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In Bid To Derail Health Care Reform, GOP Delays Passage Of Troop Funding
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With Democrats closing in on passing a Senate health care bill, Republicans are upping the obstruction--and they're playing chicken with U.S. troops to do so.
Way back on December 2nd, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) filed a single-payer amendment to the Senate health care bill, which was supposed to come up for a vote this afternoon. But at the last moment, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), at the behest Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), demanded that the entire 700-plus page amendment be read aloud on the floor. That's happening now.
Under normal circumstances, this would be a 10 or 12 hour dilatory tactic. But not today. Today, Democrats were planning to file for cloture on the Defense Appropriations bill, in order to get it passed by Friday before midnight when department funding runs out. If the entire amendment is read aloud, it's likely that the Senate won't be able to pass the defense bill until Saturday at the earliest, and would have to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep money flowing.
"The only thing that Sen. Coburn's stunt achieves is to stop us from moving to the DoD appropriations bill that funds our troops - not exactly the kind of Christmas gift that our troops were expecting from Dr. No," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
For their part, Republicans aren't exactly being coy about what their play is.
"We're doing everything we can to stop this bill," McConnell spokesman Don Stewart told reporters this afternoon.
We'll let you know if the reading gets interrupted, and the Senate returns to normal business. But the GOP seems pretty serious about derailing the health care bill by any means necessary.
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tinmanic
December 16, 2009 1:41 PM
I don't understand. There isn't going to be a single-payer health plan. Why is this amendment even on the table?
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superking
December 16, 2009 3:06 PM in reply to tinmanic
Because it's a farce that single payer was never debated in the so-called "health care debate."
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dudeguy
December 16, 2009 1:42 PM
There's less than a minute to go, they're down by 20, and they're still fouling. Classy.
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Walter Mitty
December 16, 2009 1:43 PM
It's Sanders at fault here - this is probably going to fail 96-3 but he wants his amendment voted on I guess.
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wyt
December 16, 2009 2:12 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Sanders' fault that the Republicans are beneath all standards by which they might qualify as human beings? Unless you can demonstrate that Sanders has stood single-handedly to prevent his Republican colleagues from being put into the FEMA camps, your case that this is his fault is about like the husband saying, "I had to beat you because you're too beautiful, and other men look at you."
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draftedin68
December 16, 2009 2:27 PM in reply to wyt
A-Fricken-men!
Bernie's got bigger balls than the rest of the Senate's DINO leadership combined!
If they want to demonstrate that they really deserve the label, progressives in the Senate need to dump Lieberman the Back-Stabber and then send Harry the Meek packing as well.
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ohyeathatsright
December 16, 2009 2:39 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Your friends in the GOP would thank you for that comment.
What you're basically saying is that senators should not stand up for what they believe in because it's not popular with other senators. That's total bullshit and will lead to the further degradation of our political system (hard to imagine I know).
A Senator should not be afraid to stand up for the things that his constituency believe in, we've already seen way too much of that in this HCR debate.
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hologram5
December 16, 2009 4:00 PM in reply to ohyeathatsright
Like that is ever going to happen. These clowns don't give a rat's behind what we think/want. They have shown that again and again every time they take a dime from lobbyists they sell us out on down the river and this happens daily.
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Kuyleh
December 16, 2009 1:49 PM
Wow. I really was getting to the point where I thought they couldn't go any lower. I'll kick myself for for it.
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richard f
December 16, 2009 1:49 PM
Why is Sanders insisting on a vote on the amendment when it wont get ten votes? Won't opponents in the future point to the fact that the Senate voted on single payer and it was defeated overwhelmingly? (I believe the House supporters of single payer withdrew their amendment for this very reason)
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rbeats
December 16, 2009 1:52 PM in reply to richard f
Who really cares anymore.
The health insurance companies have won this round.
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greedo
December 16, 2009 2:13 PM in reply to rbeats
“I pondered all these things. . . how men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name.” -- William Morris
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31tudor
December 16, 2009 2:14 PM in reply to rbeats
You said it all, right there.
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SS247
December 16, 2009 1:55 PM
Yeah, lets all place the blame on Sanders when the GOP has literally just pulled down its pants and taken a shit all over the military and the people who serve.
First its I hate the dems because they've giving up to much and now when a Senator comes forward with an amendment for single payer (which the majority of the people posting here probably support) people turn on him. At least Sanders has a spine.
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ericf
December 16, 2009 3:28 PM in reply to SS247
I think our side is so angry and discouraged right now, many of us are having trouble thinking straight. It seems Democrats can't do anything without some of the base yelling that they're selling gout or screwing up or making pointless shows.
Sanders is just doing what congressmen have always done: try to get a vote on what you really want in hopes of making the idea politically feasible in the future. I've been reading the collected floor speeches of Paul Wellstone, and it's amazing how much he had to push without hope for something like prohibiting exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and now that isn't even a controversial part of the bill.
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hoppycalif2
December 16, 2009 1:57 PM
Maybe we are the ones who should be delaying this fiasco. At least that will delay the time when we all have to pay an insurance company whatever they want, for whatever they want to call "health insurance".
Seriously, the US Senate needs to revise their rules, and do it ASAP. Right now the Senate is nothing but a pothole in the road to progress.
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magster
December 16, 2009 2:00 PM
Where are the speed readers? Is Reid really unprepared for this tactic?
And for the "blame Sanders" crowd, the amendment is absolutely essential for progressives to know who is willing to go on the record.
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CT Voter
December 16, 2009 2:03 PM in reply to magster
I'm not in the "blame Sanders" crowd, but what's going to go on record is that the Senate defeats a single-payer amendment.
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twirling fartknocker
December 16, 2009 2:01 PM
I say we start calling germs and cancer terrorists, an Islamo-fascist menace, and the repugs will be on our side in no time.
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JefferyK
December 16, 2009 2:02 PM
Good -- the bill sucks, so I wish the GOP well.
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Walter Mitty
December 16, 2009 2:10 PM
It's a vanity amendment - if Sanders was so worried about the troops he would have pulled it. Coburn and Sanders are equally to blame.
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SS247
December 16, 2009 2:13 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Are you kidding me. If its a vanity amendment and the GOP knows its going to get killed then why is Coburn wasting our time. He pretends to be the biggest penny pincher in the Senate, how much money do you think this wastes?
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ohyeathatsright
December 16, 2009 2:29 PM in reply to SS247
Don't forget that you and I get to PAY them for the time they spend on this.
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superking
December 16, 2009 3:00 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
He did in fact pull it. I look forward to your retraction of the scurrilous claim that Sen. Sanders does not 'support our troops' (TM).
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Rich in NJ
December 16, 2009 2:17 PM
Why does the GOP hate the military?
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LBJs Brain
December 16, 2009 2:56 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
Exactly!
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hunter
December 16, 2009 2:57 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
Yeah, really. That's the thing I don't get here; why aren't the Democrats screaming about how the GOP doesn't support the troops? And not just right now...seems to me we should be clobbering them with no-win political fights over military appropriations every chance we get. After all, they jammed some unbelievable legislation through with that exact tactic.
If we're going to escalate the Afgan war, we should at least be attaching some wish-list items to it that the GOP hates. DADT seems like the go-to option; let's see those jerks vote against the surge appropriations bill because they hate gays too much to support the troops. That'll play well...
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Progressive Party
December 16, 2009 2:17 PM
Can you say giant PRICKS? WTF...Sanders is a champion of the progressives and I do support his amendemnt and I can't wait to see the list of how the dems vote.
Folks..if you believe in the corporate run Senate, then please denounce Bernie and show your horse's ass here on TPM. Coburn, one of the biggest pricks, pulls this stunt and you fucking trash Bernie...sick fucks all of you!
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twirling fartknocker
December 16, 2009 2:23 PM in reply to Progressive Party
co-sign. far too many middle of the roader, proud "centrists" in these parts, assuming the so-called center is the safest place or the best for humanity. splitting the difference between heaven and hell is a lot too much close to hell for my tastes. I'm gonna go out on a limb here now and call it as I see it -- moral cowardice
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cwnidog
December 16, 2009 11:23 PM in reply to twirling fartknocker
Well, you remember what Jim Hightower said you'd find in the middle of the road.
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CT Voter
December 16, 2009 2:36 PM in reply to Progressive Party
It doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of passing, and you don't need a public vote to know where Senators stand on this, so what is gained by this?
Getting confirmation of what is already known?
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Progressive Party
December 16, 2009 2:57 PM in reply to CT Voter
It will guide me in who I give money to for 2010 and beyond. It also gives the only opportunity for single payer proponents to be heard on either side of congress. It's a defeat I'll take in stride as long as people realize that the "C" Street cabal in the senate looks and acts like corporate pigs!
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runfastandwin
December 16, 2009 2:28 PM
Actually this is good. I hope it ends up on the evening news. There is no good way for the GOP to spin this, no matter how they try they come off looking petulant and bitter.
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Andreams
December 16, 2009 2:38 PM in reply to runfastandwin
Considering the last poll about people who want it to pass, this will be wonderful for the rethugs. They will do anything to regain the majority and they've been very successful in painting this bill as the worse thing that ever happened. Wouldn't it be nice if our elected officials actually considered the needs of people in this country instead of spending all their time lying to make themselves look good?
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condew
December 16, 2009 3:33 PM in reply to runfastandwin
The evening news will blame Sanders for wanting an up or down vote and the Democrats for not getting the appropriation done in time while totally missing the Republican obstructionism that lead to the delay. No need for Republicans to spin, the MSM will do it for them.
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draftedin68
December 16, 2009 2:32 PM
The one thing I have heard very little reporting on is how few Senators the vermin lobbyists need to win the day.
Hmmmm... maybe it's because of the Corporate Controlled Media?
Dean in 2012!
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acf_ma
December 16, 2009 2:33 PM
Why does the TPM home page headline say "Grasping at Straws?"
It seems to me that a summer and fall long debate over health reform has so emasculated any bill that to pass any of the bills discussed over the last 24 hours could be honestly called a victory for the Republicans. Did I misread the whole thing, and the grasping is on the part of liberals hoping to pass anything of some value?
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
December 16, 2009 3:38 PM in reply to acf_ma
If it's such a huge goddamn victory for them, why are they fighting it so hard?
Make no mistake, despite all the compromises the left is pissing an moaning about, the Republicans are terrified that this bill will consign them to minority status for decades if it is enacted. If it fails, they think they break us. If it passes, they think they're the ones who'll get broken.
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JefferyK
December 16, 2009 3:56 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
And they're wrong. There are no cost controls in the bill as it now stands. Won't take long for Americans to realize they have been screwed by the Dems.
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rwc
December 16, 2009 2:36 PM
If we had a Senate full of Sanders our nation would be a lot better off. I, too, want to see which Dems are willing to go on the record for singlepayer and I certainly don't blame GOP obstruction on him.
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Maritza
December 16, 2009 2:39 PM
This may actually unite the Senate Democrats to pass the health care bill.
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Schmed
December 16, 2009 3:01 PM in reply to Maritza
It gives the ones that don't (see Nelson) some cover.
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Odel Roo
December 16, 2009 2:40 PM
Joke em if they can't take a fuck!
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destor23
December 16, 2009 2:42 PM
Frankly, this is an amendment that needs to be heard.
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TaosJohn
December 16, 2009 3:01 PM
I'm all in favor of this being read out loud. It DOES need to be heard. And if it holds up the New Slavery Bill, I'm all for it. I'm also all for not funding the Defense Department, so frankly, this is all fabulous news.
The Republican idiots are doing us all a favor. We shouldn't act so morally superior...
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SS247
December 16, 2009 3:06 PM
Sanders sounds pissssssssssssed. I love it.
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calchala
December 16, 2009 3:06 PM
Sanders just pulled the bill: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72569-sanders-withdraws-single-payer-amendment-
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rbeats
December 16, 2009 3:13 PM
Sanders is loosing his shit right now on the senate floor. I love it. He should put the Amendment back up after he gets done.
I know I said I dont care cause the health insurers have won, but hearing the fire from Bernie gives me a glimmer of hope they can get something better than they got now.
The bill as it stands now must be killed, or amended with the Sanders amendment.
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Silence
December 16, 2009 3:34 PM
Polls indicate that the majority of the voters(the live ones)do not want this bill.
Will the Dems fall on their swords? We'll see.
It's not just the bill. It's the communist Czars, fistgate, the bailouts, the "stimulus", the pork laden bills, ACORN, the propaganda songs in schools, unemployment, climate scam, terrorists trials, shootings, support of ruthless dictators, apologizing to countries for nothing, the incessant attacks on free speech and religion, union thugs, massive corruption and most of all, the lying teleprompter.
You folks had your chance. You blew it. It's over.
The current congress may vote this bill in, but it'll be taken apart and replaced by something the people really want. If Obama jumps on this turd truck, he's done - a one term president and he knows it.
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twirling fartknocker
December 16, 2009 3:38 PM in reply to Silence
jingoism and homoerotica... fistgate, huh?
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SS247
December 16, 2009 3:42 PM in reply to Silence
Ladies and gentleman, it appears Silence has just uncovered a script of Glenn Becks show!
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 3:47 PM in reply to Silence
shut your pie hole, troll
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Boidster
December 16, 2009 3:53 PM in reply to Silence
"Polls indicate that the majority of the voters(the live ones)do not want this bill."
Well, 123 formerly live ones died today for want of health insurance. So kudos to you and your obstructionist friends.
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CranialRectalLoopback
December 16, 2009 4:13 PM in reply to Silence
Hey, SUPER PATRIOT, go fight them over there so we don't have to listen to your false patriotism and drivel over here. How'd that first 5 trillion debt get run up? Can't recall? Maybe because your suffer from CRL Syndrome. If you don't know what CRL Syndrome is, just look at my avitar or read my screen name carefully. It was created just for you.
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Silence
December 16, 2009 4:23 PM in reply to CranialRectalLoopback
Put down the Huffington propaganda for a minute and look at some real numbers...the budget. The line moving off the page is not the defense budget. No sweet pea, it's entitlements.
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 3:58 PM
Most people I know WANT this, or any, bill. Who the F- trusts Wall St. Journal polls? And GOP ain't gonna stop this thing. It's obvious that they're desperate--why they're stalling.
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 4:04 PM
GOP hates the troops. Let's get the ads runnin'
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Silence
December 16, 2009 4:14 PM in reply to ilovebacon
"and would have to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep money flowing."
Reading is good. You should try it sometime.
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Silence
December 16, 2009 4:04 PM
Now, Obama is claiming the US will go bankrupt if this dung heap doesn't pass. The country is going bankrupt anyway, Sherlock. That's what happens when you spend, spend, spend money you don't have, have, have.
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JefferyK
December 16, 2009 4:10 PM in reply to Silence
Let's see: the health care bill as it now stands includes a mandate, no cost controls, and an excise tax that will be levied on employers. Not sure how that will prevent the US from going bankrupt.
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hollywood
December 16, 2009 4:45 PM in reply to Silence
Spend spend spend money you dont have have have ..... That was the Reagan policy and the Bush policy and that is how we got where we are now ..... desperate to provide the necessities of life to average working Americans. Maybe we should make the rich and the super rich pay back the Bush Tax Cut money we borrowed from the Chinese and are now paying interest on.
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CranialRectalLoopback
December 16, 2009 4:10 PM
I guess my question is why the single payer amendment is 700 pages.
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roxsteady
December 16, 2009 4:17 PM
Fine! I'll continue to pray for the deaths of every Republican in in Congress. It's a free country. While I'm not a violent person I'd have no problems with seeing them all dead! As I said yesterday, Heart Attack, Stroke, car accident. It really dowsn't matter to me.
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Silence
December 16, 2009 4:52 PM in reply to roxsteady
Prayer is all you've got. They own the brass.
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roxsteady
December 16, 2009 4:19 PM
That's doesn't matter! Death to all Republicans!
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Silence
December 16, 2009 4:26 PM in reply to roxsteady
Yeah. Good luck with that.
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 4:19 PM
I pray for Joe Lieberman to choke on his matzoh ball soup.
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roxsteady
December 16, 2009 4:23 PM
Or maybe at their convention they could all be overcome by carbon fumes and just drop to the floor! Clean Sweep!
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 4:31 PM
GOP wants troops to die.
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Odel Roo
December 16, 2009 4:36 PM
Progressives want seniors to die... I think quite a few are veterans as well so I guess the want ex troops to die as well.
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ilovebacon
December 16, 2009 9:00 PM in reply to Odel Roo
Uhh.. It's the REPUBLICANS who are blocking troop funding. GOP = Republicans. Sheesh!
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jjdjjd
December 16, 2009 6:45 PM
i don't often agree with sanders but i gotta say he's the only one in washington that is honest.
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life_4_rent
December 21, 2009 2:31 AM
GOP Blocks Healthcare Reform & Funds for Troops
Man, delaying funding for our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan right before Christmas — this is desperate fo sho:
http://www.topnflnews.com/
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Tosh
January 30, 2010 5:05 PM
what he is saying doesn't even matter
http://www.m65jacket.com/
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Tosh
June 6, 2010 9:18 AM
I think our side is so angry and discouraged right now, many of us are having trouble thinking straight. It seems Democrats can't do anything without some of the base yelling that they're selling gout or screwing up or making pointless shows.
Sanders is just doing what congressmen have always done: try to get a vote on what you really want in hopes of making the idea politically feasible in the future. I've been reading the collected floor speeches of Paul Wellstone, and it's amazing how much he had to push without hope for something like prohibiting exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and now that isn't even a controversial part of the bill.
m65 kamagra
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