The New York Times calls for leadership from President Obama:
For the sake of a health care deal, President Obama is hinting that he may be willing to drop the idea of a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers and hold down premium costs. He should not give up without first getting a strong alternative to achieve the same goals — and so far there is nothing very strong on the political horizon.
People tend to keep doing what’s been working for them. For President Obama that’s been lofty rhetoric, few specifics, and delegating leadership to the Congress. I think he needs a few failures before he’ll change that tune.
I never fail to be fascinated by the claim that Obama’s “failed” when a reform bill hasn’t even left the Senate Committee yet and Congress is currently in recess. Can’t we see how things go when Congress is back in session before we rush to a conclusion?
I was very specific in my criticisms, Alex. I never said that he failed nor did the Times editorial I cited so you must be quoting somebody else in your comment. I’m saying what I’ve been saying all along: that I want President Obama to show more leadership.
I think we’ll see the leadership come into play soon, according to the NYT today it looks like the democrats are finally thinking about moving ahead without support from the republicans.
The course that has taken place on the the health care issue may in fact have been the best approach, whether it was planned this way or not, you have to admit that we have had a very vigorous debate on the heath care issue and more to come I’m sure.
Finally, some very serious dialog on the U.S. health care system is beginning to take shape. I think we’ll all know more as we go along..and the more debate the better.
On CNN web site a very interesting town hall meeting video with Barney Frank, finally some firm and appropriate response to the empty rhetoric from the right…let’s keep the health care debate moving along..To be honest I was losing hope…but I’m actually feeling a bit more optimistic recently..We have a long way to go..lots to learn and understand yet. I think it’s reasonable to say that most American’s understand that the health care issue is an issue of extreme importance..for all of us in so many ways and we’ve known this for some time but have not actually had a public debate on the issue…