It didn't have to be this way .... health ca....er...insurance reform comes down to a Hail Mary Pass

[Stinky The Clown]

The word "disappointed" is inadequate.

The word "angry" is inappropriate and inaccurate.

After eight very long and destructive years in a moral and intellectual desert, the citizens of this country spoke more clearly than at any time since St. Ronald's canonization. They wanted, really, two things: an end to war and a national health care plan.

And they bet hard and heavy on Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.

The country was as united in its goals as at any time I can recall. The honeymoon given to every president was there. People were hopeful and smiling.

And waiting.

And waiting.

And watching.

Tea Parties.

Birthers.

Looney Tunes time.

Some of us laughed.

Virtually all our elected leaders did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Some of us, however, didn't laugh.

Some of us knew, that without leadership - strong, focused, decisive leadership - that which was mocked as right wing nuttiness would take root and grow.

And grow it did, Rivaling Kudzu. Strangling our dreams as that vile vine strangles whole forests.

And so here we are.

Hoping for a Hail Mary Pass that, if successful, gets us barely more than nothing.

It didn't have to be this way.

[The Magistrate]

1. Indeed, Sir, It Is A Shame

Produced by an unholy mix of venality and willful ignorance.

[CrispyQ]

2. An entire year & a super majority squandered, due to lack of true leadership.

"We can fix it later." This isn't the 60's, 70's or even the 80's. Thanks to electronic voting & the recent SCOTUS ruling, the corporations have a stranglehold on this country like never before. The only fixing of this bill will be when the repubs are back in the majority, then they will 'fix' what little regulations this pathetic bill has.

Congratulations, dems. We have now further entrenched the corrupt for-profit health insurance industry even more firmly into our already fucked up health care system.

[slipslidingaway]

3. knr nt

[woodguy]

4. Life sucks real personel.

Im 44 years old. I've paid taxes all my life stayed out of trouble and got laid off over 2 years ago have no insurance anymore, need surgury on a broken leg to walk straight again and can do nothing. Constant pain, totally disregaurded while bankers get billions. Life sucks in this country. I am almost given up all hope. What do I do? I take odd jobs but it's not enough to see a doctor and certainly not enough for surgury.

[Festivito]

5. Too many, sat too long, on two hands and did nothing.

That's how we got here.

Half our nation votes. That's pathetic. That's a recipe for disaster.

That's when you need a hail Mary pass.

[David Zephyr]

6. At this point, it's not even a Hail Mary Pass. It's intentionally throwing an interception.

This "bill" is the institutionalization of Big Pharma and corporate control over the health of every American.

Using your analogy, if there's a touchdown at this point it will be because the President tossed the ball toward the wrong goal post. The corporations will be thrilled.