Why is Any Bill better than No Bill?

I would first like to stress again that the vast majority of Americans believe we need some sort of Health Reform, yes even the the vast majority of politicians.

However, it has to be troublesome when many are stating that any reform bill is better than no reform bill.  Many are in awe of the historical nature of the event, not the fact if it is the correct bill or not. In his December 20th, 2009 column, "A Dangerous Dysfunction,"  Paul Krugman wrote:

"Unless some legislator pulls off a last-minute double-cross, health care reform will pass the Senate this week. Count me among those who consider this an awesome achievement. It’s a seriously flawed bill, we’ll spend years if not decades fixing it, but it’s nonetheless a huge step forward."

Krugman actually admits that this bill is deeply flawed and will take DECADES to fix, yes DECADES.  It truly makes one wonder if it is worth passing a bill that even liberals admit is a disaster.  Is it not worth re-working the entire bill before it is passed?  Forget the historical context, it means nothing if the bill is a train wreck.  Pass a bill that works.  

The current bill does nothing to stop out of control medical inflation.  Some will argue that this bill provides affordable health insurance to the lower class. That might be true, however that is through government subsidies not through controlling costs and medical inflation.  It would not be long before those affordable insurance plans for the poor become unaffordable once again. These subsidies are like putting a band-aid on a cut that won't stop bleeding, sooner or later the band-aid becomes utterly useless.

A few ways to help slow down medical costs:

• Transparent Medical Costs.  
• Being able to know what everything costs up front. 
• A pricing structure. 
• Being able to know if you were billed correctly.
  
• Consumerism.  
• Being involved in the actual purchase of health care. 
• No more co-pays.  Co-pays are the single biggest killer of consumerism.
  
• Education.
• Most are benefit illiterate.  Educate people on how to use their benefits properly.  This will eliminate waste.
• Waste and misuse of health plans factor into premium increases.  Less waste, lower premiums!

Why Incumbent's Should Be Afraid

Many have been noticing the trending decrease in President Obama's approval numbers along with the entire democratic party.  Many are lead to believe that republican numbers must be on the dramatic rise.  They are not.  Yes, they have enjoyed higher approval ratings however the swing does not account for the numbers lost by democrats.  While democrats have seen a dramatic decrease in approval, republicans have only seen a slight increase.

What does this mean?  I believe that any incumbent politician is in trouble, republican or democrat.  There is such a disconnection and distrust between politicians and the American public.  Many do not believe a word any politician says. If you are a sitting, senator, representative or governor you should be very worried.  If numbers continue to trend this way, I believe we will see incumbents lose to members of their own parties.  Americans are growing more and more tired everyday of their politicians and party does not seem to matter.  In the RealClearPolitics generic ballot average, Republicans only have a two-point edge.  A statistical tie.

If I was an incumbent I would be very afraid.

Wheelin', Dealin' and All Nighters.

It's 1am, do you know where your Senators are?

Ending Debate on the Senate Health Reform Bill.  As soon as the democrats got the 60 votes they needed, they voted as quickly as possible.  The vote took place at 1am this morning to avoid any delays from republicans.

The road to 60 was not an easy, nor was it a cheap one.  Lieberman's hold out cost democrats a public option and the Medicare buy-in down to age 55.  Then there was Senator Ben Nelson from Nebraska.  Nelson was the last democrat to fall in line, it only took a reported $45 million for that to happen.

Nelson had expressed his reservations for the bill,  stating that there was too big of an unfunded federal mandate for the state's in this bill.  In order to get his vote, he was promised the $45 million that it would cost his state.  He is now being criticized by both sides of the aisle.  The left is saying he was going to vote yes anyways, and was just holding out so he would be able to sell his vote.  The right is simply saying he sold his vote and did not do what was right for the American people.

Now, all of the attention moves to the House where things are already getting complicated.  The Senate is warning the House not to change their bill as they are afraid the moderates will turn against it.  However, Nancy Pelosi seems determined to pass their bill and then bring the two bills to conference committee. In hopes to get much of what has been stripped out of the Senate bill back in before congress votes on it again.  Pelosi has already said to expect a vote from the House after the New Year.

As moderates seem satisfied, all eyes are on the liberal democrats.

For the first time in this health reform debate, Harry Reid is focusing on maintaining liberal votes.  Lieberman seems to be satisfied without a public option and without the Medicare buy-in.  The question now is are the most liberal democrats in congress satisfied?  Will they be able to vote on a health reform bill that does not include a public option, or some form of a public option?

For months, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has said he would not be able to vote for a bill without some sort of public option.  In the last few days he seems he is more on the fence than earlier.  While Howard Dean has no vote in Congress, he has come out in strong opposition to the current bill, saying he would vote "no" to it.  One has to wonder if other liberal members of Congress, like Nancy Pelosi, can vote for what is being called a "watered-down bill" by many liberals. 

Nancy Pelosi has already stated that reform will not be done before the new year and that she hopes it can be done for the President's State of the Union address.  This will give them more time to try and appease all democrats in Congress.  This is no easy feat.  The questions becomes will liberal democrats end up voting for a bill without a public option because otherwise nothing would pass?  Otherwise, it is hard to see this bill passing both the House and Senate as Lieberman stands in the way of anything resembling a public option. 

Medicare Buy-in is Out, Lieberman is In.

The amendment to expand Medicare down to age 55 has been thrown out.  Lieberman stated he could not put his support behind the expansion of Medicare and Harry Reid decided he could not receive the 60 votes so he bagged the plan. 

With this amendment out it seems Lieberman is throwing his support behind the bill.  Without a public option and without the Medicare buy-in plan many liberals are saying these bill is not enough.  Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has vowed to vote against any bill that does not include a public option.  The question is will he stand by that.  Many democrats in the House have also said they will not vote for a bill without a public option. If they will cave on that promise remains to be known. 

Medicare Expansion has Joe sayin' No!

Now, no one is surprised that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) is vowing to vote down the health reform bill in the Senate right now.  The only surprise is why.  He has told everyone for months that he will not vote for a bill with a public, government run option.  Now, he is opposing the expansion of Medicare down to age 55. He is citing adding to the deficit and having the functionality of a public option as his two main objections.

There are many already stating that expanding medicare to age 55 is the democrats first step to providing a government run option.  Many believe that they will simply keep lowering the age to begin medicare throughout the years until finally everyone is covered by it.  Which would account for the all of a sudden, Nancy Pelosi acceptance of a bill without a "public option."

Of course, the democrats could still pull in a republican vote to get this passed. However, it seems more and more democrats do not support the medicare expansion.   Only time will tell as the bills change who will or will not support it.

Sick and Tired of Tiresome Politcal Banter? You're not alone.

On Monday, Harry Reid proclaimed; "When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said 'slow down, it's too early, things aren't bad enough.'"
Yes, that's right one of the most powerful members of congress comparing anyone who opposes the health care reform bills to supporters of slavery during the civil war.  Unbelievable.

Who can forget Rep. Joe Wilson's disgraceful "YOU LIE!" outburst during President Obama's speech.  Or, Rep. Alan Grayson telling congress that the Republicans health plan was to "die quickly."  Or, the countless attacks on the tea party goers, calling them Nazi's, racists and angry mob's. The list could go on and on.

Can anyone tell me where the honest debate has been?  Yes, I understand that this is an emotional issue for a lot of people, but are our elected officials really telling us that they cannot put emotions aside and debate honestly and thoroughly?  These are the same men and women that think they know better than the American public, that they are smarter, brighter and more informed than the "ordinary" American.  Yet, they cannot put schoolyard banter aside and do what is right.  Have an absolutely honest debate, please.  It does not matter what side of the aisle you sit on, Democrat or Republican.  Each side is to blame, each side keeps resorting back to these same worn out tactics.

Is it just me or does it seem like republicans and democrats are acting like brothers that just got into a fight and now hate to even be in the same room together?  I think we need Mom to sit these two down and make them talk it out.  Make each side see the others. Make each side listen (without interrupting), while the other makes their case and vice versa. I think we have all had one of these times in our life, especially as children, when we literally needed to be sat down by mom or dad to work things out with whomever the feud was with.

The question now is, who and where is mom or dad?

Why is opposition to Health Care Reform rising?

The latest RealClearPolitics average shows that 49% of the public oppose health care reform, while only 40% are in support of it.  There have been sharp decreases in support over the last few months and weeks, why is this?  Is it because people have all of a sudden changed their minds on wanting to insure the uninsured?  Have Americans decided they could care less that there are millions without health insurance?  I think not.

So what is it? It is the costs and government control.  The two go hand in hand.  With more government control comes more costs to the taxpayers.  The American public is already staring a huge deficit right in the face with no end to spending in sight.  Americans are standing up to government, not against those in need.  Americans understand that reform is needed for affordable and guaranteed coverage.  They just do not want this reform.

No one argues with the intent of these bills in congress, we all want to make sure Americans can get health insurance.  The argument is which is the best way.