Update - Charles Krauthammer - WP Article - Country is headed to Single Payer

[Shadows]

On Friday's edition of 'Special Report' on Fox News Channel, syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer made the case that President Obama's strategy for Obamacare was not to create a perfect health care system, but to create the expectation that health care is something the government is responsible for. He said Obama had been successful at "creating the expectation of universal care" and that as a result "the zeitgeist of the country has really changed."

"The Democrats are going oin one direction," Krauthammer explained. "When Obamacare explodes or collapses, or dies with a whimper and not a bang... the Democrats are going to head in one direction only: single payer. The British or Canadian system."

"That is the logic of Obamacare. It was a jerry-rigged system which would temporarily create an entitlement, but would not work because it is financially impossible... But they have succeeded at creating the expectation of universal care, and once you have that... What we're going to get is Democrats going to a single payer," he added.

"The zeitgeist in the country has really changed."

He said the country has changed in the years since Obamacare was passed into law and the terms of the debate — who’s going to lose health care and how many — show that there is now a “generalized expectation that there is an entitlement to universal health care.”

Compared to that, Krauthammer added, “What did the Republicans have to offer?”

He said aside from the “we made a promise” line from Paul Ryan and others, it wasn’t clear what the “essence of it” was.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/03/24/krauthammer_obamacare_succeeded_in_creating_expectation_of_universal_health_care.html

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/krauthammer-philosophically-today-was-a-victory-for-obama/

He is right, even ultra right wing people admit, the debate has changed about who's going to lose healthcare rather than if government should be involved. The mood is changing to the thought that Healthcare is a right/entitlement & that Republicans are fighting a losing battle in the messaging war.

He's right  - In 10-15 years with more millennials coming in you will see Democrats championing Single Payer while Republicans fighting against it (with campaigning to fix the status quo) with strong support for Healthcare expansion.

[Maxwell]

well now we're getting somewhere!

[NeverAgain]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

[Dr. Arch]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

[Antonio the Sixth]

As should anyone.

[Zioneer]

Well, he's not wrong, but not for the reasons he states.

[Blue3]

The right to affordable/universal healthcare is part of the Right To Life.

Just like the government spends a lot on the military, national security, natural disaster response, epidemic response, and police forces to protect our Right To Life... so should it on healthcare to protect our Right To Life. Safety and Health. Military and Medicare. They are two sides of the same coin.

The Founders/Framers didn't live in the world of modern medicine that we do now. If they did, I'm sure they would have made it more explicit.

[EnglishPete]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

I support gun control but the firearm comparison is an unfair one.  You have to pay for a gun, you are not entitled to it as a right.

You do know that government pays the school fees of the great majority of children in primary and secondary education. Do you think that's right? Do you resent your taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the grade school to high school educations of children whose parents can't or won't pay school fees?

[Intell]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

I support gun control but the firearm comparison is an unfair one.  You have to pay for a gun, you are not entitled to it as a right.

You do know that government pays the school fees of the great majority of children in primary and secondary education. Do you think that's right? Do you resent your taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the grade school to high school educations of children whose parents can't or won't pay school fees?

Not really. I can live with that because I think people should be put on equal footing in reaching adulthood.  I don't believe the state should be in the business of delivering socialism to grown adults that are not disabled.

Everyone has the right to have equal healthcare and education, so yes, socialism needs to be delivered.

[Xing]

I know, right? These entitled American degenerates think they not only have a right to be alive, but also healthy!? What's next? Are people going to say they have a right to be happy and safe as well? Such absurd entitlement is running amok!

[Intell]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

I support gun control but the firearm comparison is an unfair one.  You have to pay for a gun, you are not entitled to it as a right.

You do know that government pays the school fees of the great majority of children in primary and secondary education. Do you think that's right? Do you resent your taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the grade school to high school educations of children whose parents can't or won't pay school fees?

Not really. I can live with that because I think people should be put on equal footing in reaching adulthood.  I don't believe the state should be in the business of delivering socialism to grown adults that are not disabled.

Everyone has the right to have equal healthcare and education, so yes, socialism needs to be delivered.

You are entitled to your opinion... thank god socialism will never be actual policy in this country... but you are entitled to your opinion.

I mean it is in many countries with regulated markets, so yelling "SOCIALISM!" is stupid.

[JA]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

I support gun control but the firearm comparison is an unfair one.  You have to pay for a gun, you are not entitled to it as a right.

You do know that government pays the school fees of the great majority of children in primary and secondary education. Do you think that's right? Do you resent your taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the grade school to high school educations of children whose parents can't or won't pay school fees?

Not really. I can live with that because I think people should be put on equal footing in reaching adulthood.  I don't believe the state should be in the business of delivering socialism to grown adults that are not disabled.

Everyone has the right to have equal healthcare and education, so yes, socialism needs to be delivered.

You are entitled to your opinion... thank god socialism will never be actual policy in this country... but you are entitled to your opinion.

I mean it is in many countries with regulated markets, so yelling "SOCIALISM!" is stupid.

Don't waste your time, Intell. He recently discovered he's a latte libertarian.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Good, good, all is working as planned! God bless Obama!

[JA]

lol. I like how they frame the ability to live, as a spooky scary 'govmint handout'. Of course Healthcare should be an entitlement, so should breathing, water, etc. Those that say that we should push people off the healthcare rolls, making the population sicker and driving up costs, because we are not entitled to it, yet have no problem saying that you have an entitlement to whatever firearm, no matter the danger really need to examine their morals.

I support gun control but the firearm comparison is an unfair one.  You have to pay for a gun, you are not entitled to it as a right.

You do know that government pays the school fees of the great majority of children in primary and secondary education. Do you think that's right? Do you resent your taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the grade school to high school educations of children whose parents can't or won't pay school fees?

Not really. I can live with that because I think people should be put on equal footing in reaching adulthood.  I don't believe the state should be in the business of delivering socialism to grown adults that are not disabled.

Everyone has the right to have equal healthcare and education, so yes, socialism needs to be delivered.

You are entitled to your opinion... thank god socialism will never be actual policy in this country... but you are entitled to your opinion.

I mean it is in many countries with regulated markets, so yelling "SOCIALISM!" is stupid.

Don't waste your time, Intell. He recently discovered he's a latte libertarian.

God forbid anyone not support socialism for all.  Tolerant progressives...  it's no wonder the Democratic party is going up in flames.

You're free to support or not support whatever you so choose. But don't act so surprised when the left party in American politics actually advocates left positions. If you dislike those positions, you're free and encouraged to support other, more fitting, right-wing parties.

Besides, trust me, almost nothing Democrats, including Sanders, advocate are actually Socialist. You should be very grateful for that.

[Shadows]

Can we stick the topic & not take the bait from Non-Swing voter who will rant on each topic about Socialism & it taking over, creating a range of replies & banter about his comments ! It derails every single thread & make the topic redundant.

[DavidB.]

As should anyone.

/thread

[Deblano]

The goal of course should be that everyone has affordable healthcare. The only question is what type of system we implement

I'd prefer a German-style system

[The_Doctor]

Here's the reality. Healthcare costs spiraling out of control since the 1980s, even inflation adjusted, is why we're having this debate. That's why the “zeitgeist” changed. It's why ObamaCare remains the law.

[GlobeSoc]

Here's the reality. Healthcare costs spiraling out of control since the 1980s, even inflation adjusted, is why we're having this debate. That's why the “zeitgeist” changed. It's why ObamaCare remains the law.

Yes. The framing of the healthcare issue is one sign that realignment is coming. Single payer will probably be one of the main issues the realigning dem runs on because of the severity of healthcare costs.

[Lief 🗽]

All thanks to Obama's inspired leadership. Truly one of the greatest presidents in our country's history. It was one of the great honors of my life to vote for him four times for President.

[publicunofficial]

Glad to see NSV has found his true colors. Knee-jerk "MUH TAX DOLLARS" reactions to any forward thinking social programs is really a Libertarian philosophy.

[Santander]

Tyranny's warm embrace is always tempting.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Tyranny's warm embrace is always tempting.

Weren't you a "wet" on health care the last time we discussed this, like, four days ago?

[Reaganfan]

I still cannot understand why healthcare is so difficult.

You need renters insurance? Easy. Go online and buy a plan. One click and it's done. You're covered, they mail you the stuff. Instant insurance.

You need health insurance? You can only get it at certain times during "enrollment periods". You can't get certain plans if your employer doesn't provide it. What if you lose your job? What if you want a plan other than what your employer provides.

There are no options and anything over $100 a month is ridiculous, and I saw a study where most millennials agreed.

[publicunofficial]

I still cannot understand why healthcare is so difficult.

You need renters insurance? Easy. Go online and buy a plan. One click and it's done. You're covered, they mail you the stuff. Instant insurance.

You need health insurance? You can only get it at certain times during "enrollment periods". You can't get certain plans if your employer doesn't provide it. What if you lose your job? What if you want a plan other than what your employer provides.

There are no options and anything over $100 a month is ridiculous, and I saw a study where most millennials agreed.

And yet you have Paul Ryan getting in front of cameras and wanking off about how "American's don't want a handout, they want the freedom to buy insurance". Asshole, I'm free to buy whatever I want. I just can't afford it.