Daschle as HHS Secretary: A Look at the Pros and Cons

..Daschle is definitely not as lefty as I'd like to see with regard to socializing healthcare and not running it through corporate America;

You know what? Screw your labels.

In case you hadn't noticed, Barack Obama's cabinet is not full of lefties. It's not full of progressives, centrists, righties or Dennis Kucinich either.

It's full of bright, high-energy Washington insiders. (That's right, you conspiracy fans! RUUUUUUUUN!)

You know why it's full of bright, high-energy Washington insiders? Because if we don't do something about the unbelievable assaults to our economy, our national security, our kids' education, our suffering families and our burgeoning unemployed FAST, conditions will spiral downward in a hurry.

Good for Daschle! Good on Barack for choosing him for his positioning and expertise! Thank God somebody is thinking beyond self-absorbed ideology!

I'd ask how you figure the problem of health care in this country is going to be solved in a more lefty fashion, but I feel it's seriously beyond debate now. Too many people in the gutter. I'd ask why you think a person's qualification as gay woman-of-color trumps hit-the-ground-running preparation at this point, but it's not important. No time to do the talent search.

If grudging approval is all you've got, that's too bad. This administration is going to need more than that from Americans. We're going to have to be ready to behave like adults who are critical thinkers. That doesn't mean we squeal and complain about every damned thing we didn't think of or that we perceive is outside our particular grid. It means that we weigh the good with the bad, and (I'm going to say a dirty word) compromise for the sake of people in critical need.

If I sound harsh, and it all comes out on you, it's because statements like yours are a particular way that AlterNet bugs me. Hiding behind the ass-headed trolls at any given point is a phalanx of whiners that could give any day-care in America competition at nap time.

You know when someone feels hope? When he or she talks it, breathes it, dances it, eats it, sleeps with it and dresses in it, every day, with enthusiasm.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

a few things I know as fact...

when the senate wasn't in session he drove all over South Dakota talking to people face to face alone with no staff and really listened and acted... especially on health care... when people got stuck in some form of health care trap he understood the craziness he was being told and acted on it as fact... his vehicle was a mobile senate office piled high with stuff to get the job DONE on the spot on bad back-road gumbo roads!!!

he has a memory like a steel trap remembering people, names and issues going back years... when home in SD he tended to be found in coffee shops, gas stations, credit unions doing his own business but hanging around to approach people to ask them if there was something HE could try to do for YOU or listen to what you had to say!!!

he followed up on issues and actually had staff fill you in with details quickly... especially for a senator!!!

outside of 1 gaff in Indian Country which ultimately lost him his senate seat to Tim Johnson, he has a great record on most issues within the 9 reservations in SD... so, for American Indian people, we finally have someone who cares in the Cabinet!!!

he is totally on board with environmental issues, especially health related issues...

he is a normal guy who you can deal with and has a tendency to carry dog cookies in his pocket for your dog when you run into him...

congrats Tom... best all around guy for the job!!! and no, I never voted for you either but I worked with you several times over the years with grassroots movements, not party hoopla... know you remember my dog!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I could think of several people that I might prefer to Daschle but I ca understand why Obama picked him. If health care reform and universal coverage is ever going to pass we need someone who really understands the legislative system.

Dean would have the advantage of being a medical doctor but I could not imagine that he would be effective at getting things passed by congress.

So far Obama seems to be picking people more for their ability to get things done rather than going for the obvious big names. Although I am not sure if Hillary Clinton at State Department fits that description. Obama did say he would follow the Lincoln model of a "Team of Rivals."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

... but am OK with Tom Daschle leading a "NEW" streamlined Department dealing with all security issues, foreign and domestic!

Lets face it... the Department of Homeland Security is nothing more then a Republican Boondoggle and payoff scheme that Karl Rove setup to pay off his political debts to his discerning and confidential clients!

Air Marshals?... Homeland Security?... this panders to the Fear & War Monger crowd!
and its these clowns who have and still use fear as a political tool...
They now have a new vested interest and legitimacy in the political process.
I say its long past due to starve these obtuse Bushist's organizations of there federal funding as it will be these newly appointed clowns that will be the bulwark movement against Obama's second term and any restoration of of long term reconciliation with the free world view on American due processes.

besides... is there anything at all that Bush43 created while in office that isn't tainted by fascist undertones?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]