04.24.08
We need better Democrats
What in #%&^$@ has happened to the Democratic party? Look at David Sirota’s report:
In a stunning – if predictable – story, the Hill Newspaper reports that congressional Democrats are now saying that they will effectively thwart any effort to create a national health care program. Here is the key excerpt:
“Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult…Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership and a key Hillary Clinton ally who also sits on the Finance Committee, said he is ‘not sure we have the big plan on healthcare.’…’Healthcare I feel strongly about, but I am not sure that we’re ready for a major national healthcare plan,’ Schumer said…Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), a Clinton supporter who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, said “the money is not necessarily there right now” to enact the plans.”
There’s a lot to unpack here.
First and foremost, to those in Washington who say the nation should just wait for Washington to act on health care and wait for Democrats to win control of Congress and the presidency, this story exposes the glaring failure of that strategy – especially as states move forward into the breach. Health care reform has to be a dual effort – at the federal level and at the state level. And most likely, real reform is going to start in the states – in part, because Democrats in Washington are so afraid of their own shadow and bought off by Big Money interests that they are now acknowledging that they are not serious about fulfilling their health care promises.Second, you’ll notice the right-wing arguments being made by Democrats in this piece. Schumer, like a reliable Fox News anchor, tells us that America isn’t “ready” for national health care plan, despite polls over the last decade showing strong support for such a concept. Likewise, Meek – playing right into the Grover Norquist “drown it in the bathtub” mantra, claims the federal government doesn’t have the cash to pay for a health care overhaul – even as Congress continues writing blank checks to fund the Iraq War.
Finally, this reminds us of the need for progressives to focus on building a social movement, rather than exclusively on winning elections. Democrats are effectively saying that no matter how many elections are won, they will not move forward on the most pressing domestic issue. That’s because there isn’t yet a powerful social movement putting constant pressure on both parties – and instilling fear in both parties. The infrastructure that has been built in recent years is largely partisan rather than movement-oriented – that is, aimed at buttressing the Democratic Party, regardless of what it does. If we are to get health care reform, it will require a movement – not a party.
Bob Slaughter said,
24 April 2008 at 6:30 pm
This is indeed sad and probably true. It should be obvious that taking out the profits of the insurance companies and HMO’s as well as the need for providers to charge the currently insured for the health care of the uninsured, would make for a less costly health care burden.
The reason many feel that this will be difficult and expensive is that the private entities have so much power and influence, and some feel they have to be satisfied or we will get no deal.
The Medicare Drug plan was created with the Democratic members of the Conference Committee locked out of the room. It was only passed in an outrageous 3 1/2 hour long vote, involving bribes and threats to members on the floor of the house.
The bill was a sell out to the insurance and health maintenance industry.
LeisureGuy said,
24 April 2008 at 7:46 pm
What’s interesting is that health insurance companies have priced themselves beyond what the market can bear and are now watching falling revenues. See this article.
Bob Slaughter said,
24 April 2008 at 8:06 pm
I’m afraid nothing good will come from the ills befalling some in the health insurance business.
Remember when the Clintons began their adventure in national health? The major manufacturers were eager for national health care in order to reduce their health care costs and make them competitive in the world. Then the Business Round Table ruled that free market mechanisms must be respected. At that point industrial support was rapidly withdrawn.
LeisureGuy said,
24 April 2008 at 9:04 pm
Ah, yes, those magical free-market mechanisms. They worked so well in the sub-prime crisis that Bear Sterns LEAPED at the Federal buyout (which is more or less what it was). Free-market not wanted there, nosiree.
Republican hypocrisy gets me down sometimes. Free-market for the poor, state welfare for the wealthy and powerful.
LeisureGuy said,
25 April 2008 at 10:49 am
After sleeping on it and thinking more, what I am saying is that we need to elect Democrats who will NOT surrender to the influence (and money) of big businesses and the Business Round Table and the like. We want to find politicians who embrace the principles on which they were elected, rather than those submissive to dollars and power. We have plenty of that kind in the GOP. Let’s elect a different kind.