Obama never wanted a public option or single payer. But to get both off the table, he had to do it in stages. Single payer first, with big talk about "I will not sign any legislation that doesn't include a robust public option". That had to happen right off the bat, before negotiations even began. To make sure that there wouldn't be a public option in any final legislation (and that there really wouldn't be any reform of the system, that the insurance and pharmaceutical industries would continue to be able to make massive profits), single payer had to be taken off the table before negotiations ever began. Out of sight, out of mind. And that's exactly what Obama did.
Once that happened, then a public option was used as a bargaining chip, to be given up, and we know that from several sources, including Tom Daschle and Richard Kirsch.
A caller on CSpan not long ago asked Richard Wolffe, who was out plugging his latest book written from his special access to the Obama White House, if we're ever going to get a public option to keep costs down.
Wolffe makes it clear that Obama and the DLC-controlled Democrats never had any intention of going with a public option or expanding public healthcare in any way (although Wolffe is mistaken when he says that Obama never ran on supporting a public option -- Not only did Obama campaign on "a public option", he campaigned on single payer, universal health care -- Here's a campaign ad featuring Obama himself -- See the part where he says he has a plan to "cover everyone'? That's 'universal coverage' -- There's even a graphic in the ad that says "The Obama Plan - UNIVERSAL coverage for all Americans". Obama ran against mandates, and criticized Hillary for them in her campaign promises -- Here is Candidate Obama on mandates -- Here again -- Obama campaigned on public option).
When you follow this closely, when you see enough examples, it's impossible to think Obama is a man of character and integrity, in this business for the People.
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