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Both Inhofe, Coburn vote against measure
 
By Tulsa World Staff
Published: 11/22/2009  2:31 AM
Last Modified: 11/22/2009  6:04 AM

Oklahoma's two Republican senators — Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn — voted against Saturday's effort to advance the health-care bill.

During debate, Inhofe criticized the timing of the vote.

"I find it beyond just being deceptive that the Democrat leadership planned a vote on a Saturday night at 8 p.m. to proceed to a bill which has nothing to do with health care," Inhofe said. "After six weeks behind closed doors, the Senate leader is using a bill on extending the housing tax credit to members of the military as a bait-and-switch to bring his health-care bill before the Senate."

Inhofe also expressed concerns about the cost and the content of the bill.

"We need reforms, but this bill is not a good product and its substance is questionable," he said.

In a statement issued after the vote, Coburn said the bill was "the most reckless, irresponsible and dishonest piece of legislation I have seen in my time in Congress."

"I'm disappointed my colleagues voted for a bill that will bust the budget, increase taxes, coerce taxpayers into funding abortion, and grant politicians and bureaucrats the power to ration and deny medically necessary care.

"The accounting tricks in this bill would make Bernie Madoff and Enron executives blush," Coburn said.
By Tulsa World Staff

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Okie Dutch, Tulsa (11/22/2009 3:39:48 AM)
I feel better about the Democratic majority, now that they've shone a little backbone. The ability to ram something past the "just say no" people is why America had to elect so many of them.

As for Jimmy and Tom? I expect nothing of value from Jim, since that's what we get. If there were hopes for Tom, he's consistantly dashed them. Its a shame. Wish they could just hush and get out of the way. Not much chance...

Lets get Health Care done.

Then we can GET BACK TO THE ECONOMY!
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flint, Checotah (11/22/2009 4:12:26 AM)
Do you have a clue as to what this bill is about?
The health care system can (and should be) fixed but Socialized medicine is NOT the way to go!
We don't need a government nanny telling us what a doctor can or can not do for us! Or telling the doctors how much they can earn!
Start by Medical Malpractice reform. When a doctor makes a mistake the patient should be compensated. However multi million dollar awards for minor damages should not happen! If doctors didn't have to pay out ridiculous amounts for insurance medical care would be much cheaper.
Then get the greedy lawyers out of the picture by reforming the Tort system.
Allow medicine produced in Canada and other countries to be sold in the US. When pills that can be manufactured for a small percentage of what they cost here something is very wrong!
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droopy, wagoner (11/22/2009 7:00:32 AM)
Its good that Oklahomans elect sane senators and representives.
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DonInTulsa, (11/22/2009 9:19:18 AM)
Mr. Inhofe and the Republicans had 6 years to advance some kind of health care reform that was more palatable to them than the current bill. They also had six years to rein in the massive debt accumulated during the previous administration. Nothing happened. The cries for fiscal restraint ring hollow, since most of the Republican delegation seemed unconcerned until a Democrat won the Presidency.
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Mongo, (11/22/2009 9:36:52 AM)
Sence when did Inhoff and Colburn ever vote for anything that didn't put a dollar in there pockets...if you follow the $$$ you will find the Okie knuckel heads sniffing for crumbs
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DeeBee, (11/22/2009 10:53:29 AM)
I'd be more shocked if these two actually voted for it. Trust me, there will not be one piece of legislation the presidents supports that receive their vote....good for Oklahoma or not. They can not accept who sits in the Commander in Chief seat.......point blank.
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Few Clothes, America (11/22/2009 11:01:00 AM)
Mongo, Since is spelled Sence and knuckle isn't spelled knuckel. Is your last name loid?
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reckless abandon, Tulsa (11/22/2009 6:48:28 PM)
I WANT THE HEALTH CARE THAT GREAT BRITAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE, ITALY, IRELAND, DENMARK, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND,... (GET THE PICTURE) HAVE. THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT SOCIALIZED..THEY THINK OF IT AS CIVILIZED!!!!! INSTEAD OF OUR TAX DOLLARS USED FOR FIGHTING WARS, THE FIRST ITEM ON THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE HEALTH ISSUES OF OUR CITIZENS. NOW CONGRESS HAS A CHANCE TO SHOW A BACKBONE AND DO WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE 60 YEARS AGO.
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PAN, (11/22/2009 8:42:58 PM)
Inhofe and Coburn are two of the BEST in the country and I AM A DEMOCRAT and have been for 40 years. I am breaking away from the Democrats and am the first in my family in over 100 years that will soon be a Republican. This IS irresponsible legislation that will prove to be a mistake. We are already being prepared for rationing as evidenced by the announcements regarding breast cancer screenings and Pap tests and there is MORE to come. Isn't it just STRANGE that those announcements came within just a few days of the vote on this socialistic healthcare plan - just CLOSE enough to the vote that no one had a chance to really OPPOSE this legislation after the announcements and BEFORE the vote!
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Skeptic, Tulsa (11/22/2009 11:18:16 PM)
I know how you feel Pan. I broke tradition and became a Democrat when George Bush stole the first election. My Republican grandfathers are still spinning in their graves over that. Good for you that you support Inhofe and Coburn. They are funny. I prefer to watch reruns of "Seinfeld", but if watching reruns of the "Inhofe/Dr. No Show" keep you laughing, that's fine by me.

Sounds like ol' Jim was more upset about missing his Saturday night than the vote.
Report Comment
Elusive, Owasso (11/23/2009 12:48:04 AM)
Thank you Senators, keep up the good fight.
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FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/23/2009 2:29:18 AM)
The good fight for who? Self Interest or National Interest. Please define.
 

 
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