LEADERSHIP CULTIVATION

Health Care Reform is GOP's Waterloo, Not President Obama's

Senator Jim DeMint and his Republican cronies would have you believe that health care reform will be a Waterloo moment for President Barack Obama. It is quite the contrary. The Waterloo moment belongs to Republicans who have everything to lose.  After having maintained a 24/7 assault upon President Obama in an attempt to weaken his presidency, Republicans now perceive they have a winner with their organized opposition to health care reform.  Imagine that, the GOP for political gain has no shame in their game nor any reservation to sticking it to everyday Americans. Republicans are desperate for a victory and see a defeat of health care reform as the Promised Land.  Anything less than their total defeat of health care reform means farewell to the Republican Party as a major political force in America, but the demise of the GOP is eminent.

America has changed and is not excited about reversing course on a movement away from political gridlock.  Sensible Americans want progress to continue and are smart enough to understand that helping a neighbor who is less fortunate is not Socialism, but a principle of compassion taught and advocated by Jesus Christ. You would think that Bible-thumping Republicans would know better. A question I hear posed repeatedly is whether an individual is satisfied with their insurance plan.  More times than not the answer has been yes.  But health care reform is biggest than looking out for number one. It is needed to help the 48 million Americans whose insurance coverages are inadequate or nonexistence.  

It defies logic how right-wing Republicans can be so selfish or how Blue Dog Democrats can so easily check their spines at the door in order to retain Congressional seats. Dedicated servants of the people would rather lose their precious seats than lose their integrity by being a sellout.  It is a pathetic situation to witness. Some of these good men and women sing "When We All Get to Heaven" in church on Sunday morning, then exit the church doors and proceed to make life a living hell for many others who are less fortunate. For some, even Christian values are not sacred.  But there is another song sung entitled "They Will Know We Are Christians" by our love. It is not a selfish love for ourselves or our possessions, but refers to the love we demonstrate to others by our actions.

In the end, it is by our love that we show people we care about their problems. Every American should have access to adequate health care.  It is a need that is everyone's responsibility to ensure that it becomes a reality. We cannot leave that humanitarian act to chance or allow complacency to result in a self-serving GOP victory enabled by faux Democrats or the mainstream media that long ago lost its way.  It is time for compassionate people to mount up and join the fight for health care reform.  I think that President Obama will make it clear in his Wednesday night speech that he will lead that charge. I predict the eventual outcome will not favor the opposition.

Blue Dog Democrats or Just Plain Yellow on Health Care Reform?

President Obama must be thinking "Ain't this a Beeswax" in reference to some Democrats collaborating with the GOP to try and derail the President's intent to bring much needed health care reform to America. Talk about working across the aisle. At a minimum, the President must be hearing in his head the old O'Jays hit, "Back Stabbers." One has to wonder about the motivation of these so-called Blue Dog Democrats who side with the obstructionists Republicans. The Republicans have made no secret of their wish to challenge the President for the sake of the exercise. Isn't that what they do? However I am particularly offended and irritated by Democrats who may be wolves in sheep's clothing. Maybe these Democrats should change their name from Blue Dog to Old Yellow with apologies to the real Old Yeller.  That description or just plain yellow seems to better fit their actions.

With the election of Barack Obama, the country voted for change instead of more of the same. The President warned us about those who would fight to keep the status quo.  And let's be fair about this, they are not all Republicans.  The actions of Republicans and Old Yellows alike who appear immune to the pain and suffering of everyday Americans living without adequate health care, should not be applauded. Their feet should be held to the fire by persons in their districts when they run for reelection.  Why should they be reelected when they have shown themselves to be insensitive to the health care needs of their constituents. Don't they care that people are suffering?  Old Yellows should look into the eyes of those who lack health care and ponder the effect of their delay on the health and well being of many who are suffering.

To know pain is to feel pain.  Do they feel pain? Most Old Yellows are very wealthy with the added luxury of having a congressional health care plan. Still they should be ashamed if their actions prevent the country from adopting an effective health care plan and settles for the watered-down version supported by their GOP comrades.The GOP has been grasping at straws since the election. They must be especially gleeful that their obstructionistic plans are getting an assist from insiders. "Et tu, Brute"? The President should be very wary of back stabbers who call themselves friends. " Somehow, I think he is and won't be terribly surprised when he emerges victorious despite the land mines being placed in his path by "allies."