WHEN THEY CALL IT "REFORM," RUN FOR THE HILLS - AT 8:31 A.M. ET:  Obamacare is in trouble in Congress, which may be the best news we've had in a long time.  The Politico notes:

Health care reform proponents are growing pessimistic that they can meet President Barack Obama’s August target for passing a bill — saying the next four weeks must fall together perfectly, without a hitch or a hiccup.

The number of weeks that’s happened recently? Zero.

A series of setbacks has made the task of completing floor votes in both chambers virtually insurmountable, given the plodding pace of the Senate. The official line from the White House and the congressional leadership is it’s possible, but privately, there are a dwindling number of aides who would put money on it.

And without a deal by August, the ripple effects could start to endanger the prospect of health care reform this year altogether — chief among them, the closer it gets to the 2010 midterm elections, the harder it will be to get members to make the tough political decisions needed to vote on a bill.

COMMENT:  Have you read any actual details on what's being proposed?  Have you seen extensive - by that I mean one tenth of Michael Jackson - coverage on what this "reform" will actually mean for you, or do to you? 

It is just remarkable that this is one of the most momentous changes proposed in American life in the last three generations, and there is virtually no public discussion.  That may be intentional, of course.  I suspect there are some political activists who don't want the spotlight thrown on this scheme. 

The story refers to "tough political decisions."  What are they?  Why should they be tough if this is such an advance for civilization?  The story is all about process.  If I need surgery, I'm not interested in congressional process or beltway slang.  I'm interested in good medicine.  Anyone agree?  Write your local journalist.

July 13, 2009