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kpete

(72,903 posts) Sun Oct 27, 2013, 09:00 AM Oct 2013

Krugman asks: So does this mean that liberals should have insisted on single-payer or nothing? [View all]

So does this mean that liberals should have insisted on single-payer or nothing? No. Single-payer wasn’t going to happen — partly because of the insurance lobby’s power, partly because voters wouldn’t have gone for a system that took away their existing coverage and replaced it with the unknown. Yes, Obamacare is a somewhat awkward kludge, but if that’s what it took to cover the uninsured, so be it.

And although the botched rollout is infuriating — count me among those who believe that liberals best serve their own cause by admitting that, not trying to cover for the botch — the odds remain high that this will work, and make America a much better place.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/why-is-obamacare-complicated/?_r=0&gwh=9092E8A04713043928C2B440E95585A9

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Krugman asks: So does this mean that liberals should have insisted on single-payer or nothing? [View all] kpete Oct 2013 OP

I think a lot of liberals did insist on single payer for all the good it did tularetom Oct 2013 #1

I think he means insist the way the tea party does. Threedifferentones Oct 2013 #2

Yes and we didn't get the public option compromise either n/t hootinholler Oct 2013 #5

We believed Obama when he said he was for it during his 1st campaign. L0oniX Oct 2013 #13

They ALL said it! Every single Dem candidate in the primaries had a public option as CTyankee Oct 2013 #16

Joe Lieberman single handedly stopped it as a last resort insurance Warpy Oct 2013 #27

As a CT resident, I am SO ashamed of what Lieberman did to people like you and CTyankee Oct 2013 #47

His should be a name that lives in infamy Warpy Oct 2013 #48

I am so sorry to hear that! CTyankee Oct 2013 #49

I know people online who were foolish enough to vote for him Warpy Oct 2013 #68

well, if you voted for Gore you had to vote for him... CTyankee Oct 2013 #69

It's amazing how much Paul and I think alike! CTyankee Oct 2013 #3

But the public option edhopper Oct 2013 #4

Yep. The apologists just block that part out Doctor_J Oct 2013 #7

Locked in, how? Nine Oct 2013 #18

You think there is any chance they'll give back a guaranteed 20% of a 3 trillion dollar pie? Doctor_J Oct 2013 #21

"they" don't get whatever they want Nine Oct 2013 #26

Stop, you're killing me Doctor_J Oct 2013 #28

because laws can never, ever be changed, right? (nt) Nine Oct 2013 #30

"If the President had insisted" is the way many fairy tales begin. nt geek tragedy Oct 2013 #35

LOL!!! JoePhilly Oct 2013 #56

"But Obama was *bought off* by the insurance companies" Kolesar Oct 2013 #52

Lieberman, from the state of CT, home of huge insurance companies, pnwmom Oct 2013 #71

Single payer will be possible starting in 2017 Chathamization Oct 2013 #15

I dunno. Good luck in MIsssissippi...and other states where god knows the people CTyankee Oct 2013 #20

The public option wasn't an option because Lieberman opposed it. pnwmom Oct 2013 #70

My fervent belief is that this is a good first step toward single payer etherealtruth Oct 2013 #6

actually it's a step AWAY FROM single-payer Doctor_J Oct 2013 #8

I actually believe (quite possibly naively) that taking away huge unfettered profits etherealtruth Oct 2013 #9

Health care providers will resist zipplewrath Oct 2013 #22

"Our next best hope is going to be nonprofit health insurance cooperatives." etherealtruth Oct 2013 #24

call us when that happens... MisterP Oct 2013 #67

That's also what happens if you sign up for Medicare Part C or D, and even parts A and B Hoyt Oct 2013 #51

Wrong. The ACA is providing money to the states that want to pnwmom Oct 2013 #72

Then we would have ended up with "nothing." nt kelliekat44 Oct 2013 #10

All or nothing rarely works. former9thward Oct 2013 #11

I agree. nt Zorra Oct 2013 #12

This is the exact point I frequently make here. But I am always surprised how many DUers disagree. Nye Bevan Oct 2013 #14

Federalizing health insurance zipplewrath Oct 2013 #23

It's actually a step in the WRONG direction Doctor_J Oct 2013 #29

IMO we're getting Single Payer regardless of the ACA Hippo_Tron Oct 2013 #32

What is this bizarre preoccupation with the BOG? There are like 50 people in it, there are tens of geek tragedy Oct 2013 #37

what's a Ted Cruz leftist? Doctor_J Oct 2013 #40

Ted Cruz Left are those who join with Ted Cruz in engaging in hyperbolic, fact-free geek tragedy Oct 2013 #43

Very well said. Don't expect a reply from Obama haters Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #45

Eh, he's just the symbol for the Democratic party they hate. geek tragedy Oct 2013 #46

True that. The Dem party I hate called itself the Republican Party until about 20 years ago Doctor_J Oct 2013 #61

Yes, you started hating the Democratic party when it started winning national elections geek tragedy Oct 2013 #62

Oh, nice try Doctor_J Oct 2013 #65

So, your theory is that McGovern lost because he was too rightwing? geek tragedy Oct 2013 #66

False choice, I never was a single payer or bust sort but still believe that reform TheKentuckian Oct 2013 #17

it's the current paraphrasing of "would you rather have Palin?" Doctor_J Oct 2013 #42

Krugman gets another one right. BluegrassStateBlues Oct 2013 #19

Paul Krugman: voice of reason. nt Hekate Oct 2013 #25

In 2007 people said it was impossible for a black man to win the oval office... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #31

So, the Ted Cruz all-or-nothing approach was the right strategy, regardless of outcome? nt geek tragedy Oct 2013 #34

Poor example... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #38

"insist on x" is inconsistent with "settle for something besides x" geek tragedy Oct 2013 #39

Actually, I hope it succeeds wildly... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #41

You are obviously not aware how Democrats think about health care. geek tragedy Oct 2013 #44

I will leave you with that as the last word... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #50

The only way to single payer is for more people BootinUp Oct 2013 #54

Huh? The way to single payer is for the government to offer a competing plan... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #55

A competing plan will not be forthcoming if ACA is deemed a failure BootinUp Oct 2013 #59

Every liberal should be upset at the errors. But a noisy, obnoxious few are rooting for failure. geek tragedy Oct 2013 #33

Um, didn't they? eom uppityperson Oct 2013 #36

A good public option would have become single payer. D23MIURG23 Oct 2013 #53

Krugman: "Single-payer wasn�t going to happen" JoePhilly Oct 2013 #57

If people would stop fixating on "single payer" Bunnahabhain Oct 2013 #58

Nah. The Public Option that the president campaigned on would have been fine Doctor_J Oct 2013 #63

I disagree Bunnahabhain Oct 2013 #64

Paul K. PasadenaTrudy Oct 2013 #60