If the GOP had been smarter, they could have given the bill some support and watered it down to beyond its current dysfunctionality, making it nearly meaningless. The sad part for them was that they should have been able to deal with Dem leadership, but they weren't even close to up to the task. Folks, you think that the Dem leadership is bad? You won't find me among those disagreeing with you. But you should really take a look at the GOP and realize that their ideas are hackneyed and lifeless, and that the representatives are at least as inept as they charge the democrats with being, and usually moreso.

How long before the lying scumbag R-turds will start taking credit for health care reform?

They love 'the big lie' and this will be a real whopper.

I seriously predict is won't be long before some of them start talking like they made this happen. At the very least, some of these worms will take credit for amendments they voted for before voting against the whole bill.

What time does the leftie circle jerk start?

Someone produced a letter late last week from Mitch McConnell to all Sen Repubes, dated 2 mos before Obama's inauguration, telling them not to deal with him at all on any legislation.

Gotta link Corkster?

Hi Lisa!

I haven't had a chance to look for it.

How are you Corky?

I'd be interested in reading that letter if you can find it.

Thanks!!

If the GOP had been smarter, they could have given the bill some support and watered it down to beyond its current dysfunctionality, making it nearly meaningless.

Yup. They were so afraid of giving Obama a big legislative victory that they never took the opportunity to climb on board and gut the bill. So Obama gets his victory and it's much bigger than it would be otherwise.

The emphasis on abortion showed the tactical desperation of Congressional Republicans. Abortion is a tangential issue to the health care reform. When even some Catholic groups are saying that the bill does not publicly fund abortions, trying to make this into "the biggest abortion bill ever" is hysteria. Both the anti-abortion and pro-choice groups made themselves look foolish and extremist yesterday.

The only way this passing was the doing of the GOP was that the GOP made sure the American people looked into what was in the bill, forcing the dems to bribe and force an illegal vote before members went home for Easter and got hammered. Ok, got to go back to work so I can earn a living and pay more taxes so Axe can get his free health care. Congrats Axe, who won the showcase on the price is right?

re: The only way this passing was the doing of the GOP was that the GOP made sure the American people looked into what was in the bill..

You mean like the death panels and euthanasia for old people and handicapped kids?

“This only worked well for the Republican Party if it failed to pass,” David Axelrod, one of the president's closest political advisers, said at the White House as he watched the vote count for the final bill reach 219 in favor. “They wanted to run against a caricature of it rather than the real bill. Now let them tell a child with a pre-existing condition, ‘We don't think you should be covered.'”

That and higher taxes with no benefits for 4 years

Democrats now OWN the healthcare system 100% good or bad. Premiums, access to care, doctor participation, research and deveopment, rationing, abortion, unemployement. There is no way for them to get cover for this now whatsoever. If it works out for them some day, great. However, it has never worked before. This is the new brand of the Democrats forever.

#9 | Posted by fishpaw at 2010-03-22 10:29 AM

Talk about being stubbornly ignorant.

#12 | Posted by fishpaw at 2010-03-22 10:40 AM

Your taxes are going up? Really? I couldn't care less if they do, but something tells me even if you find out that your taxes are going down it won't change the way you vote in November, or 2012.

Fishpaw-
Well, there are immediate benefits. What I find more interesting is the argument that it's a bad bill because you don't get the benefits yet. This seems to imply that the benefits are good, but are coming too late, which really undercuts your entire argument that the policy is bad for people.

If it works out for them some day, great. However, it has never worked before.

Which is why politicians always run on the platform of ending Medicare.

- Now let them tell a child with a pre-existing condition, ‘We don't think you should be covered.'”

The GOP running for taking away consumer protections and small bus beenies that will already be in effect by the fall?

Hardly. They'll have forgotten all about health care and be praying that the jobs and economy still suck.

I'm ignorant? Just as you are so sure that I would only tow the party line you tow it as well without caring or knowing what your party is doing and how they are doing it.

‘We don't think you should be covered.'

#17 | Posted by Corky

The govt won't say that. They will say... "Now is the time for you to consider your end of life options. Due to budgetary constraints, your options are as follows..."

HUFFINGTONPOST LISTS THESE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
• Prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children in all new plans;
• Provide immediate access to insurance for uninsured Americans who are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition through a temporary high-risk pool;
• Prohibit dropping people from coverage when they get sick in all individual plans;
• Lower seniors' prescription drug prices by beginning to close the donut hole;
• Offer tax credits to small businesses to purchase coverage;
• Eliminate lifetime limits and restrictive annual limits on benefits in all plans;
• Require plans to cover an enrollee's dependent children until age 26;
• Require new plans to cover preventive services and immunizations without cost-sharing;
• Ensure consumers have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal new insurance plan decisions;
• Require premium rebates to enrollees from insurers with high administrative expenditures and require public disclosure of the percent of premiums applied to overhead costs.

So, if these effects are true, why is it that Health Insurance Stock values spiked earlier this year? (except that a few insurance companies acted preemptively to raise costs 40%)

#15 And how about the argument that it is revenue neutral from the left yet we need to raise revenues through taxes for 4 years to fund the so called benefits that don't kick in until 2014?

So, if these effects are true, why is it that Health Insurance Stock values spiked earlier this year? (except that a few insurance companies acted preemptively to raise costs 40%)

#20 | Posted by nutcase

It's because these effects are NOT true.

This will result in absoulte catastrophe.

Which is why politicians always run on the platform of ending Medicare.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Although it would be hubris to think there's no chance health reform will be a disaster, the history of such programs in this country is that people like them. Since the existing insurance system is fubar, I think they will grow to like this bill a lot.

Sorry, Fishhead, but I will not benefit from any of this. I will be on Medicare before any of this kicks in.

I have never fought for this for my own benefit.

Unlike you R-turd selfish bastards.

So, if these effects are true, why is it that Health Insurance Stock values spiked earlier this year?

that is because what you wrote represents the portion of the iceberg above the water. the vast majority of the iceberg is underwater and can't be seen.

quick question.....which part of the iceberg sunk the Titantic?

BTW, not trying to compare this bill with the sinking of the Titantic but rather pointing out that the portion you can't see is extremely relevant and significant.

Good one Ass.

This will result in absoulte catastrophe.

#22 | Posted by JeffJ

Also, the Dow Jones will be at 1400 this time last year.

--Ray

Ours is the most embarrassing, stupid generation in American history. We just took what past generations built and flushed it down the toilet.

Enjoy your "Second Bill of Rights" if you want to see what they will do next:

-A job with a living wage
-Freedom from unfair competition and monopolies
-A home
-Medical care
-Education
-Recreation

Our generation has never known poverty, and is still basking in the success of the 80s with no clue what it is to be without. We will soon learn and be shocked and awakened when our little philosophies come to fruition, but only then will revolution begin. When we selfishly say..."Hey, where is my job and govt benefits I've been paying for all my life?"

But former Republican House speaker Newt Gingrich said Obama and the Democrats will regret their decision to push for comprehensive reform. Calling the bill "the most radical social experiment . . . in modern times," Gingrich said: "They will have destroyed their party much as Lyndon Johnson shattered the Democratic Party for 40 years" with the enactment of civil rights legislation in the 1960s.

Our generation has never known poverty

#29 | Posted by RIGHTPOLICY at 2010-03-22 11:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

And like a typical member of the Republiklan Party you object to that. Sweeeeet.

#30 I'm sure that he was argueing that the civil rights legislation was not just, just like you folks claim than anyone who disagrees with Obama is a racist. Where is your spokesperson Celesary to chime in on that one as well?

re: I'm sure that he was argueing that the civil rights legislation was not just

Maybe he was. I just wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, LOL!

So, if these effects are true, why is it that Health Insurance Stock values spiked earlier this year? (except that a few insurance companies acted preemptively to raise costs 40%)

#20 | Posted by nutcase

Maybe because earlier this year it looked like H/C reform was not going to pass.

Maybe because earlier this year it looked like H/C reform was not going to pass.

not true.

Dave Dave Dave,

Another article that would blame Republicans? Let us remember that the bipartisanship of the last year has been on the Nobamacare side of the aisle. To put it another way, the last year has witnessed this farce of a President hammering his own party into submmission....hammering those who would be bipartisan.

The Dems had the numbers to pass everything, and do so without Republicans. But those darned bipartisans in his own party were the problems.

Democrat - the party of linguini spines.

Yglesias voted for it despite his reservations.

Typical.

"Democrat - the party of linguini spines."

Yeah...that's why so many of 'em put their seats in jeopardy to get this bill passed for the betterment on America.

And BTW moron, I didn't write the article.

Conservatives and Republicans today suffered their most crushing legislative defeat since the 1960s.

It's hard to exaggerate the magnitude of the disaster. Conservatives may cheer themselves that they'll compensate for today's expected vote with a big win in the November 2010 elections. [...]

No illusions please: This bill will not be repealed. Even if Republicans scored a 1994 style landslide in November, how many votes could we muster to re-open the “doughnut hole” and charge seniors more for prescription drugs? How many votes to re-allow insurers to rescind policies when they discover a pre-existing condition? How many votes to banish 25 year olds from their parents' insurance coverage? And even if the votes were there – would President Obama sign such a repeal?

We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat. [...]

So today's defeat for free-market economics and Republican values is a huge win for the conservative entertainment industry. Their listeners and viewers will now be even more enraged, even more frustrated, even more disappointed in everybody except the responsibility-free talkers on television and radio. For them, it's mission accomplished. For the cause they purport to represent, it's Waterloo all right: ours.

Axis of Evil Author David Frum.

Only someone more concerned with elections than with the welfare of actual people the results of elections can impact could even have such a thought.

#30 | Posted by BetelG

Your philosophy would keep the heroin addict well supplied vs. getting them off the drug

"We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat. [...]"

You certainly won't get any honest assessment like that from Drudge rtards like JeffJ, Mao, and AKAstupid. Of course, they were among the radical voices that didn't want compromise.

Democrat - the party of linguini spines.

#36 | Posted by Sabbatai

Democrat - Ask your doctor about Democrat today

WARNING: May Democrat may cause impotence, retardation, rectal bleeding, nausea, heartburn, explosive diarrhea, death. If you are an American, you should not take Democrat. Consult your doctor to see how bad Democrat could damage your family today.

Like my new bumper sticker?

You certainly won't get any honest assessment like that from Drudge rtards like JeffJ, Mao, and AKAstupid. Of course, they were among the radical voices that didn't want compromise.

#41 | Posted by nullifidian

Typical leftist bullshit.

I hate to break it to you but the words that you seem to believe you and your ilk own have actual meaning.

In the case of this attrocity of a bill - bending over and taking a massive-Marxist dildo in the ass while given the choice of lubricant is NOT comprimise. Lubricant is NOT comprimise.

What a fucking hack you are on this one!

What is even more sad is how lazy you've become. I am mildly surprised that you would be clinging to demonstrably-false talking-points to this degree.

Of course, they were among the radical voices that didn't want compromise.

Because you can't hang your hat on fiscal conservatism when you support eternal war with a blank check abroad. Once that hypocrisy is exposed, all you are left with is a religious freak show.

I still believe that Dems are going to take a beating on this in November. Independents who carried the water for Obama are generally against this bill, and will respond in kind.

"bending over and taking a massive-Marxist dildo in the ass while given the choice of lubricant is NOT comprimise[sic]. Lubricant is NOT comprimise.[sic]"

#43 | Posted by JeffJ

Hahahaha. You get more ridiculous by the post. You get your John Birch Society membership card, yet?

re: Yglesias voted for it despite his reservations.

Typical.

#37 | Posted by KBM at 2010-03-22 11:38 AM | Reply | Flag:

Yglesias is not in Congress.

#45

Jeffy does seem to be channeling Mao these days. I just hope it's not yet another case of a moderate conservative lost to rightwing extremism, lol.

re: bending over and taking a massive-Marxist dildo in the ass while given the choice of lubricant is NOT comprimise. Lubricant is NOT comprimise.

More substantive, cogent, and non-reactionary commentary on the relative merits of the legislation to come from Jeff J.

Stay tuned.

#45 | Posted by nullifidian

Please point out where the Dems genuinely sought comprimise with the GOP and I will gladly retract.

They didn't and you know it.

They offered lubricant, at best, and that was it.

More substantive, cogent, and non-reactionary commentary on the relative merits of the legislation to come from Jeff J.

This coming from the douchebag who, at best, offers up one paragraph per-year of substantive commentary on a given subject on the top of thousands of posts ranging from whiny to sobbing.

My, someone sure pissed in Jeff's Post Toasties this morning.

"Please point out where the Dems genuinely sought comprimise with the GOP and I will gladly retract."

First they took single-payer off the table. Then they took the public option off the table. That's more than enough compromise for the party that won the election.

First they took single-payer off the table. Then they took the public option off the table. That's more than enough compromise for the party that won the election.

Posted by nullifidian at 2010-03-22 12:28 PM | Reply

Indeed.

This from CNN:

Healthcare facts (CNN) These are the facts, and they are not debatable. For those who have health insurance, you are in all probability going to pay more and get less. The American public is getting a tax increase -- and not just the rich ($200,000 is defined as rich). The so-called "Cadillac" health insurance plans will be taxed, and there are a variety of other taxes on businesses that will undoubtedly be passed on to consumers.Doctors and hospitals are going to be paid less for services. Forty-six cents out of every dollar spent on medicine is paid for by you the taxpayers. Just know you're going to pay more.Small and large businesses are going to have to pay more for their employees' health insurance plans. And every American is mandated to have health insurance whether we want it or not.The elderly on Medicare will see their benefits changed dramatically. The biggest item being used to pay for the new program is more than $500 billion in cuts to the Medicare program at a time when 72 million baby boomers become eligible for it in the next decade. The second biggest move to pay for this is by raising and expanding the Medicare tax.It is true some Americans will benefit. By 2014, according to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will give 19 million uninsured Americans subsidies averaging $6,000 to help pay premiums and other medical charges. This is in addition to the federal government already picking up the tab for nearly 100 million Americans through Medicare (the elderly) and Medicaid (the poor, disabled and many children).The smart people in D.C., including the president and the speaker will be long gone (as well as a bunch of Democrats who will lose in November) when the debts come due. But our children and grandchildren will be left with the tab.

WARNING: May Democrat may cause impotence, retardation, rectal bleeding, nausea, heartburn, explosive diarrhea, death.

But enough about the afflictions of the RNC. In their case retardation is a pre-existing condition and we all know that rectal bleeding has another cause. We did see the explosive diarrhea outside Congress on Saturday and Sunday.

‘We don't think you should be covered.'

#17 | Posted by Corky

The govt won't say that. They will say... "Now is the time for you to consider your end of life options. Due to budgetary constraints, your options are as follows..."

#19 | Posted by RIGHTPOLICY

I guess you didn't know that (or don't care) that the "end of life" counseling you are referring to was included in Bush's Medicare Reform Bill. You know the one that was passed at 6 am in the morning after a 3 am vote failed so the Rethugs held the voting open for 3 extra hours (not the normal 15 minutes) to twist arms to get the votes they needed to get it to pass.

Grassleycare, also known as Medicare Part D, employs a complicated structure of deductibles, co-pays, and coverage limits. Thanks to something called the "doughnut hole," drug coverage disappears when out-of-pocket costs reach $2,400, returning only when they hit $3,850. Simply stated, the bill cost a fortune, wasn't paid for, is complicated as hell, and doesn't do all that much -- though it does include coverage for end-of life-counseling, or what Grassley now calls "pulling the plug on grandma."

I guess you didn't know that (or don't care) that the "end of life" counseling you are referring to was included in Bush's Medicare Reform Bill.

I guess you didn't know that (or didn't care) that that comment was made in reference to a child with a pre-existing condition....not Bush's Medicare Reform Bill.

you know....92 year old grannie versus a child?

Oh wait, I forget, you can't post without a "bush touched it" reference.

This will result in absoulte catastrophe.

#22 | Posted by JeffJ at 2010-03-22 10:58 AM | Reply | Flag: DRAMA QUEEN

But enough about the afflictions of the RNC. In their case retardation is a pre-existing condition and we all know that rectal bleeding has another cause. We did see the explosive diarrhea outside Congress on Saturday and Sunday.

#54 | Posted by northguy3

WARNING: If you are an American, do not take Democrat

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are

This will result in absolut catastrophe.

#22 | Posted by JeffJ

Put down the vodka bottle, Jeff.

This will result in absolut catastrophe.

#22 | Posted by JeffJ

On par with reaganomics or Bush's invasion of Iraq?

Are Republicans Serious About Fixing Health Care?

#55 | Posted by donnerboy

Nope, but it will be fixed starting next year!

Face it. You guys opened a Pandora's box

So now I am required to buy health insurance or I get to answer to the IRS? What is next? Everyone will have to buy $3000 worth of GoreCo carbon offset credits?

Run that by the Supremes

What a fun thread!

All the Drama Queens and Chicken Littles running around pissing and moaning-it's absolutely hilarious!

I think Scooby-Doo can sum up the Repubs feelings today now that they realize that all their fear-mongering and outright LIES about this bill are going to be exposed....

"Ruh - Roh!"

What time does the leftie circle jerk start?

#3 | POSTED BY MYSTERYTOY

right after the "dirty sanchez" party in the republican caucus.

What's really hilarious is the GOP's gearing up to repeal the health care bill, because they see that as a winning strategy for the mid-terms. Now that 32 million Americans who didn't have access to health care are within striking distance of getting it, the GOP wants to run on a platform of "We want to take your health care away - please vote for us."

You can't make this shit up.

#1 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine

They tried Hag--they were excluded.

Yglesias should thank Stupak for being a dufus and unprincipled pro-life only for a price kinda guy..

What a fun thread!

All the Drama Queens and Chicken Littles running around pissing and moaning-it's absolutely hilarious!

#63 | Posted by frankf55

Ok, Franky.

What do you do for a living? That's what I thought.

You are either a government worker or you don't have a job.

What makes you think that a loser like you has any fucking credibility to call names?

If you do have a job and it's not a government job, then your boss will calling you in to lay you off very soon.

Anyone with a screwed up attitude like that can't be very valuable to any company.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

I think Scooby-Doo can sum up the Repubs feelings today now that they realize that all their fear-mongering and outright LIES about this bill are going to be exposed....

"Ruh - Roh!"

#64 | Posted by Mutant9

I think that lies in the bill have been exposed and you still don't get it.

Mutant and franky,

The Conservatives had a field day today. There are money bombs starting up this week in the Tea Parties to collect as much as possible when the emotion is high.

They will do this all summer long and it will be a blood bath in November.

I will be seeing you then...

LOL!!!

#70

har har har,send your money,lol

bloodbath,har har har

So mandatory Health Insurance is being fought......anyone want to fight for my right to not have car insurance? Sorry but its all bull, LEFT and RIGHT lets see what this bill does over the next few years before were cry or celebrate.

#1

If the GOP had been smarter....

If pigs could fly....

Seriously though, except in the narrowest tactical sense of scaring people into voting against stuff and thus for them, it's been decades since the words smart and GOP could be credibly used together. We just had a very long eight year lesson in that.

The GOP was given every opportunity to contribute to this bill in a positive way but refused to do so, opting instead to try and kill it with their usual scare tactics egged on by all their windbags in the media.

So mandatory Health Insurance is being fought......anyone want to fight for my right to not have car insurance? Sorry but its all bull, LEFT and RIGHT lets see what this bill does over the next few years before were cry or celebrate.

#72 | Posted by Fritschya

Reality will not set in until about mid-2011 when policy and stimulus money runs out---what, do we spend more and increase deficits even more?---if the private sector and structural economy can no longer suuport growth and deficits aren't eventually addressed, this bill won't mean squat since the reality of huge debt will ultimately hit the reality of unsustainable entitlements---and if this happens, entitlements will be hit like we can't imagine and a lot of the measures of this bill won't happen.

Hey AXE...

Have you EVER once posted here without name calling and/or personal attacks? Is it just that difficult for you to construct a thoughtful, intelligent piece? Man, it gets old.

I reject 90% of liberal philosophy and ideas, but the only person I address specifically is Danni, as her posts are universally ignorant beyond belief. Otherwise I tend to try to speak to the ideas.

Just an observation. Not that you are necessarily interested in what a conservative has to say....

JM