What's the biggest obstacle to real healthcare reform in the U.S.?

[ColbertWatcher]

Poll question: What's the biggest obstacle to real healthcare reform in the U.S.?

(And by real I mean ending the private monopoly and replacing it with a universal, single-payer healthcare option)

[Warpy]

1. Congressional conservatism and the unwillingness to jeopardize

both their fat campaign contributions and the gold plated, taxpayer provided, socialized medicine they all enjoy so much.

Congress has to be dragged kicking and screaming into doing the right thing, especially now.

[vaberella]

2. Conservadems in the Senate. n/t

[patrice]

3. The manner in which political campaigns are financed and the fact that not all of the votes are coun

ted.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

4. There's also the human fear of "something new"

No matter how lousy something is, it is known. That's why incumbents get re-elected, no matter how corrupt or incompetent they are.

Fortunately there have always been progressive thinkers and their supporters who take the time and energy to educate and cajole these troglodytes to the next logical step (women's suffrage, civil rights, etc.), else wise we'd still be living in caves making fun of the guy who had invented the wheel.

[BlooInBloo]

5. The Senate.

[ColbertWatcher]

7. Don't you mean Norm Coleman? n/t

[Divine Discontent]

6. they're scared what may happen if it fails (some dems) & then of course, of the millions

that the insurance company has given, or will give them to keep pushing away from public option.

ps - vote in my "who's next in the GOP" poll! I cannot believe this Sanford story! well, I can, but so soon after Ensign? we're too fortunate.

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. Other - a President with a brain and a conscience

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.
.

as I've mentioned before

Look north

It works

[NightWatcher]

9. the bought and paid for dems in the House and Senate

I'm looking at you, Max

[BuyingThyme]

10. War.

[NorthCarolina]

11. You forgot one; Conservative Democrats. nt

[Oregone]

12. Lack of progressive and courageous politicians

[ColbertWatcher]

13. Kick. n/t

[Zorra]

14. Blue Dog Democrats. Bottom line: If Blue Dogs did not oppose real reform, we would

get universal single payer.

All the real Democrats in Congress would go for universal single payer. If the Blue Dogs went along with them, it would already be a lock.

We already know the republicans will oppose it unanimously. But that would be inconsequential if all Democrats were for it unanimously.

Therefore, it will be the Blue Dog Democrats that will prevent us getting universal single payer healthcare, or any other type of significant, effective healthcare reform.

That's it, and it is what it is.