DNC Convention Platform

So, the DNC has been meeting in Pittsburgh over the weekend, determining the Platform for the upcoming Convention. As you know, I Own My Vote had a good survey that enables us to speak out for what WE wanted to be incldued in the Convention Platform. One of the so-called "victories" for the Hillary Clinton camp is the issue of universal health care (H/T to Jeralyn at TalkLeft). I suppose you can call it a "victory" that they discussed it, but as seems to be the case FAR too often with the DNC, it is but a watered-down version of what Clinton wanted, with no guarantees associated with it. Read it for yourself:

All Americans should have coverage they can afford; employers should have incentives to provide coverage to their workers; insurers and providers should ensure high quality affordable care; and the government should ensure that health insurance is affordable and provides meaningful coverage. As affordable coverage is made available, individuals should purchase health insurance and take steps to lead healthy lives.

Well, no freaking DUH that Americans should "take steps to lead healthy lives," but HOW does this address one of the most PRESSING issues with healthcare in this country: it is PROHIBITIVELY expensive for MILLIONS of Americans! And MILLIONS of Americans DO NOT HAVE IT!!!!! This is yet another mamby-pamby milquetoast declaration from the DNC. Just HOW is this a "coup" for the Clinton Camp???

THIS is what Hillary Clinton said she wanted:



Her policy concept was UNEQUIVOCAL, and would have covered ALL AMERICANS!!!! And there was this completely assholic comment by the author of the TImes article:

Although the Obama campaign had final say on the language, there was pressure to incorporate the views of Mrs. Clinton as a way of placating her supporters, many of whom still harbor hard feelings from the contentious primary fight. The document also adopts Mrs. Clinton’s language to express the significance of her primary performance. “Our party is proud that we have put 18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling,” it reads, ostensibly referring to her tally of her vote total.

Uh, it wasn't JUST the horrible way the Obama Camp and the DNC treated Hillary Clinton, along with the MSM. It is the way the DNC has conducted itself during this season: disregarding documented evidence of fixed caucuses (the ONLY way Obama ended up with more delegates - far fewer actual Americans represented, but more delegates awarded. Pretty easy when the candidate breaks election laws like having people INSIDE polling places with literature, or having people ripping down Clinton signs outside polling places, as well as ripping INTO Clinton supporters; or locking out the opponent's supporters; or stealing packets to get signatures of people NOT in the caucus meeting, etc., etc.); treating states that were more for Clinton disparately from other states in the same situation; and STEALING VOTES FROM ONE CANDIDATE TO GIVE TO ANOTHER NOT ON THE BALLOT are just a FEW of the reasons we are angry. If Hillary Clinton had lost fair and square, we would accept that. It was that the FIX seemed to be (and SEEMS to be) in for this sham of a candidate. THAT is why we are angry, Ms. Wheaton (of the NY Times). Try actually doing some real journalism next time, will ya??

Anyway, great job, DNC (and NY Times, who used the "coup" word in the first place). Once again, you have managed to take a great idea about Universal Health Care for ALL People, and make it meaningless. (Do these people take classes in how to be the most vague, fence-riding indecisive wimps EVER or something??) And you are proud of yourselves over it! Wow - how DO you people walk around with NO SPINE????? Boggles the mind...

Oh, but there is more, like on Immigration. The platform reads:

We support a system that requires undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, pay taxes, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. They are our neighbors, and we can help them become full tax paying, law-abiding, productive members of society. At the same time, we cannot continue to allow people to enter the United States undetected, undocumented, and unchecked. The American people are a welcoming and generous people, but those who enter our country's borders illegally, and those who employ them, disrespect the rule of the law.

Well, okey dokey. What, no we all have to learn Spanish? Huh. I wonder how they missed THAT!!! Anywho - it isn't anything TOO unexpected, I reckon. That is to say, no major policy shift or stand, for that matter. Same-o, same-o!!

And more will be coming out about the whole caucus concept as the weekend concludes. So, stay tuned!