Mark Rieck said:
...like Russ and Jim for example.
This is a straight forward, nothing to read between the lines question, so rest easy. I have to ask, because it's at the core of what has become the most contentious topic in recent years. It's about the ACA. The initial proposal was framed by Heritage during the Clinton administration. The centerpiece is the shift from Clinton's proposal of employer responsibility, to individual responsibility.
IIRC, at that time an issue both sides recognized as being problematic was that hospitals, and in turn their paying customers, were subsidizing costs incurred from those who did not or could not pay.
Fast forward to MA, where the policy first became law under then Governor Romney. It was recognized as a program conservatives could live with, based largely on that same component of individual responsibility.
Fast forward again to Obama being elected. He had two major legislative agendas to choose from, healthcare reform or the reform of Wall Street. He chose the former. Many long time Democrats supported implementation of a single payer system. They ended up compromising for the type of program we have now.
Please help me understand why the type of program first proposed by what can safely be described as a very conservative group, is now considered radical socialism by those that consider themselves very conservative (including Heritage, which framed the legislation to begin with)?
FWIW, or if it even matters...
In retrospect, I've always been a moderate, favoring pragmatic solutions. IMO, the political landscape has been shifting to the right since I became an adult. I first registered as a Republican in 1980, based largely on the favoring fiscal responsibility. I switched from registering as a Republican to Independent in the late 90's, due to complete disdain for political witch hunts. I'd finally had enough, and registered as a Democrat a little over a year ago so that I could be involved in organized opposition to the Tea Party.
Mark Rieck said:
...like Russ and Jim for example.
This is a straight forward, nothing to read between the lines question, so rest easy. I have to ask, because it's at the core of what has become the most contentious topic in recent years. It's about the ACA. The initial proposal was framed by Heritage during the Clinton administration. The centerpiece is the shift from Clinton's proposal of employer responsibility, to individual responsibility.
IIRC, at that time an issue both sides recognized as being problematic was that hospitals, and in turn their paying customers, were subsidizing costs incurred from those who did not or could not pay.
Fast forward to MA, where the policy first became law under then Governor Romney. It was recognized as a program conservatives could live with, based largely on that same component of individual responsibility.
Fast forward again to Obama being elected. He had two major legislative agendas to choose from, healthcare reform or the reform of Wall Street. He chose the former. Many long time Democrats supported implementation of a single payer system. They ended up compromising for the type of program we have now.
Please help me understand why the type of program first proposed by what can safely be described as a very conservative group, is now considered radical socialism by those that consider themselves very conservative (including Heritage, which framed the legislation to begin with)?
FWIW, or if it even matters...
In retrospect, I've always been a moderate, favoring pragmatic solutions. IMO, the political landscape has been shifting to the right since I became an adult. I first registered as a Republican in 1980, based largely on the favoring fiscal responsibility. I switched from registering as a Republican to Independent in the late 90's, due to complete disdain for political witch hunts. I'd finally had enough, and registered as a Democrat a little over a year ago so that I could be involved in organized opposition to the Tea Party.
Our biggest problem is out of control spending. The Republicans are bad. The Democrats are worse. We have our hands out demanding more and running up debts we will leave to our kids. The budget deal everybody is complaining about isn't going to make much difference. The political parties are in denial and voters are eager to believe them. A politician that doesn't rock the boat stands the best chance of re-election. The easiest way out is probably inflation. We are screwed.
