Jared Polis -- on our team? (Bait and Switch on Healthcare)

[dave29]

Please check out the diary over at Kos regarding Polis's bait and switch re: Healthcare.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/3/761063/-Did-Congressman-Kossack-Jared-Polis-baitswitch-on-healthcare-Urgent-anti-teabagger-action-items.

The backstory here which is being reported by sources on the Hill is that Progressive Caucus met last week to figure out their strategy on dealing with the Blue Dogs, thirty or so members showed up for the meeting, they were unanimous in opposing the Waxman/Bluedog Compromise Energy and Commerce Bill. Everyone at the meeting was on board in their opposition--everyone that is but Jared Polis. Polis also notably didn't sign the famous 57 signature letter to Speaker Pelosi.

Polis is saying he's worried that modest new taxes on the wealthy could "cost jobs in the recession". The problem for Polis is, this is a straight up Republican talking point--just ask John Boehner.The other issue with this nonsensical argument is that skyrocketing healthcare costs are destroying small business across the county.

Polis can run around during his campaign and talk about how much he supports single payer but if he doesn't approve of the way to fund President Obama's reform plan, then he's opposed to reform. These are his words, "I strongly support this bill, especially the inclusion of a public option, except how we plan to pay for it," said Polis. The CFO of this lab also donated to Polis. It's the only donation I can find on record for him.


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I came to know about Polis while researching a billing issue with a lab that charged over $1800 for a urinalysis and which is now being investigated by the Texas Medical Board. The CFO of this lab (In California) had worked as a finance guy for Arthur Laffer (supply side economics moran under Reagan), who it turns out had been telling all his friends to donate to Polis:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/nov/29/swift-boat-donors-explain-their-aid-polis/


"Another donor, Arthur Gray Jr., of New Hampshire, said his friend Arthur Laffer, economist and former adviser to President Reagan, asked him to donate to Polis.

Gray said Laffer knows Polis and described the Internet entrepreneur as a "very good guy" who believes in "supply side economics."

Asked about the donations, Polis said, "If conservatives want to support me in stopping the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars to the war in Iraq, then so be it."

"I'm not surprised that people of all walks of life and across the political spectrum are supporting my efforts," he added.

But Polis' two Democratic rivals in the 2nd Congressional District, Joan Fitz-Gerald and Will Shafroth, attacked the donations because Beaman and Gray also contributed in 2004 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The group paid for ads attacking Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's Vietnam War record."

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The more I know about Polis and his admirers, the less I think he's on our team re: Healthcare.

[Touchdown]

1. I was torn on Polis with my support.

I really liked Fitzgerald and wanted her in, but Polis is openly gay (it happens so rarely, it's special every time), so my loyalties got mixed up in the primary. I just stayed out of it, since Polis told us everything we wanted to hear.

Now, I'm not so sure. Gay or not, he's a turncoat on Healthcare.

[GardeningGal]

2. I liked Fitzgerald but Polis beat her in the primary.

Looks to me like Polis doesn't want a tax increase because he's one of the wealthy that would be impacted.

[paulk]

3. If I lived in district 2 I would have supported Fitzgerald

Polis basically bought his seat - I'm always suspicious of people who haven't put their time in in political service just coming in and using thier fortunes to get elected, Republican or Democrat.



Hopefully the voters of district 2, which is a pretty liberal district, will set him straight.