Bill Clinton: Obama can succeed where I couldn't

[Fireweed247]

RALEIGH, N.C. — Bill Clinton said Monday that President Barack Obama has a chance to develop a universal health care system because he is free to spend money and political capital, luxuries the Democratic predecessor claims he didn't have.

The former president told a university audience he couldn't push through a health program for all Americans on his watch in the 1990s because of several constraints, including an uncooperative Congress. Clinton's thwarted effort was largely led by his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, now Obama's secretary of state.

Together, the Clintons privately built their health plan early in his administration with little input from congressional leaders, only to encounter vehement opposition once they did submit it to lawmakers.

But Clinton said in the speech at North Carolina State University that Obama no longer has any major shoals to navigate and argued that the economic crisis may be positioning the new president to spend the money to develop such a system.

"Frankly, we're spending like crazy so there's no concern about the deficit for the next two or three years," Clinton said, his glasses sitting at the end of his nose. "That's one of the good news is that we can do health care now because we have to grow the economy. We must do it. That's a good thing."

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/4401867/

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. .

:popcorn:

[Skittles]

2. he is correct

[no limit]

3. I hope that Obama doesn't disappoint in this area

[Fireweed247]

4. I was just watching Sicko last night which highlighted Hillary's work

but Congress was in the hands of the evil doers so it died.

But NOW is the time! We must demand this*




*without the insurance companies and the input of lobbyists

[BadgerKid]

6. So much for GOP's sense of bipartisanship. n/t

[Lorien]

7. Absolutely! At least 40% of all bunkrupcies are caused by medical debt

and I have to wonder how much money is lost to sick days in America every year because so efw of us can afford routine checkups and treatments. Health care is a HUGE economic issue. It's time that the money went directly to the doctors and the care directly to the people; cut out insurance companies and big pharma lobbyists completely!

[Fireweed247]

13. yes

Universal Health Care would prevent future foreclosures. This is directly tied to our current economic problems.

[OHdem10]

5. If obama is going to insist on appeasing the GOP and changing

policies to keep their old ideology in tact, Health Care is a figament\
of one's imagination.

[silverojo]

8. I'm getting worried about that, too

I hope he realizes SOON that there is no such thing as bipartisanship in DC.

I mean, seriously, as much as I hate the Repukes, they're doing their job. That's the whole point of an opposition party, a lesson which the spineless Dems failed to learn when Bushler was pResident.

So the whole concept of both parties working together is not only impossible, but also contrary to what the entire two-party system is supposed to be about.

Translated: FUCK the Repukes, WE'RE in charge now, let's not forget the meaning of "Yes we can!"

[Blue Dog Dominion]

9. If Obama has an affair, he won't get CAUGHT doing it.

And hopefully he has better taste.

[Raine]

10. Obama will keep his mind on the work

and not be diverted by "other things".

[Odin2005]

11. But, but, I thought Bill was an evil centrist corporate-whore!11!!!!1!

:sarcasm:

[MilesColtrane]

12. "Obama can succeed where I couldn't"

Astute observation, Big Dog.

Will he keep the Presidential package away from interns? Yes He Can!

[Fireweed247]

14. Instead of being cynical...or talking about Bill's private life...

we could support his efforts and start demanding loudly that must have universal health care- health care as a human right!

There is a great part in Sicko where Michael Moore talks with a Conservative in Canada who explains that everyone in Canada is for Universal Health Care because it is a right and the right thing to do. When asked 'well, why should you have to pay for someone else's health care?' he said 'we'll they would do the same for me'. It is as if they are natural Christians, happy to look out for each other. It was quite refreshing.

[Fireweed247]

15. What are we going to DU to make this happen?

WE need this NOW....actually yesterday...