Betsy Markey Shuns Party, Votes No On Health Care Bill

The Fort Collins Coloradoan:

Rep. Betsy Markey voted against a health-care reform bill backed by President Barack Obama and the House Democratic leadership Saturday night, citing concerns over the cost of the bill.

"It was a difficult decision because there's a lot of good things in the bill, as well, that I like, but in the end, I just didn't think that it did enough to control health-care costs," the Fort Collins Democrat said in an interview with the Coloradoan, calling it the most difficult vote she's cast in her 10 months in Congress.

Read the whole story: The Fort Collins Coloradoan

Comments

[AprilinDenver]

One good thing about the health care reform process is that it is really showing us the "true colors" of many of our so-called Democratic members of congress. Looks like we need a "do-over" on Markey. We can get rid of her soon, but we will have to wait on Joe Lieberman.

[VJ2008]

Clearly this "newbie" is in over her head. Either that or she wanted to be a one-term senator. I've been shaking my head for a while now; the nerve; I mean the health care bill will not add to the deficit, that's a proven fact, so for her (and Joe LIEberman) to use the cost excuse, is transparent to say the least. I hope that District lets her have no rest for this; make her ties to the special interests very public, regularly, until everyone knows they were scammed by yet another democrat who is not really a democrat. Still shaking my head.

[VJ2008]

Correction---I know, not senator, congresswoman.....

[bentheimmigrant]

Um, she's not a senator.

[1differentdrummer]

Lieberman-lite?

[Bronxdude]

Similar to the Lewin Group, republicans are a wholly owned subsidiary of the health insurance cartel. While 66% of her constituents support a public option, Blanche Lincoln opposes it (Lincoln has received over $3.7 million in “campaign contributions” from corrupt insurance lobbyists). While 57% of Ohioans support a public option, John Boehner opposes it (Boehner has received over $4.2 million in “campaign contributions” from corrupt insurance lobbyists). Connecticut has a public option, yet Joe Lieberman oppose it (Lieberman has received $3.1 million from the insurance lobby). Louisiana ranks 49th in healthcare, yet Mary Landrieu oppose the public option (Landrieu has received more than $2.3 million in “campaign contributions” from corrupt insurance lobbyists). Rather than invest in the working-class, corrupt politicians have taken sides with their insurance cartel pimps. Every Member of Congress pays approximately $530 per month for “gold option,” unlimited family coverage, which includes affordable copays and deductibles, with no preexisting condition clause. During a town hall meeting, Eric Cantor (R-VA) sarcastically told an uninsured woman with breast cancer to sell her house and seek charity; even crueler, Paul Brown (R-Georgia) told one of his uninsured constituents in need of life-saving maintenance medications to “pray.” Like Grassley said, “If you want the public option, join the Army.” Boehner: picking big business over the interests of Americans is Un-American. Public option: 175 million Americans say yea, while 50 senators say nay.

[TyneCrescent]

You are in rare form today Dude!! Factual, (as I've come to expect from your posts, and I do check them for validity against independent sources) precise and on point most of the time. I have to give you props.

I don't have respect for anyone who, (I don't know if Markey has) rails about the costs of health care if they support a $12 billion/per month outlay for a fabricated war and not taking care of people at home. I didn't serve to protect "their" behinds or interests. What are the costs of taking care of we the people first versus policing the world?

[Bronxdude]

John “take the money” Boehner, the United States Senator from UnitedHealthcare.
Tom “where’s my check” Coburn, the United States Senator from Cigna.
Jon “no maternity care” Kyl, the United States Senator from Blue Cross / Blue Shield
Mitch “show me the money” McConnell, the United States Senator from Aetna.
Blanche “let’em eat cake” Lincoln, the United States Senator from WellPoint.
Joe “not for the people” Lieberman, the United States Senator from MetLife.
Mitch “12 pieces of silver” McConnell, the United States Senator from Humana.

[Bronxdude]

Just follow the money trail from the insurance cartel to Betsy Markey to understand why she voted no.

[Slipperypick]

As a Coloradan, I'm ticked off. As a liberal, I'm livid. I'm outraged that I gave this woman my vote. Outta here!

[newsmaker]

Is there a list of the Dems who voted no?

[newsmaker]

What a cop out. I'm sure she is going to feel the backlash when her seat is up for re-election. Funny how people didn't have a concern about the funding of an 8 year plus war, but when it comes to healthcare they want to know every detail. I hope the voters remember these phonies.

[FirstGenRandR]

Democrats are marginalized in Markey's district. That's why it was a big deal when she beat a Republican (Musgrave) who, as Rachel Maddow likes to point out, has yet to concede the race.

Markey rode in on a "perfect storm": the decision by her major challenger and the local favorite (Angie Paccione) to drop out of the race; the grass roots movement for Obama; the aversion to Bu-sh & Musgrave.

In 2010 Markey will be standing alone, with only her voting record to support her.

[oldpol2]

loved the two congressmen trump 2 governors! Here, here!

[BoiseLib]

Unless you're pointing somewhere it's, "Hear, Hear."

[littleblackcat]

Thank you, Boise. Being the mother of an English major and having been raised by a teacher, it does grind on the nerves when people do not spell or punctuate correctly.

[minusthefactor]

Health care reform is not a Democratic or a Republic party issue. It is an American Peoples issue.

However for those of us who are in the Democratic party, now is the time to start looking into these YELLOW DOG Democrat impersonators voting record and organize to rid the democratic party of these traitors.

My understanding is that Rham E. supports these good for nothing tax payer supported free loaders in Congress. Well Rham can go screw himself and so can the rest of the Democratic leadership that would defend these back stabbing, insurance company's shoe licking self centered pieces of crap.

We need to have people in congress who belong to the human species and not these slimy slippery fork tongued fanged reptilians posing as democrats.

[oldngrumpy]

Don't hold back. Tell us what you really think.

fanned for guts.

[littleblackcat]

Great direct-in-­the-crossh­airs comment. Tha American people should band together and insist that the health care and pensions provided to Senators and Congresspeople be brought out into the open and voted on by the people. Enough of the life-long wallowing at the public trough. They are SUPPOSED to be "Public Servants" and unless I am really out of it, the definition of that is; To serve the public. To work for the public or the people at large. To have the public's best interest in mind.
I haven't seen anything for the public in any of this mess. We still need health care reform, although this IS a step in the right direction. The nation really wants single-payer. Every established country in the world, and a few of the less-established as well, has a national health plan except the U.S. The highest costs in the world and unless you are part of the richest 2%, nearly LAST in quality and accessibility.

[Archivist1000]

SO .... did she even read it?

[wanda665]

Take a good look at her, and then ask yourself again, did she read it?

[WarriorLemming]

Ms. Markey wasn't there for the Bush term to vote in support of the war in Iraq but many of the elected officials who are opposing the Healthcare Bill because of costs never blinked an eye in support to the Bush/Cheney war in Iraq which is costing trillions and trillions. These people are aligned with the healthcare industry and not with Americans. I am so angry that we have these cold hearted people voted in and then they show their true colors.

[newsmaker]

Sorry, I should have read your posting before I posted. I agree with you 100%

[DDDumont]

What a disgrace to those who voted for this individual - Ms Markey can't even see the forest for the trees!!!! Hope she will keep her job after the next election ... her health care benefits will be hard to replace IN THE REAL WORLD!!!

[Helene52]

Oh, how I wish what you say was true.

It is my understanding, and I could be wrong, that former members of congress take their healthcare benefits with them even after they are out of office. Ahhh, wouldn't that be nice if the rest of us were afforded that luxury?

[FirstGenRandR]

plhooboy: I live in Markey's district and agree with everything you said, except for the last sentence. I don't think anyone could be a bigger embarrassment than Musgrave.

[HowdyDoody]

I live in Markey's district, too. How this district could have sent Musgrave to Congress is astounding. She's a shameless, hateful woman!

I'm very disappointed in Betsy Markey. We all worked hard to get her elected. I was stunned to see she voted against the bill. I can't possibly see how she would help herself -- what narrow and self-centered thinking! What about the Democrats in this district who won't vote for either candidate come 2010? And the farmers and ranchers here -- most of them can't get health insurance. What was she thinking?

[oldpol2]

Write to her. Make her aware you will work twice as hard to get her unelected next year. Maybe she will see the light before the final vote.