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October 28, 2009 8:31 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Reform Bill

Posted by Katie Couric
A nineteenth century American poet named James Russell Lowell once wrote, "Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof."
 
If that pithy quote proves true, the health care reform bill headed for the Senate floor is about to get all wet.
 
Senator Harry Reid made the decision to advance a bill including a public option - well sort of.  It would create a government plan to serve as competition for private insurance companies - but it allows states to opt out.
 
The very existence of the option in the bill makes it a tough sell.  No Republicans will support it. Neither will Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, and even some moderate Democrats are now on the fence.
 
But if there is a public plan at all, experts say it will be more effective in negotiating lower prices if it's truly national.
 
Without the 60 votes necessary to block a filibuster, this bill may end up on the ground - like a broken umbrella after a storm.
 
That's a page from my notebook.
 
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News
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by mmvale November 15, 2009 11:28 AM EST
Hard working Americans pay their taxes to the government and those taxes are given to congresspeople to bribe them to vote for a healthcare bill that Americans don't want and can't pay for. Americans, please speak up!
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by mcdtrudi November 2, 2009 9:36 PM EST
Katie, you on right on with Reid's plan. How dare he/any Senator/Representative that WE the people elected into their offices think that they can can have CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS! They are theives in the night with the lights on! Go green my B*** their lights are ON and they are trying to figure out a way to give themselves more money in their own paychecks. What the govenment wants is more money for themselves to partake into private expensive airplanes and fancy vacations for themselves and their own families. Look, the Medical market has more money into it than any other business in the world. (besides illegal drugs) and they want a piece of this. THEY NEED govn' OPTIONS FOR THIS MONEY. I PAY $250.00@ month on scripts. So if the ruling class can get this money, even partially, they get to keep their airplanes and their staff that they just all added on to. If I ever see Reid/Pelosi on the street, I am still a lady, I will punch him and Nancy in the noses! Call my defense "insanity" because my own govenment is making me crazy hyjacking my health care??? Female, 55, 4 heart attacks, 4 brain surgery's later, Chronic Acid reflux, Chronic Asthma (due to the CA. wildfires by the way) & if Reid & Pelosi get their way, I would not get the best Neuro surgeon I have now, nor the newest medicines, Generic junk only which if worked for me, I would purchase. I am afraid for my husband who is going to be 68 this coming year and he still works for our medical care. If he could retire, he would. We could not sell our home because no one is buying, and our taxes just got raised by another 1K on property that no one wants? I will fight them on this one! I am so sick of the "CHICAGO MACHINE" and all of it's radical/racial ideas that are BAD FOR THE WHITE PLAIN OLD MIDDLE CLASS! I am too disabled to march or carry a sign, but I will get out my cane and go next time..I have been walking since it got a little cooler in the mountains. ButKatie, if you go the Democratic way, I will not support whatever you hold dear in your own life. You were better on the morning show anyhow. Your news program doesn't quite bring out the "Katie" that I watched at ONE TIME AGO. And I can't stand your successor from the View. Joy Behar has made me sick to my stomach with a nothing show and so has the rest of the ladies on the View.Hey they do what they do for their ratings and for lining their own pockets, who are we kidding here?
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by kenhamlett November 2, 2009 2:30 PM EST
It defies logic to put states in the decision making process. They will try to manipulate it into a carrot and stick scenario. I would suggest that the senate just sit this one out. They started with a framework that was unworkable but could have been used as a foundation but moved on to a bill that would better be introduced on LaughIn.
Great observation Katie but could you expand on why anyone should care about Lieberman's opinion. He is showing himself to be untrustworthy by either party.
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by tommycanna November 2, 2009 12:06 PM EST
With all due respect to the Senator from Nevada, I wish he would spend more time concentrating on the needs of the people who reside in his state rather than trying to ram a public option down the throats of the American people. Leading the country in foreclosures along with being #2 in unemployment, Nevada is looking for help in desperate ways. I guess for the Senator, the answers in trying to garner financial help for his state are too complex. There's much more red meat for him in tackling an issue on the federal level he can then stamp his name to.

The healthcare system is broken. When you have 40 million Americans who can't afford health insurance, that's a huge social issue that needs to be addressed. I'm not trying to dismiss that. I just want those who hold higher office to understand that they were elected by their constituents. They're not there to impose their will on the American people. Leave that to us..

Thomas Cannarozzi
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