1993 Republicans’ Health Reform Plan Very Similar To Democrats’ Bill

by Thomas Wellborn

Kaiser Health News reminds us of a bit of history:

In November, 1993, Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., introduced what was considered to be the main Republican health overhaul proposal: “A bill to provide comprehensive reform of the health care system of the United States.”

Titled the “Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993,” it had 21 co-sponsors, including two Democrats (Sens. Boren and Kerrey). The bill, which was not debated or voted upon, was an alternative to President Bill Clinton’s plan.  It bears similarity to the Democratic bill passed by the Senate Dec. 24, 2009, …

John Boehner Stars In “No You Can’t”

House Minority Leader John Boehner has been added to the Will.i.am “Yes We Can” video, making it the new anthem of the Republican Party (via The Political Carnival).

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Tea Party Member Threatens To Kill Rep’s Children Over Health Care Vote

by Thomas Wellborn

In response to the passage of health care reform, Tea Party activists have upped their rhetoric to include despicable threats against children. Last August, windows were smashed at Democratic headquarters in Denver causing at least $10,000 worth of damage (pictured). More recently, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s Tucson office was vandalized.  And last Thursday, a shocking recorded message was sent to Rep. Louise Slaughter’s (D-NY) campaign office. (via Daily Kos)

Assassinate is the word they used . . . toward the children of lawmakers who voted yes.

The FBI is investigating.

This is sick; morally, ethically and …

More Dirty Tricks: GOP Blocks All Senate Proceedings To Protest Health Reform

by Thomas Wellborn

Exercising a little known Senate rule that halts all hearings after 2:00 each day with unanimous consent, Republicans are effectively attempting to bring all hearings to a halt.  Tuesday, Sen. Tom Carper (D) was forced to block proceedings because of Republican intervention.

5. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the rules, when the Senate is in session, no committee of the Senate or any subcommittee thereof may meet, without special leave, after the conclusion of the first two hours after the meeting of the Senate commenced and in no case after two o’clock postmeridian unless consent therefor

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Rep. Neugebauer Looking To Cash In On “Baby Killer” Shout

Even though he’s been apologizing for screaming “baby killer” during the health reform debate in Congress, Congressman Randy Neugebauer is now trying to use the incident to raise cash.

“I spoke very passionately because I believe what was going on was not right for America. … You know what, I’m never going to quit speaking on behalf of the unborn. … I will continue to speak with the same passion that I spoke with last night, maybe in a little different forum but with the same intensity.”

Neugebauer’s decision to try and raise money off the “baby killer” incident …

Tea Partier Gives Out Congressman’s Address, A Wrong One, And Won’t Change It

A tea partier who is angry about Congressman Tom Perriello’s vote for health care reform published what he thought was the lawmaker’s home address on his blog, just in case anyone wanted to “drop by” and offer a “personal touch” to express views.

Rather than giving out Perriello’s address however, the tea party activist mistakenly printed the home address of the congressman’s brother. Perriello’s brother and wife have four children under the age of 8.

In the post, the author gives out the address to his “friends” in Perriello’s district.

“Just in case any of his friends and neighbors want …

On Tuesday’s Radio Show…

• Remember when Republicans said reform would be Obama’s Waterloo? Former Bush 43 speechwriter David Frum joins Alan to explain why the Obama’s health care victory could end up being the GOP’s Waterloo.

• Alan confronts Tea Party activist Mike Troxel, who encouraged readers of his blog to harass a pro-reform congressman at the lawmaker’s home.

• Pastor Wiley Drake, who previously admitted to praying for the president’s death, attempts to justify his new call for the death of 219 Members of Congress who voted for health care reform.…

Health Care Reform Turnaround: More Americans Now Favor It

By 9 points, Americans now have a favorable view of health care reform, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll.

By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was “a good thing” rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. Half describe their reaction in positive terms, as “enthusiastic” or “pleased,” while about four in 10 describe it in negative ways, as “disappointed” or “angry.”

The largest single group, 48%, calls the bill “a good first step” that should be followed by more action on health care. An additional 4% also have a favorable view, saying the bill makes the most …

Joe Biden Is Correct: It IS “A Big F-ing Deal!”

Joe Biden couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, and dropped the f-bomb when introducing the president upon signing the health care bill, and who can blame him? Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Tweeted:

And yes Mr. Vice President, you’re right… about 2 hours ago via web

PressSec
Robert Gibbs (EOP)

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Health Care Bill Becomes Law. Health Care Now A Basic American Right

President Obama has signed the health care bill into law.

“Today, after almost a century of trying, today, after over a year of debate, today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America,” Obama said at the White House.Obama signed the bill in the East Room, before a crowd that included all 219 House members who voted for final passage of the bill on Sunday. Also in attendance: Vicki Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., a long-time proponent of a national health care plan.

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Obama …

Proof Of Obama Derangement Syndrome

John Avlon at The Daily Beast highlights a new Harris poll that shows how ignorant and uninformed much of America is.

The poll, which surveyed 2,230 people right at the height of the health-care reform debate, also clearly shows that education is a barrier to extremism. Respondents without a college education are vastly more likely to believe such claims, while Americans with college degrees or better are less easily duped. It’s a reminder of what the 19th-century educator Horace Mann once too-loftily said: “Ignorance breeds monsters to fill up the vacancies of the soul that are unoccupied by the verities …