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Mr. Shields fails to disclose that the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan, like other employer plans, is administered by private insurance companies competing against each other. He also fails to point out: * the cost shifting that occurs due to the inadequate reimbursement rates of existing government payors, resulting in ever increasing premiums. * the composition of the often cited 46 million uninsured, roughly two thirds of which consists of people already eligible for a government run program, people making in excess of $75,000 wgi elect not to purchase coverage, and the illegal aliens. These numbers are easiily verifiable and available on the CBO. The system is in need of help, but let's be honest.

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I did not know that Senator Brown from Ohio does not accept the Cadillac health plan for Congress. Finally, a member of Congress whose actions speaks volumes. Quite simply, begin the process of addressing the health care crisis in America and you will start the process of putting our economic house in order. Those who obstruct health care reform for political gain will be seen by the enlightened public for the calculating and partisan hacks that they are. The window is rapidly closing for meaningful reform-let us see if our leaders have the courage and will to make something happen.

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Sir;... The republicans may be down, but they are not out... And because no one has troubled to round them up, and send them to re-education camps they are still around to pollute the pure waters of intelligent debate.... In this they have an ally and aid and comfort in the meaness of this people... If we have it we wish to deny it... If we want it we wish to make it exclusive... The idea that some one might need health insurance because of moral turpitude makes us want them all the more to suffer...We blame the victims, and we will not stand before God's just punishment of the wicked... We will not follow God down the street like Abraham, trying to bargain for the lives in Sodom and Gomorrah...Give us a moment, and look away, and we will torch it ourselves... Never mind that public health is a public issue...Never mind that those denied health care when they need it only have another grudge to hold dear against the rich and the powerful, and all of us...Never mind that the diseases the poor contract can spread wholesale through the population...We are not so rational as we make out, and the republicans and their bosses know this, and they can make the population fearful, and hateful all at once... How we got so vengeful as a people I cannot say...I have my suspicians, but the point is that you cannot count on Americans to behave as human beings so long as some one with a banana is encouraging them to act like apes... I will accept the good my neighbor knows if it will do me some good... The cost is the same, but the danger is so much less with a single payer system...A health care system that works is what is needed... A bad case of swine flu is enough convince anyone of the need for a good pubic health care system... What if it becomes a route??? What if swine flu cleans our clock??? Sure; it wil be good for business...There will be enough of resources for a time....But what if it is your parents, or your child, or your husband or wife that dies because your government cannot govern, but lets itself be swayed by the worst strains in our collective character??? Is it being swayed, or is it encouragng the general fear of change??? A good public health care system is sorely needed... The rich have built up huge fortunes on the misery and illness of the people...It is time for them to disgorge their wealth, and if that means that they will have no better care than the poorest -I know they will bring up the average...Mr. Shields; as you make clear, the health care of our so called leaders is great, but it is an impediment to a good health care system for all...If they had no better care than average they would improve the average...Having the best, they have no incentive to improve anything... They think they are getting what they deserve... We all deserve as good...We do not elect these people to be kings, but to keep us up, defend our rights, and improve our society... While they have theirs we will never have ours...Thanks...Sweeney

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Make the war mongers do the actual fighting, make those government leeches who oppose sharing their healthcare with the rest of the nation try paying for it like the rest of us, take those who oppose welfare off of welfare. Seems so one-plus-one-equals-two simple, but somehow those purveyors of hyppocracy keep on racking up the sales. When are folks going to wake up?

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Re: Masako;...Everyone has to be responsibile for their own alarm clock... Worry about your self...We can all smell the coffee or the crap as the case may be... There is enough rightious indignation on both sides to roast weenies over....Stop cooperating... Drag your feet...Make a point of expressing your opinion... If you do not like it make a stink over it... That is what we all have to do; and then change will wait only on a simple trigger... Some big breakdown will make it obvious that the government cannot function...It only functions now with our cooperation... So quit... Disenchant yourself....Disenthrall your self...Be patient... If the government can do no good, it is not worth keeping, so it will fall...Don't ask when...Know it is certain...Thanks...Sweeney