Debbie Wasserman-Schultz just had the same extensive treatment for breast cancer that I did. Not sure how much hers cost, but with the fine health care plan she has as a member of Congress, I’m sure it was less than the $60,000 it cost me as someone who is fully insured by Blue Cross.
So when she says it’s more important for her to be in a leadership position fighting for a public plan than it is to make a commitment to vote against a bill that doesn’t have one, I think that’s a luxury she can afford:
DWS: I’m planning to reform for a health care reform plan that includes a robust public option.
Mike Stark: Those are … we’re calling them "weasel words" over at FDL just because it does give you a huge loophole to back out of .
DWS: Well I’m not someone who draws lines in the sand.
Actually, here’s Rep. Wasserman-Schultz on controlling the budget:
And that’s the direction we are going to continue to go in, because that line in the sand that you referred to, we have got to draw one.
Here’s Rep. Wasserman-Schultz after Hurricane Katrina:
We cannot ever let this happen again, and we have got to draw a line in the sand and say this far and no further.
Now, it was perfectly appropriate to draw lines in the sand over those issues. But what she’s really saying is that a public plan isn’t, in her mind, worth drawing a line in the sand over, because she actually draws them somewhat easily.
And in the end, if the women in this country see that Rep. Wasserman-Schultz was simply protecting her right to be a part of leadership and vote for a crappy Kent Conrad co-op plan that leaves them out in the cold, they’ll know that she actually was drawing a line in the sand — they just get to stand on the other side of it.
She concludes:
DWS: I’ve been a legislator for 17 years, and I’m a pretty effective one, so I think I’ve been on the right track so far, and I’m going to continue on that track.
Before this is over, it will be interesting to see on whose behalf she is "effective."
Rep. Wasserman-Schultz offices: DC: 202-225-7931, FL: 954-437-3936, 305-936-5724
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I’m calling Debbie tomorrow.
Rep. Wasserman-Schultz: Just another part of the proof Congress doesn’t give a rat’s ass about constituents or morals. Constituents and morals don’t come with the perks available from lobbyists of multi billion dollar insurance firms. I had my hopes up she would take a minor camera hit to her face towards the end, just to see if her reaction would be anger or magnanimity.
I’m old and no longer swift on the uptake. You’re fully insured, yet it cost you $60,000? Where have we gone, and how has it come to this?
Not many times I disagree with Debbie Wasserman Schultz but this is one of them. Will call. Hope you are doing well Jane.
Debbie is generally pretty good at taking a walk in others shoes in most cases.
Wondering what kind of pressure she must be getting from Insurance companies and her constituents in Florida
“But what she’s really saying is that a public plan isn’t, in her mind, worth drawing a line in the sand over, because she a
ctually draws them somewhat easily.already HAS her breast cancer coverage and doesn’t give a shit about anyone else.Fixed it for you, Jane.
fuck it, rave on
Not that this matters, as even the newly released House version of the bill is a joke, loaded with weaselly language and a massively, election-losing, delayed start.
~~~ModNote: Above link is direct-to-PDF.~~~
wtf? How exactly is the new bill a “joke”? About as good as we coulda hoped for imo.
That may be the problem. 8 election cycles makes for some serious ties with the money machine.
Publicly funded elections. puh-leeze!
Oh, Jane. This is so sad. Have you spoken directly to her to find out what she is thinking?
I, thankfully, have coverage through my husband’s work place. But, I’m afraid to know what decision I would make at this point, I’m only 57, about putting every penny I’ve worked for into a treatment should I ever get diagnosed.
Very sad indeed.
She’s never faced a serious GOP opponent and yet was placed in charge of the DCCC Red-to-Blue program responsible for flipping Republican districts to Democratic challengers. Her access to fundage and her lack of need for said fundage are all it’s about. Her success as a legislator is entirely unrelated, if there has been any success.
Hi demi!!
Anything but the Public Option where you pay a monthly dividend and nothing else for what ever care your Doctor’s say you need to treat what ever health issue you have!! Of course when it comes to end of life care where there is no way in hell you will ever cheat death, you should be allowed to decide in consultation with Your Doctor to keep you out of pain until the end. Without all this crap of prolonging your life just cause!!
Everyone of the “Health Care Insurance Companies” need to go the way of the Dodo bird!! They have milked the economy and people enough!!
Single Payer!!
Bizarre, reply not working. whatever.
Nahant, I know you just been through the ringer with a health issue, so I’m sure you know from experience.
For my whole career, I had Kaiser insurance and never paid much for any procedure, including major pediatric eye surgery for my son when he was 7. Now, I have Cigna. I’m not a fan of doctors and well, ’nuff said.
Enough people here have said Single Payer for me to believe you all.
((nahant, dude))
Why bother talking to her, it’s already been stated she got her surgery and doesn’t give a shit about anyone else. What’s to discuss?
Oh, Raven. :(
Sorry, I meant, what if someone who has been through something similar had a heart to heart? There’s always hope when we talk to each other.
(((demi))) sure wish you could make the meetup on the 25th… And yes I have been through the ringer.. in fact I am still caught up in it but I am not advocating for me as I have have the money part under control… now the rest well we shall see!
I am advocating for the rest of our fellow citizens who are being screwed by the insurance Health Care system… They are only looking for a PROFIT and profit and good health care are antithetical of each other! Profit motive MUST be removed from any health care system plain and simple..
Sorry, I just think attacking her like that is bullshit, nothing to do with you.
You know what? I just found out my work schedule starting next week is Mon, Tues, Wed. So, I’ll talk to the mister about making a drive up there for Saturday. My mother just asked me if I still talk to “my friend near the Redwoods”. I’d love to meet you and see Suzanne again. I’m not sure Teddy wants to meet me tho. Wouldn’t want to put a damper on a nice event.
Gotcha. Missed the snark tag.
Are you still Peachy?
demi not to worry, we are after all firepups!! There will be other pups to schmooze with with (:>)) And it is my call who comes and who is not invited!! You and your mister would be most welcomed!! You can reach me at nahanter at da g mail thingy and I will give you the info to find us (:>)) Let me know demi..
The only way we are going to get meaningful healthcare reform is to hold our representatives accountable from Obama down to the most junior congressional rep. They are so obviously afraid of the deep-pockets on the other side.We haveto challenge them just like the high-powered bastards do with the insurance companies and their retinue of pimps and theives.
I think letting them deprive the working poor of a decent healthcare plan trumps any sort of “bullshit” questions. This is not the time to be polite. Ask Hillary how that worked out.
Okay, we could use a few days away. Any chance of a camping spot area being near by up there?
I’ll check it out here and then email you.
OMG. You mean I might get a vacation this summer?
that wasn’t a question now was it?
check out San Mateo camping info
Also Memorial Park, Huddart Park, there are many places around here in the Redwoods…
Honey is home and he said, yeah, sure. He’s so nice and good. I’m going to check out those sites and then email you. Maybe not ’til tomorrow though.
I’ll bring my flute if your wife will play a duet with me.
Sorry, the Hammond stays home. *g*
Imagine us hauling a trailer up the coast with a B-3 in it? Ha!
The guy on Bill Moyers was a former Cigna guy…Maybe you can catch a link. It was a fantastic interview b/c the guy was very low key…what he said will “curl your hair” as they say. About denying claims, terminating coverage, etc. Creeps
I just had my hair cut. Fairly short. Kinda pixieish. Don’t need it curled. I’m saying, yikes. I just don’t have enough time to learn all the stuff I want to. Ya know?
But, thanks, dear. You’re a doll.
Good Night, Raven. Where ever you are. And, if you’re still doing sleeping 10 – 6. I know my schedule changes during the summer.
But, keep the faith, brother. It’s all going to work out in the end. We all try in different ways.
And, you always have Fishing!
Yeah! like Accountability Now held Nancy Pelosi accountable for taking impeachment off the table by supporting the 3rd party campaign of Cindy Sheehan!
ha ha ha, no, this didn’t happen because Accountability Now appears to be just another Democratic Party front group, sorry!
here’s the plan – the Democrats who control both houses of congress and the White House will pass a law making it mandatory to purchase health care from the same greedy insurance companies who make our current system so great – but with a ‘public option’ available for those able to hire a law firm to go through and file all the paperwork properly.
(hey there’s a new niche!)
then, in 2010, the (R)’s will run their usual crop on batshit loonie crypto-fascists, and all a (D) has to do is be not as bad!
rinse and repeat, forever and ever, until your grandchildren are paying $100,000 for treatments their insurance refuses to cover.
Now that is something… she does teach Flute but her instrument of choice is Oboe… She is in a Woodwind Quintet and of course there is a Flute… I will let you talk to her about doing a duet… Me I love to hear her sing… she is a soprano and has a voice… well she Will give you chills up and down your spine when she sings..
I can never get enough of her singing!
Really hope you can be here on the 25th!!
As for the B3 Hammond I know her X is amazing on one… but lugging it around well that is a whole nother story… You got a strong back??? Or just a broken one from moving it??
The congress really don’t give 2cents about you & I folks,really.
No, no. The B’s the mister’s. He’s the keyboardist.
I remember you telling me about her voice and her oboe. That’s why I mentioned it. I’ll prolly email you on Thursday, when I have the day off.
Oh boy!
Sounds like you Will have a great Vacation demi.. The Bay Area is wonderful. Oh and don’t forget the Jambalaya and pies!!
She’s a good congresswoman. Because she refuses to make a commitment, does not make her terrible. She’s been a loud voice for progressives in the past and I’m sure she won’t let us down on this one. I did not like the pressure tactics used on her either.
Re Wasserman-Schultz, great catch. She is incredibly inconsistent in her positions and this really blows her credibility. To be credible, there has to be the perception that someone is fair in their judgments. But Wasserman-Schultz just believes what she believes no matter how contradictory her beliefs are.
My worry is that she’s a pretty honest barometer of Obama’s views, and she hasn’t gotten (and may not get) the high-sign.
All these congresscritters need to start eating their own dogchow.
Perhaps some enterprising intern can program a Citizen USA simulation game for their cellphones?
sheesh.
Perhaps because the conditions attached to the “public plan” ensure that it will perform as poorly, cost as much and be as limiting as private insurance. Perhaps because there’s a requirement to purchase private insurance, no matter your income, and most people aren’t going to qualify to buy into the public plan?
If you read it closely, there’s a number of poison pills applied to the “public plan” included in this bill.
Her career or your health, which is more important?
That is where I take issue. “About as good as we coulda hoped for imo.” is where we get into trouble. We are fighting the monumental mountains of cash which the health care industry and pharmas have dumped on OB and Congress. We should accept only the best. Any concessions mean that we are caving in to the greed of the HC industry.
We can do better. Go real “single payer”! No to co-opted “single payer”!
And as Ralph Nader has said so many times, “There are more of us than there are of them.” “Them” will try to ignore “us” until we beat “them” into the ground.