John Kennedy/Lyndon Johnson took five years from when they campaigned for Medicare in 1960, promised it "this year" in 1962, debated it through 1962-63, then signed it into law in 1965. Medicare represented a
dramatic reduction in scope from President Truman's dream of universal healthcare. Yet, we celebrate this compromise as a liberal victory, rather than a sell out of our principles. Now, we have President Obama with less Democrats than Johnson with a major corporate network (News Corp) in an all out war against him, in the midst of a Great Recession, in the middle of two wars, on track to sign a comprehensive health care reform bill before year's end.
The question is whether liberals can appreciate the progress they have made? Or, will it take several decades before we unfavorably compare another Democratic President to President Obama, and ask why that future President can't get things done as quickly as President Obama did?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29524754/###
Obama starts big push for health care overhaulStatus quo 'not on the table'
"Every voice has to be heard. Every idea must be considered ... The status quo is the one option that is not on the table," Obama said during the White House forum on what he calls the greatest threat to the U.S. economy — rising health care costs. Mindful of the demise of the Clinton plan, Obama warned, "Those who seek to block any reform at all, any reform at any cost, will not prevail this time around."
The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care. It leaves an estimated 48 million people uninsured, and many others lack adequate insurance.
Firm in his insistence on action, Obama was relaxed as he fielded questions from lawmakers and the heads of crucial interest groups. At one point he sneezed twice, and then as the audience laughed said, "This is a health care forum, so I thought I'd model what happens when you don't get enough sleep."
In an emotional moment, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts addressed the group, his first Washington appearance in weeks as he battles brain cancer. He received a long ovation and declared, "I'm looking forward to being a foot soldier in this undertaking, and this time we will not fail."
Although Obama wants coverage for all, the president suggested a willingness to compromise. That, too, was a break from Clinton's posture in the 1990s when he promised to veto any health care measure that didn't give him what he sought.
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