It's Better to Fight and Lose and Fight Again Tomorrow then Compromise Way Too Much Today

Hello Papamoka Bloggers - I think Governor Howard Dean and Democratic Party strategist James Carville have it right when they suggest that we Democrats should be willing to go it alone on health care/insurance reform, and if the Republicans succeed in defeating it by whatever means, then we should go after them at the ballot box where real issues get sorted out.

I don't think President Obama is right to fight for just any bill. Who cares if the Republicans will call it a loss, or the "end of his presidency." That is all crap and we know it. The kind of reform bill we get is more important.

Dean has been saying it for a while, but Carville is now agreeing with the strategy. Carville's sharp political mind is usually right, and I think Democratic leaders need to listen. Compromising with the Blue Dogs and the Republicans could hurt us more than help us. Half-ass health care reform will not win votes. If anything, it could hurt the party by repressing future Democratic voter turnout.

When Americans are told the truth, a public option (or even single-payer) is the reform most sought-after. The lies and propaganda are effective, but over time the truth will win over voters. Carville is right. Democrats need to stand firm for what is right. Republicans may see defeating health care reform as a victory, but politically it could also be their Waterloo. It's a fact the truth usually wins in the end.

If we lose while trying to pass real reform, the debate will continue since the issue won't just go away. In the meantime, the party of NO will pay the price. They will need a hell of a lot of dirty industry money to keep fighting the fight, and that will come with a high price. If Democrats pass a bad bill that does very little to control costs, or worse increase costs, it could mean a victory for Republicans in the future.

Think about it, if we fight very hard yet lose, it will go a long way to motivate the base for the upcoming mid-term elections. At least that sounds right to me.

I'm no expert, but half-ass reform requiring insurance companies to absorb more risk (by requiring them to take pre-existing conditions and sick people) will probably encourage them to raise rates. Regulations without real reform (controlling costs by reforming the whole system) will probably only add to our problems.

One of my favorite progressive talk radio hosts and political/sociological thinkers is Thom Hartmann, and he thinks we should simplify things by allowing Americans to buy into the Medicare/Medicaid system. The result would be a public option that is already popular with the American people. Republicans and health industry lobbyists would have a tough time fighting against that kind of option. I think that's an idea that deserves more study.

No matter what, I am no longer that angry with our Democratic leaders. I now see just how much they're up against. I see the propaganda, the lies being told every day. I see the amount of money being thrown at the opposition. If anything, I'm angry with the rank-and-file Republicans and their lack of moral fiber.

It's true. Instead of debating the issue logically and trying to learn more about how the health insurance industry is bankrupting America, and how millions of people are dying for no good reason, ordinary Republicans are foolishly buying all the crap that's being thrown at them. They seem so willing to swallow horrible, shocking lies.

Rank-and-file Republicans must think very little of Democrats to think we would want to kill old people or deny people care. They all seem too willing to believe the lies.

Where was their passion in the past? They allowed themselves to swallow billions and trillions in debt-spending when it came to wars and half-ass government reforms (prescription drug benefits) benefiting big pharm under Bush/Cheney, but have practically risen in armed revolt at the prospect of saving AMERICAN lives under real health care reform.

Let's face it, Republican unwillingness to consider any kind health care reform could be considered both immoral and unAmerican, because millions of Americans are suffering and dying every day. When you boil it all down, it's simply about saving lives. That is a moral issue, no matter how you spin it.

I hope our Democratic leaders continue to fight for what is right. I agree more with Howard Dean than Bill Clinton. Clinton and Obama think any reform is good, while Dean says that real reform is the only way to go - win or lose. Sometimes you just have to fight for what is right. Go Dean!!!

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
from Our Rants & Raves Blog

America's Weak Link in Health Care Reform

Good Morning Papamoka Bloggers! When it comes to health care reform it appears the House of Representatives is doing a great job, especially my Congressman Henry Waxman. The weak link so far appears to be the United States Senate, and that's where WE THE PEOPLE have to apply pressure to make sure we get a viable public option.

As I've said in my earlier post, a viable public option is necessary to drive down costs and to ensure fair competition in the health care market. Did you know that health care, along with baseball, is one of the few industries exempt from anti-competition, anti-trust laws? That's one of the main reasons why the costs are so high. It's well known that health insurance companies conspire and collude to drive up costs for sick Americans.

Did you also know that health care and pharmaceutical companies are some of the largest givers to national elections? Our representatives appear to be bought-and-paid-for these days thanks to a lack of reasonable campaign finance reform. It also seems that money creates a perfect storm of DC greed and corruption, making it very difficult for the American people to find a fair solution to this problem.

Forget the Republicans, for they are so deep inside the industry's pocket it's disgusting. Rank and file Republicans should be offended and repulsed by their leaders, but instead they seem to follow their every lead. Supporting our unfair, broken system seems to come natural to the GOP. It's beyond my reckoning. Personally I'm stumped why they support such an unfair system!

Now, for the Democrats. There are still a few that are undecided - probably due to big money contributions. We need to make sure they know what WE THE PEOPLE think. See the list below to identify the uncommitted Senators along with the industry money received so far - to see who you can lobby.

1. Mark Warner, $69,000
2. Harry Reid, $78,800
3. Kent Conrad $78,800
4. Joe Lieberman, $72,000
5. Blanche Lincoln, $91,000
6. Tom Carper, $58,450
7. Evan Bayh, $66,100
8. Michael Bennet, 2,000
9. Dianne Feinstein, $44,000
10. Mark Udall, $43,500
11. Max Baucus, $141,250
12. Ron Wyden, $40,750
13. Mary Landrieu, $38,000
14. Mark Pryor, $30,000
15. Ben Nelson, $106,123

I already wrote Senator Feinstein a strongly worded letter. I hope you do the same if you see your own senator on the list, Yes, I'm asking you to please TAKE ACTION! WE THE PEOPLE need to step-up and make sure our elected officials do not abandon us during our time of need. Here is the tally for the entire Congress so far:

House 195 YES/6 NO/239 DON'T KNOW
Senate 37 YES/40 NO/22 DON'T KNOW
Combined 232 YES/46 NO/261 DON'T KNOW

What you see here means that we have a good shot at getting the legislation passed, but it also means we need to start lobbying the Senate hard NOW! We worked hard to get Hillary and Barack elected, along with dozens of other new Democrats, so why can't we use that same spirit to pass comprehensive health care reform? It's important for us all to do something!

If you still have doubts about the public option, despite all my rantings, you should take time to look at all the great sources available. One of my favorites (and it's honest, based on the primary candidate legislation now moving through the House Energy and Commerce Committee) is Stand with Dr. Dean - by Chairman/Governor/Doctor Howard Dean.

The site FAQ section is a great source for finding out everything you need to know - in easy to read bullet form. I also encourage you to sign the petition on the homepage.

This is one of the most serious issues I've ever been involved in. It's critical to the well-being of the American people, American families, and to the American economy. I beg you not to listen to the lies and the propaganda out there. They are deceiving you. Many of our own elected officials are hard at work deceiving us. Don't trust anybody! Do your own research.

All I'm asking is that you look at a variety of sources for information. If you do figure it out, and see that it will lower costs, create a better system, and help the economy, then please TAKE ACTION and contact one of your elected officials and make sure they know how you feel. We all need to do everything we can to make sure that we get legitimate health care reform and a viable public option.

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
From Our Rants & Raves Blog

Editor's Note: If you wish to debate me personally on this subject, be sure to visit Our Rants & Raves blog where I will be hosting my own debate.

PS - There is information about how to contact our national elected representatives in the right margin of Our Rants & Raves blog. I hope you decide to help out. Thanks - Michael