On health care debate, it's not Dems vs Reps, but D.C. vs the American People

[ck4829]

"It would be nice if something made sense for a change." -- Alice, from Alice in Wonderland.

Perhaps we live in an alternative universe.

One in which two thirds of Americans want the government to guarantee healthcare for everyone, while the policy makers in Washington labor to craft a reform plan that caters first to the threats and demands of the insurance industry and the minority voices on Capitol Hill.

One in which the Senate Finance Committee plays congenial host to the insurance industry, the drug companies, and right wing think tanks and it's chairman Max Baucus can proclaim all options are on the table while slamming the door on the nurses and doctors and arresting them when they speak out. Why? For advocating the most comprehensive, cost effective reform of all, a single payer/Medicare for all approach.

One in which single payer is considered off the table inside the rarified airs of Congress, but when President Obama ventures into a town hall meeting with regular folks, the first question he is asked is:

"Why have they taken single-payer off the plate?" asked one woman in the audience to great applause. "And why is Senator Baucus on the Finance Committee discussing health care when he has received so much money from the pharmaceutical companies? Isn't it a conflict of interest?"

And one in which Drew Altman, CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation can ponder today about how baffling it is that the "experts" -- presumably people like him who was given a seat at the table by Baucus -- sees the world so differently than the vast majority of Americans struggling to survive a cruel, inefficient, and inhumane healthcare system:

"Experts believe the health care system is full of unnecessary care and troubling variations in care, ... The public has a very different world view: People think that underservice is a bigger problem than overservice. They want relief from the problems they are having now paying for health care and health insurance in very tough economic times...And many are worried that they will not be able to afford their health insurance in the future or may lose it altogether."

The "experts" say the problem is too much "unnecessary" care. The public thinks too many people are being denied care they need.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/19/733331/-Chasm-grows-between-Washington-and-everyone-else-on-healthcare

The jig is up, is ain't a debate between Democrats and Republicans, this battle is going between us and the seat of the government.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. That's the truth.

[happygoluckytoyou]

62. ITS OKAY TO CHANGE HIS MIND...it is not okay to take single payer off the table !!!!!

[tooeyeten]

65. confirm the facts, dispute the experts

"The "experts" say the problem is too much "unnecessary" care. The public thinks too many people are being denied care they need."

The experts are lying.

[Dragonfli]

2. Our Democrats are making that clearer every day - they sell policy WITH the Rs

To the highest bidder and have made it clear they do not represent us or even care if we don't like it.

They laugh in our face and imply, "who ya' gonna' vote for, Republicans?". In the end we are left only with that question.

The answer, "There is no party left to act in the interests of the people over corporate greed."

[snowdays]

3. Many times it does not seem there is a party left that does not

cave to the party of greed. damm!!

[bjobotts]

42. You got that right. It's the money party and leaders from both parties belong

[bjobotts]

43. Great post.The people are being ignored again as if senators know what is best.for us

[bjobotts]

44. Their idea of 'reform' is susidizing the private HC ins companies with tax dollars

[bjobotts]

45. Getting them to take a little less profit knowing single payer's success would end their gravy train

[bjobotts]

46. Watch them keep saying government "run helath care" when it's INSURANCE

[bjobotts]

47. Single payer INSURANCE. It's private insuruance that is profiteering from denying coverage

[bjobotts]

48. This is a deal breaker for congress as the citizens know too much and this is too important

[bjobotts]

49. Easily implemented and savings would make dental coverage included

[bjobotts]

50. Have it within 6mos for about 10% or less of what we're paying now

[bjobotts]

51. With most of the senate, the national media and billions from lobbyists trying

[bjobotts]

52. trying every thing possible to prevent it, you know it's best.Capiitol hill vs the people

[raccoon]

4. Off to Greatest with you! nt

[pnutbutr]

5. something to think about

that "unnecessary" care includes tests designed for early detection of things like cancer. As an example the US has almost double the detection rate for prostate cancer of any other nation which is why it has by far the highest survival rate of any nation. 82% survival rate for prostate cancer is fantastic especially when the next highest is the UK with 74%. It can also be said that these unnecessary care procedures could actually help reduce health care costs by preventing the need for expensive emergency surgeries and care that stem from lack of "unnecessary" preventative care.

The health care debate is a complicated one and we can't just jump into a single payer system at the drop of a hat.

[snot]

6. We need to get K.O., or someone, to take this up as a crusade.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. No, we need to take it up as a crusade, ourselves. Wyden Schumer and Lincoln

are on the Finance Committee and they are up for election in 2010. OR, NY and AR.

If millions of Dems said No Sale, they might get the picture.


We can blame the spaced out out of touch Senators, or we can do something about it ourselves

[patrice]

8. I'm tired of waiting for our turn, can't do it anymore. I am now a Single Issue voter for SP.

[philly_bob]

14. Single Issue Voter for Single Payer: me too.

At least for a while...

[snowdays]

17. I am joining you.

[nichomachus]

9. No it's not

It's not just limited to this issue. On every issue, it's the Corporatocracy vs. The Working People. All the other divisions -- Dem, Rep, gay, straight, Christian, non-Christian, "liberal," "conservative," pro-life, pro-choice -- are just manufactured divisions meant to distract us and get us fighting among ourselves, while the corporations steal from us.

This is why Fox News and the other propaganda outlets spend so much time getting us at each other's throats. If the people of the US ever got together and realized they had more in common than in opposition -- and that we had a common enemy in the corporations, there would be hell to pay.

It's not just the health-care issue. It's every issue.

And, on health care, it's not unnecessary care. It's the waste, inefficiency, and theft in the system -- mostly caused by having too many corporate entities skimming money at every stop.

[LuckyLib]

18. This is it exactly -- the organized crime outcomes "caused by having too many corporate entities

skimming money at every step." Get the damned insurance companies OUT of the picture!

[ProgressIn2008]

24. Strongly, strongly agree: it's the Corporatocracy vs. The Working People on so many things

Great post.

The aristocracy divides us and conquers us. And the house always wins.

[backtoblue]

10. Sad yet true

Both major polital parties seem to be backing away from what the PEOPLE are screaming for. Our capitalist governing system is turning its greedy back on the masses.

K&R

[handmade34]

30. "backing away from what People are screaming for"

well said- presents a good visual. lets get even more people screaming

[Captain Hilts]

11. Coming to DC means you are a wealthy lobbyist or being given govt.-provided healthcare.

Neither should be writing healthcare policies for the rest of us.

[Echo In Light]

12. "America has one political party with two right-wings." - Gore vidal

[bjobotts]

53. Cool

[Wednesdays]

13. K&R

:kick:

[Overseas]

15. K&R !! //nt

[tom_paine]

16. Yep. That much has been made crystal clear by Montana Max the Pharmaceutical Insurance Whore

(aplogies fo hardworking prostitutes for connecting them with such a reprehensible person as Montana Max)

[stoll]

35. Needless to say I agree

I havealready touched on this, but that was a great shot at that blow hard from Montana.

[Edweird]

19. It's class warfare. The wealthy get the best care in the world. We get screwed.

[ColbertWatcher]

20. No. It's between citizens and the GOP.

The GOP has been pushing the idea that somehow they're the party of the "big tent" and that somehow Limpballs speaks for the regular American.

Just yesterday Michael Steels said the era of GOP apologizing is over.

The GOP controls the media, they control the courts and they control public schools.

What does this all have to do with the OP?

It legitimizes the GOP-sanctioned so-called "anti-government "tea baggers." It legitimizes the GOP meme that there is no difference between the two major parties.

And, it promotes the GOP-Reagan-Norquist lie that government provides nothing good even as the GOP party destroys the social safety net made available through government.

It's bullshit.

The GOP is the problem.

The people who support them are more than welcome to vote as they please; this is still a free country, the last 8 years notwithstanding. But, this doesn't change that the GOP party is behind our problems.

Government is not the solution; it is the problem? I've never supported Reagan and I won't now, no matter how nicely his propaganda is dressed.

[Dragonfli]

21. So Baucus is GOP now? Didn't know that. I thought he was a corporate Dem fighting Health nt

[ColbertWatcher]

23. The exception that proves the point. Thank you. n/t

[Dragonfli]

25. He is more the rule than the exception - but you knew that already, Your Welcome nt

[ColbertWatcher]

26. If you want to ignore the majority of my post, fine. Just don't try to change the subject. n/t

[kjackson227]

22. I'm sorry to say that with the exception of Sen. Durbin and maybe...

two or three other Dems., I think you're right. It truly amazes me how corrupt our representatives (Pugs and Dems.) are. This country is absolutely run by lobbyists.

[punkin87]

27. Great way to phrase it. K & R

[bertman]

28. Hear!! Hear!! I'd like to see a poll showing Congress' approval rating now. I'll bet it's

just as low as it was during Bush's reign.

[debbierlus]

29. Bravo - you cracked the code of the one party system!

Beware the labels of party, as they do nothing but act as a smokescreen for real debate of issues, policy, and political appointments.

The discussion stops as soons as we phrase the beginning of a statement or question...

The dems...

The repub...

The liberals...

The right....

He said/she said...

Spin & spin & spin & spin...

[clear eye]

31. Rep. John Conyers in Rochester, NY, May 30th to boost HR 676

Rep. Conyers, the author of the single-payer Medicare for All bill, H.R. 676, will speak in a Town Hall forum in Rochester, NY, details here.

[handmade34]

32. HELP GOV. DEAN!!!!

we need you to reve us up more

[LAGranny]

33. Did any of you get the same e-mail as I did today....

In which President Obama asked us to sign up for his health care plan, and then, AFTER we did, we could tell him our "story?" Well, I didn't sign up, because "my story" is that I want Single Payer Health Care for ALL Americans, not the "mandatory" health insurance he is requiring in his plan. Don't get me wrong...I supported and still support President Barack Obama in many issues. I walked miles here in my southeast Alabama Community, working door to door for votes for him, but I just can't support his "plan" when it comes to his health care plan. There is a large disconnect between average citizens and their ability to somehow "afford" the same sort of insurance that big dollar Congressional people have and can easily "afford." To legislatively MANDATE that all Americans must BUY some form of health care insurance is going to make a whole lot of impoverished and even Middle class Americans criminals when they can't afford to buy the mandatory, legislated, health care insurance.

Support, and demand, Single Payer Health care for ALL Americans.

[digidigido]

38. I wrote him a letter saying exactly that, suggest everyone here does that and to their

congresscreatures as well

[bjobotts]

54. They mad car ins mandatory, then based rates on credit reports

[bjobotts]

55. So you can have a perfect dringing record and still pay 10 X more if ever declared bankruptcy

[bjobotts]

56. Expect the same with mandatory HC ins if private companies handle it

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

34. This is the same Congress that passed a drug benefit that FORBADE negotiation on prices

That's about all you need to know. Was that looking out for the American people? No. Was that looking out to lower the cost for Medicare itself? NO. So who was it looking out for?

This single instance cemented for me forever the knowledge of whose side the legislators are on.

[bjobotts]

57. Yeah that was really in the best interest of the people huh? Campaign donations increased

[Kalun D]

36. Agree

""The jig is up, is ain't a debate between Democrats and Republicans, this battle is going between us and the seat of the government.""

To a certain extent the dem repug opposition is a false dichotomy. The real war is between the filthy-rich elite and the workers.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

37. now that the air has been cleared, maybe we can work on getting medicare for all

if our congressmen's corporate masters do not stop us.

[quidam56]

39. Profit Care comes way ahead of Patient Care

What is being sold to us in the E. TN. and SWVA area is nothing at all like what's on public record in Greeneville, TN. Federal Court, case no. 2:04-cv-375. It took the health care system three years to disparage their own misleading, disgusting advertising. Apparently this is deemed, defended, supported and accepted as quality health care in Tennessee and Virginia. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[farmboxer]

40. America is a plutocracy, owned and operated by the extremely rich

greedy,cruel criminals. I will never forget those who are against "We The People". It's time we made a list of the plutocrat politicians. They made fun of us, laugh, and do not take us seriously.

[change_notfinetuning]

41. It IS D.C. vs the American people, but not only on health care. I don't

expect much from Congress, filled as it is with many like Max Fuckus, or worse. But I am really disheartened by President Obama, who during the campaign talked like a sheriff coming to rid D.C. of those varmints (lobbyists). But since the election, he apparently suffered amnesia and handed the keys to America over to Big Business and its lobbyist lackeys. Seeing their success on issue after issue, Corporate America is actually increasing the number of lobbyists to chip away at the little we have left. In his War on Lobbyists, the new sheriff has a loud bark, but his bite is toothless. This is one area that he must take the lead, like leaders do. Disappointing, to say the least.

[Why Syzygy]

58. Absolutely!

Change FOR the People!

[Vidar]

59. Right on!

[WestSeattle2]

60. It's not just healthcare, this holds true for virtually every

issue. I'm glad to see so many are finally seeing politicians for what they are. I would say 95% of politicians and the lackeys that cater to them, are in it for themselves. They could not care less about the American people. About 5% care about the American people and are in it to better our society, however they are considered mental cases and achieve very little legislatively. For all the years most of that 5% have spent in Congress, they have precious little to show for it, other than being a human pinata on Faux news.

What it boils down to is cash. If you can help a pol get reelected, you'll have their ear. If not? About the only chance you have is if your issue can garner them some free publicity.

That is American-style democracy, and we're using our military to spread this systemic corruption and cancer on the body politic, around the globe.

[happygoluckytoyou]

61. SO WHEN OBAMA ASKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.... take 5 minutes and write him YOU DON'T... and the answer IS

send OBAMA A NOTE... i don't support your stand on health care NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR MIND but because as a master of debate YOU HAVE TAKEN SINGLE PAYER OFF THE TABLE..... the sign of a coward, someone who KNOWS THEY WILL LOSE IN AN OPEN DEBATE

[soryang]

63. Health insurers are parasites

Sometimes it takes a revolution to get rid of a class of parasites. Millions of people need to march on Washington to get single payer health care.

[tooeyeten]

64. being denied care by insurer

that's what's going on, even with insurance, they are denying care, or finding a way out of paying, it's happened to me for over $100K.