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Congress 
Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 21:15:52 PM EST
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It really is this simple..... If we find ourselves in the position again where we must fight to defend ourselves, then we'll do it, but we must make ourselves pay for the fight upfront. Then we'll think long and hard about it and figure out if there is any other way to solve the problem. If the Bush Administration had been upfront with us about the War in Iraq and we were forced to make hard decisions about how to pay for the war before going in, then we likely wouldn't have gone there in the first place.
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Sun Jan 31, 2010 at 20:54:10 PM EST
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2010 MODERATOR: DONNA MARIE MILLER ELLINGTON HEALTHCARE REFORM INTERACTIVE EXERCISE I was excited to be moderating the lively discussion that took place at Democratic Headquarters in North Charleston. It was a Congressional Healthcare Reform Fire Drill! All of us in that room WOULD PASS A HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL ON THAT DAY IN THAT ROOM! This WAS a very participative exercise: fun, energizing, exasperating, and will gave us all some insight into the process our elected officials are going through as they try and push the elephant out of the way, and herd the wayward donkeys along the path to a bill for the President's desk! Republicans and Independents were welcome and were assigned to the House or Senate. The Executive Branch, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid were allowed contact their members with proposals for merging the Senate and House Bills ahead of Saturday's date. All options for Passing Healthcare Reform were on the table, EXCEPT FOR NOT PASSING IT! The Final Healthcare Reform Bill had to be passed before the end of the one hour session. Everyone came prepared to participate and have a good time! FIRED UP! YES WE DID! PROPOSED SCHEDULE 2:00 Introduction 2:15 Senate and House will convene separately to strategize 2:30 Senate and House will hold joint session and make a decision to A1-A3, B, C, D, E 2:55 BILL READY FOR SIGNATURE AND CONCLUDING COMMENTS 3:00 ADJOURN WITH READY TO SIGN BILL ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE EXERCISE: Senator Scott Brown has not yet been seated Simple majorities will be required in both houses to pass legislation Be careful not to monkey around too much with the monetary parts so we can assume that the CBO will continue to find the plan budget neutral, because we don't have time to actually mock the CBO process. In other words, you may pass monetary issues thru reconciliation, but please make every effort to intuitively guesstimate that any changes you make in these areas will be approximately equal to whatever you have changed. All options for Passing Healthcare Reform are on the table, EXCEPT FOR NOT PASSING IT! A. Merge the bills and repass in both the Senate and House 1)with 60 votes required 2)with nuclear fillibuster reduction to require only a simple majority. 3)With a change in the number of votes required to fillibuster. B. Pass the Senate version of the Bill in the House, with some fix it later agreements C. Quickly pass a simple, clean, and easy to explain expansion of Medicaid/SCHIP/Medicare using reconciliation. Tell voters you’ve heard them and made the bill simpler while still helping 30 million Americans. D. Create a sugary sweet reconciliation sidecar measure with as many popular ideas as possible to fix the Senate bill (include a public option, Medicare buy-in, and drug re-importation, eliminate Nebraska’s special deal, and fix or eliminate the excise tax). E. Pass both bills on the same day. Finally, run against Joe Lieberman and the Senate for messing things up, while pointing to how you did everything you could to stand up to the evil insurance companies, and managed, with hard work, to salvage a very decent health care reform package. The Final Healthcare Reform Bill must be presented and passed by 3:00. Everyone come prepared to participate and have a good time! YES WE CAN! FIRED UP! YES WE WILL! Thus, the exercise was set up. The day was a rainy one, and the prior sessions of the day's “Say Yes to Rational Discussions, Say No To Fear” events , had been well attended, and discussion had been productive, and thus the day was running longer than expected. Our exercise began about the time we had been scheduled to end. The moderator (me) had preassigned roles to the people on the RSVP list who said they either would be coming or might be coming to the event. Well, you know how the RSVP business goes....people don't always RSVP, and when they do, they don't always show up. Additionally, sometimes they show up, and don't like their assigned roles. All of the above happened. Being the flexible and good-humored person that I am, accomodations were quickly made so we could get on with the exercise. Shawn Mitchell and I represented the Executive Branch of government for the purpose of the exercise. Other participants were assigned or chose roles in either the Senate or the House. One brave member chose the role of Olympia Snowe. Another refused the role of Joe Lieberman, was given another identity, and then ultimately decided not to participate. It had been 25 or more years since I last taught Human Relations at Trident Technical College, and I had forgotten just how much some adults dislike this sort of participative exercise. Others, thankfully, relish the opportunity. Two notebooks contained the President's Healthcare Plan, a short summary of the House Bill, and a short summary of the Senate Bill. One notebook was available for the use of the Senators and one notebook was available for the use of the House. Additionally, all participants were provided with paper copies of the aforementioned documents. The participants chose paper and pencil over the use of the notebooks, given the time constraints. For anyone who might like to set up a similar exercise, I'd certainly recommend letting participants choose their own roles, and also allowing about 2 and a half hours for the exercise. The Senate and the House were each called to order. They both opened this session of Congress by setting the rules of the Senate and House to allow a simple majority to be required for passing legislation and removing filibuster. Each chamber discussed a way to reconcile the Bills in the hour allotted. Reconciliation with Amendments proposed by the House to the Senate Bill were chosen as the method to get the job done. The Senate was concerned about the possibility of a challenge of legislation to the Supreme Court, if States' Rights were not considered in the passage of the legislation. The Senate therefore chose to include an opt-out provision for the states after a mandatory period of two years of participation in the plan. The House crafted provisions for the Senate to add to their bill through reconciliation amendments which: required that 90% of any insurance company premiums be dedicated to patient care, and allowed only 10% of premiums to be used for profits, added a “people's plan” which would incrementally extend medicare coverage to people lowering the age at which people could buy in, until in 2030, eligibility would be extended to people of all ages who choose to buy-in. Additionally, tort reform was added to help bring down medical costs. The Senate passed the revised Bill and passed it on to the House. The House considered asking the Senate to change the 2 year mandatory participation to 5 years. After negotiations, the House passed the Senate's Bill with the Amendments (including a 2 year mandatory participation period by the states before they could opt-out). I was extremely pleased with the outcome of the exercise. It was not a resolution that I could have predicted. Our Senator who chose the role of Olympia Snowe voted with the democratic majority to pass the bill, even though under the rules of the day, her vote was not required for passage. I did not imagine that the House would craft such an ingenious “people's plan” that dove-tailed well with the mandatory 2 year mandatory participation requirement prior to opt-out crafted by the Senate to preclude a possible appeal of the legislation to the Supreme Court. I was happy to see the provision of tort reforms. http://tinyurl.com/ykjmgjg Google Doc of Obama's Healthcare Plan http://tinyurl.com/yjmcmu7 Google Doc of House Healthcare Bill http://tinyurl.com/ykl3f7e Google Doc of Senate Healthcare Bill YES WE CAN! FIRED UP! YES WE DID! PASS HEALTHCARE REFORM!
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Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 14:14:35 PM EST
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Representative Henry Brown, who claims to be the "workhorse" of the 1st Congressional District, did not support several key measures to spur economic development, support military families, and create jobs for the 1st District of South Carolina by voting against H.R. 4213. This bill, H.R. 4213, includes several key, targeted tax measures that will help individuals, businesses, and farmers of the 1st District. The bill extends the deductibility of state and local sales taxes and property tax relief, as well as the college tuition deduction and the deduction for teachers’ classroom expenses. For businesses in the 1st District, this bill strengthens investment in alternative fuels, extends tax credits for farmers, and extends research and development tax credits for business. Below is an outline of some of the provisions in the bill: • Extension of the State and Local General Taxes Deduction. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the election to take an itemized deduction for State and local general sales taxes in lieu of the itemized deduction permitted for State and local income taxes. • Extension of the Deductions for College Tuition. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the above-the-line tax deduction for qualified education expenses. • Extension of the Deduction for Classroom Expenses for Teachers. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $250 above-the-line tax deduction for teachers and other school professionals for expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies (other than non-athletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and service), other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the educator in the classroom. • Extension of the Research and Development Credit for Business. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the research credit. • Extension of Depreciation for Farming Business Machinery and Equipment. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the provision that provides a five-year recovery period for certain machinery and equipment which is used in a farming business. • Extension of Tax Incentives for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for biodiesel and the small agri-biodiesel producer credit of 10 cents per gallon. The bill would also extend for one year (through 2010) the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for diesel fuel created from biomass. • Extension of Tax Incentives for Natural Gas and Propane used as a Fuel in Transportation Vehicles. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $0.50 per gallon production tax credit for natural gas and propane used as a transportation fuel. • Extension of Employer Wage Credit for Activated Military Reservists. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the provision that provides eligible small business employers with a credit against the taxpayer’s income tax liability for a taxable year in an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the sum of differential wage payments to activated military reservists. Without the extensions, these provisions would expire at the end of the year. The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 provides up to 30 million homeowners with property tax relief and assists 4.5 million families better afford college with the tuition deduction. Henry Brown also did not support the members of the military because this bill makes sure that activated military reservists do not suffer a pay cut by providing a tax credit for small businesses that continue to pay their National Guard and Reserve employees when they are called up to serve. Military families have sacrificed enough and with the implementation of 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan, this provision is essential to the financial stability of our military families. In this difficult economic time, Congress must continue successful initiatives that lessen the tax burdens for American families and businesses. |
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Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 15:57:20 PM EST
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The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a new radio ad campaign against U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, slamming the South Carolina Republican for supporting TARP in 2008 but voting against the Democrats' financial regulatory reform bill last week.
The 60-second radio spot, which will begin airing on Wednesday across the Second District, accuses Wilson of putting the interests of big Wall Street firms above the needs of his constituents:
"October 2008, the last months of the Bush presidency. The big banks and financial institutions almost collapsed, putting our entire economy at risk. Remember? We all know we should never let this happen again. That's why what our Congressman Joe Wilson did last week is so disturbing." a male narrator says.
"Congressman Wilson voted to let Wall Street continue the same risky practices that crippled retirement accounts and left taxpayers on the hook for $700 billion dollars," the ad continues. "And he voted to allow the big banks to pay high rolling executives unchecked compensation and bonuses. Maybe the $55,000 dollars that financial special interests have given to Congressman Wilson mattered more to him than protecting taxpayers and consumers.
"Doesn't that just make you mad? Call Joe Wilson, tell him to stop standing up for the big banks and to start standing up for us."
According to CQ Politics, Wilson is one of only five House Republicans the DCCC plans to target this week with radio ads -- a reassuring sign to S.C. Democrats that the national party remains interested in helping Rob Miller put up a strong fight against 'Old Yeller' in 2010.
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Sun Dec 13, 2009 at 16:11:36 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Jane Dyer, Democratic candidate running for SC-3 - U.S. Congress, shares her thoughts on contracting out with our military. The seat is held currently by U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, who wants to be S.C.'s governor in 2010. Please help Dyer any way you can.
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Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 13:30:43 PM EST
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(Hot topic in the First District. Bumped into Monday. - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Dear Mr. Sanderson: Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Defense's (DoD) policy of allowing homosexuals who keep their sex lives private, or "don't ask, don't tell." As a staunch advocate for our nation's military, I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter. In 1993, Congress passed a law that the House, Senate and President Clinton thought would be a compromise between the Pentagon's stated policy of homosexuality's "incompatibility" with military service and allowing openly homosexual persons to serve. Instead of completely reversing the ban on service in the military by homosexuals, "don't ask, don't tell" dictates that the Armed Forces will no longer ask recruits about their sexual orientation, but that service members who engage in homosexual acts or who publicly announce their homosexuality will face discharge. Since then, this principle has been the current practice in all branches of our nation's Armed Forces. However, many feel that this policy either didn't go far enough by not completely repealing the ban, or was contradictory because it both affirmed that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service" and tacitly allowed homosexuals to serve if they kept their sexual practices private. President Barack Obama said during his campaign that he would make repealing this policy a goal, but has yet to take any action. In the 111th Congress, legislation entitled the Military Readiness Enhancement Act has been introduced that would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and also end the military's ban of homosexuals. This legislation has yet to be considered by the House Armed Forces Committee. While we continue to monitor this issue, please know that I will keep your thought in mind as we work during the 111th Congress. To get regular updates from my office sent to you by e-mail, please visit http://brown.house.gov/updates. I am honored to serve you in Congress and I look forward to hearing from you on other matters of interest or concern. Sincerely, Henry E. Brown, Jr.
Member of Congress
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Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 00:06:21 AM EST
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Representing the party of do-nothings, Congressman Henry Brown proved just that in the month of November.
Brown didn't vote on multiple items brought before the House in that month, but more specifically he didn't vote on H.R. 3961: The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. I guess his rhetoric of reforming Medicare is just that - rhetoric.
The bill passed 243-183 and has been applauded medical associations and patient advocates. The three remaining Republican congressmen did vote - No.
Under H.R. 3961, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) would be replaced with a new formula in which only physician services, and not other services provided incidentally to a physician visit (such as laboratory services or drugs), would be counted in each category; the update for 2010 would be the percentage increase in the Medicare economic index (MEI), which is 1.2 percent; and the new SGR formula would take into account spending for each category of service since 2009 or, beginning in 2014, for the previous five years.
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Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 16:19:35 PM EST
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South Carolina's junior Senator tells us how he really feels: DeMint asked supporters to remember "Senate seats are not about a particular state. Every vote I take is about our country, it's not about South Carolina." Talking Points Memo Conservatives Emboldened: DeMint Says 'Army Of Americans' Will Fight For Freedom In '10 Tell us something we don't know... Regarding the Senate vote on unemployment insurance that went off a moment ago, it’s worth noting that the only opponent was Sen. Jim DeMint (R), who represents South Carolina, where the unemployment rate of 11.6 percent happens to be the fifth highest in the country.
We’ve got a call in to DeMint’s office to ask for the reason behind the senator’s resistance to the bill. There are roughly 250,000 out-of-work South Carolinians who are likely very interested to hear the response. The Washington Independent But What Will Jobless South Carolinians Think? H/t @spiralgypsy
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Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 01:36:40 AM EDT
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I don't see this as an option to get the public option into the legislation but a way in which politicians without a spine can say they tried and when your State chooses not to participate, millions of Americans will once again go without coverage. Why compromise, what is good and right should stand upon its own merits and be decided up or down. But now, Democrats have shown their own splits (and lack of intestinal fortitude) as far as the public option and how the Health Care Insurance Industry still calls the shots in Washington. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) and possible 2012 Presidential candidate has already formed an opinion, even though two Progressive Democrats are U.S. Senators and Democrats have a large influence in the state. Pawlenty stated when asked this question: "But you would lead a charge in your state to opt out if that was an option available?
PAWLENTY: I think so because I don't like government run health care." Minnesotans without health care should thank the Governor for already deciding not to assist them and allow a public option. Include in the downsides to the Opt-Out Public Option is that it will not achieve universal competition, a factor that President Obama stated he wanted in health care reform. You can guarantee that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford will opt out because of the Republican/Libertarian Governor's stance on the Stimulus Package and his participation in the Stimulus only came through force by the State Supreme Court. Democrats need to realize the Republicans won't even put aside their political wrangling to pass the unemployment extension without creating a ruckess over ACORN and the Real Estate Tax Credit and you seriously think they will allow any sort of public option-whether it is opt out or not? Is there public support for the public option? A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has 57% supporting the government ran health care plan and 40% opposing the plan, with 56 percent of Republicans support this type of public option.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/10/20/GR2009102000148.html?sid=ST2009101902502 Keith Olbermann came up with the new catch phrase for the public option as "Medicare for Everybody". So why should Democrats cave on this all important issue of health care? Why do we allow our politicians to constantly cave to the corporate masters and put the lives of everyday Americans at risk in the interest of the health car insurance industry? We need this done right the first time and not get a "water down" bill that will basically put everyone were we are at now, but probably further in the control of the health care insurance industry. Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-NY) office released an internal study showing that 151 members of Congress "currently receive government-funded; government-administered single-payer health care — Medicare." Of those 151 members, 55 are Republicans who also happen to be "steadfastly opposed to Americans getting the public option. Included on Weiner’s list are anti-public option crusaders Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Orin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Peter King (R-NY). The list of Congressional recipients of Medicare who also oppose the public option is below: Rep. Ralph M. Hall
Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett
Rep. Sam Johnson
Rep. C.W. Bill Young
Rep. Howard Coble
Sen. Jim Bunning
Sen. Richard G. Lugar
Rep. Don Young
Sen. Charles E. Grassley
Sen. Robert F. Bennett
Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch
Sen. Richard C. Shelby
Rep. Jerry Lewis
Sen. James M. Inhofe
Rep. Ron Paul
Rep. Henry E. Brown
Sen. Pat Roberts
Sen. George V. Voinovich
Sen. John McCain
Rep. Judy Biggert
Sen. Thad Cochran
Rep. Harold Rogers
Rep. Dan Burton
Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon
Rep. Frank R. Wolf
Sen. Christopher S. Bond
Rep. Michael N. Castle
Rep. Joe Pitts
Rep. Tom Petri
Sen. Lamar Alexander
Rep. Doc Hastings
Rep. Cliff Stearns
Rep. Sue Myrick
Rep. John Carter
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Sen. Jon Kyl
Rep. Phil Gingrey
Rep. Nathan Deal
Rep. John Linder
Rep. Kay Granger
Rep. John L. Mica
Rep. Walter B. Jones
Sen. Jim Risch
Rep. Ed Whitfield
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner
Rep. Virginia Foxx
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite
Sen. Saxby Chambliss
Sen. Michael B. Enzi
Rep. Elton Gallegly
Rep. Donald Manzullo
Rep. Peter T. King
Rep. Ander Crenshaw So members of Congress, if your health care insurance plan and your public option are good enough for you, why do millions of Americans have to suffer with the "table scraps" you are willing to give them?
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Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 15:52:17 PM EDT
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I cannot believe the Senators would become so entrenched and in a sense, arrogant, concerning the MILLIONS who have exhausted their unemployment extension benefits. With Senator Shaheen attempting to give all states 4 weeks and the states above 8.5%-13 weeks will essentially kill the bill and cost more time, which the good people out of work don't have. When the U.S. House of Representatives debated the issue of covering all states for 4 weeks of unemployment extension during floor debate in the last week of September, and they resolved to keep the minimum rate at 8.5 percent to ensure their $1.4 billion proposal did not add to the deficit. Any attempt to raise that number would likely require lawmakers to raise the unemployment tax from $14 a year to something much higher and probably cause this bill, S. 1699, and HR 3548 to stall or worse, die! What needs to occur is to pass the 13 weeks now (S. 1699) for the states above 8.5% and create another bill to extend the other states the additional 4 weeks. Those who have exhausted their benefits in high unemployment states are in dired straits and it seems that Congress has no problem giving themselves an automatic pay increase, current salary of $174,000. Write and/or contact your Senators to vote yes for the unemployment extension bill currently in the Senate (S. 1699). Contact Congress Congress, specifically the Senate, has forgotten the term "We the People" and who actually elects them. We need to put the heat on them and make them truly do the "People's Work". This has went on since August 7, 2009, in the Senate and they had ample time to be prepared for this bill. The House was able to push through HR. 3548.
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Wed Sep 23, 2009 at 05:23:07 AM EDT
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( - promoted by Tim Kelly)
The conservative right in Congress and in the mainstream are attacking the health care reform packages put forward by the President and Democratic Leadership as an enhancement for illegal immigrants. Furthermore the conservatives believe that any public option would attrack even more illegal immigration. This is absolutely false and could be further from the truth; it is only an attempt to circumvent real health care reform.
What is now occurring involves a real debate on illegal immigration and the lack of attention to this important issue. Health Care Reform is now making the Administration and Congress address this important issue and how illegal immigration deals with the health care reform debate. Congress, along with the current and prior Presidents, have not been forceful to create a true immigration reform package to end illegal immigration and put all illegal immigrants either on the books or out of the country. We cannot move forward on any true reform with health care or immigration unless both issues are addressed.
All we have to look at an example of how to deal with the immigration issue is in Canada. In Canada they have universal health coverage, a large immigration program, and very few undocumented workers. In Canada, they do not tolerate illegal immigration because of the cost to the government guaranteed medical care. The Canadian immigration system is more difficult than the U.S. system and thereby is the gate keeper also for the Canadian health care system. Per an immigration report in 2003 from the Canadian government, the estimated number of undocumented people living in Canada is somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000, compared to 20 million in the U.S. When compared to United States, illegal immigration to Canada is less.
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Mon Sep 21, 2009 at 03:35:44 AM EDT
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Montana Senator Max Baucus reveled his health care reform proposal and is already drawing fire from both sides of the aisle. The plan has no government run health care option, it requires individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine ($3,800), prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, prohibits insurance companies from imposing caps on payouts, provides tax credits to help low- and middle-income families purchase insurance, and creates a Web-based insurance exchange making purchasing insurance and comparing plans. The price tag is estimated to be $856 billion over 10 years and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the plan to cost $774 billion over 10 years and a savings of $49 billion to the deficit over ten years. The plan does not include a "public option" and the plan would be paid for by $507 billion in reductions to existing government health programs and $349 billion in new taxes and fees. The White House being desperate for some sort of health care reform package, Blue Dog Democrats, and moderate Republicans seem to support the plan as a compromise. However, it doesn't take much investigating to see why Senator Baucus may have capitulated to the Health Care Industry. When reviewing where the Senator gets his donations, Senator Max Baucus has received almost $2 million from the Health Care Industry. So what are the issues with the Baucus Plan: •No Public Option-The Baucus Plan has no public option and instead proposes $6 billion in start-up funds to non-profit health insurance cooperatives. Progressive Senators Jay Rockefeller, Russ Feingold, and Roland Burris have stated their disapproval with the Baucus Plan not including a "public option" and that the idea of health care cooperatives being an untested and unproven solution. Furthermore, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, states she supports a bill with the "public option" and would put forward such a plan in the House. •New Taxes on Insurance Companies-The Baucus Plan implements a new tax on "high-value insurance plans", those worth $21,000 for a family and $8,000 for an individual. This new tax is feared to attack the middle class, union workers who have fought hard for generous health plans, and would hurt American workers who have coverage. Some Democrats want to capture only the super-expensive plans of the wealthy, rather than a tax on the middle class insurance plans. •Free Rider Provision-The Baucus Plan implements a "free rider" provision that is meant to ensure that employers don't forgo their responsibility to help employees purchase health insurance. This accomplished by imposing a tax on employers to assist employees, to purchase insurance, who qualify for federal insurance subsidies. The problem with the "free rider" provision is that employers may discourage employers without health insurance coverage from hiring employees who are low to moderate income. So what is wrong with Senator Baucus' proposal? To begin, it did not reach the objectives of President Obama's reforms and may cost millions of Americans more for their health care. Under the Baucus proposal, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden states, "a family earning three times the poverty level -- $66,150 for a family of four -- would have to pay up to 13 percent of their income for health insurance." This is clearly outside of the objectives of the President, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate Majority Leader. So we waited 3 months to get a proposal that will not help everyday Americans get the coverage and health care the so deserve and need. It is also clear that Senator Baucus capitulated to the Health Care Industry and truly did a disservice to the American people.
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Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 13:14:31 PM EDT
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Joe Wilson's Democratic challenger has now surpassed the three-quarters of a million dollars mark. As of noon today this evening, Rob Miller has raked in over $775,000 $1,000,000 in campaign contributions and picked up more than 21,000 25,000 new donors since Wilson's "You Lie!" outburst Wednesday night.
And he's not done yet.
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Thu Sep 10, 2009 at 18:48:59 PM EDT
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Rob Miller’s team has to be loving life today.
Thanks to his opponent Joe Wilson’s now infamous “You lie!” outburst during the President’s congressional address last night, the Beaufort Democrat has raised more than HALF A MILLION DOLLARS online in less than 24 hours.
That’s a lot of dough, people -- especially for the usually low-profile Second District race, which CQ Politics currently rates “Leans Republican.”
It’s also a vast improvement over Miller’s second quarter cash on hand total of just $48,974 and is likely to make Rep. Wilson ($211,604 COH) begin to sweat his 2010 rematch.
Thus far, the bulk of Miller’s mounting e-donations have come courtesy of Daily Kos, which put out multiple calls for Netroots supporters to contribute to Wilson’s Dem challenger on ActBlue. As of 6 p.m. today, Miller has amassed a gobsmacking 13,000 contributors from across the country.
So how are Joe Wilson and SC Republicans responding to this blue tidal wave of donations now pouring into Rob Miller’s campaign war chest?
This afternoon SC GOP consulting firm Richard Quinn and Associates (RQA), which represents the Congressman, launched an “I’m With Joe Wilson” t-shirt campaign and began pushing a “Back Joe Wilson” fundraising effort on Twitter and via email. Similarly, fellow RQA client Lindsey Graham told Fox News today he’d work to make sure that Wilson was re-elected next year, implying that the U.S. Senator would be willing to dole out some of his $2.7 million in campaign funds to aid his old friend. Not too shabby. (Update: Wilson also has hired GOP new media guru David All to handle his online crisis PR.)
On the national front, Fox New’s Sean Hannity has launched his own fundraising drive to help Wilson continue his fight against evil “Obamacare.” Redstate also is calling on the Rightroots to defend the GOP incumbent against the onslaught of shifty liberals hellbent on "destroy[ing] Joe Wilson." Um, okay…
Anyway, looking forward at the SC-02 race, two questions spring to mind: one, how much will this new infusion of cash help Rob Miller close in on Joe Wilson in 2010? Second, given the national prominence this race has received in the last 24 hours, will more Democratic or Republican challengers emerge to take on Wilson next year?
Thoughts?
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Thu Sep 10, 2009 at 05:26:28 AM EDT
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1. Military Frame: I was in the military, serving with the U.S. Army Airborne. One of the most important things we learn is respect. Respect for God, Country, and our Superiors; especially the Commander-in-Chief no matter who it is. Not only does the office of the President deserve respect, but anyone with military experience should understand that proper respect needs to be paid to our Commander in Chief.
2. Are you for a public option. I am for any option or combination of options that helps the high number of unemployed in South Carolina to afford coverage, and helps hard working families already struggling in a tough economy be able to afford coverage. To let partisan heckling and bantering supercede this important issue is entirely wrong. The healthcare of the citizens our country isn't an issue of right and left --- it's an issue of right and wrong.
3. The kind of rude partisianship we saw tonight is what makes it impossible to get anything done in Washington. It is more important to some, to heckle the other side of the aisle than to work towards a real solution that helps the American people. We need people in Washington who understand firsthand the problems facing small business, and hard-working families. I know this and I've struggled to provide adequate care for my daughter who has autism and tried to cut corners to help my employees afford healthcare coverage. Joe Wilson is not representative of the people of his district nor of South Carolina.
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