[jla]

The time when you could convince the American people that the elderly should pay for their own health care is past.

I am honestly perplexed as to why you would say this.
Sure, you're statement would ring true if it was asked to folks 65 yrs and older.
But you might be surprised at the response from those 30 yrs old and below.

[Miss Marple]

Perhaps, but those below age 30 don't ever think they will get sick, nor do they worry about being a burden on their children. Ask those under 30 if they want to assume all the costs for their own elderly relatives. I think that would be a different answer.

Look, I think Medicare and the insurance companies have managed to drive up the cost of health care. There is no easy solution to this, despite what Rush says. There are many, many factors in this problem, ranging from trial attorneys, insurance profiteering, companies who want to avoid paying for excessive insurance, demands for AIDS treatment, citizens who think everything should be free, use of emergency rooms by Medicaid types, drug companies, foreign countries who demand drugs cheaper in order to enter their market, excessive research and testing costs, etc. etc. etc. I probably could list another 100 reasons for the health care mess, ALL of which contribute to the high cost and lack of availability in some areas.

This bill is an attempt to turn the Titanic. It is not the end solution but merely a small start. I think conservatives are getting upset over hyperbole from radio hosts, myself.