2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Who else wanted single-payer universal healthcare over the ACA? [View all]senz
(11,945 posts)Very well said, Nay; I'm honored that my little comment served as a vehicle for your very informed reply. If you felt like it, your comment would make a great OP in GD.
I've been an Obama supporter for eight years, had high hopes for the ACA, and have been defending it for several years to friends and acquaintances who are unhappy with it. I used to think that its detractors were merely brainwashed anti-Obama rightwingers but have had to acknowledge that for many, it truly is not adequate. I believe Obama did the best he could under very difficult circumstances. The drug and insurance companies are super-villains who prey on the American people, and their wealth has given them great power.
The country you say we're headed toward is what Bernie Sanders is talking about. He is trying to wake people up, because large numbers of awakened people, combined with what's left of our democratic system, should be enough to address our problems. Single payer would eliminate this problem. We know it can be done; we've know medicare works and we've seen numerous other countries implement successful, affordable universal health care. The only thing that stands in the way of acceptance is conservative/libertarian propaganda about "collectivism," socialism, communism. IOW, what stands in our way is a fear-inducing concept kept alive by its vested interests. And, sadly, we can see its propaganda right here on "Democratic" Underground.
None of the other presidential candidates are motivated to get it done. At this time in hour history, Bernie Sanders is our only hope for resolving this, and similar, problems in a peaceful, orderly way.