I love that quote from Denzel Washington in the movie 'Philidelphia'.  It really condenses the current 'debate' over Health INSURANCE Reform.  As Democrats, we tend to believe that if you talk enough, people will hear and understand you.  This is SO not true when dealing with right wingers.  You really have to understand the beast, if you want to win them over. Pretend that you are trying to explain something to you toddler.  Seriously, this works.

First, you must break down the idea to bumper sticker form.

Second, you must repeat it over and over and over until they believe that they themselves came up with the idea.

Third, you must use the media in the same ways that they do. Emotion wins out over logic. Short,emotional and vivid responses work best. 

Fourth,shouting down oponents seems to work very well.  I saw Dr. Dean on CNBC this morning.  He was being attacked by Wi. Gov Tommy Thompson and two right wing zealots. Dr. Dean couldn't get a word in edgewise because he was being polite and respectfull.  So, CUT THAT OUT!  YELL A LITTLE!

Fifth, ask questions rather than trying to reason with the unreasonable.

Using some of these tips may help slow down this stupid debate.  The right wingers own the language.  They speak in slogans that are exactly oposite of what they really are doing.  Just look at the names of their think tanks and funding groups.  Let's learn from them and start using their tactics against them for good not evil.

I believe that Medicare extended to all that want it could be the best 'Public Option'.  I have been looking for statistics covering the current costs per covered person.  What I have found is that the budget for 2009 is 413 billion.  I also found the number  current recipients as 45 million.  Divide the two and you get $9700.00 per recipient per year.  I work for a company that pays two thirds of the cost of Blue Cross and I pay one third.  last year my portion came to $7000.00.  If my employer is truthful and actually pays two thirds, the total comes to $21,000.00 per year.  If he is fibing and only pays half, the total comes to $14,000.00 per year.  If I could buy into medicare at $10,000.00, we could save 4 to 11 thousand dollars per year.  Why wouldn't I want an option like this.  If I paid another five hundred dollars on top of that, and assuming of course that everyone else that buys in does the same, it would pay for the uninsured folks and help people in between jobs. 

I have a feeling that my Medicare budget numbers are actually higher than  they really are.  So all you folks that love the numbers and know where to find them, please help me get it right.

And by the way, I really do pay $7000.00 out of my own pocket for my SHARE.  That is before co pays and deductables.  And, yes, I have Blue Cross. And I have ten years till I get Medicare.

Why are we wasting so much time talking about 'No Healthers'?  Let's start a campaign to redirect their anger towards something much more frightening to the right wingers.  I propose we start mass rumors that the 'guverment' is going to start taxing churches.  This is entirely made up just to get them to protect themselves from losing that cash cow. We can phony up a good issue, too. Can't we?  We should learn tactics from these anti everthing folks. If they have to decide between getting made over health insurance or their church, which do you think they will go for.  Then we can get on with fixing the health INSURANCE issue.  Which, by the way, is what it really is.  Not health CARE!

FYI, this is written as a flight of fansy, but I await your sensible and moderate comments, anyway. 

Just as a after thought, maybe pro health reform folks can speak at churches.  Do you think the No Healthers will shout in church?