I read this article that got me into thinking about two programs that the American Public would fight and die for, if Government attempted to take away....Medicare and Social Security Benefits. As a fan of the New Deal and FDR, I have experienced major disappointment in the job that the Congressional Democrats and President Obama, have done to create a Public Option.
Well, it turns out, much to my surprise, that Social Security or Medicare were "Perfect" on the first try.............
As we've talked about recently, progressives have faced this situation before. When Medicaid passed, it did very little for low-income adults. When Medicare passed, it all but ignored people with disabilities. When Social Security passed, the benefits were negligible, and the program excluded agricultural workers, domestic workers, the self-employed, railroad employees, government employees, clergy, and those who worked for non-profits. The original Social Security bill offered no benefits for dependents or survivors, and included no cost-of-living increases.
These are, of course, some of the bedrock domestic policies of the 20th century, and some of the towering achievements of progressive lawmaking. But when they passed, they were wholly inadequate. There were likely liberal champions of the day who perceived the New Deal, the Great Society, FDR, LBJ, and their congressional Democratic majorities as disappointing and incompetent sell-outs who failed to take advantage of the opportunity before them.
But the programs passed, and once they were in place, they improved, expanded, and became integral to the American experience. It took years and perseverance, but progress happened after the initial programs became law.
The key, in each instance, is creating the new foundation. The Democratic reform plan does just that.
The Fight Over The Fight
Wow, is this serious!! Social Security did not cover people with disabilities, did not contain benefits for children whom lost their parents before the age of 18 or had a Spousal Benefit? It did not have COLA increases either? Also, Medicaid was not considered a low-income program, period? Interesting.
Regardless, in the beginning, these programs as originally written, were passed. Amendments later, we have the shape of Medicare and Social Security in the forms that they are today....THANK GOD.
The reason that I made this diary is not because I support, IMHO the lack of effort of President Obama or the sell outs in the beginning of the debate of HCR with the Drug and Insurance companies. In the same aspect, if we can start with this bill, even if it is not what we really want....and PRESS the Senate and House to make Amendments to the bill in the reconsideration (excuse spelling if I am wrong) process.....
.....Correct me if I am wrong here. The reconsideration process can be used to enhance existing law. So, if the current HCR bill is passed, we as the people that voted for both the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress, can press them to draft and pass amendments to make this bill into what we want....right?...........
So, it seems that we have the power to unseat the Democratic Congress in 2010 by staying home and if President Obama does not force the Congress to make the amendments we want, unseat him in 2012.
Please feel free to chime in if I am too far off course here. Thanks for reading my diary.