Repub Class of '94 Ain't What It Was Billed

The Politico has a good article on the class of repubs who were swept into government during the "Contract With America" class of 1994. The basis of their contract was that of family values. Turns out, a good chunk of that class couldn't live up to their contract.

Standouts from the class of '94.

1. Mark Sanford- Cheated on wife
2. John Ensign- Cheated on wife
3. Mark Foley- Uncle Touchy Feely with the DC pages

The list goes on. Another interesting tidbit. The divorce rate was high for these freshman. Now, the article does explain that congress puts a huge amount of stress on a marriage but these guys preached about family values. Was it just a slogan to get to power?

Health Care Bill (HELP) Costs Less and Covers More

The GOP will have a hard time finding support for opposing the public health care bill that INCLUDES the public option.

It turns out the 1 trillion cost over 10 years was a bit of an overestimation. The bill, including a public option, only costs $600 billion over 10 years AND covers 97% of our population. (My question is who is the 3% not covered?) Some wavering senators were apprehensive because of the cost. Can't use that one anymore. (On another point. So what if it cost 1 trillion over 10 years. That is only 100 billion a year to make sure everyone has medical insurance. Small price to pay for such a developed country.)

Why does it cost less? From Huffpo:

"The letter indicated the cost and coverage improvements resulted from two changes. The first calls for a government-run health insurance option to compete with private coverage plans, an option that has drawn intense opposition from Republicans.

'We must not settle for legislation that merely gestures at reform,' the two Democrats wrote. 'We must deliver on the promise of true change.'

Additionally, the revised proposal calls for a $750 annual fee on employers for each full-time worker not offered coverage through their job. The fee would be set at $375 for part-time workers. Companies with fewer than 25 employees would be exempt. The fee was forecast to generate $52 billion over 10 years, money the government would use to help provide subsidies to those who cannot afford insurance."

The images of everyone having insurance and no one going into bankruptcy due to medical bills are dancing through my head.

Franken Is Taking It Over

Via TPM. One day after taking over Coleman's seat, Franken then goes and takes over Coleman's whole office and is quick to put up this new sign.

How sweet it is.

Lieberman Against Public Option

Lieberman really doesn't like his state of Connecticut. Why? Now he's against the public option in Obama's health care reform bill. This man is unbelievable. He lied about his opposition to the wars. Now he's lied about his support for universal health care.

Lieberman In 2006:

"what I'm saying to the people of Connecticut, I can do more for you and your families to get something done to make health care affordable, to get universal health insurance, to make America energy independent, to save your jobs and create new ones. That's what the Democratic Party is all about."

What a disservice to the people of Connecticut. He was elected on promises he has FAILED to keep. What next? He's probably against the energy bill that came out of The House promoting energy independence.

Update: Great video from Dailykos

John Stewart On Bernie Madoff's New Ponzi Scheme

To f-ing funny. Check out how Bernie's new hand job ponzi scheme.

Franken Wins Court Ruling: Coleman Concedes Race

After 8 months of futile court battles on the part of Norm Coleman, Al Franken has finally won his senate seat. In the court ruling today, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Al Franken. With such a unanimous ruling, Coleman figured that the U.S. Supreme Court would not look at this case and so he decided to quit.

Doesn't really matter to Norm though. The GOP was paying for his fight. They spent almost 1 million in fees to help out Norm that could have gone to 2010 election battles. What a waste of money.

The real trouble is in the mail for the GOP. Dem Senator Byrd just got out of the hospital, Senator Kennedy can make small trips to DC, Penn Senator Specter switched parties, and finally Al Franken will be getting seated sometime this week or next giving the dems 60 seats. A filibuster proof majority that the GOP only dreamed of.

My oh my have the tables have turned.

Is Mitt Romney The New John Edwards

While the title might lead you to believe that Romney might be cheating, don't. John Edwards, after his presidential loss with John Kerry, began his 2008 campaign for president the day after the 2004 loss.

In a much similar way, Mitt Romney has been campaigning for the 2012 presidential election ever since he lost back in 2008. Mitt could have carried out his campaign until the end like Hillary or Huckabee. Instead, he saw the writing on the wall and knew he would have another chance in 2012.

From Politico:

"When dozens of former Romney aides and advisers convened on the terrace of Charlie Spies’ fashionable Penn Quarter loft earlier this year on a warm February night, the purpose was ostensibly to help raise money for the Virginia state House race of Romney strategist Barbara Comstock.

But Spies, formerly the Romney campaign’s CFO, wasn’t just hosting a $100 per-head fundraiser. He was also staging a Romney political family reunion, as advertised by his e-mail invitation subject line, “The Romney gang back together,” and the special $50 cut-rate fee for former campaign staffers meant to draw some of the junior aides."

When Romney's staffers get back together to talk shop, something has to be cooking. A bit of advice for Romney though. Don't screw one of your staffers.