Wow! Did he say it like it is

[Miss Critter]

Well, IMO both Hoosiers and Americans at large would be far better served by KEEPING people like him in office to find a way to FIX the problem.

We all know that there are problems X,Y,Z in "business as usual" in DC.

We don't know when someone is going to have the balls to step up and change it.

While I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment, SB, I think it might be a tad naive. If you've ever worked in a corporate environment where idiocy prevailed, you'd have some idea of what it must be like in Congress, which I'd guess would be entrenched idiocy times 1,000. On NBC's newscast tonight, they ran footage of Bayh's retirement speech and noted that five (I think) other Democratic incumbents decided not to seek re-election for the same reason. I think there are Republicans, too, but again, I don't remember the number. They also noted that the last time this many incumbents chose not to seek re-election for a similar reason was in 1996, and that partisanship has only escalated since then. I wish I knew what the answer is, but whatever it is, it's not making its way to Capitol Hill.

 

[Mango]

While it's certainly true that most Senators are jumping on the populist hysteria bandwagon and making decisions based on what is going to make them more electable, I think he's being disingenuous about his entire reason for "retiring". In case you're not aware, his wife serves as a Board member of the insurance company Wellpoint, as well as others. She has always sold her stock and the Bayr's have a well appointed nest egg from the health industry. I think he was rightfully disgusted with the jobs bill fiasco, and he seemed to push for a more centrist agenda from the Obama Administration, but you have to wonder when someone's wife is reeling in the kind of money she is vs. his $165K salary. I think he'll be back dependent on what happens with the health care bill and possibly make a run against Obama.

 

[Mango]

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) -- Just hours after rocking the political world with his surprise retirement announcement, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind) said that he would undergo treatment for an "all-consuming addiction" to the popular Facebook game Farmville.
"I realized that I had to make a choice between being a United States senator and tending my imaginary farm," a tearful Mr. Bayh told reporters. "I had to look at myself in the mirror and acknowledge that I had a problem."
Majority Leader Harry Reid said that he was shocked by Sen. Bayh's admission, adding, "This is all the more surprising because he hails from a farm state, where there are plenty of actual farms he could take care of."
Elsewhere, a New York Times reporter accused of plagiarism commented on the scandal, calling it "the best of times and the worst of times." More here.

 

[Matt J]

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) -- Just hours after rocking the political world with his surprise retirement announcement, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind) said that he would undergo treatment for an "all-consuming addiction" to the popular Facebook game Farmville.
"I realized that I had to make a choice between being a United States senator and tending my imaginary farm," a tearful Mr. Bayh told reporters. "I had to look at myself in the mirror and acknowledge that I had a problem."
Majority Leader Harry Reid said that he was shocked by Sen. Bayh's admission, adding, "This is all the more surprising because he hails from a farm state, where there are plenty of actual farms he could take care of."
Elsewhere, a New York Times reporter accused of plagiarism commented on the scandal, calling it "the best of times and the worst of times." More here.

Really hits home doesn't it? ;-)

 

[rapunzel]

While it's certainly true that most Senators are jumping on the populist hysteria bandwagon and making decisions based on what is going to make them more electable, I think he's being disingenuous about his entire reason for "retiring". In case you're not aware, his wife serves as a Board member of the insurance company Wellpoint, as well as others. She has always sold her stock and the Bayr's have a well appointed nest egg from the health industry. I think he was rightfully disgusted with the jobs bill fiasco, and he seemed to push for a more centrist agenda from the Obama Administration, but you have to wonder when someone's wife is reeling in the kind of money she is vs. his $165K salary. I think he'll be back dependent on what happens with the health care bill and possibly make a run against Obama.

Wellpoint is the company that was Blue Cross of California before the health insurance industry was deregulated under the Reagan Administration. Since that time, Wellpoint has bought up many of the BCBS companies around the country, including BCBS of Georgia. Having worked at BCBSGA before and after it was acquired by Wellpoint, I can assure you that Wellpoint has played a huge role in our current healthcare crisis.

I believe that a large reason for the exodus has to be the recent Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates on corporate campaign contributions, just when the small donors were finally getting their voices heard. If I were an elected official not in lock step with entrenched corporate interests, I'd probably be heading for the exits as well.

 

[Beauty hunter]

Farmville or congress? Hmmm.

 

[Interrogator]

Wellpoint is the company that was Blue Cross of California before the health insurance industry was deregulated under the Reagan Administration. Since that time, Wellpoint has bought up many of the BCBS companies around the country, including BCBS of Georgia. Having worked at BCBSGA before and after it was acquired by Wellpoint, I can assure you that Wellpoint has played a huge role in our current healthcare crisis.

I believe that a large reason for the exodus has to be the recent Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates on corporate campaign contributions, just when the small donors were finally getting their voices heard. If I were an elected official not in lock step with entrenched corporate interests, I'd probably be heading for the exits as well.

The health care "crisis" has NOT been created by the insurance industry. Culpable-yes / crisis creators-no.

The crisis in health care has been created by the dysfunctional and wasteful health care delivery system that currently exists in combination with the increase in unhealthy Americans who do not take responsibility for their health, i.e. obesity, smoking, lack of exercise.

If the delivery system could control cost, the insurance industry could establish a stable and affordable premium structure to protect against unforeseen, catastrophic loss.

If you think heath care is expensive now, wait until it is free!

 

[scooterbug44]

People cannot obtain or afford health insurance..........but it is not in any way the fault of the insurance companies?

<bullsheet>

 

[30ashopper]

People cannot obtain or afford health insurance..........but it is not in any way the fault of the insurance companies?

<bullsheet>

To provide "affordable" care, you need to heavily restrict the level of care people get under "affordable" plans. People in this country don't seem to like that, they want all you can eat coverage at an "affordable" price.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think 10%+ of people's income ought to cover expenses. :roll: