Posted on 07/28/2009 1:11:44 PM PDT by lward99
Senate GOP Let House Blue Dog Democrats Off Hook
Well, we knew the sellout on healthcare was coming but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow when it happens (read details here). And, it appears to be happening right on schedule, on script just as we at the Social Security Institute have been predicting here and here. We warned everyone what was coming down and how to stop it (read the SSI Strategy Memo) but the Republican instinct for selling out is just too inbred to resist.
Despite decades of being sold down the river by the Republican Party and its agents among big business and big-business trade associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, conservatives never seem to learn how they are constantly played for the fool. What is pathetic is that history reveals the Republican politicians who engineer these despicable sellouts to be the real fools. If the bipartisan deal among Senate Finance Committee negotiators holds, the Committee’s Ranking Republican Member, Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, will have the dubious distinction of being personally to blame for the worst piece of federal domestic legislation in modern times. That is quite a legacy, Chuck. Late today the AP reported that a bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee negotiators has decided “to exclude a requirement many congressional Democrats seek for businesses to offer coverage to their workers [employer mandate]. Nor would there be a provision for a government insurance option [public option], despite President Barack Obama's support for such a plan.” But of course, this “compromise” came as no surprise to the White House since it has been known for months now that the President was prepared to betray his left wing by jettisoning the public option to get a deal with Republicans, which would pave the way for a bipartisan deal to nationalize healthcare and turn it over to the government to run.
To make the sellout complete, and to punctuate the fact that Obama has traded in old fashioned socialism for modern fascism Republican style, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce walked on stage, right on cue this afternoon and hit its mark with treacherous precision—but then the Chamber has had so much practice at this kind of treachery that it never loses its touch.
With exquisite timing, a letter from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce arrived today calling on the Finance Committee to “act promptly, preferably before” the Senate's scheduled vacation at the end of next week. As the AP characterized the Chamber’s slippery move, “In doing so, the business organization dealt a blow to the Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other GOP lawmakers who have called repeatedly for Democrats to slow down.”
My goodness, if this wasn’t so tragic it would be deliciously hilarious. It is as if the U.S. Chamber is caught in a time warp—and as if the American people are stuck in the famous Lucy-and-the-football Peanuts cartoon. In a recent Washington Times op-ed, former Chamber Vice President and Chief Economist Richard Rahn reflected back on the Chamber’s perfidy on HillaryCare 15 years ago:
“[A disease called] Washingtonosis often infects those who claim to represent business interests. Back in 1993, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Hillary Care. Most of its membership was strongly opposed and outraged. The chamber suffered a huge loss in membership and revenue, and those responsible for the debacle were replaced ultimately. The chamber had built a very strong reputation (brand) during the 1980s for philosophical integrity with a firm commitment to smaller government and lower taxes, and the organization had grown rapidly. Yet subsequently, a few individuals within the chamber who suffered from Washingtonosis and thus were more interested in cultivating their own relationships with the Clinton White House and the Democratic Congress almost managed to destroy a great legacy and institution.”
Well, it is déjà vu all over again. Big Insurance gets its payoff (no public-option insurance plan) while Big Business and the Chamber get their payoff (no employer mandate). Meanwhile, Phrma, who already got its payoff with Uncle Sugar Daddy set to buy and subsidize the purchase of all those pills, is preparing to spend a half-million dollars on TV ads supporting ObamaCare Republican style.
Who suffers? The American people, of course—higher taxes on upper-middle class people and small businesses, an individual mandate that will force all individuals rich and poor to purchase insurance or pay an additional tax, healthcare rationing that will hit the elderly particularly hard, mandatory death counseling for everyone age 65 and older, federally financed abortion on demand, unsurpassed government snooping into people’s private lives, and a crushing burden on the economy from trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. There is a lesson in all this—you can read all about it here and here—if conservatives can possibly arise from their partisan stupor to recognize it. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Republicans again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
where the rubber hits the road. Every incumbent will be voted against by me in the next election.
“Who suffers? The American people, of course—higher taxes on upper-middle class people and small businesses, an individual mandate that will force all individuals rich and poor to purchase insurance or pay an additional tax, healthcare rationing that will hit the elderly particularly hard, mandatory death counseling for everyone age 65 and older, federally financed abortion on demand, unsurpassed government snooping into people’s private lives, and a crushing burden on the economy from trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. “
I’m about through voting for anybody associated with these two partys.
They both suck.
I’m gonna try Libertarian or Constitution Party.
Either the RINO’s go or the party dies. We have nothing more to loose. It’s time to hold the whole party responsible for the behavior of their left wing. There should no compromise and you should make it plain to your Congress Critters.
Never vote for an incumbent no matter what the party.
I lost interest after the third paragraph of lousy writing. This author needs to learn that ‘who, what, when, where, why, how’ need to be explained before giving a conclusion, bitching or opinion, unless it’s one, very pointed statement.
I think the RINOs have killed the party. The House Repubs were in the catbird seat and the Blue Dogs were on the hot seat.
Unreal. The Senate RINO Repubs who back this are pure evil.
I can’t figure out what they are off the hook for. The worst written article I have read in a while.
agreed - the message for 2010...
YOU ARE ALL OUT - we rather take our chances with complete unknowns...THEY HAVE TO BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE.
We need a group of brave citizens to run for office on a platform where they will institute and pass legislation adopting term limits. We can NEVER let this happen to our country again.
Vote conservative period.
DRIP on em
don’t reelect incumbent politicians
Can’t understand the article? I suggest you re-read it then. Seems pretty clear to me.
Can anyone give me a two sentence thesis? This is a rambling POC.
We don’t have a two party system anymore. We have only one political party, the POC (Party of Corruption). The citizenry is going to have to clean house and start over.
Senate GOP is compromising with Dems to push through ObamaCare light. Obamacare = Socialism -— RINOcare is Fascism.
How’s that
Healthcare bill pases Senate committee
thanks to RINOs.
OK?
Third sentance
We are ALL soooooo screwed.
I think I’ll call my folks and say goodby......
Wait...you are saying this passed in the Senate?
Get out of our house.
www.goooh.com
(Pronounced “go”)
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