Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
As the health care reform debate rages and the Democrats attempt to find solutions, there are many valid concerns and issues, all of which need to be addressed. The opinion that we need health care reform is a fairly uniform consensus of most Americans. In fact, approximately three out of four support the public option for health care, which is designed to be used along side private health care as a means to create better and more complete coverage for all Americans.
Yet does the Republican Party, at this historic time, enter the debate of this serious issue in order to help form a better, more complete and more cost effective measure? No, they have decided once again to play petty politics and shoot down this legislation in order to turn this into a pass or fail scenario for President Obama.
Republican Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina this week stated, "If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." This has since been echoed by other members of the GOP as the new catchphrase in their battle against health care.
Forget the fact that a reformed healthcare system could save many lives (over 100,000 a year in preventable deaths alone); the GOP would rather make this about them and their place in history.
Well, their place is history is forming, and it is not a favorable picture; racial attacks, first-strike wars without reason or definition, and a party that time and time again does not listen to its constituents. They are attempting to turn our government from a Democratic Republic into a Dictatorial Oligarchy. Is this what most in the GOP wish of their party? I highly doubt it. This, perhaps, may be the reason why so many conservatives are presently leaving their party, or at least no longer voting along strict party lines.
DeMint’s statement illustrates a philosophy in which legislation is merely a tool for personal power and a means of payment to lobbyists for donations to GOP campaigns. It does not occur to them anymore that legislation should be about the people and how to make their lives better. Granted, politics enters into all legislation, but the value and the need of the legislation should take top priority.
There is nothing wrong with having a dissenting opinion. Such is what our country was founded upon (and this is something the GOP should have remembered when they held the cards). However it is a duty of all legislature members to work for a solution, rather than just sabotage the efforts of the opposing side.
For additional information on the GOP’s search for identity, please see:
Republicans should reflect on their own name change to suit their identity
Copyright © 2009 by Raymond Gellner
Comments
Like this statement is the problem?
The problem is the plan. Deal with that.
The problem is it a terrible plan that neither side likes.
Jim Demint is demented. The GOP apparently wants to stay the minority problem.
Well BS Zone, when you can explain EXACTLY what about "the plan" is problematic, particularly since "the plan" is still in the formative stages, maybe you'll have some credibility.
"The plan" is to reform healthcare, because WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO! It's choking small employers, who employ approximately 80% of Americans, and because our ins. co. casino style healthcare is just shameful!
This is all a game to GOP! They've been playing games and spending like there's just no end to how much money the American people can spend on bridges to nowhere and wars to nowhere for eight years, and now they throw a few sound bites out there for the pigeons to consume, and they think they can kill health care reform? And not for our sakes, for their own selfish ends. Just google what health care lobbyiests are spending right now.
I say, oh HELL NO they won't kill it! That's killing US. Most of us are 1 pink slip away from disaster and too smug to recognize it.
TeriBeau says: "when you can explain EXACTLY what about "the plan" is problematic, particularly since "the plan" is still in the formative stages, maybe you'll have some credibility."
What have I been reading about for weeks then?
Many parts are trickling out correct? Someone on another Examiner has been doing a series on t so she must know what is in the plan.
Democrats and Repubs ALIKE are against much of what they know correct? That is why Obama's plan is going down faster than a bottle of vodka at Courtney Love's house.
Credibility is not a problem I have,it IS a problem Obama has. He CONTINUES to say "if you like your plan you can keep it" but then when pressed on that part said " I am not familiar with that part of it".
TeriBeau says: "They've been playing games and spending like there's just no end"
Did you miss the last election? The Demoncrats OWN THIS GOVERNMENT sweetie. It is ALL THEIRS!
Karen Harper says: "Jim Demint is demented."
Just opinion or do you have specifics?
TeriBeau, it is not the out of power repubs that are holding this Fascist takeover of our health care system, it is the DEMOCRATS! Do you live in a cave?
"WASHINGTON (CNN) – As the prospects for passing health reform by the time Congress leaves for its August recess look bleaker, Democratic grumbling about President Obama is growing louder. One Democratic senator tells CNN congressional Democrats are “baffled,” and another senior Democratic source tells CNN members of the president’s own party are still “frustrated” that they’re not getting more specific direction from him on health care. “We appreciate the rhetoric and his willingness to ratchet up the pressure but what most Democrats on the Hill are looking for is for the president to weigh in and make decisions on outstanding issues....
"....Instead of sending out his people and saying the president isn’t ruling anything out, members would like a little bit of clarity on what he would support – especially on how to pay for his health reform bill,” a senior Democratic congressional source tells CNN. The Democratic leadership had hoped the work going on behind closed doors for months could bear fruit in time for the president’s news conference Wednesday night. But multiple Democratic sources tell CNN that’s looking very unlikely, and one senior Democratic source tells CNN there is some frustration among Democratic leaders that Senate negotiators have, "repeatedly missed deadlines."
The Waterloo comment is a perfectly legitimate comment. First contrary to what you have written the Republicans have spoken out on many of the details of proposals for a healthcare plan and have offered alternatives. Just because you choose not to write about them does not mean they do not exist. Obama has spent significant political capital on pass a plan. If it does not pass it could seriously damage his efforts in other areas. Remember after President Clinton failed in his attempt at a healthcare plan his party lost its majority in the midterm elections. Jim DeMint was merely pointing out one of if not the main motivation Obama now has to see something passed. That is to save his political influence. Looking at the motivation behind something is a very important part of the discussion
Of course Obama has worked very hard to bring affordable quality health care to Americans, so it will be a major defeat to him (as well as to ALL Americans) if it fails.
The point is, the GOP would rather work to destroy Obama than find a solution and this is typical Republican politics. Republicans want it all their way or no way. Obama has already reached across the table and proposed a public option plan to work private insurance rather than have a single payer plan (which is what many on the left wish to have). This cost him points in his own party, yet for the common good went with this.
Explaining to the GOP the need for pragmatism and compromise in a democracy is like trying to explain something to a brick wall...
Some of you folks seriously don't understand how this works do you? There are NUMEROUS committees throughout the Congress working on various aspects of two proposed bills, one in the Senate, one in the House. Once the put the bills up for amendments and a vote in each House, if they pass they go into conference, to come to a compromise bill to vote on. And we go from there. Right now it's all proposals.
The Clinton Admin. was criticized for giving Congress a healthcare bill, already drafted. Obama's not doing that, he's inputting along the way, and will have more to say once the bills are in conference.
Seriously, they had that School House Rock thing when we were kids about how a bill becomes a law. Y'all should have paid attention. *rollseyes*
Demint wrote several bills about reforming health care that Obama voted against when in the senate. These would have expanded coverage and made it more affordable working within the system, not radically taking it over.
Because Obama voted against those, I'm inclined to believe he wants socialized medicine. Substandard and care by the numbers. Each state gets so many hip replacements and only if your under 80 or 70. Nice...Besides, what's the rush? It'll take four years to get into place.
We need reform in health care. The GOPs got the answer to maintain our standard of care in America. You guys are smart, have you taken a look at the world's socialized medicine and the pitfalls they have. Why do you think they come here if they can afford to? And if the tax base is less employed, and business not growing, how will they pay for it?That is the concern on every governors mind.More and more debt. Not good.
Somethings gotto give nowor itwill giveworse laterifuthink thisisbad?
Raymond Gellner's got it incomplete in this article.He needs to do his homework in the history of bills put forth on health care by Demint or Obama before pointing fingers.
It's all a power play. 20% of our GNP is health care.Our Congress, Obama has dollar signs in their eyes and are wringing their hands laughing.A socialized country is GNP gov. control 49% of economy.With health care takeover, GM, banks, amtrack, etc. we will be up to 47% by some estimates..what's next, the airlines?I ignore the complaints because I know it will get much worse if Obama doesn't have a Waterloo.Does the democrat party have ADD?Youreally gotta look back in history and intothefuturewithconsequencesandlooking at other systems around the world.This emotional painstuffwillalwaysbethere.Someone will always be hurting, it's just a question of in vain or foralongtermsolution.We've got a lot of winersinthe leadershipofdemocraticpartypowergrabs disguisedasimpotent,ineffective bleeding hearts
GIT R DUN RITE!
I see TB, so DeMint won't participate in health care reform, unless HE is the one bringing it up? Or are you saying this is childish tit-for-tat? Either way DeMint's an ass.
And what "standard of care" are we maintaining? The one that leaves MILLIONS of people without? Besides, the term "standard of care" is fuzzy, unquantifiable, and meaningless in this context, and even means next to nothing, even as a legal term.
I'm very interested in where you're getting all these "facts" and "figures." I've done my homework on this. "The U. S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country but ranks 37 out of 191 countries according to its perforance."
This format won't allow links, but my blog is on Raymond's roll, Teri's Tirades, and I invite you to check out my research and sources.
This article was over the top lala land times 10.
Obama does not need a single GOP vote so this is just a distraction from the bad bill.
Sometimes no action is better than taking action.
The amount that the public spends on health care is not important. Obviously if people like what they are getting they will buy more of it. If the price were too high the health sector would go out of biz.
As for ignoring solutions you need to talk to pelosi about that one since she refuses the republicans much ability to influence the bills.
Probably the biggest problem with this bill is that its being rushed. This is proof that it is all about Obama. A good plan is rarely a rushed plan. 1000+ pages and unread also a problem.
"racial attacks, first-strike wars"
Obama put his foot in his mouth about Gates and the white officer didnt he. I also remember tons of Dems voting to go to war as well didnt we? Of course when the war became unpopular they were lied to all of course.
Socialized medicine is like Lothar of the Hill people from SNL.
New ideas cost a lot of money therefor I must reject it.
All the lastest life saving ideas cost the most money and America flips the bill for these break thru treatments. Other countries just wait till the price comes down or threaten to ignore the patent to scam a lower price on drugs or wait till the price naturally comes down.
All countries do not have a constitution or one that is exactly like ours. I the USA there is not right to health care and there is nothing in the constitution that implies the government should be involved in health care. I remember something about if it is not explicitly given the right those rights will fall to the sa=tate or to the people. This means that the federal government has no biz imposing in this area to start with.
Since 80% of the population likes their health care why do we need to change everyones health care to supply just 5 million more people with care?
According to your argument there are many things that we do for the country that the Constitution does give us the right to do. Besides, there is an argument that the Constitution does give the government the right to involve itself in a health care system: the segment of the Preamble "provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare" comes to mind.
In any event, the public option plan for reform is not socialized medicine. Even the AMA gave up on that line.
Ray I see that you decided to comment on the murky bending and interpeting of the constitution but failed to address all of the concrete issues that are not very defendable I mentioned. Come out and defend your man.
Since 80% of the population likes their health care why do we need to change everyones health care to supply just 5 million more people with care?
Obama does not need a single GOP vote so this is just a distraction from the bad bill.
Probably the biggest problem with this bill is that its being rushed. This is proof that it is all about Obama. A good plan is rarely a rushed plan. 1000+ pages and unread also a problem.
Obama put his foot in his mouth about Gates and the white officer didnt he. I also remember tons of Dems voting to go to war as well didnt we? Of course when the war became unpopular they were lied to all of course.
A recording of Obama came out about how he hated Bush for rushing bills.
Be a man Ray and address the issues. Dont hide
If you honestly address the issues you will be one of the very few liberals ever to do that!
I want to hear about Honduras from YOU.
Trust me if you want to make something of yourself you must first be honest and take all opponents that come your way. Do not shy away from tough questions. You had good things to say about Cronkite so why not be more like him?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!