I am trying to be positive. I really am.

[Atticus]

I have been an advocate of single-payer since day one. I thought we made a mistake by STARTING at the public option. I thought that should have been our "reluctant" compromise. But, no one who counts asked me what I thought and another direction was chosen.

So, now, we are (maybe) about to consider a "watered down" public option. And, while it is not all that I would like it to be, those who say that it is still a great advance down the road of providing health care to all in our nation are likely right. I am not sure that it is much more than a "close call" for the insurance companies and I fear that this "half a loaf" will fail and sweep hordes of teabaggers into Congress in 2010. I hope that Howard Dean, who I respect a great deal, was not just trying to put on a "brave face" when he said the Pelosi bill should be passed, that it would do a lot of good for a lot of people.

When you are hungry, half a loaf is, indeed, better than none. But, when you are drowning 100 feet from shore, a 50 foot rope is NOT better than no rope at all. Who is to say which is the more correct analogy?

I have read posts here today which were highly critical of those of us who, from time to time, have been pretty damned angry at what we saw as cowardice and hypocrisy in our own party. We have been accused of being "Chicken Littles" who should just chill out and be patient while good Democrats in Congress "work their butts off" to pass "the best health care bill possible". I know there are some good Democrats who are working their butts off for the people. I am not sure, however, that there are not also a handful who have SOLD their butts to Big Insurance and Big Pharma. You can rightly tell me to give credit to the good guys(which I have done and will continue to do), but I really don't want to hear that I can't also bitch about those who are so obviously smaller than the positions they have been elected to fill.

I will listen to you and consider what you say. You may cause me to change my position. But, listen to me, also. Everyone who thinks there just might be a few "less than swell" people in Congress with "D's" after their name is not Chicken Little. Some of us have been around long enouth to have hearts that are mostly scar tissue and that does make it difficult to assume that "everything will work out".

Like I said, I am trying to be positive. I really am.

[Laelth]

1. I admire your spirit.

I want to be positive, but it seems futile at the moment.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Autumn]

2. I feel like

I'm on a roller coaster.

[PSzymeczek]

7. Me, too.

Constantly on the verge of nausea.

[glitch]

3. K & R for Reason. nt

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

4. We are ALL better off, today, than we were one year ago. Perspective brings promise.

Life is a persistence test. I may not survive to see the day of democracy, that day of full social and economic justice,...

,...BUT,...I lived to see the day a man, who would have been rejected OUTRIGHT because of the color of his skin in my lifetime, get elected as POTUS. Everything is possible. All those who want 'everything', right now, have no respect for the sacrifice and patience and persistence required to get all of us to this point.

I know I am going to die, prematurely,...before my own country will grant me the health care necessary to extend my life. It's not fair. I am a hard-working and compassionate and loyal "American", as are most of us. We deserve as much care for our lives as any member on Wall Street, of the Bush administration, the DNC or GOP. It's "capitalism". Citizens are punished for being the 95% below capitalists.

When we get back to FOCUSING ON the PRICELESS value of EXISTING AMERICAN LIVES,...maybe, we all can help this President take one step forward, on our behalf. Otherwise, the bitching and groaning about failing to receive immediate needs will only serve to advance the corporates at the sacrifice of a President who cares FAR MORE about the common person than the GOP ever did or ever will.

Cynicism is self-defeating; always has been and always will be. Cynicism is one of those few constants in human existence,...and the money-mongers exploit it, big time.

[HipChick]

6. I agree....

maybe, we all can help this President take one step forward, on our behalf. Otherwise, the bitching and groaning about failing to receive immediate needs will only serve to advance the corporates at the sacrifice of a President who cares FAR MORE about the common person than the GOP ever did or ever will.

hear hear

[bobbolink]

10. Oh, indeedy... anyone expressing a different view is only "bitching and moaning"

Thank you ever so much for clarifying that for us.

edited to add.... Here, read this to see some REAL "bitching and moaning", then defend your compassion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6884040&mesg_id=6884040

[Atticus]

8. Cynicism is the belief that selfishness is the sole motivator of human behavior

Thus defined, I would certainly agree that such a belief would be "self-defeating", not to mention stupid.

I am not a cynic and I am not stupid. I simply DO believe that selfishness IS sometimes the motivation for the actions of people who pretend otherwise. To disregard this possibility is just as self-defeating and stupid as cynicism.

Then, too, there are those who are not pretending anything. They just are, by God, that damned stupid.

[bobbolink]

12. We are? ALL of us? Are you sure about that?

I'd happily trade places with you.

Maybe you haven't really looked into the eyes of those of us who are deeply suffering.

[bobbolink]

5. Yes, sometimes "half a loaf" is the best choice.

However, what I don't see anyone talking about is the chance that this is setup to fail, which will set us that much further back... maybe hopelessly so.

[Atticus]

9. Scars on your heart, too, eh? nt

[bobbolink]

11. You got that exactly right. Thanks, friend.

:pals: