Will President Obama be able to convince lawmakers to compromise on health care legislation when he appears before Congress?

Yes

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by Mitesh Muley

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Tonight is Barack Obama's speech on healthcare reform which will likely indicate whether the revolution is on or off. His summer retreat from the mainstage has allowed the yapping pundits to write him off and tonight we will see (hopefully) the inspiration and leadership that excited the country.

Health care is Barack's first major agenda item and there is a sound argument that it is the necessary first step in the process. Till now he has emphasized the broad principles: universal, affordable health care, focus on a wellness orientation, better organized medical records and treatment protocols. Over the past several weeks partisan politics has reared its ugly head.

The key terms of the debate appear to be public option and death panels. Those terms, as hotly debated as they currently are, will be only political ephemera ten years from now. Tonight Barack will refocus the discussion on 40,000,000 people with no health insurance and the untold number of people suffering and dying for the lack of basic medical care. He will also be much more specific apart from being a charming soul, he is a hard-core policy wonk at heart.

It is important to realize that this effort can fail. The politics of the status quo can sabotage and derail it as they did 16 years ago. Despite their pledges of cooperation and support, the drug and insurance companies and the AMA will do anything to keep the situation as it currently exists. The Republican party has an incentive for failure.

Leaders of the White House said the president will "answer all the important issues - including the thorny question of how to report paid for 50 million Americans who do not do this.

A senior government official said Obama had ceased to care whether he gets a republican involvement.

But this is no longer major problems, Obama, a fact underscored by the conflicting advice he received in his own party.

"I hope he will call for a pragmatic and bipartisan," said Rep. Stephanie Herseth, DS.D., head of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition. "I support the necessary change, but no radical change.

But liberal Rep. Anthony Weiner, DN.Y., said Obama should say he is willing to fight for a public option. "This is how projects happen," said Weiner. "It's either that or retire."

Tonight, Barack will illuminate the unfairness and inhumanity of the current system. He will again tap into the feelings of the people, and point a finger at the agents of entrenched power and wealth. The Obama revolution starts here with healthcare reform and will be televised in tonight's speech.

If the people of the United states cannot have such a simple, essential government service; if the drug/insurance/hospi tal lobby have the power to block it again, then, "bury the rag deep in your face, 'cause now's the time for your tears." Bob Dylan The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.

So I am pretty sure President Obama would be able to convince lawmakers to compromise on health care legislation when he appears before Congress.

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