ObamaCare: Should Republicans Have Negotiated on Health Care Bill?
by Dan Mitchell
Writing for Forbes, Bruce Bartlett puts forth an interesting hypothesis that healthcare legislation could have been made better (hopefully he meant to write “less destructive”) if the GOP had been willing to compromise with Democrats:
Democrats desperately wanted a bipartisan bill and would have given a lot to get a few Republicans on board. This undoubtedly would have led to enactment of a better health bill than the one we are likely to get. But Republicans never put forward an alternative health proposal. Instead, they took the position that our current health system is perfect just as it is.
Bruce makes several compelling points in the article, especially when he notes that it will be virtually impossible to repeal a bad bill after 2010 or 2012, but there are good reasons to disagree with his analysis. First, he is wrong in stating that Republicans were united against any compromise. Several GOP senators spent months trying to negotiate something less objectionable, but those discussions were futile. Also, I’m not sure it’s correct to assert Republicans took a the-current-system-is-perfect position.
They may not have offered a full alternative (they did have a few good reforms such as allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines), but their main message was that the Democrats were going to make the current system worse. Strikes me as a perfectly reasonable position, one that I imagine Bruce shares. But let’s further explore Bruce’s core hypothesis: Would compromise have generated a better bill? It’s possible, to be sure, but there are also several reasons why that approach may have backfired:
1. It’s not clear a policy of compromise would have produced a less-objectionable bill. Would Senate Democrats have made more concessions to Grassley and Snowe rather than Lieberman and Nelson (much less whether the “concessions” would have been good policy)? And even if Reid made some significant (and positive) concessions, is there any reason to think those reforms would have survived a conference committee with the House? Yet the compromising Republicans probably would have felt invested in the process and obliged to support the final bill – even if the conference committee produced something worse than the original Senate Democrat proposal.
2. A take-no-prisoners strategy may be high risk, but it can produce high rewards. In the early 1990s, the Republicans took a no-compromise position when fighting Bill Clinton’s health plan (aka, Hillarycare), and that strategy was ultimately successful. We still don’t know the final result of this battle (much less how events would have transpired with a different strategy), but if the long-term goal is to minimize government expansion, a no-compromise approach is perfectly reasonable.
3. A principled opposition to government-run healthcare will help win other fights. The Democrats ultimately may win the healthcare battle, but the leadership will have been forced to spend lots of time and energy, and also use up lots of political chits. Does anyone now think they can pass a “climate change” bill? The answer, almost certainly, is no.
4. A principled approach can be good politics, which can eventually lead to good policy. Democrats wanted a few Republicans on board in part to help give them political cover. The aura of bipartisanship would have given Democrats a good talking point for the 2010 elections (“my opponent is being unreasonable since even X Republicans also supported the legislation”). That fig leaf does not exist now, which makes it more likely that Democrats will pay a heavy price during the mid-term elections. It is impossible to know whether 2010 will be a 1994-style rout, or whether the newly-elected Republicans will quickly morph into Bush-style big-government conservatives (who often do more damage to liberty than Democrats), but at least there is a reasonable likelihood of more pro-liberty lawmakers.
When all is said and done, Bruce’s strategy is not necessarily wrong, but it does guarantee defeat. Government gets bigger and freedom diminishes. For reasons of principle and practicality, Republicans should do the right thing.
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467 Comments
let em own this POS legislation. The Republicans haven't taken a principled stand without compromise in a decade and a half and it most certainly has backfired on the party. As Gen. George Patton said "Better to die for something than to live for nothing".
Indeed. Let Ahab have his damned white whale when it drags them screaming into the depths.
You can not negotiate your principles, period!
The way I remember it is the negotiations took place behind closed doors thanks to Mr. Reid's.
I agree, it was time they took the high road. They were finally listening to "We the People".
"Democrats desperately wanted a bipartisan bill"… WAKE THE F UP! They wanted to share the midterm election fallout. I am proud of the Republicans to have finally grown a spine and realized that no matter how nice you are to the demakunts, that they will always stab you in the back! Lets quit being nice.
Bruce Bartlett, how do I know you're lying? Two words: Tort Reform.
ABSOLUTELY NOT-
This disengenuous statist power-n-tax grab is to be resisted at every step, diluted at any opportunity, and if any of it is passed… a prompt repeal of ObamaCare shall be mine -and millions of others'- litmus test for the GOPs candidate in 2012.
And if nobody is man enough to pledge it's repeal, Sarah Palin will–
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com...
The only solution is to tell the socialist democrats and the spineless RINOs that we’ve had enough their deceptive deceit and corruption. Its time to stand up, find these career-politician tyrants in gross violation of their Constitutional Oaths and purge them from the halls of our government.
1) Require your State’s Elected Representatives to convene a Constitutional Convention for the sole purpose of modifying Amendment XVII to read, “Representatives and Senators of the U.S. Congress, elected by the people thereof, for two years and six years respectively for a “maximum of two terms…”
2) Reject all career-politicians running for re-election. They have become corrupt and no longer fit for Leadership or Statesmanship. They are, in fact, a scourge upon the land.
3) Recruit and elect true representatives of We, the People… Citizen Professionals who have demonstrated excellence in management, performance, integrity, patriotism, pride and optimism, chivalry and civility for a maximum of two terms to re-establish the public service model of our Founding Fathers… Leadership, Statesmanship, Dignity, Honor and Duty.
DanStlMo's comment are words to live for and die for!!!!!!!
How do you compromise with a Dictatorship? They could have put forward a 100 page common sense health care reform bill. The only issue is, this crop of GOP Senators don't have common sense.
They all need to go to! No incumbent can be allowed to continue in office.
“But what about this guy or this gal in DC? They are a good person they are looking out for me/us”. Really, do you believe that? What has that individual deemed good done while this country is on fire? Time has come for the Pelosis, Reids, McCaines, Boxers, Specters, Kasichs, Steeles, Kennedys(RIP), Boehnars, Leibermans, Murthas, Kucinichs etc etc etc. more or less anyone in DC that is a household name or been in office greater than 8yrs TO GO. You have to see the truth by now they aren’t working for you! They are working for themselves, look at how much money they had when they got into office compared to what they have now, most are multi millionaires. They are getting richer while many US citizens are getting poorer, losing their jobs, homes everything. Yes again even the politicians people deem are "good", you know the "so and so has been around for 10yrs (whatever) is a good guy or gal they aren’t corrupt", they need to go as well.
Ask yourself this question honestly what has "so and so" done to change anything?
Nothing they sat in DC whining and NEVER took a major stand to bring things to a halt to make real change. Those in DC that are deemed good people are just as bad because they sat back and let things happen they voted yes/no when it was against their true opinion only to satisfy party lines. We need people in DC that will stand up and say “NO this is bull***t enough already”! Fact is as of today there is NO ONE in DC saying or doing that, we are all on our own to make the changes this country needs. “We the people” must use unconventional means through http://www.savingtherepublic.com to get the real change for America.
Patton also said when men were men, “The lowest form of life is a politician. The lowest form of a politician is a liberal democrat (with an Ivy League law degree).” () my emphasis.
It seems we are to assume when some thug is robbing us, we should hand him our valuables, so he will not have to exert himself, and presumable will only gut shoot us rather than kill us outright, sounds like a typical resistance is futile, surrender and we will be compassionate ploy.
I only have one disagreement with you rdman. We should NOT convene a Constitutional Convention because the rules state that once it happens EVERYTHING is open for amendment, NOT just the one thing you are wanting to change. We the people HAVE term limits in our hand. We just have to educate ourselves about the candidates and VOTE! I agree they should never EVER be in for more than two terms, but that is OUR responsibility!
No, they shouldn't have negotiated at all, Dem plan is to pass anything and then add to it later. All they wanted was a foot in the door AND to collect our taxes upfront.
What a bunch of crooks.
Ah, I may be just an average mom, working a part-time job, but even I know that Republicans offered up SEVERAL reforms. I READ ALL OF THEM. How can anyone say that the Republicans chose to do or offer up nothing? It's insulting to those of us who read the reform proposals online. If these proposals don't even get a hearing, how is it possible to say Republicans weren't being cooperative.
I'm glad this healthcare bill is owned by Democrats. I became an Independent after this past election because I'm conservative first. This isn't about supporting the team, but it's about being honest about sharing best ideas and observing the lessons from history.
Then we need to change the Law to read… modification in pertinent part. Regarding terms, politicians depend on our short memories… maximum of two terms needs to be written into Law.
I'm sick and tired of people telling us we have to be reasonable and negotiate away what we believe. It's time to stand and fight for what we believe. The Democrats chose this brinksmanship game, thinking that they had overwhelming, unchecked power to do as they please. It's time to remind them in 2010 that they don't.
We need to stop talking about whether the 2010 election will change things, and start doing the hard work to make sure that it does. That means getting engaged in volunteer work and fundraising to support better candidates early in the primary process, and to make sure between now and August that they have such a commanding lead through widespread and enthusiastic popular support that we flip the balance of power in both the House and Senate in November – and so that the Dems already see it coming by July 4 like an unstoppable train that is going to blow them off the rails in a truly horrific, unprecedented, crushing election defeat.. We need to make sure that the comparisons are not to 1994, but rather that future generations will remember 2010.
Stop talking about it, and go for it in your own district! Make it your job to ensure their defeat. http://www.SurgeUSA.org
The only things non-reversable are death, Obama's defeat in 2012 and Charlie Sheens next mug shot.
This piece of anti-Americanism called a health bill, this celebration of all that is wrong with our
educational system, this stone tied to lying Democrats necks, this slide into a painfully uncomfortable
retirement for our elderly. I won't go on as this year shows such promise. If the newly elected Republicans
want to make history and finish the job our 94 batch attempted they will remove every vestige of this bill, should it pass. Let the demos bring it up again and secure the future of the Republican Party/read conservative/ for the next 40 years.
Term Limits written into Law because:
Politicians have become experts at deceitful duplicity, selling their calculated positions to a public to the point where We, The People can no longer tell a fabricated image from a real person. Citizen voters are so seduced by the slick package that they often do not realize that there is nothing in it… the package is the message.
when you cut peoples heads off and go after anyone who stands aganist you then you have power…
WAKE UP AMERICA !!!!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/02/denmar...
To Democrats, bi-partisanship means having Republicans provide their alibi for the heist, just like back in that toddlin town.
Its simply untrueful to say that the Repubicans didn't try to be involved in the drafting of a health care bill. They suggested ammendments and offered counter proposals. The EXTREME LEFT simply was uncompromising and shot every Republican attempt to modify this bill down!
What Americans want are common-sense, responsible solutions that address the rising cost of health care and other major problems. Republicans’ have emphasized common-sense reforms that will lower health care costs and expand access to quality care without a government takeover of our nation’s health care system that kills jobs, raises taxes on small businesses, or cuts Medicare for seniors:
Republicans have suggested the following reforms:
■Number one: let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines.
■Number two: allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do.
■Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.
■Number four: end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.
Democrats opposed every one of the above.
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We should have a more transparent government – and those who hold dual-citizenship like Rahm Emanuel (who even served a foreign military!) should be exposed. There is no room for divided loyalty in our government.
No, no , and HELL NO! Anyway you look at it, this legislation is a sugar coated turd. When you lick off the chocolatly outside, you are still left with a POS. It is better for the Republicans to stay away from this crapfest and figure out how they can redact it in the event it does get shoved through.
Remember: bipartisanship is conservatives sacrificing their principles for liberal causes. Never, ever compromise. http://tinyurl.com/yzntoed
To quote a line from Ronald Reagan's first inagural address, "Government can't fix a problem because government is the problem".
Given the recent behavior of these entrenched despotic tyrants who believe they are a law unto themselves, cynically living in the world of realpolitik, referring to We, The People as “Mobs” should be chilling.
These people are not concerned with their standing in the polls. They are not afraid of protest demonstrations. They have their plan to stay in power, come hell or high water. Their plan has already been tested and they won!!
We need only to look South to the Marxist tactics used by Chavez in Venezuela, Ortega in Nicaragua, Morales in Bolivia. Then look to the North… FRANKEN in MINNESOTA.
If they can succeed in electing an unqualified, radical SNL clown, re-electing any entrenched Leftist such as Boxer, Pelosi, Dodd, Frank, Leahy, et al is a done deal. All they have to do is mobilize ACORN and Union thugs to their districts, then hire the other useful Marxist idiot, Jimmy Carter to declare a “fair and legal” election.
(OR)
Create another national crisis, then declare MARTIAL LAW!
I will not vote for, and actively oppose any Republican who has anything to do with the present health care abomination. Eventually, however, small government advocates will have to find some way to reform the health care system along market lines. The alternative will be eventually getting the Mussolini approved single payer version.
The age of compromise and bipartisanship is over. The line in the sand has been drawn and it's time to take a side.
Nazi! The Furor awaits you in hell…
Oh,boy…If I were Senator Grassley…that's one photo (the one above) I'd want destroyed ! Yikes! Imagine the COOTIES that come with that Baucus handshake.
Senator G.: Get thee to the Senate Clinic for testing and a vaccination immediately.
Once again, we see how those branded Muslim "extremists" are our ideological brothers moreso than you are willing to admit. Don't they believe in dying for a cause? Why is that critisized? Oh, that's right, because our Zionist-run media doesn't happen to like THAT cause.
The modern Nazi state, complete with those who call themselves the Chosen Ones and carrying out ethnic cleansing and speaking of a "homeland", is Israel.
You do not, indeed cannot, negotiate with people who lie, cheat, bribe, steal, and meet in back rooms to plot ways to screw you over.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Ima.
Ima who?
Ima gonna destroy America, and want you to share the blame.
Fuggitit, Ima. We'll "negotiate" at the polls in November.
Obami, Harry Reid, Pelosi, et al
Despite their duplicity and deviousness, the career-politician-bureaucrat may trip themselves up because part of their need for vindictive triumph includes the desire for their opposition to know who victimized them. Their need for attention may become their nemesis. However, the career-politician-bureaucrat doesn’t care. Public adoration by the unaware or condemnation and notoriety gives them the attention they crave… being admired, feared or despised affirms that they exist with godly power and control.
Pray that we have a fair and legal 2010 election…
To be clear, you think those with foreign ties should be able to operate in secret and manipulate our foreign policy from within our government?
Your statement is all telling of your Neo Nazi ties.
Deu 14:2 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
God's own words….but then I imagine a sociopath has no need for God.
"healthcare legislation could have been made better if gop had been willing to compromise'. Kind of like its better to be stabbed than shot. it isn't compromise when you give up your own principles and the other side gives nothing, that is abdication, at least now the dems own this abomination, let it be their albatross. We can only hope real conservatives will keep this out front come election time . notice i didn't say republicans i said conservatives, too many republicans turn soft in the hope of being liked . I would rather be right and hated than wrong and liked
CIte yourself….
I glad they didn't. Every amendment that they tried to offer wasn't even considered. I'm glad this stinker is totally owned by the liberals. When the American people learn just how badly they are screwed, maybe we will be rid of the likes of dictators Pelosi, Reid etal. Can't happen soon enough for me. BTW, anyone besides me wonder just how many votes the democrats "stole" from the senior citizens by telling them that republicans would take away their social security and medicare? Now we see who is actually doing it! Seniors, it is your duty, according to Tom Daschle, to be more accepting or your illnesses and death! Just die and get it over with!!!!
You mean Sarah Palin, right? She didn't even last a full term as governor of a tiny state. I'm sure the American people will not give her the chance to do to us what she did to them. She is more like a leopard than a fox, and leopards never change their spots.
Exactly, that's how you know they're all lying.
It's time for constitutional conservatives. The latest polling, just a few weeks ago, shows that 20% of Americans self-classify as liberal, 20% are VERY conservative, and 40% are conservative. Conservatives are the overwhelming majority. HOw is it, then, that the news media keep telling US that WE have to constantly compromise our principles? This is part of the brain-washing campaign to steal the liberty of the American People on straw on the camel's back at a time.
I can't think of a better way to waste my vote than to give it to a politician — of either party — that won't support my principles once elected! I, and millions of other Americans like me, will NEVER vote again for a RINO. I may never vote Republican again. I grew sick of holding my nose — its just lead us down an ever-more-slippery slope toward tyranny — and its hard to breathe in a Republic that STINKS!
Republicans never negotiated in good faith. They would offer up amendments but would never offer to support final passage of the bill in return for consideration for inclusion of their ideas. There is no way to negotiate with people like that… they can only be defeated.
That's right.
Bring it!
On one point the author and I completely agree:
"if the long-term goal is to minimize government expansion, a no-compromise approach is perfectly reasonable"
But if on the other hand the long-term goal had been to expand affordable health care to more Americans, then that approach become reprehensible.
Does that include Ben Nelson?
Another great idea suggested by the conservatives that wasn't even considered. Lawyers are one of the dems' biggest donors. Can't have the lawyers grabbing less $$$, but we can surely put the screws to the MD'S who are taking care of the populus.
Many have.
You are right on, the Republicans had a bill and I think it was less than 400 pages, correct me if I'm wrong on this, but they had tort reform, insurance available across state lines plus quite a few other ideas. The tort reform no way in h___l would have had a chance as the lawyers have the Dhim's in their back pocket!!! I say let em own it!!!
The Conservative Edge
You know….Sarah Palin really had no choice but resign because of onerous ethics complaints filed by the other side whereas the legal bills were over 500k plus the time it took for her staff to research all that silly stuff. She did the right thing for her and for the state. She actually got more done in the little time she was Governor cleaning out the corruption even on her own party plus a lot of other things. Read her book and educate yourself mikatollah!!!
The Conservative Edge
We need to stop people, who pay no taxes, but are drains on the taxpayers from having a say in the elections too. They vote themselves an income every election, an unearned one at that.
We all have choices to make in our lives and we live with the consequences. It looks to me like she was happy to stick around for the good times, but couldn't be bothered to govern when things got tough.
Half the battle of being an executive is mental toughness, and if she ever runs for national office in a general election, we are going to pillory her with the quitter tag. And it won't be just the Democrats who pile on. Her primary opponents are going to soften her up with it for us.
Righard Nixon… quitter. Bill Clinton… not a quitter. Mental toughness.
She probably won't ever try to run for office again. She is having way too much fun acting as a right wing spokes model.
I an no proponent of Government involvement in healthcare. I could spend a few lines here explaining the fact that it is unconstitutional ect. etc. but today I will let you hear from who said it best…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs
Franken wasn't elected. ACORN helped him steal it. Coleman came out ahead on election night by several hundred votes. By the time they "found" ballots in car trunks and along the side of the road, Franken managed to get ahead. There is no honor among thieves. If the liberals do not win fairly and squarely, they sue until they do win. Coleman's election was stolen, and the ACORN member who helped the governor of Washington state steal her election, helped Franken. Now we are seeing the clown who took that election in his nasty, snide glory in our senate. Minnesota, surely you can do better than this.
I agree. He nailed it.
Why should they? Final passage of the bill would probably never have their amendment in it once they "sold" their vote like many dems did. They didn't need to offer support of the final passage until they actually "SAW" the final bill, which they never did. It was locked up in King Harry's dirty office. Come on, people. GET REAL! Surely you aren't that STUPID!
I agree completely. Some of these candidates may not be "perfect" either, but if we can stop the devastation to the country and the start to get more "perfect" candiates, it is the only practical way to defeat this Progessive death march. I have supproted Col. Allen West, Chuck Devore and the effort to give Neslon the heave ho ( as an object lesson to all politicians).
The only thing that is ever negotiated is your price, because once you negotiate, everybody knows what you are.
Many parts of this bill are UNCONSTITUTIONAL! The equal protection clause for one. Another is Dirty Harry's inclusion in the bill that no part of the bill can ever be rescinded by future congresses. He has no authority to tie the hands of future congresses. I see no where in the constitution that the federal government has the power to require people to "Buy" anything either. My prayer is that honest AG's will file suit over every part of this mess that they deem unconstitutional and hope for an honest, impartial judge to judge the cases.
I agree with all the GOP points above Wes, I'm just not sure even GOP Governors would give
approval of the sale of Ins. across state lines. This reduces the power of Govs. significantly
in the area of interstate authority. Not an insignificant source of state power.
I also doubt Nbr 4 had any chance even among Republicans as the source of funds, granted
mostly in favor of Dems. Is almost the thrid rail of politics. I understand they were offered as
reforms but knowing they wouldn't succeed. Politics thy name is sleaze.
Actually "mikatollah's" posts evidence just such……
Dumb here does have a point. My posts do speak to my "stupidness". Check em out.
media is mostly members of the chamber of commerce..talk about a conflict of interest.
the republican are nothing more than allies of the democrats..
That's not how the system works haden. The AG defends the law of the land from legal attacks from teabaggers who can't win at the polls, so they sue.
The republicans have grown a spine ? where is this spine? I need a good laugh..
"But Republicans never put forward an alternative health proposal. Instead, they took the position that our current health system is perfect just as it is."
Bruce Bartlett – YOU LIE!
I've picked my side Paul, and I'm ready to throw down and take on all teabaggers.
You are on the wrong side of history on this one.
where is the demands to send the illegals home and secure our border? this should be the first step in HC reform.
After passing Medicare, congressional Democrats were rewarded at the polls for a generation. I'm willing to bet that health care reform will be equally rewarded by voters.
Conservatives often find themselves on the wrong side of history, and this issue in no exception.
No. The bill will be the death of the Dems in 2010 and 2012.
Speak no evil of a fellow republican?
My interpretation is go ahead pay for the hooker, and don’t tell his wife. These are people I want to trust. NO
Political Contributions are good.
My interpretation is: a politician is caught in a motel room with a naked woman NOT his wife. They will say it is innocent.. I say BS
BO is Just another government party member enjoying the wealth and power of government.
The only things the republicans are crying about is their cut is smaller. The real people getting screwed are my fellow serfs that are stuck with the bill and a real mess to clean up.
The republicans and democrats are allies and they use the power and wealth of the government to maintain power and feed their corruption.
The truth is, the republicans did provide a plan of their own to help reduce the costs of health care. The truth is the Republicans did begin in committee working with democrats until it was proven that the only goal was to socialize medicine and grow government.
Couldn't agree more. If I were he, I'd be ashamed to act so stupidly.
You should think longer term.
I agree wholeheartedly. I'd be ashamed to act as "stupidly." Mikatollah must get his info from MSNBC. Had republicans sold their votes by agreeing to "offer support" to the final passage before seeing the bill, I'd have said that was "stupid" too. I'm glad the dems own this mess all by themselves. I'll bet Mikatollah signs everything he obligates himself to before reading it, also.
It's starting: Bloomberg reports that the Arizona Mayo Clinic will no longer accept Medicare because they lose too much money:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&a...
If it was up you a$$ you would know were it was. Quit trolling you puke!
Now go pop your zits in your basement bedroom before Mum calls you to dinner.
Your stimulas dollars at work. Coming soon to a message board near you "attack of the trolls" brought to you by our good friends at akorn. Every person in this country has coverage. Walk in to an emergency room and see the signs on how you are covered. As always libs miss the point and there is no need to argue it
Not based on this so called "healthcare" legislation. This is purely a Democrat(SS) power grab.
It's a Euro-style paradigm shift – to the Democrat(SS) left. In Europe middle of the road moderates are considered right wingers. Pure doctrinaire socialists are run-of-the-mill lefties.
For example Obama isn't LEFT enough to be a Euro-socialist.
This Obamacare bill is about EXPANDING government thus EXPANDING the Demon-crat(SS) power/voter base.
Who do you think are going to all these Federal Government jobs? Unionized lemmings and Democrat minions.
Hell yeah they should negotiate for some of Barry’s stash! …oh that’s right that’s our money …tell’em to take a hike!
It was the Land of Caanan idiot, the Land of the Israelites.
THe Israeli people have been living in modern day Palestine since about 2000 B.C.
Predates Islam by at least 1500 YEARS!
Get a book that isn't Mein Kampf.
Nah, his God was Himmler….
It's just not the priority right now and it's far too expensive. The gov't is spending way way too much money, including Bush, and we need to get back to basics to lower the debt and deficits. The simplest way to have truly increased competition in the healthcare insurance industry (if that's really what the Dems wanted) would be to have forced states to allow Americans to buy healthcare insurance across state borders…..I can't name a single other good or service that has that restriction. Auto insurance has come down in the past decade thanks to more competition and the internet for ecommerce….yet I can't buy health insurance in the same way. THE reason why the Dems won't allow it is because it truly would increase competition and allow the free market to expand and offer much lower/competitive rates across the country. A reform bill without that simple lifting of the in-state only restriction isn't real reform….and tort reform too. But the Dems just want to regulate and restrict, and control the industry by proxy, with the ultimate goal of a gov't option or single payer. Americans aren't stupid and it's why the support for the bill dropped and dropped as more came out about it. Gov't is failing us, regardless of party affiliation.
Like Clinton? How 'bout his wife?
Bartlett claims that Republicans took the position "that our current health care system is perfect just the way it is." Can he name a single Republican who said anything close to that?
For the first time in ages the Republican party stood together for what is right. They are being brandished as the "Party of No" which is too bad. They should be the "Party of HELL NO!" These jokers who say we should negotiate are out of their minds. The reason they wanted "bipartisanship" is so they can blame the Republicans when it fails.
Let the Democrats have the full credit or blame on their own for this disastrous bill.
mikatollah, why wouldn't the Dems agree to truly increase healthcare insurance industry competition by lifting the restriction on inter-state (free market) insurance purchasing and competition? There's your good faith negotiation, the Dems won't allow that most obvious and simple reform to increase competition across the country because it would be VERY effective and as prices came down (like they have in the Auto Insurance industry via the internet with Geico/Progressive etc.) the Dems would NEVER be able to get the gov'ts foot in the door to move toward single payer. It's the only reasonable explanation as to why the Dems won't allow you and I to shop around and look for the most competitive price for healthcare insurance like we can for any other good or service.
Pelosi/Reid wrote these bills, it's a matter of fact, and often the doors were closed. And when the doors were open and the GOP tried to have some amendments included in the bill like cross-state competition and tort reform, they were shut out. Now having said that, I'm an Independent and not thrilled with the Dems or GOP…..they're both selling us and spending us down the river. But one thing I know, is that there shouldn't be restrictions on me or you being able to shop around and purchase any good or service across state borders….that's true free markets and competition and would result in significant reductions in price very quickly. With this Dem bill, we don't get more competition, they force insurers to cover more people, thus rates will go up and I can't shop around for the best rate outside of my state! It's a big joke and we're the punch line. We need to stop the partisan bickering and speak up for true free markets and competition…it doesn't exist today.
You mean like the Clinton's? No foreign ties there huh?
No $$$$$$$$ millions given to Clinton front group, reich?
I wonder how a dirt poor impeached prez is SUDDENLY WORTH $100 MILLION plus?
"Washington (CNN) – During Hillary Clinton's first year as secretary of state, some foreign governments again gave generously to the foundation of her husband, former President Bill Clinton …"
tat wouldn't be all he "does to himself"! LOL!
Hey Naziboy, is that a "terroristic threat"?
Dear G.O.P., look at the polling, look at the furor Nelson caught in Nebraska from his own constituents, look at the movement of independents TURNING away from the Democrats and GET A CLUE!
Americans REJECT this Demon-crat(SS) power grab.
Americans REJECT this power shift to SEIU and other gifts to the left.
Americans REJECT this fundemental paradigm shift to the socialist left.
Americans REJECT the CRIMINALLY CORRUPT Demon-cratSS party. Screw em.
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