All the Republicans ever wanted to do was repeal Obamacare. Because they know it's an abomination and the American people have rejected it utterly.
They knew this from the very beginning, when the Web page crashed because so many people wanted to sign up. Clearly, America wanted nothing to do with Obamacare!
"Repeal Obamacare!" was their slogan.
Then something weird happened. Donald Trump blustered and lied his way past all the other Republican candidates and became the nominee for President. And he said, "Repeal and replace Obamacare!"
"Replace?" asked the Republicans. "Really? WTF! We have to replace it now?"
Which means they're in it, big time.
Donald Trump celebrated the House version, but later called it "mean."
The Senate Republicans (or at least a small gang of them) toiled in darkness to produce a version of healthcare they might be able to vote for.
But no, that looks unlikely. Too mean, some say. Not mean enough, others say.
The Republicans have the majority in both houses, but can't pass a reasonable bill because they don't have enough votes—even with the nuclear option in operation (where they need but 50%).
All this, because their hearts aren't really in it.
Repeal, sure (maybe). But not replace. Not now, not ever!
Healthcare is Communism and they know it.
Only rich people should have access to healthcare. We know they're worthy of it because God made them rich. It's so obvious!
And in the wake of the turmoil, health care insurers are dropping out of the exchanges, leaving folks in the lurch.
Just like Trump said, Obamacare is falling apart! And it's his job to make sure it fails utterly. For the good of the country. Even if there's nothing to replace it.
Obamacare gave people the false hope they could survive in America. What a cruel joke! Sick Americans need to hurry up and die so healthy citizens can make the country great again.
What proper American needs to go to a stinkin' doctor? That's just weakness!
Compassion is for fools!
Knowing all this, how can we move forward? It may be that Republicans will simply have to give up their dream of repealing Obamacare and enlist the Democrats in the process of fixing the current program so it works better.
But that's political suicide!
Doesn't matter. If the squabble goes on long enough, the Republicans may lose so many House seats in 2018 the Democrats will regain control—with a mandate to fix Obamacare and push it through the Senate.
And still, American healthcare will be on shaky ground.
The problem is, the system is not about health care, it's about healthcare insurance, which is like making a deal with the devil.
People need health care, and insurance may not be the best way to give it to them.
When folks in Congress feel poorly, the go to the hospital—and it's taken care of.
When folks in the military get sick or injured, they go to the base hospital. For free.
(Okay, not free. They pay for it with their service. It comes with the low pay.)
During WWII, workers in defense plants went to company hospitals.
(After the war, the Kaiser defense plants spun off their hospitals as hospitals.)
If poor folks have no place to go, they let things fester until a trip to the emergency room is necessary (though not necessarily sufficient). That's a very expensive way to do things.
Not to mention inefficient and inhumane.
This country needs to suck it up and provide actual health care. Sure it'll cost a little more. But here's a bonus: We might think twice about starting new wars.
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