SCHIP battle heats up

Stark Is Right — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:51:56 GMT

Is there really any argument that Stark's wrong?

The GOP can find all the money in the world for War but have none for American Kids.

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Tampa — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:54:24 GMT

At least he's honest!!

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--NSMSNBC — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:04:51 GMT

MoveOn.org ... here we go again.

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Brian, Cedar Hill, TX — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:05:35 GMT

So true, Pete, so true. Tell em like it is, especially the part about Bush's amuzement. I'm beginning to think Bush is getting some sexual arousal over the deaths he's caused because he's certainly impotent as a leader.

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nuanced — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:07:48 GMT

right on!! Go Pete Go!! More More

Want to spend our nation into oblivion with war without end? Vote Republican.

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MK,MO — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:10:32 GMT

stark's comments certainly highlight the priorities of the current administration, what's sad, nothing can be done about it

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hate/bitterness with sprinkes..in a cone please — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:11:25 GMT

Wow! a guy in the Congress with big ones!!!
I hope he drives the repukes STARK RAVING MAD!!!!
It is time some one stood up to the buffoon in the WH and revealed the money wasted, the lives WASTED!

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:11:54 GMT

Truth hurts. But the fact of the matter is that the right wing in this country only supports children if they haven't been born yet. Once they're born the Republicans think that children should stop crying, get a job, and support the troops.

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Ol' Lefty — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:12:16 GMT

His hyperbole may irritate the GOP, but so what? They've got Limbaugh, Hannity, etc, etc. Apparently they can dish it out, but can't take it. And he's right!

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Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:16:00 GMT

Well, Stark may not be the most tactful man in Congress but he is right on this issue. All of this has been for the President's amusement. I think Bush enjoys scaring the bejesus out of everyone just so he can do whatever it is he wants.

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T B Cleveland, OH — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:16:02 GMT

Look at the fraud in the existing system! NY is treating ADULTS with money targeted for poor children. And you want to dump more more into the sinkhole!??? Besides, over 75% of the children not covered by the program ARE eligible for healthcare! And let's get one thing straight, because of our laws, NO ONE in this country can be denied healthcare; whether legal or illegal. It's only a matter of WHO pays for it. We're already paying out the whaazooo for all those who are milking the system.
Nobody minds taking care of those who absolutely can't take care of themselves, especially for catasrophic care (we all may need government help sometime), but we need to look carefully at those who LIVE off of others. BEWARE this program! The Dems are lying!

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D-1, CA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:25:10 GMT

Stark is an idiot and buffoon. Who is he anyway? That is what I thought. A damn nobody trying to make a name for himself. What a stupid clown.

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noballsfordems — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:27:07 GMT

Too bad we don't have any Dems with balls that are in the Leadership positions. Reid sucks, Pelosi sucks, Leahy sucks. May as well get used to a dictatorship with this kind of representation.

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noballsfordems — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:27:12 GMT

Too bad we don't have any Dems with balls that are in the Leadership positions. Reid sucks, Pelosi sucks, Leahy sucks. May as well get used to a dictatorship with this kind of representation.

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Tom at DailyInterview.net — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:28:26 GMT

The Congressman may be right on the issues but surely his speech is needlessly inflammatory.

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Class Warrior, D.C. — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:28:36 GMT

Finally, SOMEONE in Congress is telling the truth as it really is!!!Is it inflamatory? You bet! We NEED inflamatory to wake the Congress and the country up to what's REALLY happening! GO STARK!!!

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(Another brain dead) Bush lover! — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:33:30 GMT

Yah! SCHIP veto stands!

Those little pukes can carry a rifle in Iraq if they want health care! And for you whiners who 'll say; "But Iraq will be over by the time they're 15!" there's always Iran.

Sick children sap our national strength and divert need dollars from maining children over seas.

All hail our glorious and brillian leader!

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:38:58 GMT

Stark is the same congressman who once enraged a female Republican by saying that all she knew about health care she learned from "pillow talk" with her husband, who worked in the industry.

I guess there are some democrats who feel that a woman's place is in the bedroom.

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Toby, Nebraska — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:42:59 GMT

First of all, you all need to do a little research on a thing called the League of Nations. It was because of the League's failure to do its job resulted in WWII. That's why we went into Iraq. If the UN isn't going to do what it was created for in the first place, then what's the point of being in it, let alone having it exist.

Second, 43,000 Americans die on the road as a result of auto accidents every year, and I don't see or hear anybody standing up to do anything about that. But you certainly take the time to whine about our troops who VOLUNTEERED to sign up for the military in the first place. They knew what was at risk.

Now as for this bill, from what I understand the Democrates wanted to raise the minimum income level to qualify to what the IRS considers a tax bracket that is considered wealthy. So your rich enough to have to pay an additional tax, yet you're considered too poor that you have to have the government pay for your kids health care?? How does that even BEGIN to make sense?

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Rick, WS, NC — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:43:57 GMT

Where will the chickenhawks get their next generation of "volunteers" for their christian crusades in the ME if all the children get sick...oh thats right, bush wants to import them from mexico...lmao

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U2 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:46:52 GMT

Jerry
Women do have a place in the bedroom - just not in your bedroom !!! - that place is reserved for the wide stancers

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stark silence — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:48:22 GMT

Shhhhhhh...That's the sound of nobody caring what you think jerry.

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Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:54:51 GMT

Hes absolutely correct, they are fruitcakes. More and more republicans are falling out of the closet.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:55:52 GMT

"But you certainly take the time to whine about our troops who VOLUNTEERED to sign up for the military in the first place. They knew what was at risk. "
Toby, Nebraska (Sent Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:42 PM)

Yet one more example of what Republicans REALLY think about the troops. It doesn't matter that those brave men and women volunteered to defend the country (and not necessarily to be pawns in the radical right wingnuts attempts to trigger "armegeddon"). They're day labor to people like Toby, and their deaths (as well as the deaths of millions of children who are uninsured) mean nothing to him.

Remember statements like you just made, sir. They are the reason why the GOP is going the way of the Whigs.

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mirror mirror on the wall — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:03:23 GMT

D-1, CA is an idiot and buffoon. Who is he anyway? That is what I thought. A damn nobody trying to make a name for himself. What a stupid clown.

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Jamie, Boston, MA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:04:09 GMT

Bush et al did lie us into the Iraq war and they should be made to pay for those lies, preferably with their lives. Bush and the rest of his Fascist supporters rely almost solely on lies, indimidation, obfuscation, and misdirection to achieve all of their so-called legislative victories. There will come a time when we wrestle control of this nation away from the current crop of usurpers hell-bent on destroying it from within, and when that time comes they will pay for their crimes.

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Lisa, Fort Worth TX — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:06:31 GMT

TB, have you addressed the BILLIONS in fraud as a result of this "war"? How about the billions in waste and poor workmanship from the no-bid contractors? These amounts pale in comparison to fraud perpetrated by average citizens. Yes, it does exist, but not close to the extent you would like us to believe. Just the money "lost" by the Pentagon alone amounts to $8,000 per person, every one of us in this country. You know, that wasted $ could have paid for health care for a lot of citizens.

While it is true you can get emergency treatment at an ER, if they don't let you die while waiting to get treatment (yes that happens sometimes too), you can't get most routine preventive care, like physicals and blood tests. Wouldn't it be better to have preventive care to head off small medical issues before they get to be emergency problems?

The only adults who might benefit from this program are the full-time college students. My state has passed a proposal to REQUIRE college students to have proof of medical coverage in order to attend college. If this kind of thinking prevails, a lot of youth will be unable to attend school, even if they are smart and receive scholarships, just because their families fall into the category of middle class. The truly poor will always have assistance. Who is going to stand up for the working class who can't afford medical insurance, but are too "rich" for public assistance?

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John — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:07:34 GMT

Ya know, it seems almighty strange to me that so many want to just throw more money at this rather than correct the problem that is destroying the health care system.

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John S. Alexander,Edinboro, PA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:09:49 GMT

Apologize, Heck no, Go pete, they diserve a bit of their own snake oil.

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S. B. Stein E.B. NJ — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:11:36 GMT

The question is valid. Why is there no concern about where the money will come from for the conflict in Iraq? Why are they are looking for 35 billion for health care for children when it there seems to be no problem for several hundred billion for overseas fighting.

I say we do what any Republican would do -- borrow the money instead of spend what we take in. Tax and spend is better than Borrow and Spend; that means someone else has to pay for it later.

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Roger, Oakland CA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:17:13 GMT

TB - You're right...any program needs to be examined. Fraud needs to be eliminated. We shouldn't throw money down a sinkhole.

OK...now apply that standard to Iraq, and you'll get Stark's point. Republicans are willing to throw money at Iraq but they're not willing to spend an order of magnitude less on additional healthcare.

Any possible fraud in this program is nothing compared to our money wasted on no-bid contracts in Iraq.

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:17:22 GMT

TB - No one can be denied emergency, life-saving, necessary health care. So if you had a bullet in your stomach, they would have to treat you. If you have cancer, they don't. I don't really consider that to be health care.

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Sick in NOLA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:21:52 GMT

What do I start with? I am an XRay Tech and have done a lot of temp work in my time. The contrast between rich and poor is glaring in this environment. In wealthy communities a child has a family doctor, regular check-ups, immunizations, and a place to call and go if they get sick. Not only that, but the waiting rooms are carpeted and there are toys to play with. If they need it, a referral is made to a specialist.
In poor communities such as New Orleans where I live, there is only ONE walk-in emergency room for ALL the people who don't have insurance. The wait averages 6-8 HOURS, (for real), in a bare room with plastic chairs and not even a water cooler.
Children are seen once by a doctor they will never see again, have no access to further care if they need it except by returning to the emergency room. ER visits cost us ALL a fortune, about 30 times as much as a doctor's office visit. Think how many tanks and guns we could buy with that to kill off the kids who survived the health care system.
By the way, I am a diabetic and have had no care or medication for almost a year because, after waiting 6 hours at a clinic to see a doctor, I was given a prescription I could not afford to fill. I am 54 years old. Can you imagine a parent's dispair when they can't give their child the medicine they need to get well?

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kim, crofton, md — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:23:02 GMT

This is the message that will propel the Democrats to a supermajority (veto-proof) in '08. Pete Stark may not be politically correct, but his words pack a punch, in a way that the current Democratic leadership's do not. The GOP will sink on this issue and the war in Iraq. Get middle-class moms mad, and they will turn out in droves to vote (D)on Election Day. The Democrats are already outraising their Republican counterparts in campaign funding by at least 2:1, and this issue will increase the ratio.

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a soldier who hasn't gotten their head blown off — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:27:51 GMT

Just what this country needs... the middle class paying for more kids to have health insurance when we have a hard enough time paying for our own kids. I feel bad that kids have to go without, but maybe the parents should have thought twice about bringing kids they couldn't afford into this world. It doesn't take a village to raise a kid. It takes responsible parents.

I don't care what party you're affiliated with. I take great offense at what Statk said concering the President finding amusement in our soldiers getting their heads blown off. Stark would never have said that about Clinton if in a reverse situation. Stark needs to be impeached and called a traitor.

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R. nyc — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:40:41 GMT

First Clinton would not have put troops in this situation to begin with. Second people who have a problem with what Starks said but have not responded to where the republicans will get the money for the war. Sorry not for the war to pay their contractor friends...

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Bush Sucks — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:44:34 GMT

"but maybe the parents should have thought twice about bringing kids they couldn't afford into this world."

But it's OK to rush headlong into an illegal and war?

Glad you haven't got your head blown off - the day may come when it starts working. Bush is the traitor.

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Rob, Mt Laurel, NJ — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:50:07 GMT

Rep. Stark is 100% correct. Now if Halliburton were running the SCHIP program, the program would be fully funded without limits. Show you the priority of this administration and gutless Congress

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:52:32 GMT

Pete Stark is your typical goofy liberal who fell down too many times. All the screaming that people did about Rush Limbaugh supposedly said that was later found not to be true, that is now overtaken by this lamebrain. he really needs to resign.

I guess this proves without a doubt that the democratic party cares nothing about our fighting forces in Iraq. First John Murtha (hard to believe he was once a marine), then John kerry calls our guys stupid (no wonder President Bush whipped his butt in 04) and now this gutless bay area wonder. No wonder California is falling into the sea. For democrats to call our forces cowards and liars and stupid just goes to show how desperate liberals in general have become in trying to secure our defeat. This so-called congressman (don't think he is much of a man), he really needs to go.

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cg,ny — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:53:28 GMT

"I feel bad that kids have to go without, but maybe the parents should have thought twice about bringing kids they couldn't afford into this world."

What happens to the kid you would force a girl who was raped to have when abortion is outlawed?

What about the kid who is insured by parents who thought they could afford him, but then gets hit by a car driven by a drunk driver who is driving w/o a license or insurance and the child has such catastrophic injuries, the family's ins runs out?

Or the parents who can't pay their ins premiums cause they're too busy saving up to buy body armor to send to their older child serving in Iraq, or pay for private medical treatment for the one who came home wounded and is waiting two years for the VA to START his treatment?

It seems to me this gov't has all the money in the world when it comes to wars w/o end that cause more problems than they solve, but now AFTER SIX YEARS OF NOT VETOING A SINGLE SPENDING BILL UNDER A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, Bush is all of a sudden the 'compassionate conservative' again?
I submit he's neither compassionate nor conservative.

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Sierra, SF — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:00:10 GMT

The Democratic Party needs a dozen more Pete Starks.
Beorge Bush LIED about Iraq.
Why aren't our candidates saying this ?
Why isn't the Congressional leadership saying this ?

Pete Stark (a SF Bay Area progressive) has been a great congressman for years.

Nancy Pelosi has been a disappointment as Majority Leader !!
Could she and the Democrats give in ANY MORE to the crooked President ?
Pete Stark needs to replace Pelosi or Sen. Feinstein !!

Let's get some real leadership !!

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Jeffersonian Don — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:00:36 GMT

Hey Jerry, Like our fearless leader who said about his wife," well she makes a good lump in the mattress he he". TB Cleveland, you can either help those at home that are dead beats or those 4000 mile away. I think I'll choose those here .At least they may be able to fight in the future instead of feeding and housing those 4000 miles away to invade and fight us in the future! As far as SCHIPs, I think it’s funny as hell old G.W.B. vetoed the bill then gets on national T.V. and blasts the dem. congress for not stepping up the process on insurance for the children. Ha Ha Ha he is definitely feeding off the misery of others, look at what he’s done with the soldiers.

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John G, Tennessee Valley — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:03:39 GMT

When you talk about an illegal war, lies and blowing up innocent people:
Are you talking about the illegal attack on 911 in New York killing 3000 innocent people?
Are you talking about Saddams lies to the UN to cover his illegal weapons stockpiles?
Are you talking about the Al-Qaeda blowing up peace-keeping Marines & innocent people with roadside bombs?
I hope so, otherwise it sounds like you hate America and give our enemies a free pass on the evil they started even before 911.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:06:19 GMT

I did a little reading about Pete Stark:

he doesn't work and play well with others
Thinks a woman's place is in the bedroom
he is a racist
the only job he seems to have ever held is congress
had his wife on his payroll
he hates the military (of course, he's from california)

in other words, the perfect liberal

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Jerr/Corpus Christy Texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:07:01 GMT

hey soldier who's paying for your kids healthcare?

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Toby, Nebraska — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:08:03 GMT

It doesn't matter that those brave men and women volunteered to defend the country (and not necessarily to be pawns in the radical right wingnuts attempts to trigger "armegeddon").(Sent Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:55 PM)

How does that not matter John Doe? If someone jumps out of a plane and the parachute fails to open, do we blame the pilot? We think to ourselves, poor fella, but hey...HE'S JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE. With some jobs/activities there comes risk. Our soldiers are NOT day labor people to me and their deaths do mean something to me. How dare you even begin to belittle the job they do. Their deaths, although sad, mean that there are people willing to lay down their life so that good can prevail!

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:16:28 GMT

I have an idea for how to pay for SCHIP. What do you say we quit the Iraq war 3 weeks early. We'll have the entire amount of money the Dems are requesting and some left over. Soldier, thanks for your service to the nation. I take issue with your assertion that only irresponsible parents have problems with insurance. My job was eliminated and I spent 5 1/2 months without work, and a total of 18 months with my family not covered due to preexisting conditions clauses. It can happen to anyone under our present system and denying that is just washing our hands of the situation.

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MK,MO — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:22:18 GMT

John G, Tennessee Valley / chief, iraq had nothing to do with 911

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Santonio, Jackson, MS — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:22:52 GMT

Bless the Troops and the Children! The fact of the matter is that the Government wants to pay for the healthcare by increasing the tobacco tax.

The majority of smokers are the low income!

Isn't this the group that they want to help?

The people supporting this bill are not going to pay for it. If all Americans are truly concerned about the children let's all pay for the healthcare.

We'll see how much support it gets then!

P.S. I am not a smoker!

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Truthteller Washington DC — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:24:39 GMT

The only children that Pete Stark cares about are the ones he commits sex-crimes against.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:26:18 GMT

Sierra:

I know in the people's republic of San Francisco, life is just too perfect.

The house majority leader with her crooked land deals and her inability to get the democrats to do anything and having people sleeping in her garden at her house.

A congressman who thinks President Bush laughs every time a soldier's head blows up, thinks a woman's place is in the bedroom and is also a racist is the perfect idea of a liberal congressman.

A city that needs a subway tunnel and put it next to an earthquake fault line 9reminds me of Boston and the big dig that keeps leaking and killed a woman).

A mayor who could care less about his people, much less the catholic church.

A city that could care less about the military...

yes, San Francisco is a pardise for a liberal

you can keep it.

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Lee Holmes — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:27:11 GMT

Pete Stark is a moron. We recall his halycon days,when getting hundreds of thousands in kickbacks from Indian casinos,he attempted to magically ''create''Native American land where even anthropologists found never existed for the purpose of building more casinos.
Now this garbage. Expertly seeing through the ''for the children''agitprop,the deal goes down to defeat in the House because it was based upon the lies of emotion. Not facts. As it now stands,what was supposed to occur all along before Democrat scorched earth policies[which are beginning to play themselves out along the Turk-Iraqi border as we speak],is going to happen now,even despite Starks asinine commentary. That is,a compromise exactly along the lines of the Senate deal cut with Bush today over FISA. The dishonesty of the Democrats has been revealed under the mask of their rhetoric. They never told us that states would grant SCHIP waivers to those even making a hundred grand a year and more. Nor did they tell us that the vast majority of SCHIP monies goes to adults,up to and including the elderly. Nor were they honest about the cost. Nor did they tell us that illegal aliens would be covered. Nor did they mention the fact that a family of four making less than 45,000$ per year but yet fortunate enough to have private insurance would be forced to foot the bill for wealthier families making twice this. Nor did they mention that of the nine million kids ''without''SCHIP insurance,over six million of these have actually had it all along. Their families have merely never enrolled them. It is to parents,the responsibility of examining ALL avenues of government healthcare funding. Not for government to hold their hands. The information for enrolling is but a mouseclick away and is comprehensive in its scope.[as I recently demonstrated].
Finally,Starks BS is further revealed in that ALL that Stark and his pals need to do is to cut off the funding for this war![rather than make a heap o'dough for he and his contractor buddies who pour millions into DNC coffers].

Also see:

The Kaiser Family Foundation www.statehealthfacts.org

The National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov

DER SPIEGAL[Berlin]:''War Drums In Ankara'' Oct 18,2007.

The Center For Responsive Politics,Rep.Stark,Pete.Democrat,California www.opensecrets.org

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Jeffersonian Don — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:27:13 GMT

John G, Yes it is an illegal war and was the first time American has ever invaded a country without provocation. Do your research. I believe in our great nation but when an egomaniacal man with napoleon complex steps up and declares WAR on one country, only to step over one to settle a score with tax money, yes its illegal. He has totally forgotten that Saddam sounds nothing like Osama. He (Osama) is in Pakistan .GWB knows that yet does nothing. Saddam had no weapons left as he was blown the hell back to the Stone Age in GW 1. take that to the bank (I Know).As far as AL Qaeda blowing people and U.S. troopers up, well may be, but they would not be there if things were handled the way the joint chiefs wanted, and how do you know its Al Qaeda they do not wear signs .I believe they are insurgents which does not signify Al Qaeda. If we were invaded we would call them Freedom Fighters. G.W.B had a chance as well to stop 9/11 before it happened, but that’s another story. Study man Study.

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Class Warrior, D.C. — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:28:55 GMT

Shame on every member of Congress who voted to keep shrub's veto. It means more money for killing Iraqi children and less money covering our own! Shame on everyone, shame on the GOP, and shame on Bush! All the billions for war, and we can't afford to take care of OUR OWN KIDS! It's just shameful.

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Houston — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:28:59 GMT

[[These comments may be considered inflammatory by some, including the Republican staffers who brought them to our attention.]]

The truth hurts. And at least this guy didn't tell a colleague to go "cheney" himself. But of course, Repubs can say whatever they want no matter how obscene because they're on God's side.

[[Pete Stark and the Democrat leadership owe the American people an apology, the troops and their families an apology,...]]

No he doesn't. He didn't say anything against the troops. Duhbya is not a "troop." He's only the Chickenhawk-in-Chief.

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Toby, Nebraska — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:29:07 GMT

The whole argument comes down to how much is too much? Under the proposed bill a family of 4 (mom, dad, susie and johnny) that earn $80,000 a year would qualify for government health care. Is that fair?? Does that seem right to you?? $80,000 a year and you need the government to make sure your kids have healthcare??

Now I'm a member of a family of 6, make under $40,000, and still I have healthcare for my kids. I don't expect the government to do that for me.

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Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:30:39 GMT

Now, John G in Tennessee, that's almost as silly as anything Jerry has ever said. In the counseling profession, it is said you don't always have control over what happens to you but you do have control of how you react to it. After 9-11 we had the goodwill of almost every nation on earth. We had cooperation in tracking doen these people on an unprecedented level. Our invasion into Iraq squandered almost most of that and has nearly bankrupted our treasury and strained our military capabilities to deal with any future threat. We could have brought those responsible for 9-11 to justice if we had not been squandering our military and intelligence resources on Iraq. Our forces in Iraq are not peace keepers, they are part of an invading force from a foreign country. I am saddened when even one of them is killed because I know they should have never been sent there in the first place; just like my brothers who died in Vietnam thirty + years ago. I love America John G., but our real enemies aren't the terrorists who are in the Middle East and have attacked us on our soil once. Our real enemies are our leaders who would have you think that invading a sovereign nation who has not attacked us was the right thing to do; they are those who would try to gut the Constitution they and every other soldier who has fought for America has sworn to uphold; they are those who work their hardest to make all of us feel as if they are trying to protect us when actually they are robbing us of both our pocketbooks, our sense of decency and our identity as a nation. By the way, where do you think Saddam got most of his technology to make the weapons stockpiles which once were there but weren't found when Iraq was searched to top from bottom? Well, I'll tell you, John G.; just look at the photos of Rumsfeld and Cheney shaking hands with Saddam back in the 1980s. That might tell you a thing or two. These men only care about pushing their agenda and don't give a damn about you or anyone else who loves America. Their God is the dollar and their country is wherever they think they can make one.

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:31:13 GMT

John G, Iraq didn't attack us on 9/11, nor did any Iraqi citizens. Why did we attack them in retribution? Illegal arms stockpiles? They don't exist. They never existed. The weapons inspectors that told us so were right. The neocons were, are, and always will be wrong. Al Qaeda in Iraq is not the same as Osama's al Qaeda, the name is a publicity move that helps them with their recruiting. A move that wouldn't work if we hadn't invaded by a group that had no presence in Iraq before we invaded. Don't tell me I hate America. I will no longer stand still for people who wrap themselves in the flag and impugn the patriotism of anyone who disagrees with them. I'm an American. It's my right to disagree. Toby, I don't read that John Doe belittled the job that our soldiers do. But he sure said it loud and clear that he believes you do. I have to agree with him since you came right out and said that the fate of volunteers is not of concern.

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Right Wing platform: character assassination, lies and slander — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:33:03 GMT

"The only children that Pete Stark cares about are the ones he commits sex-crimes against. "

You're "thinking,' and I use the term VERY loosely, about a Republican named "Foley."

Of course all you right wing nuts are stupid and misinformed, so glad to help!

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:34:48 GMT

Truthteller, you have Pete Stark confused with the guys on your side of the aisle.

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some people can pay thier own way on health — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:38:23 GMT

Pete Stark a deranged, pathetic, demencrat.
this just in: keith Obermean: defeated!
Chris Mathews: defeated, katie couric : defeated, brian williams: defeated!!. Nancy "i will start a war with turkey" Pelosi: defeated, Harry "the spinless" Reid: defeated.. NOw it is as it always has been, no longer can the demencrat party use poster children as hostages for health care. All goes back as it was, and the hostages taken by the demencrats still has their healthcare.. VETO override is another Demencrat failure.. POST THIS YOU MSNBC soon to be sold, liberals

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Houston — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:43:08 GMT

How come this blog isn't covering the Repubs' vicious smears against the two families with severely injured kids who were advocating S-CHIP? (Keith Olbermann seems to be the ONLY news source that's covering that scandal). Is it the "conventional wisdom" that Republican lies about average citizens are OK but telling the truth about the Bush regime is beyond the pale?

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R.Merrell — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:43:09 GMT

So very, very typical of the right - attack the messenger, attack the children, attack the families. But never defend the the misguided policies of this Administration on the war, health care, secrecy, torture, cronyism, Katrina, illegal wire taps, soldiers who disagree (odd, though, how Rush and Co. said not a word about Gen. Sanchez being a "phony soldier" when the general recently gave a scathing speech about the ineptiude and dereliction of duty within this Administration. Rush and the right missed yet another opportunity do make themselves look and sound ridiculous) - the list is endless. Rep. Stark is absolutely right. The Republicans will always find money for their wars, for Bush's corporate buddies like Blackwater and Haliburton but will invoke their supposed mandtra of "fiscal conservatism" as soon as a program like SCHIP comes along that may actually help people and save lives. Bush could never find his veto pen during during the time when the Republicans held a majority. Spending on everything and anything was no problemo as long as the Republicans sent it up. Now Bush finds every excuse he can to dig out that little veto pen in hopes of keeping himself "relevant". Relevant, he's not. Incompetent he is. More power to the Congressman from California. He nailed it.

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jessie, kingsport,tn — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:49:11 GMT

I would like to add a comment about issue. The Bush Whitehouse and Republican stalwarts have sent our young men and women to Irag to die, now they've voteod a Bill to protect the lives of our youngest sons and daughters. I would imagine that before they leave office they will start genocide of the aged to cure the Social Security woes.

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JM, Baltimore Maryland — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:50:57 GMT

Pete Stark is such an excellent example of a compassionate, progressive, and tolerant democrat. With such a democrat in Congress, who needs Joe Biden?

He also brings such principled reasoning and logic to the legislative process as clearly shown in the article above. A true liberal democrat for all the party believers to be proud of indeed.

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Rick,ky — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:52:58 GMT

The gay ole Pedophile party is " Free Falling" ( Tom Petty).This ones for You edge!!!

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Jeffersonian Don — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:05:08 GMT

Now Lee remember this was a bipartisan bill. We do not know who wrote what parts!I'll bet it was a politician .

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Abraham, SF, CA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:05:32 GMT

Pete is right on the money because I cannot believe that republicans put the argument of budget discipline. Although, they are expending billions in quagmire in Irak, but they can not find money for the next generation that will pay our debit te rest of their life. Pete, we are behind you because congress need a dose of honesty right now.
GOGOGOGOGOG MAN.

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Houston — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:19:30 GMT

Toby [[Now I'm a member of a family of 6, make under $40,000, and still I have healthcare for my kids. I don't expect the government to do that for me. ]]

That sounds real macho. But unless you've got group coverage from your employer, you could be in very serious trouble if someone in your family develops a serious or chronic illness. The insurance industry is not in business for YOUR health, and they'll try to find every way possible to deny you coverage.

The two families who were smeared by the wingnuts for advocating S-CHIP couldn't even get insurance because their children had a "pre-existing" condition. The insurance companies wouldn't care less if those kids died if it saved them a few bucks.

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doc/lewisville tx — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:28:58 GMT

George Bush is without a doubt the most petty,mean-hearted tyrant since Idi Amin.I don't care who is elected to replace him,Republican or Democrat,I just want this Evil Dictator gone.Remember when GOD wanted Moses attention,He burned the bush.Not a bad idea.Pay for war and Blackwater but tell our children to stuff it?EVIL,EVIL,EVIL!!!

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:47:55 GMT

John B - I have another idea. I read an op-ed piece this morning dealing with abstinence-only education. Apparently the Dems dangled a little carrot to entice the Republicans to vote for SCHIP - vote to veto and we add $28 million to abstinence only education, which incidentally is the only federally funded sex education program. That would bring the total funding for abstinence-only education to around $200 million, or roughly what it would cost to insure 150,000 kids.

It won't pay for everything, but eliminating this ridiculous spending on a program that does not work is a good place to start.

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Lisa, Fort Worth TX — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:58:59 GMT

Kudos to Robert, John B and R. Merrell for telling it like it is...

Toby I hope everyone in your family stays very healthy and no unfortunate accidents befall you. You probably don't realize it, but most middle class families are just one unseen event away from going into bankruptcy, losing everything they have worked for or even seeing their loved ones receive substandard care if they reach the cap on their benefits. I do hope that doesn't happen to you--I know how hard it is to take care of a family of 6!

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Saddened, Waterloo Iowa — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:04:22 GMT

Have we really sunk so low that we are applauding a moron that just happens to be from one party or the other? Imagine for just a second how a troop in Iraq feels reading this trash?? Thank God I am no longer a Democrat. You have to hate your country, your constitution and our very way of life to be a part of that low life party...

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:04:39 GMT

Carrie, Republicans are always whining about "do nothing" programs, I think you just identified the most do nothing program of all.

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Greg R., Spokane, WA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:21:10 GMT

Bush said:

"Sometimes the legislative branch wants to go on without the president, pass pieces of legislation and the president can then use the veto to make sure he's a part of the process,"

The process to completely destroy the Republican Party.......HA HA HA HAR HAE HE HE HAR HA ha Ha He har heha hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahaha

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:23:15 GMT

Lisa - Amen to that. My uncle married a lovely woman. 40 days after they got married, she was in a horrible car accident. She survived, but spent the next year (give or take a few weeks) in rehab centers learning how to walk and talk again. While she was in these rehab centers, my uncle's business nearly went under because he (understandably) tried to spend as much time with her as he possibly could. They almost lost everything because of one event that was not the fault of either one of them. (The other driver was later found to be 95% at fault).

It doesn't take much to go from comfortable to having nothing when a catastrophic illness or accident is involved.

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Jake — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:24:17 GMT

I applaud Stark..let the pundits right wing pundits whine...maybe that "fruitcake" comment wasn't so far off.

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mau16 Brooklyn, NY — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:28:28 GMT

Finally a Dem with some balls. Now we need another 100 to step up to the plate.

WHY DO THE REPUBLICANS CONSIDER IT OK TO SPEND $200 Billion TO KILL PEOPLE, BUT "OUTRAGEOUS" TO SPEND $30 BILLION TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF AMERICAN CHILDREN????????????????????????????????????????

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P. Walter, Oyster Bay, NY — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:31:58 GMT

Another Lib anti-Bush, anti-American, anti-military moron has reared his ugly head. How low can Stark go? This is the face of the Dem party. Calif. must be so proud.

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MIke RC, Rockwall, Texas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:35:34 GMT

As a religous/social conservative, the lies peddled by the pundits about the families of the 12-year-old and the 2-year-old were truly disgusting. Also, the use of such lies is in no way consistent with the biblical prohibition of bearing false witness against thy neighbor. If this issue blows up on the proponents of the more-limited version of SCHIP, they deserve what they get for not denouncing not only the use of lies against the families, but also the pundits who spewed the lies without verifying the truth or falsity thereof.

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Gary, Franklin, WI — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:49:27 GMT

Not withstanding one Congressman's comments, the American people are stark raving mad about a President who will (1) spend hundreds of billions of dollars on a failed policy in Iraq, and (2) not devote $30 billion to the S-CHIP program for child health insurance. This from the same administration that promotes outsourcing by American business, and turns a blind eye to reductions in health care coverage by business, without an appropriate offset in increased wages.

Whatever happen to compassionate conservatism. It was a lie from the start.

The issue is not that some kind of realignment in compensation might not be possible between business, labor, and government, but rather the Bush administration's narrow-minded support for the business side of this equation only.

You're on your own, and not your brothers (or sisters) keeper in Bush's America, at least after child birth!

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OutWest; Canyon Country, CA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:51:06 GMT

A note to all of you, your tax dollars is paying for the government provided health care of Congress, the President, and Vice-President. And you will continue to pay until the day they die.
Live long and prosper.

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Bruce, NV — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:02:26 GMT

Crackpots think Bush is in Iraq for fun. Obviously, you folks need to get out more.

They didn't mention REp Stark raving mad calling Rep. Nancy Johnson a "whore", or calling a former HHS a disgrace to his race.

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Bruce, NV — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:09:23 GMT

Any of you morons who think this bill is about kids should probably learn how to read. In seven states, already, more ScHIP money goes to adults than children. There are still 1/2 million eligible kids who aren't on the program. Lets see abut getting them covereed before moving people off of private insurance onto government handouts.

And anyone who thinks it's a good idea for a crackpot member of congress to claim that the President "blows kids up for his own amusement" ought to spend more time remembering to breathe, because you obviously don't have enough intelligence to breathe on your own. Remember, there's a good chance that you guys might win the WH next year (though you'll blow it with guys like Stark and orgs like move.on0.

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:11:50 GMT

P Walter, your perception that being Liberal automatically makes one anti-American shows your Right Wing Authoritarian tendencies. I am Liberal, I am American, I am patriotic. I won't stand quietly while being labeled otherwise.

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Greg Okc — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:30:22 GMT

I do believe that people that are really in need should be helped. My problem is with how that is determined. When a program that is sold to the American people as help for the poor children can include adults and people that make up to $80,000.00 a year is just wrong. At least tell it like it is. I know that it is a state option but they would still recieve fed matching funds. What the American people feel that they are entitled to just blows my mind. The left has finaly created the class envy they have worked so hard for. Then they have the balls to stand before us multi-millionaires every one and talk about how they feel our pain. If George Soros, Hillary Clinton,Edwards, Pelosi and the Kennedys really believed in helping they could insure all people that were uninsured. Will they of course not. This is just a guess but I would be willing to bet that the evil Halliburton, exxon and other oil and gas companies give more to charities than do the afor mentioned. Its all about power, If they can eliminate the ability to gain wealth they become the ruling class. You have to go and ask their permission to do anything. They make all the decisions for you, because you are to stupid to do it yourself. Be careful what you ask for you might get it. With their gifts you become beholden to them, I promise nothing is from the goodness of their hearts. The ability to compromise makes our government work. This cannot be achieved when attacks against ideas become personal. Shame on the politicians. The name calling,the attacks are beneath the offices held. They are all comming from the left. Someone that disagrees show me some examples of it comming from the right. We are headed the wrong way, not because of GWB but because of the division created by the Dems. They lust for power so much they have blinded themselves to what really counts. Our country....

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Toby, Nebraska — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:33:24 GMT

Lisa, thank you for the well wishes. I however have been there, not due to health bills, but due to divorce and company downsizing. I have lost it all, went bankrupt and am in the process of building it all back. There are no garantees in life except death and taxes.

This bill was for an expansion of the original SCHIP program. The Dems wanted to start including the middle class. But answer me why I should have to pay higher taxes for people who make more money than me for healthcare I can't get because I already have it through my employer?

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doc/lewisville tx — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:55:21 GMT

Hey Jerry,wanted to let you know that I have notified the Clinton campaign about an obsessed,maybe dangerous sexist stalker that cares as much for freedom of speech as bushie.Please try to be civil instead of venal.

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EH, ohio — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:05:01 GMT

I work in public health and it is hard not to get frustrated with the Medicaid population. We have to re-examine who is best served by these wonderful services that are offered and stop the irresponsible abuse of the system. There is a risk of perpetuating the cycle of Medicaid and getting the services to the people who really need and deserve them. A hand up not a hand out. Increasing the circle of coverage must be done with considerable thought.

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Laura, East Bay CA District 13 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:22:15 GMT

Stark is my rep here in the 13th District of CA. I live in the Hayward-Castro Valley area.

All I have to say is YOU GO PETE!!!! About time a Democrat actually stood up and had the cajones to tell it like it is. Like many in this area, I am really disappointed in Pelosi, who has turned into the Wet Noodle of the West.

All this talk about Stark thinking a woman's place is in the bedroom is crap--he votes 100% for reproductive freedom, equal pay for equal work--you know, treating women like human beings, which does include calling us on hypocrisy as well at times. Not one of us is perfect.

And get over it reSLUGlicans, privatizing everything except women's uteruses and the army just means you're socialists from conception 'til a 'natural death' by IED in Iraq. Obviously there are some forms of socialism (and communism-that borrowing and spending by Bush on the Communist Chinese tab, oh baby!) that you really adore--and how about Bush's welfare for Jesus, aka, faith-based initiatives?? Now god needs a handout? What a total crock!

And I applaud Stark's atheism, even if only for one reason: that I won't ever see him announcing his Christianity in public (like all hypocrites do) then getting caught with his pants down at the DC Madame's and then putting words into god's mouth (as if!) that god had forgiven him for his "sin".

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Coolfire — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:35:14 GMT

good for Stark. More of such honesty and saying it like it is is necessary from those we have elected and upon whom we depend for the direction of our nation and the degree to which our nation adhears to the rules of law, both ours and international. Thank you, Stark.

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kim, crofton, md — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:35:28 GMT

Starks comments about Bush will give Limbaugh, O'Reilly and Hannity something to bitch about for at least a week. It will take the heat off of Coulter for her anti-semitic comments, O'Reilly for his anti-black comments, Limpbaugh for his phony soldier comments, and Michelle Malkin for smearing the Frost family! Stark hit the nail on the head about the chicken hawk Bush who wanted to "bring it on", and told the Australian PM we were "kicking ass" in Iraq.He sounds like he's a 20 year old frat boy.

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Robert, Sacramento, CA — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:58:56 GMT

I remember a speech where President John F. Kennedy stated "ask not what your country and do for you but what you can do for your country." We have always taken care of our children but not ever asked the government to pay for their health insurance. Why do we expect the government to take care of all our needs. The government never said go and have children and we will take care of them. How many of these people making $80,000 plus have more than one car, IRAs, equity in their homes. One should learn to take care of their housing, food and medical insurance for family. The rest can be paid for with what's left over. Besides if this program is so important lets tax all the people not just the ones that smoke.

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Union Baby, Tennessee — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:25:02 GMT

When sick children and people in general need and receive medical care with out health insurance or the ability to pay cash (HaHa - like that would be an option for most anyone, especially those qualifying for this program!) cost all the rest of us money. You will pay each time you go to the doctor, dentist, hospital, or lab one way or the other. I'd prefer they at least have health insurance or some health care program for preventive medicine, that would be a good start and for those children critically and terminally ill without health insurance only the folks in that top 2% tax free bracket could afford to pay for their care.
Maybe the congress and President & VP should be stripped of their benefits the day they leave office and retire on Medicare like the rest of us. Bet things would change then, and fast.

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Houston — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:32:14 GMT

[[ On another occasion he publicly questioned the provenance of J.C. Watts' offspring, comments that so enraged the former Oklahoma quarterback that he angrily marched up to Stark on the House floor and had to be restrained from beating the living daylights out of the 70-something liberal. ]]

As a matter of fact, Watts did in fact have children "out of wedlock" according to this artilce that first appeared in the Los Angelese Times:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0426-06.htm

Stark was out of line bringing that up in Congress, but MSNBC is out of line making the above misleading statement that falsely implies that Stark made up a slanderous falsehood.

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MM — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:34:31 GMT

Hard to believe that it has taken all these years for one man to gather the fortitude to speak the truth. Bravo, Pete Stark!

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KIM MEDFORD NY — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:56:57 GMT

If the president thinks that vetoing the schip will save taxpayers money he is sadly mistaken. I work in billing collection dept for various hospitals and doctors. If people do not have insurance they go to emergency rooms for care. Instead of paying $80 or so for a doctor visit. They get charged 10 times more for the hospital bill. Let me tell you most of these hospital bills never get paid. So who ends up paying for it? We do. With higher insurance rates. Eventually most people will not be able to afford health ins. The average price for health ins in ny for a family of four is $1,200.00 a month. It is rising 10% every year. With more and more people losing health ins. you will have more people going to hospital rooms instead of their regular doctors. Without people getting their preventative test like mamogram or colonoscopy people end up going to hospital so sick running hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bills. Who do you think will pay it? One way or another, the tax payers will pay for it.

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Angelina MaldeTesta — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:17:52 GMT

I wish my congresswhimp had the cajones to speak the truth to power as Pete Stark does. Pete Stark for President. Go Pete!

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Chris Wilcox, Cedar Rapids, IA — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:31:28 GMT

Ya do have to give Stark credit for one point; however, Congress has had to borrow money to fund all of its programs since 2001. And I suppose Rep. Steve King (R-IA) was not inflammatory at all with his little sign which read, "SCHIP: Socialized Clinton-style Hillarycare for Illegals and their Parents." Had the little Senator from Iowa taken time to read the legislation he would know that citizenship is a requirement for coverage.

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Shell Lavender Snowflake, Az. — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:42:26 GMT

Personally, I think we all should be given the opportunity to purchase the socialized medicine plan the Congress and Senate enjoy at the expense of the taxpayer. It's only $35.00 a month and the best plan on the planet. To hell with the politicians we need to 'sack em all'.

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Diana, MA — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:47:53 GMT

According to some of the childish posts, I can only come to the conclusion that that the Koskidz traveled away from their litter box. I'm sure most of them live in Moms basement and don't pay taxes.

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Dan Morgan — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:14:42 GMT

At least he doesn't sollicit sex in airport bathrooms.

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WDRussell, East Liverpool, Ohio — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:33:15 GMT

Way to go Rep. Stark-reality. At least someone is willing to put on the Cap't Obvious cape. And while you are at it, how about looking into the tens of billions that have disappeared because of pure theft and fraud.
Don't you all love jerry(If the dems don't quit telling the truth, I will bring up Mary Jo Kopechne)

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Houston — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:18:03 GMT

BTW: J.C. Watts _did_ have some children "out of wedlock," according to an article that first appeared in the LA Times:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0426-06.htm

Viqueira's article gave the impression that Stark was just making it up slanderous accusations. He wasn't. Sometimes I wonder if journalists are deliberately misleading in order to "get" people like Stark who diss our wretched excuse for a president.

I heard that Stark refused to apologize. I think he should, just as soon as Chicken Dick Cheney apologizes for telling Sen. Leahy to f*** himself.

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:12:19 GMT

Face it conservatives, this is all about the "principle" of not having any responsibility for your fellow man. If they suffer as a result of that it isn't my problem. If they have kids it's their own fault for not taking care of them. If my "principle" is costly overall to the society at least it isn't getting into my pocket. Hey, I pledged $1/mile to that kid who came around soliciting money for the 20 mile walkathon, so I've already done my bit for charity. Now I feel good about myself because I did something. It wasn't very much but I'm "principled" and darned if I'm going to let the big, bad government dip into my pockets. Anyway, there's more important things to pay for, like a trillion dollar war. The money's all borrowed so my kids and grandkids will have to pay for it, but they'll appreciate that I stood by my "principles". Anyway, subsidizing peoples' insurance just makes them weak. Not as weak as an illness that doesn't get treated until they have to go to the emergency room, but that happens sometimes when you have "principles". I'm glad we're not a country with government coordinated health care. I pay more than them and the people in 36 of those countries are healthier than people in America, but at least I have "principles".

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Marianne Torres, Spokane WA — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:18:13 GMT

THANK YOU, Pete Stark! I'm sorry so many people are more willing to accept lies and death and unprovoked war and the loss of our democracy than they are to accept the words of someone who calls it like it is. Sure would be nice if more Dems and even a Pug or two could find just half Stark's courage, and speak out!

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MIke RC, Rockwall, Texas — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:53:04 GMT

Lee Holmes,

I owe you an apology. I could not find the post you referenced (on another post), but did find (on yet another post) where you did answer my question.

I WAS/AM WRONG! Lee Holmes answered my question. Lee Holmes' answer demonstrated consistency on the question.

I hereby apologize.

Again, please continue to keep posting, as I truly enjoy being able to consider a wide spectrum of viewpoints.

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James Woodstock IL — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:05:58 GMT

The 82K cap was to adjust for differences in cost of living. A family's contribution (SCHIP families do kick in, by the way) is on a sliding scale. Furthermore, because BIG INSURANCE denies coverage based on pre-existing conditions, yes, some middle class families need coverage.
So great!...the question of whether the Dems have kahones is answered... Yes, and they're on Pete Starks....now if he would introduce a resolution to ask a world court to try W on war crimes for pre-emptive war on deceptive grounds...well then truth will prevail.

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Leslie Brooks — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:27:30 GMT

Pete Stark has my thanks. I am so tired of Nancy Pelosi et al caving to Republican power and bullying. No, he will not apologize. The time has come to stop shilly shallying. Thank you, Pete Stark! The Republicans have been foul mouthed and they've threatened people and they've slimed everyone they fear. Remember what was said about Murtha on the floor of the House? What Pete Stark said is only a problem because he's not on their side. Nancy Pelosi et al had better support this member of their party who speaks truth to power. The American people want Bush stopped.

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Death to all child moleating republicans, utah, idaho — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:34:50 GMT

To all of you REICH-WING,neo-Nazi,child-molesting, pedophilic, chickenshit-chickenhawk, neutered, punkass pussy-ho-bitch repunklicans: THE TRUTH HURTS, DOESN'T IT?
you low life inbred shitass cretin moronic rat bastards. The only good repunklican, is a god-fucking-damned DEAD ONE!

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12213213@sbcglobal.net — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:22:06 GMT

You all supporting Pete Stark are morons!

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Guenter Monkowski — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:53:32 GMT

Mr. Stark made his points and yes the rethoric and the echoes - even in this blog - his remarks got tells us he is telling the truth. Any successor of this adminstration will have hard time to finance the war or anything else. Clinton's or Gulliani's promises can't be taken seriously, because of lack of money.
What G. W. did was the destruction of his own country. The economy is in shambles and the USD is weak as never before. Only 11% of the US GDP is coming from production or services.

We need more politicans like Stark, Boxer or Kucinich. The disgusting talk of greatness will not help us to get the country back on track and some will learn this or have already learned.
The growing poverty in the US and even hunger and an warmongerin money squandering adminstration doesn't go together.

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John Matthews, Tulsa OK — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:02:46 GMT

2 cars, air conditioning, cell phones, tattoos, smokes, booze and too poor to afford health care? Give my over taxed back a break!

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Joe K. Rick, Seattle, WA — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:07:28 GMT

In response to Hey Soldier who is paying for your health care? My grateful countrymen. That includes punks like you who are afraid to serve and have no commitment to their nation other than to complain. Thank you for taking care of my kids, if I had both arms it would be easier for me to earn more so I could take better care of your kids too!

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Jannie Ogg — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:08:29 GMT

"Truth"teller - Do you have some proof or are you just blowing some very nasty smoke? You appear to be just as truthful as Bush is compassionate, i.e. not in the least!

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Madashell — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:20:22 GMT

I would like to address the issue of the 'volunteers' in Iraq and Afganistan. Many of them signed up for the National Guard, which belongs here, not overseas. Not only is it terrible for them and their families, it leaves our county unprotected in case of an emergency here. The hole war is a mess, made to make cronies of the administration richer, drain the U.S. treasury, and all at no concern to the long-term effects on us or the world.

We are supposedly the greatest country on earth, it is time we started acting like it, and have a responsible foreign and domestic agenda.

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Abe Lipschutz, Houston, Texas — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:59:46 GMT

Is this the Oedipus complex that launched a criminal war? That killed close to 4000 American boys and maimed thosands for the personal macho ambitions of a shallow ignoramous? How will history describe this president? As a war criminal?

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awabnavi — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:02:31 GMT

"I hope so, otherwise it sounds like you hate America and give our enemies a free pass on the evil they started even before 911." --- I seem to remember that 9/11 was allegedly master-minded by some one in Afghanistan, not Iraq. Don't confuse the two countries. The latter was invaded and occupied for OIL and not for 9/11.