House is Voting on Health Care Reform Tonight - PASSED!

i've been watching it for the last hour or so (4.00 / 2)

we have some real clowns in Congress.  

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by: gradyw @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 19:18:27 PM CST

What about the progressive dems that are Artur Davis for governor supporters? (0.00 / 0)

Are progressive dems that support Artur Davis for governor feeling any "joy" tonight?

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 19:56:55 PM CST

Yes, Redeye. (0.00 / 0)

This progressive liberal Democrat who supports Davis is joyful tonight.  

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by: Gayla @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 23:17:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I watched the vote and was very moved when it went over 218. (4.00 / 1)

However, once again, Alabama votes on the wrong side of history.

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by: melmel @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 23:20:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Joyful does not describe how I feel tonight (0.00 / 0)

Ecstatic, thrilled, delighted ... I'm actually happier than even those words convey!  This is historic -- the House passed a major health care reform for the first time since Medicare.  That's over 40 years since we've seen any progress.  Cause for celebration, imho. 

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 23:59:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I love love love your spinning granny! (4.00 / 1)

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by: melmel @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 00:02:53 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hopeful report (0.00 / 0)

The Hill reports that Dems have 218 votes lined up for health care reform bill.

Though leaders feel comfortable, the margin is narrow. Aides said leaders are confident they have the 218 votes they need, but at the very least they want to find a 219th vote so that no one member can be considered the decisive vote.
 
They are also concerned about a Republican amendment, called a "motion to recommit." Republicans won’t disclose the content of that amendment until minutes before it must be voted on, but Democrats are concerned that Republicans might try to exploit a divide that has emerged in their party on immigration.

It will be close, very close, but the only thing that counts in the end is passage.  This is closer than we've ever come to real progress on health care.  The Republicans are right to be very afraid of HCR -- it's what the people want and if Democrats give it to us, we'll remember it for a looooooong time.  Kind of like the FDR Democrats you still see among folks my parents' age.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:13:54 PM CST

Stupak amendment passed (2.00 / 1)

I think there were 240 "Yea" votes.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:27:21 PM CST

The whole Alabama delegation voted for it. (0.00 / 0)

BOOOOOOOO!

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:52:41 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Stupak amendment (0.00 / 0)

I wasn't crazy about this amendment, but Pelosi cut a deal with some "Blue Dog," anti-choice Dems to support the final bill if the amendment was attached.  It's how she got to 218 -- she needed those 14-15 votes to close the deal so a "yes" vote was critical to passing the bill.

There's still the Senate Conference to smooth out some of it's flaws beyond repeating the Hyde amendment

"We need, in every community, a group of 'Angelic Troublemakers'."   Bayard Rustin

                           

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by: revff @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:57:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Republican substitute bill fails (0.00 / 0)

258 to 176.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:27:58 PM CST

Party line vote, except one GOPper from IL. (0.00 / 0)

He must be in a swing district.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:53:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Motion to recommit ... (0.00 / 0)

It isn't immigration, as was feared.  Apparently cooler GOP heads prevailed in an effort not to burn all bridges with the hispanic community in future elections. Instead they're trotting out tort reform -- trial lawyers are a demographic they lost a long time ago.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:35:15 PM CST

Motion to recommit fails! (0.00 / 0)

Now we're on to the vote we've waited more than 9 months for -- or almost a century for.  The moment of truth we've all waited for ...

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:00:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This is it. (4.00 / 1)

This is the moment we've been waiting for.

Did Davis vote in favor of the Stoopid Stupac amendment?

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:03:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

218!!!!!! (4.00 / 1)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:10:00 PM CST

I lie! 220!!!! (4.00 / 1)

Including one Republican.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:11:41 PM CST

The Republican was Joseph Cao (4.00 / 1)

From Louisiana-2.

According to his website, he lost his home and his law office to the Katrina Federal Flood.

Just the same, he voted for health care reform.  I wonder what he lived through during the Vietnam War and how it informs his world view.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:28:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Note to GOP: Don't Have a Cao! (4.00 / 3)

Cong. Jopseph Cao, Louisiana's 2nd District voted for the Health Care bill.  Dist 2 is North of New Orleans around I10.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:21:54 PM CST

He replaced Dollar Bill Jefferson (4.00 / 2)

at least we didn't have to put cash in Cao's freezer. He's a good guy. I talked to his campaign manager after he won. He's got a Jesuit background.  

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by: gradyw @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:23:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And true to what I told his staffers, (4.00 / 1)

I will not vote for Artur Davis for Governor.  At some point, there has to be a firewall, and he ran into it tonight.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:23:59 PM CST

Do I understand that Davis voted for the Stupak amendment, (0.00 / 0)

then voted for the Republican Bill, and then against the Democratic bill.  I don't know how any woman, or anyone related to a woman, can support anyone who voted that way.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:26:40 PM CST

No (0.00 / 0)

Davis voted for the Stupak amendment, AGAINST the Republican substitute (no Dems voted for that) and, I think, against the Democratic bill.  Haven't seen the roll call on that last one, but he said he would vote against it.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:29:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I"m so thrilled that this is finally offer in the house. (4.00 / 1)

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by: melmel @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:28:18 PM CST

offer? meant to type OVER. (4.00 / 1)

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by: melmel @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:29:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Statement from Parker Griffith: (0.00 / 0)

“I voted against the proposed health care legislation today because a public option has remained the foundation of the bill’s aim.  This bill is bad for our patients, bad for our North Alabama hospitals, and bad for our nation's bottom line. 

“Improving the best health care system in the world to include the millions of Americans without access to affordable care is a worthy goal, but we cannot do it by reforming a system around a scarcity.  As the House and Senate come together, I am hopeful that we see a reform package that aggressively addresses the growing problem of physician shortages in America and increases access to those without insurance without adding trillions to our growing debt." 

BACKGROUND: Congressman Parker Griffith voted earlier today to block bringing H.R. 3962 to the floor, and YES on the Stupak (MI-D) Amendment to deny federal funding for abortion.  H.R. 3962 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a vote of 220-215.  On a party-line breakdown of votes, YEAS were 219-39 among Democrats and 1-176 among Republicans.  Joseph Cao (R-LA) was the lone Republican to vote YEA.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:30:46 PM CST

Redeye's translation (4.00 / 1)

I voted against the proposed health care legislation today because I care more about my campaign contributors than I do the people who elected me to represent them.  Who cares if Alabamians don't have access to affordable, quality health care, I got mine.  The rest of you are tough out of luck. Or you were tough out of luck until the @#$% real democrats passed the #@$% afforable health care reform act.

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:49:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Perfect translation!!! (0.00 / 0)

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by: Gayla @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 23:19:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

did he cast this vote... (0.00 / 0)

...in support of his contributors--or is it possible that this was an effort to tack to the right so as to improve his chances in a potential gubernatorial run...or, perhaps, a bit of both?

by the way, enjoy this classic moment from the debate, in which george miller comments on the republican substitute bill:

"...i have to quote marx here: groucho and chico were having a debate..." --barney frank

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by: fake consultant @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 08:14:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

any statement yet from Davis or verification of his vote? (0.00 / 0)

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by: melmel @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:50:58 PM CST

never mind. I saw the sad truth myself. (4.00 / 1)

sad. sad. sad.

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by: melmel @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:55:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Okay, I understand the ecstatic whirling granny! (4.00 / 1)

My wife and I cheered when the total reached 218 also.  BUT, I will not be so forgiving of Artur Davis.  This is an old-time opportunistic politician, who will screw the people of Alabama as governor, just as he screwed the people of his district last night.  If personal political success is more important to him than principle, then he can move ahead without this Progressive Piggie.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

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by: piggieheart @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 09:00:44 AM CST

PLEASE READ the BILL (All 2,000 pages) (0.00 / 0)

It will hurt and make your eyes glaze, but that is the only possible way to make an informed decision.  If you don't you are just hot air and not an informed "progressive".  Just because our Dem leadership tells us that something might be good that doen't make it so.  I want my rep to verify information and make sure the bill woud do what is promised.  There is still time to get this right when the Senate and House versions are reconcilled.  If not, we will face the same issues drowning Medicare, Medicaid and SS.  Good intentions, questionable execution.  

Sure this is an emotional issue but thinking and understanding what is before you should not be mutually exclusive.

For those of you that have been waiting to attempt to demonstrate that Davis is not viable as Governor, keep trying.

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by: Takenoprisoners @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 12:21:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

republican talking points #1 (0.00 / 0)

PLEASE READ the Bill.

republican talking point #2

Just because our Dem leadership tells us that something might be good that doen't make it so. republican talking point #3

I want my rep to verify information and make sure the bill woud do what is promised. republican talking point #4
There is still time to get this right

republican talking #5If not, we will face the same issues drowning Medicare, Medicaid and SS.

republican talking point #6
Sure this is an emotional issue but thinking and understanding what is before you should not be mutually exclusive.

For those Artur Davis for supporters coming to LiA attempting to defend the indefensable and mistaking progressives for BooBoo the Fool, be prepared for demonstrated push back from this informed progressive.

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 17:15:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Redeye... (0.00 / 0)

Let's mark this as a time when I 100% whole heartedly agree with you on what you are saying.  

9.13, 4.82, Just left of Gandhi.

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by: archangelsk @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 19:22:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

More effective tactic for informed progressive ... (0.00 / 0)

Would be to actually refute the arguments instead of just labeling them "Republican talking points."  The bill is 2000 pages -- that's a lot of policy. I do want my Rep. to read the bill or to have his staff study it and give him a good briefing, and I do want him to make sure it will do more or less what is promised (after all the compromises I suspect the public option is a mere ghost of its former self) and I definitely do want them to get this as nearly right as possible. Lot's of progressives have been touting the possibility of putting the public option in during reconciliation, so that one definitely isn't just a Republican talking point.  

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 19:30:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Did I say I didn't my Rep. to read the bill or have his staff study it? (0.00 / 0)

Not reading the bill is RWNJ's talking point #1.

The $787 billion stimulus bill, in particular, bothered everyone here -- not just the spending, but how it was rushed through Congress by a secretive Democratic leadership before anyone in the general public had a chance to examine it.  (One child here carried a sign that said READ B4 U SIGN!)

I'm informed enough to recognize RWNJ talking points.

 I'm not going to waste my time refuting RWNJ Bullcrap.

 

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 20:46:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]