As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
Late Saturday night after a wild open debate, the US House of Representatives passed the Obamacare Health bill by the slim margin of 220-215! After months of acrimonious partisanship, Democrats closed ranks on a 220-215 vote that included 39 defections, mostly from the party's conservative ranks. So, Nancy now has HER bill. Now what?
The House legislation would for the first time require every individual to obtain insurance, and would require all but the smallest employers to provide coverage to their workers. It would vastly expand Medicaid and create a new marketplace where people could obtain federal subsidies to buy insurance from private companies or from a new government-run insurance plan.
Wasn't America against a government run plan?
Though some people would receive no benefits -- including about 6 million illegal immigrants, according to congressional estimates -- the bill would virtually close the coverage gap for people who do not have access to health-care coverage through their jobs. But why discuss just what Nancy wanted, what will the Senate bill look like, or will there even be one?
This isn't a done deal you know.
After a narrow win in the U.S. House of Representatives, President Barack Obama's fight for a sweeping healthcare overhaul moves to the U.S. Senate where it faces a difficult path to approval. The Senate's version of healthcare reform has been stalled as Democratic leader Harry Reid awaits cost estimates from congressional budget analysts and searches for an approach that can win the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican procedural hurdles.
Reid has made his toughest decision in merging the separate bills passed by the Finance and Health panels: He included a national government-run public insurance option, which was part of the Health bill but was not in the Finance measure. Reid also included a compromise that would allow states to decline to participate, or "opt out," of the government-run program -- an effort to appease moderates, most from conservative Republican-leaning states, who oppose a national public option.
Obviously if thee IS a Senate bill, it will be greatly different than the House.
Reid has little margin for error -- Democrats control exactly 60 votes, the number needed to overcome procedural hurdles and pass a bill. Most of the dozen or so Democratic moderates in the Senate remain uncommitted or oppose the public option.
So, now the focus moves from animal house to the Senate chambers. :-)
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Political Leaders are Now on the Internet
By: Network 18 | 21/11/2009Political leaders secure a very good place among us and they are those big time legends who have crafted a mark in their lives. Connect.in.com is the place that offers you an opportunity to know more and more about them.
War of rumors and realities
By: Farman Nawaz | 20/11/2009In Pakistan people can’t set apart rumors and realities. Still a lot of mysteries are undisclosed. For a very long time people were confused that whether Pakistan army is sincere in war against terror or it is just misleading the international community to get maximum funds. In fact the policy of army was compelling the people to thick like this. In different areas army started operations and local community supported Pakistan army but all of a sudden the operations were stopped and agreements w
Afghanistan – Where Men Rule and Women Are Legally Rape
By: Linda Lycett | 20/11/2009With the latest advent of the law advocating ’legal’ rape against married women, is there such a thing as democracy and women’s rights in Afghanistan. Apparently not, judging by the law that was passed on 27 July 2009 giving men ‘legal’ right to refuse maintenance to their wives if they refuse to be raped. This law is a further demoralisation for women in Afghan society.
Sarah Palin kicks off 'Going Rogue' book tour in Michigan; Calls Obama's economy plan 'backa**wards'
By: Jamila | 19/11/2009Sarah Palin is going back to her rogue roots. The former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor kicked off her national book tour Wednesday in Grand Rapids, Michigan – the town which she says inspired the title of her new book, "Going Rogue."
The Death of The Supreme Being
By: Andrew Dervan | 18/11/2009Personified political philosophies (Anarchy, Communism, Fascism and Democracy) converse with God. Please note, this is not meant to be serious all the way through, it was originally for my classes radio play but due to certain.. controversies it wasn't allowed. It was meant as an educational tool for fellow teens, as there are philosophical references and throughout the play the political philosophies expose each other's weaknesses, through extreme exaggeration. No offense meant to anyone. :)
The G8 and The New World Order
By: Andrew Dervan | 18/11/2009The G8 is a group comprised of the richest, and hence most powerful countries in the world. The G8 holds regular summit meetings that tend to be protested, and for good reason.
Bringing Rural Broadband to the Farm
By: Emerson Poort | 18/11/2009In the 2007 Ag Census, it was reported that 56% of US farms had internet connections of some kind. However, only 33% had high-speed, or broad band connections. Twenty states rank below the US average in high-speed internet use (or availability).
The Paradigms Review
By: Artur Victoria | 18/11/2009The state and its sovereignty are the face of new poles of power. In the realm of theory, revision of interpretive studies of the international scene has led to such divergent responses ranging from the conservative behaviorists to postmodern iconoclasts. In response to the tangle of theories arises as Mendoza thesis...
Religious Elephants
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 20/11/2009 | ReligionLack and limitation. Sin and sinfulness seem to be the key staple of too much of church life. Isn't it time to BE FREE?
Damaging Human Habits
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 19/11/2009 | SpiritualityWHy do we keep doing the same things over and over and yet hoping for some different result? Is that not the definition of insanity?
Dead Men Walking
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 19/11/2009 | ChristianityIt's one thing to beleive in miracles and quite another to believe in everything and anything.
2012 Movie Follow Up
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 17/11/2009 | News & SocietyOkay, so the moving raked in hundreds of millions. Now what? What kind of cottage industries will spring up out of this first 2012 movie?
Our Story
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 15/11/2009 | ReligionUnless we are determined to change how we look at the world we are going to continue living as we now are.
Mind Boggling Numbers
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 15/11/2009 | EconomicsWe're so far into the economic rabbit hole that we'll never be able to get out, but don't tell anyone!
Indulging In Flattery For Favors
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 15/11/2009 | ReligionIn some ways we are greatly different than those who sought God thousands of years ago; however, in some ways, wwe've just changed the clothing but left the covered object in tact.
Life Isn't Fair
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 15/11/2009 | ReligionForget trying to make everyone equal or to give eveyone the same material blessings. It will never work and for good reason.