John Stossel
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  • December 21, 2009 03:20 PM UTC by John Stossel

    Senate: This Is About Life & Death ... and Pork

    Congress was busy this weekend.  That is never a good sign.

    Today's New York Times quotes Senator Harry Reid explaining what the health care bill is all about:

    “This is not about politics,” Mr. Reid said. “This is not about polling. It’s about people. It’s about life and death in America. It’s about human suffering, and given the chance to relieve this suffering, we must."

    So, how exactly did Senate leadership persuade the few remaining Democrats who were dragging their heels? By appealing to their principles, of course. FoxNews.com reports:

    Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., won between $100 million and $300 million in additional federal aid for her state's Medicaid population. The deal, secured before she cast her critical vote in favor of bringing the health bill to the floor, was immediately dubbed the "Louisiana Purchase,"  though the actual Louisiana Purchase was considerably cheaper.

    ... Florida, New York and Pennsylvania -- where five of six senators are Democrats -- will have their seniors' Medicare Advantage benefits protected, even as the program sees massive cuts elsewhere.

    ... Nebraska's [Sen. Ben Nelson] won permanent federal aid for his state's expanded Medicaid population, a benefit worth up to $100 million over 10 years. Other states get the federal aid for three years, but Nebraska's benefit is indefinite.

    If the health care bill were really about life and death, it wouldn't take earmarks to get votes.

    Some Democrats had another motivation to pass the bill:

    Lawmakers who attended a private meeting between Mr. Obama and Senate Democrats at the White House on Tuesday pointed to remarks there by Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat of Indiana, as providing some new inspiration...he did not want to see the satisfied looks on the faces of Republican leaders if they succeeded in blocking the measure.

    The details of the bill don't seem to matter much any more. The debate has come down to "Us" vs "Them". Some bill  must pass so that one side can declare "victory".

    Remember that next time you hear that Congress is working "overtime" to pass a bill.

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David Richardson

Shouldn't every state left with a Dem. Senator hold Harry Reid hostage for at least $100,000,000.00 and the new 60th vote?

December 21, 2009 at 4:39 pm
(2 Replies)

Stan

I can't wait "to see the satisfied looks on the faces of the Republicans" after the 2010 elections!!!!!!

December 21, 2009 at 4:33 pm
(2 Replies)

Trafamadore

Well, of course if a few elephants went along with the Dems, all of earmarks might not need have happened. But the GOPs, the do nothing party, were unified in not doing anything. Their real worry will be in a few years when most of the country sees that the HC overhaul works out...and it's clear that like so many good ideas in the past, the GOP was against it. Stossel should go back to his complaining about the minimum wage law...

December 21, 2009 at 4:33 pm
(58 Replies)

Spike

If this bill were so good, why the wholsale arm twisting and out and out bribes. The shame is the people know this is a bad bill but the our congressmen and senitors do not. How much more out of touch can they be. November 2010 can not come quick enough... How's the 'hoax and chump change' working for you?

December 21, 2009 at 4:29 pm
(1 Reply)

Ellen K

Nothing good happens after midnight. That's been an axiom in law enforcement for decades. In this case, that is borne out. If this Congress was proud of this bill and the way they are gaining votes, this wouldn't be voted on in the darkest hours of the night. There is no question that this is a very bad bill that will cost us billions in lost businesses. But even with repeated warnings that the American public is wary of the bill, they sally forth. At some point we need to remind them who's boss

December 21, 2009 at 4:26 pm
(1 Reply)

Louis Martinette

In summary, this is what I have to say to my Senators Webb & Warner of Virginia: "Like Tiger Woods, you will eventually discover that making an empty promise to a whore results in you running out of resources soon after they realize that you did not love them to begin with, resulting in your self-discovery that you too are a whore. To my knowledge, unlike Dodd, Nelson, and Landrieu you did not even get any money for Virginia, which makes you a cheap whore." Strong word to follow with my vote!

December 21, 2009 at 4:22 pm
(2 Replies)

Ronald Brickson

"Congress was busy this weekend. That is never a good sign." What a useless, cynical statement. If you have no faith in Congress, the implementation arm of our Democracy,perhaps it is time to move to a Communist country, Stossel?

December 21, 2009 at 4:19 pm
(58 Replies)

paitm

Will this bill pass a Supreme Court challenge? It seems this bill exceeds the powers given the federal government by mandating that we must under penalty of imprisonment purchase healthcare (if that is still in the bill). Since when did we decide it is OK to pay a fee to the government for living? I grant you they have imposed penalties/fees for dying.

December 21, 2009 at 4:12 pm
(8 Replies)

tom in maine

It is so unbelievable to see the blantant bribery going on. In the past, there used to be an independent media and people used to have a greater sense of outrage. Now it is just politics as usual. Disgusting.

December 21, 2009 at 4:08 pm
(7 Replies)

About this Web Site

  • John Stossel joined FOX Business and FOX News in October 2009. His show, Stossel, airs on the Fox Business Network on Thursdays at 9 PM and midnight ET. It re-runs Fridays at 10 p.m., Saturdays at 9 p.m. and 12 midnight, and Sundays at 10 p.m. (all times eastern).

    He is the New York Times best-selling author of Give Me A Break and Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity. His "Give Me a Break" commentaries take a skeptical look at a wide array of issues, such as education, the economy, parenting, and more.

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