Passing this bill is better for the public option than defeating the bill.

[gulliver]

If this health care bill passes, the insurance companies and their lobbyists, the Republicans, will have lost a major health care battle. This foundation bill spells the end of the West for insurance companies. The public option is loaded and pointing right at them. If we win this battle, they'll nod, say "have a nice day, Sir," and back slowly out the saloon. If we lose this battle, the public option will be part of the next health care bill in 2106.

[joeybee12]

1. OMG! Nominated for a DUZY!

Funniest thing I've read all day!!!!!!

[no limit]

2. Next healthcare bill in 2016? Wow, how comforting. Can you tell me lotto numbers for this Saturday?

[Bolo Boffin]

5. 2106. n/t

[no limit]

11. In that case I take my sarcasm back, the OP is spot on.

[DrDan]

8. not "2016" . . . but more accurately "2106"

[Mari333]

3. 2106 INDEED!!!

now you got that part right.

[timeforpeace]

4. "We had to kill them all to save them"

[derby378]

6. Except for one thing...

Until a public option is passed, practically every American will be forced to buy health insurance from one of the companies that ruined healthcare in America to begin with.

Anthem BlueCross, Wellpoint, United HealthCare, etc. are on the verge of a very big win. And that disturbs me.

[EFerrari]

7. That's what it looks like to me, too.

Either they win or they win.

[DrDan]

10. I think it is part of the economic stimulus . . . just a profit booster for a few corporations

[zipplewrath]

9. Um, no

"If this health care bill passes, the insurance companies and their lobbyists, the Republicans, will have lost a major health care battle."

I don't think you understand how much of this bill was written by the insurance companies and the GOP. Even Obama has tried to tell you that this basically a 15 year old GOP bill. Passing this bill IS a victory for the GOP.

[NYC_SKP]

12. "written by the insurance companies and the GOP."? OK, name one Republican who supports it.

Seriously, I have to call bullshit on the concept that this is some gift to the industry and something that Republicans want.

Not a single Republican supports it.

How, pray tell, can that be?

:shrug:

[ShortnFiery]

17. It's called "acting a part."

You believe that everything they do is on the "up and up?"

Based on ALL the bills passed in the past few years, do you honestly believe that these legislators serve "their constituents" first?

Really?

[SPedigrees]

18. Just look at them on CSPAN, sitting there w/ arms folded voting NO.

Republicans are NOT for this health care reform bill. They want it to fail and for it to be President Obama's waterloo and their ticket back into the WH and both houses of Congress in 2012.

And if the health insurance industry supports it, why are their lobbyists mobbing the Senate trying so desperately to abort passage of the bill?

[zipplewrath]

22. Because they think they can

"And if the health insurance industry supports it, why are their lobbyists mobbing the Senate trying so desperately to abort passage of the bill?"

They were brought on board up front to help write it, and they agreed because they thought it was a foregone conclusion that something would pass. Now that they see an opportunity to defeat it, they're more than willing to pitch in. Either way, they'll be happier than with what something like 87% of the American people want.

[zipplewrath]

21. Dole and Baker WROTE the damn thing.

Obama admitted this HIMSELF for goodness sakes. It was IN all the papers.

[ShortnFiery]

16. "... this bill was written by the insurance companies and the GOP."

It honestly BREAKS MY HEART how so many people are fooled by Congress and their latest CIRCUS. :(

Everyone is playing "their roles" in an outstanding way.

[The Northerner]

13. so, does a public option exist or not in the bill?

can someone clarify this once an for all?

[no limit]

15. No, it doesnt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. That is a big N.O.

eom

[ShortnFiery]

14. Uh, no. The Insurance Cartel will be so rich and bloated from years of MANDATED monies ...

that they'll BUY THEIR WAY out of "the public option."

Hell, they almost own us now ... ALMOST. :(

[pecwae]

19. OMG!

Whatever shall we do for those poor, insolvent insurance companies?

[AnOhioan]

23. wow....please tell me you had a few St Pat's Day beers before posting

because then the post could be excused.