The lone Democratic holdout, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson, has agreed to support Obamacare -- one of the crown jewels of Obamaism.
According to Ed Morrissey, Nelson's capitulation is a "complete cave on abortion." The abortion language contained in the new Obamacare amendment is essentially the same language as it was a few weeks ago. One wonders what price Nelson's received for agreeing to support Obamacare.
Now that the Democrats have the 60 votes they need to quash Republican-led filibusters against Obamacare, Reid has introduced his 400 page amendment this morning. You can read the huge amendment here [pdf].
To accomplish the six votes necessary to rush the unpopular Obamacare bill through the Senate by Christmas, Reid finds it necessary to vote on it in the dead of the night. It does not matter to the Democrats that they promised the bill would be available for 72 hours before a vote. Nor does it bother the Democrats that the we are still waiting to see the CBO's cost estimate for this bill.
Obamaism: Worse than socialism.
Comments
It's a least a step forward to trying to tackle the issue of health care reform. Many changes will take place in working through the details. Since the Republicans haven't wanted to help fix the problem, I certainly wouldn't vote for them again.
And since you say,"Obamaism: Worse than socialism," that can only mean you're one of the lucky ones that have good health, good health insurance and the money to keep it. It sadly also means you aren't reporting news by your own biased opinion.
And I'm sure they needed 60 votes to pass it. Not 6!
nelson joins other cowards like lieberman, mc caskill, and lincoln. there is no such thing as bipartisanship, or animal posing as a blue dog democrat! a democrat is a democrat, and you can smell them from the distance!
ShameOnYou,
You are an idiot! Hope you will still spout your bull when the facts and realities don't match the Obama rhetoric. People like yourself get what you deserve!
The GOP neutered themselves by their poor governance, now they are left muttering to themselves in the corner. If you have a gripe, it's certainly not with Obama, or "Obamaism" as you call it.
Is it ideal? Not by a long shot, but we are now a one-party nation since the Republicans have effectively taken themselves out of the debate. Sarah Palin of VP? Come on.
Thanks for the update. You are exactly right. None of your detractors in these other comments have any substance beyond name-calling. Why the rush? There is no health care crisis in this country. "It's the economy, stupid." We should be debating this topic extensively since health care takes up about one-sixth of the economy. Check out my posting as the Richmond Conservative Examiner, "Obama, Reid, Pelosi Star in 'Deal or No Deal.'"
Loving the new taxes inside this Senate Bill.
3% tax on sodas containing more than 40mg of sodium that will go to help pay for reform.
10% tax on tanning salons that will be used for skin cancer research.
I'm only 30 minutes in. I'll be sure to post all the other Liberal BS taxes as I run across them.
Don't expect to see them on CNN. I got my tip from Fox. And what do ya know,..they aren't lying.
The American people deserve to know how these healthcare bills affect them OTHER than just expanded coverage. When all is said and done, you will be paying MORE than you are now by the time you pay for all the "little things" the left is throwing at us to help pay for this bill.
It's NOT a self cost sustaining bill like Democrats are saying. You read the bill and then come back to tell me I'm lying.
And yes, Obama is a socialist. Along with the contributing authors of both the House and Senate health care bills.
The question neither congress or the president ever answered honestly is: By what authority do you have ANYTHING at all to do with our health care?
Those who want congress to dictate their health or insurance should certainly be free to choose that, of course. The real problem comes when they dictate to the rest of us - and plan to destroy both our health care AND our economy in the process.
By what authority?
The Party of NO is full of poutrage today.
Whitney: I'm sorry you can't make a comment without calling other people names. That's really very sad. However you might feel about this bill, it doesn't make my comments any less true. And for the record, I am very happy with my situation. I'm just more concerned about the rest of the nation as well as the welfare on my fellow Mississippians. I'm sorry you aren't.
ShameOnYou,
I to am from Mississippi. And unless you live in the Delta region under Mr. Welfare Bennie Turner, you will be represented by a Republican for a long time to come as far as the House goes.
And both of our Republican Senators are staying until they choose to longer run.
HealthCare is one thing. But what you people aren't getting is that there are HUNDREDS of hidden legislations hidden into this ONE bill. And all point to nothing BUT socialism.
I urge all who disagree to actually READ it!! Nothing Americana about it.
And for the record,..I've never said health care reform is not warranted. But this current bill is not a place to start.
Reform in the insurance industry is needed. And that CAN be achieved without hand outs and hundreds of new taxes to pay for the handouts.
Hell, Nebraska's senator is only voting for the bill because Reid made a deal to pay for their state's medicaid expansion while everyone else pays for it...NOT because of abortion issues.
Socialism to get the votes needed to pass a socialist bill. How ironic. Only in the left wing.
senator nelson has carved his niche in history. he's gonna be there with charlie manson, neville chamberlain, al capone, and barack obama as well as other luminaries!
@Tim: I am glad you agree that the insurance industry needs to be reformed. I did actually READ it. No, it's not perfect by any means. I also know that it will be updated and changed many many times before it goes into effect. I live in North Mississippi and I voted for Roger Wicker, who is my Senator. It is Travis Childers, and not Bennie Thompson who is my elected Representative. Yes, our State Senators are both Republicans and will not be up for election until 2012 and 2014, respectively. That doesn't change the fact that the Republican party hasn't tried to help come up with ideas to help reform health care. They have really only been trying to stop any reform because they are trying to stick it to the Democrats. A real bipartisan bill I'm sure would have been better.
It's a socialists bill? I guess by definition it is. Does that automatically make it a bad bill? I don't think so. Many programs in United States are socialist programs: the national banking system, jails, parks, b
It's a socialists bill? I guess by definition it is. Does that automatically make it a bad bill? I don't think so. Many programs in United States are socialist programs: the national banking system, jails, parks, beaches, roads and highways, schools, libraries, USDA, FCC, FDA, etc.
I don't have a problem with my taxes going to helping people that truly need it. Or those that deserve a chance to be able to overcome difficulties that are no fault of their own. I realize that some people don't want their taxes spent on it even if, in end, they might make this a better country. That's OK, too. I don't like so much my taxes going to the military either. But you can't please everyone. That's just the way it goes.
Nelson didn't cave! He got what he wanted. No Nebraska Medicare payments FOREVER!!!!!!! FOREVER!!!
WE should sue OUR Senators for not joining in the prostitution of the government. New Orleans Landrieu get what she wanted. Nelson got what he wanted. Why did mt Senators drive a hard bargain? They dropped the ball.
It is SICK and unconstitutional what Nelson did. It does not meet the equal protection clause. Nebraska citizens will be receiving a benefit not available to anyone in Idaho or Colorado etc. SEPARATE treatment of the citizens of one state only.
It needs to be reviewed by the courts.
Tim says: The American people deserve to know how these healthcare bills affect them...
EXACTLY. I wrote to my 2 senators and asked this simple question. "How will the legislation you are considering effect the health insurance YOU AND YOUR FAMILY have right now?"
Have not heard back from either.
Does anyone remember the words, separate but equal? What did it mean?
If the elected officials pass this monstrosity, and it effects everyone but themselves and federal workers, is it "separate but equal"?
Is "separate but equal" now approved by the US Government?
I agree. This should be reviewed by the courts.
The rumor that was going around that Nelson was faced with threats of shutting down the air base if he didn't get on board were only rumors. However,the free medicaid expansions for life are not rumors and more demeaning than the air base situation as far as I'm concerned.
VOTE Reid and Pelosi out!
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