Democrats Axe Public Plan From Health Bill

Those mysterious "sources" are at work again, except this time, they aren't talking about Tiger Woods supposed, um, relationship issues. This time, however, these sources are confirming to the media that the Democrats have struck an internal agreement on what they want in the health reform bill.

And as sure that the fact that my dry sense of humor can't translate through keystrokes, this "all public" healthcare bill is DOA. Now the plan will be private plans with government oversight, which will no doubt be a breath of fresh air to moderate Democrats, and those who can count to 60 through the mid-western political map.

The plan reportedly also calls for Medicare to be expanded to all people ages 55+, which will no doubt be a breath of fresh air to everybody who can order off of the back page of a Denny's menu.

Look, I know a lot of Democrats aren't going to like this, but this really is the only option at this point. If the public plan went forward, not only would Democrats be railroaded by the Republicans, but by the more moderate Democrats as well. Not to mention that next year is an election year.

Believe it or not, this does still meet President Obama's message of change -- instead of going to the table divided, or wanting something to pass that never will, calling a huddle first ensures that at least we can all sell the same play.

-Adam

AP sources: Dems reach deal to drop gov't-run plan - Yahoo! News

Democrat Views now on Twitter!

Democrat Views is now on Twitter! Obviously, this site has been lagging lately, so I thought that maybe I could get back into it (slowly) by getting into Twitter first.

Find me @DemocratViews.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Dead at 77

Long-time Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who has served 43 years in the United States Senate, has died at 77.

-Adam

Franken's Long Road is Finally Over, Sworn in to Senate

Comedian candidate Senator Al Franken was finally sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden today, eight months after election day on November 4th. Raw video of the swearing-in can be found here.

There's been a lot of talk since this whole Franken-Coleman thing started, about how Franken would be the 60th vote, that some iron-clad fist would come down upon the Senate, preventing any and all possible filibusters. That is such a load of bull. There will be no 60-vote filibuster override. There will likely not even be any serious filibusters -- even the back-and-forth threats of filibusters during the Bush Administration produced more threats than actual attempts. Have any of these any of these Senators actually sat down and listened to debates on the floor of the Senate? Where you find a member of Congress, you'll likely find two different opinions on a matter. 60 votes means 120 different opinions, folks -- there's no way this will ever happen. Especially when you look at some of these Democrats in the so-called super-majority. Let's take a look at one in particular:

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) - Former Democrat. Caucused with the Democrats, and sides with them on a majority of issues, with the exception of the that get talked about on the news. One these issues, Joe always seems to surround himself with Republicans and denounce whatever happens to be on the table at the time CNN's cameras show up. Won't likely vote for cloture on big issues; smaller issues won't likely be filibustered. He's may be caucused with the Democrats, but since he had to get there as an independent, I have to imagine that he's still somewhat upset at his former party, and no one should put it beyond an elected officials to stick it to someone he doesn't like, just because.

This brings the total down to 59. I really doubt a vote for cloture would come to rest at 59-41, but it would be enough. You know, I'm sure that Joe Lieberman is a great guy, but c'mon, Connecticut, you couldn't have voted for Ned Lamont?

-Adam

Sanford & ...Argentine Beauty?

Gov. Mark Sanford, who recently destroyed his marriage admitted to having an affair with a woman in Argentina... on state time... using state money, was censured yesterday after a vote within the the South Carolina Republican Party. Their vote fell short of asking him to resign, however. The vote was 22 to censure, 10 to resign, and 9 in support of the embattled governor.

Sanford's biggest problem, to me anyway, was the fact that he left the state,. and the country, without taking the appropriate steps to transfer power to the Lt. Governor first. And spending state funds during these trips. And while the state review shows Sanford did no wrong doing, we know he did use state money, since he wrote the state a $3,300 personal check. Yes, the affair was personally wrong, and it speaks to character if the elected leader of a state decides to go outside of his marriage, but an affair hurts the state and the people differently than misuse of state funds and failing to perform the duties of the office you're elected to. Those most hurt are your own family, while the state is dragged through the mud. Perhaps one of these offenses alone would be forgivable, as least as far as the general public is concerned, but with all of these things against him, a censure of the governor is getting off pretty well.

And for some personal advice for the governor: Lord knows you shouldn't ask me for relationship advice, but Gov. Sanford, if you are not in love with your life, and if this other woman is your "soul mate", get a divorce, move her up here, so you can stay near your kids, and live contently ever after (it's not happily ever after since he blew his chances of running in 2012.) Your kids will gain nothing by "staying together for the kids", which is likely what you are doing now. They're smarter than that, Sanford.

-Adam

No Title

I sit here dumbfounded that it has been 665 days since my last post of this blog. I most likely suffered some burn-out during the drawn-out campaign process -- as an avid news junkie, almost everything I watched on television was election-based news coverage. Everything that I read, or typed, on the internet had to do with Obama, McCain, and 2008. I couldn't get enough.

It would be a logical assumption to assume that I was not the only one this happened to -- after all, with the rush to place primaries so close to the beginning of the year, resulting ever earlier campaigning by the perspective candidates, this country's election process has now become, like it or not, a two-year affair (which may or may not be longer than Gov. Sanford's affair, and Gov. Palin's career.) Politics seemed to almost become a daily burden, and while the right man won, the whole thing lasted way to long in my opinion.

It is my intent to revive this site, and if it is to be so, than it will happen; otherwise, it'll likely fizzle out like last time. The objective of this blog remains the same -- as the title says, these posts are the ideas, thoughts, and views of a Democrat, me, and anyone whom wishes may read my thoughts (at least those thoughts which are transcribed here anyway, for the rest is likely too dirty, and nobody would want it.)

-Adam