I’ve spent 10 years in what I think of as the health insurance wars: desperately trying to get, and retain private health insurance, and somehow force those insurance companies to cover the treatments I require.

I’ve had an insurance company drop everyone in my state, another that turned out to be fraudulent, taking my payments, but never turning over dollar one to my doctors, had Cigna raise my rates on an individual policy for just me to $1,000 a month.

Been denied by Blue Cross because I then simply required one (inexpensive)prescription a month.

I’ve read that the Massacheusett’s plan is a boondoggle — I’m sure it serves the health insurance companies well, but I’ve read that it doesn’t serve the patients.

I have a friend losing his sight, but he’s 63 and hasn’t gotten work in over a year has nowhere to get insurance, and can only hope he doesn’t go blind before he reaches 65.

I also envy my friends and neighbors who can get on Medical and Medicare.

Why would you deny us, and the millions more who need real health care, the public option?

You have seen how private insurers don’t serve those with major illnesses — and you would force us to continue that death dealing farce?

It makes it “safe” for a lot of Republicans all over the country to join the Democratic party and make it even more blue than it already is.

What I meant to say:

It makes it “safe” for a lot of Republicans all over the country to join the Democratic party and make it even more blue dog than it already is.

IMHO, Arlen came begging to Rahm. Instead of telling Arlen he could have BO’s support in return for EFCA, BO and Rahm decided to use PA as a NATIONAL opportunity to enforce party discipline on the unions and the left wing of the party. BO wants to send a message. He can march into a heavily union state and shove an anti-union candidate down the party’s throat. Blue dogs love this.

This is why I think Pennsylvania’s primary is so critical to all the other issues we care so much about. If Obama/Rahm/Spector win, it’s a huge victory for blue dogs. It makes it “safe” for a lot of Republicans all over the country to join the Democratic party and make it even more blue than it already is.

I want Republicans to join the Democratic party. I just don’t want them to think they can bring GOP policies with them.

thanks.

if supporting sestak makes sense to you, then i really do think that’s what you should do.

I was out of line and that was not the way I intended it.

FWIW, I donate $240 bucks a year to FDL. When I have something left over, I’ll give it to a candidate.

If you know of a better cause to support that has more “reach,” I’m interested. A lot of this is about accessibility.

It’s hard to get large groups of people excited about Elizabeth Warren. That’s not right and it’s not fair, but it’s the way it is.

I think the Pennsylvania Senate primary makes sense, because it gives us a chance to support unions in a Democratic primary. That drives union solidarity and awareness NATIONALLY in the Democratic party. I just don’t see liberals and progressives going anywhere without strong union support and without a VERY strong union voice inside the Democratic party. My guess is that they defected heavily from Ned in the General.

I think supporting Sestak will draw blue dog resources away from fighting better reps such as Donna Edwards. It’s a primary so the rules are different. We have to take our opportunities where they come.

If we’re fortunate enough to get an electable candidate such as Sestak to run, we also force the banksters to donate both to Specter and to Sestak. That’s a big plus.

If you’re not 110% behind Sestak, you’re 200% behind Specter, Obama, and Rahm.

no. that’s just not so. there are other races (and causes) that need our time and money, and people have a right to have lines they will not cross.

booradley, i won’t give you a hard time about supporting a candidate i find unacceptable. in fact, i will support you in your choice. but likewise i expect not to be told i have to get behind your candidate. i have seriously OD’ed on being told i must get behind someone else’s choice or else i am a supporter of something worse.

i was not pro-saddam hussein because i was against the iraq war.

and i am not pro-specter if i don’t support sestak.