COMMENTARY:
As the Senate prepares to vote on its version of health reform this week – reform may be a very misused word in this case – we can reflect on what the House accomplished last week.
First, we learned that with strong partisan discipline you can get most of your ducks in a row and win a vote, regardless of the damage done to some of your own members.
Second, we learned that at least one Republican can be persuaded to vote with the majority, even if his motives appear very political, despite his comments to the contrary.
Third, we learned that those on the left will have to swallow hard if they want some version of their health reform agenda is to make it out of Congress and to the President’s desk. They likely will, as the body politik (Democratic that is) has an agenda far more important to them than simply getting some folks health insurance
Fourth, we learned that our Speaker of the House is overly pleased with herself, even though the bill she presided over and ushered in is DOA in the Senate.
Fifth, we learned this past week that Madam Pelosi says she actually read the bill, however her version of “read” is that it was passed to three committees of staffers to review. Not quite the same Ms. Pelosi, unless we are using Orwellian speech, which you seem to be fluent in.
Sixth, we learned that failure to comply with the individual mandate, could mean jail time. We favor the individual mandate, but not necessarily with jail time attached. Sounds like the socialist wing of the party (or is that just the party) is ready to enforce common sense principles with gulag like tactics.
Seventh, we learned, what many have already known, or at least suspected, that the type of health reform being offered by the Democrats has more to do with creating an unending, open ended commitment and entitlement, which will bring the middle class further under government control, enhance “wealth redistribution” and, thus, further the objectives of the central committee of the Democratic Party, which is ultimately to create a vast welfare state.
Eighth, we learned that real health reform remains elusive, as it seems the Democratic majority, and likely many in both parties, do not wish to take on health insurers face to face, but hide behind 2,000 pages of legalese.
In the end real health reform remains unavailable and elusive. We have offered since day one a step by step approach to consider which would guarantee access, mandate personal responsibility and preserve a market system, which is the cornerstone of our nation. We wish our Congress persons would take a fresh look and come back with meaningful, step by step reform that is just that, reform, not revolution . . . obi jo
Pelosi says she read the health care bill, Republicans push ideas – http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/282148
Committee Confirms: Comply With Pelosi-Care Or Go To Jail – http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/06/committee-confirms-comply-with-pelosi-care-or-go-to-jail/
Confessions of an ObamaCare Backer: A liberal explains the political calculus – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704795604574522680235765894.html?mod=rss_opinion_main
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