It's been a brutal week.
The volume of emails has been indescribable. I've gotten a ton of excellent leads and information from Congressional staffers pushing myriad reform proposals. Believe me, I try and get these out to you as quickly as I can verify the accuracy.
But I'm one person, with one computer and two arms. If you've written me, and I haven't yet responded, it's not because I don't want to, it's because, I'm running on empty.
We're all running on empty because of men like Max Baucus. I'm sure Max was a good father and husband, but, forgive me, he's rotten to the core.
You should have no doubt why the health needs of the American people took a very distant back seat this week at the Senate Finance Committee (matter of fact, the American people got no seat), to the special interests who shower him with money.
I guess Baucus AHIP decided a public Plan just isn't in the cards.
Tragically, like so many we send to Washington to do our business, Max Baucus, is a man who responds to those who pay him.
I wish I could find ounce of compassion for a man like Max Baucus, but this is impossible, because Americans are dying at an alarming rate simply because healthcare is a privilege in the United States. You ought to read this really telling interview Ezra Klein conducted with Baucus before the Democratic Convention. Seems quaint in retrospect, doesn't it?
That assessment is widely shared. But some reformers remain skeptical about Baucus' commitment to the issue. "The thing you have to understand about Max Baucus," says one longtime observer, "is that he's a good guy. His heart really is in the right place. But the worry is that if health reform fails, he'll still be able to sleep at night."
I relay the concern to Baucus. "In life," he replies, "you try to be as effective as you possibly can be. Would I not sleep at night, having tried my hardest? I wouldn't that first night, but for how many nights after that, I just don't know."
Later in our interview, Baucus returns to the question, concerned that he didn't answer it fully. "Is it okay if we don't reform health care? It's not okay at all. But will I sleep at night?" And here, he laughs. "I mean, hell, I'm a pretty good sleeper."
Then he sobers up. "It's not okay, though."
http://www.prospect.org/...
Of course Max Baucus wants healthcare reform, he guaranteed the insurance industry a huge new influx of paying customers. And, he's in the process of delivering. They pay, Max delivers.
Lee Stranahan, whoever you are, has it dead on. Give Lee a hand!
This is from the Baucus Father's Day invitation. The AHIPsters and Max are yukking it up, this very moment.
Anyone in Montana who can get us some photos, please send them our way. The best of course would be a video of an uninvited citizen trying to get in and blocked by a wall of secuirty guards.
"Enjoy fly fishing on the world-renowned Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers during peak salmon fly hatch season, or golf the scenic 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Arnold Palmer," says an invitation for a June 19-21 fundraiser for Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. The same invitation offers a second event July 31-Aug. 2: "Camp Baucus is a trip for the whole family. Bring everyone to enjoy Big Sky's fly fishing, golf, horseback riding and great hiking."
http://www.politicalbase.com/...
This was in the Montana Standard last week.
Insurance interests total 1/4 of Baucus' fundraising
HELENA — As Sen. Max Baucus has taken the lead on health-reform legislation in the U.S. Senate, he's also become a leader in something else: Campaign money received from health- and insurance-industry interests.
In the past six years, nearly one-fourth of every dime raised by Baucus, D-Mont., and his political-action committee has come from groups and individuals associated with drug companies, insurers, hospitals, medical-supply firms, health-service companies and other health professionals.
These donations total about $3.4 million, or $1,500 a day, every day, from January 2003 through 2008.
Baucus, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee that is drafting a major health-care reform bill this month, insists this cavalcade of money is not unduly influencing his work.
"No matter the issue, Max always puts Montana first," said his spokesman, Ty Matsdorf. "Max will continue to do what's right for our state, and groups like SEIU (a union representing thousands of health-care workers) and AARP (a senior citizens' group) wouldn't line up in support of his health-care reform effort if this wasn't true." Baucus' office also lists numerous examples of how his proposed reforms are challenging the health-care and insurance industries, such as requiring insurers to accept all customers, regardless of health condition.
http://www.mtstandard.com/...
If Max Baucus thinks we'll believe this crap, then we'll need to let him know, we're not quite as ignorant as he may think.
Dear friends, take some time for yourselves and your families this weekend, because we have a long and very hot summer ahead.