Okay, that's it. I give. Pass the fucking stupid bill.

[Hello_Kitty]

The motherfucking Arizona Legislature and nitwit of a Governor have decided to eliminate our Children's Health Insurance Program.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/health/policy/19arizona.html

47,000 poor kids will lose their health care. Those of you who know my posting history know that I'm the mean old childfree harridan who enrages the parents here regularly. But depriving children of health care is definitely not okay with me. Nor is booting 310,000 adults off of AHCCCS (our version of Medicaid), which they are also doing.

I still think the bill is a piss poor watered down corporate giveaway riddled with serious problems. And I still don't have insurance even though I actually qualify for AHCCCS but they froze enrollments. But I'm healthy (knock on wood). OTOH, I personally know people who will be in a world of hurt and may die because they will lose their AHCCCS coverage. Fucking fuckers finally pushed me over the edge. If this POS bill will bring some money back into the state so my friends will get the care they need then I have to support it. I have no other choice.

Fuck.

:grr:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Yeah, WTF is wrong with Arizona?

I was appalled to hear that.

And you know, call me a Pollyanna if you wish, but I think the bill will be pretty good. Not perfect. But a big step in the right ...er, correct direction.

Sorry you're having such a hard time.

:hug:

[TheKentuckian]

2. No sense being against the bill if you aren't willing to fight through

systemic collapse and the rather nasty effects of such a result. I thought everyone understood that killing the bill would mean allowing the pain to continue to build in the system until so many lose coverage that the agony would be massive enough to make the change to a more sustainable system while allowing the insurance industry to commit suicide basically by greedily over-eating.

Sadly, in wars sometimes battles must be sacrificed to win the overarching effort. Brutal but sometimes brutal tactics are the only ones that will work against a more powerful and deeply entrenched opposition.

This bill won't work in a sustainable and long term fashion because it has been designed not to and because those with the real power want it like that it takes unpleasantly drastic responses to even have a minimal chance of success.

[FrenchieCat]

3. WTF???

allowing the pain to continue to build....?
the agony would be massive enough .....?
Brutal but sometimes brutal tactics are the only ones that will work....?

Children need to suffer so that you can make a point?

Actually, you sound like a torturer!
You seem quite cold and calculating
and your morality is quite lacking.

[pampango]

18. You have to give TheKentuckian credit for being honest.

Anyone who wants to defeat this bill in order to "start over" and make a better bill knows that isn't going to happen anytime soon. No one's going to touch HCR the rest of this year. If republicans pick up seats in Congress this fall, there won't be any HCR (at least no meaningful reform) for the next two years also.

That leaves us at 2013 at the earliest, assuming a Democratic presidency and bigger majorities in Congress, before we can realistically go for a "better bill". By then the pain inflicted by our current health care system will be much greater indeed, perhaps enough to pass single payer or a British style national health service.

While it is disconcerting to hear a progressive talk about allowing the pain and frustration build for a few more years so that "real" change can occur, he/she probably has a point. At least it's a more honest point of view, IMHO, than those who want to kill this bill and think that a magically better bill will be passed in its place. Either these folks secretly agree with TheKentuckian and don't want to publicly admit it or they are quite unrealistic about how soon single payer or an NHS will be enacted.

Pass this bill. It's better than the alternative of several more years of pain, while we wait for a better alternative.

[Jakes Progress]

21. Read your own tag line.

Take it to heart.

[truedelphi]

10. That works really great unless you are one of the folks likely to

Die in one of the battles where the sacrifice is being required.

If the POS Arizona Governor just shut down the children's health insurance plan, it is not difficult to udnerstand why people in Arizona will put up and even clamor for POS legislation.

[BunkerHill24]

4. all I can say is...stay on!

in due time the HCR would kick ass..... and Arizona would have a dead-politician, such a old man, as Senator Thurman.

hang in there! Health Care is coming!

[ibegurpard]

5. I feel for you

I really do
I don't think what we're going to end up with is going to come close to fixing the situation
I really hope i'm wrong.

[jillan]

6. That bitch Brewer - I cannot believe she took SChip - what kind of person does that?

So help me god - we need to work our butts off to get a Democrat back in the governorship to counter these crazy fundies that run this state. Don't you just love people who wear their religion on their sleeve, and then turn around a take healthcare away from children?

I love this state - the beauty, the weather, the simplicity of life - but I am getting so disgusted with its politics. I am actually wondering if it's time to move. Where? I have no idea, but I can't stomach this much longer.

[Hello_Kitty]

7. Right there with ya, jillan.

My bf and I are constantly talking about our exit strategy. It's sad.

[boppers]

13. Psst... I came to Portland from Tucson.

Same crappy wages, but a lot more liberal. Oh, and less sun, because I got 30 years of it in Arizona, and that was enough. I'm happy when it rains, and oh boy, does it rain.

[global1]

8. So Where's Their Senator - John McCain - With This?.......nt

[Hello_Kitty]

9. He's busy trying to get reelected on his "I hate earmarks" platform.

IOW, he doesn't give a royal fuck about this state, as evidenced by the fact that he spends most of his time in DC.

[Lasher]

11. Maybe it's time to consider moving out of Arimolia.

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles

[babylonsister]

12. Any chances of Dem challengers in AZ? I've heard

two names; Rodney Glassman and Nan Walden.

Maybe we need to put a lot of effort into AZ to get rid of the rethugs; sounds like it.

[Vattel]

14. I remember complaints by Arizonans when Obama

took Napolitano for Homeland Security. That was a move that was not good for Arizonans. I hope she is doing well in Homeland Security.

[Clio the Leo]

15. Yay!!!!

Sorry it had to come to this but glad you're on board!

[Warren Stupidity]

16. I've flip floppity flipped infinity. Welcome to: fine. whatever.

I support this bill.

That is not particularly enthusiastic, it is pragmatic.

[Jester Messiah]

17. Oh, so now that it affects YOU, all the principled outrage is out the window?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the purity police exposed. All hue and cry until it hits home.

[Hello_Kitty]

19. The bill was always going to help me personally in my current situation.

I'd qualify for Medicaid. And I guess you didn't read my OP. Arizona is cutting 357,000 people, including 47,000 children, off of their health care. I don't personally know all those people.

[Imajika]

20. Prepare to see a lot more of this...

..I really, honestly, don't think people understand how bad things have become. Many states are simply completely broke. The President and Congress have helped bail the states out last year and some more help this year, but it isn't near enough.

Prepare for massive cuts in the public service sector, especially in states like California, New York, etc.

Social service programs are also on the chopping block. In fact, all programs that benefit the poor and needy are in danger.

And the worst is yet to come. Most states are pushing the pain back one more year - till after the elections. Next year is going to be terrible, especially if we see a bunch of new governors and legislatures modeling their actions on Chris Christie in New Jersey.

[Hello_Kitty]

22. I feel like the federal government should take Arizona into receivership.

It's a failed state.

[kestrel91316]

23. It's not a POS bill if it saves a single person's life that otherwise would have been

sacrificed on the altar of RW nuttery. I support it, even though I might not personally benefit much. I DO care about the many children and people with PEC's who WILL benefit. It's NOT all about me. Or you.

[frazzled]

24. We'll flood your state with protests in return for your supporting the bill

How's that for mutual support?

I don't think Arizona will get away with this. They'll cave once the horrible publicity and public protests start. But we'll stand in your corner (or the corner of any other state that uses children and people's health as a political tool).

[GodlessBiker]

25. Is this the same bill that the Senate passed? Or do the two bills have to go to conference?