Political Hippo Circle Jerk - America, farg YEAH!

[Cerevant]

McCain's advisor, who helped draft the campaign's health care policy:

But the numbers are misleading, said John Goodman, president of the National Center for Policy Analysis, a right-leaning Dallas-based think tank. Mr. Goodman, who helped craft Sen. John McCain's health care policy, said anyone with access to an emergency room effectively has insurance, albeit the government acts as the payer of last resort. (Hospital emergency rooms by law cannot turn away a patient in need of immediate care.)

"So I have a solution. And it will cost not one thin dime," Mr. Goodman said. "The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care.

"So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."

*facepalm*

[phattymatty]

i actually rented a donkey to walk around before the speech tonight. 

[Cerevant]

Oh, and as for getting things done...

Eager to avoid the missteps that plagued the first months of the Clinton administration, aides to Barack Obama have begun working in concert with top Democrats in Congress to craft a preliminary legislative agenda that would guide the senator from Illinois should he capture the White House in November.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has assigned her committee chairmen to begin with low-hanging fruit to build confidence and provide a new, young president quick legislative victories, then pivot to more challenging issues, from ending U.S. military involvement in Iraq to broadening health-care coverage. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) said his policy staffs and Obama's have been working together for more than a month.

"This is my last chance," Rangel, 78, said of his opportunity to make a lasting legislative imprint. "This is the big one."

Pelosi's priorities begin, in order, with ending the war in Iraq, expanding access to health care, rebuilding infrastructure and weaning the nation off oil. But with economic problems looming ever larger, she and other Democrats say providing relief could be their first target: "I'll just use a four-letter word," Pelosi said. "Jobs."

[fansince61]

1) Obama supports campaign finance reform to reduce the influence and power of corporations.
2) Obama supports international diplomacy rather than "do it our way or we'll bomb you"
3) Obama wants to implement universal (but not single payer) healthcare
4) Obama wants to achieve energy independence through clean, renewable sources, rather than more drilling.

How's that for a start?

1) I like it but they have to address the influence and power not only from corporations but the Sierra Club, ACLU, etc. - even the NRA!
2) On board
3) On board
4) Use every option..featuring: nuclear, natural gas autos, wind & solar and Alaskan drilling

[rjs246]

phillymic, to be fair, I was referring to everyone as an idiot. Not just the right. Though they do qualify as part of 'everyone' and are therefore 'idiots'.

[phillymic2000]

phillymic, to be fair, I was referring to everyone as an idiot. Not just the right. Though they do qualify as part of 'everyone' and are therefore 'idiots'.

well done!!

[rjs246]

1) I like it but they have to address the influence and power not only from corporations but the Sierra Club, ACLU, etc. - even the NRA!

I don't know shtein about the Sierra Club, but the ACLU and NRA are organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of the citizens. They are not corporations who's only goal is profit. Both organizations can be misguided from time to time in their stances or efforts, but to me they don't fall into the same category as corporate lobbyists.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

1) I like it but they have to address the influence and power not only from corporations but the Sierra Club, ACLU, etc. - even the NRA!

I don't know shtein about the Sierra Club, but the ACLU and NRA are organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of the citizens. They are not corporations who's only goal is profit. Both organizations can be misguided from time to time in their stances or efforts, but to me they don't fall into the same category as corporate lobbyists.

Lobbies and corporations are soon going to lack influence in American politics?

I've heard that one before.

[Cerevant]

It is simple - limit or eliminate campaign/party contributions from Lobbyists and PACs.  The hard part is getting the votes...you have to convince everyone that there will be a level playing field when it comes campaign time.

[Phanatic]

So I joined a PAC a few years back. Am I evil?

[Cerevant]

PACs good.  Lobbyists good.  PAC money and Lobbyist money to campaigns bad.

I agree with this guy...

Obama has famously (and rightfully) refused money from lobbyists and PACs. After he became the presumptive nominee, the DNC did the same. But both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee still accept money from lobbyists and PACs.

As this issue of reform is (sadly) increasingly invisible in this campaign, we at Change Congress are launching a campaign to get the Dems to be consistent about this.

Ideally, the DSCC and DCCC should follow Obama's lead, and swear off lobbyists & PAC money. Or at the very least, both should promise to do so if the Republicans do.

We've started a petition. Please help spread it.

[Cerevant]

Ok...not your normal blog endorsement...

An analogy: let's say your town has no restaurants. One day, you and your neighbors get together and vote on which restaurant will be allowed to set up shop in your neighborhood. Applebee's wins by the tiniest of margins. Ok, you think. Normally, I'd rather eat the ass out of a dead rhinoceros than eat at Applebee's, but I'll make do. Eight years go by, and you and 79% of your fellow townspeople are pretty farging sick of Applebee's. Christ, how much Nacho Cheese Smothered Chicken Fried Steak can one eat? Clearly, it's time to make a change. The senior leadership at Applebee's, not wanting to relinquish their stranglehold on your tastebuds (the ones that haven't been seared away from years of Onion Loaf and Rhubarb Creme Pie), tries to convince you that they are actually the agents of change. They propose bringing on a new manager. Problem is, despite the new manager's background (his character was forged in the ghastly crucible of a Denny's kitchen, and the horror he encountered there has greatly influenced his worldview), IT'S STILL fargING APPLEBEE'S.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

So, where's Obama in this analogy?  Earth Fare, or Olive Garden?

[Diomedes]

He's trying to open a falafel stand, being opposed by the meatetarians.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Bacon > Obama