http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6166066Oh my.
The sparkling husband primitive:
Stinky The Clown (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 10:48 PM
Original message
We started out cheering as we dreamed of single payer. Then we happily accepted the public option.
Now it seems we will be getting stuck with some bullshit that goes nowhere .... except to increase the wealth disparity and provide an illusion of universal coverage.
And we're all supposed to be grateful for this.
Yeah .........
The Rita Hayworth primitive:
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 10:49 PM
Response to Original message
1. You hear Dr. Dean on Rachel a little while ago?
The party's over.
The lobbyists have made their points, the compromise has been reached, the bullshit will flow, and we're exactly where we were yesterday.
Boo hoo.
dflprincess (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 10:50 PM
Response to Original message
2. Battered voter syndrome
we were so abused during the Bush years that now we'll be grateful for any crumb we're told is being thrown to us (whether the crumb is actually being thrown or not).
FormerDittoHead (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #2
48. We didn't have the 80 Seat majority in the Senate to do what 75% of the people WANT...
The bobbling primitive:
bobbolink (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 11:53 AM
Response to Reply #48
70. EXACTLY. And, somehow, that must be our fault.
We're going nowhere until we get corporations out of government!
HCE SuiGeneris (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 10:57 PM
Response to Original message
5. Damnit-to-hell
Keeping one's chin up is getting to be near impossible.
Hydra (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 10:58 PM
Response to Original message
6. The Dems weren't supposed to cave
Once we gave them everything they asked for.
The cynic in me says, "What? You knew the score- this isn't our gov't, after all..."
dflprincess (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:05 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. They really didn't cave this time
they just decided that insurance company campaign contributions were more important than our votes.
Except for Wellstone's campaigns (and McGovern), I have a lot of regrets over all the time and money I've wasted on the Democratic party and its candidates the last 37 years.
Birthmark (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:15 PM
Response to Original message
10. I don't even know *what* to say.
I mean, I figured that this would be the way it turned out. But I hoped for better. I'm not sure what to do now.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:34 PM
Response to Reply #10
16. Do what I'm doing - feeling sad, feeling used, like the girl who gets asked to the prom, buys the dress, gets her hair done, is all dressed up and ready to go, her parents have the camera loaded, and the boy never shows up.
That's how it seems.
I've watched this too many ****ing times in my lifetime. I thought, with the Democratic majority in Congress, that we really had a shot this time. That Obama, like LBJ, would know how to get in there and twist arms, make deals, get it done - the way LBJ got us Medicare and Medicaid. The last time anyone in America got a break on health care.
I can only imagine how Senator Kennedy feels watching all this - his life's work dashed, as he lays dying.....................
Stinky The Clown (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:45 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Oh man ...... now ya did it .......
My fervent dream had been that the country could give a meaningful gift to Ted Kennedy:
THE EDWARD M KENNEDY HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2009
Now, as you say, he simply lays there dying ......... what a tragedy. No do-overs. It really makes me terribly sad.
And LBJ. That was a man who knew haw to get shit done in Congress.
regnaD kciN (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:55 PM
Response to Reply #16
19. Oh, you'll feel a LOT worse...
...when this bill passes, and you're suddenly required by law to buy a $500-$1000+/month private insurance policy out of your own pocket (since employers won't be forced to cover their employees, none will in a few years) or face a surcharge of 2.5% or more of your gross income for the "privilege" of having no health care.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:58 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. I'm covered on two fronts - through two professional organizations to which I belong, and it's great family coverage - the Virginia Bar Association and the Authors Guild.
It's pricey, but we are very lucky to be able to afford it.
The bill stinks.
I am old, and I honestly cannot believe I'm watching this bullshit. Making things even worse................
dixiegrrrrl (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 02:12 PM
Response to Reply #21
91. Sure flushes the 60's/70's down the toilet, don't it?
and all those who came before us who worked so hard to get fair laws passed.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 02:36 PM
Response to Reply #91
95. I remember when health insurance just came with the job. All the jobs.
And it was GREAT coverage. Everything was taken care of.
I remember having physicals when I started new jobs, just to qualify for the coverage. That was as much as I needed to do, and then I was insured.
Now, I don't recognize the system. I'm a patient, and I have to ask questions every step of the way. And I'm not stupid. It's just so incredibly convoluted, repetitive, and random.
dixiegrrrrl, I'm glad I'm old.......................
Ms. Ed, the unappellated eohippus, the biggest liar on Skins's island:
Horse with no Name (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 02:42 PM
Response to Reply #19
97. Mine simply won't cover us once they don't HAVE to
Nobody will--this is what their $1.5 million bucks per day has purchased. Freedom for them.
FormerDittoHead (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 09:14 AM
Response to Reply #16
49. But seriously - WHAT GOOD IS THIS 'SYSTEM' WE HAVE FOR *US*?
If the system doesn't want want the vast majority of THE PEOPLE want, and what it ACTUALLY DELIVERS is for the very, very FEW, then why the HELL should *I* give a shit?
If the system is only going to 'give' me what IT wants to give me, then DON'T ASK ME TO GIVE A SHIT ANYMORE.
RufusTFirefly (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:17 PM
Response to Original message
12. We do the same frickin' thing time and time again
We stupidly compromise, ignoring the fact that the Rethugs think we're weak and act accordingly.
We should've gone for single payer and stood our ground. It would've galvanized the nation and made America a better, more compassionate country.
Instead we surrender before the fight even begins and have to spend our time refuting utterly ridiculous claims that the media has a liberal bias or that Obama is a socialist. Republicans think we're easy to bully. And they're right.
Pathetic. The Democrats of today are the Republicans of my youth. And today's Republicans? They're just shameless whackjobs who keep managing to get their way.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 12:01 AM
Response to Reply #12
23. I hate to say this, but we never had a chance. Neither did single payer.
The legislators are in thrall to the lobbyists who dispense their clients' cash, and that is what determines the votes.
You're absolutely right about how the Democrats have devolved. Not a backbone among them, and they're not even ashamed of it.
What I cannot quite come to terms with is that Obama is letting this happen. I honestly thought he'd take a clue from LBJ, call them into the Oval Office, and twist arms. Instead, he was passive, making some speeches, and then comfortably settling in and letting it all belong to the lobbyists.........................
kiva (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 11:35 AM
Response to Reply #23
65. LBJ knew how to use the power he had, he learned from his years in the Senate. Obama has popular support from Americans, but his lack of experience in Congress hurts him in the political arena and that's what we needed for health care reform.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #65
80. I agree - LBJ was a pro, Obama is a neophyte, and now it shows. And we pay the price.
I'm rather crushed about this. I had hope this time, I really did.
I'm a fool...............................
GreenPartyVoter (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 08:40 AM
Response to Reply #12
46. But it's _so_ necessary that the Dems in Congress keep their powder dry. You know, for the important fights.
Naturyl (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-27-09 11:30 PM
Response to Original message
14. And in the end, we'll just grumble and suck it up.
Because that's what we always do.
Where is the march on Washington for single-payer? I must have missed the invitation...
SammyWinstonJack (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 08:56 AM
Response to Reply #22
47. I really regret my vote for him.
dysfunctional press (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #78
81. did you listen to his speech the other night...?
in his 8-minute speech outlining what he expected the healthcare bill to include- he never once even hinted at a public option. the only time it was mentioned was when the reporter from the cleveland newspaper brought it up.
when obama starts talking more like bill maher on the subject of healthcare, and less like newt gingrich- i'll start to begin to have an iota of respect for him on the topic.
dysfunctional press (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 01:39 PM
Response to Reply #82
84. yes it does- he's supposed to be the LEADER, not the capitulator.
Stinky The Clown (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-28-09 12:21 AM
Response to Reply #24
26. Think about what you just said .......
...... that means there's a need for leadership ....... and pretty much none has been forthcoming.
What ***specifically*** do you propose we do to "get something"?
I've always seen that "we need to push him to get what we want" as the ultimate cop out. Leaders lead. They don't need a push.
whathehell (846 posts) Tue Jul-28-09 08:02 AM
Response to Reply #26
45. I agree...He seemed to work a hell of a lot harder on his campaign than he is on his campaign promises -- at least this one.
It goes on and on and on.
Man, the sparkling husband primitive really knows how to cheer up the primitives, doesn't he?
