Progressives are understandably reluctant to face the fact that Obama did far worse than break a campaign promise or flip-flop.

He bartered away the public option in secret meetings. This is betrayal, possibly party treason.

60+ House Democrats Say "Any" Health Bill With No Public Option Is "Unacceptable" ==> Sirota

For those caught up in the obsequiously triumphalist bullshit coming from the DC elite - you know the crap about the Senate allegedly passing the most important piece of progressive legislation in American history today (an analysis I completely reject) - it's important for us all to remember that the health care battle isn't over - and specifically, the battle over the public option isn't over.

Now, I know you've been told over and over and over again on television that that's not true. But that's because almost everyone on television is a card-carrying member of The Church of the Savvy. Somehow, everyone's forgotten that 60+ House Democrats have signed a letter just a few months ago saying:

Any bill that does not provide, at a minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates - not negotiated rates - is unacceptable.

In fact, just so you don't have to click over and read the whole letter, here's a screenshot of the scan of the physical letter, with the relevant sentence highlighted: HERE

To see the list of House Democrats who signed the letter, go here.

for what he believes in. Or maybe his words were just words. If he fought openly for a public option or single payer - and lost - he would have been seen rightly as being on the side of reform vs. a corrupt system.

Caving and negotiating and saying a public option was no longer necessary after negotiatons had just begun was a signal that his earlier words didn't matter.

Either way, who ever came up with the strategy that led to this debacle should be removed from his position (assuming it wasn't the President himself).

Well, maybe just a light snack (see blurb after initial article before update). It's not like it was very difficult or that it took long, and, for Glenn, that's saying something (no one I've read has ever accused Glenzilla of being too stingy on elaboration).

He just compared Ezra with Ezra.

all I did was ^*(%())&^*! I explained that democrats are still better than republicans, but that now we can't trust what democrats say anymore. I told him we were all aware that since Reagan took office that every republican was a lying p.o.s. and we've known that for the past 30 years. But to have our democratic president campaign on issues in one way and totally change once in office was new for me. I then listed everything Obama campaigned on and told him the only thing he's kept his word on is keeping the war going in Afghanistan - and that most democrats didn't like that stance to begin with.

Merry Christmas Mr. President.
I'll think of you while I try not to starve.

Could you please re-post this some time after tomorrow and get it on the front page?

It lays out the case very well, but today is the mother of all Friday night news dumps... and I may have had too much nog.

Thank you for all you do. Happy Holidays.

What little federal funding the Obama administration has made available—a meager $4 billion in its “Race to the Top” program—is contingent on school districts dropping restrictions on the expansion of charter schools and tying school funding and teachers’ pay to standardized test scores.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/dec2009/per...

because he "...treat[ed] us like children who are too stupid to watch video recordings of what he said just a short while ago that conflict with what he's saying now."

To Stay Afloat.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it removed the $400 billion financial cap on the money it will provide to keep the companies afloat.

Total Insanity

. . Blocked requests to investigate Rahm Emanuel's activities on the board of Freddie Mac.

Now this? .. Dems snuck it in while nobody was looking.

America would be in a better shape right now if McCain would have won. Am I correct? Do you actually think that Obama actually has the power that we would like him to have in order for him to get what we want? Dreamers, wake up! This President has, only by the way he looks, more enemies than any other leader in the world. Have you people missed the eight months of opposition from everybody to whatever ideas he comes up?
They don't give a shit if his ideas are good or bad. The fact that he came out with them, is enough to say no. The way I see it is: The Republican are not calling the shots. That's why they are so pissed. Add the fact that the man is black. Not an easy job. We had nothing. Now we have something. But, you. Some of you who probably voted twice for Bush, are now bitching because we can't get what we want. Give the man a break. This respite might be over in 2010 with followers like you.

Hey, you BIG BABIES! Cut Obama some slack on this if for no other reason but that IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER.

Obama didn't promise to get a public option or a viable exchange in healthcare reform "by December 24, 2009", did he? Then STFU. He's still got at least 3 years to work with a Congress to accomplish more on this issue and STILL have kept his promise.

IF he hasn't made it happen by, say, September 2012, then you have every reason to take it out on him and don't vote for his re-election. Vote for the Palin/Limbaugh ticket instead if that'll make you happier.

But DO YOUR PART, too, and don't HELP him be defeated in his effort to get more done on this by staying home next November and handing Congress back to McConnell and Boehner because you've bought the Republican/Mainstream Media meme that "both sides are equally bad, both side are equally to blame for these disasters", and therefore, "it doesn't matter which party is in charge", etc.

BULL!