by Michael Muskal
In the Senate, where the debate on healthcare "reconciliation'' is underway, the divided parties are making no secret of their sentiments today.
Under the Senate rules, 20 hours have been set aside for debate and more than a third of that has been used already. Republicans will introduce a series of amendments designed to make political points for November, but the final result is not really in doubt.
"It looks like the Democrats are walking in lockstep," Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) said in an interview on FOX News Channel. "We have some good amendments," he said, while conceding that he expects that "all of the amendments to be voted down in a party-line votes. That's unfortunate."
"This is a political exercise for too many on the other side of the aisle," said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, appearing on NBC's oday show.
South Carolina's Sen. Jim DeMint, one of the co-sponsors of the GOP's doomed attempt to repeal the healthcare bill that already has passed and was signed into law this week, maintains that Americans are angry about the bill and the way it has become law.
Democrats are hoping "that Americans don't notice this is another power grab," DeMint said.. "So we're going to bring these issues up."
The bill under consideration now -- passed by a 220-211 vote in the House Sunday night -- amends the Senate-and-House-passed bill that President Barack Obama signed into law this week. The House-backed amendments drop a special Medicaid deal for Nebraska but keep other deals that helped win the Senate's 60-39 approval of its bill on Christmas eve. It also changes a proposed tax increase on high-end insurance policies that House Democrats opposed because it would hit union members.
"You can put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Wednesday morning during the Senate's debate.
This revived a frequent refrain from his own failed presidential campaign. McCain had been wont to say that himself on occasion, but his party an issue of it when Obama used it -- some viewed it as a smear of McCain running mate Sarah Palin, who of course had explained that she was a pit-bull in lipstick. And who will be helping McCain campaign for reelection this year in Arizona, where he faces a challenge within his own party.
Comments
Lipstick on a pig, indeed! These idiots forgot to actually write in the pre-existing condition protection for kids that they have been trumpeting so loudly. And they forgot to give the IRS power to actually enforce the mandate that it is tasked with enforcing. And you want these incompetent clowns regulating the nation's health care system? Good luck with that.
Posted by: Next time try reading the bill | March 24, 2010 12:34 PM
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/21304
Obama's 'win' over We the People
Obama signs ObamaCare Bill—Claims victory over American People
By Sher Zieve Tuesday, March 23, 2010
On 23 March 2010, the American Republic was formally ended. As Obama signed the ObamaCare Death Plan—which gives his Marxist Party control of 1/6 of the economy of the former United States of America—he declared “Victory!” Over whom, you ask?
A victory over the American people. At least 70% of We-the-People were against ObamaCare and it appears that the numbers are still growing. Obama decided to fight them with all the power available to him. He is—yet again—claiming “I won!” This time, it was a “win” over us all. Obama has won his battle over liberty and freedom and does not intend to give it back. He and his Marxist Party are now claiming that this is their country—not ours. And they will decide who is allowed to live here and who is not. That’s special attention on the word “live.”
However, determined to establish his Tyranny, Obama and his minions—in direct and uncompromising opposition to the vast majority of US citizens—ruled against the USA and its people. Make no mistake. Obama has now—with the help of the other traitors including but, not limited to Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and even faux pro-lifer Bart Stupak—established his own form of government. We are now officially living under a Tyranny, folks. Whether we are on the right or on the left, we are all now authoritatively ObamaSlaves. As time goes on, it will only get worse.
Have no illusions. This is the worst day—thus far—in American history. It is time to fight.
Did you know that you and your family are under surveillance? For your own defense, Watch: “Shadow Government” http://snardfarker.ning.com/profiles/blogs/videos-shadow-government-full?xg_source=msg_mes_network
Check out what Government is doing behind your back at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebOTc-7shU
Posted by: M Btok | March 24, 2010 1:06 PM
So Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) is complaining about "Democrats walking in lockstep"? that's just too funny coming from a guy whose party had NO ONE voting for the Health Care bill this past Sunday. Talk about "talking in lockstep"...
Posted by: BC | March 24, 2010 1:22 PM
Oh the hypocrisy of the GOP:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123670612
Posted by: Bubba | March 24, 2010 1:37 PM
Let's hope the republicans actually filibuster and stop this
healthcare fix. Let the house members deal with the idiotic bill they voted for.
Show them what happens when you try to mess with the system, and deal with their backers on why they voted for and trusted these people
Posted by: worsethanbefore | March 24, 2010 1:39 PM
Good old " Crash " McCain is trying to fly that pig-in-a-poke nonsense again. Lest he forget, he crashed that metaphor during his brilliant run for the Presidency, back in 2008. Maybe he should get together with his brother-in-trough, that master of government largesse, Phil Gramm and see if they can fly another brilliant cliche, that would honestly encapsulate their point of view. How about: Trust the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers !! They promise they will not start another war, take another contribution from those, oh so well-intentioned Healthcare Corps. Those lies and distortions should stay airborne for a few seconds, given " Crash " is at the helm. America knows what these two fat cats are all about, keeping American citizens under the boot of the Corporations and stuffing their pockets with, however much money, the Corporations will reward them. That is why they are members of the Greedy Old Party, the GOP !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | March 24, 2010 2:06 PM
It's Bush's fault !!! Darth Cheney !!!! Halliburton !!!! Bush lied, people died !!!! 9-11 was an inside job !!!! Global warming is real !!!! End this war !!!! No blood for oil !!! No more corporate welfare !!!!
Did I miss any talking points, Don?
Posted by: Donnie boy is so predictable | March 24, 2010 3:18 PM
Yes, believing in what you are promoting !! You, I believe, believe in the color of money, the cheapest patriot of all !! For you, it is, " -me----- First ", not " America First " !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | March 24, 2010 3:47 PM
Seems like McCain should really prove his point and put on some lipstick!
Posted by: Lisa | March 24, 2010 4:11 PM
This healthcare is from the opposite end you would put lipstick on - except for HHH
Posted by: Terry | March 24, 2010 9:03 PM
"Yes, believing in what you are promoting !! You, I believe, believe in the color of money, the cheapest patriot of all !! For you, it is, " -me----- First ", not " America First " !!"
My my, aren't you just so cute when you're riled up ! Makes we want to pinch those fat little cheeks.
You assume far too much about what I believe, Donnie boy, without any basis in fact. The fact that you support a Euro-Marxist takeover of the country says all I need to know about you.
America first, indeed! You haven't the first clue what that phrase means. If you did, you would repent of your Marxism in sackcloth and ashes.
Posted by: Obama is anti-American -- deal with it! | March 25, 2010 8:19 AM
There isn't anything wrong with Marxism !! Hell, Hollywood made bundles off of Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo !! Heck, they had the nation in stitches for years and did they over-throw our government? Did they earn their own way? Yeah, junior, you have a lot of learning to do, before you can post with the adults !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | March 25, 2010 10:33 AM