I think it is pretty clear that O hasn’t been taking counsel from Maxine.

I really wish Maxine could explain things to the Economic Royalists in the Executive Office.

The age of machinery, of railroads; of steam and electricity; the telegraph and the radio; mass production, mass distribution – all of these combined to bring forward a new civilization and with it a new problem for those who sought to remain free.

For out of this modern civilization economic royalists carved new dynasties. New kingdoms were built upon concentration of control over material things. Through new uses of corporations, banks and securities, new machinery of industry and agriculture, of labor and capital – all undreamed of by the Fathers – the whole structure of modern life was impressed into this royal service.

I wish FDR’s ghost would haunt the President for a few nights.

While watching all the goings-on last night on MSNBC, I saw a commercial that made me wonder:

Why is it ok for the Federal government to offer flood insurance but not health insurance?

And earthquake insurance?

Thanks Teddy for another fine post.

Teddy!!

Good post and thank you Maxine!

Huh. Here in CA it’s mandated that insurance companies offer it, but I don’t think it’s a govt program. Flood insurance, however, is definitely FEMA:

http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/

Kind of weird, I think. I mean, it’s way easier to just not live in a flood plain than it is to, well, not get sick ever.

interesting. didn’t Pelosi say almost word-for-word the same thing today? That the public option is it unless someone gives her a better idea, which nobody has done yet? And MoveOn today kicked off a new campaign by saying: “Don’t let right-wing extremists hold health care reform hostage. Pass President Obama’s plan, including a strong public health insurance option.”.. which basically means that they are choosing to interpret (intentionally misinterpret) the president’s speech as a directive to us to insist on the strong PO. It looks like a few people got a little more spine as a result of last night.

I’m starting to think we have a chance in heck, if we really push.

tell that to all those tens of thousands of people who insist on living in Mission Valley….

LOL
I read topo maps for days before I bought. Weird, I know.

So, when are we going after these guys??!!

IF THEY AREN’T SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN THEN WHY ARE WE SUPPORTING THEM?

ABC News reports that President Obama will be meeting with 16 Democratic senators this afternoon at the White House.

They are: Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Mark Warner of Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Tom Carper of Delaware, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Udall and Michael Bennet of Colorado, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

Single payer is better. Don’t discard the bargaining chips Maxine.

Problem children.. or his best buddies?

Folks, let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. Let’s sink that backhoe into the deepest recesses of our intellect and admit to ourselves that Maxine Waters is the biggest idiot in the history of Congress.

With the possible exception of Joe Wilson, of course.

“The Shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as a liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as a destroyer of liberty.” Abraham Lincoln

Time for the Shepherd to denounce and reject the wolves!

Thank you. Maxine Waters is a national treasure. She’s also gotten much better at television appearances lately, and producers seem to seek her out much more. That’s all a very good thing.

It’s important that we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of allies and champions like Maxine. She’s just swell. I will never forget her efforts in Connecticut during the primary against Joe Lieberman. She validated the Lamont candidacy for many African-American Nutmeggers, I believe. At great cost to herself within the Beltway, I am sure.

This is actually the first Maxine Waters interview where she did not strongly make that point, that Public Option is already a deep compromise for her, many of her colleagues, and many of her constituents. Perhaps she thought it was important today to make the point that Public Option is the best option for NOW.

Also, I think she was invited to smack the GOP supporters of Addison “Joe” Wilson around; Shuster’s been tweeting his interview with the Texas Congressman who wouldn’t say Wilson “did wrong” quite a bit.

What Maxine Waters is a national treasure? I damn near fell out of my chair after reading your post…If she is such a treasure, why don’t you check out her district in Cali?

Update on Wilson, from Greg Sargent at the WaPo0 Plum Line. Apparently an apology to the President via Rahm Emanuel is not sufficient, and “Joe” won’t apologize in the well of the House:

Okay, some late breaking stuff involving Joe “you lie” Wilson.

It appears House Dem leaders are now considering censure for Wilson for yelling at the president last night, despite Nancy Pelosi’s earlier suggestion it might not happen.

Here’s how it went down today. Dem Rep Jim Clyburn, who strongly rebuked Wilson in public, privately approached him on the House floor today to demand that he apologize to the full House, a leadership aide says.

But Wilson refused, the aide adds, saying he’d already privately apologized to Rahm Emanuel.

House Dem leader Steny Hoyer, meanwhile, approached GOP leader John Boehner to push for a House floor apology from Wilson, the aide adds.

The House Dem leadership has now concluded a public apology is necessary. “Wilson brought dishonor to the House,” another leadership aide says. “He needs to apologize to the House on the floor for his behavior and if he does not, action will be taken when we return to session next week.”

House leaders are discussing the possibility of a Floor resolution censuring Wilson, the first aide confirms.

It’ll be interesting to see how President Obama handles this. He said today he accepted Wilson’s apology. So what will the White House say about the House leadership’s push for some form of censure? This story isn’t going anywhere. It could stretch into next week.

Waters represents south central, have you been there lately?

Hope you didn’t hurt your head.

“Represents,” not “governs.”

Maxine is Not Afraid. I love her.

Hey, blub! I just made plans to go to Fashion Valley on Tuesday.

Just got an email from Feingold asking that folks call the good guys. Maxine was the first name that comes to mind.

What is your point – if you have one?

Maxine appears on MSNBC only where guys like shuster and shultz kiss her ass, If she is such a national treasure why do so many young african american and latino teens die in her district daily?

The offense took place in the House, violated House rules. While he may have half assed apologized to the President he’s made no effort to apologize to his fellow Represenatives, whose House he shit in.

My point is she sucks ass

Do you hold your Representative responsible for what happens in your city?

You are disgusting. Go Away.

because we don’t have over 330 million homeowners that have flood ins…

I thought we stopped referring to it as South Central about 5 years ago…

It has a point Twain, on top of his head.

The way I see it if the district they represent is shit why would I think she could help the rest of us?

went to her web page and if that is the case she needs to get a staffer to let her know…she calls it south central…

That’s an evasion of the question, not an answer. A simple yes or no without the bullshit would be fine.

Because she wants all Americans to have health care. She really cares.

I don’t know, because she murders them personally?

Well shit, i want a free car when do we get that?

s
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(trying to take my own advice…)

Thank you, Teddy. Move along, nothing to see.

Yeah, this one looks like he couldn’t poor piss out of a boot with directions on the heel.

s
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Just respond to my point, for you to say that maxine is a national treasure is damn near the funniest thing one could say..I never said she was responsible for the killings, but for someone that has been in congress for 10 terms why is south central still a shit hole?

Why on earth would anyone listen to a true whacko like poor ole dumb Maxine…..cept’n maybe those fools that voted for her.

“They will do anything they can think of to kill this bill”

This really says it all. The republics can spew whatever boneheaded crap they can pull out of their a**. End of the day, they stand with the Insurance companies and couldn’t give a rats ass about sick people or people who are punished everyday because they get sick, lose a job, change jobs.
Leave them the hell out of the discussiona already. What do the republics have to do to make one understand they want to KILL the bill?

I sure hope the President was doing some arm twisting at the WH today.

How do I file a Complaint the FDL Troll-Quality-Control folks?

quantity up —> quality *way* down……

Actually, the Republicans just want to kill us. All their supporters are on Medicare.

At least Juno was interesting, at times.

Yes, so many are on Medicare and the problem with that is they are too stupid to understand it’s government run.

The new shift will be coming up soon. Maybe the quality will improve -right?

You mean I’m the only leftist pinko commie Marxist on Medicare? Damn.

They sure ain’t making any money by the word, that’s for sure.

Actually, the Republicans just want to kill us.

I don’t know that I’d go that far, but if your net worth isn’t at an eight-figure level, at minimum, you’re just part of “the problem”.

“Just get your (and my) poor needy ass out of our way, please.”

There are plenty of smart people who use Medicare. It is just teh stoopit who got theirs and don’t want to share. Typical Repug sickness.

Are you kididng me, the Dems own the seniors but not after this goat screw…

Nope SD you’re not. However sometimes I wish it were only them on Medicare so we could allow the repukes to decimate it as they wish. Perhaps then their sheep would see what they’re really all about.

The new shift will be coming up soon. Maybe the quality will improve -right?

I love incurable optimists.

*g*

You are not alone. Medicare is good.

If they want to live like the Sun King, when are they gonna start dressin’ like him? I think some of those Rethugs might look cute in a wig and stockings. Mayhaps some of the trolls, too.

I actually feel a bit optimistic today. Of course, I have also been sick for a month, first time in my life. I got diagnosed today and will be better in 5-7 days.

So I am feeling really pumped, if just for that. But honestly, I do feel like some change has come.

A white wig would really show off Boner’s “suntan”.

Hope you feel better soon.

I am quite stuffy and sore-throaty after a plane flight on Sunday. The bugs always take a few days to catch up to me, or else I’m just unused to California pollen after two weeks away.

And some cute garters.

I think some of those Rethugs might look cute in a wig and stockings.

I think you might be mistaken.

I way-too-vividly remember a picture of Rudy Giuliani in Drag….

I have giardia, and I’m afraid I have to guess it came from my tigers. But I dunno.

hi! I like taking the trolley there…

It’s a bad allergy day in the Bay Area. Been trying to breathe all day – gasping instead.

That’s an intestinal ailment. How could you get it from your tigers? Where would you or they pick up the parasite?

From http://www.medicinenet.com/gia…..rticle.htm

“Domestic mammals (for example, dogs, cats, calves) and wild mammals (for example, beavers) can become infected with Giardia; however, it is not clear how often domestic or wild mammals transmit giardiasis to humans.”

I wish I could get my sick computer to link.

The Onion Store has a T-shirt that says – “Kittens Think of Nothing But Murder All Day”.

sorry.

Don’t forget me.

Well it’s nice to know I’m not alone over here.

Here, jayt

I like “When I Die I’m…”

I know SD. It’s not like I make a practice of sniffing their butts or anything.

Interesting to see Wyoming Republican Senator Barrasso on the Ed Show today..talking about how Wyoming using something called a, mmmm, how did he put it? Oh, yeah, state high risk pool. Which would be another way of saying….a public option.

Good enough for thee Wyomians but not for the rest of America, eh Senator?

heh – thanks. I wanted to link to the “When I Die, I Am Going To Haunt The Fuck Out Of You People” T-shirt w/r/t to Roosevelt coming back to haunt Obama’s WH on an earlier comment.

Apparently the Republicans DO have a plan, which was outlined by Senator John Barrasso (R) on The Ed Show: Have the states form “high risk pools” for the people with preexisting conditions; the healthy people can purchase coverage from the insurance companies. Sounds very Republican: force healthy people to purchase insurance. When they get sick, pass them off to the taxpayer!

that city confuses me. It’s too flat. ‘can’t tell where one neighborhood ends and another begin. At least ours has terrain. ;-)

High risk pools are for people who have received a “denial of coverage” from their insurance company. They are not otherwise open to the public.

We have one. I got in it when they dumped me for “seasonal allergies.” Effers.

It is the cheapest I have ever paid for insurance.

Oh, Congressman Waters, you rock.

Seriously. I would vote for you as President in a heartbeat.

murder by neglect isn’t a plan. well…maybe it is…

Way OT:

Is Jon Stewart ever coming back?

Soooo, if we change the terminology from “single payer” to “high risk pool” everybody can sabotage their private health insurance and get into the “high risk pool.” A Wiley Coyote scheme if I ever heard one. What? It could happen.

Check out Naked Capitalism. I love me some Maxine, but Auerback’s response to O’s speech is the one that I wished Maxine had given. The elephant in the room is – you say you want the best ideas? Where the hell is single payer. The rest is just a dumb show and give away to the insurance companies.

The Congress is back in session and doing the dirty work for the Medical Industrial Complex.

mcconnell $3.3M, hatch $2.9M, baucus $2.8M, grassley $2.7M,
lieberman $2.6M, burr $2.4M, ensign $2.4M, cornyn $2.2M, kyl $2.1M,
conrad $2.1M, cantor $1.8M boehner $1.7M, coburn $1.2M were
paid by the Medical Industrial Complex to kill Health Care Reform.

12 Million Americans were denied Health Care Coverage by the Medical Industrial Complex because they had a Pre-Existing Medical Condition. 12K Americans lose Insurance Coverage everyday. Over 18K Americans die each day because they lack health insurance. (Source: WaPo Article 05′ by Harvard Prof. E. Warren)

Follow the Money: Link

Call Congress and demand, Single-Payer Health Care for All!

Sign Single-Payer Petition: Link

Don’t let the Medical Industrial Complex steal your Health Care from you and your family by donating huge sums of money to Crooked Politicians in order to maintain the Status Quo. Keep up the good fight.

SEMPER FI!

I always wished I had had the opportunity to vote for Barbara Jordan as president. A couple of her speeches are up at americanrhetoric.com

I remember her best from the nixon impeachment hearings. Sadly she is gone now. We could use her voice.

the blue dog cabal…when is going to meet with progs?

no better ideas on how to contain costs?

single payer, medicare for all, hr 676 [which you have cosponsored, and for this i thank you] is way better than the public option, both for containing costs and for providing health care to everybody.

tome harkin, who replaced teddy kennedy on the senate HELP comittee said the same thing

Maxine did a great job on Stephanopolus this past Sunday as well – really socking it to the Repug opposition!

Much rather pay a big insurance company then the 27,000 attorneys in Washington with their hands out.

obama doesn’t want to harm the medical-industrial complex, ergo, no public option.

the trick will be convincing progressives that the his trigger/co-op plan is a public option

real health care reform requires a loser, obama is unwilling to create one

Better ideas? There aren’t even any worse ideas. There are no ideas.

Obama has not so much as even suggested at anything other than the public option for reducing costs.

Let’s do the non-controversial reforms of the reform plans and use Medicare for the ‘public option’, dump the mandates (which can be characterized as a hidden tax) and call it a day.

Better quality care, more people (if not all) covered and cost control through competition from the ‘public option’ (run by Medicare).

Whatta ya say?

Fully and completely right on.

Also. 100% correct.

I think she knows Single Payer is the beat option but maybe won’t pass this Congress. So I guess we have to keep coming back to this until we have Single Payer. All I know is, California is ready to do it on its own once we get the Governator out of office.

Unfortunately, for too many of our elected officials, payoff rules their corrupt political lives. And the Supreme Court is getting ready to declare that corrupt government is constitutional.

Where the hell were the Republicans during the last eight years. Really something that all of the teabaggers are so concerned about the deficit now. Where the hell were they during the last eight years.

The fundamental hypocrisy stinks to high hell