And The Rest Is Just Noise | The New Republic.
With all the toxic surrounding health care reform, here is a good take on the bill. Politicians, especially the opposition want to focus on the negative aspects of it because it can help them score points 2010, or so they hope.
As I have said all along, Americans have a bad view of health care reform because Republicans have had a louder microphone and did what they could to stall progress. It makes them look great.
Middle ground crumbles in health debate – – POLITICO.com.
Here’s a quote from the article that strikes me: “You’ve got to always remember that politics is a substitute for violence. … If I disagree with you, it becomes very easy to not like you.” – Dick Gephardt (D-MO), former House Majority Leader
Parties risk it all on health care reform – – POLITICO.com.
My take on it – it depends on who has a louder microphone. Republicans believe that the longer this drags on, they can highlight how unpopular it is and people will get fatigued about it. Also, they can highlight the ineffectivity of the Democratic congress to get work done.
A major development in the battle for health care reform: it passed – at least in the senate. As expected, the vote was along party lines.
Now, the Senators may rest for the holidays but the process will not. After passage by the Senate, it will need to be reconciled with the house version which has just a few but very significant differences such as what to do with abortion and care for illegal immigrants. A final final vote is expected by February although the Obama administration wants one before the State of the Union.
Just as we thought Burris used his entire Senate career making a laughing stock of himself, especially after the controversies of how he got the seat, how poetic could he get? Let’s watch and listen to his twist on the famous holiday poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
You can also read the text of his poem:
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate
The Right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.
The people had voted a mandated reform
But Republicans blew off the gathering storm.
We’ll clog up the Senate, they cried with a grin.
And in the midterm elections, we’ll get voted in.
They knew regular folks needed help right this second
But fundraisers and lobbyists and politics beckoned.
So try as they might, Democrats could not win
Because the majority was simply too thin.
Then across every state there rose such a clatter
The whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter.
All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor
Straight through the cloakroom and right out the door.
What in the world would be quite so raucous
But a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus.
The President, the Speaker, and, of course, Leader Reid
Had answered the call in our hour of need.
More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came
And they whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan, accountable options.
We said, yes, we can. No exclusions or changes for preexisting conditions.
The Democrats all came together to fight
For the American people that Christmas Eve night.
And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome
The roll call was closed, and it was time to go home.
Despite the obstructionist tactics of some
The filibuster had broken, the people had won.
And a good bill was ready for President Obama
Ready to sign and end health care drama.
Democrats explained as they drove out of sight
Better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.
And I say to all of my colleagues in this season, Merry Christmas and a happy, happy New Year.
Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama announced that he is switching his party affiliation from a Democrat to a Republican. He cites that he can’t be “with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy and drives us further and further into debt.” He blames the leadership in the house for his decision.
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In a late night marathon session, the Senate, or democrats more precisely voted to end debate on the health care debate. Exactly 60 Democrats voted in favour of cutting debate, including hold-outs Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT). Republicans as expected voted against the legislation and this included the last hope of Democrats to get a bi-partisan bill Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
What remains is a few more procedural votes with a final vote not expected until Christmas eve.
CNN political analyst David Gergen called this a “tragedy” for the nation where this will be the first social bill without bi-partisan support. This reflects the deepening divisions between the left and the right but Gergen added equal blame on both sides of the aisle.
To put it in perspective, the latest Gallup poll puts support for the bill at only 46% while 48% opposes it.
Lieberman (D-CT) finally votes “aye” and so as Sen Ben Nelson (D-NE). Sen Snowe (R-ME), the lone Republican who was courted by Democrats though votes “no,” in line with her earlier pronouncement.
Voting is in progress, Max Baucus has gone on board with the debate.
The Senate will be voting on health care soon. McConnell is now saying that Americans are opposed against it. Really?
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