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Who are the real villains, insurance companies, or the Senators they buy?
Bottom line, aren't the reps and Senators that take campaign money from the medical industrial complex the real villains here?
Not that the people who are offering them bribes aren't criminals. They are.
But what about these "statesmen" that accept those bribes? They're stuffing their pockets with $1.4 million a day.
They're the real villains, aren't they? They're the ones who sell their votes to corporate citizens while selling out average citizens--they then go on TV and pretend this isn't a flagrant criminal enterprise operating in full view of the public.
Those who accept the most money from the insurance industry are the ones getting in the way of reform. This is no coincidence.
To be fair, insurance companies are certainly not angels in all this.
But they're not even pretending to represent the best interests of American citizens. One look at the testimonies of the smug presidents of these companies and you know they're not even bothering to feign "care". For example, when asked if they would stop their company's rescission practices, they all said no.
They're not the worst of the worst actors involved in this charade called health care reform, though.
No. Make no mistake. The ones committing the real crime against humanity here are those elected to promote the general welfare of American citizens but sell their souls to the highest bidder.
You think the health care system in this country is unsustainable? That's nothing.
It's the way things are done in Washington that is unsustainable. It's the people who perpetuate this crime syndicate from the inside that threaten the health and well-being of every man woman and child in America.
It's not the anonymous health insurance bureaucrat that pulls your coverage out from under you just when you need it most.
No. The evil here has a name.
And that name very likely starts with Representative or Senator.
Now it's true that they are not all villains. Some of them are far from it.
But all it takes is a dirty stinking rotten no good few dripping with insatiable greed to step in the way of honest effective reform.
We don't have to create an enemy here. We don't have to find a bad guy. We don't have to demonize health insurance companies, or pharmaceutical companies. They are not pretending to be anything but demons.
It's those pretending to do the right thing, those feigning innocence, deflecting criticism, raging at those who would dare accuse them of pay for play that must be brought out into the sunlight, that most universal of all disinfectants, so that all can see the error of their ways.
So that they themselves can see the error of their ways.
Not that they ever will.
After all, there are probably a breed of villains so vile they have to ride in the back of the devil's bus.
Not that the people who are offering them bribes aren't criminals. They are.
But what about these "statesmen" that accept those bribes? They're stuffing their pockets with $1.4 million a day.
They're the real villains, aren't they? They're the ones who sell their votes to corporate citizens while selling out average citizens--they then go on TV and pretend this isn't a flagrant criminal enterprise operating in full view of the public.
Those who accept the most money from the insurance industry are the ones getting in the way of reform. This is no coincidence.
To be fair, insurance companies are certainly not angels in all this.
But they're not even pretending to represent the best interests of American citizens. One look at the testimonies of the smug presidents of these companies and you know they're not even bothering to feign "care". For example, when asked if they would stop their company's rescission practices, they all said no.
They're not the worst of the worst actors involved in this charade called health care reform, though.
No. Make no mistake. The ones committing the real crime against humanity here are those elected to promote the general welfare of American citizens but sell their souls to the highest bidder.
You think the health care system in this country is unsustainable? That's nothing.
It's the way things are done in Washington that is unsustainable. It's the people who perpetuate this crime syndicate from the inside that threaten the health and well-being of every man woman and child in America.
It's not the anonymous health insurance bureaucrat that pulls your coverage out from under you just when you need it most.
No. The evil here has a name.
And that name very likely starts with Representative or Senator.
Now it's true that they are not all villains. Some of them are far from it.
But all it takes is a dirty stinking rotten no good few dripping with insatiable greed to step in the way of honest effective reform.
We don't have to create an enemy here. We don't have to find a bad guy. We don't have to demonize health insurance companies, or pharmaceutical companies. They are not pretending to be anything but demons.
It's those pretending to do the right thing, those feigning innocence, deflecting criticism, raging at those who would dare accuse them of pay for play that must be brought out into the sunlight, that most universal of all disinfectants, so that all can see the error of their ways.
So that they themselves can see the error of their ways.
Not that they ever will.
After all, there are probably a breed of villains so vile they have to ride in the back of the devil's bus.
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Nice work. It is pretty much the same way in the defense contracting arena. This is not a time for American citizens to be passive.
August 4, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
The corruption is so thick in Washington.
The Medical Industrial Complex.
The Military Industrial Complex.
The Financial Industrial Complex.
How can you uphold the concept of representative government when all you really represent is industry?
August 4, 2009 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, Gary...Both sides of the aisle. They are pimpin' themselves out and we're the losers. There may well be a few exceptions, but for the most part they are more interested in getting reelected and living life large than they are in what is best for America...
August 4, 2009 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, stilli. You know, in this post I thought I'd escape the traditional rhetoric of Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, left wing, right wing, bipartisanship. In a way, all those terms are mere staging. Distractions from the real subject of corruption. Corruption is the core, the true inner core of DC.
Corruption is the ideology of Washington.
Shine an unobstructed light on that.
Ignore the political positioning. The political posturing. The illusion of two sides.
That's all just a dance.
"The big government, small government two step".
"The free market-capitalist vs. socialist salsa."
I won't be distracted by these dances.
August 4, 2009 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is the bottom line that we will have no reform without campaign finance reform?
It doesn't even end when legislators want to retire. I can think of one Congressman, in particular, who ran one last, lackluster campaign -- with no intention of winning -- so that he could pocket the unspent balance in his campaign coffers as an added retirement buffer.
August 4, 2009 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think campaign finance reform is part of it.
But I think the more politicians are exposed for taking what are essentially bribes, the more they'll have to answer for their actions.
Look at Baucus. McConnell. Nelson. KO called some of them out on all the money they're pocketing and I think this is really starting to sink in.
You can't just create a law that will reform campaign finance because there will always be a workaround.
What you can create is humiliation. Accountability. Create a direct link between how much money a particular rep or senator collects from corporate donors and the way that rep or senator votes.
August 4, 2009 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't have accountability for incumbents until we have more than an average of 16% turnout for primaries, on both sides of the aisle.
August 4, 2009 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep.
August 4, 2009 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
"You can't just create a law that will reform campaign finance because there will always be a workaround."
Agreed, Gary. What was I thinking? If I think legislators are protective of their corporate donors re: healthcare, what response would be predictable if challenging the mother lode of contribution?
Duh. Sorry for dim grey cells.
August 4, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
:)
I fall into this trap all the time, ww. That we need a law to change this or that. Then I realize, wait. These are lawmakers we're talking about. It's counter-intuitive.
The power of simply shining a light into the dark corners of Washington shouldn't be underestimated.
Opensecrets.org can be the ultimate Washington DC cleanser.
It really helps quantify the corrupt practices of the beltway. It should be required reading for any student of politics, or U.S. history, or journalism.
Facts from an organization like opensecrets.org should be printed right on the voting ballot at the polls.
Like I mentioned upstream in this comments section. We should continue to make the connection between corporate campaign contributions and the specific votes they buy.
August 4, 2009 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or as the saying goes, "build a better mousetrap, nature will build a better mouse". I'd up the rodent level a notch, however.
August 4, 2009 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only way I can see reform working is to take the dollars away from the Health Insurance Corporations, i.e. the lobbyists, with a Public Option, so we can circumvent the bribes to our politicians.
And then start with the defense industry etc. For every Orwellian department they have, create a public one. Modern fascism is the collaboration of politicians and big business. We need our own sector of influence, apart from political parties, to take it back.
I think your ideas are great!
"Out" the corrupt politicians in public
and hold up their wallets
to the public ire.
August 4, 2009 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about us? Aren't we the real villains here?
(We is general term meaning We, the People, - as in voters and Americans!)
We've allowed it by apathy, looking inward - concentrating, if at all, only on issues that we believe personally impact us/ours immediately - not participating in the processes - choosing not to become aware and wise via research of FACTS...
Of course it's the elected officials next who obviously either never had or abandoned their oath of office and ethics to sustain their own being.
But, it's We, the People, who have and continue to just abdicate our responsibilities to pay attention and ensure there are consequences for those elected when engaging in corrupt and/or unethical actions.
It takes more than a village to raise and sustain democracy!
August 4, 2009 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aunt Sam, I agree with you. Sort of. I think. Apathy and boundless corruption are like two very negative forces on our government.
Would you agree that people would feel less apathetic, though, if they saw some semblance of accountability?
I'd love it if we had better voter turnouts, if people took more responsibility for their part in government.
Once the facts are out, once it is clear that certain of our elected reps act more on greed than principle, or worse, consider greed a principle, then it is indeed up to us when we get to the ballot box to show them the door, if not the prison door.
Your point is well-taken, mind you. I'm sort of thinking out loud here.
Actions have consequences. That should apply to our elected officials.
It should also apply to voters in that if they don't act, or get involved, there will be no consequences.
August 4, 2009 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, about to get myself in deep doo doo here..
Not so concerned about high voter turnout as I am about the millions who vote without knowledge or participation before and after the polls close.
The majority choose to tout that 'Hey, I voted, so my part is done' philosophy. Set it to music and that's a hit song for all the corrupt politicos who get elected on a wink, nod and special interest agendas.
August 4, 2009 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
no, no. No fear of getting into anything knee deep here with me:) I follow what you're saying.
America isn't U.S.
America is WE.
WE are America. And WE have an important role.
WE can't default on our responsibility.
Political activism requires more than 1 day participation every four years.
No. Strike that.
Let me be precise;
our democracy, our "shining beacon on a hill" requires more than 1 day participation every four years.
Of equal importance, and I think this is your master point, is having the knowledge to make an informed choice on that one day we do go to the polls.
Very important.
August 4, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except they only vote in the general elections, which is useless to get rid of incumbents as a way of establishing accountability. More than 16% average turnout for the primary elections and we just might start to see some change in leadership.
August 4, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with Aunt Sam. If voters cared to cast educated votes on how gov't impacts their family and community they would have their minds made up well in advance of voting, and they would expect results from those in power.
All that money spent on mud slinging TV ads the last 3 weeks before election would be wasted and it would end. Whose fault is it that Republicans have been pushing the hot button issues for 30 years, while claiming gov't can't solve any problems, while having control of Congress for 20 years?
There are politicians in DC like John McCain or Jon Kyl who should never have been re-elected once not to mention 5-6 times.
August 4, 2009 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just so.
Did you see this, Gary? It explained a few things for me.
August 4, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hadn't seen that. Just read it though. Good article.
Oh boy, Chris Matthews is interviewing Judd Gregg on health care right now, Tuesday, 5:19pm EST.
Gregg's opposed to a public option.
Judd Gregg, whose #1 campaign contributor is Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Judd Gregg, who will not be running for office again, but will have guaranteed health care for him and his family for the rest of his life.
Don't worry about the rest of us Judd. We'll be fine.
August 4, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
"But all it takes is a dirty stinking rotten no good few dripping with insatiable greed to step in the way of honest effective reform."
Thanks. Not one swear word. hahahahahaha. Hard for me to do that.
WELL SAID, GOOD POST GARY.
August 4, 2009 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
it is an extraordinary challenge, particularly now, to withhold curse words when writing about politics DD:)
I try to accurately communicate the level of contempt I feel for these !!@@@### ing !@#!!!%@@!!! ing @@! wipes, and admittedly, when attempting to portray the @@!!###%% ers, sometimes curse words fail me.
"Dirty stinking rotten" is reserved for such times. It is like a reserve whisky. You don't want to break it out all the time for just anybody:))
August 4, 2009 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 4, 2009 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that's an important passage you cite, Strato. I mentioned something about how both apathy and corruption are two of the most negative forces acting upon our democracy.
They feed off one another. I believe we have to hold them accountable.
But I also believe they themselves have to hold themselves accountable. They are required to investigate their own. That is what checks and balance is all about. Our Department of Justice has to awaken from its slumber and once again become an active, fair and impartial voice in our system.
We can blame ourselves. We can say it's our own fault. And to a certain extent, it is. But we didn't do the hijacking of our system.
We were like a witness to the crime. And we will pay for that.
But the perpetrators should pay too.
August 4, 2009 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
We need more discipline on the left. We do have an agenda. Many of us would come up with the same list of priorities in roughly the same order. We need the discipline to stick with the agenda and sell it. We need to understand that we do have to sell it. The right figured that out a long time ago and never loses an opportunity to sell in any venue it can find. We need to do the same. We don't need to compromise, or be intimidated or apologize but we do need to sell. We must use our own talking points and stop making the mistake of reacting to theirs. We must make clear that we will sell any candidate who sells our agenda. We must stop voting for candidates who do not support and refuse to sell out agenda.
August 4, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We need to understand that we do have to sell it."
True. Reason doesn't sell itself.
August 4, 2009 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
We elected a leader who was supposed to lead. He isn't.
August 4, 2009 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
But what difference can he make, just one man, in all this madness? We all have to help push reform through. I believe Obama is the right person to help lead.
But it's not up to one man.
None of us can default on our role. That includes citizens, reps, senators, media, all of us.
August 4, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What do you mean, "or"?
August 4, 2009 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
sorry Karl, not sure what you mean. Could you elaborate?
August 4, 2009 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Villains are the insurance companies and the congresspeople they buy.
August 4, 2009 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
And not or.
Hit them both where it hurts. Vote the politicians out next cycle. But even better, cut off the money of the insurance companies by simply not paying them.
August 4, 2009 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hopefully, we won't have to vote too many Democrats out to achieve real effective health care reform--reform that includes a large enough and competitive and influential enough public option.
I'd prefer it if continued pressure is brought to bear so that before each rep and Senator casts their next vote, they understand the full consequence of their actions.
And what is that specifically?
Get in the way or act to weaken a health care reform bill and this is your last term as an elected official. Period. Goodbye. Good luck.
I live in New York and I'll be keeping close track. Don't represent me on health care and I won't represent you on election day--for primaries or the general.
This one's too important to let slide.
August 4, 2009 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
What would be wrong with forming our own system. Citizens pitch in to support/retain a doctor. Self insurance in a way. Source drugs overseas (amazingly easy to do), pay the doctor to keep an office open and a decent wage and I bet the cost would be very low. Many contractual issues though. I think it could be done. Passive resistance. Step around the establishment.
August 5, 2009 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Step around the establishment."
I'm more into establishing a better establishment.
I really think this can be done. In fact, it is being done.
The biggest illusion of our democracy is that we citizens have little power.
August 5, 2009 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gary, Now you're talking sense. The idea that the people have zero power in what happens is just defeatist crap and I for one am sick and tired of hearing about how, "There's nothing we can do", (insert your best sniveling voice here).
Americans, (me included) have gotten fat and lazy about Democracy (big D) by allowing the continuation of this legal graft between politicians and corporations.
I totaly disagree with your take that Public campaign finance will not solve the problem. It will amd here's how. Start at the bottom and work up. Start with state races and then go national, not the other way around. Grass roots is called that for a reason. Once enough of a ground swell is achieved, and thank the corporate interests for the people's anger, we can flow into Washington with "our" representatives and completely change the system.
Now one thing not talked about much is the influence of the SCOTUS. It's a couple of their rulings (or non-rulings) that helped create this mess. The ruling that gave "Personhood" to corporations, and the ruling that made campaign donations "Speech" opened the flood gates for "legal graft".
If you're watching closely you can see why the conservatives hate judge Sotomayor. She's FOR people and NOT FOR corporations. That makes her very dangerous to the status quo.
And there is zero doubt that corporations and their lap-dogs (or blue dogs), will make a full out assualt against anything looking like real campaign finance reform. Just watch what happens over the next couple of months in the court.
There is ONLY one way to take back our country and that is to organize from the ground up and attack the beast where it hurts most, in the wallet.
Tax reform, health care reform, finance reform, and corporate oversight reform ALL flow from Campaign finance reform. Other wise we're just shifting chairs around deck.
August 5, 2009 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
the villains are the insurance companies, the congress they've bought, and the system that allows them to continue to do so
August 5, 2009 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is looking like far too high-minded post and discussion for this comment, but, hey, the low road beckons and I cannot resist it's siren song.
I say the insurance companies are the real villians because they're the johns.
August 5, 2009 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
all roads welcome.
August 5, 2009 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
The American people are to blame.
Don't forget these politicians get voted for.
And that will always be the fight.
People who care against people who hate.
The rest of the arguments are just silly.
August 5, 2009 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
agree jadeZ...'never give a sucker an even break', the motto of Republicans, corporations and any other moneyed interests in this country that want to influence the dumb and the hateful in our population.
The title of this post should be:
August 5, 2009 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
If everything comes down to mob rule and who rules (=owns) the mobs, then we have lost our Republic. We are at a very pivotal point here. Where it's not just health care: The Republic is at stake, the willingness of citizens to adhere to principles of democracy is at stake; the whole idea of a community which takes care of its members is at stake.
Bless you for this blog. We are really asking ourselves, I hope, what underlies justice. And to me, we're talking morality, we're talking ethics. It's gone way beyond the Rule of Law.
We need to find just ways to interact within our society - or this experiment is lost... There needs to be a Revolution of the Heart. I've spoken of it before. It must begin with each of us.
Kudos on this great blog!
August 5, 2009 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
With respect, I'll take an uprising from voters who are pissed off and finally realize that no one is going to give them crap unless they fight for it.
August 5, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard Barbara Boxer on the Diane Rehm show this morning. She said that insurance company profits from 2000 to 2007 went up 400%! 400% when they were already profitable before that!
It is obscene, and the compensation packages of their CEO's are obscene as well. How anyone can say we should preserve their enclave because it is the way it's always been have a strange way of problem-solving in my book.
Regulation? Sure. That'll work. Last time I looked, I thought Congressmen were not supposed to be bought. Our regulations aren't working out so well in that sphere.
The answer is really very simple: Health care money should be spent on health care. Can someone tell me why that is not the way to go?
August 5, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it really "criminal" to make a legal donation to a campaign, funnel PAC money, lobby from K-Street, etc.?
No, it isn't. So really you are talking about getting $$ out of politics, and giving people a fair choice.
People will only turn out in great #'s if they believe their vote matters. What they see now is both parties beholden to interests that aren't their own.
August 5, 2009 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink