tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post1588151756172385842..comments2023-10-09T11:23:08.602-05:00Comments on Taking Place: In Defense of ObamaRagothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-40572795300915245852010-01-05T11:31:53.134-06:002010-01-05T11:31:53.134-06:00While I tend to agree with parts of your overall a...While I tend to agree with parts of your overall analysis, I have a few specific points of contention, which I think bridge the gap between my critique and your defense.<br /><br />I do certainly agree that this is a large and important issue, and that Obama's claimed approach of "hands-off" is refreshing and a major improvement in executive process. However, I would disagree that the outcome of Obama's meetings and guidance, where it has occurred, has had only the effects of being deficit-neutral, cost-cutting, and politically feasible. I think another result of these meetings, and meetings that members of his staff have had with members of Congress, especially in the Senate, has been to say "Compromise to whatever Lieberman/Baucus/Nelson wants." I think that there is a divide here between principled action and practicality. I think that, at least in part, Obama wants to maintain his principles of bipartisanship and reaching across the aisle. He wants to avoid, at all costs, the use of measures such as reconciliation. The problem, however, is a matter of practicality. It became increasingly clear that going the principled route would not win out. It is likely as you say, it will take the utter implosion of our health care system to effect a significant change in political will on this issue. Beyond that, as you also note, no Republican is ever going to vote yes on this bill. They have said as much - even if the bill was compromised with everything that they wanted, they still would not vote for it. Likewise for the blue-dog Democrats, they could be moved, but it would require eliminating everything that really could be called strong reform from the bill.<br /><br />In such a case, if Obama really considered health care reform to be one of the most important issues of our times...well, I suppose if it were me I would have said that for the principle of helping the American people, I would loosen the principle of bipartisanship - if they're never going to give me a vote, no matter what I do, there isn't much point in bowing to them.<br /><br />I will also agree fully with your point about the inability of the Democrats to use their supermajority. There are too many new Democrats and too many moderates - it's the Big Tent party and there isn't a hell of a lot of unity. The problem I see, however, is that it seems that when the Republicans have control (and not even a supermajority) get almost everything they want. When the Democrats are in power, the Republicans still get a hell of a lot of what they want, and very few "liberal" or "progressive" agendas make it very far. This doesn't mean that we never get anything - far from it, but it seems that even when the Democrats are the majority, or supermajority, the Republicans have an undue percentage of control.<br /><br />So, yes, I will fully concede that the blame for this is not to be laid solely at Obama's feet. I still maintain, however, that I am disappointed in the role which has played in the whole affair - either his lack of spending political capital, or when he has does so, to push for eliminating strong reform measures from the bill.<br /><br />Overall, however, I'm more disappointed with the way the Senate bill turned out and how it now stands that the House will likely cave towards the Senate bill. As I said before, over the decades, it seems like every time reform is proposed for healthcare, it is weaker than the previous effort, is defeated, and then takes years to resurface. It seems like we are slowly spiraling towards an implosion, and I would prefer very much to avoid that.<br /><br />I would love to continue this conversation in person if you're free for lunch sometime.<br /><br />-RagothRagothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.com