My points are decent for a lot of pictures. They are especially good for clarifying the never-ending distortions that are pushed about those of us on the left of the political aisle and our views about how social and political change is actually achieved, as opposed to what others are told we believe.

I have no idea whether you lack imagination or not. That is not for me to judge or say. What I do know is that imagination and change go hand-in- hand. Two years ago, for example, did you believe that a black person could be elected president of this nation?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

Just to be clear: They didn't listen to us, they don't listen to us, this has been entirely a DC product, and we expect very little from it. We'll take some of the amendments to court, and live with the rest.

A more liberal, socialist and inclusive bill would have done far, far more for the economy and for the poor and working class. It would have put more people to work, offered immediate and direct competition to the insurance cartel, and wouldn't have annoyed 75% of the nation.

And anyone who talks about the needs of the middle class might as well be referencing white rhinos. Past endangered, waiting for the last one to fall over so we can declare them extinct.

My points are decent for a lot of pictures. They are especially good for clarifying the never-ending distortions that are pushed about those of us on the left of the political aisle and our views about how social and political change is actually achieved, as opposed to what others are told we believe.

I have no idea whether you lack imagination or not. That is not for me to judge or say. What I do know is that imagination and change go hand-in- hand. Two years ago, for example, did you believe that a black person could be elected president of this nation?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

Just to be clear: They didn't listen to us, they don't listen to us, this has been entirely a DC product, and we expect very little from it. We'll take some of the amendments to court, and live with the rest.

A more liberal, socialist and inclusive bill would have done far, far more for the economy and for the poor and working class. It would have put more people to work, offered immediate and direct competition to the insurance cartel, and wouldn't have annoyed 75% of the nation.

And anyone who talks about the needs of the middle class might as well be referencing white rhinos. Past endangered, waiting for the last one to fall over so we can declare them extinct.

I understand that there's a need to defend this legislation. But, on the real though, you and other defenders of this bill remind me of the guy with a really really ugly girlfriend trying to convince his boys that she REALLY REALLY REALLY isnt that ugly. “Sure, she may not be a Haley Berry, but, but, she has a great personality and she makes me laugh!” LMAO…..

The truth of the matter is that this is a terrible piece of legislation. No other way around it. Certainly, it's the best thing that we can get out this Senate and White House (and Yes, this is the legislation that Barack and Rahm wanted in the first place), but let us not pretend that it is rain or gold. Are we better off with no legislation? Here I disagree with Dr. Dean and others who are saying kill the bill. In fact, I know for a fact that the Democrats (whether with an increased or reduced majority) are not going to take on healthcare again. I can only hope and pray that more progressive and forward thinking heads than the ones in leadership now (and yes, that includes Obama and Rahm) can articulate a more just vision of our society.

But it is. Outside of single-payer, what model eliminates exclusions for pre-existing conditions without a mandate?

Few facts are immutable, but even circumstantial facts, fungible facts, conditional facts, are facts. Your points are decent in the big picture, and aspirationally. I see little in the way of how to bring in the votes and/or meet the procedural challenges presented by our de facto 60-vote requirement. I may lack imagination; I think you imagine too much, for this particular situation.

In section 5000 so far, the penalty has no teeth and no real enforcement to it. Yes it allocates a Phase in dollar amount is $95 for 2014 and $350 for 2015. And beginning 2016 at $750.00 under the assumption that there will be compliance from individuals within the states and substantially increases subject to the poverty rate from 2016 upwards. Like every legislation enacted the Issuer cannot criminally penalize you [NOTE IT WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO DO SO EVEN IF THERE IS NO RULE AS THIS IS A CIVIL MATTER] and note that the SHALL language applies meaning under statutory construction means MUST. Thus no criminal penalty and they cannot put a lien on your property.

While you as consumers have rights in the bill from appeal process, to the health insurance consumer commissioner established on the state and federal level. Leveraging power to push back. Ensuring that you are part of the process the begining of the implementation with the secretary on federal level and your state level. Within 6 months of implementation…. the standard language of coverage will be developed and the imposition of penalties on issuer $1000 per individual if modifications are made to your plan without notice to the secretary of insurance on the state, 60 day notice to you and on website… etc… on an on little things that the hopes of the industry is that people are too upset to look at or just don't care

How come lawyers win cases or loss them? Because they educate themselves. Its time to play ball folks, you have your own talking point down. The attitude is Americans will not read and will take our word for it.

Oregonbird, not taking your view point, I no longer live with a set of attitude of being defeated. I have learned to fight the system using the same laws and I am not seating back. I will be getting people in my neighborhood to be the first to apply for subsidies for the qualified risk pool that ends 1/1/2014. If this is the final bill. Otherwise I will still be pushing for improvements to the premiums. PO great if its there, if not I am not losing sleep.

+(HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS) :>)

ENJOY!! :>) GOD BLESS U & YOURS!! :>)

Through your lens, you see it as a loophole that benefits insurers.

Through my lens, as a lawyer, I see it as congressional intent that these individual mandates not be enforced.

SPEEEEEEEEEEAK!! :>)