So where does Senator Kerry stand on health care legislation and why is he MIA?

[Better Believe It]

I honestly don't know.

Some have suggested that Senator Kerry doesn't have much time to engage in this battle for meaningful universal health care coverage because he's far to busy with other more important matters, he has a full plate.

He and his staff must be up to their ears in other far more important work! Why Senator Kerry hardly has enough time to even publicly comment on this front burner issue!

Check out Senator Kerry's website and you'll see what I mean.

Since President Obama was inaugurated, Senator Kerry has issued no fewer than 132 press releases on many different subjects. Of course, all of these releases are on vital front burner issues such as the election in Moldova, the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund grant of $75,000, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the elections in Albania and legislation to end shark fin trade.

So how many of the 132 news releases do you think were related to the proposal for national health care reform? Well, you can count them all on one finger! Exactly 1 out of 132!

Check it out for yourself. Here's the press release list.



August 6
Press Releases

08/06/2009 Kerry, Kennedy: Senate Passage of Agriculture Bill Contains $650,000 for Three Vital Massachusetts Projects
08/06/2009 Senators Harkin, Franken, Kerry, Schumer, Landrieu and Martinez Introduce the Safe Babies Act of 2009
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Tsongas: Haverhill To Receive $1.07 Million for Critical Housing Programs
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Frank: New Bedford to Receive $4.5 Million for Critical Housing Programs
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, McGovern, Frank: Fall River to Receive $4.4 Million for Critical Housing Programs
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Markey: Malden to Receive $4.4 Million For Critical Housing Programs
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Markey: Framingham To Receive $547,430 For Critical Housing Programs
08/04/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Neal: Springfield To Receive $6.6 Million For Critical Housing Programs
07/30/2009 Chairman Kerry Opening Statement For Hearing On Sudan
07/30/2009 Chairman Kerry Urges Cooperation After Election In Moldova
07/30/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement On The Ongoing Crisis In Honduras
07/30/2009 Kerry, Kennedy: Senate Passage of Energy and Water Bill Secures Ten Critical Investments in Massachusetts
07/29/2009 Chairman Kerry Discusses Climate Change At National Press Club
07/29/2009 Kerry, Kennedy: Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund To Receive $75,000 to Help Local Small Businesses
07/29/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Frank: New Bedford Whaling Museum to Receive $1.5 Million for Cultural Exchange
07/28/2009 Chairman Kerry Applauds European Union Extending Monitoring Mission In Georgia
07/28/2009 Chairman Kerry: U.S, China Must Fight Emissions Together
07/28/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce $85.9 Million for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
07/28/2009 Kerry, Lugar, Menendez, Corker Introduce Legislation To Reform Foreign Aid
07/28/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce $28 Million In Cops Hiring Recovery Program Funding for Cities and Towns Throughout Massachusetts
07/27/2009 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Releases Report On U.S.-China Collaboration On Climate Change And Clean Energy
07/27/2009 Kerry Report Exposes Dangers in U.S. Emergency Communications Network
07/27/2009 Senate Passes Kerry-Chambliss Legislation Honoring Post-9/11 National Guard and Reserve Members
07/17/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce $15.2 Million for Massachusetts' Community Development Programs
07/17/2009 Kerry Presses Climate Change Legislation to Create Jobs, Transform Economy
07/10/2009 Kennedy, Kerry, Frank Release Statement Following Meeting with ATK CEO Dan Murphy
07/10/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce Massachusetts to Receive $50 Million for Affordable Housing Initiatives
07/08/2009 Kerry Supports A.G. Coakley's Lawsuit Filed Today Challenging DOMA
07/06/2009 Chairman Kerry Applauds Presidential Statement On Framework For U.S.- Russian Arms Reduction
06/26/2009 Chairman Kerry's Statement on Honduras Escalating Constitutional Crisis
06/19/2009 Kerry Calls On Federal Agencies to Increase Funding for Prostate Cancer Research; Step up Awareness, Early Detection Efforts
06/19/2009 Senate Passes Resolution Calling for Free and Fair Elections in Albania
06/16/2009 Kerry, Stabenow, Nelson Push to Address 'Doughnut Hole' During Health Reform
06/16/2009 Kerry Pushes to End Cell Phone Tax
06/15/2009 Kerry, Wicker, Dorgan, Klobuchar Call for Increased Choice for Wireless Consumers
06/15/2009 Chairman Kerry Addresses Council on Foreign Relations
06/15/2009 Kerry, Lugar Call For Swift Passage Of Enhanced Partnership of Pakistan Act
06/08/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement On The Lebanese Elections
06/08/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement On The 65th Anniversary of D-Day
06/05/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement On Lebanon's Parliamentary Election
06/03/2009 Chairman Kerry Urges Larger US-Pakistan Relief Effort For The Humanitarian Crisis In Pakistan
05/26/2009 Kerry Statement on Nomination of Judge Sotomayor For Supreme Court of the United States
05/19/2009 Kennedy and Kerry Announce Recommendation for US Attorney
05/19/2009 Kerry Says Strengthened Fuel Standards "Shot Heard Round the World" in Global Climate Battle
05/19/2009 Kerry Supports Consumers Against Credit Card Companies
05/19/2009 Chairman Kerry Welcomes Humanitarian Aid Package For Pakistan
05/19/2009 Kerry, Lugar, Casey, Brown, Brownback, Leahy Mark The End To Sri Lanka's Civil War
05/13/2009 Kennedy, Kerry, Tsongas Announce $4.7 Million for Lowell Regional Transit Authority
05/12/2009 Chairman Kerry On Poison Attacks Against Girls in Afghanistan
05/08/2009 Kerry On Death of Red Sox Legend, Dom Dimaggio
05/06/2009 Kerry Statement on the Future of Journalism
05/05/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement On The Situation In Georgia
05/05/2009 Kerry, Kennedy, Patrick Announce Massachusetts to Receive $16.7 Million For Civil Works Projects
05/05/2009 Kerry Introduces Legislation to End Gender Disparity in Individual Health Insurance Market
05/04/2009 Kerry Statement on President Obama's Offshore Tax Proposals
05/01/2009 Kerry, Lugar, Casey Mark World Press Freedom Day
04/29/2009 Kerry Statement on President Obama's First 100 Days
04/28/2009 Kerry Statement on Arlen Specter
04/28/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce Nearly $165,000 in Federal Funds for Low Income Taxpayer Clinics in Massachusetts
04/22/2009 Chairman Kerry Applauds Confirmation Of Christopher Hill As U.S. Ambassador To Iraq
04/22/2009 Kerry Introduces Legislation to End Shark Fin Trade
04/22/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce Massachusetts To Receive $1.3 Million For Water Quality Management Planning
04/17/2009 Chairman Kerry Announces Agreement by Sudanese Leaders to Tripartite Talks on the Implementation of the Vital North-South Peace Agreement
04/17/2009 Kerry Statement on Global Warming "Endangerment Finding"
04/17/2009 Chairman Kerry To Seek Ratification Of Arms Trafficking Treaty
04/16/2009 Kerry: White House Commitment to High Speed Rail A Step Towards World Class Rail System
04/14/2009 Chairman Kerry Applauds President Obama's Changes To Cuba Policy
04/10/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce $23 Million For Child Care in Massachusetts
04/10/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce $1.9 Million for Emergency Food and Shelter in Massachusetts
04/10/2009 KERRY ON PIRATE ATTACK ON U.S. FLAGGED SHIP OFF COAST OF SOMALIA
04/09/2009 Kerry: Obama Plan Improves Comprehensive Veteran Health Care
04/09/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce $4.2 Million for Childhood Immunization in Massachusetts
04/05/2009 Chairman Kerry Applauds President Obama's Nuclear Nonproliferation Stance in Prague
04/05/2009 Chairman Kerry Calls For Unified And Stern Response To North Korea's Missile Test
04/03/2009 Senate Passes Budget Resolution That Includes Four Billion Dollars Restored To The International Affairs Budget By Chairman Kerry
04/02/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement on G-20 Summit Agreement
04/01/2009 Kerry, Lugar Amendment To Restore Full Funding To President Obama's International Affairs Budget
04/01/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce 2.4 Million Massachusetts Working Families to Receive $1.2 Billion in Tax Relief
04/01/2009 Kerry Named "Humane Champion" For Leadership On Animal Protection
04/01/2009 Kerry, Tsongas Announce IRS Service Center In Andover To Receive $116 Million In Recovery Act Funds
04/01/2009 Kerry Congratulates Norfolk Resident Rachel Miller On Her Acceptance Into West Point
03/31/2009 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Orders Reported Key Nominees and Legislation
03/30/2009 Chairman Kerry Advocates A New Partnership In US-Russian Relations
03/30/2009 Chairman Kerry Urges Sri Lankan President to Protect Civilians
03/27/2009 Chairman Kerry Welcomes President Obama's New Strategy for Afghanistan-Pakistan
03/25/2009 Kennedy, Kerry Announce Federal Funds For Massachusetts Veterans During Economic Crisis
03/25/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement on Christopher Hill Nomination Hearing
03/25/2009 Kerry, Lugar Push to Reauthorize Overseas Private Investment Corporation
03/25/2009 Nomination Hearing for President Obama's Nominee for Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry
03/25/2009 Kerry Requests Investigation of Unsterile Instruments in Veterans Hospitals
03/20/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement on President Obama's Message to Iran Celebrating Nowruz
03/19/2009 Kerry Asks Attorney General Holder To Reunite Haverhill Couple
03/19/2009 Kerry, Snowe Call for Inventory of Airwaves
03/17/2009 Kerry Joins YouthBuild for Green Homebuilding Day
03/17/2009 Kerry Condemns Bonuses for AIG Execs
03/16/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement on Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
03/16/2009 Kerry Small Business Recovery Plan Incorporated into President's Plan
03/13/2009 Kerry Announces Massachusetts To Receive $774,492 For Prevention of Internet Crimes Against Children
03/13/2009 Senator Kerry Joins Vice President Biden to Announce Rail Funding
03/11/2009 Kennedy, Kerry and Massachusetts Congressional Delegation Announce $125 million in Funding For Massachusetts Priorities
03/11/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement in Advance of G-20 Preparatory Meeting
03/09/2009 Kerry on Obama Stem Cell Decision
03/05/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce More Than $344 Million In Massachusetts H.U.D. Funding Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
03/05/2009 Kerry Congratulates Kennedy On Knighthood
03/05/2009 Kerry, Kennedy Announce More Than $437 Million in Recovery Act Funds For Massachusetts Infrastructure
03/05/2009 Lawmakers push to fix vets benefits
03/03/2009 Kerry on Obama HHS Pick Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
03/03/2009 Kerry Says Launch of Small Business Lending Will Help Overall Economy
02/27/2009 Chairman Kerry Statement on President Obama's Iraq Plan
02/26/2009 Kerry on Gates' Decision to Allow Photographers to Document Return of Flag-Draped Coffins at Dover
02/26/2009 Kerry on Obama Budget Overview: "Honest Change in our Priorities"
02/25/2009 Kerry on President Obama's Congressional Address
02/24/2009 After Northern Trust "Party," Kerry Introduces Legislation to End Lavish Spending by Bailed Out Banks
02/17/2009 Kerry Calls Reinvestment Plan "An Essential Down Payment" Towards Economic Recovery
02/12/2009 Kerry Appointed New Chairman of Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
02/10/2009 Senate Passes Economic Recovery Package Including Kerry Provisions to Create Jobs
02/10/2009 Kerry Statement on Geithner Announcement: Comprehensive, Detailed Solution Needed for Financial Crisis
02/04/2009 Kerry Presses Secretary Geithner to Support Legislation Limiting Salaries for Executives
02/04/2009 DTV Transition Postponement Heads to President Obama for Signature
02/03/2009 Statement of Senator John Kerry on HHS Nominee Tom Daschle's Decision to Withdraw
02/03/2009 Kerry Demands Immediate Care for Burn Victims
02/02/2009 Statement of Senator John Kerry on HHS Nominee Tom Daschle
02/02/2009 Kerry and Lugar Concerned About Humanitarian Situation in Sri Lanka
01/29/2009 Children's Health Insurance Program Passes Senate
01/28/2009 Kerry Congratulates Robert Deleo On Becoming Massachusetts Speaker Of The House
01/26/2009 Kerry Says Digital Television Transition Must Work for All
01/26/2009 Kerry Wins Inclusion of High Speed Rail Provision in Stimulus
01/26/2009 Kerry Pushes to Include Key Provisions in Economic Recovery Plan
01/23/2009 Kerry Applauds Reversal of Global Gag Rule
01/22/2009 Kerry Hails Signing of Executive Orders
01/22/2009 Senate Approves Fair Pay for Women
01/21/2009 Kerry Calls for Swift Senate Confirmation of Secretary of State Designate Hillary Clinton
01/21/2009 Senate Confirms Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
01/20/2009 Kerry on Obama Inauguration


Well, how many of Senator Kerry's Senate floor speeches, statements and Op-Eds about national health care legislation have been posted on his Senate website? It's fewer than one. That would make it zero, none, nada.

But wait! I have good news.

Senator Kerry does have two statements on what should be included or excluded from national affordable health care legislation.


Here's both statements, reprinted in full, from Senator Kerry's Senate website. Read them. All of your questions should be answered! Just keep them simple.




Affordable Health Care for All

In the wealthiest nation in the world, it is inconceivable that anyone could lack access to health care. Yet there are at least 47 million Americans - including 11 million children - who are uninsured. Health care for a family of four costs more than a minimum wage worker earns in a year. That's wrong and it creates a burden on both working Americans and the hospitals and doctors who treat them. It's clear that our system isn't working, and Americans are suffering as a result.

Affordable health care should be a right, not a privilege, and it is our moral responsibility to ensure that no American has to choose between receiving the care they need and putting food on the table. That's why I gave a speech at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston to emphasize my commitment to affordable health care for all and to offer solutions to our broken system.

Our first priority must be to cover all children, no questions asked. My Kids First Act, which I submitted to the Senate last year, would provide health coverage for every child in America through age 21. By requiring the federal government to take over Medicaid, states would be free to expand coverage for children above the poverty line. When passed, this proposal will save Massachusetts more than $219 million dollars a year, and states across the country will save over $6 billion a year. It's not only fiscally responsible; it's morally responsible.

Every American should have access to the same type of health care plan that Congress gives itself. If it's good enough for Members of Congress, then it's good enough for average Americans, and I would provide tax credits to make it affordable for those who fall through the cracks of our current system - the working class, small business owners and employees, and people between jobs.

I know this plan sounds expensive, but it could be easily paid for by repealing President Bush's tax cuts for those earning over $200,000. It's a matter of priorities. What is more important to us - ensuring affordable, quality health care for every American, or giving another tax break to those who need it least?

Affordable health care should be a right, not a privilege, and I will continue to fight in the Senate for health care for all.

http://kerry.senate.gov/mass/health.cfm

---------------------------

Comprehensive health care reform is the great unfinished business of the last half-century in America. We need our health care system to provide meaningful, affordable coverage to every single person in this country, but we also need to deal with escalating costs and the erratic quality of care.

Health reform is not only a matter of fundamental moral values, but an economic imperative as well. 47 million Americans are living, at some point of the year, without any health insurance coverage at all. Health care costs are rising at twice the rate of workers� wages. Excessive waste and medical errors cost billions of dollars and thousands of lives each year. We live in the richest country on earth, but our health care system has fallen far behind, failing too many Americans.

However, the road to fundamental reform of our broken health care system is clear. First, every American must have quality health coverage by 2011, starting with every child NOW. Second, we must control skyrocketing health costs that push families into bankruptcy and put our businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy. Third, instead of telling tens of millions to wait until they are sick enough to go to an emergency room, we should assure high quality preventive care.

On the first day the Senate was in session for legislative activity, I introduced a bill to guarantee health care insurance coverage for each of the 11 million uninsured children in America today. Kids First builds on successful programs, by creating a federal-state partnership to mandate coverage for all uninsured kids. It's the critical first step to ensure that all kids have the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed in life.

I also introduced legislation that would help businesses afford to cover their employees, by making a new deal between employers, health insurers, families and the federal government. Today, the high costs of treating the sickest patients are driving up the price tag for everyone�s care and taking a huge toll on businesses. Just one percent of the population pays for nearly a quarter of health care spending. To help businesses get out from under the weight of the most expensive cases, I recently introduced legislation - The Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act, which would reimburse businesses for a percentage of the highest cost cases. It includes cost containment benefits for preventative care, which lowers costs and premiums for employers and employees.

Recently Congress passed a provision in the Medicare Bill regarding electronic prescribing or e-prescribing. Based on bipartisan legislation I introduced, doctors treating patients across the country will receive incentives, such as start-up grants, to adopt e-prescribing technology�the ability to replace handwritten prescriptions with online, automated technology. It will reduce the potential for errors when prescriptions are filled, provide information on the availability of generic alternative medication and streamline patient insurance coverage information. This technology will also warn the physician of potentially dangerous medication allergies or drug interactions. With the adoption of e-prescribing and its final passage, we will improve patient care and take important steps to lowering the costs of hhealth care.

An important area in our healthcare system that needs addressing is how we treat mental health and mental illness, especially for our nation�s seniors. For several years, I have introduced bipartisan legislation that removes the discriminatory barriers facing Medicare patients in need of mental health services. Today, seniors in the Medicare program pay a 50% co-payment for mental health services, but only a 20% rate for other medical care. Legislation recently passed by Congress includes my provision that equalizes the Medicare co-payment rates for seniors who are in need of mental health services. This legislation is a critical step toward ensuring that seniors receive the proper, adequate, and timely treatment they deserve.

Finally, I will continue to lead the fight for health care relief for our nation�s small businesses. Some small businesses have reported having their premiums increase by more than 70 percent in one year. And less than half of our smallest firms are offering coverage to their workers today. As a member and past chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, I intend to pursue legislation that will give more small businesses access to quality, affordable insurance options for their workers and families.

http://kerry.senate.gov/congress/health.cfm#more

---------------------------------------

Senator Kerry's statements have something to do with the current fight for a national universal health care plan. Yippee!

So given these are official statements articulating his positions, it should now be clear where Senator Kerry stands on the various health care issues and proposals being debated in Congress and among the public, right? Wrong.

You may have noticed that just a few little issues are missing from his website statements.

For example .... what about the fricken public option!!!

Where does he stand on a strong public option?

You won't find any reference to any kind of public option in Senator Kerry's statement. I'm sure that was just an oversight.

OK. I can accept that. He's only a member of the Senate Finance Committee. Is that Senate Committee discussing health care proposals?

Would Senator Kerry favor a "trigger" proposal to kick in a public option at some later date?

There is no indication in the statements. However, we need to remember that Senator Kerry's spokeswoman recently said that while Senator Kerry does not prefer "trigger proposals" that a trigger should be considered "if it's the only way to get universal health coverage" passed into law.

How about funding universal health care?

Does Senator Kerry favor or is he against a tax on health insurance benefits?

He doesn't say.

Is Senator Kerry for or against insurance "co-ops"?

Not a clue.

Does Senator Kerry for or against public option reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates - not negotiated rates"?

Don't know.

Is Senator Kerry for or against an insurance mandate requiring employers and/or individuals to purchase private health insurance?

It's another mystery.

The Senate health panel's bill protects biotech companies from generic competition for 12 years after their drugs go to market.

Does Senator Kerry support that "reform" or is he opposed to it?

Doesn't say.

Does Senator Kerry favor allowing cheaper drugs to be imported from Canada under the health care bill or not?

Maybe. My "guess" would be yes but why should we have to guess?

Oh well. Be patient. I'm sure that Senator Kerry will show up and get involved in this fight for universal health care with a strong public option before the year is over.

[MADem]

1. Oh fachrissake. He's the junior senator from Massachusetts, and he'll line up

behind Teddy. So Teddy goes, so goes Johnny.

[global1]

2. Is He Sitting This Out Because Of The Romney Healthcare In Mass?....nt

[MADem]

3. He's following the lead of the "boss"--Ted Kennedy, the senior senator.

Kerry will go with Ted on this issue.

[karynnj]

19. As Kerry himself said and as the Boston Globe said of Kerry

Kerry himself said on Daily Kos:
"Been working very hard on the Finance committee to try to see it included. Harder slog than it ought to be. I ran for President with a public option as an anchor off my health care plan, want to see one now that we get to do reform. Would do Medicare for all if I could start from scratch, so I’m a definite supporter of a strong, national public option. We’ll see what we can do. Glad to see HELP Committee passed out a bill with one today – EMK and Dodd, you couldn’t have two better leaders on this issue."
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2009/7/15/124310/060/125#c125

This is not the first time anyone posted this to you or pointed out Kerry has been on Dean's list as being for the public option since it started and is still there.

Kerry has been working on how to Finance the plan and was quoted all over the news on that. He proposed a variation of a BILL BRADLEY 1990s plan that would tax the marginal part of a gold plated insurance plan starting at somewhere between $25,000 and $40,000 - the average plan costs slightly over half the lower figure.

Press releases tend to be on things passed - and this is not finished yet. There is something on a Kerry proposal for dealing with the donut on medicare drug coverage.

Oh, here is another DKOS posts - an update he put on a climate change post - informally and honestly giving his view of what is happening.

update: storms up North today -- plane was delayed a long time so I've had a chance to read through the comments and noticed lots of comments on health care, so quickly two things: first, you're preaching to the converted (or rather the baptized) on the importance of a public option. I've been working for one for a long time, and I'm not backing off. But how we end up where we need to go - Ted Kennedy taught me a long time ago - often has a lot of twists and turns which brings me to: second, there's still a lot more time in this fight. We have to get a bill out of the Finance Committee, and it's obviously a difficult committee ideologically speaking -- but then we can work with it on the floor of the Senate, marrying up the best of the Finance bill to the best of Teddy and Chris's HELP bill -- and again reconciling the Senate bill with whatever the House comes up with. In other words, getting the best possible bill out of Finance is a necessary but not sufficient step for getting the product we need. So, look, I'm going to be fighting every step of the way to get us to a public option in this country, and also to get us to things like progress on long term care and kids' health which clearly should be universal and a few other huge priorities -- and I wouldn't expect any of you to give up working for that, either.



So, what's your problem? Bored and unable to find another article on this heckling Obama?

[MADem]

26. WTF?

So, what's your problem? Bored and unable to find another article on this heckling Obama?


Who's "heckling Obama?"

Not me.

Jesus!

[karynnj]

38. Sorry - I thought this was in response to the OP, who has been doing that all month

Sorry

[MADem]

43. Oh, OK. NO problem.

I was confused. I'm on the side of the angels in this donnybrook!

[karynnj]

45. It was my fault

I went back to my posts to ad in links - and added that comment to the wrong post. It was rude - even had it been addressed to the op, as intended.

You are on the side of the angels here.

[MADem]

46. Never worry--honest mistake. It can happen!

I was just puzzled, is all!
We're on the same team!

[Mass]

31. Did you answer the wrong person? I think that the answer is given by MADem probably the right one

and I have seen you giving the same one. Were you answering to the OP (who indeed could not care less about the answer to the questions he is asking).

[karynnj]

39. definately - answering the op

I agree with what MADem was saying - and was agreeing. (I got confused at the end) I almost always agree with MADem

[babylonsister]

4. Get lost. You're way out of line.

If you bothered to google, you'd see the 118,000 hits under Kerry and health care reform.

What's your problem? Do you ever have anything positive to post? If so, I've never seen it.

And yea, he's a real slouch.

As of 2009, Kerry serves on four Senate committees and nine subcommittees:

* Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
o Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
o Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet (Chairman)
o Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
o Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
o Subcommittee on Science and Space
o Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
* Committee on Finance
o Subcommittee on Health Care
o Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
o Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
* Committee on Foreign Relations (Chairman)
* Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
* Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

[Better Believe It]

10. All Senators serve on many committee's and sub-committee's so what's your point?

This is not at all unusual for any Senator who been around for a long time. That's why Senator Kerry has a big staff. Kerry's not a rookie!

[tsuki]

49. THIS. (You say it so much better.) nt

[Enrique]

5. those are good questions

I don't think any DUers are authorized to speak for Sen. Kerry, but I'm sure if you call his office they will answer them respectfully.

[Better Believe It]

6. Kerry staff members are certainly registered DU'ers.

I hope they respond to these questions.

Or perhaps we've already seen their response in this string.

Senator Kennedy is very ill and limited in what he can do. One would think that Senator Kerry would help him and pick up the workload instead of being MIA on this matter.

[MarjorieG]

8. Listen, many here have been fans since the 70's for well deserved reasons.

[Enrique]

9. no, it's better to call him than to ask on a message board

be sure let us know what the Kerry people say to these points you are very concerned about.

[karynnj]

20. I am not sure there are any Kerry staff members registered on DU

There were some on his campaign staff and they always identified themselves as such. Senator Kerry has picked up work on MASSACHUSETTS for Kennedy, which he was expected to do. DODD, the next in line in the HELP committee "picked up" the workload on the HELP committee, frankly, I really don't think Senator Kerry CAN just walk in and take over for Kennedy on a committee that he is NOT EVEN ON. It would really not be normal procedure.

Kerry is on the Finance committee and has been reported as having proposed on funding solution that has met with some interest. He is not one of Baucus' gang of 6 - like Rockefeller, he was excluded.

He is not MIA.

[MarjorieG]

7. Strongly for the public option and had great plan in 2004. He's not a grandstander and does a lot

behind the scenes, like groundwork to get our journalists released from NK (as SFRC and nuke talks). He's the point person on Climate Change in the Senate, for the US, really his life's work. If we get health care, we'll need it to combat the effects of the deteriorating planet, with little concern by many in Congress.

Enough with knee-jerk on Kerry, who doesn't take PAC money, and with Wellstone, the original campaign finance reform guy. He does not lie.

You have no idea who you're dissing.

[Better Believe It]

11. A nice guy but I'd still like to know where he stands today on the healthcare issues.

Do you know?

If so, please post the answers to the questions I asked and links.

If you don't know his positions on these healthcare issues, be honest and just say you don't know.

Is that being fair on my part or not?

[karynnj]

21. I have seen you post on threads that have answered the majority of those questions

1) He is for the public option - starting NOW

2) He has proposed a plan that would tax gold plated insurance plans

3) He has said as, maybe only 3 or 4 Senators have that he personally is even for single payer which does not have the votes.



Now, given where Congress is, you pretty much KNOW where Kerry is on these issues. But, there are 60 Senators who caucus with the Democrats - only 37 are Yes on public option as far as Dean knows. Here is Dr Dean's list on public option. http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands Of you are serious, why not try to find out where the 22 I don't knows stand - or maybe try to get at least 13 to become YESs.

Or maybe concentrate on your own Senators. If they are Kerry and Kennedy, you can be assured that they would never vote against a bill on this.

[Better Believe It]

22. Credible links please or it's just a bunch of hot air!

1) He is for the public option - starting NOW

Link please. And not something from a decade ago or campaign rhetoric from 2004.

2) He has proposed a plan that would tax gold plated insurance plans

He's in favor of taxing the health care benefits of working people such as union members. The right-wing has attacked comprehensive and good health care benefits such as those obtained under union contracts as "Cadillac" and "gold plated" benefits they would like to tax or eliminate.

Link please.

3) He has said as, maybe only 3 or 4 Senators have that he personally is even for single payer which does not have the votes.

Link please.

And what is he doing now to campaign for a universal health care system with a public option?

Anything?

Anything at all?

[karynnj]

23. Here are your links -and you've seen some before

Public option - http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands
(This is the Gold standard used for every other Senator) I posted his Daily Kos statement in this thread.) here it is again:
Kerry himself said on Daily Kos:
"Been working very hard on the Finance committee to try to see it included. Harder slog than it ought to be. I ran for President with a public option as an anchor off my health care plan, want to see one now that we get to do reform. Would do Medicare for all if I could start from scratch, so I’m a definite supporter of a strong, national public option. We’ll see what we can do. Glad to see HELP Committee passed out a bill with one today – EMK and Dodd, you couldn’t have two better leaders on this issue."


on gold plated insurance - plenty of links here - http://journals.democraticunderground.com/karynnj/32

On single payer - I bolded it on the Daily Kos statement above. If you prefer, here's video where he says it, I wonder, could the questioner be ..... you?? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8559136

As to whether he will "campaign" for this, I don't think people "campaign" for these issues. The issue is not to convince people in your state - and his state is solidly behind it, but to convince other Senators and Congressmen. This is not done by publicly campaigning. I have no idea what Kerry will be doing in August, other than continuing work on drafting the climate legislation that he and Boxer are heading. (here's a link on that - http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/03/03climatewire-climate-bill-demands-pile-up-for-boxer-kerry-24662.html ) Additionally, he has mentioned in hearings future meetings with people on climate change negotiations. It is likely that he will travel for that and he has been all over the world working on things related to the SFRC,

Now, I have no idea if he will do a town hall in MA on this. He has given epeeches in the state on health care in the past.

Not to mention, I doubt many in MA would question if he actually took a quiet week of vacation with his wife - both of them have been working hard on things related to his SFRC.

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. Have you tried writing a letter to him?

I don't that he has much time to search DU for threads about him. But I am sure that his staff has a response letter already created which outlines his stand on this important issue for any constituent who inquires.

[LittleClarkie]

52. It's a little like watching someone cover their eyes and then complaint they can't see

It seems several people have told you what Kerry has to say. Not sure why you're targeting him in particular. Do you have a bug up your butt about this particular Senator for a reason?

[Mass]

12. He is one of the strongest supporters of the public option in the Finance Committee.

Stop playing and become serious. If you really care, call his office.

[Better Believe It]

13. Really? Links please.

[Mass]

14. Not for you, certainly. Get lost or call him. Whining on a discussion board is a loss of time.

and read around. Many papers have been saying that. If I need links at this point, it means you are not interested.

Kerry is not a strong leader on this issue. He is leading on others and deferring to Kennedy and his staff for the rest. But saying you do not know where he stands is stupid.

[Better Believe It]

15. I have been looking. And I have been unable to find the answers to the questions I raised.

And you obviously don't have the answers to the questions I raised.

How about if I send his office an e-mail and raise these issues?

Do you think I'll get a responsive response?

[Mass]

16. Do as it pleases you. Nothing will satisfy you as you do not care the answers anyway.

We already answered to you. In healthcare, he will follow Kennedy. Any complaints against Kennedy?

[Better Believe It]

17. You've answered absolutely nothing! But that's OK

Don't be embarrassed.

You don't have the answers to my questions.

Perhaps even Senator Kerry doesn't know where he stands today on those issues.

[Ikonoklast]

18. Perhaps you don't want to know, or care to.

But if there is one thing you do know how to do, it's bash Democrats on a daily basis, just because they aren't Socialists.

I'm sure Sen. Kerry gives two shits about what you think of his leadership abilities.

[Mass]

32. Not embarrassed at all. I was not attempting to answer as you do not care.

You should be though. Losing your time rather than trying to get a real reform. You may not be a RW, but you are certainly an ally of them (whether you like it or not).

[fedupinBushcountry]

40. From John Kerry

update: storms up North today -- plane was delayed a long time so I've had a chance to read through the comments and noticed lots of comments on health care, so quickly two things: first, you're preaching to the converted (or rather the baptized) on the importance of a public option. I've been working for one for a long time, and I'm not backing off. But how we end up where we need to go - Ted Kennedy taught me a long time ago - often has a lot of twists and turns which brings me to: second, there's still a lot more time in this fight. We have to get a bill out of the Finance Committee, and it's obviously a difficult committee ideologically speaking -- but then we can work with it on the floor of the Senate, marrying up the best of the Finance bill to the best of Teddy and Chris's HELP bill -- and again reconciling the Senate bill with whatever the House comes up with. In other words, getting the best possible bill outof Finance is a necessary but not sufiicient step for getting the product we need. So, look, I'm going to be fighting every step of the way to get us to a public option in this country, and also to get us to things like progress on long term care and kids' health which clearly should be universal and a few other huge priorities -- and I wouldn't expect any of you to give up working for that, either.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/31/760272/-Forgeries-to-Distort-Climate-Change-Debate

As you can see he wrote a diary on climate change and many had questions on the healthcare bill and he responded. Pretty clear on where he stands. Now go spin your baloney somewhere else.

[LittleClarkie]

53. I'm not sure the OP will notice this

since it appears they have their eyes closed. Is it any wonder they cannot see.

More than one person has posted info, and all they're getting in return is "I see nothing."

[blm]

24. So YOU want more senators pissed that Kerry has to be the one leading on so many issues?

I haven't seen ANY posts from you about why Schumer isn't leading on climate change and why he isn't leading on Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran-Iraq issues. Hell, you haven't even written ONE POST about why Schumer is hiding behind co-ops as for public option, have you?

But, then, that doesn't serve your agenda to single out Kerry for attacks here at DU.

Here's a CLUE for you, BB....other Dem senators don't LIKE IT when one person like Kerry takes on EVERY BIG ISSUE and gets out in front on it. Kerry has said his piece in those meetings fighting for Kennedy's version of healthcare reform and is a strong supporter of public option...but, he is NOT LEADING on the issue as others want to be the face of the debate. Kerry has complex issues he IS LEADING on and very little time to do it before the international summit on climate change and all the while he's been working with Obama on foreign policy issues that need serious focus.

Where are YOU helping to lead the climate change debates? Where are you in finding solutions to bring communities to life in bombed out cities in Afghanistan so our troops can finally leave behind some form of secure peace?

Where are your posts taking senators to task for not leading on THOSE issues, BB?

Do you REALLY want Kerry to be the face of every issue leading debate? That would certainly DILUTE the debates and make him even MORE of a target for snide, deceitful senators....you know, like Chuck Schumer.... who have long loathed the honest, hardworking Kerry.

[blm]

50. Al Gore says no time to waste on climate change and is 100% behind Kerry's senate leadership on it

http://blog.algore.com/2009/07/john_kerry_is_right.html

Why are YOU wasting so much time demanding Kerry lead on every issue when you know that would just piss off other senators to the point where there is a backlash? Or did you forget how the senate Dems like Schumer stabbed Kerry in the back on Alito filibuster and Iraq withdrawal?

Why aren't you demanding Schumer act like a leader on healthcare when HE is the one who paid all that lip service to you and then backed co-ops? It's not like Schumer has anything pressing on his plate, and he sure can get the TV cameras and microphones whenever he wants....corporatist Dems always can, can't they?

You aren't a serious activist on healthcare or you wouldn't be targeting our best progressive Dems while ignoring the corporate tools.

Too many TOTs running around. Tools Of Tools.

[RagAss]

25. He's busy supervising construction of the Dissident Camps....n/t

[hughee99]

27. As long as there's nothing in it that would cause him personally to wait in line

I'm sure he'd be for it. He's not big on waiting in lines.

[emulatorloo]

28. Cool wingnut talking-point! Where can I get mine? n/t

[hughee99]

29. Which "wingnut talking point"?

the one about how he would probably support it, or the one about him not liking to wait in lines. I'm not sure about the former, but as someone who once worked in the food service industry in Boston and encountered Kerry on a number of occasions, the latter, in my experience, is sadly true.

[politicasista]

42. You're very lucky

Try having Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker as your senators, and a GOP controlled state House and Senate.

Try living in a red state that originated the vile Anti-Obama spook-eyed e-mail sent by an aide of a GOP state senator who got just a slap on the wrist.

You may not think your're using a wingnut talking point, but others (like some in this thread) who have been defending a good Dem aka Senator Kerry for many, many years from wingnuts and/or refuting RW talking points, lies respectfully disagree with you.


As I said, you are lucky. A lot of states would welcome and appreciate what Senator Kerry does for their state.











edit to add names

[hughee99]

51. I like Kerry as my Senator...

I just don't want to be waiting ahead of him for a table. Kerry is certainly looking out for "regular people", and I appreciate that, but he's not one of them.

[LittleClarkie]

54. That didn't even make sense.

He is all for it. What ARE you talking about, dear.

[hughee99]

55. I thought reading the comments on it might clear it up for you...

I guess not.

You see, I can't think of any reason John Kerry (my senator) wouldn't support this. However, I know that Sen. Kerry is not a big fan of waiting in lines. Given this information, I concluded that unless the plan has something in it which would require the senator to wait in a line, there would not be any reason he wouldn't support it.

[ProSense]

30. What an idiotic

and uninformed OP.

Health-Insurer Tax Gets ‘Intense Look’ in Senate, Lawmakers Say

Kerry proposes tax on insurance companies

Kerry, Slaughter agree on health care: get it to conference.

[SoCalDem]

33. He's too sick to work

I have a feeling he's not doing well at all, and may be losing his battle.:(

[hughee99]

34. Are you thinking of Kennedy? n/t

[SoCalDem]

35. Yup.. I had a "duh!" moment

:rofl:

[TayTay]

36. Currently waiting for "Heart" to return so he can become Captain Planet

Geez, I thought we went through this the last time you took off after Democrats and decided that those disrupters at Democratic Town Halls were nothing. Or didn't you notice? Health care reform is not in danger of failing because of Sen. Kerry. It's in danger of failing because of the Blue Dogs and the moderates in the Senate.

Seriously, I'm betting on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Planet_and_the_Planeteers">Captain Planet thing. It suits him.

[Lord Helmet]

41. You'd be hard pressed to find someone that works harder than Sen Kerry.

Maybe we'll get lucky and you'll be MIA.

[Lord Helmet]

44. Info available on DU Search or ....

let me Google that for you

[Kaleko]

47. A far more relevant question is,

So where does Better Believe It stand on the progressive agenda and why is he still so unbelievably busy on DU?

Mind you, I have followed your 'career' from the start, and it's been quite instructive as well as amusing at times.

[wisteria]

48. This is just wrong. Your post is narrow minded and petty in attacking Senator Kerry who is on our

side.

[saltpoint]

56. One notes the negative rec tally on this post, a negative tally

richly deserved.

What a shit post.