ARRGH: Reid and public option

In other words, we're lost but we're making good time...

We'll slug this out later on the floor, apparently. More time to delay, or let the Blue Dogs scamper away to the shadows rather than be targeted ...

http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/07/28/reid-says-its-premature-to-say-whether-he-backs-public-plan/

Reid says it's 'premature' to say whether he backs public plan

@ 3:46 pm by Michael O'Brien
As the battle rages over whether or not final healthcare reform legislation should include a public (or "government-run") option for consumers, the Senate's top Democrat said Tuesday it'd be "premature" to say whether or not he supports such a provision.
"It would be really premature for me to lay out for each of you what I think should be in this bill," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said in remarks following the weeky Democratic luncheon.
Reid declined to say whether he would be pushing for the public option during negotiations in the Senate, focusing instead on bringing a bill to the floor.
"What I think should be in the bill is something that I will vote according to my conscience when we get this on the floor," Reid explained. "But I have a responsibility to get a bill on the Senate floor that will get 60 votes, so we can proceed to it."
The Nevada Democrat hinted that he may have a preference, but played his cards close to his vest as to what that might be.
"That's my number one responsibility and there are times when I have to set aside my personal preferences for the good of the Senate and I think the country," he said. ...

AP: Senate Finance Committee To Drop Public Option

This is unacceptable. I sent the following to our Senators and to Schumer. I am in the process of sending it to all on the Finance Committee.
I just heard that the public option was dropped from the Healthcare Reform bill. This is outrageous. The Presidential election was won on the basis of change. Healthcare reform without a public option is just rehashing old habits. We need real change and now. Companies should not dictate the law and dropping the public option shows the power of the healthcare lobbyists. I am a member of the Burbank Democratic Club and will actively campaign against any senator or congress person that does not publicly support a public option.

Health Insurance

Real Stimulous

New Food Stamp Rules Help California’s Low-Income Families « California Budget Bites

“the food-stamp boost [to the economy] is almost immediate,” with families redeeming nearly all benefits within a month of receipt. “The quick influx of cash into the economy reflects the often desperate situation faced by millions of households struggling to put enough food on the table.”

Like they said: Not too big? Not big ENOUGH

If only people were still taught history, or how to read it:

The worse news: as some economists predicted, the stimulus package was too small to affect the "real" economy - you know, the one you and I live in? - in any significant way. Sounds like those who urged Obama to think large and visionary (a la FDR's Public Works Administration) really did have the right idea.

... because...

Hiring might not rebound in an economic recovery

(LA Times) Reporting from Washington -- Even as the nation's economy begins clawing its way out of the worst recession in 60 years, there are growing signs that this recovery could come with an unsettling twist: The wheels of commerce may begin to turn again without any substantial boost in jobs.

Not only is the national unemployment rate, now 9.4%, likely to climb into double digits later this year, but it is also expected to remain there well into 2010, economists say.

.....
Damn gutless Knownothings ... another window of opportuity lost?

R's and D's might have voted together ...

NOW, Schwartzenegger stands up for something?

From Capitol Weekly

"there were rumors that a framework had been agreed to on an overall budget deal. Other stories had the Republicans willing to put up votes for the bills if Democrats committed in writing to making changes in fraud investigations of in-home healthcare workers and Medi-Cal abuses. Republicans also pushed Democrats to accept the governor's 11th-hour proposals to change the public employee pension system to roll back benefits for future state workers."