By dsrobins on 02-25-10
It’s easy to sort the comments of our Montana congressional delegation into two parts. Remember, only one of them was there, Max Baucus, but at least Montana was represented at the table. We don’t like everything he has done. He took far too long to produce his bill striving for bipartisanship that was never there and never will be. Tester wasn’t there either because he’s too junior and not a member of any of the relevant committees. Most interestingly, Denny Rehberg wasn’t there either, yet he’s the one spouting the most angry and critical remarks. Denny has been in Congress for quite a while now, but he’s still a back bencher, and his anger shows in his remarks.
While this meeting didn’t produce much, it did move the process forward. It’s now totally clear that the Republicans have nothing whatsover to offer, and the Democrats finally realize that. They will move out promptly soon and use the the reconciliation bill to pass health care reform.
Republicans will choke on that, but they’ll pay a heavy price and choke even more come November.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
The health care bill is about government control. Our costs will not go down. If we really wanted true reform we would get rid of the big medicine monopoly. Let the younger doctors and nurses do more for less and do away with these liberal judges and all the malpractice law suits.
By a on 02-26-10
If I recall everyone was invited to jump into the conversation from the beginning. The republicans decided to filibuster forcing the Democrats to come up with 60 votes, making for some deals. Not good, but if the republicans would have participated from the start to do the people’s work we would have a very different bill.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
where do you get your news? Ha
By a on 02-26-10
typical—throw a pot shot. How about staying on subject? And when thing don’t go your way I suppose you just want to start over.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
What ever! If you can not see what is going on with the gov. Then that is sad. They are trying to destroy America and this health care bill, will finish the job. It is not about republicans or democrats. It is about control. Clinton signed the bill allowing foreign troops on our soil. Bush took us over militarily and now Bahama is trying to finish the job. Have to go have a nice day
By a on 02-26-10
I think “we the People” will do better supporting our elected officials (or throw them out of office if we don’t like them) then trusting for profit insurance companies. Right now that is the two choices, government or big business. At least the government is ran by people who have to face the voters. BIg business is ran by people who have to answer to their stock holders.
By supporting elected officials who won’t do the people’s work, big business is the default.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
America is waking up and starting too see what is going on. Big business has been running the gov for some time now. From the time of the federal reserve as a matter of fact. They own the major media and that is why we do not hear all that we should. We are going to reelect them in November. There is no trust in either big business or the gov. They are bald face liars and should be tarred a feathered and run out of this country. Under the cloak of their lies, the health care bill is nothing short of more government control,and more taxes on the middle class. We need reform but it is not in more government. How can any one who really knows how our last two trillion has been spent think any different. It is time for reform there is no doubt about that.
By inthemiddle on 02-26-10
Pass the bill now, the republicants can’t stop it if its done by resolution. The angry party has never stopped campaigning from the last election, in which the were slaughtered. They have given it everything theyv’e got and still come up way short. Now the Democratic party will come together and pass this and a jobs bill. Most of the stimulus money will not be spent until this summer, then the economy will turn upwards and all will be forgiven. The party of “no” had its chance and they blew it. They just have a bunch of radical ########## following them now, it shows you how bad it is when they look to Sarh Palin for leadership. Run Sarah run, please!!!
By montanaman on 02-26-10
It doesn’t sound like your ” in the middle” to me. Every one that I have talked to says they wish they had note voted for that guy. Yes the repub’s are just as bad, but from a different angle. They are all pulling the wool over your eyes. If they past this bill it will be another turn for the worst.. If one is not an American and for America, you have no business in this country. Our freedoms are for the free. If you want a socialistic society then go where they have one of those. The health deal is more government and we need less of that. none of them have done us any good for a while now. The little stimulus money to be spent this summer is all in gov jobs and gov projects. Lets see they want more roads so they can get the foreign troops out better and they want more for schools so they can brain wash our children more and they want more gov. What does that add up too. Please see the truth.
By Native on 02-26-10
montanaman - How does reform take place without more government involvement? I don’t think you can have both. Smaller government is a concept we can all buy into but by shrinking it, you not only eliminate jobs but you also lessen oversight & regulation.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
Laws are for the lawless, if it wasn’t for them we would not have to have so many laws. Family, community,state and then federal. One can not regulate morals. Small business, Individuals, a government for the people by the people. The reform starts with us doing our share and not relying on some one to do it for us. You can not get a head by sending them 5 dollars to get one back. One can not get a head by spending more money then one has. This is the most irresponsible administration ever. Padding their own pockets and the ones of their buddies. Reform starts by not flooding our country with people who are not Americans, making every one pull their own share. Not allowing big business to rule. When you see some thing that is not right stand up and say some thing and get God back in the picture as he once was. Studying your self and not believing their lies. Do not watch the junk they are producing and they will quit producing it. Reform starts with us not some dictator or even worse a world government.
By inthemiddle on 02-26-10
On this issue I’m not inthemiddle. If the republicants had tried at all to work on this instead of fighting it for over a year, I would say start over. Obama schooled the opposition on every point they made. He was well prepared and had facts to back everything up. Most of the republicants like McCain and Bohner came across as dodering old fools, which they are. The Democrats are all lining up behind reconciliation, and even Ben Nelson of Nebraska says he won’t vote against it if it goes that route. All we need is for Baucus and Tester to stand up for working people and vote against big pharma, big medicine and mega insurance companies. Other dems have showed that they have backbones, we will soon see if Baucus and Tester do too.Montanaman, I imagine most of the people you associate with voted against Obama in the first place, those of us who did vote for him are only mad because he isn’t being more forceful.
He has large majorities in both houses , he needs to make some of the bluedogs fall in line. If they don’t cut em loose.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
As you can see our views of reality differ greatly.We will see in the end. I believe that all those on your side have been bought. I am against the big pharm, big medicine and big insurance, no doubt. But this version is about gov control and am against that as they have raped us to much already. The reform needs to be in those areas Not in more government control. Can not even imagine the hell of a gov run health care.
By Kalispell Native on 02-26-10
montanaman: Do you mean gov’t run health care like the VA and Medicare? Two great systems, though certainly they too have some problems, mostly created by Republicans cutting funding to the VA and then completely screwing up Medicare with Advantage and the Pharma boondoggle.
By montanaman on 02-26-10
Guess I am not as impressed as you on those programs. The republicans are just as bad as the dems, fact is there in the same bed. Would rather have what we have then - give the rape and pillage gov control.
By hammer on 02-27-10
In the middle, if you think that Obama was prepared and schooled the republicans then the Indianapolis Colts won the superbowl. Barak had diarehea of the mouth. If that is as prepard as he is going to get, WE ARE IN TROUBLE. Him and Biden where rambling idiots, even the liberal media is saying that. No matter what, you are not in the middle and you should change your name.
By mitch on 02-27-10
Obama did a great job, as did all the Democrats. They had their presentations prepared , and honestly attempted to find a solution. I think our President did an amazing job of holding his temper when the bumble heads continued to drone on with the same stories, and in most cases couldn’t even stick to the topic at hand. Their ignorance and rudeness was certainly enough to make anyone angry. The GOP has proven they are impossible to deal with and have no intention of a compromise. Time to push it through without them.
By hammer on 02-27-10
What a joke, liberal bloggers think the dems won the summit. The truth is nobody won and we lost as Americans. To have this drama and lack of production sure does prove symbolism over substance for liberals. THis is so unproductive and you guys think you’re getting somewhere. This pathetic agenda you have and the unbelievable victories you claim have nothing to hold on to, just like this administration burying this country in more debt than we have ever been in and you guys think you won. WOW! It doesn’t take much to impress liberal bloggers who would rather have their party win a debate than have AMericans win. Selfish Selfish Selfish liberals
By Kalispell Native on 02-27-10
hammer: stop projecting.
By montanaman on 02-27-10
Of course as the truth goes I am with Hammer. Thank you very much. As some one said before. The left really know how to use those counters to the right.!! Why—- are you being paid to argue a lie. Punch the buttons to increase your agenda. Are you Americans or what. God be our witness.
By Kalispell Native on 02-27-10
montanaman: Late breaking news, there is no god. There is just a bunch of charlatans making money off of a bunch of gullible losers trying to get the losers to pay them money as the charlatans try to put of the fear of god in them.
Organized religion, a bigger rip-off and waste of money than Amway, Mary Kay and Melaluca combined; using the same business model.
It’s time to tax religious organizations. Instant surplus for America’s bank account.
By montanaman on 02-28-10
Well good morning there. It might be time to tax them. Organized religion has chased more people off then it has brought in. thats for sure. Most Christians really do not have a grasp on reality. But let me assure you there is a God and only one of them and he is not happy with us.
By mitch on 02-28-10
KN and Montanaman, sure agree with you on taxing the religious organizations. It is time.
Do believe there is God, but I don’t for a minute believe he spends more time in these churches than he does in our mountains….or in our hearts for that matter.
By montanaman on 02-28-10
I have read it several times and what you say is the truth in that he has given up on the church’s and having others to follow them. We all have our own avenue to the Lord and are responsible for our selves. Follow no man as it says. In Christ we are to come together for fellowship. But we are not to be led as sheep to slaughter.
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.