Lieberman: Doing nothing better than a public option
Washington (CNN) - Sen. Joe Lieberman said Sunday that America would be better off with no health care bill instead of one that includes a government-run public health insurance option.
Speaking on the CBS program "Face the Nation," Lieberman said he would use whatever power he has to prevent passage of a health care bill with a public option.
However, the independent from Connecticut who sits with the Democratic caucus reaffirmed he will support starting Senate debate on a bill that includes a public option. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, says he will bring such a measure to the floor coming weeks.
Lieberman said that, if the bill still contains a public option when it comes time to close the debate, he would filibuster to prevent a final vote.
The Senate's Republican minority has promised a filibuster, and Lieberman would give the GOP enough votes to succeed in blocking the bill.
Lieberman is a scumbag traitor who needs to lose what ever power he ever had. Stumping for McCain and Airhead at the RNC, threatnening to filibuster the health care that millions of Americans need, he should be tarred feathered and run out on a rail.
He's doing this because he knows he can't be and never will be president. It's all power trip. Lieberman is drunk with power and thinks his status as a so'called "independent" givse him absolute power over both parties. Well, time for more independents to kick the old bastard out. If you lie with the wolves and the lions at some point they will kill you or eat you alive or both. His political career is at the end of its rope.
If there was ever a "paid for" politician, this is certainly the guy. He all for Joe and no one else. I cannot believe the people of Connecticut keep electing this guy.
Annoyed American, what a CROCK!
You know what my parents did when I needed a check-up in the years when almost no one had health insurance, and if they did, it was to cover hospitalization only? THEY PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS AND PAID FOR ONE!
Maybe Johnny's parents could forego the 2 liter pepsi, the cigarettes, the lottery tickets, the beer, the doritos, and the cable TV and actually take care of their kids for a change!
why do so many people think that goverment is giving us health insurance for free. We will still pay only it will be more affordable than private. Also you don't have to buy into it.
Lets get people insured so our hospitals are not suffering the loss of revenues when uninsured are unable to pay the bill.
People are dying in this great country of ours because they can't afford to go to the doctor.
Are we really different than third world countries?
America is helping all these countries that are less fortunate than us but look around and see how bad things are here.
Charity starts at home.
You proponents of government run health care remind me of Wimpy from Popeye, who was always only too glad to, "Pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." Once the government takes control of 16% of the total federal budget, there is no end to the possibilities of taking further control and managing other aspects of our life. Great job on the H1N1 vaccine, Barry. How's that workin' out for you?
Wow a man with principles and a brain. Goverment destroys everything it touches.
This is a bogus rebellion driven by political talk show entertainers like Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, and O'Reilly. The country is moving towards the center and the GOP is moving further to the right.
Let me get this straight.
Without a "public option". the plan is simply to force all Americans to purchase health insurance or to be fined?
And some new government agency would be established at taxpayer expense to enforce this?
And the politicians have spent how many months working on this?
And not one of these politicians are will ing to give up their own gold-standard health insurance policies that are paid for by taxpayers?
Wouldn't the solution simply be to regulate the insurance industry itself?
If the government can regulate certain other industries, they should be able to regulate the insurance industry.
Best solution. Shelve health care reform until and unless the cost to the taxpayer is less with reform than more, as it seems to now be the case.
The argument that people are forced to purchase auto insurance doesn't hold up simply because no one is forced to drive. And if you don't drive, you don't have to purchase insurance.No one would dream of asking their employer to cover their auto insurance – why should employers cover health insurance? Why should the government, via the taxpayers, cover health insurance for government employees?
Let's rethink the entire insurance puzzle.
If he filbusters, Lieberman should be stripped of every leadership position he holds.
JOE LIEBERMAN IS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE MAN. How could anybody say that NO healthcare is better than a public option??? Republicans make me ill!
You don't hear Liberman talk abou the $1600 premiums for families. and how the insurance cartel owns good ol Joe.
May God have mercy on each one of us !
No Lieberman in Congress is better than a lying traitor to the American people – kick Lieberman out of the Caucus and take away his committee chairmanship. He cannot be trusted on any level on any issue. His Senate career is over!
Spoken like a true republican, no help or concern for those less fortunate.
You moneychangers, just keep counting the golden coins, your day of reckoning will be soon enough.
Psst, I do not think all your money will help when that day comes, seams i recall from the Holy Book of Fables, so as you do unto the least of those, you do unto Mei
Good luck explaining your rabid hatred of those who cannot help themselves, say the unemployed with no health insurance, or the dishwasher that makes 200 buck a week and cannot afford healthcare.
Try explaining then, that you thought it would destroy private insurance companies.
I bet that excuse, nor you will ever fly!
Larry S – I believe in taking care of the less fortunate people. It is important in a society (and also in the Bible). I give to charity and pay my taxes (which will be going up based upon my income – which is a result of my hard work and a functioning legal and economic system which is provided in part by our government). Does that make me a low life?
If the government is less efficient that the insurance companies, the insurance companies have nothing to worry about with a public option. If the government is more efficient than the insurance companies, should we be supporting inefficient industry by limiting competition?
He's a bum and hopefully connecticut will realize this in the next election. The truth is that this HC bill is useless WITHOUT a public option. Lieberman has sold out to the right and America will suffer as a result.
Shame on you, Joe Lieberman. I hope the people of Connecticut wake up and kick you out of office.
That's fine Joe. If you are worried about deficits, lets cut our support of Israel and not get involved with Iran. Sen Lieberman can care less about Americans. He supports outrageous wars for the benefit of Israel. Our soldiers blood, our national treasure is an inconsequence for this corrupt official.
This is of course coming from a pol who,
1) along with his wife, has received great financial benefit and is in their pocket
2) is going against the clear wishes of his constituents (recent polls), and
3) couldn't care less about everyday people.
OMG this guy was almost our VP, he turned out to be a real bozo.
Spoken like a man with great health insurance!
I wonder how much the insurance companies have contributed to his campaign.
The public option would enable fair competition if the private insurers became legally entitled to print money to cover their costs too. As it stands now, the public option becomes a cancer on the best healthcare system in the world.
Let him give up HIS government-run healthcare coverage and THEN he can have a valid opinion.
He talks like a republican, he votes like a republican, he supports the republicans then he must be a republican.......they don't care if the rest of American has Health Care or not.........Democrats get rid of him......