Obama Willing to Stake Presidency on Health Care Reform

[kpete]

Source: Political Wire

Obama Willing to Stake Presidency on Health Care Reform

Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) claims that President Obama told him "he's willing to be a one-term president if that's what it takes to get health care and energy reform," reports Radio Iowa.
http://learfield.typepad.com/radioiowa/2009/08/boswell-obama-willing-to-be-oneterm-president.html

Said Boswell: "The president (said), 'I'm not going to kick the can down the road.' And he said that and I said, 'Well, that's something I'm kind of used to from southern Iowa, you know. I know about kicking the can down the road.' And he said, 'No, if it makes me a one-term president, I'm going to, we're going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on.' I respected that very much."



Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/08/13/obama_willing_to_stake_presidency_on_health_care_reform.html#030932a

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Here's the audio:
http://learfield.typepad.com/radioiowa/2009/08/boswell-obama-willing-to-be-oneterm-president.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I truly believe that Obama is that type of person. I'm so proud of him.

[paulkienitz]

98. same here. That's why he's the best president in decades.

[Swagman]

113. if Obama stands tough and gets health care through he will be regarded as

one of the greatest presidents..and it will get him a second term.

[Kablooie]

103. I've never been proud of a president before but I'm PROUD of Obama.

[jasi2006]

104. I have been praying that he would feel this way. It takes so much

from the wingnuts if he decides that he won't run again. It shows that he is not afte the power or the glory and that he smarter than any of his predecessors.

[No Elephants]

136. I don't think he's saying he won't run again. I think he's saying he will risk losing.

[olegramps]

129. In today's political environment this could be a reality.

President Obama's determination to bring about meaningful programs that will better the life's' of our citizens is his Achilles Heel.

This is exactly what the Republicans are counting on. Unlike the vast majority of Republicans and some Blue Dog Democrats, he is actually driven by principle and by defeating Obama's programs the Republicans hope to regain the control of government.

If they succeed, don't hold out much hope for the welfare of the Republic. It could collapse into a hopelessly polarized state in which nothing of consequence can be accomplished. The situation is not greatly different from what confronted FDR. The nation was on the brink of anarchy and civil revolt and it was solely attributable to FDR that he was able to save the nation by recovering a capitalistic system that had imploded because of intense greed of a minority. It is sad to see so many of our working class citizens actively supporting their own economic destruction.

[sharesunited]

2. Unfortunately, Congressional represenatives want re-election more.

[Andy823]

43. Yes, and that is the problem!

If he can't get congress to work with him, nothing is going to happen! Those in charge of things in congress want the "MONEY" from the health industry, energy sectors, and any big corporation willing to hand it out for a vote in favor of what they, the big business's want!

We need to get rid of a lot of members of congress, on both sides! A democrat that takes money and votes in favor of big corporations is not better than a republican that does the same thing! Problem is there never seems to be anyone running in the primaries against them, and if there is someone, they never make it very far because they don't have the money and backing of those who seem to have the "power" to get you elected!

[defendandprotect]

48. It's a problem if they're worried about where their next corporate dollar is coming from . .

[KakistocracyHater]

99. Just use Bush's expanded powers as president & forcibly pass it

& then dare others to challenge it, like so many times when Bush did, only this time it would for the benefit of Americans. It's worth it.

[GreenTea]

45. Very true - However, if Obama gets a public option passed, he will be reelected easily....

Most people want and desperately need health care reform & all will see a public option will force the greedy filthy insurance companies to change the way they do business which will be a plus for all the people.

It won't won't stop the insurance corporations greed of course, just the disgusting way they now do business, they know it as do the republicans.

Republican absolutely know this and is why they are making so much noise and using their usual fear tactics with a small group of uninformed people financially backed by the insurance industry.

Much like the big oil companies, there are thousands of small gas stations (with different names) all over the country but they all buy from the same big oil corporations, Exxon-Mobile, BP, Shell, Chevron-Texaco, etc.... Which few would disagree are all in collusion with each other....same with the insurance corporations - No Competition = Collusion = Monopolies!

Right now theirs no real competition between the seven insurance corporations (only collusion). The republicans try to insist their are thousand of insurance companies, bullshit all these smaller companies are all written by the big insurance corporations, Aetna Inc., CIGNA Corporation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint, Inc., UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, etc.....No Competition = Collusion = Monopolies!

[defendandprotect]

49. Not only that Democrats would be set for next 20 years to control Congress . . .

[Merryweather]

67. That'd only be a good thing if Pelosi/Reid grew a pair. Or were replaced. n/t

[defendandprotect]

117. Agree -- re Pelosi and Reid .... and all the corporate-DLC . . .

who Obama eloped into the White House with --

including Wall Streeters who helped create the financial fiasco!

[stlsaxman]

95. If not- i'm thinkin' we vote 'em out. But let them know NOW that the choice is all THEIRS.

[Lorien]

126. Exactly! nt

[Demeter]

62. All He Needs to Do Is Lower the Age of Eligibility for Medicare

by 5 years for every year of his term in office. Instant, painless, no extra pork or loopholes, get the oldest and sickest their health coverage quick and easy and ready-made.

[No Elephants]

132. Sadly, my son's good friend died in his thrities of being uninsured.

He would not see a doctor because he had no money. by the time my son and his other friend physically forced him into the emergency room, his encephalitis had progressed too far to treat. He died two months later, in December 2008.

RIP, David.

[Grinchie]

75. There are a lot more issues than Health care that are just as important

Those of us that actually are able to keep more than 7 things in our head at a time see health care as important, but only the first step.

Obama has avoided the low hanging fruit out of obedience to the Federal Reserve and the DLC Corporatists. It's too obvious to ignore, and we see the same policies at work, despite the new administration.

The Republican party lies in ruin, but somehow they still have the clout to sway the debate on Healthcare. Isn't anyone conscious enough to see the Fraud hidden in plain sight?

[DCKit]

84. Yes, there's a whole world of issues out there, but we've waited too long for socialized medicine.

The crime, fraud and corruption aren't going away any time soon, so why not give the corporate criminals even more rope while we're waiting for the real deal? If "Medicare for All" gets passed, we'll save hundreds of billions - a freakin' huge shot in the arm for the economy. We'll not only have the time, but the energy and the money to go after those S.O.B.s - the same bunch that are helping fund the fight against health care reform so they use the same tactics to derail new taxes, new laws, regulation and re-regulation of corporations, banks and Wall St., when the time comes.

Health care isn't the only issue, but, for many of us, it IS the most important issue. I, myself, have been without insurance for seven years now. It wasn't a concern when I had no coverage in my youth, but two and a half decades later, I no longer consider myself bullet-proof.

[Grinchie]

91. I don't have insurance, but it's only because the Health Care system is broken

Our Health Care system is not effective enough for the price we pay. Furthermore, people are not disposed to being ill. They are actually designed to be healthy for as long as possible, despite what we are told, and led to believe regarding genetic predisposition, which is a poorly diguised version of Eugenics that releases doctors from actually pursuing the root causes of disease.

No, Americans are taught that it is normal to be sick, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it without having a doctor do it for you. The Doctors are bought regularly, and they spew out massive Propaganda just like any other "Authority" that the Government depends on to make their Propaganda more believable and accepted by the masses who are too busy, too tired, and too uneducated to make the decisions for themselves.

Sure we get sick, sure we have accidents, and thats what life is all about. Thats why we have insurance. Just try taking a hose to an anthill sometime, and see how they react. Chaos, then they help the injured, and less than an hour later, they are back to doing what they do.

We have people that profit on sickness, profit on the fear of sickness, profit from the results of sickness, maintain power and stutus due to their sickness, and all the while preventative medicine is diluted, demonized, sabotaged, subverted, and diminished by the people that like the profits available through the status quo.

My dad was a Doctor. I grew up making the rounds with him and observing sick people on their death bed. Most of the time, the disease was caused by Heavy drinking and a destroyed liver. Nobody taught them that a little alcohol does no harm, but a lot will destroy your body.

These people inflicted it upon themselves without their own knowledge. My dad went on to teach medicine, but he changed. He became a pompous authority, regurgitating rote methodology merely to retain his stature at the University. He turned into a souless drone because of the conflict between helping people and the Corporate influx into the universities.

I was a mechanist once, but I now have more faith in the control of my own body, and I am able to communicate to every cell in my body through meditation and focused thought.

I fully expect any number of posters to descend on these statements and denigrate them, but I really don't care. You can either choose to take responibility for yourself, just like the Tuna swimming across the pacific ocean to spawning grounds that man doesn't even know about, or you can waive your responsibility and grant your power to be healthy to a third party.

The doctor may set your bone, or sew up your wounds, or pull that foxtail out of your eye, but ultimately, it's up to you to be healthy.

Our Capitalist society has poisoned our Air, Water, and Food, but nobody pays attention. People willingly consume crappy, unhealthy food, breath Air lacking in Oxygen, loaded with microparticulates and petrochemical byproducts, and drink water treated with Chlorine, Sodium Fluoride, and the remains of about a trillion dead bacteria per litre. They may be dead, but they are there, whether you want to acknowledge it or not.


You most important medicine I have is Ozone (O3) and Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). These compounds are miraculous in supporting the human organism, Yet the petrochemical and medical industry work together to demonize Ozone, while igroring the massive amounts of Oxides of Nitrogen that remain after the combustion process. Hydrogen Peroxide, another source of free atoms of Oxygen, is adulterated with "Sequestrants" that are toxic and harmful to the body in order to prolong "Shelf Life". What they don't say is that these sequestrant compounds are unhealthy, even when applied topically to the skin, where the beneift of Hydrogen Peroxice is most beneficial as a disinfectant. I guess they think applying heavy metals or chemical compounds that are hazardous to human health to an open wound is a good thing.. Yeah right.

I once inquired to a major market about what the particular sequestrant was in their brand of Hydrogen Peroxide. That was several months ago, they still haven't been able to contact their "Vendor", even though it was labeled with the stores own logo.

[No Elephants]

137. This is NOT socialized medicine. Govt will not be owning or operating hospitals or

medical practices. If government owned and operated hospitals and clinics, hiring doctors and nurses, etc., THAT would be socialized medicine. I would not want that.

Single payer would be private practice of medicine, but government providing the health insurance at a lower cost than private companies are willing to do. I want that very much, for everyone, even though my current health insurance is just about the best there is.

What Obama and the Senate cook up won't be that, though.

[Lorien]

127. Very true. Climate change won't wait, and waiting to improve education

hurts everyone. Really applying ourselves on green issues and things like a National High speed maglev system would put Americans back to work, too.

[AlbertCat]

56. All this plays into the MYTH...

.... that these screaming fools at Town Halls are a majority. They aren't. They are loud, but not a majority at all.

If over 70% of people want reform, how is that jeopardizing his presidency or a congress critter's re-electability?


HELLOOOOOOO!

[sharesunited]

66. I'm wondering if you think immigration reform was defeated by the same non-majority?

[AlbertCat]

92. 70% of the people want immigration reform????

No I don't think the same non-majority defeated it.

Apples and oranges.

[No Elephants]

134. But....

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/08/14/2009-08-14_more_americans_disapprove_than_approve_of_obama.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204313604574330442429438938.html

[redqueen]

69. Yep.

Sad but true.

[Deja Q]

89. Quite possibly. But the people are very upset right now.

And I think the general population is more inclined to be FOR reform than to let the crookery continue.

The President has an excellent chance, here.

[destes]

123. But that may turn around if word of this gets out.

People are more likely to vote for someone they see as principled enough to sacrifice their careers in the interest of the public than someone who kowtows to society's fringe.

Imagine INTEGRITY becoming a plus for congressional careers.

But word MUST get out.

[Lorien]

125. And if they voted for Universal single payer they would be assured it!

in every country that has enacted Universal Single Payer NO politician can survive who doesn't back it. Imagine if a congress critter were in favor of ending Medicare today? He or she would never be re-elected. So the contention that reform will make anyone a one termer is absurd...unless your idea of "reform" is a giant handout to insurance companies.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

131. Worry about the Senate, not the House.

Up for election:


Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Michael Bennet of Colorado
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Harry Reid of Nevada
Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Chuck Schumer of New York
Byron Dorgan of North Dakota
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

Barbara Boxer of California
Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Patty Murray of Washington
Russ Feingold of Wisconsin

[NashVegas]

3. Sounds Like He's Been Hanging Out With Howard Dean

But if health care reform is what he's going to risk breaking his back on, why not universal?

[WriteDown]

4. There is no smilie..

capable of showing my agreement. How about UHC instead of this smoke and mirrors plan?

[stillcool]

6. I think he wants something passed..

as it looks now, the United States Congress isn't going to write or pass the legislation their constituents want. Or maybe they are. Hard to say which side is pressuring them more. I have no qualms with Obama being a one-term President, regardless of what legislation is passed. He is obviously not the white knight in shining armor so many want. Dennis Kucinich would have already passed health care reform. I don't think he would have had any problems with Congress, the Insurance Industry, the Media, or 'we the people'. Maybe next time?

[BigD_95]

8. and explain how

Dennis Kucinich would have already got it passed? The President isnt a king and can just make it happen. Obama is having a hell of a time getting enough votes for a public option let alone a Single Payer. Dennis Kucinich would be in the same boat fighting with his own party that is own by special interest.

[stillcool]

10. I don't think that's how it works..

It's like a boxing match. You've got the President in one corner, and the United States Congress, the Republican Party, the Insurance Industry, and 'we the people' are out there somewhere with our remotes and our outrage. It's his legislation to write and pass. Only a true progressive would do the right thing. At least that's what I read. I forgot this....:sarcasm:

[Larry Ogg]

18. The unelected Bush regime used signing statements to bypassed Congress,

and he got what he wanted and all but destroyed this country.

So if we would have elected a President instead of a shop steward maybe he could use the same powers to do some good. But then if that were to happen the American people would see how fast congress would put impeachment on the table…

[stillcool]

21. Do you think Obama...

has the support Bush did? The corporations, the people, the Congress? You think Obama could get away with that?

[Larry Ogg]

47. The unelected Bush regime never had the support of the majority of people

and he didn’t care because he always had the support of what really counted, i.e. big money, the M$M (main stream media) and a spineless congress that worked for the big money interest.

Obama was elected via the M$M and has the support of big money interest, a spineless congress that still works for the big money interest and the majority of people that were under the illusion that he was going to change how Washington works. Of course, any attempt to do the right thing will not have the support of big money interest or the bought and paid for spineless congress…

But maybe they will put on a good show and we the sheepeople will be content when we get nothing more than lipstick on a pig. Of course if we don't like the corporate offers they can just shut the Country down and then what are we going to do; seeing as how the U.S. no longer has a manufacturing base, I don't know what the working class has to bargain with.

[truedelphi]

100. +1. thank you.

And can I buy you a brewski some time.

:toast:

[Larry Ogg]

110. Thank you truedelphi

Never been one to turn down a brewski, as long as I can return the favor...

:toast:

[stillcool]

108. Wow..I think you speak for yourself, no?

I know that the structure and power base of my government did not change on January 20, 2009. I know that 'we the people' never had control of our government. I had 'hope' that 'we the people' had wised up enough to know that the very most that could be accomplished would be steps towards change. I had no illusions that there was a white knight in shining armor. I realize human beings when I see them. The answer is not one person, it is many, many, many persons. But hey..kicking the dog is fun.

[Larry Ogg]

118. Original yes… But I would like to think that I am part of a growing consensus.

In fact, added to my perspective is the experience and testimonials provided by many others who are working hard at connecting the dots and comparing notes which are in-turn provided by many others who are doing the same thing while scrupulously maintaining an adherence to objectivity. So yes I can speak for my self and hope that others are finding the same conclusion and are able to speak for their self, but not as a mater of just agreeing on the principles of faith but rather on the premises of researched objectivity.

I am glad that you have some understanding of the illusions that permeates political discourse, and are thus unaffected to a sufficient degree. Hopefully one day soon, there will be many voices speaking the truth, as one voice undeceived; and hopefully all the voices who seek the truth will be a part of that one voice…

[Demeter]

63. Yes, I Do

and he's rapidly losing it by ignoring his base and pandering to the enemy. Forget bipartisanship. This is a crisis.

[stillcool]

105. Oh..so there is no opposition?

and Congress could have passed single-payer, like two months ago? As far as 'losing his base' is concerned..screw that. If 'his base' doesn't care enough to get their own representatives to legislate according to their needs, what good are they? I know, I know..the 'next' election. Then a 'real progressive' will come in like a white knight in shining armor and slay all the dragons...and we'll all live happily ever after.

[katkat]

97. support: yes

Yes. A minority of crazed lunatics does not equal public opinion.

[stillcool]

106. What does a couple of

global industries, the United States Congress, the media conglomerates, and a vocal, organized, publicized sect of 'we the people' equal?

[Larry Ogg]

119. A minority of crazed lunatics thought the world was round,

and the majority public opinion was that they should be burned at the stake for having such beliefs.

So it just goes to show you that it is no measure of sanity to be well adjusted to a profoundly disturbed society...

[katkat]

138. uh

So, you think scientists in past times = today's rightwing nutjobs? I think not. Holding an opinion based on rational thought is not equal to swallowing anything Faux News drops in front of you.

[No Elephants]

140. Obama got more of the popular vote than Bush and has a larger majority of Congress,

especially in the Senate.

As far as the corporations, they contributed quite a bit to his campaign. (Please remind me why the POTUS needs support from corporations to pass health insurance reform, though.)


Since getting elected, though, Obama has lost support on this issue.

[Iowa]

65. Great post Larry! n/t

[Larry Ogg]

72. Thank you Iowa

It seems to me that what is good for the goose is good for the gander; and if Obama was to use the same methods as Bush, except in a beneficial way, I don’t think congress would stand idly by and let him get away with it, but then he would have the majority of citizens on his side and the class war would take on a different light.

[truedelphi]

101. Since 18,000 people die each year from not having insurance

And gawd knows how many others suffer and die because the insurers see to it that the HMO's stall the delivery of needed procedures, this situation is an emergency.

If Obama had the "energy" and the will, he could employ the same power to execute executive orders that Bush used to end this mess.


If we have Executive orders that allow FEMA to throw down martial law when it suits them, I cannot see why we don't have an Executive Order that says simply:
"As of January 1st 2010, the United States will have Single Payer Universal Health Coverage for every citizen supplying their name, DOB, and Social security number to the newly reformed Medicare Agency."

As far as paying for it, the government can simply enter the figures on the same line of the budget where Congress has their insurance paid for.

[Butch350]

55. Shit! he couldn't even get elected...

But please explain just how he would have managed it - hypnotism?

[suzie]

59. Name one piece of significant legislation Dennis Kucinich has ever gotten passed, please.

[elocs]

68. That's exactly what I was thinking,

but you play with fire when you question one of the DU gods.

[Larry Ogg]

82. How one arrives at a conclusion is more important than the conclusion itself!

And maybe the reason that Kucinich is unsuccessful at passing any significant legislation is that most politicians are in the pockets of corporate lobbyist who financed their campaigns. So a lot of politicians have passed significant legislation that is both horrendous and inimical to the majority of American and world citizens, although it is very beneficial to corporate profits. So if one were to measure the quality of good legislation that never gets passed, over the quantity of shitty legislation that gets passed; you might reach the same conclusion, although you might also have a much more enlightened perspective as to why things are so screwed up.

[ieoeja]

87. "Dennis Kucinich would have already passed health care reform."

I believe suzie was responding to that assertion by stillcool.

[suzie]

141. The garbage that Kucinich-lovers bring up and sling at everyone

who disagrees that their candidate is the one, true, only possibility for the Democrats is amazing.

Either Kucinich is a politician--and not a very good one--or he's not. But, you can't have it both ways.

And calling everyone who doesn't believe in DK unenlightened may feel better to the DK-lovers, but it doesn't make him pure, or effective, or anything except an unsuccessful politician who loves to be on TV and have a small group of adoring supporters.

[DonCoquixote]

93. "I have no qualms with Obama being a one-term President"

So I guess you will be happy with the GOP winning in 2012?

[stillcool]

107. Yup. I think 'we the people'...

deserve nothing less. All the pissing and moaning in the world about Obama will not change one vote from one member of the United States Congress.

[Larry Ogg]

14. Pissing off those who financed his campaign will ensure he is a one term President

So how about single payer not for profit, instead of lipstick on a pig...


Then he could work on things like campaign finance reform and breaking up the corporately owned conservative biased fraud propaganda fake news and entertainment machine, aka the M$M

[defendandprotect]

50. You think Howard Dean could run again . . . ? Any other suggestions?

[Larry Ogg]

70. I’m not a big follower of Howard Dean’s politics

And I honestly don’t know where he stands on the key issues that I believe are important indicators; but what I do believe is that, in order for anyone to be successful in a national election, they have to be acceptable to those who own and control major capital which includes the M$M, i.e. they are the one’s who decide and narrow down our choices, in effect, who we are going to elect. And that’s the way it will remain until the majority of citizens in this country realize that the information they need to make a decision comes from minority interest that has nothing but contempt for the majority.

Maybe the internet will affect a paradigm shift in how we get the information used to elect our leaders, but it didn’t help in 2006 or 2008. Maybe we will see some change in 2010 and 2012; but I’m beginning to wonder if it isn’t already to late…

[Grinchie]

77. Kucinich already has my support, along with all of my friends

Obama jumped the Shark with his Cozy relationship to the DLC, and has fallen into the Abyss.

The DLC played the Hillary/Obama competition brilliantly, but they won regardles, and now we have the DLC in the moajority of the Administration again, complete with Bill acting as Secretary of State in lieu of Hillary.

Obama is finished, no matter what kind of Health Care he is able to coax out to the Healthcare industry or Congress.

I don't see anything other than an appearance of Health Care Reform, but I hope I'm wrong. However, it won't outweigh all the other dirty crap this Administration has already let slide.

[Larry Ogg]

90. I agree, and believe that Kucinich was the only chance for significant change in this country!

And when he stepped down in the primaries I knew the elections were no longer about electing a man that would be president, but rather someone who would be a union steward under the façade of being the president; i.e. one that takes orders.

And yes, when they have completed the facsimile of health care reform; (and I hope I’m wrong) the corporations will have their profits, and American health care will be all about putting lipstick on a pig…

Oh, and one more thing: On behalf of Queen Hillary I would just like to paraphrase something she said:

:spank: “My shop lifting the booty husband Bill Clinton is not the Secretary of State; I am the Secretary of State, and don’t you forget it…!”

[Grinchie]

121. You insult the Unions by calling Obama a union steward. He is a masthead.

He is the Ken Lay of Enron, the sacrificial goose of the DLC.

Also, if you Paraphrase somebody, you'll have much better effect if you repeat exactly what they actually said

"Wait you want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not the secretary of state I am. ... So you ask my opinion I will tell you my opinion, I'm not going to be channeling my Husband"

One really needs to see the body language when Hillary says this. It is the reason I would never vote for this creature. She is too unstable for position in Government, but there she is, like a big zit that's not quite ready to pop. Painful to look at, difficult to understand, and in general a big pain.

So although you point out salient facts regarding the sellout of this Administration, paraphrasing like you did is not welcome here. We want facts, not rumors.

I have no love for the Clintons. My research shows them to be the pioneers of the Politicization of the DOJ with their involvement in the fight for there political lives in the Whitewater and Lewinsky investigations. They skillfully avoided accountability, and the Republicans took the same technique right out of their playbook and took it to the next level with the DOJ Scandal.

A lot of people will not believe that their beloved Bill Clinton, the shmooser from Arkansas, would sell out to Corporations in a deal to forward Globalaization. They just won't let themselves believe it, but when one looks at history, it's all there, in black and white, and now we see the very same players running the Government.

I think it is just too painful for people to come to grips with, but come to grips with it they must.

[olegramps]

130. I see that you support spending 50 million trying to dig up dirt.

I just bet that you are also a great fan of Starr. Linda Tripp can take her place along side Judas Iscariot in betray.

[Grinchie]

142. I didn't support it, but apparently some people thought it was necessary

The fact of the matter, is that there were instances of manipulation of the DOJ. This is a fact. Information was withheld, obscured, or whatever you wish to call it. Thats a fact.

There is a huge list of things that demonstrate that all was not hunky dory in the Clinton camp, and it doesn't just apply to his term as President of the United States. It goes much further than that, because the Clinotns have a very long political History.

Let's just say that I am not so naieve to believe that the Clintons were pure as the driven snow, and not as corrupt as the DLC Blue Dogs we see at this point in time. In fact, the behavior we see now only reinforces my opinion that the Clintons were merely a continuations of the systematic takeover by the Corporations, which started with Poppa Buch, and continued for the plast 20 years.

I am more interested in the Rule of Law, and when that process is corrupted by those wielding supreme power, it needs to stop, otherwise, like a house being consumed by termites, it is weakend to the point where the edifice is compromised.

There was too much unhealthy baggage for Hillary to win when taken from an unemotional view of her history and performance on the campaign trail. Obama stated quite clearly that we didn't want strong ties to the DLC early in the campaign, and had his name totally removed from their web site. However, it was only the DLC hedging their bets, due to the incredibly toxic background Hillary has generated for herself, they had to come up with Plan B, Obama, that had to be different enough to capture the hearts and hopes of a beating down, ignored American population that was growing mores restless by the day.

It was a beautiful strategy, and they succeeded in winning the election, but, the ferocious speed at which the DLC inserted itself into the current Administration shocked many people, and it continued to this day. We have the same crew, doing the same dirty crap which turned so many people off Hillary in the first place, that people feel betrayed by this Administration.

I personally don't care for Starr. I think he is a partisan big city Hyper Chicken Lawyer, but looking back and reviewing history now that I'm older, wiser, and has seen the outright destruction that the past 20 years of incremental bits of corruption here and there have done, I no longer am as a gullible or as susceptible to media hype, media glitz, or compulsory obedience to any party that furthers the destruction of our country. I used to like Bill Clinton. I actually thought he did a lot of good for the country. I made a lot of money under his tenure. That was when I was a selfish, self-centered wage earner that really was to busy to notice the country being paved over, whole industries being shipped off to other countries, the shift towards an import based economy, etc, etc, etc..

Take a look at the true impact of Bill Clinton's policies, and you'll see the foundation stones for the excesses of the last 8 years. All supported gleefully by the DLC and Corporate whores implaced at all levels to Government.

It's that simple.

[suzie]

139. Kucinich didn't step down in the primaries.

He was never in the primaries--he's never been a serious candidate for president.

He only runs pretend-campaigns out of his own vanity.

[defendandprotect]

116. Howard Dean was sabotaged, IMO --

You weren't aware of him in 2004 . . . ??? Wasn't that the year he was Swiftboated
by the GOP and got little support from the Dems? I think he's one of the most
progressives candidates who's gotten thru the money block so far?? And I think he
had a lot of appeal for youth -- my son gave a lot of money to his campaign.

And, yes, agree re the blockage . . . the corporate press takes in about 80% of all the
campaign finance BRIBES for advertising. That's another reason they could snub Edwards
and Kucinich! And most of the corporate-press are tied to the MIC in one way or another.

I think the internet is helping Americans get their heads screwed on straight -- so
is the somewhat increased presence of some liberal radio and TV personalities -- Olberman,
Jon Stewart, Rachael Maddow ... Randi Rhodes still with us at the moment, Schultz, etal.

IMO, we've had stolen elections by computer since they began to come in -- mid-60's and
late 1960's . . . large computers used by corporate press which gave them increased powers.
They were not not only able to report votes, they were able to PREDICT votes and to
PREDICT winners -- CALL states based on Electoral College predictions!

This all coincidentally began around the time we passed the Voting Rights Act -!!

I'd question every election back to Nixon/Humphrey.

There was an investigation back then by two reporters -- Jim & Ken Collier
Here's a link --

http://www.constitution.org/vote/votescam__.htm


BUT, mainly what we have to get done, IMO, is end campaign finance BRIBERY --

[Grinchie]

122. Unfortunately, the comupting power we now have is hundreds of time more powerful

The average PC is capable of so much these days, so the computing power is available to anyone for about 700 dollars. The software is nearly free.

But the media is the real culprit, and this Freedom of Speech has been supverted to protect media conduits that would otherwise be unavialable to the Propagandists.

Nobody asks the sane question of whether the shit we see on TV is good for society or not. They classify all as Substantially Equivalent, unless they show a Nipple, and then the regulatory machines start moving. Like a nipple is going to destroy society. Give me a break.

People just need to turn off the TV and Cable news outlets. They don't know what they are missing by polluting their minds with that crap.

[daggahead]

11. I agree ...

If President Obama is willing to "take the hit" for healthcare, then he needs to push the House members to get HR 676 moving.

[mopinko]

17. he's committed, not crazy.

he is not going to make every person in america who likes their insurance drop it. on top of the economic situation we are in now, it would be a catastrophe. he says it would be too much turmoil, and i believe he is correct.
he knows it is just not possible. he is going to do what is possible now, and hope to add to it later.
he is determined not to make clinton's mistakes.

[No Elephants]

135. Why did he meet with insurance companies well before he met with voters?

[eagertolearn]

5. This is the ultimate thing that a senator, representative and president

could do. I had just said this to someone yesterday. Health Care is that important that they should be willing to lose their job fighting for it. Thats the person I voted for!

[lsewpershad]

7. Go 'BAMA

Good for you.....All politicians should recognize that they work for the people and the other way around.

[Javaman]

9. If that's the case then he should also launch investigations into moron* and crashcart. nt

[ptownbro]

12. This may be true but....

it doesn't mean that he is going to pursue the "right" kind of health reform. In other words, I'm afraid that he'll compromise so much that we end up with what they pretend is "health care reform" but really isn't

[Javaman]

19. My fear as well.

Welcome to DU!

[Vidar]

22. Sounds about right. Welcome to DU.

[TheCoxwain]

13. That is my President ...

[Zenlitened]

15. If he gets good health care to all Americans... and...

... and puts Americans to work building the green energy industry from coast to coast...

... then he will stroll easily into a second term.

The impacts on all aspects of our society would be THAT positive, THAT profound.

I agree with the sentiment other posters have expressed: Go big. The benefits ALL Americans will experience day in and day out over the years will far outweigh the shrieking of the lunatic fringe right wing.

Ya want "bipartisanship" across this great land of ours? Stand up, speak some plain truths, and deliver a progressive program that WORKS. You'll be amazed at how many people out there will suddenly remember where their values really reside.

[JDPriestly]

30. He will walk into a term if he accomplishes health care reform

and energy reform -- and we walk with him. He depends on us. But we will only be there for him if we can depend on him. Health care reform. Energy reform. And prosecute those who tortured and authorized torture. That's all he has to do. And he will be elected.

Because in addition to health care reform and energy reform he has to establish in the public mind and in the minds of the leaders of the renegade corporations in this country that they cannot intimidate him or the American people and that the rule of law applies to all.

[Grinchie]

78. I agree, but he's backpedalled so far, so fast, he will have a difficult time

I don't think he or the DLC is willing to go against the Corporate masters, since the DLC is known to be a movement that discarded Racial, labor, and populist planks in order to reap the huge funding from Corporate largesse.

NAFTA is a good example, as well as a cozy relationship to the Federal Reserve, money printing, Monsanto, and military spending.

He as already tipped the scale towards no support from me in 2012, and he needs to do a lot to get the scale balanced, let alone tipped to regaining my support.

I'll vote for Kucinich in a heartbeat if the election were today.

[closeupready]

33. Yep, he's got it backwards for some reason.

n/t

[salguine]

16. Maybe he should invite a single-payer advocate or two to the next meeting. He could also

issue some kind of order preventing people from being arrested merely for bringing it up.

[BREMPRO]

26. I believe Obama is taking the right approach

He has said many times he believes single payer (or as the right wing has portrayed it "bureaucratic national socialist nazi eugenics government takeover rationing death panels") is the best system, IF we were starting from scratch, but he is a political realist and knows that a radical restructuring and elimination of an entire industry (private health insurance) would be too disruptive and politically impossible. Evolution, rather than revolution. I agree with him that we need to find more efficient models of delivery to lower costs, such as the mayo/cleveland clinic etc..where doctors are on salary and share info rather than independent contractors with income based on fee for service. We also need to have a public health insurance option to compete with the out of control private insurance industry, have a larger pool to negotiate for lower costs of drugs and services, and to cover the uninsured (who we are paying at inflated costs anyway). And we need to have , as he's said, better preventative care and access for regular checkups to catch problems before they require expensive interventions. He's also talked about unnecessary subsidies to the private health insurers.

The one thing he hasn't talked about yet and i wish he would add to this debate is the corporate food industry's use of chemicals that are making people sick and obese. The farm subsidy of corn has caused the use of high fructose corn sweetener as a cheap additive that has very detrimental effect on health. I'm guessing he realizes that taking on the corporate food industry at the same time as the corporate health industry is political suicide. Smart guy. One step at a time....

[Soylent Brice]

20. good. let's make it count and get some universal health care.

K&R

[tomm2thumbs]

23. I'm sure if he doesn't follow through, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy anyway

Given that he is the smartest guy in the room, I'm hoping he has a good idea of the big picture of Washington and how he can make this work. It is possible this won't all be in the first piece of legislation, but will come in fits and starts in order to get it all done in time.

[glinda]

24. A very noble cause.

[PSPS]

25. I think Obama has it backwards

I don't understand the logic that "get(ting) health care and energy reform" might result in being a "one-term president?" It seems like NOT accomplishing anything would produce that result.

[stillcool]

27. I think you have to consider..

who/what he's up against. When I see how easy it is to sway public opinion...even here..with just one article, I can certainly see him being voted out of town, regardless of his accomplishments. The American people have no patience and very selective memory.

[Mnemosyne]

114. It sure worked for *.

:hi:

[Wizard777]

28. Health care will be what Barack is reelected on. The man is no fool.

The stimulus was supposed to be the end of the world according to the GOP. Now the stimulus is paying off and the economy is recovering. Now they are trying to incite the same hysteria over health care. Once health care gets up and running. People will once again see how foolish the GOP really is. The GOP is continuing to try to destroy this country under the guises of trying to save it.

[swilton]

29. A Sound Bite

How does he define reform - some window dressing or a few cosmetic changes? Substantive reform may be started but will not be completed in four years. In short, this statement is nothing more than a sound-bite.

[vinylsolution]

31. I really hope he can pull this off....

America's need for universal healthcare has never been greater.

[closeupready]

32. Oh, no - if he reforms health care, he will be a two-term president; it's if he DOESN'T reform

health care that he will be more likely to be one-term.

[Lorien]

128. As long as "reform" means more than handouts to insurance companies

if he passed single payer universal he would ensure a second terms for all those who voted for it.

[Gman]

34. You original Obama supporters from the primaries were right

I believe I was probably wrong in some respects with Hillary. While she would have made a fine president in some respects, I don't believe she would have been as committed as Obama to doing this. Obama epitomizes the old analogy about the involvement versus the committment of the pig and the hen in making eggs and bacon for breakfast. The hen is involved but the pig is committed.

Obama is committed.

[Dinger]

35. Wow! This Reminds Me Of LBJ

I saw a biography of LBJ on A&E once. I remember that they said MLK came to speak to the President about the Voting Rights Act (or was it the Civil Rights Act? (Sorry for my ignorance). Anyway, Johnson said he would support it, but that it would "cost them (Dems) the south." I'm sure he was aware of the political cost when he lent his support to this legislation. He did it anyway.

[defendandprotect]

52. However . . .

Some other things to think about there . . .

First, LBJ was one of the primary figures involved in the assassination of JFK -
which was actually a coup on the "people's" government.

Second, while LBJ did get the Voting Rights Act passed, almost immediately nation
began to use large computers where MSM gained the opportunity to not only report
vote tallies but to begin to PREDICT vote totals, CALL elections for candidates,
and CALL states/Electoral College. In the late 1960's, the individual electronic
voting machines began to come in.

This all coincidentally happened around the time we passed the Voting Rights Act.

While it did become the cliche -- Dems would "lose the South" -- Jimmy Carter carried
all but ONE Confederate state.

So -- a lot to think about there, plus probably a lot we don't know.

Nixon also carried forth the myth of the "Southern Strategy" which was a direct appeal
by the GOP to racism.

[davidwparker]

36. Good for Obama. I'd do the same. Actually, I'd start opening investigations

into the previous administration to give the media something to feed on while I was working for the betterment of America and to put the (R)'s on notice that I mean business.

(R)'s would be too busy doing damage control to launch much of a defense against my agenda.

[Politicub]

37. Yes!!! This is the President Obama we know and love

I keep saying it, but this is the cause of our time. Obama and this congress have the opportunity to go down in history as finally getting us on the road to healthcare equality.

And once the American people have it, they will never give it back.

[RedCloud]

38. Just steer clear of the GOP (Give Obama Poop) people.

It is patently absurd that that is the GOP's entire agenda, but it is.

[xxqqqzme]

39. Well, if that's true it is waaay

past the point to start kicking ass and taking names. If there is nothing to lose, then go for it all! What the hell 'change' did he think we were voting for anyway?

[newtothegame]

40. I'll believe that when I see it. Obama's been being groomed for the Presidency for years...

I doubt he'll give it up that easily.

[defendandprotect]

53. Agree . . . he was slipped in very smoothly --

and immediately eloped with the DLC . . . and Wall Street --

[polichick]

41. Does this mean he's gonna stop "reaching out" to those who want to see him fail??

Sure hope so.

I was just reading today that the filibuster rule could be turned over with 51 votes (This was either in Salon or The Nation; can't recall where I was on my Kindle) ~ if this is true, why not get serious and make the enormous changes this country needs? If Obama does that, he won't be a one-term president.

[disndat]

42. Obama cannot turn the economy around

without healthcare reform. IMHO.

[paulk]

44. it depends on what he means by "reform"

I'm still not sure what he meant by "change"....

[defendandprotect]

46. If he pulls off public option he's FDR . . . not advisable for Dems to fail at this --

[derby378]

51. If that's how he really feels, why did he delay the votes until after August?

He could have used the Oval Office as a bully pulpit, just like Bush did for 8 years, only he could do good with it instead of evil.

[Laelth]

54. B.S. Obama's Presidency is safe UNLESS ...

... UNLESS he passes a very bad "health insurance reform" bill that acts, principally, as a major gift to the insurance industry.

This is not 1994. The Republican Party's popularity is in the toilet. Their leaders are insane (reflecting their rabid base). So long as Obama does not piss off 50 million Americans by forcing them to buy worthless insurance that they can not afford, he is safe.

I reject the premise of this article. Obama is risking nothing here. His only risk is that he will be rightly punished if he signs a bill that is very bad for the American people.

:dem:

-Laelth

[man4allcats]

57. Though Dennis Kucinich was my choice for nominee,

President Obama continues to make me proud I voted for him. That is not to say I support every decision he makes, but I do believe he is a truly honorable man who will try his best to do the right thing under very difficult circumstances. And that's good enough for me. Kudos, Mr. President! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[silverweb]

58. I *heart* my President.

And whatever happens, I'll work like crazy to win him a 2nd term. Our country and the world need him.

GObama!

:loveya:

[ieoeja]

60. There's the community organizer I voted for. nt

[Demeter]

61. I'll Believe It When and If I See It

If Obama's plan is a tissue of lies and penalties on people such as is currently contemplated, then his will be a one-term Presidency, because we need a real plan, not a Band-aid, not a Potemkin style health "insurance" scam.

And wee will not vote for less.

[graywarrior]

64. As if...

He's in for two terms

[grahamhgreen]

71. Good - as long as there is a public option, bulk drug negotiation, and state single payer amendment.

And not just mandatory private insurance.

[barbtries]

73. i respect that

some things actually are more important than the next election.

[Grinchie]

74. Actually, he realizes that the DLC has ruined his chances for a second term

When Obama appointed Michael Taylor to the USDA, he destroyed any glimmer of hope that he was an instrument of Change. Prior to this, he has defended Bush/Cheney, retained satae secrets privileges where they should be reduced, and have basically sponsered a reunion of the Clinton admisitration is resepct to selling out to the Corporations and real government, the status quo.

I am not alone in saying enough to this fraud of a political charade, where they say one thing, then weasel out of the campaign promises with regrad to the political backlash in may cause.

I know at least 30 more people that feel this way, and when you do the numbers, it's clear that Obama has failed to deliver on Change we can Believe in.

It doesn't matter if he gets Single Payer Universal Health Care, because his inability to reinstate the rule of law and control the avarice of the Corporations, which are working very hard to make sure the recession is nice and deep, despite all his bailouts, he is finished.

The more the apologists cry out to "Give him a chance" or "Give him a break", the more obvious it is to the conscious people who see the Fraud of this sham two party Government in the light of day.

You guys go right ahaed, but as far as I'm concerned, he has overextended himself and has crossed the line in the sand or point of no return as far as his policies are concerned.

I hope he succeeds, but ethically, I cannot support him ever again, especially now that his ties with the DLC are fully solidified, and as obvious as the nose on his face.

Don't bother to admonish me for taking a stand. I fully accept how difficult it can be to stand for honesty and ethics. Those who choose to ignore the sellout are taking the easy way out by just suppressing the obvious facts for a little bit of Hope and belief, and are reinforced by the DLC Propaganda machine that is just as developed and skillful as the right wing or Corporate propaganda machine. They all use the same technique, with different messages.

[DonCoquixote]

102. Whatever good we have in life

Was not gained by people who sat in an ivory tower and waited for things to happens as they wanted them, but by people who, even though they were aggressive in fighting for what they believed, realized that they had to use the political equivalent of First Aid in order to keep the patient from Bleeding to death. You can say we are taking the "easy way out" but the easy way is sitting with a bunch of friends complaining how life sucks, knowing you will never be called to actually make any progress and bring any results. A Mother trying to feed her kids may only get half a loaf instead of the full one, but she brings it home anyway, whereas many would seem to use principle as an excuse for an even worse form of cowardice, the ones that worships idols that have never had to be called out on their actual achievements, because they are oh so moral.

Yes, you were all so moral, but that does not stop you from enjoying whatever freedoms LBJ and FDR got you, despite the fact that both those men were vilified and called sell-outs. I am not saying do not criticize him, or put pressure on him, Obama NEEDS that pressure to throw in the face of Blue Dogs, however, it is obvious some people made their choice long before he ever got elected, that if he was not St. Ralph Nader (who never got elected dogcatcher) or St. Dennis (nice moral compass, but it's not like he ever had to win or work with people to keep his job) or some other Icon of the far left, he was no good. As much as people want to say "we had a mandate, the town halls show we did not, that there are many cowardly little people who were just desperate, and like it or not, Obama cannot just run over them the way Bush did us, unless you think that the constitution is really a piece of paper.

I am sure that many here would love to dig up Che from the dead and do mass executions of everyone they dislike, problem is, as the French learned around 1800, all that fervor does little to secure actual liberty, and leaves the doors open for tyrants like Napoleon, who offer the mob stability at a price they will pay.

I hate to lock heads with people I share enemies with, but the self-righteousness is getting to be a bit much, especially because I know that if we fail, Dennis and Ralph will still be cashing their fat paychecks, becoming a well-paid part of the system they claim to hate so much.

[Grinchie]

143. Nice try, but I'm not inclined to hound politicians to keep them true to their word.

If that'a what you want to do to spend your precious life, go ahead, but some people actually like to live life the way it was meant to be. Trusting that people are honest, say what they mean, and are not snake oil salesmen, even though that seems to be the predominant state of mind in society today.

I don't believe in that sort of life, forever making sure that the politician stand true to their word. As far as I'm concerned, it is much easier to just withdraw support when they prove that they are incapable of keeping the most rudimentary promises they make publicly.

You can forever yell and scream at your wayward politicians, but I'm going to focus on my quality of life, and enjoy what little time I have on this earth.

[EVDebs]

111. Yep. Corporate sell-outs have to stop. NOW. And did you read Greg Palast's article ?

Palast's article on the 2% Pharma Corporate sell out ?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-palast/obama-on-drugs-98-cheney_b_258209.html

with documents to prove it ?
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/08/13-10

Shame on Obama. We, the people, vote for him and expect change and what do we get ?

This CAN be fixed, but he's better get moving ....soon.

[Grinchie]

144. It's so disappointing that people can't make simple decisions when given factual data.

The entire system of American government and social structure has been corrupted into the overly complicated machine that no single person can comprehend anymore. Strangely enoungh, complexity and lack of understanding are key elements of fraud. Complexity also breeds an environment that invites exploitation and corruption of the dark, unexplored reaches of the machine that hardly ever get reviewed or inspected.

There are some here that think the DLC is actually has Democratic principles in the historic sense. This could not be further from the truth, as they have always srtiven to be the darlings of the Big Money Corporate world, and they have succeeded in do so. They actually believe that Money outweighs social issues, labor relations and racial equality. They are very centrist, and that term today means that they are in bed with the Republicans for a major core of their policies.

It doesn't take too much to see that the Corporations are in complete control of Government. They dictate exactly what Policy directions they would like to see, and for the most part, it is the status quo, but with more burden on the individual, while at the same time growing the complexity of Government even further.

The cheerleaders of the DLC have most likely never reviewd the Laws of the United States. Their eye would glaze over if they tried, yYet, they support all new sets of laws while ignoring laws that have been on the books for centuries that accomplish the same thing. This weaves a wider net that can catch people without even knowing it, because the set of laws grows larger and more incomprehensible every year.

I really don't think the Obama can outweigh all the Corporate giveaways and DLC party favors he has done so soon after taking office. He will have to something of Global Importance, because in case people haven't noticed, the Earth is undergoing major changes in Climate, which will affect millions of people worldwide, and the Healthcare system will be meaningless if the Ecosystem collapses to the point where mans support services are destroyed.

[superconnected]

76. I sure prefer him to Bush. I feel sold out sometimes, but then he says the right thing again

Bush gave us no hope.

[shadowknows69]

83. False hope is worse.

[superconnected]

85. Ultimately he is better than bush.

[shadowknows69]

86. Yay, is that our standard now? Pretty freaking low bar.

[EVDebs]

112. Well said. nt

[EVDebs]

145. Agreed. I'm for Kucinich in 2012 until I start seeing REAL change. nt

[WriteDown]

79. ALL THE ANSWERS ARE HERE.....

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-11-2009/reform-madness

[dothemath]

80. slim, fat and none .......................

President Obama is an honest man with principles. He has 3 chances.
See above. Pity.

[Cleita]

81. If he's willing to do that then I hope he's willing to encourage

Congress to make the final bill closer to HR676 than what has been proposed up until now.

[kevsters]

88. Just in case anyone is wondering where the town hall protesters learned their manners

Just in case anyone is wondering where the tow hall protesters learned their manners.

Watch this clip and pass it on.

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2540

[earth mom]

94. Good to hear that Obama finally sees that Health Care could be his greatest legacy. nt

[McCamy Taylor]

96. Obama is channeling LBJ...and I love it!

The man who gave us Medicare, the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act is a good model.

[EVDebs]

109. Then he'd better start getting PROGRESSIVE in a hurry. And get the troops out marching for him. nt

[UrbScotty]

115. All the more reason to make sure he gets a 2nd term!

[harvey007]

120. The People Must Lead

If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

We're all in this together.

[Lorien]

124. Great, as long as it's beneficial to the people and not Big insurnace companies

or big coal. The amazing thing is that all the Dems KNOW that they could become a permanent majority if they passed single payer universal; once the people got a taste of that they would never want to go back to the old system. But it's more than about re-election for ANY of them; it's about those lucrative lobbying jobs that come after their terms (this applies to the house & Senate members specifically, not the President). I don't know if we'll get meaningful reform of any kind without election reform.

[laughingliberal]

133. Agree 100%

The proposals I see coming out of current bills are a huge giveaway to the industry with an expensive mandate on families. Great that the insurance companies will be forbidden to deny people with preexisting conditions but nothing there to keep them from charging their outrageous premiums. I supported and voted for Obama and have been happy to see intelligence in the White House again. But, his stubborn insistence on bipartisan reform and his apparent support of the work of the Senate Finance Committee is leaving me disillusioned and unable to believe that anyone will ever stand up for the working class in this country again. I keep hoping I'm wrong.