Back in November 2008 the United States elected a new President who was young, relatively fresh to Washington and politics as a whole and whom many classified as a long shot to win the presidency or even the Democratic Primary against Washington political heavyweights such as Hillary Clinton. Yet, he won. Prior to the White House run, he also won in Illinois State elections when he was virtually unknown. His coolness in both situations solidified what some said about him, “No Drama Obama” and when things miraculously went his way classified it as the “Obama Effect”. No more were these descriptions of President Obama on display than during the heat of the general election when political veteran John McCain wanted to suspend his campaign to deal with the financial crisis while candidate Obama stated that Presidents must be able to multi-task large issues. When Obama eventually won the election, those in hindsight said, “who knew?”. Now comes the move to pass the most monumental legislation in the history of the United States, Health Care. There is plenty of drama about health care reform floating around in town meetings, the press and among politicians, but once again, not from Obama. What does President Obama understand, that the GOP and the press do not?
1. A health care bill is going to pass.
2. Limited support will come from the GOP, but there will be some.
3. Raucous town meetings, misinformation, out right lies, and confusion are part of the process as an issue of this magnitude is tackled and subsequently becomes law. Hey, everyone needs to vent, even your eventual supporters. Are you listening Progressives?
4. In the end Americans’ best selves will win out over fear of change and know that it is un-American for the richest country on the planet not to be able to come to terms with the fact that all of its citizens deserve health care, food, shelter and eduction. That these things are not a product of socialism but basic human dignity.
5. Our current health care system is just not fiscally sustainable and if left alone, it will collapse and bring down the entire economy with it.
6. The press runs with whatever makes people watch their show, channel, read their newspaper, magazine or website. Most ridiculous example? A commentator stating that the President has a problem with white people. Umm… do they know who the President’s mother is? Better yet, half his family?
7. Hate is a minority and those who hate will be the first to take advantage of a public option.
8. Know thy self. If you’re not FDR don’t try to pass Health Care in the same manner Social Security was.
9. 47 million people. 47 million people. 47 million people. 47 million people. 47 million people. (with no health care.)
10. It’s better to get the best you can rather than nothing at all as long as your best also includes your bottom line.
10 1/2. Luck. All great Presidents make luck a member of their Cabinet.
So… during all this upheaval and commotion about Health Care Reform, take a moment to remember who was elected and how and maybe you too will understand what the President understands.
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