[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.

[Erik Latranyi]

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.

I think you nailed it. If the Dems fail to pass this, their fragile coalition will disintegrate and you will see the end of the DNC.

With the decline of union power (especially given the DNC environmental policies that are in direct conflict with the industries that are unionized) they need more voters.

In the UK, there are 2 million union members in the National Health Service and they are dependable liberal voters. The US is six times larger.

Imagine all these marginal groups, like ACORN, Black Panthers, etc all being absorbed into the federal gov't and given safe, cushy union jobs.