It’s really interesting that the writings of democrats promoting this bill (and subliminally insinuating that we should ignore the 'rabid liberals'), always seem to miss the same single word that is missing from all press reports of HCR. And that word is 'Mandates'. If Mandates are not such a bad thing, and if they are necessary for comprehensive and meaningful care, why is everyone so reluctant to use the term?
For any person not paying careful attention to the health care debate (75% of american public), media coverage and the sort of opinion Krugman in NYT today is pushing would lead one to believe that what’s going to be voted on is a bill which covers more than 35 million new american’s, reduces costs, removes existing conditions clauses, allows carrying insurance despite unemployment etc. etc. What’s not to like? Nothing, if you don’t know that its all brought about by a mandate to force everyone to buy insurance from private for profit companies, and a tax that will effect mostly middle income working people. I don’t personally think there is anything wrong with mandates per se, or taxes, but why is the word seemingly verboten in both media, and now increasingly in pro-HCR blogs, even from the democratic end of the spectrum, like some people on this site?
The other interesting thing is when one argues for the Public Option, and suggests that maybe Obama’s not pushing for it hard enough, and in the end may not even want it, people claim its not Obama’s place because this bill belongs to Congress—i.e. it is either a 'senate bill' or a 'house bill'. But on the other hand the same people have no problem saying things like ‘Obama’s health care reform will cover 35 million uninsured Americans'. Whose bill is it—and who should be taking responsibility for what’s in it? I’d just like to know
All I know is the word Mandates will magically appear in the media once the bill is passed... by people like Brooks at NYT, and the rest of the Corporate controlled media. The corporatists will get a twofer with this legislation: tricking the American people into thinking this is health care reform when it actually is an insurance giveaway, and then being able to beat the democrats up with it, once the elections start drawing near.