The White House and the Republicans were strange bedfellows this weekend, both asserting on every talking head show how much the insurance companies hated the Senate health care "reform" bill that passed a crucial procedural vote early this morning. Defending that position with Ed Schultz on Morning Joe last week, Axelrod actually asserted that the insurance companies were "vigorously opposing the bill." Schultz argued that the bill was a "gift" to the insurance business. Have a look at the exchange:
If you're confused about this entire argument, here's a hint...follow the money. Watching the markets today, it looks like ol' Ed was right. Today, the business news channels were all abuzz about "reform" and how the insurance companies will benefit from this new program. In fact, the health insurance industry lead a very nice rally today with the Dow closing up 85 points at 10,414. However, you have to look inside the numbers to really tell what's going on. All the big health insurance writers were big winners today, with the investors loving the big new market that Congress is about to hand them, protecting their monopolies. Here are a few examples of today's happy stocks:
% Up Today YTD Increase
Cigna 3.88% 120%
Aetna 4.71% 19%
United Health 2.00% 21%
Wellcare Health 4.00% 198%
Humana 3.47% 21%
If you're confused about this entire argument, here's a hint...follow the money. Watching the markets today, it looks like ol' Ed was right. Today, the business news channels were all abuzz about "reform" and how the insurance companies will benefit from this new program. In fact, the health insurance industry lead a very nice rally today with the Dow closing up 85 points at 10,414. However, you have to look inside the numbers to really tell what's going on. All the big health insurance writers were big winners today, with the investors loving the big new market that Congress is about to hand them, protecting their monopolies. Here are a few examples of today's happy stocks:
% Up Today YTD Increase
Cigna 3.88% 120%
Aetna 4.71% 19%
United Health 2.00% 21%
Wellcare Health 4.00% 198%
Humana 3.47% 21%
So. Insurance companies are rallying after reform that the White House claims they were fighting. Who's the winner here?
That looks pretty clear.
That looks pretty clear.
Excellent!
Reminds me of the farmer who had a mule. He and his friend were riding in the wagon one day when the mule just stopped in the road for no good reason. The farmer gave a yank on the reigns a couple of times to no avail. His friend said what are you gonna do?
You have to know how to deal with a mule, the farmer replied. They are sensitive creatures. You have to talk with him and reason with him.
The farmer walked up to the mule, pulled a 2x4 from behind his back and wahcked the mule, good, up side the head.
Whoa!, his friend remarked. What's with the 2x4????? I though said you had to be sensitive and talk to him.
You do, the farmer replied, But, you've got to get his attention first.
Machine, agreed TO A POINT.
Obama needs to "step up to the bat" and hit some people over the head - be it Repubs or Dems. To date he has not shown the inclination to do so...just tries to please everyone and pleases no one.
So pardon me, but I AM being hard on Obama...it's time someone is!
Don't be too hard on Obama. By becoming the anti-Obama party the Repubs have shifted the Overton window on almost every issue, forcing Obama to act from a more centrist position that he wanted. And it doesn't help that Dem legislators are a fractured bunch, either. Obama's initiatives are hindered by his own party.
Miemaw, that article speaks volumes about the frustration that many of us are feeling regarding the Democrats and, most importantly, President Obama.
Make no mistake; we will lose in 2010 and deservedly so! I can only hope that he will not do more damage to us until he is voted out in 2012.
I am so disgusted!
Kinda long -- but worth the read.
"President Nothingburger" did it again.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/12/20-8
Too good - not to share.
He's really starting to piss me off - also.
I was so happy about the medicare-55 option. Selfishly I thought, after 40 years of working just maybe I can go to 4 days a week with this security in my pocket.
I'm so sickeningly depressed I don't know what to believe except this. It seems pretty obvious to me that forcing insurance on people, without competition, can't be a bad thing for the ins companies.
I wonder if Rockefeller's amendment, forcing them to spend 90% of income on actual healthcare, has been booted out yet?
I guess we can't call it rape, we invited it in. We were just too optimistic.
And once again, we don't even get kissed.