Maryland libs screw workers, plus MSM fuzzy math

What is it about liberals that make them oblivious to economic reality? From CNN:

By passing the so-called "Wal-Mart healthcare bill," Maryland became the first state in the country to set a law that would fine big companies for not picking up their fair share of employee healthcare coverage. (A news story using the subjective term "fair share"? Nope...no liberal media bias! - Ed.)

Is this a sign of things to come? Legislators in at least 13 other states proposed similar "Pay or Play" bills in the past year, according to the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL).

Although the efforts failed in Arizona, California, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Tennessee, and was vetoed by Maryland's and Vermont's governors, the measure is still alive in five other states.

They include New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.

OK, I did go to Florida State, where we have a reputation for football and not math. However, my remedial math skills tell me that NY, MA, MN, OR, PA, and WA comes to a total of six states, not five. Nice fact checking there, CNN. Also, notice these SIX states that are attacking capitalism are all blue states. Coincidence? Continuing:

"More than three-fourths of Wal-Mart associates have health insurance and every Wal-Mart associate in Maryland -- both full-time and part-time -- can become eligible for health coverage that costs as little as $23 per month," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Clark, said in a statement.

"There are 786,000 uninsured people in the state of Maryland and less than one-half of one percent work for Wal-Mart. The legislators who voted for this bill have let down hundreds of thousands of Marylanders in need," she said.

Yes, the liberal MD legislature was so concerned about health care that their approach was to deal with a company responsible for 0.5% of the state's uninsured. And the left likes to think they're intellectual problem-solvers? Finally, the ramifications:

"Consumers have become so used to Wal-Mart's low prices for so long," he said. If Wal-Mart is forced to incur higher healthcare costs at the same time that it's struggling to grow sales at its stores, "the day of reckoning" could come "when Wal-Mart is forced to raise prices 1 percent to 2 percent and cut its labor force by 1 percent to 2 percent."

Think higher, pal. It's basic math, really. Businesses that face government-imposed costs have to cut costs in other places (mainly jobs, salaries, wages, and bennies...or store closings) and pass on the costs to customers in the form of higher prices. Who would go to Wal-Mart if their prices were higher? Hmmmmm...you think maybe that's the aim of the left?

The DC Examiner makes the best observation:

It would also make Maryland the first state in the nation to impose government-mandated health benefits, a shakedown masquerading as concern for the poor. If legislators really want to help those at the bottom end of the economic ladder, they won't destroy the first rung up: a job.
...
There's still something worse than not getting health benefits on the job: not having one.

If you think Wal-MArt's bennies suck, I've got a novel idea: don't work for them, stupid! Find a better job with better bennies! If your skillset is such that you can't get another job, then you neglected your education and the investing in yourself to acquire more marketable (and higher-earning) skills...and that is Wal-Mart's fault?

Florida passed a series of tax increases in the late 1980's, when it had a Democratic legislature. One of them was to tax entry fees on freshwater fishing tournaments, such as those held by Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. BASS had tournaments every year in Florida, and those tourneys always generated plenty of tax revenue to cities and states in the form of hotels, restaurants, stores, gas stations, etc. Taxing entry fees (which ranged from $500 - $1500) was a bit steep, especially since the fisherman were already spending a pantload of money. The libs refused to back down, and BASS pulled out of Florida tournaments. The state lost a ton of money, foregoing dollars because they were trying to collect dimes.

The GOP revolution of 1994 got people who understood how business and economics work into office. In 1997, the new budget repealed the stupid tax, and in 1998, BASS returned to Florida for tournaments. They even moved their headquarters to Celebration, FL, and brought about 200 jobs with them.

The left's class envy, anti-capitalistic, pro-union attitudes cloud their ability to see economic situations rationally. Then again, "left" and "rational" seldom belong in the same sentence. Anytime liberal legislators try to mess with businesses, they screw everything up.

Wal-Mart in Maryland will either sue, lay off workers, raise prices, or get the hell out (the latter of which will necessarily result in lost jobs, lost real estate tax revenue, and lost sales tax revenue). The very people that Maryland's liberal elite claim to care about will be the ones sodomized by this stupid law. Congrats, MD! You elected these morons, so best of luck to you.