Health Reform and Obama's presidency.
We live in interesting times, our country's political and financial mood is caught between many different currents and each month the collective wisdom changes and evolves. Admittedly, my disappointment with the outcome of the 2008 elections was overwhelming and my overall faith in the decision making abilities of the American public was shaken to the core. However what is unfolding rapidly in the general sentiment of the public, is a reversal in opinion that makes me inevitably question my previous judgment. Perhaps the very thing that makes this country ever so great, is the uncanny ability to ultimately persevere and overcome great odds.
As of this writing, two trends are moving in opposite directions that at the very least has shaken my original analysis. The stock market is continuing to make yearly highs boosted by better than expected earnings from industry giants and improving economic data, but Obama's approval ratings continue to plummet. According to Rasmussen, Obama has now lost a chunk of the base that got him elected in the first place and for the first time in his presidency has tilted the scale of disapproval versus approval. 50% now disapprove and 49% approve, a trend that has been deepening in the past several weeks. Most likely his involvement in the Cambridge police debacle over the last several days was a grave error and sent his base reeling, after all, humiliating the unions is not something a Democrat should be doing. Still, the primary reason behind this developing trend, is most likely the frightening speed at which "health reform" is being shoved down the throat of Americans.
Even though Americans are starting to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee, popular opinion alone cannot stop the liberal agenda from unfolding especially while the liberals control Congress. In fact, Obama may very well realize that while Americans were temperamental enough to elect a socialist out of anger over Bush's policy, the same recipe will yield different results in the 2010 elections. Thus, Obama will attempt to cram as much of his liberal utopia through Congress realizing that time may be of the essence. Of course this speed also prevents anyone from actually reading the legislation and seriously damages the credibility of our lawmakers while scaring the living daylights out of ordinary citizens. In order for radical ideas to die, certain Democrats have to break rank. As you might have heard, these Democrats are called "Blue Dogs" and traditionally hail from the conservative south, known primarily for their fiscal conservatism.
These very same Democrats are now acting as the primary hurdle in getting to a House vote, rejecting the concept of "health reform" that will result in rising health costs for the vast majority of Americans. While Obamacare carries with it more than just a hefty cost, for the time being whatever the logic these Democrats are using, the end result will be the same. If you believe the following:
- Rationing health care is wrong. Whether you are 25 or 75, the government should not be deciding if you deserve surgery.
- Obamacare is misleading. They talk about a government option, but the bill clearly states that private insurance will be phased out.
- National healthcare is ineffective. Our system is not perfect, but should we be adopting an idea that Canada, France and Britain have proven to be broken? Insanity?
- Government's jurisdiction does not belong on health care. Our society relies a lot on government, but should a bunch of bureaucratic elites decide how to manage our health?
If you do, then call or write to the following Blue Dogs and let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing.
Zack Space (D-Ohio): 1-202-225-6265
John Barrow (D-Ga.): 1-202-225-2823
Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.): 1-202-225-4231
Baron Hill (D-Ind.): 1-202-225-5315
Jim Matheson (D-Utah): 1-202-225-3011
Charlie Melancon (D-La.): 1-202-225-4031
Mike Ross (D-Ark): 1-202-225-3772
As of this writing, two trends are moving in opposite directions that at the very least has shaken my original analysis. The stock market is continuing to make yearly highs boosted by better than expected earnings from industry giants and improving economic data, but Obama's approval ratings continue to plummet. According to Rasmussen, Obama has now lost a chunk of the base that got him elected in the first place and for the first time in his presidency has tilted the scale of disapproval versus approval. 50% now disapprove and 49% approve, a trend that has been deepening in the past several weeks. Most likely his involvement in the Cambridge police debacle over the last several days was a grave error and sent his base reeling, after all, humiliating the unions is not something a Democrat should be doing. Still, the primary reason behind this developing trend, is most likely the frightening speed at which "health reform" is being shoved down the throat of Americans.
Even though Americans are starting to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee, popular opinion alone cannot stop the liberal agenda from unfolding especially while the liberals control Congress. In fact, Obama may very well realize that while Americans were temperamental enough to elect a socialist out of anger over Bush's policy, the same recipe will yield different results in the 2010 elections. Thus, Obama will attempt to cram as much of his liberal utopia through Congress realizing that time may be of the essence. Of course this speed also prevents anyone from actually reading the legislation and seriously damages the credibility of our lawmakers while scaring the living daylights out of ordinary citizens. In order for radical ideas to die, certain Democrats have to break rank. As you might have heard, these Democrats are called "Blue Dogs" and traditionally hail from the conservative south, known primarily for their fiscal conservatism.
These very same Democrats are now acting as the primary hurdle in getting to a House vote, rejecting the concept of "health reform" that will result in rising health costs for the vast majority of Americans. While Obamacare carries with it more than just a hefty cost, for the time being whatever the logic these Democrats are using, the end result will be the same. If you believe the following:
- Rationing health care is wrong. Whether you are 25 or 75, the government should not be deciding if you deserve surgery.
- Obamacare is misleading. They talk about a government option, but the bill clearly states that private insurance will be phased out.
- National healthcare is ineffective. Our system is not perfect, but should we be adopting an idea that Canada, France and Britain have proven to be broken? Insanity?
- Government's jurisdiction does not belong on health care. Our society relies a lot on government, but should a bunch of bureaucratic elites decide how to manage our health?
If you do, then call or write to the following Blue Dogs and let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing.
Zack Space (D-Ohio): 1-202-225-6265
John Barrow (D-Ga.): 1-202-225-2823
Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.): 1-202-225-4231
Baron Hill (D-Ind.): 1-202-225-5315
Jim Matheson (D-Utah): 1-202-225-3011
Charlie Melancon (D-La.): 1-202-225-4031
Mike Ross (D-Ark): 1-202-225-3772
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