http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/nebraska/ en-us Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:38:48 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414143/posts United States Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) receives his $174,000 annual salary through payroll checks drawn from the U.S. Treasury but he actually works for the Corporation. The DNC Services Corporation. So, while the U.S. Constitution authorizes his office in the Legislative branch of the federal government, Mr. Nelson takes his marching orders directly from the DNC. And even though the Declaration of Independence proclaims that governments “deriv[e] their just powers from the consent of the governed,” given the choice between following the lead of his constituents back home in Nebraska or the dictates of officials of the Corporation, again, Mr.... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414143/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:38:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414092/posts Demos predict health care successBy ERICA WERNER Associated Press Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:20 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — From the White House to Capitol Hill, Democrats on Tuesday confidently predicted Senate passage of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul after the bill cleared its second 60-vote test and the time was set for a final tally. **SNIP** The Senate measure would still have to be harmonized with the health care bill passed by the House in November before final legislation would go to Obama. There are significant differences between the two bills, including stricter abortion language in the House... Argus Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414092/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:20:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414067/posts Conn. considering lawsuit if Nebraska gets moneyPublished: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has asked the state attorney general to sue the federal government if Nebraska receives extra Medicaid money in the final version of federal health care reform legislation. In order to secure the support of Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson for the bill, Senate Democrats included a controversial provision that allows the federal government to pick up 100 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion in his state. Rell, a Republican, says the inequity of that provision is "astonishing," and that Connecticut is... NH Register http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414067/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:43:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413865/posts Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) said Tuesday that he and top prosecutors in a half-dozen other states plan to challenge the constitutionality of a health care compromise that exempts Nebraska from paying billions in Medicaid expansion costs, forcing other states to shoulder a bigger burden for the low-income insurance program. The Texas attorney general said he will join with Republican counterparts in up to six other states to challenge what they call the "Nebraska Compromise," the political deal that secured Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson's crucial vote on a massive health care package in exchange for concessions for his state.... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413865/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:44:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413756/posts I said yesterday it wouldn’t be long before Obama’s Jokers posters started popping up across the country.First, Claire McCaskill.Now, Nebraskans have Jokerized Ben Nelson. (Or rather, he Jokerized himself, didn’t he?)Reader Tim e-mails the photos and this message:“Saw this in small town Nebraska today less than 50 miles from Ben Nelson’s home town. This is pretty surprising to me because this is strictly an agricultural area. Nelson has consistently catered to the agricultural interests in Nebraska and so is pretty popular among the farmers and ranchers in the area. Federal subsidies are a huge percentage of area farm income. But... Michelle Malkin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413756/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:42:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413537/posts Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was just on Fox News with Greta Van Susteren, where he denounced Harry Reid's purchase of Nelson's 60th vote for cloture on the Senate bill. "Nebraska doesn't want a special deal, we only want a fair deal. We're embarrassed by what's going on... Nebraskans are angry and upset by what they've heard," Heineman said. "I've also asked Senator Nelson... he has a chance tomorrow to vote no on cloture. That would be the best thing for Nebraska, the best thing for America. Send this bill back to committee, go home for Christmas and think about it... Patriot Roon http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413537/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:48:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413571/posts Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, may have taught his Congressional colleagues a valuable lesson when he clinched a special deal for his state. But not all of them are happy about it. Mr. Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, bargained for extra payments for his home state during negotiations late last week, in which he provided Senate Democrats with the magical 60th vote they needed to advance their health care bill. Prompted by an angry Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, the attorney general of that state and six others are looking at the Nelson deal, which they have dubbed... NYT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413571/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:29:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413377/posts COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF) - U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsay Graham are hoping to turn the tables on health care in Washington, after requesting an investigation into special deals being made to secure votes for successful reform. A letter addressed by the two South Carolina lawmakers was received by State Attorney General Henry McMaster Tuesday morning, detailing concerns over funding arrangements negotiated with Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. "The language of the Nelson provision appears to give Nebraska a permanent exemption from paying the Medicaid expenses all other states in the nation will be required to pay," McMaster said in... WMBF http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413377/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:50:43 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-chat/2412596/posts Taking advantage of a lull in the healthcare debate, the Senate Thursday began considering a nearly $450 billion fiscal 2010 spending omnibus package in an effort to complete most of the fiscal year's appropriations business in the next few days. Senate action on the measure -- which includes six fiscal 2010 appropriations bills but not the Defense bill -- came after the House passed the package 221-202 earlier Thursday. The Senate will consider the legislation this weekend because Republicans are blocking a consent agreement to complete the measure early next week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Thursday evening filed... Government Executive http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2412596/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:58:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412401/posts Video: Sen. Nelson said: “If you think it's fun having both sides on an issue mad at you when you're trying to do something in good faith, just think, it's like going home and getting bit by the family dog. So - who enjoys that?” Well Senator, it'll be even less enjoyable when you get voted out of office, ever think about that! Dittos Rush! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412401/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:28:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412136/posts A group called Americans for Prosperity in Nebraska gathered a crowd for a rally in Omaha to press Sen. Nelson on the reform bill. Anger over senator Ben Nelson's support of health care reform. Nearly 2,000 people rally in Omaha, hoping he's listening. The group's message is two fold -- reconsider your vote Senator Nelson and remember your decision when elections roll around. With their signs in hand, Nebraskans filled Omaha's Music Hall, rallying against the senate health care bill and Sen. Nelson's support for it. "I think that's why we're all here. To get him to listen to us,"... 1011now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412136/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:52:12 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/2411953/posts Dr. Becky Hollibaugh of Friend, Nebraska e-mailed me her message for sellout Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) this morning:Hello Michelle:I’m a family practice doctor in Nebraska. I sent the following (angry,I admit) letter to Senator Nelson. I urge your readers (from Nebraska and elsewhere) to do likewise, in their own words!Dear Senator Nelson:I send this message under “Tort Reform” because the current monstrosity you have pledged your support to says nothing whatsoever about Tort Reform. You have sold the physicians of Nebraska for zilch (zilch for us, but beaucoup federal bucks for you and the liberal partisans in this state). As... Michelle Malkin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411953/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:30:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411463/posts Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has caved in to pressure from Democrats in their proposed government takeover of the health care industry, settling for language that allows use of federal taxpayer dollars to fund abortion. But was the abortion issue the reason he objected to the bill at all? Now that he’s caved on the language and will vote to allow federal funding of abortion, people are left to wonder. The House-passed bill includes language that would repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act which exempts insurance companies from federal anti-trust legislation, which facilitates insurance company monopolies within each state. Yesterday afternoon, the insurance... HumanEvents.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411463/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:10:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411952/posts Senator Nelson of Nebraska cut a special deal. In exchange for agreeing to allow government funds be used for abortions, he got a special deal for Nebraska. The special deal was that Nebraska would not have to pay matching funds for Medicade. All the other 49 states must pay matching funds. Many of those state like my own state of California can not afford to pay those matching funds. Who pays for Nebraska's Medicare casts? All of us who live in the other 49 states. BS, I say. We should not stand by while Nebraska sucks money from all the... Me http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411952/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:30:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411772/posts The liberals have delivered a lump of coal to all Americans this Christmas by buying the vote of Senator Ben Nelson, in order to have the 60 votes necessary to force through the Health Care reform bill. The Nebraska Democrat was given a huge payoff for his state by the leadership in the Senate, which will prevent a filibuster, barring any last minute defections from this package. Some are questioning Nelson's motives, as his earlier objections to the bill had to do with restrictions on abortion coverage. But those restrictions failed to satisfy major anti-abortion groups and lawmakers. Even though... America Talks http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411772/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:06:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411583/posts Democrat Ben “Dover” Nelson, who had previously threatened to join a GOP filibuster of the Senate Health Care Bill, proved today that everything has a price – including a man’s values. The Nebraska Senator just accepted what I’ll generously describe as an enormous “monetary incentive” to do a complete 180 on his long-time position on abortion funding and thereby gave this awful legislation life with his 60th all-Democrat vote. Earlier this month, Nelson insisted that he would not support a bill without stronger anti-abortion language: The American Thinker Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411583/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:26:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411587/posts Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life groups have spent most of Saturday morning furiously analyzing the Nelson-Reid compromise language on abortion funding in the Senate health care bill. Their conclusion is that the language undermines the amendments they wanted to ban abortion funding. The compromise language appears in the manager's amendment Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is offering to shore up the 60 votes he needs to overcome the filibuster against the pro-abortion health care bill. The language is not similar to the Stupak and Nelson amendments approved by the House and defeated in the Senate. Instead, Section 38 adds a... LifeNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411587/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:38:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411652/posts What started as Sen. Ben Nelson's personal stand against covering abortion with taxpayer money translated, somehow, into millions of dollars in federal aid for his home state. The Nebraska Democrat, following weeks of negotiations with his caucus, finally agreed to back the Senate's health care reform bill this weekend after Democratic leaders made a series of concessions. Nelson's support gives Democrats the 60 votes they need to overcome a filibuster, barring any last-minute defections. But critics by Sunday were heavily questioning Nelson's motivations, given that the abortion restrictions he sought and won did not satisfy several major anti-abortion lawmakers and... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411652/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:50:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411927/posts Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says those unhappy with the health care overhaul set to be pushed through the Senate this week should express their displeasure at the polls next November. Huckabee spoke Sunday to a raucous crowd of about 1,800 people at an Omaha rally sponsored by Americans for Prosperity of Nebraska. Huckabee says the vote on health care reform is a pivotal moment in American history, and he took Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson to task for deciding to support the measure. Huckabee went so far as to compare Nelson to Judas in the biblical story of Jesus'... ABC Nebraska affiliate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411927/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:35:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411902/posts The corruption of using the public treasury as a check book to buy the votes of Senator Nelson and Senator Sanders — in the face not only overwhelming public opposition, but also in the face of a public that now wants Congress to do nothing on health care — means that extraordinary measures are needed to kill ObamaCare. This plan, if executed properly, will kill the bill and it will give opponents two more bites at the apple, after it passes the Senate. There are some atmospheric conditions that will help this plan work. For example, both sides of the... Red State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411902/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:33:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411887/posts WASHINGTON (AP) - The little town of Libby, Mont., isn't mentioned by name in the Senate's mammoth health care bill, but it's one of the big winners in the legislation, thanks to the influence of Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. After pushing for years for help for residents of the area, thousands of whom suffer from asbestos-related illnesses from a now-closed mineral mining operation, Baucus inserted language in a package of last-minute amendments that grants them access to Medicare benefits. He didn't advertise the change, and it takes a close read of the bill to find it. It's just... Breitbart (AP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411887/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:02:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411866/posts OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - It was the concern of Nebraska's Republican governor over expanded Medicaid costs in the proposed Senate health care overhaul bill that led to a compromise to cover his state's estimated $45 million share over a decade, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson said Sunday. Gov. Dave Heineman "contacted me and he said this is another unfunded federal mandate and it's going to stress the state budget, and I agreed with him," the Nebraska Democrat said. "I said to the leader and others that this is something that has to be fixed. I didn't participate in the way it... Breitbart (AP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411866/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:24:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411812/posts For those who wish to get on the list, feel free to FReepmail writer33. If you wish to send one yourself to your Senator or Senator Ben Nelson, follow the link to find a singularized version at the blog site I sent to my Senator. Make sure to FReepmail writer33 with your name for those that can. Don't put your name out on the open forum. As you know that would make you vulnerable to any whack job on the internet. The letter goes straight to Senator Nelson and is not for public consumption. Elective Decisions http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411812/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:12:29 GMT