Excuse me, but is that change backpedaling?

VFW POST 2636, Neptune, NJ, July 1, 2009, 7:00 PM

Organizing for America, Obama's grassroots campaign, took a stab at New Jersey tonight with countywide "Listening" meetings.  I attended one in my own backyard of Neptune, NJ.  The topic for the night and the moment: health care reform.  It was a good turn out of just under a hundred people, all ages of adults, the majority female and about half & half white and of color. 

At the door we were asked to sign the latest Obama declaration of support, this one for health care reform:

    * Reduce Costs - Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals and families and they must be brought under control

    * Guarantee Choice - Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor including the choice of a public insurance option

    * Ensure Affordable Care for All - All Americans must have quality and affordable health care

Since I was early, I had time to digest these statements and my gut reaction wasn't warm and fuzzy.  Cut costs, sure, but even the experts admit they don't know where the saving will come from.  Guarantee you can see the doctor you want, okay, even though I personally believe this is a red herring, what people really want is not to be blocked from getting the care they need when they need it.  "Ensure Affordable Care for All."  WTF?  Where did this double speak, say nothing, promise nothing phrase come from?  Barack Obama is President now, right?!?

Okay, I bite my lip, sign the stupid declaration so they can have my contact information and know I'm on their side, but I feel queasy.  Is the nescient administration backpedaling under the pressure of big pharma and the deny care at will insurance money?  Say, it ain't so, Mr. President. 

Single payer, Medicaid for all, is off the table, we know, but is the public coverage option doing the Michael Jackson moonwalk to oblivion as well?  I'm making too much of this I'm sure.  Come on, Chaz, you're among friends. 

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