Yep, it’s a historic vote all right. A milestone (or is that millstone?)—setting a new record in partisan-driven, mendacious, incoherent legislation that ignores the will of the American people while affecting our lives in the most intimate of matters.
President Obama calls it “the most important piece of social legislation since the Social Security Act passed in the 1930s,” and I agree with him. We disagree, unfortunately, on whether this new act a good thing or a very bad thing. Suffice to say I hope it will be repealed by the 2010 or 2012 Congress, or improved to the point of non-recognition—and to the point of actually benefiting the American people, for a change.
It is a mark of how truly terrible this bill is that Olympia Snowe, seasonally-named Maine Senator and RINO extraordinaire, who almost never met a Democrat-sponsored bill she didn’t (sorta) like, greeted the news with the following statement:
I was extremely disappointed…there was zero opportunity to amend the bill or modify it, and Democrats had no incentive to reach across the aisle…[the bill could have] a dampening effect on job creation and job preservation.
On the other hand, Rhode Island’s Democratic Senator (and fearless vampire slayer) Sheldon Whitehouse (another serendipitously named legislator) indicated the bill would help drive a deserved “stake through [insurance companies'] cold and greedy heart.”
I say that it takes one to know one—a cold and greedy heart, that is.
Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely 
December 24th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Yes, those “cold and greedy” health insurance companies.
Those cold and greedy heatlh insurance companies that rank #86 on the list of industry profit margins at a whopping 3.3%.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_otfwl2zc6Qc/SoMLoWBKM4I/AAAAAAAAK4g/wKdZyg5LxQ0/s1600-h/profits.bmp
By that type of logic “cold and greedy” supermarket chains should be trembling awaiting their turn in the line of fire.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I’m sure we could all use a good laugh, so here’s Iowahawk’s screenplay “It’s a Wonderful Bill.”
December 24th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
The tone from the European media (BBC and German TV) is a condescending one: Americans have finally joined the civilized world and are taking care of their poor. Of course, the reporters have no idea of our legislative process and don’t know that none of the dems has read the legislation. What can one expect from idiots who think the UN will solve all the world’s problems. Oh, people are praising Obama too. I hope I don’t lose my dinner.
Maybe we could put Obama up for sale on E-Bay and use the proceeds to pay off his debt.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
expat said,
“Maybe we could put Obama up for sale on E-Bay and use the proceeds to pay off his debt.”
I’ll drink to that idea. Makes far more sense than the Senate/House healthcare bills. We are in “Alice in Wonderland” territory now. “Have a cup of eggnog said the Queen. Soon you won’t notice anything amiss at all”
A day off to commemorate the birth of a Child who changed everything. Then it’s back to the battle.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Well, the Titanic sinking and the crash of the Hindenberg were pretty “historic” too.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
A newer blogger, Road Atlas Shrugged, had this funny line: