Oh, the dream. What Obama could have done (and could still do, in my dreams) on healthcare

[debbierlus]

Do you remember the inauguration...

The roar of hope.

People were ready. They were ready to stand up and fight with him.

Obama was given a tremendous and rare opportunity. He could have choose to stand up to the corporate powers that be, and lead the people based on truth, justice, and courage. Thus far, he has chosen to toe the corporate line....but imagine this...


What do you think would happen if Obama held a major speech and press conference stating that he was going to fight til the end for a single payer health care system?

What, if he laid out all the facts, and then he demolished every false argument that could be used against him.

How about the Chairs of Nurse's and Physician's associations standing behind him? Along with people who had lost relatives because the current system denied them care or lost their home because of a medical bankruptcy even though they were FULLY insured?

Then, he could lead the American people DIRECTLY. He could speak to the nation and tell them what they could do to reclaim control over their healthcare. Lay out the list. Give direct actions. Then, direct them to a special website filled with action alerts on how to move forward.

Just like he did for winning his election.

The American people would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE him for it. Money would pour in for advertising campaigns. People would be showing up at their representatives offices and the phones would be ringing off the hook. Volunteers would be going door to door.

Obama is not powerless to let the corporations dictate the rules of the game. He has the pulpit, he can use it whenever he wants. Hundred to one, even the pundits would be awed at such a fierce stand and many would support him.

The regenerated enthusiasm of the progressives would be his to harness.

And, if he failed, so what? I don't think he would but he would have taught a generation how to fight a REAL political battle.

But, like I said in my title....in my dreams.

[Cant trust em]

1. and if he failed we'd be waiting a long time for any other reform to take place

I think that Obama is going for the safe win instead of going for it all and getting nothing. If he fails at this right now, it's going to make any reform damn near impossible.

[DJ13]

2. Define failure

If theres no real public option, or one so watered down its a meaningless gesture, wouldnt that be failure?

And isnt that exactly the path Obama's "safe win" will lead to at the current rate?

[Cant trust em]

12. I think no legislation at all would be a real failure.

Here's the scenario that is going through my head.

Obama goes for single payer and uses a lot of political capital to get it out there. The Conservadems who are super-incremental anyway break with the party and join the 40 republicans vehemently opposed to any health care reform. The bill dies an inglorious death. The republicans have fought and won an important battle. The president has now failed at the key domestic legislation of his young presidency.

I’d rather have a watered down public plan than nothing at all. I honestly think that scenario will happen.

[debbierlus]

4. Safer way my ass. We need real reform now. Excise the health insurance leeches

Period.

It is a battle we could win. We need leadership.

I call. I write. I talk to my friends and family and encourage them to do the same. That part is just as important as what Obama needs to do.

We NEED a leader. People thought they were getting one in Obama.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. OK you try to build a national health system in a day

I bet you that you can't. All the arm chair politicians here could not do any better than Obama. We have a dinosaur health system in the US. We have a capitalist health care system for the rich by the rich. It will take years to dismantle it but I think that it will come.

[Cant trust em]

13. You have a much rosier view of the US Congress than I do.

We're having trouble mustering the votes for a good public option.

Single payer is just a dream for now.

[K Gardner]

3. It's not over yet. But I do believe the American people, much like the Iranians, are going to have

to get off their asses, out from in front of computers, and make their presence/voices seen and heard. If it is the popular will of the people, this is something Congress/Senate has to do.. I don't think Obama can just sign an executive order and make it so.

Our representatives deserve blame here for not serving us. Not just Obama.

[debbierlus]

5. Understood. My point is that Obama could rally the people like no one else

I received an email from him a couple weeks back about how he had met with the health care 'stake' holders (such a DAMN offensive term) and they agreed to profiteer a little less off our sickness. Then, he requests my donations & activism to support his goals.

Wtf?

Give people something to believe in and fight for... they will answer the call.

It is called being a leader.

Caving to Republican demands that do nothing but weaken already weak health care reform is NOT leadership.

[tranche]

6. He'd be left hanging out to dry by our spineless Dem congressman.

Which has already seemed to have happened a number of times.

It's the money and 2 parties.

[FrenchieCat]

7. To discuss Health Care Reform as if it is a done deal...now, at the beginning of the debate,

shows how we are not much different from those in Congress who prematurely throw their hands up in the air, and act like they just can't care.

We should fight now, and opine on "what could have been"
after the results are in, and not a moment before.

To have the defeatist attitude, as you display,
means simply that we anticipate being defeated,
which is not a winning attitude to have while in the throws of the battle....

Kind of like your attorney telling you that you have lost your case
prior to the case even being made. Why would anyone have faith in
what that person has to say?

Your attitude is the kind that makes us weak and no better than those we choose to criticize,
when we lament about what will happen before it even does,
and while we still can make the difference.....if we really organize and try real hard.

[andym]

10. This is exactly correct, the time to fight is now! nt.

[masuki bance]

8. "...the political environment is somewhat different than the last time..."

"In early 1993 the sense of a health care crisis was far more widespread than it is today – a 55% majority in 1993 said they felt the health care system needed to be “completely rebuilt” compared with 41% today. Health care costs were also a broader problem in 1993 – 63% of Americans said paying for the cost of a major illness was a “major problem” for them, compared with 48% currently."

http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1534

[andym]

11. It's up to us to help him. NOW. Cry and later if we don't get what we need. nt.

[Oregone]

14. The Greatest Canadian: Tommy Douglas

(off topic, Keifer Sutherlands Grandfather)

Obama would of etched out a place for himself in history even more grand in the USA, if he took on this role