I don't know what the big damn deal is Obama

[warrior1]

Put the damn Public Option in the bill and quit stalling this thing. Damn, you're about the loss the whole enchilada.

http://www.americablog.com/

Huff Post: Obama is actively discouraging Democrats from supporting public option in Senate
by John Aravosis (DC) on 10/25/2009 09:55:00 AM
From Sam Stein and Ryan Grim at Huff Post:

President Barack Obama is actively discouraging Senate Democrats in their effort to include a public insurance option with a state opt-out clause as part of health care reform. In its place, say multiple Democratic sources, Obama has indicated a preference for an alternative policy, favored by the insurance industry, which would see a public plan "triggered" into effect in the future by a failure of the industry to meet certain benchmarks.

The administration retreat runs counter to the letter and the spirit of Obama's presidential campaign. The man who ran on the "Audacity of Hope" has now taken a more conservative stand than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), leaving progressives with a mix of confusion and outrage. Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill have battled conservatives in their own party in an effort to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Now tantalizingly close, they are calling for Obama to step up.

"The leadership understands that this is a somewhat risky strategy, but we may be within striking distance. A signal from the president could be enough to put us over the top," said one Senate Democratic leadership aide. Such pleading is exceedingly rare on Capitol Hill and comes only after Senate leaders exhausted every effort to encourage Obama to engage....

"He's been so convinced by his political people from the beginning that we can't get a bill with a public option, he's internalized it. Even though it's now become obvious we can get a bill without selling out the public option, he's still on that path," said a top Democratic source. The White House, he said, continues to assure progressives it'll improve the bill in conference negotiations between the Senate and House, but advocates are unconvinced.

"If we're this close in the Senate and they're not helping us, I have a feeling they could screw us in the conference," said one.

To put this story in context, we learned earlier today that both Democratic Senators Tom Harkin and Sherrod Brown confirmed that the President is not doing enough to support the public option. Harkin called Obama's support "lukewarm." And Brown said he hoped the president would speak out more forcefully in favor of the public option. These are not anonymous sources. They're two Democratic US Senators we like and trust. And they're telling us, publicly, that the President isn't really supporting the public option, and isn't doing nearly enough to help.

[tyne]

1. Where is

the friggin sourcing?

[warrior1]

2. are you blind

It's there.

[tyne]

3. where?

n/c

[joeycola]

4. Harkin called Obama's support "lukewarm." and I agree.

[laughingliberal]

7. here

http://www.americablog.com/

To put this story in context, we learned earlier today that both Democratic Senators Tom Harkin and Sherrod Brown confirmed that the President is not doing enough to support the public option. Harkin called Obama's support "lukewarm." And Brown said he hoped the president would speak out more forcefully in favor of the public option. These are not anonymous sources. They're two Democratic US Senators we like and trust. And they're telling us, publicly, that the President isn't really supporting the public option, and isn't doing nearly enough to help.

[Demoiselle]

18. Harkin and Brown simply say "lukewarm," and "not doing enough."

I'm frustrated too with Obama's soft approach, but Harkin and Brown may well just be trying to light a little fire under him. And good for them for trying.

I didn't see any named sources in this piece for the stories that Obama is actively working for a trigger or actively working to kill the p.o. Just the kind of "don't quote me personally"
gossip that anybody can use to try to muddy the waters or slow down the momentum for a real public plan.

It is so frustrating to watch this, I know. But I'm gonna save my wrath for when and if they actually fail to do the right thing..
I've signed every petition that hits my inbox!

[joeycola]

5. Obama come out and say: I STRONGLY STUPPORT A ROBUST

PUBLIC OPTION WITHOUT A TRIGGER.


SIMPLE AS THAT AND PUT THESE RUMORS TO REST!! STAND UP PLEASE!!

[Lorien]

6. Amen. nt

[msongs]

8. President Snowe vs President Obama vs President McChrystal - its a power struggle lol nt

[joeycola]

11. at the expense of good health care for those who need it.

[Hepburn]

9. +1....n/t

[patrice]

13. And no Opt Out.

[joeycola]

29. :-)

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. I'm hoping

somebody steps up to challenge Obama in the Dem primaries. They've got my vote right now.

Meaningful healthcare reform is my line in the sand. There is no acceptable excuse for a sitting Dem President with majorities in both the House and Senate to fail to enact a legislative agenda - including an agenda that includes healthcare reform. That kind of failure is an indication of either a lack of political skill or a lack of desire to enact particular measures. Neither offers an incentive to support his re-election.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. If any do, the PTB/Corporate American will shut them down/up. Just like last time.

[TheWraith]

20. That's an incredibly ridiculous statement.

You need to get out of the bubble that is the DU cesspool of negativity. There's going to be healthcare reform, and it's going to have a public option.

[Coyote_Bandit]

24. Having a public option

isn't the only measure of whether any so called reform is meaningful. Afford ability is also a measure - and it is a measure that can only be made relative to individual circumstances. So is timely access to competent medical professionals. So is choice between private insurance and a competitive public option. So is implementation of healthcare reform in a prompt and timely manner. "New and improved" ain't necessarily so. Calling something reform doesn't mean it offers a damn bit of improvement. There are lots of places in this country where the nearest hospital and healthcare providers are an hour or more away. And there are areas where the healthcare providers are not accepting new patients. A public option ain't worth much if you still can't get an appointment to see the damn doctor. And if you've got cancer today it really isn't going to help much that a public option affording care will be available in five years.

I've yet to see anything that leads me to believe that the public option plan under consideration will result in anything more than a government run insurer of last resort with a predominantly high risk pool of insureds. That means that the premiums are not likely to be more affordable. It also means that mandated private insurance will be a boon to the insurance companies. Just because pre-existing conditions don't disqualify someone from getting a policy there is no guarantee that their coverage will be affordable. The present "reform" proposal is a clusterfuck doomed to failure. Millions will remain uninsured and underinsured. Some will find themselves facing financial penalties. That ain't exactly an improvement.

The only real solution to our healthcare crisis is a single payer system where everyone receives the same coverage and contributes equally (e.g., percentage of income up to an annual maximum contribution) to bear the cost. Unfortunately, the stupid spineless bastards we've elected weren't even willing to consider evidence as to whether or not a single payer system is a viable option. Informed healthcare reform my ass. Nope, the sorry bastards are just doing what is politically expedient - taking care of appearances while continuing to serve their corporate masters.

Meaningful healthcare reform is my primary political concern - my line in the sand. It has become painfully obvious to me that Obama lacks a principled commitment to achieving that end. For him and many other elected officials, healthcare reform is a matter of political expediency. I do not vote for politicians who do not advance and protect my interests. I don't give a fuck what their party affiliation is - and I don't vote for the "best" of two bad choices. If Obama wants my vote for re-election then he is going to have to earn it. Consequences be damned.

[whathehell]

12. I'm getting sick of this guy.....

and I volunteered, donated and voted for him twice...Sheesh.

[madokie]

16. Somehow I doubt any of that

no you didn't...

[whathehell]

23. Really?...Then you must be in a near-constant state of belief on this board

Since there are MANY of us in the same situation...Or haven't you noticed?

[demwing]

14. Every day there's a different angle

One day, public option is strong and a done deal, the next, it's supposedly a trigger or a privately run non-profit, barely supported by anyone. Next day, strong, next day dead. Spin, spinning, spun.

Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
As the images unwind
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

I no longer believe ANYTHING I read from ANYONE on this topic. Time will tell the truth.

[Deja Q]

15. I just posted a similar thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8714940#8714942
(it goes to one of the heartwarming responses I'd received... :) )

Apparently all of this is unsubstantiated, the claim Obama is discouraging congresscritters... whatever... maybe Michael Moore will step up and do something, instead of telling people to do things for him...

[peacetalksforall]

17. I can't bare to follow it anymore. I first read a subject line that say Ben Nelson

would go for an opt in. Yesterday it was said that there are 60 - now we're going backwards - no public option with triggers - that would tak years of profits and denials before anything was done.

It's all simple - take the best and most workable from every other country - copy them. Rise up to them. Use it as a goal.

If we can't get health care for everyone than we must abandon the name of our country.

[HipChick]

21. Media manipulation at best ..and the Sheeple continue to bleat...

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. BBBBBBBBBBulllllshitttttttt.

[Zix]

26. Try explaining why you think things sometimes.

That way you won't constantly look like you're on the back foot.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

28. Unnecessary Waste Of Time.

Sometimes; when the explanation is obvious, one need not take the time to write it. One need not take the time to write it when others have also already taken their time to do so.

Bye now my newest member of the OMC fan club!!! :hi:

[Toasterlad]

25. Can I Just Say How Much I Love the Picture In Your Sig Line?

I'm totally stealing that.

[warrior1]

27. be my guest

xo