My Congressman is Dan Lipinski. And today when the vast majority of House and Senate Democrats are celebrating the passage of the historic health care reform legislation, Dan Lipinski will not be among them. He voted no. He is not officially a member of the party of "No," but apparently he is with the Republicans in spirit, at least on this issue.
I was appalled at the way Congressman Dan Lipinski became a Congressman. It was through a heavy-handed, political maneuver by his powerful father, then Congressman William "Bill" Lipinski. I have long forgiven him for the way he became a Congressman, but I have not forgotten nor will I ever. This happened in late 2004 and Congressman William Lipinski was enabled by many Democratic Committeeman.
That was then. And I am willing to put the past behind me.
Congressman Lipinski made a friend with me when he voted for the healthcare reform bill, in November of 2009. I really thought he was with us on this, but it seems apparent now that his vote then was strictly political, because at the time he did not know if he would have any serious opposition in the primary election.
And then when he didn't get any serious opposition, the heat was off. As he told Sun Times columnist Lynn Sweet.
Lipinski is another case. Lipinski told me he thinks he will pay no consequential price for a no vote on legislation Obama is staking his legacy on. "I don't think this will have a significant impact on my career," Lipinski said.
If he was looking to move up in leadership, a no vote could be problematic. "I don't aspire to leadership," he told me. He's not looking for better committee assignments. The primary was Feb. 2, so Lipinski is immune from a challenge. And he can't be messed with in the upcoming congressional district redistricting as long as ally House Speaker Micheal J. Madigan (D-Chicago) is in charge.
Dan Lipinski has been most influenced by a vote made by his father, former Rep. William Lipinski (D-Ill.), in 1993, against former President Bill Clinton's deficit-reduction package -- a must win, back then, for Clinton. The senior Lipinski was the only Illinois Democrat and one of 38 Democrats in Congress to say no to Clinton and he wasn't punished and his son pointed out to me he went on to serve another decade on Congress with no punishment. Said Lipinski of his father's no vote back then, "I think it served him well."
So essentially, Lipinski felt no political pressure or heat. Which says he didn't believe in it the first time. A "No" vote in November might have spawned a serious opponent.
As it turns out, Lipinski voted against the health care reform bill last Sunday. I am uncertain as to what has changed in Lipinski's mind since that vote. He claims that it is abortion and his pro-life stance. The fact is, abortion is prohibited from receiving federal funds. And Obama's executive order took abortion off the table and political cover for those pro-life Democrats.
This bill was not a vote or a referendum on abortion. It is a vote for a guiding principal of the Democratic Party: healthcare for all Americans as a right and not as a privilege. Congressman Lipinski himself is privileged to have the best in medical care and in view of the fact he is a diabetic, his care is more intense and expensive. Dan Lipinski gets his. After all isn't that what is most important: self-interest.
But Dan, what about the 32 million Americans without health care. Those without your privilege. Those not in a position to receive quality health care. Those that don't have a father can make it happen. Those without Dan Lipinski's privilege.
And one more confession for all my friends out there. I am pro-life. I support life in all forms. From the womb to the cradle, through life and to the grave. I also oppose most wars and I am adamantly opposed to the death penalty in any case or circumstance.
And yet I have been a strong supporter of Barack Obama since the year 2000 and am also a supporter of health care reform, realizing I am not getting everything I want. Single payer, anyone. And because of the passage of this bill, the chances of one day reaching our goal of single-payer, has increased exponentially.
So the question now is what should we do. Many of my polls have been whimsical and not really looking for serious answers. Today, I am looking for serious answers and am turning to the progressive community to help with your advice. And if I missed something, please tell me about it in the comments.
Chicago City Hall Examiner and The Chicago Grassroots Political Examiner. John is the author of a book published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers Did It. Also available an eBook on Amazon.