Obama in Mexico calls for a "realistic and meaningful option" for health care coverage for all.

[Barack_America]

Calls for health care reform that "continues the role of the private marketplace".

No specific mention of "public option", no support for even the notion of single-payer.

Why is he being so passive about health care reform?

Does he not believe in true health care reform? Is he powerless to achieve what he really wants?

I'm more baffled than critical at this point. Disheartened, nonetheless.

[still_one]

1. Where is Congress, they make the bills. /my

[Barack_America]

3. Are suggesting there is no crosstalk between Congress and the WH on legislation?

That if Obama were to speak out strongly on either single-payer or a public option that it would have no effect on Congress?

:shrug:

[still_one]

13. Not at all. However, it used to be administrations would work behind the scenes

With this Congress which lacks any profiles in courage, It looks like it will be up to Obama to set a clear direction as you said

[Echo In Light]

2. NONE of it hinges upon what "he" wants.

[Barack_America]

4. How so? nt

[Echo In Light]

7. Put it this way, I have zero faith in the two party system. Vested interests behind the puppets...

...are the ones who make Big Deci$ions. Not corporatists who are deemed "electable" by corporate America, for us to "choose."

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Ummmm......

He needs healthcare money to campaign and get re-elected. He used to support single payer. Seems he changed his mind when political position and the personal power and prosperity it brings became a priority. That of course suggests that he views the corporations and himself as a higher priority than the people. Nothing new or unique about that. It seems to be true of all the bastards we have elected to public office.

It also appears that Obama is a coalition builder - something that suggests he will not fight an idealogocal battle. He will work a compromise and throw a few crumbs in all directions.

[Romulox]

6. "The private marketplace has failed to provide healthcare to all. We must defend it at any cost!"

PS the "private marketplace" for healthcare also only works if the government forces you to buy into it--you know, just like any other "private marketplace". :eyes:

[rudy23]

8. Simple. Obama lied to us during the primaries.

He lied about who he fundamentally was. We didn't hear all this rhetoric about defending the free market at all costs during the campaign.

[kjackson227]

9. I'm beginning to feel the same way... There are a lot of people who has...

President Obama's ear (namely, Rahm Emanuel). I'm not saying he's the culprit, but I do think that others may have the same agenda, but for different reasons.

[Barack_America]

10. No Obama's not the main culprit. But when he has an opportunity to demand a public option...

...why doesn't he?

That's what I don't get. The WH is complaining about Republicans misrepresenting what health care reform is, but when Obama has the ability to speak out directly and set the record staight, he punts.

Why?

[lsewpershad]

11. Very good question

[kjackson227]

12. No, I guess I didn't post my statement correctly. I was saying that...

Rahm Emanuel is not the sole culprit (not Obama). I don't have ANY answers in this regard- I'm still trying to figure it out myself. I've heard some state that PO and Congress are taking this on a "step-by-step" basis towards single-payer. Don't know how true it is, but it does sound feasible.