Faith is now quite uncertain. I'm no longer acting-as-if.
Friday, September 11, 2009
I Wish This Man Was My President
Dennis Kucinich was my first choice as the Democratic candidate for president. I knew he would not be chosen, but his policies are my policies. When Dennis speaks, I listen, and for the most part, I agree with him.
And if by some freak alignment of the stars, Kucinich did get elected, would he be able to govern?
The convenient thing about always being in opposition is that you never have to govern or assume the responsibility for making policy.
Every President has the choice between playing the hand he has been dealt by history, or walking away and conceding the game.
While I'm disappointed in Obama, I'm a little reluctant to dump on him for playing the hand he's been dealt, especially on the health insurance issue. There's no guarantee that even his very conservative reform will pass. The industry is spending millions daily to kill it. And if it dies, I do not expect to see another major push for health insurance reform in my lifetime.
I'm afraid it's this or nothing folks; and if you actually look at what's in it, there is some very real and meaningful regulatory reform that could improve the lives of millions of people. It may not be the Medicare-for-all solution that we all want, but it moves us pretty far in that direction.
Keep in mind folks that Medicare began as a modest compromise by Truman after his push for national health insurance died in Congress. That very modest idea of public insurance for the elderly met with ferocious resistance. Then Governor Ronald Reagan campaigned strenuously against it. John F. Kennedy worked strenuously for it, first as a Senator, and then as President. It took his death and Lyndon Johnson's skill in maneuvering legislation through Congress to finally get it passed in 1965. The signing ceremony was held in the Truman Library in Independence, MO. The first person enrolled in Medicare was the aging former President Truman himself by President Johnson as soon as he signed the bill.
Counterlight, I agree with what you say, and I wonder, too, if Dennis would be able to govern. If Obama's plan passes, more folks will have coverage. If the public option squeaks through, it will grow.
Having said that, when I make a wish, I can wish for anything at all.
Counterlight and all, just so you'll know, even as I swoon over Dennis, I'm busy lobbying my Democratic senator and representative, both of whom are Blue Dogs, to sign on to Obama's plan WITH the public option. I bugged Republican David Vitter for a while, but he's a lost cause, so I've given up.
Is "Counterlight" the only sane person around here? Kucincich is a loveable eccentric who, as most eccentrics are, has some good ideas. I'm thinking of running for Senator on a platform of requiring ALL Americans to love their neighbors. Practical, don't you think? George
No wonder Dems get no where. Too many "pie in the sky" "in a perfect world" types, as seen here. I love the ideal. but this is the real world. Do you want "something" or "nothing." I'll take "something." Mike in Texas.
Mike, I want something, rather than nothing. I said that I was working for something, rather than nothing. I'm calling for Congress to pass Obama's plan. That's about as good as we will get, if we get that. I just hope that Congress doesn't pass a total piece of crap that Obama will sign and call it health care reform.
Wow, having lived in Cleveland when he led that city into bankrupcy I'm confused as to what exactly you might like about boy blunder. Your comment reveals quite a bit about your reasoning capabilities - and lack thereof. THANK GOD Mr. Obama got elected.
I like the sound of him.
ReplyDeleteAmen. He was my first too. I met him at the 2004 Maine caucus. A small man with a large presence.
ReplyDeleteDP, Dennis is short in stature, but tall in character and principle.
ReplyDeleteSo right, and so unelectable.
ReplyDeleteWhat Counterlight said, more's the pity.
ReplyDeleteAnd if by some freak alignment of the stars, Kucinich did get elected, would he be able to govern?
ReplyDeleteThe convenient thing about always being in opposition is that you never have to govern or assume the responsibility for making policy.
Every President has the choice between playing the hand he has been dealt by history, or walking away and conceding the game.
While I'm disappointed in Obama, I'm a little reluctant to dump on him for playing the hand he's been dealt, especially on the health insurance issue. There's no guarantee that even his very conservative reform will pass. The industry is spending millions daily to kill it.
And if it dies, I do not expect to see another major push for health insurance reform in my lifetime.
I'm afraid it's this or nothing folks; and if you actually look at what's in it, there is some very real and meaningful regulatory reform that could improve the lives of millions of people. It may not be the Medicare-for-all solution that we all want, but it moves us pretty far in that direction.
Keep in mind folks that Medicare began as a modest compromise by Truman after his push for national health insurance died in Congress.
ReplyDeleteThat very modest idea of public insurance for the elderly met with ferocious resistance. Then Governor Ronald Reagan campaigned strenuously against it. John F. Kennedy worked strenuously for it, first as a Senator, and then as President. It took his death and Lyndon Johnson's skill in maneuvering legislation through Congress to finally get it passed in 1965.
The signing ceremony was held in the Truman Library in Independence, MO. The first person enrolled in Medicare was the aging former President Truman himself by President Johnson as soon as he signed the bill.
Counterlight --I never know whether to happy or sad when I read your stuff!
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, I agree with what you say, and I wonder, too, if Dennis would be able to govern. If Obama's plan passes, more folks will have coverage. If the public option squeaks through, it will grow.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, when I make a wish, I can wish for anything at all.
"I never know whether to happy or sad when I read your stuff!"
ReplyDeleteNeither, I'm just so afraid that we will throw away an opportunity because it is something less than everything we want, but it is not nothing either.
Counterlight and all, just so you'll know, even as I swoon over Dennis, I'm busy lobbying my Democratic senator and representative, both of whom are Blue Dogs, to sign on to Obama's plan WITH the public option. I bugged Republican David Vitter for a while, but he's a lost cause, so I've given up.
ReplyDeleteVery clearly stated, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIs "Counterlight" the only sane person around here? Kucincich is a loveable eccentric who, as most eccentrics are, has some good ideas. I'm thinking of running for Senator on a platform of requiring ALL Americans to love their neighbors. Practical, don't you think? George
ReplyDeleteIs "Counterlight" the only sane person around here?
ReplyDeleteCould be, George. I make no claims to sanity - perhaps relative sanity, but that as far as I would go - speaking strictly for myself.
Well said, Counterlight
ReplyDeleteMe sane?
ReplyDeleteAre you people out of your minds?!!
No wonder Dems get no where. Too many "pie in the sky" "in a perfect world" types, as seen here. I love the ideal. but this is the real world. Do you want "something" or "nothing." I'll take "something." Mike in Texas.
ReplyDeleteMike, I want something, rather than nothing. I said that I was working for something, rather than nothing. I'm calling for Congress to pass Obama's plan. That's about as good as we will get, if we get that. I just hope that Congress doesn't pass a total piece of crap that Obama will sign and call it health care reform.
ReplyDeleteWow, having lived in Cleveland when he led that city into bankrupcy I'm confused as to what exactly you might like about boy blunder. Your comment reveals quite a bit about your reasoning capabilities - and lack thereof. THANK GOD Mr. Obama got elected.
ReplyDeleteSanity is a serious mental disorder.
ReplyDelete