Public option or NOTHING, and let the chips fall where they may.

[MoonRiver]

Obama needs to draw this line in the sand. Those blue dogs and repukes who oppose the public option will be outed. Then in 2010 Dems will get an even bigger majority and the game will, finally, be over for those opposing health care for everyone. This of course is a hopeful scenario, but I think Obama should risk that it will materialize. The long term stakes are just too high not to do so.

[monmouth]

1. I like the way you think and this scenario is a real possibility...n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

2. Public Option and/or State run single payer .. or nothing

allowing states to set up single payer systems is an acceptable way to go, assuming other reforms are passed as well.


Pukes shouldn't be able to fight it since it is a state's rights issue and they are supposed to be big on state's rights

[MoonRiver]

3. Except not all states will do it.

Ergo, millions will still be screwed.

[Motown_Johnny]

4. at first... but it creates a path to a single payer system

and it gives us something to build on instead of waiting another 40 years until we can pass another federal bill.


I think the advantage to businesses in a state that has a single payer system will be so overwhelming that many states will need to move toward it quickly or watch businesses move out of their state

[cascadiance]

6. Damn, you and I had the exact same thoughts almost the same time!

GMTA!

[cascadiance]

5. And many businesses will leave those states if they have to foot the insurance bill...

... and not have the public option available to do so.

Rethuglican run states might be trying to up their "welfare requests" from the feds that they got so readily from Bush earlier, and find that perhaps the feds don't help them out this tim around.

[Justitia]

7. Exactly. Please, please, I live in TX, we'd be screwed by our state.

I know it's easy to write off states as red / blue, but seriously, all those red states have true blue citizens suffering under repressive politics in their state. And kids.
We have no recourse with our political officials. Especially us in the cities. Every major TX city is Democratic.
Our rural areas (& gerrymandering) is what kills us in elective politics.

So many millions will be further hurt (because so many are already hurting) with anything "left to the states".

TX has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country.

I fight the RW in every single election here, I cannot count on Texas to do the right thing for her citizens.

[cilla4progress]

8. Total agreement!

I said this just last night - "let the chips fall where they may." He MUST stand by his principles, and I think there can be no doubt where he personally stands (for single payer / public option). He is getting scared by the politics. But I think he has it backwards. I think if he comes out strong for public option, he will see his poll numbers immediately rise significantly. But more importantly, it's the change he stood for in his candidacy; the reason he won with 53%. He has to use his position, his power, and his congressional (as well as electoral) majorities to make this big change now. He must see it's our country's only chance to move forward. And I don't care if it is in the direction of European-style socialism (a good thing, I believe). He must risk this. All the chips on the table. All in. Now.

[MoonRiver]

11. Absolutely!

Don't go wobbly on us Barack!

[cilla4progress]

9. Total agreement!

I said this just last night - "let the chips fall where they may." He MUST stand by his principles, and I think there can be no doubt where he personally stands (for single payer / public option). He is getting scared by the politics. But I think he has it backwards. I think if he comes out strong for public option, he will see his poll numbers immediately rise significantly. But more importantly, it's the change he stood for in his candidacy; the reason he won with 53%. He has to use his position, his power, and his congressional (as well as electoral) majorities to make this big change now. He must see it's our country's only chance to move forward. And I don't care if it is in the direction of European-style socialism (a good thing, I believe). He must risk this. All the chips on the table. All in. Now.

[flyarm]

10. Baucus Bill: Forcing Americans To Buy Junk Insurance They Can’t Afford to Use

Baucus Bill: Forcing Americans To Buy Junk Insurance They Can’t Afford to Use
By: Jane Hamsher/B]
Monday September 7, 2009 6:39 am

November 2008: Max Baucus circulates a white paper -- the "generic Democratic health care plan" -- which includes a public plan, and an emphasis on affordability and availability.

September 2009: Max Baucus circulates a health care bill forcing low- to middle-income to buy "junk" insurance they can't afford to use to earn Republican support, which amounts to a giant transfer of wealth to the insurance industry.

We'll be watching closely to see if any members of the veal pen are dragged out to validate this middle class travesty.


http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/07/shocking-baucus-bill-transcribes-rahmsnowe-deal-on-triggers/