Passing health reform could be a nightmare for Obama

The Washington Post ^ | December 21, 2009 | Robert Samuelson

[2ndDivisionVet]

Barack Obama's quest for historic health-care legislation has turned into a parody of leadership. We usually associate presidential leadership with the pursuit of goals that, though initially unpopular, serve America's long-term interests. Obama has reversed this. He's championing increasingly unpopular legislation that threatens the country's long-term interests. "This isn't about me," he likes to say, "I have great health insurance." But of course, it is about him: about the legacy he covets as the president who achieved "universal" health insurance. He'll be disappointed.

Even if Congress passes legislation -- a good bet -- the finished product will fall far short of Obama's extravagant promises. It will not cover everyone. It will not control costs. It will worsen the budget outlook. It will lead to higher taxes. It will disrupt how, or whether, companies provide insurance for their workers. As the real-life (as opposed to rhetorical) consequences unfold, they will rebut Obama's claim that he has "solved" the health-care problem. His reputation will suffer.

It already has. Despite Obama's eloquence and command of the airwaves, public suspicions are rising. In April, 57 percent of Americans approved of his "handling of health care" and 29 percent disapproved, reports the Post-ABC News poll; in the latest survey, 44 percent approved and 53 percent disapproved. About half worried that their care would deteriorate and that health costs would rise.

These fears are well-grounded. The various health-care proposals represent atrocious legislation. To be sure, they would provide insurance to 30 million or more Americans by 2019. People would enjoy more security. But even these gains must be qualified. Some of the newly insured will get healthier, but how many and by how much is unclear.(continued)

[wewereright]

You are correct - the republicans are part of the problem.In some ways they are even more of a problem then the democrats.

[SmokingJoe]

“Even if the GOP wins in 2010 it won't mean anything because there won't be the votes to override a repeal of this anyway”

Sure, we won't have enough votes in the US Senate to roll back anything in 2010, but then 2010 will be just the first step.
In 2012, we send 0bozo back to Kenya, and wipe out the Democrats in the US Senate, then we start dismantling 0bama’s socialist America, and take back the country for the loons in Washington. This is just the first skirmish in a very long war with the communists in power today.

“. But beyond that, when was the last time the GOP rolled back ANY entitlement, ever? It has NEVER HAPPENED.”

If it were left to the establishment GOP, nothing would be dome about this outrage. Luckily, we now have the Tea Parties, who are polling better than BOTH the Republicans and the Democrats. It’s not business as usual. The ordinary man in the street is mad, and he is not going to take this nonsense.
If the estabislhment Republicans don't want to do anything about it, they are going to get the same thing that Rubio is doing to Charlie Crist in the US Senate race in Florida right now.

[Right Wing Assault]

How about ALL the Pubs start a chant of “You lie” every time he tells a whopper?

It would be a long night.

[FrankR]

"How about ALL the Pubs start a chant of “You lie” every time he tells a whopper? It would be a long night."

Good idea...or how about this: they all do that combination cough/"bulls**t" thing that Iceman did in "Top Gun" everytime the kenyan tells a whopper...the place would sound like a ward in the middle of a whooping cough pandemic.

To give polite attention to this turd after what he's doing to our country is treasonous in itself. It was rebellion that won this country the first time, and that's what it will take this time...politeness will only bring us "chains".

[lowbridge]

the finished product will fall far short of Obama's extravagant promises. It will not cover everyone. It will not control costs. It will worsen the budget outlook. It will lead to higher taxes. It will disrupt how, or whether, companies provide insurance for their workers. As the real-life (as opposed to rhetorical) consequences unfold, they will rebut Obama's claim that he has "solved" the health-care problem. His reputation will suffer.

I'm sick and tired of articles like this. Why? Because they leave out one thing about this bill that will hurt us: loss of freedom. The article hits it on the head when it comes to costs, taxes, etc. But they always neglect to mention the loss of liberty as if that didnt matter.

[KeyLargo]

"We won. Shut-up and pay-up"

[Cacique]

What we need is an American Pinochet to reverse this.

[headsonpikes]

There are apparently two schools of thought on this matter!

Perhaps we must embrace our inner Sulla to avoid the external chap!

[upcountryhorseman]

What big “O” and the other socialists/communists want is POWER!

[Major Matt Mason]

If this is what he wants, why would it be a nightmare for him? I think he is smiling smugly today. Obama doesn't care where his poll numbers stand. He is on a mission to destroy this country that whitey built, with passing healthcare legislation being perhaps the primary goal in his quest. It may be watered down more than he would like in the end, but it's simply the first step. I'm sure the next several months will be spent on a plan to steal enough votes to ensure that the Democats don't lose control of Congress next year, so Obama can continue his destruction of the U.S. through the remainder of his first term.

[Mrs. Don-o]

And from that notorious right wing rag, the Washington Post.

[fullchroma]

And when that SOB Obama’s State of the Union Address comes up in January, not one Republican should be there for it.

Great idea. I will forward the idea to my two Senators.