Krugman on Lieberman and HCR

[Cant trust em]

Paying the Liebergeld

Ugh. It grates terribly to have the health care bill seriously weakened out of pure spite — and that’s clearly what’s happening, as Joe Lieberman demands the withdrawal of a feature he himself was advocating just three months ago.

Paul Starr — a veteran of the Clinton attempt — says that we should just pass the thing and try to fix it later. I guess I grudgingly agree — unless Lieberman demands further changes, gutting the bill. And I have a sick feeling that he’ll do just that.

But no more. On the next big challenge, financial reform, I say do it right or not at all. And we really need to talk about changing the way the Senate works; at this rate we’re well on our way to becoming a failed state.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/

[tabatha]

1. Pure spite.

Liebermann should go see "Invictus".

[classysassy]

2. Remember the Roman empire

they had some really creepy senators too.

[liberalpragmatist]

3. I think Caligula's horse would be a better senator than Lieberman

nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. I'd go with Caligula's horse's asshole. nt

[DrToast]

5. "at this rate we’re well on our way to becoming a failed state."

Gee...you'd think the party leaders would start addressing this.

But no, everything is hunky dory! We just got rolled by a petulant child from CT., but the leadership doesn't see a problem with that.

[liberalpragmatist]

7. As Joe Lieberman once pointed out...

... when he was trying to abolish the filibuster (once upon a time), the filibuster is destructive for democracy but liked by nearly every senator (whatever their political persuasion) because it vastly increases the power of every individual senator.

That's why it's so hard to kill. Even liberal senators - like Barbara Boxer (when asked about it) - say it's necessary to prevent really bad legislation from passing.

Personally, I think that argument is bullshit. It's not just that nothing bad passes. NOTHING passes. And then all that can get passed is supremely-watered down bullshit that STILL struggles to pass.

We have a solid majority of Democratic senators on board for REAL health care reform. A public option. Strong subsidies. Serious insurance regulations. Yet everything because of the 60-vote requirement gets hijacked by a handful of corporate whores and petulant douchebags.

[Zodiak]

6. wow....strong words from Krugman n/t

[Blasphemer]

8. Failed state - we're already there. nt

[Popular Front]

9. The bill will be fine

Obama's in charge. Not Lieberman.