There will be no meaningful healthcare reform

[CoffeeCat]

Before Congress went to work on healthcare reform--something happened.

Lobbyists for health-insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies went full-court press--all
over our Congress members and Senators. Meetings were held, cocktail parties were attended and
cozy dinners happened in DC's finest restaurants. Industry interest groups courted our lawmakers
and also the White House--weeks and months before legislation began on healthcare reform.

I understand that there's a great deal of drama right now. Harry Reid suggesting that he'll
go forward with the public option. Dick Durbin sending a few empty reassurances to Progressives--
suggesting that their pressure helped ensure a public option.

And of course, Joe Lierberman.

The bottom line is---"We The People" will not affect this process. The insurance lobby and
special-interest groups--together with our elected officials--worked out the deal. They decided
how it was going to go down--weeks and months ago.

Currently, Congress is "playing to" 'We The People'. We're "shown" the legislative process. We're
told we just don't have enough votes! We're told it's just so difficult to push this through!
Despite a Democratic majority, our politicians politely explain that we must compromise; and that we always don't
get everything we want.

It's just so complex and grueling, don't ya know?

The truth is--it's not that difficult. Remember when Gingrich and the Conservatives had a majority
when they took over Congress in 1994? They steamrolled legislation through, worked vociferously
on galvanizing their party and stood on the steps of the Capitol--and they fought like hell to pass
laws they wanted. Just a little fact---the Dems have a bigger majority in Congress NOW, than
Gingrich's revolution had in 1994. (But...it's just so difficult, and so hard to do this)!

Everything we see now is a staged muddying of the waters. They're orchestrating an "Oh we tried, but
it was just so HARD!" drama for us. Behind the curtain lurks the lobbyists and industry insiders with
their cognac, cigars and promise of future campaign contributions. That's where the real work of
healthcare reform is happening. What we see, is what they want us to see.

I don't know how this will all play out in the next days and weeks. I'm sure there will be significant
drama, as numerous villains and heroes enter stage right and take their positions in the spotlight.
However, I do know that meaningful reform will not happen.

Whatever passes will definitely not change the system, because it's been decided long ago--that any
reform will not disturb corporate profits. In fact, whatever is passes may further enrich the
health-insurance industry.

I don't consider this a pessimistic message. Our bought-and-paid-for system of government has been
a reality for many years. This situation should ring alarm bells and wake up this country-- so we
can finally face facts and make meaningful change. We've been in denial for so many years. Possibly--this blatant example
of government corruption, will be the spark that fuels "We The People" into taking back their country.

I do still have hope for healthcare reform--because I have faith in the American people. However, I
have no confidence in 95 percent of our elected officials--who are inextricably intertwined with
powerful healthcare and insurance corporations that donated billions to their political campaigns.

[abelenkpe]

1. I agree with your analysis

and believe this is part of the reason we must do all we can to encourage our representatives to create real health care reform. We need to call and fax and write everyday. We need to march. Where are the rally's in support of reform? Any info appreciated.

[Subdivisions]

2. The entire debate has been a distraction from the fact that the U.S. is insolvent. n/t

[RT Atlanta]

3. As someone posted the other week

From the time it was introduced until being signed into law, TARP too about 10-14 days.

The 1000+ page "Patriot" Act had a similar timing too.

Your analysis is correct in that there seems to be a lack of will to push this much-needed matter through to completion and, ultimately, for the benefit of "we, the people."

[Nikki Stone1]

4. You're on the mark here.

Of course, many of us are saying the same thing and getting vilified for it, so get ready for it.

[jtrockville]

5. So true. So disgusting.

[Craftsman]

6. I agree, bread and circuses.

[CrispyQ]

7. We are a for profit nation.

That's all that matters.

k&r

[dgibby]

8. Excellent post. Thank you!

You've articulated exactly what I've been thinking and feeling ever since this mess started.

The Oligarchy will never let anything interfer with corporate profits. This so called "reform" is the insurance industry's version of TARP, and "We, the People" are going to get screwed again.

I'm just waiting to see what the "public option" actually is. I'm guessing some type of co-op that won't be able to compete.

I knew as soon as they took single payer off the table, this was a disaster going somewhere to happen. I truly believe this is designed to fail, and will take the Dems down with it.

[Kermitt Gribble]

9. Excellent post! I agree 100%. n/t

[Greyhound]

10. Until we figure out that they have stolen our nation from us, nothing good will change for us

unless there is some overarching benefit to the parasites.

Education is a great example, we've known that our education system is failing for over 40 years, yet in all that time every "reform" imposed on us and our children has been a corporate welfare program packaged as beneficial to education. Even the Pell grant program has been decimated in favor of saddling students with debt to corporate campaign contributors.
:kick: & R

[CoffeeCat]

11. Education is a great example...

The government throws money at education--and this benefits their campaign contributers and the companies owned
by their well-connected friends. As education fails, year after year--it fuels the Republican mantra that
throwing money at education doesn't work.

It would work. If they would just fund it correctly.

It's like they're trying to demonstrate that government involvement in ANYTHING is bad, so they can defund everything.

I'm afraid this is what will happen with health reform. We'll get some watered-down joke reform, and it won't change
anything. It won't be true reform. And there will probably be some problems. And you can bet that any time someone
has to wait for surgery or care--and they get worse or die--the media will be there to report on the story. And those
stories will be packaged up to (once again) prove their point--that the government is NOT the answer.

Pro-corporate reform will have the Dem name stamped on it. Don't the Democrats realize that if they don't fight for true,
meaningful reform that the party will suffer and they may lose elections?

[mistertrickster]

12. Whining, it's what liberals do so well. Now if we could only ORGANIZE! nt

[emsimon33]

13. So, in 2010...we just stay home..no canvassing...no phone banking...

no showing up at the polls...no contributions... Sure, the Republicans "will be back in power"...but have they ever left. And, maybe, that's just what need right now so that we finally elected people who will represent us, the people, and not those with the big pay outs, private jets, wives who need high-paying/low-work jobs, etc.

[eridani]

14. Tell your congresscritters to support the Weiner amendment

As a backup--tell them that the public option should be voluntary entry into Medicare.

[Karmadillo]

15. But we can pretend there was meaningful reform. Isn't that enough?

nt

[flyarm]

17. that seems to be enough for some in the "new" big "D"...not me! eom

[flyarm]

16. Thank you, you are right on the money! When I learned that Obama had secret meetings with the big

boys in health care ..insurance , Big Pharma and the big Hospital conglomertes..I knew it was all over but the shouting..

we the people are screwed..and we have been, from the get go..to pretend otherwise is only to lie to oneself.