The poll also shows that 54% of Americans trust the Democrats more on healthcare reform than they do Republicans.

I suspect that this apparent dichotomy demonstrates two things:

1) That Obama has until now been relatively hands-off and disengaged (or, at least, so it seems) from the legislative process while, at the same time, the process seems to be in danger of becoming mired in the same old partisan politics of the past that we all know and view with distaste. Some of the blame for this perceived lack of progress may be accruing (and rightly so, in my opinion) to Obama for his arms-length handling of the matter.

2) That a marginally competent, dithering Democratic Congress still manages to trump a do-nothing, idea bereft Party of No.

like finding out that there was some disagreement between Himmler and Speer over the most efficient way to transport people to the camps. Mildly interesting in a perverse way but, ultimately, just more sound and fury, signifying nothing.

You're either against 'em or one of them.

It's the sudden stop at the bottom.

First of all, with sterling leadership like that of Harry (The Incredible Man Without A Spine) Reid, it's a wonder we're not just surrendering the debate to the Republicans and the Blue Dog DINO Republican wannabes right now--- oops, looks like we are!

Second, let's be honest-- a public option really is the second best choice. We can't have the same health care as every other industrialized nation on the planet-- single payer-- because that fight was given up from the beginning.

I'm sick of watching my party, hamstrung and rudderless for no good reason, theoretically in control of Congress and with our man in the White House, yet incapable of controlling absolutely anything.

He can come back home and negotiate the release of health care reform legislation, currently being held hostage by the Kim Jong Il of the Senate, Max Baucus.

The Repubs are experts at the Big Lie. And what's a bigger lie (and more likely to frighten the ignorant) than the government is coming to take over your Medicare? Repeat it loud enough and long enough and people will begin to believe it. Despite the fact that Medicare IS government run health care.

But drum up the fear and it's easy to goad the panic stricken into accepting any "solution" you offer to save them.

Watch and see. Next, they'll be coming to take over your Social Security!

Of Yeats' line-- The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

And that's what I see in our country today.

Literal nutcases, paid shills, or willing dupes, screaming one-off talking points, their goal not to promote debate, but rather to shut it down. Buffoonish thuggery, disguised as political discourse.

Meanwhile, on the other side, endless handwringing, pointless attempts at compromise-- or worse, appeasement, and feckless tacking before the wind of public opinion (which, at this point, is being shaped more by the lunatic shriekers of the other side and their erstwhile allies in the media, who report on these provocateurs as though they had legitimate viewpoints and a following not bought and paid for by their political or corporate masters).

And over what? Health care reform which every rational citizen agrees is long overdue and which, if not obtained, will continue to result in untold human suffering and economic hardship- both to individuals and to the nation.

How proud our forefathers would be to see us now.

While the Democrats appear to be gabbling helplessly in front of hostile loons (otherwise known as paid shills, party hacks and the easily manipulated).

Organized, regimented nonsense, repeated ad nauseum, beats common sense. A lesson in modern American politics.

And old German politics, as it turns out.

We had a Senate Majority Leader with that much wit and gumption.

For the president's slide in the polls has been the half-assed way he's handled one of his keynote policies. He's elected to lead the country, not hand off responsibility to Congress to draft his plan for him. Especially not to a Congress led in part by a spineless, ineffectual asswipe like Harry Reid.

Had he presented a health care package to Congress and then hammered on it, pushed it and defended it, and done a little LBJ style arm-twisting along the way, we'd have health care reform today instead of the current jumbled up mess of proposal and counter-proposal which the Republicans and the insurance companies can attack and distort at their whim and to their advantage.

If it actually is too late for this kind of Hail Mary pass. After giving the Repubs and their corporate insurance company masters all the time in the world to reframe the debate, broadcast lie upon lie upon ridiculous lie, scare the bejeezus out of anyone who would listen and, in short, all but thrust a dagger through the heart of health care reform, I honestly don't know that a single speech-- however well crafted and artfully delivered-- can resuscitate this patient.

I hope that I am wrong, but fear I am not.

I'll gladly give you healthcare Tuesday for your vote today...

NONONONONONONONNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!

[stomp feet repeatedly]

NONONONONONONONNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!

[roll around on floor]

NONONONONONONONNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!

[hold breath until face turns blue]

NONONONONONONONNONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!

And Obama is a socialist fascist communist who wasn't even born in this country!

[accept large cash payment from health insurance lobbyist]

Thank you and good night.