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An American Soldier — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:25:34 GMT

I say we all take a 3 week vacation, like the Iraqi Parlement is doing? Let's just put the war on hold.

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Wyoming Montana — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:35:28 GMT

All the above is nothing more than untreated sewage from a downwardly spiraling ex-society. Fly fishing for trout in the Rockies holds elegant simplicity and purity for mind and body. Save yourselves if possible.

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Ryan, Michigan — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:38:18 GMT

I just want to point out that the Democrats are proposing to vastly expand the SCHIP plan for providing state funded healthcare to people. Initially the program was intended to help insure children whose parents could not afford coverage for them. The initial restrictions were that the family could not earn more then 200% above the official poverty level. The new proposal expands that to 300% and some Democrats are hoping to expand it to 400% meaning that a family of four making $82,600 a year would get "free" healthcare. However, to me anyway, the worst part of this proposal is how they intend to pay for it; with a $0.61 per pack increase in the federal tax on cigarettes. This is essentially a tax on poor people. The lowest 1/5 of income earners in America are by far and away the same people that buy the most cigarettes. So, potentially, we will have a single mom with two kids making $20,000 a year essentially paying for a family of four making $75,000 a year's healthcare! Does this seem counter-intuitive to anyone else?

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Amy B Portland, Me — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:40:14 GMT

Re: the argument between Clinton and Obama: how great is it to hear strategy and policy debated for a change instead of personal smears and empty rhetoric? Our democracy lives! Go Dems!

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Becca, Charlotte, NC — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:40:30 GMT

Allowing for the fact that First Read started as an insider on-line newsletter, it's still irritating to your broader audience to see how self-obsessed your staff is in its lead items, now boo-hooing because yesterday's 2-character bout you want this entire election to become (way too soon) wasn't played out on your air, but in a smaller print medium. Your words drip with the disdain that is seriously undermining media credibility more and more each day. It isn't about YOU, it's about the country!

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Dave, Tn — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:42:11 GMT

"It worked for them in 2006… Will it be true again in 2008?" Really? Had nothing to do with digging up conservatives to run? Really? KEEP MOVING ON TO THE EXTREME LEFT PLEASE :-)
I think Bush should stay in DC during the American congress' break, and the Iraqi Parliament should keep working then turn around an insult their enemies here at home for taking a break.

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Wesley, Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:44:07 GMT

Who is the real Hillary Clinton?
(1) she votes for the Iraq war.
(2) in 2006 she impedes the democrats attempt to have a timetable for withdrawal.
(3) in an earlier CNN debate she says that the USA is safer since 9/11, but last week the CIA says the opposite

Now she wants to end the war and have a timetable.

Money can’t buy this kind of experience, but it sure can prevent the news media from showing her inconsistency

Can you tell that I thought Obama won?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yuMdnktphM

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IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:45:36 GMT

PLEASE "DO NOT DISTURB" WE ARE ON A 3 WEEK VACATION.IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE JUST CALL UPON A U.S. SOLDIER FOR PROTECTION.

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THE NEW MORAL MAJORITY — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:01:42 GMT

THANKS G.W. ! THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

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rick,ky — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:10:48 GMT

It's not gonna happen dave, it's hard work running the most powerful country in the World into the cesspool that he has done. He need's an entire month off again to catch up with jerry in CC & see what else can be done to the American people.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:12:13 GMT

All the democrat contenders are losers, except Gravel, he is the only honest democrat running. Let Obama and Hillary tear each other apart. Time to find out who is more man; Hillary or Obama. Hillary is portrayed as a centrist and she won't go to a democratic meeting? This will ensure the republicans keep the White House in 08. The country will realize what a bunch of druggies and nitwits the far left truly are. America is not ready for a way far left turn just yet. Those Daily Kos nutjobs are truly amazing, even calling for their own democratic frontrunners to die. I watched O'Reily last night and I can see why Hillary is deathly afraid of them. her own spokesman refused to say anything abd about them. With Hillary refusing to go on Fox News, people seem to think that Hillary's team is nothing but a bunch of yellow bellies and won't even talk about their own extreme left!!!! Tragic.

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THE IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:16:56 GMT

"QUIET" PLEASE, WERE TRYING TO REST ON OUR 3 WEEK VACATION.WOULD YOU ASK THEM TO STOP BOMBING.

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Shadow, Hamden,CT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:22:53 GMT

Ah Jerry, you get informed by Bill O'Reilly... that explains your postings.

All I can say is, you can agree with him or disagree with him, but if you think Obama is actually dishonest, you're a really terrible judge of character - and I mean so terrible a judge of character I'm surprised you haven't sent your life savings to Nigeria yet.

I mean seriously, you're trusting Bill O'Reilly, but think Obama is untrustworthy. Do you want to be admitting this publicly to people with IQ's over 10?

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Michael K, Denver, CO — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:29:07 GMT

<snip>
The lowest 1/5 of income earners in America are by far and away the same people that buy the most cigarettes. So, potentially, we will have a single mom with two kids making $20,000 a year essentially paying for a family of four making $75,000 a year's healthcare! Does this seem counter-intuitive to anyone else?
</snip>

No, not really. Don't smoke and you'll save a fortune and get the same healthcare benefits as that family of 4!

Cigarettes are expensive today as it is. Why not heavily tax something that is one of the root causes of the huge expense of healthcare today? Ever see what it costs to treat diseases associated with smoking? The more expensive it is, the less it will be used. That can't be anything but good for people.

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Michael K — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:35:16 GMT

How many cups of coffee have you had today, Jerry? It's only 8:30 and you're already talking about how big a bunch of "losers" the democratic frontrunners are. If that is the worst thing the right-wing can come up with, I'll certainly take it. This is especially considering what can be said of the current right-wing administration: treasonous, criminals, war mongerers...I'd go on, but I should ssve some for later.

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Sierra, San Francisco — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:53:18 GMT

It's time for Obama to start pointing up the POLICY differences between him and Hillary.
And Hillary gave him an opening!!

For god's sake, GO FOR IT !!

Hillary was irresponsible to support the Iraq War !!

Hillary was naive/evil to believe George Bush/ or PRETEND she believed George Bush about WMDs.
She was stupid if she did, she was evil if she didn't.

Hillary voted for an irresponsible and unjust war to enhance her political standing.

A majority of Senate Democrats voted against the war when it was politically unpopular to do so.

Hillary supported the war when it was popular and oposed the war when it was politically unpopular.

WHO'S IRRESPONSIBLE ??

Hillary's 'experience' serves only to make her more slippery and devious. (just like you know who)
She really should get Karl Rove to be her running mate.

Clinton/Rove '08 Come over to the dark side ;-)

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Lyn, Silver Spring MD — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:54:34 GMT

Oh, I doubt if she will personally respond back. Someone (probably Bill) got to her and said cool that temper. Remeber the "NEW and IMPROVED" image we are trying to craft!!!! LOL

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JoeCHI, Chicago, IL — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:55:00 GMT

This is a terrible mistake on the part of Obama. It highlights his nascent view of the role of the Presidency in a complex world, as well as his tendency to dismiss important details while indulging his preference for the broad and ambiguous.

The question, while complex, was clear: As President, would you be willing to meet, individually, with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela within a year of taking office and without preconditions.

Obama: "Sure!". Clinton: "Not so fast!".

This would be a second time where Obama didn't pay attention to the details of a question.

In the first debate, when asked about how, as President, he would respond to a double-attack by Al Quaeda, Obama rambled on about first responders and determining who was behind the attack.

It's not Clinton's fault that Obama failed to grasp the pertinent details of thoughtful questions. And, she has every right to point out his lack of understanding and attention to detail in his answers.

You have to get up pretty early to beat Clintons. Obama, it seems, is still sleeping in.

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David Tucker, Little Rock — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:57:05 GMT

>>> talking about how big a bunch of "losers" the democratic frontrunners are.

Hillary is as corrupt as they come.

Obama is naive.

Edwards won't say anything until he first checks to see if it's okay with his wife.

Losers.

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Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:57:08 GMT

"Indeed, how odd is it that a debate about preparation to be commander-in-chief is taking place and the three candidates with the lengthiest resumes for the job (Biden, Dodd, and Richardson) are no where to be found on the debate?"

Here's a thought; call each of them up and interview them on the subject. Or, don't you guys at MSNBC do scoops?

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juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:58:24 GMT

Jerry keep saying that the Democrats are losers considering that a big majority of your voters are dissatified with a field of white rich men who are either flip-flopper (Romney), a trice divorced and mob connected via Kerik gigolo, a once maverick now toast, 3 right wing fanatics who do not believe in evolution and a third rate actor who has as much speaking charisma as watching paint dry. The only one I would vote for is Ron Paul. Democrats have nothing to worry about.

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IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:58:54 GMT

PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE, WERE ON VACATION FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS.LEAVE YOUR NAME, TIME OF YOUR CALL, AND NUMBER WE'LL BE BACK IN TOUCH WITH YOU IN ABOUT A MONTH.

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Sierra, San Francisco — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:01:09 GMT

The Democratic Leadership Conference (sic) was America's first 'Axis of Evil'. It was funded by large corporations to establish corporate interest in the Democratic party. Among the early leaders of the DLC: Bill Clinton, Lyin' Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, 'Scoop' Jackson. A rogues gallery of conservative Democrats. That's why Bill Clinton's policies were referred to as 'Republican light'. They were Republican policies. NAFTA, WTO, de-regulation. That's why Democrats stopped standing for anything except opportunistm

Die DLC Die !!
Good riddance to dirty trash !!

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:05:48 GMT

Michael - Taxes on cigarettes have gone way overboard. Ryan talks about a $.61 increase per pack? In Iowa this year, they added an additional $1 per pack, so it now costs nearly $5 per pack. A few years ago, it cost half that.

Let's not forget that nicotine is an addiction. Can it be beaten? As with any other addiction, it can, but it is not easy. To say "just don't smoke" is oversimplistic, and equivalent to telling an alocohilic "just don't drink" - it's not helpful to the discussion at all. Because smokers are disproportionately lower income, these taxes affect them a lot more than they do people who have money. The fact that they are dealing with the issues of poverty probably stresses them out, which probably makes them more dependent on their addiction. It's a vicious circle.

And let's not also forget that tobacco is legal. People have as much right to buy cigarettes as they have to buy M&Ms. Isn't obesity becoming a huge healthcare issue, too? Maybe we should start taxing chocolate and potato chips at ridiculous rates, just because someday the people who eat them might have serious health complications.

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IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:07:36 GMT

IT'S TO "HOT" OUTSIDE, AREN'T YOU GLAD WE TOOK A 3 WEEK VACATION ? SURE BEATS ALL THAT ARGUEING AND GETTING NO POLITICAL SOLUTIONS DONE.

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HMT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:09:48 GMT

I think all the Dems could beat any of the low life republicans running---didn't Newt call them pygmies?he is a pygmy also just doesn't know it.

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Ryan, Michigan — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:12:04 GMT

Michael - A couple things:

1.) Your post made me think of an odd kind of scenario that this presents. In an odd kind of way, the Democrats need people to keep on smoking in order to pay for the healthcare expansion. Essentially they should start trying to promote cigarette use whenever possible.

2.) According to some studies I've seen, including one in the New England Journal of Medicine, smokers actually save taxpayers money. The argument is, is that despite some high expenses for healthcare most smokers die "early" and thus less of a burden for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The study basically concluded that if everyone stopped smoking healthcare costs would go up, not down.

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PRIMINISTER MALIQUI — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:18:02 GMT

HAVE YOU SEEN ANYONE FROM THE IRAQI PARLEMENT LATELY, TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES ? NO I HAVENT , THEY ARE "ALL" ON VACATION FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS, LUCKY DOGS!

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Michael K — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:19:49 GMT

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:21:00 GMT

Sierra - A majority of the Senate Democrats voted yes on the resolution. Only 21 voted against the resolution, while the rest of the Democrats (28? 29? I can't seem to count today) voted for it.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:21:47 GMT

Michael - Other than that coming from you? Is there any Democrat that you DO believe is competent?

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j fl — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:22:46 GMT

Repub front runners- McCain, early alzheimers and made the biggest mistake of his life by crawling up Bushes butt. Hmm lets see, Guliani likes to dress up like a female, has been married to his 1st cousin and flaunted his new girlfriend(now his wife) in front of the media and his current wife, ah is connected to mafioso types. Freddy Krueger Thompson has a much younger wife and we still haven't heard all the other skeletens in his closet-which is why he hasn't jumped in the race yet. Ahh, Mr Mormon..heh heh, don't need to say more. LOSERS!!!

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THE WACKY IRAQI'S — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:23:16 GMT

HELLO...NO THE IRAQI PARLEMENT IS NOT IN, PLEASE CALL BACK IN A MONTH. I'AM SURE THEY WILL RETURN YOUR CALL ASAP. AND REMEMBER THEIR MOTTO," NO HURRY" THE GOOD OLD USA HAS OUR BACK.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:29:09 GMT

I went on the daily Kos website. My god what a bunch of sons and daughters of 60's hippie freaks. I'm shocked you libs haven't started burning down Starbucks coffee shops due to them raising the price of coffee.Yes, Michael, glad you can call yourself that. Shadow, maybe I should rethink...after all anyone with ties to the MOB can't be that bad, can he?

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George Soros — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:31:40 GMT

Stop bitching about cigarette taxes. Democrats need to pay for their new slaves some how. If we can buy enough people's self respect we'll never lose power again. Just look what we done to blacks in America. So hush up and stay in line.

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Micahel K — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:36:40 GMT

"And let's not also forget that tobacco is legal. People have as much right to buy cigarettes as they have to buy M&Ms. Isn't obesity becoming a huge healthcare issue, too? Maybe we should start taxing chocolate and potato chips at ridiculous rates, just because someday the people who eat them might have serious health complications."

Amusing as it is to compare tobacco and nicotine to steak and potatoes, the former is a poison while the latter is not.

Personally, I look at cigarettes in the same light I view cocaine and heroin. Two are illegal and get you time in jail. The third is just as dangerous and just as deadly. It truly is a "pick your poison" society we live in today.

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AMERICAN PUBLIC — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:38:26 GMT

BUSH'S NEW APPROVAL RATING, JUST OUT -.0000000000.1% THANKS G.W. FOR ALL YOU DO !

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Harry Ross, Chicago IL — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:39:27 GMT

[[[I went on the daily Kos website. ]]]

May God have mercy on your soul. That place makes the insane lefties around here look like Newt.

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Bruce, NV — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:44:14 GMT

The big mistake the Dems are making is going to Daily Kos instead of DLC. It may be fatal. Watch the GOPers have a party with that one--I'm sure they'll be reprinting the posts wishing that the bomb attempt on Cheney's life had been successful, all of the anti-semitism, etc.

2006 may be the best thing that happened to the GOP (2004 certainly was the worst).

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Michael K — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:45:56 GMT

Michael - Other than that coming from you? Is there any Democrat that you DO believe is competent?

Obama. Fresh voice, fresh ideas, fresh energy, isn't the corporate whore that Hillary is. He's intelligent, energetic, and has already given plans to get us the hell out of Iraq as well as to get to the heart of the war on terrorism, using diplomacy where missiles and bombs have failed.

In case you haven't noticed, our current position of isolating these nations has done nothing more than polarize them even more against us. Just because the man is willing to sit at the same table with these leaders doesn't mean he's going to hand over the keys to the nukes and the White House.

All I've heard from the right is the continued drum beat of war. The continued drum beat of our need to remain in Iraq, our need to fight terrorists wherever they may be so we're not fighting them on our shores. It's old, it's tiring, and it give us our nation back. At least with Obama, I can see the US going back to what it once was--a great nation. If you can't see that, I pity you.

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HOT DAM — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:48:22 GMT

Jerry is a machine powered by extra thick Kool-Aid,
injected straight to the brain via a tube up the rear.

Do not press the play button on the jerry, go directly to the last line on post.

BY PASS ALL LOL'S THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

DO NOT READ message light will appear as soon as jerry cc/tx shows up.

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Nanny State Commie — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:49:48 GMT

Buy smaller cars oooooops we're losing taxes because you're saving gas. We need to put a GPS tracker on you car so we know how many miles you drive. Oh don't worry we would never use that info against you.

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Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West Virginia — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:50:01 GMT

Bill O'Reilly: a married sexual deviate who makes obscene telephone calls to his female assistants; a man who blames an 11 year old boy, Shawn Hornbeck, for his own kidnapping by a pedophile, and thankfully was asked not to speak at the Center for Missing and Abused Children, because of assigning blame to the boy. If one gathers one's news of the world from this pervert...than that would go a long way to explaining the inane posts I have observed. However, Bill O'Reilly and has supporters should be commended for giving The Daily Kos such great publicity, and making the wildly popular site even more popular...free of charge.

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THE WACKY IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:52:53 GMT

I'LL SAY GOODBY FOR NOW I'AM HEADING OUT ON MY 3 WEEK VACATION.DON'T CALL ME I'LL CALL YOU.

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Hector Perez — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:05:58 GMT

Coy Reese, you Olbermann's go-for? Cause he's looking for you.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:07:08 GMT

If what is being written about Hillary Clinton is true on the daily Kos website, she'd better double up her secret service protection when she goes on their little debate thingy.

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Cool Drink — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:07:46 GMT

Hot Dam is the excess methane gas produced at those landfill sites.

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MK,MO — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:18:37 GMT

Ryan, Michigan / I agree ryan targeted taxation is a poor way to fund anything, if universal healthcare is to ever work it has to be all inclusive with every american paying they're share. the people that own the goverment will take control of targeted taxation and the poor will just end up being poorer. but there definitly needs to be a change in america's healthcare system, it sucks

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Amy B Portland, ME — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:34:38 GMT

jerry, it really makes me angry when you allude to the possibility of a candidate being assassinated.
The last thing we need in this country is to ratchett up the violent rhetoric. Knock it off.

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Susan, Miami — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:39:17 GMT

Mr kook Jerry is making up names again and his fake people and comments usually come right before and after his statements. What a loon. Hector Perez Jerry? Oh please...You are such an obvious stupenagle. And you do, SO HATE women.

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Ken Mesle — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:40:10 GMT

Jerry,
Gravel? I didn't think you would be in favor of decriminalizing drugs. Oh but then again you do agree with everything that Rush drug guy says.

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:45:10 GMT

Michael - No need to pity me, as I see very clearly, thank you very much. I disagree completely with Bush's "my way or the highway"/"with us or against us" approach to diplomacy. However, I'm not convinced that Obama is the right person for the job right now. I don't dislike him, I don't think he is a bad person or a bad candidate; I just think he is not ready. I've said that from the day he entered the race, and I have yet to see anything that has given me reason to believe I am wrong.

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Dave, Tn — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:55:09 GMT

Always funny to see Liberals try and discredit people on the right with things that make heros on the left.

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M. Rose Corvallis OR — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:55:51 GMT

All responsible leaders speak to each other, whether they like each other or not... whether their politics and culture are different... if we are not talking to each other, then how in the world can we correct anything...

Talking grants one another to share their truth, not talking turns to gossip for the truth.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:00:55 GMT

Some of you should be reading the blogs on the Daily Kos website. They write some pretty scary stuff about Hillary and some of it concerns her personal safety. I don't wish harm on anyone, I leave that to the liberals.

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IRAQI PARLEMENT — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:08:16 GMT

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c-low, Arkansas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:09:14 GMT

Daily Kos: That site is stupid. Are they all descendents of the 60's era Hippies are what? Man it shocks me that people will not let the 60's go. This is not VIETNAM and 1968.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:20:02 GMT

Hey Ryan, Michigan:

In your post regarding the SCHIP plan I think you left out a significant point. The mother of two making $20k a year was also helping to pay for her own health care. It's not like see was getting completely stiffed.

I'll definately agree that all sin taxes are regressive and counterpoductive to society as a whole. However, I have to ask, are you against the SCHIP plan or just how they are paying for it?

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Mel Harris, Elkhart, IN — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:20:38 GMT

What happened to the Fairness Doctrine to shut down right wing radio? We have to shut them up before everyone gets the word. The surge is working. Iraqis are turning in the insurgents. The economy is roaring with low unemployment and interest rates. The stock market is at an all time high. Our friends in the media can only keep this a secret for so long. We have to keep screaming: "Bush Sucks", "Cheney Sucks".We have to surrender NOW before it is too late!!!!!!!!!!

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Adam Piazza — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:21:24 GMT

Daily Kos: That site is stupid. Are they all descendents of the 60's era Hippies are what? Man it shocks me that people will not let the 60's go.

1960's, or 1860's? Now you know why they can't even let 2000 go.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:24:02 GMT

Jerry - Once again. YOU CAN LINK TO THE DAIRIES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ON DAILY KOS! If you think that people believe what you say just because you post it, you are deluding yourself. It doesn't who for the Attorney General, it certainly doesn't work for you...

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:28:04 GMT

Jerry - as an example of how to link to supporting evidence here is the response to BillO's baseless statments straight from Daily Kos. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/7/25/14044/5057

See? It's a simply copy and paste. You should try it next time you want to say they have said something instead of just parroting BillO.

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Ryan, Michigan — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:38:11 GMT

John - Thanks for pointing that out. I obviously realized that but forgot to include that in the post.

In regards to SCHIP, I'm torn. Mainly because our current health system is broken. We've tried this hybrid approach to healthcare, not really a free market system, although it leans that way, but it also has some aspects of socialized medicine and high regulation. To me we have two options, one make it more of a free market system (i.e. make prices for procedures and doctor's visits well known, start to treat health insurance like we treat auto insurance (higher deductible/lower premium HSA policies), medical lawsuit reform, focusing on prevention rather then treatments once the problem develops, less regulation of insurers and the FDA, etc.) or more of a government run system (i.e. much more regulation and essentially universal healthcare).

For me, I would prefer the former rather then the later. However I realize that that kind of change can't be made overnight and will require several years to educate people about their options and implement some of the changes. So, in answer to your question, I guess I'm alright with it, as it stands now. Helping families that make less then 200% of the poverty level. I am not in favor of any kind of expansion of the current program. However, longer term I would hope to get many of the healthcare cost problems resolved by turning more and more of the system over to the free market. Thus making insurance and healthcare in general much more affordable.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:43:55 GMT

John Doe LOL! I didn't do anybody else's homework growing up. Suggest you do. I'll give you a hint to help your poor preparedness techniques. Google the story INFOUSA and you can pick your story. It was on FIRST READ, yeah, you know, the thing you are currently reading. Read my reply to the story! Any other lessons I need to teach you today. Did you know Elizabeth Edwards is trying to destroy the food industry???? Stay on here, First read will bring it up in a while.

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CJ — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:52:09 GMT

Oppss..Jerry your alter egos are starting to repeat themselves.

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Independent, Texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:13:13 GMT

Ryan, Michigan (Sent Wednesday, July 25, 2007 1:38 PM)

Well state. Indeed, one of the first questions we must decide is if we think healthcare should be based on the free-market system - decide if it should be viewed as a for-profit industry.

The answer to that question will drive the type of solution we will have. If we avoid that question, we will continue to get proposals that a hastily compiled mish-mash of idealism and marketing and doomed for failure.

We need to fish or cut bait on that point.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:15:09 GMT

Jerry - Thanks for the "lesson". First off I already know the InfoUSA story. It was a non-issue in December and it is a non-issue now. The lawsuit is primarily about shareholders claiming that Gupta wasted company money and has very little to do with the telemarketing angle. Second off, I was reading First Read in December so you'll excuse me if I wasn't aware of a site that wasn't reading. Additionally, Google doesn't return any hits on the first page for any news articles about this issue. Noone but you has referenced it in almost 7 months! Maybe you should stop beating a dead horse.

My overall point is that if you want to be taken seriously when you come in here with your wildeyed, kool aide induced, conspiracy theories you should link. It's not hard to do and only shows you intellectual laziness when you don't. Every time a state a non opinion, verifiable fact that is contentious I link.

EXAMPLE: The Democratic leadership in Congress has a much higher approval rating than the Bush administration (http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_dem.htm)

It's not hard. Stop being lazy. Thanks.

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Just Saying, Here, Now — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:24:51 GMT

Jerry-time to go to work! The drive thru is backing up and the fries are getting cold!

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Ken Mesle — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:39:32 GMT

Hey Jerry,
Rush Lumpybaugh wants to know if you would clean his house and score him some oxycotin on the way over.

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keno — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:50:59 GMT

jerry dosent belive what he says he just wants to get arise out of people much like the bafoons who write that stuff on the kos well it worked what now some more hate your neighbor speak.Who wants us so divided in this time when we should come together what do these people really want.HATRED AND DIVISION .The americans I drive with cant coopperate merging on a highway how can you expect to win a war The great Decider has become the great divider .United we fall.

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:57:13 GMT

Ryan - I freely admit that healthcare is not an issue I pay much attention to...yet. Having just turned 30, and not having any children, it's really not something that has affected me personally. My parents had great, affordable health care, so it was never an issue in our house as I was growing up either.

That being said, and fully admitting my ignorance on the subject, where does this "families that make less than than 200% of the poverty level" come in? Is that your figure or is that something official? I find it disturbing either way. I have issues of where the poverty level is placed as it is, but I especially have issues with having to be twice as poor to be entitled to some sort of medical assistance program.

Maybe I lean more towards the universal health care side of the fence, but I don't think you should have to make a truckload of money to get medical care. And believe me, in many cases you do. I have a friend, an attorney, who got hired by a smaller firm that is not required to offer benefits. For she and her husband to have the most basic health insurance would be close to $1000 a month. Who can afford that? I know I couldn't.

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Independent, Texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:04:29 GMT

Boy - health care is jumping thread! This is also being discussed (thanks Ken Mesle) on an older thread at (it's gone over 2 pages already.)

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/23/284484.aspx?p=0

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bobf — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:05:01 GMT

Hi Ryan, I think you are onto something or on something. hahahah Healthcare is a very serious subject to me. I agree that just taxing commodities will not resolve this issue. We will eventually have a system similar to military. Our military is socialized medecine. Remember we are the only industrial nation that does not provide universal healthcare. We can look at how other countries are doing it. Find what works best and bring those ideas to our own health insurance. The single payer plan is by far the cheapest and most efficent. This will cover the most americans with basic coverage like in the military. You go to general doctor first like the old days. Then they assess where to go next. It works great in the military. I have a hard time with private entities running the healthcare industry. I want all profit removed from the healthcare industry. As long as private entities run the health care system like now, they can discriminate against sick/unhealthy people. I know this from personal experience. if it wasn't for Minnesota Care, my wife and son would not have health insurance. To get on MinnesotaCare you have to be denied by 3 insurance carriers. You still pay a premeium, but at least my family is insured. Now this does not apply to all states. Wisconsin, for example, has a terrible state run insurance and we would not have even qualified due to the restrictions. The private entities run the healthcare industry just like the car insurance industry. They only want profittable people to apply. In other words, if you are healthy and young, they will insure you. If you have any disability, pre-existing condition, or bad health these insurance company can deny you and go on to the next person. This is what really frustrates me. We will all need health insurance at some point in our lives. Like Education , which we all agree is a necessity, is run the way that our insurance should run. I am sorry, but if insurance companies can deny my wife and kid for medical reasons then the current system is broken and needs to be fixed.

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H P Boston — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:09:23 GMT

Carrie tell that to Lisha in Washington...she does not get it.
But Lisha only appers when MORE than one or two start discussing the health care mess.(system?)
Your friends are young and healthy and are made to carry the burden of high costs.

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Ryan, Michigan — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:22:08 GMT

Carrie - "families that make less than than 200% of the poverty level", those are the families that are eligable for the state sponsered coverage. Not that they need to make more then that but if they make less they are currently eligable. Sorry, I must've worded that wierd or something.

As far as your friend goes, where does she live? If her and her family is generally fairly healthy has she thought about a Health Savings Account plan? When I was unemployed in the suburbs of Chicago my COBRA coverage was great coverage and I paid $925 a month for a family of four. Not that that's cheap but it was really good coverage.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:22:11 GMT

Ryan - There are very few instances where I won't agree that the free market should decide the issue when it comes to goods and services (this comes with the caveat that the free market gets manipulated by companies all the time and we do NOT live in an economic structure that Adam Smith would have approved of). Healthcare, however, is one of those. I presonally believe that the right to see a doctor when you get sick should be undeniable. It should also not kill your financial future if you are unlucky enough to have a major medical issue arrise when you are either uninsured or have poor coverage. The only way I can see to solve that problem is to make medical services gauranteed by law. If that means socializing the medical industry so be it.

Capitalism is great when it is making our industry more effecient and making our country a leading competitor in the world economy. It's not so great when it is denying someone the necessary care they need to get back to being a healthy, productive member of society because it might hurt an insurance company's bottom line.

I agree that we can probably find better and more fair ways to pay for universal health care (which I think is the long term goal SCHIP) without regressively taxing people though.

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Sierra, San Francisco — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:30:42 GMT

Carrie: I stand corrected. It was 29 Democrats for war and 21 Democrats against war. Hillary voted with Senators Brownbacxk, George Allen, McCain, McConnel, Lieberman.
Some great company your candidate runs with.
It was 'irresponsible' of her to vote for a war that was unjustified. She did it out of political expediency.
Hillary was 'naive' of she actually beleived in WMDs.
She was stupid if she beleived in WMDs or she was evil if she voted to send thousands to their death to ensure her political 'viability'.

Carrie, how do you explain her vote against Sen. Levin's amendment calling for Bush to exhaust diplomatic means before invading Iraq ?
Why did she vote against this amendment ?
Was she 'naive' ? 'irresponsible' ? or 'evil' ?
Carrie ? Carrie ? Carris ?
Where are you Carrie ?

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out of my mind caucus — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:33:05 GMT

this is funny http://www.drudgereport.com/flash2rc.htm

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:41:38 GMT

Ryan - She lives in NW Iowa, and I think eventually she and her husband saw a broker who suggested an HSA. Fortunately, he is no longer self-employed so they get affordable insurance through his job.

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Ryan, Michigan — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:53:40 GMT

John - Thanks for the great post. I really enjoy this sight when intelligent people that happen to disagree have a good discussion about the issue.

I'm assuming that if you are essentially for socializing the medical industry then you are for paying for it as well. I point you towards this article from yesterday's Journal.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010374

Now I know that this is just one state's experiment with universal healthcare. However, the news isn't very positive for me. I'd be interested in what your thoughts were.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:46:43 GMT

LOL John: Yeah, and Bill Clinton did not have sex with that woman either. You are not looking that hard. The storey has been in the Washington Post, New York Post, USA Today. Keep looking. I noticed that the Clinton's did back away from INFOUSA once the story broke and yet they did not mention the money the company paid them ($180,000 a year) when Hillary filed her financial reports. Why didn't Hillary put that in the reports? Was she scared bcause she knew her husband was working for a bad guy? Who knows? You have to dig deeper John, I know more then you think. The liberal press will not go after the story because they want Hillary President. That makes for good press and all the scandels that would plague the Hillary White House and her husband.
do your homework son!

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Lisha Washington — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:53:50 GMT

H P Boston - I'm all for Universal Health Care for you. You need all you can get, mostly on the mental side of the ledger.

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:15:05 GMT

Wow. Sierra, when you can act like an adult rather than a screaming two year old begging for attention, I'll consider answering you. I merely thought you should know that you were, in fact, wrong. Some people like to be accurate. Apparently you just like to be heard.

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Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:21:23 GMT

Oh, but I will say another thing, Sierra. She also voted with Edwards, Dodd, and Biden. Where was Obama? Not in the Senate. So his "coulda shoulda woulda" doesn't mean squat to me. He can talk until he is blue in the face about how he would have voted no, but the bottom line is, he was not faced with that decision at that time.

Personally, I think it's time people got over the vote. 77 Senators screwed it up; a few hundred in the House screwed it up as well. Instead of pointing fingers at who voted which way 5 years ago, why not spend your energy advocating a way to get out of Iraq now? But hey, if you want to spend the next year and a half screaming at the wind about how wrong those who voted yes were, by all means...go right ahead. Meanwhile, responsible people will be focused on how to get out of the mess that was created.

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juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:35:34 GMT

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death of americans today;guess what folks; most of all HMO'S refuse to pay for the needed colonostopy that the Shrub got free at tax payers expense. I work as a utilization review specialist/case manager at a hospital whereby I have to either joke with them to soften them up and/or plead with them on behalf of the patient and their families. Too often, they do not care; these people are just a name and number to them. They are pressured by Ceo's and shareholders to bring up profits for the company at the expense of millions of Americans who worked their asses off for years thinking they got coverage. I live this everyday at my job. For all you right-wingers who are so influenced by the spin I just hope you do not come down with a pre-existing conditions like a yeast infection and years later come down with cancer and be rejected by the insurance companies because of PROFIT. The leading cause of bankruptcy in this country is the result of medical hlth issues by individuals who thought they had insurance. Call us bleeding heart liberals and/or perpetrating THE LIE from Corporate thugs; our government is allowing middle class Americans to die everyday.Where is your so called conservative compassion?

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Mary Strom, Fargo ND — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:40:24 GMT

Where was Obama? Not in the Senate. So his "coulda shoulda woulda" doesn't mean squat to me. <<<<

People are catching on to this guy. He sure is good at cherry picking, isn't he?

Obama has yet to make a hard decision in his political life.

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bobf — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:49:35 GMT

Ryan the HSA's are great tools but they are only for bills and copays. You can not use HSA'a to pay for your premiums. Do not get me wrong, I love the HSA's and my wife and I will max ours out this year. You can put 2850.00 dollars per person in a HSA Tax free. Even if you do not use all the money, you can roll it over or convert to a 401K savings plan. This year on the tax form the second line down will be HSA deductions. Thus the HSA takes directly from your gross income. So if you can afford it a family can tuck away 5700 dollars tax free and not be penalized for not using up the balance. HSA's are a tax tool. They do not alleviate the health care questions that currently exist. Ryan, I just do not trust the open market to keep costs down. There is not enough competition and not everyone will get covered. Why is everone so afraid of the single payer system. It works that is all I have to say. The military uses this system, but we can not ourselves. The bottom line Ryan is as long as people/private entities must make money/profits, the consumer will not get the cheapest cost possible. As a consumer only the single payer system will funnel all the money back into the medical industry instead of paying out dividends to stockholders. Think about this, a single payer system is all about providing the consumer the cheapest insurance possible. An open market is always looking for ways to increase profits to shareholders. So are the private entities doing what's best for the cunsumer or what's best for the stockholders. PEOPLE JUST TAKE THE PROFIT OUT OF THE HEALTH INDUSTRY. Now if private entitie want to jump in fine, bUt they will have to be non profit. We all need health care. I just do not want people profitting off my misery.

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leon — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:38:17 GMT

Juan your post is fairly accurate as I am dealing with it now. year and a half ago, my primary even told me I needed a PET scan but not enough symptoms so the insaurance would not pay for it and it would cost 8000 dollars. I will know more in two weeks if they need to take more colon out or not.

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:43:02 GMT

I don't know, Mark. The Quad City Times makes sense to me. Its July, and outside of Iowa, New Hampshire and the D.C. beltway, the only folks paying attention are probably posting messages on this blog.

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H P Boston — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:46:45 GMT

leon, I am so sad to hear of your illness,please know that I will be hopeful for a fast recovery.
I have lived the nightmare of colon cancer and insurance battles with two brothers.
You will be in my thoughts every day, I hope you have a strong family to love and support you.

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Juan Lopez, Hogansville, GA — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:13:05 GMT

Look it's simple folks. Anyone would be a better president then our current "puppet" thats in there now. Sorry I can't vote for Hillary Clinton. First off she's a Lawyer. Honesty goes strait out the window there. Plus her stand on Second Amendment is less then desirable in my "OPINION" Forget that she voted to send troops into a lie from the current "Puppet" show.
Obama might be just what our country needs. A smart guy that has not been in the BS long enough to have been "Corrupted by Pact groups or Lobbist groups" I would not care if he was Green with yellow dots. He has my vote. Get real people. The Repubs have run our counrty into the ground and LINED there pockets before sending all the middle class jobs overseas. Time for a change, not a hot button issue like <Immagration> or <Abortion> or <Terrorist are coming> type BS and Lies.

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Jane, Hoffman Estates IL — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:39:53 GMT

$8000 for a PET scan? Seems rather high. Work in the industry in the greater Chicago-land area. PET scans price range out from $3000 to $6000 with the range depending on the amount of body scanned and the area scanned. Even though it is quite expensive compared to CT, doctors and insurance companies like PET over CT because it is a better diagnostic tool. Better diagnosis reduces long-term costs.

Your milage may vary. Certainly I don't know your particulars.

Good luck.

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Betty Schaub.........Van Buren, AR — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:34:25 GMT

Foreign policy?
If the quotes were accurate...........Hillary says "she would not meet with world dictators without preconditions........."
Obama says.......he would be willing to meet with the leaders of Syria, Iran, etc. with preconditions.......

DOES THAT NOT SAY THAT THEY BOTH WOULD MEET WITH WORLD DICTATORS WITH PRECONDITIONS??????????
OR HAS MY USUAL UNDERSTANDING OF WRITTEN ENGLISH FAILED ME?

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Tz, England — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:38:51 GMT

Bout time.. Ears are open!

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Scott, Albuquerque, New Mexico — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:16:03 GMT

How do you measure electability? Would a rough estimate be the number of times a candidate was elected US Representative, US Senator, Governor, or Vice President? How do the candidates stack up?

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Fred Thompson — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:33:24 GMT

Fred Thompson is the real deal!