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Originally Posted by spence
The progressives clearly consider 100% coverage and parity between plans to be critical success factors, but as presented to date these goals appear to threaten the entire system.
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Not only threaten the system, but call into question the need for a Public option to compete with the existing private insurance options. The National or Public Health Insurance will offer the same tier of plans--basic, enhanced, premium, or premium plus, and be under the same regulations and requirements as private insurance. In reading the bill, the Public plan just seems to be an extension of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and the private plans have to follow suit. The bill could be written, basically as it is, without the inclusion of the Public option. In effect, the private plans will be unpaid private contractors (unfunded mandates) for the Government.
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Originally Posted by Spence
I'm very concerned that the GOP is really going to screw this up.
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You mean the GOP is going to screw up the MESS?
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Originally Posted by Spence
The party's only response these days seems to be to rile up the fringe, which isn't going to get them very far. The Dem's will pass a version of their bill anyway.
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The GOP has been responding with their version of reform. I don't think the Party is riling "up the fringe." The rile is more extensive than you think and is only evident in the voice of what you call "the fringe."
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Originally Posted by Spence
Republicans should present a simple 5 item list of principals on which to build a solution, good common sense stuff that the average person would agree with, and clearly articulate how these principals can enable a solution to the real issues. With the proper marketing they could force the Dems to rewire the DNA of the proposal.
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Sounds simple enough. The Republicans, being so outnumbered, beleaguered, and lacking in political moxie, are probably not the vehicle for such a presentation. Where are the powerful, persuasive, and influential voices of the MAINSTREAM MEDIA when you need them?
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Originally Posted by Spence
This would take the debate into the mainstream where Democratic Congress people would feel very threatened in their home districts.-spence
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I think the loud riling of the fringe, if it keeps up, may scare those Congress people.