Health Care Limbo

So this summer the dance craze is the "Health Care Limbo" - let's see how low we can set the bar for health reform. Obama has been on the record as supportive of a public option for all, rather than the current "senior-centric" system. Given the upcoming bump in boomers drawing on public programs, this is the right time to make big changes. But as the summer has dragged on there has been a lot of debate about the various possible means to accomplish the basic goals of health reform.

For the record:

The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:

Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
Invest in prevention and wellness
Improve patient safety and quality of care
Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions

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I happen to agree with Obama on these points, and I can see how there are many potential paths to achieving these goals.

What is perplexing is that the GOP has any traction fighting against these basic principles. The issue has been approached blindly and the media has been a big part of exacerbating the problem. Most businesses would gladly give up the expense and chore of dealing with health care, and the simplest and most effective way to do this would be a single payer system. The evidence in the world at large is rather overwhelming.

Single payer has achieved the goals outlined by the President. Supplemented by additional or optional private coverage, it is the best of both worlds for all of us.

Absent a "public option" it becomes much more difficult to achieve these goals. Private companies need an incentive to improve their products, and the public plan would provide a backstop for the millions of unemployed and working people who are without coverage. Private insurance companies have perverse incentives that lead to the denial of needed care, bankruptcy for the sick, and insecurity for all.

Until the final bill comes to a vote, I will refrain from a specific critique, but it seems to me that the government must not abandon a hand in achieving the goals set out above. The private market has proven to be more expensive, and less healthy.

Torture Photos: Obama's Pragmatism

The impending release of photos of US detainee torture, after the ACLU's successful lawsuit under the FOIA, have led Obama to indicate that the government will launch further appeals. This seemed to be a reversal of his expected response, and was very frustrating for those on the left who were pushing for transparency.

I have a slightly different perspective. I think Obama has made a very wise and calculated move in appealing the ruling. He has defused a great deal of criticism from those on the right by agreeing to proceed with an appeal, while at the same time the outcome will most likely remain unchanged in the end. Obama gets to have it both ways - he can act like the GOP wants him to now, and defuse their criticism, and after the appeals, the photos can be released anyway, mollifying the ACLU crowd.

This is a win-win for Obama, and a great example of how a brilliant politician can turn the tables when you least expect it. Pragmatism at its best.

Feeling the Stimulus

Politico has put together a panel to look at the possible impacts of the stimulus bill just passed. Everybody agrees that throwing money at the credit markets problem is a good idea, but they can't agree on who should get the most tossed their way. The spending will certainly provide some stimulus, but it is yet to be seen if it is enough to get the machine rolling again. We really needed this bill in August 2008 if we wanted any chance of avoiding the worst part of this recession.

I do wonder how one might notice the effects locally of this federal largesse. Perhaps there will be fewer potholes, and long-needed bridges will get built? One can dream, right? Hopefully the largest impact will be on confidence and job growth, where the economy has been treading water for almost a decade now.

For what it's worth, I hope the bill is a smashing success, because I really want to see what Obama can get done for healthcare and sustainable energy. If he can get us on course for a rapid move to an electric/solar economy, and make health coverage universal, we will all be better off. Here's to change.

The Concept for the Radical Pirate Blog

The idea here is to share my unique view on politics and the world. My political leanings have ranged far and wide, and I am conversant and sympathetic on most points of view. I have promoted anarchy, syndicalism, socialism, republicanism, democracy, and even paranoia at various times, but ultimately, my basic makeup is that of a radical pirate.

Radical, because my views are rather far to one side of the conventional political spectrum, and a pirate, because I am very sympathetic to the cause of the Pirate Party.

We seek to change global legislation to facilitate the emerging information society, characterized by diversity and openness. This is done by requiring an increased respect for citizens, their privacy, and the reform of rights ownership laws.

Pirate themes carry over to my religious interests as well, as I have become a casual pastafarian of late. You can see me and my pirate-fish snowboard on the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster) webpage.

Arrr!