In my opinion the success of health care reform will be decided by

[nevergiveup]

what congressmen and senators hear when they get home in August. I think many are on the fence in terms of reform/a public option and what they hear from their constituents will be the deciding factor. I am concerned because I have had several folks in the past few weeks mention to me how they were now fearful of any kind of reform. One was an older lady who said she now feared Obama was going to cut her Medicare to pay for reform. Another was a small business person who said "maybe Obama should hold off on this for a while". These folks are not right-wing nuts. Most of them voted for Obama. The Republicans are experts when it comes to scaring folks. Will they be successful again?

[sandnsea]

1. The Medicare info is coming from the left

So I'm not surprised old people are getting scared. They're spreading as much false information as the right. And then there's all the crap coming from the blue dogs. The Republicans could probably just stf and let the Democrats implode.

[phantom power]

2. So far, I'd say that they are being succesful again.

They're throwing FUD shit against the wall as fast as they can, and there has been no coherent sustained argument that explains to John Q Public why it's all bullshit, and just how systemically broken our current system really is.

It should be a really really easy argument to make, considering that most Americans have at least some experience with how crappy our health insurance system is. As usual the MSM is being absolutely no help at all. But even the Dem caucus doesn't seem to be coherent on the topic. And of course the blue dogs are cheerfully kneecapping any meaningful reform at every opportunity.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. Glitch. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

4. I hope you're correct. n/t