Rick, I love your show, and how you are forcefull and direct about the issues you cover.

I just wish more people would tune in to your show, but unfortunately the time slot is during most folks worday.

I would like to suggest to CNN that you program could be repeated at a later time slot in the evening.

Tks.

tell it like it is rick

rick it does'nt take a rocket scientist to figure out the health care debate. i am 44 years old and i don't ever remember any bill of this magnatude were both partys are fighting the president. so here are the facts. #1, the elected officials in washington have a healthcare plan paid for by the tax payers, and yet most of them don't want us to have the same. fact# 2 ,tens of millions of dollars flow from the insurance companys to these elected officials. fact# 3, if the public option passes that cash flow stops. so these politicans receiving this cash have already received notice of this behind closed doors of course. so scare tatics are all they have left. so rick i ask you to open the books and show your viewers who is receiving the money and who is voting against the bill. and it will tell the story of how it's not about changing health care, but who gets paid to keep the status quo.

No sane person wants the public option. Its not about Mr. Obama caring about my health anyway, its about government control. Why don't you people reports this stuff the way it really is, RICK!

I have a suggestion: Every time CNN interviews a politician about health care, right next to his/her name also display the amount of money he/she received from the industry. To also give us a better idea, it would be helpful to display some kind of ranking with respect to other politicians. Something like this: Politician Smith $1.3 million, rank: 4, which would tell us the total amount and that this Smith guy is the #4 highest "paid" politician. Let the numbers talk!!! Thank you.

Longer school days? My gals are A students ,taking AP classes,taking SAT courses,active in extra-activities after school....weekends full of studying.....they even take summer school to get things like requirments like PE out of their alreaday full regular school year schedule ....THERE is NO Extra time...their EXTRA Time is the less than 8 hours of sleep time per night....forget it !

You want a "babysitter" for your child ? Find another way ! More time in the classroom would penalize those students who are above average! They are stressed to the max....Sats, Sat 2, Nationals that AP students take, activities after school.....hey you think those underachievers will be more attentive and have more success.....no way....lets get more creative educators ! Worst idea I have heard !

The public option is failing for one reason. Greedy politicians taking money from insurance companies, PERIOD. In one word they hate the public option on the other hand they love medicare. Isn't medicare a public option of sort? The public option will help Americans. Please continue your great public service on exposing each and every politician on how much money they have received from insurance companies vs how they voted. Run it over and over until they get it. Thank you.

Follow the money??? What a great idea!!!!!!

Obviously money from health care lobbyists has a influence on the support of congressmen for the public option. But we can't just use this as a reason to dismiss legitimate concern about having a public option. The fact is, the public option will be simply another government program in the way of medicare that will add more and more to the national debt, which is already too large and burdensome thanks to bank bailouts and stimulus packages.

Logically, there is no real healthcare reform in favor of the middle class unless the middle has public option.

Can you just imagine the overwhelming amount of fines that will be levied against people who simply cannot afford the cost of insurance, and can you imagine the amount of fines that will go unpaid because, again, the people are not able to afford the fines either?

If this President must make a change and this change involves making it compulsory for people to attain insurance then there better be a public option.

I am not sure I would feel comfortable paying a fine for something I cannot afford (healthcare) only to have those fines used to pay for the very thing (healthcare for others) I cannot afford and was fined for in the first place.

It makes no sense, and, therefore, will lead to me and millions like me not paying those fines. Hence, the creation of an agency charged with enforcing and collecting fines.

I wonder if not paying the fines may involve jail time? Guess that's another subject altogether and may only get debate time after this farce of a healthcare reform passes and time comes to collect fines.

I see Public Option as the answer and if not then this is just a failed attempt at reform.

Nothing will change to much about health care. Big banks and big business own America and the senators and congressmen. So ops, there it is.

Hi Rick,

I like what you are doing.

How about a post on the vote on these 2 amendments that were rejected for the public option with a correlation of the senators and how much they were paid by insurance companies.

Yeah baby.

Why would anyone NOT want a public option? Why would anyone want to relinquish legal rights for negligence? What is the lobby income take from a survey of all Congress Members, particularly those heavily involved in stopping the public option? GOP had years to influence their big insurance benefactors and fat cat CEOs and did not! We need health care for everyone now, not at the expense of those damaged by negligence. Go Democrats, lets do it!

Rick, I hope you will bring my blog to the attention of the program directors at CNN.

In my opinion, so that folks could get the benifit of your show, I would like CNN to consider your time slot at 7:00 P.M.

I know that CNN's equivalent to (Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs) is in that time slot, but I'm sure that CNN is well aware that the ratings for the 7:00 P.M. time slots are the worse in any 24 hour period.

In my opinion "LOU HAS GOT TO GO" he just is'nt a good fit for the type of news CNN is so respected for.

"TIME TO KICK HIM TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD" and get a person that is more main stream America in his reporting. "LIKE YOU"

Thank You.

Liz

No sane person would choose a much more expensive plan that does no different than the $2 plan as far as taking care of health. It's like going to the store and buying a common item for the most expensive price and for no reason.

With public option we can choose whether we want to buy that common item (health insurance) at a cheaper cost (public option), and it does not eliminate your option to still choose that very same item (health insurance) for a more expensive price (private insurance company).

It just gives people like me (millions) the option to get healthcare at more of a bargain price, eventhough, it should be FREE, and I neither mind kicking out the payment at tax time.

Why would I want to continue paying high premiums for a service that is worth much less, LIZ? And, why should I be forced to give my business to any privately owned and operated insurance company?

Some people complain about government control but is that really the reason for rejecting the public option? I don't think it is, especially, when the public option doesn't force a person/individuals to join, and they can certainly opt out if they so desire.

If the undercover Repubs like Bachus and his buddies shaft the public option then I think the public should not make them an option come 2010.

Why should we vote for those dems if they do not care nor work for the public's interest. I say we start a campaign against each and everyone of them that vote against the public option, and let's see how they fare against their Repub colleagues come election time.

Absolutely follow the money! I would love to see how much each of the nay voters took from the lobbyists. They take 30 cents of every dollar in the health industry, denied 1 out of every 5 medical procedures perscribed by doctors, insure 200 million people in this country, spend $400 million to try to defeat Health Care reform, and yet, they won't be able to compete against a public option?!

One thing I have yet to hear is a solution to getting people who can't afford insurance – part-timers, minimum wagers, etc. – on insurance! All I've heard so far is to penalize people who are not on insurance! If these people can't afford insurance, how are they going to pay a freakin' penalty? Maybe you could ask this specific question, Rick.

jean

If normal school hours are great for your A student girls then can you just imagine what extra time will do? They'll be geniuses! Is that so much of a bad thing?

I just watched a program on PBS about healthcare around the world. The countries examined (England, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and Switzerland) all had some sort of universal coverage. There were those that wer completely government run, meaning hospitals belonged to the government and doctors were government employees. Those had the drawback of waiting a little longer than we do for certain procedures but their overall system was still better than ours. The others consisted of private hospital and private doctors but the government was the final voice regarding cost and set a cap countrywide so that doctors and/or hospital practices were not able to "price gouge". There was still competition in both cases but the difference was that they were not competing to make more mone. They were competing to survive in the market. This greatly benefitted every citizen. The journalist in the program asked one common question in each country. He asked if anyone had ever gone bankrupt from medical expenses. The answer was always a swift "no" accompanied with a smirk, dismissive laugh, or an, "are you serious" facial expression.

Government is needed in some way to balance the scale. A Taiwanese gentleman in the film said that when his government was shopping around for a healthcare system, they started studying America's first because they thought that since we were the most powerful nation, we'd have the best. He said though that quickly, they began to realize that we don't have a healthcare system; we have a healthcare market. They soon turned to other industrialized nations' systems for a model and today have a highly developed single payer system where private practices are open on weekends, there is no wait to see a special nor referral from a primary care physician required, and high public satisfaction.

Educate yourself as a global citizen. Watch, "SICK AROUND THE WORLD,"

I'm with John above, it's all about the money regarding the healthcare debate, not the people.

From what I can gather, as an outsider looking in, most people who oppose health care reform are either prejuduced because a "black" president was elected, are in the pocket of insurance companies (Republicans) or they can't stand the thought that some of their hard-earned money would be going to someone who hasn't worked for it. Every society has it's downtrodden that we all must pull together and help because it saves money in the long run.
You all need a single payer system like we have here in Canada. I've had the same doctor for 35 years who notifies me, by mail, to go for mamagrams, colinoscopies and pap tests. Now that I'm 54 I go for all of these tests every two years. Out of pocket cost to me – zero.
I would like to ask the senators who are against the public option, if the majority of your constituants want the public option, how will you vote?

Why dismiss information just because it is similar to information from one political party or the other? Facts are facts. If one political party lies and the other political doesn't, they are not similar. My experience is the GOP doesn't respect facts as much as the Dems. do.

Hi Rick, People that Profit off of sick and dying people should be publicly shamed.

rick isnt it wonderful how congress can spew billions on things overseas, etc but cant find money for health care on main st...
what is it going to take to make our elected officials do what the american people want, short of revolt..65% voted for change and health care reform..that means we want a public option..

vote for elections paid for by the congress so u wont be owned by lobbyists.....enough already this is 2009

When the Health Insurance Companies are not allowed landslide profits, we can start to do something about reforming the health care system.

It's simple: No public option means no health care reform. Only a non-profit government entity can have the muscle to bring down the cost of health care against Big Pharma and the health care industry. To all Representatives and Senators: Vote "NO" on the public option and we will VOTE YOU OUT!

I seen your last story on this topic, only then you included a independtant, which did not take money. Any how the reason- We know and have known for years these people were corrupt,and yet we did nothing but talk, and now here we are 30 years later still debating. The debate should be over . Solution Just Impeach all republicans and Demecrats. Do somthing that We the people can live with.

I’m thrilled that the Public Option is dead. The media has failed to report the findings on the congressional audit conducted on preselected insurance entities. What were the results? Perhaps the Public Option is dead due to the inability to reform the public sector via government-driven competition. The reform Americans' want and need is legislative reform. If the insurance companies want to stay in business, they will simply have to follow the rules. That sounds fantastically fair and equal to me!

I lived in Japan for 15 years and had a child with a japanese women we got divorced, I went to court on a number of different occasions to get visiting rights to no avail. This happens a lot in Japan I wish I got help at least this guy is getting publicity.

I'd like to know where my vote went? With the Democrats in charge, why is the GOP running them? Where is the Public Option that will make this health care bill viable make the health care industry compete?
WHY aren't ALL the Democrats voting for it as 'WE', the people that voted them in, want them to? Are they just just donkeys in elephant suits?
What the HECK is going on in Washington? The GOP does nothing but stonewall on everything and the Democrats run and put their heads in the ground because they may not get re-elected next term if they vote for this? Guess what? They're not getting re-elected for sure now.
Too many special interest groups buying out our "representatives", too many religious and right wing nut jobs in office. It's a shame.

I wish I could have a chance to tell my story because there is a lesson for American fathers living in Japan with biracial kids.

I am so disgusted with our system.
I can't point at one member of our Congress or Senate that cast their vote for "the people" let alone voting their own conscience. It's all about "SELLING THEIR VOTE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER."
The two party system no longer works. Until the lobbyist are gone and there are term limits... we are all screwed! Not even worth a voting anymore...

Those who are opposing public healthcare options, knowingly, are working against the public interests of American citizens & hence should be tried in the courts as TRAITORs.
Why are we americans so dumb to play in their hands!

BETRAYED is how I feel about the Dems voting 'no' to public option. Especially Sen. Lincoln–I will do my best to get her out of office next election. It is essential that the public get access to the $$$ trail! Help us to do that, Rick. People do not understand how easily they can lose their coverage and quality care. It CAN happen to anyone and if we don't assert our political power NOW we will always be at the insurance companies mercy.

Thanks Rick for talking about the influence of the money. We will not have legislators working for the good of the people until we get corporate money out of the system. The number of lobbyists in DC has skyrocketed in the last decade and they and their corporate bosses now set the priorities for government. As owner of a small business, I know insurance companies are reaping enormous profits at our expense; our rates have been going up by double digits for years. Wages are stagnant overall but insurance company profits are soaring and insurance CEO salaries are going up by hundreds of percent! We have to have a strong public option to break up the stranglehold the insurance companies have on health care. The crazy protesters were a distraction; we need real reform!

Until the representatives elected by us are are legally prevented from accepting the money thrown at them by every special interest group out there, we will never have government work for the citizens of this nation. This government would rather see tens of millions of good, decent, hard working Americans go bankrupt for lack of coverage, and tens of thousands die for lack of care, than give up their seat at the trough of death money being filled by big insurance/pharma. And "DEATH MONEY" it is, every $ spent by special interests is spent to do 2 things, protect their profits and bring death closer to those of us who can't get health care now and are pressuring our representatives for change. "Death panels" were a low brow scare tactic tossed out by the right as way to promote hatred of the government and, yeah, it's kind of worked but, really, most of us realize that the true death panels are the insurance companies and now they are spending money like drunken sailors to influence congress. That's why I call it "DEATH MONEY".

Influence peddling and greed is rampant in congress. It creates a serious conflict of interest for the American People. Congressmen who accept money from the insurance industry should not be allowed to vote on healthcare issues because their allegiance is to the insurance industry rather than the American People they are supposed to represent.

Regarding the 911 call about the Lexus with the stuck accellerator. I don't know about Lexus, but I do know that I can not turn the ignition on my Saturn off unless the car is in park. I don't know what would happen if someone tried to throw the gear shift into park at 120 miles per hour – but I don't imagine it would be too pretty. They should probably design cars with the ability to turn off the ignition while in gear for just such emergencies.

These guys are not out for us but thier out for them selfs.They are lining thier pockets with all the health company money they can and sending us jobless,homeless and health careless and ecomless.Thier bums and should be thrown out of office.

While 70% of Americans may favor a public option, 43% of those Americans are not required to pay income tax. That means that only 27% of taxpaying Americans want to fund a public option.

When will the public wake up and realize that money has been the primary influence in everything that effects us today. Passage of bills is directly proprortionate to the amount of money received by voting politicians. That's why so many people want to be senators and congressmen and women!

Get rid of the corporate lobby. Its not groups like AARP who are killing this country...its groups like the bank lobby, the medical insurance lobby, etc...get rid of the politicians on the take! Expose these people and lets get our country back.

Hi Rick, first time contributor. Obama promised to hold those that stood in the way of progress accountable, well I'm glad at least you are. It sure seems like a vote against the public option is shaping up to be a vote for corruption.

We need a public option to insure every citizen receives proper healthcare. I think it is time to make the people we have elected to public office work for us not themselves. Obviously, they have personal agendas that conflict with doing the business of the people of the United States. Each and every elected official should be audited once a year with the results posted to a web site for all to see. Lobbying also needs to be abolished. The problem is greed and corruption.

If we pay for Health Care Insurace Companies why is it that they deny threatment! Don't we pay them, I guess their moto is pay, pay some more and keep paying so that when you get check for something that is making you sick the Insurance company tells you naaaaa, you are not that sick. We are not paying.

The insurance companies are paying off Congress from the top to the bottom. Take the money out of politics. My vote is public option. I need it now so get a move on.

Ha Rick how about looking into all the salaries of all the BCBS Execs around the country and see what they are giving up to share the hurt. And yet Obama what to control healtcare. let roll back the CEO pay to 2005, No going to happen in my life time

Who says you cannot "buy" policy in this country. Yet we have the audacity to criticize those governments abound the world who we consider be corrupt.

We had better look inward to see what is going on in this country and see the greed and corruption in our own government

I am quite sane. In my fifties. This is about health care not Obama. We the people are the government. Why are we fighting our selves? Do you really think that the insurance companies would put out over a million a day if it didn't mean money in there pocket? Us poor people need public option. I am sad that so many of the poor people can't afford computers and internet so they can't help us fight. I want what congress has. It is only fair.

thank you rick for revealing the money exchanging hands and the selling out of ther american people by the very ones we trust to make the decisions that run our very lives .both houses of the congress play the two party game to the hilt and in the meantime get NOTHING done .do they think we are stupid or blind?its time someone had the platform and the courage to tell the truth to us –the working people of this country .and its high time that the ones in congress realise that they are suposed to eb working for us not the other way around.in my opinion if they dont get it right they ought to be fired –if any of us failed in our job the way they do we would have been fired long ago . WAKE UP CONGRESS YOU ARE NOT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS YOU ARE AMERICANS . when they realise this maybe we will be able to repair the damage done to this great country the eagle is crying if we dont get it right the eagle may just die .that would be a shame not just for us but for the whole world.thank you rick for standing up when we cant .hope they dont shut you up

Public option is the way to go.
What's the difference between republicans and the mafia? None! They are only looking at their own interest! They are killing millions of americans with out shooting a bullet!

I am totally disgusted with Congress and how they are handling health care. It is quite obvious that they are literally on the "take" and guilty of "taking bribes" from the insurance companies. The Republicans could care less about the uninsured in this country and some of the Democrats are their partners in crime. I have health insurance and feel awful that so many of the taxpaying citizens in this country don't. I believe that a lot of the protesters are working for the insurance companies. Citizens have got to stick together and let Congress know that a public option is something that we want and we want it now!

Rick:

You are right about money being a factor in politician's decision making.

Senator Max Baucus is the biggest recipient of health and insurance company funding in congress
Over his career he has received $2.8 million from the health sector and $1.2 million from the insurance sector. Is it any wonder that he is not in support of a public option even though the vast majority of Americans support it.

Rick, people are afraid of change. Health care reform is going to be a big change and many people, for whatever their reason, are afraid because they just don't understand the sense of health care reform and the public option.

I propose a way to save money fromthe Buget and get those senators and represenatives to get THEIR job done.
Dont pay any premiums for their Insurance until they Buck Upand take care of what they are voted into Office for. Since they arent doing their job maybe next election its time to vote someone in there who will.
O yea ......all their policies including their families.
I feel bad for saying that but I just lost my wife to cancer, and maybe just maybe if the insurnace companies had done their jobs she may have a few extra years with me and our daughter.

In my opinion, the "public option" is just the first step to a single payer (taxpayers) system and I understand why the insurance companies don't want it. If you ran an insurance company wouldn't you "pull out the stops" to defeat the "public option?

It is shameful that our legislators prostitute themselves to the health insurance companies. I am so fed up with the Republicans and Democrats legislators acting like spoiled, petulant 3 year olds for goodness sakes GET TO WORK AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!!

Rick,

good job letting us know the "contributions" received by our politicians voting for and against the public option. Could you please go one step farther and show what the individuals received instead of just the group totals. It would then be much harder for the crooks to hide from these figures. I know I deserve this truth.

Thanks again,
R. Frey
Cleve. Ohio

Why do we Americans allow this. We need to be able to demand they leave office immediately when bribe taking, or acceptance of money from companies against legislation or even for it are discovered. They can't judge fairly any laws to pass if they can be bought off. I also think that everyone entering office needs to live at a modest salary for 2 yrs of about $60,000 with no freebees so they can get a taste of how the average people they are suppose to be representing really lives. My feeling is, I'm done with the Healthcare arguements. Let's just give every U.S. citizen the exact same Healthcare plan Congress has and pay for it the same way. That's fair!

Go Rick!
I love that you are exposing the income politicians get from Health
Care Related Companies. It's about time the 'sausage factory' of making politics is exposed. Perhaps with the truth being exposed then our politicians will begin to think about OUR welfare instead of their own.
Keep up the good work Rick!

Just saw program showing contribs to lawmakers by those favoring and opposed to public option. You seem surprised that insurance companies and health care providers gave nearly three times as much money to legislators who oppose the public option as to those that favor it. You say "follow the money."

If you were in the health care business, who would you give most of the money to? I"m surprised the proponents of the public option got as much as they did. If you knew a legislator were out to destroy your business, as the proponents of public option surely are, would you give a thin dime to those out to destroy you?

Again, if you want our government to run our healthcare, you must be in favor of the "public option".

Why is it that congress wants competition but not in health insurance?
Health care costs are increasing but not because the insurance companies are increasing their profits! We've got better health care and it's more expensive!

Your question is "right on." American should get a public service message that shows who gets what from whom as it relates to their vote on healthcare. I think you mentioned a fine for not having medical coverage. Living in Illinois it makes perfect sense to me. If you want to drive a car you MUST have collision protection insurance. Since there is no way to guarantee a healthy body... you should have to pay to play.

Lying about healthcare will come back to haunt you professionally. Your bias for socialized medicine will come back to haunt you professionally. Your misdirection and misinformation about healthcare will come back to haunt you professionally. Your inability to report news, instead of presenting your political views as fact, is not entertaining and will come back to haunt you professionally.

You are disingenuous to solely point out the lobbying for healthcare, instead of honestly showing that this goes on for EVERY single subject. And the fact that people are aware you do not prefer to show any other lobbying injustice other than healthcare due that your preferred political Party has in the past and continues to be by far the major recipient of lobby money will also in time come back to haunt you professionally.

I look forward to the time when we have anchors better educted than you, more professional and more honest than you. You are only fooling some of the people. In time, you will have to pay the bill for your dishonesty. I feel very sad for you. I feel more sorrow for your parents, knowing what they must be thinking in those few quiet self-honest moments. Your money does not impress me. Your glib self-serving dishonesty does; but not in the way you hoped. You are simply not much different than Hannity and his Fox News ilk... smug in their dishonesty.

Who is tearing this country apart? CNN and Fox News, both of which are paid to lie and misdirect for political gain. In time government will be cleaned up and the FCC will be reorganized and made once again capable to clean your clock. Our country desperately needs it. I look forward to it. You simpy aren't sufficiently professional, ethical, to deserve use of the public airwaves and spectrum. You have no right to be involved in... instead of solely report... politics. Dishonesty is dishonesty.

Please unsubscribe me! I keep trying and I am getting way too many comments in my email. Thanks

Thanks for giving us the numbers. I had wondered how much our lawmakers were paid for voting against the public option. What surprised me was how much the people were paid who voted for it. I guess that was just back-up? It's sad that big corporations own our country.

Rick
The only solution is for members of government not be allowed to vote on any issue if they have recieved a donation or gift from the principles who may benefit from that bill. If they violate this rule they should be removed from office just like your average american worker who is fired from their job if they violate the rules of work......

The defeat of the public option frightens me. I fear without the competition of the non-profit oriented federal goverment, the companies will just continue to jack up rates, especially for people like me who do not have an employer provided plan and who have been denied health insurance ... so now they'll be happy to give me insurance .... it will just cost half my annual income to have it. I have the state uninsurable program now which has decent coverage but does cost me a quarter of my annual income. So far I have not come close to spending as much in doctor bills in a year as I pay for the insurance, but when I do, i do need to pay another $1000 in deductible and 20% copay. Of course, the one medical service I do need has limitations on it. I can visit them 20 times a year and that is the end of it. Consequently, the quality of my health is gradually deteriorating because I cannot do this stuff myself and I can't pay the bill (ca. $200-300/visit billed, the insurance company pays around $100 to the provider). This is now. This is with a forced state program. The insurance companies would love to charge me twice as much as they do now. As it is now, they make around $10000 profit off of me. And they have me trapped, since no one else will take me because I've been denied coverage. They may be allowed to do this with all this wonderful competition between insurance companies. I want a public option to keep costs lower. I DO NOT trust health insurance companies to do this without a huge sledge hammer forcing them to have rates attractive to individuals.

I'm disturbed, though sadly not surprised, at the correlation between senatorial negative votes to the public option and moneys provided by insurance/health care industry lobbyists. As I watch the infantile bickering by our esteemed elected officials and I learn that much of the bickering is not about real principles but about the personal gain of those representatives, I become more and more convinced that we the people have little real power in our government. We can vote them out sometime in the future, but we cannot make them behave in a way that reflects the principles of the country. They are not there to ensure they have a cushy living in the future. They are there to represent the people who put them there.They weren't elected so they can get a job working for the industry that paid them throughout their tenure in congress ... and I'm thinking there should be some kind of prohibition against these representatives working for any organization that lobbies them while in office ... ever. Maybe then the representatives will be willing to hear from their constituents at least equally to those that pay people big bucks to bombard the representatives with their wants and desires.

I'm becoming jaded and I'm sad about it.

Lately, I've been noticing a trend on FOX (News?)… (Let me say at the very outset, I'm not a fan of Fox but I do believe in the old saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer.")…and it is with that sentiment that I expose these "lowlifes." I have been noticing more and more African Americans are now appearing on Fox both as audience members as well as guests. I am an African American who has quite a few African American friends who are left-of-center and right-of-center. I've yet to find one that will appear on FOX. So who are these people who are appearing on FOX? The answer is "PAID PLANTS" to make it appear that they have the support of the African American community. That fact is they don’t! More and more, I am noticing these folks appearing front and center. I have spoken to many friends and acquaintances none of whom would even entertain the notion of appearing on Glenn Beck, Bill Oreilly, or Fox (News?) for that matter. Nice try FOX?

Rick
Watch our government is like watching a circus. You see clowns that can't get it right no matter how hard they try. You see illusionist that can make corruption disappear into thin air. And you see our elected officals jump threw hoops like dogs to please special interest groups, themselves or their political parties. Do i need to say more !

Even a lot of the Senators and Congressmen who have been in favor of health care reform for years are taking money from the insurance companies, big-time. Ted Kennedy took millions from them. Have our supposed "heroes" on this issue actually been shaking down the insurance companies all along, stopping just short of actually doing anything? You have to wonder...

Lobbying money is supposedly protected as "free speech" under the First Amendment. I say it's coming out the south end of a north-facing bull! A bribe is a bribe, no matter what you call it. We seriously need to reform the way we go about our political business in America!

I applaud you, Rick. Let's call out the truth about these politicians with green ink-stained palms, and make a very public example of them!

Rick

Under a public plan, reinbursing providors at Medicare rates (80% of actual cost) most insurers would soon abandon the market and many providors would go broke. So much for keeping our current insurance.

Your generalization about current public plans are false. The VA is fraught with problems the general public would not accept. Medicaid is full of fraud as reported by CNN today and is mismanaged in many States. Medicare is better but similiarly includes excessive drug costs and large durable medical equipment fraud.

CNN does not report much on these areas I suspect because they are big advertisers. The New England Journal of Medicine, a reputable non partisan source, say thye costs of drugs could be cut in half if we returned to the pre 1997 status when advertising was prohibited. Savings are estimated at $300-400 billion over 10 years.

One might ask if and why CNN and other media are lobbying against reform in this arena.

You mention political contributions but ignor the Trial Attorneys. Modest medical malpractice insurance reform like capping compensory damages at $250,000 as California has done, would save another $250 billion over 10 years.

I think you sterotype Insurers without recognizing a majority are not for profits like Blue Shield or Kaiser or Self Insured like some of the major corporations or CalPERS. A minority of Insuers have a problem but many do not.

You also ignor Unions would have fought Individual Responsibility for persons to have health insurance which would cut the number of unsured 30% excluding those who need subsidies or could be covered underexisting programs and lower the rates for everyone else.

You fail to mention those States opposing availability of Insurance Across State lines would, while posing some letigimate regulatory problems that would need to be addressed ,would increase competuition lower rates and increase accessability.

You also fail to mention those few unions who oppose allowing groups of Trades or Small Business' to create Joint Eployer-Management Trusts or Self Insured or Insurance Purchasing Pools so that they might better access the benefits that large corporations currently have in the market place.

And for our seniors, AARP has generally been silent, on the obvious false saving in medicare and Medicaid being added to help justify the Obama argument the defecit will not increase, which portend to serious health care rationing in areas few would accept but are relatively common in Europe and Canada.

Rick you need to do a better job of picking the culperts during this debate. I applaud you interest in following the money but you have missed a majority of the players.

Kurt Hahn, a hospital director from California

Agreed, it is time for Rick to go head to head against Glen Beck and call the show "The Reality Express". I don't know this is even a political issue, it shouldn't be, it is a moral and ethical issue people. It is time we help our fellow Americans who can get or afford coverage, because it is to expensive or due to a pre-existing condition like breast cancer. This isn't right to have big corporate America deciding who they will coverage and who they won't. Wake up people. Go talk to your neighbors who have lost their jobs and ask them if they have insurance, chances are, they don't any longer.

Congratulations on your excellent investigative reporting. I wish you would extend and expand this subject., Give us the names and addresses of the senators, the amount of their bribes, and whether they have reported these bribes in the past. We can win this reform with your help.

On the subject of your time slot, I agree with others that you deserve the 7:00 pm time. What in the world is going on and how on earth can another Rush Limbaugh get prime time?

Rick, there will be no public option, the republicans won, they and certain democrats got paid. I checked out the web source you gave to see their pocket money. Sen. Orin Hatch really got over. To the democrat from Fla. who spoke out on the house floor, let the racist and bigots, and just plain dumb ones find out the hard way. All the money the insurance companies paid out. Someone has to put that money back into the couffers, guess who. Don't you think that Sen Hatch or any of the other committee members have any poor or middle class friends. Not hardly, they won't see,hear or care about it personally. And when it get's to the ear of the president and others who care they will say its a lie. It's not what the insurance industry is doing. That higher insurance rate is just the natural cost of good health insurance. And say that the American people are happy with what has happened to them. And it is what they wanted.

Rick, it’s unfortunate that we as people for some reason trust the word of the politicians we elect. It's time that we as people determine what is in our best interest whether we are Republicans, Democrats or Independents. We need to grow up as a society and take responsibility for the future of our country, whether that means calling people out or voting elected officials out of office. If we don't, we don’t have a right to complain four years from now, when health care will eventually bankrupt many of those who can barely pay their bills now because a loved one is ill.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T. Howard from Bolingbrook, IL.

Rick I'm gratified that the people have finally reacted to your take on the health care issue "RAMPANT BRIBARY"

I hope you will continue to fight the good fight.

America needs more "TO THE POINT" journalists like yourself..

CHEERS TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF!!!

!Call'em out RICK! Follow the $$$$$$$$$! Expose all those dirty Congressmen and their real employers, Big Insurance Companies.

You, as opposed to our elected officials, are actually doing your job.

Thanks Man. I hope they send you to Prime Time. Maybe go head to head with O'Really and Olbermann?

Rick,

I'm not sure that it isn't going to pass. However, I want to share with you and everyone who reads this, an e-mail I sent to Senator Bob Corker re: his comments about our Allies France and Canada being parasitic when it comes to Health Care !!!!

Senator Corker:

First, we’re going to make sure we don't hire you to work in the Diplomatic Corps.
While we have invented many things, many others things we use were made overseas, like Cell-phone Technology, Dry Chemistry Blood Glucose and Urine testing in Germany; Automated Lab Blood Analyzers in Japan (Mitsubishi); Electron Scanning Microscope in Switzerland (IBM).etc I could go on forever and bore you, but I won't
Mr. Corker you’re not very well informed. Either you don’t read, or your advisors are ripping you off.
This wailing that I hear, sounds like the Big Insurance Industry is afraid that the days of raking in profits with very little responsibility if any, are over, and, they're reaching for straws through their Law Firm, the Republican Party.
I'm glad to hear your comments though, because it heralds that the start of a new era brought about by the present administration is at hand and you’re on the losing side of this argument.
“Put your ear to the chest of the American public” and listen to their “heartbeat” in the CNN Political Ticker Blog. You might learn something about how you’re perceived.

Frankly, talking about having government as a competitor is not simply disingenuous and untrruthful, but plain ignorant. No one can stand up to government. Yes, more than 200 years after we forged this unique self-governance... NO ONE CAN STAND UP TO GOVERNMENT ANYMORE.

And, this is not a mystery or difficult to understand. Allowing, even supporting, ignorance is not the duty of a real news reporter. Have you no compassion for those lacking sufficient understanding. Are your personal political goals more important than this, Rick? Why don't you do your job and tell your audience that NO ONE CAN COMPETE WITH GOVERNMENT. EVER. NEVER IN HISTORY. You know it. I know it. The majority of Americans know it. Why don't you help your neighbors and be honest for those who failed their history classes. Don't they deserve your honesty, Rick? Or does your paycheck not allow it?

I disrespect dishonesty. But, I recognize this won't stop you from enjoying your paycheck. The news media needs REAL policing.

Rick,
I just think more people should know more about the money that goes to congressmen from insurance companies. You mentioned that the 15 who opposed it get over $600,000 from insurance companies, while the 8 who opposed it get half of that amount. There certainly seems to be a correlation. I wish that this issue could be made public to the American people who are unable to watch the 3 pm program. Does Congress really care about us?
B.J.

Rick, thank you and CNN for airing and exposing the Senators who
voted against the public option in the proposed health care bill. Was
it not you that first reported that Senator Baucus had received and taken abt.$3.9 mil. from health care and drugs so far in 2009? I don't
believe other news reporting outlets have told the public anything
about this. And won't unless you continue and reveal what you find.

Each person voting no should be identified by name (D/R/I), state and the amount of money each sold their vote for. Such information should
be reported by you for CNN as often as possible and run trailers. The
newspapers, TV & radio in their home towns need to be advised of
this news also; often.

You & CNN have a wonderful opportunity here to set Washington back
on it's heel's, 'call them out' as the new democratic slogan states.

You need to report that President Obama promised in his change in
Washington campaign that he was going to 'call them out' but has
not mentioned it again. Apparantly you have the resources to find out
who else is taking money.

I receive a lot of printed information which some is complementary to
President Obama and his Administration and a lot that is so critical
it should not be transmitted by e-mail. I forward to Washington but
have never received a response. Some of this stuff would be good for you to review. If you are interest and have an e-mail I can forward such
material to, I would be glad to do so. Maybe some good stories for
you.

Please respond and may the moon keep shinning over Miami.

Fred Strickland

Maybe we should start making our politicians wear NASCAR style jackets with their sponsors plastered all over the outside. Then the delusion that they actually serving the public can be immediately dispelled.
The entire "debate" on health care is yet another political farce. It is "Government by the Corporations, for the Corporations". If other countries can have affordable health care than why can't we? Because there is no profit in it, that is why.

I made an error, It should be the 8 that were for the public option only received half that amount. BJ

Follow the money and the truth will come out...

And why stop with healthcare, Rick? Or maybe the better question is why aren't you pointing out that this lobbying happens on all issues. You don't cover anything that deviates from your personal poitical agenda. Why are you any different from our bought and paid for poiticians? REPORT ALL OF THE NEWS RICK!

As an example, why don't you explain the reason our drug prices are higher than anywhere else? Who is it we're protecting from the foreign governments that refuse to uphold our pharmaeutical patents without lower-priced drugs? And who are the citizens from which nation that pay for and subsidize most of the global pharmaeutical research? Do you know, Rick? Do you really think you should be participating or "reporting" on the healthcare issue beforehand? Lemme see... you're a news reporter right? How come you missed this,Rick?

And, by the way, once the American people are freed from supporting (through higher drug prices in the US) the pharmaceutical research necessary for advances... where will the research money come from? Is this another job for the King, Rick. Oops. I meant government.

Report the news, Rick. Explain the situation. Well, learn it first, and then report and explain it.

Rick, I enjoy your show but I think you are dead wrong on your hatred of big businesses. This country would not be where it is today without them. There IS competition in health care insurance and the insurance companies do NOT make outlandish profits. If we had a law allowing health care insurance companies to cross state lines like auto and homeowners insurance, there would be even more competition. The "public option" is, in my opinion, just the first step toward a single payer system funded by the taxpayers and staffed by the government employee unions. Another step to increase the size of government and government control of our lives!

Yeah, Rick! Hitting the money trail and setting up some accounting of Congress. What do you think about THESE staggering numbers?

2008 Profits / CEO Compensation
United Health: $5.263T / CEO: $3.2M
WellPoint: $2.491T / CEO: $9.8M
Aetna: $1.384T / CEO: $24.3M
Humana: $647M / CEO: $4.8M
Cigna: $292M / CEO: $12.2M

Sources: ((edited)

Rick, Not only do the insurance companies have politions in their back pockets, but they also have the Drs. & the medical community in their back pockets. Example: I recently went to a chioropractor who was not in my insurance network. She charges $35.00 per visit. I could have gone to a Dr. in my network, but they charge 70.00 per visit. I would have had just a co-pay. But to save the insurance co. money, I went for the lower fee. Well, when I received my statement, they said I had a $1000. deductable because they we're out of network & wouldn't pay a dime! What does that tell you?

Rick. Can you please post on your site each person who is taking money from these insurance companies and how much? It should be done like mug shots.

Wouldnt It be better and more Fair for the lobbyist in washington to put there bribe money directly into the party they wanna support. and let them fight n claw for whatever piece they can get from it ?

Woudnt that be a sight to see ?????

I personally would like to have the new administration have the lobby and special interest gang Banned from washington and from giving any money at all to any 1 Senator or congressman that money would be given to the 2 or 3 which ever it maybe ( Dem , Rep , INd ) parties equally so WE THE PEOPLE can have a fair and just congress Then maybe they will do exactly what they were voted for in to Office in the first PLACE
One more thing .....Rick Sanchez you have MY respect n wish other reporters would REPORT the news not MAKE IT like they are supposed to. { cough !cough! hear that FOX news ? }

Your report on yesterday (9/30/09) regarding what senators and congresspersons got at the defeat of the PUBLIC OPTION was enlightening. The objective of the Republican Party was to STOP PRESIDENT OBAMA AND TO MAKE HEALTH CARE HIS WATERLOO. "THE PARTY OF NO" WANTS POWER AND MONEY. As your reports disclosed, they got the "LIONS SHARE" of the money and failure of the PUBLIC OPTION opens the door for them to regain the White House, Congress and the Senate. Republicans successfully used the Tea Parties and angry Townhall meeting participants to focus on taking their country back from the inasive government and to prevent generations of debt on the backs of their children. President Obama became the "RED MEAT" and the "ANGRY TOWNHALLERS" became the "SHARKS" in the water. The real question is...WHO REALLY WINS? Defeat of the PUBLIC OPTION KEEPS THE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CONTROL OF UPWARD SPIRALING COSTS OF HEALTHCARE AND THE REPUBLICANS GET THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO REGAIN POLITICAL FAVOR. FEW KNOW NOR CARE HOW MUCH MONEY WAS PAID BY INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DEFEAT PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS PUBLIC OPTION. The sad reality is that it was never really about President Obama. It was about giving every American choices in the market place. The real loosers are the American people.

Joanna

ME-YOU, SEE EYE TO EYE!

We walk the same path of enlightenment.

Nolan Goldberg

ME-YOU, SEE EYE TO EYE!

NO PUBLIC OPTION IS A NO VOTE AGAINST THE PEOPLE!

They vote no and we do the same to them come DAY OF RECKONING (election day).

Randy N

The scary thing about that interview was that Rick also included him (the Indy Senator) as one of the beneficiaries of the buyouts/bribes (as I call them), and he acted oblivious to that FACT!

Nick - Minneapolis

I'm actually more interested to see how many of those dems that voted against the public option survive the next election. I'm absolutely sure it will be a killing field for the Republicans.

The public simply will not make those politicians (dems who voted against public option) survive another election/term.

Chuck Coffelt

TIME TO SEND THE DEMS THAT VOTED AGAINST THE PUBLIC OPTION A SERIOUS MESSAGE!

PUBLIC OPTION OR NO THEM RETURNING TO CONGRESS/SENATE COME NEXT ELECTION!

Steven

I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE IS WITH THE LOBBYISTS.

The real problem is with the corrupted political official who gets blinded by money and forget his real purpose for being in office.

The voter must hold these politicians to their words and at the very first sign of failure vote these people out of office and be done with it.

Too many politicians are secure in their positions and this causes complacency, and most times a down right don't care until next election attitude.

VOTERS MUST HOLD THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE AND THE POLITICIANS MUST NEVER FORGET WHO ELECTED THEM AND WORK TO NO ENDS TO BEST REPRESENT THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST; it's just that simple.

Thank you for your honest forceful reporting. Yours is the ONLY show that I watch without wondering if the wool is being pulled over my eyes. I am constantly telling friends to tune in if they want the real truth. Keep up the excellent work.

Ok, quick analysis. After considering the merits in this matter I must conclude that President Obama and the public option is facing opposition from special interests who are trying to maintain their gravy train.

The world knows that the public option does not impinge nor does it impedes, except maybe greedy health insurance companies, and yet still it faces vicious opposition from the very same citizens it would benefit.

Another poster mentioned that with the amount of money spent to derail the public option by the insurance companies shouldn't worry about competition because they seem to be doing very well (financially), and I tend to agree with that sentiment.

Some politicians betray the public's trust by selling out and hoping that come election time the voting public would not remember their foul transgressions. The public must make a concerted show of protest by voting these people out of office. The polling booth is where the millions of voices will speak the loudest and make that CHANGE. So, in finality, I would like to warn Bachus, the head of the "WE ARE AGAINST THE PEOPLE" Caucus, to remember there is a time of reckoning for all failed politicians- election day, day of choosing. I pray the public does not make you an option comes 2010.

As a matter of fact, can someone please point me to Bachus' political opponent's website- I wish to contribute to their campaign against Bachus.

RICK

When you show the dems who voted against the public option can you also show who their opponents will be come 2010, and how the public can contribute to their (Dems who voted against public option) opponents' campaign.

It does not matter if it is a Republican candidate I will give money to their campaign against those dems who voted against the public option, please.

Rick, thank you for reporting the "donations" by the health insurance industry to the senators on the Finance Committee. Please keep up the good work. PLEASE don't let this issue drop! People need to understand it's not about "government control of health care," it's about whether the government works for the profiteers of illness and injury, or for the people. The government controls the outcome either way.

In addition to continuing to report on insurance company financing of politicians, how about a report on insurance company profits, and insurance companies denying medicines and procedures, fighting claims and dropping ill customers? Keep "following the money" and follow the illness and death.

It seems every billionaire looter of the American people wants government support of his business, but screams "big government takeover!" if ever a leader wants to slightly reign in the plunder for some benefit to the people.

Can we please stop calling it Healthcare reform and refer to it by what it really is – corporate subsidies and tax increases to the public. Your reporting of matching money to votes is long overdue. I would love to see an insert or rolling banner on the screen as S.O.P. whenever a politician/issue is discussed to reference his votes and money totals. The tallies should answer the question of 'Who does the person represent – the voters or the financial contributors?' The reality is that our Congressional reps are too easily bought and paid for to the detriment of the American public. The mafia was rooted by following the money; why not Congress?

NO PUBLIC OPTION PAYED FOR BY THE HEALTH INSURANCE OF AMERICA the republicans plan sell insurance across state line or put little guy out off buisness more profit maybe they can save money by opening up death camps a place for the uninsured can go to die

In regards to the Congressman who says the Republican Medical Plan calls for the uninsured to die – have the Republicans tell specifically how their plan provide coverage so they don’t.

How do these companies pay these senators? Is it legal? It sounds like a bribe or kick back. It can't be campaign contributions so how does it work? If this is common practice, it should be outlawed. Oh, the people who would have to pass a bill to make it illegal are the ones benefiting.

You can't trust anyone can you? I'm 60 years old and have always been a proud American. I want to be proud of America but it's getting harder and harder to be proud of Americans.

What a greedy lot we've become.

Another poorly reported story that does nothing to benefit the general public... Yes, I am talking about the Lexus story where the entire family was needlessly killed because of the drivers inability to think clearly and the incompetent 911 operator.
I am disappointed that news organizations never seem to take advantage of stories like this to inform the public as to how they can avoid dying in a situation like this.
I will first qualify the following information by saying... I am an ASE Certified Master Mechanic with over 25 years of experience, including having instructed in Automotive Technology.
Why the 911 operator did not immediately tell the driver to shut off the ignition switch I will never know. He should be fired. Why the driver did not shut off the ignition is probably due to panic.
In this situation a drivers first response needs to be, turn off the ignition. You don't need to worry about the steering wheel locking as the interlock device keeps this from happening unless the transmission is in park (all newer model vehicles).
If the engine does not shut down, which is possible, especially in a diesel, then the next immediate step is to place the vehicle in neutral. The engine may or may not over-rev, depending on whether or not it has a rev limiting device. If it over-revs and blows up who cares. At least you can bring your family home safe that day. Applying the brakes in this situation is the worst thing you can do, as it is nearly impossible to stop a vehicle when the throttle is stuck wide open. Removing the power to the drive train is the only answer.
How do I know this... Common sense, and ... it happened to me, in a 500 HP race car. Very scary for a few seconds.
Please, please pass on this useful information to the public.

Rick, thank you for showing the truth of it all.....money. Money is not the root of all evil but the love of it is and it's just plain evil to not give every citizen of this nation healthcare. The only way this can be accomplished is with the public option. Thank you Rick. Keep up the good work.

Hello Rick.
The Millions spend by the insurance companies to buy votes and "Good Will" and advertising space comes from all the rejected medical procedures. I bet you a lot of life could have been saved with that money!!
The public option makes "them" shake in their proverbial boots. I hope the "Public Option" get approved!

Hey Rick
There is very little mention of the health care industry in this blog.Their charges for care are outragous.Go to the e.r. for a simple problem.$1000.00,what's the deal here.

Some health insurance companies denying coverage are cause for many deaths in this country. They are worst then terrorists and it is time to call them by name.

Rick. Here is a memo that I wrote a couple of weeks ago and sent to someof our decision makers:
Whether or not our Republican friends and their town hall attendees care to admit it, there are at least 50 million Americans who do not have health insurance or any other realistic access to medical help. They are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and grandparents or new born. Let’s face it. Some of them are going to get sick and some of the time the illness will be one that can be cured with medical help or will be seriously disabling or fatal if not treated promptly and properly. Without access to medical care, some of them will die. We have to decide whether we will prevent this from happening or whether we will “let em die”.

The difference is between doing something about our health care problem or leaving the 50 million uninsured. Every other developed country in the world has solved the problem but some of the American vested interests who are capitalizing on the present situation and the legislators they fund would rather “let em die” than let us correct the problem.

It is easy to understand why those Americans who now have good health care do not want it to change. What they do not choose to recognize is that not enacting a proper health care solution is “letting em die”. If we do not want to “let em die” the only alternative is to enact a system that provides, in one way or another, health care availability to all of those who do not have coverage today. If it bothers some to think of this as a “public option” they either have to propose a way to get all Americans insured or accept the fact that they are ‘letting em die”. Shouting at a town hall meeting is not an answer. Rather, those who do not like the present suggestions are morally bound to find a workable alternative or “let em die”.

I suggest that these alternatives be the basis for all of the advertising, all of the radio and television presentations and all of the answers to those who want to shout the change down. We probably will never convince them that we cannot solve the problem except by extending proper health care to all who are now uninsured. Our legislators who are honest about this need should pass the necessary legislation so that the president can sign it. Otherwise their constituents will, sooner or later, realize that they are “letting em die”.

Good for Mr.Grayson. My Dad was a veteran of WWII and to gert medical help was told by the Govt. that he and my mom had to divorce in order to get help. That's the "golden Years promise they made them. Ain't gonna happen again. Pass comprehensive health care or go home. We can save money by eiminating YOUR JOBS republicans. you're not doing anything anyway (as always).

On two different occasions – once a Republican Congressman yelling "You Lie" at the president, and now a Democratic Congressman stating that "Republicans want people to die" – are being held accountable (even punished – like the censure that was voted by the House on the Congressman vs the President) – for what they said while in the House of Representative. These challenges and punitive actions (or calling them to apoligize) are actually unconstitutional:
Article 1, Sec 6, Para 1 of the US Constitution says ".... and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place". I believe this implies they should not be punished for what they say or utter while in either House – nor should the be asked to apologize. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for caring, Rick. I am waiting for the numbers to be broadcast; what politician is getting what from the health care industry, who has vested interest in the status quo, how much has health care cost risen in each state, etc. I'm sure that anyone who actually looks at the facts about health care, not only in this country, but other countries with so called "socialist health care" programs, would be outraged at what we have allowed the corporate elite to do to this country.

Rick the Democrat is absolutely correct in this statement. It is no dis of the Republicans it's the truth. I also want to know why dental is not covered. Why is the US behind the rest of the civilized world? Republicans and traitor Democrats.

Democrats just want medicare Americans to die quickly!

Caryl Ward

It's always about the money. My frustration comes from my fellow Americans. Stand up! Demand that the right thing to be done. Health Insurance is winning... If they win nothing will ever change in this country!

If a congressman or senator allows themselves to be paid by the health industries to vote against health care reform, they should get voted out of office!!! This is ridiculous!!!

Hi Rick, can you explain how this health care bill will be a gift to the insurance companies?

The nation needs Health Care, especially after all the recent layoffs. I am not surprised that the legislators in favor of the Insurance Industry are getting big bucks, money always helps to motivate (por dinero baila el mono). As long as money is used by the rich the poor will always get the shaft!

How are these politicians receiving money from lobbyists not held accountable, and why are they not stripped of their position?

rick, I am a senior citizen. the republicans don't scare me with the stuff they say, but they make me really mad. I watch your show all the time and its about time cnn finally came out with the truth about this subject.

How can u call Obama's health care bill communism when the insurance companies paid off elected officials to vote "no". What's that called??? It's easy to vote "no" on government health care when the people that make the call already have the best health care.

Ricky, Please don't say, "Health Care Industry," when you really mean, "Health Insurance Industry." You'll confuse people.
-tb

Rick,
Bottomline the public option will benefit the people qande be aq detriment to the insurance industry. Like all bueracracies it must be properly controlled and regulated to benefit the people, this monumental task should be what the legislators spend their time discussing.

Hey Rick,

Keep investigating those politicians who are on the take from Medical Insurance companies. I believe that anyone who sits on committee and votes whether to pass health care reform should recuse themselves if they are beneficiaries of the companies who would be effective. How can they possibly be objective?

Keep up the great work!

Karen

Would someone explain why the senate finance committee members receive this money. Is it a salary, bonus? How is it classified?

It's my opinion that a single payor plan should be our only option for healthcare reform!

Did these politicians not think that this would come out at some time? It just goes to show they are not there for the American people....only for themselves. Unfortunately, there are so many uneducated, and poor, people who are being duped by them. They do not realize that the health care the politicians and Federal employees get are being paid for by 'public option', but they, the American people are being denied the same....and to make matter worse, these politicians are being paid off by the Insurance industry. What hippocrites!!!!! It would be interesting to see if the Republicans are also being paid off.

This is in response to Mr.Grayson who held up the signs on what the Republican Health Care Plan is: Die Quickly if you get sick. I like the guy and I think his way of going about getting the republicans to actually do something is what it's going to take, they want to complain and insult and accuse but at the end of the day they don't ever seem to come up with anything other than standing in the way of progress. This guy should never say sorry because he didn't do anything wrong.

Thanks for exposing the "legal" payoffs from the health care industry. Would love to see the names listed of those who voted yea and nay.

Rick, I love your show. Thank you for revealing what most educated Americans already suspected. Keep up the excellent work!

The avalanche of ads opposing the public option in health care tells us how much money is involved here for the private insurance companies.

Rick great reporting, you, John stewart, and Stephen Colbert are the only people who have had the guts to call these senators out. It is sad but you are right. The health insurance companies are writing healthcare reform and most americans are so ignorant they are accusing President Obama of being a socialist. Keep up the good reporting and people will come to see the facts.

The only way that the health care bill is going to be settled is if congress and all of our representatives in Washington come under the same blanket for health insurance as the 'rest of the American people'. It's time their 'free' medical care should be revoked. I was under the impression they were citizens of this country, so why should they be exempt?

You need to talk to someone from Mad as Hell Doctors, as a follow-up to your interview with the past Cigna executive. They have hard facts, studies- information to follow this. Major point: why does the United States allow for-profit companies to allocate health care for us? They look at problems with all segments of health care, and have recommendations-

Please get them on your show asap.

What is the difference between the Republicans talking about "death panels" and what the Congressman said the Republicans?

Rick, thank you for doing what other networks refuse to discuss, please continue to shed light on how big insurance companies are buying our congress reps and shaping legislation to their benefit (profit) and preventing beneficial and much needed health reform (we must have a public option!)

I have been telling everyone I know about this for months. Our Senators and Represenitives are being bought by the Health Care Industry. The money trail you showed is only for the members of congress how about their relatives and friends?
Our system is corrupt and needs to be changed.

Love your style keep up the good work....

KayJulia

Tell that hero that he truly is a HERO! He saved that boys life without thinking of his own, that's what you call a hero, GOOD JOB!!!

Comparing the money politicians take from the health care industry with their voting record on a public insurance option is very revealing. It makes me reassess this supposedly open debate on our nation's health care system. In a cable news world where time is squandered on unsubstantiated opinions, it's great to get some useful facts from someone who's pursuing actual journalism. Thank you, Rick.

GOOD JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick, the real problem is that Americans have been brainwashed into believing that everything in this country should be based upon PROFIT! To condider anything else is to be a socialist...right? NO! Health care for profit is both immoral and incompassionate and other so called civilized countries abandoned this philosophy years ago. The greedy, corrupt and incompassionate profiteers in this country should be ashamed and this should be put to an end. Max Bachus and the others on the senate finance committee should be fired and replaced.

Hi Rick!! Im a canadian an i do follow whats going on with the health care reform in the States. But after i hurd today(Oct. 01 2009) about what the insurance company were doing to stop that bill to go true, it really broke my heart for all Americans, expecially the ones who really needs that reform!!! I really like your show man and keep doing that good work you are doing everyday!!!

The US govt is corrupt w/ lobbyist money.Time for a new govt. It would be easier to bring in a new govt than it is to clean out all the corruption. Im not an anarchist but the US govt is totally corrupt and its all legal! The people need a workers union to protect its interest. Corporations can lobby politicians with millions of dollars but the people have no voice. Voting obvoiusly is not enough to get polititians to listen when lobbyist spend millions to get polititians ear. American foriegn policy is based on spreading Capitalism not Democracy. The US govt installs puppet leaders in other counties so we can open a MCdonalds in IRAQ. Not because we want them to have the ability to vote. We worship money above life or freedom. US economy was based on racism from its inception.

Please ask Anderson Cooper to also bring this up and discuss with panel of guests

Good job Rick
could we get the names of the congressman's are senators, that are involved in receiving funds from the insurance companies, and companies CEO names that are sending out these funds.

Rick,

How much money is being paid to members of Congress and the US Senate (and who), by the Insurance Companies to protect the insurance industry from "real" Health Care Reform?

Rick, I caught your story on following the money while on the elliptical at a university gym today. I'm 70, retired. Thank you for your research. I tried to find it at the Sunlight Foundation, but I couldn't find a list. I'd love to see one. Please help.

The USA could save Billions by abolishing all campaign funding from all businesses and groups. We should allow only individual contributions that could then be matched by the government. We need to follow other democratic countries and provide money and TV air time for elections. Declare only 6 month election campaigning. (This MAY get people to REALLY TALK about IMPORTANT ISSUES instead of hype) No politician or political group should be allowed to accept money. RAISE politician's SALARY, and give EQUAL funding for elections. Only THEN will we have a TRUE DEMOCRATIC and HONEST government – or as close as we can possibly get!

Hi Rick its so obvious that the people who are against health care are not well informed and are mostly fearfull of change. In the Bahamas they have both a comprehensive govt. run health care and private health care system. Also there are both govt. run health insurance and private health insurance, and it has been this way for decades and it works fine. I grew up and lived in the Bahamas so I know it works.

Rick, I always tune in to watch Blitzer. But for the last two days I went to CNN one hour earlier, and there you were. I found your show very informative and you presented them in a honest manner. Enjoyed your take on all of them so in the future I will tune in at 12:00 noon one hr. before Blitzer. You now have new viewer and I plan on leaving many comments. Take care

Rick-Here is a shorter version of the memo I sent to you earlier:
I do not contend that the opponents of public option health care reform want the older sick people to die, but it cannot be denied that there are Americans, young and old, who are sick and who need health care to keep them alive. Voting against a government program that will provide the health care they need whether they can afford it or not is in fact "letting 'em die". Bud

Hi Rick,
I'm George from Miami, and I been watching you a long time. We almost grew up together. I've always liked your fair reporting technique. On 911 we lost 3,000 people and we went to war. So now 40 some thousand people are dying EVERY year from lack of healthcare. You just told us how much some polititions both sides left and right getting paid from health insurance companies. My question to you Rick, should that be legal, polititions getting paid, helping insurance company kill American people keeping single payer healthcare away from our people? Isn't this kind of war killing our people? Would you call these polititions taking payoffs as traitors to their own kind, is our enemy in our backyard. Please help me, what do you say Rick?

Hope your story on "following the money" gets picked up by all news media immediately and that your terrific interview with Wendell Potter's is widely broadcasted as well . It ordinarily would be amusing to watch so many sleazy politicians rant about how competiton ( the public option) would be unfair to the health care industry, but we are talking life and death. The notion that a govt option would ration healthcare is true-Medicare does not cover everything BUT neither does private insurance...and the executives rationing the care have a huge, personal profit incentive to deny coverage. The health insurance industry sucks billions from our health care dollars simply acting as unneeded intermediaries. Please keep up the pressure on these duplicitous politicians ! Thanks! .

Rick,
You have a new fan. I really enjoyed the show today, especially the "Follow The Money" segment. I have been trying to find out more about this online, the whole time being more frustrated that no big news was covering it. You made me a believer again in the news (at least one).
I APPLAUD YOU for reminding people that the girl was only 13 years old. When everything is said and done, thats all that really matters.
Keep up the good work.

Ric I know this has nothing to do with Health Care. if this is true, is something worng with this picture. Follow The Money?????

Our Senators and Congresswomen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.

You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan.

In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.

For all practical purposes their plan works like this:

When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die.
Except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments...

For example, Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7, 800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275, 000..00 during the last years of their lives.
This is calculated on an average life span for each of those two Dignitaries.

Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives.

Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. NADA!!! ZILCH!!!

This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds;

It's take a courage and smarts what Mr.W.Potter stands for a now.Thank you!.

Regarding health care, seems to me there are four essential questions that need to be answered all at the same time; 1) Is comprehensive health care a right? 2) If the government is going to mandate coverage or subsidize care, who's going to pay for it? (If there is fraud and abuse in medicare, which of course there is, let the savings be used to shore up that program). But let's be honest, to insure 10-40 million, there is going to be significant cost. 3) If we add 10-40 million to the existing medical system, how and when will we provide the resources, people and facilities, without compromising the current level of care and resource utilization? 4) Who will take responsibility for monitoring for fraud and excess charges? (We certainly haven't been able to do so within Medicare or Medicade. What makes anyone confident we will be able to do so with coverage that would be 4, 5 times the size of these programs which are full of systematic and blatant corruption).

In my opinion, most people with coverage don't want to see their plans compromised without specific and comprehensive answers to the above. Almost everyone, except congressional carpetbaggers, agrees with significant insurance company reforms now! And, would prefer to see step by step implementation of a non-taxpayer subsidized public option to start.

Chuck Courtney

Rick, I am a board certified family practitioner in Dallas, Texas, and September 24th, I filed a Pro Se lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court (Dr. Dralves Gene Edwards v Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas) dealing with the same thing. It has been a 13 years ordeal that I have challenged the integrity and unethical practice of Blue Cross. They cherry pick doctors out and stop paying them and they have to close their practice. Any doctors who tampers with their "bottom line", the dollar has to go. You give me some press on this landmark case , it will help doctors around this country who are struggling with insurance companies on the same issue. I will email you a copy of the suit and let your legal team review it. I am not afraid of these thieves. I am proud of myself for fighting withou any help.

Oh Rick, I'm so Thankful to God that someone is Finaly telling the People of America the REAL Truth about why the Politicians in Washington are really voting against the Public Option. My Hope is this, that some of the people that work 9:00 to 5:00 every day get a look at this. It's sad but most of the American people are truly robbed of the Truth. The fact that Millions of Dollars that were meant to pay for Health Care are going into the pockets of our Politicians to make sure that the Health Care Bill will only Benifit HealthCare Insurance Companies is Sickening to me as I'm sure it would be to Most if not All Americans. Thanks for Being Our Truth Provider. Please Keep Up the Good Work. Linda Pickron in The Fl. Panhandle

Lobbiest. It sounds like they are running the country not the politicians. We need to all come together as one goup against congress and say enough. No more. Congress need to stop being PUPPETS for the lobbiests.

The United States have a Moral obligation to its Citizens, not the Insurance companies. The Elected officials in Congress and Senate ought to know that.

I want to thank you for telling the American people how bought out the health care system is. My husband is a doctor and he is sicken by how much these politicians are paid off. When the public option was taken off of the original bill, his heart just sank. He sees patients everyday that need the public option and the insurance companies don't care about them. They cost too much for them and don't want to deal. He has seen this happen not only as a family physician but now as a psychiatrist too. I feel as a investigative journalist you need to go to the rural areas of America and ask the doctors their opinion. Some of them are being run by the insurance companies too. This is why my husband got out of family practice. He was taking "too much time" with his patients and was finding it hard to actually practice medicine.
On the other hand we have seen cancer take away homes and savings. My father-in-law was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He had a double stem cell transplant and was broke. He wouldn't take any money from anyone and has finally after 5 years of being cancer free has paid off the credit cards that funded his cancer treatments after hitting his caps. He tells us horror stories about other families in the chemo rooms of how they lost their homes, savings, cars and then eventually the cancer patient. Obviously none of these politicians have ever experienced this because it hurts your heart to hear this. Oh that's right the money must warm their hearts.
One last point, I see the health care protesters carrying signs that say "no healthcare reform, no socialized medicine." Many of these people I have noticed are my parents age which puts them into Medicare. What the hell do you think Medicare is – socialized medicine. It's the best plan going and I can't wait to hit 65. If there was a public option, I can guarantee you that my family would drop from the insurance company we are with now and go with it. The government has the best plans going, ask the military, ask any medicaid patient, ask any medicare patient. So please try to talk to the doctors that aren't attached to the insurance companies, they are on the front lines of this battle.
Thank you so much for your show – they should make it two hours!!!

Mr Sanchez,

I just watched your discussion on the Bacus Bill and the Public Option. What you made evident is just as I suspected: health insurance providers are buying congress member votes against the public option. Congress members are voting in a way that is best for congress member reelections and not in a way that is best for our Nation. Your interview with Mr Potter reinforced the argument that special interest money greatly shapes legislation and why legislation is slanted to support special interest.

Thank you for your excellant work.

Bill Roberson

Rick:

We all know that President Obama have and up-hill battle with this health care reform. Health reform is not as difficult as one may think. The solution to good health care reform are in the topic of this discussion. Before health care can be successfully reformed, CONGRESS must be reformed first. Bribery is against the LAW! The Health Care industry is providing massive amounts of money to the democrats, republicans and others to insure their viability and to defeat any health care reform attempts. Influence peddling is wrong and it is just another word for bribery. Again, reform congress first and if the laws need more bite to them, then do so. Congress should NOT receive money for influence in any fashion and should be prosecuted if discovered. Afterward, push forward with the health care reform bill.

Rick- You sunk to a new low today. I don't know how you sleep at night. I thought you had gained a conscience Silly me! After the first three minutes, I realized the layers of corruption you began to expose in the way Washington does business (the foremost reason behind the tea party(TAX) protest in Washington) was only to enforce the far left view that government option is good. Anyone against it is bad, corrupt, or just plain stupid. Burning the moderate Democrats trying to do their best for their constituents, as if they got paid MORE from big insurance, and therefore oppose government option. You have made Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid so proud. Maybe President Obama will take notice, and find a place for you among his czars. Reporting only the small amount of the BIG PICTURE you choose to leave out is disgusting. Why won't you report who the big winners in the insurance industry will be when the government awards contracts to insurers(G.E. Tom and Linda Daschle-lobbyist) Your viewing audience is actually much closer to being like the parents you described. Little money, driving a dodge dart, and the perception they are easily fooled by PR and big insurance, not the people at the tea party in Washington. Those are the ones you deceive with information that is true, but not complete. You'll make a great politician one day. Hope you take a good look in the mirror when you get ready for tomorrows show and decide if the end justifies the means.

Hello Rick, and all you folks that care.

A question for you Rick and some of the folks who have commented on the subject of this blog.

If CNN and Mr. Sanchez' staff were able to uncover this terrible travesty of corruption within the ranks of our representatives in Washington, why has the more than 65% of folks who support the public option, (INCLUDING THE DEMOCRATS AND THE PRESIDENT) not brought this to the attention of the public, in a "TELL ALL" format, and have the corrupt, money grubbing element of our politicians try and defend their actions.

It is evident that the for profit insurance corporations 'own' the US senate

LIZ! I don't think people are insane because they want a public-option. Let's be honest. The government has its hands in everything we do. If you think the government is going to stop spending money because of health-care, then I guess I am insane. Look–I have great insurance, but i'm not naive to believe that if I lose my job tomorrow, my insurance provider would be the bigger person, tell me they understand my plight and continue to provide me with affortable health-care. I have been working most of my adult life–from serving my country, to now an employee with the government. As an American, living in the richest country in the world, it's my duty as a patriot and a christian to look out for the least of these. So, if they want to use the money that I pay taxes and provide Americans with affortable health-care, with a public-option, which would bring cost down through competition, I'm all for it. If that's not for you–I understand–but remember, I'm not insane. I think the word that would describe my actions would be a good American.

Freddie
Veteran and Patriot

Love your work. Agree with those that this should be shown again or your show going with prime time.

I have a question. How can our representives, Senators and Congressmen who accepted money from any source seeking "favors" be legal? The taxpayer is being "robbed" and that is a crime.

Why isn't something done?

Rick–Question? The Whistle Blower you had on today understands how the insurance companies rip-off Americans– Why hadn't President Obama used him in helping with health-care reform?

Freddie

Hey Rick,

I loved this piece. Watched it yesterday and again today. I haave been talking to people who are very frustrated with this as I am, and feeling helpless as well.

I would like to see some different spin on this. Private Insurance Option! I want to be able to opt out of that! I am self employed, but alot of people have been forced to work for a lousy company just to get insurance. I still have a choice, but the Baucus bill will REQUIRE me to buy insurance and with no Public Option I will be forced into the hands of the insurance companies with no checks and balances.

How is THAT a free market? FOUL!

Yes, Baucus didn't vote for the public option, and YES he gets the most from the health insurance lobby. THANK YOU for exposing him!

The Republicans say the public option will cost too much.. Compared to what? We are already paying through the nose! It is the Private insurance industry that is getting a 30% cut in the deal and nobody is talking about how much we would save if they weren't in the game. Not to mention how we could control costs better if we had some antitrust legislation for health care.

Thank you for reporting about real stuff. Keep it up!

Kelly Trierweiler
Small Business Owner

You asked what we thought about Alan Grayson and his comments and I'm not sure where we are to post our feelings, but since this is connected to the Health Care Debate and the public option, I'm guessing this is okay. I totally agree with what Mr. Grayson said and did. He of course doesn't need to apologize. He at least is being upfront, honest, and courageous. I hope he becomes a role model for the other Democrats. He says it like it is, and isn't hiding behind the insurance companies like the Republicans.

How many Republicans have lied, cheated, and totally distorted what the President hopes to do, and created total negative propaganda because they basically are greedy, want to have the insurance companies continue to drop and not cover basic needs, and then benefit in the kickbacks.

The Republicans have no respect for the election, for Obama, or his policies. They are sore, bitter losers, and are only planning on how they can win next time. There is no caring for the suffering Americans who have no insurance, or who will lose coverage in the future, while the CEO's and staff continue to cheat the American people. So, They use dishonest scare tactics and try to go after uneducated followers or continue to care more about money than people's health and welfare in this country.

I very much admire Mr. Grayson.

Rick,

Thank you for casting light on the truth. Your interview with The CIGNA VP Mr Potter today was wonderful. Don't let up. We need to hold our representatives (senate and house) accountable for this.. we can't let Corporate Insurance buy our government out from under us.

Most oponents to a Public health care don't want their OWN governement to take care of their health !! But they readily leave their health cares to PRIVATE INSURANCE CO belonging to SHAREHOLDERS from where!??China!! Russia!! Muslim countries!! Drugs cartels??
Sorry I just can't follow you up!!! RATHER BE CONTROLLED BY MY OWN STATE THAN BY OTHERS!!!!

At last one Democrat fought back after months of lies and terror attacks from the republicans on Health care!!
Where are all the Democrats??
How come there is not a GIANT show of support for YOUR representants!!
Still wayting gor a GIGA march on Washington!!!

Rick you put a very bring light on those politicians who voted down this most recent Heath Care bill. A NO vote gets you financially rewarded by the insurance industry. Great investigative reporting Mr. Sanchez.
Lets hear more from the "whistle blowing" former insurance executive.
I think he validates what's really going on behind the scenes.
Please MORE MORE about this.

Rick this is the letter I sent to the President

Dear Mr. President,
I was looking at CNN today and Rick Sanchez was the host. The issue of healthcare came up. He was interviewing the ex CEO of Cigna about the public option. Rick indicated that the Health Insurance companies in one way or another have given to the panel that has created the Baucus bill over 1 million dollars in “donations”. This is shameful and it is a total conflict of interest. Now I know why we cannot get the public option. The insurance companies bought their votes and Rick showed the proof thru the CEO. We need to get this public option going. I spent 200 dollars yesterday on meds because we have no insurance. To top it all off I lost my job, so if I get sick and go to the E.R. I will die there. We demand accountability I am a republican who voted for you for change. All I see is more corruption thru both parties. This borders on treason. Remove that panel and have them investigated by the Attorney General for accepting bribes to influence votes on the Health care plan. They are playing with our lives. Go ahead and talk to Rick Sanchez and the ex CEO. Expose these tyrants who call themselves representatives of the people. I was in the medical field for 14 years and I know how these insurance companies operate. The time has come for change go on TV with Rick Sanchez to see how they are going to explain their way out of this one. We need a public option nothing less should not go to your desk for approval.
Sincerely,
Ferdinand Torres

Rick: Lately I am hooked on to your show. I enjoyed your show today with the ex – executive of Cigna. Why do people not understand what these Insurance companies are doing at the expense of our health ? I would like to see a public option , and I am just fed up of hearing about Govt controls !! Some people are just thick headed !

I think I have the answer how to get the Dems and the Republicans to work together on the Health reform; and I will bet you they will come out of it with flying colours and they will come up with the best Reform this world has ever seen. Here it is....

Effective immediately no more Health Insurance Coverage for Senators , the Representatives and their families. They should be forced to pay the full rates out of their pockets for all medical expenses, until they agree upon a Health Reform Package that is totally acceptable and affordable. If we can force it upon them, we will have a signed and sealed reform in less than 2 months !!! Trust me !. Thanks.

Mr. Sanchez, I lost my husband two years ago, the week that he died, his workplace called me and told me that I was about to loose my insurance in a couple of weeks, when I tried to enroll in the same insurance, they denied coverage for me because I have a pre-condition (I was taking only med. for cholesterol) and I never was sick or used the insurance other than reg. check ups. I do not trust any of the people who is now "working" to get a health ins. why? at the end of the day, they go to their homes, with no worries about either their job or insurance....they do not care for the people who put them in their jobs in the first place, all they care is who pays their campaing and other political ambitions, at the end of the day we all are the same worring that what would it happen if we get sick. The insurance companies do not care about people they only care about profits...and the congressmen only worry wether they will get elected or not....the american people is only a way for them to get elected...This is our reality....

Rick, are you plannig to interview a Republican Conservative about this, or is giving a forum to a Chuckie Schummer toady like Weiner your idea of journalism? How much money did Weiner get from extreme leftist groups vested on this charade? Or are you only interested in the money flowing from one side?
BTW, if I were an insurance company or any kind of healthcare-related business, I'd be contributing money like crazy, given the fact that our president is on record as wanting them out of business. Not to mention that they may be "Big Insurance", but they are 100% right about this!

Tell Tony Weiner and the rest of the Dems to stop bellyaching and pass the so-called healthcare bill! They have super majorities in both House and Senate (which BTW, the Republicans have not had in my lifetime). I am proud, as a Republican and as an American, that my party as a whole rejects this abomination. Let the Democrats live with the consequences of their actions.Hopefully then this country will wake up before these weasels nationalize everything.

Mr. Sanchez, in the early 70's two relatively unknow newsmen by the names of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstien broke a story of corruption, dishonesty and tampering with U.S. law and justice, which ultimately led to the Impeachement of President Nixon, and his eventual resignation, as well as a total collapse of the scandal ridden Republicans in both houses.

I believe that "YOU" Mr. Sanchez are on the crest of another similar story of scandal by those representatives that have elected to take bribes in order to defeat a public health care initiative that would benefit every middle class American family.

I beg of you, as one of those, to pursue this scandal and expose it to every American patriot.

Please I beg of you "DO SO"

very interesting. I was not aware that only positive comments are posted on this blog. No wonder these newscasters are out of touch with the majority of Americans. Just another test to see if this is true. As usual the data presented in this story was incomplete. A common problem with CNN reporting. There was no mention of how much money has gone to Democrats to push the public option. Before CNN accuses the Republicans of being bought off by the insurance companies how about a little journalistic honesty about how much the Democrats are getting to push through the health care in the first place. Or is CNN suggesting that the Democrats are doing this for the good of the country. If the democrats are doing this on moral grounds seems strange that they would take any insurance company money. Of course the actual payoffs to the democrats will be difficult to assess because the Left wing does not usually donate via legal means.

Dems have the heart but not the will.

Republicans do not care about helping the less fortunate and the will to make sure they do not get help.

If only the Dems could grow balls, and develop the will to help the less fotunate they would certainly be a great party.

What has happened to the United States ? Politicians for sale?

Health care and the military are two areas that are just too expensive for each to have their own. Call it socialism if they wish, but there are things that are in the common good. Health care should be at the top.
Our system in Canada is not perfect, and never will be...but the "all for one/one for all" works for us.
And guess what?...we are still a democratic country. The government works for us and not the other way round.

Lately I'm not sure who your politicians work for.

Keep up the good work Rick!

Dale
Canada

This is outrages. The insurance companies over charge us. They take our money and buy more more politicians to promote their lucrative life style. Only in America.

Rick,
About a month ago I put together a program graphic on the money
given to the key players on the Finance committee to help my friends follow the votes. I thought you might enjoy it. Is there a way for me to email it to you.
Thanks,
Rick

Rick,

Follow up with the Insurance industry lobby information shared yesterday. Can you confront Bacus and the other fat cats in Congress who glup up all the money thrown at them?

I am 64 and do not expect to see substantive legislation that will help me. My brother and I have been self-employed for most of our lives, no insurance.

I am sick of the political parade of self-rightous fat cats purporting to represent "my best interests".

Grumpy in Dallas

Thank you for following the money regarding Senator Baucus. Could you do the same for the Louisiana Senators and Congresmen. Congress has always been influenced by money, but this total prostitution of the trust that we place in them is unprecedented.

Hi Rick:
Are you going to publish the names and the amount of money that they each rec'd?

What's wrong with a hybrid form of Socialism? We can help each other and avoid a dictatorship. Right now we have a Dictatorship in the form of big business and religion. They control almost every aspect of our lives. Most of the people who are against things like welfare, universal healthcare,etc. are those that claim to care so much about everyone. It just doesn't appear that way to me. This country seems to have an 'Everyone for themselves' mentality.

Can't trust the government? Government is a predator?? But dont the people vote for the government? I dont understand. Something is fundamentally wrong with America's political system.

Flood insurance is corporate welfare – which Republicans are always for unless Democrats are for it, then they're against it. Here's how it works – Americans pay insurance companies for flood insurance, then it floods and then Americans pay the bill, but the government only pays if the insurance companies get money first. That's not socialism, that's the usual insurance company putting profits before people.

Rick,

Wonderful point about the hypocrisy of Congress when it comes to health care. I have NO trouble believing that lobbyists for health care are in their pockets. It' s time to throw the bums out-they don't represent US.

Jim in TN

What is V/.A. Healthcare? What is Medicare and Medicade? They are government insurance. And theywork great. I know, I am in the VA healthcare system and it is wonderful.

Rick,

Another point I forgot to make-I'm from Canada and UHC works just fine, so long as you have supplemental insurance (like AFLAC). It sounds like big money is getting in the way.

The insurance co.'s are paying BIG BUCKS, to stop the health care plan. Why not just spend all that money on the people they insure? Will never understand big business's thinking.

Thank you for the commentary on the hypocracy of the republicans and so called democrats with regard to the public option. I only wish that the media in general had the balls you and the demacrat the other day (whose name escapes me) made.

I would be opposed to government interference in businesses including insurance IF the businesses in America would be able to regulate themselves in a moral and ethical manner. However, HUGE profits at all costs seems to be the norm and the moral bar has been lowered in America. So if they cannot regulate themselves, someone has to.

Thanks Rick for bringing us the truth about the hypocrisy of the Washington politics. Yes, both democrat and republicans have no problem giving our money to the big business while refusing to allow every Americans to have access to affordable healthcare.

Understand your issue around difference between SOME socialist programs and Congressional support. Here's another: Why do Christians allow themselves to be brainwashed against "socialist" policies, when the first church – according to the book of Acts – was a communal venture. It discloses that all members sold their possessions, gave proceeds to the apostles, who subsequently distributes the same to everyone "as they had need". Verify for yourself.

It occurs to me that the same pork barrel prophets you are denigrating are the ones who run the U.S. Post Office and Amtrak, both of which have always cost the taxpayer. Let them run national healthcare? Brilliant!!!

The health care issue will not be resolved until our country stops making money off our health and well being. Shouldn't the right to pursue happiness include good health?

Don't all of the congressmen and senators have a public plan? And let's not forget the resident doctor in the halls of congress. If there is no substantial healthcare reform so that all Americans have what our congressmen and senators have, We the People, should eliminate their coverage. Why should we pay for them when we don't get the same benefits. They obviously don't get it.

BTW, anyone in DC sick? Go to the Office of the Attending Physician (also known as the Navy Medical Clinic) right on Capital Hill. They do take care of people who faint, etc. while visiting – just visit.

Rick,

Thank you very much for talking straight to the point for health care. Seriously, I now believe we will pass healthcare with public option this time because of you! No one ever raised about the "MONEY TRAIL" Thank you. By the way where were you 1993?

Your comparison today between the "public option" and government run flood insurance is silly. They are vastly different things, and I bet you already know that. In flood insurance, private insurers aren't willing to take the risk so the government has to. As a former purchaser of flood insurance it is very expensive and varies in cost as to how likely your area is to flood. Government healthcare is meant to compete with many private insurers, many feel with the intention of someday running them out of business in order to affect a single payer system. And while flood insurance affects a very small percentage of Americans, government run healthcare could affect every American. Very different indeed.

How about a national referendum on the health care options,
letting the people decide what they want and forget about the bought and paid for bums in DC

US is not a multi-party country..the US politics is dominated by two parties only who monopolized for more than a century. People have no real choice-either you have to vote for for one of the two corrupt parties or stay home.
If there were more than two parties, we would not have elected officials giving tax payer money to corporates while they refuse to make healthcare affordable and let people die from lack of healthcare.
What a coutry...it is emabarassing and shame!!!!!

This should be the real story of healthcare reform–how big money pays off our elected officials. Everyone should be outraged by this and it is not being reported on enough. Thanks.

I dislike this HC bill. But i hate congress donations even more. Why arent you focusing on who takes what in every sector & on every issue!?

Follow the money. Find out which politicians are getting money from trial lawyers. Malpractice insurance is a major reason that health care costs are rising dramatically, but there is no tort reform in the health care bills.

Dear Rick,
We as a nation are sick and tired of being used and abused by our government at every level. And equally so, the down-right greed and corruption at every level and in every sector has, for decades, worn the American public weary. It has got to stop and a socialist-democratic system may be our last hope as a nation.

We are a broken nation, inundated with debt, a broken infrastructure, a corrupt president who can contravene the US constitution with impunity, and an elitist system that rewards criminal behavior of government. We exist in a nation where the system health care and quality education to be had solely by the rich. Not feeling the Democratic love here. Not feeling any love at all..

How about all of us getting the same health care that the politicians getting?

Everybody has missed the point. Fix the delivery system along with the insurance system. And please, don't let the AMA and FDA tell you that just taking more legal drugs is the answer.
Dennis

Rick, the jokes on us. I work, my wife works, and we don't have health insurance,can't afford it. This whole debate is just more of the same. Its not about deficits, its about human life. I agree with the congressman who said it best, if you get sick, just die quickly! I tried to organize a rally, 2 million people in D.C. Oct 31st, for people who are not concerned about protest, socialism, deathers, birthers, but action in putting forth a health care bill with teeth. To no avail, folk just want to complain, it's obvious our elected officials in Wash. are only concerned about raising more money for them to get re-elected. Republicans don't like ANY plan, but have not put one forth of any kind??? Why hasn't the media pushed for an answer on this? Forget the talking points..Real Americans are suffering and dieing. We can either be part of the solution or part of the problem! Rick, third party?, maybe, if the people in it are just common folk, with common sense! Seriously have you ever known a poor politician in Washington? Keep up the good work, Rick

Rick,

Not sure you have researched your flood insurance facts recently aired. Spent 22 years in insurance property/casualty business. The governmt flood insurance came about because big insurance carriers no longer provide it to their policyholders. The govt had no choice. Flood ins did not originate from the government, but rather due to the big private insurers no longer covering the losses.
Covering property is quite a bit different than a human being. I am a breast/skin 2 time cancer survivor, I saw first hand people being refused necessary blood tests/etc. because they were covered under a government plan. The system would have to be a good one for the gov to be a proper provider for healthcare.
Thanks for the ear,
Concerned in Missouri

i lost my good paying job with benefits in nov.2007.i could only find part time with no benefits.i have worked all my life and am now in my fifties.i need health care but who cares?i don't think the politicians care.what's in it for them?it is time to change.maybe a new party with fresh views for the people would be a good thing for the majority of americans.

also,..i have been to europe many times and saw with my eyes drug prices less than 10% what we pay here,.. no prescriptions needed,..
why must a doc be paid to prescribe antibiotics, birth control,.. non addictive, non recreational NORMAL things?
this is also part of the problem,..
true?

if the gang of six say the health industry can not compete against the government then how is the American worker supposed to compete against the Chinese are there companies not government run?

What Mr. obama has really learned so far into his presidency and many of the rest of us as well is that our country is controlled totally by corporate business interests and profit and most of our elected congress is also with little difference in political party. It is time for a third choice to clean up this mess led by the independent center. I trust obama and wish that he could have been effective as a new voice in all this corruption that pro business republicans [as well as dems] have allowed , making greed and money the bottom line and stealing our country. He is loosing his base while learning the ropes!

I just want to know why my husband and I pay nearly $20,000 a year for an HMO!!! Soon we will have no insurance because we can't afford the $1357 monthly premium + co-pays & prescriptions!! That is almost my house payment!! I need a full time job just for the payments! As a small business owner, it's very discouraging when I can pay my employees but not be able to have a paycheck yet! So between the economies effect on my business and the cost of health care, we won't have anything!!!

Nice to see you added up the insurance company money. Maybe in the spirit of full desclosure you will tell us how much the Lawyers groups are giving to Senators that voted for government option.

Of course you know the Democrats don't wan't Tort Reform because they get major contributions from lawyers.

There are big problems and everything must be on the table, but Obama and the Dems don't want to take on lawyers.

Rick ur z man. I was wrong in thinking you were just like the rest of the CNN news crue who mislead, in my view. You are direct and truthful in, again... my view. I don't know where you stan on the public option but here is mine. It is the only best option for all citizens. Insurance companies must be made the last option if not removed intierly.

As for those senators/congressmen who voted against the public option, they are nothing but Insurance Co. lobbyists.

Yes to the public option 100%
Hell NO to Insurance Companies.

I think the health care issue will become a Pandora's Box and show us, in more clear graphic terms how corrupt our country's leaders are, and the extent to which we truly have little to no say in any our the issues that will effect us. Democracy, you've got to be kidding me.

If just last year the congress voted to fund flood insurance, which benefits mostly rich people who love to build houses near lakes, rivers, and the ocean; I see no reason why health insurance that will benefit mostly common Americans should not be funded by the government. Let the congressman from Iowa know that the Republicans are the predators, not government. I hope the evangelicals who support Republicans will see their hypocrisy. As a Christian I will not want to be associated with a political party like the Republican Party. They are flat out, the new slave masters and I think Michael Moore has found out their plan to enslave Americans.

Dear Rick,

I appreciate your stand in favor of the "public option" as part of healthcare reform. It seems that those who are opposed to the public option are somehow connected to the insurance industry. I worked in the insurance industry for a number of years and can assure you that they have no interest in providing health care. Their business is to make money by writing policies that are incomprehensable to the average person, selling these policies by distorting the costs and benefits and then resisting paying out when a claim is made.

If we can get a plan without including the insurance industry we may have a chance of providing health care (not insurance) for the people of this great country. Why should there be a middle man between the provider and the receiver of health care?

Keep up the drumbeat for change that is rational, possible and that helps the people, not an industry that has no conscience.

Thanks, Lawrence Devine

The Republicans that call the Public Option socialism are just afraid that the Democrats and the President will look good. Anyone with any brains can see their cries of socialism. They are going to cry "Wolf" at anything the President is trying to do. They always have and always will.

As for the David Letterman "scandal", does anyone really care about this, if anything it will give Letterman's show a spike in ratings. And besides, Letterman, I believe was single at the time...can we move on?

Rick: As a Virginian, I'ts embarrasing to hear representative Eric Cantor has taken this amount of money from the insurance industry. No wonder he has taken this unwavering stance on health / insurance reform. CNN needs to identify all the major players in the process and their rewards received from the insurance industry. I expect it is not a coincidience they have taken this posture.

People need to know what side their representatives are really on. Please put them on public display.

rick
what you think we should do about reform health plan ?
I am sure you have health insurance ,and job too.
what about the people that do not have either one ?

Hi Rick:
Without the public option, there is no reform. I am beginning to believe that our system is so corrupt, that they threaten the very ideals of our democracy. The money thrown around to re-elect those same morallly criminal officials is proof that our democracy is in trouble. We need term limits badly. We NEED a third party.....the party of the people! Our elected officials no longer vote for the people, but instead vote for there own wallets....isn't this a further step down the road of collapse of a country? MR. PRESIDENT, do NOT back down on the PUBLIC OPTION!

Hey Rick...pleas contenue exposing those who are against a public option. without it. there is NO reform! please remind america that over 44 ooo americans DIE each year because they dont have insurance! We are counting on you Mr. Sanchez too contenue our intrest. Please dont give up PLEASE. Our press is the national watchdog. And your number 1 in this effort. at least in my view. thanks so mutch John F. Ivers.Texas.

I am an independant who voted for Obama during the last elections forany reasons. I thought that one day I may possibly vote for a republican. But today I've realized how hypocritical that Republicans are...And they have the nerve to say that they represent values! Which value? The value of money.

Maybe it's time we do a form of protest that will get all to take notice. No one pay their mortgage in December. Call it the peoples stimulus package. What could they do if we had this mass financial protest.

I dont think healthcare will ever change as long as politicians are allowed to take campaign contributions from big buisness. It's like no one even cares about the people anymore. all politicians care about is who will make them the most money. I feel the healthcare industry is the most greedy industry in the world. If they found a free plant that cures all disease tommorrow the healthcare industry would lobby and pay off politicians until it was made illegal just so they could make more money. I don't know whose greedier, health care companies or the politicians they pay off. Do any of these people have any compassion for human life or the people they claim to serve. The point of this rant is simple.... MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.

Rick,

If you don't know the difference between helping people in flood ravaged areas of our country and the ramifications of the piblic option, there's no sense discussing it with you. You have your mind made up and there's no further discussion in your world. Anyone that opposes the public option is wrong according to you.

Thank you Rick for revealing the truth about all our so called representative in Congress. I, like so many Americans, had such great hopes that the Democrats would finally do the right thing by representing the WILLl of the majority who want a public option. No matter what they try to tell us, we know they were persuaded to drop the public option by the enormous pay out by the big insurance companies. We are not stupid! I hope you will challenge any or all of these congressmen with the information you have reported to us. I join the millions of Americans who will vote for an independent party in the next election–I am SICK with a pre-existing condition called "Politics As Usual" caused by "a lack of representation "

If the government paid for our health care. They would have to stop their corporate buddies from killing us.
Hormones, chemicals, dyes, and genetically altered foods. They would have to do something about pollution too. It would cut in to their profits.
How can our government allow a company to make fertilizers and food products that give us cancer. Then the same companies turn around and sell us the drugs that cure it? Do these same companies own or have stock in the health insurance? These are HUGE conflicts of interest.
Some countries that provide health for all don't allow these food product to be sold. That is good government not Socialism.
Give us health care for all. Stop big business from poisoning us. Please.
Those who say no are killing us and they claim to be pro-life?

Re: Third Party – The lobbyists would also control any third party we elected. Big money has been making American law for far too long. We, the people will need to DEMAND campaign finance reform before our so-called representatives stop selling us out.

Health Care

Balance of power is the real question that is in play.. The public option is based on need vs Greed. The facts are, If the government takes the lead on insurance health care. The people have the power, And the government will lose the ability to blame insurance companies and medical Institutes for lack of change .Because we have no vote in the board rooms just lam regulations.. With the public option every few years we do have a score card and the right to vote for are senators and congressman.. The balance of power will change to the “people” not the few.... Take head to history, My “simplified” view of history that applies. Claude’s of Rome first century, once said it is easy to be a Religion than a government because you can collect sole taxes with out complaint and you can blame god when things go “bad”.. Amazing statement. “And we know how that went”.. Did Rome ever fall.. Power to the people.. Long live capitalism empowered by the people. It’s a smart move to educate the people. Social and Educational Genocide never works. The public option is a very big thing.

Roy J Jones

Rick thank you for being up front on health care? Saw your talk with Weiner of NY and what he gets from health industry and then Cantor? What a joke are they for real? Why hasn't more of the news media been doing this the same as you are doing, even Baucus look at what he has gotten from health care industry? As an RN working I saw the greed and profit get worse year after year. I called the system worse than the Mafia at least you knew what they were up to? I have written letters for years about some kind of health care for all in this rich country to no avail? Even wrote Hillary one time no reply? Here in Ga I get these form letters from my Republican Party I supported most of my life except this last election? Did not vote for either candidate. I am for change in health care I do not know if Obamas is the best but at least a start? How do you in good conscience accept the profits made off of someone who becomes sick? I know these townhalls are being led by the medical industry and the scare tactics of Rush and Hannity just a couple on radio along with Fox who are totally against these Obama health changes but WHY? . I have been fans of all of these mentioned people and shows for years but now when I hear the daily mantra I ask why? Who are these people schilling for? Daily over two months or more now and it is the same thing? We will die per death squads, lose our doctors if you are in a PPO or HMO they tell you your doctors? Be taxed to death just total misconceptions. No, not everyone gets health care look at AARP the stories where people cannot get taken care of per no health care coverage, just like Cindy above my comment here who lost her job like thousands are doing now? WHY? Why are we sending young men and women to fight and die for our freedoms in Iraq and Afganistan but then tell the citizens of this country too bad you cannot get health care per I a politician know whats best per the lobbyist in this country? GREED? Greed that just took down my retirement fund caused on both sides of the aisle in Congress, who both ignored and allowed this sub prime debacle ? They sit there Republicans with straight faces and say their idea is to allow us to go across state lines to get health ins to where for what? About 30 some states now only have a choice of 4-5 health insurance companies? Ala. has Blue Cross that has 85% control there? What a lie about how this will help competition? Take a look at Cobra I was on this started off at $180 for my husband and I before it ended was up to $800 Cobra ends in 18 mo and good luck in finding an outside ins that you can afford and then get pre existing? I am a retired RN age 67 now on wonderful Medicare at last with plan B best coverage I have had for a few years. No more pre existing, no $5000 deductible to afford my BCBS premiums? Premiums I can somewhat afford? I am now as a lifetime Republican looking for another party in the future one who cares for the citizens of this country? Rick take a look at former Sen Frist of Tenn and what his family made off of health insurance HCA? Most of their money is from health care and they paid a big fine for billions of fraud in medicare? Put up boards on your shows showing what these people get for contributions from health industry for all to see? Glenn Beck does this and he is so wrong about health care? He has picked on Congress for the financial debacle but no support to provide health care for this country. WHY? Rick I hope you get to see this message, come here to Jasper, Ga. and visit Good Samaritan here in Pickens cty free health care clinic and getting busier per the economy here in the mountains? All volunteer doctors , nurses etc etc. Been here now for 7 years and based off of one in Hilton Head? I know of very few if any politicians who have come to visit this clinic WHY NOT? What are they afraid to, to show what many have to do to get health care? Even a dentist comes to the clinic,. per how many can afford dentist today? Also take a look at the state medicare system I know of cases here in Ga giving Medicaid to illegals for care? Also how have we for years allowed these immigrants to come here and work for lower wages and then say you cannot get health care if sick they are human beings we let them come didn't we? I have traveled to Ireland and my now deceased husband & I were going to move there part of the year and we used health system there a few times and it was super. We would have paid $800 a year to be covered? Used the system in Canada on business and no problems and many who live there are asking about the bad publicity and are confused? Yes, maybe you wait but most of the time not if an emergency from friends I know who live there and my neighbor who is from there and her family says the same. One more thing as you can tell I can go on and on about this? I became a nurse in my 30's per caring for people and hear doctors now saying they will leave health care if this Obama plan passes? WHY? They take an oath like I have to take care of the sick or maybe they forgot? If this Congress cannot pass a good health care plan for all then they are a bunch of Narcissistic greedy bums? Remember a few years ago in Fla. when a guy said LETS VOTE THE BUMS OUT the time has come.

I'm sure Mr. Potter is happy with the pension, healthcare benefits, and 401K plan he received from the evil insurance company he worked for. He probably also has additional savings from the substantial salary he received.
People seem to forget that the big, bad insurance companies employ and provide benefits for lots of ordinary people who do not get the huge salaries and bonuses that employees of investment banks receive. Not everyone is a highly paid CEO, or executive (like Mr. Potter.)
The public option could wipe out the jobs of millions of these people, as well as the jobs of people who deal with insurance companies in hospitals and doctors' offices, those who work for software companies, etc. We are already at 9.8% unemployment – we could well see a few more percentage points added to that, which of course would result in more people unable to pay mortgages and other bills, and put food on the table. Then CNN could interview them, sympathizing over how awful their situation is, and speculating as to when the economy will improve.
Hospital administrators have said on TV that they cannot survive on the payments they get from Medicaid and Medicare (which is going bankrupt) without the higher payments they receive from the private insurance companies. And the Congressional Budget Office has said that the proposed plan could ruin our economy, so let's not attribute all opposition to payments from the insurance companies. (By the way, I don't usually have my TV on during your show – did you also analyze how much money the Senate Finance and Banking committees received from the banking industry? )
I do think reform is needed, but I think we should create specific legislation to deal with that without wiping out the private insurance sector – cover the uninsured, provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, guarantee portability, and put a cap on insurance premium increases.

Rick, This country's biggeat problem with health care is that the congressmen and senators only care about big business. The insurance companies have them in their pocket. I watched you brodcast today and those six senators that voted no to goverment getting involved with healthcare is a joke and shows to the american people that they only care about money and business, not the people. Without the people these big businesses would not be big buisnesses. Our healthcare system is a joke I feel we need a nationalized healthcare system. No human being should be denied healthcare, and in these tough econmic times if you do not have insurance and you are on unemployment you can not receive medicade, because the goverment considers that income. I am sorry that is a joke unemployment if you are single only gives you enough to pay your bills, its not enough to kepp a roof over your head, food on the table, and that is it! Now if i get sick what I can not afford to see a doctor so what am i going to do, just roll over and die.

Rick:

As I was watching part of your show today, a fear came over me, as you had that look that I must have had during grade school when the bullies would come after us little guys. It was especially bad when I stood up to them and even worse after the citizenship award was given to me.
Enough of this! Thanks for tearing into the assumed corrupt politicians and the corrupting lobbyist, the best Government that money can buy has certainly been bought.
How about this for a stimulus package, one for those who are in fear of medical bankruptcy or other financial hardship, The "Public Option"? It could help remove the fear and to stimulate retirees and others to enjoy themselves, maybe even a vacation trip or a dinner out. This could spur employment of hotel and restaurant employees. Also local governments would start collecting enough tax money to run the country again.

Thanks for your courage,

Cliff

PS: It was really scary, when after your remarks the TV screen went blank for a long time, well long enough for several commercials. But you came back.

Dear Rick

I can't tell you how concerned I am about the insurance companies, and Politicians who might lose money if our goverment actually provides health care for its citizens.
As far as the bull about socialiism when it comes to healthcare reform many people who are layed off are sick and would love to have the healthcare plans that the politicians enjoy after all we pay for it not to mention all those who have a job who can not afford healthcare because the companies have made it an art to make their version of health coverage cost

Rick,

When the Senate Finance committee in essence says they don't want government to screw up health care by running it...what do they think the Senators have for their own healthcare which is mandated and government controlled? Are not the millions who are covered by Medicare, VA healthcare and countless other government sponsored programs getting their healthcare from the government??? Get the profit minded insurance companies out of the picture if somebody must go, these profit mongers are the ones who should go !

MediMax
Tucson, AZ

For Rick Sanchez :

Rick , I too was born in Guanabacoa, Cuba , only 16 years prior to your birthday, in 1942 .

From one Guanabacoan to another , Rick : I followed your news career from your Miami days at Channel 7 , and I am sorry to see that in order to please your higher hierarchy at CNN , you have called Fox news " liars " . Not at all Rick. They are quite on target on Obama and the issues and you know it at heart .
Do not attempt to boost your cable news career by pleasing the bosses above you with your own lies : it will come back to haunt you.

Fox news is the only news we trust here in the family because all others have chosen the road of hypocrisy and servitude to the Obama White House and its leftist agendas , CNN sadly included .

QUESTION:

IS THE PUBLIC OPTION A FREE GOVERMENT RUN INSURANCE OR IS IT AN INSURANCE RUN BY THE THE GOVERNMENT THAT CHARGES LESS PREMIUMS THAN CURRENT INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND WILL PROVIDE MORE HEALTHCARE FOR THE BUCK?

I think you pose great questions and i want to thank you for raising these questions. This topic is taboo in national media, but your not crazy rick, our congessmen and women are strongley influenced by these loobyist and its no wonder we cant pass meaningful legislation.

Capitalism, Ha! Ha! Ha!

The word CAPITALISM means if you want to get rich, pay politicians at the Capital.

The politicians will tell you that CAPITALISM is good and tell you how we are the richest nation in the world.

"NOT TRUE"

CHINA IS,
And we owe them TRILLIONS

By the way CHINA is a socialist/communist country, and BY GOD we owe them BIG TIME.

Capitalism only helps those who are well CAPITALIZED.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Health care is only for those that are "WELL CAPITALIZED" Ha! Ha! Ha!

Well, I think they are waitting for us to all shut up. Let's Not! Let's keep telling them how we feel and what we think. Things like If They would QUIT TAKING MONEY, from the Insurance Companies, just Maybe they would be saving some of our Loved Ones lives. Maybe they wouldn't turn down so many Medical Procedures. If the Insurance Industry and Health Care Industry would put the Money toward the well being of their customers and give them the COVERAGE that will actually cover their needs, there would not be ALL This Money Out there to CORRUPT the whole System. They Deny, Deny, Deny certain coverage or pre-existing conditions. People who are sick or diseased, DON'T Have the Stamina nor the fight left in them to continue to Fight for their coverage , From Their Own Insurance Companies . And that's just basically letting someone else get another piece of the pie, the attorneys, of course. Social Security Disability is the same way. Deny, Deny , Deny, until you've robbed the patient of any small amount of Dignity they have left, or until they're Dead. It's All Very Sad ,We Allow Our Fellow Americans to be Treated this way. The More BLOOD MONEY our Politicians take to Stab Us In The Back, The Less Coverage We Are ALL going to have. Hence , Why we NEED Public Option. How Do We Impeach Senators, Congressmen, Representatives??? Too Bad there isn't such a thing. COME ON WASHINGTON POLITICIANS! ARE THERE ANY of YOU THAT WILL JUST SAY NO TO THE MONEY from The HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANIES , and YES TO PUBLIC OPTION ? COME ON HELP US HELP OUR COUNTRY. The Insurance Money is Not Free Money for All Of You. Someone paid that to cover their family. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Hi Rick:
It is great that you are following the money. Please check in with Wendall Potter the health insurance whistle blower.
Also while watching your show I saw an advertisement with Rick Scott and CPR. You can google Mr. Scott and read about him being fined for Medicare fraud. It believe the biggest fine ever.
You also need to follow the Special Interest Associations. The list can include the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the American Health Insurance Plans and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America.
Health care is far different from buying a computer or lunch. Just think about 911 and its' public service. A simple reform would be that a person without insurance should be able to pay the best insurance rate for hospitals, doctors and medical tests. Most businesses give a cash discount, but not in the health care world you pay 2 to 4 times more.
America is also one of two countries in the entire world that allows direct to consumer prescription drug advertisements.
America should want to reduce the percentage of health care expenditures compared to GDP. This is in direct conflict with the industry which is now in the trillions and can pay to maintain 6 lobbyist for every law maker in Washington. It is chump change.
Thank you for your kind consideration.

Hi Rick,
You are the best. My real comment didn't make it. Even CNN can't take the truth.

Hi Rick:
Can you send me a direct email conection?
Thank you for you consideration,

Dear Rick (& cc to Christine Romans)

Your various comments on "illegal" aliens are convining, at least to a father of an adopted alien, my daughter. We adopted her to give her our love and support and to get her health insurance, we hoped through citizenship, but the attorney screwed it up and they say she can't get citizenship.

She's been here 20 or more years, is fluent in both English and Spanish, so why should an adopted depenent be treated less equally than a step-child?

Likewise, since it is impossible to deport 12 to 20 million people who are going to Emergency Departments for "any" health problem, why don't we get real, and honest. We pay for everyone who is forced to trust the ER or Now Care through higher costs for everone else by a factor of 10 at least, as well as higher insurance premiums.

The Florida Congressman is absolutely right–the conservative Republcan plan is to let people die "quickly." The Far Right, like any alcoholic, covers its real motives by accusing the Left of wanting what the rightist fanatics want–a totally Christian fundamentalist nation which is also almos totally white.

And you can tell Lou Dobbs for us that we are certain he is a racist. We stopped watching his show alter his second rant against "illegals."

Why can't the media get together and tell us what is the best and most practical plan? Not as much intelligence as you all pretend?

Bill Pedersen, A.B.D. RHETORIC
Tucson, AZ

520-256-3297

Hi Rick-It is indeed heartening to observe the vast number of Real American citizens that obviously have concern for their fellow citizens who can't afford protection from injury, physical dysfunction, and disease. So many seem to "suspect" that there may be an unholy alliance between our "Congress Assembled" and K Street Procurers and as such are frustrated by the lack of available redress by their constituents. But then there is !! 18 USC Chapter 11 sec 201 entitled Bribery, Graft, and Conflict of Interest" Look it up on your favorite search engine, folks. It is CRIMINAL LAW and it is imposed on the Graftors as well as the Graftees, and it basically prohibits any Quid Pro Quo activities between and Federal Officers (It commences with "Members of Congress-Federal Judges: et al with penalties of, removal from office, inability to hold future office of trust, and up to 15 years imprisonment. It has been on the books for about 40 years and it has been selectively applied (very selectively0 remember Dan Raskankowski Rumba "everybodies doing it doing it Hah! And also Congressman Cunningham -but NOT TOM DELAY his partner in the Pacific Islands " worker slavery scandal'

All the senators and congressmen/women who oppose this healthcare reform are on the take, period. Not one of them has recieved not money from lobbyists of healthcare/pharmaceuticals. Republicans and democrats alike. I'll tell you this...in 2010 I'll be voting democrat again, because that's what this country needs, but I will vote against EVERY, SINGLE DEMOCRAT THAT CURRENTLY HOLDS OFFICE! The underdog will win on my card. We've got to get these SPINELESS democrats out, these corrupt peices of you know what, and put in some REAL democrats who want to change some things without backpeddaling, or conceding, or compromising. The republicans would'n't compromise when they had the house/senate, wh should we have to? The will of the people spoke during this last election, and the will of the people speak during all the polls that say the vast majority of Americans want/need this reform.

This group of democrats (most of them) are just as insubordinate to the will of the people, as the previous administration. So they will be voted out on my card.

We need more democrats with some backbone, like Mrs. Clinton, Alan Grayson, Barney Frank. These will be the type who get my vote. The no-nonsense type. As for the president, he'll have my vote again in 2012, but I really wish he would toughen up, and stop trying to appease everybody.

It is a shame and sin for Baucus to get away with neglecting the public option all for the sake of lining his own pockets.

After seeing the adulation that the Repubs, including, Rush limBLUBBER, had at the loss of Chicago to win the bid to host the 2016 Olympics there is nothing wrong in anybody saying "I AM ASHAMED OF AMERICA!"

It is refreshing to see someone on the mainstream media make comments about the relation of the people in congress that are receiving millions from the health insurance lobbies and vote no for universal health care (single payer option) – perhaps you could segue (after you have exhausted the current topic) into why the U S of A cannot afford the cost of health care for the citizens, but we can afford to send billions of dollars every year to Israel and they have universal health care for the citizens of Israel – just asking

I just have an issue in regarding to the preventive plan I have with BCBS – Anthem Luminous and the denial to cover my tests. It is very interesting. I recorded the conversation in a video using Windows Media Player. I would like for it to be published. How do I go about to doing it? People need to know we really need a change. We need public insurance! Please help. I want to publish this.

Greed and Control, and I see no way stopping them. Insurance companies have the billions, and corrupt politians in their pocket. I'm 63 years old and have voted since I was 18 years old. Rick, tell me what I have changed. I didn't vote to make insurance companies grossly wealthy, but those who represented us ignored our needs and looked to their's. Rick, keep up the good work and ask the hard questions,"for those with no voice", we need you. Thanks .

Because of money, every person in congress is bought and paid for, period! They are only there for themselves, not the people!

A corpoprate CEO is not donating his own money to politicians. It's the stockholders' money. He needs to get their permission bofore making any donations.

Hey Rick, thanks for always bringing in the experts to comment on your topics. It's always good to know the facts from the horse's mouth. How about pushing for the Senate to hold public hearings re: health care reform and to invite the Real Experts to testify--former high level employees of Big Health, like the guy you had on your program yesterday?

Mr. Sanchez, I watched your program today and came away completely disallusioned and disappointed.

To think that we Americans can prove that members of the Senate and Congress are in fact guilty of taking "BRIBE MONEY" from the Health Insurance Industry and Health Providers, as well as the Pharmaceutical Industry and we, as ordinary hard working individuals are powerless to do anything about it, knowing that the votes against a public health issue, have been bought and paid for, but there is nothing we can do about it, and that the very people we have elected to represent us have in essence turned their backs on us.

And we hear everyday that Communist China is oppresive towards their citizens????

Have we really sunk so low, that our government officials are no better, and in fact are actually worse that the "NON-ELECTED" politicians in China.

Should we be asking "CHINA" to intercede on our behalf so that we can get a better fair "DEAL"

The Chinese central government just announced last week that an additional $3 billion U.S. dollars (ie) $21 billion Yuan has been assigned to provide health care for their citizens that cannot afford health care.

Should the citizens of America be rushing to get visas to China,???

In China, when a government official is found guilty of accepting bribes, the penalty is "DEATH"

Maybe it's time for the U.S. to innact such severe penalties, for our corrupt politicians.

However that would mean that the entire Republican, House and Senate, elected personnel would have to be found guilty and replaced.

I would vote "YES" for that.

I am infavor of a public option, but let us think about it for a minute. Some people in our country try everything they can to scam the goverment out of money.They commit fraud on a daily basis.This includes the patients, doctors, hospitals, and the insurrance companys. They take billions a year from our goverment ( us the tax payers) which could go to help fund a public option.These people steal and steal somemore, but are the first with their hands out. I think the resistance with health care is that so many people fraud, steal, and milk the system that the are afraid of getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar. I am sick of paying for these people, the person with a "bad back" so they can't work, but they go hunting, fishing, and water skiing.Our goverment needs to wake-up!!!!!!!

These campaign contributions to these politicians essentially add up to legal bribes. Every time the American people see something good that may come from our totally corrupt government, it just gets ripped from the right, laughed at by the left and decided my who has the most money. I wish Rick and CNN would work really hard on getting publicly financed elections put into policy, so we could get some of the corruption out of the government. I mean but does anyone actually see a politician voting on a bill that would keep campaign contributions from filling their coffers. These people depend on these contributions because their job now is to raise money to constantly run for their job.
My family pays about $100 a week for health insurance. On top of that we have to pay $250 per person per year deductible. Add $35 copay every time one of us goes to the doctor, and copay of prescriptions. With an annual income of bout 32k a year, it makes us not be able to go see a doctor even with insurance, until we are already sick or hurting.
We have a two party system. One is on the right, one is on the left. We need one that is in the CENTER!!! If anyone decides to try to create one, let me know. I`ll work for it. I just feel so helpless in this system we have. It does not matter who you vote for any more, cause once they are in office, the only people they listen to are the ones contributing to their campaigns.

Hi Rick:
How are you?
When we follow the money it is important that one looks into the non-profits that are the mouth piece of the big corporations. The Tax payers should be upset with all these non-profits special interest corporations that are not charities, but organizations to promote the corporations agenda.

With this and past goverment it's been all about money, Everything for themselves and nothing for the people. What just because We are not filthy rich We don't deserve equalality in this country must it always be rulers and commoners, kings and Queens I thought were left in England. or Are they on the way back?

Congress gets to choose what type of Health Care they want. Should't we have the same option? Give the insurance companies, lobbyists, and special interest groups a wake up call. This is our best chance to change the system as it is now. If we continue to let these skum bags get away with denying us good health care we will lose. Washington leaders STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR US and give us the type of bill that helps the majority of Americans. Stop the crap and bull.

Rick,why is it no one is talking about healthcare costs and how it is used to break unions and pay non-union works less,even if your employer wanted to increase your salary he cant , because the cost of health care continues to rise. when Obama abandons the public option health care he promised he is abandoning the people who elected him.

when the price of my union based health care goes up the amount is taking from my hourly wage to cover it because my employer already pays 340.00 a week for my insurance.. You dont have to be brain dead not to realize the less Healthcare costs the more potential a worker has to earn it should not be a hard sell to the American people,and does'nt our goverment represent the people any more? Is Obama on the take too? Kevin Ennis. Detroit Mi.

Dear Mr. Sanchez,

Yesterday I was doing my homework, while in another room my dad was watching CNN news. When I overheard that some women were stomping on innocent kittens and bunnies (sigh) how could someone do such a thing!!! What do we children learn from this?! What kind of a role model for kids should they be?!?!

Sincerely,
6th grader Trina

Rick we hear republicans ripping the democrat healthcare proposal constantly, why do we never hear the democrats ripping the republcian alternative healthcare proposal. Shouldn't the possibilities or problems with both parties preferences be on the chopping block for Americans to really understand their options ?

You traitor Rick, you should be ASHAMED of yourself and us Miamians.. You really sold yourself and us out when you chose to play the actor and smokes and mirrors than do your job for the republic and all people to report the truth. Not smoke and mirrors. Nice to see you care more about your nice paycheck than showing the truth. Nice to know where you stand now on this.

Rick you have turned into a real JACK. You are here arguing about healthcare? Are you KIDDING ME? You are obnoxious in your bitter rants of acting and agenda... Great reader and actor you are, more like a great deceiver lying to all of us. Focusing on the NON ISSUES, than the crashing dollar, THE WAR IN IRAQ??? The federal reserve, I can keep going but you are probably too suckered with green and your nice career to speak out like people have before, and your time is now too in this time... You disappointed me. You, and all should be cancelled. Hey btw jack? The status quo? Are you kidding me? THIS IS, the status quo.. You are part of it. Sick,

I am not surprised by anything anymore... the whole Government in my opinion is corrupt!
I think you should call out names for the Health Care issue and while your at it Rick.. why not call out all the names in Congress who are actually protecting the banks that are "raping" their cardholders.
It seems to me that everything that is done to "Help" main street is nothing more than a minimal effort to keep votes but not intended to help us at all!

of course I noticed that you deleted my comments about CNN and taking money from all the scooter stores , erections ads, and diabetic ads...Jim

It gives you your pay check

Health care has become an organized crime in America. The prez needs to declare a war on this crime so that common man can live in peace and not terror.

Hello Rick, let me say I feel that you are the most credible reporter on Cnn now, you are the old Lou Dob ' So please keep your show real. I am a retire with Blue Cross Blue Shield that I pay for monthly I also have medicareA and B .I on average even with 2 insurances, can't pay my doctor bills' and let me tell you the poor is getting poorer while the irresponsible Democrat and the Just say No republican play these stupid I got you games. I do believe if Charle Rangle is guilty of anything ,it should be dealt with but why can't it wait until after some of the serious problems that is facing our country get settled, I am so tired of the Just say No group, who cares what they think ,they did not win the election and they have to realize this split is what the world see, This is not Obama,s War or his economy,the just say no Moral majority poor policies and delrugulations is how we got in this mess .For once please lets just focus on what the people need,

The mysterious cost of "Nasonex" (insert any drug name)
Like with every mystery there is a crime or queston to be solved or resolved. Please find out the answer to the following mystery for millions of us on Medicare.
As a teacher, with insurance that covered 2,000 peope, I paid $5.00 for one bottle of Nasonex spray. Now in retirement, I am insured with millions and millions, and yet that same bottle cost me $67.00 in southern California, and my sister-in-law who lives in Colorado Springs, with the same insurances I have; Medicare and AARP pays $85.00. How can this be?
Insurance companies should be allowed to serve every state so that a free system would encourage competitive pricing for both the cost of insurance coverage and drugs. Why should a person on a fixed income be paying 13 times more than someone working? And better yet, why do the rules of the road change for groups of people? All Americans should be asking for the Congressional Health Care Plan, and then all Americans would be treated equaly.
No health care reform bill should be enacted without first addressing these issues.
Sincerely,

CNN stand up and Fox too, and stop the ads on tv. My Grandaughter is here and I had to turn off the TV because she was interested in "Extenze?(?) sp

you arew a good reporter, your paycheck comes from some of this slime, that is fraud... Next email is to the FCC Jim

As written in the "BIBLE"

Joshua, spoke to the people of Israel and said "FOLLOW ME" and let me guide you to eternal happiness.

And then he passed out to his followers, funny smelling weed and little bags of white powder

And the people rejoyced.

weel welfare for Pharma 3.5 BILLION order paid by the goverment for H1N1....millions of doses that will never get used.

and GSK who got the contract can take the time to make regular flu vaccine

Go Big Pharma

Robin Meade RULEZZZ!!!

Well, yesterday the Nobel Peace Prize goes to a man who has overcome American bias/bigotry to become the country's first African American President. A feat, which I believe in itself is a tremendous accomplishment, and is no less than that of Nelson Mandela becoming the first Black President of South Africa after the end of apartheid. I tip my hat to the Honorable President.

Obama's award reflects wonderfully on America and is indeed the world's approval of the new direction this country is moving.

I believe that Obama deserves this award, and the critics, as usual, are grasping at straws and showing their terrible bias with almost screams for the Nobel Peace Prize committee to withdraw the award.

It is a very impressive thing to see a Black man accomplishing so much and not being on the wrong side of the law. The only people that he does not inspire are ardent bigots.

Michael Steele's criticism wreaks of jealousy and self hate, and it is not a good look to have them attacking the President for everything that happens to him.

If GOD came out of the sky and gave Obama an award his critics would most definitely argue with GOD about President Obama's deservedness; at which point GOD would probably snap his fingers and send them to hell. Guess my point is that no matter what good President Obama does it may never be good enough for some people.

The people who voted to give the award to the President did so after serious debates, and their decision should be respected and not second guessed just because the recipient is Obama. The President should feel nothing but pride and joy at this honor, and make no excuses for the nobel peace prize committee's choice.

Why can I not add uninsured people to my existing health care benefits thru my job?! Like my adult children , my Grandchildren and boyfriend whom are currently uninsured? This should be in the reform bill! If people are willing to pay the premiums to add whomever they chose why not! It seems like a win- win for both the uninsured and the insurance company to me!

after thought. If I can add people to my car insurance, buy life insurance on people not related to me whats the problem with health insurance?!

"to see a Black man accomplishing so much "

What has he done, except bring the Reb back together

I am changing from a republican to the independent party over this. i am ashamed of the republicans. i think they've turned into a party of crooks and petty, childish brats. what are they so afraid of? i want a public option.

I'm rather confused about this $3800 fine and/or one year jail sentence for NOT getting health insurance.
So, let's get this straight...I can't afford my own insurance...premiums are too damn high and coverage is not enough. This personal insurance is going to cost me an average of $300 +/- per month...follow me so far? Now enter the fine/jail term and follow closely...If I cannot financially afford to pay $3600 +/- per year for health care insurance, where in the world does the government think I'm going to come up with $3800?
Then they want to throw a person in jail for up to a year if they can't afford it? Please tell me our representatives didn't think that one up on their own??? OK, throw me in jail for a year...this means you have to house me, feed me 3 meals a day, do my laundry, keep me warm, provide me with cable tv PLUS take care of my medical care. And the uninsured is going to be the LOSER?? Not the way this looks.
There will be thousands looking at this jail sentence as a gift from God! Now they won't have to wonder how they'll stay warm if they're homeless.
Not much thought given to this was there? Oh wait, yes there was. The thought was given to those that have the means...not to those that don't.

I am very disappointed that the President will not stand up to BIG insurance and pharmacutical companies. We are not a nation of idiots. We all know that our representatives have gotten fat pockets by supporting all of the issues these companies want pushed through, but the time has come to stop it ! Our representatives better start thinking about us and NOT the money they can make. Afterall, they work for us. That's right people you pay their salaries. What have they done for you lately. Why is everyone including the President afraid of these companies, they only have the power they have been given thus far, The companies should be paid like we are a salary, NO BONUSES. The idea behind the company should be to take care of those of us who pay for their services. Instead they are ripping off the Medicare and Medicaid systems. Give me a break, if everyone refused to but insurance the companies would fall flat on their faces.I want people to speak up and be heard... isn't it about time?

Fear and fear itself. We are worried about Latinos and blacks taking over, why is that? Could it be the way we have treated them all these years and we feel repercussions are coming. Was there not a quote in the bible about evil doers that demons would chase them even when no one was there actually chasing them they would still see these people chasing them because of the way they treated others? Maybe that day may be close at hand and the evil doers have a lot to fear because only they know in their own hearts all they have done to others who were beneath them. The commandment that as you do onto the least of me you also do onto me should not be taken lightly. We will be judged for how we treated others if not in this world than in the spirit world to follow. Some of the most righteous who call themselves the MORAL MAJORITY may have the most to fear because you can lie to the people but you can not lie to GOD and if you care more about yourself than others GOD knows that and although your life here may have been but a flash in time the spiritual world goes on forever.

no public option means no health care reform!!!!

As a Canadian, i recall being driven by a taxi cab operator in Pittsburgh who just started tearing...I asked him if he's okay and he broke down telling me that his younger brother just committed suicide because he just got diagnosed with cancer...he said it was the only choice available because he didn't want to become a financial burden on his single mother who had no coverage. What a shame! America please wake up and stop being controlled by government and all their lies about public healthcare. Every human has a right to live and expect treatment..we're all going to need heathcare sooner or later..this is democracy.

Well, no board for the Rush Limbaugh wanting an NFL team huh. And here comes the Reverend Al Sharpton and the Reverend Jesse Jackson saying he`s a racist. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Every time you hear from these two, they are screaming racist this, and racist that. Most people I know are sick of hearing from them!!!

Why are we depending on money to fuel our healthcare? We will never get a fair shake as long as money dictates what our goverment does. Lobbyist do not put food omn my table,nor do they help in any facet of my life, but Our public officals want it. Yes I know they are pillers of the communities, Only they are made of BS. You re4port so we can stay informed Why don't you help US get rid of these Crooks,Theives, and liers in our goverment?

Ask Senators how much do they get from Ins. lobbists for a no vote

i will never pay a fine for not having health care. anybody who trys to make me pay will have a war on their hands.

Ask Senators, How much money do they get from Ins. lobbists for a no vote on public option?

people can`t afford the cost of living and know they have to pay a fine for not having heath care. this goverment is a joke

Another way place the health reform issue in the proper light is to have ALL opposers of the health reform issue voluntarily give up their health insurance if they have coverage and go out to the marketplace and buy a new one. This should include all elected officials such as members of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate, all governors, etc. This will give reality and integrity for the opposing camp. How about it members of Congress? How about you Governors?

Hey Rick, about those A&P's in Washington, Here I am on a fixed income and the other day I needed an eye exam and a root canal on tooth it cost me over $1,500.00. We pay for insurance from our pension also we have supplemental insurance. Because medicare does not cover either the spupplemental insurance will not cover as well. I wonder if the A&P's in Washington have the same insurance that we have, my guess is not. By the way A&P's stands for Actors and Fonies, not for the name of the shopping supermarket.

Rick, what happens if we do not buy car insurance? No ins, no car and a fine. Is the gov't demanding car insurance?

How do I get health insurance NOW. GM's bankruptcy protection BANKRUPTED my company (BBi Enterprise), so I get no option for COBRA. I have a genetic disease that requires quarterly doctor visits and weekly injections that cost more than Unemployment benfits gross. MichWorks will pay tuition for a carreer, but then what – I still need injections in the mean time.

I don't agree with Rush in most of what he says, but he has the right to his opinions, like them or not. There is too much made of what is said by others in a supposidly free country. I am sorry that people get their feeling hurt but that is part of growing up. As for him owning a football team, if he has the money he has the right. The players have to let the past of slavery go since in History most of all peoples have been slaves at some time, read your Bible. Life has to go on and if we want to live in peace with others we have to work at it not against it with more irritations about what was.

Rick just watching your programme on FIU. If that university has 70% minority how can it be called minority? Wouldn't it be a majority, unless I misunderstand what minority means.

I am a proud Irish AMERICAN teen. I am not white!!!! My culture is rich and we helped create this nation. Many latinos are great Americans and countryman of mine. Millons are not Americans and BROKE THE LAW to get here. They have no pledge to this nation or are people and their goal is clear. Stop the invasion Americans of all races must realize this. Stand together and just because im "white" does not make that statement racists Reverse racism is funny.

Re: 10/13/09 FIU show: Rick, I agree with you about diverse peoples and cultures coming here and becoming an American. Heritage should take a back seat once here. There should be no discrimination, but neither should there be favoritism, or special interests given more attention then the norm. If we had embraced the native Americans, giving them the rights we had demanded for ourselves, maybe things would've worked out better. We lied to them and treated them poorly. Chinese were brought here to work like slaves, and they built the railroads. But the tenacity and courage they displayed paid off. African Americans were kept down after being freed, but if we had given them the tools for a better life, treating them with respect, it may have been (or can be?) different. Latinos (my mom came here legally from Mexico as a child) bring with them the desire to better their lives, but culture and language barriers limit them. There should be enforcement to learn the language, then oppoortunities would open. No one solution works for all, but I believe this country should be firm, black & white, no gray areas, all laws the same for all people. Period. And we must stick to our Constitution. It's still the best there is!!! Mary

dear rick i am patriotic and do support our military . today i heard you say you didn't want your tax money providing health care to a specific group . i share this , but you actually support the public option as i also do. i don't want my tax dollars playing big brother bring democracy to the middle east and i don't buy the iraq war or afganistan is actually fighting al quida.........why arte we waisting serious money and resources on a part of the world we will not change?

Question:: ? Do the republicans want everyone to have health care or just the ones that can afford it?

Rick,
Please identify more figures on special interest contributions to congress members . The more we know about the money, the more we will understand the motives of congress members. I would like to know how much Congressman John Bahyner has been paid by health insurance providers that causes him to use scare tactics against the Health Care Bill.

It is so disappointing to see congress members vote in the interest of special interest rather than in the interest of our nation.

I like your retraction where you parroted a rumor that Rush Limbaugh said slavery was good for the south. Contact Wolf Blitzer, Im sure he can provide you with a few "fact checkers". Oh well, not to worry, according to your ratings, few people saw it anyway.

hey rick, im a canadian who visited pittsburgh in 1994. as i sat in the back of the cab, i noticed the cabbie shedding tears. I asked him if he's ok and he sadly responded that his younger brother just committed suicide. The reason for the suicide was to not burden his mother with hospital bills. His brother was diagnosed with cancer, a cancer that was probably treatable if he lived in another country or was "privileged" to have private healthcare insurance. What type of democracy are you operating America? Every person regardless of income stature or race should have equal access to healthcare and to life...we're all going to need it in sometime in the future...this is democracy. However, it is evident to the rest of the world that americans are controlled by fear and misinformation.

i like to know how afforble the dem. are talking about i now pay 485.00 a mth under cobra i am type 2 diabete and soon will not have ins. nobody wants to give me ins. and i am on s.s.

We've had "Black in America", soon we'll have "Latino in America". Would it be too politically incorrect to have a "White in America"? This whole venue seems to be very race oriented.

I grew up with National Health Insurance and I can't believe that the USA has people that do not want it.
They are all sooo mis-informed by their Pharmaceutical companies and Health Insurances that operate only for profit , and with no regards of the average hard working American. Unbelievable!!!
I don't think that States should be able to Opt out, as Like Kansas, a Republican State will just do so and the rest of the people will still hang in the air. Maybe they can move to a different State, when they get sick? What a dumb thing to do with this Public Oprion.
All people should have the right to be in a Public Option.

It is heart-warming to see so many INTELLIGENT American citizens on your blog.Unfortunately, thanks to Diebott and other related vermin you don't have a vote! Currently it is just an exercise in palative fraud. What all citizens should demand is that their Secretary of State inaugurate a system of a numbered ballots with carbon copy of your vote that you take with you from the voting booth. After the count each precinct would be required post the results on an open board with each vote cast in numerical order: thus each voter could check out after the election. An alternative would be the same format on "touch screen" as used with the ATMs and/or Credit Card puchases. Even better would be ALL mail in ballots that would obviate the chicanery of one ballot box for hundred of prospective voters, corporate goons menacing the Elderly. Rigged Voting machines and All of the Dirty Republican Tricks we all witnessed with awe in the past decade.

Way Ta Go Rick.

Most folks dont know that there are two troughs in Washington.

We commonly refer to our elected representatives as "PIGS AT THE TROUGH"

The Republican PIGS get fed at the Big Corporate and Health Insurers trough.

Ashamed as I am to say it, I voted for the other party, and now I know that the Democrats PIGS have their trough as well, Big Unions, and the Big Banking Industry.

The problem is that, by the time both species of PIGS have finished eating, there's just nothing left for we little piglets to feed on.

What is going on in our country right now, is making we Americans the laughing stock of the world, and CHINA is rubbing their hands together waiting to bring all us piglets to the slaughter house.

GEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

GOD LOVES AMERICA, but the CHINA LOVES OUR MONEY MORE.