Why health care reform is in trouble (Rational Liberal)"Impugning Americans motives, just because they ask questions, is foolhardy.
They know they've been had. Just look at the war that didn't create democracy, the stimulus that didn't create jobs, and the bank bailouts that didn't provide loans. The system is rigged and Americans are now after the riggers."
"All the bailouts, fixes, riggings, and deceitful word games, have further undermined support for any health care overhaul. The public is rightfully distrustful.
Calling the town hall attendees names (even if they are organized by the opposition - no innocents in either political parties here), is more indicative of disaster than dialogue. After all, if the Prime Minister of Britain must take televised ridicule from Members of Parliament, why not U.S. members of Congress?
Forced timetables, closed door meetings, and small print on big ticket legislation, is a recipe for more distrust.
The deals already struck with the hospitals, AARP, pharmaceutical companies, and "Blue Dog" Democrats - mostly behind closed doors - have only heightened the mistrust factor, even among Democrats themselves. The "public option" is now vanishing, and along with it, support among the liberal caucus. They fear the final diluted heath care bill that they once championed, will be - "reform" - in name only.
Hiding the controversial details inside babble English is counterproductive.. Federal funding for abortion (no mater how it is couched) is explosive. Likewise, placing a trap door for Medicare funding in some innocent sentence is fooling no one."
"Do the math. Everyone can add. More coverage for more people costs more money - lots of it. Someone will pay, either in limits on coverage, rationing, cutting end-of-life expenses, or higher taxes. Taxing the rich won't cover it. The middle class, by virtue of its size, must be the ones squeezed. Be honest."
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-08-10/news/politics-city-county-government/colleen-oconnor-why-health-care-reform-is-in-trouble
