Sanders: Senate has the votes to pass public option via reconciliation

Sanders, a self-described "democratic socialist" who supports the government-run plan, urged President Barack Obama to push for the public option even though the possibility of passing it appeared to die this week.

"I think we do have 50 votes in the Senate for a public option and frankly I don't know why the president has not put it in and I hope that we can inject it," Sanders said on MSNBC. "I think it's a very important part of healthcare reform."

It's not clear if Sanders's remarks will encourage leaders to take up the public option, but they will surely give hope to his liberal supporters who have put pressure on Congress to pass a public plan.

After today's partisan dog and pony show the political CYA Conference on Healthcare reform it's refreshing to see Senator Sanders reveal that, in fact, the votes are there to pass the public option that according to some polls 80% of the American public support!

I doubt seriously that Obama has been playing possum while he strives for "bipartisanship" and would suddenly pull an 11th hour rabbit out of his hat. No sadly he seems to be at home in the corrupted corporatism that is our current government the best that money can buy.

The CBO has to prove that it will lower costs first for it to pass through with reconciliation.

I have no ideas what the poll numbers are. if you watch fox news...people don't want socialized health care...which is the public option...but I've also heard 80 percent approve as well.

Of course....polls aren't overly reliable as they can use focus groups to spice things up to make it look more attractive to either side.

In the end people will support what they think is best for their family.

If they put in a public option....why have 2000 pages?

reply to post by Leo Strauss

the votes are there to pass the public option that according to some polls 80% of the American public support!

I've been searching for a poll to back up your claim. Perhaps you could help me along and source this 80% you speak of.

I'm hoping it will clearly reference the public option. I have my doubts but I'm sure you'll dispel them momentarily.

Thanks in advance,

Becker

[edit on 25-2-2010 by Becker44]

reply to post by David9176


I will be researching the web for as many polls on the public option as possible. As for 'why 2,000 pages', ask yourself when the government has never had that many pages for something. It is just a shining gem in a cluddered room.

Absolutely, we need more government social programs to further bankrupt the country. We need mandatory Insurance policies and taxes to further bankrupt the people. Can't wait!! In fact, I may just sign my house and checking account over to Obama now to save time.

There is strong support for a public option, but they wont do it because of the nuclear explosion it would cause amongst the far right...

30-35% of the country is opposed to the public option...and although that really isn't alot, its the fact that they are fanatically opposed that is worrying.

Ultimately, it wont happen, so why even bother...the people want it, but meh, who cares what the people want.

oh, and its not 80%, but it is very high.

Originally posted by mrbarber
Absolutely, we need more government social programs to further bankrupt the country. We need mandatory Insurance policies and taxes to further bankrupt the people. Can't wait!! In fact, I may just sign my house and checking account over to Obama now to save time.

Actually, the public option would end up giving the government a rather nice profit...basically it puts government to work as a insurance agent, and if you have been watching, they dont do that bad.

You can disagree with the philosophy behind it, sure...but you cant just make up things to disagree with.

reply to post by mrbarber

Absolutely, we need more government social programs to further bankrupt the country.

We also need more Unconstitutional wars and corporate welfare that is further bankrupting this country.

If everyone is dying for the facts here they are...

www.huffingtonpost.com...
www.huffingtonpost.com...
www.washingtonpost.com...
www.cbsnews.com...
www.reuters.com...
www.fivethirtyeight.com...
prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com...
www.rasmussenreports.com... especially_among_democrats_collapses
washingtonindependent.com...
iowaindependent.com...
www.lasvegassun.com...
theplumline.whorunsgov.com...
www.huffingtonpost.com...
www.cbsnews.com...
www.medicalnewstoday.com...
www.npr.org...
healthcarereform.nejm.org...
tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com...
rawstory.com...
mediamatters.org...

Those are 20 different website who all claim the same things over and over again.

www.alternet.org...(and_other_fun_facts)/
www.pnhp.org...
www.huffingtonpost.com...
www.naswdc.org...
publicplanfacts.org...

Those are 5 different websites with the facts about the public option.





This proves that Americans overwhelmingly support the Public Option. So it basically states that around 66% of Americans support a public option.

[edit on 2/25/10 by Misoir]

reply to post by Misoir


To play devils advocate for just a moment (I am a supporter of the PO btw), but..

its not really about what the people want all the time. I imagine the people would also be vastly in support of ferrari's for everyone...People were in favor of keeping black people slaves, then segregated, etc...sometimes the politics have to overrule the peoples desires to keep to the basic philosophy of America and the fundamental rights of the people.

In saying that, I see no issue with the public option philosophically speaking...but then again, I am a evil progressive. heh

reply to post by SaturnFX


I am a Social Democrat(Social Democracy) and I see this as the only way to fix our health care problems, anything else is either a band-aid or just more money to corporate care.

I will say to all on this thread the same thing I wrote and e-mailed to my Senators.

I will not comply with any mandate that forces me to purchase Healthcare Insurance from a private company.

There are no circumstances, consequences, or potential penalties that will alter my view on compliance

I will not pay additional taxes resulting from non-compliance

I will not pay any fines assessed resulting from non-compliance

Any effort undertaken to enforce compliance will be resisted by whatever means are necessary and appropriate.

Anybody who has actually read this legislation, as I have, who can show me where "We the People" will benefit financially, show me, because I can't find anything. What I do see is the costs and taxes will all be passed down to us no matter who they claim to be taxing. Corporations don't pay taxes, consumers pay the taxes. The cost savings will go to the government, not the people.

What I know is that a mandatory family policy meeting the legislated requirements will cost a minimum of $15,000/yr. That's per the CBO.
If forced to do this, I will lose my home. It's not going to happen.

The funny thing about reconciliation is the way it was referred to when Bush threatened to use it for federal judges.

When Bush threatened to use reconciliation it was referred to as "The Nuclear Option". Where is that term now that the Democrats are threatening to use it?

Bush ended up not being able to use reconciliation for judges because it was not a budget issue. Obama will not be able to use it for Government Run Health Care for the same reason.

reply to post by Misoir

This proves that Americans overwhelmingly support the Public Option. So it basically states that around 66% of Americans support a public option.

Most people I know don't even know what a public option is...however I believe many people would want it they know exactly what it was.

Also, even should this pass...the Supreme Court may possibly strike it down as unconstitutional. They just gave corporations complete control of our elections on Constitutional grounds...so it wouldn't surprise me. The Supreme court has a conservative majority.

How do I feel about the public option?

I'm torn on the issue. There are so many variables that go along with it....i just don't know.

reply to post by David9176


How do you feal about the USA being the only developed country without universal health care, even Pakistan and India have it!

reply to post by Misoir


This proposal is not universal healthcare.

reply to post by Misoir


Thanks for the links I was out for awhile! I like Nate Silvers site!

I am single payer all the way and can't begin to understand peoples fear. We are talking about insurance not healthcare delivery. The cost savings would be enormous. There is a downside...those poor insurance executives would lose their annual 100 million dollar bonuses and that is tragic!

The dems are dead and maybe that was Obama's mission to drive a stake in the heart of the progressive movement (where is Bush's "Mission Accomplished" banner?). However I see 3rd party politics becoming the last viable political option.

Also on a conspiracy note I find it odd that no one in the MSM is taking a look at the numbers. I trust Bernie...I like Bernie and I can't believe his statement is simply posturing...I could be wrong??? I think he knows we have the votes and is trying to tell the citizens that Mr Hope and Change has stabbed us in the back.

reply to post by Leo Strauss


I never trusted Obama, he is just a Neoliberal or Centrist at best. He lied to everyone by telling them he is a Progressive, he is not a progressive he is a lying war hungry monster! Bernie Sanders, Dennis Kucinich, Howard Dean and Patrick Leahy are the only trustworthy Congressman.

[edit on 2/26/10 by Misoir]

reply to post by Leo Strauss


I'm afraid you're right. I keep trying to give Pres. Obama the benefit of the doubt but he's disappointing when it comes to actually delivering on his campaign promises. For some reason he seems to keep hoping against hope that he can deliver a bipartisan health care bill to the American people.

Maybe he wants to be remembered as a president beloved by all the people.

Unfortunately, the more "bipartisan" he gets the more he gives away the store.

As Lincoln (one of BO's heroes) said, "You can please some of the people some of the time (etc.)...."

Mr. President has just got to suck it up, grow a pair, and deliver a public option (even better would be single-payer) to the American people. It's what we want.

Anything less and his legacy will be the biggest wimp to occupy the White House of all time.

BTW: He seemed to be getting pretty tough at the HC Summit yesterday. Hope he means it.



Obama needs to