American voters have become much too reliant on 30-second soundbites to inform them about critical issues. For this reason, we are easily manipulated by politicians who skillfully distort the facts for no other purpose than to keep themselves and their financial backers in power, at the expense of most citizens. This book explains exactly how this type of manipulation was perpetrated with regard to the health care reform debate; how it was overcome, resulting in passage of an Act that stands to benefit nearly all stakeholders; how it can be expected to continue as politicians try to prevent implementation of the Act (not for your benefit or even that of the insurance companies -- only for the benefit of the politicians themselves); and why citizens should get involved now in ensuring full implementation of the Act.
There might be some pro-Obama bias in the writing (mine, too). This is difficult for me to assess. Even if there is, this book is a great place to start in informing oneself about a critical issue facing all of us today. You can always read another one biased in the opposite direction to balance this one out.
Why is the topic of this book so critical? A recent poll showed that only 26% of those polled listed health care reform as a top priority. However, even if your employer currently provides you with health insurance at a cost to you that you find acceptable, you can expect your out-of-pocket costs to increase very dramatically in the near term if this act is not implemented. If, like me, you pay for your own insurance, you have already seen huge (in my case, 17%/year) increases in premiums over the past several years (and, importantly, not just since the vilified "Obamacare" was passed). If you currently cannot afford health insurance under the present system, you probably do, or will at some point, consider delaying needed care due to lack of funds. The book explains how people in these and other situations will be helped by the Act, without increasing the deficit.
Will the Act do all that is needed to control costs? Probably not, but it is an excellent start. As the book explains, we should fix it and augment it, not tear it down and leave the average citizen with no solutions at all.
The book also gives some insight into Obama's approach to politics - specifically, why he is sometimes silent on a topic upon which critics opine that he should take a strong stand. This silence may be for strategic reasons, much like in a negotiation that an ordinary citizen might engage in to buy a car. It is often advantageous to make your opponent be the first to speak about specifics. You can always respond to their offer by haggling for a better deal, but once you show what you are willing to give, your negotiation power is all but lost. The oft-cited criticism that Obama "gives in" too quickly to opponents is also addressed. According to the book, he is a pragmatist -- preferring to give a little and get most of what he wants rather than cling stubbornly to ideals and end with nothing.
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