The list of payoffs that got Reid his cloture vote

Hot Air ^ | 12:15 pm on December 22, 2009 | Ed Morrissey

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Recall the moments in 2008 when Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama campaigned on the platform of — must … control … gag … reflex — “Honest Leadership, Open Government”?  This picture should jog your memories, and your own gag reflexes, especially that sanctimonious pose by Reid.  The trio have managed to make themselves either satirists of the highest order or influence peddlers of the lowest while struggling to pass the second item on their legislative agenda.  /1209/30877.html">Politico’s Josh Gerstein reviews the ObamaCare compromise bill that Reid struggled to get past a wee-hours cloture vote in the middle of a blizzard in the Beltway.  It’s an amazing list of pork and bribes, even for an old pro like Reid:

The multimillion-dollar deals cut with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and others to win the 60 votes needed for the historic health care reform bill gave President Barack Obama the margin he needed to fulfill a central campaign promise — but may also have upped the ante for future presidential horse trading.

With the bill hanging in the balance, Nelson won a provision exempting his state from paying the usual share of costs for new Medicaid patients. The deal critics have dubbed the Cornhusker Kickback is expected to cost the federal government $100 million over 10 years.

Before a close vote last month, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) won an even larger break for her state — an estimated $300 million in extra federal spending, in a move opponents derided as the Louisiana Purchase.

Some critics branded the special deals as functionally equivalent to the kind of earmarks Obama crusaded against as a senator — and a quantum leap from eleventh-hour deals Obama’s predecessors have cut.

Let’s take a look at the list itself, which goes far beyond Nelson and Landrieu,

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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the pair that IBD Editorials calls “the Louisiana Purchase and Omaha Stakes”:

[Oldexpat]

The Corn Whole Kick-back.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lot's of States get specialized deals....another blog:

$1.2 Billion In Bribes To Pass ObamaCare. Wanna See The List?

[11th Commandment]

I still do not understand why Bernie Sanders, A SOCIALIST, had to be paid to support this bill.

[vpintheak]

This is so sickening. These people play with others money like it’s a game. Inmates running the asylum.

[Ganndy]

Wanna See The List?

Is Texas on it?
Then no!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Looking back:

Obama: We Need A $13 Billion Bribe… err… Bailout For The Old Folks

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October 15, 2009

Fact:  Voter turnout is much higher with seniors than any other age group

Fact:  Dems are very much in danger in the upcoming elections

Fact:  Obama offers a $250 bribe to seniors

Republicans who vote against it will be vilified.  Republicans who vote for it will be reminded that it was Obama who pushed this.

Now why wouldn’t this be paid out of the existing stimulus funds that are sitting there?

Mark my words.  We will see a lot of money handed out as the elections get closer.  That’s the real reason Obama is sitting on most of the stimulus money.  Its bribe money.

Sure in the grand scheme of things, it’s chump change but at some point we have to draw a line right? Nope.

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Obama clearly established the way forward in getting things done!

[Marine_Uncle]

So Dingy Harry Reid uses tax payer monies to bribe his fellow socialites into going along with a bill that will break America.
Sounds like another one to be tried in a court of law then hauled off in leg irons to face the hanging platform.
These are criminal activities if performed within the business world. It's called bribery. And perhaps even extortion in some cases.

[Political Junkie Too]

Because Sanders is from the Capitalist wing of the Socialist Party?

-PJ

[Marine_Uncle]

I have to bookmark this post for careful reading. I must admit I have been so absorbed in the global warming issues issue I have not put enough careful examination into key issues as is spelled out here on things just as close to home and the wallet, and future state of the Republic.

[Marine_Uncle]

For those that do not have time to read the closing statements by the Hot Air author:

"It seems to me that if ObamaCare really reformed the process, we wouldn’t need all of these exceptions to its rules. After all, it’s supposed to “bend the cost curve downward” for everyone. If it does that, then why does Hawaii need a DSH extension? Why does Connecticut need exemptions for its hospitals and a $100 million grant, if we’re leveling the playing field?

This list shows why Congress wants to pass this overhaul. They want the ability to demand these favors not just now, but forever. When government controls the system, then the politicians control the spoils. This list is just the appetizers. They’ll be chowing down on pork banquets for decades if this passes into law, and doing it just as dishonestly as this process has been handled all along."

Bold face added by me.