TPM.com
The cable networks and other news organizations like to pretend there is some doubt, some suspense, as to the outcome of the health care bill including the public option. There isnt. But they act like there is some doubt for only one reason: they want to keep viewers watching. So they try and create phony suspense.
It was reported here four days before the last senate vote that the Democrats had the 60 votes to move it forward. But you'd never know it watching the cable or network news. They insisted, right to the end, that there was some suspense involved. Will they or wont they?
The problem is Tom Harkin said publicly on the Tuesday before the vote that the Democrats had the 60 votes.But it was ignored.
They are now playing the same game with the bill as a whole. What is getting little air time is that the Democrats have a mechanism called reconciliation to push the bill through and they only need 51 votes to do it.
It's fiibuster proof since budget reconciliation allows for only 20 hours of debate, making an endless filibuster impossible. With 54-56 senate Democrats on the record as supporting the bill with the public option, it cant be stopped if budget reconciliation is used. And if Republicans or conservatives want to moan about this, let them be reminded that the three Bush tax cuts that resulted in the exploding deficit and other economic disasters, were passed by the Republican majority using budget reconciliation to prevent a Democratic filibuster.
This means that all the posturing by Lieberman or Blanche Lincoln and the Republicans, means nothing if Reid decides to invoke reconciliation which he most assuredly will if he has to.
In fact Dick Durbin has already said it will be used if it becomes neccessary. If its suspense you're looking for skip the health care debate and try Hitchcock. This bill is going to pass. One way or the other. The only question is how. And it will be signed into law before the State of the Union speech as many Democratic senators have already guaranteed. And they wouldnt say it and risk embarrassment if they weren't sure they could do it.
Comments
I HOPE YOUR RIGHT - US CITIZENS NEED THIS BILL
The public option is honestly so weak is it really going to make much of a difference? I realize that many conservatives see this as a government takeover, but this thing is nothing. With over half the country wanting to go single payer can't we do better than this? As a hardcore liberal its hard for me to support this health care bill because I'd almost rather wait until the system completely breaks down so we can get real healthcare reform. With this bill all we are going to do is continue lining the pockets of the insurance industry who will continue lining the pockets of congress.
I am very GLAD this bill will be passed. I am 57 years old and too young for Medicare but, because of my age alone, it puts me in the HIGHEST medical insurance bracket. Is this fair? I am very happy to hear that this issue will be corrected.
Hey Copier Guy,
What's unfair is that you expect your fellow citizens to pay for your healthcare. And, DG, if over half the country wanted single-payer, it would be in the bill. After all, the President has indicated his support for it in the past. And there are big Democratic majorities. Your overrating public support for it. This thing is nothing? Yeah, it's only 18% of the economy. Guess it's not a big deal, when you believe "the rich" are paying for it. And why doesn't it take affect until 2013? Because Obama doesn't want to run for re-election on the results. Take control over your own lives. Government can help the truly needy; but already about half the country has their healthcare paid for already.
And what about the other half? "wait for the system to completely break down"? And then what? How many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents die?, while YOU wait....
Kevin,
Grandparents are dying? How is that possible with Medicare? What on earth are you talking about? You make it sound like people are dying in the streets. When someone from another country is deathly ill, where do they come for care? Here. When someone is ill without insurance they go to an emergency room. Just because some of you don't want to take responsibility for paying for your insurance, doesn't mean that people are dying in the streets. Address the problems in the system but keep your paws off my health insurance which I happen to like- and happen to pay for out of my own not-too-deep pockets.
Thanks for your comments Bill Graham, so far you're the only blog comment that gets it.
This is what these others are advocating:
You pay their healthCare or else;
Mandatory Jailtime if Insurance DOESN'T comply with Government rules.
Your Money taken from you via the IRS...so it is Basically a Tax to force EVERYONE to pay for a product.
A huge Socialist takeover of 18% of the Entire US Economy backed by the Armed Treasury Dept...ie Taxes and the Jail Time.
They claim half the people want it. But the OTHER HALF DON'T!! So the half that do have the right to vote away the rights and the property of the other half. And the right to ENFORCE that with ARMS and JAIL and fines if you don't comply.
And this is America?? This is Jackbooted Official confiscation of basically EVERYONE'S rights and property and our childrens' future.
To the whining clowns here, what are you going to do with those who protest this?? Liquidate their estates and put them in Fema Camps???
three Bush tax cuts that resulted in the exploding deficit and other economic disasters
Marc- Tax cuts led to record government revenue-get your facts straight! Spending by both parties 6 years of Republicans with the Democrats (Pelosi Reid and bunch)in control of congress the last two of the Bush administration.
We need TERM LIMITS...they are all looking out for themselves and their cronies...they need to be working for us not us working for them.
The healthcare bill is more of the same bloated government spending. What does the government run effectively and efficiently? That is OUR money...OURS!
a follow up I meant to say it was spending by both parties that led to the economic shape we are now in....
Something NEEDS to be done NOW!!!!!!!!! We don't have time to VOTE people out. The Health Care Needs to be stopped or there will be some kind of civil war. We need to stop Cap And Tax, We need to stop MORE SPENDING via a NEW Stimulus Bill. NO MORE Peoples money to save the effing BANKERS. NO MORE!!!
If you whiney little twits want to steal from me or anyone else to get your health care paid for you like your mortgages before this......Come to My House YOURSELVES to take it! No You little cowards will use the POLICE and Treasury BATF and the corrupt courts to FORCE OTHERS TO PAY FOR YOU.
You are all COWARDS! Hiding behind this apparantly socialist regime to grab others peoples Labor and hard earned property!!
Anyone opposing this bill are selfish. Period. The End! Have you all no shame? Why not get rid of the police, fire department, social security etc etc. See how you all like it then.
Anyone opposing this bill are selfish. Period. The End! Have you all no shame? Why not get rid of the police, fire department, social security etc etc. See how you all like it then.
Hey Bill Graham, I DON'T expect my fellow citizens to pay for my healthcare. I have worked all my life so far and payed for EVERYTHING along the way. Let me break it down for you so, even YOU can understand it. senerio: lets say we both worked at the SAME company and have identical medical insurance, my age is 57 years old and yours is 21 years old. you pay 30.00 bi-weekly and i pay 200.00 bi-weekly for the SAME EXACT COVERAGE. That is not fair. now do you understand? or do you need it in brail?
Hey Copier guy and nchammer....the money to pay YOUR health care is coming from YOUR neighbors. THAT is not fair. Now do you understand? or do YOU need it in brail?
Anyone expecting others to PAY THEIR mdeical bills IS the SELFISH one. The people you want to take even more $$$$ from ALREADY pay for Fire, Police, Social Security etc. You just want what's theirs to be yours. You're greedy and dependent. And Copier I pay the same or similar to you....but out of CHOICE. I'm not demanding that they come to Copiers house or nchammers house and force them to pay MY expenses. Maybe I should since you're selfish and greedy.
hey Howard, i think you are the one that needs it in brail because YOU are missing the point dumb azz. no one is paying MY medical bills, lets get that straight idiot. all i am saying is: if i pay 200.00 bi-weekly than everyone should for the same exact coverage OR if a 25 year old pays 30.00 bi-weekly for a certain medical plan, then we ALL should pay the SAME. it should NOT be priced because of your AGE. so chill out dude. or better yet, grow up.
and as far as paying for Fire, Police, Social Security etc. older people that pays their taxes and social security, pays a hell of alot more years than lets say a 21 or 30 year old does. and puts ALOT more of HIS hard earned dollars into that pot. he/she should NOT have a higher premium simply because they got older. here ends the lesson for the mis-informed.
You didn't listen or read Copier. I'm almost the same age as you and pay a little MORE than you do. Not much, about 21 dollars more. But the point is I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF OTHER POEPLE'S PROPERTY SO I CAN PAY WHAT A 30YR OLD PAYS. And YOU ARE!! The 30 Yr old has less problem than we do on average and greater life expectancy...and all this is taken into account by the acctuaries so the Ins Cos can operate and YES also make some profit.
You sound more angry at younger people(guys?) And are willing to let this HORRIBLE travesty of American Justice go thru as law just to solve your petty SELFISH concerns. This is a 2,100 page leap into further socialism which will GUARANTEE servitude and misery for all of our children and grandchilren going forward.
As to your anger at 30 yr olds....they have this little blue pill Copier..or so I'm told.
A friend of mine recently laid off just he and his spouse is paying $2,500.00 dollars a month for his COBRA. Health insurance costs more than his mortgage. Anyone taking up the insurance industry's cause doesn't know what they are talking about.
If you think the insurance companies are going to voluntarily lower their cost while having a monopoly over the process – you are being disingenuous …Over 60% of all US bankruptcies are attributable to medical problems. Most victims are middle class, well educated and have health insurance - (The American Journal of Medicine)
The insurance companies and their representatives in Congress would love to perpetuate a business model that is crippling our overall economy
Howard, i am not angry. i am laughing at your silly comments. you make no sence and i can tell from your comments that you are NOT well educated. so let me end this nonsence by saying: the 60 votes are in. the decission has been made, so stop whinning and move on.
Copier and Journey,
If you think that you can pass this "and move on" you are not reading the country at all. I doubt you could understand actuarial tables through the blinded blur of your anger and selfish preoccupation with your monthly health ins. bills.
The Health Bill DEMANDS a TAX increase on all to pay for whiners like you Copier. You are advocating 50% of the people having the right to vote away the other 50% property and wishes. Why? So that copier can get "the same coverage for the same cost as a 30 year old" those are YOUR concerns Copier not mine.
I agree with you Journey...but if you are saying that the 30 yr old demogrphics have the same costs and liability than the 50 yr old demographics then you are not seeing reality. And that reality is there irrespective of whether insurance comp.s exist or not. It's just the way nature works. People are sicker in their 50's 60's etc than they are in their 20's and 30's. Some of the Ins CO.s costs reflect this.
Quote from stupid Howard: "the same coverage for the same cost as a 30 year old" How would you like to go "ANYWHERE" and buy "ANYTHING" in the USA and they tell you that you have to Pay 10x More just because you are older than a 20 or 30 year old ??? and don't tell me the stupid crap you been typing about 50 year olds use the ins. more and thats why it costs more. So if i buy a car and wreck it 1 hour later, the next car will cost me 10 times more??? even car insurance company's don't raise their rates 10 times more for a 20 or 30 year old. you make no sence at all howard.
Copier,
You are truely whats wrong with this country today. I encourage people to read your Dec 4 7:44am post directly below mine. It is unbelievable. Never mind the fact that we DON'T pay 10 x for "things" here because of age. But the fact that you don't know that younger drivers DO pay MORE insurance because of their age and lack of experience is stunning in it's stupidity.
I hate my health care Ins. costs. But I understand some of the rationale. Younger Drivers get in more wrecks than older Drivers. Middleaged and older people have more health problems than younger people. We are both in our 50's and I am embarrassed to be in ANY group with you....what a waisted life you must've had to have such ANGER at young people. My God man (or gal)...they are our future. We are supposed to quide them, help lead them. You are an "Ageist" like a sexist but directed at anyone younger than you.
To the next generations...We're NOT ALL like Copier. And I don't want to ADD TAXES to your load.
The bill is PASSED Howard, get over it and do as your told.
50 Million Americans Voted YES = 50,000,000
Stupid Howard Voted NO = 1
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