I don't know the politics of health care well enough to know when to oppose and when to support

[CreekDog]

I wanted Medicare for all. I wanted a Public Option in leiu of that. I didn't want the Stupak Amendment.

But there are things i want that are in the bill.

So whether to fish or cut bait? I think it's going to come down to what certain leaders i respect and trust are doing.

namely:

Bernie Sanders
Lynn Woolsey
Raul Grijalva
Pete Stark
Barbara Boxer
Sherrod Brown
Barbara Lee

I can think for myself in terms of what I like and don't like in the bill. What I'm having trouble judging is when is it good enough to vote for or against and I'll be looking to some trusted leaders in the midst of the congressional struggle to help know what to do. The folks I've listed are progressive but not necessarily purists if they see an opportunity to get something accomplished.

Maybe this is an approach to judging this debate.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. You have some very good ideas.

I know when I'm faced with crazy issues like these, I often turn to people I trust, and see what they think.

What else can you do? That is, if you don't want to spend forever trying to learn every damn angle...

:shrug:

[Forkboy]

3. "That is, if you don't want to spend forever trying to learn every damn angle..."

One of the benefits from being bi-polar (and there aren't many) are the manic phases. During those times my brain not only wants to study every angle, it HAS to. I can't feed my brain info fast enough, and I devour info on whatever topic catches my attention. On any given issue my brain can come at it from any number of angles, and I'm able to process each one on it's own merits in fairly short order, and come up with a defense or attack based on those angles.

The downside is that when I'm not manic I'm an idiot who can barely process 2+2=4. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. So there are positives to being bi-polar!

Who'd a thunk it?

:D

[Forkboy]

7. It's only a positive for a short time.

By day three of no sleep an active brain isn't so fun anymore. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I believe that...

I hope you're doing well, my dear Forkboy...

:hug:

[Forkboy]

10. I'm doing good. I'm only on Day 1 still!

;)

Hope you're doing good as well.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I'm OK, and I thank you...

Some personal shit going on, but it'll pass...

:hug:

[boppers]

17. Do meds on Day 2, then 3, help?

Catching the wave, without the crash, so to speak?

[Forkboy]

18. Nope, the crash is always there.

Eventually my brain just overloads with so much info fighting for space that it becomes like white noise to me, and that's when the crash will hit. I've never found a med (or anything else) that lessens it. I'll spend a few days totally burnt out mentally and physically, then I'll have a period of a week or so where things are normal, and then the mania ramps back up and the cycle starts all over.

The coolest thing would be if I could shut the manic phase down for 6 hours a day to get some sleep, then reactivate it upon waking. I'd be smarter than Wiley E. Coyote, and he's a super genius. :)

[boppers]

19. Well, I found a drug to help me...

I don't suggest chronic alcohol abuse to others, though.

It has side effects.

Tried the rocket roller skates yet? I hear they're from ACME, who always has great stuff.

[Forkboy]

21. LOL

I'm not much of a drinker. Weed helps, but I rarely have it.

And if you can't trust ACME, who can you trust? :)

[NYC_SKP]

2. Yes, those seven and many others, including Alan Grayson and my representative...

...Jerry McNerney.

He took Richard "sell off National Parks" Pombo in my CA district.

~Rec'd.

[rwheeler31]

4. They are working just like you are to get the best bill.

[Oregone]

9. No one even seriously tried to get the best bill

[Forkboy]

5. It's a sensible approach that explains the varying positions here on DU.

Those who feel Kucinich can be trusted are doing just that. Those who feel Obama can be trusted are doing just that.

It does make it hard for me, however, as I don't trust any of them.

Nice list, btw. I like all of them a lot, even if I don't trust them. ;)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. That's kind of where I'm at.

I'm not an expert on health policy. I'm just trying desperately to keep up with information.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

13. Also, this thread is far too sensible.

Accuse someone of being a Fascist or a Communist. That'll get the Recs out.

[CreekDog]

14. You Fasmmunist!

:D

[SemiCharmedQuark]

15. REC!

[SemiCharmedQuark]

16. UNREC!

[John Q. Citizen]

20. The problem is seperating good public policy from political expediency.

And your list of people, who are all certainly aware of good public policy, are also uniquely situated to be victims of political expediency.

I decided that I was opposed to the bill a few days before the vote because I believe the bad in the bill outweighs the good in the bill.

It wasn't an easy decision, and I'm not sure that it is the correct decision. And I'm positive that it isn't politically expedient.