Whither Reform?

Hopefully I will be in a different frame of mind tomorrow, but tonight, I am uncharacteristically disheartened. I am concerned that the dis-information, appeal to the dinosaur parts of brains, and too little too late response from the White House, will result in a very watered down proposal that won't upset anyone because it really won't contain much different than what we have. There are rumors (hopefully they are just rumors) that they may consider taking out the provision to actually pay doctors for their time if patients would like to discuss end-of-life issues, that we won't get the public option -- which I think (and hoped) would be the centerpiece. And now the news, that they copped out, caved in and are not requiring pharma companies to negotiate better prices for Medicare.

I was hoping for visionary, bold, a real improvement. I'm thinking we're getting more of the same old, same old of politics before the good of the people. I hope we don't get saddled with something in name only that costs a fortune and that simply maintains the status quo.

And I'm profoundly disappointed in politicians who engaged and continue to engage in fear-mongering, stirring hysteria and de-railing one of the most important issues of public policy, something that so profoundly affects so many of us. I love disagreement and debate, but that is not what this has been. It's been road rage screaming about 'death panels'. It has been inaccurate statements designed to scare -- like Sen. Grassley, "You have every right to fear." Give me a break! I think it is a sad commentary on what the once respected Republican Party has become. I'm furious with Sarah Palin. I can't help but wonder if her 'source' for her 'information' was a chain e-mail! She loved getting the crowds whipped up about Obama and terrorism. This is like more of the same. I'm disappointed in the media for not addressing the rumors swiftly and with their own fact-checking to put it out to the public. I'm disappointed in the level of non-thinking and effort to read for ourselves the sections people are concerned about.

Wow -- am I in a funk about this tonight! My hope is that I am completely wrong about everything I just said! THAT would make my day!