Time’s up. The Goliaths of our healthcare system have stepped over the line. They told us how intelligent they think we are. It didn’t sound like a compliment.
They told Obama with a straight face that they had a plan to help him get the reform he wants. They had their fingers crossed. They are staging public relations stunts with the President while Maximus Baucus intends to control the shape of whatever oozes from the cesspool that is the Senate Finance Committee.
There is an elegant way to beat them. It will take some effort but the results will be truly gratifying.
First, they wouldn’t feel the need to even talk about reform unless they saw the handwriting on the wall. Polls show support for at least a public insurance option in the 60-75% range. They can count the heads in Congress. They see other industries at an international competitive disadvantage due to healthcare costs. They are aware that Obama has some political capital.
Let’s identify the problem. That’s easy. It’s all of the money they spend purchasing Congressmen. We just have to alter the equation somewhat.
Since many corporations in other industries have come to the realization that the present system is hurting them, they simply cut off Senator Baucus and a few others. Max takes tons of money from other industries. If they quit bribing him, with the understanding that their actions are based on his support for the healthcare leeches, they can reduce the total of his take by more than what he gets from that one industry.
Also, most of Obama’s political machine may be taking a temporary break after the campaign but it is still intact. Just the threat of activating them should cause any targeted legislator to second-guess himself.
That imminently successful machine could prospectively identify alternate candidates for the next election cycle. The potential for raising respectable amounts of cash for a primary and the prospect of drying up some of the incumbents’ existing sources might be a powerful incentive to back Obama’s reform, and other issues.
Those measures and a bit of backroom arm-twisting could deny the healthcare industry sufficient leverage with these political prostitutes to destroy the clout they are now exercising.
p.s. I think I found a picture of Donald Trump’s mother.
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Top-notch story it is definitely. My boss has been looking for this update
Im sure I can speak for all that we would love to see a follow up to this post.
just when I was getting all worked up about the health care issue you had to go and have the photo of The Donald’s mom!!!! too funny.
BUT, I just gotta have health insurance. I am 52 years old and have worked for the last 20 years in jobs with absolutely NO insurance. I’m older now and ready to need some attention from doctors!
Your article is quite interesting, as usual. Thanks.
I discovered they were right when they said old age is not for sissies. It seems there is a law requiring us geezers to have at least one surgery a year. I was able to double my quota in 6 months this year.
BTW, you’re still a Spring chicken. At 52 you are too young to take across state lines.
Your plan would definitely be effective, but how to get all those other industries to quit their bribery?
If they understand that the present system is harming them and that the way to change the system requires their cooperation, they should be expected to act in their own self-interest.
This doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t return to bribery in the future. Politicians have developed a campaign regime that requires large amounts of money. That is where they are vulnerable. That is why the corporations are in the catbird seat.
We just need to cultivate some corporations to aid us in fights against other corporations. Divide and conquer.
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