Blog Archives August 2008 S M T W T F S   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31   July 2008 S M T W T F S   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31   June 2008 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30   Blog Home WHAT’S DRIVING YOU CRAZY – AND TO THE POLLS? Plummeting home values, soaring gasoline prices, unexpected medical bills, stagnant wages and mounting credit card debt. Do any of those keep you up at night? If so, then you’re no different than the majority of American voters who claim that such economic woes not only dramatically influence their everyday lives but will also dictate their decisions at the polls this year. More than 64 percent of the voters in an ongoing survey conducted by The Associated Press say the economy and health care rank among their top concerns. Fear of a sudden health expense, the loss of their home mortgages or property values and “overwhelming” credit card debt top the list of worries robbing Americans of their peace of mind. Voters also say they are far more likely to trust Democrats to handle the economy and health care. Clinton, Obama and Edwards have been feuding over who would provide the most comprehensive health care plan. Nearly two-thirds of voters polled believe the United States should adopt a universal health insurance program "in which everyone is covered under a program like Medicare that is run by the government and financed by taxpayers." More than 54 percent say they support a single-payer system in which all Americans would get their health insurance through a taxpayer-financed government plan. What issue concerns you the most and how will it affect your voting decisions this year? And who, if anyone, do you trust to handle it? By scribe [08/21/2008 - 00:00:00] - Add Comment Whatever candidate offers the best health care plan will get my vote in November, no matter which party they're with. I have voted Republican all my life but for the first time I'm considering a Dem because those candidates are offering realistic solutions to America's health care dilemma. My party, unfortunately, has its head stuck in the sand when it comes to this. I'm a professional white collar worker who just lost all my health care benefits because my company says it can't cover them anymore. So I went to purchase some on my own and the cheapest plan will cost me over $600/month with a high deductible. Since I can't afford that and the high deductibles don't do me any good, I'm now stuck without any health coverage. What gets me is when I hear people (who obviously have health coverage) complain that the systems in other countries are so bad with long waits and all. Well, once you no longer have the "privilege" of medical insurance, you realize that any coverage is better than none. Right now I have a gallbladder problem that needs attention. I'd rather wait for help than getting no help at all. Also, it irks me when people say universal health care will mean higher taxes. I'm forking over a third of my income in taxes that are going to a war that kills innocent civilians. I'd be willing to pay even more taxes if it meant getting health care coverage. Great paper, by the way. We need more like it. "Hurting in Toledo" By Anonymous [02/23/2008 - 01:17:18]