SPECTOR'S PARTY SWITCH

President Obama received a 100th day present of sorts as Pennsylvania's moderate Republican Senator, Arlen Spector, announced that he is joining the Democratic party. In theory this gets him closer to the 60 votes needed to forestall a Senate filibuster.

Senator Spector is no stranger to switching sides. He started in Philadelphia politics as a Democrat, switching to Republican when District Attorney there. More recently, after opposing the Bush warrantless wiretapping he did an about face on the issue, betraying those who praised him for protecting civil liberties.

Spector's defection makes the Republican's big tent look more like a pup tent.

Although his support is never certain, The Democrats will undoubtedly welcome Spector into their party. However, it is unlikely that they will ever bestow on him the Congeniality Award.u

In fact, many Democrats are already experiencing Buyer's Remorse. Mr Spector has already voted against President Obama's budget and Democratic supported legislation allowing bankruptcy courts to help beleaguered homeowners.

REPUBLICANS AND HEALTHCARE

Sometimes I wonder why I'm so addicted to political news and commentary. Almost every time a Republican is talking, I get angry or upset. And I don't listen to right wing talk radio, mostly tuning into outlets such as NPR and MSNBC.

Take, for example, the effort to improve our deficient health care system. I've always said that makng good access to health care dependent on where you work is crazy. And we need much more preventative care. And it's all too expensive. But the Republicans oppose any effort to fashion an option to provide a government solution, like Medicare, which is efficient and effective.

So a Republican Senator comes on and rails about the evil of "putting a government bureaucrat between a patient and the doctor." Better an insurance company functionary? Should the right to health care be only through a profit making enterprise?

The Senator complained that Medicare pays providers so little that they refuse Medicare patients. Well, I've been using Medicare for 15 years and never had a problem finding a provider. Nor have I ever encountered a government bureaucrat standing between me and my doctor.

Desperately afraid of competing with an efficient government-run health care option, the private insurance companies have now offered to reduce rates and to submit to federal government regulation. Looks like a red herring to me. How long before they raise rates? How long before they try to weaken regulation? And from experience we know how well governmental oversight works.

Souter’s Exit Gives Obama First Opening

Justice David H. Souter, a reliable member of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing, reportedly plans to retire.

For a double benefit President Obama might well nominate Joe Biden for this post.



SPECTOR SWITCHES PARTIES

President Obama received a 100th day present of sorts as Pennsylvania's moderate Republican Senator, Arlen Spector, announced that he is joining the Democratic party. In theory this gets him closer to the 60 votes needed to forestall a Senate filibuster.

Senator Spector is no stranger to switching sides. He started in Philadelphia politics as a Democrat, switching to Republican when District Attorney there. More recently, after opposing the Bush warrantless wiretapping he did an about face on the issue, betraying those who praised him for protecting civil liberties.

Spector's defection makes the Republican's big tent look more like a pup tent.

Although his support is never certain, The Democrats will undoubtedly welcome Spector into their party. However, it is unlikely that they will ever bestow on him the Congeniality Award.