Lieberman's excuses (lies) for opposing a public option

[ProSense]

ANOTHER MONTH, ANOTHER EXCUSE....

That Joe Lieberman would rather kill health care reform than let some consumer choose between competing public and private plans isn't exactly new. I continue to find it fascinating, though, to see his evolving explanations.

In June, Lieberman said, "I don't favor a public option because I think there's plenty of competition in the private insurance market." That didn't make sense, and it was quickly dropped from his talking points.

In July, Lieberman said he opposes a public option because "the public is going to end up paying for it." No one could figure out exactly what that meant, and the senator moved onto other arguments.

In August, he said we'd have to wait "until the economy's out of recession," which is incoherent, since a public option, even if passed this year, still wouldn't kick in for quite a while.

In September, Lieberman said he opposes a public option because "the public doesn't support it." A wide variety of credible polling proved otherwise.

In October, Lieberman said the public option would mean "trouble ... for the national debt," by creating "a whole new government entitlement program." Soon after, Jon Chait explained that this "literally makes no sense whatsoever."

Well, it's November. And guess what? We're onto the sixth rationale in six months. I actually like the new one.

"This is a radical departure from the way we've responded to the market in America in the past," Lieberman said Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press." "We rely first on competition in our market economy. When the competition fails then what do we do? We regulate or we litigate.... We have never before said, in a given business, we don't trust the companies in it, so we're going to have the government go into that business.."

What a pleasant change of pace. Lieberman is moving away from practical and policy arguments -- that's a good move, since he's totally wrong on the merits -- and shifting towards opposition based on traditions.

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[IndianaGreen]

1. so why is this man still chairing the Homeland Security Committee?

The blame lies in Harry Reid.

[Cha]

2. Bottom line for liebersnitch is he gets his flabby face on

tv.

[annabanana]

3. The only truth, the thing he will not say . .

"I am a wholly owned subsidiary of the Insurance Industry."

[cutlassmama]

6. this

[endless october]

4. when will Lieberman give up his own public option healthcare

and buy insurance on the open market instead?

all congressmen and women who oppose a public option must give up their own public health care or be branded hypocrites.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. The people of CT want a public option

During their most recent session, our state legislature passed a law that will establish one. It was vetoed by our soon-to-be-former Governor, but the legislature override her veto. This is what his constituents want.

http://ccag.net/index.php?q=content/sustinet-veto-overturned

[firedupdem]

7. I cannot stand to see his face or hear his voice. He doesn't give

a shit about his constituents...it's all about the insurance companies.