Monday Musings: December 7, 2009

Updated on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 09:38 by mavenandmeddler

Hey, it’s my wedding anniversary today. Way back in 1987, we woke up one morning and decided that after nine years of being together it was time to go downtown to the Wedding Commissioners Office and do the deed. Mr. Maven chose December 7th in a desperate attempt to be funny. I told him that “a day that will live in infamy” was about as funny as a chapped behind.

We went downtown anyway.

True to our shared belief in keeping it all simple - perhaps to the point of annoying almost everybody else in the family - we did this completely on the spur of the moment. My lovely step-daughter was standing in the kitchen pouring a bowl of cereal when we came downstairs with the news. She had a test at UNR that day which she couldn’t miss. I called my Mother, over in Salt Lake City, to tell her what our plan for the day was.

Neither of them were impressed with what we found so completely spontaneous and amusing. Mr. Maven and I went for coffee afterward.

No, really … this was actually our wedding:

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Reid-Baucus bills scores for the working person

If you read this blog much, you know that I had to have a martini in hand to have added Max (damn the torpedos, lame healthcare bill ahead) Baucus to that headline, but it is what it is. Good for working folks.

Remember this when the Sue Lowden’s try to convince you that Harry Reid isn’t delivering to Nevada.

Here are the details:

Washington, D.C. – Led by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate today passed a bill that will extend unemployment benefits, the Homebuyer Tax Credit, and tax relief for struggling businesses.

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Reid meets with Senate leadership on health insurance reform

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid ( D-NV) is saying all the right things …  and I’m gonna hold him to making the public option happen. It is the litmus test for progressive Democrats simply because it’s the right thing to do for all the right reasons. I would rather no reform measure than a ‘half baked, kinda-sorta’ one that suits the insurance lobby, but it will take the voices of all Americans to make sure our Congress understands this.

Please contact Senator Reid’s office and voice your support for real health insurance reform. If you’re reading this and not a Nevadan, then contact your Senators and ask them to support Senator Reid and stand strong for the public option.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer: Gunga Din for Baucus while public option flames out

Thanks a lot for nothing, Senator Schumer.

The Senate Finance Committe said “Nah, we don’t think so” to two amendments, one proposed by Sen. Jay (this guy rocks!) Rockefeller, and Sen. Charles Schumer. If that weren’t bad enough, Schumer proceeds to go on the teevee and become Max Baucus’ apologist.

In the face of questioning by Chris Matthews on Hardball, Schumer tap dances to the tune of “we’ll all love it once it gets out of committee”. Sure. That’s what Senators Baucus, Lincoln and Conrad whispered to me in a dream last night. They’re ersatz Democrats, ranking right up there with Joe Leiberman. Max Baucus only gets elected on the Democratic ticket so that the people of Montana can kid themselves into believing they really support a two party system.

Here’s Chuck Schumer’s contact and website. Email and tell him how special he isn’t.

And while you’re at it, contact Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln and Kent Conrad and tell them what you think of faux Democrats.

Oh, and finally, tell Sen. Jay Rockefeller to keep fighting the good fight.

Breaking News: Rockefeller to introduce 'Public Option'

Citing the need a ‘public option’ to compete with private insurers as a necessary part of any health insurance reform proposal, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.VA, has introduced an amendment to the Senate Finance Committee bill recently trotted out by Montana’s ever obedient Max Baucus. Baucus’s bill was roundly criticized by more progressive Democrats for leaving out the public option to appease moderate Democrats and Republicans. Baucus has been seen as a shill for such health insurance giants as Wellpoint.

“So, we want to introduce a non-profit health insurance company that doesn’t have to make money. Which can offer the same premiums at maybe 25 to 30% less cost. People don’t have to join it. Or, if they do, they can get out of it if they don’t like it. But, competition is everything”, Rockefeller told sources.

The Rockefeller amendment closely follows the intent of the House bill in regard to the inclusion of a public option and other details.

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Let's hold Max Baucus' feet to the fire

Pass this along… Max Baucus is a paid shill for the insurance industry and it’s time to stop his efforts to join with Republicans trying to stampede confused American health insurance consumers into a bill that’s designed to benefit the for-profit health insurance companies.

This ad was made possible by Health Care for America NOW

Text - in case you’re in a very open office environment :

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