I Am a Democrat - Forum & Chat Board | healthcare reform

I can't understand anyone would oppose this long overdue healthcare reform. it's about life and death for millions of people, not about ideology or politics, to me, any  affordable, quality healthcare, no matter how you call it, socialist , communist....whatever, is better than NO healthcare. especially if you're out of a job with a sick child or anyone falling through the cracks of this huge mess of current healthcare system, stand up everyone and demand change. don't let the insurance industry and the rightwing fanatics make all the noises!

 Mr. Sweeney - a conservative opponent of health care reform

Bud Sweeney - Mr. Sweeney's conservative son

Rod Brown - a liberal supporter of health care reform

___________________________________________

Rod Brown: Mr. Sweeney, do you support integration?

Mr. Sweeney dignifies the question with nothing more than a frown, which turns to a small smile, shaking his head (at liberal preoccupations).

Rod Brown: Well, I think that's wonderful.

Bud Sweeney: What do you think is wonderful?

Rod Brown: Well, that your dad - and can I assume you too, Bud? - supports integration to such an extent that he won't even dignify the question. He just smiles at it. It's just taken for granted now, isn't it?

Mr. Sweeney: Now why wouldn't it be?

Rod Brown: Well, because you're a conservative. You see (confiding) when I was growing up, in the fifties and sixties, and I first asked, "What's conservative and liberal, pop?" he said, "Conservatives are against integration, and liberals are for it." And he put it in those terms because that was the most vital issue, in those days, that conservatives and liberals were divided by.

Bud Sweeney: But why would you assume conservatives are racist, in any way? (with a small puzzled laugh at the idea)

Rod Brown: Oh, I don't. They weren't racist then. George Wallace and those segregationists would explain it. They weren't racist, they had nothing against black people, but what they said in essence was that they wanted to preserve the best system in the world, the American social system - society as it was - and not upset it in this way. Well, of course, as much as the conservatives might have liked it just fine as it was, it was unsustainable as it was. And it was a moral issue also. Well, the liberals persisted; the federal government brought it's efforts to bear where needed. And in the end the effort towards integration was so successful that it resulted in such a better society that even the conservatives now support it so whole-heartedly that it just goes without saying. Doesn't it, Mr. Sweeney? Everyone agrees it's better. Now. And you know? I guess it does show us that's it's worthwhile for the liberals to persist, through hardball politics and town-hall meetings and everything else, because in the end even their opponents have to come around and admit it has resulted in the good - in this case in full integration.

You jackass. We have public healthcare already. You can go to the emergency room. You jerkwad pinko communists want all of your stuff handed to you. It's a cruel world, but just because you want something doesn't mean you get it. Oh wait, I guess it does. Welcome to the Communist States of America. Hey, I've got a great idea for all of you reds! Why don't we take some of your money away from you and use it for buying a new car for every American every 4 years. I deserve a new car. It's my right because my car is old and needs repair work. It's not my fault that I need a good car to drive to work. New car reform !!! Let's get that pig, Pelosi to introduce New Car reform in the House !!! Yay, a new car for me. Also, I need beer money. Think we can get that included.

You jackass. We have public healthcare already. You can go to the emergency room. You jerkwad pinko communists want all of your stuff handed to you. It's a cruel world, but just because you want something doesn't mean you get it. Oh wait, I guess it does. Welcome to the Communist States of America. Hey, I've got a great idea for all of you reds! Why don't we take some of your money away from you and use it for buying a new car for every American every 4 years. I deserve a new car. It's my right because my car is old and needs repair work. It's not my fault that I need a good car to drive to work. New car reform !!! Let's get that pig, Pelosi to introduce New Car reform in the House !!! Yay, a new car for me. Also, I need beer money. Think we can get that included.

The health care reform bill will is a disaster.  Millions of Americans, myself included, will NOT be able to afford the cost of the mandatory health insurance that will be forced onto us  if this bill passes.  Worse still, for those who cannot afford the mandatory insurance,  will be FINED 2.5% of their gross annual income for "not complying" with the law.  This is terrible.  If I earned enough money to have health insurance, I would simply obtain a policy on my own - now, regardless of whether or not I afford health insurance I will be fined if I do not participate?  Guess what else, I will be fined and - STILL WITHOUT INSURANCE! !  Does anyone here think that is a fair practice?  Would anyone here be willing to use their hard earned money to purchase my health insurance for me?  I somehow doubt it.  To make the mess even bigger, the bill contains laws that will force employers who are paying more than five thousand dollars [$5000.00] per year per employee to provide health insurance coverage for those employees.   I will be laid off before my employer does that.   The penalty for not providing health insurance for employees will be 8% of the companies overall payroll.  America, get ready for HUGE layoffs and company downsizing if this bill passes.  This bill fails to recognize what is really going on with the curent health insurance situation and fails to impliment laws to REGULATE the existing health insurance companies ON A NATIONAL level.

Who will bennifit from this: The poor, if you are earning poverty wages you will get free health care.

The Wealthy: Health insurance cost will come down for those buying their own health insurance.

The Currently Insured: Those who either purchase their own insurance already or who have insurance through their employers will not be subject to fines and might even be able to get insurance for less cost.

Who will Suffer from this:  The same millions of working Americans who are earning wages just above the poverty line who are employed by small business which do not provide health insurance to thier employees. 

Income Strapped Home Owners: Who are strapped with a mortgage, property taxes and home owners insurance and possibly flood insurance who are on the brink of financial disaster will be forced to cut into their incomes with additional insurance purchases or fines.  Something will have to give - Ooops, sorry kids - we lost the house and are now living on the street - but at least we have health insurance.