If Grayson's 64 co-sponsors for a Medicare Buy In were SERIOUS, & not just seeking POLITICAL COVER :

[Faryn Balyncd]

...They would make it a PRECONDITION for passing HCR.


:kick:


Grayson's Medicare Buy In bill, if Democrats are to be taken at their word, should be a no-brainer:

The Senate was ON THE VERGE OF PASSING HRC that INCLUDED a Medicare Buy In until the Administration pressured Reid to bow to Lieberman's threats to deny HCR its 60th vote. . . . And now 51 Senators now say they will SUPPORT A PUBLIC OPTION in RECONCILIATION, if the House acts first.

Yet on the same day this tally grows to 51, Nancy Pelosi pronounces the "Public Option" dead.






If Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats were SERIOUS about a "Public Option", or a Medicare Buy In, they would force the hand of the 58 Senators who, before pressure from Lieberman and the White House, were on the verge of passing HCR WITH A MEDICARE BUY IN, and compel51 Senators who say they will now support a public option in reconciliation to turn their words into votes.





The Washington reality is that without making Grayson's Medicare Buy In a PRECONDITION to passing HCR, it's chances of passage is zero. And, as such, it becomes (not unlike support for a nebulous "public option") little more than POLITICAL COVER, a symbolic crumb to the base, while spineless Democratic politicians do the filthy work of passing a lobbyist written, no-pubic-option MANDATE.





Glenn Greenwald was right: The Democratic scam of passing off a lobbyist-written no-public-plan mandate cynically labeled as "reform", while pretending to support a public plan only if it has no chance of passage, is becoming transparent.

The ruinous price we will pay for ignoring the will of Americans is equally clear:

65% to 72% of voters favor a "public plan like Medicare" available to Americans under 65, while 20% to 26% oppose.

But only 34% of voters believe the current no-public-option plan is "better than passing nothing".

Even Scott Brown voters favor a Public Option. 82% of 2008 Obama voters who voted for Brown, favor a Public Option. Yet each of these voters (out of disgust, a sense of betrayal, or desperation) voted for a Senate candidate who vowed to kill the current bill).

It's not too late to avoid running over this cliff, but it appears that this is the course the administration chose when it made its closed door deal with the for-profit hospital industry.


And it appears that not only Reid, but Pelosi as well, lacks the will to correct the administration's fatally compromised approach.





:kick:



"If Barack Obama’s bill gets changed to exclude the public entities, it is not health insurance reform…it rises and falls on whether the public is allowed to choose Medicare if they’re under 65 or not. If they are allowed to choose Medicare as an option, this bill will be real health care reform...."

- Howard Dean

[laughingliberal]

1. Is there a word that means more than excellent?

Absolutely lays it out and takes no prisoners. Not one word here I can disagree with.

Kudos!

[Mithreal]

18. +1

[sharesunited]

2. I don't mind a mandate at all if Medicare is one of my choices.

This really is the missing piece of the puzzle.

[Faryn Balyncd]

3. agreed

[GinaMaria]

56. I agree too. That would be enough of a balance and

enough of a start to build a stable foundation on which to end the health care crisis in this country. Without it, the bill is too imbalanced. In it's current form we get so little for how much we gave away. Give people a medicare option. That would make things more Faryn Balynced ;-)

[grahamhgreen]

101. +1

[saracat]

4. Outstanding! We need people who think like you in office.

[t0dd]

5. K&R. They should just merge HR 4789 in with the reconciliation package.

[rhett o rick]

6. Well written. But we know the problem, how do we work to fix it? nt

[bvar22]

7. Agree 100%

Well presented.
I would be interested to see a cogent rebuttal.
At this point, I don't think one is possible.

K&R

[laughingliberal]

26. Of course it's possible

You must want Palin for president!
Awww, you didn't get your pony.
You don't care if millions die!


Oh, wait..., you said 'cogent.' Never mind.

[maglatinavi]

8. healt care ...

... if Hillary had been the POTUS ... profound painful sigh !!!:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[closeupready]

9. Amen.

K&R

[colsohlibgal]

10. Wake Up Big Ed

I've found it particularly distressing that supposed left talkers like Ed Schultz have really kind of ripped we are balking at this bill.

Money talks and once again it has talked. Their weak statements that they would love to pass it if the votes were there ring more than hollow - the votes are there but the deal was struck long ago, we lose, the insurance and pharmacy giant corporations win.

The only good news is people like Grayson, Weiner, Sanders, Boxer, Kaptur, just to name a few. We just need a lot more of them and a lot less of the two faced whores.

[Mithreal]

41. Some are willing to trade for access.

[defendandprotect]

61. True . . .Schultz caved a few days ago and is now accepting of the breadcrumbs being offered!!!

[change_notfinetuning]

70. Big Ed is a lot littler in my eyes. In fact, I just don't listen as much anymore to

either of his shows. His protege and chief legal analyst, Norman Goldman, is much more in tune with my views. Check him out on line if he's not on the radio in your city.

The only thing I hear Ed saying, of late, is that we have to win one for the "Gipper" and I thought we did that already. We got the him elected, but since then, the "Gipper" has been throwing the games. It's time for the "Gipper" to win one for us - the People.

[Jefferson23]

11. K&R for " we the people "

[inna]

12. Excellent post! KR

:kick:

[leftstreet]

13. K&R

[Hissyspit]

14. .

[waiting for hope]

15. K&R

Nicely Done! :thumbsup:

[zeemike]

16. Grayson is trying an end run around the party.

Hope like hell he is sucessful...And I hope he stays away from small aircraft.

[defendandprotect]

66. Good for Grayson and the 64 who want to jump the wall with him!!!

[ibegurpard]

17. Make it a precondition

otherwise I'm looking at it as just another "shiny" to distract single-payer supporters in the public while they shore up support for the Senate Bill that the White House wanted all along.

[CrispyQ]

19. We know who they work for, & it ain't us!

"...while spineless Democratic politicians do the filthy work of passing a lobbyist written, no-pubic-option MANDATE."

I suspect that this fall, the dems are going to discover that the "lesser of two evils" argument will fall on deaf ears.

Excellent summation. k&r

[Mari333]

20. k

[Swamp Rat]

21. k&r

[KoKo]

22. K&R...

[branders seine]

23. Obama's secret deal with the insurance companies

really screwed us, didn't it?

[truedelphi]

24. Yep, and not just that one - but before tht one, his secret deal with

the Banksters

If Fourteen trillion bucks had not passed into the upper reaches of the Upper Elite, we could have had health care for everyone for like thirty years!

Meanwhile while the money was forced away from Main Street and went up into Wall Street, we have the President standing idly by, and then by March 2009 claiming "I never really did understand economic matters, I have always been focused ion the two wars and not the economy" and Blah Blah Blah.

Yet speeches of his from six months early have him BRAGGING about how well he understood that there could be huge problems with giving away so much money. And that if the money didn't trickle down, he would put in stipulations and regulations during his first year in office.

[Mithreal]

43. Don't forget the Telecoms. Something didn't smell right there, either.

[defendandprotect]

63. About ten days or two weeks ago, Obama said: "stimulus saved us from Depression" ---

That appeared on Yahoo and the last word was quickly scrubbed away --

But I also noticed that Sen. Byron Dorgan almost said "depression" as well . . .

hesitating . . . and then saying "recession." I think he said very serious recession,

finally.

The only difference between this economic period and the Great Depression is the labels

we're using, IMO.

Michael Moore also warned of this last week re the Banks/Derivatives --

high risk stuff still going on is HUGE.

The Democrats -- and let me remind everyone are the MAJORITY with 59 votes -- have NOT

moved to reregulate capitalism . . . not corporations and not banks -- we are still

without Glass-Steagall -- and we are open to all of this gameplaying for serious money

being played again at our expense!!

[Mithreal]

74. +1 Saved WHOM from the Depression?

I hear the view from the top is amazing.

[defendandprotect]

77. I'd like to hear them all discussing health care "reform" if they had no health care !!!

We should find a way to disconnect them from their benefits which we pay for --

and then see what comes shooting out of their mouths!!

:evilgrin:

[laughingliberal]

28. Mustn't forget the deal with the Hospital corpse. Course, it was pretty much the same promise...

Making sure a public option doesn't pass.

[GinaMaria]

57. Not so secret. It looked like a blatant sell out and yes

we were the ones that got screwed.

[defendandprotect]

64. We all know this . . . but evidently some here find a way to disbelieve it -- unbelievable!!!

[bvar22]

82. Its a case of hardened denial....or knowingly complicit agents...

...working for The White House "Message Discipline Team".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-scahill/rahm-emanuels-think-tanke_b_185203.html

Those in hardened, belligerent denial, I have some compassion for.
It won't be easy to finally face the fact that Brand Obama/Hope&Change was nothing more than very successful Corporate Marketing Scam, and that Regular Working Americans no longer have any representation with the Democratic Party Leadership.
The handful of honest real "Democrats" have been successfully marginalized, neutered, and muzzled.
That is going to be hard to face.

For me, not so difficult.
I haven't ever put much stock in political personalities.
I've always been an unashamed Liberal Issues Activist,
so I never entertained the delusion that the fight was over.
I will simply keep advocating for the same ISSUES I have always fought for:

*Medicare for anyone who wants it.

*Immediate withdrawal of ALL military forces and "contractors" from the Middle East.

*Immediate reduction of Military Spending by at least 50%

*The immediate break-up (Trust Busting) of everything "Too Big to Fail".

*Fair Competition Legislation that lets Mom&Pop (small locally owned businesses and farms) compete with Big Box and Factory Farms on a level playing field.

*An end to "Free Trade" (Race to the Bottom)

*Organized LABOR and local co-ops.

*An end to the two-tiered Judicial System

*Prosecution of rich American War Criminals and War Profiteers. (Oh yes they did!)

*An END to "Corporate Personhood"

*Strictly Enforced Publicly Financed Elections (severe penalties for criminals)

*Transparent and Verifiable elections (Why isn't this a front burner issue with the Democratic Party?)

*Re-Regulation with strict oversight of Banking/Investment, Transportation, Communications, Trade, Energy, Utilities. There should be NO Public Money for private Prisons, armed Private Police, armed Defense Contractors, private intelligence agencies, or For Profit Health Insurance Corporations.

*Immediate Civil Rights and Equal Protection for ALL. (No Exceptions)

*Free Quality Universal Education to everyone who wants it.

*Strong Social Safety Net and Consumer Protections.

*An end to The Patriot Act and a return to The Constitution.(especially Habeus and privacy protections)

*A refutation of the "Unitary Executive", and legislation to ensure it NEVER happens again.

*An END to Republican/Corporate influence INSIDE The Democratic Party !
(NO! They DON"T deserve a seat at the table!)


I will admit to some disappointment in Obama.
I had HOPE that we would have an ally in the White House, but NO.
That is not the case.
So The Fight goes on.

When I find a politician, or Political Party that moves toward those goals, I will support them.
When they move away, I will fight them.
So it goes.

[defendandprotect]

83. Totally agree with everything you say and list . . .

Just on $$ as free speech --

it amazes me that if we can't immediately win the legal battle against the

fascist Gang of 5, that we can't at the very least make it DEVIANT for candidates

and elected officials to take these bribes!!

Guess we have no talent for demonizing what should actually be demonized!!!

:)

[Mithreal]

96. +1 very well said

[ProudDad]

107. You have beautifully articulated my response this evening

at another damn OFA dog and pony show!

Well done! :hi:

I told them when Obama signs on to a "People's Agenda" I'll support him but not until then... You've done a great job of articulating the "People's Agenda"...

Imagine if Obama had come into office with those principles?♠

[branders seine]

109. the WHMD team sure has some busy little bots

don't they?

[Greyhound]

25. K&R. Thanks for the heads-up.

:kick: & R

[bbgrunt]

27. k n are

[Cleita]

29. Too bad they don't listen to the will of the people.

I believe they will pay for it with their careers in the future.

[glitch]

39. get paid for it with their careers in the future, more like. nt

[upi402]

30. I was marching in the streets when Big Ed was a Republican

I love my brother Ed and have his back - always watch MSNBC. But Ed Schultz is a newbie. Thank God for Wendy, we need great folks like Ed and Wendy to deliver real social fairness and true democracy.

Great post OP, Thanks!


k/r

[defendandprotect]

68. Schultz was a Repug?????

[laughingliberal]

80. He was. When I first started listening to him he used to talk about it that he used to be. nt

[Mithreal]

97. What laughingliberal said and Mike Malloy says it a lil less nicely

[Dr.Phool]

31. We're getting scammed alright.

Grayson probably is serious. But, the "leadership" will use it to pull a bait and switch again.

[awoke_in_2003]

75. what's wrong, Charlie Brown...

come kick this football :)

[sabrina 1]

32. Excellent post ~

One reason why I have not been all that enthusiastic about Grayson's proposal, good as it is, is because we have seen one good amendment after another, Dorgan's comes to mind, be eliminated, even from the discussion.

I love Grayson's spirit, but I'm not sure what he intends this bill to do. The chances of it passing are probably nil right now. But it does make those who sign on to it look good.

And, the reason why I not overly enthusiastic about it is, I believe he will sign a bill that doesn't have a PO, or at least that is my understanding from an interview he gave recently. And the two positions, unless he's changed his mind, are in conflict.

I'd hate it if he was just grandstanding, but having been disappointed in so many Democrats, I'm more aware of signs that I might have missed before.

K&R for an excellent post ~

[Mike K]

44. Even if Grayson is indeed grandstanding -

- the outcome of it could be productively inspirational -- provided the Progressive public demonstrates their support of Grayson's aggressive posture and thereby motivates their representatives to emulate it.

Dennis Kucinich, Alan Grayson and Anthony Weiner represent precisely what is needed in the Congress. If we show them the appropriate level of support it will be noticed.

[sabrina 1]

50. Agreed, absolutely n/t

[Mithreal]

98. +1

[maryf]

33. K&R, but some info added here...

Which might be worth considering...Grayson is awesome regardless, excerpt below, total essay at link...

http://pnhp.org/blog/2010/03/12/graysons-public-option-act-or-medicare-you-can-buy-into-act/

Comment :

Throughout the reform process members of Congress have been fighting
over whether or not the reform legislation should include the option
of purchasing a government-sponsored plan through the proposed
insurance exchanges - the so-called "public option." Since Congressman
Alan Grayson introduced the "Public Option Act" or "Medicare You Can
Buy Into Act" three days ago, a wave of enthusiastic support has been
generated based on the perception that this is the perfect solution.
Today's comment briefly discusses this legislation, and it will sound
really great at first blush, but do not draw any firm conclusions
until you read through to the end.

Okay. What does this bill do? It simply allows any legal resident of
the United States under age 65 to buy into Medicare. The program will
be paid for by the premiums to be collected from the individuals
purchasing the coverage. Six age brackets are established for purposes
of pooling funds. This reduces the financial burden on younger,
healthier individuals by requiring older individuals to pay the higher
premiums that would be required to fully fund their less healthy risk
pool.

Many are not aware of this, but Medicare already has a buy-in program.
Under Title XVIII, Sec. 1818, individuals over 65 who have fewer than
40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment who would otherwise not be
eligible for Medicare can still participate by paying a full premium
for Part A coverage (hospital) or a reduced premium if they have 30 to
39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Likewise, under Sec.
1818A, disabled individuals whose entitlement ends due to having
earnings that exceed the qualification level can also purchase
Medicare Part A. Grayson's bill adds a new Sec. 1818B to Title XVIII
to expand the buy-in option to anyone under 65.

[SlingBlade]

34. K & R We Progressives Didnt leave the Party

[ProudDad]

108. It left us -- with NAFTA (n/t)

[Uncle Joe]

35. Who could oppose more choice? Americans love choosing, that why Baskin Robbins has 30+ flavors

Thanks for the thread, Faryn Balyncd.:thumbsup:

[Enthusiast]

36. Agreed.

I could stomach a mandate with the Medicare buy-in, otherwise no.

[tekisui]

37. knr!~

[rucky]

38. Maybe that's the next move?

It's only been three days, and support is still growing.

[flyarm]

40. K&R..great thread!!! Thank you!! eom

[ProSense]

42. Grayson is

going to vote for the Democratic health bill.

That's the difference between grandstanding and fighting.

[Mithreal]

47. Like to make your point a lil clearer?

[ProSense]

49. Sure

Summary of the President's proposal for health care reform (released February 22, 2010) (PDF)

[Mithreal]

51. No, that isn't making it clearer. You had something to say about Grayson.

Justify, don't link me to a pdf.

edit to add, please.

[obxhead]

71. looks like she took her pom poms somewhere else. eom

[Mithreal]

73. She took her discussion to her own op.

Down the rabbit hole.

[Mithreal]

62. I added some comments to your cross-posting, think that is the proper use of the term

You represented Grayson's position poorly and inadequately.

[freddie mertz]

45. K & R times a zillion. Time to push back for the people.nt.

[girl gone mad]

46. k & r

:kick:

[Truth2Tell]

48. Yep, u r correct. K&R nt

[Tx4obama]

52. Where are you getting the Grayson 64 number from? I am seeing 50 co-sponsors

Link to co-sponsor list:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR04789:@@@P

[t0dd]

67. see here

http://openleft.com/diary/17809/grayson-adds-another-14-cosponsors-to-medicare-buyin-bill

I think they are just slow to update the list of cosponsors on the Library of Congress website.

[Tx4obama]

69. Thank you for the link :) n/t

[Oerdin]

53. I agree completely.

We're being played for fools.

[bvar22]

54. But THAT would ruin the carefully scripted Kabuki Theater.

"I did not campaign on a Public Option."

[Greyhound]

55. Kick

[Raksha]

58. K & R - Great post!

[Canuckistanian]

59. How many polls do they need to make this happen?

I thought politicians ate, breathed and slept according to polls.

Is the concept so hard to master?

The people want CHANGE, not tinkering around the edges, and they certainly don't want MANDATORY legislation of the status quo.

WTF is REALLY going on here?

[Mithreal]

65. Anymore, polls are for spinning, making excuses and bad policy.

When our side does the polling, the results seem pretty much ignored.

I welcome anyone to show me I am wrong, I am sure there are examples and this is more of a gut take than based upon any evidence.



The perpetual campaign was gonna go with "nibble round the edges" but it was considered too wordy.

[julian09]

72. They live and vote for the highest bidder

or pork barrel deal, not principals.

[Nite Owl]

60. KnR

Congress is listening to the WH and it will lead them straight minority status. Must be just what the WH wants, it would give them the biggest excuse to 'compromise' even more.

[BrklynLiberal]

76. K&R

[blindpig]

78. problem

I don't think they are serious.

[mmonk]

79. Agreed. If they did this, they could save the administration and

themselves.

[hulka38]

81. K&R

[stopbush]

84. Pollyannaism at its worst.

You assert a lot of opinions as if they are facts, including the opinions of Glenn Greenwald.

[Umbral]

87. Pollyannna? Oh look, there's a hoop racing down the lane...

Shouldn't someone be racing after it with a stick or something?

[Mithreal]

99. Might want to flesh that out, because it just sounded silly

[David Zephyr]

85. Honored to be the 105th rec.

K&R.

[autorank]

86. "Managed opposition" with in the "managed oppositoin" k*r

You've laid it out, in stark terms. If these "progressives" fail to go to the wall, then this
was all jsut more b.s.

Thanks for framing this so clearly.

[eomer]

88. Yes, managed opposition. A variation of what Naomi Kein calls "voodoo democracy".

She uses the term "voodoo democracy" for politicians who get elected on a populist campaign platform but then ignore the wishes and needs of the people when they govern.

In the USA our politicians have found clever variations of voodoo democracy and this is one of them. They pretend to try to do the things that the people want and need but there is always some reason why they can't get it done. If the House is moving the PO then the Senate filibuster prevents it. If the Senate is using reconciliation and is on board with the PO then the House suddenly can't find the votes. It seems there is a tacit understanding that they will take turns posturing for the measures the people want while being careful that they don't all line up in favor at once and actually pass them.

[Mithreal]

100. +1

[eomer]

105. Oops, typo: obviously it is Klein, not Kein.

To make amends for my typo, here's a link to her website:
http://www.naomiklein.org/main

I read The Shock Doctrine recently and sincerely recommend it.

[autorank]

111. Thanks eomer!

You precis is precise!

"Voodoo democracy" is a good term for a special reason. Voodoo does not work as it claims to work, by magic or through the spirit realm. It works, e.g., deadly curses, when the voodoo practitioner arranges the death or illness of the accursed. It's a rigged game. We both know all about that from or elections studies and research. What a deal, perfect and complete.

[eomer]

113. What a deal, indeed!

Good to see you!

[autorank]

114. Likewise

The book will be out shortly, TIA's.

:hi:

[DisgustedInMN]

89. What is blatantly clear by now...

.. is that We the People were sold out by Corporatists, masquerading as Democrats, BEFORE this entire Kabuki Theater Dance started over a year ago. Make NO mistake about it, CorporaDems will make absolutely no legislation that has We the People's best interests in mind will ever be passed.

The only upside is, that We the People's only viable option, become more crystal clear all that much sooner.

[icee]

90. Here is what we need to do...right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need to take the OP here and Laughing Liberal's post of yesterday and have our single best writer on this board rewrite it and then buy some space in every major newspaper in the country and do an editorial. We need to get this message out succinctly and clearly now! If we don't and the abortion that is Obamacare passes, we will have a disaster on our hands that will match nothing in voter severity the Democrats have ever seen! There will be no adjustments to the House through reconciliation. How many promises have you seen Obama break? This man is owned by the drug companies as are a great deal of our elected officials. I sure as shit don't want my wife, once I'm gone, having to decide whether she can eat dinner every other day or buy her thyroid medication. Christ.

[truedelphi]

103. Totally agree.

Be nice to see a real editorial out there - and not the drivel that the Pharmaceutically-owned newspapers print.

[WillyT]

91. HUGE K & R !!!

Most Excellent!!!

:bounce::yourock::bounce:

:kick:

:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

92. Democratic Party elites don't want a public option!

They serve their corporate masters, not the people that elected them.

[emald]

93. medicare for all is the only answer that works. e/t

[flamingdem]

94. k+r

[defendandprotect]

95. kick

[dmr]

102. Despite Nancy's 'No' on the PO, couldn't they immediately

vote on Grayson's bill as an amendment to the HRC, sending them both clipped together over to the Senate?

This way HCR would become law, but now the Senate has to put up or shut up.

I don't care about any deals Obama's team made with the for-profit hospitals. These hospital's are a big problem in health care. I remember the day of community or the Catholic hospitals which were non-profit. Then BOOM! We have hospital corporations milking as many dollars as they can suck dry.

[dionysus]

104. proof positive poutrage knows no bounds...

:rofl:

[Mithreal]

106. .

You got nothing. Have you ever?

[unapatriciated]

110. kick- so more might read

Thank You Faryn

and to those of you who don't get it, your 'poutrage' meme is getting old.

[swilton]

112. Totally Agree with You

The Democratic Party is playing us - the Republicons who wouldn't pass anything anyway are being used as fig leaves.

[Blue_Tires]

115. major kick