Congress and Lobbyists

Ever wonder why there are Democrats (assuming it makes sense that Republicans act this way) that so staunchly oppose healthcare reform? Look no further. They are fattened up by money from health insurance corporations and seem intent on voting against reform, despite support for it among their constituents, and, if you ask me, not because of ideology.

Here are the shares they get from the healthcare industry:

And why would health insurance companies do this, you ask? Because without any limits on premiums and conditions for their coverage, they can do this: increase premiums by 29% just like that.

On more positive related news, lobbyists are feeling the pinch of the economy on their derrières and no longer have the clout to which they had been accustomed until now (via Huffington Post). Nevertheless, lobbyists have been unleashed on congressmen and congresswomen and are pulling strings left and right to influence their votes.

Meanwhile, Rep. Henry Waxman of California is tightening the purse strings for money going to drug companies in trying to cut a deal with the industry in question, which aims to save billions of dollars in the future.

In remembrance of Sen. Ted Kennedy and his incorruptible struggle for healthcare reform:

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Healthcare Reform Falters

The Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, announced today that the public health insurance option, which has been the topic of much debate lately, is not 'essential' and appeared ready to drop it. The White House followed suit by saying that they might settle for non-profit co-ops with insurance companies instead. I think this is Obamas biggest cop-out to date. It is obvious that they are bowing down to Republican and lobbyist pressures. It is an indication that the latter are still in charge of Washington and change is not really happening, and that the former are merely bullies that are still pulling vital strings despite being in a pronounced minority.

Why is it that Democrats cannot get anything good and consequential passed even with a crushing majority in the House and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate?! Republicans seem to do it very well with a +1 majority. What the devil is the majority whip doing?! Crack the damn whip, dammit!

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Healthcare

Last night's Countdown with Keith Olbermann had a special comment on what Olbermann termed as 'legislators for sale'—those who pose resistance to any plans for a public health insurance option, Democrats and Republicans alike—relating their resistance to the amount of money they have received in donations from health insurance, drug companies, etc..

I posted a chart a few days ago on the health sector's contributions to legislators, which showed that they ebb and flow depending on the majority in Congress. Olbermann goes so far as to name congressmen and congresswomen who, as he puts it himself, 'have sold their soul.'

I believe I'd say the same if I believed in a soul.

Why Healthcare Bills Are Hard to Pass

This blog post illustrates why healthcare always has titanic hurdles to overcome and why it might even fail in the final vote this time around.

Is money the only force that drives policies in Washington?