The special election for the Massachusetts Senate seat previously held by Edward Kennedy is heating up. According to the latest polls posted on RealClearPolitics, the race is now a tossup. Democrat Martha Coakley is, as of the latest poll on Monday, just two points ahead of GOP rival Scott Brown. Just a few months ago, she was thirty points ahead. What happened?
Simply put, this race is referendum on President Obama’s healthcare reform. (It is ironic that the one vote the Democrats could count on for healthcare is now in jeopardy.) My fellow Americans are tired of the same old Washington parlor tricks. Then-candidate Obama promised to put an end to that, but his promise was hollow. He let the Senate markup his own healthcare reform legislation until it was so twisted and stuffed full of kickbacks that no one could see straight. In the end, the legislation ended up being an enormous windfall for insurance companies. That isn’t change. Instead, it is the Washington of old.
Although I loathe what the Republican party has become, I believe a Brown win would be the best thing for our nation. It would cause the healthcare legislation to be blocked by the GOP, causing this horrible bill to be thrown out. On top of that, it would restore checks and balances. We didn’t have them under Bush, and as of right now, we don’t have them under Obama. Ask yourself why we had a balanced budget near the end of President Clinton’s second term. It was because a GOP-controlled Congress and a Democratic-controlled White House made for natural checks and balances. It was a strenuous political relationship, but it worked.
Although I want the current legislation to be sent to the nearest shredder, that does not mean I don’t want reform. Not at all. In fact, I want reform and I want reform now. I don’t want to wait until 2013, 2012, or 2011. Healthcare should be a basic right of American citizenship, not a privilege. In no way, shape, or form should someone’s financial status dictate an American’s ability to live a healthy life. Not while I am alive.
Every American should have the right to see a doctor and receive prescribed treatment to get well when sick or injured. To that end, any reform should be focused on three key things. First, healthcare access for all Americans. Second, an industry change from illness to wellness. Third, a fix to our nation’s food supply. Think about it. Our foods are poisonous and are a key reason why we keep getting fatter and sicker. The use of HgH, antibiotics, and pesticides? Genetic manipulation of our fruits and vegetables? Portion sizes out of this world? It is no wonder. But the good news is that it is fixable and everyone can win, even insurance companies.
No matter what, at this point, I see the GOP picking up the seat in Massachusetts. The only thing that could save this seat and really, the Democrats, is a Presidential veto. Seriously. If President Obama vetoed his own legislation, he would become an overnight hero. It would signal to Congress that the days of old are over. No more pork. No more special lobbies. No more backroom deals. The party is over. The Democrats would be sweep in 2010 and 2012. Furthermore, his courage would force the Congress to pass real reform for real Americans, not for companies that only exist on paper. Of course, none of that will ever happen. Instead, the GOP will take the seat and the American people will lose — again. The only difference will be that the loss will be less than if the legislation had passed. I guess that is a quasi win, but it is not what we deserve.
Did you notice that union’s caved on the Cadillac tax plans? It’s funny how partisanship always wins over principle. The Democrats would rather hold on to the White House and beat the Republicans than fight for a bill that truly effects change. I voted for real solutions not diluted compromise and more back room deals. We had plenty of that with the Republicans and frankly, they are better at it. So if that’s going to be the norm moving forward, bring on the Elephant baby.