"Prostitutes Of Our System"

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Keith Olbermann's "special comment" last night about rampant Congressional corruption in the face of proposed public-option health care reform was/is a classic. He stated the basics, which is that Republicans are paid big money for serving the insurance industry, Big Pharma, hospitals, HMO's and nursing homes. Same deal with Blue Dog Democrats. He named names, ripped them thoroughly and warned these lying nobles with impending job loss.

"I could bring up all the other Democrats doing their masters' bidding in the House or the Senate," Olberman said. "All the others who will get an extra thousand from somebody if they just postpone the vote another year, another month, another week, because right now without the competition of a government-funded insurance company, in one hour the health care industries can make so much money that they'd kill you for that extra hour of profit, I could call them all out by name.

"But I think you get the point. We don't need to call the Democrats holding this up Blue Dogs. That one word 'Dogs' is perfectly sufficient. But let me speak to them collectively, anyway.I warn you all. You were not elected to create a Democratic majority. You were elected to restore this country. You were not elected to serve the corporations and the trusts who the government has enabled for the last eight years.

"You were elected to serve the people. And if you fail to pass or support this legislation, the full wrath of the progressive and the moderate movements in this country will come down on your heads. Explain yourselves not to me, but to them. They elected you, and in the blink of an eye, they will replace you.

"If you will behave as if you are Republicans -- as if you are the prostitutes of our system -- you will be judged as such. And you will lose not merely our respect. You will lose your jobs.

"Every poll, every analysis, every vote, every region of this country supports health care reform, and the essential great leveling agent of a government-funded alternative to the unchecked duopoly of profiteering private insurance corporations. Cross us all at your peril."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 4, 2009 at 4:18 AM

comment #1

crazynine says ...

Arguing with Olbermann requires patience I don't have, but let me just hit some of the low-hanging fruit:

"hich is that Republicans are paid big money for serving the insurance industry, Big Pharma, hospitals, HMO's and nursing homes. Same deal with Blue Dog Democrats."

And liberal Democrats are paid big money for serving unions, lawyers, and mortgage companies. This is news. . . how?

"without the competition of a government-funded insurance company"

A government-funded insurance company is not competition. It inevitable becomes the ONLY competition. It's the most basic of rules-- when the government steps in, the private sector steps out. Why? Because the government can always do things "cheaper" because it doesn't need to worry about profit. Nor is it motivated by profit, but by the altruism of millions of warm and loving hearts doing the Lord's work.

You know, like at the DMV. Or the VA. Or at Medicare/Medicaid. Or TSA. Of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. Etc., etc.

"If you will behave as if you are Republicans -- as if you are the prostitutes of our system -- you will be judged as such. And you will lose not merely our respect. You will lose your jobs."

It's always fun to watch Bolsehviks vs. Mensheviks. None of these Blue Dogs are going to lose their jobs over this; in fact, the reason their opposition to President Obama's plans is *increasing* has nothing to do with lobbying money, and everything to do with the decreasing popularity of these initiatives. The more the voters learn about this stuff, the less they like it, and not just because they're watching sausage being made.

"Every poll, every analysis, every vote, every region of this country supports health care reform,"

Like this one? http://tiny.cc/KcO2T

Or this one? http://tiny.cc/bJCnq

Or this one? http://tiny.cc/zaPzh

Or this one? http://tinyurl.com/mcb59q

Or this one? http://tinyurl.com/lpe4ba

Or this one? http://tinyurl.com/kp3zd6

We want better health insurance in this country, reform PRIVATE health insurance. Most Americans are happy with their care-- or with not having care. Why ruin their health care just to fix what little is broken?

Private insurance works just fine in a freely competitive marketplace. Do you buy GEICO or Progressive? Ever use AFLAC? Protect your family with Met Life? Insure your home with Liberty Mutual? Insurance prices for all of these items are affordable across the board, and the competition allows for better services.

Why don't we run our *health* insurance market the same way? My employer doesn't pay for my car insurance, why should they be in the loop for my health insurance? I can shop life insurance from New York City, Chicago, Nebraska, Florida. . . but I can't shop nationally for my *health* insurance?

Just imagine if our government trusted the citizenry to do the right thing.

Posted by crazynine at August 4, 2009 5:34 AM

comment #2

Krazy Eyes says ...

It's the most basic of rules-- when the government steps in, the private sector steps out.

It doesn't always work this way. Just look at UPS and FedEx. They're surviving just fine and the USPS has been offering direct competition to them for ages.

The trick with those companies is that they've developed effective business models that allow them to compete on price and service. Something the U.S. medical industry is *sorely* lacking.

In some ways I agree with you though. The real villain is the existing healthcare industry, the accompanying insurance providers, and even the lawyers who pray on crippling malpractice suits. There's a ton of reform to go around. I'm not sure the Obama plan is the best approach, but at least it's something and it's definitely an improvement over the endless wheel spinning that has been going on in Washington for decades now.

Posted by Krazy Eyes at August 4, 2009 6:03 AM

comment #3

mccool says ...

I love when people use the term "Big ...." What imagination. Olbermann and his audience of 800,000 should march on Big Washington.

No one balks at the amount of money doctors make. Anyone with any financial acumen understands that the legacy costs of a drug don't show up in the years its being sold, making the markup looking unholy ... but pharma is a wee small percentage of the healthcare costs in this country, and for the tremendous therapies and treatments the industry has delivered, I dont think they should be in the same sentence, or even same conversation, as insurance cos. Big Pharma? You watch too many movies.

Posted by mccool at August 4, 2009 6:16 AM

comment #4

Manitoba says ...

I'm just a foreigner watching all this from Canada, but if anyone was interested in a pro-single payer voice ,I would recommend the California Nurses Association site, www.calnurses.org. In our system you go to the doctor or hospital, pull out your provincial medicare card and that is it.No co-payments, deductibles, paperwork or bureaucrats. The private insurance companies and Blue Cross are still around, but only selling supplemental and travel insurance. The five principles of the Canada Health Act are supposedly:universality, portability, accessibility, comprehensiveness and public administration and accountability.Nobody claims perfection but problems can be debated during both provincial and federal elections and in both provincial legislatures and the House of Commons in Ottawa.Contrary to what some Republicans are claiming, Canada does not write off old people. I have a member of my family in his 90s who is being well looked after.

Posted by Manitoba at August 4, 2009 6:34 AM

comment #5

austin111 says ...

Socialized medicine???? We already have it in medicare and the va system, both of which work very well for what they do, sometimes spectacularly well in the case of the VA. I work for the latter and can tell you that 90%+ of vets are quite happy to be in the system. Even the ones who are shocked to find out it's actually socialized medicine. Ask anyone in these entities if they really want to do away with them? I've been to Canada and used their medical clinics before and was shocked at how easy it was to obtain good care at an incredibly reasonable cost (cheap) and I'm not Canadian. If you talk to the average citizen on the street there, they will tell you they're happy with the overall quality and "portability" of their care. If you want to quit your job and go somewhere else in Canada, you don't have to worry about whether or not you or your family is covered or can obtain coverage without going bankrupt. That's one reason why people there seem so much more laid back than we are. The insurance companies are raking it in and doing less and less to take care of who pays them. If you can't figure that out, then no wonder their execs are doing high fives right now. Olberman can be guilty of overstating his case but not here. He's dead on as far as the congress is concerned, just as he was mostly dead on about the last administration.

Posted by austin111 at August 4, 2009 7:01 AM

comment #6

MilkMan says ...

Olbermann can scream for his side, O'Reilly for his; they can both try and rally the troops, point out corruption, yet, still, everyone just sits on their fat ass, doing nothing. Meanwhile, in Houston, a 33 year old woman ate her 3 week old son.

Posted by MilkMan at August 4, 2009 7:53 AM

comment #7

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

Funny, you don't see the politicos who decry "socialized medicine" turning down THEIR government health care freebie.

Sorry, but when you wait 16 years sitting on your ass doing nothing, you lose all credibility when you try to derail the only real attempt at this since Clinton tried.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie at August 4, 2009 8:08 AM

comment #8

MDOC says ...

I have a "wait and see" attitude towards Universal Health Care. I'm actually looking forward to a paradigm shift. The problem is nobody is talking specifics. It's hard to make an informed opinion.

The Republican strategy of screaming "YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOREVER TO GET CARE and YOUR TAXES WILL SKYROCKET, just don't scare me. Conversely, the Democrats are not doing themselves a service by the LOOK AT THIS WORKING WOMAN WHO CAN"T AFFORD HEART SURGERY tactic. We know something needs to be done tell us why, be specific.

Olbermann is just too clumsy. I like what he was trying to do here, and I was looking forward to some meaningful message. Why Keith, is Healthcare so important? Because you said it is, polled Americans all say they want it this week? Why bring up abortion? Way to score points with the devoted all in base while immediately losing half the audience, for what?

I also get that Insurance Companies are against healthcare reform, and screw them they have created the mess we are in. But why are Hospitals and nursing homes against it. If anyone hates insurance companies it's Hospitals. Journalists, please find out and tell me, enough pontificating over the party line talking points, make some phone calls have some guests on that can explain it.

Posted by MDOC at August 4, 2009 8:24 AM

comment #9

byanyother says ...

Olbermann is great. One of the few fresh minds out there. Love him. It is time to get mad. Our fucking culture is a bunch of zoned out, drugged up zombies and no one seems to be getting appropriately angry - but you're right, Milkman, about the fat ass part. There is too much sitting around and talking and not enough doing. Nice to see Obama doing. I hope he does it finally.

Posted by byanyother at August 4, 2009 9:02 AM

comment #10

poseidon72 says ...

Here a problem I have with the status quo- I own a small business and I am in a small group plan with my Wife. We have our daugter under my wife on the plan. We are paying almost 10K a year between us. If I lose my business I cannot go out on the open market and buy health care for my self because I have a prior. What is it- mild anziety which I pop a zanax once in while. No health insurance company will pick you up for something that simple on an indivual plan. To me that is a problem that needs to be solved. I don't need it free I just would need fair acsess. Is that asking too much?

Posted by poseidon72 at August 4, 2009 9:13 AM

comment #11

lipranzer says ...

"Most Americans are happy with their care-- or with not having care. Why ruin their health care just to fix what little is broken?"

That is such an arrogant statement I don't even have the time to list what's wrong, but here's a few quick points: Yes, I'm happy my insurance doesn't cover the medicine I need to treat my ulcer, so I have to settle for lesser medicine that in the long run costs me more. And yes, I'm thrilled when I had to change insurance companies, I had to wait several months before I was able to get blood pressure medicine because of the "pre-existing conditions" clause.

Posted by lipranzer at August 4, 2009 10:05 AM

comment #12

austin111 says ...

Fair access ain't happening without the government stepping in, a public option, and taxes going up. Just won't happen, period. We are 50th in life expectancy now compared to other developed countries in the world. Does that tell you anything? I work for the fed and can tell you this.......I get a nice choice of health care plans at fairly reasonable cost. I don't have to worry about getting rescinded because insurance companies can't do that, there is a large pool of payers, and no one can be denied care due to previous health conditions. But if I quit, I'm screwed. So I'll keep working for the fed, thank you very much. Our congressmen work under the same system. If they refuse to allow us to have some sort of similar system, it has more to do with who's lining their pockets than with any bullshit they're spewing about why we should be sitting on our hands doing nothing particularly different than biz as usual.

Posted by austin111 at August 4, 2009 10:15 AM

comment #13

Travis Crabtree says ...

Keith Olbermann? Ha hahaha hahahahahahahahahahaha!

Ooooo, a "Special Comment'! Gather everyone 'round the telly! It's a Keith Olbermann "Special Comment"!

And Milkman.... I want to hear more about the Texas woman who ate her three year old. That sounds brutal.

Posted by Travis Crabtree at August 4, 2009 10:20 AM

comment #14

Ponderer says ...

"We want better health insurance in this country, reform PRIVATE health insurance. Most Americans are happy with their care-- or with not having care. Why ruin their health care just to fix what little is broken?"

There is no reform because they have NO INCENTIVE to reform. Most Americans are NOT happy with their care, they simply deal with the best of bad options.

You come tell this to my wife who has serious pre-existing conditions. I run a small business and pay through the nose, and I pray I don't have a bad month so my wife will continue to have care. You come tell it to my mom, who is forced to battle with her private insurance even in the middle of agonizing pain and a fractured hip.

I have a series of cysts on my scalp that my dermatologist wants to remove and analyze, but Blue Cross has blithely classified them as sebaceous cysts and won't let my doctor take them out before it reaches a certain proscribed "threshold of pain." And then, she can only remove the exact cyst causing pain, even though it would be simple to remove several at the same time. Glad that the decisions are between me and my doctor! Glad to see such great emphasis on preventative care!

What little is broken. FUCK YOU and your perfect health system. A dear friend of mine died of throat cancer last year because Cigna wouldn't authorize the treatment she needed in time. FUCK YOU and your almighty pursuit of profits over people. These are people's LIVES you're playing with, while you diddle away with your ivory tower, Heritage Foundation theorymongering.

Oh, I'm sorry, did I make myself clear? FUCK YOU.

Posted by Ponderer at August 4, 2009 10:36 AM

comment #15

nightheat says ...

"A government-funded insurance company is not competition. It inevitable becomes the ONLY competition. It's the most basic of rules-- when the government steps in, the private sector steps out. Why? Because the government can always do things "cheaper" because it doesn't need to worry about profit.."

You're suffering from stockholm syndrome. You're so invested in the republican philosophy that you vote against your self interest, and self interest of your country. Can I ask you a question, straight up? Are you just spreading debunked republican talking points or do you actually believe that nonsense?

Republicans are idiots. Too bad we have to wait another generation before they all die out.

Posted by nightheat at August 4, 2009 11:49 AM

comment #16

MilkMan says ...

The devil told her to, Travis. A three and a half week old baby boy. She cut of his fingers and toes and ate them. Then she ate some of his brain. This is one of the worst things I have ever heard. It's beyond the pale, as they say, even though I don't really know what that means. I read about this and I wanted to cry, but I didn't, because I didn't want to appear melodramatic to myself. But still. Poor little buddy. He sat in her womb for nine months, comes out into this big, cold world, wanting only comfort and security and some milk, and his mommy decides to eat him. Someone tell me there is meaning in this kind of behavior. That it was destiny, fate, God's will. Go ahead.

Posted by MilkMan at August 4, 2009 12:11 PM

comment #17

Travis Crabtree says ...

Of course that's an awful story. I'm just not sure what it has to do with the subject being discussed. Surely you're not saying that this tragedy was a result of anything more than a seriously disturbed woman.

nightheat....... (sigh)..... when did the term "republican talking points" become a liberal talking point?
Let's mix it up a little. I'm not arguing your point, (not really up for it right now), but can we make these cases a little more creatively? I just KNEW you were going to say "republican talking points" before I even got to it. I'm surprised you didn't mention love for Coulter/Hannity/Rush while you were at it, as in "your girlfriend Ann Coulter...." etc.

BTW.... Olbermann is a coward.

Posted by Travis Crabtree at August 4, 2009 12:45 PM

comment #18

MilkMan says ...

It's okay to digress, Travis. It's allowed.

Posted by MilkMan at August 4, 2009 12:50 PM

comment #19

nightheat says ...

You forgot the most important part... "debunked republican talking points." debunked being the key word.

And it was a question, not a point. I asked him straight up, if he actually believed it. and I'd like to know that.

There are two types of republicans when it comes to the smears, distortions, misinformation, and outright lies... those that actually believe the talking points (birthers) and those that don't and spread them to promote an agenda, specifically, the republican agenda i.e. i hope obama fails, health care is his waterloo, ect...

Republicans, again, are idiots.

Posted by nightheat at August 4, 2009 1:40 PM

comment #20

Yuval says ...

Travis, for the sake of creativity, can you stop commenting on any political thread with the regular "I'm so disappointed with the (liberal) level of discussion here". That is the one constant talking point on this blog.

Posted by Yuval at August 4, 2009 2:19 PM

comment #21

the400blows says ...

How is this any different than the school system? We have private schools like the private insurance companies AND we have public schools which will be like the government-funded insurance company.. Did the "monopoly" of the public schools become the "only competition"? Hell no. So what do Republicans and conservative Democrats have to worry about. I thought we lived in a free-enterprise society that encouraged competition. A government-funded insurance company will be just the compeition that these private insurance companies will need to get their fat asses out of their chairs.

Posted by the400blows at August 4, 2009 2:42 PM

comment #22

Travis Crabtree says ...

"There are two types of republicans when it comes to the smears, distortions, misinformation, and outright lies... those that actually believe the talking points (birthers) and those that don't and spread them to promote an agenda, specifically, the republican agenda i.e. i hope obama fails, health care is his waterloo, ect...

Republicans, again, are idiots."

Thanks for clearing that up nightheat!

Okay, now it's my turn.

Liberals are big lame-o's! Big lame poo-heads who are stupid!

(by the way, what's up with your name....? sounds like a 1980's made-for-cable movie starring Shannon Tweed)

Posted by Travis Crabtree at August 4, 2009 3:02 PM

comment #23

Big Black says ...

I've seen much better bots than this in IRC.

Posted by Big Black at August 4, 2009 3:10 PM

comment #24

nightheat says ...

Travis - you're trying to be sarcastic and its failing miserably. Don't get me wrong, I get your point. But, the fact of the matter is, its easy to dismiss republicans and the republican party, as idiots. Sarah Palin *cough cough*, The Birther Movement, the "I don't want socialized medicine, keep your hands off my medicare!", the party of Global Warming is a myth, the party of Pro-Life, and so on and so on. Republicans are idiots.

So, good luck with that. Idiot.

Posted by nightheat at August 4, 2009 3:17 PM

comment #25

Travis Crabtree says ...

What are you, nightheat? Twelve?

Seriously?

Oh how I miss christian. (the most liberal HE poster ever... also probably the smartest person who ever posted here.....dropped out a few months ago....)

nightheat!

Posted by Travis Crabtree at August 4, 2009 4:16 PM

comment #26

mccool says ...

How is this any different than the school system? We have private schools like the private insurance companies AND we have public schools which will be like the government-funded insurance company.

Precisely. So much for "equal access". What we will end up with is a two-class system. The schmucks will get the NHS-level care with cat-scans scheduled 9 months in advance, and the upper-class will be able to afford a high standard of care...and everyone here with the exception of a few will be crying bloody murder.

This is the system as it exists in the UK. It sucks.

Why is that any argument against government care is twisted as an argument against humanity? What if our goals are the same but the means to achieve them are different?? Doesn't seem like the gifted minds here want to see that outcome unless it is achieve by their method and only by their method. What ever happened to sound debate?

Posted by mccool at August 4, 2009 4:41 PM

comment #27

Ponderer says ...

No, they're going to get the system essentially as it exists in Congress. Which, I hear, none of your congressmen are complaining about or clamoring to be rid of.

Posted by Ponderer at August 4, 2009 5:25 PM

comment #28

Yuval says ...

Should everyone receive health care regardless of their financial state? The answer is yes (for me). If you feel the same way then you would agree that a public health care system is the only way to achieve that. Is there another way? A public health system can lead to many problems, so let's try to avoid those problems. Let's try and copy other successful programs. Does that sound like a good plan?

If the answer to the first question is no (you don't think everyone should receive health care) admit that to yourself - "My view of the world is that some people shouldn't receive health care".

Posted by Yuval at August 4, 2009 8:12 PM

comment #29

DeeZee says ...

The Dems have been corrupt ever since they let Reagan slide, instead of jailing his ass for treason. These are just the worst offenders in the bunch.

crazy: "And liberal Democrats are paid big money for serving unions, lawyers, and mortgage companies."

I'll take unions and lawyers over corporations which embrace sweatshop labor and food which isn't fit to be digested by human beings or animals. As for mortgage companies, the banks which backed the Repugs didn't seem to mind blowing it all on their bad investments.

"A government-funded insurance company is not competition. It inevitable becomes the ONLY competition."

You didn't seem to consider it the only competition when companies like Halliburton got no-bid contracts in Iraq...

"Why? Because the government can always do things "cheaper" because it doesn't need to worry about profit."

Insurance companies can do things cheaper, and be profitable, but they choose to blow benefits on executive pay.

"None of these Blue Dogs are going to lose their jobs over this; in fact, the reason their opposition to President Obama's plans is *increasing* has nothing to do with lobbying money, and everything to do with the decreasing popularity of these initiatives."

They're still more popular than the slapped-together band-aids from Republicans and Republicrats.

As for your links, the first one doesn't take into account cell phone users, just like the polls for the '08 election. The third link uses a Wall Street journal survey, which clearly means they only talk to rich white people, and not the rest of us. The fourth link contradicts you. The fifth one still shows support for Obama more than the GOP, even if it doesn't necessarily agree with the plan.

"We want better health insurance in this country, reform PRIVATE health insurance"

That's the only way to reform it, since, as you yourself mentioned, the companies will do anything for profit.

"Ever use AFLAC? Protect your family with Met Life? Insure your home with Liberty Mutual? Insurance prices for all of these items are affordable across the board, and the competition allows for better services."

Not if you're a Katrina survivor...

Krazy: "The trick with those companies is that they've developed effective business models that allow them to compete on price and service"

Actually, UPS has some of the worst customer service I've ever encountered. And the post office trucks can carry just as much mail as those over-sized, gas-guzzlers from that company.

mccool: "Anyone with any financial acumen understands that the legacy costs of a drug don't show up in the years its being sold, making the markup looking unholy ..."

If I can get the same shit from Canada and Mexico without having to make the equivalent of a car payment on it, then it's clear that the pharmaceutical companies are inflating costs.

austin: Speaking of that, Michael Steele loves the private insurance, even though he doesn't know who's covering him. http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/21/steele-health-insurance-maybe/

Posted by DeeZee at August 4, 2009 8:22 PM

comment #30