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Single Payer and the Duplicitous Rahm Emanuel
Earlier this year, Dr. Marcia Angell, the former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, warned about what she called "the futility of piecemeal tinkering."
Obama and the Democrats did not heed her warning.
Earlier this week, the most liberal of the Democrats tinkering plans - Senator Kennedy's - went up in smoke when the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the Kennedy plan would cost $1 trillion over ten years and still leave 37 million Americans uninsured.
Three months ago, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) told single payer supporters that he would seek to get the CBO to score single payer legislation (HR 676).
But Steny Hoyer backed off his pledge.
He never did get the CBO to score single payer.
Why?
Because it would show that under single payer, we'd pay what we are paying now - or less - and it would cover everyone.
Zero people left uninsured.
Zero people dead from lack of health insurance.
No more medical bankruptcies.
But at the same time, single payer would eliminate the more than 1,000 health insurance corporations.
That's how you save $400 billion a year to cover everyone - replace the 1,300 payers with one single payer.
So the corporate Democrats and Obama are now engaged in a protection racket - protecting the bloated, wasteful health insurance industry from sure extinction if single payer becomes law.
We caught up with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel this morning, after he had just delivered a speech to the Democratic Leadership Council (read: the corporate Democrats) at the National Press Club.
And we asked him - hey Rahm why don't you get the CBO to score single payer?
"I don't control the Congressional Budget Office," Emanual told Single Payer Action.
Wait a second.
If President Obama wanted the Congressional Budget Office to score single payer, he couldn't get the Democratic Congressional leadership to do it?
Ah Rahm, still at your duplicitous ways.
We also asked Emanuel why Obama flip-flopped on single payer.
After all, as a young state Senator in Illinois, Obama said he was for single payer.
All that would be needed to make single payer a reality, Obama said in 2003, would be for the Democrats to "take back the White House, the Senate and the House."
Fast forward six years.
The Democrats have taken back the White House, the Senate and the House.
Now Obama is opposed to single payer.
Why did Obama flip flop?
"It's about the objective, not the means," Emanuel said.
Well, if the objective is to cover everyone and control costs, the CBO says that the Democratic Party's tinkering plans won't do it.
As Dr. Angell puts it - single payer is not just the best option, it's the only option that will get the job done.
It's the only health reform that meets Obama's objectives - cover everyone, control costs.
Yes indeed, Rahm, it's about the objective, not the means.
- Posted in
50 Comments so far
Show AllThe Chicago School has officially been been replaced by the "Chicago Tools".
Viva La Shock Doctrine
Health care "reform" has become an example of organized white collar crime on a scale not seen since Obama initiated the NO WALL STREET BANKER LEFT BEHIND program.
Sioux Rose
RAY: Exactly! It's the "Fiscal Suicide Enabled Civilians Act" consisting of 3 key elements: one part bail-out to all those "honest" military contractors, one part bail-out to the banking hustlers, and one-part bailout (in the form of government- mandated extortion) to the insurance "industry." Public be damned in every one of these gruesome scenarios. I do see a parallel between America's financially bankrupt status and its moral equivalent.
Well Said Sioux Rose...
Insurance is no more of an "Industry" than the FED is a "Reserve"...
Sioux Rose
GOLDEN: That slogan should be on a T-shirt or car bumper sticker! Good one.
No, no, no........maybe you could say The Council on Foreign Relations or The Daley School of Power Government for the Powerful........
Rahm Emanuel left the Clinton Administration and immediately picked up a quick 18 million dollars in "Consultant Fees".....He was asked just after earning 7 million dollars after one year out of service, "How did you go from $150,000 a year to 7 million in less than one year?" His response was, "I am a good consultant." NOT.....In Mexico, you take a bribe to get work done. In the United States, either your spouse or relative gets "Special Government Contracts", like Dianne Feinstein's husband Richard Blum, or, you get thank you consultant fees for having paved the way to the White House.........Rahm is smooth and who knows what country he is working for .......he definitely is not working for the American People.....
But then, neither is Barack Obama.......The Rich and "The Power Elite", now those are genuine patriots: let's kill three thousand people and blame it on a nondescript cave dweller, let's invade two countries for their oil and pretend that they are the real enemy and kill over a million of their people, let's bankrupt the United States Treasury, let's hide our money in foreign countries, let's use Wall Street to steal trillions of dollars from pension funds and 401K's, and let's give the American People the worst healthcare in the world........
Yes sir, Mr. President, those are the real patriots.....they deserve to be protected from investigations for "They" are what the American Government is all about.........inside traders, liars, thieves, and murderers (If you think there is a terrorist living in a house and you know that there are innocent unarmed civilians nearby, your responsibilty is to protect those innocent civilians!)
Put on a tie and a flag on your lapel, shame on you and the people around you...
World Trade Center #7 was brought down with explosives.......all of you are covering up the worst crime in the history of the United States.....The three countries that: recruited, armed,trained,supported, and paid for Al Qaeda were: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.......Get the lie finished and over with.......Shame on you and the people around you!
Sioux Rose
HERBERT: I see the truth in much that you state, and share your sense of outrage. Your 3rd paragraph resonates with me especially. Were it not for this forum I might imagine myself a character in The Twilight Zone wondering if this could all really be happening?
And it must be added what remains true for the Right also represents the Left. Repeating the same mantra doesnt make this a working strategy to convince the pols to change direction and abide by their promises. Repeating Single Payer as a magic metaphor for healthcare finance reform is a losing tirade.
So to Kevin Zeese Russell Mokhiber Dr Marcia Angeel Dr McCoy Dr Flowers and so many others, I say, before you can get huge reform passed you gotta win at least one smaller battle. You have ignored them all despite reminders from other progressives. When Why and what have you done with Tort reform, MedicalWhistleblower safeguards (doctors persecuted everyday, some with your connivance), white collar corruption, Lobbyist reforms, Unionization of medical doctors, phony direct to consumer ads, healthplans owning tobacco stocks. Nut n hoooney. Take a look and answer your emails. Some are paying the price. Listen to them. You will not win until you are first seated at the table.
Okay, I get it -- the Democrats talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. But why get all worked up about it? After all, one out of two isn't really all that bad. Listen, in baseball a .500 batting average would be a sure ticket to the Hall of Fame. So let's give credit where credit is due, shall we?
"one out of two isn't really all that bad"
What 'one' are you referring too?
'Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.' - Pete Townsend
I think he's joking. The weeniecrats talked, but didn't walk. Ho ho.
Is anyone else other than me getting tired of dual-nationality, dual-loyalty Israelis in high government positions?
Tony Vodvarka
Yeah, but I don't see any connection to this issue.
"It's about the objective, not the means," Emanuel said.
It depends on what your definition of the word "objective" is. Right now the democrats have to prove that they can deliver as well as the republicans did. It's a contest. The objective is to win.
The objective should be to lower health care costs, rather than Obama's and Congress' objective to implkement NO INSURANCE COMPANY LEFT BEHIND and NO DRUG MAKER LEFT BEHIND programs.
Health care reform has turned into health care deformed that will cost you more money for less services, including a tax hike on those making less than $200K (taxing employer provided medical insurance).
Friendly fire! that comment was meant to be sarcastic. Upon re-reading it, I realize it could be taken at face value.
Look into Rahm's eyes. Listen to his words. We live in a world of deceit. The "means" are clear, Mr. Emmanuel. We are living them. Theft of our wages, and the greatest transfer of wealth our country has ever seen. Perpetual war. Sending billions of our money to apartheid States that care nothing about human rights. Your complete and utter disregard for the wishes of the citizens of the United States. A gutting of the Constitution. The fast track for global destruction. Increasing governmental secrecy yielding a government who doesn't trust its people and a people who don't trust their government. The "objectives", Mr. Emmanuel, seem equally clear. They are the sordid, illegal and despicable realities being imposed on us by you and your lying ilk and the continued consolidation of power by sociopaths. The United States has nothing to look to look forward to so long as Emmanuel and Obama are in the White House. My only audacious hope is that their stay is short.
Amen. We are the means. Look at what has happened to the freest, wealthiest nation on earth. We have been sold into slavery by the takeover of our government. I don't want to pay for another bloody dime of it.
Like Bush the Younger, I'm prepared to look into Rahm's soul--if he's got one.
March on Washington July 4th: No More Gov't-Paid Health Care for Congress until we have Single Payer Health Care for All.
I agree if !! If we can't ALL have Gov't provided 1st class health Ins. like the fucking hypocrites in DC then nobody should.
"Look into Rahm's eyes. Listen to his words. We live in a world of deceit. The "means" are clear, Mr. Emmanuel. We are living them. Theft of our wages, and the greatest transfer of wealth our country has ever seen."
I saw a smirk on his face as he tried to avoid those questions. What exactly is "The Objective" anyway? To steal as much wealth from the middle class and destroy all political power we the people have? Just more neo-fuedalism. The Obama admin is looking like nothing more than window dressing--yet he is taking the right steps for Palistinians. None of this makes any sense. But it seems obvious that the American People are being sacrificed.
It seems to me that we should pour every ounce of our political energy into getting a single payer system in place with the Iranian People as an example. Come out in such force that we simply cannot be ignored. Once that victory is done, then go down the list. Implementation of renewable conservation energy policy that eleminates our need for Middle East oil; exit from both Iraq and Afghanastan, except for Humanitarian and Economic aid; return of all Constitutional rights; return of regulatory bodies to their original purposes--sans industry representation; voter legislation that stops gerymandering and allows for instant runoff voting, media regulations that return it to local and broad ownership, etc.
How to get all the varied and assundry left leaning to left organizations in one direction right now--I don't know--anybody out there that does?
Danna
Danna June, you say, "The Obama admin is looking like nothing more than window dressing--yet he is taking the right steps for Palestinians."
But Obama is NOT taking the "right steps" for the Palestinians, just as he is NOT going to get us the one health care system that works in every other industrialized country, covering every citizen for less than half of what we spend now--single payer. Instead, Obama is doing what he seems to do best--talking out of both sides of his mouth.
Obama could instruct the GAO to come up with the costs of single payer, as well as the costs of his plan, which is to subsidize the insurance companies who are ripping us off. But he won't.
Obama could turn off the cash pipeline to Israel ($15 million of our tax dollars per day) until Israel stops stealing Palestinian land and water resources, but he won't.
Obama could express outrage that Israeli soldiers, funded with our tax dollars, routinely terrorize Palestinian civilians, even little children (like the four-year-old who was playing in the sand when an Israeli officer grabbed him and deliberately broke his wrist, then his leg, and then kicked him in the stomach.), but so far, nothing. You can read about it here:
"Shocking Testimonies: Brutalizing Palestinian Children."
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/
view_article_details.php?id=15212
(You have to copy the two lines of the address as one line in your browser.)
"It's about the objective, not the means," Emanuel said.
---
This sentence has me wondering exactly what Rahm's "objective" really is. I mean, talking to the media is really just a means to an objective. Telling the truth (or not) is just a means to an objective.
Perhaps the accumulation of power is the only objective that this uncharismatic 'leader' (fundraiser) understands.
Me thinketh we have been screwed, blued and tatooed yet again by the seductive and lying Mr. Obama & Co., not the least of whom is Mr. Emanuel. The most deadly of those always seem to be those closest to the emperor.
You too, Brutus?
This is America. You've been screwed, blued and tattooed sine the day you were born here. You're fodder for the machine. That's all.
'Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.' - Pete Townsend
Well, it's time for the people to show the machine what moon to fly to.
Like I said, if we really want a society that works for us all, we are going to have to get focused, energized and active. Focused first. If we want to be fodder, than we can just sit back and we will be sure to be.
Danna
Good post, Danna.
Many here (including myself sometimes), write about how bad things are and bitch about the lazy 'Mericans...then do nothing. Kinda like a bunch of lazy 'Mericans. Hoisted by our own petard.
A while back I called for an action to lay it on the line for just one member of Congress to lose his seat if single payer were not enacted. I called for Max Baucus to go down, since he's the one who wanted single payer off the table. I sent emails to groups who are fighting for single payer and heard a couple of tepid responses. I heard very little from the CD crowd.
Nobody wants to do anything. Oh, we want change, we just don't want to have to fight for it. Too messy. Too hard. Too...beneath us, I guess.
I will go out on a limb (again) and declare that if you and you and you are not looking in the mirror to figure our how YOU can help change things, then you and you and you are part of the problem and I'd rather not hear from you and you and you.
The American people are getting OUR asses kicked! Must we keep bending over for it?
No, really, don't bend over. Instead, go here:
http://tinyurl.com/kwn75r
Then go here and scroll down to the "Get active" pages: http://www.pnhp.org/facts/what_is_single_payer.php
This site has some great info and documentaries: http://www.spanohio.org
...or, we can keep on bitching on Common Dreams, where some dreams go to die. At least, the dreams that aren't realized because we're too busy bitching about why they aren't real.
And all without benefit of kiss!
What would anyone with even a 'margin of intelligence' expect
other than 'duplicity' from a "Zionist Chicago Lawyer"?
Mr. Emanuel, irrespective of any of his personal accomplishments, or any other determination--------------
is 'wholly representative of 'American/Politician/Lawyer", except for a few details-----he could be like any other: same old 'smirk on his face' that Bush and Cheney and the members of the 'other side of the isle' have----and they hold the American voters in contempt for being such 'suckers'. He is simply a 'prostitute' without the integrity to admit that the is a 'prostitute'-----------he performs the tasks he is paid to.
The 'more things change the more they stay the same'.
America, the world cannot possibly tolerate you much longer.
Good Luck America, you really need it.
Excellent post...
It is always more difficult to see the flaws in your own political party...
The Blue Team plays just as dirty as the Red team, but who has the temerity to cry foul on your own team?
This is the danger of identity politics and even representative government...
Eventually the power & process becomes insular and fails to be represent their constituency...
There is no accountability, no transparency, no constitutionality... Yet all the DPA's still carry their water and cheer them on...
The heart's desire to transcend the two party system is beyond compromise and being a cautious centrist...
That is the path of the weak-willed opportunist... Or someone who has an entirely different agenda altogether...
The DLC & Blue Dogs & back-stage muscle like Raum will ensure buisness as usual...
It is time to recognize this fact... Which is why we have third parties in the first place...!
Put your energy into Paul, or the Green party... The more the merrier...
We need to abandon the Democratic party in droves, instead of rearranging deck chairs...
There is a clown using the title of RSJ who a week ago was trying to convince the herd that Obama is for single payer.
Watching Rahm 'dodge and weave' gave me the best belly laugh Ive had in a year.
If I hear one more of Obama's worshippers tell me that he inherited such a mess from Bush and the economy is in bad shape, that's why we can't "fix health care overnight," I'm going to be sick. That is, I would be sick if I had health care coverage.
Did you, really, expect anything different when the Dimocrats took power?
Terran
Any first year law student ought to be able to get the Congress and also the Insurance company executives on a RICO charge. 18,000 USA dead bodies due to lack of access to health care - and we thought the Mafia was bad.
Too bad the US does not have a functioning judicial system that is not controlled by money interests.
President Obama,please don't forget your promise.We are dying out here and need healthcare for all. Single payer is the most efficient and cost effective way. It is time for America to get back to being a Country of,by and for the people.
Powerful interests and corporations have taken over. I know you have to work with the system in place,but there will never be a better opportunity than NOW. Do what you know is the best thing for the Country. We will back you.
You could also say a prayer to white-baby-jesus and Santa Clause. It would have the same effect.
Obama won't see your words, lgillooly. Perhaps you should write to him here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Here's what I wrote to him:
Dear President Obama,
As a supporter of yours, I am writing to tell you how disappointed I am that you do not see the urgent need for Single-Payer universal health insurance in the United States. I, and the rest of the American people, know that you understand the need for Single-Payer now, but are choosing to play politics. We are hurting and many of us are not able to get adequate medical care because of our broken system. You know this, and we know you know this. This is why it adds insult to injury to see you buckling under the weight of the health insurance industry and their cronies in Congress. You have the power and the support of the People to change this now, when it is most needed.
This is why I not only urge you to do so, but am informing you that I am joining with others to mint a new slogan if true Single-Payer is not enacted within your first term in office: "Single-Payer, or Single-Term."
This really is your choice, Mr. President. You have the power and the bully pulpit to use as YOU see fit. You have a Democratic Congress. No excuses. The American people see through the charades now.
Single-Payer, or Single-Term. Your choice.
Sioux Rose
TED: Excellent post! And the slogan, very pithy!
How can someone who comes from a modest background, who lost a mother to cancer (and his mother had to fight her insurance company while struggling with this condition) not be sympathetic to the plight of the average American worker or family?
Answer: I am sympathetic to constituents bearing briefcases filled with $100 bills.
Your Representative.
And now the republican/democrat party is starting a "partisan" food fight complete with name calling in the senate to convince us they aren't all part of the same kleptocracy. They fear we are on to them so they need to make a show of their "differences". These crooks are getting more predictable every day.
Oh, I forgot to mention tha Bush junior came out of his hidy hole to join the food fight. It's all psyops to underline that, no, the republican party is really, REALLY DIFFERENT from the democratic party. Right... uh huh. Rahmbo, Barack and W are real different. sigh.
The Obama administration is about to do something I believed impossible - stick us with a worse health care "system" than we already have. Mandated insurance is a forced mugging. And removing the tax exemption for employer-provided insurance would reduce the average paycheck considerably (using $1,000 per month as the average insurance cost, and if the employee is in the 25% tax bracket, that would mean $250 less each month.) What a way to help people and grow the economy.
I love the proposal that came out of Senator Kennedy's office - a trillion dollars to insure ten million (out of 50 million uninsured) people, and that most probably for only partial coverage.
I've been actively advocating for H.R. 676 for several years now and it IS difficult to get people moving, and realizing that they must make the jump from whining to actually helping themselves - going to rallys, writing letters, calling/writing/e-mailing legislators, organizing, and hitting the streets.
There can be no change without an input of energy. And to fend off disaster, we have to move. Now.
Barak Obama is triangulating his way to a one term presidency the way Jimmy Carter wouldn't come close to doing.
Barak Obama is triangulating his way to a one term presidency the way Jimmy Carter wouldn't come close to doing.
Obama has early-onset Alzheimer's Disease; he's forgotten everything he said prior to 20 January 2009.
Also known as Gonzoitis in honor of Bush's Attorney General.
the same forces who doctored up Medicare Part D (hallmark of ludicrous legislation) are obstructing single payer. How can you get single payer unless you first expose and deal with the corrupt forces that gave you the utter failure which is medicare part D, the chance for commercial elements to fleece the elderly