I follow politics pretty closely.
So it surprised me to realize, during McCain’s acceptance speech, that I really didn’t know what his healthcare plan was all about. I hadn’t done any research on it. I had just assumed it sucks. But I had *no idea* just how much it sucks.
For those that don’t know, McCain’s "healthcare" plan, is basically a policy to tax you on your healthcare benefit, and remove any incentive for companies to even offer you healthcare in the first place.
Now in true republican fashion he tries to push this down the throats of an ill-informed public by including a tax credit with it, to make up for the difference in the fact that you are now going to be taxed more(if you continue to receive healthcare from your employer).
So, let me lay out a few points that could run in Obama ads:
"McCain wants to give companies an incentive to stop providing you healthcare."
"McCain wants to give tax cuts to people who make over 5 million dollars a year. While at the same time he wants to create new taxs on your employer provided healthcare. Tax cuts for billionaires, but increased taxes for familys in need of healthcare."
"McCain wants every American to fend for himself when it comes to healthcare. And so do the insurance company lobbyists who have contributed to his campaign."
"You were smart. You had health insurance. But you got sick, and it’s time to renew your policy. What will you do when they deny you coverage? McCain doesn’t care. His healthcare policy leaves millions to fend for themselves, even those who get their insurance through work."
"Can you afford $10,000 a month for healthcare premiums? Under John McCain’s healthcare policy, that is exactly what you’d pay if you are diagnosed with leukemia. That is, assuming you are lucky enough to get any coverage at all."
"50 million Americans have lost the battle to afford healthcare premiums. Now John McCain wants everyone in America to fight this same battle, by offering incentives to businesses to stop offering their employees healthcare, leaving each person to fend for themselves."
"Millions of Americans get their health insurance from through their employer. John McCain wants to stop that, but giving employers an incentive to stop providing healthcare to their employees."
"We all know that we need to change healthcare in America so millions of people are not left unable to get proper medical care. But John McCain actually wants to help millions of Americans *lose* the very insurance they get today through their place of employment. "
So my question is, why on earth are we not hearing more about this horrible, horrible, once-in-a-lifetime-bad, morally bankrupt, disgusting, unpopular policy from McCain? Obama could really hit him hard on this one.
PS: this is my first diary, so be nice :)
UPDATE: I forgot to mention, think about how this would play... McCain, who has never in his entire life had anything other than government provided healthcare, wants to force everyone to buy their own private health insurance plans. How could he defend himself?