Because it's too expensive in its current form. The President needs to understand that an issue with this much magnatitude can not be forced down the throat of a democratic nation. Every country that has socialized medicine is drowning in the debt of it. It is bankrupting Germany (I know this as I have many friends in Germany and Canada). Even England is admitting their plan needs a complete over-haul. And has admitted they could never eliminate it now as they are in too deep. We have been warned by Canada, England,China and even Russia not to do it. There are better ways and it needs both Dems and Reps input. The dead-lines need to stop. The campaigning by this President needs to stop. He needs to stay in WaShington and sit down with both sides of Congress and work out reform. We need tort reform and we need lobbying to stop. AND, no pork. This needs to be a bill about health care reform and NOTHING else...no pet projects by all these crooked politians on both sides of the isle. And lastly, maybe if we'd quit giving money to Africa for for abortions. Quit bailing out big business and giving unions EVERYTHING and the rest of us get the debt maybe we could afford something. Washington needs to quit spending money like were not in a recession. And quit demonizing concerned citizens for speaking their thoughts at town hall meetings and tea parties. Last I heard this was a free country and freedom of speech was still a part of the constitution. I'm for reform, but not on the backs of hard working Americans who are already taxed too much and many who give thousands of dollars a year and personal time to non-profits to help those less fortunate. I've been poor and now am considered middle class. And I worked hard to get there. I give my share and should not have the government mandating coverage for those who don't contribute to society in a positive, respectful and legal way. God Bless America and it's constitution.

Obama is wasting his energy trying to be friends with everyone. They need to work out the details, present the finished product to the other branches, and either fish or cut bait.

TC, you seem to be saying that Obamacare = socialized medicine. It is not.

Anita, I think so as well. I hope the public option does not disappear. It seems those in opposition to it fear the nice fat insurance companies will go out of business. The US Military has a government insurance plan. Good enough for them, but not us? Something to think about.

He is waning because he knows that if not now, the public option will eventually become a reality. There is NO way it can not if you play out the scenario being created.

But Canada, Germany and England DON'T have socialized medicine. The only socialized medicine plan I know of is the USA Veterans' Administration. Socialized medicine means the doctors and nurses and stuff all work for, and are directly monitored and paid by, the U.S. government. Canada has a single nonprofit health-insurance plan for each province which keeps costs far below ours -- their main problem is a doctor shortage and getting prompt treatment to people who live waaaaaaay out in the sticks. Germany has something like 200 private health plans, all of them nonprofit and competing to keep costs low. Anyone can belong to any of them at any time. The plan costs the government next to nothing, and it has lasted through something like 25 totally different German governments. It is not bankrupting them -- for crying out loud, they are one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Where are you people getting this information?

The VA does have a workable, closed plan. They will perform 10's of 1000's of dollars worth of tests to diagnose vets - because its OPM (other people's money), not money they are accountable for. Therefore, they do get great results. And I don't care what methods they use, as long as they take care of our veterans - they deserve it.

But the government doesn't fine the vets up to $3800 each year if they don't purchase an expensive "private insurance" or "public option" policy.

Therefore, comparing VA to the congressional proposal for national health care is comparing apples to oranges.

As referenced on another thread, I'll go with the UK solution. No one pays for healthcare - it is included in taxes collected.

Make congress use our existing tax rates to fund it. They will have to cut out the junk to fund healthcare. And Medicare AIN'T junk.

It is a joke when they whine they have to cut elder care, police and firemen in order to meet true priorities.

They need to cut Pelosi's titmouse and swamp entitlements. And then cut congressional legacy costs. and that will be only be a "start" toward providing this national health care they so desire, without further squeezing the working class.

OH - And congress can BEGIN by cutting out entitlements they issue to their voting base via ACORN and its sister organizations.

That money should have remained within the states to begin with and issued by the states organizations.

Way too many taxes are going to Washington that were designed to have been paid to the states.

Please this congress and get back to the original plan.

Typo---REPLACE this congress.....not please.