If this bill had been more "progressive", it would have never had a chance

[Ardent15]

This bill is progress. Is it perfect? No. Is it what we really wanted? Of course not. You rarely get what you want in politics.

Right now, the Democrats who voted against the bill-even the progressive ones like Kucinich-are looking like Republicans to the average voter. Not saying that that is accurate, but that's how they are perceived.

It seems that some people would rather let the other side win then achieve anything less than what's in their dreams.

[provis99]

1. this bill is worse than the status quo.

At least before tonight, I didn't face jail time for refusing to buy private insurance; now I can.

[FrenchieCat]

2. The bill has not been finalized.....

and when it is, there will be no provision for you going to jail
for not purchasing health insurance.

Hyperbole is not nice.

[MajorChode]

12. Hyperbole is all they have

Sometimes you just have to run with the ball.

I didn't get exactly what I wanted so fuck everyone else and the horse they rode in on. So much more open mindedness on the left, eh?

[Go2Peace]

16. So this is the "best" with a Democratic Majority? I'll accept the bill, but it is not representation

This bill has components that may be needed, but hell, it is not a good bill and it was watered down by people that should have been listening to us and not a corrupt industry of death. We have a majority. So regardless how this is spun this is not something we should be happy with.

[Raineyb]

17. It's not hyperbole if it's actually in the bill.

I wouldn't count it as removed until it's actually removed. IF it's removed and frankly, I don't have a hell of a lot of faith in the party to remove it.

[AllentownJake]

That is a provision in the bill that was voted on tonight

What you think the Senate is going to be more merciful to working Americans? They have such a history of passing the more progressive bill of the two houses of congress.

[mullard12ax7]

3. Women don't deserve rights huh? Why stand up for them?

Sell the beyotches out so at some later date some undefined health care option will include them huh?

[Sparkly]

4. I don't think those were the only two options.

I think a stronger bill COULD have passed, with the right pressure, deal-making, political carrots and sticks, etc.

This bill is not only BS as a healthcare bill (and a big gift to the insurance industry), it sets women's reproductive rights way back.

Much ado, on both sides, about little when it comes to "socialized" anything or great big help on anything.

[Ozymanithrax]

5. Single payer was not possible. This will work.

No hospital can refuse to treat people because they don't have health care. It is time that they paid something for that privilege.

[girl gone mad]

9. Hospitals refuse to treat people every minute of every day.

WTF are you talking about?

[HughMoran]

6. Even though what you say is 100% accurate

...and the bill is actually quite good and well thought out, don't expect a lot of people here to agree with you. Perfect is the only answer.

[rwheeler31]

7. This is true,politics is compromise not war.

[Go2Peace]

18. I am fine with "compromise". But this was not compromise, it was a sellout to special interests

I can't believe the contingent here that think this is representative democracy.

We sound like abuse victims. Like this is all we deserve and should expect. My God, we have a majority. We should be mad as HELL!

[flvegan]

8. Why not?

Seriously, why would it have not had a chance?

[Ardent15]

10. Because of these people

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition >

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democrat_Coalition >

[flvegan]

15. Exactly. It's not Dennis nor his kind.

It's the spineless paid-for "dems" to blame.

Didn't we win the WH and both the Senate and House?

Sucks when even the trifecta comes up short.

[Libertas1776]

11. Of course it wouldn't have a chance.

Anything that isn't even offered to begin with will never pass...because, ya know...IT DOESN'T EXIST! But the political prognosticators on this thread are oh so certain what the outcome of a proposition that never saw the light of day would have been...had it been given a chance.

[stuball111]

13. 37 "Democrats" voted against it?

They should have Red from "That 70's Show" sink his foot in their collective asses!

[Birthmark]

14. Why is that?

Is it because the constituents didn't want as much change, or is it because it would upset the insurance lobbyists who donate so much to Congress?

If it's the former, I'm fine with that.

If it's the latter...ehhh, not so much.

[Arkana]

19. I don't recall FDR trying to establish the WPA, the TVA, Social Security,

and his other reforms in one bill either.

[greennina]

20. Instead we're stuck with new Obama debtor prisons...

instead of real heal care. I'm sorry you're so stupid you think the Party can't do better than that. We could have had real reform. Instead we're stuck with being forced at gun point to give money to insurance companies and with up to five years in prison for not giving them money, even if we can't afford it.