Posted on 08/07/2009 1:26:13 PM PDT by Vigilanteman
St. Paul, Minn. — President Obama and U.S. Senate Democrats say they're "united" on the goal of overhauling the nation's health insurance system. But when it comes to hammering out the actual legislation, the party has been far from unified.
The House adjourned last week after its health reform bill cleared a key committee by a slim, three-vote margin. Five of the Democrats on that committee sided with Republicans and voted "no."
The full House is expected to vote on the measure in September. And a key voting bloc will be the "Blue Dog" Democrats -- 52 moderate and conservative Democrats, who represent rural and suburban districts.
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, a DFLer who represents the northwestern part of Minnesota, is a member of the Blue Dog coalition. He's said he can almost guarantee he will vote against the health care reform bill.
"Frankly, I just don't think this is sustainable," Peterson said on MPR's Morning Edition. "[The Blue Dog coalition] made some changes, but I read the bill, and there are just things in there I think are problematic."
One of Peterson's biggest concerns has been that the Medicare system pays less to doctors in Minnesota than it does to doctors in other parts of the country. The state's entire congressional delegation has expressed concerns about that same issue.
(Excerpt) Read more at minnesota.publicradio.org ...
IT’S STARTING PEOPLE! Yeah!
Rahm’s boys will be paying him a visit...................
Peterson also publicly deplored the nasty attacks on Katherine Harris. Bush tried to give him a post on in the agriculutre dept. Colin Peterson delcined the offer. Too bad. Once he leaves the MN-07, the GOP should pick that district up.
1
down 38 to go.
AS I’ve said, 255dems - 38 = 218.
Ok, I thought this was a good thing until I read this.
This is not a solid conviction...this is a monitary issue. Rep. Peterson is shopping for a concession. Nothing else.
All it will take is for Pelosi to pony up some more of the tax payer's money to change his mind.
Don't be fooled Minnesotans. Stay on this guy.
He’s just holding out for 30 pieces of silver.
Democrats in Washington, the States, cities and counties, best be paying attention if they ever want to get re-elected. Especially those that are running in 2010. Their career is on the line now. Republicans best be listening to the people also. If the Health Care deal goes through with any one of them voting for it, they are done.
Don’t discount the possibility that some RINOs may vote yes, like they did for cap and trade.
Given his track record, I don’t think we can automatically assume this.
“Democrats in Washington, the States, cities and counties, best be paying attention if they ever want to get re-elected.”
I guarantee that they are, they are nervous and they are sweating. The sheep have looked up again. Just like it happened the first time they trotted out “immigration reform.” Or you can refer to my tagline. The response is a little more heavy-handed this time, which shows that they DO NOT intend to change their ruling elite attitude, they are just shopping for a different way to do as they please without “consequences” (read: electoral defeat).
This is indeed a very dangerous game for the Republic. If the ruling elite passes health care against this opposition, and the rulers keep their thrones in the next election, they will decide that they CANNOT lose when the election is based on voting records. And they will be right. Only if they are tarred by personal scandal can they lose, and the “in crowd” of the ruling elite controls the information on that.
This is a death match between socialism and the Republic.
Pelosi’s coming! Watch out for your kneecaps Collin.
I am soon moving to Rep. Peterson’s district and while I am pleased to see him wising up about health care, he still voted for cap and trade. If he is scared by the public discontent about health care wait until cap and trade raises electric rates 50% and then see what his constituents think.
Don't be stupid, Congress, he's not worth it!
sw
That is Queen Nancy’s last hope.
“All it will take is for Pelosi to pony up some more of the tax payer’s money to change his mind.”
All she really has to do is promise whatever it takes to get his support, then make her changes before the vote. She recently said as much.
Heath Shuler (D-NC11) has told the Asheville Tea Party that he will oppose HR 3200 (no to say he wont support a variant).
The not-for-profit Mayo Clinic has come out against ObamaCare.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.