Description of the dire future awaiting those of us in Red States who support and need the public option, if states are permitted to opt-out of the public option, and personal plea to all of you not to sacrifice us upon the plastic altar of bipartisanship.

Hate has caused deaths enough, the leadership has concluded, so in order to pass an amendment raising the stakes for it included that amendment in defense appropriations, a measure sure to pass. Predictably, an enraged wingnut faction defended hate speech vehemently and voted against the troops rather than offend the haters.

Some books are written for their moment. When John Maynard Keynes published his General Theory the world was, in fact, more than ready. Key ideas had already been put forward in papers and letters, and political figures were already looking for a means to implement truths the felt to be correct. Keynes advised, prophesized, synthesized, and proselytized. But to some extent he was a victim of the breath of his ideas and the range of his converts. As with many other epoch making ideas, it was in redaction and reduction that Keynes came to the world.

Insurers have powerful incentives to cherry pick the young and discourage older/sicker patients. A strong PO would have incentives to offset these results ensuring the older/sicker are still covered. A state opt out would strengthen insurers’ ability to discriminate and perhaps drive older people way from all coverage.

There are two disturbing details in Charlie Savage’s coverage of Thursday’s PATRIOT Act Hearing. As I reported on Thursday, the first thing the Committee did on Thursday was accept a whole package of amendments from Jeffrey Beauregard Sessions III, doing things like limiting the library records under Section 215 which must be shown to have some tie to terrorism or spying.

I asked Charles Chamberlain, the Executive Director of DFA, where they stood on the opt-out. His response:

Every American deserves the choice of a public option, not just those who live in Democratic states. Further, it is impossible to allow states to opt-out and still be a national plan. It would be a morally unacceptable compromise if Democratic Senators let Republican states opt-out because too many Americans would continue to suffer and in some cases even die without health coverage. It’s time for Democrats to stop negotiating with themselves in an attempt to get Republican votes. The majority of Americans want a public option and are depending on the Democratic Majority in congress to pass real reform with a national public option available to everyone on day one. We have the majority votes needed in both houses of Congress to pass a public option now, It’s time to get the job done.

My, how times have changed.

FDL’s writers have been among the sharpest progressive critics of the Obama administration. But we’re also not afraid to give the man credit where it’s due. Case in point: His being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Well this has been one week! It has been busy here at the Lake. On Thursday, we expanded our fight for health care and launched Public Option Please (POP). POP is a grassroots organization that is committed to the goal of guaranteed and affordable health care for all Americans. If you haven’t already, check out our website, Public Option Please.

Due to the likelihood of interruptions throughout the wee hours of the morning Club Poodle will return next week. While the hard working tech crew serves us all feel free to chime in with what’s on your mind tonight.