I guess the democrats don’t believe in Rasmussen anyway -

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

BUT, will they toss the young voters under the bus as well?

Mandatory purchase of health insurance becomes an issue

http://www.sacbee.com/business/story/2452096.html#none

The college libertarian says the individual mandate would just shift the cost of medicine from the sick to young, healthy people such as himself.

“Young people would be paying disproportionately for health care because they are the least likely to reap the benefits,” he said.

Sertic said health insurance is not a priority for him at the moment, although he knows he’ll eventually need it. “The odds of me getting ill are very slim.”

I think there might be a good chance for that, all they have to do is bribe everyone and cut some more back room deals. I guess the big question is if they can get all this wheeling and dealing done before the SOTU? The Dems don’t have any principles to stand on (surprise, surprise) they’re only waiting to sell themselves out for a deal.

Like many of the conservatives/repubs followed G.W early in his presidency. We learned our lesson in ’06 and ’08. It is all about saving the Obama presidency which in turn they think will save the progressive agenda. Good luck

is very weak and Obama has no left flank because of it. That is why I never believed progressives would shoot the hostage and kill this bill – while they vote and donate money, progressives are a very weak and overrated political force in contemporary American politics. As long as the white house placates the conservatives (a very vibrant and formidable force in American politics) in their own party, they will get their bill passed.

Harold Meyerson wrote an interesting piece in the Washington Post about the contemporary progressive movement in America and explains why they have very little influence. While I obviously do not share Meyerson’s politics, it is still an interesting read and throws some cold water on the hope that they will stop the health care bill from passing.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/05/AR2010010502989.html

all sound and fury, signifying nothing (pardon the mixed metaphors). The fascists know they might not get another shot at this apple. Even though it isn’t EVERYTHING they want, it’s a good start. If it passes, they might get some chances to move it more in the direction they want. If it doesn’t, it WILL be replaced with something else, maybe something that even works. Can’t have that. So they puff up the PR while they screw the proles, just like Lenin and Stalin.

Look, this is Standard Operating Procedure. It’s why The Big 0 has been making big puffy, sort of patriotic speeches about improving national security while sending terrorists to the NYC courts for their eventual release. They’ve always made progress by pompously pontification in one direction while doing the opposite. Until they stop advancing using the technique, it won’t end.

What we need in the House are two pairs of Stupak blocs:

- One group that will vote no unless abortion is excluded
- One group that will vote no unless abortion is included

and overlapping with that:

- One group that will vote no unless a public option is excluded
- One group that will vote no unless a public option is included

The larger both groups within each pair are, the better the chance it fails.

Pelosi’s pompous, piss-poor personality predictably placates prevaricating, pinhead politicians.

She knows Hari Kari will receive the most credit if this “historic” healthcare bill is passed. She will do whatever she has to do to get it passed, but it will forever be her yeast infection that she cannot cure.

My reading of the Cantor memo is not that there are 37 no votes, but there are 37 members who could possibly be convinced to switch their votes to NO. The key sentences:

“Together with my Whip Team, I have identified 37 Democrats who – we believe – can be persuaded to vote against a final health care agreement. Because each of these 37 Democrats voted for the House bill, we only need to turn 3 votes to prevent a final agreement from passing.”

“If we can convince enough of these 37 Members (along with the 39 Democrats who already voted no) to reconsider and switch their position on the bill, I know that we can defeat this government take-over of our health care before it becomes law.”

Bernie Sanders voted for the senate bill…BERNIE SANDERS and self-described socialist.

That means to kowtow to the Obama administration, a SOCIALIST!!!!!! voted for a bill that restricts abortions in the insurance industry more than what exist today, cuts benefits for middle class families and the elderly, increases taxes for the working class, forbids illegal immigrants working in America for American companies from getting health insurance, puts a tax structure in place that could lead to the demise of many (if not all) private sector unions, mandates that working class people buy a product from one of the most hated industries in the country using taxpayer dollars, punitive fines, and the justice department to execute, still does not provide universal coverage (by 2019 there will still be 6-10% of the population without coverage), drives up premiums for working class families and mandate they buy it, etc. etc. etc.

And the progressive wing of the democratic party is going to stop this bill? Man I hope so but I would not count on it. I do not want to be a sourpuss, but we need to be realistic about the battlefield we are standing on and our chances of winning the near-term battle so we can prepare how to repeal this monstrosity if it passes. Half a trillion in tax increases on a troubled economy, half a trillion in health care cuts, a complete restructuring of American medicine? God help us.

that there is a consensus that the Progressives will roll over and play dead.

I hope that is what happens.