Another sneaky Saturday in the Senate — and Teddy K’s ghost rises again; Update: Nelson caves…but says he “reserves the right” to change his mind; Nelson’s Medicaid payoff
Scroll for updates…9:53am Eastern. Nelson caved. The Senate clerk is now reading the Reid amendment….the full, 383-page amendment is here…Democratic caucus is meeting off the floor. Nelson to speak at 10am Eastern. Dem leadership to crow at 10:45am Eastern….Nelson announces support at press conference. Says he is satisfied by abortion language. He reads a perfunctory statement praising Reid and White House, then says with the most passion in his voice: “I reserve the right to vote against the next cloture vote if there are material changes” made in conference.
Remember the last time Harry Reid was presiding over a sneaky holiday weekend on the Senate floor?
Yep. Right before Thanksgiving. November 21. It was “Cash for Cloture” day for Sen. Mary Landrieu, who secured a $300 million payoff to give the majority the required 60 votes for cloture on a Demcare bill…that has been replaced with another bill that the American public STILL HAS NOT SEEN.
Well, the word on the Hill as of late Friday night/early Saturday morning is that Dirty Harry has made “real progress” in “talks” with Democrat holdout Sen. Ben Nelson over abortion — and over his payoff.
Via AP:
In a statement issued late Friday night, Reid says he intends to unveil final revisions to the measure on Saturday and is confident they will prevail. Nelson also said real progress had been made but said there was nothing final. Nelson has been seeking greater restrictions on abortions as well as more money for his home state in last-minute talks.
“Blank check” indeed. Leave your bets on the final dollar amount.
Making an even greater joke of transparency, Reid will unveil his massive manager’s amendment and the CBO scoring of this legislative mystery meat on Saturday morning after the 7:30am Eastern defense authorization bill vote.
Yep. Around 7:30am Eastern on the Saturday before Christmas. When normal people are making breakfast for the kids, wrapping last-minute presents, cleaning their houses for out-of-town guests, or still sleeping.
Who conducts business this way?
Only people with something to hide.
Only furtive power brokers doing everything in their power to avoid full, public scrutiny and an open, deliberative process.
Welcome to another sneaky Saturday in the Senate brought to you by the Democrat culture of corruption.
Now, make sure to take time out of your busy Saturday before Christmas and burn up the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) with a clarion message for your Senators:
No. Hell no.
Say it louder and often. Spread the word. Sound the alarm. They are pretending not to hear you yet.
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
***
More details of the Nelson negotiations from the LA Times:
Nelson, who has been pushing for tougher restrictions on federal funding for abortion, emerged from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office just after 9:30 p.m. following talks with Reid and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), a leading supporter of abortion rights.
Nelson provided few details about the negotiations. It’s “one of those situations where it’s probably best for everybody to sleep on it tonight and talk again tomorrow,” he said.
Boxer, who came out later, was more upbeat. “I’m optimistic that we can get 60 votes,” she said.
And from the WaPo:
Nelson told reporters late Friday that he remained dissatisfied with abortion-related language in the $848 billion bill. But he is also seeking changes to benefit his home state while easing the bill’s burden on factions of the health-care industry, including home health-care services and health-insurance providers.
“We’re working on a lot of things,” Nelson said during a break in the talks. “Whether we’ve decided anything or not, the answer is probably not.”
***
Desperate times for desperate Demcare demagogues call for desperate measures. Time to drag out Teddy Kennedy again!
The moment Ted Kennedy would not want to lose
My late husband, Ted Kennedy, was passionate about health-care reform. It was the cause of his life. He believed that health care for all our citizens was a fundamental right, not a privilege, and that this year the stars — and competing interests — were finally aligned to allow our nation to move forward with fundamental reform. He believed that health-care reform was essential to the financial stability of our nation’s working families and of our economy as a whole.
Still, Ted knew that accomplishing reform would be difficult. If it were easy, he told me, it would have been done a long time ago. He predicted that as the Senate got closer to a vote, compromises would be necessary, coalitions would falter and many ardent supporters of reform would want to walk away. He hoped that they wouldn’t do so. He knew from experience, he told me, that this kind of opportunity to enact health-care reform wouldn’t arise again for a generation.
***
The remaining holdouts to put on your phone list:
Mailing Address:
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Toll Free: (800) 432-1599
Fax: (202) 224-1946
Email form here.
James Webb and Claire McCaskill:
Webb contact info…
Washington, D.C.
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4024
Fax: 202-228-6363
Toll Free Number
1-866-507-1570
Email form for Virginians here.
McCaskill contact info…
Missouri Office Locations
Please visit our Missouri offices
Cape Girardeau
555 Independence Room 1600
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Phone 573-651-0964
Fax 573-334-4278
Columbia
915 E. Ash St
Columbia, Mo 65201
Phone:573-442-7130
Fax:573-442-7140
Kansas City
4141 Pennsylvania, Ste. 101
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone 816-421-1639
Fax 816-421-2562
Springfield
324 Park Central West
Suite 101
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone 417-868-8745
Fax 417-831-1349
St. Louis
5850 A Delmar Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone:314-367-1364
Fax: 314-361-8649
Washington D.C.
For those visiting D.C., please stop by our office at:
Office of Senator Claire McCaskill
United States Senate
Hart Senate Office Building, SH-717
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-6154
FAX (202) 228-6326
***
9:53am Eastern. Nelson caved. The Senate clerk is now reading the Reid amendment. Democratic caucus is meeting off the floor.
Via Mike Allen at Politico:
HEALTH REFORM COULD EFFECTIVELY PASS AT 1 A.M. MONDAY, when Senate Democratic leaders hope to have the first of three cloture votes. If they get 60 votes then, they probably will have 60 through final passage. If Republicans follow through on their vow to insist that all the rules are followed (30 hours between cloture votes, with an intervening day), the last vote could be at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to a timeline distributed by leadership.
BOB SCHIEFFER, to Katie Couric, on last night’s “CBS Evening News”: “No one can say exactly what’s in it, how much it’s going to cost. What we’re hearing and seeing here tonight, Katie, is the legislative process at its worst.”
WHAT CHRISTMAS WEEK COULD LOOK LIKE, according to the Senate Dem timeline pasted here:
–SATURDAY, DEC 19th — 7:20 am – Final passage on DoD approps bill. Note: After the DoD bill is dispensed with, Leader Reid can file cloture on the manager’s amendment, the substitute amendment and the overall bill on health care.
–SUNDAY, DEC 20th — Wait for cloture to ripen
–MONDAY, DEC 21st — 1 am – Cloture vote on manager’s amendment
–TUESDAY, DEC 22nd –7 am – Cloture vote on substitute
–WEDNESDAY, DEC 23rd — 1 pm — Cloture vote on overall bill
–THURSDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE — 7 pm – Final passage vote on health care reformAt the bottom, the timeline says: “This schedule can be sped up if the Republicans decide to cooperate and yield back time rather than delaying and forcing 30 hours to be expended on each cloture motion.”
10:06am Eastern. Nelson says “I truly believe this legislation will stand the test of time…the lives of millions of Americans will be improved.” Says he signs on to the first cloture vote based on abortion compromise and other changes.
He reads a perfunctory statement praising Reid and White House, then says with the most passion in his voice:
“I reserve the right to vote against the next cloture vote if there are material changes” made in conference.
Another empty threat to raise hopes that he’ll be a maverick? Sigh, sounds like it.
***
Nelson sold out for an exclusive Medicaid payoff: Read here.
And the CBO score finally materializes: At least $2.5 trillion and assuredly more in taxpayer subsidies…for inferior coverage and lower doctor payments.
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As I said on Twitter:
Nay-nay. Third party is akin to Republicans staying home from the voting booth. We must work together.
Thinking more about what Jonah Goldberg said above…
If this is true and becomes law, then that is the final straw for me. I am become an outlaw. A revolutionary outlaw. A patriot who will take this battle to the next level. A patriot who cannot defeat armies but can bring justice to at least a few of the bastards.
For Sen. Nelson: “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Matthew 26:14-16
For my “conservative” friends: As I said many times before the last elections: this is why Congressional elections matter. Instead of focusing on those though, “conservatives” chose to bicker over who was the least of two evils for President. This is why “conservatives” are the most inept political group. They talk a big game, but when it counts, they won’t vote based upon principle for Presidents and don’t much care about Congressional or state elections. They throw fun Tea Parties and have corny bumper stickers though (of course they usually show up after the fact, but hey, who’s keeping track?).
Nelson, should be told by Mitch McConnel that after to 2010 elections that will be one of the first things Republicans will repeal. Then every Republican Senator should tell him that one at a time. Let him hear it 40 times.
He is SOOOOOOO naive.
Bayonets!!!
I can not begin to say how I detest the dems and rinos in dc! They are using our money to buy off certain members to vote for this. I am just sick right now to think they do not give one single flying flit about we citizens! There is no telling what crud is that bill from dingy. How much pork? Are unions exempted? On and on with crud.
If nelson and the others holding out to ‘get’ what they thought they get, the amendments will be added back in at some point.
L
Senator Landrieu is bought. Senator Nelson is bought Secretary of State Clinton pledges $100 billion to developing countries for a global-warming scam. Absolutely no display of character here. This has all been about money and control and power.
My point exactly. And the polls are telling us (don’t you care about facts?) that the GOP is the 3rd party… and sinking. A party that claims only 18% of registered voters with only 5% of voters thinking warmly about you is not a serious party. Last week, 23% of voters identified with Tea Party and that is surely going to go up substantially.
Read’em and weep. It’s you kind of thinking that props up this shell game. We had a democracy before the GOP arrived and we will have one once they are gone.
Mitch McConnell is doing a press conference on Fox right now.
Phil, I’m not going to take your bait. The libs are my enemy, not you. What you have is an analysis and an opinion, not a monopoly on “facts.”
Socialism only persists as long as it can leach off of a wealthy/productive benefactor. This was fine for western Europe over the last 60 years, because the U.S. took care of their #1 expense and responsibility: their national defenses via NATO. As their universal health care systems grew, they left medical innovations up to the U.S., so the destructive nature of their socialized medicine was masked. American drug companies didn’t really mind European price controls, because they just compensated by charging Americans more.
That’s over. America is becoming just another Eurotrash hellhole, except now, there is no rich benefactor to pay for it all (no more money from China, who won’t be able to sell us their cheap crap anyway), so the tangible failure of Socialism will be on full display. As those conditions develop, if they aren’t enough to convince people to finally stand against Socialism once and for all, then humanity is in for another Dark Ages. I guess Barry’s election really was historical.
Let’s hope pro-lifers in Nebraska remember their guy sold out on a bill that nevertheless funds abortions.
The campaign motto for 2010:
“The only good liberal is one who isn’t holding office.”
The American electorate is incredibly stupid. Americans are getting what they voted for. I am a US Army veteran and life-long Republican, yet I am pretty much ready to give up on the country I cherished all my life. Now I understand the depth of the sentiment expressed by anti-Bush folks over the past eight years. I cannot stand living under the Obama-Reid-Pelosi triumvirate.
Wait wait wait! Get something clear. Nelson and some of the others aren’t caving. They are doing as planned. Holding out for the biggest bribe they can get. Don’t think for a moment they have some sort of principal that holds them in check. I’m just shocked more aren’t holding out for bigger bribes.
2010. The year we through socialism out on it’s ass by the bushel f#ckin’ barrel.
gco, good analysis of the leeching of Euro socialists on U.S. defense spending and medical innovations.
I wonder, also, how much computer innovation has come from Europe as opposed to from all those Silicon Valley startups in that nasty, formerly-capitalist USA. The silicon revolution has changed our lives as much as the internal combustion engine. More than a decade ago I heard the estimate that every working female in the USA would have had to be a telephone operator to support the current level of voice traffic if we had not developed silcon-based, digital switching…all coming out of Texas Instruments and Fairchild and those other ~American~ innovators.
The next generation will find out what a Euro-gray world looks like. There will be no hunger or want. EVERYbody will have his fair share of government cheese and public housing and wait-lists for medical treatments.
***
Everyone who has watched our “let make a deal” congress in action knew what the final outcome would be on this C**P SANDWICH Obama”Care” bill. The only question was how many threats (Nebraska Air Force Base closings) and bribes (all other states pay Nebraska’s part of the Medicare tax hikes) it would take to “turn around” Ben Nelson.
***
FLYOVERMAN–#16 and later posts–gets it right. The right strategy is to force all readings of the bill, and do a total GOP walkout prior to the vote–en masse.
***
And to teaparty these CorruptocRATS at any opportunity–and to work for and contribute money to good conservative opposition candidates to win in the 2010 and 2012 elections.
***
Adolph Hitler usually attacked other countries early Sunday mornings since he knew most normal people would be at home–not on duty. The democRATS are copying his tactics with the hidden bill preparation and the “can’t wait a second more” approach on voting it in to being.
***
However, when the tax hikes hit home, and the increase in doctors and medical facilities that refuse to take Medicare patients come to pass–the American Pravda (not MSM) will no longer be able to hide the true costs of this C**P SANDWICH. Just wait until people get their first pay stub with the added taxes taken out of their pay!
***
I got my delayed hernia repair surgery done a few days ago. It messed up my holiday plans–but I couldn’t wait for Jan. 1, 2010, and a possible refusal to treat Medicare patients like me. The anesthesia doctor said he would no longer take Medicare patients if this bill passed.
***
Welcome to Comrade Obama (PBUH) Cuban style health care. All are covered–but nobody except the ruling class gets proper medical treatment. And the courts will put back the more onerous parts of this bill–covering the ILLEGAL ALIENS (not “undocumented immigrants”) and providing Obama”Care” taxpayer paid abortions.
***
John Bibb
***
I am just one man and one voice but I am one man and I have a voice. I will fight this tyranny any way I can and won’t be alone in this fight. Congress, pack your bags and leave them by the door because you are going home for good.
Nelson and Mary Landrieu serve the same pimp. Whores they are and whores they be. Now we shall see if the people of Nebraska and Luziann turn them out or settle for a whores wage themselves.
===
Damn Rebels, lay down your arms!
No Major, I do not believe we will.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sung at the Completion of the Concord Monument,
April 19th, 1836
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream that seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
Yes, I am pathological and friendless. Thanks, Phil. You are a real pice of work sometimes. I can’t explain any more than I already have what my viewpoint is on this, so I give up. But just know that Rush, Beck, Hannity, and many other conservative voices have said the same thing. If you don’t listen to me, at least listen to them. Or not, whatever. I just give up.
I am from Utah and both Senators are voting against this. Does it do any good to call others? What can I do to help out today? (besides pray…)
One, few took Obama’s intention seriously enough or the appeal of a nannystate Santa to minorities and in tough times, and underestimating how deep the hate toward Bush was to get out the vote to dump all conservatives.
Two, Conservatives chose to be more philiosophical than pragmatic two Novembers ago (a’la not laying disdain aside in not voting McCain — say what you might about the man, we would NOT be in this situation had he squeaked in.)
Three, underestimating the Dem’s yet unplayed trump card and Obama’s ultimate intent (before universal “free” housing) — the legalization of overwhelming illegal alien voters which will seal Dem/lib dominance in Congress and the WH and i.e. the Court. Their sheer numbers, not our passion, will make conservatives a niche minority party forever. The pendulum will ever keep shifting left at rest here on.
Four, the criminal neglect of the GOP to counter the media and lib/green programming in all venues, and kowtow to the “hands reach across the aisle (to get chopped off)” PC act.
Voting the Dems out in 2010 in retaliation after the donkey has left the barn means squat. The ones who cast their votes for Obamacare care more about their names being part of something ‘historic’ — helping the first Black President, not (racistly) bashing him! Yea, they might be voted out now but they’re peachy smug in their golden parachutes and knowing that their name is gold in the history books.
The Tea Party is the rescue Calvary arriving at Big Little Horn a week too late, and all it can really do is further split conservative votes in the face of the Dems ever widening their hooked nanny-state base. Sorry. It would’ve been nice to see a real rival to the GOP but all it is now is a second to a hari-kari ceremony. I guarantee you sure as the sun rises there will be an abortion clause taxed on this Trojan House monster sooner or later and “voluntary” federal gun licensing (not mere screening) on the horizon. The biggy for Obama’s 2nd term (it will happen. Too many are hooked on nanny-state helping them out thru tough times to derail him) is Universal Government Housing. I can’t tell you how many just in Queens NY are salivating for that. What to do? If Obamalism can’t be repealed in any way, the only way to derail this train is a National Tax Strike which is serious business and the ultimate non-violent protest. I will do it! It could work — even if just EVERYONE in the Tea Party alone did it, but I just don’t see the guts. Ranting bile and hugging guns and barricading yourself in your homes isn’t going change this socialist tide. Our nanny-green brainwashed kids will grow up in a Brave New America.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
Praying is probably the best and only option. Most of the left wing Democrats don’t even care what their constituents want let alone the rest of us. It’s as though the people simply don’t matter.
tar, feathers, stockades, pitchforks, tourches, if that doesn’t work…well 1775/1776 were very bad year’s for tyrants….
This healthcare bill has just demonstrated a new play in the Democrat playbook:
A congressman will hold out until his extortion demands are met. Landrieu’s price was $300M. Nelson’s price? TBD, but federally funded medicaid for Bebraska forever will be a lot more than what Landrieu got. She’s got to be gnashing her teeth that Ben got a better deal. She’ll know not to sell out so cheaply next time.
The big laugh on these congressmen will be when the Democrat leaders reneg on the deals they made to convince the congressman to sell out.
But wouldn’t doing so ensure that no congressman would ever sell out in the future?
No, because congressmen will always believe that THIS TIME he will actually get what he sold out for and he can’t take the chance not to sell out.
Congressmen have already been identified as what they are. They are now only haggling over the price.
There’s an old Greek saying “Piling Pelion upon Ossa”. We are not going to win by continuing with the futility of “piling Democrats upon Republicans”.
The path to victory is within us already and we winning battle after battle. Yet we find ourselves continually beseiged by the desperate cries of closed-mindedness and “doom and gloom” weakness of those who just can’t let go.
Doesn’t matter. You non-believers will come around after we win the war for you. Next year will not be about Dems vs Reps. It’s about citizens vs re-taking control over a corrupt government. We’ll finish the job in 2012.
Mega dittos to both of you.
Someone was on FOX a short time ago and said the abortion provision that Ben Nelson gave into was worse than the original. So, it wasn’t about abortion with Nelson…it was about money. And now, the states who didn’t get any “bribe” money will be paying for Nebraska forever. I wonder how that will go over with the rest of America. Those who aren’t still in their self-induced fog of stupid ignorance, that is.
A little clean-up to my wording.
James,
Please consider this. This bill starts taxing immediately. No Healthcare changes till 2014.
I do not want the Democrats voted out in 2010 in retaliation. I want them replaced by people who will reverse this. I do not care if they are billionares as long as they are gone. Have a nice life….
We need to destroy the infrastructure that will support this by defunding it. If we get the majority NOTHING would happen in the Senate until this thing is repealed. Obama would not get a single appointee approved. If Dingy Harry and Nan thought they were obstructionists from 2006 on, just wait. Any RINO that wants to “reach across the aisle” should have their arm politically cutoff.
All these “special deals” in LA and NE should be revoked. Mary and Ben Nelson can explain that to their state’s voters.
Rahm the Thug wants to play hardball. Fine by me. Let’s party.
sorry for the typo on Nebraska.
It was just my fat fingers; no intent to offend the mostly good folks in the Cornhusker State. I even “previewed” and still missed it!
I love what you said! But, we don’t have a whole lot of people up for re-election in 2010, do we? How many are there? Do we really have a prayer of re-taking the majority in 2010?
If we can reverse this crap bill, reverse the bribe payments to Nelson and Landreau…it would be a fantastic payback to these a$$holes. At least, it is a dream to hang onto during these dark times.
Indeed.
From the Washington Post link:
What’s to stop other Democratic Senators from holding the cloture vote hostage until they get ransom money for their state, too?
What’s to stop the Federal Government from imposing impossible programs onto individual states, bankrupting them, then repealing the 10th thru financial takeover?
Next step – sell off to EU & China, implement the carbon hoax…
…One World Government.
James,
I agree with most of what you say, although I think it is past time to let the divide over McCain die (providing, of course, that he doesn’t try to run again).
I was part of the enthusiasm gap regarding McCain, but when Palin joined the ticket, I got strongly on board. I think most did — Palin was the perfect antidote to what many of us dislike in McCain.
And although I don’t want to refight that battle, I cannot pass by here without reflection on your comment, the legalization of overwhelming illegal alien voters which will seal Dem/lib dominance. Is it too mean and contentious to point out what everybody so painfully knows: John McCain was the leading advocate of amnesty. And since open borders and amnesty are ultimately the thing that will unleash irresistible and irreversible political change toward Leftist, Latin politics in America, how much better off would we be with McCain? True, we wouldn’t be getting the HCR disaster this year, but we’d be getting the remaking of the demographic contour of the country that will change it forever. So HCR would come a little later, along with a host of other Leftist horrors.
It was lose-lose for our side in 2008. The real tragedy is that the country — for a lot of reasons, including the dismal performance of the GOP and we of the grassroots who were not quick enough and strong enough in getting into the fight — the real tragedy is that the Democrat party had drifted so far to the Left and centrist voters, who pride themselves on not being ideologues, were so clueless as to the meaning of a far-Left president with a far-Left congress.
But, anyway, most of us rallied to the ticket. IMO, Palin more than overcame the anti-McCain problem.
This congress is so corrupt, the bribes are out in the open. If congress banned “American Idol” there would be riots everywhere. But if congress took away all their liberties and threw away the Constitution, there would be no reaction from many Americans.
I sent my Senator Nelson (Bill Nelson, Fl) the following:
“Sir,
Not only are you a Democrat before you are a representative of the people of the State of Florida, but you’ve also appear to have failed us by not at least selling your vote for, as a minimum, what your “cousin”, Ben Nelson, got for Nebraska.
Yea, you’re doing a great job.”
I would suggest that everyone with a Democrat Senator, who hasn’t accepted a bribe already for their vote, and ask them why they aren’t taking care of the people of their state like Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson, and others. If this is the way things are done in Washington then they need to stick their hands out now!
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. … God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion; what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.” ~ Thomas Jefferson, 1787
How is it that bribing a congressman and an entire state with our money is okay? Now they do it right in the open.
We had a civil war once. We don’t want another.
Sorry Senator.
I read that WP account also, and was very struck by their comment that states were only to pay “a small portion” of the additional Medicaid costs.
The program is so huge and costly that even a “small portion” will be extremely painful to states, which cannot print money. My question would be, if the amount is so small, why would the authors of the bill even bother to push it onto the states, considering how politically explosive that is. When we talk about most state Medicaid budgets, we taling about a few billion, which barely sounds like real money anymore. Probably that is the way the Washington Post feels about it…to them, it is pocket change. But it sure is not pocket change to governors and state legislators who are laying off workers, raising taxes, and increasing teacher loads in desperate attempts to get their budgets under control.
Exactly!! And I pray they do just that!! This is definitely going to get uglier before it is done. The infighting has only just begun. I would make more popcorn and get ready, but I am far past the popcorn stage. I am going directly to the chocolate fudge ripple ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
OMG, this bho is back and going to talk about this crud bill! I bet his nose is so far in the air that all you see is chin. I WILL not listen to the lies coming out of his mouth.
L
Yeah, I just saw him walk out and I also walked out. I can’t stand to listen to his voice any more. I loathe and despise him and his entire staff of cronies, czars, communists and corruptocrats. This administration is so evil, it defies description.
If the choice is between war or the yoke of tyranny, I’ll take war.
We owe our lives today to generations of brave Americans who have made the same decision. To choose a few years of safety and comfort for yourself while squandering our heritage is not a courageous or admirable position, IMO.
We should all drop a lump of charcoal into a stocking and mail it to these clowns. They’ve been beyond naughty this year.
The kind where they sweep up the teeth and eyeballs after closing…seen on CSPAN.
graysonret, I was responding to your #150. Reading your #146, it looks like I may not have interpreted your position correctly. If I have misread you, I apologize.
Why do they even bother to put on the charade? A whole bunch of money is being wasted to try and convince the serfs that their input actually means something. The end result being the elites are going to do what they want, anyway.
I am waiting for the next step, when even their votes do not matter anymore. We almost got there this time around, with Reid and company violating Parliamentary procedure and permitting the withdrawal of the Amendment being orally read. Just invoke some little known error, made way back when, and *Poof* they broke with over 200 years of tradition and legal precedent, in the blink of an eye.
The year 2009 Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons may very well go down in history as the time when America woke up.
… or not.
No, no, no. Coal is a precious commodity. Keep it. You might need it. I would like to send them something a bit different…like a bag of moonbat guana.
If She doesn’t wake up, then it’s because she’s dead and we’re living in the carcass of what once was.
Common sense says Americans see this for what it is, but here lately there’s not been much common sense on display.
At the very lease, bulk-mail pink slips in 2010 & 2012.
Don’t even bother cleaning out the office, we’ll have it burned just to kill the flea infestation.
I see some of the stupidity that is rampant out there in la-la land. I bet one out of 2 people can’t even name our VP. I saw Leno one night asking a lady on the street a very basic history question and she had no clue. Turns out, she is a history teacher! Your tax dollars at work. So, I don’t hold out a lot of hope that America is waking up.
jangar,
The last I saw on WND the ‘pink slips’ are about to hit 10 million to the dc bunch.
L
That’s okay. I was just implying that we have the vote. Now, if they took the vote away, yes, we need to spend blood of patriots and tyrants. Let’s vote them out, rather than have a civil war.
Ten million Democrat government operatives out of a job is a good start.
Considering that polls show about 62% of voters consider themselves conservative, this should be a no-brainer. Just do it, Bo!
I’m still very excited about all of this and the way it is unfolding. Could not ask for a better scenario for taking back Congress in 2010 and the Whitehouse in 2012.
The political commercials for the conservatives will be no-brainers to produce. Won’t need to pay actors or script writers. Just show clips of Dubin, Reid, Pelosi, etc., and ask if this is what you want more of?
Why should any state have to pay for the additional cost of this benefit to Nebraska?
Will Democratic Senators from other states fight for benefits for their state the way Senator Ben Nelson fought for benefits for Nebraska?
Will they refuse to vote for cloture until either their state receives the same benefit, or all 50 states are treated equally?
A vote for cloture now is a vote for inequality.
Even if the bill passes tyranny is not going to ensue. Give me a break. The bill is so goofed up and convoluted it would take years to implement even if it didn’t already have a implementation date in the future.
This info needs to be shouted out everywhere. The average Rube on the street has no idea what the Dems are up to, but will respond to this.
“Why should any state have to pay for the additional cost of this benefit to Nebraska?”
That does not matter to the left. Where the money comes from is never a consideration. Just how to spend it to secure a voter block.
Pill – this is nothing more than a grab for votes, power and control…absolutely NOTHING about healthcare.
“This info needs to be shouted out everywhere.”
Could be one more plank in its undoing you know. “Give me mine” Senators are not going to sit idly by and be shown up when it comes to money.
You hit it “on the head”, Jangar. Nothing but power and control. You wonder what else they want to control, if this passes. Maybe they’ll dream up a new “crisis” and “enemy” to fix, besides cap and trade.
jangar,
Thanks, I know.
This, Cap-and-tax, and everything else… it’s all about control…
I have to go clean the bathroom and make my deviled eggs now. Having our little family Christmas tomorrow, as we have to share our grandkids with other relatives. We have so many gifts under the tree, we can hardly walk in the room! And Santa hasn’t even come yet. I am so thankful for our blessings this year. We still have some of our nestegg left and it will hopefully last as long as we do! If not, we’ll deal with it as it comes. I hope you are all equally as blessed this year as we are!
“I have to go clean the bathroom and make my deviled eggs now.”
At the same time? Don’t tell the folks eating the deviled eggs tonight.
happyscrapper,
Enjoy the family, it is the most important thing after God we have in our lives.
L
Happy, unbeknownst to her, has discovered our our battlecry for the next 3 elections…
Clean Out The Head and Make Deviled Eggs!
What are the job numbers going to look like if this garbage bill passes? How many jobs will be lost in the medical and insurance industries? The gov can’t improve healthcare. It can’t demand insurance coverage bring costs down by taxing medical supplies and insurance plans while under paying Doctors and hospitals. This is simply an excuse to create a new tax using the uninsured as an excuse. The uninsured will still be uninsured if this bill passes and the insurance plans will cost more and be taxed more until there is a tax payer revolt. What would happen if the private sector went on strike? What will it take to get the gov back? I’m not ready to give up. How do we get through to ALL elected official that they work for us and we won’t pay to fund socialism?
They want 60% of what we make, or dole out our share to keep…depending on job classification/level.
Of course, government & union jobs will be exempt.
“They want 60% of what we make”
And once again we see the classic mistake we on the right make in thinking the left thinks like we think and so we can say things like the above quote.
The only reason you have anything is because the government grants it to you. You should be thankful the government is allowing you to have 40% of their money for you to live on.
Your money is not YOUR money. Its “ours” to be managed by the government.
“It appears the American people will finally get a vote on health care overhaul they deserve,” Obama said shortly after returning to the White House from his trip to Copenhagen.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/18/nelson-cites-real-progress-health-care-talks/
Can you believe the nerve of this lying Buffoon? The people will get to vote? 37.9 Percent are for, & 51.6 are AGIANST according to polling averages at RCP!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/obama_and_democrats_health_care_plan-1130.html
So when he says “The People”, he really means his sheeple lefty followers.. I think Obama should go back to Copenhagen & never return..
Right now they take 51% of what wealth I generate, with this new bill it will be approximately 62%. When is enough enough?
When you are completely controlled in a government subsidized commune, begging for another handout. And if you are lucky, you might get picked to represent the country at the next Olympics.
Will even a single one of the “Democratic” Senators take a stand against Socialism?
They aren’t the “Democratic” Party.
They are the “Democratic Socialist” Party.
Democratic Socialists of America – the largest socialist organization in the United States, and principal US affiliate of the Socialist International.
See also: Communist Party USA
They don’t allow guns in the building, so the answer is NO.
Why would they stand against something that defines their belief system?
Nobody with any clear conscience would vote for, or even propose such legislation on a population. This is pure Marxism, and all that goes with it.
Not to be pessimistic but this is what I’ve always contended.
I’ve said again and again how frustrating it is to me to hear Rush saying “The American people will never accept {insert crazy Leftist idea here}!” I would often talk back to the radio and say, “YES THEY WILL BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN FOR 60 YEARS!!!”
The tendency is always towards ceding more liberty to the state. As long as affluence is widespread (“My cable and Internet are working and last year I got to go on a cheap trip to Cabo!”) most people don’t care.
Additionally, most Americans are NOT conservative any more than they are “Christian.” Year after year polling data comes out saying that the overwhelming majority of Americans call themselves “Christian” but how many darken the door of a church regularly? Or turn the pages of the Bible? Or believe that sleeping around is a sin? The numbers change dramatically when you get serious about it. The same goes for this supposed Conservative majority.
The fact is, we’ve been in a general culture decline that has taken decades to fester and spread and it has now hit a tipping point and the pace will only accelerate from this point on. How else to explain how even so-called conservatives took to apologizing for Bush when, in fact, the man wasn’t even remotely as insane and damaging as BHO? How else to explain how any “Conservative” person could vote for an unproven, unknown, glib neophyte over a man tested in the fires of a POW hell, who is generally well-regarded as a war hero, and who has over 20+ years in the senate? There was no Ross Perot to split the conservative vote or anything of the sort to explain how a nobody could come out of nowhere and win. And I don’t buy the garbage that McCain was too old; Reagan wasn’t a spring chicken either. Face it, Liberalism has successfully esconced itself in the seats of influence because Conservatives and those of Judeo-Christian values have let it happen and where Liberalism isn’t dominant, it is working to basically outlaw its rivals.
To change things, we need generational rebuilding that will take time and it may be time we don’t have. All this talk of civil war won’t happen; not in a country with nuclear weapons in play. Do you honestly think Russia/China/Al Queda et al will sit idly by and wait for the Conservative patriots to right the ship of state and emerge even MORE of a threat to their ambitions? HELLO!
The best we can hope for now is that the so-called angry Left base really isn’t pretending to hate the bill or blowing smoke when they say they’ll sit out the next elections. Basically, the best hope is a Liberal implosion and despite Michelle’s post yesterday to the contrary, I don’t really see that happening. They have too much discipline in their camp to give up at this point. They are people of principle; wretched, misguided principle, but they are willing to go down in flames to win–the GOP doesn’t have that kind of starch. In fact, WHERE IS THE GOP RIGHT NOW??
nuff said.
On another note…
What is it about DC that people engage in these backroom deals and so on? As I sit here now, I can’t imagine doing that. I don’t see the job of the congressman as “bringing home the bacon” so much as doing the right thing for the state and the nation. That might mean passing up some “offer” IMO.
This is the price of affluence, I guess. One way out will be when America is no longer worth something to the power players. Funny how Conservatism always blazes the path, endures the hardships, and creates the wealth, and THEN Liberalism shows up and tries to suck its host dry.
A lot of them are talking the talk and walking the walk, but the media is MIA (on purpose).
You guys are too funny!!!! FYI, I have cleaned the bathroom. And I have carefully washed my hands, ready to start on the eggs. So if you ever come to my house for deviled eggs, they are perfectly clean and free from drano and sani-flush!!
As for the slogan, I like it. We sure could use a little drano and sani-flush on the libtards. Let’s work on that.
I have long thought that in the age of so much technology, a great deal of DC work could easily be done via webcam, and keep elected officials in their local offices for the most part. This would make them much more accountable.
As far as liberalism sucking dry the host…I’m with ya on that 100%. It’s a diseased infestation as well.
Ship them some draino-laced deviled eggs. By the time they get there, they’ll smell like a fart.
http://hillbuzz.org/2009/12/19/you-must-go-to-your-senators-offices-starting-monday-and-scream-at-them/
That is a good way of putting it, and so true!! Just think, if the Pilgrim founders had the liberal mentality, would they have ever gotten on that ship and come all the way over here? Would they have had the guts to forge ahead and develop their communities? Would the west have ever been developed? Or the railroads built? The conservative capitalists have made this country the wealthiest on the planet. And now, I see these fools in Copenhagen with their signs, “Down with Capitalism”. How deluded can they get?? When we stop generating the wealth, they are the kind who will end up homeless or living in a sewer. Who is it that provides the money that government uses to subsidize housing or hand out food stamps, etc. When the money is gone, those people will not have a clue how to fend for themselves. Like the morons in New Orleans who didn’t even bother to bring diapers or food for their babies when they trotted over to the stadium. We have taken care of these people all these years, and now their little pot of gold is going to be greatly depleted. Good luck with that. Oh, and lock & load.
Unfortunately, they already smell like that in my fridge!
Took it for granted it would be waiting for them. Always had in the past, so why bother? Multi-generational welfare mentality. No accountability.
You got libs in your fridge?
Try a can of BugBomb.
The funny thing is that people say it couldn’t happen here. As if the Romans, French, Germans, English, Dutch etc., etc. were some different species of human than Americans. It’s that exact naivete that will enable it to actually happen here.
And don’t think that just because the majority of people oppose this healthcare that it translates into a conservative sweep. People will say “Well, I really didn’t want that healthcare bill, but it can’t be as bad as having a REPUBLICAN takeover!” because by and large our populace has been taught so many lies and negativity about conservatism, it is akin to the boogeman for most. It is the vague, unknown, ineffable “bad” that I can’t explain, I just know somebody taught me I don’t want it. It has become irrational.
Liberals will console themselves as they vote to keep Nancy in power that it is like Bush’s missteps with drug entitlements, “No child left behind” and his spending push; after all, conservatives by and large still supported him after those mistakes, so why can’t they support the Dems even if they pass a bill “progressives” hate?
The bill will take a while to “hurt” for most people, I bet, so you don’t even have the benefit of the average person feeling the pain that would cause them to consider voting for the other side.
The joke’s on Nelson because these shallow Dem double-crossers will just betray him. It’s really pretty sad how the only way the Dems could guarantee Nelson’s vote was to give something to Nebraska. Do Nebraskans really want that? I don’t think so.
Politics is just a game to Dems. It doesn’t matter if they embarrass their constituents or this country as long as they get their guaranteed paycheck for life and a few million people get healthcare that they’re NOT entitled to. No one wants to ask the deeper questions of these people.
The sooner the USA goes bankrupt the better. China and the world can no longer pay for our “whims” and the USA doesn’t have the money to bribe developing and undeveloped countries to combat global warming. I never thought the prospect of bankruptcy would be appealing until this year.
What a sad state of affairs we’re all in. Why have a child and bring them up in this when their education and future prospects are in peril by the shenanigans of these people? I find more and more that I have less and less in common with this country. I’m a hard-working person who just wants to be LEFT ALONE. How freakin’ hard is that to understand?
Here’s some advice to the Federal government: get the hell out of my life!!! Because of your mishandling of the military you’ve screwed up my healthcare (Tricare) and my employment. You don’t have a right to put my country or my life in peril too. Sorry, but I’m done. I pay my taxes but you don’t get to dictate my life.
Sorry, liberals, you think Repubs and conservatives are trying to interfere with people’s private lives then what the hell are you doin’? What’s your excuse? You’re just as fascistic and controlling as the other party.
And you know it. Everyone knows it.
“As if the Romans, French, Germans, English, Dutch etc., etc. were some different species of human than Americans. It’s that exact naivete that will enable it to actually happen here.”
Well Major the answer is we are different. So you solution is some elite group should be in power but the elite group should be conservative in its ideals so you are comfortable with it. The problem now is its liberals who are in charge of us stupid morons who are naive? We need someone older and wiser telling us what to do it just needs to be be conservatives doing so?
Otherwise its hopeless cause you are leaving the running of this country to us naive folks?
I think that’s the whole plan. Then Nelson can excuse himself from voting for it. Democrats eat their own if necessary. The end game for them is power and walkin’ around money.
Nelson got what Nelson wanted. Money for Nebraska. He doesn’t care where the money comes from. He saw the financial impact on Nebraska and offset it. He did exactly what one would expect him to do. Why any conservative put any kind of hope in Nelson is beyond me.
He did exactly want one would expect.
As did the representative from Louisana in the House.
did anyone ever really think this spineless demorat wouldn’t cave? There is not one, one mind you demorat in congress with a spine and backbone, not to mention love and loyalty to the country. It’s all for their party, party, party and here’s the CHANGE oh blue lips was talking about, MARXISM! I hope everyone of you liberal, Marxists that voted for this socialist pig feel the brunt of all these unconstitutional activities 1st and hardest. I do not see one demorat that is not a traitor to the country, notice I did not say their country.
May there be POX on everyone of you.
Well, it was good while it lasted.
I work(and probably soon to add the -ed to that word) in Health Care IT. I have several friends who are clinicians, nurses, administrators, techs, and even (dear God) lawyers.
Many docs are looking at this with the intent to “move on” when the bill passes. The ones that are encouraged by this bill are the ones that the lawyers like, if you catch my drift.
The nurses who are quality are looking at this and expecting to leave; either because the hospitals won’t be able to pay for their skills any more, or they know the lack of docs will mean their workload will jump massively. The nurses that like this bill are the ones you wouldn’t trust wiping your behind, let alone not screwing up a med administration.
We are looking at the beginning of the end. If you have something that you need done, get it done. If you are over 55, and are looking at a potential joint replacement, don’t wait any more. the Democrats are going to complete what John Edwards started with the OB/GYN community: They will drive out competent practitioners, leaving behind clinicians who lack the skills or drive to excel.
The only hope we have is to be able to recruit a whole bunch of excellent foreign docs who are skilled and cheap. That’s the VA model, but it hasn’t worked very well for them.
Hopefully, this will give the American people the courage and the drive to vote all of them out in 2010!
Major O,
I feel your pain. But you can get on my last nerve in a hurry singing the praises of inept presidential candidate John McCain. Yea, he was a war hero; I heard already. That was a long time ago. He’s had a lifetime of honor and respect for that heroism, which he deserved, but it did not qualify him to be president. He was a terrible candidate in an impossible year for a rudderless GOP. He is irascible, self-righteous, not very conservative — except fiscally — a suckup to the media, and a “Republican” who toyed with with joining the Kerry ticket as a the veep candidate. And, oh yea, the chief proponent of amnesty. As a senator he is a lot like Snow and Collins and Specter.
It is a tough day to be a conservative and yours is the second lengthy post on this tread that includes a lamentation about the ill fortune of that great Republican John McCain. It is a tough day to listen to such crap, although I am otherwise generally appreciative of your comments.
I wonder if “Major O” refers to career military service. I did not bit, 66-69, including an OCS commission, which I site merely to say that I did more than stand where they told me to stand (like Al Gore); I stood up, took responsibility, and made what contribution I could. I honor and support the military.
But I am frankly very concerned about the excessive, one-dimensional admiration for McCain by many military folks. You don’t earn the presidency of the United States in a POW camp, however heroic your service. John McCain, Lindsey Graham…these are the MSM’s favorite Republicans. Would he be a better president than Obama? It’d be a close call. Because the ~first~ thing that John McCain would have done would have been to push amnesty through. If and when that happens, it will permanently change the political demographics of the country to be more like the politics of Mexico and Latin America, to be more emotional, less respectful of the Anglo-European heritage and more Leftist. It will be irreversible. Obama’s capital may be spent now; he may not be able to pass amnesty. If HCR goes into effect, it will take a generation, but we might be able eventually to work our way out of it. If we turn ourselves into more of a Latin American than an Anglo or Euro American country, that brings with it a set of attitudes and political traditions that we could never hope to reverse.
Of all the things that I am upset about today, the fact that John McCain is not the president is not one of them. (BTW, I held my nose and voted for him.)