Grayson points out the obvious: we don't need 60 Senators to accomplish HCR or anything else

[ProfessorPlum]

Run time: 01:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjUE0xdJcSk   Posted on YouTube: January 19, 2010 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 19, 2010 By DU Member: ProfessorPlum Views on DU: 9343

 
Just the political will. Come on Democrats!

[The Wielding Truth]

1. This is one I wish I could recommend a million times.Take charge ,Dem's!

:kick:

[goclark]

4. For some reason my volume wouldm't work on the video

[youngharry]

23. 60 votes

The only reason we are told they need 60 votes is to cover Obama's ass and his give away to the health care industry. We only need 51 votes and we don't need Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Joe Lieberman, Max Baucus or Kent Conrad's gifts to the Corporations that are still in the Bill. No Public Option, Mandates, etc. spell defeat for Dems in 2010 & 2012. Unfortunately,it doesn't seem to penetrate the White House Bubble, with Rahm doing his backroom deals with Big Pharma. That is the only reason they say we need 60 votes. It's all Bullshit.

[BeatleBoot]

48. Link?

"Rahm doing his backroom deals with Big Pharma"

Do you have a link to that statement?

[Kalun D]

102. Link

what you need is a link to a vowel

[chervilant]

70. And

Is anyone else out there fed up with all the histrionics?!

The very worst aspects of humanity are writ large as we collectively slide into the abyss...

[varelse]

53. Aye

we need more of this attitude :)

[Truth2Tell]

2. Rec 5. This can't be said enough. nt

[HughMoran]

3. I wish he was a Senator

[napi21]

6. I think he will be some day! He's only in his first term in the House,

so give him some time.

[undergroundnomore]

88. I agree

we need more like him.

I'm not happy with the plan the way it is. I still want the public option. I still want EVERYONE covered but I'm at a loss to understand why a Democatic House and Senate could not bring the will of the people to the President for his signature.

[CoffeeCat]

5. Well, all along---even with the 60 senators...

The Democrats have been making sad faces, wringing their hands and wailing, "Ohhh, this is so difficult...passing
healthcare is just so hard...we must compromise...we must TRY to do this, but are hands are tired. Did we say it was difficult?"

Uh. Yeah. You have a majority. And the White House.

We're not dumb.

Remember when Gingrich and his ilk rammed the "Contract With America" through Congress. Did they apologize? Did
they wring their hands? How much compromising went on? Oh that's right...NONE. Conservatives told Democrats to
shut the hell up, sit down and watch them drive--because their majority meant that they were representing the will
of the American people. The Democrats were SHUT OUT of any legislating or decision making. And to curry favor
with and garner the support of the American people--Gingrich and Co held numerous press conferences and went national
with a media blitz--attempting to persuade Americans that their plan was optimal.

Why can't Dems do 1/100th of that?????

This is getting ridiculous. I'm prepared for the whining, in case Brown wins. Dems will be giving us the sad, sad
story if Brown wins. I mean...it's just so HARD now to pass healthcare, so you can imagine how impossible it will be
if Brown wins.

Oh please. :eyes:

[TheEuclideanOne]

9. Blessing in disguise?

Perhaps it is like eating potato chips... they now pass healthcare with 51 votes, taking out all of the crap that was put in by people that would never vote for it anyway .... then see how it actually helps them. They also see that Coakley loses as a result of their past inactions and realize that "Hey there are actual repurcussions" and decide to fire Rahm. :)

[dotymed]

85. That would be great

but I don't see it. They very well may pass "HCR" with 51 votes (all they ever needed and they knew that),but I think they will leave all the insurance company gifts intact. If they do, I hope it doesn't pass. Imagine what is going to happen when they take on "Entitlement" spending. The wealthy are the only ones I know that get entitlements, but "they" are talking about SS and things that we all pay for, and they are aiming at the "little guy." D&R no difference.

[TheEuclideanOne]

96. You are right, I am afraid.

Perhaps including the Republicans allows them to put in all of the giveaways to the Insurance Companies that they did not want to do themeselves. In any case, Obama should write a letter of Apology to the Kennedy family for being the direct cause of his legacy being handed over to this douchebag.

[bobbolink]

17. Their hands are "tired"--our EARS are tired.

Just DO IT, Dems.

You're not that helpless!

[bjobotts]

26. It's a FILIBUSTER. We have 51 dems to pass good HCR.It's not the whole party

[bjobotts]

27. That one rule puts too much power in the hands of a few bribed dems to join filibuster

[bjobotts]

28. Without filibuste rule HCR would already be done. There are 177 holds on nominees

[bjobotts]

30. How can an administration function with this much obstructionism.

[defendandprotect]

57. Amazing. . . . GOP held up hundreds and hundreds of Clinton court appointees . . .

he never got them thru --

Meanwhile, when Dems put a hold on one or two -- the screaming by GOP was

unbelievable . . . and echoing thru right wing corporate press!!!

[AlbertCat]

37. It's a FILIBUSTER.

It's not even that. It's a THREAT of a filibuster.

I say, let the Repugs filibuster for days and days if they want to. Make them actually do it. It gives us days of front and center obstructionism by the GOP. It gives the Dems days to complain about the GOP obstructionism. It won't last. The Dems will look like they are the ones trying to get something done and the Repugs are just in the way. Gingrich shut down the government in the 90's, remember? No one liked him or the GOP for it. Let them obstruct (they're going to anyway) but make THEM do it and show THEM doing it, don't assist them.

[marginlized]

40. EXCELLENT POINT

Let them Filibuster and then work it for all its worth.
You think the Dems could muster that much media savy?

[Enthusiast]

78. I'm so glad you reminded us

of the Gingrich obstructionist days. It sure didn't endear the Republicans to the American people. That is when Clinton's approval rate shot straight up. The country was disgusted by Gingrich and his pompous attitude.

Let those assholes filibuster! We should welcome it.

[mwb970]

87. The "make them do it" idea comes up from time to time.

I've heard Tweety advocate it more than once. But the idea never seems to get any traction. Like the idea that 51 is a majority of 100 votes. Sorry, not when weak, spineless Democrats are in charge.

The republicans got everything they wanted when they had the majority. Now, they get everything they want while in the minority. Hmm, I think I see a pattern!

:eyes:

[Enthusiast]

77. Thanks, CoffeeCat.

I remember that smug Gingrich around the time of his contract with America. Was there ever a single more disgusting figure in American politics than that ass? Well maybe Dick Cheney.

It's just like you say. The Democrats have to put on like they are sad. But things are exactly as the health care industrial complex want them. Everyone is happy except the rank and file Democrats and the health care consumer.

[Flatulo]

111. In the Parlimentary system, the ruling party does just that - rules. nt

[DisgustedInMN]

7. Grayson is AWSOME!

Harry, take some notes.

[Better Believe It]

8. Like I've been saying all along, you only need 51 votes to pass legislation.

And winning 60 votes to stop filibusters is easy.

Just make opponents filibuster on the Senate floor!

Senator Reid and the Democrats have the power to do that.

But claiming one needs 60 votes is an easy and lame excuse to justify compromises with conservatives and inaction.

[Plucketeer]

10. FIFTY-ONE VOTES!!!

That's all it takes. Idiots! I love Grayson, but most of the D-troops in the senate are useless.

[Lorien]

32. Worked for BushCo. nt

[Plucketeer]

49. Exactly!

[burning rain]

11. Oh, what an impetuous little hellcat from the House.

Love it!

[ProgressOnTheMove]

12. It's very good he hgihlighted that the GOP loved to pass bills with 51 votes, so can we.

[blackbart99]

106. Democrats can F#@^ up a wet dream.

The problem is not so much that Dems are weak(we know that)....its not that they don't know how to fight
(we know that)...Anyone who gets close to the seat of power in this country gets sucked up into the money and the wheeling and dealing that after a few weeks its too late. We have to fix it so that politicians don't have to rely on special interest money to get elected and re-elected. Until we fix
it we aren't going anywhere! :shrug:
I like this guy...but it won't last. Some day there will be a bill that is close to his heart...and when it get's a little rough he will sell his soul to get it done and the special interest's will have
another politician in its pocket.:rant: :hide: :yoiks: :bluebox:

[LittleGirl]

13. I saw this live...agreed

Why do we need 60 votes? Majority is 51...that's it. come on - get some balls Dems!
Paybacks are a bitch.

[Barbara2423]

44. Let's pass with 51 and put the public option back in.

The race is not about Health Care it's about Democrats being so weak. They had 60 votes and look what they have to show for it.

[ChiciB1]

94. And Look What The DID To Get It?? With People Like Lieberman, Baucus, Landrieu & So

many of their ilk, they CAVED! Grow some spine, start being a LEADER and basically BE DEMOCRATS, with some SPINE!

It's pathetic what's been going on, and the cheerleaders here can call us all the names they want, but now, TODAY... it should be evident what they should do!

And I agree it's NOT just about HCR, it's about a shit load of stuff! To the WH & "our" Congress Critters... BEWARE!

How I would love to find someone to replace Bill Nelson down here, just don't know who it could be! Crist is in trouble because he's "too moderate" and Rubio is on the rise! I didn't think it could get worse than Jeb, but it just may!

[Champion Jack]

14. K & R

[dhpgetsit]

15. But even if we need only 51

There will always be that 51st Senator trying to hold the agenda hostage in order to get special favors.

[Mithreal]

33. Um, can you say Biden? Tiebreaker. Think 50+1

[Lorien]

52. Bingo. nt

[nicky187]

55. Concur. Thank you...

... for doing the math.

[The Wielding Truth]

107. Try it first. We can't throw road blocks up before we try. If we do we will not

accomplish anything.

[JimWis]

16. K&R

[hmorehead]

18. EXACTLY RIGHT! Why do we need a 60 seat majority when W sold us out 51 to 49 time after time?????

[ChiciB1]

93. Personally I Feel It Was THAT Bi-Partisan "Thingie" We Were Told That

was going to set the world on fire or something by Obama and THIS WH! I could never understand it, but now it should be evident to ALL that thinking this was was a BIG mistake. It seems it not only backfired with those of us here, but MANY Independents that THEY thought would rally around them!

Instead they got their head handed to them in MA, and even IF Coakley ran a bad campaign, the Democrats are still doing so many of us a real disservice that they may well see more defection!

We need more of Grayson, Sanders and the like, but they will HAVE to vote FOR US, and not just to get "something" passed! It's not working and it should be evident!

But will it??

[hmorehead]

97. WHAT bipartisan thingee? Bush had it, Clinton had it, Reagan had it, no one even offered it to Obama

[ChiciB1]

100. The THREE People You Mentioned Above... Took The LEAD & GOT

their own bi-partisanship in their own way!! The got things done to an extent (good or bad) they didn't get IN THE SAND BOX with the likes of Lieberman, Baucus, Landrieu and the people who seemingly have his "ear" on various issues!

He talked about reaching across the aisle, and when he saw IT WASN'T happening, he should have whipped his OWN PARTY into shape with a little more GUSTO! Tell some of them to GO POUND SALT and perhaps he'll get some RESPECT and the others in the SAND BOX will be nicer playmates!

JMHO!!

[lib2DaBone]

19. Why can't Dems in CONgress talk like this guy....

..instead of caving in all the time? Yes.. they sent our jobs away with NAFTA and CAFTA.... and then claim there is no solution?

[Mithreal]

34. Call em what they are, excuses.

[defendandprotect]

58. Silence is also an answer . . ..

Corporate money keeps them very quiet on issues which effect the corporations

which have bought them!

[seattle_blue]

20. Alan Grayson= great as always

By the way...Was that MSNBC posted at the top of the screen or Fox News. My eyes seen MSNBC but my ears heard Fox News.. Who the hell was that reporter anyway.

[tsstranger]

21. Grayson rocks

This guy is unafraid to speak his mind, to call the "loyal opposition" on the frauds that they are.

I hope he never backs down. I could see Grayson as president-elect in 2016.

[Triana]

22. I want this man for PRESIDENT. Eventually. n/t

[colsohlibgal]

24. Spineless Democrats

As Jon Stewart mentioned last night, the republicans have not had 60 senators since 1921 - it sure as Hell hasn't stopped them from doing whatever they wanted to do. Dubya passed his tax cuts for the wealthy via reconciliation.

Meanwhile democrats continue to be wimps. That's deflating.

[swilton]

25. Start out with a compromise

How Democratesque

[sulphurdunn]

29. Requiring 60 votes to pass anything

is just good political cover for the corporatist DLCers and Blue Dogs who own the Party.

[Lorien]

31. Exactly. If they lose MA they'll likely be rather pleased about that

it'll give them permission to push every bill even further to the Right.

[RaleighNCDUer]

112. Only they don't actually 'own' the party - there are just enough of them

to make their obstruction possible. The progressive caucus is the largest one in the house. The blue-dogs and DLCers have just enough power to all be little joe liebermans, holding the majority hostage for their votes.

[CatWoman]

35. I just love that man

:loveya:

[bvar22]

36. But...but...but...Its ALL Joe Lieberman's fault..!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7497461

If you shoot down that pathetic excuse, people will start asking,
"What's wrong with the Democratic Party Leadership?"
.
.
and we can't have THAT, can we?

Yep.
It's ALL Joe Lieberman's fault. :cry:
Lieberman is SUPERMAN !

[pjt7]

38. Grayson should replace Barney Frank

as chair for the financial committee.

We should hold a 1,000,000+ rally for it in DC.

[BluDemocratGirl]

47. That's who Grayson should replace!

[SemperEadem]

39. I freakin' love Grayson

we don't need 60--we just need 51 with a spine.

[Utopian Leftist]

41. I have a question

Grayson is wonderful! But he left out a vital piece of information. When he said that the Republicans got away with 51 votes on a couple of issues, he didn't mention whether that was because the Democrats simply failed to find enough spine to stick together and filibuster or if they lacked the votes then to even form a filibuster.

What I'm getting at here is that, if there are legal ways around the filibuster, then WHY for heaven's sake have people like Keith Olbermann not been all over this already??? I think this may be the first time I've disagreed with Grayson on anything.

[Truth2Tell]

69. Olberman HAS suggested it.

From his Special Comment on Dec. 16:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34455168/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann

...and the Republicans vote their lack-of-conscience and preclude 60 "ayes." Let them commit political suicide instead of you.

Let Mr. Lieberman kill the bill — then turn to his Republican friends only to find out they hate him more than the Democrats do. Let him stagger off the public stage, to go work for the insurance industry. As if he is not doing that now.

Then, Mr. Reid, take every worthwhile provision of health care reform you legally can, and pass it via reconciliation, when ever and how ever you can — and by the way, a Medicare Buy-In can be legally passed via reconciliation. The Senate bill with the mandate must be defeated, if not in the Senate, then in the House.

[Guilded Lilly]

42. We aren't just fighting Obstructionist Republicans...

we are fighting a media that WANTS all this hand wringing fight fight fight whine whine whine drama to continue. What the hell else would they talk about 24/7 on cable??
We are fighting against the status quo of the Political GAMES always played in Washington. THIS is part of the CHANGE that is needed. The reality that things CAN get done, if intelligent men and women simply DO IT.

[pjt7]

45. If the House crafts a real bill that makes sense for Americans

there is NO WAY any Republican can fillibuster.


When they create crap, like forcing American's tp buy from the Insurance industry, anybody can block it & get enough political support to survive.

[Enthusiast]

79. The media simply

wants what the health care industrial complex wants. Forcing the GOP to filibuster would at least shake things up.

[merkins]

43. Why 2 different sets of rules for repubs & dems?

I don't get it .. or why this isn't a major issue in the media and health care debate.

[Overseas]

66. The need for a Super Majority was a useful excuse for voting with their largest donors.

>>Why oh why can we not have universal healthcare like Europe and Japan and others have? Well gee golly, we just don't have a Super Majority. It is an Open Secret (opensecrets.org) that their voting patterns have suited their biggest campaign donors fairly well. But gee shucks and golly, we just don't have enough votes. We need 60. We need 60.
>>So frustrated Democrats say, okay, let's give you that 60. Let's not do the old fashioned thing and pour cash into the sure thing states. Let's spread our message throughout the land. 50 states. Appeal for progressive change. We all want it. And yes indeed, that was verified. We provided those 60 votes.
>>Oh No. OMFG. 60 votes. Got them across the nation. Damn upstart from Vermont pushed that through. Now what? Well, gee, let's see-- Oh yeah, we've got to be Bipartisan with the party of Newt Gingrich and Frank Lutz. Cold manipulators of propaganda who took over the GOP over a decade ago are still in charge. Yet we were forced to endure ridiculous parodies of bipartisanship.

Sure, I was a kid when they were still doing that-- a few gallant GOP would cross the aisle to vote for the public good occasionally, and some Dems would cross over for wasteful defense spending. It was definitely done. There was a day when we talked about statesmen, and it didn't need so much PR to prop it up. Legislators wanted to be known for acting across party lines in the public good-- YES I REMEMBER -- but I was a teenager back then, and now my chin is sagging a bit. Why was that outdated imagery floated among us again, when our country is in dire need of dramatic change?

I mean dude, enough already with the antique propaganda. The "New Democrat" crap was old when imposed on us back in the 90's. Trickle down and privatize was getting old already way back then. It was failing, yet our darling Democrats chose to pretend that Reagan Had Something, some kind of magic (other than a poetic speechwriter who encapsulated national yearning so appealingly-- the country was on a suicide mission of crazy consumption but she told them it was "Morning in America." If they didn't look at 80% of what Ronnie was doing, it could be Morning in America. You could cut taxes for the Rich & Famous and shove the bills off to the Democrats to clean up later.

Well, we've played that old "gotta have more votes" game too many times already. Sorry fellas. Gotta change the tune. We gave you those votes and you didn't even free us from medical terror. Even after the other Mean Team pushed us into war and devastation for 8 years.

President Obama had a mandate, from the millions of us who knew how bad the GWB Regime had been. Republicans and Independents crossed over because they had seen how bad it could get. The USA could actually trample the Geneva Conventions. It could heap up corruption in sweetheart deals privatizing the most important parts of our national budget-- the military, intelligence agencies, and even emergency management. And they had failed massively.

I wanted a major teaching process. Truth and Reconciliation Commissions were too mild in my opinion at the time, but this peculiar silence, with some active denial, and a bit of tantalizing exposure, all mixed together, is really even more eerie.

We needed a Teach-a-thon. How the USA has become like the late Roman Empire, and how we might divert our course to become more sustainable. We needed all Democrats to band together and share FDR's ideas again. And I thought a thorough investigation, perhaps from the Downing Street Memos, would lead us in a useful direction as a nation-- understanding how grave the transgressions committed in our name had been, we might have been able to incorporate a new generation of active citizens into the process.

[Truth2Tell]

71. I recommend this post. Bravo!

The missing teach-a-thon. The leadership of our Party simply doesn't want it. It's the Grand Deception.

[Enthusiast]

80. Great post, Overseas!

President Obama and the Democrats are playing dumb. But we know they aren't dumb.

[BluDemocratGirl]

46. Well, WE AIN'T GOT 60 NOW!

Fuck Scott Brown!

[Lorien]

51. Yeah, and the point is that we can pass anything with 51 votes, just like BushCo did for eight

years. Pinning the blame on Brown or anyone else just gives the DLC cover for pushing the Dems further to the Right.

[nightrain]

50. get to work on improved health CARE Dems.

[nicky187]

54. K&R

Grayson hasn't been neutered. Kuchinich hasn't been neutered. If they can do it, and 50% +1 are there, go for it.

[defendandprotect]

56. LOVE Grayson . . . and love that he tells us truth they don't want us to know!!

51 -- YES!!!

[wial]

59. isn't the filibuster extra-constitutional?

is there any actual legal reason it has to be respected?

[Autonomy]

60. Nothing has changed because

we didn't have 60 votes for HCR before losing the MA seat, not because we don't need 60 votes.

[Truth2Tell]

72. We don't even have 40 for "reform" of anything, much less health care. nt

[lonewolf579]

61. Democrats deserved this loss

I am a democrat, and I am really tired of the party excuses. Maybe they will get their heads back in the ball game now.

[Yavin4]

62. This Time Last Year, They Didn't Start Out With 60 Votes Until Franken Won and Specter Flipped

So, what was the grand plan to pass HCR at this time last year when they were looking at 58-41?

[BrklynLiberal]

63. yay Grayson

[veganlush]

64. except that it's not true....

....that theory doesn't allow for the fact that the sissified dems are going to see brownies victory as a sign that the electorate has moved rightward, when really it was just a matter of the base staying home in apathy and protest and not a matter of the right coming out in force. On-the-fence dems will now fall to the right in fear as they stupidly misread what happened.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

68. EXACTLY^^^

[Truth2Tell]

73. They won't "see" it as a move rightward,

they will SPIN it as such. This isn't something they will do "stupidly," - at least not our top Party "leadership." They will now have a new RATIONALE to move yet further rightward, as their true ideology and fealty to their corporate owners dictates. We certainly do have a problem with "sissified" Dems, but the bigger problem is the COMPLICIT Dems.

[szatmar666]

91. The Brown victory is a perfect cover for corporate dems

who got rid of Howard Dean and now are ready to give the senate, the house or both back to the republicans because every day this super majority goes on it's evident for the sheeple that this is really a 1 party system in which corporations decide what laws are passed. ConservoDems needed a way out of taking responsibility for the coming failure and the painful but inevitable decade of 10%+ unemployment.

the only way out would be a super majority of progressives in all levels of gov which will never happen in the US for obvious reasons and MA voters made it clear just how uninformed confused and dumb even the average "blue state" voter really is, what do you expect in TX?!

we as a society are not up for the simple job of survival, sorry but I am afraid natural selection will take care of the rest for us.

[Divine Discontent]

65. Very Happy to be REC #100... should be 100,000!

This is what so many hear have been saying - we have a majority - doesn't that matter when B*sh used his majority to get what he wanted?

We can get progressive issues passed if they REALLY want to.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

67. all the tutu dems will be made to lock step now with lieberman, landrue& nelson now THE FEAR FACTOR

[laughingliberal]

74. I love him! nt

[Turborama]

75. K&R I hope Grayson has the ear of the President

Because he needs to listen to him.

[stlsaxman]

83. He doesn't- nor do the likes of Weiner... Rahm is the filter thru which all thoughts congressional

are passed.

i.e. No Emmanuel = No Obama.

[Enthusiast]

76. Isn't it apparent to all by now

that the Democrats don't really want to change this, to enact health care reform with only 51 votes because it gives them cover with their corporate masters? Like Grayson said, Bush got through his tax cuts with 51 votes. The GOP would have done this in the blink of an eye.

[southern_belle]

81. If Grayson and Dean, et al

were running the party, HCR would have been done already - and done right!!! Get rid of Rahm and primary the DLC'ers. :banghead:

[DailyGrind51]

82. But, that would actually require leadership!

They didn't have it with the 60, how will they have it with 59?

[harun]

84. Grayson is the man.

[elocs]

86. Wow! I think it seems a lot of people here have missed the obvious:

that the Republicans under Bush were able to get things through the Senate with less than 60 votes because they had the help and cooperation of Democrats who refused to filibuster to stop things. I don't believe this is difficult to understand at all. Democrats allowed things to go on under Bush by not standing up to him in a united fashion the way Republicans are now standing against Obama.

I don't see this video clip explaining that away.

[ProfessorPlum]

90. It doesn't explain it away. It points it out

The problem is and has been for some time that ALL of the Republicans and HALF of the Democrats are traitors to their country and their species.

We need to start pointing this out, for good's sake, and making them f*ing ashamed of what they are doing.

[bvar22]

108. THAT is still a FAILURE of Democratic Party Leadership.

N/T

[Maineman]

89. Just do it. I just sent this to the white house, DNC, and my rep.

I am a white male age 66. I voted for Barack Obama, not Rahm Emanuel or Larry Summers. I also voted for Jimmy Carter several years ago, but his advisors and appointees were poorly chosen. They were retreads. Democrats have done that again.

I voted for change, not bipartisanship. Republicans specialize in war, including political war. That is what they do. Obviously, war and bipartisanship are incompatible. It is nice that Democrats seek to govern in a cooperative manner, but it does not seem to work, not when the opposition is engaging in war.

President Obama needs to stop dancing with corporate schemers and Republicans who seek nothing but harm to his presidency.

Get rid of conservative advisors who are owned by the wealthy corporate elite, military personnel who are neocons, promoters of theocracy, and saboteurs of Presdient Obama's administration, and get rid of FBI and CIA personnel with the same agenda.

Tell the Senate leaders to pass single payer health care, consumer financial protection, financal reform, and environmental survivability with a simple majority. Those who scream opposition the loudest are the very persons who are enjoying the current dysfunctional system. Those who have been quiet were assuming change.

Republicans cater to the stupidest among us. The rest of us voted for wise and thoughtful change. Just do it!

[Myrina]

92. Why Obama hasn't been slam dunking a progressive agenda ...

... down the GOP's throat can only lead one to believe that he never believed in a progressive agenda to begin with.

Time for the jaws to stop flappin' and the action to start happenin'.

[SlingBlade]

95. Dean: Bush would have had healthcare a long time ago

And THAT is the stark truth of the matter
Go ahead deny it, PA-lease !

[pleah]

98. K&R

[Blue_Tires]

99. thanks for this...

people need reminding...

[still_one]

101. am I optimistic that the Democrats will take charge? Frankly, no /nt

[Turbineguy]

103. If this senate

had a 99-1 majority, HCR would still be iffy.

[johnlal]

104. They promised 60 when they couldn't deliver 60

They counted the likes of Lieberman, Nelson, Bayh as part of the 60. We never did have 60 progressive votes.

Now don't promise us 51 if you can't get 51.

[Mithreal]

105. The DLC, New Dem, Blue Dogs have exposed their throats

Tear them out. The time is now.

We won't get a better opportunity until November 2010.

[cascadiance]

109. And NOW BEFORE primary season is time to expose the HELL out of them!

We need to amp up getting rid of some of these folks.

The Senate and the House needs to bring the deciding pieces of agenda to the floor for a recorded vote to see where these people stand, with corporate America, or with the people. And if done now, Americans can be informed how they should vote in the primaries.

This election the important votes are not in November but in the PRIMARIES!!!

[Mithreal]

110. well said

:fistbump:

[Mithreal]

113. Congressman Grayson was just on the Ed Schultz radio show

about 3/4 into the first hour.

I always really enjoy hearing from him, but he did say something that sounded stupid to me, despite leading up to it with a lot of the usual gems.

I'll do my best to paraphrase. He said the MA race should not be seen as a referendum on health care because everyone in MA has health care. I thought that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard from him. Does he not know how people feel about Romneycare?

Someone who knows more about this Romneycare, please jump all over that idea and post something.

I called Grayson's office myself, gave some feedback. Here is a tollfree capitol number. 1-877-851-6437 I called, a very pleasant sounding staffer took my message.

Why some are resisting the very idea this is a referendum is spurious. In the second hour of the Schultz show he is interviewing a progressive group about polling data from MA that showed people still strongly support actual health care reform, around 80%, but only something like 20% approve of the current Insurance mess being proposed now. I can't remember the actual numbers, just completely unreasonable to suggest that national health care was not on the minds of likely voters.