With the Senate Finance Committee's passing of the recent version of the health care reform bill, there is room for both optimism and head-shaking frustration.
Yes, there is movement in what has been a legislative clog of posturing, rebuttal, fear-inducement and outright-lying. Yes, there is a bi-partisan tag on the recent vote. Yes, there is reason for millions of Americans without health insurance to stop doubting the political machine and once again raise an ear to the sound of progress. And yes, it's about time.
Then there is the reality that what has passed is still a begrudging compromise (and one that was fought for with more political savagery than most battles on Capitol Hill, present wars included), rife with holes and replete with dissatisfaction for both ends of the debate. But then again, isn't that what compromise is? Taxes will be raised, infuriating Republicans (who seem to be in a constant state of infuriation these days) and the present bill lacks the government-run option that far-leaning Democrats and President Obama pushed for.
We'll see what changes are made in order to make it "presentable" to Senate members, many of whom are already barking for revisions. If the clawing and gnashing that has represented progress is any indication, both sides are far from reaching an agreement.
The past three months has been a lesson in the American political machine: Take an extremely complicated issue that hits close to home (and few issues hit closer than your health and the health of your family), further obfuscate it in language that confuses many and elicits strong emotional reaction in many more, and finally, weigh it down with a divisiveness that forces most state representatives to dig into a desperately immovable trench rather than remain in a neutral stance that lends itself to compromise.
Two recent polls together with the fact that the primary job of a politician is to get reelected help clarify the problem. In one of the polls, a significant majority supported increased taxes to enable health care reform. In the other poll, an almost identical majority opposed a tax increase of $500 to enable health care reform
The "Let's YOU pay for MY health care" mindset might best explain the problem faced by politicians in trying to pass reform while performing their primary job.
I agree that re-election is the driving force behind most (all?) politicians' actions.
What I can't agree with is the "You v. Me" mindset that influences so many decisions, and has been a momentum-stopper when it comes to healthcare. We're ALL paying directly/indirectly for the health care of Americans.
The bill that comes out of reconciliation will have a public option (or equivilant) or there will be big trouble. They simply can't get away with requiring everyone to buy insurance but not establishing a fairly priced product. A lot of Americans are literally fighting for their lives here and political failure could cost the government everything. I, myself, can imagine becoming an armed revolutionary if big business gets to continue killing us with impunity. I've had it. And I know that when I reach that line, there will be millions who have reached it ahead of me. Actually, there are more of us than of those crazies who are running around spouting off against Obama. The Dems got into office by promising to fix healthcare. If, after capturing majorities in both Houses and the Presidency, they can't manage to deliver on their promise then our system is too broken to continue.
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The "Let's YOU pay for MY health care" mindset might best explain the problem faced by politicians in trying to pass reform while performing their primary job.