The Healthcare reform is as good as dead. Obama can't rally the troops, Pelosi refuses to allow any Healthcare bill to pass without a public option, and the Blue Dog Democrats can't win in their 2010 reelection races if they DO vote for it.

So basically, the Democrats in are a no-win scenario...if they DO pass the healthcare bill as is, they will lose the majority in 2010. On the other hand, if they don't pass the healthcare bill, they lose credibility with their base.

As I said, a no-win scenario for the Democrats. On the other hand, the GOP is in an excellent position to capitalize on the on-coming chaos, if their leadership is sufficiently organized to do so.

Sorry folks but no matter what happens, the healthcare bill is DOA. There's ALREADY 23 Democrats who have said they would vote against it...do you really think another 39 won't follow suit too?

The bottom line is, the majority of constituents do not want the public option...and Pelosi has said there will be NO bill without one. So that leaves a lot of the Democrats Congressmen in the middle with the DNC demanding them to vote for the bill (or risk losing financing) and constituents demanding they vote against the bill (or risk losing their seat in the next election).

So you see, this bill is done...because the Democrat Congressmen KNOW the DNC will finance them against the running GOP candidate...assuming they win the nomination.

I hope you are right, and pray you indeed ARE!

Obama is giving up on the public option! Should be interesting to see how this sits with his constituents...as well as Pelosi who has gone on record to say there would NOT be a healthcare bill WITHOUT the public option!

LOL

Of COURSE Hell hasn't broken out in Iraq...YET! We're NOT out YET! Just wait until we get out, and THEN we'll see what happens.

Until then, this story is irrelevant.

Oh and BTW, expect the uptick in attacks and deaths to continue. The terrorist want to be able to claim they "chased the US out of Iraq", so they will continue to try to kill Americans until we are out of there.

Can't attack the logic so you have to attack the person?

Weak!

"This absolutely makes sense if you're convinced that the U.S. government is a malicious entity and if you have absolutely no problem with viewing those in charge of the fed government as simultaneously having socialist and pure capitalistic desires."

One does not necessarily have to have conflicting desires...afer all, those in power, even in socialist societies are treated better than the average citizen. As for the government being a malicious entity...not really. The government wouldn't be malicious nor enlightened...simply logical and in using pure logic, it is better to aid one who is a productive member of society than it is for one who is an unproductive one. Cold? Yes...but purely logical too. And when have you ever heard of a bureaucrat being anything but logical and following the rules to the letter?

"Obama's plan is to create a public option that is so finely tuned and efficiently run that it drives the public insurance companies out of business."

This part is correct.

"And then, after accomplishing that feat, he either raises the premiums or starts rationing care?"

This part would come later after all competition is gone and the government would be forced to make logical changes in order to reduced expenses. I don't think this is something Obama is choosing to do but it would be the logical result of a public option with zero competition. If you doubt it, look at what's happening in England and Canada.

Would that it WERE nonsense!

Sorry but there's a few problems with your position, as I see it.

"the people that were there complaining appeared completely insane and unhinged. Normal people see that and think, "I am not like that and I will not stand with them".

Not ALL the people there were appearing "insane and unhinged"...as a matter of fact a MAJORITY of them were quite civil and were asking pertinent questions. The problem was, many of them couldn't get a clear answer which angered them...and which will, I think in the long run, ruin Democrat changes for holding Congress in 2006.

"Well you know what, I prefer to pass this legislation without any republican support. I hope they do it under reconcilliation and Biden gets to break the tie. That would be the sweetest victory ever."

True this has always been an option the Democrats have...but for the fact there are some Blue Dog Democrats who may not go along with the majority of Democrats...so the question you have to ask yourself here is, DO they have the ability to muster enough votes for this. At this point, I believe the answer is questionable.

"The republicans have only obstructed and deserve to be shown for the unpatriotic, greedy corporate whores that they are, sucking up to the insurance companies."

Forgive me, but I was under the impression the insurance companies were in the pocket of BOTH parties...as well as Obama. So both are taking money and showing themselves as "unpatriotic, greedy corporate whores".