It’s been a couple of weeks since President Obama agreed to enforce U.S. trade laws in a case involving tire imports from China—and you’d think by the reaction in some anti-worker quarters he was creating the equivalent of death panels.

In 2008 alone, China’s tire makers sold more than 46 million low-cost tires to this country for stores like Wal-Mart. More than 5,100 domestic consumer tire production jobs were lost between 2004 and 2008 by the flood of Chinese tire imports that undersold producers in the United States. Domestic tire companies have announced they will close more plants and eliminate another 3,000 jobs by the end of this year. (Check out a fact sheet on the tire decision here.)

In July, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) ruled in favor of a United Steelworkers’ (USW‘s) petition filed under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974 as amended. The USITC found that tariff relief was needed to urgently reduce those tire imports. The USW, which represents most U.S. tire workers, demanded the Obama administration act forcefully to counter this import surge. And on Sept. 11, the Obama administration agreed to provide tariff relief by increasing the duty on tires from China for three years.

Either Conrad is lying or his is truly ignorant of how arguably the best health care system in the world is managed. I do not know which of these two possibilities is more frightening.

Mike Honda already signed a letter saying he wouldn’t vote for a bill that doesn’t have a public option.  There were 2,173 donors who gave $5,144 to thank him for doing so.  I’m assuming he cashed the check.

What part of “we simply cannot vote for such a proposal” did he not understand when he signed his name?

Mike Honda’s office:  (202) 225-2631, (408) 558-8085

Guess that “Country Music Nation” has changed their policy about criticizing commanders-in-chief overseas. Good to know!

Sen. Bill Nelson proposed an amendment which would fill the Medicare part D dough nut hole. He would pay for the change by making the pharmaceutical industry pay a rebate for the overcharging of dual eligible Medicare/Medicaid seniors. The amendment would fully cover the cost of filling the donut hole and provide an additional $50 billion in government savings. The amendment would violate the secret deal reach between PhRMA, The White House, and Chairman Baucus.

Democratic senators Baucus, Menendez, and Carper voted against the amendment. All Republican senators also voted against the amendment.

Democratic senators Nelson, Rockefeller, Conrad, Lincoln, Bingaman, Schumer, Wyden, Kerry, Stabenow, and Cantwell voted in support of the amendment. The amendment failed 10 to 13.

The Los Angeles Times has good piece addressing one of the most underreported problems with the Baucus plan for health care “reform.” The Baucus bill lacks sufficient mechanisms to slow the out of control increase in insurance premiums.

Glenn Beck conducts a science project, using real Republicans.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has named former Democratic Party head and longtime Kennedy family friend Paul G. Kirk Jr to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy in the United States Senate.

This is an interim appointment until the post is filled by a special election in January. Kirk reportedly will not run for the permanent seat.

Jim Cooper takes us to task for saying he “opposes” a public option. “Weasel-worded, dissembling obstructionist” is probably a more accurate description.

Senator Rockefeller pointed out that there was a gigantic loophole in the Baucus bill that would leave half of Americans subject to potential discrimination by private insurers. Apparently due to existing federal law, large companies can call themselves “self-insurers” even though they provide coverage through a major insurance company.