Taking a break from the news this morning, but if you have something on your mind - feel free to chat away.
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...While my husband believed in a robust public option as an effective way to lower costs and increase competition, he also believed in not losing sight of the forest for the trees. As long as he wasn't compromising his principles or values, he looked for a way forward. As President Obama noted to Congress this fall, for Ted, health-care reform was not a matter of ideology or politics. It was not about left or right, Democrat or Republican. It was a passion born from the experience of his own life, the experience of our family and the experiences of the millions of Americans across this country who considered him their senator too. The bill before Congress will finally deliver on the urgent needs of all Americans. It would make their lives better and do so much good for this country. That, in the end, must be the test of reform. That was always the test for Ted Kennedy. He's not here to urge us not to let this chance slip through our fingers. So I humbly ask his colleagues to finish the work of his life, the work of generations, to allow the vote to go forward and pass health-care reform now. As Ted always said, when it's finally done, the people will wonder what took so long. [emphasis mine]
As President Obama noted to Congress this fall, for Ted, health-care reform was not a matter of ideology or politics. It was not about left or right, Democrat or Republican. It was a passion born from the experience of his own life, the experience of our family and the experiences of the millions of Americans across this country who considered him their senator too.
The bill before Congress will finally deliver on the urgent needs of all Americans. It would make their lives better and do so much good for this country. That, in the end, must be the test of reform. That was always the test for Ted Kennedy. He's not here to urge us not to let this chance slip through our fingers. So I humbly ask his colleagues to finish the work of his life, the work of generations, to allow the vote to go forward and pass health-care reform now. As Ted always said, when it's finally done, the people will wonder what took so long. [emphasis mine]
Meanwhile, Ben Nelson managed to secure additional Medicaid funding for the poor people in his state, so he now plans to vote for the bill.
What about the Republicans? They're staying true to character by doing everything in their power to kill the bill and deny 30 million people health care.
OK, turning off computer now. Need break from crazy. Haven't even checked on MI legiscritters and Race to the Top - something tells me I don't want to. ;-)
Back later!
I wish I lived in Stupak's district just so I could vote against him next time.
I'm not sure what Stupak dislikes about the compromise. According to TPM, this is how people receiving subsidies for insurance will have to pay for it:
If you're buying insurance with help from the government, and the policy you want to buy covers abortions, you have to write two checks (or authorize two credit card transactions, etc.) for your plan. If the plan costs $1000 a month, and the insurer plans to sequester $50 to put into a pool that covers abortions, you have to make one payment of $950 and a separate payment of $50.
It separates public funds from private ones, which was his objection in the first place. He didn't want public funding used to purchase policies that offered abortions.
The whole thing is still an insult to women everywhere in my opinion. When Stupak gives up his six-figure income, health insurance and golden pension - and experiences pregnancy, childbirth, poverty, spousal abuse and the other myriad reasons women choose to have an abortion - maybe then he can have a say in the matter.
I don't want to be a litmus test voter. I really don't. But if this is they way that these "Democrats" are going to behave - sinking the entire party because of this one issue - then I won't be voting for an anti-choice Dem again. All the rationale for it just went right out the window.
