My first choice is repeal. My second is defunding. My third is delay. I think it’s the way of least harm at this point.
There is what you want and what you can get. The Senate effectively killed the defund option. The House has already decided that it isn’t going to defend that patch of ground, so why belabor it? The question is whether delay is acceptable as opposed to full implementation?
I understand the sentiments expressed to just let the act go into law and let the ‘rats own it. Understood, but it overlooks the real harm that will come to Americans if it does go into effect. I agree that in war there are times when the “best” choice amongst bad choices is to call in artillery on your own position. This is not one of those times. There are other options on the table.
What ultimately convinced me to come in favor of delay is a detail that has been talked about a bit but not so much: the situation with the computer software. It’s just not ready. And that has the potential to cause a complete meltdown. Yes, it would be gratifying to watch the ‘rat’s beloved mcconnelcare crash and burn in a sadistic sort of way, but don’t forget that real Americans would be harmed as a result. If our best argument for conservatism is that we’ll harm Americans less, but we’re still OK with harming them, then I think we’ve already lost.
Second, delay allows us time to make our arguments and continue the steady drip, drip, drip of negative information coming out about mcconnelcare. One thing that we have now that we didn’t have even a month ago is the costs of coverage under the exchanges. We have the real data. Not conjecture: this is what mcconnelcare is going to cost YOU. That will allow for websites like www.seehowbadACAis.com Don’t underestimate the value of sticker shock. Also, if worse does come to worst a year from now, we will have had time to educate people on the ramifications of noncompliance.
Also, there is some PR value to be had in having stood back from the initial position of defund. Our side has given some. The other side is refusing to even negotiate. While we shouldn’t expect anything but propaganda from the MSM, the truth has a way of getting out.
I don’t trust Speaker Boehner to stand firm on anything. But simply because he hasn’t the last 50 times doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t shock us and do it this time. And I did notice the information coming to light that the gop conference is pretty happy with this. That includes some fairly good conservatives that are not in a mood to agree with much of anything. I understand it isn’t much, but you fight with the Army you have, not the one you wish you had.
Finally, I think that digging in on delay will cause some defections on the other side. Joe Manchin being the first, but I think there will be others. The other side is evil, but they aren’t completely stupid. They know this isn’t ready for prime time and I’d bet they’re not all that keen on being left holding the bag if it collapses in a heap. Dingy Hairy can talk the talk, but I doubt that he’ll be able to keep all of his members in line if the House digs in it’s heels on a one year delay.
I can’t agree. The longer this thing is delayed, the more its inevitable implosion will be blamed on Republicans’ “obstructing”.
It is simply too big and too ill thought out to even marginally succeed.
The Dems know this. That is why they are trying to buy time to work out the “glitches”, which are innumerable. And, working out the “glitches” only gives them bad PR over and over. It’s a free PR gift to Republicans ... they should take it. There is not enough money in the universe that would pay for this steady stream of negative PR on Obamacare.
Let them own it.
I do believe some collateral damage has to happen in order for the people wake up to the damage of universal healthcare. It is like telling the kid to not touch the hot stove, you can tell some of them until you are blue in the face, but they will still insist on touching it until they get burned.
Let's face it. Republicans and conservatives have been making these arguments for years. Like the nagging mom about the hot stove, they ain't listening.
Our side has given, given, and given some more to the point that we are in this awful mess now. Where is the upside on this PR of capitulation?
Sigh...America is gong to learn a very hard lesson and in many ways ...the sooner the better.
Yikes. That sounds more to me like a reason to totally oppose delay! Its meltdown is a good thing.
Yes, it would be gratifying to watch the ‘rat’s beloved mcconnelcare crash and burn in a sadistic sort of way, but don’t forget that real Americans would be harmed as a result.
They would/will be equally harmed either way. Delay can only give advantage to the statists. Real Americans would protect other real Americans from all that much harm -- doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are people, not anonymous ranks.