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Republicans Didn’t Lose Anything on HCR

Posted by on 12/20/2009 Leave a comment (5) Go to comments

Since news of the Health Care “compromise” came to light, I read from a few pundits (mainly on the left) that the Republicans lost politically and on policy by being fully against these bills.

This claim is totally off the mark.

First Politically:

When the Stimulus passed, we were also told that the Republicans lost. The Left was certain that the Stimulus will do wonders to the economy, and thus help the Dems politically. However ten months later, the Stimulus has little to show for it self, and few Americans think that it was a good idea.

The same game is with HCR: as time moves along (I am talking months, not years), more people will notice that besides being taxed; threatened with prison; being fined, and/or just simply be of the 4%-6% Americans who will still not be covered by the Dems’ plan (which is only a slight improvement of the current 8%-9% that go forcibly without Health Insurance), the bill – voters will notice – does NOTHING to help Americans who have now trouble with Health Coverage. In addition, before writing that the Republicans lost, the Dems should wait untill more Americans notice that Nelson, Reid and a dozen other Dems obtained special services for their states on the back of the other 35 states. I am sure few Americans will be happy with that either.

Now on Policy:

The Republicans, being in the minority position that they are, do not have much political power. Yet, whatever Shtick they did since July to derail HCR, is the reason why the HCR bills are now MUCH less liberal than Move.on and others would want. Is it still a DISASTER of a bill for Conservatives? Sure it is, but let’s not forget that the Dems have sweeping majorities in both Houses, thus Republicans will anyway lose policy fights. However, if Republicans would “going along” with HCR, and/or “work on compromise,” the bill by now would have looked the same, or perhaps even more, liberal.

So… All in all, the Repubs didn’t lose on this battle. They in fact got (on policy), and will get (politically) more than anyone on the Left will ever want.

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  • indyfromaz

    Every Man has his price. Find that price and own the man.

    Washington Post: “Change is never easy, but change is what’s necessary in America,” Sen. Nelson said at a morning news conference, announcing his support as a snowstorm raged outside.

    Speaking at the White House, Obama said it appears that a vote is certain on a bill that would provide coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans. “After a nearly century-long struggle, we are on the cusp of making health-care reform a reality,” said Obama, who had dispatched senior administration officials to help lock down Nelson’s support.
    Democratic leaders worked for days to hammer out a deal with Nelson. They reached a tentative agreement late Friday night. Under the deal, states could choose to prohibit abortion coverage in plans offered through insurance exchanges that the bill would set up for people who lack coverage through their jobs. The compromise is less restrictive than the abortion language contained in the House bill.

    Nelson also secured full and permanent federal funding for his state to extend Medicaid eligibility to everyone below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill would require all states to do so, but Nebraska alone would not be required to pay a portion of the additional cost after 2016.”

    And there it is, folks, the price of Freedom. The Final Bribe.“Landrieu got $300 Million (The New “Louisiana Purchase”) . Joe Liebermann got some language related to “the public option dropped”(at least in the Senate, in that explicit language) and got lots of attention and I’m sure a little back scratching , and Nelson got a permanent handout.
    Nelson deferred all questions on the provision to Reid, saying only that he was “comfortable” the deal took care of Nebraska.”

    Screw America, Nebraska’s ok.

    Gee, that makes me feel so much better.

  • Ignacio

    I thought your opinions were shaped by facts…

    • Yossi Gestetner

      Well, the Stimulus results (on the economy and in public opinions) are facts: more ppl are disappointed with it than happy, and on the economy, i.e. a 10% UR, is not what we were told it will give us. So the repubs WERE correct by being mostly against it.

      On HCR: look at how mad the left is, and then tell me if this is the bill that the Dems wanted back in July, or due to Repubs, tea parties and what not, does the bill look totally diff.

      However, thanks for your comment.

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