Tom Harkin (Democrat-Iowa) On ObamaCare: “Let’s Make History”
“A morning after” round up of the Senate vote in favor of a government take over of America’s health care system.
Via Pat Dollard:
“Let’s make history,” said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, shortly before the bill’s supporters demonstrated their command of the Senate floor in an extraordinary holiday season showdown.
The bill would extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who now lack it, while banning insurance company practices such as denial of benefits on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.
The political triumvirate (Obama, Reid and Pelosi) of Washington and their lemmings in the Senate and House of Representatives are going to shred the Constitution by inventing a new and invisible right. This new proposal will, at best, insure maybe 30 million (you know how Washington over estimates) people. I always thought the number was 40 million uninsured. The lobbyists for Socialized Medicine claim that 86.7 million americans were uninsured at some point over the last two years. Via CNN (you know it must be accurate):
The study, commissioned by the consumer health advocacy group Families USA, found 86.7 million Americans were uninsured at one point during the past two years.
Asking a strictly rhetorical question, if we are going to ruin our health care system and economy, shouldn’t we cover everyone?
The Note breaks down the politics of it all:
For President Obama and Democrats in Congress, this is a win with some potential losses — of party unity, and of standing with the public, all over a policy they may not wind up wanting to sell.
For Republicans, this is a loss with some potential wins — of party unity, and (so they hope) of standing with the public, all over a policy that they may want to continue to see sold.
(And the scoreboard may change a bit over the next 11 months.)
All of which combines to mean health care will drag out in all its ugliness through Christmas and beyond. It makes the moment perilous for both parties — since it’s easy to overplay what you think is a winning hand.
Democrats needed every last one of those 60 Senate votes for the first cloture vote shortly after 1 am ET Monday — and had to cater to 60 egos (we’re still counting the giveaways) to keep the bill on track.
It’s a fitting bookend on a frustrating year for the White House: Your final tally of Senate Republicans supporting the president’s biggest legislative priority: zero.
I bet Joseph Cao (R- Louisiana) feels really, really lonely today. He is the only Republican in either chamber to vote for the government takeover of health care. He’s toast in 2010.
I’m not a big fan of McCain. I held my nose and voted for him knowing that on his worst day he wouldn’t come close to Obama and his cadre of crazies. I wonder how people who that stayed home saying there really is no difference between Democrats and Republicans or even voted for Obama (to, you know, be part of history) feel this morning?
A great video from a friend of motorcitytimes.com, Dewy from Detroit:
Since the majority of the public does not support this fiasco and our Senators can’t be bothered to answer their constituents’ questions, I’m thinking maybe we should launch a recall. Carl “Leave-me-in” Levin’s got another 5 years on his term; Debbie “Stab-me-now” Stabenow, another 3.
These guys are complicit in bribery and collusion to violate the same US Constitution they are sworn to uphold and defend. They cannot, or won’t, cite the Article in that document that permits them to enact this legislation. And, since this bill has had 477 Senate ammendments considered before it got to this point, I doubt they’ve read it.
@Cynical Synapse: I would enthusiastically support any effort to have Stabenow and Levin removed from office.