GOP chief: Larson a "lap dog" for Pelosi

Press release from Chris Healy, the state GOP chairman:

Larson the Lap Dog for Pelosi's Purse

HARTFORD - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, will appear in the nation's insurance capital Friday to raise funds for a Democratic Congress that is determined to destroy this critical industry, according to state Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy Thursday.

"Like Sherman marching toward Atlanta, Speaker Pelosi is bringing her reign of terror to a city where thousands wonder whether she will make good on her threat to bury the private insurance market," said Healy. "Speaker Pelosi deserves credit for having a good deal of gumption or contempt for the people of Connecticut, and she has John Larson to thank for the honor."

The high-end fundraiser, held at The Restaurant on 20 in the Hartford Steamboiler Building, will be hosted by U.S. Rep. John Larson, CT-1, and benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Tickets are $1,000 per seat with $30,000 for a place at Speaker Pelosi's table.

Pelosi has called insurance companies "evil" and said the industry has conspired to defeat health care reform efforts this year. The proposal passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee (HB 3200) would create a government financed insurance plan, called the "public option" that would, in effect, create an unfair imbalance in the marketplace and eventually drive private insurance costs up.

In July, Pelosi left no doubt that she saw the industry, which has been a successful integral part of providing health care coverage to an overwhelming majority of Americans as the sole impediment to controlling costs and improving access:

"The glory days are coming to an end for the health insurance industry in our country," Pelosi told reporters July 12th. "This is about inoculating against misrepresentations and educating about what is in the bill," she said. "We all want bipartisanship...but you're either with the insurance companies or you're for something new."

Healy said the public isn't buying her brand of reform which would credit a large centralized model that would lead to rationing, higher costs through taxation and penalties and lower quality. Another proposal, offered this week by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-MT, would subsidize coverage for the uninsured through a tax on insurance companies.
"Whether it's Obama-care or Baucus-care, the bottom line are higher taxes and more uncertainty," said Healy. "When are the Democrats going to get the message that we need to start from scratch and reform what all parties agree to - now."

Larson, Healy said, should be particularly ashamed since he represents many of the insurance companies and financial service entities that would be adversely affected by a big government model. There is much agreement on many reforms that can address pre-existing condition, portability of coverage and inter-state purchasing of insurance. But the Democrats, like Larson, are blind to the impact their bill would have on health care and Connecticut's economy.

"Has John Larson checked the Yellow Pages lately and figured out how we make a living in Connecticut?" asked Healy. "Or is Congressman Larson so eager to curry favor with his boss, that he is willing to shake down the business community to elect more anti-business candidates?"

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson nominates Pelosi as House speaker

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose district includes Bristol:

LARSON NOMINATES PELOSI FOR SPEAKER, LAYS OUT SWEEPING PLANS FOR ECONOMY

Washington, DC – The 111th Congress was opened today with the swearing in of new members and the election of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Congressman John B. Larson in his role as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, nominated her for the post. Following the swearing in, he said:
“I am humbled today to have taken the oath of office for my sixth term as the Congressman from Connecticut’s First District and to have placed the honorable Nancy Pelosi’s name in nomination as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“There is much to do and I am happy to welcome the new freshman class as they join in our efforts. I am particularly excited to have Congressman Jim Himes joining the Connecticut congressional delegation.
“We have great challenges before us – first and foremost the struggling economy. American families are feeling squeezed by the tough budget choices they face in order to make ends meet. Too many are losing their homes, jobs and hopes for the future.
“I am honored to have been elected by my colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus at this pivotal time. I will work with the other members of leadership and my colleagues from around the country to provide short term help and long term solutions for our country’s economic problems.
“America’s middle class and small businesses are the bedrock of our communities and the engine of our economy. That bedrock has been badly shaken by the current economic crisis. For years, Democrats in Congress have been fighting for tax relief for the middle class and small businesses. Now, our Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will give us the opportunity to enact tax cuts that put them first. We can provide small businesses with the tax benefits they need to create jobs and families with the tax breaks they need to help make ends meet.
“We will invest in meaningful infrastructure projects that create jobs and spur economic growth in the short term while providing real value in the long term. Targeted investment in our schools, transportation system, cities and towns are critical. We will create the world’s most effective and efficient health care system that expands coverage and lowers costs for more Americans. We will build a comprehensive K-12 and higher education system that prepares all of our children for a new technologically advanced economy.
“And we must provide this all with the highest level of accountability. We need to restore Americans’ faith in government to spend their money wisely and responsibly. And, we must ensure that we are getting maximum return for every tax dollar we invest into these programs.
“This is a tall order. But, I believe with President-elect Obama and the new Democratic Congress we are poised to meet our goals.”

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson says he's not afraid of Pelosi

Interesting article in The Hill today about U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose district includes Bristol. It seems Larson is saying that he'll take on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if that's what it takes to fight for his Democratic Caucus colleagues.

It's perhaps another indication of a point that Chris Powell made a little while back -- that Larson could be the next speaker of the House, a position that would allow him to do an awful lot for his beleaguered district back home in Connecticut.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com