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Sen. Harry Reid speaks at the Nevada State Democratic Party health care rally in the UNLV student union in Las Vegas on Monday night, Aug. 31, 2009.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 | midnight
Related Story
Sun Archives
- Hundreds rally against Harry Reid, proposed health care reform (8-31-2009)
- Countering the hysteria (8-26-2009)
- Anti-tax advocates rally against spending, Obama (4-15-2009)
Sun Coverage
It had a pastor as its emcee and a list of speakers to talk about experiences losing loved ones or life’s savings to what organizers called a broken health care system.
Before taking the stage as the keynote speaker at a pro-health care reform rally Monday night at UNLV, Sen. Harry Reid had made his message clear, and he tried to drive it home with the first words out of his mouth.
“Health care is a moral issue,” Reid said.
The Rev. Robert Fowler of Victory Missionary Baptist Church, who conducted the rally, made a similar argument.
“Our country will not be judged by how well it does for the strong,” Fowler said. “Our country will be judged by how well it does for the weak.”
Backed by testimonials from nurses, business owners, patients fighting illness and family members of those who lost winnable health battles, Reid defended proposed health care reform legislation, calling it not only a moral imperative, but also a fiscal one.
“We pay for our nation’s broken health care system every day,” Reid said. “Every day, we pay for it. The sooner we fix it, the sooner we will all benefit from increased access and lower costs. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the economically smart thing to do.”
Reid called on those who attended the private rally in UNLV’s Student Union to share their opinions with friends, family members and anyone else who would listen.
Reid and his supporters preached the virtues of the proposed reform: eliminating insurance denials based on a pre-existing condition, lowering co-pays, requiring insurance companies to cover the full cost of preventative care, cracking down on waste and making it possible to keep health insurance while changing jobs.
Reid also went on the defensive, attempting to put to rest some of the concerns raised by opponents of the proposed legislation, which includes a public option that would provide health insurance for an estimated 47 million uninsured Americans.
One such group of opponents held a rally earlier in the day in Las Vegas, calling the proposed legislation the prime example of runaway government spending and calling for Reid’s defeat in 2010 because of his support for the proposal.
Specifically, Reid dismissed accusations that the legislation would create “death panels” to inform people when they won’t be covered, or that it would provide insurance for illegal immigrants, or make abortions more readily available – all of which he called falsehoods circulated by insurance and drug companies opposed to the legislation.
A handful of protesters wait at the bottom of the stairs as attendees of the Nevada State Democratic Party health care rally exit the UNLV student union in Las Vegas on Monday night, Aug. 31, 2009.
During the rally, a small group of protesters gathered on the first floor of the building. One of them, Las Vegas resident Dave Fair, said he opposes government-run health care based on his own experience.
Fair, a wounded combat veteran, said he waited four years for surgery through Veterans Affairs before simply giving up. After that experience, he said he doesn’t believe the federal government is capable of operating health care.
“Government health care, as evidenced by the VA, Medicare and Medicaid, is a financial and health care disaster,” Fair said. “It is rationed care. There is no other way you can handle infinite demand. When the cost is zero, demand will be limitless.”
Fair also accused Reid of losing touch with Nevadans.
“Harry has a $25 million war chest, and he didn’t get it from Nevada,” Fair said. “Harry has become a creature of special interests.”
Inside the rally, however, Reid basked in the praise of supporters who thanked him for his efforts and cheered him on.
Some of the most passionate remarks came from Veronica De La Cruz, a former CNN anchor who lost her younger brother, Las Vegas resident Eric De La Cruz, to a heart problem earlier this year.
Veronica De La Cruz becomes emotional while talking about her brother who died this past summer, with Rev. Robert Fowler, right, during the Nevada State Democratic Party health care rally in the UNLV student union in Las Vegas on Monday night, Aug. 31, 2009.
Veronica De La Cruz said her brother could have been saved by a timely heart transplant, but was denied private insurance and only secured the necessary Medicare insurance after five years of applications, appeals, and intervention from Reid and others.
By then, however, she said it was too late. Eric De La Cruz passed away July 4.
“Eric didn’t die because of a lack of knowledge,” she said. “He didn’t die because of a limit to our technology. He died because he could not get coverage from an industry that recorded $1.5 billion in profits last year among its top five companies.”
Reid concluded the rally with similarly harsh words for insurance companies and promised that reform is coming.
“This is not a battle between the haves and the have-nots,” Reid said. “The insurance scam that we have in America affects every one of us, and we’re going to change it.”
Too bad this backboneless bum couldn't face the real public.
This jerk had an invite only town hall with no notice.
So much for representing the people. What a coward!!!
Hope all you dumacrats are happy with your elected official.
Yeah: We need a heavy weight like Danny
Tarkanian. He will do a lot for NV because he will be in the minority, lack seniority. That is what need, no Clout. Yeah the GOPers will be making come back because Citizens Want to buy hate and fear again. We get the GOP back in power, in about 30 years. You GOPers are too stupid to know a good thing when you got it. Harry Reid in'10.
Thank you Senator Reid, for boldly standing up for what is needed, and what is right for American society in the 21st Century.
If people want to voice they will cast their future vote against your for working hard toward what you believe is right, then know that there will be people who will be people casting their vote for you as well, not only because they agree with you on this issue, on balance among many others, but perhaps also because you are showing convictions.
Reform is comming people. Healthcare costs are crushing every business in America.
Reid loves the public option.
The public does not love Reid.
atta boy harry...
vegas loves you baby...
now...
now that we know the retarded republicans were not negotiating in good faith and have no interest in reform...
let's get back to washington and have us some fun...
let's take full advantage of the majority in the house and senate...
and let's just ram it thru...
this could be fun...
this could be a lot of fun!!!
Harry Reid is a fraud. He wants to tax health benefits. He regards Employer supplied tax insurance as an emolument and he wants to tax it as income. Harry giveth on the right hand and taketh away on the left. All praise Pinko!
Look at the "Promotions" tab at http://aBadReid.com to see how aBadReid.com will give Harry Reid some Brass Balls!
Bad Reid
Bad Senator
There they go again. The haters. So predictable, always the same people with the same venom.
The fact remains Nevada needs Harry Reid! We need him to be a fierce and courageous leader to bring reforms in health care, banking, energy and immigration. Give 'em Hell Harry!
"Reid loves the public option."
If only it were true.
Marianevens....I guess you do not real the news or papers that pretend to be newspapers.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/aug...
"Reid went on to express support for a public option, the proposed government-run insurance plan that he compared to Medicare, saying any meaningful reform legislation would have to include a public component."
Tell your friends....tell your neighbors....tell your pets....
REID LOVES THE PUBLIC OPTION.
Thank you Mr. Reid for stealing my money and giving to your parasitic worthless welfare friends. You are a pathetic greedy escuse for a human being (did I say human?) Why don't you keep your crooked nose out of my business and your filthy hands out of my wallet. Go back to Searchlight and stay there as you have no value to society at all.
jlb101;
Do you know a guy named Golum? You remind me of him.
It took the heart patient 5 years to obtain Medicare after his health contract said they were not responsible? Why is she mad at the insurance company that had no obligation to pay for something not covered and not mad at a government that took 5 years to agree he needed the care?
It is the 5 year wait that will be the norm. Her government failed her much more than the insurance company. Where is her anger at the FEDERAL HEALTH PLAN that let him wait?
Just another staged infomercial for re-election....
"Our country will not be judged by how well it does for the strong," Fowler said. "Our country will be judged by how well it does for the weak."
-------------------------------------------------
Our country IS JUDGED AND RESPECTED FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE STRONG. We don't need to give freebies to couch potatoes so that they have no need to become self sufficient. We have medicaid and social security for those that are truly weak. However, bailing out the lower middle class that can just spend their money on fast food and junk? How about taxing fast food and other crap that those whiners buy and put that towards their expenses.
Sure would like to see some legitimate numbers on this issue. Both sides so sure they are right. Bottom line; Senator Reid is suppose to represent the majority of his constituents - is he? It appears that he is hiding from the non supporters, why?
Harry Reid is a hack.
nah nah nah nah....nah nah nah....hey hey hey gooooodddddbbbbyyyyyeeee.....pinky!! 2010 can't get here fast enough! He should have a good chance at getting hired at Mcd's in searchlight..
Silly libs, why can't you just understand this? Providing health insurance is a BUSINESS, and the entire point of operating a business is to make money.
I can't get over these muddle-headed "libs" and "socialists", who seem to expect that American business should bend over backwards for them and actually give up profits so that they can pay for their health claims -- talk about "the entitlement society"!!
I understand this from a personal perspective: I have a relative who is with a health insurance company that provides affordable coverage. Their typical customer is, you know, the sort of loser who got laid off from his job, has a family to support, and can't afford to pay $1000 plus a month for COBRA coverage. Or maybe the sort of loser who works for a small business that doesn't provide health insurance benefits for employees, so he has to buy his own coverage. Or maybe some sick loser with a "preexisting condition" and nobody will cover him. You know the type -- probably "libs", right?
Well, this company has a great business model: they get these kinds of desperate losers to sign up with them so that they only have to pay, say $300 a month for the privilege (and it is indeed a privilege, and not a right) of owning an attractively-designed health insurance card. Now, would you think that these losers appreciate the fact that they have affordable coverage? Think again -- read what some of these ungrateful socialists have to say:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaint...
Do you want to see a prime example of some bellyaching lib loser? Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT_2GjSkz...
They just don't get it!! Hello libs, this company has a BUSINESS to run, understand?? They are in business to collect premiums and make money; they cannot be burdened with your health problems!! This is America, and this is not some "entitlement society". If you can't afford the coverage and you have a health problem, remember: it's YOUR PROBLEM, NOT MINE!! Go move to some socialist country if you don't like it, but don't rag on American business!!
For all of you on this board who do understand and know what I'm talking about, see you at the next Tea Party rally!!
The Health Care system needs much more than just financial considerations and availability.
What about consideration of higher taxes on low quality junk foods, and lower taxes on fresh high quality organic health foods for both health and budget improvements?
Much, Much more also needs to be done to see that the professionals providing the care are actually qualified professionals and they are using their skills to HEAL, not just line their own pockets at the expense of hurting others.
There also is a great need for better availability of the information on HOW to locate the quality care physicians and to know how to tell the difference between a doctor that wants to HEAL and one that is just going through the motions. The need is for everyone that is not "wealthy" to have this necessary information.
There was a suggestion made that should be available on the net to EVERYONE for a Database of ALL Doctors, making particular note of who are guilty of malpractice and/or loss of medical license. Additionally, strong notes should be added on other significant complaints inclusive of patients conditions being exacerbated, or new problems emerging, as a result of their treatment, or if it's from a lack of treatment.
In addition to my own bad experiences attempting to gain quality care, as well as others whom I know plus thousands of others seen on the internet, I've recently been emailed a link to a new blog with a story far worse than my own, and he/she has apparently only begun to tell their tale. There was a bit in his/her tale that reminded me of several known situations, so perhaps it might spark some recognition and contribute to any venue of improvement. From what I read in the email sent to me, it sounds like they have quite a lot more to say:
http://enoughdangit.blogspot.com .
We need real change that helps people.
If Health Care is a moral issue than Harry Reid should abstain from this legislation because he is bankrupt!
moral
1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/m...
In the past couple of weeks amazing information has surfaced regarding the activities of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, Nevada. The story had a slow start but the pace is picking up. The facts now show that Harry Reid has been slyly conducting his affairs in an unethical manner that violates established law. There is no basis to say that this is a Republican plot to impact upcoming elections. The story found daylight when a former Reid adviser went to AP because he had concerns about the way a real estate deal was reported to Congress. The other violations on the table appear to have been brought forward by Harry Reid himself.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...
Was Senator Harry Reid ethical or moral when he altered the Bail-out legislation to APPROVE AND PROTECT millions of dollars of bonuses to the banking and insurance executives that provide $$$ contributions to his campaign and lobbiest family???
Congressional Ethics and Lobbying:
The Case of Senator Harry Reid
And so this brings me to the most unethical aspect of this case. Is it right for a Senator
and his staff to withhold information knowing well off that that information might jeopardize a
career? The answer is no. No matter what the position is and who the person is, if an elected
official has engaged in unethical behavior, it is their role, in the best interest of their
constituency, to disclose this information, especially if being asked about it. Without this
disclosure of information, it impedes a constituent's understanding if that elected official is acting in their best interest in the way they want to be represented.
http://www.bryceharlow.org/resources/DeS...
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/03/blame-d...
http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/...
http://www.popmodal.com/video/2208/AIG-S...
Why don't any of these liberals propose increasing the supply of doctors by increasing funding to medical schools so that they can increase the number of doctors? You just want to take a scarce supply and make it scarcer? It would be in everyone's best interest to be logical about this and start with increasing the supply of medical professionals.
And today's political advertisement has been brought to you by the LAS VEGAS SUN...
Actually, the people DO LOVE the public option... At least 72% want a choice! Please, Senator Reid, stick to your principles and don't let these carpetbagging teabaggers scare you away from doing the right thing! We Nevadans deserve real health care choices, not just an unwarranted bailout for UnitedHealth (known here as "Health Plan of Nevada").
Are you kidding me! This jacksass still does no t get it. We don't want Government Health Care you simple-minded loser!
There wouldn't be nearly as many people pissed off about this if they just opened a new medical school for health care and made it free to good medical students that agreed to serve the public for free for several years in return for free med school. BUT to say that you are taking the supply of doctors that server hard working Americans that pay for their services, NO WAY.
Lefty: Reid...principles? Gimme a break.
OK raise your hands if you understand the the following:
1. The "government" is already the largest healthcare provider/payer.
2. Small business owners like myself cannot continue to absorb the 20 plus percent annual premium increases.
3. We pay more and get less than ANY industrialized country in the world.
4. When your employer no longer provides insurance and you have to fend for yourself you'll appreciate a public option.
Maybe with each Reid pep rally post, LVS can post unemployment and foreclosure stats. Harry can talk about how he helped Pelosi's SF district get $30 million for a marsh mouse refuge.
HARRY REID LTD. PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
President, Trustee, Sole Owner and Sole Beneficiary
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/pol...
Is it moral or ethical to own part of the industries you are elected to legislate in the public interest???
Are Senator Harry Reid s agenda and policies based on the Public interest or the interest on his PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN???
Major assets are 160 acres of land in Bullhead City, Ariz., valued at $250,001-$500,000; Nevada land holdings and mining claims, valued at $496,000-$1.39 million; school district, county and state bonds valued at $830,000-$1.9 million; pension and profit sharing plan, invested in various mutual funds, at $561,000-$1.3 million.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/pubs/cong...
Assets Listed Below are assets of Reid Ltd. Pension and Profit Sharing Trusts
o American Intl. Group, Inc.
o Amgen, Incl.
o Anheuser Busch Cos. Inc.
o Bank of America Corp.
o Bed Bath and Beyond, Inc.
o Cardinal Health, Inc.
o ChevronTexaco Corp.
o Cisco Systems, Inc.
o Citigroup, Inc.
o Danaher Corp.
o Dell Computer corp.
o Diageo PLC-ADR
o Ecolab, Inc.
o Exxon Mobil Corp.
o Federated Investors
o First Data Corp.
o Fortune Brands, Inc.
o Freddie Mac
o General Electric Co.
o Golden West Financial Corp.
o Harley Davidson, Inc.
o HCA Inc.
o Home Depot Inc.
o Intel Corp.
o Intelli-Check, Inc.
o International Bus. Mach. Corp.
o Johnson and Johnson
o JP Morgan Chase Co.
o Kohls Corp.
o Maxim Integrated Prods. Inc.
o MBIA Inc.
o McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
o Medtronic Inc.
o Microsopft Corp.
o Midcap S & P Dep Rec TR United SR 1
o Pepsico Inc.
o Pfizer Inc.
o Procter and Gamble Co.
o SBC Communications, Inc.
o Sysco Corp.
o Target Corp.
o Texas Instruments, Inc.
o United Health Group, Inc.
o United Technologies, Corp.
o US Bancorp Del New
o Verizon Communications
o Wal Mart Stores, Inc.
o Walgreen Co.
o Wells Fargot Money Market Fund
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/tony/sn...
Questions about Health Care reform:
1) Will coverage and cost be the same for individuals who smoke, excessive drinking, over eating, eating unhealthy foods, drug use and no exercise?
2) What about individuals not using helmets, seat belts or other safety gear?
3) How about sexually risky behavior? Should HIV and STDs be covered?
4) What about "elective" surgery? Some say some forms of plastic surgery is part of the cure. Who decides?
5) What about couples attempting to get pregnant? Using artificial methods? With know high risk diseases? Or already having premature babies?
Where do we draw the line and have individuals responsible?
Money may not make anyone any healthier but it apparently makes everyone feel good, while the healthcare industry is a wealthy provider to drug, insurance companies, lawyers and their clients.
Until the "extreme" liability costs associated with healthcare become "reasonable/affordable" the healthcare industry will always posses economic problems whether it is publicly and/or privately provided.
I fail to find where this healthcare proposal appropriately addresses the underlying economic (liability) issues associated with the healthcare induatry.
MRXROC8:
All I can say is, poor Harry!
Per your link, the stock holdings you listed came from an article appearing in May 2005. Let's see how some of these big holdings (AIG, Bank of America, Citigroup, Pfizer, and Dell) fared over the last five years:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?t=5y&s...
Looks like his "pension and profit sharing" plan took quite a hit, just like everyone else!
Here are the facts on the many myths being spread.
The time for healthcare reform is now, and the facts must be heard. Opponents of health insurance reform are taking their message across the country and spreading lies about what healthcare reform will mean for Americans.
MYTH : Reforming healthcare will cut Medicare benefits for seniors.
THE FACTS: The president is committed to improving healthcare for all older Americans and to strengthening Medicare. The healthcare reform plan now being considered will extend Medicare coverage and preserve older Americans' freedom to choose their doctor. It will eliminate wasteful overpayments to private plans (estimated at $160 billion); expand access to and end patient co-payments for Medicare preventive services; increase payments to healthcare providers, which would prevent doctors from refusing Medicare patients; and phase out the Part D "doughnut hole" that has caused many older Americans to do without their medications so they can afford other necessities.
MYTH : Co-ops are an adequate substitute for a national public insurance plan.
THE FACTS: A co-op is not a substitute for a national public health insurance plan, nor are co-ops a new idea. During the 1930s and 1940s, a healthcare cooperative movement was introduced in the United States; it failed. Co-ops were too small and undercapitalized to survive a physicians' boycott. Today, experts estimate that co-ops would need at least 25,000 participants to be financially viable and more than 500,000 participants to be able to negotiate for lower rates. They would be essentially too small and too fractured to have effective bargaining power against the health insurance industry. For example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan controls 65 percent of the state's commercial market and would not be challenged by a "start-up" co-op.
MYTH : America's deficit will increase by $1 trillion due to healthcare reform and force many families to go broke.
THE FACTS: President Obama has said he will not sign a bill that would add to the national debt or deficit. To honor this commitment, he has proposed that two-thirds of the cost of reform be paid for by reducing waste, fraud and abuse in existing programs and ending overpayments to insurance companies. The remaining revenue will come from limiting the itemized tax deductions for couples making more than $250,000 a year.
The current healthcare system results in $700 billion a year in wasteful and inefficient spending--causing financial strain on many families. Placing caps on out-of-pocket expenditures, including co-payments, and limiting extravagant spending by insurance companies are some of the new proposals to hold down rising healthcare costs for many working families.
Spread the truth. Stand up against these shills for the PHARMA and the greedy health insurance companies.
Harry, please get back to work and ram health care through. The Republicans don't want comprehensive health cre reform, therefore don't give one inch to them. Put through the health care reform that the American public needs and then own it politically. If you put through a watered down program to satisfy the green teethers that are coming out of the woodwork jacked up of big heath care talking points meth there won't be a successful program. Just forget them, move forward, and never look back.
Maybe then we will finally get a health care system that focuses on cures rather than sickness management for the profit of large corporations!
Freeandinformed was kind enough to provide us with facts as to the myths that are been spread.
"The president is committed..."
"President Obama has said..."
The problem with Mr. Informed's rant is that the President has not presented a bill or piece of legislation for consideration.
But, HR-3200 is out of House Committee and is ready to be voted on by the entire House whenever the Speaker desires. It is HR-3200 that is being debated by informed citizens NOT the President's political promises!
So, Mr. Informed, thanks again for the facts that have nothing to do with the issue at hand.
Um uh ya what he said.
Q:Harry, How will U.S. Sen. (Edward) Kennedy's death affect things?
A: I think it's going to help us. He hasn't been around for some time. We're going to have a new chairman of that committee, it'll be, I don't know for sure, but I think Sen. (Chris) Dodd, (D-Conn.). He has a right to take it. Either him or (U.S. Sen. Tom) Harkin, (D-Iowa), whichever one wants it can have it. I think he (Kennedy) will be a help. He's an inspiration for us. That was the issue of his life and he didn't get it done.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrus...
The big Dem in the middle needs Slim-Fast...Pronto!
It's hard to imagine actually liking Reid and what he stands for.
Harry Reid is a joke. He has been working with Pelosi to bankrupt America. It is time for him to go and in the next election, Nevada is going to elect a real Senator who can listen to its citizens. Reid is one arrogant individual who thinks that bankrupting America is for income redistribution.
"The current healthcare system results in $700 billion a year in wasteful and inefficient spending"
Can you site the source on this?
Adwg:
Is that satire? All you anti-busines floks should try running a business.
ynotjohn knows what he's talking and asking about. Go to the light.
I'd like to see where Harry's campaign money is coming from. Any of you wizards have an idea, Sgt. Rock? Johnathan A.? Come on there are alot of you that that can buzz web sites.
Thank you Senator Reid for designing a civil discussion on health care reform. I applaud your courage in voicing your opinion and support for reform. Health care reform is the best thing for the nation and it's the right thing.
"Thank you Senator Reid for designing a civil discussion on health care reform. I applaud your courage in voicing your opinion and support for reform. Health care reform is the best thing for the nation and it's the right thing." - jesseluna
I second that! Health Care Reform is needed to help out Americans that require but can not obtain Health Care. That's what is important right now.
And before people start spreading more lies - how about reading some facts regarding the HR 3200 bill:
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/twenty-...
PS
Way to go Veronica! We will do what it takes to continue this fight!
Incredible statement by Veronica De La Cruz. I only speak for myself, but you have my support. We CANNOT wait any longer for Health Care Reform! How many more people with a story like Eric's are we going to hear at a podium/rally before this Bill is PASSED!!!
"Thank you Senator Reid for designing a civil discussion on health care reform. I applaud your courage in voicing your opinion and support for reform. Health care reform is the best thing for the nation and it's the right thing."
That is easy to do when you do not allow questions to be asked by anyone. Why is Pinky scared to take questions? Oh yeah, his poll numbers are slipping to the point of not having a job next year! If he has to answer questions with more lies, than he will be in more trouble than he is. Let's have a pity party to show why health care needs to be reformed. My prediction is Reid will lose to any challenger, republican, independent by a 59% - 41% margin. Any takers?? We live in Vegas after all!
"Thank you Senator Reid for..." I FEEL SICK...
"...designing a civil discussion on health care reform." DON'T YOU MEAN CLOSED DISCUSSION...
"I applaud your courage in voicing your opinion and support for reform." I ABOUT READY TO THROW UP
"Health care reform is the best thing for the nation and it's the right thing. I JUST UPCHUCKED A DUCK...
Medical expenses ARE out of control. BUT, why would anyone think the same people who bring you the bankruptcy, waste, and corruption that has become the hallmark of medicare could improve the current system?
Medicare IS the public option they are talking about.
Time for Harry Reid to go if he actually thinks that this option would even work.
Bravo! Take this to Washington and fight for strong healthcare reform. Thank you for being on the side change and equality.
Top disability and medical nonprofits are behind you, representing millions upon millions of individuals. They know the under-belley of our health industry too well. It has been on a broken trajectory since the 60's.
You can read Amnesty International's new summary. They are non-partisan and they only interject when human rights are at stake:
http://blog.amnestyusa.org/escr/human-ri...
We have only just begun fighting. It is a blessing to see Reid and Veronica De La Cruz take a strong stand.
To all the haters- we are never going away. You are being manipulated into making the health status of your children, families and community more vulnerable. Billions of dollars are being made off your ignorance. Please learn for the sake of those you love.
When seventy per cent (70 %) of the citizenry approves of the way their private medical insurance is being administered for them, it isn't the function of government to socialize any of it for the benefit of the 30 % that is disgruntled over it.
AFVETERAN:
How's that government-provided socialized medical care working out for you and your family?
"Active Duty and Military Personnel:
The Department of Defense purchases and provides health care for approximately 8.3 million beneficiaries, including active duty personnel and retirees, and their dependents. [1] The Department's health care is provided at more than 530 Army, Navy, and Air Force military treatment facilities worldwide and is supplemented by the TRICARE program's network of civilian providers through contracts with civilian managed health care providers. TRICARE covers active duty service members, retirees, activated Guards/Reserves, and their family members, providing them with government-subsidized medical and dental care. The Army, Navy, and Air Force each have a surgeon general who directs the military providers in each branch and acts as a health care advisor to the Secretary of the respective branch."
http://www.kaiseredu.org/topics_im.asp?i...
PBIM72:
Actually, I think I articulated your point of view pretty well. What part of my post do you disagree with?
After years and years of research,and billions upon billions spent on a cure for certain diseases,it makes them more money to treat them,than it does to have a cure!Is it just me,or has anyone else wondered this same thing?One last thing,if these polititions want to push this plan down our throats maybe lead by example?Be the first to sign themselves up for the same plan that is doomed to faliure!
Hi folks,
I am a relatively new American. I have had my citizenship for 4 years.I am originally from Canada.
There is a whole lot more that just republicans holding up a government option for health insurance.
I am neither republican nor a Democrat. I am in full support of a government option. Here's my opinion on what is holding it all up. I have come upon these opinions by watching the news reading newspapers and listen to other people.
Americans democrat and republicans, yes both, fear that this is the start of a government takeover. If this government health insurance option is allowed to go through, it will be only a matter of time before they take over something else. Yes they see it as a government takeover.
Once again republicans and democrats have huge amounts of cash invested in insurance companies either through direct securities or 401k's.
If a government option is put in, there go the high profits of insurance companies.
And a huge part of the population simply doesn't trust the government. As far as these people are concerned you can tell when government officials are lying as soon as their lips move.
Interestingly enough these same nonbelievers will believe the governments words if what the government says match what the nonbeliever believes.
And last but not least a huge amount of the population believes anything the media says. As we all know the media likes to stir it up or it would not be news.
So please tell us how this is supposed to be overcome.
People of the US have had YEARS of practice thinking like this. It is like taking a hard line religious person and telling them they are wrong.
That is how I see it.
Nelson E Bardal
My sincerest condolences to you Erica on the loss of your brother, but this problem needs to be fixed at the STATE level.
Are you REALLY interested in healthcare for all? Then paste and copy the link below and read this short bill that was proposed by Feingold in the last Congress, and ask yourself, if this issue was/is so important, why did this bill stall in the same Committee that is now pushing for this Federal takeover of our healthcare? I would be on board with this bill S.1169 as would many Conservatives (no, not Republicans, CONSERVATIVES). Please quit blurring the two. We are two completelty separate entities.
http://www.aishealth.com/HealthReform/Fe...
Each and every State is Sovereign, and the enumerated powers we LOAN to the Federal Government are VERY SPECIFIC and precludes any legality they have in running our health care system, GM, the financial institutions, etc.
Our biggest problem right now in why they are getting away with this power grab is that the media has become their propaganda machine and the 'masses' are not informed of what is really transpiring right beneath their very noses.
All I can say in addition to this is: A REVOLUTION IS COMING. MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF US WILL NOT GO INTO THAT SOCIALIST utopia that Obama and his minions are trying to cram down our throats. This is a sovereign country with a Constitution that trumps every single takeover this Government is trying to push through. What this current administration is doing, from the Representatives right on up to the President is TREASON. They all took an oath to defend our Constitution, therefore, these laws being passed that trample our rights in our Constitution are null and void!
We all seem to be divided and set in place on where we stand and both sides have drawn our line in the sand. So be it.
Do you feel it in the air? There is now a war a brewing and both sides are resolute in their beliefs and will not budge, therefore, the time for discussion seems to be over. All that is left to do is to see who wins. Hope you are all as passionate and dedicated to the nanny state as WE are to the Constitution and our FREEDOMS!
We're ready to defend our country against all enemies, both foreign AND DOMESTIC, are YOU?
And remember, we are those crazy, right-wing, bible-carrying, gun-toting MOBS Janet Napolitano warned you of.
And so it begins...........
I get a kick out of the morons who assume things like 'dawgdayafternoon' did a few comments ago. Does he/she know what a-s-s-u-m-e stands for?
So you call yourself "afveteran" but you are in fact not an "Air Force veteran" -- OK, whatever. So, what does it stand for? "Awful flatulence" veteran??
"Our country will not be judged by how well it does for the strong," Fowler said. "Our country will be judged by how well it does for the weak."
-Robert Fowler of Victory Missionary
Judged? By who? God?
Well let Jesus come on down and heal the sick, feed the downtrodden, get Dirty Harry re-elected! Since when should we listen to religious charlatans to tell us "we owe someone?" Let this church reach out using THEIR MONEY AND NOT MINE!
I just want to say that wherever you look, you'll see Harry enforcing intolerance in the name of tolerance. You'll see him suppressing freedom in the name of freedom. And you'll see him crushing freedom of choice using fear of a backlash from a God!
Reid said "This is not a battle between the haves and the have-nots," The insurance scam that we have in America affects every one of us, and we're going to change it."
Business is a scam to Harry and now he is a moralist?
"There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel."
-Vladimir Lenin
Want a visit in the middle of the night? Disagree with Obamacare:
http://www.breitbart.tv/father-of-handic...
son-received-threats-after-confrontation-with-rep-dingell/
UNCONSTITUTIONAL:
I'm glad to see you admit that you are "crazy".
Harry Reid has been suckling from the government teat all his life. Just like Ted Kennedy and Obama. They call it public service. I call it fancy welfare. Hell they even get free haircuts.
Bravo to real-life heroes like De La Cruz and others who have had to endure tragic loss because our health care system excludes so many. I think that there is no disputing the human suffering and tragedy that we see across America on a daily basis because of the inability of so many people to get insurance and the spiraling cost of health care. Bankruptcies, denials of treatment, policy rescissions, and ultimately, needless deaths are the result. That is something that no one, no matter what side of the health care debate you are on, can legitimately argue with.
So, regardless of what you feel the solution is - and I think we can all respectfully agree to disagree on that - I am disheartened to see so many people politicize this issue to the point of the infantile name calling I've seen on this board. It only serves to prove your opponent's case when your best argument includes profanity, name-calling, and uninformed rhetoric that you are simply repeating from your favorite radio show.
Personally, regardless of Reid's stance or performance on other issues important to Nevadans, I agree with his commitment to supporting real health care reform legislation that provides competition to private insurers, inclusion for ALL Americans, and lower costs. And I agree it is a moral obligation that, as a society, we take care of basic human needs of each other - that would include health care. I can't imagine what people would say if we privatized the entire education industry and stopped providing public schooling for our young people. And privatized police, so that only the wealthy had any sense of security. Health care is too important to become a luxury reserved for the wealthy, which is what it is rapidly becoming in this nation. Reid's stance on the issue is the right one in my opinion. Of course, it will be costly. Of course, it will hurt the insurance industry. Of course, some people won't like it and don't want to chip in their share to help those less fortunate. But it is the right thing to do and the real people who have suffered because of our failure to have a universal health care system are the most compelling reasons I can point to.
And as for rationing of care, if you think your health care isn't already rationed by insurance companies, you need to open your eyes. Insurance companies have the greatest motivation in the world to ration (aka rescind) health care: profit.
In any case, I wish we could have a civil discussion about the relevant issues involved, rather than a lot of extremist scare tactics and personal attacks. Regardless of what you think of Reid, people out there are needlessly suffering and finding the right solution for them should take precedence over this sort of hateful rhetoric, shouldn't it?
Republicans are paid well by insurance companies and health corporations to just say no. Bought and paid for. Is Harry? No. Well, by Sig Rogich he is.
"Republicans are paid well by insurance companies and health corporations "
Obama made a deal with drug compaines and they are spending over $150 million in ads for Obamacare.
The top recipient of healthcare industry money is a Democrat.
"Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who has become the leading architect of health care reform in Congress, received more campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries than any other current Democratic member of the House or Senate. Senator Baucus received $183,750 from health insurance companies and $229,020 from drug companies."
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients...
SGT. ROCK:
By any chance, are you actually Karl Rove, here to play typical Republican dirty tricks and spread disinformation?
Thanks for providing a link this time. Note that, per this article, Max Baucus received more campaign contributions from health insurers and pharmaceuticals than any other DEMOCRAT in Congress. It DOES NOT indicate that Sen. Baucus is "the top recipient of healthcare industry money".
As a matter of fact, per your link, the distinction of top Congressional recipient of contributions from health insurers and pharma goes to none other than that Republican stalwart and recent Presidential candidate, John McCain ($251,834 from health insurers, plus $294,603 from drug companies).
Let's see how the rest of the Top Ten recipients perform:
Top 10 Senate recipients from health insurers: 7 Repubs, 3 Democrats. (Although Joe Lieberman is officially an "independent", I think we can safely count McCain's erstwhile knapsack as a Repub.)
Top 10 Senate recipients from pharma: 8 Repubs, 2 Democrats.
Top 10 House receipients from health insurers: 7 Repubs, 3 Democrats.
Top 10 House recipients from Pharma: 7 Repubs, 3 Democrats.
This is getting pretty interesting. Let's go a little further and count the total dollars to see how Democrats compare to Repubs:
Democrats: $1,472,427
And now let's hear it for the winners of Big Money from Big Health and Big Pharma, by an almost 3 to 1 margin: The Republicans at $4,039,584!! Wow, that must REALLY help to finance a few of those bogus "Tea Party" rallies!!
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients...
Anyway, thanks again for the article, Sgt. Gannon (errrrrr, I mean, Sgt. Rock).
You are right about the article but there is significant of money going to both parties.