State of the Union, Health Care and Lizards

Dear Mark: Back in 1994 after Republicans won control of the House and Senate, President Clinton moved his agenda to the center. Do you think President Obama will do the same? — Meet in the Middle in Mexia

Dear Meet: If President Obama's State of the Union Address is any indication of the direction he wants to take the country, then the answer is a big, fat no.

President Obama had a chance to listen to the American people who voted against his agenda in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts, but instead his speech presents a man digging in his heals and doubling down on a far-left agenda. The president's speech was at times more of a stern lecture than an earnest "State of the Union" evaluation.

If he wants cooperation in Washington, then labeling Republicans as the party of "no" is not a good beginning. Taking a swipe at the Supreme Court by presenting misinformation on the court's ruling concerning foreign campaign contributions didn't help his cause, either.

There is one major difference between Obama and Clinton. President Obama is a leftist ideologue who believes big government is the answer. One merely needs to read his books, listen to his speeches, look at his associations and examine the legislation he supports to confirm this position. Becoming president of the United States is an end to a means for Obama.

In his own words, President Obama doesn't care about re-election if he successfully enacts his agenda in one term. On the other hand, President Clinton thought being president was a great way to pick up chicks and was willing to move to the center to stay in office and pursue his "cause."

Dear Mark: Republicans killed health care reform, and millions of people continue to lack proper health insurance.

Are you happy? — Rotten Republicans in Riviera Beach

Dear Rotten: Pardon me, but the Democrats who hold significant majorities in both houses of Congress killed health care reform. I'm not happy, I'm ecstatic. The problem is that the supposedly open-minded Democrat leadership is acting close-minded on how to proceed forward and pass reform.

House Majority leader Steny Hoyer in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington stated there were only four options: "No bill, a scaled back measure, the House passing the Senate bill, and the House passing the Senate bill accompanied by some changes to accommodate House Democrats." He also said there were no "easy choices."

Here's an easy choice for Steny: Fulfill one of Obama's campaign promises by working with Republicans to come up with a bipartisan solution utilizing a transparent process. Take incremental steps by voting on smaller bills such as tort reform, portability, pre-existing conditions, fraud waste and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid, and allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines.

These votes would address the problems in the current system without destroying it. Next, address the millions who remain without access. As much as I hate to say this, congressional action like this might actually save the Democrats' butts this November.

Dear Mark: Here's something interesting for your readers. In December, a German reptile collector tried to smuggle 44 lizards out of New Zealand by stuffing them in his pants. — PETA Person in Pueblo

Dear PETA: It is downright cruel to be stuffed in a man's underwear for a 26-hour flight, but this is a great euphemism for politics. If you try to hide too much, eventually creepy things crawl out.

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.

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