"The only question that remains is, will Snowe stick with us or will she give the Dems "bipartisanship" cover"

She will give them "rino coverage".

Snowe has got to be doing this just to get attention. No one can be that stupid!

Trying to reason with Snowe is blatantly stupid. She doesn't listen. In fact, the last time I wrote to her about her vote to keep the water turned off to CA farms in order to save the delta smelt, the reply I got thanked me for supporting cap and trade and that we must reduce greenhouse gas. Yeah, I have no idea, either.

I prey daily that the Health Care Bill pass. I am a life long Conservative, Republican and I am totally dismayed by the complete lack of vision shown by my party. I am also completely dismayed by fellow republicans who view politics as some sort of team sport and not an exchange of ideas. I prey daily that the Health Care bill passes and that eventually the Republican party will recapture its position as a generator of new and creative ideas...

(AP) "Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke with her party Tuesday and said she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, handing President Barack Obama a much-sought boost in his quest to expand access to medical coverage to all Americans."

"We will force something you don't want on you and we're going to make you pay for it."

Do they really think they're doing us a favor with this?

"I met with the Senator personally during the August recess back here in Maine when she spoke with dozens of Maine folks in a series of health care talks throughout the state. Here is what I learned: She is worried about costs and the impact on the deficit, the public option plan is "off the table", she wants more private insurance companies in Maine (we have 3), and she doesn't support higher taxes - especially during a recession."

Tell the people that voted for you one thing, do another. And they'll vote for her again next time she's on the ballot. She's voting for a plan that will include nearly a trillion dollars in costs, a public option before they're done reconciling, no increase in private insurers in ME or anywhere else and probably less according to all policy experts, and higher taxes. In other words, everything she told people was 100% lie. The quote is from a column by Tarren Bragdon, the CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center.

Now I may have missed it, but is this the bill that hasn't been put into writing yet?

Hank - in part, yes, that's why the vote is in favor of crafting a bill that will say what the Baucus markup says, but what she's saying is that she will vote for that bill after it's assembled.

Who's the screwball that voted down my comment where I simply updated the story with breaking news from the AP? :P (actually I don't care, but I thought it was a bit odd)

Stop perpetuating the lies and read the bill. Don't just say NO because it feels good. Educate yourself.

What bill? Have the lobbyists even finished writing it yet?

I cant' say it's a surprise either. Snowe has always been level-headed and one who puts her country before her party.

Puts her country first? No wonder you guys want to string her up.

And this underscores nicely the fact that the resistance to health care reform is not over specifics of the plan -- it's all about the GOP trying to make Obama fail so you have a better chance of winning seats in the next election.

So Steve, if implementing a program that conceptually will reasonably cost over a trillion dollars, still leave 25M uninsured, raise most people's taxes and premiums, and take 450B out of medicare is "putting your country first", I'll pass.

Please feel free to look for a new doc when your's quits, or stand in line waiting for that MRI, or accept your parents being told "sometimes it's better to take the pill". But I get it. We're a lot smarter than the UK or Canada. OUR system will be different. LOLOL

which party is it that will damage their country to pick up seats in an election, dipstick?

I'll tell you my impression. We really in this last election, when I say we...the Democrats, I think pushed it as far as we can to the end of the fleet, didn't say it, but we implied it. That if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war. Now anybody was a good student of government would know that wasn't true. But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts...and people ate it up.

-Paul Kanjorski (D-PA)

DRUDGEBREAKING: OLYMPIA SNOWED. developing...

And again Steve proves Reagan right:

"Well, the trouble with our [Marxist] friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so."

American Musashi: "I prey daily that the Health Care Bill pass. I am a life long Conservative, Republican and..."
Then in the a later sentence: "I prey daily that the Health Care bill passes a..."

total horseshit on EVERY level you miserable troll...starting with the fact that real Conservatives know how to spell the word that means "communicate with God": PRAY!

Of course, considering what Leftists do, the word "PREY", as a verb, is probably accurate in your case.

According to the MSM, the Republicans are now (thanks to Sen. Snowe) on board with Healthcare Reform. It's now *Magically*Bipartisan* ! But let's look at the full list:

The public √
doctors √
insurance industry √
Democrats √
Republicans √
White House √
Tea Partiers

It looks like its

>--FULL-STEAM-AHEAD-->

How does one RINO vote make for bi-partisanship?

"Bipartisan"

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

Hopefully, Snowe will be voted out of office when she's up for re-election. At the very least she should run as a Democrat.

Snowe said "Is this bill all that I want? Far from it. Is it all that it can be? Far from it"- but she's voting for it because "history" beckons

That's some logic there, lol- what an idiot

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com

it's sort of funny when you think about it. years ago if you got someone crossing the aisle the press could trumpet about 'bipartisan' out their rears and people would buy it. now, oddly enough with the rise of FoxNews and conservative talk radio, that doesn't wash anymore, people realize that one or a couple of crossers are just that. I offer arlen specter as exhibit a - he got away with it for years, not anymore - this time he had to actually change parties lest he be thrown out of office. years ago he would have anonymously slid by since his votes were just on a 'bipartisan' bill. they'd better get hustling on that fairness dealie.

AB
Most people close to 80% are happy with their coverage,
The doctors who met with BHO were all part of An Astro Turf Group.
The Nurse were part of Labor union.
RHINO support

Seems like it really just the White House and it cronies who want it.

As for Snow bad press good press all she wants is press. It would be nice if she lost I her seat. Would rather have liberal Dem rather than all these Rhinos.

she's not attractive, but I don't know if I'd call her a rhino...a rino, yes, but not a rhino ;)

"Republicans √"

When did one woman become multiple people? Wasn't that a Tom Hanks movie?

Theres not a snoweballs chance in hell She or Obuma get re-selected.

"insurance industry √"

I thought they were furiously lobbying against it? Get your facts straight before you start propagandizing.

"doctors √"

Except the ones that are going to retire if it goes into effect, leaving even less doctors.

I hope that the matter is resolved soon and it can help people.

"The public √"

On board with health reform? Yes. On board with the Democrat's bills for "health reform" - emphatically no.

What do You know.. The jug eared fool is taking a dump in front of the teleprompter again. God I am sick of His face and continual ego driven idiocy.

I wish the lefties had enough brains to understand math. Oh well! That's to be expected. ww

Olympia Snowe has got to GO!!!! Vote her out in 2010 along with every other democrat.

RHINO Replican (Hamming up for the press) In Name Only.

Snowe has proven herself to be a great lawmaker today for not kowtowing to the Republicans and to the healthcare industry.

I congratulate her for having a spine and for putting the American people ahead of her party.

Hitler has proven himself to be a great lawmaker today for not kowtowing to the Social Democratic Party and to the healthcare industry.

I congratulate him for having a spine and for putting the German people ahead of his party.

Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it. Is it all that it can be? No. But when history calls, history calls... . I happen to think that the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress to take every opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to solve the monumental issues of our time.

What about ensuring the freedom of American Citizens.
What about supporting troops on the ground in Afghanistan?
Nuclear Weapons in Iran
Nuclear Weapons in NK
What about record Unemployment?
Ensuring Medicare does not go into insolvency?
The Value of the Dollar?
Transparency of the TARP money?
Immigration reform.
-Currently their is up 10 year waiting list for people who have completed all their documents (and are not immediate families )yet we will skip those folks and legalize millions of line jumpers
We have gangs coming over the border to kill American to setup drug trade in the USA.

ab ">--FULL-STEAM-AHEAD-->"

Yeah, ahead for kicking all out that vote for any version of this atrocity regardless of party.

Chris R "Snowe has proven herself to be a great lawmaker today for not kowtowing to the Republicans and to the healthcare industry.

I congratulate her for having a spine and for putting the American people ahead of her party.

And just how much spine does it take to vote yes on a bill that isn't anything like whatever the final version will be?

And BTW, I note no one is mentioning the Senate Finance Committee released at the very last minute a statement saying this bill as written will in fact cause EVERY current health policy be rewritten after 2013.

So much for "if you like your coverage, you'll keep your coverage."

It seems so weird. Like the guy who said no one could read it and understand it,but just vote for it.

Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it. >> Don't vote for it!

Is it all it can be? No. >> Don't vote for it!

It is like these people are completely disconnected from anything resembling common sense.

Yep - they will have to be rewritten. Starting in 2013, the bill says insurers cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing health conditions or cancel anyone's policies for health reasons. Every existing policy will need to be rewritten to provide those new provisions.

Steve Green wrote:

Every existing policy will need to be rewritten to provide those new provisions.

Exactly. Which will lead to the destruction of private health insurance and force us all into the government option and eventually single payer. But that's Obama's real goal, isn't it Steve Green? He and the Dems have been masterful at this deception:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/10/02/destroying_private_health_insurance_98556.html

Holy crap, When did Michael Dukakis start dressing in drag?

Snowe job is saying that this does not mean that she will vote for it in the full senate. That means that they still need 60 votes and they might not be able o get them all.

I think this is her "I voted for the bill before I voted against it" moment.

I can't wait until we have a health care system as good as the UK:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6292597/Soldier-dies-after-being-given-cancerous-lungs-in-transplant-operation.html

Give us a spin on how that is better than the US.

I hope your health care is every bit as good as this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6869646.ece

Maybe we can pass out hand sanitizer and body bags to deal with swine flu instead of medicine like they do in Canada because their health care is SOOOO much better than ours.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/864229/canada-h1n1-flu-kits-include-body-bags

I prey daily that the Health Care Bill pass. I am a life long Conservative, Republican

You forgot to stick in a "Christian" in your adjectival string, Moby.

Sen. Olympia Snow...THE REAL MAVERICK!

s green.... "Yep - they will have to be rewritten. Starting in 2013, the bill says insurers cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing health conditions or cancel anyone's policies for health reasons. Every existing policy will need to be rewritten to provide those new provisions."

And you believe that's all that will change?

Better read the CBO report that points out all the provisions that will go far beyond your limited knowledge of the bill.

But, then, you won't because you're nothing but a talking point spewing T.O.O.L.

Most people close to 80% are happy with their coverage

Thats because probably close to 80% of people have not had to file a major claim.

tina s "Thats because probably close to 80% of people have not had to file a major claim."

That's some mighty fine guesswork you have there.
And that's all it is.

THIS isn't guesswork, to so called "Cadillac Plans" under the just passed bill will be taxed up to 40 percent of their premium cost.

Who has these plans? You won't ask but I'll clue you in anyway.

The UAW members for one group. You know those auto workers who are a very large segment of the middle class. Ford, Chrysler and GM will be taxed at the 40 percent figure because their employees provide no to very little copay, vision, and dental coverage.

Guess what happens when that tax gets assessed?

The employer cuts coverage, or cuts wages, or both or worst case dumps med coverage all together.

And THAT tina s makes obama, and a pack of congresscritters, liars because he said "if you like your plan and doctor, you can keep your plan and doctor."

"I congratulate her for having a spine and for putting the American people ahead of her party."

Be honest. You like that she agrees with you.

Period.

End of story.

If there is a real Republican from Maine willing to challenge Snowe in 2012, I have my donation ready.

Marc

The UAW members for one group. You know those auto workers who are a very large segment of the middle class. Ford, Chrysler and GM will be taxed at the 40 percent figure because their employees provide no to very little copay, vision, and dental coverage.

Except that in the bills before and you can be sure it will be in the new bill. The Unions health plans get an exemption. Which means that burden will be have to on the shoulders of now union workers.

This will eventually lead higher union membership as healthcare cost increase. It never been about the American people it always been about government control and Union pay back.

Rep Jan Schakowsky (D-Moscow) said that this bill is DOA because it lacks a public option.

So congrats to the libs. This bill is dead. No republican will vote for a bill with a public option in it. This was a PR victory but it gets Obama no closer to his goal of actually passing a bill.

Schakowsky's comments were extremely negative about the bill that passed committee. She called its passage meaningless.

So congrats on the empty victory. Tina, Chris and Adrian you can all go celebrate when the Dems are all saying that THEY won't vote for this bill even though it is the only one that has a snowball's (snoweball?) chance of passing.

"There's not a snowballs chance in hell I'd accept a snowejob from Her"

Bill Wanton Clinton~

hcddbz, "The Unions health plans get an exemption. Which means that burden will be have to on the shoulders of now union workers."

If you believe that I've got an "honest congress" to sell you.

Better check the east coast papers, they all have ads from the UAW and the AFL/CIO, among many others, placing ads against the Senate bill for the same reason I outlined.

They all get taxed at a rate of 450 percent.

Oops, make the 40 percent

Justrand: Thanks for catching my spelling error.
As a life long conservative, Republican and Catholic I pray daily that Olympia Snowe continues to have the courage of her convictions. I also pray daily that the Republican party will find again the welspring of new ideas that once made it great. I pray for you to Justrand as well so that you may elevate your discourse from one of personal attacks to one of ideas. I submit to all a great possible alternative to the Democrats Health Care plan the following link: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/health-care
If Republicans were serious about recapturing party members like me then they would be offering up solid alternatives based on conservative principles. Instead, all we here are reactionary remarks that add no value to the debate.

"I prey daily that the Health Care Bill pass. I am a life long Conservative, Republican and I am totally dismayed by the complete lack of vision shown by my party. I am also completely dismayed by fellow republicans who view politics as some sort of team sport and not an exchange of ideas. I prey daily that the Health Care bill passes and that eventually the Republican party will recapture its position as a generator of new and creative ideas..."

Seriously a -20 rating? What is wrong with you people? You shoot down the only voice of reason here. It's extremists like the people on this site, Rush Limbaugh, and the People of Fox News that makes the rest of the world hate The Rep. party. And yes about the exchange of ideas, how about you people try it sometime?