Deadlines, Pelosi's Slip and Drunks ColumnDear Mark: The Obama administration has given Congress a deadline of March 18 to pass health care reform. I know there have been several other deadlines, but Obama seems adamant about this one. I agree with the president and believe it is time to poop or get off the pot. Can we finally get some health care legislation passed? — Health Care Hero in Hobart Dear Hero: How many more deadlines is President Obama going to pronounce from his mountaintop before he gives up on this particular plan? Let's see — summer 2009, August 2009, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 2010 State of the Union Address. Obama has stated that he doesn't want politics or congressional re-elections to affect anyone's vote on health care reform, yet each of his deadlines conveniently coincides with congressional holiday recesses. To any political observer, it's obvious Obama doesn't want Congress to confront constituents who are against his legislation. Don't be naively fooled again by the "hope and change" rhetoric of candidate Obama. (Yes, he is back in campaign mode.) The administration fully understands that politics affects every decision in Washington, and it is worried that congressional visits back home could result in a "yes" vote being changed to a "no" or the reinforcement of the "no" votes. President Obama and congressional Democrats have spent over a year on health care reform. Unfortunately for the American people, the yearlong effort has not been spent refining the legislation or compromising with Republicans. The effort has been spent vilifying individuals who had the gall to question the legislation. The past year was wasted trying to fool the public and to gain more Democrat votes. There has been more arm-twisting than you could find at a physical therapy clinic, and the backroom deal making would make Chicago legend Al Capone proud. My guess is that the March 18 deadline will pass and President Obama will continue to pursue his "Moby Dick" until he proclaims another holiday deadline, maybe Earth Day on April 22. Dear Mark: Referring to the health care reform bill, did Speaker Pelosi actually say Congress "has to pass the bill so you can see what's in it, away from the fog of controversy"? Is she serious? — Bowled Over in Bowling Green Dear Bowled: Yes, and isn't it great? Nancy Pelosi, with her idiotic statements, is like manna from Heaven for columnists across the world.
The problem for Democrats is that many Americans know exactly what is in the health care bill, and that is why numerous Democrat congressmen were blown out of the water at their town hall meetings. Facts can be so annoying to politicians. I suggest Pelosi slip back to her world and leave ours alone. Dear Mark: A town in Romania is putting up "Drunk Crossing" signs to warn drivers about drunk pedestrians who might be stumbling in the streets. The sign shows a person crawling with a bottle in hand. What is the world coming to? — Teetotaler in Tempe Dear Tee: I actually like the concept of warning drivers, but for different reasons. We should take some of President Obama's stimulus money and place signs all over Washington, D.C., warning drivers about "Idiots Crossing." On second thought, signs like that in our capital might cause drivers to accelerate rather than brake. Dear Mark is a public platform for your enrichment and entertainment. E-mail your questions to marklevy92@aol.com. To find out more about Mark Levy, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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