This is a good lesson for Republicans, but they never learn it.
In 2009-2010, when many of us conservative health wonks (especially people like @Avik ) tried to get GOP to coalesce around a plan to pass in the future...they basically took a pass.
That is one reason GOP failed.
In 2009-2010, when many of us conservative health wonks (especially people like @Avik ) tried to get GOP to coalesce around a plan to pass in the future...they basically took a pass.
That is one reason GOP failed.
The GOP remains completely incompetent and inept when it comes to long term policy strategies, and health care is the prime example.
If you want to know why they failed on repealing Obamacare, start with their actions in 2010.
If you want to know why they failed on repealing Obamacare, start with their actions in 2010.
Sound govt policy (conservative, liberal, or otherwise) takes time to grow and evolve. The GOP never bothered to really have a debate on what 'conservative health care' looked like.
So when Trump came along, the GOP was caught flat footed. And thus, were bound to fail.
So when Trump came along, the GOP was caught flat footed. And thus, were bound to fail.
Even now...what longterm policies are Republicans debating?
Nothing that I can see.
And that is why on a grand scale, the Dems are going to take the GOP to the woodshed for the next several political cycles.
Nothing that I can see.
And that is why on a grand scale, the Dems are going to take the GOP to the woodshed for the next several political cycles.
On a larger scale, I have said since early in 2016 that the GOP is dead.
This is why. They don't really have any core beliefs they agree upon. Maybe tax cuts...and that is it.
On anything else, they are not united in the least.
This is why. They don't really have any core beliefs they agree upon. Maybe tax cuts...and that is it.
On anything else, they are not united in the least.
The GOP is a national party in name only...certainly not on policy.
The Dems are possibly not a national party, but at least they are generally unified on policy.
The Dems are possibly not a national party, but at least they are generally unified on policy.
.@avik makes the key point that I agree with .
It isn't about plans; it is about VISION.
Ultimately, you have to have a few core ideals you agree upon. What core ideals do GOP agree upon right now?
It isn't about plans; it is about VISION.
Ultimately, you have to have a few core ideals you agree upon. What core ideals do GOP agree upon right now?
Dems basically agree they want a few core things:
1. Universal coverage.
2. A large govt program providing much of that coverage.
They may disagree about how to get there, but they agree at least on those core principles. What does the GOP agree on?
1. Universal coverage.
2. A large govt program providing much of that coverage.
They may disagree about how to get there, but they agree at least on those core principles. What does the GOP agree on?
If conservatives can't unite around some core principles (not just on health care, but on any policy) they will fail when competing against an opposition that provides clear, concise ideals to strive for.
