Everyone is writing posts with blaring headlines about “breaking news,” new developments, sign on, get busy, the public option is back, seeing a “revival” or some other lingo that offers hope for health care legislation that means something. I’m not buying it. It’s all political kabuki.
Yes, there has been “breaking news,” just nothing that will amount to anything. The public option is as unlikely to happen now as it was in the Senate before. There is nothing I’ve gleaned from anyone that tells me otherwise. Plus it’s an election year, which means everyone is running around saying and signing on to things that look good but they’ll never have to publicly defend, while privately worrying they’ll get caught in Barack Obama’s bipartisanship guillotine next week if they step too far out. Of course, some are real believers, but they’re like the Dirty Dozen at this point, which won’t cut it.
Obama expected to publish his plan this weekend or Monday. After over a year Mr. Obama is now crafting a White House bill. How ironic.
More from the New York Times, with the lines in bold a real problem, as I’ve written before. Offering mandates without competition, well, the Democrats should choke on it. As for the excise tax, it’s worse, but a favorite of the Dem establishment and their media enablers.
“There will be one proposal,” Ms. Sebelius said.
The president’s plan would require most Americans to obtain health insurance or face financial penalties; it would bar insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, and it would give tax subsidies to help moderate-income people buy private insurance.
Officials said the president’s bill was expected to include a version of the Senate’s proposed tax on high-cost, employer-sponsored insurance policies. It would reflect a deal reached with labor union leaders to limit the impact of the tax on workers.
More recently, some labor officials have expressed dissatisfaction with that deal, and many House Democrats remain opposed to the excise tax.
Democrats said it was still unclear how the president would deal with other disagreements, including the issue of insurance coverage for abortions.
Abortion remains “a wild card,” said a Democrat on Capitol Hill. …
Ah yes, women’s self-determination is now a “wild card” to Democrats where health care legislation is concerned. Looks like we were better off when Obama was voting “present.” Sorry, but this is now beyond all tolerance.
Anyway, I’m getting emails from readers that they’re excited, ready to work and push for the public option. I get it, believe me, and it’s unconscionable that Obama and the Dems have proved so utterly feckless, but it’s all a 2010 political game at this point.
Like Lawrence O’Donnell said on “Countdown,” Clinton health care had 35 sponsors and it died a bloody death on the Senate floor.
Pres. Obama has never led on the issue and at this point is just trying to pass anything to prove he’s done something. Democrats are rightly freaked they’ll go into the 2010 elections with nothing, but they should be more worried that Republicans will beat them over the heads with forcing people into a rigged system that also taxes their benefits. It’s the worst of all worlds, but that seems to be the White House’s idea of “leadership.”
Never has a president and his political party been given so much and done so little with what they’ve been handed, which includes public support for a Medicare buy-in public option that would make the Democratic Party heroes for another generation and beyond, if they only had the guts to follow the public’s lead, leaving the Republicans and the fairy tale of bipartisanship behind.
I agree that americans need better healthcare. But I am afraid of what the government is going to do. What I have seen this year from the senators and congress I am worried about what kind of bill it is. And its going to be a major fight on capital hill. I don’t see the two sides coming together on this. The sad part is its a election year and democrats and well as republicans who only care about getting elected might vote against it no matter what. I would like for them to get a good healthcare bill out but I am not holding my breath on that one !!!
Well, I’m not afraid “of what the government is going to do,” at least not in those terms. The government does Medicare pretty well. Why Obama & Dems didn’t just expand a program already in operation is the dumbest frickin’ mistake in the world
The issue is whether the Congress and Pres. Obama will do enough to make it matter or simply hoist health care legislation in order to say they’ve done something with a bill that’s not worth the paper it’s written on, which seems like where we’re headed. Or if they’ll actually make things worse so that Rep. can run against health care.
How blind can the Democrats and Obama be:
for the working class:
1- NOW you MUST buy health insurance or be FINED by the Government.
2- There is NO LOW COST option and the insurance companies have a monopoly in each state.
3 – If you were lucky enough to be in a union that got decent health benefits for you and your family WE’RE GOING TO TAX YOU.
How is this not a GIFT for the Republicans?????????????????
AliceP wins the GOLD.
Exactly! Well said.
This is awful, really; it’s like “groundhog day”–every day. We aren’t moving forward on this, it’s just a re-packaged version of the same thing.
Obama and the Democrats only need to pass two things to salvage this:
1) End the anti-trust exemption for Insurance, and allow competition across state lines
2) Prohibit insurance companies from rejecting anyone based on “pre-existing conditions.”
That would be a healthy [pun intended] foundation to start change we can believe in. I think they could get Republicans on board.
As I’ve said before, I actually support single-payer government run healthcare for all; I have benefitted from military health care all of my life; so the wing-nut arguments about “socialism,” on that score, just make me laugh.
How could we pay for it? Uh. How are we going to pay the $1 Trillion we’ve racked up waging illegitimate wars for “regime change” and resources around the globe? Our problem in this country is, we think there’s something wrong with George Washington’s advice that we steer clear of “foreign entanglements” and concentrate on our own national well-being. I think he was right. And, if it weren’t for banksters committing FRAUD in collusion with our government, we’d be free of having to pay BAILOUTS too. That would save us a few pennies.
It’s our priorities that cost us. We’re not forcing our government to consider our own well-being first.
I think the whole thing has been Kabuki. What we have is a corrupted government staggering around trying to satisfy all their special interests and figure out yet another way to extract the last penny out of the American people.No one is trying to solve the healthcare crisis.It is not rocket science other countries have figured it out. There are plently of examples available to study and adjust to fit our country.
As Taylor has pointed out we already have a working government program that people are happy with that could both be fixed of some longterm problems and expanded to work for everyone. The people have repeatedly polled in favor of the expantion of medicare and allowing more people to buy into it,that’s not the problem.The only group of people that it does not benefit from this idea is elected officials and their owners.
The media are playing handmaiden to the interests of the ownership class by following avidly the antics of a small group of ill-informed and easily dupted angry people led by long time opponants of change.The so called “progressive cable” shows have played right into the distractions focusing on unhelpful ridicule and adolescent flame throwing at their conservative counterparts.
The interests of the American people is the last thing on any of their minds.
Taylor – you know that I’ve been fighting for a decent health care bill and I’ll continue to fight to the end but I have little faith that we’ll get what we’re fighting for. I am however having fun writing to various politicians and I’m not afraid to use a little “snark” when I write letters. Many of our so-called Democrats are so feckless, so cowardly and so beholden to their corporate masters that I’m ashamed to call them Democrats. I have no problem with bi-partisanship but on something like health care where more than 2/3 of the American voters wanted a public option, you don’t play at being bi-partisan. You pick your battles and then fight them but then I forget Obama wasn’t big on anything that might make him look like a Democrat. He signs the bill that the Senate has put together at his peril.
As well as Medicare, clearly the Congress and other federalies, have good healthcare. I believe all members of Congress have a “menu” of insurance choices and they can pick coverage the meets their needs.
Why not make those choices available to everyone, like some on the campaign trail indicated would be an option. Clearly the ability to administer is in place.
Or if they are going to stick it to the citizenry, then every stinking person employed by the federal government, including Congress, etc., can live with the same coverage we all have.
kris says:
20 February 2010 at 10:48 am
My family was one of those families lucky enough to have insurance from the federal government (than God we did because I would have gone bankrupt years ago with my son’s medical expenses) and I happen to agree with you about all of us who have federal insurance, including Congress, having the same coverage as the rest of the American population. I wouldn’t want to lose it; it’s that good, but I question why we couldn’t have extended the government insurance programs to the rest of the country or as you said extend Medicare. In both cases the system is in place. I guess that was too simplistic.
Yes JA, I don’t understand the need to make things more complicated than they need to be. It paralyzes everything and nothing gets done.
And what amazes me is that Obama has played right into the “Party of No” with his call for bi-partisanship and we know what the GOP’s version of bi-partisanship is – “our way or the highway.” He really has set himself up to be a colossal failure.
It’s all smoke and mirrors. Like the health care “summit” next week. In point of fact it’s a game of gotcha with the party of no. Nothing is going to come out of it other than more political ammo.
If the President was serious about a summit it would be more than one day and absolutely should include Governors. The States have more at stake, other than the citizens who need coverage, and their very real financial concerns should be heard and addressed.
Rahm Emanuel keeps running through my mind like Jason down by the lake. It was Rahm’s job to get the health care bill passed through the Congress. (That’s all he’s been working on for the past year isn’t it?) Unfortunately for us Rahm thought it best to keep Obama out of the “process.” Rahm also didn’t like, so he didn’t push for, the public option. Nor did Rahm like the suggestion to expand Medicare to all. Rahm Emanuel was also opposed to closing Guantanamo. So Rahm blocked every effort by Gregg Craig(sp?) to get that job done within one year as Obama had promised by executive order. Rahm was also instrumental in shifting the blame on that issue and having Craig fired. Rahm was also militantly opposed to having KSM tried in NYCity in a civilian trial. Rahm is the person, who when he saw he was not going to get his way, started the latest melee over holding the trial in NYC. Rahm Emanuel should be repalce ASAP for the sake of the country and the Democratic Party. Peace
I agree that Rahm should go but it sounds like you would like to let Obama off the hook. He knows full well what Rahm is doing.
I didn’t know we elected Rahm to run the country. Are you saying that Obama is a puppet leader, letting run Rahm run amok? I don’t think so; Obama knows exactly what Rahm is doing because that’s what Obama wants.
bbl hopefully.
I’m no fan of Dana Milbank but if you want a village insider’s view of the people surrounding Obama here it is.He says Rahm should stay and it is the Obama worshipers who must go.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/19/AR2010021904298.html
Jimmy Carter was critized for being way to involved in the day-to-day operation of the White House and every detail of his presidency. (It is said that he alone approved of who used the WH tennis courts.) That was said to have been his biggest weakness and the main reason for his failed presidency. If…..if Obama could could do what people believe him capable of doing..ie, not needing a staff to give him counsel and advice, then the WH would be empty of staffers and he would single-handedly be running the show. Obama relies on the “best” advice of his staff, as do all presidents, to get his goals accomplished. Rahn Emanuel is giving Obama very, very bad adice on how best to get his agenda done. As is his Secretary of State who should also be replaced. Peace
Did you read Milbank’s article?
Lake Lady, Rahm has his supporters and Milbank is obviously one of them. But Milbank is as wrong about Rahm, and Hillary at State, as he was about supporting bush’s invasion of Iraq. A wink is as good as a nod to a blind man. Peace
Lake Lady says:
20 February 2010 at 10:40 am
I think the whole thing has been Kabuki.
I think you’re right, including the use of the ubiquitous and ambiguous “public option.”
The Republicans are screaming NO and they are getting everything they could ever want. The Progressives are screaming for scraps and they are getting absolutely NOTHING.
Taylor, you hit the nail on the head! I just don’t understand how Obama could be so incompetent on this issue. This one issue, besides jobs, hits home to so many Americans. If he only did this right by actually LEADING a year ago, he could have ensured Democratic victories in elections for years to come – and it was really SIMPLE – extend Medicare to certain groups like the 55-65 crowd, or extend it (or Medicaid) to moderate-lower income families. The public understands and likes Medicare. Do the buy-ins to these programs. It’s like JA said, you don’t need bipartisanship when the public overwhelmingly wants these things. The way this has turned out is really a shame if you ask me.
Oh, and if Obama and the Dems think working class people are going to smile and say thanks for taxing their health benefits, they’ve got another thing coming, especially when they haven’t repealed the Bush tax cuts. Maybe they’re waiting for them to expire. And the other thing with the mandates and no competition is going to go over like a lead balloon, too. Any person with a speck of intelligence can see that. I don’t know what the administration is thinking.
AliceP says:
20 February 2010 at 9:54 am
Noogan says:
20 February 2010 at 10:38 am
_________________
DITTO, you guys hit it right on the head. A hamster wheel indeed. I think everyone here knows the definition of the word “insanity” HA!
Hey all. Enjoyed reading your input.
Well, JA, if you’re having fun that’s great, but unless Dems come up w/ 45 sure signatores everyone is spinning the hamster wheel.
As for Rahm, he’s a useful target for activists, but stop and remember that there’s a reason Obama chose him. They think alike, are cold political calculators, with Rahm offering cover, as he should as CoS.
The incompetence or any idea of Rahm going rogue begins w Obama. Let’s also not forget Axe, who knows how to triangulate, deflect and protect the boss, while making sure the story he wants told gets out.
None of these guys are stupid, so it’s one or two things. It’s happening the way they want, which I don’t buy. Or what’s more likely is that the entire HCR debate has been a colossal blunder on top of blunder that Obama is trying to salvage thru political optics and a prayer.
fairmindedindependant says:
20 February 2010 at 9:16 am
——–
Hi fairmindedindependent, I read your post in the last thread. I too am big on Hillary. I just couldn’t bring myself to vote for Obama in 2008 because I knew we were in for Jimmy Carter 2.0. Alas, he’s been worse than Jimmy Carter! Obama makes Carter look like Lincoln. The incompetence of this White House with regard to HCR has been unreal. I don’t know how they could screw up any worse.
I live in Alaska and I actually do like Sarah. Sarah is definitely not the heavyweight Hillary is but the one thing they have in common is the toughness and grit. Sarah is definitely not the caribou Barbi that she was portrayed in the elections. So if you have anything remotely positive to say about Sarah in this blog, Taylor’s advise is good. Most of the folks here are great, even when they thoroughly disagree with me. But there are some that are straight up vicious. So, as Taylor says, wear a helmet and don’t hesitate to fight back lol.
The following post in another blog speaks to this issue and future elections. Also has a good video in which Howard Dean speaks to the elections, that is, if Democrats want to win. http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/5707
“Present.”
Earlier today I was at the County Democratic Party Preprimary Convention here in Albuquerque, NM. I must say say I didn’t feel much excitement from the rank and file. It was more a “going through the motions” event. Nobody was talking about the Dems in DC other than than to moan a bit what was going to happen. It wasn’t a group gearing ready for an election in the fall.
Re: the hamster wheel – frankly that’s a pretty good analogy for what it feels like. However, it seems to me that after each round of jumping on and off fewer folks get on again the next time. We will see what comes out of the Big O’s event – my guess is not much but we will see. One thing is for sure – the Dems in DC have no clue how much trouble they are in and the damage they have done to the Democratic Party.
Ron Paul won the CPAC straw poll. That is very interesting. This afternoon a CNN reporter said the convention was full of young college kids and it felt like spring break, It was Ron Paul supporters who booed the young jerk who did not like a gay group being there.Aren’t they fiscally conservative but soicially libertarian?
Palin came in low at 7%.
Seems like these young conservative appreciate authenticity. Say what you will about Paul and his ideas,he is authentic.
socially
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQkGGwyTV0Q…I don’t know if this will work but it is a very interesting talk by Glen Ford a black leftist who was never fooled by BO.
lynnette says:
20 February 2010 at 12:49 pm
The public understands and likes Medicare. Do the buy-ins to these programs. It’s like JA said, you don’t need bipartisanship when the public overwhelmingly wants these things.
——–
I think the more people find out about our broken and “broke” medicare system, the more they don’t want to have anything to do with an early medicare buy in. How can I trust the federal government who have mismanaged this government run program to run a greatly expanded medicare system. It really is not a mystery why you have the likes of Joe Lieberman running away from it after first having supported it. Public support has shifted away from government run programs being our health care saviors.
nzanh says:
20 February 2010 at 10:28 pm
Medicare works for my mother very well. If you spread out the risk pool, Medicare would be stronger. And it’s easy to use. Joe Lieberman is bought and paid for by the insurance companies so it’s no surprise he doesn’t want anything that may help the average Joe. As for fear of government run programs, I have more fear of the greed of the private ones who won’t insure pre-existing conditions. Public support has shifted away to a degree because of the lack of messaging by the President, allowing the “death panel” talk to take hold. I support single payer, frankly, but realize that will not happen now.
lynnette says:
20 February 2010 at 10:55 pm
——-
I am very glad Medicare is working for your mother but for many patients and doctors, it doesn’t work. I am too young for Medicare and the only personal experience I’ve had with it was when my own physician closed down her practice. She dismissed all of her patients and later reopened with a medical group. All of her previous patients had to come back as a new patients. The only difference this time is that their medicare load had been drastically reduced. I asked her about this and she said they weren’t making money. As you know, the government only pays much less than what it costs to treat these patients. Everyone’s got bills and has to make a living, even the doctors. They do handle charity cases but they depend on the majority of their patients to pay fully for their services. I know this personally as my brother in law is an emergency room doctor. For me, he’s no more than a Joe Lunchbucket and I’m not envious of his bills lol The following article is very illuminating.
http://tinyurl.com/knonys
nzanh:
No offense but if you google the authors of the Wall Street Journal article you list you will find:
From: http://mediamatters.org/research/200905200041
The may not be an objective view of the situation .
mwfolsom…good work!
Nzanh…so the alternative to government run progams is what? How do you propose to expand coverage? How do you think the existing industries are going to get the cost down? Please don’t go the repub idea of medical savings accounts as that will not work for the unemployed or underemployed or those in poverty or people whose employor refuses to make contributions.
I think physicians deserve to be well paid much more so than members of congress,CEOs and athletes etc. because what they do is important and it requires years of education for them to become professionals.However,they don’t deserve to be exorbitantly wealthy.
When I was growing up doctors where highly respected members of the community and they were well off but they weren’t filthy rich. When my dad was growing up and went with his uncle,a country doctor, on house calls,he was often paid in produce or chickens.All over the world in third world nations their young peole become doctors without any expectation of riches but rather to help their people.Let’s keep things in perspective.
Well thank you guys for the warm welcome. I am enjoying myself on this blog, well this is the only one I post on lol !! well about the CPAC thing, Sarah Palin didn’t even show up and she got 7% and came in third place and I don’t really pay much attention to the CPAC poll anyways because Mitt Romney always gets the most votes but was shocked that Ron Paul won this year !!
For the health care bill, I am for universal healthcare. I mean lots of countries have it and seem to be going well and live longer than we do. If the government cut wasteful spending we could have a great healthcare system but that does not look like thats going to happen anytime soon. I might get proved wrong but right now I am not convinced !!
nzanh says:
20 February 2010 at 11:26 pm
lynnette says:
20 February 2010 at 10:55 pm
——-
“I am very glad Medicare is working for your mother but for many patients and doctors, it doesn’t work.”
Bullshit
” I am too young for Medicare and the only personal experience I’ve had with it was when my own physician closed down her practice. She dismissed all of her patients and later reopened with a medical group. All of her previous patients had to come back as a new patients. The only difference this time is that their medicare load had been drastically reduced. I asked her about this and she said they weren’t making money.”
Bullshit, they weren’t making as MUCH money as they wanted
” As you know, the government only pays much less than what it costs to treat these patients.”
BULLSHIT. Medicare pays less then the INSURANCE companies pay.
“Everyone’s got bills and has to make a living, even the doctors.”
That must be whay Drs are abandoning mediceine in droves huh, they can’t make any money? BWAHAHA!
“They do handle charity cases but they depend on the majority of their patients to pay fully for their services.”
VERY few Drs depend on their patiants paying their own bills “fully” once again it is the INSURANCE companies paying the Drs.
“I know this personally as my brother in law is an emergency room doctor. For me, he’s no more than a Joe Lunchbucket and I’m not envious of his bills lol”
Well DUHHHH. If your brother in law is an Emergency Room Dr. he is treating mostly that portion of the population who DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE or PRIMARY CARE. They show up when because they can’t afford it easily and CHEAPLY treatable conditions have flaired in to HUGELY expensive conditions. Gee, if they had affordable healthcare they wouldn’t BE showing up in the ER to START with.
” The following article is very illuminating.”
Very illuminating about the level of dishonesty and disenginuity of the rightwing and their public sphincters(that would be YOU) who periodicaly spasm and spew forth dishonest bilge like this.
I was watching a morning show on cable news and they were talking about the city of Tracy, California. The residents of this city will have to sign up for a voluntary fee of $48 dollars a year which will allow them to call 911 as many times a necessary. If residents don’t sign up,they will have to pay $300 for every 911 call. I hope if a heathcare bill passes it will fix these sort of things. People already have enough to worry about. The ambulance which costs alot of money and some insurance companies won’t pay for an ambulance. And millions without insurance and now with these fees,which I am sure will spread to other towns and cities all over this country when they get this news. Its sad that citizens such as myself have to worry about things like this when there are many other things to worry about such as bills and putting food on the table. I really hope Capital Hill gets its act together and get a good heathcare bill out and stop being greedy !!
I nzanh says:
20 February 2010 at 10:28 pm
lynnette says:
20 February 2010 at 12:49 pm
” think the more people find out about our broken and “broke” medicare system, the more they don’t want to have anything to do with an early medicare buy in.”
Your opinion but predicated on an outright LIE. Medicare isn’t “broke” OR broken. A VERY miner tweeking will make it completely solvent for DECADES to come.
“How can I trust the federal government who have mismanaged this government run program to run a greatly expanded medicare system.”
Funny how liars like yourself trust Gov. just FINE when the repugnantklan is fu*kin up the works.
“It really is not a mystery why you have the likes of Joe Lieberman running away from it after first having supported it.”
Yeah, it’s got NOTHING to do with ol Lie’berman becoming a buttboy for the repugnantklan at all, not to mention fluffing for the Insurance companies. Are you REALLY that big of a tool?
“Public support has shifted away from government run programs being our health care saviors.”
Another bald faced LIE. Public support for A public option AND single payer is as strong as ever.
“Noogan says:
20 February 2010 at 10:38 am”
I couldn’t agree MORE!!!!!
secularhumanizinevoluter says:
21 February 2010 at 9:58 am
I agree with you, Sec. I’m too young for Medicare, too, as is nzanh, but I know there are many people in my age group who don’t have health insurance who would buy into it, if given the opportunity. I would be one of them, if I didn’t have the good health insurance I currently have. There was some recent polling that showed 50% of the public still supports a public option, after all the death panel talking, etc. I think it would be higher if it was messaged the right way, i.e. extending Medicare.
“I think it would be higher if it was messaged the right way, i.e. extending Medicare.”
More like if it was HONESTLY presented instead of the nonstop, UNANSWERED LIES from the likes of our own personnal sphincter from reougnatklan central nzanh.
Hey nzanth, wipe yer lip, ya gotz some santorum drippin thar.
secularhumanizinevoluter says:
21 February 2010 at 11:33 am
Well, that, too.