I would have agreed with you until about three months ago when my husband went through a double bypass surgery for his heart due to a genetic condition. He's the most fit person who eats a very lean healthy diet with mainly tofu, fish, fruit and vegetable. He runs marathon, skis, bikes and hikes almost daily. His cholesterol, blood pressure and heart rate are all low. We were fortunate enough to have insurance at that time right before we both lost our jobs. So, even though I agree that we all are responsible for our lifestyle choices, genetics and other things happen out of our control. Good healthcare for everyone will help lower the stress that a family has to deal with during this tough time.

HNB... exactly. Most American's have no idea that one event can literally bankrupt a family. That does not happen in other countries like Australia, Canada, and Europe. And contrary to what the GOP would like us to believe, those countries much prefer their healthcare system to ours.

Health is a right. And it should not bankrupt an American family to stay healthy.

Health, or healthcare is not a right. Where in the constitution does it say this. Let's go way back to when everyone grew their own food. Some guy said to another" If you will fix my wagon for me, I will provide food for your family so you will not have to.". Thus, capitalism was born. If the wagon fixer became ill and could not fix the guys wagon, his family went hungry unless a kind soul helped him out. Now fast-forward to current day. Instead of bartering services, we use credits in the form of money. Same concept. If you do not provide a service to others that allows you to accumulate credits (money), you have nothing to trade for services, i.e., healthcare, food, shelter. In that case, it is up to family and neighbors to look out for you. Not me, unless I choose to do so.

Hmmm.... Interesting idea.  We'll provide national Health care but let's require any recipients to conform to our lifestyle.  We going to include STDs as a bad Lifestyle decision?  I personally think STDs should fall under Promiscuity which is a bad Life choice, those people shouldn't have our money.  And concerts will make you go deaf, so anyone that ever goes to one will have to drop their policy.

What will the other criteria be?  You must eat 3 well rounded meals a day, excercise for at least 2 hours 4 times a week.  Your BMI must stay between 18-22 or you won't get treated for your stubbed toe.  You must not smoke or drink or do drugs.  You will be required to sleep 6-9 hours of every 24 hour period.  I hope this policy comes with an agenda for each day so I can keep track of what I'm supposed to be doing...

Seriously though.  I am not a fan of national health care, but it could be good if done right and not influenced by special interests.  With the confidence I have in the people making our decisions, it will probably stink like a port-a-pot on the 5th day of a rock festival.  And unfortunately we (middle class taxpayers), not they, are probably going to end up footing the majority of the tax burden.  

Why is it that I payed 37% of my income in taxes and the government still can't sustain itself?  When is it ever going to be enough?  Does everyone realize if taxes weren't so ridiculous employee's would have more for insurance.  Employer's would have more to help pay for their workers insurance.  There'd be more money moving in the economy (may have just solved the financial crisis).  I fully believe that a partial cause of our current situation is that the middle class has been pinched until it's bleeding.

Instead our government treats the tax revenue like it's a piggy bank. Representatives inject special programs and pet projects for their state in bills that waste untold amounts of money.  These help what?  100-200 people each?  I don't think I've ever recieved any money or benefited from them.  We bail out corporations in a capitalistic economy.  Our military wastes and loses by the truckload.  I understand ensuring our troop safty, but the buck has got to stop somewhere.  And why do we inject our political will in un-interested countries through the almighty $$$?  

I prefer a small government.  Being in my late 20s I've never known a small government but personally believe we'd all be better off if that were the case.  It would be a dream come true if Ron Paul and the Libertarian party could cinch the house and senate in 2012.  Then maybe we'd see real change for the people.

Huh?

Well Contrary to what everyone says, Diabetes 1 and 2 are diseases that come from our diets and ancester diets of eating, so no matter what everyone is still unhealthy. Just like you can get diseases you can manage to get rid of them, but our country are so keen on the drug industries and stuff, no one will ever get better. 400 years ago, it was not this many sick people.

When people are losing their savings and homes because of greedy private insurance companies and the greedy medical community, it's cruel beyond belief to call them beggars and whiners crying to the government. You are heartless.

I worked hard all my life, and find nothing wrong with medicare and social security. Do they need some things fixed, yes. But the private insurance companies and those who drive medical costs up beyond what people can afford are far worse.

Waaah, yourself. Where's your compassion? These aren't people wanting a handout. They just want a chance to have a life and a chance for good health.

If government takes over the entire healthcare system, they will do the same thing to it that they did to education. They provide a sub-par education to the masses. Anyone wanting actual education must pay for private school on top of paying taxes to send other peoples kids to school. Also, many innercity schools are rampant with crime and do not provide a proper education because many students are only there because they are forced to be. Want good schools, move to the suburbs and pay for it. In the future, want good healthcare? Move outside the metro areas to get it. The city hospitals will become overrun, rundown, and substandard just like the schools did and people wanting good healthcare will seek a parallel system where they pay cash for their services while paying taxes for everyone elses.

And while we're at it, lets disband the army. Private companies and contractors should get those billions. See how well the market has worked for the financial industry.

I love someone who crys that we shouldn't look to the government when we've tried the alternative and have decided that it is not working. What is option 3???

Ironically, "Provide for the National Defense" is in the Constitution. Show me where healthcare is.

“
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I found it right there in the highlighted area. Seems simple to me....

Um; have almost all the jobs in your area dried up? Has the entire basis of your economy been removed? Do you have entire families out of work in your area?

If you aren't from the northern Indiana/entire Michigan area you have NO IDEA what destruction this economic downturn has caused!!!!!

If you are from the east coast/south/west regions of the country, be thankful for what you do have (trust me it's better than the Elkhart area!). And leave Elkhart alone; they are simply using this area as a representative example of the hard times hitting areas of the midwest.

I'm not from Elkhart myself, but I'm originally from Michigan. I've never seen anything as bad as it is right now there. Not even close.

If the entire local economy is built on artificially inflated union wages, you are simply paying now for the largesse you have been receiving without merit for years.

Scott I beg to differ. Elkhart has been hit hard. It is a prime example used by MSNBC to educate those in other areas. I still have a job in Los Angeles, CA, but I have compassion for these people. There's nothing wrong with that.

As for unions, I think you need to go back and read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" Unions were created because back at the turn of the century, big business was crushing the little guy (and children!.) Unions gave the little guy a voice and means to improve their lives while airing out all of the dirty deeds of the bosses and big business. I look for the union label - it means someone in the U.S.of A. is getting my money - better than Taiwan or Pakistan any day of the week!

"Next Republican president would push this plan in a minute and they'd back it."

You clearly dont know anything about politics since you wrote that.

"Contrary to what the GOP is telling you, Australians, Canadians, and Brits think our heathcare is a shamles compared to theirs. No one system is perfect, but we've got to do something different."

...and youre clearly unaware of the fact that Australians, Canadians and Brits come to the US for critical care because we have the best treatment in the world.

jscs; you think that this health care will be free if offered by the government? Are you dilusional??????!!!! THERE IS NOTHING that will come for free, especially not health care!

YOUR TAXES WILL GO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY up for care that is a LOT worse. Period.

NOTHING our government does is run well. Why would health care be any different?

BTW, give it up with the pathetic "if it was GOP you'd be for it". Um NO I would NOT!!!! I am NOT Republican and I'm absolutely no Democrat! Yuck!

The problem is not people paying too large a percentage of their paycheck. It is all the people already getting free care at emergency rooms and clinics who live on their government checks. If everyone would take a little personal responsibility and get off the governernment tit, maybe we would not even be having this conversation.

We all know how crappy the US military is. Or the post office - the nerve - making me spend nealry two quarters to get a piece of paper to the middle of nowhere.

As for people coming to the US for critical care - do you have a clue how many people are doing "medical tourism" - headed to developing countries like India for hearth transplants and the like. A lot more than are to the US for this so called "best treatment in the world". BTW - nothing stops you from going anywhere to get the best treatment in the world even after singlepayer/public option healthcare (I heard the Brits and Aussies can do it, so why can't we).

Well, I guess I can. I already pay for your kids education in addition to mine.

OK, he has been trying to get this bill done with all congrss members and shown to public, the man is letting us know everything that congress and senators are doing. Before, we have not had anyone let us know, unless it was negative.

douchebaggery??????? LMAO

So you think the government would be giving "handouts to dummies"? How special for you that you're lucky to be healthy right now. Things changed for me and could for you too. If you could no longer get insurance and/or had a serious health problem (or a serious injury from an accident)...if you didn't have the money to pay outrageous medical bills, and your requests for help fell on deaf ears. Wonder if you'd qualify as a "dummy" then.

I don't know what the standards for health would be - I don't think they would need to be all that high, and of course we could allow for folks with unforseeable genetic conditions, accidents, etc. There's no way to see those things coming in many cases and those folks should get all the care they need.

But for people who knowingly and willfully do things that are exceedingly bad for them, and continue to do them despite repeated wanrings, should be willing to accept financial responsibility for their resulting health problems. Do you smoke? Have you smoked for years? Please don't ask any of my money to fix your lung cancer! Are you overweight? So much so that it affects your health - giving you elevated blood pressure, etc? Don't ask for my help with the many possible health conditions related to your choices!

Again, we'll have plenty of people who need help through no fault of their own - genetic issues, accidents, etc. We shouldn't have to deal with people who for years have done little or nothing to care for themselves even on the most basic level - there are millions of folks in this country who can take better care of themselves, but do not.

Fully 70% of current healthcare expenses are a result of preventable problems. Ask your doctor how many of their patients are sick due to the way they live their lives.

We don't need to all be athletes - that's not what I'm saying - we just need to all be more responsible for our own health. Just a few decades ago, if you lived an unhealthy life, you died! That's a big incentive to stay healthy.

Now when a neighbors who has smoked for 20 years gets emphysema, it's literally as if he came to my door and said 'Can you please give me all the money in your wallet so I can continue the smoking that I enjoy so much'. Why should I have to give him any money? If he had quit smoking and tripped while jogging - I'm happy to help! We're all better off if we all do our own little part.

Been to the DMV - took me 10 minutes to get a license.

I had to renew my driver's license this past April I was in and out in less than 7 minutes.