Obama To Team Up With Elizabeth Edwards On Health Care Reform
Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, kicked off his two week, swing state tour today in Raleigh, NC. In a speech about economics, Senator Obama made clear the differences between his health care platform and the failed Bush/McCain policies that cater to the "healthy and wealthy" and have left some 47 million Americans without health insurance.
Obama pledged to make it easier for every American to get good health care, do away with exemptions for pre-existing conditions, stop drug companies from price gouging, and then said something that was greeted with great enthusiasm by the crowd:
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"By the way, I'm going to be partnering up with Elizabeth Edwards, we're going to be figuring all this out."
Obama is smart to enlist Elizabeth Edwards, who backed Hillary Clinton's health care plan earlier in the primary season. I believe that together, they will come up with a health care plan with mass appeal that is so strong it will put the issue out of McCain's reach this fall.
Very smart move for Obama. He is extremely intelligent and kind.\
Obama should make John Edwards Atty. General. Watch the corporate creeps then!
Enact a single payer program!
As a symbolic gesture, Obama should refuse his government paid health insurance policy, then buy his insurance on the open market, and challenge McCain to do the same.
So now that he stole the election from Hillary he's now going to steal her ideas? Very original.
[Pick a handle and stick with it, 'Bud,' 'will wait and see'-Sitemonitor]
OT, but:
"A few moments ago, (approximately 7:30 p.m. EDT), Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich took to the floor of the House of Representatives to present 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush. The House session is being televised live on C-SPAN."
Wait wait - I thought Hillary owned healthcare reform?
This certainly sounds good....
Me?
I'm behind the good Senator if, if, he's for not-for-profit single payer similar, I said similar so STFU!, to what much of the EU. And I'm a guy who doesn't think much of Ol' Magic Man.
But....
His proposal be a good, sold one. Not perfect but NOT-FOR-PROFIT He gets my vote.
Hmmm @ 4:
Obama owns Diebold?
Excellent! I figured the Edwards' plan on healthcare made the most sense (coming from an admittedly biased Canadian). And Obama has the smarts to recognize that.
Next?... I think he should start talking about enlisting someone like Richardson to talk to Venezuela's Chavez about helping to alleviate the energy crisis...
Hmmm @ 4:
Grow up, you turd.
Hmmm @ 4:
Jesus. I hope he doesn't take on any part of her health care plan. It's fuckin' awful.
Boring Scott @ 6:
I thought EE was backing HRC's health care initiative
baby jesus heard something.
Elizabeth Edwards is good at it; she is a first hand witness to what's wrong with our health system ; she is very articulate,she will be a good representative to Obama on this issue,which she and her husband John are passionate about .
She will also attract millions of women to the cause.
Good move by Obama.
Dennis Kucinich is on CSPAN on the House Floor reading articles of impeachment for GW Bush RIGHT NOW!
baby jesus @ 13:
baby farts?
That is exactly the reason why john Edwards doesn't want to be Obama's VP running mate. He wants the Attorney General position. If that happens, look out!
Randy @ 14:
No she's not. She's wealthy and has had continuous coverage. She'll have anecdotal info.
Now I'VE got deep first hand experience with what's wrong with the health care system...
#4 Hmmmm,
I did not know that Hillary has a patent in her name on health issues.
Please grow up.
The Health Care-Health Insurance racket can implode in my opinion.
Since the field Medicine was taken over by Corporate Profiteers.
Boring Scott @ 6:
Ahem... it's HealthCare Reform™. And now, you have to pay her 23.7c for saying that phrase.
Great to have Obama and E.E. working together on this!
Also, reports out today from Patrick Kennedy are that his father, Senator Ted, is going to make it a priority to begin drafting health care legislation so that it's ready to go when Obama becomes President.
And yes, though Hillary Clinton tried to make health care one of her signature issues this campaign (kudos to her for her efforts), others (like Ted Kennedy) have been working on health care reform FAR longer and with far more engagement.
Hmmm @ 4:
Grow up and get over yourself.
Who cares where good ideas come from? The idea is what is important.
The source of the idea is for the history books.
Blue Taliban Osama Buddha @ 21:
That and a $88.00 co-pay will get you a 12 minute visit with a GP.
Hmmm @ 4:
I was going to say that since it came from the Clinton camp it must have the Corporate $eal of approval. Just so long as everyone gets paid.
I have to say I am impressed w/ the man many right wingers say is the anti-Christ.
Item number one:
Require Medicare to bargain with drug companies. Using the prices the VA pays is a good start. We pay retail for drugs to subsidize what the rest of the world pays.
baby jesus @ 13:
Hi BJ!
What you might have heard was me saying that the future president of the United States makes another good decision. Elizabeth said at one time that she liked Hillary's plan best but not that it was the right one.
OT
BREAKING: KUCINICH PRESENTS 35 ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH
http://www.rawstory.com/
Boring Scott @ 24:
you got 12 minutes with a gp hang on to that plan
miss_kitty @ 18:
Yeah, uhm...I'm picturing you as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and everything's cool until Rush gives you a nickname (I'll tell you that later), and you end up in jail for kicking him in the balls....Steer clear. We need ya here!
Arizona @ 22:
Let's address the sub par "care" we receive while we are at it. Removing the deadlines and profit incentives would help also.
This bullshit of running $35,000 worth of tests just to find out you have exhaustion is way out of line.
nwmuse @ 15:
Oh Sh1t!!!
BlueKnuckle @ 33:
Hasn't he done this before?
aangus @ 29:
Holy Shit!
aangus, you da man!
baby jesus is pro fist bump-- anti old angry white guy.
drgreenbrain @ 26:
many how many??? just curious
pissed off patricia @ 34:
I think you're right. And it won't pass, but it's still fucking awesome.
Andy K Jong Il @ 31:
'Numbnuts' Limbaugh? He'd never feel it. :D
baby jesus @ 36:
I've decided that I'm fist-bumping everything and anything bump-able between now and January 20, 2017.
Hey guys, Daily Kos has some big breaking and long overdue news--Kucinich is on the floor now bringing up articles of impeachment against Bush. Fuckin' 'bout time!
pissed off patricia @ 34:
Cynthia McKinney filed as her last act in office.
I'm sorry, but mandated coverage of adults is NOT going to fly. I'm not even a Republican and I don't like the idea of being required to buy healthcare I either don't want or don't need. They need to pass Obama's version first, and just amend it later if need be after people like me soften up to it.
randomstranger @ 41:
We be watchin'
Mister Anderson @ 43:
that's how i felt about mandated auto insurance
randomstranger @ 41:
It's like two years too late. This nation is not in the mood for an impeachment. The only thing that will be accomplished is agitating the Republicans so they actually show up and support McCain in November. Anything short of putting these guys in jail is worthless.
OBAMA made a good decision to work with Elizabeth Edwards. For this he is pulling me his way to vote for him in November 2008.
Obama still need to prove himself worthy that he will faithfully execute the US Constitution. America must not forget the past actions of the current Bush/Cheney Administration.
OBAMA is either will stand by and honor the US Constitution and the AMERICAN people who have faithfully defended and preserved it.
This his defining MOMENT. IT TAKES A GREAT LEADER to resist the temptation to abuse POWER and it takes a GREAT discipline to act according to the LAW and great Character to know the difference.
Senator Obama, You will be the first US PRESIDENT of Color. Please Do NOT fail us. You are expected to a very HIGH STANDARD. You will be respected ONLY when YOU listen to your people; for it is the people of United States that will determine your fate.
Mister Anderson @ 46:
My concern, rather than GOP base agitation, is the scandal fatigue backlash phenomenon among independents. It's criminal that it's seen as negative and counterproductive to criminalize their crimes. I don't see how we get past it without legal action.
karl @ 45:
We don't have mandated auto insurance in Wisconsin either. Yeah, we probably pay a slightly higher rate than the rest of the nation, and it sucks getting hit by a uninsured driver if you don't have uninsured driver coverage, but still, I'd rather pay the higher rate then be fined for not having any coverage on the off chance I couldn't afford it with the cost of everything else rising.
Proud American @ 47:
well said..........let's not fail him
Nothing to figure out.
Like Clinton said, take their (Senator's) health care plan and make it available to 300 million Americans.
All competitor's welcome to keep the price down.
Kucunich filed articles on cheney that went nowhere.
Mister Anderson @ 49:
your neighbor minnesota does....if you don't mandate auto insurance some people don't get it and put the cost on others i know that for a fact as my auto ins. has doubled why.......uninsured motorists many from south of the border my agent told me that
Proud American @ 47:
Barrys inheriting a barrel of shit you need to keep that in mind also.
Mister Anderson @ 43:
Can't put my finger on what, exactly, makes me think so, but mandatory insurance makes me think it's a boondoggle for the insurance companies.
karl @ 50:
Obama, by his very nature, knows the importance and significance of his candidacy. He knows the scrutiny he and his legacy will invite.
He is not a frat-boy who by birthright feels entitled to the reins of power.
I have great faith in Mr. Obama. Great trust.
Mister Anderson @ 43:
You mean you want to wait until you become seriously injured or ill, then you want it but you want to backdate the contracts. I'm sorry, but we all need it before something happens.
Lollimom @ 5:
heres the man who should be president!
BlueKnuckle @ 48:
The problem I have is that a impeachment is not really criminalizing the Bush administration. I mean Bill Clinton was impeached, and he went on to make over $100 million dollars to date and is the most famous living politician in the world. No one goes to jail over an impeachment. And he'll be out of office by the end of the year no matter what now.
I like the idea floated by Obama that he will allow for investigations of the Bush administration if he is elected President, and hopefully he will strip them of Executive privilege when it comes to testifying and having REAL charges pressed against them whether they are foreign or domestic.
I wish we'd have Nader's single-payer system.
[Link? Site Monitor]
L.A. Confidential @ 53:
Yeah, but he can't afford (nor can we) to use Cheney-type methods to fix the problems. The Constitution needs to be returned to its pragmatic pedestal.
Andy K Jong Il @ 54:
No it's not. Why would the insurance companies be unhappy with a populace forced by law to buy their crap?
They'll be celebrating.
Mister Anderson @ 58:
That sounds good, too.
Gezundheit, Kucinich.
We ALL should be covered through Medicare. the end.
karl @ 52:
I admit that we pay higher rates then does who do mandate. But I'll pay the premium to have the freedom of not having mandates hanging over my head. Outside of taxes, I have a serious issue of the government telling me how to spend my money.
BlueKnuckle @ 48:
What are you saying? Their crimes were criminalized when they committed them.
I'm glad it's her and not her husband, or John would make him lose the election like he did with Kerry.
BlueKnuckle @ 60:
that's why he'll be a two term president
Ron @ 66:
Clearly they were not. Are they criminal in some nebulous theoretical way? Sure. Where are the prosecutions, indictments, investigations. If a tree falls in the woods, my friend.
miss_kitty @ 64:
that or open up the congress health plan you know the social plan mccain has been under his entire life
miss_kitty @ 64:
I agree, or some cheaper variation of it. McCain is against universal healthcare when he has government controlled healthcare his ENTIRE life. His father was in the military, he was in the military, and now he's in the Senate. If it's good enough for a Presidential candidate, it's good enough for me. The $12 billion a month we're spending in Iraq on a credit card can buy A LOT of aspirin!
How bout these g*d damn politicians start asking the PEOPLE what they want. Instead of slapping proposals drafted up by Corporate Medicine lawyers on the table.
BlueKnuckle @ 69:
Doesn't mean a crime was not committed. The problem is he is President and immune to prosecution as president. After his term is over, he can be charged.
the republicans/neocons no a one payor plan universal healthcare will work that's the dilemma they don't want it to work.....keep people broke and co-dependent
BlueKnuckle @ 69:
I think we can all agree that Bush and his administration did many illegal things to date. The problem is getting around executive privilege and finding a charge that will stick. They were trying to launch a class action lawsuit because of the wiretapping. But the problem is proving that you were illegally wiretapped without a whistleblower coming forward first.
Ron @ 73:
And I, like you, hope that the spine exists to do so when the time comes.
Ron @ 73:
I agree. It's easier to prosecute a former President than a sitting President. But what's the legal precedent?
Mister Anderson @ 75:
they had their defenses calculated before they did anything illegal........three steps ahead of us
Mister Anderson @ 77:
That's a great question. Where's a Constitutional law professor or lawyer when you need one?!
L.A. Confidential @ 61:
boondoggleswindlebaby jesus loves Vincent Bugliosi
I'm getting a kick out of Kucinich... I don't know about anybody else but I sure am in the mood for some impeach pie!
HEY! I KNOW THAT I'M BADLY O.T. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO DO THIS. DENNIS KUCINICH HAS BEGUN THE READING OF 35 ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AGAINST SHRUBYA AND DARTH CHENEY!
[MICK, WE KNOW! YOU'RE THE 3RD OR 4TH PERSON TO BREAK THE NEWS! PLEASE DON'T POST IN ALL CAPS-IT'S CONSIDERED SHOUTING! THANK YOU! SITE MONITOR]
Mister Anderson @ 77:
The prosecutor who wrote helter skelter was on the radio today and wrote a book about how it should be done. Buy the book.
Mick Fowler @ 83:
karl @ 78:
they had their defenses calculated before they did anything illegal........three steps ahead of us
Exactly. Just ask any homeowner who has fought off foreclosure three times because the company attempting to foreclose can't prove they own the mortgage.
[ sorry but I have to do it. Deleted, refers to deleted post. Site Monitor]
Haha. Eyes upwards to #15.
But I dig your passion.
miss_kitty @ 64:
As I understand it, that will be an insurance option, and I'm certain the premiums will be made affordable to all.
I fully anticipate that the Obama administration will disentangle the private insurance companys' interference with Medicare. They and the phamas designed the current system, and it has caused untold grief among the elderly, it is so complicated. Michael Moore's Sicko touched on this. And my parents are living proof of the turmoil it has caused in their lives.
I am extremely hopeful with this news. Now we need Grampa McSame to instill fear and terror in us, and tell us that he promises healthcare for all WORKING people via their employers.
L.A. Confidential @ 86:
Exactly. Just ask any homeowner who has fought off foreclosure three times because the company attempting to foreclose can't prove they own the mortgage.
these people let the dark side run their life...pass the kool-aid
BlueKnuckle @ 55:
The question is not whether Obama will stand up and recognize the importance of this moment. The question is whether we, the people, will stand up and recognize it. I will vote for Obama with great pride and hope, but the president is not a king, and we cannot simply put our hopes into him to do all that is needed to make this union strong again. It takes a strong president, congress, judicial, local and state government, a healthy skeptical media, and most importantly an engaged and informed populace. Obviously, one step at a time, though, and I cannot think of a better first step than Barack Obama.
Bonkers @ 86:
Keep floating upwards to #5, thank you.
[Okay, I'm letting you guys go OT because impeachment is pretty important. But please...going further OT by bragging on who was quickest? Let's get back to the impeachment charges, at least, huh? Talking about the topic would be cool, too. Thanks. Site Monitor]
eyepennies @ 88:
I agree. But I believe that Obama has achieved what Gore and Dean failed to do before him. He has invoked a work-able populism - a movement fueled by people and community.
Yes, we can!
karl @ 89:
What are you talking about?
eyepennies @ 89:
many people live in fear many are addicted to fear it's strange but the neocons know this we have to vote for someone who understands what a republic stands for
L.A. Confidential @ 93:
mortgage and banks the ones unaware of who owns the mortgage
Lollimom @ 5:
Must watch TV. Thanks.
This is why I like Barack Obama so much. He is confident enough in himself and his leadership to be able to accept other peoples ideas and passions. The more I see of him, the more I know that he is a true leader. Most impressive. He doesn't hold grudges, and he recognizes others strengths, and works with them. The complete and total opposite of George Bush, and exactly what we need.
vote your hope not your fear!
eyepennies @ 90:
I agree 100%! If you look back at every successful movement in world history, they were only successful because of the collective efforts and sacrifices by a majority of the people. And make no mistake about it, the problems we have right now will require sacrifice by every individual American. It may mean shutting our computers down completely when we leave work or leave the house to conserve energy, or agree to a raise in the minimum age to get social security benefits to make it solvent again.
But sacrifices will need to be made.
Mister Anderson @ 98:
many of us are well on our way on making sacrifices
i am willing to sacrifice bush!
tyree @ 101:
throw cheney on the table to
Dennis Kucinich id readng out article of impeachment against Bush, right now on the House floor.
It's on CSPAN.
karl @ 95:
Any one with half a brain knew the fraud that was going on in the housing industry at least as long ago as 2003 -- our government HAD to know and did nothing to stop the fraud. Now the big lenders may be going bankrupt but the CEO's are laughing all the way to the bank while many innocent homebuyers are losing everything.
Good morning USA ... What's the good word?
I think that this race is ultimately a war between 2 diametrically opposed political strategies.
Polarization vs. unity.
The GOP is so very good at polarizing and dividing, preying on the myriad fears of the populace to get their 51+%. Wedge issues, negative campaign tactics, swift-boating, gerrymandering, flat out cheating, etc. This has become such an effective strategy that it is no longer a GOP thing; every politician has learned that this is "just the way of politics" today, if you want to win.
Obama represents something different from this strategy: uniting us all with hope about what America can be again, leveling with the populace and trusting them with the truth.
I will no doubt come across as naive to many, but I do believe that picking a president is less about policy and more about character. Not "I want to have a beer with him" character, but judgment, integrity, and an overall philosophy for how one wishes to set the tone. I cannot say that Obama will do everything I want him to do while he is in office. But I do believe that he has shown what he values by how he has run his campaign thus far, as well as how he has served in public office thus far. No president is perfect and no president makes the changes that we all want. I want a president who is a good person, truly a good person, a person who believes in the America I believe in, who trusts the American people (clearly more than I do!) with the truth, who makes his platform about unity, honor, and compassion. I want to be proud of my president once more.
I guess we will find out whether he really is that person come November. I, for one, am willing to find out.
Sondra from WestPalm @ 103:
Didn't he already do this several months ago? I vaguely remember a rep/senator reading articles of impeachment recently, but no one else on the floor was paying much attention.
L.A. Confidential @ 104:
Actually the administration caused the problem by loosening the restrictions on loans. Used to be you had to qualify first with 10 to 20% down and then the payment schedule had to be that your premium couldn't be more than 1/4th of your Net salary or income.
did I miss a bomb scare? where is everyone.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 109:
i'm here! how are you buddy?
L.A. Confidential @ 104:
this was a strategy conjuered up by hedge/derivative fund financial institutions it was lucrative for some and bad news many
eyepennies @ 110:
Fine, rainy morning in Chiang Mai. Thought ai read up above about impeachment? Went to CSPAN but nothing but some fat guy talking about housing.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 108:
you don't think the banks and financial institutions pushed for that deregulation....
karl @ 113:
Of course they did. They were wallowing in favoritism and making money, but then the credit bubble burst.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 112:
Cspan 1
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 114:
That's what happens when the government and the Corporations become one, fascism.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 114:
they created the bubble thats opportunity for some pain for others
Ron @ 115:
Thanks Ron, got in in another window now.
Bob Fertik, President of Democrats.com, said: "We've waited seven years to find one Member of Congress brave enough to stand up for our Constitution, for which generations of Americans have fought and died. We are thrilled and honored that Dennis Kucinich has chosen to be that one genuine patriot. We congratulate him on his historic leadership, and pledge to do everything in our power to persuade Congress to adopt all 35 Articles and put George W. Bush on trial before the Senate of the United States, exactly as the Founding Fathers wanted."
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/33971
Mister Anderson @ 65:
The comparison of auto insurance and health insurance leads to a logical fallacy.
The state requires a driver's license and a competence in driving. It can require auto insurance. Someone driving one ton or more of machinery at a high rate of speed can seriously my health and property if they make a mistake. I have a right to be sure they can make things right if they screw up. They are driving on public roads.
Requiring people to have health insurance is an entirely different matter.
If you have no health insurance and decide to die on the curb in front of the emergency room because you refuse to go in that is one issue.
If you go in and impact the system because you can't pay the bill that is a different issue.
Neither health care scenario for your situation affects me directly, I might lament your demise, but it will affect me indirectly.
The wide range of situations creates a system that is untenable.
Requiring people to buy health insurance is one way address the problem. The health insurance companies will probably benefit overall.
However, I think the best program would be a single payer, Medicare for everyone. It will cost lest than the system we have now.
Medicare has been an extremely effective program except for the recent RepublicHUN tinkering that has transferred billions to the Pharmaceuticals. Their tinkering cost way more than need be, but they love to transfer public money to their cronies in big Pharma.
The insurance companies will probably scream bloody murder about a single payer system, they will get over it. It is the best plan for the country.
John Conyers HR 676 is the plan.
As someone who is blessedly covered by a single payer universal health care system I'd like to offer a few thoughts on why I think Senator Clinton's proposals on health care had merit. Anyone who witnessed the horrific campaign against her the first time she lead the charge on health care reform could not have failed to notice that it was principally financed by the HMO's and the insurance companies. They have very deep pockets and defend their financial interests aggressively. On first site Clinton's proposal looks like a surrender to those interests but you have to think it through. If you mandate compulsory insurance then those who can't afford it must be covered at government (taxpayer) expense. This will be hugely expensive but will result in universal coverage. The corporations, no doubt, look at it as a windfall but ultimately it will not be affordable. It will not be possible to rescind universal coverage but the only way to cut costs then will be to remove the middlemen (insurance companies) and have the government pay for health care services directly. This thin edge of the wedge strategy which co-opts the enemies of universal health care will work. It is a wonderful illustration of the art of the possible and if it takes multiple steps to achieve you'll still get there.
Alice Hussein Chomsky Nader @ 120:
i totally understand it's apples and oranges just trying to talk about mandates period...without the mandate many people would not purchase auto consequently your rates go up because of a small pool...i'm not that smart just tried to discuss mandates there two sides...if it doesn't exist the cost gets put on the consumer like a tax we pay for those that don't pay
Kucinich just said "war crime"!!!
this is a great rainy Monday
Peter G @ 121:
I agree.......I believe Barack and Hillary have a lot in common as far as where healthcare has to go. Mandate or no mandate can be decided in time...bottom line is the pool of paricipates has to increase 15-16%gdp spent on healthcare in this country...for profit hmo model broken....some people don't want it fix and some will buy this social medicine crap
Peter @ 3:
I don't think so. I think he should hold it up as an example of what he wants to make available to all americans.
Just like Elizabeth Edwards' own challenge to McBooshIII on Healthcare, this combined challenge will provide a lot of momentum for the Democratic platform. The repugs will be challenged to come up with a plan or to admit that they don't want anyone covered or healthy.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory @ 125:
exactly open up congressional healthcare plan to everybody....good enough for them good enough for us
BlueKnuckle @ 38:
No! Kucinich proposed a resolution requesting articles of impeachment, but Conyers tables it in committee. This is the first time someone's taken it to the floor.
What can the media do to suppress this?
Mister Anderson @ 49:
I got hit by one of those fines back in the early 90's and it cost me $600.
The fine cost me more that a years libility insurance would have at the time.
I remember this well because the money that paid the fine was my junior college tuition.
I didn't go to school that semester.
The reason I couldn't afford insurance was because I had tuition to pay.
"Partnering up" with Elizabeth Edwards should (a) reduce Obama's dependence on Hillary Clinton, which is a very good thing, (b) defuse conflict over "his" plan versus "her" plan ("her" being Clinton), and (c) give him broader appeal among women, many of whom seem to hold EE in high regard. It should also help policywise. Good move all around.
miss_kitty @ 11:
not according to Elizabeth.
[Deleted-Sitemonitor]
Boring Scott @ 6:
yawn
Borrr-rrring
This is a very smart move. I know I've heard many people say Clinton's health care plan was better than Obama's, but Edwards' plan was better than both, IMO. It's a good political move, but it's a good policy move, too, because Elizabeth Edwards rocks.
Peter G @ 121:
I'm reading an interesting book right now that goes into the back room crap Grover Norquist and the rest pulled on the Clintons to make sure health care did not go through.
Norquist had a Wednesday morning meeting every week.
Bagels, Coffee, and strategy to take down the Clintons! They were afraid that if the Health care bill went through and became law the Dem's would have a permanent majority(which as we know was the GOP plan)
67% of the country was for it. The NYTimes loved it. There were plenty of heavy's for it. It was revolutionary.
there were about 50 different conservatives whose only purpose for meeting week in and week out was to strategize to stop the Clinton Health care Bill Lobbyists for home schooling, Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk shows, lobbyists for the Christian Coalition, the NRA, term limit groups, taxpayer organizations, reps from American spectator-- and way more.
They were very active in pressuring conservative politicians to oppose HC reform. They organized a campaign against the Chamber of Commerce to force them to work against it as well.
The book is called The Paradox of American Democracy by John B. Judis (writes for the Nation I think.)
He writes about Nafta as well and how he got screwed by them with that.
It really is so interesting.
Also infuriating when you hear / see people attacking the Clintons citing health care and Nafta when they really don't know what forces were arrayed against them.
When Hillary clinton named the vast right wing conspiracy she knew what the hell she was talking about.
\HellOOOOO?
Do you see the mess we're in?
Did you take a lo0ok at PNAC? Did you see the players of PNAC that came out of the Nixon WH? Do you see the same guys being investigated, called in to testify and who knows what else? Its going slow but its going.
I still can't putt together why they hated the Clinton's so much. I mean there is some very effed up stuff documented in here. I've investigated as much as I know how and the only link I see is the Watergate hearing... and someone suggested I'd been in Bellevue when I floated it, but that's the only place I see an overlapping between the PNAC crew and Hillary. Couldn't find anything about Bill and them pre WH.
Anyway.
Good book.
the tag line is Elites, special interests, and the betrayal of public trust.
According to this book Whitewater was all about this too.
I got it cheap on half.com
Obama has to team up with Elizabeth Edwards, because it's far too soon to acknowledge that he is stealing Hillary's health care plan.
BAC
BAC @ 135:
And honestly, does it really matter if Obama changes his UHC proposal to match Hillary's? As a Hillary supporter, I like this decision because it leaves Obama with Hillary's more progresive Health Care system. Yeah, it sucks that he'll probably subsume a majority of the credit for finishing a policy proposal that she laid the majority of the groundwork for, but the important thing is that it did pass.
BAC @ 135:
Obama doesn't HAVE to team up with Elizabeth Edwards. He is the Democratic nominee and has earned the right in asking her to team up with him. She is a a strong public speaker and someone he can count on not to get tripped up by GOP slime tactic. Also, Hillary Clinton said she was committed to making sure Barack Obama is the next president of the United States. Don't you think this just might include some of her ideas such as healthcare? Part of what makes a great leader and decision maker is to surround yourself with great people as well as be open to new ideas. As Aaron stated previously, the important thing is to get a great plan passed.
There is a very large difference between Hillary's plan and either Obama's or Edwards. Hillary's plan requires everybody to buy private insurance. Obam's plan is basicly regulation on private insurance plus some public assistance. Edwards plan keeps private insurance but sets up a competitive public plan. It only the last 2 that have any hope of getting to single payer. They will leave private insurance, yielding a two tier system but will give everybody basic coverage.
miss_kitty @ 64:
Hope I live long enough to see it , reminds me of one of my fav songs " all along the watchtower " .
Obama will team up with Elizabeth Edwards. Very, very smart move.
You know, I voted for John Kerry, not because I really liked John Kerry, but because I really hated George Bush.
Now, I will vote for Barack Obama because I really admire Barack Obama. He is the one who may lead America out beyond this Conservative dug hole and out into the Progressive promise land.
McCain is a cipher to me. I don't give two hoots about what drops out of John McCain's mouth.
getalife @ 51:
The blind faith in the power of the markets and competition to keep prices down is why we have had a race to the bottom with all the insurance companies. We need a single payer, non-profit healthcare system. Why keep greedy insurance companies as middlemen who provide no service whatsoever, and funnel parts of our premiums to profits?
Behihoo @ 141:
This is why we needed Kucinich.
Peter G @ 121:
Guess which people the insurance companies will cover (healthy) and which ones they'll keep out (people with "pre-existing" conditions). Then the government pays more and more, while the insurance companies skim off the best patients and make more and more money. Incremental approaches won't work, but hey, let's keep trying. Maybe one of these days we'll catch up with the rest of the civilized world.
BAC @ 135:
it's time you stopped hating
karl @ 126:
accountability @ 134:
fact is UHC is one less excuse to export jobs
fact is UHC is way to reduce health care cost per capita by
- general care and preventative care are usually less expensive than catastrophic care
- better health means better productivity
- better health means better educability
fact is UHC will distribute healthcares services without exclusion and eliminate disparities in health based on income, which is the single biggest determinant of quality of healtcare.
Barack's and Hillary's plans were similar anyway, so stop bitching about that. it doesn't matter what Mrs. Edwards favored, she's on board and will make a contribution.
Alice Hussein Chomsky Nader @ 120:
If you have TB and get me sick because you couldn't afford the 6-month course of medications, then it's not such an entirely different matter.
Agree 100%. Single-payer is the way to go.
obama is trying to use eliz edwards. hillary is the real expert. nobama '08
Mr. Obama:
Single payer, non-profit universal healthcare, not universal insurance. Write the middle men out of the picture. No corporate welfare. Universal insurance is not going to fix anything, and it will certainly never reduce costs. The insurance companies have proven that they are unworthy of having any role whatever in the process. IT is foolish to think that they won't be gaming the system or cutting corners for the sake of profits. They've had their shot and blown it.
You need to come out in full support of HR-676.
This feels wrong - I get an empty feeling in my stomach. Elizabeth Edwards previously trashed Obama's plan - John Edwards suddenly endorses Obama and Elizabeth gets kudos - so, like Bill Richardson said "if you endorse early, Obama will remember you". I feel sick.
Doing politics differently? What a PHONY.
Sorry, Obama's lost me now and I was willing to support him.
Damn, were we fooled.
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