Bernie Horn

The Republican Party isn’t dead. Republicans can survive, and even thrive, if they appear to embrace moderation. But yesterday, the Sarah Palin-“movement conservative” wing of Republicanism was shown to be wildly unpopular.

Politico reported today that Democrats—worried that the health reform bill delays most changes until 2013—want to add some provisions that will benefit Americans immediately. Great idea! For example, there’s a little-known bill by Congressman Chris Van Hollen that would enable neighborhood pharmacies to sell prescription drugs to about 50 million uninsured Americans at near-Canadian prices.

There was another attack on religious freedom in Washington, DC last Friday. Sadly, it received little notice in the news. Worse, almost no one has denounced this demonstration of naked bigotry.

Barack Obama visited Wall Street on Monday to deliver a message: the banking industry hasn’t learned the right lessons from our recent economic collapse and the Administration intends to make things right. Terrific. But did the President say everything that needs to be said?

It has come to this: Americans cannot get the health care reform we need without using the “reconciliation” process in the U.S. Senate. We can’t get 60 votes. Senator Kennedy’s seat will remain vacant for 5 months. Senator Byrd remains very ill. A handful of “moderate” Democrats and Republicans stand in the way of achieving cloture.

One of the greatest Senators in American history has died. Not everyone agreed with him. But except for the most ideological crazies, everyone who knew him respected his humanity, his energy, his longevity, and his love of country. A few decades ago, critics would have the basic decency to shut up while the flags flew at half mast. Today, they simply have no sense of shame.

August has been a frustrating month for progressives who seek quality, affordable health care for every American. Why does the Administration vacillate? Why does the media legitimize the opinions of right-wing liars and kooks? Why can’t congressional leaders get their act together? Most of all, who’s to blame?

In almost every state, President Obama’s Recovery Act prevented catastrophic cuts in education, health care, and a variety of other programs—at least temporarily. This federal aid not only protected state and local services for millions of Americans, it shored up local economies and saved both public and private jobs. But disaster looms next year.