“The political beauty of the public option opt-out, in a nutshell: the red states will throw a tantrum & hold their breath — until they turn blue.”

http://wiretaps.typepad.com/warranted_wiretaps/2009/10/holding-their-breaths.html

You are wrong here. Pulling Sen. Snowe along gives the Conservadems cover for the cloture votes.

You think strong-arming was the way to go. The Nelsons and Conrads would haved balked to look independent and President Obama would have been left holding the bag.

The Public Option can ALWAYS be strenthened in the future. Less talk about bullying Senators and more talking about moving the public option we have now onto the floor to vote.

Government healthcare, anyone?
October 27, 2009 notamobster 1 Comment

Prior to my recent move, my mother moved in with me. That was in April. She is a recovered dope fiend, and ex-convict. She’s been clean since ‘98. She just turned 57 years old, and has been in outstanding physical shape, her entire life (crack probably helped with that). The reason I bring up her brief history is to illustrate why she never had insurance. She has been a waitress her entire adult life.

She’s older now, so I brought her to live with me. She got on Medicare and went to a Medicare (Govt clinic) doctor for a physical. She was given a clean bill of health. In late June she began experiencing pain and numbness in her chest and arms. Her govt doctor said she was having anxiety attacks. She knew differently but they kept sending her home. She told the doc she was moving Michigan with me. He castigated her, as stupid and silly for moving while being treated for her anxiety. During the last month in Louisiana she went to the hospital 15 times. 15 times she was sent home with a clean bill of health.

Upon our arrival in Michigan, she went to the local emergency room where the doctor noted high blood pressure and attempted to discharge her. She informed said doctor that she would be arrested before she left that ER of her own volition. They called a heart doctor. He advised them to observe her over night and he would be in at daylight to run tests. When he arrived at the hospital, he found (to his “horror” — his word, not mine) that she had a 99% blockage of a large artery directly behind her heart. She was life-flighted to Saginaw for emergency surgery and to install a stint.

In direct contrast to the castigation she received from her government doctor, the folks at our sister of mercy, or whatever it’s called were friendly, pleasant, and genuine fun to be around. Everyone was professional while maintaining an atmosphere of caring and genuine concern for the welfare of their patients. I don’t know how the catholic charity hospital is funded, but I know it isn’t run by government bureaucrats. The care received at the various facilities, from various providers, stood in stark contrast to one another. I’ll take charity and private control over government bureaucracy any day of the week and twice on Sunday

Counting chickens, I see.