Daily Kos Diary: The Genius of Opt In/Opt Out

[Phx_Dem]

The Genius of Opt In/Opt Out

by Larry Wohlgemuth

I have not diarized here for a while because I've been busy, but after reading about the opt in option I had to make time. I could not have imagined Obama would be able to rub the Republicans noses in it any more than he has already, but this latest plan is sheer genius.

Join me below the fold while we look at what he has done to the Republicans.

I have to believe by now that the Republicans are wishing the vote for healthcare reform had actually taken place in August, because their wailing and gnashing of teeth has only served to crater their favorability ratings. So now instead of getting a straight up or down vote and the ability to put healthcare reform behind them the Republicans have a new albatross around their necks. This isn't going away for them anytime soon.

<SNIP>

Can't you just imagine the debate now? Republican lawmakers, understanding the economic disadvantage at which their states will be placed if they opt out of the public option, will be forced to make a once in a lifetime decision: do I go with my wingnut base and vote down the public option knowing it will cause an economic Armageddon for my state, or do I vote to opt in knowing I'll never win election as a Republican in the state again? They will either have to jump over to argue in favor of the public option or vote for the impoverishment of their states. The carnage will be devastating and complete.

<SNIP>

The coup de grace may be that Republican state legislators will be forced to take up this debate just prior to the 2010 elections, handing majorities in several state houses and therefore the Congressional gerrymandering, uhh redistricting, following the census to the Democrats. I've lived 55 years and I've never witnessed the desecration of a political party so complete as this one. I think we should take a moment to appreciate the political virtuosity we are witnessing. }(

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/28/798000/-The-Genius-of-Opt-In-Opt-Out

[Cha]

1. Rec'd~ Thanks

Phoenix.:)

[redqueen]

2. I've been admiring that as the silver lining to opt in/opt out.

:)

[HopeOverFear]

3. WOO HOOO!!!!!! That's why I do NOT think 2010 will be like 1994

at all.

[Clio the Leo]

4. Isn't it lovely? NT

[eridani]

5. People are going to be pissed at Dems because of shitty health care reform

The Repukes are acting so crazy that the public might be even madder at them. I'd prefer to forestall that by enacting some health care measures that actually benefit people.

[Teaser]

7. yeah, like the house bill. good stuff in there

.

[eridani]

8. Mandatory insurance is going to be wildly unpopular.

The good stuff can be pulled out and passed separately.

[eridani]

12. Yep, Like expensive balsamic vinegar on a poison ivy salad n/t

[burning rain]

6. Who's proposing that opt-out votes take place earlier than 2013?

And while the modest public option in the House bill strikes me as worth having--come on, rejecting it would not mean "economic Armageddon" for any states that did so (much beyond their already feudal economic orders, anyhow--think the Deep South). I think the good diarist set pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, a bit too soon.

[TheWebHead]

9. well the public option is currently being configured for 3% to be eligible

and a $1 trillion pricetag for the bill where 97% wouldn't participate in the public plan doesn't seem to pose much political risk for those not in favor... and without being able to stick it to doctors and use money losing medicare payout rates as a baseline, the public option would likely have a negligible price advantage if any over the low margins the health insurance industry has (ie. Wellpoint 5.5% pre-tax in 2008 vs Dreamworks Animation at 25% in '08 for example).

[Hosnon]

10. He had me until the oddly gleeful hate-filled rant about the South. nt.

[Life Long Dem]

11. Why would it be any different than trying to privatize Social Security?

The only difference is Social Security is one step behind health care because Social Security doesn't have in place the opt out already, where health care does. So if Bush argued about Privatizing Social Security back when he was in office and SS had an opt out he would have been that much closer to privatizing SS.

I don't think the Republicans are whining that much. I don't know if I'm missing something here but I'm sure someone will point that out if I am missing something.

[optimator]

13. republicans WILL opt out and they will win elections

all this opt out crap does is punish democrats who live in gop states.
oh, and where is the mandate-opt-out?
gambling politics with the lives of sick people is grotesque and will fail.