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By a narrow final margin of 220-215, the U.S. House passed the health care reform bill late last night. With the vote almost completely breaking along party lines, only one Republican - Joseph Cao of New Orleans, LA - voted yes while 39 Dems (none from Illinois) voted no. In an email statement, President Obama said, "This is a night to celebrate -- but not to rest. Those who voted for reform deserve our thanks, and the next phase of this fight has already begun.''
Next up is the U.S. Senate, which has its own bill. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is facing an uphill battle due to his supporting a public option, so there's still plenty of work to do. In spite of President Obama's hope that the final reform bill would be passed by Christmas, the Senate still has to negotiate and hammer out its own version of the bill to pass and then the two bills must be merged into on bill that will have to, once again, pass both houses.
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This bill is not going to pass the Senate in anything resembling its current form. It is such a disaster on so many levels, I don't even know where to begin. Dependents are covered until they are 27? That will result in a generation of sloth to a degree that is almost unfathomable. I think this is an effort to create as much dependecy as possible and cement Government as a central figure in the lives of as many people as possible. Oh, and I love how the bill required people to purchase insurance or face possible imprisonment. I know that the imprisonment part has been taken out due to political pressure, but just what the fuck kind of power-hungry tyrants are these people? I'd love to see the uprising that would occur once a citizen is arrested for not purchasing insurance.
There is a deficit north of $1T that is expected to grow. Debt is expected to climb to its highest levels, as measure by a share of GDP. The unemp rate is 10.2%. What do the Democrats do? Create another $1.2T entitlement program that raises the cost of medical care for everyone, resulting in less available capital for the private sector. What is next on their agenda? Cap-and-trade, which raises energy costs across the country and kills even more jobs, while enriching Al Gore and Goldman Sachs via the Chicago Climate Exchange. Does this make any economic sense? Only if the objective is to shift towards government domination of the economy.
I am beginning to think that Obama doesn't particularly mind high unemployment. As long as he can keep taking over large swaths of the economy, he can build a nearly-100% centrally planned economy. Government can decide how resources are allocated and who is employed in what sector. This has to be the goal, one cannot explain the actions of the past 9 months any other way. Small businesses are being deterred from hiring with all of the uncertainty he is creating.
Marauder, please try to read about what socialized health care is before you open your mouth or put your fingers to the keyboard All you're spouting is Faux Noise bullshit, and like other kinds of excrement, it smells.
I don't believe I mentioned anything about socialized health care in my post.Wow, what a highly insightful response.
Rather than rebutting anything I say (because you can't), you just say I heard it all on Fox News. Good work, although to be a true boilerplate liberal response, you should also include the required references to "Bush" and "Republicans".
Why don't you actually think for a second about the consequences of this bill. This isn't just about covering the uninsured, this is a government power-grab of epic proportions. HOwever, its probably a little complicated for you to comprehend since your mind is clouded with visions of hope and change.
I am beginning to think that Obama doesn't particularly mind high unemployment. As long as he can keep taking over large swaths of the economy, he can build a nearly-100% centrally planned economy.
Your ridiculous red baiting would be funny if it wasn't so infantile and lacking in reason and logic. Pretty much every first world/western country has some kind of universal healthcare except us. None of them are socialized economies. Let's not let facts get in the way of your reasoning..right.
"Oh, and I love how the bill required people to purchase insurance or face possible imprisonment. I know that the imprisonment part has been taken out due to political pressure, but just what the fuck kind of power-hungry tyrants are these people? I'd love to see the uprising that would occur once a citizen is arrested for not purchasing insurance."
You got proof this time or are you just making shit up again, liar? I think *YOU* like high unemployment.
You're also fat. Very, very fat.
Run along. Adults are talking.
(hits ignore button)
Oh noes! The government actually helping people!
MM,
C'mon liar, where's your links?
You're fat.
"Why don't you actually think for a second about the consequences of this bill. This isn't just about covering the uninsured, this is a government power-grab of epic proportions. HOwever, its probably a little complicated for you to comprehend since your mind is clouded with visions of hope and change."
Why don't you post some links to back up what you say?
You're fat.
Why don't you actually think for a second about the consequences of this bill.
You mean like how my younger brother will now be able to buy health insurance?
Exactly. I have a few more:
2. People will no longer be chained to their jobs.
3. Not as many people will, you know, die.
4. Not as many people will have to declare bankruptcy because they got hurt or got sick.
5. Life expectancy and childhood immunization rates will increase so that they meet the western average.
6. America's nineteenth percentile infant mortality rate will decline.
7. Less spending on paperwork and administration (we spend over three times as much as Canada).
8. Wider redistribution of risk will result in fewer people being punished for having the misfortune of inheriting disease ... or, say, being in the path of a drunk driver.
9. The amount of money Americans spend on health care will no longer be two and half times the industrialized world's median.
10. The naysayers will see that the sky didn't fall, and that health care is actually a solution -- not a problem.
2. People will no longer be chained to their jobs.
This is such a GIGANTIC benefit, I can't even begin to extoll its virtues.
The organization I work for has a Canadian equivalency and the folks up there clearly benefit from not being locked into a job they hate for the benefits. When you don't have to be afraid of getting sick or hurt, you can make bolder moves.
A silly aside, the last episode of "Mad Men" had (spoilers) the bulk of the main characters go off and start their own agency. How many people would do just that if they didn't have pay outrageous insurance costs or forgo coverage?
The GOP will have to own this in 2010 and 2012 when the reforms actually MAKE THINGS BETTER for millions of Americans and only one of them voted for it. Tossers.
You would think so-called conservatives would love that part of any health-care reform. It could make more Americans willing to take risks in the job market or even see if they can make money off their inventive ideas--this could help produce the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs or Tom Edison or whomever. This would all be great for U.S. capitalism. This is a direct offshoot of the American Dream. (and more people, especially those with hefty student loans, might veer toward the non-profit sector, doing work that is sorely needed).
Instead, the right-wing working class--at least the unthinking part of that segment--supports the status quo, which just strengthens the hand of (relatively rich) management when it comes to salaries and hiring, thanks to the reduced mobility of labor. It's beyond ironic.
The health care bill will produce the next Bill Gates??!! That is laughable, however I think you should apply for a spot on Obama's propagandist economic team. You know, the same team that says they saved the economy, the stimulus is working, and invented the term "saved job." The Bill Gates line could be used when they want to lighten things up a little bit from their usual tactics of scaring people about death and bankruptcy.
This bill will hammer small business as well as the overall economy. All small businesses are required to purchase "government approved" health care, which will include more procedures and will thus be more expensive. Your economic ignorance is embarrasing. Small business owners are completely against this bill. However, in your little world I suppose they are all just stupid like all others who oppose the bill. You liberals know what is better for them then they do.
This multi-trillion dollar bill will raise taxes and raise the cost of insurance because the government will require companies to cover everything. Not only does this siphon off trillions in potential investment capital, but it also decreases disposable consumer income, meaning less consumption. People will be deterred from investing in businesses.
And I don't understand the constant shots you people take at the "rich." Who do you think funds your precious govt programs that you want to take care of you?
I heard this won't actually be implemented until 2014. If anything, the Repubs have strength in the 2010 and 2012 elections because of this, because nobody will have seen any tangible benefits yet, and the repubs can campaign on the anti-healthcare platform they've been standing on the past year.
Obviously you haven't been paying attention to anything in the bill. If you did, you would know that this monstrosity doesn't take place until 2013 or 2014. I love how you attribute all opposition to the bill to ignorance/racism, but you don't know anything about it yourself.
"This multi-trillion dollar bill will raise taxes and raise the cost of insurance because the government will require companies to cover everything. Not only does this siphon off trillions in potential investment capital, but it also decreases disposable consumer income, meaning less consumption. People will be deterred from investing in businesses.
And I don't understand the constant shots you people take at the "rich." Who do you think funds your precious govt programs that you want to take care of you?"
Hey there, old sport. Here's a fun, MM style generalization - you're fat. So very, very fat. So fat that you can't see your shoes. How do I know that? Doesn't matter - I can still say it.
So Fatso - where's the links you said exist a while back proving your "conservative ideas"? But you're a liar and a blowhard, and can't back up a damn thing you say.
You're full of crap, and you know it. When Ward Up posts, s/he makes good points without being a fat baby like you. So when I say "Move along - adults are talking" its because you troll around looking to get a rise, but never back anything up. In other words, you're a waste of time and perfectly good oxygen.
But I bet you're really, really fat.