Moderate is the new liberal | Democracy in America | Economist.com 19:12 GMT +00:00
Moderate is the new liberal
Posted by:
Economist.com | NEW YORK
Categories:
Health care
IF, WITH Barack Obama's acquiescence, Senate Democrats drop the public plan from their health-care reform bill, that measure will likely end up looking very much like The Economist's vision for health-care reform in America. Which is odd, because I never considered this paper a bastion of socialist thought.
Watching the debate over health-care reform play out in the media is a bit like watching the circus. There seem to be three rings that move from left to right across the stage (and political spectrum). In the first ring, liberal Democrats are having a debate with their moderate colleagues over the merits of different aspects of reform. Right now, it appears, the moderates are winning. In the second ring, moderate Republicans are having a debate with their conservative colleagues over reform. That debate seems to be going nowhere, with most Republicans staunchly opposed to any reform. In the third ring, we have the freak show: people screaming about socialism and death panels, and a few even packing heat outside presidential events.
If you're watching this spectacle on TV, then you're seeing a lot of rings two and three, and you may not realise that moderates are so far winning the fight over health-care policy. By pitting Barack Obama and his moderate allies in Congress against the more vocal fringes of the Republican Party, the media has moved the centre of the debate over reform far to the right. Add to this dynamic the idea that bipartisanship equals moderation and you may wonder, how can a health-care proposal be moderate if it attracts no Republican support.
Replies
8
SoWal Insider
Moderate is the new liberal | Democracy in America | Economist.com 19:12 GMT +00:00
Moderate is the new liberal
Posted by:
Economist.com | NEW YORK
Categories:
Health care
IF, WITH Barack Obama's acquiescence, Senate Democrats drop the public plan from their health-care reform bill, that measure will likely end up looking very much like The Economist's vision for health-care reform in America. Which is odd, because I never considered this paper a bastion of socialist thought.
Watching the debate over health-care reform play out in the media is a bit like watching the circus. There seem to be three rings that move from left to right across the stage (and political spectrum). In the first ring, liberal Democrats are having a debate with their moderate colleagues over the merits of different aspects of reform. Right now, it appears, the moderates are winning. In the second ring, moderate Republicans are having a debate with their conservative colleagues over reform. That debate seems to be going nowhere, with most Republicans staunchly opposed to any reform. In the third ring, we have the freak show: people screaming about socialism and death panels, and a few even packing heat outside presidential events.
If you're watching this spectacle on TV, then you're seeing a lot of rings two and three, and you may not realise that moderates are so far winning the fight over health-care policy. By pitting Barack Obama and his moderate allies in Congress against the more vocal fringes of the Republican Party, the media has moved the centre of the debate over reform far to the right. Add to this dynamic the idea that bipartisanship equals moderation and you may wonder, how can a health-care proposal be moderate if it attracts no Republican support.
Throw into that ring the Maxene Waters and the Howard Deans running around screaming that without a public option, all health reform is a complete failure.
Edited
Banned
why is it that the left is still trying to convince the public that republicans are against any kind of reform? it couldnt be further from the truth and they know it, but it doesnt help their political status. reform has been needed for decades. the gop is simply against THIS big government plan and they should be. but the left is saying that if your against obamacare than somehow your against all reform. problem for the left is that the american people have seen through the smoke screen...finally.
Beach Fanatic
why is it that the left is still trying to convince the public that republicans are against any kind of reform? it couldnt be further from the truth and they know it, but it doesnt help their political status. reform has been needed for decades. the gop is simply against THIS big government plan and they should be. but the left is saying that if your against obamacare than somehow your against all reform. problem for the left is that the american people have seen through the smoke screen...finally.
So what kind of reform are the republicans for, or you in particular? I personally am leaning toward the 30Ashopper plan.
Edited
SoWal InsiderAuthor
repub plan is to buy health insurer stock, kick out the illegals, and tell folks to make more money
Beach Fanatic
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2009/08/moderate_is_the_new_liberal.cfm In the third ring, we have the freak show: people screaming about socialism and death panels, and a few even packing heat outside presidential events.
I guess this is becoming the norm. I had a commissioner tell me to be careful what I said to their spouse as they now carried.
Whatever happen to spirited debate?
Meow
repub plan is to buy health insurer stock, kick out the illegals, and tell folks to make more money
taxity tax tax
SoWal InsiderAuthor
taxity tax taxget ready to rumble
Meow
get ready to rumble
...and grumble.
...and write bigger checks!
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