Thursday, September 10, 2009

Health care reform shorts:
The President's big speech



The promise to hold him to:

But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can't find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice.

The framing that sets Obama apart:

There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada's, where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everyone. On the right, there are those who argue that we should end the employer-based system and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.

I have to say that there are arguments to be made for both approaches.

This guy legitimates that there is a left that has something to say, that is within the discussion of possible options. Pathetically, this is an advance. Someday, if we organize, the powers that be will have to listen.

The pronouncement that gladdens my heart:

We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it.

Enough with quaking in paralyzed fear ...

1 comment:

Darlene said...

Prior to the speech last night Obama has said that the single payer system would probably be the best approach, but it is too late to put it in place.

I guess he is probably right considering the massive opposition, but it's a shame we can't take the profit out of health care and do it right.