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Trana if you like.
News from Washington today includes that North Dakota's lone Congressman Earl Pomeroy is on board with health care legislation as it moves out of the House.
Before the bill's official unveiling, House Democrats gathered in the basement of the Capitol to get a final briefing on the legislation from their leaders. Though many members cautioned that they would need to read through the bill before making a final decision, there were indications that holdouts on both the right and left were moving closer to casting "aye" votes.
Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), a prominent fiscal hawk, stood up at the party meeting and announced that he would support the measure, drawing a round of applause loud enough that it was audible outside the room.
I have to say that I'm not completely satisfied with the House bill, but I think it's not a bad starting point. I'm still not sure I understand how a public option will serve to drive competitive prices when it has limited availability. And I'm not a fan of fining people who still can't afford to buy health insurance.
Rep. Kucinich (D-Ohio) went off on this bill.
He might have some good points, but did you see that glare at the end? He seems kind of mad.
he's a nutty little puppy...
...but he speaks for me (Kucinich). He's RIGHT ON.
And I'm wondering if by writing this blog you are praising Pomeroy for his support? Sorry, but I think it's bullshit - which is just what this bill is. When I heard this story first I said outloud (just talking outloud here...) "oh..boy...I..am...shocked" in my best monotone.
OF COURSE he supports this - if passed, it will give a HUGE boost of cash to the insurance industry who pays for him to be elected every two years. Every representative in that room, patting themselves on the back are pathetic posers. I see right through their facade.
Anything less than a government run, single payer health care system will FAIL the American public. They know it - you know it - I know it.
I feel like I'm watching the slow train wreck of the party that I love and that I work very hard to survive and prosper. Really, really sad.
...
What is most remarkable is the speed of which some of the advocacy groups who worked for a robust public option hailed Pomeroy’s statement. Pomeroy has won in his desire keep the campaign contributions dollars coming. The negotiated rates for the public option may very well not reduce health care costs, and give rise to the coming call that we can not afford the reform. The number of people covered under the public option is so small it may not make much of a difference anyway. With a time frame for implementation of 3-6 years this victory as a asset to the Democrats in 2012 is a real question.
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Right on Deb. ----without the love part. It is pathetic. I don't buy the nonsense of we have to start somewhere. Pomeroy should first read the party platform---and then explain why he is not supporting it. Perhaps he has some good reason---let's hear it. You just can't serve all the masters that he claims to speak for. I predicted nearly a year ago that if healthcare reform was attempted prior to really working toward fixing the economic mess, the Democrats would kill it. Sadly, I have been right. This is not reform. How is it that our political leadership with Kucinich and a handful of others, can just simply ignore 1/3 of our population that is adversely affected by a failed healthcare system? What kind of country does this say we are? If only from a economic perspective, those who are now receiving substandard or non existent healthcare will cost far more down the road. You just don't need a Harvard MBA to figure that one out. I have not felt this ashamed of my country since Pomeroy stood in the Rose Garden with W and took us to war.
Thanks, Earl!
I give Rep. Pomeroy credit for coming out in support of a public option. Instead of dreaming that the Dennis Kucinichs of the world will bring us pie in the sky and a single payer system, we should thank Rep. Pomeroy for getting on board with health care reform that may not be perfect but moves us in the right direction.
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