YOUR COMMENTS

Hey Harry, Nancy, et al, here's a bipartisan plan for you: instead of "opting out", let's have those that wish to do so "opt in" by signing a pledge to pay for it. Those who don't wish to participate will be exempt from the program and it's costs. Then everyone will get what they want, right?
- Mae, Plaistow

From the start, the president asked for a bipartisan health care bill. The republicans have NEVER offered one.

They said it will be his Waterloo, they said it would put the government between patients and their doctors, they said there will be dealth panels, etc. They offered absolutely NO bill. They proposed amendment after amendment on bills that they would not agree to support. They racheted up the retoric in their town halls and encouraged revolt of their supporters. They were invited to the table, but decided it was better to stay outside and yell.

Lately, they have been saying we need to start over. How many times did the republicans start over to work with the democrats when they were in control of congress?

The republicans admit there is a problem, but will not come up with real solution. Tax cuts is the only tool in their toolbox. Didn't they do enough of that during the past eight years? How's that working out? (By the way, they did not pay for any of what they did over the past 8 years--the tax cuts/the war/the Medicare drug program--the republicans just left their spending spree for someone else to deal with).

The republican solution is to privatize everything. It is the private insurers that are making too much profit off of the current system.

A great country does not allow private corporations to profit to the detriment of its citizens very life and health. A great country offers access to good basic health care to all its citizens.
- Frances, Nashville, TN

Wow,

Reading the comments here identified yet another solution for real healthcare reform.
Currently, Employers are incentivised in the way of tax savings to provide or subsidize health insurance for employees . This enables some companies to provide tax advantaged health insurance while providing a valuable commodity to their employees. Also currently, individuals do not get the same tax incentive to invest their money in heath insurance. Why don't individuals get the same tax incentive as companies? This would help individuals afford health insurance if they choose to buy it. So would being able to buy insurance across state lines and being allowed to buy insurance as a group. The reason none of these will ever be considered is that insurance companies and unions see these as liabilities. Unions and insurance companies pay a lot of money to buy votes in Washington.

Thus more evidence citizens (non-big companies) are no longer represented in Washington DC.
- Michael Layon, Derry

Well, I guess we can crown him "The Decider" part 2.
- Herb C, Concord

His way or ….. His way ?
Give me a break, after eight years of Bush / Cheney completely ignoring the constitution and making the U.S. the most hated country in the world you want to complain about this president trying to fulfill his promise for change . My god he ran on a change in healthcare, promoting an alternative to the present healthcare system which is bankrupting people. By the way, if our government had not been spending the surplus funds raised for SS and Medicare we would not be facing deficits in these socialist entities for many years.
- Richard Elliott, Claremont

Some doctors and economists argue that, in effect, the U.S. health care system is already rationing, in the most unproductive ways.

"In America, we strictly ration health care. We've done it for years," says Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor of emergency medicine and associate dean for health policy at Emory University School of Medicine. "But in contrast to other wealthy countries, we don't ration medical care on the basis of need or anticipated benefit. In this country, we mainly ration on the ability to pay. And that is especially evident when you examine the plight of the uninsured in the United States."
- George Carleton, Derry

You know the problem? My kid, 20 years old, working two jobs, neither of which provided health insurance, came down with a kidney stone. Went to the hospital. $30000 later, came out, ended up with ruined credit, now has a hard time getting a job, apartment, etc. all because of a kidney stone and bad credit. Thru no fault of her own.

This system sucks. Why don't we take care of the people who need it? And all the people complaining about socialism, I suppose you will all reject your Social Security checks and the Fire Department protection your taxes provide. Plus Police protection, that's socialist, and freeways, and military protection..etc.,etc.,

Idiots.
- George Carleton, Derry

Health care access is universal by law, funding is the issue. "Health Care Reform" is a political scam to grab a larger chunk of the pie, with promises like like last year's mythical "free" kindergarten. Government medical care has proven to be more expensive and of poor quality, a failure wherever it has been implemented. The care is rationed, and the costs only spiral out of control like Fannie, Freddie, Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, etc with the weasels in DC taking their cut. We can surrender ourselves to mediocrity or take control of the costs by maintaining control of our own purse strings. The money we are now shelling out to the politicians could pay a large amount of our own costs.
- Mae, Plaistow

So the government wants to run the healthcare industry? Let's look at a couple of government-run organizations - Amtrack and Medicare. The government has dumped billions of dollars into Amtrack since it took over the railroad, and Amtrack has lost money every year since. Medicare has become so burdensome to physicians and medical facilities that many are opting out and no longer accepting Medicare patients. If this what we have to look forward to with universal healthcare, I say, "Thanks, but no thanks."
- Steve, Strafford

For years and years and years, the public has consistently demand national health insurance and the GOP has consistently blocked it. Obama is not going to play the game anymore, this is one of the main issues he campaigned on, and one of the main issues favored by those who voted for him. Last time I checked, the majority is supposed to rule in this country, and it is about time it did. After years and years of this, now the GOP is feeling a little hurried? A little steamrolled? This is why you guys are out of office, you just plain don't deliver.
You know, the old pre-Sean Hannity/Limbaugh/Beck Republicans, back in the days when the GOP wasn't insane, would have come up with a compromise, like a national health care monopoly along the lines of the old ATT, which would be a good compromise to avoid an entirely government run health care system like they have in Britain. They can't even do that. All they have had to offer is NO. Well, good for you, go say "NO" to yourselves while the rest of us take care of business, and enjoy your irrelevancy.
- Kirk, Raymond

From what I see the health care problem is getting blown out of proportion. We have the best care in the world. Is it expensive, yes. Should we try to lower the cost, yes. However socialized medicine is not the answer. Many other counties have tried in with terrible results. All my friends and relatives from Canada and Europe say don't do it, because it's a disaster. Can you imagine a cancer patient waiting 6 months for an appointment. Some of our states have tried it also with similar results.

Look at the government entities we have already that don't work. Social Security, Amtrak, US Post Office, Medicare, Medicaid to mention a few. All in trouble and in red ink. The FDA takes for ever to approve drugs and has regulations the increase the drug costs, in the name of quality control. Consider all the money government gives for education, yet only 8 cents on the dollar gets to the classroom. As a result Johnny and Jane can't read. The more government is removed from health care as well as other subjects, the better off we will be.
- Bob Din, Franklin Square, NY

Hey william from deerfield !!! When is the last time you went to the DMV. The goverment is not capable of running jack!!! NH gov. is full of back woods weirdo's !!!! Giving jobs to their friends flunky kids and relatives. I have seen it first hand !!! Why dont we just become massachusetts and get it over with . NH residents are not capable of thinking on their own!!! And that is way the gov.likes it . Its called socialism,the goverment has you right were they want You!! When the economy is down the Man will feed and cloth you because u need him to . And that my friends = VOTES for these clowns later because you have no choice in the matter because u need the money they hand out! And believe me most off them could care less about you. But believe me there lifestyle will greatly outpace yours!!!
- Bubba Gump, Manchester

Yep -- it's Obama's way or the highway. Enjoy watching the beginning of the first U.S. dictator. I wonder how long it will be before Americans start saying "no"?
- Effra, San Diego, CA

When will the stone age Republicans wake up? All they do is blame liberals, democrats and everything else for their own failures. Wake up Republicans! You messed up when you had a chance.
- Old Man, Franklin

What the hell ever happened to common sense in this country? I wouldnt let any politician in this country care for a pet rock never mind my health care!!!!! These Washington cronies are ALL dirty, greedy, and could care less about those they are supposed to represent. What we need is a real revolution of change and bring back the way of "By The People For The People" Oh yeah politicians hate that phrase too.
- Anthony, Claremont

Thanks for the 128 word memo. Could you spare the effort? Really, it is remarkable that the people who run this paper can't just write a opinion that actually offers an idea.

All they do is associate Obama with some unpopular term, and get the koolaid drunks all agitated, like throwing a rotten ham to alligators. Then thinking people have to waste time straightening out the screwed up thinking of Nickerson, Brian, and Tom. What a publication!

You ought to just publish "Obama bad," and let us handle the real work.
- Victor, Haverhill

You ARE invited to oppose, by coming up with a proper health care plan of your own! If you do, it will be used! What more do want than full ability to get your ideas in?

Wait I know, you want Obama to fix nothing, and lose the next election. Real patriots you guys are.
- Tom, Chichester

Why would anyone be surprised at this? Obama gave Republicans a chance to show that they were willing to work with him to achieve mutually-acceptable outcomes, and they responded by giving him a grand total of zero votes in favor of the stimulus package. Republicans announced that they would attempt to block en masse any serious reform of health care, despite the fact that even a majority of Republicans agree that we need health care reform. Giving them the chance to make their voices heard if they can accomplish something before October is itself as generous a political offer as they could hope for.

Tell you what, though. If everyone in the country agrees to make up the taxes they didn't pay because Republicans passed the Bush tax cuts via reconciliation when they didn't have the votes to pass it through the normal legislative process, we can skip passing health care through reconciliation, too.
- Peter, Canterbury

- Sandy, Thornton

You don't seem to be able to identify a gentleman when one is put in front of you! No president in decades has included, listened to, and been more polite toward the opposition he crushed, after their filthy campaign against him in a recent election than Obama.

And I'm glad your statement was so strong, so there is no question you are a fringe partisan koolaid addict.

You can say you don't like policies, but to suggest Obama has been either egotistical, dismissive or arrogant is just a lie.
- Vince, Merrimack

Why don't you people actually read what the President really plans to do instead of labeling it as "socialism". His ideas are for universal health coverage, not some voucher system where healthcare is rationed out. He does not want the Canadian model or the Swedish model (who wouldn't want a Swedish model ??!!). Cries of socialism and rationed healthcare only prove that noone here has looked at the details.

Jeff, I think you have to reexamine your idea of how Clinton used bipartisanship. He actually reached accross the aisle and used GOP input to turn the economy around and it worked wonderfully. Too bad Bush couldn't do the same.
- Jules, Manchester

Nice to see most of the libs echoing the Democratic talking points.

Unlike most of the people who trumpet the wonders of socialize medicine, I lived in the UK and know how bad it really can be. Complaining about the NHS was a topic often discussed by the general public (I worked in a pub and met a wide cross section of people).

Overall, I hope the GOP can offer an alternative. Reform is needed (that much everyone can agree on) but I do not want the federal government controlling MY healthcare.
- Mike, formerly of Salem

A more interesting question is what would make anyone think that private business was capable of running any business. Let's talk about Enron, Halliburton (no bid heaven) General Motors, Chrysler, World Com, The privatized version of the post office, or fannie may or freddie mack, or Bechtel (wanna go through those tunnels in Boston?) or CitiBank, or Goldman Sachs or Bear Sterns. Any set of boobs working for the government could beat them hands behind their backs. American business has become about greed. American government under Hussein Obama can run any of those things better than the Republican greed merchants.
- William, Deerfield

A while back the government fundamentally changed the way many people pay for housing... Have you been to an inner city lately? Heck have you been down Pine Street lately?

People, please take a deep breath and start supporting issues based on facts and thought rather than partisan ideology.
- John II, Manchester

I too am getting tired of the whining from the republican talking heads. Where are your ideas? En Masse voting "no" shows that there isn't much original thinking - just employing tactics.

Maybe the UL should note the increasing amount of more centrist points of view in it's readership and try being more balanced in offering op-ed articles. And an occasional guest editorial isn't what I mean.

The times they are a changin'
- Frank, Dover Nh

Medicare for all is what is needed, delivered via private hospitals, with free choice, so people can go wherever they like. People can pay medicare instead of paying Insurance companies that make profit by denying coverage, insurance companies add no value to the process . With Insurance companies out of picture cost will go down and everyone gets health care. Companies will get a cost cut as they no longer will need to provide health care. People can switch jobs without fear of health care loss.
- AKP, Houston, Texas

People are looking at this a political... it's not. A health-care reform is needed. Of course, the politicians are politicizing it on both sides, and any system that comes from Washington is bound to be worse than what we have now. We've never needed common sense in Washington more, and we've never had less of it, from the President, Congress, the Senate though BOTH parties...

And folks who are saying Republicans this and republicans that.. don't forget who's been writing the laws for the past few years... the president only signs them. We need a third party, or some sensible alternatives in the two parties we have.
- Mark, formerly of Merrimack

Come on now Sandy from Thornton, I mean really. Bush was like a petulant child. You really don't Remember him reminding us time and time again about the all capital he earned and intended to spend after he won his so called mandate in 2004? The mandate that never was for a President who never would have won if 60,000 votes in Ohio had swung the other way for John Kerry? How about Bush trying to reform Social Security by diverting a portion of the funds to the stock market? Our Seniors would be eating cat food right now if he had succeeded.

Now a clear majority of Americans have elected Obama and he is implementing exactly the agenda he ran on. It's time for Republicans to stop crying and get on with the business of understanding why America has rejected them so overwhelmingly. Hint: it has a lot to do with your denial of reality and complete tone deafness. I mean really, this Republican denial and revisionism is getting very, very old.
- Bert Gerrish, Seabrook

It seems that there has been one long, incessant whine from the GOP since election day. Take a breather and remember to put some air in those mighty lungs of yours and while you are adjusting to the air being back in your heads, take a look around you. People are out of work, they have no ability to pay for insurance as it stands now. When you guys stop whining long enough and come up with an equal (or at least TRY to be equal)stance about helping ALL americans instead of the chosen ones that you believe are worthy and deserving, maybe you wont get so much flack for all the noise you are making.
- Theresa, Dover

What needs to be understood here is that the current Congress is completely emboldened by the President who's mantra is It's my way or the Highway. When he senses opposition, he calls it right wing radicalism and dismisses it for his media to excoriate and dismiss or he goes into his arrogant lecture mode and doesn't allow any form of communication, review or discussion except for his.
I personally can't remember a President who behaved this way. I guess maybe it is because other past Presidents were mature and experienced managers and statemen.
- Sandy, Thornton

What makes anyone think that the government can run an efficient healthcare bureaucracy? They've done such a great job with the Postal Service, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, the Veterans Administration. Government healthcare would be such a good thing!!! (Please note heavy sarcasm).
- Steve, Tucson, Arizona

John McCain's proposal was to move away from employer-based health insurance to individual-based with substantial tax credits and that was quickly dismissed by Obama.

Currently, my employer provides me with a high-deductible policy with a contribution to a MSA. I also contribute to the MSA. I wish this would have been available to me 30 years ago when I started my adult work life.

So there are other ideas out there. But since they are no a government-controlled system, you will not see Obama considering these alternative.
- George V, Andover, MA

The question does raise issues - it is clear one must remember the rights and pay attention to the minority. Just because the Republicans have never paid attention to Democratic concerns doesn't make a reverse right. I think both parties are corrupt but that doesn't mean we all do not have a stake on issues that our representatives are deciding. I say pick you issues and communicate with the President and your elected representatives. I sure don't agree with Judd Gregg's grandstanding but he hears from me on particular issues as does the Democratic delegation.
Write and call the NH Delegation about what you want. As a professional nurse for over 40 years, I Want Health Reform!
- Betty Ann, Dorchester, NH

I really think that we need to take partisanship out of healthcare. I've voted republican all my life. I now find myself without the health insurance I once took for granted due to layoff (my first time ever without a job). As a single parent I have no way of affording COBRA (a joke). Anyway, I really need to get a job as I now have a need for healthcare for the first time in my 45 year life. Problem is there are so few jobs out there.

My problem is with my legs or feet. I've been very active my whole life but now find it harder to walk or stand due to the pain. It seems to be getting worse by the week. My fear now is what happens if it gets much worse? Who would hire me then offer me health coverage? This is the catch 22 I now find myself in.

I've never taken a handout my entire life nor do I want to. I need to do something though but have no options that come to mind.
- JSF, Manch

Maybe if the Republicans said anything besides "NO" there would be a valid argument there. If you don't have anything substantial or appealing to add then you can't complain when someone else comes up with an idea and others agree!
- anna, manchester,nh

One phrase from the Bush years immediately comes to mind, "elections have consequences." Remember the "nuclear option?" When the Republicans constantly threatened to change the rules to do away with the filibuster? How does it feel now that the shoe is on the other foot?

I suggest instead of whining about their loss the GOP consider changing their policies in order to appeal to a wider swath of the electorate.I mean really, this constant whining it beginnng to get unseemly.
- Bert Gerrish, Seabrook

The Republicans didn't do everything in their power under George W. to totally eliminate any Democratic input did they? And all for their corporate donors. So now the people of America tell the nation loudly and clearly, enough is enough, and you, the Republican party, do not speak for us and we hear the crying and whining. We've already heard the clamor from the party of NO about Supreme Court nominees before one has even been brought forth. Do you think that the American people were just kidding during the last two election cycles? Do you really believe that the party of NO is listening? I don't.
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.

Exactly Jeff!
There were so many factors in the outcome of the November election.
We were moving in a socialist direction and Obama saw the opportunity through a “crisis” to take us the rest of the way.
And I wonder now if the people have any idea what is happening to this once great country each day.
We need principled conservative Republicans with a backbone to lead. Not wait until October to just say no.
Get on radio, TV, in the press, have an alternate approach - not alternative plan on this one - and explain why America is the country is has been.
And then explain what it will be like with the Obama programs.
Ask the people which do they prefer?
Use what is happening to NH as an example with the Liberal Democrats just changing the culture of our state.
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Lacoania

I never saw any bipartisanship from the Republicans when they dealt with Clinton OR Bush. Remember how they shut down the government in the 90's? Besides, Clinton was the most conservative democrat in US history and can hardly be compared to Obama, who at best could be considered slightly center-left only on certain issues.
- joe t, derry, nh

Obama's dictatorial tendencies surface again. It is outrageous that the Democrats are determined to ram through their radical socialist policies without discussion and debate, and with the support of only a bare majority in the Senate. This is not going to go over well.
- Tom, Campton

The Republicans need to offer a market based alternative to the employer based system. When that happens the Democrats will never compromise for a bipartisan agreement. They will pass their plan and take all the credit. So in the future you or a loved one is denied a particular treatment by the government, you know who to blame.
- Chris, Merrimack

Is anyone really surprized? This administration has the same definition of bi-partisan that the Clintons used: do what I say. Sort of like thier arguement about policy and platform which is always some form of " shut up" . The O-bots think they won the election based on radical left wing politics not the public being upset with the economy and the fact that the GOP was playing democrat-lite.
- jeff, goffstown