We'll Thank Them For It In The End

Perhaps believing that the opposition to health care reform that has plagued Democrats' town hall meetings is fake, Democrats plan to pass health care reform legislation on their own, without cooperation from the Republicans.

On the other hand, such a change could alter the dynamic of talks surrounding health care legislation, and even change the substance of a final bill. With no need to negotiate with Republicans, Democrats might be better able to focus their energy to move more quickly, relying on their large majorities in both houses. Democratic senators might feel more empowered, for example, to define the authority of the nonprofit insurance cooperatives that are emerging as an alternative to a public insurance plan.

Republicans, on the other hand, have apparently begun listening to the voters.

"I think it is safe to say there are a huge number of big issues that people have," Kyl told reporters in a conference call from Arizona. "There is no way that Republicans are going to support a trillion-dollar-plus bill."

According to Rasmussen, a solid majority of voters would rather see no health care bill passed than the one that is working its way through congress right now.

Thirty-five percent (35%) of American voters say passage of the bill currently working its way through Congress would be better than not passing any health care reform legislation this year. However, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most voters (54%) say no health care reform passed by Congress this year would be the better option.

Apparently the Democrats think the health care reform they impose will be so good when it's done, voters will thank them for it when November, 2010 rolls around.  Or not.

Comments

[Chris R]

Why is it that Republicans will rubber stamp nearly every single increase for defense spending without knowing whether or not we’re going to get something out of it, but when we talk about needed reforms that could actually help normal Americans lead better lives, well, a big fat NO to that.

Shouldn't we have the same right to our health as we do with our public safety?

[Ronk]

I personally think this news is very heartening. I feel that for once our government is doing something for the betterment of its citizens rather than for corporate interest.

We need a public option. Screw insurance companies.

[Sissy Willis]

Message to Dems, November 2010: Thanks, but no thanks!

[Tom Bowler]

Chris & Ronk, I think you're in the wrong place. How to put this gently... It is not possible for the public option to provide the benefits promised, while at the same time reducing cost and expanding coverage. To believe it will is extraordinarily naive, at best.

Sissy! I'm with you!

[Geoff Brown]

Howdy, Chris and Ronk
Republicans may be more willing to endorse defense spending because the federal government has the duty to raise armies and to train and equip the navies. It's their job.
Healthcare and healthcare financing, except for government employees and servicemembers, are not the duties of the federal government. Medicaid is technically run by states and the feds just provide most of the money and rules. The money of course came from state taxpayers in the first place. Medicare is clearly as unConstitutional as the Social Security program it is attached to.