Clyburn: Socialized Medicine Votes “Not There Yet”
Contradicting his boss, the Speaker of the House, U.S. Poverty Pimp … err Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says that Congressional Democrats do not yet have the votes to pass a government-run socialized medicine proposal here in the land of the free and home of the brave.
Frankly, it’s amazing that we’re even having this discussion in a free market Republic … or what used to be a free market Republic.
You know, back in the day.
Anyway, from The Hill:
The votes still are not there for healthcare reform legislation, the House’s third-ranking Democrat said Wednesday night.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said that Democrats are “not there yet” in terms of getting 218 votes for health reform, contradicting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) assertion earlier yesterday that she “definitely” has 218 votes for a bill.
Clyburn professed optimism, but said Democrats hadn’t yet achieved a majority for health reform legislation in the House.
“I think we’re very close. We’re getting there,” he said during an appearance on MSNBC Wednesday evening. “We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there. I feel pretty good about this.”
Other things Clyburn “feels pretty good about?”
The statute of limitations on raiding Bill Cosby’s wardrobe.
Comments
By Dismayed on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Hmm. I seem to forget the reference in the Constitution to the “free market republic.” I must be having a senior moment.
By RedBank Bar on October 22nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Just more crap from fitz channeling Ronnie the Mo Reagan who famously said Medicare would end freedom in the US.
Clyburn’s already got 218. He’s looking for 240.
By Ynot on October 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Need competition. End of story.
By K Trane on October 22nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
@Ynot,
Competition is good, but I’m not sure the U.S. government competing in a market it regulates would be fair to private companies. Not to mention 100% of the country will have increased taxes to pay for the meager 15% that doesn’t have health care. Nobody is arguing that health care needs more regulation (requiring insurance companies to take patients with pre-exisiting conditions, allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines, etc.) but a $1 trillion bill, in an economic recession, is not the answer.
Furthermore, trial lawyers will soon be out of luck when the government takes over health care. Not immediately, but eventually, government will pull the “governmental immunity” card for medical malpractice suits. Good luck suing your government doctor when he cuts off the wrong leg!
Just my opinion.
By RedBank Bar on October 22nd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Sorry, K Trane, your post is nonsensical. Where did you get the idea the feds pull a “governmental immunity” card? There is no such animal still in existance and/or claimed unless you’re an outlaw such as Blackwater Xe whatever and/or Halliburton.
Google “Federal Tort Claims Act” and you’ll see the answer to your post.
By Toyota Kawaski on October 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
Does the Pimp get his sweaters from Stewart Smallie?
By James the Foot Soldier on October 23rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Isn’t it kind of hard for Clyburn to “whip” blue dogs with threats his boys won’t turn out in 2010 unless they continue the march to Waterloo since his boys won’t be turning out in half the numbers as last year?
By K Trane on October 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Redbank,
The Federal Torts Claims “exempts, among other things, claims based upon the performance, or failure to perform, a ‘discretionary function or duty.’” I know this because I was just tested on it in law school.
Aren’t all medical procedures at the discretion of the doctor treating the symptoms? Thus, if you consider a medical doctor employees of the Federal Government (not hard to believe since postal workers are) and not independent contractors…kazaam…governmental immunity in compliance with the FTCA. And if an entity as ludicrous as Blackwater was pulling the governmental immunity card, why would it not be foreseeable for medical doctors to pull it as well?
It won’t happen at first. All I’m saying is, when health care starts running over budget, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a politician bust this out to start saving money.
Once again, this is just my opinion. It’s worth about as much as you paid for it.
By Red Bank Bar on October 24th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Sorry, but medical procedures aren’t discretionary for the doctor. You seem to forget the patient has the final say. If the doc gives bad advice or cuts off the wrong leg, it’s a tort claims act case.