Saturday, January 30

Pants on the floor. Healthcare at the door.

Charles Blow joins the current cool crowd in explaining that Americans aren't rejecting the proposed health care reform on the merits, just that they don't properly understand it.

According to a survey released this week by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, only 1 person in 4 knew that 60 votes are needed in the Senate to break a filibuster and only 1 in 3 knew that no Senate Republicans voted for the health care bill.

And, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey released this week, while slightly more Americans blamed Republicans than Democrats for the political impasse in Washington, the percentage of people with negative feelings about the Republicans was the same as it was for the Democrats.

The message that voters take away is not nuanced: Democrats in control. Bill complicated. Republicans oppose. Politicians bicker. Progress stalls. Democrats failing.

Obama has to accept that today’s information environment is broad and shallow, and we now communicate in headline phrases, acerbic humor and ad hominem attacks. Sad but true.

We subsist on Twitter twaddle — a never-ending stream of ideas and idiocy, where emotions are rendered in anagrams and thoughts are amputated at 140 characters.

The most trusted “newsman” may well be a comedian (Jon Stewart), and stars of the “most trusted news network” (Fox) may well be a comedian’s dream.

The president must communicate within the environment he inhabits, not the one he envisions. The next time he gives a speech, someone should tap him on the ankle and say, “Mr. President, we’re down here.”*


I don't know. People are just communicating their thoughts in smaller, bite-sized portions. And they want to pay for what they choose to consume, not pick up the bill for others. Especially those others making health and lifestyle choices that people reject themselves and would not choose to pay for. Is that not clear enough for you?

Here, let me try to break it down in the style Blow is criticizing**:

Supersize Me. Subsidize me. Pro choice built on medical privacy? Individual health. Not one size fits all. C'mon brother, get on the ball. Heed the call -- it's time to stall. Cuz...

Public don't want this, please don't diss: We're thinking with our wallets, can't pay with just a kiss! Spend today no questions asked; cover everyone, nevermind their past. Medical history don't mean squat; surely everybody gets to keep all the medical care they got!

Rationing, see that's the thing. Up the customers, docs opt out: less care going around, more budgets shot. What about tomorrow? Don't ya's care? I hear the Chinese have learned to share: one child each, that's all we can afford. Would they honor our choices if they became our financial overlords?

Money really is at the root of it all; if you can't pay for these bills, better learn to stall... Nevermind "buy now, fix tomorrow". Take care of your health; save some sorrow. There's a better plan, to cover some not all. Don't force unconstitutional "choices" on those just starting to play ball...

Reform the system. Change the game. Pretending on the numbers: that's just lame.

I hope you can see: it's privacy. Pro choice in health care; baby that's me! Lots of ways to pay for those in need. Charities abound. Brother, please heed. Society's gone small, in many ways -- why grow the budget in these tight days?

Immigration reform first -- that makes sense. Invisible people here won't be stopped by a fence. They have needs, this plan doesn't address: medical bills unpaid and left. Care for people, help where you can. But don't bite off more than's chewable: that's no plan.

Who will pay? Spell it out. Will it really contain costs, or was somebody just paid at the front end to hype that shot? Tort reform? Maybe next year? Really controlling costs? For that we'd cheer!!!

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* [S]omeone should tap him on the ankle and say, “Mr. President, we’re down here". Please stop pissing on our heads and telling us it's raining. (?)

**Apologies in advance to the cultural purists. Remember these guys from way back in 1985?
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

Walter Payton
Well, they call me Sweetness,
And I like to dance.
Runnin' the ball is like makin' romance.
We've had the goal since training camp
To give Chicago a Super Bowl Champ.
And we're not doin' this
Because we're greedy.
The Bears are doin' it to feed the needy.
We didn't come here to look for trouble,
We just came here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Willie Gault
This is Speedy Willie, and I'm world class.
I like runnin' but i love to get the pass.
I practice all day and dance all night,
I got to get ready for the Sunday fight.
Now I'm as smooth as a chocolate swirl,
I dance a little funky, so watch me girl.
There's not one here that does it like me,
My Super Bowl Shuffle will set you free.

Mike Singletary
I'm Samurai Mike I stop'em cold.
Part of the defense, big and bold,
I've been jammin' for quite a while,
Doin' what's right and settin' the style,
Give me a chance, I'll rock you good,
Nobody messin' in my neighborhood.
I didn't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just came to do The Super Bowl Shuffle

(Repeat Chorus)

Jim McMahon
I'm the punky QB, known as McMahon.
When I hit the turf, I've got no plan.
I just throw my body all over the field.
I can't dance, but I can throw the pill.
I motivate the cats, I like to tease.
I play so cool, I aim to please.
That's why you all got here on the double
To catch me doin' the Super Bowl Shuffle.

Otis Wilson
I'm mama's boy Otis, one of a kind.
The ladies all love me
For my body and my mind.
I'm slick on the floor as I can be
But ain't no sucker gonna get past me.
Some guys are jealous
Of my style and class,
That's why some end up on their -,
I didn't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just get down to The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Steve Fuller
They say Jimbo is our man.
If Jimmy can't do it, I sure can.
This is Steve, and it's no wonder
I run like lightnin', pass like thunder.
So bring on Atlanta, bring on Dallas,
This is for Mike and Papa Bear Halas.
I'm not here to feathers ruffle,
I just came here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Mike Richardson
I'm L.A. Mike, and I play it cool.
They don't sneak by me 'cause I'm no fool.
I fly on the field and get on down.
Everybody knows I don't mess around.
I can break'em, shake'em,
Any time of day.
I like to steal it and make 'em pay,
So please don't try to beat my hustle
'Cause I'm just here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

(Repeat Chorus)

Richard Dent
The sackman's comin', I'm your man Dent.
if the quarterback's slow,
He's gonna get bent.
We stop the run, we stop the pass,
I like to dump guys on their -.
We love to play for the world's best fans,
You better start makin'
Your Super Bowl plans.
But don't get ready or go to any trouble
Unless you practice
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Gary Fencik
It's Gary here, and I'm Mr.Clean.
They call me "hit man,"
Don't know what they mean.
They throw it long and watch me run,
I'm on my man, one-on-one.
Buddy's guys cover it down to the bone,
That's why they call us the 46 zone.
Come on everybody let's scream and yell,
We're goin' to do the Shuffle,
Then ring your bell.

William Perry
You're lookin' at the Fridge,
I'm the rookie.
I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie.
You've seen me hit, you've seen me run,
When I kick and pass, we'll have more fun.
I can dance, you will see
The others, they all learn from me.
I don't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just came here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.


ADDED:
Here's another song on a quiet Sunday before the SuperBowl.