Facts; what a concept. Unfortunately, the right wing in America "don't need no stinking facts".
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Where Did that Barack Obama Go?
And will he please come back. I thought we were getting a President who would to fight the drug companies and their lobbyists. Mr. President stop making back room deals with the lobbyists....
Land of the Free and Home of the Selfish
I meant to write about a great article by T.R. Reid that appeared last Sunday in the Washington Post. Reid dispels the five great myths that seem to dominate the discussions about health care reform in America. Reid points out that there are examples of what we can do to improve our health care system, by looking around us, at how other countries handle the burden of health care.
Of course, the only problem with Reid's analysis is that he disregards the hubris prevalent in many American’s. The blinding, arrogant belief, that we are still the best at everything. A quick look at the comments attached to the article perfectly illustrates this. While most of the comments seem to endorse Mr. Reid’s analysis, one comment leaps out with the pure selfishness that seems to dominate the conservative mindset.
Perhaps I should simply disregard the ranting of a person who does not even know the difference between “two” and “too”. But what this person fails to realize is that some of us do not have a right to buy health insurance. As a parent with an eighteen-year-old cancer survivor, who still requires twice a year MRI tests, there is no company that will sell us insurance. At least not at a rate that would be affordable. More importantly, what is my daughter to do once she is out of college and needs to find her own health care coverage?
I do not like to wish ill on anyone, but should that commenter or a member of his family be stricken with a serious illness, I think his opinion would quickly change
As Americans search for the cure to what ails our health-care system, we've overlooked an invaluable source of ideas and solutions: the rest of the world. All the other industrialized democracies have faced problems like ours, yet they've found ways to cover everybody -- and still spend far less than we do.
Of course, the only problem with Reid's analysis is that he disregards the hubris prevalent in many American’s. The blinding, arrogant belief, that we are still the best at everything. A quick look at the comments attached to the article perfectly illustrates this. While most of the comments seem to endorse Mr. Reid’s analysis, one comment leaps out with the pure selfishness that seems to dominate the conservative mindset.
There's an easy solution for people who don't want to buy health insurance. Make them pay for their treatment up front. And if someone bleeds to death on the ER floor because they can't prove they have the money to pay before receiving treatment, oh well, too bad, so sad. Should have thought about that before deciding you have a right not to buy insurance. It's a too way street.
Perhaps I should simply disregard the ranting of a person who does not even know the difference between “two” and “too”. But what this person fails to realize is that some of us do not have a right to buy health insurance. As a parent with an eighteen-year-old cancer survivor, who still requires twice a year MRI tests, there is no company that will sell us insurance. At least not at a rate that would be affordable. More importantly, what is my daughter to do once she is out of college and needs to find her own health care coverage?
I do not like to wish ill on anyone, but should that commenter or a member of his family be stricken with a serious illness, I think his opinion would quickly change
Thursday, August 27, 2009
2010 Mid-Term Danger For Dems, Not From the Right
Ezra Klein points to an excellent analysis of the dangers Democrats face in the 2010 mid-term elections, if they fail to pass substantial health care reform. He discusses a comment by James Morone, co-author of a new book on the health care battle. Mr. Morone points out that the real danger for Democrats in an off year election is not rage from motivated conservatives, but rather apathy from disheartened Democrats.
If we cannot pass an effective health plan with solid Democratic majorities, a Democratic president, and economy in shambles, and 48 million uninsured, I don't think I will ever be able to believe in "change" again. That does not mean I will be voting Republican. It does mean, however, that I will not be knocking on doors, making phone calls, or raising money for candidates. I will vote because that is what I do. I can easily see, however, and readily understand, that many of those who worked alongside me in last years election, may not even bother to show up at the polls.
Of course, if the Democrats do lose big next year, the media will narrative will not blame progressive apathy. It will be fault Democratic overreach, liberals gone too far.
I am beginning to think the Republicans were right about one thing. Perhaps Hilary was the one with the "cojones".
What really happened back in 1994? The Republican base — jubilant, mobilized and angry — turned out. The Democratic base — dispirited, disenchanted and demobilized — stayed home. As Democrats ponder which way to go in this latest round, they ought to read the political lessons more carefully: Short-term electoral success rests with the base, the people who got excited about "change we can believe in." Long-term electoral success rests in designing and pushing through a program that then grows very popular.As one of those who was excited by change we can believe in, I know first hand the disappointment, and disgust I feel watching what is happening in Washington on this issue. Seeing milquetoast Democrats like Nelson, Conrad, and Baucus, cave to the medical insurance lobby has been appalling. Even more disappointing has been the lack of leadership on this issue from the President. Once again, we have let the right wing noise machine frame the debate with misinformation, and with help from the media have let phrases like "death panels' become all that low information voters know.
If we cannot pass an effective health plan with solid Democratic majorities, a Democratic president, and economy in shambles, and 48 million uninsured, I don't think I will ever be able to believe in "change" again. That does not mean I will be voting Republican. It does mean, however, that I will not be knocking on doors, making phone calls, or raising money for candidates. I will vote because that is what I do. I can easily see, however, and readily understand, that many of those who worked alongside me in last years election, may not even bother to show up at the polls.
Of course, if the Democrats do lose big next year, the media will narrative will not blame progressive apathy. It will be fault Democratic overreach, liberals gone too far.
I am beginning to think the Republicans were right about one thing. Perhaps Hilary was the one with the "cojones".
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What Planet Are You From?
Barney Frank deals with a right wing nut in the only way possible. Way to go, Barney.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
I have been away from my trusty blog for a few weeks now. There are a couple of reason for my absence. The first reason is that I have been trying to get a new business venture off the ground, and the research and groundwork for that effort has taken a lot of time. The second thing keeping me away is disappointment. I am disappointed in the Obama administration. Disappointed with the Democrats in the congress. I am disappointed with the mainstream media, and I am most of disappointed in my fellow Americans.
In an outstanding column today Frank Rich, pretty well captures what I have been feeling. Rich summarizes all the issues, that have been bothering me. The feeling that change is not coming, that the new solutions and initiatives we were promised, are simply the old answers in new packaging. From hiring the same economic team that did not see the crisis coming, to not pursuing an aggressive enough health care plan, to allowing the loudmouth right wing wack jobs to frame the arguments, the President has so far fallen short of offering any hope of real change. I read about deals with the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, about lobbyists throwing money around like drunk convention goers in a strip club, and I worry that elections are simply a cruel joke to convince citizens that we actually have a say in matters.
More and more it appears that corporatism has taken hold in Washington, and will not easily be shaken loose. Instead of strict regulations, salary and bonus limits on bank executives, we find business more or less as usual on Wall Street. The profits are coming back, the credit going out, perhaps not so much. Stocks trading higher, still no jobs.
The health reform fiasco is an even bigger letdown. President Obama, repeatedly promised during the campaign that Americans would have an opportunity to select the same health care coverage that members of Congress have. Not a peep about that since being sworn in. Instead we have corporate Democrats and the Republicans doing their best to insure that there is not even a weak public option in any health care plan. The current plans being thrown about in congress seem to me to do little about the most pressing problems in US health care. The plan as being discussed does not even let most Americans opt into the government plan. It keeps most with their employer provided programs. I was hoping for a plan that would truly allow choice and competition, that would drive people to choose the government plan, and gradually lead us away from the untenable employer health care model.
Rich also brings up the latest example of the dwindling free press. The apparent agreement between CEO's of General Electric and News Corporation, to protect their "corporate interests' by declaring a cease fire between MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann and FOX loud mouth Bill o' Reily. Thank goodness for the blogosphere, which at least can keep those of us who seek knowledge informed.
But of course, the sad truth is most Americans are not seeking knowledge. They do not do homework on the issues. Rather they learn from mass e-mails filled with erroneous information presented as fact. Relying on sound bites from Limbaugh, Beck, and Hannity these statements are tossed around so freely they become urban myths. As Bill Maher put it the other day:
"Just because a country elects a smart president doesn't make it a smart country."
To quote another American icon "stupid is as stupid does".
I hope the President gets it together and proves me wrong. But he is going to have to be tougher. He needs to take a page from the Lyndon Johnson playbook, twist arms, make no compromise, use your popularity while it is still there. Because as LBJ found out once that popularity is gone, there is no getting it back.
In an outstanding column today Frank Rich, pretty well captures what I have been feeling. Rich summarizes all the issues, that have been bothering me. The feeling that change is not coming, that the new solutions and initiatives we were promised, are simply the old answers in new packaging. From hiring the same economic team that did not see the crisis coming, to not pursuing an aggressive enough health care plan, to allowing the loudmouth right wing wack jobs to frame the arguments, the President has so far fallen short of offering any hope of real change. I read about deals with the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, about lobbyists throwing money around like drunk convention goers in a strip club, and I worry that elections are simply a cruel joke to convince citizens that we actually have a say in matters.
More and more it appears that corporatism has taken hold in Washington, and will not easily be shaken loose. Instead of strict regulations, salary and bonus limits on bank executives, we find business more or less as usual on Wall Street. The profits are coming back, the credit going out, perhaps not so much. Stocks trading higher, still no jobs.
The health reform fiasco is an even bigger letdown. President Obama, repeatedly promised during the campaign that Americans would have an opportunity to select the same health care coverage that members of Congress have. Not a peep about that since being sworn in. Instead we have corporate Democrats and the Republicans doing their best to insure that there is not even a weak public option in any health care plan. The current plans being thrown about in congress seem to me to do little about the most pressing problems in US health care. The plan as being discussed does not even let most Americans opt into the government plan. It keeps most with their employer provided programs. I was hoping for a plan that would truly allow choice and competition, that would drive people to choose the government plan, and gradually lead us away from the untenable employer health care model.
Rich also brings up the latest example of the dwindling free press. The apparent agreement between CEO's of General Electric and News Corporation, to protect their "corporate interests' by declaring a cease fire between MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann and FOX loud mouth Bill o' Reily. Thank goodness for the blogosphere, which at least can keep those of us who seek knowledge informed.
But of course, the sad truth is most Americans are not seeking knowledge. They do not do homework on the issues. Rather they learn from mass e-mails filled with erroneous information presented as fact. Relying on sound bites from Limbaugh, Beck, and Hannity these statements are tossed around so freely they become urban myths. As Bill Maher put it the other day:
"Just because a country elects a smart president doesn't make it a smart country."
To quote another American icon "stupid is as stupid does".
I hope the President gets it together and proves me wrong. But he is going to have to be tougher. He needs to take a page from the Lyndon Johnson playbook, twist arms, make no compromise, use your popularity while it is still there. Because as LBJ found out once that popularity is gone, there is no getting it back.
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