Howard Dean: Washington Is More Resistant To Change Than Anything "Except A Few Religious Cults"

In an interview with Esquire magazine, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (author of a new book, "Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Health Care Reform," explained why there was so much resistance to a public health care option.

ESQ: Speaking of the Obama plan, you're even stronger than he has been lately in support of the public plan. You say that without it, it's not reform.

HD: It's not. It's a waste of time. Don't pretend you're going to do health-insurance reform unless you're really going to change the system. The discussions in the Senate have not been about changing the system.

ESQ: They seem to be worried about preserving the status quo.

HD: Washington is the most conservative town in America. Its culture is the most resistant to change except a few religious cults.

Yesterday, Dean responded to reports that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was pushing for a public option that would be triggered by future conditions. "I think that a public plan with triggers is not a real public plan and it is going to be a trillion dollar failure," Dean said. "Anyone who thinks a trigger is going to lead us to a good place five years from now is wrong... It is not a sensible policy compromise."

Read the full interview here.

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Comments

[AnnfromCA]

I agree. This was my one and only primary agenda item, and it's looking like the insiders will win.

[lynettema]

Keep writing and calling your Congressmen or women. They need the pressure of losing our votes if they continue to side with corporate health care status q uo.

[KDog76A]

Oh Howie, You WASP!

Us Catholics would prefer not to have or religion be referred to as a cult. I thought JFK settled that years ago.

That being said, its not resistance to healthcare reform, its resistance to mediocre trillion-dollar 1200-page bills that gut the current system but don't provide a better alternative.

[SparkyAdams]

What's the difference between a religion and a cult?

Three words: Tax. Exempt. Status.

[who38]

Thank you, faved one!

[alieninvader]

He never said all religions were cults. He referred to SOME cults. Are you saying there are no cults?

[QuietAmerican]

How did you get that? Dean never referred to Catholicism as a cult in his remarks.

[emlr]

Just where did he reference Catholics? Feeling a little paranoid about your religion are you?
I was raised for 18 years in the Catholic church and it definitly is a cult.

[naschkatze]

As an ex-Catholic, I love it! The object of the remark is not the Catholic laity but the system which is the original of the corporatist.

[tbone99]

Howard Dean - the REAL community organizer

[SeanOcali]

I'm a bit confused here. Are you saying Obama wasn't a real community organizer, and that family doctor Howard Dean really was?

[naschkatze]

If that's what the T-bone is saying, I agree. Obama's "community service" makes for nice window dressing on a political resume. Howard Dean, however Waspy his background, is a progressive populist concerned with expanding the common good to the widest audience possible. Obama is now working to ensure the privileges of a small elite. Ironic, isn't it?

[fumes]

dc will always be a cult with some believing that an invisible being is in control..

and others believing in the omnipotence of man.

both are horribly wrong and seize up the machinery of self-governance.

[Xav7]

Love me some Howard Dean. Good, smart guy.

[emlr]

But the media hated him for some reason. He was the first politician I sent money to because I believed in him so strongly and would vote for him in a heartbeat now if I had a chance, even against Obama.

[naschkatze]

I suspect the DLC worked hand in glove with the MSM to destroy Dean which raises his outsider credentials with the rest of us. If Obama continues to go the way he is headed, I would hope Dean would challenge him in the 2012 primary. I think all the money we netroots people sent to Obama would go back to Howard Dean.

[crayola 08b]

spermicidal jelly

[Seldon]

I think if Obama doesn't deliver proper health care by the end of his first term, then Dean should challenge him in the primary.

I like Obama, but I would vote for Dean over him at the moment.

[AnnfromCA]

I would have to second that one.

[vinny]

dean would actually articulate and fight for liberal democratic policies, unlike obama...

[lynettema]

Which is why the media destroyed him. The media took one response completely out of context and crucified him.

[edmond dantes]

Word on that.

[MarkVA71]

I would vote for Dean over Obama as well.

[naschkatze]

Amen to that.

[corksterx1]

corporate america owns washington and, as a consequence, owns us. they own both sides of the political spectrum (well not the true left...the democrats are in reality the party of the center right). real reform will come when a viable 3rd party emerges that is focused on REAL progress. Until then, the dems and the repubs are basically the same party.

[Chernynkaya]

You've got my vote.

[naschkatze]

I keep posting that we should form a coalition party of the existing minority parties and unite around the most viable candidate. Otherwise, we are just protest voters who can never win. I hope the leaders of those little parties are giving this some serious thought right now.

[Chernynkaya]

Agreed. I am beginning to think that a Parliamentary system is more democratic.

[HallStyle]

Howard Dean is my Guy! Man, I wish he would have got the nomination over John Kerry. I know he would have put up a better fight!

[naschkatze]

I suspect the DLC and the MSM joined to derail him.

[sueinmn]

Ive written to Al Franken asking him to sponsor a Bill for true campaign reform. What a name he could make himself to take on this!! We could all ask the newest Senator to step up for America and take this on. It is needed and so far he may be the only fresh blood in there not yet bought off.

[Republicrats]

So how do you get the guys that write the laws to write some that limits their own power, hmmm.... Honduras anyone?

[alieninvader]

Please be specific. What powers are you referring to? My biggest complaint is that Congress seems to be powerLESS against corporations.

[naschkatze]

Oh no. I wouldn't say that they are powerless against corporations. They are owned by and are working for the corporations.

[emlr]

They would find some way to circumvent laws written to limit their powers as in the bill for automatic raises for the congress that they passed in the middle of the night when people were outraged that they were getting a raise when the people were struggling to make ends meet.

[PlasmaX]

Repeal healthcare for Congress until we get coverage for all with a public option. They'll pass healthcare reform within the day.

[KDog76A]

I agree with cancel their healthcare...

But just to be sure, you want them to pass "healthcare reform" but not actually reform healthcare?

Thats what happens when you do something in a day. Look at how long it takes to fix anything complex... Healthcare reform is not like changing a lightbulb. Its like building the lightbulb from scratch and building the lamp, and building the power plant.

Real reform will take years, not days or weeks.

[sueinmn]

Previous post was on here last night. Well worth copying and keeping alive!

OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS.

[vinny]

unfortunately, it doesn't jive with the party platform...

[KDog76A]

A for effort, D for substance... its a tantrum-like way of addressing a subject that requires a surgical precision to get it done right. There can be no single payer plan that works if it bankrupts 50 million people.

[tomasedison]

Specter must be tossed out on his a$$ as an example to all DINOs out there.

[sueinmn]

****************************** AN OPEN LETTER TO THE US CONGRESS ******************************

--------------------------------- Heed this or enjoy your last term in US Congress ----------------------------------

We, the people, DEMAND that Single Payer be included in whatever Health Care Reform legislation you pass. We will be watching your actions closely, so, keep the following in mind before casting your vote. Make it count for all Americans :-

Health Care Reform is MEANINGLESS if:

1. There is no Public Option ( No Co-ops, No Triggers ).
2. Everybody is not covered. (Without Exception)
3. Coverage can be denied based on "Pre-existing" conditions.
4. It does not contain Patients' Rights.
5. Strict Regulations are not imposed on insurance plans.
6. Affordability and costs to consumers, as well as providers, are not addressed.
7. Accessibility, delivery and quality are not maintained and/or improved.
8. There's NO oversight from medical, financial and nat.ional sec.urity persp.ectives.
9. Profit motive is NOT REMOVED.
10. Innovation, Research guidelines and funding are not addressed.

Health Care For Patients, NOT For Profit because Health Care For Profit is Health Care DENIED.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should an insurance middleman come between a patient and his/her doctor - especially, if the insurance middleman stands to gain from it.

IT'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

Insurance has no business being in Health Care. They contribute nothing towards it. NOTHING!

Single Payer For All Now! ( S*P*F*A*N ) -*-*- Everybody IN, Nobody OUT.

IT'S THE ONLY RIGHT CHOICE - there's NO EXCUSE for anything else.

[vinny]

you should compare your ideas with the democratic party platform...

you might then consider joining the socialist party...

[jake1az]

Guy's like you couldn't tell us what socialism is....you just like to use words that you don't understand.

[KDog76A]

Okay, I'm in, how do you pay for it though?

and if "Insurance has no business being in Health Care."
why should govern be in the healthcare business? Aren't they then the insurance company? just curious if you have anything to add to the solution other than the end result... until you do that saying "Single Payer For All Now! ( S*P*F*A*N ) -*-*- Everybody IN, Nobody OUT." You might as well be saying "World Peace Now --- Hugs IN, Violence OUT" sometimes chants just don't get you anywhere... its like chanting to get the car started when you haven't take the time to put in any gas or turn the key...

[captnEarl]

The insurance companies and their stuges (dems and reps) in congress won't even let Single Payer be scored by the CBO because they are afraid of what it will show...PEROID

[jacklambert]

Second that !