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When we left the Capitol on Friday of last week, we were prepping for the coverage of the bickering that was going to ensue on the House floor this week. The GOP had decided on seven hours of debate on the "Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act" starting today and ending with a vote to repeal the bill tomorrow.
It was going to be, as one Democratic congresswoman repeated multiple times, "political theater." And journalists were already stocking up on popcorn and Dr. Pepper to watch the fireworks take place.
Things are different now. The schedule has been cleared, and the only business that will take place on the House floor this week are resolutions and tributes to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), her staff member that was tragically gunned down, Gabe Zimmerman, other members of her staff that were injured and the citizens who were also caught in the crossfire.
Yesterday, members and staff went to the East Front of the Capitol for a moment of silence. As they stood there with the flag at half staff in the background, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Emanuel Cleaver (D- MO), had everyone bow their heads, as he began to pray. "We ask blessings on the spirit of this nation,” he said. “Help us move from this dark place to a place of sunshine, hope. … Bless these, God, your servants who serve this nation. Keep them safe."
Walking back to their offices staffers were hugging, but they seemed undeterred.
"I've been on Capitol Hill for a few years, and I'm aware that there is a target on my office building," said Danielle Rodman, an aide to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) when asked about security concerns. She added, "This isn't going to make us stop connecting to the people and talking to them, because that's the reason we're here."
Her colleague Coby Dolan echoed that. "We need to always take precautions,” Dolan said, “but not in a way that prevents a vibrant Democracy from happening."
With the rising talk of whether violent rhetoric during the last election fed into this tragedy, members and staffers were cautious about jumping to conclusions.
"We know ourselves and ... average Americans should be able to say what they believe in,” Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA) said after the moment of silence. “That's what makes this country great. Again, is there a difference between that and a real demonization of government as the enemy. I think that there is. So where do we draw that line. Again, we live in a free society and free speech matters a great deal to each of us, and I don't want it to dampen that."
And while free speech is important, U.S. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer said all Capitol Hill offices have to do a better job of securing events and speeches.
"I think interactions that the members have are so routine and some are so quick and so small, that I think that they don’t think through that security portion,” he said, adding, “If you don't report a threat, shame on you, because that's the only way we can measure trends and have a proper response."
He continued, "We don’t mind you calling us. Call us when you get a threat, call us when the hairs on your neck go up."
But a day after two members -- Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Heath Shuler (D-NC) -- said they were going to start carrying guns to their events, Gainer spoke out against that.
"I don't think that's a good idea," he said on ABC. "I think we should leave the law enforcement and security to those professionals. … I've been a policeman for 42 years, and I don't think introducing more guns to the situation is helpful.”
It is expected that, next week, the repeal of health care will make its way to the floor to be hotly debated. But that debate -- at least for now -- may be tempered.
Leave a Comment:
When they bring it up again will it still contain 'killing'?
Or,will it be more 'business' as usual from the right?
Words have consequences you know...
Feisty,
I got a good chuckle out of that one. I guess the new bill will have to be politically correct. So what terminology will they use.
How about--
The Job-Extermination Health Care Law
The Job-Quelling Health Care Law
The Job Stifling Health Care Law
The Job Suppressing Health Care Law
or the Job Extinguishing Health Care Law.
One that they shouldn't use--the Job Massacring Health Care Law:)
How about Life Affirming Health Care Bill -- isn't that what this discussion should be about, the health and well being of the country's citizens.
Actually, the more correct term would be "the job CREATING health-care bill". Sorry, Bear- talking points don't create reality, as much as you would LIKE them to.
So DBO,
What jobs are being created that weren't already going to be there?
More government oversight jobs?
More doctors--oops their numbers are already shrinking--due to time it takes to become a doctor.
More IRS agents to make sure those who can't afford or don't wish to purchase health insurance can pay their fines.
More insurance agents--because they are still making their money--costs aren't and will not ever go down, unless prices are regulated by the government.
Please--medical jobs have been on the rise for years--so this isn't going to give us more doctors--especially if they ever restrict costs on them.
They use to say the same thing about Medicare. Look at it now.
BB, how about "DumbA$$eS who vote to repeal HCR"!
Yep thats the new name for it.
Maybe Ford Motor Company did'nt get the Republican memo, since they just announced they're gonna hire 7,000 over the next 2 year's. I guess with that announcement, iwonder how many other job's will be created with these 7,000?
YesSirreBob!
In my unsolicited opinion BB a job, even a government job, is a job.
Wakeup,
I can't believe that people, the taxpayers want to continue to pay for more government jobs. We are the ones paying their salary, they get better benefits, and federal employees make about twice the average of the private sector employee in this country. It's wonderful that I pay taxes so the IRS agent, who makes twice what I do, can come and collect more of my money, so that he can get paid.
I would think that would be called redistribution of wealth, or lack of it for those of us who work every day.
Rick -
Maybe Ford is hiring because they were smart enough to NOT take government bail out money and actually run their business as a business.
Try to keepUp here Kirby. The point being, Ford is HIREING, regardless of HCR.
GETIT!
More small businesses offering Health Care:
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/02/report-more-small-businesses-offering-insurance-as-a-result-of-health-reform/
I stand corrected, Bear- add 30 MILLION people to the system, and no one has to handle the added paper work and record-keeping.
Or, conduct the the added office visits by people that can now afford 'em.
Silly me.
DriveBy, Jody, Feisty, Dennis,
Two hundred thousand jobs were created in the health care industry alone, since March 2010.
Plus a 58% increase in number of small businesses purchasing health care coverage for their employees since last April.
Why can't the Republicans just say "Repeal the Health Care Law" why does it have to always be "Job Killing Health Care Act". This kind of speech is also toxic. Maybe they will change their description when they return to Congress. Don't hold your breath.
If, in fact, words have consequences, it is not readily apparent on this board.
Before this tragedy, I asked the moderators to allow Tyler to do his job, as, in the aftermath of the mid term elections, the ad hominem attacks, name calling, and vitriol on this board had reached fever pitch.
If, in fact, you are serious about toning down the rhetoric, I suggest you get Tyler back to work enforcing the code of honor. It would not hurt the board at all if those who refuse to comply are banned.
Well look at that...
NJNB is back to calling for censorship!
Here's a hint... if you don't like it - don't participate!
The anti-govment Goddess is not calling for 'Big Brother'... too funny!
Last time I checked this is First Read and NOT NJNB's Read okay?
But for the LOVE OF GOD - quit the whining!
It is sad to me, No Joe, that the folks who post here can't be civil on their own. And each side can cite attacks, rudeness and worse by the other side.
Do you remember the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth"? One line says----and let it begin with me....... I wish each person who posts here decrying the lack of civility could be civil themselves and ignore those who aren't.
In 2009, I posted a comment about civility here and was promptly chided for being naive, told I should have thicker skin, that it was a silly comment, how dare I.... Oddly some of those same people are now get upset when liberals point out the truth that the GOPTP effort to repeal HC was named "Job Killing Health Care Repeal"--it is inflammatory. The ONLY reason the GOPTP added "job killing" to the title is to "inflame" the public by continuing to push a negative perception of health care, one they have been driving since 2009; it suggests something that is not true. These GOPTPers cannot name one job that was killed by the life-affirming Health Care bill. On the contrary, it makes them look as if they value jobs more than they do the health of people who do those jobs. HCR included tax breaks for small businesses who offer their employees health care; that has resulted in a much larger than expected number of small businesses now offering it to their employees because they can afford it. Why name their bill anything other than Health Care Repeal.
It is important we change our tone but unless OUR LEADERS are willing to accept the reality of toxic discourse and change their tone, we will see little change here. We already censor those who make inflammatory comments--some collapsers do their best to inhibit free speech when they disagree with a comment by abusing the flagging system. Instead of expecting Tyler or someone else to censor us, it is up to us to censor ourselves.
Well njnb I feel safe in the fact that you and JoAnna don't know where I live.
Well if we are going to start burning books njnb I suggest we start with let's start with Glenn's, Coulter's, Michael's, Sean's, Sarah's... and in the immortal words of Eddie Murphy now that's a fire!
WakeUp, if your Not in the Vicinity of LaLaLand, you're Safe!
no joe, no bo, nj
If, in fact, words have consequences, it is not readily apparent on this board.
Before this tragedy, I asked the moderators to allow Tyler to do his job, as, in the aftermath of the mid term elections, the ad hominem attacks, name calling, and vitriol on this board had reached fever pitch.
Just who do you think you are? You're no one's boss. Everything you say is insulting.
Too bad we can't sic Tyler on Hannity or Beck or Palin. See, No Jo- if we COULD stem the nasties on here, they would still thrive elsewhere. Some would even gather their little bags of venom from THOSE sources, and empty them HERE. As a matter of fact, some of them isnist on doing it all day long.
Or Matthews. Obermann and Maddow. Both sides have their "spokemen" and both are usually wrong.
Olberman and Maddow cite facts and sources. Show graphs and other visual aids that back up their commentary. Yes- they make good spokespersons, indeed.
Job Killing Health Care Bill. Jobs were being slaughtered in America way before 2009. How about Tax Cuts for The Weathy will create Jobs. The Bush Tax Cuts began in 2000! Where are the JOBS?
All Right Wing BS Rhetoric. Wake Up America. Wake Up Right Wing! Wake Up Tea Party Morons!