Max Baucus-ASSHOLE OF THE YEAR!!!

[steelmania75]

From Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON — After weeks of secretive talks, a bipartisan group in the Senate edged closer Monday to a health care compromise that omits a requirement for businesses to offer coverage to their workers and lacks a government insurance option that President Barack Obama favors, according to numerous officials.

Like bills drafted by Democrats, the proposal under discussion by six members on the Senate Finance Committee would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to any applicant. Nor could insurers charge higher premiums on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

But it jettisons other core Democratic provisions in a reach for bipartisanship on an issue that has so far produced little.

The effort received a boost during the day from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, normally a close ally of Republicans. In a letter to committee leaders, the business group called for the panel to "act promptly, preferably before" the Senate's scheduled vacation at the end of next week. In doing so, the business organization dealt a blow to the Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other GOP lawmakers who have called repeatedly for Democrats to slow down.

Read more at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/senate-group-dropping-dem_n_245839.html

If President Obama signs this healthcare bill without the public option, I've lost all hope in him.

This country deserves universial healthcare for all.

George Carlin was right, "It's all a big club, and you and I ain't in it!"

Can't they just shove it down their throats?

With 60 senate seats, the Dems still can't get anything done.

Pitiful.

[Bill219]

1. K and big f'in R

I cannot believe that the future of our Healthcare is in the hands of the Blue Cross Conservadem Baucaus

[steelmania75]

3. Well that's the way it goes. They could care the fuck less about the MILLIONS of uninsured people

[havocmom]

30. I fear more than healthcare is in his hands. The DEMS could lose a lot due to Max

and his strings to Big Insurance

[bkkyosemite]

2. Was just going to post this .......creeps.

[mzmolly]

4. Obama is letting Republicans and DINO's put forth an unacceptable

plan so we can renounce it. At least, that's my uhm, "hope". ;)

[steelmania75]

5. Why can't he write the bills like the Bush Administration did?

No one's really out there trying to get those guys in jail....

Because us little people are the only ones that have to follow the law.

If you're famous or a wealthy businessman, you're let go.

[mzmolly]

6. I think he may end up having to do that?

We'll see...

[WatchWhatISay]

7. Remember during the campaign when he and Hillary argued about whose plan would cover more people?

Where is his PLAN now? Why do we have to let the corporate sellouts build the plan?

Why doesn't he just submit that plan he was talking about, and then threaten to bust some butts if they don't get it passed?

[mzmolly]

8. I'm thinking they may have put forward a plan

eventually. He'll mention that members of congress and the senate could not agree, yada yada?

[WatchWhatISay]

9. Geez, mzmolly where do you get that optimism from?

I need some of that to help lower my blood pressure right now.

[mzmolly]

13. LOL

I guess I look to Paul Wellstone and his eternally optimistic views. His position was essentially, eventually the American people will wake up and right the wrongs so to speak. Then again my pessimistic husband would remind me about what happened to our great Senator. However, thankfully his words and deeds live on.

[WatchWhatISay]

32. His words, while a great legacy, don't begin to make up

for having a Senator that really worked for US.

[Sebastian Doyle]

27. Why doesn't he just submit Howard Dean's plan?

I'd prefer HR 676 myself, but for some reason, Obama wants to allow the continued existence of these insurance soulless vampire bastards.

[steelmania75]

36. I don't get it either...

K&R PEOPLE, THIS IS IMPORTANT

[mzmolly]

55. I wish he

would. I think he wanted to give the Senate and Congress time to actually do their job. So much for that idea...

[Sherman A1]

10. If this is indeed the case

I will not contribute one dime to the reelection of any Senate or House Dem. They were sent there with a mandate for change and we get zip? So I will be happy to return the favor and who knows, next election day, might be too busy to make it to the polls.

[steelmania75]

12. Vote 3rd Party!!! If Obama Disappoints, a lot of Progressives will switch to the third party

[mzmolly]

33. That's what Republicans are hoping for. It's not Obama who will

disappoint, it's a few blue dog Democrats and the vast majority of Republicans.

[swilton]

42. Obama has been a disappointment

I can name numerous issues - regarding foreign policy.

But in this particular case - his health insurance plan - it was a mistake to bring big pharma and health insurance to the table. His second mistake is not having the balls to ram something through his own party the same way Bush & Co. rammed the Iraq War, domestic spying, torture and numerous other crimes down the throats of the American people.

[mzmolly]

53. I will wait for the end result on health care before

I become disappointed or not.

[JDPriestly]

57. He is too optimistic, too trusting.

He needs to change that. The Republicans are just waiting for him to have a setback in foreign policy. And if his inability to control members of Congress like Max Baucus and if he can't choose when and with whom to negotiate in foreign policy matters better than he has with regard to healthcare, that is the end of the Democratic Party and human rights in America for a long, long time.

Obama should veto any bill that does not include a public option and should come out swinging against the Baucus turncoats.

Single payer is the least expensive alternative. The insurance companies do not in any way increase the value of our health care. They just take a cut of the money for doing nothing.

Ask people who are suspicious of single payer insurance, what service does your insurance company provide to you that could not be provided at less expense and just as well with a system in which your doctor just dealt directly with a government agency like he does when he deals with Medicare? The insurance companies do add no value. Just get them out of the picture and we will have good, universal healthcare.

[Sebastian Doyle]

48. The minute Obama signs a shitty bill, he owns the disappointment

He should veto any ASSHOLE legislation (anything less than a REAL public option) and tell them to do it over.

[mzmolly]

54. IF he signs a bill without a publc option I'll be

disappointed as well.

[Grinchie]

70. MzMolly, it too late for "May", "Could", or "Hope".. Obama is 100% Corporate now

And no amount of apologiy ar rationalization is going to win back the millions of people that saw Michael Taylor appointed to the USDA recently ever return to the vile DLC Corpoarte machine that this Administration has now morphed into.

Never. It isn't going to happen. Whatever little hope we had left, which was already teetering on the edge, is now gone, and we are fending for ourselves, and are going to starve this administration of any further support.

If this Administration can't even get the Labeleing of GMO foods through the thick skulls of it's majority controlled congress, then God help us all.

[mzmolly]

73. I plan to give him more than six months

before I judge his Presidency Grinchie.

Peace

[chascarrillo]

34. What third party???

The Greens are insane. Every variety of Socialist party (reasonable or crackpot/despot) earns votes numbered in hundredths of a percent. Where the hell do we turn to?

I do think that, at this stage, a progressive, liberal party is called for, but how on earth do we create it?

[NMMOM]

45. Healthcare Party?

:shrug:

[galileoreloaded]

15. No, you will get in line like the rest of us.......No dissent and blind .....

allegiance is your duty to your party. Why do you hate America?????

Is the sarcasm tag really necessary here??

[BlooInBloo]

11. /signed

[bluethruandthru]

14. Everyone needs to let their Congressional reps know

that if they are against a public option available for EVERYONE - no restrictions - that ALL doctors must take... then they are siding with the insurance companies and not their constituents.
Congress doesn't think we're paying attention. The only noise they ever hear is from lobbyists and the occassional skewed news report. They need to know that what we REALLY want is single payer...now!

[steelmania75]

16. Agreed. It's time to get to work!!!!

[tekisui]

17. "Dems" may have 60 seats, but Conservative Corporatists have over 60.

[steelmania75]

19. That's what it's all about. Basically about 20 of the 60 Dems are DINO's!!!!

And there's much more in the House.

[undeterred]

18. Please, call me Senator Schering Plough

Me loves the money my keepers give me.

[madamesilverspurs]

47. Baucus makes Kevorkian redundant.

[tabbycat31]

20. K&R

[proud patriot]

21. He gets my vote .. my son's healthcare is expensive

and keeps me in the poorhouse .

[David Zephyr]

22. K&R.

Kick.

[bkkyosemite]

23. Call your legislators and tell them tomorrow that they will be voted out if they do not vote for

Single Payer and we will vote in anyone who does campaign for it.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

24. Baucus is drenched in insurance and healthcare industry money.

He's taking the same position as the ones being voiced by the insurance and healthcare companies that have bought him like a high-priced whore and Baucus is strutting his stuff right before them, shamelessly trying to run up his price. From the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/20/AR2009072003363.html

(...)

Health-related companies and their employees gave Baucus's political committees nearly $1.5 million in 2007 and 2008, when he began holding hearings and making preparations for this year's reform debate.

(...)

Baucus collected $3 million from the health and insurance sectors from 2003 to 2008, about 20 percent of the total, data show.

(...)

Top out-of-state corporate contributors included Schering-Plough, New York Life Insurance, Amgen, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield; individual executives such as Richard T. Clark, chief executive and president of drugmaker Merck, have also made regular donations. Most of these companies, particularly major insurers, strongly oppose a public insurance option, which is favored by President Obama and top House Democrats but has not received support from Baucus's committee.

(...)

Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for the Public Citizen advocacy group, said the continued fundraising by Baucus during the health-care debate is "very troubling." "He's doing all this fundraising right in the middle of this effort to mark up a bill," Holman said. "When you put these events close to matters concerning these lobbyists, clearly it's a signal. You are expected to show up with a check."

[bkkyosemite]

25. Just called Baucus' office and told him that he threw the baby out with the bath water

and that was the citizens of the country who he turned his back on. That the majority of this country voted for a majority rule. That we don't care what the otherside wants. That he has not been listening to the people who put him in office and when re election roles around because he turned his back on the people everything will be done to vote him out. So keep supporting the insurance industry as they have paid you to do so. We will vote you out.

[Sebastian Doyle]

26. What are the odds of a buffalo stampede in Baucus' front yard when he goes back home?

And can anything be done to increase those odds? :evilgrin:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

61. I'd like to see that

providing he can't cash in those buffalo chips.

[Hugabear]

28. 60 seats means nothing when we have a few traitors in our midst

Fucking blue dog assholes

[mmonk]

29. Oh they can get it done.

All depends on what "it" means.

[TheKentuckian]

31. What an douche!

Let's get a real plan to the floor and make the obstructionist vote it down, over and over.

[byronius]

35. Criminal.

[bc3000]

37. I agree. He should be in jail.

quid pro quo

[Odin2005]

38. Blue Dogs = Dumb Dogs.

Baucus needs a swift kick in the ass.

[SammyWinstonJack]

39. K&R

[BlueJac]

40. Blue Dogs= We are fucked!

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

41. What a waste!!!! By th time this is done, there will be mandatory insurance and no public option.

Wonder who worked out those sweetheart deal!!! I am so pissed right now!!

[Puppyjive]

43. Vote the CLOWNS out of office

I'm ready to vote these clowns out of office and get some people in there who will work for the American people. If Congress does not deliver on healthcare, it's time for Americans to elect those that will. Maybe we should start the 'Healthcare Party', who's only mission is healthcare. Because if we don't do something about healthcare, and economic collapse will.

[NMMOM]

44. Healthcare Party!

What a great idea!
:thumbsup:

[LeftishBrit]

68. In our Parliament, there is an Independent MP elected on a 'defending the health service' ticket

Richard Taylor, MP for Wyre Valley, a doctor by profession, who defeated an incumbent Government Minister in 2001 on this platform. You may be interested in his website:

http://www.doctortaylor.info/

[caseymoz]

46. If the Chamber of Commerce wants it passed now, something's wrong.

I, too, wish they'd take their time and do this right. If we get a "reform" that funnels money to private health care companies and discredits further reform, reform is dead for another 30 years. It's time to start from scratch and get less compromising, not more.

We need to call those "blue dogs" and if they are not persuaded, start promoting some opposition candidates to them for the primaries. We need to start Democratic voting initiatives in their districts.

If Democrats can't get anything done, it's because a few Democrats in Congress need to get persuaded or fired.

BTW, 60 party members doesn't mean 60 votes. We can't be fooled that it was going to be that easy.

[madmax]

49. S-L-O-W D-O-W-N ???

Rachael nailed it the other day when she said health care reform has been talked to death.


Forty-one fucking years should be enough of a slow down. DO IT NOW!!!! :grr:

[steelmania75]

50. The GOP wants to write the bill, then not vote for the bill, and use the shitty

bill as a jumpboard to win in 2010 and 2012

[Ganja Ninja]

51. If you and I can see it why can't the Democrats? n/t

[steelmania75]

52. Because about 20 of the 60 senate seats we have are props for big business.

[Fla Dem]

56. Well then, let's take names and target them. If everybody who

spends time on this board, called 5 of theses DINOS maybe they would begin to hear our roar of disapproval. This is what the RW does, they jam the phone lines. If anyone has a list of the Senators not on board, I will spend the rest of the day calling these traitors.

[PassingFair]

59. Yep. And they're not all Blue Dogs, either.

DLC is quite happy to let the Blue Dogs
take the heat, while they pull stings and
count votes to make sure JUST ENOUGH of them,
in safe seats, tip the scale for the corps.....

[LaPera]

58. Insurance company Gestapo...

As it is now, it's the insurance companies that "stand between you and your doctor" One must go through ones insurance company to get ANYTHING OKed for the cost, before any doctor or hospital will perform the necessary procedures.

And that privilege of having an insurance company employee making the bureaucratic decision, rather than the inept heartless government official should justify the higher cost of their far superior plan...right?

The insurance companies employees making decisions on what surgeries, medical care, procedure & prescriptions one can talk about getting between you and your doctor...The insurance companies are like the Gestapo.

[onestepforward]

60. K&R

[bigmikeb]

62. THIS IS NOT REFORM!!!!! ITS A KICK BACK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES

Patience, I was once told was a virtue. In this case, the time to be patience is up. Call, E MAIL, TELL A STRANGER! REALIZE every little helps. I tell two friends to call their reps, they tel two more people. Growing organically, our movement cannot and will not be stopped. We have to STAY STRONG, FOCUSED AND WILL NEVER BREAK.

[grahamhgreen]

63. This must not become law. Then Obama can do real reform - SINGLE PAYER

[creeksneakers2]

64. If there is no public option

then there must be no deal. Obama must vow to veto this.

[meow2u3]

65. This is for Mad Max Baucus

M.A.D. M.A.X.
He makes us some nervous wrecks!
60 votes in the Senate and he don't give a heck
I sure wanna wring his neck!
Mad Max!

:hide:

[valerief]

66. He sucks like the plague. nt

[santamargarita]

67. We need to get tougher with our so-called Senate majority

Something like a wide spread "DO NOT RE-ELECT LIST" and no Republicans allowed!

[MurrayDelph]

69. Give him more time

No, I don't mean allowing additional delaying time,

I mean asshole of the YEAR is not enough.

[defendandprotect]

71. Rather than improving the situation, they're headed to further greed . . .

If this cointinues, this country is going to erupt!!

[pyoom]

72. Agreed, but I haven't given up.

In fact, not even close to it.

Obama knows how important the public option is. I don't think he'll let this happen, as if we've "solved all our problems," without it.

People need to try to relax and just let Obama do his job.

[roamer65]

74. If this passes, it will be an UNMITIGATED DISASTER.

The legalized extortion companies will just spread the cost of accepting everyone across all policy holders. More people will drop coverage due to inability to afford sky-high premiums. The amount of uninsured will double.