Washington Monthly brainiac Steve Benen compares the Democrats' health care reform plan (take your pick as to which he is actually referring to) to the Republicans' health care reform plan (remember that?):
Throughout the lengthy debate on health care reform, Republicans refused to negotiate in good faith. Compromises were considered out of the question. Blatantly, demonstrably false claims were the norm. Perhaps worst of all, GOP leaders would embrace specific reform ideas, and when Democrats would agree, those same GOP leaders would reject the same measures they'd already endorsed.
Blah, blah, blah, woof, woof, woof. Evil Republicans. Whatever...
And yet, now that reform is hanging by a thread, congressional Republicans are arguing with a straight face that legislation can still pass -- just as soon as the Democratic majority approves the GOP reform plan.
Last week, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) "made it clear that the only starting point for bipartisan compromise would be for Dems to drop their health care plan and embrace the GOP one." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ken.) made the same offer yesterday.
John McCain took a similar line yesterday, suggesting that the only ideas that can pass in a Democratic Congress are those that come from Republicans.
Want bipartisanship there, Steve? Nah, not really...
Perhaps now would be a good time to look back at the official Republican health care reform plan, as it was unveiled in November. It was largely lost in the shuffle -- and het media largely ignored it because reporters knew it had no chance of passing -- but it told us a great deal about how the GOP approaches this issue.
The Republican plan was nothing short of laughable -- it did nothing for the uninsured, nothing for those with pre-existing conditions, and nothing for those worried about losing coverage when it's needed most. It was an entirely partisan plan, written in secret. The Republican proposal sought to create a system that "works better for people who don't need health care services, and much worse for people who actually are sick or who become sick in the future. It's basically a health un-insurance policy." And as we learned in November, the plan included provisions that "mirror the suggestions put forth by the lobbying entity of the private insurance industry way back in December 2008."
Indeed, the official Republican plan didn't even offer modest provisions that the party used to support. Roll Call reported at the time, "Under the GOP plan, insurance companies would still be allowed to exclude anyone with a pre-existing medical condition from coverage, there would be no national insurance exchange and businesses would not face any mandate to provide insurance nor individuals to buy it. Boehner also left out tax credits to help the poor and middle class buy insurance -- a central pillar of most GOP reform proposals and a key feature of a four-page outline Republican leaders released in June."
I hate to break it to you, Steve, but what you're doing here is weighing turds. It seems pretty clear that at the moment, voters really don't care whether you have the biggest turd or the best turd... They don't even care if you polish it to a high gloss.
They don't want a turd.
Why is that so difficult to understand?
It seems he missed the fact that voters repudiated the republicans for some very good reasons. The fact that the voters are getting ready to do it to the democrats also seems to escape him.
None of these Wile E. Coyotes seem to understand that Congress, in general, has the worst job approval, and the highest "I don't trust the bastards" ratings in the country.
Posted by: Allen | January 25, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Exactly what part of "It's dead, Jim" don't these guys understand ? Insert entire Monty Python 'Dead Parrot' sketch here.
Posted by: Mike C. | January 25, 2010 at 01:19 PM
"This parrot has ceased to be!"
Reality is arriving hard this morning in Dem circles.
Posted by: David | January 25, 2010 at 01:54 PM
It would serve us right if they just drop the whole 'health care reform' idea; then we'd be really, really, really sorry. Come on, Congress, show us some tough love. I dare you...
BOOT!
Posted by: Joe Redfield | January 25, 2010 at 02:08 PM
Refresh my memory, were the GOP refusing to compromise before, after or during the Democrats' locking them out of the negotiations?
Posted by: richard mcenroe | January 25, 2010 at 03:20 PM
We are toilet training our son at the moment. He is willing to do wee wees in the potty but will go no farther despite our urging. If he lays a turd down in there we will cheer, kiss him and do a big song and dance.
Kid = Congress, Us = Barry. I'm not sure who takes the part of the American people in this, maybe they're the potty.
The analogy works on a lot of levels.
Posted by: Simon | January 25, 2010 at 03:44 PM