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Watched a National Geographic show about Lincoln tonight. It told of an interesting political masterstroke by Abe. In his first inaugural address he laid the groundwork for limiting slavery. He had been elected and the government would do as it should. The great line was "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war."
How about Obama going before both houses and saying words to the same effect. He was elected. A majority of Democrats were elected. That is the way the government of our country works. Just as Lincoln wanted America to join other developed countries and abandon slavery, Obama wants us to join all other developed countries and establish universal health care as a right for all Americans. The best method would be a single payer, universal Medicare. But in the name of bipartisanship, we have offered a huge compromise - a very strong and universally available public option. He could say he will veto any legislation that falls short of the full compromise. Therefore;"In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue." We will have health care for the people or not. But it will be up to republicans to tell the American people that they cannot have what citizens of every other developed nation have. He could say that he will send his bill to Congress, and members of Congress can vote whether they support the people of the United States or the international corporate structure.
Just saying.
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