Costs up 20%, benefits down.

Soon, we will have to have proof of insurance but not proof of residency/citizenship!

Tempting to just refuse to present an ID at the ER and say, "I am an undocumented immigrant, from where is none of your business, please provide my health care for free, thank you."

Imagine if the Tea Party promoted that bit of political commentary.

You've maybe heard of the Curse of the Goat that prevents the Cubs from winning a World Series.

The Curse of the Babe kept Boston out of the title form 86 years.

Here's some newer curses:

1) The Curse of Marty Schottenheimer. Go 14-2 and get fired = curse. Downhill slide after Marty activated the curse. It will stay in place until there is a new owner and new GM.

2) Curse of Mike Shanahan....no Super Bowl victories for the Raiders. Curse in place 21 years now. It will last until Davis pays the money still owed to Shanahan or Davis dies.

Given the stated goals of the TP - diverse and disconnected as they may be, what are we to expect should a sizeable portion of the TP backed candidates running for National office be elected? They will surely caucus with the Repubs meaning they wil have no real power of their own. The R's know from experience and pragmatism that most of their efforts to dismantle Government will be blocked by the Dems and certainly vetoed by Obama. Without a 60 vote veto proof block, nothing will get beyond the rhetoric of the TP candidates' pandering to the 20%(?) of voters they represent.