Psssttt…Jay…We’ve Been Telling You This For Months

Filed in National by on June 26, 2009

Jay Rockefeller is “getting it.”

On Thursday, Rockefeller admitted he expects little bipartisan support.

“There is a very small chance any Republicans will vote for this health-care plan. They were against Medicare and Medicaid [created in the 1960s]. They voted against children’s health insurance.

“We have a moral choice. This is a classic case of the good guys versus the bad guys. I know it is not political for me to say that,” Rockefeller added.

“But do you want to be non-partisan and get nothing? Or do you want to be partisan and end up with a good health- care plan? That is the choice.”

Yes, that’s really what’s happening. Jay, do you remember the stimulus package? Do you remember the party of “no?” That’s not just a slogan, that’s reality. I’m really glad you understand this now. Democrats are going to have to take the risks on themselves. I don’t care how much you say “60 votes,” the American people expect you to get this done. Jay, could you convince a few other senators, enough to make 51? Thanks!

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Comments (11)

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  1. jason330 says:

    “But do you want to be non-partisan and get nothing? Or do you want to be partisan and end up with a good health- care plan?”

    Carper: Non-partisan.

  2. Tom S says:

    So we’ll get healthcare like the govt provides to the VA…can’t wait. The govt knows how to run healthcare.

    http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/966157.html

  3. Rebecca says:

    TOM S! (yes, I’m shouting you numbskull)

    You’ll get CHOICE. You like what you’ve got? Keep it.

    Those who can’t get insurance will have a choice. Those with pre-existing conditions, no money, etc. will have a choice.

    What is it about the word CHOICE that makes Republicans crazy? Why are they so opposed to letting citizens choose what is best for them and their families?

  4. Truth Teller says:

    Why are the Dem”s such pussies. Just pass single payer with 51 votes. Screw the Repuks and Carper will get his unless we all become pussies

  5. Rebecca nails it. Why are Republicans so opposed to Americans getting a choice? If our health care system is so great now, why are they afraid of another competitor. If government has such lousy health care people will flee it in droves.

    That’s the proposal. A government-run, public option to help cover the uninsured. We don’t want to hear more horror stories about cancer patients facing bureaucratic nightmares, medical bankruptcies and people dying of preventable diseases because they aren’t rich enough to get treatment.

  6. TT,

    I agree. I don’t know if it’s a Washington bubble or if Washington Democrats read too much David Broder or what. Just because a public option is controversial with powerful health care lobbyists and their pet Congresspeople doesn’t mean that it’s controversial with the public as a whole. It’s really irritating that we have to work this hard to get them to do the right thing.

    I think of it this way. If Democrats start coming back to us saying we need money or even more of a majority to do what they were elected to do people are going to lose patience with them. People want this! It’s almost a no-brainer. Give people what they want! Health care execs may have a lot of money, but each one only has one vote.

  7. PBaumbach says:

    It’s really simple. ‘Democrats’ such as Tom Carper who plan to run for re-election and who receive money from health insurance lobbyists fight against a public option for healthcare reform.

    Democrats like Ted Kaufman who are not planning to run for re-election, and who do not ‘need’ any money from health insurance lobbyists fight for a public option for healthcare reform.

    Citizens such as you and I who receive nothing from health insurance lobbyists fight for a public option for healthcare reform.

    It’s time for Tom Carper to stop being a mouthpiece for the health insurance industry.

  8. anon says:

    Maybe if we call the public option a “health care voucher,” Republicans will start to get it.

  9. Joanne Christian says:

    And that’s why all the trouble w/ marriage….it’s semantics gang.

  10. Phil says:

    Maybe the Republicans are taking their partisan cues from Obama?