So if we look at the 2008 election and look closely at the age make up of that election, we see that a disproportionate amount of elderly voters vote.
http://www.census.gov/...
Although the youngest voters were the only age group to show a statistically significant increase in turnout, voting did tend to increase with age. In 2008, younger citizens (18-24) had the lowest voting rate (49 percent), while citizens who fell into older age groups (45-64 and 65-plus) had the highest voting rates (69 percent and 70 percent, respectively).
So if you are a Democrat in the US Senate and you know that there is no way in hell you can get the "Public Option" because of the few idiots such as Leiberman, and Nelson and the like, what then is the next best option. Extending Medicare to those 55 and older thats what. So if this healthcare bill goes through, we now have young adults being able to stay on their parents plan until the age of 27 and Medicare being extended to those folks 55 and above. So out of the 15% of Americans without health insurance, how many do you think would be covered under this plan. My guess is that if you extend Medicare out to those 55 and older and allow adults under 27 to stay on their family plan and you do away with pre-existing conditions(which would allow those folks who can afford insurance but can't get it) you would now begin to cover a pretty good amount of the 15%.
Is this the best Bill? No. Is it the best we can do at this point in time with the broken rules of Senate. I think so. So remember the sky is not falling, and most Democrats want to do the right thing. Most of Dems in the Senate want a strong Bill that covers the most amount of people. This bill not only does that, but may also still help them in 2010, because just like 2008, if the young folks now get to stay on the parents insurance longer and all folks age 55 and older can now get medicare, what demographic is left out that hurts democrats?
I think if this passes it was a great Bait & Switch for the Senate Democrats and does an end around the likes of the Nelsons, and Lincolns, and also puts the Rethugs in a tough spot of voting against something that will help more older folks get Healthcare. Just let that play out in 2010. Republicans generally win the elderly vote by small margins. If they vote against this bill they may see that slim margin evaporate.
So everyone just calm down, relax, breathe, although Kos might not think so, I think this bill will not only help millions of Americans but also may in the end be a good thing for the democrats in 2010.