White House appears ready to drop 'public option'

[scottw]

Originally Posted by spence

I don't think that's the argument.

It's that a public option will force the private insurance companies to compete, when now, they really have no competition.the "public option would undercut the private companies and drive them out of the market this has been stated as the intent by Obamiods and Obama himself, that's the goal, stop pretending and reciting Obama's phony talking points, he's even given up on that one......

Hell, even the GOP couldn't negotiate a bill for Medicare coverage of prescription drugs with free market principals.
you purchase private plans that you chose which are outside of medicare, there are free market principles at work, the perscription plan is not administered completely by Medicare...

Medicare Part D is successfully providing comprehensive and affordable drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. Although the program got off to a rocky start, it has and continues to improve each and every day.
The program is supported by high levels of satisfaction among participants and its competitive model has resulted in extensive coverage options, broad choices of plans and lower costs to beneficiaries and taxpayers.
Looking at several indicators of success, we believe that Part D is working very well. Enrollment has exceed expectations; competition among private-sector drug plans has resulted in a broad choice of benefits, strong access to needed medicines and significant cost savings for patients; and, the program is currently estimated to cost taxpayers less than originally estimated
that's weird, you'd think there'd be no competition between the companies without a public plan competing



Your sound bite sure sounds good, but it's pretty meaningless...nasty

-spence

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by buckman

I don't like to see my tax dollars wasted either JD. That's why I don't like Obama. But I sure don't want people thrown aside just because they are fighting a very tough battle with addiction.

I'm not talking about people fight addiction. That's why I said "if they refuse treatment for their addiction". I feel the same way about someone that's 400lbs - don't want to change your diet? No health care for you.

People that refuse to contribute to society should not be allowed to benefit from society. Even you have said before, people should not be getting handouts - and that carries over to health care.

I feel as though people should be allowed to make their own decisions in life. The government shouldn't tell me what I can or cannot do in my own home if it has no effect on others in society. If you want to pump drugs through your veins, it's fine by me. But don't expect me to pay the bill when you have no job, HIV (or some other disease) and are dying of pneumonia.

But I'm just a crazy liberal.

[buckman]

I agree JD

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

But I'm just a crazy liberal.

You're a good man, JohnnyD and certainly no "liberal." I would feel confident if you were steering the ship of state. I would probably wince, often, when you chastised your allies for lack of precision and correctness, or for "interpretations" of text, while being soft on those you oppose. Perhaps, you might win over some enemies, more often than not, you'ld be rolled. It is amazing how the views of "right wing radio" and "conservative" politicians agree with yours and how you constantly excoriate them while their "liberal" counterparts get little of your attention. Is it a love/hate relation? It is honorable to correct your own, for their own good as well as the good of society, but their is also realistic politics. The dunderheads of talk radio are responsible for the bulk of reaction against the "healthcare" bill you hate. Their reaction to it is based on the same animus. Much as you despise "right wing talk radio," it is more effective than your heartfelt statement on this thread. In the end, the "liberals" ("progressives") may disregard the "rile" and pass the bill, as is, but a more UNITED stand against it, might stop it.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by buckman

I agree JD

Everyone!!! Batten down the hatches. It's very possible hell has frozen over and this hurricane will bring widespread destruction - for buckman and I agree.

(I hope we haven't been hearing from you much because the fishing has been so well. I heard Hot Reels banging fish a couple weeks ago when we were out off the Race for bass.)

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by detbuch

You're a good man, JohnnyD and certainly no "liberal." I would feel confident if you were steering the ship of state. I would probably wince, often, when you chastised your allies for lack of precision and correctness, or for "interpretations" of text, while being soft on those you oppose. Perhaps, you might win over some enemies, more often than not, you'ld be rolled. It is amazing how the views of "right wing radio" and "conservative" politicians agree with yours and how you constantly excoriate them while their "liberal" counterparts get little of your attention. Is it a love/hate relation? It is honorable to correct your own, for their own good as well as the good of society, but their is also realistic politics. The dunderheads of talk radio are responsible for the bulk of reaction against the "healthcare" bill you hate. Their reaction to it is based on the same animus. Much as you despise "right wing talk radio," it is more effective than your heartfelt statement on this thread. In the end, the "liberals" ("progressives") may disregard the "rile" and pass the bill, as is, but a more UNITED stand against it, might stop it.

Haha... Nice one detbuch.

"Those at the fore front feel the most heat." Right-wing radio and conservative news stations get the criticisms from be because they are the loudest and most obnoxious. While I share *some* political ideologies with them, I do not share the level of irrationality and what I perceive as complaining because "he's on the other team."

I find that the extreme Conservative views are the ones more often reported by stations like Fox and conservative radio, and those views I do not agree with - most of these people leave a nasty, bitter taste in my mouth. While CNN is the ying to the Fox yang, there isn't really a similar counterpoint on the radio.

The reason I joke and say "I'm just a crazy liberal" is because if you disagree with a conservative's opinion then you "must be a liberal". Political discussion in this country doesn't allow a Moderate's point of view because, in the words of George W., "you're either with us, or your against us."

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Right-wing radio and conservative news stations get the criticisms from be because they are the loudest and most obnoxious. While I share *some* political ideologies with them, I do not share the level of irrationality and what I perceive as complaining because "he's on the other team."

You may "perceive" right wing news as louder and more obnoxious, but I don't see evidence that they are more so than other sources. Nor higher levels of irrationality. Anyway, I don't think the volume, nor obnoxity, nor the LEVEL of irrationality, to be what is important. What is important is what is true and what is good.


I find that the extreme Conservative views are the ones more often reported by stations like Fox and conservative radio, and those views I do not agree with - most of these people leave a nasty, bitter taste in my mouth. While CNN is the ying to the Fox yang, there isn't really a similar counterpoint on the radio.

Are you saying that moderate conservative, moderate, and liberal views are reported less than EXTREME conservative views on Fox, etc. I don't think a count has been taken, nor has there been, as far as I know, a study been made as to which conservative views are extreme, moderate, low grade, or normal. There is a similar counterpoint on the radio, but it is so unpopular, and UNNECESSARY, as most "mainstream" media fills the need for a slant to the left.

The reason I joke and say "I'm just a crazy liberal" is because if you disagree with a conservative's opinion then you "must be a liberal". Political discussion in this country doesn't allow a Moderate's point of view because, in the words of George W., "you're either with us, or your against us."

I suppose, then, that "conservatives" who disagree with each other, many do, are, by your definition, "liberals". I believe, btw, that the reason Republicans like to refer to liberals as liberal is, as Spence has pointed out, that most people in this country identify their views as being "conservative". So it is politically smart, I guess, to refer to your opponent as being "liberal", ergo, opposed to your "conservative" views. Simple as that. Moderate points of view are abundant in political discussion. As far as "you're either with us, or your against us"--that was about a specific instance, not a general admonition.

[spence]

You know right wingers are getting really catty when they start dropping the "L bomb" on party mates.

-spence

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by spence

You know right wingers are getting really catty when they start dropping the "L bomb" on party mates.

-spence

Are you calling JohnnyD a "right winger"? I don't think he would like that.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Are you calling JohnnyD a "right winger"? I don't think he would like that.

You know my favorite part about this forum?

It doesn't matter how heated the discussions get, or how childishly we act. At the end of the day, if I bumped into anyone in here on the street, it would be with a smile on my face and a welcoming handshake.

We're all just a bunch of ball busters anyway.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

You know my favorite part about this forum?

It doesn't matter how heated the discussions get, or how childishly we act. At the end of the day, if I bumped into anyone in here on the street, it would be with a smile on my face and a welcoming handshake.

I don't take it that seriously, and find it a lot of fun.
You guys keep me learnin.

[buckman]

I didn't read the latest in this thread but here's the latest from our Hero and his buddies.

The Dems are demanding Health Ins. companies hand over all financial records including pay to top executives. This group is pathetic. Any more questions about a socialistic USA? They will use this info as a tactic to turn the American people ( the stupid one's) against the industry.

Sounds a little like what the did to Wall street!
Same playbook, same players, same sheep, same socialistic agenda.

Watch and see.