Blogs and Stories
Obama vs. MoveOn
The real issue here is that reasonableness is a losing quality in legislative negotiations. It doesn't make sense to kill an otherwise good health-care bill just because it doesn't include a public option. But by the same token, it also doesn't make sense to kill an otherwise good health-care bill just because it does include a public option. But if legislative leaders know that one side is willing to be reasonable and the other side isn't, then they'll ensure that it's the unreasonable side that wins. Congressional leaders, at the end of the day, are about assembling majorities by any means necessary, not about logic or consistency. And progressive activists, by threatening to be unreasonable, are starting to make progress.
Just yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unexpectedly told Baucus to stop chasing Republican votes and try to put together a bill that Democrats can support. And there's similar talk from the House of Representatives, where leaders are trying to communicate to the White House and the Senate leaders that only a bill with a public plan can pass.
This is all to the good if it works. But it is a dangerous game. Way back in 1974, a scandal-weakened Richard Nixon was prepared to agree to a universal-health-care compromise plan brokered by Ted Kennedy. But ultimately congressional liberals and left-leaning interest groups killed the plan, anticipating better times to come after the midterm elections. Thirty-five years later, you don't see anyone who thinks that was a smart move. A credible threat to do something irrational, in other words, can be a powerful force in politics. But actually following through can be a huge mistake.
Matthew Yglesias is a fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He is the author of Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats.
John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Obama, the Un-decider
Lee Siegel has written about culture and politics and is the author of three books: Falling Upwards: Essays in Defense of the Imagination; Not Remotely Controlled: Notes on Television; and, most recently, Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob. In 2002, he received a National Magazine Award for reviews and criticism.
Step Up to the Plate, China
Matthew Yglesias is a Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He is the author of Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats.
Next Battle for Health Care
Matthew Yglesias is a Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He is the author of Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats.
Defending a Bomb-Thrower
Matthew Yglesias is a Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He is the author of Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats.
Well said, Mr Yglesias,
That's a hell of an analysis of our president playing the left against the middle to pull the latter towards the former. I hope it works.
Speaking of which, anybody who wants to fire off an e-mail to our employees in the White House & Capitol Dome:
Our President:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
House of Reps:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
and don't forget both of your Senators!
http://www.senate.gov/
It counts to write more than once
(but try not to look like a kook).
Not well said at all!
Exchanges, cooperatives, and mandates to deliver the paychecks of working Americans as predatory premiums to the private health unsurance predators are not progress-by-compromise. They are a compromise of principle, of civility, and most immorally of the health of people who don't make Mr. Yglesias' comfortable salary-cum-honoraria.
Yglesias' willingness to subsidize the health care of the poor at taxpayer expense and predator profit makes one suspect he has money invested in the healthcare-industrial complex.
I guess you people haven't gotten the word yet. Well here it is : Everything Obama told you has an expiration date.....
Democratic canibalism.
tasty!
If only there was something left of the Republican party to eat. Too bad about that.
Come hungry to the Fall 2010 elections.....
Yes, it will be nice to add a few more Democratic Senators.
What a frigging mess! It's becoming apparent that our elected officials couldn't work togeather if the good old U.S.A. were about to sink into the ocean. All we've been hearing lately is what this group wants or what this Senator needs, or what backroom deals are falling apart. What about what the American people need? Remember us, the tax payers who voted for Obama because he campaigned for "the same healthcare that Congress enjoys for all Americans". Does anyone in Washington have the needs of the people in mind when they're bickering back and forth about just how little they're going to give us? Has anyone in the White House been reading or listening to the citizens of this country? We want and deserve single payor healthcare, I'm about ready to scream listening to these policy makers try and figure out a way to schuffle around enough money to make it appear that they are giving us what we want, when in reality they are simply trying to passify the insurance industry. Here's some new's for politicans in Washington: we don't care that your losing your golden eggs, we don't care if one party agree's with the other, we don't care if your backroom deal fall's apart. Americans need healthcare, a very basic necessity for those wanting to live, we provide it for you and yours, now we want the same. Maybe it's time to invite the French officials here to show you all how it's done or maybe it's time to take yourselves home and let us elect responsible, honest officials who give a damn about someone else besides themselves. The boys in Washington are walking a very fine line here and it's time you realized that the American people are as serious about wanting reform as any other battle we've fought in our past. Make this happen or suffer the wrath of millions of the downtrodden, who are done being the scapegoat of the U.S. government.
As long winded as that was... I agree.
"It doesn't make sense to kill an otherwise good health-care bill just because it doesn't include a public option. "
Again... Agreed. For reform to be well thought out, it needs to be done in increments instead of all at once.
Heartily agree!
If only we were more like the French (did I really just type that?)!
We are afraid of our government, whereas they make sure their government lives in fear of the wrath of the people.
Well said, DustyMills!
Go, Dusty!
A public option is the only option.
Sure it's been a long hard schlog. But it's over. Everyone knows the fight is over. This is NOT the time to back down and agree with the "socialism" fear-mongers. Ef 'em. Let's get a system that totally works. NOW!
here here!
This user is no longer registered.
The democrats in Congress will only work together on giant pork-filled bills that explode the deficit and destroy the economy. So the health-care bill should be perfect for them!
It was the republicans that squandered the surplus, exploded the deficit and destroyed the economy. So spectacularly, in fact, that the current administration has to resort to drastic means to repair the awful damage. While at the same time catching up on the fundamentals of good government for all (emphasis, all) Americans -- not just the wealthy power elite -- which the republican administration shit-canned throughout the time they had control.
I can't decide who angers me more: "tea-baggers" and their ilk, making their incoherent protests now, when it's six years too late and after the fact of the administration that actually did what they're complaining about (perhaps delivering the adage, "if you're white it's all right"); or neo-conservative/blue dog democrats who are squandering a unique opportunity to do the right things for the first time in a long time, obstructing progress out of greed, self-interest and/or lack of character.
It's amazing ...
Republicans must have Alzheimer or something...mass delusions even..
They keep forgetting they dug us the financial hole we're in
and exploded government
and all we got was a failing economy and a decimated middle class
They can't stand ordinary Americans getting something as basic as health care for their tax dollars!
...the top 1% of the country now controls 20% (as opposed to 10%)
of the country's wealth...
so If you're a wealthy elite ...or some poor soul brainwashed by them..
OF COURSE you support the Oligarchs read: Repubs
The Dems better keep their promises
over 70% of Americans want a Choice of government health care
we voted in the Dems because this was promised
the Repubs Worst nightmare would be the Dems delivering
How did you become such a flake ?
Chill out people. This is the way Democracy works. Understand that no one gets everything they want it is all about compromises and baby steps. At least this President has us moving in the right direction.
I've heard that saying too many times now. A baby step off a cliff is still going in the wrong direction. We need the president and congress to follow through on the promise of a national healthcare plan, not some weak, watered down legislation that they can tout as "mission accomplished".
Even Democrats MUST be held accountable!! I wanted the president's plan for ALL americans to have the same coverage as congress to succeed although now I don't believe it will.
Love the "baby step off a cliff" line, daniel66. We have had a 60-year experiment in the botched hell of a private health care ugly empire. As a self-employed person waiting in a 262,800 hour line for health coverage, this "other-wise good" is , forgive the bluntness, a really stupid notion of people who, by luck, have what they imagine is decent health insurance.
What about the monstrous theft perped by the medical industrial complex insurance corporations are such folks 'greed-blind' to? (CEO Williams of Aetna makes $24 million dollars annually -- this makes *you* healthier how?) It's as if there's a lacuna in their brain where common sense ought to be. Profit is fine for matters of choice -- tvs and washing machines. If your leg is broken, you're not going to say, "Who out of the two gigantic rapacious health corporations in my state is going to set my leg really well for less money." It's dumb.
Public option is already single-payer pathetically-lite.
Chill out! Actually this is where we need to heat up! DustyMills has got it right. The congressional and senatorial BS needs to end. The majority of the US citizens want a public option. If our representatives do not provide it they need to resign so we can elect someone who will represent us. Plain and Simple. MoveOn, go go go.....
If 99.5% of people elect officials who don't want to vote for something that 75% of people want, well, they won't get it.
The majority like their health care plan just as it is...
War, Schmar! This is all bluster and pretty stupid of MoveON to bash Rahm. He was appointed not elected and doesn't give a frack about MoveOn. But this is exactly what Obama was talking about when he said the Left is wasting its resources. Along with Dems, I wish they would call out the biggest hypocrits of all - the GOP, especially with 2010 coming up and also on letting people know what the public option is and how it can really benefit them. I don't care what the polls say, we need this jammed and rammed into people's heads.
Huh?? Blaming the GOP for this will backfire!! Dems are out there eating themselves alive to compromise with special interest...
Where did you read that I suggest we blame the GOP!!!!!!!?????? The GOP is against health reform - right? we are in a crisis - right? mid-terms are coming up - right?
This user is no longer registered.
Is kabuki the word of the day?
First off Obama "NEEDS" to stop playing games & fulfill his promises & "KEEP HIS WORD" by demanding from the Senate exactly what he promised during his election campaign, "A REAL PUBLIC OPTION" NOT A WATERED DOWN TRIGGER BS PLAN THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN"... NEVER IN HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN did he mention the word trigger.... HE promised a PUBLIC OPTION, period the end.....
If it is true that 50,000,000.00 plus people are uninsured
Then lets see a few million of them marching down the street in Washington DC... Lets see a few million people marching in every State where a senator will not vote for a REAL public option... Lets see the people who this will benefit get off their behinds & march in the streets.....
The rela problem this country has is simple, the vast majority of it's people don't bother to vote... IF every person in this Nation voted the way we do things would be totally different.... It is not a mistake that the Confederate republican party 'DOES NOT WANT EVERYONE TO VOTE" If everyone voted instead of having 40 Senators in DC the republicans would have if they were lucky 10 or even less....
We need to be honest, Obama would not be the president if not for the hundreds of thousands of people who voted this time for the first time... If we could even get a 10% increase in voters this country would be 100% better off then it is today.... I for one don't need any health reform.
I can afford my $1,000.00 a month premium as well as my $3,000.00 a year deductible & if we had zero reform it would not effect me or anyone in my family... Having said that I sent several thousand dollars to help Obama get elected & I fully support all progressive organizations "BUT AN GETTING SICK & TIRED OF TRYING TO HELP THE MIDDLE & LOWER INCOME PEOPLE OF THIS NATION WHEN THEY WON'T GET OFF THEIR BEHINDS & EVEN MARCH IN THE STREETS FOR WHAT THEY REALLY NEED"!!!!!!!!
Please do not forget the under insured who may go into bankruptcy when they get impacted by some serious unanticipated health problem. Lower premiums will also make our businesses more competitive on the world stage. Lower health costs could probably have prevented the precipitous decline of the US auto industry. The Public Plan option is a very clever way to lower the cost of Insurance. I think you won't mind getting a few dollars back and getting better coverage. Even if it is not important to you, I hope you will support something that helps the whole country. I hope you will use your talent to motivate the major beneficiaries. I do agree with you that they should certainly be more active in pushing the cause.
Agree with you that Obama must keep his promises...
Disagree with your perplexing claim that "MIDDLE & LOWER INCOME PEOPLE" aren't "getting off their behinds"
(Mighty Classy..I might add)
First
What makes you think people are not organizing...
And second
people who barely can afford food and may not be able to afford shelter don't have the luxury of traveling about to "march"
even you could be one medical disaster away from bankruptcy...
I believe it is still the number one cause of bankruptcy in the country
and even "upper" class people like You can lose their jobs in this economy and their ability to afford health care in this economy
(Lots of "financial wizards" out there a day away from bread lines nowadays...)
so you're not so selfless as you might think supporting Health Care Reform
Make sure you don't run over the "lower classes"
as you speed your Escalade out your leafy green drive way...
: )
I hear you.
Just a thought:
No public option, therefore, no special plan for legislators. Stipulate in whatever public option is included in a health care bill that all federal employees, including and especially Congress, will be put under such system, eliminating their present health coverage. That way we will be getting the same health coverage as our congressmen, as Obama promised. Should no public option be included, then congressmen will have no special coverage. Let's see, when they are legislating for themselves as well as for the rest of us, if their actions change. Is this idea leftist, progressive, liberal? No, just democratic.
Great thinking!! Unfortunately it hasn't worked for Social Security yet. Congress doesn't pay into Social Security. If they did, that would be fixed also. The Democrats are no differant than the Republicans when it comes down to themselves.
I detect a subtle sabotage of the public plan in the article. It very gently suggests that it would be foolish for the advocates of Public Option not to press too hard and thereby killing the bill without it. This is a ridiculous proposition even if it is choc full of placebos for the Public Option. As you yourself pointed out a trigger would probably never get pulled. And no matter what regulations are put, Insurance/Health lobbies & Congressional Proxies would make sure that they get around these. Thus the only concrete method to keep the Insurance Companies honest and achieving the behavior the regulations are aiming for.
To Whom it May Concern:
I'll keep this short: I don't like the direction that the Healthcare Bill is going, and I won't tolerate a watering down of the PUBLIC healthcare promise made during the campaign.
If there is no clear cut public option to the President's Healthcare proposal, then I will withdraw my future support from him and the democratic Party.
this TRULY is the bottom line. I solemnly swear that this shall be the dealbreaker between the dems and me.
Don't worry, the conservatives will fix everything after 2010
AmericanPravda - My sentiments precisely.
What no one seems to be talking about is that insurance is no guarantee that your health care will be paid for. Private insurance companies do everything they can to avoid paying your medical bills and half the people who go bankrupt from medical bills are apparently insured! Presumably a public plan wouldn't be able to get away with this criminal behavior, which is why I suspect many Americans would eventually gravitate towards such a plan were it available.
1.4 million dollars a day buys just this sort of moral equivalency. This is make or break. Does O O O Obama support the American people or the Insurance Companies? We are 50 years behind the rest of the industrialized world on this issue. We are subsidizing a parasitic growth that is strangling our economy. A public option is the only option.
Obama wants Health Bill passed. He wants glory for it. It does not matter what the bill contains. He is a real politician , not a leader!
Let this a lesson to them. The Left and the progressives won't be played for suckers and taken for granted like we were by Slick Willie and the other NAFTA-DLC Democrats in the 1990s. This time we are getting the reforms we want or there is going to be hell to pay and general road rage. We have had 30 years of conservative rule from Democrats and Republicans alike, and we can't stand it any more. We are ready to fight them any way we have to, by fair means or foul.
Here we go again with the Obama-rama. What we have is a President obviously doing everything he can to go down in history as the "Great Concessionist." Obama talks a great game but doesn't walk the walk. When is this man going to grow some balls and aggressively fight, (yes, fight) for the agenda he promised? In every area he's wimped out. The Democrats have the Congressional advantage but they're still the same lethargic bunch that sat on their hands while the Republicans were destroying the country. Obama's professed ideology of compromise is not a viable strategy for a country in crisis, which this one is in. Obama put forth a bold vision of hope, but what hope can be sustained in an environment where to tread softly emasculates the very changes that this country so desperately cries out for?
Please tell me that no one posting or reading on this site actually believes that elected and/or appointed goverment officials have the best interests of the people at heart.
I would like so much to see an elected official who truly does what he/she believes is right, regardless of the cost to his/her re-election.
I would like to see and elected/appointed official who has no interest in playing politics.
I would like to see a genie from the lamp.
I think I have a better chance seeing the genie.
You saw that in George Bush. You hated him for it.. Now you'll see what fools you are by electing someone who answered questions by saying "we have to look at it further" " or "our plan is coming soon".."we need a czar" or "I'll check on that and get back to you"
such fools..
Medicare for all............is the one and only best solution..............it is tried and tested.
If we have to consider the costs because of the 2 Republican wars and the FINANCIAL crash............what they could do is to provide LESS FANCY benefits and apply the SUPPLY and DeMAND which is RATIONal and also The end of life COSTS should be ended by allowing and forcing people to write a living will .
Compromise on health care? We already did when Single Payers was decreed off the table.
And about "incrementalism"? That's like handing a 20 foot rope to a man drowning in 30 feet of water. Not good enough- better to let us drown than offer false hope.
Oh, and Mr.Yglesias , for God's sake, stop calling them "Moderate" Dems or "centrists." What does that make Kennedy, a Stalinist? They are Conservative Democrats. Words matter.
Pick your battles carefully MoveOn. Rahm knows a guy who knows a guy in Chicago that just might pay you an unexpected visit. But remember, it's just business.
LOL
(unfortunately this just might be true)
: 0
With single pay, would companies that provide health care for their employees be spared that cost? Or part of that cost?
If so, why don't the big companies back single payer? If you read this and know he answer please reply.
My husband has wonderful company health care and a lower salary than my friends husband who has awful HMO care but makes twice the money for a similar job.
With single pay there wouldn't be any direct company provided insurance. It would be like social security, unemployment etc. Instead of providing you insurance, they'd make a payment to the government. You'd have another ldeduction on your pay stub for it. So it doesn't get them off the hook, it just changes who they pay AND it takes all the control over what and who they pay away from them. I suspect most companies like having some say in what they cover and how much they pay, but if they think the government could do it cheaper, I'm sure they'd be for it.
MoveOn is to the left, what the religious finatics are to the right. Can't live with em, can't live without em. They're nothing but narrow minded freaks who are more into their own power than they are into caring about the country. In return for being given insider access and consulting status to feed their power greed, they keep the donations rolling in from the freaks who actually believe their narrow little view of the world.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.
Please log in to leave comments.