Key Senate Dems sell out on health care reform

Joe and I called it. They're caving folks. Total freaking mess. Interesting that the lead bad guy is Democratic Senator Max Baucus, whose former chief of staff is now the deputy chief of staff for who? President Barack Obama.

Kiss real health care reform goodbye.

This is what happens when you have a Democratic president and Congress who fear angering the right, who put "bipartisanship" - read: appeasing Republicans - above substantive policy. They cave on everything of importance that might cause "controversy." But hey, passing crap still lets you claim a victory, provided nobody reads the fine print (or in this case, gets sick).

Get ready for the health care version of the gay "benefits" bill. Less filling, tastes great. Coming to an Oval Office near you.

Now do you get why I made such a freaking huge deal about gay rights this past week on this blog. As Joe has been saying for a while now, we are the canary in the coal mine. Now it's another key Democratic constituency's turn to get screwed on the altar of political expediency.

UPDATE: Surprise! Guess who's plan is almost identical to Baucus'? The insurance industry!