Michael-
“Actually, the Republicans have been quite consistent in their position, which is that the way to control health care costs is to control health care costs,”

Yes. They have been quite consistent is meaningless double-talk. Notice their statement is without any actually plan to control costs. We will do it by doing it by doing nothing.

They have been consistent as the party of NO:
No reform. No ideas. No solutions. No progress.

Would you rather have what the dems are trying to shove down your throat? I agree, we need to do something, but what is being proposed (and I’ve read MOST of the bill)is a joke. I voted for Obama, but he’s lost.

Absolutely amazing. Ms. Schwartz repeatedly has refused to hold a town meeting of any sort on the issue of health care. And she considers this ignoring of her constituents as being “constructive”? What courage.

Michael

Try your online dictionary to learn the difference between “constructive” and “consistent”. When you do, then try to write a responsive piece.

For once, I agree with David. Consistent negativity is not being constructive.

It’s been clear from the start to any neutral observer that the Republicans’ only objective has been to kill any type of reform. It’s not hard to see why. Any passage will be a huge victory for Obama and the Democrats and the Republicans won’t get any credit. But they’re aware that this time the politics are different, with Americans wanting an overhaul by huge margins. Everyone must at least say they’re for “reform.” But if you say you’re for reform and you’re against all the changes that need to be made, and you’re against all the ways of paying for it and controlling costs, then you are objectively not for reform. Republicans have categorically rejected all the cost-controls – the public plan, the employer mandate, comparative effectiveness review – all the items the CBO has scored as huge cost-savers. And now, when they can’t win the argument about the actual bill, they’re spreading lies about things that aren’t in the bill – death panels, abortion, coverage for undocumented workers. Democrats are forced to make both sides of the argument, expanding coverage and controlling costs.

“Americans wanting an overhaul by huge margins”? Are you serious? NO, Americans (as far as I can see) don’t want their health care touched at all, and would like to see the current public system “improved”, with out affecting their finances (taxes). Which, by the way IS enevitable if THIS proposal is passed “as-is”. I’m an independent, but the Rep have been right about most of Obama agenda. Cap and Trade is a BAD idea to how it is structured, the stimulus doesn’t create nearly the jobs needed that it should, long term or even short term, and this Health Care bill and the cost associated with it with be disasterous for our national economy. Everybody needs to STOP looking at things D or R and start thinking about the present and future of our country.

So were all these people who claim to have voted for Obama but who now oppose the public option just not paying attention during the campaign? It was pretty clear then that health care reform would require some sort of not-for-profit, public health insurance option to compete with the private insurers who essentially have oligopoly power (and in some places monopoly) power now.

First of all, I’m not married to the idea of the public option – we should be thinking about the ENDS, not just the MEANS. If a public option is able to hold down costs by giving an affordable alternative for BASIC, no-frills care, then let’s do it. But if something like non-profit co-ops (which DID EXIST back during the Depression and did well until they were shut down by the doctors and the insurance companies) can accomplish that, let’s do that. Liberals are SO wedded to the public option, they’re forgetting the whole goal of reform in the first place.

Secondly, reform WILL help people who already have insurance – by lowering their premiums by eliminating the hidden costs. This reform bill has the potential to POSITIVELY affect the majority of the population.

Also, as Rep. Patrick Murphy noted recently at the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, the public option is good for small business. There’s a lot less burden on a three-person firm when it doesn’t have to worry about health care.

I”m a small business owner. If congress wants to help me, reduce the BS U&O tax, don”t raise my RE taxes every few years (They doubled 2 years ago), and a Public option healthcare system will AGAIN raise my taxes. I have only 12 employees, and offer Keystone insurence, where my pocketbook isn’t crushed. Ya want to help Small business……STOP RAISING MY TAXES every few years, so I can maintain my business. Does anyone think that Murphy or Schwartz EVER sat down and worried about making their monthly bills?! No way. How bout’ this, we fix the existing FREE healthcare system. Fix the clinics. Don’t make people jump through hoops between SCHIP and welfare. I have an idea……create JOBS! Jobs=taxes Jobs=salaries Jobs=community developement and growth Jobs=security Jobs=alot more. The Dems need to stop F*@-ing around with cap&trade, misdirected Healthcare reform, stop giving cash for clunkers (it’s a band-aid on a bullet wound) and START creating JOBS. A TRILLION dollar stimulus and very few jobs to go with it. They want to raise taxes? Tax the shit out of companies who farm out their business over seas. I’m all for Capitalism, but enough is enough. Thanks for letting me rant.

Allyson Schwartz was very proud of the fact that she helped write H. R. 3200, passing the blame on to Republicans. I guess she does’t really understand that Congress has a Democratic majority and it is her Democratic friends that don’t support the bill, neither do the majority of American voters.My question is What does she or any other member of Congress know about healthcare?
That’s right it has nothing to do with healthcare, it has to with the botton line—money.