A few humble thoughts on the debacle known as Obamacare, including those of hope. Yes, hope.

Indeed, the problems of Obamacare are too many to list. But here is one that stands out. Unfortunately, few of us can understand the damned thing.

For proof go to healthcare.gov and find the glossary of terms used in Obamacare. Start in the As with Accreditation Actuarial Value. End in the Zs with Zero Cost Sharing Plan.

Obamacare has hundreds of terms you and I don’t understand. We are not sure we know what health-care exchanges are and do. We sure don’t know about CSRs — and how they threaten to destroy health care. If they are not fed emergency reimbursements.

Meanwhile we’ve got to broaden exemptions to individual mandates. And raise the threshold of employer mandates. And don’t forget the good ole’ Stability Fund. Let’s hear it for single payer.

Are you still awake?

Two questions: We don’t understand Obamacare. So how are we supposed to intelligently debate it? And do you truly believe your Congressional representative understands this stuff any better than you do? Nancy Pelosi sure doesn’t.

Another thought on this mess has to do with deceit. We had politicians promise to repeal Obamacare. They solemnly promised voters before the vote to get rid of it. Now, safely in Congress, they vote to keep it. They can call their votes whatever fits in their press release. I call it deceit. I call their promises lies and I call them liars.

They belong in the Congressional Hall of Shame. Which is a pretty crowded place. It is packed with recent inductees who promised to reform immigration. And to simplify taxes. And who ignored these subjects after elected. They lied to voters, period.

And Congress people wonder why the public rates them below skunk dinners?

Is there any hope in this fiasco? The answer is yes. Perhaps, that surprises you.

Used to be major legislation received votes in Congress from both sides. The “no” votes came from the extremes on the left and right. The big laws were fashioned by both sides. That is, by the middle. That gave them a better chance of success long-term. The civil rights legislation is the best example of this. (One party now claims credit for the laws. Truth is, both parties created the Civil Rights Act.)

Obamacare was written totally by the left. It did not receive a single vote from Republicans. The law was rammed through Congress on a procedural trick. Zero input asked from Republicans. Zero given. (Actually, there was a request. But it was a PR gesture. Input was ignored totally.)

The attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare was written totally by the right. It did not get a single vote from Democrats. In other words, Congress went from one extreme zig to another extreme zag.

There is a golden opportunity now to drive a tank called “cooperation and compromise” down the middle of this divide. These days some lawmakers are in fact trying to discuss health care with their opponents. They could use a boost from the president.

If the president was politically savvy, he would see the opportunity. He has hinted that he does see it. Will he act on it? We will have to wait and see.

President Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) would by now sprawl across the middle. He would bargain and swap horses. He would promise goodies to the left and right. He would entice pols to legislate together. Emphasis on “together.”

“There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.” LBJ said.

The opportunity is there, if President Trump will seize it. If he did, he might break the logjam. We might begin to see a lot more cooperation between the factions in Congress on other matters.

Hope springs eternal.

From Tom…as in Morgan             

Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta. You can write to Tom at tomasinmorgan@yahoo.com. You can read more of his writing at tomasinmorgan.com

The craft beverage industry is among the fastest-growing industries in New York with nearly 900 licensed manufacturers in the state. Part of this growth has to do with the state’s focus in recent years on trying to make it easier for craft-beverage producers such as beer, cider, and liquor producers to do business in New York. Many of the changes focused on easing financial and regulatory pressures in an effort to help craft-beverage producers enjoy the same benefits that wineries do.

This year, the state legislature built on this progress and passed legislation that would exempt from sales tax tastings at licensed beer, cider, and liquor producers. Under current law, only wineries are eligible to receive the sales-tax exemption. This legislation would help craft-beverage producers to market their products without consumers having to pay New York State the additional tax.

In 2013, New York put into effect the Farm Brewery Law. The law created a farm-brewery license, which enables craft breweries to operate similarly to wineries. The law was modeled after the 1976 Farm Winery Act, which spurred the growth of wine production in this state and helped create the Finger Lakes Wine Trails and other small wine trails throughout the state which bolstered tourism. The increase in tourists also benefits surrounding businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

Like with the Farm Winery Act, with the farm-brewery license, brewers do not need an additional permit to serve beer by the glass. The license also permits farm brewers to make cider to be served by the glass. Brewers may sell their products at restaurants, conference centers, inns, bed and breakfasts, or hotels the brewer owns in addition to tasting rooms and farmers’ markets. Selling related products such as beer-making equipment, souvenir items and food at breweries is also permitted under the new law. The law also provides tax breaks and relaxes some regulations and fees for breweries.

While the law was designed to increase demand and promote locally produced beverages, it was also created to support farmers. To receive the farm-brewery license, brewers must use locally grown produce in their beverages. By 2018, at least 20 percent of the hops used to make beverages and 20 percent of all other ingredients used in the product must be grown or produced in New York. By 2024, no less than 90 percent of the hops and 90 percent of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in the state in order for breweries to maintain their license. Not only will this policy help support local agriculture, but it will also help New York create and market a distinctive flavor. Interestingly, Volney is home to the largest barley-malting operation in the eastern U.S. — an ingredient required in beer. The 1886 Malt House is located at the former Miller Brewery plant and is on track to supply more than 2,000 tons of barley malt each year.            

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.