CNN reported today that President Obama did his part to end the partisan nature of politics in Washington. He did so by continuing his habit of acting in a most partisan fashion while accusing the Republicans of doing so. I guess that irony was lost on the CNN writer who penned the lede: Obama Rips Republicans for ‘Obstruction.’ I for one missed the class where they taught that one is walking the trail of comity by “ripping” one’s fellow lawmakers.
Another tried and true technique often employed by team Obama is to impute the opposition’s motives with no supporting evidence. Today, the President claimed that Republicans opposition to his hare-brained policies is “politically motivated.” Were I to use the same technique I’d claim that since every Obama policy statement is based on politics he’s incapable of grasping that principle could be guiding the Republicans’ opposition.
Washington (CNN) — President Obama tore into the Republican opposition on Capitol Hill Wednesday, blaming the GOP for what he called politically motivated opposition on virtually every issue.
Democrats have been willing to incorporate Republican ideas on health care and other issues, he said, but Republicans have not been willing to do the same.
Addressing a gathering of Senate Democrats, Obama promised to “call (Republicans) out when (Democrats) extend a hand and get a fist in return.” […] “If you want to govern, you can’t just say no,” he argued. “It can’t be about just scoring points.”
Which Republican proposals have the Democrats incorporated into their health care plan? You could ask in return, “What Republican proposals?” Well, they would be those that the mainstream media has assiduously avoided reporting. I offer in evidence exhibit A, the Republican amendment to the House health care bill H.R. 3962. The full text of the Republican proposal is here.
In summary, their plan would have offered the following:
- Lowered health care premiums.
- Offered Universal Access Programs to guarantee access to affordable health care for those with pre-existing conditions.
- Ended junk lawsuits — modeled after the successful state laws of California and Texas.
- Prevented insurers from unjustly canceling a policy.
- Encouraged Small Business to pool together and offer health care at lower prices.
- Encouraged innovative state programs and rewarded innovation by providing incentive payments to states that reduce premiums and the number of uninsured.
- Allowed Americans to buy insurance across state lines.
- Promoted prevention & wellness by giving employers greater flexibility to financially reward employees who adopt healthier lifestyles.
- Enhanced Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- Allowed dependents to remain on their parents’ policies through age 25.
More can be read about the Republican proposals at the GOP.gov web site.
Personally, I am against even these intrusions into an area for which the federal government has no Constitutional authority but offer them to demonstrate that Obama, more often than not, is disingenuous almost every time he speaks. He claimed Republicans only obstructed. The truth is they’ve tried to offer alternatives but have been rebuffed at every turn. Obama said Republican opposition is politically motivated but I offer that some simply object to what the Democrats propose. The President asked that all bring spirit of bipartisanship to Washington and then demeaned the opposition party. As Joe Wilson is wont to say to Barry, “You lie!”
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