Russ needs to read the entire Health Care Bill. He needs to remember he represents the entire State not his own Agenda. This will critically injure the ECONOMY. It does not do anything to control costs. I remind everyone that Medicare is 36 TRILLION in DEBT alone. Who do you think is really going to pay for this? Everytime you see Russ, MAKE SURE YOU ASK IF HE HAS HIS FAMILY SIGNED UP?

If those peaple in Washington really care about us they would give us the same health plan they have.

Concerned: Are you saying that the healthcare in Canada is much better than what we have here? If you are I hope you don't get sick too and need a major surgery that you are put on a waiting list for and may not make it because it will take too long to get.

Minan..you're right on.. freebird please contact your nearest mental health facility..

I didn't vote for him as senator - I certainly won't vote for him as president.

I reject statists and statism. This "health care" bill Obama is pushing, is nothing more than a government power grab and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with anyone's health or care...

Easy. Take health care away from everyone. If they want it, let them purchase it themselves. They get sick, injured, etc and don't have it, tough.
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Not that I agree with this. I personally believe that everyone should have equal health benefits that the "leaders" of government get. But that probably isn't being seen as fair.

A red, a red, I saw, he said.
I saw a red beneath my bed.
My closet might have one or two.
I'm scared to check in there. Would you?

"...Medicare and Medicaid is a disaster..."

cfox310, do you have any idea what you are talking about? I cannot speak in an informed manner about medicare or the VA, but I can about Medicaid.

Medicaid, as you are clearly not aware, is a state funded program for the elderly, disabled, and low income. In Wisconsin, it is commonly known as BadgerCare, BadgerCare Plus, and ForwardHealth.

To say that Medicaid is a disaster, clearly shows that you have absolutely no experience with the programs that you feel the need to decry.

BadgerCare (Wisconsin Medicaid) has copays usually in the 50 cent to three dollar range for most medical services, and 5 dollars for prescriptions with a monthly maximum of $30. Badgercare does not question procedures have a deductible, not does it consider preexisting conditions.

Wisconsin Medicaid is far superior to any private health insurance, and anyone who has ever had it then "moved up in the world," and have been forced into an employer provided plan, longs for the good old days when anything, anytime, anywhere was covered no questions asked.

A single payer system with the complete elimination of all private health insurers is the ONLY way to fix healthcare in the county. Ask a middle class Canadian and they will tell you how it really is, and how it could be in our country.

I'm going to go back to work now and pray that I don't get sick.

I believe as many Americans do that health care does need to be reformed, but the problem is make some changes and reform some of it first before throwing in 40 some million people into it and then reforming it. What a disaster! And it is very unfortunate, but here in America we are not promised health care. It is not a right to have health care. It is a privledge that is worked for. Also, these politicians on both sides are so out of touch. The average politician makes 175K a year, they have their own personal barber in the house, a gas fill up in the house, etc. It's time they go back to their original title "public servants" and we put terms on these sleeze bags so they can't serve for 50+ years. If they can pass this health care bill I say they need to adhere to the same health care. Why are they above us? Finally, look at the current systems that the government controls...Medicare and Medicaid is a disaster and take a look at VA hospitals. VA's are like walking into a 3rd world country. There is your health coverage America.

Merry Christmas! Your present, COMMUNISM!

ARE YOU JOKING< HERE IS WHAT YOU WROTE(This man is the best representative Wisconsin has. He consistently votes for what is right and not for just what pleases "big business". Thank you Russ for your hard work.)

So Minan, we are supposed to except this? Wake up! Learn business ethics 101, when businesses make money wether big or small they employ people. the money filters down regardless of what you hear. when they invest in stocks the money filters down, when they buy something it filters down and this is what creates jobs, stimulous money to create jobs is a joke, road improvements, how many locals will get employed, only union labors from the union hall, not one person from GM will be hired as well as any joeblow. Wake up! Wisconsin people are not stupid so don't act like one!

This guy is a total joke to the state of Wisconsin, a silver spoon in his mouth since childbirth and he says he is concerned with public health! make me laugh! I wonder if he is concerned about his unemployment check or how many months are left to collect! This guy needs to be voted out and will be voted out next election when everyone realizes he is a fake. He has no good intentions for the people of Wisconsin and only makes a fool out of us with his stupid ideas. He is in it for himself! Go ahead and support Obama and you will sink with the ship!!!!!!!!!!! Wake up people of Wisconsin, Democrats are not for the poor, how many do you see are actually blue collar workers?

This will be a sad day for our country... Welcome back to a time where people will work for a crust of bread.

Huh? What does that even mean? Has he suddenly started voting with Lindsey Graham?
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If it would guarantee that the public option gets included and funded, I am willing to wait until Christmas. But I fear that there is bad faith negotiation and the positions are pretty much calcified, so we may as well pass what we can get now, or in September.

Big Russ is no longer a Democrat. He is now merely a politican positioning himself for a future Presidential run.