Harkin: ‘Strong public option’ will pass by Christmas

[kpete]

Source: The Iowa Independent

Harkin: ‘Strong public option’ will pass by Christmas
By Chase Martyn 9/13/09 8:36 PM

INDIANOLA — At his 32nd annual Steak Fry fundraiser, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) was cheered by an enthusiastic crowd when he declared that a health care reform bill would pass both houses of Congress “by Christmas,” and that it would include a government-run, not-for-profit health insurance plan.

“Mark my word — I’m the chairman — it’s going to have a strong public option,” said Harkin, who last week replaced the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee.

“It now falls to me to pick up the torch” left by Kennedy, he noted.

Health care was a popular subject for all of the federal lawmakers assembled here Sunday.

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/13/extra_bonus_quote_of_the_day.html#031300a

---

"I've been in this town a long time. I think this is the year we're gonna get health care done. But I guarantee you this will be pronounced dead at least four or five times before we finally get a bill passed."

-- President Obama, on 60 Minutes, recounting advice given to him by one of his advisers.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/13/extra_bonus_quote_of_the_day.html#031300a
Here's the full 60 Minutes segment:
VIDEO
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/13/extra_bonus_quote_of_the_day.html#031300a

[tblue]

1. Why Christmas? They need to hurry the hell up. Went to a town hall today. It's horrible out there!

The fringe is totally unhinged!!

[kenfrequed]

43. What?!

With Rahm, the Blue Dogs, and the DLC doing everything they can to try to kill public option I am glad that he is standing up at all.

[SandWalker1984]

54. Without a true public option, all that's left is a huge giveaway to corporations

A strong public option would be a program that IS or is similar to Medicare.

A strong public option would be available to EVERY American, not just 5%.

A strong public option would be initially funded by the government to get it up and running so it can provide true competition to private insurance.

A true public option does not involve triggers.

Anything less, we will be left with mandates to buy overpriced, under delivering crap insurance from the same private corporations that are sucking the blood out of our economy.

Think they were bad before, imagine what they will do after EVERYONE is forced to buy their products?

To those that say healthcare is a commodity and not a civil right, this legislation, by the nature of it’s design, does not allow us the freedom to reject the private insurance commodity without being financially punished by the government.

Passing a mandate to buy private insurance, without giving us an alternative option such as Medicare, would be the same as Congress passing a law that forces us to buy a new car every 3 years from whatever car company they designate.

What next?

[mistertrickster]

76. I'm forced to buy car insurance. That's not a problem thanks to competition.

The same thing should happen with health insurance once health insurance reform is put into place.

[24601]

102. Car insurance is not a valid analogy. First, everyone is not

required to have car insurance, only those with cars that are registered to operate on public streets. The old junker I drive only on the farm doesn't have any insurance required. Next, government vehicles are not insured - count them up, all the police, post office, military, etc. - it's a large number. Most importantly, most states' mandatory coverage doesn't protect the owner, but is the liability insurance if your are sued for causing damage or injury to others. Over all, it's a poor model for health insurance.

[truedelphi]

80. +1 and + 2 too (as the spouse agrees as well!) n/t

[bvar22]

84. Recommending Post 54 by SandWalker1984

Please read the fine print.

For those who are interested, this link will offer an educational viewpoint to what is actually contained in HR 3200 and the Senate HELP Bill.

http://pnhp.org/blog/2009/09/13/sullivan-publicoptionin3200unlikemedicare/

[kenfrequed]

98. A agree completely

I don't want triggers or any of that nonsense either. I would prefer to actually get a public option that isn't a limited experiment that never kicks in.

And I sure as hell don't want any damned mandated compulsory private insurance BS.

But yeah Medicare for all!

[INdemo]

63. Thats wishful thinking on Harkins part..But here is what has happen and

it appears that the 2.5 million that is being spent daily is paying off for the healthcare industry..That is the insurance and drug companies..
There is now nearly half of those that once agreed that we need healthcare reform now believe that it will cost too much or will cause us to have poor healthcare etc etc...Everything the anti-reform campaign set out to do has been accomplished..now combine that with the Republican talking heads BS and the corporate media BS and what we end up with is a dead in the water healthcare bill with nothing but talk left to satisfy those that supported this Presidnent cause we believed we would see real change..In reality what we are seeing is another corporarate sponsored public relations camapign that has all but destroyed any reform and leaves the huge profits and excessive salaries for Insurance CEO's in place..
Think about what we were told months ago that the banking industry would face new rules and regulations and that issue hasn't even made its way into the legislative conversation yet..We were told that excessive CEO bonuses were history but we now know that wasn't addressed either..So what we now have ...as Bill Moyers put it..two corporate political parties..

[mistertrickster]

75. Thank you. A reasonable voice among the ideologues is welcome indeed. nt

[ElboRuum]

70. The fringe will unhinge at the slightest impinge on their dinge.

Their buttocks will singe when end is put to their idiot binge.

[No Elephants]

91. Are they still having town halls? I thought that was an August recess thang. Methinks,

at this point, they are just trying to whip their base into a frenzy. But remember, the hundreds who make a stink at town halls are a small minority of America's total population. The disgraceful media never bothers to point that out; and their coverage of the town halls is far more damaging than the town halls themselves. And that is a great reason to hurry. Obviously, though, the Republicans are slow walking this because they love giving the impression that trying to make health care affordable is EVIL.

[senseandsensibility]

2. Tom Harkin is from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party

Go Tom!

[joeycola]

34. kick.

[truedelphi]

79. + 1 n/t

[harvey007]

3. Hurray Senator Harkin!

Common sense from the Heartland.

Keep up the good work!

[liberalmike27]

52. I want to believe

But considering the past, and the vast dollars spent to stop the bill, or to water it down to no potency, I don't hold out a lot of hope.

But, hopefully at least the democrats will abide by the saying "You shouldn't be in politics if you can't take their money and vote against them once and a while."

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

103. I am touch with every person in my area. WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION!!!!

"NEED",...to be distinguished from "want".

PEOPLE NEED HEALTH CARE!!!

I haven't invested in the possibility, very much because I can't afford to do so. But, I do hope for a public option. Maybe, I will finally be able to imagine living long enough to be a grandparent,...maybe,...maybe, not.

[BzaDem]

4. I want his list of 218 house members that will vote for such an option. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. I want a list of the Insurance company that signs your paycheck

You have been opposed to a public option from day one. Why is that?

[TankLV]

47. We know HIS agenda - and it's not a "DemocraTIC" agenda...

[happygoluckytoyou]

49. I want a public option health care system and a red ryder wagon for xmas

[Davis_X_Machina]

8. There are only about 30 who will vote against it.

The Progressive Caucus is twice the size of the Blue Dog caucus, and not all the Blue Dogs will vote against. Party discipline's stronger in the House. Things like the DCCC are more effective.

The House isn't where the problem is, the Senate is. Each senator is a baron with a little barony of his or her own. They don't need the DSCC, they have their own fundraising, much larger staffs -- and they run only every sixth year.

Final vote: House 229-206, Senate 60-39 on cloture, 53-46 on the conference report.

[IRemember]

15. What a baby. STFU. nt.

[uppityperson]

101. what an asshole. stfu. nt

[Jim Sagle]

48. Isn't it embarrassing when you're outed as a five buck an hour DLC hogwash dispenser?

[Lifelong Protester]

5. Rec'd and love you Tom!

Keep the torch aloft.

[CoffeeCat]

7. Thank you Senator Harkin...as an Iowan...

...it is nice to hear the voice of reason from one of our state's politicians.

If we get a strong public option--that will more than make up for all of the inane, shameful
and embarrassing comments that have come from the other politicians in my state, such as
Chuckles Grassley and the infamous Steve King.

YES!

[Blue Gardener]

29. A Senator we don't have to apologize for

Harkin is a good guy and I'm proud to call him my Senator. Sorry about Chuckles though.

[nebutar]

56. Sorry

An an Iowa, and seeing how and what Harkin has done, I would not hold my breath. Harkin in my own opinion, one of the most sleazy senators I have ever met. He will say what ever it takes to please the group he is talking to, and forget it before the next minute passes.

[CoffeeCat]

58. I'm just guessing here...

...but I'm wondering after they killed Wellstone, if Harkin didn't just sort of
decide...what the hell, these Fascists will do anything to maintain power.

He seems resigned to the reality.

I'll never forget when he sided with the Terry Schiavo nuts. He actually stood
on the Capitol steps and agreed with Bill Frist and the rest of the nutjobs. I
noticed that Harkin's words seemed forced, like his heart wasn't in it.

I mean, what kind of Progressive, someone who was best friends with Wellstone--
publicly stands with the Christofascists?

[Blue Gardener]

89. Really?

Sleazy? Would you prefer Steve King?

[mvd]

9. I believe him!

Progressives won't back down and the Blue Dogs will have a last minute change of heart.

[glinda]

10. Thank you Tom.

[Jefferson23]

11. I am hoping against hope, I hope you're right Harkin. Is he going to

help Kucinich keep his amendment alive in the Congress too? Is he or any of the Senators intend to help support HR676?

[OwnedByFerrets]

12. You mean that strong public option that will cover 5% of americans??

[kenfrequed]

44. Hmmph

I suppose you would prefer mandated private insurance for all with lots of corporate wealthfare and insurance company giveaways?


Better to get our toe in the single payer door and then widen it than accept Baucus style concession based healthcare where we end up with something that is designed primarily around protecting the insurance industry.

[OwnedByFerrets]

88. You mean just like congress accepted Medicare Part D

with that HUGE FUCKING DONUT HOLE?? When do you think they plan on fixing that stupid shit? Oh, thats right, THEY DONT INTEND ON FIXING IT. It gives their fucking corporate masters too much money to DARE fixing it.

Why do I waste my time. You wont listen to reason anyway. You will continue to believe that there IS a Yellow Brick Road and that Dorothy WILL find her way back to Kansas.

[No Elephants]

92. I agree the doughnut hole stinks. The good news is that the scripts that fall within it

are supposed to go to half price. That may be only if reform passes. I am not sure about that. It's not perfect, but it would be better than the status quo.

[No Elephants]

93. If all we can do when we have an overwhelming majority in the House, sixty Senators and the

White House is get a teeny toe in the door, how many Democrats would we have to elect to widen that door? And do you think electing that number, whatever it is, is a realistic possiblity in our lifetime--or ever? We are undoubtedly going to lose seats in 2010, not gain them. And who knows what will happen in 2012.

This is our best shot. If all we can do with all the strength we should now have is some lame bill, then that's all we are ever likely to get. It's now or never.

Ask yourself why the Republicans got their way from 2000-2006, when they were in the majority, why Bush got most of his way from 2006 to 2008, even though Democrats were in the majority in both houses and why, now, Republicans are still getting their way.

[OwnedByFerrets]

97. Bingo!

[kenfrequed]

99. Facile rationalizations

So skip the public option completely then? I suppose we don't really need it. Far better to go with some kind of absurd corporate welfare nonsense that puts tons of money in the hands of the insurance company.


You know there is something your blue dog friends really haven't gambled or put much thought into and that is the back end of this. Private mandates and little tiny fixes that force the working class to assume the burden. Hooray! Like we haven't covered two wars and what not rather completely and like we haven't been pillaged by Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and to bail out banks so yeah we should definitely take the whole thing on the chin with NO extra taxes for billionaire CEO's that propagated this sick and sicker for profit system in the first place.

But in the future the mandates and injection of federal money to for profit insurance companies will be like bribing bandits. They will grow hungrier and fatter on our tax dollars.

Ultimately my question is "Why should they profit off of tax money spent to provide for those that have nothing? Why should anyone profit from this."

[Demeter]

13. Fighting the Good Fight

Best wishes and all my support, Senator.

[IRemember]

14. Thank you, Senator Harkin. We all believe in you. nt

[thereismore]

16. Thank you Sen. Harkin! nt

[GivePeaceAchance]

17. That's Dean and Harkin very optimistic about the bills prospects. Two great Democarts to have a lot

of faith in.

[IRemember]

18. Yeah, it's a lot better than hearing Kent Conrad's geeky ass saying its dead every other day. nt

[Hekate]

19. Thank you, Tom Harkin for the heartening words. Merry Christmas, eh?

:toast:

[Iowa]

20. Harkin will do everything he can to make it happen. He's a good man.

[LaPera]

21. We've got to make sure - NOT slack off, we've got to make it happen...Too many

times we watched as things occur and the same voices give us some bullshit as we've relaxed, believed & trusted...and then it doesn't happen.

Republicans and the corporations and their money will not relax nor rest and they will continue to distort, smear fear-monger and lie to keep it from happening to continue their sick manipulation for profit.

WE have to continue to Call - Email - DONATE - Letters - Protest -Petition - Scream...until it actually happens...we can't get fooled again...or it will NEVER happen!

[knixphan]

26. damn right!

[burning rain]

22. Harkin to the voice of a real Democrat!

Tom's an honorable guy and a true progressive--one of the few worthy to succeed Ted.

[DollyM]

23. Please God, let it be true!

I am so afraid that this will keep getting watered down until it is nothing of value. I am tired of our voices not being heard about our needs and desires.

[GreenTea]

24. I will only believe it until it really happens.

Only until then I will keep on fighting.

[Czar One]

25. I'm Hoping!

But, unfortunately, I'm not betting!

[Douglas Carpenter]

27. I hope he is right, kick and recommend

[POAS]

28. That is heartening but

Christmas seems a little late considering the President's insistence on an immediate but temporary plan to help people who cannot get health care now because of preexisting conditions or cost.

I would hope that such a temporary plan might go into effect as early as January first. Passing by late December would not leave enough time for the agencies to implement until at least the second quarter of 2010.

[truedelphi]

81. But better a good and truly reformative effort

Than the sack of shit that is out there now. (And no one really knows what is in the measure as it is 1,000 pages long.)

Go Harken! I am willing to wait a lil while for REAL REFORM, rather than see a corporate giveaway be rushed through.

[POAS]

83. That is why I'm hoping for a good

temp package that people can get immediately as a stop gap tilla good package can be fully implemented.

Temp solutions, however, will only help if what follows is real "Change"!

[midnight]

30. Harking continues the fight. Sounds like he means business too.

[woundedkarma]

31. But will it have a trigger?

Sure we may get a "strong public option" but if it has a trigger then we're better off with one of those discount cards they advertise on tv.

Not that it matters to me, I can't afford to pay $1 for insurance let alone whatever they want to charge.

[Vidar]

32. Recommended & hoping it's true.

[tclambert]

33. It's difficult when what is right must fight against the profit motive.

The insurance companies have lots of money they can budget to fight against what they know is right. This issue has become a revealing test of democracy versus plutocracy. Something like 70% of American voters favor health care reform. Now we find out if voters matter more than money.

And where have the big corporations gone who support a public option? Part of the driving force behind the issue came from companies complaining they had to pay for health insurance that their foreign competitors did not. I remember GM saying it added $1500 to the price of every car, $1500 that Japanese and German carmakers did not have to pay.

[Odin2005]

35. That will be a nice Christmas present!

[Piewhacket]

36. kpete - now that's reporting! *'s for you kpete. n/t

superb quote by Sen Harkin.
now, can he walk that talk?

The problem is the Senate. Its always been the Senate.
Focus on the Senate!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

37. That's the spirit

Hard to believe that Harkin and GrAss-ley are form the same state.

[wpelb]

38. Direct Link to Iowa Independent

http://iowaindependent.com/19748/harkin-strong-public-option-will-pass-by-christmas

The Political Wire page linked in the OP changes apparently periodically.

[FailureToCommunicate]

39. Go Tom! The ADA -Americans with Disabilities Act- was a long, hard slog thru

Congress with many DOA pronouncements, and Tom Harkin was a strong backer thru it all...

[Kingofalldems]

40. Harkin is a great Democrat

Disruptors hate him. But they seem to love Joe Lieberman.

[MrsBrady]

41. meanwhile, NPR this morning is trying to push the "gang of 6 bill" with no public option

:banghead:

[mvd]

45. Even them?

I have heard they are more right wing these days. And that's even with Obama helping them more than Bush would.

I think the worst "news" I've heard besides FAUX is that IRN Radio Network news. They do hourly news updates on XM 165. Last night, they were repeating the "2 million showed up" lie!

[The Stranger]

42. Okay, I'm marking his word.

[Festivito]

46. Doesn't strong generally mean: weak beyond belief? /nt

[Bluenorthwest]

50. Tom Harkin is an actual Democrat

and he knows how to get things done in that quagmire that is DC.

[valerief]

51. Dare I hope...again? nt

[dccrossman]

53. I hope he can get it done

:kick:

[polichick]

55. Alright, that's the kind of fight we need - somebody willing to carry the torch!! nt

[kestrel91316]

57. From your lips to Obama's and God's ears, Tom!!!!

[readmoreoften]

59. I hope to hell you're right!

I'll be thankful if they do.

[emulatorloo]

60. Excellent n/t

[1776Forever]

61. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) You Rock! Thank you so much for your dedication!

:woohoo: :yourock: :woohoo:

[MoonbatMarty]

62. Public Option

Public Option is NOT going to happen.

[TBF]

66. Did you get that from your crystal ball Marty?

Do tell.

[No Elephants]

95. Why are you using his last name? We're all friends here. Call him "Batty."

[mistertrickster]

77. A one-post wonder with bad news . . . who could have ever imagined. nt

[Alhena]

64. Passsing his committee is not the problem- getting 60 votes is

somehow I doubt than Ben Nelson, Evan Bayh, Mary Landrieu, Joe Lieberman, and Blanche Lincoln will be as enthused about the public option as Harkin is.

And if we go the reconciliation route with 50 votes, anything that is passed sunsets and has to be re-enacted in 5 years.

So it's just not as easy as Harkin suggests.

[w4rma]

68. Which gives Democrats a strong issue to run on since the law will have been in place for 5 years. nt

[No Elephants]

94. Agree. Still, I'd rather people talk about a strong public option as inevitable

than keep hearing how it has no chance.

I did not know that all bills passed via reconciliation sunset after 5 years. Still, I'd settle for that. Imagine having tried to repeal Social Security or welfare or Medicare or the Civil Right Act or the minimum wage or child labor laws or any truly landmark legislation after five years. You'd never get re-elected--and you'd know that going into the vote.

Only Heaven knows why the frickin' Senate has any 60 vote rules at all. Maybe that worked when politicians were less knee jerk partisan, but it doesn't work now. Legislation just gets stymied, which is the goal of the cons. For them, no news is good news.

[Aramchek]

65. make Teddy proud!

[earcandle]

67. She's up! She's down! She's up! She's down... it would be really cool to ram 676 thru!

And kiss all the protestors goodbye!  

[Arkana]

69. Well, Senator Harkin, you only make me wish I could vote for you.

Sadly, I'm not from Iowa.

[grantcart]

71. They only have about a month to use the reconciliation process

after that they will need 60 votes

[AllyCat]

72. I'd like to hear him define "strong"

And "public option"

[Iwillnevergiveup]

73. I still fondly recall

Senator Harkin's support of Howard Dean. Whatta guy!

:patriot:

[JohnWxy]

74. Senator Harkin, a Democrat not scared by Demogogues and Disinformation. The truth is no Public

Option - NO REFORM.


Senator Harkin, The Democratic Party is in a sad case of leadership vacuum. We need somebody with GUTS. Guts enough to stand firm for common sense. Someone who can stand up to Demogagues and disinformation. YOu may be the only one we have left.


Recommended.

[LaPera]

78. YOU actually believe this shit? Then it'll be "right after the New Year when congress returns" then

by the Easter recess, then right after they get back and certainly before summer, then before the up coming 2010 elections, but then Congress will be too busy with campaigns and with getting re-elected in the fall....So then right after the 2010 elections when the new congress convenes in January?

Which means, NEVER!!

The republicans and insurance companies know how to make sure no reform EVER gets done or ever occurs, They know how to stall and say let's start all over again, you're going "too fast with such a big and important bill (which the republican NEVER have any intention of helping or getting a bill through)>

Also the republicans along with the insurance companies have been extremely successful making sure there has never been no meaningful health care or insurance reform, nor government health care for all for well over sixty plus years.

Simply, by playing with the democrats, paying off some of them, trashing and lying about others, changing bills to dilute any real reform, stalling and making sure it just never happens by any lie, smear, attack and distortion possible, NOTHING is too low for the slimy corporate republican scum.

Remember, first Obama wanted bills from both houses BEFORE the summer recess, then a bill to be signed in October, then by Thanksgiving, now by Christmas, then after the New Year.....

[jeff30997]

82. Call me a skeptic but...

I'll believe it when I see it.

[colsohlibgal]

85. I'll Believe It When It Happens

And it all depends on what kind of public option - will all of us have a choice or just the few. My guess is they'll call it that (if it does come about) and not many will be able to access it.

[BeatleBoot]

86. A Steak Fry for Health Care!

Oh the irony!


:rofl:

[KansDem]

87. Okay, okay...maybe they were eating Top Sirloin-Lite? nt

[MasonJar]

90. Good, Tom! I certainly believe you will try; I hope fervently you succeed.

[No Elephants]

96. To fight against the corporations and the town hall loonies combined, we must be as

emphatic and persistent as they are.

We have to hound the White House, our Senators and our Rep and, if we possibly can, show up at demonstrations for the public option.

[sofa king]

100. Now there's a guy who hasn't quit.

I really like Senator Harkin because he's dependably on the side of the people who need his help. He has behaved as a model Senator for most of his career, unlike any Republican and a lot of other Democrats.

Some of you will be astounded to know that the Senate actually has a strong tradition of comity and respect for the minority party and the minority voice on any issue, and Senator Harkin is one of the Senators who plays by those rules. It's the Republican misuse of that tradition which is allowing them to cause as much trouble as they are causing.

I'd say we should cut the rope on that tradition, but I can't until several other things fall into place, like a commitment to investigate, expose, try and convict every single crime committed in the White House and Congress over the past eight years, a process which would take decades but which would eventually dismantle the entire Republican criminal operation. Until that happens, we have to play nice with the criminals, lest they return to power and write us off instead.

[wordpix]

104. Hooray, Sen. Harkin! I'm with you.

:applause: