to government-run healthcare?
Different sect than Anderson Cooper, Chris Matthews, that Grafolo woman et al.
I where the Teabagger label with pride, merely because it irritates the local liberals when I don’t get offended.
Yes, but they don’t drive evil SUV’s or use global warming causing electricity, at least when the tourists are around. In fact their pre-industrial lifestyle is how libs would like all of us to live so they get a pass on being Christians.
So now I’m a Catholic-Amish woman. Sweet.
Trust me, the Amish discussed in that article have no need for air conditioning. The average temperature in July is 68 degrees.
This really makes no sense, carving out an exception to ObamaCare on the basis of religion — unless it is intended to set a precedent. Just suppose there is a religion somewhere, don’t want to mention any names so feel free to speculate, that votes overwhelmingly for the Democrat Party. Just maybe it would happen that an exception could be given to them too. Did it for the Amish, why not these fine, upstanding, really religious people?
Anything is possible for a one-party state. Democrats have long coveted the religious vote. This would be one way to “incentivize” the acquiring of it.
I grew up around the Amish.
I know, I know.
Anyway, I have a new t-shirt that reads ‘Don’t tax me, I’m Amish’.
What about Mennonites and Appalachian snake handlers? Followers of Sri Chinmoy? I’m starting to panic…
Uh… do any of these folks even pay lip service to the Constitution anymore?
They will give LEGAL and Economic benefits to ONE religion over another, through the Tax Code?
/mind boggles…
Colorado cowboys would never become Amish just for healthcare. If they got sick, they’d just tough it out. Although, cowboys and the Amish do share some similarities. For example, you don’t want to get stuck driving ’round here behind the hay truck.
(Michelle, you might want to try the National Western Stock show up in Denver now through 1/24. Its educational for kids and a visual lesson in Western values.)
Cowboys/Cowgirls need exemptions, too.
Excellent question!
Where is Zero? Did he get banned? Haven’t read anything from him in a long time.
The can of worms has been officially opened. This is going to get interesting. Where will these “exceptions” stop? I love it!! The dems are really really stupid. Their unintended consquence list grows unimaginably cumbersome. They are smothering under the weight of all their liberal mandates.
Amish are fine cooks too. Mmmmm…
My great-great grandparents were Quakers. Does that count for something?
On a side note, that might explain my love of oatmeal.
If I could get Kelly McGillis to show me how, then I’d be a Southern Baptist-Amish man.
Sing to the tune of the Beatles, “Come together”.
Churnin’…churnin’…churnin’…churnin’…
Here comes Graber,
he got three fine daughters,
help him with the plowin’
though they not good lookin’.
He say “one, and one, and one is three.
Come together, right now, and build a barn.
Amish drive two kinds of vehicles:
Ponyacs and Oatsmobiles.
Black Bonnet Girls
Sung to the tune of “Fat Bottom Girls”
Ohhh, you gonna paint that barn tonight
Ohhh, down beside da lantern light
Ohhh, you gonna finish all your chores
Black bonnet girls you make the Amish world go round
Yah
I was just an Amish boy
Full of purity und joy
Knew damn well that I was holier than thee
Left alone with Cousin Greta
What a naughty baby sitta
Heathen woman, you made a Mennonite out of me
Yah Yah
I know girls who never curse
Chicks who know their bible verse
Every one of them wore a dress down to da floor
Though their chastity and charm
Made them quite pleasant on da farm
There ain’t nothing like a good old Amish whore
Ohhh, you gonna paint that barn tonight
Ohhh, down beside da lantern light
Ohhh, you gonna finish all your chores
Black bonnet girls you make the Amish world go round
Yah
Black bonnet girls you make the Amish world go round
Hey Carl
Yah Graeber
What’s the difference between Greta and my buggy.
I don’t know Graber what is the difference
Well, not everybody has been in my buggy.
Ha ha ha ha
Yah listen now
I’ve been on my knees all day
All I do is sit and pray
Thought I saw the Lord but I can’t really tell
But I knew from da beginning
With this lust and all this sinning
Black bonnet girls and me will surely burn in hell
Yah dig this
Ohhh, you gonna paint that barn tonight
Ohhh, down beside da lantern light
Ohhh, you gonna finish all your chores
Black bonnet girls you make the Amish world go round
Yah
Black bonnet girls you make the Amish world go round
Get on your buggies and ride
Black bonnet girls
Man that Greta’s built like a brick outhouse
Black bonnet girls
As long as I’ve got a pew, she’s got a place to sit
Black bonnet girls
Yah, she could churn my butter anytime
Black bonnet girls
Hey Greta, show us your ankles
Ooooh
Verily, brother cicerokid, thou art funny.
Somebody had to post it.
Amish Paradise
Just like the God-cursed Muslims the Amish are stuck in centuries past by their religion, though not quite as far back.
You can hold your breath for the Muslim exemption – it’s coming that soon.
Have Dems accused the Amish of being racist yet?
i’m getting my app in to change my house into an amish church. i feel the need for basic religion and i’m starting the reformed church of amishdom.
Cheapseat, I am going to start the Amish Jew society.
Perhaps I will even open an Amish Medical group. We take cash.
Sorry dude, the only thing you two have in common is that you both like women.
So tre and I can start the Southern Baptist Amish Church.
Actually, Baptists and Mennonites/Amish perch on the same branch of the Christian family tree. The Mennonite Encyclopedia is a wonderful resource to learn about Baptists who lived in the 1800s.
Actually, the Amish value simplicity, not simply a past date on the calendar.
Weird Al’s hilarious video notwithstanding, there are Amish who use phones and electricity.
Well, dip me in chocolate and throw me to the lesbians! I did not know that. Learn something new on the interwebs everyday.
On January 12th, 2010 at 10:40 am, Flyoverman said:
The thought of zeroangel as an Amish convert does make for an interesting daydream.
If you’re out there, sorry to pick on you zero. JUST KIDDING!!!
—————————————
Does it count if he declares that he is also an “atheist” when it comes to gvt-run/mandated health insurance, electricity, cars, etc.?
How might this work if my religious convictions are Pro-Life?
I have Foxnews.com to thank. They insist on putting celebrity headlines on their front page so I can’t avoid them.
BTW, Simon’s leaving American Idol and I still don’t care.
BTW, Simon’s leaving American Idol and I still don’t care.
————————————–
Never watched it anyway; too much “worst” footage leading up to the good stuff.
I’m the same way with award shows; if I really care who won, it’ll be all over the news the next day.
Anywho, Simon is starting what appears to be a new talent-search type show; he can continue to crush dreams – or bring people who are not that talented back to reality, depending on your point of view.
If there is one religious exemption there should be many religious exemptions. What about the Catholics and Adventists who runs large chains of hospitals?
The Methodist hospitals might not care about abortion, but the Baptist ones most likely would.
I just wish they would all stop treating celebrities like news.
I don’t watch American Idol, yet I know that Paula was replaced by Ellen and Simon’s leaving after this season. Why do I know this? Because somebody considers this news. It’s not. It’s just a distraction from the next story about the decrease in new housing starts that most people won’t watch because they’re too busy talking about the previous story regarding Simon’s departure.
Lok at the shiny keys while I reach into your pocket.
Media laziness or media bias? Probably both.
I’m Mormon, and my Church believes in freedom of choice. Does that give me a religious exemption?
Again violation of the Equal Protection Clause you cannot give to one group and not the other! WHAT DO THESE IDIOTS IN DC NOT UNDERSTAND???!!!!
So why won’t they give doctors a conscience clause if they don’t want to perform the abortions in the bill??????
“Oh wait do as I say not as I do” The current dem mantra!
No, just rather busy lately.
Anyhow, anytime the government starts handing out exceptions for certain religions it gets dicey. It’s a stupid idea, it always is.
Who says any doctor must perform an abortion?
Apparently you haven’t read the bill.
All that would be required would be to offer the same procedural right of religious exemption if your religion truly qualifies.
But you would actually have to show that a fundamental tenet of your religion is to eschew health insurance.
Please point out the section where it requires a particular doctor to perform an abortion.
Unfortunately, you’re not her type…
That’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t have to explicitly say a doctor MUST perform an abortion; it just doesn’t have to say no doctor shall be compelled to.
Then Planned Parenthood and NARAL brownshorts can send women out to find pro-life clinics and doctors and demand “reproductive services.”
Oh please. That is weak.
Does the bill also not say that no doctor shall be compelled to perform breast enlargements? Do you think that means my wife can go to her PCP and demand a boob job?
They can demand whatever they want. It does not mean that they have a right to force a doctor to perform it.
But she has you. (snicker) Sorry, I’m tired today.
There is a Christian mandate to share each other’s burdens but it doesn’t involve the government. And there is a health plan like that, its called Medi-share. It’s not health insurance, it’s cost sharing for people who follow healthy Christian lifestyles. Its cheep, and doesn’t cover everything but is fine for the unexpected. With Obamacare, who knows what will happen to them.
No Soc. Sec. or medicare taxes either!
Where do I sign up?
Show to who? The IRS??
This goes right to the root of the problem. The burden of proof is ALWAYS on the side of the government, NOT on the side of the individual. This is NOT YET a totalitarian government!
Wherever did you get that idea? This isn’t a trial.
And in any case, it would be easy enough to show that yes, the vast majority of Baptists, Catholics, Jews, Methodists, whatever…do in fact carry health insurance and that not doing so is not an integral belief of their religion.
I know you don’t want the governmental mandate, but to falsely claim some religious objection every time you get your panties in a twist about something the government want to impose kinda cheapens your faith, doesn’t it?
What faith would that be, Chap. Faith in our Freedom? Our Constitution?
Imposition of power over my freedom to choose how, when, where and if I should have health insurance? Do you truely believe a third party should be making these decisions for you?
Don’t cheapen our intelligence. Stay away from my family, uncle sam.
Please. No one (okay, maybe the stray commenter or two… but by and large) here has any actual religious objection to health insurance. And that is the issue. To try to make the mandate a religious issue is disingenuous and cheap.
chap,
Completely OT, but my great uncle was the PE teacher at Watertown High about 80 years ago. You probably don’t know him.
lol. Probably not.
Forget becoming REAL Amish. Simply declare yourself to be Amish in the same way that nancy Pelosi and the Kennedy Klan are Catholic — and begin picking and choosing which Amish practices you want to follow and which you don’t without regard to the actual teaching authority of the faith in question.
No insurance — yes.
Funky beard — yes.
No cars, phones, etc — I don’t think so.
And then dare the federal government to define you as anything other than what you declare yourself to be.
http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/296604.php
Well, paint my door blue and hang my wash out in the breeze!