OPINION: How Roland Burris May Have Saved The Public Option
From The Root:
When Illinois Sen. Roland Burris took office almost a year ago, he already appeared to be a lame-duck politician.
After being appointed by the shady Gov. Rod Blagojevich in late December, Burris found himself shrouded in a haze of suspicion and controversy. With such a troubled introduction to national politics, it seemed as if “Blago’s boy” was little more than a political eunuch.
But the hard-knuckle Chicago politician seized his moment a few weeks ago when he proclaimed that he wouldn’t sign a health care bill that didn’t include a public option. With that, he not only propelled himself into prime time, landing spots on C-SPAN, MSNBC and Fox, but he also made himself relevant.
The landmark bill that passed the House on Saturday likely included a government-sponsored plan because of Burris. It now has to pass the Senate, which will be a challenge for the Democrats, who have no room for error in their quest for a 60-vote majority.
But if they can pull it off, Burris could emerge as the savior of the public option.
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Yes, every single vote counts but not one vote is more important then the next…its those that ADVOCATE for the public option that are swaying voters and in turn voters are contacting their politicians to sway their vote in congress….Burris may have cast his vote but he is not advocating for health care for all. Especially being a black congressman..he needs to get out there and be a voice for the black community so this can get passed. There are plenty of Senators and Representatives out there FIGHTING for this EVERY DAY ALL DAY, making amendments and talking to constituents/television/radio…Burris is not one of them. What good is one vote if its the minority and the bill fails?
Y’all buggin on this one!! The Public Option is essential for the well-being of our people. I know mad bros n sisters who haven’t had a routine checkup in years due to lack of coverage. The Dems only hold 59 seats in the Senate w/ Sen. Lieberman(a flaky former Democrat turned Republican who decided to jump back on the Democrat bandwagon after seeing the way his constituency voted in this last election) making the 60th. About 8 of the Dems are from traditionally Rep states and face constant pressure to refrain from appearing to be too left-wing. EVERY SINGLE VOTE COUNTS!!! For homeboy to take that kind of stand, especially when u consider the circ**stances under which he got his seat, It really is a big deal and he deserve to get his props!
Burris’s vote is just as important as every other Dems vote in the Senate. Right now as it stands the House has voted on a wack bill that would almost make abortion illegal and would force EVERYONE to have insurance or pay a fine for not having it. I hope the Senate can come up with something better then taxing us without calling it a tax.
But they need ALL the Dems votes in the Senate (58) plus 2 independents. (Almost impossible) by the end of the year. If they don’t get that then this thing is dead in the water again. 2010 is an election year and people hate to rock the boat in an election year.
who cares… I wish they would just go ahead and do what they gone do
…then on top of that…there were others that fought for it a lot harder and consistently…and Burris wasn’t one of them.
Yea I agree with Jazz…
There were a number of House Representatives that said they would not sign the bill without a public option..
-Alan Greyson
-Anthony Weiner
-Nanci Pelosi
-Debbie Wasserman Schultz
and the list goes on…..now if it was a win just based on 218 votes then I would give credit to the blue dog or republican for pulling it through.
The republican rep deserves the most love for being the only Repub to cross party lines for the well being of his constituents.
LOL I call bluff on this article. First of all, he doesnt need to vote for the bill if the overwhelming number is whether for it or not.His vote is only detrimental if it is really that close to count, but lets be real honest.The democrats control 60% of the votes in congress.therefore, with or without his vote, the DP can find a moderate republican to vote for the bill with or without Burris voting for it.There you go that negates your MAYBE article boosting someones rapport. If he really wants to be a good senator, how about clean up the streets of Chicago and Illinois as whole with all the violence and insanity going on in that state lately.