Hill: D.C. Dems Back Off Health Care Promises
In a stunning - if predictable - story, the Hill newspaper reports that congressional Democrats are now saying that they will effectively thwart any effort to create a national health care program. Here is the key excerpt:
"Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult...Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership and a key Hillary Clinton ally who also sits on the Finance Committee, said he is 'not sure we have the big plan on healthcare.'...'Healthcare I feel strongly about, but I am not sure that we're ready for a major national healthcare plan,' Schumer said...Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), a Clinton supporter who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, said "the money is not necessarily there right now" to enact the plans."
There's a lot to unpack here.
First and foremost, to those in Washington who say the nation should just wait for Washington to act on health care and wait for Democrats to win control of Congress and the presidency, this story exposes the glaring failure of that strategy - especially as states move forward into the breach. Health care reform has to be a dual effort - at the federal level and at the state level. And most likely, real reform is going to start in the states - in part, because Democrats in Washington are so afraid of their own shadow and bought off by Big Money interests that they are now acknowledging that they are no serious about fulfilling their health care promises.
Second, you'll notice the right-wing arguments being made by Democrats in this piece. Schumer, like a reliable Fox News anchor, tells us that America isn't "ready" for national health care plan, despite polls over the last decade showing strong support for such a concept. Likewise, Meek - playing right into the Grover Norquist "drown it in the bathtub" mantra, claims the federal government doesn't have the cash to pay for a health care overhaul - even as Congress continues writing blank checks to fund the Iraq War.
Finally, this reminds us of the need for progressives to focus on building a social movement, rather than exclusively on winning elections. Democrats are effectively saying that no matter how many elections are won, they will not move forward on the most pressing domestic issue. That's because there isn't yet a powerful social movement putting constant pressure on both parties - and instilling fear in both parties. The infrastructure that has been built in recent years is largely partisan rather than movement-oriented - that is, aimed at buttressing the Democratic Party, regardless of what it does. If we are to get health care reform, it will require a movement - not a party.
Join the book club for David Sirota's upcoming book, The Uprising, due out on 5/27.
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It's pretty obvious the democrats have been having little sit downs with the K-Street lobbyists from Big Pharma and the HMO's who have explained the facts of life, donationwise, to them.
As a result they are backpedaling big time because they all know that the profits of those outfits is much, much more important than taking care of the health and lives of American citizens.
Don't look at these comments as the end. We the people can and will hold their feet to the fire! We must learn to use our collective voices and often.
I was stunned to read that the dems have such greed and disdain for the will of the people that they could take a stand vs national healthcare!
This is where we have to take a stand against our so-called reps. Obama is correct about who the enemy of change is- a government which is on the Lobbyists' payroll. I have my pitchfork and torch and am ready to go. Let's have an organized attack with a web site and email/ phone calls/petitions.
Schumer is my *other* senator, and he's a slimeball too. He's just another "Wall Street Democrat". He'll fight it tooth and nail for his friends in Big Insurance and Big Pharma.
"Social Movement" or a new Progressive Party. We have to start somewhere. It is clear that the Washington Status Quo is too beholding to the (failing) dollar to give a shit what is happening on the ground here in the USA. If handled correctly, without the meddling of professional, career politicians, a grassroots movement and eventually a new party can and MUST take hold. The republicans are hell bent on destroying America. And the democrats are too fragmented and unreliable to count on. They are kind of like a "Forrest Gump" schizophrenic girlfriend. You never know what you're gonna get.
Many Americans are afraid of a National Healthcare System. You complain that you do not want taxes taken out of your paychecks. In addition, "government cannot get it right." That, or too many Americans are stuck in that selfish mentality of "me before you".
Yet, already, you pay taxes to private corporations who deny you major medical coverage when you need, say, cancer treatment or a transplant. As far as government healthcare, if you let the private corporations run the show, it will fail. The corporations who receive the big contracts in defense, law enforcement, homeland security, etc. manage to make government look like a failure. I bet they would like to see a return to HMOs and private taxes to deny you healthcare coverage. And then there is the current American mentality.
As far as Democrats and Republicans on healthcare? Well, this is just another instance of the Democrats and Republicans showing just how opposed to each other the really are. Not much at all. So, whether you are voting for McCain, Hillary or Obama, do not expect much to change. Whether Democrat or Republican, "The Party" will find a way to separate you from your money. After all, a fool and his money are soon parted. Already, the public owes over nine trillion in debt and many trillions in hidden debt. So, go shopping America! We are almost bankrupt, economically, politically, and morally.
You;'re right about the deluded American mentality. Every other advanced nation has a national health plan, varying somewhat in scope and efficiency, but providing its citizens a basic guarantee that they will have access to care without bankrupting themselves. (Health costs now cause more than 50% of personal bankruptcies in this country, a fact that is just inconceivable to other nations). And extending today's private insurance is NOT the answer - many of the most tragic cases are in families that were "covered."
The antipathy to "socialized medicine" it is one of the more amazing brainwashings that have taken place here. I am still puzzled by it.
Watch "Sicko."
Medicare for all, but let the government negotiate prices.
Volume discounts, you know. It works for Walmart.
Tax health insurance company profit at 100%.
The "socialized medicine is a disaster" folks can keep their insurance.
There's no reason the insurers can't become nonprofits, they'll still keep the employees employed.
More local clinics for preventative care and annual checkups. If people get early diagnoses, more severe problems can be averted.
All the money currently spent on administration could be put to use to pay for care.
How hard is that?
From the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development:
http://www.oecd.org/health/healthdata
The US is already spending more money per capita than countries who have nationalized healthcare.
And citizens still have to buy their own coverage.
Seems like we're already paying for a universal healthcare system...with no benefits and extra costs.
Exactly; if we can pay for what we have, then we can surely pay for everyone and do it more reasonably. The simple fact is that all components of the US HC system have to be reigned and put under strict regulation. They will kick and scream all the way, but, I really don't care how much ill-deserved profit they lose. They've had all this time to build their fortunes off of us, they can just suck it up now, their time of dictating the rules is coming to a close.
And their overall health is higher: longer life expectancy, lower infant mortality, etc.
If the good Senators and Congressmen don't think that health care is a BIG problem in this country then maybe they don't need it either. Besides with their big salaries they should have no problem finding insurance for the entire family. There was a time when working for the government was its own reward but today you always hear about someone resigning from office because they cannot live on the "meager" pay. All these bums, who have had more than their share from the public trough, need to be looking for a different line of work after their next re-election run. I don't think that they should be allowed to become lobbist's, either. We have seen time and time again why that is not a good option for the American people.Sometime's, I think that this country is fast on it's way to the second revolution that Jefferson spoke of. Too many thugs and thieves are running our country and maybe it's time for American to clean house!
Wrong. The politicians simply do not care. They care when you vote them out. And then, they will say anything to maintain power. The politicians will even throw you a few bones, and like a lapdog, you will thank them. That is America. All illusion, no substance. Especially in the Demo-Republican Party.
We have to try to clean house by way of election first. If that doesn't work out, count me in - "Give me Liberty or give me Death!"
Is this about getting the swing voters in the general election?
Was mad when I sent that last post. Some words were misspelled . Sorry. Do hope you can read what I wanted it to say.
Hummm -
The timing ...
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.)
wonder if things would look different if Hillary was there to lead the charge - if not 2008, maybe 2012?
Well, McCain will just screw you even harder.
Absolutely true, as usual, David.
Isn't this just ducky. One thing people were really counting on. Whayt other surprises are they going to throw at us. I didn't like Hilary's because she was going to take it out of wages, whether we wanted it or not.
With this Rev Wright ordeal, I think we need to hear a sermon so we can put this to rest.
Does anyone have a video to put on You Tube?
This will shut Hilary up. All I've read is good things about the guy. Someone edited that tape for the Hilary campaign.
Obama your burning the candle at both ends. You need to go get more wax. then charge after Hilary. Be aggressive, even mean if it helps. You're too soft. Pretend your a bull until a nominee is chosen.
Remember that all men which to rule, the rewards come to those that try. So lets plant you butt in the white house.
Hilary treats you like a maniac. She's only imitating herself.
Don't let her get the last word in at an argument, by returning a soft response. Be harsh.
When she starts her blasphemy, blast her.
Last you know the things to say that will enrich the world, go say them. Their all waiting in the wings to hear.
What surprises you ask? Just read the Republican party platform paper. Of course, the Democrats have one thing going for them. They are just taking longer while throwing a few bones. The Republicans? They just want to screw us harder, deeper, and faster. At least the Democrats have sensible, progressive social policies that screw us a little bit less.
LOL, Veri! You are such a cynic! It ain't that bad, really.
Thanks David for telling us that even some of our Democratic Congresspeople don't care if Americans can afford health care. It's sickening. I'm not surprised about Schumer. He hasn't championed anything for consumers in a long time - but Wall Street bail outs, that's most important to him. And approving those Judges and Justices that are corporate friendly.
Thanks to you and people at Progressive States - I see states making major efforts to address Health Care affordability. So we need to elect more Progressive reps at the state level and put more pressure on them to do the right thing.
Keep up the Good Work - and I look forward to your new book.
Pusillanimous, useless betrayers of the Democratic Party members and the American people and our needs and hopes.
Yet they continue to fund Iraq with hardly a whimper.
Hey Nancy! Hey Harry!
Got leadership? Got some honor?
Didn't think so.
Harry and Nancy wouldn't know honor if it bit them in the arse.
But they sure are paid well. Oh, and just like McCain, they have free, first class healthcare for the rest of their lives. Unlike us peasants.
I'm right there with you... Shame, shame, shame on them ! I only hope they all burn in hell if there is one, together with Bush and Cheney...
"Got leadership? Got some honor?"
Something else missing too. I was thinking maybe Harry could loan his to Nancy, but they are obviously too atrophied to be of any use. I'm not sure what to do with these two. Just plain Pathetic.
The congress as a whole needs to check itself into a rehabilitation program. One that will help them wean themselves from their addiction to special interest monies. It will be a painful, slow and laborious process - best to start right-away before the symptoms get even worse.
Their dependency is having a devastating impact on their dependents - the American people - and it isn't clear that they'll survive their "loved-one's" tragic and dangerous addiction.
Let's start with Schumer. He'd be a stellar example.
*
Hah! LMAO! America could not vote them out right now if we tried. Too much of that party mentality.
National Healthcare in America? Because of the current ignorance, fear, and stupidity of the masses, we are becoming a second-world power. This transformation will take time. Just look at prices in the grocery store. Food is becoming cheaper in Europe while our prices skyrocket.
Keep voting Demo-Republican Party if you like being poor. After all, this is what you were trained to do by the monkey-handlers.
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