Buzzflash
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Mixx it!
Reddit
UPDATE: Sunday night, I urged President Barack Obama to withdraw former Senator Tom Daschle's nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to "revive the change brand he campaigned and won on." On Monday, Obama said he was "absolutely" standing behind his nominee. On Tuesday morning, the New York Times joined in calling on Daschle to step aside. By Tuesday afternoon, Daschle had withdrawn. The Obama team understood the perils ahead--and moved swiftly to cut its losses.
President Obama would be wise to use this as a "teachable moment"---one in which a new era of responsibility tackles the legalized corruption of lobbying in DC.
After all, while the former Senator's failure to pay substantial back taxes raised questions about his suitability for the job, it was Daschle's ties to health care firms --payments of some $300,000 in income from companies that he might have regulated as HHS Secretary--that was most troubling. Daschle's activities, though not officially lobbying, made a lucrative living advising clients seeking influence with the government, including many in the health industry. That activity, with its appearance of a conflict of interest, undermined Obama's promises to bring change we can believe in, not continue business as usual.
During the campaign, Obama spoke eloquently of curbing the exploitation of public service for private gain. And it is heartening that he followed through on his first day in office by imposing the toughest ethics rules of any Administration in modern times. But, as I wrote Sunday night, "there are a slew of reforms required to dismantle the legalized corruption of lobbying." Asking Daschle to step aside is a good beginning.
Now, how about Howard Dean for HHS?
****
It turns out that former Senator Tom Daschle waited nearly a month after being nominated to be Secretary of Health and Human Services before letting President Barack Obama know that he had not paid years of back taxes. The tax problem resonates at a time of deepening economic pain, as joblessness soars and Wall Street executives are rightfully chastised for using bailout money for multi-million dollar bonuses.
But the serious issue here is Daschle's ties to health care firms. In a letter to the HHS ethics office on January 16th (cited in the Washington Post on Sunday) Daschle wrote that he wouldn't participate in any matter over the next year in which "a former client of mine is a party or represents a party." How does one define that? And won't this then mean that Daschle is unable to play a role in passing critical healthcare reform until 2010? After all, the same Washington Post story notes that the Health Industry Distributors Assn., which represents medical product distributors, wrote Daschle "last week" to express concerns about proposed Medicare changes and "reminded him of the $14,000 speech he delivered at its conference last year." Other special interests from which Daschle collected speaking fees ranging from $12,000 to $40,000 included the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents the for-profit health insurance industry. He also gave "policy advice" to United Health, a conglomerate that sells insurance, helps the government administer Medicaid, advises drug companies and physicians and dispenses prescriptions. In fact, when all is tallied up, the former Senator received more than $300,000 in income from health related companies that he might regulate.
Experts who study this gray zone debate whether giving a speech, consulting, and otherwise taking money from special interests in return for services is different from lobbying. Nonetheless, Daschle's activities clearly pose the appearance of a conflict of interest.
This was a campaign about change. Obama spoke eloquently of ending the way Washington does business and curbing the exploitation of public service for private gain. And he followed through with his early executive order attempting to slow the "revolving door" that has allowed so many former government officials to quickly enter the ranks of registered lobbyists. But slowing that revolving door is only the first step in ending the legalized corruption of the town's lobbying culture.
Daschle's tax problems have, so far, attracted the lion's share of scrutiny. And he may well make it through the Senate---though one leading Democratic Senator told me Sunday that he may not vote for his former colleague's confirmation. But Daschle's potential conflicts of interest should persuade Obama to make this a "teachable moment" and find another public servant to tackle the critical task of healthcare reform.
If Obama stated clearly that regulators in his administration should not have any financial ties to the industries they regulate, he'd revive the change brand he campaigned and won on. Sure, there are a slew of reforms that need to be put in place to dismantle the legalized corruption of lobbying in DC, but Obama could begin by asking Daschle to step aside.
My pick for his replacement: Howard Dean.
Share this article
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Thoughts on politics, current affairs, riffs and reflections on what’s in the news and what’s not--but should be.
RSS
This is the time for Obama to step up and nominate Howard Dean for HHS secretary.
Posted by Metteyya at 02/01/2009 @ 6:56pm
couldn't agree more was about to add p.s., which i will do now my alternative candidate --howard dean for HHS/kvh
Posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel at 02/01/2009 @ 6:57pm
If Daschle has dirty hands then he should not be put forward...Obama will need to take a stand on that or he will face the wrath of a lot of angry voters. I hope he re-thinks this one as I'm sure he has had many folks on The White House web site relaying their thoughts.
Posted by Caj at 02/01/2009 @ 8:09pm
Astonishing- KVH and I agree on something. Bipartisanship, and at The Nation, of all places. I wonder, though. Would he have come clean on his taxes if he hadn't been up for a cabinet post?
Posted by twillie at 02/01/2009 @ 8:15pm
If Daschle has dirty hands..... Posted by Caj at 02/01/2009 @ 8:09pm
There is no "If". He admitted to cheating, and paid the taxes and penalties in order to be named to the post. It's inside-the-Beltway business as usual.
Posted by twillie at 02/01/2009 @ 8:20pm
Clearly, the Obama Administration can't locate clean nominees for the spots it would like to fill because the only ones available to them have taint as far as the eye can see. I mean in Daschle and Geithner you'd have expected enough sophistication not to get caught with their pants down in this way, but, then again, these are people that make their living off the public dole in one way or other and if you sniff long enough around a politician you'll inevitably uncover the source of the stench usually associated with the breed. Obama is coming out of the Cabinet selection process in about the same shape Clinton did which is to say no shape at all. Let's see, Geitner of the sheepish look and the tax man, Geither and the lobbyist Chief Of Staff, the mystery of Bill Richardson, and now Daschle and the tax man. We're in our third month since the election. By this time an appointment say more about Obama than the nominee. But you knew that.
Posted by john lowell at 02/01/2009 @ 8:25pm
Well, obviously Daschle should go.
Fodder for the Right for years to come?... naturally (note: looney lowell....HAPP, JOMAMM, Darin, SJCHER (soon as Rush tells him what to say), and the rest)
Plus is Tom Daschle even worthwhile? Wasn't his chief role during his tenure as Senate Majority Leader, the Official Whiner of the US Senate?
Dump him and pick somebody else fast.
Posted by Mask at 02/01/2009 @ 8:30pm
Why so hard on Daschle?
Afterall his not paying taxes, "was an oversight and mistake anyone could make".
Posted by ACook at 02/01/2009 @ 8:45pm
the person to bring in universal health care doesn't pay taxes.
what a good start.
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/01/2009 @ 9:27pm
Daschle is dirty. Drop him. Fast. Don't stretch it out. Move on.
He's shown he's eminently available for buying. Big Pharma et al must be licking their chops praying to Mammon he'll be allowed to stay.
Don't cave, Obama, or you'll rue the day. Daschle isn't about to undergo metamorphosis & turn into a clean player.
Posted by sloper at 02/01/2009 @ 9:40pm
Posted by sloper at 02/01/2009 @ 9:40pm
Seriously Sloper, Obama is going on the advice of his transition team because he wasn't in the Senate long enough to cultivate any strong relationships. Remember, he was coming in as Daschle was going out.
I don't think anyone in his cabinet was throughly vetted other than Robert Gates.
Posted by ACook at 02/01/2009 @ 9:48pm
Why so hard on Daschle? Afterall his not paying taxes, "was an oversight and mistake anyone could make". Posted by ACook at 02/01/2009 @ 8:45pm
True, but if you or I made the same mistake, we'd be getting "raped in federal prison".
Posted by twillie at 02/01/2009 @ 10:55pm
That guy in overalls, sitting in a rocking chair, on the porch of a rickety old house, with a length of wheat straw in his mouth that says:
"Ain't a nickels worth a difference in any of 'em."
He might be right.
Posted by bleedingheart at 02/01/2009 @ 10:59pm
I think that many of us are getting tired of seeing nominees neck-deep in sewage, regardless of party label. Geithner should have been rejected and Daschle's name should be withdrawn...for both the tax and conflict of interest reasons. I took Obama at his word about change and hopes he replaces Daschle with Dean or someone else with a clean bill of connective health.
Posted by mimsky at 02/01/2009 @ 11:16pm
Well first of all, Daschle was leader of the senate for awhile. His "friends" in the senate will not reject him. He is too close to it. Anyway, having him as head of HHS will be ok with me. Whenever some related issue should bubble up we can always use Tom as a counter example. :)
Posted by pyeatte at 02/01/2009 @ 11:33pm
The main problem with Dean is he is insane.
Posted by pyeatte at 02/01/2009 @ 11:35pm
The job qualification of a cabinet secretary is how well they can do the job. Daschle's tax problem is irrelevant to that. His links to health care corporations are most definitely not irrelevant. This is where the scrutiny needs to be, not his tax problems. I am assuming that he has particular expertise and knowledge in the area, especially since all these health care people have been knocking on his door.
The next question is whether there is someone else who can do as good a job. If so, then nominate them. If not, then we have to accept that Daschle has ties and see to it that they are not binding through constant vigilance.
Posted by danmiller at 02/01/2009 @ 11:36pm
I agree with KvdH and "Metteyya." Howard Dean is the obvious choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"Insane," "pyeatte"? By what standard? On what evidence?
Posted by JakobFabian at 02/01/2009 @ 11:40pm
After hearing about Daschle's tax dodge, the first person I thought about was Howard Dean. Time to get him back in the game. Having him in the admin would be a boost my liberal psyche.
Posted by wgmadden at 02/02/2009 @ 12:33am
Posted by mimsky at 02/01/2009 @ 11:16pm
"I think that many of us are getting tired of seeing nominees neck-deep in sewage, regardless of party label. Geithner should have been rejected and Daschle's name should be withdrawn...for both the tax and conflict of interest reasons."
You can bet on that! Yet Geithner got by because Obama gave him his blessing, and that despite the shabby appearance of Geithner's deportment on the tax question. And he's quite likely to do the very same thing for Daschle who, as someone said today, is a "club member", meaning "former senator". If you've been a senator, you see, different rules would seem to apply than if you were just folks, friend mimsky. And its here that one gets a sense of why the word, filth, is praise when used of an American politician.
One day, when the economic crisis is done taking its toll on this country and Obama's war in Afghanistan brings the humiliation and defeat that are inevitable, we'll have public trials for the political scum that run things and their lobbyist clients. I only hope I live to see them.
Posted by john lowell at 02/02/2009 @ 12:33am
Slightly off-topic, but since Daschle was the latest hope to spearhead the move to socialized medicine, I thought I'd mention it. This is for all those out there who still believe that government won't use UHC to regulate how physicians practice. I give you exhibits A and B:
A. (Which I've mentioned previously)Britain's NHS declaring patients will not have to wait longer than 4 hours to be seen in the ER leading at times to ambulance "stacking" and a functional shortage of ambulances.
B. The NHS "Fairness in Primary Care" initiative (I do love the names for these things) which REQUIRES physicians' practices to add new services AND expand hours--two requirements that are very difficult for solo practitioners to meet. As a result, this initiative has contributed to the loss of an estimated 200 solo practices around England (~1 in 10), either through retirement or merging with larger practices.
Posted by dailycomfort at 02/02/2009 @ 12:44am
http://tinyurl.com/6dr3lp
This is how you run a "lobbyist free" administration?
Posted by lvliberty1 at 02/01/2009 @ 6:58pm | ignore this person | warn this person
Interesting article. I also note that you didn't mention the parts of the very same article which said--
"In a bid to avoid conflicts, Ms. Daschle has announced that she will leave her lobbying firm, where colleagues represent health care clients, and plans to start her own practice, which will not accept clients with interests in health care policy. Mr. Downey has not disclosed his plans and did not respond to an interview request, but Ms. Cutter said that if Ms. Browner became energy czar, Mr. Downey's firm would no longer accept energy or environment-related work."
Posted by brunowe at 02/02/2009 @ 01:03am
what kind of doctor are you, dr. bruce?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 01:04am
Just in case R. Dreyfuss and the nation missed it;
President Barack Obama told Americans on Sunday a substantial number of the 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq would be home within a year, saying Iraqis were now ready to take more responsibility for their own security.
Obama, who inherited two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, pledged during his presidential campaign to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq within 16 months, at a rate of one or two brigades a month.
In an interview with NBC television, Obama praised the provincial elections held in Iraq at the weekend, the most peaceful polls since U.S.-led forces invaded in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.
Hmmmm, I guess he missed congradulating former Pres. G.W. Bush for making it all possible. Now Obamanation will look like a genius in keeping his campaign promise on getting out of Iraq!
Posted by comancheamerican at 02/02/2009 @ 01:10am
I wonder if Geithner and Daschle now wish the income tax were eliminated....
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 02:09am
Making what all possible?
The ramshackle political situation? The unresolved issues such as Kirkuk? The million or so dead Iraqis plus the 4 million displaced? The widespread unavailability of clear water, schools, etc.?
Posted by brunowe at 02/02/2009 @ 05:06am
Looks like the for- profit health industry will be in for their cut of the "universal" pie.
Say good bye to those low single digit administrative costs in future.
Posted by Sorelish at 02/02/2009 @ 07:17am
I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of asking Daschel to leave and to ask Howard Dean to take his place.
Nancy Shea
Posted by nancy Shea at 02/02/2009 @ 07:19am
why not dean in the first place?
Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/02/2009 @ 08:26am
Well, I just heard Cokie Roberts on NPR say that "Daschle has a lot of friends in the Senate and will likely get the job"....
and despite any ill-feelings some may have about her being "A Big Insider"...she's probably right.
So once the tax issue comes up, i.e. the inevitable need to raise them on the top 5%....we'll see Right-Wing Talking Points on how "Obama wants to raise YOUR taxes (true, if you make over $200K...but most ditto-heads don't, but THINK they'll get taxed)...but his cohorts like Daschle and Geithner never paid theirs!!!!!!"
It's a mild headache for Obama, but a headache he could have pre-empted.
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 08:58am
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 01:04am
Family medicine.
Posted by dailycomfort at 02/02/2009 @ 09:26am
the headache could also be avoided if the treasury weren't so dehydrated.
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 09:42am
It's a mild headache for Obama, but a headache he could have pre-empted.
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 08:58am | ignore this person | warn this person
daschle also has enemies. republicans could do obama a favor by causing trouble for daschle actually...
but sure, rush will bloviate as usual and his dittoheads, those who make the money and those that think the reason they don't make the money is something called a "liberal", will echo his bloviation...
as the stomach turns...
Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/02/2009 @ 09:49am
bruce,
if you saw a human on the street, obviously poor, and in dire need of emergency attention,
would you help her?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 09:50am
Taxes are for SUCKERS just ask any Undemocrat in congress or out of it! Geither, Daschle, Rangel, and on and on and on!
Posted by comancheamerican at 02/02/2009 @ 09:54am
Biologists Find Stem Cell-Like Functions in Other Types of Plant Cells
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009N-256, 2008-09
Suggest Plants Can Regenerate Without Stem CellsOrdinary cells have the ability to replace lost organs in plants-a function previously thought to be limited to stem cells-researchers at New York University's Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Utrecht University in the Netherlands have found.
The findings, which suggest that some roles of stem cells in organ regeneration may be shared by other types of cells, are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.
The work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 10:04am
would you help her?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 09:50am
Sure, if I can.
Posted by dailycomfort at 02/02/2009 @ 11:18am
President Obama is as brilliant as reported. He has single-handedly found a way to end the financial crisis! He will nominate all tax evaders to Cabinet posts! The revenues will be amazing!
Have you ever noticed how all these outstanding individuals who advocate taking your money for their causes never pony up? I bet you when it comes to redistribution, Daschle, Geithner, et al, are all for it but fail to pay when callled.
I bet they don't give to charities either as they believe the government makes "others" give so they don't have to.
Thankfully, President Obama is all about transparency so we can all see this go down.
Posted by Weyld1 at 02/02/2009 @ 11:21am
What will Wesley Snipes be nominated for? I don't think he has paid taxes since 1994!
Posted by Weyld1 at 02/02/2009 @ 11:23am
Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/02/2009 @ 09:49am
Righties still talk about "locking up all the junkies"....but still support Rush.
So I take their criticisms for what they're worth on things like Daschle.
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 11:25am
If Obama keeps Daschle, that does it. O's next book will be titled THE INSANITY OF HOPE.
Posted by sloper at 02/02/2009 @ 11:39am
Righties still talk about "locking up all the junkies"....but still support Rush. So I take their criticisms for what they're worth on things like Daschle. Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 11:25am
Progs will gush over junkies who aren't conservative talk show hosts, wanting to empty the government purse into their hands, but get out the long knives for Limbaugh.
So I take their support of Daschle, and their desire to jail Cheney and Rove, for what it is. Partisanship.
Posted by twillie at 02/02/2009 @ 11:46am
This news just in: Obama "absolutely" stands by Daschle. What did I tell you!
If there is anything "absolute" about it, this result is "absolutely" commentary about Obama, not Daschle. Obama is every bit the political crud that are the tax challenged Geithner and Daschle. I hope the Republicans find as way to scuttle Daschle who is a worm and a parasite. With every day that goes by, one sees the direction that Obama is now likely to take: High sounding talk implemented by thugs and paramecium! He's getting dirty rather quickly and very much in a public way. In another month or two it'll be harder for him to prevaricate in the way he usually does and have folks take him seriously. The blush is now officially off the rose.
Posted by john lowell at 02/02/2009 @ 11:51am
Why would anyone expect Daschle to withdraw or be dropped?
Here is from the correct party...same as Geitner, Rangel, even Jefferson for quite a while..
whats impportant is free health care..
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 11:53am
Say good bye to those low single digit administrative costs in future.
Posted by Sorelish at 02/02/2009 @ 07:17am |
Never have seen one...and never will....think Medicare, welfare,SS, and any other alphabet govt agency.
If you are running on single digit admin, the unions will soon end it.
You actualy believe a national health care can be run on single digit admin costs?
By govt?
With unionised worlers?
Business execs and common sense people never consider single digit admin and govt / unions in the same sentence...those are figures made for and from cooked books.
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 11:57am
>>>This news just in: Obama "absolutely" stands by Daschle. <<<
A good portion of Obama's early campaign talent came from Daschle's office and this is why he feels compelled to stand by him. But even with this political debt, Obama needs to understand that the Republicans are not standing still, and even the likes of Huckabee are prepping for future contests by making open appeals to MIDDLE CLASS voters who are fed up with Washington lobbyists controlling the agenda.
Obama needs to nip this in the bud NOW, starting with Dashle and continuing with bold proposals to publicly fund all federal elections and place reasonable restrictions on the free speech of 527s and other "independent" groups so that they can't run campaign ads for or against a candidate within 90 days of a primary or general election.
If Obama does not move boldly on this issue now when his popularity is at its height, he may not be able to get it done later when his popularity is lower and there is more at stake with middle class voter appeals from Republicans using the undue influence issue that Obama missed.
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 12:09pm
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 12:09pm
All of this presupposes that Obama really intends to do anything more profound than simply talk about ethics in government. I say "ethics" because one could hardly see him as touting morality in government, he's long proven himself out of touch with that. I don't see him as sincere in this connection, never have. What politician is sincere in this way?
I'm afraid you're too late with your hopes of nipping this problem in the bud now. The time for that was yesterday and the day before and the day before that. The problem here isn't Huckabee, sir, the problem is Obama, his instincts, his lack of a moral compass grounded in anything more meaningful that a law book, and, frankly, his out-and-out prevaricating. He now has real dirt on his face that he'll be unable to wash off.
Posted by john lowell at 02/02/2009 @ 12:42pm
We need an honest and unbiased look at the present state of our health care system, inadequate, unfair, fragmented and serving the bottom line of the private health insurance and drug industries, rather than guaranteeing access to excellent health care without enormous economic insecurity for the American people.
As one looks at Tom Daschle's activities in the past years, with extensive ties to the very industries that are major contributors to our present problems, it seems obvious that he is a poor choice for a leader of health care reform. There are certainly many who are qualified and free of those ties. Sen. Daschle's early support of Pres. Obama's candidacy should not weigh in the balance on this extraordinarily important issue.
Posted by schneedoc at 02/02/2009 @ 1:00pm
Posted by twillie at 02/02/2009 @ 11:46am
Nope, same thing Rush got...I want all drug addicts to get. Treatment and realization that it's an addiction, not criminality.
Deal?
Or are some "junkies" more equal than others, Squealor?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 1:07pm
Comedy! Another " culture of corruption " has invaded the White House. Between the tax-cheats ( the rich need to pay more taxes/ do as I say not as I do liberals , terrorist (FALN )pardoning, Marc Rich pardoning, lobbyists ( Obama promised none would be in his administration/ PROMISE BROKEN )etc. this administration is a JOKE! Obama has already gone back on so many promises that it's already become business as usual and the media will either ignore these issues or they'll just call them "errors" or "mistakes" ( the term used by Feinstein to explain how Gavin Newsomes penis found it's way into his campaign managers wife / He get's re-elected )! When the shit hits the fan, and most Obama voters begin hurting more than ever economically, they should not blame him or the " culture of corruption" he's shrouding himself in, they should blame THEMSELVES, because I sure will. No sympathy AT ALL for all Obama voters! You've made your bed, and soon reality will force you to sleep in it!
Posted by barry25 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:10pm
If the pres stands by him, do you think Dascle knows his days are numbered? Soon, will we find out Dascle, the lobbyist and tax evader, is not the "man I once knew?" Ahhhhhh, transparency and hypocrisy! All on day 13 of the New Age of Pres Obama!
Posted by Weyld1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:13pm
Nope, same thing Rush got...I want all drug addicts to get. Treatment and realization that it's an addiction, not criminality.
Deal?
Or are some "junkies" more equal than others, Squealor?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 1:07pm
Makes sense to me.
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:15pm
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:15pm
Which? Treatment or the hypocrisy of the ditto-heads?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 1:22pm
Yojo
The logic of your pro private sector arguments can be illustrated by what happened here in the Pacific Northwest. When the Bonneville Power Administration was formed, detractors claimed that the cost of the dam was not configured into the relationship of power delivered versus cost of power.
But the big argument delivered by the conswervatives was that consumers were only paying half of the national average before Bonneville! It doesn't take a genius to welcome a halving of an existing consumer & business cost (power).
As to federal taxes, I can only say we've had some pretty good Congresspeople in this section of the country. When's the last time your state(s) turned down a windfall?
BTW, butt out of power grabs!
Posted by Sorelish at 02/02/2009 @ 1:29pm
Or are some "junkies" more equal than others, Squealor?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 1:07pm
There's a difference between someone who gets addicted after getting a legitamate medicine from a doctor...and someone who gets addicted by buying illegal drugs from their favorite street pharmacist...
Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:30pm
Treatment
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:37pm
BTW, butt out of power grabs!
Posted by Sorelish at 02/02/2009 @ 1:29pm
In Nebraska we export power... I do some scanning projects at a nuke plant in Omaha this month...we generate large quantitys of nuke power and sell it.
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:39pm
Or are some "junkies" more equal than others, Squealor?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 1:07pm
There's a difference between someone who gets addicted after getting a legitamate medicine from a doctor...and someone who gets addicted by buying illegal drugs from their favorite street pharmacist...
Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:30pm
Both require treatment
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:40pm
JakobFabian: John "the scream" Dean
Posted by pyeatte at 02/02/2009 @ 2:19pm
Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:30pm
And what IS that specific difference?
BTW, does "doctor shopping" have a "huge difference" from wandering the streets looking for a pusher who'll "let you slide"?
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 2:25pm
would you help her? Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 09:50am Sure, if I can. Posted by dailycomfort at 02/02/2009 @ 11:18am
what if she showed up in your waiting room?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 2:42pm
There's a difference between someone who gets addicted after getting a legitamate medicine from a doctor...and someone who gets addicted by buying illegal drugs from their favorite street pharmacist... Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:30pm
that's the stupidest thing you've ever written.
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 2:45pm
Drugs are for 'losers'...
-end of discussion-
Daschle would do us all a great service by taking this 'cue' and letting go of the post on his own... as a willing and generous attempt to reinstate the ethical standards required to hold high office in this country.
Or does he like being red meat for the Republicans?;^)
If he takes the initiative to step down on his own... he will do much to improve the atmosphere in and around Washington... which we all can agree is in need of marked trust enhancement. If Obama has to ask him to leave... the ethical standards in our nation's capitol will scarcely be seen to be changing from 'business as usual'... a cynic's euphoria.
It would seem that the type of change we need in Washington ought to come from within... for that is where a predominant portion of the fortitude necessary to 'stand up' to lobbyists is created and nurtured.
It can be argued that an excessive reliance upon punitive measures often creates lax conditions for the development and maintenance of the strong personal codes of ethics we need in government.
Posted by ttr at 02/02/2009 @ 3:03pm
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 2:45pm
Uh, FROSTY?....it's usc. Duh!
As long as the addict in question is a rich, white, right-winger going from high-end medical clinic in West Palm to high-end medical clinic...
it's TOTALLY different from some "inner city" crack-head going from street corner to street corner.
THOSE guys need to be locked up and the key thrown away....Rush just made a "harmless mistake" and everybody needs to not only forgive, but FORGET!
Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 3:04pm
From Washington Post:
Readers Vote No on Daschle
If our Readers Who Comment have anything to say about it, Thomas A. Daschle's apology does not excuse his federal income tax return errors and he should not be confirmed as President Obama's secretary of Health and Human Services.
Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, released a letter of apology to the Senate Finance Committee early today. washingtonpost.com posted the story at 6 a.m. and 15 minutes later the flood of comments began. A huge majority of them are uncomplimentary to Daschle; several readers attacked the "liberal" press for not having done more on the Daschle story or for having been sympathetic earlier to tax problems discovered during the confirmation process of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who was confirmed despite them.
A number of folks said they filed their taxes and asked why these highly paid guys couldn't do the same thing. Not a happy crowd out there this morning, unless you count those of obvious Republican persuasion who are delighted to see tarnish on the change Obama promised.
We'll start with battleground51, who wrote, "Tom Daschle, big time, tax Democrat. I can't believe he's a tax cheat too. I guess taxes are for us small time suckers. This my friends is the liberal way."
dandean said, "Imagine how this sort of story would be spun if it had been a Bush appointee. Just as toxic as misreporting the facts, is the under-reporting or glossing over of obvious wrongdoing by the media in an attempt to provide cover for their chosen party..."
And MarvinMartian wrote, "Here we go again! ANY Republican would have been run out of town on a rail by these same high minded hypocrites. And all you wanted to do is get rid of GW... ARE YOU HAPPY?"
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:18pm
albi06 said, "Just the change we were promised!"
WWWexler predicted, "The committee will approve him. Why? It's because their own tax returns cannot stand the light of day. That's the same reason why we have a tax cheat for Treasury Secretary, the position that is charged with the task of enforcing our tax laws...Nothing against Daschle, he'd probably do a fine job. But what kind of example does this set?"
wendy1231 asked, "How many Obama picks have needed to apologize and yet still be confirmed? This is down right insane to think that we have no other viable candidates - only tax evaders...Great example for our children."
lennyjazz wrote, "...We have to spread the word to crooks around the country when they are caught leaving the department store with an unpaid for neckless, that all they have to do is tell the officer, "I apologize" - and not only will he/she not face criminal charges, but they will be rewarded with a high post in the Obama administration..."
GoodAmerican said, "Mr. Daschle should not be confirmed by the Senate. Nor should Mr. Geithner have been confirmed. It makes a mockery of the process and it shows clearly that well-connected people are above the law... Mr. Obama's promise that "change is coming" to Washington rings hollow. It's more of the same, just with a different color."
Bob22003 wrote, "Many, if not most, of Obama's nominees for senior positions are well-off individuals with complicated finances. However, with the exception of Geithner and Daschle, they paid their taxes...The President should not have nominated Daschle and if Daschle does not withdraw, the Senate should vote against his confirmation, as they should have done in Geithner's case..."
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:19pm
ldipetta said, "There is no way that Daschle was not aware of the implications of the income and benefits and his tax liability. He should not be confirmed. Those unwilling to pay their taxes should not be in charge of spending the taxes gleaned from those that are willing."
shrink2 wrote, "Health Care reform needs disruptive leadership. In the old language, it needs a paradigm shift. Daschle is a greedy pig, all four hooves in the trough of the crony capitalism of our 'health' industry. Obama, you need our support a lot more than you need Tom Daschle and we will not forget this if you force this pig on us and call it change."
xSamplex said, "The IRS was all over me like ugly on a pig when it claimed my child care expenses were not fully deductible. But Obama nominees seem to get a free pass for not reporting. That'll make me feel better when the IRS takes their next monthly payment out of my bank account."
patty2 wrote, "As a strong Obama supporter, I wish he'd accept Mr. Daschle's withdrawal of consideration for the post. The last thing the country needs -- especially if tax increases are in the works -- is leadership by those who disregard their own taxes. Plenty of other qualified Americans play by the rules and are capable of serving."
We'll close with SarahBB, who said, "There are no perfect people, but it is interesting that the see mistakes keep happening. Let's audit everybody and at least weed the hypocrites out of this mix."
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:20pm
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:20pm
So...when does Dashcle start? He should move in bis office by what...2 weeks..with pay of curse...
but its OK..free health care in on the way!!
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 3:24pm
The problem with Daschle is that by continuing to support him when most people would be facing prison time (e.g., Wesley Snipes) for doing the same, Obama turns off the very swing voter that put him over the top. These are the voters that made a difference in CO, NM, NV, IN, VA, OH, and NC.
If these voters now believe Obama is no different than any other politician in Washington, they will NOT support him next time.
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:27pm
There's a difference between someone who gets addicted after getting a legitamate medicine from a doctor...and someone who gets addicted by buying illegal drugs from their favorite street pharmacist...
Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:30pm | ignore this person | warn this person
.
In addition to the doctor shopping fraud that enabled Rushbo to purchase some 2,000 pain pills in 6 months, he also purchased nearly 12,000 pain pills using his housekeeper as an intermediary from...
...his favorite street pharmacist.
So USC, the difference is...what?
Posted by Lillian at 02/02/2009 @ 3:28pm
It is obvious that Rush O Loon is still taking the tablets...have you ever seen such a hyper nut case? I'm suprised that he can actually string a sentence together and how he is allowed to stay on the air is amazing. If any other Radio host looked and acted like Rush everyday they would be drug tested I'm sure as his behavior is far from normal!!!
Posted by Caj at 02/02/2009 @ 3:44pm
The difference is that one person obtained drugs legally from a doctor before getting addicted as a result of taking them...and someone else who goes down to the street corner to get illegal drugs and gets addicted...that person was doing illegal things from the start...so I have little sympathy for that person...
otherwise I agree with JM, they both need treatment...
and Rush should have gone to jail, IF they could have proved anything...
Posted by usc1 at 02/02/2009 @ 3:48pm
"The problem with Daschle is that by continuing to support him when most people would be facing prison time"
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 3:27pm
It just goes to show,
it's not what you do,
it's who you know.
Posted by Benchrest at 02/02/2009 @ 3:52pm
In Nebraska we export power... I do some scanning projects at a nuke plant in Omaha this month...we generate large quantitys of nuke power and sell it.
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 1:39pm | ignore this person | warn this person
.
Right. Then stick the poor taxpayers with the bills for manufacturing and protecting the reactor-grade nuclear material coming in, the homeland security foces required to continuously protect the reactor facility itself, and of course all of the costs associated with storing **and** protecting all of that contaminated waste...for the next 10,000 years.
Yet oddly, you're usually the first to rant about how free markets should rule and everything the incompetant government does is wateful and and inefficient and government expenditures should be eliminated so taxes can be cut and anyone who takes money from the government is contemptable.
Posted by Lillian at 02/02/2009 @ 3:53pm
so usc1,
what is the difference between a heroin addict and an alcoholic?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 4:05pm
I'm thinking of cheating on my taxes this year. Then if I get caught, I'll just say that I wanted it on my resume so I could get a job in the Obama administration.
Posted by dlt at 02/02/2009 @ 4:12pm
Posted by Lillian at 02/02/2009 @ 3:53pm
And it is still cheaper, faster, cleaner and sagfer than anything else out there by factors of 100.
You can't have it both ways..kill off oil/coal and not build nukes...
cost does matter...and wind mills will not supply all needs..even with all the hot air you and your lefty sycophants blow out.
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 4:21pm
what if she showed up in your waiting room?
Posted by frosty zoom at 02/02/2009 @ 2:42pm
Yes.
Posted by dailycomfort at 02/02/2009 @ 4:40pm
>>>It just goes to show,
it's not what you do,
it's who you know.
Posted by Benchrest at 02/02/2009 @ 3:52pm<<<
But this is NOT change we can believe in, and if Obama is not careful he may permanently damage his "agent of change" image with swing voters and others who put him over the top during this election.
Once these voters conclude that Obama is just another Washington politician who only uses "change" as a slogan to drum up votes, then he may well lose these voters permanently.
Posted by Metteyya at 02/02/2009 @ 6:58pm
Reports today are saying Obama is standing behind the Daschle nomination. No CHANGE there.
Oy.
Posted by Citizen54 at 02/02/2009 @ 8:19pm
And it is still cheaper, faster, cleaner and sagfer than anything else out there by factors of 100.
You can't have it both ways..kill off oil/coal and not build nukes...
Posted by YourJomamma at 02/02/2009 @ 4:21pm | ignore this person | warn this person
.
By factors of 100?!?!?!
Jeez John, even the most ARDANT supports don't make that claim!! Heck, the World Nuclear Association has it just a **tad** cheaper than coal!
You're dead wrong as usual John. Nowhere in the world do market-driven utilities buy, or private investors finance, new nuclear plants. Nowhere!
Only continued **massive** government intervention is keeping the nuclear option alive. What's the price tag on Yucca Mountain John? $90 - $100 Billion? (And no, that's not because of environmental reviews or delays - that's just what it takes to build a MASSIVE underground storage facility to try to contain deadly radioactive waste!!) And we haven't even discussed the cost to **guard** the facility for the next 10,000 years.
If you figure into the cost of nuclear energy the added costs I outlined earlier, plus the costs of decomissioning a nuke plant after it is no longer useful, and then you take away the government subsidies (and we won't even go into the insurance costs against the potential for tragedy, or any of the health related costs due to the inevitable radioactive leakages)...
...there is no comparison at all. Nuclear power is WAY more expensive.
Pretty much the opposite of what you said John.
Posted by Lillian at 02/02/2009 @ 8:56pm
Mask, you completely missed my point.
"It's a mild headache for Obama, but a headache he could have pre-empted." Posted by Mask at 02/02/2009 @ 08:58am
A "mild headache"? Nominating, and continuing to back a tax cheat? I suspect you would feel differently if these were Republicans, wouldn't you?
Posted by twillie at 02/03/2009 @ 12:49am
Posted by barry25 at 02/02/2009 @ 1:10pm
Amen!
Just struck me that at least in one respect there is a profound resemblance characterologically between George Herman Walker Bush and Obama. You always had the sense that Bush would cave on principle if enough pressure were exerted on him, the read-my-lips-no-more-taxes thing, for example. And that certainly is the case with Obama. Yet that rank poseur is out there giving lectures to bankers on what he considers "shameful". There is absolutely nothing more nauseating in public life than an amoral, unprincipled weasel of a politician like Obama giving lectures on morals to anyone.
When the full extent of the economic crisis, and this clown's war in Afghanistan/Pakistan together with its one-sided support of Israeli agression in the Middle East have taken this country to its inevitable ruin, and demonstrations and general strikes abound, the people will hold show trials in large football stadium environments for the filth that constitutes the leadership of our present political system. Its then that you'll hear your last about "pragmatism".
Posted by john lowell at 02/03/2009 @ 08:09am
We need somone leading HHS who is not tainted with close ties to business stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Leaders in Washington are not considering the best solution, single payer, because they say it is not politically viable. We need someone in HHS who will educate the country on the possible healthcare solutions so we the people are empowered to voice what we prefer. It has been my experience that when people understand single payer, they choose it without exception. I don't think Mr. Daschle is that person - he has too many ties to entrenched stakeholders.
Nicole635
Posted by Nicole635 at 02/03/2009 @ 11:14am
CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan. 11-15, 2009. N=1,112 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"Should the government in Washington provide national health insurance, or is this something that should be left only to private enterprise?"
Date___Government__Private Enterprise_Unsure
1/11-15/09_____59_________32_________9
1/79_________ 40_________48________12
******
Quinnipiac University Poll. Nov. 6-10, 2008. N=2,210 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 2.1 (for all registered voters).
"Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health care, or don't you think so?"
__Think It Is___Don't Think So___Unsure
______60_________36________4
http://www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm
Posted by hsuBfools at 02/03/2009 @ 1:44pm
'Limousine liberal (also latte liberal, limousine leftist, learjet liberal, lakefront liberal, Lexus liberal, MasterCard Marxist, white wine socialist or champagne socialist) is a pejorative North American political term used to illustrate perceived hypocrisy by a political liberal of upper class or upper middle class status, such as calling for the use of mass transit while frequently using private jets (ergo 'learjet liberal') or claiming to be highly environmentally conscious but driving a gas-hungry SUV.' -- Wikipedia
Posted by HonestLiberal at 02/03/2009 @ 1:48pm
Well, Dasche is gone, and he should never have been there in the first place. Same for Geithner, who should have used Turbo Tax after all and called the IRS helpline if needed.
There is something wrong within this administration. Don't know what incoming administration did for the two months since election, but leadership doesn't come to mind, nor did it come up with an alternative political economy to implement. Back to "bad bank, good bank" that didn't work for Paulson to keep up the pretense the banking system is solvent and the market should be left to choose winners and losers, as if it hasn't already made it clear. We're asked by this transformational agent of change, to continue with the fallacy easier credit will solve what too much easy credit brought this economy to already and the continued efforts to find ways to prop up overvalued asset prices. Already the Republicans are bashing the Democratic stimulus plan and Senate Democrats backtrack. No FDR here, who did come on strong from the start. Can't repeat the past or rely on past responses, but something better than this should have been ready to implement on day one. Soon we'll here more and more of how much "reforming" the system will cost and how fiscal prudence will require entitlement cuts and why we cannot afford decent healthcare delivery.
Hope not, but looks like once more change gives way to support of the continuing inefficient economy and socially ineffective system.
Charlie M.
Posted by cmsandia at 02/03/2009 @ 1:59pm
Dr. Howard Dean is a GREAT idea! Daschle (if you ever read his book, his reports, checked his 'contacts"--ahem) you would have realized all along, that he only supports a huge insurance industry, which turns patients into consumsers and doctors into salesmen.
When Daschle said lst night, that he wanted to make for "more affordable, and better quality insurance"---I was glad to hear he stepped down.
We need single payer--or , at least, coverage for all. The Industry was licking its chops.
I just hope he doesnt appoint Dick Cheney or something...
Posted by kdelphi95 at 02/03/2009 @ 5:28pm
Katrina - I know you're pushing for Dean to be "stepped up" but who else did you consider before you arrived at your recommendation. This is one tough job that impacts multiple generations. Who else is out there that can handle this?
Thanks for your post last night. Now it's time to get it right (or better).
Just a note: I like Daschle but I'm glad he withdrew. This may end up being Obama's next "New Hampshire primary" moment.
Posted by cumchu at 02/03/2009 @ 5:53pm
I don't understands why Daschle's limo was income and not expense. Was he employed or was this his own business? 1040 Schedule C allows him to deduct the car as expense like the corporate jet is an expense, if he is employed the employer deducts the expense, if it is a gift or honorarium that is very gray and even corporate lawyers don't have this one down because the code keeps changing. Reagan changed it several times. My guess is that the federal government may owe old Tom several apologies. Dear God Dean would be an excellent choice and it would serve those that went after old Tom because they didn't want to do anything about health care because of financial interests justice, but it is going to be an epic battle as John Edwards said and we will be fighting the really big boys of the industry. The money isn't in providing health care but rather denying benefits.
Posted by julien38 at 02/03/2009 @ 6:11pm
And here we are screaming at the injustice that Tom Daschle has done to the country when the Wall street boys used 18.4 billion with a B of our tax dollars to give themselves bonuses. This isn't double standard it is crazy. We gave 350 billion to Chinese banks out of our treasury and we are quibbling at 100,000 tax debt that was in fact paid. I don't get it. Why? We are being fed a really bad line by carnival people here. I especially don't trust our corporate media that relies on advertisement for Enzyte for their survival. I think we are being had by blithering idiots and what is worst we are buying into the feeding frenzy. We are going to end up with a Hillary package for health care that won't even make it out of committee. Can someone from the IRS please explain this mess? How can our corporate geniuses deduct their corporate jets as expense and poor old Tom can't even deduct as an expense a car? I don't care how frigging fancy it is.
Posted by julien38 at 02/03/2009 @ 7:13pm
daschle looks like a douche with those red glasses
Posted by urmygyro at 02/03/2009 @ 7:45pm
"My guess is that the federal government may owe old Tom several apologies. Dear God Dean would be an excellent choice and it would serve those that went after old Tom because they didn't want to do anything about health care because of financial interests justice, but it is going to be an epic battle as John Edwards said and we will be fighting the really big boys of the industry. The money isn't in providing health care but rather denying benefits." Posted by julien38 at 02/03/2009 @ 6:11pm
Yeah, and I'm thinking that Dems and progs owe Cheney and Bush an apology for being so merciless. they were just doing their job. Jeez!
How can our corporate geniuses deduct their corporate jets as expense and poor old Tom can't even deduct as an expense a car? I don't care how frigging fancy it is. Posted by julien38 at 02/03/2009 @ 7:13pm
Someone else was paying for his car service. Someone who wanted Dashchle's influence. It was typical inside the beltway sliminess.
Posted by twillie at 02/03/2009 @ 8:23pm
Bush-like and Bush-lite? Not exactly, but arrogant he is!
------------
WASHINGTON – Two weeks into his presidency, Barack Obama proved that even a clearly gifted politician cannot escape the gravitational pull of Washington forces that have humbled many of his predecessors.
The new president, seen by some as arrogant, was anything but on Tuesday.
"I screwed up," Obama said repeatedly during a series of TV interviews. "I take responsibility for this mistake."
Posted by HelenDAO at 02/03/2009 @ 9:01pm
I think Daschle's problem is that his entire life has been in government service. He has no concept of what is taxable or not. After getting dumped by the good voters, he finally got a civilian paycheck. He was probably unfamiliar with it. The fact that he was given a car and driver probably fit his self image, and he really didn't think that the government should get a share of his car and driver. Poor Tom!
Dean is not qualified to be the HHS guy. His pre-existing condition disqualifies him for insurance.
Posted by sntauri at 02/03/2009 @ 9:19pm
I second Dr. Dean's nomination. Far-sighted, clear thinking, knows his stuff and stubborn as hell. Obama can play good cop/bad cop with entrenched healthcare interests with Howard on board.
Posted by tefarni at 02/03/2009 @ 10:13pm
Hey Tom, we just fell cheated by you. If you didn't pay taxes then don't blame us, blame yourselves instead.
------------
WASHINGTON (AP) - Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination on Tuesday to be President Barack Obama's Health and Human Services secretary, dealing potential blows to both speedy health care reform and Obama's hopes for a smoother start as president. "Now we must move forward," Obama said in a written statement accepting "with sadness and regret" Daschle's surprise request to be removed from consideration. A day earlier, Obama had said he "absolutely" stood by Daschle in the face of problems over back taxes and potential conflicts of interest.
Daschle, the former Senate Democratic leader and a strong backer of Obama's presidential bid, said he would have been unable to operate "with the full faith of Congress and the American people."
"I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction" to Obama's agenda, he said.
Posted by HelenDAO at 02/03/2009 @ 11:11pm