While Americans were celebrating the Nation's birthday, a sneaky little tax took effect. Mainly, one that taxes artificial limbs and refuses and exemption of this tax for our military who are substituting artificial limbs for those lost while fighting for our country!

The health care overhaul passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama earlier this year contains a new tax on medical devices such as prosthetic limbs, pacemakers, and wheelchairs. This tax, which its proponents claim will raise $20 billion over the next ten years, contains no exemption for the nation's 22 million veterans. In fact, Senate Democrats specifically refused to exempt veterans from the tax.

But not to worry, this tax is only one of over 20 set to take effect based on ObamaCare. And if you like those, here's more to look forward to!

CNS News reports that the federal government "assisted" more than 11,000 dead people, 1,100 federal employees, and 725 convicts in fiscal year 2009 with their home air conditioning bills. Now I know it must get really warm below ground in those coffins but someone needs to inform the US Government that the dead can't feel the warmth or if they can, a little air conditioning "down there" isn't going to be helpful.

The LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) with a budget of around $5 billion assists low-income families with their heat and cooling bills.

The GAO (Government Accounting Office) audited the program in only seven states and reported:

Our analysis of LIHEAP data revealed that the program is at risk of fraud and providing improper benefits in all seven of our selected states," reported the GAO. "About 260,000 applications--9 percent of households receiving benefits in the selected states--contained invalid identity information, such as Social Security numbers, names, or dates of birth."

"The identities of over 11,000 deceased individuals were used as applicants or household members for LIHEAP benefits," reads the GAO report. "Our analysis matching LIHEAP data to the SSA's death master file found these individuals were deceased before the LIHEAP application date."

The GAO also found one Post Office employee making $80,000 per year receiving assistance payments. The woman acknowledged that she knew she wasn't eligible but took the money because

"Times are tough and I needed the money." She also said that she saw "long lines" and wanted some "free money."

And that's the problem isn't it - Government handouts appear to be "free money" but actually has been appropriated from hard working taxpayers. some of whom may now be unemployed and looking for work.