The moment we've all been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for is here. Now we can see how really badly Max Baucus can mangle healthcare reform, and whether Dem crusaders like Rockefeller can do anything to save it. They certainly can't expect any assistance from Republicans, who are just going to keep up with the lies.
Here's what Orrin Hatch had to say this morning:
Sen. Hatch: "We have done this long enough to know that when Washington tells you that something costs $5, it always costs at least $10 or more. Guess what? As our deficit continues to rise and our debt triples in the next decade, all of these taxes will continue to rise. This bill is laying -- we are giving washington a new check book. I commend the president's commitment to only sign a bill that does not add a penny to our growing deficit. I sincerely hope that we will apply the same standards of honesty on our accounting of this bill, as we are now demanding from families and businesses. First, it is important to know that most of the major provisions of this bill do not really start until 2013 or 2014. Once a deadly, right after the presidential elections. So the initial 10-year price tag of $856 billion is a significant underestimation. In reality this is not a 10-your score, but a six or seven-year best guess. The real 10-year cost will be significantly higher. More importantly, I am very concerned that this legislation -- that on this legislation, which the chairman rightfully described as 'the single largest social bill as the great depression' we will not have a complete score, at a time when americans all of the nation are outraged some members cannot even know what is in the bill, how can we justify making these decisions without fully understanding the impact of these policies?" [Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Mark-up, 9/22/09]
Ah, the vaunted CBO, which "In each of the past three decades, when assessing major changes in Medicare,... has substantially underestimated the savings the changes would bring," according to Jon R. Gabel, senior fellow at the National Opinion Research Center.
What about John Cornyn?
"First, this proposal would increase government spending, at 1.6 trillion over 10 years, according to one analysis. The $856 billion price tag as we know doesn't tell the whole story." [Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Mark-up, 9/22/09]
So the CBO is lying about the $800 billion price tag, but when it says something Cornyn likes:
"I believe the professionals at the Congressional Budget Office are doing a very difficult but unpopular work and that is speaking truth to power here in Washington and making the folks who would pass these enormous unfunded bills that impose this huge debt on generations hereafter. I think they're doing an important service by telling us the facts. Last week I commended the Director of the CBO, Dr. Elmendorf, for saying that CBO will "never adjust our views to make people happy." God bless Dr. Elmendorf for his integrity and commitment to tell the truth. We need how to deal with the truth and not try to remake it or cover it up." [Cornyn Floor Remarks, 6/22/09]
And our favorite Gang of Six obstructor, Mike Enzi:
: "I have said for many months that the should have broad bipartisan support in order to gain the trust of the American people. Health care reform will affect the lives of every single american and have a dramatic impact on our economy in the future of our nation. It is too important to be passed by a narrow partisan majorities. Unfortunately, the efforts that -- the efforts were unable to produce a bill because of arbitrarily deadlines. This was imposed by the Senate leadership and the White House. Apparently in some circles there is a belief that passing a bill quickly is more important than getting it right. I regret that we ran out of time and were not able to resolve several key issues that i believe must be addressed in any comprehensive reform package. I will continue to offer constructive ideas in hopes that we might have the opportunity to develop a bipartisan solutions to address the health care challenges that are faced by our nation." [Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Mark-up, 9/22/09]
The same Mike Enzi who said just three weeks ago
"If I hadn't been involved in this process as long as I have and to the depth as I have, you would already have national health care," he said.
"Someone has to be at the table asking questions," Enzi said, showing a flash of passion.
He later quoted a favorite saying: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."
"It's not where I get them to compromise, it's what I get them to leave out," Enzi said.
These are the Republicans Baucus and the White House were so sure they could get to sign onto a healthcare reform bill. And look where that got us. This is all mostly like going to lead to the point that Dems have to decide whether Olympia Snowe gets to reign, or they toughen up and go it alone.