Democratic senator: Sure, I’ll commit political suicide to pass ObamaCare
posted at 6:53 pm on November 22, 2009 by Allahpundit
It’s not every day you see a politician extend a rhetorical middle finger to his constituents, so enjoy this. It’s no mere hypothetical, either. His numbers in Colorado have been weak for months; meanwhile, The One’s approval rating there slipped below 50 percent as far back as April. Bennet’s facing a tough primary challenge, where he’ll be hammered if he votes no, and then what’ll no doubt be a tough general election, where he’ll be hammered if he votes yes. He might as well vote his conscience and prepare for the firing squad. Besides, Democrats aren’t really concerned with voters anymore. They’re answering to … a higher power now.
What’s Reid’s back-up plan if Obama’s ratings crumble a bit further and even Democrats like Bennet start to panic? Wonder-twin powers, activate! Form of a RINO!
The two moderate Republican senators from Maine, Susan M. Collins and Olympia J. Snowe, both say Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, reached out to them after he unveiled the Senate measure, encouraging them to bring forward their ideas and concerns…
“I have ruled out voting for this bill but I still very much want to vote for a bill and that is why I am continuing to have discussions,” said Ms. Collins. “I still cling to the belief that it is possible for a group of us to come together and rewrite the bill in a way that would cause it to have greater support.”…
Both senators have been talking privately with Democrats and independents about devising joint amendments in such areas as cost control, and both said they would continue to look for compromises.
“I’m prepared to continue to work to improve the legislation,” said Ms. Snowe, who said how her proposals are handled will “be a true test of whether there is a will to improve this legislation in a non-ideological, bipartisan manner.”
Exit question: Who’s going to be Reid’s 60th vote for cloture, Snowe or Collins? Don’t tell me neither. We all know how this horrible story ends.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Government has become a giant parasite, sucking not our blood but our money. If it was asking for our blood instead would we give? (The military excepted.)
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 8:28 PM
There is a possibility that it will not pass. How does the DNC make its base angry and happy at the same time? Villains! It will have to be strategized out but if the Democrats want to retain control of the House and the Senate, a few democrats will have to be sacrificed in order to keep this expensively crafted legislation over reach from hurting their chances in the next election cycle. Of course Obama’s reputation must be protected but the blame will placed at the feet of the leadership of the House and the Senate. There will be cries of “we did our best to get this passed but those Republicans & Lieberman and the remaining conservative democrats would rather have Americans dying uninsured than living by having government health care blah, blah, blah. Reid will lose his senate seat no matter what & Pelosi will probably be replaced by another democrat after the 2010 elections if they are unsuccessful in passing HR3200. The inside players of Democrat Party are either headed for a big shake up in their leadership role positions or their could be a complete collapse. Kind of like what Fred Thompson said in his role during the movie “Red October” but substituting a couple of words – The DNC doesn’t take a dump without a plan son – There is a plan ‘B’ at the ready, don’t you fret about those democrat weasels. They know how to dump on people. If the Democrats fail this time time, don’t worry about it because the screed will be “”if you republican villains strike this legislation down … the DNC will become more powerful than you can imagine” …
I can’t wait.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Tough to prove quid pro quo or a criminal offense, but:
Newsbusters
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Depends on what vote and what bill you are talking about. The Senate still has to come up with their bill and vote on it. Harry Reid says he can do that by Christmas. Then whatever the Senate passes has to be reconciled with the House bill. Then it has to go to committee to hammer out the differences like whether or not Dems are willing to fund abortion or have a public option……..
Make no mistake the Dems will ensure the filthy lying coward has something to sign. It will be a trainwreck and opposed by the majority of Americans. It will be passed in the middle of the night without any debate or any GOP input.
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:32 PM
What’s he gonna do? Say, “Yes, I’ll vote against it to save my job.” Either way, he’s screwed on his answer.
Mayhem on November 22, 2009 at 8:34 PM
He wouldn’t have said that had he not already known he was going to lose in 2010. Guaranteed, Obama has him covered for some other post. He should be shot right there on the spot. He’s a traitor to the union. Someone tell me where I’m wrong.
ranzofola on November 22, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Damn, what made us become so cynical anyway?
Let me count the ways. I feel like a beat dog!
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Send an email to Evan Bayh’s blackberry. It was leaked:
http://hoosierpundit.blogspot.com/2009/11/evan-bayhs-direct-email-leaked-on.html
Mayhem on November 22, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Oh how cute! You really think that Bennet or any politician read their own correspondence. No! That’s the job that goes to the moronic and unemployable children of big contributors. The morons will be on the job tomorrow. They will take your e-mail or phone call (they use the threat of anthrax as an excuse for refusing real letters) and put a check in a box and cut and paste a canned response. They will assure you that Bennet (or whatever politician) treasures your letter as much as they do the final correspondence they got from their grandpa and have put it in a very special place because it came from you- a constituent….. Then the bastard will go out and vote however they were anyway.
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Are you saying the dems completely control this steaming heap of horse dung? The republicans can’t really slow it down, as in, until elections?
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Obviously, if Congress is determined to wrap this anchor chain around all our necks and don’t care that they’re going down hard in the next election, then elections aren’t the answer.
Time for rebellion. Time to make life harder for our would-be overlords. Time to protest in front of their homes in the middle of the night, chanting out their names and a list of their legislative sins. Time to watch their movements and confront them in public at every turn.
Aitch748 on November 22, 2009 at 8:41 PM
You know what’s missing in your scenario? Any pretense of doing right by the American people through voting up or down on the legislation on the merits of the bill. You frame everything in terms of getting re-elected.
Sad to say this is probably an accurate presentation.
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:44 PM
If that’s the case, there’s only one solution.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Heh, I dubbed it “Loose Lips, Pink Slips“
stoutcat on November 22, 2009 at 8:45 PM
I will be surprised if it doesn’t pass. However, I think it will be interesting to see what the losers do next November after the Republicans take back congress. They will still be sitting in power until January of 2011. What bills will they ram through before handing congress over to the Republicans? How much more of the Republic will they try to destroy?
What will a bunch of Democrat losers do who realize they will be out of power in a few weeks, sitting their with nothing left to lose, filled with hate at America for kicking them out. That will be a telling time. Perhaps a dangerous one, too, for the nation.
JellyToast on November 22, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Pretty much. The Dems are all voting in a bloc which means that the bill cannot be defeated by filibuster. Pelosi and Reid select the members who go to committee so they will pick radicals who bicker over the extent of the public option and whether or not federally-funded abortions qualify for a tax credit.
The GOP has some ability to sway the debate but this bill is all the Dems responsibility and fault.
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Works for me!
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Crush my dreams that they look at at least a few of them randomly….
But if you thought he was going to be his office in Colorado this week you will be out of luck.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 22, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Why, yes… yes we do.
Thank you for asking.
Seven Percent Solution on November 22, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Sorry to be a dream crusher. If it is any consolation, Obama isn’t reading all those letters that supposedly pour into the White House either. At best their minions cull out a few that tell them what a damned good job they are doing to stroke their egos.
As to a Congressman in his office, not really a necessity if people want to protest. The better approach, IMO, is to stage rallies (think town halls without the liar). Opponents of Obamacare getting together in some public place and making it clear that this is an issue that constituents (i.e. voters) are still passionate about.
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:52 PM
These idiots go against the will of the people, and then, they have the nerve to explain how noble they have been. We are sunk, and they know it. I just hope that the voters will get to have an election in 2010 because this bunch could easily make another decision to finalize their dream for a new America. (of course, such a decision would be for the good of the people)Ha! They know what is best.
mobydutch on November 22, 2009 at 8:52 PM
And I am doubly disgusted that they are using the troops as an escape hatch. I wonder how much money it takes to fly them there on the Saturday before T-day and return them by Wed? How much time will they really get with the troops? And then fly back to DC for the start of debates on the 30th.
They might as well as gone to Mexico.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 22, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Political suicide or golden parachute? What have they been promised for their vote?
Skandia Recluse on November 22, 2009 at 8:53 PM
the democrats best play is to bring as liberal of a package as possible, and let it fail… at least their brain-dead leftist constituents will think they didn’t cave, and then they can not take the heat for passing this abortion…
phreshone on November 22, 2009 at 8:53 PM
More importantly, why don’t they spend Thanksgiving with people defending this nation’s interests instead of swooping in for a junket before the holiday. Would it really hurt them to stick around and choke down a few forkfuls of dry turkey with military members instead of rushing back for a four-day weekend?
highhopes on November 22, 2009 at 8:55 PM
The dems must be prosecuted for…. plagiarism.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 8:56 PM
The Dems care about their reelection or else there wouldn’t be such a rush to jam this through. The negatives just aren’t high enough for them to panic just yet. Plus, NJ and VA notwithstanding, some still believe that Obama can and will bail them out next November.
Everything really comes down to the economy. There are still at least one (maybe two) UE reports to come out pre-passage and if it continues its upward trend (some say it’ll top at 11.5-12%) then the panic will begin in earnest. Last thing, some say that we’re all through if this passes but few bring up how the only entitlements that last (and become widespread) are those that actually work. Just wait until HC premiums go up 2-3x, UE continues of blow up and we have a double dip, all in the name of NHC. IT ain’t going to be pretty. The Dems are creating an economic storm that’ll doom them all.
volnation on November 22, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Yes, but we’re on the same ship and they’re are cutting holes in the life boats.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Fixed it.
Jeff2161 on November 22, 2009 at 9:03 PM
There are a couple of people in history that I’ve read about who had the uncanny ability of placing themselves in the oppositions shoes, understanding how their minds operated and could figure out what battle plan strategy the opposition was going use thereby, knowing what needed to counter it before the battle took place. I don’t have that ability but I can hypothesize. I wasn’t being cynical rather, I consider what I wrote as being a hypothetical.
Look at the polls because I’ll tell you what, the politicians do and so do their respective operatives. What they thought the country gave them was a liberal-democrat mandated victory in 2008, it wasn’t. Now if they are smart and want to hold control – they must let this HR3200 fail. Closely fail but fail none the less. Otherwise, that 40 year plan they had in mind will evaporate in less than 14 months. Right Mr. Carville?
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 9:04 PM
I believe Reid wants a cloture vote just before Christmas. Don’t you love the timing? Jam it through while everyone is thoroughly distracted by the holidays.
Still, I suppose the fact that he thinks he needs almost a whole month (assuming he’s being straightforward about the date) shows that it’s not going to be *that* simple. If somehow we can push cloture into 2010, we may have a chance.
Missy on November 22, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Do we really even care what the straggler late-voting Democrats think, or do we care how they vote now? By letting this go to debate, Reid only needs 51 votes to pass it. Therefore, nine center-left Democrats can tell Reid to suck eggs yet the bas-tard will still get his bill.
Tell me why we care again about these lame ducks?
cannonball on November 22, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Since they LIE about the numbers to come up with it being deficit neutral, I’m thinking fraud charges with damages being the cost of the bill.
Jeff2161 on November 22, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Very interesting and almost Clintonian (sneak back to the center to stabilize falling approval). I pray you are right.
Missy on November 22, 2009 at 9:09 PM
He needs a second 60 votes to close debate and vote on the final, presuambly amended bill.
Wethal on November 22, 2009 at 9:10 PM
That too.
I would rather the Senators eat cold crow.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 22, 2009 at 9:12 PM
A muslim jihadist may decide a bill that does not cover genital mutilation for girls is an affront to Allah, could be interesting to see the spin on that hypothetical story.
Jeff2161 on November 22, 2009 at 9:12 PM
P.S. I know it’s been discussed before, but despite the media attention, no one should be fooled into thinking the public option will be permanently removed in order to gain votes in the Senate. If it is dropped in order to pass the Senate, it will likely be added back in conference.
Missy on November 22, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Hush yo mouth!
Remember: Strategery.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 9:14 PM
May your hypothesis become reality.
I spoke more of my cynicism than yours. I’ve been around many years and it grows of late.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Oh yeah. (Insert sound of a round being chambered.)
justltl on November 22, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Yeah I smell a bluff here. He may well do, but what is this going to other Democrats that aren’t as willing to throw themselves off the health care cliff?
Gatsu on November 22, 2009 at 9:17 PM
See why I’m cynical? It’s Missy’s fault.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I’m telling ya; ‘pitchfork’ time. Calling, emailing, blogging, whatever – waste of time. These bastards don’t care, and waiting for the next election to undo it isn’t going to cut it, and will be far too late.
Midas on November 22, 2009 at 9:20 PM
What’s Reid’s back-up plan if Obama’s ratings crumble a bit further and even Democrats like Bennet start to panic?
Why, more payoff money of course. It’s becoming clear, to me anyway, that the reason these critters are so cavalier about thumbing their noses at their constituents is they’re being paid handsomely for their betrayal. There are literally billions of $’s unaccounted for. It’s now bribe money.
SoldiersMom on November 22, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Are the Dems stupid or evil? At a time when any sane politician would be focusing on the economy, these clowns have been dithering with their health care scheme for months. They are going to get slaughtered in 2010.
pearson on November 22, 2009 at 9:21 PM
+1
pearson on November 22, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Obama will too with his rhetoric as his poll numbers fall or by August/September of 2010. He’ll try to campaign and present himself as a centrist again, hell his is always in the campaign mode. This is a middle-right country. Obama campaigned as a centrist but once he was elected his rhetorical speeches through increments pushed for far left & I mean socialist spread the wealth far left domestic policies. Will the public be fooled again?
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 9:24 PM
There must also be assurances that anyone who gets ousted in 2010 will get a job in the Obama administration. Pay-to-play baby! Chicago gone wild.
FeFe on November 22, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Yes.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:27 PM
“We all know how this horrible story ends.”
Why, yes… yes we do.
Thank you for asking.
Seven Percent Solution on November 22, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Seven Percent Solution: Speaking of horrible story ends,
I think,the German Graf Spee,didn`t
fair well in Argentina either,if my
facts are accurate!!:)
canopfor on November 22, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Speaking of Clintonian, am I the only who thinks Clinton recently encouraged the Dems to push ahead with their health care is to get some type of revenge on them for rejecting Hillary? Clinton, of all people, knows this issue almost made him a one-termer and cost the Dems control of Congress in 92.
pearson on November 22, 2009 at 9:27 PM
In the future, as the country is in flames (figuratively or literally) because of all this crap, the media and Democrats will say that it is because the Republicans didn’t work hard enough to oppose it.
And they will say it with a straight face.
And the sheeples will nod in assent, as they chew on their government grass.
justltl on November 22, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I think it would be best if I follow you on twitter & you follow me back. Our direct messages would be interesting if the topic of strategery was discussed. I don’t want to write about it here at HA.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Almost, but libs NEVER admit when their social engineering schemes wreak havoc and chaos. Instead, they will blame Republicans for opposing the single payer scheme and that will be presented as the new salvation.
pearson on November 22, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Where is a hacker when you need him/her? Want to bet that it was e-transferred to Soros’s accounts? Wouldn’t you love to hack into that man’s files. I would love to see the panic on Pelosi’s, Reid’s and Obama’s faces if the money magically dissappeared.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 22, 2009 at 9:34 PM
It is becoming increasingly apparent that political avenues have been exhausted as politicians no longer care about or represent the will of the people. The genius of the Founding Father’s foresaw this day and provided the Second Amendment. Never, never allow that power to be taken away or freedom will cease to exist.
trs on November 22, 2009 at 9:36 PM
You see I live in Illinois. I’ve seen this kind of politics up close and personal for many years.
It’s hard to keep track of all the politicians in prison.
Now, our politicians are loose on this Country, and it’s the same old crooked story. Chicago politics gone viral.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Serfdom
Kini on November 22, 2009 at 9:38 PM
The Sands of Iwo Jima Obama,ready to commit his
political supporters to hold the Island of HeathCare,
their orders:To pass HealthCare at all costs,and each
ObamaBot must take at least 10 Rino`s or Blue Dogs with
them,mix and match,as long as its 10!!
Obamas message,they must hold on to the HealthCare Island
at all costs,in order to buy time,so the Home Island,Liberal
Yapan,can allow Toto Reid and Tokyo Pelosi Rose to gather
more votes,to ensure a Glorious Victory!!
The alternative: To fall on their Lefty Swords and save face!! (Snark).
canopfor on November 22, 2009 at 9:38 PM
While I’m very hopeful we can retake the House, I don’t see that as a possibility in the Senate yet. There are 36 seats up next year, 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats. We will have to win 29 of 36 races (81%) to control the Senate. That’s incredibly tough math, but the Democrats are helping us a whole lot. So, maybe.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I am following you on Twitter, slowpoke.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Tyranny.
LibTired on November 22, 2009 at 9:42 PM
By then it won’t matter.
Midas on November 22, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Not gonna happen.
Rationing will happen to control costs.
Where will Americans go for Health Care Tourism?
Kini on November 22, 2009 at 9:43 PM
You’re right.
I’m sure that they will come up with even more clever claims.
I just hope that, rather than using them as campaign talking points, they use them as last words at their hangings.
justltl on November 22, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Think of this from the Dem’s perspective. If they don’t pass their health care bill, what do they run on? The Porkulus? Double-digit unemployment? They’re dead without it.
Are they dead with it? The polls says ‘yes’, but look for the Dems to run ads next summer and fall accusing the Republicans wanting to “take your health care away” by repealing the “historic” Obama health care plan. Like with Social Security, they will make it seem that THEY are the only ones providing for YOUR health care and without them and their largesse you are doomed.
In essence, their best – and perhaps only – path to re-election is to create as many dependent vassals as they can between now and next November.
It will pass.
PackerBronco on November 22, 2009 at 9:46 PM
If we are to do anything to repair the damage this Obamanation will inflect on this nation, then we have to stop being PC.
Maybe Pat Robertson was right and we should have took them out before they became such a problem.
Kini on November 22, 2009 at 9:49 PM
More of the “I know better than you do” politician.
F-You, pal.
HAnthonyWayne on November 22, 2009 at 9:54 PM
That is the final step in the Seppuku ritual. Except Bennett and his fellow statists are not Samurai, so they forfeit the right to ceremony. Off with their heads, anyway, without ceremony and with much humiliation.
BottomLine5 on November 22, 2009 at 9:54 PM
To say your hypothesis is correct, would it not require a rather close group of conspirators taking a huge risk of discovery, and would not the penalty for discovery be severe to the dem party. Are their any patriots in the dem party who would rat them out? Sorry, dumb question.
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 9:56 PM
They will both cave and then switch parties.
I feel a bit sad for you Republicans.
True_King on November 22, 2009 at 9:58 PM
It does matter. Elections do matter. We can retake the House in 2010, and we can greatly reduce the Democrats’ majority in the Senate, if not winning a GOP majority. That doesn’t mean we will be able to undo the damage done, but we will have the filibuster tool again in the Senate, and we can stop passage of any more obaminations like this in the House.
To me, that matters a lot.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 9:58 PM
canopfor on November 22, 2009 at 9:38 PM
If we are to do anything to repair the damage this Obamanation will inflect on this nation, then we have to stop being PC.
Maybe Pat Robertson was right and we should have took them out before they became such a problem.
Kini on November 22, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Kini: You are correct Kini,PC must be dropped over the fan
tail,and deep sixed!!:)
Hey,maybe Pat was right,but that smacks of civil war
talk!!:)
canopfor on November 22, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Okay.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I was talking to a State Senator friend of ours this afternoon (he’s a Dem) and he basically agreed with me that MONEY IS NOW THE CONSTITUENT OF THESE D.C. CLOWNS.
When $300 million spoke to Mary Landrieu she listened.
When all the pork and other exceptions got added to the bill they spoke and the Senators and Reps listened.
Folks when the D.C. listens to the money over their supposed “bosses” the American People we are in a world of trouble.
We need to pray this trash drags out into next year so they don’t have time to have McCain and Graham join into signing on to AMNESTY……..AND THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN!!
PappyD61 on November 22, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Here I was getting all cynical and stuff and you fire me up again. Foul!
donh525 on November 22, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Sigh. It doesn’t matter. I told a friend right after the election that they are going to ram what they can through now because they only have a two year window of opportunity. This has nothing to do with winning an election, it has to do with taking as much power from you as possible in the shortest amount of time. They will regain the seats in time and those that are voted out will be taken care of by the Machine.
I also predicted there would be Republican betrayal. How many times have I cited that here? Over and over. Republicans are going to betray you all as they have been doing since 94, and you will continue to vote for them. It’s time to think outside the normal election process to regain power. The Constitution affords you many options, the framers were intent on making sure tyranny would never take hold, it is time you all start utilizing the framework of peaceful pushback they outlined within the Constitution.
If you are betrayed by either or both of the two socialist Republicans there will be a message there that everyone here will miss.
The Mexican
True_King on November 22, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Sorry. Not selling cynicism or despair, here. You’ll just have to find your own.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 10:16 PM
The Republicans can still stop this:
No unanimous consent on waiving the reading of the bill.
Make the clerk of the Senate read the whole bill aloud. Then interrupt with interrogatories, and points of order.
It will be September 2010, before you get to a cloture vote.
patch on November 22, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I’d like to think of them as factions within the party. There are a growing number of people I suspect are speaking behind closed doors saying that with the economy as it is and the with Obama’s poll numbers sliding down below 50% now, our chances of losing seats in congress will be worse than in ’94. Do we really want to give up the power & control we fought so hard for?
When someone starts saying “if we do this HR3200, our ability to remain in power will go bye bye in 2010 or if we play this just right, we can say we fought to good fight and there will be a next time blah, blah, blah so we can retain most of the seats now and kick this can down the road to 2011. We are not going anywhere folks blah, blah.
The 20 + % base of the DNC will always be there for them but the rest will leave in droves when all the details of HR3200 are exposed.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Optimism will yours when you trade in that half empty glass.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 10:47 PM
It takes 41 votes to stop anything in the Senate. One vote or 40 can delay for a little bit, but I don’t believe it can be for as long as you claim.
Loxodonta on November 22, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I’ve tried twice to DM you. They won’t go through.
Americannodash on November 22, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Goal number 1-While you have the numbers (60) “make hay while the sun shines” so to speak. Pass every piece of tax and government control and spend legislation you can and as quickly as you can by any means whatsoever including coercion, extortion and bribery.
Goal number 2-Make your new laws and regulations ENTITLEMENTS which are resistant to legislative, executive or judicial change. Thus, even when you’re booted out of office, the laws you passed cannot be reversed without a constitutional ammendment.Therefore, even though you’re gone, the damage you have wrought remains a permanent legacy.
Goal number 3–Through abstruse and byzantine legislative hooks that you have attached to various bills-bribes to each other, kickbacks from lobbyists and other special interests-you can afford to be unemployed martyrs because you are multi-millionaire unemployed martyrs.
Goal Number 4-Gradually the socialist legislation that remains your legacy will dumb down people to the extent that 60% or more either pay no taxes or are entirely dependent on the sugar-daddy government for survival. At that point you’ll be invited back into the government and this time it will be PERMANENT.
MaiDee on November 22, 2009 at 11:07 PM
The WSJ sums up the carpet-chewing play acting of the Senate re the “health care” bill quite well: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704888404574550012759377786.html
The Dems know their lines and their ideology quite well. They sling their talking points and dramatize their heart-rending anecdotes while pretending that they are exercising judicious reasoning.
onlineanalyst on November 22, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Bennet was done for from the first day. He was appointed, not elected, and most Dems in CO wanted Andrew Romanoff, a much stronger candidate.
Maybe the powers that be thought they were saving Romanoff for a race against Scott McInnis for governor. We’ll see next year.
Common Sense on November 22, 2009 at 11:27 PM
I’m still on Specter’s email list, and in his latest missive he laments that the Senate bill does not have a public option, which he strongly supports. He is absolute scum.
onlineanalyst on November 22, 2009 at 11:38 PM
While these clowns are wheeling and dealing and gilding their already golden parachutes, they are totally ignoring the taxpayers, the ones who actually will pay the freight for this monstrosity. They do not represent us at all. They have no sense of being servants of the people.
onlineanalyst on November 22, 2009 at 11:45 PM
The one who wants to “make history”.
onlineanalyst on November 22, 2009 at 11:46 PM
If/when this disaster passes, those running in 2010 and 2012 had better run a repeal platform the likes of which this nation has never seen before or else I see no point in even going to my polling place.
Any politician running in the next couple election HAVE to run on a platform not of, “What I can get the govt to do for you” but “What I can do to get the govt out of your way.”
Nothing less is acceptable.
Yakko77 on November 22, 2009 at 11:46 PM
With both hands no less it would seem.
Yakko77 on November 22, 2009 at 11:48 PM
I’m under serious phishing attack on Twitter, apparently for my anti-American activities in support of the GOP. So, be aware and be patient.
Loxodonta on November 23, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Video: McCain telling seniors to cut up the AARP cards
I left my polling place feeling somewhat dirty voting for the man in 2008 but I feel a bit cleaner now.
Yakko77 on November 23, 2009 at 12:25 AM
My account was hacked again. I was able to read your DM’s after changing my password. I’m logged off now. Twitter gums up my feed. Thanks for the advice.
Americannodash on November 23, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Good to hear, but think about that for a second. One needs a state constitutional amendment to guarantee the right NOT to enter a contract. What in hell is the United States Constitution for, then? A state has to explicitly amend its constitution to guarantee the right not to be enslaved?
Sheesh. Progressives have turned America into a literal insane asylum and the ward nurses are the psychopaths.
JDPerren on November 23, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I envy the Democrats sometimes. Would any of our guys take one for the team? We controlled Congress, and the presidency and what did we get? Did they pursue our agenda?
DFCtomm on November 23, 2009 at 2:51 AM
WE, the right-winged ding-bats, want freedom for all. That means every human-being on the planet. To the very misinformed and completely propagandized lefty liberals; let me be clear: (to coin the over-used phrase of your “Der Leader”). There is not person who deserves more rights or wrongs than any other: A man, a boy, a woman, a girl.
For some strange, and very exotic reason the ”
liberals” believe that women should be hidden, shrouded in the burka from the public view of ridicule and nothingness, less than the beloved farm-animal. Here is my goat, here is my woman. The Libs think that this is one awesome tradition, should be, not only applauded for, but promoted, but also a lesson: We should RESPECT the Quran. Their passages of peacefulness and promotion of love are un-precendented., but only before they wipe-out the rest of world.
betsyz on November 23, 2009 at 3:21 AM
The Democrats gamble that once they set up a massive entitlement, Republicans will not be able to repeal it. The GOP couldn’t even shut down the Department of Education in the ’90s while the Department was unable to account for more than 10% of its budget, $100 billion, over the same time period, so their optimism isn’t completely unjustified.
`
Even a Republican takeover of both House and Senate in 2010 wouldn’t suffice, since Obama would have to sign a repeal.
`
However, the Democrats forgot something else. In order to misrepresent the costs of their plan, they don’t begin handing out benefits until 2013, but they start collecting taxes immediately so the “ten year cost” reflects ten years of revenue but only six years of expenses. BUT that means people will not have been getting any benefits, so the entitlement will hardly be entrenched. In fact people will have been getting notices of their employers’ plans to dump health coverage, and might be a bit upset about it.
`
Also, if the GOP can capture the House alone, or close the gap in the Senate enough to ensure the success of filibusters, they might not be able to repeal ObamaCare, but they could sure de-fund it if they were determined to do so.
`
It isn’t over until it’s over, and this ain’t over by a long shot.
`
Adjoran on November 23, 2009 at 3:44 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »