As Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) points out, the health care proposal introduced by Sen. Baucus includes a big — make that humongous — tax increase on working class folks who happen to be union members or others that are privy to benefit rich health plans- folks like coal miners in Rockefeller’s state.

By early estimates, an average West Virginia coal miner might suddenly see his paycheck shrink dramatically in 2013 and beyond. That’s because of a proposed 35% excise tax on benefit rich plans.

Of course, if Baucus strips out the excise tax, he loses about $200 billion in additional funding – money needed to support health care plan purchases by people who cannot otherwise afford coverage.

What a mess these idiots are creating.