Reply #29: His point was spot on, and here's why

[ProSense]

Jones: "rather than bash President Obama for not changing the country as fast as they'd thought, they should maintain hope and help him with his agenda."

We're three months away from an election and it seems that people are campaign against the President more than against Republicans.

People need to realize that at some point you have to act, and that was Jones' point. Take health care and this Daily Kos diary:

<...>

Did you know that nearly $1.9 billion would have been refunded back to consumers if the new health law was in effect in 2009?

Nearly $1.9 billion would have been refunded in 2009 by the six largest for-profit health insurance companies had the rules been in effect, according to an Oppenheimer & Co analysis cited in the report.

UnitedHealth (UNH.N) would have spent $867 million in refunds last year, the report said.

In a sign that the medical loss ratio is not improving for patients ahead of the implementation of the reforms, UnitedHealth announced this week that it spent 81.5 percent of premium revenue on medical care in the second quarter, a decrease from 83.6 percent a year earlier.

The purpose of the diary is to encourage people to stay engaged as the law becomes implemented.

That $1.9 billion or more is going to be still in play in 2011. From Health Care for America Now (PDF)

Starting in 2011, health plans must rebate to consumers and employers the difference between the minimums and actual spending on health care. If the new law had been on the books in 2009, the six largest for-profit health insurance companies would have been required to refund $1.9 billion in that year alone for spending too much on profits, CEO pay and administration, according to a report by a Wall Street analyst (see Table 1).2

That's a lot of money on the line. So after all the effort to demonize the bill, the trick is now to get people reengaged to ensure that its full effects and benefits to consumers are realized.

Jones was basically saying even if you believe the bill doesn't go far enough, do everything you can so that we don't lose momentum.




edited for clarity.