Whatever. I trust Sanders, Feingold, Franken, Leahy, Boxer, etc...

[Bicoastal]

...more than I trust the Debbie Downers of the blogosphere.

These Senators had every opportunity to kill the bill by voting no, but they didn't. Either they're wrong or the Debbies are.

[still_one]

1. They know that getting this bill into law is important /nt

[blondeatlast]

2. There's still MUCH room for improvement; but the venom on both sides isn't helping.

They voted for what was acheivable--I'm willing to bet that they all would have preferred a much better bill.

[elocs]

3. Darest thou to question the DU Debbies who know all there is to be known?

And what they don't know isn't worth knowing.

Feingold is one of my senators and he did say the bill lacked things he wanted, particularly a PO and he said he could have voted to kill it, but he wasn't going to throw the whole thing away.

[shraby]

5. I agree with Feingold..he's my senator also..smart and honest.

[elocs]

6. Don't you think that Feingold is like Proxmire and the job is his for as long as he wants it?

Like Proxmire, I know of Republicans who Feingold is the only Democrat they will vote for because even if they disagree with him, they trust him and his word and that goes a long way.

[shraby]

9. A lot like Proxmire. Hated to see Proxmire go. I was working

in the Green Bay mall about 10 or so years ago and Proxmire came in. A couple girls I worked with and I were sitting in a snack shop and he came in and sat down to visit..not campaign but to visit. I think he was retired then. Good man he was.

[CreekDog]

4. Part of my argument here too

I agree. :hi:

[shireen]

7. well, politically, they don't have much of a choice ....

i adore Sanders and i understand why he's doing it. He secured some very important funding for community healthcare. The progressives in the Senate recognize the very complex dynamics in play; there are good things in that bill that will benefit some people. But overall, it sucks and they know it. The consequences of not voting for it, however, are quite damaging to the Obama administration. It's only the first year, and if they want to get a lot of good things done in the next 3 years, they need to back up Obama right now by voting in favor of this shitty bill.

On the other hand, we can afford to scream with outrage because we're not casting votes in Congress. But we do cast them in elections, and that's where we make them accountable for their actions. Our angry comments are sending them a message that we are furious at the way this has all turned out, and unless there are more progressive reforms, they should worry about their futures in Congress. That's how we put pressure on Congress to implement more progressive changes.

We need to play the game too ... so all those 'Debbie Downers of the blogosphere,' keep up the good work!

[cilla4progress]

8. Wow - way to boil it down!

I should memorize your post because it nails it. And I agree - we need those on the far left (including me, sometimes, and Debbie Downer as well), to keep pulling things leftwards. It's the beauty of our free society, is it not. Of course, civility is always appreciated, too.

So, since you're such a seer :) - what do you see for fixing this bill in the foreseeable future?

[shireen]

10. LOL! you talkin' to me?

I have no idea what the future holds. So far, it's been very disappointing to see how this process has unfolded. I dare not speculate or wish anymore, it's too painful to keep having our hopes dashed. I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes out of conference, then call our members of Congress to tell them what we think.

One day at a time, it's the only way to cope without going insane with worry.

[Hekate]

11. Boxer is my Senator, and promises to continue to work on it. I never want to see sausages being made

... for real, as witnessing this metaphorical sausage-making has been pretty awful.

I believe this group. I believe they achieved the possible. I await the Final Bill, which we have not yet seen, and only then will I judge it fully.

Hekate