This topic and the last new rules post are so perfect. This seems to be a milestone. I think people are realizing that they come 4th and 5th in line to so many other groups and organizations. The polls show we want a public option. If we don't get it then there should be no doubt we are being governed by money. Where are the virtuous statesman and patriots?

These poll results about how the public feels about health care would be great news if Congress worked for the public. But it doesn't depend on the public to keep its job, it depends on contributors. You need to poll the contributors and see how they feel about health care reform to get any idea of what kind of plan we're actually going to get.

But let's not leave this argument with the idea that our system of legalized bribery, er, campaign contributions, is to blame. Bribery isn't actually legal, so why don't prosecutors, faced with gross and palpable quids and pro quos, put the cases in front of juries? More directly, why does the publc keep re-electing as its putative representatives, folks who flagrantly reward their votes by working for other people, their contributors?

The best answer I can come up with is the idea that people put up with this because they believe that their just place in life is to submit meekly to being governed by folks who make a lot of money. We're all trying to make piles of money, right? So it's natural that those of us who succeed have to be the most competent and driven, right? We don't want a bunch of fools or wimps or slugs, or whatever failings cause someone to not make piles of money, running things, do we?

You thought we lived in a democratic republic. Hah! If that were the case, then where did all of these oligarchs come from? How come they're not in jail? After they're all in jail, then talk to me about a republic and democracy. Then maybe I'll pay attention to polling of the voters. Until then, look at what the oligarchs want if you want to understand what "our" government will do.

I wrote this letter today and started sending it out to various Republicans. Feel free to use all of it, parts of it, or ideas from it if it you think it might help the cause of getting real health care reform.

I have been watching Republicans go on TV and say that they are not in favor of a public health plan because they don't want a government bureaucrat between a person and their doctor.

You all look very silly when you all say that. Everyone in this country knows that the average person already has an insurance company bureaucrat between them and their doctor. And may I add an insurance company bureaucrat whose sole purpose is to deny that person service if it is at all possible.

Your "government bureaucrat" argument doesn't even pass the giggle test. I think the American public deserves better than lame and ridiculous excuses like that. I'm sure they sound good when your party sits around a big table in their elite Washington think tanks dreaming up these talking points. But when the average person hears them they sound totally inane.

Over 70% of American citizens want a public option. How long do you and your party think you can ignore that many of your fellow citizens? Isn't your job to represent your constituents and to not ignore them?

Health care in this country is broken. We have let the insurance companies run it for decades and we can all see the result. Forcing people to buy health insurance from these companies will do NOTHING to solve this issue that is so important to every American.

The definition of insanity it doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results. So by that reasoning throwing more money at the insurance companies in an attempt to solve the health care crisis is quite simply insane.

In my humble opinion the Republican party has completely out of touch with the average American, and to some extent with reality itself.

must be reading my comments here. They are bringing up the fact that lowering health care costs will boost the economy.

Folks with more money feel more confident about not losing their coverage, so they are less inclined to support a plan with higher taxes. People vote their interests. Even so, there is good support.

it's an issue of "making" them understand as it is one that they don't WANT to understand.

They have decided that only the wealthy and their contributors and they should have taxpayer funded benefits. Those of the rest of us who are just trying to make it from day-to-day and paycheck-to-paycheck can just keep paying the bills and go to hell.

but I think my American friends ought to consider voting in some representatives that actually represent them. Frankly I thought that some fundamental health care reform, which you both need and deserve, would be a fait accompli once the democrats assumed control of both houses and the presidency but now I begin to doubt that. The battle isn't over but I'm appalled at where the opposition is coming from. The Republicans I expected to oppose a decent health care system for every American. Meanness of spirit is a fundamental characteristic of those people but democrats?

We also "don't trust don't trust the bought off, sold out" Democrats in Congress.

ABOLISH the Congressional Health Care Program NOW!

They don't get single-payer until we do.
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What reason is Congress using to justify enforcing Mandatory Health Coverage?

I know the real reason -- the Insurance companies.

But what reason are they giving for this nonsense?
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There has to be a way to go after the insurance companies. They are the ones buying off congress leading away from health care at a reasonable price. Hit the insurance companies in their pocketbook.

and I'd choose the public option immediately (if it's as described in that question, i.e., a Medicare type plan for anyone who wants it) because it would be less expensive than what I'm paying now. A lot less. It would have to be. And frankly, there are an awful lot of people out there who either don't have insurance but are not sick, or who are paying through the nose like I am and are not sick, who would gladly switch. I want a true single payer plan that puts everyone in it. But if we can't have that, then Medicare for anyone who wants it is an option I could live with for the time being. Like the Repubs like to say, there are 119 million Americans who would switch immediately. The bought and paid for politicians don't like that because it would spell the end of the health insurance industry. But to that I say, hallelujah!

...they need to do more than say so in a poll where they're sitting at home and someone calls them. That isn't going to do it.

You do all know that over 80% of Americans have health insurance, right?

And you do also know that over 70% of those without it still received health care, right?

And that the vast majority of both groups are pleased with the health care they receive?

Of course most Americans think they want public run health care, but that's likely because they aren't aware of any of these facts. And it's no surprise, with left wing politicians constantly bemoaning the "crisis of the uninsured" and propping themselves up as saints for wanting to be some sort of modern day Robin Hood.

This is not to say that I'm entirely opposed to some kind of public health care option, just that the manner in which this discussion is typically framed (as seen in the article above) is ludicrous. If people with diseases/injuries that are not any fault of their own want to give up their cable tv, internet access, and cell phone plan, I would not at all oppose the government giving them whatever assistance they may still need to obtain the coverage they require. But just giving everyone health care - even those that could currently afford it and choose not to - is absolutely absurd.

Civilizaitions existed and thrived for thousands of years without public health care having exist, don't start suddenly acting as though it's a prerequisite to being a decent society.

All this talk about how "Americans want public health care" is irrelevant if that desire is based on unfounded or ill informed opinions. So please, stop talking about how Congress isn't doing exactly what polls show Americans want - that's why we have a republic and not a democracy. That's how it's supposed to work.