Jane Hamsher, one of the most prominent left-wing bloggers, rips into Obama and moderate Democrats in language which, if used by a conservative blogger, would result in accusations of wingnut hate-mongering and incitement:
Wow. Anything short of full-blown public health care amounts to Obama's "health care toenail clippings." Health care reform is becoming Obama's Iraq. Obama is leading the Left off a cliff, just like Bush did to Republicans.Does anyone think that intensity of feeling is just going to go away? That people will simply accept Obama's "goody bag" of health care toenail clippings which delivers nothing but a political victory for him, and give up on their dreams of delivery from the current health care system? [Matt] Taibbi's right -- this will be to Obama what the Iraq War was to Bush.
But instead of repeating the mistakes of the Republicans, who allowed their representatives to line up behind George Bush and walk their party over the cliff, grass roots progressives are the ones who are taking control of the health care debate. They have rejected the discredited progressive leadership of the veal pen, and they are telling their progressive members of Congress that they will not accept a health care bill with a co-op "bait and switch."
I guess this is what it looks like after the thrill is gone.
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Well, it may be that the thrill is gone. Or it may just be that this is what it looks like when a leader sticks his or her neck out and commits to achieving a particular goal... and the sausage-making begins.
ReplyDeleteWhat we're seeing here is not a health care proposal straight from the mind of President Obama. We're seeing a few of his ideas and a few ideas of powerful lobbyists and a few ideas of influential congresspersons and probably even a few ideas from influential citizens. Oh, and let's no forget all the lawyers involved. ;-)
It is almost inevitable that any initiative of this scope and with this many fingers in the pot will not please those at either extreme end of the political spectrum. It will be interesting to see if it ends up being something those of us in the middle will prefer over the status quo.
At this point, I'd almost prefer something less-than-ideal to nothing. At least that would indicate movement.
Hard as it is, since with Hamsher there is a certain resemblance I won't mention spinning plastic wheels in a cage. Or levers to press.
ReplyDeleteNo. I will. That's what they remind me of. We're losing hundreds of thousands of jobs and the big goal has been - the thing that would really make life worth living - a. close Guantanamo b. publish detainee photos and prosecute government lawyers d. make our health care system just like Canada's. If you don't agree we won't buy any of your groceries. We won't press any of your levers. We will just run and run and run. And maybe hold our breath until we turn blue.
Toenail clippings and wee-wee, what a day! Did you know they have the support of 77% of the country. Yes, it's true. A MoveOn.org sponsored survey said so. Oh and 58% of Republicans think the public option is extremely important.
ReplyDeleteIgor's site is really funny. I had a very good laugh at the satire. That is really a good picture of Nancy Pelosi and her Botox face ROFL
ReplyDelete