Nelson to support motion to proceed

[last_texas_dem]

Source: CNN Political Ticker

Washington (CNN ) - Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson announced Friday that he would be supporting the motion to proceed that would allow the Senate to begin debate on the Democrats' health care reform legislation.

"Throughout my Senate career I have consistently rejected efforts to obstruct," he said in a statement. "That's what the vote on the motion to proceed is all about. It is not for or against the new Senate health care bill released Wednesday. It is only to begin debate and an opportunity to make improvements. If you don't like a bill why block your own opportunity to amend it?"

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/20/nelson-to-support-motion-to-proceed/

[Freddie Stubbs]

1. Sounds like he's fixing to change the bill

[Bleacher Creature]

2. Disgusting.

While I'm glad to have his vote, this whole thing is demented. A member of the majority party should NEVER use a procedural tool granted to the minority to shut down the process. This should be a given, and the fact that he has to issue a press release to applaud himself is sick. Also, note that his press release contains open threats to fillibuster the final bill if he doesn't get his way. If that's not grandstanding, I'm not sure what is.

Ben Nelson is a self-important jerk. If he's going to act like a Republican, we might as well let the Republicans have that seat. At least we won't have to play these games anymore.

[AlinPA]

3. This is Lieberman's chance to stop the bill before it even gets started.

[SandWalker1984]

4. Harry Reid stripped out Anti-Trust from bill to get Ben Nelson's cooperation

I read an article yesterday that stated Harry Reid had stripped out the provision that would have overturned the insurance industry's anti-trust exemptions in order to get Senator Ben Nelson's cooperation.

Public option negotiated down so only 1% of the population can participate,

Anti-trust exemptions removed,

What the hell is left in this bill that the health insurance industry doesn't like?

:argh:

[No Elephants]

5. The antitrust provision gone, just to get a member of his own party to stop obstructing and Nelson

gets to sound reasonable?

This country is not a democracy. In a democracy, the choices made by a majority of the people matter. In America, all that matters are the Republicans and their subset, the Purple Snakes, whether Republicans are in the minority or in the majority.


I don't believe Democratic politicians are inherently dumber or less effective than Republican politicians. So, why do their SUPPOSED ideals lose, when they are in the minoriy AND when they are in the majority?


Maybe they've just been funning us about what their actual agenda really is?