Last night the President summoned “the character of our country.”
But his attempt to create an atmosphere of bipartisan support evaporated with the turn of a single phrase:
“I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out.”
Threats to those who honestly oppose his ideas? Or does that also apply to those (such as Speaker Pelosi) who accused our fellow citizens of being “anti-American” for venting their honest frustrations at town hall meetings?
No question this speech was largely an exercise about reasserting the President’s leadership. Did that happen? Will, for example, Henry Waxman decide that he is now obligated to the agreements the President reached with, among others, PhRMA? If Mr. Waxman remains unobligated, will the President “stand by” or will he “call him out.”
“If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” But “your healthcare plan” could be more expensive – or your employer may cease to offer it at all. As the old Yiddish proverb goes, “A half-truth is a whole lie.”
And as far as the tax on “gold-plated” insurance policies, here’s what Robert Pear wrote in the New York Times, “Proponents say the idea … would encourage employers to buy cheaper, less generous coverage for employees, thereby reducing excessive use of medical services.”
“Excessive use?” According to whom? And what does “gold-plated” mean? No details offered.
Pear continues, “But many House Democrats and labor union leaders have resisted those proposals, saying the tax would often be passed on to employers and to workers in the form of higher premiums” and “that could be seen as violating a campaign promise not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year."
The President’s for a “not for profit” public plan – but “We should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.” Translation: “I’ll sign a bill without a public plan.”
And the left cringes.
Welcome news that the President supports a yet-to-be written initiative to create pilot projects intended to curb medical malpractice lawsuits. But who will co-pilot this idea in Congress. That’ll be interesting to see -- or to see if it really happens.
Strangely lacking – a timeline, or even a call for one.
As Senator John McCain commented post-speech on the Larry King Show, “Facts are stubborn things.”
But his attempt to create an atmosphere of bipartisan support evaporated with the turn of a single phrase:
“I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out.”
Threats to those who honestly oppose his ideas? Or does that also apply to those (such as Speaker Pelosi) who accused our fellow citizens of being “anti-American” for venting their honest frustrations at town hall meetings?
No question this speech was largely an exercise about reasserting the President’s leadership. Did that happen? Will, for example, Henry Waxman decide that he is now obligated to the agreements the President reached with, among others, PhRMA? If Mr. Waxman remains unobligated, will the President “stand by” or will he “call him out.”
“If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” But “your healthcare plan” could be more expensive – or your employer may cease to offer it at all. As the old Yiddish proverb goes, “A half-truth is a whole lie.”
And as far as the tax on “gold-plated” insurance policies, here’s what Robert Pear wrote in the New York Times, “Proponents say the idea … would encourage employers to buy cheaper, less generous coverage for employees, thereby reducing excessive use of medical services.”
“Excessive use?” According to whom? And what does “gold-plated” mean? No details offered.
Pear continues, “But many House Democrats and labor union leaders have resisted those proposals, saying the tax would often be passed on to employers and to workers in the form of higher premiums” and “that could be seen as violating a campaign promise not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year."
The President’s for a “not for profit” public plan – but “We should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.” Translation: “I’ll sign a bill without a public plan.”
And the left cringes.
Welcome news that the President supports a yet-to-be written initiative to create pilot projects intended to curb medical malpractice lawsuits. But who will co-pilot this idea in Congress. That’ll be interesting to see -- or to see if it really happens.
Strangely lacking – a timeline, or even a call for one.
As Senator John McCain commented post-speech on the Larry King Show, “Facts are stubborn things.”
