17
Our sucky democracy
OK, so I have a secret for you all.
In terms of health care reform, I would have been willing to ditch the public option if it meant providing generous subsidies to poor and middle-class people to help them get health insurance. Yeah, I know that makes me a wimp, but I do think that paying for the uninsured to get coverage is such an important task that I’d be willing to do it by giving outright bribes to insurance companies.
But this Baucus plan is some serious, serious bullshit. You know how to tell it’s bad? The Village Crier is already proclaiming its glories as the greatestest health care plan ev-arrr:
From Finance Panel, a Bill That May Weather the Blows
On the surface, it appears that no one is happy with Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) — and that may be the best news President Obama has had in months.
Within minutes of the release of the Senate Finance Committee chairman’s long-awaited health-care reform bill Wednesday, the attacks started flying. Liberal Democrats and allies, particularly labor unions, fumed. Republicans, after being courted for months, denounced the work as pure partisanship.
But behind the rhetorical fireworks was a sense that the fragile coalition of major industry leaders and interest groups central to refashioning the nation’s $2.5 trillion health system remains intact. As they scoured the 223-page document, many of the most influential players found elements to dislike, but not necessarily reasons to kill the effort. Most enticing, they saw the prospect of 30 million new customers.
Yeah, and see, here’s the thing. Everyone hates Baucus’ plan but the goddamn special interests. In a rational country with a rational media, this would set off massive whooping Drudge Report-style alarm bells that the legislation in question is, in fact, a heaping pile of shit. But in the world of the Washington Post, the fact that everyone hates the goddamn bill — except the precious, precious corporate lobbyists, of course — means that it’s the perfect cure for what ails us. Look at this shit:
“This is the best start of any of the bills” circulating on Capitol Hill, said Neil Trautwein, a vice president of the National Retail Federation. Leaders of the Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Independent Business were also generally positive about the Finance panel’s bill.
Most noteworthy, perhaps, were the organizations that held their firepower. Drugmakers and hospitals, two groups that struck early deals with the White House and Baucus, had little to say.
In virtually every instance, industries facing new fees or budget cuts would be rewarded with additional revenue from legislation that could cover 30 million more people, said Kenneth E. Thorpe, an Emory University professor and Clinton administration official. Under the Baucus bill, businesses such as hospitals, device manufacturers, drugmakers and insurers would face $93 billion in new fees over the next decade.
“They’ll get much more than that in new money out of this bill,” he said.
In crafting his bill, Baucus removed several ideas included in the House legislation that were particularly problematic to industry. Those included the employer mandate, a new government-sponsored insurance program and a costlier drug rebate provision.
In other words, they’re taking away anything that could harm business interests and shifting the burden onto individual households. Not only that but they’re forcing people who have modest incomes to pay an assload of money for crappy insurance.
OK, you know what? Get me a goddamn powdered wig and a triangle hat. If Baucus’s bill ends up being health care reform, I’m going full metal teabagger.
UPDATE: I’m not the editor of the Washington Post, but if I were I’d lead tomorrow’s front page with an above-fold picture of Baucus with a giant banner headline that read, “Man, this is some bullshit.”
Anyway, sorry to panic too much about this. But hot damn the Baucus bill is even worse than I thought it would be. I honestly figured that he’d ditch the public option but would at least not force middle-class Americans to pay out their asses for health insurance. Clearly I misunderestimated the wickedness that can come from representing Montana.
UPDATE II: Even if the the Dems do pass good health care reform, I still want my powdered wig and triangle hat. Just, you know, because.
UPDATE III El Gato Negro has a great ad idea. Also, I’ve found an awesome video of what Max Baucus would be like if he represented poor black people from Baltimore instead of wealthy insurance executives:
Come to think of it, Clay Davis would be a vast improvement over Baucus.
g said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:14
Brad. Brad. Come back in off the ledge, Brad. Come on.
Brad said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:15
Brad. Brad. Come back in off the ledge, Brad. Come on.
I’d love to. I would, I would.
But.
Have ya *read* what Baucus wants to do? No public plan, individual mandate, no employer mandate and pathetic subsidies? Holy CRAP.
Nom de Plume said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:15
The Village Crier is already proclaiming its glories as the greatestest health care plan ev-arrr
Dude, that’s just one pundit. Calm down. I’m not saying you don’t have reason for concern, but for you “concern” generally means “OMG it’s over, we’ve lost, take me, Death”.
Senators Rockefeller and Harkin are both guaranteeing a public option. Who knows if they’re full of shit, but they’re powerful Senators. There’s a decent chance that the House will reject anything without a public option. There’s a long way to go yet. Let it play out before you enlist in Beck’s army.
Brad said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:18
Nom de Plume — yeah. My hope is the Dems will realize that Baucus’s plan is electoral suicide (and it is, it’ll be a goddamn nuclear bomb strapped to the party’s testicles) and they’ll do something real and pass it through the Senate with budget reconciliation.
litbrit said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:22
We need a public option at the very least. Obama should have put his foot down and said, Okay, we’re going to have single-payer, and things would’ve been argued down to general reform with a public option. But NOOOOOOO…
Why do we not feel we’re worthy of the same care from our government that every citizen of every *other* developed nation in the world gets from him??? Why the enormous collective inferiority complex, America? Why?
Substance McGravitas said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:22
Then I will repost this:
http://whiskeyfire.typepad.com/whiskey_fire/2009/09/this-is-the-ad-i-want-to-see.html
Scott said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:24
If Baucus’s bill gets even close to passing, I’m with you. But I don’t think it will. No one in Congress likes it a bit. The Republicans won’t vote for it, and there aren’t that many suicidal Democrats out there.
I do think that this bill is such an obvious gimme to the insurance companies that it should get either the Ethics Committee or the feds investigating just how corrupt Baucus is. Everyone knows he’s been bought and paid for by the insurance companies — maybe it’s time someone threw his ass in the hoosegow. It’d be a fitting way for his career to end…
Nom de Plume said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:25
Then I will repost this
Yeah, that’s a great ad idea that El Gato Negro came up with. But something tells me that most congresspeople know who elects them. They’re not entirely unaware of the consequences of a bullshit HC bill. If they are, they deserve to lose, and good riddance.
ignatov said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:27
“My hope is the Dems will realize that Baucus’s plan is electoral suicide”
Brad, after very careful consideration, sir, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Democratic party sucks.
Lesly said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:32
Fixed.
pat said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:33
“the fragile coalition of major industry leaders and interest groups central to refashioning the nation’s $2.5 trillion health system ”
jeebus on a toothpick, when did we elect MAJOR INDUSTRY LEADERS to write our laws??!!!!1 .
I saw this on Olbermann and could not stop yelling WHAAATTTT????
I’m in shock. The bill that was supposed to make things better is DESIGNED to make things worse.
Is this Baucus evil, or stupid, or just an average senator from a backwater state who depends on the largesse from the industry to get him elected?
a different brad said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:33
There’s really no chance Baucus’s plan will make it out of his own committee. I almost wonder if this was more or less an intentional balk by Baucus. Without his bill the much better formulated other versions will be what’s voted on, the ones that all include the public option. The issue remains 60 votes, because Reid is a fucking asshole who won’t violate a bullshit gentleman’s agreement to not even require actual filibustering for a filibuster, which is totally in keeping with the fact it was meant to be a rule of procedure and not a subversion of the basic democratic principles of the Republic.
Lesly said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:33
Hey! Where’d my strikethrough go? Hurrump!
Brad said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:36
Guys — anyone want to help me start a primary challenge by running Clay Davis against Baucus? We just have to move him from Maryland to Montana and convince people he’s not a black guy from the east coast… but I think it can be done! I’ve got Claymania, baby!!!!
g said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:42
I almost wonder if this was more or less an intentional balk by Baucus.
This is what I am wondering.
Jennifer said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:51
I’ve got Claymania, baby!!!!
Sheeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiitttttt
Pale Celery said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:52
Hey! Where’d my strike
throughgo? Hurrump!Keep looking.
Pale Celery said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:56
I almost wonder if this was more or less an intentional balk by Baucus.
Possibly unintentional, as he was drinking bock at the bacchanal.
The Uninsured in America said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:57
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiittttt.
The Kid from Kounty Meath said,
September 17, 2009 at 5:58
So was Van Jones D’Angelo Barksdale?
Brad said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:00
So was Van Jones D’Angelo Barksdale?
Maybe. Who do you think is Rahm? I’ll say Cheese. Larry Summers is Stringer Bell.
The Kid from Kounty Meath said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:01
I just know Biden is McNulty. That was never even up for debate.
Jennifer said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:01
Seriously though, Brad, I don’t think the Baucus plan or any significant idea or provision in it is going anywhere. It seems to be fairly universally reviled among his colleagues.
I think the Dems know that there isn’t any type of reform at all that will garner any Republican votes. They’re going to completely own whatever passes. The corollary to that is, they know it’s not in their best electoral interests to own something that completely blows. So the Republicans have raised the stakes on them – but in a way that ultimately may serve to get us a better reform than we would have gotten otherwise.
The Kid from Kounty Meath said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:02
Oh, and Dennis Kucinich is so Bubbles it’s not even funny.
noen said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:11
Obama will not sign legislation without a public option. He hasn’t explicitly said that but I believe that is his bottom line.
So what has really happened is that Baucus has gone is made a great bit shit sandwich and now one else is gonna eat it with him. Sucks to be him I guess.
It’s a teaching moment for Jim Baucus.
SomeNYGuy said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:14
It’s a teaching moment for Jim Baucus.
Jim Baucus was the voice of Mr. Maugoo.
Jennifer said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:20
Obama will not sign legislation without a public option. He hasn’t explicitly said that but I believe that is his bottom line.
I’m not so sure about that. I think if a bill with no public option, but with a regulatory structure and organization setting prices for both insurance and medical procedures, with the power to police the market and enforce the regulations, he’d probably sign that. I think that was the unstated message in his speech last week. He said he’s open to anything that can accomplish the goal of controlling costs and that he thinks the public option is the easiest and best way to get there, but the goal of cost control is what really matters. The catch is, the only way to get there other than a public option providing competition is what I described above, and no one in Washington wants to step up and propose a massive and invasive new bureaucracy that would, in fact, set up something very much like a government-controlled heath care system as compared with the fairly simple expedient of creating a government-run insurance program to cover a small (initially) percentage of the population. No one says it out loud, but everyone knows it.
noen said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:21
Dear gawwd that sentence of mine is bad. I blame Jim Baucus. Either that or I’m just really tired.
noen said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:27
Yup. I’m in total agreement Jennifer. I think we’ll get reform of the system plus some kind of public option. Even if it isn’t that great that little bit of PO will be the foot in the door that down the road will become a real public option. I think the GOP knows this and that’s why they oppose everything and anything.
noen said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:28
Refrom? Must be time to hit the sack.
Steerpike said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:37
I’m with Cenk on this–the Baucus bill is the best news we could have right now. Yes, it’s absolutely odious, and even “moderate” Dems like Rockefeller are denouncing it, but here’s the cherry: as much of a sellout as it is, as much of a Christmas tree for the insurance companies, as much of a nut-kick to the truly needy–as far from anything that could ever be called “reform”–not one Republican has endorsed it.
Not.
One.
So now Obama can make his case that it has become clear that the Repubs have refused to bargain in good faith. We bent over backwards–hell, we bent over forward and grabbed our ankels–and they still refuse to deal. So. We wipe the slate clean, and start over with the Kennedy Bill. Strong Public option, regulation of the insurance industry, the works. And we ram it through on budget reconcilliation.
Fuck ‘em.
Smiling Mortician said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:49
Oh, and Dennis Kucinich is so Bubbles it’s not even funny.
Wha?
Fuck ‘em.
Can’t really argue with that.
Je support les troops said,
September 17, 2009 at 6:54
Take a look at this pic, if you would:
[Link to pic on Facebook]
What does the guy’s t-shirt with the gun on it say?
The pic is from an album called “Retardicans,” which you may enjoy, provided Facebook allows you to look at it:
[Link]
pseudonymous in nc said,
September 17, 2009 at 7:07
Let’s see: bipartisan FAIL + satisfies bullshit Village deficit obsession + last word in Congress committee + giveaway to corporate whores…
Yeah, that’s what America’s likely to get. Just like 9/11 got America the Iraq War.
Unless — the Village’s likely embrace of this basically creates (or fuels) a genuine backlash. But that takes the people who campaigned for Obama in 2008 to put in twice as much of an effort in 2009 to make it clear that the Baucus carcass should be tossed in a ditch even before it comes out of committee, and that any Village Idiot endorsements are called out as the wank they are..
American democracy is broken.
El Cid said,
September 17, 2009 at 7:13
If you want to see what it’s like to get Democrats un-elected forever, have them pass something like the Baucus plan which will make the majority of the country despise them for it forever.
The Bush Jr. tax cuts for the super-rich and the lack of regulation / anti-regulating ideology for banksters hurt the average American.
But health care is different. It’s immediate. It’s direct. It’s personal.
You screw people over, force ‘em to pay, make ‘em pay more for shit while effectively de-regulating the insurers, shoving a higher percentage of total medical bill costs onto consumers, all while giganto-insurers party from the biggest revenues and profits of all time, and, man, you have got the anti-New Deal right there.
The Republicans might burn the nation down with the flames from their own shit, but people will vote against Democrats without giving a damn if it means revenge on the party which fucked up their already bad and overpriced health care and made it even worse.
tensor said,
September 17, 2009 at 7:31
“Our sucky democracy”
Sir, I object! As an American, I proudly proclaim we have the very best democracy money can buy!
Oh, wait, you just said that…
Lesley said,
September 17, 2009 at 7:56
Why can’t the damn Democrats just make MEDICARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AMERICANS. It works in so many other places in the world for God’s sake. Rich and middle class into and receive “medicare” in Canada. The very poorest (below a certain income threshold…not sure what that is) are covered by government. Yes, we’re having a few problems, but nothing a little tweaking here and there won’t fix. I wouldn’t even mind if they increased the premiums more than the 6% we’re facing now in BC…it amounts to $3 more per individual and $6 more per family. BIG DEAL. Most people can easily afford that. Even with the problems we have we still get better health care than you guys do, and our drugs are much cheaper (which is why Americans visit in busloads to buy from pharmacies here).
You guys are being SWINDLED.
Wyatt Watts III said,
September 17, 2009 at 8:27
This is good news for John McCain.
Lesley said,
September 17, 2009 at 9:13
Not a single Republican supports the Baucus plan. When will Democrats learn to just get on with what they promised they would do during the election campaign: create public health care. Instead they let themselves get bogged down in compromises with s scummy Republicans who won’t be satisfied with anything but the status quo.
The US Post Office doesn’t prevent Fed Ex and other private delivery services from making profits. That’s your model right there. Now market it.
jim said,
September 17, 2009 at 9:24
OT:
At first I was like -
??¿
but then …
I L?L’d!
jim said,
September 17, 2009 at 9:26
Foiled yet again by WordPress-Schizophrenia …
THE PREVIEW IS A LIE!
TJ said,
September 17, 2009 at 10:34
Je support les troops -
It says “MOLON LABE” in Greek, which basically means “Come and get them.” Old battle cry – Spartan army at the Hot Gates, maybe.
Reminds me of Men in Black:
“You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.”
“Your offer is acceptable.”
“AIIIEEEE”
Arky - Geek God said,
September 17, 2009 at 12:36
That headline is three words too long.
actor212 said,
September 17, 2009 at 14:59
Not surprisingly, I agree with Brad.
And that it took this long and STILL HAS NO GOP support speaks volumes about Baucus as a politician and as a decent human being.
OK, not volumes. One word: Failure.
Mr. Wonderful said,
September 17, 2009 at 17:42
What Steerpike said and what Steerpike said Cenk said. Although at any given moment the question is this:
In the battle for Obama’s soul, which wins: the desire for real reform, or the desire for “bipartisanship”? I know which one I’m rooting for, but still…
soullite said,
September 17, 2009 at 20:00
Some of us have principles that trump party. Some of us don’t.
You can all keep voting for whoever you want to, if this ends though, don’t be shocked if a lot of us just give up and go home.
slippy said,
September 17, 2009 at 20:46
“From Finance Panel, a Bill That Blows”
Fixxored the title for ya.
Nom de Gwar said,
September 19, 2009 at 15:28
but the goal of cost control is what really matters.
See, this is kind of the main problem right there: the goal of universal access to health care is what really matters. Making this goal secondary to the cost control is what led Obama to his dumb “not one dime added to the deficit” promise.
The US Post Office doesn’t prevent Fed Ex and other private delivery services from making profits. That’s your model right there. Now market it.
That analogy doesn’t really fit, though. The USPS is as old as the republic. If it had never existed, and all we currently had were private delivery services like UPS and FedEx, do you think it would be at all possible to create from scratch, today, a government-run and taxpayer-subsidized service that would directly compete with existing corporations?