Battling for Health Care
The deadly provincialism that characterizes so much of American thinking is again threatening the best chance the country has had for substantive health care reform. Though the Democratic Party has a nominal 60 votes in Congress, it still apparently is seeking a bi-partisan imprint on a final bill.
In attempting to consider GOP participation, the Obama administration may have been seeking to avoid one of the mistakes made by the 1992 Clinton health care reform team, which was roundly attacked for deliberating in secret. In doing so, the administration has opened itself to the arrows of false message manipulation wielded by the opposition. One would hope that Rahm Emanuel and the other street fighters on President Obama's team would step to the plate, prove their mettle and hit Republican knuckleballs.
It is hard to believe how the same people who ushered in the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression can be considered credible partners in formulating a plan for responsible financing of national health care. Yet, the gullibility of the American electorate has been proven in the past with all too tragic consequences. That's one reason why the Obama team is pushing to sign a bill as soon as possible.
The deadly provincialism that characterizes so much of American thinking is again threatening the best chance the country has had for substantive health care reform. Though the Democratic Party has a nominal 60 votes in Congress, it still apparently is seeking a bi-partisan imprint on a final bill.
In attempting to consider GOP participation, the Obama administration may have been seeking to avoid one of the mistakes made by the 1992 Clinton health care reform team, which was roundly attacked for deliberating in secret. In doing so, the administration has opened itself to the arrows of false message manipulation wielded by the opposition. One would hope that Rahm Emanuel and the other street fighters on President Obama's team would step to the plate, prove their mettle and hit Republican knuckleballs.
It is hard to believe how the same people who ushered in the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression can be considered credible partners in formulating a plan for responsible financing of national health care. Yet, the gullibility of the American electorate has been proven in the past with all too tragic consequences. That's one reason why the Obama team is pushing to sign a bill as soon as possible.
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