What Happened?

As we get further and further into this health care debate the democrats seem to be losing the battle. At least by objectively looking at the poll numbers, support for what has been nicknamed "Obamacare" has dwindled to under 50%. From the right it is obvious why this is happening but the left is baffled. The right understands that the American people are just sick and tired of the government intrusion into our lives. They see a government who has taken over the banking industry, the auto industry and is now trying to take over the health care industry. The right sees an administration that has accumulated more debt than the sum every other preceding administration. The left is at a loss to explain how their message of helping the American people has gotten lost in the translation.

Former President Jimmy Carter has been able to rationally explain the opposition's position. It's racism. The people who oppose what President Obama has proposed do so because the color of his skin. It cannot be the plan so it must be whitey's way of holding the man down. Let's ignore the fact that just 10 months ago the same American public who now oppose him were the very same people who elected him to the office. Apparently, Americans elected him just so they could cut him down. I personally believe this goes under the heading of. "If you can't win the argument, change the argument." The debate over how to fix health care is not going well so let's change the debate to racism. This same argument has empowered so-called black leaders and has actually resulted in suppression of afro-Americans by giving them an excuse for failure.

I think the democrats response to the American people's rejection of the plan shows an arrogance among the leadership. How can people oppose such a plan meant only to help these same people? Its like the old Benny Hill Show where he is trying to help the old lady across the road who doesn't want to be helped and she hits him the whole time with her purse. Most Americans realize the health insurance system needs some help but do not believe that a government take over is the answer. Even White House senior advisor David Axelrod is ignoring the polls and states that the protesters do not represent the mood of the country.

In light of the protests and falling polls over the summer the president decided to hold a press conference and rumor had it he was going to work for a compromise. Although he stated he wanted to work with republicans to solve the problem, the rest of his words did nothing less than draw a line in the sand. He reaffirmed his position and implied that the only reason he is getting opposition is for political reasons. I guess this sounds better than racism but the end result is the same, arrogance that his vision for America is correct and disagreement must be rooted in some evil. So instead of a compromise, we now get to see him on every talk show peddling his goods. In addition, the president is pressuring the Massachusetts legislation to pass a bill allowing the governor to appoint Sen. Kennedy's successor when they just passed in 2004 the law preventing then governor, R-Mitt Romney, from appointing a successor to presidential hopeful John Kerry's.

I recently wrote a letter to the pastor of my church in disagreement with his apparent position on the health care issue. Although he has never officially stated his position, the words form the pulpit and references from his news letter made it quite obvious (to me) where he stood on the issue yet I did not feel he understood the other side. I expressed my concerns and did my best to explain the opposition to the proposed plan. I don't believe most would argue we need health insurance reform we just object to his plan. His homily the following Sunday seemed to me to contain his response. I took two things from the homily in which I think he directed towards me. 1) We need to look to solve the issue with "doing God's will" in mind. Fair enough but that same mindset is what drove the 9/11 hijackers into the World Trade Center. So that is a double edged sword. 2) If you go to the table thinking you know the answer, you may be the problem. This got me thinking a bit. What am I willing to concede? Where am I willing to compromise? After very much contemplation, I have been unable to come up with an idea that comprises components of both plans that are workable for both sides. The reason is simple. The debate is a fundamental difference in theology, not differences in implementation. The political landscape in America has become so divisive that it is very hard to find common ground. I have put a call into a liberal friend of mind to see if he will sit down to discuss the issue. I will let you know if any light shines.