President Obama's "Grade" - a teacher's incomplete

[garthranzz]

I'm filling out grades for the semester. Some are very clear. Some students are borderline between a C+ and a B-. Some worked hard and didn't quite get the A. Some were realistic about what they achieved, as opposed to what they hope for or the 'effort' (not measurable) they want to be graded on.

I know that many have recently taken to grading President Obama's first year in office. I won't do that. I will say, however, that while I expected him to make mistakes, and also expected him to learn on the job, and as well expected the daily details to reflect a longer vision - a focus occasionally flashed (as in his health care speech), overall I am pleased with his leadership, except...

Except that I'm very, very uncomfortable with his Afghanistan decision. I understand the dilemma. I understand that there was no good answer. But I came of age during Vietnam. If, if, if... I'm willing to be uncomfortable here, because Mumbai is only a year old. To use perhaps not the best analogy: when a supposed friend has dumped leeches and slugs on you, you can not rip them off. They have to be removed slowly and carefully, painfully and often one at a time. And removing them makes you bleed. But leaving the bloodsuckers on, while perhaps less painful, cripples and vampires the life out of you.

BushCheny dumped slugs and leeches on America, especially in its overseas war profiteering.

Health Care - No - INSURANCE REFORM is a different matter.

I'll admit to a bit of anxiety over the summer, especially in August, which might as well have been renamed "hate and lie" month. But September brought a brilliant bit of oratory. OK, so single payer wasn't going to make it - the only insurance reform that makes sense - because InsPharma is too big. Some public option, at least? An earlier medicare buy-in? Something, please, to indicate an awareness of the needs of the people, that health care is for the people.

But this cave-in to Joe Lieberman, who is betraying more than liberal principles and the Democratic party; he's betraying the Torah dictate to "heal the sick" - either out of spite or because he is a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance companies in Connecticut - this I do not understand. I understand compromise, I understand modification (incentives for taking care of one's health, for instance), I understand that change and progress sometimes takes time. I do not understand how Joseph Lieberman can turn a blind eye to bikur cholim (heal the sick), tikun olam (repair the world) or Chanukah (the weak overcoming the mighty).

More, though, I do not understand how President Barack Obama allows this to happen. It is potential political suicide, for himself and the Democratic Party. Surely he sees this. Since the Republicans have all said no (except Rep. Cao and Sen. Snowe), insurance reform belongs to the Democrats. If it doesn't work - and Lieberman seems intent on sabotaging it - the blame will go not to the obstructionists, but to those who did not have the strength or faith - or both - to do it right.

The game is not over. There is overtime. There are penalties.

But I pray that insurance reform does not become a third Bull Run or domestic Bay of Pigs.