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I am on a Quest That I Started Last Night - It's only 1,100 Pages Long, After All

By Jason Crouch

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

August 28, 2009 05:04 AM

After watching debates about the proposed health care bill HR 3200 over the past few weeks, I have heard one common refrain from both sides:

"Have you even read the bill?"

To this point, I didn't feel comfortable entering a detailed discussion about this bill, because I couldn't honestly state that I had.

That is about to change.

Last night, I began a journey of sorts. I intend to read the entire bill.

Yes, I know that it is not in its final form, but it's a start. I want to see for myself what the truth is. I don't like pundits forming my opinions for me. I have heard loud arguments from both sides about what is contained therein.

I intend to share my "findings" here and elsewhere as I progress. For now, I am just making notes. I know that this task will take me awhile, but I am patient. So far, I have only had to look up two words on Wikipedia. :)

I mentioned this idea on Facebook last night, and it was met with more discussion than I have seen on any of my previous status updates. One of my friends there made an interesting point (which I agree with): If the bill turns out to be too difficult for us to read, this seems like a bad direction to be headed.

If you have any input/suggestions or questions, let me know.

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Brian Lee Burke

Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO

Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

I was thinking about the same thing - what if the bill is so complicated to read how does anyone understand it then? That is a huge undertaking but a good one I think. ~Rita

Aug 28, 2009 05:08 AM

michelangelo vasco

mvp realty inc. - Manhattan, NY

perhaps after reading the entire bill you can post a readers digest format for those of us too lazy to go through the 1100 pages....good luck on this project

Aug 28, 2009 05:14 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Jason...Do you have the link to this Bill. I was going to read it also, but I lost my note that had the link. agree about the complexity of the Bill. If we as average citizens can't understand it, how are workers who are also average, (supposedly) supposed to understand it.

Also, I wonder how something so complicated can actually be able to Save money...That is a hard 'PILL' to swallow.

Aug 28, 2009 06:07 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Bill - I am using this link:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:1:./temp/~c111QbnXOG:e331:

Thanks for your remarks - I agree wholeheartedly.

Aug 28, 2009 06:08 AM

John Novak

Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV

Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

A noble idea but a complete waste of time. This Congress and White House will do whatever they like. The next time regular citizens get to speak and really be heard will be the 2010 elections.

Aug 28, 2009 06:17 AM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Jason, I admire your goal, and it's a big one. I tried the link above, and it didn't work, but I think I can find it. Good luck to you in your reading, and I'm looking forward to your updates!

Aug 28, 2009 06:18 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

John - Thanks for your perspective. I don't consider it a waste of time - I will learn from the experience. At least I can speak knowledgably about it.

Mary - Sorry about that - it should be easy to find.

Aug 28, 2009 06:35 AM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Pretty big goal and certainly well worth the effort. I am amazed at the people screaming about all the "alleged" horrible things in the bill that are NOT THERE or have been made up by some nit-wit talk show host. Unfortunately fear mongering works on those who do not seek the facts for themselves. Hmmm... I jumped on a soap box there!

Aug 28, 2009 06:37 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Russell - I will know the truth soon enough. I am interested to see if there is scary stuff contained therein.

Aug 28, 2009 06:42 AM

Larry Bettag

Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL

Vice-President of National Production

I'd love to see that bill. I'd love to see any politician that actually reads that bill. Kudos to you!

Aug 28, 2009 07:07 AM

C Tann-Starr

Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

I read it twice and my eyes crossed both times. I have stickies everywhere and you do not want to know what my red lined comments say (LOL). God bless you. Print your PDFs 100 pages at a time so you don't virtually kill yourself...

Aug 28, 2009 07:17 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Jason --- I applaud you for beginning this huge project ---I know that I would never get through it.

Mama Liz's Signature

Aug 28, 2009 08:37 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Larry - Google it! I am reading it now - it requires reference materials along the way, of course.

Carolyn - I would be interested in seeing your red lined comments, actually. :)

Liz - Thanks so much! I am making my way through it.

Aug 28, 2009 09:42 AM

Susan Emo

Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON

Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I'm curious about this too. I was born and raised in Canada and then lived 10 years in the UK. I'm interested in how your health care will compare to what I have experienced. Success to you with your reading!

Aug 28, 2009 09:56 AM

John Cannata

214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX

Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Jason - Good for you. Many people will B*tch and complain about something but never really know the entire story. I applaud you for taking that step and not being like others. Am I going to read it? Probably not... but I still applaud you. :-)

Aug 28, 2009 04:49 PM

Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ

Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

I salute you for going straight to the horse's mouth, Jason. No, it isn't easy to read but a little education before taking a stand is critical! Whether or not we may end up on the same side of the debate, you will deserve my total respect for your INFORMED opinion!

Aug 29, 2009 12:54 AM

Brian Griffis

Realty Choice - Springfield, MO

Way to go Jason. I gotta admit that I too have not read the entire bill, but, I bet most of the Congressmen haven not either. Maybe that is why there is so much fear going around right now that the government is going to "take over the world". No one really knows what is in the bill, so obviously it would be confusing. Funny how there has been so much outrage and turmoil over this bill when the cap and trade bill will be much more expensive for the average person, and yet I haven't heard one thing about that.

Aug 31, 2009 01:46 AM