We've almost come close to beginning to try---maybe.

[Atticus]

Does that title disgust you? It should. It reeks of weakness and hesitancy and cowardice.

But, doesn't that fairly accurately sum up the health care reform campaign to date and the meandering and divisive performance of our party? And, now, there's talk of "maybe next year"?

Yes, we are CLOSE to enacting some kind of sweeping health care legislation for the first time in decades, but was that our goal--- to pass anything we could label "health care legislation"? Why was single-payer not even allowed to be discussed in this "Democratic" Congress?

In another thread, the question was posed: "What makes you think single-payer could have passed if we're having all this trouble passing a weak public option?" Could the answer be that passing a weak public option is difficult BECAUSE it's a weak public option? It's not "the real thing" and everyone knows it. It is a half-hearted, half-assed, patched-together stand-in and it is not exciting or motivating anyone. It's like showing up at what you thought was a Stones concert only to find a cover band banging out "Under My Thumb" and being told it's OK, because the lead singer's name is "Nick". Who's OK with that?

I have to wonder if, to coin a term, a little "audacity" isn't what we need?

Let's take the GOP's suggestion that we "start over" on health care. Let's call for single-payer and, if absolutely necessary, consider a "robust public option" as a "transitional step".

And, then let's announce a six-month wind-down and exit from Afghanistan.

And, supported by an energized base and a growing number of moderates and independents, let's end DADT, pass cap and trade, protect gay marriage, pass card-check and transition to a green economy with ever-decreasing need for carbon-based energy.

Or, should we just continue to prepare to get ready to start commencing?

[timeforpeace]

1. President Obama said a couple weeks ago that he was just getting started. For what it's worth.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. That powder is now so dry that it probably useless...