Ben Nelson's hair is in love with the state "opt in" plan for the public option
By John Amato Saturday Oct 31, 2009 8:30am
(h/t Heather)
I can see that Ben Nelson and the Conservadems/Baucus Dogs have a plan. They bitch and moan about the effect a public option would have on the poor, poor health-insurance industry, so if they do have to vote for a public option in the Senate that clearly benefits Americans and not his favorite donors, they will only do it under the provision that the states "opt in" rather than "opt out."
His hair has been saying this for a while now.
Nelson's hair doesn't explain why he favors the "opt in" version and Harwood doesn't bother to ask. And he can count on the media to not inform America what the differences are in an opt in or an opt out version of the PO so when we complain about it the Villagers will attack us. He was interviewed by John Hardwood, a Villager of the highest order on MSNBC.
Here's what Ben Nelson's hair said:
Harwood: You'd agree that unless a comprehensive health care bill would pass that it would cripple his presidency.
Nelson's hair: Well, I don't know that we should conclude that some form of health care reform won't pass. I believe that some form of health care will pass.
Harwood: What in your mind are stoppers, things that, knowing this place, things that either because you oppose them or other senators oppose them, simply can 't be in the final product to have it pass?
Nelson's hair: Well, it's very difficult to see how that CLASS Act that was in the HELP committe bill would make it [that's long term care provisions] I think also any kind of public option that would undermine or destabilize the private insurance that 200 million Americans have, I don't see that that would make it. But some version such as an opt-in, for the states with a state option, that could very well be in.
Digby alerted me to this clip and she astutely writes:
But I am still suspicious that there might be a play to make opt-in the reasonable alternative to opt-out. It just keeps cropping up in all kinds of places, often from White House reporters. It's worth keeping an eye on anyway.
Harwood thinks that Nelson will stick with them on cloture and I haven't heard otherwise. (and if Harwood asked him he didn't say, the putz.) But he certainly keeps dangling himself out there as a vote for opt-in, so if this thing really comes down to the wire I could see it happening. Again, I don't think the village media have clue about just how different the two things are. It's just bumper sticker slogans to them.
The Hill reports that Sheldon Whitehouse also trumpeted the same thing.
The Senate health bill is drifting toward ending up with an "opt-in" provision versus an "opt-out," one Democratic senator said Friday.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) predicted that healthcare reform in the upper chamber would shift from its current construction, which allows states to opt out of a public option, to a version that forces states to opt into such a plan.
"I think it's falling into an opt-in, versus opt-out," Whitehouse said during an appearance on MSNBC. "You have a public option, but it's up to a state to take an affirmative act to take advantage of it."
Whitehouse suggested the opt-in as a potential compromise on the public option to win enough Democratic votes in the Senate, where Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) has said he will vote against a bill containing a public option, and several other centrist Democrats have been reluctant to support the current proposal.
I'm doing some digging around to see what's really happening and I'll have news soon. Reid is already having the "opt out" scored by the CBO, but my sources indicated that the Senate has not sent out the "opt in" to be scored. From what I'm hearing. The "opt in" would not pass the House conference.
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Produce or Die
nelson's depends are full of doody.
he is a prime example why old white guys
are in their last days of fucking over
the American public.
what a insurance/pharmaceutical lobbyist shell.
I wrote Harry Reid to complain about adding an "opt out" clause:
"Don't give MY choice to my braindead Republican governor", I complained.
Let's make that even worse, by not only letting Republican governors "opt out", but for Democratic governors to be bullied by teabaggers, lobbyists and the Radical Right into not "opting in".
Idon'tthinkso.
insurance mandate? An eye for an eye?
the insurance industry controls nearly as much money as the banking industry.
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to see what you find out.
These Bluedog Reslugs spewing garbage around and calling themselves Dem's have to go next election.
...but instead of opting in on a state-by-state basis, let's let each individual American choose whether or not they opt-in. Cons should love that, after all it gives individuals the right to choose instead of the big, bad government making the decision for them. Problem solved!
that's at least bringing freedom of choice to the market. The true capitalists (right. they really exist. :/ ) should love them some market choice action.
Opt into the PI? They can't choose to opt into the mandatory coverage, so I guess that is what you mean. Is it?
I'm telling you, when I heard that VARIOUS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS were going to vote against a public health insurance option, I got mad as hell.
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And I'm not just talking about a few Democrats; I'm also talking about Republicans and one Independent.
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Now, Congressman Alan Grayson has inspired me to call em like I see em; and I'm gonna let her rip.
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Promise me you'll stay with me to the end of this comment.
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The way I see it is, we have a CORPORATE CARTEL (HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES) paying LOBBYISTS (HIGH PAID MADAMS/PIMPS) to manage/ reign in/ manipulate various POLITICIANS to do their bidding.
Did I get that right people? Let’s break down the organizational structure.
First, what is a CARTEL and does the HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY [made up of health insurance companies], fit the description?
There are two definitions [from source]; however, I like the one that describes a CARTEL as an association of independent businesses organized to control prices and production, eliminate competition (by being a monopoly), and reduce the cost of doing business (denying treatment/refusing to pay claims, and refusing enrollment to those with a pre-existing condition).
I ask you, does that description bring it home for you?
Does for me.
Now, on to the HIGH PAID MADAMS/ [OR PIMPS].
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See, Grayson was close, but I beg to differ …
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Grayson called an ex-Enron lobbyist a whore. She deserved it.
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"Enron was the world’s largest energy-trading company, with a market value of as much as $68 billion, before it imploded amid allegations of accounting fraud. The bankruptcy wiped out more than 5,000 jobs and at least $1 billion in retirement funds.
A Houston jury found former Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling and former Chairman Kenneth Lay guilty in 2006 of deceiving investors, analysts and employees about the company’s deteriorating financial condition. Skilling is serving a 24-year prison term. Lay died before sentencing."
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Ok, Grayson calls em whores. I see lobbyists as MADAMS/PIMPS, looking to manage PROSTITUTES.
The MADAM disperses the money to the prostitute when the prostitute brings home the bacon.
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Now the MADAM/PIMP may give out a few favors to hook the politician, but that MADAM won't do that forever unless he/she receives some return on investment. The politician becomes a prostitute when he/she delivers the return on the investment.
Am I close people? Are you feeling me?
What is at stake here?
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If you answered … the health of the "John" [who are the CARTEL'S consumers and the prostitute’s constituents], I'll give you a gold star.
The "John" comes to the prostitute asking to be treated right, asking for the prostitute to satisfy a need.**
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I hate to insult anyone, but people, ... can you really trust a prostitute?
They will always tell you what you want to hear, but it’s mostly fake. Many times you leave feeling somewhat satisfied, but the feeling is brief, and something doesn’t feel right.
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Why? … Because, again … it’s mostly fake (lot of smoke and mirrors) and empty promises. Where is the love? Did he/she really deliver on the promise, and leave you whole, happy and healthy?
And so we enter the brothel, the "chamber", often begging, pleading, for the prostitute to satisfy this need** you have. Will he/she deliver this time, defying the madam, ... refusing to be paid, ... willing and able to rescue you out of love and devotion and caring?
Will the prostitute find redemption?
We’ll see … won’t we?
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**True Healthcare Reform
From Wikipedia - "Nelson made his name and money in the insurance industry. After graduating from law school, Nelson landed a job as assistant general counsel for Central National Insurance Group of Omaha. In 1975, he became state insurance director before going back to work for Central National Insurance as an executive vice president and eventually president"
Of course he doesn't want to undermine the cash cow that he's sucked millions from during his working lifetime.
Mustn't piss off Bessie. She's likely to go dry on ya.
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he still gets plenty ($$$$millions)from insurance, pharma, lawyers and other associated 'lobbyists' for his campaign coffers, according to
opensecrets. org.
OPT IN will mean the states will still haver to fight individually to get the PO.
At least it's not obviously a cheap wig. The little eyes were removed. He probably uses a Velcro patch in lieu of the original chin strap.
I thought a frisbee landed on his head.
in limited-edition silver.
will this misery known as healthcare reform ever end?
We progressives are being screwed, have been screwed and are screwed when it comes to true, meaningful reform against the bloodsucking insurance lobby, rethugs, big pharma, etc.
Why is it too much to ask for a freakin po?
less an actual dinner.
This bill seems to be the biggest piece of shit I've ever seen. Once again the Dems seem to fuck it up! Congrats guys, you never seem to let us down when we work so hard to put you in office to do what you said you would. When are we going to learn.
Also! I dont want a fucking public option. Give me single payer bitches!
In or Out? Doesn't matter. For those expecting reform here's another reason to be disappointed: the "CBO concluded that the six million people expected to enroll in the public option by 2019 will be paying, on average, higher premiums than will people buying private plans."
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/pu...
bastards don't miss a thing, do they.
Can we have an explanation why single payer was not ever considered? I know this will never happen, at least from someone in the WH, but inquiring minds are pissed about this exclusion. My resentment grows daily. I won't forget this, and I doubt that I am alone. Kucinich is appealing to me more and more. Kucinich and Sanders. If only elections were real.
I immediately thought in my head
"Attention, constituents! My hair is in love with the opt in plan!"
So even an annoying story can crack a smile for the total geeks abroad ^^
Is that is is MUCH CHEAPER to for the Health Insurance Parasites to buy off the relevant officials at the State level, where scrutiny of public behavior that doesn't involve hookers and sex towys in the cemetery is often much less strictly regulated. You can buy the loyalty of the whole NM State Senate for what it would cost to keep a Senator form the state bought off...Also, it's cheaper to influence elections in places where the media rates are infinitely cheaper than in DC or the Beltway/NYC/Phil/Boston axis where the majority of the beltway/villagers live and get their news...
They've gotten their way and the PO won't be tied to medicare rates.
The Kucinich amendment allowing states to set up single-payer systems was kicked to the curb.
They seem to be getting their way on opt-in vs. opt-out.
Only between 3-5% of Americans are eligible for the program.
The rest of us "get to keep" the Greedy Bloodsucker coverage.
They still intend to MANDATE that you be covered.
How in the world can anyone still call this reform?
*
is using reverse psychology on us. They want this to pass, yet they say they do not. KILL this thing. It is worse than what we have now.
this is not anything I envisioned when this debate started.
They blew it... again
These pretend-a-dems have given every thing else away when it comes to the public option why not this. I mean gesh in a week or two I expect it to be public option in name only. I mean we already have some of the weakest BS for a public option as it is.
The difference between op-in and op-out, It's easier and less politically damaging for the pretend-a-dems and the repubthugs to not op-in then it will be to op-out.
He looks 110 with the store bought hair, imagine without.
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Signing Statement...
Obama should just let whatever bill passes, pass... Then add the following signing statement:
Also, Single Payer... Bitchez!
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