I know that we have put a lot effort and hope into this Health Care reform. I am frustrated just like many of my progressive friends. I have felt sold out and forgotten and help hostage by a couple of jerk senators.....thanks a lot Joe and Ben! I think we have to view the following items to place the current situation into perspective.
Filibuster- I have been asking for the Dems to make the Republicans and Joe do a full filibuster. I thought that if they had to stay on the floor through the holidays that there would be a quick end and they would have to explain their efforts to the public. The problem is, that the Senate changed the rules a while back and it is no longer an actual filibuster but more of a virtual one. This is garbage and has to change or reset the rules to rely on a simple majority.
Mandate- There is a mandate in the current plans and I was angry when being told to buy coverage from private insurance companies or face a fine. The Public Option would have offered a real alternative however, it is out. The only saving grace is that it would appear that there will be Government assistance to purchase insurance for those making less than $90,000 per year. It is based on a sliding scale. The less you make, the more the Government will pay for you. This will actually help a lot of people but without a true Public Plan Option, there will be no guarantee of stopping future rate increases.
Future changes- I have heard many Democratic leaders today speaking of improving upon this bill in the next few years with a goal of true Universal Health Coverage for all. I have a hard time believing this will happen, especially if history holds serve and we actually loose seats as opposed to gaining them.
Too Much to Expect- I suppose it was over reaching to expect single payer or a Public Option at this point. We did not even know that it was possible to reach the numbers that we have. We do not really have 60 seats. We have Independents that caucus with us as well as conservative Democrats and we have more in the line of 54-55 solid reliable votes. Of course when the numbers were better than we thought, it fostered false hope and hope of getting everything that we have craved for so long. The bottom line is that we need a few more seats and then we can implement a true liberal agenda. I think we can all agree that the conservative agenda failed and therefore, the tea party folks and Bush supporters have no rights to govern at this point based on their past failures.
Mr. Obama- I think that if we truly look back at the campaign for President and the over all comments made by our current President. The bill that is coming through now, is exactly what he and his handlers wanted. The end result is 30 million people being covered, an exchange set up even though it has no public option and Government assistance for those of limited means. We are seeing a health care reform that will be a step forward but it in no way represents the best options for the country.
Where do we go from here?- There are a few courses of action. We can fall in line and give the President what he wants. We can have all out war on the President and all that have given up on the ultimate goal. We can start over and make this a financial bill....medicare for all, etc. and go with reconciliation...majority rules. If the Republicans were in charge, I think we all know that they would not hesitate to go it alone and ram whatever they want down our throats. We have proof of this with the Bush tax cute and recess appointments of controversial appointees.
No matter what course we decide upon, it will be a rocky road and all I can say is hold on to your butts!
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