Open Left

What makes you think this is about health care? (4.00 / 7)

The only issue I can recall recently where Democratic officials pressed for legislation on a partisan basis that would be politically beneficial is S-CHIP.

Point is, the question should be: why are Dems gun shy about partisan legislation that appears to be in their electoral interest?

Who are the best keepers of the people's liberties? The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it.
James Madison

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by: David Kaib @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 17:05:31 PM CDT

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Because (0.00 / 0)

They don't believe it to be in their electoral interest, obviously.

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 17:13:52 PM CDT

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I think the issue is who is "they" (nt) (4.00 / 2)

Who are the best keepers of the people's liberties? The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it.
James Madison

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by: David Kaib @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 17:19:24 PM CDT

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They're still listening to the DLC tools (4.00 / 5)

 You know, those elements who so skillfully got the inevitable Hillary Clinton elected.

 How can one argue with such expertise?  

"We judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their actions. It is a great convenience." -- Howard Zinn

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by: Master Jack @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 18:32:00 PM CDT

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Wrong!! ... (4.00 / 5)

because it would mean they haven't seen the polls ... it is obvious they are afraid of losing their legalized bribes

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 19:28:20 PM CDT

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Polls Schmolls (4.00 / 3)

There have always been issues out there where politicians go against the polls and have had no problems getting re-elected.

The signal has been that Democrats can get away with catering to business as long they cover their flank with abortion and minority rights and an occasional bone to unions.  Me, I'd happily trade EFCA in order to guarantee a legitimate public option for health care if I could find good faith bargaining partners.  If the center-left majority would just stand firm for once on an economic issue like health care and act as if deviance on that is less tolerable than deviance on other issues, then maybe the politicians would pay attention.  But some on the left seem way more interested in histrionics on culture war issues.

This is why I think one thing progressives should do is promise a primary challenge against whoever is the most liberal opponent of health care to demonstrate that we really do prioritize this issue.

The other thing I feel strongly about is that Democrats should pass a sufficiently liberal health care bill even if Republicans stick in some stupid gun rights amendment or Lieberman adds on a stupid torture photo amendment, because health care is just much more important.


Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 19:58:44 PM CDT

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yes, that is a more appropriate question... and one is still left wondering why... (0.00 / 0)

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by: seabrook @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 18:15:30 PM CDT

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This is why I have doubts about us being center-left nation... (0.00 / 0)

Why on earth would the dems be gunshy on legislation that everyone supports? Unless of course, they don't support it? If we ARE a center-left nation and we say we'll keep them in office if they pass x, y, and z, why won't they vote for it? In fact, they go out of their way not to. Which tells me something isn't right - either we aren't actually a center-left nation, or they are so far disconnected they shouldn't even be in office! Either way, we lose. Hmmm...

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by: justsaying @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 18:35:46 PM CDT

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What WE support is irrelevant. (4.00 / 2)

  And there seems to be a growing awareness of that across the board.

  If this awareness congeals into a throw-the-bums-out mentality, guess which party's going to get clobbered in 2010.

  The Democrats seem to WANT a repeat of 1994.

   

"We judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their actions. It is a great convenience." -- Howard Zinn

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by: Master Jack @ Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 18:42:53 PM CDT

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