I am getting sick and tired of the apologists here arguing that we just HAVE to pass health care reform NOW -- even this piece of crap bill (see the interview Mike Stark did with Rep. Peter Defazio -- who AGREES with me about the bill) -- because it will somehow harm the President or harm the Democratic party.
Nonsense!
Bill Clinton famously crashed and burned on health care back in 1993. Yet, he managed to get reelected in 1996. Not because health care didn't pass, though.
It was primarily because the economy was going great. In other words, health care had nothing to do with it. Whether he passed it or not -- he still would have been reelected because the economy was going well.
The same is true for Barack Obama. It doesn't matter WHAT kind of health care bill is passed -- if any at all! If the economy is doing much better in 2012 -- Obama will in all probability get reelected.
If its not, then passing even a good health care bill will not matter. He will lose. That being said, the health care debate and the bill WILL have a very direct and powerful impact on the 2010 MIDTERM elections. And, by all indications, it will actually do more harm than good to the Democrats if they pass this monstrosity.
And, remember, the failure of Clinton to pass health care in 1993 didn't mean that he failed to improve health care through increemental changes to our system. Even with a Republican Congress, he still managed to pass SCHIP, for example.
So, for those who are upset with people like me saying we should let this bill die -- this is my rejoinder. Its not the end of the world. Obama's presidency is not going to be destroyed if it doesn't pass. He could legitimately say he tried, and that he could not in good conscience sign the bill as it was anyway because it would not have been reform worthy of the name.
It would actually take a lot of pressure off of House and Senate Democrats who have this thing tied around tehir necks like an anchor -- or who feel pressure to support it to support the President. They can then concentrate on Jobs, Jobs, Jobs for the next 9 months. This will help narrow the enthusiasm gap among Democrats -- and prevent a blood letting at the polls in November.
Admit this bill is bad. Take it off the agenda. Move on to jobs, jobs, jobs and saving the Democratic majority -- and live to fight another day. Passing this bill at the expense of killing any chance at a Democratic working majority for the President over at least the next two years -- is not worth it.
Or, just pass the popular regulatory stuff, and repeal the anti-trust exemption -- something. Make it all effective the day the bill is signed. But, don't jam this bill down America's throat.