Again people who work hard are punished while slackers reap the benefits.

"To pay for the changes, the legislation includes more than $400 billion in higher taxes over a decade, roughly half of it from a new Medicare payroll tax on individuals with incomes over $200,000 and couples over $250,000. A new excise tax on high-cost insurance policies was significantly scaled back in deference to complaints from organized labor."

What will the new "other" party be now that the Republican Party has effectively had a stake driven through its heart?

Your right Golden Eagle. So many people think you can get something for free. We'll another $3B via an unfunded mandate to add Californian's to the Medicade rolls, this when CA is already headed into the financial abyss.

15% Unemployment, 28% under employeed and no hope for improvement. How is that hope and change working for you folks out of jobs?

Thank you Congressman Jerry McNerney. You again have done the right thing for America and the right thing for District 11. Thank you for your leadership and for our your strong support.

Thanks for nothing, Congressman Jerry McNerney. You again have done the wrong thing for America and the wrong thing for District 11. Thank you for helping to insure your defeat in November and for your your lack of support for the majority of your constituents.

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -- Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. -- Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. -- Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. -- Thomas Jefferson

Did anyone expect McNerney to do anything else? The guy is simply Pelosi's pimp, and doesn't have the cajones to do anything on his own. It is essential that those that are really PO'ed over this do everything they can to oust McNerney in November. It won't be easy, becuase there are so many left wing lunatics and illegals that will be lined up to vote for him. It is critical, however, that we get rid of this dolt and Barbara Boxer in 2010, and the Bolshevik in the White House in 2012.

Since losing a job has meant losing health insurance for most of us, that hope and change has worked out great, thanks. I finally have a little bit of hope that our country CAN change for the better. If Obama and McNerney do nothing else, they have done this one great thing that will make millions of Americans healthier and more secure.

I too, want to thank Rep. McNerney for listening. Too many people keep saying that 'the majority' are against this. But the majority of the people voted to put in representatives who support this. And we've been calling for them to do what we elected them to do. If Mr. McNerney had voted against this bill, those of us who voted for him would have tossed him out on his rear. I'm not sure how losing the votes of those who didn't vote for him before is going to end his career.

As a neighbor of McNerney, he just lost my vote in the next election. I agree with digusted. Another point, I thought McNerney had a mind of his own since he lived in this area. Him and all the socialist walking lockstep with Obama. That is my fear. If he was truly listening to his people he would have voted against the Obams healthcare.

Jerry McNerney has failed on numerous occasions to listen to the will of his constituents.

The only thing he can can be counted on for is to do whatever Nancy Pelosi tells him to do. He puts on a "dog and pony" show for us, trying to give the impression that he is truly wrangling with the issues at hand because we are not a completely liberal district, but in the end, he ALWAYS does exactly what Nancy Pelosi tells him to do.

The only way to stop this is to vote him out of office. We must stay determined and focused on removing him so that we can put someone in office who represents the will of the people instead of someone who is a puppet of the party in power.

McNerney has proven to be a detriment to the people of the 11th district. We deserve better. We must work for his eventual opponent and do all we can to ensure that spineless weasels like him get thrown out on their bums come November.

Jerry McNerney proves again that he is nothing more than a shill for Nancy Pelosi's corrupt political tactics and leadership. Chet, wake up will you, or perhaps it is too late and you drank the Kool-Aid! McNerney has voted over 97% with the positions of Pelosi---how can it be that this many times the Dem leadership has made decisions and legislation that is good for our community? McNerney got this wrong as have many like Chet who believe this bill has some sort of compassion and humanitarian benefit...All this really accomplishes is providing cover for despicable tactics to raise taxes and expand government. Let's all stand up and get rid of McNerney!

OK, the vote has passed, the hyperventilating can go away.

How does this legislation lower health care costs for everyone?

I voted for McNerney...but won't make that mistake again. I agree we do need health care reform...but this plan is all wrong. Who is going to pay for this?? Our government keeps spending money that we don't have. They are going to add how many people to a health care plan...then drop pre-existing conditions and get rid of lifetime maximums...unlimited health care....again...who is going to pay for this?? The government is going to take control of your health (they have done such a great job with social security right?) and have access to your private, personal information. Do you know the bill has a clause where they can have access to your bank information to withdraw funds? it's not as simple as just giving everyone health care...read the fine print....Thanks McNerney for nothing!

I just read an article on CNN that said people who buy their own health insurance (i.e. self-employed) and make under $88,000 will receive government subsidies/tax credits to buy insurance; Whereas people who buy their own insurance and make over $88,000 per year will see their premiums INCREASE and not receive any tax breaks. With Kaiser/Blue Cross premiums already around $1300/month for a family of three or more, how many people will be forced out of their current health care? Not the hope and change that was promised... or is it?

Thanks, McNerny. Count 3 more Pleasanton votes against you in November for being, once again, Pelosi's Puppet.

Stacy,

THAT IS THE PLAN!! Our premiums WILL INCREASE!! That's the plan - to force millions of us onto their government-run low quality death trap!! Socialist governments MUST control the population via heathcare.

Reagan warned of the Socialist agenda. He predicted it would be renamed liberalism and introduced via health care.

A sad day indeed for the Divided Socialist States of America.

You are correct Stacy, and good questions, In addition, this legislation adds 15 million people to Medicaid, a good portion of those people are in California.
Is the money to pay for California's federally mandated portion of Maedicaid covered in this $1trillion in new entitlement spending that was passed last night? No, it is not.

What Californians will cover (how, I do not know, since we are already $20billion short in the state budget) is some items in the final vote taken last night. You may have heard about the Cornhusker kickback, Louisiana purchase, etc.
What these things are were little sweeteners thrown in to obtain votes from Senators in other states. Now the people of Nebraska and Louisiana don't have to pay all of those federal mandates like we in California do.
What kind of enticement did Feinstein and Boxer, or McNerney for that matter, get for California? NOTHING. Zilch, zip, nada.
They are good loyal Democrats who will back every program that the progressives can come up with. It is time for change.

Thanks for nothing but higher taxes Congressman. Lets just give everyone a free ride on those of us that are paying for their bad choices in life!!!!

You guys obviously STILL haven't learned that obfuscating the truth won't help you win.
The Cornhusker Kickback was pulled, and the so called Louisiana Purchase applies equally to all states who might in the future face the medical misfortunes Lousiana is dealing with after Katrina.

Has Anyone considered Households where 2 work in a Government job school, post office, whatever; where Full Medical Benefits are paid by the Employer thus Benefits are being paid for Twice in the same Household; at Taxpayers Expense

P Mom - As Ronald Reagan died from Alzheimer's Disease and his family experienced first hand the long trajectory of that illness, he would likely have approved of a health care bill which removes the ability for insurance companies to deny care to people with this diagnosis. In addition, he would likely have approved of a system whereby people who must retire early due to chronic illness would not have to face their entire family losing medical benefits because of the termination of employment.

Why not try to calm down a bit and see how this truly impacts everyone? If your benefits were to change a bit and as a result someone with no benefits due to job loss or pre-existing condition were to finally receive benefits, would that really be so bad?

No one knows exactly what this will look like over time, but if I had to, I could do with a bit less so some with nothing could have....something.

Thank you Louise.

We need a calmer debate on this. We haven't just created some Socialist state. Most Americans won't see the affects of this bill for some time to come. Huge medical costs are already a tax on all of us, whether through employer provided coverage, privately purchased coverage, or via the costs of emergency care for the uninsured. We're already paying through the (bleeding) nose.

If, for example, your insurance costs went down more than your taxes went up, and you took home a little bit more money as a result, wouldn't that be a good thing? Or are taxes inherently evil?

Looking out for our neighbors less fortunate than ourselves is not only the Christian thing to do, it is the American way.

The man has no concept of what his job is. He knows nothing and is afraid to speak in public because his total lack of knowledge on all issues is so blatantly obvious. If Nancy and her minions don't write it down for him to read, he trips on his tounge. When was the last time he spoke to a group where is was not totally scripted for him.
He calls himself a "wind energy consultant". That is just someone who can't keep a job in the wind industry, and he won't keep this job either. I don't care who runs against him, but that person has my vote. If this district has truly turned Democrat, would a competent Democrat please stand up and run against him.

My checkbook and me our voting for anyone who runs against THE DEMOCRATIC STOOGE MCNERNEY, HE HAS NOT REPRESENTED US, HE HAS REPRESENTED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE PLEASANTON WEEKLEY. Its time to get good representation for our district, MCNERNEY IS VOTING FOR EVERY SPENDING SOCIALIST BILL OBAMA PUTS UP. HE SHOULD PACK HIS BAGS AND LEAVE WASHINGTON.

"If, for example, your insurance costs went down more than your taxes went up, and you took home a little bit more money as a result, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

That would be a good thing John, except your premiums are expected to continue to rise...along with your taxes Web Link . If you weren't quite so calm you might have questioned what is being forced upon you.

John, "won't see the affects for some time to come". SO ?? it's OK if it's sort of frog in COLD water....and just S.L.O.W.L.Y. turn up the heat. We never did get tort reform....out of thousands of pages...so health care costs can't possibly get "fixed". ..
Today I learned also in the health bill, they had hidden 'pulling college aid from lenders'. Why sure that makes sense ! not !. Now all college aid will have to come from the government. Now Billions of $$ will become available for Pell Grants....only problem is it won't help many families in the greater Bay Area...Pell Grants are intended for POVERTY line families. Bay Area families making $90K, 120K, etc, who cannot pay Cals 25K are just out of luck. Pell are below 50K. It's too bad our Bay Area Reps didn't have time to represent Bay Area folk. Bay Area families don't fit on the NATIONAL charts intended to help Cleveland, Memphis, Omaha, etc. There, 100K is rich. Bay Area incomes and houses are double most of the nation. So OUR middle class kids are out of luck and out of school. But the main thing is that it will send the inner-city poor to universities to study the profession of their choice. I wonder what will happen to the Bay Area's middle-class generation caught at this moment in time. TOO BAD McNerney or any BayArea Rep couldn't find the time to discuss this in depth problem for masses of kids caught in this financial squeeze. Good to know there are groups of kids who are hitting the 2010 jackpot tho. This for many of us, is FAR more relevant than health care...and....WHY did it have to be hidden until AFTER it was passed ? ? ? ? Why the secret. I'm plugged 24/7 and VERY well read...it's never mentioned ! Is that REPRESENTATION ??

and john, what's with 'it's the christian thing to do ' ?!?!? don't you believe in separation of church and state. I do. It's the pope's job to care for his flock...NOT the government...which is only to provide the free structure for individuals to create their own lives. I've searched the constitution and can't find your concept. Individuals can cluster together VOLUNTARILY and create charities. This is a nation that allows the god given right of free will and choice.

Jerry already is circulating his resume. He will likely line up a fat, cushy job in the green energy business (as a lobbyist). He knows that he is going to be gone in November when the people get to hold him accountable.

If you didn't hear about the college aid component, that's your fault. It certainly wasn't hidden.
As for it being the Christian thing to do, I think it is a perfectly legitimate question to pose to the largely conservative component that opposed this bill. You know, like the one who called Stupak a baby killer.

Also know as "compassionate conservatives." Talk about a hard sell on that concept LOL! They wouldn't know compassion if it bit them on the butt!

Yeah, McNerney! You have my vote when you run for re-election!

Filthy liar. This is an absolute outrage.

John,
FORCING people to support other people has nothing to do with Christianity. I am a Christian and as such, I give over 10% of my income to charities which are much more efficient and compassionate than the government ever could be.

I don't recall Christ ever FORCING anyone to do anything. He taught and encouraged them, but NEVER forced them. Forced charity is not charity at all. And it is in many cases very unfair.

The government assumes that if we make over $88k we can afford to pay $14k a year a year for insurance. Not only houses but just about everything in the bay area (gas, taxes, food, car insurance, electricity, school fees) is more expensive than just about anywhere else. Does the "healthcare" bill take this into account? No. Did McNerney fight for some way to recognize the disparity? NO. Does he ever? NO. I am from Tennessee. There an $88k income is rich. Here it is barely middle class.

Janna,
For your benefit, I'll repeat: Forced charity is not charity at all.

I bet I give more to charity than McNerney on a smaller income. Who is he or any other congressman to force me to give money to a largely corrupt government (i.e. Rangel, Dodd, Murtha, Chicago machine politicians in the white house, etc.) to give to those THEY see fit to help. Sorry. That's not my (or many other people's definition of compassion.

I guess it's just a difference in how you look at things.

Thank you Jerry McNerney for doing the right thing

What did anyone really expect from him? First he says he is undecided--a feigned pause to reflect on the bill which I will bet he still has not read-- all the while knowing that the Speaker would cut him off in a second if he really had the courage of his "convictions" to vote no. Too bad we can't seem to get a person of principle in office who listens to his district--and does not cut off his phone and email! Better get that resume ready Jerry--but then if you complete a full term do you get a lifetime retirement from the House? --maybe he won't need a real job afterall.

Where's Lee Harvey Oswald when you REALLY need him?

Shame on you McNerney. You were elected to follow the wishes of the people. This is a political issue and political victory - that is all. The people of our community know this is a bad plan and DID NOT WANT it pushed through. 8000 lobbyists convinced you politicians to make a decision that has forever changed health care in our contry for the worse. Just because someone has access to health care does not mean it is good health care. You thought the haves and have nots were far apart before....just wait. And what about the children? Did they do anything to help them? No. Kids don't vote. What a shame.

For everyone who is criticizing the bill, did you ever READ it? Because if you did, you'll see it's NOT nationalized health care. You all sound like uneducated arrogant stuck up middle class Americans. Saying the bill is to give people who slack off a free ride and 28% of unemployed americans wont find jobs, your stupid and obviously live under a rock, maybe you weren't alive two years ago to know that thousands upon thousands of Americans lost their jobs and finding a job isn't easy... I know people who work around the clock and work soo hard and they cant afford health insurance and just because they have "risk" factors does that mean that they DON'T deserve decent health care?! EVERY single person in America DESERVES minimal health care. If were the "Greatest" country in the world wouldn't our government care about the health and well being in our country. And in Case you didn't know diseases that virtually went away in America are now coming back because parents cant afford for vaccines! If your calling this bill socialism I strongly recommend you read and understand things before you speak. And if making sure citizens who work hard get minimal health insurance is socialism so be it, stop acting like a self centered bratty teenager. OUR let me say that again OUR country (not just yours or your parties not just mine but OUR country) is in the shityist position it has ever been in, in OUR day in age so stop thinking about yourself!

A self-proclaimed "doctor" upthread claimed: "8000 lobbyists" pushed through HCR. Lobbyists? For whom? The insurance industry?!?!?

Lobbyists work for Big Business. HCR and the Democrats who voted for it work for the American people.

"Doctor"?!? A SPIN doctor, maybe...