Let me provide some economic facts. 30% of our debt is foreign owned, and China owns about 10% of that. Japan is number one and little Great Britain is third: holding nearly half of what China holds. The rest is held by Americans for Americans, so this is hardly the catastrophe the dimwits claim. This money comes back to us. Deficit spend enough and the dollar should weaken which improves exports which improves manufacturing which creates jobs. This is what happened with Reagan in the '80s. Weaken the dollar and China's holdings lose value and we win. Currently, China holds its currency down to improve exports so there is nothing wrong with deficit spending. Historically, we have never saved our way out of debt, we have grown our way out time and again. So, the Republicans new found concern over deficits is a joke because apparently they are smoking something that has made them forget their own actions and words: Dick Cheney - "Deficits don't matter."

Mr Ryan has no idea what he is talking about: means test social security, let more immigrants in, tighten disability rules and let Republicans continue to not solve anything. Problem solved.

"Did anyone else notice any of this?"
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Yes; you can always tell the posers, and "windbags" , and those who really know what is going on, and actually take their job seriously. Do things, like actually read the legislation, study the numbers, come up with real solutions, ext. There are a few good representatives out there. Unfortunately most are the posers, just there to score political shots. Bainer on the right, and Palosi on the left (both in the leadership of their party) are excellent examples of windbag/posers!

Minan, your point did not go unnoticed at the summit. I was especially interested in the body language of the participants; the President's in particular. He doesn't hide his feelings very well, especially his impatience for wingbags in either party. Most interesting, and somewhat surprising, was Obama's non-verbal interaction with and in response to Paul Ryan. I would love to know what those two discussed in private during the close of the summit because Obama's sense of respect and good will toward Ryan is, to my eye anyway, quite apparent. Did anyone else notice any of this?

Healthcare reform will happen within about 6 weeks. Some will benefit and some will sacrifice. Either way, it will be a positive, historic step for the US - and Obama could end-up with an unprecedented 2 Nobel Peace Prizes in a row for it. Let's go ahead and enjoy the new system.

"Costa Rica is looking better and better by the day!"

et tu, kiowamohican?
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I was offered a position there, to head a sportsbook, a few years back. I got all sorts of propaganda on the benefits of living there. It was a very tempting offer, but the language barrier, would be an obvious difficulty to adapt to. Guess I really should have paid more attention to my Spanish teacher in Middle school, HAHA.

THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE PROPOSED.
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Myth #1. Or should I be forthright and say Lie #1?"
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Well DUH; it's a private sector take over, that is being propped up by the governmnet. The legislation is the "evil" insurance companies DREAM. I'm surprised so many on the left are in favor of it, to be honest. You don't think that all the major health insurance provider stocks soared the week it looked like this was going to pass, was just some coincidence, I hope!

bobb- Read your first comment. I was simple defending Ryan with regards to you thinking it's all about the spotlight and microphone. How else is one to be heard? Makes no difference to me how you vote, but that type of comment makes little sense. He's being heard loud and clear for a reason. If nobody wanted to listen to him, he wouldn't be as popular as he is.

bobb1951 - I completely have a clue and you again seem to have a personal issue with Ryan and politics in general. Judged by your comments you dislike republicans (especially Ryan) and democrats. Therefore, I don't know what to tell you. If you don't like anyone, than run for office. I'm simply disagreeing with you that Ryan is indeed a valuable asset, especially to our State. Sorry you don't see that.

THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE PROPOSED.
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Myth #1. Or should I be forthright and say Lie #1?

"Costa Rica is looking better and better by the day!"

et tu, kiowamohican?

Minan - How do you think the cost is going to be covered if the Government takes control? How are businesses going to work out their insurance they offer? I'll tell you how. Premiums are going to sky rocket. There may be flaws with the system now and how insurance company's handle themselves, but Government control is going to kill everyone in the long run. It still has to be paid for and everyone knows the Government is famous for magically printing money with no plans on how to pay it back.

The summit was kind of funny I thought. You had about 7 hours of debate before you finally got to the point of the whole thing, which was reconciliation. When I heard that I immediately went on Intrade and bought a ton of contracts for the Democrats to loose both the house and senate in November. A prop that you can STILL more then double your money! Really a total gift, as reconciliation will be a political disaster for the Democrats. I really hope they do it, just to see the carnage that will result!

"Do you know that Hawaii has had government run health care for over 40 years? They love it."
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And why the federal governmnet should have nothing to do at all with health care. It should be handled on a state to state basis, and if you want a governmnet run system, then you can move to a state that has it. Instead we get an over bearing central authority that wants control over everyone, and will leave you with no choice, other then of course, moving from the country all together. Costa Rica is looking better and better by the day!

AndrewJackson, I vaguely recall hearing a statement of the burden of health insurer profit and overhead, as a percentage of total national cost, during yesterday's Summit. (I think I did, anyway.) If so, it would be in the transcript, if such is available.

RAF and MBHammer, the only speaker at the Summit who mentioned the major force driving up health care costs was Senator Tom Coburn (who is also an MD). That force is the disconnect between purchase and payment.

Just recently, we passed the milestone where over 50% of Americans have their healthcare paid by some level of government. Add to this the number of Americans with employer-paid health insurance. The result is that the overwhelming majority of Americans are neither directly nor immediately affected by price. Consequently, few people treat healthcare as they treat every other expense --weighing each transaction on the basis of value for value. I'll bet most people never even bother to ask the cost. Why should they when someone else will be picking up their tab?

Do you know that Hawaii has had government run health care for over 40 years? They love it.

I asked months ago about the amount of value added to our healthcare by insurance companies. No one since or ever will be able to answer or justify to me or any sane, sensible American that what they(insurance industry) take is EARNED! What would happen if that piece of the pie were to be put toward actual healthcare? To the people who think that the insurance companies have the publics' best interest in mind, let me remind you that it is the LAW that they do the best that they can for their SHAREHOLDERS!

MBHammer the sad truth is the very issue you bring up is not addressed in the healthcare plans. You don't see the charges before treatments occur; name a medical care center you have been in that has prices listed...you are not allowed to price shop, this is the exact opposite of free market competition and one of the very reasons prices are out of control.

Real healthcare reform would take greed out of the picture. We will never see sensible charges for services being billed to the insurance companies. People seem to accept that healthcare is supposed to be expensive. My sleep study in 2005 for sleep apnea cost my insurance $3300.00 for one night for someone to monitor my sleep, to see if I snore. A friend had the same study for one night at a different facility and it cost over ten thousand dollars. A sleep study shouldn’t cost over $250.00. These kinds of charges are in the category of the $1200.00 oil change or $75.00 for a gallon of milk. If the government’s plan is to fund a greedy healthcare system that is already in place, then it will make the A.I.G. bailout look like a five cent lemonade stand.

Yes vatoloco, our health care system is great...greatly expensive.

Yes vatoloco, we know you base your opinion of the health care system on your personal situation. Keep you head barried in the sand.

There is nothing "pure" about letting for-profit corporations dictate our health care.

Just remember the line: "Hi I am from the government and I am here to help you". That should say it all.

This summit was a tactical mistake by the Democrats and the President. They've spent a lot of time and capital with their allies in the media to characterize the Republicans as the party of "No", the party that doesn't care about heath care. Ooooppppss. Now that carefully crafted strategy has been compromised as the truth of the matter was broadcast for all to see, not that hey won't continue to try to use it since they're not adverse to using contradictory arguments simultaneously hoping no one notices since few seem to have noticed in the last election.

I see the 850 billion dollar stimulus package has been touted again for its success at creating or saving 2 million jobs. If the die-hard supporters would stop their adoration of their party long enough to grab their calculators they would know that the stimulus package costs over $400,000 per job.
For that money we could have sent $4,000 to 200 million Americans and achieved a much better result. $400,000 per job? That's considered a success? Really?

"Health care reform has everything to do with jobs in the big picture."

You keep saying reform. Reform, according to a wikipedia definition means"

Reform means beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct.

Reform, to me, does not mean mandating, forcing, or establishing rules that do not provide freedom of choice. And Zoom, I personally have never had a problem with my healthcare so stop reading into the lies that our healthcare system is not as great as other countries.

If anyone has a big ego, it's Obama. I've never once heard him admit that he's wrong. I agree with spark. I don't believe the government should be in control of health care. Paul Ryan is right, when he says the Democrats are trying to push this bill through. Even if they don't have the public option, the government would still be in control of health care. I don't trust Obama. He's already made promises he hasn't kept.

bobb - So in general, it's all politicians you hate, because of the way you just categorized all of them. So why are you bashing just Ryan?
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Are you going to post all over on here about Obama? That's basically how he won the election. Empty promises.

"The government won't be "in charge" of anything."
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Got to love those that want to make this take over look as no big deal. The truth is so very different. If the government is creating the rules, mandating participation, and taking fees the are in charge of it all.

Zoom - Did you watch the debate yesterday? Government take over is still 100% an option. Don't kid yourself. That's what all the debate is still about.

What other countries that compete with United States economically have some sort of subsidized national healthcare? China? Japan? Germany? Britain? France? Spain? Is their industrial base more secure because they don't have to worry about health care issues and they can concentrate on production and overseas sales? Of course, the cost of such programs for the country will have to be borne as a higher percentage of the tax base but perhaps a more secure economy is worth that price. We must avoid the temptation to cave in to scare tactics used by the political parties or their candidates. We also need not to be frightened by Wall Street bankers, insurance companies and their minions in the drug and medical "industries." After all, these businesses are not really industries and produce nothing very useful to the living or the average workers. Know that the politicians want only one thing - control over your life and earnings so they can "insure" Their Own future success. MANY POLITICIANS RETIRE TO ACT AS AGENTS FOR THESE BUSINESSES (lobbyists). Check a stock market prospectus or two and see which companies are in"bed" with each other. It is no wonder that the public feels abandoned like an innocent rape victim.

The "happy medium" is what we have now. Individual states have their own laws, but the insurance and health care industries really right the rules.

spark, what are you talking about? The government won't be "in charge" of anything. The public option is dead. The health care reform bills simply change the rules.

No, but we can't trust the Government in full charge either. Somehow there needs to be a happy medium.

Does anyone honestly think that they can trust insurance companies?

Napalm - Ya, that's why he was invited by the President to come speak. That's why the President specifically called on Ryan durning the meeting before that on National Television. That's why the President is interested in some of Ryans ideas and want's to discuss further. All that because he's not paying attention. You want to try and make another uneducated assumption?

Yes, booch11, and the CBO says it produced as many as 2 million jobs. Unfortunately opposition to the stimulus kept it much smaller than it should have been (between $1-2 trillion). As a result, here we are the next year still needing jobs. I hope that we have learned a lesson about excess of caution.

zoom,
wasn't the $860,000,000,000 stimulus package indeed a jobs bill?

Government control of insurance is beyond a scary thought. Do I think something needs to change? Yes, but this is not the answer without it being modified. In the long scheme of things, this will cost Americans a fortune. What good are the jobs then?

Long term, the U.S. will never be able to compete with the rest of the world with the health care system we have now. Health care reform has everything to do with jobs in the big picture.

spark, a small jobs bill was just passed. It gave tax credits to small business for hiring, among other things. A larger bill is in the works.

Sarah - It could be, but not without looking at the big picture and realizing theres major flaws that need to be worked out. Just because one is Democrat and one is Republican, doesn't meet they can meet somewhere in the middle. They need to walk before they run and right now, I really wish their main focus was jobs. It's not.

spark: Change is nearly always occurs in small steps. The same will happen with univeral health care IMO.

bobb - He loves the spotlight and microphone? Why, because he wants to be heard? Because he wants his ideas to be taken seriously? Isn't that the idea behind politics? It sure beats a bunch of empty promises that are doing nothing for our nation. Seems to me you have a personal issue with Ryan with all your assumptions and attacks on him. Which couldn't be farther from the truth. Look outside the box and cast your personal issues aside. News flash for ya, Obama's health care plan is not passing for a reason. It sucks.

Give us the same health care you have RYAN that's all it take's simple fix

Keep up the great work you do Ryan.

Ryan is just another "I'm alright Jack". Never needs to concern himself or family with insurance coverage. So he can play with this debate like the rest of his party.
A room full of school children could have been more productive, and that wouldn't have cost us the money these idiots took home today.