Organizing for America | The Spin Cycle: Now is the Time for All Good People to Do the Right Thing and Come to the Aid of the President

Now is the Time for All Good People to Do the Right Thing and Come to the Aid of the President

By Henry M - Sep 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pm EDT

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Open letter to President Barack Obama: I live near Washington, DC. I understand politics, and I know that the president doesn't legislate, but Mr. President, I believe that you can lead the country from the bully pulpit, and in Congress and it's back rooms, and get them to do the right thing. I just got a new job with benefits that include health insurance, but I haven't had health insurance for years. I can't look my uninsured friends in the eye and tell them to get their own; they can't without a public option. They need your help, and even many of the people against you (and against change in general) need a public option for their health, security, and peace of mind. I know you'll do the right thing.Thank you, Mr. President. Henry MusikarSr. IT Consultanthttp://astore.amazon.com/tdcoccamsaxe-20/

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AMEN!!! | Report to Admin

By TSAH from Virginia Sep 8th 2009 at 8:32 pm EDT (Updated Sep 8th 2009 at 8:32 pm EDT)

GOOD PEOPLE!!!

Public option is a means, not an end | Report to Admin

By The Bard of Wilmette Sep 8th 2009 at 8:55 pm EDT (Updated Sep 8th 2009 at 8:55 pm EDT)

Without regard to whether it is a good idea or not, I am convinced that the "public option" is dead, as far as 2009 is concerned. Politics is the art of the possible, as the saying goes, and some meaningful health care reform this year is possible. However, just as social security and civil rights were put into effect with a series of bills over a period of time, the practical reality is that health care reform can only succeed in stages.

What we should be able to accomplish in 2009 is the availability of decent health insurance to all Americans, without regard to employment status or personal health issues. Keep health insurance primarily in the private sector, allow insurance companies to compete across state lines, prohibit them from denying or revoking coverage due to a person's health conditions.

One measure suggested by Senate moderates was to put off the public option for a five year period, but then instituting it if the private insurance companies fail to comply with the guidelines that are designed to prevent exclusions. That is worth considering.

The public option is one of several possible ways to expand insurance coverage to all Americans. If the same goal can be accomplished by other means, do not make the public option into some kind of sacred cow.

What President Obama needs is a political victory, and very soon. If he can get the proverbial half a loaf this year, the other half next year is at least a possibility. Conversely, insisting on "all or nothing" will certainly end with nothing. In that event, it is a near certainty that the Democrats will get clobbered in the 2010 elections, and any kind of health care reform (as we should remember from 1994) will be put off for a very long time.

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