Too many uninsured, too few, or both?

The anti-health care reform side makes a couple of interesting points.

First, they claim that the percentage of uninsured is so small that it doesn't justify major changes to the health care system.

Then, they claim that the uninsured now get treatment, in emergency rooms, etc.

Now, they claim that their are too many uninsured and that the health care system can't absorb the new patients.

Somehow, we have too many uninsured and do anything about, and too few to make it worthwhile.

Joe Wilson makes a fool of himself

Joe Wilson proved to the world that he is an rude, idiot. There is a long history of hissing, booing, bored looks, etc. during Presidential addresses to Congress. But you don't shout out "You Lie".

Technically, as I understand the bill, Obama didn't lie. I have read that the bill excludes illegal aliens. The problem that Joe Wilson might have been raising was that Democrats do not want IDs checked for medical care, and they want to re-classify many or almost all illegal aliens as legal.

If the Democrats has someone like Ted Kennedy around, they would give on the issue to get a few opposition votes. Details like this can always be changed later. Get to univerals coverage now, worry about illegal aliens later.

Obama has already said he wants to fix immigration, no wonder a lot of people think they will be paying taxes for illegal alien's health care. Make it clear, no one that enters the country illegally, even if later made legal, will be covered, with proof of ID required. If that's what you mean, say it. Otherwise, a lot of the voters will were needed to elect those moderate Democrats will vote Republican, if this passes.

Teddy Kennedy, Missed by Obama

I was no fan of Ted Kennedy. But one has to admit that he was as effective in the Senate as anyone since Lyndon Johnson.

In the current health care debate, the bills seem to be written by liberal Democrats with not much interest in compromise. The are making demands that prevent many moderates and every conservative from supporting the bill, and worse, some of the demands are not related to what at least I see as the primary objective.

To me, the primary objective is Universal coverage. But liberals will fail to reach the goal, if their demand for a government option isn't met. Also, Republicans have long wanted tort reform, which will help reduce cost due to doctors practicing defensive medicine. But the ties the Democrats have with lawyers prevents that.

Ted Kennedy was a master of negotiating. Everyone gets something, gives something, and a bill gets passed. Today, there isn't anyone in the Senate that's has a clue how to do this, in either party.

The Democrats could pass a bill that provides universal coverage, if they would only give moderate Democrats a voice. Once in place, you can always make changes later.