Forget about Sarah Palin. We have a woman in the Republican party who is more independent and principled than Palin.
What do you think of Snowe giving the green light to proceed with a health care agenda that includes a government-run public option? In my opinion, a public option competing with the private insurance sector may be necessary to force them to lower their premiums, or make healthcare more affordable by providing another alternative to people who normally can’t afford private insurance.
Instead of imposing a mandated public option for all states, the bill would give states leeway in deciding whether to include the public option.
Predictably, Republicans in Congress are thinking of denying Snowe a future seat on the Senate Commerce Committee as punishment for her voting yes to allow the health care bill to proceed to the Senate floor.
It seems that Snowe has nothing to lose politically in her home state of Maine for breaking ranks with the Republicans. Maine is a fiercely independent state. The other Republican senator from Maine, Susan Collins, has said she may also vote for a bill that includes the public option.
Snowe has accumulated a lot of power and prestige by breaking ranks with the Republican party, and putting the needs of the country first over the needs of the party.