Professor, economist and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich wrote an open letter to President Obama a few days back that’s must reading — for you as well as the nation’s chief executive.
We sat up straight, saying, “Yes! Right on!” to two of Reich’s six points in particular. Here as a teaser are those two points, but be sure to follow the link to read the other four.
Robert Reich
2. Be LBJ. So far, Lyndon Johnson has been the only president to defeat American Medical Association and the rest of the medical-industrial complex. He got Medicare and Medicaid enacted despite their cries of “socialized medicine” because he knocked heads on the Hill. He told Congress exactly what he wanted, cajoled and threatened those who resisted, and counted noses every hour until he had the votes he needed. When you’re not on the road, you need to be twisting congressional arms and drawing a line in the sand. Be tough.
4. Insist on a real public option. It’s the lynchpin of universal health care. Don’t accept Kent Conrad’s ersatz public option masquerading as a “healthcare cooperative.” Cooperatives won’t have the authority, scale, or leverage to negotiate low prices and keep private insurers honest.
Reich is diplomatically calling on Obama to quit playing pattycake with a pack of ideologically backward, bought-and-paid-for Republican jackals whose top priority is playing spoiler to benefit the special interests that fill their campaign coffers.
Reich also makes short work of the window-dressing proposal for health care cooperatives. Choosing that option is as sensible as claiming the nation’s corner groceries and convenience stores will eventually bring Wal-Mart to its knees.
The problem may be with a few Dems who get their backing from healthcare like Baucus.
You realize of course that this is all about the money and not moral principal. It’s the insurance, healthcare companies and republicans against the rest of America.
So will the 50 million without insurance kindly get up and tell your senator that you’d like at least some coverage. (especially the republicans)
You’re right about a key danger, maybe the key danger, to actually getting reform worth having, Demeur. Getting health care have nots to weigh in with Congress is an excellent idea. Paradoxically, some of the people most in need of being heard by our honorables are least likely to write or call them.
Heads up, folks. You snooze, you lose.
Excellent points made by Reich. Lyndon Johnson knew when to play hardball. We’ve entered that stage now, and I hope Obama is up to it.