Mike Dennison has a fascinating story about what Senator Baucus won’t say about his magical health care reform bill. As far as I can tell, the plan won’t actually do anything that might threaten one nickel of corporate profit. Along the way, it will magically provide benefits, though those details seem awfully lacking.
What won’t Baucus’s proposal do?
- It’s won’t include a public option, opposition to which demonstrates the enormous mental gymnastics required to be a conservative today. Conservatives oppose the public option because a) it will lead to a massive, unwieldy and expensive plan, but b) will drive private insurers out of business because the government will have an unfair competitive advantage. I’m not sure that makes much sense. What does make sense is that the public favors the proposal, which must mean insurance companies don’t.
- It won’t require businesses to provide health insurance, but will offer “incentives.” My guess? Free expired Viagra and Propecia, with the occasional “Attaboy!"
- It won’t tax the wealthiest Americans, but instead will place the expense squarely on the backs of the very people who are struggling to pay their health care costs right now. This is an especially ingenious idea. After years of government tax policy designed to create a class of the super-rich and to neglect working Americans, Baucus’s proposal protects those poor millionaires from class warfare.
It’s apparent that Senator Baucus is much more interested in meeting the needs of those who can afford to make $5,000 campaign contributions than those who cannot afford $5,000 medical procedures and insurance premiums.
Whenever Senator Baucus talks about the important work of his committee, I am reminded of what he said seventeen years ago:
`No more scotch tape and baling wire,” said Senator Max Baucus, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, who spoke at the AAPS regional meeting in Great Falls, Montana, on June 20. “It’s time for fundamental reform, not tinkering.”
Although he does not believe that significant changes will occur in this session of Congress, he thinks they will not be long delayed. . .
Stop tinkering in a back room, Senator Baucus, with people who have no interest reforming health care. They’re killing it, and using you to do it. As Harold Meyerson points out in the Washington Post, it’s a fool’s errand:
Max Baucus, then, isn’t negotiating universal coverage with the party of Everett Dirksen, in which many members supported Medicare. He’s negotiating it with the party of Barry Goldwater, who was dead set against Medicare. It’s a fool’s errand that is creating a plan that’s a marvel of ineffectuality and self-negation — a latter-day Missouri Compromise that reconciles opposites at the cost of good policy.
Article by Don Pogreba
Don is from Shelby, MT (Go Coyotes!) and has lived in Montana his whole life. He teaches English and Debate in Helena, MT, and does most of his writing far too late at night.
{ 87 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Can I just say exactly what a relief to discover someone that actually knows what theyre speaking about online. You actually discover how to bring a concern to light and make it important. Lots more people should read this and understand this side in the story. I cant believe youre not very popular as you definitely have the gift.
Wonderful post, I conceive weblog owners ought to acquire a good deal from this internet weblog its real user pleasant.
Hi there everyone, I be familiar with YouTube video consists of fewer bytes of memory due to that its quality is bad, but this YouTube video has great picture quality.
Downloading information from this site is as trouble-free |as clicking the mouse rather than other blogs which shift me here and there on the webpages.
Hi there everybody, I am sure you will be enjoying here by watching these kinds of comic video clips.
Yay google is my king assisted me to discover this outstanding site! .
Very soon this web page will be famous among all blogging viewers, due to it’s good articles
Its definitely brilliant YouTube video in terms of features, truly nice, its quality is really appreciable.
Hi, all is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s truly good, keep up writing.
Hello.This post was extremely fascinating, especially because I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Sunday.
I come across your webpage from cuil and it is high quality. Thnkx for giving this sort of an incredible write-up..
Hello there, You have done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.
Amazing subject , I really am trying how to make my website this worthwhile !
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to learn, but I truly thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you might fix if you happen to werent too busy in search of attention.
You can get loads of sources online about this. It might take ages to study it all. you have brought it all together, so it’s all accessible here, in this web-site.
No must appear at other websites now, almost everything that I needed is here
Thank you so much for providing individuals with such a splendid possiblity to read in detail from this blog. It’s usually very brilliant and full of a good time for me and my office co-workers to search your website the equivalent of thrice weekly to read the fresh things you will have. Of course, I’m just certainly satisfied with the impressive techniques you serve. Some 3 tips in this article are unequivocally the most beneficial we’ve ever had.
This actually answered my problem, thanks!
Hip artwork, at last came across the site for unique wallpapers
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. However think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this website could undeniably be one of the best in its niche. Wonderful blog!
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they think. At all times follow your heart.
Hello tout le monde quel est votre avis de mon nouveau blog sur le diagnostic immobilier ?
New tires
[url=http://www.roznica.com.ua/goodsdetails_shini-falken-ziex-ze-912-195_24927.html]Шины Falken Ziex ZE-912 195 55 R15 85H купить, цена, характеристки, сравнение.[/url]
http://www.roznica.com.ua/goods_shini_214.html
great publish, i obviously enjoy this web site, keep it.
very nice publish, i actually love this web site, keep on it
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
You’re so cool! I wont suppose Ive study anything like this previously. So awesome to search out somebody with several initial ideas on it area. realy thank you just for starting this particular up. this page can be something is needed on the internet, someone with a little creativity. important position for providing some thing new to the internet!
sudhanshu, Why is his opinion important when you hate the movie already?
you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a wonderful job on this matter!
What’s up to every , for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated daily. It consists of pleasant material.
This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Bonsoir tout le monde quel est votre avis de mon nouveau blog sur les croisieres ?
You must participate in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this website!
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. Im not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!
You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really one thing which I think I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely extensive for me. I am taking a look forward for your next submit, I will attempt to get the cling of it!
← Previous Comments
{ 1 trackback }