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August 16, 2009

Status of the Public Option

Carroll Andrew Morse

At the time of this posting, the Drudge Report is displaying a big red headline that reads...

RETREAT: TEAM OBAMA DROPS 'PUBLIC OPTION'
...which links to an Associated Press story that opens by saying...
President Barack Obama's administration signaled on Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run health insurance as part of his ambitious health care proposal.
As Drudge himself would say, developing...

Comments

The only option 'developing' is the way a bad idea will be repackaged and presented as the greatest thing since sliced white bread instead of wheat bread.

I've no doubt that there will be loopholes galore (much like coverage for illegals) opening the options for later debate.

I think there is so much wrong with the package that by the time the healthcare bill is finalized, a bandaid with the picture of Fred Flintstone may be the only government coverage.

Money for abortion, end of life counseling and the ever present threat for companies to remove private insurer health coverage from their benefits list will surely put the pressure back on the path to single payer coverage.

Posted by: Roland at August 16, 2009 2:17 PM

I want to sell you a house.

Sorry, I can't tell you how many bedrooms or bathrooms it's got.

Oil, gas or electric heat?

Nope, can't tell you that, either.

How much land comes with it, you ask?

You're kinda unpatriotic for asking, I respond.

What, you want to know how much it's gonna cost?

Did Sarah Palin put you up to asking that?

Did I mention that I haven't built it yet?

And, no, you cannot look at the plans before signing a P&S agreement . . . but don't feel bad because none of the framers, finish carpenters or other workers who are going to build the house plan on reading through the plans before they start work, either.

Wait a minute . . . I just changed my mind . . !

I'm actually gonna try to sell you a different house!

And, no, I'm not gonna give you any real concrete answers on that one, either.

Posted by: brassband at August 16, 2009 4:45 PM

Throw The Healthcare Obstructionist Out!

More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care
system. And if they cant have a single payer system 76% of all Americans
want a strong government-run public option on day one (85% of democrats,
71% of independents, and 60% republicans). Basically everyone.

We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. And
the most costly. Costing over twice as much as every other county.
Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in
America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries
don't die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured.
Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of
healthcare means.

I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In
congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare
reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL
GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the
DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. A trillion
dollar taxpayer funded private health insurance bailout is all you really
get, without a robust government-run public option available on day one.
Co-OP's ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION. They are a
fraud being pushed by the GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance
industry that is KILLING YOU!

YOU CANT HAVE AN INSURANCE MANDATE WITHOUT A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION.
MANDATING PRIVATE FOR PROFIT HEALTH INSURANCE AS YOUR ONLY CHOICE WOULD BE
A DISASTER. AND UNETHICAL, CORRUPT, AND MORALLY REPUGNANT. AND PROBABLY
UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS WELL.

These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle
for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families.
These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!

Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look
like it's President Obama's fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I
think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the
worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS!
And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and
working his heart out for all of us.

But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with
short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they
helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.

But you don't have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The
Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a
little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early.
So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by
name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the
insurance and medical lobbyist.

Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going
to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by
impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more
to do to make things better in America. And it will make you feel better
too.

There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to
call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched
by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of
many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will
want to help.

I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE
healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans.
Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you
can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO
IT!

You have been AMAZING!!! people. Don't loose heart. You knew it wasn't
going to be easy saving the World. :-)

God Bless You

jacksmith ? Working Class

Twitter search (#welovethenhs) Check it out.

I REST MY CASE
(http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthca
re/)

Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.

* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah

Posted by: jacksmith at August 17, 2009 9:50 AM

Jacksmith, too bad you don't know jack ...

You Lefties are so amusing when you rant.

Have another slug of Marxist Kool-Aid and head on over to RI Future, you'll fit right in (sorry I had to use the word "right" to you, but it was appropriate in this context).

Posted by: Tom W at August 17, 2009 2:20 PM

Brassband!! I must have it! Where do I sign?!

Posted by: Monique at August 17, 2009 4:02 PM