Mr. Arucri may or may not win his re-election race, but either way he can kiss his seat on the Rules Committee goodbye. This won't be forgotten.

Really? He can kiss his seat on the Rules Committee goodbye? How would he keep it pray tell if he voted for this thing and lost? How valuable is it to be on the rules committee when you are in the minority anyway?

Spineless, selfish, self-serving, amoral COWARD!

Dawn, you shouldn't degrade yourself here!

Good for at least one Dem who knows in his heart that this health care bill is a piece of crap and not something that is best for the country. I am sure all of you that want this bill are probably in the tax catagory wherer you don't pay any otherwise you would know that your fed and state taxes along with your insurance premiums are going to go up at an usustainable rate. You think health care costs are high---wait until you see the rate your cost of living and taxes are going to rise. God help and protect this country from progressive idiots.

Rep. Arucri is FINISHED!!! Putting his career before the needs of his constituents is a spineless calculation.

Brilliant news...The Whip Count on TheHill.com doesn't include this news and when added to their count of the "no's", it puts the passage of the bill out of reach.

Thank you for saving this country Mr. Arcuri!

How do you know what his constituents want? Have you polled them or do you just rattle off numbers like other progressives???

There are more out there like him too! The smart thing to do for anybody who is going to switch from Yes to No is to keep their mouth shut until the after vote. Wouldn't you?

He's spineless, selfish, self-serving, amoral and cowardly for voting against a bill that 60% of the country does not want, and which his district is against? I see. But voting on a pure party line all the time is the model of courage in your opinion?

Hey Alvin---is it not a double standard for you to compalin about Rep. Arcuri and his relationship to his constitiuents yet your fearless leader-NP-YOUR president and the rest of your party are going against the American constituency if they vote this health care takeover into law???????

Thank you Rep Acuri, for standing against a terrible bill. This is not the end of health care improvement, only the end of bad legislation.

Obama thinks his legacy rises or falls on the health insurance reform bill. His legacy has already been writtn as the most hostile to the Constitution president in the history of this Nation. Hades will freeze over before the voters allow another democrat majority an opportunity to destroy the USA.

The majority of americans are opposed to Obamacare. I support Rep. Arcuri on his vote, and putting America first over party.
Obama and the Democrats are turning the US into a banana republic. Healthcare needs to be reformed, agreed. But a government takeover would be disastrous. Just look at the government has done with Social Security and Medicare, the federal deficit, etc....

Bravo Mr. Acuri! Bravo! Thank you!

Fabulous! Good for Arcuri. Maybe he's not among the soul-less members of Congress who expect us to FUND Cadillac health and retirement plans for them and for their families while they throw us government-run medical mill CRAP.

Thanks, Congressmen Arcuri

Ya gotta love seeing the Dems doing the "right" thing for a change! When they see what PinocciObama and Piglosi are trying to do to our great nation they have to vote their conscience and not their pitiful party line. Self-reliance and personal responsibility are the attributes the leadership in this country should be promoting...not wealth re-distribution ideals that perpetuate the nonsense that the successes of the haves are somehow achieved at the expense of the lazy and uneducated!

Congratulations Mr. Arcuri, you have officially proven your inner strength. Going against your political party and the president is not easy. Thank you for voting for our freedoms and the U.S. Constitution first. We've had enough loss of freedom in the name of charity, protection, and equality. And those programs always end up causing more damage than helping. Thank you Mr. Arcuri for voting for freedom. God bless your family.

I think the Democrats are going to get the votes. Pelosi is too good at twisting arms (unfortunately).

The issues lately have been "cost" and "tax payer funded abortion" but don't forget all the bureaucracies and bureaucrats this scheme puts between us and our healthcare. Also, don't forget the Senate bill allows the government access to your bank account. As everyone knows, this bill is all about control of the people, not better health care.

Alvin and Dave...have you received your welfare checks yet this month? Did you hear...we've decided to put Obama's picture on the welfare checks and the food stamps you receive. Franklin on the $100 bill and Obama on the food stamp...he's earned it!

Oh, for heaven's sake, I am one of Arcuri's constituents and, believe me, his office has heard plenty from us on this issue. I don't think he can win in 2010, but he is actually playing at "representing" the wishes of his constituents with this statement, so good for him.

Congratulations Mr. Acuri for being your own man and standing up for your beliefs instead of caving into the moronic pressure from your arrogant leaders(Pelosi, Reid, and Obama)!! Those on here who condemn you are probably also the ones who could never "be their own" and stand up to ol' Mr. Peer Pressure!!

Congrats Mr. Arcuri. Avoid the bullying fascists Pelosi and Obama.

Thank you Mr. Acuri for standing strong for your values. We all know and understand the tremendous pressure you, and others who are trying to follow their moral beliefs, are experiencing from the infamous leaders who want to take away our rights as citizens of this great nation. I admire your courage and ethics!

This is a bad bill as doesn't adequately protect americans from insurance companies. However, for those of you on this blog who hate government programs as being unconstitutional you are unknowingly and pathetically following the ideology that originated with the slave holders who feared direct taxation of their slaves by the federal government. Please read Robin Einhorn's American Taxation, American Slavery for this history. This ideology was then taken over by corporate america who say the people can not decide in a democracy what they want their government to do, including providing health care for all if that is what the people want. You guys are just repeating the falsehoods of the slave holders.

This is a battle between Americans who value self-reliance above government assistance. I for one, value self reliance. It's what set America above everywhere else. It's what we've known and loved about America since its founding.

Its a real American fight, like our constitution designers somehow foresaw. I welcome this debate right down to the last word and couragous vote for a proper and moral position for the ultimate health and happiness of all americans no matter what station they hold;infirmed, elderly, in the womb, advantaged, disadvantaged, black, white,even non-english speaking provided they are citizens etc....

Too bad I can't email Congressman Acuri and thank him for standing in the way of this massive, fraudulent, anti-Constitutional takeover of our economy. For anyone that thinks this was about "free healthcare", please, read the bill. For those out there that keep blaming the insurance industry for what 'ails' them, please go find your brain and read what your State and Federal Government mandate, how much WE THE TAXPAYER and insured have to make up per month because of government programs like Social Security/Medicaid/Medicare costs to keep hospitals and doctors in business. The Senate bill, at least in the interim (4 years) will enrich insurance company's beyond their wildest dreams, before everyone gets dumped into welfare type of healthcare! If we want real reform, get the government OUT of the way, and let the consumers choose insurance for themselves. By the way, do you really want to automate insurance for crack addicts/gangs? Do the math on providing the scum of our society with 'free' healthcare! Abortion paid for? Ever heard of eugenics? Read up on it before you decide if you really want this as the law!

Thank you Mr. Acuri for acting in the best interest of your constituents; this is most intrusive piece of legislation ever to come to come before the U S Congress. Please accept my whole hardy congratulations. You are a true Patriot.

It takes a lot of courage to declare now, particularly when he will certainly attract severe abuse from some unbalanced people on the left.

It is hard to tell from the short announcement here but one hopes that he did it for good motives i.e., he wishes for real, open, and bipartisan reform.

Mr Acuri is showing Tremendous Courage in the face of the Socialists running the Democratic Party. After November he may be the only remaining Democratic member of the Rules committee.

Thank you, Rep Acuri, you're my HERO!!! Now pack your bags and pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease move to CA. We need you here, because "Call Me 'Senator' Boxer" is going to be "outta here" and we cordially invite you to fill her position!

Wow, there still are "hero's" out there, thank you for listening to us, hopefully you'll continue to represent us with the "right stuff".

Mr. Arcuri..."A Profile in Courage". Thank you

As a constituent of Mr. Arcuri I am very proud! Thank you sir for listening!

This not the way to pass a bill. I am proud of Arcuri for standing up to the Dem's. This bill is over the top.Obama Care is missing the point. We need to only fix what needs fixing without an out of control 2700 page document that we the people do not have total access to read. Let’s let insurance companies compete over state lines, no abortion coverage, cover pre-existing conditions and tort reform. We don’t need everyone under a government plan. Plus no lobbying, no hidden agenda’s, just be honest with the people that elected you into office. This is not a Democrat or a Republican piece of legislation. We elected our representatives to listen to our needs and not go any further. We are not in Washington we are in rural New York and our economy does not support big spending agendas. We don’t like behind door deals, threats and bullying to get a bill passed that the public is saying we don’t need. We need jobs not a huge health care bill. HEALTHCARE WILL NOT CREATE JOBS FOR ALL PEOPLE. Let companies fail and they will learn to run their companies more effectively. We don’t need government involved in all aspects of our life.

If we fail we will pick ourselves up and dust myself off and start all over again after all we are Americans.

This bill is a disaster. Everyone knows it. Glad this guy has the guts to at least stand up to our wussie of a president.

Peter, congradulations, you read a book! Try reading more, like maybe the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It does not contain a passage that allows for the take of ANY private industry. It actually tries to protect us from such an event. We who oppose the formation of large government and loss of liberties that it causes, do so because we believ in person liberties that should not be violated by any government entity. We are not "are just repeating the falsehoods of the slave holders", moron, we are standing up for our beliefs that are and were the beliefs of the great patriots that formed this great nation.

My sincere heartfelt THANKS goes out to Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) and ALL the members of BOTH PARTIES who STAND AGAINST this UNCONSTITUTIONAL government TAKEOVER of the WORLDS GREATEST health care system. Obama is clearly DESTROYING the Democratic Party, the US CONSTITUTION and in fact the nation it's self by FORCING this terrible unwanted bill on the American people. I strongly encourage ALL HOUSE MEMBERS to support the US CONSTITUTION and VOTE NO.

Mike will vote no because....HE FACED A TOUGH REELECTION IN 2008.This only means that he really is for it , and if this comes back and he is re-elected he will vote for it IF HE WINS RE-ELECTION. BUG OFF MIKE. I'm from Mikes district and he aleady is facing hell come November.

He may have voted no, now. But he did vote yes, first. We ( I do live in his district) will still "hold his feet to the fire", next time around!

Thank you so much REp. Arcuri for doing the right thing and standing up to so much pressure from the left. The seniors and unborn babies will surely thank you in Heaven and for the rest of you, yes God does take account of all these things whether you believe in Him or not.

I commend Congressman Arcuri for standing up for his priciples and his constituants. I thank him, also, for voting in such a way that can help to save us from this threat of socialized medicine. I think the Democrats have lost sight of what the reform should be for. It is to keep the cost of health care from rising...you have to address tort reform for that. Also, how can you insure millions more without millions more doctors and other health care workers, too? If this bill passes many many doctors will leave the profession and we will be even worse off.

If anyone votes for or against this bill against the wishes of their constituents, I just hope those same constituents have the testicular fortitude to stand up and vote against the individual next time around. Both political parties are too good at pigeon-holing their own party members to vote for or against a bill that doesn't truly matter to their own district.

Mike Arcuri was elected with a lot of help from progressive folks -- you know, people who actually WORK for a candidate instead of just fulminating like you WingNuts who must spend all your time writing spoon-fed talking points on blogs.

Probably very few of you are in Arcuri's district, and, if you are, I doubt very much whether you would vote for him under any circumstance.

All smoke, no fire.

Try spinning your arms in the air, like a windmill. See if that calms you down.

I'm one of his constituents and I'm not as ready as the rest of you to jump and down and applaud him yet. I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but he voted yes for it the last time and was sending email after email about how great it was and how he was fighting for us by voting Yes for that and the spendulous bill. I'm guessing he heard quite a bit from his constituents since then. I hope he sticks to No when the actual vote comes, he's a flopper. I'll save my full praise until then, but for now this is at least in the right direction.

I just got done spinning my arms like a windmill, and guess what: Arcuri is STILL voting against this hostile takeover of the US healthcare system. You're right - I feel better.

This is not about what America wants, this is about what NOBama wants!!!!!!

Mr. Acuri....thank you!Thank you! Thank you! We will all rest a little easier this night! Please stay the course and DON'T bail on your decision! We'll all remember this vote in November!

Everyone check out Shawn Hannity's site for a list of how all the Dems are voting or how they are leaning. Should this bill pass, we (who are the majority of Americans against it) will know how to vote come this fall and will know who exactly got the sweetheart/backroom deals. Remember those voted out of office come Nov, really don't care. Their cadillac plans will be for life. But their kids and grandkids will have to suffer under Obama care and pay for it the rest of their lives. You leaning DEMS thought about that? Or is that in your backroom dealings too?

Food for thought:

1) You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2) What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3) The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. The government has no funds that it didn't extricate from its citizens.

4) When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work, because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.

5) You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

Thank you, Thank you Mr. Acuri! This great thing called AMERICA can continue if our representatives, like you, follow the path of democracy,free enterprise and American can do ,not government CAN do for you !!Our grandparents who suffered thru the depression would expect us to carry the torch of liberty with honor and dignity on to the next generation! Thank you again sir, for your courage!

"The high office of President has been used to foment a plot to destroy the Americans' freedom, and before I leave office I must inform the citizen of his plight."
John F Kennedy

Omigosh, Peter - are you serious?! That's why we don't want big gov't programs?! Glad you've got it figured out.... Forget about reading Robin Einhorn's nutso book - try reading the Constitution, to find out what all the fuss is about. You appear rather clueless....are you perhaps a member of Kucinich's spaceship? This bill is patently unconstitutional and the process by which they're trying to ramrod this legislation is unconstitutional. Phew...! Scary!

As one of Arcuri's uninsured constituents I'm thrilled that he has decided to vote the way that I would have. There is nothing good about this bill. It will NOT lower costs, it will NOT increase the quality of care. It will however do a really good job at raising health care costs, reducing the quality of care and pushing the costs of others on the backs who are paying for it.

Health Insurance for a single person in New York State is about $6000 per year, and about $12,000 per year for a family. If you are a member of certain groups and you want a High Deductible plan with an HSA option, you are looking at about $8,000 per year for a family. On top of that you are going to continue to pay 3% of your earned wages into Medicare, plus whatever portion of your 6% state income tax that goes toward Medicaid, Healthy NY, NY Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and the other state subsidized plans. So if you earn very little, then there is already free or extremely reduced cost insurance. If you earn in the middle, then you have some tougher choices. If you earn a lot, then question becomes whether or not it is worthwhile to even carry the insurance. $12,000 per year into a cookie jar will pay a LOT of medical bills at the cash rate.

We already have 3 other government run healthcare systems (Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Administration) - why do we need a 4th? Additionally Medicare is just bid out to private health insurance companies and the lowest bid gets the job. What do you think would happen with this.

If they wanted to reform the system - fine. If they want to pass something that congressmen and senators will actually have to use - that would be a good start. But this is none of those, and they haven't even followed the basic rules of how a bill becomes a law. There is a video about this "I'm just a bill on capital hill" - it explains clearly that the house makes the bill, the senate can approve it, then the president. NOT the other way around.

I'll be the last person who will ever say that healthcare costs aren't absurdly high. But this bill won't fix that. Reducing some of the costs involved that everyone from the doctors to the makers of the bandages have to incur (medical liability/ malpractice insurance), frivelous lawsuits, overly confusing reimbursement codes and charts, might help. Additionally why is insurance in New York State higher than most any other state in the country? Where are the health insurance plans for the true emergencies - things that don't kick in till $5,000 or $10,000... and have a premium that isn't really high.

I know its not the health insurance companies, they have the weakest profit margin - 3%... If any other private company had a margin as small as 3% they wouldn't stay in business.

Congrats again to my congressman for listening to us.

Mr. Arcuri:

Thank you so much for doing this the AMERICAN WAY AND THE WISH OF THGE PEOPLE OF THE uNITED sTATES citizens.

Run in Hawaii...you have my vote!!!!!!!!!!

Mahalo

Thank you, Michael Arcuri....I'm a Republican and was one that called your office to ask for the NO vote...

Same as what Kate said (above) - Thank you so much for doing this the AMERICAN WAY AND THE WISH OF THGE PEOPLE OF THE uNITED sTATES citizens.

There is no point in him worrying about his rules seat, when a Yes vote would cost him his House seat.

"Government is not the solution to our problem. Government IS the problem." -Ronald Reagan

www.grahambanks.com
Conservative Rock

Congessman Arcuri,
Thank God you came to rescue of the People who you represent and the United States Constitution...!!!Your No vote on the Health Bill will not only gain you the respect of all but guarentee your return to Congress next election.You got Guts,,...You did what was right...!!!

John F Kennedy - NOT

Haystacik | March 18, 2010 5:23 PM

Mr Haystacik, I believe you'll find that "quote" to be an urban legend that has been corrected on Wikipedia, uncontested so far.

John | March 18, 2010 6:17 PM

Wow, John! Thank you for taking the time to write such an excellent entry!
I hope the Leftwing-nut (dorothy from nyc | March 18, 2010 4:17 PM) read that, but she's probably snickering, back at the Huffington Compost...

Thank You Mr. Arcuri. May God Bless You and America
Elwyn

I live in Arcuri's district. I called his DC and local offices. I believe he genuinely changed his position because he saw how his party is attacking the fiber of our country. Anyone voting "yes" will be voted out of office. I am starting to understand what our forefathers felt when King George was as arrogant... as Obama and Pelosi are now. God help us all. Health care reform, yes after due diligence. "country reform" a la Pelosi, Reid and Obama...NO!!!

Its a real American fight, like our constitution designers somehow foresaw. I welcome this debate right down to the last word and couragous vote for a proper and moral position for the ultimate health and happiness of all americans no matter what station they hold;infirmed, elderly, in the womb, advantaged, disadvantaged, black, white,even non-english speaking provided they are citizens etc....

Thank you for listening!! Suzanne in South Otselic, NY

The greatest generation did plenty of fighting against the foreign enemies but did not do enough to stop the domestic enemies. Then we had the hippie brats that embraced the foreign enemies and the domestic enemies. My generation needs to not only fight foreign and domestic enemies, but the everyday Joe that thinks redistrobution of wealth is the key to solve every problem.

THANKS MIKE, YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR AMERICA. I LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT. AMERICA WILL BE BANKRUPT IF THEY PASS THIS.YOU REPRESENT US, NOT NOBAMA AND PELOSI.

All I can say about Mike Arcuri is...
1) He tries to portray himself the 'hero' to gain wide public favor. IE. Blocking NYRI from seizing land, and this declaration "no" vote.
2) When he's not being a hero he's being a very liberal democrat
3) He pretends to value conservative values, and I voted him into office because I believed what he was saying. BUT I am not happy with him very much at all.
In the 8 different issues that has come up in our district in the 2009 year. 6 times he's voted with the very liberal democrat line. 5 of those times those votes hurt job growth in New York. Only Twice he's voted for conservative values, and then only to 'appease' his conservative constituents so they'll vote him back into office like good little sheep.

Thanks Deed, you made my point exactly as to why it made zero sense for him to vote against this bill. this will not sway enough people that were against Arcuri anyways and he just lost my vote and that of many other progressive minded constituents.

Rep. Arucri is FINISHED!!! Putting his career before the needs of his constituents is a spineless calculation.

I'm going to ask the impossible...think for one moment about stupid that comment is.

Who elects representatives? Their constituents.

If he switched votes because he fears for his career it is because his constituents told him to do so or they would fire him.

Liberal ignorance truly knows no bounds.

you know, people who actually WORK for a candidate instead of just fulminating like you WingNuts who must spend all your time writing spoon-fed talking points on blogs.

------------------

Maybe you could just get a job and work for those things you would like to have instead of spending time trying to elect a politician to take it from others by force.

Mr. Arcuri you are an American HERO!!!!
This bill stinks just like obama, pelosi, and reid!

Cheers to any Dem who stands against this fascist regime running this country. For every Dem who votes this crap in, we will not forget. We will NEVER forget which members voted us into slavery. You day of comeuppance is approaching, traitors, and we will stand in line come November to make sure the Congress is scrubbed of the likes of you. First the Demmie majority in 2010, then we send Crooked Barry back to Chitown in 2012.

I live in his district. I voted for him twice but never again.

Arcuri - you almost lost last time - you will lose in November.

I guess he finally realized that rights are not bestowed on us by the government. I'm still amazed to see how people are so blindly enamored by the government to believe that they are the ultimate solution to all of our problems.

Wake up people.

A Huge THANK-YOU to Mr. Arcuri...finally some news that gives us, (folks who believe that the Founding Fathers knew what they were doing when they crafted our Constitution). Now let's re-set and look at some really meaningful ways to address our health care issues!

How DARE he oppose Queen Nancy? May God spare him the wrath of all those the compassionate progressives! (Just ask Bart Stupak and his family) Stand your ground and we will stand with YOU! :) THANK YOU.

Do No be swayed by all the promises that Pres. Obama will tell you he will do for you and us. Please DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS HEALTHCARE. He will lie to you as he has to all America. He has forgotten who he works for and under God is his creator and He will have to answer to Him for all his greed and mishandling Gods people. Stop Obama now. We also will stand by you to vote NO Thanks.

Thanks for finding the time to share this with us, just loved it.

A huge thank-you to MR. Arcuri. We do need some health care changes-BUT NOT THIS BILL.

I am from Mr. Arcuris' district, and he is voting the way the people in our district have requested. Which is the way he should represent us. Not for his political advancement, but because this is way it is meant to work.
He'll be back, because we will elect him back.

I don’t normally post to blogs but I enjoyed this post so keep up the good work. -cheers-

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