WRT Lincoln: A Senate divided against itself will not stand. Today:[rquoter]..."Let me be perfectly clear," Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) said on the floor of the Senate. "I am opposed to a new government administered health care plan as a part of comprehensive health insurance reform, and I will not vote in favor of the proposal that has been introduced by Leader Reid as it is written.... I've already alerted the Leader and I'm promising my colleagues that I'm prepared to vote against moving to the next stage of consideration as long as a government-run public option is included."[/rquoter] "As it is written" still leaves some wiggle room, but it's not much room for optimism. Every time I hear talk of a trigger option I think of this: Yeah, poor clarity on my part. The "today" I wrote to signify today's vote to proceed, rather than the ultimate vote to get to up-or-down, could just as easily have modified "announces." At the rate this Senate moves, they require a cloture vote just to break for lunch.
I have no faith in the democrats pulling together to get anything of significance done. They have a long, proud tradition of not being able to stand together on a damn thing and to waffle like birds on a telephone wire in a thunderstorm. Here they are with a golden opportunity to make real and effective change... I put 20 bucks to the tipjar they **** it up. Republicans get things done. Trouble is, I generally can't stand the legislation they enact. sigh
Like most conservatives, you apparently weren't aware that the public option doesn't add a single dime to the price tag on the bill. Of course, that would require you looking at actual facts, something that you tend to avoid.
I will be glad when this Health Care Debte is passed and over with. I'm very optimistic that they will get it done. If the Dems get this passed they can go on the offensive and brag about the change they made when the elections come up. They better not blow this.
If you guys actually believe that, I have some nice ocean front property in Arizona I would like to sell you.... But seriously now, you guys are joking, right?
I don't think health care reform particularly resonates with the voting public. The Dems are still going to lose quite a few seats even if it passes. It's one of those causes that doesn't really seem to pick up political capital but exhausts it. Still, in the long run, as someone with experience with a "socialist" health care system, I have to say that I am extremely confident that this will make things better for many Americans. And that's what is really important.
You have consistently demonstrated here that you have no understanding of what the public option is, or how it works. Please explain exactly what the costs are of the public option to the US taxpayer.
For years and years, including now, if you ask Americans about health care reform, they are massively in support of it - amongst Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Where the problem comes in is when detailing specifics because everyone has a different idea of what makes for good reform.
No coverage mandates, no requirements to purchase in state, health savings accounts. Take all current law/regulation pertaining to health care and revoke it. Abolish the FDA, abolish medicare/medicaid/SCHIP. If people want that crap let their states pay for it, I'll move to one that doesn't have it, everyone is happy with the state that has a system they like. No where in the constitution is congress given the authority to mandate I purchase health insurance or else go to jail. My ideal health care system would be the one my dog is part of. No restrictions, lots of competition, competitive prices for medicines and procedures that the customer actually pays for (so they shop around for the lowest price). Insurance available, but not necessary except for high end procedures. Basically the exact opposite of the abomination being proposed in Congress.
Uh, you already pay for a "public option", so to speak, since everyone can get emergency care if needed in the USA. Go to Ben Taub any morning and watch this in action. Needless to say, that's grossly inefficient as far as "health care plans" go. Allow me to quote myself: I want everyone to be insured. It's cheaper that way, obviously.
Right now, our life expectancy is just over 78 years, which puts us around 50th in the world. (Source: CIA World Factbook, 2009 estimate) This is largely attributable to the current state of our terrible, if you'll forgive me, dog-eat-dog healthcare system. You want us to follow your dog's plan, and cut that down to 10-12 years per person? When his medical bills outstrip whatever health savings plan you have set up for him, are you planning on putting your dog to sleep?
Not my dog's plan, my dog's system. My plan is more comprehensive. And the premise that our life expectancy would decrease by ten years under such a system is false, or at the very least dubious. Yes.
And let me just say that it's a shame that not one republican had the courage to at least vote to debate healthcare reform. They are afraid to even discuss the issue? Rest assured, the country sees what's going on.
Vet costs have gone up at the same rates as human health care costs over the past few decades. All that competition, limited insurance, etc has done nothing to slow health care costs for animals. That leads us on the same path we're on now: national bankruptcy due to health care costs. http://www.scottwinship.com/1/post/2009/07/that-veterinarian-services-vs-health-spending-chart.html
