And, of course, was necessitated by repuke obstructionism to the health-care bill. Your resistance to the idea that all Americans, rich and poor, should be able to receive competent affordable health care (the horror) forced Obama and the house dems to cut deals.
Originally Posted by timpage
"Obstructionism" forced Obama and House Democrats to do no such thing.
Cramming through a very expensive (and very bad) new entitlement program while the economy was struggling to recover from the worst recession in many decades was fiscal recklessness of the highest order. They should have backed up and started over, and promoted reform in such a way that wouldn't explode costs. Unresolved questions regarding mandates and costs created an overhang of uncertainly that is now hampering job creation and prospects for economic growth.
The Germans, for instance, created a health care system that covers virtually everyone while controlling costs. Our plan was all about scoring political points, not enacting sound, affordable policy.
In 2003, Bush and House Republicans crammed through a very expensive, poorly designed, and unpaid-for prescription drug entitlement expansion that was, in large measure, a rich bonanza for the pharma industry.
Many people (quite justifiably) slammed them for doing so, but have no problem with Obama doing essentially the same thing. That's nothing more than rank hypocrisy.