I'm not understanding why there is a debate over the public option...

[sftwrngnr]

We (the democrat party) have the majority in house, senate and whitehouse. Contrary to what is being thrown about, MY president stated that he'd sign a bill with universal health care, THIS year. I absolutely do not understand why this is up for debate, why the so called "blue dog" democrats are holding the bill hostage under the ridiculous guise of "fiscal conservatism." Using that logic, how (exactly) did they justify the bailout bill which by just about any measure was clearly not fiscally conservative. Is it that the blue dogs are actually republicans in democrat's clothing? I just don't "get it." I believe that we, as a country, have a fiduciary responsibility to provide for those who do not have access to health care due to pre-existing conditions, or because they simply can't afford it financially. No, I don't make more than 250K per year, but if it means that my taxes eventually go up to help out those without, so be it. Universal healthcare (ie. the public option), IS the key piece to the bill. Without it, we are merely pandering with half hearted solutions. I voted for change; I expect there to be change. It is intuitively obvious that change does not come without a price. Can we, as a nation afford NOT to provide with those who don't have as much, especially in the context of getting healthcare?

[babylonsister]

1. Lots of us aren't understanding why ANYONE would not want this.

And why they aren't called out on it is beyond me.

It will be more expensive not to have a PO, but the conversation has become so twisted.

[CoffeeCat]

2. My guess is that this is all fun and games...

Real reform is single payer.

They're holding back on the public option, so we'll all fight for it. The fight will be centered around
this public option and minimal reforms. In the end, the public option will probably win, but guess what?

We'd damn well better pay attention to what kind of public option this is. It could be quite costly. It could
be more expensive than Medicare. It could discriminate for pre-existing conditions. It could also come without
financial support for small businesses--who need the help to cover people.

Better be careful what we ask for. Single payer is single payer.

A public option can mean many, many things.

In my opinion, they will try to screw us with a public option that includes very little reform and keeps the insurance
companies powerful and rich. After all, single payer was never even considered BECAUSE of the insurance companies.
They are in control of this entire process and have been from the start.

They're going to continue to get their way--one way or another.

[valerief]

3. Insurance companies don't want to lose their cash cow so they shower money on Congress critters

to oppose a public option. Money talks, moral imperative walks.

[grantcart]

4. Its something of a misnomer - there is opposition to the public option but there is no real debate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8627028&mesg_id=8627028

[USA_1]

5. Today's Thom Hartmann Show

Hartmann allowed people to call up and discuss what they believe will happen to the public option that we all thought was a shoe-in.

Several people called up and said that if we don't get that public option because Obama has made yet another concession to the Republicans, it will mean they will no longer support the Democratic party. I fully agree.

As I have asserted on other threads, the Democrats won by the largest landslide in history thanks to the promise of health care reform. It is clearly stated in the DNC platform that we were going to have it and people voted for Obama and the Dems on that basis. Despite that very clear consensus, the Democrats are conceding everything to the GOP. This endless campaign of concession after concession has got to stop.

Like those callers in today's program, if we do not get that option, I too will stop supporting the Dems because voting Dem ultimately means voting Republican. This concession nonsense has gone on for far too long and it better stop now.

[xfundy]

6. "We (the democrat party)"?

Sniff.

[area51]

7. Yes, I noticed that too. (n/t)

[Paper Roses]

8. You are right and we welcome you to DU. I am told that new

members are allowed to screw up a few things. Nerves and all that.

We Democrats belongs to the Democratic Party. I believe that was what a poster down thread was pointing out.

Good to have you here.

[sftwrngnr]

9. Apologize for my screw up

I'm new here in that I've been a lurker primarily :). This is just one issue I feel particularly passionate about. I think we live in an amazing country, and that we're doing a tremendous disservice to ourselves by not having a public option for those who simply cannot afford health insurance. I understand that many (specifically the now not so chunky blowhard) on the right claim that health insurance is "not a right." Ok, I'll take the bait on that: One can say its not a right, sure, but the question is, shouldn't it be? Isn't it a fact that the a significant number of homeless people are homeless due to mental illness? Wouldn't a public option help those individuals become contributing members of society? Just a thought... :).