Republican Representative Anh Joseph Cao Breaks from the Party Pack - Even Before Elected

Joseph Cao, Republican Congressional Representative from Louisiana has an independent streak and won't buckle down to GOP rhetoric. As seen in this video on the day of Cao's historic election in December 2008, this young lawyer already alludes to breaking with the standard Republican rhetoric by declaring his concern for social and environmental issues.

On November 7, 2009, Cao was the only Republican to vote for a landmark healthcare reform bill. While the bill is still widely considered a compromise for progressives and a potential windfall for the insurance industry, Cao's break sharpens the difference between teabagging Constitution Party-leaning Republicans from more independent voices who hope to drag the Republican Party back towards a philosophically rational conservative center.

Cao, who ran as independent in a previous election, was the first Republican to win this district since Reconstruction. He is the first Vietnamese Representative in the history of the United States,

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[Beatpoet7371]

The bill his lone vote endorsed describes the penalties as follows:

• Section 7203 — misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

• Section 7201 — felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years. [page 3]

[polidocproductions]

I think small businesses and entrepreneurs have a lot to gain from a public option, though this bill is FLAWED I agree for more reasons than the one you site. Persuasion - not cohersion holds more sway.

As an entrepreneur myself, living, and dying with the American dream, I believe that universal health care would be the fiscally most conservative act our gov. could take. Go figure...

[freakylocz14]

Please run for Senate, Joe.

[luveraaab]

In the past, Republicans were the other party, not extremist enemies. As a Democrat/Green I would rather have a traditional Republican win office than a

Tea smoking neocon. {A democrat (Kennedy) got us into vietnam, and a republican (Nixon) that pulled us out - vietnam then fell} LEAVE the PARTY1

[polidocproductions]

There are a few states that have a lot of corruption and LA does rank at the top.

I would stop short of saying that corruption is restricted to the Democratic Party. Without campaign finance and electoral reform, it is difficult for straight shooters, like yourself, to enter the fray and standing up for the belief and needs of your community.

[polidocproductions]

so bizarre how your syntax completely changed from your first post. (*_*)

Cao earned a bachelor's degree in physics at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He was a Jesuit seminarian for 6 years. 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.

[polidocproductions]

We appreciate your standing up for your associate.

However, while we enjoy a lively conversation on our channel, we also reserve the right to restrict unbaited insults. Instruction is fine, with hint of links better, but we do not tolerate mean discourse which is something that memama2 appears to be intent upon.

I'm sure that the user will find other channels who appreciate his style of discourse. It is, afterall, still a free internet.

[billeybop]

If we left this country to the present day politicians, the entire place would be a brown zone and there would be 2 classes ( rich and poor). I've learned that conservative is a buzz word for stingy,cheap and selfish to the less fortunate. They will take anything they can lay their hands on!!!!!!! Too much corporate money involved. I'm very proud of Mr. Cao to stand up for what he believes in and not the pressuue from a party! Excellent video.

[polidocproductions]

Just what Republican Party should the GOP represent. Since its inception it has shifted in policies and has borrowed from other parties attuned to the political sway of the times. In its current form, the radicalization of the Republican Party has done more to destroy it than to pull our country together.

[polidocproductions]

Oh you failed the grown-up test. Sorry to see you go.