I know, I know . . . We've Had It With Healthcare

Can you believe it?!? After how many months of endless media attention wasted on the health-care debate and now it looks like is on the rocks.  And who else to ruin it, a GMC driving; in-love-with-his-body Massachusetts Republican. I know, that's what I thought, "Massachusetts HAS Republicans." Who knew, right.  Well, what's done is done.  Even though Democrats were lucky to have a 60 vote majority, they still couldn't rush it through.  Blame who you want, I will eagerly call this a blessing in disguise.  

Don't get me wrong, American's want and need reform.  But I sincerely believe that if this bill was passed without bi-partisan support, the Democrats would have been massacred this November. Even if it is great for the country, which it is, health-care can't be rammed down our throats.  

Should Democrats start over, I don't know.  I don't know if anyone is so masochistic to want another year of this death-panel business, especially now that Sarah "Say it ain't so, Joe" Palin works for Fox. Honestly, I think that Obama should have focused on bank reform first, when populism against the banks was at its strongest point.  But what's done is done.

As for reform,  the Democrat's plans weren't perfect.  They were probably too optimistic and expensive.  But Republican's didn't do enough to bring new ideas to the table.  Hopefully something happens, because the status-quo cannot be abided much longer.  Just to put the situation in perspective, for a Utah audience-- over 360,000 Utahns are unemployed.  110 lose their insurance daily.  Productivity losses because of lack of insurance will cost Utah $2 billion dollars.  Health care costs are expected to raise $10,000 per family within the next decade.  

Those numbers can't suit anybody's definition of good policy.  What we need are solutions!

A quick note about health-care

Dear Readers,

I apologize for the obvious lack of postings on this illustrious blog.  Life has its snags.  With finals, holidays, moving, and prime movie season I have been taking a self-imposed sabbatical from my writing obligations.  However, I am getting my life back on track!!!

Let me take a minute to add some comments about recent events.  Health-care!!!  Despite efforts by Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman to hold the 47 million Americans without healthcare hostage to their political whims, Harry Reid was able to get healthcare through the Senate.  Now the fun part starts.  The Senate care is flawed, from taxing union-workers with expensive insurance plans, to enabling insurance companies to keep over-charing their clients by avoiding a public-option.  It will be difficult for the more liberal portions of the House bill to win the day, but at this point I think we're going to have to take whatever we can get.

Kudos to the Republican media machine for making health-care look like a government monster, when it is more of a lifesaver for millions of Americans.  This was a bipartisan issue until Republicans were able to make it appear as the last thing the voters wanted.  America, health-care reform is needed, it is needed now.  Although I do not believe this reform will solve everything, if nothing is done, prices will continue to sky-rocket and millions more will suffer.

As new job reports come in, focus will turn to job creation.  Hopefully this will provide a cover for a quick compromise between the two chambers and let America move forward.