Posted by
Stefano on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:33:51 PM
I attended the Claire McCaskill, Hillsboro, Missouri town hall yesterday where the merits of politician-run health care were discussed. Although the citizens were loud at times, I thought they were pretty respectful. It reminded me of British Parliament on C-Span when the Prime Minister is questioned by members of Parliament. There's lots of yelling and mocking and the Prime Minister doesn't seem to mind. He gives it as well as he takes it. Tony Blair was particularly good in this forum. Our Democrat politicians need to grow a thicker skin. Some are such wussies that they are cancelling scheduled meetings.
It was interesting that yesterday Pres.Obama, Sen.Cardin of Maryland and Sen. McCaskill all used Medicare as proof that government can run a program well. At least 2 of them also used the UPS, FEDEX, USPS argument. This is the argument that claims that private companies can compete with money losing U.S. Treasury backed government enterprises. McCaskill, in at least two of her most recent meetings, has also used a deceptive technique to attempt to sway people. She asks anyone on Medicare to raise their hand. Then she asks everyone who wants to give up their Medicare to raise their hand. Then she says "you see, all of these people love their government run Medicare." What she neglects to say is that there are no primary health insurance policies for folks over 65 other than Medicare. Just check esurance.com and you'll see that if you're over 65, you're stuck with Medicare. In that sector of the health system (age 65+), the public option has driven the free market out of existence. That's something that they claim won't happen with the public option in the proposed government takeover. That claim is just more deceptive nonsense.
I checked with MO Senator Kit Bond's office yesterday and found that Medicare is an option in the Congressional health program for those over 65. It is part of the roster of HMO's and insurance companies they can choose from. I would love to know how many Congressmen and Senators over 65 have chosen the Medicare option. My guess is that there are very few which would give evidence to the assertion that Democrat Congressmen don't really believe in the public option when they make the choice for themselves. Let me suggest that if you have a Senator or Congressperson over 65, ask that person if he/she optioned into Medicare for their health insurance choice. Leave a comment identifying that politician. That could make for an interesting post.