Zero Public Option + One Mandate = Disaster

[Bluebear]

by Norman Solomon

Not long ago, the most prominent supporters of the public option were touting it as essential for healthcare reform. Now, suddenly, it's incidental.

In fact, many who were lauding a public option as the key to a better healthcare future are now condemning just about anyone who insists that the absence of a public option makes the current bill unworthy of support.

Consider this statement: "If I were a senator, I would not vote for the current healthcare bill. Any measure that expands private insurers' monopoly over healthcare and transfers millions of taxpayer dollars to private corporations is not real healthcare reform."

That statement is as true today as it was when Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, made it three months ago in a Washington Post op-ed. But now, a concerted political blitz is depicting anyone who takes such a position as a menace to "real healthcare reform."...

I continue to believe that guaranteed healthcare -- a.k.a. single-payer or enhanced Medicare for all -- is the only way to solve this country's enormous healthcare crisis. But early last year, before the public option shrank and shrank some more and then disappeared under the bus of the Obama administration, it appeared to possibly be a significant step forward.

But the White House, even while claiming to want a public option, was cutting deals with the pharmaceutical and hospital industries while ditching the public option. For those who doubt that the administration engaged in double-dealing to such an extent, I recommend the March 16 article by Huffington Post writer Miles Mogulescu, "NY Times Reporter Confirms Obama Made Deal to Kill Public Option." ...

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/18

[AzDar]

1. K & R

:kick:

[still_one]

2. I am pissed and disappointed, but how could it have passed today with the pusillanimous

people we have that represent us?

Whether it is this bill or any bill I cannot remember last when Democrats in Congress actually stood up and actually slammed the republicans

It came pretty close when Obama moderated the healthcare forum, and it also was close when he went to their retreat, but it is far and few between

They should have Democratic spokespeople everyday slamming the republicans lies and misrepresentations, not only to set the record straight, but to point out that it was the republican philosophy that got us into a war based on a lie, and a financial crisis brought about by deregulation

[ChicagoSuz219]

3. How do you deal with your mandated auto insurance? n/t

[ibegurpard]

4. a bike? public transportation?

not much alternative to living...
do you really believe this idiotic comparison?

[ChicagoSuz219]

6. I ask the OP a question...

...& you feel that gives you permission to be abusive?

A mandate's a mandate. I don't hear people screaming about having to pay for auto insurance. They may not like it, but they do it.

[ibegurpard]

9. you don't want replies from anyone but the OP?

send a PM next time.

[ChicagoSuz219]

10. Of course you can reply...

...a little civility would just be nice, is all I'm sayin'...

[Bluebear]

16. A. I am not the writer. B. I am not mandated to drive or to own a car. I do have a body though.

[SnoopDog]

12. First, you are not mandated to own or drive a car....

And when you do, you drive on government built roads
protected by tax payer paid police.

In this case - the government has a right to mandate insurance.

Only in this case...

[readmoreoften]

13. How do you deal with failed analogies?

When I get hit by another car in an accident, I pay ZERO dollars.
When I'm told I need a routine test "just to make sure I don't have cancer" I have to pay $1500 dollars out of pocket in addition to my insurance premium.

The state mandates that I have LIABILITY insurance in case I cause an accident. It is GUARANTEED that I will need health care during my life.

[readmoreoften]

14. K&R

If it's such an awesome product and capitalism is so great, won't I just be dying to buy in????

[MellowDem]

5. Status Quo = Disaster nt

[Dinger]

7. K & R Bluebear

Watch out though. Some people will get upset by this.

[Bluebear]

18. I don't care anymore.

My lefty ideas are disruptive, doncha know.

[Dinger]

21. Same Here

I don't care either.

[slipslidingaway]

8. knr nt

[bbgrunt]

11. k n r. Dean says they did it in Vermont without mandates!

[scheming daemons]

15. That must be why Dennis is voting for it, huh?

:eyes:

[eridani]

20. More likely because OH-10 stands to lose stimulus money if he doesn't n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. This is why the good doctor will always speak for me.

Shame on our President and Shame on Congress.

[Bluebear]

19. And me.

[Echo In Light]

22. k/r - I posted this the other day, too ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7947071

[Bluebear]

27. bears repeating :)

[troubledamerican]

23. Democratic Murder-Suicide.

Let me put the gun to your head, then I put it in my mouth. Boom. Boom.

[ddeclue]

24. PLUS Pre-existing condition ban applies ONLY to children.

This bill sucks.

[thotzRthingz]

25. "Zero Public Option + One Mandate = Disaster" ... and that precisely sums-up HCR! ;-)

[Lorien]

26. Yep.