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An Exercise in Ego Gratification (why Dems really want "health reform")
Real Clear Politics ^ | September 28, 2009 | Robert Samuelson

Posted on 09/29/2009 9:18:44 PM PDT by DesScorp

What's driving the great health debate of 2009 is not a popular clamor for universal insurance. "Many Americans are balking again at the prospect of health care reform," writes pollster Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center. A new Wall Street Journal poll found 41 percent of respondents opposed to President Obama's proposals and 39 percent in favor (the rest were undecided). The underlying driver is politicians' psychological quest for glory.

"My colleagues, this is our opportunity to make history," implored Chairman Max Baucus as the Senate Finance Committee last week opened consideration of his bill. Politicians, in their most self-important moments, see themselves as instruments of national destiny. They yearn to be remembered as the architects and agents of great social and economic transformations. They want to be at the signing ceremony; they want a pen.

Ordinary Americans are rightly suspicious of this exercise in collective ego gratification, which has gripped Obama and many of his congressional allies. Even when the goals are worthy -- as they are here -- the temptation to exaggerate, simplify and sugarcoat often proves irresistible. Baucus' promotion of his handiwork is a case in point.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: ego; health; politicians; reform
More at the link, and a great article. Samuelson really nails the motivations for "sweeping reform": get your name in the history books, no matter the cost.
1 posted on 09/29/2009 9:18:45 PM PDT by DesScorp
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To: DesScorp

Or they know medicare is failing and they need more money/control to “fix” it and this gives them the cover to do it.


2 posted on 09/29/2009 9:24:41 PM PDT by DB
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To: DesScorp

Egos plus the Lemming mentality of the Left.


3 posted on 09/29/2009 9:25:12 PM PDT by divine_moment_of_facts (“Cap and Trade bill tells us how to live.. Health Care bill tells us how to die.” Bauer and Rose)
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To: DesScorp
Politicians, in their most self-important moments, see themselves as instruments of national destiny.

Yep, they are instruments, or tools, anyhow.

/johnny

4 posted on 09/29/2009 9:26:17 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (God Bless us all, each, and every one.)
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To: DesScorp
The underlying driver is politicians' psychological quest for glory.

Sure, that's a part of it.

But the major motivation for the Rats is that they understand that nationalizing health care (in one form or another, and whether sooner or later) is a game-changer for them politically.

Administering national health care, as we've seen in Britain, would become a recurring top issue in election after election, with the advantage to the liberals who would easily cast the conservatives as heartless skinflints bent on saving a government dime by cutting health care.

Moving decisions on health care from the realm of consumers, hospitals, doctors and insurance companies to politicians is to play on the Rats' home field.

5 posted on 09/29/2009 9:34:40 PM PDT by SirJohnBarleycorn
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To: DesScorp

Aw, hell, they want another “chance to make history”.
Their previous chance to “make history” was what got Barack Obama elected. They just don’t know when to stop.


6 posted on 09/29/2009 9:42:52 PM PDT by supremedoctrine (The squeaky wheel doesn't always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced.)
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To: SirJohnBarleycorn

“But the major motivation for the Rats is that they understand that nationalizing health care (in one form or another, and whether sooner or later) is a game-changer for them politically.” ..”Administering national health care, as we’ve seen in Britain, would become a recurring top issue in election after election...”

Bingo!


7 posted on 09/29/2009 9:47:30 PM PDT by willk
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To: DesScorp

I disagree. It’s not just about glory, it’s worse than that.

I’m sure a handful of the politicians believe this will mean bragging rights for them, but the ones running things (Nancy, Schumer, Bawney, Barry, etc) have much worse motives.

They want to massively increase government’s control over people’s lives, create a giant new program that they’ll be able to turn around and tax people for, and get as many more people as possible dependent on them.

Every time Congress goes into session, been-uh-fits are subject to change, meaning they’ll cement themselves permanently into office with no concern for reelection, and the cycle of handouts/dependency/control/confiscation accelerates.


8 posted on 09/29/2009 10:02:11 PM PDT by BobbyT
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To: DesScorp

If this Socialized Medicine bill is passed. you will never get rid of it.
These lollipops of Socialism are addictive. Who wants to give up their SS payments?


9 posted on 09/30/2009 3:56:35 AM PDT by RoadTest ( Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols - Psalm 97:12a)
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To: socialismisinsidious


Socialized Medicine aka Universal Health Care daily digest PING LIST

FReepmail me if you want to be added to or removed from this daily digest ping list (one ping per day of links to pertinent articles).




10 posted on 09/30/2009 12:19:27 PM PDT by socialismisinsidious ( The socialist income tax system turns US citizens into beggars or quitters!)
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