Letter from Dr. Randy Tobler!

I had a chance to think about the President’s healthcare summit and have concluded that it accomplished one unintended purpose: My opinions of the President and his liberal liege were unequivocally validated. It is increasingly clear that Barack Obama refuses to stand down from his radical public policy agenda; worse, his narcissistic, disingenuous and condescending displays of contempt for anyone who disagrees continue to paint a true picture of America’s Big Mistake.

Last week’s Healthcare Yawner gave us more insight into the man and his narcissism. It was really nothing new, though. A truly ‘deliberative’ leader would have admonished Harry Reid for denying he or his deputies had raised the issue of reconciliating into law an overhaul of 1/6 of our economy. Instead we heard silence from the Moderator-in-Chief. A true bipartisan would have eaten humble pie when challenged by Senator Lamar Alexander. It would have served him, and the Democratic cause, well to take a bite. Americans embrace humility.

Apparently Mr. Obama has never developed that virtue. The exchange came early in the forum, when he stated that the CBO predicted premium declines after the Senate bill becomes law. Alexander, who was brilliant all day, challenged, stating the fact that premiums in the individual market would go up, as CBO stated. Obama wouldn’t back down, until making a weak concession of the point an hour later, after most of us had returned to real productivity trying to make a living for our families (another calling he has never had to answer).

Later, when reminded by his ’08 campaign opponent that Obama and the Dems had indulged in the very sordid cloaked and unsavory politics that each candidate had chided, the President arrogantly rebuked McCain--“We’re not campaigning any more, the election’s over”. McCain wryly responded that he’s reminded of that everyday, focusing observers on Obama’s inability to resist his holier-than –thou constitution.

Finally, in a déjà vu all over again moment, Obama closed the sleeper summit by channeling a remark from his first weeks in office when in a closed door meeting with GOP leaders he reminded that it was his way or the highway, because “we won the election”. After allowing a window of up to six weeks to close a compromise deal, and expressing sincere doubts that would actually happen, he said that he and the Dems will ram through a bill anyway, because “elections have consequences”. What was that about a one term presidency, Mr. Obama?

All said, the battle lines were finally drawn. The GOP successfully stated their opposition and case for a philosophically and fundamentally different type of reform. Obama and the Dems continued the delusion that just a little more effective rhetoric will sway a growing opposition in the electorate.

While Republicans Alexander, Coburn and Ryan were particularly effective, I wasn’t wholly satisfied either. Tom Coburn actually endorsed “secret shopper” patients! Paid moles feigning illness to potentially trap unsuspecting doctors acting on good faith to diagnose false complaints. Whoa! I thought the GOP was the party who opposed Big Brother. There are already whistle blower laws to expose fraud and abuse, Dr. Coburn, thank you very much. Hey, here’s a better idea: When patients are paying for healthcare with their own bucks (tax protected, of course), they’ll be the most rabid watch dogs you’d ever want. Think about returning control to the folks, Senators.

Then there were the slimy and shiny appeals to this or that phone call or letter from an unfortunate constituent that the insurance companies had mistreated. Ok, insurers can be heavy handed, but our side should have used the moment to illustrate how markets, not government intrusion, objectively divine value. And the worst transgression? Maybe I missed it, but Medicare recipients were the damsels and knights in distress throughout the day. This failed, broke and unconstitutional entitlement needs phasing out, and a courageous exposition of why and how to do so would have been a refreshing bit of authenticity. But then again, I’m not sure even so-called originalists are ready for that political shot over the bow.

It will be fascinating to follow the Democratic tactics and our counterinsurgency over the next few weeks. Yes, I said “our”, because I fervently believe it is you, me and every other talk radio junkie that will lead the opposition. Congress (both sides), and the President must be brought to submission. To our lead, to our American instincts, and not to that of their political egos. Remember our mantra: THEY are the problem, YOU are the solution.


Randy