It looks like the mighty Emperor Max Baucus and his royal lords are finally releasing details of their health care plan and to nobody's surprise they decided to screw America.
After weeks of secretive talks, a bipartisan group in the Senate edged closer Monday to a health care compromise that omits two key Democratic priorities but incorporates provisions to slow the explosive rise in medical costs, officials said.
These officials said participants were on track to exclude a requirement many congressional Democrats seek for large businesses to offer coverage to their workers. Nor would there be a provision for a government insurance option, despite President Barack Obama's support for such a plan. The three Democrats and three Republicans from the Senate Finance Committee were considering a tax of as much as 35 percent on very high-cost insurance policies, part of an attempt to rein in rapid escalation of costs.
Also likely to be included in any deal was creation of a commission charged with slowing the growth of Medicare through recommendations that would take effect automatically unless overturned by Congress. "We're going to get agreement here," Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the Finance Committee chairman, said Monday. "The group of six really wants to get to 'yes.'"
The merry band of six court jesters are doing what they've been paid to do. Kill health care reform. The gang of fools are putting themselves between you and your doctor. That's if you have any. Check out how much money he's taken from Health Industrial Complex.
No one serving in the Senate today has taken as much money from the Medical-Industrial Complex as Baucus ($2,865,881) other than notorious corporate whore Arlen Specter ($4,066,433) and two former presidential candidates, John Kerry ($8,163,141) and John McCain ($8,672,260). Baucus even tops Medical Industry shill Mitch McConnell ($2,755,468). And when it comes to the Financial Sector-- the banksters, Big Insurance and Big Real Estate-- Baucus was also on the payroll in a major way. His $4,675,393 in donations put him in the Top 10, with corporate whores like Mitch McConnell, Alexander Lamar, Arlen Specter, Joe Lieberman, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Chuck Schumer... basically the folks who oversaw the economic legislation that dragged the economy right over the cliff.
Max and his gang are only worried about one thing. Making sure the health insurance industry makes out like thieves. The above chart shows where his loyalties are.
Digby makes an excellent point about a new CBO report:
Strangely, the headline to this article doesn't characterize this development as a devastating blow to Republicans and opponents of health care reform the way every other report from the CBO has been characterized as a devastating blow to Democrats, even though it punctures one of the industry's central arguments against the public plan:
A new government health insurance plan sought by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats could coexist with private insurers without driving them out of business, an analysis by nonpartisan budget experts suggests.
The estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office — seen as good news by Democrats — comes as leaders pushed Monday to make progress on health care overhaul before lawmakers go home for their August recess.
I personally don't like insurance companies and I'd be happy if we had a system where they weren't necessary. But if they could be made to do their business in a fair and equitable manner, sell their products honestly and fulfill their obligations, then we could probably live with them. Rapacious greedheads making obscene profits on the backs of sick Americans, however, is an immoral and expensive arrangement that can't be tolerated any longer.
If strict regulation and competition from a public option would force insurance companies to participate in universal health care as decent corporate citizens then I won't complain. I also won't care if a public plan does end up driving out those which insist that spending billions in compensation to their CEOs is necessary but fulfilling the terms of their policies isn't. It's really up to them.
Why isn't the media all over this CBO report? Didn't you hear the trumpets roar before the pundits held up the report and asked Judd Gregg why he's against the public option now?? We're trying to change health care in America and people are usually afraid of change. Even if the change will help them. It's natural. Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee are only interested in protecting their donors.
The Finance Committee was supposed to deal with -- wait for it -- finance. Instead, President Baucus and President Snowe decided that they'd just write the whole damn bill themselves and have included a competing co-op plan that would replace the public plan offered by the HELP committee.
Because three Republican Senators are worth more than 76% of the country to members of the most exclusive club in the world.
They certainly have a mighty high opinion of themselves.
Yes, three republicans rule the world of health care. I understand why Orrin Hatch quit the group. He wasn't needed to make sure these sorry fools helped destroy the bill.
Then what's the point?
Besides the one up our ass.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
of you fascist blue dogs.
I hope you all burn in fucking hell.
That's what free clinics are for.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Here's the text of the e-mail I just sent:
You know, it's hard for any American to have faith in our political system when politicians such as yourself can be so easily bought.
You have just sold millions of your fellow countrymen down the river for the millions you received from the insurance companies.
For once, don't even pretend to be concerned about those of us who are uninsured...we won't buy it anyway.
It is an utter disgrace that we are the last major nation to be without some public option. You and your fellow cash whores have made certain of that.
If you had any integrity at all (and you've proven conclusively that you don't), you'd drop your Cadillac healthcare plan once the vote is taken and accept the same expensive, crappy coverage everyone else will end up with...but, once again, I'm only deluding myself.
You should be ashamed anytime anybody uses the term "public servant" in your presence.
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
Hunter S. Thompson
Well said!
We need to be protesting in the streets, yelling at the top of our lungs at these murderers. Is anyone scheduling any mass protests anywhere?
...one in Madison, WI over the weekend. About 1,000 people with Representative Tammy Baldwin. I'll let you guess how much media coverage it got. Didn't even rate a note in the local paper.
@ "EarthAbides":
Your thoughtful, heartfelt advice would be effective in a true democracy - one in which representatives actually listened to, and cared about, their constituents. As you are surely aware, the US of A is NOT such a democracy (if it is a democracy at all). If you REALLY want to get Beltway politicians' attention, stop paying their salaries. That'll get their attention real quick!
"Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes."
-Alexander Haig, U.S. Sec. of State, June 12, 1982
(This reveals the Achilles heel of the U.S. government - no money, no bloated politician salaries, and no military-industrial complex!)
-------
Please consider joining the Tax Resistance Movement.
www.warresisters.org/node/328
History of War Tax Resistance
http://amapedia.amazon.com/view/We+Won%27t+Pay!:+A+Tax+Resistance+Reader/id=739565
We Won't Pay!: A Tax Resistance Reader
Henry David Thoreau: "If a thousand men [and women] were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody
measure, as it would to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood."
* From Walden
Thoreau discusses his arrest for tax resistance that interrupted his experiment in simple living at Walden.
* “Resistance to Civil Government” (“Civil Disobedience”)
Certainly the most influential piece of writing about tax resistance.
* “On War Tax Resistance”
Lawrence Rosenwald writes about how Thoreau’s great essay convinced him to become a war tax resister.
Also, “Propagande par l’exemple” , by Alvan F. Sanborn.
*********************************
"... renewed interest in war tax resistance, spurred on by the unprecedented increase in military spending during peacetime, stimulated an escalated response by the government. Though there have been only three criminal prosecutions of war tax resisters since 1980, the IRS shifted tactics and began seizing property. ... Furthermore, in 1982 the government came up with a new civil penalty which was specifically aimed at war tax resisters. Called the “frivolous” fine,
it charged a $500 penalty against anyone who altered their 1040 forms (e.g., by claiming a war tax deduction).
In an effort to coordinate the growing interest in war tax resistance, a National Action Conference was called by WRL and the Center on Law
and Pacifism in 1982. Out of this conference the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) was formed. Every spring
NWTRCC has issued press releases announcing Tax Day actions around the country. In addition to a bimonthly newsletter with the latest war tax
resistance news, NWTRCC has issued several brochures, ... and published the War Tax Manual for Counselors and Lawyers. ..."
www.nwtrcc.org
NWTRCC
------
War Resisters League | 339 Lafayette Street | New York, NY 10012 |
(TEL) 1.212.228.0450
wrl@warresisters.org |
www.warresisters.org
------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_resister
3.1 Redirection
3.2 Refusing specific taxes
3.3 Refusing to pay
3.4 Paying under protest
3.5 Tax avoidance
3.6 Tax evasion
3.7 Reducing expenditure and income
*********************************
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/...
Anti-War Activists Promote ‘Tax Resistance’ As Direct Protest
by Martha Baskin
"... The government spends over half of its annual budget on past, present and future military expenses, before even considering tens of
billions in supplementary funding allocated by Congress for ongoing wars such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Anti-militarist tax resisters are fond of noting Principle IV of the Nuremberg Principles... "The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior," the Principle reads, "does not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him." The moral choice for Milner is clear: withhold taxes from the government, in spite of the unpredictable risks. ...
The consequences for war tax resistance are unpredictable, as are most direct actions for peace.
... The majority of tax resisters redirect federal income tax money independently, choosing to donate to a wide variety of local, national and international peace and justice organizations in critical need of financial support. ..."
-------
We all must make decisions based upon our circumstances and conscience. Then we are each individually responsible for our decisions. I have made mine, and feel good in my heart about it. I hope you have the courage to do what your conscience tells you to do...
For peace & justice,
Sam Bolivar
StrivingForJustice@yahoo.com
Something stinks. In fact, it smells rotten.
The blue dogs need to be voted out.
You are not being represented and the thing that stinks... is all the crooks and liars rotting from within! Not one ounce of integrity in any of those fuckers!
... Harry's excuse for not leading AGAIN.
I am waiting for the majority, a large majority of the people of the United States to wake up and realize that they have NO representation in the Congress. Not from Democrats and not from Republicans.
My patience is exhausted.
For full disclosure, I did not vote for any of them.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
... the majority needs to see a visible and viable alternative to the 'lesser of two evils' method of voting. Far too many people are fine keeping their head down and not looking up as long as they have their McDonalds and Wal-Mart and HBO.
don't forget Dominos.
I'd rather have a:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rLV-ZuNPwJ4/SbhDKpO...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I also don't eat at McDonalds, and don't shop at Wal-Mart.
Dominos is owned by religious nuts.
McDonalds serves food that designed to kill you.
Wal-Mart mistreats employees, so they're not getting a dollar from me.
As for HBO? I haven't watched TV in over a year. I don't really miss it.
Being run by religious nuts...I wonder they're the same ones that own Chik-Fil-A....
I've been boycotting McDonalds for years.
And I avoid Wally World like the plague.
I only have basic cable...I gotta have my sci-fi and history channel....and comedy central.
Haven't stepped in a Wal Mart or a McDonalds in years, I despise both of them. As for Dominoes (I was just thinking about getting Dominoes tonight), if they're owned by religious nuts then they are on my list as well.
The only thing that these FASCIST lords know is their own deep pockets. I wish Americans would wake up, but not having any faith that would ever happen, I ditched the whole country 15yrs. ago, and do I give thanks that I did. I have never looked back, never 'missed' it, never a FASCIST COUNTRY!!!
So when is Baucus up for re-election so I can be sure to donate to his Democratic (or Green Party) opponent?
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
I'd rather wait till their ripe.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Even with a mostly Democratic congress, and Obama in the White House, there will be no change.
The Democrats are the party of small evils and the Republicans are the party of large evils, but either way, the public will never get what it wants.
Now let's sit back and wait for the Obamaniacs to begin their usual chants: "Yes we can" "Change" followed quickly by "It wasn't his fault" "Give him a chance" etc...
I'm not sure why you are laying this at Obama's doorstep. He didn't appoint Baucus to chair the Healthcare Reform Committee (Q: Who did??? They have some 'splainin' to do.)
And if people like you and me are vocal enough, there is still a chance the President will VETO any bill that does not include a Public Option.
It's up to us more than it is him (as FDR said, "Now go out there and make me do it.")
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
You sure baucus is not a flaming bag of dog poop?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
For heaven's sake, take your blinders off! What will it take to make you see that Obama's only constituency is corporate America? He's proven this over and over, beginning with 'solving' the financial crisis by appointing geitner and summers.
I myself am over the shock, but the anger against what's happening here grows every day.
Baucus Arrests Five More Doctors, Nurses, Activists 5/12/09
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Baucus-Arres...
people from criticizing him when he made appearances. Even the NYPD participated in this oppressive behavior at the GOP convention held in NYC. As a resident of NY, I am still ashamed of this behavior. I hope that every one arrested because of this incident sues Baucus. All of the judicial system has not been corrupted yet.
If I had an employee who told me that, I'd kick his ass THEN fire him.
Governments are supposed to serve the people. That's their job. If they don't do it, sack them.
And if they have the NERVE to say that it's your fault for not MAKING them do their jobs, then punch them hard in the face before showing them the door.
"... hold me accountable" as opposed to 'get behind me and push, 'cause my lazy arse is krazy-glued to my chair'.
Or haven't you been paying attention?
The public CAN'T hold elected officials, torturers, bankers, or stockbrokers who broke the stock market accountable. And the people with the power to hold them accountable, have no interest in doing so.
... FDR quote.
Regardless, the concept of accountability is something we - down here in the trenches - cannot ever give up on. It's up to us to demand it and find ways to effect it when denied by people like Baucus.
I'm not laying it *entirely* at his doorstep.
But he will (I confidently predict) fold faster than Superman on laundry day. He will not veto a shoddy plan.
He will not be an agent of change.
@ Mugsy:
Although it saddens me greatly, I must say that I've few illusions that D.C. politicians/whores actually listen to anyone not donating to their re-election campaigns.
You sound like an intelligent, caring person. Your thoughtful, heartfelt advice could be effective in a true democracy - one in which representatives actually listened to, and cared about, their constituents. As you are surely aware, the US of A is *not* such a democracy (if it is a democracy at all). If we REALLY
want to get Beltway politicians' attention, we need to stop paying their salaries. That'll get their attention real quick!
"Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes."
-Alexander Haig, U.S. Sec. of State, June 12, 1982
(This reveals the Achilles heel of the U.S. government - no money, no
bloated politician salaries, and no military-industrial complex!)
-------
Please consider joining the Tax Resistance Movement.
www.warresisters.org/node/328
History of War Tax Resistance
http://amapedia.amazon.com/view/We+Won%27t+Pay!:+A+Tax+Resistance+Reader/id=739565
We Won't Pay!: A Tax Resistance Reader
Henry David Thoreau: "If a thousand men [and women] were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood."
* From Walden
Thoreau discusses his arrest for tax resistance that interrupted his experiment in simple living at Walden.
* “Resistance to Civil Government” (“Civil Disobedience”)
Certainly the most influential piece of writing about tax resistance.
* “On War Tax Resistance”
Lawrence Rosenwald writes about how Thoreau’s great essay convinced him to become a war tax resister.
Also, “Propagande par l’exemple” , by Alvan F. Sanborn.
*********************************
"... renewed interest in war tax resistance, spurred on by the unprecedented increase in military spending during peacetime, stimulated an escalated response by the government. Though there have been only three criminal prosecutions of war tax resisters since 1980,
the IRS shifted tactics and began seizing property. ... Furthermore, in 1982 the government came up with a new civil penalty which was specifically aimed at war tax resisters. Called the “frivolous” fine, it charged a $500 penalty against anyone who altered their 1040 forms (e.g., by claiming a war tax deduction).
In an effort to coordinate the growing interest in war tax resistance, a National Action Conference was called by WRL and the Center on Law and Pacifism in 1982. Out of this conference the National War Tax
Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) was formed. Every spring NWTRCC has issued press releases announcing Tax Day actions around the country. In addition to a bimonthly newsletter with the latest war tax resistance news, NWTRCC has issued several brochures, ... and published the War Tax Manual for Counselors and Lawyers. ..."
www.nwtrcc.org
NWTRCC
------
War Resisters League | 339 Lafayette Street | New York, NY 10012 |
(TEL) 1.212.228.0450
wrl@warresisters.org |
www.warresisters.org
------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_resister
3.1 Redirection
3.2 Refusing specific taxes
3.3 Refusing to pay
3.4 Paying under protest
3.5 Tax avoidance
3.6 Tax evasion
3.7 Reducing expenditure and income
*********************************
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/...
Anti-War Activists Promote ‘Tax Resistance’ As Direct Protest
by Martha Baskin
"... The government spends over half of its annual budget on past,
present and future military expenses, before even considering tens of
billions in supplementary funding allocated by Congress for ongoing
wars such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Anti-militarist tax resisters are fond of noting Principle IV of the
Nuremberg Principles... "The fact that a person acted pursuant to
order of his Government or of a superior," the Principle reads, "does
not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided
a moral choice was in fact possible to him." The moral choice for
Milner is clear: withhold taxes from the government, in spite of the
unpredictable risks. ...
The consequences for war tax resistance are
unpredictable, as are most direct actions for peace.
... The majority of tax resisters redirect federal income tax money
independently, choosing to donate to a wide variety of local, national
and international peace and justice organizations in critical need of
financial support. ..."
-------
We all must make decisions based upon our circumstances and conscience. Then we are each individually responsible for our decisions. I have made mine, and feel good in my heart about it. I
hope you have the courage to do what your conscience tells you to do... Which is scarier, the thought of going to prison, or the thought of being partly responsible for the bullets & bombs killing Iraqi/Afghani/etc. children?
For peace & justice,
Sam Bolivar
StrivingForJustice@yahoo.com
O-bought-ma is bought, it is obvious. They played bait/switch yet again. The peóns have no voice, the only voice Amerika has is $$$$$$$, hostile take-overs of Honduras for the Zionist rich.
No one can complain about anything he does without the racism claim being made. Everyone better get used to the fact that there are no more "free" elections. If another way is not found to rid the government of corporate control, this is only going to get worse.
..which health care company will you be working for when the Senate gig ends next time you run?
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
I wonder how many concern trolls are going to ignore this thread to claim the site does nothing but talk about FAUX pundits?
Or come back a week or so later, and act like they're bringing us the news and claiming the site never covered it?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
... it's too many.
but over at huffpo, you can't swing a dead cat without hittin at least a dozen of them SOB's.
quit going over there all together because of that reason alone. The comment section over there has almost been completely taken over by them. They probably love Baucus.
... it's like a round-robin of birthers over there.
I'm watching, still. I love reading threw a thread that has to do with a Kucinich amendment, with out mentioning Kucinich put that public option in the bill. I could be wrong, let me look......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REbi63RPpbc
Is this what was just removed? I really have no idea, too much bum rush confusion with in the bait and switch tactics.
And here almost 1 week old, The Federal reserve is giving banks incentives to not make loans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkf8VG3HL_8
I claim C&L didn't cover that, the Federal stimulus program, not covering Paul either(not that I really want them too, Paul is retarded)BUT still they want to audit the Fed, Kucinich another Co-sponsor of the Audit the fed bill.
I am actually loosing concern, it seems pointless?!?!?! Our "team" doesn't seem to be our team. I am basically waiting for the news about the civil war or unemployed starving mobs attacking rich peoples houses, so I know when to run for the hills, that's about all I'm doing any more, hope for change is lost with me.
Time to send Max on "a three hour tour".
No, wait, that's JIM Baucus. :)
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
... and you'll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful bill
That started out behind closed doors
Upon this Cap'tal Hill
They were led by a spineless Democrat
By the name of Harry Reid
But the dev'lish dogs of blue
They knew just what to do!
No cuts! No care! No reform found!
Not a single-payer fee!
Like surg'ry in the jungle
As primitive as can be!
So, join us here next week my friend
You're sure to have a scowl
For the Democratic trash
Kissing Baucus' ass!
Jim BACKUS
... we know BAUCUS ain't BACKin' US. ;)
Actually I was thinking of:
http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images/bacchus3...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
go to whitehouse.gov, click on "Contact us" and let the President know he MUST veto a health care reform bill without a public option. I just did. This is what I wrote:
July 28, 2009
Dear President Obama,
I hope this finds you and your family doing well. My family is not.
AP is reporting this morning that the Senate Finance Committee is dropping the public option provision in the health care reform bill. If a public option is not part of the bill that reaches your desk, I BEG you to veto it. You constantly state that we should not forego the good for the perfect. Health care reform without a public option is far from good, let alone perfect.
You campaigned on CHANGE. You promised that lobbyist would not run your White House. What good is that if our Congressional representatives are still run by lobbyist?
You said last week during your nationally televised press conference that health care reform is not about you. You can prove that by vetoing any health care reform bill that does not provide for a public option.
I am self-employed and pay over $600 per month for health insurance for myself and my daughter. That is with a $5,000 deductible. I'm not paying for health care Mr. President. I'm paying for liability coverage. The policies we have are to insure that I am not bankrupted in the event one of us meets with a catastrophic illness or accident. Not for everyday run-of-the-mill health care. For that I am also paying out of my pocket.
There is one promise I can keep Mr. President. If you sign a health care reform bill that does not provide for a public option, I will not vote for your re-election. There are a lot of issues that fell in your lap as a result of the disastrous Bush 43 administration. This is not one of them.
PRESIDENT OBAMA UNDERSTANDS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING. WELL LET'S ORGANIZE!
Great email, metricpenny. This should be said 150 million times to them, as there are that many of us who would like to express that view. I followed your lead and jumped over there to write my own before I read yours.
Don't forget to give Max Baucus some reality. After all, even if he is not 'your' senator, with this bill he is responsible for limiting what the other senators are allowed to vote on.
baucus.senate.gov
two down, 149,999,998 to go!
...a shit about his own constituency, so what possible good would it do for me to send him another letter he will just ignore?
Same thing sending something to Obama. I've done so for every other major issue that has come down the pike and look where that led to.
Flooding them with unwanted contact is the only weapon we have short of armed insurrection. The vote, when not rigged physically as well, is rigged monetarily; so voting them out is only sometimes an option as we all have seen. But at some point, if the outraged voices are loud enough, Baucus et al must do the calculation: 'How much longer can I play a crooked game, before this loud angry crowd rises from the seats and begins to pour into the stadium to punish me?' So the louder and more persistent, the better.
written reply - that should clog things up.
You must. I'm Canadian and live in Asia, and I sometimes send letters. Don't give up!!!!! Let them know you care. If they don't hear from their own citizens...
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
What happened to demanding single-payer?
I only wish it would make a difference - I get the mental image of all us being mooned by the shites in D.C.
Baucus is the worst kind of traitor to his country.
*
We're just noticing it now.
As I understand it, the Senate health care plans and House plans will have to go to a joint committee. Is it not feasible that this plan will give the Senate corporate whores cover to vote for a plan which protects their special interests, then have a bill agreed upon in committee which incorporates the public option? I know--wishful thinking.
Candideinnc
that this entire country can be hijacked so easily by a small group of corporate whores. Max Baucus is a guy from a very small state and therefore represents a very small number of people, yet he still gets to be judge, jury, and executioner over a major decision that effects 99.99% of Americans. Seeing how he's taken so much money from the health insurance industry I don't why he would even be allowed to take on this responsibility. Like he's going to even think about biting the hand that feeds him.
But we all knew that nothing had changed... didn't we? Did we think that just because we objected in mass in 2008 that things might actually CHANGE around here? GREED RULES U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoGrPDP-aAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiJElPRnz54
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
apply to those in power in DC? Besides the obvious reason that they make the laws.
Well, we certainly know that the MYTH of "a government by the people and FOR the people" was nothing but a sugar-line to make this turd easier to swallow.
Fuck these paid off bastards! The Dem's should just ignore them and look to a few Reslugs with a conscience.
I had the pleasure of sending Mr. Reid a email last week congratulating him on his caeing in (also known as ( Cave-In Reid), I did take the time to write I was expecting yet again a whole bunch on air time with the usual postering and empty rhetoric with a loss of control and a cave in to the Big Interest and as usual this Coward did not disappoint me. When can we get rid of this ineffectual Big Business mouth piece.
On time as usual the major PUKES called the Insurance Industry again have proven there is NO REAL Capitalism in America just justified price fixing and gouging, as if there was TRUE Capitalism these PUKES would embrace it and Prove they have a better product, however when the bottom line in CONTROL and GREED there is NO room for TRUE capitalism. The alledged leadership in Both houses as usual have failed the people were there re-election is more important then the Will of the PEOPLE.
I am not surprised in the least by the actions of the Democratic Party....Harry Reid is a loser and spineless "leader," if you want to call him such an undeserving thing.
This entire healthcare bill has become first, a farce, second, a fiasco, and shows the compelete inaction of the evil Congress.
I expected this tragic putcome, and so glad that I am not in the Democratic Party, which is totally bankrupt, of ideas, and collectively have no balls to do anything useful!
Screw the Democratic Party---they are useless and worthless prices of vermin just as the Republicans are....
The Democratic Party is a freakin joke too having their asses handed to them by a forty-member Republican Senate...so much for elections and ensuring the Dems had the "votes" to get things done...
Welcome to more neoliberal economics which the Dems are wedded to.
Organize.
Protest.
Massively.
Don't let these fuckers away with this.
Take to the streets.
THIS is worth it!!
You trusted them by electing them. They sold you out!
Fuck this bullshit!
What a surprise. Another issue where the Democrats pretend to be passionate and determined to pass an important bill but are undermined at the last minute by "moderates." This is what happens with every Democratic initiative. You have to wonder if this outcome wasn't the plan from the start. The Democrats get to be heroes to liberal voters for their populist rhetoric AND to their corporate masters for preserving the status quo. "Moderates" take the blame from real Democrats AND the glory from their red-state constituents. Everyone wins except us citizens.
more things change, the more they stay the same. Man they got it down to a science don't they?
I'm not so sure about the "heroes" part. Unless the dictionary defines hero as "spineless ass-fucker."
The worst part of it is, the Democrats have us fighting for a bill that is nothing more than a deeper entrenchment of the status quo, a gift to the insurance industry. It's a lousy bill, nowhere near universal health care, and we've been reduced to fighting for scraps.
The whole thing is political theater. I'm tired of being angry about it. We have to accept that Democrat = Republican = Corporate Lobbyists. We're doomed. We're not citizens anymore; we're merely consumers.
party. The Dems are just posers, as they are actually members of the secret Corporate party.
I must edit this: It isn't a secret party, it is an unannounced party. An unacknowledged party. We know it's there, its members won't admit it. The fact that Sanford and Ensign, et al won't resign, just goes to show you how confident they are that there is NOTHING we can do about any of this, in their opinions anyway. This is becoming so "in your face," that it is hard to believe. And for most people, that is how it will seem. Just like the Bush presidency. The, "Oh, that can't happen" philosophy. I am with Noah. I can't wait for the crash. If the sheeple ever wake up, that is.
KICK these Reslug ass kissing traitors off any and all committees and then let the assholes sit in a corner until they can be thrown out of office.
...then there wouldn't be enough senators left to have committees.
...because?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ta9KMLpiHM&fe...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
...just an observation. In the American Congress if we got rid of all the morons, crooks, thieves, scumbags, and the insane there would only be a handful of representatives left.
C'mon, John, that's really unfair. The insurance companies are part of America and they're not getting screwed. Baucus and his fellow plutocrats are part of America and they're not getting screwed.
No, the group that is going to be totally screwed is likely to be the poor. I assume the government will simply stop counting the uninsured poor altogether. Just as they stop counting people who are unemployed but have given up looking for work because there simply is no point.
I hope I'm wrong, but if this is really the shape of the final bill, I expect Obama to sign it with some eloquent words about how it was better to get most of what he wanted with the agreement of Grassley, Snowe, and Enzi, than to get all of what he wanted with a 51 vote majority.
all the finger.
...he wouldn't sign it. After all, he claimed to be trying to achieve a certain level of coverage with at least near universal access. If he signs a bill that doesn't provide that, he's a liar. If he signs it and gives us the finger, it just means he's less of a hypocrite. I'd rather he were honest.
Why doesn't everyone in America who wants health care start sending letters to every senator out there AND THE WHITE HOUSE.
Tell the President to tell the Congress HE WILL NOT SIGN THEIR BILL UNLESS IT HAS PUBLIC OPTION.
Period.
Why not?
I've already contacted my congressional representatives.
Unfortunately, I live in GA. Senators Chambliss and Isakson's offices told me they are opposed. Congressman Tom Price's office told me the same. My last resort is to put pressure on President Obama. I did that today.
I reiterate - go to whitehouse.gov, click Contact us, and let the President know he has to demand a public option.
.
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
...in America send letters? Because there are just too many that are either completely disengaged from politics or they just realize (like me) that the only option we have left is (bloodless) revolution; and that simply will not happen.
it really doesn't matter. I've been calling, writing and emailing my Sens and Rep for years....the only response is a form letter ----then they vote the way their corporate/fascist owners tell them to.
Now, I usually just email them this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence and ask if they recall who they represent. I'm sure it does no good, but it makes me feel better.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
What needs to happen is a complete overhaul of the rules regarding elections, lobbying, and bribery. How many think that the people in Congress are going to create and enact laws that will put them off the gravy train???!! There will be no election or lobbying reform....just like there will be no real health care reform.
Threatening to not vote for any of the current creeps is a joke, too. As we've seen, the Powers that Be will just pay for some other cretin to run and take their place ....someone who will still be kowtowing to the corporate/elitist/fascists. Sooner or later. other action will be required.
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
Why bloodless? Blood always gets people's attention. Just asking.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
.
If you're going to be ignored anyway, may as well reach for the stars.
Sad that it's "reaching for the stars" when you're asking for something most other countries have, which is entirely affordable, and in this day and age is a UNIVERSAL RIGHT.
[In Canada, we see it as a universal right. Any politician that tried to mess with it would be torn limb from limb, and THEY KNOW IT.]
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
.
The democrats were elected overwhelmingly, yet assholes like this arrogant Baucus fucker spends all his time worrying about the GOP's point of view, which also happens to be his pov.
I don't want any bipartisanship, because I don't want anything a fucking republican would support in any policy. So there sits Max Dickhead with a smug smile saying "me and my buddies worked this out."
Methinks it will take a revolt to bring these bastards back to reality.
Rot in hell you evil SOB!
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
happened when Howard Hughes tried to get the international rights rested from Pan-Am - Pan Am wrote a Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) bill which was mouth-pieced from a owned puss-bag rethuglican senator Owen Brewster. Hughes ate this punk alive - and so turned the tables on Brewster that the Senator had to be sworn in and was cross examined by Hughes. The point being that these "representatives" have been pwnd for years and years. Hughes had the guts to expose it - for his own ends, but expose it non the less. NO ONE has that sort of guts today. Now its so bad, they don't even care if the "people" know that they are owned. We are so screwed.
can be stopped. :-(
of failed conservative ideology, why in hell does ANYONE listen to republican politicians?
I think your right about what it will take to get things done in the peoples favor.
What has happened to the Kennedy/Dodd bill? Is this the bad cop so we will settle for the good cop?
What has happened to the Kennedy/Dodd bill? Is this the bad cop so we will settle for the good cop?
What has happened to the Kennedy/Dodd bill? Is this the bad cop so we will settle for the good cop?
Third times the "charm."
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
thing wouldn't submit.
Don't keep hittin submit.
baucus has been in the tank for the health ins. lobby since the beginning of the new administration. he has taken millions of bribes, concealed as fund raising to the tune of millions.......
we can get a bunch of people to protest stuff that dont matter, but try and get a protest together for health care, and everyones eyes glaze over.....
i am glad nothing will get done, we deserve the sh*t storm that is coming.
A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague
Marcus Tullius Cicero
LuLu
Everyone needs to tell their representatives that if there is not a robust public option in the final legislation, they will be no vote for them the next time they run for re-election.
They will just fix the election - its worked so far :-(
. . . . . . .
Phase 1 of the revolution is over. The GOP is toast.
Phase 2 will be tougher. Getting rid of the DLC and bluedogs - the republicans in our own party, will not be as easy. These bastards make up about 15-20% of the democratic representation, just enough to keep the GOP assholes calling the shots!
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
what you drinking so I can get some.
Folgers instant.
I didn't realize I came across as an optimist? Wish I could feel the same way.
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
Baucus can stiff the people and still not receive punishment from the Senatorial Campaign Committee. The Dems will promote his re-election no matter what. He's got all to gain and nothing to lose by nixing the public option. It's all about the Senator. He's a self-serving pig.
"...Money Trumps Peace..." G.W. Bush, 2007
seems that many of you haven't considered this: http://www.strike-the-root.com/92/lafave/lafa...
He appears to be trying to rage against single-payer, but his attempted argument is so scattered and nonsensical that it's almost impossible to be sure what he means. Another industry shill trying to talk smack.
just get the fucking thing passed to get big insurance off of their backs, then let Sanders and Kucinich get it put back in there later
They could jam single payer into some large appropriations bill down the line
No surprises here. Just a couple more years before the whole government comes crashing down. Personally, I can't wait.
Why doesn't someone ask the fbi to investigate him. don't tell me it is leagal to sell your vote as a senator to those who provide campaign funding?
and you call that democracy? doesn't sound like it!
sounds like fraud against the people.
i cannopt understand why there is not a huge push for publicly funded elections, do americans not want free elections?
ruled that money is the same as free speech, didn't they?
I think that was McConnell vs the Federal Election Commission (2003).
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Take that away from them, and things will start to be different. They must have responsibilities other than profit-making. There will be no election reform ever, because those who should be changing the laws, are the ones collecting money from the corporations. It's very, very deeply entrenched now. Perhaps too deep to correct. We need a recall of the entire government.
Take that away from them, and things will start to be different. They must have responsibilities other than profit-making. There will be no election reform ever, because those who should be changing the laws, are the ones collecting money from the corporations. It's very, very deeply entrenched now. Perhaps too deep to correct. We need a recall of the entire government.
...free to stop wasting those valuable minutes at the voting booth altogether; which is about where I am right now.
I cannot think of any other way to defeat them, but that assumes that Diebold and his machines are not counting the votes.
I cannot think of any other way to defeat them, but that assumes that Diebold and his machines are not counting the votes.
Not according to Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company (1886).
However, a court case can be gotten around by the legislature, since it's not the same as an amendment.
However, if such a new law came to the Supreme Court they may overturn it, since Santa Clara County was a Supreme Court case, and they might claim "seperation of powers."
Especially now that 5 of the 9 justices are Nazis.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
it is my understanding that this was never established as lawful just assumed by the courts.
...catch-22. Congress has to pass the laws required for campaign finance reform, but that would mean they would be on a level playing ground with their challengers every election.
Do you really think congress is going to kill the golden goose?
Of course WE (the people) want free elections, but we don't get any say in the matter.
sarah palin would...
you betcha.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
You are free to cast your ballots, even though they don't count.
Could someone please tell me why we Even have a US Senate? They run the Senate like the House of Lords and say it's democracy.
I so sick and tired of having old entrenched men and women, from states with populations smaller than any direction 50-miles here in Central Florida, having such power over the common good. I live on the coast and the population of my county is larger than some these states.
Hell of a way to run a country.
I have felt for some time now, that a Constitutional Convention to eliminate the Senate would be wonderful for this country. Either that, or make them run every two or four years. This six year crap is way too long.
Max Baucus who represents less people than our county commissioner, is stopping 300,000,000 people from getting what they need because he is corrupt, psychotic, and can be bought for a few good bribes!
Worthless SOB!
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
It's bribery.
It's bribery.
of Stockholm Syndrome, especially Reid and Pelousi
I was going to celebrate by getting the diagnostic tests that my MD had recommended.
Oh well.
My disabled youngest brother is coming to live with us.
Guess why?
My elderly mother is coming to live with us. The decision whether to get food or medicine is becoming too dangerous.
I guess this is how congress promotes family togetherness.
Senators Durbin, Leahy and Schumer just created citizensforapublicoption Go there and sign the petition.
Full text of the petition:
With nearly 50 million Americans lacking health insurance, and premiums rapidly rising, it's time to address the health care crisis in our country. All Americans deserve access to affordable, quality health care -- and today, nearly one-in-six of us don't have it.
I join Senators Durbin, Leahy, and Schumer in their efforts to pass strong health care reform legislation this year. In particular, I support the creation of a public health insurance option that would foster greater competition in the marketplace, create more choices for consumers, and lead to lower costs and better quality for all.
Please reform our health care system this year!
Signed by:
[Your name]
yesterday.
I will not be co-opted. Please think that through.
...just further entrench insurance companies in the system. We're better off leaving it alone and see if a miracle happens and congress gets more progressives in place the next go around.
I won't be signing either.
to get your name on their campaign donor list.
I swear, these creeps hold the public health option over our heads like the Pukebirfer party uses the three G's to their constituents knowing full well nothing is ever going to get done.
I've been thinking to myself about how the Republicans are going to survive politically in the future if they continue to isolate themselves from voters. Then I thought "What if they took up the socially progressive mantle, but kept the fiscally conservative background? It'd take a few years, even decades, for people to forget the blunder, but they'll somehow lie their way back into power."
Enter Blue Dogs.
Is there any chance that this push by Blue Dogs (I can't even call them democrats anymore) to bring themselves away from the main Democratic caucus so they can make their own party using the "centrist" voter-base and disillusioned ex-Republican voters?
They've effectively stood up against the President and the will of the people, and this feels like they're making a political push for their own party. That just boils my blood even more, seeing as how they would rather play politics than worry about the health care of an entire nation.
RIGHT OR WRONG, OBAMA IS LOSING SUPPORT OF DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS WHOSE FAITH AND EXPECTATIONS HE HAS THUS FAR FAILED TO JUSTIFY AND OR LIVE UP TO
The reason Obama's poll number has dropped somewhat recently is because the DEMOCRATS and INDEPENDENTS who voted him into office based on the Democratic Party platform, which included the nationalization of health care, his promises to implement positive change in the lives of struggling average citizens and his criticisms of the Bush administration being owned by big business lobbyists and campaign contributors DO NOT BELIEVE that he is being as ASSERTIVE or AGGRESSIVE in accomplishing those objectives as he COULD and SHOULD have been. In other words, he IS NOT being DEMOCRATIC or PRESIDENTIAL enough!
As a result, he has needlessly forfeited some of the political capital the majority of Americans gave him when they voted him into office! WHY? To give the "appearance" of being bipartisan? Even when it means LOSING ground to REPUBLICANS and BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS who don’t want to make a single payer or a public option available?
His handling of the insurance, real estate, banking and Wall Street financial crises has been timid, half-hearted, short-sighted and overly political. He has all but ignored the warnings and suggestions of Nobel Economists Joseph E. Stiglitz and Paul Krugman. He has the very people who irresponsibly/greedily helped create our economic problems in charge of fixing them despite the fact that they have been in bed with the insurance, real estate, banking and Wall Street movers and shakers most of their professional lives.
His ill-advised attempts at "playing nice" with Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats have empowered and emboldened them when he should have been playing political hardball with them from day one in order to force them to support the changes the people who voted him into office believed he was going to make if they want to get reelected. He's been playing polite DEFENSE when he should have been playing ruthless OFFENSE!
His DISTURBING tendency to make the same CIA and Bush/Cheney protecting national security arguments to prevent full disclosure AND his SLOW actions in closing Guantanamo, bringing our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan to stop the death and financial bleeding of American troops and American tax payers IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE and perceived as a FAILURE ON HIS PART to KEEP HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES! It is also perceived as his administration BEING NO BETTER than the LYING, SECRETIVE and SELF-PROTECTING BUSH ADMINISTRATION!
...all of that, but...
...he talks good.
You are very wise grasshopper. Surprised your not a political analyst on t.v. (Snark)!
The day Obama hired Rahm DLC and got rid of Howard "the real democrat" Dean who got his ass and the congress elected," I knew we were in deep trouble.
Then he hired "Derivatives" Summers who created this whole mess, and I pretty much resigned myself to being disappointed with the guy (Obama). In that respect, he hasn't disappointed me - unfortunately.
These DLC corporate assholes all came into power with the Clinton's, and they made their $$$$$ by screwing the unions, poor, and working people in general. Those would be the same people who constituted the democratic majority for 60 uninterrupted years.
But the corporate fascist, Clinton-flunky, republican-lites love their power, their corporate bribe machine, and they see no need to go back to representing the real democratic base. They must be purged from the party!
And I don't want to hear about independence from our reps unlike the lock-step repukes. Anyone who does not support healthcare as a basic human RIGHT, can f**k-off, and the have no business in the party of FDR!
Rush Limbaugh is what a smart person thinks a stupid bigot sounds like.
We are not a representative democracy. The sooner we realize it, the better it is for our future. What does it say about our 'democracy' when a single senator threatens something 75% of the American people support and the president is fully supporting? That is why I will NEVER EVER register as neither a Democrat or Republican.
Ridiculous that 5 of the six Senators represent states (Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico and Maine) that have a combined population close to that of Wisconsin. Three of the POS were elected as democrats
Should be amended to say: "When a single senator-- representing 1/3rd of 1% of the US population-- threatens something 75% of the American people support"
But yeah, I agree... maybe we really do need to be bitch-slapped like this for people to really turn off American Idol, put down People Magazine, step away from the buffet table, and really give a shit.
OK, Congress, go the f*ck home. Take your vacation. There is absolutely NO reason to stay to get health insurance reform done.
Just one technical question though, how on earth do those senators represent anything "bipartisan"?
O, accurs-ed double post...
And no one is prosecuting Baucus for his acceptance of bribes to kill Americans? What the hell is wrong with this country? He hasn't even been charged by his own state, congress or the DOJ for being a corrupt RICO qualifying criminal organization working toward the detriment of the people.
I will do everything I can to defeat my DINO senator, Evan F****** Bayh next election. The latest polls show the lowest approval rate for the Rethugs, yet the Blue Dog assclowns act as if they have the answers to everything.
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
Hunter S. Thompson
Comments are closed on this entry