The Rude Pundit: Don't Let the Bastards Murder the Affordable Care Act

[babylonsister]

http://rudepundit.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/dont-let-bastards-murder-affordable.html


The Rude Pundit
6/19/2017
Don't Let the Bastards Murder the Affordable Care Act

snip//

Here's a handy, one paragraph review of what happened when the Affordable Care Act went to the Senate in 2009: President Obama actively courted Republicans to get on board, especially Maine's Olympia Snowe. Hell, snarky asshole bloggers were pissed about his outreach. The bill was debated in the Senate Finance Committee before it passed from there to the Senate floor. That was after three House committees and the Senate health committee had vetted it, with Republicans able to debate it the whole time. This was followed by weeks of more debate and amendment votes. So if any dumbfuck conservative tries to ejaculate stupidly about how Democrats rushed through the ACA, shove that list from Congress up their idiot asses.

Look, it's time to stick a pin in the left's Russia hard-on right now in order to get all hands, voices, and boots on deck to stop the American Health Care Act from passage. It's a terrible bill filled with terrible ideas, concocted by terrible human beings. So it's time for Hayes/Maddow/O'Donnell/Reid and whoever else to knock off the financial conflict and espionage stories for a while and go whole hog on this. Right now, Democrats are doing something by denying unanimous consent to proceed on any votes in the Senate, and they are holding the floor in a "talkathon," speeches about the unfair process.

But these delay tactics need to be followed by even more. The "filibuster by amendment" is one approach, where Democrats keep proposing amendments that need to be voted on until Republicans agree to hold hearings on the bill. Pressure needs to brought to bear on the seemingly wavering Republican senators, who need to be reminded who will be blamed when the AHCA doesn't do any of the shit voters were promised.

One last thing needs to happen, and I'm frankly stunned that it hasn't happened yet. The Affordable Care Act is the signature achievement of the Obama presidency. Where the fuck is he? Why the fuck isn't Barack Obama barnstorming the country, riling people up? He gets to protect his legacy. Enough of being above the fray. Fuck that. Lives are on the line, man, and a bunch of vicious assholes are shitting all over him.

Obama, Biden, get 'em all out there, giving interviews, tearing into the cruelty of those who want to turn back the clock. This is life and death, motherfuckers. Let's all act like it is.

[Ilsa]

1. Where is President Obama? He's moving on, like he's supposed to.

It isn't his job to stay in the public eye leading the Democrats. The Dems need a new leader for this role. I think he expects the people to protect the legacy that benefitted them.

[ehrnst]

2. I keep hearing that all change must come from "the bottom up"

because only "grassroots" movements can be ethical and truly the will of the people.

Even though I keep hearing "What does Bernie think about this?" from many of those that profess that belief.

And then I keep hearing about how "the leadership" isn't doing its job.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. "Supposed to"? Where has that come from?

I like him. I don't want him to "move on". When the best leader the Democrats have had for decades is still young, and one of his best achievements is under threat from a bunch of mouth-breathers with only a pile of shit to offer in its place, he should be out there reminding people of why his system is far better than the crap the Republicans are trying to ram through without discussion.

"The people" don't get televised when they say things. He would. He doesn't even have to worry about the "don't criticise your successor" idea - Trump's called the bill "mean".

[Ilsa]

4. This isn't about criticizing your successor.

PBO doesn't need to remind people. They already know the ACA is better than anything since Medicare and Medicaid. He shouldn't be the one fighting this battle over and over. He's already fought that battle. That's for us to do. If anything, Obama re-emerging for this will make that vicious simpleton in the WH more determined to pass anything that repeals the ACA.

Why haven't you asked why HRC or WJC or Carter isn't out there fighting for this? Are they excused? Or Michelle?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Why? Because Barack Obama was the president who achieved it

Politics is about personalities and messages. It's absurd to say "politicians shouldn't involve themselves in politics - that's up to the people". The others would be welcome too; but Barack Obama was the politician who got the Democrats to pass the ACA. He's also more popular than the others except Michelle; but his status as an elected politician adds weight in a discussion about legislation. Plus IMO he's the most persuasive speaker of all.

I assumed your "he's supposed to move on" remark was about not criticising his successor. But if you accept that doesn't matter here, then there's no reason at all for you to claim he's "supposed to move on".

[Ilsa]

6. PBO made his remarks already in March and May.

What else do you expect him to do? What else is he supposed to do to fight for this? I know he's young. But it is up to him to determine his own course. That's what he's doing. That's why he's done only what he's done. I think if you want to push him to do something, you need to contact his office.

His legacy is his, but it is a gift to us. It is up to us to maintain it.