Universal health care has chance of OK in Oregon election

Washington Post via Boston Globe ^ | October 22, 2002 | William Booth

[sarcasm]

PORTLAND, Ore. - The voters here have the chance to create the first universal health-care system in the nation - one where everybody would receive medical coverage for everything, from massage therapy and marriage counseling to brain surgery and long-term care.

The sponsors of the November ballot initiative acknowledge their plan is audacious, but they contend that the health-care system is headed toward a meltdown brought about by rising numbers of uninsured individuals and spiraling costs.

< SNIP >

The measure could pass: The most recent polling, by the Portland Tribune, found that 36 percent approved of the plan, 39 percent opposed it, and 25 percent were undecided, with a margin of error of 4 percentage points. The initiative was winning among Democrats and women, and trailing with men, Independents, and Republicans. An earlier poll by The Oregonian newspaper found 49 percent against the measure and 40 percent for it, with the remainder undecided.

[sarcasm]

Bankruptcy to follow if this passes.

[DoughtyOne]

If Oregonians vote this in, they deserve what the outcome will be. It won't be pretty.

[DoughtyOne]

I hope California, Idaho and Washington take steps to make sure Oregonians can't tap their services when Orgegon's health care system sinks into the sunset.

[The Red Zone]

The undecided will be scared away when it dawns on them what it would mean. TANSTAAFL.

[sarcasm]

It's probably only a matter of time before we have such a plan on the national level - Republicans will probably propose such an obscenity under the guise of compassion. Remember, Nixon proposed national health insurance.

[ECM]

I was *this* close to moving to Oregon a few months back to escape California.

Looks like I may have made the right move after all...:)

[goldstategop]

The Hildabeast will finally have gotten her revenge.

[the tongue]

I can't argue with this. It's being done at the state level, the people are getting to vote on it. It's not like the Hillary plan, which would have been forced on us by the omnipotent federal government. No, I don't like the idea of government at any level being involved in health care, but if the idiots vote it in, they deserve what they get.

[Caipirabob]

Perhaps us Floridians will see a mass exodus of our Liberal "New Yawkas" to Oregon. May they serve you well!

[DoughtyOne]

Can't argue with that. I agree.

[DoughtyOne]

Can't argue with you either. However, like you, I do object to this health care plan. We simply cannot give government any more control over our lives. If we do, we will be it's slaves forever.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[AmericaUnited]

Let them vote it in, so that the incredible disaster to follow will put all the nails in the coffin of debate on this utopian socialist garbage.

[DoughtyOne]

Well, the problem with that is that the state will prop up the program even if it flounders. Then other states' socialists will demand like services. Gray Davis and the California state legislature have basicly signed off on this for illegals. Someone's paying for their medical care. It sure isn't them.

[The Red Zone]

Blue Zone may vote for it. Red Zone will certainly vote against it.

This is crazy. Did Oregon's legislature ever anticipate something this outrageous happening as a result of ballot initiatives?

[Jim Noble]

Canute orders waves to recede...

[DoughtyOne]

Well, the ballot initiatives are troublesome. They have protected us from overtaxation on property and some other issues, but they can come back to haunt you. If California doesn't have a like measure in the next couple of years, I'll be amazed.

[Jim Noble]

>>the incredible disaster to follow will put all the nails in the coffin of debate on this utopian socialist garbage<<

Not so.

They will argue that what they need to make it work is the other 49 states.

socialists are never deterred by experience.

[Jim Noble]

>>Red Zone will certainly vote against it<<

I'm not so sure.

The "Red Zone" preference for electing RAT Senators is the major reason we are in such trouble today.

Why should the Red Zone be any more reliable on this issue than they have been in the Senate?

[RJCogburn]

Not to worry.
AG Ashcroft prevents implementation of any Oregon voter approved referenda....doesn't believe in the will of the people, you know.