Lobbyists spending 1.4M a DAY against any public option

From Icebergslim:

Wake Up!! Lobbyists spending 1.4M a DAY against any public option
by icebergslim
Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 05:08:33 AM PDT

This is cold water on many faces.

Not faces here, not faces who follow politics, but for everyone else.

If you are one of the millions with no health insurance, lost your job and can not afford COBRA payments (which is a joke), insured but your coverage is lacking and you are paying sky high premiums or have you gone bankrupt because you either have or don't have any insurance?

Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines.

Many that have insurance or feel comfortable that nothing will happen, think again. One of those stories can easily become a nightmare for you and your family.

The nation's largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosures and other records.

Nearly half of the insiders previously worked for the key committees and lawmakers, including Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), debating whether to adopt a public insurance option opposed by major industry groups. At least 10 others have been members of Congress, such as former House majority leaders Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) and Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), both of whom represent a New Jersey pharmaceutical firm.

The hirings are part of a record-breaking influence campaign by the health-care industry, which is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying in the current fight, according to disclosure records. And even in a city where lobbying is a part of life, the scale of the effort has drawn attention. For example, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) doubled its spending to nearly $7 million in the first quarter of 2009, followed by Pfizer, with more than $6 million.

Folks, I don't trust NONE OF THE ABOVE. Especially, when you have the egotistical Senator Chuck Grassley admit the obvious in health care, here. Again I don't trust, ANY OF THEM.

The old adage, "Money talks and bullshit walks", is applicable here. The money that is being thrown around like water out of a fountain is why we hear the likes of Blanche Lincoln, Independent Joe Lieberman, Mary Landrieu and many other DEMOCRATS come out and challenge the choice of a public option plan. These are the same congress persons who enjoys the health care offering in congress which is PUBLIC OPTION. The plan is one of the best in this country. My question is, "if it is good enough for them, why not us?"

Then we have President Obama who says Democratic advocate groups should stop targeting moderate democrats primarily in the senate:

In a pre-holiday call with half a dozen top House and Senate Democrats, Obama expressed his concern over advertisements and online campaigns targeting moderate Democrats, whom they criticize for not being fully devoted to "true" health-care reform.

"We shouldn't be focusing resources on each other," Obama opined in the call, according to three sources who participated in or listened to the conversation. "We ought to be focused on winning this debate.

I want to win this debate, but when you have the likes of Blanche Lincoln, Joe Lieberman, Mary Landrieu, etc., going on the record of not supporting a public option, then they must be called on it.

Congress has public option. Congress has the best health care plan out there that is available. The American people do not.

One has to wonder what is in it, IN THE END, for these Democrats to totally chuck any notion for the public option. My only reason is that these Democrats depend on heavy donations from the insurance and health care communities, via their lobbyists.

If this health care bill goes down or is watered down to nothing for the American public, there will be repercussions and that will start with the 2010 Mid-Term Elections.

President Obama, we understand you want consensus and a good debate, but in the end the public wants and demands a choice, that choice is a strong public option plan.

It can not be anymore clearer than that.

slinkerwink has all the contact information, HERE, let us ALL GET BUSY.


Thank you, Icebergslim.

We have to keep folks informed and we have to keep on pressing.