Health Care For All, Ready or Not!!

The much talked about Health Care bill, now revised by President Obama, looks like it’s in the final stages of being made into law, some might say, by hook or by crook. If the dems can’t get enough votes, they’ll use other tactics, including the questionable “reconciliation” technique, which basically allows them to force it through without needing the usual 60 votes in the Senate, and will circumvent the threat of stalling by filibustering. So convinced is the President that the American people want and need this, he is willing to over-ride much evidence to the contrary and throw the entire weight of his presidency and the future of his party against any opposition that stands in his way. The time for talking is over, he has pronounced. Really? But who’s done most of the talking? To John McCain, during the recent Health Care Summit, President Obama chided, “The campaign is over, John”, when “John” tried to raise his objections. I wish Senator McCain had responded a little differently—maybe something like, “ But, Mr. President, sir, I am still a United States Senator, I represent the people, and I have a right to speak, regardless of whether you like what I am saying”. Ah, but that would have been a bit disrespectful, and after all, Obama should have the last say---shouldn't he? Well, it looks like he’s going to, if he can rally his troops and his power enough. The stakes are very high for his troops---some are calling it “political suicide” for them to vote yes on this bill that is still so unpopular that the democratic-controlled Senate still has’t been able to get enough votes to pass it under normal procedures. So, we shall watch and see---“reconciliation”? What an odd term for a procedure that will force a such a law, with extremely far reaching implications, onto a country whose people are still so divided on whether they even want it, let alone how they are going to pay for it. But rules are rules--- even when they are used to bend the rules.

This is an amazing time and high drama on the political seas--- why would a President risk so much? He believes he knows best, that his cause is righteous and just, and that those things trump all. Therefore, the people, not only will, but must follow the leader. Perhaps so, but like customers not quite sure about making a purchase, some of us are feeling uncomfortably pushed---and well, that we are being sold a “bill of goods”. Obama is a superb salesman and is using one of the oldest sales' tricks in the book---the" assumptive hard close”-- announce that the time for talking and negotiating is over. Assume the sale,and close it, ready or not—--like it or not. Sign here. He is betting his future and ours on the premise that in the end we will see that he and his hard fought bill were right. Or terribly wrong, at the expense of us all---including him and his party. Get your check books out. Is there a return policy?