No good deed goes unpunished
by digby
My piece for Salon today is about the sad fact that the Democrats don’t quite grasp the importance of making sure the people understand they are responsible for delivering something of benefit to them. I talk about how Republicans do this very well and then highlight the unfortunate story of Democratic Senators having to run from their vote for Obamacare even though the people of their state are quite happy with it. Why? Because they don’t realize that the program they’re involved in is Obamacare — because those implementing the program consciously distanced themselves from it.
Once again the Democrats, afraid of being associated with something unpopular, distanced themselves from their own accomplishments rather than seeing the long-term advantage in being the party that brought people “freedom plus groceries.” In this case that would be the liberty afforded to every individual when they are able to move to change jobs, start a business or otherwise operate as free individuals without fear of losing their health insurance — and “groceries” meaning a government that delivers a bit of financial security in an increasingly unstable economic environment.
But no Democratic good deed will go unpunished by Republicans if the Democrats fail to make people aware that they are responsible for it.