Harkin: If Public Option Can't Get 60 Votes, Do With 51

[luvs2teach00]

People angry over this bill are vastly people in white America. They know that this bill is going to help low-income people, minorities, and children. They are so deeply theatened that their way of life will change where corporate greedy white American CEO's of our nation's health insurance companies can no longer weed out poor black and poor latino people. I know because a healthcare company denied one my relatives due to their race, gender, and pre-existing condition.

[lawyerrik]

What kind of warped society do we live in? Health insurance should be a RIGHT, not a privilege. I am a trial attorney without health insurance. I had to give up my practice. I am willing to marry the right lady for health insurance. Must be willing to move to Washington State or Coeur d Alene, Idaho, a beautiful resort town.

[CommonSenseJoe]

Only a trial attorney would write such garbage.

[quadfunk]

I think anybody who argues about the healthcare system without directing the blame at the profit making insurance companies needs to lie down and swallow a pill. One that makes you sleep for a long time.

[bigtex501]

MORE reasons to keep **government run health care** OUT of our lives?

..John Podesta with the Center for American Progress Democrats continue to support a NATIONAL SALES TAX of UP TO 25% on TOP of existing taxes to pay for these entitlement programs!

Just think..

A $30,000.00 car...(under this plan to cover health care)

Would cost you $38, 575.00 (includes other taxes, title, and license!)

[bigtex501]

John Podesta with the Center for American Progress and some Democrats continue to support a NATIONAL SALES TAX of UP TO 25% on TOP of existing taxes to pay for these entitlement programs!

Just think..

A $30,000.00 car...(under this plan to cover health care)

Would cost you $38, 575.00 (includes other taxes, title, and license!)

LIBERAL ENTITLEMENTS MEAN MORE MONEY TAKEN FROM YOU!

[GretchenDawntreader]

remember when the GOP used to rant about the abuse of fillibusters?

It's a perversion of our system that the GOP now has a "virtual fillibuster" to all bills, and that Democrats are just accepting this imaginary construct.

51 and it passes. Wanna fillibuster? You can't sit on your ass and threaten to do so...you actually have to stand up there for 3 weeks reading the phone book.

Why we are granting the GOP the power to change the rules so you need 60 votes to pass anything is STUPID!!

[baronmorris]

exactly!! well-put!

;-) cheers

[LORDOFWARS8]

The public option has been defeated by the Baucus committee by 15-8 votes.

Good riddance!!!

[GretchenDawntreader]

a small victory but not the war. 4 of 5 versions of the bill do in fact have the Pubic Option. There are several revisions and negotiations to go. Don't celebrate too hard yet.

[LORDOFWARS8]

In that case, it will be defeated in all 4 of the 5 versions then!!!!

Today, Senator Wyden (a Dem BTW) from Oregon proposed increasing consumer options allowing employees to buy outside of employer's choices with the money that employer's choice will cost was actually not allowed for dicussion and vote even ... it was hugely supportd by the GOP side but Wyden was forced to withdraw by Kerry, Baucus and Conrad!!

That clearly shows that it is Dems that are being paid by the insurance comps!

[baronmorris]

watch and learn, shill bitch

[GretchenDawntreader]

LOL shill bitch. You do realize that's pretty funny, considering your side of the argument is shielding the profits of Big Insurance, while front groups created by Dick Armey of FreedomWorks mobilizes health insurance employees to create faux outrage at town halls.

Who's the shill? I'm on the side of improving the lot of people who need reliable affordable coverage. Who are you on the side of? Humana? United Health?

And I'm a shill...

[bigtex501]

Gretchen,

And what of your guy obamer making that sweet deal the Tauzin the Chief Pharmaceutical Lobbyist to keep prescription drup prices HIGH by obamer's prohibition to purchase drugs from outside our own borders at a cheaper price?

Talk about a "shill"! LOL

And I'M on the side of the MAJORITY'S FREEDOM to NOT have the government FORCE me to buy insurance or pay HIGHER TAXES if I "choose" NOT to get insurance!

[GretchenDawntreader]

if you "choose" to have no insurance, you would be unilaterally taxing all other insured people because guess what genius, when you go to the ER to get cared for with no insurance, everyone else's costs go up. Expecting those who can afford it to get coverage, and helping those who can't afford it, is like FORCING people to wear seat belts.

I don't like the deal with Big Pharma either. I won't pretend to like everything that's going down..but it's better than the alternative, "no reform."

[bigtex501]

Gretchen,

Playing the "IF" left wing talking points game? Ok, let's play what IF..

What "IF" to save people from dying.... obamer said that he would ban people driving cars?

What "IF" to keep people from eating the "wrong" foods, those items were removed from grocery stores and restaurants were closed?

What "IF" to keep people from getting AIDS... SEX was banned?

What "IF" obamer cuts $550 BILLION from Medicare how many Seniors will die? Ooooops.. that's a real one! MY BAD! LOL

[GretchenDawntreader]

the $550B is from reduction of waste, fraud and abuse, it's not from denying care to seniors, if you want to trot that death panel Sarah Palin pull the plug on grandma Chuck Grassley town hall bullshit, then my tolerance for you has reached an end.

scrolling up and down this thread I can see you're just a troll who likes to argue with people. Life is too short to waste it conversing with people with no interest in any real exchange of ideas.

You're ignored.

[bigtex501]

Gretchen,

Obamer 8-10-09 PBS.. cutting Medicare Advantage will save $177 Billion over 10 years!

9-9-09 Democrat Congressman Andrews of the House Budget Committee admitted in an interview on Fox News that $550 billion of the savings that are to be in the Democratic bill are coming directly from cuts to Medicare and Medicaid but does NOT know specifically where the money will come from!

Overall problem? If these savings were possible.. then why hasnt these savings been implemented yet?

[bigtex501]

Gretchen,

And if you can't handle a debate.. then don't start the conversation! LOL

Classroom dismissed!

[gisforgary]

wow they grow em big and stupid in texas dont they. you can't even spell the president's name? how dumb are you?

[bigtex501]

Gis,

Ok... instead of obamer.... I'll go back to what I was using..

The "Pestilence" of the United States!

Sure seems to use up a lot more room though....

BTY... when you use the "president," it should be capitalized like this...."President"!

Have YOU no respect????

[gisforgary]

i beg to differ -- illiterate yokels such as yourself are the locusts destroying the country.

[bigtex501]

Gretchen,

YOU are assuming I'm going to use the E.R.! What happens to people that NEVER use the E.R. but will, under obamer Care.. be forced to buy insurance or pay higher taxes?

Seat belt thingy... was a direct benefit to the insurance industry and put into law by the politicians being paid by the lobbyists!

BTY.. did you know that soon you will NOT be able to... while driving your car..

talk on your cell phone

eat or drink (soft drinks)

use the radio

etc..

You might get into a wreck!

[RodgersRevolution]

We need a nice Christmas gift. I am a taxpayer. I want my taxes spent on a public option.

[baronmorris]

WHY WE NEED THE PUBLIC OPTION:

UHC CEO Stephen Hemsley has $745 MILLION in stock options. 2007 pay $13.2mil; 2008 $3.2 mil.

CIGNA CEO Edward Hanway made $120mil in last 5yrs. Stock options = $28mil.

Humana CEO Michael McCallister's made $10.3mil in 07. $1,017,308 in 08. Stock options = $60mil.

LARGEST GOLDEN PARACHUTE in history of corporate America goes to William McGuire of UnitedHealth 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS!

How many DENIED angiograms MRI's & dialysis treatments does that take?

BLOOD MONEY!!!

[bigtex501]

Baron,

WHY WE NEED TO BAN COMPUTERS

..

CEO & OWNER of Microsoft Bill Gates has made in EXCESS of $328 BILLION DOLLARS!

WE NEED TO BAN MEDIA MATTERS!

..

CEO & OWNER William Soros has made in EXCESS of $12.4 BILLION DOLLARS!

[baronmorris]

must you advertise your ignorance like this, you sad clueless arrogant ignorant shill fuck?

1) computers aren't a matter of life and death. if you can't afford one, you can still live to 100.

2) computer tycoons didn't get rich by gouging the sick and dying.

3) health care is a necessity, not a commodity or a luxury.

4) even in computers, there have been quite public anti-trust anti-monopoly legal proceedings against microsoft. duh. there goes your so-called "argument" - weak.

5) ur an idiot

[bigtex501]

Baron,

1. Insurance is NOT a matter of life and death since ANYONE can get coverage at ANY hospital!

2. Computer tycoons DID gouge the sick & dying when they bought high priced computers instead of insurance!

3. H.C. insurance IS a luxury or else people would CHOOSE to buy it instead of new cars, houses, jewelry, etc!

4. The "anti-trust" monopoly went NO WHERE! LOL

STILL feel stupid??? You should! LMAO!

[baronmorris]

oh please. can't u do any better than that?

pitiful.

1) u can't get chemo in an ER nor many other treatments for chronic conditions. also it is not at all preventative. also it DOES cost money, both to the patient & the public. duh!

2) does not make any sense at all. adjust ur medication! (if ur insured)

3) I didn't say the anti-trust proceedings had all been successful, did I? witnessing your grasp of logic is like watching a train wreck into a canyon

paid shill or stockholme syndrome...

FAIL

[oldtownkid]

Just a quick thought on healthcare compromise and other comprimises...Thomas Jefferson, in the original draft of arguments articulating why America should be independent from Britain, included language against the practice of enslavery, but because he needed support from slave owners (he owned slaves too) to unite all free Americans against the British, he removed abolitionist arguments, all in the name of compromise, and we've been compromising ever since.

[bigtex501]

DEMS PLAN;

1. FORCE you to give up your FREEDOM by MANDATING health care insurance!

2. TAX those that don't have "ACCEPTABLE" coverage & if you don't pay THOSE taxes.. be fined $25,000 and up to a YEAR IN JAIL!

3. Cut Medicare to the elderly and give "FREE" coverage to ILLEGAL ALIENS!

4. INCREASE the DEFICIT by $9.8 TRILLION DOLLARS so by 2020, the deficit will be $22 TRILLION DOLLARS!

5. Pass the bill quickly so that NO ONE knows what's in the bill and NO ONE knows what they're getting!

[oldtownkid]

No wonder you oppose it !  I guess if I thought that this is what the Democrats are really trying to do I would oppose healthcare reform too, but since that's not what I've been seeing I still favor the Democrats efforts at reforming healthcare, so that it becomes practical to tax payers and not just a give away to Wall St controlled health companies.

[bigtex501]

OldTownkid,

Might want to check on these things for yourself.... these points ARE true and even if you've listened to obamer's speeches.. he says it himself!

Example... Sept 26th in the House Ways & Means Committee.... Democrats voted DOWN a GOP amendment to allow 72 hours to read bills before passage!

.

Try googling that or ANY of the points and you'll see what I mean!

[baronmorris]

ur a shill bitch lying motherfucker

[bigtex501]

Baron,

Having a bad day?

[baronmorris]

1. bullshit

2. bullshit

3. bullshit

4. bullshit

5. bullshit

and everyone knows it! even you! disingenuous shill bitch lying motherfucker! ;-) and I say that with all due respect. zero.

have a nice day!

[bigtex501]

Baron,

Can't support your comments?

Can't handle the truth?

Don't know what else to say?

PUNT! LOL

[lmr641]

@bigtex501 That was funny as hell! "PUNT"? Never heard that one before, ha, ha, ha!!! Good one.

[jasonsadventure]

yeah dems, growing a pair. finally.

[darkally]

where is the public option!

[TheWayISeeIt1982]

Give Us The Public Option!!!!

[Watchout5]

a single payer system might not be the best system for America right now for a number of reasons, it has nothing to do with corporations grip on the industry but America's idea of 'freedom', to which we all want choices. It's stupid to think this is going to lead to single payer, and even if it does it's still going to need the support of the people. What needs to be clear is that people making money off health care can't do it at the expensive of our health, period. That needs to change.

[PersonalJesus348]

nope we want it, give it!

[ehkinoh]

I heard a Senator today on the radio say, "A public option is nothing more than a Trojan Horse that will lead to a single payer system."

... My question to him would be, "WTF is wrong with that?!?!?"

[martinaoe2]

only that the sources that the gov actally buys the medical system will increase the cost to any amount since it has no other competitors to sell too. The can charge anything and dont tell me the gov is going to put caps on cost. They wont sell to the gov then and will only sell private.

[QuasiEvilScott]

I miss Wellstone. This is the sort of moment in politics he lived for - he would light a fire under the democrats and kick some serious ass.

I miss you Wellstone - our country needs you the most right now.

-Qes

[sarsanch]

And if we go with reconciliation may as

well go with single payer all the way!!!!

SCREW THE HEALTH INSURANCE

COMPANIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!

[Lonao]

that is not an option for usa, senators get paid by too mutch by insurance companys, that's why dems been so slow with this bill, most dems don't really want even public option

[sarsanch]

Reconciliation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnny718bravo]

No public option, no re-election.

Show some balls, Mr. President.

[sgilman]

This has nothing to do with Obama, it's the senate that needs to grow a pair.

[onemanarmy34]

what a great christmas gift -_-

[sharinganclan213]

hey guys i got a brilliant idea, lets just print another trillion dollars to cover the healthcare costs if universal healthcare passes.

[jakehr3]

if they go to reconciliation they will have to change the bill because of laws regarding how you can add things to the budget.

[TrollBuster9090]

Ironically, adding a public option would make it much easier to pass using Budget Reconciliation, since it would require changes in funding. Reconciliation is looking pretty good right now.

[JustanOlfrend]

Baucus has become the most despised Democrat alive...he may as well change parties...oh...nobody wants him over there either

[JBeatty17]

If there's a public option, a mandate is fine. If a bill is passed with no public option AND an individual mandate, you can count me as a libertarian for 2012. Say no to corporatism.

[2bRealist]

Something tells me if there is a mandate and no public option... there is going to be allot of trouble... but it will make history ;-)

[chop98]

I think everybody knows by now that this is nothing more than insurance companies collecting more money off our backs.

[SamariaTV]

Remove congress and Senate.  No more playing games.

[FutureStudy]

ur an idiiot

[asphyxiafeeling]

that wouldn't solve anything. instead, you should get every single person you know interested in politics. then when they're up for reelection they're be a far larger turnout, with a far larger amount of people that won't take BS from politicians.

[whoo689]

Bipartisanship means nothing if a good bill fails, guys. And why would you wanna work with the jackasses that run the Republican majority today? I wouldn't! Bipartisanship's only a good thing when you pass a bill that makes sense. Bipartisanship for the sake of bipartisanship is blind and idiotic.

[BaronVonKhrispy]

Lol fuck Harkin

[whoo689]

I'm not a Democrat, but if I were, I would've gotten this bill out of committee, passed and signed long ago. As much as I have disagreements with the bill, if Dems really want it to pass, forget the bipartisan vote crap. The GOP is gonna be a bunch of assholes. That's their style when it comes to shit like this. Get used to it, fight em off, and pass the fuckin thing. Bunch of pansies.

You never hear Republicans whining about "bipartisanship" when they're in control, do ya?

[iamavet]

LOL politicians say anything on Ed show and Ed is too stupid to really question them.

Kool Aid drinkers if you believe Harkin.

Even if it goes to 51, the Dem will lose majority of Senate and maybe House in 2010.

Dems lose, America lose and Medicare program is over. FUBAR

[RodgersRevolution]

What does kool-aid drinkers mean? Do tell us!!

[24hrlib]

Harkin took Ted Kennedy's place on the Health, Education and Labor committee...a good thing, as he is one of the most progressive Senators we have.

[CynicalSavior]

FUCK YES!

It's about time we stopped letting private insurance fuck us all in the ass.

fi

[JBeatty17]

YES to the Public Option

NO to the individual manate

Any politician who supports those two principles gets my campaign contribution

[SquallCloud]

At this point I'm for the mandate if there is a strong public option because that's a fair-ish trade. A bunch of guaranteed customers but gov gets to compete to keep costs low. The insurance companies don't even want that though. Capitalism, a love story indeed.

[TrollBuster9090]

I don't think it's a fair-ish trade so much as a chickenshit cop out. Mandate sounds better than taxes. Delivery of health services should be part of the public sector, paid for by taxes, the way every other civilized country does it (and does it with better health outcomes). If it was done that way here a FEW people would pay more in taxes, but most people would pay a heck of a lot less in premiums. Premiums are tantamount to a flat surcharge. Progressive taxes are better.

[SquallCloud]

Perhaps it is a chickenshit cop out but ... we're in greedy ass America where no one does anything without a heaping load of self interest piled on top. It's the American Way.

[Ed76638]

Baccus, Conrad, Lincoln, Nelson, & Nelson: Eat Dick.

Reconciliation Bitches

[themarycity]

Hahaha perfect.  Reconciliation all the way!

[WKaliberr]

Republicans are useless. Blocking progress as always

[SquallCloud]

This time we can't even blame it on them We need to get the rats out of our corn (the corporatist dems out of Congress.)

[SubmarinerAndroid]

We will get a STRONG public option out of these Democrats, NOT just an individual mandate, or we will set the ship on fire, and Dems will have to get used to calling Sarah Palin 'Madame President'.

If more Democrats were leaders like Tom Harkin, we wouldn't have to threaten.

[TrollBuster9090]

Unfortunately Baucus has six years to go, so a primary challenge against him isn't much of a threat. Conrad and Carper both have four, leaving Lincoln and Nelson as the most vulnerable pair with primaries coming up in two years.

Take Lincoln and Nelson down hard in the primaries, and it might just teach the rest of them a lesson about serving their constituents instead of their big money lobby group pals.

[SubmarinerAndroid]

Sounds like a plan

[JerezJulio]

If the democrats do not get the public option, not only they are losing the midle they are also losing the liberals. I definitely will never waste more of my time with Democrats.

Who the hell Obama thinks he is, thinking he was going to charm republicans and traitor conservative Democrats. He is lucking like a complete moron now.

I hate to agree with Limbaugh, but Obama better get to speed, and he get 50 democrats and the Vise President to govern the way this country I governed.

[drBOJANGLESphd]

This is why I love Harkin. He stands up for the people not the insurance or other corporate interests. I've had the pleasure of meeting this guy eight years ago, and he is about the best progressive voice, other than Bernie Sanders, that we have in the Senate. I only wish Matt Weiner would challenge Gillinbrand, the senator from the NRA, I mean NY.

[fancychance57]

sometime i wonder if people get payed to push propaganda.

[TheRamenAvenger]

Max Baucus is scum

[KataVideo]

don't insult scum by comparing it to max baucus

[SquallCloud]

Word.

Scum never denied millions of people health coverage so it could line it's pockets with big pharma/ big insurance's money.

[AlienTruth]

FUCK YEAH!

[gottacold]

good comment

[britzman1]

FIRST