I’m not writing this to express either a negative or positive judgment, but to provide a source of clear information. The roll call of last night’s essential vote on health care reform shows that the following 34 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted against the legislation:
John Adler – Jason Altmire – Michael Arcuri – John Barrow – Marion Berry – Dan Boren – Rick Boucher – Bobby Bright – Ben Chandler – Travis Childers – Artur Davis – Lincoln Davis – Chet Edwards – Stephanie Herseth Sandlin – Tim Holden – Larry Kissell – Frank Kratovil – Dan Lipinski – Steve Lynch – Jim Marshall – Jim Matheson – Mike McIntyre – Mike McMahon – Charlie Melancon – Walt Minnick – Glenn Nye – Collin Peterson – Mike Ross – Heath Shuler – Ike Skelton – Zack Space – John Tanner – Gene Taylor – Harry Teague
The legislation passed by a slim margin the House, and was already approved by the Senate. Barack Obama will soon sign it into law.
Will Democratic voters respond negatively to the split away from Barack Obama’s agenda by these legislators? Watch this year’s primaries – and general elections – to find out.
I would wager that by the time the elections come in November, few voters will remember or even care about how their representatives voted on this bill. The general apathy of the American public is too great.
It will be interesting to see whether you’re right, or whether voters pay attention.
In New York’s 24th congressional district, right wing Blue Dog Democrat Michael Arcuri has lost the support of big unions SEIU and AFL-CIO over his NO vote. He’s also at risk of losing the Working Families Party line on the ballot, a line that brought him almost his margin of victory in the 2008 election. He may have a general election challenger from the left, peeling off votes he would need to beat a Republican.
It isn’t just about what voters remember on Election Day. It’s about what Democratic-aligned organizations decide to do NOW that will affect how these campaigns develop. So, even if voters aren’t thinking about the health care vote on Election Day, the vote can still have big impact.
I’ll do whatever it takes to help those that voted for this bill get DEFEATED. The above listed will be safe in their seats…
Why? Because you don’t believe the science of climate change, but you do believe the conspiracy theories that giving people access to medical care is some kind of secret plot to replace George Washington on the quarter with Che Guevara? Oooookay.
don’t count on that my friend. many, many people need healthcare; many, many people have been denied coverage or dropped after having serious health problems; and many, many americans have the capacity for compassion that will be noted in this election cycle. no doubt some democrats will be vulnerable because of there support for our president; no doubt some will be vulnerable because of their support for the name calling, race baiting, naysaying republican fear mongering machine. i’m hoping these dems join the doctors having temper tantrums and take their marbles and go home and take their republican buddies with them.
believe it or not: i just saw an ad on CNN condemning michele bachman for her vote against health insurance reform. here’s hoping that it’s the naysaying republicans who are under the gun this fall!
Stop America’s economy from falling off Bush’s cliff. — Done!!!
Adjust medical entitlements (without reducing services) so America’s deficit improves. — Done!!!
Next!!!
Preserve the Office of Faith Based Initiatives religious discrimination against workers – check!
Keep George W. Bush’s electronic spying program going – check!
Expand coal burning and offshore oil drilling – check!
Posting a comment not related to either economic issues or health care issues despite them being the issue at hand — check!
YA, LIKE I WANT TO SEE THAT CLOWN IN THE WHITE HOUSE BECOME A DICTATOR. IT MUST BE HIS DREAM TO CONTROL AND NOT HEARING WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNTRY REALLY WANTS. HE’S GOT THAT BITCH PELOSI TO STRONG ARM ANY CONGRESSMEN WHO DOESN’T AGREE WITH HIM.
HIS HEALTH CARE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS AND WILL COST MY GRANDCHILDREN BIG TIME–LET ALONE MY CHILDREN. WHO THE HELL IS HE TO SIGN A BILL INTO LAW AND NOT LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTE ON IT. HE IS RUINING THIS COUNTRY. BY THE WAY, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN, HE IS NOW GOING AFTER OUR MEDICARE. HE HAS ALREADY MADE SOME CUTS–BUT IN HIS OPINION WE SENIORS CAN GO TO HELL. HE SHOULD GO AFTER WELFARE FRAUD AND DISABILITY FRAUD. THANK GOD I AM A REPUBLICAN AND WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET RID OF DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE CONGRESS AND SENATE.
So, naturally, you’re also against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the cost of which will cost your grandchildren big, right?
What about the costs of writing in all caps?
For me, personally, the greatest telling moment for how I will view this bill will come in October when I receive my notice of what my health insurance premiums will be next year. I get insurance through my employer. If I see a small rise in my premium then I will consider this legislation a success. It’s a small price to pay to assure that few Americans have to go without health insurance. If my premium skyrockets then I will not be happy. Considering that this moment will happen to millions of people across the country just before the November elections, it may be a telling point for the election.
Mark, to be fair to this legislation requires us to wait until 2015 is through, really, given its many delayed provisions. That’s the political genius of this bill.
you mean you did not expect your premiums to skyrocket if the refom didn’t pass?
news flash: premiums were skyrocketing already! that’s why we needed reform.
although, i do agree that if the premiums go up only slightly that would be a huge victory. however knowing the way insurance companies work, they will do everything possible to increase their profits for as long as we let them.
IF PEOPLE ARE OUT TO WORK, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE? OUR JAIL’S WILL BE OVER FLOWING.
If people are unemployed, or have low income, their health care is to be subsidized. That means they get either complete or partial assistance in purchasing medical insurance.
No jail necessary, Judy.
I think the answer to life in the US is to stop working. Then, everything is better and free.
Where are these great armies of loafers, Jacob? Show me evidence that they exist.
I didnt say they did. I said that was the answer. Lets not jump the gun.
IF PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE? OUR JAIL’S WILL BE OVER FLOWING.
Presumably, part of your solution will be to create an Internet subsidy for health care that involves posting comments twice?
Judy, you still haven’t completely fixed the grammatical errors in your comment.
Want to try it one more time?
Hint: “JAIL’S” is supposed to be plural, not possessive.
don’t pick on the poor girl, lest she take jacob’s advice and joins the ranks of freeloaders.
Interesting article about Southern legislators this time around:
http://www.southernstudies.org/2010/03/the-south-and-health-reform.html
It’s time for Medical Tort Reform Natioinaly. I am voting against all Republicans and Democrats that voted against this health care subsidy extension. I am considered High Risk due to Diabetes Type II and Blood Pressure and now with this “Kick In the Ass” from our wonderful Congress, imbeciles that they are, have now cut the throats of thousands of citizens in the same category as myself. Regardless of what other contributors have written on this topic, I WILL NOT FORGET WHO YOU ARE IN NOVEMBER!!!! THROW THE BUMBS OUT