Dems Agree to Drop Government-Run Insurance Option

This, of course, is a lie; the CBO has said that the bill in both houses will be deficit neutral and will bend the spending curve. The president has said he will sign no bill that will increase the deficit.

This is nothing more than ignorant scare tactics.

 

There is no bill anymore, good ol' Joe has proven stronger than the entire Dem party combined. He has effectively forced the Dems to negotiate down the bill that it has become entirely meaningless if passed. Apparently other Dem senators are alienated by the concessions made to Lieberman that they are threatening to vote again it on principle alone. Dean called for the Dems to just "kill the bill" today in the Senate and try to start all over, or just forget it altogether.

In the end, the Dems will be able to pass through "something" (which is D.C. lingo for nothing) just to save face and claim a hollow victory. You would be fooling yourself if you still think there is a real interest in health care reform now with this bill, as opposed to trying to score political points and making it seem like a year-long effort was worth the time and political capital invested.

Health care reform is dead, it may be another seven presidents before anyone tries again. It may take nothing less than another Great Depression and mass unemployment (20% or more) before our lawmakers have any real interest in providing everyone with health care.

 

They won't. The Dems may retain their majority, but it will be a much more balanced split in Congress than an outright majority like it is now. There is no question in my mind the Dems will lose Congressional seats, and it will be well deserved. They are a weak party, and they are proving it every chance they get, in spite of a super majority and total control of gov't. The GOP may be a minority, but they are proving that they are far more united than the Dems, not to mention they have a far more zealous voting base that is more dependable than any traditional democratic constituency. You can always count on the angrier voting base, it was to Obama's benefit in the last elections because of the well-documented Bush effect, but it looks like the pendulum is swinging back quickly the other way. Not to mention most independents lean right of center anyways.

Analysts are saying 2010 may prove to be the "anti-incumbent" year, which if true is still going to be detrimental to the Dems' chances of remaining in power.

 

Why didn't they risk filibuster? Too much has been paid to Rahm Emmanuel's "pass it at all costs" mantra. By letting that known you've pretty much signaled to getting exploited on deals.

 

Mark owes clutch money.

 

Joe Lieb went rogue and hope and change went up in smoke.

Good times....

 

How some people can gloat about the senate's failure to do something that is desperately needed by all Americans is beyond my comprehension.

rhad I will pay the tipjar

 

I'm not happy either. And the joy in some folks is bewildering (although, I also don't want the current POS passing).

But...I'm not surprised. This is the democrat M.O.

Republicans (generically) have terrible ideas and bad policy. But they enact them.

Democrats have (generically) less terrible ideas and well-intentioned policy. But they can't get **** done.

 

We thought the original bill was a POS.

 

the american people voted in the party running on healthcare reform

 

This from the guy who supports a party that has spent this entire year doing nothing but trying to stop Democrats from accomplishing anything (and offering no real alternatives of their own) just for political points.

 

Yes Joe Lieberman does appear to be that.

 

There are already terrorists in prisons on American soil, and they are doing fine. They aren't given privileges at all. They are kept in accordance with our constitution, and the American Justice system. Sorry if that's not good enough for you.

The recent polls have definitely shown that Democrats have taken a down turn in popularity, but they show that they are still above Republicans most of the time.

Ironically it's the Democrats who've been most aggressive in favor of stronger health care reform that have done better in the polls.

Back on topic of the bill.

It is most disappointing, and Lieberman is a liar. He should be made to feel that he's getting what he wants and there are no hard feelings. Then, unbeknownst to Lieberman, there will be a behind the back agreement with the other senators that once it comes on the floor for debate, and the house and senate get together to reconcile their bills, all the stuff Lieberman wanted out would be put back in, and then it will only need 51 votes to pass. At that time Lieberman should be stripped of his committee positions, and kicked out of the Democratic caucus.

 

I didn't say that's what would happen, but that's what should happen.

I am somewhat optimistic that many of the things Lieberman cried his way out of will be back in once the bill is reconciled between the two houses, then it will take only 51 votes for it to pass, and Lieberman becomes irrelevant.

As is, the bill still insures 30 million more people and drops the costs for most other Americans. That much is good and is far better than the little to nothing the Republicans have put forward.

 

Lieberman sucks but I love how he's keeping this crap from passing.