We need to make it a right to free health care in this country. We are the only industrialized nation on earth not to have this, free housing, and a guaranteed income for everyone in the country.

If the US is to again be a shining light for the rest of the world, we need to make it better for the least of our people.

Extending Medicare also makes more sense politically because, and I wish Democrats could get this through our thick heads, most people don’t know what “public option” means. It’s an example of the jargon we too readily fall into. Medicare, however, is understood and popular. The Republicans would be taking a huge political risk in opposing an extension. I was almost shocked in talking to conservatives last summer during the most heated part of the debate when after hating every part of the bills, especially the public option, they were fine with letting anyone join Medicare. Didn’t bother them the least bit, even though this is essentially what single-payer advocates wanted. Why elected Democrats can’t figure this out I don’t understand.

Well then, what is Fascism? That sounds mean spirited and a vitriol of anger. Certainly is is more socially acceptable to use derogatory terms like “Socialism” in condemning those who would advocate for a Public Option in health care reform. The money that could be saved by the country and everyone by forcing some competition could not be better.

“Fascism” has a definition from Wikipedia that fits this context: “Fascism is a political ideology that seeks to combine radical and authoritarian nationalism with a corporatist economic system.” That definition sounds a lot like “Blue Dog” Democrat ideology.

What took Ellison and Oberstar so long to sign on? And, if he can’t hold his seat in the Minnesota South without being a “Blue Dog” “Fascist”, isn’t it time for Betty McCollum, Tim Walz and Fanatic “Fascist” Michelle Bachmann to go?

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