Byrd proposes renaming health care bill after Ted Kennedy.
Byrd proposes renaming health care bill after Ted Kennedy.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) issued a statement today, saying that his “heart and soul weeps at the lost [sic] of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy.” Byrd also encouraged Congress to carry on Kennedy’s fight by passing health care reform and naming the legislation after the late senator:
In his honor and as a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling and have a civilized debate on health care reform which I hope, when legislation has been signed into law, will bear his name for his commitment to insuring the health of every American.
In May 2008, Byrd gave some touching remarks about Kennedy, who had just been diagnosed with brain cancer:
Other lawmakers are now invoking Kennedy’s “spirit” to continue the push for health care reform. Today on CNN, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that Kennedy’s absence is already being felt. “I think we may have made progress on this health care issue if he had been there. He had this unique capability to sit people down at a table together — and I’ve been there on numerous occasions — and really negotiate, which means concessions. And so, he not only will be missed, but he has been missed.”
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Rest well, Senator Kennedy. We will carry the torch from here…
August 26th, 2009 at 11:41 amAmen to that.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:41 amSounds like a plan.
.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that Kennedy’s absence is already being felt. “…He had this unique capability to sit people down at a table together — and I’ve been there on numerous occasions — and really negotiate, which means concessions.
In short, “with him dying right now, the Dems are probably going to grow a sympathy spine and really kick our asses on this one.”
August 26th, 2009 at 11:43 amOne of my fondest memories is of meeting Senator Kennedy. He has left a great and ongoing legacy. Rest in peace.
I’ll leave my comment for McCain to another time, it doesn’t belong here.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:45 amTed Kennedy’s legacy, aside from whatever health care bill may pass, will be to demonstrate what a senator can do for his or her country when they believe that our government can be a vehicle for change.
God bless.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:45 amBy all means, rename it the Kennedy Bill. Perhaps that will shame the bluedogs into voting for single-payer.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:51 amI predict Rush will be dancing on Kennedy’s grave this afternoon. To the wingers, Ted Kennedy was synonymous with liberalism and they hated him passionately.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:53 amMay his passing be an inspiration to pass comprehensive legislation, not an excuse for failure to do so. The Republics are already lining up for the latter excuse. Hopefully someone in the Dem “leadership” gets a clue.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:53 amHonor him by telling the Repukes to “go fcuk themselves” and pass healthcare, get it done.
Remember the Repukes don’t want it because it will be wildly successful for America…
…and the Repukes don’t want that.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:57 amI cannot wait for the day when President Obama holds a press conference to announce the passing and signing of the Ted Kennedy Memorial Health Care Reform Bill Of 2009. A bill which includes a public option, protects Americans with pre-existing conditions and makes it illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage to their customers once they become seriously ill.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:58 amIt is too bad that the day before Senator Kennedy died, the Americans in this video showed such a lack of compassion for fellow human beings. As the post says “the Republican moral majority shows their true colors.”
Must watch:
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2689
August 26th, 2009 at 11:59 amIt’s time for President Obama to hold the democrats who are wavering over a public option, to the fire. It’s time for the democratic party to unite for a public option. It’s time for the democrats to tell the republican party to go to hell and use reconciliation to get a robust health care reform bill passed for the sake of every American citizen.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:59 amI can only hope, ElBruce. It might happen, but I doubt it.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pm“Byrd proposes renaming health care bill after Ted Kennedy.”
How could we not?
August 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pmYes – please name the final legislation after Senator Ted Kennedy. He deserves this honor. I hope this will unite the Democratic Party and help refuel the push for real health insurance reform.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pmAs Lawrence O’Donnell pointed out earlier this week when both John McCain and Orrin Hatch commented on how Ted Kennedy’s absence is hurting getting a health care reform bill passed, as pure b.s. as both voted against Kennedy’s proposals in the past.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:03 pmI propose zero tolerance on trolls regarding Senator Kennedy’s death. No responding, just voting down.
Are you with me?
August 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pmyes.
the Senator Edward Kennedy National Healthcare Insurance bill…
go for it.
NOW.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pmSounds good to me Zooey! Although I rather like my own idea of tracking them down and …….!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pmR.I.P. Senator Kennedy.
When I think of Senator Kennedy, I think of a person who was born of so much privilege but used his public service not to prop up the interests of the privileged but the interests of the common man/woman, the working class and those underrepresented.
I hope in that spirit, we pass healthcare reform preferably with a public option, so that all of us priveliged or not can have access to basic healthcare.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:11 pmAs I posted over on the ThinkFast thread
And yes, Zooey, I’m with you. The trolls will be out in force today, and there is no reason any of their posts should remain in view.
PEACE
August 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pmWill the death of the old lion of the senate equate to a bill that will lead to the saving the lives of 18,000 American citizens each year? Time will tell!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pmI miss and love you, too, Senator Kennedy.
Now, let’s kick some ass on this health care bill!
Let’s do it for Teddy, Gawddamit!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:13 pmA man of privilege literally given a second chance at life, Sen. Kennedy made sure discrimination against non-whites (Civil Rights Bill), women (Title IX) and the poor (immigration legislation and health care) should be outright abolished.
Congress has to pass strong, STRONG health care reform in his name if not for the man, then the people he fought for. Let’s give the Lion one last roar.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:18 pmI predict Rush will be dancing on Kennedy’s grave this afternoon.
Limpballs did not disappoint you. Let him enjoy it while he can.
The pill-popping, overeating gasbag will die soon himself.
When that happens, millions will line up to piss on his grave.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:20 pmJYD says:
When I think of Senator Kennedy, I think of a person who was born of so much privilege but used his public service not to prop up the interests of the privileged but the interests of the common man/woman, the working class and those underrepresented.
This is exactly why the wingnuts hate him so much. I’ve heard wingnuts go on and on complaining about how much money the Kennedys have, as if there’s something wrong with a child of privilege striving to help the less fortunate. They basically view him as a class traitor.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:21 pm“But didntcha know, if we only had Ted Kennedy around, us Republicans would have been able to hammer out a bill and pass it. Now that he’s dead [*grin* ... sotto voce Hallelujah!], it’ll be impossible to pass anything…”
Never mind that Ted Kennedy’s committee passed out a health care bill … which the sleazoid, lying sacks’o’shite Republicans are adamantly opposed to.
RIP, Senator Kennedy. Let’s do this one for you. We owe you.
Cheers,
August 26th, 2009 at 12:25 pmGOPers hate Senator kennedy because he proves just what Government is capable of doing for it’s citizens while the Repubs simply tell crying wives that Government is not the answer to the Nation’s problems.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:27 pmIf it is renamed but watered down – which is the direction it was going prior to his death – it will be a mockery and an insult, not a tribute.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:29 pmso very true to form for the republicans to make it, once again, all about THEM.
your contributions and memory will be cherished forever, senator kennedy.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:29 pmGod bless you, Ted Kennedy, may the angels meet you and take you into heaven. Thanks for all you did for us here.
Yes! Name the Health Care bill after Ted Kennedy. He earned it, and make it a good bill, that will help many. It would be a fitting legacy.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:30 pmThe man is dead. The ideals live on. Grow a spine democrats and pass responsible reform for healthcare.
Godspeed Senator Kennedy, I had the honor of briefly speaking with him during my time in the service. One of the several experiences while I served I will never forget.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:31 pmRest in peace senator kennedy.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:35 pmLets hope his passing gets the bluedogs motivated to pass healthcare reform with a public option.
The repubs are already having a field day with the news of Kennedy’s death. This is from Redstate:
“Kennedy’s personal life ranged from alcoholism to debauchery to sexual harrassment to second-degree murder. However, it is also worth noting that Kennedy was personally and politically a hypocrite, that he wilfully slandered men more honorable than he in the service of legalized abortion (and in so doing poisoned the judicial confirmation process in this country, probably forever), and that he built a political career out of provoking class warfare despite having been been born with a diamond spoon in his mouth and having everything he ever wanted handed to him on a silver platter. Insofar as he was a man of any religious faith at all, he was nominally a Catholic, a faith he besmirched repeatedly with the grave sin of scandal: a cornerstone of Kennedy’s entire public career centered upon using his position of leadership and prominence to present abortion (categorically defined by the Catholic church as a mortal) sin as good and normal, to say nothing of Kennedy’s many other failings which those who looked to him for example might follow. In the later stages of his career, Kennedy was not content to rest upon his laurels, but spent most of his time making the world safer for terrorists.”
Stay classy, republicans.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pmBut this might make the Republicans mad, and then they wouldn’t vote for it.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pmOne thing I’ve truly admired about Senator Kennedy is how he never let past mistakes stop him from changing for the better. He just kept going. Some people like to rehash and dig up the past but his accomplishments for the good of Americans outshines them all.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pmFor the life of me I cannot begin to comprehend the absolute glee that some of these ignorant right wing S.O.B.s are showing because of Senator Kennedy’s death.
I am so thankful I wasn’t wired that way. It’s got to be a miserable, pitiful life.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pmwe all still need to keep fighting for the TED Kennedy Health care bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:40 pmIt is going to be incredibly difficult for one Senator to step forward and fill these shoes but one of the most important legacies of Senator Kennedy is that of coalition and cooperation.
The best tribute that could be given to him is for his fellow Senators to rise and stand firm under the ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall’ banner. That goes for Democrats and Republicans.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:40 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
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If only he had spent his life in an honorable pursuit, like killing brown people or giving tax cuts to rich white men, rather than wasting it helping children, the sick, the poor, the disadvataged, the disabled.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pmAmericans will go bankrupt if we don’t have health care reform.
Anyone that says otherwise needs to get out more.
I know a number of cancer survivors who have lost any sort of health insurance coverage, whose only option is to eventually lose their homes in order to qualify for Medicare. These folks are under 55, and have been responsible citizens all their lives.
I am so sick and tired of the so-called “religious” people and their selfish me-first attitude.
There are no guarantees that “conservatives” will always be insured for medical care.
There are simply no guarantees.
It’s too big a chance to risk in the health insurance cabal. It is a cabal and a monopoly, not a market, no matter how much the Ron Paul crowd screams otherwise.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pmAbsolutely. Let’s get this done for Teddy.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pmFew Congressmen have worked more passionately and tirelessly as a voice for the powerless and unrepresented as Ted Kennedy.
The Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill would be a fitting tribute to his efforts.
As a fellow American from a large, Irish Catholic family, and lover of all things sailing, I say, raise a glass in a cheerful toast: To Teddy, may you have a fair wind and a following sea….
August 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pmThere is no better a tribute to the man who served his country for nearly 50 years than to enact a healthcare reform bill that TRULY reforms.
Also, to anyone who posts the heinous drivel found on right-wing blogs today, said post will be voted down. Nothing personal.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
For the folks who are screaming public health care will bankrupt the US, newsflash time. The US has already been bankrupted by multiple wars, unregulated banking, tax breaks for the rich and a general disregard for decency fostered by the rampant greed of the past 8 years.
The only real chance for recovery is to end the greed and rebuild America’s working class. They are the source of our income, not Wall Street, not the insurance companies.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:56 pmWhen I heard the news of his passing this morning one of the first things that occurred to me was that if the Democrats were smart this is what they would do.
Takes an old warhorse like Byrd sometimes to have the nerve to withstand the inevitable charges of using Kennedy’s death to further their agenda – tough!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:59 pmIn the Vice-President’s words:
“I truly, truly am distressed by his passing,” Biden said haltingly. “You know, Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. … He restored my sense of idealism.”
“He was never defeatist,” Biden said. “He never was petty. Never was petty. He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger, both his adversaries, as well as his allies … He changed the circumstances of tens of millions of Americans and in a literal sense literally, literally. he changed the circumstances … not only the physical circumstances, he changed how they looked at themselves and how they looked at one another.” Later he added, “The unique thing about Teddy was he was never about him. It was always about you. It was never about him.”
August 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pmSurfing through the channels today and stopped briefly on “Morning Joe”. Wouldn’t you know – he was harping on the Chappaquidick accident of 30 years ago and that Kennedy’s career would have ended then had You Tube been around.
I was so incensed that I immediately sent a message to MSNBC and Joe, asking couldn’t they wait until he was in his grave before slandering, and also reminded Joe that if You Tube had been around when the young woman was found dead in his congressional office in Florida, he might not have the career he does!
Even CNN made a couple of comments in recapping and had some woman on who knew both of Teddy’s wives and started dredging up some of the old things. My blood pressure got so high, I almost through the remote through the screen, but wisely shut it off………then sent CNN a message as well!
Why are so many people filled with HATE and a desire to hurt others at all costs? What ever happened to civility?
August 26th, 2009 at 1:04 pmfool, he was a champion of the under-represented. A noble being.
I know you don’t get it. Go find something useful to do with your life for a change.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:09 pmI am so tired of idiots like aaronk and the morons who fill their minds full of mush such as Limpballs, Glenn Bleeeeech! and Little Seanie Vanity.
Here is the simple truth of health care in America. It is not a “system”. It’s a stove-pipe industry comprised of providers and suppliers with sometimes opposing incentives. We don’t have an insurance “system”, either. We have at least five different insurance planks with plenty of room between them that have left 46 million of our fellow citizens to fall through the cracks (to say nothing of those who are underinsured, recinded or excluded for pre-existing conditions).
No one in their right mind would call what we have a system. If it were truly a system, it would be making progress on the two chief goals of (1) reducing variation and (2) eliminating error in the provision of services. If you remember nothing else, remember the preceding sentence because that is key to any debate about health care and insurance.
I am tired of the small-minded know-nothings that make up sh!t like “death panels” and “rationing” and “socialized medicine”. They are merely obstructionists who blindly favor the status quo that, if allowed to remain, will only lead to a huge, expensive failure of our economy, our government and our country.
What is proposed and being debated in Washington is a workable solution to what ails healthcare. It is time for the naysayers to either get on board or get out of the way. Nothing will change until it changes.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:11 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
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wrong tim. the American people overwhelmingly support a public option
the only people pulling against it are Republicans, the media, the insurance corporations, and the few ignorant cowards that the right wing corporate media has frightened using lies
August 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pmthis aaron kid is wallowing in his ignorance on the subject
it wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t decide to drag his ignorance in here and shove it in our faces
August 26th, 2009 at 1:20 pmGreatGranny2B says: Why are so many people filled with HATE and a desire to hurt others at all costs? What ever happened to civility?
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The hate and the desire to hurt came about when Newt came into power in Congress in 1994. When that happened, he told all Republican’s that they would no longer work with the Dem’s. This was in John Dean’s book; I just can’t remember which one. From there it was a downward spiral to where we are now.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:21 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
honestly, do you know anything that is true?
Do you just listen to what we say and say the opposite?
Are you like, 3 years old?
Have you no dignity or self respect?
Are you the fool on the hill who lost everything and wants so bad to still be “in charge”?
are you the child that wants to always be the monitor when teach leaves the room?
Do you love power and yet are powerless at present?
Do you contribute anything to our country or our world?
August 26th, 2009 at 1:22 pmhey dipshit, you don’t get to decide.
Maybe cut back on the drugs a little so you will realize that you are on the outside looking in.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:22 pmYou will eat those words.
It must be horrifying to be a right winger these days.
All you can do is stand on the sidelines and cry.
boo hooo
August 26th, 2009 at 1:24 pmtom, how difficult is this for you to understand?
It’s not difficult at all for me to understand, pant-load. You, on the other hand, are clueless.
By the way, my comments on “reducing variation” have nothing to do with “guaranteed equal results and equal wealth in this country” as you seem to suggest.
They have to do with reducing the variations in care and coverage that are only adding to excessive cost and waste. As a devotee of W. Edwards Deming who spent my whole career in health care, I understand this very, very well, skid-mark.
Before you retort that government has no place in health care, let me suggest to you that the “industry” has not been able to set standards, police itself and improve its performance. Time is up. Change need to be imposed.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pmaaronk likes kool aid. He thinks it makes him immortal. Or rich. And when it finishes rotting his brain and body, he will learn to whine that he can’t afford the health care to fix him.
And his rich masters will say…who? aaronk? Never heard of him. He should talk to his neighbors.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
What a coincidence, since they also control almost of all of the wealth.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:32 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
aaronk, once again, you saying it doesn’t make it true.
try clicking your heels together 3 times and make a wish.
You are just a run of the mill liar.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:34 pmhooda, if I can’t afford my healthcare someday, then so be it.
You can take the if out of that statement and replace it with when. Does it make you feel all warm and fuzzy that a company that supplies no useful service will be getting richer while you lay dying? Do you feel privileged that you are supporting an industry where the CEOs make a million bucks a month while denying you care that you paid for?
Weird.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:36 pmaaronk, did you have a chance yet to peruse the link I offered a minute ago?
In it you’ll find that in 2004, the top 1% controlled 42% of all financial wealth in the United States. The top 20% controlled over 92%.
Don’t you think those kinds of resources justify at least the kind of tax burden you’re citing?
A little context goes a long, long way, aaronk. And it’s part of understanding “facts”.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:37 pmerron, like most other pansy wimps, is simply afraid of facts
he has been fed bogus statistics by the right wing corporate media and he believes them because he doesn’t have the courage or brainpower to examine them
here’s a stat for you: 100% of all mass-murderers drank water. by erron’s logic, we should outlaw water now!
August 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pmI love these staunch indiviualists. The ones who claim, I can take care of myself. While they pay someone else to supposedly help. Which they don’t.
And I figure they are the kind of people who would look at a member of their family in need of health care and tell them, pay for it yourself. And quit asking for help.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pmYeah, well, see, we’re all in this together. If you have something to contribute to society but you can’t because of illness or injury that you can’t afford to treat, then we all lose whatever it was you had to contribute.
And taxation is NOT theft. No matter how hard you squeeze your eyes shut and scream that it is, it’s not. It’s still just taxation.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pmlook aaronk, we understand what kind of person you are.
You are the kind of person who walks by dying people on the streets and feels nothing.
You are the kind of person who is willing to let children die from preventable diseases because you like to see others suffer.
There have always been people like you around but you have lost your advantage now. Americans are seeing you for the dispicable filth that you are and it is repulsive.
Soon you will be confined to your little nests of facists wishing ill for all except your chosen ones.
You are neither good human beings nor good Americans. You are what most of the right is trying very hard to forget that they assoiciated with.
you are a relic of a black time in America, period.
You are irrelivant and we won’t forget the danger you pose to civilization.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pmdo you consider yourself to be a self-made man?
August 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pmTaxes are stealing? Does that make one feel guilty about driving on the roads of America? Break out the garden house to put out the firer in their home? Oh wait, water services are also government subsidized.
And it is obvious they don’t need or appreciate waste treatment (like flushing toilets) since they dearly love to drop their turds of wisdom here.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:44 pmA huge part of Senator Kennedy’s contribution to this country is that even though he came wealth and privilege he chose to champion the causes of those less fortunate. He and his family have worked diligently for decades, using a great deal of their wealth and position to help those less fortunate. If more of that class actually did the same; voodoo, trickle down economics might actually mean something.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:52 pmI also give you… (drum roll and out of tune trumpets, maestro) Republican class. I took a lot of hits for the team on this one, dudes. I may not make it through the night. (Kaff, kaff)
August 26th, 2009 at 1:59 pmFrom Redstate: “Kennedy’s personal life ranged from alcoholism to debauchery to sexual harrassment to second-degree murder.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
August 26th, 2009 at 2:02 pmtim.ned says:
As a Reagan Conservative, I recognize and honor Senator Kennedy’s service to this country. I know that he worked hard for his initiatives. I also recognize that his policies were based upon his belief to be in the best interest for America. Certainly he had controversy in his life. Perhaps some justified but much more not so justified.
Wow, principled opposition. We don’t see that too often around here. Thank you for your thoughts.
.
tim.ned says:
I believe naming a bill after him will be a political mistake for the democrats as public opinion is firmly against a national health care program.
Here are the facts rebutting your claim.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pmaaronk seems to have disappeared.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pmaaronk says:
I’m not sure about the “repukes” but I don’t want it because it will absolutely bankrupt America!!!
Wingnuts can’t do math. Y’all had your turn, and you’ve proven that you don’t understand economics, math, law, history or basic logic. Your guy completely destroyed America’s reputation and economy already. So why do you expect anybody to believe you now?
Besides, the lack of a health care system is bankrupting America already. Spiraling health care costs are an excessive burden on all employers as it is now.
.
aaronk says:
hooda, what tax breaks are you talking about? The “rich” pay almost all of the taxes in this country.
These tax breaks, among others.
You perhaps were not aware that Bush reduced taxes for the rich? If you’re so uninformed about recent history and/or current events, you’ve got no business sharing your opinions with anyone but your cellmate.
Here’s a link to a chart tracking income inequality for the last century. For every peak on this chart, there’s a corresponding crash in economic growth. For every valley on this chart, economic growth surges ahead.
But in any case, the rich are doing just fine, progressive taxation or no. I find it interesting that you refuse to pay for poor people who need help, but go out of your way to promote the interest of rich people. You are not a rich person. Why do you think they need you to shill for them? Why are they more deserving of your political support than the poor? WWJD?
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aaronk says:
tom, how difficult is this for you to understand. Healthcare is a service.
aaronk, how difficult is this for you to understand. Police and fire protection is a service, blah blah blah.
.
aaronk says:
hooda, if I can’t afford my healthcare someday, then so be it. I won’t ask the government to steal your money to pay for me to be better…it just isn’t right.
I’m willing to chip in to help take care of you in your time of need. That is the very definition of what is “right.”
You are quite simply, a bad person. But I’m willing to help you nonetheless.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:10 pmmaybe he was raptured
August 26th, 2009 at 2:11 pmSen. Enzi (R), another of the gang of six admitted in front of a crowd last night that he has no intention of compromise or negotiation — his mission on the committee is to try to kill this legislation.
I am supposed to believe that these repugs are patriots who care about America and its people – they are worse than merely a joke, they are subversives.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pmRegarding McCain’s comments…
Lawrence O’Donnell pointed out the hypocrisy of McCain’s claim (that he has made before) earlier this week(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#32545719). McCain sits on Kennedy’s committee and did NOT vote for the Kennedy-Dodd bill when he had a chance.
Lawrence also brought some historic perspective from his time working as a staffer in the Senate.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:20 pmYes, born poor, paid my way through everything, and now, contrary to your previous ignorant statement, I give more to charity and to those who cannot help themselves with all sorts of issues from rent, utilities, hunger, and healthcare then you could even imagine. That is the way it should be, but the more money that governmetn takes from me and pissed down a rat hole, the less I have to give to those truly in need.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:24 pmhey Aaron, why don’t we return to the days of the Old Regime in France when the Third Estate paid all the taxes, while the nobles and clergy got fat off the backs of the poor…After all, taxation is theft…/snark
I’m guessing it’s the wet dream of Wall Street…
August 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pmRepugs believe, like Sen. Coburn, that we ought to help our neighbors — and that is certainly right, BUT — he is too dense and blindly partisan to see that helping your neighbor is passing health care legislation so everyone can get needed care.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pmCoburn and other selfish repugs think that having a “bake sale” or a 5K run will raise the hundreds of thousands necessary to provide care for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury and his wife was told after 6 weeks, “you’re on your own.”
Ralph, I have looked at your stats and agree with them. It doesn’t change the fact that saying the rich don’t pay taxes is just pure ignorance. In one post you say the rich have too many tax breaks, then in another post you acknowledge that they pay most of the taxes, but you justify it. Come on now
August 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pmOur troll of the day thinks along the lines of the blindly selfish Coburn — sure, he will help the woman who begged him for help — it makes him feel superior — what about the 46,999 others who need help?
August 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pmRanting Tommy says;
maybe he was raptured.
More likely, he was ruptured.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm(:-D)
The idea that the federal government is some sort of separate, evil entity rather than an expression of the needs of the people is something the Republicans have fomented. The people who work for the government are our neighbors, our fellow citizens. The people who see the government as a means of control are the ones who seek that control.
Senator Kennedy devoted his life to trying to make the government a neighbor, someone who could help in times of need. The Republicans treat it as a means to control and dominate.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:33 pmI know this is long but if you read it you will see how ridiculous you look right now.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Who said the rich don’t pay taxes?
IN what post did I say the rich have too many tax breaks? I don’t recall saying that.
But let’s take a look at the comparison, shall we?
Your tax burden statistics say that the top 25% pay 86% of the taxes. that would seem to be egregiously overburdensome, if income were distributed evenly across the spectrum. But it’s not.
In 2004, the top 20% controlled 92% of all financial wealth. And I think it’s agreed that the situation has only gotten more uneven, not less, in the years since. 92% is more than 86%. Thus their share of the wealth was greater than their share of the tax burden. (And I’m not even factoring in the difference between the top 20% and the top 25%).
So it looks to me like the wealthiest 20% are STILL getting off without paying their fair share of the tax burden. the tax breaks of the Bush years (which overwhelmingly favored the rich) have played a huge part in this trend.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:36 pm“Byrd proposes renaming health care bill after Ted Kennedy.”
Thank you Senator Byrd. Amen.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:37 pmaaronk says:
It doesn’t change the fact that saying the rich don’t pay taxes is just pure ignorance.
Good old aaronk. If somebody says that Bush cut taxes for the rich, he pretends that they really said the rich pay no taxes whatsoever. If somebody says that Americans should be able to pay for coverage under the health insurance plan that the government is already running, aaronk pretends that they really said the government should give everybody free health care.
Will aaronk ever respond to anything that people are actually saying? Probably not–that’s “pure ignorance” for you.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:38 pmBack in the 60’s, the wealthiest folks had a tax level much different than today. The economy boomed, America flourished in spite of a debilitating war.
Today, the tax rate on the wealthiest is much lower and we are riding the edge of a depression.
Do the math.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:41 pmI hope there’s another Kennedy willing to take Ted Kennedy’s place in the Senate. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would make a great Senator.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:42 pm1st of all, if you are referring to the surge under clinton, everyone knows that was the false internet boom. 2nd, I am well aware of Bush’s tax cuts. He only failed in cutting spending to go along with it. 3rd, wealth inequality is promoted and fueled by government entitlement programs giving millions of americans just enough money to keep them from trying to make something of themselves on their own. I’m not talking about those americans who are physically or mentally handicapped, or children obviously. I’m talking about able bodied americans who would rather sit on their ass and get a government check than go out and get a job or make something of themselves. Increase entitlements, increase wealth inequality.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:45 pmaaronk says:
Yes, born poor, paid my way through everything, and now, contrary to your previous ignorant statement, I give more to charity and to those who cannot help themselves with all sorts of issues from rent, utilities, hunger, and healthcare then you could even imagine.
You’re lying. You’re barely working poor. And you’ve never tried to help another person in your life.
You are an ignorant, selfish liar. That is the basis of everything that you spew. We’re on to you.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:48 pmsince we are talking about Kennedy in this post, and kennedy is in favor of a single payer system, just who do you think that “single payer” is? If that single payer ISN’T YOU then wouldn’t you call that “free healthcare”?
August 26th, 2009 at 2:49 pmralph, wealth factors in real estate and other assets, not just income…in fact, income is a small part of wealth. All other assets are taxed at a local or state level, therefore don’t show up in the federal tax chart I referred to.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:50 pmaaronk says:
since we are talking about Kennedy in this post, and kennedy is in favor of a single payer system, just who do you think that “single payer” is? If that single payer ISN’T YOU then wouldn’t you call that “free healthcare”?
Oh my God, now you’re telling me you don’t know what a “single payer” system is?
Just stop now, you’re embarrassing yourself.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:52 pmaaronk,
comon big boy, tell us how you made it all on your own again.
You didn’t attend any state colleges or high schools did you?
Because that would make you out to be a liar. Oh yeah!!!!
August 26th, 2009 at 2:54 pmIf Dems go ahead with naming the reform bill for TK they’d better pass a bill that is worthy of his imprimatur. That means a strong public option at minimum.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:00 pmFair point. But the wealth that one controls not only determines the living standard one enjoys, and the relative disposability of one’s income (whether it goes to necessities like food or rent, for instance, or whether it goes for boats or vacation homes) but it also indicates the benefits afforded one by the infrastructure that taxes support.
It’s pretty clear that the wealthier you are, the better you likely outcome in a court of law. That’s a big protection that a combination of wealth and public infrastructure provide. The judicial system becomes a huge value for a wealthy American, but for one without the resources to mount a vigorous defense, it becomes a rigged game. Each may be equally guilty or innocent, but the wealthier citizen stands a much, much greater chance of beating the rap.
Consider access to political representatives. Theoretically, our elected officials serve all of us equally. In practical terms, not even close.
Our society is full of examples of public infrastructure serving the wealthy far more vigorously than they serve the poor.
I think they should pay more in taxes, not just because their income margin above subsistence level is so much greater than the bottom 80%, but because they get so much value out of the benefits and protections all our tax dollars provide.
But even beyond that, I think they should pay more because our economy runs better in those conditions, historically.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:03 pmBy the way, aaronk, did you ever point out where I made the statement you attributed to me?
August 26th, 2009 at 3:04 pmaaronk has proven that he is basically a dishonest person and so is a perfect representative of the republicans.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:09 pmaaronk says:
since we are talking about Kennedy in this post, and kennedy is in favor of a single payer system, just who do you think that “single payer” is? If that single payer ISN’T YOU then wouldn’t you call that “free healthcare”?
Good old aaronk. Congress may not be proposing a single payer system, but he’s going to argue against it anyway because a dead person was in favor of single payer back when he was alive.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:11 pmralph the wonder llama says:
But even beyond that, I think they should pay more because our economy runs better in those conditions, historically.
This is a great point. Also, not only does economic growth overall increase when income inequality decreases, during periods of low income inequality there is no lack of millionaires and billionaires. They do just fine.
As it’s a universal truism that “the rich get richer,” the only way we have of adjusting income inequality somewhat downwards to spur economic growth is through progressive taxation.
It’s worth reminding the wingnuts that nobody’s advocating a tax structure so steep that it seeks to equalize everyone’s finances completely. We just want to get it back to those periods (postwar and the 90’s) when everybody was doing pretty damn well, including the rich.
How anybody could whine about this is simply beyond me.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:11 pmFred, what have I been dishonest about?
August 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pmralph, hood is the one who said the rich get all the tax breaks…I commented to hooda, and you picked up on it
August 26th, 2009 at 3:47 pmThis is fitting: “The Edward Kennedy Health Care Reform Act”.
Now let us pass it in the Senate by 50 votes (more if we can get them, but not at the price of compromising comprehensive reform).
August 26th, 2009 at 4:05 pmElBruce says:
“How anybody could whine about this is simply beyond me.”
Republicans would whine even if they were ferried everywhere on a sedan chair, fed sweet ice cream, and allowed to piss on everyone they consider ‘beneath’ them. Republicans are born to whine–it’s all they have.
Or as an old Truman democrat once told me: “Republicans would sell their granny’s ass on the street if they thought it would make them a nickel profit.”
August 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pmaaronk is all for the rich getting richer. He still believes, after 30+ years of evidence to the contrary, that they might allow a little pee to trickle down to him.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:25 pmMaybe he figures they will let him wear one of their cast off Armanis.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:26 pmaaronk, after your comment on the Kennedy video thread, I have nothing more to say to you.
You are now a common troll and will be treated as such by me.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:38 pmThanks for that heads-up, ralph. I’ll flag that one on sight now.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pmHoodathunk says:
aaronk is all for the rich getting richer. He still believes, after 30+ years of evidence to the contrary, that they might allow a little pee to trickle down to him.
He thinks the pee is the water of life…
August 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pmRenaming the health care bill? Does that mean both are dead?
August 26th, 2009 at 7:21 pmWhat a fu(king coward this kwsventures is.
Has to wait until a thread has been inactive for almost two and a half hours, and then sneak in and crack a tasteless joke at the expense of a dead hero.
You can count the number of conservatives with class around here on one hand.
August 26th, 2009 at 7:56 pmI think it would be a great tribute to Senator Kennedy to have a national health bill named after him.
August 26th, 2009 at 8:20 pmkwsventures says:
It means you are too stupid to breathe. Stop wasting oxygen that a higher lifeform could be using
August 26th, 2009 at 8:45 pmMaybe KKK Robert Byrd will be the next to go.
August 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pmconservTROLL
If the world is lucky YOU will be the next to go. For the first time in your life you will have a scintilla of decency and go kill yourself instead of continuing to burden decent human beings with your putrid stench and unbearable stupidity.
August 26th, 2009 at 10:52 pmYeah the Kennedy family cared so much about the American people. That is why Jack said this in his Bio.
In a biography of Robert Kennedy, a British Reporter asked Robert Kennedy what his future goals was for public office was. He replied
Once Jack (JFK) has finished his two terms of office, I will run and win the Presidency in which after I finish my two terms we believe we will be able to convince the American people of the advantages of having a monarchy.
Yup looks like teddy was following in the footsteps of the family.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:05 pmOutlaw284 says:
It was a joke. Only morons as stuid as YOU wouldnt get that.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:17 pmI don’t care what name the give the bill as long as it passes with a Public Option in it.
Teddy was a rich guy who used his money to be in politics. GOOD! I know of many who use politics to get money to be rich. And his plataform was a decent one. Beats serving Halliburton and the oil companies.
August 27th, 2009 at 3:44 amBuckie Boy says:
Honor him by telling the Repukes to “go fcuk themselves” and pass healthcare, get it done.
Remember the Repukes don’t want it because it will be wildly successful for America…
…and the Repukes don’t want that.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Yeah, that’s a great way to honor a man who counted Republicans among his friends and who didn’t believe a person was evil just because they disagreed with him on legislation. Can’t you even stop hating long enough to actually honor a good man instead of using his death for your own hateful purpose?
August 27th, 2009 at 11:57 amso let me get this right here—- work hard and get punished or live off the american tax payer and get all that i want, all in the name of Teddy of course. sounds good to me.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:42 pm