Leading Neocon Democrats stifle hope of healthcare reform

If you believe this grim reading, healthcare reform is DOA--or even worse, just empty campaign bullshit.  

The Hill is reporting this morning that leading Democrats,including my own Chuck (I never met a TV camera I didn't love) Schumer, are to put it politely, hedging on healthcare reform.

Dems hedge on healthcare

Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult.

It is still seven months before Election Day, but already senior Democrats are maneuvering to lower public expectations on the key policy issue.

http://thehill.com/...

Is this what's known as bait and switch?

Mad as hell? June 19, San Francisco, massive rally against  AHIP  , check back for details

Here's more wisdom from Schumer, who you may know is a big Clinton supporter.

Despite the fact that I have no horse in this race, I find Schumer's words loathsome and beyond contemptible.

Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership and a key Hillary Clinton ally who also sits on the Finance Committee, said he is "not sure we have the big plan on healthcare."

"Healthcare I feel strongly about, but I am not sure that we’re ready for a major national healthcare plan," Schumer said.

Schumer said he would focus "on prevention above all and cost cutting until we can get a national healthcare plan."

[emphasis added]

http://thehill.com/...

Maybe Chuck Schumer should hear from us today. If you're as angry as I am, why not give the guy a call and let him know who he's working for.

Here's a   link to Chuck's office numbers.

I believe, as did John Edwards, that the American people have the collective power to strip these elected officials thugs of heavily taxpayer-subsidized healthcare until we get just what they have. But is there the will to do this?

At the end of the day,  they're all in bed together.  Schumer, Lott, Breaux, it's just one rancid stew. John Breaux is now a lobbyist. He's set up housekeeping with none other than Trent Lott. Do these Democrats have any shame?

Here's what Breaux had to say about the prospects for healthcare reform.  Keep reading and you'll understand why. Keep reading and you'll see the team this thug Breaux is on.

"You don’t want to rush and do something and do it incorrectly," said former Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), who helped negotiate the Medicare law.

http://thehill.com/...

You may be wondering why the politicians are so pessimistic.  Well, I would argue, they're not being pessimistic, they're just doing the bidding of their masters.

Why is this parasitic industry allowed to spread fear across the land?  Why is Roger Clemens hauled before Congress, but not the CEO of Anthem Blue Cross?  Why are insurance industry executives allowed to hold a Mafia Conference in a major American city (San Francisco) without being rounded up and perp walked?

Here's why.

Health Plan Payments to Lobbyists Soared in 2007, Could Grow More in 2008

Health insurers collectively paid more money to lobbyists in 2007 than they did a year earlier, according to disclosure forms made available last month by the U.S. Senate's public records office (see table, below). Much of that money was spent to lobby lawmakers on issues related to Medicare Advantage (MA) and the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). With both issues still unresolved — combined with the threat of health care reform under a potential Democratic president - industry observers say lobbyists might see even heftier paychecks this year from their health insurance clients.

"The number-one issue for health plans last year was payment under Medicare Advantage," says Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, LLC, a policy and marketplace consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va. That issue, along with SCHIP, has been pushed forward and will continue to be a key topic for health plans and their lobbyists in 2008 and 2009, he adds.

http://www.aishealth.com/...

And what do the lobbyists do with the money?  Well you know the answer to that.  

It's protection money, paid to the political class.

The trade association America's Health Insurance Plans paid $6.9 million to lobbyists in 2007, which is slightly less than the $7.1 million it spent in 2006. In addition to bills that called for the expansion of SCHIP, AHIP lobbied in favor of legislation that would allow for the marketing of generic biotech drugs, and against MA payment cuts.

http://www.aishealth.com/...

One more thing. Guess who's giving the keynote at the AHIP conference where we'll be out in force?

Yup.

 The team of John Breaux, Bill Frist and Tommy Thompson.

WELCOME AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Health, Humanity, and Politics: Prospects for Reform

Sponsored by Connecture
John Breaux
Former United States Senator, Co-Chairman of President’s Tax Reform Commission, and Expert on Social Security, Health Care, and Energy

The Honorable William H. Frist, MD
18th Majority Leader, U.S. Senate (2003-2007); U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1995-2007); Heart-Lung Transplant Surgeon; "Citizen Legislator"

Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services (2001-2005); Governor, Wisconsin (1987-2001); Independent Chairman, Deloitte Center for Health Solutions; Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

http://www.ahip.org/...

Are you angry?

Had enough?

Are you mad as hell? June 19, San Francisco, massive rally against  AHIP  , check back for details

•  This is one of those days . . .

  when I have a vision of a million or maybe five million Americans descending on Washington.

  Yes, I know. Just a dream. . .

  by nyceve on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:08:16 AM PDT

  •  I am becoming increasingly pessimistic.

    Folks ar struggling to survive--no healthcare, rising gas and food prices, the mortgage crisis. I just don't think that you will be big public demonstrations on any issue right now. It breaks my heart, but I think that we are simply going to watch the current system implode as more and more people can do longer afford their insurance.

    by blue jersey mom on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:15:09 AM PDT

    •  bjm . . .

      how 'bout pitchforks and torches--are we there yet?

      by nyceve on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:16:10 AM PDT

      •  I'm there, but I am not sure that the

        rest of the country is. Personally, I am sick of being ripped off by insurance companies and drug companies. I am tired of the lack of access to primary care. I am sick of the bs about our having the "best healthcare in the world." We do not. I just don't think that anything will change, because our government is all about money and power. The drug and insurance lobbies have both. We elected a Democratic congress to end the war, and the congress has been one big fat disappointment. I do not trust them (esp. Schumer) to address the real needs of real Americans.

        by blue jersey mom on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:20:31 AM PDT

        •  there's no reason to be pessimistic...

          Or at least not increasingly so.  There was never any hope that a major politician of any party would take the lead for real healthcare reform.  The one and only way to get it done is going to be a massive public mobilization effort, and a very public calling out of all the politicians and others who stand in the way.  The best we can hope for a from a president is one who will not actively stand in the way of it.

          by Chico David RN on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:25:40 AM PDT

          •  Disagreed

            Out of all the original candidates for the Dem nomination this cycle, one--Dennis Kucinich--was completely serious about taking the lead to reforming the health insurance industry serving screwing our people.

            Most of the other candidates' plans (save for Edwards', whose plan ran a distant second) pay various forms of lip-service to the notion of reform.

            You saw what happened to Kucinich, in short order--by the media, the GOP, and by other Democrats. There's every reason in the world to be pessimistic, given the information in this diary.

            by o the umanity on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:44:07 AM PDT

            •  I did say "major " politician

              and what happened to Kucinich is a good example of why.  I agree he had better ideas tht any of the others on several fronts.  But in a media driven political landscape, he never had a chance.  The politicians who will lead on single payer won't win and the one's who win won't lead - so the people need to get away from candidate driven politics and start to think of issue driven politics.  On this issue, all that matters is a president who won't actively stand in the way of real reform.  Make congress pass it, then massive mobilization to get them to sign it.  But you won't get it from your couch, or even in front of your computer.
              How's a million people on the Mall sound?

              by Chico David RN on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:51:58 AM PDT

              •  And that definitiion comes from where, again?

                If we want reform of any kind, we need to start with The Media. They, along with their corporate owners, drive the politics in this country; not issues, and not the politicians. Because--well, last time I looked, Dennis Kucinich was a "major" politician. Corporatism drives health insurance in this country, along with everything else.

                So with all that said, I do agree we need to get pissed, and get off our asses and march. Writing letters and appealing to the lip-service-paying pols doesn't cut it anymore. Not if they're in the pockets of the corporations.

                Kucinich wanted to fight that, and he had a chance, until he was willfully marginalized. Do we not draw a clear, final lesson from that, as to what we need to do as a people?

                by o the umanity on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:14:53 AM PDT

                •  He was marginalized here on this site

                  every bit as much as he was in the traditional media.

                  by NearlyNormal on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 02:20:02 PM PDT

                  •  Dennis was treated shamefully here.

                    His platform coincided with a significant minority of posters at this site too.

                    by daliscar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:37:15 PM PDT

              •  The corporate traditional media...

                is a dying breed.  Especially if WE do not watch or read them.

                by miller415 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:23:02 AM PDT

                •  Come on people... get real!

                  Anyone with an ounce of common sense and a dash of maturity knew from the very beginning that the finer points of each candidate's plan didn't really matter that much because any health care reform effort is going to have to run the gauntlet of congressional DINOs and lobbyist.

                  If we want the health care reform that this country desperately needs we are going to have to be organized, loud, and demand it of our leaders... no matter who gets elected.

                  What has changed in the mix is this... this election cycle has made it abundantly clear by the vast sums of money that have been raised across the net have outstripped what the lobbyist have thrown into the mix.

                  Even Hillary's campaign is funded by 88% small donations across the net and Obama's at last look at opensecrets.org is at 99%.

                  That is real power... money and the fund raising has changed for ever. Now its up to the citizens to get organized and let the DINOs know that we can influence primaries and that we are watching!

                  I have let my reps know that I no longer donate to the party, but only to individual campaigns of congressional leaders who vote responsibly.

                  I applaud NYC Eve's recommendation that we contact Schummer and our congressional reps on this issue and I might also recommend that you go to votesmart.org and check their voting records and to open secrets.org and look at their financial supporters and let the bastards know that you are watching!

                  We will get the health care system that we want only by fighting for it!

                  by Flint on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:14:44 AM PDT

                  •  Calling Cheesy Chuckie Right Now

                    I despise that scumbag.  (He can roast in Hell on the same spit with Mukasy.)

                    Thank you, Eve.

                    Recommended.

                    by mattman on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:41:14 AM PDT

                    •  Money is Power!

                      Outstanding!

                      Everyone should Call and write... and remind them you are watching!

                      Now I'm not a Hillary supporter so don't anyone flame me for using this as an example, but:

                      Clinton raises $10 million, helped by 80,000 new donors

                      WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton raised $10 million in the 24 hours after winning the Pennsylvania primary, aided by contributions from 80,000 new donors, her campaign said Thursday.

                      http://news.yahoo.com/...

                      This is an example of what the netroots and the public can do to raise funds to counter any lobbyist donations.
                      
                      We have deeper pockets than they do and vast sums can be raised literally over night! We need to make congress aware that the rules have changed. We need an organized effort to counter the lobbyist and DINOS and underscore to them that we can go directly to their competition in the primaries... and we will.

                      by Flint on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:40:59 AM PDT

                      •  Money is power, if you have any.

                        This week Mr. uintas and I went to the doc together. We provided a learning experience for a new family practioner doing her rotation, more about her later, and it only cost us $162. Then we filled one script for $96. They would have given us samples if they had them.

                        Keep in mind Mr u earns $8 and hour as a part time school custodian. He's still working towards a full time position w/benefits.

                        As to the new doc, she wanted to order tests for me, I told her that we are not insured. She just nodded and backed off and told me that she supports Universal Health. She floored me with how open she was.

                        She said that we need more family docs, but they make the least money and that our only real enemies in the doctor community are the super specialists, most docs that she deals with want UC. She also told me that she is now over $140k in debt with more to come.

                        We talked about my regular doc, how long it took her to get her practice up, what it really costs her to stay in practice. She said that she believes that we will eventually get to our goal, but we have to fight for it if we want it. We need to let our voices be heard.

                        by high uintas on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 01:55:38 PM PDT

                        •  Damn, I mss John Edwards strong voice on UHC.

                          His plan wasn't perfect, but was a step in right direction anyway. Now we have the twiddle twins more or less shoving this most important of the issues onto the back burner, when it should be front and center. The sad part is, our front runner's plan is designed to fail, because of his idiotic stand on Mandates.

                          by ichibon on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 02:28:56 PM PDT

                          •  Elizabeth Edwards endorsed Hillary's plan

                            by katz5 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:47:49 PM PDT

                            •  Me, too.

                              It's the one thing that I'm worried about with Barack, I wish he were more proactive in healthcare. Hillary's is better because of the mandates that everyone freaks out about.

                              The thing is, in all UC that works everyone has to be part of it. You can't allow some to opt out and then in when they need it. Hillary has a more detailed plan, but neither are perfect.

                              by high uintas on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:39:40 PM PDT

                        •  Money is tight but...

                          Remember that the political campaigns have raised this cash with SMALL donations. I beleive that the average has been between $25 and $50 dollars... but any amount will help.

                          by Flint on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 02:52:09 PM PDT

                    •  I've always hated Schumer

                      He's always been on the wrong side more than most of his colleagues and he's a horrible leader; he supported Bush's tort reform bill as well. He attacks Democrats that have balls and he ruined a few races in Ohio during 2004.

                      And he can roast in hell.

                      Thanks you for saying that and I thank Nyceve for the excellent work and activism on this issue and this great diary/call to action.

                      :)

                      by priceman on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:09:34 PM PDT

              •  I'm with ya!

                Tell me when and where, and I'll be there.

                by karma13612 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:57:39 AM PDT

                •  Sorry, above reply was meant for Chico David RN!

                  by karma13612 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:00:43 AM PDT

              •  Kucinich wasn't marginalized entirely because

                of his positions. He has his own shortcomings as an advocate for those positions. In many ways, he's as myopic and rigid and uncompromising as Bush although he stands for better things (and I like Dennis, I really do. I just don't think he has the personal qualities to be president). And the fact that he WAS a marginal figure because of his strategies and tactics and their ineffectiveness emphasizes the need for BETTER strategies and tactics and points out that working tirelessly and trying not to succumb to defeatism and discouragement, as understandable as that is, is really important.

                We need to hound our representatives ceaselessly, asking them if they are willing to give up their gold-plated health insurance (some are) and how many people bankrupted by health-care costs are too many. We need to shame them for the foot-dragging, pointing out that each month or year they lack the balls to deal with the issue is one in which thousands more people get sick needlessly, lose everything or die. FEH.

                ......Just hecking to make sure my congresswoman supports univiersal single-payer....yes, she does. People need to forgive her for supporting Hillary.

                by anastasia p on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:16:23 AM PDT

                •  What the hell was going on in DailyKos

                  where ideas should have trumped personality?

                  This forum completely dropped the ball.

                  by penguinsong on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 01:47:11 PM PDT

                  •  Thank you

                    no matter what anyone thinks of the way Kucinich presents himself, he holds more positions that square with those of the majority of "progressives" than any other major Dem candidate this cycle. Yet he was treated like a pariah, especially here--and I'm sorry, but that is simply shameful.  

                    And won't someone please deliver me from any more paragraphs-long psych-major-styled dissertations regarding Kucinich's personality traits (like his "uncompromising nature") making him completely unfit to be...POTUS? If one needs so many words to justify such a position (repeatedly, iirc), maybe they're trying just a wee bit too hard to get there...

                    by o the umanity on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:46:10 PM PDT

                    •  I look forward to his success

                      passing single payer in the House, and finding a champion in the Senate. When that happens, I think we the people can get a Democratic president (either candidate) to sign it.

                      by elfling on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:07:38 PM PDT

            •  If you're pessimistic

              about healthcare reform, they've got you right where they want you. The insurance industry, I mean. That's exactly what the defenders of the status quo want to promote, is pessimism and defeatism in the ranks of the (potentially seditious) grassroots.

              I couldn't agree more with Chico David RN. Hear, hear.

              by karmsy on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:01:27 AM PDT

              •  Right. Chico David RN is correct, Blue Jersey Mom

                Here's something to do while waiting this out.

                Read this book. Then come back and rejoin the fight. It'll fire you up for sure.

                Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, - sorta a sequel to Crashing The Gate. It's why fools like Schumer are increasingly saying more more and more idiotic things. It's not getting any easier holding that gate shut. Broadcast Megaphone communication is increasingly becoming irrelevant.

                That's the irony : Corporate Healthcare older, Hillary supporters probably still receive most of their info via Broadcast communication and they are the ones who would benefit most from single-payer.

                Just don't give up Blue Jersey Mom. Never give up.

                (And, thanks, again, NYCEve!)

                by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:59:23 AM PDT

                •  I will get a copy of the book,

                  thanks. I think that you are right about the HRC voters. They are probably the last generation still watching the network evening news.

                  by blue jersey mom on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:19:04 AM PDT

                •  That's why we have to protect our rights

                  to openly dissent on the internet.

                  Without it, we will be shut down and shut up quite thoroughly.

                  by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:05:10 AM PDT

                •  thanks spoon!! can't wait

                  to check that out (heading for Barnes and Noble...)

                  by ozarkspark on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 04:29:40 PM PDT

            •  Rep. Kucinich

              is still in the House, and it will be necessary for the House to pass this bill. He's arguably in a better position to enact health care reform from his position in the House than as President.

              by elfling on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:53:15 AM PDT

              •  I wish that were true....

                but if it were Bush and Cheney would have been impeached by now too.

                I think we need someone in the bully pulpit to take the message of healthcare reform to the people at large.

                by cometman on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:19:09 AM PDT

                •  I think the issue is

                  that with all due respect to Mr. Kucinich, building coalitions and leading people into passing difficult legislation is not among his strengths. Changing his office would not change that.

                  by elfling on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:36:58 AM PDT

              •  Only if he gets better

                at working with people and not insisting on maintaining a rigid arm's-length purity, his worst flaw. This is a fight that requres people working together, not Dennis' strength.

                by anastasia p on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:19:42 AM PDT

            •  Of the current Presidential candidates

              there is still one not beholden to special interests and I think we all know who that one is.

              Yes, HIllary's health care "plan" might be better(arguably) because she has a mandate. But as a Senator she takes more from the health care industry than any of her colleagues. (I wonder how much they are donating to her campaign? Anyone know?) Do we really think that if President she would actually follow through with the plan? Or would she find a way to fail or have it torpedoed and wash her hands clean of this major part of her platform again?

              I believe the Obama will actually work to straighten out health care and push his plan through Congress, and even if his plan doesn't mandate for 15 million people, I'm OK with that as long as I can afford health care without regard to pre-existing conditions.

              I supported Kucinich in the beginning, even knowing that he was completely unelectable, not by  his own fault but by the way media treats him as a left-wing nut and by his own secret status as a born card-carrying member of the Baggins family of the Shire. I believe he carries the card next to his pocket-sized Constitution...

              by WaveFunction on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:24:42 AM PDT

              •  yes, Hillary will follow through

                one of the major reasons I support her.

                by katz5 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:51:36 PM PDT

          •  Yup. n/t

            by karmsy on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:57:54 AM PDT

          •  Exactly!

            I thought that's why I'm voting for Obama!

            I thought he was planning on getting into the WH and kicking some lobby @$$. And bring the various people in Congress together and get the changes we need.

            I am literally counting on healthcare reform as being a huge priority for him. If I don't see healthcare reform on a steady course forward, by the end of Obama's first term, then I will join with others and visit him in Washington for a nice little chat.

            I still fully believe that this chap is going to fight hard to reduce the lobbyists, corrupt Washington, and excuse-filled political crap that we have been enduring for longer than I care to admit.

            Whew, sorry, better go have a bite to eat. Low blood sugar finally catching up with me.

            Hugs and YES WE CAN!

            by karma13612 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:56:33 AM PDT

            •  Dems in a vacuum shift to the right!

              If I don't see healthcare reform on a steady course forward, by the end of Obama's first term, then I will join with others and visit him in Washington for a nice little chat.

              The end of his first term?!  That's 5 years from now.
              The point that ChicoDavid makes that is key, is that
              the forces pushing on the president or any politician are ultimately what determines what they view as "politically expedient".  If we "give them time" to keep their promises, we pretty much guarantee that they won't

              by jsrRN on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 03:24:24 PM PDT

            •  I'm hoping, too

              but my fear is that compromised legislation will go through, and then sit there for ages, a little better, but falling faaaaar short of what is really needed, and what's possible.  And the MSM "experts" will speak in glowing terms of the powerful new legislation.

              by ozarkspark on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 04:36:00 PM PDT

          •  And those aren't reason's to be

            pessimistic?

            by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:00:49 AM PDT

          •  If younger people were taken into the Medicare

            System, it would lead to a healthier and larger base of support and would do two things: Give more Americans affordable health care, and strengthen the sustainability of Medicare.

            by daliscar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:38:20 AM PDT

            •  It's as simple as that

              Medicare for everyone.  We already know how to do it.  

              by Chico David RN on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:02:59 AM PDT

              •  We already know how to do it & do it well.

                There are many many people putting off such  operations as knee replacements until they reach medicare age. It burdens the system and skews the numbers against Medicare unnecessarily.

                by daliscar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:24:40 PM PDT

          •  I will be there on June 19th.

            No job, no insurance, husband's dead, everything sucks. I am as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.

            by Pris from LA on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 03:46:23 PM PDT

        •  One positive action

          we can take--found and support free, local clinics.  A group here in our rural county has started one and all of us are trying to support it with time and/or money.  

          by Heart of the Rockies on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:30:16 AM PDT

          •  How about spending time...

            ... lobbying government to support/subsidize them, at least partially?  Free clinics are great, but if we're paying taxes (some of which should go to providing taxpayers with healthcare) and paying to support them, then it seems like a Libertarian solution, and not exactly a Democratic solution.

            by homoaffectional on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:34:56 AM PDT

            •  Not a bad idea

              but none of us is superman or superwoman.  Our resources are limited and we put them where we, personally, believe they will provide the greatest benefit.  In our relatively poor, rural community people need health care NOW.

              by Heart of the Rockies on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:42:25 AM PDT

              •  I live in a small town of 2000 and I can't

                remember if its once a week or month but they have a free clinic day all the locals with no insurance go to and the doctors and nurses all volunteer. i admire them for that and the community.

                i am lucky to have insurance with my husbands union pension but we still have high deductible and drug costs go up all the time.

                by marlakay on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:45:05 AM PDT

            •  ..

              Well, at least it's a solution.

              by lurker123 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:45:18 AM PDT

            •  Lobbying *this* government or lobbying *future*

              congresscritters? Big difference and the meat of this diary, I believe. Lobbying many of the current congresscritters who are so deeply and willfully embedded in the status quo is useless, IMHO. Time would be better spent standing outside of HMO medical offices, hospitals, etc. talking educating people about single-payer.

              by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:06:45 AM PDT

              •  Both.

                by homoaffectional on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:06:28 PM PDT

            •  So . . .

              A solution is only a good thing if it has a big, blazing "D" tattooed across it?

              Talk about parochial.

              I am sure the folks getting the health care at these clinics really care where the money is coming from.

              (And on a side note, if these are successful without government funds, are you arguing to have the government intrude simply for the sake of some misguided ideological desire to have government involved for its own sake?  If it works, why try to "fix" it?)

              by TastyCurry on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:24:02 PM PDT

              •  Um... slow down there!

                Firstly, I never implied that, presuming people that are getting health care at these clinics just fine (as you are), that they do or should care where the money's coming from...

                if anything I'm wondering whether the clinics are able to successfully provide 100% free health care and don't have a sort of a reverse-quota system or a threshold which they can't cross, or else they have to turn people away.  If they do have either of those things, then clearly the private donations they are currently receiving aren't enough.  If they don't, then it seems that the idea of donating to them is redundant.  But I doubt you can guarantee to me that they are all doing so well that they can take an adundance of new clientele without folding...  if so perhaps you could point out some to me in my local area that I could take advantage of myself.  If I'm subsidizing my own health care it with my own private donations, then clearly it's no longer free.

                And I never said that private, free health clinics on their own are a bad idea (scroll up to my original comment where I said "Free clinics are great"), which you seem to be implying.  I hope you noticed that somewhere in your rant about parochialism.

                Also, not sure where you get where I'm arguing for government to "intrude", either.  I don't think most free health clinics care where they're getting money, whether from private donations or government grants/subsidies any more than you say the people getting the health care there would.  So helping free health clinics with funds for operating expenses is now an intrusion?

                How parochial...

                by homoaffectional on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:48:31 PM PDT

        •  We'll see about turnout

          We have pretty good awareness of the health care issue here in the Bay Area. We have some effective grassroots networks going. Local politicians have learned to feature health care at the top of their platforms, and they compete over who is the biggest single payer supporter. The famous CNA, this is where they're from.

          I'm not predicting a truly massive demonstration like we had before the Iraq invasion. But we can hope for a darn good showing nonetheless.

          by DBunn on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:38:45 AM PDT

          •  I'll bring a bunch of nurses down from Chico

            And other healthcare activists.

            by Chico David RN on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:04:23 AM PDT

        •  re: pitchforks and torches

          I'm with ya!

          Iraq Moratorium

          by One Pissed Off Liberal on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:47:27 AM PDT

          •  Yes, with real bodies on stretchers &wheel chairs

            just like ACT UP

            by kck on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:20:57 AM PDT

          •  And the occasional........other weapons. n/t

            by Abra Crabcakeya on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 01:27:28 PM PDT

        •  Circle the wagons

          All we would need to do was get a caravan together and stop by all of the hospital waiting rooms on the way to the demonstration point.

          Heck. People will jump/cram themselves into the vans.

          by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:43:13 AM PDT

        •  not much we can do the repubs are worse

          and try to get another congress person in after they have seniority is almost impossible.

          by marlakay on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:42:00 AM PDT

        •  Schumer is hedging because he as a neoliberal...

          like the Clintons and he understands that, "The jobs are never coming back, the illegals are never going home and we're going to have a lot more wars."  (Btw, neoliberals are nearly identical to neocons except that neolibs believe in abortion and gay rights--peripheral issues for the vast majority of citizens but it makes the neolibs feel that they are more democratic.) They understand that we cannot pay for all the new wars and pay for national health care too.  Only BO has a sound, politically feasible, plan for national health care.  But even his is predicated on getting out of Iraq and refusing to get embroiled in further wars.  Isolationism and populism go hand in hand for those reasons.  

          by Wings Like Eagles on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 11:27:14 AM PDT

      •  Follow the $ w/ Schumer

        I'm sure that he has a vested interest in not rocking the boat too severely on health care.  That's what kills me about mandates becoming the defining issue in the health care "debate" this primary season.

        There will be a chasm between what is being proposed on paper now and what will be remotely achievable next year (assuming we win the GE).   The issue of who owes what to whom and how legislative coalitions will be built next year is a bigger deal than what's on paper this year.  

        My recollection of HRC's investor, I mean donor, profile is that she led the pack in $ from health insurors and from Big Pharma by a pretty wide margin.  One of her closest Senate allies is already running up the white flag months before the armies have even gotten into position.

        I don't know if Obama will be able to muster the necessary forces to obtain real health care reform, but I do know that the odds of his doing so are a lot higher than HRC's are.

        by RFK Lives on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:28:23 AM PDT

        •  Caucus happening RE: Hillary & Big Insurance

          Here is a post of what happened at my caucus on Super Tuesday.

          The other lady said that she was supporting Hillary because of her healthcare reform policies. Somebody should have told this lady to take off her blue Anthem jacket before speaking, though.

          I kid you not.

          To say that you support single-payer AND Hillary is an oxymoron.

          by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:14:05 AM PDT

          •  I would like to expand on the caucus scene

            at this time. See, I believe that it was staged. Maybe. Maybe not. Here's what happened:

            We broke to the school cafeteria to meet with our fellow precintees. The precint captain grew up in Iowa and was really adept at the process. Kudos to him. He was really enthusiastic and a real crowd-pleaser (about 45 of us). We were only afforded two small-sized long elementary school tables. The kind that fold up so the benches are connected to the tables. Uncomfortable for adults - some people faced forward, others, not wanting to eat their knees, faced backwards. Since the whole cafeteria was packed, individual precincts were fighting for space.

            At the end of our table was a tragic sight. It was a group of four : a lady obviously very sick - hollow, pale face,in a wheel chair, a man I presumed to be her husband, a young man about 14 pushing her wheelchair (son?) and another 30ish young lady assisting the other three. The assistant was wearing the blue Anthem jacket.

            When it was time for people from the floor to speak out in support of their candidates, the very sick lady began her turn. People were frozen and silent. It was very heart-wrenching. I couldn't hear much of what she said because she was so frail. After a few minutes of the sick lady speaking, the lady with the blue Anthem jacket broke in and finished for her.

            When it was time for all eligible voters to raise their hands for a count, the lady with the blue Anthem jacket didn't/couldn't vote. The lady in the wheelchair and her husband (?) voted for Hillary.

            by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:44:20 AM PDT

      •  Not Even Close

        As long as American Idol is still on, there will be no revolt.

        by Mr X on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:30:49 AM PDT

        •  TV is a Drug that stupefies and blunts the

          facility of perception and understanding, to a huge degree.

          As long as people use it they will continue to be the Mollified masses.

          by Mr SeeMore on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:05:56 AM PDT

      •  We need to work to insure that there

        is a larger majority in congress/senate, and then after on Feb 01 2009 start raising the roof and D E M A N D I N G that congress do the will of the people.

        by OpherGopher on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:35:36 AM PDT

      •  I'm on hold with Schumer's office

        Listening to music.

        Washington # is 212-224-6542

        1. just got cut off.

        2. calling back and it's ringing with no one picking up

        3. Now it's busy.

        Are all you great Kossacks calling this moron?

        by nyceve on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:39:07 AM PDT

        •  If anyone is interested. . .

          Just spoke to a receptionist in Schumer's office named Chris Jarrell, who advised, after keeping me on hold for a lenghthy period of time, "I'll put you on hold as much as I need to put you on hold".

          Please understand that constituent calls are a huge inconvenience to our elected officials.

          Jarrell did advise that Schumer's health policy adviser is someone named Stacy Warady.  

          When I asked to be transferred, I was cut off for the second time.

          by nyceve on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:46:37 AM PDT

          •  Figures.

            They have nothing but contempt for us...until they want our money or our votes...and then they lie to us.

            Iraq Moratorium

            by One Pissed Off Liberal on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:51:22 AM PDT

            •  We are just the "bloggers" don't ya know. nt

              by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 10:09:59 AM PDT

          •  FWIW, I got right through to the DC office,

            and spoke with a pleasant, though disengaged sounding woman. Of course, I just stated my opinion, and suggested that Medicare for All would be a simple, quick solution, as well as what the actual Healthcare situation is for most Americans. She was efficient, and made minimal comments.

            It sounds like you are getting some good info, Eve. Thanks! Stacy Warady sounds like the one to call. Guess I could try again, huh?

            by means are the ends on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:53:30 AM PDT

            •  Means. that's great . . .

              but IMO, you need to be rather rough with these people. Being polite is nothing they respect. And the outrage is transmitted to the morons like Schumer.