Republican-Led House Approves Medicare Bill

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=716&e=1&u=/ap/20031122/ap_on_go_co/medicare

WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled House approved a bitterly contested Medicare prescription drug bill early Saturday in an epic struggle settled near dawn. The vote was 220-215.

Passage of the measure capped an extraordinary roll call that began at 3 a.m. and consumed nearly three hours before the GOP leadership could overcome a rebellion by conservatives in their own ranks and the overwhelming opposition of Democrats.

"In the end, democracy works," said Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, as weary Republicans marked their overtime victory.

"We won it fair and square and they stole it by hook and crook," countered House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

more

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. For those of us who WATCHED IT

The short and sweet

when the fifteen minute vote period was over it stood at 216 yay, 218 nay, yes it was gonig down in flames

Thom Delay held from gaveling and for three hours they worked those with doubts, accordingto Washington moring Bush even placed calls to two of the Congressmen who switched their votes from nay to yay... this is UNPRECEDENTED in US history.

To make a long story short it passed, on 220-215

Yes I just watched strong arming I remember well from Third World Countries where people are strong armed into voting for the ruling party.

[lefty_mcduff]

2. Welcome to Bush's Amerika.

The Boy King ALWAYS gets what he wants.

[Resistance]

4. maybe Bush told them

"remember Paul Wellstone"

[NNN0LHI]

6. Or the Anthrax attacks? n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Tom Delay is a traitor to the U.S. Constitution.

The man uses the document to wipe his ass.

[dand]

3. Ruthless bastards

The only thing missing was the brown shirts and arm bands

[ibegurpard]

13. Ruthless is too positive a connotation

they are fucking despicable greedy pigs

[fishnfla]

5. While America slept huh?

These fucking republicans and their perversion of democracy. They had to ram this vote thru before more folks could figure out how bad it is. Why a vote at 3am? What"s the goddamned rush?

[sujan]

7. senate will block it?

[Snellius]

8. Sometimes trying to play both sides losses both ways

For Republicans this may be a curse in disguise. A no-win deal. One GOP congressman complained that Republicans will not get any credit but will get all the blame.

The only way Republicans could score big political points on this bill is if the Democrats shot it down. Then they would still have the issue but be able to shake their fist at the other side. But if they pass it, instead of pointing to their success and saying "See what we did for you," it's beginning to turn into a situation that says "Look what was left out."

[NashVegas]

9. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=234976&mesg_id=234976

[Snellius]

10. 2 Repubs switched vote after call from Bush

Franks from Arizona and Otter from Idaho.

I thought Georgie got into bed by 9. Maybe it was jetlag.

[maryallen]

12. How many ...

Are they going to STEAL from us?

Dispicable ...
Dishonest ...
Low-down...
Dirty...

[kodi]

14. typical bushevik behavior. delay could teach lenin a trick or two

these guys abuse democracy and have the gall to defend themselves by calling others traitors.

what was done a few hours ago was some really repugnant shit and i am glad it was on tv so what the busheviks did could be seen.

[secretshopper]

15. Just joined Gray Panthers

No age restrictions.

I encourage all of you to do the same. Visit them here: http://www.graypanthers.org

And I am encouraging every senior I can think of to dump AARP membership and ask for a refund, and explaining why. Most aren't aware of the ties to insurance and AARP's lapping at the trough of corporate largesse.

Man, if this doesn't piss you off, what will it take?

I am also writing to each Repub "switcher" to thank them, and writing to the Senators to oppose it as it stands. Maybe Daschle will find a pair.

Grrr...

Secret Shopper

[newyawker99]

16. This is a dupe.

Please continue to discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=234976&mesg_id=234976

Thank you.


NYer99
DU Moderator