Is it time to take to the streets over healthcare reform? Do we see an

[alfredo]

unacceptable amount of spinelessness among Obama and Democrats? The majority want a public option, why should a handful of corporatist keep it from us?


Maybe a an insurance strike?

[ORDagnabbit]

1. LMAO....if we wouldnt do anything for an illegal war and 2 stolen elections...aint nothing gonna

happen with health care.

[Mythsaje]

3. Being ignored isn't QUITE the same thing as doing nothing...

Peaceful protests don't cut it in an age of media consolidation, and other-than-peaceful "protests" are self-defeating.

[alfredo]

6. We need to hit the insurance companies where it hurts the most. Nov to

December is open season. If 20 to 30 million threaten to drop our insurance at once we might get their attention.

[Captain Hilts]

18. Several massive demonstrations is 'doing nothing'? nt

[MNDemNY]

2. "Why should a handful of corporatists....."

WTF The head "corporatist" is in the white house!!!!We should have elected a Democrat....A REAL one.

[alfredo]

7. Name one that had a chance of winning.

[MNDemNY]

19. Thyen, why are you surprised???

Ya get what you vote for.

[alfredo]

20. It was the supreme court and the federal bench that was of importance

to me. Obama, though flawed and conservative, was better than anything on the authoritarian side of the aisle.

[MNDemNY]

24. I'll gladly give you that.

[alfredo]

25. At my age I'll take what I can get.

[Psychic Consortium]

4. There will be health care reform. There is no doubt whatsoever.

However it will happen in stages, step by step.
And take some time.

Obama faces a corrupt and greedy congress and corporate world. He swims in treacherous waters. But he will prevail.

[MineralMan]

5. Taking to the streets only works if an overwhelming number

of people do so. I don't see that happening. We would do better to keep the pressure on our elected legislators on a regular and intense basis...using more traditional means.

Now, if you can muster up a million or so people to come to DC and stand up for single payer, it might have an impact. I can't imagine that such a crowd would assemble on this issue, however. The very people who most need single payer do not have the means to come to DC.

[alfredo]

9. Threats of mass defection from the insurance rolls might work.

[MineralMan]

16. Only if they are not empty threats.

How many people do you suppose would do this? I suggest that it would be very few, and the insurance companies would simply raise rates to compensate.

[alfredo]

21. A bad reaction to our pleas would only strengthen our hand.

[Cant trust em]

14. With friends like Dianne Feinstein, who needs enemies

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5951004

That's what my state has to deal with.

[MineralMan]

8. On the idea of an insurance strike,

I am 64 years old. That's an age that could produce a sudden, catastrophic health incident. Even though my insurance has gone up dramatically over the last five years, I dare not drop it at this stage of life. In a year, I will be on Medicare. Until then, I'm hoping nothing comes up, but if it does, I will need my current insurance.

I believe you'll find that most people who have insurance now will be unwilling to forgo it as a protest. Not in this econimic environment.

[alfredo]

11. It is the threat of action that is important.

[MineralMan]

15. Not if it is an empty threat.

Empty threats are ignored completely, at best.

[alfredo]

22. We don't know if the threats will be empty. That will depend on how the

insurance companies respond to us. If we are treated like trash, they lend weight to our protests.

[Oregone]

10. The majority want single-payer now

Why should we let a bunch of capitulating "public-optioners" keep America from it?

[alfredo]

12. I've called my reps several time on the issue. I'm set with VA, but my wife

is uninsurable. We have little option. I hate being held hostage by a hand full of capitalist assholes.

[dysfunctional press]

13. only if we want real reform/public option.

that IS what it's going to take. mark my words.

[alfredo]

26. Citing the healthcare debate, let's start pushing for public funding of elections,

end of money from lobbyist, and the end of corporate personhood.

[Uzybone]

17. very funny post. "Is it time?"

Its been past time.

[alfredo]

23. Sure it is past time. The insurance companies will have to raise rates because

all those unemployed will have to drop their insurance.