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Entries in healthcare (13)

Wednesday

17Feb2010

Republicans concerned about televised healthcare summit: "It's a trap!"

Chris Jr. |

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 5:35PM | in

Humor,

Politics

Former Admiral, now Senator Ackbar pictured here warning Republicans of the apparent trap.When I heard about President Obama's planned bipartisan healthcare reform summit, I couldn't have been more pleased. Finally, Republicans would be forced to remove their obstructionist cap and replace it with a thinking one. I was certain that this would surely make Republicans unhappy. No one likes looking stupid on TV. So far, they've been able to shore up public support and even win elections by just opposing ideas instead of putting forth their own. I thought about drafting an article. Then a friend of mine pointed me toward a Daily Show episode I'd missed. It turns out, Jon Stewart had me covered. Video after the jump...

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Healthcare Reform In The Aftermath Of Scott Brown

Chris Jr. |

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 8:42AM | in

Opinion,

Politics

Note that I'm using this picture for levity purposes only. My arguments don't require cheap-shots by way of Cosmo. Besides, his abs aren't that great...Now that the internet has stopped exploding, I think we can have a reasonable discussion about Scott Brown's victory, the future of healthcare reform and the future of the Democratic party.

Before I get into what the election means, let's be clear about what it does not mean. Brown's victory does not mean the nation has rejected healthcare reform altogether. Massachusetts has universal healthcare through a system of co-ops, so they couldn't care less about the nation's plans. Many Bay Staters likely resent the federal government for drafting a plan that allows their tax dollars to go toward a national system from which they would not benefit. So, when Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says, “There’s a reason the nation was focused on this race: The voters in Massachusetts, like Americans everywhere, have made it abundantly clear where they stand on health care," I think he's purposefully misleading people. It doesn't take a logician to tell you that Bay Staters are not like "Americans everywhere." "Americans everywhere" do not have affordable healthcare insurance. And unlike Bay Staters, the rest of the country can look forward to healthcare costs continuing to spiral out of control.

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All eyes are on Tuesday's showdown in Massachusetts

Chris Jr. |

Monday, January 18, 2010 at 7:19PM | in

Politics

I find your lack of win disturbing.Things aren't looking good for Democrats in Massachusetts. Republican state Sen. Scott Brown leads Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley in the latest polls, 52 to 45 percent. Both are vying for Ted Kennedy's vacant seat in the U.S. Senate by way of a special election on Tuesday. Most had dismissed the election, figuring Coakley to be a shoo-in. Sure, the poll has a sampling error of four percentage points and is -- after all -- a poll, but the fact of the matter is not one poll has shown Coakley ahead in the last few days.

With Democrats' slim filibuster-proof, 60-seat Senate majority, Ted Kennedy's open seat is paramount. If Brown wins, his victory would derail the Democrat's healthcare reform and likely any left-leaning legislation over the next few years. Brown has sworn to oppose Obama's healthcare reform. "Massachusetts wants real reform and not this trillion-dollar Obama health care that is being forced on the American people," he said. "As the 41st [Republican] senator I will make sure that we do it better."

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An open letter to Republicans in the wake of healthcare reform

Chris Jr. |

Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 7:53PM | in

Opinion,

Politics

The colors, Duke! The colors!Dear Republican(s),

First off, I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I know some of you aren't fans of the politically correct "Happy Holidays" line so here you go, straight up. I don't mean to interrupt your holiday with politics. If you want to bookmark this article and revisit it later when there's less holiday cheer, you won't hurt my feelings. But if you're a hardcore politico like me, you won't be able to resist a politically themed open letter. So, if you're still in, on we go!

Alright, I bet you're pissed. I would be too if a bill that I was diametrically opposed to passed. I'm not writing this letter to gloat. I just want to air some of my concerns as well as settling a few concerns you may have. We may even have a few concerns in common.

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Healthcare reform shifts towards the center and closer to passage

Chris Jr. |

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 9:44PM | in

Politics

Sen. Harry Reid points and laughs at Sen. Mitch McConnell's weekend waaambulance.In deal-making that occurred over the weekend, Sen. Harry Reid abandoned the government-run public health insurance option along with a provision granting citizens as young as 55 access to medicare. The deal yielded unanimous Democrat support for the bill along with the necessary Independent support to assure its passage. A procedural vote held yesterday virtually sealed the deal.