The house action is not significant; the Senate, our undemocratic institution, is the barrier, not the more democratic house. In the Senate, the key is the Finance Committee. Most of us don't even know who's on it except for Cantwell andd Baucus. But no doubt it's dominated by the most centrist, corrupt democrats who love lobbyists and corporations seeking tax breaks. The super liberal senators probably gravitate towards the committees that spend money. Like most liberals their avoidance of money and power issues weakens our overall progress.

So, Eli, who is in fact on the Senate Finance Committee? Any superliberals like Harkin, Kennedy, Feinstein? Of just a bunch of centrists and corporate-PAc dominated senators? Hacks like that guy Baucus from Montana? Some guy from MONTANA (pop. = Seattle + Shoreline) is the key to our national health care reform?

Apart from Cantwell, whose vote on that Committee do we have to get? The grass roots -- us -- haven't got a clue. There is no nationally led effort by Dean or Obama to pressure the key people to get the key votes.

To see how much power Maria Cantwell has in context, here's the Democrats on that Senate Finance Committee:
MAX BAUCUS, MT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
KENT CONRAD, ND
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
JOHN F. KERRY, MA
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
RON WYDEN, OR
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
MARIA CANTWELL, WA
BILL NELSON, FL
ROBERT MENENDEZ, NJ
THOMAS CARPER, DE

Kerry Wyden Schumer Stabenow Menendez, five of them, probably are liberal leaning. I'd suspect Carper is a pro corporate hack, he's the aide to Biden I think who's just a fill in. Cantwell, not a leader. We don't even know if she's for the public option -- much less TAXING THE RICH to pay for the plan. So no, it doesn't look like this rural dominated committee is going to be progressive. The five senators from MT WV ND NM and AR are doubtless centrist and that guy from FL is, too. Likely they are not for taxing the rich. That's six of them. So without even a majority among the democrats on the key senate committee, the overall plan will not be paid for and will be subject to a strong GOP attack on that basis. A good leader in the white house would be out there right now teaching us we gotta pay for it and this means taxes and that's just great. He'd be leading us to press those key votes on this committee via grass roots action -- instead of passively awaiting whatever they come up with.

MSNBC summary as I write:
house plan a trillion bucks,
senate health committee plan $600 billion,
senate finance committee plan -- UNDISCLOSED.

Our fate is ruled by "Democratic" senators from MT, WV ND and AR.

Can you say "hee-haw"?

For those of you in Washington's 7th District please call Congressman Jim McDermott (202-225-3106) and thank him.

For those of you outside of the 7th District, but still in the USA call your congress people and ask them to support Jim’s amendment.

For those of you outside of the USA do something progressive.

PC, you did notice the name of the Senator next to the "WV", right? John D. Rockefeller IV? That's hardly some inbred hick. Well, at least not the "hick" part. "Inbred", possibly. You never know with East Coast bluebloods.

Democrats are delivering what Republicans have ignored. The fact we need comprehensive health care reform is a matter of life or death for many people, not to mention the financial destruction that the current system rains down on helpless families. All the while the corporations running the show reap disgraceful profits on the backs of the sick. Turning down coverage for existing conditions and claims for medical treatments for profit is not fair or right. And also please note the billions of dollars spent on advertising by these corporations. Often on drugs that are recalled because they were killing people. Do we need tort reform? Yes, if things change. There should be caps for pain and suffering if you use the public option. Maybe also for industry if it cooperates with real reform.

Now is when we find out who is in the pocket of big health "care."

I noticed on Dave Reichert's website that he doesn't accept emails from people outside his district. So you have to call him up on the phone to ask if he is a liar.

a broken clock is right twice a day.

it's still time for mcdermott to retire. 20+ years in the house and patty murray does all the heavy lifting.

Congressman Frank Drebin is a total piece of shit.

And Maria will vote on the winning side of the bill. As with the PATRIOT Act, the Iraq war, and everything else.
She will wait to see which way the wind blows, and the cash flows, and go with it. You don't get more useless than this narcissistic front-runner.

PC @1 pretty much nails it.

Another step in the long march to socialism has been taken, but there is time for right thinking Americans to stop it. Because it won't be long before they come for talk radio and your guns!

Attend a TEA PARTY RALLY against GOVT. RUN HEALTH CARE!!!

----

RISE UP!
Against Government Run Health Care
Don’t let politicians make your health care decisions for you!

Friday, July 17, 2009
11:00 AM to 12 PM Central
SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ALL TIME ZONES
from New York to Hawaii

Protests will be held at the local district offices of every U.S. Representative and Senator, including yours. If you don’t want the politicians involved in your health care decisions, we need you there.
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS HEALTH CARE EVENTS!

STAND UP! STOP THE FEDERAL POWER-GRAB!

WE ARE HOLDING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FEET TO THE FIRE!

On July 17th, 2009 patriots all over the country will be holding protest rallies at the offices of their Federal Senators and House Representatives alike. Telling them we did not want Cap and Trade was not enough. To get our Elected Officials to hear our voices, this time we will show up in person to get their attention.

These protest rallies will occur simultaneously across the United States.

These Protest Rallies will held at 9a to 10a PDT; 11a to Noon CDT; Noon to 1p EDT

From Florida to Washington, from Maine to California, from Alaska toHawaii and everywhere in between you and thousands of other Tea Party Patriots will assemble together outside the offices of those who are elected to represent us, and make our voices heard once again.

Join your fellow Tea Party Patriots on July 17th at the local home office of each Federal Congressman and Senator (see link "Location Finder" below). We are going to make it absolutely clear we oppose government run health care.

Rally every one you can to protest the Government take over of health care. We need you and anyone else you can bring in order to achieve our goal of having massive numbers to make our point outside every single district office in the country. Take 1 hour off of work on July 17th toshow up and speak out. Take a couple co-workers with you and buy them lunch, McDonald's or Pizza afterwards or the next week. Please make the effort to cajole or persuade your freinds, relatives and coworkers to attend.

This is a nation wide show of the solidarity of the TEA Party movement. Tell every one you know……



NATIONWIDE INFORMATION:

Host: Tea Party Patriots

Time: Friday, July 17th, 2009 - 9a to 10a PDT; 11a to Noon CDT; Noon to1p EDT

Location: Every Elected official’s office in the state (House and Senate)

Location Finder:http://twurl.cc/199d

E-mail: volunteer@teapartypatriots.org for more information

General URL's: http://teapartypatriots.org

@10 You are a shill and a liar. Those fat cats people like you want to protect all have premium healthcare, including government run healthcare. Yep! Veterans hospitals are socialised medicine and congress also has socialised medical care. You are either a fool or a no good liar. I think it's both.

Why does Reichert hate America so?

Did his comrades in China get him to change his vote to No so they could make lots of cash for Big Pharma and Big Insurance?

Ah, Eli's already setting the table for Darcy Burner's future failed 3rd attempt at Reichert's seat.