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Pass Anything

By W. James Antle, III on 11.11.09 @ 11:43AM

That was Bill Clinton's advice to Senate Democrats yesterday. He told them, "The worst thing to do is nothing. It's not important to be perfect here. It's important to act." This mentality is a perfect description of what is wrong with the political class -- the appearance of action always takes precedence over ensuring that the actions being undertaken are wise or just.

Fifteen years later, Clinton has never paused to consider that the Democrats might not have lost control of Congress because they failed to pass his health care reform bill. There is a case to be made they lost in no small part because the bill in question was such a federal power grab. Clinton is asking Senate Democrats to risk their seats based his memories of 1994, but not all of them will go along. Consider Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), for example.

View all comments (4) | Leave a comment

ncatty| 11.11.09 @ 1:23PM

Pass anything now. Then when it crashes and burns, declare it needs improvement, and pass an even worse bill later.

Pokie| 11.11.09 @ 8:37PM

Pass the darn bill and get on with other business. Like giving Social Security people their right to get a cost of living raise. All this money that is spent on the craziest things. If the government would pay Social Security all the money they have borrowed thru the years there would be a chance for us that worked hard all of our lives to have a cost of living raise. What would the government have done without our Social Security money? Please try to get along. It is so sickening to listen to all of this bickering between the Republicans & the Democrats. Get something done!!!

SpeakEasy| 11.11.09 @ 1:31PM

If only they WOULD take the parts that both sides could get behind and stop there. Portability (less dropping and reduces pre-condition problems), Ins Companies allowed to cross state lines (more competition will reduce costs), tort reform ( a small part but still...). We simply DO NOT need a complete overhaul when an oil change will do.

Lazy Jack| 11.11.09 @ 3:07PM

Of course they must pass something. Pride is more important than the republic now. Bill Clinton knows that last week’s election portends disaster for the democrats. He does not see the probable implication that passage could add 2-4% to the unemployment rate as companies prepare for the inevitable economic shock associated with an increase in taxes and penalties of at least $78 billion per year. See here for the CBO estimates:

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107.....update.pdf

From August 27, 2009:

Both sides now feel the need to do “something,” clearly ignoring Hippocrates’ entreaty to do no harm. Both ignore the underlying facts that government is already involved and has, for 44 years, distorted the healthcare system in this country; that the insurance system distorts normal interactions because the insured individual now expects the cost to be generally free, except for the premium, thereby eliminating individual responsibility; that other factors such as the tort system add a significant cost overburden; and that individual behavior determines a person’s general health and government cannot be our legislative mommy to correct that behavior.

For more go here:

http://thanksforthelaughs.word.....dchildren/