Wed 9 Dec, 2009
Underscoring the heated emotions surrounding the government insurance plan, Reid refused to acknowledge its demise, contending that reports it was gone were “not true.”
In a statement, Reid said the emerging compromise “includes a public option and will help ensure the American people win in two ways: one, insurance companies will face more competition, and two, the American people will have more choices.”
Even though the government plan would have been available to relatively few people, it took on outsize importance in the health care debate. Liberal groups clamored for it as necessary to offer consumers choice and competition, while Republicans and business groups — and critically, a bloc of moderate senators — contended it could mushroom out of control and drive private companies out of business.
In the end, dropping it was the price Reid had to pay for potential support from senators like moderate Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent. Reid must have the support of all 58 Senate Democrats and two independents to achieve the necessary 60 votes to overcome Republican stalling tactics and advance legislation, giving great influence to the handful of moderates opposed to the government insurance plan.
I knew this was going to happen when I found out Obama cut a secret deal with the Pharmaceutical industry. But I didn’t know how pathetic the whole debate was going to be. I mean, Obama and the Democrats started out with a compromise. Instead of demanding a single-payer system they demanded the public option. Then they let the House water it down to the point where only 2 percent of Americans would be eligible. Then they let the Senate fuck it in the ass and tell it to get the hell out of town. And Obama was too busy blowing his generals to offer any leadership.
But the thing that amazes me about all of this is how Congress is now patting themselves on the back like they’ve done the country a huge favor. Which shouldn’t surprise me since these are the same people who repealed the Glass-Stegall act so that Citicorp could merge with Travelers and become Citigroup.
Of course who am I to complain about the health care bill? I’m just a crazy liberal/communist/Marxist/anarchist/socialist/radical small-time blogger that lives in my parents’ basement wearing my pajamas all day while masturbating to German poop-porn. I’m sure this bill will stop companies like Aetna from dropping 650,000 clients next year, right?
Tags: Corrupt assholes to Congress, Health care, I hope every one of those fuckers dies a painful death, Public Option is dead
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