In a section of his speech, he trotted out an old conservative criticism of government – that it is a bad manager. To highlight the point, he speaks of the fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid. And ya know what? He’s right! Criminal syndicates exist solely to exploit these programs. Unfortunately, our criminal justice system is set up in a way that puts people away for 20 years if they are caught with a coupla baggies of dope, but if you are caught defrauding the government for millions, you may end up at a half-way house for six months. Moreover, if there is anyone responsible for decimating government enforcement and auditing… well, look no further than the Republicans.

Meanwhile, 76% of the country and 58% of Republicans want a public plan to compete with the private insurance industry, because they hate them and don’t trust their health care to them.  The “infighting” is happening because there are a few people left in the Democratic party who think that means something and are determined not to give up on it and let the insurance industry railroad through a bail out for themselves.

Here’s a round-up of the latest action in Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Nebraska:

The teabaggers are out in force.  We don’t have the lobbyist money of AHIP and Wellpoint and Blue Cross, but we have a lot of people who care.  If you want to show up and support Democrats and ask them to pledge to vote only for a strong public plan, here’s what you can do.

Dodd is scheduled to have prostate surgery during the August recess. Bancroft said “Dodd asked if he wanted to talk to him and he declined.”

Bancroft is the Connecticut Coordinator of an organization called a Gathering of Eagles, a group that was formed in 2007 to protect the Viet Nam memorial wall from being defaced during a peace march that year oppose the war in Iraq.

14 down…26 to go. Whip it! Took the Pledge Only With "Robust" PP Weasel Words "Open to Anything" Emanuel Cleaver II Lloyd Doggett Donna Edwards Keith Ellison Barney Frank Raul Grijalva Phil Hare Rush Holt Carolyn Maloney Jerrold Nadler Chelle Pingree Lynn Woolsey Robert Wexler Maxine Waters Peter DeFazio Jane Harman John Yarmuth Neil Abercrombie [...]

Via My Left Nutmeg: "How come we don’t just give Chris Dodd painkillers? Like a handful of them at a time! He can wash it down with Ted Kennedy’s whiskey…!" If anyone can identify the guy in Connecticutman’s video, let us know in the comments. Update:  Christine Stuart of CT News Junkie identifies the guy [...]

The only chance we have to stop this continuing travesty on every single issue that comes before Congress is to strengthen the resolve of the progressive caucus by making sure people in their districts know exactly what is happening. Sure they’ll fight hard for progressive legislation, but they leave the back door open to sell it out when the time comes. Which they always do. They are actors in a grand kabuki, accustomed to “fighting the good fight” and addicted to losing.

Karen Ignagni the CEO of AHIP, held a conference call with members of the press this morning. I am persona non grata with AHIP, but perhaps Jane got by the AHIP screeners (remind you of the George Bush towh hall meetings?), and will be able to give us her impressions of what transpired. Before the call, AHIP [...]

Freedomworks isn’t some “organic grassroots” outfit. It’s run by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey — corporate lobbyist, global warming denier and ladie’s man. The President and CEO of Freedomworks is Matt Kibbee, who was trained by Lee Atwater. Kibbe was behind the attempt to get Ralph Nader put on the ballot in Oregon in 2004, prompting a complaint to the FEC of illegal collusion with the GOP.