Thom Hartmanns Modest Proposal

Its supposedly posted somewhere here on DU, but I cant find it. Here is the link to Common Dreams.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/08/17

Dear President Obama,

I understand you're thinking of dumping your "public option" because of all the demagoguery by Sarah Palin and Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich and their crowd on right-wing radio and Fox. Fine. Good idea, in fact.

Instead, let's make it simple. Please let us buy into Medicare.

It would be so easy. You don't have to reinvent the wheel with this so-called "public option" that's a whole new program from the ground up. Medicare already exists. It works. Some people will like it, others won't - just like the Post Office versus FedEx analogy you're so comfortable with.

more at link

Sounds good to me!

so instead of flipping her off - I stayed to listen to Howard Dean.

Interesting enough - the very same thing came up in this interview. Instead of talking 'public option' (which Dr. Nancy called a 'dirty word' and Dean took offense) - she said why not just let people buy into Medicare.

Now I don't like Dr. Nancy and she is far, far from a Thom Hartman - but - how could two people that are so different - basically come up with the same suggestion around the same time.

Is this a new talking point? Is this a new campaign? Is this idea being fostered by the WH?

Also - seeing that 'bailout' has become a dirty word - why can't we equate health reform passing without a 'public option' as a 'bailout' to the private insurance industry?

Don't you think that the American people - that are tired of corporate bailouts - might get on that bandwagon and not accept a 'bailout' for the private health insurance industry?

I simply want my fellow citizens to be able to get the medical care they need when they need it without them losing everything they have. Whatever accomplishes that goal will make me happy.

It seems Thom has a good idea to get the ball rolling in a simple, direct way.

And God damn the RW who would spend money like water to kill and maim in an unnecessary war but won't spend a dime to heal the very people they claim they love.

Makes tons of sense. Of course when did common-sense ever make a difference in this country?

has some copays, deductibles, and premiums...etc. And Just like the elderly, if I want more coverage I can go buy it from the private sector (if it is something I can afford).

MEDICARE FOR ALL RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Senator Baucus actually proposed this idea (lower it to 55 I think?) in one op-ed he wrote few months back.

It's good policy AND good politics.

I'd be happy if they just kept lowering the age. Let people opt in at 50, then 45, etc.

:kick:

So long as we all still have the option of not buying into Medicare if we don't want to.

Succinct and correct.

nt