Posted on 12/19/2009 2:09:47 PM PST by opentalk
Not that this will come as any great shock, but Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), the lone Democrat holdout against the current iteration of healthcare reform, announced Saturday he will vote for the bill.
Also unsurprising: much like Mary "Louisiana Purchase" Landrieu (D-La.) before him, Nelson sold his vote and his very soul for some financial benefits to his state.
As Politico reported moments ago:
Sen. Mary Landrieu got the "Louisiana Purchase." Sen. Ben Nelson got the federal government to pick up most his state's future Medicaid tab -- forever.
As part of the deal to win Nelson's support, the federal government will fund Nebraska's new Medicaid recipients. It's a provision worth about $45 million over the first decade. [...]
Medicaid is usually paid for with a mix of federal and state funding, but Nelson's carve out means that any Medicaid beneficiaries who join the program after the bill passes will be funded by the federal government.
It's a sweet deal considering that many governors are worried that the Medicaid expansion will further strain already stressed state budgets.
Great. So states with fiscal problems of their own get their budgets squeezed as a result of this bill, but the man that history will show cast the deciding vote gets his state off the hook!
Amazing!
Beyond this, tax dollars went to bribe two key Democrats so that a bill will be passed that will raise our taxes further!
Absolutely amazing!
Is this what Hope and Change meant?
Exit question: If we now disaffectionately refer to Louisiana's Democrat Senator as Mary "Louisiana Purchase" Landrieu, what should we call Nelson for his historic sellout?
I've already heard Ben "Cornhusker Kickback" Nelson, but think that lacks punch.
Any other suggestions?
Senators are so cheap these days. sad.
The other Rats were pretty stupid for not holding out and getting their fair share of the bribe money.
I think the other states should sue the federal government for giving special privileges to Louisiana, Nebraska, and any other state that got special benefits in the healthcare plan. I had heard a few months back that three other states were getting the feds to pay for the state portion of the medicaid payments, and Nevada (Dirty Harry’s state) was one of them.
How about Ben Screwin the people nelson
LOL. This broke about 6 hours or so ago and multiple threads have discussed it here on FR. Breaking indeed.
Maybe our elected officials should remove all doubt, and simply carry large price tags announcing, “For Sale to Highest Bidder.” It would be a step on the road to clarity.
Seems not only unethical but illegal. There is no reason why taxpayers from other states have to be bound to these deals.
Looks like Nebraska beat Nevada in announcing male prostitutes.
Quick, all you poor destitute illegals trying to get a piece of the American pie (whats left of it) go to Nebraska and get MUCH more than you could get anywhere else!
Judas Ben-Nelson (D-Iscariot).
Healthcare for illegals goes in the reconciliation bill.
Federal funding of all abortions including partial-birth goes in the reconciliation bill.
Pick the worst possible outcome; that is the reconciliation bill.
Obama is happy.
In short, Nelson is against killing babies unless paid enough money to kill them.
As an aside, favoring one state over another like this sounds unconstitutional. Or at least corrupt.
Ben Nelson is the new male prostitute. Even Tiger Woods is saying “Oh come on, at least I gave the ladies a good time”
He just rolled over like a cheap whore. Email him like I did and let him know how you feel.
On the Politico 44 website it has this quote from Dear Reader “the American people will have the vote they deserve” on health reform........ THEY DESERVE wow that statement says it all.....
It would never pass the House.
My state's governor didn't see a problem.
totaly agree. this is bribery& extortion... they try not to hide it right in our face.............
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