Lieberman Wins

This is all political theater. This is always the way it was going to go down. There never was going to be a public option. Ever. The insurance companies would have never allowed it. Now the Democrats get to blame it all on Lieberman in 2010, and the sheep will buy it hook, line, sinker.So what’s the end result? People will now be forced to buy insurance, and not much else. The single biggest corporate giveaway in human history. Well done Democrats.For those who didn’t know what country they live in, welcome to the plutocratic oligarchy.

Slamming. Head. With. Toiletseat.Oy.

Ok, heres what I’m wondering. Is that conference committee thing still in play? Can they reconcile this putrid bill with that one, because unless there going that way, I don’t see this being a good bill.

Just wrote this at my place.

I have to say I thought the party would hold Lieberman’s feet to the fire and not cave in ONE DAY. Also, does this Christmas deadline seem like bullshit to anyone else? What’s the fucking point if any form of public option, including the Medicare buy-in, is dead?

Yes, I know that the consumer protection rules that (hopefully) everyone in the Senate agree with are important steps in overall reform, but I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I feel right now. My only hope is that progressives will give a big FUCK YOU to Rahm, and anyone else in the White House that thinks this is good idea.

Now that Lieberman is allegedly appeased, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and have the Senate include Stupak abortion language to win Ben Nelson’s vote. I’m really disgusted right about now. C’mon, progressives. Fight back!

And Allen, go fuck yourself.

No.It’s not about Democrats. It’s about the system.There are still one or two elected people that actually give a shit about the voters. The rest are enjoying their bribes and look forward to those lucrative lobbying jobs in a system that still pretends to be a democracy.We are screwed folks. There is no reason to ever get hopes up about needed and fair legislation. It will never happen again.Massive protests anyone?

Finally, Allen Frederick blames someone else other than Obama. Yes, Allen, it’s all my fault that douchebags think they know better and make a “statement” by voting for Nader (no offense, Bob, you know better). Poverty is my fault. Crime is my fault. Republicans are my fault. A fucked political system is my fault. Sarah Palin is my fault. Fox News Channel is my fault.You’re absolutely right. I’m masquerading as an adult while you masquerade as someone who thinks they know better than everyone else with their “I told you so” attitude. I’m masquerading as an adult while you wish for further US jobs to be lost (via me personally), and my voting rights to be taken away.Who did you vote for in 2008, Allen? Obama? Then you voted just as stupidly as I did. McCain? Then you lost and are crying in your beer. Bob Barr or Ron Paul? Then you’re a complete dick. Complete.

I say again – The horror! The horror!And since we’ve been on the topic of parliamentary procedure lately, I hereby second Carl’s motion for Allen-the-troll to go fuck himself (honestly…who responds to the operator of a blog by referring to him as ‘illiterate’ in the comments section of another blog? That doesn’t even make sense…)

good post, CarlI will add that anyone who would write that they hoped another commenter would lose their job is a true lowlife.

What now?Like the first commenter, I feel sick. wrote the WH telling Obama to:END THE WARSPUT SINGLE PAYER BACK ON THE TABLE!And last but not least:FIRE RAHM!!LIke he’ll do that…

@aview999: you are not helping.

Carl,”I’m masquerading as an adult while you masquerade as someone who thinks they know better than everyone else with their “I told you so” attitude”Carl, no one knows better than me, not even Allen.:D

jhw wrote:>>>He never asked for the POYes he did. It’s always been a part of his healthcare plan going all the way back to the campaign.

Yes, it should be apparent to anyone that this Allen person is a Republicon troll. The “children” insult, and that insufferable condescension they, in their small minds, believes intimidates. The fucker’s avoided answering direct queries posted by myself twice, including those Carl has asked. Ridicule the bastard next time s/he shows for that shit about “off-shoring.” He must think he’s a god-damned Cheney or something, the whelp.So…Rahm tells Reid to deal with things, and a compromise is made. There’s your problem right there. Rahm’s dumb for thinking Reid could actually do anything besides cave. Looks to me that in this case, Rahm is the culprit, but that’s just me. Lieberman’s going to do what he’s going to do because he’s a brat. Reid’s going to be ReidWhat are we going to do with these people? I’m not giving up on this party, but there is a reason I’m registered Independent, though I often vote Democrat.This is some bad juju, though, I tell you. Someone needs to be kicked the hell out of somewhere. Who? Any suggestions, because I’ve spoken on who I’d throw under the bus at this point. How does it happen? Seriously – HOW!!!

@AllonflaWhat in the hell do you mean?I’ll tell you what…I’m totally frustrated by this Admin ability to manage anything these days.END THE WARS – think of the LIVES and money saved!SINGLE PAYER – our country needs HELP!And RAHM E – like he hasnt had his disgusting hand on every single thing coming out of the WH?I’m not helping WHAT?!BITCHING? Last I heard, wasnt against the LAW.So fuck off.

Although…the news earlier SHOULD have been Bob going after the White House for ordering this compromise – not a knee jerk reaction trying to kill the messenger. That’s been the pattern here for months, though – defend the President.The fact that some people here still ‘hold out hope’ despite all the evidence of what President Obama actually stands for is just so sad…like a kid with an alcoholic Dad hoping that this year Santa will deliver a bonanza instead of the unwrapped crap they got last year.And Nano – I DID tell you so. What not SFU and listen?

If Obama stands for what I’m guessing is “nothing,” so do all who voted for him. That’s the rub, Chicken Little.If we put all our faith in him, how much did we really have?I’m willing to take the responsibility of my vote and my support for this president, not churlishly launch accusations, labels, and invectives at him like some of you.I’m standing still, because I know the GOP has NOTHING to offer.I am still of the belief that there’s a rodent giving bad advice to this administration. Knock Obama’s poor judgment for picking the…ok, person, but at least observe the entire spectrum, which is what I’m attempting to do. We’ve still got three years to go in this, and stumbles were bound to happen. Something needs to be done about the…individual to which I’m referring.

Mr.Stranahan,What do we do? What do we do? So now, you have pointed out to us that President Obama is a corporate sell out hellbent on helping his corporate bosses rather than the American people. You have proven to us that we were wrong with electing him. Who could have been better at this? You must know, surely.I am a 21 year old black college student from the state of Georgia who’s first vote in the primary as well as general election went to President Obama. A guy, who after eight long years of no hope, brought me some. I always knew change was slow and hard fought, but I believed that we all had to fight to get it there. I don’t know anymore. Voting third parties, while it is high in principle, is irrelevant. They never win. Name one Presidential election where the independent candidate broke 25% of the vote? Even if I do that, they would never get elected. So I had a choice, as we all do, between the two parties. The Republicans, who have pillaged this country to where we are at now, or the Democrats, who have left us with a record that shines brighter than the last three Republican presidents that we did have. Those were our choices. To this day, I’m proud of my choice, I don’t regret my choice, and I still have hope. Today’s situation strengthened my hopes, because I believe it won’t be like this in the future.So, Mr. Stranahan, you can blame the President for everything that has come to pass, but it won’t solve the problem. So, what do we do?

I just sent Lieberman an email. Not that it will matter to him, but I did feel a smidge better telling him what a disgrace he is.

Strananhan sez (as fucking usual)

“The same fucking thing he always says, in that same smarmy tone, while never offering any new insight to whatever latest Obama two-faced trickery he is currently bemoaning, and somehow always leaving out an effective strategy (and no, getting Bob to something you want him to do is not a strategy).”

That’s why I don’t SFU and listen, Lee. You have nothing to say.

I too sent Lieberman an email tonight, and I too feel that it was probably pointless. But, IF he does read it and IF one of his family members does get very ill and private insurance does cause them further pain, perhaps he will silently and droopily curse that punkass from San Diego for wishing it all upon him.

I just don’t get the idea that floats around here that Lieberman is actually that powerful, and he’s genuinely capable of undermining Obama to the extent that he has, without that power being given to him by Reid and the White House. One Senator – even the potential 60th vote for cloture – doesn’t get that sort of influence unless someone else has decided that he should have it.From the reports today, that was Rahm Emmanuel, acting on behalf of President Obama. When the Chief of Staff insists that the rest of the Senate should just give the guy what he wants, then they obviously shoulder the blame. It’s silly to pretend that Lieberman really has all of this power on his own. He has it because he’s not at risk of losing his committee assignments and the influence that comes with them, regardless of what he does or says. He has it because he’s not in a position where he actually has to filibuster anything, he only has to threaten. It’s very easy to be Joe Lieberman right now, because the myth that he must come on board for any legislation to pass has become so accepted that people are using it to absolve the President of any blame here.It’s just weird.I’m from Texas, and my Senators – John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison – can and will filibuster this bill, no matter what, and they’ll do it proudly. They’ll be heroes to their base when they’re done. Lieberman will be reviled by his constituents if he actually filibusters the bill, and he’ll be of diminished use to his backers if he’s stripped of his committee positions. He’s only powerful because he’s not been put in a position where those things could actually happen. He’s not supernatural.–d

Sorry, Dan, I just needed a nice place to vent tonight and Lieberman felt like a nice dumping ground. Also, he’s a hypocrite. And he’ll still vote against anything the Democrats may propose. So he deserves a little wrath.

I sorta agree with Dan S.I refuse to believe that this guy cant be shaken down – or at the very least, called out daily for his obvious whoring to his true constituents (all based in Hartford).I am willing to bet that 95% of Americans, hell 95% of those who would support health care/insurance reform, dont even realize how this process works and how this one man has ground the entire thing to a halt.6billion+ people on this planet and I only truly hate 2 of them, Joe makes the listHe is a piece of garbage and clearly, unabashedly, represents everything wrong with our system.50 states – 100 Senators – 51 should be the law, period. Dont like it? Then you better get your shit together to make sure your party wins seats.Accountability is a sonofabitch!

“Smug asshattery” = telling the truth all along about Rahm and Obama even though it wasn’t popular among some people on this site.Okay, I can deal with that.And no – Nano is smart. Genius, obviously. That better?

I recall a few articles about how Obama’s political strategy changing once he got into the WH. Different than he was on the campaign trail – more cautious. This momentous revelation occurred specifically within two months of Obama’s presidency, during the stimulus debate. Something’s up, I tell you.Dare I say it, Rahm may be…going rogue.The embarrassment of the situation may be too dire to consider for this president, especially within an election year. However, I’m sensing it all to be true.Castigate Obama on the indecision, but I’m telling you all, why would a “leak” commit to such detail? I’ve been sensing Emmanuel is a braggart that throws his weight around.In dealing with the Dems, specifically, and a few ‘Con stragglers, this has all the signs of politicking most foul. I’m not seeing this coming from Obama himself. Something is going down in the WH. Not a sellout, but an undermining, however minuscule.

“Nano is smart. Genius, obviously. That better?”It’s a fucking start.”Frankly, Bob owes me an apology.”Posted by: Stranahan [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 15, 2009 1:24 AMFrankly, Bob owes you the biggest bitchslap you have never received. And I’d say even more but I’m a goddamn lady.

Lee, Obama hasn’t signed a health care bill yet. When he does, if he does, THEN we can pass judgment on that one issue. It hasn’t even been a year in his term and would you not agree he has more on his plate than any president since at least FDR, maybe Lincoln or even any president in history?Has Obama disappointed on many issues? Yes. Am I glad he’s the one making decisions regarding terrorism, wars, jobs, climate change, health care, etc rather than any republican in the country? Absolutely. Maybe you’d rather Bush or McCain or Palin. Nader is not a choice. He will never ever be the president. Joe Lieberman has a better chance.

First off, Allonfla has a point. Calling out Progressive/Liberal members is something that should be done. Maddow put it well tonight when she was talking with Senator Wyden. When he went into the standard “we’re gonna do what we need to do for the American people” spiel, she sharply noted, “I can tell the contrast between when you and I have talked about what is possible in health reform today versus what we’ve talked about in previous days.”The same senators that are supposed to have been fighting for us this whole time are now saying “We’re not gonna get everything we want.”We already knew this. We knew this from the moment that single payer was off the table. These guys, while I’m sure they don’t want to use the harsh language that many of us would like to, need to be putting the feeling of dissatisfaction up front. Ignoring whether Obama has/has not sold us out or has/has not been forceful enough in pushing for (at least) the Public Option, our supposed “liberal” congresspeople have very quickly and quietly rolled over for what seems the sake of getting something, anything, passed.Secondly, Lee:You have yet to answer the point that I believe many that are angry with you have posed. What do you think should be done if, as you say, we have been collectively hornswaggled by our President/his administration?Whether Bob is right or you are, what do YOU think should be done by your fellow progressives at this point to at least begin to push things in our direction?If this post seems rambling, please forgive me. It was a very long day.

Stranahan:>>>>Frankly, Bob owes me an apology.For what? This is all about you, isn’t it, Lee. “I was right!” “Bob owes me an apology!” yada yada. Utterly insufferable. At no time, Lee, have you and your awesome powers of deduction been able to come up with a viable path to passing this bill. NEVER. Instead, you’re repeating OVER AND OVER this flimsy argument about how the president is a sell-out — a case you would’ve made regardless of the outcome of the bill. Way to go. Clever.What you don’t get is that there are Senate Democrats who don’t give a rip about the White House and would rather piss on the heads of liberals for sport. While I wish Rahm Emanuel hadn’t conceded so quickly, I really don’t know what else could’ve been done short of passing legislation to abolish the filibuster.Furthermore, this thing isn’t over yet. But your premature gloating has made your motivations perfectly clear.

First off, Lee Stranahan, my apologies if I’m being misunderstood as an irritable Obamabot, but from the closing moment of your piece (which I’d never read, unfortunately), you glossed over EXACTLY what I’m beginning to see emerge: Rahm Emmanuel’s influence. You claim that President Obama is the one not fighting. That he hasn’t gone after some folks within his party for the negative influence. Forgetting the campaign-like rallies he threw calling out those stalling the HCR debate, though, not necessarily focusing on Dems. He did this, and depended on those of us observing to see exactly what has been going on. I have, and I see Dems as more of an influence than Republicans. I say that there’s a conversation going on within the party itself, one that has brought HCR to the forefront more than ever before in my lifetime. We are very close to accomplishing something…but as I say this, again, with the conversation, some of the more unsavory Dems are being placated while others more, errhm, “liberal” are being pushed to the side.The intellectual slight of hand within your article attributes Emmanuel’s words to President Obama himself, though you do try to differentiate by calling out both men. As I’ve stated, I do not believe Obama would call bloggers advocating for HCR “fucking stupid.” We saw what happened the last time the president called something “stupid,” correct? This is not something I’m seeing coming from the WH completely. I’m telling you, that it may be hard for Obama to admit the embarrassment of picking someone so quickly and seemingly in-touch with political forecasts, then having to get rid of the man before the mid-terms, but this is what I’m seeing has to happen. Emmanuel is the weak link. Even the fact that I’ve missed your article, yet now I’m once again reading yet another observation regarding Emmanuel’s demeanor. The deck is stacking against this man being there past the mid-terms, or before they even get here. I’m saying, the dude is a liability. Emmanuel IS the problem, yet I can understand how one can say that the WH, and with that President Obama are responsible for his Chief of Staff’s predisposition. I completely understand, and apologize if you’re sensing my being a bit too defensive of my own perception of Barack H. Obama.Oh, single payer suffered death by guillotine during the primary last year. It was proposed, and scoffed at by the last two contenders. Kucinich was the strongest voice for it, and they made a mockery of him with that UFO bullshit no one but media dorks cared about. Edwards did what he could by hinting at it in his speeches occasionally, but recall the fact that he was perceived as the “other guy” or “the white guy.” Unfortunately, he and Elizabeth were the best chance for “single-payer” being introduced in the “mainstream” lexicon, but the Clintons needed retribution and decided to have their friends at the tabloids blow up Edwards’ Clintonian “baby mama” scandal, which unfortunately, made Liz look just as…guilty as John in some respects.Let’s not get too…conspiratorial, though. All I’m saying is that the GOPussies are not an option for me. I’m waiting for the Dems to get their shit together, make the hard choices that need to be considered, and get shit done. I’m not ready to give up on them in such a short time. My patience wore thin with the god-damned GOP during Clinton’s second term, but the Dems always had time to prove themselves. They just have to understand that the media swine they hobnob with have it in for them, and will cover them unfavorably. With that, they have to take their cases directly to the people themselves, a notion that may be considered daunting to the party as a whole, making them all look like craven so & sos. The GOP has no problem treating the Americans like indentured servants that HAVE to accept the genius of their political maneuvering, but the Dems treat everyone like delicate porcelain dolls that are too fragile to EVER consider moving to dust the areas where they sit even. This attitude of the Dems needs to cease before it is too late.

Stranahan sez:

“Mather – I’ve done the same thing Bob has done – write articles, urge activism – except I’ve been correct on where the problem in reform was.

Translation:

“I’ve written on a blog/news aggregator that’s decidedly unfriendly to the President (as any good progressive should) and you ‘unpublished’ folk are but knaves that should be grateful for the insight I’ve been providing you all along and I told you so I told you so I told you so I told you so.”

Wow! Thanks, Lee! We, the unwashed and truly uninformed, await your penetrating analysis of whatever Obama’s done to piss you off this hour! You’re an article writer! Wow! I can’t help but be starstruck. We humbly submit to your most decidedly qualified opinion on things.It’ll pretty much be the same shit you say all the time anyway, right? And if we all suddenly agree, if we all praise your ability to crystal ball this thing from the very beginning, if we all join you in your chorus “Kill The Bill”, what then? What will you truly have accomplished?