Bush Looks at New Health Care Initiative, Advisers Say

NY Times ^ | January 17, 2004 | ELISABETH BUMILLER and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

[A. Pole]

You just don't understand the political genius of it all, we defeat our enemy by becoming him. BOHICA

But we can do it in so inefficient wasteful way (like high priced medications for seniors) that we can bankrupt the budget and demonstrate that way the error of our enemy. As a nice side effect, the big corporations can make more profit.

[steve50]

As a nice side effect, the big corporations can make more profit.

It's those public/private partnerships we heard so much about. They had other terms for it in the past, not nearly as PC tho.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Can't say I'm surprised

[Justice]

I don't see a spending program here...I see tax credits.

Maybe this isn't so bad after all...

[sergeantdave]

The solution is to take all the illegal aliens and make them doctors, nurses, therapists, etc. They can wander about the country and knock on doors, asking if anyone needs brain surgery, organ transplants, etc. Of course they'll work for $5 an hour, thus greatly reducing health care costs and making medical insurance unnecessary.

(I'm running for president and my campaign slogan is "Two birds with one stone.")

[FormerACLUmember]

I don't see a spending program here...I see tax credits.

Hope you are right. Specifically this would be MSAs (Medical Savings Accounts), which conservatives (and rational people) love. Throw is massive tort reform, and I will be a happy dude.

Unknown however if Bush is capable of this, given his pandering to date.

[e_engineer]

My #11 is a masterpiece in a horrible paragraph. Typo, bad grammar, spelling errors the works

It's hard to type properly with a big knife in your back.

You did a great job of conveying the rage one feels after reading this article.

[B Knotts]

I am extremely disappointed. I really thought that, despite some misgivings I had about him, that George W. Bush was an honorable man.

His behavior lately, however, strikes of the most bald pandering, and is reminiscent in some ways of the Bent One.

I really don't know what to do now. By the time the election comes around, we may be bankrupt.

[Jim Noble]

His behavior lately, however, strikes of the most bald pandering, and is reminiscent in some ways of the Bent One.

George Bush came to my small town in July 1999 and gave a campaign speech.

I took my kids, as we always try to meet all of the candidates (a benefit of living in NH).

After my encounter with W, I posted on this forum, "He is our Clinton".

I will of course vote for him. But my original judgement was not far off.

[B Knotts]

Well, I voted for him to keep out Algore, and stave off disaster a for a little while. Apparently, that's a very little while. :-/

[Howlin]

See #51 for the actualy quote; evidently humor has gone out the window at FR, along with truth.

[FITZ]

to help the uninsured and the underinsured

Why not work on bringing jobs back into this country? And what's the point in bringing in 8 million guest workers and their families when so many Americans can't afford insurance?

[AAABEST]

LOL, OK. I didn't think so.

I know you get edgy at times, but I'm glad to know you're still with us here on earth.

[Howlin]

Well, what he posted LOOKED so much better, though, didn't it?

[NutCrackerBoy]

The uninsured come to the emergency room, but they don't get the type of ongoing care that will keep them healthier and reduce the occurrence of emergencies. OK, well, what is the best way for them to get health care insurance? To get a good job. What if they have no skills? If we raise taxes to pay for universal health care, the economy won't be as robust; therefore fewer jobs.

We have to maintain the ethic that you work hard and succeed to get good things like great health care, or we will sink into socialism, which cannot sustain this level of great health care for all, anyway.

[browardchad]

DON'T FORGET to put my name on the list.

I would hate to have people think I was a liberal.

LOL!

[FITZ]

There are two ways for people to have health insurance --- get it from working --- meaning they have to earn enough to buy it or they get it free from the government confiscating the wages of those who are working.

Jobs being sent to foreign countries isn't helping this situation at all --- and bringing down the wages and job benefits of American citizens by bringing in indigent foreigners isn't helping either. A shortage of workers can be a good thing, employers then begin to raise wages and compete for workers.

[sauropod]

""The American people have a right to ask, `Mr. President, how do you intend to make health care more affordable, and more available?' " Mr. Daschle, of South Dakota, said in a speech at the National Press Club."

The American people have a right to ask, Sen. Dasshole, why is it that everyone has to suck of the Gubbermint teat especially for an illegitimate function of Gubbermint?

[sauropod]

"I know you're compiling a list of the names of FReepers critical of Bush's liberal Democrat agenda so you can "hunt them down one by one" if Bush ends up in exile at his Crawford ranch next year. Here's a few more names for your list."

I sincerely hope it does not come to that. I have some friends that i disagree with here on the board. Howlin is one. She is good people.