TAKE BACK YOUR MINK, TAKE BACK YOUR PEARLS – Well, that's from "Guys and Dolls."  Oh, wait, I apologize.  It's been renamed "Male Oppressors and Unwitting Females Who Haven't Had Their Consciousness Raised." 

But it might as well have been from Nebraska's Democratic Senator Ben Nelson, who got a special deal for his state in exchange for his sinful vote in favor of ObamaCare.  The people of Nebraska, honorable folk, did not like what he did, put the full Nelson on him, and now the senator wants to repent:

Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska is asking Senate leaders to eliminate a controversial Medicaid deal for his state in the health care bill.

The moderate Democrat, who provided the crucial 60th vote for the Senate health care bill, has been criticized because Nebraska was exempted paying any cost of a proposed expansion of Medicaid.

All other states would have to pick up a portion of the tab after the first few years.

Nelson's been arguing ever since that he never wanted a special deal for Nebraska and that he wants all states protected from burdensome new costs.

Oh right, oh sure.

That didn't quiet the controversy so Nelson took it one step further on Friday and asked for the deal to be withdrawn and replaced with a provision treating all states equally.

COMMENT:  This sudden purity, this sudden finding of Biblical virtue.  I guess there really is redemption.  Or is it called political salvation?  Nelson isn't up for reelection until 2012, but he's already in trouble.  If Massachusetts goes red on Tuesday, Nelson should reserve the moving van.

January 16, 2010