Welcome back, Ted!

Lets get health care reform completed quickly because, not to act will have even more horrible results in the future. A civilization that allows the health of it's people fail. Will not be in existence long, and the costs in future economic production will be grave. Time to move forward in a healthy fashion, and not in our continued "sickly" way. Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The party of no has got to go!!

Best of luck to Senator Kennedy. I hope his wish of affordable health care for all Americans comes true in the coming year--this is the time to get it done once and for all. Many, including middle class self employed people, are getting desperate. I have friends paying $1200 a month for a family of 4 with a $10,000 deductible--and they're healthy--but there are no other choices where they live that cost less!

Ted, can you come back and pick me up please?

Wonderful
WHEN DO YOU GUYS PUSH THE MINN SENATE SEAT?
COLEMAN IS A LOSER

W.
Ms. Palin.



Thanks!

P.S. Obama's visit to London this afternoon will reign chaos. Good thing the Dixie Chicks aren't playing London this time around. They sold 25 million CD's before the anti-Bush statement and four million after it. Cancelled concerts and even death threats. Hey, you gotta have some respect for the office of the president even if you don't like his policies.

We all know Barack is spending the U.S. into the ground and has no sense of direction but we still have respect for that presidential seal.

Great news that Sen Kennedy is back in DC.  Whether you are democrat or republican, he is one of those congressional leaders who dedicate their lives to making life better for the rest of us.  My hope is that this time, Sen Kennedy will succeed in getting health care reform passed; the majority of Americans voted for it when they voted for Pres Obama.  It is not socialism for a country as great as ours to provide medical care to those citizens who are less fortunate.

What the heck is a "courtesy hearing" for?  Much ado about nothing and more time and money wasted.  

Good to see Senator Kennedy back chairing this committee.  He has a wealth of knowledge, and he will undoubtedly put it to good use in the fight that for health care for all Americans.

But one other thing: Let's play the game where we see how many right wing nuts mention the Chappaquiddick incident by using various words like "drown" "drunk" "murder" etc.  

Because these wingnuts can't seem to let anything go, especially if they they think someone has "gotten away with something."  Which makes me wonder why they don't think Bush/Cheney should be prosecuted for torture, but - that's another matter.

Okay - game on!

So good to see Kennedy somewhat healthy and back at work. This goes beyond politics...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Welcome back, Ted! There are few other Senators who carry the cause of health care reform in their souls as you do. Hopefully THIS time, we will make that happen. Yes, We Can!

Welcome back, Lion!  What an honor for Governor Sebelius to be confirmed by Senator Kennedy.  I am pulling for both of them to continue long service to our country.

Oops1 I thought the headline was Kennedy back in the drivers seat and I was getting worried about anyone riding over bridges with him on Marthas Vineyard.

Welcome back Senator Kennedy!

I know this is off topic, but I was wondering.  When the Dixie Chicks said they were ashamed that Bush was from their state, they received death threats for daring to speak badly about the President of the U.S.  Now, it's coming out that Cheney was actually conspiring AGAINST President Elect Obama with another COUNTRY Israel, and I haven't heard those same people saying a peep!  How come??  Sounds almost treasonous to me.  When the heck is this country going to charge them with breaking the law?  I am sick to death with people in power getting away with breaking the law.  People start calling your Senators and Congressmen.

this liberal idiot is still around...natural selection needs to hurry up.

"When the Dixie Chicks said they were ashamed that Bush was from their state, they received death threats for daring to speak badly about the President of the U.S.  Now, it's coming out that Cheney was actually conspiring AGAINST President Elect Obama with another COUNTRY Israel, and I haven't heard those same people saying a peep!  How come??" New Independent

Conservatives' hypocrisy knows no bounds.  Think about it: They think that tax breaks work BOTH good times AND bad, and always result in greater revenue for the government no matter the circumstances.  Every single Republican must pledge fealty to Grover Norquist (the keeper of this insane ideology), or face a primary challenge from someone who does believe in this inanity.

Supply side economics has been debunked.  It failed.  Yet they keep at it.  A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  

They're in lockstep.  They've already made up their minds, despite any and all evidence.  Why expect these people to do anything different when it comes to their "dear leaders"?

Thank god teddy is still with us.

Welcome back, Senator!  It is good to see you on CSPAN chairing the committee.  Now, let's get health care done!  YES!

Ted Kennedy is back.

I hope he can think straight in his Senate seat. Anyone else would do themselves a favor and enjoy the life remaining. We already know he's spent too many hours "at the office."

For you idiots who bring up the Mary Jo accident after 30 plus years, are you the same people who think its ok that Bush/Cheney murdered 4,000 plus Americans and countless Iraqis waging a war based on lies?  Sen. Kennedy has spent over 40 year serving this country and deserves alot of credit for his work.

I think its great, and the democrats are on fire now. Hopefully the democrats can get healthcare achieved cause its badly needed.  I think Ted Kennedy can get it done.  I just saw this, republicans are definitely going to be on the defensive http://sensico.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/new-dscc-ad-hit-and-run/

JOSE - you're little more than an Obama idol-worshipper, and that's pathetic. Stop the hatred, man.

I am not a fan of Ted Kennedy. We need to move on from thold regimes. Sennators sould ave term limts.
I believe people should take real look at our presidents from the past. you will find that Bush/Chenney are not as bad as you think. Take a history lesson. I am not praising Bush/Chenney. I am only looking at the presidents of the past and of the presence.

JOSE - "Obama idol-worshipper," "pathetic" - Polythene Pam

Hi Pam - ummm... in psychological terms, they call this "projection."  

But really - unless you're a "tax cuts work for everything, including curing cancer!" type who agrees with everything Bush/Cheney did and that they should not, at minimum, be at investigated for torturing (which as a country of laws, that conservatives often tout, I would think you'd support), then I'm not talking about you.

If you are, well then - however the shoe fits, my dear.  But pointing out hypocrisy isn't hatred.  It's pointing out hypocrisy - nothing more.  Learn the difference before making vacuous accusations.

Ted and the rest of the Kennedy's didn't always serve this country. They served themselves. Maybe if they kept their mind on business instead of their beds they would have given more.

The poster Jose Von Hussein has a name as culturally diverse as American demographics has become. What the right stubbornly refuses to recognize is that they need constructive ways to grow their party from the "Whites only" tag that served them so well in the past. Michelle Bachmann is correct that she is behind enemy lines. She is fighting against the very freedoms and civil rights the new American population will never give up. We will never again allow fear and hate style McCarthyism in this country to rule.

I will say though, Jose, that supply side may have its moments, but only when the economic class structure is weak at the top. It is so top heavy now even a Pamala Lee Anderson reduction of assets may not help. Instead, a full scale New Deal decade is in order. We may well have that chance if the party on the right seeks to stay as white. Run, Sarah, run. We can understand a pregnant unmarried daughter, but the high school dropout child of a presidential hopeful is ridiculous.

Senator Kennedy now has the best ride of his life for his political farewell. He won't even take notice of the insults to his stellar career that are posted here. Under his leadership we will have the fair health care that the citizens of the rest of the industrialized world have.

A message to David of Illinois on the legacy of Bush/Chaney:
It struck me during the campaign and in Obama's 1st week--because of Bush, it is necessary to announce "the US does not torture".   Ask yourself--8yrs ago, would we ever have to say that?   That is how far down the shrub and his trimmer dragged this country.

Ted Kennedy is back.

I hope he can think straight in his Senate seat. Anyone else would do themselves a favor and enjoy the life remaining. We already know he's spent too many hours "at the office."
Tombstone Shadow (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:05 PM)

Kind of like McCain, right? Of course it is.

Kennedy, like Jay Rockefeller, Herb Kohl, John Kerry, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer and all the other millionaire Democrats with their money safely secured in tax sheltered trusts find it easy to mandate national health insurance, they won’t be paying for it nor will they be participating in it.  

The next time Teddy needs another brain operation or upcoming liver transplant, he will have the finest doctors at Mass General or the Mayo Clinic, a private room, no expense spared. But a diluted, high deductible, long wait public clinic visit is in store for John and Jenny six-pack when Teddy and the Dem’s assuage their liberal guilt and magnanimously put everyone (but the rich) in a national health care program.

Dems love to scream “Tax The Rich”, OK then, lead by example, dissolve the tax sheltered trusts and close the loopholes where these BMW Bolsheviks hide their money. Start with the top wealthiest US Senators who are all Democrats, you can look up their public income disclosures. Then move out to the left coast and soak the Hollywood and pop music beautiful people who are always so deeply concerned about the little man. Then you can go after the king of the Cadillac Communists- George Soros. You have to be very suspicious of a billionaire who funds the political party of trial lawyers, trade unions, environmentalists and higher taxes.

Welcome back Senator Kennedy. We need your leadership in getting AFFORDABLE healthcare for everyone. I have a neighbor who had a lung transplant. She is a walking druggest now. It seems like she is popping pills all the time for one thing or another. Her husband lost his job and cobra ran out. Now they are using their savings to buy her medication and she is getting a little help from some charities but they could still lose their home and everything they worked so hard for over the last 30+ years. My own daughter lost her husband a few years ago to cancer. Her employer didn't offer medical insurance and her husband lost his insurance when he was no longer able to work because of the cancer. They were buying a home and doing quite well until it all went away due to the cost of treating him for cancer. When he passed away she was left with a debt of $100K and no house and old car and just what she could get into a small UHaul van. She will be paying for years where if they had insurance that she could have afforded to take over when his ran out she would still have her house, car and furniture that she gave up trying to save his life. This story is not unusual accross America it is surprisingly fairly common and will become even more common if the status quo continues. I pay $1200 a month for health insurance for the two of us. The insurance company won't cover this and they don't pay for that and when the doctor bills them they take forever and a day to pay but miss a premium and you are whacked for life. Something needs to be done and the sooner the better. Unfortunately the Republican plan for healthcare is "don't get sick". When people need to use the emergency room for what could have been prevented earlier but wasn't available due to costs we all pay and we pay a higher price than if we would have helped with the premiums so they could get it taken care of before it became dire.

I never really liked the Dixie Chicks, I am not much of a Country music fan, but I bought everything they put out since the flap as I believe much ado was made about their comment and I want to support their right to free speech. Others in my family like the Dixie Chicks so it is great for them.

Welcome Back, Sen. Kennedy!!! This is great news as you are a very loved person. I hope very much that we are able to get health care legislation passed for all americans as soon as possible. I appreciate your dedication to this issue and others that affect so many of us. My family and I wish you the best and we pray for your continued improvement. May continue to God bless you and keep you, always.  

"I will say though, Jose, that supply side may have its moments, but only when the economic class structure is weak at the top. It is so top heavy now even a Pamala Lee Anderson reduction of assets may not help."

Tim, thank you for the thoughtful comments.  I don't mind differences of opinion; in fact, I welcome it.  It's just when they're so rigidly adhered to that I find fault with them - ideology should have flexibility.  Modern conservatism no longer does.

In any case, regarding your supply side thoughts: I respectfully disagree in principle, and here's why.  Supply side SEEMED to have some merit when tax codes are tilted heavily against the wealthy, such as in the 60's, when the top marginal rate was 90%.  Kennedy (rightly) cut that significantly, and it was cut significantly again in the 70's (one of the largest percentages of tax cuts ever on the top marginal rate).  Yet staflation ran rampant in the 70's.  Where was the investment then?  The wealthy should have been flush with money to invest.

Reagan cut the top marginal rate again in the 80's, and deficits ballooned.  He finally had to sign the largest tax increase ever in 1986 just to contain deficits.  Oddly, then Bush I had his loss in 1992 blamed on him by "tax cut conservatives" for introducing a 3% - 3%!!! - tax increase on the top rates during his term.

Clinton raised them again in the 1990's to 39.6% - well, we all know that the 90's were a good decade of growth.

Bush II then cut the top rate back to 35% - but he did more.  He cut capital gains almost in half, and eliminated the estate tax.  These are HUGE tax cuts.  We were told that deficits don't matter then, even though the tax cuts are supposed to make revenue increase.  Yet the markets fell almost 20% from Bush's beginning to the end of his terms.  Where's the investment?  Deficits ballooned.  Where's all the revenue?  

Supply side economics is a Ponzi scheme.  Better yet - a Madoff scheme.

Therefore, I'm not a believer in "supply side" economics of any stripes.  I believe that pragmatism from both sides of the aisle - raising taxes when necessary, and lowering them when necessary - are what is required, rather than an adherence to an ideology that is based on the napkin scribbling of a long-since discredited "economist."

"Instead, a full scale New Deal decade is in order. We may well have that chance if the party on the right seeks to stay as white. Run, Sarah, run. We can understand a pregnant unmarried daughter, but the high school dropout child of a presidential hopeful is ridiculous.  - Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ"

Fortunately we have many more backstops in place now because of the first New Deal, so a "full scale" New Deal really isn't necessary.  But a large Keynesian stimulus to pump money into the system (via salaries and people buying products and investing in businesses) makes more sense than a tax credit that most people will simply throw in the bank (or safe).

And yes, PLEASE Sarah, run for President again.  PLEASE.

I think every politician, ESPECIALLY Congress, should HAVE to get the same insurance we do!!!  I bet the insurance plan they work out would be outstanding!!!  No special benefits for Congress.  They get the same as all Americans.  They talk about the public service they give?  Balogna!  I had to laugh when I heard the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, Sen. Spector on a talk show talking about his cancer, recommending that everyone not put off going and getting a second opinion, no matter what.  Does he have any idea how much second opinions cost if they're not covered????  And that MOST Americans don't have the same  health insurance that our taxes pay for him to have?  

Supply side economics is a Ponzi scheme.  Better yet -a Madoff scheme. Fortunately we have many more backstops in place now because of the first New Deal, so a "full scale" New Deal really isn't necessary. Jose Von Hussein - The United States of America (Sent Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:54 PM)
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Really? Then explain the New Deal’s greatest Ponzi scheme of all- Social Security. Social Security is unsustainable and neither political party will touch it. Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Welfare (WIC, Food Stamps, etc) make up the largest part of US government outlays, not the Pentagon. How are you going to pay for all these giveaways?

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