I have an idea, Let's ask the Republicans to compromise

[Winterblues]

How about we yank the tax cuts for the wealthy for two years and if the economy doesn't improve we reinstall them.....Why is it Democrats that have to compromise..

[Scuba]

1. Why did the Dems compromise on health care when zero Repubs voted for it?

[VMI Dem]

2. Lack of executive leadership. Fear of Joe Lieberman.

[Scuba]

4. Those things can't explain it.

Americans wanted single-payer. The Dems were elected on this platform.

We didn't even get a public option.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Please cite even one exit poll that suggests that the 2008 election was decided on single payer.

I'll wait.

[Scuba]

8. Not by itself, no. But a major plank.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Please cite anywhere either major candidate referred to single payer as a promise.

Or even either major party.

[Scuba]

10. Obama cited it on numerous occasions.

[gratuitous]

11. Well, this isn't a citation

It's just a video, but I think the transcript conveys the meaning:

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/june/barack_obama_on_sing.php

And, on the campaign trail in 2008, he was for single payer, but would settle for a public option:

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/08/19/obama-says-single-payer-health-care-makes-sense/

And then before negotiations even began, both single payer and public option were given away. A brilliant, 12-level Vulcan chess strategy, I have no doubt whatsoever, because I surely don't understand it at all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. Saying you're for something isn't anywhere near promising it.

And if you're such a fucking genius, you draw me a road map to 60 votes in the Senate for EITHER the public option or single payer. Be specific with who you're saying will vote "yea".

[Winterblues]

3. Democrats feel they have to serve All Constituents while Republicans only serve Republicans.

I ask anyone to name a time in the last Decade that Republicans compromised over a bill.. Democrats constantly compromise with Republicans because they feel they have to listen to every voice and not just work for the Democrats but with all Americans. That is one of the Major differences between the two. Democrats care about the people while Republicans only care about the Party..

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Because we have Senators from places where Obama lost by double digits. (nt)

[MadHound]

5. I have an even better idea,

Why don't we have Democrats actually stand up and fight, force a 'Pug filibuster, and yank the tax cuts for the rich on a permanent basis while continuing the tax cuts for the middle class.

We are, after all, the majority party. We elected the Dems to this position so that they could do what is right. We shouldn't have to compromise on something like this, we should bring the fight to the 'Pugs and force them to do our will.

Instead, we're once again acting like spineless wusses.