"Bottom line this world had better start working with one other...or we are all in a lot of trouble..."

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Amen, to that, my friend. This is in part why I think Obama is not insisting on ramming through the health care plan just yet. I think he realizes that there needs to be a veneer of consensus or any downturn in the Democratic Party's fortunes would lead to a swift unwinding of any deal made.

What's not getting out as much as I'd like is the pesky fact that the USA already pays more per head than any other nation on earth for health care . . . and doesn't see commensurate health results with it. This is an issue that simply cannot be glossed over and yet it is.

Here in Texas, I see people who comment on Obama with a racial subtext. There is a popular bumper sticker that says "No Obama" or something similar with the Obama framed by two Confederate Flags. The inclusion of the flags clearly marks their opposition as being race-based in a way that an unadorned "No Obama" sticker would not.

However, I think the Democrats fundamentally misunderstand the fear surrounding a public health care option if they put down the bulk of opposition to a racial motive from those against Obama. I've seen too many people go out of their way to assure that such is NOT the case, and they have been convincing. To misunderstand the opposition or paint them with the racist label only makes them more intractable.

As for me, I have become convinced that a limited government option, one that at least competes with private insurers, is required. It's necessary both to provide basic coverage to the uninsured in a way that helps lower their major illness costs by improving preventative care and to lower the burden on businesses who provide plans right now.

I foresee a big new market opening up for private insurers who offer only supplimentary care, kind of like additonal life insurance is offered now.

I'm not sure why Democrats have been utterly unable to frame the debate in these sorts of terms, but it speaks badly of their organization that they have not. Shouting down protesters at town halls is the opposite of what they should be doing.