Democrats Finally Get It: Going it Alone on Health Care Reform

Congressional Republicans are not in favor of health care reform. Period.

They do not now, nor have they ever intended to participate in serious negotiations about this issue that so deeply affects virtually every American. The tactic was always to stall… stall… stall… and to spread untruths and fear among a confused and weary public. Passing no reform was and is the goal.

Democrats have finally awakened to the fact that there is no negotiating with Republicans on this issue and are preparing to carry on without them, sparing us the spectacle of delay tactics and fear of filibuster by skipping the formal conference committee process on health care. It took awhile, but it appears the Democrats are saying “if you’re not going to help, then get out of the way.”

Negotiations involving the White House and top Democrats in the House and Senate will be focused on reconciling the numerous and serious differences between the House and Senate bills, the most contentious being the public option included in the House bill but deleted from the Senate bill.

Martin Vaughan, of Dow Jones Newswires reports that House leaders are signaling that they may agree to a final bill that does not include a public option if other parts of the bill would accomplish the same thing. The House is hoping to persuade the Senate to include a repeal of the antitrust exemption for insurance companies, should the public option be excluded

Take a look at Rachel Maddow’s take on the Dems “getting it.”

Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services just released a report confirming that the United States spends more on health care than any other country in the world, more than one in every six dollars.

The rate of health spending grew more slowly from the year before, with the share of family income going to health care increasing to 5.9 percent from 5.3 percent. The economic recession, lack of jobs, and lack of health coverage forced many Americans to simply cut back on health care, some forgoing needed care and prescription medications.

There is still a smidgen of hope that REAL reform can come of this. REAL reform not being a political win for the Democratic party or for Barack Obama. REAL reform being reining in health insurers, and not mandating insurance for all without a system in place to make it affordable and accessible for all. I still have hope… but I’m not holding my breath.

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Past Member .

8:56PM PST on Jan 24, 2010

TO ME SINCE EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON IS WISHY WASHY WHY THE SENATE AND HOUSE GET TOGETHER AND COMBINE THERE EFFORTS SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME WE NEED HEALTH CARE PERIOD MARTHA L

send a green star

Patricia S.

2:02PM PST on Jan 14, 2010

That's really been showing great transparency as the leader said when he was running for office! No wonder only 38% of the people want this!

Charles L.

1:33AM PST on Jan 11, 2010

It is about time, we need to take care of health care.
If we don't do anything we won't have health care.

Jack T.

1:53PM PST on Jan 10, 2010

Pa H: I love Old Peculiar but of course have only had it bottled.

I think it is the same with Guinness, both are much better draft than from a bottle. And (to stay on thread) both give you a really healthy glow!

P H.

11:19AM PST on Jan 10, 2010

Jack,

I love Old Peculiar but of course have only had it bottled.

Paul P.

10:40AM PST on Jan 10, 2010

Theakston's Brewery, that's the name I forgot. Old Peculiar used to be available at the local grocery store and the first six pack I bought was covered with dust. After the first one, I went back and bought out their supply. They kept it in stock for a few years, and then it suddenly disappeared. The supplier doesn't have it available, so I will check elsewhere.

Smoke and mirrors, that is the specialty of both parties in Washington. They keep the populace focused on problems and then offer solutions that create larger government and larger corporations. It's a method of control that is reaching a breaking point, as evidenced by unemployment, investment bubbles, and a very low approval of all things Washington.

Best regards and enjoy your next pint, I'll be looking forward to one myself!

10:33AM PST on Jan 10, 2010

Paul: I forgot to thank you for the explanation of some of the budgetary maneuvering that goes on. That is not in my field but I found it very interesting. Thanks.

10:28AM PST on Jan 10, 2010

Paul: "He can then claim that the massive increase in spending, by whatever health bill is finally passed, does not add to the deficit. The fact that the other bill does, is ignored."

Sounds like smoke and mirrors, Paul!

" I'll bet a pint of Old Peculiar, is that on draft on your side of the pond?"

I live in Yorkshire and Theakston's Brewery, who produce Old Peculiar, has been in the Yorkshire village of Masham since 1875. Yes, the pubs have it on draft.

Anne F.

6:19AM PST on Jan 10, 2010

There is a strong health care proposal by the Republicans that includes tort reform. The Democrats use private sessions and bribery to exclude partisan proposals.

4:39PM PST on Jan 9, 2010

He can then claim that the massive increase in spending, by whatever health bill is finally passed, does not add to the deficit. The fact that the other bill does, is ignored.

Keep in mind that the Congressional Budget Office calculates everything based on the assumption that whatever Congress says will happen. If it doesn't, then the bill is already passed and we print a little more money or borrow or both.

As an example, if Congress raises taxes 10%, they tell the CBO to increase tax revenue by 10%. From a human behavior standpoint, they know that it won't work that way but they don't care as long as they can pass whatever they want.

Let's use capital gains taxes as an example. Current long term rate is 15%. Let's say, purely hypothetical, that this 15% tax produced $10 Billion in revenue. Let's raise the tax to 60%, or four times, so we should get $40 Billion.

What happens is that since capital gains are triggered by investors, they see the higher rate and decide not to take any gains. They call someone like me and instruct us not to sell any low basis assets. The US gets less than the $10 Billion they got at a much lower rate.

All common sense, but bet someone will comment after me that it doesn't work that way. I'll bet a pint of Old Peculiar, is that on draft on your side of the pond?