KEEP HIDING THE PEA

"With socialism still closely associated with the decades of brutality carried out in its name, public anger has few outlets for expression except nationalism and protofascism."
                                                                                                 Naomi Klein
                                                                                                 THE SHOCK DOCTRINE

   When the movement to repeal "Obamacare" ended in a self-induced train wreck, the one-party state representing the one percent found itself in temporary limbo.  In the confusion, we the people have an opportunity to get accurate damage reports.  What stands out is that the goal of the one percent is to impoverish the rest of us, because people who are barely scraping by lack time and energy to think for themselves.  Strictly business:  there is money in Obamacare, in Medicare and Social Security accounts, in National Parks and infrastructure maintenance, among other sources.  The elites do not have it and since greed, like all addictions, has no end, they want it.  They have a government in place determined to get it for them, an elected government which functions on the premise that unmitigated greed is the source of all human progress.  We'll see.

   While the pitch directed to the Tea Partiers is freedom from the intrusive government interference of Obamacare, the core of the repeal is a massive tax cut for the rich.  Since governments function only because people pay taxes, the U.S. government will be obligated to cut spending on programs that help the common people--disguised as freedom.  The wealthy sincerely believe they deserve to possess everything.  People are momentarily aware of the hardships this transfer will cause, and the left could take advantage of this awareness, and make an honest, enthusiastic push for nationwide single-payer healthcare.  Most Americans, secretly or openly, admire and envy the Canadians.  Why not flatter them sincerely with imitation?  Of course, Democrats have not forgotten how Bill Clinton's healthcare proposal was cruelly battered by the right, nor have they forgotten that not a single Republican voted for Obama's plan, though it was originally a Republican program.  And they cannot forget that the right is in control of the entire national government.  There is no way single-payer healthcare would be adopted in the United States in 2017, which is the point:  the Democrats have been backed into a corner, and have nothing to lose...nothing.  Most Americans want healthcare available for all, and Democrats, presented with an opportunity to show they truly represent the ninety-nine percent, can change the country's perceptions.

   The Republicans' pitch to "repeal and replace" Obamacare shows they know how popular universal healthcare is.  What the owners and leaders of the Republican Party want is repeal:  end government participation in healthcare and return to the "good old days" before a "Kenyan" tried ordering Americans about.  The hallmark of those halcyon times (for them) was unfettered free enterprise--every man for himself.  While rugged individualism sounds good in theory, it is small comfort to someone who is bankrupted by health problems over which he has little if any control.  But outright repeal could have adverse effects at the polls, so the politicians for the one percent tried to hide the pea again with vague attempts to "replace."  But now the nutshell has turned over, the pea is exposed, and people see the con job.  Liberals have a rare opportunity to change the game.

   Of course the rightwing Ministry of Truth (Madison Avenue, talk radio, cable TV news) will howl, as it does whenever people get together to promote the general welfare.  Frightening cries of socialism, communism and loss of freedom are heard constantly.  And there is always war.  Donald Trump, suddenly "shocked" at the ongoing Syrian mayhem, responds with missiles, knowing that explosions are effective pea hiders.  Next he drops the biggest non-atomic bomb ever on Afghanistan.  Then he goes and trades schoolyard taunts with North Korea.  Scare enough people with fear of imminent war, and those in power can do anything.  The big perception problem for right wingers now is that they have complete control, and their trickle-down policies are obviously not working.  Blaming the "Kenyan" is starting to wear thin.  In the chaos of utter defeat, liberals momentarily have the rare upper hand, which they would be wise to play.  Americans are paying close attention to actual events in greater numbers than they have in many years.  They are ready for the truth.

   An enthusiastic effort to bring single-payer healthcare to America will be noticed and welcomed.  Why not throw in a constitutional amendment declaring corporations are not human?  To do these things with the help of the Democratic Party would be helpful, but with or without the Democrats, it is time for left wingers to take the initiative.  The opportunity will not last long.  Trump is determined to get us into another war, and when we go to war, dissent gets suppressed.  And wars last a long, long time.