Snowe joines Dems to vote "yes" on health care reform

Cassie -

Originally I was not pleased either, but then it dawned on me that regardless of how she voted, it was going to pass the committe with 14 yes votes. 

As you probably know, Maine is largely Democrat and Snowe doesn't just speak for those of us with more conservative views (I'm a Libertarian with strong fiscally conservative views) or those who are registered in the same party as she is...she also speaks for the Democrats in the state with shallow pockets and those with deep pockets and she tries to speak for those with no pockets if that makes any sense.

This discussion is an important one to me because whilst we have health insurance it's not enough.  Our deductibles and co-pays are insane and are probably going to force us into foreclosure because of a chronic illness in our family (mine). It sucks.  There is nothing I can do about it. 

I guess, after thinking about it, I now look at her vote that some see as traitorous to the Republican party and conservatives in general, as a way of keeping the left in check.  Both she and Senator Collins are voices to be reckoned with and I respect that.  I also respect the fact that she is actually DOING whilst many on the Right are simply TALKING.  And right now, my family has heard ENOUGH TALKING!

Bottom line...there is still going to be a whole hell of a lot of "TALKING" while this plan bounces around the House, before we know exactly what we're dealing with.  It's only logical for me to give Senator Snowe the benefit of the doubt because no one knows what this monster is going to look like when it gets combined with the other plans and ammendments.  I can't really pass final judgement on her until all of that happens.

Audrey

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Audrey from Barking Mad! ( http://www.iambarkingmad.com )

Contributing Editor at New England Mamas ( http://www.newenglandmamas.typepad.com )

Well as a Republican, I have to say that I was not happy.  Unfortunately we are not in a position to enact anything, we don't even have enough votes to get one of our proposals out of committee.  I think she is just trying to get the least invasive bill some momentum.  For my rant on Olympia Snow: see http://thefeministrepublican.blogspot.com/2009/10/...

For those of us in Maine, regardless of what side of the fence we might happen to sit on, this really came as no huge surprise. 

Next to New York, Maine has some of the highest health insurance costs in the nation and while I am not in favor of the Baucus bill, I think that Senator Snowe recognizes that something needs to be done and is giving the constituents here in Maine - the ones most likely to return her to the Senate the next time her seat comes up for re-election - what they want.  I think it explains a great deal of her voting record in the last 10 months.  Maine has been hard hit by the down turn in the economy and whilst I don't agree with how she's voted on certain things, I do know that she has her state's residents interests in mind when she votes on things in the Senate.

In the end, while millions across the nation laud her vote in favor of this bill as a victory, it's not a done deal yet and she's made it clear that there is still room for her to vote 'No' on the bill as it jumps through the rest of the legislative hoops.