Reid: "We Only Have 60 Votes On Paper"

Harry Reid is developing a creeping case of dementia if he doesn't know the difference between public and private, or the difference between passing legislation under budget reconciliation rules or not. He needs to step down as majority leader, NOW!

Whine, whine, whine. I am sick of all the whining. Get sh*t done or get out of the way and let someone else get sh*t done. This is ridiculous.

If the Senate Democrats could pass comprehensive health care reform by majority vote via reconciliation we wouldn't be having this ridiculous argument

HELLO!

But they can't and that is Reid's point. They'll probably end up trying but Reid is right. They're going to get 3/4 of a bill.

But there is a potential way around the Byrd Rule as well. Democrats are envisioning an unusual two-track approach. Under this strategy, some of the most contentious elements of the health plan — new taxes and fees as well as savings from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs — would be packaged in one bill that could be passed by a simple majority.

A second measure would contain the policy changes and program expansions and would be treated like an ordinary bill, subject to filibuster and amendment. But the thinking is that this legislative sidecar would contain enough popular programs to attract the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Voilà — a health care bill.

Of course, there are still potential pitfalls, including this one: If some senators are angry that the first bill squeaks through, they might not want to cooperate in providing help to pass the second one, whether they like it or not.

Democrats and other experts looking into the process acknowledge that it would require advanced legislative acrobatics. But they believe it could and should be done if there is no alternative.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/us/politics/02hulse.html?scp=4&sq=budget+reconciliation&st=nyt

The Public Option is alive.

Make. Them. Filibuster. And then make them famous for doing so.

What's the difference if you keep pushing back putting the bill on the floor or you put the bill on the floor and the GOP filibusters their heart out - both result in a delayed bill, but in the filibustering case the GOP are forced to show their colors and piss off most moderates/independents who will understand that 50+1 majority rules and has always ruled.

Harry Reid: "I only have balls on paper."

If the only health care reform we can get is bipartisan health care reform, we probably should forget the whole thing. Eventually, the system will collapse utterly and someone can pick-up the pieces. In the interim, concentrate on ways to provide care to those who can't provide their own; protect Medicaid and CHIP from manipulations by opportunists in the States, end Medicare Part C., reform Medicare Part D to allow bargaining, try to find a way to subsidize persons who can't qualify for Medicaid, reform COBRA to lower costs or provide subsidies.

Jesus harry, grow a pair for GODS SAKES AND LEAD.....