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No No No...that's all I hear from the side. Starting with Reagan and the nail in the coffin being Bush...THEY are responsible for the failure of Republican leadership these last 30 yrs, no one else. They have driven us all of the cliff and now many believe that they somehow aren't responsible even though they were DRIVING??? The result is the worse financial crisis ever in modern history. Now the right have nothing to add to the debate but despair and dread based on their past failures, yet unfortunately the brainless American public is unable to separate fact from fiction...very sad!

Ditto heads you are if you buying the crap! May

The republicans want to make darn sure we're the only developed country in the world without national health care. How can everyone else in the world be wrong and only the republicans be right?

Hopefully, the passing of Kennedy reinvigorates the debate on the Democrats side.

They need to pass a sales tax and get the money that way. And then present a plan to generate revenue and pay off the debt over ten to fifteen years.

The president has demonstrated his ability to handle short term crises like our current recession. Now he hast show his ability to plan for the future and make difficult decisions that won't be popular initially. I'm looking forward to his return from vacation.

Basically Republicans don't seem to feel that everyone deserves decent health care. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

The most astute observation I have – this argument would not be taking place and a bi-partisan effort to fix this health care dilemma would be worked out. IF ONLY this conservative group and the protector of the wealthy would only walk a mile in the deprived shoes of individuals and family's that suffer from lack of health care everyday.

Give me a break – conservatives such as these are far too removed from the citizens of America. They need to get closer to the rural and inner cities to see the pain.

Republicans make me sick. They didn't say ONE WORD when we were spending TRILLIONS of dollars on war. But now that its time to do something for the health and well-being of AMERICANS they have the audacity to balk at the cost. Disgusting pigs!

Republicans find it difficult to say but the truth is that the next three and one half years will be the same as the last seven months as far as cooperation with Democrats. No Republican wants anything good to happen that would keep them out of power for long so this will be a classic adversarial type congress with no caring for how the country is effected. How can one party be so power hungry that not one member is willing to break ranks!

Think about it. IF the government controls your health care and can decide to pull the plug on senior citizens (ie those who collect social security) well TWO problems solved at once! They decrease health care costs by killing off the elderly AND they don't have to pay anyone who gets sick their social security. It's genius! And if you don't think Obama and his czars are that evil to dream up such a plan, well what else could explain the fact that they think their plan will contain costs?

The Republicans are showing their true colors again. Lie about what the democratic bill actually plans to do, scare Americans with their rhetoric (anyone remember the invasion of Iraq and WMDs) and blame all the problems on someone else. Hey Republicans...please go away. Isn't there an island in the Bahamas where you allow tax shelters where you all could just go and never come back? America wants to move on and you lost the election...BADLY. So please shut up and let us evolve as a nation...I mean heck...Republicans are already about as marginalized as they can be. What did Bob Dylan say once...
"Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'."

Obama and his party believe going this alone will help them win re-elections and the good news for our country is the fact they are dead wrong.

Most Americans see what Obama is trying to pull and won’t put up with it. I know there are enough people here that want to believe Obama and his party is looking out for the common person but that is how Dictators got their start.

Face a few facts Obama said he did not want to take over the banks and yet he did it. Obama said he did not want the Government to take over car companies and that is what was done.

They could not even do a good job with their cash for clunkers and now Americans find out if they got the max of $4500 they will have to pay taxes on the amount. How’s that for a good deal?

Two things people had better be worried about and that is when someone tells them they are from the Government and their here to help!

We voted you people out of office. We don't need your approval for anything.

Take your hate-America attitude and go home and leave the running of the country to we adults.

Your services are no longer required. You are fired.

Republicans cant exhale without a lie slipping out.

Republicans are a joke! They are only Concerned about stopping Obama and do not care about people or health care. I am voting against any Politician who does not work to get meaningful health care reform. Politicians are elected by the people and need to work for the people. It seems to me that they are always on the take and do not care what is best for the people. I used to work at an insurance company and if their is no public option health care reform would be a joke. I know the tactics of insurance companies and believe me they are only concerned about profits and do not care about people. Do Not trust the scare tactics being used right now they are being communicated by insurance companies and believe me they are very skilled at communicating lies.

Wow. Dishonest on what the health care proposal actually says and dishnoest on the efforts of Republicans. Health insurance companies ration health care – just try to get a medication not on their formulary or a procedure they don't think you need – but Republicans continue to propogate the myth that your health care now is somehow better than under a public option. Nevermind that our life expectancy is less than that of most other developed nations. Sad and infuriating.

Big money beats the people's needs every time. Major health care reform would help real people. Opposing it ensures re-election. If the Conservaties in Britain favor their national health program, and the people in Canada can do it, there is no good reason NOT to have a single payor system. Gee, the doctors and their families may have to limit themselves to simply being wealthy.
This is demagogery of the first calibre.

Where was this guy and his fake fiscal responsibility act when Dubya was signing everything into law and paying for it with borrowed money from China??

Nothing worse than the hypocrisy of Republicans!!!!

The GOP claims they want to reform health care - as long as nothing changes! Maybe no one will remember that the GOP had no budgetary concerns with Medicare Part D when Bush was President? It is obvious that the GOP will not participate in the legislative process. Their only objective is to deny, delay, and stomp their feet. Considering the state of the loyal opposition, the Dems would be wise to pass the health care bill they want by any means necessary, and if it works out well, the Dems will be rewarded with electoral victories for a generation. If it fails, the GOP will have another chance to screw up the nation. In either case, the Dems are fools if they continue to chase GOP support that will never come no matter what is proposed.

Oh, yeah! What's the Republican plan? Nothing, that's what! ("Teddycare for all americans that want it!")

As usual the Republicans will stop at nothing...say anything... distort the facts ...just to keep the status quo. Their strategy...use the church; create fear; raise the alarm on taxes!; how are we going to pay for it etc... Blah..Blah..Blah... where was of them when their king aka George W... spent over 660 billions dollars on an unauthorized war!!!! I didnt hear anyone of them talk about the grandchildren them.... give me a break!! And they call themselves Christian.... and as usual...I find its the holier than thou so called Christians who judge and preach hatred the most!! Funny how that works.... Get over yourselves.... there will be universal health care and thats that!!!

It seems a lot of people forget these Republicans are in the minority, they lost they have no voice.
There was an election, not a poll, but an actual election and the Republicans lost. We don't trust them and have no plans to restore them to majority leadership.

No, Senator Enzi, this is the way it will have to be. Now, you, and “our party” if we can call it that, are against the proposal by the Democratically controlled Congress, but you did nothing, nor did you attempt anything, for National Health Care, when the GOP was in Power. The GOP has shown a clear lack of caring for the average American. You and “your party’s” motivation can only be attributed to the concern for your Bride, the very wealthy Health Insurance Industry.

If you happen to read this, let the words of the real American Hero that was buried today in Arlington National Cemetery echo in your mind while you try to sleep: “With the money that we have spent in Iraq so far, we could have rebuilt every school in this country over again”!!!!!!! Edward M Kennedy.

However, neither you, nor any of your colleagues, did your homework and allowed us to pay the accountable economic price and the priceless loss of life in Iraq sustained to this moment. I didn’t hear you complaining then, nor investigating the merits of weapons of mass destruction, which was a farce.

For the reasons above, you have no credibility, either with me or the people with whom I speak on a daily basis.

National Health Care Reform, now!!!

Selling insurance is not a normal business because they do not produce or provide any service of tangible value to the Americans. They simply juggle money from the subscribers to providers, and charge a hefty commission for doing that, and denying insurance to all unprofitable subscribers. The hundred or more insurance companies is yet to come up with a plan to provide health care to Americans with pre-existing conditions or uninsured Americans. The republicans are telling us to abandon the only credible solution that has been proposed so far–a public option. I am a fiscal conservative, but until I see a credible plan from the republicans, the president should go full steam ahead with the public option. Only other credible option would be to control the insurance companies tightly like we control utility companies.

You criticize the go-it-alone path, but aren't you in the going-nowhere paths besides being in the way??

If you are so keen on saying "no", then follow through with a better plan...keeping things the same is NOT a fix!

Republicans, you lost the election, you are the minority, you have no much to say, so please , sit down, shut up and listen. In a Democracy
the majority rule.

The senator is right; nationalized health care could bankrupt the USA if the trillions we are already in debt do not anyway. It's not a matter of "What do we have to lose, then?" There are many ways to help the uninsured (of which I was one for many years) that are not socialistic in nature–e.g., tax rebates to employers or individuals or insurance companies when the uninsured are covered or assisted by any of these. Everyone in America already has emergency care, so federal outlays would be much smaller in the manner of rebates for various types of coverage.

Healthcare is NOT in the constitution.
Healthcare is NOT in the bill of rights.
IT IS NOT a right.
If you want heatlhcare than you should negotiate with your doctor.
This is ALL just a money grab by democrats.
They want to CONTROL people and control ALL the money.
They are socialist at heart and they want to MAKE all the decisions for you. They do not want to allow people to make their own decisions.

Although I have worked hard all my life, I cannot afford health care. I need to go to a doctor. I can not.

I feel that the Republicans are just hateful, selfish people. They hate me, consequently, I hate them.

Every industrialized country in the world has universal health care except the United States. If only a tiny portion of the wealth of rich people who pay no taxes were taxed, health care for all could be easily financed.

Whine, whine, whine. I think that is all I have heard from the GOP. The health insurance lobbyist have the GOP in their back pocket and they have convinced the American people that health care reform is "socialist".

But what is Enzi or any other GOP member doing to "decrease costs and be deficit-neutral". The current system is far from doing this yet they seem to want the status quo.

Keep in mind the ONLY reason we are even discussing health care is because I Democrat is in the White House. The Dem's are on the right track but need to fight back. GOP negative attacks and insurance lobbyist money are going to ruin us. They don't want solutions. They just want power and money.

Well sorry folks. I want health insurance. I don't want to go in to debt for 20 year to have a life saving surgery. I don't want to have to avoid calling an ambulance because I can't afford (many people do). And I don't want the GOP to use fear tactics to prevent and misleading information to stop health care.

But I guess it's too late. The self-interested lobbyist have their teeth sunk so deep in the GOP, that is will be status quo/business as usual. Which means average Joe's/Jane's get screwed.

What are Mr Enzi's previous statements on Medicare? The Republican party has been trying to gut and kill medicare for 40 years. It is disingenuous of them to about face now for purely political reasons. The media needs to expose hypocrisy in both parties.

This is a life or death moment for the total control the insurance companies have over the health care dollars of Americans under 65. It seems only the Republicans understand how damaging it would be to the insurance companies' profits if the rest of the population had the choice of a Medicare-like program. Every citizen who has a Democratic congressman or senator needs to immediately write to them, making it clear that the threat posed to the insurance companies' monopoly on health care is the most important issue facing our country today. Because it's not really about your health care, it's about corporate profits. And corporate profits are the real "health" in health care.

So what are the Democrats suppose to do Senator: Enzi wait on you and your other Republicans colleuges? Not! We already waited 8 yrs too long, Now that the Democrats wants to do it its We want to reform health care and as far as deficit neutral isnt that what President Obama said he wanted? When this President was campaigning he said what he wanted to do for americans and Universal health care was one of them and i for 1 knew it would cost money. And even republicans knew this but now he want to keep his promise in doing so he keep getting push backs.So if you and your colleuges really want to Reform healthcare you would offer more support instead of fear mongering.OH! i forgot the Republicans want the President to fail.

If the bill passes it will almost certainly have to be revised sometime after the next decade because by then everyone will realize how watered down, compromised, and ill conceived it was to begin with. By then the mess will be even worse than it is now.

If the bill does not pass I suspect the country will merely continue its slide toward the status of a failing republic which will by then be competing with other third world entities for the title of worst performer in health care, and I won't even mention education. However, never doubt that we will have a strong and growing military.

What must ultimately be realized, by even the most idealistic fairy tale thinkers, is that what we have been doing up until now is simply not working. Because of that change is inevitable, and there is a distinct possibility that it might not be for the better.

Sen. Enzi is showing, yet again, that he is merely an obstructionist. His comments signal that the GOP is not interested in reform, only delay for the perpetuation of the status quo and for political gain. Let the Dems go it alone and gain all the credit.

Of course every single Republican is going to try to kill healthcare.

1.More than 90 Republicans in the Congress have received more than $1M each from the insurance industry to tell lies and spread fake fear about healthcare reform. The insurance companies are trying to protect their monopoly and the Republicans are only glad to take their money to help them.

2.Healthcare reform will be one of the most historic legislative victories for the American people since Social Security and Medicare. Republicans will do anything not to let President Obama get credit for finally fixing our healthcare system. They care nothing about the American people. They care about themselves and their rich, white, corporate friends. Failure is their singular focus regardless of the consequences to the People who elected them.

We will get healthcare reform passed and the Party of NO will sink further into their world of hate, lies, and bitterness. How sad when they could be part of something so important to the lives and welfare of the American people. Republicans have lost their way and their humanity and values. Their hatred has destroyed them from the inside out.

Reform should be passed immediately and called the "Ted Kennedy Healthcare Act of 2009". A human and moral law that will help so many and give control of our healthcare back to us and away from the greed-based insurance companies.

Ben ladin in a hole can buy shares of any insurance company on wallstreet. So they can control your health by sending their representatives on the board of directors either as a broker or anyone they chose to buy the shares in their names.

Yet the right is saying that they don't want the government to make choices for them. Does that mean that they prefer the ben ladens of the world to control their healthcare as they do all the time?

The health insurance company tells you already where you can receive healthcare or if you can receive it at all. They pick and chose who they insure. and they reject, increase premium.
if you fail to pay premium and some times even when you do, it is not always clear or sure you would receive service.

Competition is good for us.

LOL!! that's what the republicans do best blast-

Pave way for something? I think not-

we the people do not need the Republican ideas. We want something more. If they do not want to work toward reasonable solutions, we will do it without them. It really is that simple.

it is funny how the republicans didnt say anything when bush was spending wild and doubled the nationail debt in 8 years

I hear from those who carry a flag and a ribbon on their car, this message:

"We support our troops. We (our country, I) ask that they give their life, leg or head for our country, to protect us (our country, me) from harm. ...

Yet I can't give a pocket change to protect those fellow Americans from harm of sickness".

What 's laughable is that even those asking the government to leave their healthcare alone, are on medicare.!!!

This just goes to show you that the Republicans have no shame. While the nation mourns a passing of one of its great political figures, the lobbyist-controlled, George Bush Republicans are at it again. And they couldn't wait until his body is laid to rest.

The Part of No is the party of NO SHAME.

Wow what a chess move by the Democrats. A few years back it was the Republicans that wanted to take money out of Medicare, now with the threat of a health care bill Republicans now are championing funding for Medicare...I love it it is sooo cool to turn a group one hundred and eighty degrees. I wonder if they even know what happened????

Republicans love to play hardball.

Obama propose a temporary 3% sales tax. That'll generate 3 trillion dollars over 10 years, which not only pays for health care but starts to pay down the debt.

If you're really feeling yourself, you'll raise it to about 5% and make the bush tax cuts permanent for everybody earning less than $300k.

Couple that with a a cap and trade, and you've created a surplus, provided health coverage for all Americans, and reduced greenhouse emissions.

Get us out of Iraq, and put a timetable on Afghanistan and you go down as the greatest American president of the modern era.

What's left of the GOP becomes more irrelevant every week. Obstructing health care reform hastens their demise.

What these people mean is that the proposed health care reform would make insurance companies sicker. i believe our economy would improve with health care reform, not to mention the fact that health care costs would diminish drastically.
Naturally, these companies are not going to voluntarily give up the obscenely high profit they are making at the expense of the sick and injured among our citizens.
For that matter - think about it - the current health care industry has come to hold enormous power over our lives whether we are sick or well.

Why is it that every western country in the world has found a way to insure all their citizens at a much lower cost than we're paying now, yet here in the US, we're afraid to follow that very simple formula.

It's very easy...

Take the medical decisions away from the insurance companies and give it to the doctors...

Take the profit out of insurance and use it to provide services...

Stop letting drug companies control the price of the drugs.. if they want to compete, let them compete with the companies in Canada or other countries that provide the exact same medicine for 1/10 of the price.

We're putting ourselves in this position. We're fighting to let insurance companies and drug companies have a total monopoly when it comes to health care costs.

We're the idiots here... and this guy speaking is amongst those idiots who believes that letting insurance companies regulate health care cost is more efficient than covering EVERYONE for a fraction of the cost.

I am NOT PROUD of my country right now.

As a former local Republican Leader turning sharply Dem, I am dismayed and disapponted by the GOP rhetoric and choices. As an informed and intelligent voter, I can no longer support this Party.

Any Republican who feigns defending Medicare in order to stop health care reform is an intellectually dishonest hypocrite.

We wouldn't have Medicare today if the Democrats hadn't gone it alone. And if Sen. Enzi would have been a Senator when LBJ and the Democrats went it alone and "rammed" Medicare down our throats, he would have been saying the same thing then as he is now.

Let's stop playing these hypocritical games. The Republicans don't want health care reform, period. We know it. They know it.

Wow, how many red herrings can you put in one speech?

1) Comparative research is designed to deny care? Odd, I thought it was to make sure we used the most effective treatments. But there's a compromise to be had here - Republicans want limits on frivolous lawsuits, Democrats want comparative research. Agree to reduce frivolous lawsuits as long as the doctors followed the recommendations produced by the comparative research.

2) If Enzi doesn't want Democrats to go it alone, then he should start talking to his colleagues about really coming to the table and bargaining, as opposed to just complaining. They say they want health care reform - prove it.

Why does the government make automobile insurance mandatory and not health insurance? Is it because cars are important?

Partisan opposition to health care reform is suspicious. There is no doubt that we need universal health care, but the opposition makes it appear that some details make this untenable. Any politician who does not support universal health care is not looking out for my health, and thus will find it difficult to gain my vote. I would like to see positive recommendations on the part of the loyal opposition, rather than knee-jerk opposition. Obviously, the insurance industry is by far the most important opposition, and they know how to effectively make their position known.

Amazing, the Republicans can take a stand on something...well....one of them can What amendments that the Democrats turned down is he talking about? I haven't heard a single possitive thing said by a Republican in months.NO NO No, that's all I've heard. Say what you will, The Republicans have made no effort to be bi-partisan since Obama became president. Not just the health plan, but everything else that the Democrats have attempted to do has been put down by the other side. August is over so the Repubs. should be back in session.Fasten your seatbelts folks, we're off and running.

Gee, the last time I checked healthcare was rationed by the ability to pay for it, unless you are over 65, then the government helps pay for it. This is wrong. Senior citizens get way more government subsidies than they deserve. Why should working people pay for old perople's retirement and healthcare?

Today, Senator Kennedy was laid to rest. Over the last 3 days many from both parties praised him. Some say universal health care was his major legislative interest. Some say it would had more of chance if he had lived. Some say it has a better chance now that he is gone.
I have no idea who is right. What I do believe from trying to understand both sides, is that the conservatives are not going to support anything the liberals propose. It seems, at most, there may be only 58 Democrats, including two possible Independents in the Senate. That's not enough unless they try the, I think, "reconcilliation" process?
Then there it still has to be resolved between the House and Senate?

I appreciate this is a complicated issue, deep felt issues on both sides of the aisle. I want to believe that both sides "care about people", and I think they do.

This is politics, and, perhaps, the conservatives are more interested in "handing the President a defeat", a defeat that might really make a difference in 2010 and 2012, than working out a compromise that would benefit the American people?

Michael,

You make it sound like you (and the GOP) championed Medicare/Medicaid & protect the elderly! Do us a favor & read history - it was Kennedy/Johnson (Democrats) that pushed through Medicare/Medicaid!

Obama stated over & over again that he wants a health care reform that is "deficit-neutral over the next decade."

If what Obama say went over your head, do you remember this, "You are either with us or against us!" What did Bush say that you don't understand, #$@% head?

Dear Sen. Enzi:

We regret to inform you that you and your family's government payed health care has been revoked in an effort to reduce the budget. Thank you for understanding.

Regards,

51 million unisured citizens

Sorry, don't understand any of this. Isn't it reasonable to expect that insuring more Americans comes with some costs? Don't we first and foremost want better health for all Americans, provided by health insurance for all, and aren't we then willing to bear these costs? Otherwise it's just ego... "I got mine, good luck to you".

House bill 3200 is once again about growing big government and rewarding special interests, much like the "stimulus" bill, hence the rush to get it passed before the August recess. The unions plans are exempt from the limitations that Obamacare will impose on the rest of us, but tucked into 3200 is a 10B subsidy for union pension and benefit plans. We have bailed out the unions enough, let them sink or swim on their own, certainly without taxpayer funds supposed to be benefiting the uninsured among us. The mistrust of the Democrats has been well earned, and as more and more about this bill emerges, it's clear that health care reform and the lowering of costs are not, and never have been, a priority of those in power.

In an attempt to gut Medicare membership, Congress passed Medicare C to give those on medicare a choice of private providers (Bush idea.) Medicare C was funded more liberally than plain Medicare to please the insurance industry. Many saw through this ruse. The proposed cut is the excess given to private providers in Medicare C. Have the Republicans explained this to you? I didn't think so.

there are not going to be cuts from medicare, that is a scare tactic, from republicans, government run health care will be good for all americans, medicare is wonderful, and government runs that. those rich republicans do not want to lose their tax breaks that bush signed into law, but they are going to lose them.

After the previous administration took a budget surplus and turned it into a gigantic deficit by slashing taxes for the richest of our citizens and starting a war of choice based on lies and keeping off the the budget. These same ass hats are suddenly concerned about the deficit?? Give me a freaking break...

Both the repubs and the dems are bought and paid for by the health insurance companies. Neither the Dems nor th repubs could give a rats ass about the plight ot non rich Americans.

Our system is SICK. The only solution is a viable third party. But we are too lazy and stupid.

This country is going down the tubes and we are too stupid and lazy to rescue it.

This is the same senator that said he was going to vote no on reform regardless of what was contained in the bill. His opinion is worth jack at this point.

You got to be kidding me. I say go it alone. The party of no is never going to agree to do any kind of health care.After watching the passing of Ted Kennedy I realized anything that was done to help the middle or lower class came from the Democrats. My dad used to tell me that the Republican party was only for the rich and big business. How true he was. Go it alone President Obama the people who voted you in is behind you all the way..

we do not need a health care reform that increases the deficit, but we do a war in the middle east that will be never ending to continue to increase the deficit? Give me a break. We need to concentrate on America and teh citiznes within and stop trying to please big business.

All need to be voted out of office and replaced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More BS. All that matters is that the democrats fail and the republicans get an opportunity to win back their majorities in the House and Senate, and to win the White House back. Screw the country as long as they are in power. We had the health care debate in the 90's. They destroyed the reform. Why?. They then had total control in Congress in both houses for the next 12 years. They had the White House for half of that time. They did NOTHING!!! They passed a Medicare Drug Bill that wasn't paid for! They made it illegal for Medicare or the Federal government to negotiate lower drug prices!!! They started a war of choice, cut taxes for rich and left our children and grandchildren to pay for it while the wealthy got richer on "No Bid Contracts" for military. They then refused to raise the minimum wage for 14 years. You republican sheep need to seriously review your own party's actions for the last 20 years. Have they followed their principles? If you are not wealthy making over $250,000 has your life improved? I am not asking you to abandon your principles and vote for or agree with every democratic proposal. However if a Democrat comes up with a proposal, look at it honestly and don't fabricate lies to defeat a proposal simply because it was a democratic proposal! Both parties are supposed to be working for the betterment of all of us!!! Politicians are elected to represent everyone, not the party loyal! I am sick and tired of the Republicans whining about Tax and Spend Democrats. The only thing worse than uncontrolled spending is the Republican Spend and don't Pay for it plan. Go back and review the last 20 years and see whom has ammassed the greatest debt. Ask how can all the Republican always vote the same way? At your next meal see if you can get everyone at the dinner table to agree on something. Why do both parties have totally opostite views. If a democrat says the sky is blue the republican will all disagree and say it is cloudy. Are we electing individuals to represent us or parties. Last November I saw names of individuals on my ballot. I did not vote for a party. Health care reform is too important to not do. Tell your representives to get off their collective asses, grow up and do their damm job! And stop lying to us. Most of us are not that stupid. Both Republican voters and Democratic voters need to evaluate and fix their parties!!! Stop worrying about the other party. Hold your your own party accountable! Educate yourselves on the issues!

sincerely,
a fed up independent

We won the election. So this is what the majority of america wants. Ignore the right. When polls say people are unhappy with the current proposal it's not because they don't want reform or want scale it back some. It's because they want. The american people want a single payer system. If not atleast a hybrid but co ops will fail. Lose this ridiculous notion of bipartisanship. They are just stonewalling everything on the grounds that it's not their idea.

Nothing new here, just more evidence that Republicans will not stop until things stay just the way they are: health care corporations still making money... the "American way"

As a life long Wyoming resident I am ashamed to have Mike Enzi representing this great state. Mr. Enzi needs to wake up to reality and look around his state where people are held over a barrel by the health insurance industry. My family of three pays $1300/mo for health insurance and because I am self employed can only get individual coverage. Individual coverage=2nd rate coverage.

Of course we know the republicans do not want anyone to have affordable health car. We know the insurance companies are lining their pockets. Whats more important the people or the money? We all know the republicans only think of themselves. So of course the money is their choice. All they know how to do is lie and divide our country and instill fear since they don't have anything to offer.

So why didn't his Republicans implement an appropriate plan when they had the opportunity to do so under President Bush? I guess it's just much easier to attack, attack, attack, than it is to offer productive solutions to the nation's problems. As far as I'm concerned, the Republican's strategy to defeat President Obama's initiative are both transparent and objectionable. Sadly, some things never change.

There is no such thing as bipartisanship with the republicans as they are all in the insurance industry's pockets.

The Democratic Party should use the mandate from the last election and ram through health care reform over the republican special interests.

and what are these amendments? Where is the detail from Republicans vs. just attacking Democratic proposals?

Senator Enzi and my Senator, Kay Hagan, along with others in Congress, recently gave pharmaceuticals a competition- free ride for 12 years, with renewal. I wonder if he has been the beneficiary of pharmaceutical ads praising him for supporting health care reform, as has Senator Hagan? The ad asks that we call Senator Hagan and thank her. Do these people think we are appreciative for making medicine more expensive?

If any Democrats had believed that the GOP was interested in health care reform, those notions should have been eliminated when Senator Grassley announced that he wouldn't vote for the bill he was negotiating with the Democrats.

If you want health care reform, Dems, you have to go it alone.

Enzi need to do the right thing to make sure all Americans have health insurance, all he want to do is just say NO we all have heard of lot of NO from the GOP.For once GOP try saying YES for the right thing HEALTH REFORM FOR ALL AMERICANS.

Healthcare is America's Holocaust Senator Enzi. We had the moral courage to save the Europeans from German evil-doers. Let's have the moral courage to bust the corporacracy evil-doers running the healthcare holocaust. Will you be willing to give up all your benefits and join the masses subjected to vivisection and no informed consent with profit makers making decisions on your life and your loved-ones lives???? Oh...it will cost you too many campaign contributions? My bad, Senator. Do what's right for your corporate backers and the cattle can chew the cud? Is that your perspective after filtering the smoke and cleaning the mirror? Try putting your feet on your shoulders and pull and push at the same time – -maybe everything won't be brown and smelly anymore when your head pops out of your pooper.

A comprehsive healthcare system that serves all Americans is a fundamental right and moral obligation for all politicians.
No doby doubts that a Public Option Insurance Plan (POIP) proposed by the Democrats is the best way to ensure a comprehensive heathcare reform that will benefit all Americans.

I humbly ask the GOP leadership to come up with cost effective way to impiment such a reform while preserving the ideas behind a Public Option Plan.

The truth of the matter is that Republican Congressman, who themselves enjoy the benefit of having the best health care plan in the country - taxpayer supported, of course - are opposed to anything that would improve health care for the American people. One is reminded of Marie Antoinette's famous "Let them eat cake" comment. (And we all know what happened to Marie Antoinette!)

Enzi you should say Reject the go it alone stuck in the mud party of hate ,lies, deception ,starting wars as you are never for the people of this country just only for the rich.

Glad to see the GOP behaving like they have the best interests of the country in mind.

Now there is something new, a Republican who thinks I instead of WE. What is that they are drinking that brought about this new found intelligence after 8 years of being brain dead. America used to think in the We for ALL Americans. So much for the "used to be greatest country in the world.

Can't we just start by doing serious malpractice reform and make pre-condition exclusions illegal? Then if that works out next year we can talk about shortening the patent life on drugs and tax incentives for people to buy their own insurance....

The sticking point is the government involvement, no public option, no government sponsored coops, no government panels to do healthcare rationing....we want less government in our lives not more. Frankly we are sick of working hard then getting over taxed to cover some lazy people who refuse to work....

Understand this and you can fix healthcare with near unanimous approval.

These Republicans would rather see another 40 million Americans lose their health insurance to protect the profits of the Insurance industry. The remaining GOP in the Congress should be tarred and feathered, and run out of Washington on rails for inciting violence and perpetuating lies.

Not affiliated with either party. Thank you to all of the politicians who are standing up against the expansion of government. Health care needs to be reformed, but without government expansion.

Let's find a solution that reduces taxes and creates opportunity for all Americans.

I am so sick of rich republicans who have healthcare insurance themselves telling us we dont need healthcare reform. In 2000 I had full coverage for my wife and son for 389.00 per month. Today in 2009 I have less insurance coverage and pay more! If I was to get the same insurance I had in 2000 today it would cost me over 1,000.00 per month. Does this sound like a level playing field?

A pair of contrasts. Senator Kennedy a revered statesman, working for the poor, civil rights, children, health care for all Americans, women's rights. Senator Enzi, an old tired fear mongerer offering nothing but his crybaby voice in the desolate Wyoming wilderness. And just who do you think history will remember?

The Republican Party has become the last refuge of lies, incompetence, and twisted smears. How many people must suffer and needlessly die to fatten Republican coffers and keep the health care system broken.

I had hoped for some measure of sanity from some Republicans, but there seems to be little that they will not do to keep their privilege, no matter how much America suffers.
.
Fear, Hate, Greed, and Ignorance
are the Four Horsemen of the Republican Party

The Republican Party has truly become
The Face of Evil in America today.

Hey Enzi come up with a solution or shut-up. ~40 million AMERICANS have no health insurance and the rest of us pay for it every time they have to use the emergency room for general care.

When Bush was blowing the store chasing WMD in Iraq and bailing out his corporate buddies where were ya?? Probably selling off US jobs to the lowest dictatorial bidder, like the rest of the Repuke party.

Belly up for decent healthcare for all. Try doing something for your own people once in while you moron...

Do the Republicans have any solutions? or its the same old story of NO NO No no no!!!

Like the republicans are going to agree to anything on health care reform. I can't believe I've been a republican all my life. I'm tired of this whining, complaining and do nothing politics.

How is it that these Repug's just get away with lie after lie after lie? I f you do any kind of independent fact checking it is so easy to see how decietful and dishonest they are. Yet NO ONE in the so called "liberal press" calls them on it except in little back page articles. There are over 117 amendments in the bill this Goober is talking about that were proposed by Republicans.
Both parties use the emotions of people to get their point accross. The Dem's use hope the Repug's use fear. It is bad enough that fear seems to trump hope almost every time but it is truly criminal that the only voices heard are the fear mongers.

Cheneys home state,population,10 people and 300 elk,but world HQs of another big Health Insurance Company.Interesting how the companies made sure they spread out in many small red states so they could control the House and Senate with lots of bag money.

The deomocrats are not really interested in the deficit. This is obvious when you look at their "accidental" 2 trillion dollar oversight on spending. And we thought Bush was out of control. These Dems are spening like crazy.

Enzi must be on some type of drug. Pulling the rug out of any bipartisan dilogue and then asking that the Democrats don't go it alone. What choice do the Democrats have? Republicans fought Social Security, the fought Medicarre , with the same old arguments they are using today to fight national healthcare. Now they act like Medicare and Social Security are their programs. They will some day claim national healthcare. There party is tired without any ideas except "no".

I think President Obama should forget about bi-partisanship at this point and go full speed ahead with the public option on health. The American people voted a democratic majority aND a democratic president because we (the Amercian people) had a mandate. To push through universal health care for all. This Republican idiot (like all these congressional Republicans), have no ideas of their own but to say NO. Which is why the American people voted them out of office.

I really hope the democrats get it right this time or else I may have to sit out the next election.

Enzi voted "Yes" for the war in Iraq which is a huge contributor to the current deficit. But, he's against a health plan that will give health care to 40+ millions of Americans. So he doesn't have an issue with running up the deficit to kill and destroy; but he does have an issue with running up the deficit to make American healthier. So is he for America or against America? His way of thinking seems to lean toward what's worse for America.

What a surprise! How does Mr. Enzi's 54 constituents feel about his marriage to corporate interests?

Pitiful. The republicans can't even give it a break on the day Sen. Kennedy is laid to rest. Absolutely disgusting.

I have faith in the Administration NOT the republicans. It seems the repubs aren't evey attempting to work with or compromise. All they do is whine and accuse. The rebubs don't have anything to offer, only condem. Either shutup or work with the administration repubs.

I pray that the American people are not so stupid that they can't see that all the Republicans care about are their political careers. They are not interested in helping the American people nor advancing this country in anything. SHAME ON THE REPUBLICANS! I hope they never regain any significant power. Those hypocrites need to realize that you really do reap what you sew.

It is pretty sad that Senator Kennedy has not been buried yet and Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming, already denounced the "Democratic" health reform, part of which was supported by Sen Kenney. Let's kick the man down further while the soil is still warm ... is that how the Republicans develop bipartisanship? May be Sen Enzi should learn about class from Sen Kennedy before opening his mouth again.

Senator Enzi if you are not willing to be part of the solution then you are part of the problem so please just get out of the way.

It was never the gop inyent to negotiate. Go it alone I say

Reject the go it alone path?

In order to do that somebody has to be willing to compromise and actually come up with something worthwhile. So far we've seen NEITHER from the GOP. People better pay attention..you listen to these GOP leaders talk they ALL say the system needs reform...so if you don't take the democratic version, then down the road you will get the GOP version (they won't negotiate it, it will get shoved down your throat same as Iraq, Patriot Act and Medicare D). It will be more no-bid, no government intervention...so just wait til ALL this country's health care is in the hands of the insurance companies, then you might begin to understand why so many people are fed up. There is NO excuse to be a tax paying citizen who works hard and CAN'T get health care because of 'preexisting conditions'.

Why don't we cut the benefits to Congress, the Senate and the Administration to cover the costs instead of cutting Medicare? I know. Let's take it out of the governments travel fund.............................Could probably pay off quite a few of my medical bills with one of thier trips..........................

The irrational and irrelevant party of "No".

At least the Democrats have a plan, which is far and away more than can be said the unceasingly whining Party of No.

Ah yes, the Republican voice of rational discourse. This coming from the party that thinks Obama was born in Kenya, and that death panels are a reality. Why are we taking them seriously again?

I voted for Obama but I am very concerned about the agendas of the Democratic majority. There is way to much government involvement proposed and additions to our ballooning deficit. Let's fix our health care system to actually cut costs, but lets not blow it up. There are ways that we can cover everyone in our nation without creating a new and costly government plan. The common people in other nations with socialized medical coverage are unhappy with their systems. There is a two tiered system in those countries, most people have the crappy government plan but a minority of people that can afford private plans enjoy the best health care. 85% of people can afford private health care in our country currently. We need to improve that, however. Let's work to make our current system better. The creation of a new government plan is a road to the downfall of the U.S.

The Washington crowd does not know how to balance the budget. The deals have been made with big business and all of us will pay. All of this spending has created no jobs where I live. Where is the "Hope?"

maybe the health care program would not be so coastly if ALL the Senate and All the congress were not so interested in holdin gon to their extremely benefits to death as well as class a 1 health benefits for them and their family. not to mention the pay increase they have already had so many of the fact that many Americans that they represent hve a difficu;t time reching them and if they do like in the case of the Senator from Calif,. D.F you receive a pre scripted return message written and sent by some aide. face it if it did not cost the U.S and Calf. most of all so much money in school for illegals work and hand out for illegls all the literature having to be printed out in o many languages that you have problems finding ENGLISH.. isn;t that suppose to be our language here??? clean up the mess in D.C and watch the money you will save, no wonder ll the senate and congress people are the known wealthy. get a life and let us live one too!!!!!!!!!

I suppose by now, the democrats must realize that republicans do not want a Health Care Bill no matter what it contains. The more they THINK they can obstruct or deny the more they get their macho up.

Since they do not have the votes to stop this bill I think the democrats should work out what is best to put in the bill, vote and pass it. If the republicans don't want to vote for it, that's their lost.

The rowdy bunch of buttshired by the republicans and the health companies, that are jumping up and down and trying to disrupt meetings are desperate. They know the majority of Americans want this bill and they are trying and trying to stop it. I guess when you are reaping such windfalls from the health and drug companies you would do anything to try to stop this bill.

But this just shows the REAL AMERICAN PEOPLE that the republicans could care less about America. All they want is to fill their pockets. And the public has also seen that the blue dogs are nothing but a bunch of republicans in disguise who are going to be voted out of office as soon as possible.

I guess Reps wants to use our money by exporting freedom to countries that don’t even want it and they hate us.
At first they claimed the health reform is design to kill their grandma and their retarded kids. When that didn’t work, now they claim it’s too expensive.
How much has been the costs of the 2 wars so far? If not enough may be they should wage the war on Iran or even better on the world! That should cost plenty. That way the rest of us should keep on working as long as we're sick then roll over and die so the Reps can protect the unwanted babies, the vegetables on life supports and the retarded alive.

This is why the Republicans lost the presidency... fear politics... just that the American electorate is slowly getting smarter and there simply are not enough dumb and ignorant Americans for the Republicans to sway. Keep it up, Republicans... you're doing America a great service!!!

Where are the Republicans crying for the expense of an unnecessary war $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$? Where are they?

Republicans are okay killing and maming. People wake up for goodness sake. They don't care about budgets! The Republicans ruined this country. Bush inherited a surplus and turned it into massive deficits.

Bottom line is if it is on War, they will spend. If it is for the working people for jobs they have not shipped over sees, it is a budget problem.

Who are these people who can go to townhalls at 10 in the day who look like medicare recipients?

Republicans = Stale, Male and Pale

Why now? Why is the GOP showing such concern for the state of health care as in institution after they've been brazenly fighting Kennedy and everyone else whose been attempting health care reform for decades? They put on these faces that make themselves appear to be stewards of the "real American consciousness". It looks so false on Senator Enzi and every other politician and naysayer to real reform...but in some bizarre way, people buy it anyway. The GOP has spent more time after President Obama's election worrying about the direction of our nation, out loud. They then say Senator Kennedy was at advocate for great things, then quickly remind misguided and pumped up legions to continue to stave off progress for good reform. Pretty frail preemptive strike. It looks false too.

Thank your lucky stars for the Republicans.

If the republicans wanted ANY type of health care for eveyone they could have done something while they were in power, but they don't, because comprehensive health care might cost their rich and greedy friends a penny or two.

A true Republican you are, Enzi. Twist the facts and remain status quo. By the way, when was the last time you had to pay for health care? You're on the government dole; your medical care is paid by taxpayers, so you just need to shut up with your absurd statements about Democrats and Medicare. It disgusts me that politicians such as yourself get all those perks such as free health care and, yet, you mouth off about the liberals trying to get more Americans covered with medical insurance. You, sir, are one of the reasons we have such a problem with health care coverage; you just don't get and don't care to – that is obvious. As long as you're able to visit your doctor and pay nothing, you don't give 2 s**** about the average American who cannot afford health care. You are one piece of work.

Amazing that those responsible for the utter sickness of our economy are now so vocal about the health of our economy. Human weakness knows no bounds.

Wonder how much he was paid... Love that all it takes is a little pay out to change our politicians opinions. How corrupt is our government. This is not baseless, just look how much the so called Blue Dog Dems have made of the healthcare industry since Obama took office.

The reason Dems are going it along is because the Rupugnicans do not want health care for all. Enzi has government sponsored healthcare but he doesn't want you to have it. Go figure. Ignore these guys and bring on affordable healthcare for all – let conservatives opt out if they want – in fact cancel their social security, their medicare and they government sponsered care.

The fact is that health care in this country should not be left to insurance companies who are in it for the profit. Everything the Republicans complain about in a National Health plan is already taking place in the private sector but at a higher cost. For example, the fear is that a national health care plan will increase the national debt – maybe so, but the way health care now occurs that deficit is already taking place by those of us who are paying exorbitant sums already. I just think it is so hypocritical for any politician to say they are looking out for the public given the coverage they get in Congress. It makes me sick to listen to the diatribe of the party that put us in this deep debt through the lack of oversight with respect to businesses and insurance companies are a part of a continuing scam.

From death panels to demanding choice but denying the right to choose a public option has been the Republican mantra, why should we believe anything that comes out of the mouths of Republicans.
Just as privatizing social security would benefit only the money managers, the Republican solution to health care will only benefit insurance companies.
The idea that we have the best health care in the world is belied by the fact that we are 35th on the list of life expectancy. I believe we are also further behined when it comes to the infant mortality rate.

The Republicans have not been on board with healthcare reform from the start. They claim they want reform yet offer nothing in the way of a bill themself. face it they like things just the way they are now. They are in bed with the insurance compaines and like it that way. Kind of what we have growen to expect from the party of NO.

I've grown very weary of politicians who have absolutely nothing constructive to offer on health care reform.

I guess Democrats are the only ones that have a problem with this healthcare system. Also, they are the only ones who have lost jobs and their health insurance. I always wondered how a poor person can be a republican when republicans look at poor folks as a inconvience.
All those southern states going red when they are the poorest states in the union, please.

These senators and congressmen are afraid the insurance & pharmaceutical companies will fund the campaigns of other candidates and they'll lose their jobs. What a shame.

Support health care reform with a goverment option, so you don't have to live in fear of losing your job, having a pre-existing condition, going bankrupt, etc.

The time is now!!

Republicans have shown that all they care about is blocking meaningful reform so Obama can't get credit for anything. The Democrats need to go it alone...they won the last two elections fair and square, and those elections should mean something. Plus it's the only way anything truly meaningful on health care reform (which should be, lest we forget, about helping the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance get it).

tell all the repos to just shut up. After listening to the service for senator Kennedy I really dont want to hear from these clowns . Give it a rest for a few days at least.

Compromise til it hurts but keep your fundamental goals in mind.

Yeah, oh holy one, tell the fools who believe you more nonesense. You seem healthy and bright in your self created light above your head...nice. You're no Jesus. Continue to propagate to them and create more lies instead of taking a higher road. American youth is smarter than you, old man. I am a Jesus loving, bible thumping kind of guy. But Sir, I don't subscribe to your illness.

The GOP has no desire to change the present system for a good reason. It is called campaign financing. Why would they want to kick around a huge source of campaign finance for their party? The status quo, which creates what I call "health exclusion insurance", will continue to refuse claims (rationing?), to not cover obvious medical conditions (example: autism, sorry Mr. Savage autism is a medical condition not just "bad behavior"), to increase deductible amounts, to exempt coverage for prior medical conditions and force people who are uninsured to resort to emergency room health care (which all of us with insurance pay for in increased cost of our coverage).
When I ran for an Assembly Seat in Wisconsin I talked to person after person, young and old, who said we must reform the system. They need to have the courage to speak out and not be bullied with the name-calling and heckling they encounter at meetings. Health care access is absolutely necessary for people to live a full and productive life.

On the night of the burial of Teddy Kennedy, the Senator for whom health care reform was a life-long dream, a cold-hearted, GOP, insurance- funded political hack is trying to put out the flame.

The Party of No apparently doesn't take time off for burials, nor honor the dead, nor relent from holding back dream of fairness in American health care.

But the work begins anew; the touch is passed on; and the dream will be realized despite the obstacles before us. This is America.

I am a life long Republican but I'm not quite so stupid as to believe this guy. Ask him what HIS health care plan is like. Let him give up his government health care and see how he screams.

Senator Enzi, please tell us.....WHAT IS THE REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE PLAN? Put up or shut up.

If the Republicans really cared so much about fixing the health care/insurance system why didn't they do something about it during the 12 years they controlled Congress (1995-2007)?

Senator Enzi, if you won't use your power to fix this horrid mess, at least stand aside and let the Democrats at least try to do something.

Look its pretty clear to all that the Republican minority is in the pockets of both big insurance and big pharma. Their actions during the Bush years proves this. Its time to listen to those 47 million out there like myself who don't have health care and can't get health care due to pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies make money NOT by helping those who need medical care but by denying coverage. Tell the Republicans to cram it and get the public option in there....

The cuts proposed to Medicare are cuts such as – - -if a patient has to go back in the hospital within a short period after being in the hospital, there is no need to repeat certain tests. I work in a hospital & whether you have been out of the hospital for only 1 or 2 days & are readmitted to the hospital, patients ALWAYS get a chest x-ray on readmission to the hospital. This is an EXAMPLE of what is meant when they are talking about cuts to Medicare. Those of us with private insurance should wish our coverage would be handled in much the same way, to keep our premiums from going higher, higher, & higher.

Shame on you, Republicans! You are so far away from anything you preach about I really hope you will experience the heavenly punishment you deserve. Help the poor and the ill? They wouldn't help their own grandma if the Health Insurance Companies ordered them to do so.
There is a moral limit to anything, and this is it! If it were for them, we wouldn't have Civil Rights, Medicare,public schools, public USPS and possibly public bathrooms in the airports!
Money and special interests is what drives them; then they go to mass on Sunday morning, get their communion and think everythink is ok. But that won't remove all the uninsured people soffering because of their obstructionism of the health bill from their conscience! That stain will remin in their history forever, something their children wil be ashamed of! And that's the word: SHAME!

I guess politics never stops even when we cerebrate the life of a crucial in our history. Iam annoyed.

As usual another- big on protest, short on ideas- obstructionist message from Republicans. They had almost 8 years to fix health care, do you really think they have any ideas of their own?

All they do is protect the insurance Co.s who line their pockets come reelection time.

Just look who called DeMint a "national hero"- the CEO of Kaiser-Permenente. BTW I wonder how his pr stunt "hunger strike" is going.

The #1 thing that would decrease costs is a public option... So I'm sure Enzi will support it.

If he's so concerned about our finances, where was he when we were marching to war in Iraq while cutting taxes?

Sorry but the voters wanted something different than you have been offering and single payer non-profit health care for all american citizens is what WE want. We, you know, the WE who pays your salery, the WE you swore to defend and protect, the WE who have had enough of the lies, waste and stealing you have allowed to go on. The middle class has spoken and you better listen old man. Time to speed up the DEMOCRATIC process and give them a dose of the contract on Amerika they shoved down our throats with Newt and the gang. Take their course and make it a simple majority vote and pass everything, haelth reform, election reform, repeal the Reagan tax cuts, eliminate lobbiest money, green energy, to start with.

same old tactics. they are so trivia.
where is the gop alternate proposal?
fear and hate mongers!
so backward and play of the ignorant masses by injecting fear.aside hate,fear and bashing , whatelse does the party offer/

You know how i like my health care reform done? without republicans.

How ridiculous. The Democrats have put forth nothing that will result in rationing health care. Only the Republicans are opposed to equal access to health care. If the current status quo is maintained they will have achieved their aim of preventing equal access to health care for all Americans. They believe that only the rich should have unfettered access to health care. They believe that middle and low income Americans should eat dirt.
Not very nice of them!

The party of "no" strikes again. When they aren't making things up about imaginary "death panels" they are trying to scare old people about their medicare. They don't want government run health care because anything the government touches doesn't run right, but, oh wait, don't mess with medicare... Uh, wait... Medicare is a government run health care program. Whoops.

These scare tactics are tired. They were tired before the election and they are tired now. The litmus test for where health care reform should be going is in whatever direction the Republicans and the lobbyists for the insurance industry tell us not to go in. That's where we want to be.

The public option will drive down health care costs by creating competition. That is why the health care industry is fighting against it. That is why they are bussing protesters into town hall meetings to shout down debate.

Give us the public option now.

This self absorbing, non-starter opportunistic fool should cross the eisle and join his ilk – if they'll take him. He's sacrificing integrity because of the money and greed he has been handed by lobby groups. Healthcare will pass. The losers submitted in the election because we spoke out but they seem to still belch hot air. So, my fellow independents and dems, it is time for the kung fu grip. Let's go.

Dear GOP...it goes both ways. Please don't assume you have all the answers, because if you did then we'd never vote Democrat. Please don't assume that failure to adopt your idea means a failure overall.

You have an opportunity to show America you are no longer sore losers of an election you couldn't win. Offer real ideas and real solutions, not just criticism and blind faith in a political ideology that currently resides in Intensive Care.

In fact, consider your own health care when considering what you've denied 50 million Americans in favor of war.

Conservatives are opposed to this bill primarily for tactical advantage. They want this Administration to fail so they can return to power (They probably imagine that they will do a better job of running the nation when they once again control the government.)

Preventing Obama's health bill from passing will weaken his ability to lead. Passing a health care bill would make him stronger, which Conservatives cannot allow.

Now of course the middle and lower classes will suffer as a result of Conservative Republicans in Congress gumming up the works for selfish political advantage, but that is just collateral damage as far as Conservatives are concerned. They would rather rule a weak nation than help govern a strong one. Strong words, but they describe what I see.

One more tool of the health insurance lobby weighs in. Sigh. I really wish guys like this would just shut the hell up.

The health insurance system in this country is BROKEN. Rationing already takes place in the form of health insurance bean counters who routinely deny their clients needed care. People are afraid to leave their jobs if they have a pre-existing condition. Entrepreneurs find their monthly health insurance costs out of sight expensive, and with high deductibles.

Those of you who have good plans - good for you. But how about having some compassion for the millions of your fellow Americans who are getting screwed by this system? How about demanding more of your representatives and Senators, particularly the Republicans, who don't have answers to anything except to maintain this horrible status quo.

The debate for health care reform would not be taking place, if and if for one reason. That individuals can purchase health care coverage, just as employers do. The GOP will say that businesses should not be responsible for employee heath care benefits, or retirement funds.
Yet the GOP will not support laws to allow individuals the same access to Health care products as an employer. Nor will they support self directed 401K's. Like a communist regime if you want health care you have work for it, never mind if you can afford it or your employer does not offer it.

The only way the GOP wants you to access health care is like working for Chiquita Banana on the la funda, and only buying from the company store.

The only politicians who have EVER written a bill to come between families and their doctors were Republicans who decided that Terri Schiavo should live as a vegetable for the rest of her machined aided life. It is Republicans who consider themselves to know better than you yourself and your family do. Remind them that all men are created equal and tell them to vote for Single Payer.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: This issue is huge and it's red hot!. The insurance industry is waging war against The American People right now, by spending $1.4 million a day (of our money!!) to influence lawmakers to keep us hostage to their wasteful, for profit system. They insist we pay their high premiums and high deductibles while they decide whether they'll cover a medical procedure (or not) and all the while, they siphon off the cream for themselves. Sign up to one or more action groups, call your legislator, scream bloody murder, these vultures must go!

Enzi and his republican colleagues simply do not want to reform the health care system. His voice is meaningless to Americans, it represents the interests of the few who profit immensely from the system as it exists today. At best, Enzi is a liar.....in truth, he is a traitor to American ideals.

We know whose pocket this guy is in...the same pocket we will find most Democrats. If Obama really wanted healthcare, he would call these lies out and hold these people accountable. But, instead, he wants to make deals and keep the AMA, drug companies, and insurance companies happy by not "getting to the point." Obama is as much to blame as the crooked republicans for not making this happen. Oh, and btw – these town halls are a joke, and the people protesting are complete mindless, non-self thinking puppets. It's time to quit putting these corporate lackeys into office who call themselves public servants – politicians.

They are not "going it alone." There are millions of us out there that want and need health care reform. Stop telling lies and confusing people. We elected these people because they are better equipped than you to do this. Get out of the way!!

If these knuckleheads of the GOP are unwilling to address the foremost issues facing this country, why can't the government do away with Medicare and Social Security? This should settle the facing debts have to burden by the posterity of our country. No one lives forever, including old white men who professes the plan being put forth by the Democrats have no premises to go forward. If this call for getting the government out of the business of providing social programs, do away with them. Let nature take control back from these old white men, and let the addage of "survival of the fittest" kick back in, and let the those who have been fittest write up a new bill what will be free of old white men who think they know it all just like this knucklehead, Mike Enzi.

More Republican lies and deceit about health care reform. It was certainly okay with these Republican to drive this country into the ditch with the senseless war in Iraq but it is definitely "awful" for Congress to help Americans with their health care. Typical Republican hypocrisy and myopia!

How about this Mr. Enzi? You and all your hack buddies should have your coverage slashed, co-pays raised, etc. Then you'll feel what the rest of us REAL 'Mericans are feeling.

Hmm, I read that there are 100 plus Republican amendments in the House bill, and they STILL will vote against it. The truth is, they do not want to cover all Americans, in any manner. They would trash Medicare too, if they could get away with it! But it's Dems who are somehow the evil ones for trying to help all our citizens. Why do Republicans not bat an eyelash at sending 10 BILLION a month to Iraq, but can't see past the nose on their face to spending money on us?

Ah yes ... Another Repub looking for something for nothing..
I've got an idea ..... Lets make it illegal to accept bribes from Insurance Companies. That will cut the legs off of the Repubs who depend on the Insurance Company money for their reelection.

I believe that over 100 Republican amendments were added to the proposed bill. But on rationing....even if healthcare is not rationed to those without coverage the cost will bankrupt most of those people. Unless there is a payor covering the cost hospitals and other medical providers will bill the patient. You cannot enter a hospital or doctor's offic without signing a statement acknowledging you are responsible for any amounts not covered by insurance. You cannot obtain medications without paying up front. If you have a home and any savings they will be gone. And in today's world where jobs are lost everyday you never know when your coverage will be lost. Work together without this constant bitter accusation that the uninsured are somehow responsible for their plight. Unfortunately, we are not all born wealthy or lucky or have the opportunity to reach the top of the ladder.

Decent video, the problem is republicans have very little credibility on the health care issue. Before an elected official is allowed to speak we should know how much money they have received from insurance companies for political contributions. It's like asking a convicted felon to be a character witness in order to indict another criminal. There is something wrong with this picture.

How fitting. On the day that the "lion of the Senate" who has spent his entire political career fighting for affordable health care for ALL Americans, this BOZO wants to attack the President's current plan. All of the sudden, the Repugs want to claim that they have a plan that will rescue us? No thank you. We've had enough of your lies, fear-mongering, hate, and MORE LIES!

"In the GOP’s weekly radio and Internet address, Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming, said that a comprehensive health care reform bill should decrease costs and be deficit-neutral."

You are wrong, Mr. Enzi! It would be NICE if we can decrease costs and make it deficit-neutral, but the primary purpose of this bill is to ensure guaranteed health care access to all Americans. Any "amendment" without this included is nothing but a waste of debate and tax dollars.

Either get this through your head, Senator, or stop pretending to be offering "alternatives" to the Democrats' bills.

Typical Republican-the party of no. If they do not like the Democrats health plan then offer something else. Instead the republicans offer no as their solution. At town hall meetings they shout down those who support health. At some town hall meetings republican supporters show up with guns. What fools.

Thank you! Our country does not need any more financial debt. Our elected officials need to start listening to their constituents. The public is angry NOT because we were told by one organization or another to be angry, we are angry because of this incessant spending spree that is happening. Our country is being sold out beneath us and it may not even exist for our children or grandchildren as the United States of America at this rate. Take a look at who owns out debt.... this country is never going to be able to pay its way at at this rate of spending....... This has got to stop! Fix the parts that are broken... the whole system is not broken!!!

I am extremely sick and tired of the republicans and their lies! Enough of them, the whole GeeOhPee needs to go far far away, maybe their own little island that they can destroy all by themselves with their lies and hate and negativity!

I think many of us will be transformed in this period. We want our fellowman to be in good health, have good healthcare, and yet we don't want our country to be so burdened by the high cost of healthcare. Many of us will find alternative ways of healing ourselves, help our fellowman to have good healthcare and yet dont' burden our country and future generations. This could be the impetus for us to break free of our dependency on our 'healthcare system'. We will change our 'dependency' consciousness to one of 'master/creator' consciousness and help heal ourselves and our universe.

This guy, has got to be kidding. I hope the democratic party proceeds against the party of no. If the party of no wants bipartisanship, it will have to start with them. Healthcare is to important for the repubs to play with. They had 8 yrs under Bush to give us some reform and 12 years under Reagan and we got nothing. Now is not the time to continue funding the repubs insurance buddies. Now is the time to work for the American people. GIVE US GOOD HEALTHCARE REFORM !!!

Ah, I get it. So the health reform effort would deny care to people with disabilities unlike private insurance companies that so warmly welcome people with pre-existing conditions. And Republicans are actually the great defenders of Medicare after once warning us that the Medicare Act would destroy freedom as we know it, take us on the path to totalitarian socialism, and desecrate the doctor/patient relationship.

OK, it all clear now, Senator Enzi. For a while there I was worried that that your position on health care was dictated by corporate interests and your obstructionism by your party's electoral ambitions next November.

RIP, Senator Kennedy.

The republicans just keep putting out noise and can not stand that they are the minority so there tactic to be heard is go negative even though this is why the Americans elected Obama.

He is speaking the setiments of MANY people in this nation.....
the consensus is we do need health care for all...the division is the way in which to do it.. It light of it's impact long term this should also be inclusive of both parties which is repensenative of ALL peoples of America.

CNN could you highlight some of the admendments put forth by the Pubs??

Let the uninsured fill our emergency room. Our better yet let them get sick and died. Republican have no moral feeling if you dont have money.

Newsflash! Health care rationing is what private corporations are doing right now! They take your premiums and then their bureaucrats deny you coverage if you fall ill, declaring it somekind of pre-existing condition. Oh, and yes, they use your money to pay for somebody else's abortion too! (I bet you never checked your own insurance company doing that!) That's what we have NOW! That's why we need the reform! And so far republicans came up only with half-ideas, most of which were verbatim stolen from Obama's health plan, but they now claim as their own.

at this point, i will take any story, any story... besides the kennedy funeral. i mean, i understand the man deserves some respect, he was a kennedy, brother of jfk, and a senator for a very long time, but good grief. he was not a GOD. lets get some perspective. it is almost like this a liberal, obama, left wing thing and not a personal loss grief, national thing. what is going on?

Is anyone else getting tired of these guys repeating over and over the same talking points provided to them by the insurance industry?

I can not believe that any American loving American would elect such a joke as Obama for President. It is just a shame that if this Monster is passed that it would only effect the fools that are for it.

It's a good thing nobody understands math, or logic these days. First republicans denounce government interference in health care and they say it costs too much. Then they rally around Medicare, a government run program saying we should increase funding for it. Oh, and btw, factcheck.org has already disproven the myth that democrats would decrease spending on Medicare. I urge you to read it!

Fact: This country should be embarassed by the current lack of HealthCare for ALL Americans. These elected officials should cut the crap and work together to make HealthCare the Right it should be. They all should be ashamed-playing Politics with people's Health. What do they have to lose-They have great HealthCare-but then, they are Elected-Down the road they just might themselves out of a Job-and up the creek..

The GOP is no longer a functioning party. It's commendable that Pres. Obama made efforts to try to include them, but it's clear that their twin agendas of destroying Obama and returning to power at all costs are incompatible with any sort of serious dialogue.

It's time to jettison the GOP altogether.

Where was the "voice" when W sent over 4000 of our young men to their death to kill the "man that wants to kill my daddy"? Plus the 10s of thousands that are maimed and will never again have a normal life.

How much health care could we have for the amount spent on that illegal war? How much are the Insurance Companies paying these jerks in the Right-wing-nut party?

Now here is a true lion of the Senate. Out there eating Ted's corpse before they could get him in the ground. I wish I lived in your state so I could vote against you – three or four times.

After what the Republicans have done in the past few years, I will never trust them again!

Just see how poorly they handled, and actually mishandled the stimulus money that was suppose to be allocated for NIH for research!!! They wasted it, were unable to review the proposals they received in a fair and objective manner, and they left the scientists wondering where did the rest of the money go when only 1% of the applications received were funded (only $200M of the promissed 8 or 10 billion!). And they want us to trust them with our healthcare system! Wow, our government is truly imploding!!!!

This is the first republican i have seen screaming and hollering for the voices of the majority of Americans.
We need a Republican who can stand up for us and not back down from the Democrates campaign of lies and deceit. We need a representive with backbone who doesn't care about being political correct,( which is a word made up by the left to suit their own agenda).And where is the investigation of ACORN and the comunist that Obama put in office. Somebody do something and quit worring about their political careers for a change

Another clueless right-wing hack........ who cares what he has to say. I mean, he's from Cheney country.

Mike Enzi is not telling the truth. He has no desire for any reform. he has confessed that his sole purpose was to slow down progress before the recess and he succeeded. However, i hope that he will not succeed in his goals of stopping reform. He is a hypocrite about deficit neutrality when he and other republicans cared not a wit about it in the Bush years. He is a beneficiary of the healthcare industry and he is a disciple of the Rush Limbaugh school of hoping President Obama fails at trying to provide healthcare for those of us that need it. Those of us that want to honor Senator Kennedy and his work will fight for him and this reform.

Doesn't evidenced based research and practice trump fear and profit?

Mike Enzi is not telling the truth. He has no desire for any reform. he has confessed that his sole purpose was to slow down progress before the recess and he succeeded. However, i hope that he will not succeed in his goals of stopping reform. He is a hypocrite about deficit neutrality when he and other republicans cared not a wit about it in the Bush years. He is a beneficiary of the healthcare industry and he is a disciple of the Rush Limbaugh school of hoping President Obama fails at trying to provide healthcare for those of us that need it. Those of us that want to honor Senator Kennedy and h

Well, surprise, he is a liar.

One hundred sixteen of the Republikkan amendments have already been adopted into those bills.

They do not want health insurance reform.

Better duck Enzi. The train is coming!

Blah, blah , blah. Who is this guy and why is he trying to stop my healthcare? Honestly I am fed up with the party of No. No ideas, no clue and (hopefully) no votes.

Us Democrats must and will go it alone. The GOP has forever oposed anything that benefits average Americans, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, minimum wage increases, Veterans GI Bill, and on and on. And now they want to PRETEND that they care. Get real.

Sheesh, these liberals,huh? As Sen. Enzi says best, these Dems need to "reject the go-it-alone path that they are currently on.” I absolutely agree that what Congress should do instead is ignore the public mandate that got them sworn into office, listen to what a somewhat irrelevant Senator has to say from Wyoming, and accept every proposal he makes that is in fundamental disagreement with public health care reform. Unlike millions of Americans, he and his family's wealth would allow him to see a doctor in the event one of them falls ill or injured.

So when one party refuses to cast a single vote, won't have the discussion except through the sound byte oriented press, how can another party be anything but partisan?

Keep collecting your tax dollars, Mr. Enzi. A job well done.

Senator Enzi I don't like having to pay for your health care.Quite frankly siding with insurance companies who ration your care, rake you over the coals with high premiums only shows me that you severly lack character and backbone to stand up to the insurance industry. Spare me the budget deficit snow job. You had no problem spending money like a drunken sailor for the last 8 years. Democrats go it alone and pass health reform.

The Dems need to come back fighting. This needs to get done and it needs to get done now. Republicans have fought every fought everything from civil rights, to education reform, to medicare..........does anyone actually think they are going to go softly into that good night when it comes to health care. Come on Dems drag them kicking and screaming into the 21st century and do what you know is the right thing:
HEALTH CARE FOR ONE AND ALL!!!!

Why don't we reform medicare and medicade first and see how the reforms work and see all the great savings promised before we try to reform everyone's health care. The politicians demonizing health insurance companies and health care providers sometimes rightly so and some changes need to be made. But what about the scumbag ambulance chaseing trial lawyers. How come all the proposals so far don't include medical malpractice reform which could save over 150 billion a year. What is more important the campaign contributions from the trial bar or American taxpayers. So far I don't like the answer.

Until such a time comes that we can legally force others to live healthy lifestyles to the degree we can collectively manage health care costs....it is grossly unfair for people living in a healthy manner, by choice, to pay for the self-destruction of others.

Sounds like another loser Repub whining again. Why does anyone pay any attention to these whiners when they propose nothing except their failed ideas?

They even whine in unison without ever coming up with anything new. I guess the Repubs need a leader, any leader, since they obviously have none.

Every republican should be ashamed of the scare tactics that they are using to scare the elderly and the rest of the americans.......if all you have is FEAR and SCARE as your solutions to the Health Care Issue then you need to be voted out of office and the GOP needs to ROT into non existance...........

Yawn, again a typical Republican slant, shooting down whatever the Dems try to propose, criticising without offering concrete solutions in return and making sure finances are the number one concern, not healthcare. If the GOP had all the answers, why haven't they done anything themselves before now? Because their priority lie in business, BIG business. This partisanship (from both sides) is the reason nothing meaningful will ever get accomplished and the staus quo will continue to drag down the country, to the extent that even the most fervent flag waiver will be forced to acknowledge.

This is the same CLOWN that voted for Bush 98% of the time. How did that work out for us?

Abolish Medicare. NOW!!!

The GOP has just about ruined this country during the rotten Bush years and these pathetic morons STILL DO NOT GET IT.

SHUT HIM UP

I dare you to promote negativity about health care on our day of mourning for Teddy Kennedy. You Republicans are so PATHETIC.

"Enzi also said that his colleagues in the Senate have put forth amendments that would 'protect Americans by prohibiting the rationing of their health care.' "

Health care is already rationed. Some people should get it and other people don't. And Enzi wants to continue rationing health care, even as he plays word games.

NOT allowing all Americans access to health care is an especially slow and cruel form of EUTHANASIA. Funny how Republicans like Enzi support such barbarous practices.

In Mike Enzi's Americans, not only are some denied coverage, even people who work their entire lives can lose everything due to one illness.

Mike Enzi thinks that fair. I think Mike Enzi's position sucks.

Enzi, get off the fence. Eliminate socialized healthcare. Abolish Medicare NOW!! If we can't have it, old folks (who oppose socialized healthcare) can't have it either!

The Enzi position is:

1) Let the insurance companies and hospital corporations continue to rake in billions in profits that will drive Medicare bankrupt; let's do NOTHING.

2) Let Americans continue to lose their health insurance when they lose their jobs and when they change jobs; let's do NOTHING.

3) Let many Americans go without health care altogether, which is a form of euthanasia; let's do NOTHING.

In a word, Enzi's position is the same as that of ALL Republicans, let's do NOTHING.

Pathetic, Mr. Enzi, pathetic.

President Obama, don't let them derail you. You made this campaign promise in your election. Many people have voted for you because of this. It's not the 'go it alone'. You simply fulfill your promise, and the Republicans are not on board, so if you have to go it alone – then do it. You have the support of the people.

Senator – then come up with something better. Even yet, why has it taken you and your colleagues so long to even address this(and I mean both sides of the aisle)? Such a shame that after all these years, health care for all Americans hais taking so long to become a reality – it only reforces my belief that in reality, the majority of you (not all) could care less about the average American. Glad that your health care plan as part of Congress gives you such comfort – too bac]d that it can't be extended to all Americans.

Very bad timing. tasteless.

You couldn't wait one day?

It has been tried and failed , so now is the time to cut the Republicans loose and for the Democrats to go it alone. It is more important that a good bill get passed than a bill that has been so compromised that it no longer makes sense. And for all those so called "democrats" in republican clothing either switch sides or get on the band wagon. No matter what, Health care is going to cost us. We either pay for it and get something for it or we let it get out of controll cost us more and we get nothing but larger bills.

That is, "I'm so deep into the pockets of the health insurance companies, Pharma, and hospitals, that I'll say anything to derail any chance of health reform actually becoming law."

For all of their talk about "values," the GOP and their DINO co-conspirators are the most unprincipled bunch of politicians to come down the pike in a good while.

To the President and our gov't officials. We should solved our economic problem first before we go to the next one. Its all good, if we have the money. How can we cure a headache when our stomach is grouling.

Where where these "fiscal conservatives" when we spent trillions under the Bush years on the war and failed to pay for it by giving tax cuts to the wealthy? War =OK, Health care for our citizens= Not OK?

Republicans must have a lot of stock in insurance companies because they sure don't have any concern for the welfare of average Americans. This speech probably had Ted Kennedy turning in his grave before he was laid to rest.

Sir,

Take a leaf from Sen Kennedy's life. Go out and do something beneficial to humans instead of blocking health care for the poorest and least among us!!!!!! Stop spreading lies and deceitful interpretations of the health bills.

JBM

The AARP says that the democrats plan will make medicare stronger by passing health care reform. The republicans will use anything to scare seniors. That is all that got. It is sad that the party of no has no ideas of thier own so they have to tear down the democrats plan.

And what do we tell our citizens who do not have coverage? Foreclosure? Bankruptcy? Does anyone think uninsured citizens will save us money?

Universal health care for our citizens. Now is the time.

Another Republican Joke with a mouth

When are you Republicans going to start earning the pay WE THE PEOPLE elected you for

Wasting time criticizing our great president WITH YOUR LIES, is not what I would call constructive efforts

GET TO WORK YOU LAZY BUMS ...!!!!!!!!!

How do you know when a Republican is lying?

His lips are moving.

To Senators on both sides of the aisle, I hope that the gifts from K Street are worth selling your integrity for.

so much for Rethuglicans waiting to spread lies on health care... Teddy's body is barely cold and they're at it again. how disgusting!

Yawn. I've all but stopped commenting on healthcare until now. If the people of this country want to listen to the people who got us in this economic turmoil, my only statement consits of the following:

Do not whine about insurance companies or the cost of healthcare. Accept it, and move on.

The Elephants just don't get it. On a day where there's no place for political rhetoric, especially as it might apply to health care – the life's work of Senator Kennedy, the see the need to plow ahead with bashing the Democratic party's efforts to change.

What a slap in the face to our senior citizens. The democrats should be ashamed of themselves.......raiding medicare to buy votes.

how classy on the day Edward Kennedy is laid to rest