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Compromising Financial Reform

Tue, 03/09/2010 - 15:34 — Dave Culver
  • The goal behind creating an independent CFPA is to ensure that there is a body within the regulatory structure focused solely on consumer protection -- as the rest of the bank regulators make bank "safety and soundness" their primary concern -- and to crack down on the pernicious lending practices that helped precipitate the financial crisis.
  • Democrats Follow Failed Health Care Strategy and Preemptively Surrender on Consumer Financial Protection Agency


Pat Garofalo and others, Think Progress

Durenberger takes aim at health reform fearmongering

Sun, 03/07/2010 - 20:57 — Dave Culver
  • On the eve of President Obama's health care summit, Durenberger told Kaiser Health News that the plan bears a strong resemblance to the reforms pitched by him and other Republicans in 1993. At the time, Durenberger's proposal was the GOP alternative to Clintoncare.
  • Asked why the GOP embraced his ideas in 1993 but shoot them down now, Durenberger told the national online health news service: "The main thing that's changed is the definition of a Republican."

Jill Burcum, Star Tribune | MN

Three cheers for former Minnesota Senator David Durenberger who took aim Wednesday (Feb 24) at the ill-informed rhetoric painting the Democratic health reform bill as some kind of wild-eyed socialist scheme.

On the eve of President Obama's health care summit, Durenberger told Kaiser Health News that the plan bears a strong resemblance to the reforms pitched by him and other Republicans in 1993. At the time, Durenberger's proposal was the GOP alternative to Clintoncare.

It included a mandate to buy insurance, subsidies for the poor and insurance reform to protect those with pre-existing conditions -- key elements of the Senate bill that became the foundation for White House plan released Monday (March 1).

Summary: Barack Obama, Change We Can Believe In: Week of March 7

Fri, 03/05/2010 - 18:24 — Dave Culver

4 New Items including:

  • Obama Applauds Mass Firing of Teachers
  • Obama Looks To Overhaul 'No Child Left Behind'

David Culver, ed., Evergreene Digest

Mike Luckovich

Obama backs plan to give health overhaul fast track in Congress, Margaret Talev and David Lightman, McClatchy Newspapers

  • Obama urges Dems to use reconciliation to pass health care
  • Reid Ready to Support Passing a Public Option for Health Insurance Through Reconciliation
  • Good Policy not Bipartisan Junk

Obama Applauds Mass Firing of Teachers, Michael Whitney, Firedoglake
A wholesale firing of an entire school; the only ones left in the entire high school are the food service workers and the custodians. So why is Obama and his administration going out of its way to praise this mass firing?

The enthusiasm gap, Robert Reich, Salon.com

Obama backs plan to give health overhaul fast track in Congress

Fri, 03/05/2010 - 15:43 — Dave Culver

  • Obama urges Dems to use reconciliation to pass health care
  • Reid Ready to Support Passing a Public Option for Health Insurance Through Reconciliation
  • Good Policy not Bipartisan Junk

Margaret Talev and David Lightman, McClatchy Newspapers

Even after President Barack Obama gave them his blessing Wednesday (March 3) to push ahead hard and fast on health care, congressional Democrats remained uncertain and divided over whether they can finally pass the legislation.

Liberals and moderates both expressed concern about "reconciliation," the fast-track procedure Obama endorsed. It strips the Senate minority of the ability to filibuster, or conduct extended debate, which usually can be limited only after 60 of 100 senators agree.

"I don't like the reconciliation idea," said Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., one of the moderates. "It does give the appearance of trying to ram something through."

Under the plan, the measure could be passed after 20 hours of debate with 51 Senate votes and 216 in the House of Representatives. Democrats control 59 Senate votes and 254 in the House.

More...

The enthusiasm gap

Thu, 03/04/2010 - 16:41 — Dave Culver

  • The Democratic base is drained of all passion because congressional Democrats continue to compromise, water-down, weaken, soften, and create loopholes on everything the Dem base cares about.
  • "Why should I care?" are words I hear over and over again from stalwart Democrats who worked their hearts out in the last election.
  • The left has lost its nerve and its direction
  • Why I Did Not Caucus with my party (DFL) on February 2

Robert Reich, Salon.com

I had dinner the other night with a Democratic pollster who told me Dems are heading toward next fall's mid-term elections with a serious enthusiasm gap: The Republican base is fired up. The Dem base is packing up.

The Dem base is lethargic because congressional Democrats continue to compromise on everything the Dem base cares about. For a year now it's been nothing but compromises, watered-down ideas, weakened provisions, wider loopholes, softened regulations.