Health Highlights: July 23, 2009

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Jack Smith,
What is your point in trying to blame Republicans? They cannot block anything, they do not have the votes. It's your party that's split here, if they were united they would have the votes without the Republicans.
The let's blame the Republicans for everything attitude only works for so long, and that point has long passed. Instead of voting Republicans out of office, you would be well served to concentrate on how to keep the Democrats IN office in 2010. All the poll numbers are falling, nothing has been fixed, and the deficit is going to be 1.8 TRILLION dollars next year. And by the way, the Democrats have had control of the House and the Senate since 2007. Lets not forget either the complete Democratic party involvment in the Subprime mortgage meltdown.
Your party should stop blaming, stop whinning and start producing positive results for the number one issue which is the ECONOMY. You want people to stop losing their healthcare insurance, how about improving the economy so that they don't lose their jobs in the first place. Improve the economy so that employers can afford to have good benefit programs instead of paying money for carbon usuage. Start doing something for small business which is the real growth engine. And by the way, that doesn't mean thinking of new ways to tax them, and throw more roadblocks in their way.

George S. of MO 7:41PM July 23, 2009

LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)
We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world.
I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. An insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one.
These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!
Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it's President Obama's fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us.
But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.
But you don't have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist.
Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too.
There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don't loose heart. You knew it wasn't going to be easy saving the World. :-)
God Bless You
jacksmith — Working Class
Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.
* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah

jacksmith of TX 4:53PM July 23, 2009

This weeks Business Week had a very telling article about two states whom have already opted for Universal Health Care and the problems both Maine and Massachusetts are having. "Maine enacted universal coverage in 2005, also with no cost constraints. Premiums for the state-financed insurance plan have risen 74% since, and many residents have dropped coverage. Maine's uninsured rate is back at 10%, barely lower than pre-reform levels." Case in point. My company buys Health Insurance for it's employees. According to Senator Collins our Maine Health Care costs are lower than the National Average, and yet our health insurance costs are significantly higher than the national average. Why? The costs of the state funded program increased to costs of all health insurance. Before the U.S. Congress implements a similar program shouldn't you report this?

Hal Bumby of ME 3:11PM July 23, 2009