Mike Arcuri Votes Against Health Care Reform
How are the Ulysses Democrats going to explain this one to Main Street Trumansburg? Our member of the House of Representatives, Mike Arcuri, has just voted against health care reform. The legislation has passed the House, despite Arcuri’s opposition.
Arcuri has justified his decision to vote with the Republicans by saying, “I am not convinced that after months of listening, studying and debating that the current bill benefits the people in my district in the best possible way”. The best possible way?!? What is Congressman Arcuri waiting for? A clause to guarantee house calls accompanied by free pizza delivery?
Consistently, Michael Arcuri has voted with the right wing Blue Dogs, against the progressive values of Trumansburg Democrats. Just a few weeks ago, Arcuri voted to extend the infamous Patriot Act – without any reforms even to its worst provisions. Maybe Arcuri’s growing Republican voting record okay with the political machine up in Utica, but voters down in this corner of the district see things differently.
Problems For Arcuri Update: The Working Families Party is now looking for a candidate to run against Representative Arcuri. The service workers union SEIU is also refusing to grant Arcuri its endorsement in this year’s election.
Les Roberts may be running again. Remember when local Democrats told us that Arcuri was the better choice?
this guy is toast. might as well pull the lever for a real republican next time if that is your preference. when is he up for re-election?
Mayor Petrovic should have been toast. He voted to privatize our single payer health care EMS. I did pull the lever for 3 republicans, because they were all against that. Sadly, the voters don’t care enough to inform themselves, except about the middle finger smear campaign.
This year. As a member of the House of Representatives, Arcuri has a 2-year term. If you’re a Democrat fed up with Arcuri, get in contact with the Working Families Party to see what’s going on with the effort to recruit a challenger from the left.
workingfamiliesparty.org
Michael Arcuri has the courage of his convictions. I will vote for him in November.
Which convictions? The convictions that Democrats here will vote for a candidate who aligns himself with the policies of George W. Bush? The convictions that the Republicans have a better vision for America? The convictions that health care reform isn’t worth voting for?
Some Democrats certainly will vote the party line, because they don’t feel that they have any other choice. It’s a matter of whether enough Democrats will follow Arcuri down his Republican-leaning path. Will he get enough support to win re-election this fall? We’ll have to wait and see. Personally, I can’t imagine where Arcuri is going to summon much enthusiasm from Democrats outside his small Utica circle.
I was one who originally thought Arcuri would be better than the Republican alternative in his district. He’s proven to be a huge disappointment (and yes Jon, you told us so . . .). Guess we just cede the district to the Republicans since I don’t see a real Democrat being able to win that district. After all, a Republican is what we have now so it can’t be much worse.
I don’t think we should consider the necessary present action as ceding the district, but as choosing a 2-year strategic retreat, and coming back with a better candidate than Arcuri in 2012. Better 2 years under a Republican who can be defeated than helping a Republican-like Democrat grab a more solid hold on power. Let’s think about this in the long term.
Barack Obama as well as all his progressive mafia should be embarrassed with themselves. This is a complete outrage. I’d been under the idea that the moment the president takes office he is required to declare an oath that will support and protect the constitution of the us. Nowhere in the Constitution does it grant the government the authority to enact and also enforce laws like the health care reform bill. I really believe these power mongers are going to be in for a real shock around November. Best wishes on the demise of your political future.
Beta, have you actually read the Constitution? Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce, and creating a national health care exchange is one way to do that. There’s also the clause that mentions the congressional duty to work for the general welfare. If physical health is not part of general welfare, what is?
I don’t have the sense Beta has read a whole lot of anything. And in terms of Allan, how can you say “one issue pony”? Why are you so obsessed with this ambulance thing? Are you sitting in your house waiting to need one or something?
Why am I so obsessed with this ambulance thing? A better question would be – why isn’t every citizen with an ounce of common sense, decency, sense of justice, and concern for their neighbors, not doing everything they can to stop this insanity. The recently passed health insurance reform legislation, will have a major impact on this issue here in Ulysses. Stay tuned – I’ll explain.
Perhaps, you could explain to me why this issue is not important, instead of the typical ad hominem attack. I have written quite a lot explaining in detail, why this fee for service system is so wrong. No one has written any cogent explanation of why it is a good idea.
Give it a shot.
For the most part I vote for Democrats (or, as in the past Peace + Freedom Party in San Fran), but I will not vote for Arcuri. No, No, No Arcuri. How can he sleep at night?
He can sleep easy, Granny J. He’s got a pillow filled with light and puffy ideas provided to him courtesy of some of the worst power brokers in DC.
Allen, please move on. We’ve heard what you have to say. No one is persuaded. Let it go. Really, it’s best. Ok?
Robin, it’s not accurate to say that no one is persuaded by what Allen has to say. Some people are persuaded. Also, why is it “best” that Allen let it go? Personally, I think that it’s best when people speak about the issues they believe to be important.
[...] our U.S. Representative, Mike Arcuri, joined congressional Republicans to vote against health care reform, many Ulysses Democrats wondered how on earth he could have made such a decision, when 24th [...]
I agree with Robin, Allan just repeats himself, never adding “content” to the dialog. If he has something to add to the conversation, great. But, once you’ve expressed your opinion, and thoughtful people have said they disagree and have explained their reasons, you have to move on.
Dear Robin, and Villagefriend,
You asked for it, you got it. I’ve just added “content”. (new post Sunday evening)
You said, “and thoughtful people have said they disagree and have explained their reasons” – when was that? Did I miss that? What reasons? What thoughtful people? Do they have names?