BUSHZOMBIE

I am disappointedly enthusiastic about the healthcare bill. While this statement may seem like a contradiction, it’s not. Sure, like everyone else I have heard negatives about the bill. I heard something about it not having a public option. Insurance companies are going to get richer. Old people might pay as much as 3 times more for insurance. But this is not my disappointment. I really wanted to see HB676 enacted. This made the most sense. But alas, it didn’t happen either. This was not my disappointment. The Republicans are ranting minute by minute about what a terrible bill this is, but I’m not listening to what they have to say. I am not disappointed in them either.

My disappointment is about what poor winners the liberals are. I’m a liberal, and I would love to complain about the bill. But I can’t. Every liberal I know is doing my complaining for me. I suppose the reason I’m a liberal is because I’m rather idealistic. I think crazy thoughts. For example, I don’t think that poor people should forgo cancer treatment because they cannot afford it. I actually think insurance companies should be responsible for treating people when they agreed to do so. But even though I am idealistic with silly thoughts, occasionally, as a liberal, I would like to think I can see a bigger picture. That brings me to my point.

This entire healthcare debate is a high stakes life and death game that will change the future of America. It doesn’t matter if you like this point or not. It’s the truth.

Liberals should embrace ideas for improvement, but lose the negativity. Whimpering about the senate healthcare legislation will result in a losing end game. Sorry, there is no tomorrow. This happens now or it doesn’t happen. With assured losses in the house and senate in 2010, the Calvary will not be here before the massacre is complete.

A failed bill equals no reform for decades. Furthermore, it means devastating losses in the midterms. Why do you think the Republicans hate this legislation so much? You didn’t actually think they cared about a bad bill did you?

If the bill would have passed on the senate with 65 or 70 votes, then I would feel differently. Then I would say there was room for improvement. It didn’t pass with 65 or 70 votes. It passed with 60 votes. Without procedural tricks, this bill would have failed had it been all that liberals wanted.

So let’s put a positive spin on this. There is more than one way to win a baseball game: with many singles or a few home runs. The bill provides more coverage to those who would never have it. It will reduce bankruptcies. It places restrictions on insurance firms. It’s not perfect and not the final game for healthcare reform. But it will only be an assured loss if forfeited.

Chanting “Kill the Bill” is not just detrimental to healthcare reform. This is a recipe for political destruction. This is the best way to ensure that Democrats enjoy another Jimmy Carter style loss in 2012 and a 1994 style loss in congress. I am sitting here right now listening to Newt Gingrich spew his rhetorical nonsense. The conservatives smell blood in the water and why wouldn’t they? The liberals are slashing their own wrists.

Attention liberals – listen up.

Assuming the House of Representatives can ignore the screams trying to scuttle the legislation, the healthcare bill will pass. And when it does, it will be a huge win for Democrats. Most importantly, this is the pendulum stopping and beginning to swing back the other direction.

I am sorry that the senate didn’t hit the healthcare ball out of the political ballpark. But healthcare is on first base and Barack Obama is up to bat. We have a long way to go, but we haven’t lost, yet. And for that, I hope you can understand my enthusiasm.