Everyone here will agree that, if elected, Bernie Sanders will push for Single Payer...

[brooklynite]

...what I DON'T understand is HOW:

- under the most optimistic scenario imaginable, he will win in the low-mid 50s, meaning that 40+% of the electorate voted against him and don't support his proposed change

- under the most optimistic scenario imaginable, he will get a Senate controlled by Democrats by only 1-2 votes; not enough to override a filibuster. Add to which, I've met most of our Senate candidates; not a lot of new support for Single Payer there.

- under every scenario imaginable, he will get a House still controlled by the Tea Party.

...and every minute spent on Single Payer is a minute NOT spent on banking reform or raising the minimum wage.

SO how does he do it?

[ibegurpard]

1. Hillary is already fighting it

And she's not even elected. She is not an option.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. That wasn't the question. n/t

[ibegurpard]

12. It's the only question that matters

Someone who is opposed out of the gate is not an option.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. And someone that CAN'T get it done, puts us in the same place ...

with respect to Health care insurance, while expending political capital that could have gone towards other initiatives.

[ibegurpard]

15. wrong

Look how the Republicans continue to move the needle on issues unpopular with the public. If you don't support single payer we are not allies. If you do but think it can't be done then you need to get out of the way for the people willing to make the push.

[1StrongBlackMan]

2. Well ... You seem to be forgetting the scenario where ...

MILLIONS of Americans march on DC, and seat in at the legislators' local and DC offices, DEMANDING that single-payer happen.

[earthside]

3. Same thing goes for everything Hillary would want to do.

This is defeatist.

It looks like Sen. Sanders and the Democrats supporting him are the optimists in this contest.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Under those scenarios is even real banking reform or raising the minimum wage possible?

[Jarqui]

6. The Canadians did it by getting Saskatchewan to do it.

When Canadians saw it could work, people jumped on board and it went across the country.

He could work with the Massachusetts governor to fix their system with it.
Or he could work with the Vermont Governor to fix things there to implement their single payer legislation they already have (but not implemented).
Or he might find another state willing to try.

That's one way of going about it.

While that is going on, the Dems work at taking back the House and Senate. So when thew two come together they can push it over the top.

In spite of Obamacare slowing down healthcare costs, US healthcare costs are still spiraling upward to $10,000 per capita. That's just nuts. Can't afford it. One way or the other, something has to give. So that economic argument is going to get stronger every year.

[upaloopa]

7. Vermonters said it was too expensive

but you are the first one I see who is thinking

[Jarqui]

10. $10,000 per capita now is too expensive

when the rest of the world is doing it for roughly half that, isn't it?

The difference is the scam of a shell game the health insurance companies, Wall Street and the politicians are playing with the American people. The American people are being deceived. Use the bully pulpit to expose that bullshit that is cutting short Americans lives and draining their bank accounts at double the rate it should. It's basically slick theft.

What people overlook there is not just the cost but the opportunity cost. Every US job basically costs $10,000 more than any other country in the world because of these crazy healthcare costs. Imagine how many jobs the US could recover if every employee cost $10,000 less per year to employ. (if every employee has one dependent - it's closer to two)

It's not that hard of an argument to make because those are the facts. Get someone in the Oval office that will continue to make that argument. Hillary wants tax cuts - so she's not up to it. Bernie wants to really fix it forever - give him a shot. The facts and truth is on his side. The media is not going to ignore the President of the United States.

It's certainly not going to happen if we throw our hands up in the air and say "it's pie in the sky"

[jkbRN]

8. Yep, state by state

Is the best way to do it. Colorado will have it on the ballot this year http://www.healthcareforallcolorado.org

[Mnpaul]

17. I heard one of the Colorado promoters on the radio

Their plan sounded interesting.

Leave Medicare and Tricare in place.
Allow people to keep their current plan if they wish.
Create a single payer for the rest.

[Bonobo]

9. People need to come to believe Health Care is a right.

And that shift in attitudes MUST start with advocacy.

[think]

11. Bernie is the first one to say it won't be easy but refusing to consider it and not fighting for it

assures it won't happen. Nothing worth fighting for is easy.

The more Americans realize they are getting screwed the more they will rise up and complain. Congress critters will either get with the program or be voted out.

It may come down to states like Vermont, Colorado and others taking the lead. But there needs to be an active discussion in order for people to understand what is possible.

Bernie is bringing that discussion. Hillary is basically shutting it down. She seems to not only be refusing to lead on the issue but also attacking single payer since it's not on her agenda which is very unfortunate...

[ibegurpard]

13. yup

Someone who is opposed to it is automatically eliminated. We can work on the how.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. Some things have to be introduced into the conversation for a good deal of time before they can

actually become reality, but that conversation has to start and delaying it in our society is suicidal. Take The Equality Act, which was formerly ENDA and before that The Equality Act. First introduced in 1974. Still not a law. Moderates are still weighing the issue after 40 years, they digest material very slowly and so you have to start early, start large and keep pushing.

So I really don't get your emphasis on instant and total returns on any initiative. It's not very wise really. Considering the conservative and centrist need for decades long deliberations of simple ethical questions and all.