Raising the Ante on Health Insurance Reform

At a recent Democratic National Committee fundraiser, President Obama raised the stakes for Democrats in Congress:  “And it may be that … if Congress decides we’re not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not,” the president said. “And that’s how democracy works. There will be elections coming up, and they’ll be able to make a determination and register their concerns.”

Despite the overwhelming public support for health insurance reform, the Democrats refused to get the job done when they had the chance.  And as the President clearly stated, the American people will judge their performance later this year.  They way things look right now, the Democrats could well lose their majorities in one or both houses of Congress.  If that happens, President Obama will have to make his deals with the Republicans.  Bill Clinton had better luck with the Contract with America Republicans than he did with the Democrats in his first two years.  My recollection is that the most significant legislation passed in the 1993-1994 session of Congress was the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.  Democrats need to decide if they want a repeat of the 1994 mid-term elections.

About cykman

Jon Cykman works in Washington, DC as a consultant, and is long-time student of American Politics. He started out handing out campaign materials for Hubert Humphrey during the campaign of 1968, and later went on to earn a B.A. in Political Science from the State University of New York, College at Purchase in 1978, and an M.A. in Public Affairs from the University of Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in 1980. Jon retired from Federal Service after 31 years of service, and lives with his family in Catonsville, MD.
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2 Responses to Raising the Ante on Health Insurance Reform

  1. I hope Republicans show up for the Health Summit. The audience is the Independent Voters who really want to compare and contrast the Senate Health Bill (which was passed late last year with super-majority) and the ideas of the Opposition.

  2. Issac Shomer says:

    Great idea this, i am seeing here different commands also thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see what you write about. Go for it!

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