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September 30, 2009

Now is no time to rest. The fight goes on against Socialism.

Bet on health care reform passing

By: Paul Begala at Politico




Hey, fellow progressives, I have a secret for y
ou: We’re winning on health care.

As a battle-scarred veteran of President Bill Clinton’s health care fight, I know there are many dangers, toils and snares ahead. But I am optimistic that President Barack Obama will be able to sign into law a bill any fair-minded observer would call far-reaching, progressive health reform. Here’s why.

The right-wing shouting didn’t work

The conservative strategy of blowing up town hall meetings was must-see TV — as when conservatives shouted down a woman in a wheelchair. But the histrionics didn’t change any minds (Gallup shows support essentially unchanged before and after the August recess), and they didn’t change any votes. I can’t think of a single Democrat who has switched from supporting health reform to opposing it because of the right-wing primal scream strategy. It was, as Macbeth said, “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

The train keeps a-rollin’

All five committees involved have, for the first time in history, reported out bills to fundamentally reform our health care system. Previous House committee chairpersons in prior Congresses wouldn’t speak to one another, much less collaborate on three very similar bills, as the Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees have. Very impressive and very encouraging.

On the Senate side, even the absence of the irreplaceable Ted Kennedy has not stopped the cause of his life. His health committee produced a first-class bill. And the Finance Committee, where every progressive feared health care would die, is in the process of producing a bill that covers 95 percent of Americans, cracks down on insurance company abuses like the pre-existing condition rule, subsidizes coverage for the poor, wallops insurance companies with taxes and fees and actually reduces the deficit.

Sure, most liberals think we can do more and we can do better. But it’s most likely the Finance Committee bill will be the floor, not the ceiling. Even one year ago, a bill as progressive as Sen. Max Baucus’s would have been unimaginable in George W. Bush’s Washington.

Democrats can go it alone

Democrats must accept that bipartisanship is dead. It’s not sleeping, it’s not comatose, it’s not hiding. It is dead, dead, dead. Republicans clearly have no desire to work constructively for a bipartisan bill.

Why should they? They’re shaping the bill without giving up any votes. Even before Baucus’s proposal was publicized, the Democrats on the other four committees had adopted 181 Republican amendments. And what did the Democrats get in return for those amendments? Nada. Zip. Zilch. Not even one vote in one committee.

How can I be optimistic that Democrats alone can reform health care? Because these aren’t your parents’ Democrats. The single biggest reason, I believe, that the Democrats lost in a landslide in 1994 was because they failed on health care. More important, congressional Democrats believe it. They know it is their rear ends on the line in 2010, not Obama’s. The press will play a defeat as a disaster for the president, but the voters will visit their wrath on Democrats. That alone may explain the remarkable progress Congress has made in the face of unified and intransigent GOP opposition.

Still, even with the proverbial gun at their heads, Senate Democrats may find it nearly impossible to herd 60 cats — especially when one of them is Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the longtime opponent of progressive health care reform. But they have a Plan B: passing health care with 50 votes through reconciliation. Sure it’s a crapshoot. Sure it will annoy the GOP. But what are they going to do: Vote against it? The truth is, reconciliation is an unusual vehicle but not unprecedented. The GOP used it to pass welfare reform and the Bush tax cuts. It was used to pass other health care bills, namely, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). And if faced with the choice between reconciliation or failure, it’s an easy call.

President Obama says we’re 80 percent of the way there. I know this: When my beloved Texas Longhorns have the ball on the opposing team’s 20-yard line, don’t bet against them. And don’t bet against the Democrats passing major health care reform legislation this year.

Hat tip to LandShark5150

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here is what Begala misses ... I (and many, many thousands and thousands like me) will make it the mission of my life to campaign against and defeat every Senator and congressman who is responsible for this. They will all go the way of the buffalo.

And ... I know the Texas Longhorns, Forehead. The Longhorns are friends of mine. Obama is no Longhorn.

Anonymous said...

DC, I posted this thing because I wanted folks to get a whiff of the attitude inherent. What an a-hole!

I can’t think of a single Democrat who has switched from supporting health reform to opposing it because of the right-wing primal scream strategy. It was, as Macbeth said, “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

That's the part that gets me.

Opus #6 said...

Nickie, this article is wishful thinking. They want to think that the center right majority of this nation is powerless. It is an illusion they share with Obama and his ilk. They will preserve it as long as possible, savoring every moment.

There will come a day when a tsunami of real reform will sweep this nation. And when it does, there will be a number of very surprised faces out there.

Anonymous said...

Opie, That certainly is the goal we're all working toward. We just need to keep working.

McGonagall said...

'I can’t think of a single Democrat who has switched from supporting health reform to opposing it because of the right-wing primal scream strategy. It was, as Macbeth said, “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”'

Would "Libertarians" refuse to co-operate with their neighbours in achieving some mutually advantageous goal? 'Cause that's all socialism is.

LandShark 5150 said...

Nick -- Thank you for the follow up! I'm a firm believer that it will pass. The socialist at the Kremlin on the Potomac, will sacrifice Obama and the rest of the so-called Dems. political futures to get this in.
The only hope will be in the words and actions of "nullification" and "state sovereignty". The commerce clause may slow it down but the other will stop it. Thank you again for your support. sharky

LandShark 5150 said...

And them Horns -- I am tied to that school like a bondage perv.

Anonymous said...

Scunny, Sharkman... The wheel's still in spin. The lying and cheapshot politicking's just begun. There's gotta be a lot of double-dealing going on in those Democrat backrooms.

Fuzzy Slippers said...

Well, there's a bit of Shakespeare for everyone, isn't there? And the lady doth protest too much, methinks.

This is simply more rhetoric designed to deflate our side and inflate theirs. It's not going to work; we know that we made a difference, and we know that because the bill has not yet passed and is losing support (as evidence by Rasmussen polls, not crazy libs who have no clue what is going on).

You are right, however, that we cannot sit on our laurels; it's not over, and it won't be over until we change Washington in 2010 and in 2012. We must not stop, we must not rest, and we must not surrender.

Anonymous said...

Fuzzy, I love that last paragraph of yours. Downright Churchillian.

Woodsterman (Odie) said...

They are betting their political futures against the apathy or resolve of the American people. The stakes are higher than ever before. Their control versus our freedoms and self determination.

Anonymous said...

Wood, let's hope we win this hand. We're all in.

I love being Right said...

Their strategy of denial is humorous. But they won't be laughing in 2010.

cbullitt said...

That he could sit there and just lie outright as if no one in the country can read is dumbfounding.
AND do not falsely quote "The Scottish Play." Hospitals have been filled with those so foolish.

RightKlik said...

Gotta keep fighting hard. Dems have forgotten about the townhall rage.

Velcro said...

Amazing arrogance! I also found it amusing that he quotes a phrase from the hymn, "Amazing Grace"! As if he and the Dems are "fighting the good fight" my trivializing Americans speaking their minds!