The Two Faces of Evan Bayh

Being in a conservative state, I felt it somewhat comforting that we had a moderate Democratic senator, Evan Bayh. I agree with Doug in that no one party should have absolute control. If one does, brilliant things like a craptacular health care reform policy get passed twice that's chock full of bribes and special interest payoffs (you know, special interests that won't dictate policy that our president campaigned with but somehow forgot). What sucks is that this, "I'm not sure how I'm going to vote," guy was, in fact, rallying other Democrats to vote for the bill for which most of his constituents don't agree. That sounds very bait and switch in my book. It seems that others agree.

I just hope people remember how OUR REPRESENTATIVES voted come election time. If you don't agree with their actions, don't reelect: Andre Carson, Baron Hill, Joe Donnelly, Peter Visclosky, Brad Ellsworth or Evan Bayh. In fact, all these people are up for re-election in 2010.

I guess this is just status quo for congress. Heck, even though a couple senators tried to force congress from their swag Federal Employee plans to one of the public health plans, that failed miserably (even though it apparently had some Democratic support). Geesh! That sounds a lot like a car dealer saying the Yugo will be good enough as he puts the commission in the glove box of his Porche.

Ok, so here's what I've learned: (1) having one party in power is like turning a bunch of drunks loose in a fully stocked bar and telling them not to do anything stupid (thanks Doug for the analogy), (2) Congress can do whatever they want even though recent polls say Americans they represent do not support this health care reform bill, and (3) if you bring money to the table you can buy off votes!

Here are a list of "purchases" (original)...
1. Ben Nelson (Nebraska): 10-year, $871 billion package, permanent and full federal aid for his state's expanded Medicaid population
2. Mary Landrieu (Louisiana): between $100 million and $300 million in additional federal aid for her state's Medicaid population
3. Bernie Sanders (Vermont): he requested and won an investment worth between $10 and $14 billion for community health centers
4. Vermont and Massachusetts got $1.2 billion in Medicaid money
5. Western states secured higher federal reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals that serve Medicare patients
6. Florida, New York and Pennsylvania -- where five of six senators are Democrats -- will have their seniors' Medicare Advantage benefits protected, even as the program sees massive cuts elsewhere
7. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., reportedly secured expanded Medicare coverage for victims of asbestos exposure in a mine in Libby, Mont.
8. Connecticut is receiving $100 million for a "health care facility" affiliated with an academic health center at a university

There were others but bottom line is if you weren't fighting for handouts, you got jack. What did Evan Bayh get for Indiana? Doughnut hole! (Hint: If you're going to vote for a bill full of kick-backs for other states, at least get some swag for your state.)

Now exiting soap box. We'll now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.