"Republicans shade away from pure evil only when voting with the Democrats." Got it. I'll take Krugman seriously when he starts exposing the stagnation, poverty, and stunted opportunity that are the inevitable accompaniments to the socialism he preaches on these sympathetic pages.
6
Wow.
Two women.
From the farthest regions, Northeast Maine to Northwest Alaska.
I do admire these two women.
Two women.
From the farthest regions, Northeast Maine to Northwest Alaska.
I do admire these two women.
33
I find myself breathless at the audacity, hypocritical and inhumane behavior of our Legislators. My, how wonderful for them to receive the best healthcare from our pocket - while depriving us of same. A shame for such as McCain if he were to be treated as are the rest of Americans. Do these people ever ask - with all their belief in G#d, et.al. - where they might be for such grace?
23
Paul, I'm glad you were wrong about McCain.
7
Surely, Dr. Krugman now has to eat at least half a crow.
5
So true!
2
"Horse Hockey!", as Col. Sherman T. Potter used to say. Knowing that he would never again stand for re-election, John McCain fell on his sword to allow other Republican "moderates" to vote the party line, thereby reducing the likelihood of their being primaried down the line. Not quite a "Give Me Liberty..." moment, but a worthy one, nonetheless.
12
Shame on you. You owe McCain an apology and all you gave him was a grudging acknowledgment of having done something right"in the end." You're a brilliant economist, but not necessarily a subtle student of the senate. I trust you have read the tweet stream in the link your colleague David Leonhardt put up in his article. Those who understand the Senate seem to have a somewhat higher opinion of McCain than you have allowed yourself.
8
It seems pretty obvious to me. When has McCain ever walked the walk he talked? But, "Hey, I've got brain cancer. This may very well be my last chance to stick it to that guy who trod all over me during the campaign season." Doesn't that resonate?
15
I don't know what to think anymore --- how did these men get so far without a heart?
6
I couldn't help but notice the "This column has been updated to reflect news developments" note at the end. So Krugman planned a completely negative column about McCain and had to adjust it when he voted no?
3
John McCain is a dying man who's days are numbered. He has nothing to lose at this point and can vote however he wants on any legislation. It will not affect his legacy. However, let us not forget that he is the one responsible for bringing Sarah Palin to the national stage.
22
This is the final bill of sale. The GOP owns it all. No matter what they do or most likely dont do - its all theirs. No matter what McConnell, Cruz, or any of the others with no spines who voted yes, or those in the House who couldn't supply a solid no! (likely the first time in their careers for some of them!) to passing this emaciated bill to the WH.
They own it all! They owned it on Jan 20th. From the first swirl of DT's illegible signature on his EO.
Its all theirs.
Sadly we will all suffer from their legislative buffoonery.
They own it all! They owned it on Jan 20th. From the first swirl of DT's illegible signature on his EO.
Its all theirs.
Sadly we will all suffer from their legislative buffoonery.
5
Paul krugman, have you no shame.
Without your endorsement of the second worse presidential candidate, we would not be in this pickle with the worse presidential candidate now giving all those awful decisions.
For shame.
Without your endorsement of the second worse presidential candidate, we would not be in this pickle with the worse presidential candidate now giving all those awful decisions.
For shame.
7
The gop might have lost this battle in Congress, but they are actively undermining Obamacare from the White House.
They are doing all they can so next year there would be more people that would not get health insurance.
They are all despicable from the first to the last one
They are doing all they can so next year there would be more people that would not get health insurance.
They are all despicable from the first to the last one
13
Wow! It's true, the Republicans have zero morals. They'd rather see their constituents die than go against Koch Bros dogma.
19
I am just shooting from the hip,
but Senator John McCain, recently diagnoses with an aggressive fatal neurological cancer, just displeased a large number of his colleagues, in order to save the lives of millions of American children whose families have been impoverished by the remarkably wealthy billionaires.
but Senator John McCain, recently diagnoses with an aggressive fatal neurological cancer, just displeased a large number of his colleagues, in order to save the lives of millions of American children whose families have been impoverished by the remarkably wealthy billionaires.
6
McConnell will wait until McCain is fully disabled or dead, and the governor of Arizona has appointed a moral zombie to replace him. Skinny, obese, but ever cruel, "health care reform" with then pass.
8
Krugman, you are blowing hot air as you often do. Do you know what tactics McCain had in mind? Are you within his personal circle of advisers? Probably not. The rubber met the road when he voted "no". Take it at face value. What more need be said?
3
what is this: "this column has been updated to reflect news developments" ?? you mean, after the senator did the right thing ?
5
McCain is ten times the man, that the cartoonish and hyper-partisan Paul Krugman is. Krugman's DNC first rants only demonstrate how irrelevant he has become in national discourse.
5
Shame on every single one of you who slammed McCain for finally doing the right thing. Your rabid partisanship with respect to a moderate Republican actually doing something right only adds to the difficulty of fixing the mess we are in. Grow up, and reward good behavior, don't beat up good behavior.
6
i wonder what the nature of the Republican objection to Obamacare might have been if Democrats -- like Max Baucus -- hadn't objected to even a discussion of a public option and single payer.
If even Dems caved to the medical industrial complex, surely that provided cover for the even more shameless republicans.
If even Dems caved to the medical industrial complex, surely that provided cover for the even more shameless republicans.
5
Felons who have committed terrible crimes are given full health while they are in prison, yet we are afraid to guarantee the same care to a nine year old child who who desperately needs medical care. Can't anyone see how wrong and illogical this is. Have we abandoned the idea of common sense?
8
McCain is not a hero, he FINALLY voted like a sensible man would. It is about time he did the right thing. I remember when he wanted Sarah Palin to be president if he died in office. The guy is just an opportunist who has fun being a senator and playing with the lives of the people that support him. He needs to do a lot more to make up for his past failures.
12
John McCain should not be idolized for doing what was the right thing to do for
working American people at this juncture. He should not have voted for repeal in the first place. He is no hero.
working American people at this juncture. He should not have voted for repeal in the first place. He is no hero.
6
It's a tad shameful to attack McCain on this, after he saved America's bacon on healthcare. He has said that he wanted a bipartisan effort and his vote may force that. If you want to blame a moderate, blame Senator Graham. He and others, along with Senator McCain stated that they would support this bill as a process step ONLY if the House promised that they would not simply adopt this Senate abomination and send it on to President Trump. This whole group demanded a guarantee from the House of a House-Senate Conference Committee to try to create a good bill. If you read Speaker Ryan's comments closely, he promised no such thing. He said that there would be a conference committee if one were needed to send a bill to the president. Of course, if Ryan could round up enough House votes, there wouldn't need to be a conference committee and the awful Senate bill would become law. Senator McCain saw through this and voted no. Graham and the others voted yes.
4
Two days ago my more liberal friends despised John McCain. Last night my more conservative friends felt betrayed and bewildered. Actually, all Americans should feel a deep sense of gratitude for the Senator's actions.
Senator McCain might have taken the easy way out and simply let the bill die for a lack of votes; however, he knew that such a path would do nothing but maintain the deep partisan rancor gripping this country. He also knew that the only way to help the U. S. Senate, an institution he loves, to again become one of the great deliberative bodies in human history was to restore regular order. So he voted to send the matter to the floor.
When he voted in a bipartisan group to kill the bill, it was about more than health care. He was sending Congress, the President, and the country a message that deliberation, debate, and inclusion of all viewpoints in that deliberation is critical to the democratic process. Had he taken the easy way, this message would have never been sent
I'm not sure how many of us would have had the foresight or courage to act as Senator McCain did. I sincerely hope that we hear his message and take actions to restore regular order in our legislative bodies and civility and inclusiveness in our political lives. Thank you Senator McCain.
Senator McCain might have taken the easy way out and simply let the bill die for a lack of votes; however, he knew that such a path would do nothing but maintain the deep partisan rancor gripping this country. He also knew that the only way to help the U. S. Senate, an institution he loves, to again become one of the great deliberative bodies in human history was to restore regular order. So he voted to send the matter to the floor.
When he voted in a bipartisan group to kill the bill, it was about more than health care. He was sending Congress, the President, and the country a message that deliberation, debate, and inclusion of all viewpoints in that deliberation is critical to the democratic process. Had he taken the easy way, this message would have never been sent
I'm not sure how many of us would have had the foresight or courage to act as Senator McCain did. I sincerely hope that we hear his message and take actions to restore regular order in our legislative bodies and civility and inclusiveness in our political lives. Thank you Senator McCain.
7
Well, politics is hard ball. I believe that Republicans just used Obamacare to win seats and have a club to beat Democrats with, but I do have some renewed hope that there is a glimmer of hope that the two sides can put this behind and start to work together. The existential threat is Trump, not really a Republican, but unfit to be president and I think Impaired. He is weakening us daily on the world stage and it is only a matter of time until our adversaries/enemies will understand that and start to undo our leadership. We still are the last best hope for a better world. Trump is opening Pandora's box of distrust, hate and xenophobia worldwide. At least as his time is waning McCain started to become a patriot again.
2
The funny thing is that Trump didn't care a bit about what were in these bills. He just wanted a victory. He wanted to destroy the signature achievement of Obama. It didn't matter how many people were affected, or how they were affected. He just wanted to claim he personally dismantled it. Perhaps if he had taken an interest in these bills, understood some of the details, he might have held more sway. But no: the King demanded victory served up from his compliant GOP minions. Shame them, threaten them and make it happen. And the majority fell in line. For all the folks who would have lost coverage under these bills, lets not forget to trot out the Senate and house voting records in a few years.
6
The first vote on repeal and/or replace, without any specifics, made no sense except to show loyalty to the president and to give permission to McConnell to try again and again until he hits the "sweet spot" of approval by the use of backroom deals. Meanwhile, the citizens are left twisting in the wind agonizing over their fate.
Are we so desperate to find moderate Republican behavior that we now canonize any Republicans who break rank now and fend off any damaging amendment when they voted to continue this destructive charade in the first place? Maybe "thanks for doing the right thing at last" would be a more appropriate response.
Are we so desperate to find moderate Republican behavior that we now canonize any Republicans who break rank now and fend off any damaging amendment when they voted to continue this destructive charade in the first place? Maybe "thanks for doing the right thing at last" would be a more appropriate response.
4
McConnell, with his naked cynicism cannot even seem to fathom that a disastrous bill will cause enormous suffering and probably even death.
And worse, has so much contempt for the Trump base that he believes destroying the finances, health and possibly lives of thousands of Americans will not have political consequences.
As execrable a human ( i use the term loosely) as he is, it is sad to realize that on the latter point he may be right, a fact which only underlines his cynicism.
3000 deaths on 911 changed the entire course of history. But, with an Obamacare repeal, the toll will almost certainly be much higher than that.
Will Mitch McConnell (et al) be prosecuted for crimes against humanity?? Because that's what they are.
And worse, has so much contempt for the Trump base that he believes destroying the finances, health and possibly lives of thousands of Americans will not have political consequences.
As execrable a human ( i use the term loosely) as he is, it is sad to realize that on the latter point he may be right, a fact which only underlines his cynicism.
3000 deaths on 911 changed the entire course of history. But, with an Obamacare repeal, the toll will almost certainly be much higher than that.
Will Mitch McConnell (et al) be prosecuted for crimes against humanity?? Because that's what they are.
7
The press, with its pack mentality is always way too quick to jump on the labels of "profile in courage", or "speaking truth the power." It shows laziness. For these labels to be applied there needs to be a risk, or an actual possible downside to what someone is doing. But the press applies them willy nilly as a shorthand, rather than a real analysis, such as what Krugman did. I too also cringed at all the Maverick talk about someone who betrayed the people of the country over and over to support a bankrupt party. And yes, he provided cover so that members of his party could vote YES without having to face any consequences.
1
Saw the original version of this when it was posted pre-vote. PK should have waited. Also -and I am so tired or pointing this out - This statement: "And later that day, he voted for that very bill, even though, you guessed it, it hadn’t changed in any significant way." is not true. McCain never voted for the first bill. That vote was a procedural vote that would have advanced the bill. It went down due to other Senator's No votes and as a consequence it killed the bill. It was not vote on the bill. I thought the media was very lazy to report it as the "vote on the bill" and people, including Professor Krugman, are still confused. In retrospect, the well-intentioned votes to return to committee would have kept these ghastly bills alive, so by letting them advance they were killed off one-by-one. It will be difficult for McConnell & Co. to quickly sew together any leftover working body parts for a new Frankenstein bill.
4
The Republican's forgot that the ACA was modeled after Republican free market concepts. Romney Care was the original deal. This is why they had so much trouble articulating a decent alternative; the ACA is their alternative to Single Payer and/or Public Option which Democrats would take over the ACA in a heartbeat. But Repeal made for such good campaign fodder after the horrendous ACA roll out and the overstatements by President Obama (you can keep your doctor if you want to). Soon the R's couldn't help themselves and they challenged the core concept of the individual mandate, a bedrock Republican principle of personal responsibility. In the end, they got their just desserts.
2
This is the time for the Democrats to come up with some concrete proposals to rectify the problems in ACA. They have silent for far too long since the mad man took office. They should know by now that the country is mobilized and the people are hungering for solutions. ACT NOW!
6
Meanwhile, turns out GOP supporters depend on the very same government programs their party aspires to weaken, dismantle or destroy. Trump asks, "Who knew?"
All the while the GOP's been sabotaging Obama's Affordable Care Act. There are proven timelines since before Obama left office. House or Senate Republicans never had a replacement bill for their repeal-- and whipped together some doomed pages of contradictory silliness in shameful secrecy.
All the while the GOP's been sabotaging Obama's Affordable Care Act. There are proven timelines since before Obama left office. House or Senate Republicans never had a replacement bill for their repeal-- and whipped together some doomed pages of contradictory silliness in shameful secrecy.
3
Senators McCain, Collins and Murkowski have made their mark in history as those who put loyalty to the American people over loyalty to GOP (now stands for Greedy Oligarch Party).
We all know that the crop of GOP politicians are interested in one thing - shredding the healthcare safety net to pay for tax cuts for their wealthy Masters.
We all know that the crop of GOP politicians are interested in one thing - shredding the healthcare safety net to pay for tax cuts for their wealthy Masters.
2
Republican politicians hoodwinked their way into power for seven years by lying about Obamacare and lying about what they could do about it. I don't think they ever had any intention of passing any replacement. They don't want to own the unaffordable and inefficient U.S. health care system. They would rather continue using it as a tool to get elected so that they can do the bidding of those who fund their campaigns. It's not power as a means to an end but power as an end in itself.
5
And you owe McCain a word of praise. He knew what he was doing and was responsible for the defeat of the Affordable Care Act. I look forward to the day when this dreadful administration will submit proposals that are actually good for Americans.
I would not be surprised if Mc cain voted "no" because he received so much criticism for his "yes" vote a few days earlier. I've always been mystified as to why people think he's a hero....
1
I don't get this Republican Party. Whatever happened to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"? Was this only for wealthy white men? Surely, those were the good old days when women were - gotta say "children." Not of their own doing. Seen and not heard. Bravo to the Republican Gals that stood their ground without grandstanding at the end. Real Women to be sure. Millions are offering their prayers of thanks to them both. Please, let us repair and turn a page. And collectively make it a point to start respecting American Lives, our threatened Liberty, and try to get on with the Pursuit of Happiness, instead of waiting in dread for the next idiotic tweet.
3
Forty-eight senators will go back to their states and say they did their best to repeal Obamacare and failed because of Democratic opposition. They will feed that red meat to their base and hope to get reelected. They voted against their conscience and oath of office and lied to the very people who they pledged to serve. All that in an effort to avoid being primaried. That is the corrosivesness of outside interest groups that control the political process behind the scenes away from the people.
5
Well... John McCain recently figured out that he is mortally ill.That kind of information is hard to swallow and changes people making them think. Maybe he began to think about the health care he has been enjoying and make good use of for many years and will continue to do for the rest of his life. He realized that he had been a fortunate and privileged person and that all other Americans deserved the same benefits!
2
The word CLEAR is overused, badly used, and inappropriate. The only clear thing in our politics now is that almost nothing is Clear about many things despite valiant investigations and journalism. It's absurd.
It's hard to imagine but the Democrats and three Republicans probably did the Republican Part a big favor. If this bill ever got loose on the American public, the Republicans would have a hard time explaining their vote in 2018 and 2020. No amount of spin would have fixed this one.
The only way to bring Congress and the Senate back to reality is to make each member walk in the shoes of the average American.
Start by paying them $50,000 a year. Remove their gold plated health care plan and force them to access the same health care companies we use. Then give them two kids who want to go to college. Give them a preexisting health condition and perhaps one sick parent who needs attention. Give each a 10 year old Ford sedan.
I assure you, the US would have a single payer health care system and free college tuition. Case closed.
Start by paying them $50,000 a year. Remove their gold plated health care plan and force them to access the same health care companies we use. Then give them two kids who want to go to college. Give them a preexisting health condition and perhaps one sick parent who needs attention. Give each a 10 year old Ford sedan.
I assure you, the US would have a single payer health care system and free college tuition. Case closed.
5
Dr. Krugman, Murkowski equals murky. Why is she still GOP?
Wrong. Sorry, but moderates are where it's at, and McCain is a throwback to better times when senators were about issues above party lines. Given the democrats have no credible candidate at this time, I would vote for sen McCain as next president, after Mr Trump is incarcerated for treason. Democrats get an F in 2017 - right when we need them. Moderate republicans get a B+ which gets them top of the class. The far left is an embarrassment to all of us, just as the far right has been for 15 years. The middle is where it's at.
Interesting to note that the Krugman piece appearing in the national edition was published before McCain's surprise post-midnight vote. That piece thoroughly trashed McCain. So now Paul has added a sentence in the web version of his piece grudgingly recognizing McCain's final vote. But he leaves in all the nasty stuff about McCain even though McCain did the right thing along with Collins and Murkowski!
The Republicans have transmogrified from the party of "No: to the part of "No Can Do". As always, show and no go.
Amen! Could not agree more regarding the hypocrisy of McCain. He receives health care for a serious illness, that almost no Americans could afford without health care.
He's been morally bankrupt for years.
He's been morally bankrupt for years.
2
It's great that McCain voted no on the skinny repeal. But this is also a man who selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. That doesn't seem to me to be a choice that put the good of America first.
2
At the same that I wonder if these men have a heart, I also know the ACA cannot function as it is, and I just had a brainstorm. How about a bipartisanship effort to fix it?
You are right and I think a good remedy to all of this would be to limit terms of Congress so we do not have career politicians, thus forcing a clear dynamic and change.
2
I Dr. Paul Krugman. Thank you, Professor!
1
McCain said yesterday that when he read the bill, if he thought it wasn't good for the American people, he would vote NO. He never voted yes on the bill. His counterparts were less clear in their news conference and shouldn't have bothered with it. They'll be judged on how they voted.
It's not surprising that 2 women Senators voted against it. An article in the Times today spoke about each side "winning" or "losing". Women don't think in those terms. This country will be better off when there's more women in the Senate, so we're not dependent on slim margins.
It's not surprising that 2 women Senators voted against it. An article in the Times today spoke about each side "winning" or "losing". Women don't think in those terms. This country will be better off when there's more women in the Senate, so we're not dependent on slim margins.
6
In the end, it was the political gravity of reality that defeated GOP efforts to repeal Obamacare.
2
More nonsense from Krugman. After he published this McCain voted down the plan to send the "Skinny" plan to the House. As usual, Krugman's partisanship makes him fast and loose with the truth. He is emblematic of all that is wrong with the extreme left wing of the Democratic party. While they have a ways to go to be anywhere near as demented and dangerous as the right wing Republicans, if the Dems nominate continue to drift leftward they will lose the opportunity to undo Repub majorities in 2018 and if they nominate a Bernie or Liz in 2020 they will again blow the opportunity to win the Presidency. The underlying problem is simply that the rate of cultural fragmentation and change in the U.S. has now outstripped the tolerance of the majority, who are moderates of 3 varieties; those expelled ot repelled from or by the Democratic Party, those expelled or repelled from or by the Republican party and independents. The best thing that could happen would be for a new moderate party to form and relegate the Dems and Repubs to the extremist sidelines.
we criticize the Republicans for trying to repeal the ACA without a viable alternative. However I see little if anything offered by the Democrats on what to do about the unsustainable demographically and technologically driven rise in the percentage of GDP and state and federal budgets consumed by healthcare. Blaming greedy insurance companies, hospitals , physicians and pharmaceutical companies is at very best merely a start , not a solution.
2
"we criticize the Republicans for trying to repeal the ACA without a viable alternative. However I see little if anything offered by the Democrats"
The Democrats offered genuine if incomplete healthcare reform with the ACA.
We criticize the Republicans because they are beneath contempt. Why aren't you complaining about them?
The Democrats offered genuine if incomplete healthcare reform with the ACA.
We criticize the Republicans because they are beneath contempt. Why aren't you complaining about them?
1
Before you can arrive at an effectivr solution, you have to correctly identify the problem.
Two words: "Single Payer."
2
In 2018 and 2020, I'll remember the men and women who wanted to take my healthcare away and leave me on the side of the road like decomposing roadkill. And I'm sure I won't be the only one.
17
There's sanctimony here, but it ain't by McCain. The perils of writing a pre-packaged column with pre-packaged conclusions. Let's not let the facts - or the ultimate results - get in the way of a good occasion for bloviating. Public Editor, where art thou now? Oh, I forgot - gone with the wind...
4
Word on the street is that the Republican party is toying with the idea of a new acronym: LOLGOP.
3
Paul,
Don't you think it was just theater? A lot of Republicans knew all of the Republican proposals were bad but got themselves trapped behind the eight ball of THE PROMISE. They knew they were going to have to vote it down but they needed one sacrificial lamb to cast the deciding vote. Who better to fill that role than a man who is, almost certainly, not going to run again, (who probably won't even serve out the rest of his term), and therefore doesn't have to worry about his base getting angry at him.
At least that is what I'd like to believe. I'd also would like to believe Sen. Capito really wanted to vote against this horrible bill but voted for it knowing that it's defeat was assured. Hard to believe that she really did come to Washington "to hurt people".
To Sen. Murkowski, Sen.Collins, Sen. McCain and all the Democrats, thank you.
Don't you think it was just theater? A lot of Republicans knew all of the Republican proposals were bad but got themselves trapped behind the eight ball of THE PROMISE. They knew they were going to have to vote it down but they needed one sacrificial lamb to cast the deciding vote. Who better to fill that role than a man who is, almost certainly, not going to run again, (who probably won't even serve out the rest of his term), and therefore doesn't have to worry about his base getting angry at him.
At least that is what I'd like to believe. I'd also would like to believe Sen. Capito really wanted to vote against this horrible bill but voted for it knowing that it's defeat was assured. Hard to believe that she really did come to Washington "to hurt people".
To Sen. Murkowski, Sen.Collins, Sen. McCain and all the Democrats, thank you.
10
The Repuglycans knowingly voted for the wrong legislation that they knew could hurt millions of americans in need of health care. They have absolutely no scruples. This is a mentally sick group of people who receive the best health care the taxpayer can provide. But they are content to leave the rest of us with higher premiums, prior health conditions that prevent being insured, policies that deny prenatal care, family planning, mental health care and so many things that keep a population healthy and productive. It's hard to express how I feel about the greedy, lying, deceitful, brain dead leaders of this nation without resorting to the sort of language that Scaremucus used.
13
Maybe he's trying to atone for fifty(50) years of guilt feelings(look it up)
Thank you Dr. Krugman for slicing through the thick Baloney. If I hear another Hosanna sung to the tune of McCain- I may regurgitate. What we witnessed was the classic sausage being made by three classic Political sausage makers; McCain, Graham and McConnell. This is how Washington does it's "Bizness". There are other*more important* matters- like the budget: " You give me this- I'll give you that."
Now, the rest of the Cowardly-49 will be able to go home (or so they believe) and tell the good-folk how they tried-their-best to Replace the abominable Obamacare.
Now, the rest of the Cowardly-49 will be able to go home (or so they believe) and tell the good-folk how they tried-their-best to Replace the abominable Obamacare.
6
The policy and moral bankruptcy of 49 Republican Senators was made clear by their attempt to pass a bill that was so awful they didn't want the House to pass it. They had nothing that would pass and 80%+ of Americans opposed their harmful bills. That they would attempt to pass a still very damaging striped down bill, in order to pass anything, is testimony to their lack of moral judgement.
11
I have said several times that John McCain sold his soul to the right wing of the Republican party many years ago. Paul Krugman properly calls him out here. Sure his vote killed something that should never have been born, but he was in the delivery room that allowed it to it have the possibility of life. So let's not get crazy about McCain. As far as I am concerned, he has never been the admirable person some would like to have us believe. And far too many of his so-called moderate colleagues fell in line behind the hypocrite McConnell, making themselves just as phony as he is.
8
In what world are any of these politicians moderate? Our system has tilted so far to the right, that I guess just by purely comparative measures these people are, but not in any valid or true sense. Hillary Clinton is moderate. Kirsten Gillibrand is moderate. Not McCain, Murkowski, and even Collins. These are traditional conservatives whereas, well...I don't even know how to label Cruz, Rubio, and the rest.
5
HRC was always well to the left of even Bill (she's been pushing single payer since she set foot on Pennsylvania Ave) and only seated that description when she embraced Sanders leftist agenda.
2
Remember, both love and hatred are equally contagious.
It’s your personal choice how you are going to act and how you going to affect the people around you.
Donald Trump started hating the Muslim world. Very soon he graduated to hating the Democrats. The next target were the moderate Republicans daring to show some independence and think with own heads. Afterwards the hatred stepped up and now you have the bickering spreading within the very Administration so there is the bad blood between the President and the Attorney General or between the communication chief and the chief of staff…
It’s your personal choice how you are going to act and how you going to affect the people around you.
Donald Trump started hating the Muslim world. Very soon he graduated to hating the Democrats. The next target were the moderate Republicans daring to show some independence and think with own heads. Afterwards the hatred stepped up and now you have the bickering spreading within the very Administration so there is the bad blood between the President and the Attorney General or between the communication chief and the chief of staff…
3
Mr. Krugman should expand on his statement that healthcare is a " sixth of the economy", when at the turn of the 20th century it was significantly less than 1%.
Health care in America has become a racket, much like default credit swaps. The republicans will not fix it , the same way that Democrats did not fix it - and for the same reason, because both sides are equally involved in the racket.
Health care in America has become a racket, much like default credit swaps. The republicans will not fix it , the same way that Democrats did not fix it - and for the same reason, because both sides are equally involved in the racket.
5
I don't disagree that we now see a healthcare industrial complex but perhaps much of the growth of medicine as a share of the economy is due to scientific advances and society's expectations about care and health.
3
"Policy . . . that will shape a sixth of the economy"
Health care ought to be about a ninth of the economy while providing care for all, not a sixth while leaving tens of millions without coverage.
The fundamental problem is the extreme looting of our economy under cover of "health care." Some people are making out like bandits.
They don't want it to stop, hence real reforms just can't be considered. After all, they pay for these politicians, and he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Health care ought to be about a ninth of the economy while providing care for all, not a sixth while leaving tens of millions without coverage.
The fundamental problem is the extreme looting of our economy under cover of "health care." Some people are making out like bandits.
They don't want it to stop, hence real reforms just can't be considered. After all, they pay for these politicians, and he who pays the piper calls the tune.
14
Maybe I am giving Senator McCain too much credit, but his speech when he first arrived back about "doing healthcare right," complete with bipartisan involvement and full hearings to gather input from subject-matter experts, makes me wonder if this wasn't his plan all along.
His close friend Lindsay Graham who shared his thoughts couldn't vote "no" without jeopardizing his seat, and many other moderates in deep red states were in the same boat. Such seats could well go to Freedom Caucus types who would take our country even further into the blackness of the far right, but with enough votes actually to enact a massive tax cut masquerading as healthcare--and likely far worse. McCain was uniquely positioned to carry the moderates' water without jeopardy.
Don't get me wrong. I have no love lost for the GOP, given their history of putting party before country almost every step these last six months. But given their overwhelming vote in favor of the Russian sanctions bill and the moderates' increasing willingness to speak out, I wonder if John McCain didn't step up to the plate on behalf of more than just himself.
Of all people, McCain knows that politics is the art of the possible. And of all people, he knows that losing the few sane, moderate voices within the GOP would make doing anything for our country's wellbeing even more impossible. I like to think he took the incoming fire for the long term good of the country. A hero twice over.
His close friend Lindsay Graham who shared his thoughts couldn't vote "no" without jeopardizing his seat, and many other moderates in deep red states were in the same boat. Such seats could well go to Freedom Caucus types who would take our country even further into the blackness of the far right, but with enough votes actually to enact a massive tax cut masquerading as healthcare--and likely far worse. McCain was uniquely positioned to carry the moderates' water without jeopardy.
Don't get me wrong. I have no love lost for the GOP, given their history of putting party before country almost every step these last six months. But given their overwhelming vote in favor of the Russian sanctions bill and the moderates' increasing willingness to speak out, I wonder if John McCain didn't step up to the plate on behalf of more than just himself.
Of all people, McCain knows that politics is the art of the possible. And of all people, he knows that losing the few sane, moderate voices within the GOP would make doing anything for our country's wellbeing even more impossible. I like to think he took the incoming fire for the long term good of the country. A hero twice over.
8
Interesting analysis. If you are correct about those moderates who voted yes because they were afraid of being primaried out of their seats, then that says terrible things about those states and those voters. I would think even in these deep red states people might realize that this bill would have hurt them. And if that's the case, then maybe the Democrats have hope of picking up enough seats to make McConnell minority leader.
6
There is nothing inconsistent or immoral about McCain's procedural vote to open debate and last night's vote against the actual bill. They are both votes for legislation through open debate and against back room manipulation. Passing the bill last night would have moved the bill to conference committee where it would have been rewritten by just a few leaders. McCain voted for the institution of the Senate and open debate.
8
The party that now controls the 3 branches is dead set against any system that guarantees health care for all. By their lights, it would be anti profit, thus anti American. And the Dems want to extend h/c while preserving insurance profits. When will our media admit this fact?
True H/c for all, common in other democracies, would legitimize govt action for we the people. Once fed action that's pro citizen majority is accepted, then follows inevitable pressure and acceptance of higher, fairer taxes on the rich and corporations. Then this spreads to more govt regulation of big banks, big oil, etc,
And even regulation of our media conglomerates, who now profit greatly from our big money campaigns. After all, govt once prohibited media monopolies in an area from owning too much tv, radio, newspapers. That was repealed by Bill Clinton and Gop and the 90s---thank you. Fox News grew to dominate the nation as Gop media. Media has become more aligned with corporate profit motives, not their public service mission to inform the people.
Cable News and NYT columnists may seem humanitarian and rational compared to Trump and his criminal gang, but they will only go so far in defending we the people against corporate dominance.
H/c for all is the last thing our congress wants. We need stronger allies to fight them for us.
True H/c for all, common in other democracies, would legitimize govt action for we the people. Once fed action that's pro citizen majority is accepted, then follows inevitable pressure and acceptance of higher, fairer taxes on the rich and corporations. Then this spreads to more govt regulation of big banks, big oil, etc,
And even regulation of our media conglomerates, who now profit greatly from our big money campaigns. After all, govt once prohibited media monopolies in an area from owning too much tv, radio, newspapers. That was repealed by Bill Clinton and Gop and the 90s---thank you. Fox News grew to dominate the nation as Gop media. Media has become more aligned with corporate profit motives, not their public service mission to inform the people.
Cable News and NYT columnists may seem humanitarian and rational compared to Trump and his criminal gang, but they will only go so far in defending we the people against corporate dominance.
H/c for all is the last thing our congress wants. We need stronger allies to fight them for us.
6
Yes, it was quite surreal when, following his noble-sounding statement given after returning to the Senate, Senator McCain cast the decisive vote allowing the whole process to proceed. Shortly thereafter, I was completely dumbfounded. In his moving speech to the Senate, John McCain said that he would NOT vote for the bill as it now written. Then he voted yes on the very first bill! Was it the tumor or what?
Consider this about the skinny repeal. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine together with the CBO's estimates of the skinny repeal, conclude that 15 million people would lose coverage in 2018, which would result in an estimated 32,967 lives lost each year. Mr. McCain thankfully voted no for the skinny repeal. But wait! McCain voted yes on the very FIRST bill - repeal and replace - which would have resulted in even more lives lost!! Do the GOP senators not know how to use a simple calculator?
Dr. Krugman, you suggest that most of them should be deeply ashamed, but I'm not sure that is possible for them. It's absolutely mind boggling that a plurality of Republican senators would vote yes for ANY of the plans presented! What dummies! May they all be held accountable by voters and G.O.D.
Their voting actions confirm it: Most Republicans simply do not care about making excellent and affordable health care available to the American people. Most of them are heartless and cruel individuals, and now we have the votes to prove it.
Consider this about the skinny repeal. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine together with the CBO's estimates of the skinny repeal, conclude that 15 million people would lose coverage in 2018, which would result in an estimated 32,967 lives lost each year. Mr. McCain thankfully voted no for the skinny repeal. But wait! McCain voted yes on the very FIRST bill - repeal and replace - which would have resulted in even more lives lost!! Do the GOP senators not know how to use a simple calculator?
Dr. Krugman, you suggest that most of them should be deeply ashamed, but I'm not sure that is possible for them. It's absolutely mind boggling that a plurality of Republican senators would vote yes for ANY of the plans presented! What dummies! May they all be held accountable by voters and G.O.D.
Their voting actions confirm it: Most Republicans simply do not care about making excellent and affordable health care available to the American people. Most of them are heartless and cruel individuals, and now we have the votes to prove it.
8
Whether Republicans enact a Repeal/Replace bill or not, they are going to destroy the ACA one way or another by one game or another. It appears that the real problem is the name "Obamacare" that causes such pain to Trump who most likely has no idea what the Republicans are trying to enact. It is rather astonishing that the majority of Americans do not look around the world at countries who view healthcare as a human right and ask, "Why not us?" but continue to buy the Republican "Market Forces" ideology leaving millions of Americans uninsured or underinsured. Really, anyone heard of any of the advanced countries with Universal Healthcare voting to repeal and replace it?
10
McConnell, Trump, and a large majority of the GOP are determined to repeal Obamacare because this is what they were elected to do. It's what the folks in the heartland were voting for when they elected Donald Trump, and they will continue to vote for whoever promises to repeal it. Your refusal to even consider the reasons for this continuing hostility from the very people for whom this law was written says more about your own political blindness than anything else.
May I suggest you stop crunching numbers long enough to take in a wrestling match, attend a NASCAR race, or spend a Sunday morning in any white evangelical church. You will find a moral philosophy very different from your own. Twisted or not, moral resentment will trump economic analysis every time.
May I suggest you stop crunching numbers long enough to take in a wrestling match, attend a NASCAR race, or spend a Sunday morning in any white evangelical church. You will find a moral philosophy very different from your own. Twisted or not, moral resentment will trump economic analysis every time.
7
People voted for the kind of health care Trump promised, not the replacement of health care with tax breaks for millionaires. Obamacare was supposed to get replaced by something better.
1
Put Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., near the top of the list. He pretended to be "on the fence," and during the July Fourth recess, he visited tiny Meeker, Colo., where MAGA signs are prominent. Then he ducked a private meeting in tiny Steamboat Springs, where several grandmothers with signs appeared --- and his excuse was "security."
Meanwhile, Gardner is always in attendance at the Koch brothers' retreats in Colorado Springs.
Cowardice personified.
Meanwhile, Gardner is always in attendance at the Koch brothers' retreats in Colorado Springs.
Cowardice personified.
9
Responsibility trumps Trump's irresponsibility. Collins & Murkowski are two shining stars in a very dim Republican Party. Thank you for your good work. It is hard to get noticed when there are so many loud mouths running around Washington.
7
We are all going to get old and retired from work for sure. So we have a Mandatary Social Security Tax to pay to take care of our future when that time comes.
We are all going to get old and get sick one day for sure. So it is nature to have a Mandatary health insurance "payment/tax", to take care of our future needs when that time comes.
Let us have a national insurance system.
We are all going to get old and get sick one day for sure. So it is nature to have a Mandatary health insurance "payment/tax", to take care of our future needs when that time comes.
Let us have a national insurance system.
6
or, taking the GOP tack, why not just get rid of Roosevelt's commie Social Security scheme as they've been trying to do since it was originally passed?
this bunch is the true enemy of the people and should rightfully be brought up on RICO charges, one and all.
but first, let the party publish a disquisition on partheogenesis, since clearly none of them had any parents to show them right from wrong. they live by a single light: extreme, pathlogical SELFISHNESS.
this bunch is the true enemy of the people and should rightfully be brought up on RICO charges, one and all.
but first, let the party publish a disquisition on partheogenesis, since clearly none of them had any parents to show them right from wrong. they live by a single light: extreme, pathlogical SELFISHNESS.
If one approach is rejected, another avenue must be tried. McCain might suggest a way. Collins advanced a proposal a few months ago.
1
A lot of the press is charmed by McCain and they give him a free pass. He is largely a hypocrite, but he did the right thing last night. His story is far more checkered than heroic.
5
Why are people upset with McCain usually voting with the Republicans? Last I checked he was a Republican. And for those of us on the sidelines I think it's more than a bit presumptuous to question his heroism. He did have a chance to leave the POW camp but declined. I very much doubt that many of us, including Paul Krugman in his life as an academic, faced circumstances as trying. Too many of us Democrats adopt a holier than though attitude to those with whom we disagree.
2
So the only people in the GOP with testicular fortitude happen to be women.
15
Murkowski and Collins are far braver than McCain, and the only two republican leaders worth a damn. They have been consistent in their honesty about what repealing the ACA really means, and steadfast in their opposition doing so. American owes these two women a great debt of gratitude.
13
This isn't over. Republicans will continue to do everything they can to undermine the ACA. The individual insurance markets will suffer from neglect and the uncertainty caused by Trump's statements. He admits openly that he wants the ACA to fail, and he will do whatever he can to make it fail. Insurance companies will keep pulling out of rural areas with no assurance that the subsidies will continue. Many Republican states didn't even take the Medicaid expansion for political reasons, depriving large numbers of their citizens of healthcare coverage. They care more about making the ACA fail than the health of their residents. The propaganda will continue. The people will suffer. No other country has adopted a so-called "market-based" insurance system with success because it just doesn't work. It's a right-wing fantasy. All countries that have universal healthcare impose price regulations. That is why we pay twice as much as everyone else for healthcare. We can't even authorize Medicare to negotiate drug prices, much less crack down on the ridiculous prices everyone else pays. There are many ways that the ACA can be improved, and Democrats stand ready to pass them into law. But a lot of people were conned by Trump, the snake oil salesman. He promised them we would have wonderful healthcare, with everyone covered and paying far less. It was clear that he had no plan for this, and neither did the Republican Party. They aren't done trying though.
8
We have to be thankful that Mitch McConnell had the arrogance to force the vote in the first place. Forcing the vote put it on record who was the coward and who was not.
Now, it is the responsibility of those voters in those states where U.S. Senators are up for re-election next year to demonstrate they deserve a democracy. If voters return any Republican senator to office who voted for any of the three bills, shame on them. It will really signal the death of the power of democracy for our country.
Now, it is the responsibility of those voters in those states where U.S. Senators are up for re-election next year to demonstrate they deserve a democracy. If voters return any Republican senator to office who voted for any of the three bills, shame on them. It will really signal the death of the power of democracy for our country.
11
I just started rereading "Profiles in Courage." Perhaps our beloved political leaders might consider borrowing a copy from the public library (I am sure none of them actually own a copy) and read it?
2
NOTE
Two Republican Senators appear to have bowed to pressure from their colleagues and the WH:
- Dean Heller of Nevada
- Shelley Capito of West Virginia
They considered Medicaid reductions to be bad for their constituents, but were afraid to vote their convictions. They know that dark money might put them out of office. Ms. Murkowski has a stronger position because she has already survived a challenge.
Steps towards totalitarianism are continuing.
For many years, this has been difficult in the USA, but
"The worst are full of a passionate intensity."
While the best don't yet "lack all conviction," democracy is in danger, as it has been since last November. Not enough voters knew Trump's character; not enough understood the dangers. This is not politics as normal.
Two Republican Senators appear to have bowed to pressure from their colleagues and the WH:
- Dean Heller of Nevada
- Shelley Capito of West Virginia
They considered Medicaid reductions to be bad for their constituents, but were afraid to vote their convictions. They know that dark money might put them out of office. Ms. Murkowski has a stronger position because she has already survived a challenge.
Steps towards totalitarianism are continuing.
For many years, this has been difficult in the USA, but
"The worst are full of a passionate intensity."
While the best don't yet "lack all conviction," democracy is in danger, as it has been since last November. Not enough voters knew Trump's character; not enough understood the dangers. This is not politics as normal.
10
I've lost all respect for any Republican. If you held your breath and voted for Donald Trump, you knew perfectly well you were helping to elect someone unfit for office - someone who could endanger the very basis of our democracy. Shame on them all.
10
Paul - what you say about McCain may be true ..but...Thank God he rose to the occasion last night. And I think maybe this is a hard time for moderates. It's tough to be part of a supposed team and the acting on conscience - agreed it takes courage - audit McCain's courage signed yesterday. Maybe it shouldn't be but these are difficult times for lots of people of conscience.
3
I disagree with McCain on many/most things, but on this, I believe Krugman owes him an apology.
1
McCain's yes vote on cloture allowed the public to witness the two-day, high-profile spectacle of most Republican senators voting to take health care away from tens of millions and to throw the insurance markets into chaos.
That's an important contribution to returning the "moderates" of both parties to eventual control of the Senate.
That's an important contribution to returning the "moderates" of both parties to eventual control of the Senate.
5
The GOP are just a product of Fox and talk radio. Their voters are uninformed,mis-informed and reckless about their basic duty as an American citizen.The GOP Senators are not over-estimating the intelligence of their voters! They will have long careers in the Senate just like McCain!
6
Ironic: McCain, a supposed conservative, comes to the temporary rescue of The A.C.A., while a supposed liberal, Joe Lieberman, killed the Single Payer Option; and no one subscribes to the theory the game is rigged?
5
Republicans have been playing hot potato with healthcare for years. Rather than attempting to create good policy, they've create proposals that were not expected to actually pass a vote. That way they can claim they tried but they are free from any responsibility.
This continued last night, with Ryan saying that of course the skinny bill would go to conference but that 'the Senate needs to get to 51 votes'. That was just another way of saying 'hey you better not pass your skinny bill, because if you do and can't come up with 51 votes on something better, we'll vote on the skinny bill.' In other words, 'you better not pass the skinny bill because we will definitely vote for it in the house.'
This continued last night, with Ryan saying that of course the skinny bill would go to conference but that 'the Senate needs to get to 51 votes'. That was just another way of saying 'hey you better not pass your skinny bill, because if you do and can't come up with 51 votes on something better, we'll vote on the skinny bill.' In other words, 'you better not pass the skinny bill because we will definitely vote for it in the house.'
2
Excellent, thoughtful, and persuasive article, Dr Krugman. I makes me wish that you hadn't put your considerable insight and talent in the slavish service of the Clinton campaign machine last year to help defeat Bernie Sanders and deliver us into the hands of Trump and these absolutely despicable Republicans.
Had you resisted, and the outcome been different, I'm sure your criticisms of the administration would focus on issues of substance, and not the outrages we face every single day. Makes me wonder who the bigger hypocrite really is.
Had you resisted, and the outcome been different, I'm sure your criticisms of the administration would focus on issues of substance, and not the outrages we face every single day. Makes me wonder who the bigger hypocrite really is.
3
I agree wholeheartedly with Paul Krugman and his assessment of John McCain and his role in this latest Republican health care debacle.
I could not help but notice the irony in Mr. McCain standing there speaking with the scar over his eye from his cancer operation paid for by the very constituents he came back to Washington for the purpose of taking away their right to the health care that he just received.
I believe John McCain is an American hero and wish him a speedy recovery and all the best but make no mistake, he has not been a friend of the American people in this health care fight.
I could not help but notice the irony in Mr. McCain standing there speaking with the scar over his eye from his cancer operation paid for by the very constituents he came back to Washington for the purpose of taking away their right to the health care that he just received.
I believe John McCain is an American hero and wish him a speedy recovery and all the best but make no mistake, he has not been a friend of the American people in this health care fight.
4
We are quickly going down the road to becoming a Banana Republic, and the Republican part of the Senate is an embarrassment to America.
I find it disheartening that we have a near majority in the Senate who believe, while they get the best in care and coverage in medical resources, look at the remainder of the population of the United States as grifters and malingerers.
It is the Republicans that are the true grifters. They are more concerned of getting their monies from the 1% than they are supporting the average american.
I find it disheartening that we have a near majority in the Senate who believe, while they get the best in care and coverage in medical resources, look at the remainder of the population of the United States as grifters and malingerers.
It is the Republicans that are the true grifters. They are more concerned of getting their monies from the 1% than they are supporting the average american.
6
I wonder if we are thinking about the words people use, and not seeing the possible thinking that is taking place within the brain that is not reflected in the words. The drama that unfolded beginning with flying Senator McCain from his recovery from brain surgery to Washington to cast the decisive vote to allow the debate to proceed has more to do with control and power than heathcare or politics. Senator McCain is a man dealing with the loss of control of his own brain and his impotence in keeping the cancerous cells from killing his mind and his body. In casting his votes in the Senate he had control of the U.S. government and the lives of millions of Americans even while he is losing control of his own mind. Everything about how the heathcare repeal drama has unfolded is frightening and really is more about Republicans desire to control American lives through complete contempt for the good of the people. To think that one man's battle for his own health and life was the basis upon which the balance of health outcomes for millions of Americans depended is the most frightening aspect of it all. What would a healthy Senator McCain have done? Would "Skinny Healthcare" be in the hands of Paul Ryan and company? Senator McCain can go home and fight his battle for his brain while the rest of us can be relieved that because of his need for control, we all have a possibility of control of our own health. A hero he was not. That role was played by Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.
2
I agree with the view that many, though not all, Republicans have been and continue to be enablers of an incompetent, divisive, ineffective and offensive Trump administration. However, I do not agree that John McCain's MTP vote was hypocritical. While only McCain knows for certain his reasoning, it seems to me that he voted consistent with his speech regarding a "return to regular order."
The drafting and preparation of the legislation offered by Republicans was procedurally awful. The legislation offered in several forms was ugly and worse than mean. The debate held on the bill offered was far too short and stifled. However, it did provide the opportunity to register for the record the positions of every Senator, including McCain's dramatic and courageous No vote on the final bill offered. His statement about a time to return to regular order and bipartisan efforts to address providing quality and affordable healthcare to all Americans stand in direct contrast to the mean spirited tweets of a dysfunctional President Trump and his crowd of enabling Republican minions.
Voters now can remember the documented and recorded positions taken and words spoken by all concerned when considering who to represent and lead them in the future. This is in part a result of McCain's MTP Aye vote.
Thank you Senator McCain for both votes.
The drafting and preparation of the legislation offered by Republicans was procedurally awful. The legislation offered in several forms was ugly and worse than mean. The debate held on the bill offered was far too short and stifled. However, it did provide the opportunity to register for the record the positions of every Senator, including McCain's dramatic and courageous No vote on the final bill offered. His statement about a time to return to regular order and bipartisan efforts to address providing quality and affordable healthcare to all Americans stand in direct contrast to the mean spirited tweets of a dysfunctional President Trump and his crowd of enabling Republican minions.
Voters now can remember the documented and recorded positions taken and words spoken by all concerned when considering who to represent and lead them in the future. This is in part a result of McCain's MTP Aye vote.
Thank you Senator McCain for both votes.
1
Senator John McCain deserves the credit he earned this past week, with a gutsy return to the Senate at grave personal peril, an enlightened speech to return to the days of bipartisanship and compromise and casting a final vote of conscience that saved healthcare for tens of millions of people. Anything else said about what this man of character demonstrated this week is inaccurate. What John McCain said and did brought Senator Schumer to tears. I feel exactly the same.
6
John McCain's early morning thumbs down was a "Profile In Courage." Paul, your piece should have revised your assessment of John McCain. As to McCain, you should have followed the hallowed tradition of Gilda Ratner, as "Rosanne Rosanna Danna," and said simply, "Never mind." When all the pressure was brought to bear and he had a chance to do something consequential, the Arizona Senator did the right thing. He thereby distinguished himself, for the ages perhaps, from the so called "moderates" you justifiably excoriate.
1
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It might not be stated as publicly and frequently as the lionizing, but many, like me, really appreciate your calling out McCain's hypocrisy and cravenness in enabling the sheer destructiveness and corruption of the current GOP regime.
2
“Doing the right thing” and personal and/or political integrity aside, hope all Republican U.S. senators & congresspersons have the common decency to send sincere thanks to senators Collins, McCain and Murkowski for saving their party from an all-but-certain BLOODBATH in 2018. As they must all realize, if a McConnel/Ryan/Trump-care bill became the law of the land, there would be few safe “Red” seats in the next election.
TIP to any GOP politicos who believe otherwise: fire each and every on of your political advisors who try to tell you that’s not so.
TIP2: save yourself a lot of unnecessary grief and fire those deluded, over-compensated “experts” TODAY.
(And maybe also send an appreciative note to majority leader McConnell on his masterful kabuki. (Top notch stuff!))
hashtag: ModernCongressional
TIP to any GOP politicos who believe otherwise: fire each and every on of your political advisors who try to tell you that’s not so.
TIP2: save yourself a lot of unnecessary grief and fire those deluded, over-compensated “experts” TODAY.
(And maybe also send an appreciative note to majority leader McConnell on his masterful kabuki. (Top notch stuff!))
hashtag: ModernCongressional
There is a bill introduced by Bernie Sanders for single payer, like Medicare. No insurance company profits, fewer middlemen. Please also get some women into the discussion. It seems to be all white men except for Lisa Mutakowski and Susan Collins( and thankfully John McCain), with some backbone. Plus I have heard southern whites refer to Obamacare as the black man's health care and they mean it in a racist way.
4
The first thing people have to keep in mind is that, ever since Reagan (if not before), the GOP has marched ever rightward, toward the point that the average Republican is so far to the right of Republicans of 50 years ago, he's got one leg already dangling over the right-hand edge of the flat earth they live on. To call a Republican a moderate is to twist the term moderate (and conservative, for that matter) in a way that Orwell in 1984 would have LOL'ed at. A "moderate" Republican would have been considered a far-right kook just 20 years ago. The Democrats, hungry to win back all of those so-called Reagan Democrats, have followed dutifully, if not as radically, to the Right, figuring that any old-time Liberals and Progressives can be ignored because they will vote Democratic as the lesser of two evils. Even the queen of progressive punditry, Rachel Maddow, with a BA from Stanford and a doctorate from Oxford, says about her own political views ""I'm undoubtedly a liberal, which means that I'm in almost total agreement with the Eisenhower-era Republican party platform."
Referring to members of the GOP as "moderate" is like talking about some members of ISIS as "moderates." The real measure is between the truly lunatic reactionaries & the cynical reactionaries who play extremist for their base. Whenever I hear people talk about GOP "moderates" I think of Inigo Montoya's line in The Princess Bride: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Referring to members of the GOP as "moderate" is like talking about some members of ISIS as "moderates." The real measure is between the truly lunatic reactionaries & the cynical reactionaries who play extremist for their base. Whenever I hear people talk about GOP "moderates" I think of Inigo Montoya's line in The Princess Bride: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
5
Recall that the GOP senators have signed Grover Norquist's pledge, so their pledge carries more weight than all their posturing.
2
The Gop is a party of rw radical extremists not belonging in any democracy. This makes it easy for the Democrats to paint themselves as the centrist progressive by contrast. But they need big insurance/pharma money to run against Trump. This is ignored in our media and NYT.
Krugman is in fact a moderate Democrat, but in our politics so skewed to the rw, he can call himself a liberal---and one with a conscience---so we’ll know.
Thus he’s strongly defended Obamacare, now idealized against the iniquitous Gop attacks. But we deserve better since ACA was a Gop plan that Obama used, kept the insurance profits as 1st priority, and Krugman continually downplayed its drawbacks---which citizens in 1st world countries wouldn’t put up with . But the US did put up with it and so have most of its liberals.
So our discussion of h/c is still in fun house mirror mode. The worse the Gop & Trump get by the day, the more the halo of the centrist Democrats shines.
But---will this ever result in health care for all at lower cost, in line with 20th century international standards?
Krugman is in fact a moderate Democrat, but in our politics so skewed to the rw, he can call himself a liberal---and one with a conscience---so we’ll know.
Thus he’s strongly defended Obamacare, now idealized against the iniquitous Gop attacks. But we deserve better since ACA was a Gop plan that Obama used, kept the insurance profits as 1st priority, and Krugman continually downplayed its drawbacks---which citizens in 1st world countries wouldn’t put up with . But the US did put up with it and so have most of its liberals.
So our discussion of h/c is still in fun house mirror mode. The worse the Gop & Trump get by the day, the more the halo of the centrist Democrats shines.
But---will this ever result in health care for all at lower cost, in line with 20th century international standards?
3
People who live in glass houses shouldn't be casting stones.
Dr. Krugman's story has been that the ACA is a wonderful program with a few hiccups - and he is sticking with it. Truly, it fits right into the neoliberal "better deal" meme that mainstream democrats are trying to choke down the throats of Americans.
Last night's dog and pony show was brought to you buy the democrats because Obamacare didn't perform well for the masses. It was the result of...
- The inability of the democrats to get to single payer.
- The refusal to negotiate with big pharma to bring prescription drug prices down to something sane.
- The refusal to contain costs for technologies that have been around for decades (like MRI's).
- The inability to effectively mandate participation by the healthy people to bring down premiums.
The mess that unfolded last night was the direct result of neoliberal policy that only gives lip service to vibrant middle and working class. These milquetoast non-solutions that accomplished nothing year after year put the mad men republicans back in power. And Paul Krugman led that charge.
So let's give a man who is probably terminally ill his due. We know McCain stands for small government. He has never made that a secret. Krugman and his ilk aren't much different, they just won't admit it.
Instead of casting stones on a man who is probably dying, Mr. Krugman should consult a mirror.
Dr. Krugman's story has been that the ACA is a wonderful program with a few hiccups - and he is sticking with it. Truly, it fits right into the neoliberal "better deal" meme that mainstream democrats are trying to choke down the throats of Americans.
Last night's dog and pony show was brought to you buy the democrats because Obamacare didn't perform well for the masses. It was the result of...
- The inability of the democrats to get to single payer.
- The refusal to negotiate with big pharma to bring prescription drug prices down to something sane.
- The refusal to contain costs for technologies that have been around for decades (like MRI's).
- The inability to effectively mandate participation by the healthy people to bring down premiums.
The mess that unfolded last night was the direct result of neoliberal policy that only gives lip service to vibrant middle and working class. These milquetoast non-solutions that accomplished nothing year after year put the mad men republicans back in power. And Paul Krugman led that charge.
So let's give a man who is probably terminally ill his due. We know McCain stands for small government. He has never made that a secret. Krugman and his ilk aren't much different, they just won't admit it.
Instead of casting stones on a man who is probably dying, Mr. Krugman should consult a mirror.
2
I am so glad that "The Maverick" voted with the 2 Republican Women. Perhaps we needn't be so harsh on him. Being in the environment of the hospital brought him to the threshold of doing the Right Thing fro Americans. Let us hope that the talk of bi-partishipship if not just words.
1
Well the Profesor is right in a sense but one moment of decency from John is
more than what we are gonna get from any of his male colleagues in our entire lives. Thank you John.
After all John has nothing to lose, as he is not going to run again, I assume, so he has no need to swim in the sewer again.
But lets give honor where honor is due and that goes to the two ladies, Collins and Murkowski that
did have something to lose and still voted their conscience. They are the real heroes of the day and an example that at least John followed.
Thank you ladies, and ladies you are.
more than what we are gonna get from any of his male colleagues in our entire lives. Thank you John.
After all John has nothing to lose, as he is not going to run again, I assume, so he has no need to swim in the sewer again.
But lets give honor where honor is due and that goes to the two ladies, Collins and Murkowski that
did have something to lose and still voted their conscience. They are the real heroes of the day and an example that at least John followed.
Thank you ladies, and ladies you are.
4
Do congressional politicians fear reprisals by McConnell and Trump if they vote against the party's so-called repeal and replace bills? You bet. But the path to legislative success isn't so difficult. Repeal Obamacare and replace it with Trumpcare, which will have the same structural substance but fix the problems that both parties know exist. Embody the solutions suggested by the health care industry such as increasing the penalties for not having insurance and extending subsidized coverage to the uninsured whose income is too low to qualify for such coverage but too high to qualify for Medicaid.
Paul, I'm a fan but must say that you should give John McCain a bigger shout-out. I don't agree with his antipathy for Obamacare. But that is overshadowed by a big appreciation for his urge for thoughtfulness and bipartisanship.
Liberals and conservatives are always going to disagree - vehemently. But we should celebrate these rare moments of thoughtfulness and, dare I say, courage?
Liberals and conservatives are always going to disagree - vehemently. But we should celebrate these rare moments of thoughtfulness and, dare I say, courage?
2
I agree that people have to accept responsibility for their actions and predictable consequences of their actions, but that is different from others having the right to BLAME them for their actions or to assume that we understand their motives.
People are expected to act rationally and base decisions on facts and likely results; unfortunately, in many complex situations, even two rational, well-intentioned individuals can disagree on goals, or even - agreeing on a goal - disagree on how to successfully reach that goal.
In this case, I have no reason to believe that McCain’s motives were evil, regardless of how much I have disagreed with almost all of his statements and actions, and no matter how hard I would have worked to defeat his election.
People are expected to act rationally and base decisions on facts and likely results; unfortunately, in many complex situations, even two rational, well-intentioned individuals can disagree on goals, or even - agreeing on a goal - disagree on how to successfully reach that goal.
In this case, I have no reason to believe that McCain’s motives were evil, regardless of how much I have disagreed with almost all of his statements and actions, and no matter how hard I would have worked to defeat his election.
1
I think the normally smart and sane Krugman is out of line this time. McCain did the right thing, pure and simple, and it made a big difference for a lot of peoples' lives and he stuck it to our slime in chief Trump all at the same time. I think it's awesome. What's so tough about acknowledging that?
1
I remember that, right from the start, the Tea Party and then many Repuvblicans talked about "death panels" under the ACA. Unfortunately there's a 49-member death panel in Congress right now, and that's not counting the House.
Senator McCain, even though he makes the appearance of a moderate at times, should be ashamed of himself. He, who has just emerged from receiving top of the line medical treatment, and who will surely require more of the same in the near future, did, no sooner than the day following that emergence vote to continue the ridiculous debate on an inhumane measure. Yes, he did somewhat redeem himself, but hardly enough. If he really wanted to prove himself a maverick he would leave his mean spirited party and bring a number of others with him. Ten or so converts could tell these nasty Republicans, who are essentially trying to figure out how to con us into believing that their new ' health care reform' is anything other than a way for them to line their pockets while telling the American people to literally drop dead, where to put it.
4
The levels of priority, and missed opportunities, continue to mystify.
There was a chance in January, even with Trump at the helm, to build consensus - and comradery. No, it would not have included or coalesced around health care, but it would have built relationships. And that would have enhance the governmental, to say nothing of the legislative, process.
Consider: First Order of Business, January 20 - Enact an Infrastructure Bill. (Yes, I know: tax questions would erupt, but those questions could have been rationalized and deferred - and used as a bargain chip, down the road.)
Second: Enact a Tax Cut, building on the "projected," or at least supposed, increased jobs and revenues.
Third: Use the Infrastructure and Tax Cut momentum to enhance the US position in the TPP (instead of abandoning it and ceding the future of the economy of the Pacific to China), followed by - or along with - making deals involving (instead of dropping out of) the Paris Climate Accord.
After that, if you wanted to fail in your attempts to dismantle Obamacare, build a wall, or cozy up to Bibi and Putin, frankly, Scarlet, nobody would give a damn.
And, our country would have some accomplishments around which to unify and rally.
Whoa, Nelly! Did the Republicans - especially Trump - ever (economically and politically) blow this one!
There was a chance in January, even with Trump at the helm, to build consensus - and comradery. No, it would not have included or coalesced around health care, but it would have built relationships. And that would have enhance the governmental, to say nothing of the legislative, process.
Consider: First Order of Business, January 20 - Enact an Infrastructure Bill. (Yes, I know: tax questions would erupt, but those questions could have been rationalized and deferred - and used as a bargain chip, down the road.)
Second: Enact a Tax Cut, building on the "projected," or at least supposed, increased jobs and revenues.
Third: Use the Infrastructure and Tax Cut momentum to enhance the US position in the TPP (instead of abandoning it and ceding the future of the economy of the Pacific to China), followed by - or along with - making deals involving (instead of dropping out of) the Paris Climate Accord.
After that, if you wanted to fail in your attempts to dismantle Obamacare, build a wall, or cozy up to Bibi and Putin, frankly, Scarlet, nobody would give a damn.
And, our country would have some accomplishments around which to unify and rally.
Whoa, Nelly! Did the Republicans - especially Trump - ever (economically and politically) blow this one!
The problem with Republican votes and policies are much deeper than this "health" care vote. Republican policies permeate where we live, work, and drive in Red States. See http://www.legalreader.com/republican-red-states-care-less/
Let history show that when time was of the essence, McCain delayed treatment for a form of cancer that often proves fatal. He did this to let the health care measure come up for a vote and then to derail it for the foreseeable future. Krugman's comments are usually spot on, but his attack on McCain is way off base. Whether you like him or not, McCain stands for the rule of law and not the rule of men--and during the current Age of Political Deconstruction, he provides a strong and powerful dissenting voice.
5
Dr Krugman--not too long ago John McCain was one of the few Republican legislators who was willing to cross the aisle and work with Russ Feingold, a liberal Democrat, on a bill to reform the abuses of campaign finance. That was a bold step even a couple of decades ago. The Dr Krugman I remember would have approved such a bold bi-partisan gesture of cooperation.
I don't recognize Dr Krugman of 2017 who now writes mean spirited columns bashing John McCain who stopped a bad piece of legislation from moving forward. You should be praising John McCain instead of dishing out cheap shots on the OP ED pages of the Times.
I don't recognize Dr Krugman of 2017 who now writes mean spirited columns bashing John McCain who stopped a bad piece of legislation from moving forward. You should be praising John McCain instead of dishing out cheap shots on the OP ED pages of the Times.
4
Blame blame blame... blame the republicans, blame the people who earn the lions share of money and pay the lion's share of the taxes yet still don't pay their "fair share" according to everyone who makes less. How about blame Americans for wanting everything in medicine without paying enough, wanting the ability to sue to earn a jackpot without limitations, for wanting to allow illegals full access to the country without paying income tax, for allowing the disability gravy train to roll along and expand in the form of medicaid.
When will Americans wake up and realize that we can't have everything, and that you cannot force the hard workers to pay for everything and redistribute their money to everyone else?
When will Americans wake up and realize that we can't have everything, and that you cannot force the hard workers to pay for everything and redistribute their money to everyone else?
All strawman arguments, and therefore illogical. If you are indeed a surgeon, didn't you take an oath to "first do no harm"? What is wrong with a healthcare system where everyone contributes and everyone can benefit? The country does that for its defense and for infrastructure. The working poor indeed pay little income tax, but pay the same payroll tax as the rich, and therefore are often taxed to a higher percentage of their income. I could go on...
4
Do you mean Wells Fargo, or Mylan who ripped people off fair and square.
It's the American way.
It's the American way.
2
Collins and Murkowski make me strongly believe that if women ran government and held all the offices that mattered, this country would be the finest country in the world. We would have so much more than we do have, and we would be so much better off as citizens.
8
Well said. Party loyalty for republicans seems a rigid sacrosanct ideology of, supposedly, conservatism, however hypocritical and injurious to the very folks that put these un-representative thugs in office. Health Care ought to be a universal right in any advanced, and civilized, society. Not here in the U.S. however, a rich country based on a capitalistic system where capital always trumps labor. Always. This, not wanting to realize that it creates a rising inequality (with it's inequities) that will ultimately kill the system...unless reversed and controlled by sensible laws to share the pie more equitably. No chain is stronger than it's weakest link, witness our shame in watching our neighbors succumb for lack of basic remedies...while those of us up there relish the fruits of elitism. This creates justified resentment, and an avenue to seek alternatives, witness the ascension of a demagogue based on lies and innuendos, promising misinformed folks an empty shell adorned with fancy colors. Could it be republicans have lost the capacity to feel shame, and opprobrium, when behaving like savages, like beasts going after our jugular?
All you have to do to see where Mitch McConnell's priorities lie is glance at the statistics about the state he has helped govern since the mid-1980s. By any measure, Kentucky is a mess. It is poor, unhealthy, under-employed, non-competitive, poorly educated, addicted, and despairing. While Mitch has been off playing tactician, his state has continued to sink. McConnell is a heartless, cold, ruthless man who is out for himself. Maybe the chickens are finally coming home to roost.
4
Thanks for being one of the few media personalities to shed light on the fraudulence of McCain.
1
While I am thankful to the three republican senators whose votes killed this repeal and replace drama, I will forever hold them accountable for - a) the hyper-partisanship that was practiced by the republicans during Obama era, and) not standing up to DT during the 2016 elections and not even now. What you have done is just steer away from the precipice on health care, but the ship of this nation is still heading towards the cliffs. Let us see how much courage you have - oppose feckless deregulation without regard to the environment, subpoena DT's taxes (don't hide behind Mueller), ask for rescinding Kushner's security clearance, put back filibuster on USC nominations, openly oppose any moves to subjugate LGBTQ rights, and press on aggressively with probes into collusion with Russia. Finally make sure DT cannot pardon anybody, least of all himself. Then, maybe then, you can ask for redemption and we can be somewhat certain that you are in the senate to serve the country and not your party or the aberration in the WH.
2
This chaotic situation must be extremely challenging to navigate for anyone in McCain's position. At face value he simply doesn't like the status quo but refuses to accept an inadequate replacement.
The author here ironically suggests a utilitarian and very political alternative in which a politician should abandon conscience based on calculations of political implications such as who he/she might "enable". Whether or not McCain enables someone else, he may be following his conscience, which is the most noble and least political thing to do.
Just because the author disagrees with someone's actions (without knowledge of motive or proof of does not merit an ad hominem label of "awful"
The author here ironically suggests a utilitarian and very political alternative in which a politician should abandon conscience based on calculations of political implications such as who he/she might "enable". Whether or not McCain enables someone else, he may be following his conscience, which is the most noble and least political thing to do.
Just because the author disagrees with someone's actions (without knowledge of motive or proof of does not merit an ad hominem label of "awful"
Well Paul, McCain did come through. Many Republican senators dreaded the passage of the bill and deplored the way in which it was put together in secrecy. But they needed somebody to stand up and NOT vote for it. So McCain (along with two courageous female senators) did that. Yes, it was a bit phony. But it was all phony from the start. Still, McCain's speech was good; and, who knows, there might be some results. McConnell said a couple of weeks ago that if all else failed they'd just have to work with the Democrats.. Guess they will.
1
I don't see how it's courageous to have voted against these bills. In the case of Collins, surely she'd have signed her own pink slip if she'd joined the cabal.
So-called moderates who voted yea were practicing brinkmanship, hoping it'd be voted down. Had one passed, they'd have had to answer to the voters once they discovered how awful it was.
Every swing Republicans take at Obamacare is another log on the pyre of private insurance. Americans more and more ask why they can't have Medicare for All, and let the federal government control drug and device prices at last.
Democratic leadership, though, remains asleep at the switch. It's time to replace them with people who are paying attention to the changing dynamics.
So-called moderates who voted yea were practicing brinkmanship, hoping it'd be voted down. Had one passed, they'd have had to answer to the voters once they discovered how awful it was.
Every swing Republicans take at Obamacare is another log on the pyre of private insurance. Americans more and more ask why they can't have Medicare for All, and let the federal government control drug and device prices at last.
Democratic leadership, though, remains asleep at the switch. It's time to replace them with people who are paying attention to the changing dynamics.
1
I take John McCain at his word. Why did he vote "N0?" He said voting "NO" seemed like the right thing to do.
Everyone who is represented by one of the Republican Senators who voted "Yes: should have to answer the same question: Why? And they should have to answer that question for a long time.
Everyone who is represented by one of the Republican Senators who voted "Yes: should have to answer the same question: Why? And they should have to answer that question for a long time.
3
In response to Meg in Ohio: Everything you say about Portman I have found to be true about Cory Gardner of Colorado (and for that matter, Rep Scott Tipton). Constituent input gets canned, party-line responses - you can't even get a staff person on the phone at Gardner's offices - email or message only and a nothing response. Tipton's Washington office staffers, during the House bill discussions, in response to my statement that every advocacy and health care professional group which had offered an opinion was against the House plan, told me that they were only against it because "they make money off the government". There is no true interest or consideration of ideas demonstrated, no thoughtful response, no thought for what is best for people. I hope everyone remembers this in 2018 and 2020.
4
McConnell is being downright disingenuous in that the very premise of the bill he keeps repeating is an out and out lie. The ACA, "Obamacare" is not collapsing. It is not failing. Whatever difficulties the program is having is entirely due to deliberate brazen GOP sabotage efforts- both by refusing the Medicare expansion, and by destabilizing the insurance markets through Trump's threats, and the AHCA legislation.
2
The problem for Republicans is that most people in the country like most Democratic ideas (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Unemployment insurance, environment protection, women's rights, gay rights, healthcare, etc.). But many people who like Democratic ideas more than Republican ideas just simply don't like Democrats.
So when Republicans try to pass laws, most people don't want them. Many in their base just want them to do things to annoy Democrats, but they don't really want the rich to get more tax breaks, and they don't really want to repeal Obamacare.
Republicans are unable to govern under these circumstances. They don't have a mandate for Republican ideas. They have a mandate to keep Democratic ideas and to annoy Democrats. That's a challenge they are not up to.
So when Republicans try to pass laws, most people don't want them. Many in their base just want them to do things to annoy Democrats, but they don't really want the rich to get more tax breaks, and they don't really want to repeal Obamacare.
Republicans are unable to govern under these circumstances. They don't have a mandate for Republican ideas. They have a mandate to keep Democratic ideas and to annoy Democrats. That's a challenge they are not up to.
6
Dr. Krugman---You are right. This is a deeply ideological split. Democrats want dialogue and negotiated outcomes. Mitch McConnel, Donald Trump and Paul
Ryan want it all their way all of the time. The tax break in the proposed bill also made clear that they wanted all of the money. The American people did not lose this morning but the Koch Brothers did. Hate filled politics has cost us all.
Ryan want it all their way all of the time. The tax break in the proposed bill also made clear that they wanted all of the money. The American people did not lose this morning but the Koch Brothers did. Hate filled politics has cost us all.
7
The time to take a stand against the McConnell/Ryan vision of healthcare was during the vote for the ACA. By choosing to side with their party, these Senators gave credence to the lies about Republican "better alternatives" for healthcare reform. Faced with the alternatives of delivering healthcare to millions who couldn't afford it, or pretending that Republican talk of cost control wasn't all about controlling the costs for healthy people, they chose the latter.
The disastrous results of the last election are part of the ramifications of these politicians' denial about where their party's intentions. They owe us an apology, and until they apologize for not being bipartisan at a time when we had a sane President committed to genuine healthcare reform, they will not have truly redeemed themselves.
The disastrous results of the last election are part of the ramifications of these politicians' denial about where their party's intentions. They owe us an apology, and until they apologize for not being bipartisan at a time when we had a sane President committed to genuine healthcare reform, they will not have truly redeemed themselves.
2
No hearings and a stampede the troops strategy made the Republicans look absolutely terrible. The election of 2016 is an election that a witless big mouth plutocrat persuaded a vast amount of angry white people to give him the presidency. A more foolish choice is hard to imagine. Add to that a dysfunctional House that is ruled by libertarian minority. Mitch McConnell is the dunce in charge of this Senate travesty. After stealing the Gorsuch selection to the Supreme Court McConnell was feeling pretty good about his partisan zero sum politics. Now he has led the Senate Republicans to a ridiculous debacle. McCain did the right thing despite the fact that he participated in the embarrassing Republican efforts to shop any bill around so they could end the ACA and give unnecessary tax cuts to the already rich.
7
All is NOT well that ends well.
I suggest that the Congress now turn its attention away form the health insurance issue and renew the focus on the important issue of the rising costs of healthcare, medical equipment/devices, and pharma. This rising cost, which has far outpaced economic growth for over 40 years, has been the major stimulus for the various health insurance reform alternatives considered, but not effectively implemented, by various Administrations and Congresses since the enactment of Medicaid in 1965 by Lyndon Johnson.
Many ideas for cost containment have been waiting in the wings for legislative correction. One recently revived is the idea of allowing the huge influence of Medicare in the private market to negotiate drug prices, which it now is prohibited from doing by law. This needs to be lifted. Another issue is the rights of doctors, clinics, and hospitals to deny treatment because patients are unable to pay, it makes me question the fairness of a system that allows a licensed medical practitioner to continue in business if they will only take patients who can afford to pay. This compensation issue for a "natural monopoly", is at the heart of the problem, Government must use its data to establish the price of procedures and drugs, simply because it is a natural monopoly. Government also can reduce the demand on the health system by information and investing in greater safety related to transportation. Too many people are injured on highways.
I suggest that the Congress now turn its attention away form the health insurance issue and renew the focus on the important issue of the rising costs of healthcare, medical equipment/devices, and pharma. This rising cost, which has far outpaced economic growth for over 40 years, has been the major stimulus for the various health insurance reform alternatives considered, but not effectively implemented, by various Administrations and Congresses since the enactment of Medicaid in 1965 by Lyndon Johnson.
Many ideas for cost containment have been waiting in the wings for legislative correction. One recently revived is the idea of allowing the huge influence of Medicare in the private market to negotiate drug prices, which it now is prohibited from doing by law. This needs to be lifted. Another issue is the rights of doctors, clinics, and hospitals to deny treatment because patients are unable to pay, it makes me question the fairness of a system that allows a licensed medical practitioner to continue in business if they will only take patients who can afford to pay. This compensation issue for a "natural monopoly", is at the heart of the problem, Government must use its data to establish the price of procedures and drugs, simply because it is a natural monopoly. Government also can reduce the demand on the health system by information and investing in greater safety related to transportation. Too many people are injured on highways.
6
Republicans have become such extremists that we have people falling over each other to be the first and loudest to praise McCain for not helping to cause the early deaths of millions. The Republicans have been gas lighting the country for decades.
13
Beside the two women; Sen Murkowski of AK, and Sen Collins of ME, Sen McCain found courage and also voted against this travesty. A skeptical person would understand this as political theatre; where the remaining GOP Senators can now go back home and say they tried. McCain has nothing to lose: if I understand the nature of his brain cancer, he has not long to live as was the case of Sen Kennedy.
I would suggest any improvements to the ACA include members of the congress as recipients of the same care. Ultimately, universal healthcare is the goal.
I would suggest any improvements to the ACA include members of the congress as recipients of the same care. Ultimately, universal healthcare is the goal.
6
You've got to be aware that Universal health care will bankrupt the country. Look what it's done in Europe.
More government subsidies, handouts, something for nothing, living off the land--that's sure to move the economy forward.
More government subsidies, handouts, something for nothing, living off the land--that's sure to move the economy forward.
Given how critical health care is to the lives of every American, every Senator who voted no on debating the issue should be branded a coward. Given the incredibly poor bill they finally voted on, and Senator who voted yes to pass it should be branded a fool.
Not to debate it, however, smacks of the petulant 4-year-old who sticks his fingers in his ears and chants "I can't hear you" when an unpleasant topic comes up.
Not to debate it, however, smacks of the petulant 4-year-old who sticks his fingers in his ears and chants "I can't hear you" when an unpleasant topic comes up.
1
What is crazy is that the President has never tried to sell their plan on the merits, partially because I am sure no one knows what the plan is much less the benefits. It is completely insane.
Now we go on to taxes and I am sure it will be more of the same. The GOP is going to try to remove the state income deduction so that they can give more away to their moocher states while making Democrats pay for it.
Now we go on to taxes and I am sure it will be more of the same. The GOP is going to try to remove the state income deduction so that they can give more away to their moocher states while making Democrats pay for it.
4
Thank you, PK for calling out John McCain for what he actually is (or isn't for that matter).
2
Don't worry, Paul. I hear egg on the face is really good for the skin. :)
But, seriously, the hypocrisy on the right is so deep and so wide I fear we by now have millions of Republicans, old and young, rich and poor, politicians and voters alike, who can't see reality, who don't understand facts, economics,who reject the basics of good medicine and science, and who are willfully blind to trends in the outside world that are leaving us further and further behind as a nation. It seems like they are trying to recreate "Little House on the Prairie" where each of them alone can protect their little homesteads and clans against intrusion of the big, bad outside world. Sorry, that little house blew down long ago and we're all in this together.
Perhaps McCain's moment of clarity is one that comes to us all when we face our own mortality. I would hope that this country as a whole doesn't have to wait until such a moment to do the right thing, as McCain did last night. Sadly, I think Trump is doing his darndest to lead us all to a place where we will indeed have a chance to test out that theory.
But, seriously, the hypocrisy on the right is so deep and so wide I fear we by now have millions of Republicans, old and young, rich and poor, politicians and voters alike, who can't see reality, who don't understand facts, economics,who reject the basics of good medicine and science, and who are willfully blind to trends in the outside world that are leaving us further and further behind as a nation. It seems like they are trying to recreate "Little House on the Prairie" where each of them alone can protect their little homesteads and clans against intrusion of the big, bad outside world. Sorry, that little house blew down long ago and we're all in this together.
Perhaps McCain's moment of clarity is one that comes to us all when we face our own mortality. I would hope that this country as a whole doesn't have to wait until such a moment to do the right thing, as McCain did last night. Sadly, I think Trump is doing his darndest to lead us all to a place where we will indeed have a chance to test out that theory.
3
Yes, hooray for the three Republicans.
But what I don't understand is this: When they saw the other 49 Republicans (that's 94% of them) vote to get rid of healthcare, why on earth would they remain with the Republican party? How can they associate with people who want to deprive citizens of healthcare? Even the West Virginia senators voted for the bill, so how do Collins, Murkowski, and McCain manage to hold their noses and proclaim that they still want to identify with such hatred?
But what I don't understand is this: When they saw the other 49 Republicans (that's 94% of them) vote to get rid of healthcare, why on earth would they remain with the Republican party? How can they associate with people who want to deprive citizens of healthcare? Even the West Virginia senators voted for the bill, so how do Collins, Murkowski, and McCain manage to hold their noses and proclaim that they still want to identify with such hatred?
7
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Senator Susan Collins of Maine are the real heroes. They were courageous from the beginning.
14
Yes it's great news for the segment of society that voted heaviest for 45 that the GOP health care failed. Since the Dems and 3 Republicans prevented the horror of the GOP plan from devastating the "fly overs" they probably saved the GOP as a strong political party. Had the illiterati started dying en masse from lack of health care, some - maybe only a few but perhaps more - would realize their deaths weren't Obama's fault.
1
You are too hard on John McCain, Professor K. In the end, he did the right thing.
1
Yes. The GOP has stirred up a tide of hatred, obstruction, and racism ever since the Southern strategy of 1968. The putative moderates within the GOP have for the most part ignored all of this, or occasionally have expressed shock, simply shock, while surfing on the tide that they have helped create. Our republican senator from Ohio, Portman, is a fine example of this. He maintains a superficial facade of decency and compassion, matching his privilege upbringing. Pretty face, dirty hands.
1
Thank you for having the guts to call this out with, as always, facts and context to back up what you've written. Now, more than ever, we need your voice.
3
Why don't the Democrats pound away, constantly, at the fact that the entire repeal Obamacare effort, along with the insane "death panel" claims, was, plain and simply, political propaganda by the Republicans, meant to bolster a losing presidential election.
2
I am still waiting for some explanation for McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. I am not talking about the post election Sarah Palin that used her celebrity to make some bucks by her "you betcha" blather. I am talking about the former mayor of a small Alaska town who landed in the Alaska capital. What in her background convinced McCain that she was the one.
Personally I wish Senators Collins and Murkowski would leave the GOP and take with them three more "moderate" colleagues
Personally I wish Senators Collins and Murkowski would leave the GOP and take with them three more "moderate" colleagues
4
The Repubs have an impossible task to deal with-proverbial square peg into the round hole-square peg is tax funded money to help individual citizens, entitlements, ,which the R's have always hated(money to businesses is desirable), round hole is that individual citizens love the money. How to reconcile love and hate? So far telling the citizenry the money they get is bad for them has not worked.
1
Yes, McCain has been a sanctimonious hypocrite, labeled conveniently as a ‘maverick’. We had the drama of his illness. We tax payers all chip in---not voluntarily-- to fund a ‘socialist’ system of gold plated health care for all govt officials AND their families. How sweet it is---for McConnell, Cruz, Ryan etc,
Saved from the abyss for now, but we demand more than that.
We need more criticism from Krugman that ACA—now idealized---left out tens of millions, and with rising premiums, copays, deductibles. All hospital doctors weren’t ‘in network’, leaving patients with big bill shocks.
Despite all this Krugman just focussed on all the ‘newly insured’, and that prices were rising ‘more slowly.’ Not good enough. He should have cited a few facts from dozens of nations' better h/c systems, in place for generations. You'd think an economist would use those blatant contrasts 1st. Plenty of numbers tell the tale---but our columnists don't go there. Why? Doesn't fit with the agenda of the Democrats?
Schumer and the Dems talk about ‘improving’ ACA. They better start now. Just defeating the Gop isn’t enough to justify their halo. How can the Dems pretend to represent We The People, and still tolerate the world’s most expensive, and profitable h/c system?
Start with their huge campaign contributions from big insurance, big pharma.
Will the conscience of a liberal Krugman ever courageously write about that? Trump/Gop are such convenient villains.
Saved from the abyss for now, but we demand more than that.
We need more criticism from Krugman that ACA—now idealized---left out tens of millions, and with rising premiums, copays, deductibles. All hospital doctors weren’t ‘in network’, leaving patients with big bill shocks.
Despite all this Krugman just focussed on all the ‘newly insured’, and that prices were rising ‘more slowly.’ Not good enough. He should have cited a few facts from dozens of nations' better h/c systems, in place for generations. You'd think an economist would use those blatant contrasts 1st. Plenty of numbers tell the tale---but our columnists don't go there. Why? Doesn't fit with the agenda of the Democrats?
Schumer and the Dems talk about ‘improving’ ACA. They better start now. Just defeating the Gop isn’t enough to justify their halo. How can the Dems pretend to represent We The People, and still tolerate the world’s most expensive, and profitable h/c system?
Start with their huge campaign contributions from big insurance, big pharma.
Will the conscience of a liberal Krugman ever courageously write about that? Trump/Gop are such convenient villains.
5
I think this vote redeems a lot. He's been hypocritical and dead wrong more than his share, but think where we would be had he voted Yes. Collins and Murkowski deserve most praise. I am particularly disgusted by Heller after he had acknowledged the GOP proposals were unacceptable.
2
I am completely convinced that McCain voted on behalf of many other (perhaps 9?) moderate Republicans who opposed the bill. Due to the real courage of the women senators from Maine and Alaska, the remaining moderate Republicans only needed to sacrifice one of themselves by voting no. McCain, who has no concern about re-election given his age and the state of his health, took the bullet for the likes of Portman and Heller to save them from the ire of the intemperate President. This was not McCain acting heroic. He hasn't been heroic since he left Hanoi.
4
God bless Sen. Collins; the integrity of Maine politicians, excepting the state's current governor, often seems to shine in moments of crisis to the benefit of the rest of the country. Think of Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, Margaret Chase Smith.... As for Dr. Krugman's sentence starting, "Policy that will affect the lives of millions of Americans (and may ruin many of those lives)...," I would change "ruin" to "end" to be entirely truthful about it.
2
"-and McCain did something right in the end" Well, isn't that when it counts? I don't think that's so awful; I hope someone says that about me. Also, the man was just diagnosed with brain cancer, Paul. Try to be a mensch.
1
Let us not forget the entire Republican caucus (McCain especially) were complicit in the shredding of the constitution in their indefensible treatment of Merrick Garland.
5
Extremely sound column, though I was expecting some contrast with how Senator Kennedy fought against his illness with the opposite objective. Maybe too hard to tackle since, just like this week, it was an insanely vicious and partisan struggle where the best interests of the citizens were twisted and distorted by the incredibly desperate struggle of the MINORITY of so-called Republicans to make President Obama fail rather than to help sick people--even though ALL of us will get sick.
The deeper sickness is the underlying worship of private profit, the gawd of the church of corporate cancerism run amok. Huge corporations ALWAYS want bigger profits. The desperate need for more profit is NOT a real problem because there is NO solution. No matter how big the profit, no matter how many people DIED to produce that profit, there is still a bigger number out there for the bigger profit for next year. Actually, it's worse than that because they want the bigger profit next quarter or next month or even next week. If they focus on the level of stock market prices, the soulless corporations are worrying about the days and even HOURS of price fluctuations, and the miserable human being who get in the way, the sick or bankrupt or dead human beings left behind are NOT a concern.
Well, I suppose insurance companies do care to the degree that paying out on their policies tends to reduce profits. Easy solution if they can just figure out new ways to welsh on the policies, eh?
The deeper sickness is the underlying worship of private profit, the gawd of the church of corporate cancerism run amok. Huge corporations ALWAYS want bigger profits. The desperate need for more profit is NOT a real problem because there is NO solution. No matter how big the profit, no matter how many people DIED to produce that profit, there is still a bigger number out there for the bigger profit for next year. Actually, it's worse than that because they want the bigger profit next quarter or next month or even next week. If they focus on the level of stock market prices, the soulless corporations are worrying about the days and even HOURS of price fluctuations, and the miserable human being who get in the way, the sick or bankrupt or dead human beings left behind are NOT a concern.
Well, I suppose insurance companies do care to the degree that paying out on their policies tends to reduce profits. Easy solution if they can just figure out new ways to welsh on the policies, eh?
2
At least McCain did the right thing at the end. It was possibly his final vote given the mostly fatal disease he has. Maybe in his case this good act will be remembered, while the bad will be interred with his bones. Political differences aside, I wish him the luck to escape the seeming inevitable end to his disease.
2
So true about the GOP. But the silent ones are the biggest cowards. What we're seeing here is exactly why Obama went out on his own and got the votes to pass the AHCA without the GOP. He had said many times before the act was passed that he was open to and willing to work with the GOP, but either got no response or was given unthinkable alternatives. Many in the GOP then knew it was wrong and Boehner tried to bridge those gaps, encouraging his party to work with Obama. And they forced him out. The GOP colors are now in full open view. These are not leaders, far from it.
1
The Senate should censure Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke for his blackmail attempt on Alaskan senators on this healthcare bill.
4
I take some comfort in imaging this scene at the Pearly Gates:
Saint Peter: Senator, I have some good news and some bad news for you.
John McCain: Uh-oh.
Saint Peter: The good news is you'll be going on another extended vacation with your old pal, Charlie Keating. The bad news is this one won't be in the Bahamas.
Saint Peter: Senator, I have some good news and some bad news for you.
John McCain: Uh-oh.
Saint Peter: The good news is you'll be going on another extended vacation with your old pal, Charlie Keating. The bad news is this one won't be in the Bahamas.
I think McCain should get credit, but what on earth happened to Lindsey Graham? He rails against skinny repeal and then turns around and votes for it. Sad!
5
Politicians seldom put country first - than God McCain did last night. But as Krugman says he has been a republican party regular most of his life. There is a big gap - as big as the gran canyon - between the reality of his votes and the rhetoric of his patriotism and independency in the senate.
1
Republicans hated Obama and didn't Care. In the world of irrationality, John McCain played along to ensure this ends here. This is probably most charitable explanation.
John McCain did not save Obamacare. Trump can kill it with a thousand cuts.
What he might have done (heavy emphasis on the word "might") was to start a process of reflection in the Senate about how dysfunctional it is.
A typical small town council spends more time and thought examining whether to rename a street than the Senate did regarding the healthcare sector, which George F. Will pointed out recently would, by itself, qualify as the world's sixth largest economy.
What he might have done (heavy emphasis on the word "might") was to start a process of reflection in the Senate about how dysfunctional it is.
A typical small town council spends more time and thought examining whether to rename a street than the Senate did regarding the healthcare sector, which George F. Will pointed out recently would, by itself, qualify as the world's sixth largest economy.
1
Finally, McCain stood up for the citizens of this country.
2
Democracy is dying in Washington, D.C., and Mitch McConnell and his gang are responsible for its death. Trump may have won as a result of a constitutional anomaly -- the electoral college -- that prevented majority rule. But this gang in the Senate and the House is willfully subverting the democratic processes they once held so dear. Regular order? Hearings?
Listening to the voice of the people? Gone!
The shame that these people now bear -- the dishonor in which we hold their names and their reputations -- cannot be undone.
Listening to the voice of the people? Gone!
The shame that these people now bear -- the dishonor in which we hold their names and their reputations -- cannot be undone.
3
The failure of freshman Sen. Shelley Moore Capito to vote with her words, "I didn't come to Washington to hurt people," came as quite a shock to me. But perhaps Interior Secretary Zinke threatened her with bad news for West Virginia as he threatened Alaska's Lisa Murkowski's constituents. You can easily imagine Zinke's threats to the air and water quality for Alaska and West Virginia. Zinke could remove certain wildlife species from their "endangered" status to allow open-season hunting till extinction, unless they cooperated with McConnell and Trump.
McConnell, Ryan and Trump are not political leaders in the traditional sense; they are mob bosses with my-way-or-else directives. But the Republican Party has spent more than 25 years creating this path of power-at-any-price, and they are not about to impeach the outlaw president at the risk of losing their own power.
And oddly enough, these Republicans in both the House and Senate will likely improve their hold on power, at least for now, with Pence taking over the Oval Office. WHile Pense is a theological nightmare, he knows how Washington works. And maybe that makes him even more dangerous than Trump since he will consider God as his rubber stamp of approval.
Now imagine, if McCain had chosen Susan Collins as his running mate in 2008 instead of Palin, it is very likely he would have taken the White House.
McConnell, Ryan and Trump are not political leaders in the traditional sense; they are mob bosses with my-way-or-else directives. But the Republican Party has spent more than 25 years creating this path of power-at-any-price, and they are not about to impeach the outlaw president at the risk of losing their own power.
And oddly enough, these Republicans in both the House and Senate will likely improve their hold on power, at least for now, with Pence taking over the Oval Office. WHile Pense is a theological nightmare, he knows how Washington works. And maybe that makes him even more dangerous than Trump since he will consider God as his rubber stamp of approval.
Now imagine, if McCain had chosen Susan Collins as his running mate in 2008 instead of Palin, it is very likely he would have taken the White House.
Only two or three Republicans in Congress understand the meaning of the word "shame." All but those few voted to throw innocent Americans into the swamp waters as fodder for their crocodile-appetites. What hypocrites! This is honor? This is dignity? Voting against the wishes of 70% of the American people? Absolutely no shame...
Krugman is so eager to trash McCain, that he sticks with his hit piece even when McCain cast his deciding vote sending "skinny repeal" to oblivion in favor of regular order and the necessity of involving democrats. Wow. Talk about relentless promotion of hate and vitriol. Sheesh.
McCain has not been the "maverick" people claimed him to be for years. He voted "no" now because he is not looking to get re-elected, period. So, finally he gets to do the right thing and not tow the despicable party line.
1
Did McCain do what he did so that he would emerge as "the savior"? It sure feels that way. The one thing he did do that was good was to guarantee that every single Republican had to cast a vote. Now those Republicans own it even though it did not pass. And they should face the consequences of that vote at the ballot box.
In the end, it was really the women that saved health care for my brother, a man that has had cancer twice. I admire and adore these women.
In the end, it was really the women that saved health care for my brother, a man that has had cancer twice. I admire and adore these women.
As important as these issues may be, they are just details and an indictation of a much larger systemic problem with the US as a whole. There is one thing that stands out to me from the past 40 years I've been paying attention, which is, the US has failed to evolve. If anything, it has either stagnated or progressed backwards socio-politically, both on local and international scale. Most of us, science-based, know where that inevitably leads to in the long run. Extinction! ... or, in this case, to relegation to the ash heap of history. SAD!
McCain voted for the Iraq War. He never answered to that. This is the most spot on opinion piece about McCain that I've read. Let me give Donald Trump some credit here, he got John McCain correct, "A Loser".
2
I almost laughed at the last sentence in this article. Republicans Senators (all but two of them) should be deeply ashamed. Really? Shame? When did things like shame, ethics, morality, and decency ever stand in the way of the GOP from taking actions (and inactions) to destroy this country? These men and women are complete sociopaths, led by a psychopath (McConnel). It's time we start calling them what they are. Immoral prostitutes.
1
I'm sure you'll get a lot of grief over this takedown of McCain, but let's not forget, his courageous military prisoner experience aside, he's always a bit of a showboat. Just remember his picking numskull Palin as a running mate, perhaps because of her gender and good looks, and then suspending his campaign against Obama and running off to Washington hair on fire to "fix" the financial crisis, which of course came to nothing.
2
Folks, you don't thank a serial killer each day he doesn't commit a murder.
3
Isnt it possible that McCain just hand raised to take the political fall out? He freed the party to vote for repeal without having to actually repeal. Hes at the beginning of a 6 year term and might not have 6 years. He gets to go out on a high note for his Maverick brand and the GOP gets a scapegoat for their incompetence. This was a show, nothing more.
Too bad there is no such thing as shame in the Republicans in both Houses at present.
Thank all the gods McCain redeemed himself at the very last minute.
Thank all the gods McCain redeemed himself at the very last minute.
It wasn't easy for McCain to journey back to Washington following his eye surgery and subsequent diagnosis. But if he is anything, he's a good soldier.
Like others, I don't like his politics, and early in his political career he barely escaped the villainy of the S & L crisis, an earlier echo of the 2008 financial crisis that loomed large in the rise of Trump First, America Last.
McCain was one of the Keating Five investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee for delaying a federal investigation into Lincoln S&L, owned by Charles Keating, a close McCain friend and major donor. Two years later Lincoln collapsed, costing customers $190 million and taxpayers $2.6 billion, the biggest S&L bailout ever.
McCain said Keating Five will be on his tombstone. But that was before he inflicted Sarah Palin on us. Before he let Trump walk all over him and making Trump's red-faced bombast instant media catnip. Before leading the charge for an Iraqi war even without Cheney concocted WMDs.
The redeeming moments include his fight against torture, denouncing supporters who race-baited Obama, holding the GOP line against Russia, rejecting Trump's military Trans-gender ban.
And today, joining the two GOP Senators who stood eye-to-eye to McConnell and never blinked. No one saw it coming.
But the moment Trump called McCain a sorry excuse of a soldier, the die was cast.
McCain's tombstone will be a billboard when he hangs it up.
Like others, I don't like his politics, and early in his political career he barely escaped the villainy of the S & L crisis, an earlier echo of the 2008 financial crisis that loomed large in the rise of Trump First, America Last.
McCain was one of the Keating Five investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee for delaying a federal investigation into Lincoln S&L, owned by Charles Keating, a close McCain friend and major donor. Two years later Lincoln collapsed, costing customers $190 million and taxpayers $2.6 billion, the biggest S&L bailout ever.
McCain said Keating Five will be on his tombstone. But that was before he inflicted Sarah Palin on us. Before he let Trump walk all over him and making Trump's red-faced bombast instant media catnip. Before leading the charge for an Iraqi war even without Cheney concocted WMDs.
The redeeming moments include his fight against torture, denouncing supporters who race-baited Obama, holding the GOP line against Russia, rejecting Trump's military Trans-gender ban.
And today, joining the two GOP Senators who stood eye-to-eye to McConnell and never blinked. No one saw it coming.
But the moment Trump called McCain a sorry excuse of a soldier, the die was cast.
McCain's tombstone will be a billboard when he hangs it up.
4
If Republicans and President Trump actually took the time to sit down and write a healthcare plan that would be very conservative, cover "everybody, and get rid of the "American Carnage" of lack of affordable healthcare for 45 million or more, it would look like, um - "ObamaCare". So Prez et al - Barack Obama is NOT your punching bag anymore, you "won" the election; so put your tweeters down, quit talking, sit down and start writing, and don't come come out till you have put together something that will help Americans get their necessary and deserved healthcare.
For years it was anecdotal.
An adage everyone knew.
But there was no evidence that it had any basis in reality.
Crash McCain provided actual proof:
A blind squirrel does occasionally finds an acorn.
It now joins proven adages about a broken clock and bears in the woods.
Thank Crash McCain.
Thank you
An adage everyone knew.
But there was no evidence that it had any basis in reality.
Crash McCain provided actual proof:
A blind squirrel does occasionally finds an acorn.
It now joins proven adages about a broken clock and bears in the woods.
Thank Crash McCain.
Thank you
1
There are so many crave quotes from Repugnicants throughout this whole debacle. However, one thing that McConnell said in his closing remarks stands out as particularly despicable:
"Now I think it's appropriate to ask [the Democrats], what are their ideas?"
Really, Mitch? Only now, after you've refused to work with them for the past 8 years? Only now, after you've clearly shown the American public that your charade has all bee about destroying something just because the Democrats built it? (And even though it was built upon a Republican idea in the first place?) Only now, after you've put out country through 6 months of divisiveness and bitter infighting? Only now, after you've forced many of your RepubliCants colleagues to vote agains the needs of their constituents (and their moral conscience) just to show that they're "loyal" to their party? Only no, after you've sent a message to scores of medical, economic, and policy professional organizations (i.e. the true experts about this!) thart what they say doesn't matter?
And only now, after you've brought 20,000,000 Americans to the brink of disaster (many of whom are currently undergoing critical medical treatments!), causing them to fear for their personal health and safety?
Well Mitch, IT'S ABOUT TIME that you deign to ask us about our ideas!
"Now I think it's appropriate to ask [the Democrats], what are their ideas?"
Really, Mitch? Only now, after you've refused to work with them for the past 8 years? Only now, after you've clearly shown the American public that your charade has all bee about destroying something just because the Democrats built it? (And even though it was built upon a Republican idea in the first place?) Only now, after you've put out country through 6 months of divisiveness and bitter infighting? Only now, after you've forced many of your RepubliCants colleagues to vote agains the needs of their constituents (and their moral conscience) just to show that they're "loyal" to their party? Only no, after you've sent a message to scores of medical, economic, and policy professional organizations (i.e. the true experts about this!) thart what they say doesn't matter?
And only now, after you've brought 20,000,000 Americans to the brink of disaster (many of whom are currently undergoing critical medical treatments!), causing them to fear for their personal health and safety?
Well Mitch, IT'S ABOUT TIME that you deign to ask us about our ideas!
1
I'm going to just be thankful for Senator McCain correct vote on this one matter which has helped save the coverage of millions.
I know but can can ignore for the moment all the other stuff.
I choose to believe that the Senator planned to "Tweek the Twit" by casting the final deciding vote.
And that's good enough for me.
I know but can can ignore for the moment all the other stuff.
I choose to believe that the Senator planned to "Tweek the Twit" by casting the final deciding vote.
And that's good enough for me.
1
McCain's not, and has never been, a maverick, though he has cultivated that image. When it comes to action he's really a lap dog.
The GOP, with the exception of Collins and Murkowski, don't have the sense to be ashamed. They are a disgraceful.
1
For Mr. Emoluments & his grifters/Goodfellas there is no shame. Any form of ZombieCare beats the dreaded fraternal twin of RomneyCare. The polls consistently confirm that (voters think) that the Affordable Care Act is good, & ObamaCare is a dreaded Obamination.
John McCain's super power? He tosses people off of buildings and races down to catch them as they are about to hit the pavement.
8
Sums it up perfectly!
1
The entire market for private health insurance will almost certainly collapse in the near future.
The market uncertainties of whether or not, or what, the Republicans might next try remains.
The risk abatement subsidies may or may not be continued; these exist in a sort of Schroedinger-like state of neither existing nor not-existing.
And Trump has instructed the IRS not to enforce the mandates that individuals purchase coverage and companies with more than 50 employees offer company sponsored plans, in an attempt to induce a "death spiral". This is akin to removing your hands from the wheel while driving down a mountain, then blaming the car for the crash at the end.
Were I a major investor in any health insurance company, I'd be screaming to any board member who would listen to exit the market for private health insurance entirely - too uncertain, too small, and impossible to predict what will happen from one year to the next.
What happens when there are large swaths of the country (almost entirely in Red states, no less), where it is impossible for individuals to purchase private health insurance?
The market uncertainties of whether or not, or what, the Republicans might next try remains.
The risk abatement subsidies may or may not be continued; these exist in a sort of Schroedinger-like state of neither existing nor not-existing.
And Trump has instructed the IRS not to enforce the mandates that individuals purchase coverage and companies with more than 50 employees offer company sponsored plans, in an attempt to induce a "death spiral". This is akin to removing your hands from the wheel while driving down a mountain, then blaming the car for the crash at the end.
Were I a major investor in any health insurance company, I'd be screaming to any board member who would listen to exit the market for private health insurance entirely - too uncertain, too small, and impossible to predict what will happen from one year to the next.
What happens when there are large swaths of the country (almost entirely in Red states, no less), where it is impossible for individuals to purchase private health insurance?
The problem with the GOP is their intellectual bankruptcy . McCain is a hero . He was a hero when , while being a prisoner of war , he refused the offer of liberation leaving his comrades behind . He was a hero when he refuted a woman saying that Obama was a Muslin . He was not a hero when he appointed Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential Nominee . He knew she was not qualified to be President . He was not a hero when he , more or less , acquiesced to Donald Trump as President . He knew this man is not only no qualified but a real danger to the Country and the World . He was not a hero when he voted yes to proceed with the debate of the health law even thought he knew the proposed legislation would be a disaster . What you see is the results of making a pact with the Devil . The Republicans wanted to win even if that meant losing their souls . They needed the support of the base and they lost their moral compass . This looks to me like a Greek Tragedy . A tragedy with fallen heroes and all .
Money washes the shame off these people, Paul. Why should we believe they care about anything else except a nice bar of green soap?
Well, McCain did kinda, sorta come through. All the others just rolled over.
My one-upon-a-time "moderate" GOP Senator, Rob Portman, voted for to kill on all but the partial. So what if up to about 850k people would lose coverage, including around 100k in his home region of SW Ohio.
http://acasignups.net/17/03/22/updated-how-many-could-lose-coverage-your...
Once upon a time I respected Portman when he was my rep for his integrity if not his positions. That's all gone now.
http://acasignups.net/17/03/22/updated-how-many-could-lose-coverage-your...
Once upon a time I respected Portman when he was my rep for his integrity if not his positions. That's all gone now.
Oklahoma is a Choctaw word meaning Home of the Red Man. Here in Oklahoma, we know this current crop of Republican politicians all speak with "forked tongue". That includes Tom Cole, James Inhofe, James Lankford and all the others in the US Congress.
John McCain had his chance to perform in a noble and dramatic manner Rising from his sick bed he would for one of the few times in his political career have his vote reflect the values expressed by his rhetoric. After all he need not fear re-election and is spared the gauntlet of a Republican primary. Isn't it better to be known to put an end to the hypocrisy of Republican health care reform and save the country from continued anguish? Is he afraid to be considered irrelevant to the Republican Party in his remaining term in office?
Is he willing to live in a state of cognitive dissonance like the rest of the loyal Republicans that maintain a facade of "honorability"?
Is he willing to live in a state of cognitive dissonance like the rest of the loyal Republicans that maintain a facade of "honorability"?
1
You are right, Mr. Krugman. Never trust a Republican who goes on national TV to express any opinions contrary to the party line and who appears to have a conscience. integrity or a spine. I was really conned by Lindsey Graham. Maybe it was his high-toned Southern Gentleman act. I thought he might have a few drops of that South Carolina rebel blood in his veins and not be pushed around by the vulgar, no-class Yankee-in-chief in the Oval Office. But no, after his heroic turn on the stage, he shuffled back to his place in line and let a dying man cover his cowardice. Now we know.
Ah, yes, John McCain, whose ego is nearly as big as Trump's and whose ultrasound judgment inflicted Sarah Palin upon the country forevermore. Whose only purpose is to stick his finger in the eyes of the democrats, then, saintly stand on the floor of the Senate and call for bipartisanship [translation: lifeline to the next election].
When did illness or getting shot by a crazy exercising his 2nd amendment rights confer heroship? Now, I guess. The GOP wouldn't recognize heroism if it ever presented itself, as they cannot recognize any other noble characteristic, so poisoned are they by their party's figurehead, that profane, cowardly, bullying, ignorant, loony in the white house.
When did illness or getting shot by a crazy exercising his 2nd amendment rights confer heroship? Now, I guess. The GOP wouldn't recognize heroism if it ever presented itself, as they cannot recognize any other noble characteristic, so poisoned are they by their party's figurehead, that profane, cowardly, bullying, ignorant, loony in the white house.
Lindsey Graham strutted up to the podium and declared that the skinny bill was a fraud on the American people, not a bad or flawed bill but a fraud.
Within a couple of hours the fraud bill became the acceptable bill for good old boy Lindsey...he proved one thing last night, he talks the talk but he surely doesn't walk the walk.
Within a couple of hours the fraud bill became the acceptable bill for good old boy Lindsey...he proved one thing last night, he talks the talk but he surely doesn't walk the walk.
1
McCain, like all repubs, is a hypocrite. Shame on him, and shame on his party.
The Donald, and his pack of Party First enablers, have been sent a bold set back, by three brave America First Senators. The downstream implications of this loss could trip up the rest of the WH - and utlra-conservatives ambitions - for the rest of their term(s) in office.
While many would agree and echo your comments against the moderate Republican's, who in lemming-like fashion follow whatever the party says, let's pause a moment a salute three brave American's: Senators Collins, Murkowski, and McCain.
They spoke truth to power, and voted with clear conscience. A country can take a moment to reflect on what has not been jammed down our collective throats.
And we should reflect further, that for Senator McCain, yes a historical tow the party line guy, this vote required a deep soul search. He put country first, stood up to The Draft Dogger Donald, and his cowardly Republican sycophants, and sad no.
No matter your politics, we must not forget, that he has served this country his entire adult life, in the Navy, yes, as a captured POW, in a hole for 5 years, and in the Senate. He is my kind of American hero. Someone who, when everything is on the line, against all odds, steps up and does what was right.
His vote could be that first big domino to help bring reality back to politics, neuters the WH, allows Mueller to finish his investigations, and in a befitting - and Yuge - ironic twist of fates, be the one who will Make America Great Again.
While many would agree and echo your comments against the moderate Republican's, who in lemming-like fashion follow whatever the party says, let's pause a moment a salute three brave American's: Senators Collins, Murkowski, and McCain.
They spoke truth to power, and voted with clear conscience. A country can take a moment to reflect on what has not been jammed down our collective throats.
And we should reflect further, that for Senator McCain, yes a historical tow the party line guy, this vote required a deep soul search. He put country first, stood up to The Draft Dogger Donald, and his cowardly Republican sycophants, and sad no.
No matter your politics, we must not forget, that he has served this country his entire adult life, in the Navy, yes, as a captured POW, in a hole for 5 years, and in the Senate. He is my kind of American hero. Someone who, when everything is on the line, against all odds, steps up and does what was right.
His vote could be that first big domino to help bring reality back to politics, neuters the WH, allows Mueller to finish his investigations, and in a befitting - and Yuge - ironic twist of fates, be the one who will Make America Great Again.
Doc, it is time to call your flawed argument.
With rich data, you argue that moderate republicans are sanctimonious and sinful. For sure, they are.
But it does not mean they are not moderate.
They indeed are moderate - because they moderate the total hate and spite of the people who put them in office. There is a case to be made that republican elected officials, and republican voters are in a degenerative codependency. The latter's fear, loathing, anxiety, bigotry, misogyny, refusal to invest in themselves, and the former's desire to channel all governmental money to their constituencies currently knit them together. But the republicans are indeed moderate.
Southern and country republicans want the right to own slaves, to lynch whom they want, return of heavy industries with unions, and the return to the best of 1850 and 1950. Republican leaders are moderate because they pay lip service to this, and moderate these instincts by not acting on them. Southern and country republicans want a Christian America, gated communities, and everyone else living in Soweto. Republicans are moderate because they pay lop service to this, and moderate these instincts by not acting on them.
A moderate republican is simply the person who winks at half of America that wants a return to the time they think suited them, but focuses mostly on screwing whom they can, and directing money to jobs programs in their districts.
Or did you think they cared about America or something?
Kalidan
With rich data, you argue that moderate republicans are sanctimonious and sinful. For sure, they are.
But it does not mean they are not moderate.
They indeed are moderate - because they moderate the total hate and spite of the people who put them in office. There is a case to be made that republican elected officials, and republican voters are in a degenerative codependency. The latter's fear, loathing, anxiety, bigotry, misogyny, refusal to invest in themselves, and the former's desire to channel all governmental money to their constituencies currently knit them together. But the republicans are indeed moderate.
Southern and country republicans want the right to own slaves, to lynch whom they want, return of heavy industries with unions, and the return to the best of 1850 and 1950. Republican leaders are moderate because they pay lip service to this, and moderate these instincts by not acting on them. Southern and country republicans want a Christian America, gated communities, and everyone else living in Soweto. Republicans are moderate because they pay lop service to this, and moderate these instincts by not acting on them.
A moderate republican is simply the person who winks at half of America that wants a return to the time they think suited them, but focuses mostly on screwing whom they can, and directing money to jobs programs in their districts.
Or did you think they cared about America or something?
Kalidan
"It takes a village?" Nah, it takes a brain tumor.
1
What's most shameful is that any politician, leader or alleged business professional would "let something implode," especially when people's lives are at stake.
1
What a bunch of tricksters, hucksters and smarmy flim-flammers in our Senate - is this how they make America great again? One needs a doctorate degree to keep up with the intricacies of their tom foolery. Universal healthcare for all!
1
No one seems to mention that Mazie Hirono of Hawaii delayed treatment and surgery for cancer to vote against this farce. Lets give her a hand for voting for her constituents and not playing games with their health. Bravo!
1
As we learned with the sequester, airy promises of future legislation are simply snares for the unwary.
I finally figured out what has been gnawing at me. I realized that Paul Krugman is the left's answer to Donald Trump!
With Trump, I cringe every time he tweets. With Krugman, I cringe every time he blogs.
There is the same ad hominem invective and potty-mouthed trashing of people for whom they have developed a sort of psychotic hatred, the same loony conspiracy theories, the same refusal to let the truth get in the way of their insults.
Then I remember how Krugman was AWOL in the war against Trump. All Krugman's ammunition was devoted to tearing down the real menaces to America ... Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan and John McCain! How demented is that? Ask yourself, is it a coincidence that Trump and Krugman both made McCain an almost obsessive object of their hatred? And has Krugman ever uttered the word "moderates" except as a term of abuse dripping with venom?
Politics makes strange bedfellows!
With Trump, I cringe every time he tweets. With Krugman, I cringe every time he blogs.
There is the same ad hominem invective and potty-mouthed trashing of people for whom they have developed a sort of psychotic hatred, the same loony conspiracy theories, the same refusal to let the truth get in the way of their insults.
Then I remember how Krugman was AWOL in the war against Trump. All Krugman's ammunition was devoted to tearing down the real menaces to America ... Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan and John McCain! How demented is that? Ask yourself, is it a coincidence that Trump and Krugman both made McCain an almost obsessive object of their hatred? And has Krugman ever uttered the word "moderates" except as a term of abuse dripping with venom?
Politics makes strange bedfellows!
1
Paul we are in a post-truth and post-shame world. Our current president lacks any concept of either.
Do not expect anything that has ethical integrity from the Republicans. It is obvious that so many seem have become sheep-for-dollars and will only follow the man with the bag of money. They have no room in their fantasy world for truth or shame.
Shame, of course, being a very human sensation based upon our shared acknowledgement of wrong doing.
Baaaaa!
Do not expect anything that has ethical integrity from the Republicans. It is obvious that so many seem have become sheep-for-dollars and will only follow the man with the bag of money. They have no room in their fantasy world for truth or shame.
Shame, of course, being a very human sensation based upon our shared acknowledgement of wrong doing.
Baaaaa!
Comments here reveal the difficulty of seeing "ground truth." One thing should be very clear, however: demand prosecution for any actions that undermine or sabotage an existing law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Twice affirmed by the Supreme Curt, supported by a majority of Americans, and a mark of America's understanding of the meaning of '"civilization," Obamacare is a law just like any other law, which the President is sworn to "faithfully execute."
"Faithfully execute" does not mean a firing squad. It means to put into practice and affirm, and to prosecute those who seek to tear laws down. President Trump should be impeached if he attempts to ignore his oath of office and subvert the PP&ACA. The same applies to all congresspeople on Capitol Hill.
"Faithfully execute" does not mean a firing squad. It means to put into practice and affirm, and to prosecute those who seek to tear laws down. President Trump should be impeached if he attempts to ignore his oath of office and subvert the PP&ACA. The same applies to all congresspeople on Capitol Hill.
Call it Trumpcare from now on. If Trump breaks Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA), Trump owns it.
Trump tweeted this morning that he will "let Obamacare implode" and then pass a replacement. But if Republicans had a plausible replacement, they'd have enacted it already. Meanwhile, the ACA is indeed likely to go downhill, but only because Trump's real plan is to destroy the ACA himself and then pin its failure on Obama. The answer: From now on everyone needs to call the ACA "Trumpcare." He's breaking it; we've got to be sure he owns it.
Trump tweeted this morning that he will "let Obamacare implode" and then pass a replacement. But if Republicans had a plausible replacement, they'd have enacted it already. Meanwhile, the ACA is indeed likely to go downhill, but only because Trump's real plan is to destroy the ACA himself and then pin its failure on Obama. The answer: From now on everyone needs to call the ACA "Trumpcare." He's breaking it; we've got to be sure he owns it.
I think calling John McCain sanctimonious is a bit unfair. I think he will probably be daad in a year and he wants to be remembered for doing the right for our nation.
1
At least McCain helped to further expose the disgusting GOP, he is a member of, for Americans to witness their desperate attempts to sabotage and kill our healthcare coverage. Hard to know who is more dangerous - MS-13 or the gang of 13 Republican men which created much of these depraved and deadly bills.
Republicans OWN this. But beware, this zombie bill can always be revived - they have other dirty tricks and ways to cheat their way to a "win" just like Trump has done over a life time and the McConnell did with Gorsuch.
The cowardly Republicans who still voted yes - the poor things must have some Kompromat on them by McConnell, Trump and others. At this point McCain is probably not concerned with a future election of his own. I used to favor him when he ran against "W", but then he changed 180 degrees when he picked Palin as a running mate - say what?!!!
Republicans suffer from incontinence of bad ideas that is overflowing the swamp that can only be cured by voting them out for Democrats to clean up the mess again.
Republicans OWN this. But beware, this zombie bill can always be revived - they have other dirty tricks and ways to cheat their way to a "win" just like Trump has done over a life time and the McConnell did with Gorsuch.
The cowardly Republicans who still voted yes - the poor things must have some Kompromat on them by McConnell, Trump and others. At this point McCain is probably not concerned with a future election of his own. I used to favor him when he ran against "W", but then he changed 180 degrees when he picked Palin as a running mate - say what?!!!
Republicans suffer from incontinence of bad ideas that is overflowing the swamp that can only be cured by voting them out for Democrats to clean up the mess again.
1
We all are grateful to those two noble women. Thank you for not being a party to your genocidial republican cohort.
Republicans built their own Hall of Shame one lie at a time, year after year, for seven years. On Fox News, in interviews, peddling distortions of the truth, trading in anecdotes starring Joe Six-Pack types with phantasmagorically high premiums even as the evidence pointed to more and more Americans finally able to get affordable health care, they took the politically easy route of throwing stones at Obamacare. Now they discover that all those stones have made a sturdy four walls around their own mendacity. The only exits are labeled "Hypocrisy" and "Admit You Were Lying About Obamacare And Do Something Constructive." Guess which one our noble GOP Senators will take?
This opinion piece was irrelevant before it even hit the newsstand (McCain voted
'No') .. not to mention full of the sanctimony it criticizes in others..
-- Democrats & the Left can vent their angst and anger at Republicans, but it can't hide the fact that they don't really have anything better to offer.. Hillary Clinton's failed campaign stands as an emblem for the whole Democratic party: A mish-mash of uncertain ideas, dull leadership, and constant finger-pointing...--And you can't blame John McCain for that.
'No') .. not to mention full of the sanctimony it criticizes in others..
-- Democrats & the Left can vent their angst and anger at Republicans, but it can't hide the fact that they don't really have anything better to offer.. Hillary Clinton's failed campaign stands as an emblem for the whole Democratic party: A mish-mash of uncertain ideas, dull leadership, and constant finger-pointing...--And you can't blame John McCain for that.
Well, McCain certainly caught Krugman flatfooted with a roundhouse right punch.
Good for both of them, and us, US, etc.
Good for both of them, and us, US, etc.
On McCain, well, to quote that econometrician Yogi Berra, "prediction's not easy, especially when it's about the future." (Not to speak of a single at bat.)
McCain got what he wanted, to be in the spotlight. We all should forget about the anguish he caused his fellow Americans who desperately need the health care that they now have with Obamacare. He let this evil bill continue for days longer than it should have just so he could be called a "hero" again. Phfah!
I suspect PK's take is at once too harsh and not cynical enough. We don't know how many Senators knew what McCain was going to do. Having the least to lose, maybe he was just designated driver as the GOP proceeded to regular order. Votes are rarely wasted in the Senate. Everyone votes the way they wish to be perceived as voting except where sound policy demands otherwise; then, sometimes, the minimally necessary number of Senators are given permission to "lead," to "stand on principle," to "put country over party," and so forth. It's all theater.
It's not as if John McCain ACTUALLY defied leadership. Rather, I believe he was granted permission to give his "impassioned" speech, as long as he waited until after voting for the motion to proceed. (Why else would an appeal for regular order not be given in the debate about whether to proceed without it?) The leadership STILL had some more dancing to do for its dupes, and so McCain was not allowed to give the speech about regular order until it was clear that everything else had failed. If you are going to lie to people about what's in their best interest, you have to at least put on a show of trying to get it for them.
The real cowardice of the GOP is still best evidenced by their deference to Trump, whom no responsible leader can argue has any business anywhere's near the White House. Anyone not calling for his immediate resignation is an idiot or a coward.
It's not as if John McCain ACTUALLY defied leadership. Rather, I believe he was granted permission to give his "impassioned" speech, as long as he waited until after voting for the motion to proceed. (Why else would an appeal for regular order not be given in the debate about whether to proceed without it?) The leadership STILL had some more dancing to do for its dupes, and so McCain was not allowed to give the speech about regular order until it was clear that everything else had failed. If you are going to lie to people about what's in their best interest, you have to at least put on a show of trying to get it for them.
The real cowardice of the GOP is still best evidenced by their deference to Trump, whom no responsible leader can argue has any business anywhere's near the White House. Anyone not calling for his immediate resignation is an idiot or a coward.
2
This whole deviant episode, seven years in the making reminds me of an old Ella Fitzgerald song, "Its only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea. But it wouldn't be make believe if you believe in me."
Nuff said.
Nuff said.
It is clear and evident that this administration and the GOP Congressional leadership are hell bent on undoing EVERY policy mandate and legislation created under President Obama, regardless of its effectiveness for the American people and our world neighbors. They are willing to burn down the entire country, with destructive and mean-spirited policy and legislation, to appease their benefactors and misled constituents, just to say that they passed legislation, under the deceptive perspective of governance.
Thank you for cutting through all the nonsense about McCain. I'm really sorry he's sick, but his sanctimonious grandstanding is itself sickening. The day Trump attacked POWs is the day McCain should have said "enough", but he came back to suck up to Trump like all,the other Republican hypocrites.
It should be noted that instead of a dramatic No vote, McCain could have simply stayed home, a missing vote being the same as a no in this case.
It should be noted that instead of a dramatic No vote, McCain could have simply stayed home, a missing vote being the same as a no in this case.
Other than finally doing the right thing, I wonder why Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski are lionized so much by the press. What has changed about the ACA now versus 2009 when they voted to deny 20 some million people the chance to buy health care insurance? The process was very transparent in 2009, unlike now. The ACA is exactly the same as it was then. The CBO estimates at that time were very accurate in terms of the numbers with insurance if you look at Medicaid and insurance exchange populations combined, while the one population was over estimated and the other was underestimated. In total, the estimate of the two combined populations was very close. McCain gets lionized for doing the humane thing. Like when the woman in his 2008 campaign went on a birther rant. Any ethical person would have acted as he did.
2
Can we please, for once, be grateful for the statesmanship of McCain? I disgree with him so often, but he showed real courage and ultimately did what was right (as Murkowski and Collins have been doing for months).
We'll never get less partisan if we can't graciously receive help from the members of the other party. If I were an Alaskan, Arizonan, or Maine resident, this lifelong Democrat would vote for those Republicans because of their courage.
We'll never get less partisan if we can't graciously receive help from the members of the other party. If I were an Alaskan, Arizonan, or Maine resident, this lifelong Democrat would vote for those Republicans because of their courage.
3
Clearly, the Republicans were correct from the beginning. Give people a benefit and they will not give it up easily. The Republicans never wanted to "repeal and replace." All the House votes before Trump was elected were for pure "repeal." Even with implementation of the law taking years before people received much of a benefit, the Republicans could not get repeal past a Democratic Senate, much less the President himself. So, by the time they have the House, Senate and President, people are benefitting and don't want to give up that benefit. Now the Republicans have to say "repeal and replace," even though they never worked on a replacement because they never wanted one. Therefore, it is not just the Republican moderates that are such hipocrites, every single one that has uttered the phrase "repeal and replace" is trying to pretend that the American people will not notice that they have been saying "we do not want you to have health care that is in any way connected to the Federal Government" all along.
1
Dr. Krugman is correct about Capito, Portman, Heller and all Republican moderates who supported skinny repeal.
I am grateful to John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins for defeating skinny repeal. Yes, McCain's participation might have been reluctant, but he did the right thing in the end.
I am grateful to John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins for defeating skinny repeal. Yes, McCain's participation might have been reluctant, but he did the right thing in the end.
2
Where is the retraction?
When counting the republican hypocrites, please do not allow the sanctimonious Lindsey Graham to go unscathed. He's another one of those politicians "who pretend to be open-minded, decry partisanship, tut-tut about incivility and act as enablers for the extremists again and again." Wasn't it Graham who, upon hearing of McCain's terrible cancer diagnosis, gave the tearful (fake tears, perhaps?) interview about McCain being his best friend in the Senate and how he couldn't do anything without McCain? Well, how did that friendship and love work out for America? "Sen. Graham, from North Carolina, how do you vote? I vote Yes." Screw the American people. And to a lesser extent, screw my feelings for my "friend" John McCain.
1
Isn't Mr Krugman the same opinion writer who said the day after the election that Trump's win would cause a global recession? He was wrong then and he is wrong again about McCain.
WHY SHOULD IT MATTER TO Members of Congress if 24 million Americans lose their healthcare insurance and millions more will have their premiums raised with copays so high that the result will be that they will, once again, be unable to afford healthcare at all? The Members of Congress are guaranteed free healthcare insurance for life, above the Platinum level. Effectively, Members of Congress have joined the 1% and have, far more often than one would wish, preferred to pay for undeserved and unnecessary tax cuts for the ultra rich while screwing the 99%
3
I'm still not sure why we look to McCain with awe at his convictions. He told a woman ignorant of the facts that Obama wasn't an Arab or a Muslim. However, it's his party that perpetuated that lie. Every time he doesn't get his way, he's gone off the rails and does something dangerous (not maverick) like Sarah Palin.
So now he got to stick it to Trump in nail biting fanfare. Yore a grown man, a Senator. Stand up and tell the truth as your swan song. Stop with the reactionary teenage crap. " let me see how many will vote and then I'll vote".
So now he got to stick it to Trump in nail biting fanfare. Yore a grown man, a Senator. Stand up and tell the truth as your swan song. Stop with the reactionary teenage crap. " let me see how many will vote and then I'll vote".
3
How about Senator McCain ops for the health insurance plan for his treatment the Senate (and repubs) are touting rather than the platinum one granted by his office?
2
Recently, I saw a meme on Facebook that said the real reason Republicans hate "Obamacare" is that it has the word "Obama" in it, and that if we took that name out, we would have a decent health care bill that they could live with. After all, it is modeled on a Republican plan implemented in Massachusetts. Mr. Krugman, Would you please, in your future writings, refer to it as the "Affordable Care Act"? And get the paper to adopt this as policy? Thank you!
4
Senate Democrats applaud Jon McCain, Diane Feinstein gives him a hug, and a Nobel Prize winning economist, in full Scaramucci, kicks him in the shins.
Good grief, Paul Krugman.
Good grief, Paul Krugman.
5
NO! McCain is still an evil Republican who thought Palin was fit to be President. Shame on you for being so stupid.
3
Gluscabi, McCain's shins are just fine, unlike his voting record. But let's see how he votes in the next GOP attack on the ACA, and the next. Someone will be eating their words. Who?
1
by all measn doctor krugman, "take a moment to consider the awfulness of Senator John McCain..."
elsewhere in today's paper he is credited with "conscience" (!) which brought to memory the dound of sen sam ervin drawling to him, after the savings and loan swindle, "yo sold yo' office."
"...a world-class hypocrite to boot..." indeed...
demanding a return to "regular order" (the mechanism that ensures the deliberation of a deliberative body,protecting it against the "bum's rush," as co-hyporcrite pelosi's "pass it then read it"
functioned for obacare) and then voted "NOPE, rush the bum."
while mccain deserves sympathy for his plight, he has been more than willing to play his circumstances for what they can do for his career (understandable given his low aptitude for studies and a less than distingushied service record, both of which depleted the capital of his privilege).
in this regard, one other thing comes to mind, friends who've spent time as POWs, one older one held for three years by the nazis, who've said nothing about it.
elsewhere in today's paper he is credited with "conscience" (!) which brought to memory the dound of sen sam ervin drawling to him, after the savings and loan swindle, "yo sold yo' office."
"...a world-class hypocrite to boot..." indeed...
demanding a return to "regular order" (the mechanism that ensures the deliberation of a deliberative body,protecting it against the "bum's rush," as co-hyporcrite pelosi's "pass it then read it"
functioned for obacare) and then voted "NOPE, rush the bum."
while mccain deserves sympathy for his plight, he has been more than willing to play his circumstances for what they can do for his career (understandable given his low aptitude for studies and a less than distingushied service record, both of which depleted the capital of his privilege).
in this regard, one other thing comes to mind, friends who've spent time as POWs, one older one held for three years by the nazis, who've said nothing about it.
1
Whether he felt he had nothing to lose or whether he meant what he said when he gave that speech leaving me a little skeptical, his vote this morning appears to directly undercut the premise of Professor Krugman's statement. Rather than enabling the GOP "reform" effort, McCain put an end to it along with Democrats and Senators Murkowski and Collins.
Some who read Professor Krugman regularly will likely ask whether he will revisit his conclusions about McCain or at least correct his premature and incorrect judgments about his stand of healthcare. As it comes out now, Schumer says he was made aware of how McCain would vote because McCain called him to tell him. This does not sound like enabling to me.
Some who read Professor Krugman regularly will likely ask whether he will revisit his conclusions about McCain or at least correct his premature and incorrect judgments about his stand of healthcare. As it comes out now, Schumer says he was made aware of how McCain would vote because McCain called him to tell him. This does not sound like enabling to me.
Well, Paul like me Sen. McCain just served up some crow for us to eat with his vote to defeat the "skinny" bill that would have blasted a giant hole in the Affordable Care Act and deprive millions of health insurance in the process. But, you are absolutely right about the hypocrisy of others like Shelley Moore Capito, Dean Heller, Rob Portman and the winner for big-mouthed hypocrite of all in this disgusting exercise in legislative malfeasance, Lindsey Graham. They are willing to throw millions of their constituents into the ditch while talking about how bad the bill is (Graham) or how they didn't come to Washington "to hurt anyone" (Capito) or how they, like their Republican governors cannot support bill that would undermine Medicaid (Heller and Portman). Now is the time for the voters with your help and that of the Democratic Party to carry the message back to voters of Ohio, Nevada and West Virginia that their senators are willing to "throw them under the bus" and really "hurt" them.
1
John McCain cast the unexpected decisive vote to advance debate. He kept the flame alive to the very last moment for the McConnell-Trump axis of evil. And then he knifed them both in the back, while also giving hefty political cover to others, like Sen. Graham, who seemed pretty clearly against the "skinny" bill.
None of the rest matters to me right now. I can't feel anything but the deepest, sincerest, most intense schadenfreude I have ever experienced. I can't believe anything except that Sen. McCain has been cooking up a nice dish for the Duo of Death, and simply gave it the week to get ice cold. Of course, on some level, I know it's not true, but I'll choose to believe it anyway, because that's how much I hate Mitch McConnell. He is the only flesh-and-blood, living person to whom I've ever applied the word "fiend" -- because that's what he is. Seeing him humiliated really brings me great satisfaction; it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
And just think of the tantrum the President must've thrown all night! He probably ripped all the pages out of his coloring book and shredded them throughout the West Wing. I pity the White House housekeeping staff this morning.
...how many people here feel this way, I wonder? If you just raised your hand, congratulations -- you finally understand the Trump voter. That's how they feel about most of us, collectively. And so I find little reason, even now, to breathe a sigh of relief. TGIF.
None of the rest matters to me right now. I can't feel anything but the deepest, sincerest, most intense schadenfreude I have ever experienced. I can't believe anything except that Sen. McCain has been cooking up a nice dish for the Duo of Death, and simply gave it the week to get ice cold. Of course, on some level, I know it's not true, but I'll choose to believe it anyway, because that's how much I hate Mitch McConnell. He is the only flesh-and-blood, living person to whom I've ever applied the word "fiend" -- because that's what he is. Seeing him humiliated really brings me great satisfaction; it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
And just think of the tantrum the President must've thrown all night! He probably ripped all the pages out of his coloring book and shredded them throughout the West Wing. I pity the White House housekeeping staff this morning.
...how many people here feel this way, I wonder? If you just raised your hand, congratulations -- you finally understand the Trump voter. That's how they feel about most of us, collectively. And so I find little reason, even now, to breathe a sigh of relief. TGIF.
4
Thank you!
I think today you owe Senator McCain an apology, Dr Krugman.
But there's more to come, more occasions for heroic acts.
But there's more to come, more occasions for heroic acts.
With a fake Congress and fake President no wonder all they make is Fake News.
2
For those saying this column is premature because that disgusting hypocrite McCain voted down skinny repeal, i say covfefe. His cynical words Tuesday speak for themselves - we should try a real process, but only if our backdoor nonsense doesn't work. And i would point out that he other senators mentioned all voted yes; real profiles in courage.
PK has it exactly right - its only tax cuts, that is the only thing on their mind.
PK has it exactly right - its only tax cuts, that is the only thing on their mind.
4
Credit to McCain, but the true heroes here are the women.
7
Well said, Mr Krugman. With the exception of these two principled women there is no one in the Republican Party with a backbone. To vote for a bill you hate is hypocrisy ...something they have mastered in the last six months.
1
Opinion was correct on all counts EXCEPT McCain, who finally turned out to belong in Profiles in Courage. Retract your charge at once and give credit where it is due.
What a bunch of cowardly hypocrites! And that includes Senator Capito, who said she didn't come to DC to hurt people. What was she thinking when she drank the Kool-Aid and voted "Yes " ? Why did only three senators vote against what they all decried as a bad bill ? Cowards...all of them ! And why do they say it is now the Democrats responsibility to come up with a plan? We already have a plan. If it needs fixing, then the Republicans can do their job and work to fix it. They've had 7 years of blasting the bill. Now they can do the work it requires. Stop the whining and do your job!
1
Well, you might need to recant some of this. Last night, McCain stood in the middle of the floor and gave the last Republican idiocy-of-a-bill the thumbs-down. He then looked directly at McConnell, who slumped and stared at the floor, and marched back to his seat. When asked why later, McCain simply stated that it was the "right thing to do".
That's it, plain and simple. Yes, McCain has the weight of mortality on his shoulders now and I'm sure that clarified his action. However, we all, ALL should accept the paradigm that "doing the right thing is the right thing to do". Today I'm proud of that old Navy aviator. HooRah swabbie!
That's it, plain and simple. Yes, McCain has the weight of mortality on his shoulders now and I'm sure that clarified his action. However, we all, ALL should accept the paradigm that "doing the right thing is the right thing to do". Today I'm proud of that old Navy aviator. HooRah swabbie!
1
Professor Krugman you owe a public excuse To Senator McCain for your words. I wonder how the NYT published your artidle at all.
Great thoughts Paul, but McCain raised up in the last moment and came through like a champ. Kudos to John.
1
"...every Senate Republican besides Collins and Murkowski should be deeply ashamed."
Face it, they have no shame!
Face it, they have no shame!
1
cut Sen McCain some slack. The villan is McConnel, not McCain.
3
Senator John McCain is dying of brain cancer, Dr. Paul. No need to kick him for his Republican transgressions when he's down and almost out now at age 79. Whether or not McCain has been an enabler of incivility and extremism doesn't matter today. We Americans - all of us - are living in frightening Durance Vile under President Donald Trump and his malign and evil advisers and strategists and family. We need to stop throwing stones at the Republicans and figure out a way to remove this destructive and consummately evil President.
1
Not obvious whether McCain should be praised or damned. What makes his performance bizarre was his joining 2 Republican colleagues in stating they would vote for the "skinny" bill if only assured that the House would not simply pass it. Ryan sort of provided that assurance but how could the House be forced to do so? Nor could there be an assurance that the House would not go for more drastic changes. In the end McCain voted against the bill shocking some GOP senators but perhaps not the more "moderate" ones who may have been told in advance that they could vote for it because he is willing to take the heat from the rabid base and will vote no.
3
Thanks Professor K, for putting this whole hagiography-fest for John McCain in the circular file where it really belongs. I also couldn't agree more with your assessment of the roles played by Senators Collins and Murkowski. Collins showed serious backbone from the beginning on this one. Murkowski came through even after Mitch McConnell tried to bribe her and Secretary Ryan Zinke threatened her state. Indeed, it's hard not to conclude that there was an element of revenge in both Murkowski's and McCain's final votes.
In the end, let's let their votes speak louder than their words as we assess every senator taking part in this fiasco.
In the end, let's let their votes speak louder than their words as we assess every senator taking part in this fiasco.
3
I strongly suspect moderate Republican Senators were hoping this would not pass and were praying for a 3rd Republican to provide the final nail in the coffin along with Murkowski and Collins.
They cannot vote "No" because repealing Obamacare has become such a rallying cry on the right it would put them at great political risk of being primaried.
Enter Senator John McCain who certainly won't run for re-election and may not even be alive in a year. He "courageously" votes "No" and the moderates are spared. He voted "No" even though his other votes on the issue were always "Yes". Hmm...
They cannot vote "No" because repealing Obamacare has become such a rallying cry on the right it would put them at great political risk of being primaried.
Enter Senator John McCain who certainly won't run for re-election and may not even be alive in a year. He "courageously" votes "No" and the moderates are spared. He voted "No" even though his other votes on the issue were always "Yes". Hmm...
7
I hope you have the decency to write another column exonerating McCain after his vote today.
I wish McCain had the decency to not be a Republican. No one owes McCain an apology. He, however, owes an apology to all of us for Sarah Palin, among other things.
1
but they came through last night. i think it's true that americans always do the right thing, after trying everything else first
1
I don't. We haven't hit bottom yet.
Pres. Nixon's tapes now show that he believed (understood) that he could not end the Vietnam war because the American people do not want to end it. Lives wasted, cut and run, invincible Communism, the wave of the future, the dominoes are falling... Do the American people really want government health care (other than Democrat liberals)? Do the Republicans know something we do not?
1
But whatever happens, every Senate Republican besides Collins and Murkowski should be deeply ashamed.,
to quote the article of mr K.
hmmm. 'shame' . . . ??
yeah. that oughta werk.
good plan!!!
to quote the article of mr K.
hmmm. 'shame' . . . ??
yeah. that oughta werk.
good plan!!!
4
Senators Murkowski and Collins are the only thing left of normal Republicans in the Senate. They should wear Trump's insults as a badge of honor, as history will favor their integrity, and condemn the others as cowards.
6
Amen, Paul Krugman
3
What is so horrifying is that any Republican who expressed doubts about the either the content (or non-content) of McConnell's bill was threatened, as were the Americans in their states. We need to focus on the bullying, mob-like behavior of McConnell and his ilk! How dare they threaten to halt progress on a needed road in Alaska if Lisa Murkowski didn't vote with the sociopaths who make up the Republican majority?!
Amidst all the inflammatory and distracting rhetoric of the White House we need to keep focused on the laws that are being broken by those in charge!
Amidst all the inflammatory and distracting rhetoric of the White House we need to keep focused on the laws that are being broken by those in charge!
13
Sen. McCain has redeemed himself. When he first announced his run for the presidency, I very seriously considered him. I liked some of his previous actions including anti-torture, campaign finance reform, and similar achievements. Then he swerved to the far right, collecting crazy freight like Palin.
One encouraging aspect is that even some GOP senators who in the end voted for these bills openly expressed their concerns and did not hesitate to criticize the flaws with the bills and the process. At heart, they know what is better for the country. Some have been viciously attacked such as Heller and Flake.
Sen. Murkowski was equally heroic, standing firm against enormous pressure and ugly blackmail. Sen. Collins' unwavering courage also sends a signal that maybe there is some sanity in the Republican pack of slavering wolves these days despite Trump.
Still, this bill came too close. Drafted in secrecy, aired for only hours, it would have killed thousands and harmed millions. The absolute dread of millions of Americans was palpable. Why should so many worry every minute about their own government in Washington trying to kill or harm them?
Republicans as a whole need to do some soul searching. McConnell and Ryan must realize their leadership should not do the wrong thing for partisan reasons. Lies can be checked. Reality is lived, not viewed on TV.
"the smallest minds and the selfishest souls and the cowardliest hearts that God makes" - Twain on Congress
One encouraging aspect is that even some GOP senators who in the end voted for these bills openly expressed their concerns and did not hesitate to criticize the flaws with the bills and the process. At heart, they know what is better for the country. Some have been viciously attacked such as Heller and Flake.
Sen. Murkowski was equally heroic, standing firm against enormous pressure and ugly blackmail. Sen. Collins' unwavering courage also sends a signal that maybe there is some sanity in the Republican pack of slavering wolves these days despite Trump.
Still, this bill came too close. Drafted in secrecy, aired for only hours, it would have killed thousands and harmed millions. The absolute dread of millions of Americans was palpable. Why should so many worry every minute about their own government in Washington trying to kill or harm them?
Republicans as a whole need to do some soul searching. McConnell and Ryan must realize their leadership should not do the wrong thing for partisan reasons. Lies can be checked. Reality is lived, not viewed on TV.
"the smallest minds and the selfishest souls and the cowardliest hearts that God makes" - Twain on Congress
2
Ouch. Maybe a little unfair to Senator McCain. Easy to be upset with him I agree. But he does have a base level of decency below which he will not stoop. (As when he told a heckler at a rally the Obama was a good man and racist cants were unacceptable. Maybe that's when he lost the presidential election?)
But that still raises an interesting issue, why do any moderate Republicans stand for this? Why did they vote for this Fake President? I can understand why the super wealthy voted for him - they want tax breaks. I understand why the NRA types voted for him - they want guns, guns and more guns. So too the anti-sex/anti-abortion crowd, and so too the flat our racists. But those single issue groups can't be the entirety of the Republican Party can they? There have to be some Republicans who are moderate and centrist. Why did anyone with any sense of fairness, decency or intelligence vote for that man who is such an obvious dangerously unstably narcissistic fraud?
But that still raises an interesting issue, why do any moderate Republicans stand for this? Why did they vote for this Fake President? I can understand why the super wealthy voted for him - they want tax breaks. I understand why the NRA types voted for him - they want guns, guns and more guns. So too the anti-sex/anti-abortion crowd, and so too the flat our racists. But those single issue groups can't be the entirety of the Republican Party can they? There have to be some Republicans who are moderate and centrist. Why did anyone with any sense of fairness, decency or intelligence vote for that man who is such an obvious dangerously unstably narcissistic fraud?
10
Yes, Professor, our President is insane and the Republicans in Congress are the soulless spawn of Satin. But we knew that.
The question for progressives is whether to try and get the Democratic Party out of the hands of the Clinton Gang, including Schumer and Pelosi, or form a new Party that excludes the DINOs (Democrat In Name Only) .
The Trump Train Wreck is going to happen, so the question is: How are we going to pick up the pieces?
The question for progressives is whether to try and get the Democratic Party out of the hands of the Clinton Gang, including Schumer and Pelosi, or form a new Party that excludes the DINOs (Democrat In Name Only) .
The Trump Train Wreck is going to happen, so the question is: How are we going to pick up the pieces?
What does American Conservatism means these days when they are held hostage by right wing media, NRA and Koch funded anti-government interests groups? What is this kind American Conservatism offering to American people?
To answer this question take Obamacare repeal process as an example. Virtually everything they said about Obamacare was a lie. Virtually everything they said about Replacement was a lie. This is today's American Conservatism, a complete and utter fraud.
To answer this question take Obamacare repeal process as an example. Virtually everything they said about Obamacare was a lie. Virtually everything they said about Replacement was a lie. This is today's American Conservatism, a complete and utter fraud.
2
Hard hitting but fair and accurate. Thanks for throwing cold water in my face to remind me of the "other" John McCain.
4
Well said. I have to believe your column helped with Senator McCain's no vote.
3
The GOP had just 3 Senators willing to vote against the latest tax-cut-pretending-to-be-health-care!
That's just under 6% of them who decided not to throw tens of millions off health care.
Doesn't that tell us all we need to know about their concern for our welfare? None of those senators wanted to vote for the current bill and all of them feared reprisals in state-wide elections, yet 94% of them did what they were told to do.
Time for a complete housecleaning!
That's just under 6% of them who decided not to throw tens of millions off health care.
Doesn't that tell us all we need to know about their concern for our welfare? None of those senators wanted to vote for the current bill and all of them feared reprisals in state-wide elections, yet 94% of them did what they were told to do.
Time for a complete housecleaning!
4
Best column of the month.
"many journalists still fall for his pose as an independent-minded maverick"
Precisely.
"many journalists still fall for his pose as an independent-minded maverick"
Precisely.
1
"many journalists still fall for his pose as an independent-minded maverick"
Most of the media love Senator McCain as long as he acts like a Democrat. But we saw how temporary that love affair was as soon as McCain was the Republican nominee in 2008. He was no longer a "maverick": he was a Republican and there would be no fair treatment from the media. Talk about hypocrisy...
Most of the media love Senator McCain as long as he acts like a Democrat. But we saw how temporary that love affair was as soon as McCain was the Republican nominee in 2008. He was no longer a "maverick": he was a Republican and there would be no fair treatment from the media. Talk about hypocrisy...
You're asking people who have no shame to be ashamed. Seems pointless, no? But in the end it proves, conclusively that the GOTP is not a conservative party, nor a party that represents anyone except one small constituency, corporate CEOs.
1
Moderate is a false label. As Christopher Hitchens once said: ' there is no such thing as a moderate Arab'. Likewise, there is no such thing as a moderate Republican.
1
Sorry to disagree with Dr Krugman, but there are NO G.O.P. ‘Moderates’ in the mold of Rockefeller, Dirksen, Lincoln Chafee, William Weld, Gov Tom Kane in NJ, etc.
That "moderate" part of the party is GONE! There are only right-wing extremists and slightly less extremists. Just because you're slightly less far right than an extremist zealot doesn't make you a "moderate"
That "moderate" part of the party is GONE! There are only right-wing extremists and slightly less extremists. Just because you're slightly less far right than an extremist zealot doesn't make you a "moderate"
1
The GOP is like my dog that got loose, finally caught up with the garbage truck and didn't know what to do next.
I have a nagging thought: did McCain vote against this bill because Trump said he wasn't a war hero? Did he vote against it to make sure Trump didn't get an accomplishment?
2
Seems like Krugman was ready to denounce McCain and then was stuck with an incorrect column that he had to rewrite. Don't blast McCain -- he came through!
1
Hooray!!!
We/they defeated the Republican Health Care Plan, so we could keep a Republican Health Care Plan.
The work is far from done on America's health care. It may be obstructionist Republicans that offer the biggest stumbling blocks, yet it is our own Dino's that refuse to implement Single Payer/Medicare for all.
Who do are representatives work for again?
If you think it for you and I, put down the colored sugary drink.
Do not let your guard down on either side.
Elect and demand a better Democratic Party.
We/they defeated the Republican Health Care Plan, so we could keep a Republican Health Care Plan.
The work is far from done on America's health care. It may be obstructionist Republicans that offer the biggest stumbling blocks, yet it is our own Dino's that refuse to implement Single Payer/Medicare for all.
Who do are representatives work for again?
If you think it for you and I, put down the colored sugary drink.
Do not let your guard down on either side.
Elect and demand a better Democratic Party.
It is insane and stupidity to vote for something without reading and knowing well . It is a vote where healthcare, a fundamental right of millions of people depends and the selfish cruel senators vote YES . They do not care for the voters who send them to senate but they care for the donors who contribute millions of dollars to them. Shame on these greedy on these 49 senators.
1
"The dignity of the Senate, 21st-century style."
Indeed. AKA, The Duplicity Caucus.
Indeed. AKA, The Duplicity Caucus.
Krugman gets it partly right---but it is both parties that sanctimoniously rely on deception to keep their jobs.
The Affordable Care Act has a checkered history. One of its architects was MIT economist Jonathan Gruber. Let me remind readers of what he said earlier in the process; quoting from Wikipedia:
"Gruber said the bill was deliberately written "in a tortured way" to disguise the fact that it creates a system by which "healthy people pay in and sick people get money". He said this obfuscation was needed due to "the stupidity of the American voter" in ensuring the bill's passage."
Many of the poor don't understand the convoluted logic of the "mandate" which is why Republicans included it in their "skinny reform."
But the ACA was always half a loaf. Why did Democrats avoid proposing genuine universal health care? This is what Ted Kennedy seemed to want. And Canada seems to ALREADY HAVE IT.
If Republicans had sense they would grab "universal health care" as their own mantra. But this would offend the donors who pay for their campaigns.
With universal health care proposed, the Senate would actually debate something that average voters ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND.
Even the much-maligned elderly "white patriarchs" and matriarchs, who voted for Trump because they believe the NY Times discriminates against them, would vote for universal health care.
Even Democrats don't actually want that. Because the health insurance lobby also pays for Democratic campaigns.
The Affordable Care Act has a checkered history. One of its architects was MIT economist Jonathan Gruber. Let me remind readers of what he said earlier in the process; quoting from Wikipedia:
"Gruber said the bill was deliberately written "in a tortured way" to disguise the fact that it creates a system by which "healthy people pay in and sick people get money". He said this obfuscation was needed due to "the stupidity of the American voter" in ensuring the bill's passage."
Many of the poor don't understand the convoluted logic of the "mandate" which is why Republicans included it in their "skinny reform."
But the ACA was always half a loaf. Why did Democrats avoid proposing genuine universal health care? This is what Ted Kennedy seemed to want. And Canada seems to ALREADY HAVE IT.
If Republicans had sense they would grab "universal health care" as their own mantra. But this would offend the donors who pay for their campaigns.
With universal health care proposed, the Senate would actually debate something that average voters ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND.
Even the much-maligned elderly "white patriarchs" and matriarchs, who voted for Trump because they believe the NY Times discriminates against them, would vote for universal health care.
Even Democrats don't actually want that. Because the health insurance lobby also pays for Democratic campaigns.
See that scar above McCain's left eyebrow? Did you hear his diagnosis? McCain has gotten his ultimate wake-up call. Gee, he must be worried about all the expense of fighting such an intimidating disease.
Wait, wait, don't tell me he's not! Of, yeah, that's right - he has gold-plated healthcare insurance as a member of Congress.
Let's take the Senator as a case to illustrate the tragedy of health and illness in America. Look at his case through the lens of a patient benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, a wonderful thing to behold, that's true, but still nowhere near what the Senator enjoys.
Or let's look through the eyes of the uninsured, which would be a tragedy.
Remember, Senator McCain's judgment is so bad that he acquiesced in accepting Palin as a running mate for his presidential run. Sad.
Wait, wait, don't tell me he's not! Of, yeah, that's right - he has gold-plated healthcare insurance as a member of Congress.
Let's take the Senator as a case to illustrate the tragedy of health and illness in America. Look at his case through the lens of a patient benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, a wonderful thing to behold, that's true, but still nowhere near what the Senator enjoys.
Or let's look through the eyes of the uninsured, which would be a tragedy.
Remember, Senator McCain's judgment is so bad that he acquiesced in accepting Palin as a running mate for his presidential run. Sad.
McCain had nothing to lose - his health situation freed him.
Voted out of office, shamed and if in any way possible, PROSECUTED.
Once again, THANK YOU, Paul Krugman...!!! McCain knows he will not run again as Senator, and may have just voted with his new found conscience, unlike the majority of the GOP.
Only Collins and Murkowski stood the course. Bravo for their courage and their brains. The boys who talked big, buckled in the end. No surprise there. Now Mitch, take your personal hatred for President Obama and go home.
Of course there are exceptions, but Republican Senators, on the whole, are basically despicable. But special mention for especially despicable behavior must go to those Republican Senators from poor states who voted to take away their constituents healthcare to lower the taxes of their wealthy masters. At the top of this list is Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, and Shelley Capito of W. Virginia who should be recalled. I can hardly believe that people voted for these loathsome individuals.
Wow, you must have read "Profiles in courage". A couple of days ago, Senator McCain gave a fantastic speech along the lines of your piece . I think it should have been all about the awfulness of McConnell. Please consider Mr. McCain's entire life, his sacrifice, his heroism, his passion to serve. I happen to be an unabashed liberal and a proud Democrat but I am an American first. Senator McCain is a great American hero and he sure is my hero. He showed his true self again last night. But you too are my hero Paul Krugman for your superb intellect and for having the guts to undress any emperor.
Sanctimony, and self-righteousness, springs from a total lack of information and refusal to accept the indisputable facts of a matter. This is the very definition of the Republican party, today.
2
timing is everything, Dr. Krugman. McCain's negative vote last night reinforced my opinion that he is truly an American hero.
When you think about it, 100 people decide the fate of millions? And it comes down to 3 people who are the deciding factor? And the millions of us accept this? I just don't know what to think.
1
"Republicans don’t have any good policies to offer,"
They are bragging about Foxconn going to Wisconsin with 3000 jobs.
But The Times today reports 3 billion in tax breaks.
That's
3,000,000,000 / 3,000 = 1,000,000 per employee.
The opportunity costs of that are staggering--including increased taxes on those employees. Thus a form of kickback--paying for a job..
But it's in keeping with "states rights" as a divide and conquer strategy--getting them to compete with corporate welfare giveaways--while turning workers into serfs.
They are bragging about Foxconn going to Wisconsin with 3000 jobs.
But The Times today reports 3 billion in tax breaks.
That's
3,000,000,000 / 3,000 = 1,000,000 per employee.
The opportunity costs of that are staggering--including increased taxes on those employees. Thus a form of kickback--paying for a job..
But it's in keeping with "states rights" as a divide and conquer strategy--getting them to compete with corporate welfare giveaways--while turning workers into serfs.
1
You didn't mention that it was John McCain who inflicted Sarah Palin on the United States and the world. She managed to debase politics, common sense and Darwinism, while paving the way for the Trump clown car to crash into the White House.
3
Thanks for telling the truth about McCain. Whatever his image is he has always been a partisan, advocating the Republican agenda just as rigidly as the conservatives
2
Paul Krugman does not need to apologize to John McCain, as the Senator will change positions in the future to upend President Obama's legacy legislation.
1
There's plenty of blame to go around for Trump enablers/toadies. (See David Brooks kiss-up to Senator Flake(y) of Arizona in today's NYT...)
None of these Republican hypocrites have any true character, moral compass, or compassion for anything besides money and being reelected.
The Republic is under assault from the Kochs, the Russians, and the relentless forces of anti democratic voter suppression efforts. The context that allows this is the invertate racism which pervades all of American history and culture, greed couched in the zero-sum calculus of capitalism, and leavened with stupidity and religious bigotry.
Donald Trump is merely a symptom of every prejudice, ignorant attitude, simple mindedness, and ignorance afflicting close to 50% of America's population.
The Republicans will never turn on Trump--he's one of theirs.
None of these Republican hypocrites have any true character, moral compass, or compassion for anything besides money and being reelected.
The Republic is under assault from the Kochs, the Russians, and the relentless forces of anti democratic voter suppression efforts. The context that allows this is the invertate racism which pervades all of American history and culture, greed couched in the zero-sum calculus of capitalism, and leavened with stupidity and religious bigotry.
Donald Trump is merely a symptom of every prejudice, ignorant attitude, simple mindedness, and ignorance afflicting close to 50% of America's population.
The Republicans will never turn on Trump--he's one of theirs.
I am sick to my soul when I think of how close we came to destroying a huge swath of our citizenry. Forty-nine villainous, craven hypocrites (not even counting Ryan's evil henchmen) chose to obey McConnell who fashioned a black-box bill in the dead of night and without even reading it chose to forsake their sworn duty to serve the people.
How do you shame someone who has no shame?
How do you appeal to their decency and humanity when they have neither?
How do you reason with someone who willfully ignores facts and chooses to live in an alt-reality?
These so-called "moderates" are nothing of the sort. They murmur protests but always get in line. They think that we are stupid, that we will listen to what they say and ignore what they do.
Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and, to a lesser extent, John McCain, do most certainly deserve our gratitude for their courage and humanity. But this is not over. Not as long as people keep re-electing legislators who care only about fat cats and toe the party line no matter what.
How do you shame someone who has no shame?
How do you appeal to their decency and humanity when they have neither?
How do you reason with someone who willfully ignores facts and chooses to live in an alt-reality?
These so-called "moderates" are nothing of the sort. They murmur protests but always get in line. They think that we are stupid, that we will listen to what they say and ignore what they do.
Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and, to a lesser extent, John McCain, do most certainly deserve our gratitude for their courage and humanity. But this is not over. Not as long as people keep re-electing legislators who care only about fat cats and toe the party line no matter what.
2
"But whatever happens, every Senate Republican besides Collins and Murkowski should be deeply ashamed."
Paul these cretins don't know the word shame. But shame on the people who voted these evil creatures into office. The fault truly lies with them.
Paul these cretins don't know the word shame. But shame on the people who voted these evil creatures into office. The fault truly lies with them.
3
The rank and file GOP'ers you believe will be informed about their party by this event will be fed, by right wing hate media, that this failed because of dems and that Obama is still the devil.
If you are counting on the American people to clue in - better get a time consuming hobby
If you are counting on the American people to clue in - better get a time consuming hobby
Why are Republicans so mean? Why are their policies all designed to hurt people? Did they all have abusive parents?
2
Right from the outset, I was befuddled by the heading of this column. Clearly, Paul Krugman has yet to come to the realization that there are no moderates in the Republican Party. Any moderates that previously existed in the Party were primaried out of office in previous interm elections.
When one is assessing the ideogy of Republican members in the House and Senate, one is just dealing in degrees of right-wing extremism, nothing more.
When one is assessing the ideogy of Republican members in the House and Senate, one is just dealing in degrees of right-wing extremism, nothing more.
1
Hypocrisy? Whats new?
In truth, they cannot stand to let stand the legacy of a Black president who is superior to them all in every meaningful respect. They can't stand it! Sad.
2
Not to mention yellow-bellied Lindsay Graham, who as always talked a good game and caved in the end.
1
Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins are the HEROS and have stood against Trumpcare from the beginning. John McCain finally came though after years of opposing and then caving on everything.
1
Most of the time, I like Paul Krugman's columns. But tbis column was written too quickly, before the final Senate health care vote. John McCain deserves an apology from Paul Krugman. Will he get it? We'll find out soon enough.
McCain gave up his chance to be a hero when he hugged bush ii after bush and Rove spent a season fomenting rumors of his alleged illegitimate black baby which helped bush win in Carolina (I forget which Carolina). He didn't have the courage then to stand up to the extremists in his party and I am somewhat surprised he did so last night.
If republicans know (and there seems little doubt) that repealing the ACA will cause the deaths of many, many Americans are they then willing to commit murder? Except that this would be the murder of millions of people of little means; that should be labeled genocide.
The entire party is willing to watch their constituents die so that the koch bothers and their ilk can hoard away more treasure.
When these pompous hypocrites finally do get to meet Jesus I just want to be a bug on the wall and watch his greetings to them. "You did WHAT! in my name?.... Get thee away, Satan."
If republicans know (and there seems little doubt) that repealing the ACA will cause the deaths of many, many Americans are they then willing to commit murder? Except that this would be the murder of millions of people of little means; that should be labeled genocide.
The entire party is willing to watch their constituents die so that the koch bothers and their ilk can hoard away more treasure.
When these pompous hypocrites finally do get to meet Jesus I just want to be a bug on the wall and watch his greetings to them. "You did WHAT! in my name?.... Get thee away, Satan."
Those two female Senators Murkowski and Collins have saved the Republic
3
it is clear we the people are not represented unless followed by the words Incorporated; Limited Liability Corporation; or Partnership.
Even worse is the basis for all of this back and forth is the blatant racism exhibited by the unification of men and women who know exactly which button they are pushing.
They are spineless self-serving cowards supported by an ignorant, fearful, electorate.
Even worse is the basis for all of this back and forth is the blatant racism exhibited by the unification of men and women who know exactly which button they are pushing.
They are spineless self-serving cowards supported by an ignorant, fearful, electorate.
1
Premature hatchet job, considering McCain is the deciding vote in defeating this abomination. A closer look at his speech suggests that his overall priority is restoring the civil and legal due process of Congress, and defeating the gridlock of partisanship, to which end he voted to move the bill forward and then voted to defeat it. McCain has done many cringeworthy things, Palin top of the list, but he did the right thing this time and Krugman needs to print another column in which he gives him due credit for more than a one-vote strategy.
Krugman has no need to apologize. McCain, with the least to lose, merely took one for the team, providing cover for those who wanted the bill to fail but lacked the guts to vote against it.
Paul,
They are hypocrites everyone, but if any good is going to come from this congress it will be from Democrats working with Capito, Portman, Heller, Murkowski, Collins, and McCain. The insurance markets need shoring up and hypocrisy may be part of the price.
They are hypocrites everyone, but if any good is going to come from this congress it will be from Democrats working with Capito, Portman, Heller, Murkowski, Collins, and McCain. The insurance markets need shoring up and hypocrisy may be part of the price.
Shelley Moore Capito turned out to be the bigger hypocrite than McCain. McCain redeemed himself to a certain extent by voting against the latest bill. While after saying that she didn't come to Washington to hurt people, Capito voted for the bill that would do exactly that. How disgusting! How does she look herself in the mirror?
2
For it, against it, for it, against it . . . . relax Jake, it's only Chinatown
3
Moderate Republican - extinct species.
1
Can McConnell now plumb the depths of his impoverished, calloused heart to forgive the poor, to forgive the sick, to forgive the children of parents struggling from paycheck to paycheck? Does the blood still run so cold in his old-man arteries that he can only offer more cruel reprisals for the less unfortunate among us taking up space, despoiling his private America? Will this walking plague with his shriveled, fermenting soul ultimately coerce the Senate to go "skinny”?
The act of understanding bestows importance and gives meaning to a man’s works. The self importance of a pompous, bullying hyena, devoid of all compassion who doesn't know the meaning of altruism, who has no social conscience, who refuses to listen to the cries of his fellow man is a barbarian.Fellow Americans, the barbarians remain at the gate ready to plunder our healthcare so that the rich may soup-up their decadent pleasures. Next: our Social Security.
The act of understanding bestows importance and gives meaning to a man’s works. The self importance of a pompous, bullying hyena, devoid of all compassion who doesn't know the meaning of altruism, who has no social conscience, who refuses to listen to the cries of his fellow man is a barbarian.Fellow Americans, the barbarians remain at the gate ready to plunder our healthcare so that the rich may soup-up their decadent pleasures. Next: our Social Security.
1
What do you do with a congress more self-concerned than self-sacrificing? Vote them out! This is not what the founders of our country had conceived. Serve your country for a short period of time and then become an ordinary citizen again. These folks are in it for the long haul. Concerned with their own careers in government lasting decade. Begging for money for the the next political race. The country needs new blood in office. We don't need office holders from womb to tomb. From diapers to diapers.
1
When it came time to take a stand, McCain came through. He voted no. That "no" helped to kill the boll. Whatever came before is just yak yak. Why shouldn't he have voted for the debate begin. Democrats were upset that the original bill was crafted behind closed doors. There were no hearings. When the public debate ended, the vote was no. All of the versions were thrown out. The real fault was the leadership. They never considered bringing Democrats in the development process. Premiums have sored. Eight stated are expected to have at least a 30% policy cost. Dedutibles hve gone up. Insrance companies hav dropped out. There are tons of dDemocrates who wanrt gert rid of those problems. Instead Mitch gave characters like Cruz
Of all the craven Republican acts and attitudes of late, the least forgivable is the unwillingness of Ryan, McConnell & Co. to acknowledge this self-evident truth: that our American Emperor has no clothes. It’s time to file a class-action lawsuit against Trump and his enablers for defamation of America’s character. For me, Anthony Scaramucci’s profanity-laced telephone rant to New Yorker writer Ryan Lizza was the last—make that the latest-- straw. Remind me why I’m still living here.
1
Even knowing, this morning, that McCain voted no, every sentence of your assessment is just as true this morning as it was when it was written.
The Republican Party of empty suits has devolved into something even worse, an anarchist amalgamation of misanthropes. From Tea Party to Freedom Caucus to the Free State Project up here in New Hampshire, they are a solar system of the half baked, unexamined, alt right orbiting around a star of "self reliance" comprised of the antimatter of tribalism, where only family matters and the concept of country is, as Sonny Corleone so deftly put it, "patriotism is for suckers." All that matters is your own. As Bertrand Russell once remarked, "The trouble with life is the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent full of doubts."
The Republican Party of empty suits has devolved into something even worse, an anarchist amalgamation of misanthropes. From Tea Party to Freedom Caucus to the Free State Project up here in New Hampshire, they are a solar system of the half baked, unexamined, alt right orbiting around a star of "self reliance" comprised of the antimatter of tribalism, where only family matters and the concept of country is, as Sonny Corleone so deftly put it, "patriotism is for suckers." All that matters is your own. As Bertrand Russell once remarked, "The trouble with life is the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent full of doubts."
Accusing John McCain of cowardice is distateful, inappropriate, and noxious. There is no sense, no matter how narrow or hypothetical, in which that descriptive is morally or rationally justified. Shame on the New York Times for not exercising adult leadership.
Krugman is clueless and ridiculously wrong about McCain. Democrat's should wish that more Republicans were like him.
Add Senator Graham, McCain's good friend, to the list of world-class hypocrites. Indignant and sanctimonious, they are two peas in a pod. Each is so brave talking on TV and in the hallways of Congress and each one caves in when the vote is actually taken. Graham is too chicken to even schedule town halls; he doesn't want to face his constituents, especially here in the Lowcountry. McCain's vote early this morning was abnormal. Perhaps his own situation made McCain brave again.
McCain has partially redeemed himself.
1
"In case you haven’t been following the story, what has been going on in the Senate these past few days is one of the most shameful episodes in that body’s history."
You mean more shameful than how the Democrats rammed the ACA down our throats in the first place?
"When we look at the degeneration of American politics, it’s natural to blame the naked partisans — people like Mitch McConnell, with his principle-free will to power, or Ted Cruz..."
Where is your outrage about the naked partisanship of Democrats like Schumer and Pelosi?
This is the seventh consecutive op-ed piece you have presented about health care. They all follow the same pattern: the Republicans are evil and want to rip health care away from millions of people. You cherry-pick "positive" stories to hide the fact that the ACA overall is failing in controlling costs or covering everyone. The individual mandate leg (from your "Three-Legged Stool" piece) has been a colossal failure, and the Dems have no clue as to how to plug that funding hole. You won't mention the falsehoods of President Obama or Jonathan Gruber's assessment on the stupidity of the American people being crucial to getting the ACA passed in the first place. To do so would show the Dems for what they are - world-class liars.
Your constant whining and deflection fails to make the ACA any better. As my chemistry teacher once said, an outhouse is still an outhouse.
You mean more shameful than how the Democrats rammed the ACA down our throats in the first place?
"When we look at the degeneration of American politics, it’s natural to blame the naked partisans — people like Mitch McConnell, with his principle-free will to power, or Ted Cruz..."
Where is your outrage about the naked partisanship of Democrats like Schumer and Pelosi?
This is the seventh consecutive op-ed piece you have presented about health care. They all follow the same pattern: the Republicans are evil and want to rip health care away from millions of people. You cherry-pick "positive" stories to hide the fact that the ACA overall is failing in controlling costs or covering everyone. The individual mandate leg (from your "Three-Legged Stool" piece) has been a colossal failure, and the Dems have no clue as to how to plug that funding hole. You won't mention the falsehoods of President Obama or Jonathan Gruber's assessment on the stupidity of the American people being crucial to getting the ACA passed in the first place. To do so would show the Dems for what they are - world-class liars.
Your constant whining and deflection fails to make the ACA any better. As my chemistry teacher once said, an outhouse is still an outhouse.
Kudos to Mr. Krugman for unmasking the hypocrisy of John McCain.
Senator McCain seems to have forgotten what it is to face a health breakdown. Because of his wealth he was able to receive treatment for his operation. With casting his vote to "open debate" on the skinny-bill, Mr. McCain slammed the doors shut to those Americans who do not have the means (mainly the poor, including Republican voters) to afford a costly brain operation.
Shame on Senator McCain. Thank you Mr. Krugman for exposing Senator McCain as a hypocrite and a Trump enabler.
Senator McCain seems to have forgotten what it is to face a health breakdown. Because of his wealth he was able to receive treatment for his operation. With casting his vote to "open debate" on the skinny-bill, Mr. McCain slammed the doors shut to those Americans who do not have the means (mainly the poor, including Republican voters) to afford a costly brain operation.
Shame on Senator McCain. Thank you Mr. Krugman for exposing Senator McCain as a hypocrite and a Trump enabler.
So, all you voters supporting Republican Senators because they "talk moderate" who will you vote for in 2018 if that Senator is up for re-election? Ya gonna vote for the person who lied all the way to that final vote? Who was ready to abandon you and yours in favor of the Party and donors? Will your memory of that betrayal last as long as a gnat's life?
Given the nature of this President and his Party, in a year you might not even have that much democracy left to you.
Given the nature of this President and his Party, in a year you might not even have that much democracy left to you.
So, the two women take a principled stand from the beginning and yet it is the male who is lauded for his last minute vote. It is always thus.
Here in Arizona the media acts as if McCain is a Saint, one of the greatest legislators in US history. But until last nite, Krugman is dead on.
Yes McCain did vote against skinny repeal. But you have to wonder, if it was his conscience, or just his way of sticking it to Trump for all the grief he took from him the past 2 years.
In any event, I'm sure Krugmans will get trashed for the column because of the late vote. Too bad. He pretty much hit the nail on the head.
Yes McCain did vote against skinny repeal. But you have to wonder, if it was his conscience, or just his way of sticking it to Trump for all the grief he took from him the past 2 years.
In any event, I'm sure Krugmans will get trashed for the column because of the late vote. Too bad. He pretty much hit the nail on the head.
Good column Paul. It is very hard to work on serious policy proposals amidst the disgraceful circus of both the Republican Party and the Trump White House. It is Game of Thrones, the Walking Dead, and my favorite, Black Sails come from fiction into real life. The only difference right now is all the slashing and sabering is verbal.
The great temptation for the Democrats is once again, their old strategy: let the Republican Right disgrace itself, self-destruct, and voters will be ready to vote them out in 2018 and 2020. I don't know about that, because polling shows that Trump's tactics are not turning off those who voted for him.
We've all been waiting for Senator Schumer to come forth with the party's new face of policy, every since Elizabeth. Kolbert's coverage of the intent back in March, but he sure picked a strange time to announce some of the substance, this Monday: not July 4th, or Labor Day, given the working class support message?
And I think the substance may be much less substantial than meets the rhetorical intent of the words he used.
But who can focus on substance with the three ring circus of Congress, the Republican Party, and the Trump administration juggling flaming torches and offering daily "hire wire" acts?
Given the distance between the parties on the political economy, social policy and the role of government, the nation is ungovernable. Whether it is 1850, U.S. or 1930's Weimar, remains to be seen.
The great temptation for the Democrats is once again, their old strategy: let the Republican Right disgrace itself, self-destruct, and voters will be ready to vote them out in 2018 and 2020. I don't know about that, because polling shows that Trump's tactics are not turning off those who voted for him.
We've all been waiting for Senator Schumer to come forth with the party's new face of policy, every since Elizabeth. Kolbert's coverage of the intent back in March, but he sure picked a strange time to announce some of the substance, this Monday: not July 4th, or Labor Day, given the working class support message?
And I think the substance may be much less substantial than meets the rhetorical intent of the words he used.
But who can focus on substance with the three ring circus of Congress, the Republican Party, and the Trump administration juggling flaming torches and offering daily "hire wire" acts?
Given the distance between the parties on the political economy, social policy and the role of government, the nation is ungovernable. Whether it is 1850, U.S. or 1930's Weimar, remains to be seen.
Mr Krugman as an economist you must realize,that the least expensive and most efficient "medical care plan intended to protect the HEALTH and ECONOMIC security of all AMERICAN CITIZENS , " would be a single payer system based on an already in place (and successfully operating) Medicare structure.......with a 3% operating cost.
However the Democrats ,lobbyist designed, Affordable Care Act and the multiple, Republican schemes to "repeal and replace" it.......are intended to protect the HEALTH and SECURITY of INSURANCE COMPANY,HEALTH INDUSTRY AND WALL STREET PROFITS.....in an endlessly growing market of uncontrolled, wasteful, and inefficient health care costs .........rivaling the US Defense Department in spending............follow the money Mr Krugman not the political circus !
Department in expenditures
However the Democrats ,lobbyist designed, Affordable Care Act and the multiple, Republican schemes to "repeal and replace" it.......are intended to protect the HEALTH and SECURITY of INSURANCE COMPANY,HEALTH INDUSTRY AND WALL STREET PROFITS.....in an endlessly growing market of uncontrolled, wasteful, and inefficient health care costs .........rivaling the US Defense Department in spending............follow the money Mr Krugman not the political circus !
Department in expenditures
It's not the degeneration of American, but rather 'business as usual'.
Where do we get the idea that Politics in the US is worse than before?
I think it is because we are in a time similar to the Great Depression, or the Civil War, when fundamental issues, fundamental rights are being addressed, after a long period of simmering: Abortion, Woman's rights, LGBTX rights, Workers rights, Affordable HealthCare. In short, social and economic issues of equality that underlie the foundation of democracy. The United States was not born as a democracy, but rather a compromise between democracy and aristocracy. But we have been moving towards more democracy ever since. The major obstacle, since growth of industry and the Guilded Age, has been Big Business - synonymous with the GOP. But we should remember that in Europe, the Cartels of Big Business have already won the battle. In that arena, the Cartels of Big Business are synonymous with the old Nobility. So it should be no surprise to see the United States following in their footsteps.
Where do we get the idea that Politics in the US is worse than before?
I think it is because we are in a time similar to the Great Depression, or the Civil War, when fundamental issues, fundamental rights are being addressed, after a long period of simmering: Abortion, Woman's rights, LGBTX rights, Workers rights, Affordable HealthCare. In short, social and economic issues of equality that underlie the foundation of democracy. The United States was not born as a democracy, but rather a compromise between democracy and aristocracy. But we have been moving towards more democracy ever since. The major obstacle, since growth of industry and the Guilded Age, has been Big Business - synonymous with the GOP. But we should remember that in Europe, the Cartels of Big Business have already won the battle. In that arena, the Cartels of Big Business are synonymous with the old Nobility. So it should be no surprise to see the United States following in their footsteps.
2
So what is the Democratic Party going to do to make sure that an overwhelming majority of Americans agree, and are determined to act on that belief, that every single one of these Republicans, and every Republican in the House who voted for any similar bill and refuses to try working with Democrats to make the ACA work better, should be voted out of public office permanently? With more preaching to the choir with another horror story email to already-converted Democrats, followed by a request for more money to be spent who knows how? What are they going to do to make sure every Republican pays a fatal political price for this unprecedented level of irresponsibility -- trying to make ACA fail -- that is costing millions of Americans hundreds or even thousands of dollars in higher premiums, co-pays and deductibles?
How about if Tom Perez and Nancy Pelosi and Keith Ellison and all the other Democratic leaders who inundate us with the foregoing emails start with a loud and relentless demand to the press (other than Paul Krugman) that they call out this grotesque irresponsibility and accurately describe it as demanding permanent retirement of all these Republicans?
How about if Tom Perez and Nancy Pelosi and Keith Ellison and all the other Democratic leaders who inundate us with the foregoing emails start with a loud and relentless demand to the press (other than Paul Krugman) that they call out this grotesque irresponsibility and accurately describe it as demanding permanent retirement of all these Republicans?
1
I hear you Dr. Krugman but Democrats are not blameless. They ran away from the premise that Americans deserve access to healthcare regardless of employment or financial status. Even now Nancy Pelosi's Democratic platform does not call for universal healthcare.
Just because 3 Republicans were unwilling to further destabilize the health insurance exchanges does not mean all is well. Please advocate for Democrats to take a principled position. They need to proclaim that access to affordable healthcare is a basic human right.
Just because 3 Republicans were unwilling to further destabilize the health insurance exchanges does not mean all is well. Please advocate for Democrats to take a principled position. They need to proclaim that access to affordable healthcare is a basic human right.
1
It was after all suburban middle class women and Republican leaning "independents" who put DT in the throne. The so-called moderates in the White House serve that clientele. It is this group, who complain that they can't easily buy a bigger SUV because they have to supplement the poor and blue collar workers with medicaid and health tax cuts, who voted for DT. We should not be surprised that these representatives vote with their next election in mind, and who are perfectly happy hiding behind the skirts of the women in Alaska and Maine. McCain was icing on the cake simply because how could he in good conscience vote for a "terrible bill" (current so-called "The Great American Healthcare Bill") to replace what he considers "a terrible bill" (ACA) while he has benefited from the best healthcare program ever: the "Cadillac Healthcare Program" available only to White House senators and representatives.
4
Paul, I would not be surprised if this powerful column of yours was the final persuader of McCain to 'do the right thing'! God willing, his action - and Jeff Flake's forthcoming book - will spur more fence-sitting Republicans to distance themselves from Trump's corrosive influence, reinstate the 'Grand' in GOP, and work for the good of the country once again.
1
Point taken about Senator McCain, though I will give him some credit for being the third vote, along with those of Senators Collins and Murkowski, whom this administration trashed and threatened, for voting down this monstrosity.
But I'll say it again: given the horrible track record of the GOP under Clinton, under W Bush, and then under Barack Obama, why do so many people--millions of Americans!--keep voting for this party, especially at the federal level? Why?
What is it going to take for voters to wake up? I thought the spectacular disaster of W Bush's Iraq War, or his failures after Hurricane Katrina, or the GOP's ineptitude that led to the 2007-8 financial crash, would keep them out of power.
But instead, they are once again in control of the White House, the Congress, and yes, the Supreme Court. And now, between the White House and Congress, we are witnessing chaos of a kind this country has never seen. When will a majority of voters wake up and vote them out of power? It can't happen soon enough!
But I'll say it again: given the horrible track record of the GOP under Clinton, under W Bush, and then under Barack Obama, why do so many people--millions of Americans!--keep voting for this party, especially at the federal level? Why?
What is it going to take for voters to wake up? I thought the spectacular disaster of W Bush's Iraq War, or his failures after Hurricane Katrina, or the GOP's ineptitude that led to the 2007-8 financial crash, would keep them out of power.
But instead, they are once again in control of the White House, the Congress, and yes, the Supreme Court. And now, between the White House and Congress, we are witnessing chaos of a kind this country has never seen. When will a majority of voters wake up and vote them out of power? It can't happen soon enough!
2
We have just witnessed the clear split in 2 (3) of the republican party.
For the entire Obama Presidency. republicans filibustered any and all ideas for progress. From 2010 on, they took vote after vote ( 60+ times ) to repeal and\or replace the ACA. ( Obama\Cares )
Now we culminate to the wee hours of this morn's vote to repeal, and they failed, yet again. ( even with complete and utter control of all 3 branches of government )
The tweets have already started and the vitriol is thick between the loyalists to the President, the ''fiscal'' conservatives and the extreme and radical right of the republican party. ( if conservatism couldn't get any more extreme )
Now the focus will be the debt ceiling, the budget and the tax cuts to come.
We will watch republican after republican bend like pretzels to raise the debt ceiling, while at the same time, trying to put on the country's ( you the tax payer's ) credit card more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.
The credit card will not now have that high a limit due to the failure of gutting health care to the tune of close to a TRILLION dollars, but watch as one by one, they saunter up to the microphone to try and persuade us that our potential is being unleashed.
We need as much vigor as we can muster ( just like for health care ) to confront their trying to bankrupt America.
For the entire Obama Presidency. republicans filibustered any and all ideas for progress. From 2010 on, they took vote after vote ( 60+ times ) to repeal and\or replace the ACA. ( Obama\Cares )
Now we culminate to the wee hours of this morn's vote to repeal, and they failed, yet again. ( even with complete and utter control of all 3 branches of government )
The tweets have already started and the vitriol is thick between the loyalists to the President, the ''fiscal'' conservatives and the extreme and radical right of the republican party. ( if conservatism couldn't get any more extreme )
Now the focus will be the debt ceiling, the budget and the tax cuts to come.
We will watch republican after republican bend like pretzels to raise the debt ceiling, while at the same time, trying to put on the country's ( you the tax payer's ) credit card more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.
The credit card will not now have that high a limit due to the failure of gutting health care to the tune of close to a TRILLION dollars, but watch as one by one, they saunter up to the microphone to try and persuade us that our potential is being unleashed.
We need as much vigor as we can muster ( just like for health care ) to confront their trying to bankrupt America.
5
You missed the ball completely, Dr. K. What happened this morning was epic: John McCain showed that character counts when you come to the final stage of the race.
McCain is no hypocrite. When it counted, he became an historic figure, a courageous, thoughtful man who put country first.
McCain is no hypocrite. When it counted, he became an historic figure, a courageous, thoughtful man who put country first.
4
Things change quickly, don't they? Yeah, I was very angry at McCain when he got up from his sick bed to vote for debate to begin. Now I'm...lots less angry at him.
But, yeah, you were right to point to those two cowardly hypocrites Portman and Capito.
But, yeah, you were right to point to those two cowardly hypocrites Portman and Capito.
5
Right on, Paul, right on.
We should never have been brought to the brink of a major disaster. A handful of Republicans could have stood with Susan and Lisa months, even years ago, and forced "regular order" and bipartisan governance. A Just In Time Hero, like John, is a Show Stopper, but entirely unnecessary drama and risk.
We should never have been brought to the brink of a major disaster. A handful of Republicans could have stood with Susan and Lisa months, even years ago, and forced "regular order" and bipartisan governance. A Just In Time Hero, like John, is a Show Stopper, but entirely unnecessary drama and risk.
3
I, too, thought that Senator McCain should have voted NO! on the opening of this weird kabuki performance by Senator McConnell and his mob to sell the pig-in-a-poke plan. Senator McCain's ultimate thumbs-down has an interesting effect. Who's the loser now?
2
Wake up. McCain voted no. He squished the repeal. Go to bed in peace.
4
They have had seven years! Seven years to speak to insurance experts. Seven years to speak to physician's advocacy groups. Seven years to speak to their constituents. Seven years to study the real world functioning of our current law. Seven years to craft the best healthcare legislative proposal our country has ever seen. Seven years to wow us with their brilliance, seven years to dazzle the American public with their legislative prowess. Seven years to prove to the American voting body that they can "get something done". Seven years to sell their impeccably crafted plan to us with all the PR prowess and Edward Bernaysian advertising that their coffers can buy! Instead what do they give us??? An 8 page tax code amendment cobbled together literally over lunch whose only clear language was that targeting planned parenthood. No abortions! Life is sacred because Jesus says so. No cancer screenings, no birth control, but lots of viagra. And absolutely no health care for any of the babies that come from the lack of aforementioned birth control. Life is sacred??? Jesus wept! This Republican Party is the most deplorable group of people this country has ever seen.
4
From your pen to McCain's ears. Good job, Paul!
1
McCain partly redeemed his own honor last night. But, what about all the other cowardly Republican Senators who went along and voted yes on this horrific bill? What a bunch of cowards! They let McCain, Collins, and Murkowski take the hit while they slunk to their voting buttons. I'm embarrassed for them as they voted to do something evil--yes, evil--to millions of people.
This is no longer about whether the ACA survives. It's about getting a 'win' at any cost. We all know that ACA needs to be fixed and maybe even replaced, but you do that work, not play parliamentary games that kill people.
McCain redeemed his honor, probably because he saw this one vote as something that will undermine his legacy at the sunset of his career. The Republican Senators who voted yes should be ashamed of themselves. They have no honor.
This is no longer about whether the ACA survives. It's about getting a 'win' at any cost. We all know that ACA needs to be fixed and maybe even replaced, but you do that work, not play parliamentary games that kill people.
McCain redeemed his honor, probably because he saw this one vote as something that will undermine his legacy at the sunset of his career. The Republican Senators who voted yes should be ashamed of themselves. They have no honor.
4
I was amused at the Kabuki theater aspect of McCain's vote. He comes in stage right and shows the thumbs down while McConnell stands grief stricken with his head down, not even able to recognize McCain's presence. Meanwhile the action on stage right shows the Democratic leader Shumer silencing his troops with a wave of the hand. Why do we keep electing these people?
10
Reading this early in the morning, not yet awake, I saw the image of the Trojan horse disgorging men transformed into John Hurts' scene as the Alien breaks through his chest and looks around with a snarl-grin before scurrying away to our hospitals. That will remain my memory of Trumpcare.
Everything K says in this column is true about John McCain in particular, the GOP "moderates," -- there are no GOP moderates (save maybe, just maybe Collins and Murkowski -- and the gawdawful nastiness of the GOP.
But today I'm just going to allow myself to feel relief for the millions of Americans that got a good night's sleep for the first time since the election. I know Republicans, with sick-souled "leadership" such as Ryan and McConnell, will be back quickly with their next sadistic effort to hurt people in service of their agenda to make a permanent oligarchy while the rest function simply as slaves and servants to the overlords. But, decency won a (surely short-lived) early morning victory and my mind needs a rest from observing all the sick cynicism and sadism so in evidence in this terrible period in our country.
McCain did the right thing last night, and he probably saved himself more than anybody; it could have turned out much differently for us all and him. So I say cheers to that.
This is also a very important pushback on the encroaching kleptocratic autocracy. If McConnell had won and Trump been allowed to fire Mueller, we could conclude the republic had been effectively canceled. So last night was extremely important.
Democrats will now be required to, instead of wiping sweat off their brows,
go on offense. They should not let the Republicans frame the next chapter; Ds need to frame it, and they need to be a positive force instead of a Matador defense.
But today I'm just going to allow myself to feel relief for the millions of Americans that got a good night's sleep for the first time since the election. I know Republicans, with sick-souled "leadership" such as Ryan and McConnell, will be back quickly with their next sadistic effort to hurt people in service of their agenda to make a permanent oligarchy while the rest function simply as slaves and servants to the overlords. But, decency won a (surely short-lived) early morning victory and my mind needs a rest from observing all the sick cynicism and sadism so in evidence in this terrible period in our country.
McCain did the right thing last night, and he probably saved himself more than anybody; it could have turned out much differently for us all and him. So I say cheers to that.
This is also a very important pushback on the encroaching kleptocratic autocracy. If McConnell had won and Trump been allowed to fire Mueller, we could conclude the republic had been effectively canceled. So last night was extremely important.
Democrats will now be required to, instead of wiping sweat off their brows,
go on offense. They should not let the Republicans frame the next chapter; Ds need to frame it, and they need to be a positive force instead of a Matador defense.
4
The words "moderate republicans" is a contradiction in terms. The so-called moderate Capito capitulated like Neville Chamberlain when it came time to come to the aid of her constituents. Likewise,another so-called moderate, Dean Heller, whose governor was opposed to the bills put forth by the Republicans in the Senate, betrayed his constituents.
But for sheer chutzpah, nothing surpasses the behavior of Senators Lindsey Graham,Bill Cassidy and Ron Johnson, all of whom, decried the so-called skinny bill a disaster, then like frightened puppies, tucked their tails between their legs and voted for the disastrous bill, the supreme act of hypocrisy and political cowardice. Thank you Senators Collins and Murkowski for doing your jobs !
But for sheer chutzpah, nothing surpasses the behavior of Senators Lindsey Graham,Bill Cassidy and Ron Johnson, all of whom, decried the so-called skinny bill a disaster, then like frightened puppies, tucked their tails between their legs and voted for the disastrous bill, the supreme act of hypocrisy and political cowardice. Thank you Senators Collins and Murkowski for doing your jobs !
5
Yes McCain played the enabler role for legislative abuse, but he did the right thing last night. Of course this gruesome health care charade is hardly over. We can be almost certain that the GOP will not benefit from a sudden attitude transplant. The Party will continue to do all in its power to destroy the health care law of the land by a thousand executive and legislative cuts.
In so doing, Republicans will still succeed in damaging the lives of tens of millions of its own voters, some of them beyond redemption. This is what Republicans do. They care not a whit about any health care but their own. They put themselves up for election to represent the people for purely partisan gamesmanship of the meanest kind.
If the preceding six-month theatre of the absurd offers insufficient proof, then there is no proof to be had.
In so doing, Republicans will still succeed in damaging the lives of tens of millions of its own voters, some of them beyond redemption. This is what Republicans do. They care not a whit about any health care but their own. They put themselves up for election to represent the people for purely partisan gamesmanship of the meanest kind.
If the preceding six-month theatre of the absurd offers insufficient proof, then there is no proof to be had.
2
Forty percent of female senators voted against Republicans' attempt to destroy the ACA while only one percent of male Senators did so.
We need more female Senators and by popular vote, should have had a female president.
We need more female Senators and by popular vote, should have had a female president.
6
John McCain has more courage and principle in his pinkie finger, than you, Paul Krugman, waging your mighty pen from the ivory tower of the NYT and Princeton, will ever have.
Sometime around 1:30 a.m. "sinner" John McCain cast the deciding "no" vote.
Oops.
Sanctimony stops here, PK.
Why turn politics into a religious war with terms like “sanctimony” and “sin”?
If you really want to rail against lukewarm moderates, turn the clock back to 2002, when a Democratic majority Senate passed the Iraq Resolution giving GW Bush authority to invade Iraq even though the central reason for the invasion — WMD's — proved false.
Twenty-nine Democrats — all the heavy hitters and liberals from those days, like Kerry, Hillary, Edwards, Biden, Rockefeller, Lieberman — bent their will to President Bush and co-President Dick Cheney’s ridiculous decision to unleash the horror of US military might upon a country that had never done us harm.
We desperately need more moderates who are willing to work across the aisle, as Governor Brown has done with California lawmakers, who recently passed revolutionary cap-and-trade legislation to stem the tide of climate change.
Calling McCain a war hero and cancer victim "a world-class hypocrite" has not been your finest moment.
A sincere apology is in order and will go a long way in moderating the religiously tinged conflicts eating away at your — and our — common sense.
Oops.
Sanctimony stops here, PK.
Why turn politics into a religious war with terms like “sanctimony” and “sin”?
If you really want to rail against lukewarm moderates, turn the clock back to 2002, when a Democratic majority Senate passed the Iraq Resolution giving GW Bush authority to invade Iraq even though the central reason for the invasion — WMD's — proved false.
Twenty-nine Democrats — all the heavy hitters and liberals from those days, like Kerry, Hillary, Edwards, Biden, Rockefeller, Lieberman — bent their will to President Bush and co-President Dick Cheney’s ridiculous decision to unleash the horror of US military might upon a country that had never done us harm.
We desperately need more moderates who are willing to work across the aisle, as Governor Brown has done with California lawmakers, who recently passed revolutionary cap-and-trade legislation to stem the tide of climate change.
Calling McCain a war hero and cancer victim "a world-class hypocrite" has not been your finest moment.
A sincere apology is in order and will go a long way in moderating the religiously tinged conflicts eating away at your — and our — common sense.
2
Note that one of the big questions from several R senators was "will this pass the House?" Passing the House would lead to their vote against it. This explains how the House was able to pass a bill earlier. They knew the Senate would never pass a R&R bill. It's always hardest to be the last one to give a train wreck a go-ahead. Paul Ryan played McConnell. He set the agenda, passed what he could and tossed the hot potato to the Senate.
McConnell knew from the outset the effort was doomed to fail. All the primary-ing of moderates, all the posturing, all the expert strategy and tactics he brought to bare, nothing to show.
They have lost their fig leaf. Now they need to address lowering taxes on the rich on its own merits. Does anyone expect they will use "standard orders" as McCain suggested on tax reform?
McConnell knew from the outset the effort was doomed to fail. All the primary-ing of moderates, all the posturing, all the expert strategy and tactics he brought to bare, nothing to show.
They have lost their fig leaf. Now they need to address lowering taxes on the rich on its own merits. Does anyone expect they will use "standard orders" as McCain suggested on tax reform?
1
McCain showed us last night that he understands the outrage that is the Republican party, although he may still support many of it's policies. He appears to be standing up for Democracy -- not for Democrats -- and that's fine with me. I don't agree with McCain, and I think he's been buffalo'ed by Republican bosses in the past -- could he possibly have chosen Sarah Palin himself? But this time his behavior was IMPECCABLE and he acted like a TRUE HERO. Thank you John McCain for showing the nitwits in Congress what it is to respect the rule of law, the voice of the people, and the principles of democracy. Beastmaster Donald should figure out that 51 votes is a MAJORITY and thanks for that!
We should all be aware of how the Senate works, and at this point especially. McCain took the hit because he needs no political cover, will not probably run again. The rest of the Senate Republicans (aside from Collins and Murkowski) are scared to death of being primaried. Really no profiles in courage here.
2
Yes, Paul, you couldn't be more right.
Simply put, there are no "moderates" in today's Senate. Based on the past votes of McCain, Murkowski, Collins, et al., when compared to the votes of moderate Republicans from the Nixon era, today's "moderates" are incredibly right wing (they're as far out as Neptune, but not quite as far out as Pluto).
The only reason McCain ultimately voted "no" on Skinny Repeal is because he is going to die before his term is up, and somewhere very deep within him there is a tiny little semblance of a conscience. Murkowski's party abandoned her during her last election but she won anyway, so she isn't beholden to the GOP. As for Collins, it appears she feels so comfortable with being re-elected that she can afford to buck her party.
Shelley Moore Capito, Rob Portman, Dean Heller, and Lindsey Graham, who talked the talk but folded like cheap suits when push came to shove, are perhaps even more repulsive than hard-liners like Cruz because their hypocrisy appears to know no bounds.
Simply put, there are no "moderates" in today's Senate. Based on the past votes of McCain, Murkowski, Collins, et al., when compared to the votes of moderate Republicans from the Nixon era, today's "moderates" are incredibly right wing (they're as far out as Neptune, but not quite as far out as Pluto).
The only reason McCain ultimately voted "no" on Skinny Repeal is because he is going to die before his term is up, and somewhere very deep within him there is a tiny little semblance of a conscience. Murkowski's party abandoned her during her last election but she won anyway, so she isn't beholden to the GOP. As for Collins, it appears she feels so comfortable with being re-elected that she can afford to buck her party.
Shelley Moore Capito, Rob Portman, Dean Heller, and Lindsey Graham, who talked the talk but folded like cheap suits when push came to shove, are perhaps even more repulsive than hard-liners like Cruz because their hypocrisy appears to know no bounds.
1
Thank you, Mr. Krugman, for expressing the godawful truth. We are in a terrible hole in this country that soon will be too deep to see over. During all this escalating mess, the only people doing their jobs has been the press. That makes me very proud to be a retired journalist.
More and more the Republican Party behaves like the old Soviet-style communist party, where loyalty to authoritarian-style party and party leaders (who dole out carrots and beat with sticks to assure conformity) is the foremost mode of operation.
Or maybe under Trump, the Republican Party acts more like terrorist organizations, where venting anger, engaging in destruction, inflicting misery on the innocent, issuing hateful lies and emotional propaganda, and grabbing media attention with draconian acts are what exercising power is all about.
So given the extremist, ideological, and authoritarian style of the current GOP, I applaud McCain for crossing his party for at least one crunch time. Don't punish good behavior, no matter how small a gesture. We should stop being sanctimonious liberals and reward and build on any positive GOP gesture to encourage other GOP politicians to break ranks and do the right thing.
I think we have no idea how ruthless and vicious it is to be a relatively moderate Republican politician these days--totally owned by the Kochs and nasty special interests, managed by the likes of the right-wing party-over-country, hypocrites Ryan and McConnell. Keep in mind too the threat of endless ad hominem attacks by the omnipresent Fox news and right-wing smear media if one compromises with Democrats.
Thank you Collins, Murkowski, and McCain for taking one small step for health care and humankind. Let's hope you 3 start a trend.
Or maybe under Trump, the Republican Party acts more like terrorist organizations, where venting anger, engaging in destruction, inflicting misery on the innocent, issuing hateful lies and emotional propaganda, and grabbing media attention with draconian acts are what exercising power is all about.
So given the extremist, ideological, and authoritarian style of the current GOP, I applaud McCain for crossing his party for at least one crunch time. Don't punish good behavior, no matter how small a gesture. We should stop being sanctimonious liberals and reward and build on any positive GOP gesture to encourage other GOP politicians to break ranks and do the right thing.
I think we have no idea how ruthless and vicious it is to be a relatively moderate Republican politician these days--totally owned by the Kochs and nasty special interests, managed by the likes of the right-wing party-over-country, hypocrites Ryan and McConnell. Keep in mind too the threat of endless ad hominem attacks by the omnipresent Fox news and right-wing smear media if one compromises with Democrats.
Thank you Collins, Murkowski, and McCain for taking one small step for health care and humankind. Let's hope you 3 start a trend.
1
If it wasn't for Mr Krugman's column and other more calibrated thoughts after the jubilation of last nite's vote, I'd be tempted to nominate John McCain for a "profile in courage", to use the old JFK book title moniker. Our mortally wounded war hero finally found the gumption to do the right thing, knowing this was his last fight, his chance to make a statement to history. His vote to kill the bill makes the words in his speech mean something, what he threatened up until the end not to do.
Alas, our columnist reminds us of so many Senators who didn't know how history would judge them, if not their voters. They and their corrupt party need to be exposed for their hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and utter demagoguery of the health care of our nation. Naturally they don't have the character and judgment to admit to themselves what they've done for the last 8 years, but now . . . finally, the American people can relax just a little and let regular order (unless Trump implodes the ACA) slow down the real "death spiral"--Republican ideologizing of our prosperity into fantasy freedom calamity.
Alas, our columnist reminds us of so many Senators who didn't know how history would judge them, if not their voters. They and their corrupt party need to be exposed for their hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and utter demagoguery of the health care of our nation. Naturally they don't have the character and judgment to admit to themselves what they've done for the last 8 years, but now . . . finally, the American people can relax just a little and let regular order (unless Trump implodes the ACA) slow down the real "death spiral"--Republican ideologizing of our prosperity into fantasy freedom calamity.
Collins and Murkowski deserve credit For bucking their party, but at the same time if feels odd to shower them with praise.
It's like, "Hey, you are a good person for NOT kicking the dog". But decent human beings don't kick dogs or intentionally inflict harm onto others. Therefore, they do not need to be showered with praise for being decent. Sadly, in the context of the GOP, this is considered is noble and worthy of praise.
It's like, "Hey, you are a good person for NOT kicking the dog". But decent human beings don't kick dogs or intentionally inflict harm onto others. Therefore, they do not need to be showered with praise for being decent. Sadly, in the context of the GOP, this is considered is noble and worthy of praise.
What you are describing are politicians who value their titles more than the American people the serve. Party over country, plain and simple.
Every day they trade their ethics for a paycheck. No dignity, no values, and inspirational to no one.
Every day they trade their ethics for a paycheck. No dignity, no values, and inspirational to no one.
1
Those who voted "yes" last night -- all of them Republicans -- voted for a process even they could hardly explain or comprehend. That 49 of 50 did speaks volumes about the partisan hole the GOP has dug for itself.
Even the Marines, tough as nails, know when to back off to fight another day. Republican Senators, on the other hand, forged ahead in a reckless charge of a (literally) light brigade, and were rightfully knocked off their high horses.
General Trump, as per usual, was nowhere to be seen.
Even the Marines, tough as nails, know when to back off to fight another day. Republican Senators, on the other hand, forged ahead in a reckless charge of a (literally) light brigade, and were rightfully knocked off their high horses.
General Trump, as per usual, was nowhere to be seen.
1
The reason that the GOP has failed to repeal and replace the ACA comes down to one basic fact - their opposition to it and their vow to repeal and/or replace it never had anything at all to do with health care.
It was a purely political ploy to demean the ACA, the Democrats, Barack Obama, even government itself so thoroughly, that they could convince the American public to vote them into power under the pretense of 'saving' America from everything Obama and the Democrats proposed or represented.
The ACA was little different from Romneycare, the health care plan signed into law by their own 2012 presidential candidate when he was governor of Massachusetts. The hypocritically despised and thoroughly demonized 'individual mandate' was *their own idea.* Only when Romneycare become Obamacare did it suddenly become anathema.
But they were so busy focussing on how they could use opposition to the ACA to catapult them into power, they never gave a thought to how they would proceed on health care when they actually obtained that power.
Repeal it, and they expose their indifference to the health of the American people. Don't repeal it and they break their promises and expose their opposition to the ACA as the political ploy that it was and is. Replace it? With what? Trumpcare? An oxymoron.
Now the Republicans are faced with the disastrous reality for all to see, that only the Democrats can lead on health care.
Oh, the tangled webs we weave!
It was a purely political ploy to demean the ACA, the Democrats, Barack Obama, even government itself so thoroughly, that they could convince the American public to vote them into power under the pretense of 'saving' America from everything Obama and the Democrats proposed or represented.
The ACA was little different from Romneycare, the health care plan signed into law by their own 2012 presidential candidate when he was governor of Massachusetts. The hypocritically despised and thoroughly demonized 'individual mandate' was *their own idea.* Only when Romneycare become Obamacare did it suddenly become anathema.
But they were so busy focussing on how they could use opposition to the ACA to catapult them into power, they never gave a thought to how they would proceed on health care when they actually obtained that power.
Repeal it, and they expose their indifference to the health of the American people. Don't repeal it and they break their promises and expose their opposition to the ACA as the political ploy that it was and is. Replace it? With what? Trumpcare? An oxymoron.
Now the Republicans are faced with the disastrous reality for all to see, that only the Democrats can lead on health care.
Oh, the tangled webs we weave!
Sometimes outside viewers don't fully understand the process by which a "bill" becomes law and/or when a vote actually reflects the elected person's real position. There is an unbelievable amount of behind the scenes maneuvering that rarely sees the light of day so to speak. Sometimes it's better to let a bill "move" only to kill it later, which is what appears to have happened with health care, than it is to leave the bill "alive but not dead" only to see it get enough votes to actively move later. Not to be morbid but McCain has what is likely terminal cancer so perhaps one should consider his vote in the context of he can cast it "now" but perhaps not "later". Also as some have noted a "yes" vote can be cast to keep the base happy if you are against a bill but otherwise know the bill won't pass. Not simple in the world of legislation.
All true except the praise for Collins and Murkowski. They accepted the two free passes for Republicans. If they really believed the horror of Obamacare repeal and all the Republican plans they should have been arm twisting their "moderate" colleagues to get a third Republican "no" vote. How? Promising total opposition to any future legislation that Heller or Portman, or Cassidy, or Capito, or McCain support including in committee. These "heroic votes were no more valuable than Bernie Sanders' or Chuck Schumer's or Mazie Hirono who has stage IV cancer and consistently voted to save American lives without breaking a sweat.
The charade continues: Today it's about McCain tomorrow who knows. As long as the profits keep piling up in the coffers of big pharma and big insurance no one seems to care, so much better to allow comments in public forums on both sides of the aisle and easier to keep track of the rabble rousers. The forgotten fact of the matter is, yes more people are insured, yes people with preexisting conditions cannot be turned away under the A.C.A. all well and good but that part of the A.C.A. Could have been written on one page, the rest of the tome was written by lawyers and lobbyists for big insurance and big pharma to insure ever increasing profits for their clients. Unless you've been living in a cave since the enactment of the A.C.A. you have noticed a steady increase in your premiums, a steady decline in your care, an increase in deductibles and an increase on challenges to any and all claims. I have trouble believing the A.C.A. Is so highly touted for the rank and file who did not benefit from the pre existing "part" in particular those of us on Medicare with a standard supplement A.C.A. Is not the panacea as presented, as a matter of fact it stinks. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield in addition to Medicare, the coverage has declined every year as the premiums and deductibles have increased. The RX part has become ludicrous, the Dr. must constantly rewrite the RX, the costs have tripled or more with the A.C.A. and everything is challenged or denied. This entire debate is a farce.
3
Please explain how the ACA affects Medicare and Medigap coverage.
1
I would add too my comment that the co pays in the event of a serious illness or hospitalization are perhaps the most troublesome hallmark allowed under the A.C.A. as they are now so onerous as to be capable of pushing many folks into either penury or bankruptcy in a very short time. Single payer as enjoyed by the rest of the developed world, is clearly the only viable option, but no, we continue this fruitless debate as a distraction while the real work of lowering taxes or eliminating them entirely for the wealthy continues, as do the wars being fought for special interests and the advancement of the interests of the global elite march forward over the backs of the middle class of America, Europe and Japan. The pendulum has indeed swung with China now taking the forefront in diplomacy and action, no better example than their funding for the new "Silk Road" to Tehran and the M.E., their cooperation rather than confrontation with nations, with their modern infrastructure and their high speed rail, this as we allow ourselves to be captured by a healthcare fiasco, fossil fuel dependence and never ending war, our nation remains engulfed in the vortex of a declining standard of living for the Middle Class, runaway asset inflation increasing the disparity between the one percent and the rest as we continue our long predicted " race to the bottom".
1
Patricia: perhaps you aren't of Medicare age or perhaps you have Cadillac coverage but Medicare was defunded(cutbacks to coverage were immediately apparent if you were paying attention and it affected your pocketbook as it did millions)to pay for the positive part(coverage of preexisting conditions etc.) of A.C.A., you don't really think the insurance companies took a hit do you. The day after A.C.A. was passed began a steady climb for the stocks of both insurance company and drug company stocks they were among the best performers of the last decade.
1
I have written about the single payer, Medicare system for all but it is worth reiterating. The ACA has flaws which make it very difficult to fix for Democrats or Republcans. We will never see a single payer system until the Democrats have control of both the Congress and White House. Do to the Republicans brilliant job of gerrymandering I probably will not see this again in my lifetime( I am 70 years old).
To get a Medicare for all, taxes will have to go up for middle and upper wage earners with the heavy lifting done by the wealthy. Cost of prescription drugs needs to be controlled. The massive cost of care during the end of life process needs to controlled not by death panels but by sane, moral medically trained people including doctors and nurses.
Like present day Medicare, insurance companies can provide HMO or Advantage programs to the more affluent to decrease their copays and deductibles. Th poor and lower earners will have graduated copays and deductibles according to their income.
This system would hopefully end the role of politics from medical care and a give all citizens the medical care they deserve.
To get a Medicare for all, taxes will have to go up for middle and upper wage earners with the heavy lifting done by the wealthy. Cost of prescription drugs needs to be controlled. The massive cost of care during the end of life process needs to controlled not by death panels but by sane, moral medically trained people including doctors and nurses.
Like present day Medicare, insurance companies can provide HMO or Advantage programs to the more affluent to decrease their copays and deductibles. Th poor and lower earners will have graduated copays and deductibles according to their income.
This system would hopefully end the role of politics from medical care and a give all citizens the medical care they deserve.
3
Why do I keep thinking of Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner?
These folks are all complicit in this feeding frenzy on the poor. They all must have signed on the dotted line, to follow the repulsive force to the end. Their jobs just might be at stake, in the next election, if their constituents wake up and vote. Sad to have so long to have developed a plan and all they did was bitch.
The "Sanctimony and Sin" of Paul Krugman, his followers, and the far left in general: Day in and day out they wallow in moral outrage, but few will lift a finger to stop the GOP transgressions they denounce and profess to abhor. For them, this is a game, a form of recreation.
Anyone who truly cares about the future of democracy in this country would be focused like a laser on the 2018 elections. They are our last, best hope to stop Putinism in this country.
But try to raise the issue of electoral politics in this space, try to turn the conversation to a winning strategy in 2018, and you will be met with a wall of SILENCE.
Krugman could channel his readers’ moral outrage into ACTION, he could urge them on, he could set an example. Yet he does nothing but kvetch. What are we to make of this man who proclaims his blog the "Conscience of a Liberal," yet does nothing but kvetch? Some conscience! Some liberal!
Anyone who truly cares about the future of democracy in this country would be focused like a laser on the 2018 elections. They are our last, best hope to stop Putinism in this country.
But try to raise the issue of electoral politics in this space, try to turn the conversation to a winning strategy in 2018, and you will be met with a wall of SILENCE.
Krugman could channel his readers’ moral outrage into ACTION, he could urge them on, he could set an example. Yet he does nothing but kvetch. What are we to make of this man who proclaims his blog the "Conscience of a Liberal," yet does nothing but kvetch? Some conscience! Some liberal!
1
It seems the Repubs struggle mightily with the truth...but why don't we just tell them that they - The Heritage Foundation with Bob Dole as a sponsor - wrote most of the ACA.
Two words; Tea Party. There used to be many moderates Republicans at one time that willingly worked with Democrats on important issues but for the rise of the Tea party which replaced them by right wingers like Steve King, Mike Lee and Ted Cruz and those that survived, conveniently sharpened their rhetoric to prevent them from getting primaried. The vast right wing propaganda machine which provides a platform to these types that espouse hateful rhetoric and conspiracies for ratings also bears much of the blame.
1
Dr. Krugman seeks consistency in politics and of politicians, but that rarely happens. I wish it was not so, but it is. Events are fluid.
True, Senators Murkowski and Collins voted consistently throughout this process. But, I argue that McCain was more true to his principles than other Senators. He voted against the 'skinny repeal' because in the end it was, in his words, the right thing to do. He voted for the Motion To Proceed to allow debate to continue, hoping for a better outcome he could endorse. In the end, he stood alone in the arena and cast the deciding vote. Standing alone difficult. Perhaps the recent reality of his mortality influenced his decision by giving him fresh freedom.
I hesitate to be too critical of Senator McCain, and some of the others. I view McCain as an example of Theodore Roosevelt's Man In The Arena --- "who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds..."
We, who reside outside the arena, only observe and comment. Ours is the easier task, and perhaps less noble.
True, Senators Murkowski and Collins voted consistently throughout this process. But, I argue that McCain was more true to his principles than other Senators. He voted against the 'skinny repeal' because in the end it was, in his words, the right thing to do. He voted for the Motion To Proceed to allow debate to continue, hoping for a better outcome he could endorse. In the end, he stood alone in the arena and cast the deciding vote. Standing alone difficult. Perhaps the recent reality of his mortality influenced his decision by giving him fresh freedom.
I hesitate to be too critical of Senator McCain, and some of the others. I view McCain as an example of Theodore Roosevelt's Man In The Arena --- "who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds..."
We, who reside outside the arena, only observe and comment. Ours is the easier task, and perhaps less noble.
7
Great remark.
Commenters such as Dr. Krugman decry the cowardice of the Republican Congress, seemingly surprised as these leaders put our most vulnerable citizens at risk. Or they rail at Trump’s dictatorial consolidation of power, as if their complaints will somehow turn this country around. Meanwhile, the rest of us get on with our daily lives, believing that somebody, somewhere, will fix this for us.
But news flash - no one is coming to save us. We must act. Many of us cannot afford to travel to DC to protest. But millions of us can travel to our state houses regularly. Millions of us can be in the streets weekly.
And make no mistake. The longer we’re silent, the harder it will be to remove this dictator. The longer we’re silent, the more the free world will pull away from us. After all, if we’re not willing to try to end a dictatorship, why should other peoples, other nations support us? All they see is our silence, which they interpret as acquiescence.
Our passivity, our inaction, our unwillingness to risk our personal safety will be our downfall. This is exactly what Trump and his supporters want. They’re banking on our fear. There’s a reason that Trump voters are the most heavily armed demographic in our country. They don’t keep these millions of weapons for “self defense” – they keep them to intimidate the rest of us.
So understand this – many millions of us must be willing to risk our very lives to take our country back. Because this is exactly what it will take.
But news flash - no one is coming to save us. We must act. Many of us cannot afford to travel to DC to protest. But millions of us can travel to our state houses regularly. Millions of us can be in the streets weekly.
And make no mistake. The longer we’re silent, the harder it will be to remove this dictator. The longer we’re silent, the more the free world will pull away from us. After all, if we’re not willing to try to end a dictatorship, why should other peoples, other nations support us? All they see is our silence, which they interpret as acquiescence.
Our passivity, our inaction, our unwillingness to risk our personal safety will be our downfall. This is exactly what Trump and his supporters want. They’re banking on our fear. There’s a reason that Trump voters are the most heavily armed demographic in our country. They don’t keep these millions of weapons for “self defense” – they keep them to intimidate the rest of us.
So understand this – many millions of us must be willing to risk our very lives to take our country back. Because this is exactly what it will take.
6
EXCELLENT observation !!!
1
Could you talk about the difference between the Democrats (in passing Obamacare) and the Republicans (in attempting to undo Obamacare) in terms of their use of experts, or lack thereof?
The Democrats crafted Obamacare based on the guidance of health economists like Jonathan Gruber along with advocates for insurers, healthcare providers, and patient advocates. The Republicans made use of just their caucus' navel gazing with perhaps some input from hacks at the likes of Heritage Action.
Your points about the effects of the Republicans efforts are all necessary. However, the degree of reliance on experts is an objective measure of a legislative initiative that does not depend on any audience accepting what is a good or bad outcome, and it's a measure by which the Democrats come out clearly ahead.
The Democrats crafted Obamacare based on the guidance of health economists like Jonathan Gruber along with advocates for insurers, healthcare providers, and patient advocates. The Republicans made use of just their caucus' navel gazing with perhaps some input from hacks at the likes of Heritage Action.
Your points about the effects of the Republicans efforts are all necessary. However, the degree of reliance on experts is an objective measure of a legislative initiative that does not depend on any audience accepting what is a good or bad outcome, and it's a measure by which the Democrats come out clearly ahead.
2
Exactly! Also, the Democrats didn't "ram" anything through Congress without the Republicans, like McCain alleged last night- there were multiple committee votes, bipartisan debates and more than a hundred Republican amendments adopted to the legislation over months and months- but in the end, even "heroic" moderates like Susan Collins couldn't get themselves to vote in favor of the ACA, afraid of the ire of whipped-up frenzied hordes of tea party zealots, who even spat at John Lewis as he was about to cast his ACA vote, watched by a grinning John Boehner and Eric Cantor. McCain wanted more debate for an opportunity to repeal more of Obamacare - that's why he voted "no." Why he thought that would happen with the support of Democrats is a mystery to me, but he didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart for the poor and uninsured. Murkowski, Collins, yes, they're the heroes here.
All the Republican health votes have been a charade.They would have voted for the ACA if it had been proposed by Bush as they did fort he Medicare prescription benefit. They tried to repeal Obamacare to please Trump and the billionaires.
McCain was the fall guy to take the blame that the other Republicans avoided so they could have it both ways.
Congress does not want any progress; they just want re-election, campaign funds and lobbyist jobs.
McCain was the fall guy to take the blame that the other Republicans avoided so they could have it both ways.
Congress does not want any progress; they just want re-election, campaign funds and lobbyist jobs.
2
"Shouldn’t someone in the G.O.P. have asked, “Hey, guys, what is our plan, anyway? If we don’t have one, shouldn’t we consider helping make this law work?”"
With all the attention now focused on healthcare, why haven't the Democrats seized this opportunity to come up with something really big and bold?
With all the attention now focused on healthcare, why haven't the Democrats seized this opportunity to come up with something really big and bold?
8
"With all the attention now focused on healthcare, why haven't the Democrats seized this opportunity to come up with something really big and bold?"
They did - it was called the Affordable Care Act. And it's so successful...not.
They did - it was called the Affordable Care Act. And it's so successful...not.
Senators, the Senators, Collins, Murkowski, and McCain demonstrated nonpartisan leadership, strength and courage to do what is right for the vast majority of American. Now, they and other leaders in the Senate must fix the Affordable care, or move to a single Medicare like system. We all know this will not eliminate Insurance companies. People in Germany, Britain etc. who can afford to do so also buy insurance to supplement the government provided safety net.
3
At this point many Americans are faced with some very painful choices regarding medical care. No matter what insurance we have, if we cannot work because of an illness or an accident we are not guaranteed access to the care we need. If we aren't working because our job was eliminated we're probably not going to purchase "health" insurance unless we are eligible for a subsidy. The ACA did do one very important thing: it put the idea of health care as a right into our national discussion. It also forced many people to realize that other countries, some of them with much less money than America, do an excellent job providing universal access to good health care for all of their citizens.
Neither party has tried to understand what our fee for service for profit "health" care system fails to do. It does not provide most Americans with excellent care or even adequate care. Having health insurance means that we get charged monthly premiums, have high deductibles, co-pays, narrow networks, and live in fear of being unable to afford any of it. Threats to downsize Medicare and Medicaid are coming just as the last part of the Baby Boom generation is getting ready to retire. This is no coincidence. The GOPs proposed policies amount to an attempt to deprive millions of Americans of medical care in order to preserve the extremely high profits and salaries of the wealth care industry. It's clear that the health and lives of 99% of Americans are of no concern to our politicians.
Neither party has tried to understand what our fee for service for profit "health" care system fails to do. It does not provide most Americans with excellent care or even adequate care. Having health insurance means that we get charged monthly premiums, have high deductibles, co-pays, narrow networks, and live in fear of being unable to afford any of it. Threats to downsize Medicare and Medicaid are coming just as the last part of the Baby Boom generation is getting ready to retire. This is no coincidence. The GOPs proposed policies amount to an attempt to deprive millions of Americans of medical care in order to preserve the extremely high profits and salaries of the wealth care industry. It's clear that the health and lives of 99% of Americans are of no concern to our politicians.
7
Very telling that so many of the Republicans put themselves in a position to say to their constituents "I voted to repeal and replace" rather than "I voted to save your health insurance." And how many will say "I voted to repeal and replace" rather than simply "I voted to repeal"? Nearly all of them voted simply to repeal. If I were running against these people I'd remind their constituents of this every chance I had.
9
Ever since the Jonestown disaster, the expression "drink the Koolaid" has been used to refer to actions that are harmful to someone who eagerly, seemingly, takes them. The Republicans in Congress are willing to mix the poison into the Koolaid, but they want the rest of us to drink it.
5
It's like the bloody Christians - they aren't happy to practice their religion. The rest of us have to live by their rules as well, not matter how bizarre.
Christians make good GOP'ers because they are open to believing without factual back up
Christians make good GOP'ers because they are open to believing without factual back up
1
Bashing Obamacare or the ACA has been a rallying cry used by Republicans for the past 7 years to detract from the accomplishments of President Barack Obama. Rather than correcting the problems with the legislation, the sentiment has been to erase anything with Obama's name connected to it and deny the positive achievements. It would be in America's best interests for our elected officials to work together and correct the act's perceived deficiencies.
5
My own understanding is that McCain enabled this week's healthcare "debate" on Tuesday afternoon so that he could PERSONNALLY kill this absurd showdown on Thursday night. In other words, he wanted Americans to see this scandalous performance and take in what the Republican extremists are capable of, when left to run with it — knowing very well that he could kill any measure that would pop up, with his own vote and that of the two other nay-saying senators. McCain's behavior was manipulative behvior, for sure, but it was also a very effective way to let the Republican extremists destroy themselves in front of all of the nation's poltical reporters. A spectacular demonstration — orchestrated by Mitch McConnell himself, but with McCain as the Machiavelian puppeteer... — of the corruption and even imbecillity of today's GOP extremists. And the show went exactly as McCain had predicted on Tuesday evening : it eloquently illustrated the incompetence and if fact absolute good-for-nothingness of 49 GOP members, McConnell and Pence included. This was MacCain's deadly farewell gift to the Senate, and to his party. "My time is pretty much up, guys — so what do I have to loose at this point ? Therefore, let me tell you now (and forever) what scumbags I think you have all become." And down went his thumb, triumphantly... on a day during which he was effectively the true Emperor of the Senate. In cauda venenum.
11
The GOP has moderates, but the real problem is that the GOP many years ago sold its soul to the devil, when it was run by relatively moderate people, they sold it to what HM Mencken back in the day called the KKK branch of the Democratic party: The southern racists, the farm pseudo populists (get rid of the damn government, except of course farm subsidies, guaranteed crop insurance, cheap power through things like the TVA, subsidies for electric service and phone and broadband to rural areas, government block grants for schools, etc) and of course, the Christian Taliban, and let the party basically be turned into the playing ground for people who don't represent the majority of this country. It is a GOP that is based on gerrymandering districts, it is a GOP that is based on pandering to certain minorities, almost lily white, trying to turn back the clock.
If GOP moderates really had courage, they would reach across the Aisle and come up with a plan working with Democrats, but it won't happen. For one, in the house there are few moderates, and in the senate they are too afraid to take that courageous step.
To be honest, I am at the point where i hope the GOP actually passes one of their plans, and let the GOP voters feel real pain, and maybe, just maybe, they will wake up and realize that the GOP's real owners are the Koch Brothers and the like...but they won't, because they drink Fox News coolaid, and believe the problem is not them.
If GOP moderates really had courage, they would reach across the Aisle and come up with a plan working with Democrats, but it won't happen. For one, in the house there are few moderates, and in the senate they are too afraid to take that courageous step.
To be honest, I am at the point where i hope the GOP actually passes one of their plans, and let the GOP voters feel real pain, and maybe, just maybe, they will wake up and realize that the GOP's real owners are the Koch Brothers and the like...but they won't, because they drink Fox News coolaid, and believe the problem is not them.
10
there is a plan - the ACA.
that's what the GOP doesn't like, the fact that americans won't suffer as much as they might
that's what the GOP doesn't like, the fact that americans won't suffer as much as they might
This is the best article I've read all year. Scathing but pure, raw truth. Thank you for this.
11
Hopefully, this will give steam to other campaigns against Trump and Republican efforts: the resistance will look more successful and less people will feel hopeless.
Let's go for not only a bipartisan fix to the ACA, but further LGBT and trans rights, a return to the Paris Accords, job creation, the defeat of the Muslim ban, a path to immigrant reform, and the securing of women's reproductive rights.
Let's go for not only a bipartisan fix to the ACA, but further LGBT and trans rights, a return to the Paris Accords, job creation, the defeat of the Muslim ban, a path to immigrant reform, and the securing of women's reproductive rights.
4
You mean like the country we had before the orange idiot and his henchmen made it 'great again'?
Thank you Mr. Krugman for putting this in perspective.
McCain wrongly bad-mouthed Obamacare and the year long highly inclusive process that produced it. At any time over the last months he could have sided with Collins and Murkowski and brought along like minded Senators who in the end were too cowardly to do the right thing.
So what is it that Mr. McCain and his GoP tribe believe in? Are Trump and company going to cut financing for essential subsidies causing Obamacare implosion? Are we going to have a 10 year tax reform for the rich that guts Government?
And how ugly must Republican legislators get before they are kicked out of office by ignorant White GoP America and big money.
McCain wrongly bad-mouthed Obamacare and the year long highly inclusive process that produced it. At any time over the last months he could have sided with Collins and Murkowski and brought along like minded Senators who in the end were too cowardly to do the right thing.
So what is it that Mr. McCain and his GoP tribe believe in? Are Trump and company going to cut financing for essential subsidies causing Obamacare implosion? Are we going to have a 10 year tax reform for the rich that guts Government?
And how ugly must Republican legislators get before they are kicked out of office by ignorant White GoP America and big money.
13
Don't look to rank and file GOP'ers to catch on anytime soon. They have been voting to hurt themselves for decades. The expression dumb as a stump comes to mind.
As long as right wing hate media can reach them they're lost.
We as a nation have gone by the pall
As long as right wing hate media can reach them they're lost.
We as a nation have gone by the pall
Krugman should have waited until the vote on the "skinny bill" was done before lambasting John McCain. He didn't. Now he has egg all over his face this morning.
4
Not really. Where is the piece wrong? Besides, the hectoring worked so, Great!
It's always been about the tax increase on the wealthiest 9/10th of one percent. if ObamaCare could have been financed without it, the GOP could have cared less about it.
7
Occupational hazard of the columnist, being published on Friday without having known what would happen on Thursday. Because John McCain did come through -- for the people, for the truth -- by refusing the Republican ploy of a cosmetic victory that would do nothing for health care.
I am 71 and know that death concentrates the mind wonderfully, even though I am not in immediate danger of dying.
My brother-in-law says that every day a Jew should thank God for his life; but that for his part, after reaching 70 he has taken to thanking Him twice a day.
I guess Senator McCain should now give thanks three times a day, for every lucid day remaining to him. In the meantime, the gratitude of a couple of hundred million people should sustain him in his ordeal. He may have often been a poseur, as Mr. Krugman notes, but this time he did the right thing, and we should celebrate him for it. And it woulod do no harm to Paul Krugman to correct himself.
I am 71 and know that death concentrates the mind wonderfully, even though I am not in immediate danger of dying.
My brother-in-law says that every day a Jew should thank God for his life; but that for his part, after reaching 70 he has taken to thanking Him twice a day.
I guess Senator McCain should now give thanks three times a day, for every lucid day remaining to him. In the meantime, the gratitude of a couple of hundred million people should sustain him in his ordeal. He may have often been a poseur, as Mr. Krugman notes, but this time he did the right thing, and we should celebrate him for it. And it woulod do no harm to Paul Krugman to correct himself.
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the piece DOES acknowledge that McCain did do the right thing in the end.
I couldn't care less about the poseur's ego. The hectoring worked so, Great!
"Credit where credit is due: two senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, have stood up against the effort to betray every promise Republicans have made — and McCain did something right in the end.
why don't reps read? because if they did they couldn't justify their crimes against the nation
why don't reps read? because if they did they couldn't justify their crimes against the nation
While I don't like to criticize a person who is ill, I agree that Sen. McCain's well-tended reputation for being a maverick is mostly phony at this point. Perhaps he was a different sort of Republican in 1999 and 2000, but that is a long time ago. After the Bush campaign destroyed McCain's presidential campaign in South Carolina, McCain became much cozier with the right wing of the GOP in an effort to secure the 2008 nomination. During the 2008 campaign, in a foolish bid to inject a bit of life into his flailing candidacy, he foisted Sarah Palin on the country! After he lost the election to Barack Obama, he could have felt free to be a "maverick" once again, but seemed instead to become embittered. McCain has resisted Trump on Russia, and he did finally do the right thing on the healthcare vote, but he is hardly the independent-minded statesman he pretends to be.
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I don't know if "pretends to be" is the right characterization of McCain. "Used to be" is more appropriate. You're right: Ever since he was defeated in 2008, McCain has been marching to the tune of the Republican Party bosses.
Three thoughts:
First, "repeal Obamacare," which became "repeal and replace Obamacare" when more Americans started to support it, was always a dogwhistle. It was a safe campaign tactic for Republican Senators and Representatives because they were confident Candidate Trump would lose and the Female President would veto any bill they passed repealing the Black President's health care act. They hada no replacement because they didn't need one. They had constituents who didn't even know that Obamacare was the Affordable Care Act.
Second, the Democrats by working with the Republicans on the Affordable Care Act wound up passing an Old-Line Conservative Republican health care care act. There is no room for a more Conservative replacement that would provide better, or even equal, health care. Hence, "and replace" (or great Trump health care for everyone) is impossible. A single-payer plan could have been replaced with a more conservative plan, although it might have been politically impossible to take away truly universal health care.
Third, Senator McCain has partially redeemed himself; but the better way for him to have made his point would have been to have traveled to Washington for the vote to debate health care, made his speech that the process was flawed by bypassing the bipartisan Committee process, and cast a deciding vote not to bring to the floor a slew of controversial unilateral bills that had never gone through the traditional Senate process.
First, "repeal Obamacare," which became "repeal and replace Obamacare" when more Americans started to support it, was always a dogwhistle. It was a safe campaign tactic for Republican Senators and Representatives because they were confident Candidate Trump would lose and the Female President would veto any bill they passed repealing the Black President's health care act. They hada no replacement because they didn't need one. They had constituents who didn't even know that Obamacare was the Affordable Care Act.
Second, the Democrats by working with the Republicans on the Affordable Care Act wound up passing an Old-Line Conservative Republican health care care act. There is no room for a more Conservative replacement that would provide better, or even equal, health care. Hence, "and replace" (or great Trump health care for everyone) is impossible. A single-payer plan could have been replaced with a more conservative plan, although it might have been politically impossible to take away truly universal health care.
Third, Senator McCain has partially redeemed himself; but the better way for him to have made his point would have been to have traveled to Washington for the vote to debate health care, made his speech that the process was flawed by bypassing the bipartisan Committee process, and cast a deciding vote not to bring to the floor a slew of controversial unilateral bills that had never gone through the traditional Senate process.
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As Mr. Krugman knows, the GOP policy agenda has been and remains: do the opposite of whatever Obama does. The GOP will remain clueless until Obama publishes an op ed laying out a policy agenda he recommends for the Trump years. Then Mitch McConnell and company will know what to do.
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Thank you, Mr. Krugman. You have finally shed light on a politician who has been given a free pass throughout his political career by the media, including the NY TImes. As someon who has lived in Arizona for the past 45 years, I agree that McCain's "awfulness" has been redeemed somewhat but not by much.
I have been one of McCain's constituents since he was first elected to the House in 1982. I also worked for his Democratic opponent in 1984, his first and only reelection campaign for the House. Over the years I have attended dozens of town hall meetings and wrote dozens of letters (to which he never responded) in which I questioned him politely, but firmly on issues upon which we disagreed So it's fair to say that I have a great deal of first hand knowledge about his track record as a politician. That said,John McCain's vote last night was the first, and only consequential vote in his career in which he voted against his Party.
To put it bluntly, John McCain is, and never was, a "maverick." or a statesman. Indeed, as my elected representative both in the House and Senate for the past 35 years, John McCain has repeatedly demonstrated that he no idea what it means to be a public service. On the contrary, he sees himself as a Hollywood celebrity beholden to no one.
Finally, If this vote was an epiphany then I congratulate applaud him for finally seeing the light. However, I would add, what took you so long?
I have been one of McCain's constituents since he was first elected to the House in 1982. I also worked for his Democratic opponent in 1984, his first and only reelection campaign for the House. Over the years I have attended dozens of town hall meetings and wrote dozens of letters (to which he never responded) in which I questioned him politely, but firmly on issues upon which we disagreed So it's fair to say that I have a great deal of first hand knowledge about his track record as a politician. That said,John McCain's vote last night was the first, and only consequential vote in his career in which he voted against his Party.
To put it bluntly, John McCain is, and never was, a "maverick." or a statesman. Indeed, as my elected representative both in the House and Senate for the past 35 years, John McCain has repeatedly demonstrated that he no idea what it means to be a public service. On the contrary, he sees himself as a Hollywood celebrity beholden to no one.
Finally, If this vote was an epiphany then I congratulate applaud him for finally seeing the light. However, I would add, what took you so long?
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Thank you for being one of the few at the NYT who has the temerity to portray John McCain as he actually is, a sanctimonious, unprincipled, party hack.
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You nailed it! But sadly, the Republicans (aside from Collins and Murkowski) seem beholden to the dark money politics tied to the Koch's and Mercer's and the billionaires that aren't content with the size of their treasury.
Sadly too, all of the protesting in the streets and town halls fell on deaf ears. "Anti-repeal" made it over the finish line (for now) with one thankful vote NO from McCain, which may enable his unfortunate medical status to redeem his reputation as the fighter for ALL even in the worst of circumstances.
Sadly too, all of the protesting in the streets and town halls fell on deaf ears. "Anti-repeal" made it over the finish line (for now) with one thankful vote NO from McCain, which may enable his unfortunate medical status to redeem his reputation as the fighter for ALL even in the worst of circumstances.
Purity of motive is too high a standard for any politician, especially a Republican. But, McCain came through in the end. Interesting to speculate why - the right thing to do or his deserved hatred of The Donald for absurd and vicious criticisms of him during the primary. Some of both I expect but more of the latter. Also, Party-line voting is the new normal
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Dr Krugman's column is stupid and cruel beyond belief. I'd like to remind Dr Krugman that John McCain is now living on borrowed time and may not make it to 2018. If Dr Krugman wants a real definition of cruelty all he has to do is look in the mirror.
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Generally, Mr. Krugman is my favorite NYT commentator. But jumped the gun with his first version of this editorial (not waiting to see the vote on skinny repeal), and the current version does not go nearly far enough by way of apology to Senator McCain. We should all be grateful to McCain for his vote last night (and also to Collins and Murkowski). To rage against the Senator because he supports his party even when he disagrees with them is silly (all politicians do that, even Democrats), especially when McCain cast the right vote at a critical time. In this particular editorial, Krugman is more angry than thoughtful. Not what I've come to expect.
In other words, the GOP has gotten so awful that simply doing the right thing needs a ticker tape parade?
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Dr Krugman- I think you owe Senator McCain a public apology.
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telling the truth requires no apology.
Draining the swamp are they?
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Last night's dramatic vote from McCain notwithstanding , the past week plainly exemplifies what's wrong with the GOP.
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Dr. Krugman,
Save your integrity, and just issue an apology.
It is that simple.
Peace.
Save your integrity, and just issue an apology.
It is that simple.
Peace.
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Who thinks this was the plan all along?
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Congratulations. It appears you hit a nerve with the Senator from Arizona. Perhaps there is renewed power of the pen. Let's hope the current G.O.P efforts on health care are finally dead. Thank you for your perseverance and courage.
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We should also thank Governor Ducey of Arizona. It was probably he who finally influenced McCain's vote. McCain said, that afternoon, "I have to talk to Governor Ducey," and the governor came out against the bill.
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Republicans love to cry that government is the problem, but the real problem is to let incompetent people run the very system that they despise. Would you take your car to a mechanic who claims automobiles are a terrible invention? Or go to a dentist who believes dental hygiene is a waste of time?
I just wonder if this will be a wake-up call to Republican voters. How long will they continue to support a party that is incapable of doing anything but cutting taxes, starting wars, and using religion as a wedge to divide the population. Of course the GOP had no plan to replace the ACA; since ~1980, their only agenda has been to turn Americans against one another so that they can continue to destroy a government they despise.
I just wonder if this will be a wake-up call to Republican voters. How long will they continue to support a party that is incapable of doing anything but cutting taxes, starting wars, and using religion as a wedge to divide the population. Of course the GOP had no plan to replace the ACA; since ~1980, their only agenda has been to turn Americans against one another so that they can continue to destroy a government they despise.
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It is necessary to brand the act of strangling ACA by cutting its funding as what it will be... a sin for sure, but more importantly A CRIME.
It will be MURDER.
Because the size of HC in the GDP is so high that the failure of the payment system that supports the HC system today will crash the economy as a whole, in a manner similar to the bust that resulted from the fake home loan conspiracy in the mid aughts.
Branding it in that harsh, blunt way should help clear muddled DC minds wonderfully...
It will be MURDER.
Because the size of HC in the GDP is so high that the failure of the payment system that supports the HC system today will crash the economy as a whole, in a manner similar to the bust that resulted from the fake home loan conspiracy in the mid aughts.
Branding it in that harsh, blunt way should help clear muddled DC minds wonderfully...
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Not only should "every Senate Republican besides Collins and Murkowski should be deeply ashamed". Well, not only should they be ashamed, Mr. Krugman, they should be replaced. Putting vague, undefined principle, ahead of constituent need is antithetical to their purpose for being in Congress.
McConnell's grasp for power, a singular personal need, along with Ryan's craven Ayn Rand infatuation, has shown us the depths that this Republican Congress will sink to, especially when they are needed to steady the maverick and malevolent hand in the White House. These are acts of both commission and omission on the part of the legislative branch. It is embarrassing and depressing to behold.
McConnell's grasp for power, a singular personal need, along with Ryan's craven Ayn Rand infatuation, has shown us the depths that this Republican Congress will sink to, especially when they are needed to steady the maverick and malevolent hand in the White House. These are acts of both commission and omission on the part of the legislative branch. It is embarrassing and depressing to behold.
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In the end this failed which is hopefully good. That being said while I hate the Republican Bill is this rejoicing actually short sighted in the following sense. Obamacare itself even when fixed doesn't compare in benefits, simplicity, and cost with a single payers system like Canada and much if not all of the developed worlds health-care. Arguably even underdeveloped and poor Cuba has a better system!!!!. If the current system was repealed and a tax break was given to the .1% gutting medicaid short term much harm would be done. But wouldn't the created disaster lead to a much better system like single payer as people revolt en masse against the Republican party? Do we have so little faith in the American democratic process such as it is that we cannot reverse rapidly terrible legislation? Is the direct road to improvement that much better or more likely? This is tantamount to saying that confiscating the income of all making less than 100,000 per year and putting them on welfare and foodstamps would be permanent. I agree with the opposition but the gloom and doom we hear when Congress passes a bad law seems overblown. The current implicit position with its implicit lack of faith in the American political process (contrary to campaign and media rhetoric) needs discussion.
I agree completely with Dr. Krugman. And while I understand the need for politicians to vote with their party or vote for a bill they don't like to protect themselves in upcoming elections, there are some issues that are too important to let party loyalty or the next election dictate how one votes. This was one of those issues, and a large number of the forty-eight Republicans who voted for this bill were too cowardly or too self-interested to vote against it. In essence, they lied to the people who elected them by approving this bill with their vote. I hope they pay for it at the polls.
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Yes, Prof. Krugman, you aptly chronicle the shameful behavior on display by Republicans for the past 7 years. Their claim of righteous indignation over the ills of the ACA without EVER proposing alternatives that would either improve or replace the legislation, and, to use the real life suffering of people not adequately accounted or cared for under the ACA merely as political leverage in pursuit of political power rather than addressing and fixing those problems is the height of dishonest behavior bordering on malicious. But there is an equally guilty accomplice not mentioned in your piece, the American voter, who swallowed Republican empty prognostications hook, line, and sinker without EVER demanding to see their imagined “replacement plan”.
We get the democracy we deserve.
We get the democracy we deserve.
2
MLK offered a similar analysis of a similar group in his Letter from a Birmingham jail. Plus ça change....
1
I bet you are very pleased to be proven wrong about Senator McCain today, as we all are! Miracles can happen.
It wasn't a miracle. McCain could have voted no to begin debate, why didn't he? Why didn't he make a stand years ago when the Republican Party platform was one sentence: we are against anything Pres Obama is for. Apparently that includes human decency. I could say the same about Collins and Murkowsky. Why has it come to this? It seems we have an epidemic of power grabbing ego in Washington DC. Or is that normal. Oops did I miss a tweet from newest White House "statesman" Mr. Mooch? You can't make this stuff up. I'm so sad.
If Senator McCain had not cast the deciding yes vote on Tuesday, which allowed this rush to repeal the ACA to proceed, without any meaningful plan to replace it, there would be no need for his last minute no vote on Thursday.
Trump has been focused on vengeance all week regarding his fellow Republicans Sessions, Murkowzki, and Collins. There is no room here for wishful thinking on anyone's part, McCain is expected to know and act better.
Trump has been focused on vengeance all week regarding his fellow Republicans Sessions, Murkowzki, and Collins. There is no room here for wishful thinking on anyone's part, McCain is expected to know and act better.
2
By this math (3 out of 52), the health care plans pushed by McConnell have a popularity rating of 94% in his caucus---and less than 20% nationwide!
1
So, Author of this article, yesterday you were ashamed of McCain. Are you proud of him today? My 2 cents... look at the arc of the mans career, and you will see that pretty much everyone disagrees with him on many issues.
John McCain has always done what he thinks is in the best interest of the American people, whether you or I like it or not... and he is ALWAYS a strong advocate for bi-partisanship, decency, and collegial governance. He deserves our deepest respect, not your weak shame.
John McCain has always done what he thinks is in the best interest of the American people, whether you or I like it or not... and he is ALWAYS a strong advocate for bi-partisanship, decency, and collegial governance. He deserves our deepest respect, not your weak shame.
BZ Senator McCain.
Oh come on... As they say, the perfect is the enemy of the good.
The most shameful comment was from Mitch McConnell after the losing vote was tallied, saying how the Republicans worked hard for a solution. No, they had seven years and didn't work at all. Starting at noon on Thursday to create a new, ridiculous, unworkable healthcare bill is not working hard, Mitch. It's a cynical ploy to continue your jihad against President Obama.
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John Vasi, I agree, and in the end, Obama and the American people won.
Who are the GOP Moderates? Collins and Murkowski vote with the Republican party 60% of the time. McCain votes 82% of the time with his party. The average Republican senator votes 87% of the time with their party.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/113/senate/members/
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/113/senate/members/
3
Oh, we're ashamed all right but our wealthy sponsors told us to vote against Obama Care and we know where our bread is buttered.
Constituents . . . neh!
Constituents . . . neh!
3
Make no mistake, the GOP effort to wreck the ACA is far from over. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. Like the metaphorical pig that is committed, they will keep at this until they can claim some sort of victory ... afterall, the GOP is truly desperate to do what they've always done so well ... ruin people's lives. And, of course, there's the imperative to spit in Obama'a face. This is the GOP's sacrament.
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There are two attacks on the ACA already starting. One rises from the Freedom Caucus in the House and the other comes as threatened sabotage by President Trump, which he vowed again after the failed vote.
However, there is a ray of hope for bipartisan action, a very slim ray of hope.
No, this is not over.
However, there is a ray of hope for bipartisan action, a very slim ray of hope.
No, this is not over.
1
Supposed "moderates" such as Collins, Murkowski, Snowe and others were all enablers of the Republicans deceitful claims on healthcare reform when it mattered - during the passage of the ACA. It was clear then that the Republican notion of reform involved making health insurance more affordable for taxpayers and healthy people by shifting more costs onto sick and poor people, and by voting with their Republican colleagues against the ACA, they enabled Republicans, and more significantly, Donald Trump, to perpetuate the lie that they had better options that wouldn't penalize sick people and actually double down on all the things people dislike about the ACA - high deductibles, narrow networks and limited subsidies.
At best, they are profiles in timidity, better at voting against things than for them, and intent on avoiding the ramifications of making hard choices. As a woman, I am disappointed that Collins and Murkowski essentially chose to abstain from the debate on healthcare reform.
At best, they are profiles in timidity, better at voting against things than for them, and intent on avoiding the ramifications of making hard choices. As a woman, I am disappointed that Collins and Murkowski essentially chose to abstain from the debate on healthcare reform.
If the ACA was actually doing what it promised (coverage for all and lowered cost), we wouldn't be in this mess, would we? Remember, the Democrats passed this disaster without one single Republican vote. They still own it. If no Republican plan is passed, then we still have the ACA. With that in mind, the Republicans should just leave it alone and let it fail. That will be the only way the Democrats will ever get their heads out of the sand.
McCain's "excuse" for his decent vote is that he didn't want to pass a GOP bill the way the ACA was passed--with "only Democrats' votes." Well, someone should tell him that wasn't the fault of Democrats. We can lay this whole 7-year argument (and most of the decades-long argument before that) squarely at the door of the GOP.
1
Even the conscience of a liberal, can be right once in a while, e.g., McCain.
I for one, believe all the turmoil in Warshington, and there is turmoil, is a good thing. It reflects the true condition; from budget to investigations. The side issues; opiods, trans, icebergs, are symptomatic of a society in flux. For if the appearance was one of Shangri-La, we should be much more worried. For then we would be in a voluntary denial. Which is worse than a denial in ignorance. For a denial in ignorance would assume things are fine, but not necessarily grand.
If recognizing you have a problem is the first step, then we've taken it -- by electing Trump. Let's see it through.
I for one, believe all the turmoil in Warshington, and there is turmoil, is a good thing. It reflects the true condition; from budget to investigations. The side issues; opiods, trans, icebergs, are symptomatic of a society in flux. For if the appearance was one of Shangri-La, we should be much more worried. For then we would be in a voluntary denial. Which is worse than a denial in ignorance. For a denial in ignorance would assume things are fine, but not necessarily grand.
If recognizing you have a problem is the first step, then we've taken it -- by electing Trump. Let's see it through.
Over and over again we hear about this "Health Care Legislation", a horrific misnomer if I ever heard one.
This isn't about health care! Of course the Republicans don't give a hoot about "Health Care"!
This is all in aid of finding a way to give their oligarch masters a tax cut, because taxes are bad and the people paying for Republicans to get elected don't like to pay taxes especially to aid any of the untermenschen ie. the non-rich.
The added attraction, of course, is to dismantle something so closely connected to that fellow who had the temerity to be elected while being black...Hmmmmph, we'll show him.
This isn't about health care! Of course the Republicans don't give a hoot about "Health Care"!
This is all in aid of finding a way to give their oligarch masters a tax cut, because taxes are bad and the people paying for Republicans to get elected don't like to pay taxes especially to aid any of the untermenschen ie. the non-rich.
The added attraction, of course, is to dismantle something so closely connected to that fellow who had the temerity to be elected while being black...Hmmmmph, we'll show him.
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Women nurture. They maintain civility at home and in communities. Men beat their chest and have testosterone-fueled dreams. We should stop and thank the two Republican women senators who have stopped this iteration of health care disaster. And we should thank Senator McCain who voted against the measure perhaps because of the cloud still hanging over (and in) his head with his recent health care event. It's hard to vote for a bill that denies others the needed care you just received.
Now we move to throw the bums out who were willing to vote for such an atrocity in the first place both in the House and Senate.
Now we move to throw the bums out who were willing to vote for such an atrocity in the first place both in the House and Senate.
3
McCain is finished politically and as a person with his brain cancer. He is jealous he is not president, could not be and merely wants attention. That is his mode of operation these days: spotlight. So Obamacare will burn out plain and simple.
Glad to see GOP's skinny-repeal go down in flames. But it is shameful that all but three of GOP senators voted Yes for this legislative mischief. And Kudos to Sens. McCain, Collins and Murkowski who joined the Dems to defeat this shameful, mean, unpatriotic repeal bill.
May ACA survive GOO's legislative brutality, get better over time and provide relief to millions of Americans who NEED affordable, high quality healthcare. Shame on you - the 49 - who put party above your fellow citizens. Shame on you.
May ACA survive GOO's legislative brutality, get better over time and provide relief to millions of Americans who NEED affordable, high quality healthcare. Shame on you - the 49 - who put party above your fellow citizens. Shame on you.
4
McCain voted no to uphold the idea of rules of conduct in the Senate, not to save people who are counting on the ACA for their lives. Many, many, many of us voters are well aware of this crucial difference. McCain gets no thanks from me this morning, a voter fully aware he will happily vote to damage the healthcare of millions if the senate does it according to its rules of conduct.
3
The sin is with the Democrat party who sold a health care law that has raised both premiums and co-pay for a majority of middle America at the same time harming the ability of small and medium size companies to grow and employ more than 50 people. Virtually none of the promises made about the ACA have proven to be true.
14
I am not so sure. I think everyone knows that the Ds preference would be to extend what is available to the 65 and over (and to the poor) to those under 65.
But the best that be accomplished for now (i.e. 2010) was a private health market - after trying for the public option which Senator Joe Lieberman wouldn't vote for.
Even so, there are "weak" controls in OC (such as minimum loss ratios, electronic medical records, care delivery alternatives, etc.) whose benefits, if they are to come, will take time.
There is no real way to control cost of healthcare without cutting down payments to the providers. We can talk about ACOs (accountable care organizations), provider risk sharing, etc. But this experimentation is really going no where especially in a climate where provider consolidation, pharma monopoly on prices, etc.
But the best that be accomplished for now (i.e. 2010) was a private health market - after trying for the public option which Senator Joe Lieberman wouldn't vote for.
Even so, there are "weak" controls in OC (such as minimum loss ratios, electronic medical records, care delivery alternatives, etc.) whose benefits, if they are to come, will take time.
There is no real way to control cost of healthcare without cutting down payments to the providers. We can talk about ACOs (accountable care organizations), provider risk sharing, etc. But this experimentation is really going no where especially in a climate where provider consolidation, pharma monopoly on prices, etc.
If the GOP had only been working to improve on the law instead of working for the last 7 years to destroy it, perhaps we wouldn't be in this pickle.
2
There is no "Democrat"party that you mention. That usage is a demeaning slur, adopted I believe, when Newt Gingrich headed the Republicans in the House. Every person or party is entitled to his or its proper name. We have come to realize that about individuals. There is no difference about parties. I leave to others to deal with the deficiencies of your substantive remarks.
2
Power is everything. Power is all. It is easily conceivable that there was a conference amongst the ethically challenged senators who knew that the bill was wrong but feared more than anything that they would lose power in the next election if they voted against the bill. So. McCain, Murkowski and Collins fell on the sword and everybody else was allowed to pass. It will be interesting to see how their constituents respond.
1
This was our wake-up call, America.
Universal healthcare, not insurance, is the most cost-effective system for delivering medical goods and services. It's the only way to make certain the risk pool is enormous, and thus resistant to financial shocks such as huge insurance company rate increases or exits from markets because they're not profitable.
Vote a progressive ticket in 2020.
Universal healthcare, not insurance, is the most cost-effective system for delivering medical goods and services. It's the only way to make certain the risk pool is enormous, and thus resistant to financial shocks such as huge insurance company rate increases or exits from markets because they're not profitable.
Vote a progressive ticket in 2020.
6
This is all theater, and misdirection, on both sides. All the action is about access to increasingly unaffordable insurance, to spread the costs of our health care. Nobody seems to be willing try to actually lower those costs.
2
There is deserved praise for Senators Collins and Murkowski who stood firm through all the GOP efforts to pass a tax cut bill disguised as health care. There is more limited praise for Sen. McCain who did the right thing in the end.
There also needs to be recognition that all 48 Democrats held together for a change. There are a few who frequently vote with the other side, but all stood firm this time, and that needs to applauded.
There also needs to be recognition that all 48 Democrats held together for a change. There are a few who frequently vote with the other side, but all stood firm this time, and that needs to applauded.
11
What Professor Krugman writes is true enough. But grant Senator McCain his shining moment. How easy it would have been for him to have sent the ACA reeling. Praise to him, Senator Collins, and Senator Murkowski, and to their 48 friends across the aisle.
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It wouldn't have been easy at all as that would have resulted in a much greater outcry against the Republican Party. So as much as his shining moment was good the country, perhaps the order of the Senate, and his legacy - don't forget that it was also in service to a party and leadership that has engaged in total obstruction, huge flaming lies and racist treatment of Barack Obama. Besides that McCain gave us Sarah Palin, a rash act that has been lousy for the country and the rise of crassness.
2
At long last, McCain is a hero. His "No" vote last night will long be remembered as the decisive vote that would ultimately bring sanity to the chaos that now reigns over Obamacare.
4
Moral outrage is good if it keeps the fires of opposition burning. We owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Krugman for continuing to shine a light on GOP machinations, and the moral outrage they engender in us.
Moral outrage is good until it becomes a distraction. Moral outrage is good, but it is not a substitute for strategy. With the country on the brink of authoritarian rule, we must go beyond outrage. We must think anew, and act anew.
What does that entail? First, it means a willingness to talk here and elsewhere about strategy, specifically how Democrats can win in 2018, and take back one or both houses of Congress. If the Democrats fail in that endeavor, democracy, now on life support, will almost surely die in this country.
What can you do? Here’s an email I sent to my congresswoman and senators, recently. For starters you can do the same. Feel free to use my wording:
"A Better Deal" is too narrowly drawn. Yes, we need the working-class, but we also need all those people who didn't vote in 2016, whose numbers far exceed the working-class defectors. To win in 2018 we need a broad, diverse coalition. And we need a compelling vision of America, one that appeals across race, class and ethnicity. Above all, we need single-payer. This narrowly drawn platform will not inspire victory in 2018."
Here are some numbers about who voted in 2016, and who didn’t:
•The Democratic Party’s Billion-Dollar Mistake, Steve Phillips, NYTimes, July 20, 2017, http://tinyurl.com/y9wcleng
Moral outrage is good until it becomes a distraction. Moral outrage is good, but it is not a substitute for strategy. With the country on the brink of authoritarian rule, we must go beyond outrage. We must think anew, and act anew.
What does that entail? First, it means a willingness to talk here and elsewhere about strategy, specifically how Democrats can win in 2018, and take back one or both houses of Congress. If the Democrats fail in that endeavor, democracy, now on life support, will almost surely die in this country.
What can you do? Here’s an email I sent to my congresswoman and senators, recently. For starters you can do the same. Feel free to use my wording:
"A Better Deal" is too narrowly drawn. Yes, we need the working-class, but we also need all those people who didn't vote in 2016, whose numbers far exceed the working-class defectors. To win in 2018 we need a broad, diverse coalition. And we need a compelling vision of America, one that appeals across race, class and ethnicity. Above all, we need single-payer. This narrowly drawn platform will not inspire victory in 2018."
Here are some numbers about who voted in 2016, and who didn’t:
•The Democratic Party’s Billion-Dollar Mistake, Steve Phillips, NYTimes, July 20, 2017, http://tinyurl.com/y9wcleng
4
The Lord works in truly mysterious ways.
Thanks for saying it professor. The level of hypocrisy is astounding. Please keep speaking truth to power.
4
Hypocrisy in Washington is an equal opportunity defect. Neither party can claim immunity. To not admit this is simply delusional. The tragic comedy of governing continues with no end in site. Washington is quickly morphing into a bad reality show that I'm sure our European friends are enjoying on their summer holidays for all it's tabloid splender.
6 months of Trump seems longer than 6 years with any previous POTUS. This pace of absurd theatrics can't be sustainable for 4 years.
The country can't bear the weight. There is REAL work to be done.
6 months of Trump seems longer than 6 years with any previous POTUS. This pace of absurd theatrics can't be sustainable for 4 years.
The country can't bear the weight. There is REAL work to be done.
Likely other GOP Senators were against the bill but voted yes so that they could appease their base back home and their funding sources (you know who they are). McCain for whatever other reason he voted no is likely not going to run for reelection and does not need any votes or funds.
3
Well said Professor Krugman, well said!
2
What I can't get my head around is not that 49 Senators voted for such a cruel bill, because cruelty is now the GOPs's default setting. It's that some of them voted yes trusting Paul Ryan's assurances that it would be fixed up in a conference committee. Ryan would have sent the bill straight to the floor at 9 AM, it would have been on Trump's desk by lunchtime and he and his college buddies would have been hitting the keg in the Rose Garden by 3 PM. These are United States Senators. They're sophisticated politicians. They knew *exactly* what they were doing and they knew *exactly* what was going to happen. For shame.
15
Women make up a small fraction of the Senate but 67% of the ones who crossed party lines.
184
Real Americans, the Americans who grow our economy only to be brutally oppressed by the ham handed tax policies of working class and middle-class takers, are outraged. The ObamaCare death dealing taxes remain in place. But this sad state of affairs will not stand I assure you. Senator McConnell and other freedom fighters are ready to move on and address corporate tax reform. President Trump can remove the individual mandate and end so called "health-care" subsidies to the undeserving middle-class. If not, there won't be a capitalist or skilled professional left to save us from the taker class. God bless.
4
I am shocked and saddened that only one person has recommended this to others. A major problem with this country is we are only listening to ourselves. Are there no other freedom loving readers of this radical columnist? Under his eye.
You, sir, are a real jerk. "undeserving middle class"..."the taker class"..."real"Americans..brutally oppressed by working class and middle class takers. How pathetic your comments are.
1
Yes, some are willing to cut the middle class some slack since as of late they support tax cuts, cuts in welfare programs and a strong police force and military. Yet, when the going gets tough many of them start complaining about how they haven't had an increase in their incomes while professionals and entrepreneurs are prospering. Well, capitalism doesn't mean everyone is a winner and all must get prizes. And you don't deserve a raise just cause you show up and do your job. Invent something, substantially improve profits and then we'll talk. Praise be.
Hmm . . . Professor, your column was published hours earlier than usual (11:00 p.m. or so). At 1:30 a.m. Senator McCain found his conscience.
Coincidence?
Coincidence?
1
All I have to say is THANK YOU SUSAN COLLINS, LISA MURKOWSKI AND JOHN MCCAIN!!!! Finally, three republicans voting country first, NOT PARTY FIRST. They serve their constituents needs, not the needs of Trump, McConnell and Ryan. Again, a big thank you from a Southern California liberal.
2
McCain has always had the unearned "maverick" label -- it's as much of a front as the Paul Ryan "wonk" label. For whatever reason, the media enjoy coming up with faux labels to apply to prominent Republicans, and then perpetuating them for decades. Assuming the GOP doesn't succeed in destroying the country in their bid for one-party supremacy, one can imagine Paul Ryan still being touted as a "policy wonk" decades from now.
McCain (or McCain't, as I think of him) has benefited from his false maverick status. I'm glad that Krugman calls out that Collins and Murkowski are the only two among the GOP who consistently rejected the McConnell machinations around healthcare.
McCain (or McCain't, as I think of him) has benefited from his false maverick status. I'm glad that Krugman calls out that Collins and Murkowski are the only two among the GOP who consistently rejected the McConnell machinations around healthcare.
6
A few GOP Representatives and Senators could possibly salvage their character by denouncing and renouncing the Republican Party and joining up with Democrats! Then IMPEACH Trump!
1
I wonder if McCain was told about this column and asked for a comment before his no vote?
1
Thank you for calling out McCain. If he truly believed in returning Congress to normalcy, he would have voted to keep the skinny bill from moving to the floor in the first place. It was crafted in secret and obviously serves no one, even those who oppose the ACA. McCain's narcissistic grand standing proves only that he's another narrow minded destructive Trumpster.
3
Right on brother Paul Krugman!
Maverick McCain is a manufactured legend that begins in the Hanoi Hilton and ends in some immature intemperate reckless rant. McCain was no admiral like his father and grandfather who garnered him a white privileged pass to Annapolis and naval aviation. McCain's serial adultery in his personal life and his hypocrisy in his partisan politics are tiresome realities.
The two toughest honorable humble empathetic politicians in the Republican Party Senate are Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.
It is time for the citizens of the states where the 48 Republican Senators who bowed to Trump's 'terrifying' tweets to 'repeal and replace' their Senators who wanted to deny them access to affordable quality health care.
Maverick McCain is a manufactured legend that begins in the Hanoi Hilton and ends in some immature intemperate reckless rant. McCain was no admiral like his father and grandfather who garnered him a white privileged pass to Annapolis and naval aviation. McCain's serial adultery in his personal life and his hypocrisy in his partisan politics are tiresome realities.
The two toughest honorable humble empathetic politicians in the Republican Party Senate are Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.
It is time for the citizens of the states where the 48 Republican Senators who bowed to Trump's 'terrifying' tweets to 'repeal and replace' their Senators who wanted to deny them access to affordable quality health care.
4
Collins and Murkowski should flip to the Democratic Party.
3
I wonder if at any time in the past America's welfare has been represented by a more dishonest, cynical bunch. I ask anyone who is an historian of representative government whether, say, in the Henry Clay Senate such schoolyard antics dressed up and tut-tutted in best McConnell fashion went on.
In order to become a Presidential nominee, John McCain was willing to become the slimiest of the slimy. It's likely that he repeatedly told himself that once in the White House he would wash himself clean. It's likely that Aesop or the Brothers Grimm wrote a story that would apply here.
Murkowski and Collins are the GOP Achilles' heel, the small remaining portion of the body Republican that hasn't been dipped in whatever cesspool produces those willing to remove healthcare from their deluded supporters' lives while those supporters chant inane mantras taught to them by Sean Hannity.
I believe that both Huxley and Orwell would be awfully impressed by the GOP re-education project that has produced voters who will happily if angrily pull the lever that opens the very chute on which they stand.
In order to become a Presidential nominee, John McCain was willing to become the slimiest of the slimy. It's likely that he repeatedly told himself that once in the White House he would wash himself clean. It's likely that Aesop or the Brothers Grimm wrote a story that would apply here.
Murkowski and Collins are the GOP Achilles' heel, the small remaining portion of the body Republican that hasn't been dipped in whatever cesspool produces those willing to remove healthcare from their deluded supporters' lives while those supporters chant inane mantras taught to them by Sean Hannity.
I believe that both Huxley and Orwell would be awfully impressed by the GOP re-education project that has produced voters who will happily if angrily pull the lever that opens the very chute on which they stand.
3
Krugman should stick to economics as if obviously knows nothing about politics.
2
If there's such a thing as "sin" Paul sinned by pretending to be the conscience of a liberal when a true progressive named Bernie emerged, and Paul decided to crush and squish him like a bug.
1
Can writers PLEASE stop using the phrase " let's be clear" ? It is over used and unnecessary. Also the phrase "oftentimes". The word "often" is sufficient.
Thank you.
Thank you.
1
The Republicans have passed their High Water Mark on fighting the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA) a.k.a. ObamaCare. We know it, they know it and media should act like they know it as well.
As an Independent voter I have never held sincere Liberalism or Conservatism against any person if the final test is not philosophy, but the good of the American people and nation. Taking health insurance away from tens of millions and harming every American was on the table, and all but 2 Republicans had no problem doing that. Remember, beyond the Mandate, exchanges and Medicaid expansion were provisions that benefitted every American including those with private or employer provided insurance.
Democrats said that they are willing to enact reasonable improvements to the PPACA and Republicans should take them up on that promise. Senators Murkowsi and Collins should be appointed to work with Democrats to find common ground to improve the law and it should be given an up or down vote in the full Senate.
As to my own senators- Tom Cotton and John Boozman- shame on you. Your conduct in this matter has been reprehensible, obsequious to the Kochs, craven politically and not in the best interests of Arkansas of America. When I go to work tonight I will be providing healthcare to many whom you tried to dump on the side of the road without coverage.
I had little use for former Democratic Senator Mark Pryor, but his desk had a plaque- Arkansas First. You might want to try that.
As an Independent voter I have never held sincere Liberalism or Conservatism against any person if the final test is not philosophy, but the good of the American people and nation. Taking health insurance away from tens of millions and harming every American was on the table, and all but 2 Republicans had no problem doing that. Remember, beyond the Mandate, exchanges and Medicaid expansion were provisions that benefitted every American including those with private or employer provided insurance.
Democrats said that they are willing to enact reasonable improvements to the PPACA and Republicans should take them up on that promise. Senators Murkowsi and Collins should be appointed to work with Democrats to find common ground to improve the law and it should be given an up or down vote in the full Senate.
As to my own senators- Tom Cotton and John Boozman- shame on you. Your conduct in this matter has been reprehensible, obsequious to the Kochs, craven politically and not in the best interests of Arkansas of America. When I go to work tonight I will be providing healthcare to many whom you tried to dump on the side of the road without coverage.
I had little use for former Democratic Senator Mark Pryor, but his desk had a plaque- Arkansas First. You might want to try that.
3
Well, early this morning McCain came through as a principled voice of reason and cast the deciding voice against the travesty GOP senators were trying to cram down our throats. When he voted to allow debate I wrote a comment to this paper calling him shameful. McCain proved me wrong and thus I must eat crow.
So John McCain ultimately killed the legislation. It will be interesting to see what your Monday column will look like.
Linsey Graham is also a senator who time and again criticizes, but capitulates in the end. The absurdity of people like Graham pronouncing that the bill is "awful awful, and I won't vote for it unless I know it won't become law," then voting for it, is hard to fathom.
4
Paul,
With McCain casting the latest and decisive health care repeal "no" vote, you might have to recast your opinion of him as a hypocrite, but fortunately for you, you still do not have to change your opinion of him as a shameful and sanctimonious enabler.
With McCain casting the latest and decisive health care repeal "no" vote, you might have to recast your opinion of him as a hypocrite, but fortunately for you, you still do not have to change your opinion of him as a shameful and sanctimonious enabler.
2
Very well put: Profiles in Shame is the Republican Party and the enablers of Donald Trump.
I agree with Mr. Krugman that McCain is a tainted hero at best. But I also appreciate that his vote put him in the direct line of fire of Trump's bullying and insults. He also put himself on the line so that other doubters such as Lindsay Graham and Jeff Flake could appear to be good loyal Republican soldiers even though they felt the same way as he did. Let's hope that McCain's lurch into moral courage starts a trend although I'm not holding my breath.
2
Trump has shown capacity for shame. He had no problem denigrating POW's with his remark about liking people who didn't get captured and his remark was aimed at McCain. Why would he hold back now? Expect Trump continue with his tasteless, disgusting insults and lies. It's the people that still prop him up I blame for our sad situation. At this point, McCain has nothing to lose by doing the right thing. Trump is compulsive about doing the wrong thing if he thinks he will benefit and he doesn't care who he hurts.
1
Never-mind. Now doesn't this editorial look foolish. Put this screed on McCain in the category of the Truman defeats Dewey category. The old maverick may not have much time left, but he made his final moments count. Mr. Krugman, just as the Republicans over the years have demonized the Clintons and Obama you have been a reliable source in doing the same to the entire Republican Party and all its members. I voted for Obama and Clinton, but once again you have proven to be a true partisan hack for liberal Democrats. Sad,
Oops, you picked a bad day to pick on McCain! Say what you like and it's all true, but before today I never believed a single Republican had an ounce of integrity...
1
Shameful Shameful Shameful act by McCain and the other Republicans. I am stunned by the hypocrisy of a party that I have aligned with and voted all my life (barring 2016).
There are no values, no religion, no beliefs, no love of country left in the Conservative moment. Its all I, me, myself.
There are no values, no religion, no beliefs, no love of country left in the Conservative moment. Its all I, me, myself.
Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins are the new Lions of the Senate! Leave it to women to protect the helpless victims of capitalism. The other Republicans that voted for this monstrosity after criticizing it were hiding under Mr. McCain's coattails since they all either knew or figured he'd vote against it. As always, 're-election before integrity' are the watchwords of Congress.
1
It still comes to two ideas. A large minority of Americans, just above the poverty line, deserve zero help in getting on a proper health plan. And two, the Republicans want to steal the $800 billion from the 3.8% tax on other income and give it back to the middle and upper classes as a tax break. America becomes sicker, the rich get richer, and partial destruction of the health care part of the US Economy. This is the way they keep the minorities and poor down in the South, from Kentucky down to Mississippi/Alabama.
The author, Ayn Rand, has influenced many Capitalists (Republicans) over the years. Donald Trump and members of his White House team have been swayed by her fiction. Ms. Rand’s “Every man for himself” philosophy helped to promote a form of Free Enterprise that turns it's back on the poor, middle class, sick, and aging. By putting ourselves before others, and disregarding the affect our actions have on society, our individual freedoms slowly start to slip away. This is not fiction, but real life. Moral questions abound. Socialism exists in our world because self-centeredness does. The U.S. is not the first great civilization to travel down this egotistical road and will not be the last. At some point though, they all collapsed into moral poverty. Where do we go from here?
3
Show up and vote out Republicans in the house and Senate. That is the only way to stop the madness.
2
As a yellow dog Democrat, I will be sending a check to both Murkowski and Collins.
Principled leadership.
Principled leadership.
1
I never thought of McCain as much of a maverick. By and large, he talked the talk but rarely walked the walk, as PK made clear in this column. Let's never forget that he foisted Sarah Palin on us, a mean-spirited nitwit who might very well have become president. On the other hand, I did give him his due when he contradicted that woman who called Obama a Muslim. That alone put him head and shoulders above counterparts like Romney and Trump. Now who knows what courses through the minds of fundamentally unpredictable humans, but McCain came through today in the dead of night. History often turns on mundane causes. Was it his recent lethal diagnosis that made him do the right thing? Or might it have been the stunning insult he sustained at the hands of the Offender-in-Chief when the latter was campaigning for president? Or even Trump's pivot and cynical allusion to McCain yesterday as a hero? Regardless, I say 'Thank You' Mr. McCain for coming to the rescue of the ACA. And thank you for standing up to the bully who occupies the White House. A man who would take down America to bolster his very own ego.
3
How ironic it is that republican women are what saved our healthcare in America. Ironic because the republican party has show little to no respect to women forever. Thirteen men met for a few hours to deconstruct a program that over 20 million Americans need. And why are they so eager to do this. Because a black man had the audacity to think he could run the country. So for 7 long years they have railed against the ACA (and every other good thing that Obama has done for us). Never had any solutions, didn't think they needed any because who would have guessed Trump would beat Hillary. Now they are stuck. They have proven conclusively that they cannot legislate they can only obstruct. I just hope the fools that have been suckered in by what they say they will do instead of what they really do (tax cuts for the rich, polluting our air and water, etc.) will realize this in the next few elections so we can again have a sensible legislature.
5
John McCain is the toughest guy in D.C. I like guys who have brain cancer and go to work. I do not like cowards who bully, threaten and cheapen long-standing institutions with reactive hate. "Regular order" is when sacrifice trumps the love of money. Regular order is the only way for our government to function. I thank God for America, and fervently pray for a decrease in partisanship and for an openness to bipartisanship, which is the bedrock of our democracy and the very foundation of a "civil" society. Thanks to these three Republicans, the "swamp" rhetoric is going to die. I
2
Despite his game-saving vote last night, McCain deserves all the criticism offered here by Prof. Krugman. McCain could have stopped the whole atrocious process in its tracks simply by staying in Arizona.
2
Hear, hear!
1
Exactly Mr. Krugman. Exactly!
There are no GOP moderates. It is another media myth.
Add up the GOP votes in the House and Senate and less than 1% voted no.
They are the party of extremists. It's time to stand up and say it!
There are no GOP moderates. It is another media myth.
Add up the GOP votes in the House and Senate and less than 1% voted no.
They are the party of extremists. It's time to stand up and say it!
2
You owe McCain an apology. He did the right thing.
Thanks for this robust cup of coffee Paul, only my 2nd after waking up to the news of this morning's vote.
1
Thank you Paul for bringing us back to reality. As I read your article my thoughts, with the aid of Google, took me back to Sunday November 26, 1989 and Senator McCain's appearance along with John Glenn on ABC's This Week with David Brinkley. Brinkley, Sam Donaldson and George Will were the interrogators. It's like yesterday. What a marvelous act Senator McCain as you sat before your interrogators smiling with your usual studied insouciance. As for the $112,000 poured into your political campaigns and other gifts opportunities afforded to you by John Keating you were like the little boy caught by the store owner with your pockets filled with candy. No Senator McCain there are a few of us still around who really know your act.
2
It still shocks me that there are 49 mendacious, selfish people who were willing to vote for it. Even more shocking is the 40 plus million who voted for them and mostly still support them. Hatred of your fellow man seems to motivate these people.
3
Senator McCain proved you wrong, Dr. K. Although he will no doubt be insulted yet again by our president, he proved himself to be a hero after all.
Wow, this diatribe against McCain sure didn't age well.
In light of last night's events, Krugman needs to reconsider his attacks here on John McCain.
Do do you think John listens to Social Distortion?:
When the angel of death, comes a looking for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
When the angels sing
When the Angels Sing
Social Distortion
When the angel of death, comes a looking for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
When the angels sing
When the Angels Sing
Social Distortion
Mr. Krugman often concludes that anyone who doesn't vote exactly in accordance with right-wing orthodoxy (bad) or with left-wing orthodoxy (good) must be a hypocrite or a poseur. No. There really are such things as independence and nuance, and frankly I respect them more than the straight-line knee-jerk pro-left-wing thinking that Mr. Krugman often displays. McCain is a good example, often voting with his party but sometimes against it, and frequently working across the aisle. James Comey, another regular Krugman target ("Thanks, Comey") seems to be another, acting according to his conscience irrespective of whether it will benefit right or left. The criticism made here is unfair, as shown by McCain's vote late last evening, after this article went to press.
Of course, with private insurers leaving the markets, this would be the perfect time for Democrats to argue for a public option or the overwhelmingly obvious solution, Medicare-for-all. But no, Democrats are still overcome with cowardice. It is a national disgrace that the US alone is unable to do what the rest of the civilized world has done, guaranteed healthcare for all citizens. And, Democratic cowardice aside, this is because the Republican Party, almost half the country, is so cruel and sadistic that they have no problems letting people die on the sidewalk. And incredibly, these malevolent goons call themselves Christians. Excuse me, I have to go throw up.
4
I hope Krugman posts the apology to Senator McCain that the latter is due. It is always dicey to believe you can predict the future. There are a lot of paths to the noble outcome.
30
Bet you wish you could pull this one back......or maybe, just maybe, he read this and did the right thing.
So about that hypocrite Sen Mc Cain. Let's hope PK has the decency to acknowledge that he was wrong, at least in this case. If the Senator has disappointed Krugman in his on again, off again opposition to the Trump obscenity, he went a long way in redeeming himself in his vote last night. And no matter how honorable and principled it was, I can't think of a more satisfying rebuke to our cowardly and fake President. Thank you Sen McCain and be well.
Stop the presses- the good Senator voted to kill the bill. Will Columnist Krugman now pen an apology as fulsome and expansive as his current unsubstantiated, biased, and vitriolic rant?
"and McCain did something right in the end". Yes he did, he voted against the skinny repeal. I think you should have said that considering how critical you were at the start of the piece. McCain is not a saint nor a devil, just a politician who responds to those who elected him. I could have voted for the McCain who ran against W but not the one who ran against Obama. That he changed so much reflects the depths to which the GOP has sunk since 2000.
1
I have essentially written this same column many times myself in various blogs and in letters to several senators, including John McCain. This is the time to step up. Take McCain for example... an octogenarian war hero in the twilight of his career... what on earth would keep him from voting his stated principles... unless, of course, they aren't really his principles? This one vote on health care excepted. Lets hope these sorts of conscientious votes from McCain and others become the norm and not the exception.
1
This time Krugman is wrong. McCain voted no on the skinny bill. McConnell must be boiling mad. He didn't want McCain back to do that.
They should be ashamed. One of the conditions of being a modern Republican is to never feel shame.
The Sanctimony and Sin of G.O.P. 'Moderates'. Let's take a deep breath, step back, and view the "Grand Old Party" in its entirety. Sanctimony and Sin can be applied to most.
1