Lieberman opposes public plan in ObamaCare
posted at 1:15 pm on June 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Joe Lieberman has had plenty of experience in enraging his fellow Democrats by maintaining an independent if still liberal viewpoint on policies from national security to war. Harry Reid will have yet another headache after Lieberman’s interview with Bloomberg, in which he firmly opposed the public plan in ObamaCare, which Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack Obama have pushed hard. Lieberman says he sees no need for government to enter into this market, as The Hill reports:
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said this weekend that he opposes a public option plan for consumers in a healthcare reform plan to emerge from the Senate.
“I don’t favor a public option,” Lieberman told Bloomberg News in an interview broadcast this weekend. And I don’t favor a public option because I think there’s plenty of competition in the private insurance market.” …
“We have a unique opportunity, a real opportunity to do this year what we’ve been trying to do for years, which is to reform American healthcare,” Lieberman said. “I think the one thing that will stop that is pressure on the so-called public option.”
Other Democrats in the Senate, mostly from the red states, have also retreated from the public plan. Mary Landrieu (LA) and Ben Nelson (NE) have not quite announced opposition to it, but have sounded skeptical notes. Even if Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins join the Democrats, it would not take more than the three Democrats to uphold a filibuster on the entire bill, and we have yet to hear an explicit stand from other red-state Democrats such as Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor (AR), as well as Max Baucus and Jon Tester (MT).
Lieberman is right that a public plan would harden opposition to the health-care reform effort and give opponents a real lever for obstruction — and for good reason. Most people believe that the health-care system in the US needs some sort of reform, although opinions vary widely on what form that should take. Most people oppose a single-payer system and would not want a Trojan horse like the public plan included in the bill, and stopping single payer would give the Republicans a big issue in the midterms, even those Republicans in favor of more modest reforms.
For that reason, it might be better for the GOP if Reid and Pelosi keep the public plan option in the final bill, as long as we can get enough votes to block it in the Senate and keep it bottled up for the rest of the year. The public plan option is a gateway drug for socialized medicine, and its inclusion makes the underlying motives of Democratic leadership that much more transparent. Lieberman’s opposition gives that transparency a big boost, and if history serves as any judge, Reid, Pelosi, & Co will demonize Lieberman instead of listening to his wisdom.
Blowback
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Keep in mind Harry Reid said Obamacare is the same thing as having the US postal service take over the mail.
William Amos on June 14, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Joe, I love you.
Mason on June 14, 2009 at 1:20 PM
If there is no public option, then what is left of the plan to socialize medicine? I don’t get it.
keep the change on June 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Yes,we can!
a capella on June 14, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Thank heaven for Joe Lieberman. Go, Liebs!
petefrt on June 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Destroy this nation. Not on my watch, Hussein!
HornetSting on June 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Clever (and accurate) turn of phrase.
MB4 on June 14, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I miss the days when democrats were all like Joe, still didn’t agree with them most of the time but could respect their arguments.
conservnut on June 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM
I love a good fight…….and this is ali-frazer
marktarheel on June 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Like a “date rape” drug. “Just drink this, baby. Trust me.”
MB4 on June 14, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Thank you Joe L!
Rush had a great peice about Safeway’s insurance coverage which I believe is the right way to start reforming health care. I hope Joe L, a blue dog dem, or a conservative Republican will get on TV shows and talk about it.
journeyintothewhirlwind on June 14, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Some democrats use to care about America and protecting her.
Now a days the whole Party is just one huge Santa Communist party who thinks that they can keep giving gifts without paying for them.
William Amos on June 14, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Of course, Joe represents the insurance capital of the US, so it’s not like this is a complete shocka.
Karl on June 14, 2009 at 1:36 PM
The Public Plan is nothing more then a way for the Democraps to raise the amount of money taken from you. It won’t be a ‘tax’, but a ‘benefit’. Combined with SS and FIT they can run their fingers through 80% of your money.
Limerick on June 14, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Good point.
BallisticBob on June 14, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Health care reform can be very quick and very easy. The answer lies in Tort Reform. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
Any governmental entity has sovereign immunity; meaning that you can sue the government (with its permission) but your damages will be capped. In most states the damage cap is $100k. That’s it. Now, suppose you have a gubmint doctor who accidentally amputates your leg. The most you can recover is $100k.
So, rather than enacting tort reform, uncle sugah wants to put 350 companies out of business and scores of health care workers on the street.
Smart power! Shazaam!
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Thank you, Joe Lieberman. This should make the fight very interesting. If Obama cannot achieve a filibuster proof majority in the Senate, this will be his first major failure in pushing his agenda. As the economy weakens do to his economic policies, he will fail more frequently. Yes he will!
Loxodonta on June 14, 2009 at 1:41 PM
True; how does Chris Dodd, whose party affiliation might as well say D-Insurance/Financial industry, stand on this.
I say this might be the “pole vault issue” for Joe to come over to the Republican side.
If so, this will be fun to watch – after the screwing the Democratic party gave him in his primary run, they don’t even deserve to have him caucus with them. He could come over; I’d rather have him then the useless Spector anyway.
Come over, Joe; the tent is way big enough for you.
massrighty on June 14, 2009 at 1:46 PM
And all the peeps said, AMEN!!
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 1:48 PM
The democrats will never support the healthcare reform needed:
TORT REFORM…
The democrat party… Bought and paid for by a Trial Bar near you…
phreshone on June 14, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Tort reform is a must and is the only thing that won’t happen as the trial lawyers who run the Democrap party will insure it doesn’t……..
Paul Revere on June 14, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Before I go astray on Key West’s great point, I commend Joe for publicly defying the Dear Leader. Now to Key West.
.
US medicine is rife with jackpot justice; we pay huge premiums for a legal system that convinces juries to compensate losses that can’t be quantified. I suggest that plaintiffs be limited to workers compensation benefit levels, and that they be expected to carry their own life and disability insurance to compensate for botched medical care. The sanction for medical misconduct should be suspension or loss of license. My brethren in the tort bar will scream, but legal malpractice suits are a growing field, maybe they can feast on their own.
Mark30339 on June 14, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Some still do, or at least want to be re-elected. Voting for so many crap sandwiches in a year makes that difficult. So, there will be plenty of defections.
ddrintn on June 14, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The picture you chose to post with Lieberman & Obahmbo lookes mysteriously like the Black Panthers outside of voting stations in Philly.
Intimidation. It’s how he rolls.
portlandon on June 14, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Have you ever lived in a time when you felt like you were doing battle everyday with your elected officials, the MSM, etc.? It physically and mentally wears me out at least once a week, but then I get spurred on once again by the insanity of the tools in Washington and withdraw my sword and run onto the battlefield again. Somedays, there isn’t a mark on me at the end of the day, and other days I am bloody and beaten.
A part of me also realizes that it is going to be this way until we remove a lot of these tools from the House of Representatives in 2010. Maybe we can then take a deep breath and relax for a moment, but until that time, we must keep fighting onward and upward.
shomegirl on June 14, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Mark30339 on June 14, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Tort reform will NEVER happen in any way shape or form. It didn’t happen when W was POTUS(a huge tort reform proponent) with a Republican Congress. It certainly won’t happen now that the trial bar is in charge……….
Paul Revere on June 14, 2009 at 2:03 PM
An associate of mine was just discussing with me last week that 60-70% of bankrupcies for medical bills where people that had health insurance. The cause? They don’t have a disability plan and when they cant work, they cannot afford the COBRA premiums and living expenses- they drop the COBRA and the bills start piling up. I sell DI and cannot stress to people enough how important it is- espechially if they do not have savings to carry them through at least a year.
bazil9 on June 14, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Now arriving: One full-size bus for Joe Lieberman. There’s one empty seat, Senator, and it’s under the wheels…. All aboard !
E T Cartman on June 14, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Off topic(as per instructions): I am tired of pictures of Obama. I guess they are unavoidable: doesn’t make me any less sick of seeing his face though.
jeanie on June 14, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I am so calling Joe’s office tomorrow to thank him. I also am going to call Snowe and Collins. I am going to ask their “handlers” why, precisely, they believe they are still republicans?
Anyone know where we can get a list of “blue dogs?”
Mommypundit on June 14, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Thanks Joe! As for the rest of you in DC, LEAVE MY HEALTHCARE ALONE!.
boomer on June 14, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Hmm that’s odd. A Senator from Connecticut (as in the state where Hartford, the insurance capital of America) opposes a plan to decimate insurance companies.
Next thing you know Sens from Florida will opposes anti-Disneyworld legislation.
angryed on June 14, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I thought the health care bill couldn’t be filibustered. Didn’t the Dems use that budget reconciliation maneuver to make sure it only takes 50 votes?
Mark1971 on June 14, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Someone suggested on another thread last night that it was time for the Democrats to start their “health care experiment.”
I said then; I don’t want to be experimented on, against my will, using my money to fund it.
Exactly!
massrighty on June 14, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Worker’s Compensation is completely out of control. They are sufferring from the same syndrome as the Health Care industry. Uncle sugah can put this whole thing to rest by enacting mandatory tort reform. That is, if he had a shred of credibility. But one can’t use the name obama and credibility in the same sentence!
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Could someone tell me if I’m missing something with the following line of thought. I have been with Kaiser Permanente for many years for health insurance. Kaiser is a not for profit organization that does not treat non members. It provides a level of coverage and access that I am very satisfied with … although a bit less expensive than some of the competing HMO’s available to me thru work, it is, none the less, quite expensive … how is a government plan going to improve on this?? I suspect that Kaiser is more or less a true benchmark of what the cost of coverage is for satisfactory levels of access and benefits … insurance is like a financial mirror … if you don’t like what you see, don’t blame the mirror! So, to be on topic … atta’ boy Joe!!
Paul
pbary on June 14, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Amen. We all must keep fighting and that means pushing ourselves away from the keyboard occasionally to support good conservative candidates, call elected politicians, letters to the editor of local newspapers, making $$ contributions to political campaigns and so much more. Given the lib/statist control of our government, no conservative can afford to watch from the sidelines.
WordsMatter on June 14, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Just picture and remember this scene. Let it burn into your eyes and your brain forever:
You need a prostate or an OB/GYN exam. You arrive at the government clinic that eerily resembles your local DMV. At the front desk you have a large rude person with an attitude. She’s flexing her neck back and forth and chomping on her gum while laughing at your medical chart with the clerk sitting next to her. She gives you your number. You wait and you wait and you wait while Obama infomercials play over and over and over again in the waiting room. You are finally called into an exam room where you are greeted by a doctor who cannot speak English.
You get the idea….
No to socialized medicine in the US.
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Obamacare in action
BallisticBob on June 14, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Ed you say that most people oppose universal healthcare but unfortunately, I just don’t see that. I think the last Gallup poll had almost 70% of American supporting universal healthcare (the only thing they don’t support is universal healthcare for illegal aliens, but Obama will find a way to bait and switch that issue) and certainly, the media is pushing it down our throats as the best thing since sliced bread.
My fear, because Obama is now using this on his current, multi-purpose campaign trail acorss the country. People are so short sighted. Everybody, even the middle class wants everything for free and if Obama says it won’t cost them more, and actually save money — well the general public hasn’t proven themselves to be curious, skeptical and inquisitive when it comes to Obama. They trust him 100%, regardless of what he says is pure rhetorical garbage. If Obama told people to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge and that his wide, God-like arms would be there to catch them, they would follow like lemmings.
I don’t know. Ultimately, half or more people in this country are extremely selfish and many Americans are just lazy. They want everyone else to pay their way and I’m afraid with all those factors combined, free and private markets don’t have a chance.
Republigal on June 14, 2009 at 2:39 PM
In 2002 I had brain surgery and total hip replacement. Brain surgery cost me a little less than $2,000 out of pocket and hip replacement was $100. The total bill was over $250,000. I am NOT for socialized medicine.
txag92 on June 14, 2009 at 2:40 PM
No matter how obama spins it, his health care plans will only cause health cost to rise. There will be no checks and balances, because this is a two sided coin. The hospitals and doctors will have as much clout and incentive to increase costs as the gov will have to ‘discipline ‘ them , if not more. After all, what are we going to do without them? Save your money folks, going to have to go to India for decent, speedy health care in the future.
jeanie on June 14, 2009 at 2:51 PM
I wish someone in the media had the stones to ask Obama that if Obamacare passes, will he and his family have to enroll in it as well……….
Seven Percent Solution on June 14, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Sen. Lieberman still has to lose his “cap and trade (er… tax)” mentality before I would welcome him wholeheartedly. But he’s got the national security issue down cold, and with this, he’s moving closer. Keep on comin’, Joe.
I think we could get him if someone would take the time to match up some of his long-term ideals with conservative-based principles and show him how a conservative approach will be more successful. Do that, and you get him.
either orr on June 14, 2009 at 2:55 PM
and his family have to enroll in it as well……….
Seven Percent Solution on June 14, 2009 at 2:55 PM
As far as I know and understand, the ritzy and comprehensive Federal employees health care will not be affected. Shame on you for not knowing that these are the elite and the rest of us are obligated to pay for ourselves and them and not being grateful for the crumbs our great leader has spared for us. He has even promised that our health care will be the same as theirs. Why do you doubt? sarc/
jeanie on June 14, 2009 at 3:02 PM
No. And I’ve lived a fair while. I’ve also never lived in a time where I felt that the government had as its priority taking away as much of what I have or have saved as they can.
(While at the same time renigging as much as possible on its responsibility to keep me safe.)
It’s the first time I ever felt that the government was purposely acting against me and my family and our interests as productive, law-abiding citizens. I feel they are trying to do everything they possibly can to make sure we slip down, down, down from the middle class. And the MSM – well, they might as well be aliens, cheering the government on.
And yes, it’s relentless. Every day there’s some new horrible thing. It’s exhausting, it’s endless, it seems hopeless, and so on and so forth, and it may well BE hopeless. But we just have to marshal our stamina for the long haul. And have some sort of faith that it will have been worth the fight.
Alana on June 14, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Does anybody know the breakdown of those ‘Without Health Care’?
I always hear the 45 million number thrown around, but I never hear who those people are.
Could it be that the dems simply want to force the wealthy, who may pay their own bills instead of carrying insurance, into the fray?
I know of several friends who are the basic ‘indestructible’ 18-25 year olds who do not see the need for Health Insurance.
cntrlfrk on June 14, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Had this conversation last night at a pool party. Three of about eight adults kinda support a public option. They can’t tell you why exactly. Just that one wants to retire b4 he is 65 and he won’t be able to afford his own insurance, so he wants govt. insurance. I was like, what? So you think you won’t be paying out the *ss for Govt. insurance? And you will have less options, access, etc. Paying for your own insurance is not expensive! I told him how we did it for a year. $275/mo for a family of four! Asked if they have an HSA? No. Well get one! They are probably the best thing that Bush did. Sock $$ into it and leave it to help pay for your future needs. This is not that hard….
JAM on June 14, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Does anybody know the breakdown of those ‘Without Health Care’?
cntrlfrk on June 14, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I just heard on one of the mainstream media sites, that 25% of the uninsured is this country are illegal aliens. Many are young people who’d rather spend the money on beer and clothes and many are people that work, but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid (in which case they should BUY insurance).
Why should I have to buy insurance for someone who makes too much to qualify for welfare? That’s absurd. I don’t make enough to support my family and theirs too, so where does that leave me??
Republigal on June 14, 2009 at 3:15 PM
The 45 million are the illegal aliens in our country.
Look, the bottom line is this: If you are uninsured and destitute there are already programs in place to pay for your health care. Medicare and Medicaid are in fact, government health care. Medicare and Medicaid are broken.
Rather than fixing what’s broken already, chicago jesus wants to throw fuel on the fire and fix what’s NOT broken. It’s a takeover. Plain and simple. He wants to control your life and your well being. He will tell you what kind of car to drive, when to run your appliances, where to work, what to do and on top of it all he will control your destiny, survival or non-survival once he gets his fuggin hooks in your health care.
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 3:15 PM
According to the studies I’ve seen, most people want some sort of universal health care, to take care of those without any insurance, but they don’t want to lose their own insurance. In other words, they don’t want single-payer health care.
They also don’t want to be forced in to something that means longer waits or fewer choices. So while the numbers are high for universal coverage in general, they dip way down when asked if it means losing their own coverage, or long waiting lists and the like.
This is because, according to the studies, most people are very satisfied with their own coverage and their medical treatment in general. (In fact, even those who are uninsured are actually quite satisfied with their medical care!)
Alana on June 14, 2009 at 3:17 PM
cntrlfrk on June 14, 2009 at 3:06 PM
From what I’ve read, the numbers breakdown:
17 Million can afford insurance but choose not to buy it.
30 mill left uninsured. Half of those are between jobs and will most likely have insurance in the near future. so that leaves
15 mill uninsured. 9 mill are children. S-Chip should take care of them.
So what do we have then? 15 mill uinsured, or 3% of the population. Not bad. Now roughly of that amt. how many are illegal?
JAM on June 14, 2009 at 3:17 PM
All of you North Carolinians (and whomever else!), join me in calling Democrat Socialist Sen. Kay Hagan’s office!
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6342
Fax: 202-228-2563
GREENSBORO OFFICE – STATE HEADQUARTERS
701 Green Valley Rd; Suite 201
Greensboro, NC 27408
Phone: 336-333-5311
Fax: 336-333-5331
RALEIGH OFFICE
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-856-4630
Fax: 919-856-4053
TOLL FREE FOR NORTH CAROLINIANS
P: 1-877-852-9462
SouthernGent on June 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM
SouthernGent on June 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM
I bet SouthernGal will call. You know she’s still reading.
txag92 on June 14, 2009 at 3:25 PM
You forget a very important point: those who are currently privately insured do NOT want government coverage. The Democrats know they are tap dancing in a minefield. They see the polls.
ddrintn on June 14, 2009 at 3:26 PM
The ‘destitute’ can show up at the nearest emergency room , demand and get totally free health care.But, this health care is shoddy and is rationed(subtly)by the hospotals in question.(future for many of us?) For example: Young woman gets broken cheekbone courtesy of violent boyfriend. Eye and face damaged. Stays in hospital for 3 free days. Discharged and told to come back for plastic surgery exploration. Returns to find “her face is healing nicely, no need for surgery”. Face still deformed and will always be. Recourse? Very little and would take years so why bother. Not saying this is right or wrong–just giving you a real life illustration of how things may(or may not)be under Obama’s plan. Free-? well you get what you pay for I guess(or don’t pay for).
jeanie on June 14, 2009 at 3:27 PM
…or an ex-Senator from Chicago that opposes anti-corruption measures…
cthulhu on June 14, 2009 at 3:30 PM
The AMA will torpedo the ‘public plan’ by not taking patients on the public plan. That’s how they do with private contracts they don’t like.
Also, the only industry that has consistently added jobs over the last decade is the health care industry. Why does Obama want to derail the only part of the economy that is growing jobs?
ThackerAgency on June 14, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Let’s see, the largest two HEALTH INSURANCE companies are Blue Cross and United. Where are they located? Oh yeah, CHICAGO. Another company I represent is Celtic and they are merely located INSIDE THE SEARS TOWER.
The odd thing is that Obama thinks the insurance companies don’t understand ‘Chicago politics’.
ThackerAgency on June 14, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Maybe they’ll annoy him enough to switch parties.
Schadenfreude on June 14, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Of course, Joe represents the insurance capital of the US, so it’s not like this is a complete shocka.
Karl on June 14, 2009 at 1:36 PM
.
This is the best look into the mind of Joe L.
.
NIce catch. Following back to his contributions from the private sector and I assure you the $ amount shouldn’t shock anybody either. A long with that, the lobbyist from the private insurance companies surely provided Joe with all the ammunition required to shot down Obamacare. Hell, how are they going to pay for it? The public Healthcare proposed is anti-capitalism. Competition is one of the keystone principals of capitalism. If America can’t recognize, that then it is time to pull funding back from operations like PBS, NPR & the Arts. I don’t even want start in on public education but it sucks. They (PBS, NPR & Dept. of education)are not facilitating the basics forms of common sense and realities of the real world. Hell, how many kids and/or adults do you know that have no basic concepts of simple micro/macro economics. Read and comprehend a mortgage contract or any contact for the matter. The dumbing down of America is the root cause of a great descent into Stupidhood.
.
If this plan that Obama gets signed into law we are done.
Americannodash on June 14, 2009 at 3:39 PM
SouthernGent on June 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM
I bet SouthernGal will call. You know she’s still reading.
txag92 on June 14, 2009 at 3:25 PM
.
SouthernGal was really from the great white north. I could tell from her canadian accent.
/s
Americannodash on June 14, 2009 at 3:44 PM
If Obamacare fails to pass, it will be highly entertaining to see the spin put on it by our state-run media. A failure for Lightworker?
ddrintn on June 14, 2009 at 3:45 PM
SouthernGal was really from
the great white northan alternate universe. I could tell from hercanadian accentunhinged posts./s
Americannodash on June 14, 2009 at 3:44 PM
FIFY :)
txag92 on June 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Obama is meeting with the A.M.A. tomorrow to explain to the ignorant peasants why he is The One who knows all the answers about their profession.
It will be interesting to see how many veiled threats are included in his address – like “I’m the only one standing between you and the
pitchforksgetting reimbursed slightly more than a pittance for Medicare, so put up and shut up.”Buy Danish on June 14, 2009 at 4:20 PM
A little birdie told me that there will not be a lot of body swaying, hand clapping, arm waving and out right fainting at the sight of His Obamaness.
I can’t wait to see his reaction to the stony silence that he will be met with. The teleprompters will be SO disappointed.
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Lieberman is dead wrong.
The public option is the only one that gives people real relif.
Otherwise, this is just another O mortgage plan crud.
We absolutely need health care reform.
The congress is caving to their lobbyists.
Come on, people.
AnninCA on June 14, 2009 at 4:29 PM
So,, I figure all Obama needs to do is rename his government plan The National Privatization Health Insurance Act or some such drither and all will be well and good.
JellyToast on June 14, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I expect more from conservatives, btw.
You know this is about lobby money.
Come on.
AnninCA on June 14, 2009 at 4:30 PM
The only hope I have left is that Government Health Care fails, and that Cap-N-Rape fails.
If we stop those two mega-intrusive things from happening, there is still hope.
If one goes through = bad
If both go through = Obamunism at it’s worst, and the end of the U.S. as we, or anyone in the past 200+ years has known it.
We need to stay focused on these two things, ignore the sideshow distractions and pound this into the publics minds.
cntrlfrk on June 14, 2009 at 4:31 PM
txag92 on June 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
.
+ lol
Americannodash on June 14, 2009 at 4:33 PM
AnninCA on June 14, 2009 at 4:30 PM
.
Tell me thoughts on global warming/change
before I measure your views on health care.
Americannodash on June 14, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Tort reform in regards to health care won’t happen. Look at how many lawyers are in Congress and the Senate.
GarandFan on June 14, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Bravo on the pic, Ed! BRAVO!!
Ugly on June 14, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I have a “love-hate” thing going on with Joe. Today, I love him. Hopefully, he will rub off on some other dems… and lib republicans for that matter.
ErinF on June 14, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Actually, it’s the other Senator from CT who’s in bed with the insurance companies. That would be Chris “Waitress Sandwich” Dodd, who was born in a Hartford suburb.
Joe on the other hand was born in Stamford, down in Fairfield County just outside NY City.
I’m sure Joe’s admirers at firedoglake will do another Photoshop of him in blackface for this latest “atrocity”.
Del Dolemonte on June 14, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Except that:
1. We already have outstanding health care in this country (the class of the world, actually,) and a very good system in place to provide coverage to most.
2. The public option is a ruse – a head fake – a sleight-of-hand way to get to a single payer plan.
3. The 45 million number that get tossed around includes everyone who has been without health coverage at any point in the last year; this includes people who, in the course of changing jobs, may spend a few days or weeks without health coverage.
4. We’re being told (again!)that it’s urgently urgent that we fix this problem right now! how many times do we want to fall for this one?
massrighty on June 14, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Fact: Medicare has cost more than predicted since enacted, while Congress has had 40+ years to get it right and has failed to the point of bankruptcy.
The Dems want the next big entitlement but the only way they can think of to pay for it is cut the old entitlement, i.e. ration care.
Why would we believe that rationing in this new entitlement wouldn’t be their go-to solution when costs inevitably get out of hand and the Dems want the next big entitlement?
txmomof6 on June 14, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Why does noone ever followup the statement that there are 47 million uninsured with the question of “didn’t we just increase SCHIP (including care for illegals) dramatically? Why are they still using the name number that they have been using since Clinton was in office?
txmomof6 on June 14, 2009 at 5:24 PM
name = same, sorry!
txmomof6 on June 14, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Didn’t Democrats keep the option of reconciliation for health care? If so, we’ll need alot more than 3 Democrats to walk away from Dear Leader.
LFRGary on June 14, 2009 at 5:29 PM
The Criminal in Chief may have to do a little personal knee-breaking with Mo Joe. Mo Joe didn’t get the memo about families being ruined for generations……not by lack of health care…..by opposition to the fascist take-over of Health Kare.
notagool on June 14, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Ann, if the other elements of the reform package go through (individual mandate, no pre-existing conditions, etc.), and instead of a public option we get nonprofit co-ops (which seems to be what Kent Conrad is suggesting we do), how is that not real relief?
DrSteve on June 14, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Just thought of a solution!!!! Everyone that voted for Obama should volunteer to add 1-2 uninsured people to their health insurance policy and voila, no more uninsured people!
txmomof6 on June 14, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Everyone who voted for Obama should be made to stand in front of our Nation, preferably on MSNBC and apologize. Actually, I’m surprised we’ve not yet heard the cries of folks that din’t git food stamps, din’t get the moe-gage paid, din’t git their car paid and din’t get a job.
Key West Reader on June 14, 2009 at 5:41 PM
LFRGary on June 14, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Conrad is opposed to it at present and he is in charge of the Budget committee. I think there is some rule that if they use Reconciliation they have to pay for it upfront and it expires in 5 years automatically. Not sure, but I think there are some arcane Senate rules regarding legislation that is enacted through Reconciliation that make it less than desirable to enact sweeping changes that way. Could be wrong, but I think that is why Bush’s tax cuts are expiring automatically.
txmomof6 on June 14, 2009 at 5:43 PM
God bless him! A real stand-up guy, that US Senator Joe of CT.
ConScribe on June 14, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Joe Lieberman rocks!
Finally some Dems are starting to realize that this so-called public option would destroy American healthcare as we know it…
Now if only the MSM would get on board and stop censoring the truth about some of these wacko policies that Mr. Alinskybama has up his sleeve….
GeorgiaDoe on June 14, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Ugh… are the proposed details of this plan in writing somewhere I could access them? My daughter specifically chose Physical Therapy as her major because of increasing demand and the excellent average salary in our state. I’m worried how her pay and liability issues could potentially be affected. And by the way, a LOT of Nebraskans are totally sick of our dear moderate Democrat Ben Nelson. He’s supposedly a pro-life social and fiscal conservative. He was a popular governor, but going to Washington changed him.(As it did Bob whacked-out Kerry!) He endorsed Mr. Naah, Throw The Live Baby In The Soiled Linens Closet early on. He simply enjoys the attention he constantly gleans from being a fence-sitter. Glad Senator Lieberman sees the light on this issue.
Cornhusker on June 14, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I went without it for years which was my choice to do so.
I gambled that I would not run into a major problem and used the extra money to pay off my house in 15 years.
After my house was paid off, I chose a job with healthcare.
I’m rusty but I’m pretty sure that the Constitution has no clause for free healthcare at the expense of my fellow man.
Commies, go get stuffed.
gdonovan on June 14, 2009 at 6:29 PM
And I’m sure it is just a cooincidence that Lieberman’s state includes Hartford the so-called insurance capitol of America.
Seriously though the filthy liar in the White House and his thugs have a serious problem that there is already this kind of dissent.
highhopes on June 14, 2009 at 6:54 PM
How about just taxing the hell out them until the national debt is down to some reasonable number.
highhopes on June 14, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Obama-care will be the perfect home for all the affirmative actions doctors–you know, the ones who got their degree because of their race or gender, and
not merit.
Dhuka on June 14, 2009 at 6:56 PM
If the administration is so interested in making a ‘public option’ work, how about fixing even one of the two public options currently available – Medicare and/or Medicaid. To be fair, Medicaid is funded largely by the Feds through block grants, but is administered by the various states. So, get Medicare right, at least get it to the point that seniors can find providers who will accept their insurance, and then maybe we can talk about universal coverage.
Medicare is the perfect testing ground for whatever they’re trying to accomplish with a public option. They don’t need to create another.
martin.hale on June 14, 2009 at 7:02 PM
I nominate you for Tax Czar!
JellyToast on June 14, 2009 at 7:11 PM
I use the word Democrat a lot, but ya know. There is a difference. I believe Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and the like aren’t truly Democrats either. They are far left, communists/socialists, who are hell bent on power. In what they’ve learned, the only path to that, is destruction. Which is what they’re doing.
This isn’t about helping everyone to get health care. This is about keepign us under their rule, and control. To keep us in line, and it’s an overt invasion of our privacy, and rights as citizens of this country. I would hope by now, a lot of people , while they don’t agree with Republicans, surely they can see what this is all truly about?
capejasmine on June 14, 2009 at 7:15 PM
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