Republicans Hate Heros - Block bill to help 9/11 Health Aid

[kaiser soze]

How do people vote for such scum and villainy?

They stomp their feet and hold unemployment hostage to get the wealthy their tax cuts and now this?!?

wow, this country is truly fucked - billions for endless wars, billions for the already disgustingly wealthy, billions for corporations....and The People will continue to wallow in the mud.

http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/nyregion/10health.html

WASHINGTON — Republican senators blocked Democratic legislation on Thursday that sought to provide medical care to rescue workers and residents of New York City who became ill as a result of breathing in toxic fumes, dust and smoke from ground zero...

“Republicans denied adequate health care to the heroes who developed illnesses from rushing into burning buildings on 9/11,” he said. “Yet they will stop at nothing to give tax breaks to millionaires and C.E.O.’s, even though they will explode our deficit and fail to create jobs. That tells you everything you need to know about their priorities.”

[Whatitis]

"republicans hate".....sensationalism at it's best.

Democrats must hate as well then....
'In a raucous, closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill, Democrats chanted "Just say no!" as they agreed to block Obama's plan to extend low tax rates for nearly all Americans, according to lawmakers in the room.

Several at the party meeting said they were angered by the White House's "take it or leave it" attitude about the deal, which includes tax breaks for the wealthy.

Obama's plan would keep lower rates in place for another two years, reduce the estate tax, and extend tax breaks and other benefits aimed at lower-income Americans.'

But 'the wealthy' just pops the headlines.

[yeahwho]

There is no sensationalism, the republicans blocked the bill. These people helped with the aftermath of the United States being attacked.

Senate Republicans raised concerns about how to pay for the $7.4 billion bill to provide medical care for workers.

The term wealthy came from kaiser soze. Then you made the claim sensationalism.

For the rest of us with reading and math comprehension skills "Republicans Block U.S. Health Aid for 9/11 Workers (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/nyregion/10health.html)" means just that.

[Whatitis]

My sensationalism 'claim' was aimed at the 'republicans hate' comment, and you want to talk about comprehension skills? I brought up the Dems and their issue about the tax extension, mainly because of the ones that are calling out the Repubs by insinuating that the wealthy are the only benefitters. It's not like the 9-11 bill will completely die unlike the tax extension.

[Bob]

"republicans hate heroes" is pretty sensationalist i must say

the story speaks for itself i thought


i just wish the republicans would stop making lame excuses about the budget or process or whatever and just come out and say "we're voting no because we want to block every single thing obama and the democrats try to do for political gain"

everybody knows they're doing it, it's just embarrassing to watch them squirm around and try to justify it.

i also wish the democrats would stop lying about doing things for political gain but at the moment the republicans are being really obnoxious and destructive about it so them first

[kaiser soze]

I'm sorry

Compassionate Conservatives, that's what I should have said...

Compassionate Conservatives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/09/911-health-bill_n_794518.html

Supporters were three votes short of the 60 needed to proceed to debate and a final vote on the bill that would have provided as much as $7.4 billion in health care and compensation to 9/11 responders and survivors. The bill failed on a test vote, 57-42.

Fifty-seven Democrats voted for the bill and 41 Republicans opposed it. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, switched his vote to 'no' at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up again for a vote.

9/11 and our soldiers won't be needed until the next elections, they already served their purpose. If another Republican says anything about 9/11 or those involved - the audience should yell SHAME ON YOU!!

[saz]

(y)

"republicans hate heroes" is pretty sensationalist i must say

the story speaks for itself i thought


yep


Fifty-seven Democrats and 41 Republicans

the senate desperately needs to get rid of the filibuster, or at least reform it, so you don't need 60 votes to pass legislation.

[p-branez]

The Daily Show has great material to work with lately... and the 10am reruns are perfect for me.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-december-13-2010-gordon-brown
Relevant section about 9/11 and the Republican politicians is the opening bit... after you get through the ads. The bit about Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) is great.

[kaiser soze]

Like I said "SHAME" should be the only response when any republican opens their mouth and 9/11 dribbles out.

But hey at least they'll give More $$$ for the rich and for war! (well the industries profiting from war)

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m132/stopgeorge3/r1066002127.jpg

nothing sensationalist here - it is the truth

[Echewta]

I'd like to see the first responder tell the hospital the "bill is in the mail" when the hospital/specialist/bank/credit card company, etc. come to collect.

As always, it must be nice to be a congress person where your healthcare, stamps, etc. are paid for so that you get to block monies to any group that needs and would benefit greatly from it.

Estimated treatment costs
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued a study on July 17, 2007 indicating that the estimates for monthly costs of treating Ground Zero workers had increased from around $6 million per month to $20 million per month by the end of 2007. The causes of the increased expense lie in the increasing numbers of workers getting sick and the worsening illnesses of workers. This indicated that the planned U.S. House appropriation legislation (of $50 million) for the sick workers, for the coming year, would be inadequate. The number of workers that have registered with area hospitals' Ground Zero programs has reached 37,000. With about 500 new workers registering each month, the institute estimated that the number of registrants could reach 65,000 in two years. (The institute is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services.)[50]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_arising_from_the_September_11_attac ks

[kaiser soze]

As always, it must be nice to be a congress person where your healthcare, stamps, etc. are paid for so that you get to block monies to any group that needs and would benefit greatly from it.



Not to mention the shitloads of cash many of them will make (save) with the extended bush tax cuts

http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=6176

According to a Roll Call analysis of Senate financial disclosure forms filed in 2010, more than half of the chamber's membership, 54 lawmakers, reported a minimum net worth of more than $1 million....

For the People by the People - and for the rest of ya a big fuck you

[kaiser soze]

Chamber of Commerce (who helped prop up the repubs this past election) lobbied against 9/11 first responders bill.

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/399971/chamber_of_commerce_lobbied_to_help_gop_kill_bill_ to_provide_health_care_for_9_11_first_responders/#paragraph2

The Chamber fought to help kill the 9/11 compensation bill because it was funded by ending a special tax loophole exploited by foreign corporations doing business in the United States.

In September, the Chamber sent a letter officially opposing the 9/11 first responders bill, called the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010.” The Chamber warned that ending the tax loophole would “damage U.S. relationships with major trading partners” and “aggravate already unsettled financial markets.” A lobbying disclosure filed with the Senate confirms the Chamber contacted lawmakers to help kill the bill.

These traitors deserve not a single spec of influence in our politics - How can any "patriot" repub/conservative support these pigs who shit on our heros who sacrificed so much while placing corporate interests first.

so where are the guys who were sporting guns now?

yeah, thought so.

[p-branez]

Jon Stewart has made this issue his own lately
An interview with four 9/11 first responders. (http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/thu-december-16-2010-mike-huckabee)

Interview is at the first dash mark after the show starts.

[Whatitis]

Well whaddya know! (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101222/ap_on_go_co/us_congress_health_attacks)

[Echewta]

I think this goes to show the power of the Stewart/Colbert ticket. It would be a powerful one. And not a bad one actually.

[kaiser soze]

I'd vote for them over Obama - shame on him and the Dems for not acting on this

in fact- where the fuck are any of them, this republi-cronyism is getting ridiculous

[yeahwho]

This is story makes for a nice year end defining point. Republicans have done everything within their power to turn the job of representation of the people into a perpetual "Make Obama a One Term President" four year election cycle..

I'm glad to see that some fight and support came for these workers from places as obscure as here. Shows there just still may be a chance to help citizens, students, workers and families in this Country. (y)

[travesty]

Do 9/11 responders deserve more help, care, medical attention than any other emergency responder on any other routine call? Why do they deserve any more benefits than your local fireman that rushes in to save your grandma from the grease fire she started to burn your house down. At the end of the day, what makes those guys who were doing thier jobs, more or less rewardable than any other emergency responder who is doing thier job? Just asking why everyone felt it was so necessary to provide special unfunded benefits to these folks. Don't get me wrong I think they probably do deserve some special attention but the only reason Soze posted it was to get some bleeding heart, do gooder attention that the evil republicans want these people to die. In reality they were just doing what republicans are supposed to do and oppose anything that creates deficits, especially unfunded programs. Once the Dems found a way to pay for (most of) it, it passed with overhwelming approval in both chambers. Weak sauce Kaiser.

[kaiser soze]

save your weak sauce for the republicans

[travesty]

Merry Chrsitmas :)

[yeahwho]

This is the the opening statement to H.R.847 - James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h847/show)

This bill is designed to improve health services and provide financial compensation for 9/11 first responders who were exposed to dangerous toxins and are now sick as a result. It would establish a federal program to provide medical monitoring and treatment for first responders, provide initial health screenings for people who were in the area at the time of the attack and may be at risk, and reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.

It's very logical and straight forward.

Here is a neutral opinion (http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerset/news/opinions/x1682035377/GUEST-OPINION-US-has-obligation-to-take-care-of-9-11-responders) on the issue;

At least 29 cops in the 30s and 40s have died of strange illnesses since September 11. Firefighters have also contracted rare cancers and lung diseases. That is the fight behind the James Zadroga Bill that was finally passed in a bipartisan way by Congress yesterday. The legislation is named for another NYPD detective who died at the age of 34. The final version of the bill earmarks $4.2 million for first responders and their families.

Now I live in my hometown of Boston. I proudly voted for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican who worked behind the scenes on Capitol Hill for months to find funding for the Zadroga Bill. On Wednesday, Brown explained the compromises that helped him vote yes.

“I have always supported the 9/11 responders, but this was about finding a compromise that was fair to everyone — including taxpayers. This comes at a time where we are going to be making major cuts,’’ Brown told me. “There are a lot of verification issues that have been addressed. There are judicial safeguards in there also to ensure that there is not double dipping. And there is now a valid funding source.”

[kaiser soze]

This is the the opening statement to H.R.847 - James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h847/show)

This bill is designed to improve health services and provide financial compensation for 9/11 first responders who were exposed to dangerous toxins and are now sick as a result. It would establish a federal program to provide medical monitoring and treatment for first responders, provide initial health screenings for people who were in the area at the time of the attack and may be at risk, and reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.

It's very logical and straight forward.

Here is a neutral opinion (http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerset/news/opinions/x1682035377/GUEST-OPINION-US-has-obligation-to-take-care-of-9-11-responders) on the issue;

At least 29 cops in the 30s and 40s have died of strange illnesses since September 11. Firefighters have also contracted rare cancers and lung diseases. That is the fight behind the James Zadroga Bill that was finally passed in a bipartisan way by Congress yesterday. The legislation is named for another NYPD detective who died at the age of 34. The final version of the bill earmarks $4.2 million for first responders and their families.

Now I live in my hometown of Boston. I proudly voted for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican who worked behind the scenes on Capitol Hill for months to find funding for the Zadroga Bill. On Wednesday, Brown explained the compromises that helped him vote yes.

“I have always supported the 9/11 responders, but this was about finding a compromise that was fair to everyone — including taxpayers. This comes at a time where we are going to be making major cuts,’’ Brown told me. “There are a lot of verification issues that have been addressed. There are judicial safeguards in there also to ensure that there is not double dipping. And there is now a valid funding source.”

I hate their "What about the taxpayers!" schtick - didn't give two shits while building a wicked deficit during the bush years, don't give a shit with the bail-outs, tax breaks for the rich (who pays for that? you, me, our kids), WAR....it's old.

[yeahwho]

Yes it's understood that the republicans did block this bill. The reasoning backfired on them and in the end to block it twice would of been political suicide. It came back with less funds, the claim by the republicans of double dipping and waste is a smokescreen.

It is interesting that the Military had 0 problem getting 6% higher funding (http://inteldaily.com/2010/12/pentagon%E2%80%99s-christmas-present-largest-military-budget-since-world-war-ii/) this past session from both parties or lets say $725 billion dollars for one year.

Yet first responders and ordinary people who did very dangerous work become secondary. The risks were never a problem while we called them heroes for free. We the people of the USA want some fucking representation. Are republicans so blinded by military/corporate campaign money that they don't even see us?

Like I said in the above post, this bill passing is a defining moment (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-22/no-congress-since-1960s-makes-most-laws-for-americans-as-111th.html) for Obama. As much as the next two years may belong to the Republicans it also is time for them to put up and do some real work, saying NO to everything is now out of their hands. They must go to work with the word Yes.

[kaiser soze]

Maybe if Their Republican President and his cabinet acted on the looming terror threat (http://www.google.com/search?q=bush+ignored+9+11+warnings&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) that brought 9/11 upon us there wouldn't need to be this bill.

[yeahwho]

not s'posed to mention the other administration, just keep cleaning up the mess and take orders

[kaiser soze]

oh that's right - the whole Learning from History thing and what not

:rolleyes:

[Sir SkratchaLot]

How do people vote for such scum and villainy?


Been watching a lot of Star Wars lately?

[yeahwho]

"In ‘Daily Show’ Role on 9/11 Bill, Echoes of Murrow" (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/business/media/27stewart.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage) from the NYTimes 12/26/2010


“I don’t even know if there was a deal, to be honest with you, before his show,” said Kenny Specht, the founder of the New York City Firefighter Brotherhood Foundation, who was interviewed by Mr. Stewart on Dec. 16.

That show was devoted to the bill and the comedian’s effort to right what he called “an outrageous abdication of our responsibility to those who were most heroic on 9/11.”

Mr. Specht said in an interview, “I’ll forever be indebted to Jon because of what he did.”

Mr. Bloomberg, a frequent guest on “The Daily Show,” also recognized Mr. Stewart’s role.

“Success always has a thousand fathers,” the mayor said in an e-mail. “But Jon shining such a big, bright spotlight on Washington’s potentially tragic failure to put aside differences and get this done for America was, without a doubt, one of the biggest factors that led to the final agreement.”

Jon Stewart is so sweet, not a moronic blowhard like his FOX counterparts. He has been active and correctly focusing on the lack of coverage for real people who need real help. The media is pushing The Beatles @ itunes while Jon has a sit down with those affected by this bill.

Just want to give some well deserved chops to Stewart for a brilliant turn in 2010. (y)