Healthcare Reform Thread II

[The Mad Monk]

It's kinda sad he sold out for a ride on Air Force One.

Obama promised to show him the alien bodies in Area 51.

[Drake Tungsten]

I don't really see these negotiations accomplishing much assuming these Dems are actually serious about standing up for principle.

They aren't...

I thought the consensus was an abortion amendment wouldn't be possible through reconciliation.

It isn't. The Senate can promise to take up the issue in a separate bill, however, and give a bit of political cover to Stupak bloc members who want to vote "yes" on the House bill. Everyone knows that a separate abortion bill will never pass but, like so many things in this process, it's the fiction that really matters.

[The Mad Monk]

I wouldn't be so sure. Vegas bookies give the bill a 70% chance of passing right now so if you really believe it is going down in flames then maybe you should put some money on the line. Vegas bookies will take your bet.

Are you actually still in favor of this abomination, or are you just that desperate for any hint of competance in your chosen party?

[DaShi]

Could be worse. They could be trying to pass the horrors of policy that the Republicans were suggesting.

[DinoDoc]

I don't really see these negotiations accomplishing much assuming these Dems are actually serious about standing up for principle.

They aren't...

If it's not principle then the cold hearted political fact is that they should still vote this bill down if they want to have a chance of keeping the cushy job in DC come November. This is especially true as the changes would seem to make the bill even more toxic to the American public and this is on top of them having to leave Nelson and other's bribes alone.

[Drake Tungsten]

If it's not principle then the cold hearted political fact is that they should still vote this bill down if they want to have a chance of keeping the cushy job in DC come November.

If you cross your party and still lose in November, you have nowhere to go. If you stick with your party and lose in November, there might be a cushy executive branch or lobbying job waiting for you. I'm sure Pelosi and Obama are also making it clear that it will be very hard to win in November if the party isn't going to support you.

[Drake Tungsten]

Excerpt from a purported Democratic talking points memo being circulated on the Hill...

Second, most health staff are already aware that our health proposal does not contain a “doc fix.” Some Republicans have repeated CBO’s November 18th letter that says “the sustainable growth rate (SGR) mechanism governing Medicare’s payments to physicians has been frequently modified (either through legislative or administrative action) to avoid reductions in those payments, and legislation to do so again is currently under consideration in Congress.” The inclusion of a full SGR repeal would undermine the reform’s budget neutrality. So, again, do not allow yourself (or your boss) to get into a discussion of the details of CBO scores and textual narrative. Instead, focus only on the deficit reduction and number of Americans covered.

As most health staff knows, Leadership and the White House are working with the AMA to rally physicians support for a full SGR repeal later this spring. However, both health and communications staff should understand that we do not want that policy discussed at this time, lest I [sic] complicate the last critical push for health reform.

http://hotair.cachefly.net/images/2010-03/20100319100051579.pdf

Oh, Ramo. You're lucky the people you're shilling for are smarter than you are...

[DinoDoc]

I'm sure Pelosi and Obama are also making it clear that it will be very hard to win in November if the party isn't going to support you.

The way the political winds are blowing that might be the best way to win especially with Obamas' reverse Midas touch in elections thus far.

[Theben]

Pelosi's going to get enough votes, won't have to use deem and pass, and the judicial system therefore won't get involved. Game over, man...

How dare you associate that film with this godforsaken bill...

[Drake Tungsten]

Aliens : Space Marines :: politicians : American people

Would anyone even be surprised if we found out Pelosi has acid for blood?

[Theben]

Oh, and...

How exactly are the Republicans "forcing this road"? The problem is that the Democrats don't have enough votes to pass the Senate bill in the House, which has **** all to do with the minority party.

They forced this road earlier last year when they made it plain as day that the GOP strategy was to block as much dem legislation as they could for their own political gain, as opposed to actually working with dems to make a decent bill. Any chance for debate was gutted before it left committee.

[Theben]

Would anyone even be surprised if we found out Pelosi has acid for blood?

If you stumble across a pair of shades that reveal hidden authoritarian messages, I wouldn't doubt it.

[DinoDoc]

Aliens : Space Marines :: politicians : American people

Would anyone even be surprised if we found out Pelosi has acid for blood?

I'm more frightened by the possibility that she's a facehugger.

[Drake Tungsten]

They forced this road earlier last year when they made it plain as day that the GOP strategy was to block as much dem legislation as they could for their own political gain

The GOP didn't have enough votes to block anything until Scott Brown got elected, dumbass. The Dems had a huge majority in the House and sixty votes in the Senate; they have no one to blame for their failures other than themselves.

[Theben]

When have the dems ever marched lockstep? The fact the GOP can do it in both house and senate should frighten any sane observer...