General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow is Medicare-For-All politically feasible right now?
Look, I want healthcare as a right and not a privilege also but unless there is a big political shift in the Executive and Legislative Branches it simply isn't going to happen at the Federal level.
Meanwhile the ACA is being hallowed out and sabotaged.
Nanjeanne
(4,959 posts)excited about possibilities and engaged in discussion is how we make change happen. Taking back the narrative is how we get people to think differently about what they want their money spent on. The Democrats should have learned something from the Republicans by now. They thought long term. They engaged in simple messaging and framed the arguments. They have been hitting people over the head with the same dumb arguments for so long that many people assume things like lower taxes increases jobs, or billionaires are automatically job creators, or small farms will suffer if the "inheritance" tax isn't repealed.
If we only try for things we can get accomplished we can sit on our asses until we have majorities. But unfortunately I can't see how we get majorities if we don't give people something to aspire to by voting for bold thinking Democrats.
Was giving women the right to vote an easy path? Was the passing of the Civil Rights Act an easily achievable policy? Did LBJ say, hey Medicare is going to be a piece of cake -- let's do it now? We have to start educating people about what the government can do to make people's lives better - not falling into the Republicans narrative of government bad - feee market good. Why not be aspirational and change the narrative? Why not start now so maybe we win some victories in 2018 and 2020? For heavens sake, Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House in the late 1970s. Reagan took them down in 1981. Just think if we had actually done something about solar for this country more than 30 years ago. Might be a different place now.
Personally I just don't get the idea that we can't get discussion going about big ideas because they probably won't pass this year. It that's me. Others obviously think otherwise.
SHRED
(28,136 posts)Under a way more politically favorable climate.
We can talk about single-payer that's fine but that's all that's gonna happen before 2020 and who knows even then.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I hope we do not lose sight of the real goal, which must be to regain control of our government. 2018 and 2020 are looming. If we become distracted by unfeasible things, we may forget what we need to do.
Autumn
(45,066 posts)The GOP isn't going to give up in their attemps to destroy it.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)to have any bill come to a vote in either house right now.
Autumn
(45,066 posts)I'm sure our Democratic leaders aren't distracted, many have signed on to it. We here on DU are rather smart and none of us will forget to contact our Reps and Senators. The GOP vote is in 2 weeks and there will be many reminders for us to all make our voices heard. So what exactly is it that the discussion that Bernie has started with his bill is distracting us from?
CrispyQ
(36,461 posts)I don't understand all the hand wringing over this. The dems should say, "We'd like to fix the ACA, but the GOP has locked us out of the process. We want health care for all, while they are taking it away."
Demsrule86
(68,556 posts)opinion...it also says...the ACA isn't good enough even for Democrats...not good when you are trying to save the ACA.
Autumn
(45,066 posts)how does that prevent the GOP from hallowing out and sabotaging the ACA like they have since the day it was created ? The Dems can spend every minute of every day putting up bill after bill to protect it. In the end will the GOP and Trump pass any of those bills? I think we know the answer to that.
Weekend Warrior
(1,301 posts)That said our talking points should be in that direction as republicans continue to fight for their failed capitalist approach.
leftstreet
(36,107 posts)I don't understand what difference it makes, legislatively
SHRED
(28,136 posts)That's good but I'd like to see at least equal attention given to educating the public on the way Repubs are sabotaging the ACA and what can be done to stop it.
Demsrule86
(68,556 posts)Medicaid repeal...we are looking at block grants not just taking away the expansion but taking own Medicaid for good.
mcar
(42,307 posts)Don't know the best way to provide it.
But we need to protect the ACA now!
SHRED
(28,136 posts)Demsrule86
(68,556 posts)pay if we don't get it.
DU has many who want to see the ACA fail in hopes single payer will take over.