http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bribes/ en-us Sat, 2 Jan 2010 19:35:06 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419636/posts "Call off the dogs" is the message Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson (D) sent a coalition of Republican attorneys general examining the constitutionality of the Senate's healthcare bill, according to media reports. That request, made by Nelson's chief of staff to South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster on Thursday, arrives just days after 13 states' top prosecutors signaled they would examine the legality of the bill's Medicaid provisions, which in part won Democrats Nelson's vote. At issue is a condition in the bill's Medicaid rules that would essentially cover all of Nebraska's new program participants. The deal, referred to by many... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419636/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 19:35:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419612/posts It costs big time money to get close to the power elite. Foreign countries including Saudi Arabia and Norway gave millions of dollars to former President Bill Clinton's charity as Hillary Rodham Clinton served her first year as President Barack Obama's secretary of state. A donor list released on New Year's Day by the William J. Clinton Foundation shows that Saudi Arabia and Norway each donated somewhere between $10 million to $25 million to the former-president Bill Clinton's charity. Among those who gave over one million dollars: Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi, Ethiopia's richest person. Al Amoudi's father is Yemeni and... Economic Policy Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419612/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 18:43:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416161/posts The Democrats are right. Sleazy bribes and pork pay offs didn't start with their health-care-takeover bill. They've been doling out taxpayer-funded goodies for votes all year. Harry Reid's latest Cash for Cloture deals are the culmination of Washington's 2009 shopping spree at our expense. Go back to January and February. The multitrillion-dollar stimulus bill was the mother of all legislative Christmas trees. The ruling party used the downturn to redistribute wealth from struggling Americans to favored congressional districts, phantom districts and special interests from golf-cart makers to fly-by-night beauty salons. NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416161/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:44:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414390/posts My Grandfather was a lawyer in Chicago during Capone's time, and later served as a judge. Grandpa was also a lifelong Republican, back when being one really meant something. Every once in a while, he would tell a story or offer a poignant anecdote from those lawless days.One afternoon while he was reading the newspaper he remarked that here were only two kinds of politicians in Chicago - honest and dishonest. When asked what the difference was, Grandpa replied that an honest politician was one who stayed "bought". Party affiliations did not matter. My Grandfather http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414390/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:35:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413976/posts At least 10 states are now raising questions about the legality of the deal that Senator Ben Nelson, a Democrat, cut for his home state of Nebraska during the health care negotiations. Under the agreement, which is on the verge of being approved Thursday by the Senate, Nebraska is permanently exempt from paying for its expansion of Medicaid, shoving that cost onto taxpayers in every other state. Mr. Nelson was able to exercise such leverage because in exchange, he was providing the magical 60th vote that Democrats needed to advance their health care bill. The deal has enraged other Senators,... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413976/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:13:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413628/posts Ben Nelson's taking a lot of heat for accepting the Reid bribe of a free pass on Medicaid to sign on to the Reid health care fiasco. Even the state's biggest newspaper is poking fun at him and one of my correspondents indicates he'd not be surprised if the Senator chooses not to be the ex-Senator from Nebraska by voting against the bill when it comes to a final vote after conference. In the meantime, seven states' attorneys, lead by South Carolina are considering bringing suit if the Nebraska provision is in the final bill: "The top prosecutors in seven... The American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413628/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:52:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412845/posts 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... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412845/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:47:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412685/posts Politics: Sen. Mary Landrieu was the new "Louisiana Purchase." Sen. Ben Nelson got the federal government to pick up his state's future Medicaid tab. Maybe we should just put Senate votes up on eBay. Nelson, the 60th vote in the middle-of-the-night Senate party line vote on health care reform, will go down in American political history as the inventor of the permanent earmark. His seemingly principled stand against including federal funding for abortion evaporated like the morning dew as he decided to take what was behind door No. 1. The deal for Nelson includes special Medicaid funding for Nebraska, along... Investor's Business Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412685/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:24:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412308/posts Just when you thought things couldn’t get any uglier we get the cash for cloture tally… The CBO reported that Harry Reid spent $1.2 billion to buy off democrats for the Obamacare vote last night. They got their nationalized health care bill and it only cost you $1.2 billion for their vote! The Hill reported, via Sweetness and Light: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) informed lawmakers on Sunday night that the section of the manager’s amendment to the Senate’s health bill would cost $1.2 billion over 10 years. Nelson managed to win a share of the section of the manager’s... gateway pundit http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412308/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:16:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412106/posts Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appears to have nailed down what he needs to deliver to President Obama the mother of all Christmas presents: health-care "reform" in our time. Details are dribbling out, but one thing seems clear enough: When one is unrestrained by principle, the possibilities in politics are boundless. For example, one need not hold strong views on abortion to be repulsed by Reid's purchase of Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson's soul for a mess of pottage. Nelson had opposed Reid's bill on the grounds that it was soft on abortion, but that went by the boards as he... NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412106/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:16:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411972/posts Republicans poring over the bill Democrats released Saturday found this on page 328: “(a) APPROPRIATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, to remain available for obligation until September 30, 2011, to be used for debt service on, or direct construction or renovation of, a health care facility that provides research, inpatient tertiary care, or outpatient clinical services. Such facility shall be affiliated with an academic health center at a public research university in the United States that contains a State’s sole public academic medical... Multiple http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411972/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:16:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411898/posts Back on November 21st, Senator Mary Landrieu provided the 60th vote for the Senate Democrats to cut off a GOP filibuster and start the debate on a healthcare reform bill. In exchange for that vote, the Democratic leadership offered her a $300 million ‘bribe’ in the form of additional Medicaid benefits for her home state of Louisiana and for other states ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Now a month later Senator Ben Nelson has announced that he will provide the 60th vote to cut off debate on the healthcare reform bill. In exchange for his vote, the Democratic leadership offered him... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411898/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:26:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411913/posts Interesting Provisions That Recently Appeared In Senate Health Bill ? $100,000,000 For “Health Care Facility” “At A Public Research University In The United States That Contains A State’s Sole Public Academic Medical And Dental School.” NEBRASKA “As Part Of The Deal To Win Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson's Support, The Federal Government Will Fund Nebraska's New Medicaid Recipients.” (“Ben Nelson's Medicaid Deal,” Politico, 12/19/09) VERMONT “The Health Care Overhaul Taking Shape In Congress Includes A Provision Pushed By Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy To Increase The State’s Medicaid Payments By $250 Million Over Six Years. The Provision, Also Supported By Sen. Bernie... SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411913/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:02:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409680/posts Ben Nelson says that he knows who started the rumor, and that it may be embarrassing if/when that info comes out. Says, no one threatened him or offered him ANYTHING for his vote. He's says the abortion issue is not the only thing stopping him from supporting the Senate bill. klin.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409680/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:11:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411330/posts The Senate clerk has finished reading the text of the manager's amendment to the chamber's healthcare bill. After roughly seven and a half hours of reading, the clerk concluded reading the 383-page manager's amendment to the bill, which was submitted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) earlier today. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) forced a reading of the amendment earlier today in a bid to string along the Senate healthcare debate. In the interim, Senate Democrats announced an agreement with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to secure the necessary 60 votes to move forward with the bill. They also released... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411330/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:37:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392130/posts Only a day after Senate Democrats voted to move into a historic debate on overhauling the nation's healthcare system, key centrists made it clearthat the party is still a long way from delivering on its promise to provide near-universal insurance coverage and contain medical costs. Faced with the prospect of Republican filibusters, Democratic leaders must deliver the same kind of total unity they managed to achieve in Saturday's vote to begin debate: Every Democratic senator, plus two independents who caucus with them, supported the key procedural motion. But several of those senators spoke out today to say that they will... LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392130/posts#comment Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:35:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408349/posts As the Senate health care debate enters crunch time, the pressure from all sides continued to grow today, with Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., right in the middle. His spokesman quickly dismissed a report by conservative columnist Michelle Malkin that Nelson was even being threatened with “closure of an air force base,” presumably Offutt Air Force Base, which is south of Omaha and home of U.S. Strategic Command. Malkin also said Nelson has been promised a “bribe bigger than Sen. Landrieu's.” That's a reference to Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Democrat and one of the last holdouts on the vote to... Omaha World-Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408349/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:11:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409522/posts Here is a video report from CBS News this morning which says that the fate of the Senate Health Care Bill is now down to one vote - Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. According to sources, Democrats are "negotiating furiously" with Nelson to get his vote. Democrats want a vote on the Bill before Christmas, which would mean they have to file for a final vote on the bill by this Saturday - December 19. . . . (VIDEO) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409522/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:36:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410138/posts WASHINGTON — The White House and Senate Democratic leaders seem willing to give Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, just about anything he wants to win his support of major health care legislation. Anything, that is, but the item at the top of Mr. Nelson’s wish-list: air-tight restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions. The bid to win Mr. Nelson’s support has become a race against the clock. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, has developed plans for a series of votes beginning at 1 a.m. Monday and round-the-clock Senate sessions intended to meet his deadline of completing the... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410138/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:56:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410864/posts On Tuesday, the Weekly Standard's Michael Goldfarb, citing an unnamed Senate aide, wrote that "the White House is now threatening to put Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base on the BRAC list if Nelson doesn't fall into line." Translation: Goldfarb is reporting that, according to his source, the Obama administration is suggesting to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska (left), who has been hesitant to support the Senate health care bill due to his concerns over abortion, that it will close the base if Nelson doesn't back the bill. It was, the source said, a "naked effort by Rahm Emanuel and... DNCBS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410864/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:14:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411268/posts Now that we know that the Democratic leadership in Congress and the Obama Administration have bribed Senator Ben Nelson into supporting the government takeover of healthcare, the question arises, who ARE these people, anyway? Are they aliens from outer space? They certainly don't act like normal human beings who are fully aware of reality. Senator Ben Nelson, for example, will vote in favor of the mammoth, debt-busting monstrosity in spite of the fact that in the latest poll Nebraskans indicate by a 61% majority that they will vote against Nelson if he votes in favor of this bill. Columbia Conservative Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411268/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:22:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411170/posts This just in, reported by The Washington Post: "Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the final Democratic holdout on health care, announced to his caucus Saturday morning that he would support the Senate reform bill, clearing the way for final passage by Christmas". Yesterday we ran the article which follows and today Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (Dem) has announced his support for Health Care Reform. Was he bribed? Look for earmarks for Nebraska on the bill. Was he threatened? TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411170/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:17:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410493/posts Alarid...... while serving in the Army and the Marines, including two tours in Iraq, and returned to Southern California to fulfill a goal of serving in law enforcement. But, early last year, after just a few months as a customs inspector, he was waving in trucks from Mexico carrying loads of marijuana and illegal immigrants. He pocketed some $200,000 in cash that paid for, as far as the government could tell, a $15,000 motorcycle, flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer and more. Some investigators believe that Mr. Alarid, 32, who was paid off by a Mexican smuggling crew that included several... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410493/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:58:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409170/posts Politics: If the Democrats' stitched-together Frankenstein monster of health care reform gets the 60 votes to get through the Senate, it will have been done through an assortment of bribes and brass knuckles. (snip) Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, has also been critical of the buy-in and public option, but he has an additional issue about whatever comes out of the Senate not involving public funding of abortion in any way. Michael Goldfarb on the Weekly Standard blog quotes a Senate aide as saying the White House is now threatening to put Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base on the... Investor's Business daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409170/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:29:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409192/posts Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and 19 other GOP senators today called for a hearing into reports that the Obama administration used the future of Offutt Air Force Base as bargaining chip in the health care debate, according to a press release by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., has flatly denied that Offutt came up in connection with the health care bill or any other piece of legislation. The White House also has described those reports as "absurd." The group of Republican senators called for a hearing in a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin,... Omaha World-Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409192/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:59:53 GMT