Razzle Dazzle 'Em, and They'll Never Catch Wise
11:03 AM
by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.
The great political satirist P.J. O'Rourke once commented, "If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free." If that was true in 1993 when he delivered his Liberty Manifesto, it's true today as well.
Indeed, as the congress and the public dive into this serious challenge, the devil does appear to be in the details. Most people agree that our health care system needs to be reformed and in unsustainable. Check. Most people agree that we should try to cover everyone without sacrificing or rationing quality. Check. And everybody agrees that costs must come down. Check. But who do we screw to get there? Aha! Now we're up against the wall.
In an attempt to stop the slide in support for his health coverage reform, The President addressed the nation yet again Wednesday. He addressed concern after concern about proposed cuts in spending and proposed revenue enhancements (read: tax hikes) specifically what types of sacrifices are being asked of the American people to make health care reform a reality.
While answering the echoed concerns of the correspondents, Obama perhaps accidentally stumbled on the exact truth. That tends to happen when you speak at length. The president said, "Now, I understand that people are feeling uncertain about this. They feel anxious, partly because we've just become so cynical about what government can accomplish. People's attitudes are, you know, even though I don't like this devil, at least I know it. And I like that more than the devil I don't know. So folks are skeptical. And that is entirely legitimate because they haven't seen a lot of laws coming out of Washington lately that helped them."
That's true, mister president. Since your election, we've seen bailout after bailout that has helped nearly no one. Unemployment is a point and a half above where you said it would be with the massive stimulus and ticking upward. You're forced to deliver policy addresses in Ohio because her citizens have lost faith in you. But the Obama wagon coming to town may not be enough to bail yourself out of the policy blunders you have stepped into. Indeed, your star power may fail you yet. But if that's all you've got, then give 'em the old flim flam flummox. Daze and dizzy 'em. How can they hear the truth above the roar?!
So, President Obama, if the CBO says that your program won't significantly reduce costs even after a massive investment, stay strong. If doctors and patients are both concerned about health decisions being taken away, hold course. If small businesses and the broader economy are threatened, keep your game face. You won't need that hip replacement any time soon, anyway. Besides, you've talked yourself out of tighter spots than this before. Thank God for teflon.
The great political satirist P.J. O'Rourke once commented, "If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free." If that was true in 1993 when he delivered his Liberty Manifesto, it's true today as well.
Indeed, as the congress and the public dive into this serious challenge, the devil does appear to be in the details. Most people agree that our health care system needs to be reformed and in unsustainable. Check. Most people agree that we should try to cover everyone without sacrificing or rationing quality. Check. And everybody agrees that costs must come down. Check. But who do we screw to get there? Aha! Now we're up against the wall.
In an attempt to stop the slide in support for his health coverage reform, The President addressed the nation yet again Wednesday. He addressed concern after concern about proposed cuts in spending and proposed revenue enhancements (read: tax hikes) specifically what types of sacrifices are being asked of the American people to make health care reform a reality.
While answering the echoed concerns of the correspondents, Obama perhaps accidentally stumbled on the exact truth. That tends to happen when you speak at length. The president said, "Now, I understand that people are feeling uncertain about this. They feel anxious, partly because we've just become so cynical about what government can accomplish. People's attitudes are, you know, even though I don't like this devil, at least I know it. And I like that more than the devil I don't know. So folks are skeptical. And that is entirely legitimate because they haven't seen a lot of laws coming out of Washington lately that helped them."
That's true, mister president. Since your election, we've seen bailout after bailout that has helped nearly no one. Unemployment is a point and a half above where you said it would be with the massive stimulus and ticking upward. You're forced to deliver policy addresses in Ohio because her citizens have lost faith in you. But the Obama wagon coming to town may not be enough to bail yourself out of the policy blunders you have stepped into. Indeed, your star power may fail you yet. But if that's all you've got, then give 'em the old flim flam flummox. Daze and dizzy 'em. How can they hear the truth above the roar?!
So, President Obama, if the CBO says that your program won't significantly reduce costs even after a massive investment, stay strong. If doctors and patients are both concerned about health decisions being taken away, hold course. If small businesses and the broader economy are threatened, keep your game face. You won't need that hip replacement any time soon, anyway. Besides, you've talked yourself out of tighter spots than this before. Thank God for teflon.
Posted by Nick Stone
on 11:03 AM.
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