Blanche votes 'aye'
As predicted Sen. Blanche Lincoln won't kill health reform legislation yet. She'll vote to open debate on legislation. Here's her speech. She indicated, however, that she WILL vote to filibuster a bill that includes a government-administered health option. I hope she gets that chance. And I hope she pays if her vote preserves the status quo -- a shameful system that sent 1,500 people of the world's wealthiest country to the Statehouse Convention Center today for services every other developed country believes belong to its citizens by right.
Lincoln mostly re-read the speech in a conference call with reporters. She sounded a touch combative in saying her position was influenced by what she thought best for Arkansans, not special interests of any persuasion or her political party.
Gilbert Baker appeared to be the first Republican out of the box with a critical news release blasting Lincoln's vote for cloture as a vote for government run health care. (Not true, it should go without saying, but must be repeated because of the misrepresentation, a talking point from the National Republican Senatorial Committee as well.) Republican candidate Conrad Reynolds won the metaphor battle: "She has pushed the rock over the cliff which will lead to an avalanche of government intervention in our lives." Reynolds, by the way, spent 30 years on a federal government payroll and enjoys a government health care plan for that service. Curtis Coleman says Lincoln is "disrespectful of her constituents" in voting to allow the Senate to consider health care legislation. Really. He said that. At least a half-million uninsured Arkansans and untold thousands of underinsured, undercovered and overbilled Arkies, would disagree.





Comments
That's because Gilbert Baker knows what every other politician in Washington knows. They are laughing at the gullibility of the people back home. If you have ever lived and worked in Washington you know what I am talking about.
Posted by: beauragard
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November 21, 2009 02:27 PM
Couldn't agree more, Beau.
Posted by: NormaBates
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November 21, 2009 02:44 PM
The Tea-Baggers, or should I say Doctor's wives, are upset because their husbands will only make $800,000 this year and not the $1 Million they're used to. All this while people are dying from lack of medical care. They say they want justice - theirs will come on Judgement Day when the Big Man upstairs has his say about how they treated the least among us.To those whom much is given - much is expected.
Posted by: Coca-Cola Cowboy
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November 21, 2009 02:46 PM
It is amazing that Senators would be criticized for voting to allow a bill to come to the floor and be debated on.
What is she thinking?
Socialist.....
Posted by: Any*Mouse
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November 21, 2009 03:06 PM
That's because, darlin, she knows that if a bill makes it to the floor it has a 97% chance of passing. She is just playing her part in that 'all the world's a stage a we mere players' scenario.
Posted by: beauragard
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November 21, 2009 04:02 PM
My objection to blanche, and anyone else that serves as a public servant, is that when they 'con' the public they betray people who trusted them to represent their interests. In her case, she didn't even perform the con job in a proficient manner. She played the con poorly and while she may fool some rubes she can't even betray her people in a classy way. Overall, while she smirks and thinks that she has gotten away with something, many know what she has done. People like blanche go to Washington and think that this transforms them into a superior being who know better than the rubes back at home. All it does is prove that arrogance knows no bounds.
Posted by: beauragard
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November 21, 2009 04:29 PM
Can we get a flood control on posting for this site? Just asking! ;>)
Posted by: Roger
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November 21, 2009 05:40 PM
Gilbert Baker - he really should be a Democrat simply because he's such an A$$.
Posted by: IrradiatedFuelHandler
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November 21, 2009 07:22 PM
IFH, you can have Baker. He is my senator now and I haven't voted for him so far and don't plan on changing. He is another of the people who throw that "christian" term around. When I hear some call themselves a "christian", all I think of is "used car salesman".
Posted by: Couldn't Be Better
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November 21, 2009 08:14 PM
>>When I hear some call themselves a "christian", all I think of is "used car salesman".<<,
Yippers, every political party gets to define Jesus, the one who threw money lenders out of the temple and preached the Beatitudes.
We've had Christians come on here saying Jesus wants them to be well armed and adamant about it.
So, Jesus was a poor-people avoiding, gun toting Republican who wanted every man/woman for himself and wanted no gub-mint interference with free markets.
Lord, save me from your followers.
.
Posted by: eLwood
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November 21, 2009 09:02 PM
Mandates on small businesses will destroy millions of jobs, just what this country needs with 12% unemployment. Page 16 of the CBO states that this bill will increase health care premeiums and does nothing to reduce costs.Defecit neutral my a$$.JUST TAX THE HELL OUT OF EVERYBODY. China is wondering what the hell we are and if we will default on the trillions that we owe them.This bill is a joke .
Posted by: Dirk D Graham
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November 22, 2009 12:32 AM
"Defecit neutral my a$$.JUST TAX THE HELL OUT OF EVERYBODY. China is wondering what the hell we are and if we will default on the trillions that we owe them.This bill is a joke .
Posted by: Dirk D Graham"
You are right in part. You with a small business are paying for the healthcare insurance industry. Get the profit motive out of health care and the costs come down 30% immediately. Wouldn't that be great for business? Right now, we all pay for the health care for the uninsured in our taxes AND our insurance rates of over $1000 per family a year. Why don'y you push for a national system and let's get health care back to 12% of GNP. Still too high but more in line with the quality.
Posted by: Couldn't Be Better
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November 22, 2009 05:41 AM