General Discussion

thesquanderer

(11,986 posts) Tue Apr 12, 2016, 08:29 AM Apr 2016

Obama explains why there is no public option in Obamacare [View all]

at 2:40

they say, well, why didn't we have a public option in our health care system, or have a single payer system? Well, it turns out that 85% of people get health care through their jobs, they're pretty satisfied with it, they don't want big change on that. That's why it didn't happen. It wasn't necessarily because there was some corruption or venality or that people were unresponsive to democracy.

Ah. There's no public option because people didn't want it. Glad he cleared that up.

190 replies

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Obama explains why there is no public option in Obamacare [View all] thesquanderer Apr 2016 OP

Riiiiighhhhhtttt hereforthevoting Apr 2016 #1

Fuck they didnt... Buddyblazon Apr 2016 #2

ACA makes it possible to tell an employer to screw themselves and not worry about pre-existing condi Hoyt Apr 2016 #35

Since when lsewpershad Apr 2016 #74

Here's just one source, but look back at history. Hoyt Apr 2016 #82

Fuck the ACA. It raised my taxes because I can't afford healthcare. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #153

All about you, the hell with uninsured that got coverage. Disgusting. Hoyt Apr 2016 #180

No, it's about us. Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #181

I live in a red state too. Glad to pay increased taxes for subsidies to poor, uninsured. Hoyt Apr 2016 #182

Do you have health insurance? n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #183

Remember, Corporations are people now...... Arizona Roadrunner Apr 2016 #3

Yup! Plucketeer Apr 2016 #68

And there are fewer and fewer people with jobs that provide health insurance, every year, djean111 Apr 2016 #4

He made a big error edhopper Apr 2016 #5

And meeting your annual deductible, changing jobs and having to start from scratch LiberalEsto Apr 2016 #13

Yep. progressoid Apr 2016 #184

No protesters in the street, no civil disobedience threats. I'd say he's right. randome Apr 2016 #6

You're right. He had 42 days and 10 Dems against him, and, we stayed off the streets. Festivito Apr 2016 #15

That's where the bar is set? It requires massive protests and civil yodermon Apr 2016 #20

There is no revolution when people sit at their computers and post on social media. randome Apr 2016 #43

Indeed. Congress passed the ACA with no public option... JayhawkSD Apr 2016 #48

So wouldn't that suggest Pressident Obama's assessment was correct? 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #77

Yes, it would. The folks here arguing against Obama are only succeeding in proving him right. stevenleser Apr 2016 #94

No it wouldn't. It's not even logical, much less comical. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #98

People are logical in their own minds, Hortensis Apr 2016 #159

I agree about also having to deal with some people's resistance to change thesquanderer Apr 2016 #165

That's what I wanted, but Obama Hortensis Apr 2016 #166

Not really. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #97

No ... I have NOT made this leap ... fortunate for you, the strawman broke your fall ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #115

Two different things... thesquanderer Apr 2016 #123

I didn't say "nobody cared about the PO" ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #129

No, but I thought you were agreeing with BO that essentially 85% of the people didn't care about it. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #133

Okay. Where we stand depends, largely, on where we sat ... before we stood. 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #137

Fuck the ACA and the neoliberal horse it rode in on. Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #154

And fuck the millions with pre-existing conditions that, now, have healthcare financing ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #160

Outlawing pre-existing conditions was a good provision. Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #162

There are far more provision is the ACA than just pre-existing conditions ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #167

In the real world, people are rebelling against an unjust and corrupt bi-partisan conspiracy. Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #168

Okay we're done ... you have no connection to the real world. 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #171

I do not value your opinion on that subject. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #172

I don't care. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #173

+1 n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #174

That isn't true. The sharing of ideas via media is an essential - and probably universal - RadiationTherapy Apr 2016 #86

When Reagan wanted something, he went on TV Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2016 #87

And the risk of arrest and losing your job awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #118

Heh, sometimes, not even then. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #156

Have you read the paper Silver_Witch Apr 2016 #32

Yeah, but for what? To "get money out of politics"? What does that mean? randome Apr 2016 #41

re: "there needs to be something concise and specific to get the attention of...Congress" thesquanderer Apr 2016 #46

Ummm let me think? Silver_Witch Apr 2016 #54

I don't think demonstrations work anymore elljay Apr 2016 #61

Gosh I hope that is not true! Silver_Witch Apr 2016 #177

Boycotts elljay Apr 2016 #179

Boycotts might work. Silver_Witch Apr 2016 #187

Getting money out of politics means fully funded federal campaigns. Easy and cheap to do. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #158

Really. hfojvt Apr 2016 #80

Hard to lose 45 states when you're polling well ahead of every Republican opponent. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #99

We are given the option awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #119

I don't think the choices are that bad hfojvt Apr 2016 #136

Economically I don't see much difference awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #144

Try the next FOUR. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #163

Yep awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #175

I call extreme bullshit! Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #157

First, there *were* big protests. Second, the Dems controlled both houses of Marr Apr 2016 #81

yes ibegurpard Apr 2016 #189

So your ideal system is one where we have to revolt to get any kind of policy change, every time? Rex Apr 2016 #139

My ideal system is supplanting oligarchy with American democracy. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #169

So to understand the will of the people... SHRED Apr 2016 #176

Especially not war. Just ask Dubya and His Gang. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #185

They could have given the option for us to take or refuse NightWatcher Apr 2016 #7

It was close to passing. Lieberman wrecked it. Amimnoch Apr 2016 #53

Yes, that schmuck voted against Medicare at 55, too. n/t cureautismnow Apr 2016 #151

Yeah, no. EmperorHasNoClothes Apr 2016 #8

Heck I barely use mine because it's terrible and I know it astrophuss42 Apr 2016 #52

He knows both stories he just plays dumb. He's been very good at it. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #56

+1000000 SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #103

Wrong abelenkpe Apr 2016 #9

What a BS thing to say! Change jobs? Lose insurance Roland99 Apr 2016 #10

Another slow sad headshake for Obama yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #19

Obama's handling of the entire health care reform issue bluethruandthru Apr 2016 #11

When we realized there was to be no bully pulpit. Only Republicans had one of them. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #57

No kidding...talk about an invisible man, an empty suit... haikugal Apr 2016 #131

I remember being so happy, filled with hope. What kind of evil would it take to smother that? Enthusiast Apr 2016 #140

Oh, yeah, we just l-o-o-o-o-ve our $4000 deductible LiberalEsto Apr 2016 #12

I don't think so. It's because Big Insurance fought tooth & nail against it. Triana Apr 2016 #14

Big insurance collects free money every day. It's the biggest scam in the entire economy. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #51

Spot on LittleGirl Apr 2016 #79

Sorry Mr President, this is baloney! n/t Paper Roses Apr 2016 #16

Bullshit Stinky The Clown Apr 2016 #17

well, I'm mollified! Javaman Apr 2016 #18

Someone get a shovel. Feeling the Bern Apr 2016 #21

Unbelievable, frankly. dchill Apr 2016 #22

problem is there were plenty of red flags--DU definitely forewarned us all MisterP Apr 2016 #24

It was the DLC that didn't want public option... dchill Apr 2016 #29

and the DLC knew we'd take anything from a charismatic Dem MisterP Apr 2016 #31

Lobbyists from Big Insurance, Big Health Care and Big PHRMA who met with the WH merrily Apr 2016 #33

Hey that's not true. THe majority of people DO support the public option OR single payer. Cheese Sandwich Apr 2016 #23

Now now. He's just misleading us. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #49

Yeah, he's good at that. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #106

President Cool Breeze does not sweat the details. / FlatBaroque Apr 2016 #25

He's got medical insurance now and will have it after he leaves office LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2016 #45

And all I get is raised taxes tomorrow because I can't afford health insurance. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Apr 2016 #161

That is about Old Codger Apr 2016 #26

I thought the repetition of nonsense about Joe Lieberman was the lamest, but maybe that's just me. merrily Apr 2016 #30

I'd like to see these statistics. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #27

Remind me what he said about a robust public option being the only way before he was elected? merrily Apr 2016 #28

"The people" always get what they want. Except when it comes to laws and government. nt valerief Apr 2016 #34

Except Old Codger Apr 2016 #96

DO not forget SmittynMo Apr 2016 #36

Oh for fucks sake, that's a mile long pile of bullshit. Does he know we can see the video. onecaliberal Apr 2016 #37

*lmao* Hydra Apr 2016 #38

that's when you understand that the n-dimensional chess match was against you. bbgrunt Apr 2016 #39

That's a boatload of political bullshit if I ever saw one. KPN Apr 2016 #40

"It wasn't necessarily because there was some corruption or venality truebluegreen Apr 2016 #42

What I remember is that single payer was not even on the table. Pharaoh Apr 2016 #44

You remember correctly. They were barred from even being at the meetings. Obama is bullshitting. FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #66

LOL! Enthusiast Apr 2016 #47

I guess the voters never mattered to him either? ViseGrip Apr 2016 #50

Such spin.. Whirling..... Spinning... Spinning.... Spun. nt stillwaiting Apr 2016 #55

Spinning, whirling, twirling... thesquanderer Apr 2016 #59

Pure bullshit! Scalded Nun Apr 2016 #58

Hillary says she wants a public option! thesquanderer Apr 2016 #62

Extra stinky bull$hit SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #110

Yup. Enthusiast Apr 2016 #141

What a Whopper of a lie! He blocked the public option because he made a deal harun Apr 2016 #60

"It wasn't necessarily because there was some corruption or venality ..." Yeah there was. Scuba Apr 2016 #63

Horsepucky. 2naSalit Apr 2016 #64

Thanks, Obama. Pfaugh. FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #65

Joe Lieberman is the reason Blasphemer Apr 2016 #67

Lost us 2000, Lost us the Public Option, Campaigned with McCain. HughBeaumont Apr 2016 #116

Hartford Joe 4Q2u2 Apr 2016 #130

(Not sure why this isn't higher in the thread.. There are LOTS here annabanana Apr 2016 #132

True the people could be said not to want it treestar Apr 2016 #164

He's mixing up cause and effect. surrealAmerican Apr 2016 #69

+1 LittleGirl Apr 2016 #84

. NRaleighLiberal Apr 2016 #70

He didn't "clear that up" at all, and you didn't listen... MrMickeysMom Apr 2016 #71

Did I really have to put the sarcasm tag after "Glad he cleared that up"? Oh well. (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2016 #73

I guess my reading skills have to improve today.... MrMickeysMom Apr 2016 #111

No problem! Break cut! ;-) (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2016 #114

If Single Payer couldn't get implemented in Vermont Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2016 #72

My OP was about the public option which would have been less of a challenge. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #78

I'm for the PO Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2016 #90

"It wasn't NECESSARILY because there was some corruption..." subterranean Apr 2016 #75

I still like him better than I liked Clinton at this stage of his term tularetom Apr 2016 #76

Shameless con artist at that. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #112

I lulz'd KG Apr 2016 #83

Hysterical. zentrum Apr 2016 #85

C'mon Barrack...repeating Republican talking points isn't becoming. EndElectoral Apr 2016 #88

He kow-towed to the numerically insignificant Blue Dogs Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2016 #89

And FDR left blacks out of social security mythology Apr 2016 #138

False analogy Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2016 #145

Interesting point there. (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2016 #147

Sheer nonsense. How can he say stuff like this, in good conscience? closeupready Apr 2016 #91

Well Hell! HenryWallace Apr 2016 #92

Awww, people love the uncertainty! Helen Borg Apr 2016 #93

Is this a joke? basselope Apr 2016 #95

85% of people get health care through their jobs? zalinda Apr 2016 #100

I agree, the 85% figure is, itself, suspect. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #104

Seriously, looks like a made up number to me Bradical79 Apr 2016 #108

What horseshit that is. Yes people would rather be FORCED to SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #101

The public option was for the uninsured on the exchange, not for people with insurance on the job. Zen Democrat Apr 2016 #102

That's a great point. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #107

Bingo pengu Apr 2016 #109

The public option was supposed to be an affordable alternative to big insurance and Vinca Apr 2016 #105

How does Medicare do it for $104 a month? Holly_Hobby Apr 2016 #113

I think a couple of things play into this; area51 Apr 2016 #188

There is no option awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #117

So I'll triangulate just like Bill Clinton told me to :( ConsiderThis_2016 Apr 2016 #120

Calling it "the public option" isn't as popular as "Medicare for All". Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2016 #121

So no cost controls, let the insurance companies jack up prices... Umbral18 Apr 2016 #122

I'm still paying for the healthcare I get through my employer. intheflow Apr 2016 #124

At one point 70% of the people wanted a single payer system. WHEN CRABS ROAR Apr 2016 #125

And these ideas are not necessarily contradictory, either. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #127

+1 for single payer OkSustainAg Apr 2016 #126

For those saying that a majority of Americans want single-payer YoungDemCA Apr 2016 #128

Very true. thesquanderer Apr 2016 #135

True. A majority of Americans support marijuana legalization, and Hillary's pal DWS Warren DeMontague Apr 2016 #143

Anyone got the stats from the polls back then? I thought jwirr Apr 2016 #134

We had a full year or so where we had the votes to get whatever we wanted Warren DeMontague Apr 2016 #142

With all due respect, that was/is nothing more than a GOP talking point... ReallyIAmAnOptimist Apr 2016 #146

What did you expect from a guy who said mrdmk Apr 2016 #148

This NY Times reporter has a different story nationalize the fed Apr 2016 #149

good info there, thanks (n/t) thesquanderer Apr 2016 #152

Great background info - Thank you for posting! ReallyIAmAnOptimist Apr 2016 #186

what a stupid response Skittles Apr 2016 #150

That is just utter bullshit! ananda Apr 2016 #155

lol Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #170

Lotta gibberish and strawmen packed into that quote. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2016 #178

Because he helped kill it. ibegurpard Apr 2016 #190