The whole health care reform process has been agony to watch, and I share much of the left's anger and disappointment. I disagree, however, with the idea of "killing the bill," or - as some have already suggested - abandoning Obama and the Democrats entirely in 2010.
Does the left really have such a short memory?
Obama has changed a great deal and done many good things in less than a year, much of it under the radar, and ALL of it under the most appalling pressure imaginable. It would be extremely counterproductive for those who so strongly supported him to abandon him now because health care reform is turning out to be...mmmm...somewhat less than what they had hoped for.
Let's try out a few cliches: "You play the hand your dealt." "When life serves you lemons, you make lemonade." "A half a loaf is better than none."
Obama entered office with the nation in crisis and encountered the most poisonous atmosphere in Washington that I've witnessed in my lifetime. If he had had a few more courageous senators and representatives to work with, he'd have achieved more - more stimulus, better health care bills from both houses, a stronger climate change bill, and on and on.
But, the simple fact is, our political system is a catastrophe. It is dysfunctional, corrupt and contaminated by money. But it is the only system Mr. Obama currently has at his disposal. And the present group of faithless, self-serving members of Congress is the only one he's got to work with.
He is not King. He is not a Messiah. If the left sets him up on such a high pedestal, then they are doomed to disappointment.
I, too, feel he has not fought hard enough for certain things. But, as I said in my previous post, I suspect (and hope) he is taking a longer, more pragmatic view of how lasting change is brought about. I also believe that he is counting on the citizens who voted him into office to continue to fight for what they believe in and not walk away when the going gets tough. Obama has consistently declared that change comes from the bottom up, not the top down. This is an opportunity to act on that declaration.
It would be incredibly unwise for the left to abandon Obama and the Dems now - or in 2010 - in a fit of pique. That would be tantamount to inviting another Republican administration back into power. Not only that, it would be mirroring the worst behavior of the crazies on right - remember the "purity test"? - AND it would not live up to Obama's own example of maturity and grace under pressure.
The fight continues in Washington, as anyone who reads the news well knows. There were several interesting developments yesterday. So there's no telling where this will all end up.
But killing the bill entirely is a terrible idea. Nothing good will be achieved by behaving like juveniles. Yes, those of us who had such high hopes for health care reform may not get what we want this time around. But the solution is not to sulk and walk away. The solution is to continue to stand strong for what we believe in and redouble our efforts - even in the face of disappointment or defeat.
Obama has consistently declared that change comes from the bottom up, not the top down. This is an opportunity to act on that declaration.
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