I don't know what President Obama is doing behind the scenes, but it seems to me that he ought to more out front in supporting specific aspects of the respective House and Senate health reform bills, especially as it deals with the public option.
The White House has launched a new online resource to separate fact from fiction and provide the truth about health insurance reform. Check it out and share this with friends: WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck
I am tired not just of the half-truths and lies from Republicans and Limbaugh Luddites, but I really wish President Obama and others would counter with some simple truths. Two examples: 1) opponents of the president have recently started to scare Americans about the rising deficit and debt, when the simple truth is that much of the problem stems from Republicans failing to pay for tax breaks for the rich, failed to budget for two wars, and allowed, through regulatory inaction, the financial mess Obama inherited; and, 2) when opponents of health care/insurance reform talk of 1,000 page legislative proposals, show the American people a sample page, which will make clear that in the world most Americans are familiar with those 1,000 pages shrink by 70 or 80 percent. The simple truth will go a long way to helping Americans better understand the arguments.
Part of President Obama's message today:
"It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:
I believe President Obama needs to keep his discussion of health insurance reform simple. Use three or four talking points, such as 1) status quo is not an option, 2) people may keep their current coverage and doctors, 3) importance of changes to eliminate pre-existing conditions and other insurance reasons to deny coverage, and 4) while not often stated, insurance company bureaucrats - not always the doctor - currently decide what treatments a patient gets.
By keeping it simple, people will more easily understand the issues and will be more likely to support the president's efforts.
I have been suffering a kind of summer ennui, but recent events call me back.
First, the Senate vote today in support of President Obama, Secretary Gates, our brave fighting forces, and the American people to eliminate additional wasteful spending on the F-22 fighter jet was encouraging. Perhaps the message of changing the ways of the past is beginning to take hold.
On the other hand, much of the health care reform debate continues to mired in the same old politics. It is disappointing that many who are charged with doing right for the country are not willing to constructively argue the merits of the issues. And the media isn't doing America any favors by highlighting the differences rather than the agreements among the participants.
I admit Democratic senators used some fairly silly arguments against judicial candidates nominated by previous republican presidents, but the rhetoric of some republicans against Judge Sotomayor is beyond the pale. It’s going to be a long summer if this stuff continues.
I look forward to joining a live conference call with President Obama and David Plouffe tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, to discuss the health care campaign and answer some questions from supporters.
