I was against the Senate Bill passage until I thought maybe

[mmonk]

progressives could improve the end product if it could get out of the Senate. However, I oppose a final Bill that is essentially the Senate Bill without a Medicare buy in or some similar measure. The community centers are a great idea but are subject to the politics of actually getting funded on an annual basis. The Bill essentially will give the for profit insurance companies a hook in government like they have never had before, most likely even a permanent one, which will greatly diminish hopes for anything that looks like a public solution.

Those of us that oppose it are not disloyal to any President or any Party. We have a valid intellectual disagreement with it and its approach. The fact we were led to believe in the possibilty of a robust public option which could keep these private interests in check is the reason for JUSTIFIED anger. Please do not pretend or voice out of belief, we are intransigent left radicals who just want to get our way and support outside interests without expecting push back. Do not call us Naderites or Greens just because of any covergence of opinion about it. And despite what Rahm Emanuel says, people should be concerned of what he arrogantly calls "the left". It isn't a situation of our creation. The hook initially used to gather support and then was discarded is the reason.

Hope this clears some things up and will reduce some of the infighting for reasons that end up other than real policy decisions.

[Jamastiene]

1. I'm just sad that one of the good part of the bill might be the first

part the Republicans will fight to take away at the state level; the Medicaid expansion. I've had that gut feeling from the get go.

[mmonk]

3. Yes. And if you notice, they are stepping up their activities on the state level.

[mmonk]

4. This might be a good time to give this

organization a plug.

[snagglepuss]

2. k & r

[freddie mertz]

5. K & R for clarity and sanity. nt.

[mmonk]

7. Thanks for your efforts at improving the bill.

[Pithlet]

6. Good post.

Valid points, all. There is valid intellectual disagreement. I know it's true that you aren't all intransient left radicals, just as it's true we're not all corporate whore cheerleaders because we don't oppose the bill. For example, it's concern, but I'm not willing to toss aside community centers because they're subject to funding. Practically everything is. Valid reasons for positions on both sides. I'm always so dismayed whenever we tear each other up, here. It's so unnecessary.

[mmonk]

8. Good post.

I'd rather people argue over valid things than guilt by association. That's not saying that I never post out of anger though and may be guilty at times. Only that people have some sort of understanding of each other that can reduce it.

[mzmolly]

9. I think anyone who's opposed has a right to be. As do those in favor.

My issue is when people are opposed for reasons that don't exist.

I have hope for a stronger bill, and I appreciate everyone who advocates, with reason, for such a bill.

K and R.

[mmonk]

11. Thanks mzmolly.

[thotzRthingz]

10. FWIW: I refuse to give up on a PUBLIC OPTION (and other possible changes)...

...here's an email I sent to OBAMA:

*********************
*********************

Dear President Obama,

First, I would like to say that I am a progressive registered-independent voter... who strongly supported your run for the presidency. I am mostly pleased with your handling of America's affairs.

But I can NOT support any health care reform which does not include a strong public option. In fact, you have said as much yourself... on 17 July 2009:

"Any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange -- a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, costs, and track records of a variety of plans -- including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest." (ref: http://yeswestillcan.org /)

Thanks to SIXTY HOUSE members, the U.S. House of Representatives put a PUBLIC OPTION front & center in H.R. 3962 (which barely passed by a vote of 220 to 215).

You must not allow any one Senator (such as Joe Lieberman) to hold this country's HEALTH CARE hostage, by threatening a filibuster. Senator Reid should never have sought 60 votes, as history has shown us that there are other ways to get legislation passed in the Senate.

Only with inclusion of a PUBLIC OPTION will there be any meaningful competition and thus cost control (which is the primary reason we needed health care reform in the first place).

PLEASE, stand firm, and insist that a PUBLIC OPTION be included in any bill which will be sent to your desk for signature.

POLL after POLL has shown that the majority of Americans want a PUBLIC OPTION.

There are more than FIFTY U.S. Senators who support a PUBLIC OPTION (ref: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091223/pl_politico/3... ).

H.R. 3962 was passed by the HOUSE, and it contains a PUBLIC OPTION, and at least 60 members in the HOUSE pledged their unwavering support for same (ref: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/08/17/60-members-... ).

America wants a PUBLIC OPTION, America needs a PUBLIC OPTION... YOU can make it happen, if you but have the will to do so!

Please STAND FIRM and DEMAND a PUBLIC OPTION be included in the final "reconciliation" bill which gets passed by the HOUSE and SENATE, and which gets signed into law by you.

Thank you, for standing on principle... in the face of much political and corporate-lobbyist pressure!

Respectfully and Sincerely,

*********************
*********************

I also sent a very similar message to Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and others in the U.S. Congress. I invite everyone else to do likewise ("thinking" it's already over only serves to make it so... "thinking" we can do this serves to MAKE IT SO).

[mmonk]

12. Me either.

Pressure is continually needed. Squeeky wheels get oiled.

[mmonk]

18. Did you send any to the members of the Progressive Caucus

and insist they hold firm and not cave?

[Cleita]

13. Yes, I keep getting the sinking feeling that the way this bill will play out

in the end will be to turn the status quo into law permanently. There will be no real reform. Taxpayers will keep making the health care industry rich and people will keep dying unnecessarily. Except now, like all the other laws that are destroying our nation, it will be really hard to dump it in the future once it goes into effect. By giving the insurance and big PhRMA a new source of income, it will be impossible to get rid of them in the future.

[chimpymustgo]

15. You have nailed it.

"By giving the insurance and big PhRMA a new source of income, it will be impossible to get rid of them in the future."

[katkat]

14. plus see the horrid stuff

about the tax on Cadillac(sic) health plans that will fall directly in the middle class in a few years.

This bill is political suicide for the Democrats once the Independents realize what's in it.

[mmonk]

17. That needs to be gotten rid of or unions may not be so inclined with

GOTV efforts. And who does that favor?

[amborin]

16. K&R