I know now may not be the time for the Democrats to roll out policy ideas. We're in the minority, let's play it smart and all that.
However, when 2006 elections roll around, my impression is that the Democrats would be crazy NOT to hammer healthcare as a major issue.
The Clintons got slammed for "Hillary-Care" way back when - but man, I can tell you, it's not the 90's anymore. Government sponsored healthcare for citizens is no longer seen as a crazy idea.
I live in red red red-land - Cheney/Bush country. If people down here are accepting of the idea, then I assume the rest of the nation is at least open to the thought.
We have GOT to set up a system of proviing health coverage, at least for our nation's indigent and working poor. My experience over the last couple years has been that NOBODY argues against this anymore. I'm sure some wingnuts like Norquist will balk, but the average GOP voter is not nuts - they see the need.
This issue, like the war in Iraq, has gotten past spin. It is too easy to spot - it's hard to tell somebody the sky is pink when they see blue blue blue every damn day.
Almost everybody I know knows someone who has been affected by a healthcare crisis.
Dad got cancer and lost his benefits - how will we cover mom?
Little Jimmy has diabetes - how will we get him insured? The state just cut the kids' healthcare rolls again.
Alfred broke his leg - how can he work as a roofer? Who will feed his kids? How can he pay the bills for his bone graft?
The GOP voters - they've either been there themselves as patients, or they've seen it happen to employees or co-workers.
This is a real mess, and the GOP is clearly on the wrong side of the issue.
The words "nationalized healthcare" don't scare people no more.
"Socialized medicine?" Does that mean I still got coverage if I lose my job? Yes? Then tell me how that's a bad thing...
It's not as if the "loss of choice" means much any more. People live in the real world, and they know the payors - HMOs, PPOs, etc - are making all the decisions now, anyway. It sure as shit ain't the patients or MDs calling the shots.
The Democrats need to be on the front with this as soon as the election cycle begins. Because if they present it as a solution to REAL PEOPLE'S problems, they'll win shitloads of votes.
I don't know that you can realistically do away with all the private payer groups. They're huge, rich, and they employ a LOT of people. But, we can make a good argument that, at a minimum, we need to provide coverage for the working poor and kids.
That's the Christian thing to do, after all - the caring thing. Also the logical thing.
