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As of 11:07 p.m. ET, we have a health care reform bill. Although five minutes remained on the clock, the votes were all in with 220 Yeas, 215 Nays.
Of the Nay votes, 39 were Democrats.
There was a lone Republican Yea from Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana. Good for him.
There has been clapping and cheering on the floor of the House, as if they did something really great today. I wish I could feel the same way, really.
But for me, the Stupak Amendment was like the vote for cloture on Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court and the vote for cloture on the Military Commissions Act. The failure to vote in line with Democratic values for cloture told us all we needed to know.
We can’t trust the right thing will be done in conference committee, based on what we’ve seen in the past.
Anybody else feeling as used and discarded right now as I do?
UPDATE: There’s a few folks who don’t understand why some of us are upset about the way things went down today. Our Scarecrow explains it well, in comments:
It’s like winning a huge battle, but half of your friends were killed or wounded.
36 million more people will be insured or become eligible for Medicaid
There will be a trillion dollars raised to help subsidize this.
There will be multiple measures to help control the costs of Medicare
We will stop subsidizing private insurers in Medicare Advantage
Closes the donut hole
Allows Medicare negotiation for drugs
Includes the seeds of a public option
Prohibits denials based on prior conditions; ends rescissions except for fraud
funds more education for doctors/nurses
Begins dozens of health prevention programs, pilots, surveys
Creates entities to evaluate and recommend better treatment, cost saving
And on and on.It’s a massive achievement, but women, mostly poor, paid a price.
Yeah. What Scarecrow said.
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‘healthcare’ over the bodies of all poor women in america…
To the Dims and the Prez: Sleep well tonight…
Bi-partisan goodness!
Fuck you, Olympia Snowe, we don’t need your vote anymore.
i’m feeling used and abused and dazed and confused like i’m stuck in some pre-roe 1970 time warp
EPU’d from thread below:
Really, you don’t know how fearful I am. It’s like damn near 30 years of progress just went instantly backwards; and I remember what it was like at that time.
It was Gay Bosnia/Hercegovina. Bashing was rampant. It was like “How dare you be out, homo? Crawl back in your hole.”
For Women to take this hit to almost back to Roe, is just not acceptable to me. Our fates are interwoven.
“…as if they did something really great today.”
It is really too bad that you see no benefit in getting rid of pre-existing conditions, bankruptcy, etc.
The negativity on this blog is breath-taking.
Wake up: Something good DID happen tonight.
Welcome back to 1960.
Taking away women’s rights hurts all of us. It hurts the whole society.
nothing like a threat to take away members’ vacation time to force a vote, huh?
I’m totally convinced Stupak won’t be in what comes out of conference. Not worried about that. Concerned about how the bill gets (further) eviscerated in a bad way in conference.
WTF unanimous Yea… everybody loves a winner…
Frank Krotovil sucks.
This is the price of healthcare?The well being of women? Fuck that!
Well said! Not sure why anyone cared about her vote in the first place.
Yes. It can be a very negative place. Got a fuckin’ problem with that?
All women became Catholic in this bill. Get used to it. The bishops ran the vote. Pelosi governed like a terrified Catholic, ordered into place by her clergy. I cannot believe that she had to make this deal. Obama has never prioritized choice issues, so no surprise there.
Over my dead body? How sadly true.
Were I a woman, I could feel used and discarded. Alas, I am not so unfortunate.
To all women everywhere, let me apologize for what took place tonight.
As a Democrat, I wish I still had that heavy bag hanging in my garage.
The Stupak amendment hit me like a blow to the stomach. It’s always a shock when my personhood is denied in public — esp when it’s denied by people who have control over my life, like Congress.
However.
Now that the final vote has come in, I’m thinking differently.
I’m thinking Nancy Pelosi is very smart. The Stupak amendment was the cookie she had to offer to get enough votes to pass the bill. And now she’ll take the cookie away in conference.
Right now, I’m thinking: Hurray Nancy Pelosi.
And, as I’ve said elsewhere, Marcy Kaptur is **** to me.
The Stupak Amendment was/is an abomination. But I’m guessing that that was the price Nancy had to pay to get to 218.
Haven’t fully puzzled my way through what this will do to the reconciliation process, or the effect that it might have on Lieberman, Nelson, Landreau – and now – gawd knows who else.
That’s good. Maybe nobody will die or lose their homes in the next 4 years, either.
I’m not a woman and I’m insulted by that.
It’s like winning a huge battle, but half of your friends were killed or wounded.
36 million more people will be insured or become eligible for Medicaid
There will be a trillion dollars raised to help subsidize this over 10 years.
There will be multiple measures to help control the costs of Medicare
We will stop subsidizing private insurers in Medicare Advantage
Closes the donut hole
Allows Medicare negotation for drugs
Includes the seeds of a public option; lets it expand later, maybe
Prohibits denials based on prior conditions; ends rescissions except for fraud; improves loss ratios
Provides coverage for preconditions in the interim through government program (a hidden public plan)
Provides long-term care coverage (another hidden public plan)
Billions in funds more for education for doctors/nurses
Creates and funds more rural clinics
Begins dozens of health prevention programs, pilots, surveys
Creates entities to evaluate and recommend better treatment, cost saving
And on and on. — more good things, and some bad things
It’s a massive achievement, but women, mostly poor, paid an unconcionable price.
Love ya Teddy, but I give one good goddamn about Olympia, and her relative usefulness.
I am just flipped about what has just happened in the House, which was supposed to be the bastion.
I have to process for a bit, before I just post wildly stoopid shit I guess.
Hug me! LOL!
don’t ya love it when someone you’ve never heard of stops by to lecture us?
Well, just to add a note that’s not negative, but Gosh, Henry Waxman sure has Large Ears. Is it true what they say about men with humongous ears?
Sorry, I couldn’t help it.
I understand everything you’re saying and, yet, I do feel hopeful. To be honest, I don’t think we pro-choicers were betrayed tonight, I think the anti-choice gang was betrayed. They were thrown a bone. A meaningless, piece of garbage that will be forgotten. If they’re expecting action to come out of tonight’s vote, they will be sadly disappointed. So, while I understand and agree with everything you’re saying (and would love to see the 64 dinos thrown out) I think the ultimate deception and betrayal was aimed at the conservative base. If I were a member of that group I’d be thinking ‘they think I’m stupid’.
Negativity? The activism here is infinitely positive. I’m sure that Republicans can tell you all about righteous anger having a place, my friend (though the anger that they call righteous is anything but).
Feel free to look at a glass that’s half empty and choose to see it as half full – rather than ask why the glass isn’t nearly as full as it should be – all you like.
Yes, something good happened, at the cost of something really really bad. Maybe it doesn’t matter to you that the House bill takes rights away from women. It does to me.
Yeah, one drop of good in a bucket of shit.
(Hi, beth: a little slow tonight over at the usual location.)
Cao needs to stay a GOP at least until Obama signs the fucking bill.
You picked the wrong evening.
Yeah, Kelly, if our civil rights can be trashed — and we’re 51% of the population — it’s a tough slog for other minority groups.
Don’t read this incorrectly, am not optimistic. But I know we have some untraveled terrain which I believe will make a difference.
Like the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, submitted and sponsored by Teddy Kennedy.
Being a woman, being gay = genetic attributes, right?
We need to begin lawsuits to demand our rights under this law.
The passage of this bill was a signal accomplishment. Pelosi deserves a hell of a lot credit.
seriously. Jane & people at this place made enormous efforts to (I think, anyway) keep alive any semblance of a public option. that’s pretty positive if you ask me. we don’t really need some putz coming here and telling us about our negativity.
My only question is, who will be the Bart Stupak in the Senate who is waiting to offer a similar amendment there?
I have serious doubts that this will be stripped out in conference. Very, very serious doubts.
LOL. i couldn’t tell you about the big ear thing. ask Obama next time he’s in your neighborhood.
rAmen!
[madly looking for pasta to cook, and thereby praise the FSM...anybody got any garlic to throw in my marinara?]
The back alley abortionists lobby got to the Dems. Many women will suffer from this
Happy days are here again.
If they don’t we primary every damned one of them next year. And every time after that, until we win.
Oh, it’s okay to have a rebel voice even tonight, isn’t it?
Get used to it.
I don’t think so.
but thanks for stopping by.
That door you came in through also lets you out.
Is there a coat hanger lobby?
I don’t like the price. Even if the Stupak Amendment dies in conference I still don’t like the price Dems were willing to pay.
[I have a jar of garlic in oil in the fridge. How much do you need?]
A couple questions:
1. Since a lot of people don’t believe in abortion for religious reasons, why should their tax payer money go to something they don’t believe in? If a woman feels like she needs to get an abortion, that’s fine, but not on my dime.
2. Why should somebody have to pay a fine and or go to prison if they choose not to buy a service? That’s what health insurance is is a service.
Yeah, faith in conference has been our disappointment before.
Well, the House passed Public Option and that certainly was NOT in the plan in February. Due in no small part, I will say, to the efforts of this community.
But the price was very high. We will watch, and be active, to ensure this odious amendment is stripped out.
If Stupak doesn’t get stripped then it should be ruled unconstitutional. If it doesn’t I would suggest Progressives should form their own fucking insurance cooperatives outside of the Nazi Stupak insurance companies and “Public Option” pool.
I hate to be all negative an’ shit but I agree with you.
Your doubts are in total order. It ain’t coming out.
I have no basis in fact, but by experience and gut, this is FISA with retroactive immunity redux.
They’ll be lining up to offer it in the Senate. There is a far higher percentage of anti-choice democrats there than in the House. I agree, Peterr; I have serious doubts that it’ll come out in conference.
Roll call 887 is up.
All of it, baby! Slide it over!
That’s the same argument that people without kids use for why they shouldn’t be paying taxes for schools. It’s just as short-sighted.
The answer is that you have to pay for it either way, so the less expensive way is to do it right. Paying for schools – or for abortions – is less expensive than trying to help people out later in life, after they’re messed up.
In response to oldgold @ 31
Rep. Jim Cooper referred to HR 3962 as the second of four drafts before this is done, predicting that this thing will get more and more watered down until it reaches its final version. As Cooper has a point about this process, Pelosi and Obama should have done much more to make this bill so much stronger.
i’m all but positive you’re right. and all but positive it won’t be in the final bill. so I think we all need to take a breath, wait until a final bill comes out of conference (can’t wait for that piece of shit)save our pennies in the meantime and decide who to target. gon g after 64 people doesn’t make sense to me. i say arkansans. Mike Ross, asshole amd what’s her fuck, the senator. Lincoln. soooo-eeeee
Um, it’s a pint jar. Only about half full, though. [slide]
Frustrated by Stupak Amend. What can I say? As a woman, that hurts.
But kudos to Pelosi; she accomplished something big. Unfortunate that it had to be so stupidly difficult to get to just 5 votes more.
Cao better switch to Democratic asap. Teabagger alert going out as I type. But good for him to stand up for this. In his district, it’s really starkly needed.
Why do you blame Obama?
Blessings on you!
jim cooper is a Putz. The Stupid amendment was a nothing vote to him.
Some of those 64 were going to vote that way anyway. The blue dogs – they’ll always be targets. I’d start with the ones who are usually with us.
When we gays were thrown under the bus and told to sit down and shut up because health care reform was more important I laughed. When union members were thrown under the bus and told to sit down and shut up because health care reform was more important I laughed again, recognizing the same-old, same-old. Now that women have been thrown under the bus with all the rest of us who actually do most all of the fundraising, GOTV, door to door canvassing, etc. for the Democratic party and health care reform has passed, albeit a corporate dream version of “reform”, I am no longer laughing.
Woodstock, if you actually believe that the final law that Obama may eventually sign into law (if Harry Reid can get something through the Senate past Leiberman, that is) will have any effect on changing the status quo then you haven’t been paying attention for the last 10 months. As Elizabeth Warren said this week, this administration helps those in the top tier and leaves everyone underneath to fend for themselves. Wall Street, Big Pharma, religious fanatics, and conservatives get what they want. Us? We don’t get so much except a mandate to buy crappy insurance with women’s reproductive healthcare stripped from the equation.
Wonder how that 2010 election will fare without the unions, the gays, the women who work so hard and who have historically received so little from the millionaire congressional representatives doing next to nothing to help those lovely, wonderful, hopey-changey Democrats?
Since a lot of people don’t believe in war for religious reasons, why should they be forced to subsidize war through their tax dollars? I think there should be a law that prohibits the use of any tax dollars to fund the military.
Doesn’t that seem fair to you? People who want to invade other countries should pay for it themselves, privately.
I am REALLY pissed now.
I just got a press release from one of Michigan’s Congressional Dems (NOT Stupak) celebrating the passage of HR 3962.
The time stamp is 11:18 pm.
Jeebus. Way to make me feel like you assholes didn’t have this all planned out.
You don’t sound like yer a progressive liberal.
So, go away concern troll, paid by the corporate feudalists.
Just go away.
Man. My ice maker is busted and my knee is killing me. This is a fucking crisis here.
We told them to start by demanding PO, but they decided that that wouldn’t fly and went with weaker versions.
Next time, maybe they’ll pay more attention. And maybe we’ll have porcine aviators.
But it’s not about genuine beliefs. These same people, almost all of them, favor the death penalty and war. They don’t believe in anything. Why should we let a bunch of phony people take our rights away?
Ya think??
bag of frozen peas or frozen corn
I keep a bag of short-grain rice in the freezer. Won’t melt.
One more brick in the wall.
Stupak Amendment ain’t coming out in the Senate version. I’ll bet $10 to any comer.
Can someone tell me why Melancon is even bothering challenging “Diapers” Vitter given that he was one of the 39?
If these corrupt politicians refuse to give the people what they want it’s time for the people to take it.
I blame him for having big ears because he does and admits as much. Demi, I think you’re on to something. Come to think of it, Obama seems pretty damn proud of his big ears.
As Suz taught me- a bag of frozen peas is gold.
Dems self-congratulating now. Hope they’ve got good chiropractic coverage.
Thanks Rayne.
Good evening Pups.
A few questions.
1) What does King Abdullah have to do with anything? 2) Did Pelosi HAVE to let that amendment through? 3) Is MSNBC THE place for politics only on weekdays? 4) Did they just criminalize all health insurance companies that provide abortion coverage? Even when there is a medical necessity?
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the Senate.
The Stupak Bill is a heartbreak for all women (especially of limited means) who want choice.
If we can throw a bunch of those GOP bums out in the next election – maybe we can change some laws and get it right at long last.
We voters need to say NO to the party of NO.
No, I was just kidding.
Continued evisceration of Democratic values be damned. Let’s pAhhhhhty!
Frozen Peas. Or, any frozen veggies will work.
If that’s the case, then there is still a fair chance this won’t pass the House in the end.
I always have lots of garlic, it’s one of my top food groups.
Yeah, that is a circle-jerk to be sure.
Pelosi’s Speaker site just crashed. Guess all of us complaining took her down.
Hey Masaccio! Can you clarify what you’re saying here?
In what sense was the “Stupid” amendment a nothing vote to him?
dam-you’re fast! Glenfiddich coming your way! (at least I attributed the cure to you.)
you mean for my knee? No, no. The knee I’ll just deal with. I need ice for my soda.
I do appreciate the suggestion though and will use it tomorrow if need be.
should I alternate heat & ice or just ice? tried just heat and didn’t do a thing. no idea how it got this way.
Religions generally claim to support peace (evidence notwithstanding). Religions therefore should be opposed to war, and opposed to using taxes to fund wars. How do you feel about your dime being used there?
What happened to the progressive caucaus that was supposed to stand firm unless we got a robust public option? What came out of the House today is hardly “robust”, and it’s a flat out slap in the face to women.
made it a double emerson — tonight has been full of fuckery
Suz, there’s a lot to feel bad about with HR 3962, but until we see ALL the details, we can’t really complain about what it is.
And, there’s the final merger still at hand.
And amendments in the back doors, that MIGHT benefit prog issues including women’s rights.
It’s not too early to be pissed, it’s NEVER too early to be pissed. Witness MY rants over the past few years.
But, it’s also no over, yet. We don’t know what the final legislation that Obama will sign will encompass.
Heat on, feets to fires, and well, yeah:
Fuck the fuckiin fucks who would negotiate women’s rights to their bodies to get watered down HC Reform.
Citizen Hamsher has a GREAT post here:
Fuck Da Fuckin Fucks. Paraphrased, Of Course *G*
We wait, we rant, we hope on.
An Endless Circle Of Life.
We fight, or we die.
Simple.
I won’t take that bet. It’s the only way health care “reform” passes, IMO.
Professionally speaking (as a pastor — *g*), I’d say it will take a miracle to get this stripped out in the Senate.
i was not clear. those are 2 separate problems. the knee hurts but I’ll deal with it. I need ice for my soda.
ice on for 20 minutes
ice off for 20 minutes
repeat continuously
you will know if heat works or ice works for ya. sounds like heat is not the ticket for the knee
What’s wrong with your knee? Would a nice relaxing hour in the tub help?
What if I don’t believe that your religion (or any, for that matter) should be subsidized through tax breaks and exemptions? Or that religious groups or entities have the right to impose their personal beliefs on other citizens through egregious acts like the Maine vote last week while maintaining a tax-free, special rights status? Have your religion without my dime of tax exemption and keep your bizarre beliefs out of the public square. Oppose abortion, homosexuality? Then don’t have one and be heterosexual but stop telling me I can’t make my own damn choices with my own damn life!
Don’t get your Bosnia reference to gay rights, but yeah, we ALL took a hit on this sell out to women’s rights.
I’m not happy. But there’s still a merger to come.
We wait, we hope, we rant.
Nashville will vote for cooper. He could have supported women’s rights without any fear of election consequences. He is a putz.
Really? I think it’s a done deal. It’s out. We’ll see. this whole process has been crazy.
What I can see already gives me great concern. The details aren’t going to improve things — they’ll make it worse.
good thing I bought 2 bottles! 8-)
womens reproductive rights were tossed away tonight. they said if you need abortion coverage to buy it separately. will we will be asked to purchase separate cancer coverage? what about if the woman is raped? does that mean unless she has a pre-rape abortion policy she will be forced to bear the rapist’s child?
don’t know and tried the hot tub and it didn’t work. I think I’m just getting old and creaky.
LOL
Hoss, now yer talkin, and I’m not sure what issues we are gonna lose, but you and I are worried.
And it’s gonna be far far gone from what we’ve lost so far.
We wait, we hope, we rant.
And like you, I’m worried we haven’t lost the worst of it all, yet.
yeah. heat didn’t do it.
thanks suze
Will anyone even sell abortion coverage? Will they sell it to the parents of teenagers who will be victims of incest? To women about to be raped? What a load of shit this all is.
I think you omitted some steps . . .
ice on for 20 minutes
take 120 ml scotch internally by mouth
ice off for 20 minutes
take 120 ml scotch internally by mouth
repeat continuously
It just frikking PASSED!
The only way it comes out is in conference; that’s where they merge with the Senate bill.
The Senate (Latin; senex – old man, root for the word senile) is unlikely to remove the Stupak Amendment.
(((((((((((((((((Kelly Canfield)))))))))))))))))))))
As I watch these failed leaders gushing with praise and self-satisfaction, knowing now as I do that they know more than anyone how full of shit they are, I’m kind of impressed by how they can so shamelessly act like they accomplished something truly great.
I’d be ashamed of myself…
At first I thought–This crazy lady is tellin’ me t’put frozen peas in my soda.
That’s right.
If you drive a car, you need insurance, right?
If you have a womb, you need to insure that, too. Makes perfect sense.
Thank You Speaker Pelosi, for your stellar leadership.
forgive me pastor for i have sinned
The pubs will insist on it.
There are a few pretty good legal minds in the Senate, however. I’d never heard of Stupak before tonight, but the constitutionality sounds shaky.
Therefore, expect the pubs to insist upon its inclusion – to tie the bill up in court for a few years would be a gift to them.
Then, you throw in the Liebermans, Nelsons, Landreaus, Lincolns, Priors, and I think that the Stupak thing is a huge fucking problem.
It just injected a huge abortion poison pill into the health-care debate, and could cause the loss of several red-state-leaning D Senators.
This fucking thing could be a disaster.
But – Nancy got her big win.
yay.
why was passing Bush’s tax cuts for the rich a breeze & this process so excruciating?
the Dems pretty much suck (not to sound like my teenage daughter-who wont be able to get an abortion after all our hard earned battles to legalize).
NY Times has an interactive map up of the states.
Reminds me of a friend of mine. Overweight and funny as hell. She was complaining one day that her knees had disappeared and she knew they were in there somewhere cuz they were killing her.
I want the bill to not cover drugs for male ‘disorders’ (well, maybe an exception if they had prostate surgery). They can damned well use their own money if they need to get it up.
Frozen Peas. Or, any frozen veggies will work.
No – it has to be peas.
Trust me.
*g*
no insurer who is in the exchange can offer abortion coverage
gonna limit who can big time
Not really. They went as far as they could with given the political terrain. Pelosi fought like a damn tiger.
I don’t think you fully appreciate how damn difficult passing reform of this magnitude is. If you don’t believe me, ask Hillary.
Well, it depends on who was in the hot tub witcha.
So, no frozen peas for your knees. How ’bout some whirled peas?
I am sick at heart tonight.
Here is Pelosi’s contack page. Let her know how you feel. http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html
I went over to the WH page and sent BO my opinion before the Stupak adm vote was finished. Sad to say my Rep Kildee voted for that damn admentment.
The right candidate could take him out in a primary. He’s clearly taken a lot of shit for his votes and for his bullshit position on health care reform.
Note: he was forced very much against his will to vote yea on hr 3962. he’s vulnerable. he knows it. he’s scared. i say let’s take him out.
is the icing part really necessary?
Otherwise – I agree completely.
Have seen that in other comments but I’m with…. solai, i think…. can’t believe Pelosi would go through with this if she thought it would actually see the light of day. That’s why Boner was asking Rangel for a guarantee the Stupak language would be in a final bill and Rangel told him to fuck off.
I don’t feel my tax dollars should go to slaughtering Iraqis so why should my tax money go for that?
You left out one great thing in the bill and that’s the 2:1 ratio for age rating. I’ve been waiting 45 years for reform and this is wonderful. We need more and we will get more but when I see how far we’ve come, I am so very grateful!
Is Pelosi reading from Scarecrow’s list?
Anyone wants to volunteer to work tomorrow on a single payer project, email me at firedoglake AT gmail DOT com
I mostly don’t trust lawyer types. But, for you I’ll make an exception.
The usefull thing I learned in this bizarre part of the thread was the frozen rice. Gonna try that. Sorry, don’t remember who said that, but Thanks!
Believe me, insurance companies will sell anything.
Well, they’d prolly work in a pinch, just don’t swallow any, although raw veggies is good for ya. It’s a twofer.
I can’t do the scotch part somebody suggested. any substitute for that?
“Settle down, Missy.”
*profreedom pats Elliott on the head while he swallows his little blue pill, courtesy of BCBS*
I agree. I don’t support the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. I had hoped Ron Paul would be nominated in 2008 so I could vote for a propeace republican. Woops, I guess you assumed I was one of those prowar Bush supporters.
Hillary tried to do something different and to do it in a totally different way.
There’s only one explanation for why the American people didn’t get more tonight: Obama really didn’t want more.
And before this is over – and it is not over – the American people will be getting even less than what’s in hr 3962.
I mostly don’t trust lawyer types.
Me either.
Assholes.
Well, Bosnia was a rout in the ’90s, against the minority Muslims, which the Slavic Christian Majority lined up against the wall and shot, or beat, depending on what suited them. See Radko Mladic.
As regards 30 years ago; I have scars from those days. Bashing, etc. During periods of homelessness.
You should see the scar on my shoulder and my eye. They’re both doozies received in a beating, where I woke up next to a goddamn garbage bin by the fucking Jack in the Box on 7th and Bethany Home in Phoenix AZ, April ’79.
I don’t feel the need to explain further.
This vote against women set everybody back; A FUCKLOAD.
watch out congress — looks like jane has a plan
me either. I just play a heavy drinker on this site.
“It’s a massive achievement, but women, mostly poor, paid an unconcionable price.”
Great comment, great close.
Women and minorities and minority and poor women lose.
I can’t accept that.
My wife can’t accept that.
Scarecrow, spot on and way to boil it down to a simple reality.,
Bless ya.
I’m in
If I’m a Christian Scientist and don’t believe that medication should be used in treating disease then why should my taxes go to the Public Hospitals, NIH, CDC to assist doctors to obtain grants, to help fund University Med. Schools, etc.
2) Most of the Federal Money was already “sequestered”. That means not a penny was going to go to abortion – that money would come out of individual or employer premium payments. In fact, under the Democrats Amendment two separate plan tracks would be offered. Not one cent of YOUR insurance money or taxes would go to abortion.
The Stupak Amendment denies women from receiving any Federal money that goes to help purchase a plan that has abortion coverage. No matter how little that amount is. It’s a one drop rule.
The Stupak Amendment is absolutely not unconstitutional; you can forget that.
I can find NO reason to understand why you feel this way.
And I’m desperate to feel good.
Can you ‘splain why you are so hopeful?
Oh, I can’t take any more tonight. Take care you all. And, try not to bite anyones head off. It won’t make a difference, really.
Somebody around here got a smile? Even a little one?
Wish I could help Jane tomorrow, but I made plans to help my sister with a project tomorrow. If it’s still going on Monday, I’d be up for that. I’ll check you out later, pups.
g’nite demi and any other leaving sleepyheads
Didn’t drink scotch when I was drinking either. know why? First time I ever got drunk… my friend just walked out of a liquor store with two half gallon bottles of scotch and comes running down the street with them and I had no idea how to drink the stuff. so i poured myself a tall glass and drank it. and another. and another. passed out but not before puking all over myself and i could never even stand the smell of scotch after that without it making me feel like i was gonna puke.
Can we now call the blue dogs “Lieberman’s”, ie turncoats?
I have a smile for ya, hunny!
I been in it a long time, and got smiles to spare!
:) :0 ;) ;)~
Still an achievement; here’s hoping the healthCo lobbyists and execs have major heartburn.
Looking at the vote totals, I’m guessing that Pelosi did what she had to do.
lol
she’s right.
so are you. plenty aren’t. too many are. and the ones that are………… jeez.
There are charitable funds you can contribute to that will help women in need to get an abortion. Check with your local planned parenthood affiliate. In Nashville, it’s the J. Paschall Davis Foundation, which makes no-interest loans to women who need an abortion. The average cost of an abortion is $500-1,000 around here, so it is a big deal to have a source of help.
jfc…
Stupak & Chris “I love to watch…” Smith about to have their own presser.
it’s not gonna be in the final bill. i’m convinced of that.
night, demi. Sleep well.
Fuck the Constitution. I don’t like it.
Jane, I would love an opportunity to do more, but I’d be seriously screwed if I don’t spend tomorrow doing other pressing work that I was supposed to have gotten done today. I’m really sorry.
I have a smile. I am delighted to get this far. It is not all but it is a big deal as to increasing progressive power.
Yes I am disappointed with the abortion amendment. But as I have said in other posts, the pro choice people in country just haven’t for some years kept it a high option. Little note has been made of many incursions into the right. As someone said earlier, it has been a free vote with no penalty for our reps.
It is a wake up call for women and all pro choice people. We better take advantage of it or we will lose the choice.
There is the option of sending a check to your local women’s health clinic instead of a politician — yeah, you could do it every month between now and 2010 — call it Stupak’s Stipend….
You take care, dear. I’m sure you’ve got a great ‘toon ready. You might need that, ’cause you got a few riled up folks to handle.
Hugs to you and to all. And, I mean ALL.
I think the Christian right got punked tonight. It was kabuki designed to smooth their feathers. Meaningless tripe that is going nowhere. That’s what I feel.
I also feel that the 64 dems who voted that way should be booted and I’d give anything to have the remainder stand up and say that women deserve the right to privacy and to choose for themselves. So, I’m disappointed in the vote but I do not think it has any bearing on how the final bill will read.
not a bad idea,kick ‘em where it hurts.Here’s my new sound bite….
No Tax Dollars For Hardons!
I believe in some of the old cliches.
“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
Good on ya, Kelly!
nite, lady. see ya ’round. look, you tried to lighten it up. all ya can do. lotsa pissed off people, though. whaddya gonna do?
Doesn’t it come awfully close to ‘establishment of religion’? the whole anti-abortion bit seems to be pushing against that line.
STUPAK presser CSPAN
testing my facebook
((PJ!))
No, she tried to reform health care and failed miserably. This failure contributed to Newt and Co, coming into power in 1994. I think passage of this reform will prevent another catastrophe like that.
Only one explanation? Really? No, the reasons the reform only went as far as it did are many and extremely complex.
You are probably right about this, but the final product will be a significant step forward.
it worked maddy :) you are f’d!!!
I’m not so sure. Politics here is kind of wait your turn. If Project Accountability finds someone to run, I’m good for some money….
good approach. but if this winds up in the final bill, Pelosi and Reid and Obama are fucked. I just can’t see it happening.
Nitey nite, BF. Yep, see ya around.
Why is it absolutely not unconstitutional? I’m sure you’re right, but I’d like to know why.
yay! I used to be F’d but stopped. thinkin’ about gettin F’d again. Seems like almost everybody I know is F’d.
there is absolutely no basis whatsoever for believing that this amendment is going to get removed. None. It was designed to get passage of the final bill after reconciliation every bit as much, if not more, than tonight.
Pitts is from Amish country. His constituency doesn’t give a shit.
several of the best people I know are lawyers.
Unfortunately, so are many of the most serious assholes.
I got into the business on a lark. I was running a store in Beverly Hills, and the most serious assholes, with whom I had an average total conversation of maybe 45 seconds, always managed to tell me that they were lawyers.
the asshole part I just deduced by myself.
So I figured – “these fuckers are absolutely not any smarter than me.” So just for the hell of it, I took the LSAT, and killed it, and got to thinking – “hmmm, maybe I could be good at this?”
I always thought that i would be a good appellate attorney. Then i got to clerking for a guy who was always (illegally) sending me to court to cover for him while still in my second year of law school, and voila – I became a trial lawyer.
Absolutely the last thing I ever thought about becoming.
So it goes.
disagree
Remember all those years the Democratic Party took the African-American vote for granted after LBJ signed the Civil Rights Bill? Dems didn’t win many elections cuz they never bothered to address the needs of the AA community. Reid, Pelosi and Obama take us all, progressives, AA, Hispanics, the lot, for granted.
Marcy Kaptur is serving up her seat right now.
I cannot believe she would be so foolish.
C’est la vie
Yes, there is a coat-hanger lobby!
No, just because religious people are behind the concept does not make the restriction religious in basis Constitutionally. Further, since it is not a complete prohibition, but only a direction mandate for funding, it will not be deemed Constitutionally infirm. Consider how the Hyde Amendment has already held up; that is your answer.
Dood, It’s a money bill and, with whatever amendments or not, originated in the HOUSE! That’s exactly the way the Constitution works!
The Democrats are on a roll. This past week President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, then signed the homebuyer, and the jobless bill assistance, now this! I’m seeing more than two big accomplishments this week.
I’m so glad. It’s like it’s morning again in America. I’m not happy about the Stupak Amendment, but that fight is not over yet. We still have some work to do.
What Hillary tried for was different. Her methods were different. And the circumstances were different.
At the time, she tried to do too much in the wrong way and failed. Thus, the rise of Newt.
This time – a totally different time, with most Americans on board – these Democrats will succeed in doing too little. Thus, witness the 2010 rise of – shit – Boehner and Cantor?
Pelosi and Obama haven’t saved the day going into 2010. They’ve fucking thrown it away and we’re all going to pay.
If all the good feelings you’re seeing on the tv now – which is so full of bs it’s painful to watch – were a few days before the 2010 midterm, maybe they’d have a chance. But Americans will watch this get worse and worse going into the 2010 midterms, and the Democrats will be paying big time come next Nov.
Seems about right. If it could have been successfully challenged, it probably would have by now.
I think it’s entirely possible she’s had her fill of politics. She doesn’t look thrilled to be on that stage with those players.
so answer me this: does this stupak amendment go into effect immediately or does it have to wait until 2013 to go into effect?
i hate trials. too much preparation for too long. I prepare alot for appeals and motions but it’s 15-20 minutes on your feet and get some coffee. done. In NJ until recently they had a calendar call system where you just show up on Monday until they say you can leave and after Wednesday if you still didn’t get a judge they’d give you a new “trial date” in a few months and go through the same thing. It totally sucked and I never wanted to be a trial lawyer after that. I admire the shit out of trial lawyers. Tough work. Oh yeah. I don’t know the rules of evidence, either.
I’m not sure, but if it’s an Exchange thing, it could only come into effect when the Exchange does?
That’s my guess until some smarty knows elsehow.
When she announces her intention to surrender her seat, this will be her legacy…
Now that’s what I call an exit stage-Right.
Yeah. Exactly. It’ll be very difficult for me to vote for my dem rep here in FL-24. wish i lived a few miles west and had Grayson.
Here’s another one:
National Network of Abortion Funds
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit
http://www.nnaf.org/
Let’s hope that this is but the camel’s nose under the tent. I think when Americans realize what a piece of crap this legislation is, they will demand more. Most people will still have no recourse in accepting overpriced insurance and prescription drugs. Until we move decisively toward a single payer system, we will continue to be looted, pillaged, and raped by the insurance and pharma industries.
If every other industrialized Western democracy can have a healthcare system that insures everybody, costs less, AND is better, why can’t we?
.
well, it’s like I said in an earlier post — fuck the Constitution, ya know? I just can’r believe this piece o’ shit amendment will become law. can’t believe it.
If prosecutors have their way with a case that went before the SCOTUS last week, I believe, framing people will be legal. Evidence, we make eet up eef we ‘ave to.
Hyde Amendment was challenged, and it was upheld by the Supreme Court in Harris v. McRae.
Sure there is. One, Pelosi and the majority of the dems wouldn’t support it and know that women would view it as the ultimate betrayal. 2)It’s already been mentioned that Obama said he’d work to strip it. 3)As mentioned above Boehner tried to get a guarantee that it would stay in the bill and he failed. 4)I’m not fooled that dems are acting righteously, but they’d have to know it’s not in their self-interest to leave it in there.
Think FISA re-authorization.
Think Patriot Act re-authorization.
Plenty of Democrats have their hands all over THESE abominations.
I’m not getting c-span. what’s going on with all these pressers? who’s sayin’ the dumbest shit? lemme guess. Boner & Cantor.
Why should someone have to lose everything they’ve worked for their entire lives because they got sick in order for fucktards in a corporation to rake in millions? IMO everyone should have healthcare because it’s the moral and right thing to do. People who are excluded for a pre existing condition can not simply buy insurance even if they wanted. Good luck with that GOP plan, die quickly when you get sick!
Oh yeah. I don’t know the rules of evidence, either.
there are rules?
Now, if you want to talk about what depresses me, then we can talk about the Supreme Court. They scare me more than anything.
We’ll see.
Exactly so. This is what Obama and Pelosi were trying to avoid.
Thank you. NOT successfully challenged, then.
I heard about that. I don’t know much about it but it sounded dire.
Fuck Harris v. McRae. I want Hawkins v. McGee!!!
i can’t wait to see what jane comes up with regarding single payer:
It’s the PEOPLE who represent you in the REPUBLIC!
Remember your civics, but digest them; this is not a Democracy, it’s a Representative Democracy, and a Republic.
Run into that wall, and remember the lesson.
2013 — it affects plans offered in the exchange, and what federal money can be used for in that exchange, which doesn’t start until 2013.
Cathy McMorriss demonstrating that the Repubs. took the bait?
.
Snagglepuss-1963.
When she was on Moyers, she was pissed, but more despondent. Just now she looked beaten down. I think politics is a hard profession with anyone who truly has ethics. I’m surprised more people of that timbre don’t bail. Perceived power must be a potent aphrodisiac, if you’ll excuse the alliteration.
Actually, there’s a group of ds and rs saluting themselves for pushing and passing the stupak amendment.
Boner was out the door headed for a bar as soon as the vote hit 218.
Cantor? Give him a break – he doesn’t know how to say anything that *isn’t* stupids.
Hey I’m in; sent the email to her.
I can’t wait to hear either.
but is it close enough that the pubs can hang onto it, insist upon it, hoping to tie the fucker up in court for years?
and how does the Stupak-induced Pelosi win not fuck up the Senate vote with those who were already shaky, and most likely some that, to this point, we didn’t think were shaky?
not sure. i had to take a class on that once. but all the guy kept talkin’ about was exceptions. i don’t think we ever got to the actual rules.
somebody actually asked me about bolstering a witness last week. LOL. what the hell do i know? i said, “um…. it’s an evidence thing so.. um… i would think the judge has alot of discretion…..” LOL. I’m sure he appreciated that helpful answer. (“answer”)
what excites me is that it single payer
Not runnin’ into any walls until i get some peas for this knee.
None of the circumstances are the same, so trying to replay in 2009 what happened in 1993 isn’t a very bright strategy.
Americans – especially young Americans – were, you know, “fired up, ready to go” when they showed up to vote in droves for Barack Obama. They were told to believe in real change, and they could have fucking had real change. But, nope. Democrats will not turn out to vote in nearly the same numbers in 2010, and so these Democratic leaders will lose seats. Had they done more with their victories in 2006 and 2008, then they’d have a better chance next year. But they didn’t.
Yep – I KNEW she was on the phone, and has got something up her sleeve as the result of SHARP QUESTIONING!
I am just punting, but I do believe Jane is taking her own advice from the primary and 2006 days;
Pivot and Attack!
I am so on board with that, I can’t tell you.
who does cantor remind me off? I just can’t place him. It’s a goof, but I can’t remember who. whether it was somebody on TV or I went to school with…. dunno. some goof.
check your e-mail
[grin]
you said “pease” !
Sorry, couldn’t watch. What did Marcy Kaptur do- vote for and fully support the StupaK Ammendment?
Stand and do the victory jabberwalk?
Harris v McRae was decided in 1980. The court is way right of where it was then. There is no way the Stupak Amendment would be found unconstitutional by this Court.
A humourless Nutty Professor?
Speaking of which, I wonder if the French still love Jerry Lewis?
Jughead.
I believe this is the reference you are looking for.
No clue what Stupak does to the Senate at this point; my guess is they will steer clear of it because it is already in the House bill. But they will bugger up other things that the House did not. Then all the moderates will see how bad they can truly screw the American people in reconciliation, and without very strong liberal managers for that process they will.
I think there is no way the Roberts Court would find it unconstitutional. Heck it was a 6-3 majority of a court that was more liberal by far than the current one.
i’m sick at all this effort, and this whore legislation is all these whores have to show. and the fucking fetus brigades once again have all this power to throw wrenches, why doesn’t Weiner or Kucinich?
i want to put my fist through a wall.
i shake my head at Kaptur. she was level-headed and one of my heroes. *cue Ojays, “use ta be my girl”*
That’s it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was just fuckin’ around. Had a trial last week (bench) where the prosecution put up an intern against me. Then when things got going, every single thing the intern said had been whispered in her ear by the supervising prosecutor.
jesus.h. – I felt like I was taking a final exam in law school. They objected to *everything*. And the godddamned supervisor was sitting back there like nobody was noticing that she was feeding every question and objection and grinning like an evil.., well…bitch. Plus, the judge hated one of my witnesses and took it out hard on – me. She made me defend every little bullshit objection, explaining why it was a hearsay exception, etc. An altogether unpleasant experience.
Beat ‘em anyway.
No hand-shakes after that one.
I hate female prosecutors.
*ducks and hides behind my imaginary big-screen TV*.
Nothing from you – didja know my email?
So, anything interesting happen today?
Every time I see the guy, I think…
Oklahoma! Oklahoma! Oklahoma! Oklahoma!
Considering all the amendments that didn’t come up for a vote, why was this stupak amendment allowed to come up for a vote?
They are not trying to replay what occurred in 1993. In fact, they are doing just the opposite. So far, they have done pretty well. It looks like we are going to get meaningful health care reform.
And, to say none of the circumstances are the same, is flat wrong. Some are. Some aren’t.
Just maybe the parts of the bill that train more health care providers can help to train OB/GYN physicians that will provide abortion services.
Lack of providers is a huge problem in many parts of the country.
The really reprehensible part of Stupak is that even when a woman’s life is in danger she still isn’t covered if her insurance is sold on an exchange and hence is eligible for subsidies. Kill both the mother and child because saving the mother’s life sends te wrong message.
Whiskey tango foxtrot.
Don’t put your fist through a wall.
nope. real quiet kinda slow news day
No f’ing fisting.
.LOL.
Hah – you said that to SHARKBABE!
Sharkbabe, is well, like kryptonite to stupid, to steal a blog name. Sharkbabe is quite the commenter. I’ll not take the other side. Heh.
Whoo boy, I take no position on that comment.
this youtube is all i watch to comfort myself anymore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV26OMSb_VQ
I cannot really figure out what happened today. Please don’t try to tell me. Somewhere between now and then I forgot to pay attention. Not trying to be flippant just I think i got really tired.
So, did we win? Can we go to the doctor now?
I don’t like any prosecutors. They let interns do trials? No handshakes? Any comments? “Don;t ever pull that shit again. I’m just tellin’ ya for you own good, ya know? You seem like a sweet kid.”
depends on what ya go for — the answer is maybe.
no. From Jane. I thought you were looking for something from her.
Weee!
See what I mean BFL?
Oh, ok, yep! I wrote her back – INSTANTLY! Are ya frikking kidding me? :)
Botox? Naw.
All the pokin’ and prodin’ stuff? Only if I needs it.
sharkbabe i love that forking video
i did it once and generally speaking it’s not something i recommend to others.
Shhhhhhh
By “replay” I obviously didn’t mean that they’re doing the same thing, in the same way. I obviously meant exactly what I’ve been saying from the beginning, that they’re trying to find a new strategy to the 1993 circumstances, as if they can win this time by being timid, rather than courageous.
Look, this is getting annoying. Unless your goal is to pick a fight for no good reason, let’s just stop. If your goal is to pick a fight for no good reason, then continue. But I’m done.
I’m off. Exhausted and bleary-eyed.
You are absolutely correct. I most certainly shook hands with the kid, and told her that she did a good job.
It’s just that it wasn’t really her trying the case. I should have been more clear – no handshakes with the supervisor, is what I should have said. Not then, and never again.
g’nite solai
@ Sharkbabe and @Suz
I am SOO happy to watch that vid; I’m rewinding! It’s putting me in a much better mood.
Where’s my mohawk? :)
“1. Since a lot of people don’t believe in abortion for religious reasons, why should their tax payer money go to something they don’t believe in? If a woman feels like she needs to get an abortion, that’s fine, but not on my dime.”
Well that’s an easy one. Abortion is a legal right via established case law. So regardless of whether mouth breathing idiots believe in it, the government can certainly earmark taxpayer money for it if they choose. Or don’t you stand behind the Constitution?
well, I’m gonna have me some Frosty Flakes, they’re gr-r-r-r-r-eat!!! and see how the ice machine is doin’ and get some college football scores and probably fall asleep on the couch.
Keep the faith Pups. Stuprick amendment will NOT be in the final bill. I promise. The final bill will be shitty enough without it. If it’s in there, I will apologize profusely.
Whoo boy, I take no position on that comment.
yeah, well. I work only at the State level, in Indianapolis. I do my fighting down in the dirt.
Maybe the Fed prosecutors are more professional, I dunno.
It just seems that the majority of them have this gigondous chip on their shoulders, and a God-complex to boot.
Oh. Ok. Sounds like that’s the right thing. Is the supervisor somebody you see alot?
Night.
not gonna hang around one minute and watch the cartoon?
It’s been good followin’ this with you guys.
catch ya later.
Oh, the Toon!
oh OK. I’m sure it’ll be worth it. so I will
Is the supervisor somebody you see alot?
I’m hoping to.
Oh, I do the majority of my work anymore in state and local courts. The Feds are a little as you suggest, but they used to at least be professional and consistent and you could halfway trust their honesty. Those days are long gone; they are no more than glorified versions of the youth nazi bullshit in any local county attorneys office now. Really sad.
In my day the toon came before the feature. *g*
So let’s take a moment to re-evaluate just who won Tuesday night’s elections. Simply this: No Owens. No Garamendi. No Cao. No Health Care Bill. I’d say the Dems won Tuesday and America won tonight. These three men are true patriots.
I reckon we’re just going to have to raise the money outside the government to keep doing the right thing…
Maybe we should send coat hangers.
Very well said!
Good one! I’m sending that one to the WH, thanks.
Which gives several years to get it out, fortunately. Let’s not back off until it is.
Love yer hope, but don’t understand your rationale.
Still, don’t understand yer rationale.
But thanks for your reply.
We hope on.
Gasman rawhks.
Totally.
absolutely. many of the youth contingent who are still paying attention to all the sellouts and betrayals are learning a valuable, lifelong lesson about the wisdom of trusting Democrats to enact anything that they promise to do.
And best of all, there is no sense of obligation to vote for the least worst – the whole Lesser Evil compulsion belongs largely to older generations.
From the beginning in the early 1970′s when Rowe v. Wade became the lead law, the pro-choice forces ought to have been about building a not-for-profit nationwide Reproductive Health Clinic System that was essentially private, not dependent on any public funds, and not subject to anti-choice votes or legislation. If that had been done, Reproductive Choice would now be so instutionalized it would not be a potent political issue, and it would not be a tool Churches and Bishops could play with in their eternal battle to control people by using sexuality tools.
When we consider all the money womens groups have raised to fund political campaigns of candidates who support choice, and all the money spent lobbying over the years — it would have gone a fair way toward building such a system out that would have been fully private, but as a non-profit could have designed means to serve the poor and the near poor who needed and requested these services. Similarly, Reproductive health is about a lot more than abortion — and if such clinics also offered these services at a modest cost, they could have made small profits to cover costs of service to the less able to pay. For instance, if they only had a small part of the birth control pill market, instead of the profits going to Big Pharm, they could have been re-invested in services.
“And best of all, there is no sense of obligation to vote for the least worst – the whole Lesser Evil compulsion belongs largely to older generations.”
Maybe that is because we know something of the disappointment of passing Social Security in 1935 without coverage for agricultural workers and domestic help, because the Chair of the Senate Judicary Committee told FDR the bill would not even get a hearing if his “nig**rs” were covered. It took us till 1956 to get the right mix, LBJ as Senate Majority Leader, and Eisenhower who respected the Black Troops he had commanded, to get the program expanded so that most Southern Blacks were included in Social Security.
Maybe it is because we passed the first modern Civil Rights Law in 1957, and then had to support a huge non-violent direct action movement over the next decade so as to finish the legislative agenda — Jobs, public accomodations, affirmative action, voting rights, fair housing, etc. (And even today there is much to do, though much of it is not legislative.)
I was intrigued tonight with an interview one of the most conservative of the Republicans gave to BBC (perhaps not knowing that BBC is heard in the USA.) Rohrarbacher from Southern California criticized his own party not dealing with things such as insurance regulation, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, recessions and all — during the years the Republicans were in control of Congress. In other words, the Republicans should have taken note of some of the real evils of the present system when they had a chance — and that would have prevented this much greater evil — a comprehensive reform package.
Similar things were said back in Civil Rights days — if only we had put a little paint on that shack we called the Negro School, we would not have this Damn Yankee Civil Rights Law.
I am completely done with the Democrats, I will not vote for another Dem ever again.
Primary challenges won’t work.
Look at the Progressive Caucus..you really want more of those wimps in congress? They caved on every single demand they made, they’re a joke. They wouldn’t even let the single payer amendment go for a vote, but abortion, they’re cool with.
Then they break the word of their signed letter and vote for a crap Bill.
The Democrats are over. #rd party or I’m just never voting, because both parties are corrupt to all hell.
And Shame on FDL for making it seem like this bill passing is good.
I’m sorry Jane, but I don’t think you have any clout anymore.
Where were all the progressives you rallied?
Where was Grijalva and the Progressive Caucus who said they would vote no to you?
I’m all for single payer, but what are you going to make us do? More letters, another money bomb that won’t mean anything?
I’m done with this. You need to get some radical action going. Because you can’t make deals with these people, you can’t make them do it by marches and petitions.
So I want to know, what’s going to be so different this time? Because unless you have something radical it’s not going to work. Revolution is the only option left.
but why should I believe you when all the promises made on your site were empty?
Start the revolution and I’m in, but no more petitions or money bombs.
You’re young, aren’t you?
27.
And I’m tired of every single thing I do being for waste. I campaigned, I donated, I made phone calls for the election and all the way thru.
So please don’t tell me I’m just young and I need to do more. I’ve done more than every 50 year old I’ve met.
and I’m tired of people going back on their words. You really think more progressives in office will matter? We couldn’t even get the ones who said they would block it to keep their word.
They are cowards.
I’m happy that you’re “old” and you know if you just give the system a chance it will work.
I don’t see that. I see a system that no longer work, even if we had 400 Progressives in it. I keep trying to play within the system, and it’s broken.
I’m not campaigning anymore, I’m not donating anymore. I’m done with Democrats, all of them. I’ll vote Green or communist. It may be a wasted vote but at least it’s not a vote for some politician who will lie to me to fleece my money.
You feeling good about that money you donated to the progressives to vote no? I’m not and if I could ask for it back I would.
Every third party vote is a tiny shift in the Overton window and another anomaly for which Rahm will need to make up an excuse around this time next year.
It exists. It is privately funded. It is called Planned Parenthood of America. They operate women’s health clinics in every state, and they offer birth control and first trimester abortions as well as other gynecological services.
Send them money.
I agree with Inquisitr here. I have been predicting this from the beginning. I also predict the final final bill will be weaker than what we have now, with the possibility of the Stupak amendment being ripped out (in exchange for “progressive” votes). Dog and pony show. In the end, even “progressive” Democrats still identify as Democrats and have an allegiance to their party. If those running the show pressure them enough, they fall in line. When it comes down to the end, most of them will support it. Expect Grayson and Dean to defend this bill now, though they were talking tough against weak health care reform before. Again, they want Americans to vote Democratic, they want their party to succeed and to keep their jobs, so they will sell this thing just like all other Democrats hoping to win/keep support for the party based on the optimistic way it will be portrayed.
Inquisitr–
I’m NOT young (62) but share your disenchantment with “progressives.” I came late to the political arena, and feel more neophytic that you. I’ve written; I’ve contributed; I’ve participated . . . and like you, am impatient for real change. Despite the many ‘shades of gray’ that represent society, it appears our two-party system ONLY represents black-or-white perspectives. Perhaps to salvage what remains of my sanity and mental acuity I should return to my knitting.
Abortion lost as an individual, constitutional right. Another reason to be wearing a black armband in this country.
me too. immediately sent my email in to volunteer.
“…taking away womens right…”
I feel horribly duped after I worked my ass off to turn my Congresswoman around. We succeeded.
For the House leadership – (Steny Hoyer, is this from your late night blood sucking??)to bring two bills to the floor that force Democratic women in particular to chose between womens rights v. health care for all-some, was an unconscionable ploy, knowing for sure as they must have, that the Stupak Amendment would pass for sure and the health care bill -maybe, maybe not.
Nancy – I trusted you and was so proud of you.
Now you Harry Reid and Obama have chosen to stand up for and represent the devils of our society and not me, and sure as hell not the majority of women in this country. SHAME!