You're gonna love it--the video. I'm still deeply conflicted about our two candidates.
You all may have missed a very important diary recently, if you read this, and the diary you missed, you might understand some of my reservations--about both of them.
But first, before we all start screaming and fighting, enjoy the video.
Then, let's have some honest words about two quite inadequate health care plans. And yes, they are marginally better, than what the enemy is proposing, which is nothing.
I was going to write a diary called You're being snookered, but DrSteveB, beat me to it, and said (much more diplomatically), what was on my mind. And he articulated the problem far better than I could.
Sadly, in the crush of Obamamania, his diary didn't receive the attention it deserved.
I want to tell you my good friends, if you care about healthcare, if you're uninsured (that's 47 million of us), or underinsured, (that's the rest of us), less cheerleading and more holding their feet to the fire is in order.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, and you may already know this, but neither health plan is great. Truth be told, they stink. Rather than re-write what SteveB so eloquently stated, you owe it to yourself, your future, and the future of all those you love, to understand the grave shortcomings of both the Obama and Clinton healthplans
The real Irony of the Health Care Mandate Arguments (Health Thurs)
The real irony of the Obama vs. Hillary (and Krugman and Baker & Hacker et al) argument over individual mandates for purchasing health insurance, is even more fundemental then they are both right and they are both wrong.
The argument against individual mandates is both political and practical. They can't really be enforced, and they are political poison.
The joke, the irony, is that individual mandates have been promoted, in part -- by the oh so moderate and well minded people on our side who should know better -- exactly because they thought this approach was more policically practical then Single Payer (which they actually do know is the only plan that actually, you know, works)!
Whatever plan, whichever candidate triumphs, is going to be shredded by the right wing. So why not get it right from Day One?
You're telling us you can lead from day one. Well let's also get healthcare right from Day One--I'm talking to both of you.
The lesson of 1993-1994, already learned by some of us, is that no matter what is proposed, it will be attacked by the Health Insurance industry, Pharma, the Right.
It does not matter what compromise you make ahead of time.
It will be attacked afterwards, regardless.
If it can provide affordable and universal coverage and access to care -- which at the very least requires accepting all applicants (guaranteed issue) and moderating the variation in premiums by more effectively pooling risk (larger universal insurance pools and community rating) AND somehow controlling costs including excess profit and overhead (15-18% for the privates, 4% for Medicare) it will be attacked. If it reduces Health Insurance and Pharma corporate profits and control it will be attacked.
And, as Newt Gingrich and Bill Kristol famously pointed out back in 1993-94, if it looks like it might result in a success, it has to be attacked.
They Clinton and Obama know, as Steve pointed out that the only healthcare reform which will actually work is single-payer.
This is why dear friends, I want you to know, when the music stops, I hope you'll realize, WE'RE BEING SNOOKERED--BY BOTH OF THEM.
Even more important, I hope we will collectively use our strength to force our nominee to get it right on healthcare from day one.
