We have about 14 months before the door closes for good on universal healthcare. The reason is that the 2010 elections will likely weaken our party in Congress and if we cannot pass it with the current Congress, we will never pass it. We saw what happened in 1993/1994 when we couldnt pass healthcare reform. It made sure that Republicans took control of Congress and that we would never even talk about healthcare reform again for another 15 years. The same thing will happen again if we dont pass it this time.
I dont think most people here and most Democrats in Congress realize how small of a window there is to get this done. This is basically a do or die situation. Is Barack Obama going to be a President like FDR or LBJ that brought about lasting progressive changes to the United States or is he going to be another Bill Clinton who simply lets Republicans pull him around on a leash and allows Conservatism to be flourish? If he is going to make lasting progressive changes, universal healthcare needs to be passed.
Democrats are going to have to craft healthcare reform quickly and do it in a way that Republicans cannot filibuster it in the Senate. Every Republican will vote against it no matter what and nobody should believe otherwise. Republicans do not work with us and we need to realize that. We are going to get one bite at the apple here and then the chance will be gone for another 25 years. The door is closing quickly.