CNN

The simple truth is that all of these programs require massive amounts of spending of money we do not have. So the question then becomes do you want to raise taxes in the midst of a weak economy and cause a double-dip recession? That sounds very much to me like playing a game of political Russian roulette.

and Mr. Durbin has the gall to label anyone disagreeing with WH health reform policies "The Mob" Has he forgotten where he comes from???
Speaking your mind is part of the Democratic process. He sure has no problems when people speak to agree with him!

I guess the Democrats and Libs are floored to realize that yes, people are actually reading the bill (since our Congress won't) and questioning this invasion and takeover of people's private lives.

I am all for health reform but not this type!!! Start with clearing up the fraud, if you want health insurance for the uninsured, work with those people and stop trying to give my hard earn tax money to pay for Illegal's. Democrats (not all) but most are selling their souls for votes!!

According to Dick Durbin, "democracy" means meekly accepting whatever crap the Democrats dish out.

Even though there is not one scintilla of proof that the meetings represent anything more than real constituent anger, this garbage continues to pour forth from the "party of the people". Believe me, if there was one drop of proof, it would be trumpeted from every street corner. Do you really think that if this was ANOTHER "vast right wing conspiracy", that not a single shred of evidence would exist? Not one person would have gone on TV and "told their story" – not one letter, not one email, nothing???? Wake up and smell the coffee – the people have spoken, and they say NO!

That's the problem at the heart of this debate, spending !
Spending our money that won't be earned for 20-30 years.
These Congressman and our Presidents don't know how to stop.
It's time to reform and cleanup our existing programs and laws, not create new ones.

You whip our Federal government into tip top shape Mr. Obama, and I will support your efforts 2 years down the road to start some health care reform. That's the kind of change that America deserves. Slow, well planned, and efficient.

Lets get health care reform and the restrictions or competiion to the insurance companies that run this nation. Do people not realize that the insurance companies dictate to all, including the banks, to whom they are the banks. The insurance industry already has other plans for purchase, mostly it is less for more, you have no idea how much it will break you if you have a serious event. When you have a serious problem you will find the cost will force you to deplete savings and probably going inot debt and lose all. Most that are opposed are either profitting from insurance companies or they are consumers that do not pay anything and are relying on the same bunch that lead us into this economic disaster. The rich never worry, they only know that they are protected and someone else can pay so they can keep, it is the name of the game. It should not be called healthcare reform, it is how the insurance industry is trying to scare people so they can keep their higher then ever profits.

Won't make any difference. The libs want to tax the last of us out to complete the destruction of the country. I am now considered un-American by the government I served and pay taxes to. It looks like the dope smoking, Oprah watiching non taxpayers have won doesn't it. I am certain I will be called before the Obama death squad very soon.

The Democrats should drop this thing like a hot potato for their own good. Once they get back to Congress, there will be only 14 months to the 2010 election. If they go into the election with a stronger economy and a chance of reducing the deficit they have a good chance. If the bust the budget with overpriced and underfunded health care reform and and a new round of bloated budget spending, they will be ejected from their seats by us. After Watergate, I remember one of the participants quoting on TV:

"O Cromwell, Cromwell, Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies."

William Shakespeare

That is a good one for Congress to remember too.

People are finally waking up to what a bunch of frauds, con-men and thieves the democrats in office truly are. First it was the "economic stimulus give-away" which wasn't a stimulus at all but a blatant ripoff of the American taxpayer. Next it was the greatest hoax ever foisted on the world: Global Warming. And now it's this phantom "healthcare crises". There is no "healthcare crisis". Most Americans are just fine with their healthcare. Can some cost-savings measures be implemented? Sure, such as tort reform and no coverage for illegal immigrants...both measures would reduce costs but the idea that there is a "crisis" is just Obama-speak for more income redistribution.

Give us National Health Care. No more kissing the butt of the corrupt Corporations so they can rob us blind. One of the reasons for gvt existence is to protect its people, even if it means protecting them from each other. Allowing greedy corporations to make money off whether we live or die is NOT protecting us.

Congress has definately heard from their constituents. The message was simple. The economy is in no shape to do an expensive health care program and Americans are not willing to accept a low quality health care plan. This plan only makes health care in America more expensive.

Fix the economy first and then make health care efficient enough to provide greater access without pulling down the economy with it. It's easier to just spend the money now and let future generations deal with the costs, but they've been taking the easy way out too often this year. It's time to do things right.

They are right about one thing and that bipartisanship is lost, gone, history. When the President the rest the Democratic clan recklessly name call people that have opposing views it is splintering society even more. I am in disbelief the man of UNITY is this tone deaf but partisanship is going to undermine his future agenda.

Tax and spend! The Democratic Credo.

The democraps better stick it to the taxpayers of the US right away, because they are outta there next year. Some 'uniter' we got in the white house, huh?

Congress better listen up, the American people are tried of electing these individuals to higher office only to have them forget who sent them there. Congress works for the people!

Every individual whether you support or are against this reform has the right to speak up and be heard. Calling those who oppose it un-American is well down right un-American Madame Speaker!

Stop healthcare reform before it further bankrupts this country!!

I don't think we have a Congress so as to make really _easy_ decisions. These people should be working hard day in and day out to serve the best interests of the People (and not just the people who give them lots of money). If that means they've got a lot of work ahead of them, that's just fine. That's what they've got committees for.

People need to start talking about their experiences with insurance companies. They need to talk about how the insurance companies have denied their claims based on pre-existing conditions. They need to talk about how they are going bankrupt because they got sick. I also find it interesting how people are easily scared by rich people. Why do you think rich people and insurance companies are fighting so hard to stop health care reform. It is because of the size of profits they are making from health insurance. Don’t take my word for it look up the profits from health insurance providers. Educate yourself! Don't believe all the scare tactics. I used to work at an insurance company and trust me they have people dedicated to looking through medical records to deny claims based on pre-existing conditions. If people would like information about what everything means in their health policy they can call a health insurance advocate. I encourage people to call an advocate and then tell me if you are one illness away from bankruptcy.

It is about time they do thier jobs. If they can not handle the JOB, leave the check, health care and life time pension on the table and GO! The money these people make and they complain about the hard choices they make. Tell that crap to a teacher, policeman, fireman or the unemploy. August recess, sounds to much like a grade school lunch break. Congress is really getting on my nerves.

Our elected representatives in Congress are doing a superb job of taking care of their careers. I'm sure they will all be re-elected by their naive constituents. Certainly my Congressman, who has contributed nothing to this debate, will be reelected by my neighbors. I will vote for him too - the alternative is to vote for a Conservative. Any Congressman is better than a Conservative Congressman. My Senators – Hutchison and Cornyn – will do their best to make sure that nothing changes, ever, in any way.

These folks have been in Congress, many of them, for decades. During that time, apparently, none of them has given any thought to how America's health care system might be improved. They have no ideas ready to go and no ability to act in a timely way. They speak to us in meaningless cliches. Their goal is to anger no one. They are for the changes that no one opposes. They are busy trying to figure out what kind of change that might be.

There's no need for negotiations. The Liberals know they have a nice majority in Congress, and know that that majority will inevitably shrink in 2012 due to failing polls for both the White House and Congress in general.

This will ultimately lead to them passing legislation that upwards of 50% of the country loathes. It's the politics of the 2000's unfortunately... it's okay to make 49% of the country irate, as long as you get reelected. Nobody cares about legislation that appeals to all anymore.

Get these people out of office and soon, they are bankrupting this country at a record pace. They must know their time is limited and they want to spend as much as they can as fast as they can. This isn't Change we can believe in!

Ha. Here's what Congress is stuck with: Either do your real job (regulating spending and taxation) or cram this wildly unpopular, grossly flawed health care bill. If our legislators are smart, which I'm increasingly doubting, they will table health care until the spring and focus on something that doesn't enrage their constituents.

How many people know that President Ford (Republican) tried to implement Universal Health care when he was President, only to be flatly denied by a Democratic Congress?

This is going to be an expensive bill and even if it's affordable to the American people, it will ultimately be paid for by taxes raised on the American people. Perhaps Rx companies should stop advertising medicine and sending salesmen around to doctors/hospitals trying to pedal their goods. This raises cost of medicine. Lets stop the corrupt insurance companies, the abusers of the system and the Rx issues, then lets talk about Universal Healthcare.

I am from Pennsylvania. I saw the Lebanon, PA town hall with Senator Specter. I feel he handled things well considering there is no bill yet written.

I do feel that some people have legitimate questions. Even though I have insurance, I am curious.

I feel most of these people that get up acting out at these meetings are organized mobs infringing on that constituency. Especially when they say things like they want 'their' country back. The American Indian may beg to differ. Where were these people when the Iraq War spending started to break us?

Politicians suck – all of them. The vast majority care more about being reelected than about what's best.

The Republicans and their puppets will stop at nothing to kill any health care bill. They will use any means at their disposal.

They are just using the 'Swift Boat' method of decrying any advance since their so called power base are the Insurance Companies among diminishing others.

Here in Canada we have a health care system, while not the best we don't have some insurance company hack telling us if I we quality for medical assistance or not.

If Obama fails and the Republicans win then I can see a huge influx of Americans coming North.............The True North Strong and Free.

It's easy enough to lighten the burden on these poor, overworked, vacationing legislators:

1. The climate is going to change, or not, regardless of whatever laws they pass. The only purpose of cap-and-trade is to create a sneaky new kind of tax with which government can steal more of the citizen's money. They can just drop that idea.

2. It's becoming more and more clear that most people don't want government screwing with, and screwing up, health care and, judging from what I've seen lately, trying to cram health care "reform" (read: high costs and taxes and much poorer medicine) down our throats may well result in riots.

That just leaves appropriations–and cutting out, or at least starting the phase-out of, the prop-up-the-welfare-bums entitlements would simplify that too.

"Crowley told CNN her answer must be considered in the context of her African trip". what does this mean, does it mean its Ok for her to react this way because she is in Africa or is it trying to stereotype African Men as ones who think less of women?.

Grown ups want serious debate about the health care bill not childish stupid ignorant behaviour seen by the white right wing mob

As the saying goes, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." It's time that Congress stops dragging its feet on healthcare and gets something passed and devote the rest of their time to the #1 issue from the '08 election: It's the economy stupid.

The old mobsters and cnn will not take my health care away

When they get back from recess, we'll be into 2010 election cycle. Only a fool would push for National DeathCare in an election cycle.

Result:
Obama's National DeathCare will... well... die.
Dems will be schelacked in 2010 for their "Rush to (Class) War"

At the same time, the Senate must pass spending bills before money runs out at the end of the fiscal year: the end of September. The House passed its spending measures before leaving town.

Not to worry, the Senate is under Democratic control, all they know how to do is spend! Shouldn't be a problem for them, if they don't have it, they will just print it or borrow it....

The U.S. system needs some reform, but let's focus on the areas that need it. Fix what's broken and not what's working. Approximately 85% of Americans are very pleased with their healthcare.

I for one, needed major back surgery. Once the decision was made between myself and my doctor, the surgery was done in 3 weeks!

I hear from family friends in Spain that she brings her mom to the states for treatment for Parkinson's. She's been on a waiting list for almost 2 yrs in Spain.

Pass the healthcare legislation before allocating money to other places. Congress should have never taken a recess and should have stayed in Washington.

Tell me Senator Durbin how protesting goes against the "democratic process." Isn't that what this country was founded on? Go back to the history books!

These town halls are a joke. I'd wager 95% of all members of congress have made up their minds and are using these town halls to sell their position, NOT listen to constituents.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me from the health care reform debate is how often people say they don't want to have to pay for care for the uninsured. Guess what, people? You're already paying for them.

Emergency rooms by law cannot refuse to treat someone. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, insured or uninsured, you'll get treatment. But those that are uninsured and cannot pay the whole bill (or sometimes cannot pay any of the bill) the ER doesn't eat the lose. They pass it on to all of us who do have health insurance, and that results in our premiums going up. Because that's how things work in a capitalist society. Something eats into your profits, shift it to someone else.

The way the paid protesters are disrupting the town hall meetings on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry is just wrong. And it is NOT how the majority of this country feels. It is a publicized few with loud voices.

They are NOT facing rancorous arguments from their constituents!! COME ON ALREADY!!! They are facing the "rabid opposition" that is being PAID to come and crash these townhall meetings! The average American DOES NOT act like these lunatics. I therefore hope that it is the average American that they keep in mind when they sit down to "water down" the proposal. Hopefully, there'll be something of substance left in the final draft to truly make a difference for the disenfranchised, and the uninsured. Jeez!!

I am tired of all the false hatred of health insurance reform. Most of us want responsible, fair, health care and cost for all. Come on......are you really listening.

If the hope for bipartisanship is truly gone, and the Senate will take longer to negotiate a compromise, then they should cut their vacation short by two or three weeks and come back to work to get the nation’s business completed. But, it seems like both sides agree on something: The both like exorbitant allotments of time off on the taxpayer dole. As the song says, “Well, that’s the one thing we got.”

One of the excellent aspects of the current American health care system is that most people can get immediate help if they become very ill. Not true in places like Canada or the UK, where waiting lines for crucial imaging tests can range in the several months, which can mean the difference between living and dying. USA rates are #1.
A federally run plan would drive insurance companies, hospitals and doctors into bankruptcy, leaving only the government to provide coverage, often called single payer.

This "rush, rush, get this thing passed" is being done intentionally to not only gain complete control of our healthcare, but also with the intention to secure an immense voting block for the Democratic Party. If this gets passed, this healthcare government run system will become the largest employer in the country with the largest voting block in the nation and if you were employed under this system, you wouldn't vote yourself out of a job would you?

That's the problem with a government run system. You cannot go back. Once it's done, it's done.

Seems Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi will find any way they can to spend, spend, spend more of our money......... while failing to listen to American people.

Durbin said the protests "go against the democratic process."

Funny, i don't recall him saying that about the Iraq war protests.

Bipartisanship is when all the minions are serving the same bunch of fat, greedy, rich crooks.

THe fact that bipartisanship has been lost falls squarly on two people: Reid and Pelosi. Both should lose their jobs. And Waxman is no better. Not only does he look like a rat, but he acts like a rat as well.

Pork vs The People........we lose every time