America is on the verge of taking a huge step toward socialized medicine, and Sen. Ben Nelson is a key player in that move. The Nebraska Democrat gave his party the 60th vote it needs to limit debate on the health-care bill that the Senate passed today on a 60-39 vote.

Nelson’s decision to sell his vote in a deal dubbed as “Cash for Cloture” doesn’t sit with the the rednecks in his state. Several of them rallied in the capital city of Lincoln on Tuesday to protest Nelson’s support for the legislation in exchange for tens of millions of dollars in federal dollars to Nebraska.

“We’re proud redneck Nebraskans, and we go big red and we’re not for sale,” Lincoln musician Gary Redden sang. The crowd answered back, “We’re not for sale!”

Nelson had plenty of opportunities to hear that message before selling out, but he closed his ears. Unfortunately, Nelson isn’t up for re-election until 2010. Hopefully the rednecks will crank up the volume between now and then, so the state doesn’t forget Nelson’s betrayal.