IMO, if we want single payer we have introduce it to the electorate. I suggest

[CK_John]

we have candidates in the most red district who whole issue is single payer.

These candidates should know that they will probably have no chance of getting office; but it will be good training and some may get lucky.

Keep it simple.

[emulatorloo]

1. Electing more Republicans is not the path to single payer.

JMHO of course.

[CK_John]

2. How is this more GOP when they are solid red and will win anyway, many don't even have DEM

who run against them.

[brush]

5. Good way to get the issue out there.

On a related issue: The "dump Pelosi" movement, IMO, is dumb.

She knows with repugs controlling every branch of government, single payer will never get a floor vote. The Speaker of the House is the only one in the government who can bring legislation to the floor of the House for a vote. In that regard, he/she, is even more powerful than the president. Bills have to start in the House and go through as things are right now.

If we retake the House in 2018, a Dem becomes the Speaker and bills go through her/him.

I say let's work for that, and with your suggestion single payer will become an issue known to the public so when we take over, chances of it passing will be better. At least we'll be able to get it to the floor for a vote.

[Demsrule86]

3. Not a bad idea.

[customerserviceguy]

4. The only chance we have of getting single payer

is from the total collapse of the ACA. Yes, we will have the rich paying the ACA's taxes to support the poor who are on Medicaid, but the people in the middle, who are either paying drastically rising premiums on the exchanges (where they still exist) and the folks who are on employer's health insurance who are passing along rising premium costs, will have to see that the current insurance-based system is completely broken, and needs to be replaced by politicians willing to vote for such a change.

It's not a bad idea to have single payer, it would introduce a whole lot of efficiency into the healthcare system, but you need a critical mass of people who say that the current system is just not working to get the political capital to make the necessary change. As long as Joe or Jane Middleamerica think that the system is still working for them, through their union or otherwise through their employment, you will not have change.

[CK_John]

7. IMO, only the federal government can support health care and automation will do away with employer

supported health care. There will be no employees just "gig" labor.

Also we are losing rural hospitals at a rapid rate and only single payer will be able to support rural health care.

[customerserviceguy]

8. Good points

but I see it getting a lot worse before it gets better.

I'm only a bit more than three years away from Medicare, and for the next year, I'll be covered under my significant others' insurance as a domestic partner, so that's only about two years of nakedness I'll have to endure. I'm lucky to be fairly healthy, with conditions that can be treated by either over-the-counter medication, or cheap generics. I feel for all the people who are going to be heavily exposed to loss in the time it takes to get from the mess we're in now to a true single-payer system.

[johnnyrocket]

6. Before ACA, I knew of many people who didn't understand just plain old health insurance!

Seriously. Many, many people thought you go to the doctor, and pay cash for services. ACA gave the people the concept of coverage and security. And what do you know, people like it.

So yea, single payer will be a learning process, and part of that process is unlearning the propaganda against "socialized medicine" by Republicans.