It looks like there's going to be some kind of healthcare reform bill, but we're not celebrating. It's legislation that could have been important and meaningful and instead is a neutered industry-friendly cup of weak tea with a Draconian anti-choice amendment.
That Obama would disappoint us is no surprise. We expected it and predicted it during the presidential campaign. And we said we'd complain. And we are. Expecting it, though, doesn't prevent us from being disappointed and angry he has turned out to be lousy on things that count.
No one should be surprised. Obama kept his campaign promises on many key issues. On two of the most important -- healthcare and Afghanistan -- his positions were the worst of any Democratic candidate and he's continued to have lousy positions. He and his rascal Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel could have prevented the substandard healthcare "reform" bill it looks like we are going to get. They didn't want to prevent it. I think they like it. For us, it's an open question whether it's better than nothing at this point.
The anger now developing against Obama and the sizable minority of business-as-usual Democrats might well have lasting effects. We'll have to see. If we could tell the future we'd be rich now, and believe me, we're struggling like so many others. But we're pissed and going to take it out on Blue Dog Democrats by supporting whatever primary challenges are mounted against them.
Just to be clear about where I stand. I'm a doctor. I support single-payer/Medicare-for-all. A woman's right to choose is not negotiable. I want open borders and humane treatment for everyone in the community, whatever their citizenship status.
And I'm going to vote and support politicians who believe likewise and won't support those who don't. And I'm really pissed.
This post appeared originally at Effect Measure.