While we are at that, I think that the Baucus plan is a perfect shot in the Democrat's foot. It will fuck Dems big time whether it passes or not. If it passes, it will almost certainly "balance the budget" on the backs of working and middle classes by increasing their out of pocket expenses without giving anything in return. The regulation of the industry language is nothing but sand iin th eyes,akin to claims made during deregulation of utlities that "competitition will bring the prices down." It is sheer bullshit designed to appease the puiblic that has zero factual support.
So if the bill passes, it will likely provoke the same or even bigger public backlash as thge deregulation of utilities did (at least in MD.) if it does notr pass - which IMHO would be a good thing - it will portray Obama administration as a failure. Add to it his administration's bailaout of the financial sector for which he has nothing to show, at least to the middle and working classes (the financial aristocracy got their bonuses, alright) that will still be struggling with unemployment and rising costs of living - and you will have a perfect stage for a populist backlash.
I more and more looks like the Obama's second turn is not going to materialize. and who knows, maybe we will have President Palin - who reflects the inner soul of so many 'Murikan people.
Wojtek
On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 9:52 PM, Max B. Sawicky <sawicky at verizon.net> wrote:
> Huh? The mandate is in there, but where do you get privatization?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wojtek S" <wsoko52 at gmail.com>
> To: <lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 9:34 PM
> Subject: [lbo-talk] Baucus health plan
>
>
> Correct me if I am wrong, but the bottom line of the Baucus plan is
>> privatization of Medicare and penalizing those who refuse to buy private
>> insurance. Is there anthing that I am missing?
>>
>> Wojtek
>> ___________________________________
>> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>>
>>
> ___________________________________
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>