Bill Clinton Praises Olympia Snowe's Trigger Option
By Heather Monday Sep 28, 2009 2:00pm
From Meet the Press, when asked about whether President Obama is going to be able to get health care reform passed or not and about the "vast right wing conspiracy" Clinton faced and whether President Obama is facing similar opposition, former President Clinton decides to sing the praises of Olympia Snowe's horrid trigger option.
CLINTON: Oh, you bet. Sure it is. It's not as strong as it was, because America's changed demographically, but it's as virulent as it was. I mean, they're saying things about him--you know, it's like when they accused me of murder and all that stuff they did. He--but it's not really good for the Republicans and the country, what's going on now. I mean, they may be hurting President Obama. They can take his numbers down, they can run his opposition up. But fundamentally, he and his team have a positive agenda for America. Their agenda seems to be wanting him to fail, and that's not a prescription for a good America. We actually need a credible debate about what's the right balance between continuing to expand the economy through stimulus and beginning to move back to fiscal balance. We need a credible debate about what's the best way to get to universal coverage.
Now, the one Republican who's come up with a good idea is Senator Snowe. She deserves a lot of credit for saying when we did this Medicare prescription drug bill, instead of giving the government the power to negotiate for lower prices we gave the drug companies a chance to offer them, but we held the power in reserve. And if there was any state in America where there was no competition, you could do it. So let's do that for health care. That's a good idea. That's, that's the kind of debate the country needs, and I hope that the Republicans will come forward with it. These...
How many ways can I find to say... "Hell no!"? This is not a good idea and the trigger is meant to be something that is never pulled and instead kill any real reform of the insurance industry, just as it has never been pulled with the overpriced Medicare Part D drug plan that was nothing but a giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry, as slinkerwink over at FDL points out here- Why The “Trigger” Is A Con Job Pulled On Us By Lobbyists.
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from the man who began eliminating poverty by declaring the poor invisible, we get support for a republican.
Bill Clinton is the original (R)emocrat!
stupid...Nothing gets triggered till 2019 and then Congress can remove the 'trigger' like they just did on Medicare! This is a giveaway to corporations and he knows it!
Yes Clinton started this NAFTA BS.. At that time I wrote President Clinton and Senator Mikulski complaining about it stealing American jobs and out economy would suffer.
Senator Mikulski and others like Clinton stated that it would bring new and HIGHER paying job to U.S.
What a bunch of BS that was... This prove one of two things.... They really do not understand the policies they are voting for or they do and do not give a s.....
If you remember Obama promised to renegotiate the free trade bill.. But after his election he said he will NOT>>
Do democrats really know if they are voting for democrats with real democratic policies or republicans which are being deceitful and feeding us a bunch of BS..
Has turn out to be more republican they we thought.
When politicians and others in the country obtain wealth either with hard work & good fortune , being in the right place at the right time , having their parents or others in high places helping them or by CROOK...
They seem to have a different outlook on what is fair for working Americans , seniors and the poor or they just don't give a d....
But he is still just another fucking republican!
See what happens when Obama's cloths come off.. Is he really a republican wearing a democrat badge..
Obama and Emanuel (Clinton's main man) has stated they wish ignore the left's policies and to move the democrat party to the center..
The democrat party is already to the right of center , so what in the h... are they talking about...
If you notice Obama and Emanuel have made sure their are not any persons to the left in charge of any committees.
The only thing the Administration what from the progressive or left is their vote and then forget it...
Obama was either lying to his voters when he made his promises or his ear has been taking over by Emanuel and friends..
The Snowe Trigger is such an awesome idea that it was used fifteen years ago. We know now, from those fifteen years of evidence, that neither the Insurance, HMO and Big Pharma industries nor their enablers in the Rethugnican party and in the Blue-Puppy Rethugnican wannabee "Democrat" segment of the Democratic Party are the slightest bit interested in reform. Thus, we don't need a two-year extension of the already-existing Snowe Trigger. Time to cut to the chase and reform Health Care to serve the people rather than to serve these industries, their shareholders and their bagmen in Congress.
-- Rob
IS a continuation and a 3rd term of the Bush/Cheney's criminal administration..
Every thing they have and are doing is continuation of transferring American's wealth and power to these Global Empires and even their friends in foreign countries....
We have become renters in our own country and now they are going to foreclose on us..
Looks as if the election was not fixed in 2008 ,because they had an inside candidate to pacify Americans.... While they finished the transfer of power and wealth to the elite and Global Empires.. By having this person of so called Change and transparent government to be in words only and the personal in the White House..
Notice they believe a speech of words by this president will take the place of their lack of actions and concerns.
The USA's first "black" Republican President has finally left no doubt in any sentient being's mind -- he was, is, and no doubt will forever be a Neo-Liberal (DINO) RethugliKKKlan (depending upon what your definition of "is" is, of course). Today's definition of an "honest" politician is that, when bought off by Corporate Interests, stays bought off. (Oh, how far we have fallen from our democratic ideals.)
Olympia Snowe (R) Maine has a plan -- a plan crafted by the Healthcare Insurance Complex (HICkkk) to offer the future (non-existent) promise of a trigger for public healthcare option (whose conditions will never be met) in exchange for a TARP-style guarantee of obscene Healthcare Insurance profits for the foreseeable future. This is the healthcare insurance industry (Corporatist State Welfare) taxpayer giveaway that is comparable to the RethugliKKKlan Medicare Part D -- you know, the Big Pharma taxpayer giveaway.
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Economically speaking, it would seem to be about 11:56 before High Noon Time for a new revolution in this country. Keep a close weather-eye on where the U6 unemployment figures rise to for your "clock" update.
"Economically speaking, it would seem to be about 11:56 before High Noon Time for a new revolution in this country." - David762
Here we have Progressives like me and millions of other Americans coming out against the legislation that is currently being proposed on health care. Especially considering that any potential "public option" that MIGHT happen would be watered down and everyone who "needed" insurance would NOT be eligible for it. AND we are vehemently opposed to the MANDATE including fines/penalties. It has already been floated out there that if an individual is told by the "Exchange" that, "this is the policy you can afford according to your income," that if the person really can NOT afford it and instead opts to pay the fine/penalty and then for WHAT EVER REASON THEY CAN NOT AFFORD THAT, that the IRS will be able to IMPRISON that person!!
Imagine that?! Imprisoning American citizens because they didn't COMPLY with "THE MANDATE".
So, here we have the Progressives NOT supporting this legislation and instead wanting Medicare to be offered to EVERYONE, and the "Teabaggers" opposed to the legislation because they are Libertarians and think the free-market should rule, that the IRS and the Federal Reserve should be eliminated etc.
It seems to me that a PERFECT STORM is gathering. Here is evidence that support for Obama's health care reform is falling:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_conten...
My gut reaction to this legislation with the mandates, penalties/fines, for-profit insurance companies still in the equation, co-ops, triggers, "watered down public options" etc., is that it will be just as bad for the American people as The Patriot Act, The Military Commissions Act and the FISA legislation.
The Congress and the Obama Administration had better think twice about what it is they are about to cram down ALL our throats: Progressives, Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, Greens and All Nighters included!!!
Stop it now. Just because the GOP pretends or even really is against it,doesn't mean a knee jerk reaction that lets it go by is the right thing to do.
noon.
Lest we forget who Bill Clinton works for, he signed both NAFTA and the Gramm-Bliley-Leach Act.
NAFTA resulted in - among many other things (like the decimation of US manufacturing) - the dumping of heavily subsidized ($10B+) US corn in Mexico, effectively destroying rural Mexican communities and exacerbating illegal immigration.
The Gramm-Bliley-Leach Act removed protections put in place after the Great Depression, which has of course resulted in another world-wide depression and the taxpayer bailout of giant corporations.
http://www.nysun.com/national/saudis-arabs-fu...
Correct you are!
Thank you Monsanto. I also want to thank you for polluting the world's soybeans and now wheat, among your other outrages, I mean accomplishments. Disrespect intended.
.
just smiling.
Complaining about the abuse and then trying to earn their validation on the next breath.
in any way, for former and present politicians to show how "out of touch with reality" they truly are? Is Bill senile, corrupt, Republican, or just your plain average lying political hack?
he is in touch with the bushes and their 'base', the haves and the have-mores.
... that the Clintons have received in speaking and book deals since his presidency came from the insurance industry?
... that's worth $100 million?
on what your definition of "is" is.....bwahahahaha....Clinton is a hoot..drawl and eye up the ladies and voila! Instant hero. Even when openly screwing the average American, the response was always "thanks Bill, you are truly an inspiration". D'oh!
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These people are supposed to be smarter than me, so why can't they see that all the insurance companies will do is just barely stay on the right side of the "trigger" until they can purchase a new Congress who will dismantle the whole program in a few years? These people cannot be trusted!
any real people. It's not that they are smarter than anyone else, they are ready and have crossed the line of human decency. The masses haven't even noticed or are too stupid to figure it out. They don't need a Congress who will dismantle this give-away. They just needed one to make it law, and they have one.
...are merely so atomized and out of touch with one another that they think they are alone in realizing how bad things have become for us all? And maybe those of us who are aware enough to see how bad we're being screwed are content to pound away at the keyboard on blogs like this instead of pounding the pavement to start a movement?
Heather this surprises you?
Psssst, Heather - Clinton is really just republican.
STFU Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who needs enemies?
Which means : if they don't stop with the corporate death panels
and family-wrecking price list -
we get to take them out back and...and
never mind.
Is this more triangulation BS?
Billy boy.....I'm seeing you through a different light. I'm seeing you through different eyes......Olympia (stop the cartoon name) is a SNOWE JOB.........And I've got a line on you Bill...Boom!
Bungalo Bill
it most certainly will shoot blanks!
What the fuck is with the Bill Clinton hate. During the campaign I think a few too many of you started believing the GOP bullshit because Clinton Endorsed his Wife. Clinton while making many mistakes was a great president and Put us on the path to become a great nation again and the country did a lot better under him. We the lower and middle class did a hell of a lot better under Clinton then under anyone else in the last 30 years. No he isn't a fucking republican. God damn it I'm sick of the Bullshit Clinton hate He’s left of Obama (so far)for crying out loud. Just think if Obama isn't fucking Naive like so many of you claim then he has to be purposely trying to kill health care reform. This is Clinton Agreeing with Obama period no more no less.
Yea just call me a Clinton cheerleader or whatever what I said is true and you know it.
I'm fine with the Bill Clinton that tried to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
I can't stand the Bill Clinton that pushed NAFTA.
I cheered the Bill Clinton that ended the war between Serbs and Croats. I cheered the Bill Clinton that reversed Reagan's economic disaster.
I booed the Bill Clinton that cheated on his wife, bungled health care reform and started 'Don't ask, don't tell.'
I agree that Bill Clinton sometimes does fine, noble things. I just wish he'd stop letting his e-vile twin show up.
idea of who Bill Clinton really is.
Oh nevermind.
I prefer to make compost out of the lemons.
Just tired of the hate thrown at Bill Clinton by both sides Liberals because clinton endorced his wife and the GOP because well their pricks.
He for all his fault was still a great president.
The trigger was pulled, the round was fired, and American citizens were the target. Direct hit to the wallet.
Now it's time to repair the injury and create a nice, new public health care system.
But thanks for playing, Bill!
Good one jimbo.....
second. Good way to put it.
I agree - there is absolutely nothing wrong with single payer / public option - just do it - anythingthing else including a 'trigger' is stalling for the sake of the Repukelizan party and corporations. there is nothing wrong with single payer - congress should just do it.
being the same thing. The "public option" is not just smoke and mirrors, it is a scam.
Never liked this guy, or his wife - two corporatist tools! That's why I supported Obama, even though I thought he might be too conservative.
Then "O" went out and fired the real democrats, hired all of the ex-Clinton flunkies, and has been playing repuke-lite ever since.
The Clinton's are the ones who turned their backs on the "people" in the "people's" FORMER PARTY; and welcomed in all of the corporate scum who have dismantled middle-class America.
I hate pigs like Rahm, Conrad and Baucus, more than I hate the repukes! They are actively derailing the good guys team before it even has a chance to take the field against Dr. Evil's team (GOP).
here here!
such a triangulating dickhead. And, unfortunately, his protege, Rahm, has taught our new President (and I love the man)this art of pissing everybody off.
Your fat ignorant ass can go to hell Bill Clinton.
*
Well, doesn't it occur to any of these brainiacs that the insurance companies will simply behave until the window of triggering the "trigger" passes?
It is like telling a child that they have until 5 pm NOT to sock their sibling without a punishment — well guess what happens to little brother at 6 o'clock?
We should've started at single payer and negotiated our way to the public option instead of starting at the public option and negotiating our way to the trigger. Michael Moore is correct.).
Democrats=Republicans=whores and pigs. Time for a revolution.
you're spending way too much time with Poppy & Battleaxe.
we didn't buy this baloney from pelosi, reid, rahm, obama, olympia, or the blue dogs, what makes you think we'll buy it from you?
politicians talking about "pulling triggers" after the experiences we had this summer at the town hall meetin's.
what else is there to say? another sell out. Too bad we won't go there. We will have free health care for all of us. No matter how much your friends pay you to say otherwise.
We really want a Goverment Single Payer system for all, medi-care like but will settle for the option to choose a Gov't Insurance
Option.
Now you just mind your own business and SHUT UP! Ya' hear.
It's a fucking scam that the DLC would be the right-wing of the conservative party in Europe.
HR 676.
I'm glad Bubba didn't get a third term in '08.
Fuck you!
...who needs Republicans? Bill just can't seem to break away from his corporatist agenda.
Bill, please go away!! Go negotiate some hostages or something. Just go. You have proven time and time that you are bad news for US economy. GO AWAY!!!!
so royally by not only ex president Clinton, but also by Harry Reid, who seems to defer to her as if she is the f-----g current POTUS, which she isn't. Last I checked, it was someone else. Why do so many people give her so much credit? In the end, she will not come over to the other side, no matter how deliciously she is wined and dined in order to try to curry her favor. It's not worth it. And all democrats should simply stop trying to woo her and get on with the business of taking care of what needs to be taken care of in this country. Bipartisanship is not going to happen because Olympia Snowe and her republican colleagues don't want it to happen. I don't know what ex-president Clinton was thinking when he endorsed Snowe's idea of a trigger and called it a good idea. It's not a good idea. The insurance companies have had 60 plus years to get their shit together and today 14,000 americans are losing their insurance coverage every day because of the way that insurance companies have been allowed to do business. It's time for our elected representatives to work for the people, not their biggest donors. The people don't have the same kind of money that the big business interests have to lobby for themselves. But this government was created to take care of the needs of the people first and foremost. It's time to restore that simple idea. Hopefully, Maine will replace Ms. Snowe with a more enlightened, less burdened by loyalty to big donors like Ms. Snowe is, and elect someone who will represent the people of the state of Maine and, in general, the people, as opposed to business interests. The people shouldn't have to suffer and be dragged through hell by the actions of their politicians. That's got to change. It's time to get rid of politicians who don't work for the people, or who work to degrade the lives of ordinary americans. I hope Maine gets someone who will take responsibility for representing the people of the state seriously. And, about the trigger, it's a fucking horrible idea. It should never be considered as a serious proposal. We need true reform now and not to wait for it any longer.
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