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LIGHTNING ROUND: ELITISM, RECONSIDERED.
- Among health care reform's many obstacles, few are more frustrating that the hostage crisis that ensues every time a "centrist" Democrat insists they are the linchpin of the whole endeavor. Fortunately, Harry Reid and Senate leaders recognize that they need to keep their 60-vote caucus together rather than dealing with irrelevant Republicans. Maybe they'll also try making use of pressure from liberal activists to sway Dems who wish they didn't have to weigh in on issues that could piss off their financiers.
- Regardless of whether we need a second stimulus (third, actually), I think that politically, it's DOA. Conservatives are beginning to hone inchoate anti-government rage into a more finely-tuned (if factually and conceptually challenged) critique of the ARRA and it seems unlikely that the aforementioned Democratic centrists will be on board without the sense of impending crisis.
- Simon Johnson makes the excellent point that the G8 summit happening in Italy this week is a fairly worthless and dated institution, better replaced by the G20, which is more inclusive and a better reflection of actual global economic relationships. I agree, but why stop there? Isn't it time, for instance, that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council lose their special status? What's the point of freezing in amber the immediate post-WWII victory status quo?
- Until today, I had no opinion on Jeb Bush. But after reading this Esquire interview with him, I think it's safe to say he's completely internalized GOP denial about the political landscape, doesn't have any sound policy ideas, can't stand the fact that Barack Obama is popular whereas his brother is loathed, and believes climate change science is "politicized." In other words, he's the perfect Republican presidential candidate.
- Conor Friedersdorf offers an excellent observation about the conservative trope against "elites," namely that a lot of elites are outspoken conservatives. And tellingly, the meteoric rise of the last year's Republican vice-presidential candidate owed her success specifically to wooing said conservative elites. This is a good opportunity to remind readers that according to conservatives, an "elite" isn't delineated by wealth, education, status, or power -- although these are part of the equation. No, the defining feature is cultural, i.e. not being a "real American."
- Remainders: Arlen Specter, loyal Democrat; another cogent meditation from the Big Hollywood crew; the GOP could really use a better farm team; Republicans stand at the precipice of losing Hispanic support for good; Senator Al Franken continues to blow the minds of his Republican colleagues; and why acknowledge slavery in America when you can pretend it never happened?
--Mori Dinauer
COMMENTS (2)
RE: stimulus. Congress needs to re-authorize the highway & transit funding. Based on the poor road conditions in most states, I think now is a good opportunity to renew highway spending. Doing the typical 18-month extension of the previous bill won't help - the amounts were too low six years ago.
Posted by: Seanly | July 8, 2009 8:57 PM
AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
Posted by: jacksmith | July 9, 2009 2:31 PM