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News & ArtsWednesday, September 9, 2009
Politics And, To Not End the Day on a Down Note...
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Over in the comments on Dan's LiveSlog of the President's health care speech, commenter rlv points out this beautiful paragraph from the speech:
You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, and the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter — that at that point we don’t merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.
Thanks, rlv. Good night.
1
This was an amazing speech. Let us all that care for reform write our state and national Senators and Congressman in support of Obama's agenda. It does make a difference.
2
Thanks for the nod.
It's just a gorgeous paragraph, both in its construction and contents, one that I'd like to see in future textbooks as one of our country's great speeches. That'll only happen if health care reform passes.
It's just a gorgeous paragraph, both in its construction and contents, one that I'd like to see in future textbooks as one of our country's great speeches. That'll only happen if health care reform passes.
3
Obama's plan, and every variant discussed by any Congressman or Senator, are going to fail to solve the biggest problems we face. Yes, they will extend coverage to people who can't get it now, and that's great. But he's explicitly saying that existing insurance plans will not be touched. BUT I WANT THEM TO BE TOUCHED.
Existing insurance plans that are employer-run are destroying the American economy. That's the hidden cost that no one talks about. If you have employer insurance, you're not paying the bulk of it, your employer is -- as much as a thousand bucks per person that employers in NO OTHER COUNTRY have to pay.
In addition, existing health care plans are a recipe for financial disaster the instant anyone gets sick. Preexisting conditions and caps see to that. You're not covered anymore, and YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING. Keeping existing plans does NOTHING to address this problem unless we are allowed, even mandated, to switch to the public plan.
Single payer now.
Existing insurance plans that are employer-run are destroying the American economy. That's the hidden cost that no one talks about. If you have employer insurance, you're not paying the bulk of it, your employer is -- as much as a thousand bucks per person that employers in NO OTHER COUNTRY have to pay.
In addition, existing health care plans are a recipe for financial disaster the instant anyone gets sick. Preexisting conditions and caps see to that. You're not covered anymore, and YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING. Keeping existing plans does NOTHING to address this problem unless we are allowed, even mandated, to switch to the public plan.
Single payer now.
5
I'm guessing Fnarf means $1000 a month per employee. David Goldhill in the Sept. 2009 Atlantic:
In 2007, employer-based health insurance cost, on average, more than $12,000 per family, up 78 percent since 2001... You may think your employer is paying for your health care, but in fact your company’s share of the insurance premium comes out of your potential wage increase... Let’s say you’re a 22-year-old single employee at my company today, starting out at a $30,000 annual salary. Let’s assume you’ll get married in six years, support two children for 20 years, retire at 65, and die at 80. Now let’s make a crazy assumption: insurance premiums, Medicare taxes and premiums, and out-of-pocket costs will grow no faster than your earnings—say, 3 percent a year. By the end of your working days, your annual salary will be up to $107,000. And over your lifetime, you and your employer together will have paid $1.77 million for your family’s health care. $1.77 million! And that’s only after assuming the taming of costs! In recent years, health-care costs have actually grown 2 to 3 percent faster than the economy. If that continues, your 22-year-old self is looking at an additional $2 million or so in expenses over your lifetime—roughly $4 million in total.
9
Wow... that is a beautiful paragraph, as rlv says "in construction and content." It makes me hopeful...
wow... this is uncomfortable. Haven't really felt this way since november-ish.
wow... this is uncomfortable. Haven't really felt this way since november-ish.
10
This was an amazing speech from a man who is a master at talking out of both sides of his mouth. What Obama says and what Obama does are two very very very different things. He says pretty things to get his worshippers, I mean, supporters to quiet down and think he's actually on their side. Then, he bends over and spreads his cheeks for the right wing and for the health insurance companies. Anybody notice that single payer, although supported by the majority of Americans, isn't even on the table? Health care reform is being bastardized by BOTH parties because BOTH parties are bought and paid for by the insurance companies. You can call a pile of dog shit "health care reform" but it's still a pile of dog shit. Single payer now, Medicare for All. Everyone in, no one out. HR 676. We can't count on politicians to give us the reform we need. We have to build a grassroots movement that is independent of both corporate parties. It's that simple. Lobbying isn't working. Writing and calling your congresswhores isn't working. Applauding Obama while he allows the health insurance industry to write health care reform legislation isn't working. You can't blame the FAR right when the NEAR right is the President.
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