3 reasons why Republicans won't make a comeback in 2010

Note: I wrote this as a op-ed article in the New University. It will be published next week.

Although it seemed President Barrack Obama's honeymoon popularity would never end, his glow has finally ceased to exist. Since March, President Obama has dropped 50 percent in his approval rating--the largest drop of an American President in the history of polling. However, it is not just the President who is suffering in the polls, Congress is too. According to Quinnipiac University Poll, congressional Democrats have been declining in their approval ratings, dropping more than 13 points since May. Some major Republican leaders such as Sen. Mitchell McConnell believe that the Democrat's free fall in ratings means a shimmer of hope for Republicans in 2010. However, that notion is about as crazy as the notion of "death panels".

Yes, it is true, President Obama is far from the untouchable realm he was in during the election. Yes, it is true, Democrats have less than been effective despite a heavy majority in Congress. Yes, it is true Democratic approval ratings as a whole have dropped constantly since May. Yet, despite all of this, the Republicans won't make a comeback in 2010 due to four simple reasons.
The first is that the health care debate has overshadowed other aspects of the administration, and it has shown in the ratings. However, sooner or later the debate is going to end, and the focus will shift to other important aspects of his administration (i.e the economy, Iraq, cap and trade). So much of the media's attentions has been focus on the gruesome health care debate, nobody seems to have noticed the economy is on the road to recovery, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the rate at which people are losing jobs are declining. Ultimately a huge factor in whether Democrats get re-elected is the economy, and from the looks of it, the economic trends will continue to rise in 2010.

The second reason is that, recently, the republicans have shown themselves to be still be akin to the Bush Administration. Lets face it, the Bush Administration made some pretty serious mistakes, especially on the issue of national security. The last thing republicans need is to relate their policies, in any regard, to the Bush Administration. While John McCain did an effective job of that in the campaign, the Republicans have taken a step backwards. Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, a trusted republican voice on homeland security stated on the Rachel Maddow Show, he didn't regret going to war to Iraq. In fact, he failed to acknowledge there was a flaw in the policy makers who drew us into war. As Maddow correctly noted, Americans need to believe won't make the serious mistakes of the Bush/Cheney administration, and unless the republicans begin to acknowledge the mistakes, and separate themselves from it, they will not get their credibility back. This goes for all issues, national security, the economy, energy, everything.

Finally, the third and most important reason, is that republicans are operating on a unsustainable model of politics. Crazy politics. A large contributor to the democratic decline in approval ratings is how difficult the republicans have made it to get anything done. The Republicans have gone about the philosophy stop any bill at any means --including lying, and distortion. While this may have provided a favorable shift in ratings for a time being, Republicans still have not fared well in the polls against Democrats. According to a recent poll by CNN approval ratings for the GOP are at least 10 points below Democrats on almost every major issue, except terrorism.

More importantly however, the Republican mindset of block any Democratic bill at all costs, will eventually ware thin on the American public. This new mindset has forced the republican party to distance itself from moderate, intellectual, conservatism. For the sake of a few numbers in the polls, republicans as a whole have moved towards the extreme right, embracing, encouraging, and in some cases promoting the rhetoric and false claims of extreme conservative pundits such as Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Betsy McCaughey. Even Republicans who are considered to be moderate, such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty have endorsed radical notions of seccession and "death panels". If a moderate, low-key, Republican is endorsing succeeding from the union because of health reform, what message is being sent to the American public about the Republican part?

While it is true these extreme notions and views may have caused a hiccup for those on the left, the extreme right still only makes up of only a small minority of the American population. The American people can only believe, and tolerate, a certain amount of far-fetched notions and radical rhetoric--a threshold the Republicans are dangerously close to.

That being said, Democrats have made some mistakes, giving an opportunity for Republicans to make ground in the polls. For that to happen, moderation and rational thought needs to return to the GOP. During the later years of the Cold War Ronald Reagan, perhaps unintentionally, started a conservative intellectual movement to bring the republican rhetoric to moderation-- that same moderation and intelligence needs to return to the Republican party if they even have a prayer making significant ground 2010. That means Sarah Palin needs to stop writing on her facebook, that means the Republican party needs to reprimand Joe Wilson instead of endorse him, that means the GOP has to know its contradictory to call Obama a Nazi and Socialist at the same time. Plain and simple, the GOP cannot continue to move in the anti-intellectual direction they are headed.

However, if things continue as they are, the Republican party will eventually lose its credibility amongst voters. Essentially, the GOP will forever become the party that cried wolf.

The Bare Neccisities Of Obama's Address to Congress

After two months of having his health care reform propositions be muddled, twisted, and turned in every which direction, the president is ready to take matters into his own hands. It is about time. Frankly, it has taken him to long to take initiative on the health care issue--and he has quite the mountain to climb to make up for his passiveness. As history has proved, a home run speech in front of congress simply won't do the trick to pass an effective health care reform bill--Obama needs a grand slam. Anything short, will be ineffective. Here is what Obama needs to do in his speech to be effective.

First thing, dispel all rumors quickly and decisively. Obama, to put it bluntly, has let the GOP walk all over him with their fear mongering tactics. Aside from a few defensive comments, he really hasn't done much battling these rumors-- really it has been the media doing the dirty work for him. The first thing he needs to do, before getting into the plan itself, is let everyone know, in an authoritative, commanding, almost aggravated fashion that these rumors about "death panels", veteran health insurance, gov. take over of health care, all of it...is nothing but false. However, because he has done such a poor job battling these rumors in the past months, dispelling these false notions won't be enough to get the job done. He is not only trying to win congress, but the American people as well. He needs to reprimand those elected politicians who encourage the rumors--let everyone know that anyone who has progressed these rumors are doing so for political reasons. Point out the hypocrisy in the rumors. Get the message across, these far fetched ideas have no place in the health care debate, and anyone who introduces them should be ashamed.

Second, clearly,concisely, and emphatically address the problems with the current health care system. Make sure everyone understands the problem with the health care industry is the private insurance companies. Too often the President glosses over this section of the argument, leaving the question to many conservatives, who have this notion of American infallibility, that there really is nothing wrong with the health care system. Part of this explanation should be emphatic. President Obama recently gave a speech on health care where he showed more emotion than I have ever seen him show, and it was incredibly effective. When he talks about the horrors of the health care system today, he must, MUST, utilize his incredible charisma, arguably more than any other part in his address to congress. The reason is because congress really already knows a lot of he details in bill--they are writing it. This is for the American people. It seems that of those who understand what the bill proposes, the majority supports it. The chunk of nay-sayers are people who don't understand the need for reform, and don't really understand the bill. These type of people are not going to be persuaded by by facts, or by a clear cut plan. They will be persuaded by rhetoric filled with the pathos of an ailing nation in dire need of reform. Obama's charisma, if used effectively, has the potential to sell this idea to reform to Americans, who simply don't, and really will not, understand the contents of the bill that is being proposed.

Thirdly, clearly address the details of the proposed plan. Most importantly, Obama needs to be clear, crystal clear, on what he wants in a plan, and how he plans to pay for it. This is more for Congress than for the American people, but it definitely wont hurt to have the public hear his plan. He needs to be stone cold on the idea that a public option is must. No more of this wishy washy, maybe co-op, maybe public option crap. We need a public option. That's what we want. That's what you are going to give me. That's the attitude the President needs to take. When it comes to details of the plan, so far, Obama has done a pitiful job explaining. When asked about competition between private sectors and the public option, or about costs or raising taxes, he has either beat around the bush or sugar coated it. He needs to make up for that Wednesday. Give congress a clear cut answer on why private insurance company will be able to compete with the public option. Most of all, explain how he plans to pay for his proposed health care plan. In gaining votes this is the most important part of his speech. If he can effectively produce a rational answer to come up with the 1 billion dollars needed to fund this thing, he will be able to win over the moderate democrats, and maybe even a 1 or 2 republicans.

In short what needs to happen, is the timid, passive, Obama that has shockingly emerged for these last two months needs to disappear. He needs to show the American public and congress, with the confidence and authority he had campaigning that he has full faith in the public option. Any speech that doesn't radiate confidence is a failed one. Any speech that doesn't address these three steps is a failed one. Obama has dug this whole through his passiveness, lets see him get out of it.

I invite anyone to give us what you think is necessary for Obama to do in his speech. I am interested to see what everyone thinks.

Mortal Kombat! Arlan v. Grassley

If this health care debate couldn't get any more insane, it just has. Senator Arlan Spector, who has received the brunt of the vicious town hall meetings, has been clearly agitated with Grassley's rumored "death panel" claims. After being probed to call Senetor Grassley, Spector just received his message- Check out the video from Crooks and Liars:




But the battle wasn't over there, Spector still angry, ran home and jumped on his computer. With one swift move of the arm he was on Twitter...and posted this:

“Called Senator Grassley to tell him to stop speading (sic) myths about health care reform and imaginary ‘death panels."'

Grassley was quick to reply with an uppercut of his own:

“Specter got it all wrong that I ever used words ‘death boards’,” Grassley wrote. “Even liberal press never accused me of that. So change ur last Tweet Arlen.”

(See the truth about Grassley's statement here)


Damn, now all we can do is wait for the next blow to land. This is better than a fight from I Love New York!

The truth behind the "death panels"...

(Note: This blog will be discussing section 1233 of H.R 3200. To ensure that everything in this blog concerning the bill is true here is the link to the actual bill)



First off, as you read this I suggest you play this music. The most epic evil, horror, music ever.


And now...the truth behind the death panels. Who is behind them?




Betsy McCaughy.




Who is she? And why should she start such a horrible rumor--such a ridiculous and utterly false concept?

Lets take those one at a time. Betsy McCaughey, besides being a succubus (a little humor), she is the director of medical device company called Cantel Medical Corp; former lieutenant governor of New York; she is a senior at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank. How conservative are we talking here? The Capital Research Center, a non-partisan, independent, group that seeks to rank non-profits and documents their funding, allocates Hudson as a 7 on its ideological spectrum with 8 being "Free Market Right" and 1 "Radical Left."

Yeah, that conservative. Here is the kicker, guess where they get their funding? Pharmaceutical companies, drug store chains, and biomedical companies. Yeah, the same group of people who oppose a reformed health care because of a fear the government will regulate prices on their drugs.

Now the basis of this lie didn't start with the H.R 3200, but rather with the stimulus package and its provision on heath care spending. She threw a fit on Fox and CNN and misquoted the provision to say the government will, "guide decisions at the time and place of care", drawing the implication that the government will decide what your doctor will do, even if it means euthanasia if your treatment is too costly. Of course this fear of a government take over carried over to the health care reform and...viola you have the "death panel" origin.


What did H.R 1 really say? That the government will "provide appropriate information to help guide the decisions at the time and place of care". So what is this saying? The government will provide information, that doctors can access at any time, to help them in their decision of treatment. Because too often corporations, like the pharmaceuticals that funds McCaughey, give falsified or skewed information to doctors which result in unnecessary prescriptions, and unnecessary tests that make the health care system inefficient more expensive.

These corporations are the same corporations that shot down the health care reform in 93', the same corporations that are responsible for the skyrocketing premiums and plummeting medical salaries. These people are the reason why we dont have universal health care like france, or italy (they top the chart for health care)-- the reason we have people being denied coverage on fatal illnesses. They are the reason we need reform!

Dont belive me on her motive of recieving funding from pharmaceuticals? You dont have to. Read McCaughey letter to Pharma Ceo Alan Holmer,

"Asking Pharma (a pharmaceutical company) to fund my work at the Hudson institute, because my writings on health care policy can make a substantial difference in the public opinion and in the nation's capitol."

And she sure has, people actually believe old people will be put through euthanasia. She has made a substantial difference not only in the public opinion but also in the nation's capital. We have Sarah Palin bolstering ridiculous comments about a death panel that decides whether or not a person should have the right to life. But its not just wacky right wing would be politicians, its actual politicians. Sen. Grassley told his constituents they "have a right to be feared." He actually endorsed this ridiculous nonsense of McCaughey and sold it to the public!

What the "death panel" is referring to is section 1233 of the health care bill. What section 1233 suggests is "end of life counseling"--no not for the way you want to die, but for how your treatment will go to reduce costs for senior citizens and medicare alike. End of life counseling has been no new thing in our health care system. In fact when the section was added to the bill, guess how many objections there were? None. Not one. Not even from a republican. In 2007, in fact, a few republicans helped suggest and cosign a bill entitled "Medicare End of Life Counseling Act"....Go figure.

So lets outline how this stupid idea began:

First came the stimulus revision and McCaughey's outlandish comments

Secondly, on July 16, she goes on ex. Senator Fred Thompsons radio show and butchers section 1233 of H.R 3200...lighting the match for the "death panel" comments calling the bill bill "a vicious assault on elderly people" and that it will "cut your life short."

Third: July 24 she wrote a collumn pretty much outlining the same thing, tugging on heart strings by a hypothetetical situation of a Grandma with Parkinson's disease not getting treatment by "Obamacare"

Next comes Rep. Michele Bachman who almost recited the article verbatim at time on the House floor.

And then, the shit hit the fan...and all over none other than...Sarah Palin. Who on her facebook wrote the infamous "death panel comment"

And now...Sen Grassley and his endorsement of McCaughey's ideas. And these are just people of politics.

We are not even talking about the crap Beck, Limbuagh and Drudge.com have been spewing.

Now, the damage has been done, thanks to McCaughey. People like her helped shoot down universal health care in 93' with terms like "socializied medicine", "death panels", "government take over", and they are trying to shoot it down again when we need a health care reform the most. With premiums skyrocketing and the the US health care system rank plummeting...this is not the time for greedy corporate puppets and stupid politicians trying to shut down health care. The very idea is scarier than the music your hearing right now...

Sarah Palin Good Message, Bad Intentions.

In the past few weeks the health care reform has been getting increasingly angrier and more violent, no thanks to the crazy extremist of the Republican. However, at least one Republican will dare to stand up against her party to bring stability and order to angry, mistaken, citizens of the Republican party. Only one person has the intellect, the knowledge of health care, the charisma to dispel these angry mobs and turn the debate back to the issues at hand. Who you ask? Who in the Republican party actually knows about health care? Why none other than Sarah Palin.

Hopefully you picked up on my sarcastic tone. If not, well I need to work on my writing. But anyways, Sarah Palin actually did something useful today. Despite being completely hypocritical, and somewhat impersonal and indirect, Sarah Palin made an attempt to silence the extreme, mistaken, angry Republicans. No she didnt hold a press confrence, she didnt say it in a speech, she didn't even say it on twitter-- she said it on Facebook. Because what better way to reach angry, mistaken, Republicans than on facebook. In a note, she stated,

"There are many disturbing details in the current bill that Washington is trying to rush through Congress, but we must stick to a discussion of the issues and not get sidetracked by tactics that can be accused of leading to intimidation or harassment. Such tactics diminish our nation’s civil discourse which we need now more than ever because the fine print in this outrageous health care proposal must be understood clearly and not get lost in conscientious voters’ passion to want to make elected officials hear what we are saying. Let’s not give the proponents of nationalized health care any reason to criticize us."

Palin is right. Stop making up ridiculous comments about health care. Stop yelling at congressmen! Stop talking about putting old senior citizens out to death! Stop talking about down syndrome babies dying from the new health care reform! Don't call Obama's health care plan a "death panel"! People who do these things are diminishing our nations civil discourse, it sidesteps the real issue. And its down right stupid. People should never say these things right Sarah Palin?

While its pretty clear she is covering for her last pretty outrageous statement on health care, her message is actually a good one and should be listened to. Even if it is ridiculously hypocritical. Cover your own ass, and be praised for restoring society--now that is politics at its finest.