{Originally posted at my blog Senate Guru.}
This is what Nebraska's Democratic Senator, Ben Nelson, said on Sunday morning regarding the public option and a possible "trigger" mechanism:
Well I think he [Obama] has to say that if there's going to be a public option, it has to be subject to a trigger. In other words, if somehow the private market doesn't respond the way that it's supposed to, then it would trigger a public option or a government-run option. But only as a fail-safe backstop to the process.
When I say trigger, out here in Nebraska and the midwest, I don't mean a hair-trigger. I mean a true trigger -- one that would only apply if there isn't the kind of competition in the business that we believe there would be.
Put aside the trigger talk for a moment and take a step back. Ben Nelson is acknowledging that a public option would address a lack of competition in the health insurance industry. The only problem is that, while public option supporters (including a majority of Americans) recognize that the need for the kind of competition that a public option would provide was triggered a loooong time ago, Nelson simply thinks that we haven't reached that point yet.
I don't know at what point exactly Ben Nelson would set the trigger to go off, but he is very clearly recognizing that a public option would solve this pesky lack-of-competition problem. As for when it ought to be triggered (be it years down the line or right friggin' now), Nelson need only listen his own home-state supporter:
I just got off the phone (in disgust) from a telephone town hall AARP was holding with my Congressdrone (R-Status Quo). He smoothed down the concerns of an elderly woman about the "death panels" by assuring her that the Republicans would save her, thereby leaving in place the implication that they were really in the bill. He insisted that Canada and Britain routinely deny care late in the fiscal year when funds are tight. A public option MUST result in rationing, he has repeatedly said (whereas those without insurance cannot, apparently, be considered to have the victims of same since nothing doesn't represent a ration). He says we must improve affordability and access while preserving the current system which leaves control in the hands of the patient and physician (never mind he's a retired obstetrician and knows the falsity of that statement; that insurance companies couldn't even qualify for inclusion in the sentence says it ALL). Unfortunately, the voting machines in his next campaign will contain not a trigger option in the form of a viable Democratic candidate. Feel my disgust?
I have no confidence that we can get reform outside of a pair of scare quotes. Unless we're going to be content to live within those quotes, Blue Dogs are going to have to be promised scorched earth and plenty of it--and it can't be a bluff.
No public option, no deal. Get it done - health care reform with a strong public option NOW, or you're gone.
And if it ever reaches the trigger point, we'll just fight it then but at least we can pretend now that we are for it - so we don't suffer consequences in the voting booth.
And then again, the health insurance robber barons are so creative when it comes to greed, they'll find a way to fake staying below the trigger point so, no problem!
Ain't it just great having a job where I can do so much good for the American people!
I must have dreamt that the democrats "won" the election.
The Republicans must just love the term "Trigger Effect".
Guns and stall plan, all in one.
BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT... It’s a call to arms in a great battle against a very formidable foe.
This requires we all pull together, make an effort, and believe.
Believing in our government the same way President Kennedy believed we could get to the moon, and we did it. The space program wasn't just some kid's dream. It pushed us, and gave us greater technology and incredibly advanced engineering on the way. So many great inventions and better means for living were inspired, started, and continue with the space program. THAT is America, at its best. That's what our government can do, and needs to do now… WE CANNOT FAIL.
That’s why it's so important, even to the point of being patriotic, believing our government can do this, even to call out those that say we can’t as unpatriotic..
We don't have a choice. Our economy’s on the ropes, and will get MUCH WORSE…
We need to grab a hold, gut this pig, and start over with a clean slate, dropping off the excess fat and greed that's been strangling our nation...
It must be done. Those saying it can't be done must be ignored. They’re cowards, or they dwell in ignorance. Cautiously, we must believe, and move on.
America must have the best, most inexpensive healthcare in the world. That's the mission.
This mission makes us better. A nation where healthcare’s a right, not a luxury.
.
He** if the trigger is so da** great , give theAmerican citizenry your Healthcare coverage and you take the "TRIGGER" you je** !!!!
Never has corruption been more evident and performed with such arrogance.
They are destroying our country and our representation while using our money to fund their health care coverage.
Sweet!
Worthless, not priceless.
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.php?ind=H03
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.php?ind=H02
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.php?ind=H04
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.php?ind=H01
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.php?ind=F09
That is the ONLY reason for Obama taking single payer universal healthcare off the table, and refusing any health care reform that removes profit from the system.
The profits (as we are seeing clearly now, with $1.5 million being spent daily to lobby Congress) go directly into CEO bonuses, employee bonuses for denying claims, and politicians' campaign war chests.
Obama and Rahm Emanuel made Blue Dogs stronger, more difficult to beat in 2010 and 2012 with the "go slow"/bipartisan approach.
We really are back to square one in that we will never have a government committed to its citizens best interests (over Big Business's) until we have real campaign finance reform, completely financed by the public.
We certainly will never have a government working for the people with Obama in the White House and DLC Democrats controlling the Democratic Party.
Surprise.