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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 | 5:06 p.m.
Sun Archives
- Pro-Harry Reid ad draws criticism over ‘Nevada’ pronunciation (8-26-2009)
- When politicians and guns get together … (8-26-2009)
- Harry Reid, John Ensign approval sinks as health care debate continues (8-24-2009)
- Republicans want to make Reid’s town hall the issue (8-21-2009)
- Wall Street Journal: Reid will be judged on health care (8-19-2009)
- Reid releases details of 'tele-town hall' meeting on health care (8-18-2009)
- No real town hall, no problem; local radio talker hosts her own (8-16-2009)
- Wave of ads on health care in Nevada target Reid (8-9-2009)
- Reid vows to proceed with bipartisan health care reform (8-4-2009)
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Beyond the Sun
About 100 protesters walked a picket line of sorts outside the Four Seasons on Las Vegas Boulevard Wednesday afternoon, denouncing the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce for hosting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as the keynote speaker for its luncheon.
The common complaint: Harry Reid, Too Liberal For Nevada.
Had they been allowed to join about 500 business leaders feasting on Asian chicken salad and cold soy marinated salmon, Reid would have likely surprised them. The theme emerging from his remarks: Compromise -- and the need for Republican votes.
On health care and labor law reform, two of the Chamber's biggest issues, Reid seemed determined to win bipartisan legislation.
Although the Chamber members were likely happy to hear Reid mollify them, his comments would have been jarring to the liberal wing of his party, which is increasingly disenchanted with Democrats in Washington for not pushing harder on progressive legislation.
The meeting would seem to illustrate the vice Reid finds himself in: Accused by Republicans of being a wild-eyed liberal, he is viewed by his own party's left wing as being too conciliatory.
On Monday, Reid said he had little choice, especially with the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy and the frail health of Sen. Robert Byrd.
"We need a few Republican votes on everything we do," he said, referring to the 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority needed to open and close debate.
Reid said his starting point is 58 Democrats, some of whom are centrist and wary of the party's agenda.
On health care, Reid said Democrats would work with Republicans on a bipartisan bill for "a few weeks" when Congress returns from the August recess.
He mentioned the possibility of passing a partisan bill with a simple majority through a process known as reconciliation, but said such a move would only accomplish about 65 percent of what his party considers necessary. The reason: provisions would have to relate directly to government revenue.
Reid decried reform opponents for saying Congress was trying to implement socialism in the health care system. To point, he practically boasted that Congress never seriously considered a so-called single payer system, the preferred choice of liberals and labor unions.
Besides insisting that people with preexisting conditions receive coverage and that patients retain the right to sue for medical malpractice, Reid spoke generally about health care. He did not mention the public option -- a proposed government-run health insurance program like Medicare aimed at forcing private insurers to cut costs and improve coverage -- which many Democrats, including Sen. Charles Schumer, consider essential to reducing costs.
Reid did, however, take a large swing at the insurance industry. He said he favored repealing a law that exempts insurance companies from anti-trust regulations. He also said he favors taxing some employer-provided benefits, a proposal also opposed by labor.
Reid sought to assure the audience that the government could "get a hold of the deficit in a calm and deliberate way" and enact health care reform at the same time. With the rising cost of health care, including Medicare, the government must pass health legislation, he said.
On labor's No. 1 priority, a bill that would make it easier for workers to organize, Reid dodged. Asked if he supported a binding arbitration provision in the legislation, Reid said: "Arbitration is a word that has many variations, so we'll take a look at it."
Another core provision, which would allow workers to form a union through majority signup rather than go through a secret ballot election, has reportedly already been scrapped from the bill.
Regardless, Reid said it would be a while before Congress tackled the issue.
"We have too many things on our plate right now," he said.
Incoming AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told the Sun this week he expects Congress to pass both health care and labor law reform this year.
Even harry Reid knows the current polls show him as a loser next November and he is starting to listen. Reid may be the best tool we have to stop the socialism trend as he must cool the Pelosi surge this year.
I doubt any shift at this late date will save him, but he has to try, he has juniors run for Governor to worry about.
Don't believe what harry tells you, watch what he does. If Reid allows any move to moving the bill with 50 votes then it's all just posturing.
The only reason Harry wants/needs some Republican votes is because he doesn't want the Dems to "own" the health care-reform fiasco lock, stock and barrel when the 2010 elections come along. He knows the majority of Americans want the health care system tweaked or mostly left alone, not completely overhauled. And if the Dems go against the people, they will pay dearly in 2010. Harry wants to be able to peddle this thing as bi-partisan, but the Reps. have said, "You Dems are on your own. Have at it."
When Reid says Congress has too many things on its plate, he's talking about 1) keeping the national financial system from a catastrophic meltdown, and 2) passing health reform, the biggest and most important domestic priority that faces the American people.
As I recall, Nevada is part of America.
And even during all this, Reid still tried to stick in a tourism promotion bill that would help LV and the rest of the state. Guess who stopped that - Republicans.
Why don't you try looking at the facts of his record?
Reid can only juggle one ball at a time.
Right now it his re-election and he cares nothing about anything or anybody else until that is done.
After the election he still won't care anything about anything or anyone else. And he will still just juggle one ball at a time as that is all he is capable of.
it is election time..
harry is going to say anything and promise everything to get re elected...
just look at his record...what has he done for nevada in 24 yrs...
hey reid is a left winger and do not forget it...he is only playing to the center to get re-elected....once he is he will go back to the other alter-ego, a left winger....
he will say anything and do anything that he can to get elected!!! do not believe him....
hey reid is part of the big spenders and he is right there egging the spending on....
this congress, senate and the president have spent to much money and we are broke.....
Wake up!!!
vote reid out in 2010...
Yep, Harry Reid will say what he thinks you want to hear just to get his sorry butt re-elected. Republican votes he NOW speaks of and NOT before is because this fiasco is blowing up in his face. His arrogance is leading to his eventual demise. And you can thank the wonderful unions for this failing senator. He's gone, it's just a matter of counting the final days now. Thank god!
Playing both sides ... doesnt surprise me. Flip flopping and telling each side what they want to hear is the DEM way. This guy is in trouble in the polls and trying to make good. GOP won't fall for it.
Why does LVRJ say the LVS panders to Reid?
"Reid's policies, to preserve the Las Vegas Sun section, a newspaper friendlier to the senator"
My comment does not excuse the failures of the Republican Conservatives, but Conservatives stay closer to what is secular guidance in the word of God. Liberals go away from that. If there had been no opposition to staying close to God's secular wisdom of no abortions, the women being keepers at home to keep the home and community together, a simple life closer to nature's provisions instead of the "work of our hands" - jobs and enployment, faith, sunshine and fresh foods instead of medical technology, we would be living a peaceful life of full abundance of food, good health, and loving families and communities. The legacy of Liberals is contention, partisan divisions and polarization in the nation's politics, confusion, bondage and stress. It is time for real change we can believe in.
Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seems right to a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death." He championed many good sounding and good intentioned causes but as a Liberal he did not stay close to the secular wisdom in the word of God. That kept the nation and world in the wrong direction. There is a better way to solve the injustices in our nation and world; they are written in the secular guidance of the word of God in all holy books.
Never give up strength.
Never give up seniority.
Never let outsiders tell you how to vote in Nevada.
Vote for Nevada. Vote for Harry Reid.
'Reid did, however, take a large swing at the insurance industry. He said he favored repealing a law that exempts insurance companies from anti-trust regulations.'
Assets Listed Below are assets of Reid Ltd. Pension and Profit Sharing Trusts
American Intl. Group, Inc.
Cardinal Health, Inc.
Ecolab, Inc.
HCA Inc.
Johnson and Johnson
Medtronic Inc.
Pfizer Inc.
United Health Group, Inc
Walgreen Co
Clark Co. Hospital Municipal Bonds
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/tony/sn...
How can you take a swing at Insurance Companies when you are a part owner? Is that like hitting yourself in the face???
I think Full Disclosure of Senator Harry Reid's assets should come before any vote on mandatory Health Care...
Im wondering how much uncle Harry is gonna pay for his re-election this time?You cant tell me that people are that stupid to vote this fool back into office?God i hate stupid people!!!