Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotiation

[dt3]

Democrats hoping to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans right out of final health care reform negotiations - Yahoo! News

Now that the House and Senate have both passed separate health care reform bills, the legislative process shifts to ironing out the differences. This typically involves having a formal conference committee containing members of both the House and the Senate. The goal is to reconcile the two bills, creating a final bill that both chambers will vote on. In a surprise turn, according to Jonathan Cohn of the New Republic, Democrats intend to employ an obscure tactic, informally known as "ping-pong," to shut Republicans out of the final negotiations and speed the bills toward completion. In "ping-pong" the legislation is bounced back and forth between the House and the Senate, controlled by just the Democratic leadership in each chamber and the White House, until a final agreement can be reached.
It's "almost certain," according to a pair of senior congressional staffers Cohn spoke to, that the Democratic leadership will seek to avoid a formal conference committee and its procedural steps. The formal process and additional votes would have offered multiple additional opportunities for the Republicans to slow or obstruct the bill's process, as they did throughout the fall.

As one might expect, Republicans in Congress are aghast over the move. Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Minority leader John Boehner, told Yahoo! News that such a tactic would break President Obama's campaign promise of health care debate transparency. He labeled the strategy a "disgrace":

Something as critical as the Democrats' health care bill, with its Medicare cuts and tax hikes, shouldn't be slapped together in a shady backroom deal. Skipping a real, open conference shuts out the American people and breaks one of President Obama's signature campaign promises. It would be a disgrace - to the Democratic Leaders if they do it, and to every Democratic Member who lets them.
It also worries some on the left. Liberal blogger Ezra Klein of the Washington Post notes that bypassing the conference committee would limit Republican efforts to stop the bill altogether. He worries that doing so would also "give them fewer opportunities to be heard when voicing legitimate concerns and critiques about the workings of the legislation." Congressman Raul Grijalva, co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told blogger Greg Sargent that he and other progressives are "disappointed" with the apparent choice:

I and other progressives saw a conference as a means to improve the bill and have a real debate, and now with this behind-the-scenes approach, we're concerned even more.
But Jonathan Cohn argues to Yahoo! News that "the legislative process works best when members of the minority party are part of the discussion," but with "no members of the minority party acting that way, except for a lone Republican house member, such a negotiation is not possible." Disagreeing mildly with concerns from the left that skipping a conference committee would hamper the quality of the legislation, he added: "Trying for a formal conference would not lead to a better bill. It'd just lead to a bill that took more time to pass."

:24: So much for transparency and open debate. :24:

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

 

[dt3]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

Yep, might as well speed up the process of spending billions upon billions of dollars. That's the American Way! If you don't like it, GTFO!!!11!!!1! :sarcasm

 

[Alien Allen]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

Yeah it is all about just passing something. Even if it is a pile of shit eh?

Pretty disgraceful.

All because the democrats can not even get a consensus. Nothing this major in the past ever passed with such piss port support

 

[Kyle B]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

I always thought the same thing when it came to congress. We should just do away with them and let our dear Prez rule by decree. Then we can have nice quick decisions.

 

[Pabst]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

and if the roles were reversed you'd bitch non stop about this.

this is wrong period, who is doing it is irrelevant. anything worth doing is worth doing correctly, that means you dont rush yourself to get it done. instead you take your time to make sure you do it right, think of phrases like "measure twice and cut once."

of course we also have the pandora's box of doing these things to the other party since the other party the next time around gets nastier with it. and guess what? they do that at our expense with bullshit legislation and "acts" that fail over and over. awesome return on our tax dollars they continue to take more and more of and instead of being mad at all of them for this people are mad with each other because the latest tax hike was blamed on one party because of (insert sound blurb here).

to encourage or condone this is to encourage or condone them continuing to play games at our expense. after all WE pay for things like this, not them. they just make it law, we have to pay the bill.

as far as i'm concerned that's them telling us what to do. cant say i'm happy about that thought either.

 

[Accountable]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Well it's about time they shut them out of the process. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

So, fuck those that might disagree with you? Fuck those who aren't sure? Fuck the Constitution and any future generations' hope of getting this country out of debt?

You seem to forget that this nation is not a monarchy or even oligarchy, despite present appearances. We are a nation of laws, built by peers. Even those that believe differently than you, Tim. This crap about getting something, anything, passed because people will learn in time that it really is for the best, is parental bullshit.

If it really is for the best, why don't you think it will survive the light of day?

 

[nova]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

So, fuck those that might disagree with you? Fuck those who aren't sure? Fuck the Constitution and any future generations' hope of getting this country out of debt?

You seem to forget that this nation is not a monarchy or even oligarchy, despite present appearances. We are a nation of laws, built by peers. Even those that believe differently than you, Tim. This crap about getting something, anything, passed because people will learn in time that it really is for the best, is parental bullshit.

If it really is for the best, why don't you think it will survive the light of day?

:clap :clap :clap :clap

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

So, fuck those that might disagree with you? Fuck those who aren't sure? Fuck the Constitution and any future generations' hope of getting this country out of debt?

You seem to forget that this nation is not a monarchy or even oligarchy, despite present appearances. We are a nation of laws, built by peers. Even those that believe differently than you, Tim. This crap about getting something, anything, passed because people will learn in time that it really is for the best, is parental bullshit.

If it really is for the best, why don't you think it will survive the light of day?

Fuck those that want nothing more than to defeat the other side no matter the consequences. The Republicans are not interested in moving the ball in any direction, they just want it gone altogether. How do you work with that?

So yes, fuck 'em.

 

[Alien Allen]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Fuck those that want nothing more than to defeat the other side no matter the consequences. The Republicans are not interested in moving the ball in any direction, they just want it gone altogether. How do you work with that?

So yes, fuck 'em.

That is the kind of attitude that got us into the mess we are in.

To hell with common sense or working together for both sides eh? So even the legislation is crap if your side wants it then it has to be good for everybody.

Again I will ask what other legislation of this impact ever was passed with such little support. Did you ever think there was stuff the left would refuse to cooperate on when the right was in power? Does it ever occur to you that maybe this legislation is crap given the high majority of Americans are against it?

You will rue the day for your party being like this. When the right get their opportunity and they will you will wish there was no retribution involved but there will be.

The idiots in the middle gave you liberals what you misconstrued as a mandate. You will find out that this power grab will have consequences. Ala gotcha politics.

 

[Accountable]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Fuck those that want nothing more than to defeat the other side no matter the consequences. The Republicans are not interested in moving the ball in any direction, they just want it gone altogether. How do you work with that?

So yes, fuck 'em.

You amend the Constitution so that there's no question whether this turd they're trying to polish is good or right or even legal under the current system! Otherwise there is no ball to even move!

Why the fuck don't you think that if this is such a wonderfully great idea that it won't survive debate? If it really is the best thing for America why can't your people sell it??

eta: At the moment it looks like you're just fine and fucking dandy with "defeating the other side no matter the consequences."

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Holy shit...

You guys don't know me at all, do you?

First, I think they are all a bunch of crooks in Washington. They are all bought and paid for, they don't work for us, they haven't in many years.
Second, this is nothing new... both sides have played this very same game over and over again.
Third, I think this legislation is a pile of steaming dog crap. It has a few good points but the majority of it is exactly what the lobbyists paid for.
Forth, I am not a democrat, I am not a liberal and I don't hate the constitution. I am an atheist though Just because I have liberal views on some topics does not mean I stand behind the democrats. Just like you Libertarians aren't republicans because some of your views are the same.

Finally... I am sick and tired of this whole health care debate and how morally corrupt the vast majority of republicans truly are. It doesn't help that the democrats are paid off and the vast majority of Americans are as stupid as dirt who believe the crap that comes out of the media that's also paid off.
I am a firm believer that basic health care is a right. I believe that every man women and child should have access to basic care in the United States. I don't care if the constitution says we should be given access or not, because it's the moral and correct thing to do. I think it's a crime that we have given the corporations the power to determine who lives and who dies in our great nation. To allow corporations to profit on or basic right to health care. To fork over billions to CEOs and share holders in profits on the blood of our fellow Americans. You guys have completely lost sight of humanity at its basic meaning. To allow yourselves to be caught up in the fight over who should and who shouldn't live based on whether they can afford to pad the pockets of corporate America.

Where has the humanity gone?

 

[Pabst]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

this wont help those who dont have coverage, its a money pit. nothing more. passing this will do no more to ensure everyone is covered than not passing it except we're gonna pay trillions into this "steaming pile of dog crap" as you call it.

to support the process of this passing is the same as supporting the same steaming pile of dog crap you call it.

if the dems are paid off then that makes them morally corrupt too by definition wouldnt it? so technically they're all morally bankrupt. you seem to split hairs about this though, as if you're still trying to show as if the two parties are actually different from each other. i find it hilarious, so thank you for amusing me.

just remember the people who gave the power to the corporations you wail about, the politicians that were voted in, who were voted in by....the people. so really its the people who have relinquished control since they decided that the politicians should decide for them rather than politicians listening to the voices of their constituents.

without really saying it you support this piece of shit, you support the people pushing it through at ramming speed and you support all the bullshit tactics being pulled here.

this is no different than when republicans were in charge, SO WHAT THE FUCK CHANGED? nothing.

it just appears you're doing nothing more than cheering for this and trying to convince us of the bullshit you convinced yourself of/excusing it. fuck that.

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Reread my post. I think they ALL are morally bankrupt. Both sides.

And yes I think this is a pile of dog shit. And no I wasn't really cheering it on earlier in the thread, I was just ruffling some feathers.

That's why I was disappointed that everyone believed me.

 

[Tangerine]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

If you oppose the idea of health care for profit, you should be vehemently opposed to this legislation and cheering the Republicans for trying to stop it. Since the primary thing that it does is REQUIRE ALL AMERICANS TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FROM FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES.

Hypocricy, anyone?

 

[Accountable]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Holy shit...

You guys don't know me at all, do you?

First, I think they are all a bunch of crooks in Washington. They are all bought and paid for, they don't work for us, they haven't in many years.
Second, this is nothing new... both sides have played this very same game over and over again.
Third, I think this legislation is a pile of steaming dog crap. It has a few good points but the majority of it is exactly what the lobbyists paid for.
Forth, I am not a democrat, I am not a liberal and I don't hate the constitution. I am an atheist though Just because I have liberal views on some topics does not mean I stand behind the democrats. Just like you Libertarians aren't republicans because some of your views are the same.

I call Bullshit. You come running in to most of these threads in your Democrat cheerleader outfit shaking your jackass pom poms, and then you run some version of this "Come on guys I'm really on your side" shit when someone challenges you on it.

Well it's about time they [the corporate-run Dems] shut them [the corporate-run Repubs] out of the process [of giving yet more life-or-death decision power to insurance corporations]. They've been nothing but an anchor the whole time.

Fuck those that want nothing more than to defeat the other side no matter the consequences. The Republicans are not interested in moving the ball in any direction, they just want it gone altogether. How do you work with that?

So yes, fuck 'em.

Holy shit...

You guys don't know me at all, do you?

Do you get audio feedback talking out of both sides of your mouth like that?

 

[Accountable]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

http://www.offtopicz.net/56009-10-cannots.html#post1415236
​

 

[dt3]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

That's why I was disappointed that everyone believed me.

Nah, I saw the sarcasm in your first post, which is why I responded the way I did.

But you sold me on the second post, I thought you were serious there.

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

I call Bullshit. You come running in to most of these threads in your Democrat cheerleader outfit shaking your jackass pom poms, and then you run some version of this "Come on guys I'm really on your side" shit when someone challenges you on it.

Then get your state/local gov't to give you basic healthcare ... for free

and/or lobby to change the Constitution. FFS you don't even know what a right is.

I am far from being on your side. You are one of the people I just don't get. You have no problem with the millions that don't get the proper health care they need simply because it's not set forth in the constitution. Our constitution is the foundation of our great nation, it's not the be all end all. For if it was, there would be no amendments to it.

I am fully aware what rights are but everyone has their own interpretations. How many debates have there been on human rights through the years? The debate is far from settled concerning the finer points.

What about the most basic human right there is, the right to life? Where does that fit into all of this? When someone is denied life saving treatment in the name of profit, isn't that taking his right to live away from him? I don't have the right to take your life, because it's your right to live. So if I have the power to save you and I don't because you don't have enough money to pay me, then I am guilty of taking your life.

Once again, it's a moral thing with me.

 

[Tim]

Re: Democrats hope to ‘ping-pong’ Republicans out of final health care reform negotia

Nah, I saw the sarcasm in your first post, which is why I responded the way I did.

But you sold me on the second post, I thought you were serious there.

I was completely serious on this part of my second post...

Fuck those that want nothing more than to defeat the other side no matter the consequences.

And that goes for everyone in Washington not just the reps





Well maybe not Bernie Sanders, Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul... <--- I may not agree with everything they stand for, but I sure as hell appreciate their integrity.