Jack & Jill Politics

They most certainly do exist. I had a beloved relative who was subjected to an HMO death panel when he was released prematurely from the hospital on inusrance company orders. His health quickly detiorated, and he died withing 6 months. It's one of the reasons reform is so personal to me.

I know there is an unofficial gag rule of offering critical political analysis (on this advertised political blog) of the President's and the Democratic majority's handling of health care reform, so I'll refrain from describing my personal disappointment with how poorly they have handled this. I'll only say rather than offering 'a day late and dollar short' talking points on how to respond to Republican smears that have already achieved their desired results, I wish actual families who have been victimized by insurance companies would be put at the center of this debate.

BTW, the “death panel” will NOT be included in the Senate Finance Committee's bill (the bill keeping the business and insurance industries at the negotiating table). Chalk that up as a win for Sarah Palin. How the hell is this happening?! Years ago Minister Farrakhan described Hitler as wickedly brilliant. Folks screamed how could he glorify Hitler? He wasn't glorifying Hitler; he was merely stating the obvious that you can not spread evil in that way without being brilliant, wickedly brilliant. I think it's an apt description of Sarah Palin and Republicans who are succeeding in this debate. They may be wicked, but they are wickedly brilliant. Democrats, rather than crying and bemoaning how Republicans are succeeding is spreading lies, hate and distortion, a wicked counter-punch would be a lot more helpful–to those who desparately need health care.

Policy doesn't write or enact itself. It has to be written and championed by policy makers, including the President. We can love him and still hold him accountable; afterall, we elected him to lead this nation, not annoint him our infallable savior. I will ALWAYS support him, but supporting him means being honest in my assessment of his job performance. That's respect.

It's undeniable that Sarah Palin is controlling this debate. The President of the United States has now been forced to respond to her insane charges made from a Facebook page that received world-wide attention in one 24 hour news cycle and is now influencing actual policy. I don't know if she's stupid or we're stupid for underestimating her and underestimating the stupidity of Americans who can be so easy manipulated. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the President and the Democrats were so unprepared for combat against an enemy that doesn't fight by any accepted code of conduct. As the President has said himself countless times, “They know how to win; they just don't know how to govern.”

I don't get the paranoia and deliberate stupidness over this either. As a culture, we put so much care and attention to bringing life into the world, but know one wants to discuss how it will end. The one thing that life promises is death. My brother summed it up with brilliant simplicity, “America is not just a young nation; it's a childish nation”.

Yes, the same barn burning brother who was just kidding btw. We were just turning real fear and concern about the President into humor. I should have made that clear. I hope we're cool!

Michelle made me love Barack Obama too. I have NO doubt if she was in charge of health care reform strategy, the President's message would be on point and the legislation would be on track.

They most certainly do exist. I had a beloved relative who was subjected to an HMO death panel when he was released prematurely from the hospital on inusrance company orders. His health quickly detiorated, and he died withing 6 months. It's one of the reasons reform is so personal to me.

I know there is an unofficial gag rule of offering critical political analysis (on this advertised political blog) of the President's and the Democratic majority's handling of health care reform, so I'll refrain from describing my personal disappointment with how poorly they have handled this. I'll only say rather than offering 'a day late and dollar short' talking points on how to respond to Republican smears that have already achieved their desired results, I wish actual families who have been victimized by insurance companies would be put at the center of this debate.

BTW, the “death panel” will NOT be included in the Senate Finance Committee's bill (the bill keeping the business and insurance industries at the negotiating table). Chalk that up as a win for Sarah Palin. How the hell is this happening?! Years ago Minister Farrakhan described Hitler as wickedly brilliant. Folks screamed how could he glorify Hitler? He wasn't glorifying Hitler; he was merely stating the obvious that you can not spread evil in that way without being brilliant, wickedly brilliant. I think it's an apt description of Sarah Palin and Republicans who are succeeding in this debate. They may be wicked, but they are wickedly brilliant. Democrats, rather than crying and bemoaning how Republicans are succeeding is spreading lies, hate and distortion, a wicked counter-punch would be a lot more helpful–to those who desparately need health care.

Policy doesn't write or enact itself. It has to be written and championed by policy makers, including the President. We can love him and still hold him accountable; afterall, we elected him to lead this nation, not annoint him our infallable savior. I will ALWAYS support him, but supporting him means being honest in my assessment of his job performance. That's respect.

It's undeniable that Sarah Palin is controlling this debate. The President of the United States has now been forced to respond to her insane charges made from a Facebook page that received world-wide attention in one 24 hour news cycle and is now influencing actual policy. I don't know if she's stupid or we're stupid for underestimating her and underestimating the stupidity of Americans who can be so easy manipulated. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the President and the Democrats were so unprepared for combat against an enemy that doesn't fight by any accepted code of conduct. As the President has said himself countless times, “They know how to win; they just don't know how to govern.”

I don't get the paranoia and deliberate stupidness over this either. As a culture, we put so much care and attention to bringing life into the world, but know one wants to discuss how it will end. The one thing that life promises is death. My brother summed it up with brilliant simplicity, “America is not just a young nation; it's a childish nation”.

Yes, the same barn burning brother who was just kidding btw. We were just turning real fear and concern about the President into humor. I should have made that clear. I hope we're cool!

Michelle made me love Barack Obama too. I have NO doubt if she was in charge of health care reform strategy, the President's message would be on point and the legislation would be on track.