7. The enactment of H.R. 3590, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” included an excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage. Even though this tax is levied against the insurance provider and the tax does not go into effect until January 2018, the provision is strongly opposed by the Fraternal Order of Police because it could result in a decrease in the quality or increase the cost of plans for law enforcement officers. The provision imposes a forty percent (40%) tax to premiums above $27,500 for family plans and $10,200 for individuals. (For example an individual plan worth $11,200 would pay a $400 tax.) There is an increased threshold for employees engaged in high risk professions, which includes law enforcement, of $3,000 for family plans and $1,350 for individual plans. Essentially any plan for a law enforcement officer that is under $30,500 (for a family) or $11,550 (for an individual) would be exempt from the tax. Also, the thresholds are indexed to increase at the rate of inflation. As President, what steps will you take to repeal this tax and will you pledge to oppose any direct or indirect tax on health plans?
Obama: Health care reform is already expanding health care coverage, saving Americans money, and improving our health. Thanks to the law, 105 million Americans no longer have lifetime limits on their coverage, as many as 18 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage, and 2.5 million young adults have gained coverage through their parents’ plan.
The law also includes an excise tax on health care plans with the very highest premiums, which will reduce premiums and contribute to long-term deficit reduction. We improved this provision in the legislative process by delaying the effective date by five years, raising the premium amounts that are exempt from taxation, providing an allowance for plans whose health costs are higher due to the age or gender of their workers and including a permanent adjustment in favor of high-risk occupations such as first responders.
Romney: I have been a consistent and vocal opponent of Obamacare. On my first day in office I will issue an executive order that begins to relieve states of the law’s onerous burdens, and I will work with Congress to repeal the law entirely. My proposal for true health care reform increases state flexibility, promotes market competition, and enhances consumer choice. To achieve those ends I have called for a change in the tax treatment of health insurance. I believe that all Americans should receive the same tax benefit for purchasing health insurance, regardless of whether they purchase it individually, or receive it from an employer or union.
8. The Fraternal Order of Police strongly supports the use of Defined Benefit (DB) pension plans for public employees and is concerned that these plans are under fire at the State and local level in favor of Defined Contribution (DC) plans, which do not have guaranteed benefits for retirees. Many State lawmakers have proposed legislation which would replace existing Defined Benefit plans with Defined Contribution plans, thereby reducing retirement benefits for employees. What is your position in respect to Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans and how might your Administration address this issue at the Federal level?
Obama: After working for a lifetime, American workers deserve to be able to rely on a secure retirement. My administration is committed to strengthening the pension system while also giving Americans more and better choices to save for retirement. I have proposed doubling tax credits for small employers that start pension plans and establishing automatic workplace retirement accounts. I support the continuation of defined benefit plans for federal law enforcement employees.
Romney: Much of the private sector has already made a transition from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution plans, and I believe it will be beneficial to state and local governments to make a similar transition. Defined Contribution plans help to control costs and protect future taxpayers, offer employees greater flexibility and choice, and avoid situations in which unfunded liabilities threaten both government budgets and retirement security. I would not seek to use the power of the federal government to prevent state or local governments from making this transition.
12 thoughts on “Presidential Candidate Questionnaire”
Dear Brothers and Siters. We serve the risen Lord. Every decision we make in Law Enforcement is guided or should be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you decide who to vote for, don’t consider wordly things, but consider what is in the bible. Which one of these candidates line up with your Christian views. Who is for for the unborn? I know most Police Officers would prosecute anyone who injures a fetus or kills a little baby. Who supports the rights of a man and woman to marry and concieve children in a natural God given way? What happens to many of the children of blended families, fatherless homes, domestic disputes? As our brother David pointed out, Mr. Obama said the Police Officers “acted stupidly” when they confronted an unidentified tresspasser until proven otherwise. Mr. Obama condemed the latino in Florida who shot a young black male before an investigation was complete. Where is the support for the police officers killed in the line of duty by the thugs and criminals in America? Do any of you know of Mr. Obama coming to the aid of a stricken Law Enforcement family like he did for the above cases I cited along with that college female who needs $3,000 / mth for healthcare so she can have uninterrupted sex while in college?? How about refusing to fight for the christian values? What about not agreeing to meet with the Israel President but appearing on the View and Late SHow? The battle in America is the same on your beat!! It is a battle between “GOOD” and evil. You have the wisdom and power to make a difference! Pray and discern the spirit. God Bless You All!
PrezBO is most assuredly a marxist and socialist. Government dependency for total life sustainability is not the answer, nor any substitute to individual accountability and responsibility. The National FOP lodge needs to be more transparent and informed about labor unions issues by state, rather than lumping altogether issues that don’t necessarily apply in all cases. At least Romney has a proven track record or creating jobs and troubleshooting issues that resulted in success rather than failure. What has the “community organizer” ever done in that regard? Four more years of Obama will further plunder this country into complete financial ruin and ultimately destroy whatever protections we currently have!
I agree with Gary’s assement. I graded the answers as 7 for Obama and 24 for Romney. As Gary stated Obama had some wins early on but failed miserably overall.
I do not understand how one can not take him as a socialist/Marxist whichever term you use but the 2008 election proved millions didn’t see it even though his book and his “we will fundamentally change America” he clearly said so.
Let’s just hope he fails in his bid to get a 2nd term that we can not afford.
As a military veteran and retired Police officer I’ve spent most of my life to serve & protect this country and its people. Your labeling of our President as a Marxist only exhibits your lack of knowledge concerning political views throughout the world. Our Presidend is as Democratic as any other in his views of fairness for the people. Obama 2012.
David is wise to doubt that Obama either likes LE or the FOP, just as he has nothing but contempt for the military. He will say or do anything for votes. I have never seen anyone who can lie so constantly. Don’t be fooled by him, Lorin. And yes – as Joe implies, he is a Marxist.
First, I do respect everyone’s individual opinion. I just wish I could understand how anyone can still believe Obama is in any way good for this great country of ours, much less the law enforcement! Think back at how he has been the first to jump out and publicly question law enforcements actions – such as the arrest of his law professor friend. It is obvious to me that he does not care for or respect law enforcement.
Let’s face it – all of Obama’s records are “sealed” and therefore, we know nothing about him other than the fact that he has more than doubled the nations debt in just three years and that he has done nothing that he said he would do. I am truly worried that if he is re-elected for another term our great country will suffer irreparible damage. He is a great speaker, but look what he has done and/or not done – not what he says! He is one of the best liars I have seen.
I just don’t believe our president genuinely likes Law Enforcement and/or the FOP. If he gets our support, I believe he would simply use this organization strictly as a political tool in his chest, and we would not realize any benefit or support. The FOP and LE overall may not get everything we would like to see take place under Romney, (and he does have his problems), but that would be better than being used or worse. I just cannot vote for or support Obama/Biden.
Mr. Obama has the slick answers, but Mr. Romney has in my opinion even when saying something I disagree with, the most honest answers. Mr. Obama is much more political, saying what we want to hear. Mr. Romney says what he believes.
Your mind is made up and there is no changing it. President Obama will continue to enhance the rights and grouth of the middle class whereas Mr Romney will continue his approach of establishing two classes; the very rich and the very poor. I don’t know many Police officers who are not considered middle class and I can’t believe Romney is going to make them rich. Obama is my choice to protect the rights of the people..
And it appears that your mind is made up as well. I recall being in class when a classmate got upset about comments made about the current president. She stated that she was a staunch member of the President’s political party. I told her that people who set their mind to vote for a label, and do not look at all the options scare me. The same applies here. No matter what happens or is discovered, You will only consider OBama
Excellent set of questions posted by the FOP to the candidates. Obama was able to align more closely with the FOP on a few of the labor related issues at the beginning, but otherwise his answers were largely political fluff. It seemed to me that Romney clearly understood, respected and sympathized more with the general law enforcement perspective and also his views on many of these issues more closely reflect the views shared by most Americans. I was impressed by the candid and pragmatic, yet thoughtful answers he provided.
Question 22 and the answers is about the most important to me. It cuts through the political BS on both sides…..I’m for Romney…at the very least he isn’t a Marxist!