While Nebraskans will get new Medicaid mandates covered by the federal government, most other states will sink under the weight of new unfunded mandates. Here's how Nebraska's Governor described the problem before Nelson struck his bargain:
"The State of Nebraska cannot afford an unfunded mandate and uncontrolled spending of this magnitude.”Will Nebraskans be proud of Nelson's tactics, or ashamed that Nelson has turned Nebraska into a beggar state relying on others to pay Nebraska's way?
Will Nebraskans sit back in quiet satisfaction knowing that Nebraska has been saved from further unfunded mandates, while other states crumble, or feel like the proverbial person who lay down with dogs and got up with fleas?
Do Nebraskans care that the rest of the nation is furious over this backroom deal, and that a state known for integrity and hard work has had its reputation tarnished? Nebraska and Louisiana now are spoken of in the same breath.
Do Nebraskans have long memories? Or will all be forgiven and forgotten in a few years?
We'll know the answer to these questions when Ben Nelson is up for reelection in 2012.
Update: Here's how one Nebraskan feels - A Nebraska doctor’s message for Ben Nelson
And, it appears Nebraskans are reacting negatively to this embarrassment:
--------------------------------------------But [Nebraska Gov. Dave] Heineman expressed anything but gratitude, saying he had nothing to do with the compromise and calling the overhaul bill "bad news for Nebraska and bad news for America."
"Nebraskans did not ask for a special deal, only a fair deal," Heineman said in a statement Sunday.
In response, Nelson fired off a letter Sunday to Heineman saying he's prepared to ask that the provision covering Nebraska's Medicaid share "be removed from the amendment in conference, if it is your desire."
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This sounds ruff, but I hope Senator Nelson's fleas bite him so bad he never recovers.
ReplyDeleteName for me an example where a politican lost an election due to bringing pork home, no matter how egregrious
ReplyDeleteI emailed the Governor of Nebraska this morning asking that he refuse the money. Nebraskans didn't ask for this special favor. They should feel unfairly tainted by it.
ReplyDeleteNATIONAL STRIKE JAN 20, 2010 to coincide w/ STATE OF UNION SPEECH NATIONWIDE STRIKE over Obamacare...
ReplyDeleteCall into work sick. Buy nothing. Find a union hall, congress creature office, State or Federal building and form picket lines. Come ready to party...
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE! Put that right back in their face!
NATIONAL STRIKE JAN 20, 2010 to coincide w/ STATE OF UNION SPEECH NATIONWIDE STRIKE over Obamacare...TAKE BACK AMERICA!
Nebraska, Isn't that where all the stupid lives?
ReplyDeleteThis Nebraskan is ashamed for her state, and furious at Nelson's betrayal. Most of us knew Nelson would eventually vote for Obamacare; what you saw leading up to the payoff yesterday is his typical M.O. The Medicare bribe is outrageous, and I doubt it will be well-received here. Gov. Heineman still hasn't commented (that I'm aware of) and I'll be watching him closely.
ReplyDeleteThis Nebraskan will be joining a (hopefully huge) crowd in Omaha today in protest. Grassroots in Nebraska has another scheduled in Lincoln on Tuesday evening, and I'll be standing out in the snow with the rest of them.
I've never been politically active - until now. This Nebraskan has a long memory, and won't forget Nelson's betrayal. I'll be working with others to run him out of office in 2012, if he is foolish enough to run again.
How is Nelson's acts a betrayal? How about the uninsure Nebraskans? Who is watching out for them? Health care in America is a farce. Something has to be done. He is a Democrat voting with a Democrat majority..Hmmm, how else is he to vote? Has their been a Repub that voted aginst their party line?
ReplyDeleteSo a representative of the citizens of Nebraska is to only represent the 26% of his constituents who support this bill or the 67% who oppose it?
ReplyDeleteI guess Buck's idea is that Nebraskans were just suckers to think that Nelson was sent to DC to speak for their interests instead of being a power-hungry party hack.
As a proud life-long resident of the Cornhusker state, I'm mad as hell, as is every other Nebraskan of my acquaintance. 67% of us strongly oppose this. Nelson is history. We will not forget.
ReplyDelete