(Community Matters) Frank Rich has certainly gained the voice for progressives.
It was not a referendum on Barack Obama, who in every poll remains one of the most popular politicians in America. It was not a rejection of universal health care, which Massachusetts mandated 2006. It was not a harbinger of a resurgent G.O.P., whose numbers remain in the toilet. Brown had the good sense not to identify himself as a Republican in either his campaign advertising or his victory speech. [Yet, the administration has major challenges]
The president is no longer seen as a savior but as a captive of the interests who ginned up the mess and still profit, hugely, from it. He not only refused to signal his health care imperatives early on but even now he, like Congressional Democrats, has failed to explain clearly why and how reform relates to economic recovery. His two principal economic policy makers [Gheitner & Sumners] are useless, if not counterproductive, surrogates.
Not stated but perhaps implied, healthcare shouldn’t be as high a priority in today’s economic environment (yes, saw the polling). Healthcare is our 1964 civil rights act. I’d rather see the president sign it into law and lose reelection than not finally provide coverage for 30mm to 40mm. The most developed country in the world should provide some basic level of healthcare to all its citizens – no, emergency rooms are not effective healthcare. And, it would help increase American manufacturing competitiveness.
LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 knowing he was signing away the south to the Republicans for the next generation. We need leadership that isn’t afraid to be tossed out of office for doing the right thing. I remain convinced this is our president. I am unconvinced that the extraordinary bubble that has locked in around him, that the lieutenaunts who have gained power aren’t now drunk.
Community Matters 