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Energy and Immigration? Smoke and Mirrors
Energy and immigration are important issues that deserve attention. But not while healthcare is on the table. What is going on at the White House? Is this purposeful? An excuse for not getting healthcare done?
Even Steve Forbes said this morning that, although he didn't want it to happen, considering Obama's agenda, he should put everything aside except healthcare. There you have it. The right advice from a Republican.
Really, people. What's going on? We look at two possibilities. Smoke and mirrors on healthcare, or just stupidity. Which is worse? I didn't vote for this.
Even Steve Forbes said this morning that, although he didn't want it to happen, considering Obama's agenda, he should put everything aside except healthcare. There you have it. The right advice from a Republican.
Really, people. What's going on? We look at two possibilities. Smoke and mirrors on healthcare, or just stupidity. Which is worse? I didn't vote for this.
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Kali - I've heard nothing to suggest that President Obama sees healthcare as anything other than his highest priority. Legislation is the purview of Congress, not the President, and Congress is busy working on it. The Waxman-Markey energy bill came to a vote first, and some pundits have suggested that it proved useful in demonstrating the clout of the Democrats and their willingness to approve a bill in the face of unified Republican opposition. As such, it bolsters (according to this view) the prospects for effective healthcare reform.
As a citizen, I feel entitled to strong opinions on what our representatives in Congress and the White House do. As a non-politician, I don't feel qualified to hold a strong opinion on the wisdom of the tactics they choose, as long as the tactics are legal.
June 29, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
"The Obama administration remains confident it can pass a negotiated health care compromise with bipartisan support this year and is open to alternatives to a government-run health insurance plan, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said Thursday."
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003153708
WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS MEANS? No public option? Are you kidding me?
All the people I know who have no insurance or may lose it are panicked. They feel betrayed. Why do you think this is so?
It's the old story. Those who have health insurance-- including the President and the Congress and Mr. Emanuel --are willing to "compromise."
June 29, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see changing the subject to immigration as a key tactic to getting health care reform done. I explain my reasoning in a blog post below, but essentially I think it allows Obama to change the tone and fight a political battle from a comfortable position.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/carlbentham/2009/06/another-obamaaxelrod-tactical.php
June 29, 2009 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
"So Obama and Democrats in Congress have to hang tough — no more gratuitous giveaways in the attempt to sound reasonable. And reform advocates have to keep up the pressure to stay on track."
Paul Krugman
June 29, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We must make Obama do the right things. Email, write, and phone the White House. Do the same with your members of Congress. Round up others to do so. Also: Find friends and family members in red states who agree with you, and get them fired up to do the same. For example, if you happen to have a good friend or family member in Montana, you might ask him or her to write Max Baucus and tell him they want a public option included in any healthcare bill. "
Robert Reich
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/robert_reich/2009/06/what-can-i-do.php?ref=fpd
June 29, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink