How do we know Obama is a centrist? He never voted for anything while in the Senate, and he had no political experience prior to that.

I voted for him because I consider myself a Democrat, but even I admit I have no idea where he stands on issues.

He doesnt seem to be a leader. On almost every issue, he appears to tell Reid and Pelosi to come up with something instead of clear and precise direction of what he wants. Even the "public option". He doesnt seem to understand that people dont want "affordable" health insurance, they want Canada style health care. I dont want to be forced to buy anything.

Joan may continue to support him, but I just dont know anymore.

My inlaws were way different politically than me. Wasnt a big deal, we just didnt talk about politics.

So dont talk religion. However, understand that when they wish you Merry Christmas, they genuinely mean it. Wish them one back, it wont kill you. Have your child baptized. If you dont believe, its just meaningless water. But it will make them happy.

Its not your place to change their beliefs or they yours, but that doesnt mean you cant all get along.

Providers are never forced to accept any insurance or payments Including Medicare. Any physician may opt out of Medicare and simply not see those patients. Or they can see those patients, have the patient pay cash, and the patient then submits to Medicare and receives from them the reimbursement they approve. Usually much less than they paid the doctor.

This is the problem with the public option. Unless the doctors agree to participate with it, it is moot. Those patients may have insurance, but it will be useless. I suspect the hospitals will accept it, especially those with residency programs, because they still need patients for those training programs. This means patients will still use ER's for their care.

There are a couple of reasons why at least 2 of your ideas, are good ideas, but not possible without further legislation.

Consumers cannot "shop" for the best price. Providers must charge everyone the same fee by federal law. It is believed to prevent discrimination. The exception is when there is a contract in place between the provider and insurance company. The provider still charges the same amount on paper, but agrees to accept lower fees according to the contract. Therefore, the cash patient will always pay more.

Secondly, this is why you see different amounts for cash patients vs; insurance payments. The charge remains $3200 but by contract the provider can accept the $1500 as payment in full. BTW, in most states, radiology services are capitated. For example, radiology facilities receive a payment each month for every member of an insurance plan. It usually quite low, about $10.00 a month based on sex and age of the patients. However, the facility must then provide ALL radiology services those pts require.

Lets have free health care for everyone. Heres where we can get the money.

Lets get out of the United Nations - when was the last time they did anything anyway. Currently, the US pays 25% of its annual budget. Lets turn the building into condos and spend the money on health care.

Lets get out of Iraq Afghanistan, Pakistan etc. Use the money for healtcare.

Lets close all of our military bases in other countries. Why do we have bases in Germany, Japan, etc. Close them. Use the money for healtcare.

Re-evaluate our foreign aid program. Any country that doesnt spend the money for its citizens gets cut off. Make them show us the improvements they have made with our money. No improvements, no more money. Spend it on health care.

Everyone gets free health care without any tax increases to pay for it. I know there will be tons of objections to the above, but hey, countries that have national health care dont support the rest of the world like we do. They spend the money on their own citizens. We need to take a clue from them.

We didnt vote for Obama because we wanted reform of the current system. We dont want to purchase health insurance even if some of the premiums are reimbursed to us from the government. We want free health care. Everyone believed he wanted it too. This reform is a joke.

The reason people have lost faith in Obama is because we believed he had the answers. He campaigned like he did. He convinced us he was the smartest man on the planet.

In reality, he has no answers. He has no clue how to govern. We need to be prepared for another 3 years of disappointment.

We all work with people we detest. People we disagree with on a daily basis. You work with them, no one says you have to socialize with them.

A long time ago, a wiser, older person pointed out to me that, why quit or jeopardize your job (and financial future) for one person? Who cares what someone else thinks, says, or believes?

You will never find a job where you like and agree with everyone or everyone agrees with you.

Get over it. Realize you are lucky to have a steady income in this economy. Count your blessings.

Can anyone define the "public Option"? Seriously, what exactly does that mean?

I think what Americans want is Free Health Care. Not "Reform" what ever that means. Not the government forcing anyone to buy "cheaper" insurance.

Ask most people what the Public Option is, and they will tell you its like Canadas. Boy, are they in for a big surprise.