Mark Begich on the Public Option, the Kennedy Legacy, and Being Bold.
~~~Mark Begich at his June Anchorage Town Hall Meeting on health care, calling on a constituent who actually raised her hand to speak. Ah, those were the days.
I’m going to confess right now, that after 2/3 of a term of Gov. Sarah Palin, and a vice presidential run, and all the Twittering Facebooking adventures of the last year, I thought if I ever heard the word “bold” again come out of the mouth of an Alaska politician, I was going to run screaming into the hills, or smash myself in the head with a brick. So nobody was more surprised than I was when Mark Begich, on the Shannyn Moore show, used that word a LOT, and there I was… no screaming, no brick. It actually sounded kind of … nice.
As a matter of fact, I thought the whole interview was pretty great. I’ve mentioned before that I sat at Mark Begich’s Town Hall meeting on health care in June when more than 90% of the audience raised their hands when he asked who wanted a health care bill with a public option. Things have deteriorated since then, with teabaggers and hooligans of various sorts trying to stifle debate. Any fears I had that the shrieking, underinformed minority was going to derail Begich’s common sense have been put to rest. He spoke out for the legacy of Ted Kennedy, of supporting a public option, and of a generational challenges that will require …(ahem)…boldness.
Here are parts of Begich’s 40-minute stint on The Shannyn Moore Show on KBYR. Senator Begich, his wife Deborah and their young son Jacob are currently in the middle of taking three weeks to drive cross-country from Alaska, all the way to Washington D.C. He was in Minnesota when he called in to the show.
On the Media Coverage of Ted Kennedy’s Life and His Memorial Service
It was very inspirational for the last few days listening as I was literally driving across country, through these national park systems, sitting in front of Mt. Rushmore with my son and my wife and just listening to what built this country. It was bold ideas. It was people who were willing to step out, who weren’t afraid but who also understood that the everyday person had to be never forgotten, and I think that Ted Kennedy did that. And I think in a lot of ways that congress has forgotten that. A lot of us new folks that are here have a different view.
[snip]
I actually turned to my wife as the service was going on for Ted Kennedy and I turned to her and I said to her, “You know, this seems so simple, you know, when you think about it. It’s a basic fundamental right, in my view. It’s a fundamental need, without question, but the politics have gotten so muddled.” I’m hoping, in a lot of ways… you know this month off that people have had, and we’ve had these incredible outrageous forums that have occurred around the country where some people have just come and interrupted them, and not been very cordial to the process … I think that’s going to inspire poeple to come back and work twice as hard to get something done. They’re not coming back afraid. Now maybe some might be on the other side, but I think generally people are going to come back motivated and say it’s time to get things done because the people in that audience that weren’t speaking up were there to get health care, were there to hear new ideas and how to solve those problems. They weren’t there to sit there and interrupt things.
On the Public Option
(after Senator Begich lost his phone connection and called back)
Begich: I’m here, can you hear me?
Moore: We’re on the radio, so you just wave!
Begich: I’m waving! I’m waving!
Moore: (laughs) I know you’re waving… I hope you’re raising your hand to support a public option. I just really am.
Begich: I am.
[snip]
I think at the end of the day there’s going to have to be something that takes care of the uninsured. There HAS to be. Otherwise, here’s what happens. If you don’t take care of the uninsured, the reality is they are going to be covered by the insured, because they are going to get health care somewhere. At the end of the day, we’re going to pay for it, because like right now, Alaskans pay on their premium… about $1900 of their premium covers the uninsured, because the uninsured still get health care coverage.
It’s kind of one of these myths that people have out there that, well, if we don’t do anything we have nothing to worry about. Well, no no no. (laughs) You’re going to pay for it. The question is are you going to see it or are you not going to see it. But at the end of the day you will pay for the uninsured. So, I think we’ll get to some point where we’ll have accessible, affordable health care with (and this is very important. I want to underline this here, Shannyn) and that is insurance reform. You know, when people are denied coverage for a pre-existing condition is outrageous. When people have huge out of pocket expenses because of the way their policy works. For those that have caps on how much they can put toward their insurance. Well, all that has to be dealt with in this insurance reform.
On ‘Boldness’
There are no bold ideas anymore. I mean, I hate to say that. There are no leaders who step out . And your challenge to me, and the challenge that I think Ted Kennedy leaves us as elected officials is that we have to grab those bold challenges for the first time again. … You go back to when President Roosevelt said, “We are going to have a system called Social Security. We’re going to have a system that ensures our seniors live in dignity,” or you take the simple idea of Medicaid that exists today, or you can take many of these… But the point is that you take all these things from Social Security to the establishment of the National Park System that gives families, working class families, access to something that they would just never be able to do, but now they can… Take all those ideas and it almost seems like when the 70s hit, they all disappeared. And it’s now time…like health care is an example of that. Climate change is an example of that. These are bold, aggressive, big issues that are generational in impact. And if there’s one thing that the Kennedy legacy is, is that more of us have to step up to the plate in a bold way.
It is a challenge to people like myself and others that there has to be bold leadership that’s going to step beyond the norm, or beyond what people expect in the sense of “Don’t rock the boat. Don’t do this…” but you’ve got to step out and do some things.
On Public Service
Think about this. The places I’ve been to in the last two weeks, you know, sitting in a coffee shop I hear the conversations, and what’s going on and what people are saying, and it’s interesting to hear what people are saying, and as I sat at the rodeo in Wyoming, and watching the rodeo and listening to the people around me. Or sitting at the Dairy Queen in Cody, Wyoming, you know…name the places I’ve been to. And it’s a very interesting perspective you get.
And also, as you look around, it inspires you to think, you know…Why do you serve? Do you serve to just be there to buy time to say “Geez, I’m a Senator?” Or do you serve to make a difference in someone’s life, for generations to come, not just for the moment. And the people who don’t have the capacity to come to Washington D.C., the people who don’t have the capacity to participate in the high finance of politics, or participate in the special interest lobbying that goes on, that’s what we have to remind ourselves. And I’m going to tell you that this trip that I’m on, watching the whole week and listening on the radio to Kennedy’s life, and just all that and these issues we face…if that doesn’t put it in perspective.
And you don’t have to agree with him…if you noticed, Orrin Hatch was sitting in that audience today. But they created the kids’ care program SCHIP. They did it because they came together on a relationship basis, not who’s a Democrat, who’s a Republican, but they sat down and said “What’s right for the kids of this country?” And they did it. And that’s what we’re missing more than ever before.
On Senators Who are Big Fat Whiners
There are moments in time…I’ve always believed that you can never create those moments that change things as rapidly as you would like, but certain things will happen and it’s a question of creating that opportunity out of that. In a lot of ways I’m reminded of the legacy that he leaves as a person, and what he did, and what we have to do. May we agree or disagree with his politics, it’s a question of the bold leadership and the willingness to step out for those that are unable to represent themselves in the halls of congress with the special interest lobbyists that, you know… Literally, you know, some day I’ll write the book on how thick it is back there, and reminding yourself of who you are and what you’re there to do.
And I sit around with Senators at times and we have discussions, and when they start whining about, you know, “Geez, I got this call, I got that call, I got this…” and I look at ’em and I say, “Look, we’re one of a hundred people out of three hundred million. We are fortunate to be here. We have a job to do, and we better get busy.” Because when I’m hearing any of them whine about their time there, or about how difficult it is, or Geez, the schedule… I always look at ’em and say, “Hey, man. Time to move on. You’ve been here way to long, or been here with a jaded attitude, and we’re one of a hundred people out of three hundred million. We’re not always going to get it right, but we have been called to duty to do something that’s different, and bold and not the same old business as usual.”
~~More than 90% of those in attendance at Senator Begich’s Town Hall Meeting raised their hand for a public option~~
Lions can come from unlikely places. One has just passed on, leaving a legacy of public service, good works and a grateful country. Perhaps a freshman lion from the far north will grow to take that place with enough encouragement and support from the people. I may not always agree with the Senator, but I think he “gets it.”
Please remember that the telephone, the fax machine, and email also work to say THANK YOU. How about dropping the Senator a nice note to tell him how much he is appreciated, and how much we support him, the public option, and his ideas about public service? And just for the heck of it, write it in bold.
Sometimes elected officials can get irked when people yell at them who aren’t from their state, but I’m pretty sure that thank yous are welcome from anywhere.
Senator Mark Begich:
144 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
phone. (202) 224-3004
fax. (202) 224-2354
Email by clicking HERE.
There is a tide in the affairs of men, when taken at the flood leads on to fortune.
Omitted, all the voyage of their lives is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current as it serves,
or lose our ventures.
~W. Shakespeare (Julius Caesar, Act IV, Scene 3)
UPDATE:
An email from Begich’s Communications Director, Julie Hasquet says:
Senator Begich is committed to health care reform and finding ways to provide accessible, affordable health care to the millions of Americans who don’t currently have it.
However, until Senator Begich sees how a public option is proposed to be paid for in the final bill that comes before the Senate, he is not committing to supporting a public option.
I’m not sure how someone who states that they believe health care is a “basic fundamental right” can vote against a public option. Surely the Senator cannot believe that “basic fundamental rights” should only apply if we make some kind of financial prequalification. We find ways to pay for what is important to us. I’m still willing to take the Senator at his word that it’s time for generational change, and bold reform, and that health care is a basic fundamental right. We’ll see where he decides to put his chips. I don’t believe that the Senator can afford to alienate the one in six Alaskans that have no health insurance, and the progressive community that got him elected. But, time will tell.
Thanks, Sen. Begich!
For those who blame Begich for the Municipality’s current budget woes: it is “the economy, stupid!” and not former Mayor Begich that is to blame. The two primary reasons for the Muni’s budget woes are 1) the Muni’s investment portfolio took a huge hit (as who’s didn’t ! ) and 2) the revenues from tourist related taxes is down (duh, it is a recession economy). Mayor’s don’t effect the economy like Presidents do; so while Obama is leading us out of Bush’s economical debacle, let’s hope Sullivan can lead us out of the impacts of the greater economy.
First I do want people not to have to suffer from the lack of health care, however I have worked in a government funded clinic in Wilkes-Barre, PA and I must say that there were many abuses of the system. I have yet to see a government program run with any real efficiency or any real oversight. So I am concerned that a program of this scope will end up being a huge mess. I’ve dealt with public insurance too and I think there are abuses there also. One thing insurance companies fear is law suits. They lose a lot of money on law suits. I think the government should stop being afraid of the lawyers and insurance companies and set down some rules for these things. One time, Hillary Clinton said that they were looking at letting the American public buy into the same plan that Congess has. What happened to that? Also, I don’t mind paying for someone elses health insurance if they really can’t afford it. But, we as a family don’t have cable TV, or fancy cells phones, or new cars, or nice vacations because we choose to spend our money on things like health care and education. When I worked at the clinic I always wanted to ask some of these people who came in how they got their phones with internet, their TV’s they talked about or vacations they told me they were going on. Yet, these same people received free services at our clinic. Sorry that just bugs me. Anyway, that’s why I don’t think making a big system is wise. I’m not sure what the solution is, but the bill I read ( I actually read it all, over 1000 pages) was full of spots where I had questions about how they would carry it out. It also actually did have penalties for non-compliance. Now maybe I read the wrong bill but that was there. So, I guess again I’m saying, yes lets help people, but let’s not rush in without a lot of good thought and the best minds working on this. Thanks
Thanks for the post. Was not able to catch this on the radio show.
I hope his actions match his words. I liked what he was saying, especially the recognition of Senate service as a duty. Idealistic? Yes. Does that kind of thinking last long in Washington? Doubtful. But if anyone can keep him on track in the idealism department, it’s probably his kid. Go Jacob!
Another huge problem with uninsured patients is that they tend to wait later in the disease process because they are uninsured. They present at the ER or elsewhere in more advanced stages of disease than insured folks. The economics of this situation is that a problem that may have been relatively inexpensive to take care of in the initial stages is now more complex and critical, requiring longer hospitalizations and more intervention…..thus vastly more costly.
Again…insured people are already paying for the more costly therapy required for treating advanced disease in uninsured patients who seek delayed treatment secondary to financial constraints.
Therefore…..Health reform with universal coverage helps in two ways: 1) patients will get care earlier in their disease process which is obviously better for them health wise. 2) Preventive care or early intervention saves money for everyone….especially compared to the uninsured cost burden on the insured payers into the system currently.
Sen. Begich is certainly correct with this statement: “If you don’t take care of the uninsured, the reality is they are going to be covered by the insured, because they are going to get health care somewhere. At the end of the day, we’re going to pay for it…”
That “somewhere” where uninsured persons go in great numbers is the ER. The emergency departments of the country have become the “Family Doctor” for millions of uninsured people. Unfortunately, ERs are not set up for this type of practice and are considerably more expensive than an FP office visit. The overuse of ERs create problems for both staff and the true emergency patients……and the insured persons DO pay for the uninsured with this kind of health care whether they know it or not.
The Tea-Baggers et al who belligerently howl that they don’t want to pay for the “lazy, good for-nothing’s” healthcare…..already are. At a premium price.
Sen. Begich has a certain idealism about his privilege and responsibility in being a Senator. I wish more of the old goats in government felt that way but I can’t help wondering what the half-life of idealism is in Washington…..
I personally got tired of Sen. Begich’s use of the word “bold.”
small steps: How nice of you to be so persistent in answering me! I know how frustrating it is when comments disappear into the moderation vortex. Can’t imagine why yours did on this thread. 😀
I phoned and emailed. As someone from Illinois who spent time on the Cape most summers (no, not Hyannis…I had cousins who were lobstermen), I grew up knowing really great Senators. I think it’s important that Mark knows that IF he stands up for all of us on Public Otion, then we “Lower 48s” will do everything in our power from afar to stand with him. We will not forget.
AKM, you made me tear up all over again!
NO CO-OP’S! A Little History Lesson
Young People. America needs your help.
More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 77% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (86% of democrats, 75% of independents, and 72% of republicans). Basically everyone.
According to a new AARP POLL: 86 percent of seniors want universal healthcare security for All, including 93% of Democrats, 87% of Independents, and 78% of Republicans. And 79% of seniors support creating a new strong Government-run public option plan, available immediately. Including 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans, STUNNING!! Senator Max Baucus, You better come out of committee with a strong government-run public option available on day one.
The History:
Our last great economic catastrophe was called the Great Depression. Then as now it was caused by a reckless, and corrupt Republican administration and republican congress. FDR a Democrat, was then elected to save the nation and the American people from the unbridled GREED and profiteering, of the unregulated predatory self-interest of the banking industry and Wallstreet. Just like now.
FDR proposed a Government-run health insurance plan to go with Social Security. To assure all Americans high quality, easily accessible, affordable, National Healthcare security. Regardless of where you lived, worked, or your ability to pay. But the AMA riled against it. Using all manor of scare tactics, like Calling it SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!! :-0
So FDR established thousands of co-op’s around the country in rural America. And all of them failed. The biggest of these co-op organizations would become the grandfather of the predatory monster that all of you know today as the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry. And the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry.
This former co-op would grow so powerful that it would corrupt every aspect of healthcare delivery in America. Even corrupting the Government of the United States.
This former co-op’s name is BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD.
Do you see now why even the suggestion of co-op’s is ridiculous. It makes me so ANGRY! Co-op’s are not a substitute for a government-run public option.
They are trying to pull the wool over our eye’s again. Senators, if you don’t have the votes now, GET THEM! Or turn them over to us. WE WILL! DEAL WITH THEM. Why do you think we gave your party Control of the House, Control of the Senate, Control of the Whitehouse. The only option on the table that has any chance of fixing our healthcare crisis is a STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION.
An insurance mandate and subsidies without a strong government-run public option choice available on day one, would be worse than the healthcare catastrophe we have now. The insurance, and healthcare industry have been very successful at exploiting the good hearts of the American people. But Congress and the president must not let that happen this time. House Progressives and members of the Tri-caucus must continue to hold firm on their demand for a strong Government-run public option.
A healthcare reform bill with mandates and subsidies but without a STRONG government-run public option choice on day one, would be much worse than NO healthcare reform at all. So you must be strong and KILL IT! if you have too. And let the chips fall where they may. You can do insurance reform without mandates, subsidies, or taxpayer expense.
Actually, no tax payer funds should be use to subsidize any private for profit insurance plans. So, NO TAX PAYER SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE FOR PROFIT PLANS. Tax payer funds should only be used to subsidize the public plans. Healthcare reform should be 100% for the American people. Not another taxpayer bailout of the private for profit insurance industry, disguised as healthcare reform for the people.
God Bless You
Jacksmith � Working Class
Twitter search #welovetheNHS #NHS Check it out
(http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)
Senator Bernie Sanders on healthcare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSM8t_cLZgk&feature=player_embedded)
American HEROES!! 🙂 Click replay to play http://bit.ly/j31oU
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWw23XwO5o) CYBER WARRIORS!! – TAKE THIS VIRAL
It would be nice if Begich and Murkowski could work together.
Cokie Roberts is an emmy award winning journalist and senior news analyist for NPR. She is also the late congressman Hale Bogg’s daughter (House majority leader Boggs died with congressman Begich in the 1970s plane wreck). I remembering her commenting, years ago, about how Congress has changed. In the old days her father used to go and listen to debates on legislation. These floor debates actually influenced his decisions on how to vote! Think of that– democracy. What a concept.
Now they decide how to legislate in closed caucus, puppet-stringed by lobbyists away from the public. Core debates are resolved before discussion even reaches the floor.
Too bad Begich and Murkowski can’t work together on health reform. Too bad they don’t appear together in town halls. Too bad they can’t collaborate and develop a unified proposal from our state on how to clean up this mess. Kennedy would have loved it.
Too bad Alaska’s need for resolution of the health care dilemma comes in a distant second behind Murkowski’s and Begich’s partisan caucus allegiances.
And this is the same senator that was looking for political cover, before casting his vote for Justice Sotomayor. Will he take the same stance on reform? This guy’s a rookie, taking baby steps.
http://www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=8984 Read this article and maybe send to any opposition you can I have already e-mailed this man a few times but his saying he has prostrate cancer and encouraging men to be tested is a way to say how can the millions without insurance or with the very high deductibles do this when you oppose a way for them to afford the same type of insurance you get a choice to have.I have also e-mailed Ben nelson a few times along with others I know oppose this health insurance reform.
I could not believe it when I was reading on the Huffington Post all the condolences sent to the Kennedy Family that they included one from Sarah Palin. How could she be so crass, especially with the things she said/says about Obama knowing how Senator Kennedy felt. Kennedy himself said that the Kennedy Family was now passing the torch to Obama and had every confidence in him. The Kennedys and Obama will forever hold a great place in the history of the world. Palin however, will not even be a footnote.
The funeral program for Senator Kennedy is on-line in PDF format.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/0829kennedyprogram.pdf
The list of pall bearers is impressive.
Dear Senator Begich-
Please give a lesson in being a progressive Democrat to those Blue Dog guys. I’ve got one as my representative and he’s on my last nerve right now.
**********
More seriously, I have consistently been impressed with your junior Senator’s pragmatism, thoughtfulness, and humility. I hope that he will be able to retain those qualities through a lengthy political career.
Are you people kidding me…Mark Begich has left the city in shambles and you all sit hear and say how wolderful the guy is. Barack constantly harps that all the problems the country faces are related to the Bush years and you fully agree with that. However if Dan sullivan came out and said that Begich left the city in ruin you would howl at him. I realize that politacally we may never see eye to eye but when are you Begich lovers finally going to admit that the golden boy is not perfect
That’s the part where I say I don’t always agree with him. (Not that I’m perfect either…) Frankly, I don’t think anyone’s perfect. I like to encourage the good and discourage the bad. I happen to think that the bulk of this interview was good. And I’m encouraging it. I’ll get to Dan Sullivan later. 😉 AKM
Anneta@6 I”m here in Kansas too, and would gladly trade our senators for one like Mark B. He may be on the conservative side, but far better than what we have. Both of our senators are hard core right wingers and Dominionists to boot. Sigh!
It has always been about healthcare insurance reform.
Not about death panels or death books.
Not about socialism or marxism or whatever negative term the opposers come up with.
It’s about people having the basic coverage so that they can get treated by the doctor(s) of their choice and so that the doctor(s) of their choice can get paid for the treatment provided.
The only way any of this will work is if there is a public option. As it stands, a growing number of private businesses and even public entities are lowering coverages while increasing co-pays and premiums. The insurance companies are pricing companies – even Fortune 500 companies – out of the market. The public option makes that market more competitive and will force the insurance companies (especially those that pay their CEO’s in excess of $10 mill/year) to lower the rates and increase coverage. There currently is no competitive critter in the insurance marketplace.
It’s got to be done. Let’s do it.
Wow, thank you! What an encouraging read as I try to get caffeinated enough to face the day.
Think BOLD!
Yes I agree that “whiners” been there too long. Good for Senator Begich for pointing that out. Now it’s up to the other states to elect new law makers. “whiners” slow down progress.
Public Option will not be perfect but it’s the only viable choice now. There will be plenty of glitches to work out, but we must do something. It’s interesting we have Blue Cross PPO insurance & have for many years. I wanted to switch doctors recently & was told by a half a dozen they no longer accept Blue Cross patients just private pay patients. I said well what if I was private pay & they said sorry no deal. So here I am with what would be considered good insurance & I’m not a candidate. The doctors are so angry with insurance companies dictating what they can do & get what they get paid they are fighting back & who suffers….the patient. I’ve heard the co-op option is not really an option & am very disappointed in Tom Daschel (sp?) for supporting it.
Thanks, AKM. It’s especially refreshing to hear Sen Begich’s attitude what with his being essentially a conservative, i.e., he’s suddenly sounding like a liberal Dem. He’s in a good position to bring a sense of conscience to other conservative Dems to represent the people instead of the corps they’ve been selling out to.
The reality of private, for-profit health insurance is that it is a failed experiment, in the same way that private fire protection was a failure and was then socialized for the common welfare. If the number of uninsured Americans isn’t evidence enough by itself of private insurance’s failure, then combined with the reality that three-quarters of people forced into bankruptcy by health care bills were forced there while having private insurance coverage certainly makes a compelling case that private insurance fails to provide for the common welfare. The dogma of Republicans (aka Corporate Shills) that we all must make personal sacrifices to protect the bottom lines of corporations – and even manage to imply that we have a patriotic duty to do so – is so asinine that it fails to meet the threshold of serious political thought. I will settle for a Public Option at this point, even though I see it as a strategy that jeopardizes the fiscal success of Public Insurance.
Well, hallelujah and good for AK! If a Mark Begich BOLD one can come out of AK, maybe there’s hope for GA. Of course, bless their hearts, it won’t be Johnny, Saxby or Jack.
Thank you so much, AKM, for another outstanding post. Here is the rather spontaneous email that I sent to Senator Begich.
“For the kind words you spoke this past weekend on Shannyn Moore’s program about Senator Kennedy, I sincerely thank you. For daring to dream some of Senator Kennedy’s “impossible dreams” about health care for all Americans, I thank you.
“Senator Kennedy truly was “My Senator.” As a Democrat in Texas, I have been disenfranchised for over twenty years by the very partisan, Bush-led Republican Party. My only hope that my views would be heard was that Senator Kennedy would speak on my behalf.
“Senator Begich, you sound as if you might be willing to continue Teddy’s dream of universal health care, or at least a strong public option. I know you are “only” a freshman senator, but I believe, along with you, that our country needs bold, decisive leadership in Congress.
“Thank you for being willing to serve our country in a great time of crisis.”
My note to Senator Begich was not polished, but it came straight from the heart. We need to locate Democrats throughout the nation who share the goals and ideals of Senator Kennedy. I have been so depressed all weekend over his death, but at the same time, I have been in awe when the list of some of his accomplishments is mentioned. If you have time, you can read about the senator’s laws and bills that have so improved the lives of ordinary Americans. The link is http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Kennedy%20Accomplishments.pdf/.
I thought it was a great tribute to his dad, Ted Kennedy Jr. & his wife went sailing yesterday in his dad’s boat.
Thank you Sen. Begich. Too many senators are happy with the status quo. Too many senators waffling, hemming and hawing, and being influenced by the tiny shrieking minority (they sound like my sister: if you disagree, they scream louder, get emotional, , and talk faster to keep anyone from getting a word in… all without using a single proven fact). They all stand in the shadow of a giant. I didn’t even know Kennedy could paint!!! And his paintings alone are great. I had no idea before a few days ago that he peronally called each Massachussetts family of the 9/11 victims (173 of them), and kept calling them for years to make sure they were OK.
Good to hear Sen. Begich is stepping up.
You’re right about health care. If my rates go up, and things stay as they are with “pre-existing conditions” or “dropped coverage”, why pay in the first place? You don’t pay car insurance if you don’t know if you’re being covered after all, right? I’ll just do what’s been done to me: pick a name from the phone book. If health care reform fails, we should all do this. Crash the system. Then gov’t WILL have to step in and take over. Remember, there are no debtor’s prisons, and by law you can’t be refused care. And “garnishing wages” is pretty much the same thing as having to pay out-of-pocket for some massive bill. Plus, scaring a person with bad credit fears falls flat when a bill is so big that a person’s never going to afford a house anyway… So I say, reform, or threaten them with mass boycott.
Woo hoo Mark…I couldn’t have said it better myself. When there are so many uninsured we all the pay for them. I woulld think the fiscal conservatives would understand this very simple principle….unless….unless they have other motives & agendas in mind.
One of the most touching things I saw during the Kennedy Funeral was when the procession approached the Capital & there were thousands of people there, one of the talking heads said maybe Vicki Kenndy would get out of the car & greet the crowd. Vicki Kennedy did indeed get out of the car along with every single other Kenndy in every single car. It’s was really moving.
As always AKM thanks for all you do & providing a safe place from nthe racist, overzealous wingnuts who are starting to scare the wits (s***) out of me.
Thanks to Senator Begich for the wonderful tribute to Senator Kennedy. A man who realized that as a human he was not perfect, but as a human he had a duty to those less fortunate. He realized that others also had things to say, would listen and not lecture.
President Obama’s story on the cigars was wonderful. Our Senator had a sense of humor! Not many do these days.
Going to miss him here in Massachusetts. Be interesting to see what comes next.
If I didn’t have hope, I wouldn’t keep trying. That’s the meme of healthcare reform, perhaps it follows to posting on blogs about healthcare reform. I don’t know.
Well – thank you AKM for a great post to read over my morning coffee. Thank you ALaskans for electing Senator Begich and sharing him with the lower-48.
If we keep up our positive feedback to our elected officials regarding healthcare reform perhaps Senator Begich will be correct that Congress will pass the legislation, with a public option, after the recess. Even in my red district the polls show that the public supports a public option.
aigh!!!!! I feel like Charlie Brown playing football with Lucy!
Great. That one posts fine. Go figure 🙂 Let’s see if this one does.
Lemonfair: Senator Begich’s quote reminded me of Senator Keeley’s character in the Birdcage (Gene Hackman, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane) where he is describing their car trip from Massachusetts to Florida, “going from the North, where it’s cold, to the South, where it’s warm.”
thank you AKM for this wonderful post and for robo posting so we on the East Coast have shiny new posts to read with our morning coffee. Thank you to Alaskans for electing Senator Begich and sharing this Alaskan politician with the lower-48. I hope he takes up the mantle of Senator Kennedy. I hope Congress returns from recess and passes healthcare reform with the public option; for all Americans and in honor of Senator Kennedy. Hope is a great emotion, and I hope this comment posts 🙂
what has happened to my comments? boo hoo.
Thank you for the posting. I followed your advice and wrote a Thank You email to Senator Begich even though we live in Kansas. Neither of our Senators support health care reform – but then, both are die-hard Republicans and followed Bush blindly.
It was a joy to be able to thank a Senator for support health care reform. I mentioned how much we value your blog and how it led me to write. We need reform so no individual or family has to live in fear of not being able to get affordable access to health care. We ourselves spent many years living in fear as we raised our daughter. Even though my husband is a public school teacher, we could not afford health care insurance. Now, as we get closer to Medicare, we are want to make sure no one else has to live like that. Everyone needs to know they can get help for themselves or their loved ones when injuries or illness strike.
Thank you for your reporting, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to improving the lives of others. We all appreciate the time you invest in keeping us apprised of issues we need to know about.
Begich has don nothing but hide on this issue. Bet you he has taken millions fro the phamaceuticals and insurance companies. He is a coward to pretend he is thinking it all over while millions are screwed by insurance companies every minute.He will never get the support of progressives or democrats if he supports the insurance industry. He fits right in withe Lisa Murkowski, Palin and Don Young.
Oh, where did my comment go? 🙁
Lemonfair: I was reminded of Senator Keeley in “The Birdcage” with Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, & Robin Williams. “Traveling from the north where it’s cold, to the south where it’s warm. Pennsylvania’s nice.” I think politicians must get a phraseology book for speechifying in travelogue-style. tee-hee.
Big thank you to AKM for robo-posting so that we on the East Coast can enjoy a brand new shiny post with our morning coffee/tea.
Bigger thank you to Alaskans for sharing this politician with the lower-48. I sure hope he’s right that Congress will pass health care reform legislation with a public option after an eventful August recess. I have contacted my Senators and Reps. Even in this red district of VA the poll on my Repub Reps website shows more constituents in favor of a public option. Hope he listens.
Frank LI NY – I think this is part of the Democratic effort to rebrand “health care reform” as “insurance reform,” which is what it should have been called in the first place. “health care reform” sounds like we’re trying to change health care, right? That allowed the crazies to say that we were going to reform health care by instituting death panels, rationing care, having the government “run health care.”
If this had been sold as insurance reform from the start it might have been possible to keep the focus on what the insurance companies are and are not doing, and to push the public option as something that was necessary to put pressure on the insurance companies to provide services so that they could keep business.
Lemonfair: I was actually thinking it reminded me of Senator Keely in “The Birdcage” with Robin Williams 🙂 I think all elected officials get a handbook on generic speechifying – ha ha.
Couple of thank you’s – AKM – wonderful post and many thanks that you use the robo-posting so that those of us on the East Coast have something wonderful to read with our coffee (unless you really are up at 4am??)
And thank you to Senator Begich. I liked him as mayor, and would have voted for him as Senator if I lived there still, yet, once now. (sorry my pennsylvania dutchy roots are showing ;). It would be nice to see him pick up the mantel and carry on with Senator Kennedy’s legacy. I hope he is correct in his estimation that many in Congress will return from the recess with renewed vigor to pass health care reform with a public option. I have been contacting my Senators and Reps to voice my opinion. If we all continue to raise our collective voices they will listen. Hope: it’s my favorite emotion.
And a big thank you to Alaskans for electing Senator Begich. A politician that we in the lower-48 are happy you have shared with us.
Moore: (laughs) I know you’re waving… I hope you’re raising your hand to support a public option. I just really am.
Begich: I am.
Here he states he is for the public option,but at the end of the paragraph, he is talking about insurance reform.
[Well, all that has to be dealt with in this insurance reform.]
Which is it,or am I reading this wrong?
I hope someone steps up back there starts acting like a leader. It has deteriorated so much, it feels like I’m watching a food fight. Good for you for electing Sen. Begich.
Oh my goodness, I really was the first comment. Kinda late in the morning for the first comment. Did anyone else notice how eerily like SP this first sentence sounded? Someone needs to do a thesis on Alaskan English, and if they do I’ll read it:
“It was very inspirational for the last few days listening as I was literally driving across country, through these national park systems, sitting in front of Mt. Rushmore with my son and my wife and just listening to what built this country. “
Huzzah to Mark Begich, and to you, AKM. (And thanks for the neat picture of Ted.) Very moving weekend, watching all the coverage. Very humbling, too. Here was a person who reached out to those in pain and need at every opportunity. A lot busier than I am, with a lot more people in his life, and still a lot more responsive than I am most of the time. A good lesson learned, I hope.