Pa. House sends health insurance bill to Senate

HARRISBURG - A bill to open Pennsylvania's government-subsidized health-insurance program to 85,000 more lower-income adults won House approval yesterday.

But the chances of this bill reaching Gov. Rendell's desk appear bleak.

While passage had been a priority of House Democrats, who symbolically numbered it House Bill 1, only a single Republican representative crossed party lines in the 104-96 vote.

The lines of battle over the economic salvation of America and our working class are now crystal clear. It is Republicans and BlueDogs together on one side, acting in furtherance of the same Corporatists who ran public policy under Reagan and the Bushs, versus the rest of us. Read more…

So my job is the push the new administration "from the left," if my blogging can said to have a constructive purpose. It's always fun to read more popular bloggers when they get snarky and angry in the way I'm prone to be most of the time, as I review the proposals and behaviors of the new administration. No one here is shocked by the already numerous "disappointments" from the administration, but I do wonder how long the majority in this country is going to keep giving Obama high approval ratings. I also wonder if getting punked by Republicans is a successful strategy in the effort to keep them high.

To me, it's completely obvious: no Dem administration is ever going to get more than a handful of Republicans to go along with anything that Dems propose. Republicans oppose Democratic initiatives, always. And the rare times when they don't oppose something the Dems propose, it's because they better understand the deep strategies and gamesmanship, and how to play the 'fake' of temporary support followed by later opposition. But expecting widespread Republican support for any Democratic initiative is just plain stupid. And ignorant of recent history. And perhaps cowardly, and incompetent.

The only place that the new administration needs to focus its love of "bipartisanship" is in the Senate. And frankly, the whole "post-partisan/bi-partisan" strategy is a foolish one, even there. A smarter strategy would be to identify electorally weak Republican members of the Senate, and use executive authority to pressure them to go along with key Democratic initiatives when there is the need for the few extra votes. Really, it's quite simple.

If the new administration wants anyone intelligent to believe that they are truly members of the Democratic party, and not the "Unity" party, it's relatively straighforward, in terms of what they should do.

-ignore the media, (unless they want to bring back something like the Fairness Doctrine, which I'm all for) which at this point is a wholly-owned creature of entities completely hostile to Democratic Party platform goals and aims
-don't bother to grant all but a few of the least significant legislative compromises to Republicans in the House, perhaps a few more in the Senate
-rally and sustain liberal electoral support with progressive policies that aren't just politically smart, but good for the economy (which is true for most progressive policies)
-keep Republicans off-balance with much needed investigations and restructuring of Federal offices, which serves the health of the Constitution at the same time

I don't really expect any of this from new administration, and indeed I expect a lot of the opposite. But I just felt like expressing as simply as I can, that "it's not that hard" to be a real, liberal Democrat right now. The Administration is enjoying popularity at the polls, the party isn't doing to badly in terms of fundraising, and the nation as a whole is ready for real "change," in addition to the musical teevee kind.

One thing I'm very sure about: if the Obama administration continues to act like members of the Unity Party, it will be responsible for significant Dem losses in the House and Senate in 2010, and risk a very real chance of becoming a one-term failure by 2012. In the spirit of "it's the economy, stupid" the bi-partisan proposals that please Republicans (tax cuts, deregulation, endless military spending) are exactly what got us into the mess, and will only exacerbate our situation further if allowed to continue/be increased. Again, this isn't rocket science, it's a simple review of the recent history of economic policy and the results. Read more…

There is a Republicans for Single Payer group. Please forward the link to your Republican friends. The idea will seem less threatening if it comes from a Republican voice.

There are many Republicans today who are out of work and just discovering the hard realities of the American Health Neglect System. I am not just talking about unemployed White House or Capitol Hill operatives, I mean rank and file Republicans all over the country. They are going to start bringing their health care nightmare's to their Senators, and with luck that will give us the opening we need. Read more…

This post is the first of a series preparing for Thursday's National Call in Day. Some general considerations in contacting politicians:

In a post-anthrax world it is necessary to use the web/email contact form, telephone, or personal visit to the district office. Regular mail is delayed for weeks because of post-anthrax security procedures.

ALWAYS be courteous. It is not possible to over emphasize the importance of this.

ALWAYS be brief and to the point. No one has time to read your flowing periods. That is what blogs are for. Read more…

Quite a list here of who he's meeting with and learning from, and those supposedly "sensible Republicans" are far outnumbered by the usual warmongering criminal ones -- but all is not lost: he's actually read 2 whole books by non-warmongers! (but not spoken to them or met with them or asked them for advice)

A World of Issues Waiting, Obama and His Foreign Policy Squad Brush Up --

... Besides reaching out to Mr. Scowcroft, Mr. Obama has also called former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, a Reagan administration official who is known in some foreign policy circles as the father of the Bush doctrine because of his advocacy of preventive war. It is unclear what the two men talked about. Read more…

So I'm deep in Republican territory, showing off my black ass and wearing all my UChicago gear, this week. It's interesting. The people around here are upper class rich, but not uberrich. Out and about, here's some useless data point stuff. Because Lambert keeps stealing all my post ideas, it's the best I can do.

-What is it with skinny blonde moms with really big families? Like, poppin out a kid every year until there are so many of them it's hard to count if they're not standing still? I'm talking younger moms, obviously wealthy, the sort your average white Amercian patriarch goes for, "trophy" wives. When I was young, not many of the kids at my (private, populated by Republican spawn) school were from very large broods. But for the last few years, I've noticed more and more of these birthing-olympics moms in tony suburbs. Poor people have always believed children are their wealth, but I seem to remember a time when one of the perks of being a trophy wife is that all you had to produce was 'an heir and a spare.' Has that changed?

-The bailout doesn't seem to be popular here either. Read more…

Over the past few days, I've been one of those Damned Annoying Palin Diarists--though not on BabyGate or some of the other stuff, but more on the fact she was originally put in as a dominionist "stealth candidate", that she has extensive and ongoing connections with "Joel's Army" neopente dominionists including providing tax dollars to them. Read more…

The Man Who Called His Wife a "C--t" Cries "Sexism!"

Bob Somerby

PALIN DOES IT AGAIN: As a politician, Sarah Palin is profoundly talented, disturbingly so. But uh-oh–she clearly enjoys telling lies! Last night, in her speech, she did it again! Why is she able to do this:

PALIN (9/3/08): We suspended the state fuel tax and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress, "Thanks, but no thanks," on that Bridge to Nowhere.

(APPLAUSE)

If our state wanted to build a bridge, we were going to build it ourselves.

(APPLAUSE) Read more…

If there's a "valid" point here, it's that I really wish some investigative bloggers would follow up on this and find out more about just who has the hard-on for Twink Love. I bet it's a looong list of them in St. Paul. wonkette via Joe:

Via Wonkette, this latest in a string of Craigslist Twin Cities M4M ads:

Discretion Required - m4mm (Upscale Hotel)

ATTN: discretion is mandatory. must be willing to submit to background check and strip searches. absolutely no recording devices or wireless communication devices allowed. you will be examined and scrutinized by security before you make contact. Read more…

Via Dizzy Queen at MyDD
McCain's no care health care

Constituents denied entry to Congressman’s Office following Medicare Birthday Party :

Following the celebration, Rosemary Prostko, a senior citizen and volunteer with the Western PA Coalition for Single-Payer Healthcare, headed south to the Mt. Lebanon district office of her U.S. Representative, Tim Murphy, where she was joined by three other supporters. Their goal: to deliver an enormous “Happy Birthday Medicare/Support Improved Medicare for All” cookie, visible through hard plastic, along with single-payer information and an over-sized Medicare Birthday card containing hundreds of signatures in support of single-payer legislation.

What follows is Rosemary Prostko’s account: Read more…

I have simple needs and to obtain my vote the Democratic and Republican candidates can easily meet them.

I will vote for Barack Obama if he promises to:

• Dismantle all of the faith based creations of his predecessors.
• Eliminate “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
• Appoint a substantial number of gays and minorities to leadership posts in our military services and truly integrate our military.
• Put the criminals from prior administrations in jail, now!
• Restore the personal freedoms of Americans.

I will vote for John McCain if:

• There is no other candidate on the ballot.
• Someone puts a gun to my head and forces me to vote.

Prediction — A Major Assault By The Health Insurance Industry Will Be Launched To Destroy the Medicare System Before BUSH Leaves Office Read more…

I do love Pam and all Her Works.

Yessssss...it's nice to see the case of Glenn Murphy, Jr. resolved during the campaign season. It's a reminder that the GOP ranks are rife with Republican Sexual Hypocrites, perpetrating their sexual and criminal deviant behavior while presenting a pious, judgmental image to the public.

The former chairman of the Clark County Republican Party pleaded guilty today to criminal deviate conduct as part of an agreement that could result in two years behind bars.
Glenn Murphy Jr. was arrested after authorities said he performed oral sex on a sleeping man following a July 28 party at a home in Jeffersonville.

...Murphy, who was also chairman of the Young Republican National Federation, resigned from both posts when the allegations were made public in August.

Conflicts of Interest Within FBI By Pegging Mole Pay To Arrests? Read more…

WaPo:

The former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee transferred as much as $1 million in committee funds into his personal and business accounts, officials announced today, describing a scheme that could prove to be one of the largest campaign frauds in recent history.

For at least four years, Christopher J. Ward, who is under investigation by the FBI, used wire transfers [Hmmm... cash!] to funnel money out of the NRCC and into other political committees he controlled, then shifted the funds into his own personal accounts, the committee said.

"The evidence we have today indicated we have been deceived and betrayed for a number of years by a highly respected and trusted individual," said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), NRCC chairman.

Well, now you know how we feel, Tom! Read more…

YOUR FAITHFUL OREGON representative for the MTV Street Team '08 (ahem, yours truly) is invisible on this day, because Oregon doesn't exist when it comes to Super Tuesday. But my Street Team peeps are LIVE on the scene in each Super Tuesday state. Read more…

DEAR MISTER ROMNEY, I really appreciate your steadfast commitment to your faith. I've heard people choose these types of ideologies because it grounds a person in morality and integrity and human values. And of course I can admire that. With all the hate- and fear-mongering filling the public square today, I welcome men of your caliber.

I only have a small question. Given that a central tenet of Mormonism is that the Indians of the Americas are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel, how do you reconcile your current anti-immigrant stance with the fact that Mexicans are descended, too, from these same people? How do your actions fit into the theological framework now that you are the one trying to stop them from wandering?

and furthermore— Read more…

ABC's Political Radar has a data point, but misses the interpretation:

Romney Attacks Go to the Dogs
ABC News' John Berman Reports:

Mitt Romney's latest weapon in his barrage of jabs at Mike Huckabee? A dog named Spike.

A dog named Spike that likes to write letters. It is a piece of direct mail sent to Iowa voters, purportedly from Spike that begins, "Dear Iowa Republicans..."

It goes on to say, "You might have read about how Mike Huckabee raised taxes even more than Bill Clinton..."

Spike is apparently referring to the growing litany of mailings and "contrast" television ads where Mitt Romney is trying to paint Mike Huckabee as a liberal.

Spike continues: "What makes me barking mad? Mike Huckabee raised taxes on dog groomers! He went too far when he taxed the people who make me beautiful."

It is signed, "Bow Wow, Spike." It seems to be a genuine attempt at light-hearted humor on the campaign trail.

"Genuine," "light-hearted," and "humor"?

From Willard Mitt Romney?

John, what have you been smoking? That's just so implausible there has to be a better reason: Read more…

[Welcome Drunk Report readers.]

I swear I'm not making this up! And it saddens me, just a little, truly. I would have thought that McCain, having been tortured, would be the very last Republican candidate to throw his hat in this particular ring:

But doggone it--hat tip to alert reader muttley66--once again I just wasn't cynical enough.

Follow me to the grand guignol below: Read more…

Welcome, I heart Huckabee readers! Welcome, Planet Romney readers!

Here's the barebones story of how 17-year-old Mike Huckabee's son, David, and 18-year-old Clayton Frady killed a dog when they were Boy Scouts, and got fired for it.* From the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1998 (as quoted in DogBlog):

[David Huckabee,] the younger son of Gov. Mike Huckabee and another teen were fired last month from jobs at a Boy Scout camp after the killing of a stray dog.

So, why were they fired? For violating Scout Law.

Marcal Young of Texarkana, scout executive of the Caddo Area Council that operates the camp where the dog was killed, said this week that two boys violated a Scout law, “A Scout is kind.”

So, how and why did David Huckabee (and Clayton Frady) kill the dog? Read more…

Too, too delicious! Congressional Quarterly politics: Read more…

New Orleans Advocate:

Ex-prostitute tells Hustler of Vitter encounters
Vitter used condoms and engaged in straight sex, “no weird fetishes or anything like that,” [Wendy] Ellis says in the magazine.

Ellis says Vitter did one thing, though, that none of her other clients did; he took his used condoms with him.

Uh, that's not weird? I mean, what's he doing with them? Keeping a scrapbook? Read more…