House (narrowly) passes sweeping health care plan

Love how the bulk of your conversation right now is about the top 3% of the population. Can you talk about the rest of us please???

This is clearly going to be a battle between the house going to bat for the common man and the senate millionaires club protecting the rich. I am so tired of the rich senators in congress (especially conservative Republicans or blue dog Democrats) using the same old argument that small business are being hurt as a way to protect themselves and their rich constituents. When are the "rich" senators going to represent all the people not just the rich ? We should vote all the senators out of office. This is another round in US class warfare.

My wife, a carreer nurse and I are incredulous that democratic leadership has capitulated to the nay-sayers and are putting off the major provisions of the health care plan for 4 years. health reform is needed now and it's abysmal that we don't have the leadership strength to pass needed reforms and implement them today.

Michael from Orange is right! The rich, whoever they are, should be punished even more for their success! How dare they profit in a free market system with their education and hard work! We should redistribute their income even more through the tax system and provide health care to everyone. They don't need all that extra money but the real people need healthcare.

In all seriousness, Michael is right about Congress being corupt, which is why we should be cutting government at all levels, not growing their evil empires.

Whether rich or poor its clear that more than half of the nation wants our health care system fixed and they want an affordable option be it government or other wise. This is a step in the right direction and hopefully the Senate will do what its supposed to and exercise the will of the people. This is not a partisan issue, so don't make it one. Its not about wealth distribution or blaming people for being successful. Its about human rights and dignity.

Chay, I don't know if it's correct to say the "Senate should exercise the will of the people." The Senate must consider the future of this country's balance sheet. We've spent beyond our means, we continue to spend beyond our means, and what are we considering - spending trillions more?

Government cannot give "the people" everything they want - just as a parent cannot provide a child everything they'd like. The US does not have a bottomless pit of money from which to extract the funds (despite the Fed's best efforts).

Yes I agree, the government should be doing whats in the best interest of the people. Can you really argue that everyone doesn't have a right to health care that won't bankrupt them? I understand that its going to cost a lot of money to do this but unless you think the congress and the president is out right lying, then the cost for this plan should be accounted for in some of the concessions already made by the health care industry and the surcharge imposed on the wealthiest Americans. Now, I understand that we live in a free market system and people are entitled to the sweat of their brow, but you must admit that the last 8 years have been very lucrative for this class of people. I would think that they would understand having some kind of vested interest in the well being of this nation as a whole that has given them such great opportunity. It is patriotic to help your fellow man and contribute to the quality of life of all Americans. Does it really show character to care only for yourself and have no concern for your fellow Americans? I thought America was the country that looked out for its self. I thought America was so proud of its spirit of community and unity. I think we still are proud of those things and I think we still can be. I think we can both agree that something needs to be done. The costs may be high but how much is it costing the American people to continue down this path?