Snowe Job, Part 2

To recap the health care reform adventures of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Centrist Pain In The Ass), she has proposed a trigger on the public option, a week later she proclaimed the public option dead, three days after that she declared the Baucus Bill dead, and now this week she has decided to go back to square one and propose an amendment to the Baucus Bill for triggering a public option.

This amendment establishes a non-profit government corporation through which a ―safety net plan would be provided in any state in which affordable coverage was not available in the Exchange to at least 95% of state residents. An individual would be deemed to have affordable access if either of two conditions is met. First, two or more plans are offered with premiums - the cost of which does not exceed a specified percentage of the individual's adjusted gross income (AGI), after deducting any available tax credit or employer subsidy from the cost of such premium. The percentage contribution shall range from 3 percent of AGI at 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, to 13 percent at 300 percent and above.

Progressives told her to go jump in a lake before, but she's back again now with the same plan she had back three weeks ago.

So exactly why should Democrats go along with this, just so she can throw another tantrum and stomp off in a huff like last time? No thanks. Gutting this bill to make one Republican happy is not worth it. Door's that way, Olympia.

Proceed without the Republicans. They want no part of this legislation. Why give them one?