From what I can tell and the email newsletters I get, sorry I'm NOT a republican, it's a grassroot effort led by the independents that is fueling the fire AGAINST this healthcare plan. I think it's a lot like the tea parties though. The independents started it and then the republicans saw how much it caught on and said "why didn't I think of that?" Then suddenly there are Republicans trying to get in on the bandwagon.
Believe me, Ron Paul followers were holding tea parties long before the Republicans decided to do it this past summer. It was laughable (and yet they portrayed Paul as a kook in the primaries other than wanting to know how he was raising all his money).
Anyway, I was in the car the other day and NPR had a story about how surprised community organizers in favor of the health care plan were at the opposition. It said that no matter how early they got there it always seemed that the opposition was already there. What really surprised them was the fact that these people opposing Obamacare didn't WANT free health care. They STILL don't get the fact that it isn't FREE.
Even what is being proposed isn't FREE healthcare for all. What it is is required health insurance. Much like required auto insurance. There will be fees and penalties associated with not getting the insurance. Low income families will of course be subsidized so that they aren't paying for it but the middle class, those people who are screaming in support of this are not going to get free health coverage. They are simply going to lose the option not to buy health insurance.
More than that though. This bill defines what kind of health care people will receive. I've listened to what the man has to say and it's scary. He wants to reward those who have taken good care of their health. Does this mean that smokers, drinkers, and overeaters will be denied health coverage or only granted limited health coverage? What about athletes or other occupations that are hard on the body (blue collar factory work, farming, etc.)?
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