Posted on 11/22/2009 7:15:48 AM PST by Kaslin
Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's vote in favor of Obamacare was purchased for $300 million on Saturday, giving Democrats the 60-vote supermajority that will, barring a miracle, pass health care reform that will possibly include a public option and abortion coverage.
The $300 million comes from a 2-page earmark inserted into the bill specifically for Louisiana, though the wording of the earmark didn't specifically name Louisiana as the recipient. It simply designated victims of national disasters within the last 7 years as eligible for certain federal funds — and the only citizens who that applies to are Katrina victims in Louisiana.
It's something Landrieu says they're entitled to.
"Our state is as poor as it was if not poorer, and I am not going to be defensive about asking for help in this situation," she said on the Senate floor.
Landrieu went as far as loudly correcting lower estimates on how much the special earmark would bring her state. Early on Saturday, the Congressional Budget Office said brought her $100 million, but in fact, it was three times that.
“I’m proud to have asked for it and I’m proud to have fought for it and I will continue to. That is not the reason I am moving the debate," Landrieu said on the Senate floor. In the same breath, she insisted that the earmark was not why she was voting for the bill.
"That is not the reason I am moving to debate," she said.
Landrieu was the second-to-last hold-out on the bill, the last being Sen. Blanche Lincoln, who, like Landrieu, emphasized that she would not vote for the bill if it contained some version of the public option.
"I'm prepared to vote against moving to the next stage of consideration as long as a public option is included," said Lincoln.
But Democratic leaders will undoubtedly massage the public option provision to meet the requirements of these moderate Democrats, which could mean that the the so-called "state opt-out" provision in the public option will be included. If that's the case, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that over a third of states will simply decline to accept the public option, leaving less than 4 million Americans covered by it. That's at a cost of almost $3 trillion, according to some independent analysts.
There are several other noteworthy provisions that are included in both bills and are likely to be passed. First, "exchange marketplaces" will be introduced, with the possible government option as one of the plans Americans can pick from if they are self-employed, unemployed, uninsured, or part of a small business. In the exchange marketplace, the government will dictate what are acceptable standards for coverage for all of the insurance plans.
Second, language in the Senate bill still enables the coverage of abortion. Specifically, the bill states that within the exchange marketplace, one plan must offer abortion coverage and another plan must not. Analysts say that the inclusion of the much-heralded Stupak Amendment, ostensibly preventing the coverage of abortion in any forthcoming health care legislation, does nothing to reverse this.
Third, exactly how the bill will be paid for is still in question. The Senate bill taxes gold-plated insurance companies, in addition to raising Medicare taxes for individuals making over $200,000 and couples making over $250,000. The House bill simply adds income taxes on high-earning Americans. Other fees will probably imposed on insurance carriers, medical devices, cosmetic surgery and prescription drugs.
If SNL really HAS put down the Kool-Aid, this may help drown the so-called health care reform bills:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/china-cold-open/1178451/
Naturally, you are urged to move this around the world as you are able. The views on this thing are increasing by 1,000 about every five minutes.
How long will we continue to pay for Katrina..
“...only applies to the citizens of Louisiana...”
Hello, anyone ever heard of Mississippi? You know the other Gulf Coast state that was almost totally destroyed by Katrina!
“I like to be kissed when someone is doing sex to me.”
Ha!!!!
Lets see now. We voted to let this skunk into our living room to see whether or not we want this skunk to be part of our household. It is still a skunk no matter how long or hard you debate it!
Treason thy name is the US Congress. War was declared upon the American people last night. If anyone doubts that, read your history books. Start with 1933 Germany and read how the story ends. Hitler started with the disabled in hospitals and then worked his way up to the Holocaust.
Fast forward to Pelosi, Reid, Hussein Obama, and the US Congress. Instead of concentration camps, they will be more humane and haul you off to a Hospice Center where Big Brother will give you pain pills to end your days.
“gold-plated insurance companies”
What is a gold-plated insurance company?
later
This is why I feel you can write a sentence about MSM/dems/rino's which include the words STUPID, ARROGANT, and TOO SMART.
By the way, how will our new communists Government know if we have health insurance? And what huge data base will collect this information and report to the new Gestapo those that do not have it so they can garnish their wages or arrest them. Surely the IRS will not have the information and millions of Americans do not file income tax forms. (Did you know that?) Hope I will get a proof of insurance so I can file with the newly formed Gestapo. Questions?????? So damn many I just quit. We are done.
Too bad Landrieu doesn’t have to run again until ‘14. But maybe some of the residual anger from this will help Sen Vitter get reelected next year. Didn’t I read also that there is a right to recall elected officials in LA? Maybe that should be explored.
We always knew she was a whore, but I am surprised to see her so publically haggling over her fee...
This b*tch needs to be harassed 24/7 . Where are the Louisiana freepers? You need to have crowds around her house and office all day and night . She has literally stabbed every American in the back. I would put no limits on the harassment of this traitor .
"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
Maybe that should be explored.
EXPLORED??This witch just destroyed up my future health care possibilities..You guys better act and act NOW.This woman is a traitor and a whore..If I dont see folks down there riot then I give up on that state totally..I cann;t believe the lack of reaction on our part to this unreal move last night.
I expect to wake up the a Drudge headline that riots are happening nation wide and I see NOTHING
You can recall a Senator in LA !
Landrieu went as far as loudly correcting lower estimates on how much the special earmark would bring her state. Early on Saturday, the Congressional Budget Office said brought her $100 million, but in fact, it was three times that.
“I’m proud to have asked for it and I’m proud to have fought for it and I will continue to. That is not the reason I am moving the debate," [(wink, wink). I am a whore, but not just any whore. I’m not even a $100 million dollar whore. I’m proud to state loudly here on the floor of the United States Senate, ”I am a $300 million whore.”]
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