OBAMACARE

I watched some of the coverage of President Obama at a gathering in Virginia today. I listened to everyday americans who have already benefited so much from what the Republican Party derogatorily like to call " Obamacare" and I shake my head in amazement that anyone, shy of those profiting from the industry in some way, shape or form, or who is wealthy enough to have never had to worry about such a basic human need in our country, or is a US Senator (Governor, et al) who has the best possible coverage, paid for by our tax dollars, would be opposed to the new Health Care Plan.

As Rachel Maddow likes to say, someone talk me down. Seriously, what is not to like about the fact one can no longer be denied health care insurance based on some pre-existing condition? What is not to like about having the option to cover ones children on their plan, up till age 26? What is not to like about being able to choose ones own physician? What is not to like about having to not fear a "lifetime limit", a point at which you can be cut loose from your policy by the Insurance company? Whats not to like about no longer having to worry about losing your house and home to bankruptcy when you are hit with a health care issue that turns out to be unconscionably expensive and ongoing? That you can no longer be dropped from your insurance because of some innocuous mistake on either your or the Insurance Company's part?

AH but the COST you say! The Deficit! Hmmm ... I see...it was ok for the Bush Administration to bail out the Banks two years ago to the tune of $700 Billion Dollars with NO pre-conditions?

Last account of the TARP money (according to an online source dtd April 2st, 2009) showed it going here:

FINANCIAL STABILITY PLAN FUNDS (nee TARP) as of March 30
To date, $667.4 billion committed of the $700 billion, $109.6 billion remaining.
-- $218 billion available to financial institutions (previously $250 billion). As of 3/30/09 banks had received $198.8 billion
-- $40 billion for AIG. AIG received the money on 11/25/08.
-- $20 billion in additional funds for Citigroup (announced 11/23/08, provided 12/31/08)
-- $5 billion committed to any potential losses from Citigroup announced on 11/23/08
-- $45 billion for Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (previously $100 billion)
-- $5 billion to GMAC on 12/29/08
-- $1 billion for GM related to GMAC on 12/29/08
-- $9.4 billion for GM on 12/31/08 ($4 billion that day and $5.4 billion on 1/16/09)
-- $4 billion to Chrysler on 1/2/09
-- $4 billion to GM promised on 2/17/09 (subject to meeting certain conditions)
-- $20 billion to Bank of America promised (1/16/09)
-- $7.5 billion committed to any potential losses from Bank of America (1/16/09)
-- $1.5 billion loan to a special purpose entity created by Chrysler Financial (1/16/09)
-- $50 billion for Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan ($25 Freddie/Fannie)
-- $30 billion to AIG (3/2/09)
-- $15 billion SBA loans under the Consumer and Business Lending Initiative to improve terms for securities backed by SBA loans in the TALF (3/16/09)
-- $5 billion Auto Supplier Support Program (3/19/09)
-- $100 billion for Public Private Initiative Fund (3/23/09)

For the latest click here: http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/transaction_report_03-30-2009.pdf

BUT I digress...."Obamacare" or whatever anyone likes to call it, is not another BAILOUT. And its one this country can and will afford, there are several options for funding it, beginning with ending two wars, taxing the upper 1% for their fair share, taxing/penalizing offshore corporations that take jobs away from americans, just for starters. "Obamacare" is ONE thing in this mess that has been done FOR the American people and not for Corporate America. I believe given time, "Obamacare" will be looked upon with the same respect as Social Security, if fear and politics do not prevail.

Those of you screaming an end to Obamacare...be careful what you wish for.