A gamble Republicans were willing to take (because they don't care)

[ProSense]

A GAMBLE REPUBLICANS WERE WILLING TO TAKE....

Political parties are traditionally motivated by fear of public revulsion. To take steps that make the party's members look like monsters is rarely a good idea.

So it was interesting this week to see congressional Republicans overwhelmingly reject the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would pay health care costs for 9/11 rescue workers, sickened after exposure to the toxic smoke and debris. In the House, more than 90% of GOP lawmakers opposed the bill. In the Senate, a unanimous Republican caucus found the bill so offensive, they wouldn't even give it an up-or-down vote.

Fear of appearing sociopathic probably should have led to a few more Republican votes. After all, it's not exactly a compelling message to take to the electorate: we'll fight tooth and nail for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, but we'll also reject health care costs for 9/11 rescue workers.

And why would Republicans take a risk like this, especially over legislation that was both affordable and paid for? Because they're probably confident most Americans won't hear a word about this.

<...>

I suppose one could argue that major media outlets might have given this more coverage if Democrats were more effective at raising a fuss. Perhaps. But news organizations should be able to recognize important developments on their own, whether partisans tell them what's newsworthy or not.

<...>

Breaking: Republicans still don't care.

[jaxx]

1. That was a low down and dirty vote.

The party of no, who has used 911 as their good luck charm for all these years, now says piss on you to the responders. This will be used against them in 2012.....a noun, a verb and nothing for the responders.

[AndyTiedye]

2. They Don't Care. They Don't Have To. The Media is On Their Side NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO

[killbotfactory]

3. I'm amazed that people think the repubs give a crap about the unemployed or middle class

What planet did they come from where republicans give a shit about non-millionaires?

The worse off the country gets, the more people will blame Obama and take it out on the democrats come election time.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. Crucify Me. I See The Compromise As A TACTICAL Retreat

We repair the economy as much as we can, get Obama reelected, and start beating them when we regroup and regain our strength...

Rememeber a tactical retreat is a good thing. It's what we did in WW ll against the Japanese when we retreated from the Philippines. We regrouped and eventually liberated the entire continent.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. Agreed

KNR

[truthspeak]

7. Yup...you see it.

[corkhead]

8. wow, not even a mention of "keeping powder dry"

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Inapt

We don't have "powder" to keep dry...

[niceypoo]

10. I see it as a lack of basic morals

And a lack of ideals

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. Retreating From The Philippines, Regrouping, And Liberating It Later

Displayed a lack of basic morals and ideals.

[high density]

12. It seems we've been on the retreat since January 20, 2009.

There wasn't a thing we couldn't water down to please the Republicans, even though it got us virtually no additional support from them.

[OHdem10]

5. They probably care but they care about things different from us.

700Billion Tax Cut for the Rich means 700Billion in
cuts to Government Services for Middle Class and Poor.

They care for the Rich and Business Interests. Our
Biggest Mistake is expecting them to care about
the Middle Class and Poor. This is not their objective.

We the Democrats used to be the Advocates for the Middle
Class and Poor. Now our Party competes with the Republicans
to service the Rich and Business.


. 700Billion Tax Cuts for Rich means
or equals 700 Billion in Cuts from Education
SS Medicare Medicaid and other Government
Services.

[JamesA1102]

13. I think this proves that Republicans can't be shammed into anything.

They've been saying no for 2 years and the voters rewarded them for it.

[lunatica]

14. And Bin Laden does another little victory dance

9/11 is the gift that just keeps on giving for the terrorists. It was a true win for them.