Did the Republicans ever come up with an official plan of their own

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

that they posted on any website for review or got scored by the CBO?

In other words, did they make any serious effort AT ALL to have a counter proposal? If not, why not? They are the media darlings and get all the time they want for debunking this bill, they could have certainly used the same time to promote their own bill.

When they try to make political hay in the future, as they will, the only reply will have to be -

"Why then did you not promote your own plan? Why did you not make your plan available to the public and get a CBO score on it? Why did you just roll over and hold your collective breaths until your collective faces turned blue?"

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Pull yourselves up by your own hospital johnnie strings." - Republicon Plan

[babylonsister]

2. Nope, they offered nothing. nt

[Bitwit1234]

17. Oh yes they did at first.....

First cut taxes and then put a limit of 250K on any and all malpractice lawsuits. They said that would clear the whole rising cost of health care.

[MercutioATC]

3. Why would they?

They got us to pass their bill and now they're free to criticize it.

[SpiralHawk]

5. So typical of Republicons to duck responsibility

and dump the mess of their own making onto others...tres republicon.

[hulka38]

4. No. Everyone knew they were going to obstruct a year ago.

[LiberalFighter]

6. They will say that they weren't invited to provide a plan. Which will be bull!! nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. They could have tried their own end run if they really cared about the result

They have 24/7 media megaphones who would have been out in force promoting the "Republican Alternative" - only there was no such thing. This will be the charge they will be unable to answer come election time -

"Why were you too lazy to write and promote your own plan"?

[SoCalDem]

7. Yes.. I posted it here a few months ago..

Here it is

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. Excellent!

:thumbsup:

[KharmaTrain]

10. Sure...It's Called DeRegulate And Privatize...

For a breif bit in 2005, booshie tried to push for having Social Security put in market accounts...imagine how well that would have done when the markets crashed three years later. Phew. Democrats objected...but more important, so did the public...even booosh's dog and pony road shows didn't go over well and Rove dropped the idea.

The GOOP's 30 year plan has been to deregulate and let the corporates decide what is best,,,especially for their own pocketbooks. Who needs a CBO when you hide the real expenses and then go for votes at 3am like DeLay did with the "Prescription Benefit" charade of a couple years ago. To your question...the rushpublicans see healthcare like education and other social services as a drain on their tax breaks. In their elistist view those are things to be earned and bought, not a right and the basis of a healthy and strong country and economy.

We are seeing polls that show no matter how the Democrats and Obama have taken a pounding during this debate, the GOOP hasn't really made any gains. It's because people are frustrated with the process and since the Democrats run the show, they get the blame. The rushpublicans have the luxuary of throwing stones and distracting as they currently have nothing else to do or be accountable.

The corporate media benefits from the rancor and partisanship...it draws eyeballs and ratings. It also serves its many corporate sponsors who have pumped millions in buying spots to advocate their positions (or disemenate their lies and distortions). Thus to ask them to deal with this issue in a serious manner is beyond their scope. You can't make a CBO score look sexy...complex is not sellable.

Cheers...

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

11. They didn't care enough to become actively involved in one of the most momentous bills ever passed

Stunning when you think about it.

Their own bitterness and incompetence rendered them completely unable to mount any effective pushback to the Dems.

[unpossibles]

12. I thought screaming "ZOMG SOCIALISM!!!1!" was the official plan?

No? It sure seemed like it.

[OHdem10]

13. They could not in conscience offer anything,--they do not believe

Health Care is the responsibilty of the Government.

Since no one will ever call them out on this, they are able
to use smoke and mirrors---They throw out incremental steps
to pretend they are interested in Health Care for all.

They know their true beliefs are not acceptable to their
own constituents therefore will dally around the edges.

Their happiest dream would be to get rid of all the
programs of FDR and LBJ. SS Medicare etc. They have
been pretty successful at draining Welfare and weakening
Medicare.

Norquist does not hide his desires: He is a starve the Beaster.
Cut Tazes and Cut parts out of the Social Programs---Cut taxes
and cut spending on Social programs. Do this enough times
and the programs are gone. Starve the beast.

[napi21]

14. I think they decided, as a clooective group, to bring this Dem.

President down by whatever means they could think of. Dimint actually SAID THAT! "It will be his Waterloo!" Remember, they've been against EVERYTHING the Dems & Obama have proposed since last January when they took office! The only think I can remember a hand full of Pubs voting for was Sonya for SCOTUS, and the ones who DID vote for her have been chastized severly by their own Party members. HC has been no different, it's just the topic of the day!

[gratuitous]

15. I think it had to do with tax cuts

But then, every Republican program starts with tax cuts. Or maybe it was a tax credit? Anyway, the idea was to put individual consumers into the "free market" arena, armed with a trusty (or was it rusty?) tax credit, and strike the best deal he or she could against the combined bargaining power, claims adjusters and lawyers of the insurance industry. Cyanide capsules were available, but you had to pay for them as well.

[niceypoo]

16. They had a little pamphlet

That was mostly pictures and enumerated all of the failed RW healthcare talking points from the last 20 years.