I gave up writing to politiciains after giving up calling, which was an absolutely ridiculous form of political participation since calls are never accepted, lines permanently busy, it is an absurdity to try that way to express opinions.  Writing goes nowhere as well.  Even letter to the editor as it is almost a lottery as to who out of thousands of letters sent get printed, even read for that matter.  I can’t imagine what they do with the mound of paper received.  The shredders must be worked overtime and need replaced regularly from burnout. 

Organizing a customized lobby is probably a very workable idea.  That is the reason there are already so many such groups.  I would be willing to work for such a group and someone like Hightower could be a torch that carries the message.  My cynicism doubts Hightower would be interested even if we did all the research. 

After listening this morning to the next campaign promise to be put into the thresher, maybe I should say scum-maker, taxes on the middle class, my head is swimming and my stomach says it is worth a vomit.

Shenonymous, sadly I have to agree that our voices—on the internet or off—are tiny. Civil disobedience has generated change in the past, but the issues we confront now are not as susceptible to resolution in the same way. Our votes also are not useful except in sometimes enabling us to get a better govern or president or senator or congressman or mayor than we might have otherwise wound up with, but what to do when those we elect don’t do what we want them to do? (I wrote all the applicable pols and threatened to never vote for any Democrat again unless the get us a decent public plan and do something to stem general human suffering in this time of disappearing jobs, homes and educational possibilities.)

Maybe we could organize well enough to have our own lobbyist. We had an excellent lobbyist for the FoI Act in D.C.—we did the research and rallied the journalists and rights groups, though there was not much money to spend apart from his salary he used the research and cases by picking the right Congressmen and women to carry it. Jim Hightower would be good at this, if we could organize enough so that he wouldn’t have to dig out facts and cases all on his own, but he probably has enough money to live in D.C. and talk to legislators.

Harold -
I have to agree on Kucinich, as I think he is a decent man, but I don’t agree with his political sentiments completely.  But I’ll send my apologies on him anyway. My apologies are here being sent on behalf of Dennis Kucinich.

Please say why Senator Bernie Sanders is a decent politician?

Sepharad - At this point in the debate, how can “the public” force the congressmen/women to make the program a public option not for profit program?  A huge ground swell is what it will take.  Our voices on TD are tiny.  The internet is a phenomenon but it is not yet a tool of the people.  Except for its commercial aspect, the Internet is a place for venting and that sadly is about all.  Unlike dictatorial governments, Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela, African countries, etc., the only other thing I can see that is amazingly good about the American, and most likely European, Internet is that many sources for news is accessible and people can access them for comparison.

That is the evil irony. The shortsightedness, whether intended or not, ends up costing such thing as home assistance when a much less expensive medication or treatment would have actually fixed the problem, period.  I am convinced there is not one politician who has integrity or deeply cares about the needs of the people.  They mouth that they do, but their actions show they do not.  If anyone can name one decent politician I will send my apologies. 
There are domains of American society that should be paying taxes who aren’t, mainly the wealthy who have found ways to skirt that responsibility, and corporations.  Those sources you noted are perfect well-springs of economic buttressing.

I can almost see the usually liberal Hollywood celebrities turn iinto white Republicans were they surcharged a tax to add money to the National Treasury.
I suppose as along as all we do is sit around and scratch our collective head nothing like a civilized and human health program or educational system is possible.

Well, national legislators must have no brains and can’t know when something is a no-brainer and easy to resolve.

Well I guess we’ll just have to disagree on it then.  I cannot see how anyone who hold the opinion that gay marriage is fairness and equality can ‘unlearn’ that.  I know many people who have progressed or ‘evolved’ to understanding marriage equality is a civil right, but not one that had that belief and regressed to supporting something less.

Or anyone who understands that single payer is the only way to control costs and cover everyone would then abandon that belief and support the opposite. 

Perhaps he understood that in order to move the country towards these goals he had to say what was acceptable to a skeptical public. 

Anyway, that is just my opinion.

‘and as a state senator he not only voiced support for gay marriage (whereas he now supports civil unions), he also stated he supported single payer healthcare.”

As a President he has stated that single payer health care is not an option, and several times in fact. He has also changed his opinion on several other important issues. I suppose he only does that in order to get them passed????

No is yes and lack of support is somehow a devious and brilliant ploy to get them enacted…I think not.

“Why, in fact, do they ignore their own excellent health care, for life in fact and for which they pay zip?”

Why?  First, money.  The Insurance industry is lining their pockets.  Second, their base.  Their base are ultra right wingers who Reagan convinced that the government was the root of all evil and can’t be trusted.  So, they oppose government funded healthcare so that they won’t upset their political base.  Third, politics.  By siding with their political base over the good of the country, they keep them fired up with lies and fear, and therefore assure they’ll get at least 25% of the vote in any election. 

“Secondly, either you are a believer in capitalism or you are not….”
I am not.  The results of capitalism are greed and corruption. 

“I fail to see what is wrong with the scenario you paint.”

There was no intent on my part to paint the scenario as having something wrong with it.  We Americans are known for, and have the right to opt to purchase whatever we deem as the best deal.  The point was, that people are afraid of government funded healthcare, but if it is just an option out there, as it is being sold… of course over time most people will find themselves in it.  And then when the time comes that the private insurers fade away or are shut out by legislation, it will no longer be so scary to them. 

“Do you deny the unemployed such care simply because they are unemployed?”

Why would I?  I think you misread my post.  In explaining how I think the public option will replace private insurers in time (and thankfully), I don’t see how you interpreted that in a way that would prompt you to question if I believe in covering the unemployed or if I sanction for profit insurers cancelling policies at will???
I am for a public option to cover everyone independent of employment.
“Obama came to office stating firmly that he was not advocating single payer health care, and on numerous occasion as well.”

And as a state senator he not only voiced support for gay marriage (whereas he now supports civil unions), he also stated he supported single payer healthcare.  He is a realist and he knows what he can push through and what he can’t.  I believe he still supports both, but he is a politician and is playing the game.  And thankfully he is doing it well.  There is a difference in not advocating passage of a bill that would mandate a single payer system, with advocating one having a public option that will, in time, lead to that.  It’s brilliant, really. 

“You see this as a “ploy”, I see it as an honest statement of his visualization of future care as a province of for-profit insurers.”

I see it as him playing smart.  For profit insurers will never be able to offer coverage as low as a public plan because the public plan will not have the overhead the private companies do, nor will they be concerned with profit.  And when it comes to healthcare, profit shouldn’t be a factor in any of it.  If you can get the same new Toyota pickup truck for less money at one dealer over the other, which will you choose?  Which will everyone choose?  That is the American way.  And if the dealer with the lower cost can provide everyone the same car they’re looking for at a cheaper price, what will eventually happen to the dealer charging more up the road? 

“Do you suggest that, by not mentioning such a system, he thinks we will arrive at one?”

Yes I am strongly suggesting that.  And that is what I’m hoping for.  I want those blood-on-their-hands, greedy for profit insurers out of the picture completely.

For Mr. Wetserbury

I don’t think I’d agree with that.  I agree with the Republicans here that Obama knows the ‘public option’ will outperform the private insurance, and that the costs will be much less… enough so that employers and individuals will sign up under it.  And eventually, the private insurers will die out.

But the Republicans seem to agree that the govt cannot possibly run anything with efficiency, so why do they fear govt run health care? Why, in fact, do they ignore their own excellent health care, for life in fact and for which they pay zip?

Secondly, either you are a believer in capitalism or you are not, you cannot have free markets when profits are great and govt assistance to “companies too large to fail” when the market runs against those who actually destroy it with their greed.

As people get laid off, fired or quit, they will lose their private insurance, and instead of paying the enormous cost of buying their own private insurance, they will opt for the public option where the premium would be equal to or less (surely less) than they were paying through the employer sponsored private plan.

I fail to see what is wrong with the scenario you paint. Do you deny the unemployed such care simply because they are unemployed? Do you not take into account the 47 million of us currently without care? Do you believe that health care should only be for those who can afford it? Do you sanction the way for-profit insurers cancel policies at will when costs overrun profit?

And so, I think the President came to office knowing that Single Payer would not sail through Congress on it’s own merits.  That too many were bought and paid for by that industry.  So he outsmarted them by introducing a public option to ‘compete’ and ‘keep them honest.’  I believe he saw it as a stragegy to realize a single payer system.

Obama came to office stating firmly that he was not advocating single payer health care, and on numerous occasion as well. You see this as a “ploy”, I see it as an honest statement of his visualization of future care as a province of for-profit insurers. I have heard no statements from our president in support of a single payer system, have you? Do you suggest that, by not mentioning such a system, he thinks we will arrive at one?

Shenonymous, I’m trying to be optimistic too but it’s getting harder. The politicians seemed to be wiping out the comopeting public option in favor of the insurers, at least according to the last story I read in the papers.

In our area, most doctors in and around San Francisco are OK with Medicare, but many of them don’t want to take Medical (Medicaid) because of the paperwork, which they say dwarfs that required by Medicare. Could be that Medical is worse than other states’ Medicaid.

There are a lot of issues. My friend in Portland with MS who lost her vision because she couldn’t afford a drug that cost $800 per money (not covered on Oregon’s single-payer plan) can no longer work as an editor and draws disability and some home assistance, which is probably costing the state more than the drug would. The bio drugs for cancer and for rheumatoid arthritis are also extremely expensive, not covered by Medicare (hence the current need for stand-alone private insurance), and unfortunately biogenerics aren’t working as well as conventional drug generics—they are much harder to duplicate, and sometimes the result is not much cheaper and considerably riskier.

We’re also right in the middle of the middle class, not in the high-income category Obama began with, but wouldn’t mind paying higher taxes—as long as they are based on everyone’s income and only IF they have an income, and if the government also taxes income from sources other than one’s work (investments, rentals etc, a tax that would close wealthy peoples’ loopholes to compensate for spending on health, schools and housing for people whose families are struggling. Not to mention the environment and endangered species issues that were bloodied by the Bush policies). 

It was announced earlier this week that not only California’s health and education but also state parks are being hit far harder than they can survive—though I haven’t noticed the governor and legislators taking cuts in their salaries. I voted in favor of raising taxes on the ballot initiative, but it went down bigtime. Californians really don’t want any more taxes—who does?—but it was so short-sighted. People who opposed the tax hike are now complaining about the consequences which is irrational in the extreme. Especially crazy when so many in California (entertainment industry and others) are incredibly high earners, especially in the SF Bay Area as in SoCal.

I hope all the discussion will be reflected in the result, but am afraid that our discussions and ideas are not sufficiently organized to have an impact on the individual legislators. Why is it so damned hard to put together a civilized and humane health program? Or maintain a great educational system?

Many people here, me included, use our town’s public pool, outdoor, heated, open for exercise all year round— a public facility that we had to fight to keep open last year and it’ll probably come up again the next budget cycle. It’s huge, olympic size plus a shallow pool for kids. Has aqua aerobics classes for men and women of all ages, a therapeutic class for people post-surgery or permanently handicapped, lap swimming, swim lessons for kids, a place where the Coast Guard’s extreme swimmers and even Navy Seals show up to train (sitting on the bottom of the pool practicing holding their breath for ridiculously long times—very weird)—all of which bring money in. But it’s always just not quite enough. Some of us have gone to the city council meetings to try to keep it open and a few times have changed their minds, but next time, who knows? So far our best argument is that it reduces the cost of health delivery in the city and county.

You’d think that national legislators would be persuaded by the same sort of rationale. It’s a no-brainer. Or should be.

Cross your fingers.

Ardee said, “All his talk about health care remains firmly fixated upon for-profit care. “

I don’t think I’d agree with that.  I agree with the Republicans here that Obama knows the ‘public option’ will outperform the private insurance, and that the costs will be much less… enough so that employers and individuals will sign up under it.  And eventually, the private insurers will die out. 

And why wouldn’t they if the public option is less and does a better job? 

As people get laid off, fired or quit, they will lose their private insurance, and instead of paying the enormous cost of buying their own private insurance, they will opt for the public option where the premium would be equal to or less (surely less) than they were paying through the employer sponsored private plan. 

And so, I think the President came to office knowing that Single Payer would not sail through Congress on it’s own merits.  That too many were bought and paid for by that industry.  So he outsmarted them by introducing a public option to ‘compete’ and ‘keep them honest.’  I believe he saw it as a stragegy to realize a single payer system. 

As for Bill Clinton, I agree with others that he likely isn’t the best choice for Obama to utilize.  I mean, he is tied to the memory of healthcare failure.  Someone else said it best.  He should turn to Republican governors, and pastors, etc.  He should have people who have lost everything on TV telling their stories. 

Sometimes people have their eye on the goal and want to make a beeline for it.  Yet, there are times when in route a zigzag is best.  Often it’s how you play the game that gets you there.  And Obama is a player.  I bet he will walk away with most of what he wanted.

A public plan for those under 65 based on the Medicare model could be a workable model except for the fact that many health care providers, doctors, hospitals, etc., do not take Medicare patients because it is too hard for them to get reimbursed.  If a public plan operated that way it would be disastrous.  I’ve had several professionals tell me the horror of getting reimbursed by Medicare that it became the reason they dropped having Medicare patients.  If we had the public option, what is to prevent doctors and hospitals from not accepting the patients who have that option?

So what is a better model to consider?  Sepharad, I am completely aware of the lunacy that prevails in our society in the way of joblessness, loss of housing (my brother is a real estate broker), diminishment of the education system, price of food scaling upward by at least 15% in the last month by my grocery bill!  I agree that time is running out and too many people are on the edge of doom.  I consider myself right in the middle of middle class.  I have a decent income, and a decent health care plan.  Hence a fairly decent life.  I co-pay but I think I should.  I don’t think I should get it for free!  I don’t mind paying taxes either.  It takes money to run a country, help the less privileged, build good roads, support a good education system, provide for the sheltering of dying species to try to prevent their extinction that is being caused by ill-practices of humans… I just don’t think those in my circumstances or better ought to be strangled economically either. 

I will try to be optimistic because of the open dialogue that is happening that I haven’t seen before.  This kind of public talk did not happen when Clinton tried to get his healthcare plan through.  It is just possible that the publicwide awareness and discussion going on will make this thing happen.

ardee, you could be right—that Obama is not interested in public health plan. After all, toward the end of the primaries Paul Krugman warned that if it weren’t public and weren’t mandatory (Hillary’s and Edwards’ plans), it won’t happen. But remember, he did come up in Chicago politics, so in addition to the veneer establishment ivy clinging to him there is an inner jungle surviver, has to be, nobody else makes it there.

By now I think he’s weighing how badly people do or do not want the plan. If he can be convinced that he’ll be remembered as another FDR if he gets a decent public plan he’ll do it. Maybe part of the equation is getting Bill Clinton to first persuade Obama and then help persuade the masses. Never understimate Clinton’s powers to charm, rally the troops and get people moving. Shenonymous is right, that it might prick the Clintonian ego to help Obama achieve what he and Hillary failed to do, but the Clintons can get some of the glory back if they buck up and back Obama. People aren’t stupid. They’ll know who has the fire in the belly.

Shenon, people are not only trying to live their lives under difficult circumstances but very receptive to any solutions to the enormously daunting issues they live with—houses disappearing, jobs disappearing, state universities cutting back on just about everything, vanishing medical services ... Offer them a hand up and they’ll grab it. Problem with town hall meetings is that the people who attend most of them seem to be drawn from those still lucky enough to worry about maximizing their profits and minimizing their contributions.

But time is running out. Any organizing that is to be done needs to be done now and done quickly.

ardee—Rudin is something, isn’t he? I’ve gotten out of check-out lines to go listen to him. Try to schedule errands and work to make sure I’m tuned in when he’s on.

The problem with Obama reaching out to the common people is that they don’t really listen, they are too busy trying to make a life.  Nor are they able, generally speaking, intellectually able to weigh the options offered since they do not get facts but only get relentless devotion to a political investment.  While the town halls are one excellent way to confront the people directly they are by their nature only sporadic attempts and not widespread enough to make much of a difference.  He cannot spend ALL of his time at such meetings as there is more to being a president, these days, than one dreadful problem left over from the previous disastrous in every way 8-year presidency.  More advertising of the strength of the president’s resolve is needed.  Advertising on busses, on billboards, on tv, on radio, on telephone poles, anywhere where ordinary people gather or negotiate life.  and from the mouths of the Democrat politicians.  The people need bludgeoned with the message.  Much as I am not enamored with Nancy Pelosi, I listened to her on the News Hour last evening and she spelled out exactly what the Democrats want and it is exactly what I want.  And yes, a few of you are right, Obama’s message needs to show more than great emotional strength.  People en masse do not lead unless prodded with a hot poker you know where.

Why would Bill Clinton help Obama?  His and Hillary’s health care plan went into the proverbial toilet and there is no commitment to a real and decent program as they are self-serving politicians wanting to devour all the glory they can muster around themselves.  If the dynamic duo Clintons wanted to help we would have heard from them by now.  Aren’t they conspicuously peepless?

Obama’s plan is not a mess.  It has been made messy by rabidly clever Republicans who have only one thing in mind, their tunnel vision to derail the Obama administration because they supported the worst government for decades that has led to the near ruination of this country.  They are guilty.

The odious smell about is that coming from the Republican assheads who will get wiped in the next election, once again, and rightly so.  But, and a big BUT, maybe BUTT, Democrats are just as guilty (smelly) of keeping a viable public health care from coming to be a reality.  Democrats themselves need to sell the idea to their public.

“A populist onslaught led by a popular President does have a chance of working.”

Oh dear, Sepharad, the one glaring error in your well crafted and thoughtful response is the fact that Obama is not on board with the American people, only with the American corporation.

All his talk about health care remains firmly fixated upon for-profit care. His sketchily outlined plans never solved the problem of millions without care or seriously addressed the soaring costs, again the fault of capitalism in an area where we need socialism.

While the President has, of late, spent time at a few , damn few, town hall style meetings, his efforts remain aloof from the fray while Congress wrangles and lobbyists hand out millions every day to ensure an outcome favorable to the bottom line and at the terrible expense of the people.

Sidebar:

“Talk of the Nation” is a favorite of mine and I try not to miss the Wednesday segments with Mr. Rudin’s keen insight. Some day I aspire to win a tee shirt too….probably not.

ardee, I think it may appeal to Obama’s immense ego. (And you can’t mean to compare Willie Nelson to the Tupperware lady—those are fighting words.)

A populist onslaught led by a popular President does have a chance of working. Today on NPR, their Political Junkie Ken Rudin was asked what he would say to Obama if Obama said “We’re about to lose the public health plan. What should I do?” Rudin said in effect, I forget the precise words, Lose the inner economist. Stop trying to defend the cost and the deficits. Talk to people about what the current screwed-up health policy is costing them and will cost their children both in terms of money and get people to say what their experience has been. Visceral, not cerebral.

Of course the people going to the people with Obama are going to have to be good, bright, popular with the people whose pols they have to reach. I’m a huge fan of Willie Nelson and James Carville.  Very persuasive fellows. Maybe more than Bill Clinton though not by much. This is not the time to let the President slip-slide after the first Congressional term. If Obama believes people want a public health plan he should damned well get it for them, or why does he think he’s President in the first place?

If we wanted a Republican we certainly could have had one. My genius internist wants a public health plan and an end to doctor-owned hospitals. He’s very successful, affiliated with a great publlic hospital, he has to CHEAT the doctor group he’s with (couldn’t afford to buy out): they want him like the rest of them to see patients 15 minutes each, like an assembly line. When he couldn’t buy out, he started coming in at 7am, working till 7pm, and calling back patients who called him during the day after he has dinner at home. This is the only way he could keep his number of patients up to their standard and still give every patient as much time as they need. Brilliant diagnostician and nicer than Dr. House. This guy is in despair over the system and so are a lot of other real doctors. They are not the fair-haired of the AMA, but they do exist.

If Obama plays it safe, and the public loses, to hell with him and the Democrats he rode in on.

Anarcissie—“... it would be a revolution, a coup d’etat. Trillions of dollars would fly around. ...”

Precisely. That is what it would be. If, as you say, Mr. O. is not the type—and you may well be right—then he should not have stood up in front of people waving the bloody flag of hope and shouting “Yes We Can.” He should have swept Hillary onstage at the last primary contest and said “She’s tougher than me and can fight harder. Vote for her after all.”  Now, if there’s no more audacity but still a little character, he’d say “Sorry, this is the best I can do and survive physically, socially, politically. Sorry again, there is no audacity and no hope to be had here. Try again in 2012.”

But, Anarcissie, there is always the chance that he is deep down a fighter, philosophical enought to appreciate the value of a bit of chaos, and also has that je’n sais pas que, that “calm confidence of a Christian with four aces.”

Or he might (this is my husband’s opinion of the likeliest scenario) creep off-stage saying “Well I tried. We got some reforms if we don’t have to roll them back. I kept my promise, didn’t I?”

If Mr. O went around the established order it would be like a coup d’état, or a revolution.  Trillions of dollars and huge and far-flung structures of power would be at stake.  Mighty potentates would feel themselves threatened and would strike back in defense of their seats and swag.  Arms would be broken and heads would roll.  I don’t think Mr. O is the type to get into it.

Sepharad, July 30 at 6:12 pm #

Not dignified or hip enough?

Just how badly do you and the people want that public health plan?
................................

How about the Tupperware lady? or the Avon Rep? What on earth ,Sepharad, are you suggesting here? Obama himself doesnt want the type of public health system that we need and many of us want, so how do you suggest unleashing a bunch of actors, politicians or personalities on the American public is going to alter Obama’s path?

So what is Obama waiting for??? Of COURSE he should go directly to the people—town meetings and rallies every day until the floor vote, and not alone: He should call Bill Clinton. And also deploy Hillary as she is popular with many of the people Obama isn’t. Both Clintons, James Carville, Oprah, Jimmy Carter, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Garrison Keeler, any useful face from Hollywood, Bollywood, the music business ... whatever it takes. Military guys who’ve served their country and now want a better one for their families, anyone who is revered and respected. Willie Nelson is pure gold, and probably knows plenty of old guys in boluegrass/cowboy/pickin’ world: the good people in Blue Dog and GOP states would be putty in their hands. (Meanwhile make the Blue Dogs stay in the
same room with Rahm Emmanuel and whoever would be good as the counterpoint “good cop”.)

Not dignified or hip enough?

Just how badly do you and the people want that public health plan?

The answer largely lies with Republican governors, not with congress. Obama should reach out to those whose careers are closely tied to the fate of the common man.  Governors are the ones that must deal with the day-to-day tragedies in health care.  Their insurance commissioners must hear the horror stories and the state assembly members are called by their constituents whenever they are in dire need.  Obama must get close to the common man.  He is trying that with the town hall meetings and now he must enlist the aid of governors, and mayors and pastors to finish the job.  I think going to Clinton is the wrong direction.  Go down to the common man, do not go up to Clinton. He is just too polarizing a figure.

hello. does anyone smell anxious desperation steaming off the democratic party? Pappa Bill must dread the thought of being anywhere that would place him in a closer proximity to Hillary. then the foolish thought that arch rivals would support an opponent, whose very failure would promote their own diminishing chances; in the upcoming election: stinks of desperation. how quickly the glimmer fades to rust, and the star shines brightest in the mirror. everybody off the obama bandwagon now- the writing is on the wall.

This thread is addressing the causal effects of SOPHISTRY.  Acknowledge sophistry and the sophists of the Right-Wing CONSERVATIVE EXTREMIST REPUBLICAN echo-chamber that has bankrupted the Nation and destroyed the U.S. Economy, and start a dialogue that will deal with legitimate “cause and effect” that has resulted from Right-Wing SOPHISTRY, if we in the United States expect to get past this destructive period of our nation’s history into a time that will provide for the greater good, instead of the greater greed.

Mr. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” “NAFTA,” and “Ship the Jobs” Clinton is going to “help” Obama pass health care legislation? In which universe? BC is scum.

As for Hiliary, her “plan” was dropped onto Congress like a bomb and it did: but when she ran against Obama she received huge donations from the health insurance lobby. They appreciated how she torpedoed reform and enabled their subsequent windfall profits. Yes, payback with interest.

Europe was in ruins when they passed national health; it was that or watching one’s loved ones die on the streets from lack of care. Once the U.S. economy totally collapses, probably next year, despite all the lobbying bribes and all the treachery from Mr. Small Change—sellouts too numerous to post here—the Chinese and other currency investors will order true change. Then the whores in D.C. will do their bidding, like good little employees.

Mr. Clinton would greatly assist in his excellent ability to EXPLAIN things to people in appropriate terms - that was/is/always-will-be his gift.  But the heavy lifting MUST occur in Congress.  With that given, Hillary would have been better placed in the Senate, challenging and maybe taking over the Majority Lead slot from current leader “Reed-That-Bends-In-Every-Breeze”.  Hillary perhaps would have kicked tail and taken names by comparison. 
  The Dems made a concerted effort to expand their numbers by moving to the Right - but sheer numbers don’t get the real goals accomplished.  Real reform in health care is probably a goner - the $$ and the conservatives of all stripes have/will delay and obfuscate to the point that lots of money will be spent without fundamental changes.  More people will just be “covered” - but under mostly private plans that mirror current claims practices. Private insurers will continue to scalp the public with ever higher charges.
  Maybe the real “reform” will occur when the combination of premiums and co-pays and deductibles and exclusions match or exceed the actual bills coming from providers .... i.e. we might as pay the docs and hospitals on a cash-and-carry basis.
  Private insurers are parasites that are literally killing their hosts - we, the people.
  Ross Perot described a “huge sucking sound” coming from NAFTA ..... that was a mere whisper compared to the roar of the insurance companies pumping away the nation’s lifeblood into their profit coffers.

As Clinton was, at best a mediocre president (despite his two terms—and remember, two terms does not a successful president make; need I say more than George W. Bush?), and is still a polarizing figure, I’d agree that turning to Slick Willie for help might be the worst move Obama could make.

I would think the appearance of Bill Clinton would be the kiss of death.

As ardee says, to get anywhere Mr. O would have to get around the political establishment and go to the people directly.  This would cause a great stir—Mr. O would be compared to Chávez—and is completely contrary to Mr. O’s cautious, conservative, establishmentarian history.  But, who knows?  He might want to get something done.  This revolution might well fail, but it would be interesting to watch.

Obama’s plan is a mess.  He can’t even sell it to his own party. And now, he should call Bill C., the Salesman, to try to sell damaged goods? 
Indeed, this is a ridiculous article, to quote thebeerdoctor.

Is Mr. Conason pure nuts? The failure, under Clinton was a purposeful thing. The evil of Clinton, not his pecker, prevail all though his great accomplishments, Welfare, Financial corruption and loss of the constitution can easily lay at his feet. But obviously Mr. Conason is either naive or plain stupid..another county heard from and my last read of his nonsense.

This is a ridiculous article.

“So perhaps he should stop trying to walk this treacherous path alone. Perhaps the time has come, if it isn’t already too late, to look for a companion who went here before, and fell. Perhaps he ought to ask for help from Bill Clinton.”

I agree that President Obama needs to reach out, the question remains to whom should he try and reach.  While Mr. Conason sees the solution in seeking a spokesperson with credibility I believe that there is a simpler solution.

Our leaders forget the fact that all the power resides with the people. That the people themselves have forgotten this as well is not the point, though it is a bit tragic. I believe that, in order to combat the propaganda, the distortions, the outright lies that dog the attempts to reform an industry as bloated with greed as is the financial community, Obama needs to go directly to the people.

I am aware of his efforts at speechmaking of late, but that is not really reaching out. Involving the people might be more a process of listening than of speaking. I envision a series of town hall meetings wherein the community speaks to their concerns, their wishes and their vision of this nation, not only concerning health care, but perhaps the entire panoply of this nations path.

Obama might be surprised to learn that the people are ahead of him on health care, that single payer care is wanted, and needed in fact, by a majority of Americans. That the partisan lies of the GOP are easily exposed in such a format, and that, to his chagrin, the incompetence and pandering of his own party to the special interests is exposed as well.

When the people lead the leaders must follow.