Obama's new healthcare plan: Controls

Why does Obama unveil his plan today when 4 days from now, the big summit with GOP ? Another grandstand play by this fool !

So basically, Obama has made it clear to us regular folk that no matter what we say, he is going to push these healthcare reforms throiugh. So happy I live in a democracy where the government works for me instead of dictatorship where I am told how I am to live

This is good news. The bill may not be perfect, but it is certainly major progress. The bill will provide more coverage and to more people. And the bill covers key elements from both the House and Senate, and from both political parties.

Thank God, there are some still in Office that have the courage of their convictions. President Obama and Vice-President Biden are owed a great thank you from everyday Americans, those who aren't being led around by their nose by the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers, that misguided rag-tag team, at best !! At worst, they are America's worst nightmare and they will turn that " American Dream " into an American nightmare, and not lose any sleep over their unpatriotic behavior. Why, because they refuse to start thinking and reasoning. That is all it would take to expose these hypocrites, the Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers, for the lies, the character-assassinating, and the unamerican attacks that they have leveled against all of the elected Democratic officials in and around America. That is what blinding hate will do to you !!! It will take away your humanity, your compassion, but above all, your American ideals !! That is why hate stalks the land, where Corporate America cracks the whip !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Price controls? That worked SO well in the 1970's.

Now, what's the real cost on this?

And if some people don't have to pay taxes on their cadillac plans, and other do, is that unequal protection under the law? Or are we all union members now?

What does this president not understand?

We can not afford this debacle!

Businesses can't afford this debacle! Make no mistake, businesses will find a way to avoid the new taxes, and pass on any new taxes to consumers, effectively raising taxes on everyone making less than $250K. Businesses will also not hire in the face of uncertainty like this, thus keeping unemployment high and more people dependent on the government.

DOA!

We need to vote out these Modern Liberals/Progressives! Obama's proposals are terrible. This will just anger people more. His ratings are at a record low and yet he persists in trying to ruin the entire healthcare industry.

As for Obama's Healthcare Summit, the Republicans ought to just skip it.

And for every job created, two or three are lost. How much longer can we put up with this?

I don't see how anyone in this country out-right deny the fact that this country is in DESPERATE need of health care reform.

"So basically, Obama has made it clear to us regular folk that no matter what we say, he is going to push these healthcare reforms throiugh. So happy I live in a democracy where the government works for me instead of dictatorship where I am told how I am to live"

Posted by: Rev | February 22, 2010 10:25 AM

For the last time, just because you disagree with something doesn't mean you live in a dictatorship. The majority of people in this country want healthcare reform. It doesn't have to be the public option, and obviously it won't be. We just want to stop being robbed by Big Insurance.

It sounds like you would rather be ruled by corporations, as long as it's not the government telling you what to do? What's the difference?

Great idea, Captain B+

Don't know much about history, do ya, Champ.

The problem for the White House is that this is a plan that will not gain any new Republican support. The GOP will simply read this and walk away tomorrow. Obama needs to make a concerted effort to woo Republicans, no matter that they won't bite. Ir's all about seizing the most politically advantageous position.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

History proves that Republicans do not want to offer expanded health care to Americans. Not in the past and certainly not now and their motivation has nothing to do with their new found fiscal responsibilty.

When the Republicans came into office with a majority and a budget surplus, tey choose to do nothing to change the miserable health care industry in this country.

Face it, Republicans don't like poor or middle class people.

When will we stop calling over 15 million illegals "uninsured" and instead begin deportation proceedings just as Eisenhower, Truman and Roosevelt did decades earlier when faced with similiar issues? Medicare Advantage NIGHTMARE Plans costing govt over $9 Billion more than if those same senior enrollees simply had medicare and medicaid or medicare and a supplement, MUST BE STOPPED. Use the $$ instead to fight fraud and abuse.

Tweak? Sure..But Overhaul? you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

So Obama wants to control the insurance rates the insurance company can charge therefore he controls healthcare. What became of his push for tort reform? Why can't he just take one slice at a time and work on one important segment such as medicare and all the fraudulent claims and how about illegals on medicaid? Prioritize.

Talk about listening to Americans...the rabid party believes they don't want healthcare reform. Dead wrong..it's just a matter of how to achieve it. Of course the rabid shout kill grandma and that is in the county's interest.

B.O should forget about getting this health care feather for his cap, and GET RID of all of the illegal aliens taking this country down.

Before last year's senate break, Obama was trying to force a vote on the plan on the table at that time. Nothing on C-Span as he promised. Then before the holiday break, Obama was trying to force a vote on the plan on the table at that time. Nothing on C-Span. Then the house and senate voted on the plan each of them had on the table at that time. Nothing on C-Span. Now a year later he is finally coughing up a plan. for all to read and to watch on TV as he proceeds with his plan to bully the republicans and those democrats who don't support his plan. One thing he was taught as a community organizer was how to be a bully. The procedure he used so far to try to get a bill passed was full of bribes, exclusions of certain groups and man-handling members of the senate and house. He needs to scrap that tainted plan and start over. Why does he reject that idea?

I don't see how anyone in this country out-right deny the fact that this country is in DESPERATE need of health care reform.

Posted by: DKB | February 22, 2010 10:39 AM

I don't believe anyone is disagreeing that this country needs health care reform, but I believe the majority of Americans do not want this Obamacare bill.

A simple solution, that would not cost us any $$, would be to:

1. Allow insurance companies to compete across state lines. This would allow the free market to dictate insurance premiums. No longer would the insurance companies have a monopoly on prices. Also, by lowering premiums, this would allow more individuals (ie. the real uninsured - not the 40 million Obama keeps throwing around), to be able to afford to buy insurance if they choose to.

2. Tort Reform. Even though medical malpractice lawsuits are a small part of the healthcare expenses, over 1/3rd of all the tests run on individuals is due to the practice of defensive medicine. A doctor is not willing to take the chance that this might be the 1/1000000th person who has some rare condition, thus doctors order tons of unnecessary tests, thus driving up health care costs. With tort reform, this would be controlled. Furthermore, add the clause that if your lawsuit is found to have no evidence supporting it, then you must pay all court and lawyer fees for both parties (this would help stop ambulance chasers and those trying to make a quick buck).

These 2 solutions would have an immediate impact on the healthcare industry without costing the taxpayers any money. Until these 2 things are considered, no need to force any Obamacare bill down our throats.

A new poll released today show that a total of 70% of Americans either "oppose" or "strongly oppose" Obama care.

Now the estimate is up to $950 billion. The government has NEVER brought anything in on budget.

And Obama still doesn't go after the trial lawyers and tort reform.

And his plan still taxes us for three years before benefits start arriving. What would the government do if we kept ALL of our money for three years before we gave them benefits?

And he still takes care of he unions and Andy Stern.

Any politician that votes for this monstrosity but have his or her resume updated so they can find a new job in November.

To paraphrase Obama's hero and buddy: ""We're trying to use the power of persuasion. And if that doesn't work, we're going to use the persuasion of power."

WE THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE YOUR CORRUPT SOCIALISTIC AGENDA ANY MORE!

WE WILL TAKE BACK THE COUNTRY WITH OR WITHOUT AT WHATEVER COST!

Alas, we do not live in a democracy, but, rather, a republic, and the governmental processes are reflective of that. Once our "representatives" are in place, the process goes forth with or without us.

I believe that healthcare reform is necessary, but that we're going about it all wrong with this "insurance reform bill." Insurance does not guarantee access to healthcare and this bill which will force people into insurance policies, will not, and cannot guarantee that the newly insured will have access to quality, affordable, basic healthcare. If it cannot do those things, then the healthcare reform has failed. What good is an insurance card if no one accepts it, or if it leaves you with such tremendous out of pockets, that care is still inaccessible?

There was a study I read recently that showed that rates of medical bankruptcy are increasing among people with Medicare and Medicaid. This would leave one to believe that the rates of medical bankruptcy would climb even higher.

Medicare and Medicaid coverage are regulated by the states, largely in part due to interstate commerce laws. In many states, the plans have been turned into HMOs complete with co-pays and out of pockets. Costs for "basic, preventative" services are still not affordable for many who have these plans.

Is this really what we want?

Obama just doesn't get it, does he? He, like George W. Bush before him, is convinced that people will like a bad bill as soon as it is shoved down their throat using legislative trickery. We need reform, but in the completely opposite direction that Obama wants to take us. We need less government interference in health care (at all levels of government), not more.

Lockstep republicans have now caused lockstep democrats to exist. Hopefully the healthcare bill presented will create more of a competitive market situation instead of handouts.

Great news! I'm glad this is moving forward. I have yet to hear a compelling argument explaining how this is a bad idea. The GOP has not presented an arguement. They just obstruct. I've voted Republican. I've voted Democrat. This round all I'm seeing is Republican's sitting on the sideline pointing fingers but doing nothing to influence. I can't imagine being paid a nice salary, being offered nice health care benefits paid for my US citizens but really doing nothing buy complaining. I hope they will become part of the solution. I am not a left-winger by any stretch, but the right is really letting me down with their childish behavior - most recently the "it's a trap" rhetoric about the health care summit. Attend the meeting and show us this big trap you're worried your stepping into. If it's really there you should be thrilled for the opportunity to expose it on television. Otherwise, shut up and do some work. The GOP is embarrassing itself in front of those of us who are the swing-voters.

This is nothing but the republiclown proposal in a wine vinegar dressing. Well at least the party of no will vote for it this time

Everyone seems to keep ignoring the essential issue in this debate -- the federal government has no constitutional authority to force a private citizen to buy anything, whether it's a pack of chewing gum or a health insurance plan. I frequently hear this falsely analogized to the requirement for motorists to purchase auto insurance. That argument is fatally flawed for at least two easy reasons:

1. Auto insurance is a condition to exercise the PRIVILEGE of driving. Health insurance would then be a condition to do what exactly? Live? Be healthy? Be a citizen? Somebody help me with this one.

2. The auto insurance mandate arises from STATE LAW. Contrary to the popular (and uninformed) misconception, the states are the political sovereigns, not the feds. The states have the police power. The feds have only what the states gave them under the Constitution, which did not include the police power (see the Tenth Amendment). In short, there is zero constitutional authority for the feds to mandate individuals to purchase health care plans.

Why does Obama unveil his plan today when 4 days from now, the big summit with GOP ? Another grandstand play by this fool !

Posted by: Tony | February 22, 2010 10:20 AM

What part of proposal don't you understand? I'm not sure who is the fool!

The people are so AGAINST this plan. People want a BETTER system, not a Socialistic system. Obama is pushing Socialism and the People don't like it.

The polls are clear.

And for those who think companies are bad, excuse me, of what the government does, most of it is a failure. Except the military, the judiciary, law enforcement and basic services, the rest of government is garbage.

Even if you disagree, the numbers are clear: for almost everything the government does, the costs are astronomical. WE ARE BROKE.

On this alone, we all should oppose Obama and the Liberals. Taxes are going to go through the roof.

The reality is people don't like Obama's ideas. Making things "equal" (the promise of Socialism) is NOT better. We all lose.

The dumocrats will never learn. I welcome a new REPUBLICAN majority in both houses next fall!!!!!!

These 2 solutions would have an immediate impact on the healthcare industry without costing the taxpayers any money. Until these 2 things are considered, no need to force any Obamacare bill down our throats.

Posted by: Chad | February 22, 2010 11:08 AM

This is just puffery and lacks any facts. While you have been fed this misinformation, the facts don't back up the claim. If you would spend as much time fact checking your facts as complaining you might understand.

Government is not the solution. It is the problem.

"Great idea, Captain B+
Don't know much about history, do ya, Champ."

And your point would be?

It sound like perhaps @Chris voted for "Captain C-" a couple of times!

Can someone explain to me how this is "reform"?

Is there anything in this bill that actualy reforms the cost of healthcare?

1) The goverment will provide more care
2) The goverment will provide more money to the states
3) The government will expand medicare drug benefits.
4) The government will limit insurance prices
5) The government will tax drug makers more
6) The Government will tax the wealthy more
7) The Goverment will tax those will expensive insurance more

Where is the "reform"? This is a trillion dollar spending bill funded by increased taxes....

The People are so FOR this plan !! Thank God we have grown-ups in the white house who understand the needs of everyday Americans !! The people have spoken !!!

WE THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE YOUR CORRUPT SOCIALISTIC AGENDA ANY MORE!

WE WILL TAKE BACK THE COUNTRY WITH OR WITHOUT AT WHATEVER COST!

Posted by: NAVYFLYER09 | February 22, 2010 11:11 AM

I hope you no longer fly for America. Your rant stinks of anarchy. I too gave my time fighting for America but never would I make such a drolling idiot, rabid statement. It's called democracy fool. Learn what the hell you're fighting for.

"The dumocrats will never learn. I welcome a new REPUBLICAN majority in both houses next fall!!!!!!"

Posted by: JOEISALWAYSRIGHT | February 22, 2010 11:21 AM

You were apparently asleep from 2000 to 2008.

Yeah whatever.
And Guantanamo Bay is going to be closed also.
Wow, only 3 more years of lame duck to go.

He does not get it. There goes his ratings down down down, and there GOES MY KIDS
SOCIAL SECURITY.

SOCIALISM! COMMUNISM! HE WANTS TO KILL GRANDMA!! WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION!! TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! I WANT TO KEEP MY GUNS! RONALD REAGAN WAS SUPER DUPER! I'M GOING TO HEAVEN AND YOU ALL ARE NOT! SO THERE!!

He does not get it. There goes his ratings down down down, and there GOES MY KIDS
SOCIAL SECURITY.

Posted by: PistolPete44 | February 22, 2010 11:39 AM

Brilliant....don't vote for this government program...it might take away from my kids getting their government program. Sheeesh...were do these people come from?

DanielM,

The point is that price controls never work, and typically end up making things worse.

Of course trying to explain why they do not work to a O-Bot would probably be a waste of time.

So Barry is going to "Control" health care. He can't even control his own family members who are here illegally AND on welfare in Boston.

The President's healthcare proposal looks pretty much like the same old pig all 'dressed up' in layman's language. The only problem is that it still "stinks" like a pig!

[[This is good news. The bill may not be perfect, but it is certainly major progress. The bill will provide more coverage and to more people. And the bill covers key elements from both the House and Senate, and from both political parties.
Posted by: Jane | February 22, 2010 10:31 AM]]

Brought to you by Jane, a paid political blogger for the Obama administration...

Could you not BE more transparent with your talking points, which I've read elsewhere this morning?

Seriously, he needs to listen to what people are saying. This is complete bs, and as and independent, will vote all the way down the line Republican for all open Senate and Rep. seats. I can't say I'd go as far as voting for Romney in 2012 (should he make the ballot) - but I can say I'd abstain from voting altogether. Get this guy out of office (and I'm sorry I helped put him there in the first place).

Tort Reform? 30 states have legaslated tort reform.....results not one penny decrease in premuims and May I remind the republiclowns that the number 3 reason for death...acording to JAMA is medical malpractice.

State lines? All's you have to do is googe "blue cross" and you will find out that they are in every state. One company in every state. Does that sound like it creates compatition to you repbliclowns? And these are your "good ideas"????

It takes a certain courage to knowingly do the wrong thing. In this respect, Obama is courageous.

There is nothing to point to that says that more government control will make things better.

Instead, the government will have to continually try to react to the inevitable problems with more rules, regulations and massive tax increases to cover the lower efficiencies.

Imagine if the computer industry was under government control. Computers would cost much more, do less and only the elites would have them.

As many people who voted for Obama have changed their minds after watching him in action, so will many people about healthcare. We need LESS government, not more.

From Republican leader Eric Cantor:
The Obama plan costs a trillion dollars, puts government in control of personal health decisions, and allows the government to set prices in the private market,” said Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring. “That mirrors the Pelosi/Reid plans that have already been soundly rejected by the bipartisan majority of Americans.”

"This is just puffery and lacks any facts. While you have been fed this misinformation, the facts don't back up the claim. If you would spend as much time fact checking your facts as complaining you might understand.

Posted by: bill r."

According to multiple sources, even factcheck.org, (just google it if you want), tort reform would save an estimated $30-100 billion/year, which amounts to 5-9% of the total health care cost. I would say that saving 10% each year is a significant amount without much effort. Furthermore, with these saving, an estimated 2.5-5 million more Americans could gain health insurance. From the looks of it, it looks like a win/win situation to me; unless of course you are a lawyer (and as we all know, the lawyers LOVE the democratic party).

Also, I would like to hear your arguments vs both of these ideas since you believe they are flawed, however, you have provided no evidence in support of your claim. With that being said, I'll refute the only claim you have against selling across state lines, that companies from Nebraska do not have a "local network" in Maine, thus making it more expensive. Unfortunately, this is easily debunked as it would be pretty easy for these giant companies to set-up local networks all across the country (the only thing stopping that from happening now is this law) and with lower premiums, the insured person (ie. you) can immediately start saving the difference between your old plan and new plan.

So unless you have evidence to support your claims, do not tell me that I have not looked up the facts. Same changes like these that save money instantly without major overhaul is the way to change the system. Slow, calculated progress is the way to go.

Obama's plan is spelled WELFARE. Regulations don't have to cost money, taxes, or give anything away. This is a WELFARE program, establishing yet another entitlement to those that don't pay for baby formula, housing, school, emergency room visits, etc. and make cash income that they don't report.

Dear PistolPete44:

Your children's social security was gone during the Bush years. Take some time and watch this report:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tentrillion/view/

It started with Regan. Clinton continued it and Bush spent the rest. Social Security was robbed before this President came into power.

Here is our national debt:
http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Remember the first $10trillion was spent under Bush. Obama is continuing the spending and is track to spend even more than Bush. But the coin has two sides and neither is looking out for your best interest. Stop fooling yourself.

Our President is deaf.

We will get this healthcare bill, no matter how much we protest against it, Obama wants it and what Obama wants Obama gets. So prepare your children and your grandchildren and their children for an Anerica we never thought would be. A dictatorship. Kiss America goodbye folks.

@Chad....We spend 2 trillion on healthcare as of 2007, your own figure of 30-100 billion doesn't even acount for 1-2% of the total. According to the actuarial consulting firm Towers Perrin, medical malpractice tort costs were $30.4 billion in 2007. Tort reform is nothing more than puffery or a bandaid on a gash. It is a populist attempt to draw supporters to an issue they despise instead of being a solution.

I will back Obama Care when he shows real leadership and puts himself, congress and all of the Federal Government on it.

Nice to see all the unwitting corporate shills (or useful idiots if you prefer) frothing at the mouth. You make Rush very, very proud.

More Obama "wealth redistribution". Take more taxes from my earned income, take new taxes from my unearned income (thus dis-incenting me to save or invest) and redistribute it to illegals and welfare recipients. I am NOT a "greedy" corporation or a "Wall Street" bigwig, i am a person who worked their way through school, incurred student debt, paid it back and EARNED my "rich" status (i.e., make more than $250,000/yr). I want to give to charities as I see fit, not as my government decrees. I PAY MY FAIR SHARE! LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Anybody see a theme here?

Obama and the gov has ZERO business in the private sector. They also have NO CLUE why insurance companies charge what they did...the bottom line is the government wants control and the weak willed fools like...

DON FITZGERALD

are more than happy to lay down their freedoms to a regime and living a fantasy thinking they are better off for it.

DID BIG GOV...STAY OUT OF THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY and start you own 'plan' if you think you can do it cheaper.

Beloved Leader wants to help us. What is so wrong with Beloved Leader giving us the medicine we need?

Just hold your nose and swallow. You'll feel nothing soon.

Sociliasm! Dictatorships! Dead grandmothers! The fall of America! If I keep repeating these absurd notions, will one of them stick?

What a bunch of drama queens.

To TheSwampthing @ 12:05PM, regarding Tort Reform. You are ignoring some very important information: namely, that the Trial Lawyers are the number one contributors to Democrats.
We haven't had much Tort Reform because the Democrats are in the lawyer's pockets. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_16_53/ai_76915714/)

When this information is included in an analysis, you can see why the Democrats are in bed with the lawyers and why we can never get anything done.

Face it, Republicans don't like poor or middle class people.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Your last statement is completely ridiculous. Liberalism is who isn't for middle America or the poor. BTW middle America is going to wind up paying the freight for all these new liberal health care plans if allowed. Poor people that are able bodied stay poor because everything they need to live on is a hand out. Everybody has an opportunity to make it in our Country if they want it bad enough, but liberals just want to keep the poor where they're at. All the while they watch middle American foot the bill for their insanity. Sometimes it would be nice to hear from the poor just how grateful they are for us middle class folks that pay their way.

Here we go again, the chosen one is determined to ram this pile of socialist manure down your throat, and you will like it.

"Hope & Change"...are you sorry yet?

If Dems don't pass healthcare, they can kiss my vote goodbye. it's that simple.

And the GOP knows this is the case, and they're banking on their deny every bit of policy that the Democrats could pass to help average Americans live a healthier, better life. They'll say, "no, no, no, no..." to all Democratic proposals and policy. They'll tell us that partisanship is the way to get things done; never minding the fact that Democracy is not predicated on needing a super-majority for every bit of legislation. These Republicans will tell us that passing healthcare is "socialism" or "communism" while again failing to understand that our military, firement, police and schools could be classified as "communist" programs under their definitions. They'll ignore the fact that helping average Americans is welfare, that it breads laziness when in fact what they're doing is taking money from good programs that help people and giving it to huge corporations, helping the rich get filthy rich.

Pass healthcare, pass it now. And pass a robust public policy (or even better, a Single Payer system) that competes with the insurance companies. I have no problem with Anthem or United Healthcare making a $1 billion profit instead of a $3 billion profit per quarter if more Americans are insured and live healthier lives.

The People are so FOR this plan !! Thank God we have grown-ups in the white house who understand the needs of everyday Americans !! The people have spoken !!!

Posted by: kelly | February 22, 2010 11:29 AM

Kelly: Do you understand that under this bill you will be paying taxes for health insurance but will not receive "benefits" until 2014? Where will that money go? Perhaps to run other government programs or perhaps in a lockbox next to our social security funds. Please research the Paul Ryan proposal "Roadmap for America's Future" for a grown-up solution.

I still don't understand why this President is pushing more government intervention in healthcare... judging from my experiences at the DMV and horror stories I have read about conditions at Walter Reed Hospital, the last thing I want is more government control over how my health care dollars are spent! If anything we need less intervention to truly allow competition which will then lower our overall costs. More intervention will increase costs and lower quality.

Just like the child he is, every time he screams and holds his breath - his face turns blue and nothing else happens!

That's it, just a blue faced president acting like a baby who isn't getting his way. With diaper dandy's like Pelosi & Reid at his side kicking and screaming like children themselves, this will go the way of the House & Senate bombs! nowhere thank GOD!

At a time when politicians are most concerned about thier re-elections, this piece of tripe smells like incumbant gang green! They couldn't get the American public to swallow this foul smelling poison with a Fillibuster Proof Super Majority of Congress, why does this child and his diaper dandy's think today or tomorrow will be any different?

Lather, rinse, repeat!

It's not surprising that Republicans don't want to pass health care reform. They didn't want to pass civil rights legislation. They didn't want to pass Medicare. They don't want to pass legislation that will end up covering the uninsured. That would lower the profits of health insurance companies. They do want health insurance companies to be able to sell insurance across state lines and they do want tort reform. Why? Because Republicans have become essentially paid arms of the insurance companies, and those "reforms" will enable insurance companies to make more money.

For Republicans, as much as they rant about socialism and fiscal responsibility, this all comes down to feeding the hand that gives money to their campaigns. It's all about money.

Step by step Obamacare:

1. Increase taxes today, directly for the rich, indirectly for the middle class. The poor continue to pay nothing and vote for Democrats, go figure. Ignore all polling data that suggests Americans don’t want this.

2. Increase the cost of the premiums we have today to offset the billions in taxes that our current carriers are going to be forced to pay now. In addition, the pre-existing-condition clause may double your current rates, remember, this is not a tax nor does it increase the deficit.

3. Increase the general cost of health care as drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers are going to have additional billions in taxes as well. As this gets passed on to consumers and insurers, look for another bump in premiums.

4. Now the government plan kicks in and under cuts the private insurers by 30%. Evil profit mongering insurers are forced out of business by the valiant left.

5. Government finds out just how much health care really costs, since they never really asked. Health care providers are forced to decrease the cost for service. Doctor's salaries are capped (nurses have a better union).

6. Caps are placed on the cost of drugs and medical equipment. The lefties cheer as the government sticks it to the man.

7. Americas best doctors "opt out" of the government system and set up shop as private, for profit, entities. The best hospitals follow.

8. Drug companies slash R&D to keep up with increases in costs from litigation and the cap on sales. This is followed by the inevitable chapter 7 bankruptcy. Medical equipment follows.

9. Government steps up to fix the new and unforeseeable health care crisis and makes all health care providers still in the system government employees. Under the new program, costs soar and the deficit skyrockets.

10. Mediocre doctors and hospitals join the elite.

11. The benevolent government faces a new challenge as 50% of the socialized health care spend is due to litigation. It seems that the bottom of the barrel doctors make teensy weensy mistakes.

In case you would even try to believe that the President and Congressional Dems would consider compromise:

In comments reported by Congress Daily, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s top health care aide Wendell Primus admitted top Democrats have already decided on the strategy to pass the Senate’s pro-abortion, government-run health care bill.

Primus explained that the Senate will use the controversial reconciliation strategy that will have the House approve the Senate bill and both the House and Senate okaying changes to the bill that the Senate will sign off on by preventing Republicans from filibustering.

“The trick in all of this is that the president would have to sign the Senate bill first, then the reconciliation bill second, and the reconciliation bill would trump the Senate bill,” Primus said at the National Health Policy Conference hosted by Academy Health and Health Affairs.

http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/02/pelosi-aide-admits-bipartisan-health-care-summit-is-a-trick/

I guess Obama does not care what over 60% of the voters want. And that is to scrap their tax and spend healthcare bill (it's not reform) and start over with real reforms. Let the president and the other loony liberals in Congress pass this bill and it will be their own fault when they lose control of all branches of the government. The loony liberals seem to forget that they are by far the minority when it comes to the voting population. And I do believe they will be reminded of this come November.

RE: I will back Obama Care when he shows real leadership and puts himself, congress and all of the Federal Government on it.

Posted by: Terry

Terry:
I am curious. Just what part of the Constitution, with its explicit separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative an Judicial branches, would afford the President the authority to impose this obligation on the members of a presumably co-equal branch of government? You people who either blame or credit President Obama for the ultimate creation of health care reform must have failed high school history and civics. He can propose. He can veto a bill he doesn’t like. But he can sign a bill into law only if the Legislature can pass one He certainly can NOT enact any health care reform on his own. Given the Republican's current mantra of saying "NO" to everything and anything that this President supports, minority of Congress – representing an even smaller minority of Americans -- is simply going to hold the entire country hostage to its desire for governance based upon its religion-based set of absolutes and its unholy worship of corporate profits (which conveniently beget campaign contributions).

"More Obama "wealth redistribution". Take more taxes from my earned income, take new taxes from my unearned income (thus dis-incenting me to save or invest) and redistribute it to illegals and welfare recipients. I am NOT a "greedy" corporation or a "Wall Street" bigwig, i am a person who worked their way through school, incurred student debt, paid it back and EARNED my "rich" status (i.e., make more than $250,000/yr). I want to give to charities as I see fit, not as my government decrees. I PAY MY FAIR SHARE! LEAVE ME ALONE!!"

Posted by: Kim | February 22, 2010 1:05 PM

Oh boo hoo.

Has anyone in the anti-insurance industry crowd (i.e. pro-Obama healthcare/Dopey Don Fitzgerald) noticed that despite the threat of ObamaCare, insurance stocks are all at 52-week highs and are UP on today's news? If this bill is designed to supposedly reign in those "evil" insurance companies, then why aren't their stocks plunging?

Easy answer - because ObamaCare will be a BOON to insurance company bottom lines as they will be 'forced' to significantly expand coverage on Uncle Sam's dime. Who doesn't want to be on the receiving end of Washington's largess?

It's called democracy fool. Learn what the hell you're fighting for.

Posted by: bill r. | February 22, 2010 11:30 AM

That's right, idiotic fool!! It's called a democracy, which is a doing the will of WE THE PEOPLE based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. When 70% of WE THE PEOPLE are opposed to the socialistic agenda of this president and Reid and Pelousy, WE THE PEOPLE have every right to speak out and take action.

When any president surrounnds himself with czars who openly speak out against this country and support the teachings and actions of Mao, Chavez and Castro, WE THE PEOPLE have every right to speak out and take action.

If your idea is the same as the democrats and is for us to just sit down, shut up and take it, well it ain't gonna happen.

If you want to live in a socialist country, then move.

State lines? All's you have to do is googe "blue cross" and you will find out that they are in every state. One company in every state. Does that sound like it creates compatition to you repbliclowns? And these are your "good ideas"????
Posted by: TheSwampthing
------------
BCBS is one of the largest HC Ins provider in the nation and are Licensed to operate in each state. They're big enough to be able to operate in every state in the union.
Now the other 1299 (or there about) HC Inc providers can't operate in each state because it's too expensive to open more operations around the nation and they'll need each states approval to do so.
So if they can't come to us, we should be able to go to them to buy. That’s what is referred to as "across state lines."
Adding 1 HC Ins provider (Gov Option) will not do anything to drive down cost, however allowing 1300 to operate in each state will drive up competition and drive down cost, dramatically.

Last word on this! No way in a blue moon do I want government involved in any way, shape, or form with healthcare!

It has proven to be nothing short of a disaster in every country it has been tried, and it will be a catastrophe if it is tried here in this country.

Leave healthcare alone, Obama! There is nothing wrong with it as it is now and there is no need for you or your Democrat ilk to get their hands on it and mold it into something that my grandchildren will one day have to contend with!

This is never going to get passed. When will this fool of a President stop wasting so much time and energy on this quixotic task and concentrate on the important issues, like Iran and American job creation?

I don't see how anyone in this country out-right deny the fact that this country is in DESPERATE need of health care reform.

Posted by: DKB | February 22, 2010 10:39 AM

Ignorance is bliss my friend and our cohorts on the right have the patent on ignorance. Here's a great example:

More Obama "wealth redistribution". Take more taxes from my earned income, take new taxes from my unearned income (thus dis-incenting me to save or invest) and redistribute it to illegals and welfare recipients. I am NOT a "greedy" corporation or a "Wall Street" bigwig, i am a person who worked their way through school, incurred student debt, paid it back and EARNED my "rich" status (i.e., make more than $250,000/yr). I want to give to charities as I see fit, not as my government decrees. I PAY MY FAIR SHARE! LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Posted by: Kim | February 22, 2010 1:05 PM

Obama is an advocate of the people in government and people dependent on the government. He is the leader of the government for the government and by the governement.

Every US citizen born today enters the world global economy $100,000 plus in debt courtesy of the US government. .

The federal and state governments are deep into the red and yet they steadfastly refuse to cut spending significantly.

Their plan in short - more tax increases everywhere you turn every single day.

People your government's financial record is the worst in history and they are broke. Obama and his government have nothing to give you except more debt and less jobs in an ever more competitive golbal economy.

This phony Healthcare bill will finally get people off their rear ends and to the polls in 2010 & 2012. Obama is driving the Democrat Party right off the cliff.

It's his agenda or no agenda.

"It's not surprising that Republicans don't want to pass health care reform. They didn't want to pass civil rights legislation. They didn't want to pass Medicare."

Tsk tsk, Mike. Not only is this argument a non-sequitur, but the very premise is historically and demonstrably false. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was being filibustered by racist DEMOCRATS, led by KKK member and Dem Senator Robert Byrd. Guess who broke the filibuster and allowed the Civil Rights Act to become law? It was the Republicans. Next time you want to make racially charged accusations like this, make sure you know your history first.

If you want to live in a socialist country, then move.

Posted by: NAVYFLYER09 | February 22, 2010 2:40 PM

Grow up tough guy. i didn't hear you yellin to revolt when in 2007, 65% opposed the Iraq war. Did you call to stop the war? No you were still yellin your move somewhere else crap and how unAmerican we were. You guys love wrapping yourselves in the flag when it suits your agenda...My guess....you ain't no flyboy!

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was being filibustered by racist DEMOCRATS
Posted by: The Crusty Curmudgeon | February 22, 2010 3:11 PM

Yes ...those dixie democrats who the republicans won over with the southern strategy. You now own them crusty!

"It's not surprising that Republicans don't want to pass health care reform. They didn't want to pass civil rights legislation. They didn't want to pass Medicare."

Tsk tsk, Mike. Not only is this argument a non-sequitur, but the very premise is historically and demonstrably false. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was being filibustered by racist DEMOCRATS, led by KKK member and Dem Senator Robert Byrd. Guess who broke the filibuster and allowed the Civil Rights Act to become law? It was the Republicans. Next time you want to make racially charged accusations like this, make sure you know your history first.

Posted by: The Crusty Curmudgeon | February 22, 2010 3:11 PM

Yeah, got irony? You want to call someone out on knowing their history? As you well know, the two parties are way different now. This is more of a conservative/progressive argument than elephant/donkey.

Progressives (and my lands, there were a few in the republican party then) have always been on the right side of history.

After the 60s, the republicans swallowed up most of the racists and know-nothings, making the Grand Ole Party of today that we all know and love. Snark.

I do not know why the Obama Administration wants to have the so-called Health Care Summit on Thursday if their mind is already made up except to grand stand in front of the television cameras. It seems that announcing their plan, which is the old Senate Plan plus more added on is back to the old strategy of its our plan or no plan. It is interesting that much of the tax increases to pay for this plan will not take place until 2013, a year after Obama is out of office if he is elected to a second term. And government plan, like all other government programs, will have the usual cost overruns or new services added on to it. The big question is what really is the big health plan going to cost? For all of us who will be around in 2013 hold on to your wallets. We are going to be facing major increases in federal and state taxes. If this plan does go through I want to thank the younger Obama supporters who work because you will be paying the bulk of those tax increases.

Is there any gov't run social program that meets the customers' needs and comes in under budget?

With the gov'ts track record of failure in this department, what makes anyone think they will get this right?

Apparently the Democrats have given up on the idea that Americans can compete in the global economy to get the things they need like health care.

All of their plans are predicated on more government taxes and debt which further deteriorates the ability of the American worker to be competitive and self sufficient in the global economy.

Obama has no plan for growing jobs in the private sector - his jobs rely on government taxes and debt paid for by the dwindling number of private sector monies earned. The government is the 15 trillion pound gorilla on the American worker's back.

Americans need to realize the people who say it's ok to continue down this wayward path are the same ones who got us into this sinkhole. Remember during the election Obama campaigned saying it was necessary to cut back government with his handy dandy little scalpel - now Mr government for the government and by the government refuses to do what he said was the right thing to do. I say flimsy flim-flam man get on outta here.

Where were you people 8 years ago when money was being spent for a misdirected war. Where were you when Rumsfeld visited our troops in Iraq and one of the troops asked when will we get armored vehicles, Rumsfelds response was, you get what you get. Where were you when GWB started 2 wars and cut taxes, then funded the wars by borrowing from China. Where are you getting figures, i.e., 70% of Americans don't want health care, when you're quoting polls, give us the name of that poll because I don't believe it. Have any of you that's against the bill read it? President Obama has been in office for 1 year, inherited a mess and you expect him to clean it up in a year, you're sick, well one thing is for certain, a house devided against itself will not stand, we don't have to worry about terrorism, all they will have to do is wait, we will implode

@Chord.. Ya, let's whine and complain at someone who is making over $250k and is going to be taxed at 50% soon enough. I bet if your taxes were at 50% you would complain as well. All those long hours you put in and hard work, half of that..good bye to uncle sam. Kim has every right to complain about the democrats obsession in paying for the poor. I sure like paying taxes at high rates so that someone who made poor life choices over and over again with 10 kids can just live off uncle sam and guess what...make more kids!!

What this country needs is some self-responsibility instead of waiting for government handouts.

Crusty, you are dead right!! These libs love to play the race without any knowledge of history.

You certainly know nothing about history. If it wasn't for the republicans, blacks would still NOT be able to vote. Read up on your history. The Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964/1965 were stonewalled and OBSTRUCTED in the Senate by the democrats led by Bill Clinton's hero -- Sen. Fulbright -- and by Al Gore Sr. – yep Mr. Global Warming’s daddy -- and by Robert “KKK” Byrd – the only KKK Grand Puba ever to serve in the Senate. It was the republicans who got those acts passed despite the obstructions of the democrats.

Many believe that LBJ, despite him being the president who advanced Civil Rights, was a racist. The reason being, that he enacted it only for political gain in the hope of being elected in 1964 and 1968. Unfortunately for him, he turned out to be an atrocious Commander-in-Chief as president during Vietnam. He and his fellow democrats refused to give the U.S. military the means necessary to win that war.

And most recently, it was the same “KKK” Byrd who used the “N” word. And of course, we can’t forget Harry Reid’s comments of last month.

And less you forget, it was a REPUBLICAN who ended slavery. You know, some guy by the name of Lincoln.

If you want to play the race card, where were you when the Clinton’s played it during the SC primary against Obama? Were you screaming racism then?

Many also believe that Jesse Jackson is a racist as he very seldom goes to bat for non-black minorities. Also if you look at his history, it is one of doing things that will result in him either increasing his power or fattening his wallet. If you don’t believe this, look at the facts surrounding his boycott of Budweiser. Finally, look at his “Hymie town” remark! Makes one think he may be anti-Semitic.

If anything, it is the democrats who are the racists. And they are the worse kind. They use the blacks once every four years for their votes and then throw the blacks away until the next election. The democrats have had 90+% of the black vote for several decades and done nothing to help the blacks. Many will argue that aside from voting, the black people are worse off now, especially socio-economically. Look at the major urban areas of the country. Historically, they have been led by democrats as mayors and city councils. Yet, the blacks in these cities drop out from school at extremely high rates, have much higher crime rates – most of it black-on-black -- and the cities lead the country in murder rate per capita. Look no further than Chicago, where during 2007, 2008 and 2009, more citizens were murdered than soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

You can NOT play the race card and accuse Republicans of being racists without naming names and giving examples. It’s no different than saying that if you play the guitar, you are a homosexual. Without the facts and the names, it is just a BS statement.

If the best you can do is come up with Trent Lott saying at Strom Thurmond’s 100th party that Thurmond would have been a great president, it doesn’t flush. So either give verifiable facts or take the race card and shove it!

"Obama is driving the Democrat Party right off the cliff."

The accelerator stuck -- it's Bush's fault.

REV....you didn't seem to mind when bush marched us into 2 wars......
I think we should legalize the oldest profession in the world. Just think how much $$$ we could get, (for HC, Education, etc) taxing that industry.
REPUBLICANS THE PARTY OF NO AND CAN'T

Commentors might consider refraining from making assumptions about what "regular folk" or "we the people" want.

So far I have not seen any thoughtful consideration of a wider range of potential options for improving U.S. healthcare insurance. Those who say we have nothing to learn by studying the healthcare systems of other countries and dismiss those systems because of their socialist aspects are foolish. I recommend as a starting point giving T.R. Reid's book "The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care" a read. The U.S. need not duplicate any particular system in its entirety, but evaluating which parts would be advantageous to adopt might be useful.

This phony Healthcare bill will finally get people off their rear ends and to the polls in 2010 & 2012. Obama is driving the Democrat Party right off the cliff.

It's his agenda or no agenda.

Posted by: Chuck | February 22, 2010 3:06 PM

I find it refreshing that SOMEONE is doing something in washington to help the people regardless if it has a negative or positive effect in the upcoming elections. The point of putting these people in office is so they can pass legislation and run the frickin gov't, not sit on their hands and wait for the next election. But I suppose if you're a repug, that's really all you're good for. Always thinking about me, number 1, no one else.

At what point will Obama simply declare the United States to be bankrupt? $13 TRILLION in debt. Just what the nation needs. Another trillion we will have to borrow from China and Japan.

What is the purpose of Obama presenting this NOW?

Assuming Obama is serious about this, and that is no safe assumption, it still mush pass Congress, and from what I can tell, this "plan" bears no relationship to either of the bills passed in the Senate or House.

Does Obama think Republicans will help? That's funny. since Obama made it clear that Thursday's meeting is to help him get "his" goals, not anyone else's.

I know may leftists applaud more federal control of insurance company prices, but if this holds up, does it also mean the federal government can control college prices? Oooh, just think how Harvard and Northwester will react when they are told that while tuition costs $42,000 a year, anyone only needs to pay at most $10,000!

Or let's set up a federal panel to set legal fees! A will for $1,000? HA! Uncle Sam now says it should never cost more than $200!

If the Dems get their panels for this, you can bet Republicans will looks at those types of controls when they next get into power.

And when will the ignorant journalists report that while it may cost o"only $950 Billion (before the CBO even looks at is), it will COLLECT TAXES FOR TEN YEARS and only PAY BENEFITS AFTER THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE PLAN. After that, it is a disaster far worse than the current environment.

More Obama "wealth redistribution". Take more taxes from my earned income, take new taxes from my unearned income (thus dis-incenting me to save or invest) and redistribute it to illegals and welfare recipients. I am NOT a "greedy" corporation or a "Wall Street" bigwig, i am a person who worked their way through school, incurred student debt, paid it back and EARNED my "rich" status (i.e., make more than $250,000/yr). I want to give to charities as I see fit, not as my government decrees. I PAY MY FAIR SHARE! LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Posted by: Kim | February 22, 2010 1:05 PM

Ignorance must be bliss--in case you haven't noticed--all of us insured folks are already paying for the uninsured. If this mess isn't straightened out, you and I are going to be paying even more for the uninsured anyway--So please explain to me again how being taxed more now instead of later is going to effect you in the long run?

I was under universal health care for years, and I miss it dearly. Yes, it was a bit more money out of my paycheck (not much, though), but I didn't have to worry about getting slammed with thousands of dollars in medical bills that my insurance company weaseled their way out of paying.

We need to put these people in check and find a way to make health care attainable and affordable for everyone.

Just saying no to health care reform isn't helping anyone--insured or uninsured!!!

Basically Obama's plan isn't any different than what's on the table now. Just more government control, more taxes, more cuts in other government insurance, and penalties for people who have "to much" insurance to pay for it.

Not one single thing that will save anyone any money.

Naturally, the politicians are exempt from the mess.

Why should I pay taxes for health insurance in addition to paying for my own?

If the entire goal is to insure everyone, why are those with "too much" insurance being penalized? Why are those with Medicare, the ones who were once called some of our most vulnerable citizens, going to see higher preminums and cuts?

If you think this is a joke, just wait until you see how bloated this all gets over the years as politicians start giving people more "coverage" in exchange for votes. Of course, there'll be the usual cat calls of Republicans taking away your coverage if you vote for them.

Is it any wonder the people are up in arms about this nonsense?

And why now, a few days before the "summit"? Just proof it's just a media show. They want the Republicans fingerprints on this so when it implodes, which it eventually will, the Democrats have someone to blame.

Bi-partisanship to a Democrat means nothing more than doing it their way.

SO YOU WANT GOV'T RUN HEALTH CARE, HUH?
*
Canada Shows Flaws of Gov't Run Health Care
With President Obama hoping this week's "bipartisan summit" will move his health-care bill out of the ICU, it's worth taking a look at a recent high-profile operation -- the heart work done on former President Bill Clinton.
Clinton, of course, got the best of care -- a cardiac stent (a tiny metal cylinder) coated with a drug to help keep his artery open. Recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine and elsewhere have shown that these drug-eluting stents are more effective than bare metal ones.

The disparity between the US and Canada is striking.

Per capita, our neighbors to the north receive only half as many coronary interventions. And only 30 percent of the stents placed in Canada are drug eluting, compared with a whopping 80 percent in the United States.
So a Canadian cardiac patient is less than a quarter as likely as an American to be outfitted with the kind of state-of-the-art stent that Clinton had.
In Canada, land of single-payer health insurance, you're also less likely to get the stent as soon as the need is clear -- especially in western provinces where resources are extremely limited and access is spotty. In Edmonton, Alberta, the wait for a cardiac procedure is routinely three to four months. In many areas of western Canada, less than half of angioplasties and stents are done at the same time as the original angiogram, a big waste of time and resources.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/bill_american_health_care_QF28dH78YwEQersu6hioTK

The Health Care Summit

Is this the face of a man ready and willing to compromise on anything, no less on the one issue he needs and wants to establish his legacy, Obamacare?

On Thursday, America will be treated to an event unprecedented in our history, a televised extravaganza featuring the President of the United States and principals from both the Democrat and Republican parties all gathered together to hammer out an ostensibly bi-partisan compromise solution for the nation’s broken health care system.

Today, 3 days prior to what is being billed as a Health Care Summit, the president presented his promised version of Obamacare and posted it in its entirety on the White House website thereby finally fulfilling his pledge of the utmost transparency to enable Americans to read, review, and evaluate the details of his plan: http://bit.ly/58c608

This is a very appropriate occasion for every man, woman, and child in the country to chant in unison the stirring words of “The Obama Song,” “Umm, umm, umm, Barack Hussein Obama, umm, umm, umm.”

Either that . . .

(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=1517)

Grow up tough guy. i didn't hear you yellin to revolt when in 2007, 65% opposed the Iraq war. Did you call to stop the war? My guess....you ain't no flyboy!

Posted by: bill r.

Your guess is as stupid as your logic. I supported that war as if you recall this country was attacked on 9/11. I lost three military friends that day. And you can bring up Iraq wasn't involved but once again you would be wrong.

My guess is that you ain't no ex-military. If you were you would question another's service without proof.

But you can think what you want. My only advise is that you not think out loud as it shows off your level of stupid and ignorance.

Posted by: Berlet98 | February 22, 2010 6:05 PM

What part of proposal don't you get? With all your fancy writtin, did you think Obama had changed his mind? Bring those big GOP ideas on of tort reform and crossing state line that would help by about 6 % of costs. Maybe you could even write about facts....hell everyone has opinions son....don't make em right!

The dude STILL doesn't get it.

And he thinks we're the dumb ones

And the pathetic thing is that these senators, representatives and the knucklehead president actually think they're clever enough and smart enough to craft a bill that won't totally screw up health care in a morass of ridiculous bureaucracy as everything else they touch.

Anyone who thinks this will be a good thing and benefit is an utter fool. Costs will increase, access will decrease, but hey, it'll be more fair because we'll all get crappy care as they do in Europe and Canada.

The CBO has issued a statement that Obama's plan is too vague for accurate cost analysis. However, Obama says it will cost 900+ billion over 10 years and cover 30 million people.

This means that the WH believes they can cover every person who is uninsured (including those for whom insurance is too expensive) for 1/3rd the cost of current insurance - for less than $3100 / year (current indiv. insurance is more than $10K).

Finally, those of us with "Cadillac" plans will be taxed... except for union members.

For those who want polls and sources showing that most american's do not approve of the health care bill, here you go. Today 61% disapprove, with the last date where more americans approved vs. disapporved was Sept 12 (over 6 months ago!)

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

I lost three military friends that day. And you can bring up Iraq wasn't involved but once again you would be wrong.
Posted by: NAVYFLYER09 | February 22, 2010 6:39 PM

and I lost more brothers in that damn war than lost on 9/11.......for the same reason,,,,we were sent there for no good reason...just like Iraq was NO GOOD REASON....you show me the proof that Iraq had a damn thing to do with it.....but like a blind fool you bought it hook line and sinker.

This is becoming utterly stupid. WE DON"T HAVE ANY MONEY FOR NEW ENTITLEMENTS! None! The well is dry!!! When are the politcal hacks going to come to realize this?????

This is Chicago style politics. O'Bama is taking a cue from Daley on how he shut down Meigs Airfield in downtown Chicago. The people don't like it? Screw the people, this is what I want and the average citizen doesn't know any better...it will be forgotten and I will be re-elected anyways..

So if wish to have kids, but don't want my children to be sattled with all teh debt beign improsed upon by ill-fated decisions by the goverment, can I have them born in another country where they woudl have the pwer to chose thier citizenship? Just because I am a US citizen, does that simply doom my future kids?

Trust me, if I am thinking down this road, so will many others. What is the benefit of being a US citizen for future generations if all it means that they are born into indentered survitude?

The vast majority of Americans want healthcare reform. The Republicans vow to stop it and don't have any alternate legislation to propose, just a bunch of talking points. Thank god Obama is pushing ahead with this. It may not be perfect, but instead of trying to improve it the Republicans are trying to just say no. Time to say "No" to the Do-Nothing Republicans.

That's right, idiotic fool!! It's called a democracy, which is a doing the will of WE THE PEOPLE based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. When 70% of WE THE PEOPLE are opposed to the socialistic agenda of this president and Reid and Pelousy, WE THE PEOPLE have every right to speak out and take action.

When any president surrounnds himself with czars who openly speak out against this country and support the teachings and actions of Mao, Chavez and Castro, WE THE PEOPLE have every right to speak out and take action.

If your idea is the same as the democrats and is for us to just sit down, shut up and take it, well it ain't gonna happen.

If you want to live in a socialist country, then move.

Posted by: NAVYFLYER09 | February 22, 2010 2:40 PM

You don't get it. We don't live in a democracy. When you figure out how our government works, you'll understand how to better commuincate whatever it is you're trying to say. On some days, living in a Republic works better for conservatives and on others it works better for other groups (moderates and liberals)

the rest of your blithering post is laughable. It's quite pathetic how people are unable to grasp onto facts. To imply that the names Castro, Mao and Chavez are people that define liberal orthodoxy is telling of either a uninformed or misguided mind. I'm beginning to think you're one of those who can't discern the difference between a dictatorship, republic, democratic, monarchy, fascist, socialist, or other type of governing type.

Of course, the world shows us that capitalism works well under different types of governments. It works in socialist and über successful Norway and it works inside the fastest growing world economy, China, a "communist" nation.

So, what exactly is your beef right now? Higher taxes? They've come down for lower to middle class families, including new tax incentives for many to buy new cars and homes. Do you not believe that everyone should be covered and have access to affordable and high-quality health-care? Doing nothing will be more expensive for you and me if we do nothing and follow the GOP do-nothing-plan. Do you believe that American politicians should legislate morality? Perhaps you feel we should make divorce illegal, so that you can protect the institution of marriage. Do you feel programs like the military need to be disbanded because our founding fathers did not originally create a federal military system? Whatever it is, be consistent and be informed.

For those who found fault with my earlier statement about Republicans not wanting civil rights legislation: Ok, you're right that Southern Democrats were the ones who most strongly opposed the legislation. In my mind, I always picture those types as Republicans, and it reality a lot of the Southern Democrats disappeared after the 60's and were replaced by Southern Republicans with similar attitudes but less outspoken in their beliefs. What I didn't realize was that the great majority of Northern Republicans voted for the civil rights bill, as did almost all Northern Democrats. So shame on me for not knowing that. It's unfortunate that the spirit of bipartisanship from that era is gone.

My other point about Republicans being essentially in the pocket of insurance companies - yeah, I'm going to stick with that one.

Does it still provide FREE health care for all union members, courtesy of everyone else? More attention needs to be paid to this scam.

what a tone deaf fool we have in the WH

Our representatives should legislate incremental, iterative health-care reforms.

Just like building software: start small. Make mistakes: learn from them.

Local mandates, interstate competition. Tort reform, more Medicare.

The first reform should cost under a million dollars.

Cover the walls of Congress with whiteboards. Let anybody write on them.

The New York Times censored nine iterations of this post.

http://www.WasillaTeleprompter.com

Our representatives should legislate incremental, iterative health-care reforms.

Just like building software: start small. Make mistakes: learn from them.

Local mandates, interstate competition. Tort reform, more Medicare.

The first reform should cost under a million dollars.

Cover the walls of Congress with whiteboards. Let anybody write on them.

And screens that show the comments pages on the 25 biggest papers.

The New York Times censored ten iterations of this post.

http://www.WasillaTeleprompter.com

GUESS AGAIN MIKEY . . .
*
Health Care Industry Officials, Lobbyists Met With Obama During Debate On Reform
*
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Top health care officials met with Barack Obama and other administration officials just as the president pushed Congress to pass legislation to overhaul the health insurance industry, newly released White House visitor logs show.
According to an analysis by the Associated Press, the 1,600 records the White House released Wednesday show that a "broad cross-section of the people most heavily involved in the health care debate, weighted heavily with those who want to overhaul the system."

Some of these individuals include:

Laird Burnett, a top lobbyist for insurer Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., and a former Senate aide. Kaiser has spent some $1.7 million lobbying Congress over the past two years.

Joshua Ackil, a lobbyist whose clients include Intel, U.S. Oncology Inc., and Knoa Software Inc., all of which have reported lobbying on the health care overhaul. Ackil met with Dan Turton, the White House's deputy legislative affairs director who works with the House, in August. Seven people were at the Aug. 21 meeting, the records show.

Alissa Fox, a lobbyist with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, met March 31 with Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget. Four people attended, the records show. The health insurance federation has spent at least $6.7 million lobbying this year.

Amador "Dean" Aguillen, a former aide to Nancy Pelosi who is now with Ogilvy Government Relations, where he lobbies for clients including pharmaceutical companies SanofiPasteur and Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Pfizer Inc., and Amgen USA Inc., all of which reported lobbying on health care issues this year. Aguillen appears to have attended the same Aug. 21 meeting with Turton that Ackil did.

Bloomberg added that the visits also included representatives from pharmaceutical trade groups.

Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, visited eight times, meeting twice with Obama and once with economic adviser Lawrence Summers. Former U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, had two meetings with deputy chief of staff Jim Messina among at least eight at the White House.

Ignagni’s group, whose members include Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc., is lobbying against efforts to include a public insurance option to compete with the private companies that are members of her trade association. Phrma, whose members include Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck & Co., is pushing Congress to enact health-care legislation.

Barack Obama’s health care plan follows the Democratic template an emphasis on dramatically and quickly increasing the number of people who have health insurance by spending significant money upfront.

I voted for hope in 2008. Now there's hope that the healthcare reform effort will cap the rate of increase in healthcare insurance? Sure, sure. Hope is lost.

Ted C.

You're right the majority of the people want reform. But, they do not want what is now before Congress. We want smaller more sensible and manageable bills that address particular problems and not a massive tax-and-spend pork ridden horse trading bill. That is where the loony liberals lose it. They do not understand what the polls are saying. Over 70% want healthcare reform and at the same time over 60% want the current proposed bill scrapped. I also hear loony liberals saying you can buy insurance already across state lines this is not true. I heard the argument that Blue Cross Blue Shield is in every state that is true but, what they do not say is that in each state in must be ran as a different insurance company. I also hear loony liberals stating that tort reform would not save enough. The lawsuits that this reform would stop would account for 1 to 2% but, the practice of defensive medicine because of lawsuits would drop and save over 10%.

This plan is Obama's idea--it will prolly be done through reconciliation--AND it does not include a plan for us to have the choice of a public option? Big snow job. Obama also likes to put the screws to Americans and increase the penalty for not buying a shoddy product from a private insurance corporation. They can always raise the cost of policies, claim bankruptcy, go out of business and leave everyone who had guns to their heads high and dry. Obama loves the private insurance corps and the big pharmas. Seems like he is in their pockets. He has no real concern for Americans. It's all a big nothing without the choice of a public option. Has a new condo building been bought and put in the name of someone else in Hawaii? I'd like the choice of the government paying for medical treatment actually performed on people, instead of an expensive piece of paper that says someone has insurance. Big difference. The piece of paper does nothing to heal anyone. Make it an honest up or down vote with the inclusion of a public option choice. Don't let corporations own us. Screw them and a prez who NOW wants to get involved and writes a "I owe my soul to the company store" health reform bill. He is either really stupid, or set for life.

Vivian

Did you forget what the liberals in Congress were saying about reconciliation just a few years ago when the Republicans bring it up. Obama said it was "an abomination" and Hillary said "it's unconstitutional". See the liberal propaganda does not work when you have videotape of the liberals in Congress speaking. Back then the loony liberal were calling it the nuclear option. I say let the Libs pushed the button. The bill will never make it out of the courts before the midterm elections. At that time any liberal running for office will most likely lose and then we roll around to thr end of Obama's only term and then he and more liberals will lose. You do not go against over 60% of the voting population and not pay a very high price for your arrogance. Just remember the Kansas Nebraska act of 1851 and how the passage of that one bill wiped a political party off the face of the earth and led to the birth of another. And yes everybody knows that we need healthcare reform so no reason to bring up that DNC talking point. What is up for discussion is the current bill that the liberals are trying to ram down America's throat. What the vast majority of the voters want are smaller more manageable bills that address one or two issues at a time and it's hard to hide pork in.

I do not have health care. I need health care. Sooooo in an effort to quell the complaints by those that do not like the new health plan, I will take their health plan coverage, they can have mine, and we will call it a day. Problem solved. Don't like this deal? I didn't think so...