Howard Dean: "Insurance Cos. Are Extension Of What's Been Going On Wall Street - Flim Flam"

[Hissyspit]

Here at the Netroots Nation conference in Pittsburgh, Dr. Howard Dean, former DNC chair and former Presidential candidate spoke to the conference attendees Friday morning. "The insurance companies are an extension of what's been going on on Wall Street the last 20 years - it's a flim-flam."

He says he is a big fan of the Obama health care reform approach because we can't force American people to accept change they don't want. Speaking about politicians he asked, that since Americans have spoken and want health care reform: "Whose side are you on? Are you with the American people?"

"We're winning this debate. They way you now this is (the right wing) does not want to actually debate." They want to use the Rove fear points. That's all they have is the appeal to fear.

"We need a public option."

"Co-ops will not work. They are political compromise, not a policy compromise."

"I'm saying things a little different instead of saying the kinds of things that he (President Obama) says - and that's why he's there and I'm here - Obama needs to let the Republicans speak for themselves... I think the American people aren't buying" what people like Demint are saying.

"Having a bypartisan bill that doesn't do anything is much worse than" having something that doesn't do anything.



Howard Dean speaks to the audience at the Netroots Nation conference. "Even Harry and Louise want health insurance reform now."




Dr. Dean answers questions of the audience. "Employer-based insurance is bad for the economy... but people like it."




Here's the view of the, I believe, Allegheny River outside of the convention center.


Dean says go to the DFA website and look for action suggestions. "The activists matter a lot. You can buy all the televison ads you want, but" it's the knocking on the doors that makes the big difference.

"We expect the Democratic Party to support the Democrat Party. This people are there to serve the American people!" he stated to a standing ovation.

Edited by Admin with Hissyspit's permission to reduce image dimensions for Journal compatibility -- EarlG

[asjr]

1. Howard Dean has made more sense of

who and what we are and what we need than anyone I have seen in the last 20 years! I am sorry Obama hasn't made better use of his expertise.

[tooeyeten]

14. very unfortunate

Our health care future in this country depends on doing the right thing now, not just anything.

[Graybeard]

2. It was a scam from the very beginning.

On the infamous Watergate tapes Nixon is asked by Haldemann if he's heard of the new HMO policies. Nixon hadn't, so Haldemann explains that it is a way of providing less care and charging more for it. They both laugh.

[DCKit]

10. And when Nixon found out Kaiser was raking in the dough, he got wood for the first time in 20 years.

Corporate pirates are the gods of the Republican party.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Kick

[madfloridian]

4. Just watched it on C-Span.

It was an hour and 15 minutes and seemed like much less. Mike Lux and the lady...Tanya?...were excellent as well. Would love to know what question he did not want to answer. Hmmm...

[madfloridian]

5. Another summary up at enews Park Forest

http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9502:gov-howard-dean-addresses-netroots-nation-on-health-care-reform&catid=88888983:latest-national-news&Itemid=88889930

"With respect to President Obama's focus on bipartisanship, "He needs to let the Republicans speak for themselves. I think he's doing exactly the right thing. As long as he let's the American people see the Republicans for what they are, 'No way, no how,' allowing the Republicans to show their true colors to the American people is smart."

With respect to the proposal of medical coops, "We've already tried this in this country and it didn't work. We want the insurance companies to serve us better. In the long run, the coops will fail, they'll be too small, the insurance companies will crush them."

In response to a question on what will be done to ensure that there is adequate mental health coverage, Gov. Dean said, "The brain is an organ, treated like any other organ, and there ought not to be limits on treatment. I'm hoping that the bill will have true mental health coverage."

"When we frame this debat, I don't think we want to spend all our time refuting . They're not going to change their mind anyhow. The question is, are we going to give the American people the option to have a full choice? That's the first part. Second, whose side are you on? Are you with the insurance companies, or are you with the people who pay your salaries?"

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. He also talked about us forcing the Democratic reps (senators mainly) to support the Dem. President

He said that a couple times.

And that the Blue Dogs have helped shape a better bill. He is grateful to them.

[defendandprotect]

7. Howard Dean may be doing us more good OUTSIDE of the administration . . .

than he might have done inside of it -- smothered and buried?????

It's a good less which Howard Zinn has pointed to -- joining the team and being

inside government doesn't usually create positive change.

More often, positive movements come from the outside.

[nikto]

11. AND...

The "outside" would be a better place from which
to make a run for President in 2012.;-)

[defendandprotect]

12. That's making me . . .

smile . . .

:)

[defendandprotect]

8. GOP has called out their troops: NRA/"pro-life" murderers -- and now

new fascist rallies vs "socialism" . . . !!

Where are Dems calling out supporters for health care reform and single payer????

Where are women's groups calling out women to support universal health care which would

be a positive for all women????

Where are labor organizations calling out Americans to help support national health care/

public option would also be a positive for labor and small businesses????

Where ????????????????????????????????

[blm]

9. Now THAT is REAL talk about the situation and not just 'shmoozetheleft' banter we get from speakers.

I have no tolerance for shmoozers anymore.

[baldguy]

13. Insurance, mortgages, banks.

It's all them same problem - allowing them to play in the stock market where they have no business being.

[2Design]

15. Go Dean the only sane voice - oh yes and Rachel too n/.t

[TexasObserver]

16. Recommend

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Doc Howie has been on he right side of this issue from before it started!

[Vidar]

18. Thank you, Howard.

[truedelphi]

19. There is such a huge disconnect here at DU:

Most DUer's support the actions of Geithenr and Bernanke as they handed over three trillion bucks to the Wall Street firms, they deplore the advertising of the Big Insurers that will cost us SPUHC and/or the public option.

If we this massive monetary give away had not occurred, the companies now controlling the soap box and destroying the ability to get real heath care would have been rendered powerless.

But The three trillion bucks has empowered them.

The RW manufactured dsitorted talking points will compell most people to support Obama, even as his "reform" helps mostly the insurers.

We are so screwn.