Bipartisan Policy Center gives Obama the greenlight to drop public healthcare option

[Better Believe It]

Bipartisan Policy Center gives Obama the greenlight to drop public healthcare option
by Scott Gibbs
Boston Liberal Examiner
June 19, 2009

The Bipartisan Policy Center is a political think-tank whose aim is “Developing and promoting solutions that can attract the public support and political momentum to achieve real progress.” The Center's advisory board is made up of Senators George Mitchell, Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, and Bob Dole. So, in other words, it's a lobby, and they've got powerful Washington insiders running the show.

The Center recently released a report on the state of the healthcare debate. And, when people are scratching their heads wondering where their public healthcare plan went, they can point to this project as the origin of its death.

“We were concerned that the ongoing health reform debate is beginning to show signs of fracture on the public plan issue, so in order to advance the process of developing bipartisan legislation and to move it forward, it's time to find consensus here,” Daschle said. Then, with GOP tattooed on his forehead, the ink still fresh, he added, “We've come too far and gained too much momentum for our efforts to fail over disagreements over one single issue.”

One single issue? It's THE issue. The only one that matters. Without a public healthcare option Obama's healthcare reform is nothing. It's smoke and mirrors. It's politics as usual. It's...something we should have seen coming from the beginning.

But wait, the Obama administration would never listen to these yammering lobbyists, right? I mean, this administration is the flagship of Change. So let's hear what Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had to say so we can put this ridiculous report to rest and move on with real public healthcare reform.

“With this report, they have demonstrated what can be achieved with bipartisan effort. The Bipartisan Policy Center has produced a significant report, and the White House applauds their efforts.”

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-9210-Boston-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Bipartisan-Policy-Center-gives-Obama-the-greenlight-to-drop-public-healthcare-option

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Who wouldn't follow the recommendations of ED spokesmodel Bob Dole?

I can hardly wait for the ads with Daschle and Baker sitting in adjoining tubs on a hill overlooking the beach.

[pscot]

2. We've been sold out

I'm pissed off and disappointed, but not surprised. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[me b zola]

3. "Bipartisan"= conservative

In many instances not the bat-shit crazy type of conservative, but mainstream conservatism.

[Why Syzygy]

9. Why the hell do we even bother winning elections

if "bipartisan" is the achievement? "WIN" implies "victory". There is no victory in this shambles.
It is a ceaseless amazement how little regard PUBLICALLY elected officials have for that public.

:grr:

[me b zola]

13. Because so many people buy into what is repeated to them

We've got to keep pushing back with the facts...loudly.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. Has President Obama dropped it yet?

It sounds like Gibbs is just giving the group polite and perfunctory "plaudits" for working on the issue. I don't see where the administration is dropping it. I'm not going to be a happy camper if he drops it but he hasn't "caved" so far, so..............? :shrug:

[Better Believe It]

7. The real question is President Obama fighting hard for the public option?

Where's Rahm Emanuel's "sharp elbows" when you need them? He used them on members of Congress to pass the war funding bill.

Guess that's a lot more important.

[xchrom]

5. the flagship of Change. nt

[patrice]

6. Socialism for Insurance Company Jobs. Dog-eat-dog Capitalism for OUR Jobs.

NEVER FORGET!

[QC]

8. Oh well, if it's bipartisan, I guess we hafta do it.

We have been played, and very smoothly.

[Why Syzygy]

11. While cheering and crying!!!

Little did anyone realize their weeping for joy would turn to bitter tears.

[QC]

12. Thank God It Passed!!!!!

Remember that?

[Zodiak]

15. I wouldn't call it smooth

Congress' corruption is stinking up the place, and you would have to have your nose cut off to not notice it.

It's just we cannot do anything about it. Congress doesn't care about our letters, or our money, or our votes right now...they only care about their donors.

Short of massive civil disobedence/general strike, we are just going to have to accept whatever shit sandwich congress decides to serve us.

It's our fault...we do not "consequence" our politicians like other countries do. Fucking Kim Jong Il could not have a more complacent and cowed populace than we have, and he starves his people to achieve his control!

[QC]

19. The campaign was smooth. What we're seeing now, however, is outright bribery

and such. Business as usual, in other words.

And you're right: they know they can do it because they know we will never punish them, no matter what they do.

[HillbillyBob]

10. We need to look at the Iranians

and emulate them and get a million people out in the streets.
Then next election cycle get these corporate f ing whores out of our government and replace every one of them with new people.
Public campaign would go a long way to fix a whole bunch of this BS.
It is time to take back our government.
edited to add
WTF does Bob Dole have to say about it? Since he is retired from congress he has full medical care paid for by we the taxpayer for the rest of his unnatural life

[Sebastian Doyle]

16. Ironically enough

the "evil" Iranians have healthcare already. :evilfrown:

[FrenchieCat]

14. Knee Jerk responses in this thread......

And a dumbass article made to appear that somehow "they" have a green light to turn on.

This reminds me of if the Boy Scouts of America gave Obama the green light to Bomb Iran. :eyes:

I'm amazed of how much opining occurs on the subject of basically nothing.

[Why Syzygy]

17. IIRC

Public health care was the one thing for which you had the most hope. You told us to reserve judgment because you wanted your health care! :eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

18. You are correct.....

and so this applies: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8484104&mesg_id=8484179

[avaistheone1]

20. The bipartisan elites say the people don't need a public health care option.

I think someone should update the photo below and add these bipartisan evil creatures to the asses of evil photo below.