Kudos to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Not one defection from anybody in their caucus for the Boehner bill, and only a small defection from the House Dems on the Cut, Cap and Balance Bill. For all the times they've been criticized over the years, it's good to see that we have a cohesive Democratic Party at this point. I'm glad nobody from the Democratic Party in the Senate or House is getting suckered in by the demagoguery and rhetoric.

Cape all aflutter in that stately gentle breeze.

:eyes:







Did the sun's rising today figure in, too?

in by the demagoguery and rhetoric."

Have you actually read the Senate "Compromise" measure? Here's the original version off of Baucus' website: http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=601

What Does the Long-Term Senate Compromise Do?

The long-term solution, unveiled in the Senate yesterday includes $2.7 trillion agreed upon cuts, and allows the U.S. to continue to meet its obligations through 2012. The Senate compromise keeps the promise to seniors and military retires, and does not cut Medicare or Social Security or raise taxes.

* $1.2 Trillion in Discretionary Spending Cuts. The $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending cuts include both defense and non-defense spending. It does not cut Medicare or Social Security.
* $100 Billion in Mandatory Savings. Again these savings keep the promise to seniors and military retirees and do not cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. Savings include:
o $40 billion in cutting out fraud, waste and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance.
o $15 Billion In Spectrum Sales. This provision would save money by allowing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction portions of the radio spectrum.
o $11 Billion In Agricultural Reforms. Baucus fought hard to ensure the ag cuts in this proposal were less than the $48 billion in Farm Bill cuts proposed in the House.
o Higher Education Program Reforms Whose Savings Go To Sustain The Pell Grant Program. The proposal fills a shortfall in the Pell program for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, to maintain the current maximum Pell level of $5,550.
* $1 Trillion in Savings From Winding Down the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus on fighting terrorism and strengthening America, not nation building overseas.
* $400 Billion in Interest Savings. By cutting spending, this package reduces the U.S. deficits, and reducing our deficits reduces the interest the federal government must pay on our debt each year.
* Establishes Joint Congressional Committee to Find Future Savings. In addition to $2.7 trillion in concrete savings, the Senate package will establish a joint, bipartisan committee, made up of 12 members, to present options for future deficit reduction. The committee's recommendations will be guaranteed an up-or-down Senate vote, without amendments, by the end of 2011.

Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Jenny Donohue 202-224-4515/Kathy Weber 406-657-5915

# # #

For more information on Health Care Reform visit: http://finance.senate.gov


montana seal

He sounds so small and whiny. So stereotypically "Democrat," as portrayed by the Republicans.

Then you have McConnell and Boehner, both big men with huge booming voices, in contrast to Reid.

And when it comes to standing your ground, I think Pelosi has it all over Reid.

I don't think he's a very strong leader.

he holds the dems together for the most part. He just looks terrible compared to Pelosi.

But as a public speaker, I think he's weak. Appearances are everything, they say, and he appears to be weak when making public statements, imo.

but to me the turtle sounds like a stroke victim.

That's an improvement over the traitors voting FOR the cut, cap, and balance bill.

;)