By Jonathan Blakely

Mar 22, 2010 8:05am

Of the Land: After the Vote, the Sale, as Health Care Stays Where It’s Been

By Rick Klein: Yes they did. It’s too late to ask whether they’re sure they wanted to. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s big gavel came down, a historic victory was sealed for Democrats, and the country didn’t unravel. But neither will the politics. (And who wants to talk about health care now?) Passing the health care bill in the House of Representatives marks a signature accomplishment for President Obama and his party — an against-the-odds kind of win upon which a presidency makes a mark, soaring history books are written, and a Congress regains its direction. Unless, of course, it’s the start of a victory campaign for Republicans, with all those other consequences neatly reversed. The 219-212 final vote late Sunday — in the end, eight Democrats moved from “no” to “yes,” while five Democrats and one Republican went from “yes” to “no” — leaves sweeping reform ready for the president’s signature, most likely to come Tuesday. Health care reform will be law. It also stays right where it’s been for the past year: In the center of the nation’s divisive and sometimes ugly political discourse. If the debate has failed to provide clarity throughout, it has at least clarified the divide that defines the political landscape, as we approach an election that’s as close to a referendum as we’re likely to get. “This is what change looks like,” President Obama said just before midnight, per ABC’s Sunlen Miller. “Tonight, at a time when the pundits said it was no longer possible, we rose above the weight of our politics.” But this is heavy stuff. Interrupting a celebration: “The initial blush of President Barack Obama's health care triumph immediately gives way to a sober political reality — he must sell the landmark legislation to an angry and unpredictable electorate, still reeling from the recession,” the AP’s Liz Sidoti writes. “Voters may not buy it. And that could mean a disastrous midterm election year for Obama and his fellow Democrats.” On an issue that’s still stuck in a rut: “It will be difficult to change this dynamic before November, especially since Obama's powers of persuasion over the last year have been ineffective in changing public opinion on several issues,” Slate’s John Dickerson writes. “Given that grim landscape, Obama and congressional Democrats are making the purest test of whether voters want what they say they do — politicians who follow their conviction no matter what the consequences. That was a key promise of Obama's campaign, though so too was a new era of bipartisanship that is nowhere in evidence.” The sale: “President Obama plans to open a new campaign this week to persuade skeptical Americans that the bill holds immediate benefits for them and addresses the nation’s shaky fiscal condition. Republicans said they would seek to repeal the measure, challenge its constitutionality and coordinate efforts in statehouses to block its implementation,” Jeff Zeleny and Sheryl Gay Stolberg write in The New York Times. “The politics of health care are fragile — and far from certain — in the eight-month midterm campaign that will determine which party will control Congress next year. But both sides steeled for a fight to extend well beyond November, involving state legislative battles, court challenges and, ultimately, the next presidential race.” ABC’s Jake Tapper, on the White House campaign to emphasize the benefits of the bill: “They’re going to focus on the ones that take effect most immediately,” Tapper reported on “Good Morning America” Monday. The president’s toast to staffers on the Truman Balcony after the vote, per Tapper: “This is why we are here. This is why we were elected.” When the vote went down, the president high-fived Rahm Emanuel and hugged legislative affairs director Phil Schiliro, Tapper reports. And his first call was to Pelosi: “You've done what no other speaker has done.” Yet that wasn’t the night’s only celebration… “Strikingly, both sides walked away Sunday night believing they had won politically,” Mark Z. Barabak writes for the Los Angeles Times. Charlie Cook: “Given that Democrats have basically lost the healthcare messaging fight for the last year, I'm not sure why we should think they will begin to win over the next seven months.” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to George Stephanopoulos on “GMA”: “With all this euphoria that’s going on, this inside-the-Beltway champagne toasting and all that, outside the Beltway the American people are very angry. And they don’t like it, and we’re going to try to repeal this, and we’re going to have a very spirited campaign between now and November, and there will be a very heavy price to pay for it.” The cruel reality: What’s good for a president isn’t necessarily what’s good for his party. And things not turning out as badly as people feared has rarely worked as a comprehensive political strategy. “Democrats are afraid of failure and nervous about what success could bring,” The Washington Post’s Dan Balz wrote Sunday. “It’s hard to overestimate the magnitude of President Barack Obama’s historic victory on health care reform Sunday night — but the win was a split decision for Democrats, not a knockout,” Politico’s Glenn Thrush and Carol E. Lee report. “House Democrats, who have endured months of draining debate and attacks from tea party activists, including a derisive serenade from a group of protestors on patch of grass outside the chamber Sunday, were more relieved than overjoyed — and many may have been casting votes, on a warm spring night, for their own political extinction.” Taking it to the trail… “We are going to be much better positioned politically,” David Plouffe told Jonathan Karl, on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday. Countered Karl Rove: “It will be an economic disaster for the country.” Only three? “Reshaping the legislation's image will take place in three phases, White House aides said: the immediate aftermath; the seven months until the November midterm elections; and the several years that follow, during which many provisions in the measure will gradually take effect,” Michael D. Shear writes in The Washington Post. “In the coming days, Obama plans to take several trips across the nation to counter what Democrats expect will be an onslaught of criticism and misinformation about the overhaul. Administration officials are also preparing talking points and fact sheets that lawmakers can take home with them on their Easter vacation.” Meanwhile, Congress can do … other things? “April and May will be given to financial regulation legislation in the Senate, which [White House Chief of Staff Rahm] Emanuel expects will ultimately garner bipartisan support,” The Wall Street Journal’s Jonathan Weisman and Laura Meckler report. “After the financial debate, the White House will move to its rewrite of No Child Left Behind, which Mr. Emanuel says he believes will resonate with middle-class, suburban voters who have chafed at the standardized testing requirements of the Bush-era education law. Finally, Democrats will turn to campaign-finance legislation designed to mitigate a recent Supreme Court decision that unleashes corporate and union campaign donations. Congress could also take up a modest energy bill.” Another round: “Starting Monday, a coalition of progressive groups — from labor unions to health care advocates — will sink millions of dollars into television advertising and sponsor grassroots events in swing House districts thanking Democrats for passing the law and highlighting its importance for average Americans,” Politico’s Jeanne Cummings writes. Leaving fates with a system: “How the legislation is perceived by Americans in both the short term and long run may well depend on whether its advocates — Mr. Obama, his Democratic allies in Congress, a variety of labor and health interest groups — can convince Americans that, at least on this giant issue, the government is up to the task,” Gerald Seib writes in his Capital Journal column. “At a minimum, Democrats will be trying to show citizens that the government can produce outcomes that are at least superior to the status quo in health care, which almost everybody agrees can't be sustained.” Time to watch it play out … everywhere: “Health legislation passed yesterday by the U.S. House changes some rules immediately on insurance coverage while leaving much of the fight over how to remake the medical system to federal regulators, states and courts,” Bloomberg’s Alex Nussbaum reports. Time to watch the Senate, too: “Senate Republicans say they can get the whole package of reconciliation fixes – the fix-its that make the Senate plan palatable to House Democrats – thrown out with a trump card procedural motion,” ABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports. “That means the Senate bill, which everyone in the House seems to universally hate, will be the law of the land.” Hope you didn’t get your fill of procedure yet: “Senate Republican leaders and their staff spent the weekend scouring the reconciliation package for provisions that would be subject to a budget point of order or violate other strict reconciliation rules,” Roll Call’s David M. Drucker and Emily Pierce report. Said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart: “The entire reconciliation bill is subject to a point of order and rejection in the Senate.” The gamble: “It will take years to know whether the Republicans’ worst predictions, or Mr. Obama’s vision of affordable near-universal care, will resemble reality. In the meantime, Mr. Obama can lay credible claim, for the first time in his presidency, that he proved willing to risk all to turn his convictions into legislation,” David E. Sanger writes in The New York Times. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., to Robin Roberts on “GMA” Monday: “This is a program for the middle class. Too often in America, they’re the ones who are left out. … Wait until you hear more about it.” Making medical decisions going forward, Kennedy said, “it’s going to be their doctors, it’s going to be a review board.” And: “I salute President Obama. He has been the president and even more than my father could have ever imagined.” E.J. Dionne Jr.: “With success comes the chance to defend what is, in many of its particulars, the sort of plan a majority of Americans said they wanted. Yes, it is imperfect and it won't come cheap. But it fills a gaping hole in the American social insurance system.” Paul Krugman: “This is, of course, a political victory for President Obama, and a triumph for Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker. But it is also a victory for America’s soul. In the end, a vicious, unprincipled fear offensive failed to block reform. This time, fear struck out.” The boost: “The president displayed fresh political acumen that brought momentum back to the Democrats and resurrected their centerpiece domestic issue, lawmakers and political specialists said, helping the House pass a broad overhaul measure last night,” The Boston Globe’s Susan Milligan reports. “Just two months ago his administration appeared to be struggling. Now, in the face of intense adversity, he is about to achieve a goal that has eluded presidents for decades.” The sweep: “Barack Obama has sealed his reputation as a president of great historical import,” The New Republic’s Jonathan Chait writes. “We don't know what will follow in his presidency, and it's quite possible that some future event — a war, a scandal — will define his presidency. But we do know that he has put his imprint on the structure of American government in a way that no Democratic president since Lyndon Johnson has.” Paging Colin Powell: “This week's votes don't end our health-care debates. By making medical care a subsidiary of Washington, they guarantee such debates will never end,” The Wall Street Journal editorial reads. “And by ramming the vote through Congress on a narrow partisan majority, and against so much popular opposition, Democrats have taken responsibility for what comes next — to insurance premiums, government spending, doctor shortages and the quality of care. They are now the rulers of American medicine.” Concerns in the other direction…. Former Bush speechwriter David Frum, your most e-mailed Republican of the day: “Today’s defeat for free-market economics and Republican values is a huge win for the conservative entertainment industry. Their listeners and viewers will now be even more enraged, even more frustrated, even more disappointed in everybody except the responsibility-free talkers on television and radio. For them, it’s mission accomplished. For the cause they purport to represent, it’s Waterloo all right: ours.” Keying off of Frum: “It's possible the GOP could be struck by an internal division over the health care reform fight: Do Republicans move on, or do they act like those fabled Japanese soldiers stranded on deserted islands at the end of World War II who never realized the war was over and that they had lost?” David Corn writes for Mother Jones. A victory lap for Organizing for America — the last 10 days by the numbers: “Made nearly 500,000 calls to Congress; Sent 324,000 letters to Congress; Held nearly 1,200 health care-related events with more than 10,000 attendees; Sent nearly 150,000 text messages; Called nearly 120,000 supporters using OFA’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool online. TOTAL ACTIONS IN PAST 10 DAYS = Nearly 1.2 million.” President Obama, in an e-mail to BarackObama.com users (with a “DONATE” button at the bottom): “We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right — and actually create the change we believe in. Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.” Even the polls look brighter: That’s 50-43 in Gallup daily tracking, in surveys taken before final passage. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.: “As the Senate prepares to complete our work on this historic effort, Senate Democrats reaffirm our commitment to reform because we know it's good for middle-class families, seniors and small businesses in Nevada and all across America.” US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donahue, in a post-vote statement: “Should the legislation passed by the House today become law, the Chamber will work through all available avenues—regulatory, legislative, legal, and political—to fix its flaws and minimize its potentially harmful impacts. Through the largest issue advocacy and voter education program in our history, we will encourage citizens to hold their elected officials accountable when they choose a new Congress this November.” Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.: “Today's vote shows that leaders in Washington continue to ignore the will of the people.” Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., talking to protesters outside the Capitol after the vote: “There will be more division and more chaos – no violence, no violence, no violence,” Bachmann said, per ABC’s Teddy Davis. “We’re going to win this on debate. That’s how we’re going to win this. It’s only just started.” So has the pushback: Americans United goes on offense, with robo-calls in 14 Republican districts, plus a TV ad targeting Bachmann in her district. “She may think she’s an ‘important’ politician in Washington,” the ad says, “but when it comes to health insurance, if it's good enough for her… shouldn't it be good enough for the rest of us?” Tastes of what else is to come: “Demonstrators filled five lengthy blocks of the Washington Mall, down the hill from the Capitol where last-minute negotiations were under way on the health care bill,” Julia Preston writes in The New York Times. “The immigrant activists, chanting Mr. Obama’s campaign slogan of ‘Yes we can’ in Spanish and English, tried to compete with their numbers for public and media attention which were mainly focused on the climactic health care events in the House of Representatives.” Also on the Washington scene on Monday: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to AIPAC. From her remarks: “For President Obama, for me, and for this entire administration, our commitment to Israel’s security and Israel’s future is rock solid,” Clinton plans to say, per ABC’s Kirit Radia. “As Israel’s friend, it is our responsibility to give credit when it is due and to tell the truth when it is needed.” And: “In addition to threatening Israel, a nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its terrorist clientele and would spark an arms race that could destabilize the region. This is unacceptable. Unacceptable to the United States. Unacceptable to Israel. And unacceptable to the region and the international community. … So let me be very clear: The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” From the busy weekend — Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., speaking to AIPAC Sunday: “Together, the US and Israel must be clear not to blur the lines between friend and foe, and we must see our most dangerous enemies as they are –and not as we imagine them to be. Our enemies are tempted by weakness, not strength, and they are glad to exploit utopian visions held by other nations.” Plus: “Despite progressively alarming reports from the IAEA, the Council has not imposed new sanctions against Iran in over two years. I find this inexplicable and inexcusable. The Security Council was created to address threats to international peace and security, but it continues to sleep while Iran continues to enrich.” Back home for T-Paw: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a possible 2012 presidential candidate, has staked his reputation on making tough budget cuts. But, like other governors around the country, he is losing popularity as he pushes tax and service cuts in an increasingly contentious budget battle,” The Wall Street Journal’s Amy Merrick writes.
The Kicker: “Members have a right to make an idiot of themselves once without being identified.” — Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis., declining to identify the person who shouted “baby killer” while Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., was speaking. “I feel like Mussolini now!” — Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., waving to the less-than-adoring crowd from a House balcony.
For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note’s blog . . . all day every day:

User Comments

AWESOME PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!
Now the momentum is all yours to finally get this country to start doing more good things!

Posted by: Jackson | March 22, 2010, 8:33 am 8:33 am

Who are all these people who are so angry at healthcare reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last. Get over it already

Posted by: Bob | March 22, 2010, 8:39 am 8:39 am

“… Wait until you hear more about it.”
Shouldn’t that have been first?

Posted by: david | March 22, 2010, 8:39 am 8:39 am

Whatever Obama wants to get done better be done by November. When the wholesale slaughter of Congressional Democrats occurs at the polls in November, the overwhelmingly Republican Congress will block his every move.

Posted by: Tom | March 22, 2010, 8:41 am 8:41 am

“”"”"”This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. “”"”"
Posted by: Bob
Poor misguided soul. The Insurance companies are guranteed at least $350 billion by Obama himself. They are guaranteed 30 million more clients and more government subsidized money. And, they are guaranteed 3 years before this kicks in to price gouge us however they wish. We are guaranteed higher premiums by Obama and the CBO. For the people??? Really???

Posted by: lfrichar | March 22, 2010, 8:45 am 8:45 am

As an Independent, I will not vote for any “D” in the next elections. Not one.

Posted by: lfrichar | March 22, 2010, 8:46 am 8:46 am

As an Independent, I will not vote for any “incumbent” in the next elections, not one.

Posted by: indymind | March 22, 2010, 8:49 am 8:49 am

Insurance companies would never gouge us! Arn’t they all christains?

Posted by: Jackson | March 22, 2010, 8:53 am 8:53 am

Question, Is it legal for the Democrats to pass a Bill requiring all Americans to buy a product from their political contributors? I think it is unconstitutional, illegal and morally wrong. Passed using dubious if not illegal means, it is a disgusting display of arrogance and ignorance and these goons need to be removed from their jobs

Posted by: April | March 22, 2010, 8:56 am 8:56 am

Anytime legislators have to be bullied, bribed and/or belittled to get their vote, especially in such a public way on such an important issue, it is embarrassing and repulsive. I was offended by the image of the “high five” – like this was some neighborhood basketball game (wait…maybe it was). Given the roughly 50% of citizens who did not want this bill in its present form to pass, you would think a little humility and decorum would be in order. This administration was filled with hubris and vanity before; now it’s arrogance and self-indulgence will be boundless.

Posted by: olderbutwiser | March 22, 2010, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Maybe our politicians will learn this in the next election—————————————-A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government. Thomas Jefferson

Posted by: April | March 22, 2010, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 9:03 am 9:03 am

Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 9:05 am 9:05 am

Obama and the dems are ROBBING WE TAXPAYERS with this health scam…………………………………..Bernie Madoff is small potatoes compared to these crooks.

Posted by: Thetruth | March 22, 2010, 9:05 am 9:05 am

April – I totally agree. Our rights are being trampled while this administration intrudes into our private lives at an alarming rate.
And Bob – didn’t you know that Obama sweetened the pot for insurance companies in the few days before the vote? Right along with assurances to only campaign for Democrats who voted yes. Hmmm…wonder if that would be the same offer to Republicans or Independents.

Posted by: olderbutwiser | March 22, 2010, 9:08 am 9:08 am

This is a bill that will stand up there with all the other great progressive accomplishments – child labor laws, woman’s right to vote, the 8 hour work day, social security, medicare/medicaid, civil rights legislation and so on. America does not stand still; it moves forward. At the time these accomplishments came into being, there was great vocal disgreement from the conservative side but in time people saw that these pieces of legislation enriched American lives, and so they became part of our landscape. So it will be with this legislation. The lies against it will be proved to be lies and citizens will see its positive effects, even those who speak out against it now. I feel sorry for the Democrats who voted against it; they will never be able to share in its glory. As for the Republicans, it is their heritage to keep trying to stop the tide of history, but only to fail.

Posted by: eclecticman1 | March 22, 2010, 9:20 am 9:20 am

I’m so excited…. my mom will get less money for her Social Security and Medicare, the IRS gets more power to fine those without “acceptable” insurance, we start paying now (even if I’m unemployed), and wow the healthcare starts in 2014, and not everybody is covered. It’s terrific!!!!

Posted by: Pat | March 22, 2010, 9:26 am 9:26 am

For the first time in my life, I’m ashamed to be an American.

Posted by: John Lynch | March 22, 2010, 9:26 am 9:26 am

Why are democrats so excited to have passed a bill requiring all of us to buy insurance from big insurance companies? I’m a pragmatist. And my vote is easy to get. Lower my taxes and I vote for you. Raise them and I despise you. I Loathe the president. Now don’t you wish you got more for my loathing?

Posted by: Pragmadog | March 22, 2010, 9:26 am 9:26 am

I am so fed up with this whole mess in Washington. I am NEVER going to vote for an incumbent again!!!

Posted by: Dean inTexas | March 22, 2010, 9:26 am 9:26 am

What part do I object to? I object to taking away the personal freedom for someone to either buy health insurance or opt out. I object to the bribery that it took to get some of those votes that the taxpayers will have to pay for. I object to the federal government taking powers that belong to the state.
Walgreen’s has stopped taking medicaid and medicare because they can’t make money doing it. I am a health care provider who also doesn’t take medicaid and medicare. There is a poll that says 45% of doctors will quit or retire early if this passes. Where exactly are you going to get all this “free” health care from if nobody wants to provide it?

Posted by: LG | March 22, 2010, 9:27 am 9:27 am

Shame on this congress and shame on this country. You allowed ideologues to overrule reason. We have reached a new low as a country. “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”
Thomas Jefferson

Posted by: Cathi | March 22, 2010, 9:28 am 9:28 am

I object to the part where my mom could lose her current cancer doctors because she’s a Medicare patient.
Oh, but wait — my mom is middle-class, so this is for her own good, because the bill is for the middle class! Hurray! Thank you, Santa Barack, for taking her options away!
The shortsightedness of some people beggars belief.

Posted by: G | March 22, 2010, 9:28 am 9:28 am

Remember that lady who when President Obama was elected said she didn’t have to worry about a house payment or a car payment anymore. Now she can add she doesn’t have to be responsisbile for her health care or decisions any longer. Uncle Sam will now be making them for her. Too heck with the costs; the American Taxpayer will now bbe subsidzing her no doubt horrid life choices as well. Olderbutwise said it right!

Posted by: I just threw up a little bit | March 22, 2010, 9:30 am 9:30 am

Why is it this health care bill is more about Obama and Pelosi not about the people?
Oh… because it IS all about Obama and Pelosi.
A liberal friend said to me today “Now Obama has earned his Nobel”. That won the most idiotic statement of the year award.

Posted by: Denbo | March 22, 2010, 9:31 am 9:31 am

Every D and R now in office should be fired immediately. This country cannot afford this gross incompetence any longer. We’ve become no better than a banana republic. Time to start over again with people who understand our history and what made this country great.

Posted by: John Lynch | March 22, 2010, 9:31 am 9:31 am

I am worried for the local electrician, who will now be taxed and penalized to support healthcare. He will now have an extra financial burden on his small business, and it comes right out of his bottom line. No hiring an extra worker. More hours working to pay for the health care penalty. In a horrid economy. Good job President Obama. You just put a knife in the heart of the “recovery”.

Posted by: DBL | March 22, 2010, 9:31 am 9:31 am

God Bless America, he is in charge & I pray for this great nation of ours..socialized medicine, ask Canada & Great Britain how that worked out for them. Now where do we go for Good Doctors. (oops the good ones are leaving in droves & w/o TORT reform we’re the losers. )

Posted by: D Franzma | March 22, 2010, 9:32 am 9:32 am

Amy in Maine: Reducing the deficit does not reduce the debt!!! Deficit is the amount of additional debt we are incurring each day, week, year. In other words we are still borrowing money to pay for our federal programs. We are still going negative at an alarming rate. It is like living on $120,000 yr budget but with only a $75,000 salary. Now you are saying the we are going to reduce the amount of yearly deficit by setting a new budget of $100,000. So now the family is only going negative at a clip of $25,000 a year on credit cards.
Our government is spending our childrens futures. It is wrong.

Posted by: Eric in Texas | March 22, 2010, 9:32 am 9:32 am

“Who are all these people who are so angry at healthcare reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last. Get over it already” – Posted by: Bob | Mar 22, 2010 8:39:22 AM
Hmmm, some people are extremely gullible and thus are easily fooled. Unfortunately for them Obamacare will do nothing to fix that.

Posted by: Sheila | March 22, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am

What do 21 March 2010 and 7 December 1941 have in common? The United States of America was attacked by an external enemy. War was declared on the USA. Patriots rallied then to defeat the enemy and we will do so again.
The liberals’ next effort has already begun – allowing millions of illegal aliens to become citizens and give them YOUR hard earned tax money.
Double your efforts – Protect your money from the Tax Beast; Remove ALL liberals from leadership positions; hold a Constitutional Convention; Take the gloves off. War is Hell. Make them feel it.

Posted by: CitizenCain | March 22, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am

So this is what the end of a democratic governmnet looks like. When these dolts have to beg, threaten, bribe and cajole a political body to pass a bill that the majority of the country doesn’t want and they call it a “victory”? I will agree that healthcare reform IS neeed but this bloated, government-centric farce that had to be bribed and tricked through the political process is NOT the answer. Good luck, dummycrats and repukelicans, you will all go down like dominoes in the Fall.

Posted by: Larry | March 22, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am

Can’t wait for all those taxes to kick in. 4 years of taxes for 6 years of benefits. What a bargin for us. Vote all these fools out of office!
Mandates for people to buy insurance, that is why you never heard insurance companies complaining. They are about to get 30 million new customers.

Posted by: Rick | March 22, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am

The Senate won’t be able to re-visit this. You House democrats were DUPED! Then again, 53% of Americans were DUPED as well. You OWN this piece of crap. 35+ states have their lawyers at the ready to protect us from the almighty government. SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER, packing your bags of course, LOL!!!

Posted by: Mikey Da P | March 22, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am

Progressives of America… You all suck!

Posted by: Rick | March 22, 2010, 9:35 am 9:35 am

“Please, stop saving me money!
You are going to insure more than 30 million uninsured and save me a trillion dollars!
Just like when you passed no-fault car insurance to save me money: My car insurance went from $320 a year to a current $1,522 a year. Or just like the Homestead Rebate program to save me money on my real estate taxes, which went from $1,380 a year when it was passed to a current $6,830 per year.”

Posted by: Eric in Texas | March 22, 2010, 9:36 am 9:36 am

And the Constitution is unravelled just a bit more…unless of course someone can show me where it gives the Federal Government any authority to regulate healthcare. But of course the politicians don’t care about the Constitution and our freedoms are slowly being eroded day by day. May the Democrats lose this November in a big way. I for one will work night and day to campaign for anyone running against any Democrat.

Posted by: DMann | March 22, 2010, 9:37 am 9:37 am

It is time for a Peaceful march on the US congress, this time with guns, next time with guns blazing. Maybe then they will listen.

Posted by: habu | March 22, 2010, 9:38 am 9:38 am

Thank you Mr. Obama and Ms. Pelosi. Now we can look forward to even greater horrific debt in the name of Progressivism.

Posted by: Anthony | March 22, 2010, 9:38 am 9:38 am

This will be overturned in the Supreme Court. It is a blatant violation of the Constitution on so many levels. Enjoy your day, it won’t last.

Posted by: NJK | March 22, 2010, 9:38 am 9:38 am

General Strike to protest, starting April 15.

Posted by: gg | March 22, 2010, 9:39 am 9:39 am

When a government tells its citizens they have to buy something for their well being it is no longer America. All of you fools who voted for Obama, are you awake yet? You better get to the polls in Nov. and try to minimize the damage that has been brought upon this nation. What will be in the history books is that America was once great.

Posted by: yaknow | March 22, 2010, 9:39 am 9:39 am

Amy in Maine: The other shoe has yet to drop. The projected billions in savings this decade and trillions the next will all vanish in a puff of smoke when the “fixes” are applied. The CBO has gone on record to say tha just one of the fixes, the doctor payment fix, will turn those alleged surpluses in to deficits. Remember that Social Security and Medicare both passed with bipartisan majorities. This will be the albatross around the Democrat’s heads for a long time to come. We need a true Libertarian candidate now more than ever.

Posted by: Phil in NY | March 22, 2010, 9:39 am 9:39 am

States that are more successfull and attract more businesses and people from around the world invest in their infrastructure, like New York City. New Yorkers pay more in Taxes but they have a City with an infrastructure that is people Friendy built off of those Tax Dollars. In Florida for example you have people waiting for Buses that never come under Scorching 90+ degree weather with Children sometimes sitting on the ground, no cover or Shade because Floridians won’t pay a penny more in Sales taxes to build up their infrastructure? It’s assanine, cruel and counter productive… You as a citizen of a State or City should want to invest in your State or Citys infrastructure as well as helping out the needy, help them up when times are hard.. Jesus would want this

Posted by: MajorityRules | March 22, 2010, 9:39 am 9:39 am

Dear Mr./Ms. Politician,
Remember me? I’m the person who hired you to represent me. YOU work for ME…not the other way around.
You have proven yourself incompetent to run anything. You couldn’t even run a short, simple program with a couple billion dollars (Cash for Clunkers). What makes you think for one second I wanted you to run and control MY health care??? You have over-stepped your boundaries. Contrary to what I’m sure you’re hoping will happen, come your review (by way of the ballot box) in the Fall, I will not be blinded by your fancy talk, your spin, and your blatant lies. I WILL REMEMBER THIS. You have FAILED to do the job you were hired to do – namely, to represent me.
You will be fired.
Sincerely,
YOUR BOSS (the voters)

Posted by: timr1271 | March 22, 2010, 9:40 am 9:40 am

“Against the Odds”?
“The Odds”, where in their favor.

Posted by: natb1 | March 22, 2010, 9:40 am 9:40 am

They said this is for the “Middle Class.” 80% of the people were happy with their health care. Who is going to pay for it? Yes, it’s for the Middle Class, it’s to stick it to them, they will be paying for it, a big chuck of their paychecks, to fund it, health care for those who don’t want to pay for it themselves.

Posted by: carol | March 22, 2010, 9:40 am 9:40 am

Give me a flippin’ break. Liberal accomplishments – my arse! SS and Medicare enjoyed bi-partisan support. This bill didn’t – 0, zilch, nada and the vast majorities of Americans are against it! Why? Because we are bankrupt from the other social programs that the Government mismanages and wastes. You do understand you fools that America is going bankrupt and this will only help to expedite it. Are you Libs that foolish to think that this massive goverment entitlement is actually going to reduce the debt? That is a flippin’ laugh. I’d like to have some of what you 60′s hippies are smokin’. Wake up, take some responsibility for yourself instead of expecting the government and others to take care of you.

Posted by: Mike | March 22, 2010, 9:42 am 9:42 am

November is a long way away and once everyone see’s the benefits of this Health Care reform and embraces it, no Republican Right Winger spewing nothing but Fear will be able to stop it’s momentum.. Republicans are only about Greed, Selfishness and spreading Fear and lies… Big Business had hijacked our Government thanks to the Republican Party and we the People by a Majority Vote chose to kick them all out!

Posted by: MajorityRules | March 22, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am

This is a bill that will stand up there with all the other great progressive accomplishments – child labor laws, woman’s right to vote, the 8 hour work day, social security, medicare/medicaid, civil rights legislation and so on.
Posted by: eclecticman1
ahh, nobody thinks child labor laws are unjust or wrong and there were several acts passed prior to Wilson’s term. The womens right to vote was just as much opposed by progressives as it was supported, see John Randolph Tucker, for starters. Ditto for the 8-hour work day. You are mistaken on the Civil Rights issue, it was blocked and filibustered by liberals and democrats and only won passage on the strength of the efforts of the republicans. But you are right about Social Security, medicare, and medicaid, all liberal progressive entitlements and part of FDR’s liberal legacy and all BROKE as will be this new entitlement.

Posted by: zoinks | March 22, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am

Anytime Washington works on the weekend the people are getting screwed.

Posted by: Dave | March 22, 2010, 9:45 am 9:45 am

We are going to clean out the senate and house in November. Say goodbye to your majority Dems – celebrate while you can for soon comes the wailing, crying, and gnashing of teeth.

Posted by: Darrel | March 22, 2010, 9:45 am 9:45 am

Yeah, thats great…… Can we please do something about the economy and jobs? Seems like theyre doing everything BUT that.

Posted by: Jobless | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

So, the Dems were all about making sure the evil insurance companies dont take advantage of the poor American public, and they did this by requiring every American citizen to now BUY insurance. Yeah, that makes sense.

Posted by: JoJo | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

So what matrix will the Dems create and be held to account for this bill? What will we point to and say, “yes it’s successful” or “no, it’s not”? If you’re going to make a choice, then you’re accountable to the choice and need to have the ability to respond to the choice. So, what account will dems have to offer & show?

Posted by: ICONIC FREEDOM | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

More than anything this health bill is going to increase an already unemployable dependent welfare class in that now these people will have everything they need to survive and not have to work for it because to add to their food stamps and subsidized housing, they now have free health care. All this at the expensive of the working tax payer. Is America great or what!

Posted by: Vince Hugh | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

The Dems have no regard for fiscal responsibility. Like a kid with a credit card. The bill will come back to haunt them. If your finances are weak then every other segment of society is weakened as well. You can’t do much good for anyone if your bankrupt.

Posted by: Jeff | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

Happy Dependence Day!

Posted by: 3% Revolution | March 22, 2010, 9:46 am 9:46 am

Barack Hussein Obama, mmm mmm mmmmm!

Posted by: Jeff | March 22, 2010, 9:47 am 9:47 am

The “Slaughter” rule will be in effect this November. If you’re a Democrat, you’ll be Slaughtered. Hope you enjoyed it Dems….your time is done.

Posted by: Josh | March 22, 2010, 9:47 am 9:47 am

Amy in Maine – I’ll tell you exactly what I don’t like about this bill. It’s the fake deficit reduction you so happily point out. The majority of that “reduction” is from phony Medicare cuts and a Cadillac plan tax that Nancy Pelosi will be only too happy to rescind when the seniors, doctors, and unions start complaining. When that happens, and my taxes and insurance premiums go up to subsidize this, can I send you the bill?

Posted by: MeanMeosh | March 22, 2010, 9:47 am 9:47 am

I don’t know what the insurance companies are so excited about. A few years down the road they’ll be replaced by the federal government in the same way that private student loan lenders are being replaced now. (Ever wonder why education costs rise faster than healthcare costs?) After this bill, there is no “insurance,” there is welfare and when the money runs out, more taxes and less money to things like … defense. Look at Europe. We’re in for a huge version of the Boston Big Dig Tunnel.

Posted by: The Party's Over | March 22, 2010, 9:48 am 9:48 am

hey Amy, you might want to check out what your fellow liberls are saying over at firedoglake. congrats on supporting the biggest legislative crutch to reproductive rights since before 1973. as a woman you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting this bill.

Posted by: Diana | March 22, 2010, 9:49 am 9:49 am

Amy in Maine – Are you serious. Do you really believe this will reduce the defecit by one penny? What are you, ten years old? This CBO reduction pipedream is based on them accepting assumptions from the Democrats that are groundless. Do you really think the taxpayers of this country can insure an additional 30 million people at no cost? Do you not know the “benefits” of this bill don’t accrue until 2014? If this was so important, why is there no benefit until 2014? Do you think that is a political gambit?

Posted by: Kelly | March 22, 2010, 9:50 am 9:50 am

We don’t have to worry about much anymore. Our government will do all of the work for us, give us everything we want; those evil companies must bend to the will of the corrupt politicians in Washington.
OK… now for reality. Why would any person, any business do anything for free? Why spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to be a doctor or nurse? Why work hard if your neighbor stays home and gets handouts?
This system IS going to collapse under it’s own weight of ignorance and indifference, SOONER rather than later.
It has failed 100% of the time in world history! We are NO LONGER a free society we are now a Socialist Democracy.
RIP USA.

Posted by: Peter | March 22, 2010, 9:50 am 9:50 am

Anyone who thinks this is going to work our financially is deluded beyond comprehension. With over 70 trillion dollars in promises already made, it is astounding that anyone would think “savings” are ahead. This vote insures that millions of Americans who paid into a system over time with an expectation of benefits, will not be able to have them. Sad day for America. I was hoping for true reform.

Posted by: Beezman | March 22, 2010, 9:53 am 9:53 am

Jackson -
You’re an idiot.

Posted by: cc | March 22, 2010, 9:53 am 9:53 am

Here’s another little tidbit that showed up last night after the vote.
Upon sale of your home there will be a 4% tax on the profit from the sale of that home going to healthcare. Didn’t they think that was important enough to tell us before a vote? Keep peeling away at that onion they gave us last night.

Posted by: shredder | March 22, 2010, 9:54 am 9:54 am

Stay angry, stay loud, but most of all, VOTE to clean house in November. Find out where your local democratic party office is and when they hold their meetings….and then protest those meetings. Get involved in local, state and national elections. Remember, the IRS will be enforcing this health hell law. Everyone will be required to file yearly and show proof of obamacare under penalty of fine/jail. You will be required to have your taxes prepared by a “approved” IRS preparer. You will no longer be able to file your own taxes. Next, 401K’s and IRA’s will be seized by the gov. to help fund this debacle. This has all been reported in the news over the past two years.

Posted by: ncgma | March 22, 2010, 9:54 am 9:54 am

I lost my job in December of 2008. I had no healthcare coverage until my Medicare kicked in. I am presently working in a temporary situation which could end at any time. Medicare is the only healthcare coverage I have. Now that there will be massive cuts to Medicare what am I left to do? Unfortunately, I can’t afford supplemental health insurance. They have truly thrown seniors under the bus in a bad economy and with scant job opportunities for older workers.
Remember this in November, Seniors!

Posted by: Ellen O'Donnell | March 22, 2010, 9:55 am 9:55 am

Ohh boy, I cannot wait for all the new taxes and fees to come out of the forced healthcare or else bill. We all have to pay for this new healthcare plan, unless you in a union.
And what about the federalization of college loans, nice add on congress. Way to run a dictatorship.

Posted by: McNabb | March 22, 2010, 9:55 am 9:55 am

Social Security is broke.Medicare broke.Post Office broke.Welfare nearly doomed us.Now they tell us Healthcare will pay for itself.Americans are not Government sheep like the Liberals and Europeans.We have had enough of Government control in out lives.Down with Socialism

Posted by: tyrone | March 22, 2010, 9:56 am 9:56 am

Next step: Reconciliation bill in the Senate.
For those of us who do not like the backroom deals in the bill, the reconciliation bill in the Senate will take those deals off.
So if you are against the backroom deals, you should be for the reconciliation bill now in the Senate.

Posted by: New Wave | March 22, 2010, 9:56 am 9:56 am

It’s unconstitutional. I just don’t understand how anyone who loves this country would agree with forcing it’s citizens to buy something from a big corporation. Health insurance does not equal health care.

Posted by: Egad | March 22, 2010, 9:56 am 9:56 am

I should change my name. I am a republican since this health care bill passed.

Posted by: Indepedent | March 22, 2010, 9:56 am 9:56 am

Dear Amy in Maine.
Why don’t you go to you CAR insurance company and tell them that you aren’t going to buy insurance from them until you have an accident. See what they say. Wait for Governemt to force that upon them and see how long the Insurance company exists.
Did you know how many people are employeed by Insurance companies? No you don’t and so lets add those 2 million people to the unemployement figures. You are stupid Amy because you want something for nothing. I work for what I get, do you? Probably you take handouts and expect others to provide for you. Let me tell you something. Your well will dry up really fast and you will get nothing from those of us who work for a living.
Call you Life insurance company and tell them that you will buy life insurance the day after you die. Let’s see what happens.
The biggest insurance company defrauds and rejects more claims that any other insurance company. It denies people who are desperate. It fails to pay for services on a regular basis and Sunday a bill was passed that will refuse to pay $500 Billion more. It is called Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Health system. ALL RUN BY OUR godless Government. If you want to see a CEO get canned because he runs a horrible insurance company then ask that OBAMA gets fired.
Stupid is as stupid does. Wake Amy and smell the darkness.

Posted by: Kukee American | March 22, 2010, 9:56 am 9:56 am

“Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
Are you really that naive Amy, or do you actually believe that estimated cost equates to actual cost?
I mean they’ve done a bang up job all these years making Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid work, right?
Oh wait.

Posted by: Matt in GA | March 22, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am

Democrats have made villains out of health insurance companies who make 3%-4% profits. They say that health insurance companies deny everybody’s claims, yet Medicare denies 1 1/2 times as many claims as commercial insurance companies. But Democrats don’t really cares about the truth. They just want to make somebody else pay for their health care.

Posted by: ed | March 22, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am

Great – so the same government that cant even run a Postal System without being billions of dollars in the red, is now going to be running our healthcare. It really is a testament to our education system that there are people arguing that this is going to reduce the deficit – do some of you not have any interest in finding and knowing the truth? there is no government run program that reduces cost – none. You’re being very ignorant and delusional if you think this is going to create a better system going forward.

Posted by: Sean | March 22, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am

I am disgusted, and I want to see the democrats punished for their treason. VOTE EM OUT, ROLL IT BACK..

Posted by: HyenaKiller | March 22, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am

Liberals amaze me. WHO do you think is going to pay for this bluster? YOU ARE.
The CBO says so too! ABC news is lying to you just like Obama. HE won, not YOU, not any of us. THEY are feeding you the parts of HCR that should have been pulled out of this horrendous bill and voted on separately because SOME of them would actually reduce the cost of health care, MOST do not. THIS is not about reform, it is NOT about Insurance Company profits, it is about the government beauracracy taking over your choices on health care. 16,500 new IRS agents to oversee; new HC beauracracy to tell YOUR doctor what care YOU can have. Go read the bill and quit listening to ABC News. ITS BAD FOR ALL OF US.
This is the angriest I have been in my life, I am mad as hell and I will give as much of my time and money to fight this horrendous mistake you people put in office.

Posted by: moderatekelly | March 22, 2010, 9:58 am 9:58 am

Obama….the Chicago way…has come to your town. If you have to beg, bribe and break arms to get a bill passed, it must be a dud. I want to know who is pulling his strings. Come on out of the shadows, big guy. We want to see your face.
The insurance companies will make millions on this…happy now?

Posted by: Betsp | March 22, 2010, 9:58 am 9:58 am

What happened to my freedom? There would be much less “divisive” politics if democrats would quit trying to take away freedom and force government programs on everybody.

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am

If the Democrats think they have won a 100-year war, they are wrong. We are now in the middle of a 200-year war and they are about to get their tails handed to them.

Posted by: Kevin MN | March 22, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am

You ask what I object to. Here are a few items:
- The CBO was not given all the facts or time to score this acurately. The first years are all taxes – key “health benefits” do not kick in for at least 4 years. There is a lot of front loading of funds before the costs kick in. If you only look at 10 years this means we are taxing for 10 to spend for 6. The statements that we are saving money only look out the first 10 years.
- I keep hearing that Medicare has been a success. When it was first voted on it was not as expansive as it is now, and it had bi-partisan support. It has been expanded over the past 40 years to the point where it is an unsustainable entitlement program. Doctors are now turning away Medicare patients because they cannot afford to treat them based on the reimbursement provided by the government. Even pharmacies are now turning away new Medicare patients. Isn’t this an indicator that all is not well?
- Unions are protected from the “Cadillac Tax” for years, while non-union members will be hit far sooner. Where is the “fairness and justice” in this? This tax should be applied for all at the same time.
- The government can now dictate the minimum health coverage, which means those who live healthy lives will be forced into plans that they may not have chosen for themselves. If I live a healthy lifestyle, why do I have to support a health plan that pays for those who choose not to live a healthy lifestyle?
- If this legislation is so wonderful, why did Democrats have to be threatened, bribed or otherwise bought off to ensure its passage?
It won’t be long before the word starts leaking out from the House and Senate that their figures weren’t quite right, or that there aren’t enough “rich people” to pay for this and higher taxes will be imposed on those not originally taxed in this bill. FICA taxes will be increased on all workers. Instead of businesses with 50 or more employees being forced to buy insurance it will become 25 or more. More items will be taxed with “sin taxes” – we’ve already seen taxes on soda and proposed restrictions on candy and salt. Politicians will now start targeting other perceived “things bad for you” – think hamburgers are bad? The McDonalds tax! Caffeine? The Starbucks Surcharge!
Medicare and Social Security have shown us that well-intentioned programs that are run by the government not only cost more than originally planned, they are gamed to win more votes.
We have already reached the point where more people are receiving benefits from the government than are paying for them. At some point this parasitic relationship will be unsustainable.

Posted by: IllinoisRes | March 22, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am

The 9th Amendment that provides: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people;
The 10th Amendment states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are preserved to the States respectively, or to the people. Under the provisions of Obamacare neither the people nor the states are going to have any rights or powers at all in many areas that once were theirs to control.
Article 6 of the Constitution requires the members of both houses of Congress to “be bound by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution..” How could any representative vote for this legislation without violating that sacred oath or affirmation. If your representative voted for it hold him/her accountable for their folly and blatant disregard for the constitution. Need I also mention your senators and the president!

Posted by: Ed Taylor | March 22, 2010, 10:03 am 10:03 am

This bill will go down in history as the democrats worst mistake Which will lead to destabilization of our economy and revolt of the masses against the “ruling party” this “reform” bill only helps the insurance companies and those with socialist tendancies. It hurts the hard working and buisnesses owners, it will force more jobs oversees and will hurt many of us here. I am sik and tired of the democrats forcing there socialist agendas on me and my family. I am sick of taxes And I am sick of the state of our union and I am not alone.
Our voices will be heard and felt come election day, mark my words. As for now we will fight this disaster in the courts, perhaps we can undue thus garbage before the fiscal damage further erodes our once great nation before The socialists “mobilized the masses” with there chants and messianic hypnotisms and “feel good” prophecies. Let us pray, we need a divine intervention. This is a scary time we live in.

Posted by: John d | March 22, 2010, 10:03 am 10:03 am

“Who are all these people who are so angry at healthcare reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last. Get over it already.” Posted by: Bob
Bob: This bill helps insurance companies by forcing everyone to buy their product and limiting competition. How is that for people and against insurance companies? Gee, Democrats really are stupid, aren’t they?

Posted by: Always Right | March 22, 2010, 10:03 am 10:03 am

eclecticman1 are you serious? Republicans try to stop the tide of history? Wasn’t it a republican that ordered the Emancipation Proclamation? Wasn’t George Wallace a Democrat? Are you a moron, don’t paint history with such a broad brush. I am anti either party at this point and definitely anti incumbent. The whole problem is in November the pendulum will swing back to the right and we’ll lose even more of our freedoms. Let’s just cut the middle man out weather it’s an insurance company bureaucrat or a government bureaucrat, and pay our doctors directly, this would greatly reduce the health care costs, then we get the costs of the medical supplies down (have you seen what they are charging for a band aid?)

Posted by: John | March 22, 2010, 10:04 am 10:04 am

Everyone agreed the Senate bill was a horrible piece of legislation and yet the House Democrats passed it anyway, hoping for fixes later? In other words, everyone agrees we have just passed a horrendous piece of legislation and they are happy?
By the way, they removed price fixes at the last minute, because it would not pass reconciliation rules, so the insurance companies can raise their rates as much as they want — and they will. Higher taxes, poorer health care, and a much higher deficit — and there are high fives?

Posted by: Rick Swarts | March 22, 2010, 10:04 am 10:04 am

Add me to the growing list who will NEVER vote democrat again and who will ensure her kids and their kids never do either.

Posted by: db3 | March 22, 2010, 10:05 am 10:05 am

Ellen O’Donnell
Chill. The Medicare cuts are not cuts in benefits. They are cuts in the subsidies paid to private insurance companies who offer “Medicare Advantage,” which is the private industry version of Medicare. Medicare Advantage is a “Private” option that offers things like free gym memberships charged to the taxpayer and costing us 114% more than the regular, public, Medicare plan.
PS You do know Medicare was created by Democrats in the 60′s. Without the Democratic Party you would not have any healthcare coverage at all.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 10:06 am 10:06 am

This does not lower the deficit as they claim it does. They hid the medicaid “swap” and kept it separate so the CBO couldn’t score it properly. The former head of the CBO wrote about this in the NY Times yesterday, this will absolutely add to our deficit. Also, they numbers are skewed because we start paying taxes TODAY even though we don’t get the benefits for four years.
As for those evil insurance companies…Medicaid has the highest rate of refusing procedures, not private insurance. That’s right. Government-run Medicaid.

Posted by: John in Tampa | March 22, 2010, 10:08 am 10:08 am

How did Obama ‘overcome all the odds’ when he used taxpayer funds, not his own, to bribe his own party just to get enough votes to pass this monstrosity?
That is systematic of the entire congress.

Posted by: Esdraelon | March 22, 2010, 10:09 am 10:09 am

Look at the frenzy of selfish greed here by the Obamatons. FREE LUNCH! FREE MEDICINE!
Over my dead body, you good for nothing, lazy parasites on the American body.

Posted by: Spirit of 1776 | March 22, 2010, 10:10 am 10:10 am

Wow Amy in Maine, you are sad. The part we object to is the unconstitutional mandate in this bill. The government is now requiring all US citizens to purchase a service, or be fined. You do not have a right to health care. In order for you to have a right to something, that means if it’s denied to you, the government steps in and forces it. So, they are going to force doctors to take care of you now if they say no? Where are their freedoms? Or do only yours matter.
As for you “thinking” it’s going to lower the deficit, that’s pretty sad too. Any time the government tells you something is going to cost X, you need to multiply that by about 10 times. You know that medicare cost 10 times what they “told Amy in Maine” it would cost, right?
It doesn’t matter, your party is finished. Probably forever. So, enjoy it until this November.

Posted by: Smarter than you | March 22, 2010, 10:10 am 10:10 am

Eclecticman1: Aren’t those the programs that drove us into bankruptcy? Progressivism also led to Hitler and Stalin. But go ahead, cheer for it.
As our founders said, freedom requires responsibility. Chiefly, to govern yourself and not be a burden on your neighbor – you are not entitled to the fruits of my labor. I suggest you grow a pair and walk on my property and have the guts to look me in the face the next time you feel entitled to what I’ve earned.

Posted by: John in Tampa | March 22, 2010, 10:11 am 10:11 am

Only a democrat who is stupid and actually has a beef with insurance companies would endorse a bill that basically demands that all Americans purchase from them.
I’ve voted for the candidate in the past, not the party but those days are over. Never again will I vote for a Democrat as there are no moderates or centerists left. Only the far whacky egocentric left that want to create the world in their image, even though it’s all based in fantasy land where no one has to understand basic math.
We already have two entitlement programs that are about to go bankrupt, now they’ve created another one. They’re dangerously stupid, economically inept and WE get to foot the bill. That is if we don’t go bankrupt entirely as a nation first.
November cannot come soon enough.

Posted by: JR | March 22, 2010, 10:12 am 10:12 am

Democrats are so brilliant at political strategy by not including the Doctor Fix in the health care bill (the CBO would’ve said the bill would contribute to the deficit) Therefore, when the Doctor Fix comes up for a vote, ‘Pay Go’ should be strictly enforced and not waived before the vote.

Posted by: Christine EE | March 22, 2010, 10:12 am 10:12 am

To you liberals that are cheering for this I have this question to ask: Where in the US Constitution does it say this is allowed?
If I am ever called as a juror for someone who refuses to buy health insurance I will declare that person “innocent”. You democrats are going to pay in November for what you did. Liberal politicians in congress pack your bags, the storm is coming, your asses are ours!

Posted by: Steve in KY | March 22, 2010, 10:15 am 10:15 am

Matt in GA
I agree, Republicans have done an awful job of managing government every time they have been in power. For instance, the Perscription Drug Plan Bush passed, while cutting taxes, leaving no means to fund that plan.
Democrats have put in place reasonable taxes on people making over $200,000, to help pay for getting everyone covered. These taxes aren’t anywhere close to the percentage people paid in the 1950′s, for goodness sake. Under Republican rule, the top 1% have paid fewer and fewer taxes over the years: and the middleclass sees its income shrink every time Republicans are in power.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 10:15 am 10:15 am

“Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., to Robin Roberts on “GMA” Monday: “This is a program for the middle class. Too often in America, they’re the ones who are left out. … Wait until you hear more about it.”
1st: the middle class already had health care along with the rest of the 85% who did not need this monstrosity of legislation. 2nd: how in the world would a Kennedy know anything at all about the middle class? 3rd: we should have heard about it before the vote, the only reason we did not is that we WON’T LIKE IT!

Posted by: WaynefromSC | March 22, 2010, 10:16 am 10:16 am

I am SOO damn tired of the
government thinking THEY know what’s best for me and my family!!! I AM POOOR AND Can’t afford another bill!!
ANd you better believe that even with some subsidies, it will PREVENT people from moving up income wise!
Just like welfare – as soon asyou make enough, you get cut off and then you are back down to what you made on welfare!! Permanent sub class!
When are they gonna get that thru their heads? And why don’t THEY have to be on the health care WE have?
BS

Posted by: joelle | March 22, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am

So… the poor STILL get their healthcare for free… and those of us who work get more of our money taken away. Welcome to the United Socialists States of America. All you who think this ‘change’ is good: your kids/grandkids will look back and curse your names for what you are allowing today. I only ask/dare you to do one thing; go to the library and pick up a copy of the US Constitution (you know, that document that ‘used’ to rule our country) and READ IT.

Posted by: Constitution | March 22, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am

I see some people believe this will lower the deficit. How niave they are. Medicare/medicaid ballooned way past the modest budgets they were started with. Social security is now ballooning to unprecedented levels. How do you believe the government will pay for this? Jobs will leave this country or they will just fold up, thus putting more people on the governments dole. They should have worked on jobs first. That would have taken people off unemployment and given many insurance and increased government coffers. This will not end well.

Posted by: photonsoflight | March 22, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am

I always like reading comments on these sites,just to get a gauge of how deeply brainwashed the general public is..again,folks your opinion means zero.Wake up and save yourselves..
Pathetic brainwashed robot sheeple.
May you awaken very soon.

Posted by: tonytiger | March 22, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am

I think that all yes votes for this against the American peoples will. Should result in EVERY body who voted yes for this travesty having their life time pensions and health care revoked,including Komrad obama!

Posted by: Jim | March 22, 2010, 10:19 am 10:19 am

O.K Leftists you called down the thunder. Well now you got it. You have torn this country apart when it was already weakened. Now you will pay the price from those that still love it. And many of those weren’t even involved in politics until you decided to turn this country into Venezuela.

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 10:19 am 10:19 am

In the end it is always about who spends your money and makes your decisions.
The government now has more of your money and decides what to do about your health and ultimately your life.
Bummer!

Posted by: JMS | March 22, 2010, 10:21 am 10:21 am

Where to start? I love when people hail the great progressive triumphs of Social Security and Medicare, both of which are heading towards bankruptcy. This boondoggle will just speed up the insolvency of the country. I do not doubt the compassion of most Democrat voters, but the most efficient way to provide for the nation as a whole is not through massive government programs. You do so by providing for a vibrant growing free market. Please just educate yourselves. Go to google and type in “original medicare cost estimates”. You see, government programs, especially those related to health care, are never even close to the original cost projections. Anyone who believes that this will reduce the deficit is simply not paying attention. Bankrupting the country on the basis of good intentions will help no one.

Posted by: Mark In Texas | March 22, 2010, 10:21 am 10:21 am

The Post Office is Broke and doesn’t really work. Medicaid and Medicare are Broke and don’t really work. Congress spent all the money in our Social Security Accounts to fund their pet projects. Social Security doesn’t work along with all the rest of the government programs. China and the Arabs own us and here goes another spending bill that will have unintended consequences that we don’t have the money for. You got what you wanted, now let’s see if you like what you get.

Posted by: nauteal | March 22, 2010, 10:21 am 10:21 am

So much for listening to the people, Vote ALL these bums out in November.

Posted by: Bob | March 22, 2010, 10:21 am 10:21 am

“Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
LOL! SURE! We will cover more people, with better quality of care all while reducing cost! And we all know how efficient the Feds are with every massive new program they run. Hey Amy I have some beachfront property to sell you. In Oklahoma.

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am

Jackson: You are one of many who think we should stick it to big companies – insurance companies, oil companies, any of a list of ominous profiteers, right? I invite you to consider the laws of economics outside of your own little bubble. When businesses’ overhead increases, don’t you think they will pass this extra cost on to the consumer? Otherwise, they won’t be in business. What are the consequences of last night’s bill passage in this context? Allow me to offer a different approach: Remove barriers of entry and allow competition to create innovation.

Posted by: Chet | March 22, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am

Patrick Kennedy states that doctors will be deciding Americans health care. And, oh yeah “review boards”. How wonderful.

Posted by: baldwin | March 22, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am

EVERYONE: Read the book “Animal Farm”. You will be shocked by the similarities to what is now happening. Obama, Pelosi, and Reid are betting Americans can’t read.
(After watching 12+ hours of this on CSPAN yesterday, it’s obvious that most of the Democrats who spoke can’t read a book as simple as Animal Farm.)

Posted by: John | March 22, 2010, 10:23 am 10:23 am

Maybe this will awaken the American people of both parties. We will see the debt continue to rise and the government grow by leaps and bounds.
Maybe the people will realize a “nanny state” is unworkable since as it uses our money to buy us services and to buy our votes it takes its cut of the top so the supply dwindles as the government grows.
This mess will start with some 159 new agencies, offices and programs . . . just do the math.
Maybe the government could stretch it out a bit with a national lottery on just when the crash will occur!

Posted by: Ed Taylor | March 22, 2010, 10:23 am 10:23 am

This is for the people? Really?! A bad liberal bill passed by cannibalizing the moderates? No input allowed for Republicans? Back door deals to win votes? A Trillion more in dept? 32 million more to subsidize?
The Dem leadership proved that they could bully their own to try to demonstrate they know how to govern.
And enough with the lib media spin. You’re choices go out the window as soon as the government gets a hold your your health care. This is nuts! Get ready to vote in November people!

Posted by: Charles | March 22, 2010, 10:23 am 10:23 am

Anyone who thinks government does a good job managing health services should come to Cook County Hospital in Chicago. The renamed it after John Stroger, and when he got sick he went to Northwestern.
Wonder why that is….

Posted by: Chris | March 22, 2010, 10:24 am 10:24 am

3/21/2010 – the day democracy died.

Posted by: Lisa s | March 22, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am

The big point that rankles with so many isn’t that all of the changes are bad. Some of them are good, and very needed. The problem people have with it is that it’s not the federal government’s place to make these kind of changes: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Ladies and Gentlemen: the Tenth Amendment, established 1791. That TECHNICALLY means most laws establishing FEDERAL agencies like Medicaid, Medicare, etc. are unconstitutional and *should* have been the responsibility of the states from the get-go. But that’s just me longing for a return to “original intent”. Congress has had *their* say on this issue, let’s hope they haven’t forgotten that there’s basically a referendum on their choice through the coming elections: if a majority of the people in you district don’t like the way you’re running things, you’re out. The people will get to have *their* say too.

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am

People are asking who is against this piece of crap legislation: One group is the people who have been showing up and working hard all their lives to make sure they and their families have health insurance, that’s who. Now, of course, many can breathe a sigh of relief and will feel free to just slack off a lot more and go spend more time lounging on the beach, since their hard work and worry have paid off and at the same time they no longer have to be concerned about losing everything to future medical costs. Such a deal. The whole country can take huge long paid vacations, like the French, who are guaranteed at least six weeks every year. We are now the “What, me worry?” nation. It will be fun to watch the consternation grow among Stupidpack and Peligger fans as the country’s resources dwindle and the incompetents lose out because the pie keeps getting smaller.

Posted by: Sandra2012 | March 22, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am

“The part we object to is the unconstitutional mandate in this bill.”
If you show up at an emergency room with a heart attack would they turn you away? No
If you break your leg falling out of a tree, and call 911, will they refuse to come? No
Healthcare is already a mandate! Our society does not allow people to die in front of hospitals because they can’t pay.
What this bill does, is it requires people to be responsible and pay up for that care, by getting health insurance, but in a way that is neither onerous or crippling. If everyone is insured, than it won’t be you and me paying for their care. As it is now, hospitals pass these debts on to us. Premiums have been going up and up. This bill will bring order to chaos, control costs, lower premiums. These are good things!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 10:26 am 10:26 am

Which part do you object to?
The part of the bill that protects Americans from losing their health insurance if they get really sick, the part that prohibts denying coverage to those with existing conditions, the part that requires low income people to buy insurance, instead of just showing up at emergency rooms for free care at their sickest moment? The caps on premiums, the health insurance exchanges where people can find low cost insurance, the requirement that companies with 50 or more workers provide insurance, or the the part od the bill that gives companies the tax credits to do so.
Which part of the bill do you object to and why? Enquiring minds want to know.
Here are the parts we object to:
The IRS to identify if you have “acceptable” coverage
If you don’t you receive a fine of $2,250 or 2% of your income which ever is higher
IRS can confiscate your refund and put a lien or judgment on you if you fail to pay
The IRS has already said it will need $10B & over 16,000 new agents just to enforce.
Almost half of this newly mandated tax will be placed on the middle class for example a family of four making $66,150.
Oh and the kicker if you are an illegal alien, none of this applies to you but you still get the benefits.
Oh that CBO finding that was without the Docfix once they pass that the whole thing loses money.
Is that enough for you or do you want the other 49 pages of bullet points on what is wrong with it.
I’ll throw in one more thing. The way they did it in Congress was illegal and unconstitutional as is the bill it self.

Posted by: Alvin in WA | March 22, 2010, 10:27 am 10:27 am

Why are people saying Vote The ‘Incumbent’ out? This is a DEMOCRAT Bill. I admire the obfuscation tactics I really do but NO Republican voted for this…only Dems and now they OWN IT!!

Posted by: Mastoid Press | March 22, 2010, 10:27 am 10:27 am

Mr. Obama does not have the RIGHT to “risk it all” for the sake of his presidency. He is supposed to be doing what is right for the people, not for himself. They should have spent time selling the people on it before the vote, not after– the problem is, they cannot, because you cannot make garbage smell like anything but garbage. By denying the bill due process, allowing opponents to contribute to the crafting of the bill , he hs become a tyrant, not a leader.

Posted by: melanie Butera | March 22, 2010, 10:27 am 10:27 am

It’s Unconstitutional and it will be overturned.

Posted by: Peter King | March 22, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am

Insurance companies need to make (some) money to exist. Usually under 5% profit margin. Their CEO’s are chosen not because they are well connected or that they are “next in line”. The government doesn’t need to make money. They have a whole bunch of taxpayers. God help us.

Posted by: mnewman | March 22, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am

Amy in Maine – this bill will NOT lower the deficit. That is fallicy. Agreed that there are some good parts – the regulatory pieces. But there is way too much pandering to the insurance companies. Why do think they did not oppose this bill? It will give them more money. And why are we not addressing the real problem – the cost of health care? A couple of easy things to start working on this were left out of the bill – tort reform, regulation on the health care corporations that over-charge for our care, things like that. This is part-D all over again – Dems and Republicans are all the same – give to the donors and damned be the citizens. Good luck with steaming pile of a bill.

Posted by: KK in Iowa | March 22, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am

Ummm…the State Attorneys General are ready to file their constitutional challenge the very minute Obama signs the bill into law tomorrow. This ain’t over, not by a long shot. The bill’s premise, that government can force individuals to buy an insurance product, is patently unconstitutional (and don’t give me the auto insurance analogy – that’s for the privilege of driving a vehicle, and you can opt out of driving if you choose). Sorry, Dems, but perhaps Obama should have been kinder to the Supremes during the SOTU address – they’re about to reject his signature achievement.

Posted by: eddie the geek | March 22, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am

After the vote, one revolutionary saying sticks in my mind….
Live free or die.
The next revolution begins.

Posted by: John | March 22, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am

I do not need a politician, most especially a racist, socialist, anti-american president telling me what is good for me.
I’ll take my own decisions, thank you, and I’ll take the consequences — good or bad.

Posted by: gxb | March 22, 2010, 10:29 am 10:29 am

Where in the constitution does it say that Health care is a right? The individual pursiut of it is, as is the individual pursuit of wealth and prosperity. But for the government to force anybody to buy anything is unconstitutional – period. This is going to cause us to lose our AAA bond rating and then look out, we don’t know debt yet. Unfortunately I see a physical split in this country in its future – hopefully bloodless.

Posted by: T Cook | March 22, 2010, 10:29 am 10:29 am

This health hell bill is a total joke. The executive order to remove federal funds for abortion is another scam that will be removed when it goes to conference.

Posted by: ncgma | March 22, 2010, 10:30 am 10:30 am

Welcome to global socialism, Amerika.
For you guys vowing to ‘get them in the next election’…the power of the vote only exists when the sanctity of counting the ballots is ensured.
Come on now–do you really trust this corrupt regime to fairly count the votes in November? They have zero fear of the ‘voters’ and it is obvious by their behavior.
Expect sham rigged elections from here on…just like the Soviet Union when they held their communist ‘elections’.

Posted by: whatever | March 22, 2010, 10:30 am 10:30 am

The entire cradle-to-grave entitlements program is bankrupting this nation. Look at the numbers yourself. In the FY 2010 Federal budget $1.68 trillion is being spent on the Democrats’ other crown jewels: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, only $934 billion was derived from taxes earmarked for those programs. The gap will only grow wider as more boomers retire and the demographics keep shifting toward an older America. The budget includes $251 billion for servicing just the interest on existing debt. That figure will soar when the U.S. loses its AAA bond rating (any day now). Remember the old adage: “when you find yourself in a hole, quit digging”. With this bill, we just threw a couple of bucket loaders into the hole to dig deeper and faster. Mark it down: the nation is well on its way to an economic disaster, the magnitude of which hasn’t been seen since the fall of Rome.

Posted by: Darrell B | March 22, 2010, 10:31 am 10:31 am

Bart Stupak should change his name to Bart Stupid as he is the reason this monstrosity passed. He sold his vote for a worthless piece of paper from Obama. That Executive Order’s only value (very limited)will be for the autograph of the worst president in this country’s once proud history!

Posted by: Floridian | March 22, 2010, 10:36 am 10:36 am

I cannot fnd the words for the disappointment I have with our government over this socialist action. I guess all good things have to come to an end. What makes America any different? It was great while it lasted. Hold on tight, the ride is going to get really rough from here to the end. And have no doubt, the end is closer than most realize. God bless.

Posted by: AJ | March 22, 2010, 10:36 am 10:36 am

?What part of this don’t I like?
I’ll answer this right after the liberals tell me what part of the US Constitution gives the federal government the authority to pass this legislation?
Good/bad or otherwise – we are slipping farther down a very slippery slope by continuing to allow the federal government to enact control over parts of our lives that are unconstitutional.

Posted by: Wyoming | March 22, 2010, 10:36 am 10:36 am

It is a sad day that these WACKO LEFT WING wack jobs Dems forced this bill thru with all the back room shoddy deals.. This will be repealed , It will take time but the American people will not stand for it . When both house of congress are Republican very soon they will repeal all of Obama’s communist Manifesto

Posted by: Peter F | March 22, 2010, 10:37 am 10:37 am

eclecticman1 | Mar 22, 2010 9:20:41 AM—Please, PLEASE!!!! Get hold of a REAL history book or two and find out who really opposed civil rights reforms!!! Starting way back with Reformation after the Civil War, for Pete’s sake! I am so everlastingly tired of this Big Lie. Everyone who spouts it displays their own gullibility for all to see.

Posted by: fed up in flyover country | March 22, 2010, 10:37 am 10:37 am

When you read people posting… “Who are all these people who are so angry at health care reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies” it brings to light that people don’t understand capitalism or a representative republic.
It also means the education system has failed us or worse possibly propagandized an entire generation.
We now have college students that can’t multiply in their head, don’t understand where freedoms come and vote with emotion only.
We are screwed!
Have no fear though. History proves that always, always, always in a natural way societies weed out the mice, the people that only eat the wheat. At some point in time the producers of a society just say no.
It happens on grander scales.
”Greek leader warns Berlin that EU at risk if no aid”
”Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou implicitly criticised Germany on Saturday for opposing efforts to help his country out of its fiscal crisis, warning they risked
destabilising the EU.
”We have struggled for years to build a strong Europe, economically stable and with social solidarity,” Papandreou
said at a meeting of the national council of his socialist PASOK party. ”

Posted by: blacknblue2 | March 22, 2010, 10:37 am 10:37 am

You AMERICANS who are happy about this bill being passed should have asked someone in Canada (someone with a job) how they feel about our Health Care. I pay over 25% of my income to the FED and PLUS I pay AFTER Tax monthly health care premiums! The Health Care budget is almost 45% of our Provinces ENTIRE Budget…. This is a terrible day for the United States.

Posted by: Watson | March 22, 2010, 10:38 am 10:38 am

Yep, this certainly stands up there with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. All three are bankrupt, and this plan is already bankrupt. It will only add more debt to the government, and scam 20 million young adults into paying $300 per month on health “insurance”. Oh, and if you give “coverage” to pre-existing conditions, that is not insurance, that is welfare.

Posted by: James03 | March 22, 2010, 10:40 am 10:40 am

Do all of you people work for big companies that offer health insurance? Do you have more trust in those companies than you do in your own elected officials?
My nephew lost his insurance when his company dropped it. He is 30 years old and pays $1600 a month under Cobra to keep insurance. He has a heart condition and can’t chance not being insured.
I never had insurance when I worked in daycares, retail stores, a call center for a catalog company or restaurants. I currently work for a big company and I do have insurance, but what if I got laid off?
Do you people not have relatives who are self employed, who all have perfect helath, who are not in danger of losing their coverage or their jobs?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 10:41 am 10:41 am

OK, now that Health Care is done, time to round up millions of new Democrat voters. Immigration Reform, anyone?

Posted by: mas17 | March 22, 2010, 10:41 am 10:41 am

This is the greatest social legislation since medicare and social security. If it works nearly as good as those and other programs like amtrak and the post office we should be bankrupt much sooner. Those of you who think this will somehow save money are dreaming. An interventionist government is a wonderful thing. Ask Lenin.

Posted by: rothmann | March 22, 2010, 10:42 am 10:42 am

So, can I go to the doctor today for free?
It’s about time.
obama said he would get the man to pay my mortgage too, but I am still waiting for the money and the bank has already foreclosed.

Posted by: Moe Freestuff | March 22, 2010, 10:43 am 10:43 am

I will NOT support any Dems or incumbents come November 2010.

Posted by: Mike | March 22, 2010, 10:43 am 10:43 am

“you show up at an emergency room with a heart attack would they turn you away? No (NOPE. BUT THE HOSPITAL MIGHT ACTUALLY EXPECT YOU TO PAY FOR YOUR BILL. YOURSELF. YOU KNOW, WITHOUT BEGGING YOUR FELLOW TAXPAYERS TO DO IT?)
If you break your leg falling out of a tree, and call 911, will they refuse to come? No (SEE ABOVE COMMENT)
Healthcare is already a mandate! Our society does not allow people to die in front of hospitals because they can’t pay. (NOPE. BUT WE DO EXPECT THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES. BUT I DOUBT YOU KNOW MUCH ABOUT THAT. AFTER ALL BIG DADDY OBAMA IS THERE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU RIGHT?)
What this bill does, is it requires people to be responsible and pay up for that care, by getting health insurance, but in a way that is neither onerous or crippling. If everyone is insured, than it won’t be you and me paying for their care. As it is now, hospitals pass these debts on to us. Premiums have been going up and up. This bill will bring order to chaos, control costs, lower premiums. These are good things!
(GOD YOU ARE HOPELESS)

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 10:44 am 10:44 am

so everyone thinks this bill is fantastic. everyone gets insurance becuase your employer must give it to you. but your employer may say no you’re fired i can’t afford you anymore with mandatory insurance and gouging of the payroll tax. look for unemployement to go up. not to mention the federal government is not allowed to fine Americans for not purchasing something. I will not support this type of government interference in my life. How are premiums going down if they can’t deny high risk patients that cost them money and still be in business of insurance. Soon the only provider will be the government. Doctors will get paid .40 cents on the $1 for their services and many will leave the field. So whose going to take care of all these newly insured people? Vote no to the Dems that supported this.

Posted by: Brian | March 22, 2010, 10:45 am 10:45 am

I love the idiocy from the left.
Whining about insurance companies who ALL have open books showing they average about a 20% profit margin, while claiming they “gouge” the public makes you an idiot.
Claiming that insurance companies are evil for denying claims when Medicare/Medicaid deny a higher percentage of claims makes you an idiot.
Thinking that America has an extra $10 trillion laying around when we are already operating at a deficit makes you an idiot.

Posted by: Ptown27 | March 22, 2010, 10:45 am 10:45 am

Never knew that I would ever feel sorry for the GOP. But I do feel sorry for them today.
The public will find out over the next few months that they were LIED to by the GOP as to what would happen if the health bill passes.
The day for accountability is around the corner.

Posted by: New Wave | March 22, 2010, 10:46 am 10:46 am

Amy in Maine- Wow, what an intelligent person you are to utter exactly what Obama says everytime he’s in front of a camera. The CBO and chief actuaries DON’T KNOW what the numbers will be like for the second decade, you can’t forecast that long on such complex legislation. I can get a budgeter to come up with great numbers too if I tell them what to leave out of their analysis. You know NOTHING about economics or history of government spending if you believe that crap. You’re an idiot.
OlderButWiser- are you kidding? Great progressive accomplishments?
1. This is not close to the same type of issue Women’s rights, civil rights, or child labor laws. If you see any parallel, you’re wrong. Provide a contrary opinion, and and I’ll happily shoot it down.
2. Social Security – Failure
Medicare/Medicaid – Failure
Every utopian progressive government program – Failure
April- Do you know what I object to? That you idiots name only the benefits of the bill, then act like your opposition are sooo ignorant. Of course only a monster is against denying pre-existing conditions, dropping patients when they get sick etc. It’s a matter of the costs, and the fact that we have 0 chance of affording this. You think the governments just been unlucky running every program into bankruptcy? That they’ll get it right this time? This is the largest entitlement program they’ve ever launched, and it will certainly be the biggest monetary loss they’ve ever recorded.
If you believe government programs are the solution to your problems, you’re an idiot. If you eat horrible food every day, don’t exercise, smoke and drink, guess what!? Your care shouldn’t be paid for by people that make wise health decisions. If you claim “I can’t afford health care!” but spend your money on cigarettes, beer, new electronics and clothes, guess what!? Nobody should have to pay for your health insurance.
Take some personal responsibility you far-left cowards, mass government programs don’t work, ever.

Posted by: john222 | March 22, 2010, 10:47 am 10:47 am

With all due respect to those in exceptional circumstances, Merry Christmas, parasites! Welcome to Greece!

Posted by: Will | March 22, 2010, 10:48 am 10:48 am

My moms Dr. has just told her that he is leaving practice (due to our new healthcare) His son is in medical school and is changing his major. Approximately 1/3 of the nations Doctors are considering leaving and approx 1/6 that said they will leave.
Nothing is free. Freedom is not even
free. But it was great while it lasted.

Posted by: pghall | March 22, 2010, 10:48 am 10:48 am

It is very telling that all your positive comments are from the diminishing liberal media including yourselves. I can’t wait for the results of mid-term elections and hope this is just the beginning. Hopefully, 40 more years with the liberal elite Democrats in the toilet.

Posted by: Mary | March 22, 2010, 10:49 am 10:49 am

The GOP isn’t the one with the problem New Wave. You passed this bill against the will of the people. That opposition was based in peoples understanding of their own lives and what they need. They don’t need you or your masters telling them what they need, want or understand. Your Democrats are finished and no amount of pretending about how the “truth” of this bill will be seen by the people is going to change that.

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 10:49 am 10:49 am

Amy in Maine, How is that govt run healthcare in Maine working for you? Promised 130000 to be insured but wait only 13000 insured, why, no money to run it. So we tried to TAX cigarettes to help pay for it what happened people stopped smoking, less money to pay for DIRIGO. So when you TAX something you get less of it. How about Romney care in Mass. another disaster. To all you people who think this is a great idea, why do you live here in the USA? Why not go to Mexico or Canada, what you don’t want to pay high prices and taxes to pay for free health care?

Posted by: gmma | March 22, 2010, 10:50 am 10:50 am

But you are right about the accountability part. Your masters are going to be held to account. And out of a job too.

Posted by: Robert | March 22, 2010, 10:50 am 10:50 am

“Insurance companies would never gouge us! Arn’t they all christains?”
Posted by: Jackson
Are you a Christian Jackson? Don’t cast stones when you don’t know. I can tell you that thank God, we have executives that run our INSURANCE company that are Christians. I love those who offer their opinions and dont have one clue about the insurance industry. Sheep led to the slaughter. You seem to think that “EVIL” insurance companies are the cause of everything. Don’t be so naieve and foolish. If you believe the Democrats are high and mighty Christians for passing healthcare subsidies you better go read your scripture instead of writing on blogs. I don’t judge a Christian by their party label or industry. There are people in every industry who are not Christians, and Democrats and Republicans alike who are not Christians. I judge a Christian, the individual, by their actions. Do you show the love Christ? Where does your salvation lie? I hate going down this road, but if we want to judge companies/individuals by their actions lets start with our President who wanted to have NOTHTING to do with the National Day of Prayer. So next time you want to lay labels on insurance companies then return the favor and do the same for the liberals and their annointed political messiah!!!! My summation of the current liberal party. Liberals who assume they are intellectualy elite to us all in the ways of the world, but spritually dead to the ways of Christ. America wake up!! A nation who loves their God will prosper. A nation who turns their back on God and delights in the way of the World is spritually corrupt and will not endure. A lot of people out here are not going to like my words. But tough! I will talk about God. I will share God and I will give my opinion. Because you see God-Christ is something no individual, no governement, no amount of legislation or lawsuits can EVER take away from me. I am sealed by his spirit and I pray that each and every one of you are or someday will be. I am Christian because I AM a hypocrite, because I am a sinner. I don’t every pretend to be spirtually superior to ANYONE because I am not. Before you praise Obama for doing GOOD things you better wake up and see if they are the correct things. The bible tells us there will come a time when the world sees bad as good, and the good as the bad.

Posted by: EP in Texas | March 22, 2010, 10:51 am 10:51 am

In’35 we were told social security funds would not be touch. in’65 we were told medicare would obtain a surplus for next generation. in 2009 both programs now total 3.3 trillion of the national debt which is 12.5 trillon and is expected to double in 10 years when baby boomers join the programs. Now we are told same story as in the past like surpluses tax reduction etc, etc.

Posted by: erv koch | March 22, 2010, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Dear President Obama, you have awoken a sleeping giant. Health care will be yours and the democrats waterloo. GET MAD AND TAKE AMERICA BACK!!! cant wait for november

Posted by: THE TRUTH | March 22, 2010, 10:52 am 10:52 am

Ha ha ha!
Amy in Maine, you really are the poster child for Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.
Amy in Maine said…….
Amy in Maine | Mar 22, 2010 9:03:17 AM
Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
Amy time to enter the real world and realize that most all of the officials
will lie to you. The CBO can only give estimates using what the officials give them.
What makes you think things will be different from Medicare?
“”The cost of Medicare … At its start, in 1966, Medicare cost $3 billion. The House Ways and Means Committee estimated that Medicare would cost only about $ 12 billion by 1990 (a figure that included an allowance for inflation).
This was a supposedly ”conservative” estimate. But in 1990 Medicare actually cost $107 billion.”

Posted by: blacknblue2 | March 22, 2010, 10:52 am 10:52 am

The constitution alone should kill this bill. Each one of these hags in congress is probably getting some kind of kickback. How in the world can the vote “yes” on a bill that makes the big business insurance companies more powerful and the American citizen more weak. Shame on this criminal government. I made a HUGE mistake voting for Obama. The Republicans have my votes for the rest of my life. YES WE CAN??? How about NEVER AGAIN!

Posted by: Zach | March 22, 2010, 10:52 am 10:52 am

“AWESOME PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!
Now the momentum is all yours to finally get this country to start doing more good things!Posted by: Jackson | Mar 22, 2010 8:33:47 AM”
Yea! I’m going to love being a slave of the State and be made to do “more good things” as defined by government bureaucrats. Freedom of choice is so overrated.
I’m tired of thinking for myself too. Please Lord Obama tell me what to do, I’m at your command. And if I don’t do your bidding, please put me in jail, or fine me, its what I deserve.
I’m also looking forward to giving half of my yearly labor to the government so that you can shower gifts on your constituents to insure your perpetuation in office.
And I know you only have my best interest at heart which is why you pushed your health care bill so hard. Because if I don’t stay healthy, then I can’t work. If I can’t work, then you can’t get any money out of me. After all, what good is a sick or dead slave to you, right?
Thanks for turning back the clock to the good ol’ days of the 1850s, when the blacks had so much fun being slaves, that we’ve all decided to join them.

Posted by: JimB. | March 22, 2010, 10:54 am 10:54 am

I have never been so disappointed in the leaders of my country as now. Alcee sums it all up with his comment:
“There ain’t no rules here, we’re trying to accomplish something. . . .All this talk about rules. . . .When the deal goes down . . . we make ‘em up as we go along.” Watching all the underhanded deals and payoffs makes me sick to my stomach. It is sad when so many in Congress forget who put them there in the first place. Most don’t want to hear what the American people want – as if, in their own arrogance, they actually believe we are not able to see what is going on. Their grandchildren will read in the history books, not that they did a great thing here, but how they were the most ignorant Congress ever – passing, without even reading trillion dollar bills, paying each other off for votes, and more. How can we possibly trust them again, when we have seen up close how they do business – no rules – throwing out the Constitution. There are people in prison today who have done no more than what these leaders have done before our very eyes. We’ve seen what goes on above the table. What in the world goes on under the table?

Posted by: Becky | March 22, 2010, 10:54 am 10:54 am

Liberals you have earned yourselves far more than just a few mortal enemies.

Posted by: edword | March 22, 2010, 10:56 am 10:56 am

I want the list of every name that voted for this — every name that voted to expand public funding of abortion. The blood of the innocent is on your hands.
.
See you all in November…

Posted by: Jeff | March 22, 2010, 10:57 am 10:57 am

Yay, (look, I’m celebrating with all the stupid liberals who hate insurance companies but naively think they can trust the government) taxes are going up, premiums will be going up, doctors will be leaving the profession, we’ll have 16,000 more IRS agents, added bureaucracy between you and whatever doctor you can find, jobs lost due to employers already struggling in a recession, this is all fantastic! I just saw a leprechaun riding a unicorn go by outside, as I now live in a world where we can magically afford through government what we can’t afford individually and where we can cover 32 million more people with less money and no loss of quality or access to care. Wow, isn’t it fantastic!?

Posted by: Jenna | March 22, 2010, 10:58 am 10:58 am

Now according to ABC it is unprincipled to vote the way most Americans want you too. Mr ABC; would you want to pay for the excess that this bill will cost over the projections? Will you say I was wrong when premiums for Insurance go sky high due to insuring the uninsurable? Will you cry when the American people speak at the november elections? Who gave the government the right to make people buy something they do not want? We want news not bias….

Posted by: oldtimer01 | March 22, 2010, 10:59 am 10:59 am

Righties: Have your day. Let it out. It is a normal process. In a day or 2, reality will set in. Okay?
Let us know when you are ready for reasonable discussion.
Yawn…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Posted by: New Wave | March 22, 2010, 11:00 am 11:00 am

time to string all the backsides to the back of my pick up truck and drag them to death…..

Posted by: tyredokuuhns | March 22, 2010, 11:01 am 11:01 am

How was this an “against the odds” vote? We have a Democrat controlled House and Senate and the President is a Democrat! The Vote should have included 32 other Democrats, who voted “against the odds”. The fact that it took Obama this long to pass this obamanation of a bill says something about his ability to lead.

Posted by: caleb | March 22, 2010, 11:02 am 11:02 am

we had a 39% increase BCBS renewal last week. we had to lower our coverage to make already high premiumns affordable. Way to go BO, Nancy, el al..!!! I now have a huge deductible and 20% co-pay….where will this end? How about fixing unemployment, crime, and wars next! Guess what american corps will still win and ruin the day or economy…just watch!

Posted by: marko | March 22, 2010, 11:02 am 11:02 am

These people think they have us fooled. Did the healthcare system need to be reformed? YES. Did it need to cost a trillion dollars? NO . Did we neeed to give the insurance companies kickbacks for going along with this scam? NO. Will ALL americans be covered? NO. Will the uninsurable americans get fined for not having insurance? YES. Is this the first step towards a complete government takeover of healthcare? YES. Sounds like a perfect bill to me!

Posted by: Joel | March 22, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am

So many comments from liberals are too stupid and uninformed to debate. the facts are this bill makes the insurance industry less competitive, adds hundreds of thousands of new government workers to the payrolls, higher premiums and taxes on everyone except those who already pay no taxes, drives private practice doctors out of the system. The result will be more patients with less doctors and higher prices. This will be clear in time.

Posted by: trajan2448 | March 22, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am

Only time will tell whether a great justice or a great injustice has been done by this administration and legislature. What is clear is that this new healthcare legislation will impact every household and every business in America. The other thing that is clear is that our elected representative government has passed legislation that the people who elected them did not want. We’ll have to wait to see whether the Democratic Party has committed political suicide though it’s likely adone deal. We’ll have to wait to see whether the government will determine who qualifies for what medical care and when, though rationing is certain. We’ll have to wait to see whether the new legislation actually saves the taxpayer money or if governmental mismanagement turns into an additional unfunded drain on the taxpayer dollar like social security and medicare. At any rate we Americans can officially declare our freedom from democratic process and should firmly embrace socialism as the way of the future of our struggling republic.

Posted by: gollywiggle | March 22, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am

The opponents of Civil Rights were the Old South White Supremacist Democrats, including old Robert C. Byrd, who fillibustered the 1964 bill for 14 hours. Look it up!!! Old Mr Byrd has “rehabilitated” himself with the help of his cronies, but one wonders how far an apple tree can fall from itself. Blacks have voted Democrat for forty years on this “Big Lie” of who really loves them, and I see no great progress in their circumstances. I see successful blacks who vote any other way excoriated for leaving the liberal plantation, too. Someday we will all wake up to who our friends are and are not.

Posted by: nevermore | March 22, 2010, 11:04 am 11:04 am

Who do you think is going to foot the bill for more than a million dollars a year in medical expenses when an insurance company is forced to take on someone with a “pre-existing condition”? How many such “customers” can an insurance company take on and not end up going out of business? Oh, “the government’s going to pay for them?” What do you think that means? What does the government do to “earn” money”? Nothing, that’s what. It raises money either by raising taxes, borrowing, or printing it. Lovely. Just Lovely.

Posted by: vb | March 22, 2010, 11:04 am 11:04 am

This is truly a sad day for our once-great Republic. And a sad day for freedom-loving Americans, what few there are left. Obama and the Demorats have guaranteed that our recent decline will now be permanent.

Posted by: Hank | March 22, 2010, 11:05 am 11:05 am

Amy in Maine you believe that dribble. The CBO said that medicare would cost us 10 billion a year in the year 2010 it is now at 400 billion a year where do you thin this will end?

Posted by: Neal | March 22, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am

Of the people I’ve talked to who were against this bill, once they were educated a bit about what was actually in it, they changed their minds to like it. I would say that is what will happen in the general public when they get the facts right.
And hey, I’m not surprised so many are ill-informed when you count all the bad info that Fox news, and the right-wing talking heads on radio have been spewing for the past year on the subject!
Hurrah for the U.S. and the power of right over big money influence of the insurance lobby.

Posted by: Lydia | March 22, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am

To those Great Americans who have been ignored and repulsed by your democrat representatives, it’s time to start the recall petitions. Waiting until the November elections will be too late to remove them.

Posted by: partyofno | March 22, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am

Remember this…and I said it first. In the future, when this obamacare begins to fail and it does more harm than good, the democrats will find someway to blame it’s failure on George Bush.
Mark my word..it will happen.

Posted by: john | March 22, 2010, 11:08 am 11:08 am

My brother, his wife and their two year old are covered by MaineCare, and thank God, because my brother couldn’t afford private insurance with what he makes as a self employed mason. A few years ago he fell off a roof and broke an ankle, and those bills nearly put him in bankruptcy.
A friend of mine, also self employed but earning more money, who does not qualify for MaineCare. He pays $1000 a month for catastrophic insurance. This means he pays out of pocket for every visit, every test, everytime his kid falls on the soccor field or his wife feels a lump in her breast…it’s crazy, the inequities and dysfunction in our current system. This is why I voted for Obama, and he delivered: he DID SOMETHING about healthcare in this country.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 11:10 am 11:10 am

lol bye bye dems you just signed your early resignations.

Posted by: adam | March 22, 2010, 11:12 am 11:12 am

Listen,
Everybody you need to understand something; This is how Liberals think, for example if a liberal was looking for a piece of ground to put a house on they would look around and see a nice tree with some grass around it. The liberal say’s look at this nice tree I am going to build here. The rest of us with brains would say hey wait a minute that tree is in the middle of a landfill. Liberal again would say yes but it is a nice tree. They cannot see the big picture. There are parts of the bill that are ok and good but you have to look at the cost of what will become of this. It is an unconscionable misuse of power and they will have to pay for it. If you truly want to know how it will affect you go ask the 45% of doctors that are now retiring because of this stupid bill. Good luck trying to get taken care of by the little doctors that will be left. One of my questions for accepting patients should be “Did you vote for any democrat during the healthcare reform plan” if so you will have to wait another 8 hours. I’m sorry but that is what you voted for.

Posted by: Med Student | March 22, 2010, 11:13 am 11:13 am

Jackson The stupidity of your comment amazes me.
The plus things in this bill are good but are going to cost you as a taxpayer. So don’t be discouraged when your wallet takes a “hit”.

Posted by: lvh | March 22, 2010, 11:13 am 11:13 am

John Lynch 9:31; Your lament hits home. It’s not the similarities to other governments that made America distinctively superior but rather the differences that distinguished her from all the rest. Notice I used the past tense intentionally. We are now like all the rest. All have been made equal by the government rather than accepting the idea that all are created equal then from there it’s up to the individual to pursue life liberty and happiness to whatever extent and by whatever legal means each may desire.

Posted by: gollywiggle | March 22, 2010, 11:13 am 11:13 am

Jackson The stupidity of your comment amazes me.
The good things in this policy are going to cost you so don’t gringe when your wallet takes a “hit”.

Posted by: lvh | March 22, 2010, 11:14 am 11:14 am

Incumbants do not fear losing a 2010 election.
They have insulated themselves by giving themselves lifetime retirement and lifetime healthcare and God only knows what other benefits. They have an immense entitlement program!
Recall, impeach, whatever it takes to get these parasites off our backs.

Posted by: partyofno | March 22, 2010, 11:15 am 11:15 am

What many supporters of “Health Care” have not taken into account is the supply side of it.
Dr.’s will leave in increasing numbers. My wife, who is a PA for a Pediatrician, was told that her boss will retire sooner now that this nonsense has been passed. Many in the medical community know that this wont work.
Even though we all may have “Health Care” it will be more in name only and not actuality.
America, you made your bed with this false man now sleep in it!

Posted by: nathan j | March 22, 2010, 11:16 am 11:16 am

Rope and Chains.
Anyone who does not see this for what it truely is, Socialism, must be whoefully ignorant.
It is almost impossible to comprehend that the economic system that has cost so many human lives and has always failed miserably over and over again throughout history and around the globe is now setting firm root in the U.S.
History will prove Socialism’s inherent flaws all over yet again. What remains to be seen is the human cost, again.
The Road to Serfdom – Rope and Chains.
God help our children!

Posted by: Tian Li | March 22, 2010, 11:16 am 11:16 am

Martin King must be turnning in his grave screamming YOU IDIOTS……

Posted by: joe averagae | March 22, 2010, 11:17 am 11:17 am

This is Socialism/Communism pure and simple. We the People MUST get rid of these traitors of our nation in 2012. It is ONLY through letting them know we still have a voice that we MAY be able to take back our nation. Apathy is no longer a choice. All must look at each; Republican and Democrates and begin sweeping up the trash in Washington–the system is festering with greed and special agendas. “Madame Speaker” will surly charter a few tax payer jets and celebrate a few million on our backs! A peaceful and controlled rebellion through our votes must begin at local, state and federal levels. Limited terms, tort reform, the list is endless of what We the People must demand. It is OUR government, let’s take it back!

Posted by: Melanie in Florida | March 22, 2010, 11:19 am 11:19 am

I OBJECT TO THE PART THAT FORCES ME TO BUY IT, AND THE EXTRA TAXES IT IMPOSES!!

Posted by: Naz | March 22, 2010, 11:19 am 11:19 am

I ALSO OBJECT TO THE BANANA REPUBLIC POLITICS THAT GOT THE BILL PASSED!

Posted by: Naz | March 22, 2010, 11:20 am 11:20 am

I would like to know if my Congressman voted for or against the Senate Healthcare Bill. Deem and Pass robbed me of the opportunity to know how he/she would have voted. The “fix-its” that WERE voted on will never pass.
A vile process led by a vile group of leaders. I may have to become a Republican – yuck!

Posted by: Chris King | March 22, 2010, 11:22 am 11:22 am

Hey everybody I just got an e-mail from the white house. Everyone needs to be at the white house at 11 am sharp to receive your ball and chains.
Thanks Pelosi,
Can someone tell me why we are letting politician from California or New York say anything. They are so in debt there citizens can’t breathe.

Posted by: Brady | March 22, 2010, 11:22 am 11:22 am

This is shamcare, medicaid for all. Trouble is only 1% of doctors take medicaid. Also all malpractice caps have been removed in all states by this legislation. So doctors are now targets for tort lawyers including in the ER where all the loser will come for their $500 head colds. Doctors should quit and let the whole system fold.
Big business will have til 2014 to move their manufacturing to Asia and small business will stay below 50 employees to avoid the IRS health care penalty.
The most blatant sham is that the libs that voted for this thing, are exempt from it. So enjoy your medicaid for all. Medicaid is the one payer system that everyone agrees is a total failure and now its your insurance America… How stupid you are. Maybe in the next election 40% of the population will not stay home thus allowing obama to ride tot he white house on a mandate of just 32% of the population… 12% who were black. America you got just what you deserved… the most nothing as possible and your are paying for it all including the professional politicians unlimited lifetime PPOs. You got played.

Posted by: Lordrobot | March 22, 2010, 11:22 am 11:22 am

By the way go to Fox they have a link to show you how your reps voted.

Posted by: Brady | March 22, 2010, 11:23 am 11:23 am

“Is there anyone else out there like me?”
I think there are many.
America has way way too many opportunists right now.
People have to get back to reality and to the basic fundamentals of it all.
This is a finite planet. It has chemical, physical and biological constraints.
Yet, humans are emotional dependent creatures.
Nature is the purest form of capitalism. If America was truly capitalistic, many people would be suffering horribly. Instead, we bailed it all out – corporate socialism.
The purest forms of capitalism can be found in some of the 3rd world countries, were everyone is trying to sell anything and everything… to the point of almost killing one another.
I don’t believe we want to go there.
Need a fine balance between socialism and capitalism.
America has that in some sense… Now even more so with health care.
Cheer up America… its not all that bad…
I would be more concerned about running out of oil though (there are 2.5 billion people coming on line – china and india, that all want hummers…). Its a finite planet… with limited chemical, physical and biological properties we have to adhere to some day… freedom does have its limits – the planet.
bravo on passing the health care bill… Americans should admire that instead of capitalizing on it!!!
It can’t all be about this thing called prosperity which we humans define…
living within reason is a good thing… comfortably…

Posted by: nana | March 22, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am

Ifrichar, I doubt if the insurance companies are benefiting as much as they have been if they spent countless millions fighting this bill.
As for me, I have never been prouder to be a Dem. I will support my local representative in Congress this fall to my utmost ability as that brave man voted yes.

Posted by: Lydia | March 22, 2010, 11:27 am 11:27 am

Bart Stupak has innocent blood on his hands. Stupak actually believed Obama?………..he’s waiving around a piece of paper saying, “Obama is pro-life”

Posted by: Oh Grover | March 22, 2010, 11:27 am 11:27 am

For the last sixty years healthcare reform legislation has been rejected. Maybe the people who made the decisions during those years didn’t allow reform because they knew it wouldn’t be a good thing. Now comes the liberal party declaring a great victory over the ongoing stupidity of the American taxpayer/voter/citizen/consumer. LOL

Posted by: gollywiggle | March 22, 2010, 11:28 am 11:28 am

This is why ABC is last in viewership.
What a corrupt,partisan,hidden deal, sleazy event.60% of the country is against and in the next days more details will emerge as this bill is finally read.

Posted by: manfrommombassa | March 22, 2010, 11:29 am 11:29 am

I object to the fact that hard WORKING American’s will once again pay the price for everyone else…Once again the middle class is the ones who will pay for this in the end. How are people supposed to buy this program when they can’t afford to live? They won’t buy it, it will be given to them and once again the middle class will foot the bill. Small businesses are going to take the biggest hit and they provide the most jobs in this country…how does this help? It’s insane! I don’t trust any of them! I think there needs to be a third party in our government that will force the other 2 to work together to get things done.

Posted by: Eileen | March 22, 2010, 11:29 am 11:29 am

We might be thrown in jail for not having insurance! Our old people will lose their doctors! Medical students will switch to majoring in English! It’s the beginning of the end!
It seems to me, reviewing these comments, the objections to this healtcare bill are all based on dark, nebulous fears of “what might happen.”
As if we don’t live in a democracy that has survived by correcting course numerous times, in response to changing conditions.
Come back down to earth folks. Look at reality: if we did nothing, more people would lose their insurance, go bankrupt from medical bills, premiums would continue to go up and the insurance companies would continue to rack in their profits. Those are fears based on facts. Obama did something. He took action. That’s his job. Now calm down.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am

“an against-the-odds kind of win”
Oh please Mr. Klein… The Democrats have large majorities in both houses and the Presidency too boot if you haven’t noticed.
If this was “against” anything it was against the American people who vastly opposed this horrible legislation.

Posted by: need_the_gipper | March 22, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am

“Passing the health care bill in the House of Representatives marks a signature accomplishment for President Obama and his party — an against-the-odds kind of win…”
Against the odds? Democrats control DC, they can pass anything they want. What is this guy talking about?
It’s only taken this long to pass because Dems haven’t had the guts up until now to go it alone and expand the control and size of government.
156 new agencies? Really? To sit here and think this isn’t going to cost the country in the future hasn’t taken the time to look at Europes system beyond the free care part. There’s a reason Europe continously has 15%+ unemployement and no major company has been created there in over 30 years. It’s called strangling free enterprise with taxes and regulation.

Posted by: Nick in NYC | March 22, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am

I suspect the Democrats have handed their opponents a possible veto-proof majority in the upcoming November elections.
It will be interesting to see President Obama try and govern with opposition super-majorities in both houses…

Posted by: n2vip | March 22, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am

The first salvo of the Democrat’s war on senior citizens.

Posted by: Dalgor | March 22, 2010, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Amy in Maine, the parts of the bill i hate are low income people being forced to purchase insurance….with huge subsidies paid for by me, sometimes at 100% levels. Coverage for pre-existing conditions? That basically is buying insurance after you totaled a car already. The gurantee coverage of known high risk users means that ALL of us pay more in premiums for assuming the higher risks. I think if you have insurance and are diagnosed with something, you shouldn’t be able to be dropped, but telling some company youve never done business with that they HAVE to insure you while at the same time putting a government rate approval panel in place that keeps them from raising rates to cover new KNOWN high level risks, that is BS and designed solely to break insurance companies in the long run so that the only player at the table is the government.
Oh yes, and i also don’t like having 4% of my home sale being taxed to pay for it, or my investment accounts (that ive worked on for retirement), or being told i HAVE to purchase something that the Congress exempted itself from,and on and on it goes as it robs from the productive members of society to pay for the less so.

Posted by: Shing | March 22, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am

Please some one show me where the really successful socialist countries are so I can feel all good about living in a progressive useless
country and please don’t use China since their economy is based on slave labor.

Posted by: Roger | March 22, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am

If health care is a right, not a priviledge, then that means in the early days of the USA, e.g. the wild wild west, health care should have been the focus. Imagine during the Indian wars: everyone just stops, thousands of Indians & cavalry men & saloon gir1s & gold hunters go to medical school, wealth is spread around (saloon wh0res give money to the poor, gold finding give gold to indians who just scalped a friend, etc.), & they all go to the doctor. This is absurdity.

Posted by: JJGH | March 22, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am

I defect

Posted by: Mialan | March 22, 2010, 11:34 am 11:34 am

yes, you are required to have insurance coverage on your car .. but only if you own a car .. with obamacare you will be required to have his insurance. no matter what.

Posted by: tejano | March 22, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am

I’m outraged!!!! This is a slap in our faces! The majority of Americans DO NOT want this plan and our Congress has shoved it down our throats! I can hardly wait until November! REVOLT AMERICA!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Graddad56 | March 22, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am

Why should we be angry at Obama? We should be angry at the proletarians who voted for him and could not tell you why. They are robots who chanted “HOPE AND CHANGE”
Well, we got it and it will not stop until the HOPE AND CHANGERS realize that they are to blame and they need to be either be part of the FIX or stay home and don’t vote.
BTW, I am excited that we have another entitlement that will bankrupt us quicker. YES!!!!!!!!

Posted by: nathan J | March 22, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. – Thomas Jefferson
To Amy in Maine:
“Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
You foolish simple little mind; I hope you’re honest with yourself when the deficit shoots sky high in the next decade or so. You have supported this fiasco and your grandchildren and their children will be stuck paying for it. When in history as a government program cost less than the politicians say? Name one? Remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Posted by: Ricardo | March 22, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am

The Democrats just handed the Republicans their central campaign themes for 2010 and 2012.
How stupid do you have to be to ram through something — opposed by more than 30 House Democrats and supported by zero Republicans in either house — that is opposed by more than 65% of independents?
Dumb. Just dumb. They just fell on their swords.

Posted by: Scott | March 22, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am

Good going stupid Democrats!
OBummer’s own actuaries can’t even figure out how much this will REALLY cost – not just the “rich”, but everyone. Figure on about 3 times what they guesstimate.
Add on reduced jobs due to lower profits and higher costs of business. Add on criminalizing and financially ruining those in-betweens who can’t quite afford the unknown bills without sacrficing some other essential. Figure on successively lower pay. Show me ONE program where the government isn’t losing tons of money. If this is supposed to cost (conservatively) 1 $trillion over 10 years, then why are they figuring it will cost the rich and destitute only $450 billion? Where’s the rest coming from?
Guess. Just remember who you voted for and don’t come crying when you can’t find a decent paying job afterward. You’ve made your beds. Now lay in them and bear the responsibility. People are already signing up for disability in droves for the free money. Understandable why many are leaving the country. Take your socialistic, restricted access health care and stuff it. When you’re placed on the back burner as too old, too hopeless, or too expensive to treat – you’ll find out what you’re really cheering about today.

Posted by: Dave | March 22, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am

You broke it, Dems, and now you own it.
Every long wait time, every denied treatment, every rationed bit of care, every budget-busting fiscal year, every decline in the quality of care will be owned by the Democrat party from here on out. Enjoy.
History will record that the OPPOSITION to this monstrosity, not suppor for it, was the only bipartisan thing about it.
See you in November.

Posted by: Good Lt. | March 22, 2010, 11:37 am 11:37 am

And what is all this “evil insurance companies and their dispicable profits” BS?? they have a 3% profit margin, 3 friggin percent. Even Hershey’s has a bigger profit margin than that and i havent heard jack about Chocolate Reform and their greedy profits. I worked for the County healthcare systems for one of the largest counties in the U.S. and NOBODY can waste money and provide shoddy services like Government systems and workers. In the private sector, if you’re a screw up, you get fired. At County, if you’re a screw up, it has to be documented and counseled in a gillion different ways over years to make a termination stick, otherwise it ends up on grievance reviews that usually ends with the employee still being employed. It becomes so hard to terminate anyone for performance issues that managers just stick with having sub-standard employees. Welp hope you like healthcare for the lowest common denominator, because thats what we are all getting.
Social programs are not designed to raise others up, they are designed to bring others down so the bottom rung isnt lonely.

Posted by: Shing | March 22, 2010, 11:37 am 11:37 am

Well, what’s done is done. Of course they were not going to call for a vote until they had the votes; it was only a matter of time before they found enough peoples’ prices and paid them. After watching the entire event on C-SPAN I was ready to throw something at my TV; although there were many common sense statements made in opposition to this mess, the sob stories which were told over and over again in support of it were driving me crazy. No statement they made, as to the problems with insurance rates being high, ever dealt with the reality of the cost of health care. They focused in on nothing but insurance premiums and how everyone will be able to afford them now. As if somehow, by magic, the cost of insurance will now remain static, in spite of the ever rising cost of care and the numerous factors which influence that rise; none of which are addressed anywhere in this bill. To all of the people who supported this, it is your baby. When you begin to see the results that we spent over a year trying to warn you about, remember that this could have been avoided. Remember that there were many ideas which would have addressed the real problems with the cost of care and that in so doing the cost of insurance for that care would have necessarily dropped as well; ideas which were ignored time and again. Now you have what you think you wanted. Now the world will be an idyllic paradise where everyone has access to the best of care with no shortages; I for one wish that it were so; sadly, I know that it is not. There were no allowances for increasing the number of doctors or health care personnel to deal with this new influx of 32 million insurance CUSTOMERS. I am sure that poor people will be happy to know that they get a tax cut come tax time; I am equally certain that giving up those out-of-pocket dollars up front, throughout the year, will not be an added burden to them. So, in closing, I would like to say congratulations to all of you, I hope you enjoy what your good intentions have now done to all of us. But we all know the old adage about the road to hell being paved with good intentions, don’t we?

Posted by: War919 | March 22, 2010, 11:39 am 11:39 am

Why no Tort reform? Why is congress exempt? Why are unions exempted from cadillac plans? Oh because Democrat
financial supporteres want this!
.
This is nothing more than a pro Democrat payback bill cloaked sold to the ignorant as health reform.

Posted by: HK Ag | March 22, 2010, 11:39 am 11:39 am

The “moderate” Liberals think that there is a “middle-way” between Socialism and Capitalism. LOL! Socialism has been eating away at Capitalism since Woodrow Wilson.
Socialism always, ALWAYS leads to dictatorship and fascism. Ultimately it leads to death by the direct hands of the government.
Instead of the people deciding how they will spend the fruits of their independent labor. It is the fascist dictator who decides how much you will be paid. How much you can spend and on what you may spend it on. Lastly, the government will decide what your vocation will be and if you live or die.
Road to Serfdom – Rope and Chains.

Posted by: Tian Li | March 22, 2010, 11:40 am 11:40 am

Higher taxes, fraud on steriods (are you clueless regarding existing endiemic fraud in Medicare and Medicaid), higher unemployment, budget buster (take a look at early Medicare/Medicaid estimate)…what’s not to like.
Thankfully, when it all goes to hell in a handbasket, the Democrats will own this Edsel.

Posted by: Bill | March 22, 2010, 11:40 am 11:40 am

This is going to lead to a single payer, government run health system. And when the costs continue to skyrocket, we will have rationing, just like the other countries with socialized medicine. People need to wake up and realize the government is the problem, not the solution. Our future is very dim indeed.

Posted by: otter | March 22, 2010, 11:41 am 11:41 am

Amy in Maine – Do you know the difference between deficit and debt?

Posted by: War919 | March 22, 2010, 11:43 am 11:43 am

My only hope is that now we can focus on JOBS with the same energy and zeal that went into this nasty and contentious debate. And for the persons who spat on the African- American, and yelled homophobic epithets at Rep. Frank, thanks for showing me that in 2010, we are pretty much still stuck in the 60′s!!!

Posted by: Ray Acevedo-Flores | March 22, 2010, 11:45 am 11:45 am

For all you liberals who LOVE this plan and will be covered by it. Let me ask you a question. Since I am paying for yourf healthcare I guess I get a say so in the treatment you recieve, the doctor you see, and God forbid if you ever get a debilitating disease, I guess I get a say so as to when to cut off your medical treatment in the name of humanity. After all, I am paying for it. ITS MY RIGHT!! Why don’t I get a say so in your healthcare when you are paying for it with my money??
And since all us evil conservatives never think about humanity, I suppose you should hope that we never get the kind of control Obama now holds. Perhaps we give only treatment to conservaties. Help out those CBO numbers and get them out of the red.

Posted by: EP | March 22, 2010, 11:46 am 11:46 am

13 trillion dollar Deficit. We live in a society that expects everything for Free. who is going to pay for this. This is all going on the backs of Small businesses and those who earn over 150,000 a year. IN the next years unemployment will soar. Who can afford to do business in the U. S. The democrats and push all the programs and spending they want. The money will not be there. They will only stop, when we can not afford there paychecks. This is no longer a government of the people, it is a government of the state. Economic collapse is foregone conclusion. Congress lives in Alice and Wonderland and not certianly in the real world. Stop the insanity.

Posted by: Gene Loudon | March 22, 2010, 11:46 am 11:46 am

For those that believe this scam will actually reduce the deficit now or ever, please return to Wonderland… the Mad Hatter misses you.

Posted by: Captain Jack | March 22, 2010, 11:48 am 11:48 am

Eclecticman1, Social Security- a mistake as it is a ponzi scheme that is unsustainable considering its trillions in unfunded liabilities besides the hundreds of billions Congress has “borrowed” out of the fund for other programs.
Medicaid- a huge unfunded mandate of a mistake that obligates states to provide services to the poor though the federal government only pays a portion and the state gets stuck with the rest, while at the same time paying vastly below market rates to providers causing them either raise rates to the paying, or stop seeing the government plan patients.
Medicare- another mistake, also a ponzi scheme. The reality is that what you pay today to have Medicare when you retire is all an illusion because what you pay today is really paying for those who are retired today on the “promise” that it will be there when you retire (that will actually be funded by whoever is still working when you retire).
Every one of these programs are a mistake for this country, and every one of them are broke, are nowhere near self sustaining. Now with these 3 broken programs (1 of which will have 500 billion cut from it to pay for the new program), and the fact that we pay 10 years of taxes for 6 years of benefits, what the heck within reason makes you think that a new government program is suddenly going to run at cost and do exactly what it is designed to? The difference is, instead of screwing just the seniors, or just the poor, it will screw EVERYONE. Wake up call, the rich can’t be taxed to pay for everything, and Doctors with $200,000 worth of student loans are not going to work for Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement wages. Welcome Comrade to the new America where social justice and equality means we all live equally as a 3rd world nation.

Posted by: Shing | March 22, 2010, 11:48 am 11:48 am

It should be abundantly clear to everyone that the unproductive members of society and their guilt ridden progressive advocates now have the upperhand. Meanwhile the productive members of society get looted to an even greater extent. Why bother anymore? Just wait for the eventual collapse and then fight like hell to get our nation back on track.

Posted by: Greg | March 22, 2010, 11:51 am 11:51 am

A bill passed by the most corrupt administration ever in our country’s history. They wiped thier ass’s on the constitution. Good enough for the peons but not them! America take a note from thier book and vote early and often to unseat everyone of the traitors.

Posted by: Patty Sparks | March 22, 2010, 11:52 am 11:52 am

Adoring lacky minions! “Oh, government take care of me! I am so utterly helpless and frail without you!”
You will see what it means to lose the liberty founders spilt blood and gave up eathly wealth to gain. Mindless puppets! Those of you with sense, please pray for the reversal of this mortal blow to our constitutional liberties.

Posted by: Joshua Demetrius | March 22, 2010, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Ricardo
“You have supported this fiasco and your grandchildren and their children will be stuck paying for it.”
Our grandchildren are stuck paying for Bush’s two unfunded wars. Republicans have mis-managed the wealth of this country, shrinking the middle class and boosting the numbers of super-wealthy.
The healthcare reform bill just passed, reduces the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade. The bill is PAID for. What part do you not get? That Democrats manage government better than Republicans? The middleclass has lost income under every Republican President. Bill Clinton left office with a surplus, Bush spent it and more. What part of reality do you not get?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Something like 60% of all health insurance in the US is sold by non-profit companies like Blue Cross.
How much money can be taken out of profits when they don’t exist?

Posted by: Uncle Fester | March 22, 2010, 11:54 am 11:54 am

You poor fools. Read the bill. Because of a pre-existing condition the Health Care companies will still be allowed to charge me “No more than 3 to 1 variance in premiums” That means while you pay $200 a month because you are not diabetic, I will be paying $600 per month. That $750 fine looks cheap compared. This is socialist medicine and will be the ruination of our country.

Posted by: clingingredneck | March 22, 2010, 11:55 am 11:55 am

Charlie Cook asks why the Democrats think they can sell the health care bill now when they “lost the messaging war” the last year. Gee, maybe because there is actually going to be one bill to discuss and reference as opposed to several bills + all the lies and distortion coming from opponents.
Maybe because several benefits of the bill will actually produced tangible benefits for Americans right away.
Honestly – how Charlie Cook got to be the dean of political analysts continues to baffle me.

Posted by: Tramaker | March 22, 2010, 11:56 am 11:56 am

This really helps the poor. Gotta come up with the money to buy health care now. Think the states will provide for you like they are now? Forget it. If this bill holds the poor will suffer even more. Lets see? milk, bread eggs? or stop the IRS man from coming and buy the cheapest plan I can find to stay out of jail??? The state used to provide it to you for free. Man Pelosi what a choice you gave us. You fat cat rich dems who keep preaching your helping the poor will suffer this November.

Posted by: Jim Rod | March 22, 2010, 11:56 am 11:56 am

Joshua Demetrius
Give me a break.
Being required to have health insurance is not an attack on your liberty. Being shackled to a big company desk job, because to lose it means losing your insurance, is an affront to your liberty. It seems to me you’d rather depend on a corporate “Big Daddy” to make decisions about your life than to go out on your own and make a living independently, knowing your family won’t lose their coverage.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 11:59 am 11:59 am

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
That old adage rings with meaning when discussing the recent passage of the democrat’s health care bill. I don’t believe that President Obama, nor Speaker Pelosi, nor the late Ted Kennedy are or were disingenuous in their belief that health care is a fundamental right in the United States, rather than a privilege. And it is easy to demonize anyone who argues otherwise as uncompassionate. That plays to emotion, a modus operandi that, when applied to war or peace, is disastrous to a successful outcome.
Sizing up the Constitution, what it says, isn’t difficult. The meaning and implications are clearly stated. A republic, by the people, for the people. Very limited federal government, and states rights, as well as individual rights, are ultimately protected from government intrusion. But now, the government says you MUST buy health care, or pay a fine. James Madison must be turning flips in his grave.
Of course, we have steadily marched away from those founding principles, all in the name of compassion. Although espoused by a few conservative commentators, the media at large failed to educate the American people (no surprise) that health care reform can be achieved by means of simply opening up the borders between states and allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines. Competition always drives down prices, and it is the steadfast principle of a free market economy. What if Wal-Mart had not been able to grow outside of Arkansas? Using Wal-Mart’s growth and low prices as a model, we can argue that had such a law been in place, and retail prices were through the roof due to local monopolies, the logical thing to do would be to allow Wal-Mart to sell across state lines, thereby introducing competition and bringing down prices. Or would we first allow the federal government to take over retail establishments, set prices and manage the profits? And force you to buy from Wal-Mart or pay a fine? Since this bill bypasses that unarguably proven successful step, in favor of government control of health care, we must deduce that something larger, more sinister is at work. Liberals have declared the concept of a free market and capitalism dead, and that the government is the last bastion of hope for America. That is the foundation of socialism, and make no mistake: with the passage of this bill,(which, by the way, also takes over student loans from banks) we are no longer a free market economy.
And the far left, who are now in control of this government, are fervent in their belief that the constitution is an outdated document in these modern times, that to properly take care of the health of this country’s people, the federal government must control the health care industry. It is a fundamental divide between conservatives and liberals that can never be reconciled. Understanding that changing times require different solutions, we conservatives err always on the side of the constitution of the United States, firmly attached to the document, cognizant that, although we seek to help in all ways we can our fellow man, we cannot allow compassion to trump principle. No more than a surgeon can afford to weep for his patient, and become emotionally unsound during surgery, can we allow our Constitution to be burned in the process of providing health care to all.
The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions.

Posted by: Aron | March 22, 2010, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

Insurance companies, energy companies, bankers, wall street executives, and “Big Business” all have been called out by President Obama and fellow Democrats.
It is now time for the Unions, ACORN, Anti-war protesters, illegal immigrants, Ivy League faculty, Global warming folks and attorneys to lead the charge to economic growth for this great nation.
I can not wait to see the results :(

Posted by: Minah | March 22, 2010, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

Hey, now artists can quit working and really contribute to making the world better and prettier!!! We all know how vital a service they provide and how they help the poor live better!

Posted by: merle | March 22, 2010, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

What this administration seems to have lost sight of is the fact they in America, the government is ‘elected by the people, for the people.’ Pres. Obama has taken a pet issue, conducted a dog-and-pony show and rammed through some highly-risky, poorly-thought-out legislation. I echo the thoughts of others when I say I am ashamed to be an American.

Posted by: Adam | March 22, 2010, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

Lets not forget the REAL reason this Health Care Package passed. It isn’t because of the Democratic leadership, Obama, Polosi, Ed Kennedy, Harry Reid or unions. It isn’t because of the special interests OR the American people. It is because of the REPUBLICAN PARTY!
The 2006 and 2008 elections went for the Democrats because the Republicans were way out of touch with the people. The Republicans failed us and now can only blame themselves for this monstrosity. Yes, they will be back in power at some point. But I, for one, have no faith left that they can do anything but spend, spend, spend and end up losing their way again.
I’m through with supporting anything the Republicans say. It’s ridiculous to think they will do what’s right for conservatives.

Posted by: Jeff | March 22, 2010, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

I am very confused why we are in an uproar that people are being forced to buy insurance aren’t we already forced to buy car insurance, home owners insurance, flood insurance. I’m pretty sure this is not a new concept.
I am confused as to how you can fight for the rights of an unborn child but want to deny a child already living health care insurance because your taxes will go up.
I am really confused how you can call yourself a Christian and care less if another human being dies just because they were not born in this country.
The Republican party has shown they have no values period!

Posted by: Nicky | March 22, 2010, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

Yes, this will bring us “health care”
Just look at the numbers.
More bureaucrats in involved in Medicine. I mean, we know that IRS agents can do heart surgery.
Less doctors and nurses.
See how that math works out?
uhhhhhhh……….never mind!

Posted by: tkd | March 22, 2010, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

AmyinMaine and Eclecticman1 have both drunk the Koolaid. Anyone who believes that this bill will do ANYTHING but drive this country further into bankruptcy and negatively impact the health of millions of Americans is very ignorant of the facts and is more than likely a complete, government benefit-sucking fool.

Posted by: FactChecker9 | March 22, 2010, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

To Amy of Maine…
You list all of the good things of the bill and then ask rhetorically “Which of these do we object too?”
Let me start with the last thing you listed and that will explain the rest of my objections. You claim that this bill will lower the debt.
Are you serious?
This Health Care reform bill is hugely expensive and the bill ‘lowers’ the debt only in the following sense; 1) It drastically increases taxes, 2)I grossly underestimates the cost of the bill, 3) And it totally misrepresents cost savings from Medicare. Even the CBO said it only reduces the debt if you believe the costs savings are real. The CBO then goes on to point out, in the very report that you boneheads are referencing, that the cost saving assumption are completely unrealistic.
As for the rest of the good things you list I only ask how you expect them to be paid for. Why not put on the list that every American will get their home mortgage paid off by the government. Everyone thinks this is a good idea too… until they find out the government is going to do it by increasing taxes by more than the balance of their existing mortgage.
And I didn’t even mention that, rather than actually (and honestly) raising taxes (even more) to completely pay for the bill, Obama is *forcing* me to buy insurance at what is certainly going to be a greater cost than my current insurance. If the government forces me to buy something, out of my own pocket, how is that not a tax?

Posted by: Occams Gun | March 22, 2010, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

Okay, I want a bill that will give everyone equal and readily access to high cost hotshot lawyers. Why should the poor settle for some legal aid schmuck? Will the Trial Lawyers Assn be behind this one ?

Posted by: Schmed | March 22, 2010, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

It is on, they are going down! Progressive liberal fascism is going to die!

Posted by: Dorian | March 22, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Patty Sparks
What are you talking about? You prefer a country where Republican leaders get taxpayer provided insurance and self employed carpenters don’t?
Did you know Levi Johnson doesn’t pay for his child’s health care bacause Baby Boy Palin is covered by a Native American entitlment? Yup, the Palins’ grandson gets public health insurance, but your average kid does not.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Amy in Maine – “Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
That is, of course, if congress actually follows through on cost controls. They’ve done a wonderful job so far, wouldn’t you say?

Posted by: ian | March 22, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

I respect people when they express their Ideology loud and clear,even if is in contradiccion of my own beliefs. But I can not respect those polititians who will sell their principles and votes for a miserable lentil dish. That is an Abomination .Those are the “Mercenaries” of politics. Those kind of polititians shouldn’t be welcome in any political Party. I’m pretty sure this Administration is aware of that.

Posted by: To Be or not to Be | March 22, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Enjoy your new student loan reform bill, USA. I can’t wait to see what kickbacks and buy offs will come to light.

Posted by: jadedone | March 22, 2010, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

“Why are you guys posting here go to whitehouse.gov”
Why bother with the White House? They didn’t listen before, they’ll care even less now.
In the (distant) past, I’ve voted for the person I thought was best for the position. I will NEVER, EVER vote for another Demon-crat again – not even for the post of toilet cleaner or compost-shoveler. Those positions are too good for them. Can’t wait for Obama’s other country-bankrupting agendas and having government taking over any industries and businesses that might show any profit. Eventually, even dimwitted sheeple will begin to revolt. NEW JOBS?@?! LOL!!! Dream on. That isn’t the aim, isn’t that painfully obvous?
The pro-entitlement public doesn’t even realize when they’re being set up for the big fall. Oregon tried this type of health care for the poor. It’s been a miserable failure. You have a less then 1 in 5 chance of getting on because they have to hold a lottery to apportion out coverage – and that’s ONLY in years when there’s additional funding.
If medical care is too expensive, how about targeting the several top causes of the high prices? (Hint: It’s not insurance companies.) This ought to all turn out to be pretty darned funny now that I think about it.

Posted by: Dave | March 22, 2010, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

Ahhh….. the self-fulfilling prophecy brought to you by the New Democrat party – whose leaders are a bunch of Marxist thugs.
On the first Tuesday in Novmeber, all of the celebrating done on a Sunday night will be undone…… Reid will be gone, Pelosi will be gone and anyone up for election who was among the 219 voting for this piece of crap will ge gone.

Posted by: Roddy Piper | March 22, 2010, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Yay for democrats!
Medicare = Bankrupt
Medicaid = Bankrupt
Social Security = Bankrupt
New health plan = Bankrupt
Yay for deocrats! Have fun in the elections.

Posted by: JLB Oklahoma | March 22, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

Poor misguided soul. The Insurance companies are guranteed at least $350 billion by Obama himself. They are guaranteed 30 million more clients and more government subsidized money. And, they are guaranteed 3 years before this kicks in to price gouge us however they wish. We are guaranteed higher premiums by Obama and the CBO. For the people??? Really???
Dead on accurate ! thank you

Posted by: walatowa Knee | March 22, 2010, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

“That is, of course, if congress actually follows through on cost controls. They’ve done a wonderful job so far, wouldn’t you say?”
That’s why we have a democracy, Ian, to make sure politicians follow through with whast they say they will.
The Republicans did a poor job of governing for eight years, and they were voted out of office. If they get back into power in ’10, they will make sure the richest people get their tax breaks back, take off the industry oversight and we will be back to square one: debt, deficit, control by corporate interests. Just like we had under Bush.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

illegitimi non carborundum. At least our elected officials vote to accurately represent the majority of their constituents. Thanks to Ted Poe in the House, John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison of the Senate. We all agree we need health care reform. The way this was done is not very satisfying. Has everyone who voted, read and understood this legislation? George, Independent in Houston

Posted by: George Peckham | March 22, 2010, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm

Someone said this bill reduces the deficit. That is only true long term if they only provide insurance for 32 million people 6 out of every 10 years like the the CBO did in their analysis. I wonder how they are going to cut those folks off 4 out of 10 years. Hmmm, didn’t think about that did you? At the same time, the Republicans have had chances to do real healthcare reform and did not do it. Both parties make Madoff look like a saint.

Posted by: Mike | March 22, 2010, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

“Which part of the bill do you object to and why? Enquiring minds want to know.”
Lets see, for starters, the individual mandate. Dress it up any way you want, but it is a huge give away to big insurance companies.
Or how about companies providing health insurance or facing a $2000 fine? Lets see, pay $10K+ for insurance or a $2K fine….
Or how about phasing in the tax on Cadillac plans in 2018? Why not much sooner if they are so serious about deficit reduction? Maybe the unions didn’t like it…?
Or how about the various accounting tricks used to get the CBO score they wanted (moving doc fix out, 10 yrs revenue for 6 years benefits, etc…). Would you care to bet some real money that in 10 years, the estimate will have been proven accurate?
Do you need more?

Posted by: ian | March 22, 2010, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Now that this “wonderful” healthcare bill has been passed, when are “our leaders in Washington” going to sign up to take part in it?
If it is good enough for the “little people” it should be good enough for “them”.
If they don’t take part in it what does that mean? What do they know that we don’t know YET?

Posted by: MONTEZ | March 22, 2010, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

Fight organized crime… no incumbents no socialists and no lawyers.

Posted by: richard | March 22, 2010, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

What a shame. What a way to push a bill through, what a sad day for us American Citizens. What happened to fixing the economy? jobs? where are his priorities? Whats next?? Jam immigration reform down our throats???? Of course this is the will of The United Stated President Barack Hussien Obama. Lets let all the terrorists, drug lords, thieves, rapists, etc. Share the wealth of The United States of America.

Posted by: Martha | March 22, 2010, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm

Imposing price controls causes shortages and reductions in quality.
The goverment will say what medical treatments citizens can have.

Posted by: k | March 22, 2010, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

To Amy in Maine,
I have a golden bridge in California that I can sell you? You are such a fool to believe that this health care is going to reduce the deficit. I ask you to name one government program that has not gone billions of dollars, Have you heard of Medicare and Social Security. You are an idiot.

Posted by: Andy in California | March 22, 2010, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

The question that must be asked, is:
Will the Republicans, if given the proper majorities, repeal this unconstitutional bill, in 20111, or will they just runn against it, then after elected, say, “well, we can’t get rid of it after all”, because they will then want to stick the fat hog?

Posted by: Rodney Martin | March 22, 2010, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

Let’s see – what provision of the Constitution authorizes this law? Surely not the commerce clause, since people without health insurance aren’t engaging in “commerce” by not buying a product.
Taxes start now, except on the businesses.
I’m still not sure WHAT the middle class got from this bill except higher taxes and longer lines at the doctors’ offices. My wife and I make too much by just enough to keep us from getting any of the credits or deductions being offered.
So what did this bill do for us again? It certainly didn’t address COST.

Posted by: Justin | March 22, 2010, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

If there was a silver lining to the approval of the President’s health care plan it was that we wouldn’t see/hear the President giving speaches about his medical plan anymore!! Now I read “President Obama plans to open a new campaign this week to persuade skeptical Americans that the bill holds immediate benefits for them and addresses the nation’s shaky fiscal condition.” So much for his laser like focus on JOBS!!!!

Posted by: tillyerkt | March 22, 2010, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

Who in the world let’s young idiots like this guy write columns?
This is NOT a soaring victory, goofy!
Are you going to come back in NOvember and write about how wrong you were? I doubt it.

Posted by: jona | March 22, 2010, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm

This bill does nothing to control the insurance companies – fact is they and the other medical companies benefit – pure fascism. The losers are those who are forced, simply because they are US citizens, to buy health insurance that is designed and specified by the federal government – whether they need it or not – how can anyone call that freedom? Where in the Constitution does the federal government have that power over individual rights? This bill does more to trample on individual rights than any in recent history. I fear that it is the spark that will start a very real revolution in this country that could become violent.

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

Martha
President Barack Obama pushed for healthcare reform because the current system isn’t working.
Before you insult the President’s ethnicity, consider this: Sarah Palin’s grandson is covered by public insurance only available to Native Americans. Levi Johnson doesn’t pay his child’s premiums. Don’t your grandchildren deserve the same insurance coverage Sarah Palin’s grandchild gets?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

Amy in Maine: I object to my government forcing me to buy a product from a private company, or else it will send the IRS after me. I cannot even fathom how liberals, who fly the banner of civil liberties, can support this. Now, we’re going to be FORCED — that’s what a mandate is — to buy something by our government. And for those who compare it to auto insurance: That only affects those who choose to drive. This? Affects everyone with a beating heart, whether they want it or not!

Posted by: Steff | March 22, 2010, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

This bill passed is only the start.The next step is to make the illegals legal.
After this the climate bill also known as the cap and trade is being done over bby John Kerry to sell it to the public.
This will result in more job losses and
higher energy prices.If the carbon goals are met gasoline will projected
to be at $7 a gallon.Now there is talk of a national sales tax called a value tax in Europe that is as high as 20% in same countries.Third world status is coming.Good bye America it was nice knowing you!

Posted by: Rich | March 22, 2010, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

Amy in Maine,
Some questions for you — how do you think it’s actually going to save money and lower premiums if insurance companies are going to be forced to insure people with pre-existing conditions and not deny coverage? Why do you think they were denied initially — because they were being mean-spirited or because they cost so much more than average to insure?
Seems like Obama and the other dems are hell-bent on telling everyone that it’s because the insurance co’s are mean — that’s why. Just stop being so mean to people and discriminating and get along and we’ll all be good, right? Niceness and goodwill creates money, right?
And how is it supposed to save everyone money if those who can’t afford it are forced to buy coverage that they can’t pay for? Where is that money coming from? Of course those who can’t pay for it normally will benefit — but do you think that the money just appears from out of nowhere or something?
Oh, that’s right — those evil capitalists who actually make things and produce goods and services and provide jobs for people need to be taught a lesson! How dare they be so productive and earn anything for their hard work! Make ‘em pay! Go get ‘em Amy and the rest of ya!
Welcome to the United States of Mediocrity…

Posted by: Paul in MA | March 22, 2010, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

Steff
I object to hospitals being forced to care for uninsured people.
I object to those costs being passed on to me, a person who is resposible enough to have insurance.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm

I am so ashamed and heartbroken. I went to sleep last night living in a free country. I awoke this morning to a socialistic country. Obama and the Democrats should not be able to look at themselves in the mirror for what they have done to this great country called America. Our fight now, is to get these Democrats out of office in November and get Obama out of office in
2012…which, will happen.

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Democracy lost. When Congress fails to reflect the will of the people, respresentative democracy is dead and tyranny holds sway. I’m not sure an election can undo this bit of despotism perpetrated upon the public by democrats. For all of you who would argue that a “good deed” accomplished by despotic means is acceptable, I direct you to 1936 Germany, 1917 Russia, 1950′s China, etc.

Posted by: Don | March 22, 2010, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Wheres all the JOBS !!!!
You tax us more yet dont create jobs…
I voted for you once, I won’t make that mistake again !!

Posted by: Rock | March 22, 2010, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

Amy-in-Maine, This is amy-in-texas – if you believe anything about how this monstrosity is going to reduce costs you have not been paying attention. Although “reducing” 3T down to 2T when you just created the 3T with other projects that will be funded with more deficit spending to counter the supposed 1T “savings” – what tangled webs we weave – there is no honesty in anything this president or his friends in congress say – every word is a lie – remember that when your taxes go up to make this deficit neutral (neutral, ha!)

Posted by: Amy | March 22, 2010, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

Amy in Maine,
You said that it reduces the deficit but that is untrue. Anyone who understands how it works knows that it will only add to the deficit because you cannot add people and expect the deficit to go down. When more people become dependent on the government the cost will always go up and taxes will go up causing those of us who work for a living a great deal of pain. I am sick and tired of footing the bill for the people who are too lazy to work. I have worked hard to make ends meet and do not have everything I want but I do have everything I need. I do not need government to take more from me to help those too lazy to work for themselves. It is called being an adult and growing up. I object to the bill because all government programs go backrupt and only put an unneeded strain on the citizens of this country. You say it is good but you do not really know why. You take the word of those who passed it but anyone who stands back and looks at it for themselves will realize that this is not any good, period. Medicade was passed to help those without insurance now that is not good enough, this too will fail in the long run while running up the deficit.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

This issue is going to become an even bigger issue, as insurance costs rise substantially, and people really see who is paying for this.
The people who think that government gives them something for nothing, are fools.

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | March 22, 2010, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

Next the 2nd amendment will be targeted because that will be the only avenue by which American citizens will be able to overcome the creeping chavez like fascism of the Govt. This is why it was put into the constitution: to remove abusive government by force of arms.

Posted by: bernard ross | March 22, 2010, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

“The sale: “President Obama plans to open a new campaign this week to persuade skeptical Americans that the bill holds immediate benefits for them and addresses the nation’s shaky fiscal condition. Republicans said they would seek to repeal the measure, challenge its constitutionality and coordinate efforts in statehouses to block its implementation,” Jeff Zeleny and Sheryl Gay Stolberg write in The New York Times.”
I’m so thrilled that Obama has the LSM to help “sell” his crap to the American people. Truth simply does not matter anymore.

Posted by: Another Bob | March 22, 2010, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

this will be a tough sell for the dems. the costs will hit the taxpayers before many of the benefits do. this, coupled with our already out of control debt load will be a disaster to the economy. think what it would be like now if cap and trade had passed…or if something had come out of the copenhagen summit. as bad as the healthcare bill is, it could have been much, much worse had obama been able to really lead his party. beware, this is not the end of the taxpayers getting kicked in the shorts.

Posted by: craig | March 22, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

How sad! My dr will no longer be practicing medicine and I may not be able to find a dr with my needs! How special is that? Get in line! And where is my Social Security check? And where is my state income tax refund? Is this the CHANGE you voted for?

Posted by: Chukkal | March 22, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

Amy in Maine….as you have apparently just taken the spiel ‘hook, line and sinker’ from the Dem talking points….what flavor Kool Aid are you drinking?…and do you actually pay taxes?

Posted by: vern in GA | March 22, 2010, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

“Who are all these people who are so angry at healthcare reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last. Get over it already”
And didn’t you hear the President? THey are out to destory all insurance companies…….you will have NO insurance except what the government wants to give you!!!!!! WAKE UP!

Posted by: Chukkal | March 22, 2010, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

april,
I think I’ll object to the part that raises taxes on Americans that make $200,000 or more. You see April, this is not the rich Doctors driving Porches, this is the small business owners of America that provide the majority of American jobs. You see, April, the way our tax codes work, most small business owners taxes are tied to thier personal taxes, and it “LOOKS” like they make a lot of money, when in fact thier personal income is usually under $100k. So when you tax the crap out of these wealthy people to pay for the poor people, you are ensuring that these small businesses do not hire more workers, give more raises, provide more benefits, open new branch offices, improve thier own infrastructure, etc.
That would be the first part I object to…

Posted by: Greg | March 22, 2010, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

to pragmadog,
they’re just starting here. they now control how much insurance companies can raise rates. the govt will eventually screw those companies so badly that there will be only one place to turn…the fed govt. the end goal is the govt-run, single payer system. those of us who are against this need to a 3 step plan, 1. vot in november 2. repeal the bill. 3. impeach whoever is left standing.

Posted by: craig | March 22, 2010, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

It is a sad day when government fails to listen to the will of the people. It is even sadder when they do not care what the people have to say but act like a bunch of babies that have to get their own way. They are the ones out of touch with reality and need to get back in touch. I pay a great deal of money for insurance but last year my medical bills were more then what I paid so I do not know how they can afford to keep me on knowing that in order for a business to stay in business they need to make money. If they have to pay more then what they make then they will eventually go out of business. We are a single income family so it is hard to make ends meet sometimes but it is not up to the government to help us. When it comes down to it I have to act like a grown up and get additional work and/or find ways to reduce our bills. That means we have to get used vehicles and a house we can afford not what we necessarily want. I do not look to the government for a hand out but for protection. They are failing at that while handing out what they do not have and cannot afford because they will reign in spending after they have pushed us over the edge and there is not point of return. A little maturity would go a long way right now, but unfortunately it is nowhere to be found.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

People, the man is a socialist. This is what socialist do. They take away your liberty. The liberal media is to blame for this mess. Had they done their jobs and properly vetted this skunk Obama, I am convinced the American people would have never elected him.

Posted by: Ed | March 22, 2010, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

I’m not going to participate in this. Eventually, a two-tiered health-care system will emerge. Welfare hospitals and free-enterprise hospitals. No doubt where I’m going.
I don’t participate in Socialist Insecurity, Medicrap, or all of the other Nanny State programs either. This means nothing to me.

Posted by: heatherfeather | March 22, 2010, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

Vote them out? I think treason is grounds to start buying rope …..

Posted by: RTC | March 22, 2010, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

it’s not reform it’s a TAKEOVER.
Obama and every single democrat will be thrown out of office.

Posted by: oriana | March 22, 2010, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

they’re just starting here. they now control how much insurance companies can raise rates. the govt will eventually screw those companies so badly that there will be only one place to turn…the fed govt. the end goal is the govt-run, single payer system. those of us who are against this need to a 3 step plan, 1. vot in november 2. repeal the bill. 3. impeach whoever is left standing.
Posted by: craig | Mar 22, 2010 12:58:24 PM
I totally agree with your assessment. A very SAD day for America. Its also, very sad, that folks like Amy in Maine are so dillusional and can’t see the “writing on the wall”.

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

“an against-the-odds kind of win”
How was this against the odds?? The Democrats hold a huge majority in the House!

Posted by: MTR | March 22, 2010, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

Liars lie about lying and never tell the truth.
This is not Mayberry any more.

Posted by: Aunt Bee | March 22, 2010, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

Good job Organizing for America you got a piece of legislation passed that a majority of Americans don’t want.

Posted by: Adam Folsom | March 22, 2010, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

Amy in Maine,
How is it reasonable to tax someone more because they make more? I make below the poverty level for my family but do not complain about those who make more because I want it to be me one day. I think that in all fairness they should take every dollar in tax that you bring home so I do not have to work anymore. It is the same thing that you are saying so how is that for fair?

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

Great idea. Gut Medicare then pass out 16 million bouncing checks to new MediCare recipients. Take away generic drugs so MediCare patients can’t get their prescriptions filled. Cut payments to Doctors, the miniscule few who will take MediCare now, so they can’t afford to see MediCare patients. This is about as useful as the Executive Order he gave Stupak. You been had, America.

Posted by: maggie | March 22, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

Why does government punish success in this country?

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

This Bill was so great they had to Lie, Cheat, Bribe members of the Democratic Party to vote for it. Chicago Politics at its best? I Guess Obama “Made them an offer they couldn’t refuse!” I guess big men with baseball bats can be very articulate when they need to be! I for the first time am ashamed of my Country for selling out on its Founding Principles!

Posted by: batesba74 | March 22, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

It is time for the fair tax. Get informed and get onboard.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

You say “he must sell the landmark legislation to an angry and unpredictable electorate, still reeling from the recession,” Sell it ? Sell what ? This has been FORCED upon us whether we liked it or not. This isnt a sell job, its a con job. America is no longer a republic, its a dictatorship…an OBAMAination…

Posted by: Dave in Ohio | March 22, 2010, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

i just hope my vote counts this year- living in a predominantly liberal state / district, hopefully they’ll all get thrown out in the fall from the voter backlash this will surely cause. if you plan on getting sick, do it soon while you can still get fair treatment. in the near future you’ll get to die while waiting in line for that free hip replacement.

Posted by: dave | March 22, 2010, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

It’s evident from reading the posts here how Americans feel about this takeover of the government. These feelings are the same sentiment of the majority of Americans. The elected officials of the land have basically “stabbed us in our backs” with this healthcare debacle. I join ALL of you in the fight to make sure each one of these “YES” votes are defeated in November and to continue on to 2012 when Barack HUSSEIN Obama will NEVER be re-elected! FIREUP, America…”WE THE PEOPLE” are taking charge!

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

peter
If you get insurance through your company, your coverage will not change.
You are not being harmed, punished or taken advatage of, by this bill. And neither is your employer, who will likely get a tax cut for covering you.
You will not pay more in taxes to cover other people, unless you make more than $200,000, and even then it goes up a few percentage points.
What part of this is so difficult for you to get? The bill reduces the deficit by 1 trillion dollars, according to the non-partisan COngressional Budget Office, (as long as Republicans don’t get back in power and cut taxes for the wealthiest AGAIN.)
Geesh, people facts! Facts! Not nebulous fears!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

Why this bill is bad.
1. It was passed with extreme arrogance using legislative tricks.
2. It does nothing to reign in the costs of health care. The only possible outcome is increased premiums and copays. By allowing people to buy insurance after they are sick is like allowing people to call Geico and get insurance after they totalled their car.
3. Everyone is not covered. Would you rrather pay a 300 dollar fine once a year, pay twice that in insurance premiums you will never use?
The answer is single payer or not, this mix is disaster

Posted by: ScottMD | March 22, 2010, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Oh goodie, according to Nancy Pelosi, now that the bill is passed, we get to find out what’s really in it!
All without the consent of the governed. Sad day in America with many, many more to follow.

Posted by: Nat | March 22, 2010, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

Klein writes: “an against-the-odds kind of win upon which a presidency makes a mark…” With the Democrats holding the majority in both Houses and the Office of the President, I suppose even he knows that the majority of the American people didn’t want this bill. Against-the-odds is really an against-the-people kind of win, and that’s tyranny folks.

Posted by: rightinthekeys | March 22, 2010, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

Since there is a check and balance of powers, wouldn’t it be nice to see he Supreme court flex their muscles and declare that the Chicago crime syndicate and their policies are UNCONSTITUTIONAL !!!! A little pay back …. You remember the Constitution don’t you ???

Posted by: Kevin | March 22, 2010, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

So goes the American concept of being free. The creation of a new slave class in America is now complete. The federal government now has the power to provide for it’s new slave class from cradle to grave. All we had to do is surrender our freedom of choice and give it to our new masters.
Once upon a time it was our own individual responsiblity to provide for ourselves and our families. Now we are being patted on the head and told that only ‘massa’ can handle responsiblilty.

Posted by: Troy | March 22, 2010, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

If this bill was so GREAT, why not make it effective now,why are we being taxed for 4 yrs,then the bill is enacted. 46.3% of doctors say they will quit the profession now; Walgreens is not taking Medicare/Medicaid patients as of April 16th; my daughter is a nurse who says that they’ve already been informed that the government will control their salaries, many are dropping out. This IS socialism! Obama has succeeded in the first step to weakening America & putting us on the path to communism. I am saddened by this. I NEVER thought I would live to see this day! I’m a Democrat, but will NEVER vote for another Democrat again. I was misled and voted for Obama. Now, I promise you, I’m hell-bent on my path to make sure Obama is NEVER re-elected. I am ashamed and disgraced of Obama and what he has done to America!

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

How is this a win for the “people” if the majority of us did not want it? It is like giving a casket for a birthday present.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

If you get really sick and don’t pay your premiums you will still loose your health insurance. The denying preexisting conditions is too wide open to determination, needs to be more refined. Requiring low income people to but insurance, along with everybody else, except using taxpyer money is the same thing that I as a taxpayer now subsidize. The caps on premiums( that will bankrupt the insurance companies), The health insurance exchanges (where people can get more taxpayer money to pay their way), the 50 or more employees company provided insurance requirement, (will limit company size and result in job losses, )and companies already do get tax breaks if they provide health insurance.
This bill is about the government running private insurance companies that are making a 2% profit margin out of business so that government can step in and control more of your life and mine, nothing more, nothing less.
WAKE UP PEOPLE AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

Posted by: Steve | March 22, 2010, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

The Democrat Party died last night.
Most Amercans now consider every liberal and democrat to be a traitor to the constitution and this nation. Most Americans alive will never believe anything a demorcrat or liberal says ever again.
Goodbye dems. Thank you for your traitorous act of self-immolation. It was quite entertaining. And also revealing. We all know who you are now. You will never be able to lie your way into power again.

Posted by: reason | March 22, 2010, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

How’s the Hope and Change working out for those who voted for Obama???
NOVO:
Never
Once
Voted
for
Obama

Posted by: Bill | March 22, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

This is the change you can believe in! Be very careful who you vote for, because this is what you get when you elect the wrong people. The governemnt takeover and power grab started with the banking and finance sector, then came the automotive industry, the last heavy manufacturing in the country. Now it’s healthcare. Just watch, the energy sector is next.

Posted by: Alan in AZ | March 22, 2010, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s big gavel came down, a historic victory was sealed for Democrats, and the country didn’t unravel. But neither will the politics.”
What an assinine comment Klein. This was NO victory. Hide and watch people unravel and politicians get kicked out. Stupid liberals don’t know when to shut the hell up. Their criminal offenses to pass this unlawful bill are deserving of treason hangings.

Posted by: Izzy | March 22, 2010, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

This is why people need to vote for candidates based on their history and what they stand for and not based on a party. Get informed before you vote and vote for those who still stand for the Constitution. It is what made this country great. If this country is that bad then move to a country you like and quit destroying this one, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. I want this country to be around for my children to enjoy as free citizens and not slaves trying to pay for this irresponible spending. Imagine what we could “afford” if we could spend like the government. This is insanity at its best. Remember the man who worked for FDR who said, “If government spending cured recessions we would never have one.”

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

Hey, great! Free Health Care! Let’s work on Free Beer on Fridays next. As long as the country is getting more entitlements that we can’t afford, might as well get drunk! After all, those bars and liquor stores are making more than 3-4%! Time to make ‘em pay up!

Posted by: Rob in middle America | March 22, 2010, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

This healthcare is going to cost you more for everything. The large companys will add this the cost of products. Your wallet is going to get empty fast.
See how unemployment stays in place.
people will wish the health care never passed. Unfortunately the Policitions are in charge again, with out you vote or say.

Posted by: ronald deichert | March 22, 2010, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm

I can guarantee you all the people praising Obamacare are part of the 50% of the country who pay no taxes.
They just love their government cheese and the more they can get the happier they are.
Why wasn’t there nothing in the bill limiting people who can’t afford to support children from having children?
Why wasn’t there nothing in the bill that made tobacco products illegal?
These are things that cost this countries billions and billions of dollars. The bill has nothing to do with cutting cost.

Posted by: freaksloan | March 22, 2010, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

budget buster

Posted by: Dave | March 22, 2010, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

If you don’t trust the CBO figures that show this bill pays for itself and reduces the deficit by 1 trillion dollars over a decade, than I suggest you keep tabs on the situation, and if the CBO is wrong, then use your democratic right to vote out the Democrats at that time. It’s called accountability.
But enough with the fear-mongering, the phony “outrage” that anything is getting done to you, or your liberty is “threatened,” or the world is coming to an end, that is demagoguery!
demagoguery: to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

Does anyone recall what BHMs background is? What’s going on is directly out of the Alinsky manual for revolution, coupled with Alinsky’s contemporaries, Clwoard and Piven:
The strategy of forcing political change through orchestrated crisis. The “Cloward-Piven Strategy” seeks to hasten the fall of capitalism by overloading the government bureaucracy with a flood of impossible demands, thus pushing society into crisis and economic collapse. Further insight to this thinking:
No matter where the strategy is implemented, it shares the following features:
The offensive organizes previously unorganized groups eligible for government benefits but not currently receiving all they can.
The offensive seeks to identify new beneficiaries and/or create new benefits.
The overarching aim is always to impose new stresses on target systems, with the ultimate goal of forcing their collapse.
Sheepel ignore what is right in front of their face, and this time their are written outlines of how and what is going on!

Posted by: Freeman | March 22, 2010, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

This healthcare legislation was NEVER about Americans..it was about Obama. Obama wanted to be the FIRST black prez, the FIRST prez to pass socialistic healthcare. He’s even calling himself the “Father of Universal Healthcare” now. Obama, with his smooth talk & rhetoric has deceived America and is laughing in our faces this morning. “WE THE PEOPLE” have the power to END the socialistic agenda of Barack HUSSEIN Obama!

Posted by: David | March 22, 2010, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

So this is how freedom dies in America, not with a shot, but with applause…..

Posted by: kevin in nj | March 22, 2010, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

TO ALL RETIRED MILITARY: GUYS, WE’VE JUST BEEN SCREWED. WE’RE GONNA LOSE TRICARE FOR LIFE. CHECK IT OUT! WE’LL HAVE HIGH CO-PAYS AND LIMITED ANNUAL MEDICAL CARE-AT A HIGH PRICE.

Posted by: BILL M | March 22, 2010, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

According to Rev Al Sharpton during the Fox News coverage of the voting on March 21, what this is all about is stage one of the implementation and changing of this country from a Representative Republic of the people to socialism. That is what the last presidential election was about. (See YouTube for videos)
The changes listed as being covered relating to health care could have been accomplished by a very, very short bill simply prohibiting certain practices; and, allowing others, not covered or uninsured, to obtain “coverage” by a sliding scale via medicare and / or medicaid, so what were the other 2000 plus pages for.
Cheers everyone.

Posted by: Matt | March 22, 2010, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

Historic? So about what do we write in history books?
That the Constitution was trampled?
That the Democrats, liberals and leftists gave up any pretense of corruption in their bribery, with our money, to get votes?
That Barack Obama continues to be someone who pathologically lies?
That Nancy Pelosi seems to be the de facto president?
That there’s indisputable evidence that there’s no such thing as a “pro-life” Democrat?
That Congress voted for something that was was increasingly against the will of the majority of the American people?
That the Fourth Estate, which has been the Fifth Estate for a long time, continued its subversive and selected “reporting” of events?
That the Democrats in the House last night lacked the testicularity, real or otherwise, to have a roll-call vote?
That the Democrat head of the House rules committee bragged that there were no rules but those made by him and his committee?
That . . . ?
This unconstitutional embarrassment and tax-raising and economy-busting about-to-become-law may have so fractured America that compromise is no longer possible.
Yessir, now that’s a historic accomplishment for post-racial (lie), post-partisan (lie), American (lie), uniter (lie) Barack H. Obama.

Posted by: CKAinRedStateUSA | March 22, 2010, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm

Amy in Maine,
Appearantly you do not pay attention. Remember when Obummer was running he said that he would not increase taxes on anyone who made less then $250,000? Now it is $200,000 so that leads me to believe that it will continue to fall until taxes are increased on everyone who works for a living.
You say that it reduces the deficit by 1T according to the CBO, but did you listen what else they had to say? They said that was before everything else was added in so that number is not accurate. It is like me saying I will fix you alternator for $200 then telling you I had to fix the whole engine and it is now $2,000. It is a guess at the best and looking back on how well they do at guessing they are off by a lot. It will cost way more then the “1T” that will be reduced. Also, 1T is a ton of money. So much in fact that you would have to spend 3M a day for the next thousand years to cover 1T.
Also, you stated that it will not affect my coverage at work. You need to come back down to earth and look at the facts. If it is cheaper for them to pay a fine then my coverage then I will lose my insurance and then I will have to get my own on my own. Plain and simple. You need to quit believing anything these people tell you and study for yourself. Knowledge is power and you need knowledge. Not spoon fed crap. I have to work for a living so this does affect me greatly. I love to work but not for all of those on the government till, i.e. well-fare, social security and all of the rest of the broken government programs.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm

April – “Which part of the bill do you object to and why? Enquiring minds want to know.”
Since you used the european term Enquiring, you are obviously not from the US so I will list a couple. First, the plan is going to be enforced by the IRS. Than alone should make your hair stand on end. Then it nationalizes the student loan industry. They needed that for the CBO score. Now we come to new federal agencies that spend 1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion) dollars to insure a net of 3 million people. (the 30 million they claim are uninsured – the 27 million they admit will not be covered by this bill). It uses federal funds for abortions and it cuts Medicare. It was about as bi-partisan as a Cuban cabinet meeting and about half of my customers are either moving out of the country or closing their doors if this actually goes into effect.
You are right, if you only look at the candy, this looks pretty good but beforee you get all giddy with excitement you had better read the fine print and get the caloriey count so you know what you got for giving up your freedom….and mine.

Posted by: SoWhat | March 22, 2010, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm

Amy in Maine,
It is not fear but the truth, you will wake up and find out soon enough.

Posted by: peter | March 22, 2010, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

It was not an against all odds task until this ridiculous legislation was rolled out.
This is the most corrupt piece of legislation that has very been forced (and it was forced) on the American people.

Posted by: welldirected | March 22, 2010, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Under free health care for all, Chinese
under Mao got very little care if any.
Socialist or communist countries failed
through out the world. Why are we heading
toward that direction ? Are the democrats
doing this intentionally?

Posted by: Lynne | March 22, 2010, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

I’m not sure what the problem is here. This is what the American people said that they wanted via the elections of 2008.
The American people elected a Democratic president who made no bones about his plan to do this. Actually, his plan was even bigger, and Obama’s winning margin was quite huge by presidential election standards.
The American people gave the U.S. Senate a then-supermajority to do whatever it wished by voting in EIGHT Democrats from seats that were held by the GOP the day before. They all campaigned to support Obama in this effort. And they followed through.
The American poeple elected the House of Represantatives from a Democratic majority to an unchallengable Democratic majority:
- all 13 open seats went to Democrats
- Republicans lost 14 previously-held seats to Democrats
- Democrats lost only 5 previously-held seats to the GOP.
This healthcare bill is what the American people wanted. They were loud and clear in 2008 about what they supported by who they elected. The nation spoke, whether or not you liked what hey had to say.
Hem and haw, hew and cry, it makes no difference. This is done and cannot be undone, only modified slightly, and not until after 2012 at the earliest. By that time, though, the passion and the furor will have disappated enough that no major changes would possibly occur.
What this means for the nation and our healthcare system remains to be seen. Either we’ve sown the wind or the fields, and we’ll find out in about 8-10 years.

Posted by: Sean | March 22, 2010, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

This was the largest single tax increase in the history of our country.
This bill will permanently and fundamentally change the doctor patient relationship.
This bill will insert the federal government into every single aspect of your lives.
Farewell America

Posted by: Soylent Majority | March 22, 2010, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

I think it is hysterical how blind the people of America have become. Especially in the states that are screaming for federal bailouts because they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Hey, California…broke … and 100% of your demo reps voted FOR the bill. The medicare unfunded mandate from this bill will cost you hundreds of millions of dollars ! Are you entirely stupid? Oklahoma, as sparsely populated as it is, expects this bill will cost them in excess of 64 million dollars per year. How much will it cost you? Same with NY, NJ, PA, and on and on. Oh, yeah, the intellectuals in the liberal blue states will be choking on their glee in the future. You cry about your finances and vote for every spending bill that comes along and vote in the dems and spenders election after election after election. You deserve what you get.
Add this to your hugs and high fives, you fools.

Posted by: joelfr | March 22, 2010, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

You people who think the government can do anything better than the private sector are complete fools.

Posted by: jkcinsalem | March 22, 2010, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

Since politicians on both sides of the aisle refuse to pass or accept term limits, it’s up to us to impose them. I, like many others here, refuse to vote for any incumbent. These postions were never intended to be full-time jobs…let’s remind them of that. They work for us!

Posted by: K in NC | March 22, 2010, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

Today I am so proud of being a Republican. We are a Party of principle. Do not dispair, this travisty will be repealed! God bless America.

Posted by: Chris Anzanos | March 22, 2010, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

What do I object to? I object to the fact that just over 80% of Americans were against this bill and they passed it anyway. I object to having my money stolen, at the point of a government gun, to pay for someone else’s problems. I object to forcing my children and grandchildren into a life of impossible debt. I object to the fact that these CRIMINALS exempted themselves and the idiot known as Obama from this bill. I object to the fact that government now controls an entire industry and quality and quantity of care will both reach historic lows. I object that Congress has now made it official, we are now a completely Fascist country. I object to the fact that my countrymen and women have sold me into debt slavery and have NO qualms about it. You that were for this abomination, you have just committed armed robbery, are you proud?

Posted by: Bill | March 22, 2010, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

Watching Pelosi and Obama bully, bribe, threaten and cajole their own party into voting for a bill that all of them detest has been the most disgusting thing I have ever watched.
Seeing the Democrats sell their souls and their votes for everything from airports to NASA funding has been the most repulsive thing I have ever seen.
Even if this were a good bill, which no one thinks it is, including the Democrats themselves (notice how they had to be threatened, bribed, etc. to vote for it?), the process of getting it passed AGAINST THE WISHES of the majority of Americans has been absolutely repugnant. I hope everyone involved in passing this piece of garbage and everyone who voted in favor of using the “slaughter solution” loses their job in November. Every single one of them needs to go.
The ultimate irony would be if they were forced onto the health care system they have inflicted on us, but of course they voted to exclude themselves from it and they get full benefits for the rest of their lives for serving one term.
November just cannot get here soon enough!

Posted by: madashell912 | March 22, 2010, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

Amy in Maine
Which part do you think is good…
$2000 to $3000 additional cost for each employee?
The 3.8% tax on dividends?
The new taxes on drugs, medical devices and health insurance?
The new taxes on medicare?
The complete take over of student loans?
The fact that you will be paying these taxes for four years BEFORE the ‘benefits’ start?
And the bottom line that this will NEVER even pay for itself, let alone reduce the deficit.
OH and say goodbye to yet more jobs as they will go overseas to avoid these taxes (Caterpillar has said passage will cost them 100 MILLION per year).
Get a clue!

Posted by: Dave in St Pete | March 22, 2010, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

Now +30 million are guaranteed health ‘insurance’.
Too bad that they still have no guarantee that they will actually get the right health care.
After all, the ‘boards’ who make health decisions will be making them the same way insurance companies do – based off budgets. Except now, you have no alternative…the govt will be your ONLY option. Competition, right???
The govt can and will turn you down for care. Ask those on medicare…the healthcare insurance provider with THE MOST denials of coverage in the country.
The term ‘Useful Idiots’ couldn’t be more true. Enjoy…

Posted by: darko in La | March 22, 2010, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

Pretty obvious leftward slant to this article:
1. “…an against-the-odds kind of win upon which a presidency makes a mark…” Are you kidding? The DNC has overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress and control of the Exec branch. This thing should’ve been a slam-dunk.
2. “…politicians who follow their conviction no matter what the consequences…” The politicians you refer to were cajoled and bribed into submission. The pol’s who followed the money carried the day. Wonder how much payola was given to Stupak to cave?
3. “…coalition of progressive groups — from labor unions to health care advocates — will sink millions of dollars into television advertising and sponsor grassroots events in swing House districts thanking Democrats for passing the law and highlighting its importance for average Americans…” Wonder who has Congress’s ear? It isn’t the voters – as usual it’s the special interests.
4. “But it is also a victory for America’s soul…” Malarkey. It’s a victory for special interests. Wonder why the AMA and drug manufacturers are onboard? Follow the money.
5. “…our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time…” Talk about short-sighted; where’s the concern for the next generations that will be drowning in debt because of this monstrosity.
Mr. Klein should put down his pen and just pick up some pom-poms already.

Posted by: OverAndDone | March 22, 2010, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

“Which part of the bill do you object to and why? Enquiring minds want to know.”

Posted by: Grimriffer | March 22, 2010, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm

What a complete disgrace as well as a complete financial disaster.
The financial impact will bankrupt this country. To those fools who are still drinking the kool-aid – this will NOT reduce the deficit, rather we face an unparalled increase in federal spending.
Take a look at this statistic:
Disgusting.

Posted by: rod edwards | March 22, 2010, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

I seriously think that our President and members of Congress are smoking crack, crystal meth, eating a bag of shrooms AND drinking heroin from a fire hose.
How can they say that “through the will of the American People, this measure passed” when the health-care debate drove congressional approval ratings to less than 20%, and the Presidential approval rating to 46.6% (dis-approval was at 46.8%)???
Whatever they’re smoking, I want some of it.

Posted by: Kyle | March 22, 2010, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm

If the Democrats really believed in this bill and what it will do for America why did they refuse to stand up and be counted in a roll call vote. If this is so great one would think that they would be proud to publically put their name on it.

Posted by: Frank | March 22, 2010, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

Grimriffer
right, right, grandma is going to be unhooked from life support and Down’s Syndrome babies are going to be forcibly aborted, sure, in America governed by Democrats.
You’re insane.
My great-nephew was born prematurely and his care cost over $300,000. Luckily, his father works for the federal government and was adequetley insured. DOes your nephew have that kind of insurance? Shouldn’t he, or is it just my family that should have the privilege of not going bankrupt to pay for our little ones health care?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

I am sitting here amazed as I ponder the complete reversal of American philosophy in the last hundred years. There was once a great country filled with individuals who owned responsibility for themselves and their family first, then the local community, then the country. Now we have a country in which the majority believes it is the countries responsibility to take care of them and their community. FACT: Freedom only comes with responsibility. If we forfeit over, what is OUR responsibility, to a power hungry government, then we by default have forfeited our freedom. There once was a time when this country was made up of hard working people that comprised compassionate communities. Now, we are made up of selfish, spoiled victims that don’t want any responsibility for country, community or even ourselves, and we, as a country, are rampantly giving our freedoms over to our power-hungry government so they can “take care of all our needs”. How did we get like this? When did health care become a right? When did an education become a right? When did a meal become a right? We are destroyed for lack of resolve and responsibility! We are defeated and overrun with a monster of utterly inefficient bureaucracy that we suppose will solve our every problem. I fear that that we have forgotten that the government produces nothing, and therefore can only regulate and distribute goods and services produced by us. Have we become so lost in our identity of what made us great that we think the government is our only hope. Oh, how we shall be disappointed if we don’t take back the responsibility and regain the freedoms that accompany.

Posted by: AJ | March 22, 2010, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm

Amy in Maine. Wow.
Perhaps I object to the fact that in my situation, my health insurance will increase significantly?
Perhaps I object to the fact that I don’t want low-income families spending money on insurance when they NEED to have food, clothes and a roof over their head instead? I would rather foot their doctor bill as a taxpayer than foot their insurance.
Perhaps I object to the fact that, personally, my health insurance premiums will increase substantially?
Perhaps I object to the fact that socialism isn’t the American Way, and I shouldn’t be forced to redistribute my wealth so the “less fortunate” can become “fortunate”?
Sounds harsh, I know. But I was once “less fortunate”, and look what I did. I worked my @$$ off for a job and got myself out of that hole. I didn’t rely on Uncle Sam to bail me out. Need a new push for a decent work ethic, is what we really need.

Posted by: Kyle | March 22, 2010, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

Beginning of the end

Posted by: D | March 22, 2010, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

“note, 45% of doctors polled say they will consider leaving the profession should H.R. 3200 become law.)”
How can you justify spreading such misinformation?
The American Medical Association supports the healthcare reform bill. The AARP supports the healthcare reform bill. Nuns support the healthcare bill!
Basically, every professional organization that understands this issue supports this bill.
Geesh!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm

Is Rush the Drug abusing lush still moving to Canada?

Posted by: MajorityRules | March 22, 2010, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm

any democrat that voted for this bill is done. If they don,t know it now ,they will in November.

Posted by: tom | March 22, 2010, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

“Perhaps I object to the fact that, personally, my health insurance premiums will increase substantially?”
They are going up without the bill, my friend. Or hadn’t you heard, that’s why Congress is working on reform?
“Perhaps I object to the fact that socialism isn’t the American Way, and I shouldn’t be forced to redistribute my wealth so the “less fortunate” can become “fortunate”?”
Socialism is where people are taxed 50% of their income and given cradle to grave services. This bill taxes the wealthiest people 3.8% on dividends, etc. It doesn’t raise taxes on the middleclass and it barely effects the wealthiest. It also doesn’t provide healthcare for the poorest, like the British National Healthcare system. It creates Health Insurance exchanges, where people can BUY affordable PRIVATE health insurance.
Stop distorting what this bill is. Stop the fear mongering!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

Passing the health care bill is
shameful. This is unconstitutional.
Please, someone, take this to the Supreme Court.

Posted by: Jack Kinch(1uncle) | March 22, 2010, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

Amnesty is next (the Fraud in Chief and the leftists in conress are going to need all the votes they can get don’t they?)

Posted by: Ed | March 22, 2010, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

Jack Kinch(1uncle)
Yeah, call out the marines. God forbid we should have an effective healthcare system in this country. I won’t rest until we have the same level of services they have in Haiti.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm

Which part do you object to? By April
Well April you bring up a good question.
I object to the Federal Government stepping in and telling me, a private citizen what my options are for Heathcare now.
I object to the Robin Hood mentality of this bill that takes from the Rich and gives to the Poor. How many jobs did the poor create last week or last year?
I object to the partisan party lines that passed this bill. It tells me the other party’s opinion(s) didn’t matter.
I will be the first to agree there needs to be some Healthcare reform that involves honest and worthwhile debate not a one party say so.
History will show this was not a Great victory for President Obama, but more like a “Here take your medicine and like it”.
Too sad because, he could have been a lot more. Instead he is more of the same.
I guess this is the Change we the American People were promised.

Posted by: Keith | March 22, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

Rick -
Can you explain the me how this was an “against the odds” victory for the President? He owns the Senate (did have 60 votes for over a year) and House (large majority). Are you saying this was against the odds that his own party thinks that in order to save his sorry Presidency that they will all be looking for new jobs in the near future?

Posted by: Randy | March 22, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

Is this guy a complete Obamoron or what? Win??? Yeah, ObamaPelosiReid shove a crap sandwich down the country’s throat, jack up my taxes and have me paying for even more of their special friends’ laziness,… and the country wins? BULL!! Everyone who’s jumping up and down, happy that this crap passed,… cool,… keep jumping. You make easier targets that way.

Posted by: Capt D | March 22, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

WELL,THE RULING CLASS HAS SPOKEN, WE NO LONGER WILL BE ABLE TO BUY THE HEALTHCARE WE WANT, WE WILL TAKE WHAT THEY SAY WE NEED. SO MUCH FOR FREEDOM ! WHERES MY PITCHFORK AND TORCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: GODZILLA | March 22, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

What the Democrats don’t get is that while low income and middle-class taxpayers can’t always choose to become high-income taxpayers, the high-income taxpayers can always choose to become low or middle-class taxpayers by enjoying life more and letting the others support them for a change!!! I, for one, plan to take it easy instead of continuing to build assets that the Gov thinks they own!

Posted by: PS | March 22, 2010, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

Next stop is Financial Reform: Another opportunity for the GOP to show whose side they are on: Big Corporations or the American people.

Posted by: New Wave | March 22, 2010, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

Since they will cut my Medicare benefits why risk high blood pressure working so hard? After all, I did pay for Medicare during my youth – from every paycheck – and now they expect me to pay for it again from my savings – good luck, Robin Hoods – there won’t be anything left for you or anyone else when I die! They aren’t the only ones that can spend, spend spend…..

Posted by: PS | March 22, 2010, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!” John F. Kennedy(D)
It is unimaginable that the Democrat Socialist have removed themselves so far away from what our country was founded on. We came to America with self reliance and a want to be away from tyranny. A need for taxation without representation, a chance to suceede on our own without the help of Britian. An amazing, sometimes tough love form of capitalism where if you worked hard you suceeded.
Now we have this….
Ask not what you can do for your country but what they can do for you?
We the government will dictate the food you eat. We will dictate how you spend your money, ie health insurance and taxes. We will keep a portion of the population enslaved by making them dependent on others hard on money. We will force you to make decisions because we know better than you. We will ignore you because you are not smart enough to make an informed decision.
In every since we have become the tyrany we left behind. We the people can not make decisions for our selves. We can not make a phone call without being heard, we get taxed when we are told we will not. Those who voted for OBAMA remember this in 6-8 years when you need an emergency surgery but have to wait 6 months to get on a list. When your kids are going to college and are turned down for loans because you are middle class and make just too much for federal money. When your kids are trying to find a job to pay their 60% tax as well as mandatory medical insurance.

Posted by: Ron | March 22, 2010, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

When Medicare and Medicaid were implemented, there was a tremendous outcry from the people, driven by lies and deceit from those against the plan. Now ask how many on Medicare would give it up…chances are not one. I’m amazed at the anger this has drawn – especially those that state they are worried about the future and are embarrassed of our country. With infant mortality and life expectancy rankings no where near the top 10 and a healthcare system of “haves” and “have nots”, you should be embarrassed that something hasn’t been done to fix it before now.

Posted by: KC | March 22, 2010, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm

“Historic passage of health system reform by the U.S. House of Representatives today is an important step toward providing coverage to all Americans and improving our nation’s health system. Every day physicians see the devastating effect being uninsured has on the health of our patients. Physicians dedicate their lives to helping patients, and we have an historic opportunity now to do just that. While the House-passed bill isn’t perfect, we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good when it comes to something as important as the health of Americans.
“By extending health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured, improving competition and choice in the insurance marketplace, promoting prevention and wellness, reducing administrative burdens, and promoting clinical comparative effectiveness research, this bill will help patients and the physicians who care for them. There are increased payments for primary care physicians caring for Medicaid patients and bonus payments for physicians in underserved areas. Those who have insurance will see improvements right away: lifetime caps on coverage end; children can stay on parents’ policies until age 26, and insurance companies can’t cancel coverage except in the case of fraud.
J. James Rohack, M.D.
AMA President

Posted by: gary | March 22, 2010, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

I will be voting this November and I will vote against every single Democrat and every single incumbent Republican who does not understand that we are sick and tired of Washington and both sides losing sight of representation of the people. And for you people who think this is so great. Just wait until the few employers hanging on can’t afford insurance anymore and the unemployment numbers go up even more. Of course, all of you Obama lovers believe government should be the biggest employer anyway, right. Your arguments for this insurance are ridiculous, short-sighted, knee-jerk and oh my gosh, you who are trying to say this will decrease the deficit, are you freaking kidding? You are complete idiots if you keep believing what the government tells you. The numbers were so cooked before the CBO even got it and the doctor fixed wasn’t even included. Every single rosy picture was thrown in. But, don’t believe me. Just answer me one question. When has ANY government program saved money and not cost more than the prediction? Huh? Come on. Name one! Idiots. You deserve the people you voted in. Now, I’m going to use my feet in November.

Posted by: Florida Voter | March 22, 2010, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

“46.3% of doctors say they will quit the profession now”
This is a lie.
“Walgreens is not taking Medicare/Medicaid patients as of April 16th”
Not taking new patients in one state, Washington.
“my daughter is a nurse who says that they’ve already been informed that the government will control their salaries, many are dropping out.”
This is also a lie, the government does not and will not control nurses’ salaries.

Posted by: gary | March 22, 2010, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm

Florida Voter
By all means, if this healthcare bill hurts us in the ways its opponents claim it will, by all means, vote out your representative in Novemember. It’s called democracy.
And if it turns out this bill slows the cost of healthcare, and people stop going bankrupt from unpaid medical bills, then I expect a big “Thank You, House Democrats! Thank You, President Obama! Thank you Amy in Maine!” Is it a deal?

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

Transparency,integrity, bi-partisanship,constitutional attorney,truthful,—–makes Andrew Johnson and James Buchanan look like Winston Churchill.I guess”YES WE CAN” refers to dividing our nation. As criticism mounts, so will the blame shouted from our White House.

Posted by: john | March 22, 2010, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

Sorry Amy, but don’t believe the lies and misinformation. This bill will add to the federal deficit by over $500 billion dollars over 10 years. How surprising! As well as increasing the taxes of the middle class. Awww, so the dems lied…and cheated… and bribed…this administration is perverse. But this fight is not over, we need to take our country back from this socialist administration and we will

Posted by: ashamed in Connecticut | March 22, 2010, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

Connecticut
Yeah, what do you know, your state makes its money off Indian casinos. Don’t think the founding (puritan) fathers would be too thrilled with that!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

Ah, Gary. by the time I’m able to vote them out, it may be too late for our country because once the government enacts a law or tax it never goes away. And, democracy is absent during this shameful disaster.
By the way, as an economic major, I do understand the way the macroeconomic models work and micro so imposing more costs to the business owners means you gotta cut somewhere else. A lot of people will quit hiring or go out of business.
But, most disturbing is that we don’t have enough primary physicians now. Where are we going to dig them up?
This is going to be a nightmare and I wish there was somewhere else that was a free country since this one isn’t anymore.
I’m so glad we’re adopting the Mass model of healthcare since it’s working so well there.
Freaking idiots.

Posted by: Florida Voter | March 22, 2010, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

Uh… Does anyone really think that this monstrosity will reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars??? How naive you must be. That is a ploy (lie) used to sell something… Here is something you can believe… That as of yesterday’s ‘historic’ vote, America has lost a little bit of her freedom.
One Term 4 Obama

Posted by: CUInNovember | March 22, 2010, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

Passing this health care is nothing more than a scam and a power grab to further their progressive agenda. They want to be Kings of the American people. Obama said health prices would increase if government doesn’t pass this bill? Look at Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. Government bankrupts everything it touches. Government can not save money in health care without drastically rationing our care. SEIU, Obama, Pelosi, Reed and all these other progressives must be stopped. This is not what our Consitution allows. This is not what our military fights for…this is not American. November is a wake up call and we will not stop voting progressives, socialists out of all our offices. They work for the American people!!!!!

Posted by: Grape Soda | March 22, 2010, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

The Dem’s are toast! They acted like autocrats, despite the desires and wished of the American public. The damage has been done and it extends far beyond healthcare.
The silent majority is no longer silent and there will be hell to pay for “thieves in the night” trying to bankrupt our nation with Huey P Long “Chicken in every pot” promises. Wake-up you lefties. Your wave of socialist programs are coming to an abrupt end.
Do not relinquish freedom for security America! Healthcare is not a “Constitutional Right”

Posted by: TC | March 22, 2010, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

Let’s see, a government that hides what they’re doing behind closed door, strong arms participants of their own party, is trying to strong arm the American public, passes a bill with unconstitutional methods, taxes the American people for four years before any supposed benefits kick in, ignores the objections of the American people, is the cause of MILLIONS of Americans to leave their homes and protest in Washington, murders millions of American and foreign babies, is the cause of multiple lawsuits from multiple States against the Federal government, mandates American people to buy insurance from this bunch of progressives/communists or be fined and jailed, is dividing the American people, holds clinton, pelosi, reid and obama as their Gods, has quadrupled the national deficit in one year, has tricked the American people regarding bailouts, promised an unemployment no higher than 8% and is now at 12%, higher taxes both out in the open and hidden and turned a free country into a socialist country. WOW, WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE OF COMMUNISTIC, LYING, DEVISIVE SNEAKY, SOON TO BE UNEMPLOYED, THUGS! Any of you that stand up for this bunch is not a true American, you are traitors, you are not true Americans who love this country, you disgust those of us that truly love our country and our freedoms. I will work as I’ve never worked before to get this bunch of trash out of OUR offices and out of OUR lives. If you’re not with me, you’re against me and I will not think twice about running right through you to do what I need to do.

Posted by: Linda | March 22, 2010, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm

To equate this bill as historic with Civil Rights and Child Labor laws is simply ignorant and illustrates the stupidity and utter arrogance the left. Civil rights and Child Labor laws are legislation against serious abuse of human beings of which all are created equal (as people) in the eyes of the Creator God in heaven. Health care reform doesn’t even come close to falling into this category and is ultimately falls into a philosophical category – leaving free men to help their fellow man, out of sincere motivation to do what right in the eyes of God and provide opportunity to purchase decent health care OR creating a class of men and women who are enslaved to the government to provide their health care to them which ultimately demotivates providers to give good quality service at a decent price. I dunno, yesterday’s vote seems like a lose-lose decision for regular American’s like me who work hard to provide my family with good, decent, medical care. The only people benefiting are the greedy liberals who stand to gain more power, or steal it and make it so good, honest, hard-working regulars can’t live without the government. They’re evil and will have their day to stand before God – it won’t be pretty.

Posted by: JimUgly | March 22, 2010, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

Bi-partisanship,honesty, integrity,transparency, constitutional scholar. “YES WE CAN” must refer to divisiveness for our nation.This president makes Buchanan and A. Johnson look like Winston Churchill.As the criticism mounts what excuses and lies will be communicated from our White House!

Posted by: john | March 22, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm

I for one, will most likely lose my job as my employer will not have the funds to pay for my health insurance. My area is at almost 16% unemployment and who knows the under-employment rate? I have worked for the past 7 years at 3/4 time and no benefits just to keep the program going.

Posted by: nKhosi in Schools | March 22, 2010, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

Holy cow, what’s not to love? Page 50, Section 152 provides insurance to all non-US residents,even if they are illegal; Page 58-59 the gov’t will have real time access to your bank account and will have authority to make electronic withdrawals; Page 65, Section 164 the gov’t will subsidize all union members, retirees and community organiztions; Page 72 Section 1145 all cancer hospitals will ration care according to patients ages; Page 425 lines 4-12 the gov’t mandates advance care planning consultation (those on Social Security will be required to attend “end of life” planning seminars every 5 years); Finally, it is specifically stated that this bill will not apply to members of Congress. YOU’RE RIGHT…WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?????

Posted by: plady | March 22, 2010, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

Can somebody tell me exactly how this bill “bends down the cost curve”?
Can anyone name even one cost-control measure that ISN’T rationing?
Can anyone explain why tort reform was TOTALLY overlooked?
Can anyone provide an example where private companies in competition failed to provide the lowest-cost product or service?
Said another way, when was the last time the gov’t-provided product was superior in price & quality to the privately-provided equivalent?

Posted by: YouDude60 | March 22, 2010, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

I am opposed to forcing employers to pay for health insurance. This means fewer jobs when we can least afford it. I am opposed to Democrats forcing me to purchase the services of some of their biggest contributors, this is corrupt and crooked.
I am opposed to caps and restrictions put on the insurance companies. Mandate they take all comers, and that they must pay whatever the cost? This means fewer insurance companies and less choice. Since insurance companies pay the providers, and you and I don’t, we can expect to see more physicians and nurses assistants, and fewer doctors and nurses. Corners will have to be cut. Funny how mainstream media outlets never explore these concepts…

Posted by: Christopher McElree | March 22, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

Get ready to be forced to buy a GM car or truck next.

Posted by: Holygrail | March 22, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

At the end it took Democrats to show how really great Republicans are!
Democrats imposed the will of 219 over all of us creating a Banana republic,however, that Banana republic WILL last shortly and will never be forgotten… Democrats will never again gain the same level of power which they were so quick to abuse.
At the end…Stupak is what Stupak does.

Posted by: Beau | March 22, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

I can’t believe they did this against the will of the people. It’s gonna come back to them, and hard, in November.
Check out this funny parody on Obamacare:

Posted by: buckrol | March 22, 2010, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm

Explain how in hadeas this was an ” against the odds ” victory for the Dems when they controlled the White House as well as both Houses of Congress by very large margins – Gimme a break …

Posted by: jefe | March 22, 2010, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm

Progressives; slowly killing freedom, one American at a time.

Posted by: Rick | March 22, 2010, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

Dem Oc Rats now own this mess 100%

Posted by: Ben Dover | March 22, 2010, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

So many Americans remain uninformed on the health care “reform” bill just passed.
First, the addition of health care coverage for 32 million Americans will not reduce the nation’s deficit.
The deficit is reduced by adding additional taxes to increase the revenues received by the federal government. As an example, your interest and dividends received will now incur an additional tax as a result. Rental income will also be subject to an additional tax. Expect rent for persons to increase as landlords pass on these taxes to their tenants.
The bill also nationalized the student loan business. Instead of banks being able to make student loans, the government will now take over the business and claims a savings of $30 + billion per year.
The bill also claims to reduce the deficit by reducing Medicare reimbursements to health care providers.
So while providing additional health care will not reduce the deficits, the other taxes, etc. in the bill gave its supporters the ability to say “this bill” will reduce the deficit – attempting to fool the public into thinking adding health care for 32 million will reduce the deficit.

Posted by: Voice of Reason | March 22, 2010, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm

This bill is robbery, plain and simple. China owns us and we are digging our own grave with adding more debt and unfunded obligations to an already strained system. Obama and Pelosi didn’t win; they just motivated a number of independents like me to vote out incumbents and those that voted yes to this bill.
Those on both sides can’t see the true impact of this bill. It will bankrupt us, our currency will further devalue, and you will see further destabilization in the global economy. I am ashamed to be an American, I truly hate my Government.

Posted by: IndependentInCA | March 22, 2010, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm

How can anybody claim this healthcare debacle is a victory when the Republican party and the general public made it clear they do not support this? We feel cheated!

Posted by: nathan | March 22, 2010, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm

It’s just despicable how Pelosi has no problem
water boarding the House but not terrorists…

Posted by: harris kloz | March 22, 2010, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

I am a registered Democrat living in NYC. I will vote for no incumbent and no Democrat in 2010 or 2012. The thought of potentially having to pull the lever for Sarah Palin is frightening, but I am now prepared to do it!

Posted by: Ted in NYC | March 22, 2010, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

Majority Rules: November is a long time away. Too bad for you, though, that your new Healthcare doesn’t start up until 2014. Let me rephrase that. Those of us who work will start paying taxes on this crap but you won’t see your “ben-fits” until 2014.
I hope this whole thing is something that the Supreme Court can shoot down. =(

Posted by: Remember the Alamo | March 22, 2010, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

If providing health care coverage is such an immediate need, why does the current reform bill passed not provide such benefits for four years? Four years? It appears to me that delaying the actual effects of passing health care reform for four years is that the reforms, along with any of the negative effects, will not go into effect prior to the next presidential election cycle.

Posted by: Voice of Reason | March 22, 2010, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

Time for the second amendment to be used as intended.

Posted by: FREE | March 22, 2010, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm

Amy – how about the part where we are required to purchase “acceptable” insurance or be fined by the IRS? Or how about the part where if you own a small business that employees more than 50 people and now you have to start offering “acceptable” insurance plans or be fined? For us same small business owners, we are going to get hit with billions of dollars in new taxes starting next year. New SS and Medicare taxes and guess what – we are not going to hire anyone because of these new mandates and taxes and on top of these, the expiring tax cuts next year. We will also be laying off workers just to get under that 50 and those larger companies are not going to hire so that they can keep costs low. One thing to look out for over the next couple of years is the increase in outsourcing our resources – ie: JOBS! You think unemployment is bad now, just wait until 9% is considered full employment in this country.
And there’s the part where our premiums are going to go up – not down and the fact that the CBO, Congress, the President, nor you and I can determine how much this is going to cost us in 10 years. When Medicare was passed in the 1960s it was said that by 1990 the program was only going to cost $9 billion to fund. However, by the actual date of 1990, Medicare costs our country $110 billion dollars and even more today that we cannot continue to fund it at current levels. Do you really think that this will not happen to Obamacare? Only a fool would say no.
And lastly, just think of all the people who will not purchase health insurance and instead pay the fine because it will be cheaper. More and more that do this will guarantee that the rest of us who do purchase health insurance will see increased premiums on a yearly basis until we decide the same thing. This bill was a problem from the start and only got worse as time went on. The country will remain in an unemployed stagnant for the foreseeable future and then only get worse once all of the parts of this bill become law. Given this fact, I just don’t see how Obama and the Democrats win their next election. By 2013, if Republicans are smart, they will repeal this law if the courts haven’t already struck major parts of it down.

Posted by: Gary | March 22, 2010, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm

Free will. It’s over-rated.
Isn’t that right, Progressives? See, I don’t say Democrat anymore because your likes have officially killed this party. We’re not worried. We will take care of that,but unfortunately it might not be to your advantage.

Posted by: pjean | March 22, 2010, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

By the way, this legislation sounds suspiciously like the “new and improved consumer credit protection act”…you know, the one that allowed credit card companies to jack up the finance rate 3 and 4 times, and add all kinds of new fees before it took effect. The health care industry has FOUR years to mess with our rates and eligibility before this “new and improved package” takes effect.
I’m already going to pay higher annual fees and co-pays this year (already got that notice), and I have to find a new doctor in a few years because my current one stopped treating Medicare patients after Congress let the incentive to make the hassle worthwhile expire. Plus I have to now pay 3.8% on the nest egg I so carefully saved to enjoy my retirement. So I can’t wait to see what changes and costs the next FOUR years will bring before the Obama administration “protects” me.
P.S. I don’t care if this legislation will save any money in it’s second decade. I will be 84 before that happens – I need any savings now!

Posted by: olderbutwiser | March 22, 2010, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

“… a historic victory was sealed for Democrats, and the country didn’t unravel. “.
Rick Klein, that is a stupid statement. Only God gets instant results when He speaks. For mere mortals, it takes time.
But then, that attitude fits with what this Congress thinks about itself and “The One”.

Posted by: Rick in BC | March 22, 2010, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm

Going back to an earlier comment about the lady expecting NObama to pay her car note and stuff….
What America needs is for people to start having more pride in themselves. Too many people in America EXPECT handouts now days. I have too much pride for that. If I can’t afford something, I’ll either 1)Not buy it or 2)Get a second job to EARN extra money.
Keep in mind that I’m not talking about everyone. But for that 30 year old, healthy man sitting out there, drawing welfare, living in a 1 room shack, and driving an Escalade, I think you need to prioritize things a little differently and stop trying to live off of my hard working-hard earned tax dollars!

Posted by: Remember The Alamo | March 22, 2010, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm

I’ve always prided myself on not being a government dependent. Now I’m required by law to be one. Slaves at last, slaves at last, good God almighty, slaves at last!

Posted by: Larry | March 22, 2010, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

Rick, what did you mean that this bill passed against all odds? The democrats controlled the Senate, House and the Presidency with huge majorites. It should have been a slam dunk. But it wasn’t? and therein lies the backlash that will come.

Posted by: larry | March 22, 2010, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

Jackson,
Against insurance companies?? Laughable, truly laughable. Do some research for a change a look who wrote this bill. Ingnorance is killing the country……Obama, the newest reality TV star.

Posted by: dmoney | March 22, 2010, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

olderbutwiser, are you kidding. Great progressive accomplishments? You mean the ones that are unfunded and bankrupt now? Great logic, let’s have another progressive accomplishment. Reconcile this: spend a trillion here and there to cut the deficit by 140 billion over 10 years. Typical government educated math. So easy a caveman…..
Mandate this!! Slaughter rule come November. I will indoctrinate my kids to never ever vote for a member of the Democrat Socialist Party.

Posted by: Joe Mamma | March 22, 2010, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

Man plans, God laughs.
Progressives hate free will.

Posted by: pjean | March 22, 2010, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm

I think that by saying that the country did not unravel when the speaker’s gavel came down was bit cynical. Just wait…there will be consequences and the mainstream media will be left in the dust.

Posted by: tjmorrill | March 22, 2010, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm

Bad thing… it will be difficult to repeal!!!
Good thing…. After November we will not have to worry about a Democrat majority for a generation!!!

Posted by: mikey | March 22, 2010, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

TAKE THE PLEDGE. “I VOW TO NEVER VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT AGAIN” Trying to sort out the 15 honerable ones out of 260 professional liars is not worth the bother. WE are no longer a free nation,now get ready for the WAR!!!!!!

Posted by: Jim | March 22, 2010, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

If this is so great – why isn’t Congress under it? Why are the Big Unions exempt if its so wonderful?
If you think that this will save billions in debt – you must also believe that Social Security and medicare is in good shape.
eclecticman1 – you also might want to study up on your civics…. the Civil rights legislation was OPPOSED by DEMOCRATS until the very end. Jim Crow laws were WRITTEN by progressives (aka Southern Democrats). The KKK was founded by democrats (just ask Sen. Byrd). I’m not so sure about sufferage or child labor laws – but I suspect that your just as ignorant of those items. Don’t feel bad – until a few years ago I thought the same things…

Posted by: Greg in Peoples Republic of Washington State | March 22, 2010, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm

For the last sixty years the government has tried to take over healthcare but the public screamed no no no. So the issue was dropped because the people didn’t want it. Why now, even as the public screamed no no no, does the Democratic Party consider passage of a government takeover of healthcare a great victory? It’s a victory over what enemy, the electorate? Must be us stupid taxpayers who don’t know what’s best for us.

Posted by: gollywiggle | March 22, 2010, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

I guess the Democrats can claim this to be a victory for forcing bad medicine down the throats of the majority of the Americans who do no need it or want it.
Yeah, what a Victory!

Posted by: walliat | March 22, 2010, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

As of yesterday those of you who were merely my political opponents are now my enemy…
No Patriotism for Socialism!

Posted by: Pompey | March 22, 2010, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

We, as a nation, are doomed…
Doomed becasue we have elected noodniks to represent us…
Doomed because we are radically transforming our country into yet another Euro-trash style nation…
Electing fiscal conservatives is our salvation…They can’t some soon enough.

Posted by: Chris | March 22, 2010, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

Yes, they passed something but NOT what Obama promised
What happened to? . . .
Here was Obama on July 18, 2009:
“That’s why any plan I sign MUST include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans – including a PUBLIC OPTION to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest – and choose what’s best for your family.”

Posted by: dream | March 22, 2010, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

This country is more polarized than any time since the Civil War, mostly due to a leftist presidential idealogue who was supposed to bring us together, or at least that’s what he said. The majority of the American people, who opposed this health care debacle, will not forget what their “representatives” have done with their trust come November 2010 or 2012. Tom Jefferson once opined that “a little revolution from time to time is a good thing”. Let us all hope that it doesn’t come to that.

Posted by: Kinnison | March 22, 2010, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Seriously people? What will we do to the low income people that DON’T buy health insurance? Send them to jail where we give them food health care AND better library resources and gyms than the average high school has? I work hard for my benefits, and I have the right to pick what’s best FOR ME and MY FAMILY. Not the president, not you, not anyone… And I most certainly shouldn’t have to pay for someone elses health care at the expense of my own.
Next it’ll be the government option for car insurance so that I have to pay taxes to cover the illegal immigrant that’s driving without a license and insurance whilst selling my car because I can’t afford dual premiums…

Posted by: Daniel | March 22, 2010, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

This health insurance legislation will fund the NEW, additional government spending by CUTTING $535 Billion out of Medicare at the very moment in time the Baby Boomers are coming into the Medicare program, and the costs to cover their health care will require MORE MONEY to fund Medicare, not less. The Baby Boomer generation is the largest generation in American history, and the Boomers are starting to retire, at which point Medicare will cover their health care costs. How in god’s name does any sane person thinks THIS is a good time to SUBTRACT $535 Billion from the Medicare program?
And I will ask again and again and again (until someone gives me a satisfactory explanation): if there is in fact $535 Billion in “waste, fraud and abuse” that can be stripped out of Medicare without cutting medical care for the elderly, WHY haven’t Obama and the Democrats in Congress ALREADY stripped out that “waste, fraud and abuse”? It is unconscionable that the Democrats who have controlled the House since 2006 and the senate since 2008, and Obama who has been president for more than a year now, have FAILED to cut out that “waste, fraud and abuse” by now. How dare they permit Billions of dollars in “waste, fraud and abuse” to continue, unchecked, in ANY government program?
The explanation, my friends, is that they are NOT just going to cut out “waste, fraud and abuse” from Medicare; they already have identified SOME of the programs in Medicare that will be CUT, and by how much.
“The recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate shows about
– $20 billion in CUTS to hospitals that serve low income patients,
– $40 billion in CUTS to home health care,
– $150 billion in CUTS to hospitals, nursing homes and hospices and
– $200 billion in CUTS to Medicare Advantage.
These CUTS will be felt by real people — and lead to quality decline in a program that already has declined in quality over the years. “

Posted by: dream | March 22, 2010, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm

It’s kind of Scary when Lord Barry says “this isn’t radical change ,just major change”. I’d hate to see his radical change. A lot of us might be off to his labor camps in Alaska never to be seen again.

Posted by: RAS | March 22, 2010, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

Lessons to be learnt:
1) Democrats do not represent the Majority – they only represent ideology.
2) Democrats have no core principals which they are not willing to sell at a price.
…feel free to add more.

Posted by: walliat | March 22, 2010, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

Liberals are so funny aren’t they?
“Oh, it’s for you!? Don’t you understand? This will make everything better!”
If you had even a basic understanding of history, economics, sociology, or political science, you would change your tune immediately.
Dolts.

Posted by: Matt in Texas | March 22, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

Rick,
you must be kidding. The president won this victory against the odds? He has a majority in the House and Senate and he has most of the so called media in his back pocket to laud him and demean his opposition.
Now if you mean that he won this victory against the will of the majority of the American people by forcing it down our collective throat, you would be right. Every poll of any import has shown the distaste for this abomination but, you’re right, he got it done by unethical and immoral actions while the American people are stuck with doing this by the law. Elections have consequences and I hope people realize this come November.
Maybe we can undue this mess. Of course, the democrats will put out a full court press to tell as those who will listen that they will get all they want from the Fed., when in reality it is a one way trip to “Donkey Island”.
Hew Haw, Rick.

Posted by: sunovio | March 22, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

Please tell me how this is going to reduce the deficit? I love liberals – they stand on their heads and tell the rest of us WE’RE upside down!!

Posted by: Barb | March 22, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

Count Obama’s Most Recent Health Care Broken Promises:
1. I will stop the Insurance companies from massive rate increase – President stripped that promise out of the Fixes he promised. No one, the President, nor any one else in the federal government will have any authority to stop rate increases by insurance companies.
2. Stop Insurance companies from refusing to insure people with pre-existing conditions – President changed this at the last minute to Let the insurance companies continue to refuse to insure anyone ( 18 and older ) they want to for pre-existing conditions ( and Obama promises, after the next President is elected, government might change that – if the then President can find a way to pay for the massive insurance premium increases that would result ). Children 17 and under are already covered by government insurance if they can not get private insurance – so there is no immediate benefit to children either – AND THOSE 18 YEARS OLD, AND OLDER, WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS remain SCREWED if the Bill is Passed.
3. Eliminate lifetime and Annual limits on insurance benefits so people do not go bankrupt if they get sick – Obama changed the final bill to continue to allow insurance companies to cut off insurance after Annual Limits are met – so after the bill passes people who get sick will have their insurance cutoff – and they will go bankrupt – because of annual limits. Almost everyone reaches the smaller annual limits long before they come close to the lifetime limits – so suggesting eliminating life time limits will have much benefit is just phony.
4. Aide to Rural Hospitals which are going broke because of Medicare and Medicaid discrimination against them because they were reasonably priced in the past will be fixed – Obama changed the “fixed bill” to remove this promise at the last minute – the final bill cuts funding to these historically reasonably priced rural hospitals.

Posted by: Reality Check | March 22, 2010, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

Medicare passed with 307 votes. It was bipartisan. This bill is not. Our great Medicare accomplishment is an impossibility, it is 37 Trillion in debt. We are on the brink of financial disaster, this bill will add to it like all government programs. Amy, this bill does not reduce the deficit, you drank the kool-aid. They used ten years of income and 6 years of payouts to make it “look” like it works. They did not include over 250 billion for the doctor fix in Medicare that has to be replenished if a doctor will ever see another Medicare patient. They are counting on reducing billions in Medicare fraud to pay for this. We’ve had Medicare fraud for decades, it’s not fixed. This bill is a fantasy by a group that wishes things to be fact instead of seeing what is.

Posted by: Gary | March 22, 2010, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

This continues to be the biggest danger in this nation, a citizenry who is so foolish to believe the fantasy spin. If you believe that adding 30 million more people to medicare and medicade (paid for by taxpayers) and add 4 more goverment agencies, 17 thousand more IRS agents to monitor your every move, and spend a trillion dollars even before the real costs kick in after 10 years (reminder the CBO only counts what they are given to count and didn’t get into the real expense 10 years from now, including the double counting) and it’s going to save us money. This is why we have the prince of fools running the country of fools. I have a bridge to no where to sell you too.

Posted by: PattiSue | March 22, 2010, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

For the historically challenged, social security, medicare, etc. were all bi-partisan and the very popular with the American citizens. These are not progressive, oh wait that’s right, the socialists of this country love to re-write history.

Posted by: PattiSue | March 22, 2010, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

Amy in Maine aks:
“Which part do you object to?”
The part of the bill that DOES NOT protect Americans from losing their health insurance if they get really sick … Obama forgot to tell you he made a secret deal with insurance companies to put back in the annual limit on health care benefits – so now when you get sick you will go bankrupt because of the lower annual benefits the Insurance Companies can continue to set and enforce annual limits on health care benefits – better go back and read the fine print of that 2,800 page bill.
Sorry Amy, but Obama hooked you and reeled you in like a sucker fish, with that “NO LIFETIME LIMITS” distraction while he was paying off the insurance companies with the annual limits.

Posted by: Reality Check | March 22, 2010, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

America, Land of the Free*
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
And for Congress:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
I’m pretty sure the Constitution was trampled on last night! Torn to shreds, defaced, devalued and disgraced from the actions of people who are suppose to “represent” the will of the American people, not maternally stand in their ivory tower telling us what they think is “best for us”.
If someone could pick up the pieces of that trampled document and see if it says anywhere that health care/health insurance is a right given to us by our Founding Fathers! If from those pieces of scrap you can find where Americans should be forced to buy something by our elected leaders, could you post that on here for all to read as well? If, from those torn, stained and mangled pieces of paper — that at one time a man would lay down his life to protect — if someone could find where it says Congress and by default the Office of the Presidency, has the right to interfere with the way a private business runs its day-to-day operations. Tell me where it says that Congress can demand those businesses have to provide a “SERVICE” to its employees.
Who are these totalitarian leaders who think they can tell businesses what to do?
If your job does not provide insurance – go get another job that does. If you cannot afford insurance, drop your cable TV, your cell phone, the trips out to dinner, the pack of cigarettes, or your choice of alcoholic beverage; make a sacrifice for yourself instead of wanting, no, demanding the rest of America make a sacrifice for you! Since when have we become a society of people who look to the Government to help us?
Somewhere along the line we have become the little pigs who need to be fed, suckled at the teat of the Federal Government for all our existence. We need to wean ourselves off this reliance/dependence on others.
When the phrase: “America, Land of the Free” was coined, I notice the asterisk at the end of it, but it surely is was there when I woke up this morning.

Posted by: Dazed and Confused | March 22, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Dems will win in November, no doubt. Don’t believe these fear mongering idiots who would have you believe the Dems are not in control. Funny, when was the last time a dog’s bark was this much bigger than its (toothless) bite? This is a classic case of a political bluffing. The GOP is holding a pair of 2′s while the Dems have a royal flush. Don’t be fooled. The American public will not vote the GOP back into the majority.

Posted by: Brian | March 22, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

This bill was garbage. They will all be voted out in November. Time to clean house.

Posted by: Double | March 22, 2010, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

Next step for the CHANGE crowd – a history making bill to “Deem” that the name of the Country be officially changed from “United States of America” to “France”. Yes We Can.

Posted by: Ubipetros | March 22, 2010, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

A mere, partisan majority on something this important is stupidly near-sighted.
Anger? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Posted by: KAM | March 22, 2010, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

Don’t forget, BO sweetned the pot for big pharma too. Some how this smells of high crimes and misdemenors when you are using stolen tax payer monies to use for bribes. Let’s not forget the takeover the student loans in this country with the exception of one bank in ND (another deal). In 14 months he ran up the deficit more than Bush in 8 years, took over private industry (trashing the bankrupcy code and countless contracts), took over the financial sector, healthcare, education, the census, decided to give terrorist US citizen rights, decided to no longer enforce the boarders, backdoored his climate change law via the EPA and looking to take over energy. Final agenda item Mexico becomes part of the US. All from the play book that he got from Hugo Chavez.

Posted by: PattiSue | March 22, 2010, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

Amy — if your house burns down and you don’t have insurance would it be ok to call the insurance company the following day and require them to not only provide you with insurance, but to pay for your house which already burned down? Same concept with health insurance.
Something else to consider — Health is not a right. It is a personal responsibility. Health care is not a right. It is a commodity. Health insurance is not a right. It is a financial risk management tool. Those who try to equate the Constitutional right of ‘life’ with health, heath care, health insurance have got it completely wrong. The Constitution does not guarantee that the federal government will provide you with life. Instead it guarantees that the federal government will not take life away from you. Unless the government has done something to your health that resulted in the loss of your life, then you have no claim against the government, or a right to its monies (which come from taxes). If you fail to take personal responsibility for your health (proper diet, exercise, life style, etc.), that isn’t the government’s fault. Its your fault and you should bear the burden. If, for some bizarre reason, you can find a Constitutional requirement for providing health insurance to every citizen of this nation, then haven’t we been violating the Constitution for nearly the first 130+ years of it’s existence?

Posted by: SHRKB8 | March 22, 2010, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

Democrats celebrate the destruction of America. When will they be burning the flag in Congress. We didn’t want it, we don’t want it and we won’t want it. Anyone celebrating the IRS knowing everything about you is truly nuts!
Now we know they are liars and cheats so anything they say from now on we know is a lie. This goverment is being run by Enron/Madoff.

Posted by: Kala | March 22, 2010, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Amy in Maine aks:
“Which part do you object to?”
The part of the bill that DOES NOT prevent Insurance Companies from raising premiums by 40%, 100%, 300% or anything they want.
Obama promised, after the media reported 40% premium increases to some policy holders in California, to add a restriction that the federal government must be warned in advance, by the insurance companies, before such increases would be allowed by the federal government.
Sorry Amy, apparently there was a secret Obama deal with the big insurance companies, just like the deals with the largest banks.
Obama removed that promise from the bill that passed in the last couple of days.
No requirement that Insurance companies report planned increases to the Federal Government and NO, REPEAT NO, authority for any federal government official nor the President or stop or delay insurance premium increases – that was dropped entirely and the President just forgot to tell Amy about it.
Time to actually read that 2,800 page bill Amy, and find the other things your buddy Obama forgot to tell you.

Posted by: Reality Check | March 22, 2010, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

I’ve flown an American flag outside my home for years. Yesterday I removed it. We have traded our American exceptionalism for European style government. I lived in Europe a year. My landlady had never been out of the town she lived in, she dragged her carpets to a stone wall and beat them with a stick to clean them. We built coal fires under a hot water heater to bathe and carried oil from a basement with rats to fill our room heater. Really what we want to emulate? This bill will kill the middle class faster than anything we could have done. There were other ways to rein in costs without this.

Posted by: Gary | March 22, 2010, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

So this is how Liberty dies….

Posted by: Jimmiesue | March 22, 2010, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

It’s Unconstitutional and it will be overturned.

Posted by: Peter King | March 22, 2010, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

This Independant will be all about getting rid of the left in our government!

Posted by: Jimmiesue | March 22, 2010, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Dear President Crook,
Don’t bother us with anymore of your corrupt and mendacious attempts to sell this bill or anything else. It is obvious you are only interested in selling us downriver. We are not listening. You are a laughable, dishonest egomaniacal bore. Period, end of story. Don’t waste your smelly breath trying to convince us of anything.

Posted by: Sandra2012 | March 22, 2010, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

My employer spends $7k/year for my family’s health insurance. Now they can simply pay the government $2k and save the expense. It will make the stock holders happy because the company can reduce their expenses and make more profit. Multiply that by the over 30,000 people who work at the corporation.
How has this enhanced my choice?
I now have the “privilege” to take care of more people as my supposed constitutional duty to fat lazy fellow Americans?
My husband and I were teenage parents. I am a black woman who refuses to be a statistic or fool. I worked two jobs to make it through college. We are now a family of 6 and have had the blessed fortune to own a home that we take care of. Since Obama came, (the wanna-be Black Hope- it’s ok for people to admit they voted out of guilt), my credit card interest went from 5.2% to 17.99%. I know I have about 2 years left on my health insurance at my job before that is long gone. The 10% I gave to charity of my free will, will be no more since Obama is determined to take it all apparently, so that folks who don’t want to work hard, veg off those who do.
I am so utterly disgusted by the ignorance. Democrats and Republicans are all the same!
Free Healthcare is not free. When half of your paycheck starts disappearing from everyone it will be too late. The only thing free in this life is the love of God, but most poor souls reject that for some Obamacare and stimulus payments that they are still holding out their hands for.

Posted by: jjs | March 22, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

When do my 3,000% savings on my insurance premiums kick in?

Posted by: trixta | March 22, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

The initiative coming out of this should be for the administration to document how corporate and union political spending/corruption drove this country to economic meltdown and stomped all over the health reform process so it barely survived. Then they should push hard for a constitutional amendment to prohibit corporate and union spending on political activities. This would unite the country again.

Posted by: justanotheropinion123 | March 22, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

Amazing how the fake independents are blaming all incumbents.
Seminar commentators?
DEMOCRATS Passed the bill, not incumbents. I know that’s a gambit by the left to cloud the issue, but c’mon.

Posted by: joeb | March 22, 2010, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Which part do you object to?
The part of the bill that protects Americans from losing their health insurance if they get really sick, the part that prohibts denying coverage to those with existing conditions, the part that requires low income people to buy insurance, instead of just showing up at emergency rooms for free care at their sickest moment? The caps on premiums, the health insurance exchanges where people can find low cost insurance, the requirement that companies with 50 or more workers provide insurance, or the the part od the bill that gives companies the tax credits to do so.
Which part of the bill do you object to and why? Enquiring minds want to know.
The part where the Federal Government orders me under penalty of fine and/or imprisonment that I have to purchase any product. The part where I have to pay for other people’s insurance or they mine. The part where the Federal Goverment takes over 1/6 of the economy. The part where the Federal Government tells a private company how much they are allowed to pay their employees. The part where the Federal Government taxes me for four years for nothing. The part where only illegal aliens will be able to continue using emergency rooms for free. The part where the IRS now becomes the enforcement for paying insurance premiums. The part where the HHS has been given carte blanche. The part where doctors are told what they are allow to earn. The part where…

Posted by: knews | March 22, 2010, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

The people who are so ‘angry’ as you put it are me, my family, my friends. This bill is not for me, it is for government control.
It is about one group being taxed to pay for those who will not pay.
It is about creating a welfare state Dependant solely on the government for all their wants…not needs…wants.
It is about the destruction of a free Republic and forcing people into socialism…the destruction of free enterprise and capitalism.How about personal responsibility? How about less government regulation and interference?
How about understanding what America is before you put a completely naive post up?
“Who are all these people who are so angry at healthcare reform being passed? This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last. Get over it already”
Posted by: Bob | Mar 22, 2010 8:39:22 AM

Posted by: KennyP | March 22, 2010, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

Hey Amy from Maine, The government promised to enforce Immigration Law after the amnesty in the Reagan administration. When has the federal government done what it said it would, or for that fact had it cost anywhere near what they said it would? liars cheats and thieves, and they ALL need to be removed from office!

Posted by: Mark D Sweet | March 22, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

@Amy in Maine:
I like the consumer protections in the bill but capping insurance premiums ignores rising medical costs. Capping while increasing demand will lead to rationing which is why I am against this bill in its entirety. I just graduated from college and lost my health insurance (my job is not hiring a full time position so I had to take a 35 hours a week position with no benefits) so the dependant coverage up to 26 is great for me. The mandate that required insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions also is morally correct. However, this rationing will make all those good provisions pointless. To be honest though, I would rather the government relieve capital in the private sector so more entry level jobs with benefits would be come available for me.
This bill should have been smaller. All we needed were some regulations and a way of lowering the real costs of health insurance (rather than using insurance companies as a scapegoat). I will vote Republican this Novemeber because requiring people to purchase insurance is wrong and capping will lead to rationing.

Posted by: Eugene | March 22, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

Well we got SCREWED didn’t we????? I am JUST LIVID that this was passed. I have never in my 64 years have I been SO UPSET with this type of CORRUPTION and BULLYING to get VOTES on a bill that over 55% of us Americans DIDN’T WANT. These Dems can kiss their JOBS GOOD BY whoever is up for re-election this fall. They are going BYE BYE…. a bunch of othem along with our LYING PRESIDENT when he is up for ELECTIION. By that time we won’t have any MONEY left in this country and right now we are NO LONGER A FREE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY. We have become a SOCIALIST country with this Congress who has a rating below 15% and this LYING PRESIDENT. Aren’t we proud to have these SCUM BAGS on our watch ????? WOW…… GOD HELP OUR COUNTRY.

Posted by: Joy | March 22, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

My question is: why the fool’s rush? Would it be so wrong to discuss what is in the bill openly and have input from all sides? How about a bi-partisan bill? For those of you who say Republicans are “the party of no” remember Abraham Lincoln? Republican!
This bill, the biggest shift of the economy into government hands was “passed” with old style Chicago politics. We can’t afford it, and when the stench from all of the backroom deals are brought into the open I hope it isn’t to late to turn the tide. The Soviet Socialist Republic of America is where we are headed if we don’t wake up. Stalin would have been proud of these tactics.

Posted by: realist | March 22, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

Wondering if Amy gets paid by the letter or by the word. Keep your government fingers out of my wallet and stay the hell of my land. Otherwise prepare to learn the purpose of the 2nd Amendment.

Posted by: Beavereater | March 22, 2010, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Remember to vote out all democrates out of office in november the bums have got our dander up now and it`s our turn.

Posted by: gene | March 22, 2010, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

This will be a millstone around the necks of the democrats especially come November!

Posted by: Its Me | March 22, 2010, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

yawn….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Posted by: New Wave | March 22, 2010, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

I so forgot, we must spend spend spend to get out of debt.
Now how does that work again? Bullcrap Amy, try excessive taxation on the top 15% of this country, how about substandard services and denials of benefits worse than any private company?
How about a stunning lack of understanding and education on your part?
“Oh, perhaps you object to the fact the reform bill lowers the federal deficit by 1 trillion dollars in its second decade? You do understand it reduces, not adds to, our debt?”
Posted by: Amy in Maine | Mar 22, 2010 9:05:12 AM

Posted by: KennyP | March 22, 2010, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm

Amy in Maine aks:
“Which part do you object to?”
The part of the bill that DOES NOT prevent Insurance Companies from excluding folks for pre-existing conditions.
Children over 17 and Adults of all ages can still be denied insurance and charged unlimited amounts if they have pre-existing conditions. None of this changed when the Obama reform bill became law.
Obama also talks about children up to age 26 in his bill but they do NOT receive pre-existing condition benefits from Obama’s bill if they are “children over age 17″.
Children 17 and under could already get government insurance if they were denied private coverage, and the previously available government insurance was cheaper than private insurance anyway – so not any financial benefit to children under 17 when this bill passed either.
Amy, looks like Obama suckered you again with those no pre-existing conditions sales pitches. Children over 17 and all Adults are just as screwed this year, and next year, and the year after that as they were before this bill was passed.
Sure, Obama promises in his bill that the Next Elected President will change pre-existing coverage for adults in some distant year in the future, provided that future President figures out how to add a bunch of very sick and dying people to existing insurance policies without raising premiums – Good Luck on anyone keeping that impossible promise Obama made on behalf of the next elected President.

Posted by: Reality Check | March 22, 2010, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

are you libs really that stupid to think that this bill will do absolutely nothing you think it will. It will make your premiums skyrocket and our nation can’t handle another trillion dollar handout.

Posted by: steelers01 | March 22, 2010, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm

Bull crap to you, KennyP
where do you get: “how about substandard services and denials of benefits worse than any private company?”
You DO understand that this keeps private insurance in business? This is NOT national healthcare like they have in Britain.
If your employer currently pays your health insurance nothing changes for you!
Noone interferes with your choice of doctor or forces you to take generic drugs, or whatever.
This is about creating a health insurance exchange where self employed people, and people whose comapanies don’t provide benefits, can buy affordable coverage.
Kids can stay on their parents policies until age 26, so you don’t have to worry about JR wrapping his bike around a tree and not being insured.
This bill lowers the deficit by 1 trillion dollars. Obama said he wanted a “deficit neutral bill” and he got something even better. I know Republicans love to run up deficits, but I mean really!

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Democrates lie about everything. I really feel sorry for my grandchildred who will live under the Iron Boot of these commie bastards. Democrats win because they are dishonorable and will use “thug” tactics to get what they want. It’s time for people who want to remain free to give these suckers a taste of their own medicine. And I’m not talking about health care here.
NEVER EVER VOTE FOR A STINKING DEMOCRAT.

Posted by: doc | March 22, 2010, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Wow…
All you need to do is Google “Margaret Sanger + Democrat + Planned Parenthood”
That’s all you had to do Stupak….(My 12 yr old daughter showed me) My eyes were shocked !!!

Posted by: Tone Loc | March 22, 2010, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Reality Check
THe worst part of this debate is how the Republicans have resorted to distorting the facts to fit their beliefs. They can’t even argue straight – they have to resort to fear mongering and spreading lies and misinformation. Oh the hysteria! Oh, oh, oh! Yeah, whip up the uniformed.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | March 22, 2010, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

@Amy:
No one is saying that our coverage would be dropped, we are worried that the quality of the healthcare which our coverage provides will lead to rationing. Capping insurance premiums while increasing demand is ignoring the problem and will lead to rationing. The ultimate cost of this to those who already have insurance is that they will soon have to wait for care and be rushed when they do receive it.

Posted by: Eugene | March 22, 2010, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

While there are some positive things in this bill, at what cost do they come? And I’m not talking just financial. Seems we have to swallow the liberty-killing elements along with it. I would rather have my liberty, thank you. I’m with Ben Franklin … “Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither liberty nor security”. Rest in peace, my beloved America.

Posted by: CJB | March 22, 2010, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

The problem with this bill, just like Social Security and Medicare, is the fiduciary responsibilities it places on the backs of the American public. That’s what we don’t like. You can’t raise taxes in the middle of a depression and expect economic benefits. It’s absolute madness that defies any and all logic.
I am 50 years old. I believe that this is the last Democratic President I will ever see in the White House again. It’s about time.

Posted by: DLTurby | March 22, 2010, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm

Could we PLEASE have an asteroid (a really BIG damned one) turn DC into a freaking crater?

Posted by: Punkindrublic | March 22, 2010, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm

For the first time in my life, I feel like our country is in serious trouble. It’s scary how arrogant most of these Dems are when they’re not listening to the American people! There’s no excuse for pushing through a BAD bill just to say you accomplished something.
The people cheering for this bill either haven’t read the bill or followed the issue, don’t fully understand the ramifications, or feel they deserve a handout. Start following the issues more closely and read up on history.

Posted by: Ryan | March 22, 2010, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

We got the gator aid!

Posted by: John in Florida | March 22, 2010, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

“America does not stand still; it moves forward.”
You are correct; just like any living thing it moves forward; toward its inevitable death due to the corruption of it’s body.
America is on her deathbed; and it’s about tme. The spears thrust through her heart by Progressives in the 1930′s doomed her; and we stand here arguing about band-aids.
America will die and make room for another nation of people yearning to be… free.
Are you ready for the Revolution?

Posted by: An Unconcerned Observer | March 22, 2010, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

Welcome to AmeriKa. This clown makes Jimmy Carter look like a FreeMarket gadfly.

Posted by: baysport | March 22, 2010, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm

I think it time to split the country into 2 halves. The south to Conservatives and the North to liberals.
Texas should secede first and the others to follow. Obama can have the libs in the north and we will elect a sane president in the south.

Posted by: sue eighmy | March 22, 2010, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm

There are, at most, 2 good things in the bill (new pre-existing condition and no-drop coverage rules). But there are at least 16,159 horrible things (16,000 more IRS agents, 159 new government agencies and much, much more). The Dems also cite the Commerce Clause as the constitutional basis for this action, but they need to get back to the actual limited intent of it which is “regulation” only, not direct “management and manipulation”. They also called it the “Civil Rights Act of our time.” I heard a great description of the difference between a “right” and an “entitlement”. All RIGHTS are FREE (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness). Entitlements, on the other hand, require the use of OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. None of us minds helping the truly helpless, it’s the clueless we have a problem with. Get a life of your own all you life-sucking socialists.

Posted by: Greg | March 22, 2010, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

Barney Madoff should run for President in the next election. I don’t know which is worse, the current guy in the oval office or Madoff?
The current one should be brought up on charges. He is the worst president since Chavez.

Posted by: Mitch Pawl | March 22, 2010, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

If this was a good bill, he would not have to start a propaganda tour to sell it to the populace. We will Remember In November! I will not vote for any candidate with a D by their name. They have shown they are corrupt, selfserving, and don’t give a crap about the American people or our Constitution. They will pay at the polls!

Posted by: Arkiepup | March 22, 2010, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

If this stands it will be the end of this country as we know it. 16,000 NEW IRS Agents? Tax on saving and investments. The Middle class just lost the ability to move up. Al Sharpton states those who vote for BO knew they were voting for social programs that would America as we know it. The last working man out please shut the lights off.

Posted by: Jimmy44 | March 22, 2010, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

You can’t get nothing free… It costs someone, and unfortunately it has cost the American people a great deal.. You socialist aint seen nothing yet.
Last night I was upset, today I am just angry as to how the officials in DC are deaf, dumb, and blind.
We will repel this unconstitutional bill
Dems are done, toast, I’m and independent.

Posted by: patriot | March 22, 2010, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

Jackson, are you an idiot? This is a victory for the people over the insurance companies? The federal government has now mandated that YOU pay from YOUR POCKET into the INSURER’s POCKETS. You will now be held CRIMINALLY LIABLE for not paying the insurance companies. How on earth do you consider that a victory for ‘the people’? It’s an insult to the people. A flagrant, partisan, corrupt insult.

Posted by: POed | March 22, 2010, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

I look forward to voting the bums out 2010 and 2012 in favor of a true representative house. Not the big government, special interest sellouts that we have now.

Posted by: Bosk | March 22, 2010, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

He may hold the highest office in the land, but has brought our country down with his ghetto politics.
For anyone of you people that think this is a good idea, please explain to me why I should keep paying my $900/mo. or $10,800/yr premium when all I have to do is pay a mere $695/yr. If I feel an illness coming on, I just run out and buy insurance. Needless to say, this is unsustainable.
Nobody as yet has rationally explained, how this is going to save the country money. Check all the estimates the CBO made for Medicare. The first year they were off by over 10-fold, but the 10th year, they were off by over 38-fold. Extrapolate their stellar performance to this abortion, and we’re simply compounding the country’s bankruptcy. We currently have over $70 Trillion in debt and unfunded entitlements…that’s over 14 times the PLANET’s GDP.

Posted by: Denny | March 22, 2010, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

Free health care for everyone!!! Yea. And free drinks for everyone in the country compliments of the Obama Administration. And a free car and a pony too! Well, gooollly, it sounds almost to good to be true.
Suckers. You just got health insurance. That’s not health care.

Posted by: Becky | March 22, 2010, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Amy in Maine, the CBO was very clear that in the second decade, the numbers cannot be trusted. There is too much uncertainty in the future. It also made clear that with the ‘doc fix’, the bill will actually increase the deficit dramatically.
Add to that the unlikely assumptions that the bill makes. Do you think that Medicare doctors’ payments will actually go down? Do you honestly think that? Given that over the last two decades, every time they were scheduled to decrease the doctors’ compensation, Congress opted to hold it off, do you really think they’ll start now?
Please, Amy in Maine, name me ONE federal program that has cost less than expected. All I want is ONE.
The fact is, you won’t be able to. The size of the government, come hell or high water, will increase until all the freedoms that hundreds of thousands of patriots have died for are washed away. And you, Amy in Maine, will have applauded as democracy died.

Posted by: POed | March 22, 2010, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm

The American people have been constinuously lied to, ridiculed, dismissed, called names, accused of ignorance, yet now we are supposed to just sit back and be spoonfed by a dictatorial congress and man who seems to think he really is the Messiah! Are you out of your freakin’ minds! November cannot get here soon enough! Never and I mean never will I ever vote for or trust another Democrat as long as I live!

Posted by: ReggieP | March 22, 2010, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

Amy in Maine,
I have a plot of land filled with gold, diamonds, and other precious gems. Do you want to buy it?
If you actually believe that this lowers the deficit, you must have drank too much of the Kool-Aid. How can we possibly insure 32 million more people and save money? You must have gone to a crazy left wing school where 1+1=8, because in my eyes Obama’s math doesn’t add up. Not to mention the fact that several factors were left out of the CBO score (how convenient) and the final score hasn’t been released yet.

Posted by: Sarah Alonso | March 22, 2010, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

Amy in Maine – somehow could have guessed you were a Mainer – based solely on your mental deficiency. Answer me this how does 1 + 3 = .5 – it doesn’t and never will. More people to pay for – more IRS to pay for, more medical beauraucracy to support it… not to mention the loan forgiveness programs etc. that are bound to follow once these dolts figure out their aren’t enough people in the medical industry to handle this right now. Ya that will equal less money – you fall for a simple shell game – the money comes form somewhere – deficit comes from spending money you don’t have so – shuffle the exisitng money out of Scoial Security or where ever to pay for this and then it will be “Social Security” or “Defense” or “Farm Subsidies” you name it that they can put the deficit label on – it’ll still exist and will have to be larger based on you backwoods knuckleheads that want everything for nothing or better yet everything on someone elses dime – come ot me when you have exhausted all your personal assets to help your neighbor then you can worry about whether I am doing anything – oh and don’t forget to brush your tooth

Posted by: fred | March 22, 2010, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

Next move for democrats before november is to immediately grant full U.S. citizenship to 13 million illegals in this country. They’ll need the votes so they don’t get destroyed in November.
The American Civil War part 2 is going to be coming to your neighborhood sooner than you think.

Posted by: Madashell | March 22, 2010, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

“Here’s another little tidbit that showed up last night after the vote.
Upon sale of your home there will be a 4% tax on the profit from the sale of that home going to healthcare. Didn’t they think that was important enough to tell us before a vote? Keep peeling away at that onion they gave us last night.”
Don’t use a realtor. Don’t report the sale.

Posted by: heatherfeather | March 22, 2010, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

I have a simple question: Where is all the money going to come from? Treasury is now contracting debt to pay Social Security on T-Bills that Social Security is cashing in to meet its current obligations? At some point,there is a good chance that the fiscal train will come off of the tracks and all of this will be moot.

Posted by: Steve | March 22, 2010, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

What do you all think that the reaction from the “progressives” and the press would have been if the Bush administration had used the same tactics to push through his version of Social Security reform?
Bush did something that Obama and the democrats were not concerned with doing: respecting the will of the American people.
As Rahm Emmanuel said in an interview with Katie Couric: “The product trumps the means”. We have now entered into the realm of food fight politics. Welcome to the Banana Republic of the United States.

Posted by: Steve | March 22, 2010, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm

America is gone. You socialist pigs killed the goose that laid the golden egg for more gold and now you fools have no gold. Deserves you right.

Posted by: Kevin | March 22, 2010, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Posted by: walliat | Mar 22, 2010 4:04:15 PM
“As of yesterday those of you who were merely my political opponents are now my enemy…”
I hate to say it because my very best friend is a Democrat and voted for Obama but I actually agree with you. I have never felt more polarized in this country than I do now having some idealized absurdity forced down the throats of the majority of Americans. How can any Democrat be proud that not one Republican voted for this horrendous monstrosity perpetrated on our country?
I am beginning to understand why states reach the points where they start to think about secession.
I was never a diehard Conservative and have never in my life listened to Rush but I have been pushed so much farther right than I’ve ever been in my life because of the animosity from the Liberals and their unending quest for power. You liberals are so trustingly bline that who believe they’re doing it for you but
there are no Liberal programs that are done out of the goodness of their hearts. Always, always, they are to secure votes or to make you foolish children dependent on the government to take care of you.
It’s all about power. So, now they have control of the banks and financial industry, autos, environment (btw did you know Carbon Dioxide is a pollutant as defined by the EPA? Cool. I thought it was something we breathed out and trees needed to live but what do I know?), schools (oh boy, nationalized education!!!), healthcare (IRS will run it). What’s left?
Next, we’ll have the government ID cards they’re working on.
Oh yeah, change!!!
Freaking idiots

Posted by: Florida Voter | March 22, 2010, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Amy, If all the wonderful cost savings are real why did our ruling class have to define the evaluation period with 10 full years of taxes and “fees” versus only 6 full years of benefits? Do you understand that benefits from this program will have to be suspended 4 yrs of each decade to get it in the black? Your lack of due deligence in logically considering how preposterous the time frames assumptions had to be to make the bill turn positive is what BHO counts on. Ignorance is the building block of tyranny. Thanks Amy. My grandchildren owe you for BHO and the fiscal bankruptcy of our nation… you and the millions like you who believe what you are told and never try to investigate or understand. It is easier that way. Isn’t it Amy? Amy, we all know that you volunteer to be the first to voluntarily die when your critical surgery is not able to be approved or must be delayed by doctor or facilities shortages. Chavez, BHO’s idol, can’t even keep the lights on in Venezuela. I’m sure you’re convinced that our socialists are smarter and they will be the 1st command economic planners to get it right. Right? WRONG?

Posted by: Brian in Atlanta | March 22, 2010, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

““This is what change looks like,” President Obama said”
Yes it is. Full of bribes, kickbacks, corruption, back room deals, phony accounting, major payoffs to Big Pharma and insurers, and created in dark backrooms by party bosses and pushed through in a banana republic shredding of procedures.
The hope comes from the fact that it’s not 1940 and no one relies on the MSM to filter the news anymore. Dems were so focused on victory at any cost that they had zero idea how this was playing out with the voters. We’re not blind, we’re not stupid and we’re not going to take it.

Posted by: obladioblada | March 22, 2010, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm

The massive government takeover of 1/6th of the American economy is breathtaking. Even the Russians are aghast and caution of a dismal future for America if we embrace socialized medicine. They ought to know. They lived under it since 1917. What the democrats like about it isn’t the health care certainly. Health care will get worse, there will be a massive draconian bureaucracy, and the tax cheats will be there to game the system as they do now with food stamps and all the other entitlement programs. But, as they ruined Detroit, you can depend on the democrat liberals to ruin our level of satisfaction with our lives by imposing stiff penalties on those who don’t participate. It is now a command economy and Barak Obama holds the keys to your life . . . and death. As has been often quoted, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The democrats have pulled out all the stops to ruin the economy and turn logic and constitutional government on its head by funding all this with borrowed money from the Chinese communists.

Posted by: shearwater | March 22, 2010, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm

This bill is for them and against the insurance companies. This is a triumph for the people at last.
______________________________________
Does the author of this actually believe this populist crap? Who does he think works for insurance companies (thousands of people)? It’s time to take off the Che Guevara t-shirt.

Posted by: Steve | March 22, 2010, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm

Amy in Maine,
I object that there is no way we actually achieve the $1trillion in savings over 20 years and you know why, because when they pass a budget adjustment shortly that postpones/increases the rates doctors get paid for Medicaid and Medicare patients the bill goes negative in the first 10 years and that’s according to the CBO on Saturday. Oh by the way that first 10 years only has a full six years of services, the first four years are for taxing us and giving out some teasers which are already available to most.
You can not expect to add 30 million people and health care costs to go down, this not wal-mart! Volume will do one thing and that is ration care and make it more expensive!

Posted by: John | March 22, 2010, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Simply amazing. A military veteran with 21 years of service to our country, with family members who have also served, called the office of Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) today. He called her to exercise his First Amendment right to express his disappointment that she changed her vote on the Health Care Deform (yes, I said DEform) bill from a No to a Yes.
What kind of response do you think this patriot, with all those years faithfully guarding our freedom, got from this Democrat Congresswoman’s staff?
Her arrogant twit of a staffer told him that if he didn’t like it, he should move out of the country.
What a classy operation. I wonder if the Congresswoman shares that view?
The Democrat leaders have become the enemies of the American people. They need to be voted out!

Posted by: Brenda, Atlanta | March 22, 2010, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm

And yet another article which explores none of the revealing negatives of this bill. Wait to the average citizen learns that this bill will hire 16,000 new IRS agents to go after your bank accounts if you refuse to pay the fine for not buying mandated health insurance. Think about it… all you Obama supporters. Your government is about to pass a law which forces people to purchase insurance. That’s mandated as in ordering you. If that’s not a blow to individual liberty – what is? And please don’t reply with the moronic argument about auto insurance. Because the last time I checked our socialistic Federal Gov’t has yet to mandate that we all purchase a car. But who knows what these clowns are capable of.

Posted by: AlJones | March 22, 2010, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm

Baaaaaaaah!

Posted by: Jonny | March 22, 2010, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

BO stinks! I can’t wait for the Democrat bloodbath in the November elections!

Posted by: Mike | March 22, 2010, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

Who are all these people so obsessed with bumming off the working man?Who are all these bums who cannot get off their ass and find a job?You dependents of the government are soon going to find out that the rich man is done paying for you.They like the middle class are sick of paying for people who won’t quit being bums and get jobs.It’s our money not theirs we will do what we please.You people who depend on welfare are less than us.You people who depend on a handout are less than everyone who works hard for their money.You think this country is great because the government gave you something?You are wrong it is great because ambitious people made it great.Get off your couch and quit begging for your life.We will not stand for supporting the useless anymore.Thank you.

Posted by: Tim | March 22, 2010, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

The passage of universal health care is more of a reason for Texas to leave the union. It’s the only place left in the country where idiots don’t reign. Haven’t any of you people applauding health care figured out that its going to cost you starting now, for benefits you can’t get for four years?

Posted by: Danno50 | March 22, 2010, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

When my man Scalia gets hold of this unconstitutional behemoth, he will barbecue it.
Libloon donkeycrats, yer goin’ down!!

Posted by: Smitty | March 22, 2010, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

“this is what change looks like”???
it looked more like coruption to me.
buys votes with my tax dollars.,if this
is your change.,you can stick it in the
dark secret place., November is coming
and lots oh morons are going.

Posted by: wilmac123 | March 22, 2010, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

Bi-Partisan my a**! Never in the history of major social legislation has a majority party solely authored and passed anything analogous, especially when a clear majority of the voters were opposed to it. The President and both houses of congress wasted the firt 3 months of this president’s term in office. That was the time to convene a truly bipartisan effort to draft this legislation. Dealing from a position of strength, it is virtually certain that the Democrats would have got at least a few moderate GOP members of both houses to co-sponsor an appropriate (different, no doubt) piece of legislation that would not have split the nation. The consequences of this take-it and like-it execrise in raw politics, using the public till to buy any fence-sitters is repulsive and will cost the Democrates for many years to come. It will give the GOP a license to kill the next time it is in power, and the cycle will go on. There has NEVER been a major social program whose cost was not underestimated by many orders of magnitued, because of the CERTAIN need to use increases in each election to buy more votes. Dependency is like that, especially when such an increasingly large fraction of the voters are invitted to slurp at the trough of more wealth transfer. In our presently weak economic state, with the ONLY job growth being in the government sector — the tax and related burden increase on employers and the segment of the population presently generating our GDP — we have just added many bales of hay (not a straw) that can break the camel’s back. We may well descend from superpower status to a permenant Russia-like economic morass … God Help Us.

Posted by: John J | March 22, 2010, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

Hey, sports fans, be aware RINO John McCain has proposed a bill which allows the FDA to control which supplements you take. And, it is supported by RINO Kaye Hutchinson, and by RINO Cornyn.
Their excuse is they need to protect us poor stupid sinners from our own ignorance. You can be sure this was proposed by the lobbyists for the big pharmaceuticals, who want things like saw palmetto, 8 cents a day to stop urinary blockage from prostate swelling, to be replaced by ten dollar a day stuff they sell. No mention of the fact that tens of thousands of people every year die from the effects of approved meds.
Hurrah for the good ole’ USSA.

Posted by: irlandes | March 22, 2010, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

Congress exempted themselves. Need to know anything else? 10 years of taxes and 6 years of costs. Need to know anything else? Raised taxes on all Americans, not just those over $250,000. Need to know anything else?

Posted by: David in Texas | March 22, 2010, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

So, I guess everyone saw the US is going to lose its AAA Moody rating? This is pretty astounding since we pretty much pay for it.
March 22 (Bloomberg) — The bond market is saying that it’s safer to lend to Warren Buffett than Barack Obama.
The Democrats will be able to add the downfall of the US economy to their extensive resume. We are headed to being pariahs of the world and noone wants to lend us money. Once China backs off, we’re dead in the water but when your GDP is about 80% and getting worse (read all the spending, printing and borrowing Obama and his minions have done), we will go down.
Yeah, sure it’s good politically for the right what’s going on but it’s not worth ruining our country.
Also, Liberals, don’t bring Bush into this. His Tarp funds were miniscule compared to all of the money Obama has recklessly spent, printed, borrowed.
Obamacare will be the nail in the coffin.
Idiots who believe this will lower our deficit. Of course, they’re the diehard Obama voters who haven’t realized how they were duped so they will never take off their rose-colored glasses.

Posted by: Florida Voter | March 22, 2010, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

Good grief, Amy in Maine! How can YOU
spread such misinformation?
“The American Medical Association supports the healthcare reform bill. The AARP supports the healthcare reform bill. Nuns support the healthcare
bill!”
First of all, the AMA, according to
their OWN FIGURES, represents less than
29% of the licensed physicians in the
United States. Remember that the next
time Obama breaks out the white coats
at the White House for a photo op.
Of COURSE the AARP supports the bill,
because they stand to benefit when
Medicare Advantage goes bye-bye. This
will force many Seniors to buy AARP’s more expensive (with fewer benefits) Medigap coverage. Can you say “Cha-ching”?
And the nuns may support it, but the
BISHOPS sure don’t!
And while we’re at it, here’s the link
from the New England Journal of
Medicine, which points to a link for a
study that discusses how Obamacare
could significantly reduce the number of
available physicians:

Posted by: Brenda, Atlanta | March 22, 2010, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm

I am in mourning right now. I even dressed in black today. Mourning for
these people who bought into Obama’s
healthcare plan. Mourning for the
next generation, who if we do not
take back our country, will have to
suffer the consequences of our actions
or what we did not do. It’s time to
for ALL freedom and liberty loving
Americans to get busy and take back
out great country. Vote anyone who voted for the healthcare bill out of office.

Posted by: tripmom | March 23, 2010, 12:39 am 12:39 am

Wow! Free government cheese for everyone. Is this a great country or what?

Posted by: Mason | March 23, 2010, 11:04 am 11:04 am

Hey Amy in Maine . . . What part do I object to? How about the part where I will have my tax dollars used to fund abortion services. Or will you lie to me like Barbara Walters did on teh view when she told Elizabeth Hasselbeck that abortion services were not in the bill? Don’t expect that flimsy Executive Order which does not carry the weight of law to keep pro-choice morality from being imposed on me even as they object to me “trying imposing my morality” on them in the name of “life,” the first and most important human right there is! Not good enough for you? Then how about the fact that my freedom to choose how I spend my money is further taken away by being required to purchase something I don’t want. Before you tell me I already contribute to Social Security & Medicare, let me tell you I don’t want to have to do that either. I want government to leave me alone to live my life without confiscating my hard earned money to pay for things for other people. I am not opposed to aiding folks who through no fault of their own need help. But the key is no fault of their own. The failure to pursue a course that allows you to provide for yourself should not mean that I have to take care of you. And while I’m on it, the same goes for the Congress. These people are eating up my hard earned money for perks and privileges I can not even dream of. Case in point, the President’s family special outings at my family’s expense. By the way, it wouldn’t matter to me if it were a Republican doing these thigns, I would still be opposed to them. Nor would it matter if the President was white, oriental or martian. Jackassism can be found in every race, color, religious orientation, sexual orientation, economic strata, and eduction level and I am opposed to it and the actions it takes.

Posted by: Mike Beckner | March 23, 2010, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

this is garbage! Obama didn’t win any arguements, he didn’t win over public opinion, he didn’t make history in the sense that he changed America! America is still against this kind of health care system! He went against the majority of the people! He is a fraud! He will never pass another piece of legislation again unless he forces it through the way he did this time! He is a joke!

Posted by: verbera | March 23, 2010, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm

April, You ask what we object to. We object to our government representatives voting in a bill, only because their party crafted it, that they have not read nor understand . We object to individuals such as yourself that make statements without knowing the facts. People, like you, that believe what your party wants you to believe. We all want good healthcare. Americans are mad because they wanted to know what the the bill contained before it was voted on. People weren’t against the bill. They were against the fact that nobody knew what was in the bill. The democratic party is paranoid that if you object to anything you’re a Republican bent on stopping the democrats. This was not about healthcare. This was about Obama winning at all costs so he can go down in history. As with all things in life, what goes around comes around. This will ultimately be his undoing. Fortunes shift as does power. A greek tragedy awaits!

Posted by: Craig | March 24, 2010, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

This isnt about ultra right wing, ultra left wing, center left, south of north or north of south.this is about being AN AMERICAN. What does it mean? Does it means to be free and have freedom FROM the government. A law that is installed and posted about infringing on our freedoms isnt being right wing.it is about telling it like it is. Whether you like it or not. There are alot of right wingers that dont like to here this stuff because they are conditioned through media and others that America is good, free but are we really? Whether you are democrat in denial or republican in denial this is real stuff going on and to look at is as right wing or left wing is being childish and doing JUST WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO DO. Look at is as extremist.Dont you believe in the constitution? If not go to a country where you have no rightsand see how much you really do depend on the constitution.It really angers me to see people who post oh this is a right wing site, nevermind or This is a liberal site never mind, Who the hell cares? Its American is what it is so get it through your media brainwashed minds that being american is HAVING KNOWLEDGE, not being another sheep in the feild following whatever goes. As hitler said What good fortune for governments that the people do not think.Furthermore, if you were to go to a site that promotes herbal and organic means to heal and for everyday, would you think Oh that is just a liberal site? No its not just liberal, its being healthy. Its not pumping yourself full of pesticides and hormones ment for other animals.We need to stop thinking in terms of divisions because THAT is precisley what the government wants.

Posted by: hearing aids | February 4, 2012, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

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Of the Land: After the Vote, the Sale, as Health Care Stays Where It’s Been

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