Post by Fairweather on Sept 9, 2009 20:48:35 GMT -5
I admit I was rather skeptical going in. I support a public option. I think insurance companies have to be reined in in their hitherto-unregulated premium hikes, their refusal to cover those they deem "high-risk", their unsavory habit of denying payment for care to those who have insurance but have the misfortune to become ill. I also rather support tort reform, because medical malpractice suits (especially those where juries render verdicts and give payouts far in excess of common sense) are indeed a factor in driving up costs.
However, I figured President Obama would go in as he has from the beginning: noncommital, holding out for a centrist position that caters to the GOP.
He surprised me, and in a good way. He explained, clearly and concisely, how the reforms he favors will work, he held out an olive branch to the Rethugs (who rudely refused it, and I'll have more to say about that in a moment), and he did what so many castigated him for NOT doing at Ted Kennedy's funeral mass--he invoked Ted's memory and his passion for healthcare reform in the strongest possible terms and IN AN APPROPRIATE SETTING--a big deal to me, though not necessarily to others.
As for the Rethugs, their behavior made it very plain tonight that they truly do exist only to be the Party of No. Their choice of a deliverer of their rebuttal was an insult--Boner should have done it, not some f*ing crazy birther, as I understand Boustany is--And while I did not see any of the critters who claim to represent either my state or my little corner of it, in the morning I am going to send an email to each of those critters. It's time they represent ME--one of those without coverage thanks to a pre-existing condition and a presently non-existent income--and not merely the fat--THINGS in the insurance industry. For that reason, I will urge them to support the reforms the president laid out tonight. I doubt very seriously they will--but they'll know why I will never vote Rethug again.
Any thoughts?
However, I figured President Obama would go in as he has from the beginning: noncommital, holding out for a centrist position that caters to the GOP.
He surprised me, and in a good way. He explained, clearly and concisely, how the reforms he favors will work, he held out an olive branch to the Rethugs (who rudely refused it, and I'll have more to say about that in a moment), and he did what so many castigated him for NOT doing at Ted Kennedy's funeral mass--he invoked Ted's memory and his passion for healthcare reform in the strongest possible terms and IN AN APPROPRIATE SETTING--a big deal to me, though not necessarily to others.
As for the Rethugs, their behavior made it very plain tonight that they truly do exist only to be the Party of No. Their choice of a deliverer of their rebuttal was an insult--Boner should have done it, not some f*ing crazy birther, as I understand Boustany is--And while I did not see any of the critters who claim to represent either my state or my little corner of it, in the morning I am going to send an email to each of those critters. It's time they represent ME--one of those without coverage thanks to a pre-existing condition and a presently non-existent income--and not merely the fat--THINGS in the insurance industry. For that reason, I will urge them to support the reforms the president laid out tonight. I doubt very seriously they will--but they'll know why I will never vote Rethug again.
Any thoughts?
