We've Got The Votes!

[Me.]

"Democratic aides: We've got the votes. "Today we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act," Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on the House floor Saturday evening. Politico is reporting that Democrats have at least the 218 votes needed to pass the bill. Four Democratic aides tell HuffPost the same thing."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/07/house-health-care-vote-br_n_349468.html&cp

[HughMoran]

1. When is the vote!!

I want to watch it, but every time I turn to CSPAN, some idiot is speaking nonsense.

[Me.]

2. Same Here

Right now they're doing the fake HC bill and will have to vote on it, then I believe we get to the real bill.

Just have to say, Joe Barton...ick, double ick/

[Me.]

6. More Info

"A note of caution: Republicans are still allowed a parliamentary procedure known as a "motion to recommit." Within that motion, they could include any sort of mischief they see fit: conventional wisdom is that the motion will include some language concerning illegal immigration, but if any decision has been made, aides are being mum about it. Depending on whether it passes and how it impacts the bill, it could sway a vote or two on final passage, but it's unlikely, because the motion can be ignored as the House and Senate work to merge their bills later in the legislative process.

A Dem aide guessed that 9:30 PM ET was looking like a rough approximation of the time for a final vote."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/07/house-health-care-vote-br_n_349468.html&cp

[HughMoran]

7. Nice - so hopefully within an hour or so

:woohoo:

[Scurrilous]

3. Good news!

K & R :thumbsup:

[ixion]

4. yeah, the insurance companies have rented Santa Monica

in celebratory anticipation.

:puke:

[Arugula Latte]

5. Good, but it's pathetic this is even in question, given our large majority.

Goddamn these dissenting, wimpy, traitorous, spineless "Democrats" we have in our caucus. :grr:

[naaman fletcher]

8. I hate to say it, but I hope this bill is defeated.

To me, this is an example of government at it's worst. It is worse than doing nothing.

Look at what is going on:

A. We win the election in large part due to the demand for single-payer health care.
B. The insurance and pharma companies go apeshit, and launch a campaign to have it derailed.


They settle as follows:

1. Dems get to say that everyone is now covered.
2. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES GET A LAW PASSED THAT EVERYONE HAS TO BUY THEIR OVERPRICED PRODUCT OR FACE GOING TO JAIL.

WTF? How can anybody be for this?

Is there a better example of fascism than the government and industry colluding so that the government passes a law requiring everyone to buy the industries product? This is particularly bad given that the insurance companies have an exemption to the anti-trust laws. That's right, they farking collude, and then con the dems into passing a law making everyone buy their product.

Again, what the fucking fuck?

[kid a]

10. man, you really need to (a) get your facts staright (1) not lie

a. wrong
-Obama was voted into office because George BUsh was the worst President ever.

1. incorrect
Dems have never said everyone in covered.

-hyperbolic nonsense is for michelle bachman

[naaman fletcher]

12. ok, so your position is:

There was no mandate for universal coverage

and that,

You are cool with everyone not being covered?

[quiet.american]

11. This is what I call an example of malignant idealism.

Why would anyone be for this bill? Are you serious? Have you even bothered to read the GOOD THINGS that are in this bill?

I did not cast my vote for Dems with a demand for "single payer." I didn't even know what that was. But I knew Obama would look to reform insurance company practices and in doing so, there might be a chance I would be able to get health insurance at an affordable cost.

Well, this bill accomplishes that. To sneer at this bill is to really to spit in the face of people this bill will immediately provide relief to.

And for what? Sometimes idealism goes too far and the net result is a check mark in the win column for the teabaggers et al.

[naaman fletcher]

13. LOL..

He is reforming insurance company practices by requiring everyone to buy their product?


We can hope that they become properly regulated, but that is not likely to be the case. Large industries tend to "capture" the regulators. Just look at the financial industry.

[quiet.american]

14. I get it. You actually are just not aware of what's in the bill. nt

[naaman fletcher]

16. Please educate me then..

[quiet.american]

24. If you're interested:

Go to:
http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/10/affordable-health-care.shtml

I downloaded the bill and while I didn't read all 1990 pages, I've read through enough of it, and the available summaries, to be able to identify real reform of insurance company practices (not that it's that hard to spot). By this point, perhaps you're up for doing the same.

[Me.]

18. I See it As A Foundation For Change

The door will now be open and once out of the box, it cannot be put back in. Over time changes will be made and eventually it will hopefully lead us to universal health care. But we have to start somewhere.

[quiet.american]

26. We're on the same page - absolutely!

:toast:

[HughMoran]

15. You're a real fletcher

:rofl:

[Laelth]

21. +1 It's a bad bill, but it will probably make it through this round.

But the game's not up. We'll see whether the Senate can pass anything, and then we'll see whether the final bill is bad enough to turn off the Progressive Caucus.

:dem:

-Laelth

[jezebel]

9. I hope so. Politico is reporting 34 Dem. no's. We can lose 40. nt

[Me.]

22. Those Dems Need To Be Kicked In The Pants

And for their own sake they better start reading the polls that are coming out saying if you oppose HC you will not get the votes of the under 40's or indies

[timeforpeace]

17. Not good. Winning this with a handful of votes means losing it down the road. Need a big win.

[HughMoran]

20. Explain that twisted logic

:freak:

[Faygo Kid]

19. I'm kind of an "insider" in DC. This is going to pass.

Our whip count projects 222 votes, conservatively; could reach 225. Pelosi may release a couple votes from really tough districts, but 218 is in the bag.

[Me.]

23. Yahoo!

:woohoo:

[quiet.american]

25. Don't take it personally, but -- I love you! nt

[Faygo Kid]

27. I will sleep better tonight knowing that.

Actually, I might be kind of restless knowing that . . .

[quiet.american]

28. :) nt