Healthcare Passes . . . Media Buys Some Tea

So Obama appears to have passed a bill that some have been hankering for over 70 years. It is a major achievement, especially when one party is content trying to make sure government doesn't do anything before November and a series of corporations all interested in keeping the system as it is have been throwing a lot of money and influence around to back that position up. Sure the bill is flawed and doesn't include the public option, but it insures 32 million more Americans, cheapens drug costs for seniors, disallows insurance companies from not covering or dropping insurers with preexisting conditions, allows small businesses to pool together for better rates, and though conservatives have been challenging the CBO numbers -- the bill is predicted to CUT the deficit by $138 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the following 10 years while saving 2.5 million jobs  Yet the media appears to have bought the GOP story that this will hurt the democrats. "Democrats could pay a price," warns the Washington Post while the New York Times tells us buyer beware: "A Major Victory, but at What Cost?" The LA Times adds "After healthcare vote, Democrats turn to damage control" and Politico claims Democrats "face a potentially devastating backlash in the midterms." And that's just the "liberal press." William Kristol does a special for the Weekly Standard claiming "This year Obama has handed Republicans a one-item Contract with America, an item a majority of the public supports—opposition to, and therefore repeal of, Obamacare." Even before the bill is signed, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and other party leaders are clammering for repeal and 12 states are already lining up to challenge it as unconstitutional: www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-22/twelve-states-plan-lawsuit-over-obama-health-overhaul-update2-.html. David Frum offers a more realistic position though, arguing repeal is all but impossible given what the bill offers and the legislative hurdles. In the end, the bill might hurt Democrats, but given that it will be paid for predominantly by insurance and pharmaceutical companies and the wealthiest Americans and will start us on the path to addressing one of the great dangers facing America in the future, I think it is a step in the right direction. It is also nice to see Democrats actually stand up for something collectively. Could this be the beginning of better days for the party, or the beginning of the end of their short reign? Stay tuned . . .