In Case You Missed It…
Welcome to another week that was on Rochesterturning. It was Christmas week and millions of Americans relied on an undocumented worker to bring joy to their children. Some how we managed to survive. The theme this week is “now” versus “later.” We saw it on the health care debate where we were asked to defer improvements until “later,” while others ask, rightfully so, when “later” will come. Mayor Duffy seeks control of city schools “now”, and Rudy Giuliani quits on the voters “now” before they quit on him “later” - again.
Now - Let’s get started.
Health Care Insurance Company “reform”
Last week I wrote regarding the Senate bill and process “We will have more as it all sinks in, but it begins with a little more audacity and a little less hope.” As the full court press on why Senate bill should accepted began in earnest, there was a recommendation to give the President some room, yet we cautioned that fixing it “later” may never come. Keith Olbermann verbalizes his disappointment with the Senate Bill and process. The House signals that it will accept the weaker Senate bill.
We looked at why progressives are pissed. It starts with being taken for granted. It continues with not delivering on campaign promises like when President Obama reaffirms support for drug re importation, after working actively to defeat it.
There is an argument for passing the bill but in the end, one of the causes of progressive disagreement is simply defining “later.” Pass, as Paul Krugman says, “a seriously flawed bill, we’ll spend years if not decades fixing it” or pass a better bill now, and fix less of it later.
Either way, improvements need to be made. The question is “Now” or “Later?”
What “later” looks like is highlighted in this post - the Insurance industry’s influence will simply grow over time as the means to check them is not made available now.
Meanwhile, hope for dealing with issues now is on the horizon as Rep Massa states he is opposed to the Senate Health Care bill. Rep Slaughter writes an op-ed strongly opposed to the Senate Bill. The question is, will the House force improvements?
State political scene
Governor Paterson gears up for reelection and hires the guy who did opposition research on Obama.
In a brilliant move I’m sure gleaned from Rudy Giuliani’s failed Presidential campaign - Rudy quits on the voters before they quit on him.
Maggie get mentioned as a GOP LT Governor candidate.
Joe Robach rejects reform and bipartisanship.
Monroe County Politics
Robert Morone pleads guilty in the ROBUTRAD case. Who else is next?
Mayor Bob Duffy pleads for mayoral control of City Schools. Will it solve the problem? Have we defined the problem?
Quick Clicks -
Guess what? the people who illegally entered the White House broke more laws that ACORN did in the past 5 years. (how many did ACORN break? Zero)
Wingnuts has a Christmas edition -
More on the world failing to lead at Copenhagen. Yeah, let’s not stop global warming, lets just talk some more. Enjoy it now, because, well, in the long run we are all dead.
That’s it - see you next week…
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