The rec list has been all aflutter today with epic this and that and public option opt-outs blahblahblah. It's been all kinds of fun, but things only just now got super interesting.
Over in buhdydharma's recommended diary, Miss Lotus points us to the most lovely thing over at HuffPo.
Follow me you-know-where for you-know-what!
In a brief telephone interview, Dean stressed repeatedly that his preference remained, far and away, a national public option that was available to anyone -- regardless of state -- from the day of its conception. But in a wholly political context, he acknowledged, adding the opt-out option to the bill might be the best and only way to get something through the Senate.
"I would like to see that come out of the Senate because it is a real public plan," he said of the opt-out compromise. "Then they can negotiate it [with the House] in conference committee... And if this passes I won't say it is not reform because it is reform."
"If this is what it takes to get 60 votes I say go for it," said Dean.
I love hearing the good Doctor weigh in! In this particular debate, I am happy to see him reiterate his preference for a strong public option, while at the same time agreeing that, if compromise is inevitable, the opt-out is the acceptable compromise to allow.
[update] It appears Nate Silver is also in the "let's not dismiss this out of hand" camp.
And that is where we should all be at this point. Nobody is saying we should quit making strident demands for a public option that means something. No one is suggesting that with the opt-out, we won't then need to work our tails off to replace our DINOs. But there is danger in reflexively being against anything that is not Public Option™. I think this comment expressed this sentiment exceptionally well:
Everyone on this board has been leaping over one another trying to decide if they are for, or against, the opt-out idea.
Frankly, I need to think about it. I don't want to be a sucker, and that's why I need more facts, more time, more consideration. To be sure that I'm for the right things.
Knee jerk reactions are for suckers.
While mulling this over, I can continue to fight for the public option, with no triggers, co ops, or pilot programs -- all of which I took the time to analyze, consider, and decide were terrible ideas.
This opt out idea is trickier. So I refuse to commit.
The debate tone, however, is very sour towards people who want to simply think a little more about this complicated matter, with its possible pros and cons. I don't personally appreciate that and am growing annoyed with the most vehement posters, some of whom are people I normally agree with about health care reform.
The irony is, none of my "deliberations" change anything I'm doing at this moment to help the public option, nor do they necessarily imply where I'll arrive at a conclusion.
Let's not eat each other alive. Let's be kind to each other and not jump the gun. This matter is complicated and we can talk without committing yet. That goes both ways.
Keep the calls to the White House and your Congresscritters going!
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Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
- Sun Tzu