If I may?
If anyone believes the current Senate Bill is a far Left bill, then they have been listening to too much propaganda. The bill is very conservative. The reason it is conservative is because the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee worked closely with the Republicans on his committee and brought forward a bill that could be passed.
Senator Baucus stated at the presentation of the Senate Finance Health Care Bill that the bill was a bill that would pass, not necessarily satisfy any philosophy. As time wore on in the Senate after his bill was presented he realized he was played for a fool. There is a lot for the Senate to consider when Reconciliation (click title to entry - thank you) comes around this time.
...“The Senate (click here) may have to figure out whether it wants its abortion position or if it wants a health care bill," Doerflinger said in a recent interview. "That’s the difficult decision (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi made, and she chose a health care bill. The Senate decided it could have its cake and eat it, too. That is no longer true. Something’s going to have to give.”...
The abortion aspect of the bill, even if passed, will hurt the Anti-Abortion Lobby and they simply don't realize it. The Stupack-Pitts Amendment (click here) was very poorly crafted. Pass the bill, as is.
All the so-called Chicago Style Politics that have been affectionately named as The Corn Husker Kick Back, the Louisiana Purchase and the Gatorade Amendment were written because the people that were opposed to the bill had to come up with a way to 'embarrass' the Democrats enough to keep their seats in the House and they won't be back anyway.
The 'politicians' that insisted on the increase in federal support for Medicaid and the exclusion of eliminating Medicare Advantage from Florida had to 'come up' with a reason why they opposed the bill in order to save their careers currently and 'reserve' the possibility the bill would not pass. There is no reason to oppose a health care bill, it is irresponsible for any Senator or House Representative to oppose sincere and well written health care reform. They could be impeachable or in violation of ethics rules if they refuse to do their jobs.
Chicago Style Politics isn't about corruption, it is about finding out what the issue is that is preventing people from voting for VITAL legislation. No one in either party can state and haven't stated that reform is not necessary. Both majority parties ADMIT health care is long overdue for an overhaul. With that settled there is no COMPETENT reason to oppose well written and thoughtful legislation.
We have witnessed the Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee stab Senator Baucus in the back while Joe Lieberman acted in protectionism of the Insurance Companies in his state. The problems with the Health Care Reform Bill is not about its content or necessity, it is about the 'gaming' that is occurring while political 'hay' is being made with it.
This bill eliminates corruption by eliminating Medicare Advantage. One of the most corrupt States in the lower 48 when it comes to legal actions against Medicare Advantage is Florida. Whomever is demanding it remain for that State is trying to obstruct the bill.
There are NO Back Room Deals. I think we all know what is going on quite frankly.
The Emergency Amendment requested is not a bad idea, however, it is in the "W"rong place. It belongs with Homeland Security under a separate bill that empowers FEMA to perform the necessary measures as outlined in the amendment.
At this point, I am going to coin a phrase from Former President Bill Clinton, "I choose to not be helpful." The House needs to listen to their Speaker and pass the bill. I'll be happy to critique it after the President signs it.
