E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
From NBC's Ken Strickland and Carrie Dann
“Schoolhouse Rock,” it ain’t.
The man who shepherded two of the Obama administration’s top agenda items to Senate passage says that both parties were “arrogant and selfish” during the process of writing the mammoth health care bill signed into law earlier this year.
“The textbook in a civics class of how the institution should not act was the health care bill,” said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., during an interview with NBC News. “It was arrogant. Both parties were arrogant and selfish, in my view. And as a result we ended up with a process that was so contradictory to what you'd like to think your kids in middle school [and] high school might learn.”
Dodd chaired both the Senate Banking Committee and served as the acting chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee after Sen. Ted Kennedy fell ill.
The sweeping reform bill’s victory was a “good result,” the retiring senator said, but the course of the bill’s passage was particularly flawed -- especially in contrast to the (comparatively) more transparent one used to approve an equally complex overhaul of the nation’s financial system.
“There, we went through a very open process all the way through – it was almost textbook,” he said of the “FinReg” reforms, which passed on a mostly party-line vote of 60-39 in July.
The health care bill was not subject to conference negotiations between House and Senate leaders like many major pieces of legislation; instead, its final passage was the result of Democrats’ deployment of an obscure legislative tactic called “reconciliation,” which requires only 50 votes for passage. The legislation to tighten regulations on the financial industry, on the other hand, was subject to a marathon negotiating session that was broadcast live on CSPAN. (It is important to note, though, that many key compromises in the bill were nonetheless negotiated behind closed doors, and industry lobbyists benefitted from close relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.)
Public approval of the health care bill hit new lows during the legislative sausage-making phase, with particular outcry about a state carve out – dubbed the “Cornhusker Kickback” – inserted into the bill to win support from Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Nelson’s approval rating in his home state plummeted after the deal was publicized in December 2009. Between June 2008 and March 2010, Democrats’ advantage over the GOP on the issue of dealing with health care swung from almost 30 points down to single digits, according to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
Although both bills represented a choice that will ultimately benefit the country, Dodd said, the health care legislation was a long way from the classic kids’ tune featuring a weary but determined bill “sittin’ here on Capitol Hill.”
“Again, I think the result [was] the right result to get. But boy, it was an ugly process,” he said.
Leave a Comment:
The biggest problem with the healthcare bill is that members of both parties allowed the health insurance industry to write and rule the bill. The devil may be an attorney but his bride is the health insurance CEO and management.
Name a bill involving significant money that was NOT written by a lobby? Specifically the lobby it was supposed to control or the one who gets the contract. Both parties are completely run by lobbies. If you want to see who runs Washington just look at the lobby list and all the bills fit like a glove.
I don't think it's arrogant to question what's in it, especially since it was passed without giving anyone the opprotunity to read it.
It's too bad that politicians wait until they are on their way out before they feel free to speak their minds. It would have been nice to hear this while the bill was being debated !!!
The health care debacle falls squarely into the democrats' lap of responsibility. I've noticed how dems blame "everybody" but still cannot accept direct responsibility for this fiscal mess. It's their legislation and, after hearing what was noted by health care professionals during a meeting today in my community, I would support a new Congress that scraps this madness and brings reason to the table. We cannot possibly afford to insure 32 million people who are incapable of paying their own current costs and ultimately will cause the system to ration health care.
Well, if anybody knows arrogant, it's Chris Dodd.
Speaking of arrogant, I just read Dominico's article on Obama's back to school speech, and I was struck by his talking about how to choose what to cover, and what not to cover. Interesting.
See, time was taken to do at least two stories on Obama's 'back to school' speech, yet not five minutes was 'wasted' on a far more important issue: Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Now, the people on this board undoubtedly know that a federal judge has found the policy unconstitutional. So, how many know that the suit was brought by the Log Cabin Republicans?
Or that it was 'vigorously' defended by Obama's justice department? The word vigorously, by the way,comes from the AP story on the ruling.
Self censorship is one of the ways that the media can slant the coverage of a particular administration; in the case of this administration, they are more paid propagandists than journalists.
I guess it does not fit the narrative to cover, in depth, a story that shows that Obama is the worst possible choice to be president: a social conservative and a fiscal profligate. Better to exercise your 'choice' of what to cover, and ignore it.
For this, their rights are enshrined in the Constitution. The Founders must be rolling in their graves.
No Jo No Truth All Lies, kidding right. Media Slant?
that's pretty rich coming from someone who drools over Fox News and makes up facts and figures on here all of the time. awesome. your the best. hello, McFly
how do you know that he "drools" over fox media?
The sausage making process was ugly. And the end result wouldn't meet the minimum standards for dog food.
1994-Democrats lose their majority in the mid-term elections, ostensibly for NOT (among other things) being able to pass a comprehensive health care bill.
2010-Democrats are in danger of losing their majority in the mid-term elections BECAUSE (among other things) they pass a comprehensive health care bill.
Go Figure...
Ironic, isn't it, particularly when you consider that the bill just passed is essentially the counter measure to the Clinton plan that was proposed by a Republican, Bob Dole. Republicans today are running way too far to the right. Let's all just hope that a crappy economy doesn't cause the blind American voting public to follow them over the cliff.
Dodd is a liar!
M Thompson, can you elaborate? is he a "there are weapons of mass destruction" liar or the Larry Craig "I am not a gay man" liar. you need to be a little more clear. both are lies, but with different results.
M Thompson-1401432
Is that you Joe Wilson
Yes...M Thompson please elaborate.
If the two choices from Glen don't hit home, you can always use the...
"I'm going to usher in a new era of bi-partisanship."
"We will televise the healthcare debate."
"I won't raise taxes one single dime." (hahaha...little do they know we'll pass it along to the consumer/taxpayer by demonizing successfully people and businesses."
"I will close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility."
Any lie will do...
At least with weapons of mass destruction, every intelligence agency in the world (including our biggest critics Russia, France and China...who benefited the most from oil-for-food programs) thought Saddam had weapons of mass destruction...b/c we gave them to him when they were fighting Iran. But that is neither here nor there. Seriously... Who cares about the whole truth when you can cr@p on the facts to try and make a feeble point?
Gentlemen- Chris Dodd is lying when his gums are flapping!
M Thompson...
I don't know enough about Dodd to know better. However, I can tell you with almost absolute certainty if the person in question is an elected official and they have been there for more than one term (repub or dem) they are most likely a bold face liar. Every rule has its exception... Obama started before he was elected, but I digress.
or "I am a uniter not a divider"
or "we will be greeted as liberators"
or "we do not torture"
or any statement related to the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame
pick any one of them. that being said, they all lie. all of them. both republicans and democrats.
"pick any one of them. that being said, they all lie. all of them. both republicans and democrats."
With that statement we can find common ground. Personally, it annoys me when someone jumps on the bandwagon and denounces one side as if both sides aren't to blame. That only serves to prove their ignorance, and that is more dangerous than any repub or dem. Thank you for not falling into that category, Glen. You're on of the few that thinks for himself and doesn't let some flaming left or lunatic right source tell you what to think.
Giggity.
What is to elaborate,Dodd said he did not put AIG Bonuses in the stimulis then he addmitted it,Dodd said he did not know that VIP meant special treatment while taking special loans from countrywide mortgage company,While someone purchased him a house in Scottland off the books. All Politicans who have been in office for more than 2 terms are liars. Obama started lying on the first day.
The HCR bill is the biggest piece of crap to ever come from the halls of congress. America's health care system was the best available anywhere. Leave it to an idealogical @!$%# to think we needed this (re@!$%#) bill.
No, it was NOT the best availalbe anywhere. And, suppose you enumerate just how this legislaton made it worse.
Ya sure, American health care ranked about 34th in the world.
Dennis:
I wish I could claim credit for this brilliant piece. I borrowed it from an unknown author.
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy.
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.... See More... See More
You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion(and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich.
You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.
You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no.
It's not about health care, it's about medical care when you're ill, when you're sick. ALL of America will be healthier when we put an end to the for-profit death industry.
David -
You posted a lot of lies, even though it was copied.
Bush was elected. Every recount after showed that.
Cheney did not aloow that and the energy companies did NOT dictate policy.
The Bush administration did not out Plame - a journalist did. And her husband was a proven liar and political bigot.
I was glad that Patriot Act passed. So were most others.
All prominent Dems supported the Iraq invasion. All. And they continued to fund it all these years.
The Dems voted to spend all that money, too. And they continue to do so.
Torturing merciless killers to save lives is OK in my book. And the "torture" was basically a scare tactic - not harmful.
Bin Laden - you mean the killer that Clinton had in our sights BEFORE 9-11-2001 and let him get away?
Horrible conditions at WR have existed for years.
"We" did not let NOLA drown - in case you missed the 2nd grade, that was a hurricane. And the governor and the mayor were the ones that dithered and let thousands of people be exposed to the full force. (A Dem governor and mayor).
900 billion to the rich? Do you have any idea who actually pays income tax in this country - it damn sure is not the lower 50%.
The deficit? You mean the ones that the Dems have more than tripled since 2007?
I got mad when Congress passed a bill they did not read and one that is confiscatory of my rights and money.
Next time you get sick - call a government worker. If they answer, they *might* get back to you in the next quarter or year. Maybe via USPS.
larry in ms,
brilliant job of negating every one of "that other" david's DUMB talking points/repost!
thanks for taking the time to enlighten with FACTS.
further i would add (and i also support patriot act), obama has only ramped it up and added our cell phones, funny thing; LIBS aren't whining, wierd?
and i will re-iterate that you nailed the FACTS when stating the failure that was Katrina, was 99% the fault of the localized dem party in the GOV and MAYOR.
Larry:
How about some facts for the truth-challenged:
The Supreme Court insinuated itself in a local election. It did not belong there. See your Constitution for further details. It is absolutely untrue that every recount showed Bush a winner. The recounts were NOT completed.
Cheney DID meet with oil company CEO's for the purpose of creating legislation and policy favorable to their interests. Here's a link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501842.html
Do you work at being ridiculous? The information Novak received on Plame came from Richard Armitage. Novak's job was to report news, Armitage's job was to keep secrets. Armitage outed Plame.
Good for you for being glad the Patriot Act was passed. I am happy you feel comfortable having your rights systematically destroyed. I am utterly infuriated that mine are abridged along with yours. I took an oath to defend the Constitution, not to gut it.
And we should care that prominent Dems supported the illegal invasion(s), why? That the gutless wonders in Congress abdicated their constitutional duty does not make the invasion right, now does it?
Again, you seem to think you have some sort of defense for spending irresponsibly because Dems joined in the stupidity. Wasting money is wasting money, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican. Did we forget our Mother's rather poignant question? "Would you jump off a cliff because other people are doing it? Get a grip.
Of course, of course, the ends justify the means. We can do anything in the name of expedience. Why should we be expected to abide by the law? Why should we hold the moral high ground? Yes, of course, torture is OK.
I have heard this story about bin Laden being in a sniper's sights and someone in the Clinton Administration denied permission to fire. I have done quite a bit of research on this, and indeed this may be true. If it is, Clinton and/or his representative made a terrible mistake. (What? You think I'm some sort of mindless lockstep Democrat? Wrong is wrong. We independent sorts have come to the conclusion that neither party has a lock on the truth. For me personally, I think the Republicans have gone completely off the deep end.)
Oh, well. If those horrible conditions at Walter Reed were there for some time, then I guess it's OK. Silly me. Yes of course, that's the perfect justification. "It was awful, so we didn't fix it." Is that from the Palin Logic Primer?
No, as a matter of fact, incredibly stupid engineering on the part of the Corps of Engineers is the reason for the catastrophic levee failures. Were the local authorities at fault with respect to the evacuation? Hell yes.
You really don't want to get into a debate on who pays taxes in this country. The fact is wealth has continued to accumulate and in fact increase in the hands of the wealthiest. Their returns are predicated on an infrastructure that facilitates their investments. They are not taxed at top rates for all their income. Capital gains tax anyone? There's just so much more Larry. Shall we talk about taxpayer financed stadia. Let's see here. New York buys George Steinbrenner a billion-dollar showcase and his estate is not taxed. Yup, the rich are screwing us even after they die.
I'll kiss your backside in Times Square and give you an hour to draw a crowd if you can show the deficit has tripled since 2007. When you are unable to do that, just send me some money. Obama has only had one - count 'em jack, one - budget since his inauguration.
Oh yeah, that's a problem all right. Take it up with your Congressman for voting for a bill he didn't read. While your at it, get hold of Boehner and explain to him that budgets have numbers in them.
The next time I get sick, I'll head right on over to the VA. That single-payer system works just fine for me.
There's something you alleged "conservatives" just don't understand. There's not a heck of a lot of us who like paying taxes. I don't. But this is a pretty fine place and I'll work to keep it that way by paying what I owe and fighting like hell to protect my rights and knock down corporate America.
David Walker,
Although I agree with some of your points, I couldn't help but notice some inaccuracies in others...
Al Gore brought suit to intervene in the FL vote count. He won his case, and GW promptly appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. However you feel about the decision, the fact remains that the Supreme Court did not just arbitrarily step in and take over a local issue.
Congress appropriates funds, not the Executive branch. When the Exec is controlled by one party, and the Congress by another, one thing is certain: Both parties can blame the other for the excesses (or obstructions).
Regarding beloved NOLA (and I do love that city, so uniquely American): There is plenty of blame to go around, but as someone who grew up in SD, where blizzards often stranded us without electricity for days in subzero temperatures, I will say that people have a responsibility to do a little preparation on their own behalf. Poverty does not relieve persons of their responsibility to themselves, and is not an excuse for the NOLA tragedy--the median income in Corson County, SD is far, far, less than the median income in Jefferson Parish, but people do not let their children freeze to death in every storm up north..
As a definite (not alleged) conservative, I am absolutely, 100% in favor of National Health Care. I can and do argue that healthcare falls under the government's constitutional responsibility to "promote the general welfare" of our citizens. I am just not in favor of the plan we got.
Here is an idea for American citizens... Call a trusted friend who has opposing political viewpoints, and compare notes about what you want this country to be. You will find that it is not the goals, but the methods of achieving those goals, that are different. Who doesn't want better schools, good healthcare, pathways out of poverty, full employment, and peaceful relations with foreign states?
Now try to reconcile that knowledge with the baiting, soundbites, and name-calling coming out of Washington. Then peacefully and reasonably demand better from your government.
We deserve what we get in a democracy...
Since you prefer to call me a liar - YOU need to do your research. Plenty of recounts were conducted in Florida - by liberal organizations including several news media. They focused on the heavily Democratic counties that Gore wanted recounted. Those are the ones I referred to. Bush won.
In case you missed it, the presidential election was national.
The Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore ruled that the Florida Supreme Court's method for recounting ballots was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Court also ruled that no alternative method could be established within the time limits set by the State of Florida. Three concurring justices also asserted that the Florida Supreme Court had violated Article II of the Constitution, by misinterpreting Florida election law that had been enacted by the Florida Legislature.
Actually I do. You know that about 1/2 of federal income tax filers either pay NOTHING or get a credit (negative tax). Check what MSNBC said here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36226444/
"The result is a tax system that exempts almost half the country from paying for programs that benefit everyone, including national defense, public safety, infrastructure and education. It is a system in which the top 10 percent of earners — households making an average of $366,400 in 2006 — paid about 73 percent of the income taxes collected by the federal government.
The bottom 40 percent, on average, make a profit from the federal income tax, meaning they get more money in tax credits than they would otherwise owe in taxes. For those people, the government sends them a payment.
Sound fair to you? Of course it's not fair. Those "rich people" paid about 3/4 of individual federal income taxes and they certainly don't get much for it.
I understand very well that most people don't like paying taxes. The problem I have is that the majority are voting for people that raise my taxes without raising theirs.
Go ahead and "knock down corporate America". I guess you think no one needs a job since the government should take care of all of us?
BTW - Get ready to meet me in Times Square. Here are the recent federal deficit numbers:
Year GDP-US Federal Deficit ($billion)
1990 5800.5 221.04 a
1991 5992.1 269.24 a
1992 6342.3 290.32 a
1993 6667.4 255.05 a
1994 7085.2 203.19 a
1995 7414.7 163.95 a
1996 7838.5 107.43 a
1997 8332.4 21.89 a
1998 8793.5 -69.28 a
1999 9353.5 -125.60 a
2000 9951.5 -236.24 a
2001 10286.2 -128.24 a
2002 10642.3 157.75 a
2003 11142.1 377.59 a
2004 11867.8 412.73 a
2005 12638.4 318.34 a
2006 13398.9 248.19 a
2007 14077.6 160.94 a
2008 14441.4 458.55 a
2009 14258.2 1412.68 a
2010 14623.9 1555.58 b
Legend:
a - actual reported
b - budgeted estimate in US fy11 budget
2007 - about $261 billion
2009 - about $1413 billion
2010 estimated $1555 billion
source: http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/downchart_gs.php?year=1980_2010&view=1&expand=&units=b&fy=fy11&chart=G0-fed&bar=0&stack=1&size=l&title=US%20Federal%20Deficit%20As%20Percent%20Of%20GDP&state=US&color=c&local=s
Larry:
I wouldn't go so far as to say I called you a liar....willfully ignorant would be more accurate.
As Samie above correctly notes - and I have been remiss by not insisting on including this fact - budgets are Congressional products. There is no Bush budget any more than there is an Obama budget. That said, you will recall that the costs of the Bush invasions have been off-budget. That does tend to skew the facts a bit, wouldn't you say?
TARP money. Where is that in the budget? Did it just not exist? Increased interest costs in the budget courtesy of enormous cost overruns in the past. Those are a necessary increase in the budget and are a de facto budget cost of previous irresponsible spending.
Those budget figures are BS and you know it, and if you don't know it, then as I stated above, you are willfully ignorant at best, and utterly incapable of learning at worst.
You abuse the language when you say half of income tax filers don't pay tax. While the current tax code is a travesty, it is absolutely false to say those filers with no tax liability do not pay tax. They may not pay a direct income tax, but virtually every single transaction they make is subject to some sort of tax. When they pay rent, they are paying their landlord's property tax. When they buy goods, if there is a sales tax in their locality, they are paying it. When they buy gasoline, they are paying a federal excise tax. When they buy Oscar Mayer hot dogs or Miracle Whip they are paying Kraft's corporate tax, if any is due. Please stop with the no tax nonsense.
To say that the wealthy do not enjoy government benefits in greater measure than those who pay less tax is utterly absurd. For a particularly egregious example of special treatment for the wealthy go check "carried interest". Check out farm subsidies. Check out Yankee Stadium. Are you seriously going to suggest that the Steinbrenners could get their fans to "their" stadium without roads or other public transit?
As far as the 2000 election, I stand by my assertion that the Supreme Court had no business intervening in the local procedures. However, I'd go a step further and demonstrate the utter contempt for the law evidenced by the Bush/Cheney due when they clearly were both resident of Texas, which is a violation of the 12th Amendment. To argue that Cheney was a resident of Wyoming was pure BS.
Yes, the presidential election was national. Are you attempting to make some sort of point? It snowed in Vermont last year.
If American Health care is not the best in the world why do all the world leaders come here for treatment? Why did the Prime minister of Canada send his mother here for treatment? Who gives a flip if the world health Organization ranks the US any where on their socialistic scale? Where the hell would they be if the funds from the USA dried up?
Demon rats are the biggest FOLLOWERS of dogma that exist! now Dodd is calling the pot black? he is a hypocrite, he could not get elected to the demonrat committee on nothing! but his mouth is still going!
its final passage was the result of Democrats’ deployment of an obscure legislative tactic called “reconciliation,” which requires only 50 votes for passage.
I'm sure what they meant to write was that the Democrats were required to use a legislative tactic called "reconciliation" which requires a simple majority of 51 votes for passage because the process was hijacked by the obstructionist Republican minority.
Things should pass by 51 votes because that's how the Senate is supposed to work!
Has anybody read about the 3.8% real estate tax that's build into HCR to help pay for the HCR program? That is in addition to any capital gain taxes.
It seems that if your income is over $200K and sell property, you would be subject to this tax. If you're selling your primary residence, you can get an "exclusion" of $250K/500K (single/married) of the profit; you can utilize this only once every two years. There is no exclusion for other property, such as rentals, farm land.
If you've read it, is that how you interpret it?
You do realize that the Bush tax cuts as well as the Medicare prescription bill were also passed by reconciliation, don't you?
no joe,
Look in the mirror, your spin was arrogance personified. Just one line on Chris Dodd and the article in question. Then it"s on to spin mode. Yes the founders are rolling in their graves because the right wingers want to change the constitution.
Hey, it was ALL Democrat - period.
This is shaping up as a battle of "dumb vs dumber"
I don't know who is creepier sometimes, the fringe on the right or the fringe on the left, but this topic attracts them both like ants to a picnic...
Dodd is right about arrogance on both sides but it was republican arrogance that wins the prize. Republicans said that HC needed reform, they added hundreds of amendments to the legislation, they were given nearly everything they wanted yet, they voted no--even after claiming they agreed with 95% of the bill. That's arrogance summed up by Senator DeMint--health care will be Obama's Waterloo.
Tell those with pre-existing conditions, those who lost their insurance because they become ill, those who went bankrupt trying to pay medical bills, parents whose children can be covered until age 26, people who cannot afford co-pays can now get a checkup and be treated for diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes that this piece of legislation is not worthy.
This piece of legislation is as significant and important for people as was social security and medicare. No legislation is perfect, it requires review and changing but if there is nothing to change, improvements cannot be made. Finally, the USA moved toward universal health care--something other civilized countries did decades ago.
Lol...good one.
Find a Democrat that actually read the HC bill. You won't. That is arrogance and stupidity all rolled into one.
And your comparison to social security is a riot. That is the biggest financial disaster foisted on us prior to the HC bill.
Throughout the process Republicans were labeled the party of no, and party of no ideas. This is the first time I've read someone on the left acknowledge the Repub's had ideas and amendments. The only problem with Jody's post, however, is that none of the amendments and none of the ideas proposed by the Republicans were ever considered let alone included in the bill.
Well, except for the undercover Medicare doctor idea... which, while the concept is understandable, it's kind of unsettling when you think about it....how the only idea President Obama considered was legislating sneaky.
Lol, this is a total laugh riot. This was to be the signature bill that was to represent the legacy of this administration and congress. Now they can't run away from it fast enough. The very ones who shepherded it through with back room deal making and parliamentary tactics are making excuses. The audacity of what? Pathetic...
Some justify voting for Republicans because the Democrats have been irresponsible in not quickly resolving the problems and they spend significant amounts of money and increase the deficit. Others justify voting for Democrats because the Republicans have been irresponsible with their history of focusing only on Special Interests and the select few, while putting their political ambitions above all else and just criticizing and obstructing all efforts and offering nothing real. Then there are those who just follow their biases, prejudices, emotional attachments and excessive self-interests and vote with a rationalized logic. It would really be nice to have a strong 3rd political party offering a centrist position honestly and responsibly favoring the majority but that isn’t available (and likely won’t ever be without the needed reform to get money out of politics). What is currently necessary is to have voters be rational and objective, being disciplined to see through all of the deceptive rhetoric, to avoid just being conned, and to come to logical decisions serving their best interests. What is desperately needed is representatives offering bipartisan cooperation to adjust and fine tune the solutions and without ever returning to ‘more of the same’ that got us all of the problems.
Whether emotional Tea Partiers with their exaggerated self concerns or regular Republicans with their self-focused arrogance, there is no real help there and instead only subterfuge boldly and obnoxiously offered with the active substantial overt and covert support of those few who stand to once again gain from a return to ‘more of the same’. Consider the misleading criticisms offered and what the status would be if the Democrats had actually done nothing or worse, done ‘more of the same’, as were the only options pushed by the Republicans. Whatever anyone’s past history and biases may be it is important to see the reality and to recognize that Tea Partiers and standard Republicans alike advocate only a return to ‘more of the same’ that serves only Special Interests and a select few while giving the majority only apathy, the costs and an abundance of subterfuge. The proof that ‘more of the same’ is a loosing program for the majority is in seeing that only the powerful, influential and extremely wealthy constantly gain while the total middle-class continually looses ground and the poor are literally devastated. The only way to ever regain the Grand Ole Party, with their being conscientious and responsible to the majority, is to firmly and totally reject what they have become – ‘puppets’ for those few who ‘pull their strings’.
The Democrats and Obama are far from perfect but right now they are the only hope for the average American. Yes, their solutions need to be fine tuned but they offer actual solutions and not just more disguised placating and patronizing of Special Interests and the select few. The people and those organizations representing the people (in contrast to the lobbyists for Special Interests) need to pressure the Obama Administration into enacting solutions and adjustments that meet the real needs of the people – which would never be an option if ever returning to ‘more of the same’ that has already cost us so much.
Excellent Post, Riles.
This was an excellent and thoughtful post. The truth is that only a small percentage of the population is actually extreme left, and only a small percentage of the population is extreme right. The majority of us are in the center somewhere.
It is unfortunate that we do not have a third, independent middle party. The Tea Party, who claim not to be for either Republicans or Democrats, had the perfect opportunity to represent the middle, but they are perceived as extreme right, and I suppose most of the philosophy they adhere to falls very much right of center.
The other truth of it all is that the majority of the country doesn’t want a majority in government. The Republicans were out of control when they controlled the House, the Senate and the White House. They lost the majority. The Democrats are currently out of control. They will very likely lose the majority. That will be a good thing.
The founding fathers meant to structure the government with checks and balances. Possibly if we had more RINO’s and DINO’s there would be less bickering, politicking, and out of control ideology --- and most of the country would be in a happier place.
4Pete,
When I typed the words (acronyms) DINO and RINO, I knew those probably weren't the best terms. I simply want legislators that aren't so wrapped up in party talking points, party agenda and ideology that they completely lose sight of the people they are supposed to represent--- the majority in the country.
The perfect legislator for me? Fiscally responsible - creates a budget and operates within it's means. Reminds themselves daily the money they allocate came from the tax payers. Strong on defense. Promotes personal responsibility and supports high standards of education so children can grow up to be responsible. Business friendly but regulatory within reason. Not bought. Not bribed. Not paid for. Promotes success. Lifts up those who need lifting so they can be successful too. Creates programs to help those who truly need it but manages those programs efficiently. Legislators willing to cross lines occasionally to compromise for the good of all the people -- not just half the people.
As a proud Teapartier, you are undoubtedly disgusted with both sides. That's why we need reasonable legislators in the middle.
Totally agree about the unions.....
People like yourself are the reason we are in this mess. There is no hope with these "drunk on lobby money" parties. Every bill is hand written by the lobbies and Congress just puts a little marketing spin on it so it sounds like the people are getting something. Helping the people by creating debt is not helping, neither is taxing one person to benefit another. All that does is transfer one persons problem to another.
This Congress threw the country into the worst depression since 1929 and you think they are doing a great job meeting the needs of the people? One bad corrupt lobby written financing decision after another and covering up or avoiding every warning sign known to man. They blew about $6 trillion in the last two years alone that changed absolutely nothing but saving the same billionaire bankers the Democratic party supposedly despises.
Eighty five percent of both parties should have been removed from office with emergency elections. Several should have been impeached and others brought up on racketeering charges. The only reason you people don't comprehend they just doubled or even tripled our national debt is because they kept our taxes the same because they did not want a riot. Heck, there are children not even born who will pay their whole lives on that inexcusable debt.
When you triple your debt you triple your payments but this Congress put it all on a tab that will force us to pay over three times this amount or six times the national debt before this Congress. At 5% interest their $6 trillion alone will be $18 trillion in under thirty years. Now they have the country asleep at the wheel thinking we can keep adding expenses to this never ending tab that won't effect our taxes.
Anyone borrowing federal money is part of the problem regardless of their seemingly humanitarian motives that always winds up dropping tons of money right into the laps of their lobbies and debt onto the backs of the taxpayers.
Dodd one of the principles int he cause of the economic meltdown has the nerve to even show his face in America much less talk about how the GOP who were ignored through out the entire Health Care debate and since it was the DEMOS that shoved the unread health care bill down our throats against our will like and communist dictator would do. Dodd and Barney Franks and Obama and all the Liberals in America have all but destroyed this country so personally I Wish he would be arrested and put in jail or at least just SHUT UP.
Wade, I don't remember the Republicans being ignored until they started ranting about Death Panels and Pulling the Plug on Grandma. How can anyone negotiate with someone that demagogues like that.
By the way, the vote for your post was a mistake as i hit it instead of reply
GE - where have you been sleeping? Republicans were immediately ignored as soon as Democrats won the majority in Congress. They said it over and over again, they were going to change things using the power the will of the people gave them. When President Obama was elected and they ended up with a supermajority and a Democratic President, they had no intentions of listening to anyone. Republicans spoke when they were allowed to but mostly ignored. We ended up with a polorization that would not compromise on either side, mostly because Democrats didn't have to. My only fear is when the tables reverse in November, Republicans don't do the same thing.
Of course the GOP wants the tax cuts for the rich to be extended. They are thinking of their own wallets and savings as the bulk of them are millionaires and most certainly don't want the Main Streeters getting their money. They live the life of greed as none of them create jobs except for their BFF's on Wall Street, Insurance, Banks, Oil, Pharma, etc. as the list is far too long to set out.
What I would like to see is a full list of all that have offshore accounts as there are many. Those avoiding taxes.
meede1 - Maybe you should start by checking Charlie Rangle's offshore account!
He calls both parties 'arrogant'? The health care bill was the baby of the democrats alone, they didn't want anyone else to mess with it, they didn't even want input from any party or any single American. If they would've asked, or even just listened, they would have found out how unpopular it was. Now, since their arse is parked on ground ice and they might not be able to hold on to their arrogant wheeling and dealings in Washington, he back-paddles and includes others. The arrogant thing was to tell 'you'll find out what's in it after it's passed' and that bon mont didn't come from anyone sane and intelligent, it came from a democrat's botox poisoned brain.
Chris Dodd, this interview was arrogance itself. I haven't been this speechless since Barney " it wasn't me" Frank pointed the finger at everyone else in the sub-prime collapse as it crushed the whole economy. They really do think we are completely stupid. Mr. Dodd, shut up you arrogant fool.
Jerry - He had to call both sides arrogant, his side had the majority, the only way he could criticize them is by blaming both sides. Typical liberal tactic.
I wrote to my legislator (I hope everyone else did the same) and complained of the horrible reconciliation process the democrats used. I will never vote for another democrat. The lies, behind scenes bribes, pork projects, and absolute arrogance displayed by the democrats was put on display for the tax payers. Fortunately enough people realized the true socialist agenda that Obama is pushing. And to think the democrats passed a bill that wipes out 1/6 of the American economy, without even reading it! Throw them all out soon.
This article is completely true. The process was one of the most embarassing things I've ever seen happen to our Congress. Both parties screwed everything up: The Democrats by writing in stuff to fit their own personal agenda (Ex: abortion coverage), and the Republicans for making crap up about the bill that warped the public image of what the health care bill actually was (Ex: "death panels").
It was a revolting piece of politics...even more so than usual. As a Democrat who supported this bill, I was ashamed of my party. As an American, I was ashamed of my government.
But at least it's through. I don't think anybody could deny that the health care we had in place before was crap, so I'm glad to see us at least trying to find a solution. We'll see results in the next few years then we can hopefully fix whatever's screwy about the new plan.
I agree that the sausage making was awful! The outcome was less than desired, but with the brutal political atmosphere it was the best that could be accomplished. Without a bill being passed, no changes could be made. Now it can be amended and changed to make it into what it should have been if it had not been watered down and compromised by politicians for their own benefit (both parties are at fault for that, but the party of "no" has to take the most blame due to their agenda from the start of making this "Obama's Waterloo")!
Universal healthcare has been implemented in a lot of nations, even those are poor than us, such as from China to Africa, our both north and south neigboring nations, to the east, Britain and Europe. We have at least 47mln americans death per DHHS each year. Each decade the costs of healthcare is increased double, but not our income. Medicare and Medi-Cal is going to be broke very soon for it is too costly and no one can afford it, including our government. Now, when you have emergency, you will not send to the closest ER room; but the one accept your insurance. If you don't have private insurance, you will go to Medi-cal accepted one. Universal healthcare is more focused in primary healthcare, which means preventive care, and that will save a lot of money. Right now, people, especially those do not have insurance, will wait till the last minute and will go to ER. And, the ER will only give the presciption to them or give a couple of antibiotics pills; but patient buys the rest. If they do not have the insurance, then they are not going to buy the antibiotics, and it just stops the infection for a short time. Then, later on, it comes back to a full bloom attack. This time they will be admitted to hospital, and then it costs a lot of taxpayers' money.
The cost of antibiotics are expensive, such as liquid Clindamycin will cost $120.00 for one course, and it is not just the antibiotics. One IVPB of antibiotic cost about 250.00 per one bag; and it is not counting the tubing and the flushing, the IV pump ... If we have universal healthcare, the preventive care will be offered to everyone. Prevention is better than cure. Secondary and Tertiary healthcare are very expensive and costly. Healthcare insurance is going to be higher and higher each year, and remember not our income.
If you don't have healthcare insurance, you better take good care yourself. It is because our government may not have the money to pay. And, there is no such PERFECT government; then why we would expect PERFECT healthcare plan? There is no such PERFECT private insurance plan either, you just pay as much as you can afford.
If we have the money to bail out the Wall Street and those homeowner, how come we can not bail out the sick and the ill americans? And, they are literally and figurectively dying each year.
I wonder if they were as arrogant as he was, along with Frank, in making sure everybody owned a home, even if they couldnt afford it, by supporting Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae? Dodd = POS
All of a sudden these HYPROCRITES have a sense of how stupidly they acted while in office. Passing bad legislation not reading the bills,but pocketing their pay and looking forward to their retirements on the backs of the Tax Payers. We should demand out money back from these hyprocrites for all the time they spent wasting our money and time playing politics on the tax payers dime.
Both Parties??? ObamaCare was strictly Democrats. The problem with it is an arrogant president and congress determined to cram it down our throats when the people didn't want it. Go home Chris Dodd--you're too out of touch with real people from too many years on the public dole. Term Limits!!