Dems afraid to tell it like it is on health care
Writing on today’s Wall Street Journal op-ed page, Thomas Frank condemns the Democrats’ decision to “complain to the referee” (my words) about GOP incivility rather than take the debate head on. Among other things, he writes, the approach “goes against the old rough-and-tumble image of the Democratic Party and confirms instead the effete latte-and-sushi stereotype of recent years.”
It’s a good piece, but the closing offers a lot of wisdom and good advice packed in three little paragraphs:
“The health-care showdown should have been a one-sided blowout. And yet it is the Democrats who are running to the playground monitor and watching their support drain away.
Why? Because from the beginning they have understood the problem primarily as a technical consumer issue, not a bid for social justice in a manifestly unjust time. In their criticism of the insurance industry they have largely avoided terms like “profiteering” in favor of dry talk about lower costs and more competition—hardly an ideal platform from which to launch a crusade.
Conservatives, on the other hand, have been crusading nonstop since the days of Barry Goldwater. Every economic issue is a grand moral issue for them—this particular one, even in its lukewarm Senate Finance Committee version, is “a stunning assault on liberty,” according to Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.)—and until liberals are prepared to contest those terms, they will have to live with a little incivility.”
Amen, Brother Thomas. Can I have an amen?
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341 comments Add your comment
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:07 am
Mr. Frank is right when he calls this a bid for social justice.
(and about the dems not being strong enough)
Turd Ferguson
September 23rd, 2009
8:09 am
Yes…a bid by the Dems for social injustice against those individuals who work hard for their things only to see them stripped away by this ever so crooked President and his evil minions.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:14 am
Turd
All we dems need is a copy of your cancelled check and we’ll drain your finances by check o matic.
help us make it true
send your voided check
to Order of Obama
666 Boulevard of Satan
Washington DC 12UR0
Lord Help Us
September 23rd, 2009
8:16 am
If you want a war, the Christian Right will be o nyour side…
If you want to help the needy, the Christian Right will fight you…
Jesus must be so proud…
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:20 am
Jay – as I’ve said before, I’ll see your amen and raise you a TESTIFY!
meanwhile, did you read about Cantor’s not-townhall meeting in which he told a woman that, if her friend needed surgery on her stomach tumors, she should appeal to charity or a government program???
that’s right. let’s not fix the problem, let’s just wish it away.
Finn McCool
September 23rd, 2009
8:23 am
GOP Rushes To Defend Insurance Companies From Dem Attack
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/gop-rushes-to-defend-insu_n_295469.html
mike
September 23rd, 2009
8:23 am
Well Frank is certainly right about the “complaining to the referee” part. Democrats and their flacks in the media seem to have believed that screaming “racism” and “Republicans are bad” would be a winning argument for a particular version of health care reform.
Jay is a primary example of this. Here he has this huge microphone and he has used it on lame, undifferentiated partisan attacks instead of using it to make his argument for a particular health care policy. This was the same tactic used by every liberal media outlet and many Democrats in office. This tactic failed miserably, but I can guarantee that nothing will change. It is so much easier to call someone a racist than it is to make a persuasive argument.
Peadawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:23 am
If they “tell is how it is” (i.e. tell the truth about the bill), then NOBODY would be in favor of it. Some people see through the lies…some people believe the lies.
stands for decibels
September 23rd, 2009
8:28 am
So Frank believes the answer to the overhyped discussions about civility is to… gripe very publicly about the overhyped civility discussions?
Since I tend to like Thomas Frank I won’t write him off as a concern troll, but this one veers pretty damn close.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:28 am
Us in UK
Did you see the GOOD NEWS about the ACORN defunding?
http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/09/could-acorn-defunding-bill-strike-military-industrial-complex/
Verrrry Interesting
Curious Observer
September 23rd, 2009
8:28 am
Why are the Democrats playing footsie with the Republicans on healthcare reform? They must know by now that not a single Republican will vote for a bill and that all the compromising and amending will not change that fact. Meantime, they are allowing themselves to get beaten up and abused, while reform is delayed. Just put a package together, one that includes a public option, and go the reconciliation route. That’s the way the Republicans handled the Bush tax cuts and it’s what they threatened to do to get their Supreme Court nominees confirmed. The Democrats need to recognize that Republicans will never accept real healthcare reform and that trying to appease them is pointless. Just shove healthcare reform up their ample derrieres and be done with it.
Taxpayer
September 23rd, 2009
8:29 am
Well, the reason for the reasoned approach used to date by the Democrats is simple. They’re speaking to their constituency. If they wanted to reach the Republican base, the appropriate language would consist of such well-known phrases as “Drill This, Drill Now” and “You Lie”. Those two phrases cover a good 95% of all the GOP’s “communications” with their base.
stands for decibels
September 23rd, 2009
8:29 am
that’s right. let’s not fix the problem, let’s just pray it away.
sorry, had to fyt.
Zedd
September 23rd, 2009
8:30 am
Any mandates on individuals will be challenged in a court of law thereby tying up any new health care legislation in court potentially for years. BwaHaHa!
TnGelding
September 23rd, 2009
8:31 am
You think it might have something to do with the fact that only 10% of us are uninsured? And I’m sure the misreprsentaion hasn’t swayed anyone.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:20 am
A government program? Surely you jest!
pat
September 23rd, 2009
8:31 am
The fact that democrats are inept even in majority is no surprise to me. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. However, this is a good thing. First, the people spoke up and won…This should always be the case. Second, the resulting legislation should be better than what was previously proposed. Then again, these are politicians with an amazing nack to screw up in the most simple of circumstances. So we’ll see. For now the system worked as it should.
Fly-On-The-Wall
September 23rd, 2009
8:32 am
And we saw through the lies with the war in Iraq and the right called us unpatriotic. The right believed the lies and here we are trillions further in debt from it and no justice at home. And where is that compassionate conservatism again?
Taxpayer
September 23rd, 2009
8:35 am
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:28 am
Us in UK
Did you see the GOOD NEWS about the ACORN defunding?
http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/09/could-acorn-defunding-bill-strike-military-industrial-complex/
Verrrry Interesting
Awwwww. That’s just terrible. But, it’s the rule of law. hehehehe
Jackie
September 23rd, 2009
8:36 am
Repubs want things there way, as soon as they figure out what their way happens to be.
They remind you of children; give them too many choices and it confuses them.
Jackie
September 23rd, 2009
8:37 am
Should read their instead of there.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:37 am
TnG –
No, I’m not kidding … and stop calling me shirley! (yay!!!)
Mrs. G –
money quote in the article: “You see, regardless of what you think of ACORN, it is laudable to stop taxpayer money from going to organizations that commit fraud against the government,” he said in a statement. “So as per the bill’s text, I’m going to put into the Congressional record a list of organizations who have committed fraud against the government or employs anyone who has.”
now, how can anyone POSSIBLY be against that???
meanwhile, BlackWater murders iraqi civilians and still gets their funding … SOOOOOOOOO glad the GOP has their priorities straight
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:41 am
Lockheed Martin, Northrup, Boeing, Humana…..
here’s the list
http://www.contractormisconduct.org/
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 23rd, 2009
8:42 am
That’s funny, all they’ve been doing is lying, so what do you want, bookman, a confession from them about the death panels, increased costs, mandated tax penalties and rationing?
President Obama, talking about his own civility concerns in an interview with CBS’s Bob Schieffer on Sunday, said he understands that the health-care debate is a “proxy for a broader set of issues about how much government should be involved in our economy.”-Thomas Franks, WSJ
The very same See BS that concocted a fake memo trying influence the outcome of a presidential election.
Civility, indeed.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:44 am
Speaking of which…see CBS lost it’s bid to have the Dan Rather suit dismissed again….
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:48 am
baaaaaaaahahahaha …. and this is why I love Whinus Maximus …
the same day he says “Stands for dingbat- I do” (readily dispute facts and opinions of “liberal” media outlets) – 7:47 this morning – he says “The very same See BS that concocted a fake memo trying influence the outcome of a presidential election” rather than address the facts and opinions of Thomas Franks.
hoooooo-boy, thanks whiner, you’re always good for a laugh …
VOICE OF REASON
September 23rd, 2009
8:48 am
The GOP panders and incite the unwashed, illiterate masses, primarily in the south by using certain code words and/or conducts. A significant portion of the masses are rural, lack education, lack health care and are on welfare. Yet, they accuse the Federal Government of being communist, socialist etc ( I doubt if they know the meaning or the implications of these words). A good example, is the Governor of Georgia asking for a hand out from the communist Obama for the floods we’ve just had in Georgia. The GOP is a shameless party for preying on these people by advocating policies which is against their interest.
pat
September 23rd, 2009
8:49 am
Civility is small issue to the larger problem. Both sides have been plenty uncivil. We need a solution that does not increase the size of government, but lowers costs and increases accessibility of health care. The democrats failed because their plans sucked. We need a plan that works for everybody not just democrats or republicans. What ever we get will be permanant it needs to be right, not just a “victory” for democrats. This victory would be a disaster for all.
danjonglee
September 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
The Party heads, super rich & politically connected will still have the best Healthcare in the world while the rest of the masses get screwed. Now that’s “social justice”…….Amen
jconservative
September 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
The Democratic problem on health care is Democratic senators from states that McCain carried in 2008. Ark, Miss, Neb to name 3. Those Democratic senators feel they cannot vote for a health care bill that would end up costing them their senate seat.
A reconciliation approach may be the only way a health care bill can be passed in 2009.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
Mrs. G -
I’m looking forward to having all the details of that case brought to light … they say the best lie is the one based in truth – I think there was a lot more truth in that memo than we know … the fact that the guy’s secretary actually verified the contents, jsut said that she didn’t type it, says a lot. and, yes, I do see Rove’s slimey fingerprints all over this story …
Road Scholar
September 23rd, 2009
8:52 am
What! Didn’t the Repubs READ their own bill before introducing it and asking for a vote on it?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:53 am
USinUK
I think Rather sees it the same way….
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
8:54 am
Road Scholar
Apparently not. And as much as I’d like to think the Dems were ahead of this and left the wording as is on purpose……it’s most likely a stretch.
Will Obama sign it and threaten the likes of GE with loss of federal funding?
Taxpayer
September 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
People vote with their feet. And they love Bill O’Reilly; they love Glenn Beck. They love the shows that are on Fox. That’s what matters. Because people want to go where they can find truth. They obviously aren’t finding truth over on some of these other channels.
Come on, Jay. You don’t seriously expect reasoned Democrats to try and discuss issues with someone like this. I mean, the first step is to teach her to use her hands when voting instead of her feet.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
Mrs. G –
“Will Obama sign it and threaten the likes of GE with loss of federal funding?”
great … now I’ve got the song “straighten up and flyyyy right” in my head …
Turd Ferguson
September 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
OboboCare will be DOA!!
YEA BABY!!!
stands for decibels
September 23rd, 2009
8:59 am
A reconciliation approach may be the only way a health care bill can be passed in 2009.
I keep hearing threats of tiny-feet-stomping from a GOPer here and there if that is, in fact, how the bill winds up passing, but beyond that, what’s the real blowback?
I know the public can be a little thick at times, but I believe they could understand why it became necessary to overcome the archaic 60 vote threshold artificially imposed by our House of Lords in order to bring them the reform they thought they’d voted for in 2008.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
9:01 am
Taxpayer –
this is still my favorite bachmann-ism …
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2329978/posts
say what you want about that nutty-nut-nut, but, much like whiner, she’s always good for a laugh …
Disgusted
September 23rd, 2009
9:02 am
How do you enforce a law that permits imposition of a penalty if an organization is only charged–not convicted–of a fraudulent act? Would such a law pass constitutional muster, given our innocent-until-proven-guilty legal assumption? Perhaps some lawyers on this blog could weigh in on the issue.
Taxpayer
September 23rd, 2009
9:02 am
We need a plan that works for everybody not just democrats or republicans. What ever we get will be permanant it needs to be right, not just a “victory” for democrats. This victory would be a disaster for all.
That’s why we are establishing new communities all across the country. We call them Perfect, USA.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 23rd, 2009
9:03 am
We’re # 37!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVgOl3cETb4
danjonglee
September 23rd, 2009
9:03 am
Since the best minds in our country have declared healthcare a basic human right, then it would be natural to presume that food would be included also, since it is the most fundamental component to all human health.
Then we must put an end to the gross & unconscionable profits made by Farmers, Ranchers, Meat Packers, Grocery Stores(Whole Foods), restaurateurs..
We need a Food Czar to put an end to the unequal distribution of nutrition.
Turd Ferguson
September 23rd, 2009
9:04 am
its basic Robbing Hood mentality…
Obama and his Evil Minions want to steal from those who have earned a decent living, invested wisely, built a nest egg, had kids within wedlock, etc…ya know people with morals and character and give to the bums, unwed baby-mama’s, lazy oafs, dimbulbs, adulterers, fornicators…ya know the people without morals and have zero character.
Thats pretty much the bottomline. Steal from the workers and give to the lazy. “Go to the ant thou sluggard and consider her ways”.
GEORGE AMERICAN
September 23rd, 2009
9:06 am
OBLARA AND HIS STOOGES ARE TRYING TO STEEL OUR LIBERTY AND FREEDOM WITH A TROGAN HORSE THEY ARE CALLING HEALTH CARE REFORM!!!
THIS AGGRESSION WILL NOT STAND!!!
Captain Underpants
September 23rd, 2009
9:07 am
For all I care the Homeless bums/baby-mama’s can eat fried turkey rectums.
AmVet
September 23rd, 2009
9:07 am
“First, the people spoke up and won…”
pat, I had to read that twice. I see now that you meant this regarding changing the health care industry in this country.
At first I thought it was a reference to the GOP losing 94% of the contests in the past two national elections.
I agree that this proposed solution is a farce.
For starters, you don’t cut deals with the corporate criminals and traitors at Aetna and Pfizer et al who have foisted the murderous status quo on we the people.
Single Payer now.
Uncle Sluggo
September 23rd, 2009
9:08 am
Why not just feed the homeless to the hungry?!!!
Hoppin Jack
September 23rd, 2009
9:11 am
I have some old used jockstraps I could donate to the homeless. They could be placed on their heads in winter as nose warmers.
Taxpayer
September 23rd, 2009
9:12 am
Then, there is this Republican allstar. Her solution to what ails California would probably be a merger of equals, like California and South Carolina.
At least she knew that Palin was not qualified to run a major corporation. Then again, neither was she.
USinUK
September 23rd, 2009
9:13 am
shhhhhh … don’t anybody tell dan about the food stamp program, or the school breakfast/lunch programs, or WIC … it’s a secret …