So, Healthcare

Alright, I've not seen enough of the bill to really grasp everything its doing, but, it looks rather moderate. Here's a summary from CBS, its way too basic for a 1k+ page document but I think thats all we are going to see for a little while. The details will come out as parts of the plans are implemented. However, I think I'd rather talk about the political implications of the bill than the bill itself.

First and foremost, and I cannot overstate the importance of this point, Congress has now created a precedent. The United States Government is now responsible for providing health care to its citizens. Regardless of the degree of coverage, commitment, cost etc., Congress has made general health care the Government's business from here on out. The only wild card is a potential unconstitutional ruling by SCOTUS but I hear that's a long shot.

Second, and what I really want to talk about, is the Republicans. (As usual. They're kind of a Miltonic Satan figure in my mind - so damned interesting and quite enticing.) Although they are loathe to admit it, the GOP operated under an obstructionist mentality. Their goal was to prevent the passage of the bill. while they certainly made it hard for the Democrats, ultimately they failed. So what now? Many Republicans are already moving toward a policy of Repeal. They want to overturn the bill should they win majorities in Congress. But what are their chances of winning? Ask Republican sources and they say strong - Americans hate the bill, it was passed undemocratically, they will vote enough Dems out to regain control in a second Conservative revolution. Two points: 1. was the public really that mad about the bill? 2. could anger about the bill be maintained until November? I think the answer to both questions is 'no'. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that a platform based around repealing legislation is going to alienate the party further from the middle. (Perhaps that's the goal. I am not entirely unconvinced that most republicans just want to cement their own political office and never leave DC. The way to do that is to capture all the most right-wing seats and play on their constituents fears and paranoia. Moderates be damned.[They won't vote GOP anyway{double parentheses? really?}]) The other reason the GOP is not likely to sweep this November is a wonderfully powerful new argument the Democrats get to make now: Republicans want to kill you, your family, and your friends. That's right, any opposition to a Democrat means taking away health care, which is a substantially different position than opposition to giving health care. And, its only going to get harder to oppose as the new services start going into effect. Taking away something people expect to have will piss them off. Good luck running against health care post 2014.

So, what a smart Republican party would do is drop this whole mess right now. Find ways to support health care in a critical way. Argue for improvements and market oriented reforms. Either way, the populace will not be keen on a Repeal or obstructionist platform much longer. Its time to adapt to a changed situation or die out as the older, more partisan electorate that put you in office dies out. Survival means cooperation right now. Win local races on local issues, rebuild your base by being good at what the Democrats are bad at - efficiency, supporting business, free trade, national security. And for the love of Pete, move a little left on issues you previously championed (some call this bill Romneycare afterall). If there's one thing the Democrats know how to do its f-up. Hell, this bill took long enough as it was and they had a supermajority. They do not step in line, they do not support party measures. That's a strength but also a weakness. They'll screw something up, but you have to be there in a form capable of stepping into the gap they leave. If the GOP is so far right and so far gone that even a scandal will not convince voters to vote for you, well its your own damned fault.