“break out the pork” or “sweeten the deal” — I guess Michele has never been around for, or never paid attention to, the creation of legislation. Do you think Republicans are immune to the accusations you make? Remember Tom Delay?
Besides, the reason that the vote is being delayed is because of unresolved issues over abortion and illegal immigration. Pretty important issues wouldn’t you say Michele? Thank God that the Democrats actually discuss these things. Or maybe congress should use reconciliation like the Bush administration did and rammed tax cuts without corresponding budget cuts down our throats?
Oh, and by the way, where’s Michele’s thoughtful analysis of the GOP bill that has surfaced after 5 mos of promises?

The only thing “historic” about Obama’s health care plan is the instituting of Marxism into American life. And of course it comes by forcing it on the populace.

Some guy somewhere, do you understand Marxism at all? It has nothing to do with health care, and last time I checked plenty of non-Marxist countries (as in every developed nation but us) has some form of universal health care.

No, it is not Marxism, Obama is not a Marxist but he is a socialist. Socialism has very much to do with the health care and wealth re-distribution.
The statement about the number of other countries that have some form of universal health care is also correct. Their effect tax rates of the populace and number of illegal immagrants must also be considered and the question raised do we as a people seek tax rates in the 50 to 70% range and will we close our borders and cast out those who are not US citizens to be able to afford such things as those other countries have?
I suspect we know the answer to the later question and no one out of Washington is talking about the other. I’ll pose another question, name anything the government has done better than the private sector.
The money trail for health care is very large and once this bill gets passed and the government has all this extra cash and a new fiefdom, I don’t expect it’s goal to be anything more than to grow itself like every other agency has done in the last 50 years. The dept of energy is a good one.
Just food for thought from a person in the middle and over 55.
Namaste,
Wizard

Wizard:
Our military is pretty dam good. Libraries and the post office are great. Public colleges are often better than their private counter parts. I love the fire and police department. You miss the point — government entities and intervention like the ones above SPURRED private sector alternatives. And that is what many want in healthcare also. They also provide a basic alternative for those who cannot afford the gold plated aspects of our American life. You may not believe that your fellow American deserves to have these alternatives if they can’t pay for them, but I on the other hand find that this is what makes America great.
Americans are getting ripped off and mistreated my insurance giants. If the government doesn’t step-in to protect the citizen — who will? Name one entity that will stand up for the citizen who had a mole removed 4 years ago and now is being turned down for insurance coverage? Who Wizard?

Absolutely right, Kelly. The health care system is strangling our economy and the insurance companies are the primary culprits. Worst of all, it isn’t even working. We aren’t any healthier as a result; quite the contrary. According to the World Health Organization, our results put us 37th in the world, below France, Oman, Malta, Cyprus, and Costa Rica. Michele, what is your plan to address those two concerns?

Seems like they had the votes after all.