Threats And Bribes And TV Ads

As President Barack Obama and his staunchest of Democratic allies in the House and Senate have seen what had appeared to be near-guaranteed support for health care reform and cap and trade begin to wither in recent weeks, it appears that the six-month old Administration is not above threats and/or bribes.

There have been reports that Republicans, who have been quite vocal in criticizing the $787 Billion economic stimulus package, are being "asked" if their states or districts would rather not receive any federal funding.

If that is not a supremely overt threat to "get in line" or "shut up," I do not know what one would call it.

Even Democrats are feeling the heat of growing White House anger. Obama's group, Organizing For America, is running TV ads in favor of health care reform in the states of more moderate Democrats who have backed away from their earlier support.

Ever wonder how much money this ad campaign is costing in an effort to swing about seven votes their way?

Inquiring minds want to know.

With the honeymoon over, President Obama is now sitting directly in the face of oncoming traffic.

Why the big push to ensure that health care reform is passed this year without fail?

Is it all just for show so that Democrats running for office in 2010 can point and say, "see what we did for YOU, the voter," before Main Street USA really has a chance to see: 1) if it starts working as touted and 2) how much it will actually cost?

The best suggestion regarding health care reform is to lower the ego a bit and get some REAL projections, both revenue and expense, that will not cost Main Street USA one trillion plus dollars, and allow the House and Senate the time they need to create such an animal…if in fact it can be done without breaking the bank, even further than it already is.

And, you just have to love Dan Pfeiffer, White House Deputy Communications Director, who said, referring to his boss' battles in the trenches, "No one gets rich betting against Barack Obama."

Does that mean, Dan, that if the cajoling and arm-twisting and TV ads work that Main Street USA goes even more broke than it already is?

Over For Now,

Main Street One

"Most bad government has grown out of too much government." - Thomas Jefferson