Virginia Governor McDonnell suddenly gets wind of slavery

By GottaLaff

Shorter McDonnell: Wait, what? There was slavery in Real America? Why didn't anyone fill me in?

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) apologized late Wednesday for failing to include slavery in his proclamation declaring April as Confederate History Month.

The full text of his statement is here.

See, he just forgot, see. Who wouldn't? It's not like it was a major part of American history or anything. In fact, the Texas Board of Education is probably voting to strike slavery from all future history books as we speak.

BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, who co-chaired McDonnell's Inaugural Committee this year:

"The complete omission of slavery from an official government document, which purports to be a call for Virginians to 'understand' and 'study' their history, is both academically flawed and personally offensive" [...]

Back in 2009, Johnson's decision to endorse McDonnell over the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Virginia, Creigh Deeds, was touted by McDonnell's campaign as a showcase of his ability to "bring people together."

He did bring people together. It was just a different group than expected.

Senate Democrats don’t flinch in their support of appeals court nominee Liu

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

I had to read the "Demcorats didn't flinch" line twice before posting this. It's such a rarity that for a split second I thought the word was "Republicans", and that I'd hallucinated during a wishful thinking moment.

What is this wonderful new thing we call "unity"?

Senate Democrats didn’t flinch in their support of appeals court nominee Goodwin Liu, refusing to further delay the Berkeley law professor’s confirmation hearing, now slated for April 16.

On Tuesday, all seven Judiciary Committee Republicans signed a letter to Chairman Patrick Leahy (D. Vt.) blasting Liu for failing to include in his initial nomination file dozens of articles or published remarks. [...]

Leahy responded in a “Dear Jeff” [Sessions] letter Wednesday. He noted that Republicans had twice delayed Liu’s hearing from its initial date of March 10. Liu came to Washington to find his March 24 hearing cancelled, leaving “behind his one-week-old son,” Leahy wrote. “As a new grandfather, I know you appreciate that sacrifice.”

Rushpublic hypocrisy just won't cut it. The more the Dems expose it, call it out, and stand up to it, the more we will accomplish, while gaining support, respect, and ultimately votes. It's a win-win.

Rachel Maddow strikes back at Scott Brown with full-page ad + TRMS VIDEOS

By GottaLaff

The Maddow Blog

Why anyone would want to mess with Rachel is beyond me:

The full-page ad explains that she's not running against Republican Sen. Scott Brown in 2012. Brown sent a fundraising letter suggesting that he'd be facing the "liberal MSNBC anchor" and needed donations to fend her off. "I'm sure she's a nice person -- I just don't think America can afford her liberal politics," he wrote.

Scott Brown hasn't acknowledged Rachel's denials (by admitting his statements were untrue), and he continues to perpetuate a lie. He may rile up his base a little, but by alienating and smearing a constituent, he can't be making new friends.

As for Brown, his spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said: “It was an open secret that the Democrats were trying to recruit Rachel Maddow to run against Scott Brown in 2012. Now that she’s said no, I’m sure they’ll scurry around looking for someone else. Maybe Keith Olbermann’s available.”

Yes, we were all begging Rachel to run. Where was I during all this? I never heard a word.

Here are Rachel's segments on this ridiculous matter:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Christian leaders to Congress: Ignore misinformation on abortion, pass health reform

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

The other day on the Rachel Maddow Show, Nancy Pelosi made a point of telling Rachel that health care reform was not just about abortion, it was about saving lives, money, and providing care to millions.

She repeated the positives of the plan and steered Rachel away from concentrating too hard on something that shouldn't be an issue (mainly because Bart Stupak is spreading misinformation; abortion will not be being funded by the government).

Pelosi is one of the few that has insisted on clarifying and laying out the benefits of the bill. Anthony Weiner is another. Their consistent message of what health care reform offers, rather than getting sidetracked by GOP talking points, is something that's been sorely missing over the past year.

Meanwhile, a group of "pro-life" Christian leaders has come out in support of the plan. They're darn pretty clear, too.

Think Progress takes it from there:

Underscoring this point, this week, a group of 25 “pro-life Catholic theologians and Evangelical leaders” sent a letter to Congress urging them to look past the misinformation on abortion and pass health care reform. From their letter:

As Christians committed to a consistent ethic of life, and deeply concerned with the health and well-being of all people, we want to see health care reform enacted. [...]

We are writing because of our concern about the lack of clear and accurate information regarding abortion provisions in the health care reform bill passed by the Senate on December 24, 2009.

Reforming our health care system is necessarily complex, and the provisions related to abortion, or any other issue, require careful examination of the facts as they exist in the legislative language. We believe that the provisions below provide extensive evidence that longstanding restrictions on federal funding of abortion have been maintained. Furthermore, this bill provides new and important supports for vulnerable pregnant women.

The Catholic Health Association also sent a letter (see image above) to Congress urging passage of the Senate bill. They pointed out that millions of Americans would benefit.

Imagine that.

ACLU ad equates/morphs Obama with Bush

By GottaLaff

Ouch. The ACLU took out an ad in the New York Times that morphs President Obama into Bush. I can't think of a bigger insult or a worse juxtaposition:

The military commissions are seriously flawed and unprepared to handle these complex cases. If President Obama reverses his attorney general’s principled decision under political pressure, it will strike a devastating blow to American values and do serious damage to our nation’s credibility. We urge the president to do the right thing and keep these cases in federal court, where they belong.”

Personally, I don't like to equate President Obama with Bush, even in cases like this one. It's too harsh, even if there are similarities. IMHO, Bush is a war criminal, so I reserve comparisons to him for other thugs.

I do, however, agree with the points the ACLU is making.

They also wrote a letter to the president. You can read the whole thing here (click on images to enlarge):


The ad's full text:

What will it be Mr. President?
Change or more of the Same?

Candidate Barack Obama vowed to change the Bush-Cheney policies and restore America’s values of justice and due process. Many of us are shocked and concerned that right now, President Obama is considering reversing his attorney general’s decision to try the 9/11 defendants in criminal court. Our criminal justice system has successfully handled over 300 terrorism cases compared to only 3 in the military commissions. Our criminal justice system will resolve these cases more quickly and more credibly than the military commissions.

President Obama can vigorously prosecute terrorists and keep us safe without violating our Constitution.

As president, Barack Obama must decide whether he will keep his solemn promise to restore our Constitution and due process, or ignore his vow and continue the Bush-Cheney policies.

Tell President Obama not to back down on his commitment to our justice system, and to try the 9/11 defendants in criminal court.

Remind the world that America stands for due process, justice, and the rule of law.

I've written extensively about this subject; you can track all my posts here.

The ACLU took a tough, clear stand. Somebody had to.

Obama Will Include Republican Ideas in Health Care Bill

I'm not enough of a HRC wonk to know whether or not these are good ideas, but the "undercover medical professionals" just tickles me. Complete letter here.

Washington-Following up on last week's healthcare summit, President Obama today sent a letter to congressional leaders expressing interest in including several Republican ideas in the updated healthcare plan that he will outline Wednesday.

The president singled out a proposal by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to use undercover medical professionals to help identify fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs.

He said he was open to appropriating $50 million in federal funding to help states explore alternatives to resolving medical malpractice lawsuits, including the establishment of so-called health courts, a top priority of GOP lawmakers.

Obama expressed interest in taking steps to help states raise reimbursements for doctors participating in Medicaid, which has historically paid health providers less than what Medicare or private insurers pay. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) raised that issue at the summit.

And the president said he was open to including language in his proposal to expand Health Savings Accounts and including high-deductible health plans in the new insurance exchanges that Democrats plan to set up around the country to help people buy coverage if they do not get it through work. This idea, raised by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), is another longtime GOP proposal for addressing problems with the nation's healthcare system.

Antonin Scalia: "There is no right to secede"

By GottaLaff

Thank you, Markos, thank you... for linking to this:

(click on image to enlarge)

The Tea Tantrumers and Ricky the Seceder will be so disappointed

Letter to Anthem Blue Cross

By GottaLaff

I got this via an e-mail this morning:

Commissioner Poizner has asked Anthem Blue Cross to wait on those rate increases, some that could be as high as 39 percent, until our actuary can take a look at their books.

Contained in the release is a copy of the letter Commissioner Poizner sent to the WellPoint brass.

I'd seen a piece about this in the L.A. Times, but the actual letter is worth a read:

News: 2010 Press Release

For Release: February 8, 2010

Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566

Insurance Commissioner Poizner Fights for Consumers, Calls for Postponement of Health Insurance Rate Increase for Anthem Patients and Policyholders

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, responding to a dramatic proposed rate hike by WellPoint's California affiliate, Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem), today called on WellPoint executives to postpone the rate increase, allowing the California Department of Insurance proper time for an independent actuarial review of the proposal.

"As a public benefit and to ensure that policyholders are not forced into financial hardship as a result of Anthem's proposed rate increases," said Commissioner Poizner, "I am asking that Anthem agree to postpone those rate increases until the Department's independent actuary completes his review."

Below is the text of the letter:

February 8, 2010

Ms. Angela F. Braly
President and Chief Executive Officer
WellPoint, Inc.
120 Monument Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Mr. Larry C. Glasscock
Chairman of the Board
WellPoint, Inc.
120 Monument Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Re: Anthem Blue Cross Individual Health Insurance Rates in California

Dear Ms. Braly and Mr. Glasscock:

WellPoint's California affiliate, Anthem Blue Cross ("Anthem"), has submitted to the California Department of Insurance ("Department") proposed rate increases of as much as 39 percent for individual health insurance sold in this State. Anthem announced it will implement the increases on March 1 of this year.

As you know, this is a time of unprecedented economic distress for consumers in America. The premium increases Anthem proposes for critically needed individual health insurance could have a devastating financial impact on hundreds of thousands of its policyholders in California. The Department has received numerous complaints from irate Californians describing how Anthem's proposed rate increases would cripple them financially.

At my direction, the Department is retaining an independent actuary to analyze Anthem's proposed rate increases. The actuary will carefully evaluate Anthem's submissions to ensure that Anthem's actuarial assumptions are justified and that Anthem pays out at least 70 cents of each premium dollar received for benefits, as required by California law. If the independent actuary concludes that Anthem's assumptions are unjustified and that Anthem will pay out less than 70 cents of the premium dollar for benefits, I will take immediate action to stop Anthem from charging the increased rates to California consumers.

As a public benefit and to ensure that policyholders are not forced into financial hardship as a result of Anthem's proposed rate increases, I am asking that Anthem agree to postpone those rate increases until the Department's independent actuary completes his review. Specifically, I ask that Anthem postpone implementation of its rate increases until May 1, 2010. If the independent actuary concludes that Anthem's rates are not actuarially justified and do not meet the 70 percent loss ratio requirement, I will take all legal action available to me to stop the rate increase.

Please let me know by February 15, 2010 whether Anthem will agree to protect consumers in California by postponing its individual health insurance rate increases until May 1, as discussed above.

Sincerely,

Steve Poizner

Here's an excerpt from the Times article:

In a rare step, the Obama administration called on California's largest for-profit insurer to justify its rate hikes, saying the increases were alarming at a time when subscribers face skyrocketing healthcare costs.

In a letter to Anthem's president, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius voiced serious concern over the higher premiums, which go into effect March 1 for many of the insurer's estimated 800,000 individual policyholders.

This hike is outrageous. Speaking for myself, we can barely make ends meet because of our gigantic insurance costs. I can't even imagine those who have it even worse than we do. And I shouldn't have to.

Yes, Rushpublics and a few so-called Dems, let's just maintain the status quo, or better yet, cozy up to Big Insurance even more. That'll win you hearts, minds, and votes.

Thee-Thaw: Obama and U.S. Chamber of Commerce patch it up

By GottaLaff

Aww, Prez O and the Chamber are dating again. See? You reach out and touch someone, and once in awhile, they reach out and touch back:

After publicly sparring in the fall, the White House and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are trying to make up.

In an extraordinary exchange of letters written after last week’s State of the Union address, Chamber President Tom Donohue and President Barack Obama agreed to disagree on some issues and work together where they can.

What-oh-what will the GOP say about this? I bet they're jealous.

Here's the letter (click on it to enlarge):

Like Donahue, Obama acknowledged that the White House and the Chamber will disagree on some issues or on “ how to achieve the goals we all share,” but the president appealed to the Chamber to “work together wherever possible to build an economy in which businesses and jobs are growing.”

Being a little thawtful can pay off.

This is so Carville-Matalin, isn't it?

Now if only we could trust them.

House Momentum for the Public Option

By GottaLaff

Do you love that DKos headline as much as I do?

An incredible 98 House Democrats have signed the Polis-Pingree letter since last week -- calling on Harry Reid to pass the public health insurance option through "reconciliation," which only needs a simple majority to pass the Senate.

This momentum is thanks in large part to tens of thousands of people who called their local House Democrat and asked them to sign.

I've called more times than I can count. Have you done that? It does make a difference, as you can see.

Never give up.

And yes, I chose that particular Peanuts image on purpose.

Satan's letter to Pat Robertson

By GottaLaff

When Pat Robertson blamed Haiti's pact with the devil for the earthquake, he struck a chord... a chord from hell in the key of hot.

The devil felt compelled to respond.

Satan's letter to Pat, in part:

If I had a thing going with Haiti, there'd be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox -- that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it -- I'm just saying: Not how I roll.

You're doing great work, Pat, and I don't want to clip your wings -- just, come on, you're making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That's working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan

You can read the rest here.

H/t: jazzcattrio

Conan O’Brien Says He Won’t Do ‘Tonight Show’ Following Leno

By GottaLaff

Good for Conan. He was royally screwed:

After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. [...]

But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. [...]

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next.

You can read his entire letter here.

I wonder what the legal repercussions will be.

President Obama's Letter to CIA Employees

By GottaLaff

Via MSNBC: Leon Panetta said that news was slow to come out about the CIA workers who were killed, because they wanted to personally notify each family before releasing news about them:

To the men and women of the CIA:

I write to mark a sad occasion in the history of the CIA and our country. Yesterday, seven Americans in Afghanistan gave their lives in service to their country. Michelle and I have their families, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers.

These brave Americans were part of a long line of patriots who have made great sacrifices for their fellow citizens, and for our way of life. The United States would not be able to maintain the freedom and security that we cherish without decades of service from the dedicated men and women of the CIA. You have helped us understand the world as it is, and taken great risks to protect our country. You have served in the shadows, and your sacrifices have sometimes been unknown to your fellow citizens, your friends, and even your families.

In recent years, the CIA has been tested as never before. Since our country was attacked on September 11, 2001, you have served on the frontlines in directly confronting the dangers of the 21st century. Because of your service, plots have been disrupted, American lives have been saved, and our Allies and partners have been more secure. Your triumphs and even your names may be unknown to your fellow Americans, but your service is deeply appreciated. Indeed, I know firsthand the excellent quality of your work because I rely on it every day.

The men and women who gave their lives in Afghanistan did their duty with courage, honor and excellence, and we must draw strength from the example of their sacrifice. They will take their place on the Memorial Wall at Langley alongside so many other heroes who gave their lives on behalf of their country. And they will live on in the hearts of those who loved them, and in the freedom that they gave their lives to defend.

May God bless the memory of those we lost, and may God bless the United States of America.

President Barack Obama

Pastor Rick Warren's church reports shortfall

By GottaLaff

Aww, $784892379237 isn't enough to keep the big guy afloat?

Evangelical pastor Rick Warren appealed to parishioners at his Orange County megachurch Wednesday to help fill a $900,000 deficit by the first of the year.

[...] "Dear Saddleback Family, THIS IS AN URGENT LETTER."

"With 10 percent of our church family out of work due to the recession, our expenses in caring for our community in 2009 rose dramatically while our income stagnated," the letter reads.

"Stagnation". What a perfect word to associate with Rev Ricky.

"On the last weekend of 2009, our total offerings were less than half of what we normally receive - leaving us $900,000 in the red for the year," the letter reads.

I guess the invisible man upstairs didn't feel someone who doesn't love some of his fellow men as much as others was worth it.

Sheriff Arpaio Watch: Activist's Letter of Disgust to Eric Holder's DOJ Investigators

By GottaLaff

Additional footage from KPHO's fine job on this is available: http://www.kpho.com/news/21470567/det...

If you are a victim of Sheriff Arpaio's harassment or abuse or any of his deputies call the FBI at 602 279-5511.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona has been bringing prosecutions against political enemies, and now a judge. Why? Because he didn't like the way he ruled. No, I'm not kidding.

Sheriff Joe is bananas. And dangerous.

And now one activist is wondering why our own Justice Department has been so negligent:

Like a lot of anti-Arpaio activists in town, videographer Dennis Gilman has been helping the U.S. Department of Justice gather evidence of abuse of power and racial profiling by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. [...] But like many who've been patiently waiting for the feds to act, he's fed up with their dithering.

And so he wrote a letter. Here it is, in part. Please go read the whole thing, because I left out a lot:

Dear Department of Justice,

I cannot express how disappointed people I speak with are and how disillusioned I have become.

What once was hope that human rights would be a concern in this County has turned into a forgotten memory. [...]

How many more broken arms, women torn from their children, deaths in Arpaio's Jails will it take? Should we care? They are just poor people. They have no money or power. Many are used to the abuse. They will never cost you your careers. [...]

Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias states there is more than enough evidence. But what could he possibly know? [Laffy Note: See video]

What is it really going to take? How many more Judges need to be harassed? How many will dare question the Almighty Sheriff or any actions of his deputies for fear they will not be allowed to conduct normal court business? (Look it up. If you think I'm exaggerating I'll prove you wrong in a heartbeat). [...]

How many politicians do you think will speak up against the abuse when to do so surely means they will be investigated, indicted, harassed and have their lives turned into a living hell and their careers ruined at a minimum? How many more of us have to wind up in jail while you desert us here?

Who is in charge? The FBI, DOJ, Obama or Arpaio? [...]

I can tell you in no uncertain terms that many activists are abandoning any hope of conventional justice and turning to the Anarchist movement in alarming numbers in this area.I can no longer try to convince them they should work with you or the FBI.[...]

Arpaio's faithful followers have become more violent toward Day Laborers and those that speak out against Arpaio at the protests and on the streets. It's only a matter of time before blood will start spilling. [...]

Dennis Gilman

Truly unbelievable.

David Iglesias: "I can't believe this is happening in the United States."

H/t: Tiggrr1

41 House Dems Pledge To Vote Against Bill With Abortion Amendment

By GottaLaff

Via Greg Sargent, we get a peek at a no-wiggle-room letter to Nancy Pelosi has been signed by 41 House Democrats (emphasis mine):

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232 Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

As members of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, we believe that women should have access to a full range of reproductive health care. Health care reform must not be misused as an opportunity to restrict women’s access to reproductive health services.

The Stupak-Pitts amendment to H.R. 3962, The Affordable Healthcare for America Act, represents an unprecedented and unacceptable restriction on women’s ability to access the full range of reproductive health servicesto which they are lawfully entitled. We will not vote for a conference report that contains language that restricts women’s right to choose any further than current law.

Sincerely,

According to Greg, more signatories are expected, and he will update asap. When he does, we will.

My original post about the outrage (including Rachel Maddow's) over the Stupak amendment is here

Dear Sen. Conrad: We Back a Public Health Plan. Love, N. Dakota Dems

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

Dear stubborn Congresspeople who don't have America's best interest at heart and who are owned by Big Insurance/Pharma:

In a move that seems designed to push Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) on health care reform, the North Dakota Democratic Party voted two weeks ago to make the public option for insurance coverage a stated objective of its platform.

At a little-noticed policy committee meeting on September 19, state Democratic officials passed a resolution affirming their commitment to "universal single payer health care legislation."

You know why it was a little-noticed policy meeting? Because the corporate media didn't report on it. That's how important things like this stay little and unnoticed.

As a fallback option, the resolution read, the officials supported the creation of a government-run plan for insurance.

And that's how President Obama should have presented his health care reform push. Start with single payer and fall back on the public option.

Oh well. Too late now.

In an effort to apply the pressure to their representatives in Congress, the party also sent letters to the offices of Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, as well as Rep. Earl Porneroy, alerting them to the passed resolution. [...]

"I don't understand the votes that have gone on," said [Chad Nodland, who sits on the executive committee for the state party], in reference to the debate in the Senate Finance Committee. "What I'm saying is, I can't put together what I've watched with what has been explained to me. I'm frustrated. I wish that what we were seeing were different [from Conrad] than what we've been seeing."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/north-dakota-dems-pass-re_n_311584.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/north-dakota-dems-pass-re_n_311584.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/north-dakota-dems-pass-re_n_311584.html

We all do. But thanks for trying to make a difference.

Love,

Most of America

The letter is above.

51 Democrats Write Letter in Support of Public Option

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

Via Jane Hamsher:

There are 5 Blue Dog signatories: Boswell, Schiff, Thompson, Michaud and Harman.

September 30, 2009

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:

We write to reiterate our strong commitment to health insurance reform legislation that includes a robust public health insurance option that will provide greater choice and lower costs for American consumers by injecting much needed competition into the health insurance marketplace.

A critical goal of health care reform should be to lower costs for individuals, small businesses and the federal government. In 1980, the U.S. spent more than $250 billion, or 9 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on health care. In the decades since, that figure has grown to more than $2.2 trillion (16.2% of GDP). By 2018, it is expected to nearly double again to $4.3 trillion (20.3% of GDP). Also during this time, the American people have seen premiums more than double since 2000 while wages have stagnated. Our families and small businesses have paid the hidden costs -- to the tune of approximately $1,100 per family -- that are the result of subsidizing treatment of the uninsured. These facts underlie the need for the public option and health insurance coverage for all American as the best way to reform our inefficient and bloated health system, and reduce the burden placed on America's families, small businesses and the federal budget.

The public option is not a pathway to government-run health care for everyone, it is simply another choice for people who need health insurance. We fail to see any reason why we should not seek to increase Americans' health insurance options.

When weighed against other ideas, the public option remains the most effective tool to bring about competition, choice, efficiency, transparency and cost reduction in the marketplace. Thank you for considering our views and recognizing the need for a strong public option in any health reform legislation that comes to the House floor.

Sincerely,

1. Diana DeGette 2. Lois Capps 3. Chris Murphy 4. Jared Polis 5. Mary Jo Kilroy 6. Mark Schauer 7. Pal Tonko 8. Kurt Schrader 9. John Sarbanes 10. Betty Sutton 11. Ed Perlmutter 12. Kathy Castor 13. John Yarmuth 14. Peter Welch 15. Carol Shea-Porter 16. Joe Courtney 17. Steve Cohen 18. Joe Sestak 19. Jane Harman 20. Gene Green 21. Adam Schiff 22. Ed Markey 23. Steve Israel 24. Mike Michaud 25. Rush Holt 26. DavidWu

27. Jay Inslee 28. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz 29. Neil Abercrombie 30. Steve Rothman 31. Mike Doyle 32. Jim Langevin 33. Charlie Gonzalez 34. Gregory Meeks 35. Doris Matsui 36. Nita Lowey 37. Gary Ackerman 38. Howard Berman 39. Patrick Kennedy 40. David Price 41. Anna Eshoo 42. Norm Dicks 43. Eliot Engel 44. Laura Richardson 45. G.K. Butterfield 46. Leonard Boswell 47. Mike Thompson 48. Martin Heinrich 49. Gerald Connolly 50. Dan Maffei 51. Judy Chu

If only there were signatures from 60+ Senators....

(PDF here)

Open Letter to Congress

By GottaLaff

A Facebook friend of mine wrote this and asked me to share. I am more than happy to oblige:

You were elected to serve the people. I warn you all, if you fail to pass the public option, you will see a Republican supermajority get elected in 2010 quicker than your head can spin. If you continue to act like Republicans, we will put the Republicans back in power just to spite you. You were not elected to act like Republicans and serve the special interests and lobbyists. You were elected to serve the people. You have 55 votes for the Public Option. Make it happen or you will all be ousted in 2010 quicker than you say the word "politics."

You were not elected to create a Democratic Supermajority, you were elected to create change and restore prosperity and restore the American dream. And I will hold your feet to the fire.

Instead of passing a decent stimulus bill, you watered it down and passed a crap piece of legislation that is useful only for printing on toilet paper and wiping my butt with. Health care reform is too important to be ****ed up. And reform is not possible if there is no competition in the health care industry.

Failure to pass a public option, and real reform, will result in the full wrath of the progressive and moderate wings of the American public to come down on your heads. YOU WORK FOR US, AND YOUWILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!

Signed,
Angry American

This letter is directed toward:

Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT):
511 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-2602
Phone: (202) 224-2651
http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/ema...cfm?subj=issue

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5274
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
513 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2441
http://carper.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
530 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-3403
Phone: (202) 224-2043
https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
355 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Boehner and Cantor: "We are proud to serve with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann"

By GottaLaff

You know, I was going to get all snarky and amusing and make a few Cantor/Boner jokes. However, nothing can top their own words (see letter below).

Last week, Politico reported that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) were worried about “the possible damage inflicted on the party’s reputation by bomb-throwing Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).” [...] However, conservative blogger Andy Aplikowski received a letter from Boehner and Cantor in which they denied the Politico report, asserting their full support for Bachmann.

Here's the letter:

Dear Andy,

We wanted to respond to your letter to us last week and to assure you that regardless of what inside-the-beltway media writes or what unnamed “sources” it quotes, we are proud to serve with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

She has been a consistent and strong voice for the American taxpayer in Washington from the day she took office. And, despite the taunts and insults that the media elites and liberals hurl at her, she never wavers in her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Republicans in Congress – buoyed by the American people who have risen up against the Democrat tide in Washington – are fighting against bad policies. Their health care prescription is bad policy. Their cap and trade national energy tax is bad policy. Their tax-and-spend agenda is bad policy. We’re strong in our opposition and vibrant in the alternatives we offer.

Republicans have real solutions. And, that includes Congresswoman Bachmann, who has introduced positive solutions for health care reform, budget reform, energy independence, and more. We’re the Party of real hope and change.

When the other side can’t come up with arguments to defend their policies, they turn to personal attacks against their detractors. Congresswoman Bachmann stands shoulder to shoulder with her constituents and that really seems to irk some on the left. We fully expect that despite the best attempts of the media and the liberals, Michelle will continue to be a strong voice for freedom, smaller government, and better solutions.

Sincerely,

John Boehner
Republican Leader

Eric Cantor

Who needs comedy writers when you have the team of Cantor and Boehner?

The Minnesota Independent reports that Boehner had briefly posted the Bachmann letter on his website, but it now appears to be gone.

See? Hilarious!