Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) opposes public health ins. "Would be too attractive"

[phantom power]

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Friday that he will oppose legislation that would give people the option of a public health insurance plan. The move puts him on the opposite side of two-thirds of Americans.

A poll released this week by Consumer Reports National Research Center showed that 66 percent of Americans back the creation of a public health plan that would compete with private plans. Nelson, in comments made to CQ, joins the 16 percent of poll respondents who said they oppose the plan.

Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans. "At the end of the day, the public plan wins the game," Nelson said. Including a public option in a health plan, he said, was a "deal breaker."

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/president-nelson-makes-call-by-dday-so.html

[Fuzz]

1. Um, good.

[phantom power]

OK, I'll bite: why is it good?

[Fuzz]

13. That it would be attractive? People need insurance?

[phantom power]

15. The thing is, the senator is opposing it. Because it would be too popular.

[Posteritatis]

19. I think Fuzz thinks the reaction the senator fears is what's good (nt)

[Fuzz]

48. Yup

[leftstreet]

2. FFS! They're just coming right out and saying it

We, the Congress, are here to work against the rest of you.

FFS

[Raksha]

58. Yup, they're coming right out and saying it,

which makes it a lot easier for the rest of us. We KNOW whose side they're on...and who's side they aren't on.

[NorthCarolina]

96. The MSM is'nt reporting it, you would only know it if you frequent progressive blogs/news sites

so why not come out and say it? In reality, what percentage of the population will even KNOW they said it? My guess is not many.

[NikolaC]

84. Yes

Unfortunately, I posted a response from my senator, Mark Warner, which essentially says the same thing that Nelson says but with more double speak.

... Although I do not support a government-run single-payer health care system, I believe we need comprehensive reform to achieve a competitive, cost-effective, and efficient system. This effort should be primarily focused on ensuring that all Americans can get adequate health coverage, and the coverage must be cost-effective and based upon data-driven medical standards. Any final reform should also include measures to promote use of electronic medical records and a more intense focus on preventive care.

When this issue comes up for debate, I plan to put progress before partisanship to work on ways to increase access to health care for all Americans...

Apparently, they are owned by or afraid of the insurance companies, screw the rest of us.

[defendandprotect]

87. Single Payer is also the cheapest way to go -- remove age restrictions from Medicare--!!!

Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont, made clear that he should have done
Single Payer in Vermont --
Their plan costs 3X more than Single Payer would have cost--!!!


Apparently, they are owned by or afraid of the insurance companies, screw the rest of us

Wonder when any of them may be getting tired of devoting almost 100% of their time to raising
funds - constant phone calls - and kissing the asses of corporations and doing their dirty work?

Meanwhile, those campaign funds keep them in office -- not votes.

[Matariki]

117. "would hurt the private insurance plans"

you are right, and how.

[Enrique]

3. capitalism at its finest

:toast:

[Joanne98]

4. Bastard!

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. The poor insurance companies would be exploited by the people I ostensibly work for. n/t

[drm604]

6. A Democrat yet!

So he's basically saying that he's more concerned about the health of the insurance companies than he is about the health of Americans.

[xxqqqzme]

94. He'll be

forfeiting his tax payer funded health insurance any day now. Wonder if he will hold a press conference to announce his downgrade to private coverage?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. It would hurt the private insurance plans?

Good! We want them removed from the scene!

He needs to go....

Ick.

:wtf:

[The Wizard]

81. It would hurt the campaign contributions

he gets from the insurance lobby. Fuck him and his campaign fund. He should change his name to Shyster.

[glinda]

8. Pretty interesting that all these people are gloating publicly at us isn't it?

[phantom power]

12. I honestly don't get it.

This is one of those statements from a politician that makes me want to sit down with them over a beer and just... figure out what the hell they are thinking. It doesn't even make sense from a purely cynical "get reelected" standpoint.

[glinda]

18. Don't complicate it. It is exactly as you hear it. A put-down.

[phantom power]

29. I agree, but why?

Does he deeply believe that private solutions are better? Then why is he a Dem? Does he just want the juicy campaign contributions? But why go on record opposing 66% of voters?

Makes no damn sense, I tell you!

[Lorien]

36. I think that they all know that it's not the public that elects them

it's their contributors. Rarely does an incumbent lose against a less well funded rival. They stick it too us simply because they can.

[glinda]

39. Yes. It makes sense. He has to GO! He is showing who he is really supporting.

It is not us. And to think we thought it would be easier when Obama won. Not!

[Lerkfish]

86. sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one: He's bought and paid for by

the insurance lobby.

[wroberts189]

57. You get it ..they do not. nt

[kristopher]

63. It isn't complicated

From his bio:
Nelson enjoyed a successful career in insurance law. He has served as CEO of the Central National Insurance Group, as chief of staff and executive vice president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and as director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance.

[defendandprotect]

91. Aren't they thinking that they want to get relelected and campaign $ is what does it?

Also our corporate-media gets 80% of those campaign funds for political ads--!!!

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. DU rules prohibit expression of my thoughts about Mr Nelson. n/t

[demodonkey]

16. But they don't prohibit your advocating for another Democrat to challenge him for his seat! nt

[rhett o rick]

46. Under the current system it is almost impossible to unseat an incumbent Democrat in a primary. nm

[Maru Kitteh]

107. It might not be that impossible in Nebraska. John Kleeb enjoys high name recognition here.

Many NE Democrats have feckin' sick of Nelson, so he might be able to challenge Nelson, and many Republicans like Kleeb very much in spite of the fact that he is definitely to the left of Nelson, which means he could win conceivably the seat as well.

[rhett o rick]

116. I hope he has a source of lots of money. He will need it. nm

[nxylas]

17. Would they prohibit expression of your thoughts about a completely fictional senator?

Say this hypothetical senator, who we'll call Neb Noslen, were to oppose a public health plan on the grounds that it would hurt his paymasters - what would you think about him?

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wroberts189]

59. Yes but he does got inserted into the DU mass mind.. conservadem. nt

[pscot]

10. The people really want this

and that's a deal breaker? Please, somebody primary this Dino.

[wroberts189]

60. It's going to be a real test ..pass the popcorn as they say nt

[SOS]

11. Isn't competition a good thing?

Let the private insurance companies compete.

Nelson seems to favor inefficient, expensive insurance plans as long as his bribers remain happy and outrageously wealthy.

After the budget vote, the mortgage vote and now this, Nelson should leave the Democratic Party and join his Republican pals.

[varelse]

14. When's he up for re-election (assuming he plans to run)

and are there any potential primary challengers we could be providing with campaign donations?

[crazylikafox]

25. Any real dem opposing him gets my money.

[Pharlo]

20. I think B. Nelson should

show his support for the private health industry by renouncing any and all government subsidized health care he and his family receive through the auspices of his office.

As long as he receives government supported health care while denying the average American of the same option and is willing to deny Americans a decent option in favor of protecting his pet industry through corporate welfare, his Republican soul is showing through the thin veneer that is his 'Democratic' apparition.

A Democrat in name, a Republican in deed.

[checks-n-balances]

38. Great idea - that DINO needs to put his money where his mouth is

I know he's had several terms in office by now. What kind of idiots would re-elect someone who has no idea what the Democratic Party stands (or used to stand) for?

[Maru Kitteh]

108. The kind who have only had the choice between a bad Democrat and NO Democrat.

I hope you won't make us return our opposable thumbs. We were just starting to get used to them.



You know I could make a crack or two about idiots in NC, having lived there for 7 years myself, but I will not suppose you to be an idiot. I'll suppose that you, and your fellow Dems continue to do the best you can and work towards improvement and progress, just as we are.

[kiranon]

111. Absolutely. Until he turns down all government paid for health care for himself

and his family. Until then he has no standing to say anything on health insurance being too attractive.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. $608,000 from the Insurance industry - $233,000 from Health Care professionals in bribes.

aka - campaign contributions

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005329&cycle=2008

[BlooInBloo]

23. (facepalm)

Well, at least he acknowledges the primary point: that it would be very good.

Now, if only we could get him to SUPPORT that which is very good.

[JVS]

72. Wanting him to support what is good? What kind of ideological purist maniac are you!!!!

We have to have a big tent with plenty of room for those that oppose good.

[quiet.american]

24. Ben Nelson can always be counted on to be a one-man band of "no." He's useless. nt

[NC_Nurse]

26. An unabashedly fucked up statement. Shameless and infuriating. Is he up for

reelection soon? Dare I hope he will get kicked to the curb?

[rhett o rick]

28. I don't see him getting "kicked to the curb". He is an incumbent. nm

[NC_Nurse]

32. Well, that sucks.

[rhett o rick]

45. You have such a way with words.

I think we have to hope a non-Democratic organization like moveon will launch a campaign to replace incumbent DINO's.

[rhett o rick]

27. Does anyone here think there is a snowball in hell chance for a primary

challenge? Big money will continue to back him as will his Senate cohorts, IMHO. The Democratic Party organizations will go with the incumbent. And since he votes with the republiCons a fair share of the time, he will get a lot of republiCon votes.

Don't think we can unseat this guy. What a great system.

[phantom power]

30. There's precedent for successful net-roots primary challengers.

Organizations like move-on can raise enough contributions to make it happen. Hope he ends up on their list.

[rhett o rick]

33. I think that moveon might have a chance. They (we) need to start picking off

the worst Democrats in Congress. I say Ben Nelson has to go.

The precedent you spoke of must be for the HOR. I can't think of one for the Senate, unless you mean Liarman. And that effort failed.

[phantom power]

35. Could be I'm thinking of Dems challenging GOP incumbents.

But there's no reason we couldn't do some primary challengers.

As Atrios sez: "More and better democrats!"

[rhett o rick]

44. I would love to mount some primary challenges but it is an up hill battle.

You wouldn't get any support from the Democratic Party. They throw all their support behind the incumbent. The incumbent will get money from big business and friends in the Senate.

The grass roots tried with LaMont and got their lesson.

[Vinca]

31. So Ben Nelson represents the insurance companies and not the citizens.

Not surprising since he also represents the banks.

[OHdem10]

34. Good Pro Business Democratic Conservative.

[TahitiNut]

37. It amazes me that so many are wiling to baldly admit that the "public option" is so much better ...

... that the private insurance companies would be unable to compete. It's astonishing that we're so thoroughly controlled by the finance industry that a completely corrupted Senator like Nelson can openly acknowledge that he refuses to vote for something that the vast majority of his constituency would prefer.

I noticed this during the televised part of Obama's 'healthcare roundtable' -- when an insurance industry spokesperson stated the same thing. They baldly admitted that the insurance industry couldn't compete in terms of cost-effectiveness with a "public option."

If there were ever a more open-and-shut case for single-payer, I've not seen it.

:grr: :grr:

[Laelth]

40. Hear, hear! n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[JimWis]

41. The majority of people want public health insurance, I understand

many doctors want it - what the hell happened to government for the people. I guess we have to keep pushing.

[Captain Hilts]

42. Is he going to set an example and give up his? Imagine trying to buy health ins. as an individual!!

[mnhtnbb]

43. Insurance companies OWN Nebraska. Check out this website:

http://www.healthinsurance.org/nebraska

[Celeborn Skywalker]

47. Fuck him.

I can tolerate a lot of bullshit from Democrats but openly saying you oppose a public option because it is "too popular" while supporting greedy private insurance companies is a deal breaker for me.

There needs to be a primary challenge.

[dreamnightwind]

49. campaign finance reform

The broken record keeps spinning, issue after issue, repeating "campaign finance reform". Maybe eventually we'll get the message.

He's unlikely to be defeated in a primary, and any repub he goes up against is likely to be worse. Anyone got $600,000 to buy him back for the people? Even if everyone pools all their resources together to do it, he's only 1 DINO among many. And they'll be beating us on issue after issue. Health care, mortgage cram-down, wall street bailouts, deregulation, it's endless.

All of these things are on the perimeter of the wheel, spinning frantically. There's no leverage to do anything at the perimeter, everything turns too fast and every issue is just another spoke. The hub is where you can make a difference, and that hub is the money that is used to win elections.

Sorry to be a broken record. Thanks for the OP, I hadn't heard this statement.

[mwooldri]

50. But public health systems cut costs.

Proof in figures: Medicare's budget, $400 billion, covers 46 million people and doesn't pay for everything. UK's NHS budget for a year - £100 billion (about $150-$160) covers 60 million people for practically everything.

We can cover the whole USA if we just double Medicare's budget and set reimbursements to health providers appropriately.

Mark.

[pleah]

51. I wonder if Nelson, the insurance companies and other that opposed

the will of the people can be charged with torture? Wouldn't that be great? I mean the insurance companies rape and torture people all the time. Wouldn't it be perfect if you could prosecute them?

[Usrename]

52. aaaaarrgh..

:banghead:

[JBoy]

53. What a total dick!

I really can't think of anything else to say.

He's a complete and utter dick.

[handmade34]

54. unfortunate that many of our Democratic representative and senators

still value the health of corporations above that of real people....

[wroberts189]

55. Of course it would be because it would be cheaper. KNR nt

[Dappleganger]

56. IOW, fuck the people

the health insurance companies are most important!

Why is this guy even allowed to caucus with the dems??

[wroberts189]

61. "We have to elect better Democrats" - Cindy Sheehan nt

[laureloak]

62. Get rid of this guy. He represents the ins. industry, not the people

He should be removed from office for that comment.

[Betty]

64. yeah, more attractive than the shit plans

you can get from the for profit companies... the loophole laden, huge deductible no pre-exisiting conditions allowed plans.

[mikekohr]

65. Nelson Raked in Over $600,000.00 from the Insurance Industry

Follow the money. Greenbacks speak as loud in the Sandhills of Nebraska as they do on Wall Street.

mike kohr

[hangman86]

66. Why give insurance companies incentive to be less greedy and merciless?

If Stephen Colbert had used the Senator's words I'd be laughing right now.

[diane in sf]

67. fuck private insurance--they are leaches on our society

[diane in sf]

68. We should put Nelson's reelection funding up on EBay. I'm sure we could raise more than $600k

and buy his votes back from the insurance industry,

[dgibby]

82. Good idea.

Somebody put SC governor, Mark Sandford, up for sale on E-Bay. Unfortunately, we'd probably have to pay somebody to take him. Definitely NOT a money maker!

[alarimer]

69. It would be too attracting because private insurance SUCKS.

And private insurers are evil fucking corporations who make money off the backs of the sick.

Ben Nelson, I'd call you a whore but that would give whores a bad name.

[Bette Noir]

70. That's the point, Poindexter.

We the People want a public program. You got a problem with that?

[vssmith]

71. Is Omaha, in his state, the center for many Insurance companies?

[rasputin1952]

74. Yes...between here and Hartford CT, insurance rules...

:(

[rasputin1952]

73. As a Nebraskan D, who worked to reseat the Senator...

I am ashamed he would say such a thing. I wonder if he realizes just how incredibly stupid his rationale is. Then again...Nebraska is an insurance stronghold, and I have to wonder how much went to Nelson for this incredibly idiotic stance?

There are times when Nebraska looks like it is still in the 19th Century, and then there are the times when people come out and prove it...:(

[Joey Liberal]

75. He doesnt want us to have the coverage he enjoys nt

[pipoman]

76. There are dozens of insurance companies based

in Nebraska. Insurance companies land in states with attractive laws...Nebraska has made their laws attractive for insurance companies for decades.

[DrZeeLit]

77. Rachel Maddow had Nelson on her show one night. Did you see the look on her face?

He's a moron.
A buffoon.
Incoherent. Ridiculous.

He makes Lierberman look liberal and sane.

I hope the Obama team either reels him in (probably not) or lets him dangle in the wind, showing more and more of his detachment from the people who sent him to work on their behalf.

[fasttense]

78. He basically said that public health care is too damn good for you unwashed masses.

Yup, yup, yup, American citizens just don't deserve anything that might actually be good. They only deserve the scraps of what the Insurance companies will give them. The unwashed masses of Americans do not deserve a GOOD health care system. "If they are going to die, let them do so and decrease the excess surplus population."


Why do conservative talking points, and Ben Nelson is quoting the conservative talking point on health care, end up sounding like quotes from Charles Dickens?

[The Gunslinger]

79. we wouldn't want to hurt our corporate donors...........errrr private insurance companies

I'm sure private insurance companies have never hurt the American people.

[jpak]

80. Dumbass

Twit

[nashville_brook]

83. says Nelson, "what you don't understand is I don't give a FUCK about you *people*"

"...you mere constituents, citizens, mothers with dying children who can't go to a doctor. what have you done for ME lately? I don't see thrillions of campaign cash flowing into my bank account from you mere PEOPLE," he says, spitting disdain, red faced, veins bulging. "This is about ME, and MY future -- not a bunch of crybabies who can't afford to get sick. You know what makes ME sick? You sick people."

It was an interesting conversation he just had with me in my head.

[mn9driver]

85. We don't need Nelson to vote for it.

We need 51 Senators and the willingness to use the reconciliation process.

[Infinite Hope]

88. Puts him at odds with 2/3 of Americans...so what. He represents but one state.

I disagree with him on the issue, but he's elected to represent his constituents. National polls are irrelevant. If there's a Nebraska poll that shows wide support for public healthcare, that would be different. So I think the writer of the article is really grasping at straws here and providing irrelevant material.

[Maru Kitteh]

110. I would like to see the national party fund that poll, and an ad campaign and put pressure on him.

Right now the only ads we are seeing in Nebraska are from the right-wing fear machine. Where is the national party on this? Nebraska is a CHEAP state to advertise in, and this is a CRITICAL issue. It can be done.

[Faryn Balyncd]

89. Any "reform" that LACKS a public option is a huge step BACKWARDS - & WORSE than doing NOTHING at...

...all.

We cannot afford, individually or as a nation, to continue to pay the insurance companies their 31% "administrative" cut.

Any so-called "reform" that lacks a public option amounts to unaffordable CORPORATE WELFARE, and, by MANDATING insurance purchase, will further enrich the insurance interests which are a huge part of the problem.

This corporate enrichment would make it even more difficult to take on these special interests in the future.

Ben Nelson has signaled that he is aligned with the insurance interests against the American people.

Any plan lacking a public option is the enemy of real reform, and must be defeated.

[floridablue]

90. Dino Nelson has always been on the opposite side of Americans

[Ed76638]

92. Fascism.

[defendandprotect]

93. May I suggest that anyone who disagrees with Nelson . ..

pass their thoughts onto Pelosi/Reid and Nelson -- and their own Senators/Reps?

Not to mention the White House ---

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

[rhett o rick]

95. What organization is working to replace Ben Nelson?? nm

[Individualist]

97. Of course he's against it

He's a DLC member.

[liam_laddie]

98. Excellent point made on "Washigton Journal" this morning...

A caller to the PBS show stated (paraphrased) "Conservatives say socialized healthcare leads to faceless bureaucrats making medical decisions for us; they conveniently ignore that faceless cost-control bureaucrats working in the insurance industry make medical decisions for us everyday, primarily by denying claims or refusing coverage. They even get bonuses based on their denial numbers."
Truer words were never spoken, again illustrating the absurdity of Ben Nelson and his ilk. Nebraskans must deny him next election. Single-payer is the only solution; screw the insurance industry.

[mike_c]

99. pig....

Pig with a great congressional health plan, I might add.

[ecstatic]

100. devils advocate question: What do you propose happen to the millions who work

in the insurance field? I hate what has happened to health insurance, believe me (I pay nearly 300/month); however, when discussing shutting down an entire industry, does anyone ever take time to think of all the workers who will be affected?

[cornermouse]

102. You do what the rest of us suckers have had to do.

You either go back to school or possibly, in your case, you get a job in the recovery audit collection system that they are currently building.

[ecstatic]

104. well...

I don't work in the insurance industry, but it's just interesting to see how some jobs are called indispensable (i.e., auto workers) while other workers are pretty much being told to go f*ck themselves.

[tbyg52]

101. I hope it puts private, for-profit insurance completely out of business, eventually.

Since that's what got us in this mess in the first place!

[TankLV]

103. If SiNGLE PAYER GOVERNMENT PROVIDED HEALTH CARE brought about the END of the PRIVATE INSURANCE PLANS

that would be a PLUS...

but I would prefer that the INSURANCE COMPANIES were all gone, too...

THEY ARE A POX and a PARASITE on society...

[lakercub]

105. I think I may ask my wife to stop

showering. I may also ask her to get rid of some of the nice things she wears and replace them with sackcloth. If I don't do this...she will just continue to be too damn attractive to me.

[Downwinder]

106. Just like his job. n/t

[EndElectoral]

109. Seriously, how could any Democrat vote for this guy.

[Maru Kitteh]

114. It's been a matter of utter and total lack of even remotely acceptable alternatives.

This is the Wiki of the last guy who ran against Nelson, Pete Ricketts. Even W. showed up to stump for the guy. He was a SLIMEBALL of the highest possible magnitude.

--------------------
Ricketts was the 2006 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held and retained by Democrat Ben Nelson. His opponents in the primary were former Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg and former state Republican chairman David Kramer. Ricketts spent nearly $5 million of his own money out-of-pocket, outspending his opponents 10-1 in winning the nomination <2>.

Ricketts was running on a conservative platform, emphasizing fiscal responsibility <1>, immigration reform <3>, and agriculture <4> , as well as championing a socially conservative platform opposing gay marriage <5> and abortion <6>. In all, he contributed $11,302,078 million of his own money to his campaign, triggering the Millionaire's Amendment which allows his opponent to raise larger amounts from each donor <7> <8>. He spent more money than any Senate candidate in Nebraska history <9>.
--------------------------------------------------------

It was like choosing between a bucket of piss and whole hog lagoon. You go with the bucket of piss.

[GreenTea]

112. How does this cocksucker republican Nelson call himself a democrat - he always favors corporations

over workers and tax payers?

Nelson is one of the slimiest fuckers in politics....he's a corporate fucking republican no different than Lieberman, Specter McCain or Hatch....This prick Nelson needs a good bitch-slapping each and every day...He's one of the few I can say I'd string up this right-wing republican corporate bastard by his thumbs....What an ugly greedy hateful, selfish and corrupt republican fascist is Nelson!

Republicans ALWATS have these pigs like Nelson spying creating bullshit in the democratic party.

[Mithreal]

113. This Senator owns responsibility for more annual American deaths than 911.

Scum

Edited because I called him a terrorist, but I still think he is one, but maybe that is overly harsh.

[Enthusiast]

115. And that's the fucking point!

What possible value is the insurance industry to healthcare? They serve no good purpose.