that was a great read:

The attempt to attract GOP support was the pretext which Democrats used to compromise continuously and water down the bill. But — given the impossibility of achieving that goal — isn't it fairly obvious that a desire for GOP support wasn't really the reason the Democrats were constantly watering down their own bill? Given the White House's central role in negotiating a secret deal with the pharmaceutical industry, its betrayal of Obama's clear promise to conduct negotiations out in the open (on C-SPAN no less), Rahm's protection of Blue Dogs and accompanying attacks on progressives, and the complete lack of any pressure exerted on allegedly obstructionists “centrists,” it seems rather clear that the bill has been watered down, and the “public option” jettisoned, because that's the bill they want — this was the plan all along.,

That's the fear in my gut. As I think back, certain things set off alarm bells for me, and stand out in my mind as evidence that Obama admin has already negotiated(this word is a joke, because you have to actually GET something in return in a negotiation. A better phrase would be “given away”.) everything.

I recall him saying something to the effect that he was the only thing standing between them and the pitchforks(paraphrasing). “Them” being the Wall Street tycoons.

During the election, and even after, he would virtually LEAP to smack down progressives if they got too bold. He would not hesitate to smack down anyone who made a bold statement on race. I found it heavy-handed.

I recall him inserting an amendment to ensure BONUSES would be paid at the former AIG, while leading the public to believe that he was behind finding ways to prevent those same bonuses being paid. When the news broke, I recall him pacing back and forth on stage, saying he would “take” responsibility for it. I was deeply offended by that.

Now he's actively undermining the public option…. trying to smear it as being unimportant to reform, after saying repeatedly that it WAS important. So, both things can't be true…which one was the lie, Mr President?

If you add up the state populations this gang of six represent, the total is about 1/5 the state of Cali; yet they have so much power:

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009…

What is going on here? Why do they have such a strong hold on healthcare reform?

I want to hear what POTUS has to say on that conference call. I'm gonna keep calling the WH and letting them know we want real choice and competition.

But I am very discouraged by the way Obama is handling all of this. I have been feeling for a long time that the Obama Admin. wants a watered down bill….why else would you keep trying to work with people who openly admit that they don't want reform? Why would you attack those who are most supportive of strong legislature and the public option?

Also, I read this article by Glen Greenwald from Salon. His blog is a daily read for me, I trust him and he is intellectually honest even when it hurts.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/08/…

It really has me worried about the direction of this healthcare legislation. We still have some time and nothing is concrete yet. I do think that something will get passed, but I am worried about the strength of the bill.

Trumka is very good. I wish he would go out into the these Blue Dog districts and have meetings. His point about one carrier in an area would resonate.

that was a great read:

The attempt to attract GOP support was the pretext which Democrats used to compromise continuously and water down the bill. But — given the impossibility of achieving that goal — isn't it fairly obvious that a desire for GOP support wasn't really the reason the Democrats were constantly watering down their own bill? Given the White House's central role in negotiating a secret deal with the pharmaceutical industry, its betrayal of Obama's clear promise to conduct negotiations out in the open (on C-SPAN no less), Rahm's protection of Blue Dogs and accompanying attacks on progressives, and the complete lack of any pressure exerted on allegedly obstructionists “centrists,” it seems rather clear that the bill has been watered down, and the “public option” jettisoned, because that's the bill they want — this was the plan all along.,/b>

That's the fear in my gut. As I think back, certain things set off alarm bells for me, and stand out in my mind as evidence that Obama admin has already negotiated(this word is a joke, because you have to actually GET something in return in a negotiation. A better phrase would be “given away”.) everything.

I recall him saying something to the effect that he was the only thing standing between them and the pitchforks(paraphrasing). “Them” being the Wall Street tycoons.

During the election, and even after, he would virtually LEAP to smack down progressives if they got too bold. He would not hesistate to smack down anyone who made a bold statement on race. I found it heavy-handed.

I recall him inserting an amendment to ensure BONUSES would be paid at the former AIG, while leading the public to believe that he was behind finding ways to prevent those same bonuses being paid. When the news broke, I recall him pacing back and forth on stage, saying he would “take” responsibility for it. I was deeply offended by that.

Now he's actively undermining the public option…. trying to smear it as being unimportant to reform, after saying repeatedly that it WAS important. So, both things can't be true…which one was the lie, Mr President?

If you add up the state populations this gang of six represent, the total is about 1/5 the state of Cali; yet they have so much power:

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009…

What is going on here? Why do they have such a strong hold on healthcare reform?

I want to hear what POTUS has to say on that conference call. I'm gonna keep calling the WH and letting them know we want real choice and competition.

But I am very discouraged by the way Obama is handling all of this. I have been feeling for a long time that the Obama Admin. wants a watered down bill….why else would you keep trying to work with people who openly admit that they don't want reform? Why would you attack those who are most supportive of strong legislature and the public option?

Also, I read this article by Glen Greenwald from Salon. His blog is a daily read for me, I trust him and he is intellectually honest even when it hurts.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/08/…

It really has me worried about the direction of this healthcare legislation. We still have some time and nothing is concrete yet. I do think that something will get passed, but I am worried about the strength of the bill.