Today the Senate passed its most landmark piece of health care reform legislation since Medicare in 1965. In commemoration of the passage of this legislation on Chirstmas Eve, I offer the perspective of a liberal Christian regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ and the responsibility of the wealthy.
At the onset I'll say that this is strange for me. I don't discuss religion with my friends or family (and for a reason) - I like to respect others' views on God and the afterlife. I grew up in a Catholic family and later converted to Lutheranism during high school by my own choice. I went through confirmation and was welcomed into Protestantism on Pearl Harbor Day 2004. I really don't mean to be offensive and I'm being completely honest when I say that I don't recognize the gay-hating, capitalist Jesus espoused by the modern Republican Party. That is not my God, and this post is my plea to fellow Christians who opposed the health care reform legislation this Christmas season (specifically within the Republican Party).
In this healthcare debate, Democrats & Republicas argued positions which were substantive in nature. As much as this debate was about Medicare buy-ins, opt-outs and insurance premiums, this debate was ultimately about an end. It was about the end of offering health care to those who don't have it. This debate was about the helping the less fortunate fight for their most basic right... the right to a healthy life. It was this debate that pitted our capitalist instincts as Americans against our compassionate nature as human-beings.
The Great Senate Healthcare Compromise of 2009
Health care reform has a long way to go, but today we reached a milestone. After intense negotiations the Senate Democrats have 60 votes to advance a health care bill into reconciliation with the House version. Harry Reid did it by compromising on abortion, and by pivoting to the demands of Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson. According to the Boston Globe: "Senate Democrats clinched the final 60th vote required to push a major health care bill through the Senate by Christmas, announcing a compromise yesterday with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska that includes restrictions on abortion coverage and millions in additional Medicaid funding for his state."
The Roundup:
Today's winners: Ben Nelson (greater restrictions on abortion, Medicare funding for his state.), the White House (gets a Senate healthcare bill before Christmas), Harry Reid (under pressure to pass something before the Christmas holiday.) and pro-life groups (even though they oppose the Senate bill.)
Today's losers: liberal House Democrats, public option supporters,
The Roundup:
Today's winners: Ben Nelson (greater restrictions on abortion, Medicare funding for his state.), the White House (gets a Senate healthcare bill before Christmas), Harry Reid (under pressure to pass something before the Christmas holiday.) and pro-life groups (even though they oppose the Senate bill.)
Today's losers: liberal House Democrats, public option supporters,
Illinois Senate Candidates on the Issues
If you're undecided heading into the Illinois Democratic Primary and you're looking for substantive differences among the candidates, the Huffington Post has an excellent breakdown on candidate positions with regard to a wide range of issues: economic development, financial reform, health care, the public option, Thompson prison, unemployment, Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process. If you don't like Alexi Giannoulias and you're not completely comfortable with David Hoffman - perhaps Cheryle Robinson Jackson deserves a look. Frankly, I'm not a fan of Jackson because I'm not impressed with her resume; I think we need real reform in Illinois, and Jackson just doesn't impress me. She worked for NPR & Amtrak, and is currently the president of the Chicago Urban League. If Democrats want to retain this Senate seat - we need to choose someone who can appeal to the entire state, not just the Southside of Chicago.
Sociopath & Independent Senator Joe Lieberman
I am convinced that Joe Lieberman is opposing healthcare reform just to snub liberals for his 2006 loss to Ned Lamont in the Connecticut Democratic Primary. I cannot believe how arrogant he has become. Lieberman has demonstrated what Washington Monthly's Matthew Yglesias calls a "sociopathic indifference to the human cost of his actions." According to the New York Times, Lieberman opposed the Medicare buy-in because liberals were too comfertable with it:
Congressman Weiner made a comment that Medicare-buy in is better than a public option, it's the beginning of a road to single-payer," Mr. Lieberman said. "Jacob Hacker, who's a Yale professor who is actually the man who created the public option, said, 'This is a dream. This is better than a public option. This is a giant step.'"
