Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

TidalWave46

(2,061 posts)
Wed Oct 2, 2019, 08:58 AM Oct 2019

I truly believe that we are on our way to a single payer system.

Congress isn't holding us up. The American people are. Congress lags behind the will of the people. It's actually one of the greatest aspects of our government. It helps to maintain stability and certainty. Current polling can be used as fodder for all sides of the argument. The polls show uncertainty among the populace yet they are used by all sides of the argument to show where the support is. It all depends on the wording of the polls.

I support the push for M4A even though I think it's a foolish name for it. What is being pushed does not resemble medicare. But the general concept is there and people don't view medicare as a failure. I get it.

M4A is being pushed mainly by activists. It hasn't reached the true level of being a possible legislative reality. This push has my support. I'm not going to shit on the payment mechanisms or anything lacking in their proposals. The biggest players pushing it, like Sanders, don't understand how to write legislation. They aren't nuts and bolts people. They are grand idea people. They are some of the most important people to our cause. They move society over time. There are a couple of wonks pushing it but they are smart enough to understand they are building support for an idea, not detailed legislation. They are people like Warren who will eventually be the ones who see it across the finish line. We need to be more like the Warrens out there. Willing to dangle it out there with the understanding we are building support, not legislation.

I really think we on the left should stop hammering these people on how it will be paid for. We know how it will be paid for. Taxes. Let the right hammer the issue of how it will be paid for. They don't need our help. I'm not saying people on the left who bring up this concern are carrying water for the right. It's a real concern and we are in the middle of campaign season. It's fair game. Here is what I tell people. It will be paid for using a progressive taxation scale. If someone is living in poverty, or additional taxation would put them under the poverty line, they will see no tax increase as a part of a healthcare package. Bill Gates will be paying for the health care for 1000 people, Ricky over on avenue D living in poverty will not be paying for healthcare, and that middle class family over there will be paying for their own healthcare. Bill Gates will still be able to afford the worlds largest yacht, the costs for the middle class family will slightly go down because of costs controls, and Ricky will have one less thing holding him back as he tries to move vertically in society instead of horizontally.

I don't care if that is true or not. It sounds good and makes sense. I'm trying to build support for universal healthcare. I believe healthcare should be considered a right. I'm selling an idea, not a package.

This topic does not sway my vote except that the person must be moving in a direction that covers more people, not less. I personally favor a public option at this point. That doesn't mean I can't support activists who are fighting for what I want and the clear direction we are going. I do not demand all of the details on something that is a decade away under the most perfect of circumstances.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I truly believe that we are on our way to a single payer system. (Original Post) TidalWave46 Oct 2019 OP
Here's the thing... wysimdnwyg Oct 2019 #1
Agree with how you have outlined it. Thanks. NT TidalWave46 Oct 2019 #2
 

wysimdnwyg

(2,229 posts)
1. Here's the thing...
Wed Oct 2, 2019, 10:41 AM
Oct 2019

In 2008, M4A was a non-starter. Even a public option (to go along with the complete mess of a system we had pre-ACA) was ridiculed as socialist and completely unworkable. Just over a decade later, the public option seems like the centrist position. We WILL get to a true single payer system, but it's going to take steps - maybe several. The ACA's expanded Medicaid programs were the first. A public option is likely the next big step forward. As people see how good that can be, more will gravitate towards it. Another big hurdle will be replacing the employer-provided scam that locks people into their current employer, even if their plan sucks. A shit plan is still better than no coverage at all.

Eventually we WILL have something, but I believe only the most optimistic person believes we're only one Presidential election away.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TidalWave46

(2,061 posts)
2. Agree with how you have outlined it. Thanks. NT
Wed Oct 2, 2019, 12:04 PM
Oct 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»I truly believe that we a...