Yep...he did it. I never ever ever ever thought in 11 short months that I would say I've had it with President Obama and his CAPITULATION. I mean I live in IL. I door knocked when it was -2 degrees outside without the wind chill, I phone banked, I did the house parties, I made my friends and family nauseated with President Obama/politics talk, I door knocked, I took my kids to Springfield, IL to hear the President speak (and stood in line with a 3 year old for more than 12 hours w/out any real bathrooms) and I donated money to President Obama and the Democratic Party. Did my work end on Nov. 20? No....I countinued to try and push the agenda that was layed out before me during the election without any real direction from the President.
I continued to work with Organizing for America even as I started to feel leery and uncomfortable with some of the decisions that were being made. Why??? Because President Obama told me during the campaign that he might make some decisions that I didn't agree with but he would always tell me the TRUTH. I believed him. Did he tell me the truth when he made those backroom deals with Big Insurance, Pharma, and the Hospital Associations? NO. I understand that politics is a really dirty business. People with power doing favors for one another I get that. What I hadn't realized was just how powerful lobbyists were and that even with the microscope shined directly on them politicians can't seem to rise above their re-election ambitions to do what is right for the American People.
We all know single payer is the answer to this healthcare problem and a robust public option is the bare minimum we should accept. Most folks don't completely understand the legislation that came out of the House or that might come out of the Senate but they understand that the insurance companies are corrupt and that they lack competition. Most polls show that the public is behind a public option. Right now...what we have is a bill that will force a lot of folks to either buy health insurance at premiums that they already could not afford, get taxed on it, and/or pay a fine. I believe that is what the average person will see. Spin it, flip it, and toss it any way you like but that is NOT reform.
Everyday I am angry about the lack of leadership the President has shown on really getting a public option. It appears that his office leans more on the majority of his party for concessions than he does for the minority in the party. I just don't get it. Deep down I've always known that the President was willing to gamble the Public Option away. What I can't figure out is why when you have a mandate, the people, and the Senate, House, and the WH. Please if someone can tell me please do so. I had hoped and hoped that was not the case but deep down I knew. How does the President expect me to want to continue to fight for what he campaigned for when it seems as though he won't fight. I havent' seen the fight in this President his entire 11 months. The Republicans get stuff done. Democrats are afraid of their own shadow. All I've seen is capitulation after capitulation. The non-partisan group Research 2000 did a poll and most folks want the President to stick to his policies vs trying to be bi-partisan (that is just a cover-up in my opinion for taking big business money) link.
Among voters overall, 49% want Obama to stick to his policies, versus only 33% who want him to be bipartisan. Eighteen percent aren’t sure.
Among independents, 45% want Obama to stick to his policies, versus only 30% who want him to be bipartisan. Twenty five percent aren’t sure.
My mama once told me if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.
So, yes...I am one of those less enthusiastic democratic voters who will work hard for my Senator Dick Durbin in 2010 but the 2012 Presidency not so much. I think I'm checking out. I've tuned out of any and all news shows and I only come and check out the politcal sites. I think I'm taking a break from this for awhile too. I've bought some great books and I'm catching up on music and movies to get my mind off of this horrendous healthcare bill. Maybe this country really needs a crash to re-set all of the monied interests that has completely taken over our politics so that regular folks like me can get a seat at the table again.