Caution:  Obamacare “Train Wreck” Approaching

I came to explore the wreck.

Adriene Rich (1920-2012), American poet, essayist, and feminist

Since Max Baucus (D-Montana) warned of an approaching  Obamacare implementation “train wreck,” critics,  Democrat and Republican,  have been having a field day waving cautionary yellow flags signalling  the approach of the wreck.  

As for Senator Baucus,  he has announced he will retire rather than defend Obamacare in a re-election campaign.

Back to the critics.

·         Josh Kraushaar, of the National Journal,  says Obama’s health law hurts his party,” The advocates of repeal may now hold the upper hand, especially if there’s blowback as the health law gets implemented.  Every problem with health care, fairly or unfairly, will be blamed on the Democrats.”

·         In “More Money Won’t Prevent an Obamacare Train Wreck,”a Investor Business Daily  editorial gloats, “The huge premium hike it will cause, the massive new costs on businesses it will impose, and the gargantuan health care entitlement  it will unleash,  all guarantee that.”

·         Generally gentle and genteel  Peggy Noonan, asks “Is Obama a Lame Duck Already?”  She observes,”The looming crisis on implementation of ObamaCare has begun to fill the news.  Even his allies are using the term 'train wreck.' Obamacare is not only the most slovenly written major law in history. It is full of sneaked-in surprises people are just discovering.”

·         Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate Majority leader, warns, “Obamacare will be a train wreck if it is not properly implemented.”  All that’s needed, says wary. wily Harry, is more funding from the most spend-thrift  presidential administration in history.

·         Karl Rove,  deemed the architect by President George W. Bush,  trenchantly and triumphally remarks, “The implementation of his unpopular law is a story of missed deadlines and generally bungling,” as the ObamaCare train "steams towards the train wreck".

In my opinion,  this piling on is premature.   It’s 18 months before the November 2014 elections, which will determine the Obama legacy. Obama has plenty of time to recover his mojo and to blame the Republicans for throwing roadblocks across the  tracks.  

Besides, Obamacare’s stated goal of expanding access to the uninsured,  even if marred by unexpected costs, exploding premiums, declining quality, and doctor shortages, is intrinsically noble. 

The road to a train wreck  is paved with good intentions, and that should count for something.

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