Dean: Senate Bill Is 'Real Reform,' A Needed Antidote To GOP Propaganda

While I have been a critic of Obama since he took office (not strong or engaged enough on issues), I have to say that this health care "compromise" isn't the worst that could happen (we obviously could have done better had Obama actually put more political capital into it from the beginning though).

In order to get true health care reform passed the administration should have kept the issue as simple as possible, e.g. "Midicare for everyone" should have been the call to arms. This would have been so simple for people to understand that it would have been a much easier fight to fight. By allowing a Medicare buy in at 55 we are VERY slowly getting to where we want to be; a public plan for everyone (now if only we could do away with the "buy in" as well...).

We all must realize that Medicare IS a public plan, plain and simple. Now what we have to do is lobby to keep pushing the goalposts so that it encompasses everyone from cradle to grave. Sure, our taxes will go up but since we won't have to pay for health insurance anymore almost everyone will end up ahead. If you're not ahead then congrats! That means you're in the very top tax bracket. I'm not saying that 'tongue in cheek'. I aspire to the top tax bracket just like everyone else.
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Bailout Watchdog: Obama Foreclosure Plan Inadequate, New Direction Needed

I love Elizabeth Warren. She's doing exactly what she was brought in to do. That being said, however, why are we looking to keep the housing bubble inflated? Instead we need to CONTROL the deflation of the housing bubble.

The people who loaned money, knowing that the loan would never be able to be paid off, should be arrested for fraud or extreme negligence. The people who took those loans, that were misled or lied to, should get some assistance but that doesn't mean they should get to keep a house they had no business buying in the first place.

There were many responsible people who, because of the housing bubble, were priced out of buying a home. If all we do is focus on trying to keep people from losing their homes and therefore keep housing prices from coming down to their proper level then all were accomplishing is keeping the housing bubble artificially inflated and keeping real buyers from being able to afford to buy a home.

Where there was fraud or criminal negligence, let the government assist/prosecute.

Where there wasn't, let the market do it's thing. The responsible people in this country deserve a shot at a home and shouldn't be punished for being responsible and NOT taking out an irresponsible mortgage!
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