Obama and the Conspiracy Of the Discontented
Published in La Tribune
(France) on 9 September 2009
by Sophie Gherardi (link to original)
(France) on 9 September 2009
by Sophie Gherardi (link to original)
Translated from
by Louis Standish.
Edited by Jessica Boesl.
One time doesn't make it a tradition. The purely American combat that was rife around the health system is unfolding for the rest of the world. This leaves outside observers spare time to reflect on some interesting philosophical questions. For example, is it possible for a camp to prevail using fair methods if the other side uses some unfair ones?
The president has legitimacy on his side, having been largely elected based on his program of health coverage for all. Theoretically, the legitimacy gained from universal suffrage, the transparency of the debates and the abundance of available information that characterize a modern democracy should ensure his success. In reality, Barack Obama runs a serious risk of seeing his reform fail. Adept at enlightened debate, he has multiplied public speeches during the summer to explain, decipher and reassure.
The exercise has turned into a national psychodrama and reason often seemed overruled by hysteria. A segment of popular opinion had been persuaded by the Republican right and the Fox News channel that the reform Obama proposes is characteristic of Bolshevism and Nazism; two monstrous, godless ideologies. Another part thinks that the cost of health care would be unsustainable, forgetting that the American state already insures the most expensive populations with health care (the elderly with Medicare and the economically disadvantaged with Medicaid). A final segment of the public thinks Obama is too accommodating to the lobbies (doctors, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies) and has betrayed his campaign promises.
We would almost fear for him in the face of this conspiracy of the discontented. But remember, it was just over a year ago that the Democratic camp no longer believed Obama would be elected. His odds had dropped, the McCain-Palin ticket captivated. He knew how to shift momentum, though; something we bet he will do once more.
The president has legitimacy on his side, having been largely elected based on his program of health coverage for all. Theoretically, the legitimacy gained from universal suffrage, the transparency of the debates and the abundance of available information that characterize a modern democracy should ensure his success. In reality, Barack Obama runs a serious risk of seeing his reform fail. Adept at enlightened debate, he has multiplied public speeches during the summer to explain, decipher and reassure.
The exercise has turned into a national psychodrama and reason often seemed overruled by hysteria. A segment of popular opinion had been persuaded by the Republican right and the Fox News channel that the reform Obama proposes is characteristic of Bolshevism and Nazism; two monstrous, godless ideologies. Another part thinks that the cost of health care would be unsustainable, forgetting that the American state already insures the most expensive populations with health care (the elderly with Medicare and the economically disadvantaged with Medicaid). A final segment of the public thinks Obama is too accommodating to the lobbies (doctors, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies) and has betrayed his campaign promises.
We would almost fear for him in the face of this conspiracy of the discontented. But remember, it was just over a year ago that the Democratic camp no longer believed Obama would be elected. His odds had dropped, the McCain-Palin ticket captivated. He knew how to shift momentum, though; something we bet he will do once more.
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