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Last night 34 House "Democrats" voted "Nay" -- voted against HR 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Just as we've come to expect that mendacious, rapacious, citizen-betraying crap from Republicans, we've also come to demand that Democrats act like Democrats, even if they have to be brought kicking and screaming into the fold of those who give more of a damn about their constituents and the American citizenry than the Insurance Lobby and their own cowardly asses.
To me the worst and most craven offender was Alabama 07's Artur Davis. Please allow me to make my case.
Artur Davis' Congressional District, AL-07 is Alabama's poorest (part of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, all of Dallas County - Selma...). It's population: almost 62% African-American, 35% White. He he voted "No" on Health Care/Insurance Reform.
Why? Why would he so shamelessly betray his own constituents? Because he's running for Governor of Alabama and cowered in fear that a "Yes" vote might cause this or that white T'Party good ol' boy from Dothan or Decatur vote against him in the Primary or General Election.
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UPDATE: Ron Sparks -- Davis' Primary Opponent in the Governor's race -- has just had a presser slamming Davis for his "No" vote. I'm now solidly in Sparks' camp. Can't find it on the web, yet, but just heard this from his campaign.
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Here's what one Alabama physician says about the thing in an Open Letter to Artur Davis (excerpt):
"I know the politics of this is particularly difficult for Rep Davis. He is about to run for Governor of our State. I support him fully! And I know his opponents in that race will take shots at him for voting in favor of this Bill.
"But I figure, Rep Davis is going to be saddled with being affiliated with the 'liberal agenda' of the Democratic Congress no matter how he votes. If not in favor of this issue, there are others with which he will be labeled. And my sense is that once this Bill passes, and the public learns of the true benefits it provides (not the hateful false rhetoric in the media and elsewhere)...the public will become overwhelmingly in favor of this groundbreaking law. Much like the public is in favor of Social Security today.
"What concerns me for him is that the more progressive voters...who would support him 1000% ...will lose faith in him. OR at least fail to give him their full support...or worse...fail to be motivated to even turn up to vote for him. This is what I think happened, at least in part, in Massachusetts this past winter. Sure she was a bad candidate...but she did not inspire the core to even show up...."
I'm a member of "Over the Mountain Democrats" a Democratic Club made up of mostly South Jefferson County, Alabama Democrats: Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Hoover, South Birmingham. The link just above that foregoing blockquote goes to the OTMDs' Home Page. Check it out. The Over the Mountain Democrats are the most affluent in the State of Alabama -- I'm not in that league, mind you. One of my OTMD friends told me on Friday that she and others had organized over 200 phone calls to Davis' office and/or campaign office in the past 24 hours. I certainly called his Birmingham and DC Congressional Offices, as well as his Campaign Headquarters. He had fair warning from me and a lot of OTMDs.
Here's a disclosure of sorts: for years I have supported, volunteered for, given a little money to and certainly voted for Artur Davis. No more. I will work against him now. His primary opponent is Alabama Agriculture Commissioner (and former darling of Daily Kos) Ron Sparks. I not crazy about Sparks, either. In fact, at this point I'm rather depressed that Alabama doesn't have a truly Progressive Democrat in the race (i.e., one that'll listen to and give a damn about every Alabamian's issues and concerns, but not quivering in fear that having spine and imagination will alienate the "Good Ol' Boy Vote)." At any rate, I'll say it again: I will work against Davis. Many other former supporters will, too. As for the black vote here in Alabama, I won't predict how that will go. I don't know if Davis' cynical calculation (to wit: that they'll all "fall in line" anyway, so he need not be concerned about voting to crush HCR) will pan-out, or if some significant percentage of black voters will be too deflated by Davis' betrayal to go out of their way for him, or what. It will be interesting to see.
So there you have it: a Democrat betraying his own constituents because he fears being called "Progressive" statewide by those not likely to vote for him in the first place. Davis' shameful and shameless "No" vote, were it to be graphically portrayed, would be the poster child of putting personal ambition above the responsibilities of a conscientious officer-holder.
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South Boston Congressman Stephen Lynch also voted "No." I'll leave it to Bay Staters to vilify or rationalize his vote as they wish.
As for the other 32 "Democrats" who voted against Health Care/Insurance Reform, I'm sure we'd all like to hear from their constituents or people in their respective states.