Republicans all Defense, No Offense

Written by Sang Hyun Jung






After President Obama was elected in to office, it was generally understood--within the beltway and across the nation--that republicans would not play nice. The republican side of the House and Senate would attack, fillibuster and wish upon a star to derail the President's and democrats major efforts to reform the government and push out new legislation that would finally address the problems in our society (Healthcare reform, stimulus bill). And when the democrats fail to deliver on their promise, republicans will take it as a win, and a chance to gain some political ground on 2012. It's simple politics.

For decades, Republicans have obstructed real social progress. They're great at it. When the ir was a demcratic majority or a democratic President, Republicans played major defense. They hounded President Clinton, and gloated when they killed "Hillarycare". Great defense.

But where is the offense? Why is that Republicans suddenly gain a voice when democrats want to reform healthcare. Why is that conservatives on the hill have alternative solutions only when democrats are forming solutions. Where were these "fiscally responsible" solutions when Reagan had a ideological majority? Where were these "conservative answers" when George Bush Sr. and George W. and their ilk dominated the Senate and presidency.

Reagan and both Bushes, and the republican majority didn't even try to pass any legislation on healthcare. By looking at history, it's hard to see that Republicans will ever pass legislation that cuts into the pockets of pharma lobbyists and their companies. They had their chance. Now democrats have the ball.

Labels: chris matthews, healthcare debate, party of no, republican

Let’s be like Canada

Written by Sang Jung




President Obama is currently tackling substantive issues on what should be in the healthcare legislation, as well as how should the legislation be presented to the American people. This is no easy task. Polls are showing Obama’s overall job performance has slipped from 61% to 53%, and on healthcare 51% to 41%. The people are losing confidence.

The public’s confidence is being eaten away by the Republic Political Machine, which would like nothing more than to kill this bill where it stands. Nothing would make republicans happier than watching Obama trip up on healthcare and thus fall from grace. So they hoot and shout their tired old phrases: “Market-based is the best!” “No socialism” “..don’t want to be like Europe and Canada.” Although a new low was struck when some Republicans in the senate stated that this healthcare bill would promote mandatory euthanasia for senior citizens—classy.

I can understand why they shout these slogans, no matter how flawed they are in terms or logic. Republicans project themselves as fiscal conservatives. And as fiscal conservatives they worship the ideas of the free market; efficiency through private enterprises. I also understand why Republicans compare social initiatives to socialism, because tax payers end up paying for community programs. What I don’t understand is why they bring up Europe and Canada as examples of what not to do.

Maybe these videos can explain why:

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Labels: Canada, healthcare debate, Healthcare reform, Obama

Republicans all Defense, No Offense

Written by Sang Hyun Jung






After President Obama was elected in to office, it was generally understood--within the beltway and across the nation--that republicans would not play nice. The republican side of the House and Senate would attack, fillibuster and wish upon a star to derail the President's and democrats major efforts to reform the government and push out new legislation that would finally address the problems in our society (Healthcare reform, stimulus bill). And when the democrats fail to deliver on their promise, republicans will take it as a win, and a chance to gain some political ground on 2012. It's simple politics.

For decades, Republicans have obstructed real social progress. They're great at it. When the ir was a demcratic majority or a democratic President, Republicans played major defense. They hounded President Clinton, and gloated when they killed "Hillarycare". Great defense.

But where is the offense? Why is that Republicans suddenly gain a voice when democrats want to reform healthcare. Why is that conservatives on the hill have alternative solutions only when democrats are forming solutions. Where were these "fiscally responsible" solutions when Reagan had a ideological majority? Where were these "conservative answers" when George Bush Sr. and George W. and their ilk dominated the Senate and presidency.

Reagan and both Bushes, and the republican majority didn't even try to pass any legislation on healthcare. By looking at history, it's hard to see that Republicans will ever pass legislation that cuts into the pockets of pharma lobbyists and their companies. They had their chance. Now democrats have the ball.

Labels: chris matthews, healthcare debate, party of no, republican

Let’s be like Canada

Written by Sang Jung




President Obama is currently tackling substantive issues on what should be in the healthcare legislation, as well as how should the legislation be presented to the American people. This is no easy task. Polls are showing Obama’s overall job performance has slipped from 61% to 53%, and on healthcare 51% to 41%. The people are losing confidence.

The public’s confidence is being eaten away by the Republic Political Machine, which would like nothing more than to kill this bill where it stands. Nothing would make republicans happier than watching Obama trip up on healthcare and thus fall from grace. So they hoot and shout their tired old phrases: “Market-based is the best!” “No socialism” “..don’t want to be like Europe and Canada.” Although a new low was struck when some Republicans in the senate stated that this healthcare bill would promote mandatory euthanasia for senior citizens—classy.

I can understand why they shout these slogans, no matter how flawed they are in terms or logic. Republicans project themselves as fiscal conservatives. And as fiscal conservatives they worship the ideas of the free market; efficiency through private enterprises. I also understand why Republicans compare social initiatives to socialism, because tax payers end up paying for community programs. What I don’t understand is why they bring up Europe and Canada as examples of what not to do.

Maybe these videos can explain why:

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Labels: Canada, healthcare debate, Healthcare reform, Obama