No, Stupak, You're the Double-Crosser

[cal04]

by Angry Mouse
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/12/803698/-No,-Stupak,-Youre-the-Double-Crosser

Representative Bart Stupak is very confused.

"We won because (the Democrats) need us," Stupak said. "If they are going to summarily dismiss us by taking the pen to that language, there will be hell to pay. I don't say it as a threat, but if they double-cross us, there will be 40 people who won't vote with them the next time they need us -- and that could be the final version of this bill."
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/12/bart-stupak-there-will-be_n_355083.html)

If they double-cross you?

You mean, the Democrats who actually stand by the principles of the Democratic party platform?

They would be double-crossing you?

I don't think so, pal. You're the double-crosser. And I can prove it.

I've made this point before. And I promise I will make it again.

But let's review. This is what the Democratic party believes: (http://www.dnc.org/a/party/platform.html)


We will never put ideology above women’s health.

---

The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.

So, Stupak, you son of a bitch, who is the double-crosser here?

Is it the Democrats who are promising to put ideology above women's health? Because Democrats promised they wouldn't do that.

Is it the Democrats who are opposing efforts to weaken or undermine the right to safe, legal, and affordable abortion? Because Democrats promised they wouldn't do that.

Is it the Democrats who are committed to ensuring equality for women, including when it comes to health care? Because Democrats promised they wouldn't do that.

Or is it you? You're the one leading the charge to put your sick ideology above women's health. You're the one seeking to undermine Roe v. Wade. You're the one trying to make a legal medical procedure less accessible to the women who most need it.

So is it the real Democrats who are the double-crossers?

Or is it you?

[Vincardog]

1. This is exactly the point I keep making to the "Moderates" who want to put party over policy.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Excellent post -recommended!

[dflprincess]

3. So true

but the aggravating part is, if the Senate removes the Stupak language and the anti-choice Republidems refuse to vote to for the final bill that comes out of conference, it won't be be they who are blamed for insurance reform failing, it will be the Democratic wing of the party who stuck to platform who will take the heat.

Though, given the pathetic nature of this insurance bill, I'm not convinced that we wouldn't be better off if it did fail.

[appal_jack]

6. House will not vote again on this

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe that the entire House will vote on HCR again. The Bill has passed the House. If the Senate does not include a Stupid Amendment (intentional sic) in their legislation, then it's all up to the conference committee, yes?

So Stupak is making blustery noises about future votes & issues. Let him, as his bluster should serve to notify voters that the Blue Dogs are generally worthless turncoats.

K&R for the OP. When I vote for a Democrat, I expect them to uphold Democratic principles. I do not consider women's rights to be a bargaining chit, nor are they expendable.

-app

[dflprincess]

8. I'm not sure - I thought there would be some kind of vote

on whatever the conferenct committee comes up with.

But let's be honest, there have been nor will there be votes on health care reform - it's all about insurance, not improving access to health care.

[harkadog]

10. The House will vote again on HCR

The House bill will be merged with the Senate bill in conference and then both the House and the Senate have to vote again on the conference bill. They can vote it up or down.

[appal_jack]

11. oops, i stand corrected

Thanks harkadog & dflprincess for setting me straight on this. Guess Stupak can/will cause more trouble yet.
:mad:

-app

[RainDog]

14. No, it will be the Stupid wing of the democratic party that is to blame

for not voting with the party.

There is NO WAY that a failure of the final bill would be the fault of democrats who actually believe that women deserve to be treated as first-class citizens.

[Zodiak]

4. What an asshole

But then again, that is what "centrists" do in the party. They know they hold a minority position that the rank and file find completely odious, but they insist in hijacking the entire party over it...and then call the rest of us "double-crossers"?

Fuck you, Stupak.

[saracat]

5. this is what I meant when I said Stupak was a blackmailer.And he obviously

still is. This is what Rahm encouraged in our party. These are the kind of guys Heath Schuler and Jim Webb and countless others really are. Who are actually the ones willing to sacrifice HCR for their own interests? Many are daring to point fingers at the Pro-Choice Caucus and the Preogressives and the Woemn's Choice groupd but few point the finger where it belongs, on this vile group of blackmailers who hold health care hostage to a woman's right to make her own medical decisions without roadblocks from the government.This is our Democratic Party Platform addressing this issue, the one these people ran on. What part of it don't these fanatics get????????


2008 Dem Platform: "We will never put ideology above women’s health."
"We will never put ideology above women’s health."

"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."

http://www.dnc.org/a/party/platform.html

[southernyankeebelle]

7. I called this idiots office today and was hung up on and I called back

and told the guy not to hang up on me. All I wanted to do was ask a question, but when he found out I wasn't living in his district he had hung up on me. I called back and said all I wanted to do was ask a question. I thought he was transferring me to his answering machine but instead some guy from threat mangement office answered. I was shocked. I asked why I was transferred to him I made no threat, all I wanted to do was ask a question.. He said he didn't know why I was transferred to him than I got made and I started cussing. I said shit and then he said well the way you are talking sounds threating. I said I didn't threaten him. Go back and listen to the tape. So I learned folks we don't have freedom of speech.. Watch out to say shit or GD. He said I said that but honestly I don't remember if I did. I could have because by then I was pretty upset being sent to this office. Who knows what happends. We have no freedoms.

[mrbarber]

9. Eloquently stated.

I don't know how that son of a bitch sleeps at night.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. "I don't say it as a threat....."

I'm sorry but saying that "there'll be hell to pay" sure as hell sounds like a threat to me! :shrug: I don't honestly know how else something like that can possibly be interpreted.

[Recoverin_Republican]

13. It is pretty amazing how much power the Republicans manage to swing, given they do not

represent the feelings of most of the people on either health care reform or a woman's right to make her own health decisions (in consultation with her doctor). I guess it's because the Republicans always have the threat of killing any progress on a problem and the Democrats become desperate to get SOMETHING passed. So the GOP ends up wielding power, it seems to me, way beyond what their support (in the elecorate) should enable them to have.

I know a lot of Democrats are ticked off at Harry Reid, but really, I'm amazed how he can remain seemingly so calm! I mean, he's not trying strangle some of these guys. That's what I call calm. He's got the equanimity of a Buddhist monk!