Ben Nelson is ticking me off. (Western, Liberty: health insurance, university, live)

[Nitemarehippy]

Why doesn't Ben run as a republican? Are any other Dems upset with his blue-dog status? At least he's voting for Sotomayor. Thoughts? Hate filled diatribes?

[itsMeFred]

truth be told, I like both of our Senators. Both have this habit of ticking off party loyalists.

It's healthy.

[mattpoulsen]

I think all senators need to be like Nelson! We need more senators who are willing to cast party line loyalties aside and do what is right for their country and their state...NOT their party. He is not an ultra-liberal democrat. He's very centrist. Why exactly should he cast that aside and just do as his party tells him? Nebraska elected him because he was a moderate democrat...NOT because they want someone to take marching orders from Ted Kennedy.

Do I agree with him on everything? Absolutely not. But I love the fact that he's willing to say no to the democrat power base. I also used to love Hagel for the same reason. I wish Johanns would run against the grain though. I'm not a big fan of him at all. Bottom line is if a politician says yes to his party on all issues then he's nothing but an empty suit and I have no need for him. Nelson, all in all, has been a pretty good senator.

[Nitemarehippy]

You don't think he's following the money? You really think he's only got Nebraska's best interests in mind? He has taken over a million dollars from Insurance companies in campaign contributions. The information is freely available, why does he get so mad when MoveOn posts the numbers? He can be as Right Wing as he wants to be. I just wonder why he put's the (D) behind his name? I would trust him more if he just came out of the closet. At least I would know what I'm dealing with.

Matt, I'm sure your insurance coverage is platinum. You have nothing to worry about.

[Dave1215]

I also like the moderates in the parties and the contrarians... Nebraska Senators tend to be that way.

[Nitemarehippy]

I like moderate Republicans.

[roots'nbulbs]

I think Ben placates the redness of this state so that he can maintain his seat and participate, progressively.

He is a pro-active man and hangs up yellow dog politics, now and then, in favor of what he deems rational. His decisions have been academic if not always as liberal as one expects from an elected Democrat.

I also think that he contributes to some of the slow change of tone in Western Nebraska where a man whose education stems from Liberty University was elected to congress. A lot of the electorate is bellied up to the the bar, tonight, with no clue what that means....to their gay sister or their health-insurance-payment-wiped-out-and-wanting-to-retire parents. No clue that Obama is 'exploring' universal healthcare(as is Ben), not mandating it like their cronies say and the new crazy emails about a proposed bill.

Ben is good representation for this state, as was Hagel. Away from home, I like to remind people that we're not backwards by citing these two guys.

[Nitemarehippy]

Did you know if the Democrats get their way the poor insurance companies will blow away like so much dust in the wind? Did you know that if the Democrats get their way, they will kill your grandparents.

I'm over the crazed email chains. Did you know Obama was born in Kenya?

The "birther" movement is the best thing to happen to the left in a long time. Thank You Orly Taitz.

[mattpoulsen]

First, he often votes with his party. Why do you focus on one issue and then claim he's a republican because he sides with republicans on the issue?? He's a democrat, however he often votes with republicans. I completely trust him and if you would actually follow him you would know exactly how he stands on this issue. I can't believe you are actually upset with a politician because he won't just bow down to his party. That is EXACTLY the problem with Congress. We need more aisle crossers...not less.

Second, no, I don't think its about his personal campaign financial position. He echoes the sentiment that you will find in Nebraska. Nebraskans generally have a pretty libertarian spirit, whether they are democrats or republicans. He has issues with some of democrats' version of healthcare reform. What is so wrong with someone actually voting the way he believes. He thinks the systems are flawed and his point is he doesn't want those who have healthcare to be forced to sacrifice in order to insure the uninsured. Further, putting the government in charge of healthcare freaks a lot of people out, whether you think so or not. Why is that difficult for you to accept? Is everyone who opposes your view simply corrupt?

Speaking of reform, you know, you need to realize we are not Europe and we don't have the same government. The U.S. Courts' interpretation of the commerce clause quite frankly scares the hell out of me in regard to healthcare. If you place healthcare in the hands of government then they will be able to put a near infinite number of restrictions on Americans' lives in the spirit of healthcare efficiency and because of the commerce clause the courts could do very little about it.

I would also add I have good insurance because I've bust my ass the last decade and made some smart life decisions. Is there any reason others can't do the same? Those who are unable are already taken care of through medicaid and medicare. Of course I think there needs to be some oversight of insurance company practices. But I think smaller steps are needed. You say things like "[Matt] you have nothing to worry about" as if I'm supposed to feel guilty for having insurance. Well, I don't. You act as though my insurance is just handed to me. Finally, I wish everyone had health insurance, but I think you're delusional if you think the government's involvement (in the various ways currently being proposed) will do anything to achieve this goal. In the end it will be worse and we will have spent billions. This is the point with my position. You act as though I'm unsympathetic. Well, I'm very sympathetic. I just don't trust the government to do anything but deliver my mail and fight a war. Any situation in which the government must interface socially with the people has been pretty much a mess. You have government inefficiency and the free rider problem all wrapped up into one.

[dsrich98]

Overall I respect Senator Nelson but I am a little upset with his less than helpful tactics in the healthcare debate. He supported Obama getting elected 100%, and he helped him campaign right here in Nebraska. So I find it odd that now he wants to fight his healthcare plan. I'm sure he knew what would be coming down the pike with Obama as president. The only conclusion that can lead me to is that he is playing the politics of self preservation.