Reply #5: Well, I'm half serious. [View All]

[DanTex]

Sure, it's not always the case that just because Republicans oppose something it must be good (although that's been a pretty reliable indicator over the last few decades).

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that if Obama increases troop levels in Afghanistan, he'll get Republican support. The same way that Clinton got republican support for welfare "reform", or deregulating the finance industry. So I'm not sure it's all political opposition to Obama. I think they actually don't like the health care bill. Even without the public option.

Which raises the question: which provisions in the bill do Republicans oppose? Do they oppose getting rid of pre-existing condition denials? Creating health insurance exchanges? Banning lifetime caps on benefits? Mandates for employers or individuals? Subsidies for low-income individuals? Requiring insurers to cover preventive care?

Of course they oppose all that. And with the possible exception of individual mandates, I would think everyone on DU would agree these are good things. But enough to enrage the right like it has? I'm not sure.

I think the opposition of the Republicans is very telling. Part of it is that they see an opportunity, sure. But part of it is fear. Not fear of death panels and mandatory abortions. That's what the teabagger idiots are afraid of. The Republican's calling the shots are smart and politically savvy.

The biggest fear the Republicans have is that the plan will pass and significantly expand coverage and improve healthcare. And that will be a huge victory politically for Democrats. Maybe not as soon as 2010, but certainly over the next decade, Democrats will be seen as the party that improved the health care of ordinary Americans. In fact, Bill Kristol made this argument explicitly during the Clinton healthcare debate. And while it may be a bit Machiavellian to be thinking about political gain with a topic as important as healthcare, let's face it, politics is important. If anything, I think the Democrats need to be more Machiavellian, not less.

So, while my original post was partly in jest, I do actually think that the universal opposition the the health care bill among Republicans is quite encouraging (provided the bill passes).