Jane!

Time to get moving again. And again, And again.

Hello, Jane!

Shame, shame, shame on the House!

Good luck with your primaries.

That’s it.

Check out the cogent and thoughtful arguments used by the Republicans against SCHIP:

http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/7590.html

Way to go, guys! Piss off the middle class AND the businesses in America that can’t afford to operate here because for-profit health insurance costs so damned much and doesn’t provide diddly!

As one of the commenters said, the Republicans have pretty much become one long campaign commercial for the Democrats.

Jane, this sucks, but I’m not surprised.

EPU’d from last thread but on topic here:

Biodun @ 126

s-CHIP was designed for the children of the middle-class and the lower middle-class, and not for the children of low-income families, who would qualify for Medicaid.

Michele Bachmann (R-bush groupie) is now toast in MN.

As I said downstairs, when the critters who voted against the children start trying to justify their vote, tell ‘em, “I’m from the country and I know what manure smells like Congressman. So quit trying to spread it on me.”

Wish you all could see the craptastic letter I rec’d from Virginia Foxx (R-NC) after calling every day requesting she reconsider her SCHIP vote. But, at least she heard my voice, and the rest of the Repukes will hear our voices in ‘08.

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

From EPU land:

SCHIP is probably the most popular program on which to test override strength. This tells us there is virtually no chance Congress can override any other veto, which means the President and his party can stop anything they don’t want — and that is their plan.

Nothing worthwhile can get out of Congress as long as this Administration is in office. Nothing.

The dems’ task through 2008 is to prevent anything worse than what’s already locked in/happening from getting through either. This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

FROM TPM:

The Wealthiest Among Us

Rep. Hensarling (R-TX): SCHIP to go to “the wealthiest among us.”

This was spit-take material

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

Because the Republicans have decided to go down with the Titanic.

Diane @ 10

Wish you all could see the craptastic letter I rec’d from Virginia Foxx (R-NC) after calling every day requesting she reconsider her SCHIP vote. But, at least she heard my voice, and the rest of the Repukes will hear our voices in ‘08.

I’m glad your optimistic, but not I.
Remember Florida and Ohio?
Democracy is on life support…

gbear @ 8

Michele Bachmann (R-bush groupie) is now toast in MN.

Absolutely. That woman is evil. I’m sooooo glad she’s not my critter. I have Ellison.

huh, Bush just sent a letter to the House (saw on cspan 1)….

Another defeat. On to the next battle. Keeping George W. Bush, the Republicans, and the Democratic enablers from igniting WW III.

What do you do when a child cries?

Veto ‘em!

The “Party of Life” passes a “death sentence” on sick children.

The Republicans don’t support our children any better than they support our troops. Let’s tell on them.

This is disheartening. It’s not a surprise, but you have to cling to hope somewhere.

And what I’m hearing on FISA is even worse. Why can’t Dems just let FISA expire? Will it then revert back to the FISA law that was in effect before the big capitulation 6 months ago?

I just don’t get the Dems. If Bush threatens to veto it, let him veto. Then it’s his own fault if we go back to the old rules.

Someone enlighten me on this.

wigwam @ 20

The Republicans don’t support our children any better than they support our troops. Let’s tell on them.

That should be the campaign slogan of every progressive Dem in ‘08!

scarecrow @ 12:

This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

Ain’t that the truth. You’re absolutely right on this one. Just be the opposition party until November 2008. Then in January 2009, the Dems will be the administration and will control a veto-proof Congress.

Biodun @ 16

gbear @ 8

Michele Bachmann (R-bush groupie) is now toast in MN.

Absolutely. That woman is evil. I’m sooooo glad she’s not my critter. I have Ellison.

…and I have Betty(!)

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

It happens when there is no effective opposition. The Democrats don’t exact a price from the Republicans for their obstructionism. They don’t even call out the Republicans as the party more interested in failed wars than healthy children. They don’t pull earmarks or make life uncomfortable for the Republicans. It’s been said a thousand times but just think what the Republicans would do with this vote if they were still in charge. What are the Democrats doing?

*crickets*

Fuck, we need someone like LBJ running Congress

This just F*CKED my state BADLY.

We’re already in a budget crisis, and now the failure of the override means my state will have to find another 1.5 BILLION dollars over the next four years for healthcare.

The UAW-GM VEBA fund did something weird to the status of Medicare funding received by Michigan — which in concert with the failure of SCHIP — creates a shortfall of 1.5 billion over the next four years. We’re already forced to find 52.5 million in savings in healthcare, and now this.

F*ck you every gawddamned Republican who stood by your useless sack of dung in the White House.

If Hillary Clinton gets nominated and then becomes president, not much will change.

The disappointment, the anger, that sick feeling in your stomach that you’re feeling right now will lessen very little with Hill at the helm. If you don’t believe me, just think about her universal healthcare insurance plan. And that’s just one of the rubs.

We deserve a change…OBAMA ‘08

I say, “no go” on ANYTHING.
OK, so Bush has all the Rethugs in Congress in some sort of brain-lock – let him.
I say, don’t give him and Cheney ANYTHING.
Bring the business of government to a screeching halt.
No money for kids’ healthcare? No money for war. No money for your buddies at Blackwater et co. Nuthin’. Put the Federal bureaucracy on trickle charge until Jan., 2009.
You guys want a fight?
You got it.

We need a complete overhaul of the Dem (mis)leadership.

Mad Dogs @ 19

What do you do when a child cries?

Veto ‘em!

The “Party of Life” passes a “death sentence” on sick children.

From NYT op ed/letters pages:

SCHIP bill would have corrected abstinence only mess.

Letters.

Hi, Jane, hope you’re feeling well!

I am not at all surprised about the outcome of Schip. Realistically, I knew not enough Rethugs would dare to vote for it even though polls indicate that 70% of Americans wanted it.

Did I mention, I was touched by one of these programs myself after an emergency quadruple bypass? Seems once my disability was approved and I had some income, I had too much income to continue paying my medical expenses. Medicare doesn’t kick in for two years, but they said at one time a program that was parallel to Schip in this state would have allowed me to continue my health care coverage under the program with an insurance premium that my income could handle. I was told it would have been about $35/mo., but the legislature put a stop to that two years earlier.

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

Just imagine that weasel Bush fucking with
LBJ… The Dems have the majority, don’t we?

who are marshall’s challengers? I understand there are two.
Please provide links, so I can give them some money.

by the way, Marshall’s number is 202-225-6531.

Rayne @ 27

This just F*CKED my state BADLY.

We’re already in a budget crisis, and now the failure of the override means my state will have to find another 1.5 BILLION dollars over the next four years for healthcare.

The UAW-GM VEBA fund did something weird to the status of Medicare funding received by Michigan — which in concert with the failure of SCHIP — creates a shortfall of 1.5 billion over the next four years. We’re already forced to find 52.5 million in savings in healthcare, and now this.

F*ck you every gawddamned Republican who stood by your useless sack of dung in the White House.

I hope for the sake of your mental health, Knollenberg is not your congress critter.

Bay State Librul @ 34

Just imagine that weasel Bush fucking with
LBJ… The Dems have the majority, don’t we?

The ‘real’ numbers say not really!

Meanwhile, Pete Stark shows the other Dems how it’s done. Republicans rise up to display outrage over this (y’know, all the outrage they’ve failed to display over the right-wing attacks on Graeme Frost?):

What do you expect from a body that can’t declare a genocide a genocide, even when it happened 92 years ago?

Jane, as a question and not a complaint; but I don’t understand the strategy and cost/benefit of running or threatening to run $10k ads against extreme Bush-Dogs. If all of the “bad Dems had voted to over-turn, the result would have been the same. Those ads would be effective in a primary challenge, but it’s too early..what am I missing.

scarecrow @ 12

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

could you please add basket warrents and prospective telco immunity to the list of unacceptable changes to fisa?

Hugh @ 40

What do you expect from a body that can’t declare a genocide a genocide, even when it happened 92 years ago?

They backpedaled really fast on that one!

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

Agreed, I thought I was an optimist until
Bush commuted Libby, has openly defied and broken so many laws, and hasn’t been impeached.

We are a broken nation

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

You are blue now, but we are BLUE. and will return even more BLUE-ish*

Beatles, “Blue-ish, you don’t look Blue-ish” (Yellow Submarine, the movie)

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

Don’t bottle it up LHP!

We got plenty of shoulders here to cry on and more to move the grindstone.

Steve-AR @ 41

Jane, as a question and not a complaint; but I don’t understand the strategy and cost/benefit of running or threatening to run $10k ads against extreme Bush-Dogs. If all of the “bad Dems had voted to over-turn, the result would have been the same. Those ads would be effective in a primary challenge, but it’s too early..what am I missing.

It shows someone is watching and that there is a price to be paid now and later possibly in a primary challenge.

hello, a follower here over the past two years, and virtually clueless about leaving a comment..so I wing it. It should be noted that when the vote result was announced there was loud cheering from those Bushicans…that is sick.I remember Bush trying to kill it in Texas when Gov…the veto was overturned, and later on Bush took credit for the program (he was pushing tax breaks for Oil Companies at the time)..this Bill should go RIGHT BACK…SUPPORT H.R. 333

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

Republican congressmen (Democrats, too) are errand-boys for the plutocracy. They’re not motivated by fear for their re-election, but by fear for the prerogatives and money the Party ensures them, whether in or out of office. They’re not representatives of the public, or even independent-minded aristocrats with a sense of noblesse oblige; they’re fearful, grasping apparatchiks. The seeming “suicide” of supporting deeply unpopular policies is actually self-preservation within the prevailing order.

Phoenix Woman @ 38

Meanwhile, Pete Stark shows the other Dems how it’s done. Republicans rise up to display outrage over this (y’know, all the outrage they’ve failed to display over the right-wing attacks on Graeme Frost?):

Holly Smokes! That’s a no-holds-barred statement. He was pissed, had had enough, and didn’t hold back one bit.

Phoenix Woman @ 38

Meanwhile, Pete Stark shows the other Dems how it’s done. Republicans rise up to display outrage over this (y’know, all the outrage they’ve failed to display over the right-wing attacks on Graeme Frost?):

the rule is that we are not to critisize our betters. attacks against the young, weak or otherwise unimportant people is perfectly acceptable and indeed encouraged.

Here’s my $0.02 in my local paper today.

The sentiment goes for every congresscritter that voted against override. They all get taxpayer funded healthcare. Fucking slimy hypocrites.

FireDogLake,

My thanks for staying on top of the SCHIP battle and for providing the info on a daily basis. And on behalf of the Chicano Veterans Organization here in the Sonoran Desert, we thank you for all the hard work keeping us informed. Again, thanks!

Respectfully Submitted.

Jaango

scarecrow has it right in 12.

My take:

A few FDLers should be the “leaders” in Congress and leave some of us to be the “advocates.”…*g*

Bay State Librul @ 34

Just imagine that weasel Bush fucking with
LBJ… The Dems have the majority, don’t we?

IIRC because of LBJ’s power as majority leader, Senate rules were changed and the leader’s power was gutted. Harry doesn’t do much for me but I don’t think he has much in the way of ball busting power.

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

I feel the same.
How could anyone look into the faces of Graeme Frost and Bethany Wilkerson and vote against this?

-S

If you think about for a second, Bush is
a criminal… his pesser yesterday was a fucking embarassment… and yet even
fucking Dana Milbank wouldn’t agree with KO
that Bush is a madman?

Rayne @27
F*ck you every gawddamned Republican who stood by your useless sack of dung in the White House.

I hope the good will those repukes vitited on several states and those children who reside in them comes back to visit them a million fold.

Downstairs someone mentioned a General Strike. What choice are they giving us since we have to acknowledge that WE ARE NOT BEING HEARD. By ‘we’ I mean the vast majority of U.S. citizens. Not just the progressives. The American citizen has become irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what the corps want. How do we reach Congress. It seems to me we’ve done everything possible to let them know how we feel. The polls show that we’ve won over Americans but there are no legislative victories to prove it. So, what do we do? Is a general strike the only answer? I’d try anything at this point.

We have two choices in a little more than a year from now. The Republicans, or what passes for Democrats. And both political parties are quite comfortable with the predicament.

How is this for some late night snark material?

The list of speakers include:

> Ann Coulter, who recently made quite a splash with her unabashed Jew-hatred;
> Robert Spencer, who calls Islam, “the world’s most intolerant religion;”
> Rick Santorum, who compared homosexuality to incest and bestiality;
> And of course, David Horowitz whose long history of racism has included attacks on affirmative action and the statement that ‘guns don’t kill black people, other blacks do.’

Isn’t it amazing that the Repugnantcans want to control your body while it’s hosting a zygote or embryo – but apparently don’t care at ALL about said “baby” once it is outside a womb.

Isn’t it ironic that a zygote is a “baby” when it comes to talk of a woman’s choice to abort or not – but it’s not even MENTIONED when SCHIP would have provided medical care to it prebirth? Then it has no value – the medical care is for “an adult”.

Isn’t it interesting that the Repugnantcans will spout how they don’t want the government involved in medical decisions – but went to such HUGE lengths to stop a man from mercifully putting an end to extraordinary life-support measures for a severely brain-damaged spouse with no chance of recovery?

brendan @ 49

Republican congressmen (Democrats, too) are errand-boys for the plutocracy. They’re not motivated by fear for their re-election, but by fear for the prerogatives and money the Party ensures them, whether in or out of office. They’re not representatives of the public, or even independent-minded aristocrats with a sense of noblesse oblige; they’re fearful, grasping apparatchiks. The seeming “suicide” of supporting deeply unpopular policies is actually self-preservation within the prevailing order.

gonna book mark this as the best explanation of what we are seeing.

but i’m not gonna forget that we still have some power at around the edges… and we can grow from there.

Bay State Librul @ 57

If you think about for a second, Bush is
a criminal… his pesser yesterday was a fucking embarassment… and yet even
fucking Dana Milbank wouldn’t agree with KO
that Bush is a madman?

Yeah I had to laugh at Milbank when he said Bush was actually getting better since he was “puting adults like Gates and Mukasey in charge now.”

I refuse to be discouraged about this. It’s awful and disgusting but the Republicans are going to have to live with this through the next election. If they want to commit political suicide so be it. This can be used against them again and again. I have to think that Taylor(Ms) is safe but could we please go after Marshall. Turncoat !

scarecrow @ 12

From EPU land:

SCHIP is probably the most popular program on which to test override strength. This tells us there is virtually no chance Congress can override any other veto, which means the President and his party can stop anything they don’t want — and that is their plan.

Nothing worthwhile can get out of Congress as long as this Administration is in office. Nothing.

The dems’ task through 2008 is to prevent anything worse than what’s already locked in/happening from getting through either. This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

bwahahahahaaaaaaaaa (and not in a good way) – good luck with that. Hasn’t the Senate already rolled over and licked the nuts of the telecoms? All anyone in the GOP has to do is say “boo! Al-Qadea!” and the Dem leadership falls to their knees and cries like babies.

What they *need* to do is start hammering home the obstructionist practices of the GOP minority (I think Senator Whitehouse mentioned it during a break of today’s AG confirmation hearing).

They probably won’t do that, either.

Blah. I’m going to make a cocktail and go hang out with the rude pundit.

scarecrow @ 12

From EPU land:

SCHIP is probably the most popular program on which to test override strength. This tells us there is virtually no chance Congress can override any other veto, which means the President and his party can stop anything they don’t want — and that is their plan.

Nothing worthwhile can get out of Congress as long as this Administration is in office. Nothing.

The dems’ task through 2008 is to prevent anything worse than what’s already locked in/happening from getting through either. This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

Amen and Caw, Caw, Scarecrow! But I would like someone to present analysis and a plan to deal with the amendment that is being attached by the Rethugs. It is designed to embarrass Dems into voting for it, of course, and I’m relatively certain that some will be fall prey and do just that! They don’t seem to understand that all they are doing is turning their soft underbelly up and showing their weakness. This is not the way to win friends and influence people, and it should not be the way to gain votes!

Had a look at the Republicans on that roll call who voted to override the veto. Many will be in tough races this year – Bono, Dent, Renzi, Shays, Wilson, Young (AK), etc. This campaign put the pressure on.

Why buy ads now? Because in a few months when the campaigns start in earnest, people will remember this. Making sure they know this happened will make it easier to remind folks later what their representatives have been up to these last few years.

UPDATE: According to Think Progress, S-CHIP picked up eight new supporters in the House since the last vote.

solai @ 59:

WE ARE NOT BEING HEARD. By ‘we’ I mean the vast majority of U.S. citizens. Not just the progressives. The American citizen has become irrelevant.

I disagree with this. Most of us will become relevant in November 2008. I keep saying this again and again: No one has voted yet. Not one vote has been cast yet.

Hugh @ 47

Steve-AR @ 41

Jane, as a question and not a complaint; but I don’t understand the strategy and cost/benefit of running or threatening to run $10k ads against extreme Bush-Dogs. If all of the “bad Dems had voted to over-turn, the result would have been the same. Those ads would be effective in a primary challenge, but it’s too early..what am I missing.

It shows someone is watching and that there is a price to be paid now and later possibly in a primary challenge.

True, but “our” PAC has very limited funds and I think increasing Congressional Dems in ‘08 is the #1 priority. IMHO. BTW, the ads were very good and would be effective but not in South-East Mississippi.

dakine01 @ 63

Bay State Librul @ 57

If you think about for a second, Bush is
a criminal… his pesser yesterday was a fucking embarassment… and yet even
fucking Dana Milbank wouldn’t agree with KO
that Bush is a madman?

Yeah I had to laugh at Milbank when he said Bush was actually getting better since he was “puting adults like Gates and Mukasey in charge now.”

Yeah. I have two broken TV’s and working on the third…

gbear @ 8

Michele Bachmann (R-bush groupie) is now toast in MN.

I hope so. Though she’s probably toast anyway, as should Minnesota lose a CD in the next census (as is likely), hers is the favored candidate for the chopping block. (T-Paw will of course try to stop it, but he might not be able to.)

I just don’t get it. The Democrats are negotiating a FISA bill that is esentially capitulating to Bush without any concessions for Democrats (let alone Americans).

If the Democratic leadership had any scruples and cojones they would say: Fine, veto SCHIP and we will not pass FISA (expecially with immunity for law-breakers), finish defense authorization bill, or take up any more war funding untiul SCHIP, stem cell research, Habeas Corpus restoration, etc. Alternatively, they could attach SCHIP (Habeas and stem cells as well) to any war funding bill and make Bush veto that (so what if they are not germain, the Republicans never cared about that).

For the Democrats to continue willing to put up with attrocities such as SCHIP with the hopes that it will translate into 2008 victories in Congress and presidency is cynical and disingenuous (after all the Democrats can always snatch defeat from the jaws of victory). Carpe Diem Democrats – no time to wait to save our Country.

solai @ 59

So, what do we do? Is a general strike the only answer? I’d try anything at this point.

maybe… but it’s going to take a hell of a lot of organizing.

what percentage of your nearest 100 neighbors can you get to participate?

how many other people can you recruit to organize their nearest 100 neighbors?

Why should we be forced to pay for Healthcare for these fuckers when they can’t manage to fund healthcare for our children?

These are the facts. Either the Republicans will be in control in January 2009 or the DLC (you know, that little group who wholeheartedly supported the Iraq attack) will be.

We need to follow the Flame Thrower…

Mukasey is back on CSPAN 3 I think.

Biodun @ 43

Hugh @ 40

What do you expect from a body that can’t declare a genocide a genocide, even when it happened 92 years ago?

They backpedaled really fast on that one!

Here’s what really is mind-blowing:

Bush tells them that they’re pissing off Turkey, which we can’t afford to do because we need Turkey for an escape route for our troops should Bush bomb Iran (and thus cause Iran to shut down the Strait of Hormuz).

Then what does Bush do? He pisses off Turkey. (And China. And Iran.)

scarecrow @ 12

From EPU land:

SCHIP is probably the most popular program on which to test override strength. This tells us there is virtually no chance Congress can override any other veto, which means the President and his party can stop anything they don’t want — and that is their plan.

Nothing worthwhile can get out of Congress as long as this Administration is in office. Nothing.

The dems’ task through 2008 is to prevent anything worse than what’s already locked in/happening from getting through either. This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

Since they aren’t going to get anything done anyway, it’s time to start impeachment proceedings. What have they got to lose?

That perpetual “Refreshing Comments” sign means it’s time for a new thread.

Phoenix Woman @ 79

Biodun @ 43

They backpedaled really fast on that one!

Here’s what really is mind-blowing:

Bush tells them that they’re pissing off Turkey, which we can’t afford to do because we need Turkey for an escape route for our troops should Bush bomb Iran (and thus cause Iran to shut down the Strait of Hormuz).

Then what does Bush do? He pisses off Turkey. (And China. And Iran.)

That’s because he’s relevant, dammit!

Strategerie @ 56

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

I feel the same.
How could anyone look into the faces of Graeme Frost and Bethany Wilkerson and vote against this?

-S

The country I was told I lived in is gone. This is a sad commentary on the condition the United States finds itself in. The people have no voice in this government.

I know I know. I’m just depressed like some others. I simply do not understand how this simpleton Bush can have so much power. How helping children stay alive is somehow less desirable than killing children (Iraq). This makes no sense to me. I don’t know where I live anymore. I don’t understand. There simply is no way to justify this.

OK. I’ll STFU for awhile. Reading the comments here helps because I know I am not alone.

RevDeb @ 80

scarecrow @ 12

From EPU land:

SCHIP is probably the most popular program on which to test override strength. This tells us there is virtually no chance Congress can override any other veto, which means the President and his party can stop anything they don’t want — and that is their plan.

Nothing worthwhile can get out of Congress as long as this Administration is in office. Nothing.

The dems’ task through 2008 is to prevent anything worse than what’s already locked in/happening from getting through either. This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

Since they aren’t going to get anything done anyway, it’s time to start impeachment proceedings. What have they got to lose?

Ah, but the same ‘mainstream’ GOP-friendly media which backed impeaching Clinton over a dress won’t back impeaching Bush for murdering a million Iraqis. “Waste of time!” they’ll screech.

Roger Cohen has an idiotic op-ed up at the NYT:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10…..mp;ei=5087

which says basically that if the French work harder they can become as miserable as we are.

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

Karl Rove has something on these guys. Whatever they are hiding is obviously worse than authorizing the suffering of 10 million children.

Think the next step should be an aggressive advertising campaign in their districts demanding that they take themselves off their government run, tax payer funded healthcare for themselves and their children- NOW. And reminding them that their awesome socialized plan is paid for in part by the very parents whose children they deemed unworthy! What a bunch of dispicable bastards. It’s beyond sad what they have done to this county.

RevDeb @ 80

scarecrow @ 12

First priority: stop any further weakening of FISA. Let the current statute expire. Say No to immunity — hold eventual accountability over the Administration’s head through Bush’s term. It’s the only leverage they have left.

Since they aren’t going to get anything done anyway, it’s time to start impeachment proceedings. What have they got to lose?

I’ve been making this point for months, and it doesn’t seem to get any traction. In fact, I think it’s the only way to weaken the Bush Administration enough to make any progress possible.

albert fall @ 13

FROM TPM:

The Wealthiest Among Us

Rep. Hensarling (R-TX): SCHIP to go to “the wealthiest among us.”

This was spit-take material

This crap is being spewed on drive-time radio programs across the land. This morning GrandmaJ caught the jocks at one station, not known for being run by wingnuts, spewing this garbage.

selise @ 74

solai @ 59

So, what do we do? Is a general strike the only answer? I’d try anything at this point.

maybe… but it’s going to take a hell of a lot of organizing.

what percentage of your nearest 100 neighbors can you get to participate?

how many other people can you recruit to organize their nearest 100 neighbors?

I don’t know. But is a GS so damaging that no website will promote it? Because if that’s the case than it won’t work. But if FDL, DKos, TPM all started to promote a certain date, I think there’s a chance.

From the link in 79:

China is holding our financial health by the throat.

Ain’t that the truth. An enhanced world history is playing out on all fronts before our eyes: politically, economically, militarily, culturally, and religiously.

Phoenix Woman @ 84

RevDeb @ 80

Since they aren’t going to get anything done anyway, it’s time to start impeachment proceedings. What have they got to lose?

Ah, but the same ‘mainstream’ GOP-friendly media which backed impeaching Clinton over a dress won’t back impeaching Bush for murdering a million Iraqis. “Waste of time!” they’ll screech.

Let them screech! The Constitution is in peril. IF they can’t get that, we need to screech louder any way we can.

Biodun @ 23

scarecrow @ 12:

This will go against their grain, but the Dems need to stop trying to govern and become the meanest obstructionists they can be. Act like the party out of power trying to prevent a train wreck, because that is what/where they are.

Ain’t that the truth. You’re absolutely right on this one. Just be the opposition party until November 2008. Then in January 2009, the Dems will be the administration and will control a veto-proof Congress.

Absolutely. Stop the bleeding now and wait until we have competent surgeons in 09 to repair the damage. IN the meantime, we can immediately with start Impeachment hearings and put holds on everything else.

Hugh @ 25

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

It happens when there is no effective opposition. The Democrats don’t exact a price from the Republicans for their obstructionism. They don’t even call out the Republicans as the party more interested in failed wars than healthy children. They don’t pull earmarks or make life uncomfortable for the Republicans. It’s been said a thousand times but just think what the Republicans would do with this vote if they were still in charge. What are the Democrats doing?

*crickets*

Amen! We’re in complete agreement. However, you didn’t mention that the Rethugs are having some success in making the Dems pretty uncomfortable though. They, after all, are reaching their goal to let no efforts of the Dems succeed!

Phoenix Woman @ 88

albert fall @ 13

FROM TPM:

The Wealthiest Among Us

Rep. Hensarling (R-TX): SCHIP to go to “the wealthiest among us.”

This was spit-take material

This crap is being spewed on drive-time radio programs across the land. This morning GrandmaJ caught the jocks at one station, not known for being run by wingnuts, spewing this garbage.

I wish Republicans would stop engaging in class war against the rich.

solai @ 89

I don’t know. But is a GS so damaging that no website will promote it? Because if that’s the case than it won’t work. But if FDL, DKos, TPM all started to promote a certain date, I think there’s a chance.

there have been a bunch over the last few years…. none have yet made a difference. my point is that i don’t think all the progressive blogs have – on their own – the reach to pull something like that off so that a real economic affect is seen.

imo, it’s going to take each of us to be organizing in out own communities.

RevDeb @ 91

Phoenix Woman @ 84

Ah, but the same ‘mainstream’ GOP-friendly media which backed impeaching Clinton over a dress won’t back impeaching Bush for murdering a million Iraqis. “Waste of time!” they’ll screech.

Let them screech! The Constitution is in peril. IF they can’t get that, we need to screech louder any way we can.

They are all complicit. And much of TradMed would agree with the authoritarians if pushed on the subject because they think they would be exempted for being part of the Kewl Kidz Club.

selise:

I’m not trying to be a sneering naysayer. I’m personally trying to figure out and describe the system of government we’re living under. Every seeming “betrayal” or “capitulation” or seeming parliamentary fiasco reveals it more.

One thing I’m convinced of: this notion of expecting “leadership” in Congress is a quaint narrative dinned into our heads since childhood. What we have to create is followers in Congress, of us, our “apparatchiks”. You do it by creating a party, which is what this site is trying to do. And a party is a constellation of interest groups using their economic power to exert political power. I wish I had more money to give; I don’t. I wish we had more; we don’t. Until we do, we’re all just “swirling around the toilet bowl”, as a commenter said on an earlier thread.

good luck with your primary

heh.

“sorry about the wrecking ball above your sugar castle”

Phoenix Woman @ 88

albert fall @ 13

FROM TPM:

The Wealthiest Among Us

Rep. Hensarling (R-TX): SCHIP to go to “the wealthiest among us.”

This was spit-take material

This crap is being spewed on drive-time radio programs across the land. This morning GrandmaJ caught the jocks at one station, not known for being run by wingnuts, spewing this garbage.

Sounds like those misinformed people are Rushbots or Sean Insanity listeners.

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

You have got to stay with us LHP. You have amazing insight and command of the issues. DO not let this get you down! Have it give more steam, more righteous anger to change things for the better. Fight. This is not a knock out…

OK folks. The French are putting us all to shame as we speak. Their government will not do what is in the best interest of the people, and what is their response? It’s not to sit around the campfire and cry on each other’s shoulders I can tell you. Hell no. Their response is to SHUT THE COUNTRY DOWN. And that should be our rallying cry as well. Congress won’t act to override a veto that is socially destructive to us all? OK, then WE ARE ON STRIKE. The only thing that is going to get the attention of the self serving government we are saddled with at this point is to make it painful enough that they can’t ignore us.

We need to get vital services shut down in this country until Congress recognizes and responds to our demands. Enough is enough! Political leadership has failed us. It’s time for a grass roots movement, with people empowering themselves.

SHUT THIS COUNTRY DOWN UNTIL CONGRESS RECOGNIZES OUR DEMANDS. Cripple commerce. Everyone will need to sacrifice what they can, do without what you can. No one can force you to work. Make a sign, make a button, say you are mad and you are not going to take it any more. Tell everyone you know, post it everywhere you can.

Or, are we just too fat and comfortable to make the effort any more? If we just whine about this, we will deserve what we get.

Rayne @ 27

This just F*CKED my state BADLY.

We’re already in a budget crisis, and now the failure of the override means my state will have to find another 1.5 BILLION dollars over the next four years for healthcare.

The UAW-GM VEBA fund did something weird to the status of Medicare funding received by Michigan — which in concert with the failure of SCHIP — creates a shortfall of 1.5 billion over the next four years. We’re already forced to find 52.5 million in savings in healthcare, and now this.

F*ck you every gawddamned Republican who stood by your useless sack of dung in the White House.

What Rayne said!

Imavehmontah:

Sorry, I need to put food on my family, not to mention keep myself “fat and comfortable.”

Maybe it’s an unfounded assumption, but I don’t think those French strikers can be fired for striking.

I think you’re terrific, Jane!!…and I read your blog daily..keep up the good work.

In all seriousness … Democrats knew up in front they did not have support to over ride Bush’s veto…so let’s face the facts this was all about politics…nothing else. Basically, this was just an orchestrated effort by the Democrats to show the public once again they are the party that “cares deeply for the American people” as opposed to the “don’t give a damn” Republicans.. You even mentioned in your article that:

“As important as passage of this bill was, our campaign to put pressure on Democrats was really about something else — about letting them know that there are certain things it means to be a Democrat, and supporting healthcare for kids is one of them.”

Just curious, I wonder how you feel about the “we care about the American People” Democrats now that the spineless Senator Rockefellow (D) and his Democrat cronies caved to Bush and the Fascist Republican Party regarding immunity for telecoms who routinely, and illegally eavesdropped on the American People…

Phoenix Woman, that station has been very politically free for years, and two weeks ago this SCHIP stuff started cropping up. It is ugly.

As for why the dems are folding … MONEY. Of course. business money is now flowing into dem hands and they do not want to stop it. They believe, with some justification, that this is the very money that will get them Congress and the presidency. But that money comes with strings, and if the SCHIP program and the the bad FISA fix have to be the cost, the D.C. dems are saying that is O.K.

Everybody knows the dems are going to be in power, the the powerbrokers are lining up to sway the dems to their corporate sides. end of confusion as to why they do what they are doing. IMO of course.

Imavehmontah @ 101

OK folks. The French are putting us all to shame as we speak. Their government will not do what is in the best interest of the people, and what is their response? It’s not to sit around the campfire and cry on each other’s shoulders I can tell you. Hell no. Their response is to SHUT THE COUNTRY DOWN. And that should be our rallying cry as well. Congress won’t act to override a veto that is socially destructive to us all? OK, then WE ARE ON STRIKE. The only thing that is going to get the attention of the self serving government we are saddled with at this point is to make it painful enough that they can’t ignore us.

We need to get vital services shut down in this country until Congress recognizes and responds to our demands. Enough is enough! Political leadership has failed us. It’s time for a grass roots movement, with people empowering themselves.

SHUT THIS COUNTRY DOWN UNTIL CONGRESS RECOGNIZES OUR DEMANDS. Cripple commerce. Everyone will need to sacrifice what they can, do without what you can. No one can force you to work. Make a sign, make a button, say you are mad and you are not going to take it any more. Tell everyone you know, post it everywhere you can.

Or, are we just too fat and comfortable to make the effort any more? If we just whine about this, we will deserve what we get.

In France the government is affraid of the people and in the U.S. the people are affraid of the government. The French also have the “safety valve” of the internet yet still believe that the “streets” belong to the citizens. Americans have nothing more than the internet to express their outrage. They are too affraid or lazy to hit the streets.

brendan @ 103

Imavehmontah:

Sorry, I need to put food on my family, not to mention keep myself “fat and comfortable.”

Maybe it’s an unfounded assumption, but I don’t think those French strikers can be fired for striking.

No they can’t–yet. They can’t be fired, and they can’t be hired because…they can’t be fired. But Sarkozy is working to change all that. You know, globalization and all.

Doormats are more useful than the congressional Dems currently are … let’s elect some real doormats to congress next year, and see what happens. Just make sure they’re our doormats, and not those of the DLC, the DCCC, or the DSCC!

Lets not kid ourselves – the BushDogs flipped at the last minute because they knew they’d be covered.

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 99

Phoenix Woman @ 88

This crap is being spewed on drive-time radio programs across the land. This morning GrandmaJ caught the jocks at one station, not known for being run by wingnuts, spewing this garbage.

Sounds like those misinformed people are Rushbots or Sean Insanity listeners.

It’s gotta be Official GOP Talking Points, straight from the Thursday Group meetings – it’s being parroted by all the Thugs from top to bottom.

The Pugs need the money in order to help continue to blow up troops at the same rate.

Late to the party…I’m sure you guys all know by now that the calls worked and Dodd is going to stop the FISA bill:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/18/142714/95

Organize and strike, organize and strike.

Forget impeachment to “make progress.” How about just STOPPING these mf’rs from destroying our country and the rest of the wolrd while they’re at it? STOP THEM.

Like that “staple their nuts” line. But am surprised by FDL’s objection to other violent language.

although I would agree “staple” please

LS @ 112

Late to the party…I’m sure you guys all know by now that the calls worked and Dodd is going to stop the FISA bill:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/18/142714/95

oh shit Alvin. Halleljah. Dodd is making his move.

So Bush has a higher percentage of support in the House than in the public. No big surprise there- it takes LEADERS to be up front.

I dunno if others have pointed it out in the past, but it seems very profound that the basic stance of Republicans is that Child Heathcare funding requires meticulous oversight and military contractors need none.

Looks like someone stole our entire house while congress was guarding the sandbox – way ta go!

albert fall @ 13

FROM TPM:

The Wealthiest Among Us

Rep. Hensarling (R-TX): SCHIP to go to “the wealthiest among us.”

This was spit-take material

This is just astounding. I mean, I used to be a litigator. I understand about saying things in public that are a bit of a stretch. But to flat-out lie like this, with a straight face? This guy needs to be taken down.

looseheadprop @ 33

I am just …..

I probably shouldn’t be on threads today, I’m just too blue about this and don’t want to discourage anyone else.

I hear you.

We talk about this as a marathon and not a sprint. I actually think the better sports analogy is to the 3000 meter steeplechase, and we just tripped over the first barrier. Ain’t much fun being on the ground watching the other guys’ feet go away. We have to pick ourselves up and get moving.

I have been calling for general strikes for months.

And I also think that it will take a real shock for anything to change.

But we need to grab the opportunity and and not let the right take more from the people as they have been with every shock.

We need to struggle and to fight, but we are essentially pissing into the wind with the way it’s set up in the belt way and with their media whores.

DefendOurConstitution @ 73

I just don’t get it. The Democrats are negotiating a FISA bill that is esentially capitulating to Bush without any concessions for Democrats (let alone Americans).

If the Democratic leadership had any scruples and cojones they would say: Fine, veto SCHIP and we will not pass FISA (expecially with immunity for law-breakers), finish defense authorization bill, or take up any more war funding untiul SCHIP, stem cell research, Habeas Corpus restoration, etc. Alternatively, they could attach SCHIP (Habeas and stem cells as well) to any war funding bill and make Bush veto that (so what if they are not germain, the Republicans never cared about that).

For the Democrats to continue willing to put up with attrocities such as SCHIP with the hopes that it will translate into 2008 victories in Congress and presidency is cynical and disingenuous (after all the Democrats can always snatch defeat from the jaws of victory). Carpe Diem Democrats – no time to wait to save our Country.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Reid and Pelosi had enough gumption to simply say to Bush, “You don’t want to deal with us? Fine. We’re going home. This session of Congress is over. See you in January.”

brendan @ 103

Imavehmontah:

Sorry, I need to put food on my family, not to mention keep myself “fat and comfortable.”

Maybe it’s an unfounded assumption, but I don’t think those French strikers can be fired for striking.

Everyone understands your concerns. Suicide is not the answer. I don’t have a manual for how to make this work, just some common sense and a burning conviction that we cannot wait any longer.

Here is what I would propose:

1. If your work is not essential to the survival of vulnerable people in your community (including your family), call in sick.

2. Make a commitment to recruiting 5 other families in your community to participate.

3. Notify your political representatives of your intention to go on strike because of the failure of politics as usual.

4. Put of any unnecessary purchases for the time being.

5. Travel as little as possible.

If anyone else has concrete suggestions, please add them. Maybe we can put together a manual for how to do this. At the least, I know it won’t work without as many of us a possible prepared to bleed a little (but certainly no one should suffer excessively). None of us can judge what that means to our neighbor, and we must be prepared to help each other out to get through this.

The Internet is a double edged sword here. It allows the communication that might make this work. We can’t allow it to just be a safety valve where we all come to blow off steam…..

The vote on S-CHIP proves that like the leopard, the Republican Party’s spots have never changed since Herbert Hoover ordered Gen. MacArthur to attack the bonus marchers in 1932. This vote truly defines the Rethuglican Party for the selfish, elitist, war mongering party it truly is.

All of this just makes me wonder:

Why the FUCK is Hilary polling so high? Nobody I know seems to like her.

As Dr. Phil would say, “Wake up people!! It’s not about the children, it’s about government control!!”. Dependence on government means I control you, it has to stop.
Advance search author Little General.

Thank You,
Little General
Mike Ross

how do you start a petition to make federal empoyees pay for their own healthcare, starting with the bushleague bunch? Lou Dobbs just had a story on China trying to buy Bear Stearns. thanks to the republicans we are so far in debt, communism won. But at least comunism takes care of children. Just when i think repblicans can’t go any lower, they exceed expectations.

Bay State Librul @ 11

How does this happen with Bush at 24%

24% of public support Bush, but
a very large percent of the Money supports him AND his agenda.

Most folks support the existing SCHIP program.

Most folks do not support expanding the SCHIP program.

“As you may know, the Democrats want to allow a family of four earning about $62,000 to qualify for the program. President Bush wants most of the increases to go to families earning less than $41,000. Whose side do you favor?”

When put in those terms, 52% agreed with Bush: 40% with the Democrats.

It seems that not only do we need to constrain corporations by changing the court ruling that conceives of them as persons, but we also need to ensure the right to strike, to prevent a company from firing someone for striking.

Of course, there’s also the plastic bag issue. Has anyone heard of progress on how we can bag groceries without choking to death on the plastic bags?