Another reason to oppose Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Dem. primaries...

[Eric J in MN]

Joe Lieberman (DINO-CT) voted for Bush's "tort reform" bill.

From the New York Times ("Senate Approves Measure to Curb Big Class Actions" by Stephen Labaton, Feb. 11, 2005):

Handing President Bush a significant victory, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure on Thursday that would sharply limit the ability of people to file class-action lawsuits against companies.

The measure, adopted 72 to 26, now heads to the House of Representatives, where Republican leaders say it will be approved next week and sent to the White House for Mr. Bush's signature.

The measure would prohibit state courts from hearing many kinds of cases they now consider, transferring them to federal courts. Experts say many cases will wind up not being brought because federal judges have been constrained by a series of legal precedents from considering large class actions that involve varying laws of different states.

This will make it harder for injured people to get justice.

It will encourage corporations to shrug off the dangers of their products, knowing that the public will have less recourse when people are injured or killed by them.

Imagine what an ideal government would do about this issue; imagine having a government which asks:

How can we make it easier for people who have been injured to get compensated?

Instead of one which asks:

How can we make it more difficult for people who have been injured to get compensated?


MORE AT:
http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2005_02_14_greed_gone_wild_tort_reform_victory_for_george_w._bush_defeat_for_ordinary_americans_re_class_action_lawsuits.asp

[Snotcicles]

1. Zell Lieberman needs to leave the party. n/t

[KamaAina]

2. Around fifteen other Dems* must have joined him

The measure, adopted 72 to 26,

Maybe the new Dem Party (Howard Dean edition) can get it together to actually oppose this crap?!

[Eric J in MN]

3. Here are the Yes votes.

Lieberman has the company of Dianne Feinstein and Barack Obama, two Democrats I've never been enthusiastic about (though they're very poplular in their respective states)


YEAs ---72
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carper (D-DE)
Chafee (R-RI)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Schumer (D-NY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

[The Revolution]

7. Obama too! (again)

Ok, after the convention I was really impressed with Obama. But it seems like every time I see his name come up he's voting exactly the opposite of what I expected.

Though I haven't been watching every senate vote, I gotta say I am really losing respect for the guy. He's not even my senator...but this one really hurts :(

[Eric J in MN]

9. I don't want Obama Barack to be a Dem. presidential nominee.

One's position on "tort reform" says a lot about whether one is on the side of The People or on the side of The Corporations.

More on my blog, bottom of this page:
http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2005_02_14_greed_gone_wild_tort_reform_victory_for_george_w._bush_defeat_for_ordinary_americans_re_class_action_lawsuits.asp

[Nothing Without Hope]

8. What's up with Obama voting for this?

He voted YEA for confirming Rice too.

[Eric J in MN]

11. I summarize his explanation at my blog.

Bottom of this page.

http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2005_02_14_greed_gone_wild_tort_reform_victory_for_george_w._bush_defeat_for_ordinary_americans_re_class_action_lawsuits.asp

NOTE: I disagree with his vote and don't want Barack Oabama to be the Dem. presidential nominee.

[Nothing Without Hope]

15. Thanks, Eric. I'm also glad to have a reminder about your blog.

Barack Obama is looking to be a disappointment, which is very sad. We'll keep an eye on him, but his voting record so far does not match up with his billing as a forward-looking man of the people.

[acmavm]

10. Oh hell yeah, that frigging republican in democrat's clothing Ben Nelson

of Nebraska. I just looked for sport, I knew he'd be on that list.

[Neecy]

4. ugh

Has there been any indication at all that Joe-Mentum will face a primary challenger? God, I hope so. He really needs to pull his head out of the shitter.

[Eric J in MN]

5. Nothing definite. Two names which have been floated are

the actor Paul Newman, and Jim Dean, the new leader of "Democracy for America" and Howard Dean's brother.

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. He voted FOR Condi Rice and Alberto Gonzales

All of his other horrible neocon-collaborating schemes are consistent. He needs to be defeated and out of Congress altogether. By all means, a real Democrat with ethics and savvy and presence needs to run against him in the 2006 primaries.

I didn't realize Joe-Zell's primary was in 2006 -- that's good news, if we work fast to find a strong alternative candidate.

[eissa]

12. That smooch that * gave him

as he entered the chambers to deliver the SOTU should be used in ads against him.

[Eric J in MN]

13. possible campaign ad

A deep-voice, creepy music:

Why is George W. Bush kissing Joe Lieberman?

We need a Senator who will oppose Bush by standing up for the people of Connecticut.

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. Excellent idea. He's been bought by the Rethugs and MUST GO n/t

[deacon]

16. Joe ya gotta go-- you are not a Dem n/t