Three Votes
To his great and everlasting credit, Dennis Kucinich (D, OH), voted NO on Speaker Pelosi's health insurance industry protection bill. On a vote of 220 to 215, it would have taken only three other progressives to defeat the bill. Note that Raúl Grijalva (D, AZ), and Lynn Woolsey (D, CA), the co-chairs of the so-called Congressional Progressive Caucus, voted in favor — as did plenty of other Progressive Caucus members. This is a pretty big disconnect: people who call themselves and who are described by others as progressives in the U.S. House of Representatives, aren't. We should remember the roll call from this vote, to be referred to repeatedly, as often as necessary.
Posted by George Kenney on November 8, 2009 1:00 AM 
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Comments
My Congressman, Maurice Hinchey, who is usually a reliable progressive vote, voted for the bill which I agree is a mistake. Hopefully we can convince him to vote against the final bill which will no doubt be even worse than this one.
I am going to send the Congressman next door, Eric Massa, a nice contribution for his campaign. He had the courage to vote in the best interests of the people and there are precious few who are willing to do that. I see they even got to Anthony Weiner — a comment about sausage making should be inserted here perhaps.
Posted by: Charles D
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November 8, 2009 9:52 AM
I'm glad I voted for him, and not Obama. :-) I never believed a word Obama said. It was obvious he was the bankers' boy.
Posted by: Sam | November 8, 2009 8:35 PM
I consider myself a fairly liberal democrat but not at all a single-minded progressive who thinks the government will fix all our problems and we'll enter into some sci-fi utopia. I really do wonder how you honestly expect that universal healthcare would pass in congress! Seriously? It has to be in fits and starts same as social security. This is a good start that will lead to universal healthcare. And if you are all so upset well you can all vote for some progressive loser in 3 years and help Palin (or whatever her name is) into office. You are just as absurd as the right wing tea party nuts; opposite side of the same coin.
Posted by: Robert | November 12, 2009 10:12 AM