Shattering: Kucinich to vote for the HC BILL

[No Elephants]

Source: Daily Kos

Howard Fineman just reported the Congressman will have a press conference tommmorow where he will be announcing his support for the bill. Although it will be reluctant support, he WILL vote for the final bill. He also said he will emphasis, as Obama did, that this is just a first step in the reform effort.

The Dream lives on folks, let's keep up the fight!

Rec List!!: I just want to thank............... Congressman Dennis Kucinich, if he does in fact vote for this bill, it truly will be the right thing to do. The fight isn't close to over, this bill is imperfect, heck I could go on and on about what's wrong with it, but we will imporve it, every year, every chance we can, we will improve it. For my family, for your family, for all of our families, let's get the job done.



Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/16/20943/0248

---

I heard Howard Fineman say this on Countdown tonight as well. D.K had announced he is holding a press conference tomorrow to announce his vote on health care. O'Donnell asked Fineman if D.K would call a press conference just to say "no" again; and Fineman said his sources say D.K. is holding the press conference to say he changed his mind and will be voting "yes" after all.

[AnOhioan]

1. If he is, then he got what he wanted...either a strong PO or...

an agreement to let the States adopt single payer on their own.

[stray cat]

4. He got single payer? No - I hope he got something but I think he got nothing

[CLANG]

23. You're right - he got nothing but political cover

[No Elephants]

47. Actually, Fineman said D.K.'s yes vote would give Obama political cover with liberals.

(Just reporting.)

[alarimer]

52. Not with this liberal.

[salguine]

121. Or this one.

[Lorien]

132. Or this one. I'm not buying the shoddy DLC propaganda. nt

[earth mom]

143. No more support for Dennis from me if he votes for the bill-you either stand up for your principles

or they are meaningless-threats or not. :thumbsdown:

[Maru Kitteh]

160. Careful! People are likely to remember your words and hold you to them.

You will no longer support DK if he votes yes on HCR?

[Maru Kitteh]

216. Dennis announced! Breaking! earthmom no longer supports DK! Principles are principles!

[rhett o rick]

236. To compromise on a bill doesnt mean you are compromising on your principles.

I dont like this bill and I am glad DK fought hard to get a better bill. But his principles are to get the best he can for the American public. Sometimes you must compromise to do that. What DK should do is vote for this bill, then turn around and introduce legislation to fix the bill. And keep up the pressure.

[Beartracks]

248. Agreed.

A) This bill could become law, and then be fixed over, say, the next 12 years; OR, B) the bill could be defeated, and then a new one could be crafted a whole lot closer to what Mr. Kucinich wants. However, scenario B could take 20 years or longer to even gain traction in Congress again. So which approach stands a better chance of moving things forward and getting Americans what they deserve sooner?

And no, we don't know what the future holds. But I agree that compromising on a bill is not the same as compromising on principles. Not taking the hill in a battle doesn't mean you give up all the ground you DID take. And, in a larger sense, losing a battle is not the same as losing a war.

--------------------------------

[Individualist]

155. +1, not buying DLC propaganda now, not ever.

[martymar64]

147. Me neither

I've amazed people with my ability to hold grudges.

I'm not forgiving or forgetting.

[GreenArrow]

162. Not here either.

NO way, NO how.

[AllyCat]

171. Me neither.

[MissDeeds]

203. Or this one

[rhett o rick]

237. Not me. nm

[LibDemAlways]

64. LOL....In his dreams n/t

[dflprincess]

66. Obama can guess again

[liberation]

73. The so-called moderates don't get progressives at all, do they?

I assume that the whole concept of supporting a bill based on facts and reasoning must be foreign to the same people who assume cult to personality is the only possible MO to political estimation.

[kenfrequed]

227. That really is the amusing thing

They want to believe or do anything to get our votes that doesn't involve changing policy or actually listening to us.

[rhett o rick]

238. What the hell do so-called moderate believe in?

Progressives believe in the Constitution, health care is a right, no domestic spying, no Patriot Act, no MCA, no torture, no rendition, etc.

The reich-wing believe in the opposite.

so what the hell do so-called moderates believe in?

I believe a lot of so-called moderates are republicans that are too embarrassed to admit it.

[ShortnFiery]

86. Not here either.

It must have been coerced. I'm disappointed that DK would agree to this but the pressure must have been enormous. I'm so saddened that he gave into such threats. :(

[liberation]

95. Funny how liberals have to be coerced when they don't toe the line...

... yet the so-called "moderates" get all sorts of latitude. If only all the moderates in this site had put the same pressure on Obama et al to present a strong and robust legislation to reform health care, as they seem to be putting on Kucinich to subsume his position in order to grant a cheap political point to this administration... I am sure a much better outcome would have developed from this whole kabuki play.

[bjobotts]

102. It's always the liberals who must compromise.Still Dennis said he would support a filibuster

[bjobotts]

105. I respect his right to vote against the bill but not to filibuster so others don't get to vote

[bjobotts]

107. Keep in mind that it's stupid to announce your intentions ALL the time in politics

[bjobotts]

108. Deals are made left and right that should not be mentioned or they can't be pulled off

[bjobotts]

109. Oft times the mission is simply to get the opposition to let their guard down and

[bjobotts]

112. ...always be thinking several moves ahead. It's so hard to trust in politics though

[bjobotts]

115. but knowing the "nature" of those involved certainly helps. I could never trust McCain/Palin

[bjobotts]

117. I think Dennis trusts Obama more now since their secret talk.And I trust Dennis

[LoZoccolo]

139. You cannot filibuster in the House of Representatives. n/t

[earth mom]

142. All your posts in a row look like you are trying to hijack this thread. nt

[fishwax]

148. it's okay to put information in the *message* part of the post

Just FYI

[No Elephants]

184. Filibuster in the House?

[cali]

186. who cares if he supports a filibuster? He's not in the Senate.

[quaker bill]

249. Failure to reform

is not a better outcome. There was never any winning this by "fighting". I am surprised we got even this far.

[Luciferous]

99. Yeah, good luck with that Obama.

[mvd]

103. There wasn't much he could do on his own, except for..

hold out for changes, in which case DK would deserve even more credit IMO.

Here's how I see it. There are a lot of negatives about the bill:

- too many loopholes
- no public option
- not enough control on total out of pocket expenses
- entrenches insurance industry
- major improvements necessary for an adequate bill

Here are the positives about voting for the bill:

- length of the debate
- people with pre-existing conditions will now get some coverage
- the exchange allows for better transparency
- subsidies for low-income people
- I think we'd be in a better position for improvement with this bill rather than no bill. Public option is gaining momentum and won't go away.

The positives slightly outweigh the negatives

[MuseRider]

119. LOL. Riiiight.

Nope, sorry. We/I want a liberal in office. It has been one hell of a long time.

[Marr]

163. LOL-- he says that, does he?

He peers into the liberal mind in much the same way that a doughnut doesn't.

[Raineyb]

209. Not with me it doesn't. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

218. I love me some DK --

but O ain't getting SHIT from me on this issue. He signs a HIR bill that is essentially the one we are looking at and I am finding a new candidate to back in 2012. It's that simple.

[icee]

239. Not me, or my family back in Ohio in his district, who will never vote

for him again. He's definitely no FDR. Not interested in any of his grievances anymore.

[Lorien]

131. He isn't one of the ones who needed cover. He probably got a threat

and had better not get on any small aircraft. The insurance corps demand their blood money!

[earth mom]

141. I was thinking the exact same thing. Especially after Obama took Dennis up in his plane

to have a "private discussion about the problem". :wow:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7921433

I mean, seriously, it all reeks of some full on Hollywood movie where you can trust no one!

Come on DU, can't you see the criminal behavior that's happening in Washington DC right before your eyes?! :wtf:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

230. Yes, Obama should have flown coach like everyone else.

:rofl:

[AllyCat]

172. Sadly, I thought the same thing.

[icee]

240. Yes. That may well have happened. Unfortunately, any positions

he takes on anything else are simply dust in the wind.

[MilesColtrane]

138. Well, he DID get a ride on Air Force One.

And, some face time with the President.

Maybe he was just feeling taken-for-granted?

[No Elephants]

185. Doesn't seem as though D.K. would change his vote for a ride in Air Force One.

Or face time.

[warm regards]

256. Damn, he had me fooled. I always thought that Kucinich was man of principle.

[Cleita]

5. I hope it's that the States can adopt a single payer on their own.

Apparently the Feds are too corrupt in the beltway to be able to do it, but I think if states adopt their versions of it, it will spread.

[tbyg52]

21. If that's what he got, I will take it. nt

[quiet.american]

40. Done. That's already in the Senate bill. nt

[Eric J in MN]

56. Not until 2017. And even then, the federal government can refuse to let a state...

...which wants to go single-payer do so.

[quiet.american]

62. The thing is, states can already set up single payer, and several are in the process.

Come 2017, they can get federal tax credits and subsidies for doing so.

[No Elephants]

87. Could that have been in danger of being "fixed?"

[No Elephants]

8. From what Fineman said, it seemed as though D. K. was convinced that it has to start somewhere--

which is what the cancer/lukemia victim Obama spoke about said to the cameras from her hospital bed yesterday.

[WriteDown]

24. Yes, cancer always starts somewhere. nt

[No Elephants]

49. Yep, on the right.

[Political Heretic]

179. The right would be the modern democratic party. I'm guessing you meant the far right though.

[No Elephants]

189. Hard to say, given the bogus way in which labels are used these days. Republicans

characterize Obama as hard left, which is ludicrously dishonest, yet a portion of their base--and ours--buys it (or pretends to).. Ditto for calling DINO's like Stupak and Nelson "moderate Democrats."

But, regardless of the labels along the continuum, cancer starts on the right and therefore spreads left.

[Political Heretic]

221. Yes, and I'll go even further than that.

People talk about politics like this


LEFT |--------------------CENTER--------------------| RIGHT

As though on each poll you have something "fringe" and as you move toward the middle you get to "balance" or "reasonable" positions.

That's garbage. Here's what it actually looks like

JUSTICE <--------------------------------------------| RIGHT

If you want to stop somewhere in the middle of that line, call it "center" and set up camp fine. But its not the "center" of anything. It's you (generic you) being too big of a coward to keep moving toward greater social and economic justice.

[liberation]

76. The irony of it all is that patient is alive because of drastic and aggressive treatment...

... had a similar milquetoast and timid MO to what Obama is proposing being applied to anyone suffering through leukemia, he or she would be dead not before long.

[grantcart]

100. The Senate bill already allows states to initiate their own public option

[BlueIdaho]

2. With all due respect to Kucinich and Fineman

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Omaha Steve]

3. I'm a Believer

R #5!

[DCBob]

6. Good. DK has finally come to his senses.

I thought he would eventually. He lost support from almost everyone except for a few hard core progressives on this site.

[AnOhioan]

7. Oh bullshit.....keep dreamin

He has alot more support then you realize....DU is not indicative of the country's mood regarding this bill

[DCBob]

9. MSNBC SAYS- KUCINICH PRESS CONFERENCE A.M. TO ANNOUNCE HE WILL SWITCH VOTE TO YES.

Dont miss it.

[AnOhioan]

13. Read the first response to the OP

[DCBob]

14. Thats fine. I hope its true, but regardless..

I am just relieved all good Democrats are now on board to pass this bill.

[Skittles]

11. the only people I know who are for it

are completely deluded as to what it all actually means - they actually believe health insurace means actual access to health care

[No Elephants]

17. Senator Sanders voted for it, though he says it needs improvement. Dr. Dean says the same.

It seems that people have been getting on the "It's better than nothing" bandwagon.

[Skittles]

29. doesn't make it right

just how much will it be improved when Dems lose Congress? It's crap.

[No Elephants]

53. I didn't say their votes made it right. But, they are not confused about what the bill means

I was responding to your statement that the only people who are for the bill don't know what it means.

[Skittles]

57. I said the only people I KNOW

I'm not stupid enough to trust any politician

[No Elephants]

106. Ah, got it.

[Political Heretic]

180. Exactly. People don't seem to get why just name-dropping politicians names doesn't mean shit to me.

But from my point of view, it boggles my mind that it means something to them. :shrug:

[Political Heretic]

181. .

[No Elephants]

191. It depends on the subject matter. In this case, D.K.'s vote actually means something, while

the opinion of the people whom I know and respect will neither pass the ball nor defeat it.

Besides, it's amazing how the opinion of those whose politics I respect almost always is nearly identical to my own. Massive coincidences, no doubt. ;)

[druidity33]

193. honestly

that's not very clear from your prior post. People often shorten "know of" to "know" within that context. And how would we know you're "not stupid enough to trust any politician"?

:shrug:

[pundaint]

228. Oh good point, once the Republicans take over they'll stop this $70 Billion dollar give

away of our money to the for-profit-insurers who get in between people and healthcare. Wait, I may be a republican.

Checking the actions of both parties this century - which one has done anything at all for the People? C'mon - we are a decade in to the 20's - which one has improved the lot of the People as a whole?

We must fire All of congress and get some people in there working for US.

[Zambero]

253. And Dems will fall off the cliff if this bill fails

Every last Republican in the House and Senate is sworn to oppose this bill. No defectors. Sounds like a good selling point to me. The GOP must be very fearful that Democrats will ultimately get much in the way of credit, IF it was to pass. Why else would they oppose it to such an extent? Any so-called progressive that throws in with the unanimous Republican position needs to reconsider their political affiliation.

[martymar64]

154. If "better than nothing" is the best they can do with both Congress and the WH

then they really really suck at governing. They have simply enshrined a corrupt system that will further suck the American workers dry and leave them in permanently dire financial straits.

21st Century American adopting a Dickensian framework for economic policy is no way to run a country.

Fuck it, they are going to do whatever they want whether we like it or not. They think that they are entitled to our blind support simply because they are not Republicans.

Well, when they ask for my support come this November and in November 2012, my response will be:

"Sorry, the vote's just not there."

[DisgustedInMN]

183. You aren't alone.

I fully plan on making that clear in the State Convention here.

[salguine]

122. THANK YOU.

[trumad]

12. and he has a lot less support than you realize.

[WriteDown]

26. Will Mitt Romney be there when they sign this thing? nt

[Lorien]

133. A-freaking-men. nt

[Cleita]

10. With DK, support from some internet political junkies had little to do with it.

He was holding out for something and I believe he got something for it. We will know tomorrow at his press conference. If he caved because he was whipped, it's sad. It doesn't change my support for him one bit. It does tell me how screwed this country is.

[Imajika]

18. He got an amazing ride on a big shiny jet...

"He was holding out for something and I believe he got something for it."

Err, yeah, he got a ride on Air Force One and some face time with Obama. It is unlikely the President would have showered so much attention on Dennis if it wasn't already pre-arranged that Kucinich would change his vote to "yes" if Pelosi really needed him too. It is pretty clear now that Pelosi will in fact need every single vote, so she needed Dennis to switch. This is just how politics work - not just here in the US, but pretty much everywhere.

[Cleita]

22. I think he's been in a big shiny jet before and a limo.

:eyes:

[No Elephants]

59. Whiile LBJ was Senate Majority Leader, someone's vote must have surprised him.

Or maybe he had just miscalculated (unlikely). In any event, as the vote was being taken, LBJ pointed at a Senator who had already voted and yelled "Change your vote! I need your vote."

And the Senator complied.

When your vote is THE critical one.....

[howmad1]

37. Well, excuse me for being a "hard core progressive".

That, sir is an insult to just about most DU'ers. Believe me, this hard core progressive will NOT, let me repeat NOT vote for Obama in 2012 if we don't get a strong Public Option. Just remeber who got Obama elected in 2008.

[DCBob]

44. Actually I think the Independent vote was the most important factor in getting Obama elected.

Regardless, I think you are wrong if you decide not to vote for the Democratic nominee but thats your decision. Lets just hope there aren't enough like you to Naderize the election and cause another 4-8 years of GOP/Evil Empire rule.

[No Elephants]

63. I think the Democratic vote helped him a bit, too. And he may not be the Democratic nominee.

He may not even choose to run. Or he may run and be challenged successfully. Way too soon to dust off the crystal ball.

Reality is that neither Party's Presidential nominee can win without his or her base plus some Independents. So you can't say Independents elected Obama or liberals elected Obama. Both were necessary.

[tavalon]

224. Don't blame it on Nader

This is Obama's baby. Decisions are not without consequences. Who got the independents out to vote? The hard core liberals who thought they were getting someone far more liberal than they got. We made him and we can break him. His Rahminator may be too retarded to understand that, but Obama is smart and savvy so he knows that we won't work for him anymore.

[MellowDem]

15. This is a good move. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

16. Good for Dennis.

:thumbsup:

[Orrex]

61. +1

:thumbsup:

[Zambero]

252. Since every last Repuke in Congress is against the bill...

then it certainly must have some merit. Dennis is doing the right thing here.

[FourScore]

19. It's the right thing to do and they must have reassured him of the PO.

k/r

[Bleacher Creature]

20. So it's basically Jane Hamsher and the teabaggers who are opposed. NT

[grantcart]

104. And Michael Moore

[martymar64]

158. And he's right. Unfortunately, he has no vote in the House

He has no representation by Congress any more than I or millions of us do. The Democratic Party has sold out working people and gave them this POS bill with not one Republican vote. It is not bipartisan. Every vote to enshrine private insurance and force it on everyone under penalty of law was crafted entirely by Democrats. Not one single Republican vote.

This is a fact that I will repeat until November.

Liberals will not forget this betrayal. Try getting elected in November 2010 and 2012 without us. What are you going to do? Get Republicans to vote for you?

[No Elephants]

190. Why would anyone post something that patently untrue?

[Name removed]

210. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pundaint]

229. Perhaps we should just let you opine, your counting skills seem to be of the low sort.

[ramapo]

25. He GOT IT!

Thank you Dennis. What he got is the realization that passing this bill means that it is STEP ONE. It is something that can be and SHOULD BE improved upon.

A bill not passed cannot be improved.

Make no mistake about it. Failure to pass this bill, no matter how distasteful portions of it are, would mean that both Obama and any inkling of ANY health care/insurance reform would be gone for at least a decade if not longer. In fact, I'd be surprised to live long enough and I'm ONLY 55.

My respect for this man has just gone up ten fold.

[Lorien]

135. You mean threats? Yeah, I'm sure he got those

your insurance pals are very powerful.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

225. proof? n/t

[martymar64]

159. They won't pass any "fixes". Not in this decade.

Over the next year, the WH will do everything in its power to squelch any talk or media coverage about fixing this POS bill. They're just stroking you right now, trying to lull you into compliance.

They want to "move forward" and not talk about health care. It will be amazingly swift how fast they will act to change the subject to anything but helath care. Just watch and see.

[No Elephants]

192. Please, don't ruin everything by trying to hand out reality checks. Not accepted here.

[Mr. Sparkle]

27. My faith has been restored in Dennis. Good man.

This is the best bill we have ... it stinks, but it is something to build on. Due to the nature of lobbying it is near impossible to make big changes to the system anymore.

The next reform item on the list should be lobbying.

[martymar64]

161. The next issue should be immediately fixing this POS bill. Don't try to change the subject.

Let's fix this first then talk about these other things, like lobbying. I know they are important, but we need to get this one right first.

[Mr. Sparkle]

205. Lobbying and fixing this bill are closely related.

Do you think the Dem's came up with this bill just for the fun of it? Look at the Financial regulation bill, that too is pretty weak.

The Dem's agenda is very much against the status quo. But against them is every single republican, the lobbyists who have more than enough finical power to pick off just enough Dem's to block most legislation or water it down. Under the current circumstances no good bills will get through.

imo, Lobbying should be the next target.

and btw, there is no way they are going near healthcare reform for a few more years after they pass this bill. They have used up too much political capital trying to get this through.

[BeatleBoot]

28. The "Man of Principle" Caves to Common Sense

Good for him.

Maybe he isn't a nimrod after all.

[liberation]

36. I don't think common sense means what you want it to mean...

... starting a negotiation by asking far less than what you want/need, in hopes you can somehow make up ground from such a compromised start which you did not have to put yourself in to begin with... that is many things. But "common sense" ain't one of them.


That being said, I am now of the firm belief that there is a great business opportunity to be made, by selling primo ocean front real estate in Arizone to the legion of dupes that make up the Dem party nowadays.

[BeatleBoot]

39. I'm sorry you feel that way.

But, then again, you know where the door is.

[liberation]

65. No problem...

I already took the door.

I was simply pointing out that subsuming the people's interests, during the only real chance for an actual reform of our insane health care system (in at least one generation or more), in order to make a cheap political point... "common sense" it is not.

[No Elephants]

80. With all due respect, who are you to show anyone the door to the Democratic Party?

[Name removed]

128. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

194. You saw style? ;-) nt

[Name removed]

211. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liquid diamond]

72. Where the fuck are this guy's avid supporters now?

Not a lot of traffic in this thread. :rofl:

[pundaint]

231. Let's all revel in the coercion of a man of principle. Yay, the unprincipled side wins

OK, what, exactly was won? What will hold the prices down. Who will pay for the 10 million left out people? Out of whose pockets will be paid the additional cut to the insurance companies when we also pay for health care for the poor? Will insurers be able to buy hospital corporations and raise rates there?

Yup this is quite a win for the corporate side.

I loved Kucinich's stand and I mourn this switch.

I am surprised, but I continue to understand the overwhelming negative aspects of this bill, and continue to oppose it and those elected officials who vote for it. Now, Kucinich among them.

People: We will continue to get as little as we will accept. Do not revel in selling US cheaply.

[waronbanks]

30. I applaud DK for at least trying to make a stand

The corporates will always win. They got the media and most of the government on the payroll. We'll keep being forced to fork over our hard earned money to the criminals as long they have control. Just another day in America.

[martymar64]

164. When people refuse to buy under the mandate

It'll be up to all people that object to the mandate to serve on juries and acquit all people charged under this new unjust law. The mandate will need to be immediately challenged and sent to the Supreme Court.Because every American will now be taxed for the simple fact that they are alive, this could constitute a taking, which if I recall, is not allowed. Any legal eagles care to explain these issues?

[WriteDown]

31. Romney Care 2.0. Mitt Romney, the man who made America great again. nt

[WriteDown]

33. Wrong spot. nt

[No Elephants]

195. Why, yes,, but I never thought I'd see you admit it! ;-) .

[krabigirl]

32. wow...he's voting for the mandated private insurance plan? Horrible.

[WriteDown]

34. That way we can assure that everyone will have healthcare...or else. nt

[hulka38]

35. Washington DC - what a pit

[liberation]

38. If Kucinich is caving, and he is not getting a PO to show for it...

... then I have lost all faith on the Dem party.

Having to witness the spectacle of seeing supposedly Dems not only propose, but defend to tooth and nail, a set of policies that not even saint Reagan would have dared shovel down our throats has just left me rather convinced that there is no point in giving two shits anymore.

[ShortnFiery]

91. +1

If Kucinich caves to this coercion, it's the death knell of our party.

Is there ANY liberal with a f**king spine who will stand up for the people before the love of his JOB?!? :(

[Gman]

41. Good! We set his butt on fire!

and a press conference? Why? Kucinich is a nobody in Congress.

[Name removed]

212. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ozymanithrax]

42. I was wrong about Kucinich. He is, after all, a man of principal.

He is showing he has principals by voting for a progressive bill that will help people. It is not perfect but it is real progress on the road to someting better.

Congressman Kucinich, my hat is off to you.

I appologize for my harsh criticism.

[liberation]

71. Do pray tell what is so "progressive" about this bill...

... or are moderate conservatives not content with having jumped ship from the GOP once the conservative brand was damaged beyond repair, that now they feel entitled to take over the "progressive" label while completely undermining the ethos behind it?

As a "progressive" health care reform in the US, this bill makes a great reactionary corporate giveaway elsewhere.

[Ozymanithrax]

81. It will help moe than 30 million who do not have health care.

It gets rid of the pre-existing condtion.
Immediate Insurance Reform Benefits
Access to Affordable Coverage for the Uninsured with Pre-existing Conditions

•The President's proposal will provide $5 billion in immediate federal support for a new program to provide affordable coverage to uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions. This provision is effective 90 days after enactment, and coverage under this program will continue until new Exchanges are operational in 2014.

There is a 90 day delay only for people who have a pre-existing condition. Also, for the poor whose income us up to 133% of the poverty line, they have Medicaid, which can not deny to cover pre-existing conditions. Children who are on their parents health plans (up to age 27) can not be shut out for pre-existing conditions.

Ending pre-existing condition exemptions will phase in over time, but these people will have coverage if they are refused, begining 90 days from signature of the bill.

And has many good provisons that help real people.

[liberation]

85. Again, what is so "progressive" about this bill?

You are confusing moderate-conservative with "progressive"

Truly a testament to how much to the right this country has shifted. Here is a hint: any bill which not only enables private insurance carriers as the only providers of health care for the majority of the population, but actually forces people to purchase policies with these private companies, it is not "progressive." No matter how many federal subsidies are being funneled to private insurance carriers.

Here is a hint: single-payer or universal socialized healthcare = progressive. Just putting a couple of patches on a fairly inhumane system = moderate. In fact, using the federal government to force people to purchase a good which amounts to a natural monopoly which is not regulated by the government = reactionary/regressive.


As long as the delivery of health care to the majority of Americans is based around a for-profit system, there is absolutely nothing "progressive" about this POS.

[ShortnFiery]

94. MANDATES to bleed out the rest of our savings to the Insurance Cartel and Big Pharma. eom

[texastoast]

97. +1

Feed the corporations. Pukes and Dems in their pockets.

Not taking care of the taxpayer. Giving the teabaggers a leg to stand on when the PO would be so much less expensive to administer.

Forcing coverage. Orwellian.

[mvd]

110. Agree; the bill isn't even close to adequate

Still, I'm not sure what else there is to do. The progressives now need to stand up as a group in the reconciliation; I think they have gotten too used to being taken for granted.

[Raineyb]

214. Why should progressives put their stamp on something so regressive in the first

place? So they can be tainted by the stench of this stinker when the shit hits the fan and the sheeple finally realize that they've been had when they're scraping up money to pay for insurance that they can't use because of the deductibles and they STILL have to choose between medicine and food or rent?

Let the blue dogs lie in this crap since they put there.

[AllyCat]

173. Demanding 30M people purchase insurance is not 'providing' health care

[sabrina 1]

123. You accused him of wanting to kill 45, 000 Americans.

To respect only opinions that agree with yours, is not respect.

I do not know why, if it is true, he changed his mind, but he is a person of principle and fought hard to get what is needed for the people of this country. Kucinich has a right to vote whatever way he wants to, but absent something we don't know already, it doesn't change my mind.

Obama supporters have turned me off this president, even though I supported him in the last election. But anyone who attracts the kind of people I've seen on this board supporting this bill, cannot be the person I thought he was.

[martymar64]

165. Road to something better? When? In 2020?

Quit pretending that they are going to do jack-shit to fix this abortion of a bill.
What you see is what you get. It's not going to get any better. Congress and the WH has sold us out and the deal is done.

That's OK. I've come to terms that they are cheating fucks that are whores to Big Business. I'll also remember that in November of 2010, 2012, 2014,2016 and beyond.

That was their last chance and they blew it.

[Raineyb]

213. You seem to be confused about the definition of the word "progressive."

There's not a damn thing in this mandate to be raped by the insurance companies that's progressive.

[ShadowLiberal]

43. Great, we really need his vote

[Name removed]

235. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dsharp88]

45. You can't cross the finish line if you don't cross the starting line.

This is just the start.

[JBoy]

46. Dennis got to put forward his Afghanistan resolution for a vote.

I think that was the trade for his support. Having Obama go out to his district might have been part B of the deal.

[ShortnFiery]

96. That was IMO a shitty deal.

Hard to believe that was Kucinich's 30 pieces of silver. Oh, he got a ride on AF One. :eyes:

[cali]

187. yes, yes, sweetie. Kucinich is really Judas and you're really Jesus

singing plaintively from your cross.

[orbitalman]

48. Dennis held out to the last minute...make no mistake >>>

He is a true patriot sticking to his guns, but he is also a HUMANITARIAN. There is the 'principle' of absolutely holding out for what you believe would be best AND the 'principle' of not letting people die before their time. Anyone regretting Dennis' vote change already HAS insurance, they just don't like the inurance they have for whatever reason and look to the public option or single-payer to save themselves and/or those they know. That is also where I am at; but we must also get started and use that start as a building block. Thank you Dennis.

[davidthegnome]

144. Not really

Just have to point out that I don't have insurance (I'm also unemployed) - and until he gives a good reason as to why he has decided to change his vote, I do and will continue to regret his decision. I have always admired Kucinich as one of the few who stands up for his principles, even when it puts him in a very unpopular position. I don't understand why he changed his mind, but I hope it was for a good reason. I have to respectfully disagree with you in regards to principle. Primarily because I do not believe this reform will truly save lives. Perhaps I am mistaken - time will tell.

[sabrina 1]

152. I don't have insurance, and I regret his vote, unless he got

something for it. But I respect him no matter what. He was betrayed by his party as we were and he was viciously and shamefully attacked by people who claim to be Democrats for attempting to move this party away from the corporate interests that have engulfed it.

His stand revealed a lot about a lot of people I used to think of democrats, none of it good.

I respect whatever decision he makes because he is about the only member of Congress whose judgement I trust. But his 'yes' vote, if that's what he decides to do, will not change my mind about this bill. It is a corporate giveaway and will probably be the cause of a Republican majority in November. That is unforgivable of the leadership of this party to allow after the work so many did to put them in power.

[NorthCarolina]

50. Oh noes!!! How will our conservative posters attack him next???

:freak:

[liquid diamond]

74. If he didn't vote with fucking republicans, he would not be crticized.

[liberation]

79. You really want to play the "voting with the republicans" game?

Talk about living in a glass house while throwing stones all over the place.

Should I remind you about Obama's votes on the Patriot Act, FISA, War Funding, etc. etc?

[liquid diamond]

82. You won't survive in politics

without compromising. They didn't call Teddy the great deal maker for nothing. Looks like DK finally woke up from fantasy land. I wish others here would do the same.

[liberation]

89. Yeah, who needs to have a point when you can simply take a tangential exit when you get stuck, eh?

Teddy also said that about speaking softly while carrying a big stick.

So where is the stick? Also TR was a Republican, I assume the example was a freudian slip.

[liquid diamond]

98. I was talking about Ted Kennedy.

Speaking of big sticks:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7932939&mesg_id=7932939

Looks like the president has started kicking ass. Fucking holdouts.

[dflprincess]

114. It's a pity he didn't try kicking ass when Baucus and others were scuttling any real reform

and selling us to the insurance companies. Of course, back then, we were being told the Obama respected the separation of powers and really couldn't twist any Congressional arms. It wasn't until the insurance scam he wanted all along was in danger that he decided to do something.

[NorthCarolina]

83. Thats a total misrepresentation. DK votes against the Corporatist DLC politics. The GOP

simply votes against the Democratic Party, in spite of the fact that DLC politics is actually quite similar/acceptable to the GOP. Sorry that you cannot differentiate the two.

[No Elephants]

196. Yes. Politicians without principles are better..

Thank heaven more don't have the courage of their convictions, or we might have ended up with single payer instead of a health insurance corporate giveaway.

[Raineyb]

215. It's too fucking bad that people who claim to be Democrats are so fucking unprincipled. We might

actually have had a GOOD bill to vote on rather than this insurance company stroking piece of shit.

[fishwax]

150. for flip flopping, of course

[Forkboy]

151. One admitted to me today in GD-P that they would keep ripping on DK no matter which way he voted.

[neuvocat]

51. Must have left Michael Moore heartbroken.

The unions are coming down hard after the non-voting Dems on this.

[Arkana]

54. He must have gotten the Supreme Overlordship of the Earth

or something.

[unkachuck]

55. nah....

....Dennis will hold firm against this bill....I have faith!

[groundloop]

58. Let's get this done, then let's get to work on what needs to be improved / fixed

This bill isn't what I wanted, but if NOTHING would have come out of all this the R's would win big. Now let's keep pushing our congress critters to do the right thing and fix what's wrong in this bill.

[No Elephants]

77. Thanks, no. I pushed for over a year on single payer or robust public option.

Wh, Senators and Rep. every damned week.

Most of that time, we had sixty Senators, the House and the Oval Office. I'm done pushing. All you folks who are convinced, against all evidence, that this bill will be improved soon, can push this go round.

[dflprincess]

137. If this scam is the best they could do with the majorities they have now,

how the hell are they going to "fix" it.

Face it, the fix has been in all along and we've been sold to the insurance companies.

[Raineyb]

217. If you can't pass a good bil how the hell are you going to "improve" it?

You think that the Democrats will have more seats after passing this monstrosity?

[pundaint]

233. A loss for the People so the Republicans wouldn't get a win! You got screwed, and you got screwed

and you got screwed and you got screwed. But the Republicans lost. That would put the People on the side of the Republicans in this issue - was that the goal?

[Jakes Progress]

60. Obama has no where to hide now.

He can't hide behind "well, we didn't exactly, to the letter, precisely say we favored PO" or "all the bad old congress people won't let me do it". His only push for this is that he is going to lead, not allow congress to push, the fight to improve the bill and hc in general. He hasn't got three years. He will need to be in the front leading. He will need to break his promise to the hospitals instead of his promise to the public.

We will know by summer if he is worth all the effort that put him in office. Now he can't plead ignorance or inexperience. He knows what he has to do. He will have to choose and fight for one or the other - the people or the corporations.

[No Elephants]

113. Meh. There's always "the perfect the enemy of the good" bullshit line.

"This is the political reality." Etc.

I don't have to tell you. Just read this board.

[Jakes Progress]

145. He's been hiding there for the last year.

We know where that hiding place is. I agree that the usual crowd will still find whatever he does to be a victory, but his only excuse from here on is is incompetence or complicity.

[Grassy Knoll]

67. Lets ask the experts ..........

[FarLeftFist]

68. Wow this thread is moving fast.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dflprincess]

70. Kucinich might consider this a first step and mean it

but it's become pretty clear that this is the bill Obama and the DLC dreamed of and, as far as he and Rahm are concerned, the issue is closed.

Remember, Obama did say he wanted to be the last president to deal with the issue - he's not going to admit he sold us to the insurance companies and that how we access health care still needs major changing.

[ShortnFiery]

93. Working Americans feeding the Insurance Cartel = Christians being thrown to the Lions.

Dammit! Where have all our heros gone? :(

[salguine]

125. Know what a better analogy is? I posted it elsewhere, but...

Remember that incident that came out during the Jeffrey Dahmer trial, where that one kid got away from Dahmer and was running down the street, and he flagged down two passing cops? And the cops handed the kid back over to Dahmer? I couldn't think of any metaphor that sums up the way this Democratic Congress has handled this whole thing. The Democratic Congress are like those two cops, the people of this country are the naked kid running down the street in desperate need of help. You can guess which character the insurance cartels are.

They were elected in 2008 to rescue us, basically, and instead of protecting us from the insurance cartels, they've delivered us right over to them to be devoured instead.

[Cha]

127. President Obama did no such thing

and all your posting otherwise is not going to change that.

[dflprincess]

134. He said in his big health "care" speech to Congress that he wanted to be the last president to deal

with the issue.

There's no way he's going to push for acutal reform was this scam becomes law - he made too many deals with pharma and the insurance companies to do that.

[martymar64]

168. He won't let the PO be in any fix.

He's already cut a deal to kill the PO.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7930459


He has truly sold us out.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

226. any proof of that closed claim? n/t

[mvd]

75. I support that. I also think it's a good sign that..

our leaders have bigger improvements in mind. :thumbsup:

[Raineyb]

219. Based on what? I haven't seen anything that one could construe as evidence

of any intention of them fixing anything. They're going to "move on" to the next thing. And why would bother THEY have access to better health care than those of us who pay their salary.

[Barbara2423]

78. Good Move.

I thought the bill allows states to opt-in to single payer. Can someone confirm?

[No Elephants]

84. See Reply # 56.

[MindandSoul]

88. Good for Kucinich! He put up a good fight but is a reasonable man who

knows that some progress is better than the status quo.
And with him on board. . .we will move toward a public option sooner rather than later. . .in the next few years!

[TomCADem]

90. Chamber of Commerce! Screw You!

[lobodons]

92. Thank you

Nobody got what they wanted at this time. But this is a start. Just think where we would be (perhaps single payer and also how many lives would have been saved) if we got something, just something back in 94. This is our something, just something this time.

Thanks DK!!

[Luciferous]

101. I can't believe he caved.

[Dinger]

136. rhambo threatened him

Bank on it. He wasn't the only one.

[begin_within]

111. Why don't we all just wait and see what Dennis says in his press conference?

Maybe he will explain why he is switching to vote yes.

[No Elephants]

124. What? And waste an opportunity to jump to conclusions?

There is only a small window between now and the press conference. Time's awasting!

[Jefferson23]

116. I'm speechless.

[stevenleser]

118. Guess he is going to go under the bus now... LOL! n/t

[sabrina 1]

129. Why would he go under the bus? Those who supported his

principled stand are not inclined to do what DLCers do to good Democrats. It won't change my mind, unless there is something we do not know yet. But he has a right to do what he thinks is best and he has never done anything without a good reason, contrary to the slanderous and egregious charges made against him, right here on this board.

I will not agree with his vote, but will always be grateful for what he tried to do in the face of such vicious and unprincipled attacks. And those attacks, more than this bill, have turned me and others off this president more than the difference of opinion.

Your snide comment now is one, although not the worst by any means, example of the behavior I'm talking about.

[Bryn]

140. Ditto! Dennis K. is the Sir William Wallace ...also Jiminy Cricket

I posted this elsewhere..

Even Scottish Nobles betrayed Wallace for their own gains, bribed/paid by English nobles. Many of our democrats accept money from corportions, insurance companies & big pharma.

Many of our own Democrats in the Whitehouse are like Pinocchio. They keep changing stories. Broken promises. Lies. Even Obama promised the public option if I understand correctly. Dennis is there as their Jiminy Cricket. He is their conscience. He is there to remind them of their promises. He is there to stand for us The People. He doesn't want HCR Bill to pass without the public option. He would not have wanted this bill if it's really bad. I hope he has a good reason to vote aye.

here's a cute story of Jiminy Cricket

Jiminy may be small, but he's far from your average cricket. He can turn an umbrella into a parachute and looks great in a top hat and spats, and he carries a mean tune, as well as a nearly inexhaustible supply of home-brewed common sense. It's no wonder he is chosen by the Blue Fairy to be Pinocchio's "official" conscience. Unfortunately for Jiminy, it's only after he blushingly agrees to his appointment as "Lord High Keeper of the Knowledge of Right and Wrong, Counselor in Moments of Temptation, and Guide along the Straight and Narrow Path," that he realizes what a job he's gotten himself into. Like any conscience, Jiminy is occasionally late on the job, and frequently ignored even when he is around. Fortunately, Jiminy is nothing if not persistent, and he eventually succeeds in steering Pinocchio back to the right path.

What a shame that some people want to throw him under the bus. We need someone like that in Democratic Party. I wouldn't want the Democratic Party to be like the sheep without a lion.

[SlingBlade]

120. Sounds like he got a public option then, We shall see.

Kucinich's Wednesday announcement could be defining moment for health reform
By Bob Cusack - 03/16/10 10:41 PM ET

After being lobbied by President Barack Obama, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is poised to announce his position on healthcare reform on Wednesday morning.

[salguine]

126. if they did agree to one, they'll wait till after the vote, and then pull their

crossed fingers from behind their backs and wave them in Kucinich's face and say "syke!" There won't be any public option.

[Bryn]

130. Good Luck, everyone

with this HCR bill. I will see how it goes for you.

I have Medicare via SSDI. It works well for me. That's why I wanted it for everyone. Universal Health Care for all... Single Payer... a robust Public Option. I have a hard time understanding why it is so damn hard for democrats to get it done. A Single Payer/a strong Public Option is true Progressive.

I hope there will be a strong public option in this bill. If not now, fix it SOON!

[spanone]

146. knr

[Ardent15]

149. Well, I hope that he got something.

He doesn't seem like that the type to cave in to a bill he's been opposing if he doesn't get what he wants.

[New Dawn]

153. If Congress passes the Individual Mandate, the Democratic Party is literally doomed.

The Democratic Party will get obliterated in the 2010 and 2012 elections, if they force that fascist Individual Mandate on working (and unemployed) America. And if Kucinich votes for that bill, his political career is over as well.

[GreenArrow]

166. "Yeah, but by God we'll have passed a bill!"

And 'twill be a cause for regret.

[saracat]

169. Yup.

[Zomby Woof]

156. Uh oh

Someone last night claimed they had "inside info from DK's office itself" that he was voting no.

I knew that was a bogus post, because delusionals claiming "inside knowledge" are a dime a dozen around here.

[No Elephants]

197. Um, he said that himself publicly. If Fineman is correct, that would be a change of mind.

[Zomby Woof]

220. I am referring to after DK said 'no comment'

AFTER the "no comment", which was definitely the moment DK was switching his vote, a DUer claimed he "called DK's office" and got a confirmation and reassurance that he was voting 'no'.

That is what I meant by a bogus claim of inside knowledge. Someone claiming DK was still voting 'no' AFTER he was no longer publicly saying 'no'.

[mzmolly]

157. If he changed his mind, he's doing the right thing. The problem for him is that his

fact challenged hard sell against the bill was believed by those who believe in him. As such, his change of heart will surely disappoint those who believed his previous rhetoric.

Regardless, I hope he can bring his supporters around because this bill is a critical step forward.

[eridani]

176. Only if there is a public option in it n/t

[mzmolly]

208. There has always been a state

by state version of the PO.

[No Elephants]

198. Some people actually think for themselves. And still find this bill shameful.

Along with the way this entire issue was handled, from the primary right up until today. Cynical, deceptive, corrupt and shameful.

Yeah, yeah, I know. That's politics.

[mzmolly]

207. That's because some buy into the talking points

promoted by former supporters like Dennis K. Unfortunately for him, he overplayed his hand.

[ChicagoSuz219]

167. Boy! That must've been some plane ride... ;-)

I don't care why he's switching, I'll just be glad if he does...

[No Elephants]

199. Yes, I'm sure a plane ride changed his mind.

When he was four.

[ChicagoSuz219]

222. Well, apparently it did...

...they had a heart-to-heart talk.

[Name removed]

170. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[557188]

174. If true I am done with this party

If Kucinich sells us out the left is truly dead in this party.

I am gone, never to return to this party if Dennis sold me out. Simple as that.

[eridani]

175. Wonder what Obama threatened to do to his district?

Why fucking bother anymore?

[deacon]

177. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. n/t

[subsuelo]

232. Yup. n/t

[freddie mertz]

243. He doesn't think it is "good."

Just better than the alternative.

[Hannah Bell]

178. no one's going to improve it. if you can't pass it now, it's not going to be passed next year, or

the year after, or the year after that.

[No Elephants]

200. Unicorn killer.

[Political Heretic]

182. As I said days ago, I've tried to stay out of the worst of the DK-wars.

He can do what it wants. Doesn't change my opinion....

Senate Bill as is - does more long term harm for ordinary Americans than good.

House passes fixes first to turn into law on top of the Senate Bill - depending on the nature of those fixes, I could support that.

It just depends - we shall see.

[No Elephants]

202. Seems wise. These threads are getting like those whose subjects have their own forums.

[Vinca]

188. If he sells his soul, I hope he gets a good price for it.

[No Elephants]

201. Amazing how strong the views on this thread, given Kucinich has not said anything.

So far, he's either definitely a moral genius of the Democratic Party or definitely a demonic fool of the Republican Party.

[watercolors]

204. He just got all the poolitical headlines he craves!!

such a little player!

[NeedleCast]

234. This N/T

[Javaman]

206. Kabuki theater. nt

[ChicagoSuz219]

223. The simple reality is...

...you've got to play the hand you're dealt. It is what it is. It can always morph into something better down the line.

Dennis is doing the right thing.

[flvegan]

241. I have a sneaking feeling that Dennis knows something we don't.

What exactly was said on Air Force One?

[quickesst]

242. This.,...

..."He also said he will emphasis, as Obama did, that this is just a first step in the reform effort."...


......is what a real politician with the interests of the people in mind, should have realized, and been saying all along. It actually reflects the only logical path to real reform, given the social and political climate today, that can be realistically pursued. The sooner the "want it all, want it now" crowd understand and accept reality, the sooner the goal can be achieved. It never was, and never will be a quick fix, but the sooner people get on the same page, the sooner it will happen. I believe that when someone who's nobility gets to the point it becomes a detriment to the final goal, it's time to re-embrace logic, and common sense. Thanks.
quickesst

[Enthusiast]

244. I understand Dennis.

Like Dennis, I am torn.

I feel certain if President Obama would have used the bully pulpit effectively we could have achieved the Public Option through reconciliation. I believe this in my heart and it makes me angry with Obama.

[change_notfinetuning]

245. At least he wasn't beheaded! Safe from the terrorists. Our own. n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

246. the bill is gravely disappointing and Mr. Kucinich fought all the way - He is making the right

decision and the strategically wise and correct decision. For all that is wrong with the bill, it still brings more good than bad. And the defeat of the bill would not be a victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. It would however be a massive victory for right-wing of the Republican Party.

He fought all the way and did his best and now is accepting the not very good when the alternative is handing the right-wing of the Republican Party a great victory on a silver platter.

[Spheric]

247. I think Grayson has it right...

in this http://www.democracynow.org/2010/3/17/rep_alan_graysons_medicare_you_can">interview (17 minutes into it). It is wrong to vote against something that actually does a little bit of good because it does not do enough.

I think his approach by sponsering a separate bill that is simple (3 1/2 pages) for a buy in to medicare is the way this needs to happen. We should be using our energy to make sure that his bill comes up for a vote.

It's brilliant to separate this "buy into Medicare Public option" out on its own like this. Anyone who votes against it is voting against the interests of their own constituancy in order to prop up the Insurance industry and there will be no way they can walk away from that. The bill is as American as apple pie - you have to pay for it with your own hard earned cash. No socialism here.

I really think it is the only way to save the Democrats in November and even many Republicans will be hard pressed to vote against it.

Grayson has given us the oportunity and now is the time to rally. Please go to his website at WeWantMedicare.com and sign the petition. Then write everybody you can think of, including those good-for-nothing representatives we elected, letters to the editors, etc. The MSM is doing their level best to ignore the whole thing.

It is an absolutely positive step in the right direction and makes it very difficult for the opposition. Let's make this happen.

IMHO

[upi402]

250. Not really a surprise

I figured he would vote for the piece of crap medical insurance company give-away if it was all we could get. If he was the vote that would break it, I knew he'd vote for it.

[Clear Blue Sky]

251. He folded like a cheap suit.

Ride on Air Force One and principles went out the window.

[Jefferson23]

254. I was speechless when I read he was voting yes, I would have given

a lot to have heard the conversation between him and Obama.

I received this from Kucinich in an email today:




Health Care is a Civil Right




Each generation has had to take up the question of how to provide for the health of the people of our nation. And each generation has grappled with difficult questions of how to meet the needs of our people. I believe health care is a civil right. Each time as a nation we have reached to expand our basic rights, we have witnessed a slow and painful unfolding of a democratic pageant of striving, of resistance, of breakthroughs, of opposition, of unrelenting efforts and of eventual triumph.

I have spent my life struggling for the rights of working class people and for health care. I grew up understanding firsthand what it meant for families who did not get access to needed care. I lived in 21 different places by the time I was 17, including in a couple of cars. I understand the connection between poverty and poor health care, the deeper meaning of what Native Americans have called "hole in the body, hole in the spirit." I struggled with Crohn's disease much of my adult life, to discover sixteen years ago a near-cure in alternative medicine and following a plant-based diet. I have learned with difficulty the benefits of taking charge personally of my own health care. On those few occasions when I have needed it, I have had access to the best allopathic practitioners. As a result I have received the blessings of vitality and high energy. Health and health care is personal for each one of us. As a former surgical technician I know that there are many people who dedicate their lives to helping others improve theirs. I also know their struggles with an insufficient health care system.

There are some who believe that health care is a privilege based on ability to pay. This is the model President Obama is dealing with, attempting to open up health care to another 30 million people, within the context of the for-profit insurance system. There are others who believe that health care is a basic right and ought to be provided through a not-for-profit plan. This is what I have tirelessly advocated.

I have carried the banner of national health care in two presidential campaigns, in party platform meetings, and as co-author of HR676, Medicare for All. I have worked to expand the health care debate beyond the current for-profit system, to include a public option and an amendment to free the states to pursue single payer. The first version of the health care bill, while badly flawed, contained provisions which I believed made the bill worth supporting in committee. The provisions were taken out of the bill after it passed committee.

I joined with the Progressive Caucus saying that I would not support the bill unless it had a strong public option and unless it protected the right of people to pursue single payer at a state level. It did not. I kept my pledge and voted against the bill. I have continued to oppose it while trying to get the provisions back into the bill. Some have speculated I may be in a position of casting the deciding vote. The President's visit to my district on Monday underscored the urgency of this moment.

I have taken this fight farther than many in Congress cared to carry it because I know what my constituents experience on a daily basis. Come to my district in Cleveland and you will understand.

The people of Ohio's 10th district have been hard hit by an economy where wealth has accelerated upwards through plant closings, massive unemployment, small business failings, lack of access to credit, foreclosures and the high cost of health care and limited access to care. I take my responsibilities to the people of my district personally. The focus of my district office is constituent service, which more often than not involves social work to help people survive economic perils. It also involves intervening with insurance companies.

In the past week it has become clear that the vote on the final health care bill will be very close. I take this vote with the utmost seriousness. I am quite aware of the historic fight that has lasted the better part of the last century to bring America in line with other modern democracies in providing single payer health care. I have seen the political pressure and the financial pressure being asserted to prevent a minimal recognition of this right, even within the context of a system dominated by private insurance companies.

I know I have to make a decision, not on the bill as I would like to see it, but the bill as it is. My criticisms of the legislation have been well reported. I do not retract them. I incorporate them in this statement. They still stand as legitimate and cautionary. I still have doubts about the bill. I do not think it is a first step toward anything I have supported in the past. This is not the bill I wanted to support, even as I continue efforts until the last minute to modify the bill.

However after careful discussions with the President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Elizabeth my wife and close friends, I have decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation. If my vote is to be counted, let it now count for passage of the bill, hopefully in the direction of comprehensive health care reform. We must include coverage for those excluded from this bill. We must free the states. We must have control over private insurance companies and the cost their very existence imposes on American families. We must strive to provide a significant place for alternative and complementary medicine, religious health science practice, and the personal responsibility aspects of health care which include diet, nutrition, and exercise.

The health care debate has been severely hampered by fear, myths, and by hyper-partisanship. The President clearly does not advocate socialism or a government takeover of health care. The fear that this legislation has engendered has deep roots, not in foreign ideology but in a lack of confidence, a timidity, mistrust and fear which post 911 America has been unable to shake.

This fear has so infected our politics, our economics and our international relations that as a nation we are losing sight of the expanded vision, the electrifying potential we caught a glimpse of with the election of Barack Obama. The transformational potential of his presidency, and of ourselves, can still be courageously summoned in ways that will reconnect America to our hopes for expanded opportunities for jobs, housing, education, peace, and yes, health care.

I want to thank those who have supported me personally and politically as I have struggled with this decision. I ask for your continued support in our ongoing efforts to bring about meaningful change. As this bill passes I will renew my efforts to help those state organizations which are aimed at stirring a single payer movement which eliminates the predatory role of private insurers who make money not providing health care. I have taken a detour through supporting this bill, but I know the destination I will continue to lead, for as long as it takes, whatever it takes to an America where health care will be firmly established as a civil right.

Thank you.
Dennis

[Jefferson23]

255. I stand by Kucinich even so, and I suspect he will be one of the few

to remind the lawmakers in D.C. that the bill must be enhanced to reflect fairness for ALL Americans.

[merkins]

257. This Episode of Masterpiece Kabuki Theater has been brought to you by...

a grant from MetLife and GlaxoSmithKline. Please be with us in our next upcoming episode 'The Social Security Crisis' coming to you sometime after November 2012. Thank you.

[Jefferson23]

258. Kucinich on Larry King right now, 9 pm EST.