Krugman Slams Gang Of Six As Hypocrites

[babylonsister]

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/the-six-deadly-hypocrites/

The six deadly hypocrites


Will the destructive center kill health care reform? It looks all too possible.

What’s especially galling is the hypocrisy of their claimed reason for delaying progress — concern about the fiscal burden. After all, in the past most of them have shown no concern at all for the nation’s long-term fiscal outlook.

Case in point: the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which denied Medicare the right to bargain for lower drug prices, locked in overpayments to private insurance companies, and did nothing, nothing at all, to pay for its proposed outlays. How many of these six self-proclaimed defenders of solvency voted no on the crucial procedural vote? One. (Joe Lieberman, to my surprise.)

And let’s not forget that Ben Nelson, who appears to be the ringleader, has fought tooth and nail against competition from a public option — which would almost certainly save a significant amount of money, as well as providing much-needed competition.

If the Gang of Six really does kill reform, remember their names; they will bear the responsibility for vast, unnecessary suffering over the years to come.

[Wetzelbill]

1. I read that last night

Totally dead on. Cenk Uygur talked about them on The Young Turks too. Amazing the lengths these people will go to get in the way of this stuff. Makes me sick to think that even Dems are that bought and paid for.

[Selatius]

2. They do it out of a combination of self-interest and fear, fear of corporate power.

I'm sure somebody like Ben Nelson is afraid of the idea of health insurance companies running ads 24/7 calling him a socialist because he didn't block reform the next time he comes up for re-election in Nebraska, which is a red state. Either that, or he really is poisoned in the mind and does think what the Democrats are proposing is outright socialism. In that case, he's just stupid and scared.

[OregonBlue]

7. The pharma industry has been running ads here in Oregon thanking Ron Wyden for being so centrist.

[Bonn1997]

3. I'm coming to think that politics is about nothing more than retaining power--not serving the public

I used to think/hope that Dems or at least some Dems were exceptions to this generalization but I don't think they are. They'll do what's in their own interest when conflicts with the public's interest every time.

[chill_wind]

4. You're fast approaching

your 1000th post, just noticed. :hi:

We have to continue work for change. Don't give up.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090720/kaufmann

https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/donate.asp?formid=meet&c=9117436

[Bonn1997]

14. Thanks! I'm here to stay and I'll keep supporting progressives...

not DINOs like my local Congressman though (Bobby Bright).

[xchrom]

5. spot fucking on. nt

[xchrom]

6. spot fucking on. nt

[northernlights]

8. Snowe and Collins have taken to sending weekly emails

on how much good they're doing.

Every week I hit reply with a variation on the h/c theme:

NO TRIGGER. NO DELAY. NO GAMES. PUBLIC OPTION / SINGLE PAYER NOW...OR NO DEAL!

[mzmolly]

9. We need an organized plan as activists,

their obstruction is simply unacceptable.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

10. Speaking of - what's preventing them from going back and altering that stupid provision of

non-negotiation of drug prices since they're so concerned about costs and all?

Oh, right - they WERE'NT concerned about holding down costs, only about pumping UP the profits of their campaign contributors.

[FrenchieCat]

11. You think Newsweek will have him back on the cover with that quote under his pic?

Naw...didn't think so.

[Cha]

12. Not when it's helping Pres Obama and

the people of our country.

[mmonk]

13. Thank you babylonsister. Recommended.

[DeltaLitProf]

15. This is why anything worth Obama signing

. . . will have to pass using the Reconciliation process. These false Democrats and Republicans will prevent us from getting the 60 needed to shut down debate and vote on the bill. Obama cannot say so yet, however. But we will see whether Obama actually has the courage to go that far for a GOOD bill or whether he will settle for what he can call a bipartisan political victory he thinks he can keep Congress with in Nov. 10.

[depakid]

16. Memo to Ron Wyden

Once upon a time, you started out with the support of a group called the grey panthers.

That's right- you were an advocate for elderly folks.

Somewhere along the way- you seem to have forgotten about that. And so, a lot of us think maybe it's time for you to come home.

If we have to replace you with a Republican- we will.