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WHAT?!?!? Someone in the Democratic party actually has the backbone to stand up for the American people and against the Great Savior...Maybe these Blue Dogs understand how much this Healthcare bill will hurt the middle class, self-employed business owners and adi the immigrant population who pay little to nothing and yet get all of the services. Tax the Rich, until there are no more and then tax the next level until they are gone....it is about time someone stood up and stopped this...Kennedy should go away, he hasn't paid a tax bill in years and has no clue on how much the people he is supposedly representing are hurting with all of the new government tax increases...1 Trillion dollars in debt in 6 mths...time for change I think.

With that and cap & tax ... we won't be able to buy the paper to print the money to not pay it with.

mike ross needs to be speaker of the house .....we need more people like him ,,, some one who work with both side,,,, go mike !!!! go blue dogs !!!

if this bill passes, i will have to lay off 10% of my workforce so i can afford to pay the new taxes i'll be charged.
next to carbon cap and trade, this is yet another job killing bill to come out of Obama's administration and liberal dominated congress.

I am completely ashamed of these blue-dog Dems. Not because they are not allowed to voice their opinion or disagree with the current health care bill. I'm ashamed because they are acting like Republicans – not really providing alternatives.

It seems like they are worried about how it is going to get paid, and that is understandable. But truth is...we didn't sufficiently ask how the war will get paid or where the bailout for the banks were going to get their money (or at least didn't hold up the money because of it).

American's need healthcare – no if's, and's or but's about it! We all need to step up to the plate and pay for this (and I'm privately insured). I would pay extra in my life to know the quality of life for others were increasing. Its my duty as an American to care not just about myself, but the community of individuals I share this country with. Its not alot, in my opinion.

Barack Obama's fight for glory is over. Now he will go downhill fast..

wise Democrats.................don't see that very often..............congrats to them for bringing some sanity to this

This is just another tax and spend plan. Before this administration is done taxes will increase significantly for the middle class. Health care benefits will be taxed, social security will be means tested (another tax), dividends we see in 401ks will be taxed, all in the name of this socialist agenda.

There are ways to do this without having the government in charge of everything. The gov't should set the standard and set the rules and get the heck out of the way.

Good for them! Once people realize the American dream isn't sacrificing 60% of the population to make the other 40% happy we will be better off!

Can any liberal/DEM, please point out to me where the CONSTITUTION says HC is a right?

Additionally, why is every right in this nation an OPTION, you have the right to own a gun, but aren't forced too, you have the right to vote, but dont' have too, you have the right to practice ANY organized religion, but don't have too. But according to Pelosi and her SS, HC is now a right and you HAVE TO HAVE IT!!

Blue dogs, eh? Are there any Red Dogs in the GOP? Everyone wants to cook the pizza pie of healthcare bill. Why do we get the feeling that they do not reflect the much larger interests of the people? Perhaps, the answer might be "Blue Dogs' Dogged Egos".

Please do. I think the Government needs to quit taking over every industry. Automakers, banks, mortgages.......What's next? Telephone and utility companies? We are starting to become like other nations

IF ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYS HAD TO USE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED REAL QUICK! Cops to president all who work for the people should have the same health care as the people!!!!!!!!!

I agree with a public option for healthcare reform, along with the majority in America, but I also have concerns over some provisions in the bill.

Nothing is ever perfect in politics, and I understand the mandates were put into place to help balance budgets and extend affordable coverage.

Overall, I'm still pleased with the ability to have a choice to stay with my current coverage or go with a public option, and that's what many Americans voted for this past election.

Follow the the money and you will find that health insurance companies and big pharma companies are the main beneficiaries of the current broken American health care system.

That is where you start when looking for more saving in the system. By making these entities pony up after sucking the American people dry for so long, a huge move can be made in covering all Americans.

The problem is that these "blue dog democrats" and all republicans are in the pockets of the same enitities that have a vested interest in keepng Americans held hostage.

It amazes me that the same party that preaches the Pro CHOICE will take away my right to CHOOSE. Even though I choose to have health insurance it is still MY CHOICE. Think about it people, you will be fined and/or taxed either way. I believe that we need to fix this ongoing problem but there are other ways of doing it. One thing they could start with is Tort Reform, putting an end to stupid law suits will lower physicians insurance cost and in turn lower cost to patients. How about lowering tuition cost for health care fields, do you not think that is not being passed on? How about Tax Credits for those who CHOOSE to stay in Primary Care. It seems to me that our elected officials are just stuck on stupid and instead of solving the problem they are acting like a bunch of lemmings. Problem is that they are willing to take us over the cliff with them.

If the blue dog dems stop the health care plan I hope the democratic party gets someone to run against them in the next election & send the blue dogs packin...it is an opportuntity that we dems can not let get by us just because of a bunch of up tight concervatives blue dog or GOP...

From controversial supreme court apointments, to billions of pork spending, to trillion dollar deficits, to partisan bailouts of Wall Street firms, to all too cozy contributions between leaders and lobbyists, it should be obvious to many that we need a strong independent party to emerge in this country to balance the radical views and programs of the Republicans and the Democrats. We desparately need some middle of the road politicians who are not beholden to any party and will not blindly vote a party line without even reading key elements of legislation pushed by party leadership. It is time for another American revolution, and this time it is needed to free us all from the tyranny that is the DNC and the GO – The two headed monster that is our two party system must go.

hopefully this socialist piece of legislation will go down the tubes along with its authors..

They have a right to be concerned and I am glad to see that someone is taking the time to address serious concerns, instead of just signing it and cramming it down our throats and hoping it works......................like the failed stimulus bill. We don't have to rush into a bad health care plan, doomsday won't come if it isn't signed tomorrow, despite Obamas scare tactics. Do you really want another Obama failed policy this early in a looooooooong 4 years?

Here we go again. I ask these people if they can in good conscience put a price tag on life? This is sad that these people are standing in the way of this President. I hope their constituents remember this when elections come up again. I certainly will.

I love my blue dog democratic brothers and sisters, The lord knows I do. But if they block this health care bill, I will begin campaigning against them.
Obama was elected with a mandate of change and his primary oppostion is coming from within his own party. I know that we are running up deficits right now and it seems like spending is out of control. But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and what we are doing now is laying down a new foundation from which we can grow, bring down deficits reduce our spending and make sure that we never have something like this happen again.
If these blue dog elected officials are not on board with the agenda. We as voters and all that support this agenda have a responsibility to put the people in office that are willing and able to move this agenda forward. The majority of Americans want Universal healthcare and we have the ways and means of doing it.
YES WE CAN!

Thank you Blue Dogs for standing up and not selling out our country just because "Obama said it's okay."

It's true – a dog is man's best friend.

Fiscal responsibility with a [d] behind your name, it would be a true miracle.

Who said that Democrats all voted all the time was completely wrong. If there are principles that hold Democrats together, they are currently a blurr.

Will Congress have the same health insurance as the rest of us will have?

Some fiscal responsibility with this new regime would certainly be a breath of fresh air in D.C. There is no question that the numbers being put out on this healthcare plan are much lower than what they actually will be. The spending habits of this new administration will cripple this country for a long time to come. How any voter would trust anyone in government to administer of all things your healthcare is beyond me. In the year 1900 the national debt was only a $ billion dollars. What is it today? $10 trillion, Come on America wise up and lets hold these politiicians to the same standard as American families and operate in the black.

Good for them. I hope they do. It would be a change from the other democrats. You know what? Here is an idea...how about be responsible for yourselves? Ever thought of that? Why is it that democrats think it is the governments duty to provide everything for them? Free health care, free mortgage relief, free this and that. Do you guys have any pride? I mean don't you feel bad mooching off of the system all of the time? It is embarrassing to read how all of you feel it is a right to have things handed to you. I guess you don't care since people with jobs actually are the ones having to pay for your sorry selves. Just a little F.Y.I. here...if you penalize success (tax) and promote failure (support with programs), your system will collapse. The people that actually create things and make money will leave and you will have to start providing for yourselves since the government will have no one to tax. Get a education, get a job, make money, provide for yourself and your family. That is the American way. Unlike your President's idiot wife I can honestly say I have always love this country. It is just in the past few years that I am beginning to despise it's wasteful, lazy, welfare attitude citizens. Either start acting like adults, or get out of my country. We don't need you here anymore ruining the lives of the citizens that take responsibility.

The Health Bill needs to pass because Health care cost HAVE gotten out of control. The President is being conservative in saying it is going up double the rate of inflation for other items. I personally had mine go up twice 15% in 12 month periods before I was laid off. There has got to be a way to get the cost down to about $800 billion and yet keep the Public Option. Maybe they can put a few restrictions on the Public part that will make it a little more affordable AND LESS APPEALING TO THOSE THAT CAN AFFORD BETTER. This is a tough issue because everyone is willing to pay about anything to stay alive and yet most can't afford it.
VERY, VERY, TOUGH issue.

I just saw an ad against healthcare reform that is knocking tax on sugar drinks. It says

"Taxes don't make people healthy"

I thought it to be strange, because when they raised taxes on tobacco products, it was to 'MAKE PEOPLE HEALTHY'.

Which is it? Excessively fat people smell as bad as smokers, and they are probably not as healthy.

That's one of the things I like about the Democrats. They are diverse. There are many differing opinions. They are not lock step in their party like the republicans are.

But.I cannot understand why conservatives in general always want everyone to do the work for them. They say they feel more savings can be found. Ok, I'll bite. Where can these savings be found? How? Do they have examples? What are their ideas? What do they base their declaration on? Why are there nothing but complaints with no ideas comming from conservatives in general besides "lower taxes and less government"?

We're obviously open to negociation in the democratic party. So please, bring something to the table conservatives. Don't JUST complain. DO SOMETHING. We need IDEAS, not constant complaints.

Yes, I certainly hope so! I want to believe there are some Democrats who have some common sense. The government can't run Medicare, what makes anyone think they can handle all the health care? Wake up people, you can't be a stupid as you pretend to be!!

I see democrats don't march in lockstep after all! Good for them!

I respect their intentions....they should definely be compromised w/, as they're the only conservatives I respect these days.......However, if they are responsible for the destruction o this healthcare bill, they will not get re-elected.....unless they do a "Arlen Spector", and go to the other side.

They can not just shove the bill through, there is far too many unanswered questions. The fact that they want us all to just follow without details is beyond scary.

What is even more scary however is that there is so many people who are saying "we need this" "stop feeding the fat cats"...etc However they have zero idea of what it is they are rallying behind. People need to stop for all of our sakes; they need to stop rushing to get behind things just because the window dressing is nice. Please educate yourselves on what you are supporting and who you are voting for. I am speaking to everyone this is not a Red vs. Blue.

God Bless America, her people and her President

Pelosi better step to the plate and address these issues.

The Blue Dogs need to be specific about what they want changed in the bill. The bill has already conceded for the penalty on employers. I'd like to hear some genuine republican input on the matter.

As they should, the taxpayers (the 43 % of us that pay taxes ) can not afford an additional three trillion dollars of new spending. Unless you can reduce spending somewhere else this should not pass.
There is plenty of fat in the budget that can produce the reduction needed to get health care for everyone. But without an equal amount of reduced spending this can not happen.

If they want to get re-elected Blue Dogs are going to have to shut down healthcare and cap & trade. Obama's stock is falling with the failing stimulus & the car debacles and he is not going to be able to carry democrats in conservative districts in the next election. Believe me I have lived in 8 southern states and he could not do it right now. They cannot afford another unread bill jammed through or they will look as incompetent as Obama.

IF they try to block this then they should know that they will not be re-elected and will be sent back to the pound where they belong. 70% of americans want this. It needs to pass and it needs to pass now. I went to school. I work. I am uninsured. I got laid off due to downsizing. I had to take a less than ideal job. My job does not offer insurance- they don't have to.

I don't really care who gets the credit for blocking it, as long as someone does. These Obamatrons are out to punish working americans and reward the dope smoking Oprah watchers.

And these Blue Dog Democrats will be shut out in their next election.....

That's what debates are for guys. Keep hashing it out.

You've made more progress in health care reform in the past 4 months than anyone has in the past 20 years. Nice job!

Everything I've heard about Cap & Trade and President Obama's healthcare bill will take us closer (fast) toward that of a socialist nation

Try it, knuckleheads.

We will remember those who tried to derail healthcare reform come the next election cycle, be they Democrat or Republican.

Thank God for the Blue Dogs! Someone on the Democrat side needs to show some common sense and fiscal restraint. Obama certainly hasn't, and we'll be paying for his mistakes for generations.

These blue dogs will not be re-elected if they oppose health care....and neither will the republicans.

I don't mind additional compromises if they make sense, but if these marginal Democrats block this vote, then I say let's block them. Vote them out!

yeah, heaven forbid this bill is paid for, and no taxing the rich won't pay for everything!

I wonder if the same people who champion the fact the democrat party is a big tent and not monolithic will accuse the Blue Dogs of not being good loyal democrats.