Don Young – Congressman for Alaska, Arkansas, or Louisiana? You Decide.
8 11 2009Here’s where I start with the first half of a post I had written earlier in the day, and then change the ending all around to include new information that makes things even more confusing than before.
Well, there was plenty of drama last night on the floor of the House, where congress voted at minutes before midnight for a comprehensive health care reform bill. It is not perfect, but it is a starting point from which we can continue the march toward universal, comprehensive health care for all Americans. Ryan Grim at The Huffington Post describes the scene:
There were still six minutes and fifty-two seconds on the clock and the chair made a move to gavel the vote closed.
Democrats waived their opposition, keeping the vote open.
Almost every eye in the chamber darted to the far end of the GOP side, where the last possibility for a bipartisan bill sat wedged between Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), both of whom were leaning on him, both literally and figuratively.
The White House, two sources told HuffPost, had been working hard to win the vote of Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.), a freshman in a strongly Democratic district. The pro-life Cao’s vote came into play when an amendment from Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) passed overwhelmingly, greatly restricting reproductive rights.
After several minutes, Cao cast a yes vote from his seat, making the bill bipartisan. Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Mike Honda (D-Calif.) waded into the Republican side of the aisle to get to Cao, rub his shoulders and slap him on the back.
Cantor stormed out as the Democrats applauded their defector.
The majority party had seen plenty of defections earlier. A stunning sixty-four Democrats joined with the GOP to pass Stupak’s amendment, 240-194.
CORRECTION:
Here’s where we take a little turn into the Twilight Zone. I had a whole paragraph written about Representative Cao, who was being pressured by Cantor and Young, but held firm. But, Huffington Post got the story wrong according to Don Young’s office. I got a nice email guiding me to The Hill, that told an entirely different story about Rep. Young and Rep. Cao and what happened on the floor of the House.
But first, we need some background. What does Don Young think of the Health Care Reform bill?
We know that he compared it to “bobbing for apples in an outhouse.” We know that his webiste says that we should “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
“The three major things that need to be included in a successful health care bill are accessibility, portability, and affordability and this bill has none of that. This bill is composed of ego and partisanship, and while that may help the Speaker in her future endeavors, it does nothing to help Alaskans and nothing to help our country.”
It does nothing to help the country. So, let’s take Young at his word. This is his position. Bad bill. Ego and partisan politics. Hurts the country. That falls right in line with what the rest of the Republicans are saying. Except one.
So what happened with Rep Cao? Here’s the official story, according to The Hill and Young’s office.
If you have an inner-ear disorder, or are prone to dizziness, I suggest you make sure you’re sitting down for this ride.
When the time came for the vote on final passage, Cantor slid into the seat right of Cao to continue pressuring the freshman lawmaker to oppose the vote and deny the White House any bipartisan edge to its victory.
Once the tally board lit up 218-213, however, Cao was free to put his congressional voting card in electronic key slot and cast an “aye” vote for the bill his party has dubbed “Pelosi’s healthcare bill.”
He did it quickly, and quietly, while the rest of the chamber was applauding for having cleared the vote threshold needed for passage, the vulnerable Republican was recorded as voting for the sweeping $1.2 trillion measure.
Throughout the several votes leading up to final passage, Cao was flanked by senior lawmaker Rep. Don Young (R-Ark.) and senior Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.).
At various points during the 40-minute period, GOP lawmakers approached their colleague for one final chat.
Young, who appeared to be fending off his GOP colleagues who might have twisted Cao’s arms, said that Cao made the right decision to vote for the final bill.
Doing so was in the best interest of his New Orleans-based district that voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008.
If the Stupak amendment hadn’t passed he would have voted ‘no,’ if it did pass it’d serve his main problem with the bill. He did the right thing, Young told The Hill.
Other than the fact that apparently Molly Hooper or the proofreader from The Hill thinks that Don Young, the 19-term veteran congressman is from Arkansas, what does this tell us?
We are left to reconcile how it’s possible that Don Young believes that this is a bad bill that will hurt the country, and be the downfall of democracy as we know it, but thinks it’s a great bill for the people of New Orleans. What makes the health and well-being of Louisianans different that that of everyone else? Is the bill good for Democrats and bad for Republicans? Good for people who live in poverty? Good for people of color? Good for those that voted for Obama? Good for those who need it but not those who don’t? Not good for Alaskans where one third of the population under the age of 65 went without health insurance coverage at some point in the past two years?
And if it’s just the politics, is Young suggesting that every Republican who lives in a district where the majority want this bill should have voted for it? That would be really nice. Maybe now that the bill is in the Senate, Young will drop a little note reminding all those Republicans that they’re accountable to the people they work for.
So, Young thinks that by voting for this scary, awful, bad bad bill, put forward by horrible, mean terrible rotten Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Cao did the right thing. And if this bill is so great and will help those people, then Don Young thinks more of the needs of New Orleans residents, apparently, than the people of Alaska.
Cao ultimately voted yea because, as he put it, “I had to make a decision of conscience based on the needs of the people in my district.” “I had to make a decision and I felt that last night’s decision was the right decision for my district,” he added. “Even though it was not the popular decision for my party.”
So, which is it?
It’s a bad bill but should be foisted on the people of New Orleans anyway?
It’s a good bill, but we don’t want Alaskans to have it?
Dizziness pills? Take em if you got em.
November 8th, 2009 at 4:52 PM
ok…there is finally a spin tht has made me dizzy….
…siting down with an adult beverage now…
That’s not a bad plan. 5:00 here now! AKM
November 8th, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Alaska island village hit by suspected swine flu
Nov 7, 11:05 AM (ET)
By RACHEL D’ORO
“ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Suspected swine flu is sweeping a traditional Eskimo whaling village on a remote Alaska island – prompting an urgent medical mission to deliver help.”
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20091107/D9BQPLF00.html
Maybe Young needs to experience some of this Swine Flu Virus; may clear up some of the cobweb in his brain!!
November 8th, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Anh Joseph Cao is being attacked with profanity-laced, racist emails, calls, twitters and faxes. Here’s his contact info if you’d like to send him a positive message: http://josephcao.house.gov/Contact/ He is also on Facebook and Twitter.
BTW, he’s a community organizer.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Wow, AKM, I’m glad to see this re-posted. I thought I had finally, truly lost it! I read the first version, went to see the comments, and got an error message so just continued on to read the additional comments on the mudpups parties yesterday.
When I returned to a “clean” homepage, the story was totally missing and I was left wondering if I’d “made up stuff” – so thanks for re-posting and giving my back my belief in my personal sanity
I will be sending a message to Anh Joseph Cao – I tried last night but obviously there were many more doing the same and I couldn’t get in.
I hope their is medical relief on the way for the Native village suffering from an outbreak of flu. My thoughts are with the people.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:16 PM
WTF? They are suggesting that Don Young, OUR Don Young, supported and protected a fellow republican that voted on a bill that Young dislikes?
And this after Young stood outside with Michell Bachman and the “Teabagger Brigade”? Nope, cannot see that happening.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Anyone have Yon Dung’s email handy? I think we should also email him and Bwwwwwhaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Don Young:
http://donyoung.house.gov/Contact/
November 8th, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I sent Congressman Cao an email last night after the vote and thanked him for his courage. A man who does what’s best for his constituents, what a concept!
November 8th, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Cao’s DC voicemail box is full (no surprise). His .gov email page only allows messages from his LA district zipcode. I will be trying one, and ideally all of his local numbers tomorrow to give him a hearty THANK YOU! :
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
p. (202) 225-6636
f. (202) 225-1988
NEW ORLEANS OFFICE
p. (504) 483-2325
f. (504) 483-7944
KENNER OFFICE
p. (504) 483-2325
f. (504) 483-7944
WESTBANK OFFICE
p. (504) 483-2325
f. (504) 483-7944
November 8th, 2009 at 6:50 PM
It actually is a bad bill but that is in large part thanks to compromises that were necessary to appease conservatives, mostly Blue Mongrels.
So instead of universal health care we have garbage thanks to the hate mongers of the right.
And once again women of child bearing age got thrown under the male dominant Congress’ bus.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Don’t give up yet, Marnie. Getting the foot in the door is the important thing. Those aging old goons won’t last forever.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:02 PM
The healthcare bill passed by the House last night is a mess, and the Democrats will pay a terrible political price if it is ever implemented. 2000 pages of confusing language, and larded up with all sorts of special interest provisions, and an anti-abortion clause in the bargain. And that’s what the bill looks like before it even gets to the ideologically regressive Senate, where it will get further twisted and battered into a piece of legislation not worth voting for.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I believe Mr Young understands that the NY23 election was a watershed moment for the GOP,and he wants to try to keep as many in office as possible.Joseph Cao was elected in a strictly Democrat district only because his opponent was so corrupt. If Mr Cao keeps his district happy and they keep him in office,he is still GOP,even if he has crossed the aisle.On the other hand,if he is beaten in his heavily Dem district by a Dem challenger,they have lost another seat . Cao is obviously a good man ,and I hope he remains in his position,he may do a lot of good for the district.It seems possible that abortion is the real reason he considers himself Rep to begin with.
From WIKI
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao (Vietnamese: Cao Quang Ánh, with Cao pronounced /ˈɡaʊ/ “gow” in English;[3] born March 13, 1967) is a New Orleans lawyer and the current U.S. Representative from Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. On December 6, 2008, Cao defeated nine-term Democratic U.S. Representative William Jefferson with 49.6 percent of the vote to Jefferson’s 46.8 percent.
Cao is the first Vietnamese American, as well as the first native of Vietnam, to serve in Congress, and the first Republican to serve in his district since 1890; his district usually votes overwhelmingly Democratic.[4] Cao is the poorest member of Louisiana’s delegation (including the state’s two senators) in Congress: as of 2009 his assets were no greater than $195,000 and his potential liabilities mounting to $215,000, including student loans for himself and his wife.[5]
Cao previously ran unsuccessfully as an independent for District 103 of the Louisiana House of Representatives.[6] He was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention during Hurricane Gustav, during which time his home was flooded.[7] At the time of his election to Congress, Cao was a member of the Orleans Parish Board of Election Supervisors, appointed to the Board by Governor Bobby Jindal.[8]
A devout Roman Catholic, Cao served as a board member for Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church’s Community Development Corporation[9] which assists Vietnamese-Americans with hurricane relief,[10] and is a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.[11]
Family
Cao’s father, My Quang Cao (born 1931), was a lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Army and was captured by the North Vietnamese Army at the end of the Vietnam War. His mother, Khang Thi Tran (born 1935), did not immediately flee South Vietnam, staying with five of Cao’s siblings and allowed to visit her husband only five times during the seven years he was imprisoned in a Communist “re-education camp”. Cao was eight years old when he went to the United States in 1975 with two other siblings and an uncle as a refugee.[12] Once released, Cao’s father joined his family in Houston, Texas, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes.[13]
Cao is married to Hieu “Kate” Hoang; they have two daughters — Sophia and Betsy. The Caos live in New Orleans’ Venetian Isles neighborhood. Kate and Joseph met, in 1998, at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans East and the family has attended there since. After the 2008 election, Kate, an alumna of the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and a registered pharmacist, resigned from her position at a New Orleans Walgreens pharmacy.[14]
Education
Cao almost became a Roman Catholic priest. He graduated from Jersey Village High School in Houston. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in physics at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He was a Jesuit seminarian for six years, but abandoned it, realizing it was not his vocation. [15] He earned his master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham University and, in 2000, his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans. While in law school, he also taught undergraduate courses in philosophy at Loyola.[16]
Law practice
Cao used his legal training and experience in immigration issues. He taught at a parochial school in Virginia and volunteered at Boat People SOS (BPSOS) to assist Vietnamese refugees and immigrants and help organize Vietnamese-American communities toward self-sufficiency. He served as a board member of BPSOS from September 1996 to March 2002. After working with Waltzer & Associates, Cao opened his own law practice specializing in immigration law. He decided to enter politics after seeing the government response to Hurricane Katrina, and soon became involved in leading New Orleans East residents to oppose a landfill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cao
November 8th, 2009 at 8:07 PM
You know, it is easy enough to figure out why our lovely congressman Young was voting against reforming health care and it seems simple enough to imagine J. Cao’s decision process but what I would like to know is what the other forty(?) blue dogs were thinking?
M. Paul
November 8th, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Per Roberts Rules of Order: To be free to challenge anything that was passed, one must have voted on the winning side of the vote. Now any request for a second vote or an amendment can be made by him. BWAHAHAHAHA! I saw this posted on Joseph Cao’s face book is it true or just garbage from the right.I don’t know about rules in congress.I looked it up but it didn’t seem to say what this person thought it said but I did not read all the way thru.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:17 PM
I’m beyond dizzy, my head hurts. AKM thanks for explaining this. Whatever would we do without you? It’s five o’clock somewhere – where’s that Shiraz?
November 8th, 2009 at 8:17 PM
@#12 mommom, Thanks for the wiki background on Mr. Cao and is family. It is interesting that Ms. Cao attended Pharmacy School at the only (one left?) Catholic HBCU.
Prayers for the flu infected villagers and good healthcare for all.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:28 PM
I have not heard one republican representative use facts of any kind to talk about the health care reform bills. What I hear them say over and over is that reform is a government takeover of health care. That is what they want their supporters to believe.
It is going to be very tough to get a bill passed in the senate with Lieberman already saying he is against reform and will join the republican filibuster. The anti-reform people are out in force. All we can do is to push back is to call our senators every day and ask everyone we know who supports reform to do the same.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:33 PM
@ #13 jojobo1
Under Roberts Rules, you do have to be on the winning side to request reconsideration of something passed. But Congress follows a different set of rules. I don’t know what those say, but I don’t think Cao voted that way just to ask that it be reversed later. Surely that would have been done by one of the (mis)leaders of the Rs.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:08 PM
[Slight sideways detour]
Back in the early-80s, I received a renewed passport listing my birthplace as “Fairbanks, Alabama.” I pointed out that I’d been born in Fairbanks, Alaska, not Alabama. The issuing office double-checked all my paperwork and my about-to-expire passport, and confirmed, yes, I had been born in Fairbanks, Alaska. There had been a clerical error somewhere along the line, apparently, resulting in my birth-city being correct, but my birth-State being totally, off-the-wall, out-of-the-blue incorrect.
Obviously, it would be quite fraudulent for me to knowingly use for passage from one country to another a document with false information; for legal reasons, therefore, the [new] passport had to be corrected ASAP. We were a military family scheduled to fly back to the USA in less than a month.
But how to go about correcting it?
Come to find out, the only way they could amend/re-issue the [new] passport was if I submitted to them a notarized, sworn affidavit declaring I [are you ready?] “had never been, was not now, nor would I ever be… born in Fairbanks, Alabama.”
Swearing out that statement is certainly one of the stranger things I’ve had to do in my life, but it did get me a passport listing my correct birth city and state. Hooray! The verbatim wording required for the sworn affadavit still, even after all these years, makes me chuckle. beth.
[/Slight sideways detour]
November 8th, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Ditto exactly what Suchanut said. I though I might be the only one with massive confusion and need for wine.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:55 PM
It’s apparent to me that Young’s friendly, personal relationship with the freshman congressman from New Orleans is completely unrelated to any actual interest in helping his Alaskan constituents get health care.
And, he probably cares as little about the health needs of Cao’s New Orleans constituents as he does those of the Alaskan people.
One more thing to consider:
“Alaska congressman Don Young is accused of taking illegal gifts in court documents filed last week as part of an ongoing federal investigation into political corruption in the state.” http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/node/2508 (October 26, 2009)
If Yon Dung eventually ends up in a federal prison, maintaining any of his old congressional friendships and alliances may become difficult. Young Cao will have to turn to others for mentoring. Perhaps even Yon Dung would be in need of mentoring himself, by then.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:02 AM
Since when did supporting health care for 100% of Americans become extreme-politico of any flavor? Caring for all is a Christian value. I see the House plan covers 96% of Americans. That is fine, but, what did the remaining 4 out of every 100 Americans do to deserve no health care? I look around in my neighborhood, at the families around me, and I do not see anyone who does not deserve health care.
So, I am just wondering whether Don Young and Lisa Murkowski would come back to Alaska, bring a black magic marker, walk among my neighborhood and put a black check mark on the forehead of every Alaskan who does not deserve healthcare?
November 9th, 2009 at 7:52 AM
I think those 4% who would not fall under the plan includes mostly undocumented illegal immigrants mostly.Most of them will not be showing up at a Drs office anyway for fear of deportation. They may still show up at hospital emergency rooms when they are terminally ill or injured,at which time they will still receive care under the laws already in effect. But they will not be covered under this bill.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:40 PM
To be fair to Don Young there is another possible explanation for his recorded defense of Cao. He may not like the bill, but he may believe that Cao voted his conscience and, in so doing, did the right thing.
Thus under this reading Don Young, ever a man who votes the way he wants even if others don’t agree. Is saying he made the right decision to vote how he felt was right, and to vote in the way that he thought was best for his district, not to vote in the way that the national party thought best.