[Ed. Note: Marcy also has a great take on Ezra's rewriting of history, and Obama's reneging on his promises. In case the news of the day prevents me from bringing it up to the front later, please go have a look.] Ezra Klein is trying to make the absurd claim that this Senate bill closely [...]

Lieberman takes great pains to describe a situation where he received almost no pressure from the White House or leadership, except to eventually pass some bill. The president did not lean on Joe to agree to include some form or public option or Medicare buy-in.

Progressives may be upset about the health care bill, but if its any consolation, Republicans are downright suicidal.

it’s probably time for another “invitation to de-lurk.” If you’re someone who reads our posts but doesn’t generally join in the back-and-forth, we want to hear from you today. So if you haven’t done so, please register and let us know what you think about what’s happening in health care reform.

I also understand people think any expansion of coverage is a step forward, but it is only a step forward if it proves popular. If this health care expansion proves too expensive and unpopular, it can serve to discredit progressive efforts to later reform. I would happily work for a smaller house with a truly strong foundation. I don’t think a bill that enriches, empowers, and entrenches the enemies of reform is a good foundation.

FDL has become the go-to place for coverage of the health care bill due to the work of our incredible team.

So, I asked them to help make it simple: how do we let people know what’s going to happen to them if the Senate bill passes? Everyone put their heads together and came up with a list:

Top 10 Reasons to Kill Senate Health Care Bill

1. Forces you to pay up to 8% of your income to private insurance corporations — whether you want to or not.
2. If you refuse to buy the insurance, you’ll have to pay penalties of up to 2% of your annual income to the IRS.
3. Many will be forced to buy poor-quality insurance they can’t afford to use, with $11,900 in annual out-of-pocket expenses over and above their annual premiums.
4. Massive restriction on a woman’s right to choose, designed to trigger a challenge to Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court.
5. Paid for by taxes on the middle class insurance plan you have right now through your employer, causing them to cut back benefits and increase co-pays.
6. Many of the taxes to pay for the bill start now, but most Americans won’t see any benefits — like an end to discrimination against those with preexisting conditions — until 2014 when the program begins.
7. Allows insurance companies to charge people who are older 300% more than others.
8. Grants monopolies to drug companies that will keep generic versions of expensive biotech drugs from ever coming to market.
9. No re-importation of prescription drugs, which would save consumers $100 billion over 10 years.
10. The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of four will rise an average of $1,000 a year — meaning in 10 years, your family’s insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now.

The conference report on the health care reform bill can be filibustered, and obviously the axis of Nelson and Lieberman, etc., will be watching any alterations to the bill closely and making known their objections. However, there are also substantial objections among coalitions in the House, many of which are in conflict with the compromises made in the Senate. Vote margins are thin as well. Don’t etch passage of this bill in stone just yet.

• Health insurance industry bailout passes.
• It’s not true that everyone’s unhappy.
• The Shrill One: kill the filibuster.
• OMG global warming is so fake.
• What’s next for progressives.

David Broder just cannot understand how Democrats cannot be as unquestioning as Republicans.

Mr. Vegas Man — Hey Santa! What’s on your mind?