Over the past few days I’ve been giving some thought to which of the public option compromises I could live with. Frankly I’d prefer no compromise at all but of the three being floated about my pick is “Opt out”. In the first place why should we who live in the blue states be forced to wait (triggers) because the elected members from the red states are more interested in seeing this black president fail than they are in fixing health care?
Second what a gift this could be to the Democratic Party. Let elected Republicans explain to their constituents how they saved them from socialized medicine as they watch their health care insurance premiums and the numbers of uninsured climb in their midst.
For some other points of view on this check out Rick Ungar’s piece on this topic;
The BackChannel Blog 
Opt-out is a great strategy. Those in states that opt-out will soon be pissed that their health insurance costs way more than the opt-in states and will make the appropriate leadership changes.
That said, the “public option” is the red herring of health care reform. The goal is to get the costs down, cover everybody and make it affordable for all.
I’m sure Rick can speak for himself if he so chooses.
Lobbyists Fight Last Big Plans to Cut Health Care Costs
morning peeps
An Inconvenient Truth Teller
From health-care reform to Afghanistan, Joe Biden has bucked Obama—as only a good Veep can.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/217090
Is Lou Dobbs Going To Fox?
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/is-lou-dobbs-going-to-fox/
Hillary Clinton Today Show VIDEO: Nobel For Obama’s “Attitude Toward America’s Role In The World”
She answered “no” bluntly – but smilingly – when asked if she would ever run again for president.
“This is a great job,” Clinton said. “This is a 24/7 job, and I’m looking forward to retirement at some point.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/12/hillary-clinton-nobel-for_n_317183.html
Happy Columbus Day!
Sherman’s Lagoon presents a subtle saterical observation of those who oppose universal health care coverage:
http://www.newsok.com/entertainment/comics?feature_id=Shermans_Lagoon&feature_date=2009-10-12
Those who think people will automatically abuse their new found health insurance need to ask themselves: really, who likes getting sick and going to the doctor?
I sure hope Dobbs goes to Fox. He and his audience would be much happier. Dobbs use to be a reasonable business commentator, but since he’s figured out that his firebrand persona gets better ratings, he’s become a cartoonish character.
Car Bomb Kills at Least 41 in Restive Region of Pakistan
Biden’s plan looks better and better everyday.
Health Insurance industry stabs Baucus in the back:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091012/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul_insurers
All Sen. Baucus had to do was talk with those who have been screwed by insurance companies that sooner or later they’d get around to him.
I’m wondering if this will build renewed support for the public option in the Senate…
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