But it has done nothing to control costs. Costs keep escalating dramatically. Because now the private insurers can wash their hands of poor policyholders, and rake in big bucks from the premiums of the affluent.

Polls show that the public cares more about cost containment than about universal coverage. That’s to be expected: Far more Americans have insurance, but have trouble affording it, than are uninsured.

I think an outright majority of the country might be open to a Republican message, if it was center right rather than right of right-right.

Universal healthcare would be a great start. There is no way for 95% or more of the country to prepare for most medical eventualities. It’s simply not possible due to the costs and the willingness of insurance companies to deny coverage that is not profitable. It’s even less possible for people with pre-existing conditions. So why isn’t the GPO preaching for a backstop, allowing the government to take on a roll for which it is suited (i.e. insurer of last resort)? I think that would be conservative. OTOH, moving to single payer would be decidedly liberal.

Appalled by how the Carter stagflation was leaving the black community in a virtual economic depression, Innis formally broke with the Dems and endorsed Reagan for President. He hung around the GOP ever since, till Bush started to turn him off.

Something like that could happen again, if unemployment continues to remain high–except for one little problem: Carter was a white man from Georgia. This time, the Dem incumbent, Obama, is BLACK.

And almost no blacks are going to break with the first black president. No matter how bad a job that president is perceived as doing.

are you serious? You really think this brand of conservatism is new among rappers? As if everyone from Immortal Technique to Lauryn Hill to Chuck D to NYOIL hasn’t criticized and encouraged the community to take care of themselves. (Yes they also condemn much of the current social and political structures. But off the top of my head I can still name a couple of songs by Tech that tell people to, “take care of their own damn children.”)

They simply come from a long line of black conservatives. (NOT in the modern Republican sense). Read here.
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200805/cosby

“So if you do the speed limit get the F out of my way…”

I think we need to co-opt T.I. … he’s got a little Republican in him… “You can do whatever you like.” Isn’t that the limited government credo?!

Only I don’t think the next line is about “So long as you don’t violate others’ rights to non-interference.”

“Paint the White House black and I’m sure that’s got ‘em terrified
McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and just throw ‘em like candy wrap
’cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents

Get out and vote or the end’ll be near
The world is ready for change because Obama is here
’cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here, yeah
cuz Obama is here.”

http://lyrics.rapbasement.com/Ludacris_Politics%20%28Obama%20Is%20Here%29_lyrics_2129.html