From Progressive Democrats of America 5/12/09:

Baucus Arrests Five More Doctors, Nurses, Activists
By David Swanson
May 12, 2009, Washington, DC

Dr. Margaret Flowers, who was arrested along with seven others at the first Senate Finance Committee hearing on healthcare, just phoned me from the second one. As Chairman Max Baucus called the hearing to order, about 20 members of the California Nurses Association (CNA) stood and turned their backs on the committee. Pasted on their backs were signs reading: "Nurses Say: Patients First," "Stop AHIP," (referring to health insurance lobbyists), "Pass Single Payer."

This was the second hearing at which, despite majority support for single-payer in polls, not a single advocate for single-payer was permitted to participate. The nurses were asked to leave and did so. But five people spoke up for single-payer and were arrested: Dr. Judy Desovich; DeAnn McEwen, a nurse from Longbeach Memorial Medical Center ICU; Sue Cannon, a nurse from UC-Irvine; Dr. Steven Fenichel from New York; and Jerry Call from Maine.

That's right. Ultra corrupt Senator Baucus not only won't include single payer advocates in his hearings on healthcare reform, but he also is arresting single payer advocates in the audience who are rejecting his fraudulent media circus.

Baucus has major conflicts of interest, to put it mildly. OpenSecrets.org 1/23/09:

Campaigns Donors: Despite having no serious opponent in the 2008 election cycle, Baucus raised $11.6 million for his campaign, nearly twice the amount ($6.7 million) he raised for his previous re-election bid in which he faced a challenger with some real financial clout. Most of Baucus's top 10 contributors have remained the same since the 2002 election--predominantly health and finance-related industries--but nearly all ramped up their contributions this cycle, in the midst of an economic crisis and in preparation for impending health care reform. Absent a threat to his elected office, Baucus's surge in contributions is most likely a reflection of his rise to chair of the Finance Committee, a position that many industries will need to push in order to see their desired policy changes implemented.

Since 1989, Baucus's top donors have been American International Group (AIG), Goldman Sachs and New York Life Insurance--in the 2008 election cycle alone, these companies' employees and PACs contributed $148,550 to his campaign chest. After law firms, securities and investment companies and insurance companies, the most generous industries to Baucus's campaigns have been health professionals and pharmaceuticals. The health sector has given Baucus at least $2.8 million during his career, more than any other sector with the exception of finance, insurance and real estate companies, which have given him $4.6 million.

This year Baucus is looking to spearhead some major changes in health care, including expanding both the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid to cover more individuals. He also supports requiring all Americans to obtain health insurance coverage, departing from President-elect Barack Obama's plan, which requires that only children be covered. In November of last year, Baucus released a 98-page "call to action," outlining his visions for a new health care system. Baucus's committee is charged with determining if such an overhaul is fiscally possible.

Industry Favors: "Amgen's political action committee contributes on a bi-partisan basis to federal and select state candidates. The members of Congress and candidates chosen for these contributions are generally supportive of important issues such as patient access to existing and future innovative products, and innovation preservation," said Kelley Davenport, director of corporate communications for Amgen, which has given Baucus $50,750 through its PAC and employees, putting the biotechnology company among his 20 most generous donors.

In other words, Baucus is bought and paid for by the same corporations in the healthcare field that are ripping off and literally killing Americans. No wonder he is doing their bidding by fighting single payer healthcare which would provide real healthcare for all Americans for less cost than the current system which provides partial healthcare to many Americans and no healthcare outside of emergency rooms for others.

The Democratic Senate caucus should be ashamed to have put a Phonycrat opponent of real healthcare reform in charge of the healthcare reform push. It makes about much sense as it would for a restaurant to put Rush Limbaugh in charge of an all you can eat buffet.

Is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid dishonest or senile?

Baucus' blatant political corruption is hardly limited to sabotaging healthcare reform. Paul Craig Roberts (Information Clearing House 5/14/09 - Hat Tip Dandelion Salad) points out the role that corruption played in Baucus' opposition to a bill to help people facing foreclosure (bolding mine).

It is not difficult to understand why. Among those who defeated the homeowners bill are senators Jon Tester (Mont), Max Baucus (Mont), Blanche Lincoln (Ark), Ben Nelson (Neb), Many Landrieu (La), Tim Johnson (SD), and Arlan Specter (Pa). According to reports, the banksters have poured a half million dollars into Tester’s campaign funds. Baucus has received $3.5 million; Lincoln $1.3 million; Nelson $1.4 million; Landrieu $2 million; Johnson $2.5 million; Specter $4.5 million.

Baucus never met a bankster he didn't like.

His activities don't just threaten people who already have been screwed over by the corporations. Opposition to healthcare reform means longer lines for everyone at emergency rooms and more hospitals being forced to close down trauma centers. More foreclosures equals lower property values for all American homeowners. Besides, you never know if you will be the next person who is laid off while Baucus's AIG executive buddies get bonuses paid for with government funds.

How much more crap are people going to take from Baucus before there is a major grassroots campaign for him to resign from the Senate? He is corrupt to the core.