Nelson: No Deadlines--Or Taxes On The Wealthy--For Health Reform
The Democrats may have a 60-member caucus--large enough in theory to circumvent enough a Republican health care reform filibuster. But two of those 60 are gravely ill, and one is Ben Nelson.
The Senate Finance Committee--of which Ben Nelson is not a member--has yet to introduce health care legislation after falling several weeks behind schedule. It has been unable to reach agreement in that time on key issues like the public option, and has reportedly dropped, for largely political reasons, a financing mechanism that would have lifted the tax-exclusion on employer-provided health care benefits.
And, it seems, the panel has also rejected the House's broadly popular proposal of paying for health care reform by imposing a small surtax on wealthy Americans.
If the Finance Committee's bill serves as the basis of reform, many observers think it will be inadequate, or that its legislation will arrive too late to pass, as members gear up for the 2010 mid-term elections. Yesterday, President Obama said, "we have finally reached a point where...the choice to defer reform is nothing more than a decision to defend the status quo."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Without that small surtax on the wealthy the Finance Committee's plan will be way more expensive. It'd add another half trillion dollars to the nat'l debt our kids and grandkids have to pay. Let's hear Nelson and the Republicans explain that away.
Senator Nelson half the country is within a day's driving distance to Nebraska. There's millions of us ready and willing to finance, canvass and phonebank for a primary challenger to you in your next election. Don't make us come out there and do it.
July 17, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. I'd get a second job just to donate to Nelson's challenger!
July 17, 2009 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
President Obama...put the fucking hammer down on this complete ass of of a democrat! If he blocks and obstruct Health Care reform...and there are no repercussions from Ried..then drop the hammer on Reid as well!
July 17, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second!
July 17, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Nelson,
Since it seems these past 6 months have rubbed off your Teflon-coated memory, allow this fair passage:
The only interest in bi-partisanship that non-moderate Republicans have in mind is the "bi-partisanship" where you course completely across the dancefloor to meet them where they are standing with arms firmly crossed and a scowl on their face.
And trotting merrily over to them like a fluffy bunny? It earns you no respect from your constituents, no respect from Progressives, no respect for watering down any meaningful legislation that might be able to be passed.
History will judge, and it will mark you poorly.
July 17, 2009 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sen. Nelson should have had his fingers slapped for opposing the nomination of Dawn Johnsen because she has a prochoice history even though the post is one without responsibility in that area. This is tantamount to imposing a religious qualification.
But in retaliation Obama should refuse to appoint anyone who is right to life or from Nebraska until health care is passed and Dawn Johnsen is approved.
Currently, Ben Nelson thinks that his actions will not have repercussios.
Time for arm-twisting.
July 17, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
He opposed the stimulus at every step as well, so this is very much "par" for the course for Sen Nelson. I am not sure how much disparity exist in Sen Nelson state with income in-equality but something tells me his statements merely reflect the words that his top donors may find comfort in. The Richest in our nation have been getting richer and the poor have been getting poorer, while the middle class has seen for the first time in over 50 years a loss in income during Bush's 8 years in office. Sen Nelson may say that this is a non-starter and he can definitely make this process more difficult but something tells me the other side of this is that if his words become to high profile he might find himself as a former Sen.
July 17, 2009 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Nelson is not a "moderate Democrat." He's an anti-Democrat. He doesn't have any principles other than consciously opposing the Democratic agenda at every step.
July 17, 2009 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
In other words, Nelson doesn't want reform.
Fine.
We're not asking you to vote for it, asshat. We just want the chance for Senators to get the vote. So vote for cloture, and vote against any bill that doesn't pass your purity test.
July 17, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had to wake up to this, it makes me want to put my coffee down and grab a beer. Spike my coffee with some whiskey? Hmmmmmmm.
Nelson needs to explain himself and what he wants. Otherwise, this is sabotage, pure and simple.
July 17, 2009 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nelson doesn't want anything but the status quo.
July 17, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. I'd like to see him try and explain that though.
July 17, 2009 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ben Nelson really doesn't give a damn about the health and well-being of his own constituents. Everything he has done that I have seen on this bill has been geared toward delay or watering done the bill.
Really, the guy seems obsessed with superficial image concerns for himself and the final deal. Nothing I've seen him propose provides more or better health care (beyond bland generalities), just protection for the big insurance companies.
July 17, 2009 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Assuming there is no free lunch, if the wealthy aren't being taxed, guess who is being taxed? If you exclude Warren Buffett, Senator Ben is sticking it to his own constituents.
July 17, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Not that the dogma blinded fools are capable of following that two step logic trail.
Primary the sorry sack of shit. Pump up a liberal with out of state donations, activate the local base and toss his sorry ass out of power. Sure, a better Democrat can't win in Nebraska, but at this point, I really am beyond giving a good goddamn. In this one instance, contrary to everything I believe as a general rule, I'd rather have a real open Republican than this wolf in the fold.
It's incredible, but I have actually come to hate this corrupt, halfwitted pustule on the ass of the body politic more than hate Traitor Joe and Zell Miller. I didn't think that was possible.
July 17, 2009 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink