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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (47828)	2/4/2008 9:52:38 AM
From: Lane3	Respond to of 541472

"but if he tries to institute mandates, the enemies of reform will use his own words against him." I think he's missing an important point. If the Democratic nominee pushes for mandates, the "enemies of reform" have a much better chance of keeping her out of the WH. Mandates aren't popular across a broad enough spectrum. If the Dems can't get into the WH, they can't get "reform," period.

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (47828)	2/4/2008 10:36:51 AM
From: JohnM	Respond to of 541472

Krugman has argued this point about the necessary link between near universal mandates and universal health care on lots of occasions. I see the point but he may be overstating it. Just hard to evaluate it. One can argue, as a counter argument, that "mandates" might be hard to get through congress and thus a plan that softens them stands a better chance of getting us one step closer. A version of not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (47828)	2/4/2008 10:54:08 AM
From: Steve Lokness	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541472

Mary; The big difference between any Hillary plan and an Obama plan is that Obama has the ability to bring people together. What the Hillary supporters don't understand in my opinion is that the divisive nature of Hillary is going to prevent the implementation of good legislation. Right from the start one can see that Obama is waaaaaaaaaay ahead in his thinking in that his plan has the chance to bring some moderate republicans on board. Republicans and some independents don't want to be told by government they have to do anything - including getting health insurance. In a perfect world, perhaps Hillary's plan is good - what it lacks is the ability to see pragmatism. steve

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (47828)	2/5/2008 7:53:22 PM
From: Cogito	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541472

Mary - I think the whole issue of whether Obama's proposed healthcare plan is as good as Hillary's is not really so important. The President can propose legislation, but Congress shapes it and enacts it. If Hillary wants to help the country get universal healthcare, she can do so as a Senator. I note that she hasn't done so while in the Senate so far, and neither has Obama. It's more important to have people in Congress who are willing to battle for universal healthcare. Once a new President is elected, I hope that Congress will step up to the plate and take some action on this important issue. I'm sure Obama will oppose them. - Allen