If you can’t take some joy, some modicum of relief and mirth, in the unprecedentedly spectacular beclowning of the president, his administration, its enablers, and, to no small degree, liberalism itself, then you need to ask yourself why you’re following politics in the first place. Because, frankly, this has been one of the most enjoyable political moments of my lifetime. I wake up in the morning and rush to find my just-delivered newspaper with a joyful expectation of worsening news so intense, I feel like Morgan Freeman should be narrating my trek to the front lawn. Indeed, not since Dan Rather handcuffed himself to a fraudulent typewriter, hurled it into the abyss, and saw his career plummet like Ted Kennedy was behind the wheel have I enjoyed a story more.I know I'm enjoying mine, and it looks like there's at least a couple of barrels to go around!
Alas, the English language is not well equipped to capture the sensation I’m describing, which is why we must all thank the Germans for giving us the term “schadenfreude” — the joy one feels at the misfortune or failure of others. The primary wellspring of schadenfreude can be attributed to Barack Obama’s hubris — another immigrant word, which means a sinful pride or arrogance that causes someone to believe he has a godlike immunity to the rules of life.
It's too late for Obama's “fix”, and he knows it.
ObamaCare is in much more trouble than it was just one week ago. Why isn't there dancing in the streets? There was dancing in my driveway this morning!!
Consumers discover yet another hidden tax funding ObamaCare. I think the progressives are honestly puzzled that people aren't cheering their new taxes...
'Fairy Tale' continues as Obama proposes extralegal ObamaCare fix. “Fairy tale” Doesn't that have a nice ring to it, when used in the same sentence with “ObamaCare”?
How to read the evasive ObamaCare enrollment numbers. It's actually quite easy – just assume they're lying.
ObamaCare is generational theft. The old folks hired Obama to steal all the monies from the youngsters...
Insurance industry: the 'fix' is not workable. Why would you expect a fix designed by a man with zero business (or real job) experience to actually work? I don't think that's the point, anyway - it was really designed to feel good, not to actually accomplish anything. Accomplishment is for the little people...
A dissenting view: Here comes the real government takeover of health care. Oh, noz! This is a real downer swimming in the schadenfreude sea...
Obama admits: ObamaCare isn't working. Did you see that speech yesterday? I think the poor fellow is coming off the rails...
Megan McArdle: there's no sign of ObamaCare Plan B, and that's not good. I understand her point, and on some level, I agree with it. But I also think that if the cost of destroying (or at least significantly dinging) progressivism is some transient national pain on healthcare, it's worth it.
New York Times: parallels between ObamaCare rollout and G. W. Bush. Oh, the schadenfreude is strong with this one!
ObamaCare's approval ratings slump. Ya think?
Bipartisan agreement: Obama's 'fix' isn't legal. Surely The One, being the great Constitutional scholar he claims to be, would, like, know this?
DNC chairwoman repeats, with emphasis: We're running on ObamaCare in 2014! Ya know, she may well be right – it may be completely impossible for any Democrat to ignore ObamaCare in next year's elections...
You know who predicted exactly how ObamaCare would fail? Mitt Romney. We could have had a good man at the helm, instead of a schmuck...
Insurers furious about the ObamaCare fix. Did someone actually expect them to like a plan that was going to cost them a whole lot of money, and throw away all the work they did in the past three years getting ready for ObamaCare?
Some thoughts on those substandard plans that had to be canceled. My translation: ObamaCare infringes on our freedoms. But do read this, it's an excellent piece...
Obama lied. Now what do we do? Should libertarians and conservatives let the ObamaCare crisis go to waste? Hell, no!
Progressives face a crisis of faith. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the tears of progressives.” Awesome!
Washington state on Obama's 'fix': No way, dude! Just a week ago, support for ObamaCare amongst Democrats was reflexive; today it's fading fast – and the rate of erosion seems to be accelerating. We're watching a political cascade in progress, almost in real time...
Five big questions about Obama's health law tweak. A fine summary of things to focus on watching for the next few days (at least)...
It isn't pretty when a progressive starts backtracking on ObamaCare. But it sure is fun to watch!
Some alternatives to ObamaCare. Oh, yes, please – let's start having a serious conversation about these!
“This is a new insanity.” The NJ Association of Underwriter's thoughts on Obama's 'fix'. Right away you can tell they're really impressed with his leadership...
Why does anyone thing Obama is good at politics? I never did. He's good at celebrity, which is quite a bit different. For one thing, politics has more actual content...
The lawlessness of ObamaCare. If you read any history, this is very reminiscent of FDR's sweeping power grabs...
Megan McArdle: ObamaCare is ... whatever Obama says it is. Her final question: “How many acts does this play have left?” At the rate things are proceeding, we may not have long to wait. Which will make me very happy, except for the sudden drought of schadenfreude that will ensue...
The day the Obama magic died:
Rule by personal charisma has met its proper fate. The spell has been broken, and the magician stands exposed. We need no pollsters to tell us of the loss of faith in Mr. Obama's policies—and, more significantly, in the man himself. Charisma is like that. Crowds come together and they project their needs onto an imagined redeemer. The redeemer leaves the crowd to its imagination: For as long as the charismatic moment lasts—a year, an era—the redeemer is above and beyond judgment. He glides through crises, he knits together groups of varied, often clashing, interests. Always there is that magical moment, and its beauty, as a reference point.ObamaCare disaster recovery. Is it possible to overdose on schadenfreude? Nah...
Congress right now has a historic chance—really, it could wind up in the history books next to the stopping of FDR's court-packing scheme in 1937—to hold back ObamaCare. Congress can delay it, or pass a law mandating or allowing insurance companies to continue insuring everyone they just threw off coverage. Heck, they could try to vote now, under new conditions and with the American people behind them, to repeal the whole thing.And who knows, they just might.
ObamaCare's non-fix. It's all about the cover. Political cover. But it's not enough, not by a long shot...
Obama's insurance fix is unconstitutional. I suspect that doesn't enter into his calculus at all – he's The One!
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