It's that simple.

[asdjrocky]

It’s never been quite this black and white. If a bill is passed with a strong public option, then we know the President and a majority of the Democratic Congress is on the side of the American people. If there is no public option, then we’ll know the President and the Democrats are on the side of the insurance companies.

If there is no public option, it means the Democrats in Congress and the President don’t care if we die. We are expendable.

It’s never been this clear-cut.

It’s heads or tails, no gray area.

We can write letters, we can cry, we can scream, we can go to meetings and we can email and we should. But know it comes down to this one thing, a public option for health care for the American people. Just like everyone else.

If we get that, we get the change we voted for. If we don’t, then we got screwed.

[JeanGrey]

1. Never saw it put better. We got screwed.

[asdjrocky]

3. Don't get me wrong.

I'm really hoping that's not the case. But I do believe in the end, it all comes down to this.

[JeanGrey]

32. Yes.

[Buzz Clik]

2. That's Bush-think: "Yer either with us or against us."

It must be very comfortable living in such a simple world.

[asdjrocky]

5. Bullshit.

In other countries they manage to take care of their populations health care and it doesn't break the bank and people like it.

You accusing me of bush speak is laughable and insulting. I imagine you didn't plan on the former and counted on the later, we'll you're batting 500 Einstein, just not quite how you hoped.

How simple of you.

[Buzz Clik]

9. It was meant to be as insulting as your OP. The fact that you took offense says much.

Your insinuations about everyone involved in the health care debate was pointed, simplistic, and reflected no insight whatsoever. I completely disagree with your analysis that anyone who won't put their career on the line for the public option is owned by health insurance industry and big pharma. Your comments are purely emotional and really merit very little in the way of a response -- not unlike the insanity that poured out of GW Bush's mouth for eight solid years.

[asdjrocky]

12. Wrong.

You didn't offend me, you missed and were laughable instead. I never post at DU to argue with people, but I'm always happy to have a dialog.

I suspect, and I may be wrong, that you're the kind of person who talks about what is politically possible. That's not what I'm writing about. I'm writing about not being political, but simply doing what is right for a change.

And if you don't mind me saying, you seem a little testy this morning, so if it bothers you that some people are seeing things more clearly than you, then I'm sorry. But you go out there and try to have a better day.

[Buzz Clik]

16. "You accusing me of bush speak is laughable and insulting." How did I get the idea you were insulted

This discussion is hysterical bullshit. I'll leave you to it.

[asdjrocky]

17. Works for me. Have a nice day.

[imdjh]

20. Hold it there, Cher, we have another philosophical problem. Put "their career" on the line?

Your career isn't supposed to be Congress. Your career is whatever real work you did before you started running for office, and the productive work to which you ought to someday return. That's what it ought to be. Part of the problem is "career" politicians, who have never had a real job or who don't intend to ever have one again. Part of the problem is Congressional pensions which should not even exist. Part of the problem is that people go to DC and NEVER GO HOME.

[Buzz Clik]

27. Ok. I agree.

[Captain Hilts]

6. You must have health insurance. I do not. Ins. Cos. will not sell me ins. because I'm unemployed.

[Buzz Clik]

10. I see. So, your insurance status means that anyone who will not choose to support the public option

... 100% is owned by the health insurance lobby? No, it does not.

Three of my kids (in their 20s) are uninsured, and we are desperate to change that. However, that fact does not kill my ability to think clearly about the reality of politics.

[Captain Hilts]

11. It should have been on the negotiating table whether or not we got it. The table was tilted 'right'

from the very beginning.

We surrendered the left of center solutions BEFORE negotiations began.

THAT's the problem.

[piratefish08]

13. You hit the nail on the head.....

[Buzz Clik]

15. I cannot understand the incredible amount of extrapolation at this place.

Is it your contention that the public option was never on the table? Is it your contention that it is not being considered now?

Based on ... ????!!!????

[imdjh]

21. Did you miss the Baucus shut-out?

[Buzz Clik]

25. Anyone paying any attention to the discussions during this recess has one observation:

Don't believe anything you hear because it changes daily and is totally driven by context and political capital.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Heads ...... tails ...... or the preferred choice: the edge of the coin.

[asdjrocky]

7. Edge of the coin?

What does that mean?

[Stinky The Clown]

14. The coin lands heads up, tails up ........ or on its edge

Its a metaphor more than a likely outcome.

[asdjrocky]

19. So by saying it's the preferred method-

You're saying the edge of the coin is compromise? Is that your point?

[Stinky The Clown]

24. This is like having to explain the punch line to a joke.

Forget it. I'll bet others understand the metaphor.

[asdjrocky]

26. If you have to explain the punch line...

then maybe the joke doesn't work.

[Stinky The Clown]

31. What the fuck ever ......

.... some people have this stupid need to argue minutia while missing the main event.

The metaphor is widely known. I can't help it if you don't get out very much.

I'm frustratedly done ..... I invite you to take the last word in this stupid fucking exchange.

[bvar22]

30. Edge of the Coin =

Something they "call" a Public Option, but really isn't available to "The Public" plus an edict mandating that everyone BUY Health Insurances (HR 3200).

A "Public Option" that is so limited and unattractive that only 10 million will be enrolled after 10 years (CBO) + Mandated Health Insurance = A Trillion Dollar Bonanza for the Health Insurance Industry (HR 3200).

A Public Option controlled by the Health Insurance Industry through a bogus "Exchange" that prevents the Public Option from utilizing the advantages of Public Ownership and Government Administration because "that wouldn't be fair" to the private Industry (HR 3200).

But our Politicians will go in front of the TV cameras, slap each other on the back, and declare "Mission Accomplished", and the fools here who haven't read the fine print will parade around chanting "Yay! We got "The "Public Option".

The +70% of the American People who support REAL reform are going to be really disappointed when they open their Health Care Package and find a big bill from the For Profit Health Insurance Industry.

THAT is the edge of the coin.

[asdjrocky]

33. Which is exactly what I thought-

I just wanted him to say it. To me, there's no edge of the coin in this debate.

[Autumn]

8. We shall see,

I still have hope that we do matter. But the meter is running.

[fascisthunter]

18. kick...(nt)

[Echo In Light]

22. Rec. I wasn't counting on 'change' & voted Nader. But O gets credit if he doesn't take a fall.

Let's hope the script isn't already written that way.

[asdjrocky]

23. First of all, you're pretty brave to say that around here.

Second, thanks for the rec. I too am hopeful the script has not yet been written.

[Echo In Light]

28. I've never hidden or downplayed my views on the two party system

I always support local progressive Dems and/or indies, and usually vote indie/Green in presidential "elections."

[asdjrocky]

29. I'm starting to come around to your way of thinking. nt

[mdmc]

34. peace and low stress