Good News, But...

Okay, the good news is that Obama looks like he might be backing off from nationalizing the healthcare industry in our country. And seriously, that is good news. One might talk about a public option "keeping the private sector honest," but once the government gets in there, the private sector would be unable to compete, and then you'd have exactly ONE option for health insurance--the government--and if you don't like that option, you're in deep yogurt, pal.

So here's the opening line from the Associated Press:

Bowing to Republican pressure, President Barack Obama's administration signaled on Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.

Facing mounting opposition to the overhaul, administration officials left open the chance for a compromise with Republicans that would include health insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. Such a concession probably would enrage Obama's liberal supporters but could deliver a much-needed victory on a top domestic priority opposed by GOP lawmakers.

Officials from both political parties reached across the aisle in an effort to find compromises on proposals they left behind when they returned to their districts for an August recess. Obama had sought the government to run a health insurance organization to help cover the nation's almost 50 million uninsured, but he never made it a deal breaker in a broad set of ideas that has Republicans unified in opposition. (Italics mine)

Dear Readers (all 20 of you), I shouldn't need to point this out, but because AP seems unable to tell a straight story anymore, I'll just repeat the obvious: the Democrats control the Presidency and both Houses of Congress. The Republicans do not have the votes to stop anything the Democrats propose. There is no need for Obama to compromise with the Republicans on anything. The only pressure Obama is bowing to would be "Blue Dog" (conservative) Democrats and the number of private citizens showing up at town hall meetings and arguing with their congressmen/women/children about the attempt at nationalization. Describing this report as "disingenuous" is being polite. Very polite.