THAT BUTCHERED HEALTHCARE BILL

Now that what's left of the HealthCare Reform Bill looks more like a public funded Insurance Industry bailout. I no-longer want to see the Senate Bill succeed. Not in Reed's imaginary pursuit of 60 votes anyway.

The more I gather, the avenue of reconciliation (the mere 51 votes) would yield enough of the Public Option or Medicare Buy-in to make the House and Senates efforts worth the wait. The lesser constrained voting construct of majority rules, would force the reconsideration in 5 years. I would expect that Senators Lieberman, Nelson and Casey will have lost Primary bids by then.

You all remember Richard Trumka? He's the head of the AFL-CIO and has been equally vocal on the need for a better version of reform. In his own way, he has solidified the movement to dismiss the Senate Insurance bailout version of the Bill when it's sent back to the House.

Trumka said in the Huffington Post; "If the Senate bill in its current form went to the House it would go down. The plan as it currently is would not get much support from the American worker unless it is improved. I can tell you that."

I had mentioned in a previous post that I had given up on the Public Option if there was a chance for the Medicare Buy-in. Now that neither are offered and the the mandate to purchase private insurance is still in the bill...dont bother.

As for Lieberman, I almost cant believe this is the same guy we put up as Vice President in 2000. What a schmuck! MoveOn.org has accumulated over $1 million toward his primary rival's campaign fund in only two days. They don't even have a name to throw in the ring yet. 56% of the donations are coming from Connecticut residents. Best of luck JOE.

I think the best commentary against the passing of the butchered bill is coming from progressive statesmen like Howard Dean. He's also calling for the death of the Senate Bill in it's current form and advocates passing the original through reconciliation like I had mentioned before.

Does anyone realize what a positive impact this would have on municipal budgets across the nation? The huge burden placed on our towns and cities in the way of health insurance would be greatly diminished and the taxpayers in each of those towns would see a drastic decrease in their property taxes the following year. Having been responsible for the purse strings of the City of Kingston for eight years, you can imagine my desire to see this happen.

With a lack of commitment from the President, this thing will either flounder until mid January or die a much needed death before then. I cant express my disappointment in words. What you see coming out of DC today, better not be the end result. If so, I would call for the head of Harry Reed.

Note: If this bill passes as it is, Harry Reid gets a well paid job in 2011 lobbying for the Insurance industry. Mark my words.