I'm still having a hard time believing that a non-profit, govt h/ins program that ANYONE could buy into if they WANTED TO was portrayed by the non-thinking lemmings as something totalitarian and dangerous.."Oh my, what will become of pvt h/i co.'s that charge exorbitant rates and pay their executives tens of millions-or more-a year...why do democrats hate the "free market" so much..?" And a "Medicare Part E" ( "E" for everybody under 65 ) type of plan would HAVE KEPT COSTS DOWN..The economic ideologues on the Right are discrediting themselves and "conservativism"..The US spends more on war and preparation for war that everything else combined but that's OK for the gaggle on the Right wearing their AIPAC and Haliburton knee-pads..

Well anfourtunately my point of view is not going to sound very possitive for Obama lover's.I think this all about Mr. Obama's ego since by singning such bill he will be in history books as the president that he did what others couldn't do and secondly the brown noseing of Ms Pelosi and the rest of her team at T.H.O.R to complete the rest of the (gang) Mr. Reid and company at the Senate. I am really shocked to see that this could happen in America this a perfect example of bad goverment and I think the main reason for something like this goes through is because our political system is very corrupted to the point that has gone out of control first of all. it shouldn't be allowed a president to have the majority of the seats on both Houses from his same political party that is like paving the way for manipulation as we see now. talking about the health bill I have been trying to really get well informed about it by reading, watching news, diferent reporters opinions some on fevor some against but is too confusing that's why I got down to the conclusion to use common sense, is just a matter of simple math how, they pretend to make us belive that adding 31 millions of new insured people is going to create savings to the system instead of more cost. They liaing to us big time they are under estimating our minimum level of intelligence or they are trying to share their stupidness to us but we do not need that, we rather like to be heard. As I said, simple math 31 millions more,more means more of every thing, more doctors wich I don't thing will have enough besides that, doctor's fees they are not $15.00 or $20.00 dlls an hour they are waaay more than that, and another triky part, by the time (2014 this health bill will be in effect who knows how many more people will have to be added or left out again if we lucky will be back to the actual situation. I think all this time and money that is being put into this health bill is a waste, but don't get me wrong by saying this dosn't mean nothing should be done, how about just a good house cleaning to the actual system for instance get rid of all the dead weight, in all goverment health care related agencies (less burocracy) re-trained a lot of the people in the medical field to be more effective and aforable (re-negociate unions rates) etc, because even as it is now we have one of the better health care systems in the world if not the best.

I wish you all a Happy New Year
http://www.uggcardy.org

Quick, wash your jersey the blue has yellow Demo spittle all over it and its turning green.

Oh yeah, next we'll be talking about the war-mongering Republicans like the Dems have neither a past nor a present. Wake up tribalist. There's no difference between either of the parties and all tghings over the last 8 years were voted for and paid for, by b oth sides of the isle. if you were invited to their secret picnics you'd know that. Its the same two headed snake headed for one agenda and here you post like the red shirted lunatics thinking that some how you are scoring points for your side when the game is against the bastards in the black and white striped jerseys. Someday you'll wake up to this, hopefully before the roof disappears over your head...but probably not.

Nice Job...you've shown that sound bites taste good.

This is a big blow to the GOP and Teabaggers as they had hoped the Bill would fail so more money could be given to Banks and Wall Street. We really miss the 8 years when Bush/Cheney just gave out money for what ever they wanted and the GOP got their pockets lined with taxpayers money. Why can't we get those great years back and complete the Bush Mission. Now Obama is withdrawing soldiers and has a plan for Afghanistan, were as if McCain/Palin had won we'd be still in Iraq, Afghanistan and by now bombing Iran and having a Nuclear War with Russia. That's really what the Americans want and not Obama trying to bring peace to the World. We want our country to go backward 233 years as the GOP suggest when slaves worked the land for nothing, woman had no rights and only white men ruled. Yes then rape and child molestation was legal which would allow Mark Foley to get back in office. Many Law Makers have to keep the secret that they are gay like Senator Craig but if we could bring back the pass even he would be able to come back. Sarah Palin could be the GOP sex toy and shop till she drops. Why can't we get back to the way were where? We had President's from mixed relationship but they looked white and that might be Obama's biggest problem he didn't take after his Mother. Yes if Obama had looked more white we wouldn't be having this problem as Rep. Boehner is looking more black everyday and might lose his job.

Either this or nothing? I'd rather have had nothing with the promise of something maybe down the pike. We've been sold to the insurance industry. I love the language - "extends the insurance coverage" to more Americans, my foot. The public option would have done that, if we couldn't have single payer. This bill... is an abomination.

You mean the made it illegal to not support the insurance companies????

I voted for change. Didnt know I was voting for a change for the worse

This is NOT change. This is arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic while funneling more money to an industry that has stolen from us for decades. And the argument that this is the first step toward real reform is pathetic: when will the circumstances ever be more favorable to fight off big money insterests than now? Never.

Last hope is that the House somehow gets the public option back into the legislation.

many people criticize the bill without reading it. please read the bill.

I wonder if the people who voted read the bill...that is frightening...

It was either this or NOTHING. Republicans were so unwilling to compromise one of them DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP TO VOTE. It most definitely can still be worked on. I think it's a miracle that it got even this far.

Quit your online bitching, cowards!!! You will go down in history as the populace that allowed all of this to happen.

I wonder what the Senate & Congress will do about this reality in regards to health care:

burzynskimovie (dot) com

I wonder what the US Senate & Congress will do about this health care issue:

http://www.burzynskimovie.com

As usual there's a lot of big, loud talk here, dire threats that the Democrats have sealed their fate by voting for universal health care and that a great coalition of the true left will sweep the elections next year. Ha! Just like these people swept the elections in 2000. Instead of just shooting off your mouths, you should do something real to bring down the corporate monster. If you've got insurance stop paying your premiums, tell your employers to stop subscribing for you and your family in corporate health care. Do It NOW before it becomes illegal to refuse insurance. And if there are as many of you out there as you think, you'll be able to bring corporate insurance to its knees within a year or two. The problem with the nay-sayers on the left is the same as the problem with the just say no types on the right. You both talk, but do absolutely nothing more. They use their Medicare and V.A. benefits while denouncing government programs and the loud left use corporate health for themselves and their families. Unless you have the courage to put your health where your mouths are, no one is going to take you seriously, no matter how aggravating your shouting gets.

this democracy thing is really working well, huh?

Historic? WTF? OK...who owns this site?

DOPES...THE WORD IS "HISTRIONIC".

I think its owned by a democrat, just a guess

6,363 billion U.S. dollars by the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Act
At 07:19 on December 21, 2009

[AP] The U.S. Senate on the 19th by 88 votes to 10 votes through the 6,363 billion U.S. dollars defense appropriations bill, the bill will be sent to the president signed into force Obama.

December 20, according to China news agency reported that 19 U.S. senators who wore a historic snowstorm, and finally time for the Christmas holidays, passed through a total of 6,363 billion defense appropriations bill, which is the last one in 2009 Item significant financial appropriations bill.

The same day the Senate by 88 votes to 10 votes to pass the appropriations bill. Prior to that, the U.S. House of Representatives on December 16 by the bill. The Senate passed the bill can be sent to the president after the entry into force of Obama's signature.

The bill will be used to pay from October 1, 2009 start of the 2010 fiscal year's defense and war costs. The Bills were approved the war in Iraq and Afghanistan war costs 1,283 billion, of which 65 billion U.S. dollars will be used

In the war in Afghanistan, but does not include Obama's recent announcement of the A troop of 30 billion U.S. dollars required for the scheme costs.

Weapons projects, the bill presented by Obama's calling for a decision to stop production F-22 fighter jets, while ignoring the Obama administration is opposed to approved the purchase of 10 C-17 transport aircraft, continues to produce VH-71 presidential helicopter as well as the continued development of F - 35 Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine.
http://www.uggcardy.org/ugg-ultra-short-c-1092....
In addition to the bill the Department of Defense spending, also including the extension of unemployment benefits and for part of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act and the Medicare legislation funding. The Appropriation Bill is passed, the Senate will be able to re-focus on the controversial health care reform bill. Medicare reform is a policy priority of President Obama.

The health insurance industry gods' "cash-for-politicians-program" allows them to continue feeling the warm lips of their purchased politicians kissing their asses.

Reading together, walking together; with happiness, with sadness; away with time, with the support grow old with you ... ... is a simple little happiness. This year, we had a warm and bright with Christmas bar!
http://www.uggcardy.org

US being #$%&ed by our elected officials and their future employers.

I find the choice of the word "historic" to be interesting. Kinda easy to conflate with "heroic."

Trouble is, this is historic all right: historic in its abject lack of heroism. This is a giveaway to the insurance industry already priced into their stocks. Never have I seen so many stuffed suits patting themselves on the back for doing the bidding of the special interests, blowing smoke up our ass like this is good for us.

Now, I'm one who sees the wisdom in the premise that such reform is never done perfectly in one fell swoop and that this is just the basis for further, more meaningful cost controls as a public option would have delivered. The only problem is, Medicare Part D was likewise written by the special interests, and we've seen every attempt to "fix" that disaster, from reimportation to Federal pricxe negotiation shot down in flames.

So, my conclusion is, while it's a nice yarn to spin, the same forces that dealt us this disaster will keep it a disaster forever, even at the cost of our collective bankruptcy. There will never be any cost controls. There will never be competition, only incorporation in the most legally lenient states as banks have done. Preexisting conditions will cost triple the already-unaffordable rates, and that'll come out of our pockets, either directly or with a brief stopover at the US Treasury: either way we are F-U-C-K-E-D.

And these bastards are all falling over each other congratulating themselves? Over what, a sweetheart deal fro the biggest whining asshole from Nebraska? Fuck Ben Nelson, fuck Joe Lieberman, fuck Harry Reid, and most of all, fuck Barack Obama. Nancy Pelosi: kill this mandate. No public option? No mandate. If you rubber stamp this like Obama wants, well, then fuck you too.

Said, Yes, I wish you a happy New Year. Top played

Too bad we can't get an up or down vote on single payer since most people are for it.

Huh? Says who?

LOL! That's your discernment? A poll you read last week? I guess that is the same 70% that were for the bailouts! And I guess it is the same 70% staying away from posting their elation here. Possibly they are a part of the 10.2% unemployment number and not the other 10% that they don't talk about...or maybe they are the same people responsible for rising GDP...no...no...I have it...this is the same 70% that is responsible for the fact that inflation is only 3% when staples have risen double digit percentages on the shelf two years in a row.

Well now you sure have me convinced! (eyes roll)

Says 70% of the people polled last week. Where are you living, under a rock? You seem to believe what you want to believe, but you don't get to make up your own facts.

LOL! That's your discernment? A poll you read last week? I guess that is the same 70% that were for the bailouts! And I guess it is the same 70% staying away from posting their elation here. Possibly they are a part of the 10.2% unemployment number and not the other 10% that they don't talk about...or maybe they are the same people responsible for rising GDP...no...no...I have it...this is the same 70% that is responsible for the fact that inflation is only 3% when staples have risen double digit percentages on the shelf two years in a row.

Well now you sure have me convinced! (eyes roll)

I thought I read 70% were against this bill. That would include people who are against government managed health care all together and those that favor a public option.The only folks that are winning this argument are the insurance companies. Those that want the government out of their lives and those that want a public option are both being screwed over.

I was listening to some pundit and he was of the opinion that there will be very little negotiations between the house and senate. It seems they ( White House and party leadership) want to hurry this thru so Obama can sign it. I think possibly that they don't want to give the public a chance to really work their anger up over it.

The senate just flipped the entire country the bird and they are crowing about it like they actually accomplished something good. They really have no respect for the American public.

What these corrupt politicians may have accomplished is the angering of both the conservative and liberal elements in this country. With both sides angry over a variety of actions and in-actions, all may find themselves unemployed.

70% were for the public option that they stripped out to keep their insurance company buddies from cutting off the supply of campaign contributions.

I would believe that 70% were against this travesty.

According to who?

How is passing another huge corporate welfare bill, a law that each of us must give a large amount of money to the private health insurance industry, and senators outright misrepresenting what this bill will do as honest commentators across the political spectrum have amply proven, "Historic"? Sounds like just another example of business as usual, although I guess it is more "Usual" than ever.

Yes indeed, unlike the legislation of the 30's that was written with the common good of the people of this nation as it's beneficiary, this is just another example of corporate America quietly buying off congress while our 'elected' officials put up token resistance to make it appear they have our best interests at heart. It's all been very entertaining theatre for the lemming masses.

This bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing and while I disagree with the right wing on most of their proported objections, this abomination reeks of Nazi Germany's pre war legislation; the way these so called representatives of the people work in concert with big business to protect corporate interests.

It's a sad day for America when our congress is willing to disregard the will of 70% of it's citizens and toss us all under the bus for the sake of a bunch of wealthy insurance companies.

This majority congress is a disgrace. Despite the fact that most of us see them all for the diseased whores they are, they will take to the podium today and claim a great victory for the common man, all the while shaking the hands of their insurance puppet masters and stuffing another wad of cash into their pockets for a job well done.

Great set up...with the buy-in mandate the insurance co.'s will be able to control 2012...they start screwing everyone, dems get the blame, repugs are elected and continue to help the insurance co.'s with the rip off while being able to play innocent because they had nothing to do with the bill. Then plans will begin to get the pot you piss in.

Welcome to America where the idiots reside, and where you'll be "taken care of", whether you like it or not, whether you or the country can afford it or not. Why? Because we said so that's why. How? We are free damn it. Free to print money inflate the monetary supply and destroy the poor with all of the gifts we give them. Free to cut deals with our benefactors, to ride their wallets into office, fill those wallets while we're hear and claim our just desserts when we leave by accepting that overpaid consultancy job that curiously doesn't require us to really do anything. But hey, most of the time, our benefactors dupe the populous so well that we never have to leave and instaed get to posture our self-aggrandizing asses all over the place, smiling and kissing babies. What we really love is how they reward us by sending us on the "speaking Circuit" whereby our benefactors corporations pay us $20,000 to $100,000 per speech. It is all non-taxable "expense" to the corporations and ka-ching in our personal pockets. It's really unbelievable how many corporations will pay their fair share under the guise of "executive development" and such. In fact, we can speak 7 days a week at those prices if we want and there is no lack of companies to pay it. It's a great country!

Signed - A member of Congress.

So, the big question is, are the final negotiation of the Senate and House bills subject to the same 60% majority in the Senate? Or are we looking for a simple majority? If it's the latter, then can we expect to see more aggressive things put back into the Bill?

Final passage only required 51 votes. It took 60 votes to stop discussion.

Correction, I just read that the bill will require 60 votes again. Whether that is to stop discussion, I do not know.

the 60 vote thing is called 'cloture'

I love smart people.

My fellow 'Mer'cans: Here's your Christmas lump of coal !!

Remember, we are never to let the good, moral and necessary be the enemy of PROFIT.

BOOYAH! it looks like joe (r/tel-aviv) and his owners could not stop it.

its called 'progress' joe. look it up.

WTF? Lieberman got EVERYTHING he wanted -- are you kidding me?

Joe voted for it.

Congratulations to Senate Democrats on passing the Health Care Bill. It is indeed an historic achievement. But this bill is still a travesty unless it can be fixed in negotiations with the House. So far it is everything for rich Insurance executives and not so much for the rest of us. A public option or expanded Medicare should be included and womens right to choose any medical procedure allowed by existing law must also be included. Actions have consequences which may emerge in the November 2010 Election. Please get it right this time. We want you to keep control of the House and Senate. Ignore the Left at your own risk.

Womens right to choose any medical procedure is not the issue. Having an elective abortion should be paid for out of pocket not by any insurance.

Yes, abortion will be a difficult issue for the insurance companies since it will be terminating potential mandated customers.

it's a medical procedure, not elective surgery.. this isn't a tit-job, this is removing a growth that could potentially damage your body, kill you, permanently compromise various organs/systems, and have life long consequences (another human in the world, irreversible at a certain point).

People like making religious arguments or philosophical arguments about why abortions are "wrong" or "immoral" or whatever, but it's none of YOUR business what a woman chooses to do based on SCIENCE. Before 8 weeks, there isn't even a brain to interpret the simplest of electrical signals, how is that "killing a baby"?? Answer, it isn't, but controlling, ignorant, abusive pricks want to chose for other people, and sentence them to life-long consequences where they might not be wanted, nor are they required.

By your logic, insurance should not cover births, either... since having a baby is an elective procedure.. Are you willing to see that codified in law? You think THAT would pass? hardly.

Try Dianetics. It is science that might just change your mind about what you "think" you "know" about fetus's. No, I'm not a Scientologist. Just read Dianetics and learn what was discovered...I mean you like and respect science right?

Spoken like a real misogynous male pig. Please let whoever you are sleeping with know your position on this. Nothing like knowing you will be a forced breeder if your contraception fails and you don't have the $ for an abortion to foster that sense of trust.

So what you are saying is that you are all for slut's rights huh? The right to bang who you want with impunity and then look to your next door neighbor for a bailout...because you somehow "deserve" to reach into other's pockets? How's that? And why...simply because you can't say no to trouser snake?