Questions. And I Hope, an Answer. Healthcare and...

[20score]

For the past few days I have been mulling over the latest betrayal by our government, not of the left as it is being portrayed, but of the American people. Because that’s what it is, a betrayal to all of us, whether we bought into the hype or not. The Iraq War betrayed and damaged Americans as a whole (much more so the Iraqis themselves, of course) not just those who bought the lies. The failure to bring meaningful regulations to the financial industries, and the complete abdication of duty by congress to bring in trade agreements that would help our economy, were also betrayals. And the same goes with the healthcare bill as it now stands.

So, where should we go from here? How deep was this betrayal? Is it even worth fighting for what seems like an obvious good, just to be ignored again and again? It certainly looks like any and all of the provisions that the left was fighting for were never really on the table. The buy-in was sold to us as something we had to stomach in order to make the public option work. Single payer was never even considered, and the public option was weakened at every turn. Almost all of the good in the bill was given up for the flimsiest of reasons, and all of the bad remained – and then some. Could it be that for months and months the Teabaggers fought the sane over something that may have never been seriously considered? That is a scary thought.

So, what to do? Give up? Go third party? Or keep fighting? I know that it would be impossible to go to those whose minds I changed a year and a half ago, and say, “See, Obama doesn’t want a mandate, he said so,” as I did in the primary.

Personally, I would like to, but can’t give up. But the fight for me has to go to the root cause of so many of the problems. I certainly want to see people to continue to fight for what they believe in, whether that is green energy, poverty, freedom of speech, social justice, or media reform. All of these causes, plus many more may be great and worthwhile, but the strides forward in any area will be small unless we fix our government. And I am convinced that will not happen until we publicly finance the campaigns.

So, that’s what I hope many people will join me in. Fixing our government to take the legal bribery out of it. With politicians working for the people, we can even fix our broken media.

[20score]

1. And here's a link to a good starting point.

http://www.publicampaign.org/

[babylonsister]

2. Nice, but.... there is good in the health care bill. Lots of warts, but some

good stuff. I've posted some. Fixing our flawed government sounds great. How?

[still_one]

3. Start by getting rid of the electoral college for one /nt

[20score]

4. By taking the bribery out of it. The legal kind anyway.

[ihavenobias]

5. Except the "good stuff" has been debunked, unfortunately.

Healthcare consultant RJ Eskow had an excellent article on the topic yesterday at Huffington Post coming off the heels of an interview with Cenk of TYT where Cenk (who was split on the bill) presented him with all of the common pro-bill arguments to get his reaction. You can find the article and a video of the interview here:

http://tinyurl.com/ydt636o

[20score]

9. Just used this link in a discussion I'm having on FB.

With someone who I usually agree with.

[KharmaTrain]

6. A Lesson From 40 Years Ago...

I'm old enough to remember similar discontent about the Democratic party in 1968...many refused to support Humphrey and it led to a party schism that led to McGovern's problems in 1972 and then the marginalization of Progressives and Liberals after that. Many don't realize this is the closest we've come to having a real say in government and when every thing didn't fall in place, they're ready to piss on the party and the process. That's why I ask those who are so frustrated right now as to where they're gonna go? Off into the political oblivion?

The way to change is within the system...and that means electing more Progressives and Liberals. Replacing 4 or 5 Senators would make a major difference and enlarging the Progressive caucus in the House would put the Conservo-Dems in a box with less votes and ability to influence legislation. It's winning at the game...Progressives need to play better and smarter.

[suede1]

7. A positive way to go! K & R

[20score]

8. Thanks.

[suede1]

10. And here's a kick.

[20score]

11. I was hoping to get a discussion going on public financing of campaigns. Or any other idea

someone has that would get to the root of our problems.