What Do The Blue Dogs Want?
Paul Krugman lays it out.
So what are the objections of the Blue Dogs?
Well, they talk a lot about fiscal responsibility, which basically boils down to worrying about the cost of those subsidies. And it’s tempting to stop right there, and cry foul. After all, where were those concerns about fiscal responsibility back in 2001, when most conservative Democrats voted enthusiastically for that year’s big Bush tax cut — a tax cut that added $1.35 trillion to the deficit?
But it’s actually much worse than that — because even as they complain about the plan’s cost, the Blue Dogs are making demands that would greatly increase that cost.
There has been a lot of publicity about Blue Dog opposition to the public option, and rightly so: a plan without a public option to hold down insurance premiums would cost taxpayers more than a plan with such an option.
But Blue Dogs have also been complaining about the employer mandate, which is even more at odds with their supposed concern about spending. The Congressional Budget Office has already weighed in on this issue: without an employer mandate, health care reform would be undermined as many companies dropped their existing insurance plans, forcing workers to seek federal aid — and causing the cost of subsidies to balloon. It makes no sense at all to complain about the cost of subsidies and at the same time oppose an employer mandate.
I’m as confused as Krugman. The changes they are promoting seem only to result in a self-fulfilling prophecy. They are beyond conflicted. It’s as if they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they kill health care their political career (as Democrats) is in jeopardy. I mean, why vote for a Dem who acts like a Republican. I’m beginning to think their stance on health care is all political show – a way to hedge their bets.
Krugman finishes with this thought:
Now, however, they face their moment of truth. For they can’t extract major concessions on the shape of health care reform without dooming the whole project: knock away any of the four main pillars of reform, and the whole thing will collapse — and probably take the Obama presidency down with it.
Is that what the Blue Dogs really want to see happen? We’ll soon find out.
So, any ideas of what the Blue Dogs are playing at? I’m a little… conflicted.
Tags: Blue Dogs, Health Care, krugman
“If they kill health care their political career (as Democrats) is in jeopardy.”
Puleeze.
Delawareans vote for their senators and congressmen based on name recognition (it’s a good thing Tom Capano doesn’t run).
Tom Carper is a Republican. His work to destroy health insurance reform this year makes that crystal clear. That doesn’t jeopardize his political career as a Delaware Democrat, just as Adams’ and Vaughn’s actions did not weaken their political careers as Delaware Democrats. We have a state chair (John Daniello) to ensure this, and our voting record confirms it.
Keep in mind that Castle is considered a Democrat by many state Republicans, but this doesn’t change the fact that he has a name, and that is what gets votes in Delaware. Taking a stand that conflicts with your supposed party does not hurt a Delaware Representative or Senator. Get real.
Another faulty post.
The Blue Dogs know perfume on a pig is still a pig.
Obama dropped the ball by letting Congress write and shepherd the bill. Health Care reform of any signifance will not pass this year.
The Blue Dogs know when the semi annual federal budget update comes out after Obama delayed it 30 days citizens will be alarmed by the record deficits and huge cost of Obama care especially to small business.
The Blue Dogs know the public option is a bottom less pit of taxpayer money which will go the same route as Medicaid and Medicare-financial unsustainability.
Too bad Obama’s own party members laugh at him. So will at least 51% of voters in 2012.
Mike Protack
Here is why the Blue Dogs are correct to be concerned.
CNSNews.com
Conyers Sees No Point in Members Reading 1,000-Page Health Care Bill–Unless They Have 2 Lawyers to Interpret It for Them
Monday, July 27, 2009
By Nicholas Ballasy, Video Reporter
(CNSNews.com) – During his speech at a National Press Club luncheon, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Democratic Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), questioned the point of lawmakers reading the health care bill.
“I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill,’” said Conyers.
“What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?”
Mike Protack
Perfume on a pig is still a pig!!!!!
WTF.
Why don’t you spend your time on conservative blogs, Mike? They’re your audience. Nobody here will ever vote for you. Why are you wasting your time? Doesn’t say much for your ability to prioritize.
Why don’t you spend your time on conservative blogs, Mike? They’re your audience. Nobody here will ever vote for you. Why are you wasting your time? Doesn’t say much for your ability to prioritize.
I sincerely suggest that all commenters use the above form as the spam-tastic response to anything Protack writes on DL.
Heh, thanks Geezer. I think Protack is impervious to rejection. That’s why he keeps running again and again and losing again and again.
As far as the Blue Dogs go, they are incoherent. They want to control prices without doing anything that controls prices (like a strong public option). Basically Blue Dogs are protecting the status quo because their biggest contributors are corporations. I hope that Rahm has a big stick to beat the Blue Dogs with – although Pelosi says healthcare will pass the House. We only have to worry about the Senate – which is ironic because we have a supposedly filibuster-proof majority.
Mr. Shallow Bench is a glutton for punishment. And if he actually watched the video of Conyers at the NPC, what he would have seen is that the so-called videographer (?) took Conyers’ line completely out of the context of his talk. Conyers spent his time trying to still plump for single-payer. His comment referenced above was meant to offer some support for the simplicity of single payer.
But it is the usual cherry-picking for the usual expected gullible audience. Of which Protack is a member, apparently.
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)
We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of healthcare means.
I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. A trillion dollar taxpayer funded private health insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one.
YOU CANT HAVE AN INSURANCE MANDATE WITHOUT A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION. MANDATING PRIVATE FOR PROFIT HEALTH INSURANCE AS YOUR ONLY CHOICE WOULD BE UNETHICAL, CORRUPT, AND MORALLY REPUGNANT. AND PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS WELL.
These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!
Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it’s President Obama’s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us.
But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.
But you don’t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist.
Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too.
There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don’t loose heart. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy saving the World. 🙂
God Bless You
jacksmith — Working Class
I REST MY CASE (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)
Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.
* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah
So your argument for why they shouldn’t be worried about fiscal responsibility and the MASSIVE spending Obama’s been doing is “Well Bush did it too?”
Great argument.
Great argument against the Rebiblicans Jack, but how about all those neo con demorats like Carper et al. Do you think we should re-elect them cuz they claim to be dem’s?
We dont need one damn vote from the Rebiblicans to pass real health care reform. We have 60 votes and Obama will sign. So where is the problem? Not JUST with demorats, but reBiblicans too. I notice you didnt put any demorats up there on your list. Aggressive Progressives ARE going after the neo con dems, so should everyone who has any brain cells left.