R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

A true Health Care Reformer, and who President Obama regarded as “one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.”

The Congressional Break Has Been Anything But...

As the congressional recess comes to a close, it seems that there are more questions left to Health Care reform than there are answers.

Coming to no surprise at all, yet at the same time politically risky, the Democrats had remained fairly silent in terms of addressing constituent concerns, as only a mere 17 of the 58 Democratic senators — less than a third — were holding town halls back home, according to an informal POLITICO survey of every Democratic office in Congress. And as for the house, of 263 Democrats in the House, 91 were holding public forums for constituents — just over a third. Among those in the red is our very own Senator Schumer, whom I remember adamantly threw himself to the forefront of the Health Care debate and expressed the dire need for public option/strong Health Care reform. Now, it seems as though he doesn't have an ounce of fortitude to hold a town hall meeting to face his constituents, look them in the eyes and tell them that he supports Health Care reform -- or better yet, that he supports a completely partisan reconciliation vote of just 51 votes, indicating that he is willing to force a Health Care bill with NO Republican support at all. So why isn't he holding a town hall meeting you ask? Because he knows his constituents, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike, disagree with his policies. So technically he's ignoring his constituent base. Pragmatic? I think not...

Unless the Democrats get their act together, it will seem that all Pro-Health Care reform Senators have become ignorant of their own constituents -- that is, the very same people who have voted them in. It is no secret to the public that that they are simply following the sway of their party, rather than having the courage to question the current process of Health Care Reform for the sake of their constituents. Have they forgotten their responsibilities to vote based on the people's choice, and not theirs? It has become apparent recently that many life-long Democratic citizens across America have even begun to reconsider their party of choice. Democratic leaders believe that by courting Independent voters they will gain public approval for Health Care Reform, but it is clear that they should look no further than their own party. The message to me is clear for the Congressional leaders in Capitol Hill: if America, or specifically an overwhelming majority of your own constituents, is not in favor of the current Health Care legislation, then they must revise the bill altogether to better suit public approval. They shouldn't force current legislation. As a supporter of Health Care reform myself, I have continuously stated that there needs to be bi-partisan support, and not an isolationist approach that the Democrats are currently undertaking. I understand that in today's realm of politics, Washington has never been so divided, from abortion, gun laws, affirmative action, health care, immigration, and taxation to foreign policy strategies. Consequently, the Democratic majority have realized that the Republicans may never compromise simply for the sake of executing through party bias. However, the reality check may not come in the following months per se, but rather in the 2010 and 2012 election cycles in which angry voters across party lines will vote the majority out of Washington D.C. Republican voters will for the fact that they would like to see their party in the majority of course, but more importantly even the Democrats and Independents would vote against the majority simply for forcing policies that are highly unfavorable in general. While they may have the power/constitutional rights to vote however which they please, their voting record will ultimately affect their chances of re-election.

To those Democratic leaders who have done the right thing and stood up to their peers in such times of adversity, such as Sen. Arlen Spector (D-Pa.), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), they still will stand a chance with their constituents during elections even if Health Care reform fails. Their constituents will appreciate the time and efforts taken to listen to their opinions, whether for or against reform. The power of elected political officials, their prestige, honor, and clout within Capitol Hill, lies in their public support. Without it, and they are politically dead. Democrats must hold town hall meetings not only for the sake of having one but to visualize first hand the dissension that their constituents feel over the current Health Care legislation and the hoopla surrounding it.

In any case, Politico recently highlighted the best (rather, the worst) moments in the crazy month of August "recess".

Health Care Reform: Chaos -- What Will Pres. Obama Do Now?

Well, town hall meetings have begun during August recess, and the results are just as I had expected: mayhem. Democratic Congressmen and Senators alike will continue to field hostile crowds everywhere they go, and in a democratic society there is nothing to stop this from happening. Although civilized behavior should be a prerequisite to attendance and expected, the CNN'S Report Card of President Obama's Handling of Health Care Reform is clear: people simply don't like the current direction of Health Care reform, and thus Congress should stop forcing the public to accept current legislation. Modification is necessary.

Yes, if one glances at the poll numbers CNN gathered it states that the "handling" of Health Care Reform is split down the line: 50% approve, 50% disapprove. However, the complexities arise when you analyze the overall grading: while 50% approved, 15% of those who gave Health Care reform a passing grade still rated it a C or lower. Clearly, those 15% like the idea of Health Care reform, but not the direction. Thus, this sends a message to Congress: get back to work. Mark up legislation that your constituents will APPROVE of. Granted, there are those who will simply vote against Health Care reform at all costs because of their allegiance to party lines or simply because of nonsensical hatred towards everything and anything that President Obama stands for. Also, I'm well aware that there is a LOT of misinformation put out there that I've outlined in earlier posts (i.e. abortion funding, euthanasia) which have also led to fairly negative responses of the Obama Administration's handling of Health Care reform on CNN. Since this is the case, town hall meetings should be mainly intended to debunk myths. If some misconceptions are cleared up and efficiently addressed to the American Public (mostly among the senior citizens) I really believe that a legitimate amount of opposition would turn into support. If you're convinced that everything that the Republicans say are true regarding Health Care, think again...

The question now however will be this: How will President Obama himself handle the overwhelming pessimism of Health Care reform, particularly within his own party and its voters? Forget about those who are misinformed or will forever reject any proposal of Health Care reform, but what about those who love the idea of Health Care reform in the United States, but not necessarily the means in which Congress are legislating/enforcing it? Will he entertain the far left who wish he will not budge and remain satisfied with current legislation that has minimal bipartisanship, or will he have a more centrist approach and tend to the Blue Dogs?

A Day in the Life of a W.H. Reporter

Pretty cool behind-the-scenes video how what it's like to be part of the White House Press Corps:

Sign of the Apocalypse -- Bill O'Reilly Praises Barack Obama

Wait a minute, Barack Obama is a certified Democrat, and Bill O'Reilly is praising him? Does this make any sense?! Isn't he a conservative talk show host, and, by definition, operated to destruct any goals/accomplishments/falters by the President? Well, low and behold Bill O'Reilly is for once a real pragmatist, and rightfully (and finally) praised President Obama for his upbringing and how his "rags to riches" story. The American Dream.

Look, everyone knows it's Bill O'Reilly's job to be the conservative that he is, and he should question the majority party's decisions in Capitol Hill to keep them in check/entertain his right wing base. But at the same time, it's good to see a Conservative actually recognize the President's credentials and his life story, and not dismiss it (i.e. Birthers). Politics aside, O'Reilly is one of the few notable Republicans to come out and publicly PRAISE the president, unlike some conservatives who are scared to just because they simply can't accept the fact. and I'll give him kudos for that.

-- O'Reilly's article will be published this Sunday in the Parade magazine. Here's a sneakpeak of the article:

"Barack Obama, a youngster in Hawaii without his parents around, has toughed it out and become one of history’s great stories, no matter what happens going forward," he writes at the end. "What he has achieved in his 48 years is simply astounding. Consider the odds. The United States is a nation of more than 300 million citizens. Only one person is currently the Commander in Chief. That man had no fatherly guidance, is of mixed race, and had no family connections to guide him into the world of national politics. That adds up to one simple truth that every American child should be told: “If Barack Obama
can become the President of the United States, then whatever dream you may have can happen in your life."

As Expected...For the Most Part

Judge Sotomayor will now officially replace David Seuter, after the Senate confirmed her to the United State Supreme Court on a vote count of 68-31.

Thanks to the SCOTUS blog, here's a list of how the Senate voted in the current Supreme Court justices during their confirmations (including Seuter):

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, September 29, 2005, 78 – 22

Justice Samuel A. Alito, January 31, 2006, 58 – 42

Justice Stephen G. Breyer, July 29, 1994, 87-9

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, August 03, 1993, 96-3

Justice Clarence Thomas, October 15, 1991, 52-48

Retired Justice David H. Souter, October 02, 1990, 90-9

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, February 03, 1988, 97-0

Justice Antonin Scalia, September 17, 1986, 98-0

Justice John Paul Stevens, December 17, 1975, 98-0

-- Also, due to her relatively early confirmation, Justice Sotomayor will be on the bench for the Sept. 9 reargument of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205) and her first full term will begin Oct. 5. as the 111th Justice.

Here's a video of Pres. Obama right after Senate approval of Justice Sotomayor:

Mr. Intangible -- But Shouldn't This Be His Wife's Job as Secretary of State?

President Clinton successfully negotiated with N. Korea to release the 2 journalists held captive for, well, no reason at all by the monarchal government. I'm surprised the state-run media actually released pictures of the Team America: World Police star...