Well, we always knew who owned them, but rarely are they so upfront about it. Via Think Progress
Before the vote took place, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) offered a defense of Bunning’s amendment by arguing that the 72-hour provision was critical because it provides time for senators to consult with health insurance lobbyists:
All the Senator from Kentucky is asking is for 72 hours to determine the cost. Senator Snowe has spoken eloquently about sunshine, and the openness, and the fact that the American people would support this 90 percent, 95 percent. But the thing that I’m trying to point out is we would have at least 72 hours for the people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation that we pass around here, and the regulations that we pass around here, to say "hey, wait a minute. Have you considered this?" And that’s all I’m asking for — is not only cost, but also the content of a bill. And that 72 hours, I think, is highly, highly important.
Video, after the fold.
"the people that the providers have hired." Those are the lobbyists, the ones who own Senator Roberts, the ones who, in the immortal words of Lyndon Baines Johnson, "have his pecker in their pocket." See Lyndon Johnson Quotes
Sen. Roberts: We Need To Give Health Insurance Lobbyists ‘At Least 72 Hours’ To Read The Bill
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Roberts has received over $172,000 in political contribution from insurance companies over the last five years.
Think Progress
He, of course, opposes a public option.
Legalized corruption is what is going on here. Yesterday, I wrote about the sweetheart deal Blue Dog Mike Ross got. Corruption? Questions swirling around sale by Blue Dog Mike Ross of Land to Pharmacy Chain
Follow the money. It's so ridiculous. They don't even try to hide it.