If It's So Obvious...?

I had a conversation with a co-worker that left even me momentarily speechless.  A staunch republican, she and I had had some tense disagreements until I decided I should just not approach her with my political ideas, ever.

But she brought up health care.  And said, in words I cannot exactly recall, that she had been anticipating single payer health reform, because there is so much abuse by the insurance industry.

After my head exploded as though I were a cartoon character who swallowed an Acme explosive, I agreed with her, and said I couldn't understand why Congress wasn't pushing for single payer.

Well, I know why some of Congress is not pushing for single payer.  Because they are totally owned subsidiaries of corporate interests.  And I know that various Blue Dog Democrats, also beholding to, and brainwashed by, corporate sponsorship, quake with the fear that their constituents, middle class folks like me, will reject them if they support a government sponsored health care plan.  

What I don't understand is why the rest of Congress, and the White House, haven't shouted from the rooftops and pursued universal health care with every breath they've taken since November of 2008.  It is so obviously the least expensive and most civilized way to provide health care.  And the alternative is so obviously, with so much evidence to back it up, evil.

It's been embarrassing, listening to liberal pundits wondering why the Dems haven't been pushing health care reform during this election season.  What it amounts to is, "Did you guys really believe in this, or not?"  They are, and have been since the corporate Tea Party assault on town halls in the summer of 2009, cowering as though they have been caught doing something dirty.

Which leaves brave souls like Dennis Kucinich, Anthony Weiner and Nancy Pelosi to defend not just the Democratic Party ideals, but the whole middle and lower classes, all 97% of us, from the 3% who own the whole damned thing.

It makes me just want to say, "Put your man-pants on."  Or something equally ridiculous.

Kingmaker, or, Little Opie Grows Up

It's always fun to see what the media makes of our own good ole' boy Jim Demint.  It's fun to see him slugging it out with Sarah Palin to see who can be the Tea Party hero of the moment.

It's also enjoyable to hear the mutterings about Jim Demint on Capitol Hill.
 
And it's probably a good thing he doesn't have to worry about actually campaigning for himself, against someone who could actually confront him with some of his stupidity-based positions.

Like for example, "Uh, Jim, what exactly do you mean by 'Freedom'?  Because right after you talk about 'Freedom' you mention how the government should make sure gays can't get married and women can't make private choices about their own bodies.  You also don't seem to think everyone should have the 'Freedom' to go to the same quality schools, or receive the same quality of health care.  You don't even seem too concerned about whether people should have a roof over their heads.  You DO care about people having religion -- YOUR religion.

"So basically, Jim, what you're saying is that we all should have the 'Freedom' to be poor if we're poor, and have whatever religion we want as long as we follow the dictates of YOUR religion, right?  And we need to stop government spending, except for enforcing all those rules that come under the heading of 'Jim Demint's morality'?  Which, as I remember from your Senate campaign six years ago, remember, that was when you actually campaigned, had some pretty anti-American ideas about 'Freedom'."

Sadly, we won't get to hear Jim Demint debate anyone knowledgeable this year.  For our money, he has taken his show on the road, but for my money, I would say he hasn't taken it far enough.

Everyone Has a Bad Day

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is one of my favorite people.  He is witty, and I believe, attempts to answer questions honestly, and respects the people who day after day hurl questions at him, hoping to get an answer that will make news, if not make Gibbs' day. 

But just as with flight attendants, even White House Press Secretaries have an occasional bad day.

Call it a consequence of the dog days of summer.

But Gibbs' controversial attack on the left needs to be examined by the White House, because it represents an attitude that has caused Obama's supporters on the left concern for awhile.

We understood the Wall Street bailout, coming during the changing of the administration, but we wondered why this literally golden opportunity to curb the wild extravagances of salaries and risk-taking was passed up.

When our President, who we thought was horrified by the abuses in Iraq and Afganistan, from prisoner abuse to Halliburton's bilking of the government, did not step up to demand a thorough investigation, we were dumbfounded.

And when Barack Obama did not stand up and use his bully pulpit to demand a public option, but allowed Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to struggle for months in the fight against one of the ugliest Republican Congressional blocks ever, we began to be infuriated.

And then our President, who we believed in with our hearts and souls, told us that we needed to be more willing to accept compromise.

I hate hearing the poll numbers.  Yet I understand them.  I too distrust the Congress, but like many Americans, it is because attempts to compromise have resulted in ever more inaction, in a time where not just action, but dramatic action, is demanded.

And I too, if asked, would have to say I am disappointed in President Obama's performance.  When he has stood up against his opposition, he has had some amazing accomplishments.   But the opposition is ferocious.  And uncompromising.  And we need a leader who will be consistent in his support for the goals and values he declared in his campaign.

So, no, I don't get my critical attitude from Olbermann or Maddow.  It comes from the same place Obama got his critical values, the ones that made him want to run for office and effect change.  Our ideals were once the same, and the White House needs to get back in touch with that.

And Robert, if you do that, I will forgive you your bad day.   

Quelle Surprise

I just read that Jim Demint and his buddy Sam Brownback are planning to filibuster all legislation until they get a chance to vote no to Dr. Donald Berwick, President Obama's recent recess appointee.

Well pardon me if I am not stunned.  Jim Demint, the hero of corporate conservatives, wants the chance to question Dr. Berwick, so he can then vote no, or wait, maybe he will vote no to a vote....

And you know he will have lots of company.  That great republican frat house on Capitol Hill will have a few more months of pranks before the next election.  And I can't believe that the voters will allow him and his fellow frat boys to spend another two years stalling important and much needed legislation.

At this point, even people who tend not to follow politics, because they are, you know, too busy trying to earn a living, or just to save their homes and maybe even their lives, are surely tired of the ridiculous double-talk -- and don't forget the silly charts -- that are just part and parcel of republicans listening to themselves tell lies and dirty jokes.

It was Jim Demint that went on record to say that health care would be Obama's Waterloo.  Well, when they take Obama health care down, there are going to be an awful lot of us who will lose.  Sons and daughters will once again no longer be on family plans, the poor and unemployed once again will be unable to obtain health care, and the health insurance industry will again be able to be the "death panels" that say no to the sick and dying.

So fight to take down Jim Demint and his corporate cronies.  Support Alvin Greene's fight to get to the Senate:


www.alvingreeneforussenator.com