The Public Option: Robust or Americano?

[Blue State Blues]

Maybe it's just me, but every time I hear the phrase Robust Public Option I think it's the name of some trendy coffee shop. You know, the kind that only sells organic, shade grown coffee and can tell you the first name of the co-op farmer who grew the microlot. The kind of place where the person who makes the coffee is called a Barista.

Barista: Good morning, what can I get for you?

Me: I'm not sure. What is good today?

Barista: Well the French Roast is the best in the world.

Me: Oh, well, I'll have that then.

Barista: Sorry, you can't have that. It's not on the table.

Me: I hear the Canadian Blend is pretty good.

Barista: Sorry, you can't have that either.

Me: Let me guess, not on the table?

Barista: That's right.

Me: Well, you know, I've heard some really good things about the British Breakfast Blend.

Barista: British Blend?! Are you crazy? We don't sell that, our customers would never go for that. It's not even coffee. It's tea.

Me: Well, um, what do you have then?

Barista: Our house specialty. It's called an Americano.

Me: What is it?

Barista: You start with a strong, robust shot of espresso coffee--

Me: Sounds promising.

Barista: -- and then you water it down.

Me: Oh.

I don't want a watered-down public option. I can't afford a watered-down public option and neither can anyone else.

When I say I want a robust public option, I mean I want a real option, a good option, for anyone.

Anyone who wants it can get it. Not just the uninsured. Not just people who qualify by meeting certain income criteria. Not just people who currently buy individual policies. Anyone. So if I have insurance that costs too much and covers too little, I can drop it and get the public option instead. If you don't want it, you don't have to get it -- that's your option.

And I want it to be as good as Medicare (and I know Medicare isn't perfect, but I've compared it to my policy that costs more than 4 times as much, and Medicare coverage is better). Or better yet, I want it to be Medicare. Don't just call it Medicare for Anybody, make it Medicare for Anybody. And then, use my money to make Medicare better.

And I want it to start now. Not in eight years or four years or whenever we can get around to it. Now. Today.

Because people are losing their homes today.
Because people are going bankrupt today.
Because people are suffering without treatment today.
Because people are dying today.

So Congress, I don't want an Americano Public Option. I'm asking you, begging you, make it robust. Make it strong. Make it real. Make it now.

[Blue State Blues]

1. With sincere and humble apologies to baristas and coffee lovers everywhere. N/T

[Blue State Blues]

2. I was wrong.

As it turns out, though there is some controversy, most expert baristas agree the the proper way to make an Americano is to start with the hot water and then to pour the espresso on top. My bad.

See here (video):
http://www.ehow.com/video_2334299_make-americano-coffee-drink.html

or read this:
http://coffee.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_make_an_americano