President Obama spoke to reporters in the Diplomatic Reception Room this afternoon about the historic activities happening around health insurance reform and climate change. Here’s an excerpt from the President's remarks:
…On health care, with today’s developments it now appears that the American people will have the vote they deserve on genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those for do not. And so I want to thank Senator Harry Reid and every senator who’s been working around the clock to make this happen.There’s still much work left to be done, but not a lot of time left to do it. But today is a major step forward for the American people. After a nearly century long struggle we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality in the United States of America.As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added amendments have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchange gets up and running there will now be penalties for insurance companies that arbitrarily jack up rates on consumers. And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchange is open, in the meantime there will be a high risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.And a recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There’s also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient’s choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.These protections are in addition to the ones we’ve been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that will see their costs rise if we don’t act will save money now and in the future. This bill with strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it’s paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. In fact, we just learned from the Congressional Budget Office that this bill will reduce our deficit by $132 billion over the first decade of the program, and more than one trillion dollars in the decade after that.Finally, this reform will make coverage affordable for over 30 million Americans who don’t have it -- over 30 million Americans.As I said before, these are not small changes. These are big changes. They’re fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives. And I look forward to working with the Senate and the House to finish the work that remains so that we can make this reform a reality for the American people…
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We need to get the congressfolks names and start calling and emailing them -day and night if we have to- and then they will change their tunes. I don't know what is going on with some of our so-called democrats leaders, I mean it's like they think that they won the Presidency themselves, and they have even convinced themselves that the American People wants the the same ole Washington tactics and tricks.
Are they delusional or something?.
The American People have Spoken, There is no turning back. We Now have a President Who Will Fight for For US All. I Love how President -Elect(using that elect add on term for 35 more plus days) is Working on Our Behalf. Mr. President Obama is Cool and First Lady Michelle is Cooler, but I have got to give all of the props to their kids Malia and Sasha because they are the coolest.
May God Continue to bless Barack Obama and His Family, and May God Continue to Prosper and keep all of The People of the Unitd States of America.
I am watching President-Elect Obama give his victory speech, and still in a state of disbelief.
I am more optimistic about my country's future tonight than I have ever been in my life.
Only a few more days until we cross the finish line! I just donated $25 that I really don't have because I believe that the next 3 days are paramount to our nation.
Please go to my donation page and join me in giving Barack the final push his campaign needs to achieve a victory for us all!
The B- Rated Actor, Who hacked into an open live mic last Night really prove who he is and what he was capable of...Mr. Thompson, Gambled his Primary on a Failed Hail-Mary pass in South Carolina, had the audacity of no hope to stand in front a microphone and hacked 70 times during his failed hatchet Job against Barack Obama.
Fred does not know anything about Barack Obama and my only memory of him is Fred always sleeping on the Job.
Barack Obama has the Judgement to Lead.
John McCain has the Judgement to MisLead.
The convention tonight was unbelievable. I don't know how else to put it.
The day started for the delegation with breakfast with speakers Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, our own Congressman Peter DeFazio, and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. Mayor Nagin asked us to pray for New Orleans since 5 years after Katrina, the levees have still not been completed. On a lighter note, Senator Klobuchar made us laugh by explaining how she was politely asked to leave Senator Wyden's baby shower for his twins by Senator Diane Fienstein. "Can I package that food for you to take with you?" She also went over a long list of important legislation that got stuck in the Senate and how critical it is for Oregonians to elect Jeff Merkely so this legislation can pass.
Below is a link on Native Americans
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=399871
Imagine what an Obama Presidency could do for America and the World.
I think we care compare it to the Catholics and Kennedy. and probably a few others in our History.
Obama 08
I was encouraged to learn yesterday that Obama as come out in opposition to retroactive immunity for Telecom companaies who complied with the Bush Administraton on illegal wiretapping.
I hope Obama filibusters the shit out of this thing until it dies. I don't know why a lot of Dems are seemingly afraid to force Bush to veto this thing. It is strategically advantageous for us to do so.
It allows us to paint Republicans into a corner by forcing them to side once again with an extremely unpopular president. It also gives us more fodder for "Roadblock Republican" advertising in hotly contested districts all over the country where illegal wiretapping is not a popular idea.
Go for it Obama!
I don't like this. I support Obama and have campaigned for him in a dozen states, but I don't like this. The decision by Pelosi and the Dem leadership smacks of election year pandering, and it doesn't help our party, or our nominee.
We can BS as much as we want that this was the best way out of this situation, but the truth is that they were worried about political blowback if they stood up to the GOP, and they chickened out.
If they keep wondering why the public is still skeptical about giving us the reins, despite how bad the Republicans have screwed things up, look no further than our inability to stand strong on anything.
I don't like this.
It's time to say goodbye to another primary season and move on to the GE.
Do I hear the Neville Brothers playing in the background?
Last night was one of the most rewarding moments of my life.
In 2004, while watching Senator Obama give his speech at the DNC convention, I thought to myself, "If this guy ever runs for president, I'm going to work my ass off for him." The day after he declared in 2007, I signed up for his campaign.
Over the last 16 months, I have canvassed in Texas, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Delaware, Ohio, and the District of Columbia.
I have canvassed in Greenwood, SC, the place where the "fired Up, Ready to Go!" chant originated.
I drove 20 hours to Des Moines, Iowa for the Jefferson Jackson Dinne, which I truly believe will be remembered as the turning point in this primary campaign.
I registered voters who switched parties in Texas because Obama inspired them.
I watched as my mother, a lifelong Republican who lives in Tennessee, slowly became a fan of Barack Obama.
As I sat there last night, with a glass of 12 yr old Elijah Craig Bourbon, I found myself close to tears for the first time ever in my political life.
Let's enjoy this for a day, then get to work on November.
Fired Up! Ready to Go!
Barack Obama has understood what needs to be done with America for awhile now.
Barack Obama was eager and ready to make a change for awhile now.
Barack Obama has learned how politics "works" for awhile now.
Barack Obama is what America needs.
Barack understands freedoms.
Barack understands Democracy.
Barack understands diversity.
Barack understands the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Barack understand honesty and integrity.
Is is to good to be true?
I will Vote for Change to find out!
JOIN ME - Friends, list, groups, donation, events, etc.
One by one, two by two, electing Obama will be an easy thing to do!
