I want a pony and I want it now.

[walldude]

My pony is called health care. My family has managed for the last 8 years to survive without it. Of course try living with the stress of not knowing if today is the day your kid or wife might need medical attention and you will end up completely broke. Every day for 8 years.

It happened once already. My wife had chest pains, and we went to the emergency room. 4 hours and ten thousand dollars later it turned out to be bad gas. I am still paying that bill and will be for another year.

We have a problem in my family. Health Barons call it "pre existing conditions". My wife has heart disease, I have a son with autism and an adopted son with MD. They won't insure us at any price. Why would they, sick people don't deserve health care. Right? There's no money in insuring people who need it. Fuck the sick people.

Politicians sit there with the best free health health care my money can buy them and talk about how terrible it would be "having a bureaucrat between me and my doctor", frankly I'd just like to have a fucking doctor. Oh but my family having a doctor might keep the CEO of some HMO from getting his gold faucets for his fucking yacht. Can't have that.

Thats right, wanting health care and wanting it now because tomorrow could be the day that my wife has a heart attack or one of my kids breaks a leg, is a bad thing. I should just shut up and be happy to wait two more years for Obama and the Democrats to pull their collective heads out of their fucking asses and fix the health care industry.

You know what? I'm so fucking done it's not even funny. I sit here and watch these people that I went to bat for, that I gave my money and time to, that I helped get elected, shit all over me. Guess what, there will be no more money, no more time, and no more support for you from me. I have been burned for the last time.

Yeah and you holier than thou's who think I should be more than happy to wait for Obama to finish his chess game might want to think about what it's like to go another day wondering if it will be the one where you will visit the emergency room and head straight to bankruptcy. Try living with that for a few years then come back and tell my how I am just a whiner who wants his pony and wants it now.
Goddamn fucking right I want it now. Tomorrow might be too late.

[peace frog]

1. We want the world and we want it, now

Now? Now!


Carry on.

[Echo In Light]

16. Ha..yes, but w/Morrison there was conviction. He was also right when he'd tell the crowd they'd eat

...shit if he told em to. Well, corporate America is telling the people how it's going to be, and the populace is diametrically opposed to "We want the world and we want it NOW."

Open beer, turn on TV, watch and/or play sports, compete to be socially cool, climb that ladder, etc ... see, with obedient dipshits like that, who've adopted corporate "values" as their own, "We want the world and we want it NOW" will never occur here. Just how corporate America wants it.

[peace frog]

17. But of course

the want doesn't change merely because it is opposed. We will oppose the opposition, right to the end.

[pocoloco]

60. Got insurance??

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. K&R

:applause:

[Raster]

3. Your words speak volumes.

:kick:

[Hydra]

4. Obama came in with several strong mandates

And a CRIPPLED GOP.

I know the Insurance Industry is standing in the way, but Obama is standing on the strongest possible ground to confront them. He needs to do it, or he needs to say openly that Corp Profits are more important than people.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. I think he is saying exactly that, without saying it openly. Actions speak louder than words.

[Hydra]

10. Oh, I'm definitely in camp of "watching actions"

But one of these days, I want a President other than the unelected GWB to tell us that this is a Corporate Nation(Fascism), and that we the people don't matter...I'm tired of seeing it done by what ISN'T done.

[Raster]

9. There is NO BETTER TIME to push single payer healthcare forward.

We stand at a crossroads: we can change the sorry state of healthcare in this country or we can pander to the status quo. Dressing up the status quo to make it more palatable to the citizenry is still lipstick on the pig. One fact remains: to provide competent, fair healthcare to every citizen of this country, the parasitic healthcare "for profit" insurance companies must go. They have fed upon for far too long.

[bluedawg12]

6. Health Care can't wait - I agree totally. n/t

[SPedigrees]

7. Welcome to the world of health insurance denial. It's an American tradition.

May luck be with you and your family. We Americans are all at the mercy of luck because our safety net is in tatters.

[livvy]

8. K&R from me, too. Excellent! n/t

[snappyturtle]

11. K&R We, too, live with your same fear. Some days it doesn't bother me

as much as others but the nights I lie awake thinking about it are a different story.

[walldude]

20. Yep it's those last moments before sleep when things really haunt you

Hang in there, it's all we can do :toast:

[snappyturtle]

25. Oh, we're hanging in there hoping for a time when we can quit

worrying about it.

[Jakes Progress]

12. But, but... I've got health insurance.

If you get it too, it might mean I'm not so special or it might even mean that I have to (shudder) share.

So I will just keep on telling you to wait and making fun of your for protesting. I feel great, so why should I care about you? I've got my health insurance, I'm straight, I have my pony, and I love my pom poms.

(Please don't make me put the sarcasm thingee on this.)

[JHB]

36. I'm not missing your sarcasm, but...

...your Mr. Pom-Pom Lover needs to be sat down with a copy of Sicko!, and other stories of people who did have insurance, but they were denied care anyway, or dumped for (alleged) pre-existing conditions.

[SammyWinstonJack]

54. Some are so clueless, thinking it will never happen to them...until it does.

Then they scream the loudest of all.

[unapatriciated]

75. yep, and I was one that was denied and put into debt big time.

When my son firs became ill in the Summer of 1990, the hmo docs refused to do needed testing, (that I requested) said I was over-reacting. They said my son's muscle pains were nothing more than "growing pains". His rashes were due to the detergent I was using.
When I informed them of a family history of Lupus they said I was over-reacting. The head of pediatrics patted me on the hand and said "quit playing detective, you be the mom and I'll be the doctor". By December my son's "growing pains" had made him so weak he could not get out of bed without help and the rashes (isolated to joints and eyelids) had not improved with change of detergent or their topical creams. It took a threat of a malpractice suit for them to do a simple blood test, that showed I was a better detective (and mom) than he was a doctor. After the lab test came back positive indicating Systemic Lupus it took four days to get a referral to Children's Los Angeles. Children's did more definitive test and diagnosed him with Dermatomyositis.
That's when the fun began. Children's was out of network, yet my insurance company did not have any participating doctors who even knew what Dermatomyositis was let alone treat it.
I spent the next 15 years fighting Blue Cross of California. It cost me my job, home, marriage, almost my son and left me in debt big time

[AllyCat]

102. Hugs to you. I'm so sorry your family has had to go through this madness

[unapatriciated]

121. Thank You

My son (31 years old now) is disabled but has been well enough to attend part time The Art Institute of San Francisco for the past three years.
He has met a wonderful woman, who has been with him for the last eight years.
I'm finally out of debt but still send my son money to cover cost medi-cal doesn't pay for (He just lost dental and eye coverage, Ca is broke so the poor and disabled are the first to lose benefits) and will be working forever to continue to do so.
I'm now married to a wonderful man who has no problem helping me with my son's health care cost.
So I have it better than most who suffered at the hands of the Insurance Industry.
I have been an advocate of Single Payer, Universal Health Care since 1991. Hopefully we will take the bold steps needed to put in place.
The least we can do is put a public health plan in place to give us a choice.

[Jakes Progress]

105. So true.

But they won't believe until it does happen to them. They will still fuss about single payer if they think it means they won't be covered even though they really aren't covered. Their insurance company wouldn't blink an eye or risk one cent of their indecent profits to save their life if they weren't forced to. We don't need the insurance companies deciding what our doctors should decide. (There is enough trouble just with the doctors.)

[eridani]

110. Unfortunately, the chances are only 15 out of 100 that something serious will happen to them

5% of the population accounts for half of all health care costs, and 15% for 85% of all costs. The other 85% will not need expensive health, and many don't give a shit about those who will. Even though they have to pay taxes for the fire department despite it not being likely they will ever use it.

[lostnfound]

118. And even though they'll spend a trillion dollars on a war..

even though they are never going to get an oil contract or their very own profit-by-fraud mega-opportunity.

[Eyerish]

13. K&R

Well said!

[walldude]

14. ick

[kentuck]

15. It's extortion...

by the insurance companies. Plain and simple.

[newtothegame]

18. Don't worry...his inter-galactic chess victory will come to fruition..

when the stars align. How can we little people possibly understand a chess game on this scale? It's all part of his master plan! It'll happen!

[kenfrequed]

21. And if we are nice and happy...

And good boys and girls and don't complain, or ask for anything, or criticize, or post anything negative or demanding, maybe....just maybe... we might get a little smidge of single payer option in our stockings, that will be underfunded and a dumping ground for everyone the insurance company dumps in their mad dash for more profits.

[SammyWinstonJack]

128. +1

:spray: :evilgrin:

[JNelson6563]

19. You've had much stress and difficulty.

And still do. So very sorry to hear of it, as so often happens, I wish I had a boatload of money so I could help you directly. :hug:

My best to you and yours.

Julie--also without insurance of any kind

[Political Tiger]

22. You had health care prior to the last 8 years? n/t

[walldude]

34. Yes but when I became self employed I couldn't get it anymore.

At any price.

[wolfgangmo]

40. We are in the same boat.

It may surprise many of you to learn this but many primary care physicians practices do not have insurance to cover their own families or employees. We just can't afford it.

And if we can't afford it, then who can without a corporate overlord?

[eridani]

112. The former chair of WA Health Care for All moved to New Zealand for that reason

She was the only MD psychiatrist in the state who would take on poor drug abusers. First she gave up her car and moved to an apartment close to her clinic. When she finally could not afford to pay for her own health care, she moved to a country that was happy to pay for it in return for her excellent qualifications.

[susanr516]

76. So true, walldude

My son could make twice the money as a contractor, but he couldn't obtain health insurance for my autistic grandson, at any price.

[noiretextatique]

23. that not a pony...a pony is a frivilous luxury

health care is a right. as soon as our lawmakers stop kissing the collective ass of the insurance industry, maybe the right will be recognized.

[flvegan]

24. The health/pharma industries are clutching tightly to their receipts

that they got in return for their bought and paid for congresscritters.

I agree with you, and you, like all Americans, deserve the same health care our elected officials have.

But oh well, we have oil rich countries to occupy while we chase imaginary terrorists, spending hundreds of billions along the way. We have pot smokers to chase down and incarcerate. We have to bow to our corporate overlords.

[Chorophyll]

26. K&R!!!

:applause:

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. You are not the only one feeling that way

we need single payer health care right now

And I know how you feel


IF my hubby didn't retire from the Navy and I made sure we paid our dues... we are uninsurable in the private sector too.

I want what I have available to everybody.. AT THE VERY LEAST.

[lumberjack_jeff]

28. Your kids

Are your kids on CHIP or SCHIP?

In my state, your kids would probably be eligible for "Children with special healthcare needs" which entitles them to an open Medicare coupon.

[walldude]

33. Nope make too much money. Once I went into business for myself

and became successful I fell into this little hole where I make too much to get aid but have too many sick people in my family to get insurance. The Muscular Dystrophy Association takes care of my son's MD needs but thats it. My kids pediatrician works on a sliding scale with us so that helps but we don't do regular visits anymore. Just when someone is sick.

[damntexdem]

29. Well, with all the horse manure the health insurers put out ...

there must be a pony in here somewhere, right?

[Uncle Joe]

44. I believe the only thing anyone will find in there is a Pale Horse.

Thanks to walldude for the thread.

[defendandprotect]

30. MEDICARE FOR ALL --

If that's "socialism" . . . bring it on!!!

[pnwmom]

31. You don't want a pony, you want breakfast.

You want -- and deserve -- something that's basic to being healthy.

[sam kane]

32. Wow. Really well written walldude.

I think that you should write a version for the newspapers, etc. and send it everywhere.

Please.

I hope that something fabulous happens for your family. If I win the lottery, I'm giving you all a cut.

[Buns_of_Fire]

67. Damn straight! Write it up, and send it near and far!

One misstep, one hole that wasn't seen in time, one slip of the kitchen knife, one virus that thinks you're an appropriate host, one hardening artery, and it's financial catastrophe time for many of us.

I suppose if it was 1609, I'd accept that as my lot in life. But it's not. It's 2009, in the so-called Greatest Economy on Earth, and it chaps me raw to know that wastes of oxygen like David Vitter have the government (us) take care of him when he's chapped raw (from too many unchanged diapers, I suppose).

Right now, unless I see something to change my mind, I've just about had it with the lot of them. I wish you and yours good luck.

[dysfunctional press]

35. we will HAVE to march on washington, en masse.

that is the ONLY way that we will get their attention. 'our' government is actually bought and paid for by the corporati and the oligarchs. they will NOT respond to us, without a strong show of force.
it just WON'T happen. mark my words.

[closeupready]

37. Amen. I am TOTALLY with you, walldude.

Justice delayed is justice denied, fuck the chess game. :mad:

[Richardo]

38. I hope he shits rainbows for you

'Cause you're not getting anything from anybody now. Not even the sainted Dennis Kucinich, with the benevolent grace of Amy Goodman, can get you health care now

So who's next in the DU pity parade?

[wolfgangmo]

39. Every year I get hit up by the dems (the repubs have stopped trying)

I will only give to those who support single payer. I am sending out a check today to a deserving local dem here in Minnesota.

The federal dems. Fuggedaboutit. Unless they do the right thing here then I am done. No more time. No more money. No more.

I run a small primary care clinic and we see the effects of no health insurance every day. It breaks the heart to see people trying to decide between a life saving therapy or rent. Prescriptions or food. Their family or their families house.

It ain't right. And the people are not the only ones fed up with private insurances bull shit. I could tell you stories about insurance companies that would turn your hair white and cause your balls (assuming you have them) to shrivel up to the size of raisins. It ain't right.

Single payer now congress. Do the right thing or get out of the way. For once in your lives ignore what the lobbiest are telling you and do the right thing. If you do that, we, the people, will have your back.

[eridani]

113. I was called by DSCC for a donation today

I told them no fucking way until the Senate puts single payer on the table, or at the very least a strong public option.

[mike_c]

41. kicked and recommended-- what an excellent post!

I want my pony too. Dammit, I want a whole HERD of ponies, and every one of them is necessary and vital. From foreign policy, to the wars, to economic policy reform, to health care reform, to civil rights-- I'm bloody well tired of politicians playing games rather than representing our interests.

Thank you for posting your story and putting one such "pony" into personal perspective!

[enigmatic]

42. Great post

:thumbsup:

[QC]

43. LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!1!1!!!!1

[Terran]

45. So well said.

It's kind of how I feel about same-sex marriage, but the economic issues there pale in comparison. Best of luck to you, and to us all.

[abq e streeter]

46. very moving and powerful---thank you

you reading this, democratic "leaders'? oops--guess we know the answer to that...but hope springs eternal ...maybe some of them are beginning to "get it" (?)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

47. i support your pony

[Solly Mack]

48. K&R

[debunkthelies]

49. DAMM SKIPPY!!!

:toast: :bounce: :bounce: :kick: :headbang: :yourock:

[Kermitt Gribble]

50. K&R!!

[Individualist]

51. I also want a pony

Its name is accountability for torture. Turning a blind eye to criminality encourages more criminality.

[demodonkey]

115. You think going without healthcare isn't TORTURE? Try it some time.

I'm sorry for the people who were tortured in other countries, but because we as a nation don't have the human decency to provide all our citizens with healthcare, people are being tortured and dying, right here in the USA every day. To me that's more urgent.

The constant barrage of bills, the hounding, the fear that you will lose your home and family, the worry that your family member will die... talk about extreme emotional distress! One of the very definitions of "torture" and this is how those of us with no or not enough healthcare have to live. Day in and day out.

I don't want a pony, I want a Clydesdale. NOW.

[JuniperLea]

52. K&R, 'Dude...

I don't even want to think about what all this stress is doing to you... your family needs a break! Jeez... all the people fighting against reform need their heads examined... and if they had a conscience, they would feel guilty about their lying.

[walldude]

68. It was much easier to deal with before they dangled a carrot in front of our faces

and then had to watch and listen as Dem and Repuke alike talk about insurance companies like they were more important than people.

[SammyWinstonJack]

130. Dangled a carrot in front of our faces that was already half eaten by the insurance companies.

[JuniperLea]

154. New (to me) petition this morning...

This is the first concerted effort I've seen by anyone to actually try to force the issue.

http://www.citizensforapublicoption.com/

The argument that single payer health care would be too inexpensive and it would put the insurance companies out of business is ridiculous. It's obvious most of us would like to get the insurance companies out of the loop, and out of our doctor visits too. They haven't made sound decisions with regard to the health of their customers. Yes, customers, not patients... insurance is an industry... like automotive or construction.

[shireen]

53. you are right: Tomorrow IS TOO LATE.

this isn't some abstract concept or a Second Life situation. Real lives are at stake. Real people are getting needlessly sick. Real people are dying.
I'm with the OP, totally agree. Obama needs to get his act together and do what's right. Enough!

[Dawgs]

55. When has anyone ever mocked another DUer for wanting healthcare as soon as possible?

I've seen the 'pony' remark be used for other issues, but never for healthcare.

Do you have an example?

[walldude]

65. Look down the thread there are a few right here.

[Barbarien]

56. Ponies playing chess

First of all, my heart goes out to the OP for the cruel situation in which his family finds itself. The family has no health insurance and cannot obtain any. The reason? Because the family actually NEEDS health insurance. But as we all know, having a need for health insurance is the surest way to be denied health insurance. This is all the result of America's commodification of health. Health insurance and the medical care for which it pays are simply consumer goods to be sold to the highest bidder with the objective of ensuring that insurance companies maximize their profits Thus, those who are both healthy and wealthy can get insurance, precisely because they are least likely to need it.

I would hope that the OP will not be greeted by the usual chorus of apologies that seem to come whenever anyone expresses disappointment with Obama and the congressional Democrats. You know, the snide comments about "wanting a pony" or about how the complaining party is too stupid to understand the complex game of chess that Obama is playing. Maybe, just maybe, those people will be able to see the fundamental injustice of the OP's situation and call the Democrats' vacillation and equivocation on this issue what they are -- political cowardice and the elevation of monied interests over the needs of their constituents.

Like the OP, I'm done.

[Skittles]

94. great response, Barbarien

welcome to DU :thumbsup:

[SammyWinstonJack]

132. Ponies play chess. Love it!

:spray: :evilgrin: :thumbsup: :yourock:

[bc3000]

57. I'm putting off bankruptcy

I'm hoping some sort of health care gets passed first. I don't want to declare bankruptcy and then have a health issue that puts me right back into debt. I spent a few hours in the emergency room for a kidney stone a few months back and the bills are close to $10,000. I had to laugh. But if I had any intention of paying it I wouldn't be laughing.

[Riverman]

58. Me Too, Can't Wait, both adult Children in Danger!

My son who was born with a rare genetic kidney disease and so will not be able to get "health insurance" when he turn 25 in a few years. My daughter burdened with Sallie Mae loans and working more than full-time for four years - has no employer provided "health insurance," nor sufficient income to buy personal health insurance, and no dental coverage!

This is personal Mr. President and members of Congress! The anger in the country is palpable! The polls at 70-75% supporting some kind of public option should be sufficient cover for you to stand with the American people and not the global corporations - specifically health insurance and pharmacuetical corporations, who finance your campaigns while we - the American people pay for medical treament for you and your families! We cannot wait any longer!

Single-Payer medical treatment - NOT "Health Insurance" is what is desperately needed now. The economy will completely collapse without it! Businesses can no longer to fund employer-paid health insurance. Free-up that capital to create jobs, provide better incomes to working families who can buy the things we need. THAT WILL STIMULATE THE ECONOMY, RIGHT?

Single-Payer medical treatment WILL be implemented in the United States, sooner or later. Better be sooner!~

[treestar]

59. I am self employed and have to pay for my own health care

All I have is coverage for a possible disaster. I pay for routine stuff out of pocket, since the deductible is no where near.

But I'm not whining and cursing about it right now or blaming anybody. Maybe a little annoyed with the voters who put Repukes and Conservatives Dems in Congress, but I'm mild spoken and realistic about it. No F bombs.

But then, I am over 12 years old.

[mtnester]

86. Oh look!

[eridani]

114. In other words, you're healthy and you don't give a shit

Because you think you don't have to.

[SammyWinstonJack]

133. Well good for you.

:eyes:

[Jim Sagle]

143. Rahm, is that you?

[slipslidingaway]

61. knr - thanks for posting your story :) n/t

[Deep13]

62. If the '08 election result was not a command to get off their asses...

...what is?

[Butch350]

63. Let me sort this out...

Let's see ! It's fucking Obamas fault because...

* You've had no health insurance for 8 years.
* You got a wife with heart disease.
* 1 Son has Autism.
* 1 Son has MD.

Cowboy the fuck up. This fucking health care system has been fucking deteriating for many many years
now, and obama and the democrats are suppose to ride in and fucking solve your god dam problems 10 minutes ago!

Hello, life is full of fucking problems, some of them worse than you got buddy!

Your just breaking my fucking heart. It's gonna take as long to fix the health problem just as long as did
to get fucked up

[walldude]

66. Thank you.

Someone up thread said that no DU'er is so much an asshole that they would deride someone for wanting health care as soon as possible. Your timing was impeccable.

Oh and The Dems Rule THe House The Senate and the Exec, and they could have fixed this weeks ago had they wanted to. They didn't and they have no plans to. This is all a show for stupid sheep like you.

[abq e streeter]

73. I'm profoundly embarrassed by the poster who you just responded to

I hope all the intelligent , respectful,and compassionate responses you've received tell you more than one Duer with the heart (apparently) of a republican.

[mitchtv]

159. Now that was a mean cheerleader

Makes Hi fructose look like a piker

[bvar22]

150. +1000

:patriot:

[nashville_brook]

74. 18,000 people "cowboy the fuck up" every year and die for lack of insurance...

and i bet your heart doesn't break for them either.

we've been "cowboying" up since the Clinton Administration, and we're done with it. yes, it is Obama's fault for not getting this done. he asked us to cowboy up for him, and we DID. Yes, we DID. Now, it's his turn.

[mtnester]

87. I am so glad the edit period for this post has expired

because it ought to stay right out there for the whole world to see over and over and over again

I beg the mods to not vaporize it, and I am bookmarking it for the what not to wear episodes to follow.

Horrid

[Hissyspit]

100. I was gonna do something and then decided the same thing you did.

[MrMickeysMom]

103. Gee...

Eight different ways of using the word "fuck" to articulate your feelings...

:eyes:

[Starry Messenger]

122. Wow. Just...wow.

Way to go channeling Rush there! And people talk about lefty critics being "Freepers"? I too will bookmark this post as a rebuttal.

[bluedawg12]

124. Butch350 has the right Republican answer: "suck it up" says old Butch!

"Your just breaking my fucking heart. It's gonna take as long to fix the health problem just as long as did
to get fucked up. - Butch 350"

Unreal.

[SammyWinstonJack]

134. You suck! NO really, YOU DO!

[Jim Sagle]

144. Fuck off ya fuckin' freeper.

[donco6]

155. What a sweetheart.

Why not just tell him to go and die already?

[quickesst]

64. Damn straight....

Let's get that pony right fucking now. Worry about the pack of wolves nipping at it's heels later. Thanks.
quickesst

[Chisox08]

69. One of our biggest road block to single payer health care

is the Cooperate sponsored ConservaDems. Every member of Congress that is against NHC is a hypocrite, because the first thing that they do when they are elected to office they sign up for a government paid for health care plan. So if they are against giving the American people the health care that Congress receives then they need to give up the health care and buy it on the "free market" just as everyone else.

[SammyWinstonJack]

136. Hypocrites, EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM who oppose giving us at least what they get, courtesy of the

same people they deny. HOW DARE THEY! :grr:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

70. I'm very upset that Obama hasn't gotten rid of chemtrails.

Obama promised change, but I look up and still see chemtrails.

[Dragonfli]

77. Really? With your head that far up a politicians ass you see chemtrails? Sure it's not intestines?

Take your little collection of centrist ponies, go and play quietly in the corner and stop whining!



There are HUMANS discussing the worries of a man regarding the health of his wife and children.

You can afford to stop your disruption, after all your friends in the "middle" have already given a very special pony to your playmates on wall street



Some of us were just hoping we could get some help before more of us die.
Some of them children
some of them wives
(Like mine who died too soon to ever see a "pony" we call a human right over here on the left)

Your corporate friends killed her and would kill walldude's family in an instant if they thought they could save a little money.
They do it every day you know.
And you worry about their corporate rights and needs rather than those of actual people.

Centrist DLC republicans make me just as sick as the full blown fascist "proud to wear the (R)" Republicans.

[susanr516]

81. +10

If you aren't productive, just die.

[mtnester]

129. Dragonfli

:hug:

Thank you for allowing us to share in something so personal and painful to point out this most stunning lack of simple human empathy.

[SammyWinstonJack]

139. +1

:applause: I can't believe some of the heartless comments on here simply because they think any criticism of the Obama Administration isn't warranted, EVER!. Unfreakingreal!

[bvar22]

151. The "Centrist"/DLC types make me sicker .

Republicans are open and honest about who they are.
"Centrist"/DLC/BlueDogs LIE about it.

[mtnester]

88. Wrong board

oh wait, you MEANT to post that on DU

[Jim Sagle]

145. I got some HiFructosePronSyrup for ya right here.

[donco6]

157. This is great!

Your true colors are there for all to see. Thanks.

[jhrobbins]

71. My Mother's Story (abridged)

My Mother passed away almost 12 years ago now from complications due to breast cancer. The problem was that she had waited far too long even after she had discovered the ‘lump’. We berated her (as much as you berate a woman who has just received a cancer diagnosis) asking her why she waited so long. Her answer was never really satisfactory, but I knew the real reason.
My Mother was raised in a very prominent and affluent Texas family. Our great, great, great uncle was Stephen F Austin (The Father of Texas for all you non Texans out there). She married my father just several years after high school when they were both still in college. My father then stepped in and made a life for us that, while not as lofty and my grandparents, was still upper middle class – we wanted for nothing – health care included. Later, my grandfather made some bad financial decisions and he was reduced significantly (and he died shortly thereafter). Unfortunately, my parents divorced when my Mother was in her late 40’s and her health insurance went with the divorce. She was comfortable after the divorce, but not comfortable enough to afford the premiums. Oh yeah, I forgot one tiny fact – my Mother contracted polio when she was 20 and when she lost her insurance with my father, it became out of reach, what with the ‘pre-existing’ condition clause. She even told them she would sign a waiver excluding any polio related issues – NO DEAL.
So, she waited to go to a doctor because she had to go to a free clinic and I think it was partly pride and partly just not knowing it was available and when she got the diagnosis, it was stage four. This was August and she was gone by Christmas.
Now, here’s the kicker. Her first cousins, who loved her very much, are loaded. I don’t mean comfortable or even VERY comfortable – I’m talking multi multis. When they found out one was so mad and told her she should have said something, that he would have taken care of everything; but there again, I think she was too proud. And the odd thing is that the other one is a good friend with Bill and Hillary (he was even on some governmental advisory committee for Bill). So, if it could happen to my Mother, who should have been covered in several directions, it can happen to anyone – and does.

[DarbyUSMC]

72. I'm no expert but at least one of your children qualifies for SSI which is federal, doesn't matter

what state you are in. Your wife could be eligible for SSD or SSI depending on her work history. The child with Autism should be eligible for SSI as well but I have been out of the business for quite a while and haven't kept up. There are resources and options. The problem is, some of them are hidden (possibly, on purpose). The county you live in may have a program which will tide you over until the SSI (or SSD for you wife, comes through). You sign over the lump sum and they take back the amount they forwarded to you. SSI comes with automatic state Medicaid or whatever it is called in your state. What you need is to do some research or have your wife do some research on line or at the library or talk to the Social Security office and the Dept. of Social Services. You aren't going in there for a handout. The programs are in place to be used.

By the way, what is the worst thing they can do if you don't pay the hospital bill? They can garnishee your wages (as a rule 10 percent of the gross) or if you own or are buying a home they can put a lien on it to be paid off when and if it is sold. I wouldn't pay another dime to the hospital unless I took care of the top priority bills first.

[susanr516]

79. Not necessarily

SSI eligibility is subject to deeming, which means that total household income must be under a certain amount. See http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-deeming.htm

Believe me, parents of disabled children without other health insurance do everything we can to make sure those kids at least have Medicaid. Please forgive me--I know that you provided the information with the best of intentions--I just want people to understand how frickin' difficult it is to get insurance coverage for disabled children. Above a certain income level, YOU DON'T QUALIFY. Live poor, or live uninsured--pick one.

[HarveyDarkey]

78. I had insurance until January '08

That's when I was "fired" because the work I had been doing for the last 4-1/2 years was suddenly no longer acceptable.
You don't think it might happen to be related to the insurance fees "adjusting" in January following my bypass surgery in September'07 do you?
Finally have a job after 8 months, but still no insurance, and probably never will again until Medicare. Why oh why don't we have President Kucinich?

[Dragonfli]

80. I can't give you (or the rest of us) the human right of health-care - only those we voted in can

If they decide to represent us rather than listen to the health denial pirates that have purchased most of them and if they place the urgency on this issue that they did on shoveling cash to wall street, then your family could be taken care of within months.

All I can offer is my promise that I do what I can to influence them as a constituent

I can offer that and a picture of all little pony that was created and donated in an auction a few years ago (to raise money for a children's physical therapy center). It was dedicated to my wife who died before the event took place (she and I both worked on this project as volunteers, she donated art work and I donated web script and internet space).

It was an annual event and she was well loved by the therapist and the fellow artists that raised money each year.

My wife's name was Kim and this pony is from her and me.



I wish it were the health care "pony" that is real in most countries (not ours), and mocked by centrists and rightists as an unreasonable request, but it is the only pony I have to offer.

(if you want to pm me a mailing address I can give you the object rather than just the picture, I was the high bidder at the fundraiser auction and it is something perhaps a child would like and I don't have any :hug: )

[susanr516]

82. I am so sorry, Dragonfli

I wish it was the real health care pony, too. :hug:

[Dragonfli]

106. With enough people like you that "get" that it is a basic human right

Someday it will be a reality.
So many need it NOW and not someday, so I worry about us all until then.

I was born with empathy and so would make a lousy republican or corporate vampire.
It must be so easy for the cold people, sometimes I envy them.

[kath]

83. WWJDHC?

Who Would Jesus Deny Health Care??

The wingers claim this is a "Christian Nation" - well, it is absofuckinlutely IMMORAL and "un-Christian" the way Murkans are treated wrt health care - it is an utter abomination. It is WRONG, and to try to pretend otherwise is frickin' bullshit.

[Bluerthanblue]

84. I want health care too- and I've been wanting it for over 10yrs dealing

with NO health care and battling pre-existing conditions which I'm not going to be able to afford to pay for much longer.

It isn't a 'what if' that's killing me. It's the what is.

but Obama never promised me that everything was going to be alright. He NEVER promised single payer- he was very honest and modest with his proposals for what I might have to hope for under his administration. He's been in office for less than half a year, dealing with problems that none of us knew would be as difficult or as widespread as they are, and he's still trying to make sure that there will be some way for me, AND you to have health care.

I'm a single mom, struggling to just keep going, and to see my last child to adulthood- Believe me, I want health care more than i can put into words- but I can't lay this all in Obama's lap-

How's it going to help you to say fuck it to the only people who have any chance of making any kind of positive change in our situation? I understand your frustration and rage more than you know. But your answer is no answer imo.

Getting angry is normal. But where do we go from there?? It's very likely I may not live to see universal HC but giving up and just saying fuck you to everyone isn't going to make living the life we do have very satisfying or worthwhile either.

:shrug:

Concerning your kids, have you looked the SCHIP program? They even let people buy-in if they make more than the eligibility level. My son's on the program- And I'd pay to get him on the 'buy-in' if we didn't qualify, because it's reasonable and he's been able to to have scheduled check ups that might otherwise have taken a back seat to other more 'critical' needs. You should look into it for your children if you haven't already.

I wish you- and all of us in this sucky situation more than luck- more than hope- I wish everyone access to basic health care. Health Care should be a RIGHT not a privilege. What good does a strong military defense program do if your dying because you can't afford a Doctor?

I'm on your side in this struggle, struggling along with you- I just disagree about what to do with the growing frustration

:hi:

~blu

[walldude]

89. They aren't and won't make any "positive" changes, that's my problem

they dangle this "we're going to fix health care" carrot in front of me then they let the republicans control the debate. As long as health care is for profit people like us will suffer.

[Bluerthanblue]

91. Obama is pushing to get a policy in place that makes sure

you CAN get insurance for the 2 kids you say no one will let you insure, as well as for you and your spouse. He hasn't given up on this- and neither should you- what good does just getting mad and cursing "them" do you? Maybe if ..'feels'... good for a little while- like releasing steam, but when you are laying there in the middle of the night - how does it make any fuckin thing any different?

Believe me, I'm not talkin out of my ass- I lay awake some nights and consider my alternatives if my health gets to a place where hospitalization becomes necessary. the options are between grim and awful. I have promised myself I will not leave my children struggling with hospital debt on top of their grief. That much I do know. My oldest is 25- he's responsible been working at the same steady job for the last 7yrs. He'll watch out for his little brother no matter what.

Health care IS 'for profit'- it sucks that it is- it SHOULDN'T be- but it is, and it isn't going to change 6mos or a year into this administration. You're dumping on the only people who CAN help us Walldude. There ARE some Dems who want to fight against the system- you want to just give up, well, while i honestly DO understand the feeling- it's more destructive than constructive. imo.

I'm not your enemy- but neither is Obama and many (not all) our Sen. and Dems- Maybe it's time to get a little mad at the media too eh? why don't they speak up for us more? Is it because big-pharma signs their paychecks? This problem, AND the solution is bigger than Obama and a 'Dem controlled' congress. You may not like that reality- (I sure as hell don't) but that doesn't change the fact.

Way too much of the US economy is built and sustained by businesses and practices which cause or capitalize on the suffering of others.

:shrug:

[HughMoran]

85. Thanks for sharing your story

It's another example of why we need a public option for people who can't get insurance otherwise.

I do think that after 233 years of no public insurance option, you can probably wait another couple of months though - a little too much anger in the last 3 paragraphs, though I do sympathize.

[shellgame26]

90. you're right

I don't know how the US can call itself names like "first world" and "advanced", "industrialized" or "superpower" without providing healthcare to its people. It's ridiculous! There are third world countries ahead of the US on this.

[Wednesdays]

92. K&R

:kick:

[Skittles]

93. wonderful rant, walldude

:thumbsup:

[NMMNG]

95. K&R

For this and all the other "ponies" out there.

[annabanana]

96. So many of us occupy similar boats...

My son, aged out of the family insurance, is asthmatic... No insurance for him. One car accident, or a serious asthmatic episode and our (barely) secure existence is threatened...

I'll bet every single one of us is either IN this spot.. or close to someone else who is.

[Stinky The Clown]

97. .....

:hug:

[Djinn]

98. It's bizarre

that a desire for National Health is considered some far left pie in the sky utopian idea. It's a basic right.

Successive Dem majorities have consistently failed to deliver, has nothing to do with GOP intransigence or "he's only been in office X days" and everything to do with who pays the piper.

It is up to Obama whether he wants to be seen in the same frame as FDR or Clinton. Seems he leaning towards a Clintonesque "third way" type legacy - how pathetically sad.

[AllyCat]

99. Hear, hear! Well said, from someone who is on the frontlines of this

war on the sick our elected officials are waging. I wish you all health and peace. In the meantime, I'm out talking to everyone I can about this issue to get people to pull their heads out of their asses and see what this system does to real people, not the made up ones on RW and MSM media

[varelse]

101. Excellent post

DU seems to be on fire tonight.

[MrMickeysMom]

104. I'm trying to help corral them ponies in for all of us, walldude...

...anyway I can.

I'm with you.

[Political Heretic]

107. The only way anything will get done is not by just electing leaders we idoloize then going home...

...the only way things get done is when people, united, decide that change is more important than comfort and take to the streets.

There's too much pressure in Washington to just trust a "good man" or "good woman" to "lead" and magically get everything done while we wait or sit on the sidelines.

Corporations, the financial elite, vested power brokers in Washington - they are aggressively speaking out, pressuring, lobbying and making sure that they are heard. It feels like we the people, however, elected a guy we liked and then all went home and decided to wait on things to magically happen.

You hear some of that sentiment here. "It's only been x months!" That is a poisonous mantra completely at adds with substantive social change.

FDR didn't bring substantive change alone (nor even out of the goodness of his heart.) The man who prior to becoming President was a pragmatic business conservative changed because the people were in the streets, aggressively, and absolutely demanding populist change. That's how FDR became the man who would later describe corporations as "a bunch of royalists" and declare, "I welcome their hatred."

Dr. King didn't achieve civil rights victories in the 60s. Mass popular outcry - braving beatings, even death - achieved civil rights in the 60s. That doesn't mean we pooh pooh or trivialize great figures such as Dr. King. But it wasn't an individual that brought substantive change. It's is, and has always been up to the PEOPLE.

[sureiachan]

119. We are the Change we are waiting for?

I thought Obama told us we are the change we have been waiting for. I realize that Fox News was able to organize its own tea parties to cover, but instead of wasting electrons in complaint, shouldn't people be out making demonstrations the old fashioned way?

Until more people understand that there are real people on the other sides of their screen, wailing and gnashing one's teeth on the Internet changes exactly zero. Risking monetary loss by marching for days on end, risking a public arrest for a public disruption, getting a face and a sign and a voice out there, a normal voice with a normal face, even a small group covered in local news ... this is what creates the change RIGHT NOW.

My heart goes out to you; I've been underemployed and unemployed, I have a family history of heart disease and diabetes, and my gf (whom I want to marry) has problems of her own. If we finally get married and we do have kids, I'm sure they'll have their own problems. I'm not insurable-healthy by any stretch, but if we want the politicians to start doing things, then we have to get on the streets just like the tax complainers.

We can't depend on them, and we shouldn't. The lesson we were supposed to learn is that WE are the change, not them. They will help us facilitate IF and ONLY IF we show our spirit and convictions in the street, where no one can deny who is saying what and what their motivations are.

[inna]

108. powerful. rec #130, and a virtual hug and real solidarity. nt

[earcandle]

109. I second that emotion!

[eridani]

111. Please put this on Obama's health care stories site

http://stories.barackobama.com/healthcare
Also, anyone else with similar stories.

[Norrin Radd]

116. kr

[Hannah Bell]

117. The party can deliver 8 trillion to banksters within the first 60 days...

but other things are difficult.

[SammyWinstonJack]

141. Mind boggling isn't it?

:shrug:

[ddeclue]

120. We don't have a pony we can give you but you can ride ours for $5.00

:)

[midnight]

123. We already mandated single payer. Over 80 percent say so.

We don't want to have to listen to any more dog and pony crap.

[Number9Dream]

125. Seen the Uninsured wristbands?

http://susiemadrak.com/2009/06/24/07/00/were-all-uninsured-now-2/

snip> "At the time he started the project, his own family was uninsured. The original concept: if people who actually are uninsured were to wear these wristbands, the rest of us lucky enough to have insurance would be able to see in daily life what a real problem it is - that it affects normal, everyday people like your grocery checker or your next door neighbor and not just marginalized groups like the homeless, or undocumented immigrants."

[Jester Messiah]

126. OINAK

Obama
Is
Not
A
King

[mtnester]

127. Oh look, another one

[Jester Messiah]

137. I know, horrible isn't it? People with opinions that CONFLICT with yours!

Poor baby. You'll be ok though, I promise.

[mtnester]

138. As if that is what you are

laughable

[Jester Messiah]

148. I'm certainly getting some laughs out of these replies!

I mean, come on, do at least -try- to maintain a semblance of intelligence!

[mtnester]

156. Just because you have lost your mind does not mean the rest of us have

only you look like a choad here, not me, stop while/if you can

[Jester Messiah]

158. Ok, I'll bite...

How did my statement that Obama is Not a King indicate a loss of mind? And how does it rate, in terms of mindlessness, with those who stomp their feet and scream "NOW!!" like children? Is it mindlessness to have an understanding that the realm of politics is built upon compromise and consensus? To realize that Obama can't snap his fingers and cause his will to become reality?

I'll be looking forward to your thoughtful, nuanced, and hopefully well-punctuated response.

[mtnester]

160. Sure you will

[Jester Messiah]

161. I was, and you did not disappoint.

As I thought, you've got nothing (besides petulance.)

[mtnester]

162. Neither did you

thanks

[SammyWinstonJack]

142. How cute.

:eyes:

[Jim Sagle]

147. Oink oink to you too, piggy.

[Jester Messiah]

149. O_o

:spray:

[Orwellian_Ghost]

131. Just asking for what

is rightly yours.

Now time for the people to take back what has been stolen from them.

Only mass action that takes it to the streets will alter the political landscape. All else is wishful thinking.

[dccrossman]

135. Completely understand

I nearly lost my health care a couple years ago, and actually had about 3 months of limbo. My daughter has a genetic condition and, like your kids, can't be covered at any price. Just the process of talking to different insurance companies and understanding how impossible a hole we were in was devastating.

I would strongly recommend, getting together with advocates wherever you are and finding a way to get your kids on Medicaid. It's not great, but if you can show rejections from insurance companies, they should accept the kids. I'm not sure what it would take for your wife.

Good luck! You need it!

[redqueen]

140. "Obama and the Democrats"

You do know this has been an issue for decades, right? And Clinton had a Dem congress for two years and got fuckall done on it, right?

Until this country stops electing conservadems, nothing will change. We'll get half-assed shit like this public option reform instead of single-payer, because of the voters. There are at least 9 Democratic senators who are fucking around on this issue and nothing will change until they do. So I suggest you also direct your ranting to these assholes:

Lincoln
Carper
Cantwell
Wyden
Nelson
Landrieu
Hagan
Conrad
Baucus



Oh, and here's something that pisses me off about this thread. When a certain homeless DUer would come in and rant like this, she wouldn't get half the support this rant is getting. There would be a lot more of those "cowboy up" types of posts... and only one or two poeple would say shit about it.

Perhaps some people might want to consider why that is.

[mtnester]

146. So you would be happier if this person had these issues, PLUS was homeless?

It would make it OK?

And we are not talking about being homeless are we? We are talking about a person who CANNOT get insurance..did you read about the uninsurable portion of the OP? Or did you just post without thinking, and thought you would smack this poster around because they could afford Internet but not insurance..is THAT the homeless comparison you were looking for? UNINSURABLE was one of the biggest issues in the OP...you must have missed that.

Oh wait, I answered my own questions...nevermind

[bvar22]

153. self-delete

Wrong Place.

[Starry Messenger]

152. walldude.

((hug)) I can't even imagine trying to cope with what you've got going on in your life. I don't understand why some people don't realize that others in crisis don't HAVE time to wait.