An Up Or Down Vote On The Public Option

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 12:54:18 PM EST
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mcjoan writes:

We're going to be hearing a lot from the White House and Dem Senators that, to quote Dan Pfieffer, "the American people deserve and up or down vote" on healthcare reform. So here's the message to Harry Reid: "the American people deserve and up or down vote on the piece of reform they want," the public option.

Show us whether or not it can pass the Senate in a reconciliation vote, Senator Reid. Put it on the floor and see if it gets 50 votes. You'll at least get points from the base for making people go on the record. Give us an up or down vote on public option.

Indeed. And it can be done by allowing an amendment to the base reconciliation bill for those concerned it will gum up the works. What's wrong with this approach? Nothing of course, except that pols will have to go on the record against a proposal very popular with the Dem base.

Speaking for me only

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An Up Or Down Vote On The Public Option | 25 comments (25 topical)

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How about a vote on single payer (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by ruffian on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:00:40 PM EST

while they are at it? Start with that, then vote on the public option if it fails.

Sure (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:05:34 PM EST

99-1 but what the hell. I have no problem with that.


: Can't hurt (none / 0) (#11)
by ruffian on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:58:13 PM EST

Maybe some of the people who will only give a lip service vote (vote for it only if they know it won't win) for the PO will do the same for single payer. As long as we're producing Kabuki theater, might as well go all the way.

Public option, RIP (none / 0) (#3)
by jbindc on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:15:00 PM EST

It's dead.

After months on life support, the public option died Tuesday.
The White House and House leaders on Tuesday pronounced the government-run health program dead even as some Democratic senators continued their effort to resurrect it.
The move is a clear indication that President Barack Obama and leading Democrats are wary of another intra-party battle on the public option. Last year, Democrats lost valuable time debating the issue, leading to many missed deadlines.
The number of Senate Democrats voicing support for including a public option in the final healthcare bill -- and for using reconciliation rules to pass that legislation in the Senate -- grew to 25 Tuesday. But that's still 25 votes short, with little to no chance of reaching the necessary 50.
The White House on Tuesday squelched any momentum the public option had attracted over the last week.

You know what? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:20:42 PM EST

Let's have a vote and find out.

If it is dead, it is dead.

A vote on it won't make it any more or less dead.

why the resistance to this?


Remind me. Is there a CBO-scored (none / 0) (#7)
by oculus on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:34:07 PM EST

public option?


: A number of them (none / 0) (#9)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:46:54 PM EST

Coverage (none / 0) (#10)
by waldenpond on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:50:45 PM EST

Isn't it also Reid's job to provide coverage to protect his senators? If there is a vote on this, the people will be able to eliminate the ones who kill the PO.


: Reid needs his own cover (none / 0) (#16)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:18:05 PM EST

Well, the President, afterall, is (none / 0) (#5)
by oculus on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:18:53 PM EST

has no vote in Congress.


meh (none / 0) (#8)
by lilburro on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:42:04 PM EST

there's not a lot of new info there. Everyone is just hiding behind the President. The letter campaign hasn't stopped.


Upon reading articles like this one: (none / 0) (#18)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:32:40 PM EST

Upon reading articles like this one:

Wall Street Shifting Political Contributions to Repubicans

I ask myself, when will Democrats learn that the best way to win elections is to not pander to lobbyists who go whichever way the money opportunity blows, but to the American Public, with things, like, you know, implementing a TRUE PUBLIC option.

If the Democrats were extremely popular via DOING THE RIGHT THING, it would be very difficult for even the financial industry to beat them.


Obama Killed The PO Early On (none / 0) (#24)
by norris morris on Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 01:01:45 AM EST

If you aren't aware by this point that Obama gave away the store in his maonumental sellout to Insurance and Drug monopolies that insured no generics drugs or importation for ten years, and no public option with a mandated private insurance plan.

The One never thought he'd be questioned or found out as the adoration meter was still on high.

These clumsy Chicago political thugs were sure the love was so great, Obama could do it all. This way, his re-election money was insured and as a bonus Obama bargained for no opposition advertising from the monopolies.

Then the games could begin. Mr Precious merely had to act presidential and throw the HC bill to Congress. This would work. He'd stay out of it and let congress duke it out. Public passion against this shambles of a sellout? Who'd have thought there was anything but passion for Obama?

But now we see this atrocious mess and the sham lack of leadership and the dealmaking that went into it. Today was another show trial.

Team Obama never thought the simple folk would show such passion against this bill because it would have seemed an attack on the adored Obama.
But they were wrong. We see the sellout and the failed strategy along with an out of control congress.

Why, would you believe it, even women were unhappy with Stupak and Nelson chipping away at women's rights. Can you imagine?

It was hard to figure out today if Obama was playing Moderator on PBS, or Senator 101. He needed some charm when addressing McCain, for sure.

This show is not over but less people are buying tickets.


"Ever feel like you're (none / 0) (#4)
by robotalk on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 01:18:29 PM EST

about to get cheated?" Johnny Rotten (approximately)

: Cheated? For Sure. (none / 0) (#25)
by norris morris on Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 01:03:49 AM EST

A sellout is a sellout. From Obama on down to the lowly congress, we've been snookered.

This is ridiculous. (none / 0) (#12)
by Anne on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:03:01 PM EST

I can't even believe people are making this much noise about something that barely exists in the House bill, and doesn't exist at all in the Senate bill; honest to God, if this were about band-aids, these legislators couldn't decide on how many and what kinds to buy, and all they would manage to do is settle on (1) that little plastic case that holds 5 of the same size that you can keep in your purse or briefcase (House) and (2) none (Senate), and you wouldn't even be able to get the 5 band-aids if you already had some in your medicine cabinet. This is what people are fighting tooth and nail for?

Seriously?

Yes, Americans do deserve an up or down vote on the reform they want - but is this it? Is this really what people want? Are we even sure we know what the "this" that would be voted on is?

People have lost their ability to reason - they are completley around the bend.

What's ridiculous? (none / 0) (#13)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:12:23 PM EST

Your comment is rather ridiculous imo.


Gosh, didn't see that one coming... (none / 0) (#17)
by Anne on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:25:01 PM EST

Which public option is it that people want a vote on? The only version that actually passed the House?

I don't hear/read anyone saying, "vote on the House's public option," or "vote on so-and-so's version," which tells me that this is still just a term that means different things to different people. They're pushing a concept - how do you vote on that?

It's ridiculous to be demanding a vote unless you know what it is that is to be voted on; I'm sorry you don't agree.


I expect that one (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 03:18:02 PM EST

But your comment was not about that.

Your comment was pure cynical anti-PO snark.

I get it. You think it is sh*t.

You could have repeated that without the other nonsense.

Look, nothing is going to pass at all imo.

But I'm not going to stop writing about it just because I think that.


: Who asked you to stop writing? (none / 0) (#23)
by Anne on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 03:52:30 PM EST

Not me.
You're correct that I think the various versions of the so-called public option are not good, and I'm sure I have many comments that explain why I think that.
I hope you're right that the reform effort is dead, not because I don't think we need reform, but because I don't think the current effort will accomplish what I think reform needs to accomplish, and in fact, will set us back with little chance of ever fixing the fix.
What Obama and the Congress should be hearing, very loud and very clear, is that we, as individuals, and as a nation, cannot allow the insurance companies to continue to be the gatekeepers between us and the care we need; it is unconscionable that I have to pay almost $8,500 in premiums annually before I have even seen a medical provider - that's a toll that serves not as a facilitator to care, but as a barrier to it. And with companies raking in ever larger profits, there simply is no justification on the basis of risk - it just doesn't wash.
It saddens and frustrates me that we are so desperate for relief that we think we have to fight for the meager crumbs the Congress reluctantly throws our way, while we see the ease with which they throw potentially billions into the pockets of an industry, and its executives and stockholders, that got us to this place.
I apologize if my snark seemed gratuitous to you.

I've asked for a "current" description (none / 0) (#20)
by BTAL on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:52:25 PM EST

of just what is the PO. Got my fingers slapped too.


: Take the House version (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 03:18:55 PM EST

or a tweaked version.
Or Medicare Buy in if you like.
But when you ask questions in bad faith do not expect to be treated seriously.

A Sellout Is A Sellout (none / 0) (#26)
by norris morris on Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 01:15:22 AM EST

Anne,

This is simply a sellout from Obama's dealmaking with drug and insurance monopolies right down to an out of control congress who ran amok and had no leadership.

We have a dysfunctional White House and Congress and this miserably contorted giveaway to private insurance is a disgrace.

Face it, we've been snookered. The fix has been in all year and we are watching what amounts to show trials. Our adoration meter was supposed to be so high that we never were going to oppose The Precious.

Any criticism of Obama would be met with horror by his worshipers, and we simple folk were never wxpected to catch on and show passion for a really decent HC bill. Who knew we still had a few marbles left?

But any attempt to think anything good can come from this compromised giveway of a HC bill is
playing games with themselves. kidding themselves.

And play acting that bi-partisanship would or could produce a decent bill? More time to get time to put this through, but it backfired.

We're snookered.


Well if they (none / 0) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:15:47 PM EST

vote on it and it doesnt pass does that help or hurt?

Yes, (none / 0) (#19)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 02:36:19 PM EST

but I was speaking of helping in terms of motivation. Sure it lets you know where people stand FWIW. I doubt there would be much suprises in the voting. I already think it's dead but if it's put up for a vote and doesnt pass what does it do to the people that still think it's goign to happen is my point.