The unbelievable, though not unpredictable, has happened. The Democrats have lost the Massachussetts Senate seat of Edward Kennedy, possibly killing his very life’s goal of healthcare.
The healthcare bills up for discussion – both of them – have major problems, most notably they dont bring down the crippling costs of health. But an advanced industrial country should be able to take care of its own.
Rushing something through the Senate is being mooted. The Republicans may have done this if they were in the majority. But that doesnt make it right. In fact, it is not right.
However, the Seante has already voted – legitamately – on a bill. The House Democrats need to take a deep breath and vote the same bill. They need to understand that any short term unpopularity will be vastly smaller than the long term electoral gain they will enjoy for doing something that has elluded politicians for generations.
You may wonder why i, a fiscal conservative, support health care reform. The answer is that we need to get health care cost down as a percent of the nation’s GDP. The current system cannot do that. The new system will not help either initially, but it starts a reform process in place that ultimately will.
Beyond that, this country cannot afford a crippled Administration for the next three years.
Voters gave George W Bush a second term to govern. President Obama deserves at least a second year.
