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Why Dems Are Obsessed by Health Reform
Wall Street Journal ^ | December 4, 2009 | JOHN FUND

Posted on 12/05/2009 9:35:21 AM PST by neverdem

They believe the liberal base expects them to deliver and will punish them if they don't.

Voters are increasingly worried about unemployment, but Democratic leaders in Congress remain obsessed with passing health- care reform. Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin was asked recently if a health-care bill would pass the Senate by the end of this month. "It must," he said. "We have to finish it."

Still, many in the trenches are uneasy about the sprawling, complex bill they privately acknowledge has no bipartisan support, doesn't seriously tackle soaring costs and will increase insurance premiums. That may explain Majority Leader Harry Reid's haste—he has ordered a rare Sunday session this weekend to hurry up the debate. Public support for the bill averages only 39.2% backing in all polls compiled by Pollster.com.

But buried in the surveys is an explanation for the Democratic obsession to pass the bill: An overwhelming 76% of Democrats back it. "They believe the liberal base expects them to deliver and will punish them if they don't," says Democratic pollster Doug Schoen, who worked for Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

That fear is backed up by a new poll taken for the Daily Kos, the left-wing Web site: 81% of self-described Republicans say they are certain or likely to vote in 2010 compared to 65% of independent voters and only 56% of Democrats. "Democrats have simply not been given enough of a reason to come out and vote yet," writes liberal blogger David Dayen. "The left is waiting for that long-promised 'change' they can believe in."

Mr. Reid's own re-election troubles—he trails his two most likely GOP opponents by between six and 10 points—may be influencing his behavior. He needs his liberal base to turn out for him to have a chance to win...

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: healthcare; healthreform; withnotby

1 posted on 12/05/2009 9:35:21 AM PST by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Has nothing to do with health. It’s just a way to create a “kitty”...like SS, Medicare....and all the “tax kittys” we pay into....for them to rob.


2 posted on 12/05/2009 9:38:54 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: neverdem

The Democrats are obsessed by it because they’re not human beings. Obamacare is a way to decimate the human beings in America and allow the Democrats more room to graze and to bugger one another.


3 posted on 12/05/2009 9:39:33 AM PST by IbJensen (Merry Christmas to everyone, especially the ACLU)
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To: neverdem

Yeah, that’ll work. Pass a socialist takeover of the economy to get your base out to vote. There won’t be any independent/moderate backlash against that at the ballot box. Na. Don’t worry about that.


4 posted on 12/05/2009 9:39:50 AM PST by samtheman
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To: neverdem

Democrats have run successfully on the scare that Republicans will take away Social Security, Medicare, etc.

They need the scare of Republicans taking away the public option.


5 posted on 12/05/2009 9:40:06 AM PST by y6162 (uish..)
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To: neverdem
Utter BS.

In case the Left did not notice it the hyper Leftist agenda of Dear Reader and the Democrat Congress is causing people to flee the Democrat party.

Democrat Party identification is at 4 year lows in every poll. People are fleeing the Democrat party NOT because they aren't Leftist enough but because they are too Leftist.

6 posted on 12/05/2009 9:43:57 AM PST by MNJohnnie (Demand Constitutionality)
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To: neverdem

They are not obsessed with health care. They are obsessed with the taxes this bill will impose the moment it passes.
Health care is down the road four years or so......
By then, the health care system we have will have been destroyed.
Better start planting that herb garden, ‘cause that’s all the health care we’ll be getting. Oh, stock up on tongue blades and duct tape, incase you break something.


7 posted on 12/05/2009 9:45:14 AM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: WestwardHo

It’s ALL about power and money - HEALTH has NOTHING to do with it (except that I wish they’d all drop dead of HEART failure!)


8 posted on 12/05/2009 9:49:37 AM PST by princess leah
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To: neverdem
This bill is the most unconstitutional bill ever put before the American Public. In violates almost all constitutional rights guaranteed to all Americans. It is the most intrusive bill ever created that will give them not only control of life and death, but to all personal bank accounts and all records medical or not. This is much more than an health care bill it is the road to a dictatorship and the loss of all rights. This is why they are desperately attempting to pass it before everyone reads it and realizes it's far reaching implications.
9 posted on 12/05/2009 9:50:35 AM PST by formosa (Formosa)
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To: princess leah

Looks like it’s up to us wimmen to take up the pitch forks.


10 posted on 12/05/2009 9:52:03 AM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: formosa

“It is the most intrusive bill ever created that will give them not only control of life and death, but to all personal bank accounts and all records medical or not.”

formosa has got that right. This is the part most people are not talking about — the incredible loss of any privacy. All financial, health, criminal, personal records available to all unionized government employees at all levels. The end of liberty.


11 posted on 12/05/2009 9:57:00 AM PST by Bhoy
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To: Bhoy

MASSIVE IDENTIFY THEFT ISSUE TOO.


12 posted on 12/05/2009 10:03:10 AM PST by Achilles Heel
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To: neverdem
Mr. Reid's own re-election troubles—he trails his two most likely GOP opponents by between six and 10 points—may be influencing his behavior. He needs his liberal base to turn out for him to have a chance to win...

So, screw what is the right thing to do instead let's focus on getting his *ss reelected! He may be in for a rude awakening!

It is amazing to me how so many of these old, entrenched, back slapping politicians are so out of touch with people they supposedly represent. Career politician shouldn't even be in our vocabulary, IMO.

13 posted on 12/05/2009 10:09:25 AM PST by kcvl
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To: neverdem

they’re obsessed with it because they run out of industries to rape...


14 posted on 12/05/2009 10:11:55 AM PST by mo
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To: neverdem
I still suspect that this is a ploy to eventually force everyone, except congress critters, into a “Public Option”. With this, we will have total government control of our health care system.
15 posted on 12/05/2009 10:19:36 AM PST by ANGGAPO (Leyte Gulf Beach Club)
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To: kcvl
It is amazing to me how so many of these old, entrenched, back slapping politicians are so out of touch with people they supposedly represent. Career politician shouldn't even be in our vocabulary, IMO.

If you'd spent the last forty years of your life in Washington -- hobnobbing with other pols, government bureaucrats and lobbyists -- it's likely you'd be out of touch, too.

It's one more argument for term limits -- which will never pass. And, maybe, it shouldn't -- given that the voters shouldn't be denied.

However, there's another way... Not term limits, but session limits. Say, 24 weeks per year. States can do it. Why not the Feds? If the pols have to spend over half their time, mixing with the little people, perhaps they wouldn't be out of touch...

Our political problem today isn't so much Democrat vs Republican, or even liberal vs conservative -- it's Washington vs the rest of us.

16 posted on 12/05/2009 10:21:42 AM PST by okie01 (THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Ignorance on Parade)
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To: Sacajaweau

I suspect the Union bosses have bankrupt or embezzled so much from the members benefit fund that it is bankrupt and they are desperate to get the government ( taxpayers ) to pick up the tab.


17 posted on 12/05/2009 10:25:37 AM PST by BeckB
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To: neverdem
They are obsessed with 'control'. Not unlike the USSR of old. That seems to be their template.


18 posted on 12/05/2009 10:25:49 AM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: neverdem

Worst than the economic reason is that many Americans will be in violation of this health care forced requirement and face jail and/or fines. That is unconstitutional but that matters not to the communists party in control.


19 posted on 12/05/2009 10:27:45 AM PST by Logical me (Oh, well!!!)
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To: neverdem; All

IT’S NOT ABOUT HEALTHCARE!!!

IT’S ALL ABOUT POWER OVER THE PEOPLE.

It’s about: WHO LIVES; WHO DIES; WHO GETS WHATEVER BENEFIT THE GOVT DEEMS YOU DESERVE. It’s about bribery and payoffs, etc. - The Chicago Way!!

P O W E R !!!!! This is why the left idolizes the tyrants - BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALLLLLLLLLLLL THE POWER!!!!!

This method is NOT LEADERSHIP - this method is about tyrany - about CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING!


20 posted on 12/05/2009 10:30:48 AM PST by CyberAnt (Michael Yon: "The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq.")
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To: Logical me
I will go to jail just for the principle. I'd like the government to give me three meals a day, a roof over my head, a warm bed and free medical care. I'd get a kick of out of seeing how they will fund Obamacare if every one is behind bars!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

21 posted on 12/05/2009 10:30:53 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: okie01
it's Washington vs the rest of us

That is so true!

22 posted on 12/05/2009 10:32:28 AM PST by kcvl
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To: WestwardHo

I’m beginning to think that way too!!

More probably .. take up the broom and sweep the idiots out of Congress. They have all been there tooooooo long.

Like I heard the other day - the words “politician” and “career” should never be in the same sentence.


23 posted on 12/05/2009 10:35:34 AM PST by CyberAnt (Michael Yon: "The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq.")
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To: CyberAnt

A broom is not nearly painful enough.


24 posted on 12/05/2009 10:37:06 AM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: neverdem

Reid is going to get crushed. There is a book in the works that will shock the crap out of people.


25 posted on 12/05/2009 10:42:58 AM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: FastCoyote

Will it be printed before the 2010 elections?


26 posted on 12/05/2009 10:51:12 AM PST by Achilles Heel
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To: formosa

If this thing passes, it will surely be challenged in court. How would SCOTUS rule?


27 posted on 12/05/2009 10:51:42 AM PST by pabianice
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To: FastCoyote

What book is that?


28 posted on 12/05/2009 10:52:59 AM PST by eekitsagreek (I want Amy Grant and Sarah Palin (wearing only a Blackhawks sweater) under my Christmas tree PLEASE!)
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To: Sacajaweau

You’re right. When you have the money to spend on something people wants that equals control - Control is their goal.


29 posted on 12/05/2009 11:12:19 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: pabianice

Well, apparently we have a President now that subverted the Constitutional requirements for being hired. What do you expect from a SCOTUS that will be packed by him. I only hope that the conservative judges on the court have VERY good body guards.


30 posted on 12/05/2009 11:13:35 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: neverdem

As John Fund writes, “the Senate death march continues”.


31 posted on 12/05/2009 11:19:25 AM PST by Signalman
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To: ANGGAPO
I still suspect that this is a ploy to eventually force everyone, except congress critters, into a “Public Option”. With this, we will have total government control of our health care system.

Suspect, hell! The One has already told his union supporters that is exactly his objective -- to force private insurers out of business and gain total governmental control of the healthcare industry.

The "public option", once in play, can undercut private insurers. First, it will be subsidized by taxpayer funds and offered without regard to profit (or loss). Second, it puts the government in the position of directly competing with those companies it regulates.

And who's gonna win that competition, do ya s'pose?

32 posted on 12/05/2009 11:35:34 AM PST by okie01 (THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Ignorance on Parade)
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To: okie01
Suspect, hell! The One has already told his union supporters that is exactly his objective -- to force private insurers out of business and gain total governmental control of the healthcare industry.

Pretty much right on the money....SEIU is one of those crafting this bogus mess and other special interests are aboard. Why would Obama hold another special rally tomorrow if the Unions weren't demanding it. This is truly not about health care!

Phone or fax just about everyone you know and your elected...Obama is not about reform he is about overthrowing our government for power...the man is almost evil in his anti-American hate programs.

33 posted on 12/05/2009 12:04:18 PM PST by yoe ( Fight organized crime: Re-elect no one...)
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To: Achilles Heel

“MASSIVE IDENTIFY THEFT ISSUE TOO.”

You know, what you have said is extremely important and is a major concern for alarm to all this. Very good point.


34 posted on 12/05/2009 12:09:38 PM PST by hot4plasma
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To: neverdem

There are real reforms that congress could pass, but unfortunately this is not about healthcare reform, rather another public employees’ union that democrats can extract money from at election time to maintain their power and elite status.


35 posted on 12/05/2009 12:22:16 PM PST by Rockitz (This isn't rocket science- follow the money and you'll find truth.)
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To: okie01
As poster #31 says - "“the Senate death march continues”.

America's death march is happening right before our eyes - the government labor force is now larger than the private sector and that spells doom for America.....the only real jobs are jobs for the government, perks and all. Other jobs are for several days then get fired so the person can collect unemployment government insurance. This jobs business is the biggest welfare expenditure ever. Obama's disregard for the US constitution, which he swore to protect and obey, is tantamount to treason and is impeachable.

The Obama threat is real; the Obama threat is here and the Obama threat is underway. It is called over throwing ones government with out firing a shot until the dissidents must be dealt with - then comes the slaughter.

America, we hardly knew ya...............

36 posted on 12/05/2009 12:34:54 PM PST by yoe ( Fight organized crime: Re-elect no one...)
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To: WestwardHo
"A broom is not nearly painful enough."

Not the Red Hot Poker again!

37 posted on 12/05/2009 1:12:35 PM PST by I am Richard Brandon
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To: I am Richard Brandon

Ha! Ever seen pictures of those Middle Ages torture chambers?
OK, time bake Christmas cookies for the grandkids!


38 posted on 12/05/2009 1:43:22 PM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: eekitsagreek

What book is that? Loose lips.


39 posted on 12/05/2009 2:52:58 PM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: Achilles Heel

Will it be printed before the 2010 elections?
h yes indeed.


40 posted on 12/05/2009 2:53:45 PM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: FastCoyote

btt


41 posted on 12/05/2009 6:27:58 PM PST by Ciexyz (The Lord is merciful and ever-ready to hear our prayers.)
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To: FastCoyote

Let us know when the book is available for purchase.


42 posted on 12/06/2009 10:29:59 AM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
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