Bad Idea? Good Idea? Fair Compromise?

I have waited a couple of days since the announcement about the health care compromise that might get rid of the "public option."

My first reaction: No way! There is no reform without some way to insure the uninsured. It remains worse than a scandal that people can go bankrupt because they get sick or lose their jobs and hence their insurance. And how many of the people who are against the public option are willing to take Medicare and Social Security?

My second reaction: It's not the right way. Again, the scandal of the uninsured looms over the whole issue. But I can begin to see why it might have some short-term political value. Yes, maybe the "public option" needs some tweaking, but we need something. It is essential.

My third reaction: Well, maybe. If we have to. It's better than killing the whole bill and it may bring the Democrats in Congress together enough to pass it.

But if he thinks it will ease the Republican campaign against it- not a chance. We are not talking about bi-partisan compromise here. Not in your life. A few moderate Republicans who already are generally in favor will now be more certain. The conservative Democrats will jump on board. But the others will stay just as locked into their anti-Obama approach as ever. Probably even more so as they may not get what they want.

So, I realize I may have to live with it, but someone absolutely needs to do some serious work on the issue. The "co-op" idea will work as well as insurance has. And if anyone believes we don't have medical rationing by the insurance industry now, just try and get something if you are outside the box.

In short, the least and the lost will be the ones hurt by this compromise. I for one am deeply saddened by that. Let us not forget them.