Kucinich details health-care policy

Crystal (Time for change) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:08:03 GMT

It has already been noted that Hillary will not do interviews unless she they sign an agreement saying they will not ask her certain questions. And any questions that are to be asked she asks to be briefed on them hours before the interview!!! They discussed this on MSNBC after the last Democratic debate!!!

Kucinich details health-care policy

jerry/corpus christi texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:08:50 GMT

My payroll taxes are high enough Dennis.....
Thanks but no Thanks.....

Treasury bonds LOL
Thank you for coming Dennis.....

Kucinich details health-care policy

Betty in Baltimore — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:17:33 GMT

That is such BS and you guys at First Read might want to refute Dennis' lame claims.

Edwards' plan IS different and BETTER than Clinton's and DOES focus on the American people more.

Kucinich details health-care policy

matt — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:28:23 GMT

Have to admit: True liberal Kucinich consistently reminds us all that Hillary, Obama, etc. are not that far left.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Kucinich details health-care policy

MK,MO — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:40:57 GMT

Betty in Baltimore / Edwards' plan IS different and BETTER than Clinton's and DOES focus on the American people more.

betty is correct first read, clinton's plan was written for and by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, edwards plan was designed with the consumer best interest in mind, it would be nice if you clarified those positions for those that have not examined both plans, it is in fact on of edwards best plans and does not resemble hillarys, you guy's did read both plans didn't you?

Kucinich details health-care policy

--NSMSNBC — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:45:15 GMT

Less of Kucinich, more of his apparently hot wife. I mean, he's losing in the polls to Stephen Colbert.

I've said it before, healthcare is a priviledge to be earned, not a right, seriously people. We need to ensure coverage for children, because they cannot be held responsible for parents' decisions or situations. Let the free market do its thing for adults, who should be responsible for their own health. Really though, there are a lot of advantages to using the free market like for instance lower costs and a resurgence of the family doctor.

The right needs to understand a need to cover children, and I'm going to link it directly with the topic of abortion. A right to life, our children have the same right to life through quality healthcare. A child has not control over his or her healthcare situation, just like a fetus has not control over being aborted. We must take care of our children.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Jamie, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:52:38 GMT

HR 676 Extended Medicare Act for All is Kucinich's health care plan. And those people who are making million's of dollar per year are the one's who will pay higher taxes. The burden will be off the shoulder's of the working class. People need to know that the Bush's tax cuts will be repealed in a Kucinich presidency bec. those tax cuts are only helping the rich people while burdening the poor & working class. A Kucinich administration will be a government where the poor & working middle class will be saving their money so they can afford to buy homes, etc. Kucinich will be giving free education from pre-K to college. The budget will also come from cutbacks on the budget for Pentagon, etc. Peace & diplomacy is the instrument of policy in a Kucinich administration. There's a difference between offense & defense. That's a big difference from the current administration who uses force to provide peace. Kucinich is right "You cannot bomb the world into peace." If we want peace, let us be instruments of peace. Strength through peace. A Kucinich leadership is what America needs the most today. Kucinich stands up for us, the people NOT for the interest groups. Thank you.

Kucinich details health-care policy

CitizenJ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:03:37 GMT

For once, I believe a defense of First Read is in order. It was Kucinich who was blurring the plans of Edwards and Clinton, not First Read. It clearly states (in quotations) that Kucinich sees no difference in the plans, and he blamed the media for NOT exposing the differences.

It is the job of Edwards and Clinton to refute Kucinich's claims. We accuse the MSM of basically campaigning for certain candidates (and maybe they do), so here is a chance for the candidates to do it themselves.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Alien3 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:13:16 GMT

I don't see where this provides a UFO in every backyard. I would have to say no to this.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Tom Paine, Seattle WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:28:23 GMT

Kucinich is totally on target (right down the line) and is the only candidate out there who has consistently told the truth, who has been honest and who isn't afraid to take a stand for the people. Most people bad mouth him because they don't know anything about what he stands for and they are "parrotting" his detractors.

John Edwards is coming on strong in most of the same areas as Dennis. Hillary and Obama are blatant corporatist and hillary is in way too deep with the Israeli lobby (AIPAC).

Kucinich details health-care policy

James J. Crisan, Warren, Ohio — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:31:11 GMT

Mr. Kucinich is 100% right on health care, and 100% right about the notion that every other candidate's plan is an insurance industry plan, not a health consumer plan. When are people in this country going to stop buying the insurance industry propaganda and their stigma of "socialized medicine"? How can it be that every other Western industrial nation in the world provides health care for their citizens, but the wealthiest and most powerful democratic nation on Earth cannot? America deserves better. The only shame is that Mr. Kucinich has no chance of being elected.

Kucinich details health-care policy

A. Taxpayer — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:32:40 GMT

"You stop spending money for the Pentagon"...

Does anyone really think that is a good idea? I for one don't want to give up the security of a strong military for free chemo for some deadbeat smoker or liver transplants for winos. If we sacrifice our strength for the irresponsible among us then we are done. Good thing Kucinich doesn't have a chance.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Terry in Indiana — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:34:08 GMT

Once again, the mainstream (eg corporate) press demonstrates its inability to do their jobs. Are they just lazy ? I don't think so......not entirely anyway.

Like our elected officials, they're just trying to keep their jobs. Lets never forget that the mainstream press isn't independent......they don't work for the public, they work for the corporations that pay them.

News at 6:00 pm

Kucinich details health-care policy

Kevin Gosztola — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:38:18 GMT

Interrupted him trying to get him to answer questions the way they wanted him to? What ridiculous nonsense!!!

Look America either you want better health care or you don't. If you're happy, let's keep the insurance people in health care. If you're not, get them out of the process, expand Medicare so it covers all people by voting for Dennis Kucinich in your local Democratic primary.

Vote based on your self-interest. Do it. It's the only way America will get better. For get what's good for America. If this really is survival of the fittest like Republicans and many Democrats want our life to be, than let's turn it on them. Tell them the only way we can survive is if government runs our health care because health care is a right.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Dav, St. Paul — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:40:58 GMT

Way-to-go Jamie in Atlanta. People need to wipe the propaganda that interest groups have spread across this nation and carefully listen/read to what Dennis has to say. He's not a quack, he's an expert; an expert that has no ties to interest groups. Drop your prejudices and think about what this country needs to do to be a better nation.
A U.S. president can be pocket-sized!

Kucinich details health-care policy

M Gerlach, Cherry hill, NJ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:50:36 GMT

Dennis is the man who bankrupted the City of Cleveland and wants to allow all citizens of the United States to share in the experience. Who knows he might even succeed in bringing back the depression.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Brad, Bellevue, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:50:41 GMT

Since when did healthcare become a right? According to the founding fathers we have a right to "Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Some may argue that proper healthcare is needed to have a right to life; I would argue that food is also necessary to sustain life. So does that mean that the goverment is going to start paying my grovery bills?

Others will say that times have changed since our founding fathers and that healthcare is now a necessity. Do you know what else is a necessity these days? A car. So again should the goverment pay for my car with higher payroll taxes.

This is a terrible plan and I hope that no one really takes this guy seriously.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Alexis, Washington DC — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:52:33 GMT

Yes to HR 656! I work in medical billing - and the difference between the "haves" and "have-nots" is disgusting. People die every minute of preventable illness - what's the point of research if only the elite are able to access it? Look at Canada, the UK, France, Cuba - and then look at the single mother of 2 who is dying of PREVENTABLE and TREATABLE cervical cancer due to no insurance? Won't it cost us much more to raise her kids in foster care? Cost benefit - I pay $400 a month to my employer to family insurance. Would a 3% payroll tax be less? OF COURSE!!!

Kucinich details health-care policy

Richard in Idaho — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:54:35 GMT

What the HELL MSNBC? Kucinich is now getting press, but Ron Paul isn't? Look at the money raised by each campaign and support in the polls and tell me there isn't some bias to who gets covered in the press.

Kucinich details health-care policy

W. Renard — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:55:43 GMT

It is time for the people of the United States to understand that despite the failure of the Soviet Union, they really had it pretty good. Free health care, guaranteed jobs for life and great retirement benefits. They didn't need taxes because the government worked so well that they were given what they needed, not what they desired. Why keep dancing around the issues? We need central control of our lives that are insanely driven by greed, avarice, the entertainment industry and those religious nuts on the right. We need to embrace nature and understand that government is our salvation. Those of us in the security of our knowledge of the power of the government to do the right thing, know that we will prevail and make sure all those who have drifted off the path to equality are corrected,

Kucinich details health-care policy

Frank K., Lapeer, Michigan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:58:19 GMT

You will never get something for nothing and all the above plans are trying just that. Look out and make sure you read between the lines. (Please)

Kucinich details health-care policy

Matty V, Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:01:35 GMT

I love the IDEA of nationalized health care. I hate thinking about it though. I can honestly say, as a health nsurance fraud investigator, that this would just open up the doors to billion and billions of dollars in health care fraud against the government. If you take all of the credit card, check, and identity theft fraud in this country, multiply it by 10, you just start to scratch the surface of how much our government would be paying out in fraudulent claims. The fed does not have the money to spend on an adaquate number of investigators to prevent or stop it so we are the ones who end up paying.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Richard in Idaho — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:02:29 GMT

I almost expect the MSM banner to read; First Read, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Day in Politics.

Kucinich details health-care policy

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:13:45 GMT

James J- Thanks for saying it like it is. I work in the hlth care field and I know first hand our we are all being hoodwinked by corporate industries, their lobbiest, and politicians on both sides especially the Republicans who repeat adnauseum about universal hlthare ;spin as socialize medicine; and demonize it to where the gullible sheep start believing while every other industrialize country in the world has better hlthcare than the richest/powerful country in the world. Why do think we rank in the cellar. This happens when people believe they are covered and end up bankrupt because of corporate greed.

Kucinich details health-care policy

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:23:41 GMT

A Taxpayor or what ever your name is-You have no idea. It is truly pathetic that smokers and whinos are the only types you bring up NOT THE MILLIONS who are denied because of bogus pre-existing so CEO'S can drive their sports car and/or buy new mansions and have their golden parachutes. LETS CONTINUE TO POUR BILLIONS IN IRAQ BY WAY OF BLACKWATER. Your so called compassionate conservative party is full of crap as you are.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Michael W. Mahopac,NY — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:25:44 GMT

I wonder; why none of the Democratic, or republic contenders have had the chutzpah to introduce a health care plan identical to the one which they as Senators & representatives enjoy?? - at tax payers expense by the way - If Is it good 'enuff' for the 'ruling' class, why not for us prols????

Kucinich details health-care policy

Kevin Gosztola — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:44:18 GMT

We have a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And I argue that you cannot pursue happiness if you are not healthy. Therefore, health care is a right.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Dr Coles — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:48:22 GMT

The government caused the problem with health care in America by over socializing medicine to the extent it is not completive, and we want to exacerbate the problem? U.S. Capitalism refers to an economic system in which the means of production are all owned and operated for profit, and in which investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are determined through the operation of a market economy. It is the right of individuals and groups of individuals acting as "legal persons" or corporations to trade capital goods, labor, land and money (see finance and credit). See http://www.InteliOrg.com/

Kucinich details health-care policy

Jim Connolly, Albuqueruque, NM — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:53:41 GMT

The system that currently passes for healthcare in the U.S. involves insurance companies that profit by providing the least expensive care they can provide, and they make even more if the don't have to pay for any health care. I have good medical insurance and have to fight this fight constantly just to get reasonable health care. This is called RATIONING (in case you didn't know what that is). Those who have money to pay for their own care can buy what ever they want. The rest of us are at the mercy of insurance companies. Taking insurance companies out of the loop removes one more obstacle between us and the decent health care that the rest of the developed world already has. Kucinich's proposals are the only ones that address this reality. Everyone else is afraid of the insurance lobbies.

Kucinich details health-care policy

DB in Mass. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:55:22 GMT

W. Renard, are you serious?! "...know that we will prevail and make sure all those who have drifted off the path to equality are corrected."

Yes W. Renard, we all need to be "corrected" and re-educated so we can all become communists like you. The Soviet Union had it good? Yeah, if you just forget about those pesky little ideas like freedom and liberty.

Kucinich details health-care policy

david.new orleans,la — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:03:58 GMT

there is only one word to introduce for the senators plan and his beliefs as i have read and which many have expressed out right... communisum.. socialism.
no choice just listen to bug brother he has all the answers. maybe health care needs some fixes but to turn everything over to the government ?? that smacks of loose of freedom. do we want to go down that slippery slope ? the government of russia ,east germany , etc... etc.. didn't work. there must be a balance. it seems that everything
has all of a sudden has become a "RIGHT". i do have sympayhies for many but giving all my freedoms to the government ... NO ! we can meet in the middle.

Kucinich details health-care policy

DB in Mass. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:08:55 GMT

To all health care communists: Health care is NOT a right. There is nothing that can ever be considered anyone's right, that requires the fruit of another person's labor to may for it. Yes everyone has a right to pursue the kind of health care that they wish to have, through their own means. Anyone who knows anything about the constitution knows that it was about the gov't staying out of people's way to (legally) pursue happyness in their life, and NOT about giving the people whatever they feel is their right at a given time.

I also find it amusing that people think that our bloated behemoth of a gov't, incompetent in so many ways, can do a good job at administering everyone's health care.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Jimlabama — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:10:50 GMT

I think everyone in politics is afraid of Dennis, because he isnt afraid of anyone. Special interest groups are terrified, espessialy the drug and insurance crooks. The only person on either side of the isle with NEW ideas is Dennis,.. If we dont get sombody in office with a spine and a real plan, I fear we are all seeing the demise of this great country. The current status quo is stealing and sqandering the wealth our forfathers created, example, my 2 year old daughter is in debt what 20, 30 thousand dollars, disgusting. Shame, thats what we are creating here. The american people are too afraid to rock they're own little boats to really do anything, And as Franklin said long ago, we will inherit the kind of government we deserve. I will say this, if our grandfathers could see what we,ve let these crooks do to us they would be shocked at the apathy and corruption we allow. Health care a privaledge ? In this country ? The people who belive that should not be allowed to even run. We have a right to the fruits of our ancestors labors, but instead they're being stolen, and wasted. You people who voted for Bush, i hope this time you arent fooled as easily.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Tom Paine, Seattle WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:40:29 GMT

I am amazed at how some of these responses reveal how many of you folks are so totally brainwashed by capitalism that you don't think that health is a right to all beings. The ability for someone to make a profit off of anyone and everything is more important to you than "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"..... even for your own children, family and friends!!!

All this screeching about "communism & socialism" is so idiotic that I have to laugh. You probably want the fire and police depts privatized for profit because as they are now they are too communistic and run too "un-mercan"!

To DB in Mass..... maybe you should turn off FOX and start getting some accurate information grounded in reality otherwise you would have noticed that the Cheney Regime has changed the basic laws of the country and already outlawed "those pesky little ideas like freedom and liberty."
WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Kucinich details health-care policy

James G., Oak Park, MI — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:03:09 GMT

Here's a novel concept.....

If you remove the Pharmaceutical Companies from the equation and fund drug research with government money, then you don't have to have outrageous prices for newly discovered drugs/medications, because the cost recovery/profit motive is removed from the equation.

Here's the problem.....

How do you stop politicians from interferinf with science? For example, would RU484 (the morning after pill) have ever been created if the government funded medical research? This administration is already parsing what little scientific discoveries it is allowing its various departments to conduct. What's to stop this from happening in the future?

This is too slippery a slope to blindly jump on. Unless this is done with a way to eliminate the "politics of the moment" out of it and let the scientists work for the sake of discovery, not what's morally convienent.

BTW, does any one else think it's funny that a nation, when challenged to put a man on the moon in 10 years did it, but won't come together to challenge our "leaders" to show us the same kind of vision to move us forward in this new century.

All I'm saying is no one man/woman has all the answers to solve every problem. But showing the cahones to listen to other ideas or think outside the box to come to, maybe not a solution, but at least a starting point in solving what has become a health care crisis in this country.

Part of the problem of outsourcing is the cost of healthcare in this country. It has come to the point where businesses can't afford to cover their employees like they had in the past. Supply/demand problem: If a large company with say 80,000 employees is finding it hard to contain health insurance costs when those costs rise faster than (insert joke here: college tuition), how can an individual consumer who does not have the economy of scale to purchase said insurance at a lower cost do so on their own (and thus have to pay more than if the company had purchased it for them).

Answer: More times than not, they can't. But the prize for those that can....The discretionary income that they USED to be able to use to buy stuff and keep the economy humming goes down. Therefore sales for consumer goods go down, revenues go down. As a result, the stock price goes down, it costs more for companies to borrow money so they have to cut costs.

Companies then downsize/right size/layoff, whatever term you want to use, to get their costs in line. Unemployment goes up, the newly unemployed if they can afford COBRA payments that are as high as some mortgage payments can continue to have healthcare until they can find a new job. But in the meantime, what happens if they've been out of work too long and can no longer afford COBRA payments? Who covers the worker & his/her family? What happens if there's a medical emergency?

I can go on and on, but really, no form of government is perfect, because man creates government and man is not perfect. Can't we just agree that although a true socialized form of government run health care may or may not be the best solution, but recognize that continuing to do nothing while EVERYONE in our country is feeling the adverse effects of our health care problems is not the answer?

Kucinich details health-care policy

DB in Mass. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:11:19 GMT

Tom Paine- Ah I see, the old Fox news trump card, very original, and evidentiary of one with no real argument. And you are wrong to assume that I support the current administration, nice try though.

You may not like it, but DK's health plan is indeed communist/socialist, sorry if the truth hurts.

And police/fire protection is entirely different than health care, and to say that, because the gov't provides the the former it also provide the latter is idiotic. Sorry Tom Paine, but you don't have a right to my wallet. Capitalism rules.

Kucinich details health-care policy

GET A GRIP — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:13:21 GMT

Do some of you people really believe this? The burden will go to people making millions of $ per yaer. Well what few there are you are knocking out several of them when you disolve the insurance industry. I guess everyone has the right to property and rental insurance too. No one should be without beacuse of crime or natural disaster! Then there is life insurance.. The govt should put at least $500,000.00 to a $1,000,000.00 on every parent or family member. It is the right of all Americans not to suffer in case some thing unexpected happens. Since there will be no private health care I dont believe a heart surgeon should make more than the guy on the trash truck. Thats not fair! He doesnt even have to get dirty! The fact that there is no financial reward will not effect the quality of our med proffesionals. We have the right to a fair society!! The only people that should have a better house or a better income should be our leaders only! Thats because the represent us, they are there to hold our hand, to tell us whats ok to do and above all what not to do. How can we be responsible for our selves and our families. We arent smart enough or have the education that our leaders do. We will be so lucky to live in a fair country!!!

Kucinich details health-care policy

Brad, Bellevue, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:14:52 GMT

Kevin G: I will disagree with you on several areas.

1) You say that you cannot pursue happiness if you are not healthy. Obviously you do not work in health care. As I see people on a daily basis, who are not healthy i.e. cancer or spinal cord injuries, but choose to not be depressed by "their lack of good health" and go out and live very happy lives.

2) There is more to health than the medications and surgeries that MD's are able to offer. Such as fitness and diet. So is the goverment going to start paying for me to join a gym? Forcing me to go? Are they going to tell me that I can no longer eat a doughnut? Are they going to pay my grocery bills?

If the government wants to really take over healthcare then they will need to address all of the above stated options and start giving us all pre-portioned meals, forcing us to exercise and make us practice meditation.

Anything else they should have us do to be "healthy" and able to pursue your definition of happiness.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Dr Coles — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:19:02 GMT

Kucinich details health-care policy

Brad, Bellevue, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:29:07 GMT

Tom Paine:

Health is different than healthcare. Healthcare is a commodity that can be bought and sold. So why can I as a health care practioner not be able to make a profit for the services I provide. If I choose to go into private practice I will take a large financial risk, along with the years of schooling that I put in and student loans that I accrued I feel that I should be compensated for my skills in being able to help others. Before you jump on me, approximately 8-10% of my practice is pro bono, so I do give back to the community.

But keep in mind that everybody can be healthy if they choose to be. It is all of us that eat at fast food, do not exercise, smoke, drink etc... and then expect healthcare to fix them. Do you think the man in China who is 80 years old and still working 12-14 hours a day on his farm is not healthy? He could run circles around 3/4 of our popluation. Certainly there are exceptions that are not preventable, childhood cancer, or falling and breaking a leg that requires surgical fixation. But keep in mind that obesity is the number one problem in our health: Diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis. So if people would simply take care of themselves and not expect someone else/the goverment to take care for them a lot of health problems could be solved. Less health related issues would mean fewer tests being run, would mean less money spent on healthcare and eventually lower premiums. Capitalism works as long as the people have faith in it.

Kucinich details health-care policy

H P Boston — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:54:40 GMT

Juan you are the MAN! Tell the duped and the trolls the truth about health care and they wine!
You should tell Brad he is being DUPED about obesity, the marketing crock is just that a CROCK!!

Kucinich details health-care policy

Bill — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:21:37 GMT

From what I am reading in the above comments, I sense that there are some scarred puppets who are connected to a form of corporate stronghold. Completely afraid of changes and not willing to take a chance in the face of humanity. Bet they are all Christians....Right?

Kucinich details health-care policy

just askin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:01:33 GMT

HP, are you e-litter-ate?

Kucinich details health-care policy

Brad, Bellevue, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:45:10 GMT

HP if you do not believe that obesity is an epidemic in our society than I do not know what else to say. I am simply stating a scientific fact that obesity leads to diabetes and heart disease. If you ever spend time in a nursing home you will notice that most all of the people in their 80's and 90's are very thin, and there are not too many heavyset people that make it to that age.

As for Bill what does my religion have to do with it? As I said 8-10% of my practice is pro bono work but socialized medicine is not the answer. Here are two examples:
My sister in law lives in Canada and she was having some abnormal neurological symptoms. Her MD was concerned about her having multiple sclerosis. A devestating disease, and he requested that she have a MRI of her brain to rule that out. In her city it was a 6 month wait for her to get in and get it done; and she lives in a big city. Here in my city there is a neurologist that I know that has a standing daily opening with the imaging clinic so that if there is a patient that he is immediately concerned about, and MS would fall into that category, they can get the MRI immediately.

Number two is that I bill medicare regularly. Often they will take more than 6 months to pay their bills for services rendered, along with having an astronomical amount of red tape to jump through just to get paid. Do you think that will get better by going to a single payer system?

Please do not bother to call me a tool of the corporate stronghold, or that I am being duped. Simply refute my points if you feel that I am wrong. I am out here everyday providing high quality healthcare for patients and should be reimbursed appropriately.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Bill Duzer — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:37:10 GMT

Kucinich has the right idea. Government works for uw. Not the other way around. It should not be starting wars for big corporations. BTW, I think the polls are run by the same people that give Clinton all that money. What do you expect them to say?

Kucinich details health-care policy

James J. Crisan, Warren, Ohio — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:03:52 GMT

Brad from Bellevue, you obviously have a vested interest in continuing the private health insurance ripoff that is devastating this country. Debating this issue with folks like you is extremely frustrating because you never let the facts get in the way of your opinion. You always raise the red herring of these famously long waits for treatment that we will all suffer from if we adopt a single-payer system. If you are a health care practicioner, then you can't be ignorant of the fact that we all wait for treatment, and as a bonus get to pay insurace company profits. Example: I live near Cleveland, Ohio, home of the world-famous Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. My wife has chronic neck pain. She required a bilateral cervical discectomy and fusion. Once the decision was made to operate, the surgery was scheduled - five months later. Same wait, and the doctors, hospital, and insurance companies all made money from us. Yesterday, a friend of mine who hurt his neck and back in a car crash tried to get in to see a local orthopedic group because of nagging pain since the accident in January. He was told their first available appointment was in February. This objection about long waits with a single payer system are spurious. The problem in Canada is caused by a shortage of equipment. What will happen if we become a single-payer system, will all the MRI and CT scan machines suddenly disappear? No one in this thread who has defended our present system, including you, Brad, has yet responded to my original question yesterday: why is it that every other Western industrial nation has figured out how to operate a single-payer system, but the greatest can-do, smartest, wealthiest nation on Earth cannot? You know the answer. Because the health care industry, gorged on Americans' money, won't let it happen. Greed is the answer.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Jessica Schreier, Naples, FL — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:08:21 GMT

I used to be a FLAMING LIBERAL until the definition of the word "Liberal" was perverted to mean weak, cowardly, non-funtioning. Now I have an identity crisis. Do I still call myself the dreaded "L" word? Nope, that's not me. Am I a Conservative? Not me either. Forget the terms "Democrat" and "Republican". They both make me think of corruption and corporate dominance.

What is left? more important, who can I support?
"PROGRESSIVE" still sounds OK to me. Perhaps I haven't yet learned enough about what that word means.

Here is my immediate problem: Dennis Kucinich has been my choice twice - last election and this one. He didn't stand a chance last time, and I am perplexed about his chances this time. It seems everyone who cares favors Dennis Kucinich, but they have all been told a vote for Kucinich is a wasted vote.

What is the problem? Dennis Kucinich is not electable because he is "vertically challenged"? When did the selection of an American President hinge on the number of inches a candidate can proudly produce?

At this rate, future elections will exclude female candidates. The males will all have undergone various forms of plastic surgery. The winner of the Presidency will be the one who can walk with a swagger while sporting the largest member between his legs!

As for this election, I am confused past the Kucinich issue. Whether I am a Democrat or Republican or flaming Liberal or whatever, I am still an American living in America. There is an issue which puzzles me to no end and that is the problem of "immigration reform".

As a "Flaming Liberal" I behaved appropriately, loving everyone (until given a reason not to), fighting for civil rights, and demonstrating against the war. I support equal pay for equal work, and the freedom to make choices that will affect the rest of one's own life. I differ from a typical "Lefty" (although I am heavily left-handed) in that I am a Lifetime Benefactor member of the NRA. I believe in a citizen's right to bear arms and to protect himself. These days, one must depend upon oneself for protection since the government surely isn't going to do it for you!

OK, so I have a few exceptions to the Liberal agenda. But please tell me, what is the story with the invasion of America by persons who have illegally entered this country? It is NOT A LIBERAL FIGHT to protect the rights of everyone indiscriminantly, ESPECIALLY when to do so impinges on one's own rights.

As a matter of fact, a person crossing the border illegally into any country has NO RIGHTS in the country entered illegally. Please explain to me WHY PROTECTING THE INVADORS OF AMERICA, CONTRARY TO THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF AMERICANS is part of the Left-Wing agenda?

Last night I was horrified to learn that those elected officials I previously looked to as being more honest than the rest have an illegal immigrant agenda. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and who else are shoving the illegal agenda down my throat and ignoring the wishes of Americans. Polls show NEARLY ALL AMERICANS WANT THIS INVASION TO STOP!

Stopping the invasion does not mean to legalize everyone who is already here. It means to deport every illegal found and change the foolish notion that any child born on American soil is a citizen. Reverse the artifical status given under these crazy conditions and get this country under control!

I have yet to hear a valid argument that supports making millions of illegal invadors American citizens with all rights and priviliges (even more rights than legal citizens).

I don't know if my man Kucinich supports this dumb "Dream Bill" or agrees to making citizens of illegal aliens. If he does, I will be totally disillusioned and I will refuse to vote in the coming election.

I will happily give anyone examples of why we need to expel all persons who are in this country illegally, and none have anything to do with national security.

How about this for starters:
When corportations pay illegal workers less than American workers (violating minimum wage laws), Americans lose jobs, make less money at their jobs, collect less taxes for maintaining the country. American citizens are currently paying MORE than the difference between the decreased illegal wages and legal wages, just to pay for benefits now given these illegal workers.

The "Dream Act" and other so-called "immigration reforms" are subtle forms of corporate welfare. The money saved by a corporation paying reduced wages to illegal workers is more than made up by American citizens who must pay for extra benefits for the illegal workers (whose meager tax contributions don't come close to covering one ER visit.)

So, Mr. Kucinich, are you for real? Do you use the common sense we are all supposedly born with? Or, are you following another "Liberal" agenda? Do you really support American citizens or are you just a bit more original than the others?

The corporations pay less, we take up the slack. Great move! Are there any candidates running for President in the next election who will support Americans? I am now registered as an Independent voter (but not as a member of the Independent Party).

I'll vote for anyone who has the interests of the American people at heart.

Kucinich details health-care policy

H P Boston — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:51:00 GMT

Brad I live in the Boston area, it takes 6 months to get a mammogram. Four months for a dermatologist! So Canada is par for the course, right!
The insurance industry is the marketing tool of the obesity war, yes it is a health threat but it is the food industries bugaboo.
Tell the corporate biz to fix the problem, a big bowl of sugar called cereal is the breakfast of the day for the kiddies. People are overweight because they are fed the sugar laden, corn syrup foods that are in every school and home in America. If you read labels 99% of processed food in America has sugar as an ingredient. Even Regan's favorite vegetable ketchup has sugar! Stop the bad food marketing and we will be in better health. OH don't get me started on the salt thing!

Kucinich details health-care policy

L. Bell SAnta Rosa,CA. — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:08:13 GMT

Kucinich is right! France has a gobernment run plan that provides for all the people,England and Canada protect their people. Hilary will just go bavk to the doctors and insurance companies for their approval. Health care for profit will only mean health care for the top 10% of workers and congress. WAKE UP demand your right to affordable health care.

Kucinich details health-care policy

bruce, san diego, calif. — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:24:38 GMT

People, wake up! I mean even just a quarter of the Pentagon and War spending would cover all the health care, education, and other infrastructure needed in this country pretty much, and we'd still have a super powerful military.

We pay the corporations, not the other way around, look it up people. Your momma pays more taxes than General Dynamics and like companies.

We obviously have hundreds of billions to throw around protecting freedom in Iraq, right??? Well whats wrong with spending that money on our own people instead?

hmmm......duh.

Kucinich details health-care policy

Tim Russert — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:55:05 GMT

I'm diggin' the way these two write. Don't really have much to argue or anything. I just like good writing :)