The leader of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation, Richard Trumka yesterday told the Hufffington Post the the odious current version of Liebercare, the Senate Bill, would be defeated in the House if it is not changed:
"If the Senate bill in its current form went to the House it would go down"
"I can tell you this," he added. "The plan as it currently is would not get much support from the American worker unless it is improved."
HuffPo Interview with Richard Trumka
More, after the fold
There is a scene in a Star Wars movie that is relevant here:
Before finishing his training, however, Luke chooses to leave Dagobah in order to confront Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones) and save his friends from the Empire's grasp at Bespin. Yoda and Obi-Wan insist to Luke that he is being lured into a trap, and that he must stay to complete his training. Luke refuses to forsake his friends, but gives Yoda his promise to return. As Luke departs, Obi-Wan laments that the boy is their "last hope", but Yoda reminds him that "there is another."
Harry Reid is not our only hope; nor is Barack Obama. As in Star Wars, there is another. There is another chamber of the Congress. We rely on Nancy Pelosi, and if she is not strong enough, on the Progressive Caucus. Five votes can kill a bad bill. Pelosi can strip the mandates and force the Senate to kill the bill because the insurance companies order them to do so, or pass a less odious bill with no mandates.
"I can tell you this," he added. "The plan as it currently is would not get much support from the American worker unless it is improved.
"So that is another line they are going to have to deal with. Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi I think will adequately represent everybody involved. And I think that is a better model for a bill."
snip
"What are they saying in the House? Nancy Pelosi isn't saying this is dead, that's dead? Everything is dead? Has the House said that? No. There are two chambers involved here.... What I'm saying is we are not ready to stop fighting and we are going to improve this bill because it is inadequate as presently constituted."
HuffPo Interview with Richard Trumka
Mr. Trumka and the AFL-CIO are not willing to sell out the public option:
"A progressive tax structure is very, very important," said Trumka. "But so is a public option. And I'm not willing to negotiate right now and jettison any one of those because I think they are both important items."
HuffPo Interview with Richard Trumka
Carrots and sticks. The AFL-CIO can help fund the campaigns of House members who show courage. Conversely, Mr. Trumka knows how to play hardball. A message to the Democrats in Congress and to President Obama:
"If you tax the benefits of workers so that they have less health care," Trumka said, "I mean I would expect them to consider that when voting."