CapitalistMarks

Atlas, um er, Obama Shrugged.

Posted on 10. Sep, 2009 by scott in political munglings

Obama’s speech last night was both encouraging and disappointing.  Kind of like the tree above, it was all over the place (and way too long at about 45 minutes).  You have to be paying attention to sort through the ‘advertising’ to get the meat.  Not an easy job.

Thanks heavens there were some fireworks to make it all interesting.  Can it be true that someone really called the President a liar, shouting it actually, during his speech?  Way to go Republican congressman (he who shall not be named — but whose last names rhymes with ‘Wilson’).  How reasonable can that nutcase be?  Shame on the people that voted for him and I hope they see the light next year.

The fireworks and unkind reception the President got from the republican side of the aisle shows just how difficult and divisive this issue is.  It also is a clear indication that the republicans don’t have any real interest in trying to work things out.  Maybe that is why the President spoke about bipartisan discussions but then went on to make it clear that something is going to get done regardless of those who oppose reform (the right wing of our political system).

I watched his speech and also listened later to the whole thing so that I wasn’t prejudiced by the emotions of the assembly.  Frankly this was NOT the home run I was hoping for.  Obama really did shrug . . . apparently the world on his shoulders is a bigger burden than he wants to bear (pity good old Atlas then . . . he has been at it for millenia).

I liked and approved of much that was said.  Many of the crucial points I outlined yesterday were addressed –  some in slightly different ways, but that is okay.  Give and take is a good thing when it comes to legislation.

The thing that bothered me was that he really hedged on the republicans desire for effective Tort reform.  He didn’t make any friends on the other side of the aisle as a result.  To make this a success, the President has to give the other side something and Tort reform is easy and good for everyone (except trial lawyers).  It just might be the difference that would get the legislation some votes from liberal republicans.

So, Atlas Obama shrugged.  It is going to take months to know who far he leaned, but I really hope congress takes his outline and puts some meat on it.  Fast (‘cuz we sure got a few other things to deal with).

We need this reform.  I wish it would be faster than the four years Obama talked about, but the fact is he put some fire in the democrats and now everyone should understand the issues.

Don’t listen to the lies and ignore the media idiots who can NEVER find anything good to say about this administration.  Push for passage along the basic lines Obama spoke of.

thanks for the picture to flickr’s informatique

Tags: congressman wilson, health care reform, President Obama, tort reform