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   Read the story and see the video discussion by the authors about why creeping consolidation is crushing American livelihoods.
 Career colleges and the paper of record face off.
 A forensic tool renowned for exonerating the innocent may actually be putting them in prison.
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October 10, 2009
OBAMA GIVES A SHOUT OUT TO REPUBLICANS FOR REFORM.... It was a pretty good week for health care reform, between the CBO score on the Finance Committee bill and the Republican officials who endorsed health care reform. Both served as the basis for President Obama's weekly address. The president noted, for example, that as the reform proposal advances, it "includes the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats, and people across the political spectrum." The plan has generated broad consensus among "everyone from doctors and nurses to hospitals and drug manufacturers." And then, of course, there are the Republicans: "And earlier this week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg came out in support of reform, joining two former Republican Senate Majority Leaders: Bob Dole and Dr. Bill Frist, himself a cardiac surgeon. Dr. Louis Sullivan, Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George H.W. Bush, supports reform. As does Republican Tommy Thompson, a former Wisconsin governor and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush. These distinguished leaders understand that health insurance reform isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, but an American issue that demands a solution. "Still, there are some in Washington today who seem determined to play the same old partisan politics, working to score political points, even if it means burdening this country with an unsustainable status quo. A status quo of rising health care costs that are crushing our families, our businesses, and our government. A status quo of diminishing coverage that is denying millions of hardworking Americans the insurance they need. A status quo that gives big insurance companies the power to make arbitrary decisions about your health care. That is a status quo I reject. And that is a status quo the American people reject. "The distinguished former Congressional leaders who urged us to act on health insurance reform spoke of the historic moment at hand and reminded us that this moment will not soon come again. They called on members of both parties [to] seize this opportunity to finally confront a problem that has plagued us for far too long. "That is what we are called to do at this moment. That is the spirit of national purpose that we must summon right now. Now is the time to rise above the politics of the moment. Now is the time to come together as Americans. Now is the time to meet our responsibilities to ourselves and to our children, and secure a better, healthier future for generations to come. That future is within our grasp. So, let's go finish the job." This is a good message, at a good time. For all the talk from congressional Republicans and their allies, President Obama is, in effect, needling them, telling the public that unlike the GOP lawmakers who "seem determined to play the same old partisan politics ... even if it means burdening this country with an unsustainable status quo," there's a common sense wing of the Republican Party that backs reform. In other words, don't believe all the right-wing nonsense -- just look at all the Republicans who support Democratic efforts. Obama is driving a wedge and positioning the reform initiative as bipartisan. —Steve Benen 9:35 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (9)Comments
Obama is driving a wedge and positioning the reform initiative as bipartisan. Do not underestimate Barrack Obama. It's pretty absurd to watch the left start hand-wringing and the right starts celebrating when things don't happen with the ridiculous speed we expect in this country. But 1 year in office is truly not long at all. He's just getting started. Posted by: Del Capslock on October 10, 2009 at 9:43 AM | PERMALINK@ Del Capslock 100% agreed. The list of accomplishments he already has is NOT short for 9 months in office. He prevented the world from economic depression, regained the trust of the world in American politics and is a few days short of getting a health care reform bill to the house floor, something no president has achieved since what feels like geological eons. He's making headway and reminding us that healthcare reform is not an issue that boils down to Dems vs Reps. It's realists coming to terms with the fact that we got us crazy-ass elected officials who, helped by their rightwing gasbag media enablers, still think we're too stupid to see they're actually representing the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries instead of the people who elected them. Posted by: HP Stevens on October 10, 2009 at 10:25 AM | PERMALINKDel, NO HE'S NOT, he's a Republican and I feel good saying that I'm smarter than him!!!!! Why can't he force people to be liberal??!! Joking. I call his detractors Progbaggers. They are as rigid as the wingnuts, and nearly as clueless about politics and history. Posted by: Frank C. on October 10, 2009 at 10:26 AM | PERMALINK"The president noted that the reform proposal "includes the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats" Oh, thank goodness.
Unless, of course, the ONLY ones who WANT to reform health care are Democrats, while Republicans say they won't vote for any proposal, which they have said time and time again. Posted by: Notorious P.A.T. on October 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM | PERMALINKNoP.A.T., I think you need to read this post again. There are plenty of Republicans who want health care reform, just as there are some Democrats (though not as many) who are opposed to it. (Now, the fact that those Republicans who support reform don't happen to be members of the House or Senate, well, there's the problem I guess.) Posted by: HP Stevens on October 10, 2009 at 12:36 PM | PERMALINKI think we should start referring to the insane Republicans in office (as opposed to the rational ones whom Obama referenced) as "regressives." They are opposing the progressives and they want nothing more than to take us back 150 years in time. Posted by: Missouri Mule on October 10, 2009 at 1:04 PM | PERMALINKWhat Del said. Plus, Steve, you conclude: "Obama is driving a wedge and positioning the reform initiative as bipartisan." Great analysis. The list of Republican luminaries who support reform is actually quite impressive. Maybe this list will be publicized more and more as the legislative process continues to unfold. I would add this: President Obama's never-wavering emphasis on bipartisanship and the prolonged and frustrating negotiations of Senator Baucus, in the face of Repub town-hall lying and yelling as well as liberal hand-wringing, have been essential factors in getting us to this current situation. In addition, Obama's strategy of letting Congress be Congress (see Constitution, Article 1) is allowing some some good ideas and some effective voices to emerge. As for good ideas, I would point to the "opt-out" version of the public option. It appears that this will permit passage of a strong liberal version of the public option while putting Repub-dominated states in quite a predicament. Get the popcorn ready. As for effective voices, I would cite Senators Rockefeller (who knew?) and Wyden and Representative Weiner (NY) and Grayson (FL).
Missouri Mule, @13:04, Personally, I prefer "repressives" to "regressives". Describes them with equal precision, while keeping 3 beginning letters (instead of just two) Posted by: exlibra on October 10, 2009 at 4:53 PM | PERMALINKPost a comment
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