The debate on healthcare reform is intensifying in Washington and across the country. This is not a debate taking place in the abstract.
Louisiana stands to benefit greatly from reform — if the final package includes the so-called "Public Option." The public option is a proposal by President Obama to offer working-age Americans the opportunity to buy health insurance coverage similar to coverage currently available to those over 65 through Medicare.
Health insurance companies oppose this, saying that the government will ultimately drive them from the field; that they won't be able to compete. The public, according to polls, is not buying that argument. Various polls report public support for the public option to be running 70 percent and higher.
That probably has something to do with the experiences those with insurance have had with insurance companies over the years. The insurance companies have not endeared themselves to the American public through their arbitrary denials of coverage, refusal to pay claims, and general ripping off of consumers and businesses over the years.
President Obama's speech was ambitious: energy, health care and education? The first two derailed our last two President's agendas. And he wants to take both of them on in the same year? You know, Governor PBJ was right in one respect ... Americans can do anything.
Governor PBJ's address was awful. In every respect. Tone, delivery, and message.
The tone and delivery was that of a kindergarten teacher talking to 5 year olds. I don't know what the hell he was thinking using such a tone, but he made people feel like they were being talking down to.
As for the message ... every single of the things he said Republicans were for - cutting taxes for working families and small businesses, as well as a new tax credit for home-buyers - were in the bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this past week.
I don't understand how Governor PBJ is against the federal government making an order for $300 million worth of hybrid vehicles. It will create/save American automaker jobs, cut down on the pollution released into the atmosphere, cut down on the oil needed to run it, AND save gas money for the federal government.
High-speed rail? Again, creates jobs, as the lines will have to be laid, the cars will have be manufactured, and conductors will need to be hired, and it will spur investment along the routes. And the money the workers make? They'll SPEND it.
About that $140 million for "volcano monitoring." I don't know where the Governor got that ... possibly from his imagination. But as the Governor of the state that was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he should have a wee bit more compassion for those that live near volcanoes.
If I were Governor PBJ, I wouldn't be crowing about the fact that the Louisiana Legislature, along with Governors Blanco and Jindal, cut taxes for the past six years. It shows a lack of foresight, a failure to look beyond the next election ... as we now have to deal with a budget shortfall of nearly $2 billion.
The plan that Governor PBJ advanced - all tax cuts all the time - as the GOP plan is, like Governor PBJ himself, cautious. It is a half-measure that will alleviate the pain of those who are wealthy. They'll have to learn to make do without the million dollar bonuses to which they've become accustomed ... so Governor PBJ wants to throw them a bone by cutting their capital gains taxes, which will give them a little extra spending money for their Botox treatments, yearly vacations and luxury cars.
What it won't do is alleviate the suffering of those recently laid off; those who have to declare bankruptcy because of their insurmountable medical bills; those who want to go to college, but can't afford to. That's because Governor Jindal and the Republican Party do not believe that government should help those people.
"Government can't do everything, we were told, so it should settle for taking care of the strong, and hope that economic ambition and charity will do the rest. Make the rich richer, and what falls from their table will be enough for the middle class and those who are desperately trying to work their way into the middle class."
But what absolutely floored me is that he invoked Katrina as a reason to doubt the ability of government to fix a problem. I just wonder if he remembers exactly which political party controlled all three branches of the federal government at the time. I'll even give y'all a hint. It sure as hell wasn't the Democrats.
The Politico reported a leaked passage from Governor PBJ's Republican Response to President Obama's National Address tonight: (hat tip to Daren):
A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said 'we may not be able to reverse.' Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don't let anyone tell you that we cannot recover - or that America's best days are behind her.
Gee, that's right, Guv ... Americans can do anything. If YOU LET THEM. But you don't want the government to spend $300 million on hybrid vehicles. You don't want the federal government to jumpstart the green revolution that will save our economy, and create American jobs, as those jobs can't be exported, because you're stuck in the 1990's Republican frame that government is TEH EVIL.
He's also extremely careful and calculated, personality traits that come out during even the most mundane activities, like taking pills. Jindal, who has a background in biology, medicine and public policy, never follows the directions on prescription medicines. "I always just take half the dose," he says. "I'm very cautious."
And that cautious streak in ya, Governor, is the reason you're stuck in that 1990's Republican frame of government being the problem. This time, however, half-measures like cutting the capital gains tax won't cut it. The private sector is looking out for itself ... paying their top people obscene bonuses for failures, and you want to give the top people more money? No, sir ... the answer is that the government must once again, save capitalism from itself.
What Americans expect from Washington is action that matches the urgency they feel in their daily lives -- action that's swift, bold and wise enough for us to climb out of this crisis.
Because each day we wait to begin the work of turning our economy around, more people lose their jobs, their savings and their homes. And if nothing is done, this recession might linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs. Unemployment will approach double digits. Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse.
President Obama didn't say that we couldn't reverse the damage done by you and your Republican colleagues up in Washington, Governor. (And yes, you voted for all those tax cuts and economy stimulating bills put forth by the Bush Administration when you were riding herd on being the 432nd (out of 435) most effective Member of Congress back in the day). He said, if we do nothing ... then we may not be able to reverse it.
Even a Rhodes Scholar like yourself, Governor, ought to be able to read that one correctly. The question now, Guv, is whether you will change that line to reflect reality. Or whether you'll stay in your Faux News bubble.
(Pertinent question ... though I really wonder how many Louisianans will tune in during Mardi Gras Weekend. Unfortunately, this will be the only post on the Kingfish this weekend, since my computer will not arrive until Monday. Until then, have a happy and safe Mardi Gras weekend!
- promoted by ryan)
. . . what do you think you would ask Gov. Jindal? Well, it is going to happen as David Gregory has announced that the Louisiana governor will be a guest on MTP this Sunday.
One of the hot topics that Gov. Jindal and his co-guest, Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida will be facing is whether to accept all, part or none of the funds coming to their states through President Obama's economic recovery and stimulus package.
But beyond questions relating to that topic, if you were sitting in Gregory's chair, what would you like to ask Gov. Jindal?
I can't wait to read your questions. I am sure there will be some good ones.
The debate on healthcare reform is intensifying in Washington and across the country. This is not a debate taking place in the abstract.
