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Steve Lynch to vote against health-care reform measure


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CBO says it'll REDUCE the budget deficit over 20 years by 1.2 Trillion, rather then add to the projection! That in of itself is reason to pass the damn thing.

It's a lot easier to tweek it and make it better once the framework is in place, and people like it. Every time health care has started over for the last 70-100 years; the proposals have gotten worse as politicians worry more about the endless campaign cycle and insurance co's have becomes more powerful.

Get it done Mr. Lynch!

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Lynch is against this because of the abortion issue. The cost is just an excuse for him.

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well a double F_ck him then.

It's gotten the blessings and support of both the Catholic Health Association and the Catholic women’s religious order.

It also does not provide funding for abortion and strictly leaves it up to someone to pay it on their own terms:

CHA has a major concern on life issues. We said there could not be any federal funding for abortions and there had to be strong funding for maternity care, especially for vulnerable women. The bill now being considered allows people buying insurance through an exchange to use federal dollars in the form of tax credits and their own dollars to buy a policy that covers their health care. If they choose a policy with abortion coverage, then they must write a separate personal check for the cost of that coverage.

There is a requirement that the insurance companies be audited annually to assure that the payment for abortion coverage fully covers the administrative and clinical costs, that the payment is held in a separate account from other premiums, and that there are no federal dollars used.

In addition, there is a wonderful provision in the bill that provides $250 million over 10 years to pay for counseling, education, job training and housing for vulnerable women who are pregnant or parenting. Another provision provides a substantial increase in the adoption tax credit and funding for adoption assistance programs.

So you're saying Lynch is an idiot that doesn't know what the bill does? Or is he shamelessly pandering to his lowest common constituent instead of educating them?

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If its true that the bill passes without his vote, it's a purely political vote
by Steven Lynch
for Steven Lynch's
re-election prospects.

Funny. I thought he was there to pass legislation that helps his constituents, not cast votes to get himself re-elected.

"Despite his disapproval, the congressman predicts the overhaul will pass."

Lynch wants to vote "no" knowing it will pass to get himself re-elected in a more conservative congressional district in MA. What I don't understand is whether the unions that got him elected and re-elected will throw him under the bus for voting "no" on this. If the bill doesn't pass, it's on to lobbying or back to pipefitting for the dapper Stevie.

Dr Dean was on TV tonight saying the bill is like the Romneycare, it doesn't do enough to control costs but it's a start. You got to start somewhere.

Does CT have recall? We can blame Lieberman and blue dogs in the Senate for the piece of shit watered down health bill. At least 35 million more Americans will be covered, and children up to the age of 26, and rescission for children ends immediately, and adults can no longer be taken off their health insurance when they get sick, four years from now.

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As a life long Catholic Democrat who lives and is from South Boston. Stephen Lynch represents everyhting democrats used to stand for. Pro defense Pro Labor Pro working families Pro life and Pro Marriage. Now you have democrats lobbying for Trangender Bathroom bills and gays marching at Parades that were inteded for a family atmosphere. Just becuase society says its ok for certain things doesn't mean its right.. The man grew up poor in the projects and is now a fine congressman who never forgot where he came from he also does so much for veterans

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And you don't even realize it. Must be nice.

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His total lack of balls is a problem for all now...

Fox and the Republicans say it's political suicide to vote for reform...

F***ing coward.

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Honestly, this comment made me laugh. If it is "political suicide" to vote for reform and you agree...then that must mean the majority of people do not want this health care bill passed and will vote you out of office if you vote for it. Therefore, our representatives should be voting the way the majority of people of their districts/states wish. That is what they were voted in to do.

I work in healthcare. Insurance companies need regulations. That is the bottom line. This bill will not accomplish that and will still leave the uninsured 20-30 somethings who are otherwise healthy, in the dust.

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Steve Lynch is voting on what is good for his constituents, and for this I have nothing but praise for him. He has proven time and again that he is not a sheep, he is a proven leader. Thank You Congressmen Lynch, for having the courage to stand up for your constituents.

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So passing it because the CBO says it will reduce the deficit is reason enough? Hmmmmm! What about the IRS being given 16,000 new agents to audit and question Americans on their health care to see that compliance with the government provisions are adhered too? What about the fact that the IRS can impose fines and jail time if the conditions aren't met? That is up to 2% of your annual salary or over $2200, which ever is greater. And you know how merciful and understanding the IRS is. The "auto insurance" argument doesn't apply. It has to do with protection of injured parties and is therefore valid. Health care doesn't fall into that category. Unlike auto insurance there is no injured party. What about the fact that the DEMS held the "doctors fix" out of the submissions to the CBO? Of course that would add 371 billion dollars to the cost. But that would affect significantly the deficit reduction figure so we couldn't do that. Oh.....and lets not forget the fact that Harry Reid implemented a massive amendment in the bill concerning the regulatory power of the Independent Medicare Advisory Board (IMAB) to "reduce the per ca pita rate of growth in Medicare spending." It reduces benefits to the elderly because as the population, (elderly), expands the board is mandated not to expand benefits allowing for the growth. It will in fact have to reduce benefits so as to spread the budget over a greater populace. And he included an amendment that say's: "it shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection."
But what the hell! We don't have any obligation to provide them care and it is after-all more important to keep costs down at any rate isn't it? By the way, that will include you when the time comes. Do you really think this is what we should pass on to our children and grandchildren? Including the bills provisions around education, the environment and immigration. Don't forget. Once implemented it will be virtually impossible to repeal any of it. Health care reform is needed but if you have a problem with your plumbing do you rebuild your house or fix the plumbing? The bulk of the health care reform doesn't go into effect for another couple of years or so but the cost it coming to all of us now. Oh yeah! You obviously didn't know that the deficit reduction comes from the increased taxes, including the "value tax" within the bill, that we will all be paying immediately. But I guess they had to get the money they are spending from somewhere. I don't know about you but my income hasn't expanded enough to sustain the upcoming tax burden and in fact my wife's pay check is now at nearly 40% in deductions as a result of recent tax hikes and concerns over the upcoming health care reform. Beware! Doing something is not always better than doing nothing. The problem is fixable but not in its current form.

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Health care reform is needed but if you have a problem with your plumbing do you rebuild your house or fix the plumbing?

This bill does attempt to fix some of the plumbing. Ideally we'd build the house over, but that's neither politically or structurally possible at this point in time. And every time we "start over", the problem has been passed on to the next generation where it's a bigger burden and the possibilities of action are even more restricted.

I agree there are problems with the bill that will need to be addressed, but getting this bill through means they will be addressed, and can be addressed. In the mean time it's a much needed improvement with a worst case estimate of saving over a trillion dollars. The CBO estimate is conservative, because of the issue.

Most of what you cite are GOP talking points, and not even in the bill. There was also a better bill that adressed many of thoes issues that passed the House, but was deemed socialism. You can't have it both ways. The GOP should have worked to make this bill better, instead of playing the politics of no. [and a really horrible, nonsensical one at that]

TMP

An article ran in the Politico yesterday which I thought rather credulously repeated Senate Republicans' claims about how much success they think they'll have scuttling the Health Care fix bill as it moves through the reconciliation process. (See our earlier piece on the Senate GOP's psyops strategy to kill Health Care Reform in the House.)

But there's a part of this drama that's gotten far too little attention.

Most of what senate Republicans say they're going to try to do is fight like crazy to keep the least popular parts of the original Senate package in the bill. That's right. They're going to go to the mat for the 'Cornhusker Kickback.' They're going to do everything they can to prevent the "Cornhusker Kickback" from being overturned. Same with the "Louisiana Purchase", the tax on "Cadillac" Health Care plans and a bunch of other stuff.

As we know, what happens in reality doesn't matter in politics. What matters is how reality is portrayed in 30 second attack ads. But I think, on both sides of the political spectrum, the implications of this effort haven't been adequately thought through.

So much of the what the GOP is trying to do now is about one big galactic psych-out. And the psych-out pyrotechnics are so overblown in part because the threats sort of fall apart on their face. If you step back a lot of it amounts to, "Don't you dare pass that bill, or I'll shoot my foot right off!"

Some dares really are worth taking.

And people actually think the GOP is looking out for anybodies interest besides their own election chances?

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I've never voted for him and will continue to not vote for him, but he makes a good point about this:

"Lynch is also critical of the “deem and pass” procedure House Democratic leaders are considering using to pass the legislation."

I am extremely uncomfortable with the process Pelosi has put forward. For those who don't know, "deem and pass" means no voting at all on the Senate version by the House, just the reconciliation fixes. The president will sign a bill that was only voted on by one chamber of the legislature. That is not how I want things to work.

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"Lynch is also critical of the “deem and pass” procedure House Democratic leaders are considering using to pass the legislation."

... And then he went and voted in favor of keeping it.

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He's a hypocrite of the highest order. A gutless puke, a sniveling little coward. Last summer, he expressed concern that the House bill was too expensive and didn't cut costs enough, but then voted for it anyway. Now here's a bill that is less expensive than the House bill he voted for and cuts costs even more and he's looking for another excuse to vote against it. He is the ONLY member of the House opposing this bill from the left. Think about that. Stephen Lynch, the last true liberal in Congress. Give me a break.

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Deem and pass doesn't matter, except as a sign of the Democrats cowardice. The house passed a health bill. The Senate passed a health bill. Now the house will pass the Senate bill with the 11 page amendment taking a single vote, rather than two. Big woop.

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No it isn't. It says that when the House votes on the rules for the amendment, they will in the process "deem" that the Senate bill has been passed. It'll still require the support of a majority of the House in order to pass the bill, they just are doing it in a pointlessly indirect way to try to ease their fear about the prospect that the reconciliation sidecar could die in the Senate, leaving the Senate bill passed unamended.

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Too expensive, too pro-insurance companies, he says.

I suppose that means the Lynch would be behind a public option that costs nothing?

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Lynch wants to have it both ways - by saying the bill doesn't go far enough in the way of a public option(ala Kucenich) he puts on his progressive hat, and appears to be a stalwart foe of the Corporations in order to play to his Union base, but that's not really why he's saying no - he's saying no because that plays to the Scott Brown Southie crowd (you know, the Patriots fans who voted for Brown against their self-interest because Ordway and Smerlas on WEEI told them to) - all the while thinking that deem and pass will make his up or down vote unnecessary so he doesn't have to be on record - as fine as example of fence sitting as you can find. Steve, don't be a DINO and screw your party and 30 million part-time and non-unionized service workers over for your short-term political advantage - people have been waiting for ANY kind of progress on health care reform over the past 70 years. You have to start somewhere, and if this doesn't get done, the Democrats are finished for quite a while. Are you a Democrat or not?

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Amen.

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If Lynch votes NO on the health care bill, he should not be allowed to call himself a Liberal Democrat. We should primary him and make him run as an independent or as a Republican. I wouldn't mind having a more liberal congressman than Lynch anyway.

Lynch's district is PVI D+11 which means Democrats outnumber Republicans by 11%. It's a safe district for Democrats.

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Not only that, but if we lose a rep from the 2010 census, it's a district that will most likely be absorbed into the others.

Unfortunately, it’s because of Lynches hoodwinking actions; telling his constituents one thing, doing another, and just voting inconstantly on stuff on a whim.

I wouldn’t mind a more pragmatic liberal either. They don’t have to vote the way I like all the time, but they better as hell have a good reason and not repeat GOP talking points to me in their explanation why they’re voting no on major democratic legislation. Lynch should be ashamed.

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Unions, Lynchs stronghold as a former member and 'conservative democrat', used to fight for all Americans, which is why they used to be supported by so many people, and why they gained so much power. The minimum wage was won with union support, but they didn't directly benefit, since most already made above it. Now, the unions and their reps like Lynch only fight for pay and health care for themselves, all the while voting against the same rights for all working Americans. This is why union members have less and less support among the rest of us (the increasingly large rest of us) who work but don't get health care or good pay from work. Don't expect me to fight for police or firemen or rally for steelworkers benefits if they arent doing the same.
Id like to see Lynch give up his taxpayer funded healthcare if he thinks he can do without as so many others will continue to under the GOPs vision of screw the poor policies.
Lynch is a coward.

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And some are promising to deny support to Dems who vote against HCR (and they may even back primary challengers to Dems who vote the wrong way)

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Do we know what Unions have backed him?

Time to make a few calls to get some pressure on him.

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Oh that's smart. Because the unions are for it, it's a good thing? Do you know why the Unions are ok with the bill now? Could it be the sweet deal that they cut with the Senate that will give unions $5 billion to defray health plan costs for members? Yeah, why not support it when you're getting a kickback.

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anyone got some background info? Is he viable?

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Never mind..... His motto is "Dunkel Who" and he appears to not even have backing from a minor political party.

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Ran in 2006 as an anti-war candidate, got creamed.

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Dunkelbarger ran a principled campaign which, among other things, attacked Lynch's unquestioning support of the Bush war policy. Although he had all the attributes of a good candidate, he lacked financial backing and was unable to get his message across in 2006. If properly financed, he would be able to give Lynch a run for his money. Based on Lynch's position on card check and health insurance, I doubt that Lynch will receive the union money he has banked on in the past. Lynch has been a thug since he physically attacked protestors many years ago. Now he is mugging those unable to afford health insurance as well as the Democratic Party. Can anyone believe that this seat that was once occupied by John McCormack and Joe Moakley will be used to defeat the most important legislation of this century? Would McCormack or Moakley ever have done this?

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Looks like I'll be voting for Dunkelbarger this year. I would have voted for Lynch even though I disagree with many of his positions, as a "thank you" for support of the health care bill, obviously the most important initiative of the Democratic majority vote of 2008.

Just today, the CBO said the health care bill will save a trillion dollars in ten years. On the same day, Lynch tried to destroy it, and his own party. Phil Dunkelbarger gets my vote again.

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Reaction to Stephen Lynch’s announcement that he plans to vote “no” on
Health Care Reform Bill.

Either the incumbent is very confused about where he stands or his decision to
vote “no” is just a crass political decision, intended to try to be all things to all
people.

Last summer he opposed it because he felt the public option was too
expensive. Now he’s voting against it because it doesn’t include the public
option. It’s hard to figure him out

It seems he has made the calculation that voting “no” will enhance his
reelection chances. I think he has miscalculated. When you try to be all things
to all people, you run the risk of pleasing no one.

I don’t think anyone is happy with this bill. The only thing that is worse is the
status quo, which is what the Republicans and apparently Stephen Lynch
prefer.

If the bill fails, many people will be hurt and the chance to work for more
meaningful reform will be gone. I just hope his is not the deciding vote.

Phil Dunkelbarger
Candidate for Congress, US MA 9th
http://tinyurl.com/lynchhealth (PDF)

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Phil, you just got my vote in Nov.

Good Progressive will fight tooth and nail as long as they can for the best options, but deal with the cards they're dealt once they're finally laid on the table. This isn't the best possible legislation, but it's and improvement over the status quo, reduces the deficit, and insures 30 million more Americans. It is and will be popular with Americans, and can tweaked in the future to make it more robust.

Now, let see if we can gets some backers and a propper campaign going!

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He goes into significant, informed detail about what he finds troublesome about the bill as written. Good man, Capuano.

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Some of he questions Capuano raised have been answered. The CBO score and the 11 page amendment have been released. I think Capuano will vote YES if the legislation protects the Commonwealth's financial interests as early adopters.

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Somebody from Massachusetts in politics isn't an idiot? It's an (expletive) Easter miracle.

Good for him for nipping this (expletive) in the bud. STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY MONEY.

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...I take the Dave Attell stance: "You can take away a woman's right to have an abortion, but you can't take away her right to get drunk and fall down the stairs. You can't arrest gravity, (expletive!"}

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Will,

With all due respect, next time you end up needing an emergency room please just go into a corner and die instead. I don't want my taxes paying your stupidity.

Also, if you do have private insurance, hope like hell you never get a serious medical condition. If you do, again, please just die. You're no longer profitable and worthless.

Last, do you ever do anything but lap up and repeat GOP talking points verbatim? The adults here want to work to fix problems, not bitch about abstract and contradictory loose principles that digress into, 'I have mine, so f_ck you" (Until you don’t).

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Thank you.

Adults would like to fix problems, but unfortunately, there's too many of them that are stupid, dishonest, or corrupt for that to happen.

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From TMP:

Lynch: Still a No
Even after a 40 minute meeting with the president yesterday, Rep. Lynch (D-MA) is still a no on Health Care Reform. Looking like a pretty likely primary challenge to come.

Can't wait, as it's the first time I'll be voting for a rep in the district. Boston went 79% for Obama. The 9th district went for him >70% from what I can tell.

I know 2010 isn't a presidential year, which means lower turnout, but this guy is just asking for it.

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Lynch is my congressman and has been a disappointment to me from the moment he was elected. I have NEVER voted for him. Heath care is simply the latest vote he's punted. I'll never forget his AUMF vote: calls were coming into his office from constituents 80-90% against authorizing the Iraq War and he says, he has to "vote his conscience..." (for war) I elected him to represent ME and my neighbors not his personal whims.

To be fair, I called his Boston office yesterday to express disappointment with his "no" vote and his staff was very polite. Feel free to call them yourselves: (phone) 617-428-2000.

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The big House vote on health care reform is scheduled for Sunday, and Rep. Lynch is one of the key votes needed to pass the bill.

But he still hasn't publicly said how he'll vote.1 And it might come down to a single vote.

Rep. Lynch's office is getting bombarded by calls from both sides, so a quick visit to his office is the best way to break through the noise and remind him what's at stake on Sunday.

Rep. Lynch has an office right near you in Boston. Can you print out a flier showing the tremendous impact that reform will have for residents of the 9th district, and drop it off before the end of the day TODAY to ask him to vote yes on reform?

Yes, I'll stop by Rep. Lynch's office today

No, I can't make it

The office is located at:
88 Black Falcon Avenue Suite 340
Boston, MA 02210

Passing health care reform would be historic. It would lower costs, expand coverage to 32 million Americans, end insurance company discrimination for pre-existing conditions,2 and be the biggest deficit reduction measure in 25 years.3

The flier shows, in detail, what health care reform would mean for families, young adults, small-business owners, and hospitals in your area. It will remind Rep. Lynch that reform is not just an abstract concept or a political battle—it would have a profound impact on real people in his district. He needs to see this handout before he makes up his mind.

Please make time today to visit Rep. Lynch's office. You can download the flier and get all the information you'll need here:

http://pol.moveon.org/finaldropby/?office_id=39&id...

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Joan, Daniel, Michael, and the rest of the team

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Organizing for America

The final vote on health reform in the House of Representatives is expected Sunday. It's a chance to make history and finally give Americans control over their own health care -- but it's shaping up to be incredibly close, and every member of Congress will play a critical role.

So we're aiming for 22 calls to Rep. Lynch from West Roxbury before offices close this evening. Whether you've called your representative before or haven't yet spoken out on health reform, it's now time to raise your voice.

Your representative, Rep. Stephen Lynch, supported reform last fall, but has faced vicious attacks from insurance lobbyists desperate to block change. We must show that the voters back home still strongly support reform. Please call to say "we'll stand with you if you fight for health reform."

As an active constituent, your voice has particular weight with your representative -- so all those who share our commitment to reform are depending on you to speak up. According to our records, you live in Massachusetts's 9th congressional district.

Please call Rep. Lynch's office at (202) 225-8273 right now. Let us know so we can track our progress.

Hello, my name is __________ and I'm a voter calling from __________ (city or town).

I'm calling to let you know that I support health insurance reform, and to let you know that voters in our state have pledged 262,681 volunteer hours to fight for members of Congress who support reform.

I know that the final vote will be very close, and wanted to let you know that voters at home are standing with the President on health reform.

Thank you.

After a century of false starts and a year of grueling negotiations, we may be just hours away from real health insurance reform in America.

But if we fail, our next chance may not come for a generation.

You make the call.

Dial Rep. Lynch's office at (202) 225-8273 right away. Folks across the country will be calling, so if you get a busy signal, please try again.

http://my.barackobama.com/FinalMarchCalls

Let's win this thing,

David Plouffe

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This bill ends the worst practices of health insurance industry:

  • Starting this year, thousands of Americans with pre-existing conditions will be able to purchase health insurance
  • Insurance companies banned forever for deny children with pre-existing conditions
  • Banned from dropping sick people’s insurance
  • Offer free preventive care for customers
  • No more lifetime cost cap on care you receive
  • All new plans will allow you to stay on you parents plan until you are 26 years old
  • Small business owners and individuals will have the same choices as members of Congress

More, watch:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

[size=8]alt to video[/size]

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Another flip flopper looking out for his own ass.

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