I so agree with you. I was watching “Larry King Live” the other night and unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the Republican congresswoman who is against this bill, but claimed she’s been without medical insurance in the past and when asked if she had had a major illness during that time, she could not answer “no” and would only say she took her children to the doctors (probably for an ear infectiion). She claims that responsible people get and pay for their own medical insurance. How arrogant!!!! I was unemployed for five months back in 2001 with no insurance. Who can afford COBRA when there’s no paycheck coming in. It’s a nightmare!!!

I believe that there are very many of us who vehemently believe that we must have healthcare reform, and this plan is NOT a good plan. There are parts and pieces that we need to keep, and there are very many parts and pieces that absolutely not good for America and its citizens. Steph in NH

This deem and pass thing worries me though. It’s not good politics… As you said (paraphrased), they need to show up and do the work we elected them to do – VOTE.

If the politicians did what they were elected to do, they would spend less time on getting re-elected and voting pay raises for themselves and more time doing what they were elected to do. However, when we vote for liars and thieves, we do get what we asked for. I am of the belief that Congress is so corrupt today that the common people do not have a chance.

Amen, amen, amen – and the Rush thing makes it a win-win.

Seriously we need better healthcare. I personally was denied physical therapy after my back surgery. Some one sitting at a desk decided it was not medically necessary. My doctor is not happy. He tried to have it over turned but it is still a no go. This is just PT and pretty scary because if they deny PT what else will they deny?

Now that I’m not living in the US anymore, I can watch this without letting it boil my blood in quite the way it did before…I definitely wrote letters to my senators, etc. about this one. (Yup, DC breeds us as believing in the political process, doesn’t it?!) Still–Why is good health care a right that only wealthy people deserve? Where are these politicians’ morals!? (In what religion/ethical code do we prioritize money over healthcare!?) I think it’s ridiculous that the wrangling has gone on so long. It doesn’t make anyone look good, and it certainly doesn’t fix the problems. Anything would be an improvement, because broken things are not always fixed in just one session but I guess that is easy for me to say, since I now live in a place where everyone gets healthcare…

this whole subject raises my blood pressure (oops, can’t do that — no health insurance!) what I would really like to see is something that covers all of us, automatically, no insurance companies involved

I find it odd that a lot of those folks that are so set against the government being involved in our health care are already on Medicare! What part of government run do they not get?

I’m actually counting the days until I can get Medicare because the imperfect bill they are working on will not kick in until a year before I’m eligible for Medicare.

But I agree — we elected them to work for us and they should just go and do the *#^@ work!!

While recovering from open heart surgery I watched an episode of The View where the ladies were discussing health coverage. And Whoopie Goldberg said: ” I want the health coverage that congress has. For everyone.”
Ditto.

I’m one of those on Medicare, in addition to which I get my prescriptions through VA. That said, I am absolutely appalled at the way Congress is handling this – Republicans and Democrats alike. The health system is BROKEN!! For pete sakes, FIX IT!

I suppose that after that tirade we could use a bit of humor since none appears to be coming from D.C. —

EXCHANGES BETWEEN PILOTS AND CONTROL TOWERS 
(We don’t know if these are true, but …)

Tower: “Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o’clock, 6 miles!” 
Delta 351: “Give us another hint! We have digital watches!” 

**
Tower: “TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees.” 
TWA 2341: “Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?” 
Tower: “Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?” 

Sing it, Sister!

Channon, I agree–deem and pass is terrible politics. They should hold their heads high, affirm personal accountability like grown-ups, and do it right.

Yes, yes! What particularly galls me is that people the nation over said very clearly a year ago that they wanted health care reform, that they wanted health care for everyone, and that the Republican party, instead of actually listening to their constituents, spent a huge amount of time and money and political capital convincing their constituents that they don’t actually want health care. (Now, shame on people for buying that particular bill of goods, but still; this isn’t representational politics, this is convincing the people to represent their elected officials.)

Emphatically yes.
I’ve gotten to the point where I almost can’t follow the process of this health care reform process because all the stupidity and opposition and active harm being done to people makes me so enraged…
Everyone deserves decent care, regardless of who they are and how wealthy they are. The amount of opposition to getting anything passed is just boggling to me.
A writer friend of mine has been posting a thoughtful series of essays on the health care crisis:
http://kaath9.livejournal.com/
She’s so clear and well reasoned about the various parts and issues. I just wish that either she got a wider readership or the opposing idiots were capable of reading and understanding what she says.

You well know my opinion. Health Care at a decent level for everyone. Torte reform so that the docs can make some kind of living. Proper clinical governance so that quality is overseen.

We need to fix things.

If everyone would really dig into the reality, and not just listen to the blowhards from both sides, I think we’d find a place where more could feel comfortable. In this day of sound bites, I don’t see that happening. Regardless of the imperfect bill, it’s time to make some progress.

If we are going to continue to be a great nation, we need to do the moral thing and make sure everyone gets basic health care.

Excellent post/rant!