Democratic No Votes

[bluevoter4life]

Source: Politico

Democratic no votes

House Democratic leadership saw 39 of their members vote against the bill and, with one Republican yes vote, Democrats passed sweeping health reform legislation 220-215. While the reasons these Democrats have offered for opposing the $1.2 trillion bill vary, as my colleagues Patrick O'Connor and Charle Mahtesian wrote earlier tonight, they nearly all share a common trait: They are among the most politically vulnerable incumbents in the House, and they tend to represent conservative-minded seats that John McCain won in 2008.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/livepulse/1109/Democratic_no_votes_.html?showall

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Call their offices and give them a piece of your mind. Seeing Kucinich on this list floors me.

[DarthDem]

1. Kucinich Is Past His Expiration Date

He's almost voting as a carnival act now. Just stop it and vote for something that comes pretty damn close to your principles.

[PSPS]

2. Hardly. Face it -- it's a joke bill.

[pundaint]

10. Agreed, he has no place with the surrender monkeys

Dennis should start a new party for the people who don't support sellouts to corporate pressure, and actually possess principles upon which to stand. There is no room in the Democratic Party for integrity.

Did anybody vote for this result last year? There isn't a single benefit to this bill that wouldn't have cost the American people less by expanding Medicare to include pre-existing conditions at cost. Congress doesn't work for us, fire them!

This whole process has been a farce with the President and Congressional saying to the Republicans "let's do it your way", the Republicans saying "No!" Now the Democrats own a bill that is so bad for People that the bat-shit wing can rightly claim that the Government screwed up health care further, and should a reasonable person campaign as a Republican, he can correctly claim that the Democratic super-majority resulted in no benefit for the People.

We have seen that Democrats are weak at politics but now, in competition to be better Republicans, they have become inept at governing.

Death to the one-party system. Up the People's Party!

[merwin]

30. Plus it won't go into effect until 2013.

Fat bit of good that does for those of us who can't afford their medical right now

[Frances]

51. You must be young

Third party candidates just help one of the two parties: witness New York's special election Tuesday, the Presidential elections in 2000 and 1992.

IMO, it's better to get the best that it's possible to get and hope to enlarge on those victories later.

I'm very glad that the Dems voted for Medicare in 1965. I wish they had been able to start Medicare at 60 or 55 or 20 or birth, but that wasn't possible. They didn't have the votes for that.

[No Elephants]

13. He voted against a transfer of wealth to insurers via mandates and a lousy public option.

[defendandprotect]

57. Agree ---

[Psephos]

59. Exactly. nt

[Go2Peace]

16. Yes, compared to all the "white hats" that represented us so well! Damn Kucinich!

He should have behaved like the other part of the MAJORITY, and watered down reform against the wishes of the public!

I can't believe how messed up our perceptions are. This bill may be worth passing. But it was not good representation!

[bjobotts]

26. Oh if only you would listen to why he voted no or read the critque of this bill

[bjobotts]

27. Connecting Dennis to 'tea baggers' is deplorable.You should know better.

[cyclezealot]

31. Bravo Dennis.

After Stupak garnered his sell out amendment, he went over to hug the Repukes.. Dennis did the right thing to oppose this sell out bill. Maybe it's worth passing by Congress member with less principals. But not by those with stellar principals.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

36. This bill is a huge joke

I dont blame Kucinich at all.

[quiller4]

60. I do and if he draws a primary opponent, I'll send $$. n/t

[C_Lawyer09]

41. That's just it

It doesn't come close to representing his principles. He and Ron Paul are two whom have pretty consistently voted there conscience without caving in or being conciliatory and I appreciate it.

[ixion]

47. huh? Kucinich is one of the ONLY ones who I see consistently telliing the truth

the rest of them, not so much.

[Jefferson23]

52. No, it is the others that have past their expiration date, not Kucinich.

How can we even recognize the Democratic party without him, would be difficult to accomplish.

[Warpy]

3. Not me

The bill was rendered unpalatable to progressives by Stupak's rotten amendment and by some of the other halfassed things it contained.

I can't fault Kucinich for voting against this one. Lack of progressive support for another stupid antiabortion bill stuck in something unrelated is the best part about tonight.

That's why the vote was so close.

[saigon68]

29. Stupak is really a POS

A tool of the Mafia infested organized religion

[jaysunb]

4. Artur Davis

I'm speechless....

[shayes51]

54. Why must Alabama politicians

always go for the lowest common denominator?
Davis was thinking of the general election for governor, but in the process, he has lost the Democratic nomination.
He is still the representative from the 7th Congressional District, and he voted against legislation that would help thousands of the people he represents.
Sad. Just sad.

[John Q. Citizen]

5. Dennis said without a functioning Public Option he wouldn't vote for it. A long time ago.

He actually does what he says he will.

And he didn't pass the insurance company bailout bill on the backs of women.

Dennis is a stand up guy. He's got more backbone than most of the Democrats, that's fore sure.

[Liberty Belle]

7. Agreed. I would have voted NO on this bill, too.

It throws the safety of women under the bus which is unacceptable to me, and the "public option" won't help most people either and will hurt some who can't afford to buy it even if eligible.

Healthcare is free to all in many countries and should be here, too.

Any public "option" should be open to everyone, not just 2%.

It doesn't help me; I am being forced onto a terrible HMO where 2 doctors committed malpractice on me in the past. Where is my option for decent care? I have none. I have a preexisting condition and can't qualify to buy anything else, and can't afford it even if I could.

I have been sold down the river on this miserable excuse for "reform."

[mstinamotorcity]

37. know how you

feel. My husband went in for a routine surgery and it turned out to be anything but routine same insurance and even though he changed jobs, still had same insurance. the insurance company has big percentage in our state. And if we were to change he would have a pre existing condition. damn if you do and damned if you don't. Keep yo head up!!!!

[sabrina 1]

8. I agree. Good for Dennis for standing up for principles.

The Insurance Industry Wealthcare CEOs got their money's worth from their bought and paid for members of Congress. They are happy tonight. When the first Americans go to jail because they cannot afford to pay their protection money, Dennis Kucinich will not be to blame.

This reminds me of the vote against the Glass Steagal Act when only eight Democrats had the courage to vote against it. Today, those eight Democrats have been proven to be right.

For some people, it's all about the team and winning, for others who appreciate their support, it's all about money, and all too often as it was back then, for a small minority, it's about what is right. Dennis has consistently been right on the issues. Someday hopefully, before it's too late, there will more like Kucinich who fight for the people.

[Mithreal]

14. When Party and Principles are aligned, I am a proud Dem

So-called moderates here are ashamed of themselves when confronted by a person with strong principles. That is the reason they need to whine about Kucinich incessantly.

[No Elephants]

15. Exactly. All members of the Progressive Caucus and those who signed The Pledge, yet voted for this

POS sold out.

[BREMPRO]

6. political cover for the dems in vulnerable seats

I'm sure Pelosi counted the votes and let some Dems off the hook so they would have a chance to beat republican challengers. "they nearly all share a common trait: They are among the most politically vulnerable incumbents in the House, and they tend to represent conservative-minded seats that John McCain won in 2008"

[No Elephants]

17. Political cover for those who care about their own re-election more than they care about human

beings.

When did cowardly selfishness become okay in the Democratic Party, let along a valid excuse for voting for a transfer of wealth from private individuals to private corporations, courtesy of the government?

I'm not even sure that's Constitutional, but I am sure it's not a Profile in Courage.

[BREMPRO]

24. you missed the point- they didn't need their votes to pass the bill

the leadership counts before hand to know what they need and determines who can vote against it to help protect their seat from Republican challenges.

[quiller4]

61. That is true. Of the Dem "no" votes at least half had told Pelosi

they would vote "yes" if she had to have their vote but wanted cover if she could give it. She could and did.

[Divine Discontent]

19. That is exactly what the new Congresswoman in FL 24 did. She voted no.

And Kosmas is in a right wing county, so she got an easy out. On her page she says this bill doesn't do enough to lower costs.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

9. I find myself

madder at the Heath Shuler-type blue dogs than Dennis. Readers' comments on Politico are pretty disturbing for the most part.

[bl968]

11. why not listen to what the man had to say....

http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/11/07/kucinich-why-i-voted-no/

[timtom]

34. Thanks for that link.

The man is a joy to read in these cynical profit-driven times.

[StreetKnowledge]

12. Dennis voted with his principles.

Can't fault him for that.

What needs to happen now? Dennis and his buddy Mr. Weiner take this another step. NOW its STRONG public option time. Pelosi's version of the bill sucks ass - but its much easier to get an improvement bill passed as an addition to one that already exists. And the Blue Dogs and the other assholes who vote against can still have their political cover.

[Mithreal]

21. "Can't fault him for that." - unless one is a so-called moderate

I predict no less than a 1000 DU comments will be made calling Kucinich a traitor before 2010. If I cared to put people on ignore, would make it awfully easy to screen those POS's.

[C_Lawyer09]

44. Where from in WA?

I just moved from Centralia

[Mithreal]

56. Port Orchard for last 10 years but formerly from MI and briefly NC

[No Elephants]

18. Huh? I'm calling my "progressive" rep who voted for this POS and giving him a piece of my mind.

Kucinich, as usual, acted on principle and, as often, did the correct thing, no matter what it may cost him personally.

[ProleNoMore]

20. My Man Dennis - Thank You For Voting No Tonight - True To The Democratic Party Platform

eom

[Mithreal]

22. The platform was just for the plebs, not the rulers.

[ProleNoMore]

23. Ah Yes, The DLCers Must Have Homage From The Proles - ProleNoMore Here!

eom

[scheming daemons]

25. Dennis is getting virtual high-fives from the teabaggers tonight

He's one of their heroes... along with the blue dogs.

[Mithreal]

28. And what of it? Teabaggers do not understand nuance.

We understand his reasons and they are progressive principled.

If as a result of this a teabagger has a "come to Jesus" moment, all the better. Many Ron Paul supporters were aware of Kucinich during the election, so I suppose their ignorance may be willful and impenetrable.

I don't think you were suggesting anything negative about Kucinich but too be clear, I don't care what teabaggers think or virtually do.

[Mari333]

32. I will call Kucinich and THANK HIM

[ro1942]

33. The American people don't deserve Dennis Kucinich

[edc]

35. Lesser of Two Evils

My representative is on the list of Democratic quislings. He is one sorry SOB. However, the alternative is a flat out flag waving, public school hating, environment despising, Bible thumping, chicken hawk of neo-fascist lunatic. That's why Blue Dogs exist and why I'll vote for mine next time around unless we can dump him in the primaries, and that's pretty risky too.

[Swede Atlanta]

38. Kucinich is a man of principle.........

My guess is if this was likely to go down in defeat he would have supported it. He voted No because the bill is weak all the way around and isn't a single payer option which is his preference.

I am personally torn between being pragmatic and getting something passed that at least curbs some of the abuses of the current system such as pre-existing conditions, cancellation due to illness, etc. or passing nothing.

I fear that had the House bill been any stronger the ability to reconcile with the Senate, let alone garner passage in the Senate would have been in jeopardy.

I personally favor a single payer system similar to Medicare where providers of services may be a combination of public (e.g. public health hospitals in existence today) and private. But I would also support a program such as in the Netherlands where there is an insurance mandate but premiums, coverage, etc. are tightly regulated.

But to remain at the status quo doesn't seem an option. Curbing the worst abuses, having some type of exchange through which the uninsured can purchase insurance at more reasonable rates with subsidies for those who can't afford it seems better than nothing. Let's face it we, those with insurance, subsidize those without insurance today. Every time a hospital or other provider delivers care to the uninsured that cost is passed onto those with insurance. I would rather subsidize a policy for coverage than outright make up the difference.

[katkat]

39. More info on Nos, including who's vulnerable next election

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/08/us/politics/1108-health-care-vote.html

[2Design]

40. ok kosmas - which way did she vote - these two articles disagree

http://www.cfnews13.com/Health/YourHealth/2009/11/7/how_will_your_representative_vote_on_health_bill.html
This says she voted for it

politico says she voted against it

[2Design]

42. ok Times said she voted NO also

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/08/us/politics/1108-health-care-vote.html

So it didn't work for her if the local news is saying she voted YES

[2Design]

49. ok cfnews13 corrected to the dem voting NO

[2Design]

50. actuallly wasn't the house to vote NO if there was no public option n/t

[lobodons]

43. It passed!!

Who the fck cares who voted for or against it. It passed!!! This is politics baby. There was no way it was going to be a perfect bill (single payer) so the politicians needed to do what they could to get the damn thing passed. The Stupak amendment was needed to get some Blue Dogs and seemed to only lose 1 progressive so if that is what it took to get the damn thing passed so be it. Quick recall question..... Which Dem voted against Medicare back in the 60's?? Who cares, it passed!!!!!

(of course without knowing I am assuming there was a Dem who voted against it..??)

[struggle4progress]

45. Thank you!

[proReality]

46. I can't call foul after hearing about the abortion crap they pulled.

If Dennis didn't vote for it there was a serious reason.

[natrat]

48. the un rec crew will act high and mighty until it becomes apparent the extent of the scam

and it will be a scam-look at the absolute shit people in all parts of dc, there is no way they could produce anything benefiting the public at large

[Robb]

53. Dennis is a nuance kind of guy.

It's tough being that when at the end of the day you vote yes or no on something.

On the plus side, a lot of people will read why he voted how he voted, as always. So he uses it to spread information.

In this case he did it without killing the bill, so he's off the hook as far as I'm concerned. Getting to spread his important message is a huge bonus.

Good for him.

[Stumbler]

55. Good for Kucinich, too bad for Ellison

For anyone who cares to remember, Kucinich has been advocating expanding Medicare to everyone, and calling it Medicare part E to avoid the "public option"-esque confusion. Therefore, I am in full support of his voting against this watered-down tax-payer funded giveaway to the insurance industry.

As for Keith Ellison, I live in his district, and supported his bid, but am growing more disappointed with him. First he supported the no-strings-attached bank bailout, and now he's supporting this "compromise." Looks like I'll be sending Ellison's donations to Kucinich. I want representatives who aren't afraid to support We the People, not bow down to monopolistic corporate power.

[Mari333]

58. I sent Kucinich a donation and thanked him

for voting against a THEOCRATIC C STREET BILL BY STUPAK, THAT FUCKING ASSHOLE.