President Lieberman played his Dem caucus card and effectively killed the medicare compromise.
The President was OK with this compromise, in fact encouraged it.
With that compromise -I argued that the current proposed Senate bill should be defeated - really, what is being argued here is using the reconciliation to pass a better bill. A bill that bypasses the 4-5 obstructionists in the Democratic party as well as the 40 in the G-NO-P party.
There were these three posts where my favorite blogger points out, among other things, that George Bush got a lot done and never had more than 55 Senators.
Meanwhile - President Obamas secret back door deal is upheld with Big PHARMA as the drug reimportation amendment is defeated. Essentially locking in higher drug costs for Americans. Our two Senators, Schumer and Gillibrand voted to kill this amendment.
Joe Lieberman tried to explain his rationale, there were other posts about killing the bill, cute commercials and a decision point. What does the Democratic base do now?
Our potential hero? Ben Nelson of Nebraska comes out against the bill. Ah Hope that we can finally play hard ball. Well, not so fast, in exchange for covering Nebraskas Medicaid cost, and adding anti-abortion language, Ben Nelson comes on board. Oh, the cost? the Public Option is killed.
Then there was language about those life time caps that - may not be lifetime caps. Well, SEIU comes out, stomps their feet as they prepare to fall in line and in the end it doesnt matter - Ben Nelsons vote is secured in the Senate and Majority Leader Reid says he has the votes.
Massa gets some well deserved credit for calling out the the Health care reform process. Remember Massa was there before a lot of people.
So what do we do now ? There is a cost of being taken for granted and the next steps start with looking towards the future by looking at the past as discussed in this Bill Moyers show featuring Rolling Stone editor Matt Taibbi and Economist and American Prospect Editor, Rob Kuttner.
We will have more as it all sinks in, but it begins with a little more audacity and a little less hope.
More Federal level
Citigroup gets special consideration and doesnt have to pay taxes so they can pay record level bonuses.
The House redirects TARP funds. It was close, but worth it.
Ah, Copenhagen and climate change. 80% CO2 reduction in 40 years in a non-binding agreement with no milestones. Does anyone care? Maybe delay isnt denial but it is pretty close to derail. Wouldnt want to shift manufacturing away from China, now, would we?
No. Profits over people. Cheap goods from the metaphorical China where Mother Nature may not have a vote, but certainly will have the last laugh.
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Oh... you voted for it all right.
The TRUTH always comes out. Ignore any of the
pathological haters who may wander in just to
disrupt, annoy and bait.
Im starting to notice that most conservatives think Republicans are stupid and have no backbone while most liberals think Democrats are stupid and have no backbone.
It just seems weird that we both think we are constantly with the weak/stupid side. Maybe it is because we actually want what we lobby for.
A glaring error. Bush was able to get things done because he was popular with the voters and a breath of fresh air. I loved the "Wanted Dead or Alive" Bush. The GOP rode his coat tails...nothing more.
It was into his second term the GOP panicked and realized his coat tails would not be around forever. That is when many in his party turned on him, not out of principle but out of fear of losing their seats. The dems framed the arguments and the GOP tried not to remind the voters they belonged to the same party as President Bush.
The GOP as a whole (there are a few exceptions) is nothing but a bunch of p!ssy-whipped cowards.
(note to self: I have used that word 3 times this past week. Need to find a new word, but like the f-bomb, it is used when no other word will do.)
Of course, He would surrender the country to foreigner enemies, what makes you think he won’t do it to his domestic enemies?
Hell, if the GOP takes both houses, he may just bow to them.
It takes a leftist to point out the TRUTH about President Bush — the right is too busy with their most recent circular firing squad!
*rolls eyes* No, the difference is that Obama doesn't fight in public, or in the media. He simply goes after his opposition 'the Chicago way', that is using threats and thuggery to punish those who don't deign to give him what he wants.