Legal Commentary

Selling The Health Bills: No Public Insurance, No Taxes On The Wealthy

By Big Tent Democrat

Kevin Drum on the selling of the health bills in Jason Altmire's district:

Doyle McManus writes today about a town hall meeting between Blue Dog Democratic congressman Jason Altmire and a group of tea partiers. The Senate healthcare bill, he told them, doesn't have a public option and doesn't raise income taxes:

But the conversation ran aground when he asked a fundamental question: Shouldn't the government help low-income people afford basic health insurance? "No!" most of the visitors shouted. "Some of you are never going to agree with me," Altmire said.

And none of them will ever vote for Altmire or any Democrat. and yet Altmire sells the health bills by pointing to how progressive ideas were discarded. But some want progressives to put on a happy face and whip for these bills. And some will do it. To each his own.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 16, 2010 (boomark / email).