Brent Budowsky

In 2009 the voters sent a thunderclap message to Washington: an anti-incumbent landslide that sets the stage for a gigantic political war in 2010.

With the 2009 elections over, it is time to air a very significant debate now under way among high-level Democrats.

From sea to sea there is voter unrest that poses extreme risks for incumbents of both parties. There is almost universal revulsion against Washington and a belief that politicians don’t protect citizens from hostile forces that threaten them.

When former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker agrees with Ralph Nader on the major issue of global finance, it is time for serious people to take note.

Let’s play hardball. There will be blood on the political floor before this deal is done, but before the sun sets this Christmas Eve the Congress will pass a healthcare bill that includes a real public option.

Let’s begin by praising three Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee who voted Wednesday to repeal the antitrust exemption for insurers: Reps. Dan Lungren (Calif.), Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Tom Rooney (Fla.) now stand against price-fixing by insurers that would be illegal for other industries.

I will oppose any healthcare bill that does not include a credible public option and urge members of the House and Senate to take the same stand.
The moment of truth is at hand. A major agreement to create a credible public option is within reach. It is time to wage this battle all out.

Pass the public option that a majority of voters want. End insurance price-fixing that voters detest. Give Wall Street 30 days to cut back bonuses to 40 percent below 2007 levels or pass laws that make it happen. Pass a bill to end credit card rip-offs from bailed-out banks. Break up banks too big to fail rather than have taxpayers pay to make them bigger.

Recently The Jerusalem Post ran a brilliant and troubling piece by Amir Mizroch titled “Why everyone is saying no to Obama.”

I am fed up with those Democratic strategists who parade to cable-news shows and pollute the pages of newspapers with the pap that the way for Democrats to win in 2010 is to throw mud at Republicans.