D-Day for Health Care Reform?

Congress is back in session after its hot and grueling August recess. More than a few of its members were drilled incessantly by citizens upset about the pending passage of HR 3200 and/or its progeny. Today President Obama will address the nation on health care reform. It will be his final pitch to the country in hopes that he can regain his splendor with the American public which has been fairly tarnished over the whole issue.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times ran an article entitled, “Obama is Fast Losing White Voters’ Support.” In that article, the Times states that, “strategists in both parties blame Obama’s decline on growing discontent with his policy agenda, particularly after a month of often-rowdy debate over his proposed healthcare overhaul, in which some conservatives accused him of socialism.” What else can this plan be called? I have torn apart HR 3200 in many ways. And, above all else, when the plan is carefully reviewed it is socialist.

In his speech, Obama will make a plea to the people of America that the plan is necessary and should be supported by all. It should not be a Republican and/or Democratic issue. It is an American problem that needs to be addressed. As I have said before, we all agree on that. However, we cannot agree to the President and Congress’ current plan.

In the last few days, a couple of new proposals have been introduced. One is that the President is willing to take the public option off of the table. This is a good start. But, to have some sort of trigger in the bill which would initiate a public option if some level of events happen or do not happen is ridiculous. Who is going to judge whether the trigger has occurred? Which Presidential Czar will be in charge of that? (I am just assuming there will be another Czar since that seems to be Obama’s answer to everything despite recent problems.)

Another option being put on the table is to tax so called “Cadillac” plans which are the crème of the crop in medical plans. These are usually plans held by top executives at major corporations. Taxing these may make a lot of sense if we must tax something to pay for this onslaught on taxpayer money. However, will that include taxing Congress’ plan as well? I do not know how else to describe Congress’ plan other than to say it is a true Cadillac plan. If Congress agrees to such a tax, I am sure top executives would agree as well. Are not the Democrats the ones wanting to make the playing field level all the time?

The Senate Finance Committee is working on what would be the first true bipartisan plan right now. As reported by Fox.com, the plan would include penalties for those who do not get insurance depending on income level and family size. It would also be the first mandatory plan in the same vein that Auto Insurance is mandatory in many states. However, it would not include a public option at all. In its place, the plan would include non-profit cooperatives (whatever the hell they are).

If this plan addresses all of the issues I addressed in my prior article I can see it being something that that Republican Party can get behind. Let’s just hope so.

Van Jones! Now, there’s a name I am sure President Obama would like to soon forget. Talk about a major screw up on the Administration’s part. Here is a man that is a self-avowed Communist; signed a petition which alleged that that Bush Administration was behind 9/11; referred to Republican’s as “assholes” within the last six months; and stated that “Black Students would never do a Columbine.” I wonder what vetting process the Obama Administration did on Mr. Jones. It took all of about ten days for Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity to out this guy.

The result of Beck and Hannity’s research was obvious. Van Jones had to go. But, he resigned and was not fired. Why? The Obama Administration is still standing behind him even though all the evidence showed this man should have never even been appointed. His resignation letter cited a “vicious smear campaign against me” as his major reason for resigning. Come on. Who is he kidding?

Did the Obama Administration vet him at all? Did they know about his past? Did they agree with his past? Or, was it just extreme ineptitude on the Administration’s part? All of these choices have scary consequences? I guess admitting they screwed up was the least damaging.

But, what about Obama’s other Czars? Have they all been properly vetted? Or, are there other potential problems lurking in the background to haunt the Administration? Are the potential problems with John Holdrum and Cass Sunstein enough to have them resign as well? Holdrum seems to advocate certain population control policies that would be opposed to a majority of the American populace. And, Sunstein believes that animals should be permitted to sue humans. (I admit this is a bit ridiculous, but do we want this guy that close to the President of the United States).

This all brings to mind major problems with the whole process of appointing Presidential Advisors. Should these advisors who obviously have the President’s ear be required to be approved by the Senate? Thus far, the answer has been no as only Cabinet Posts and other higher government positions require the “advise and consent” of the Senate. Maybe, that should be changed. Maybe, all of the Czars should be approved by the Senate. I am sure the Senate’s vetting process would have discovered the problems with Van Jones and possibly John Holdrum and Cass Sunstein as well. The Senate process did put an end to a few of Obama’s earlier nominees, including those nominated for a few Cabinet posts.

In closing, let us see how the President’s performance today is viewed by the American public. Is this the D-Day for health care or just the beginning of what will be a long, hard debate?