I don't know why Governor Bredesen doesn't understand that he is the last Democrat who needs to be talking about health care. You probably heard that Bredesen spoke on the subject of health care at the Nashville DLC convention. You can read some of the DINO's thoughts on the subject at the DLC website.
The majority of Americans not only want universal health care, they are willing to pay higher taxes for it. Yet, while the country hungers for universal health care, Bredesen is still talking about health care as "personal responsibility" -- which is Republican code for every man, woman, child, and dog for him/herself.
"It comes back to personal responsibility - we don’t have it in our power to promise everyone free health insurance without limits. But we do have it in our power to offer them access to affordable and portable health insurance, and then the choice is theirs."
Ezra Klein sums up our DINO Governor's thoughts on health care thusly:
If you gave it to me blind, I'd tell you, with 100 percent certainty, that it is Republican rhetoric on health care. That Bredesen manages to write hundreds of words on the subject but can't bring himself to invoke any values beyond "personal responsibility" is, I think, telling.
Untold numbers of Tennesseans have suffered and died from Bredesen's massive cuts to the state's Medicaid program. If Bredesen had an ounce of humility, he would have the good sense to shut up on the subject of health care.
Instead, the Governor who criticized Medicaid by comparing it to socialism actually dared to give a speech on the subject at the DLC. Reportedly, there were no boos, only applause. And that pretty well sums up the usefulness of the DLC to the Democratic Party, to the progressive movement, and to the American people.
The so-called centrist Dems of the DLC are so out of touch with the change that is sweeping across America, that some, such as Nashville's Congressman Jim Cooper, actually imagine that Bredesen would make a viable choice as VP on the Democratic presidential ticket.
Why on earth anyone would choose Bredesen when we already have the real Lieberman waiting over there in the rightwing is beyond comprehension.
"The way in which Medicaid pays for services has more in common with a socialist economy than the common-sense economic and business principles that do such a good job allocating resources efficiently in other parts of our American life."-- Governor Phil Bredesen
Democrats DLC Conference Bredesen DINO Healthcare News Politics Medicaid Cuts Nashville Tennessee Universal Health Care
