A Government of the People....

Though most people do agree that the failings of the current healthcare system should be addressed, how that should be achieved is still very much a topic of debate. Unfortunately, this discussion will only occur outside the walls of the Capitol Building.

Advocating the use of budget reconciliation in order to get disputed portions of the reform package through the Senate on a simple-majority vote, President Obama stated, "I believe the United States Congress owes the American people a final vote on health-care reform.”
Assuming that he was, in context, actually referring to the American people and not merely their duly elected doubles, it seems to me an odd statement to make. The fact of the matter is that, according to the most recent Gallup survey the majority of Americans do not want the proposed healthcare reform, at least, not as it stands today. Be that as it may, it has become painfully obvious that our President has designated this particular bill as the rock upon which he will build his legacy. Perhaps firmer footing should have been found.

As early as next week, could come a vote on this piece of legislation. This, in spite of the fact that the Congressional Budget Office has yet to determine what the “reform” will actually cost. The initial projection of “only” $985 Billion over the next 10 years failed to clarify the point that the vast majority of the costs will only begin when the program takes effect… in 4 years. So if we were to honestly review the costs over the first 10 operating years, the number will look more like $2.3 Trillion in increased government spending. Quite a tab to ask the American People to pick up, good thing no one is asking.

Though it would seem that the fire is full to the brim of irons already, Congress has decided to tag another bill onto the already ballooning healthcare monstrosity. Student loan reform. In a surprise move to some, Ms. Pelosi announced that a proposed Student loan overhaul would be attached to the package. This too, is obviously much needed legislation, according to our President. As one of the planks in his campaign platform, the American People are all too aware that this system too is need of government assistance. Despite this public outcry for help, most agree that this bill would be hard to pass in the Senate without riding the coattails of the fast-tracked healthcare train. This could be, in part due to the recent revelation that such reform will now increase deficits by approximately $5 Billion over the next decade, according to Democratic sources.

All of this action, perhaps not surprisingly, comes at a time when President Obama’s approval rating has fallen to 46%. Though his lowest number yet on a rapidly declining scale, he still garners an astounding 91% affirmative response among African Americans. This number has not gone unnoticed either, as the pro-Obama group Americans United for Change is spending in the neighborhood of $500,000 to encourage African Americans to support their House representatives who vote for healthcare reform. This too, comes on the heels of the recent polling showing that nearly 80% of the black adults are likely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The topic foremost in their minds? Healthcare reform. Though exploitation of a supporting group is hardly new to the game, this particular move is perhaps a bit more transparent than most. One can only hope that such trust will not lead ultimately to disenchantment with the system itself.

Our system of government was built upon the backs of great men attempting to do even greater things. They saw in our world a chance to begin again, to establish a new world order. In our system, every American has a voice and vote. Recently, those voices have all too often been silent. In a time of great change and uncertainty, the right words at the right time may, in fact, change the world. In the words of Dylan Thomas, let us not go gentle into that good night.