About working with Congress to get things done -

back in 1993-1994 Hillary Clinton was given the lead in developing a reform of the healthcare system. She started out with the Republicans determined to oppose her, but also managed to lose the support of Congressional Democrats.

People are standing out in the cold in Buffalo to support Bernie

"Local supporters of Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders took to the streets of Buffalo’s Elmwood Village on Saturday afternoon. Close to 400 people of all ages are estimated to have shown up to hoist signs, hear local campaign leaders, and have their own voices heard."


http://news.wbfo.org/post/bernie-sanders-gets-show-support-buffalo#stream/0

Is there a non-debate debate scheduled for this week?

My memory is a sieve these days.

Am I being a grammar Nazi?

I have no problem with people using hopefully when they mean to say I/we hope that....

I'm glad to use them/they instead of he/him or he or she/him or her.
But

to me " less" is to be used for things measured in bulk - use less flour next time.

"Fewer" is for things that can be numbered - use fewer cups of flour next time.

More people were there last night, fewer people there tonight.

More confetti on the floor last night, less the night before.

$626.43

I have excellent health insurance, it pays 100% after a $4500 deductible. That means my scripts yesterday cost $626.43 out of pocket. I figure my chemo will max me out this month. It's nice to have insurance, and it's nice I have an HSA to save money for this, but everyone in the country would be better off with single payer. I'd rather a larger paycheck deduction than to see my neighbors go without care, but then, I'm a Democrat.


And yes, I thik this is a major issue for the Primaries.

Bernie can lose New Hampshire and still win: McCarthy lost New Hampshire in 1968 but still forced

Johnson off the ticket:

"Despite the growing opposition to Johnson's policies in Vietnam, no prominent Democratic candidate was prepared to run against a sitting President of his own party. Even Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York, an outspoken critic of Johnson's policies with a large base of support, refused to run against Johnson in the primaries. Only Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota proved willing to openly challenge Johnson. Running as an anti-war candidate in the New Hampshire primary, McCarthy hoped to pressure the Democrats into publicly opposing the Vietnam War. Normally, an incumbent president faces little formidable opposition within his own party. However, McCarthy, although he was trailing badly in the national polls, decided to pour most of his resources into New Hampshire, the first state to hold a primary election. He was boosted by thousands of young college students, who shaved their beards and cut their hair to be "Clean for Gene." These students rang doorbells and worked hard in New Hampshire for McCarthy. On March 12, McCarthy won 42% of the primary vote to Johnson's 49%, an extremely strong showing for such a challenger, and one which gave McCarthy's campaign legitimacy and momentum. Senator Kennedy announced his candidacy four days later, on March 16."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_primaries,_1968

I don't know how pushing the primaries forward may change this; I don't know if other candidates can enter their names at this point. But there are a lot of super-delegates out there watching, and endorsement or not, their first vote at the Convention may be a game changer.

The charge: Sanders' Single Payer plan will raise taxes on the Middle Class

The problem: define Middle Class.

As near as I can make out, people making as much as a joint income of $250,000 will see lower overall costs. If your health care costs drop more than your taxes go up, that's a win.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jan/13/how-much-would-bernie-sanders-health-care-plan-cos/

Unless you're renting in San Francisco or Manhattan, $250,000 a year means you're way past Middle Class.

Can I get some pity here? I didn't know there was a debate last night

until this morning.

The new cat is in a closed off bathroom, hiding behind the toilet

He turned up at a friend's house when the snow came, so we think someone dumped him. Very friendly, he'll sit in your lap and purr. He's a tom, about 4 or 5 years old.

Help! Too much red pepper in the chili!