The Senate Republicans defined themselves Nov. 21 when not one voted for debate on the Senate health-care bill. The definition is a group that has no interest in caring for people and steadfastly says no, no, no! Their refusal to allow debate was astonishingly naive and put their leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, on the all-time list of losers. He could not produce an alternate to the Democrats' bill.
It was easy to imagine the squirming of Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss as the Democrats, all 60, voted for debate. They are so locked in with their leader, or so mindlessly without vision, that all Georgians should remember their despicable actions.
On the other hand, Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, showed enormous vision and mettle as he led the Democrats to victory. It was historic and it was huge. Even Democrats from red states voted to debate.
The victory was huge because the Democrats will pass a health bill in December and, after a conference with the House, will have a bill ready for President Obama to sign perhaps before his State of the Union speech in January.
The Georgia senators, the tea-party activists, the Palin fundamentalists and, most of all, the insurance and pharmaceutical companies will not stop this historic time in our nation. Health care will become a right of U.S. citizens. It will take the Democrats to do it -- again!
Lowell Greenbaum, Augusta
(The writer is chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Party.)
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
We all have our own opinions. Unlike the dems, I believe people are responsible for their own decisions and actions. If someone choses to work hard and provide for themselves, they should be allowed to without the goverenment taking from them to provide for those who chose not to. But I realise that would prevent politicians from using tax money to buy votes from people with the entitlement mentality. That would mean they would actually be voted in or out of office based on their ability to govern instead of their ability to promise a new handout compliments of those evil people who work hard and pay taxes. How many in the current administration actually pay their taxes much less do anything to on their own to help the people they try so hard to promise handhands to? I don't mind helping people who need help. I do not feel the need to help people who are where they are because of choices they made, and they have no desire work to be better. But our government will see to it that I do not have a choice.
See Cloward-Piven strategy/obama
Once a month whether we need it or not. Thank you for the morning laughs again, Dr Greenbaum.
Considering the source, not much intelligence is expected from this LTE. That said, the congress hasn't done much to be proud of in the past 25 years (except for that little flash in '95) We're now in a position to have the country destroyed by crippling debt. If the most stupid socialist plan ever conceived by man is passed (Obamacare), we'll be ruled by the most incompetent "leader" since Carter for the next two generations, or until armed insurrection frees the populace. I, personally, can't conceive of any part of these bills being accepted by any majority, but then I never thought there were enough ignorant people alive to make the global warming scam catch on. Let the end begin.
Recall petitions sent to Democrats hijacking checks in Congress will stop this bill!
It's a shame that the disease seen in the Augusta Commission has spread to Washington DC (or is that the other way around?). That disease of not listening to the majority and doing whatever the he-- you want. On the bright side - it was a funny letter Lowell.
Dr. Greenbaum's turkey has left his duodenum, jejunum, ileum and sigmoid colon and is now talking to us. Turkey talk.
Great letter with accurate obervations. The (D)s will pass health care reform and every citizen will benefit. History will judge this president with favorable results because, just like Johnson did what was right for America, the people didn't realize the extent of his legislation. This passage also is the beginning of the end of the (R) party, because their base is crumbling from within. Their hatred of others will not win votes thus sending them the way of the Whigs.
Over 4000 pages of pork, taxes and drivel and the blind and gullible libs think this horrible healthcare plan is good for America. How many of these libs have read the pages of these horrible plans? We know not even prezbho has read these bills that were passed by the dim controlled congress and most that voted for it, haven't even read these bills. It's hilarious that libs want to call those that are informed names and whine and complain about the informed while libs stay uninformed and lack the knowledge to even discuss the issue. If you're not concerned - You're not paying attention...
Bring it on Democrats! Americans need national healthcare! Naysayers opposed Social Security and Medicare but the Democrats brought these worthy programs to the American people too.
DR, who?
What America really needs is a viable third party.
Devontaekelly, thanks. I left the N out of his name. I wasn't trying to make fun of his name....just him. But, since I'm here, LBJ started the social programs that are bankrupting us. Medicare is soon broke. The Democrats want to cut $500 billion from it. Social Security can't possibly support all those who will soon retire. You can borrow to support programs for awhile, but it always catches up to you...just like what happens to those in personal debt.
The beginning of the end of the Democratic Party was just witnessed with the gubernatorial elections in NJ and VA.
Lowell, I think you are an idiot.
Lowell, you and your monthly letters put you on the "losers list" a long time ago!
If national healthcare goes through it will not last long. The way this President and Congress like to spend spend spend it will probably be bankrupt before it even begins.
For those of you just joning us, it IS healthcare that is devouring our treasury NOW. It MUST be dealt with. Yet ALL the Republicans have to offer is health SCARE.
dashiel - you really need to come back to earth. It is entitlement programs as a whole that is devouring our Treasury now. If most of those irresponsible people had bought homes they could actually afford and most of those on welfare got off their lazy a--es and became responsible for their own lives instead of blaming everyone else and expecting everyone else to support them the treasury would be in great shape.
You are right, healthcare is driving us into bankruptcy. So the solution is to STOP spending, NOT spend more, or at least that is how my bank account works. Those of us who believe healthcare is important will take care of ourselves and those who cannot take care of themselves. Those who do not think healthcare is important will continue to do what ever they do. I do not feel compelled to continue to drive the country into bankruptcy in order to take care of people who refuse to work hard to take care of themselves. They are accountable for their decisions and actions, I am not. I realize accountablility is a word few politicians or others who spend a lifetime being a burden on society have heard of.
All This Money And I Still Haven't Receaved My Stimulus Check I Guess I'll Go To Work
If Congress would quit robbing the Treasury and left Social Security and Medicare funds alone and not "borrow" them for other things at least those would have been pretty close to if not actually solvent. But you can trust Washington to screw any and everything up so I wouldn't get too comfortable with any new healthcare should it be signed into law.
Justus, there are 3 groups of people, those who are physically not capable of supporting themselves, those who don't work because of decsions they have made, and those who work to support the first 2 groups. I am in the group that supports the first 2 groups. So exactly how am I going to benefit by the healthcare bill? I guess I could join the refuse to work crowd and benefit.
I say we let the actual health care workers (doctors, nurses, therapists, etc) vote on this bill.
taxedtodeath, that's the Democrat way. Take from those who work, those who are the backbone of the nation and give to those who don't work, the parasites of the nation. I bet anyone on here $10 Greenbaum has not even read the 2,000 page bill. LOL what a loser.
Greenbuam, load your wife up and please go back to New York.
Only an idiotic liberal would continue to force something on the American public the majority do not want, will drastically raise the taxes of the American workers and will spend our nation into oblivion. Mr. Greenbaum, if you think this oppressive plan is such a great idea, can you please tell me why the members of congress will not subscribe to it? If it is good enough for the American public, why is it not good enough for them? But thanks for the laugh anyway.
Lowell, why would you say that Rep have not produced an alternate bill. It has clearly been in the papers and on TV. The Dem refuse to except any Rep input. I love your letters but keep to the truth.
Lowell Greenbum: I understand changes need to be made in healthcare. I would not even be so much against a plan put forth by congress IF.........the Congressmen are required to fall under the same plan for themselves and their families. If it's not good enough for those elitists bholes, it's not good enough for me. The Augusta area knows what's coming out of your mouth before you say it though. Your letters have NO credibility, just a mouthpiece for liberal agenda. Why the deomocratic party hasn't elected someone with credibility to speak as their local party chairman is beyond me. It's way past time for your retirement, and a one way ticket back across the mason dixon line for you and the errrrrrrrrrrrrr "little misses"
It seems Lowell Greenbaum has been the chairman of the Democratic party ever since its inception. Is he the chairman for life. Do the Democrats in this area not have another person capable of handling this position or does the party consist of Mr. G, Mrs G, justus and gaseous...Seems they are the only members....Perhaps no one else wants the job.....or has the mental capacity to run for the office......