Glenn Greenwald should have waited. Because the real embarrassment only revealed itself when Harry Reid made his big announcement today.
I wonder if the people kissing Harry Reid's ass right now have any brains at all. I mean, I know some of them are Democratic operatives out to sell any shit the office of the Majority Leader is shovelling. But all those other people who recommended the diaries making out like this is a big victory.
Here's how this is a victory. First, they lower your standards so far that anything seems like a step up, then they throw you an old, moldy piece of bread and yell FEAST!!!
Then, the Democratic PR machine activates to spread far and wide what a big victory this was for the by now hemorrhaging base, and the pretend progressive blog jumps into action to sell the same crap.
I don't actually care about all the little bots that do the party leadership's bidding. I care about the vast majority who are not sold on this bullshit either (and I know you're out there, fully aware, down to your gut, that this is a scam), but haven't spoken up.
Where are you? Too afraid someone might say something mean about you? Don't have the balls to say what you really think?
AT THE VERY LEAST, can there be a voice of reason that says, "HEY, LET'S WAIT TILL WE SEE THE FINE PRINT FIRST?"
Do you realize how many ways they can screw us with this opt-out scheme? And what was Reid talking about co-ops again for? After all that you've seen, how can you possibly trust these people all of a sudden?
As usual, the stupid people trust first, ask questions later.
And while you're sitting there enjoying your shit sandwich, remember this:
THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN US ALL ACCESS TO MEDICARE WITH A 51% MAJORITY IN A BUDGET BILL. That's right. The most politically expedient (everybody loves Medicare) and the most easily passable (no filibuster allowed), was never even considered.
They shafted the American people, and Daily Kos wants to cover for them.
But let's not be so pessimistic. Let's say this really is a partial victory, thanks to pressure from progressives. Do you really think the process is over? Do you really believe it's time to break out the champagne and money bomb Harry Reid?
Let's pretend that this is not a snow job, which, by all appearances, is what it looks to be.
Doesn't Reid's caving now validate the people who wouldn't let up, who wouldn't take no for an answer? People like Jane Hampshire who the stupid people are trying now to throw under the bus?(Did it ever occur to you morons that maybe it was people like Jane Hampshire who's willingness to stand up to the party leadership forced Reid's hand here?)
And doesn't it suggest that maybe MORE hardball politics, MORE not taking no for an answer, and MORE threatening Harry Reid's very senate seat may make him and the rest of the leadership not try to fill this thing with so many loopholes that it is effectively useless?
Noooooo. That would be too, I don't know, effective. Let's instead throw ourselves at Reid's feet and praise him for our beloved table scrap.
Question: CAN I OPT OUT OF THE MANDATE? No?
And all you people who know better but don't have the courage to speak you mind? You're allowing Daily Kos to become nothing but a PR front for the corporatists Democrats. You might as well shill for the insurance companies too. Because when you shill for Harry Reid, that's what you are doing.
I actually joined this site a short while ago to advocate and throw my support to REAL HEALTHCARE REFORM. I was inspired by people like nyceve who wasn't afraid to NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.
Now I think this place is a laughing stock. It has been overrun with bullies and hacks who are for power and not the people, who defend the Beltway crowd while attacking those trying to REFORM the party.
Fuck you Daily Kos. You are where people power goes to die. And you are an enemy to the Progressive Movement.
PS. Have fun in the comments. I quit reading them by my 4th diary. You have no credibility. So nothing you say has any effect.
And finally, this is addressed to those who I am convinced are actually a small, but vocal minority, who, at least according to my wife and my friends, have hijacked this site. The rest of you need to grow a pair and learn to laugh as the comment section as we do. It really is funny to be attacked with hate speech by anonymous people on the internet. At least as long as they don't know where you live. :D