This event will begin at 6:55 Central Standard Time. We will be watching the Fox News broadcast of President Obama's speech to Congress, which is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm CST.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/9/2009 11:13:56 PM
Some links to Texas Public Policy Foundation articles on health care.
www.texaspolicy.comby rasamuelson at 9/9/2009 11:42:13 PM
Another link to a Texas Public Policy Foundation report by Art Laffer that shows how the health care bill, as it was proposed in the US House in July, would affect Texas. This report gives some potential solutions, too.
by rasamuelson at 9/9/2009 11:43:49 PM
by rasamuelson at 9/9/2009 11:43:59 PM
"If we do nothing" we will have all the same problems as we will have if we let this "reform" happen.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/9/2009 11:52:51 PM
RT @RepJoeBarton Sitting on house floor waiting to hear Pres Obama's speech on HC. Wish he would listen to the american people instead
by Michele Samuelson at 9/9/2009 11:55:00 PM
RT @jasoninthehouse Getting a preview of the President's comments via a handout on the Floor. Plan seems worse than before.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/9/2009 11:55:25 PM
RT @GOPLeader Fact Check: President Obama Repeats Falsehoods in Joint Session Speech : Tonight, on Capitol Hill, President Oba..
bit.lyby Michele Samuelson at 9/9/2009 11:58:08 PM
Handout is slick, glossy, looks good, but the reality of the details is devastating.
Let's get ready to rumble!!
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:01:21 AM
Or.....not
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:01:35 AM
Government-run health insurance (the so-called "public option") is what will ultimately kill REAL public option. The government should never compete in the free market.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:01:37 AM
CLAIM: “First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. Let me repeat this: nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.”
FACT: Repeating this statement does not make it true. Both the Associated Press and ABC News have thoroughly debunked this claim, noting that even White House officials have acknowledged the President’s rhetoric shouldn’t be taken “literally.” That’s because the White House cannot guarantee that Americans will be able to keep their health plan. No one knows for sure how many employers will drop their coverage altogether if their plan goes into effect. Experts at the Lewin Group estimate the number could be more than 100 million Americans. And $500 billion in Medicare cuts will obviously reduce the quality of care America’s seniors receive.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:02:04 AM
Wooboy, Sheila Jackson-Lee. Where are the throngs of Republicans lining up to challenge her?
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:02:39 AM
The regulator should not be in competition with those being regulated. It sets up an unfair competitive marketplace in which competition is crowded out.
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:03:07 AM
"Can't pull this card again" - true. This is Obama's last chance to convince Congress in this fashion.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:03:40 AM
HR 3400 is the free-market alternative, featuring HSA's and introducing interstate competition among insurance companies.
www.opencongress.orgby rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:05:38 AM
twitter RT @FixHealthPolicy New Study Puts ObamaCare Deficits over $1 Trillion
bit.ly #handsoff
35 minutes ago from twitterfeed
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:06:16 AM
CLAIM: “(I)t will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government.”
FACT: As the Associated Press has reported, the Democrats’ plan will increase costs, rather than lower them: “Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf warned lawmakers the legislation that he has seen so far would raise costs, not lower them.”
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:06:50 AM
Political and legislative action - this is Obama bullying the Democrats who aren't convinced yet.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:07:48 AM
A month of pressure from the grassroots level at townhalls and with tea parties could be obliterated tonight. Remember, keep the pressure on!
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:09:07 AM
Democrats have a hard fight to get a bill passed within their own party. Too many conservative Democrats do not support tax increases.
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:10:32 AM
Congressman Sam Johnson provided a list of Blue Dog Dems and their contact info here:
www.samjohnsonforcongress.comby Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:11:46 AM
WHIP COUNT: DEMS LACK THE VOTES
Wed Sep 09 2009 17:03:37 ET
At least 44 more moderate Members of the Democrat Caucus have gone on the record in opposition to the current health care bill in the House, a Hill source claims. The speech is really for the errant Dems to change their votes.
by Rosemary Edwards at 9/10/2009 12:12:46 AM
Is it a tiny bit disturbing to anyone else when Congressmembers "woohoo" when the President (no matter who he is) walks in the room?
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:12:47 AM
The Office of President still deserves the utmost respect.
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:13:00 AM
agreed Michele
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:13:05 AM
I'm not saying disrespect him, I just find it really amusing to see who fawns all over the guy, regardless of who "the guy" is at the time.
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:13:33 AM
Agreed w/Liz
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:13:46 AM
Fashion note: too much bright pink. Ugh.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:14:25 AM
fashion note: I LOVE the pink
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:14:36 AM
Is Joe Biden wearing pink?
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:14:49 AM
She does carry off a power suit well.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:15:56 AM
Back to the matter at hand: CLAIM: “Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow.”
FACT: It’s true that doing nothing will lead to a higher deficit (which is one reason no one supports doing nothing), but so will the Democrats’ plan. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the House Democrats’ bill would increase the deficit by $239 billion over 10 years.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:16:18 AM
Financial system WAS on the verge of collapse? And what if they pass HR 3200? It'll magically recover?
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:17:48 AM
blunt.house.gov Really good resource on Republican alternatives, courtesy of Congressman Roy Blunt
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:18:09 AM
The best recovery to an economy is to increase capital and create jobs.
by rasamuelson at 9/10/2009 12:18:34 AM
WHAT? we have pulled economy back from the brink?
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:18:44 AM
We could stay in our homes if our property taxes went down. But that is not the issue. BTW, Obama sounds like he's leading a pep rally.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:18:45 AM
I'm not very patient with tax-and-spenders.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:19:13 AM
Nancy Pelosi scares me. Just look at her face.
by Elizabeth Young at 9/10/2009 12:19:18 AM
Does that mean he plans on being president forever? Because if they pass this legislation, health care will have to come up again.
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:20:00 AM
Does anyone have info on how long Dingle has been in office?
by Michele Samuelson at 9/10/2009 12:20:28 AM