Why Does the President Appear Unconcerned?
Yesterday in Boston, the President indicated that he will not adjust his signature program during his administration. His speech was a reaction to his declining poll numbers and outrage from middle class American's against ObamaCare. He sought to equate his program with the Massachusetts plan signed by Mitt Romney. His efforts demonstrate his dedication to remake American society.
The health care reform legislation gave the Secretary of HHS extraordinary regulatory power. In this capacity, Secretary Sebelius promulgated rules that ensured millions of citizens would lose their health insurance plans. Yes, there are millions of uninsured persons that might now get coverage, but this does not erase the losses.
Many see the President as uninvolved. They cite Benghazi, Fast and Furious, the IRS scandal, and the NSA surveillance as evidence of his disinterest. Rather we should see how masterful this puppeteer has been. He has avoided any blame for these issues by the public. He is not blamed for the failure of the ACA website.
He is unconcerned because he has taken the long view. The President knows that the weak Republicans will not be able to stop ObamaCare. His only concern may be Democratic Senators scrambling to save their careers. He will have to make adjustments if their angst increases. Yet the path is set.
The only hope to derail this policy is presently in the hands of Senator Ron Johnson. He proposes to ensure that the President's promise to allow people to keep their insurance plans and doctors will be honored. Will he get enough Democrats to follow? Presently ten Democratic Senators are nervous. Senator Mary Landrieu may be ready to join his effort, and Senator Joe Manchin has indicated his support.
The President is not concerned as he has changed the playing field. He may not be in office when a single payer system becomes the law, but he will be credited with its initiation. Some argue that ObamaCare will fall of its own weight. They are wrong. It will take the hard work of those opposed to the legislation. The financial failure of the plan will not cripple it as fraud and waste in Medicaid and Madicare have not damaged their political support. Our mounting debt gives testimony to our national dysfunction.
We can hope that the outrage grows sufficient to reverse this legislation. Undoubtedly, the best will be some whittling away of this 2700 page behemoth.