Politics And Policy: The Virtues Of The Blue State Public Option
When FDR was running for President in 1932, the base of the Democratic Party was strongly in favor of the repeal of Prohibition. FDR privately agreed, but was concerned about the political implications of that position. His solution? He called for repeal of the federal prohibition but stated that the question should be left to the states to decide individually. Of course FDR won, Prohibition was repealed and in 1935, the federal government took over regulation of alcoholic beverages. A classic case of the camel's nose under the tent working.
Whatever one may think of the strategy employed by the Obama Administration to this point on health care reform, the question we now face is what is the best way to proceed. I come down squarely in favor of a Blue State Public Option as described by Andy Stern of the SEIU - Medicare +5, tied to individual mandates, subsidies funded by a surtax on wealthy individuals. This is a better course, both in terms of politics and policy, than the Schumer level playing field public option. I'll explain why I think so on the flip.
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