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Senate Democratic Leadership Will Pass Health Care Reform “By Any Legislative Means Necessary”
August 19, 2009 4:07 PM
Amidst questions of whether or not any Senate Republicans will support a health care reform bill, Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., today said that the “White House and the Senate Democratic leadership still prefer a bipartisan bill.”
The Reid spokesman said that “neither the White House nor the leadership have made a decision to pursue reconciliation,” the somewhat controversial legislative process by which a bill is introduced in such a manner so that it requires merely 50 votes instead of 60 to proceed to a vote, thus removing the threat of filibuster.
Manley said that “we will not make a decision to pursue reconciliation until we have exhausted efforts to produce a bipartisan bill.”
“However,” he cautioned, “patience is not unlimited and we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary.”
The spokesman was purposefully invoking the famous quote "by any means necessary," popularized by Malcolm X (demanding the rights of African-Americans to be respected in society), though it is thought to have originally been penned by French existentialist Jean Paul Sartre in his play about assassination “Dirty Hands” (in a line demanding the end of class).
Another interesting question: will Senate Democrats even have 50 votes?
You cannot start out assuming Democrats have their full 60-vote majority, since Sens. Robert Byrd of Virginia and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts are so infirm.
So start with 58.
Then take out those who have expressed reservations if not opposition to a the inclusion of a public plan: Sens. Kent Conrad (ND), Ben Nelson (NE), Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Maybe Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
Now you’re down to 53. And the pressure from outside interest groups and the insurance industry hasn’t even really begun yet.
On the other hand, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, organized a letter of 28 Senators demanding a public option.
So do Senate Democratic leaders have the votes for a bill with a public option?
Do they have the votes for a bill without one?
-jpt
August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (222)
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I love when some on this blog speak for all Americans by writing thing like "Americans want or need" as if they represent a group or have some kind of a following but since it seems to be ok let me remind them or you that Americans voted for Obama and his change and that people that don't agree with his healthcare bill are the same people that did not vote for him in the first place "us" supporters of Obama who voted him into office without "your" votes expect him to get the bill passed you or your Americans will have a chance in 3 more years good luck with Shara or whoever you pic
Posted by: Cesar Tueros | Nov 17, 2009 4:52:07 PM
Just wanted to let everyone know that Bill Moyers will be covering a cool documentary on his PBS show tonight called, “Money Driven Medicine”. It should be really interesting!
Posted by: JoelS | Aug 28, 2009 11:14:44 AM
Go ahead, ram it down America's throats. Go for it President Obama. Go for it Congressional minions. Our country has survived other one term Presidents. And it provides a good opportunity to expunge those in Congress who have forgotten who they work for. Kamikazes were not successful in 1945 and they will not be successful in 2009. In the mean time, I look forward to the 2010 congressional elections and a new President in 3 years that represents all the people. But blame no-one but yourselves for the result. Remember the Summer of 09 when you are gazing in the mirror in a couple years wondering where all the Democrats in Washington have gone.
Posted by: DBC | Aug 22, 2009 9:30:42 AM
Why spend billions when you can spend trillions?
$9,000,000,000,000.00 in debt over ten years.
Change you can believe in.
By any means necessary.
Selfish waste gift wrapped by Obama.
Posted by: Eric | Aug 21, 2009 8:42:16 PM
==========================
Obama is NOT on a mission to better healtcare in America - but to save face.
==========================
Obama sold the panacea of his universal government-run healthcare solution before he had any concept of the costs and details of such a program. Now the details are surfacing: the failures of all other government-run healthcare systems (include our own state programs); the astronomical costs; and the universal reduction and denial of services. So, instead of Obama pursuing what's best for the nation, he is now on a mission to save face.
Posted by: N Waff | Aug 21, 2009 5:32:17 PM
it's time to put politics aside.
Why do you argue about individual politicians? They are not looking out for your best iterests.
Those baaaing for one side or the other are wasting sound space.
L:ook at the final plan. Don't kill something because a clown like Grassly says so.
Please, this could finally be the time WWE THE PEOPLE bring balance back to our great country.
For the good of our nation, read, get educated on the issues, then come to a decision.
So many are against abortion.Some consider early term abortion murder. Why abort a plan that has not yet been written?
Ya'll need to become thinkers.
SECREG_756
Posted by: SECREG_756 | Aug 21, 2009 1:55:40 AM
today I saw a TV ad in which people were warned once S.A.G.H.C.plan goes into effect you will be dealing with government buereacratsand red tape.
aren't we dealing with INSURANCE COMPANY bureaucrats and their red tape?
After waiting 25 years getting something done to improve our health care system today is not rushing headlong into an issue.
Why the great love for companies who take .35% of everty dollar they take in
and use it for everything except healthcare.
WE THE PEOPLE deserve more than being spit on by CORPORATE CEO'S.
We will never get our budget fixed if we do not get good health care reform done now.
AMERICANS cann be the most selfish people on the face of the earth.
GRASSLY, BOEHNER, CANTOR, BAUCUS, will ya'll drop the healthcare you have now for the healthcare WE THE PEOPLE are going to forced down our throats?
Of course they wouldn't. Write to them and ask. Ask the naysayers to answer this question, " can we have what you have, and if not why not."
we pay the elected cons their salarys and we pay for their benefits. The cons are owned by the GIANT M.I.C.
CEO'S.
When did "WE THE PEOPLE" turn into "WE THE CEO'S?"
SECREG_756
Posted by: SECREG_756 | Aug 21, 2009 1:50:35 AM
OK , it's apparent ya'll have no interest in your own self intrest.
Maybe this will help.anyone over 65 is already involved in medicare, a form
of socialized medicine. Read on
If ya'll continue to baaa loudly and vote against G.S.A. H.C. You deserve what you get.
One of the mantras of the opposition to meaningful health reform has been a fear of a government takeover of the health care sector. This fear is expressed virtually nonstop on talk radio, the right wing blogosphere, Fox News and at town hall meetings across the country. As we know, for better or for worse, the Obama administration is not proposing a government takeover of the entire health care system, but overstatement and exaggeration is unavoidable in these kinds of debates.
The image of government takeover of health care is meant to strike fear into good market oriented Americans who believe the government can do nothing right, particularly in an area as difficult, personal and important as health care. The fear of government involvement in any aspect of our life is a deeply held American value which allows us to continue to believe in the myth of small government. It is any easy fear to exploit even when speaking to people who have good jobs because they studied at public universities, know their parents have enough to eat because of social security, drive to work on federally funded highways and generally live in the 21st century industrialized world.
Nonetheless, opponents of health care reform believe fear of government involvement in health care to be something shared by all Americans. Before we collectively start quaking in fear of a government takeover of health care it might make sense to slow down and consider that a fair amount of our health care system already has strong government involvement.
Old people, some poor people and veterans already have government supported health care through Medicare, Medicaid and various veterans benefits. These programs are, of course, far from perfect, but they are pretty good. While many seniors would like to see Medicare reformed, it is rare to see senior citizens, or organizations of senior citizens call for abolishing Medicare. Similarly, many veterans, some who served decades ago rely on veteran's hospitals for an important part of their health care. My father is a veteran who voices more than the occasional criticism of the US government, but I have never heard him say that he wishes veterans didn't get any health care or that the government should close the veterans hospitals.
Senior citizens and veterans are both well organized and powerful interest groups, representing tens of millions of Americans, but government involvement in the health care sector has hardly caused any pubic outrage among these two key constituent groups. On the contrary, both usually push very hard for the expansion of Medicare and veterans benefits. If the American people really wanted government out of the health care industry, or if the government was unable to play a useful and positive role in the delivery of health care, it is pretty likely that these groups would have made a lot of noise about this issue years ago, but they have not.
Medicaid recipients are not as well organized as either veterans or senior citizens, but recipients of Medicaid very rarely argue for weaker Medicaid programs or less involvement by the government in providing health care services. Again, the opposite is true. Recipients of Medicaid have often shown a preference for bigger programs with more government involvement.
Medicare, Medicaid and veterans' benefits have become an indispensible part of our health care system providing valuable services and benefits to people, many of whom would have very few health care options were it not for these government programs. This is something which should be kept in mind when scare tactics about government takeover of health care are used. These programs also demonstrate the inaccuracy, or perhaps nuttiness, of some of the more outlandish claims about Obama's proposed programs. For example, if the government were really going to ration health care or set up "death panels" as part of government health care programs, wouldn't the government have started by doing these things to the poor, the elderly or disabled veterans-precisely the people who rely on the government for health care today.
The Obama administration, of course, is not proposing a full government takeover of the health care system, but they are proposing increased government involvement in health care. An incremental change of this kind, while likely to make a tremendous difference in the lives of some, although unfortunately probably not all, of those currently uninsured, is simply not a radical measure. It does not represent a new way of paying for health care services in the US, but a readjustment to the relative balance of the public and private sectors in health care and a way to leave fewer people with no health care at all, which is what most Americans really fear.,
Health Care
Posted by: SECREG_756 | Aug 21, 2009 1:27:38 AM
What I find funny is that people think if something is "good" for them, it is "good" for EVERYONE. Who determines what is "good" and "bad"? Example: Dark chocolate is "good" in MY book. My best friend thinks dark chocolate is "bad". It is a matter of personal opinion.
It is the same for this bill; out of 100 people, what may be "good" for 30 of them may be "bad" for the other 70.
The idea is to find a COMMON ground for ALL people. That means making concessions and compromises on BOTH sides of the fence. It is NOT a PERFECT solution, but it will be better than what we have now. Taking away personal freedoms, privacy, and giving a tax exemption to "non citizens" is not
the right way to go about it.
If this bill is going to be for EVERYONE, then EVERYONE should have to pay into it. If our Government wants to make it's citizens use this bill, why should THEY be exempt? Who better to test it out than the very people who are writing the bill? Why does this bill have to be pushed thru "right now"? Why can't they make it a major project to work on and take time to get it "right" for everyone? This way NEITHER side has to deal with the backlash if this bill fails because of lack of forethought and planning. The people it is supposed to help won't suffer needlessly because the Government refused to take the time to get it right. Isn't that the BEST way to resolve issues? Mediation, honest communication, and the willingness to WORK TOGETHER to come to a satisfactory solution. Neither side gets it all thier own way, neither side will be COMPLETELY happy with the result, but it will be BETTER for the People of America than what they have now. If we take the time to work out the entire issue, then we have made REAL progress and it will be a bill EVERYONE can LIVE with even if they did not get it 100% "all my way".
We have spent the past several decades in the state we are in with Healthcare, what is another 1-2 years to get it RIGHT for EVERYONE? Especially when it will mean REAL progress and a program that might actually WORK.
Posted by: RhiannonHR | Aug 20, 2009 7:05:18 PM
"So are you implying that any 'major change' (which is what Obama is pushing) is 'good' change?"
I'm not implying anything other than Rob Clayton's "80% happy" assertion is way off the mark.
Posted by: WWW | Aug 20, 2009 6:47:17 PM
"Major Changes: 65%"
So are you implying that any "major change" (which is what Obama is pushing) is "good" change?
Americans want improvements to current healthcare system. But not the changes Obama and the left-wing Dems are advocating.
Posted by: tjp612 | Aug 20, 2009 6:37:48 PM
Rob Clayton wrote: “The gov't ( Obama ) is turning their backs on the US population. It does not matter 80% of the US is happy with current health care.”
Earlier this month, a Marist poll asked, “Do you think the current health care system in this country needs major changes, minor changes, or no changes at all?”
Major Changes: 65%
Minor Changes: 29%
No Changes at all: 6%
Welcome to the real world, Rob.
Posted by: WWW | Aug 20, 2009 6:25:39 PM
THis is really bad. The gov't ( Obama ) is turning their backs on the US population. It does not matter 80% of the US is happy with current health care. THis all about that all important 12.8 % of Americans. That is what is whole term is about.
Posted by: Rob Clayton | Aug 20, 2009 5:31:04 PM
The Dems keep talking about how health care reform is a "moral imperative". President Obama even told a group of rabbis yesterday that "We are God's partners in matters of life and death." So what is the moral code of government run health care in "matters of life and death" when it comes to the Veterans Administration Page 24 of their health care manual instructs the veteran to INITIAL AND DATE the page, then fill out the checklist as follows:
What makes your life worth living?
Instructions This exercise will help you think about and express what really matters to you. For each row, check (✔) one answer to express how you would feel if this factor by itself described you.
Here are the answer choices, note that there is no “ok” choice, only “bad” choices: (what sick b*stard designed this?)
difficult, but acceptable
worth living, but just barely
not worth living
can’t answer now
And now the question:
a. I can no longer walk but get around in a wheelchair.
b. I can no longer get outside—I spend all day at home.
c. I can no longer contribute to my family’s well being.
d. I am in severe pain most of the time.
e. I have severe discomfort most of the time (such as
nausea, diarrhea, or shortness of breath).
f. I rely on a feeding tube to keep me alive.
g. I rely on a kidney dialysis machine to keep me alive.
h. I rely on a breathing machine to keep me alive.
i. I need someone to help take care of me all of time.
j. I can no longer control my bladder.
k. I can no longer control my bowels.
l. I live in a nursing home.
m. I can no longer think clearly-I am confused all the time.
n. I can no longer recognize family/friends
o. I can no longer talk and be understood by others.
p. My situation causes severe emotional burden for my
family (such as feeling worried or stressed all the time).
q. I am a severe financial burden on my family.
r. I cannot seem to “shake the blues.”
s. Other (write in):
Finally, to REALLY push the vet over the edge, here are the instructions at the bottom of the page:
Instructions To help others make sense out of your answers, think about the following questions and be sure to explain your answers to your loved ones and health care providers.
If you checked “worth living, but just barely” for more than one factor, would a combination of these factors make your life “not worth living?” If so, which factors?
If you checked “not worth living,” does this mean that you would rather die than be kept alive?
If you checked “can’t answer now,” what information or people do you need to help you decide?
You can access the book at www1 . va . gov / pugetsound/ docs / ylyc.pdf (you have to remove the sapces, my psots won’t appear for some reason if I link to it…)
Posted by: gary | Aug 20, 2009 5:09:40 PM
Let's put aside for a moment all the questions about what is in HR3200. There are plenty to chew on, but drop them for the sake of argument.
Given that they have paid only 2% of the rebates already sent in on Cash for Clunkers, that has a relatively easy criteria and is only a $3B program, do you really want this same gov't to manage your health care? We are talking about TRILLIONS of $$ here and quite frankly, your very life. They can't even efficiently manage the end-of-life of a car! Wake up, People!
Posted by: rapaline | Aug 20, 2009 4:31:40 PM
Well, voter intimidation last Nov., union and ACORN thugs at town hall meetings. What can we expect from this comment?
Posted by: Reflect09 | Aug 20, 2009 1:46:01 PM
Manley said, "By any LEGISLATIVE means necessary." Now watch the right-wingers drop the word "legislative" and pretend that he threatened to murder people or something for the sake of it.
Posted by: ignatz | Aug 20, 2009 1:09:26 PM
Thanks RhiannonHR: Problem is that most of us have trouble with all the legal-speak.
Can't they have interpreters for this stuff?
Posted by: Jon F | Aug 20, 2009 4:11:11 AM
LOL Yeah, I know what you mean. Like I said before, it took me 3 days to get thru it all. A dictionary, thesaraus, and the internet are wonderful tools. Other than that, you'd have to know a paralegal, lawyer, or legal secretary.
Posted by: RhiannonHR | Aug 20, 2009 1:04:03 PM
'By any and all means necessary' is as old as the stones. I'm sure someone said it long before Sarte or Malcolm. What does Malcolm X and his rhetoric have to do with health care reform? (I mean other than as a focus point for people who might focus on such a reference. In a positive light of course. America LOVES Malcolm X.) Shall I invoke Reagan and reference Obama's push to break down the wall of insurance corpration run death panels? Because if you get dropped from your coverage for a PEC or illness, thats essentially a death panel right there, right then. How about Churchill? We shall fight. With growing confidence and growing strength.
Posted by: linc the skink | Aug 20, 2009 11:43:47 AM
I'm afraid it's worse than this. What you are witnessing is the "Change" that some were voting for. This is the eminent change from democracy to a dictatorship as part of that change to socialism. They fully intend on ramming this down the throat of every American whether you like it or not. None of them get it any more. None of them.
Posted by: J Kline | Aug 20, 2009 5:58:47 AM
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