First it was to be done by Thanksgiving, now it's Christmas. The real question is will it be done before we die?

Aye, Senator Harkin, "we need health care reform and need it now." What we DON'T need is a phoney "reform" bill that delivers new customers to the health insurance industry and the providers of medications and pharmaceuticals, another industry bailout disguised as reform. Whether you get a bill out of Congress "before Christmas" or before the Second Coming, and whether it contains that tepid "public option," you and the rest of your spineless colleagues will take the "no risk" option of doing what will feather your own nests and leave the "silent majority" still crying for the true reform (a single payer medicare-for-all system) which you do NOT have the political courage to enact. Nice try, Mr. cornfed "People's" Senator, but that pig won't fly no matter what cosmetics you use on it.

1500 Americans die every month because they have no, or are willfully denied, healthcare. And all because of somebody's profit. That's called murder. Not even manslaughter.

January 1500
February 1500
March 1500
April 1500
May 1500
June 1500
July 1500
August 1500
September 1500
October 1500
November 1500
December 1500

tick tock, tick tock... esteemed Representatives.

JD Rose is right; we don't need a phony reform bill, but that's what we'll eventually get.

Rest assured however it turns out, it will be the kind the health insurance and pharma industries will secretly (as opposed to publicly) be happy with. Uncovered Americans will end up forced to BUY a policy with penalties if you don't. How someone who cannot now afford to buy a policy will tomorrow suddenly find the money in their limited budget to pay for one, escapes me.

As Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration, recently noted:

"It is absurd to mandate that people purchase what they cannot afford and to fine them for failing to do so. A person who cannot pay a health insurance premium cannot pay the fine.These proposals are like solving the homeless problem by requiring the homeless to purchase a house."

http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts09142009.html

1500 a month - they don't care.
Yes, only real reform is what we want not more "free" drugs!
And Stone, We might be dead by then, this Dem thing of HC reform started 50 years ago give or take a few million dead Americans!!!
Like all politics "follow the money"

This is how health ins.works:
You or your paycheck pay out say for 6 years 10 grand per.
You or your family use a few bucks up of this for little things. Lets say over 6 yrs 3 grand.
Now a family member gets cancer - 1st six months uses up 10 grand of the 60 grand over 6 you paid in.
Guss what happens the Insurance Co. drops you and makes 47 grand profit.
Did you see the crowd in DC protesting HCR? 80% on Medicare
or VA insured - WTF!

I agree with the previous comments.

FWIW, I distrust ANY appeal citing a "Silent Majority". I remember Nixon claiming to stand for a Silent Majority, personified as well as anyone by teevee's Archie Bunker.

It's a hollow rhetorical device at best; anyone can claim, in essence, a legion of invisible supporters that share the view being advocated-- whether it's bombing Hanoi or enacting true universal health care.

I DO believe that there's been a SILENCED minority of single-payer supporters who've been-- to use an Archie Bunker term-- "stifled", undermined, and derided by a combination of ignorance and skillful manipulation by the political/corporate combine.

Any reasonably intelligent person understands that the status quo is toxic, unsustainable, and literally fatal to too many ordinary citizens supporting it. And that the US needs to snap out of its hysteria and capitalist dogma and rejoin what's left of the civilized world in at least this one vital area.

But it's impossible to know if a "silent majority" holds this view, with all of the rank stupidity and orchestrated disinformation campaigns targeting them-- whoever they are.

Don't forget Max Baucus' cosmetic meeting with single-payer advocates, in which he earnestly explained that the main thing was to unite and deliver a "win" to Obama. I expect that Harkin is still trying to deliver that "win" for Obama, and will enthusiastically support any No Insurer Left Behind legislation that can be passed off as a "win".

· Yr Obd't Servant

Senator Tom Harkin has a tremendous capacity for the obvious.

More sound bites.

No specifics.

Just that word, "reform".

What disdain these people in congress must have for us.

Harkin is just another of the Democratic Party sellouts. The plan will still be welfare for the Corporations. See Chris Hedges.

correction of double post.

The government is not Mr. Fix-It.

I feel that reform is merely a rhetorical substitution for the kind of drastic regulatory overhaul needed in regard to the precepts of profit-oriented health care, including its relation to pathological corporate person hood.

All of this is, in a sense, sophomoric.

Nevertheless, I believe there is moreover a silent majority containing within them a secret derision for the fait accompli being advanced in the peoples' name.

Health care is needed, but it is only a first step. Universal medicare would do quite a lot to heal this nation spiritually and mentally from the egregious wounds people are expected to bear without recourse or excuse to suffer.

The idea of denying people health care for any reason is at the heart of viciousness. This is not the purpose of civilization, and the sick person should not be looked upon as an anomie, but should be placed in the public interest.

The healthcare reform currently proposed is not a reform; it is a gigantic giveaway to the FOR-PROFIT health care industries.

I am quoting from an article in Le Mond diplomatique; http://mondediplo.com/2009/09/ushealthcare

“the reforms that Barack Obama is proposing will not fundamentally change the United States’ abysmal healthcare system because those who profit from it have been able to buy protection from the lawmakers.”

“American politics is so poisoned by money flowing from industrial and financial lobbies that the only proposals ensured a smooth ride through Congress are those that cut taxes.”

“Cradled in a political system that protects them (and which they in turn protect) and profiting from the public’s widespread cynicism and all-round despair, traders and medical insurance companies can only pursue their parasitic ways. “Abuse” is not some aberration in their practice, it’s their essence. So a “reform” they could agree to will not do: what we need is their disappearance.”

The only plan that will cut individual and business costs is Single Payer. Every other plan works from a small pool, and will necessarily have to contain costs by denying or limiting coverage. The only way Single Payer will work is if everyone doesn't get sick at the same time(same as for profit). The difference is that if everyone gets sick at the same time the government will have to bail out for profit companies, or bail out itself. I think it is time to end for profit insurance coverage. The providers get all the profit we need to pay without paying the "middleman" profit too! Single Payer is not going to happen, though, probably ever in this surreal/capitalistic country.

"He contends "there is a silent majority all over America that understands we need health care reform and we need it now."

Isn't it great that our shining democracy lacks referendums? It's so much better to just our politicians tell us what our country is thinking. If you put it to a vote, people might get crazy ideas, like that "reform " should mean single-payer universal health care, instead of just protecting (or even expanding the role of) the insurance industry.

The "Silent Majority" need to quit being silent.

But, but, but...

If we got a real public option, what will happen to the poor little insurance companies?

What will happen to the contributions they give to the Corporate Tools in Congress and the White House?

How un-American!

Silent Senator? Have you looked at your e-mail or talked to your staff about constituent calls? My Rep. and Sens. seem to be deaf too!I would bet the Iowans want a single payer health plan are sick of insurance "mandates" and denials ,and have told you so.This government is not in the business of guaranteeing corporate profits and if it is(sic)the Supreme court is about to guarantee that no one else has a soap box to stand on,never mind the ability to broadcast the public's wishes.Pollsters will tell you you are wrong,when asked the Constituents are not silent and most ignorance is the result of a lack of info from the M.S.M.
I agree that the people are not noisy enough about their rights or needs but maybe they are stifled by the extremists with guns at town meetings and the way the "news" is presented.I suggest you read your mail. peas ,BT corn and RR (tm)gmo beans

We are seeing health care reform morphed into Insurance and Drug company manipulaton...I suggest that every person in Congress vow to gladly give up their own 'socilaistic' health care plans paid for by that 'big government' that they can not abide, if they can't get a decent healthcare reform passed....The American people certainly deserve the same health care that is given to those people they elect..is there any valid reason why this is so difficult to understand?

Silent? Where the f*** has he been?

Silent??? WTF?

What we have been saying has been heard, but ignored for the most part. But it does seem like the worst possible scenario might actually play out; we may be forced to buy insurance from the profit hungry insurance companies or face a stiff fine. So the people who couldn't afford insurance before, and can't pay for it now, will have to pay a fine for not being able to pay for insurance.

Please don't ask me for any more money until I see some results.

We're not silent, it's just we're not heard by the media. They only want to show the viewpoint of people who support the corporate agenda.

Harkin states, without a hint of irony, "that the real danger is opposing changes." Apparently there is little danger of the words single payer passing through the lips of Harkin as that might roil the sensibilities of the insurance companies. One has to believe that there is about a great a chance of a single payer system being implemented in the [alleged] best democracy in the world as there is of the politicians in this country calling for not only a halt to the funds which are propping up the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq but also a substantial decrease [at least 20 per cent]in the military budget. But the latter prospect seems highly unlikely as the US government seems much more concerned with killing people overseas than in doing the reverse and that would be saving lives in this country by passing a single payer system which would relieve the suffering of so many people and make sure that so many Americans do not have to go bankrupt because their medical bills are not being paid. One has to wonder if it has ever occurred to the Democrats and the Republicans that if the approximately trillion dollar military budget [which seems to be the third rail of US politics] were to be slashed, then that money would more than cover the cost of a single payer system in this country. But one suspects that if that were done, then the GOP and the Democrats [aka the savage mules] would not be able to satisfy the desires and needs, as Dickens might say, of the vested interests.

It is always good to see that the leaders of this country know where their priorities lay, and that would be with the interests of the large corporations such as the rapacious insurance and pharmaceutical companies and defense contractors of America.

The status quo is not an alternative. Medicare for all makes most sense. I believe most of our congress peple beholden th their corporate benefactors will not go there. What 's the choice?

just came across a good video discussion on "The Ed Show" of all places. Check it out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32744940#32744940

Without a public option, HR 3200 is a boon for insurance companies and law enforcement officials, see:

http://counterpunch.org/roberts09142009.html

The public option isn't scheduled to go into effect until 2013.

With so much back peddling and hand wringing from Obama on the public option, I don't see his administration setting up an efficient and comprehensive system. The last resort the insurance companies have to kill the public option is to have their man Obama kill it while he is setting it up. That's simple. Just have it run by a former insurance company executive who has a revolving door back to the industry and tons of stock options (i.e. conflicts of interest). Obama did it for the treasury! And if Obama can't kill it with this back door approach, then the next Republican president will kill it and then complain we told you that the government can never run anything well.

The problems are many of the conservative (yes, conservative, not moderate) Dems in the Senate, Landieu, B. Nelson, Conrad, Baucus, Lincoln, etc. who really don't want a Public Option. They don't want it in the bill at all, so they don't have to vote for or against it.

They are the biggest cowards, even as politicians go.

I'm not sure the "silent" majority is silent. I think we are being ignored. I'm pretty sure many of us have been actively contacting their members of congress, the white house, networking with friends and family. We are just not getting any reporting on the news.

Ironic that when so many were protesting the run up to Bush's War, and thousands marched, there was no reporting of it on the news. Now, a few dozen misinformed crackpots grab headlines.

Also troubling is that the reports simply air the misinformation and its surrounding hysteria, but never say in the same breath that the hysteria is based on lies. Report the hysteria, not the truth. Make a big deal about uncivil shouting matches, but never report what the truth is underneath the frothing at the mouth.

Folks, the Dem game is to give a little air time for the Repugs to look like the ugly troglodytes that they are. Next, the Dems pass a weak healthcare "reform" bill that makes everyone pay the insurance companies and doesn't threaten corporate profits.

Result: The system remains the same. You get bad healthcare and high profits for big pharma and the insurance companies. Duped Dem voters go away happy. The corporate spigot continues to flow and Dem legislators' campaigns get funded.

It's not true that people were silent. They were just ignored. Single payer was deemed "too radical" by Obama, who once supported it.

-TIA

That majority is NOT silent...it is the same majority that elected Obama to bring in single payer health care like the rest of the civilized world has

"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats

'Silent Majority' Back Health Care Reform

The 'silent suffering majority' want Medicare for All and they will surely back Congressional Reform to get it! With pitchforks and torches if necessary.

Sorry Harkin, We're are the "Silenced" Majority!

Jeeze they spin everything.

Hopefully, the senator is wrong and the majority is not silent. With any luck, the majority are talking to their neighbors ,friends, family and representatives. The majority spoke and Obama was elected to give us a chance for change. It is still up to us to make it happen. We cannot sit back and think the job is done. It has just begun!

When 1300 healthcare lobbyists flooded Washington DC, the message was, silence does not win the battles of influence. When the healthcare industries banded together to advertise against reform, the message is, spread your opinions to everyone, everywhere. Silence does not win the battles of influence. Winning requires risk, risk of debate, risk of ridicule, and risk of discomfort.

We have watched hateful speeches and dishonest ads spread. We have learned that, when the brain and mouth are disengaged by anger, resulting from misinformation, credibility is lost. Honest debate is the tool of consensus and of crafting meaningful legislation. If you aren't involved in the process, you will get what comes out of the pipe down the line.

There does seem to be a consensus for an extension of Medicare, or at least coverage, of some sort, for everyone. People who fear government more than big business say they don’t want “government running their healthcare.” The two messages, while conflicted, require similar actions. Educate those who are misinformed and educate your representatives as to what you want. Gather the misinformation and then gather the correct information. Talk to everyone you can. Remind your representative that although they may fear only two things in their political life, you control both. Their first fear is of a lack of campaign funding, and the second is the lack of re-election. Remind them that the first doesn’t matter because, if they’ve pissed off their constituents by not listening to them, they won’t be re-elect, regardless of how much money they spend campaigning.

Insurance premiums have grown over 110% in the last ten years and will not be stopped until a beast as big as the monolithic healthcare companies stops it. That beast is our government, and since we are the government, the answer is -- we will stop it. We will continue to elect those who will engage their hearts and minds for their constituents, and continue to pressure, like those before us have over the past sixty plus years, so one day we will succeed in creating a fair and just healthcare and economy for all people.

Waiting for healthcare reform in America has been like being a diehard baseball fan. We are always willing to accept next year will be the year. Well, I’m not willing to wait any longer. Our chances are better with Obama in office than they have ever been before. Hopefully, this is the year!

I think Miss Jones is onto something.
The majority is only as vocal as the media that puts words into its mouth. There is no real entity called the majority because no one knows exactly who makes up the majority. It is a fiction, called a hypothetical construct, made up for the convenience of those who need a large count of individuals as there is magic in numbers.

If you want to know what the real majority wants, ask your neighbors, the people in line at the market, the person next to your seat on the train or bus...etc.

The other thing is that as I listen to the media news this a.m. and have noticed any time I watch or listen, that the media news casters, hardly journalists, but common flea type newscasters attempt to dictate policy: what the President ought to do, what Congress ought to do, what people believe, it is laughable that these non-experts at anything but possibly nose-picking think they can order the nation to do anything.