In a long post about the health care reform controversy, Sen. John Valentine says:

"Remember, the Congressional Budget Office Director, Douglas Elmendorf, concluded that the [Democrats' health care reform proposals] not only do not save money but would increase government spending on health care without reigning in health care costs. His statement: 'The creation of a new subsidy for health insurance ... would by itself raise federal spending on health care .... To offset [those costs], there would have to be a substantial increase in taxes or reduction [of programs] on the spending side of the ledger.' (Emphasis added)

"As a reminder, the Congressional Budget Office analyzes the cost of legislation. Congress is not obligated to follow their estimates. And Federal Congressmen, Federal Senators and Federal Government employees do not have to be covered by this mess. They always exempt their taxpayer paid health-plans from these requirements.

"Am I upset? Yes. Am I mad? Yes. Can we do anything about it? Yes. Our Congressman and Senators need to hear from us NOW, during the summer break, by email, by 'snail-mail,' by phone and by attendance at town meetings. Don’t believe the propaganda aired by groups such as MoveOn.org Political Action Committee. Read the Bill for yourself. It is on-line now."