As Long As We Value $$ and Material Things More Than The Well-being of People ...

[Blackhatjack]

There won't be be any significant change that addresses the most urgent problems facing us today.

During WWII there was a common enemy and people banded together for the war effort, doing whatever they could to look out for those fighting abroad and those left behind. People worked together and their focus was NOT 'all about me.'

We could drastically improve the health and well-being of our fellow citizens if we insisted that government put the interests of the people first, and the profits of the corporations and richest 1% second.

However, as long as $$ rules Capitol Hill there won't be any real changes anytime soon.

AS one television commentator said this past weekend, the idea that the richest 1% could be called upon to pay a little more in taxes(to fund healthcare reform covering everyone) is DEAD in the Senate. Now why would this be the case? Answer: Count the millionaires in the Senate. Count the $$ received by members of the Senate in campaign contributions. Who made sure those $$ got to those millionaire Senators? That's right! Those corporations and richest 1%.

We have to get $$ out of campaigns if we are ever to get the interests of the people back on the floor of the Congress. Otherwise, it will remain more of the same...

[happy2bhere]

1. We need to get on the right side of the world revolution

"I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a 'thing oriented' society to a 'person-oriented' society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered." MLK

It seems even some on DU are so selfish they cannot see beyond the idea that they might have to buy insurance, and that it is a giveaway to insurance companies...both true. But...this bill is going to provide free health care to the people who need it the most...for free. When I looked at the number crunching that quiet american did, it seems that the poorest among us will pay little to nothing.

This might just provoke the long disinfranchised into voting again, finally seeing a reason to do so, finally feeling that someone in DC is working for them.

Sure single payer is better, sure it is a giveaway to the insurance companies, but after wasting trillions on wars and bank 'bailouts' (gifts for the wealthy to provide proper bonuses) at least the poor are getting something this time.

[KoKo]

2. I will KICK THIS...but do your really feel anyone cares what you say?

Not dissing you...but the reality of the DU FORUM these days is that..."WHO GIVES A SHIT?"

But...I will kick...and who cares. What I see around here is "Celebrity, Murder, Rape, Pedophiles, Animal Cruelty... WE CAN DO NOTHING...SO WHY TRY...let's VOTE FOR BACHMAN AND PALIN...because the TOP OF DU in VIDEO's and GREATIST PAGE IS ALL ABOUT BACHMAN/PALIN and CELEBRITY!

Get Over it.......or not?

[stray cat]

3. You get a free 1br apt, a used car, free health care and 500/month for expenses

including food and clothing in exchange for working your current job - no more no less no matter how much you work but everyone gets it. It pays for subsistence items but no frills like tvs, videos, ipods, books etc.

[Blackhatjack]

4. The Issue is perfectly framed by the new movie "The Box" ...

The blurb published at www.imdb.com says it all: "Richard Kelly's "The Box" is a nearly perfect little sci-fi morality tale. The genius of the film's central premise -- would you sacrifice a stranger's life in exchange for a million dollars?" The main characters have 24 hrs to decide if they will push a button which will grant them $1million but immediately kill someone they do not know.

Apply that scenario to the CEOs of healthcare insurers and financial behemoths and I think we know the answer. They will insist on getting their millions of dollars in bonuses, and they don't care who they have to damage to do it. Like the box, generating profits is tied directly to people dying.

But it goes deeper. We as citizens of the United States have to decide if accumulating things and increasing the amount of $$ we can acquire is paramount to interests of those who cannot afford healthcare, find a job, or feed their families..

I am not advocating a communist or socialist remake of our government. However, paying taxes at the rates that were in effect during the pre-Reagan years(or even during the Clinton years) is no outrageous remake of our country and onerous burden for the richest 1% and corporations.

It really comes down to a moral compass and values.

How much $$ and opulence is enough? How many can we avoid helping to get there?

Hopefully, it won't take a tragedy to reestablish the bond among all citizens and lead us to reach out to one another.