Dean: ‘What’s the point of having a 60 vote majority’ if you can’t pass health reform?
Dean: ‘What’s the point of having a 60 vote majority’ if you can’t pass health reform?
According to the New York Times, three Democrats and three Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have crafted a bipartisan agreement around a health care bill that replaces the employer mandate with a free rider provision, establishes a cooperative in place of the public option, and partly funds reform by taxing “Cadillac” health care benefits. Last night, during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, former Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) criticized the “so-called compromise” for not going far enough to reform the health care system:
You know, this is going to be a hell of an issue in 2010 cause honestly, what’s the point of having a 60 vote majority in the United States Senate, if you can’t produce…health care reform. You can get health insurance reform. This bill is going to cost us a lot of money and it isn’t going to do anything, if this so-called compromise is true. This compromise does nothing, except it will reform insurance. That’s a good thing to do, but they ought to strip the money out of it cause we reformed insurance like this in Vermont 15 years ago. It’s a fine thing to do, but it doesn’t insure more people.
Watch it:
As the Wonk Room argues, this “deal” isn’t at all surprising, and it’s by no means the final word on health care reform.
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There you go again, Dr. Dean:
Making sense and speaking truth.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:32 pmIf Dr. Dean hadn’t scared the Republicans so much in the lead up to Iowa in ‘04, he’d be starting his second term in the White House and we’d have had universal health care for three years now.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pmWho are you going to listen to – Dr. Dean or the Republican Spin Dr.?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pmHoward Dean is one of my heroes.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pmD*mned straight this is going to be an issue in 2010. If the Democrats can’t produce some quality legislation with the majority they have, there’s going to be a lot of folks looking for alternatives.
And I’ll be one of them.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:36 pmThis is exactly why the Dems must come together on this. Their voters are going to stay home if they pass it a public option.
Why vote for people who don’t have the sack to get the job done, especially when they have all the momentum and desire of the people behind them.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:37 pmif they dont pass it that is
July 28th, 2009 at 12:37 pm.
First it was that the Republicans were in control of the White House and both chambers of Congress…
… Then, there wasn’t the votes.
Later, the House was in charge by the Democrats who promptly put accountability “off the Table” because…
… There weren’t enough votes in the Senate.
Now, with the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate IN control by the Democrats…
… Funny, they still don’t have enough votes?
Makes one wonder just what is the agenda, then,. NO?
.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pmDr Dean
What’s the sense of claiming you’re a (Blue Dog) Dem , when that pretty much means they’re really Republican Lite ?
Those skid marks need to be replaced by REAL Dems/Liberals/Progressives …….
July 28th, 2009 at 12:39 pmThis if the final test for me. After that, what’s the point of voting for democrats?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pmRep. Boehner: “When I said I didn’t know any doctors who support health care reform, I meant in the Biblical sense.”
July 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pmYou know, this is going to be a hell of an issue in 2010 cause honestly, what’s the point of having a 60 vote majority in the United States Senate, if you can’t produce…health care reform.
The biggest problem is Harry Reid, the Democrats spineless excuse for a Majority Leader. Replace Reid with someone who can actually get something done and not cave every time a republinut says “boo”.
With Reid as Majority Leader, what do we need Republicans for?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pmIt is becoming very clear that the Insurance/Pharma MegaMonopoly owns the majority of our political No-Class Whatsoever. We can expect nothing but medical bills from Good Ol’ Uncle Sam. They will be accompanied by War Bills, More Pollution Bills and Miscellaneous Other Bills Passed Under The Radar. Corporations and a Whore Congress have seized the day and we are going to pay,pay,pay until our dying day. No wonder Howard Dean is not invited to the White House but is welcomed with open arms in real Democrats’ houses all over America. Stop Corporate Insanity.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pm.
Remember the days when the 60 vote margin excuse WAS plausible?
.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pmWhat have the repukes done in the last 40 years for the people? What have the democrats done, either?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pmI seen a scary teevee add this morning is show a little girl (shaking my head though children was suppose to be off limits) and few others saying thank you and it turn out to be a republican party add.
Seen that then realizing that the insurance company’s are really going to push false stuff. yes theres 60 dems but thinking what 10 to 15 of them are right thinking so i real count the Dems need around 70 that way it will be a 60.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:48 pmDr Dean is hosting Countdown tonight and tomorrow night. Make sure you watch!
July 28th, 2009 at 12:51 pmDamned chickenshits: That’s what most of the Democrats are, is damned chickenshits.
Why should they expect rank-and-file Democrats around the country to support them in 2010, or 2012, or ever again? We’ve worked our butts off for them; we’ve dug into savings to support them — and why?
One of the sorriest spectacles I’ve witnessed in many decades of watching politics is the performance of Democrats in 2009. And, I have to wonder, how much worse will we see in the coming months?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:53 pmyesterday, again, ed schultz berated al franken for his “not the 60th vote” statement… said it sent the wrong message to the repugs…
have to say, i agree with that… i understand why franken said it, but it was still disappointing…
he could have just said nothing, rather than sounding somewhat acquiescent…
July 28th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI have decided to take one more stab at canvassing for Change here in Pennsylvania. I’m going to print up some flyers and go door to door in my town, asking voters, Dems, Reps and Inds, to please call our Blue Dog while he’s here on recess to demand the public option!
The last time I called his office, I wound up with someone I knew on the phone and was told, confidentially, that they are not receiving enough calls on this issue. Well, if it’s calls they need, it’s calls they’ll get. I’ll also write a letter to the editor, but our local paper is, shall we say, biased, so I’m not hopeful that it will be printed.
May I cordially invite all of you to join me in this effort across the nation. The Dems are sorely mistaken if they believe that, with 72% of Americans wanting/needing a public option, they are on the right side of history if they deny the will of the people.
PEACE
July 28th, 2009 at 12:54 pmReid is powerless to change committee chairmen because they are based on seniority. However, Reid along with the more liberal Senators have let it be known to Baucus that he is giving away too much to the Republicans. It would be in the Dems best interests to be prepared to offer a different plan that can pass via reconciliation. The Blue Dogs are eviscerating the health care so as to make it worthless for getting health care insurance for people who cannot afford it. If Baucus’s committee comes out with their plan, it will be a take or leave it proposition when the Senate and House try to work out the legislative differences. The House is unlikely to be amenable to a take it or leave position by the Senate. At best the Dems, other than the Blue Dogs, in both Houses should work on a plan that can pass with 51 votes.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pmAs a lifelong Democrat, I can’t believe that we are going to let 6 obstructionist senators from states representing less than 3% of the population dictate the fate of the balance of the Country that so overwhelmingly voted in favor of exactly the types of reforms that the President has said he favors. We have been waiting a long time for this, and if we blow it now, I for one will forever be turned off to participation in further political activism.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pmIt was repukes and democrats that wrecked the economy with de-regulation over the years. We elect democrats to do what we ask and they say they will. Then they get in office and we have to fight them to do what we want and they said they would do. Calling and emailing all the time like it’s a second job and they still don’t do what we asked and they said they would do.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pmOur social system which ‘frames’ logical, and traditional social issues, as an ongoing feature of society-the political process-has obvious losers: first, the political parties can experience a sustained decline their membership rosters, or secondly, one or both political parties may win less (particular) legislating victories, within a given electoral cycle. However, ‘We The People’ are never real losers! In a the most real sense, as it was in the beginning, the ‘body politic’ ‘becomes’ the arbitor of all previous disputes at election time, as if to say to the legislators, “Please, break it up, political parties! Touch, gloves! (…continue with your political jousting!!)”
July 28th, 2009 at 12:58 pmwatchdog says:
——————————————————————————–
July 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
As opposed to the “calm sanity” displayed by the 2008 GOP presidential ticket ……………
BTW
Who won that election , jerkoff ?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pmThis is a scam!!!
The peoples question to any politician, will you have a public option without insurance companies????? Simple yes or no??? That question alone will tell you if the politician has been bought and payed for!!!!
Being on the outside looking in, one can see (all but a handfull of politicians) the irrational decisions being made.
Why wont your government give you; accessability , portability, Universality , comprehensiveness, accountability in your health care?????
July 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pmCatapulting the stupid much watchmaggot?
July 28th, 2009 at 1:00 pmLook folks, the problem is not that the Democrats are spineless — well, that IS a problem, but it’s a reflection of a deeper problem.
The deeper, fundamental problem with out health care system is that the insurance and pharmaceutical industries have far too much money and power over our legislative process, and their interests are in nearly direct conflict with the interests of the people.
I become more convinced every day that we will not see meaningful health care reform until this nation faces a disaster. It’s coming. You can’t run a dysfunctional system like this, one that benefits so few and injures so many, for very long before it explodes.
Up until our leaders face that crisis moment (and no, we’re not in crisis yet, not as a nation at least) and are forced to act, they will continue to behave like kids in school who insist that they’re working on their term paper that’s not due for two months. They’ll do just enough to convince people that they’re doing something, but not enough to actually make change and upset their corporate benefactors. I had hoped President Obama would exercise his vision and his leadership — and I still won’t count it out — but that doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pmAnother watchmaggot trollturd……………….FLUSHED!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pmYou go, Spencer’s mom!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
um, edge? been listening to sarah too much?
i THINK you may have a point… somewhere… maybe…
and i mean no offense…
July 28th, 2009 at 1:09 pmI think they should shorten the flushing process to just 5 vote downs.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:12 pmI posted this on the Kyl thread and I’ll put it here as well.
If anyone in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado as well as Mesa, Garfield and Eagle Counties is interested, there will be a rally for Health Care Reform in Glenwood Springs today at 1:00 PM.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:13 pmThe Rally is organized be the Change that Works Campaign and will be held at Axtell Park. 11th and Cooper Ave., behind the Chamber of Commerce on Grand Ave.
There are other rallies scheduled in Colorado today as well.
The other locations for the Rallies are Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Grand Junction.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pmIt’s time for this nonsense with the so called democrats to stop. Obama, Emanuel, Axelrod et al MUST take the gloves off and stop this nonsense with the blue dogs. There will be a backlash if democrat sponsored health care and energy/environment and education doesn’t pass. Think about it in 1992 Bush lost, everyone said because of “read my lips no new taxes” but the REAL reason he lost was Ross Perot. If Perot had not run, Bush would have kicked Clintons ass. That being said, if liberal/progressive/democrats aren’t happy that nothing passed with this wimpy majority a third party progressive could run and watch out President Palin could be the result. Don’t doubt it could happen. PUT THE DAMN HAMMER DOWN NOW MR PRESIDENT.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pmMany of the democrats have been politically neutered. They’re democrats in name only. Once they received money from the well healed special interest lobbyist, they stopped working for the American citizens.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:17 pmThe “watchdog of what” N.#18? I think you watch nothing but your own reflection in a very shallow pool. If you knew anything about what went down in the 2004 primaries you would understand the differences between progressive and liberal political movements. Top down governance versus bottom up governence cost the the Democratic Party the election in 2004.John Kerry is a good man but was not a progressive and in fact does not support real health care reform if it includes a public option. Paternalistic nostrums may comfort the upper class but they bore the hell out of the rank and file. If you “failed father figures” want to have another fight about who will run the Democatic Party in the future: bring it on!!! There is no such thing anymore as wise old men they are now merely called obstructionists. See ya, wouldn’t want to be yea.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:17 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
As long as money rules in Washington, DC, average Americans will not represented. With the financial “crisis” and now health care for all Americans, those who stand to lose money will unleash their dogs and threats to discontinue financial support of “our elected” officials. As long as money continues to determine who is elected, corporate America will run America because the average American simply cannot be heard.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pmIf Dems cannot pass a public option there will be blood in the streets. Before you tr0lls get too excited, this is in NO WAY moving in your favor. I am talking about a grassroots movement to replace all these bought and paid for so called Blue Dog Dems with Progressive Democrats!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:24 pmSpencer’s mom says:
I have decided to take one more stab at canvassing for Change here in Pennsylvania. I’m going to print up some flyers and go door to door in my town, asking voters, Dems, Reps and Inds, to please call our Blue Dog while he’s here on recess to demand the public option!
The last time I called his office, I wound up with someone I knew on the phone and was told, confidentially, that they are not receiving enough calls on this issue.
——————————————————
ralph the wonder llama says:
Look folks, the problem is not that the Democrats are spineless — well, that IS a problem, but it’s a reflection of a deeper problem.
The deeper, fundamental problem with out health care system is that the insurance and pharmaceutical industries have far too much money and power over our legislative process, and their interests are in nearly direct conflict with the interests of the people.
I become more convinced every day that we will not see meaningful health care reform until this nation faces a disaster. It’s coming. You can’t run a dysfunctional system like this, one that benefits so few and injures so many, for very long before it explodes.
————————————————–
These posters have identified a few, but also the fundamental elements of what this public option is about. Too many people either do not understand it, have insurance and do not want to think about it but are (the masses, not our posters) assuming that the democrats in congress are working on this and will deliver the public option the president has a mandate for. I’m already over word maximum but I really believe that the only way we are going to get this reform is to demonstrate to get it. It can’t be accomplished from the keyboard. That’s what “they” are counting on. The president is willing but has said something to the effect of “you have to make me do it.”
July 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pmI hope Democratic politicians realize the entire liberal movement will lose heart if we cannot even have a public option in this health reform. I hope they realize all our money that was flowing into their campaigns, and all the time we spent volunteering, etc., will dry up the next election. It seems like they value the special interest money without realizing that money will mean nothing if your base of supporters turn against you. No amount of lobbyist campaign cash will help a sell out who has lost our trust. Just ask the former Republican-controlled Congress.
I honestly cannot fathom doing anything to support politicians who do nothing to support us.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pmNolies, It`s good to to hear from you again.Has Canada ever thought of scrapping your current system to go full blown private?This is a question that the Dems have to ask themselves. I think the answer is no because your system works even though it`s not perfect it does work.Our V.A. and Medicaid do work and like yours isn`t perfect.I believe it`s all about money and getting reelected and maintaining the status quo even though we want and need a public option or single payer with private insurance still available for cosmetic and shorter lines for non life threatening surgery`s.I will gladly pay higher taxes for single payer because my premiums for my current health care for my family with deductibles is killing my check book.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pmI think the Canada bogeyman is hilarious. I have lived in Canada and the US. I wouldn’t trade the current Canadian system for ANYTHING. The Gov’t does not get between me and my doctor. I can select my doctor and don’t have to worry about going bankrupt if I ever get sick.
Anyone who believes the Canada medicare boogeyman is true should get better informed rather than listening to the GOP gas bags! They are LYING to you….plain and simple!
July 28th, 2009 at 1:40 pmSee Dean…. that’s the error you make. You actually think that there ARE 60 democrats. Nope nope nope, sorry to disappoint you, but there aren’t. Very few of the democrats in either house are full fledged liberals. Most have been bought out by big companies, and others are republicans in disguise.
“Oh we have this wonderful filibuster proof 60 seat majority! O frabjous day! Callooh callay!” Nope, sorry. WE DON’T. We don’t have anywhere near the amount of liberals that people think we do. I’d be surprised if we have a total of 51, even.
Sorry, you can’t be a democrat with “republican tendencies.” You’re one or the other. Get off the fence.
July 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pmDeans right. Spending billions or even trillions for a half baked deal that isn’t going to do anything is not only useless, it will be a millstone around the democratic party’s neck.
When this all started I thought we were going to get real health care like England or Canada.
I hope we’re not giving up on that.
July 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pmWAYNEBRO says:
Exactly Wayne neither am I. That is what we need in the end
July 28th, 2009 at 4:04 pmThe president needs to endorse the bill out of Kennedy’s committee while he’s out there. The corporate media has been anticipating the finance committee bill while largely ignoring the HELP bill after lightly covering its favorable cost, $600B. If the president can make the endorsement, that will help narrow down the flurry of bills coming out of multiple committees.
Speaking of the finance committee, that bill, as predicted, is nothing but a buddy deal – everyday’s a new challenge for pretty old guy Max to show how much he wuvs Chuck Grassley. Keep him happy, cuddle him, and forget about what the country really wants.
President Obama can help nudge this thing and pass the test on the most important issue of his presidency. The broad goal setting is futile now that proposals are out. The choice is obvious to 70% of Americans – endorse the bill with the public option, Mr. President!
July 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pmThe only way the health care bill with a public option will get passed is for Obama to go over the people in Congress and get the public involved. I seriously doubt Baucus’s committee will negotiate their compromise plan with the House of Reps. plan unless the public weighs in on this issue. At this time, it looks like we will end up with a diluted plan if we get a health care bill passed. The Dems are passing up a chance to build a coalition with votes from people who would get coverage under a public option. If the Dems were to pass the public option, the Blue Dogs would have an easier time getting reelected with all the new votes. They are being penny wise and pound foolish with health care.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:32 pmLet’s hope the Blue Dog Democrats and the Republicans can stop the health care bill.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:03 pmSweet! Americans are finally starting to wake up to the Dem’s agenda and crushing them. Maybe now we can actually have a dialogue on how to fix the health care system instead of the Gov using the system to gain and retain complete control. Independents are also realizing that Emperor Obama has no clothes and they are turning on him. Republicans and Dems have both had there chance and both parties screwed the pooch. It is now time for a 3rd party to rise and take us to the next level. Worst thing that could happen would be for the Repubs to take control. Their Hubris would be almost as unbarable as the Dems. We will see.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm54thursday says:
No the people woke up to how STUPID morons like you are and put the power into the hands of the grownups. The most ignorant people on the Planet like you clearly are need to be kept far away from the levers of power. Morons like you do enough damage when you vote. You should work to find a functional brainpan somewhere because your stupid stinks like a three day dead fish
July 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pmconservative guy says:
Lets hope that people as monumentally stupid as you dont breed
July 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pmEugeneDebs says:
No the people woke up to how STUPID morons like you are and put the power into the hands of the grownups. The most ignorant people on the Planet like you clearly are need to be kept far away from the levers of power. Morons like you do enough damage when you vote. You should work to find a functional brainpan somewhere because your stupid stinks like a three day dead fish
Yes that’s right get angry. It hurts doesn’t it? Seeing all of your grandiose plans fall apart and slip through your fingers. Thank god the American people aren’t as stupid as I though they were in November. We don’t need the gov to ruin I mean run health care. What we do need is true transparency and a program that give people incentives to make smart value based decisions on their health care. That is the key.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:33 pmOh and by the way, the “Grown Ups” are the reason Medicare is Bankrupt.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pmAlong with Social Security.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pmChina thanks them.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:44 pmThe insurance and health care industries have a 54 vote majority in the Senate. That’s the problem.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:45 pmClumberfeet says:
The insurance and health care industries have a 54 vote majority in the Senate. That’s the problem.
Thank God.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:50 pm54thursday says:
My GOD you are stupid. Who said I was angry? You are stupid and I am saying so. That isnt anger its perception. Perhaps you havent been keeping up with current events. You guys were SLAUGHTERED in the last two elections because America decided morons like you shouldnt be in charge. Win an election then get back to us till then its CLEAR who the people want deciding things and it aint morons like YOU.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm54thursday says:
You are stupid and think things are true because you say so. Medicare worked good for DECADES then the demographics in America changed. An adjustment is now needed and NO SS is not bankrupt that is what the screechmonkeys have TOLD yo uto think. It can keep paying full benifits through 2047 any business that could make that claim would be considered astonishingly healthy you utter moron. Another adjustment will need to be made before then like has already been made several times before. You are stupid. You are brainwashed and your posts are like you GARBAGE
July 28th, 2009 at 6:33 pmDr Dean at his best
EugeneDebs…you seem like a very hateful person? Maybe using Midol during these trying times for yourself might help?
49% and falling fast!
July 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pmTELL YA WHAT…
I’ll keep my Guns,
my Healthcare,
clinging to my Bible,
My Money,
And leave all of you Liberals with the “Change!”
July 28th, 2009 at 7:46 pmpags2 says:
The only way the health care bill with a public option will get passed is for Obama to go over the people in Congress and get the public involved.
How classically funny is that. Americans are showing almost a 80% disapproval for this very thing. That is why you’re democRATs can’t get anything passed on this bill in the house!
You idiots overplayed your hand…just like I predicted you would…wasting so much money on the Stimulus Porkfest…and other wasteful projects…and now the American people have woke up and said “Enough!”
July 28th, 2009 at 7:50 pmRealityCheck says:
How classically funny is that. Americans are showing almost a 80% disapproval for this very thing. That is why you’re democRATs can’t get anything passed on this bill in the house!
You idiots overplayed your hand…just like I predicted you would…wasting so much money on the Stimulus Porkfest…and other wasteful projects…and now the American people have woke up and said “Enough!”
I don’t know what polls you are looking at but:
In a July 14 Gallup Poll, 86 percent of Americans think it’s “extremely important” for healthcare reform to include allowing them to get insurance regardless of employment or medical status. 58 percent support taxing the rich to pay for healthcare. And we all know about the super-majority support for the public option.
In a June Gallup poll, only 34 percent of Americans are confident in the Republicans to make the right decisions on healthcare policy. In fact, Americans are one percent less confident in Republicans than they are in the health insurance companies. That’s pretty crappy.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm80%? Did you just make that up?
July 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pmRealityCheck:
July 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pmFor real if you want me to believe “reality” is your schtick your gonna have to stop making it up as you go along…
Rasmussen
About 30 percent of Americans favor a single-payer healthcare system, but a majority will oppose it.
“Americans like the idea of healthcare reform in theory, in the abstract,” Rasmussen said.
“Only 35 percent think this system is in good or excellent shape. But people like the coverage they get by themselves. Among the insured, 70 percent say their own coverage is good or excellent. Among all Americans, only 8 percent say their coverage is poor.”
July 28th, 2009 at 8:10 pmRealityPUNK
You are ignorant. You are stupid and a pustulent seeping herpes sore on the butt of humankind. Isnt it time you collected the pocketchange your trailertrash whore of a wife makes blowing lepers on skid row?
July 28th, 2009 at 8:12 pmRealityCheck says:
My GOD you are stupid. It is bad enough you are so stupid you couldnt tie a shoe you are also a liar. POlls show overwhelming support for a public option. Your LIES wont change reality
July 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pmAmong the insured, 70 percent say their own coverage is good or excellent. Among all Americans, only 8 percent say their coverage is poor.”
July 28th, 2009 at 8:16 pm—
The second sentence is intriguing don’t you think? Did they poll any congress folk cuz they really like their government sponsored system…
RealityPunk
You are a liar and a fool and stupid beyond human comprehension
http://www.wpasinglepayer.org/PollResults.html
A national healthcare plan is supported by a majority and has overwhelming support. What a piece of garbage you are.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pmRealityCheck:
July 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pmI am so pained by your single down vote. Perhaps I will seek mental health services and have your tax dollars pay for it…
RealityCheck says:
Rasmussen
About 30 percent of Americans favor a single-payer healthcare system, but a majority will oppose it.
Rasmussen is an organization that has Republican ties so their polls are suspect. I have avoided the New York Times poll because that was weighted in favor of Obama supporters. Hence, I use Gallup which has no political bend.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:32 pmDear fellow Citizens,
July 28th, 2009 at 9:37 pmI propose that any Congress Person voting to exclude a Public Health Care Option, should lose the public Plan they have as Congresspersons and be responsible for their own healthcare through private Insurance. Let them put their health where their vote is! Let your Congress Person know that this is what you expect them to do. If they keep the Public Plan for themselves, then they will reveal themselves as hypocrits and lose your vote.
Vote for the Insurance Industry, pay for your own Insurance.
We hired these people, what do they think they are doing by refusing our stated wishes?
Get Tough – Call them to account.
Love to you all, Auntie Sam
I notice our friend RC cites a Rasmussen poll and quotes some of its findings but fails to include a link to the poll itself.
I find this type of oversight often masks a deliberate cherry=picking of the data and/or conclusions.
July 28th, 2009 at 9:49 pmIt IS intriguing, dbadass, especially since the Census Bureau reports that 15% of Americans are uninsured.
That would mean that almost half of Americans with no health insurance at all think their coverage is good or excellent.
I find that most fascinating.
Of course, there is the possibility that RC is misrepresenting the data or even simply making it up as he goes along…
July 28th, 2009 at 9:53 pmI’m a Republican and proud of being conservative! I wouldn’t mind Obama’s health care plan, but illegal aliens will receive this! I don’t like that I have worked for 30+ years, so that people that have just got here and haven’t put money in will receive equal benefits! That is ridiculous!
July 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pmobama is an imbecile.
Every major economist disagrees with him.
His healthcare reform will destroy healthcare, not help it.
Listen, as a sales representative covering six states, and over 400 hospitals in those states, the number one most gross, disgusting, smelly, awful shithole care provided was in the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITALS. They all smell of piss and shit, with people walking around sometimes buck naked, with nobody giving a damn about the patients.
The VA is run by the….wait for it….GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!
Is this what you folks want?
Look, it doesn’t take any imagination to figure out that the average age of a commentor here is about 23 years old.
You folks haven’t gotten sick, you don’t know how important it is to have choices. obama wants to take your choices away, and put you in a shit smelling hell hole like the VA.
Wake up!
July 28th, 2009 at 11:01 pmEvery major economist disagrees with him.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:09 pm–
Why do I get the feeling you won’t be supporting this statement with any documentation?
or this one
“Look, it doesn’t take any imagination to figure out that the average age of a commentor here is about 23 years old.”
July 28th, 2009 at 11:10 pmSo if an imbecile is the president, what is the cerebral capacity of a sales rep….
July 28th, 2009 at 11:10 pmSo have a satisfied your cry for attention?
July 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pmWhere in the US constitution is it stated that the federal government has the right to run healthcare? If Obama’s plans are so open and honest, why did he try to have this bill done in under two weeks knowing no one could have read it. He did the same thing with the omnibus bill and the stimulus package.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:53 pmIf the healthcare bill passes, it will eventually go the way of social security. FDR promised the money would be placed inside of a lockbox that would NEVER be touched until your retirement. Lyndon Johnson opened it up to the general funds and Clinton placed a tax on it. The program is now going bankrupt and we are expected to believe Healthcare will be different. We do need to reform healthcare but we need to get it right.
There may be a 60 vote majority with the democrats, but not all of them are roll over and kiss Obama’s ass liberals.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:32 amSmoking drives up the cost of healthcare and besides it is a sign of weakness…
July 29th, 2009 at 12:34 am.
Dear SMOKEY,
Like Bush’s D!ck lickers?
Please,
If you want to relate what a k!ss ass looks like, just review the last decade…
… O.K.?
Otherwise, you come off looking like a smug obstructionist.
So SMOKEY,
Is it that you hate Americans enough to obstruct progress and their future, just so that you can be able to keep pointing to the “DEMS” and the “LIBRULS” as being ass kissers. Because we all know, that there was no ass kissing when Bush/D!ck was in charge, NO?
.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:47 amdbadass, it’s a curious pack of drive-by conservatives we’ve got here this evening, isn’t it? They all seem to know how NOT to fix health care, but none of them seems to be able to offer a solution to a system that leaves one in six Americans uninsured and a good many more vulnerable to losing their home should they fall victim to disease or injury and encounter an insurance executive who doesn’t feel like covering the care they need…
They also seem prone to making ill-informed blanket judgments about people here, even though their only information on which to base these judgments is the language used in the comments we type, and possibly the screen name we choose.
They also make frequent predictions of “rationing!” as if our health care is not rationed now.
All in all, a very curious bunch tonight.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:49 ampatriot13 says:
Where in the US constitution is it stated that the federal government has the right to run healthcare? If Obama’s plans are so open and honest, why did he try to have this bill done in under two weeks knowing no one could have read it. He did the same thing with the omnibus bill and the stimulus package.
The Congress has the right to regulate interstate commerce which is what the insurance companies do when they issue policies. Second, it is bogus to claim no one has a chance to read the bill. Most ordinary citizens do not read the legislation. The people in Congress have computers and any legislation that is proposed is in the computers for people to review. As amendments to the bills are made, the people in Congress receive them via their computers. The Boehner BS about reading the bill is a theatrical stunt when in fact he knows exactly what is in the bill before it even gets to the floor for a vote. If you choose to believe the lies, then you get the kind of Congressman you deserve.
Illegal aliens pay taxes and there is no reason to deny them access to medical care. The problem with illegal immigration lies within patrolling our borders. The large scale migration started with Bush in 2001. The president of Mexico was the first foreign leader Bush met. You can be sure he told Vincente Fox that he would do nothing to hinder the illegals since they provide cheap labor. Put the blame where it belongs. If the Republicans wanted to end illegals they could have done it anytime since they controlled Congress from 1994 to 2006. These complaints about illegals are just more politics to stop health care.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:59 amcuriouser and curiouser my friend… There is a rabbit hole I am gonna slide down. Catch ya later…
July 29th, 2009 at 12:59 amObama needs to stay behind his campaign priorities. It would be lovely if the republicans (and a few whining democrats) went along with the universal health coverage concept but if they don’t, they don’t, so what? The republicans didn’t win the election. Obama needs to stay the course.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:15 amI think just about everyone, regardless of which party, wants there to be health care reform. The problem comes to how to do so since this is a huge and complex issue that the US government has tried to work on for decades (like Social Security). It will affect virtually everyone and the full effects won’t be known until years after any law goes into effect. I do think some form of bill will pass but that the overall effect is not going to be as grand as people and politicians hope due to the narrowness of where this bill is looking to fix it and largely ignore the many other problems within the health care system.
Democrats may have large majorities in both Houses of Congress but that majority is made up of liberals, moderates, and conservatives and each have different ideas and represent different people and areas of the country. Liberal Democrats risk alienating moderates and conservatives in their own party and lose gains they made in the last two elections if they try and ram this bill through in a partisan vote. Both of those groups (and the people they represent) are already uneasy about how to pay for true reform (and we’re all naive if we think this isn’t going to cost something) in the middle of a recession and a rapidly swelling federal deficit from this decade and what’s expected for next decade.
The worst thing this congress could do is pass such a complex bill without americans really understanding what this is going to do and what changes can they expect. Particularly with the sheer amount of conflicting information and fear-mongering many interest groups are plastering americans with. Very few american voters are going to actually read all 2,000+ pages full of terms most don’t understand so they are going by what someone else is telling them.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:21 amflea1989 says:
I don’t like that I have worked for 30+ years, so that people that have just got here and haven’t put money in will receive equal benefits! That is ridiculous!
July 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
So I guess you’ll have a real problem with high school kids and college grads receiving equal benefits, right? They haven’t put any money into the system. At what point will they become “equal” to those of us who have worked for a long time?
July 29th, 2009 at 2:17 amPick up between seven and ten seats in the senate and more seats in the house to make the Blue Dogs ineffective. Sideline them. The way to do it. Bash Bush in 2010 the exact same way Regan bashed Carter for four years. Learn how to win from the Republicans.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:17 amRealityCheck says:
EugeneDebs…you seem like a very hateful person? Maybe using Midol during these trying times for yourself might help?
Coming from a hateful racist birther like you who lies and lies and lies because you hate blacks and hate seeing a black president running the country? Project much loser?
49% and falling fast!
LIAR
July 29th, 2009 at 7:58 amWhere in the US constitution is it stated that the federal government has the right to run healthcare?
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Nuff sed.
Don’t like it, GTFO of the country!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:08 amIF Congress(both parties) were not in the pockets of ALL big business things could get done BUT as long as we have (1) lobbying and lobbyists (2)elected officials worried more about getting reelected instead of America, nothing will ever get done.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:07 amOutlaw lobbying(in all forms), limit congressional terms to no more then 10yrs. Just doing these 2 things would change the dynamics greatly.
Flea1989 – as posted in 95. Zooey
“I don’t like that I have worked for 30+ years, so that people that have just got here and haven’t put money in will receive equal benefits! That is ridiculous!”
Well isn’t that just following the example of Jesus – see the parable of the workers that were hired throughout the day and were paid the same thing.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pmAll you have to do is work for an insurance company to find out that they do NOT use their actuaries to try to set the lowest premiums, but to tell them how high they can go and still be “competitive” – competitive with what? Themselves. I’ve worked for two. Just in work comp alone their actuaries figure it’s cheaper to pay the fines, than to pay the workers, and if you have a rightwinger in charge, the fines are laughable and useless in getting them to do the right thing. No insurance company does ANYTHING unless/until they get busted.
There are a lot of things not to like, but that’s what we get in a country when freedom is extended to ALL. When everyone does better, EVERYONE does better. It only makes things worse if those who need help don’t get it – our current situation is proof.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:52 pmWe the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote(not provide) the general welfare.
promote
v.
1.To further
forward, further, advance, encourage, support, help, aid, abet, assist, develop, back, uphold, champion, patronize, propagandize, advertise, publicize, urge, advocate, cultivate, improve, strengthen, push, bolster, boost, foster, nourish, nurture, subsidize, second, befriend, benefit, subscribe to, favor, expand, serve, subserve, better, avail, sell, lobby for, get behind*, plug*, tout*, hype*. *
provide
v.
1.To supply
furnish, equip, grant, replenish, provide with, accommodate, care for, indulge with, favor with, contribute, give, proffer, outfit, fit, stock, store, minister, administer, render, procure, afford, present, bestow, purvey, cater, rig, rig up, fit out, fit up, provision, ration, implement.
The Constitution, you know. Those who wrote it understood the definitions of the words they used. The two words are not interchangeable.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pmSorry but I kinda like the Constitution in it’s written form and also understand what it says. I think I’ll stick around to see how this all ends. TYVM
July 29th, 2009 at 4:52 pmIt does pay for SCHIP though so it can’t be all that bad. Think of all the children.
July 29th, 2009 at 5:15 pmI think it could be possible that the general voting public is not in favor of health care changes, and democrat congressmen are starting to realize they will jeopardize their seats if they vote for a bill thats unpopular in their district.
I’m of the opinion that the president’s recent nosedive in favorability is due to moderate voters having remorse and feeling the president has moved dramatically left of his campaign trail rhetoric, rather than due to extreme left wingers becoming unhappy with his moderation, though I think it certainly contributes..
July 30th, 2009 at 1:39 amThank you..
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