GRITtv host Laura Flanders popped up on The Ed Show again, exploring the fading glory of Bailin' Palin, the placebo of healthcare reform without a strong public option, and, of course, the king himself, Michael Jackson.
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Loved your feisty presence on the Ed Show. Unfortunately the segment on Health Reform was very brief. Here are my 2 cents on the topic:
Where is the promise of getting everybody an affordable plan which is as good as what a member of Congress gets? This promise was made again and again by the then candidate Obama. Also by other Democrats either explicitly or implicitly.
There is honor even amongst thieves. So how can the Admin and Democratic Caucus get away with broken promises in the name of compromise.
The biggest problem we face is the spinelessness of the Dems in boldly standing behind the Party Agenda. Some of them think they will only win next reelection by being Dems in Republican Clothing. I wish Reid & Durbin could whip these recalcitrant DINOs into shape. Some among them are bought and paid for by the Health Lobbies. Most are political opportunists. They ran on a Democratic ticket to ride Obama’s coattails without honestly subscribing to his agenda. I wonder what is the belief set of these Blue or Bluish Dogs. To me it appears that all the items on their agenda are “reelection” … “reelection”. This they believe is best done by being more reactionary than their GOP brethren.
The Republicans stand in one line no matter where it goes. If Dems fail to realize the value of voting in unison on issues vitally important to their voters, they should forget about 2010 and 2102.
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I am also enclosing a copy of the letter I wrote to my Senator:
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EXTREMELY URGENT PLEASE BRING IT TO SEN FEINSTEINS ATTENTION
Following the Health Care Segment on John King’s Show, AP story attributed the following to you:
“Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she wasn’t certain there are enough votes in the president’s own party to support the proposal. “I think there’s a lot of concern in the Democratic caucus,” she said.”
This alarmed me very much. A lot of disinformation is being spread by GOP blowhards like Cantor, Pence, Boehner, Graham and surprisingly the new McCain. This can not be countered by airing the concerns on TV talk shows, instead of resolving them within the Party. Being a Californian, I share your concern about raiding the Medicaid by 5-6B will impact the already broken budget. I am sure this paper tiger can be slayed easily because none of your colleagues will be mindless enough to propose such an outrageous idea. AS YOUR CONSTITUENT SENATOR, I IMPLORE YOU TO TAKE UP THIS CAUSE CRITICAL TO THE WELL BEING OF CALIFORNIANS AND REST OF THE NATION. I hope the following paragraphs are of some use in destroying the Bogey men raised by the GOP blowhards.
On the Health Care issue of a Public Plan Option (PO) some facts are often overlooked. Some GOP & Effete Dems have been standing behind a bunch of Bogey Men of their own creation. They are a hidebound bunch of people part of the “let us oppose whatever Obama says” campaign. These opponents of PO are hereon referred as the POpponents. Following attempts to push back the POpponents.
Ins lobby says “Public Option hurts Free Market”. Nothing Free Market about Ins Oligarchy sanctioned by Gov to loot Captive Customers. Current state does not permit meaningful choice. If the Gov run option is inefficient & less patient friendly, it should be easy to compete with it. The reason the Oligarchs are trying to scare the public is to preserve their Gov protection.
Another canard is that most people love their current Employer paid plans. The high premiums today are passed on to the employees in the form of lower salaries or makes the Companies uncompetitive on the world stage. Not only the employees be happier if their portion of the premium $ got reduced. The employers should be a lot happier by subscribing to a PO or another competitive Private Plan, allowing them to compete more effectively in a global market.
“Expensive PO will bust the Budget”. PO should run on a “break even” basis without any government subsidies. The only cost should be to cover the uninsured. This should be the same with or without PO. If GOP/Effete-Dems do not want to cover the uninsured, they should stand up and say so, instead of using false arguments to scare the public. Spreading fear has become the MO of this coalition – from NIMBY to PO.
Health CoOps are Red Herring. Organizing Health CoOp harder than Food CoOp. No good Doc will sign up with fledgling CoOp. No negotiating power. Harmless and toothless option designed to please the Lobby.
It is distressing to see that President Obama, even with a clear mandate from people, has not taken as strong a position on PO as it deserves. Why can’t they get their own party in line? Appeasing of the GOP Blowhard / Effete Dems coalition is disheartening. Even allowing the Kent Conrad’s foolish Red Herring to gain traction because of false publicity is foolhardy. To give spine to the Effete Dems and block the Insurance Lobby / GOP POpponents efforts to confuse the public, Obama needs to take a clear cut position and mount a campaign so that the public pressure pushes the recalcitrant members of Congress to do the right thing.
By doubleaseven on July 11th, 2009 at 3:18 pm