National Healthcare “Reform”
Posted by Mike Sylvester - 3/10/10 @ 7:25 pm - Filed Under 2010 National Elections, Featured
This topic was discussed a lot on this blog last year.
Last year I predicted on this blog that a major reform policy would NOT pass by 12/31/09.
Kevin Knuth and Jeff Pruitt both disagreed with me. Both felt that major health care reform legislation would be law by 12/31/09.
Well, I am going to have to say “I told you so.”
I did not think the Demcorats would be able to pass this legisialtion even with their large majorities for a wide variety of reasons.
Kevin and Jeff why do you think the Democrats failed to implement their signature legislation last year?
Mike
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41 Responses to “National Healthcare “Reform””
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Answer - Obama wasn’t able to sell those watermelons!
Because Republicans are lying, racist assholes.
Mike, how long have you been aware that john b. kalb and Craig were impersonating Kevin Knuth and Jeff Pruitt?
Craig,
Is Michael Steele a racist?
Dan Rather is.
Mike,
It did pass both the house and the senate. Obviously what derailed it from becoming law was Republican stonewalling and the timely death of Ted Kennedy leading to the special election in Massachusetts. It doesn’t take any significant insight to figure that out.
But in the end, it won’t matter because it’s going to become law. Whether or not it did so by some arbitrary deadline of the EOY 2009 is irrelevant.
Claiming some sort of special insight or victory (i.e. “I told you so”) because circumstances lead to Kennedy’s death and Republicans winning that election seems kind of silly to me.
I suppose a broken watch is right twice a day but it shouldn’t brag about it partner…
Jeff,
You and Kevin Knuth both disagreed with me last year because you thought it would be law. It is not law; it is irrelevent that the House and Senate passed bills that are so different that they cannot be easily reconciled.
I think you and I should make a bet partner.
I do not think a major health care reform package will be signed by the President by 12/31/10.
The Democrats know they are going to lose a bunch of seats in November and they are deathly afraid of the electorate.
If the Democrats pass either of these bills they are considering the Republicans will win even more seats.
I am sorry you are having such a bad day! After reading your comment it is obvious that you are in a foul mood!
I hope things get better for you!
Mike
They must vote for the Health Package even if it means sacrificing their seats in the House, so says Speaker Pelosi. Hmmm, let’s see how that works in the real world…doesn’t. Kind of like Alice in Wonderland.
Tending to agree with Jeff in regard to some health insurance reform passing yet this year - BUT IT WILL NOT RESEMBLE either the House or the Senate bills both of which entail the eventual takeover of health insurance by the Federal Government! Along with it will be required tort reform (in a separate bill) to get the parasitic “ambulance-chasing” attorneys off our collective backs!
Obama,Reid & Pelosi just are not getting the message - THEY COLLECTIVELY FEEL THAT THEY ARE ABOVE EVERYONE OF US! (And this has been THE problem in D.C. for about 60 years!)
Hopefully, this will get corrected in November, 2010 plus November 2012. And Mike, I hope to still be alive to say with you: I TOLD YOU SO!!
Mike,
My response was meant to have a “smart-aleck” tone and not an angry one. Just ribbing you a little - nothing more.
And I’ll take that bet. Loser buys lunch
Jeff,
Then I am sorry I over reacted.
I accept your bet and I am going to enjoy that lunch.
Just so we are clear it has to be a major overhaul of our health care system. Something along the size and scope of either the senate or house bill, right?
Mike
Yup that’s the bet. I have Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi on my side, what could possibly go wrong? Heh
Jeff,
I actually think that Nancy Pelosi has been fairly effective in her position.
Harry Reid has been, well…
Mike
Interesting that there are still people out there that continue to blame Republicans when their own party had complete control the entire time.
How can you block legislation when you are in the minority and have no filibuster ability?
That’s right, you can’t. You couldn’t get your own super majority to go along, so don’t blame republicans, it’s your mess, and you OWN IT.
Why not blame Bush, is that one wearing out on ya?
Sorry, been out of town.
Let’s see….yep, missed the deadline…but it will pass. The MAJORITY of Americans want it!
And come January 2011 the MAJORITY of the House and Senate will be Republican. But that’s okay.
Kevin Knuth,
What I find interesting is that Liberals like you and Daily Kos insist that a majority of Americans want major healthcare reform. Sean Hannity and his ilk claim that the vast majority of Americans do not want major healthcare reform.
If the majority of Americans really wanted major healthcare reform along the lines of the House and Senate bills I think it would have been very easy for the Democrats to pass such legislation with their wide majorities.
It is a fact that many Demcorats are petrified for their political lives in the upcoming November election. I think a lot of that revolves around healthcare.
Mike
Mikes point is accurate, if a majority of Americans wanted this, it would have passed a year ago, that’s just common sense which I realize is a concept unknown to idealogues.
Newsweek Poll-Mid February:
what is your OVERALL opinion of Obama’s health care reform plan- 40% support 49% oppose
But when asked about the items in the plan- we get a VERY different picture:
“Creating a new insurance marketplace –- the Exchange — that allows people without health insurance to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive rates”
Support 81%
Oppose 13%
Undecdied 6%
“Requiring health insurance companies to cover anyone who applies, even if they have a pre-existing medical condition”
Support 76%
Oppose 19%
Undecdied 5%
“Requiring most businesses to offer health insurance to their employees, with tax incentives for small business owners to do so”
Support 75%
Oppose 20%
Undecdied 5%
“Requiring that all Americans have health insurance, with the government providing financial help to those who can’t afford it”
Support 59%
Oppose 36%
Undecdied 5%
“Preventing insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick”
Support 59%
Oppose 38%
Undecdied 3%
Yeah Kevin, I love surveys like that. All those positive answers to hypothetical fairy tale questions, I’d pick each one apart, but the general public has already done it for me.
What people are answering no to are the realities:
Are you willing to pay thousands more per year out of your pocket through increased taxes and premiums?
Are you comfortable with a government employee with the medical knowledge of a local BMV clerk scheduling your appendectomy?
Even the blue collar middle class dems see this crap sandwich for what is, just another elaborate socialist scheme that can’t possibly be paid for, and when you’ve lost the middle class, well, you lose elections. The next few in a BIG way.
Being in the majority was fun wasn’t it, even for just a short while? heh heh heh
I don’t understand how anybody can point to the progressive press and stand behind their polls.The American people are getting it.And are mad as hell.The right will run on a platform of repeal and will win in November.
Kevin - Your callout of the Newsweek poll IS EXACTLY why the operatives in DC HAVE TO START OVER!!! The over 2000 pages just doesn’t meet what the majority want done with health care in our country. Just when are Obama, Pelosi and Reed going to pay attention???
John Kalb- I guess I don’t understand your statement. The plan put forth by Obama IS supported by most Americans WHEN they know what is in it.
And to “GUEST”- no, it will not be repealed. The GOP may well run on that platform- but they also know we need reform. They will TELL you that they will repeal it to get your vote- but they will not follow through.
Remember, without reform, Medicare alone will put the US in bankruptcy in 10 years.
Hey 3-peat, this line is your best “Remember, without reform, Medicare alone will put the US in bankruptcy in 10 years.”
So adding a trillion dollars to it will make it cheaper. 2+2=375
Obama/Geithner math. Got it. It’s the new math.
I think people want unlimited health care with no restrictions at no extra cost. Oh, and they don’t want to call it “socialized medicine”.
It seems to be the new American way - get as much as you can by forcing somebody else to foot the bill. It’s total bullshit if you ask me.
The American public needs a kick in the ass. They need to realize that the government can fund their future healthcare needs using increased taxes or we can actually start allowing people to die.
All the back-and-forth nonsense trying to find some middle-ground on the issue is just going to cost MORE money and won’t make things any better for the vast majority of Americans.
I guess there’s a third option too - keeping the status quo. So that should be the poll question - Which option do you like more:
1. Government takeover with increased taxes
2. Severely Limiting Medicare causing early deaths
3. Status Quo
I honestly don’t believe any other option is based in reality…
Mr. Knuth had to say it for all three of the comics -one for Obama -one for Pelosi - and the third for Reid !!!!
Kevin - I will try to help you understand - IT DOESN’T TAKE OVER 2000 PAGERS to cover those items that the Newsweek article polled about. Those could be handled in about 3 pages -
ONLY IF THEY START FROM SCRATCH !!!
I love Knuth’s reasoning, that its supported by a majority of Americans when they know what’s in it. You don’t support it? Well, I guess you don’t know what’s in it!!
Kevin, its also supported, by a large majority, of people who agree with it! That’s righ, most people who agree with Obama’s plan, support it.
I you are right Jeff—unlimited health care at no extra cost. Yeah I would support that idea if I didn’t have to pay for it. Can I get that without having to pay for it? Good, then put me in the support health care package column. Can I get a vacation in Hawaii this year without having to pay for it as well? Who do I need to support to get that? I am definitely amongst the majority of Americans that wants a handout. No question about it. I think I would have answered those Newsweek questions about the same way, of course, that doesn’t mean I support Obama’s plan. I don’t. I agree with Jeff Pruitt on this. Interesting thought.
Do you have a point Jim? I must’ve missed it during your rambling response…
Kalb- WAIT. Are you saying you can “re-write 1/6 of the US economy” in only 3 pages? I would find that hard to believe. Budget bills often top 1400 pages.
Zank- not adding a Trillion to anything- it is paid for with offsets- UNLIKE Bush’s tax cuts!
Cumtwa- yes- the poll clearly shows that once people are told what is in it- they support it..if that is not clear to you then you are not paying attention.
I need to amend my previous post…instead of this:
“Zank- not adding a Trillion to anything- it is paid for with offsets- UNLIKE Bush’s tax cuts!”
I should have written this:
“Zank- not adding a Trillion to anything- it is paid for with offsets- UNLIKE Bush’s tax cuts which cost MORE than the Health Care plan. It is also not like the GOP Prescription Drug Benefit for Medicare- which was unpaid for and adds $1 Trillion over 10 years to the deficit.”
Kevin, When someone gives you incorrect change at the gas station, do you automatically launch into an irrelevant tirade with the clerk about something George Bush did?
The reason the majority of people no longer believe Obama and disciples like you is because:
A. You can’t actually answer a question.
B. You always deflect to other peoples previous deeds as though that justifies yours.
C. You (both of you) never tell the truth.
Here’s what people DO believe:
A. We’re in deep shit financially, all the artful accounting in the world doesn’t change the fact 2+2 still equals 4.
B. There is no way to give 30 million more people health insurance while simultaneously LOWERING the cost.
C. This entire year long debacle has been extraordinarily sleazy with Dems playing “hide the wienie” behind closed doors, bribing one another, and generally giving their constituents the collective middle finger.
Obama is at the helm of what could be called a “perfect storm”, this nation is broke, and about 6 months ago most people started waking up to that and realizing he’s driving us off a fricking cliff.
Your “gloatin” days are long over pal, a classic over-reach that backfired.
Tim,
It always AMAZES me how wrong you are!
The last 4 polls show more Americans APPROVE of Obama than not.
The last 3 polls taken say more Americans want their representative to be DEMOCRAT and NOT Republican.
Apparently, outside your world, many folks think differently….Thank God!
Kevin -Care to share with us where you came up with the “last 7 polls” information? Like what polls, when and what group was doing the polling.
WITHOUT DATA IT’S JUST KEVIN’S OPINION
Kevin can I have some of those drugs you have been taking.
Kalb, gladly.
You can find them all at this nifty site:
http://www.pollingreport.com
Last 4 polls showing higher approval ratings are:
AP
McClatchy
Fox
Newsweek
Last 3 polls that say more Americans want Democrats in Congress instead of Republicans:
AP
Gallup
McClatchy
I could have said 4…but I doubt you want the Daily Kos numbers!
Jeff sorry for the rambling. My point was that I agree with you and you are right. Interesting response.
I really didn’t want to outright say that the Health Care legislation was total bullshit.. so I just said that I agree with you.
Thanks, Kevin. But you and I read these poll results differently - for example: AP-GfK-Roper of 3/3 to 3/8 this year - on Obama’s handling of health care proposals - 49% approve and 46% disappprove with a margin of error of +/- 4.2%
but the health care reform bills in congress - 41% support and 43% oppose -same MoE. Another in this poll “pass something by year end”, 43% or “start over or leave alone”, 56%
I guess you don’t agree that those being polled can marginally approve of the “handling” of an item, but still oppose the passage of that item - this poll sure reads that way to me.
Only two other polls were listed were done last week -one the Gallup of 3/4 to 3/7 with an MoE of =/- 4% where the question was “would you advise your congressional rep to vote for the Senate bill or against it? 45% said vote for and 48% said vote against. The other was the 3/2-3/3 Gallup where the question was “Do you trust Obama to recommend the “right” thing on health care reform where the “yes” answers and the “no” answers were tied at 49%!
All other polls were done before March 1st and are not current.
Kalb- we can certainly agree to disagree! :)
The above “anon” post was from me. I was on my other computer and did not have my info inserted!
Sorry!