I just called both my Senators' offices and told them that if they don't support a public option, I won't be supporting them in their future Senate runs.

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

OK, at the risk of sounding like an ignoramus, I would like someone more knowledgeable on the topic to inform me of what exactly the "public option" is. *runs/hides*

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mechaphil

It's government-provided health insurance. The idea being that private health insurance is too expensive for many who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, the current government program of health insurance for the poor. So a "public option" would provide insurance to those who can't afford health insurance, and also give private insurers the motivation for lowering their ridiculous rates because if they don't, they could lose their customers to the public option.

OK, that's what I thought. Thanks for that.

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mechaphil

Well, to be fair a lot of it is out of Obama's hands since he can only sign or reject what comes to his desk. But I feel kind of similarly. If Congress doesn't include a public option, Obama should veto it and send it back until they do. That's what Ralph Nader would do. If Obama doesn't, I can just go back to voting Ralph.

The "public option" is a euphemism for the death of private health insurance.

Better than that, your tax dollars are going to end up subsidizing the public "option" whether you use it or not.

But don't worry, people will tell you it's actually going to drive down costs and increase "competition". Because we all know how much the federal government just loves fair competition.

IIRC, I'll give props to Zilla...he doesn't really want a public option...he wants single payer (universal, like in the UK). And I say bully to that...if you're going to revolutionize a huge part of society you might as well go gangbusters right?

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Obama's #1 mistake was letting the idiots in the house write this pile of poo.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

You saw this right?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091025/ap_ ... _insurance

For all the demonizing of insurance companies for making a profit...they have 2.2% profit margins.
A CEO of a traditional company would be fired for only returning 2.2% profit margins.
They're not gouging anyone...a sample of other industries and their profit margins:


We're not exactly talking about robber barons here no matter how much Democrats try to shit on them.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

_________________
"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

Yeah, let me know how that works out. If it's a huge success we can put it up in the big government hall of fame with their other fiscally sound achievements:
Social Security
USPS
Fanny and Freddie
Medicare
Medicaid

Never underestimate the ability of the federal government to fuck things up.
They've been buying bankrupt companies lately...surely they must know something I don't know.

Oh...and it looks like now it's not just Lieberman digging in his heels...the blue dogs are getting testy.
http://www.ajc.com/business/dem-moderat ... 75099.html

Looks like Reid rubbed a lot of people the wrong way yesterday when he said the Senate would pass a public option.

_________________
Hold my beer and watch this...

_________________
"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

Crosscheck, when will you realize that resistance is futile? Game, set, match...now go learn to love your new big brother.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

That list has nothing to do with "effectiveness".

I'd rather be sick here than in China...because I'm sure they do a bang-up job spending $81 per capita.
Or India at $36 per capita.

What's that get you, a band-aid and an aspirin?

EDIT: yeah, we're ranked 37th with no consideration for population size.
We're totally getting out asses kicked by Luxembourg, Colombia, Cyprus, Morocco, Dominica and Costa Rica.

_________________
Hold my beer and watch this...

_________________
"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

Those are all horrible, horrible examples of health care systems that work.

I'll say it again...Switzerland!

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Hold my beer and watch this...

OH MY FUCKING GOD,

I happen to be a business owner and employee quite a bit of people, and if you think for 1 split second that the "Public Health Option" is good for the nation you are out of your fucking mind.

I cannot believe you people do not do your homework. You guys appear intellegent, but after reading this, I can see that brain power is out of the window in favor of a group (democrat or republican it does not matter).

Torte reform in conjuction with "FREE MARKETS" is the key here guys and gals.
If you expect my company to take up the slack on this plan your putting me out of business along with 172 jobs. And thats just for starters.

You cannot be serious, come on folks, read the bill, do the math. Hell, I'll even show you my records and what its going to do to companies such as mine. Small business wil be killed on this plan. Take responsibility for yourselves for gods sake. Or is that to much to ask.

And by the way, I make less then $100,000 a year. Come on now.
As far as comparing it to GDP, you fuckin lie, straight out. GDP does not and never has been a successful measuring tool for a social program, thats pure fuckin media garbage. You want to know where to get real figures, go to the CBO, state budget office, small business accuator and the incubator programs that exist with records.

Any false promise you think is warranted on this public option program is bullshit. You'll put me (a renewable energy company) out of business. You may not like the truth, but it is what it is.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.