Rep. Keith Ellison: A Public Option is Good Government!

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-keith-ellison/a-public-option-is-good-g_b_291886.html


Rep. Keith Ellison

First term U.S. Representative from Minnesota
Posted: September 18, 2009 05:11 PM

A Public Option is Good Government!


The current attack on the public option as "government run" health care is a completely wrong-headed argument. First off, let's remember that government in a democracy is a good thing. Besides, with a public option, government does not "run" health care--government makes sure that everyone gets health care. Being against the public option is like wanting government out of Medicare.

Let's be clear, our opponents have fought for decades to protect corporate health care interests. Their attack on the public option as "government run" health care is designed to distort the true meaning of reform and scare people. The public option is not government run health care; rather it is the only way to provide affordable health care that cannot be taken away.

We're debating health care reform now because well over 60% of the American public believes the current system is broken. The average American family pays an extra $1,100 per year in premiums to support a system that leaves forty six million Americans uninsured.

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In fact, those who favor the public option, and those who oppose it, do so for the same reason: the public option will match up favorably against private market programs. Proponents of the public option say this is good; opponents actually deplore real competition, and enjoy monopoly pricing.

There is no legitimate policy argument against the public option. The opposition is political - it's about power: public power - meaning your power - versus the power of those few bonus-bothered executives and their Republican allies.

So when you hear the outcry of a government takeover of our health care - know it is a smokescreen for the protection of the pocketbooks of those in industry; those who fear real competition, effectiveness - and your voice. It is the outcry of those private insurers who have brought us to where we are today - without competition and accountability.

[Bicoastal]

1. He's a closet moooslimb!

Oh wait. He's actually IS a Muslim? Um....hmm.