That picture is priceless.

LOL

Who's ready for the sexy Wolf Blitzer?

Yeah, hillarious!

I'm so psyched, this will be so exciting! Hot Wolf is ready to repeat every word twice, twice leading up to the debate.

Liberal Hollywood, for ya.

I wonder if the two California sexy-time mayors are in the audience.

Wait, they get Wolf? Not Anderson? I call a do-over.

Oh, but the Repubs had hot-Politico guy. Hee hee.

It hasn't really been 17 debates has it?

I hope it same rules as last night. Give us apples to compare to apples, y'all.

Thank goodness for the Democratic love.

Well, it seems like they're gonna keep it civil?

I think opposing Iraq from the start says something about Obama. Not too many politicians offered a different point of view back then.

Hmm. Voluntary vs. Mandated healthcare?

Who doesn't want health care?

That's what I keep saying, Liberty. lol

"I think opposing Iraq from the start says something about Obama. Not too many politicians offered a different point of view back then."
So So true Liberty!!!

"Hmm. Voluntary vs. Mandated healthcare?"
It's interesting... I don't know how mandated will go over ...

I want healthcare, but I don't want the government involved.

i mean i know we need health care and I am all for universal... i just don't see how mandated will go over on some people

I lean toward thinking they system of having to have insurance to afford healthcare is the real problem. $7 dollars for an aspirin, etc. It seems deeper than just helping people afford it, unfortunately.

(FYI-I am still working hard, can't catch debate right now)

I know a lot of Republicans are scared of government run healthcare, and having it be manditory will be more enticing to the middle of the road voters.

Very true, Citizen. Maybe instead of universal healthcare there should be more restrictions on insurance companies and what they can charge.

Woops!

I said, "having it be manditory will be more enticing to the middle of the road voters."

I meant, "Having it be voluntary will be more enticing to the middle of the road voters".

The insurance companies make so much money while people are suffering. Sad.

very sad Liberty

Oh! Hills just agreed with you Liberty!

Here's what I'm curious about: Why do Dem debates tend toward detail, and Repub debates tend toward themes? Is it the people or the parties?

very good point Obama!!

Obama seems pretty electable, right now.

He's being more specific than usual. That's for sure.

It is sad, but health care is not a right. It costs money and somebody has to pay for it. It does not make sense to artificially lower the prices, and it penalizes others.

On another note, the health insurance companies wouldn't make so much money if they weren't already subsidized by the government. Universal health care will only get these companies more money, and the government will be paying them for it.

Okay you're probably not excited that I'm here, I promise I'll leave my man Dr. P out of it =)

Liberty I'm a good example of someone who doesn't want healthcare. My family doesn't need it. We're healthy. We spend boatloads of $ each month to eat like super humans to keep our immune systems at its peak. Now if we get too sick to treat ourselves, I have ZERO qualms taking my kids or myself in to see a doctor, but believe me, I'll pay his entire bill. Same goes for if my toddler breaks her arm (I swear it's coming any day now, the monkey) I'm prepared to pay cash for her care.

I know I'm not the norm, but hopefully I give a different perspective!

I'm glad to see some people call out the health insurance companies. Nobody ever gives them a tough time and I think they're a huge problem.

It's a point. I don't know how we got involved in the "insurance" system. That (and the drug companies) seem to be the crux of it. If the ICU wasn't tens of thousand dollars a day, which is scary, paying cash when you need care would be great.

Oh, and Citizen, it does seem like the Dems are being more specific than the Republicans, but this is the first time they've really done that.

There's always been one republican who talks in terms of facts and specifics, and his name is Ron Paul.

"It does not make sense to artificially lower the prices, and it penalizes others."

But the companies are making the prices artifically HIGH. That is why regulation is needed. Just as companies can't price gouge for necessities such as gas, the health care industry shouldn't be able to price gouge.

(Plus it has a lot to do with being offered generic vs. name brand drugs. Right now legislation prevents Americans from being offered a cheaper alternative).

It infuriates me that Obama just said that the expiring tax cuts will only affect "wealthy" Americans. Every person that makes $75,000+ is NOT a "wealth American."

I actually love watching these guys debate because they call out the bush administration

Unfortunately not all health problems are preventable or predictable. I would be ruined (dead?) if I got cancer and had to pay for chemo out of my own pocket.

so very true tiff58!

Lilruck, just an FYI...

Universal healthcare doesn't mean that everyone would have to have it (on Obama's plan). I think a lot of people think that Universal healthcare means that the government runs all insurance like the Post Office runs all mail or something.

It keeps the current private insurance companies running, but with more regulation. If you need a cheaper option, you can look to the government's plan, but only if private insurance isn't your thing.

He is such a gentleman!

I think mandatory health care might be a too rigid system for such a big country. We need to make it affordable though!

"Right now legislation prevents Americans from being offered a cheaper alternative)"

The legislation you're refering to is a regulation. If we remove this regulation, the drugs will be cheaper. Sometimes the name brands are the only option because the maker has a patent on the technology. The manafacturing company spent the money to develop the drug so that THEY could reap the benefits. If we don't allow them to do that, there will be no incentive to develop new drugs.

Also, the system is a competitive one, so the prices can't really be artificially high. If the prices are too high, nobody will buy the product and they'll have to lower the price or others will take their business. Its the basics of Supply and Demand.

I was just thinking that Liberty... there is no way I can pay for chemo, radiation, surgery or anything else that goes along with cancer. And.... some cancers are *NOT* preventable no matter how much exercise, healthy eating you do.

Thanks Jillness. They talk alot about the people who want it but can't afford it, but they've never talked about the people who don't want it (but that still will pay for services). From what I'm hearing, Obama's plan seems like it would let people get out without penalties or anything. I always think of it as mandated car insurance.

Liberty, I think people should realize those consequences, but still have the freedom of choice, whether they would like to have health insurance or not.

BUT, what is happening now, and increasing health care costs, is that people with no insurance are getting free health care (which, I guess is part of the point of Universal Insurance).

Yes kiki cancer is not only preventable, but curable too.

But I know this isn't mainstream thinking, so I know I sound crazy to you guys

Oh! Hillary landed that immigration answer!

It's a tough predicament because American hospitals have to treat whoever comes in. (I think that's a good thing)

Look at Hillary wippin' out Jesus Christ!