Paul Krugman - "Tidings of Comfort" Praises Progressive Critics Of Health Care Reform AND Passage

[TomCADem]

Paul Krugman who frequently criticizes President Obama's economic policies from the left has this to say about Health Care Reform:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/opinion/25krugman.html?em

So why are so many people complaining? There are three main groups of critics.

First, there’s the crazy right, the tea party and death panel people — a lunatic fringe that is no longer a fringe but has moved into the heart of the Republican Party. In the past, there was a general understanding, a sort of implicit clause in the rules of American politics, that major parties would at least pretend to distance themselves from irrational extremists. But those rules are no longer operative. No, Virginia, at this point there is no sanity clause.

A second strand of opposition comes from what I think of as the Bah Humbug caucus: fiscal scolds who routinely issue sententious warnings about rising debt. By rights, this caucus should find much to like in the Senate health bill, which the Congressional Budget Office says would reduce the deficit, and which — in the judgment of leading health economists — does far more to control costs than anyone has attempted in the past.

But, with few exceptions, the fiscal scolds have had nothing good to say about the bill. And in the process they have revealed that their alleged concern about deficits is, well, humbug. As Slate’s Daniel Gross says, what really motivates them is “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, is receiving social insurance.”

Finally, there has been opposition from some progressives who are unhappy with the bill’s limitations. Some would settle for nothing less than a full, Medicare-type, single-payer system. Others had their hearts set on the creation of a public option to compete with private insurers. And there are complaints that the subsidies are inadequate, that many families will still have trouble paying for medical care.

Unlike the tea partiers and the humbuggers, disappointed progressives have valid complaints. But those complaints don’t add up to a reason to reject the bill. Yes, it’s a hackneyed phrase, but politics is the art of the possible.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Good luck with that message in 2010, Dr. Krugman. eom

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. Bravo! So true!

"But those complaints don’t add up to a reason to reject the bill. Yes, it’s a hackneyed phrase, but politics is the art of the possible."

[WeDidIt]

3. I am fine with those complaining about HCR

There's a lot that leaves to be desired in the bill and a lot that should be in the bill but isn't. Complaining now, even with no changes to the final legislation, set the stage for addressing those issues in the future, especially via budget line items and reconciliation.

My problem is with the Firebaggers who want to destroy Obama because they didn't get what they wanted.

[phasma ex machina]

9. This is the second time you used "Firebaggers" in a thread read by me tonight.

Is that a synonym for "leftbagger" or a subspecies of "teabagger?" TIA

[DJ13]

4. Krugman is a good DLC'er, he never mentioned the MAIN reason

some Democrats dont like this reform.

The mandates.

Amazing how he forgot about that, since he has long been a supporter of them.

[jaxx]

5. Please explain, exactly, a "DLC'er".

I see lots of phrases thrown around lately.

[DJ13]

6. Heres a definition of them

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Leadership_Council
Democratic Leadership Council - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jaxx]

7. I see pros and cons.....just like anything associated with politics.

I don't see a line in the sand.

[WeDidIt]

8. I'm calling you out on this one. Krugman has NEVER been a member of the DLC

Your accusations are hollow.

I doubt seriously if you even know what the DLC is, let alone the fact that the organization has decreased in overall power since the Clinton administration.

[Skink]

11. I'll second that. krugman is for single payer.....

he knows however that in the U.S. that is not going to be possible with this congress.

[DJ13]

12. Obama isnt a member either, but his actions are of one

DLC is just shorthand for a corporate Dem as fas as Im concerned, especially since they no longer publicize their membership list.

[TomCADem]

17. The Congress Watered Down Many Of The Proposals...

Look at the so-called liberal house, which actually passed a bill that was more restrictive on abortion than the Senate bill. When you have univeral Republican opposition, it empowers the right ward fringe of the Democratic party that does not care about health care reform, particularly those Democrats who come from red areas.

[Frances]

10. What is your problem with mandates?

Are you against paying for insurance?

[ibegurpard]

13. I am

Because insurance is against paying for healthcare.

[DJ13]

14. Are you against paying for insurance?

No, im against individual mandates where a simple income tax increase would have served the same goal.

With income taxes the wealthy would contribute a proportionately greater amount towards the common good (that outdated FDR stuff), and the poor (you know, those who cant afford insurance in the first place) wouldnt have any added financial burden.

No twisted subsidies that may, or may not cover some lower income people would be needed either.

Income taxes are legal, and the traditional means to pay for needed services in this country.

Mandates are a coerced individual responsibility to purchase a product offered by a private corporation.

There really IS a substantial difference.

[Frances]

16. Are you saying that you are angry because your health

costs won't be subsidized by the very wealthy?

There was no way to get that through this Congress or any other Congress, unfortunately.

[mmonk]

15. I see little value in the bill and disagree with Krugman on this issue.

It will be sold as liberal or progressive to many people who do not know better by members of the media and political pundits. I will fight for the best bill possible from what is a flawed process.