Dems Should Do What They Want

A new poll out suggests that the dems should do whatever they damn well please.

"The poll's top-line finds 37% of Americans saying they definitely will not vote Democratic for Congress this fall, 34% will definitely vote for the Dems, and the remainder are up for grabs. The poll shows that 50% oppose the health care bill, with 39% for it -- thanks to a 94%-1% opposition among the people who won't vote Democratic."

What does all this mean? People who don't support the health care won't vote dem anyway. So, who cares. The way it looks, the dems are going to lose at least 5 senate seats. They won't have this majority again for quite some time. Dems need to just pass the public option in reconciliation. They need to get some testicles and do what they think is right. People respond to it. It will be better for dems come november.

Good Insider Piece About How The Public Option Made It

Very interesting interview with Sen Chuck Schumer on how the public option got into the bill. The quote is long but good. Check it out over at TPM.

This evening I spoke with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who was in that infamous Thursday night meeting with President Obama and other Senate leaders--and who has been one of the most persistent advocates of a public option on Capitol Hill. As Schumer explains it, the disagreement between the White House and Senate wasn't substantive so much as it was tactical: The White House had its doubts that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could really get 60 votes for a public option with an opt out for states.

"The President listened very carefully," Schumer said in an interview moments ago. "He wanted to make sure that the strategy upon which we were embarking had the ability to carry through."

Schumer has been at the center of the fight over the public option from the earliest days of the health care debate--always there to pull it back from the brink when it at times seemed on the verge of collapse. This situation was no different. After the Thursday meeting, four sources in different Democratic offices told me that the White House had suggested they believed a strategy of pursuing Sen. Olympia Snowe's preferred compromise--a triggered public option--might be an easier path to 60 votes. In the end, though, Schumer and the rest of leadership seem to have prevailed upon President Obama that they've picked the right strategy.

What is so interesting about this is that I feel the leadership for the bill did not come from Obama. This early in his presidency, it feels as if he's being too cautious. It might be, to be honest, the move of someone who is showing that he's a bit young in politics. It was the senate and house (of all places!) that showed the leardership here. Which is scary because I always felt the houses couldn't lead a horse to water.

I am sure there is a lot more to this and I can't wait to read the book about it. I do feel as if we are at the precipice of a really good thing to happen to the United States. We are seeing an institution being formed that our kids will look at as if it is part of their rights. Like medicare, social security, civil rights and the lot.

Reid To Unveil Health Care Bill With Public Option

All things are pointing to a public option right now. Reid will give details about the health care bill going to the senate floor. It WILL include a public option with states given the option to opt out. My god, is this leadership? There are still a ton of hurdles but this is VERY promising.

From Politico:

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will announce this afternoon that he plans to push ahead with a public option vote – most likely one that includes an opt-out provision for states – even though he's currently short several votes for passage, according to people close to the situation."

Will it get the 60 votes. Right now, only 57-58 votes of the 60 needed are for the bill.

Nancy Pelosi Kicking Butt

It has been a while since I have felt empowered by a political figure. Obama was a start but proof is in the pudding. I find that the proof I was looking for is in Nancy Pelosi. She is doing everything she can to put the public option in the health care bill.

From TPM:

"Pelosi's pulling out all the stops to pass a health care reform bill with a public option that pays providers at rates slightly higher than Medicare--even if it means she has to squeak a bill out of the House with the barest majority. Since the beginning of the push to pass reform, the public option has been at the center of the fight, pitting Republicans, moderates, and major industry stakeholders against an extremely determined majority of Democrats, progressive interest groups, and the public at large."

I have heard Obama say he wants the public option in the bill but is not requiring it. I have to state the obvious. What a wuss! There are certain things you fight for as a dem and one of the biggest is health care. While I am not saying Obama hasn't fought for this. His fence riding on the public option is infuriating. I worked for this moment. Called people during elections, gave money, and started this blog all for moments like these when we do something that is right for this country and who do I see doing it. The Rep from San Fran.

This needs to get passed. 20 years from now when my kids don't have to worry about health insurance while in college and when people aren't going bankrupt from medical bills, I will look back on these months.

Why Dems Can Suck Sometimes

The head of the DNC, Terry McAuliffe (chosen by Obama) thought the public option is dead today in an interview over at TPM. Then he added he was willing to compromise because "we've got to pass something."

This is the biggest problem with dems. They often don't want to step on toes or throw their weight around to get something good passed. To dems an "ok bill" passed with people happy is better than a really good bill passed with a lot of pissed off people. Some of the dem senators need to be squeezed. Just out-right squeeeeezzzzzzzed. How? Demote their committee positions. Don't raise money for them. Make their life very difficult.

The GOP are masters at this. They squeeze the crap out of the rank and file for big legislation. Can dems do that? Not with statements like "we've got to pass something."

Fox's Sheppard Smith Sets Repub Senator Straight

Can I say I love Sheppard Smith. I think I will. I love him.

New Momentum For Public Option

As noted last week several senators have been putting up a ruckus about having the public option in the final bill. Today, there is a vote going on to add the public option amendments to the Baucus bill. Experts agree it won't get added to the bill in committee but the public option has several other areas where it could be added to a bill.

The senate floor could add the amendment or in bill reconciliation between the house and senate bill. The point being is that the progressives are mounting a huge fight to have a robust public option added to a final bill so that President Obama can sign it into law.

No longer are we hearing about co-ops or a trigger. In the news, we only see the public option. Which is critical to getting it passed. In August, it was put on life support. Now, it might make its way out of the ICU.

From Politico.

"The key now is momentum, and backers are doing everything they can to convey confidence that President Barack Obama will eventually sign a health care bill into law that includes some sort of government coverage to compete with private insurers."

It seems that people are starting to rally around the public option. Thank God.

Dem Senators Sure That Bill Will Have A Public Option

Two senators, Schumer and Rockefeller are pretty darn sure the public option amendment will be added to Senator Baucus's bill.

From TPM:

"The health care bill that is signed into law by the President will have a good, strong, robust public option," said Chuck Schumer.

After Rahm Emmanuel's comments of how a public option won't pass the senate, these two senators coming out saying it will. If the amendment gets added to the bill, I can't see any dem filibustering it. They might vote against it but they won't filibuster the bill.

Obama Backing Off Public Option

Obama's obsession with passing a bipartisan bill with the GOP is insane. They are out to destroy whatever comes down the pipe. Now, seeing that the public option won't win a filibuster majority, his administration is backing away from the public option.

Obama: “The public option – whether we have it or we don’t have it – is not the entirety of health care reform,”

CNN has Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius as saying: "A public option 'is not an essential element,'”

What is the obsession with bipartisan. He has the opportunity to pass it without any GOP people. He is just not willing to go down that road. I don't understand it because he fought to get reconciliation for the health care bill last April and he's now unwilling to use it.

Repubs Are The Bureaucrat Between You and Your Doctor

The repub talking point against the public option is they don't want a bureaucrat between a patient and a doctor. Then comes this from Think Progress:

"The Senate Finance Committee has been writing a health care reform bill and struggling to create legislation that will have bipartisan support. Chairman Max Baucus considered several compromises to win Republican support, so they can claim it is bipartisan legislation. One of these potential compromises comes in the form of an abortion exclusion, which would prevent abortion services from being covered by some or all insurance plans in the Health Insurance Exchange. We fear that members of the Senate Finance Committee are considering such a compromise."

The repubs just became what they said they didn't want, a middle man. There is no way this will be considered. Not on political reasons but because if dems are true about the public option, there can, in no way, be a bureaucrat telling you which treatments you can get.

However, I do find it ironic repubs are already starting to pick which services will/won't be available in the public option. An option they DON'T support.

Health Care Bill (HELP) Costs Less and Covers More

The GOP will have a hard time finding support for opposing the public health care bill that INCLUDES the public option.

It turns out the 1 trillion cost over 10 years was a bit of an overestimation. The bill, including a public option, only costs $600 billion over 10 years AND covers 97% of our population. (My question is who is the 3% not covered?) Some wavering senators were apprehensive because of the cost. Can't use that one anymore. (On another point. So what if it cost 1 trillion over 10 years. That is only 100 billion a year to make sure everyone has medical insurance. Small price to pay for such a developed country.)

Why does it cost less? From Huffpo:

"The letter indicated the cost and coverage improvements resulted from two changes. The first calls for a government-run health insurance option to compete with private coverage plans, an option that has drawn intense opposition from Republicans.

'We must not settle for legislation that merely gestures at reform,' the two Democrats wrote. 'We must deliver on the promise of true change.'

Additionally, the revised proposal calls for a $750 annual fee on employers for each full-time worker not offered coverage through their job. The fee would be set at $375 for part-time workers. Companies with fewer than 25 employees would be exempt. The fee was forecast to generate $52 billion over 10 years, money the government would use to help provide subsidies to those who cannot afford insurance."

The images of everyone having insurance and no one going into bankruptcy due to medical bills are dancing through my head.

Lieberman Against Public Option

Lieberman really doesn't like his state of Connecticut. Why? Now he's against the public option in Obama's health care reform bill. This man is unbelievable. He lied about his opposition to the wars. Now he's lied about his support for universal health care.

Lieberman In 2006:

"what I'm saying to the people of Connecticut, I can do more for you and your families to get something done to make health care affordable, to get universal health insurance, to make America energy independent, to save your jobs and create new ones. That's what the Democratic Party is all about."

What a disservice to the people of Connecticut. He was elected on promises he has FAILED to keep. What next? He's probably against the energy bill that came out of The House promoting energy independence.

Update: Great video from Dailykos

Finally, Dems Sticking Up For Public Option

More of this please.

"Leaders of four Democratic caucuses representing more than 120 members of Congress said Wednesday that they would vote against any health overhaul legislation that excludes a “robust” government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers." (emphasis mine)

Why? Because the "public option" has been getting a beating as of late with repubs controlling the message. With crap like this:

"Republicans are out in force against a public option, seeing it as a precursor to full government takeover of health insurance. Senator Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, takes to the Senate floor routinely to warn against government-supplied insurance."

72% of the population wants a public option. But it seems that even the dems don't hear the will of the people. How do we know? Because of crap like this from the dems:

"White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel met last night at the U.S. Capitol with Senate Democrats and told them Obama is 'open to alternatives' to a new government insurance program in order to get legislation overhauling the health-care system to his desk, said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota.'"

Come hell or high water should the dems let the repubs push them around. Bipartisanship is assinine. However, it depends on your definition of bipartisan. From Dailykos

"Congressional Republicans are uniformly against a public option, but as Kilgore points out, about half of Republicans who don't live or work in DC support a public option...

1. They [dems] can pursue Congressional bipartisanship, which will put them at odds with their own base and likely create political cover for Republicans who might otherwise have issues in their base, or

2. They can pursue grassroots bipartisanship, which will put them on the side of an overwhelming majority of Americans and create a schism within the Republican-leaning electorate."

What does that mean? It means don't deal with the elected repubs. They're useless. Deal with the grassroots repubs. They want it. Give it to them.

At the end of the day, I can't stand that Obama wants to deal with repubs when the congressional repubs will do anything to sabotage the public health plan.

Most People Want A Public Option

The public option in Obama's health care plan has been taking a beating recently. Some articles even say it might get cut out completely. Now, there is a new poll out showing a majority of people want a public option.

"A clear majority of Americans -- 72 percent -- support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds."

The fight for the public health option is vital to the United States. Health care is a basic need/right. If not fixed, it will sink the economy and only separate the haves from the have nots more that it already is.

This can not be done in a bipartisan manner. Our dem leaders need to lead and to try and get both parties involved when the repubs don't want anything coming out of the Obama administration is insane.

This needs to be done. Just get it done.