Republicans Out of Touch with Americans,... Again. Health Care Polling Shows....

Do actually believe that the govenment could handle healthcare? Name one thing they have done well.....

Medicare, before Republicans managed to privatize major parts of it, was widely regarded in the health care field as a model of efficiency, Bad. Health Care experts agree that if the medicare model was applied to the entire health field, at least a third could be saved, over insurance industry administration costs, alone. Not only has it been widely hailed in the field, it is only one thing the government does well, contrary to Conservative propaganda. In fact, the worst waste has always been in the defense industries a conservative sacred cow.

Historically Republicans don't want to pay for any kind of social programs, which is why I am a Democrat. I may be wrong, but I would think they as an entire group are more likely the ones who have coverage.

From what I heard from an insurance agent, the insurance companies have things sewn up legally until 2030, so what Hillary Clinton was trying to do can't happen until then.

My feeling is that everyone in this country should have coverage. In December we didn't have coverage for the month and I got very ill. For two weeks I laid in bed in pain waiting for our new coverage to start on Jan 1. Turned out I had a burst appendix that fortunately did not spread, it encapsulated into a grapefruit size abscess.

My point is, I could have died, not wanting to go to the hospital uninsured and making a large bill. It is a miracle I lived, but it is sad in this country that this is a reality for many many people and an on going problem.

We need a safety net here and I think it is cold hearted for anyone not to see how serious of an issue this is.

The "for profit" model certainly doesn't work very well.

I'm tired of hearing about people who are denied treatment because their insurance companies are more interested in maintaining profit margins than curing the ill or injured.

Treatment for ailments should come FIRST.

I'd also like to point out that a government run health care program would relieve the financial burdens on America's employers. Maybe if we made the change we could lure some of the factories that American companies have built beyond our borders to come back within our borders and put Americans to work again.

Republicans are for the rich and the powerful. They use religion and so called social conservatism to attract a certain section of the population. Republican party is a party of the rich and they preach religion and social conservatism to get the rural votes. The country is in a deep crisis because of the rich Wall Street thugs who are mostly Republicans for one reason only- low or no taxes. How can a party preach conservatism and religion when they condone everything that has happened to this country. Jesus preached compassion, deeds speak louder than slogans. Democratic party typically shows more compassion. Healthcare for all, affordable education for those who want it, is good for the society. Even though Government may have a lot of shortcomings, it is the lack of Government, lack of supervision of the banks, lenders etc that has put us in this situation

Jesus will be proud if we as a nation believe in our core values, respect ourselves, show compassion and do the right thing.

Ok Bad A - your comment "
Do actually believe that the govenment could handle healthcare? Name one thing they have done well.....that is a cope out comment and a personal belief....For one thing we would not have SS if the government could not handle it...I for one could not survive with out it so I am very glad that the money I paid into it is available to me...I am in far better shape then a lot of other folks who put their money into Enron and a couple of other Wall Street Gems....they have lost it all...so I hate to blow your bubble - and others who feel the government cannot create programs on a National level that work...there are many,

I totally support the regulation and federal participation for the American Society in health and SS programs.......because the mess we are in now...is absolute proof to me the other way dose not and will not work.....Man cannot control his appetite of individual greed....and way to many pay a price....

Will the programs be prefect....no - nothing in this world is perfect...will there be glitches - most certainly....but there are far more concerns for me going with the " do it ourselves and give us an option argument"...

Today, I heard an interesting report about one of the major Medical Insurance companies...They are coming up with a plan to lower rates to combate the idea of a National Insurance program...now that it will be law that everyone has to have it...

I just BET they will come up with a program......there will be a lot of big dollar investors who will not continue to access the Golden Parachute for a living...one being one of the richest men in the United States.....over 60% of his wealth is in Insurance...and he has a tax loop of not paying taxes on a large % of it...That tells me if there is that much money to be made in owning, operating and having money to pay investors as part of the health insurance industry....why should we not want that money made and paid by us to go back into our investment in the health of this country???

To address Medicare, yes, that works and it's a great program for retired, elderly and disabled, the latter being if you can get approved for it. Contrary to belief and there are sites, including I believe the government's own site that will tell you that a claim can/will be expedited if the need is there - but we watched Mark's Mother die, (inoperable brain cancer, documented quite well), while her claim was denied!

If Medicare were to be the national health-care insurance, I know it to be a good program, as my husband is on Medicare, disability and while, no, it's not perfect, it's a heck of a lot better than nothing, which I have.

I think it will unfortunately take a long while to see any ground made in the health care field - which would help so many that have nowhere else to turn, no money to buy their own insurance, and no way to GET their own insurance, due to pre-existing condition clauses and the sheer expense of it all.

I've emailed and faxed my representatives - which basically did nothing. There's a site that will sent your faxes for free, with your letter - all you need to do is give your zip code and your representatives come right up - I'll find the link and bring it back to this article, since I'm on their mailing list.

I also don't care what party you belong to, myself - I'm an Independent and always have been, but I think we all can agree that we need some serious Health Care Reform, and soon, if possible.

Marilyn

There is a lot of money to be made off people who want to live pain free or just plain live. They are going to use every trick in the book to keep their cash cow flowing.
What a concept, your money or your life, perfectly legal but sounds like highway robbery to me.

It is their greed that drives the voters for health care reform.

The Constiution does not listen to polls and government run healthcare violates it

Yeah, right Publicless. If that's true, which it's not, then SS, Disability, and Medicaid and Medicare are against the law. Where do you come up with this ridiculous crap?

Medicare is much more efficient than any private healthcare option. It would be good for business if the ridiculous shell game of health care costs were ripped away from the spreadsheet boys and their supplicant "providers" and made a form of infrastructure, like the interstate highway system. We are losing out in the world economy because other industrialized nations (Japan/Toyota) have solved this and we haven't (US/GM). It is well past time to stop the bleeding.

Publius - the Constitution does not listen to polls, but it provides for Senators and Representatives in Congress to listen to their constituents and act accordingly.

Ron they are against the constiution. They should be ruled so and ended

Becky- within the confines of limited powers

" Do actually believe that the govenment could handle healthcare? Name one thing they have done well..... "

I absolutely LOVE this kind of remark! Name ONE thing that the government has done well. Ummmmm......yeah, well, it would take too long to name ALL the things.

There is nothing in our Constitution that prevents us from providing government-run healthcare to citizens. I personally like the way Obama is providing a choice - you can choose to stay with a for-profit private policy, OR you can go with a government plan, but everyone should have some level of health insurance. I'm sick and tired as a business owner seeing our coverage go down year after year, and yet our premiums rise by 15-20% per year. It is highway robbery and very much AGAINST the American belief in competition. If the private insurers had to compete with a much more cost-conscious and streamlined system, they could either compete or not. What's more capitalistic than that?

We have government provided town services, but there is nothing to stop a citizen from hiring a private company to do more for them. If they want private police protection, there are companies out there.

Bottom line is, health insurance right now is a debacle. The private insurers collude to keep increasing the cost, with no oversight to hamper them. And the public has no choice - either go with a private insurer and take whatever you can afford, or have no insurance and take a huge personal risk if you ever have a health crisis. And the costs of that get passed on to those who are actually paying their premiums. Nothing about this model makes any sense at all. It constitutes a monopoly.

I say bring on the government issurance. If it is bad, people will opt for private. And maybe with the competition, private insurers will get their acts together and start offering affordable insurance policies.

The Republicans didn't have a problem increasing spending on our military budget, yet dishing out billions to private contractors that charged much higher prices than our military personnel. I think THAT should be against the Constitution, personally.

Excellent rebuttal, Sheryl.

I've really been disappointed with the complaints that I've heard from my Republican friends. They say, "Why should I care if someone else doesn't have insurance? I have it and that's too bad if they don't. But don't force me to buy into a program when I'm happy with what I have."

They don't even bother to understand that the program gives people a CHOICE. They're too busy complaining about something they haven't even bothered to check out. And the idea that I could care less about anyone else shows an incredible amount of apathy and concern for the less fortunate.

Publicless, they may be against the "constiution" but the US Constitution says nothing about this, except the part about "provide for the common good" which I have to say this is definitely sanctioned by, in that regard. Take your bitter obstructionism, and buck up like a man. You folks are irrelevant, at this point, your policy a proven loser, your promises, deliver the opposite for our country as we now know, and finally, the majority sees right through your nonsense, and about freakin' time, too.

Wrong again there Sheryl and Ron, the Constitution lays out limited powers that are given to the federal government and all other powers are reserved for the states or the people.

Ron- "The Common Good" is not an enumerated power. Maybe a little legal education would help. No my views are a winner. They are the very reason America exists. We need to focus back on what a federal government should really be doing and let states and people have more freedom. If instead of a stimulus we had given each America their 9,000 dollar share we all would be much better off.

Until congress enacts a law, yes, Publicless. You people seem to think the federal government has no power to change anything. If congress passes it, and you don't like it you can take it clear to the SCOTUS, but until you do, get over yourself. As for that 9000, why weren't you asking for the same when Bush gave the treasury to the banks? I know why, you hypocrite. You really don't have a problem putting on a different face for a Dem president, now do you?

Ron, apparently you dont listen to reasoning.  We never should have bailed out wall street. 

I agree, but if your short memory doesn't have it in the data banks, it was a done deal when Obama took office. Why do you suppose Bush did that, anyway?

You have a contributor who ends his statement with: Jesus will be proud if we as a nation believe in our core values, respect ourselves, show compassion and do the right thing.

But his entire spew was that others should be responsible for him. I work my ass off daily to build a business and to hire people to help me run the business. Profit is word I have to look up every now and again but I pay the bills and the wages of my employees and I am part of what is right about America, small business. We have been taxed out the ying yang for years and we are responsible for the bail out of this country in every down fall from those who steal from us, called politicians. For any of you to sit on your ass and expect a hand out and use our good lords name is doing it, is blasphemy.

It really makes you want to vomit reading this liberal I deserve everything bias crap. Do any of you realize that those you collectively take from may quit offering you a job?

Well, David, you're a little late to the party, but I'm happy to come back and reply to the "late bloomers". I'd say you aren't what is right about America, you're living proof that those that worship money really can own a small business, at least for a while. I pity anyone that has to work for you, though. I'm sure you're just a fountain of benevolence for them all. I take it you're one of those folks that have let the rationalizers of the RR talk you right out of the words of Jesus, in favor of a more greed friendly reading of the book. This sound familiar?

"I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me . . . I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me."

Near as I can tell, he didn't say, use your greedy heart to rationalize why you shouldn't help, by citing one or two that are "irresponsible", and use it as an excuse to negate his teachings in their entirety, now did he? I won't even go into eyes of camels and needles, or if you have two tunics, or food, you must give one tunic, or some of your food, to another, or any of the other teachings that stem from the very words your religion is based on... He said the second most important law was to love your fellow man, so who here has blasphemied? Let him throw the first stone...oh, you already did....

I'd say you made me sick, but really your spew was so stereotypically reminiscent of those of you that share the ideology of greed, it was actually pretty amusing... Please reply with more insults and conservative spew. I could use another laugh, anytime. Thanks

Well Ron don't you make a cesspool of sense. I suppose you would have me and all small business owners just to close the doors and grab a tin cup and line up on the street corners with the likes of people like you. I can hear the coins rattling right now Ron. I think the Lord has a place for everyone, even you Ron. Of course some places may be hotter than others.

Free enterprise and small business is what affords you the life you have right now Ron; damming those who drop the coins in your cup does not seem literate, but that is for others to judge. There are those Karl Marks societies in the world that exist today, one would question why you choose to stay here Ron?

Hey, I know you, now, Tippie. You and your wife are holistic vanity exploiters, preying on the aging, without a shred of conscience in the first place, but the worst of it is you have the audacity to think you have one thing in common with the people you wannabe, the uber rich that use you, and that you shill for. Greed is what guides your selfish worldview. Small business has nothing to do with what affords ME the life I have now, that's your shtick. My career was, thankfully, not dependent on you, or yours. I did, though, watch as a brother was robbed of his health and eventually, his life, by one of you paragons of the economy, basically doing all the work for the guy, and getting none of the rewards as this virtuous "brother" of yours ascended the wealth ladder. No, health benefits were too expensive, can't afford that. Overtime wasn't affordable, hiring more help wasn't good business, even though the workload, and the responsibility climbed exponentially as the business thrived. Sat on his fat ass, while my brother made him rich. Soon as his health went, it was "Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out." Screw you and the horse you rode in on, manna worshiper. Thank God some people see things without a constant green filter of greed. That may be stereotyping, a bit, of course, but seeing how you make your living leaves me no doubt you are just as evil, in other ways, if not these, as well. And learn to frikkin' spell, would you? It's Karl Marx, moron.

It's me and Jesus, your lord and savior, "Cominnists" to the end, lol. Pathetic cannon fodder for the gates of hell, that's your purpose in life,... and death...

And back away from the table once in a while. Your jowls are getting pretty puffy there. Can't be good for business...

Oh yes Ron, and you are one who we appreciate being the recipient of the medical pharmaceutical sickness industry. Please do remain shallow minded and live your short and unhealthy litte life to its miserable end with every new drug your doctor tells you to take, don’t argue with him/her; and keep the faith in the doc. By the way Ron I like your references of "I did" and "I had", just re-enforces your misguided foot stomping and hand waving that no doubt enshrines your every thought process; as small and as meaningless as they are. You have such a wealth of knowledge about small business, with absolutely no experience, you must here the snickering; say yes Ron. And as for which of us is “evil”; well let’s see who personifies that, I have thousands of people of whom I have gotten off their medications who have gone from poor health that their doctors were keeping them at, to healthy vibrant individuals who look at life as being wonderful now. I have hundreds of families who write to me and some appear on my international radio program, thanking me for saving their family for the swine flu and I have thousands of women who were in the dead end pharmaceutical sickness industry spiral of hormone therapy, who know lead happy and wonderful lives thanks to my natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I am proud to have miss-spelled your leader’s name "carl marks" just shows the distance between, a person who truly has his brother and sister in mind and heart, ME, not "you" because I actually do help. You on the other hand, will stay your miserable little self until your drugs bring you to a place where they have to wipe your ass and feed you, until you take your last little miserable breath. So keep on with your pathway Ronnie, I love your choice, say hello to satin when you get down there won’t ya.

Don't care to comment on the "evil" aspect but I'm not very big on quacks.

Wow, apparently the truth hurts, lol. Got you mad enough to leave out, and off, a hell of a lot of letters, throughout, lol. Oh, satin is a type of cloth, not the overlord of the underworld, but when I go to the store next time, I'll make a special trip over to the millinery department to give it your regards, Einstein. Personally, I am not interested in how you got a bunch of people off drugs, since I have no doubt you replaced that flow with your own plethora of expensive supplements and creams. Psychosomatic illness is the only thing you cure, I'd lay money on it. Where, exactly, did you say you got your training? I noticed there was no Dr. in front of your name, or your wife's. Even Chiropractors have that, but it seems to be conspicuously absent from your moniker, what gives? Personally, I'd never turn my health over to a guy that can't even tell the difference between here and hear, now and know, either. Seems to me you're a bit too proud to misspell a lot of things. You're a real inspiring source of wisdom, though, you are. God help anyone that comes in contact with your "wisdom",... on any level.

OK mr no name, I can see with the little flag that pops up in your message that you are a freedom gather. We in the wellness industry understand our freedom; you obviously are part of the minority forming the Paradigm shift that this country is involved with today, which is (for the majority) improved education and moving away from synthetic drugs to return to what your body demands, Mother Nature's natural. By the way, do you know where the word quack came from? When the drug companies invented a synthetic form of cortisone to inject into their victims, excuse me, I mean potential patients, they had to find a way to lead their mindless sheep to ask their doctor for it and so they labeled the professional using magnetic energy that improves the body’s cortisone balance, which in turn relives muscle pain (they labeled him a Quack). This drove the mindless crowd of sheep to asking their doctor to prescribe this injection for them. So once again, those who want to remain the sheep minortity for the drug companies, do so without any fear that those of us in the wellness industry will try to interfear, this is a free country and we won’t be alarmed at how fast your pathway is to the rest home where someone can look after you.

Oh Ron, please stop acting like you have made a point on anything, corresponding with an idiot is not the way to spend my day. Tell the guy who winds up with the dirty job of wiping your ass and giving you your meds in the rest home, Hi from Dave. Bye bye now.

Well, first of all, the term quack has been around a lot longer than synthetic cortisone, and means to imitate, as in imitate a doctor (that would be you), in this case. Not surprised you didn't know that, for some reason, and second of all, my cousin uses holistic healing, as a part of her practice, and there is a reasoned justification to some parts of it, I'm well aware. Of course, she bothered to get an education, first, and is a licensed RN as well as a licensed dietitian, unlike you. From her, I know a lot more about you and your little scam industry than you think, Davy. She has to undo the damage that people like you inflict on a daily basis, because you only posses a modicum of knowledge (that that makes it profitable to yourself) about the practice of medicine, and how your "treatments" will affect people. Freedom to fleece the unwary is what you understand, sometimes with fatal results, you quack. Please feel free to never come back, if that is your wish. I sure didn't invite you, now did I? To borrow a mindset, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. If there's any justice in this world, though, by the time I hit a nursing home, wiping peoples asses will be all your kind are allowed to do, anyway. We need, and I support, laws making this holistic "health" business, along with all the supplements, as regulated as our regular health care system. It's "science", based on real scientific studies, not vague claims, to weed out the morons that kill people by accident, and ignorance, on a daily basis.