Your Hill To Die On, Pt 2

The W$J is reporting that Obama will endorse the "public option" as part of his health care speech Wednesday night: Obama To Endorse Public Plan in Speech

President Barack Obama, in a high-stakes speech Wednesday to Congress and the nation, will press for a government-run insurance option in a proposed overhaul of the U.S. health-care system that has divided lawmakers and voters for months.

White House officials say the president will detail what he wants in the health-care overhaul, as well as say he is open to better ideas on a government plan if lawmakers have them.

Democratic plans call for requiring most Americans to carry health insurance. Failure to comply could cost families as much as $3,800 a year, according to a new Senate proposal.

The president is likely to say that a government-run insurance plan, known as the "public option," will not provide a level of subsidies that give it an unfair advantage over private insurers, according to aides familiar with the speech preparations.

Hey, you know what, good for him if he really does that. I think conservatives, libertarians, and other concerned citizens have made their objections loud and clear. On the other hand, the progressive side, which is really driving the debate has been deliberately opaque in its legislating and advocacy. First, they tried to pass yet another 1000 page "I haven't read the bill." Then, when people started all sorts of crazy stuff in the bill - which, remember would already be law, if the Dems had their way - the forces of compassion compassionately declared opponents to be stupid fascist racists. Questions about federal dollars for abortion, health care to illegal aliens, IRS agents enforcing health mandates, etc were brushed off with "it's not in the bill" while the drafters quietly ensured that such unpopular initiaitives were not NOT in the bill. "Trust" does not come to mind when one hears the promises of progressive health care reformers.

Thus, I welcome the president's apparent decision to endorse the public option. I don't agree with it, of course. But, the president's voice has been missing from this debate. Oh, he's talked a lot. But, he hasn't drawn many lines in the sand. The public opton is a big one. Good luck with that, champ.