Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on

A test

Categories
Politics

Here is a test for everyone.  The condemnation of the federal government right now is pretty universal throughout the country.  Nitwits, tools, terrorists, arsonists, cowards, bullies are only the types of names that are fit for print here in our family-friendly blog.  There are much worse being distributed in other venues.

 

 

I want to pose a test for everyone though who are embarrassed and angry about the incompetence shown by our governmental leaders.

 

 

Most of you have political inclinations and ideologies, and in particular opinions on Obamacare.  Trying to respect Gotham's "no partisan politics rule" (so difficult in times of such partisan animosity), how many of you out there would be willing to end the government shutdown if it meant your position losing on Obamacare?

Comments

Donald Bernstein

It is not a proper question. Like it or hate it, Obamacare is the law. And it is not the issue. What if the Democrats controlled Congress and said they would shut down the government until the Republicans agreed to enact the assault weapon ban that was recently defeated? The Republicans would scream bloody murder.
You don't change a law by threatening to shut down the government. It is a bad way to govern and it is bad precedent. So I think your question leads us down the wrong path.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Wed, 10/02/2013 - 03:00

Permalink
Erik Scheibe

Your answer is fine, but there is nothing wrong with the question. The government has been shut down what 17 times? We have been through this before. What if the Democrats did exactly what you said? The people could make their own decisions as to the political toll it should take...as will people about this battle. I imagine that's why there are so many Republicans so upset about this. I am nothing near a Tea Party supporter, and I don't think I agree with this tactic, but since when has trying to change a bad and unpopular law been an unworthy political effort.

The purpose of the blog was to show people that the political gridlock we see in government is not just rooted in stupidity, but in the challenged concept of compromise. I hear a lot of people talking about getting things done, but I see very few people truly understanding the concept of compromise and the emotional challenges that come with it...and they don't even have to answer to their constituents.
Corey Bearak

If I could hyperlink to a past comment, I would do so to my comment on Nancy's blog yesterday. It applies to this blog: "
Unfortunately, many really stupid people hold public office. Some may be book smart; some may speak well; some may sound like they know what they are speaking about; they just do not understand economics, public policy and the public good. This comment seeks not to defend certain political views but extreme views coupled with ignorance and/or opportunism/ self-interest deserves punishment at the polls." I also identify and associate myself with the comments above by HHDB and tribal (co-)leader.
To suggest the law is unpopular ignores the massive website crunch of people trying to signup on Monday. The law may not be the best, but suggestions of bad makes no sense. It is better than what was; much better. Frankly to the extent mostly laws exist with imperfections, one might argue they are bad; of course that argument would be intellectual nonsense. To go further we need to visit the politics listserve where I remain encumbered by the fact that I get paid to message and respond; just because I can message effectively does not require me to step forward and point by point defend because I can do it "differently" when it remains the job of others.

Submitted by AdrianWalterGinzburg on Wed, 10/02/2013 - 11:12

Permalink
Adrian Walter Ginzburg

The Affordable Care Act was passed by congress, upheld by the Supreme Court, and the candidate who ran for president pledging to revoke it, lost. Big. Where is the controversy and confusion? What possible compromise could there be? It's the law, it will save lives, and it's very popular as shown by the huge demand on day one. I really just don't understand where the compromise is. As Fred said, it's sore losers who have found the levers of power. God forbid they get any more power!

Submitted by Katalin_Goencz on Wed, 10/02/2013 - 13:49

Permalink
Katalin Goencz

There was a mad dash to sing up for insurance on the Exchanges. Most states could not handle the volume. People are hoping for cheaper insurance and adequate healthcare. Where does that leaves the Republican party? Far removed from their constituents. We are as voters need to do our job and weed out our elected officials. Those who are not supporting our views should not be representing us in congress. It is really that simple.

Submitted by christophercooke on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 00:17

Permalink
Christopher Cooke

Nothing wrong trying to stop a monumentl disaster, but I'm afraid they are wasting their time against an imperial/imperious president who is buoyed by a highly biased media. What the Republicans should do is let Obamacare go into full force and effect and let the "folks" see what a calamity it is.
Rona Gura

Interesting videos going around the internet. When people are questioned as to whether they support Obamacare they say "no." When the same people asked whether they support the Affordable Health Care Act, they say "yes." Just saying. . .

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 01:35

In reply to by christophercooke

Permalink
Erik Scheibe

The problem is that once the current system we have breaks, we can't just go back. This system is designed to fail and then there will end up with socialized medicine which is what the Democratic leaders have wanted all along. The system is not perfect, and there are aspects of the new act that are positive improvements, but it is so weighted down with ideology that it doesn't focus on the crisis it was originally designed to solve.

That being said, I don't think that it is worth serious economic damage to the country which could result if this goes on to long or the debt ceiling is not appropriately managed.
Erik Scheibe

lol, that's because the Affordable Care Act makes it sound like it is making health care more affordable for most people, but it will not. I would love to believe that the government is so efficient at running things that they can subsidize health insurance premiums for those making up to 400% of the poverty line, add everyone in the country from age 18-26 to existing plans, add everyone with pre-existing conditions, add maternity care, add mental health care, add wellness care and add the massive government oversight and accountability and still make health care more affordable...but it just isn't real. They are making it more affordable for a small minority, while more expensive and worse coverage for the masses.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 01:53

Permalink
Erik Scheibe

I will let the readers judge the results of the test. If the attitude from the left (or the right, many seem to forget that Republicans won the House, many being elected for just this purpose) is we won, you lost, you're stupid so suck it, then how can we be so critical of the people representing us being equally intransigent.
Erik Scheibe

So you don't think that if the people of this country supported this program there wouldn't be polls all over the place supporting it. Notice how few polls you've seen on it in the main-stream media. I guess it goes by the adage don't ask questions you don't want to know the answers to.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 01:59

In reply to by Katalin_Goencz

Permalink
Erik Scheibe

Btw, reported as of today, 0 people officially signed up for the program. Part of the problem is it's monumental complexity.

Add new comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.