The latest salvo in healthcare reform has pushed me over the edge. I have never, in my lifetime, seen a President and a political party act so cowardly. President Obama has bet the farm on passing healthcare reform. Yes, he is fighting for his political life. As a result, he is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to get something, anything around healthcare passed. As it stands now, healthcare reform will not include a public option nor will it expand medicare. It does, however, put more people onto the rolls of insurance companies. Isn’t that wonderful? Welfare for insurance companies, warfare for the people.
I believe that a person should stand for what they believe, even if it costs them personally. I live that everyday; even and especially when it hurts. If President Obama had any scruples, he would force the Republicans in the Senate, including Joe Lieberman, to formally carry out their threat of a filibuster. Yes, put the public option into the bill and call for a vote. Then, when they filibuster, make them stand up and talk until they can’t talk anymore. Hey, it will create great material for the 2010 elections. After they give up, proceed with a simple majority vote. There is your healthcare bill; signed, sealed and delivered. Oh and after the bill is signed into law, kick Joe Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus. Take a stand. Be a leader. Do what you said you would do for the American people if elected.
What is really sad is that U.S. Senator Harry Reid and U.S. President Barack Obama will not take a stand for what is right. As a result, an over eight hundred billion dollar healthcare reform bill, designed to aide insurance companies and harm the citizens of America, will get passed. No reform to be had. Get ready for it America. Our deficit will swell. We will continue to be denied coverage. We will continue to receive substandard care. Last but not least, insurance companies will continue to pay their executives outrageous amounts of money.
Since the Democrats have thrown reform out the door, perhaps it’s time to start over. Instead of passing thousand plus page bills, I believe we should pass a one page bill making pre-existing conditions illegal and repealing the monopoly law exemptions for insurance companies. There is your reform right there. Everyone who wants insurance is qualified and the best part is that the cost to the American taxpayer is zero. Problem solved. Without a public option or expansion of medicare, let’s at least fix two of the biggest problems we have with healthcare while keeping the cost at zero. Plus, with more competition, prices will come down. The insurance monopoly is a key reason why costs are skyrocketing.