This makes it clear that YOU don't drive the agenda.. Only Big Business.

[Armstead]

Most people here -- and most Democratic politicians -- agree that this is not really a good bill. The most consistent rationale for passage is "We need a bill now. This is all the crumbs we can get."

Even as they publicly support this bill now, between the lines, you can see many of the sincere Democratic legislators thinking "I hate having to defend this piece of shit legislation."

Public support for some kind of public option was strong among the "base" and among moderates and independents and among most Democratic ldegislators. But any form of it was "too much" to be included in a final bill.

The message is clear. What the majority wants does not matter. YOU don't matter unless you are well heeled and believe in the supremacy of corporations and markets over people.

You a moderate who believes in a balanced approach? You're shut out too. You are too far "left" for the Corporate oligarchs who have hijacked the Democratic Party.

[midnight]

1. Pass the bill so we can say "mission accomplished".

[Armstead]

3. Even Bush was a better strategist that we are

[Laelth]

2. k&r for the truth, however depressing. n/t

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[chill_wind]

4. That was clear with the no-strings bank bailout. A majority of the public opposed

a blank check as it became more apparent that's what was being devised. It transcended party lines. But it didn't matter.

Moderates and conservadems will moderate themselves for now in support of a political "win."

Just as it took a bit of time for the wholesale angry bank-bashing to eventually emerge in earnest, what we'll see months from now when reality hits harder is just a whole lot of outrage at "insurance company bastards", similarly forgetting the political process that totally gave away the farm. The sports team self-identification thing won't permit much more than that, I predict.

[Armstead]

5. We ought to be seen as the enemy of "insurance companty bastards" but we blew that chance

Even a moderatly liberal Democratic Party ought to be -- and be seen as -- the opponents of the rapacious greed of the insurance companies, and the protectors of the interests of average Americans.

We blew that one.