Senate Democrats Against The Public Option Aren't Caving -- They Just Don't Belive In Real Universal Healthcare

Chris at Americablog wonders why some Senate Democrats are caving on healthcare when 72% want a public option and 85% think the system needs to be fundamentally changed. He thinks it's because such Dems are spineless. That fundamentally misunderstands the situation. To vote against something that 72% of the population wants indicates a Congress member isn't a panderer to public opinion. What it indicates instead is that they either:

• Actually don't believe in a public option, let alone real universal health care a la single payor; or,


• Are being paid enough by insurers and other folks who want the current health care gravy train to continue that they are willing to vote against what the majority of their constituents want.

Personally, I'd go with both. They don't believe in universal health care, and they know that their real constituents aren't the people who vote for them but the people who fund their campaigns and make sure they, their friends and their families are taken care of. And no, they don't think that's you, the voter and taxpayer.

They don't believe they won't be reelected if they vote against a public option. And given re-election rates of Senators, who are the people causing the most problem, they're probably right, aren't they? Their calculation is that voters are sheep and won't make them pay any real price for killing a good health care plan.

I'd say they're right. So given that they probably don't believe in universal health care, that they don't personally need it since they have good health care, that they get paid to vote against it and that they'll pay no price for voting against it, why shouldn't they kill it?

Seems like a brain dead calculation to me. I'm sure it does to Diane Feinstein too. As another entitled aristocrat once said "let them eat cake."

Comments

[CwComment]

On the one hand its discouraging to see the power of small is not always protected in politics and the little guy hasn't won a complee victory. On the other hand we all hope the white house will realize how important it is to court not just voters but their colleagues on the hill.

[enuffofw]

WE THE PEOPLE need to realize that, baring Presidential elections, its not, "one person, one vote," but rather, "one dollar for each vote."

WE THE PEOPLE simply haven't the money to buy the right Congressmen and Senators (yes, I said that).

[ChelseaC]

We need to push back against these on the take no action Dems--take it to the streets if need be.
In the meanwhile, call your representatives and PUT THEM ON NOTICE--no real
change, no reelection!

Call the White House and let Obama know your concerns on this issue.
202-456-1111
202-456-1414

Sign Senator Bernie Sanders's petition for REAL health care reform:
http://sanders.senate.gov

60% of American doctors support single payer:
http://www.pnhp.org/change/

[bbbear]

It seems to me that your headline is misleading. Why not merely say, "Democrats are either secret republicans or they're simply bought and paid for by Big Money Health Insurance?"

[freelyb]

What potential Congressional candidates will truly support universal healthcare or the middle class in general? I'd like links to more information on who to support and who to target as dead meat in 2010. Anyone? These unbelievable conflicts of interests have brought our representative government to a halt. This is serious stuff...

[lyta]

As you can read at the following link it isn't just insurers, doctors or the drug companies....have a http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/generic.aspugs/generic.asp

[darker]

No, they believe in is CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS from PROFITEERING
private health insurance business that has been stealing the public's money
for years!

It's worse than the student loan PROFITEERS unleashed by Reagan to
bankrupt their chances of getting ahead in life. Republicans? Screw 'em.

[Merlin7]

Yes, this is not a crisis of health care. It's a crisis of corrupt and ineffective government.

[blood1]

We, the voting public, are being placed between a rock and a hard place. If we don't get Healthcare Reform / Universal Health Care...do we vote for the same Dems who denied us...or do we vote for a GOP candidate that will never even consider it?

[LeftRight]

We bring up third party candidates who WILL give it to us!

[RealityBaseCamp]

You mean third party candidates who will split the Democratic vote and elect Republicans, as usual? No, this is what the Democratic Primaries are for. If a Dem really isn't supporting the voters, he or she needs to be replaced by someone who will.

[ECT]

Well written and right on target. Thanks Ian.

TheBlaffer, LaDawson, and SeriousBlack...your posts are great and you each have said...like it is and what needs to be done.

USA citizens should be outraged at what they are now being forced to buy through these mighty money hungry insurers...to cover the cost of their health. And let us remember the many people who have no coverage...many through no fault of their own.

Citizens need to stand together on this issue..and .voice their displessure loudly. And let this holdouts who think only of their pay, perks, great health coverage and terrific pensions know that the public will no longer tolerate their blatant disrespectable behaviour towards all the people...who they are suppose to represent. Time to kick these lazy, self-serving, mean spirited people out of their job. WE taxpayers are their employers...and it is past time that these employees realised that fact.

[lyta]

Add to that the fact even if they are voted out they still continue to graze at the public coffers for retirement and healthcare benefits.

[upbeatdem]

You are absolutely right. For this reason, it is time to start targeting these people for primary challenges. If they want to act like republicans, let them run for re-election as republicans. I am extremely sick of elected Democrats who really do not support what the vast majority of Democrats (and Americans in general) want. Throw them out.

[TheBaffler]

This is exactly right. They are ideologically opposed to such policies that support the public good and are owned by corporations.

[LADawson]

Makes you wonder if serious campaign and political finance reform might have to take place before universal health care or immigration reform ever will become reality? Somehow things have to come back to making politicians accountable to their constituents, instead of to the corporations who fund their campaigns and extra curricular activities. Must be nice being part a body that can vote it's own health care coverage and it's own pay rate, and nobody can really say or do a thing about it.

[SeriousBlack]

If the Democrats don't get at least a REAL public option passed in the current effort (and I'm not very optimistic about it), then you're right - campaign reform HAS to happen to have ANY chance of real health care reform in the future.