What we are going to get as a final bill is a trigger public option or trigger co-op which also means that socialized medicine is dead because triggers never work in reality.
No, the folks here get it or at least most of them. Most are just saying that by allowing it to come to the floor for debate that the RATS will win. They can force a vote with a nuclear option of only 51 votes to end any filibustering. Then another 51 votes to pass the legislation. This gives 9 RAT Senators the ability to run for cover.
a crap-for-brains bill shouldn’t even get out of committee, much less to the floor for consideration.
these bozos have yet again violated their oath of office.
Can any of the People’s representatives, having voted to put US in jail for exercising our rights, ever be considered a friend of the State?
You are so right and is bothering me a lot on here recently as I see post after post with wrong info and the sky is falling.
There is another alarming trend to try and shut off debate about a former candidate if you are not marching in lock step. That’s more like the Democrats. If we don’t bring out negatives on our candidates, how are they supposed to get corrected? I don’t blind follow anyone and will continue to ask questions.
Don’t have a candidate for 2012 because it is way to early but I do know that blind allegiance to anyone person is wrong and will come back to bite in the end. Not everyone can always be wrong and trying to shut down people with legitimate questions is not helping.
SCHULTZ: OK.
So do you think that you can get a health care bill done by the first of the year?
HARKIN: Ed, mark my word, were going to have this health care bill done before we go home for Christmas.
SCHULTZ: The CBO score, why is this taking so long, Senator?
HARKIN: Well, its taking so long because the Finance Committee bill that came out of the Finance Committee was very late. I understand that. But a lot of the language they had in that bill had to be scored. It wasnt scored as they went through the process.
And then the CBO had to score the House bill, then they had to score the Republicans alternative in the House. And so they had to do that first.
SCHULTZ: You think it will come in under $900 billion?
HARKIN: Yes, sir.
SCHULTZ: Im saying $880 billion. Whats your call tonight?
(LAUGHTER)
HARKIN: Who have you been talking to, Ed, anyway?
SCHULTZ: Well, see, Tom, what I think is going to happen is that Harry Reid wants a little financial wiggle room here, and hes telling these guys at CBO, bring that baby in at $880 billion so Ive got some chips on the table here, so I can get these public option guys up to the bar.
What do you think?
HARKIN: Well, Ed, Im not going to confirm or deny. But let me say, youre in the ballpark, my friend.
SCHULTZ: OK. So, Lieberman and Nelson and Landrieu and Lincoln, theyll be part of the 60 on the firstto get it to the floor, to get this thing going?
HARKIN: I believe thats right. Yes, sir, I believe that they will be part of the 60.
SCHULTZ: With the public option?
HARKIN: Well, with the public option that we have. Now, thats in the bill right now.
SCHULTZ: Yes.
HARKIN: But, now, that public option might be changed on the floor. You understand that.
SCHULTZ: Absolutely.
HARKIN: I mean, were going to have amendments. That could be changed on the floor.
SCHULTZ: I expect it to get a lot better. Absolutely.
HARKIN: Well, I would hope so, too, Ed.
SCHULTZ: Yes. Well, Senator Harkin, youre giving me a little confidence tonight thatand I thinkI think American Democrats and liberals want to hear that this thing is still very much alive and the obstructionists are going to get pushed aside.
HARKIN: Ed, I just finished going through about two hours, just before I came on your show, of going through the bill, the merged bill. And I can tell you theres a lot of good stuff in that bill.
And so Im very much enthused right now that we have a good bill, we have a good product. Well get the 60 votes, and hopefully well be able to fend off some of the disastrous votes in the amendments that the Republicans are going to throw at us on the floor.
SCHULTZ: And will the Senate bill do more than six million people on the public option? Can you give us a higher number?
HARKIN: That I cant give you right now, Ed.
SCHULTZ: OK.
HARKIN: But I canbecause welet me put it this waythe public option we have in the bill right now, I believe, is a good compromise.
SCHULTZ: OK.
HARKIN: Thats the one that says there will be a public option and a state can opt out if they want to.
SCHULTZ: But last nightan opt out. But last nights meeting, no more compromises. Youve gone as far as youre going to go, right?
HARKIN: Well, you know, Ed, I never say never. Theres always room to accommodate people. And dont forget that we still have to go to conference on this, even after it gets outside the Senate.
SCHULTZ: Yes.
Senator Harkin, I appreciate your time.
HARKIN: Well, Im telling you, Ed, were going to get this job done.
SCHULTZ: Hey, youre my source. Im counting on you, buddy. I mean, every time I talk to somebody I say, my friend Tom Harkin keeps telling me this is the way its going to be.
HARKIN: Well, Im off a little bit, Ed. I said we were going to have it to the president before Christmas, but I didnt anticipate all the delays of the CBO. But Ill tell you whatthis bill will be signed into law before the president gaves his State of the Union message in January.
SCHULTZ: Im all about it.