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It seems to me that most of us know that the health care issue OUGHT to be a no-brainer. Virtually all the polls not controlled by Fox News or the insurance industry show that a large majority of Americans want a robust public option to be included in any health care reform legislation. Hell, even 50% of REPUBLICANS want a public option. Yet, I've just heard that "well-informed Senate aides" are saying that Senator Reid's office expects that the Senate version will NOT include a public option.
This cannot be the Democratic Party. The party that, for decades, was the conscience of this nation cannot abandon the passion and principles that defined it as the party of the common man. On countless picket lines, in countless marches and demonstrations, good people who needed help in defending themselves against the greed and power and arrogance of the powers that be KNEW that they could count on Democratic Congressmen and Senators to take their side and to carry their banner into the battle.
But, today, many of us are wondering what more could be necessary to let the Democrats know what we, their base, want them to do. Is it possible that they just really don't understand how important---no, essential---we believe the public option to be if there is to be meaningful and effective and efficient health reform?
No, it is not possible.
They understand. But, they're still "considering their options". And, that brings me to my point: If this is what the Democratic Party has come to, what the hell do we have to lose by issuing an ultimatum? If there is no public option in the health care reform legislation, why should we not conclude that the party which many of us have remained loyal to through thick and thin for decades has abandoned us?
If this goes wrong, if 60 senators and a 70-something vote advantage in the House plus the White House don't produce a health care bill that favors people over insurance companies, why should we continue calling ourselves "Democrats" and investing our hearts and cash in a Party which apparently believes we have no place to go?
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