Ted's Turning Point
Posted by The Green Miles
I grew up in Boston during a bit of an Office Space moment for Ted Kennedy. His presidential ambitions had failed, he'd embarrassed us with scandal after scandal, and there was some question about his interest in legislating. Many voters looked at him and legitimately asked, "What would you say ... you do here?"
That led to Ted getting his first serious challenge for his U.S. Senate seat from a young Republican named Mitt Romney. Polls in the summer showed Kennedy and Romney in a dead heat. Despite being a carpetbagger and born with a silver spoon in his mouth, many voters (including me) gave Romney a fair hearing simply because it seemed to be time for change.
And it was, but not in the way anyone expected. It was Ted who changed. He re-dedicated himself to the people of Massachusetts, to his Senate seat, and to the progressive causes we all care so much about.
The race turned on an October debate held at Fanueil Hall. It had the feel of an old-time heavyweight boxing match -- held not on some bucolic college campus but in a tightly-packed hall in the middle of downtown Boston. Thousands of people who couldn't get into the debate rallied outside (including my union carpenter cousin on one side and a conservative uncle on the other), adding to the atmosphere.
Ted didn't just mop the floor with Romney. He delivered a vigorous defense of the liberal ideals he'd spend his life working to advance. At a time of weak, apologetic, defensive liberalism, that night showed me the possibilities of an idealistic, energetic progressivism. The spark from that night kept burning through the Republican takeover of Congress that November.
That's when Ted became the Liberal Lion of the Senate -- America's most impassioned advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when the new progressive movement was still getting its legs under it, Kennedy was one of the few members of the old guard willing to take political hits by standing up against opportunistic political attacks on immigrants, the LGBT community and the poor. The fire burned through the darkest years of the Bush administration and continued as Ted passed the torch to that new generation of progressives with his endorsement of Barack Obama.
To know how great Ted Kennedy was, you have to know how low he was in the summer of 1994. Ted had already served a long, successful political life. There would have been no shame in fading into history.
But at the age of 62, he reinvented himself as something no one thought he would become -- a bridge from my grandparents' generation of progressives (Jack) to my parents' generation of progressives (Ted) to my generation of progressives (Barack).
That's how I'll remember Ted Kennedy. I only wish he could've stuck around long enough to cast a vote for health insurance reform, his number one issue. Let's get it done for Teddy.
I grew up in Boston during a bit of an Office Space moment for Ted Kennedy. His presidential ambitions had failed, he'd embarrassed us with scandal after scandal, and there was some question about his interest in legislating. Many voters looked at him and legitimately asked, "What would you say ... you do here?"
That led to Ted getting his first serious challenge for his U.S. Senate seat from a young Republican named Mitt Romney. Polls in the summer showed Kennedy and Romney in a dead heat. Despite being a carpetbagger and born with a silver spoon in his mouth, many voters (including me) gave Romney a fair hearing simply because it seemed to be time for change.And it was, but not in the way anyone expected. It was Ted who changed. He re-dedicated himself to the people of Massachusetts, to his Senate seat, and to the progressive causes we all care so much about.
The race turned on an October debate held at Fanueil Hall. It had the feel of an old-time heavyweight boxing match -- held not on some bucolic college campus but in a tightly-packed hall in the middle of downtown Boston. Thousands of people who couldn't get into the debate rallied outside (including my union carpenter cousin on one side and a conservative uncle on the other), adding to the atmosphere.
Ted didn't just mop the floor with Romney. He delivered a vigorous defense of the liberal ideals he'd spend his life working to advance. At a time of weak, apologetic, defensive liberalism, that night showed me the possibilities of an idealistic, energetic progressivism. The spark from that night kept burning through the Republican takeover of Congress that November.
That's when Ted became the Liberal Lion of the Senate -- America's most impassioned advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when the new progressive movement was still getting its legs under it, Kennedy was one of the few members of the old guard willing to take political hits by standing up against opportunistic political attacks on immigrants, the LGBT community and the poor. The fire burned through the darkest years of the Bush administration and continued as Ted passed the torch to that new generation of progressives with his endorsement of Barack Obama.
To know how great Ted Kennedy was, you have to know how low he was in the summer of 1994. Ted had already served a long, successful political life. There would have been no shame in fading into history.
But at the age of 62, he reinvented himself as something no one thought he would become -- a bridge from my grandparents' generation of progressives (Jack) to my parents' generation of progressives (Ted) to my generation of progressives (Barack).
That's how I'll remember Ted Kennedy. I only wish he could've stuck around long enough to cast a vote for health insurance reform, his number one issue. Let's get it done for Teddy.
Barack Obama on Ted Kennedy: "Our country has lost a great leader"
President Obama issued the following statement a little while ago:Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.
UPDATE: Here's the tribute to Senator Kennedy shown at the Democratic National Convention on the first night, August 25, 2008 - almost exactly one year prior to Kennedy's death from cancer at age 77.
UPDATE #2: Statements of condolence and mourning are starting to pour in from Democrats and Republicans alike. The Kennedy family issued a statement saying, "We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever...We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all." Nancy Reagan says, "that her husband and Kennedy 'could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another.'" John Kerry says that Kennedy was "the best senator, the best advocate you could hope for" and calls him an "irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best." Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is married to Ted Kennedy's niece Maria, says, "Teddy inspired our country through his dedication to health care reform, his commitment to social justice, and his devotion to a life of public service." Nancy Pelosi says that "No one has done more than Senator Kennedy to educate our children, care for our seniors and ensure equality for all Americans." Sen. Orrin Hatch says that Kennedy was "a 'great elder statesman' and a 'treasured friend' whose influence could not be overstated."UPATE #2: Tim Kaine's statement is in the comments section.
UPDATE #3: Two great photos, courtesy of Mary Lee Cerillo, from last year's Democratic National Convention, to which Ted Kennedy made a surprise trip to Denver to be with his fellow Democrats.
Whipple Clip Dozen: Wednesday Morning
Thanks to Tom Whipple as always for these...
1. NATIONAL GOP GROUP GIVES PRO-MCDONNELL PAC $2.5 MILLION
2. DEEDS AND MCDONNELL RUN NEW CAMPAIGN ADS
3. KAINE: I'M AN ASSET TO DEEDS
4. VA. GOV: MCDONNELL LAUNCHES NEW AD, SNAGS ENDORSEMENTS....
7. WAGNER HITS BOLLING ON HAMILTON
8. DEL. HAMILTON REJECTS CALLS TO RESIGN OVER ODU EFFORTS
9. REPUBLICANS URGE DELEGATE TO QUIT BEFORE ETHICS SCANDAL HURTS PARTY
18. MORAN DEFENDS PUBLIC OPTION
21. GROUPS TARGET CANTOR, WOLF ON CAP-AND-TRADE
22. CONNOLLY TOWN HALL LEAVES SOME CRITICS AT THE DOOR
23. $290M SOUGHT TO CAPTURE CARBON AT VA. POWER PLANT
24. ORANGE OFFICIALS READY TO MOVE ON AFTER WAL-MART VOTE
1. NATIONAL GOP GROUP GIVES PRO-MCDONNELL PAC $2.5 MILLION
2. DEEDS AND MCDONNELL RUN NEW CAMPAIGN ADS
3. KAINE: I'M AN ASSET TO DEEDS
4. VA. GOV: MCDONNELL LAUNCHES NEW AD, SNAGS ENDORSEMENTS....
7. WAGNER HITS BOLLING ON HAMILTON
8. DEL. HAMILTON REJECTS CALLS TO RESIGN OVER ODU EFFORTS
9. REPUBLICANS URGE DELEGATE TO QUIT BEFORE ETHICS SCANDAL HURTS PARTY
18. MORAN DEFENDS PUBLIC OPTION
21. GROUPS TARGET CANTOR, WOLF ON CAP-AND-TRADE
22. CONNOLLY TOWN HALL LEAVES SOME CRITICS AT THE DOOR
23. $290M SOUGHT TO CAPTURE CARBON AT VA. POWER PLANT
24. ORANGE OFFICIALS READY TO MOVE ON AFTER WAL-MART VOTE
Mary Lee Cerillo: Photos and Report from Reston
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The following is a guest post from Mary Lee Cerillo, reporting on her experience at the town hall meeting in Reston tonight. The excellent photos are hers as well. Please click here for the whole set. Thanks to Mary Lee!
I have just returned from the Town Hall Meeting at South Lakes High School in Reston with Governor Dean and Congressman Jim Moran. There were approximately 2,500 people in attendance with more standing and two lines outside the gymnasium, of people waiting to get in. I felt that the majority of people who attended were FOR Health Care Reform and held their own against the vocal opposition.
Congressman Moran was fair in answering questions from both sides of the Health Reform Issue and was respectful of everyone's views. He spoke for approximately a half hour and talked about several myths that are circulating that are based on no factual information. These included death panels which in reality is a patient meeting with his/her health care provider on a voluntary basis to discuss end of life issues. This is totally a patient's choice and is not mandatory in any way shape or form. It has been circulated that people with existing insurance will be forced into losing their insurance and have to go with a government plan. This is also an untruth. People can keep their insurance if they choose to and are not going to be forced out of their health care plans. Another myth is that taxpayers will be forced to fund illegal immigrant's health care. In reality, no affordability credits and no subsidy whatsoever will given to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
Governor Howard Dean spoke briefly and was very helpful and honest in his answers about health care. He related how twenty years ago, as a physician in Vermont, he met with a young woman who was age 35. She was subsequently diagnosed with Diabetes. Within a matter of months, her insurance company dropped her and she was not covered. This is not right. Health Care Reform would do away with private insurers dropping patients when they become ill. It would also address the issue of pre-existing conditions where patients are discriminated against.
In spite of a few disruptions by unruly people whose agenda was not Health Care Reform and only wanted attention to their cause, the Town Hall meeting was informative and I am glad that I attended. As a health care provider, I deeply care about my patients and their welfare. I am also happy to hear that as a Clinical Social Worker if the health care bill is passed both Mental Health and Substance Abuse will have equal parity. I am watching and hearing my patients tell me how they are losing their health care, due to loss of jobs, having to foreclose on their homes and file for bankruptcy. None of us are immune to this possibility. I am hopeful that Health Care Reform will be passed and all Americans will be provided with health care.
Thank you to Congressman Jim Moran and Governor Howard Dean!!!!
I have just returned from the Town Hall Meeting at South Lakes High School in Reston with Governor Dean and Congressman Jim Moran. There were approximately 2,500 people in attendance with more standing and two lines outside the gymnasium, of people waiting to get in. I felt that the majority of people who attended were FOR Health Care Reform and held their own against the vocal opposition. Congressman Moran was fair in answering questions from both sides of the Health Reform Issue and was respectful of everyone's views. He spoke for approximately a half hour and talked about several myths that are circulating that are based on no factual information. These included death panels which in reality is a patient meeting with his/her health care provider on a voluntary basis to discuss end of life issues. This is totally a patient's choice and is not mandatory in any way shape or form. It has been circulated that people with existing insurance will be forced into losing their insurance and have to go with a government plan. This is also an untruth. People can keep their insurance if they choose to and are not going to be forced out of their health care plans. Another myth is that taxpayers will be forced to fund illegal immigrant's health care. In reality, no affordability credits and no subsidy whatsoever will given to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.Governor Howard Dean spoke briefly and was very helpful and honest in his answers about health care. He related how twenty years ago, as a physician in Vermont, he met with a young woman who was age 35. She was subsequently diagnosed with Diabetes. Within a matter of months, her insurance company dropped her and she was not covered. This is not right. Health Care Reform would do away with private insurers dropping patients when they become ill. It would also address the issue of pre-existing conditions where patients are discriminated against.In spite of a few disruptions by unruly people whose agenda was not Health Care Reform and only wanted attention to their cause, the Town Hall meeting was informative and I am glad that I attended. As a health care provider, I deeply care about my patients and their welfare. I am also happy to hear that as a Clinical Social Worker if the health care bill is passed both Mental Health and Substance Abuse will have equal parity. I am watching and hearing my patients tell me how they are losing their health care, due to loss of jobs, having to foreclose on their homes and file for bankruptcy. None of us are immune to this possibility. I am hopeful that Health Care Reform will be passed and all Americans will be provided with health care.Thank you to Congressman Jim Moran and Governor Howard Dean!!!!
Ryan Nobles Interviews Tom Perriello on Health Care Reform
"I don’t think [the question of a public option or not] is where the ultimatum is. The big question for me is, are we going to bring down the costs of those premiums?" - Tom Perriello
See here for more.
$2.5 Million in Anti-Deeds Ads Coming to Your TV Soon
Well, well, isn't this just lovely?We told you yesterday that a Republican PAC, Virginia Common Sense, was starting to air TV ads for Bob McDonnell this week.So...I presume the DGA is going to counter this barrage with a similar amount of money to the Deeds campaign?
Now we know how it's paying for the ads:
The Republican Governors Association has just reported giving $2.5-million to Virginia Common Sense, the RGA's political action committee, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks campaign money in the state.
[...]
Word is the ads -- which will be on TV and radio -- will criticize Democrat Creigh Deeds for voting to increase government spending during his long tenure in the General Assembly.
UPDATE: You might want to tweet Nathan Daschle, Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), and ask him (nicely) if/when DGA will be offsetting the RGA's $2.5 million.
Protestors at Reston Town Hall: "The Final Solution," Gun Cape, etc.
Here are some photos (mostly crazy and/or wildly offensive) by anti-health-insurance-reform protesters at the Reston health care town hall meeting with Howard Dean and Jim Moran. The photos are courtesy of Brian Devine, who notes that there are "Plenty of Obama/hitler signs for everyone" and also describes a bizarre scene, "White guy in Obama mask whipping two old people w 'tax payer' signs on them, one saying 'please don't whip me masta' - wow, will get pic." Brian also comments that "BobMcdonnell's field staff are idiots for putting up so many yard signs here - makes it look like he's with the protestors."P.S. Click on images to "embiggen."
UPDATE: Oliver Willis retweets, "Teabaggers have fliers with Obama in noose! Welxome to Reston! // but remember it isnt racist at all, no sir!" Bryan Scrafford tweets, "Lady walking around with signs in support of public option getting big cheers at townhall" and "cheers of 'what do we want - healthcare - when do we want - now.'" Bryan addsd, "It's amazing how the possitive energy comes from supporters of health care but most opponents here are full of hatred." So true.
UPDATE 7:10 pm: Bryan Scrafford tweets, "Jim Moran and Howard Dean just walked in. Yes we can chants are covering up boo's." Jane Hamsher tweets, "At Moran/Dean event w Ben Tribbett of @notlarrysabato. Freaks out in force." Jane adds, "Want to ask all the oldsters waving socialism signs at Moran/Dean if they will resign from Medicare." 
UPDATE 7:16 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Woman wearing "don't tread on me" flag as a sarong. Yes, it's going to be that kind of evening." Ha. Brian Devine tweets, "So many outbursts its insane." Bryan Scrafford tweets, "Anti-reform folks are even booing Rabbi who says that "we could each be agents of healing." Jane Hamsher notes, "Jim Moran is in a D+16 district. Let's say the crowd does not represents the district." She adds, "Death panel freaks booing Rabbi at event who says "healthcare system needs help." Miles Grant tweets, "wow, booing the prayer? teh crazies are worse than philadelpia eagles fans." Now THAT is bad! :) Dominic Gabello tweets, "Gym holds 2500 or so - packed house and still lines outside at Moran/Dean health care forum." UPDATE 7:21 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Moran asks everyone to be civil; death panel freaks were insulted." Also, "Let's just say the crowd feels strongly on both sides about Howard Dean." Jim Geraghty tweets, "Jesus H. Christ, people, don't heckle the Rabbi." Bryan Scrafford tweets, "In all my years of organizing in Virginia I've never heard so much hatred as I'm hearing from anti-reform folks." Brian Devine tweets, "Jim_Moran trying to give overview - too wonkish for the protestors to let him go 2 mins w/o shouting." Jane Hamsher tweets, "Moran says public plan is like medicare. Old people hissing. Really, where's the clipboard, let's close the budget gap and get em to quit."
UPDATE 7:28 pm: Bryan Scrafford tweets, "Jim Moran pointed out that 800 families went bankrupt due to medical bills in the 8th District last year" and "I think Jim Moran is doing a good job of not letting protesters disrupt the townhall." [Note: I'm trying to connect to C-Span coverage of this but having trouble...] Jane Hamsher tweets, "Death panel freaks seem to be math challenged. Boo when Moran says it already costs to cover the uninsured." Good point.
UPDATE 7:37 pm: Hilarious (but true) tweet by the awesome Oliver Willis, "if anyone was curious how roman crowds in coliseum reacted when christians were fed to lions, just check out teabaggers at these town halls." LOL. Jane Hamsher tweets, "'Seniors will pay 50% less in out of pocket drug costs.' Gets a big round of applause. Anti-socialism oldsters look confused." Hahahaha.
UPDATE 7:45 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Outside, am told a guy in a Cato tshirt just punched a guy in an Obama tshirt." Bryan Scrafford makes an excellent point, "Why do people come to these meetings if they're going to scream so much that they can't hear what's being said?" Jane Hamsher tweets, "'Iraq war never paid for' -- booed by death panel freaks. Okay now we know they're Bushies, not libertarians" and "Moran to address myths. Most of the freaks will lose their entire act if he says he'll accept the same health care they will get."
UPDATE 7:54 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Here we go: "Members of congress have same insurance as all public employees." Lemme finish it for you Jim -- YOU DUMBSHITS." and "'Insuance companies hold the power' -- applause. "They are run by good people" -- silence." and "Moran could have the entire crowd behind him if he wailed on the insurance companies."
UPDATE 8:01 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Moran looking like he's had enough of the freaks. Mad enough to take the pledge & get @terry_mcauliffe fundraiser? Maybe." Crewof42 tweets, "Rep Jim Moran makes it to ONE full hour without taking a question. Must be a health care town hall record. Impressive. Still talking..." Ha, I've seen Jim Moran speak many times and bet he could go for 24 hours without stopping, easy.
UPDATE 8:04 pm: Jeremy Koulish is the guy who was punched in the face by a "man with Cato Institute shirt." Another hilarious tweet, this time by Jane Hamsher, "Moran trying to explain electronic payments to wackdoodles is like a scene from 'quest for fire.'"
UPDATE 8:07 pm: Watching on C-Span (finally), Jim Moran introducing Howard Dean to mix of cheers and boos. Ha, "the last time I was in front of a crowd this size it was me who was doing the screaming, now it's you doing the screaming." These people are rude, crude and obnoxious. Jim Moran yells at the disruptive jerks, says they're not from the 8th district, they really don't belong here, "and I'm going to ask them to leave." The freaks start chanting, "We won't be silent! We won't be silent!" Yeah, I think we figured that out. Duh. Jane Hamsher tweets, "Moran: death panel freaks aren't from the 8th district, and I'm going to ask him to leave. Calls out Randall Terry." Moran asks Randall Terry to leave. Then gives him the choice of asking the first question. Apparently, Terry's too much of a coward to ask a question, decides he'd rather leave. Loser. Bryan Scrafford tweets, "The guy being kicked out was plunging knives through plastic babies in the parking lot before the meeting." Cuckoo. Cuckoo.
UPDATE 8:17 pm: Howard Dean speaking. Someone yelling, "don't let him speak." Lovely. Jane Hamsher tweets, "Sent @notlarrysabato out with flip camera to follow what happens to Randall Terry. Note to self: make sure liability insurance paid up." Oliver Willis tweets, "ladies and gentlemen, abortion terrorist sympathizer randall terry, locking arms with with teabaggers. the base of the gop!" Great question by Sarah Stott about why people in US are so afraid of change, of a system like in France. Howard Dean says, "change is hard," gives brief history of health care systems in Europe vs. United States. "You never make real changes until the pain of staying the same exceeds the fear of change." Excellent point!
UPDATE 8:23 pm: Jane Hamsher tweets, "Teabaggers go nuts at the mention of the word "France." It's a real lizard brain rodeo in here." Question about coops (and shoutout to Clare McIntyre), Moran says it's not an acceptable compromise to him. There's nothing wrong with them, but they're not a substitute for a public option. Ben Tribbett tweets, "got video of Randall Terry being thrown out. Am I the only one who is going to enjoy that?"
UPDATE 8:27 pm: Big cheer by the wingnuts at question by fellow wingnut with foreign accent about "socialized medicine." Moran answers "yes" to question about whether he'd be willing to accept the "same plan." Whatever. Now some crazy woman pretends to be someone else and starts trying to give a speech. Moran tells her to take her seat ("You're not Miss Appleton" - ha, classic). Go Jim! Question about how Medicare Part D will be affected by health insurance reform. Moran starts talking about "doughnut hole gap." Maybe he's referring to the huge gap in the brains of many of these wingnuts? Yet ANOTHER wingnut asks the SAME QUESTION to Jim Moran. As Oliver Willis tweest, "omg theyve asked this question about moran being on govt plan THREE times. why do they have rocks for brains?" Jane Hamsher adds, "OMG 'you didn't answer the question - are you willing to go under the same plan?' WHAT PART OF YES DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND?"
UPDATE 8:36 pm: Question about the public option from a supporter, can we cover everyone without it. Howard Dean talks about experiences of other countries. Suggests, jokingly, maybe putting the Swiss system into place. Another really stupid question. Howard Dean asks, "all those in favor of getting rid of Medicare raise your hands." Jim Moran says that Medicare isn't actually in the red because we don't use general funds. However, eventually we'll run out of money because cost of medical care going up. But...doesn't know anybody who wants to give up their Medicare. Also, Medicare is must more efficient than private insurance. Oh my god, another moron, this one asking about tort reform. Howard Dean answers, "the more stuff you put in, the more enemies you make...the people who wrote it did not want to take on the trial lawyers in addition to everyone else and that's the plain and simple truth." Brian Devine tweets, "I really don't think most of these people who are shouting for it know what tort reform actually is." By the way, Howard Dean's knowledge of healthcare is greater than 1,000 of these wingnuts combined. I don't even think most of them have a clue what Dean is talking about. Ha.
UPDATE 8:47 pm: Person asking about the "quality of the debate," both the screamers and the media. "The government has to be involved if we're going to have universal health care." Specifics about this plan? Dean says there are some parts of health industry that do better for profit, including drug industry. The drug industry reduces your time in the hospital and develops drugs that save lives and money. "Profit in healthcare isn't always bad." "That's why I like President Obama's bill, because it gives you a choice."
UPDATE 8:53 pm: Question about single payer, will Moran support it. He says he can't really say, it depends what the best bill they can get out of the House is. Questioner thanks Moran for doing this, says it's been a tough crowd, but it is "part of your job." Moran - "I'm not complaining, I'm honored to represent this area." Moran - people who don't like the public plan don't have to enroll in it. It will be self supporting. Moran - "We have the largest civil service system that is the least corruptible." "The military is a government program." Most abuses in Iraq were committed by contractors and they ripped off the government (Moran singles out Blackwater and Halliburton). The VA is a "socialized medicine system." Right now we rely too much on private insurance companies, we need some balance.
UPDATE 9:00 pm: Last question from someone opposed to health care reform. "When does reform become more important than cooperation?" Moran says he doesn't understand the question (neither do I). Another question, about chip with medical information on it, "government knowing all of your business from cradle to grave...important we have privacy." Howard Dean thanks everyone on both sides, says this was a "spirited" debate. "This isn't just about health care." Dean points out that it's not great to have your private insurance company or bank to know all your information either. Dean - We want complete records so patients get best care. HIPAA guards your privacy, but it's not sufficient. There's no really good answer to this in this information age. "This is an open question...how are we going to build a wall between government, corporate America and ourselves." "No perfect answer." Moran - Thanks everyone, "this is important." Social Security, civil rights struggle...this is a transformative struggle and should be difficult. It affects everyone, we need to hear from all sides, "it was certainly helpful to me."
UPDATE 9:25 pm: I'm very VERY impressed with both Howard Dean and Jim Moran. Great job, guys!!!
Everything Wrong with Conservatism Revealed in One Emotional Encounter
This emotional encounter, between a constituent who desperately needs help, and a clueless Republican U.S. Senator who doesn't know the meaning of "irony," sums up everything wrong with conservatism in one fell swoop.
1. As CNN’s Rick Sanchez points out, Sen. Coburn says the government is not the solution, but "he just told her to come and see him, isn't he the government?" Duh. So what or who IS the solution, Sen. Coburn, if it is NOT THE GOVERNMENT?!? And who on earth do you think YOU are, if not part of the "government of the people, by the people, for the people" that you have such contempt for?
1a. Why on earth are people like Tom Coburn, who fundamentally believe that government is a bad thing, working for the government?!? It would be like someone applying to your company and, in the interview, saying "I hate your company and this entire industry, I have nothing but contempt for it, so please hire me."
2. Also, as Rick Sanchez asks, "after helping her, what will [Coburn] do about the other 46 million 999,000 Americans who don't have insurance and the thousands upon thousands of Americans who say they do have insurance but, like her, they're not getting coverage." Let's grant that Sen. Coburn's office is good with constituent services; even so, somehow I doubt he'll be able to help every other person in Oklahoma - let alone America - who needs help with their health insurance.
3. The point is, this is an enormous, systemic problem, not something that can be solved one person at a time, one dramatic incident at a town hall meeting at a time. Do Tom Coburn and his fellow Republicans really believe that the problems with our healthcare-for-profit system in this country can be solved by constituents calling their U.S. Senator's office, or by neighbors helping neighbors? Yeah, sure, it would be great to think that your neighbor was an expert in heart surgery or kidney dialysis or whatever and would be there to help when needed, but something tells me they're not. Also, how many of people are going to have the chance to stand up at the next town hall meeting with their Congressperson and cry for help? Finally, why in America should someone HAVE TO cry to their Congressperson at all in order to get health care, a fundamental human right?!?
4. A big part of the problem here is that ideological conservatives like Tom Coburn have a religion-like faith in the All Knowing, All Seeing Free Market. Apparently, they missed Economics altogether, or at least the part where the concept of "market failure" was discussed. And they also must have missed the class where the discussion was about how government sets the rules for the country's economic system, and how those rules must often be tweaked or even dramatically changed. They also must have missed the class where the discussion turned to examples from U.S. history where the government stepped in and solved a problem that the "market" wasn't adequately addressing. For instance: the eight-hour work day, the 40-hour work week, workers compensation, minimum wages, safety and health standards at workplaces, child labor laws, Social Security, Medicare, action on many environmental problems (DDT, CFCs, leaded gasoline), etc., etc.
5. Aside from all the flaws in logic and gaps in knowledge of economics and history, Tom Coburn and his fellow conservatives also don't appear to understand that there are other values in life than making money, maximizing "efficiency," or ensuring the power of corporations. In this case, the issue is whether, as a nation, we prefer a system where private health insurance company "bureaucrats" decide whether or not we get the care we need. The issue here is also whether we believe it's morally right for private insurance companies with a strong, profit-motivated incentive to deny or minimize the coverage they provide, to decide, essentially, whether people get to live or die (or go bankrupt). This gets down to questions of ethics and morality, and makes me seriously doubt whether people like Tom Coburn care about anything but money and power (or ever read the New Testament?).
6. Point #5 - the belief that profit, money and "efficiency" are the only values in life that matter - leads to the bizarre (not to mention utterly ignorant) notion, held by Tom Coburn and many of his fellow conservatives, that the private sector is always good while the government is always bad. They believe this even though, when you read the U.S. Constitution, you see phrases like "promote the general welfare" (I believe Sarah Palin calls that "socialism") and "a more perfect Union" (do Coburn et al. really believe that having tens of millions of uninsured, plus almost everyone else in a system where one serious illness could bankrupt them is "more perfect?"). And they believe this even though, when you read U.S. history, what you find is case after case of the government stepping in and correcting rampant abuses - sweatshops, wildly unsafe workplaces, child labor, pollution pouring into air and water, monopolistic power, etc., etc. - by the private sector. Actually, if Coburn et al. had read U.S. history (or understood it), they'd know that government intervention often saved capitalism from its worst excesses and clear failures, thus keeping it chugging along.
I could go on and on all day with this, because the illogic, ignorance, and idiocy of conservatives like Tom Coburn know no bounds. Again, study this video, because it reveals pretty much about everything wrong with conservatism in one emotional encounter.
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