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Robert Scheer: Lieberman twists the knife
Creators Syndicate via SFGate ^ | 10/31/9 | Robert Scheer

Posted on 10/31/2009 9:49:01 AM PDT by SmithL

Is there a more hypocritical figure in American politics than Joe Lieberman? The Connecticut senator declared Tuesday that he would support a filibuster of any health care reform bill that has a public option - even the version with the "trigger" compromise accepted by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe - because it might cost money.

"I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free," said Lieberman, one of the Senate's big spenders, in a suddenly frugal mood. "It's not. It's going to cost the taxpayers and people that have health insurance now, and if it doesn't, it's going to add terribly to our national debt."

This from a senator who, as much as anyone, helped run up the national debt since Sept. 11 by pushing to raise the military budget to its highest level since World War II. It is a budget inflated by enormous expenditures on high-tech weaponry irrelevant to combating terror, such as the $2-billion-a-piece submarines - produced in his home state of Connecticut - that he claimed were needed to combat al Qaeda, a landlocked enemy holed up in caves. Lieberman is worried about the impact of a very limited public option on the debt the same week as he and others in Congress passed a $680 billion defense bill larded with pork of the sort the Connecticut senator has always supported.

Lieberman, whose state is also home to insurance companies that are opposed to any consumer-friendly medical coverage alternative, boldly stated that his opposition to even the most limited version of a public option should not be surprising: "I think my colleagues know for a long time that I've been opposed to a government-created, government-run insurance company."

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: 111th; bhohealthcare; filibuster; healthcare; lieberman; publicoption; scheermadness

1 posted on 10/31/2009 9:49:03 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Robert Scheer ....Pffft!!!


2 posted on 10/31/2009 9:50:58 AM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: SmithL

Scheer idiocy.


3 posted on 10/31/2009 9:52:18 AM PDT by Fresh Wind ("Prosperity is just around the corner." Herbert Hoover, 1932)
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To: SmithL

Lieberman is the quintessential politician. Anyone that believes he has anything more than his own future in mind is allowing themselves to be deceived.


4 posted on 10/31/2009 9:53:08 AM PDT by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: Anti-Bubba182

I love it! Not confident that Leiberman is reliable but it’s nice to see the libs turn on each other. Do whatever you can to defeat the left wing destruction of America


5 posted on 10/31/2009 9:53:15 AM PDT by grace522 (your wallet is in jeopardy with democrats in office)
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To: SmithL
Does this guy understand that The Constitution mandates Congress spending on our National Defense, but doesn’t say anything about “giving” health care to illegal aliens?

He doesn’t?

Must be a democrat.

6 posted on 10/31/2009 9:54:12 AM PDT by Owl_Eagle (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: SmithL
The Left is worried for good reason... Nancy Pelosi's porkulus state takeover of our health care system will pass the House but its DOA in the Senate. And they're hysterical Lieberman could well stop its enactment!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

7 posted on 10/31/2009 9:54:23 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SmithL
"Is there a more hypocritical figure in American politics than Joe Lieberman?"

Oh, hell yeah!

Just about all of the Dems and quite a few Repubs, too!

8 posted on 10/31/2009 9:54:40 AM PDT by DJ Frisat (How's that change workin' out for ya, Obama voters?)
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To: SmithL
I have to agree with the author about him being a hypocrit.

Ill never forget when he went prochoice just to run for VP.

9 posted on 10/31/2009 9:55:18 AM PDT by DainBramage
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To: Owl_Eagle
I don't see where the Constitution authorizes the government to force us to buy anything. Its unconstitutional to force Americans to buy something they neither want nor need.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

10 posted on 10/31/2009 9:56:39 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: DainBramage
Do you really think Al Franken is going to stop this one way express train to serfdom? Cause he sure as heck won't. Lieberman is not completely reliable but he is the only one the GOP has right now to kill Obamacare for good.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

11 posted on 10/31/2009 9:59:12 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SmithL

Idiocy. First he complains that Lieberman is a big spender, and then he calls him a hypocrite for voting against ObamaCare because it will be big spending.

What, does he want Lieberman to drop the filibuster and get with the spending?

Thanks, I’ll take any help we can get. If Harry Reid votes against it, I’ll even thank him for his vote.


12 posted on 10/31/2009 10:02:11 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Anti-Bubba182
Robert Scheer ....Pffft!!!

You are too kind.

I see the obvious antisemitism here. Little Bobbie Scheer calls Joe a tightwad for noting that the Constitution does not allow the Fedgov to run health care.

13 posted on 10/31/2009 10:02:20 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Sarah and the Conservatives will rock your world.)
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To: goldstategop

I agree, but Lieberman is not trustworthy.


14 posted on 10/31/2009 10:03:44 AM PDT by DainBramage
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To: Cicero
There is a difference between big spending on national defense and big spending on an unconstitutional power grab. That doesn't make Lieberman a hypocrite.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

15 posted on 10/31/2009 10:03:49 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SmithL
Lord. Have we not seen the same liberal talking points on Lieberman from several columnists/writers this week?

If you're going to write, have something to say.

16 posted on 10/31/2009 10:04:06 AM PDT by GVnana ("Obama is incredibly naive and grossly egotistical." Sarkozy)
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To: GVnana
The Left hates him for standing in the way of their changing America forever. Its Orwellian.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

17 posted on 10/31/2009 10:05:54 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SmithL

Scheer’s lunacy notwithstanding, these are the people who hailed Jeffords, Chafee and Specter as ‘moderates.’ I swear, in every aspect of their character, the polar left and right in this country are literally mirror opposites. It’s truly a ‘bizzaro world’ we’re dealing with. I believe that there is no longer even a chance that the two sides in this country will be able to co-exist peacefully. The ideological gulf is too wide and too deep. The hatred will only intensify, and the American political class only sees it all to be an opportunity for them to become the American ruling class.


18 posted on 10/31/2009 10:06:36 AM PDT by VR-21 (Down to the stones, where old ghosts play.)
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To: SmithL
Myself? I think $680 Billion to protect this country from the rest of this mad world is a bargain. Consider this:

Medicare and Social Security will require growing amounts of federal income tax revenue. Today, 6.9 percent of federal income taxes go towards the two programs. Dr. Thomas Saving of Texas A & M University, a public trustee of the Medicare and Social Security trust funds, estimates that, in 2020, 26.6 percent of all federal income taxes will go to paying for Medicare and Social Security. By 2030, that number will increase to 49.7 percent

What this shows is that Medicare and SS are ALREADY over the 680 Billion and will exponentially grow! Even though I'm soon slated to join the ranks of the beneficiaries, I can see that this isn't sustainable. Old people aren't going to protect you, aren't going to produce, aren't going to do anything but be a drain on resources. This has to stop. I don't advocate death panels or the like but I don't think that giving up the future of this country to keep old people in the styles to which they've become accustomed will work much longer.

19 posted on 10/31/2009 10:08:09 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: VR-21
Robert Scheer is how the Left thinks now.... Lieberman is as liberal as they come but if you're not in lockstep 100% with them, you're the enemy.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

20 posted on 10/31/2009 10:08:41 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: grace522
I love it! Not confident that Leiberman is reliable but it’s nice to see the libs turn on each other.

Yes, and the sweet irony here is that the Dims created this "independent" monster.

21 posted on 10/31/2009 10:09:06 AM PDT by The Citizen Soldier (They call it the DNC because KGB was already taken!)
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To: SmithL
"I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free," said Lieberman ... This from a senator who, as much as anyone, helped run up the national debt since Sept. 11 by pushing to raise the military budget to its highest level since World War II.

The liberal approach is: "We won't protect you from Islamic terrorists, but we will patch you up if you survive the bomb blasts."

22 posted on 10/31/2009 10:09:52 AM PDT by gitmo (Vote Republican. At least they aren't traitors to the country.)
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To: Gaffer
The new entitlement is also economically unsustainable. The massive new taxes required to pay for it will not even come close to recovering its costs.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

23 posted on 10/31/2009 10:10:41 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: gitmo
We face a threat abroad... our health care system ain't broken... it just needs a few patches, not major surgery!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

24 posted on 10/31/2009 10:12:02 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop
I'm old enough and just smart enough to know that this cannot work. This is why I'm led to the conclusion that this administration is truly an enemy to the traditional Amercian way of life I grew up with and know.

While I was busy working, paying taxes, raising children and grand children with the values to work hard and pay your way, Democrats have been teaching the opposite, exposing a large number of Americans to immoral, questionable media, attitudes, temptations and diversions - filling them with a sense of entitlement and empowering them with a vote, sometimes more than one. It is a national tragedy.

25 posted on 10/31/2009 10:16:54 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: SmithL

Scheer is the voice on the “right” on the national pubic radio ‘s misnamed show “left right and center”.

What a joke of a little man...and show-—should be called Left more left and most left and nothing (Blankley)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left,_Right_&_Center


26 posted on 10/31/2009 10:16:59 AM PDT by eleni121 (For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline)
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To: Anti-Bubba182

You can tell a lot about someone who complains about raising the military budget in the middle of a war—like whose side they’re on.


27 posted on 10/31/2009 10:19:56 AM PDT by AmericanVictory (Should we be more like them or they more like we used to be?)
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To: SmithL

Why you see the Communist press scream, you can be sure it’s good for America and we are winning.


28 posted on 10/31/2009 10:22:08 AM PDT by WashingtonSource
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To: goldstategop
"...but if you're not in lockstep 100% with them, you're the enemy.

I agree, and they're becoming more and more psychotic in their mannerisms. I swear, the behavior of the modern American left reminds me more and more of the Mathias cult from The Omega Man.

29 posted on 10/31/2009 10:22:43 AM PDT by VR-21 (Down to the stones, where old ghosts play.)
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To: eleni121
Not so. he is listed as:

"# Robert Scheer, editor-in-chief of Truthdig, representing the Left.[3]"

30 posted on 10/31/2009 10:25:17 AM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: SmithL

And while we’re at it, why not revive that Republican fantasy, popular in their ranks just a few years ago, of privatizing Social Security by turning the most effective government program over to the vagaries of the stock market?

Typical of the lies Robert tends to throw around in the name of ends justifying the means. We have a fundamental difference of not only opinion, but facts. Some in the Constitution party tend to gravitate to him and I have no idea why, and is one more reason I found them not up to my standards of Constitutionality.


31 posted on 10/31/2009 10:29:05 AM PDT by wita
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To: SmithL

I thought the left revered “ mavericks “ ?


32 posted on 10/31/2009 10:30:15 AM PDT by Wild Irish Rogue
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To: SmithL

Is there a law that you have to be an effete, catty, man-girl to write for this paper?


33 posted on 10/31/2009 10:33:13 AM PDT by cardinal4 (Dont Tread on Me)
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To: Anti-Bubba182

Oh I know he is on the left-—I am making the point that compared to the rest of the garbage on that show he is sometimes on the right. Huffington, the mod, and the token “right” - Blankley who is a RINO.

The show is a misnomer as I said:


34 posted on 10/31/2009 10:39:09 AM PDT by eleni121 (For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline)
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To: cardinal4
Check out Debra J. Saunders.
35 posted on 10/31/2009 10:42:19 AM PDT by SmithL (The Golden State demands all of your gold)
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To: SmithL; ExTexasRedhead
Is there a more hypocritical figure in American politics than Joe Lieberman?

Oh, I can think of a few right off the bat.


36 posted on 10/31/2009 10:59:22 AM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: SmithL

Scheer is the stupidest little constipated twit that ever lived.


37 posted on 10/31/2009 12:38:19 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Yes, it IS the end of the world.)
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To: eleni121

You got that wrong. Scheer has ALWAYS been a cringing, cowardly far leftist.


38 posted on 10/31/2009 12:39:53 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Yes, it IS the end of the world.)
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To: raybbr
When it comes to opposing obummercare, motivation is irrelevant.
39 posted on 10/31/2009 12:53:51 PM PDT by Jacquerie (Democrats soil Institutions.)
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To: Anti-Bubba182

Joe’s not hypocritical. He’s a Democrat that has caught sight of a better vision.


40 posted on 10/31/2009 1:18:50 PM PDT by RoadTest ( But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do)
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To: raybbr

For the most part, I agree, but he has occasionally shown a principle or two when it wasn’t going to help him (i.e., WOT).


41 posted on 10/31/2009 1:26:11 PM PDT by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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To: skr
For the most part, I agree, but he has occasionally shown a principle or two when it wasn’t going to help him (i.e., WOT).

That wasn't principle. It was pandering to the conservatives left in CT.

42 posted on 10/31/2009 2:25:32 PM PDT by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: SmithL
al Qaeda, a landlocked enemy holed up in caves

Funny that. **I** thought al Qaeda was a global terrorist network that we've (with our allies) been fighting in places like the Philippines, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, etc. How many of those are "landlocked" again?

For a good while you could go out to Navy.mil, look at their latest pics and see which West Coast SSNs were deploying or returning with the SEAL drydock shelters. I haven't seen many of those pics show up (only recent pics of the Ohio SSGN's deploying with them - and the SSGNs are pretty much ALWAYS going to deploy with them, regardless)) in a while. Figured that the Navy wasn't amused that the pictures they were posting on their own site were fueling all sorts of speculation on the military discussion boards on where those SSNs were going and what they were doing ...
43 posted on 10/31/2009 2:51:14 PM PDT by tanknetter
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To: La Enchiladita

Scheer has ALWAYS been a cringing, cowardly far leftist


Gee whiz—I know that.

I guess I should have labeled my original comment “sarcasm” -— let me repeat this: the three (4 incl moderator) twirps on that show are all left or left leaning and pubic radio dares to call their show left right and center-—again, it is left lefter and leftest.


44 posted on 10/31/2009 3:05:43 PM PDT by eleni121 (For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline)
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To: eleni121

What are you doing listening to NPR anyway?
:-)


45 posted on 10/31/2009 3:26:23 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Yes, it IS the end of the world.)
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To: La Enchiladita

Oh you know....the enemy...the other side...a few laughs...


46 posted on 10/31/2009 4:00:46 PM PDT by eleni121 (For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline)
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To: eleni121

Actually, I do know. I was ribbing you a little bit.
Now and then, I tune down to the low end of the FM dial and sometimes NPR has a feature of interest, say about science or nature or music. I have broad interests and sometimes mine coincide with theirs. Also, as you say, the way they cover politics or social issues is good for a laugh and shake of the head. I’ve even gotten away with posting some of their articles here... haha.


47 posted on 11/02/2009 12:26:51 PM PST by La Enchiladita (Yes, it IS the end of the world.)
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