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George Bush, Secret Socialist
Nearing the end of a catastrophic presidency George Bush seeks redemption in odd ways. Having wrecked Iraq he takes aim at Iran. Having denied global warming, he asks others to fix it. Having waged war on a credit card, he mimics fiscal prudence in symbolic budget battles with Congress.
It's all too little and too late; sort of like Britney Spears staying home a night a week in hopes of being named mother of the year. But for Bush, it's never too late to do some damage, which brings us to a tough topic for Britney and Bush: the health of children
In a saner world, Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill would be unexplainable. The basic facts:
SCHIP insures 6.5 million kids in families earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level, or $41, 300 a year for a family of four. States can set lower limits and many do. The bill Bush vetoed raised eligibility to 300% of poverty, extending coverage to 4 million children. The cost: 35 billion over 5 years. Bush makes two arguments: we can't afford it and even if we could, it's creeping socialism.
Bush's math is as fuzzy as ever. He says his budget strengthened SCHIP. Read the fine print. The $5 billion he'd add over five years is only a third of the inflation rate. That means a substantial cut, not an increase, in the number of children covered.
He says the bill he vetoed covers families of four earning as much as $83,000 a year. It's true, but only in one state, New York, which somehow brokered an eligibility limit of 400% of the FPL. He could have pared New York back had he not shunned negotiations sought by the bill's cosponsor, Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa.
The real eligibility limit for a family of four would be $62,000, qualifying it not for free insurance, but only a cap on its annual medical expenses set at about $3,000. Bush says it would rob them of "initiative."
Before agreeing, do something he never does. Imagine it's your family living on $62,000, shelling out $1,000 a month or more for health insurance. Now add $10,000 in bills, an 'adjustable' mortgage, a daughter looking at colleges and $3 a gallon gas.
Behold: A middle class family, circa 2007. Poor? No. Living the American Dream? Not even close. In need of a hand? You bet, and the sooner the better.
Most eligible families earn far less than $62,000. If a family member has a preexisting medical condition they pay far more in premiums--if they have insurance at all. For the children, millions of them, health care that ought to be a right is out of reach.
After seven years of war, gluttonous pork barrel spending and massive tax cuts, Bush saying we can't afford health care for our children is like a father coming home to say there's no money for groceries because he spent it all on drink or at the track. Thus the need for a second argument, that the bill is 'European' or 'socialist.'
If this were a movie it would be funny. Until Bush held them up at the border, seniors flocked to Canada for lower drug prices. They'd have swum to Europe if it weren't so far.
As for socialism, we have it now. Government pays the lion's share of health care costs and gets less for it every year because it can't tame the insurance industrial complex. Bush cries 'free market' but his pork fest of a Medicare drug bill stifled competition and guaranteed industry profits. It's called corporate socialism and Bush is its Lenin.
Amazingly enough, Republican presidential candidates stumble over one another in a rush to back him up. As a wise man said, never underestimate the capacity of an entire social order to commit suicide.
Republicans in Congress may have keener survival instincts. Their choice: to feel the gratitude of the children or the wrath of the adults. Democrats gave them time to mull it over while they batter them with negative TV ads. In one, a droll child threatens to stop having his picture taken with Republicans until they get him some health care.
The ads follow up a Democratic radio pitch featuring young Graeme Foster, who thanked SCHIP for footing his hospital bills after an automobile accident. Republicans answered in their usual style, peddling false charges that the family defrauded the program.
Yes, it has come to this--Republicans swift-boating twelve year olds. You must admire the chutzpa it takes for the folks who gave us Harry and Louise to question a young coma survivor gamely facing life with a paralyzed vocal chord.
One wonders how Harry and Louise are doing 14 years after fretting over Hillary-Care. Do they still worry about high prices and big bureaucracies or did they reach Medicare eligibility? No doubt they could teach the Fosters a thing or two about waiting one's turn.
Republicans look both slimy and clueless. It doesn't matter if the Frosts are secretly middle class; middle class families can't pay their health care bills either. To help them government must play a bigger, smarter role, as in every other developed nation.
We pay twice what any other country pays for overhead, as much as 30 cents of every health care dollar. "Socialist" Canada is second at about 16 cents. Until voters find out that Aetna charges 20 cents to do what Medicare does for a nickel and that federal law guarantees their right to go right on doing it, real change will elude us.
The Clinton, Obama and Edwards plans all include options to buy insurance through government. In quality and price, their public plans will blow private plans out of the water. They spend their time reassuring us we can keep current coverage. They should also explain why so few of us will.
Republicans are better than Democrats at debate because they still look to think tanks for policy while Democrats look to pollsters for themes: Republicans say SCHIP costs too much and sends us down a slippery slope to statism. Democrats say Bush hates kids.
The voices of children should be enough to win this round but to get universal care through Congress Democrats must explain why we need government not only to expand access but to bring down costs. That mean adults getting on the radio and telling us what they know about the cost of corporate socialism.
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Once we all realize that all our congressmen and women and all our senators are rich people as well,not a poor or middle class person amongst them...the
"--Until voters find out that Aetna charges 20 cents to do what Medicare does for a nickel --"
That's funny. Medicare is a partial health care plan. It was much more partial, prior to the passage of Medicare Part D. (Don't jump on that - I don't like it either - but it's a heck of a lot better than before - with no drug coverage). We have to purchase Medicare gap, or suplement coverage to make government run Medicare work.
Medicare is an example of how flawed government run programs operate. It'll only pay an assigned physician pocket change for an office visit charge (Aetna pays the Doctor a living wage); yet, in the brialliant plan of Medicare, it will refuse to pay $2,000 to purchase a small hospital bed for in-home care (or resident home care) - while it is more than willing to pay a rental fee of (we'll they paid $55,000 for 5 years rental for my mother-n-law). Kinda reminds you of the cost of government purchased toilet seats.
Why? There are literally thousands of politicans arguing 24/7 in a hundred locations, over a period of years, each and every time a decision has to be made.
Our current system has serious and fatal flaws in it. And so does the government. Local government run hospitals (King Drew in LA) are closing up shop. The Veterans can't even run it's own facilities.
Socialized medicine in the US? Picture standing in line at the welfare office or the unemployment line - an envision the future.
The people in this country must begin to enter into actual discussions and dialog of if, and what, and how, and what if; and stop all of this radical spewing of reality. There are no easy answers here.
Every day, folks from all over the world, including Canada, are streaming into the US for medical treatment - because they want modern medicine and access, which is lacking in all social run systems.
Americans are streaming to India for low-cost surgical operations in first-class facilities.
Outsourcing - the way forward.
Ah, India is an interesting choice.
Actually you missed my whole point, but since we've now dropped the learning curve to one-liners. Hundres, perhaps thousands of unfortunate people are sitting in their own shit in Cuba - every day - no medicine, no doctors.
Streaming ?? Folks are streaming into America for care, no? Canadian politicans, Canadian moms who can't give birth there to high risk twins (was all over the news -- Oh, was a good story, the Doctors were so helpful in telling them that there were no beds available when she went into labor, so they drove 400 miles to the US).
Yes, Americans and workers on visa's from India do indeed go back - well, some (I have a friend from India (with family their) well- to do, well was before his massive brain annuryism. It costs to much to travel there. Get a grip. I know folks who, when in Thialand get dental work done for cheap also. People here purchase jeans and tennis shoes made by nothhing more than slave labor in many countries, also.
Next time you're in Canada or France - just see if they provide you with "free" health care.
What are you smoking? AETNA PAYS ME, a doctor, 85% OF MEDICARE. They require an exorbitant amount of resources in terms of referrals and hiring somebody to make sure they pay me. Medicare's check comes within 2 weeks and Medicare recipients require NO referrals. Medicare covers DME-Aetna doesn't. Medicare allows for long term acute care hospitalization and home health and Aetna does not.
Houston is home to a very well known medical center. Yes, we have foreign travelers seeking care here-from the Middle East, not from Japan or Germany or Spain....
You obviously have not worked in the system. Go on and continue to agree with Bush-the solution to the healthcare mess is a trip to the ER. See ya there!
Well said, thanks for the information on what ACTUALLY happens.
Bush has offered little to solve many of the big problems. Except bringing drugs to Medicare. There was none before. Yes, one can debate the method of delivery - but he did deliver - that was historic. Same as he turned the tide on Aids in Africa (and some late comers helped also). The system needs major reform. I support a lot of it. And interesting that you picked out those counties. I don't know, I'll check it out with a dear friend at a local rather famous hospital, who runs the international placement. Canada? A lot of them in the news lately. Cuba? Oh right, they'll be shot if they tried to come. It's a huge issue - this thorn which we have.
Personally - I have quite a number of ideas to solve a few of the more popular bumper sticker items. And I say that without downplayin the horror stories - I know of many of them personally. And i did not appreciate your snide and unworthy comments.
Wow! What a line of BS right wing talking points.
Guess you don't care that there are so many without any care, and it costs everyone more to treat them when they get very sick with treatable conditions.
You also don't care that we have people that could pass on all kinds of diseases to others because they can't get treated.
You especially don't care about the truth, which is that people are NOT streaming into the US for medical treatment. There are many going to places like France, where the treatment is much better than it is here.
There is a company here in town that runs weekly bus trips TO Canada for people to buy drugs and get medical care, and the guys is keeping pretty busy and making good money doing so.
"IST"
Communist
Capitalist
Socialist
Fascist
ALL ARE AFTER POWER OVER THE GOVERNMENTS!
"ISM"
Capitalism
Communism
Socialism
Fascism
ALL WANT TO CONTROL PEOPLES MINDS!
Which will enslave you?
Capitalism is based on freedom, so probably one of the others.
What scholar simplified that concept for you? That says you have bought the fairytale. Try a little harder to learn the facts of the word "freedom." It presupposes that a person with $$ can start a business, and that's good, but without restraints capitalists deny their workers the right to bargain collectively and have even abused and killed workers trying to do that. Capitalism isn't all that simple. There's the good and the bad.
"Capitalism is based on freedom, "
For the rich and powerful.
You ain't free when you are poor. I prefer socialism. It provides good education and good health care. And believe it not the bridges are repaired.
I, like many citizens, am being enslaved by turtle-on-
In early sailing days, before refrigeration, sailors would catch large sea turtles for food. If they killed the turtle outright, much of the meat would spoil because they had no means to keep it.
Instead, they cleverly learned to put the turtles on their backs, whacking off a non-lethal chunk here, a non-lethal chunk there. The turtle gave up flesh, but continued to live, keeping the rest of his flesh fresh until the next partial whacking.
From my perspective, most of us poor working-class bastards out here are living on our backs.
Hume
Wow! What a horrible, but apt, metaphor!
As a Canadian working in the States and needing serious health care, I'm amused and appalled by some of the argument I hear. While, back home, we love to whine about our system, it has one over-riding advantage: nobody is left out. When Americans tell me that their approach is better, I wonder how a system that leaves out 40% of the population can even be compared. That's like inviting ten friends to dinner and letting four of them stare at an empty plate. All of the other comparative statistics that favor universal care -- and all of them do -- are just extras compared to this.
When we signed up for over-priced, private insurance I was told about what the insurer "would cover". I had to point out that the insurance company doesn't pay for my care. That cost is borne by all the healthy subscribers. The insurance company merely organizes the billing -- pretty much as an incompetent monopoly in this case.
Pooled insurance is, by its nature, "socialistic"; it's shared risk. The US will be a richer country now that it's beginning to understand the concept.
GuiltyByStander illustrates for us the difference in mentality between industrialized countries that have socialized medicine and the one country that doesn't, namely us. I really liked his analogy of inviting ten people to dinner and not serving four of them and having them stare at empty plates. Perfect!
Well said, guiltybystander!
"Secret Socialist" ???
Socialism FOR Corporations is Fascism.
How low can the Republicans go? The government giving mercenary companies a billion dollars to murder innocent people in Iraq ... good. The government providing healthcare for severely brain injured children ... bad. That's the Republican Party's philosophy in a nutshell. Their motto is "cherish the fetus, screw the child".
But wait, their protecting the unborn. They value human life. Just as long as they don't have to spend money on body armour and armoured vehiles for our troops. They are against abortion but, the death penalty is OK.
No child left behind, just as long as he is healthy if not, too bad.
They are bottom feeders. I read a reply that one of them posted about the noose hung outside a Black Professor's door. He basically said that it was the liberals who were the racists.
They accuse others of doing what they do and that is their tactic.
I can't be friends with any of them anymore because even it they are not horrible, I know they are too stupid to know what is going on, or worse, they don't care.
Listen, all other arguments are mute ,the bottom line is with more regulation the crooks at the top will not be able to line their pockets with healthcare dollars. I think we have learned that privitization = less oversight = more stealing = republican agenda.Any
Thats moot not mute ...sorry
What RIGHT WING FASCISTS call 'socialist' is actually just average citizens demanding their Constitutional freedoms that have been comprised by BIG MONEY RIGHT WING FASCISTS who do all in their power and wealth to influence and control America's treasury to mollify and enrich corporate fascism by paying off corporations through TAX BREAKS, IMMINENT DOMAIN OF CONFISCATED PROPERTY TO ENABLE RIGHT-WING FASCIM AGENDAS and by GIVING AWAY AMERICA'S NATURAL RESOURCES (OIL, LUMBER, FORESTS, COAL, PHARMACEUTICAL NON-BID CONTRACTS, WAR CONTRACTS , ETC)...you know,
like this President and republican leaders are doing NOW!
Show me where it is in the Constitution that says that anyone is guaranteed health care! Just what I thought, you cant because there is no such clause. As for your "fascists" comments, I really dont believe that you know what a fascist is. I do, however, believe that you know what a communist or a Marxist is because that is what makes up the Democrat Party ie. Hillary-Marxist, Kusinich-c
areacode631 here are the 14 common aspects of facist governments according by Lawrence Britt.
1.Powerful and continuing expressions of Nationalism. 2.Disdain for the importance of Human Rights. 3.Identifi
The Facist model of government is designed to OBTAIN, EXPAND, and MAINTAIN Power. Does any of this sound familiar to you?
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
However socialism is when the government is the owner of capital resources? Do you know of ANY Democrats actually advocating that Even Sweden isn't socialist by that definition. American liberals are more properly termed Social Democrats.
areacode631 I would like to know what you know is the definition of fascism. I thought nobody was in agreement re what constitutes fascism.
It is true the constitution doesn't mention universal health care. It doesn't mention stopping at red lights either. Nor does it mention women should have the vote much less blacks. Get a grip or see a doctor, assuming you can afford to see one.
Ignoring the other ridiculous statements, let's get back to the Constitution not guaranteeing anyone health care. You're absolutely right. Let the uninsured die in the streets, suffering needlessly. While you're at it, why don't you kick them and spit on them, too. Surely they do not deserve to live in the same world as you!
I hope this is not what you meant to say, but it is what came through, loud and clear.
the constitution doesn't guarantee healthcare in writing because when it was written that concept didn't really exist. but as we evolve and progress through intellect and science we need to adjust our constitution accordingly to keep up with the changes in society's needs.
While Bush & Co. debunk SCHIP and other government subsidized health programs as socialized medicine or leading to it, they don't object to it when they receive it, and receive it they do: the president, vice-president, senators, and members of congress receive free, government-paid health care. Their pious bleating about others receiving what they receive is A Hypocratic (sic) Oath.
and our veterans, firemen, policemen, people over 65 and disabled people. The only people who aren't covered are the tax-paying middle class: This nations main tax base. What's wrong with this picture???? Why is "the rest of the world" on the same universal healthcare for all plan and we exclude part of our own society? I don't care what label you want to put on it, everyone in this country is entitled to medical coverage and our taxes should pay for everyone's care, not just "some" of the population!!!
It's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor in the USA. I live as a socialist and it's better than groveling for the crumbs from Marie Antoinette cake.
ok, so tell me what the problem is with 'socialism
make sure that you use republican rather than any variation
when you see something that is wrong call it how it is
republicans are and have caused all of the problems that this country faces
republicans are wrong
republicans are bad
nothing more, nothing less - lets force them to own up to it by calling them by their real name so that they can never refer to themselves with honor again without changing their name themselves
Nothing is wrong with socialism from the perspective of a freeloader. Those that have to actually produce the loot find it less appealing however.
Bushco are feeding at the trough with OUR money.
I would prefer some of MY money being spent on ME.
Would you rather pay $1,000 per month to have deductibles, co pays and "customary" payments or would you rather pay $250 per month with none of the above and everybody gets covered? Of course we have to watch out that the drug suppliers are subject to competition. Howls of agony.
That is why most of the world's most educated and forward thinking citizens live in socialized democracies right? I guess no one produces anything in those countries? This is one of the silliest comments I have seen on this story and that is really saying something. Check the numbers, genius. The "free market" isn't free and there are a number of things that shouldn't be privatized, based on pure economics and long-term strategies for success. The short-term market mentality is killing this country and has grave consequences for everyone - conservatives and liberals alike.
Overd0g,I'm glad you said this. Presumably you will deny any social security or other government benefits and that's good because it leaves more for me. It's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor. Corporate welfare is doled out through dividends. This is welfare, corporate welfare with all the corruption that goes with it. The auto, oil, insurance, tire and other industries get highways and road as government subsidies, corporate welfare. The airlines get public paid airports. Stadiums are publicly financed for sport teams, more corporate welfare. The list is endless. All these corporations an I are glad that you will renounce the government benefits which you have paid for BECAUSE WE BOTH WANT YOUR MONEY. Thank you very much, sucker
That is such a sad remark. Certainly it brings to mind the shortest verse in the Bible; "Jesus wept." And so I guess that Jesus was a socialist. And Paul. Remember the words; "Faith, hope and charity. And of these three the greatest is charity." Just to help you out the word charity means love.
The ones PRODUCING the loot are the middle class workers, not the wealthy! The wealthy just push money around in a shell game.
Universal health care will help the WORKERS, the actual PRODUCERS of wealth. The people that actually create things.
choirgirl, those whining about communism don't even know what the definition of communism is. In this country it's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor. It's no secret. Anyone that takes up the 'commie' whine is just puking up talking points, usually someone elses.Anot
With a Democratic Presidency in the offing, I would be a seller of any HMO stocks.
If Hillary is the front runner I would BUY HMO stock.
Good blog, but the statement that the current legislation allows ANY state to enroll families at 400% of the poverty level - the $80,000 SCHIP recipient - is WRONG. NY applied for 400% waiver and was denied.
My understanding is that NJ's 350% ceiling is the highest that the proposed legislation grandfathers. Other than the grandfathered rates, the ceiling is capped at 300%, or about $62K for a family of four.
Also, Curry's statement that 'pugs are better at debate than Dems because they rely on think tanks vs. Demo's use of themes is nonsensical. The fact that Curry repeats the $80,000 recipient canard shows you how the 'pugs are attacking this legislation - with lies, attacks on families who benefit from the program (the Frosts) and idiotic bugabear invocation of the phrase "socialized medicine," which Curry covered.
Our duty as citizens is to pierce the veil of lies and clear out the fog of deception the 'pugs are spewing over the SCHIP program. The reality is that SCHIP is a social service program that WORKS WELL, and that is why Bush and the neandercons want to gut it. Gawd forbid it dawns on us that our government can be effective when we a) staff it with qualified people who SUPPORT the mission and b) keep an eye on it, as it is our civic responsibility to do.
Common sense tells you that a single payer system, run out of the basement of some government building by public servants, with standardized forms and no advertising budget, has got to be cheaper than the glitz and gloss of the high price Insurance companies in their palaces of splendor in America's most expensive cities, running non-stop television ads. What is their product ? ILLUSION - that you are PROTECTED. You pay and pay and pay THEM for NOTHING. Then, when the time comes for them to pay YOU, they give you the bum's rush with deductibles and a lot of hassle, or drop you from their policy. Insurance is the biggest vampire industry in America today.
Great point. Then we can make pharmaceutical advertising illegal as well and quite paying for their marketing expenses at the expense of our lives. Like EVERY other country on the globe.
Until we have public campaign financing, every good measure will elude us.
Our politicians are bought and paid for and our media assist in the sale.
When will Bush's groveling followers understand that Bush wants them to eat cake. Of course, the expression comes from a time when "cake" was a word used to describe "crumbs," which is exactly what Bush wants the unfettered masses to gratefully consume.
By his own admission, Bush is a white Republican who doesn't understand the plight of the poor. He said that at the beginning of his first term. He had a lot of time to learn about the poor, and now, the struggling middle class. He never bothered to exercise that option. So now, he sounds as ignorant as ever, and he's promoting a policy that weakens our nation.
Well done, George. Everything you touch turns to shit.
I don't think he sees himself as Santa Claus or Robin Hood. Although with that Medicare prescription benefit catastrophe, who knows anymore.
Yes.
Kucinich '08
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