(March 21, 2010 - Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)

Many Americans rose eagerly from their beds this morning to turn on their morning news programs to see if there was word on the health care reform standoff that they likely spent their Sunday tuned in to.  For many of those Americans, their morning likely brought them a bitter cup of coffee – yet one they undoubtedly were prepared for – even before they took their first sip.  The events of the last few weeks made the bill’s passage an unfortunate inevitability that teetered only on the questions of when and how.  Now that both have been clearly laid before us – with spirits down and defeat in this standoff a foregone conclusion – many Republicans on the Hill have resorted to praying for a last minute technicality to serve as a bump in the road for the bill’s ultimate setting in stone.  The dreams of the most optimistic set aside….this ship has sailed.

So now the wheels have been set to motion.  ”Socialism” – or at least some perverse amalgam of socialistic elements – has been injected into our capitalist system and like it or not, it is here and it is the unfortunate reality that now stares us in the face.  The threat of it is no longer the 800 lb guerrilla in the room that no one wants to talk about.  It is now that 2000 pound anchor dragging us into the abyss of European styled governance.

There are many that will proudly state that this bill is “imperfect” – that it still must be emended, tinkered with, added to, and subtracted from before it can be effectively implemented.  Some have found solace in that narrative; perhaps hoping that “amendment” means addition by subtraction – when they know within their heart of hearts that the only “change we can believe in” regarding this bill will be change for the worse.

This bill is simply the first step toward a full-blown single-payer system modeled in a European fashion.  Even Press Secretary Robert Gibbs in his daily briefing – TODAY – said that CBO calculations estimate that this legislation will still leave at least 5% of Americans uninsured.  Do you think these people  - that see health care as an inalienable right – will stop at 95%?  Of course they won’t – regardless of the cost.  This is just the beginning folks.  Today is day one – will it be day one of our efforts to repeal??? or will it be day one on the future of a European styled health care system in these United States?

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So where do Republicans go from here?  As this bill moved closer to its ultimate passage, talk of “repeal” emerged.  Members of the GOP began to talk about running on platforms with rescinding this act of Congress as the centerpiece.  Obviously responding to some unfavorable poll numbers or perhaps simply… relying on common sense, that mantra was changed ever so slightly to “repeal and replace.”  One cannot ignore the fact that Americans do in fact want health care reform -they just don’t and didn’t want this monstrosity.  I think the change was warranted as well as wise.  Thank you Rep. Paul Ryan.

I fully support the idea of running November elections with the stated objective of repealing this bill, but I fail to see how that pledge of allegiance carries us from now until November – or any point thereafter.  The mainstream media is already heralding this legislation as a monumental achievement for the Obama administration, and if day one coverage is a sign of what is yet to come, months of heart warming tales of happy entitlement grabbers will drown out any calls to remember the seedy and shady procedures that led to the bill’s passage.  Much of the ugliness will be forgotten when November rolls around.  Closed door meetings, reconciliation, deem and pass, and a general lack of transparency will be talking points easily dismissed by the Left and a favorable media only to be lost in the annuls of time long before another substantive vote is cast.

All that said, I will say unequivocally that I will not vote for a man or woman in November who hasn’t declared his/her intention to repeal this bill, but…. (and you knew there was a but coming) …. I shutter at the thought of the Republican Party becoming a one-issue party between now and November and will also NOT VOTE for any Republican that runs on this issue alone.  I think this is the most egregious and despicable piece of legislation that has been passed in my lifetime, but while this bill is offensive on about fifty different levels, it is more troubling to me that we have moved toward a place in time in the political cycle that we could even acknowledge that such an endeavor was anything more than an item on a wish list from an uber-Lefty progressive socialist.

The problem with this health care bill is that it was simply the next logical step for those in power in Washington.  Federalize the mortgage industry, take command of American auto manufacturers, create jobs through federal spending, bailout, bailout, bailout, and why not bring health care under the protective shell of the federal government – and make the Department of Education the sixth largest “bank” in the United States in the process?

The problem is systemic.  And for those of you who want to cheer repeal, repeal, repeal from now until November… I will be with you, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that everyone chanting along with you is fully up to the task.  Many of those same lawmakers who now want to point to this single piece of legislation as the “undoing of America” were on hand for the opening act of this multi-part move to European governance.  Stimulus is a Republican word thanks to the brilliance of the Bush administration and those without the courage to stick to their principles and stare a growing recession in the face and rely upon capitalist forces to right the wrong.

As we move toward November, it is absolutely imperative that anyone who wishes to see this great country returned to its rightful place remember that selecting our elected representatives is about choosing principled candidates – not about choosing those who can simply echo the Party war cry.  I fully support repeal, repeal, repeal… or repeal and replace- or whatever they want to call it, but unless we are willing to address the bigger problems that led to a culture where this sort of entitlement happy legislation was appropriate and not unconscionable, I think our efforts will find meager results.  The reality of the repeal agenda is that it is not a feat that will be accomplished in 2010 – or even soon thereafter.  For Republicans to truly “repeal” this bill, they would have to gain control of both Houses of Congress and in a strong enough fashion to override a Presidential veto.  If repeal is truly the answer and the path to righting this ship, it may have to wait until 2012.  The election of 2010 may be a “referendum” on this health care debacle, but if we are truly devoted to bringing this great nation back to its capitalist origins, Republicans should prepare themselves for making 2012 a referendum on preserving American Federalism and the capitalist system which has flourished therein.  Step one may be addressing this specific issue, but step two must be about addressing the systemic problems that have led us here.

Here’s another installment in the weekly spin around the Sunday Circuit. In the wake of the “bipartisan health care reform summit” you had to know it would be the topic dejure, and you probably could have guessed at least one elected official certain to grace the Sunday Stage. You guessed… Tweedle Dee (Dumb) was back – and yes I know that I am still calling him by both the new and old name – some habits are just hard to kill. Being “misinformed” about the target of the stimulus is still me laugh, so I’m reluctantly holding on to Tweedle Dee as well.  The stars of the summit – Marsha Blackburn, Paul Ryan, Lamar Alexander, and Tom Coburn were out in full force and the White House chose to prance out the health care CZAR for good measure.  Meet the Press doesn’t even refer to her by name on its website.  I think that should tell you something about the administration’s position on trying to get its message out.  Its a done deal folks…

MEET THE PRESS

“I’m glad that it happened… It was a “good forum… I hope its the basis for us to have some serious negotiations.”

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Here’s McCain responding to President Obama’s remarks at the Summit reminding him that the “election was over.” – No surprise here… McCain ducked the question. Greggory’s an ass just for asking it – among other things.

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John McCain on his dramatic move to the “Right” now that its election time. He begins with his position on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

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Health Care CZAR – so that’s who this is??? btw… She says they will have the votes in Congress… they don’t have them yet, and that the President will have more to say about both this week. Why the hell does he send these people here to say that he will say crap?

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ROUND TABLE RAMBLINGS…

This one was a round table on steroids… not because it was worthwhile or even loaded with substance, but check out how many people they packed around this table… PS… Is anyone else tired of seeing Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on every program? I can’t wait for health care reform debates to be over just so she can go back to being a nodody…

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FACE THE NATION

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Hoyer – “We’re going to move ahead and make sure that all Americans have access to health care…” – will someone please tell me what moving ahead means…

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Kent Conrad – “Reconciliation cannot be used to pass comprehensive health care reform. It wasn’t designed for that. It was designed for deficit reduction.” – It would be used for SIDE CAR ISSUES – not the whole package.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

THIS WEEK WITH….????

Pelosi thinks she’s doing “A” fine job…. Gives herself an “A” for effort

Pelosi has much in common with the Tea Party

Pelosi on Rangel

Lamar Alexander calls health care reform a “kamikaze political mission…”

Round Table

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) follows up on his high points from this week’s health care reform summit. He also addresses the numbers sent forth by the CBO – a point of contention between Ryan and President Obama at the meeting… If you want to hear someone talk the numbers of health care reform… this interview is the one for you.

Fox News Panel discusses Rahm Emanuel’s future and Charlie Rangel’s admonishment.

(December 8, 2009 - Photo by Pool/Getty Images North America)

President Obama opened up the bipartisan health care reform summit with “brief” remarks that lasted more than 20 minutes.  He told the attendees that his proposal posted Monday was a blend of the House and Senate bills.  He referenced a list of previous Republican proposals (which was a strange admission from a man who has repeatedly said Republicans have suggested NOTHING) and in typical Obama fashion, he threw in the obligatory “I read letters every night telling me we need health care reform” reminder.  I am yet to figure out how this president thinks he’s the first Chief Executive to receive and/or read letters from the American people, but I digress.

Live Stream Via NYTIMES Blog

As to the set up of the room.  Delegates (if you want to call them that) are arranged around what amounts to a square with the President at the center of one side with Kathleen Sebelius and Joe Biden on his flanks.

25 MINUTES IN…

Lamar Alexander offered up the first Republican remarks saying that “this thing” is like the Detroit auto show where you invited us out there to see the new models and help sell them to the American people.  But when we saw the models, they were just like last year.  The Tennessee Senator quickly moved away from the witty rhetoric, which is anything but his strong suit, and told the President a story about his own relationship with a Democratic Governor in his home state.  He said he understood that he had to work with that Democrat to further the interests of his state.  He said he has taken a similar approach to the Obama presidency.  Amidst a bit of rambling and a few anecdotal references of his own, he also reminded the President that he has broken ranks with Republicans in the past when he thought the President “was right” implying that he would on health care as well if the situation presents itself.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was next on the ledger.  She began by telling the President that the jobs bill that passed the Senate was not the only display of bipartisanship that occurred this week.  She boastfully stated that, there was a ”blaze of bipartisanship” in the House yesterday with the lifting of the antitrust exemption for insurance companies.  She referenced Ted Kennedy and a few “inspiring stories” from her trips to small town America – as if she even knows what that is…

Slime dog millionaire Harry Reid followed Pelosi and quickly told Lamar Alexander that he was “entitled to his opinion but not his own facts.”  He then went on to remind the crowd that reconciliation isn’t “some thing that’s never been done before.”  He said that it has been used “mostly by Republicans” for major things like the Contract with America, Medicare reform, and tax cuts for “Rich People.”

Now that we have heard from three people.  Alexander and Pelosi/Reid (splitting time), it appears that the Presidential moderator will offer a rebuttal and/or response to every single speaker.  This dude loves to hear himself talk.

First Major Point of Contention… President Obama in his random remarks took a shot at Lamar Alexander’s remarks and stated that his facts were correct and Lamar’s were wrong.  When Alexander tried to get a word in to respond to the criticism, Obama just kept talking and told the Senator that he has went through the numbers with the CBO and HE is the one in the right.  Alexander tried four times to respond – all of which Obama just kept talking.

When Alexander finally got a word in.  He said with all respect you are wrong.  Insurance premiums in the private sector will go up, but rather than arguing with you in public I will submit them to you.  He then said, “Why not let other members of Congress have an opportunity to talk.”

Obama’s response – I’d like to get this issue settled about whether insurance premiums will increase today – “because I am pretty sure that I am not wrong.”

There is NO way this thing stays on schedule.

65 MINUTES IN…

Tom Coburn (R-OK) -M.D. – addressed “cost containment”

Doctors are risk-averse(d) – “tests are ordered for doctors – not for patients”

“What would happen tomorrow if the cost of insurance went down by 15% tomorrow?”  The Market would increase the ranks of those insured…

“We don’t incentivize prevention”

“We need undercover patients to expose fraud in Medicare”

71 MINUTES IN….

Harry Reid breaks in saying… “I’m not an expert on much but I am an expert on filibusters” – implying that Coburn had run over his time.  President Obama remedied the situation by offering up two minutes in unsolicited comments.

75 MINUTES IN….

Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer – began his remarks with two stories of “real world folks” impacted by the shortcomings of health care…

Could we have stipulated at the beginning of this thing that everyone has met someone who feels screwed in the current system????

“Wellness is our focus.  Not sickness.”  We want to go after fraud, waste, and abuse..

Many in my caucus thought a “public option” would open up competition.”

81 MINUTES IN….

President Obama agrees that “undercover patients” is a good idea.  As to prevention… The First Lady is all over that working with fat kids…. (awesome)

He says he would be interested in hearing from Republican colleagues… a response to their cost containment provision that would allow small business owners or individuals to be able to buy into a larger group to improve their purchasing power

House Minority Leader John Boehner deferred to Congressman John Kline (R-MN) – we would prefer to handle these issues of cost containment “step by step”

We want small business to be able to band together in associations – the same way large companies do so they get all the advantages that a bigger group will.

Obama offered no response to this one…. Maybe because to do so would be admitting that he likes the idea but only if it was the federal government running the things…

87 MINUTES IN….

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) – took the “stage” – has he always done this pause/studder/break thing when he talks?  I thought the cable was going out for a minute or there was something wrong with the video feed.

We suggest the “Shop Act” in our bill to allow small businesses to create “exchanges” to increase their buying power.

“We basically agree.  There’s not a lot of difference here.”

92 MINUTES IN….

Dave Camp (R-MI) – Senate bill will bend the cost curve in the wrong direction by $222 billion

Responsible lawsuit reform is missing from the bill.  ”This common sense reform would reduce the federal deficit by more than $50 billion (on just the government side).  Price Waterhouse Coopers said this could reduce total cost (including private sector) by $239 billion if adopted.

98 MINUTES IN….

Representative Rob Andrew (D-NJ) – Associational health plans would allow insurance companies kick a pregnant woman out of a hospital days after having a C-section.  We need federal regulations to prevent 50 separate standards in 50 states.

We don’t agree that an insurance company should be able to decide when a lady goes home from the hospital.

Mitch Mcconnell reminds the President that Republicans have used 24  and Democrats have used 52 minutes

102 MINUTES IN…

Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) – burst out of the gates saying that we don’t need federal mandates and regulation and was quickly cut off by Representative Andrew – AND – then President Obama.

Clearly an attempt to steal his thunder because they know he knows this stuff inside and out.  - First big victory of the day for Dems  Can you say coup?

106 MINUTES IN…

President Obama is still rambling and he’s tell a story about car insurance – I’m lost…

110 MINUTES IN…

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) -

Loves “undercover patients” idea suggested by Coburn – get ready to hear that as the bipartisan agreement reached today.

113 MINUTES IN…

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) – we fundamentally disagree over who should be in charge – who do we trust?  We have a very difficult time putting control in the hands of Washington.

He strikes back to the Alexander / Obama debate over cost containment on private premiums – cites CBO – costs will go up because of expenses of underlying legislation – “that’s why we as Republicans want to address these issues step by step to eliminate all that extra expense.”

117 MINUTES IN…

President Obama – we are talking about criticisms of the existing bill rather than places where we can agree – so I will address some of your criticisms – because they forced him to – of course…

He just cited that friggin car insurance thing again – still lost

A lot of states already use these “large pools” – reminder to the President… they are states.

He just said interstate sale of insurance plans is desirable…. BUT …. there has to be a minimum “baseline” so that Nevada (Reid’s gotta love that choice) who doesn’t have regulations in place doesn’t raise premiums and decrease care – we need a baseline – ie. federal regulation “to make sure people get a better deal.

123 MINUTES IN….

James Clyburn (D-SC) – more anecdotal crap –  why why why?  We get it. You know real people.   Lets move on… Do these idiots really think anyone’s buying this crap?

We need a safety net for those uncovered and those who may have $2000 deductibles.

We need to expand community health care centers.

Back to real life stories – this time in reference to CSPAN call-in show…

130 MINUTES IN…

President Obama points out that Jon Kyl “shook his head” when he referenced choosing to keep your health care plan – he just wanted to point out that everyone could keep their previous insurance because it will be “grandfathered in.”

Jon Kyl - employers will drop you because its cheaper to pay the fine than it is to keep you.

Does Washington know best?

President Obama – thats a great talking point… Hold on let me tell you about a family I met in Colorado….

Here are the points we agree on… according to Obama

On banning rescissions.  - dropping coverage from a paying customer

Idea of extending dependant coverage to a certain age (25 or 26)

No annual or lifetime limits

That we want to end prohibitions because of pre-existing conditions – just don’t agree on how

135 MINUTES IN….

Representative Charles Boustany – (R-LA) – the guy who gave that terrible Republican Rebuttal last year… btw – he’s a doctor

The American people have rejected the bills because they see that premiums will increase.. They want a common sense step by step approach.

We have a duty to reform health care but we have an obligation to get it right…

140 MINUTES IN…

Obama – we have to remain disciplined if we are going to stay on schedule – funny how he only brings that up after Republicans talk

Boehner – Mr President – “I’m not sure any of us were told what the time limits are”

Representative George Miller (D-CA) – preventative care should not carry a co-pay with it.

146 MINUTES IN…

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – both of us campaigned on the promise of bringing change to Washington

You promised this debate would be conducted in front of CSPAN cameras.  I’m glad more than a year later they are here.

$100 million for a hospital in Connecticut?  People don’t understand that.

We promised them change in Washington.

Obama tried to interrupt McCain…. McCain was the first person willing to stand up to him.  Not bad for Tweedle Dee Dumb…

“Geography should not dictate what kind of health care people receive.”

151 MINUTES IN….

Obama – we are not campaigning anymore – the election is over….

My hope would be that we focus on how we get a bill done rather than arguing back and forth.  Again – only he can argue -everyone else is wrong when they do it….

Jabbing back and forth between McCain and Obama – McCain is visibly pissed.

152 MINUTES IN…

Kathleen Sebelius – Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)

President Obama reminds us she is a former governor too….

She is offering up a summary and a few of the President’s “high points” – not much here.

158 MINUTES IN….

Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA) - sitting with Senate bill covering his table

President Obama says “let me guess… that’s the 2000 page bill.”

Yep…and “the 11 page proposal you posted”

“There is a reason why we all voted no.”

President Obama is chatting and talking to his staff.  He is doing anything BUT listening to Cantor.

164 MINUTES IN….

Health care reform is very complicated….

He’s upset about “props” like this

Here comes another strange analogy…

“We could set up a system where food was probably cheaper than it is right now if we eliminated meat inspectors and eliminated any regulations in terms of how it is distributed and stored. .. We make some decisions to protect consumes in every aspect of our lives.”

Oh yeah, and we could lower drug costs by lifting regulations too, but the drugs would kill us….

Joe Biden – (asked for 10 seconds) we don’t have a philosophical difference if you agree with these things.  Either you’re in or you’re out.

173 MINUTES IN…

Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) - I am pretty succinct and pretty “timely”

In the 13-15 years since the Clinton debate over health care reform, we have done nothing.

We have seen hospitals abandon to the streets critically ill elderly – mentally ill persons

Now I understand that there’s a proposal to shut down Medicare and turn it into a voucher systems – NOW WHO IS THE ONE PLAYING WITH SCARE TACTICS????

178 MINUTES IN…

They are going to break so the House can take a vote that they had to schedule for now.

They will reconvene by 1:45

RECAP OF THE FIRST HALF…

To call this a fair exchange or an “open dialog” at this point would be a stretch.  The President serving as moderator has made that objective an impossibility if it was in fact ever an objective in the first place.  Lamar Alexander did a fine job for someone who lacks even an ounce of talent at events like this.  I think the Democrats won a HUGE victory with their orchestrated attack on Representative Paul Ryan.  Keeping him quiet was a clever move that needs to be remedied by Republican leadership in the afternoon.

Democrats are stating and restating that “we agree on a large part of this.”  I can’t help but think that theme is intended to drive home the fact that both sides are close on this issue so that they can either – move to a bipartisan bill or drive on toward reconciliation under cover…

President Obama is a pompous ass.  Its not that I am shocked by this in any way, but seeing it on display for such a long period of time began to make me laugh.

He dismissed the Republican idea that the debate centers on whether “Washington can do it best” as a talking point, and I think in doing so, he demonstrated the very philosophical differences he was trying to downplay.  This is an issue that is if nothing else about the Rights of individuals and the Rights of states versus those of the federal government.  This President and his regime of progressive ideologues are so far removed from reality that they cannot even begin to grasp the concept that Republicans may in fact believe in the 10th Amendment. The President seems to believe thats its been predetermined that the federal government can do as it pleases with the only question being – how much will it do – rather than should it be doing anything in the first place….  I fail to see how any amount of “debating” / discussing this nonsense will ever bridge that gap.

BIPARTISAN HEALTH CARE REFORM SUMMIT:  PART TWO

President Obama opened the second half of this historically boring meeting by telling the delegates that this thing will wrap by 4:15 – I’m not buying it but we’ll see.

[PROGRAMING NOTE:  Welcome and happy Health Reform Summit Day to all the folks who made their way over here from That's Right - glad to have you on board for this.  A mild disclaimer in case its your first time here.  I bitch and moan about crap like this, but I secretly love it - well I kinda like it - ok I like most of it except for anything related to Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid - okay throw in Obama and Biden too] – here we go…

5 MINUTES IN…

Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) -

This exchange would have been helpful if we had it nine months ago – with more detail over more days….

8 MINUTES IN….

Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) – began with another friggin letter from a constituent.  People move on.  We know there’s a million stories just like that.  That’s why you’re here today – because stuff is screwed up…

This guy in the letters says that the best option for him is for Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform.  Well there you go folks… let’s go home!!

Of the ten key elements in the House (Republican) bill, we have nine of them in our (Senate) bill.  The only one not there is the health savings account provision.  Again. more of the we are really close rhetoric.

American people – like the dude in his letter – will drown if we don’t throw them a line….

He concluded with this little piece of brilliance….”We don’t allow segregation in America because of race…. but we allow it in America on the basis of health.”  ”When I hear the word ‘pool’ I think of segregation.”

16 MINUTES IN…

Representative Dave Camp (R- MI) – Reiterates the step by step message.  Reminds the delegates that after 2014 when the bill comes fully into play… it links pre-existing conditions with the Individual mandate – (that nobody wants)  - he then reminds the delegates that state legislatures are already acting to combat this.

President Obama rebuts – the Boehner plan sets up a high risk pool – reminds Camp that its indisputable that a high risk pool without healthy young people means high premiums – and drops the s-word once again – SEGREGATION – I’m seeing a theme developing here.

Camp reminds the President that where the bills differ is that the Dem version gives control over rates to the Secretary of HHS – who is sitting next to the President trying not to drop the death stare on Camp…

23 MINUTES IN…

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) - health insurance companies are looking for a reason to knock people out of coverage.  For those of you who say maybe states can do it better… that’s the system we have now and it allows these things.

So by all means Mr. Senator – let that lead you to the conclusion that you should take the whole thing over….

He says “I like the public option, but it seems like that is gone.”

Oh and here it is – he just offered up his own “real life” point of reference… glad he squeezed that in.

He then said he has a son that didn’t have health insurance and was old enough to have it – so he told him to get it.

Does that equate to you wanting the government to fine that son of yours if he chooses not to?

He closed by saying that insurance companies should be required BY LAW to spend between 80 and 85% of revenue on patient care.  Wow – goodbye capitalism…

31 MINUTES IN…

Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) - began by addressing the portability of insurance plans across state lines.

“If you want to empower patients – give them the power to shop for coverage.”

Obama Rebuttal… “I support the idea of purchasing insurance across state lines.”

Two things to understand – 1) problem in CA was not that there were a bunch of out of state insurance companies trying to get it – the problem has to do with the fact that people who have lost their jobs – who are healthy – who can’t afford the market – are just going to go without insurance – what that leaves are people with healthcare needs or pre-existing conditions – the pool gets older and sicker – THAT IS WHY WE HAVE INCLUDED THE MANDATE – to broaden the pool.

He says that a national exchange is a way to bridge this gap – missed the second problem – don’t think he dropped it – guess he forgot.

As to the MANDATE – I was dragged kicking and screaming to the conclusion” that we need a mandate.  He says its an inevitability because of “cost shifting” – he says each family is picking up $1000 to $1100 of cost because of services given to people without health insurance.

He says “we’re already putting the money in…. its just in an inefficient way.”

Marsha Blackburn – I would suggest that we’re looking at it the wrong way.  Your talking about letting companies into California.  I’m talking about letting individuals out.”  She then chanted “Free it up.  Free it up.”  Let’em Out.”  She’s going Tea Party in the middle of the summit.

To be honest…. I can’t stand Marsha Blackburn BUT … I think she just won me over…. FINALLY someone with some cojones around there….

42 MINUTES IN….

Vice President Joe Biden – I will try to be brief BUT there’s a lot to talk about.  Hold on folks…this ride’s gonna take a while…

“Its the same philosophical debate that took place back in the 30’s over Social Security.”

In an effort to stand firm to his pledge to be brief, he decided to recap what “everyone agrees on.”

VP Biden – aka Sir Talks Alot – just admitted that Boehner’s bill would cut cost by more than $200 billion.  I didn’t think Republicans proposed any bills Mr. Vice President?  (These guys are all killing me.  For weeks all we have heard is that Republicans weren’t suggesting anything, and now they all have these brilliant plans – that just aren’t quite as brilliant as those suggested from the Left.)

Now he’s on a rant about Medicare Advantage – apparently he’s an expert since he was around when it was put into place – so says he…

Grassley and Enzi look like they’re either falling asleep or slipping out of consciousness listening to this crap. Biden just turned to President Obama only to see that even he wasn’t paying attention (he was taking notes and probably preparing his next remarks)

51 MINUTES IN….

Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) is back on – and he’s come out swinging.

Since the CBO can’t score your bill, we will track it through the similar Senate bill.

It doesn’t cut deficits, it adds entitlements.

The CBO’s job is to score what is placed in front of them.  What has been placed in front of them is full of tricks and gimmicks.

What is the true cost of this bill?  Ten years $2.3 trillion.

He’s hammering the Dems on the numbers.  As the camera pans the room, the rest of these guys are squirming.  Ryan may be a one trick pony as some love to characterize him, but he’s a damn fine one if the race is health care reform because he’s destroying these folks.  If you listen to one part of this summit.  This is what you need to come back to.

The “Doc Fix” - You pulled this out to hide it.  It is running as a standalone provision to hide the costs.

Kudos to McConnell and Boehner for getting this guy more time.

In FIVE minutes, he has said more than has been stated throughout the entire summit.

“I will disagree with the Vice President on what we are qualified to say on the American People’s behalf.”

“We should start over in a step by step fashion on a clean sheet of paper”

President Obama – doesn’t want to get bogged down disagreeing over the numbers …. so instead he chose to ramble about Medicare advantage and closing the “donut hole” – the difference between initial coverage and catastrophic coverage.

He’s trying to get Ryan to say that Republicans think Medicare Advantage is broken as well.

John McCain – “Why in the world would we carve out 800,000 people in Florida”

President Obama – I think you make a very good point.

John McCain – just shat himself…

Tom Coburn – We should be saying We’re broke, lets not add any new benefits anywhere until we can sure up those we already have…

President Obama – Medicare Advantage is not “means tested” – its pretty random and a lot of it is going to insurance companies to help pay premiums.  The prescription drug plan didn’t come under my watch.  ”John was one of the few who stuck to his convictions and didn’t vote for it.”  (mutterings of a few “I didn’t vote for it(s)).

65 MINUTES IN…

Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) - ”You (Paul Ryan) called into question the CBO.  You have relied upon it for years.”

Ryan – I am not questioning them, I am questioning the reality of their score.

Xavier – “The referee on the field said these bills will reduce the deficit.”

“One of the unsung secrets that we learned from doctors is that we can do a better job of coordinating care to patients.” – Really dude???  We?  Who the hell is we?  You mean the federal government.  I don’t want them “coordinating” squat.

70 MINUTES IN….

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)- “I consider CBO God around here… because it takes 60 votes to overrule them.”

He’s says “you can’t count a dollar twice” – referring to the double counting in the CBO scoring of the Dem bill

“Both bills hit small businesses by taxing them.  Small business is the machine that brings new employment.  70% of new jobs come from small businesses.”

. says we can take care of them through associational health plans.

“The bulk of this bill comes from an UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE” – finally somebody said it…

“I’ve had 32 town hall meetings this year… I have a good understanding of whats going on in the grass roots.”

BY THE WAY FOLKS – THE TOPIC RIGHT NOW IS “DEFICIT REDUCTION”

“Isn’t it intellectually dishonest to promise people coverage when doctors won’t treat them?”

President Obama – if we can’t make some hard decisions about entitlements, we’re in some big trouble”

“I hope we have the courage to make some of these changes”

80 MINUTES IN…

Senator Kent Conrad (D – ND) – Chairman of the Budget Committee

“The biggest unfunded liability in the US is Medicare”

The idea that we don’t have to do anything about Medicare is outside reality.

“We are wasting massive amounts of money” – uhhhh ya think?  And you want to waste more of it??? Brilliant.

He’s on a rant about prescription drug coordination shortcomings – a very real problem that may even be “chaos” as he . it, but I fail to see how the federal government getting involved eliminates that.  I only see these morons making it worse.

85 MINUTES IN…

Representative John Boehner (R-OH) – I didn’t agree with a word you said in the opening about why we are here.

“The American people want us to scrap this bill.  They said it loud.  They said it clear..”

“Here we are discussing a new entitlement program that will bankrupt our country.”

“I think this is a dangerous experiment.”

“Having a government takeover of health care is a dangerous experiment.”

“The last thing we need to be doing is raising taxes on the American people.

“If we are going to find savings in Medicare, why don’t we use that savings to extend the life of Medicare rather than creating a new entitlement?”

“I too believe the MANDATE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL’

“For 35 years we have had a law that prohibited tax payer funding from going to paying for abortions… it was upheld in the House.”  Your bill Mr. President includes this funding….

LET’S SCRAP THE BILL…

“Why can’t we agree on the insurance reforms we have agreed upon?  Why can’t we begin with focusing on allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines.  Why can’t we focus on correcting preventative medicine?

President Obama – We were trying to focus on deficit issue… (he doesn’t want to get bogged down in “talking points) – right now we are focused on entitlement reforms and seeing if we can make some necessary changes..

92 MINUTES IN…

Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)- “we’re all here, we’re dressed up and we’re in good behavior, but I think folks back home are concerned with how we behave when the cameras are off.”

Its easy to talk tough on this, but its hard to deliver.  ”Tom Coburn is right, Paul Ryan is right.  John McCain was right.” – In case you’re wondering who the hell this guy is.  He’s a “Bluedog” from Tennessee who knows his career is riding on today… He more than anyone else in the room has to be a friend to EVERYONE.

“We have to acknowledge the real problems.  If you can’t measure it.  You can’t manage it.”

“If you don’t think this bill reduces the deficit enough?  Vote for it and vote for more changes to it”

98 MINUTES IN….

John McCain is back on the stump.  He’s reminding the President of his promises and his previous statements.  When will he realize that no one cares when Obama lies, backtracks, and outright ignores what he’s already said on record.  Hello – you said earlier… this CSPAN meeting is a year late.

Now he’s moved to Tort Reform.  He’s citing Texas and California as shining examples of how it works.

He just tried a joke that failed – he said ” We Arizonans hate Californians because they stole our water.”  Chirp Chirp

“I understand the frustration a majority feels when they can’t get their agenda through.”

He just jabbed Obama on his tough stance on Judicial nominations when he was Senator Obama.

President Obama – “I think the American People aren’t all that interested in the procedures that go on in the Senate. – because you are so in tune with the American People?  Just come out with it – you think The American People is an uneducated ill-informed mass.

“I think most Americans think a majority vote makes sense…” – ha – you pompous ass. Way to duck your hardass approach to reconciliation when you were a Senator on the other side of it…

105 MINUTES IN…

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) – not a fan of Tort Reform – he’s citing anecdotal evidence to prove it…

“The law in its majestic equality keeps both rich and poor from sleeping under bridges.”

“If you think its a socialist plot… drop out of Federal employee benefits program.”

Why do we continue to discriminate?

110 MINUTES IN…

PRESIDENT OBAMA – just pushed the meeting to 4:30 and wants to get to “COVERAGE”

“Can America – the wealthiest nation in the world – do what every other advanced nation does?  That’s makes sure that every person here can get adequate health insurance coverage?” – THATS’ A BIG STATEMENT FOLKS – HE JUST SAID “EVERY PERSON HERE.”  YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.  HE DIDN’T SAY EVERY AMERICAN.  Come on Illegals.  Get your health care.

You can say I’m over-analyzing language, but he just scrutinized Paul Ryan for using “poll-tested” language when he referenced a “federal takeover”.  He is going there, so I’m assuming he’s saying what he means…. Don’t forget.  This is a fine legal mind here folks.  He knows what he says and he means it.  HANDS DOWN THE MOST DANGEROUS STATEMENT OF THE DAY/WEEK/MONTH/YEAR….

115 MINUTES IN…

John Barrasso (R-WY) - sometimes people with only catastrophic plans are the best consumers of health care the way its supposed to work.  ”The cost should be the first question.  They are the ones that shop around.”

I have great concern that the people around this table are not listening to the American people – that’s why so many are saying its time to start over.

President Obama – “would you be satisfied if every member of Congress only had catastrophic coverage?”

Barrasso – “I would.  Because we’d have ’skin in the game” as you say”

President Obama – “would you feel that way if you made 40K?  These are not sultans flying in to Mayo….”

“The vast majority of these 27 30 million can’t get coverage.”

“We can debate how to help them, but we can’t debate whether they need help.  I get too many letters saying otherwise.”

“Members of Congress are in the top income bracket in the country. The people that use health savings accounts are higher earners.”

123 MINUTES IN…

Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) – he’s citing Ryan’s “voucher” proposal for Medicare recipients… Bring on the scare tactics… “The way to save the government money is to shift it to the seniors… Hold on to your pocketbook grandma.  The Republicans are coming for it….

“Under the Republican proposal healthy people are the ones who gets breaks.”

“How many people are going to come forward to say I don’t need this or that…. and then they get sick.”  - in other words… Americans are too stupid to make decisions for themselves, so we have to make these decisions for them.  We have to protect them from their own ignorance and stupidity…

“Our bill closes the donut hole so that seniors dont have to pay for their prescription coverage on their own.”

“If we don’t get this bill passed, those on Medicare are going to get squeezed like crazy.”

Now he too is on board for the “secret shopper” plan from earlier.  I’m so glad that is the one point everyone agrees on from today…

“I have doubts that Republicans will be willing to work with you on this..”

President Obama – “This is an area where we do have some philosophical differences.  The question I have for my friends on the other side – are there areas for coverage where we can agree?”  There may not be….”

131 MINUTES IN…

Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) began with a story about Obama in the Illinois state senate where he worked with Republicans.  He juxtaposed that with today which he says is “what is it going to take for you Republicans to vote for OUR bill?”

FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE DAY – OTHER THAN MCCAIN SHITTING HIMSELF- He references a statement made earlier by Pelosi where she said “Healthcare reform is entitlement reform” Pelosi chimes in…. – “No no”  ”Yes ” – guess she was napping.

137 MINUTES IN…

President Obama – I asked if Republicans had any other ideas to coverage and I didn’t get an answer.” – Prepare Talking Point walking out of this thing… Here it is folks…

“most people would like to be in an exchange.”  - WHATTT?

“The group that is being left out is…. the group just above the very poor because they earn too much to take part in Medicare.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D- CT) – recipient of a $100 million hospital in his state for Lieberman’s vote….

Everyone has a right to a lawyer – but you don’t have a right to a doctor….

There is a false assumption that the people who show up to an emergency room need to take care of themselves better, get a job, etc.  - the false assumption is that it is their fault.

It is a hidden tax that the rest of us pay for that support.

Every day we discuss this 14,000 Americans will lose their health care.

“These are not segmented issues.”  This issue defies incremental approaches” – so its all or nothing guys – we have to take it all if we wan to fix any of it…

“You have to broaden coverage if you want to address any of these issues.”

144 MINUTES IN…

Representative Joe Barton (R-TX ) – We believe we should us free markets to empower people and give them choices - – BINGO BANGO – THANK YOU JOE BARTON – we will ignore that you just said you’d like the President to moderate if the bill every gets to conference committee.

Health care costs will go down if you allow insurance companies to compete across state lines.

“Your proposal pays lip service to Medical Malpractice reform but they don’t do it.”

Texas has gained 18,000 doctors since it was put in place in Texas….

You could save $150 billion a year.

Lets start over in the sense that we change the vision and work together to do the things we agree upon but don’t destroy the things that have made this system the greatest in the world.

President Obama – You’re right.  Boehner’s bill doesn’t radically change the system – that’s why only 3 million of th 3o million will be covered.

150 MINUTES IN…

Senator Ron Wyden (R-OR) – “evidence shows that incremental reform not only does less – it costs more”

“We’ve been doing incremental reform since the 90’s when the Clinton plan blew up.”

“everyone should have the right to fire their insurance company.”  Even after we require them to buy it….

155 MINUTES IN…

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – we haven’t been listening to them very carefully – we know how they feel about this 2700 page bill.

He also brought up reconciliation…citing a Gallop poll that showed that 52 % of Americans oppose its use with only 39% supporting it…

“Health care is a uniquely personal issue.”

“They have rendered a judgment about what we have attempted to do so far.”

The solution is to put that on a shelf and start over.

President Obama – I hear from constituents in every one of you districts.

“When you poll people for the individual elements they are for them….”

Hellooo – thats the point Mr. President.  They want you to start over.  They want incremental change…

160 MINUTES IN… (3 more speakers)

Representative Patty Murray (D-Washington) – began with a heartwarming story – shocker….

exchanges, community health centers, expanding coverage, blah blah blah.  I’m spent…  These old bastards have to be dying… I hope none of them has a “GOING PROBLEM” – is that prescription covered under their insurance plan??? – maybe that’s why I keep hearing scratching chairs…

Senator Tom Coburn – “we ought to have another talk like this” – Dear God no.  Come on man….

Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY)- “I appreciate that you saved the best for last.”

“One of the big problems Americans have is why it takes 60 to get a majority.”

“We can’t get back those times.  This is the last year for a lot of people in the House”

Sick people are not Democrats or Republicans – they’re Americans”

“People are concerned with what we’re going to produce – not what we debate”

“Lets leave here at least talking about what we agree on.”

“I don’t think someone sick in the emergency room is concerned with how big this bill is.”

170 MINUTES IN…

Representative John Dingell (D- Michigan) - His father proposed the first major health reform bill generations ago and he begins every session with introducing one – I’d say that makes him a believer – but I’d also say that makes him the LAST PERSON that needs to be talking about how to get something passed.  His success rate in that endeavor is not exactly stellar…

“Here we have a chance to serve the people”

“I don’t know why 50 votes cant pass this legislation in the People’s House and the Senate…”

This guy is a testament to our nation’s health care system… How he is still alive is beyond me.  He looks like a corpse – That’s “corpse” MR. President – not corps….

175 MINUTES IN…

Nancy Pelosi – “As one who abided by the 3 minutes, I’m going to take a few more in closing…”

“We’ve come a long way to agreeing upon a Republican idea – EXCHANGES – Wait… Republicans had ideas all along?  WTF???

“I want the record to show… the law of the land is that there is no public funding of abortion and there is no public funding of abortion in these bills…” These bills do not cut benefits for seniors.”

“Yes its hard to do this.  This will take courage to do..”

Apparently Pelosi decided to turn this into a fight right before the summit came to a close….

180 MINUTES IN…

President Obama – I’m gonna take about ten minutes to see where we agree and summarize where we disagree.

We agree that…

1.  We need insurance market reforms

“Overwhelmingly the PEOPLE say that the insurance market should be REGULATED”

2.  Allowing small businesses and individuals trapped in the current market should be allowed to take part in a larger group.

“Exchanges are not a government takeover”

Details differ on buying insurance across state lines – Republicans say lets open it up – “The philosophical concern I have for that is the ‘race for the bottom’” – another analogy – this time credit cards… credit card companies began relocating to a state that had the fewest restrictions on credit card companies.  I get what he was angling for but everyone in the room was scratching their heads – and rightfully so.  He brought it back around with the “Food” and “Drug” analogy too – just to make sure we didn’t forget his brilliance on that one… They were both so ridiculous I spent more time trying to figure out if he was trying to make a metaphor or an analogy – or just talking out of his ass…  Brilliant…

3.  Medical Malpractice ???- when we had a Republican President and Republican control of the House – it didn’t happen.

I think what he was saying here, is we can work on that if you can come on board…. – then he said he’s not sure that “we can bridge that gap.”

Here we go again… He’s going to support everything and stand on nothing.  He and Pelosi sure have managed to screw this whole day in the last few minutes….

“I did not propose something complicated just for the sake of being complicated… It turns out that Baby Steps don’t get you to the place people need to go..”

Here come the Taxes…

“In order to help the 30 million… thats gonna cost some money.”  ”those who get all of their income in capital gains dont pay a dime in Medicare tax.”  ”If you make over $250000 and your income comes from those sources, you should have to pay into this.”

“If you’re not in the top 4% of businesses and you’re not providing insurance – you have to pony up – or we have to pick up the tab  BUT – “Its not an employer mandate.”

“Most employers get huge subsidies for becoming part of the exchange.”

His list has been thrown out at this point.  We’re just rolling into the agreements and disagreements at this point….

“I will end by saying this… (UMM) I suspect that if the Democrats and the administration were willing to start over and then to adopt John Boehner’s bill – we’d get a lot of Republican votes.”  I don’t know how many Democrats bills we’d get.”

What Id like to propose – I’ve put things on the table that I didn’t come in here saying I was in support of.

I’d like Republicans to do some soul-searching to see if you can come to terms here.”

I don’t know if we can close that gap.  If we can’t Reid and McConnell will have some debates over procedures in Congress…   If you guys can’t come on board… we’re using reconciliation..,.,.

“There may not be any reason for Republicans to do anything.  It may be very hard for you politically to do this.”

This is me trying to make you guys seem like you’re playing politics while we are just trying to do what is right for the American people…

“I don’t think we will have another one of these.”   Thank God

“If we saw movement – significant movement – we wouldn’t need to start over.”

“Is there enough serious effort that in ….time, we could actually resolve something.  Then we have to make some decisions.  And that’s what elections are for…

Either come on board for our plan or we’re going to use reconciliation.  Pretty shrewd of the President to put members of Congress on the line at election time when he has three years to recover….

HERE’S MY BRIEF TAKE…

Apparently all of these folks talk to too many people, different people, or just the wrong people because they all referenced “The People” so many times I began to wonder why I didn’t get a phone call…

Paul Ryan nailed it.  Marsha Blackburn has big balls.  She may be a red meat Palin drone, but for today at least I liked her.  McConnell was far too quiet and way too timid.  Pelosi is a windbag and gave away the real deal in her closing remarks.  This was a sideshow.  They are going ahead with reconciliation and if Republicans cave even an inch they are dumber than the Left.

The President is willing to risk his party’s majority in both Houses – frankly, because he’s not in them.  He intends to go forward as well and watch for his administration to spin everything that was said today into Republicans standing in the way of this plan because they do not support a ban on prohibition due to preexisting conditions – a false claim, but one he hinted at all day today by masking the debate as one which centers on “coverage.”

Was today a success?  I call it a draw for all involved.  I don’t see that the lines have moved even an inch.

This post is admittedly light in commentary (okay there’s nothing) this week as I have been away / out of the loop for the last few days trying to stay on top of the Tea Party Convention in Nashville.  I know some of you rely on this weekly post for your news Monday morning so I still pulled together the noteworthy clips, but I haven’t had a chance to watch them all from starty to finish as of yet, so I will have to add my comments and additional clips as time permits.  I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed the Palin speech Saturday night from the Convention.

THIS WEEK

FACE THE NATION

Apparently nothing but football here???

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MEET THE PRESS

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FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Photo via Fox News

The Sunday following Scott Brown’s electoral thumping in the liberal hotbed of Massachusetts was predetermined if not predestined to be an interesting spin around the Sunday Circuit.  This one didn’t let us down.  Ok it did, but only because all these shows suck on at least twelve different levels.  They did produce a few interesting sound bites however, so have a look .  I was particularly fond of David Axerlod’s comment that no one will know what’s in the health care bill until the President signs it.  Probably not the best message to be sending right now even if that’s not exactly what you meant.

Word of the Day – Process, process, process – it was the “process” that led to a Dem defeat in Massachusetts and its the “process” of health care reform that the American public is frustrated with.  I guess that’s one way of putting it… or you could simply say that even if it is the “process” that has Americans everywhere voting Republican –  they were YOUR processes – formulated by Democrats, implemented by Democrats, and for Democrats.  So who’s to blame at the end of the Process?  Democrats.

THIS WEEK

White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod – (process, process, process) – Was the President caught off guard in Massachusetts?  ”The entire political community was caught a little unawares on that one.”  You think?

Health care – day after Scott Brown victory – scaled back ambitions on health care?  Ha.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) – Permanent / Temporary replacement Terry Moran asks DeMint about his past statement that health care would be President Obama’s Waterloo.

Round Table: George Will, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson, Matthew Dowd

Referendum in Massachusetts?   (process v. substance) lots of spin here and a whole lot of talk about how Scott Brown’s victory was a win for an “outsider” rather than for a Republican.  I guess they forgot what party he put on his signs.  There’s a little John Edwards bashing at the end to bring some balance to the discussion.  I guess its okay to criticize a Dem if they are politically neutered.

FACE THE NATION

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – Says he’s very skeptical about Bernanke’s nomination AND is fearful of what will happen if he is turned down AND both concerned and leaning against voting for him BUT he says Bernanke should be held accountable for presiding over this mess.  That’s what I like to call clear as mud.  Thanks Mac.

The mood then turns to a somber one as McCain pouts like a twelve year old about the Citizens decision.  When asked if he plans to introduce legislation to react to it he says, “I don’t think there is much that can be done – Roberts, Alito, and Scalia were very much opposed to it.”  He then decides to take cheap shots at the three conservative Justices saying that it is “interesting” that none of them have any experience in the political arena.  WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THAT?  They’re friggin Supreme Court Justices for Christ sake.  We give them lifetime appointments because we don’t want them to be politicians.  Are you kidding me you past your prime no good centrist piece.  Retire already. Pllleeeaaasssee!!

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Health care – what are Dem’s going to do now?

Round Table: Nancy Cordes – makes a “wonderful argument that Citizens is going to lead to widespread corporate interaction in political races – all of which will benefit Republicans alone.

Jan Crawford – reminds Nancy that the decision also removes restrictions on labor unions and other big spending interest groups that will undoubtedly favor the Dems and reminds the audience that it was “Moderate” Anthony Kennedy who wrote the Majority Opinion.

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FOX NEWS SUNDAY

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says that the President’s State of the Union Address will he emphasize his working for the little guy strategy.  Chris Wallace then hammers him on transparency and hypocrisy pointing out that as the President talks one day about eliminating the role of the special interest in government and then brokers a billion dollar deal with Big Labor the next.

He also adds to the Process, Process, Process strategy of the day saying that it was the process that forced the health care bill to be a caricature of whats actually in it.  On the economy he jumps into blame Bush mode again saying for the millionth time that what they inherited was far worse than anyone could have predicted.

John Cornyn (R-TX) Chairman of the Republican Senate Campaign Committee – brilliant and honorable man but one that presided over this mess so I will vote no.  Warren Buffet said he should not go. what caused Dow to fall this week?  Bank tax or Ben replacement.

Round Table: Bill Krystol, Juan Williams, Brit Hume, Mara Liasson

More Scott Brown commentary

MEET THE PRESS

Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett  Is the President back on the campaign trail?  She says he’s increasingly frustrated with the business of Washington.   She adds that wonderful little talking point that the President is focused on Americans and their interests not special interest – love it when they go there.   She also adds a little heart warming tale that the President throws around from time to time –  that the Chief Executive reads ten letters every night from real Americans – Jarrett adds this time that “some of them are from children.”  Such a man of the people.

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What are the President’s priorities going forward?

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After Scott Brown, what’s next for health care and what’s next for the President?

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – Citizens – the Supreme Court said the 1st Amendment is for everyone.

Asked if any Republicans will support the proposed health care proposals?  ”Its time to start over.”

How will Republicans work with the President to make reform a reality?  ”He makes the initiatives and we react to them.  If he moves to the Center we will be there to meet him.  He chose to go Far Left in his first year.”

Greggory tries to cite the Finance Committee as evidence that Republicans HAVE been involved in the process and ignores the fact that the Left keeps telling us that no one knows what’s in the bill any longer.  (See David Axelrod above)

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SCOTUS Decision – Its an important victory for the First Amendment

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Round Table:

Peggy Noonan – President had difficulties / 2008 election settled nothing / America is still at play / Obama lost the independents

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“Never again will the American taxpayer be held hostage by a bank that is too big to fail”

In a move that many see as nothing more than a clever attempt to tap into popular sentiment that the banking industry is the root of all evils, the President announced yesterday that he is proposing a major overhaul of said industry setting off a firestorm of criticism from points all across the political universe.  In sum, what the President is proposing here through this “Volker Rule” is a change in the way that major financial firms conduct business.  He wants to limit the areas in which they can trade to return to a day where banks were banks and investment firms were investment firms.  On its face, I must admit that even though I am not a supporter of regulating a private industry especially by this President or this Congress, I am not in complete opposition to this plan at least on its face.   That being said, I am in complete disagreement with the rationale behind it and the stated justification for it.  The bailout / too big to fail mentality that began under the Bush administration has been nurtured, developed, and now relied upon under this administration to the point where the banking system is acting under an entirely new set of rules.  This is merely step two or maybe even three or four of a plan to permanently inject government control through intervention in the banking industry.  Would it be more prudent to have taken a step in the other direction and chip away at the bailout mentality?  Of course it would have been, but that wouldn’t be the politically advantageous thing for this administration to do and more importantly, it wouldn’t mesh with this president’s inherent ideology of government knows best  - especially when he represents the government.

The other side to this coin is the fact that the stated rationale for too big to fail in the first place is saving jobs and protecting the hard earned dollars of American citizens.  We will ignore the fact that every step in this process has devalued the American dollar through inevitable inflation and simply look at the glaring inconsistency that certainly will now present itself.  How will a city like New York, or a state like New York for that matter, sustain itself if its economy which is driven by the banking industry is forced to scale back, sell off, and/or limit its operations?  How will that industry survive if it is forced to operate in a global economy from a position of handcuffed limited participation?  I am not an economist and don’t intend to play one here on my little blog so I don’t have the answer to either of those questions.  Instead, we can ask someone with a bit of experience in this area and a pretty big stake in this game – New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg…

“Maybe we should hold back their salaries for a decade or so and see whether the laws they pass work out.” – the best response I have heard to date for those who want to limit / withhold Wall Street bonuses…

Quite the precarious position that slimy Chuck Schumer finds himself in today as he begins his daily routine.  The Supreme Court just reopened the door for corporate campaign contributions and the Senator from New York now has to choose between his state’s best interest and the wants and desires of his President.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out.  Another front that should be equally interesting to watch will be the role of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.  Remember this was not the “Geithner Rule” it was the “Volker Rule.”  The President apparently has a new voice in his ear and it may be a sign of the beginning of the end for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who has been the architect of President Obama’s economic policy to date.  The truth is the voice isn’t new at all.  Paul Volker – now the namesake of the proposed “Volker Rule” has apparently been trying to push the President in this direction for quite some time.   He reportedly won the hearts and minds of the administration in Mid-December and began to draft a proposal to submit to Congress around Christmas.   The timing of this announcement is anything but convenient.   The President is clearly trying to tap into the booming populist fervor that reacts favorably to anyone tough on the “fat cats” of Wall Street.   The original plan was likely to announce this shift in next week’s State of the Union Address, but in light of the thumping the administration just took in the state of Massachusetts, the announcement was simply too good to save for a later date.    Anything, and I mean anything that could steal a few headlines away from Scott Brown have to be seen as a Heaven-sent for the White House this week.

So who is Paul Volker?
Remember on the campaign trail when McCain was making allusions to then canididate Obama’s sordid past relationships which got the response, “I associate economically with Warren Buffet and Paul Volcker.”

Still not helping?  Okay, well he was the Chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1979-1987. He was then replaced by Alan Greenspan.  Better?

So what does Geithner think about his diminished role and the new strategy of the President?

Also check out some brilliant commentary from The Business Insider who thinks Geithner was all but fired at the Press Conference yesterday…

Today officially marks the one year anniversary of the inauguration of President Barack Obama.  I for one will be celebrating tonight and offering a toast to the great nation that exists now only in my memories and my dreams of the future.  In the days to come, many will attempt to grade the President on his first year in office.  Many more will simply wax poetic about the glory of yesteryear.  I for one have every intention of doing both.  Frankly, that’s what we do around here.  If I can take the time to make a list of the Bottom Ten Republicans that have lost their way, it should be a relatively easy task to come up with the ten, twenty, or fifty things this administration has done in a year’s time to screw this and future generations of Americans.  But…. before we get to that, I will share with you a wonderful tool for creating your own list if you choose to spend time deliberating over such trivial things.  The Heritage Foundation has posted on its website –  Heritage.org – its annual Index of Economic Freedom.  In a nutshell its a list compiled by a host of leading economists that measures “economic freedom” in nation’s around the globe.

As is the case with most lists, the top spot is the nation that is the most economically “free.”  The top tier of nation’s is referred to as the “economically free” category – or the most “free” nations in the world economically speaking.  Since the creation of the Index, the United States has always been in this category – at or near the top.

What is “economic freedom?”

So where did we rank?  For the first time in the history of the project, we are no longer listed among the most free nations.  We have fallen to the second tier behind the likes of Canada, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and New Zealand.  The rankings are determined by indexing ten categories:  Business Freedom, Trade Freedom, Fiscal Freedom, Government Size, Monetary Freedom, Investment Freedom, Financial Freedom, Property Rights, Freedom from Corruption, and Labor Freedom.

About the index…

Watch a Media Clip here…

Not pretty picture is it?  Is any of this really surprising to anyone that’s been paying attention over the course of the last twelve months?  I think not.  Even the most novice of economists – hell you’re everyday grocery budget officianado can read the tea leaves and see that we now live under an entirely new set of rules than those that were in place this time last year.  President Obama promised Hope and Change and man has he delivered….

Here is a link to the full top ten.

So by now you have likely heard that President Obama has decided to meddle with the banking system in this great nation once more.  Perhaps “likely” is the wrong word here.  I would venture to guess that you have NOT heard that what the president now has up his sleeve regarding our nation’s financial institutions.  In case the latter is the more accurate scenario, I will give a modest and short recap of what is resting just over the horizon.  President Obama has decided to tap into the anti-Wall Street public sentiment by proposing a tax on banks that received TARP funds, didn’t receive TARP funds, paid it back, and didn’t pay it back.  In sum, he plans to tax our nation’s banks – or at least the big ones.  The idea here is that they benefited from the financial security that the Federal Government provided them, willingly or not, and that it continues to provide them under the “Too Big to Fail” mentality.  Makes sense right?

Well if you’re of the mindset that the Federal Government had any role in bailing them out in the first place you might think so.  I not being one of those individuals, happen to think this idea is a bunch of hogwash.  Many of the banks that stand to be taxed with this “rescue fee” proposal never took a dime from the government and others were forced to take the money when they didn’t want it.  Now they’re going to be taxed because of it?  The very idea makes my head spin.  To make the matter even worse, the President’s proposal WILL NOT include a tax on AIG or Fannie and Freddie.  They’ve been deemed “job creators” so they would be exempt from the tax.  So, the three institutions at the center of the bailout mess won’t be on the list of those paying the bill going forward.  If dealing in the ridiculous is your cup of tea, you will also love to know that the automakers won’t be privy to this tax either.  Their bailout money must have been paid in dollars free of the strings attached to the green notes given to the financial sector.

Other than the obvious problems that I have with adding new tax burdens in the midst of a recession, I am deeply troubled with the very idea of this tax as a matter of economic policy.  Creating a new “rescue tax” in addition to the interest already paid on these loans implies future “consideration” being offered by the Federal Government.  It sends the message that these financial institutions will receive a benefit going forward from the Federal Government in the form of security that is tantamount to a permanent federal subsidy from the Federal Government.  It tells those institutions that they will never be allowed to fail and in return they will be forced to pay a tax.  What source of logic leads one to believe that this is a reasonable or legitimate business practice for this or any government?  Under this system, where’s the incentive for these banks to behave with even an ounce of fiscal responsibility?

The truth here is that there is none.  A plan such as this throws the capitalistic idea of risk and reward out the window and sucks the notion of fair competition out of the industry altogether.  The banks in this highest caste of financial institution will be able to operate under an entirely different set of rules than those on the outside looking in.  From a purely practical standpoint, as these banks go about their business of lending and borrowing, they will be able to negotiate from a position of power not afforded to “lesser” banks.  They will inevitably be able to acquire lower interests rates because the Federal Government is securing the transaction.  It does the opposite of what it is “intended” to do.  It makes those banks that are “Too Big to Fail” even bigger and even more important.  What a brilliant idea.  Let’s turn the entities “they” blame for this collapse into quasi-governmental lending institutions so that when the next collapse comes it takes generations rather than years for us to climb out of.  Man I love the “government knows best” mentality.  Really looking forward to three more years of it.  Quick question though.  Will the government still know best once they’re voted out of office or will it go back to being the “inefficient special interest loving machine” that it was under the Bush administration once Republicans are back in charge of things?

The Fox News Panel discussed the proposal on Sunday.  As you might expect from a panel composed of Charles Krauthammer, Bill Kristol, and Juan Williams reactions were wide-ranging.

CONSTITUTIONAL?

New York Times:

Another edition of the weekly summary of the Sunday Morning Talk Show Circuit. As you can see from the picture, two of the regulars were back at it via satellite from Jerusalem. Arnold Schwarzenegger made an appearance on Meet the Press. Feinstein and Hoekstra joined Face the Nation. John Kyl and Jack Reed talked national security and domestic terrorism with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. Christina Romer hit two shows and was featured on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. And… DNC Chair Tim Kaine and RNC Chair Michael Steele “battled it out” on two programs – Meet the Press and Fox News Sunday.

MEET THE PRESS WITH DAVID GREGORY

DNC Chairman Governor Tim Kaine and RNC Chairman Michael Steele graced the set -the two worthless “leaders” of their respective parties – began by discussing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s controversial remarks revealed in a book this week. Steele says he could either step down or he’ll “retire” him in November all the same.

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Here the two are asked about the 2010 elections – who will gain seats, how the recent retirements will play out, and Michael Steele’s predictions for the success of his party in 2010?

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When asked if he deserved to keep his post as Chairman of the RNC….

“I think i am a passionate leader of this party, i’m a grass roots guy. i grew up in the streets of d.c. at 17, decided to become a republican. i’ve been fighting that fight ever since. i believe passionately in the principles that drew me to the party. i get angry when we walk away from those. i get frustrated when i see those principles not regarded because they have been the foundation for generations. as chairman i raised $80 million this year, i won two gubernatorial races no one thought. one in his back yard. i’ve got 370,000 new donors to the party, $8 million cash on hand when the budget i inherited said i would have zero, i would have debt. i have no debt. they have debt. i have the same amount of money cash on hand as my partner here who had the white house, both houses of congress. $8 million going into this year. so i think overall, i’m doing okay.”

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Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor CA)

The governor of the state with the world’s eighth largest economy — and a massive $20 billion budget deficit appeared rather frustrated as he winds down his days in office. I’m generally not all that impressed with Schwarzenegger – OK I’ve not been impressed at all, but this interview had some high points – OK it was somewhat entertaining. One being where the Governator pulled out a folded piece of paper with his campaign promises on it and revealed which ones still needed checks – literally a folded piece of paper as if he carries it around with him everywhere.

He seems less than pleased with imbalance in the tax structure between and among the states, and considering the numbers, I think I’d be pretty pissed too. He says Califfornia gets a 78 cents on the dollar return on its tax dollars sent to Washington whereas a state like New Mexico gets over a two dollar share. I just don’t know how this is a “new issue.”

He had another great moment when he said we havent built anything in decades – he may have been right, and I may not really want any of the crap that he thinks is so important, but it was Arnold being Arnold. I think it pretty much summed up his shortcomings as a politician. He genuinely believes that those kind of projects can happen this day and age without politics playing a role and killing the effort. Admirably ignorant maybe, but foolish all the same. Better off leaving that stuff to the private sector Terminator.

“Look, this country needs to rebuild itself. we are still living off of the eisenhower era and off the roosevelt era when they built the thousands of bridges and government buildings and the roads, the highway system and all of those things. what’s the new thing we are building? we haven’t built anything in decades. we need high speed rail, new infrastructure. we have countries like china and europe that are very fast gaining on us and surpassing us so we got to get our act together and really make this country kind of live in the 21st century, not be with the infrastructure in the 20th century.

CHECK OUT THIS LIST!!

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Health care reform will “Beat Up” California – who doesn’t love this stuff? Too bad he is just now getting to the party realizing that the health care bill is a death sentence to the fiscal security of every state. He also seems legitimately surprised that his liberal Congressional delegation voted for the thing – which only recently has he realized was a bad buy.

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Round Table: NBC’s Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell & NBC’s Political Director Chuck Todd.

I can’t stand these correspondent only round tables but I figured that didn’t mean I shouldn’t post it . If mindless crap is your thing. Have a listen.

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FACE THE NATION WITH BOB SCHEIFFER

Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-CA) and Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) – of course address the “Reid’s a racist” scandal. Feinstein says its not the same as the “Lott’s a racist” scandal – because no Senators called for his resignation – I didn’t understand that either. I think she was trying to say that it wasn’t fellow senator’s place to make such decisions but we all know that argument is crap when it comes from their side because that is exactly what they would be doing. Hoekstra says Republicans should stay out of it – and they should – at least the elected ones that is.

And in the Shocker of the week, Feinstein says she agrees with John McCain that we shouldn’t send detainees back to Yemen or ANY nation that is known to be a hotbed for terrorists.

Peter Baker – New York Times White House Correspondent and Jan Crawford - CBS News Chief Legal Correspondent discuss a host of topics – more correspondent crap I suppose. Crawford did reveal that CBS had found that Reid made more than 35 PHONE CALLS – many of them to African American leaders to cover his tracks before this story was revealed yesterday.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY WITH CHRIS WALLACE

Gov. Tim Kaine (Chairman of the Democratic National Committee) and Michael Steele (Chairman of the Republican National Committee) discuss Senate Democrats losing two big names in Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan with their choosing not to run for reelection – and how will that impact the 2010 electoral landscape? And of course – they discuss “Harry Reid is a racist gate” as well.

Steele did a much better job on this one than he did on Meet the Press. Actually I shouldn’t say that. He was half way there and then dropped the ball ten fold by declaring – on the record – that the majority leader should step down. When are these Republican officials going to learn to leave that crap to everyone else?

Kaine then offered the rebuttal that the use of the phrases “negro dialect” and light skinned african american were in the context of “positive remarks” distinguishing them from those made by Trent Lott. I guess he believed that the only platform Thurmond was running on in his presidential bid was a racist one. There couldn’t have been anything positive to say about the man.

Power Player of the Week – Gilbert Arenas – idiot Washington Wizards basketball player suspended for bringing a gun into the locker room and reportedly pulling it on a teammate over a gambling debt. I only add this here, because Wallace proudly admitted that he was previously a power player of the week only illustrating that the “Power Player of the Week” is a load of crap.

“Panel Plus” on Reid is a Racist Gate

THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS

White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairwoman Christina Romer was the lone real guest if you don’t count the Round Table. She predicted steady GDP growth throughout 2010 but questioned whether it will be strong enough to really spark substantial job growth. She once again illustrated that she is not always completely on board with the rest of the President’s economic groupies saying that Geithner’s prediction that job growth will begin in the spring may be realistic by qualifying that she was not sure about the magnitude. George also mentioned that the President hugged her when he heard the most recent job numbers – as if they were something to hug about.

The only thing I walk away from this interview with is the fact that the administration is as clueless as the rest of us as to when this thing will legitimately turn around. I am somewhat happy to hear that there is at least one person in the room not drinking the Kool-Aid that we have turned the corner. I thought her a fool last week when she appeared to contradict the administration’s message on recovery, but after a second week, I do believe she is the lone skeptic in the room. As a side note, I also believe that she is the only Obama camp personality that actually has an ounce of likability. What is that worth? Not a dime, but at least I don’t throw things at the television when I hear her voice. I guess if I were President Obama I might hug her too.

Round Table: George Will, Liz Cheney, Bloomberg’s Al Hunt, Judy Woodruff of the PBS Newshour, and former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich

Video Here….

Christina Romer Transcript Here…

STATE OF THE UNION WITH PETER KING

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) graced the worst show on the air Sunday mornings and forced me to watch it. Even a trip to Jerusalem can’t keep this dynamic duo away from the Sunday Circuit. I am so glad to see the two of them finally finding some time to take a trip together.

King asks if we “misunderestimated” the threat from Al Qaeda.
McCain – “Where there’s fertile ground, they’re going to breed”
King – has the United States kept up or are we ahead of the game in preventing attacks?
Lieberman – “We’re ahead of the game but this is a war… We will succeed in Afghanistan… In the last year, there have been more than a dozen planned attacks on our homeland. Three of them broke through our defenses – two successfully killing people – Arkansas recruiting station where soldier was killed for wearing the uniform of the US military, the Fort Hood Terrorist, and Christmas Day terrorist… Some people have to be held accountable for the “human errors.”

Christina Romer (The Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers) – offers pretty much the same rundown as you heard in the ABC clip, but if redundancy is your thing, have at it. She does offer that big bonuses offend her. Probably because she represents an administration that loves to blame capitalism for everything wrong in the world.

John Brennan was the Sunday morning token Obama administration official making the talk circuit this week.  The White House Deputy National Security Advisor made three stops with Fox News Sunday, This Week, and Meet the Press.  He is the President’s top advisor on homeland security and counter terrorism, so I guess it would only be fitting that he would be out on the trail this week.  Perhaps he should have been the President’s point man last week rather than Napolitano.  She didn’t do too hot.   Unless making statements that force you to spend a week in damage control is really your thing.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY WITH CHRIS WALLACE

Kit Bond (R-MO)- The “Somebody screwed up big time” guy discussed upcoming Senate hearings on the Underwear Bomber’s actions as well as the shortcomings of the intelligence community.  Also on the program was White House Deputy National Security Advisor, John Brennan.  He discussed a variety of topics related to his position as the President’s counter terrorism and national security point man.

Regarding last night’s decision to close the embassy in Yemen, he said “we made the decision overnight to make sure we are doing everything possible to support our post there.”  He also said that Al Qaeda has been trying for months to launch an attack on the embassy and that all US citizens in Yemen will be at risk until the government there stabilizes and takes action.  On a related note, he also slipped in that a number of tourists have been kidnapped in recent months.  No biggie!!

In this clip he is asked if Yemen is a second front in the former War on Terror with Afghanistan Pakistan?  His response = Nope.  Its not a new effort at all.   We have been working with Yemen since the beginning of our administration… but we still didn’t connect the dots on the Underwear bomber and shouldn’t have been expected to.  Thanks.

Brit Hume on Tiger Woods – He says Tiger needs to find Christianity and dump Buddhism if he wants to repair his life and recover from his transgressions.  Who knew Tiger was a Buddhist or that Hume was the end all be all moral authority on such matters?

THIS WEEK WITH GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS

Terry Moran sitting in for George.  And let me tell ya.  He does a bang up job.  If you’re a flaming liberal or an administration apologist that is.

Highlights from the show…

John Brennan – “we are determined to destroy Al Qaeda.”  Will you form a Joint task force in Yemen with the UK?  Response =  It is not a new front.  It is one we have been focused on for months and we have been committed to working with their government to flush these terrorists out. (again but not one that should have led us to foiling the Christmas Day plot).

Rep. Hoekstra (R- MI)  -( just retruned from Yemen)  This is a real threat.  It (the threat in Yemen) is a unique threat because it is a core group formed by former Gitmo detainees who when combined with a radical American-born cleric have provided a new dilemma  - How do we deal with Americans who join Al Qaeda?

Rep. Harman (D- CA) – Regarding the released detainees from Gitmo now operating in Yemen and those about to be sent there from Gitmo – would you tell the President to at least delay release of them back to Yemen?  Response –  It should close, but we should review again where we will send them.  I think it is a bad time to send them back to Yemen right now.

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) – Do you have confidence in Janet Nepolitano to do her job?  I do, but her comments were innappropriate or poorly chosen in the aftermath.  Nevertheless I believe that she is “working very hard” and will “work with us.”  Not sure that was a great endorsement.  Working hard and working with Congress is not exactly the definition outstanding job performance I had in my mind, but I digress.

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) – Said last week that Yemen could turn into tomorrow’s war.  Today he furthered those remarks by saying, “We are acting preemptively there now, so we are taking steps to make sure that it does not become our next war.”   He also called Yemen “fertile ground” for terrorism.

In this video Representative Hoekstra gets hammered in this clip by Moran who is anything but unbiased with this surprise attack on the Congressman’s fundraising efforts.

Read the Transcript Here.

Watch the full video of Hoekstra, Harman, Collins, and Lieberman video here.

Gitmo should not be closed. Terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should not be tried in Federal Court.

FACE THE NATION

Bob Scheiffer proudly opened the show by telling the audience of a long history of holiday round tables on Face the Nation where the top correspondents gathered to discuss the events of the year.  He then whined about never getting to take part in one and announced that we were all going to be blessed with watching his dream finally come true.

In summary.  This week’s episode was an absolute waste with nothing more than commentary from CBS commentators.

MEET THE PRESS

Brennan again reiterated that Al Qaeda is a “serious threat” as if we all needed to hear that for the millionth time.  He did say that military action is a potential option for Yemen if the situation there deteriorates further saying “everything” is an option to prevent attacks on our nation.  He also added that he thought Janet Napolitano has done a “tremendous job” and that her comments about the system working were taken out of context.  When asked if we are safer as a nation than we were in the days after 911, he said that we are safer because we now have “systems” in place that help to protect us but said that we must continue to tweak said systems to ensure that they are working properly.

Brennan on the Closing of the US and UK embassies in Yemen

Ends with a rant about politics and partisan critics.  Tells them that al qaeda is the enemy not the administration.

Brennan’s response to Former Vice-President Dick Cheney’s remarks on President Obama’s slow reaction to the Christmas day attacks

Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff – was asked if it is “enormously difficult to pull off an attack” – bc we see low level people trying and failing?  Response = We have seen occasion after occasion where we have thwarted plots, so yes??

Good Ole Greggory then asked if the Bush administration should be held accountable for the recent attack because it created the levels of government – that either did or did not fail – and then left office before proving that they were effective.  - Lets just call this what it was – a piece of shit question.

Chertoff – They must have been working on some level as we weren’t attacked for seven years under Bush.

Greggory then asked Former CIA Director Michael Hayden about accountability for Bush administration officials for releasing Gitmo detainees back to Yemen. response = We did release a few who returned to the battlefield.  Since 2006, we have known Yemen was growing as a safe haven for terrorism, but are we safer after 911?  Yes. We just have to adapt just as the enemy is doing.  He then accurately pointed out that the “information” was shared.  It just wasn’t put together properly.   He called the failure a human action that only appears easier to have accomplished in hindsight.

Greggory then asked Chertoff and Hayden if we are effectively “racially profiling”

Roundtable – Tom Brokaw, David Brooks, E.J. Dionne and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

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