Prairie Fire Journal

The bogus healthcare reform being proposed by the Obama Administration is simply the same bogus healthcare reform that was proposed by Republican Senator John McCain, but with a few new twists. Either way you slice it, the so-called reforms proposed by both Democrats and Republicans will protect and preserve the status quo allowing private insurance companies to control health care. Obama would offer a government option that would compete in the private insurance market.

You may recall that McCain proposed a federal tax credit of $2500-3000 as a means to offset the cost of private health insurance and subsidize private insurance companies. Obama offers subsidies to private insurance companies by taxing workers' healthcare benefits. It's all a bogus shell game designed with the sole purpose of appeasing the insurance companies, which have donated millions of dollars to both Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats are in the pockets of the private insurance companies, same as the Republicans, and have come out and stated that any notion of single-payer Medicare-style health insurance for all Americans is off the table.

The Republicans are running ads spreading the myth that Americans have "choice" when it comes to health insurance. Maybe in theory, but not in reality. Most Americans get their health insurance through their employer's group program. Whatever coverage their employer decides to offer is what most Americans end up with. Otherwise, any alternatives or "choices" are extremely expensive and beyond the range of affordability for most workers. Contrary to the nonsense being spread by Republicans, Americans don't realistically have health care choice now. It's a mirage.

Demand real change. Demand single-payer health insurance. Anything less is just more of the same. Tell the Democrats we're sick and tired of them selling us out to the insurance companies.