From the sidelines …

Problem for the Administration – Just 18 per cent of young adults say they are likelyYAF Guidestar.org image to enroll in ObamaCare, compared to 46 per cent who are not likely to enroll, according to a survey conducted by the Young America’s Foundation.  More revealing was the fact that 48 per cent consider the government too big compared to just four per cent who believe it’s too small.  Sixty-two per cent of the so-called millennials are less confident with government since the rollout of ObamaCare.

Pressuring Employers The Wall Street Journal reports that the White House has asked some of the nation’s largest employers to sign a pledge agreeing not to discriminate against the long-term unemployed when making hiring decisions. The fear is that the some four million people who have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer are being stereotyped as becoming more dependent on the government.  The fact is some companies look at older individuals as less energetic and not familiar with new technologies and some are told they are overqualified. Those with college educations are also affected.

 First Lady Extends Tin Cup – A day before the president is to give his State of the Union speech, First Lady Michelle Obama sent out a “Dear Friend” letter to donors asking for contributions of $10 or more to help protect ObamaCare.  The funds will be used to help those Democrats facing problems in the coming mid-term elections.

Washington Staffers Concerned – Nearly four in ten senior staffers said they planned to look for another job in the next 12 months, a survey conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation revealed.  Worries over congressional office budget cuts, possible changes in health benefits and associated costs were leading factors.  Since many of them helped draft the health care insurance legislation, little sympathy has been shown.