Dubious Facts Can't Explain Filibuster Threat – What Can? (*BARF ALERT*)

Hartford Courant ^ | 11/1/2009 | Bill Curry

[markomalley]

As you may have heard, erstwhile Democrat Joe Lieberman has vowed to support a Republican filibuster of any health care bill containing the dreaded "public option." Politicians and those who write about them spent the week scratching their heads, struggling to divine his motives. Perhaps I can help.

First, toss out any theory connecting Lieberman's action to concern for health care policy. We infer this not only from the breathtaking opportunism of his late career but from the stunning ignorance on display in his remarks on the filibuster. Surely, a man operating on principle would suffer to learn the facts.

Take his cry that we can't "nationalize 20 percent of the American economy." This parrots an incendiary line of the tea-bagger right and is ridiculous on its face. Here's why:

The entire health care sector is 16 percent of our economy, but half of that is already publicly funded, principally through Medicare and Medicaid. Most of the remaining 8 percent goes to health care providers; doctors, hospitals etc. Less than a quarter, or about 2 percent of the economy, goes to insurers, and most of that to the insurers who handle big employers ineligible for a public option. That leaves far less than 1 percent of our economy to "nationalize."

[markomalley]

The Dhim machine up there is already lining up their base to go against Lieberman again (IMHO Joe is of an increasingly small minority: a liberal who at least has a shred of integrity left).

But this is the typical technique of the left: destroy all shreds of independent thought.

[17th Miss Regt]

Get a letter writing campaign together to begin nationalizing the newspaper industry. See how they like the idea.

[sickoflibs]

Yes, watching MSNBC progressives Maddow and Schulz; the strategy is make an example of Leiberman to scare the other democrats in line, then put in a strong public option (as they call it.) Then use reconciliation needing only 51 Senators. Assuming Leiberman doesn't fold and vote for public option.

Problem is, Obama wants at least Sen Snow. He doesn't want to go it alone, He is with the Blue Dogs. That is what progressives are saying they are worried about. Contrary to talking points here, being president is pushing him pragmatic (maybe)