The LuLac Edition #1037, Dec. 14th, 2009

PHOTO: NEW SYMBOL OF SENATE DEMOCRATS

CHICKENING OUT!!!!

Distressful news tonight from Washington, the U.S. Senate Democrats, you know the ones with the 60 vote majority are going to drop the Medicare plan to insure people without insurance 55 and older. This is a disgrace. Liberals had sought the Medicare expansion as a last-minute substitute for a full-blown, government-run insurance program that moderates insisted be removed from the legislation. But it drew strong opposition from Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and quieter concerns from a dozen Democrats — all of whom hold votes essential for passage.
Reid did not say flatly that Democrats had decided to drop the proposal for uninsured Americans as young as 55 to purchase coverage under Medicare. But several senators, including Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said the move is probably necessary to pass the bill. And with all Democratic senators invited to meet with Obama at the White House complex on Tuesday, that appeared a prime opportunity for him and them to declare their unity. The obstacle that loomed largest was the Medicare expansion proposal, a remnant of a months long debate over the role of government in the newly revised health care system. It emerged last week as part of a framework agreement between moderates and liberals struggling to define the role of government in the newly revised health care system. Additionally, the proposal calls for creation of nationwide plans run by private insurance companies under the supervision of the Office of Personnel Management, the agency that oversees the system through which federal employees and lawmakers obtain coverage.
The fact is that federal workers can choose whatever health plan they are on. And you know who administers that? The insurance companies. Blue Cross has a special corp of phone operators and claims people who do nothing but deal with federal employee health plans. Does that sound like government interference? Also the Senators are making a big deal out of the fact that insurance companies will be prevented from barring someone from a policy because of a pre-existing condition. These dumb ass Senators should know that on many group plans, there is a pre- existing condition waiver. If they are going to touting the preexisting clause as a victory, then they are calling it reform when in reality it is the status quo. Watch what these people do. I am not upset about the Republican opposition anymore, it was expected. What I am very angry about is the lack of courage these Democrats who won big are showing. They can't control their own members, they kiss the ass of a freak like Joe Lieberman (one of Al Gore's biggest mistakes) and disgrace the long Democratic Senate tradition of legislating laws for the good of the common man. It is hard to think about the common man when you are in the rarefied air of the Senate. Here's what will happen: the Senate majority will cave and water down this bill so much that it will actually enrich the insurance companies. (Good for them, unlike 1994 they didn't even lift a finger in opposition because they didn't have to with the spineless Dems in the Senate.) They'll call it health care reform but it will fail because it wasn't done right. This is almost like passing a civil rights bill in 1964 saying we won't discriminate against blacks Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And we'll create a Commission to oversee that discrimination, if it takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays will be monitored so it's not too bad. If the Senate lets go of this Medicare proposal it is signing its own death warrant. When I was growing up U.S. Senators, both Democrats and Republicans stood on principle. These guys do not. There's that old country and western song, "If you don't stands for something, you'll fall for anything". The Senate Democrats appear to be on the road to hell paved with their weak, tepid, lukewarm and wishy washy intentions. The only winners here are the GOP who said no and the current health industry. The losers will be the American middle class. Hope and Change? Mr. Obama you can't change America with an army of political cowards. If you are destined to be a one term President, take everyone of these bastards with you.