A Public Option is Within Reach -- Dems Can't Back Down

Posted by Byard Duncan, AlterNet at 6:16 PM on June 23, 2009.

It’s official: the overwhelming majority of Americans are demanding a public option healthcare plan. And in what seems to be a perfect storm of GOP buffoonery and historic approval ratings, Barack Obama actually has the political capital to make it a reality. So why is it that so many Democrats, their tails tucked firmly between their legs, have set about undermining it?

The pussy-footing began (overtly, at least) June 17, when Tom Daschle and Bob Dole began pushing their own “solution” to the healthcare dilemma: a proposal that would let states administer public insurance pools instead of the federal government. Along with this, they vowed to nix a public option if it came on the table.

Then, in a CNN interview, Dianne Feinstein expressed doubt about Obama’s effectiveness in passing his overhaul. “I don't know that he has the votes right now,” she told John King. I think there's a lot of concern in the Democratic caucus.”

What sort of concern could there possibly be, aside from protecting the same special interests that are bankrupting half of America!? Feinstein and other democrats should be doing everything they can to insure the 47 million (52 million by next year, according to some estimates) Americans who are currently uninsured – even if that means footing the bill.

Do me a favor, and give Dianne a call: 202-224-3841

Tell her Obama’s public option is the most important domestic issue on America’s plate.

Tagged as: obama, health care, daschle, dianne feinstein, senators, public option