Whoa! If Obama is surprised, his problem bigger than anyone could imagine. That scene from Barton Fink [...]]]>

Today, Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary said that President Obama was both surprised and frustrated about the tight race between Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown as they battle for the senate seat vacated by Teddy Kennedy.

Whoa! If Obama is surprised, his problem bigger than anyone could imagine. That scene from Barton Fink runs through my mind, the scene where John Goodman leans into John Tuturro’s face and screams:
“you know what your problem is… you… just… don’t…  listen!”

Obama. Listen up. Put a muzzle on yappy Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. When you get to be one with the refreshing quietude, maybe you will be able to hear the American people. We don’t want this health care reform. We’re clueless about what’s in the package and are mistrustful of the fact that you don’t seem to think you need share such vital information with us. This reform seems like some trophy you and the Democrats desperately want to win, some fight to the death you got yourself into that will not have any winners. I take that back. There will indeed be winners, big winners:

1. The health insurers, who will be given tens of millions of new customers, newly required by law to purchase their wares
2. The gluttonous pharmaceutical corporations, whom you’ve so generously promised that our government, their largest customer, won’t compete or negotiate on drug prices.
3. Those states whose clever representatives managed to grab hold of your balls and wouldn’t let go until you promised their states pork packages in exchange for their votes.

Who knows how today’s election will end. But one thing is for sure.

You’ve got a big problem. You… just… don’t… listen! Or maybe, you… just… don’t… care.

Below, my cartoon for this week’s Independent:

She says: Market reform enacted in the absence of universal coverage will increase costs dramatically for many who are currently insured by creating a powerful incentive for people to wait until [...]]]> He says:
“Legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion by 2019 and would probably extend coverage to 29 million Americans who currently lack insurance.

She says:
Market reform enacted in the absence of universal coverage will increase costs dramatically for many who are currently insured by creating a powerful incentive for people to wait until they are sick to purchase coverage.

He says: Po-tato.

She says: Po-tatah.

The rest of us say: “let’s call the whole thing off!”

(click to enlarge)