Comments on: Health Care Reform Debate: Just Starting

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:24:53 +0000

Yes, Democrats…especially Clinton Democrats….have sold their souls for their scraps of campaign contributions from corporations.

And see?….that's why we need more and better Democrats.

By: Da King

Da King — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:58:57 +0000

Rev says, "Many average conservatives just see health reform as another form of welfare."

Well, duh. That's exactly what it is. If we can't call things by their actual name, then we're just a bunch of liars. I know lying is the favored liberal form of disinformation, but most of us prefer the facts.

By: Da King

Da King — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:54:57 +0000

Rev says, "And, really….all the Democrats need is more and better Democrats in the Senate"

Um, the Democrats have a veto-proof majority in the Senate. The Republicans can't do a thing to stop them. Everything that's happening now is BECAUSE OF THE DEMOCRATS. Wake up and smell the aroma.

By: Da King

Da King — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:52:41 +0000

Rev says, "If the "right direction" [on health care] leads to higher insurance costs and fewer Americans having it…then, sure."

Earth to Reverend. Do you really think the Senate health care bill reduces costs ? If so, why haven't you been paying attention ?

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:06:17 +0000

I really don't believe Republicans will have anything to do with health reform. They are gambling on one of two things happening: 1) They can help a few moderate Democrats stop reform cold….or…2) The final reform, even if it passes, will be so weak and insurance friendly, it will be a massive failure and can be totally blamed on Democrats.

Many average conservatives just see health reform as another form of welfare. All the noise is to hack away at a Democratic president who has great promise.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:15:31 +0000

I have the feeling the democrats wanted something passed and now that this passed they have to work on how to make it affordable. And since the republicans are stuck now with having to insure everyone perhaps they might concede to a few things or their taxes will go up.
At the health care meeting I went to it was very clear the opposition didn't give a crap about the uninsured. Not my problem so who cares. But I also think their perception on who they are is wrong. Now a days I am hearing about so many your people in their in twenties without insurance because they are graduating college and can't get a good job to pay for it.

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:58:28 +0000

The stimulus had 3 GOP votes. That's how it was passed and the only way it could have passed.

And, really….all the Democrats need is more and better Democrats in the Senate….and the Republicans will be absolutely impotent. It will be the GOP's own fault when it happens, they allowed their party to be taken over by extremist carnival-barker-types, some of whom are tied to evangelical groups. It's a mess, I think.

By: bzzzzp

bzzzzp — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:17:41 +0000

You do not need Republican votes to pass your nonsense. That was shown by the ramming of the stimulus package down the country's throat.

The reason that Democrats want Republicans to be on board, is that when it destroys what it is supposed to fix, you want to be able to share the blame.

You don't want co-sponsors, you want co-defendants.

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:18:54 +0000

"Why should anyone vote for something terrible?"

To fulfill the desire of their corporate constituencies.

"you can't blame the insurance companies for having to raise premiums under the Senate Finance bill. They won't have any choice."

Typical apologetic for those corporate constituencies. As if health insurers are helpless in their endless pursuit of profits.

Understatement of the year…

"While that leaves some major issues unaddressed, it would at least be a step in the right direction."

If the "right direction" leads to higher insurance costs and fewer Americans having it…then, sure. Apparently, King believes that all economic problems are solved by making the rich…richer.

By: Da King

Da King — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:27:26 +0000

Reverend,
You're saying the Senate bill passed by the Finance Committee is terrible (and I agree), but then you blame Republicans and some Dems for voting against it ???
That doesn't make any sense to me. Why should anyone vote for something terrible ?

And you can't blame the insurance companies for having to raise premiums under the Senate Finance bill. They won't have any choice. The Senate is forcing them to raise premiums via taxes and mandates.

The tax I just "love" is the tax on high-priced health care plans. It's the government saying, "we want you all to have health insurance. We just don't want it to be TOO GOOD." I could have sworn the original stated purpose of health care reform was too make health care GOOD.

The Republican plan, weak though it is, would be better than the Senate Finance plan. The GOP plan was 1) make all insurance tax deductible 2) Tort reform to lower costs 3) natiowide competition among insurers to drive down costs. While that leaves some major issues unaddressed, it would at least be a step in the right direction. The Senate plan is a step in the wrong direction.

And none of this is going to help unless we start creating some good jobs in this country.