How Obama Can Win The Healthcare Debate

With thousands lining up for free healthcare in Los Angeles, the second largest city in the nation, why the hell are we having a debate? Most of the people lining up had insurance and still can't get adequate care. There are 47 million Americans with no healthcare. What is the debate about?

In a nutshell, MONEY! Tons of it.

The Republicans see this issue as a rallying cry. If Obama is defeated on this issue they can turn it into his Waterloo. A defeat on healthcare could result in momentum for the 2010 and 2012 elections. They could be back on top by claiming to be fiscally conservative. They protected Grandma from the "Death Panels" and saved the country from more big government. Hooray, Hooray, we saved the day. Keep that insurance lobby money coming!

The insurance companies don't want a public option as the country will find out they they have been overpaying for inadequate care for decades. The insurance companies would be exposed for the blood suckers they really are and soon go out of business. Goodbye huge bonuses. Goodbye yachts. Goodbye death panels.

Obama has proved that he is no Richard Nixon or Dick Cheney when it comes to killer instinct. This argument should not even be taking place. Heres why.

First. Obama should have turned Eric Holder loose on the Bush administration for war crimes regarding Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. The Republicans would be so busy covering each others asses they could care less about healthcare. They may even use healthcare as a bargaining chip i.e. "don't prosecute us and we'll let you have anything you want.

Second. Obama should be pushing the hell out of the public option. Have his finance office come up with some figures for potential premiums under the public option so people can begin to compare coverages and prices. When people see that they could be potentially paying half the premiums for better coverage, argument over. No matter where the money comes from.

Third. Obama should emphasize that the same Republicans screaming about the cost said nothing about YOUR costs going up every year. Sometimes the rate increases were as much as 200% in some areas where competition is limited. He should also develop a chart with the cost of the Iraq war, which no Republican complained about, and the cost of healthcare. Then ask which we would rather have. We got nothing for the Iraq war, not even cheaper oil. At least we would get treatment for the Swine Flu.

Fourth. Obama must tell the next person that asks that there are no Death Panels but that he will put one together for the next person who asks that dumbass question.

Fifth. Keep showing the video of people lined up for free medical care from a group used to providing it for third world countries. Then ask if we still have the best system in the world.