I have run out of reasonable arguments for supporting this bill particularly the idea of future improvement. I don't see how this is the case when this bill makes insurance companies stronger. Then every supporter of the Senate bill including presidents Obama and Clinton argue that if health care is not passed now it will never be attempted again. I don't know that either.
Having said that I am not ready to oppose this bill.
My only reason to not oppose this bill is to avoid Lieberman's real goal from being achieved. His goal isn't to sink the bill. It's to sink Obama.
This bill makes insurance companies and their future influence in politics bigger. I don't see how this sort of framework is something that we can build upon. It is even weaker than the Snowe compromise. Now I don't think we as liberals should overreach but every time that we have been fearmongered into doing something because all hell will break loose we have regretted it.
Iraq war
PATRIOT Act
Bailout
Despite the lack of sensible arguments from the White House and from the supporters of the bill a very real question that needs to be asked is whether we have lost faith on Obama. Because sinking this bill will sink Obama. The only reason I am not sure I oppose this bill, is that I can't bear to see the Bohner, Lieberman and Drudge bask in "liberal demise". I know this might not be persuasive. But it is how I feel.
Has Obama sold us out? I don't like his financial team or his civil liberties record with Bush DOJ, but in terms of actual policy is this lack of progress Obama's fault?
Or is it the conservadems like Stupak, Ross, Nelson and Lieberman?
Do you really believe that if Obama had a liberal majority he wouldn't push for more? Do you really believe that if he had interfered with the Senate more Lieberman would have changed his vote?
If so sink the bill and Obama with it.
I am not ready to go down that path yet. I am open to reconciliation, but I am not open to seeing Lieberman achieving his real goal which is to sink Obama altogether. Like I said this might not persuade the technocrats or those seeking details.
But I am not ready to see the Obama policies go down. Then again I am not that far off and understand if you do.