Speech

The speeches still have a campaign tenor to them. That makes people suspicious, especially now that health care reform has been aroused. The campaign ethos tells you to be upbeat and “positive”, but the governing ethos demands honesty and forthrightness. Health care interest has produced good public information. When the numbers don’t add up the campaign-style rhetoric is all a waste.

  Example: the President pledges a deficit-neutral bill. Yet, the Congressional Budget Office says you have to throw the House bill (HR3200) in the creek.  You can’t find enough savings in HR3200 to make the numbers work.

  Maybe, the Administration should just say that and not just other people like me.  Just substitute some straight talk for platitudes. Then, maybe we could restore some credibility to the debate, and finally proceed.