Why Dems Are Obsessed by Health Reform

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 12-05-10 | John Fund

[GOP_Lady]

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.

[GOP_Lady]

John Fund discusses the left-wing whackos.

[AndyJackson]

Finally something that makes sense - or as much sense as can be made out of these whackos. I have been trying to understand this lemming like march over the health care cliff by folks who really ought to know better. Tells you just how crass democratic politicians are.

[The Great RJ]

If this monstrosity passes Congress massive taxes will kick in immediately just in time for the 2010 elections. If Democrats thought the town hall meetings last summer were rough, wait until they have to explain these new taxes.

[downtownconservative]

Seems to me that health care also acts as a diversion to the economy and jobs in the minds of dems in congress. They know that there is nothing “liberal” that they can do that will help in that area and that they will need to act “conservative” to achieve meaningful steps that will help the economy. So they avoid the issue altogether.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Explaining the tax increases will be easy. Explaining why Mom has to die because the government won’t treat her illness will be the tough part.

[jimmyray]

If they pass it, and the Pubbies take back both houses (unlikely) I doubt it will get reversed anyway. The Democrats are communists, and communists play the long game. They are looking to Nationalize everything, and don’t care about short term setbacks. I am sure all of the losers will be compensated. Such it is. Pubbies will win 2010, won’t do squat, and the dumbos will be back in by 2012. We need a RINO free GOP, or more likely, a valid, tenable 3rd party.

[Zman516]

“Why Dems Are Obsessed by Health Reform”

RAT leaders figure it will give them almost total power and control. RAT voters figure someone else will have to pay their doctor bills. Simple as that.

[edge10]

Nope. It's about the government taking over as much of the economy as possible. Healthcare is the plum in the socialist pie. Take that over and it will never go back. Massive power and control over our lives by the government.

[WashingtonSource]

The Dems are so deluded is almost beyond belief, except they are Dems and delusion is their middle name. They keep catering to the left wing of their party and more people decide they are not Dems and become independents, more independents decide they are GOP or favor the GOP, and the ranks of the GOP are increasing. They are actually driving voters away from them in droves. Their behavior is insane, if they actually believe it will help their election prospects.

[17th Miss Regt]

I’m not sure that behavior is irrational. If they can attach people to the teats of government faster than they drive people into opposition to their plans at the ballot box, they win.

[Still Thinking]

I could easily see retaking the House and perhaps even the Senate in ‘10, certainly closing the senatorial gap to less than 60-40. But I doubt they’ll have veto proof majorities, so if the Dems ram this through, the first chance to repeal it may be in ‘13, assuming a Republican presidential win in ‘12, and by then it may be viewed as too much of a fait accompli to be undone.

[rightwingcrazy]

At least they respect their base, if this analysis is correct. More than you can say for the Republican leadership.

[Earthdweller]

The answer is very simple....controlling healthcare is the only way for a totalitarian regime to completely control the lives of the people without the overt use of a gun.

[USALiberty]

We need a RINO free GOP, or more likely, a valid, tenable 3rd party.

I agree. Here is are litmus tests. If I see any RINOs on the ballot in 2010, I will vote third-party. If Sarah Palin does not get the GOP nomination in 2012, I will vote third-party. We just can't keep tolerating a party that hands us RINOS time and time again.

[hummingbird]

Seems to me that health care also acts as a diversion to the economy and jobs in the minds of dems in congress....

My FRiends, what will act as a diversion to the health care issue in the dark minds of congressional dems?

[sickoflibs]

Massive redistribution bill, much bigger than stimulus

[freekitty]

That’s an excuse. The lefties want to steal Americans money while destroying America.

[highlander_UW]

I believe they are anxious to pass just about anything they can call health reform for a couple of reasons but the core of it is power. It seems clear for even the most dense liberal that the mood of the nation is swinging away from them. Their only long term hope is to engorge the federal government in such a way that it can't be reversed, and entitlements fit that bill perfectly. Over 50% of union membership are now government employees (was mentioned on the news just a day or two ago). So if the dems can grow government they're putting the power into the hands of their power base which they hope will ensure a continued hold on the reins of power. The next area of expansion will be illegal immigrants. There is no concern for the consequences on the part of liberals, it's just a naked lust for power at all costs.

[TChris]

I believe they are anxious to pass just about anything they can call health reform for a couple of reasons but the core of it is power. It seems clear for even the most dense liberal that the mood of the nation is swinging away from them. Their only long term hope is to engorge the federal government in such a way that it can't be reversed, and entitlements fit that bill perfectly.

It's Cloward-Piven, the sequel. It's nothing less than a coordinated attempt to collapse the American government.

[highlander_UW]

It's Cloward-Piven, the sequel. It's nothing less than a coordinated attempt to collapse the American government.

Nothing else can explain the extreme efforts the liberals are taking to destroy the American economy...as shocking as it may sound. It seems to me that the conservative play should be to make sure the liberals appropriately wear the crashing/crashed economy around their necks. If they are indeed enacting the Cloward-Piven strategy then they need to (from their perspective) be in position to take advantage of the crash and install their own fascist "solution". If they are held responsible for their actions no one will follow them, especially if there are others with a re-founding of American after they crash it.