Apparently, Chris Matthews and his “Hardball Team” are fans of sports metaphors. I aim to please. This metaphor is on Healthcare Reform and the strategic use of the “Punt.” I think the best offense can sometimes be a great defense. Let’s see if you agree or am I just “Bitching from the back seat of the bus?” Ha!
Democrats in futility have gone on the offensive trying to pass healthcare reform, but we have been stopped in all phases. We can’t get a public option, we are letting abortion divide us, and spending a trillion dollars we don’t have is kind of like throwing a “Hail Mary.” We don’t need to get reckless. We are winning so why should we risk losing the game? If Democrats are the better team, shouldn’t we show some confidence in our team? Why must we win or lose true reform by going on the offensive? What about our defense? It’s stronger than our offense and we refuse to let them take the field? Bad strategy. We would be damned if we pass a bad bill and damned if we don’t. That’s not a good strategy for winning. I argue that we should punt to the GOP and play a little defense.
By punting, we will pin the GOP close to their goal line. With their backs to the wall, they will be forced to defend the status quo and they simply cannot. The Democrats as a team would prevail by proving it is actually “For America.” The Tea Party would stop immediatly. On defense, we could open the debate to all sides and take the best ideas to score. If the GOP gets crazy and decides to fumble or throw an interception, we can score on defense. With 60 votes, we can listen to their version of reform and prevent them from winning by playing only defense. With a solid majority, there’s little chance of the Republicans doing anything crazy to win. The clock is ticking and a punt would be in order.
As I see it, how can the GOP win if the Democrats decide to punt? Their punt returner is “Crazy Legs Palin.” The GOP doesn’t have anyone on the field or on their bench who should threaten us. They have the impossible task of defending the status quo as Dems move closer to the goal. Is the GOP willing to defend the status quo in the next election? We won everything and we can again. If we punt and force them to advance their “Party of Nope” positions it could finish the destruction of the GOP. Opening the debate is good for America. Be a hero Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid? Punt, but make it a “Coffin-Corner Punt.” As I see it, the GOP will be pinned down forced to act. They could fumble or throw an interception like Joe Theisman did against the Oakland Raiders in the Superbowl.
In summary, a coffin-corner kick could give Democrats and America the momentum to end the political games quickly or the ability to run out the clock until the 2010 and 2012 elections. The GOP can’t defend the status quo and punting moves us closer to our goal. Are Democrats a team or what? Unity won everything. Doing something stupid on offense could cause America to blame our Quarterback Obama and the coaches. Creating an internal struggle for control of our team makes this offensive strategy way too risky. Do we need to hear the calls for the backup QB this early? We are winning. Let’s prove we are a team and punt? Harry be a hero and punt? Sorry Bill and Hill, we don’t need a QB controversy now. I’m with Howard Dean because in Carter-Kennedy Dems dropped the ball. The GOP had a star in Ronald Reagan. He ran our fumble back for a touchdown. Not this time. A coffin-corner on healthcare could lead to true reform. This is not reform. Punting saves a trillion dollars instantly. We can’t lose punting because this game isn’t over. Democrats just move closer to the goal as a team. Our unity won the day, not the game. Be united.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Today, I was honored with a special gift from Obama For America. They took the time to put together a special video package for just me and I was taken aback. I called my wife to share the good news and after discussing all that has happened, she made me think twice about this honor. After all the dishonor they has shared with me, why should I instantly think this is something good? I have spoken “Truth to Power” and what have they done for me? I’ve been shut out, not shut up. Something in that package could have shut me up with a virus. I love the Obama Administration. I’m “The Loyal Opposition.” If I can help you win, I certainly can help defeat you if that’s what I must do. Childish things and petty grievances? Getting credit isn’t childish or petty when you are the Democratic Karl Rove. Merry Christmas. I do love you all.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I am honored by the fact that the Democrats think I’m worthy enough for them to share their thoughts, but I still must disagree with the process they are using on healthcare. I am concerned about “The Law of Unintended Consequences.” I believe the Democrats have compromised far too much and the question placed before the public is “Do you trust us?” We voted for “Change” and nothing has changed. Healthcare is being done in the dark and in secret just like Dick Cheney did Energy. That’s inexcusable. We are doling out gifts from the public trust to the Scrooges who threaten us with the “Bah Humbug” they see in the process. We are rewarding the crybaby individuals more than we actually care about the American Electorate. United we won, but this level of incompetence and rushing the process isn’t trustworthy. It’s the best thing that has happened to the GOP in years since Clinton’s wagging finger. Did Democrats “Rush” President Obama into being a Lame Duck? It’s only the first year. Why Rush? Why insist on doing this sloppily and in the dark? The Law of Unintended Consequences is in play. Why play around with the good will of the American People? We’ve waited this long why not wait and get it right? My final point is about “Free Markets.” Forced payments violate every principle dealing with “Free Markets.” We should be backing everything that sparks competition that drives down price. We don’t need no stinking insurance to drive down costs.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:54 am
Democrats were forced to punt, but the GOP took advantage of the confusion. They substituted Sen. Brown for Sarah Crazylegs Palin. They put a rookie back to return our punt. No problem just make sure the ball goes out of bounds? Do what we can to cut the costs of care and to increase competition. Insurance reform is where Obama got sacked. Only competition kills a monopoly. Import drugs from our neighbors, lower costs to see a Dr, treat chronic care seperately, and take the building out of the equation. We win by punting on this fiasco and doing what’s right for all.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
With one breath the President invites a bipartisan effort, in a second breath he rejects his first thought. This is politics as usual and nothing has changed, we switched. I don’t miss President Bush because Pres. Obama is acting like “Black Bush.” The anger is still fresh because Obama doesn’t have a clue. He has no desire to listen to anyone that didn’t graduate from “Harvard.” One last point, if you give businesses a bonus for hiring unemployed people that could cause more people to be unemployed and then rehired.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Healthcare is a right for every individual because the disease process is the normal state and the end of all living things. Being “Healthy” is the abnormal state and impossible to achieve or we would all be over 100 years old doing jumping jacks. If the normal state leads to disease and death we have a right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the Preamble to the Constitution. I believe the forefathers though this was such a basic right that they listed it first. Our intrepretation of this importance is a bit off. We cannot dispute the fact that the diseased state is unavoidable and health is a blessing. Humanity should fight to bestow the blessings of health on everyone without prejudice and not for profit. This defines our compassion and humanity.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
President Obama just finnished a Town Hall here in Nevada, like I had any chance of getting into that place to ask a question. He talked about Healthcare and bragged about his willingness to “Steal” any ideas the GOP had and call them his own and declare victory. Is that someone trying to be bi-partisan? Insurance is a broken paradigm that comes from the “Good ole Days.” Pay something for nothing and if you don’t… I’ll charge you an arm and a leg if you do. If Insurance is the problem why give them a stimulus package? Take the money off the table and just lower costs?
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 am
I have to be honest, sometimes I have Dreams. In my dreams, I see visions of things that could become reality and some that I’m not sure about or haven’t seen yet. I just had a bad dream where America was really at war. Will it take a war here for us to understand the importance of healthcare for all? Why do some people only believe they should have the privilidge? That isn’t right. Why for some does only war make it right? The harsh reality forces them to open their eyes to “Man’s inhumanity to Man.” Is it a blessing or a curse to Dream? Sounds like poetry to me.
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Okay, people don’t often respond to poetry so it’s time to do another “Childish Thing.” Putting “GOP Sprinkles” on a bowl of what may be chocolate ice cream doesn’t make what’s in the bowl ice cream. Somebody must taste what’s in the bowl or trust that it came out of a good carton before we eat it. Sprinkling candy doesn’t make a bad bill better. What’s wrong with Healthcare Savings Accounts-they don’t cut or restrict costs. Fraud police can look the other way depending on who is under suspicion or guilty. The real fraud in healthcare is found in the costs charged like $23 alcohol pads and $1,000 dollar toothbrushes. Why can’t we look at all the charges instead of only those under 100K? Sprinkles on crap is still crap.