Paul Krugman: Just do it--pass health care. Then move on to confronting bankers.

[flpoljunkie]

January 20, 2010, 9:39 AM

Fools On The Hill

So, will health care reform fail because a lazy candidate didn’t bother campaigning and didn’t know her Red Sox? (Yes, there were national factors at work, but Nate Silver makes it clear that a better candidate would have won easily). It’s up to the House, which can and should just pass the Senate bill.

Unfortunately, quite a few representatives seem to be in panic mode. And that’s just dumb.

First of all, the strategy of playing Republican-lite, and hoping that you’ll be left alone, has been tried — and failed disastrously. Remember 2002?

Second, David Axelrod is right: the campaign against HCR has been based on lies, and the only way to refute those lies (and stop them from being rolled out again and again) is to pass the thing, and let people see it in action. It’s too bad startup is delayed under the Senate bill — but even so, that’s what you have to do.

Finally, Democrats have to realize that politics isn’t just about where you stand on issues, it’s about perceptions of a party’s character. The rap on Dems has always been that they’re wimps — and giving in on such a central part of the party’s agenda, emerging from two years in power with nothing major to show for it, will play right into that perception.

Just do it — pass health care. Then move on to confronting the bankers.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/fools-on-the-hill/

[ShortnFiery]

1. I wish, for once, "Mr. Know-It-All" one each, Paul Krugman would STFU. eom

[izquierdista]

6. Hulk smash

I suppose those kind of editorials would be more uplifting for you.

[paulk]

7. I kind of feel the same way

about you

[Jennicut]

2. Reid is the wimpiest of them all. Obama needs to get a backbone, fast.

At least he needs to show it. I think he is a strong person. But to willing to compromise.

[AspenRose]

3. Agreed. This and jobs creation will go a long way

[babylonsister]

4. The rethugs' dream is to defeat HCR. I agree with Krugman, but I'd

move on to fixing the economy/unemployment. Then we can watch how rethugs try to obstruct that.

[Faryn Balyncd]

11. That is their dream. & they ALREADY DID defeat reform in the Senate, starting in the Fin Comm...

....and they did it without getting their fingerprints on it....


If we now pass that poison-pilled bill, we are doomed.


At least that's the way I see it.



:hi:

[leveymg]

5. Paul got this one wrong. The current Senate HCR is death. Split by reconciliation, okay.

Yes, pass HCR, but NOT the Senate Bill.

[flyarm]

8. no Paul..this health care bill is a piece of shit..and we will hold accountable those that sign it..

that was proven yesterday.

I usually agree with Paul but not this time..

This health care bill is a give away to the big boys in the health profit business..it has nothing to do with Health or Care ..it would be malpractice to the American people to pass it!

And we the people are in no mood to be sold out once again..and this is a sell out of our health care!

Paul you would be credible in this if you said..reneg on the secret back room deals..and start over!

Start over and work with " Health ..and Care "..as first priorities, not as an after thought to back room deals.

Get Profit out of our health care!

[bornskeptic]

10. PK differs from you because he has studied the bill and knows what is in it.

It's quite clear from your comment that you don't know what's in it.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Absolutely--Dems in Congress need to stop rolling over and submissively urinating

on themselves. Jesus, pass the damn thing and MOVE ON!!

[butterfly77]

12. I agree and then on to..

jobs and the bankers..