Republicans are Right, They Aren't the Problem

Despite the inability of the Republicans in Congress to come up with an alternative and viable heathcare reform plan and their "just say  no" policy,  they are not the impediment to getting a the job done. The Democrats have the votes the repubs claim, and if it wasn't for the so called Blue Dog Democrats, they would be right.

Blue Dog Dems have delayed any agreement on healthcare reform legislation through the summer leading to what may become an acrimonious fall session in congress.

The Democratic Party's Blue Dog Coalition received more than half its $1.1 million in campaign contributions came from the healthcare, energy and fiannce industries including Health Insurance, Pharmaceuticals, Hospitals and Nursing Homes, according to watchdog organisations like Center for Public Integrity.

Key Findings by the Center for Public Integrity:

• Nearly 54 percent of the Blue Dog PAC's contributions this year have come from three sectors: health care PACs, energy PACs, and financial services PACs
• As the Blue Dog Coalition's clout has grown, their fundraising has mushroomed. In in the first half of 2009, their PAC raised over $1.1 million, more than in all of 2003-2004
• The Blue Dog PAC's fundraising his increased in each complete cycle, taking in $2,636,273 in contributions in 2007-2008 (up from $1,239,516 in 2005-2006)

Individual Blue Dog Democrats receive even more dollars, according to MacClatchy.

In June, as Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who heads the coalition's task force on health care, publicly expressed the Blue Dogs' misgivings about the Democratic leadership's efforts, the former pharmacy owner was feted at a series of health care industry receptions. Ross has received nearly $1 million in campaign contributions from the insurance and health care industries over his five-term career, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Calls to Ross' office weren't returned.

Who are the Blue Dogs? Footnote: Billy Tauzin and Jimmy Hayes, original movers and shakers with the Blue Dogs both switched to the Republican Party and Tauzin is now President and CEO of PhRMA, a pharmaceutical company lobby group.

Is there a relationship between Healthcare, Finance and Energy industry contributions to individual blue dogs like Rep. Ross and contributions to the Blue Dog PAC and the impasse on healthcare reform legislation? What do you think?

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