<...>

By mid-1951 the AMA was openly claiming victory, and President Truman acknowledged as much when he omitted the proposal from his 1952 state of the Union message. Instead, he announced the establishment of a Commission on the Health Needs of the Nation to study the problem. In the presidential election that year, the Democratic candidate, Adlai E. Stevenson (who replaced the retiring President as the party's standard bearer, skirted the issue of Government health insurance. On the other hand, the winner, Dwight D. Eisenhower, voiced strong opposition to the proposal, ensuring that the new administration would not soon revive it.

In sum, the Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill was the victim of a cautious Congress, massive resistance by a prestigious and vitally affected interest group, sympathy for the AMA's position from an imposing array of nonmedical groups, a lack of wholehearted support from some of the key proponents, considerable antipathy from the press, the rapid growth of private insurance, and, finally, of a hostile political climate. (12)

Years later, President Truman wrote: "I have had some bitter disappointments as President, but the one that has troubled me most, in a personal way, has been the failure to defeat the organized opposition to a National compulsory health insurance program. But this opposition has only delayed and cannot stop the adoption of an indispensable Federal health insurance plan."

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Chapter 4: The Fourth Round-1957 to 1965

PRESIDENT TRUMAN was right, of course. In fact, some of the spadework for what would ultimately come to be known as Medicare was done in the final 3 years of the Truman administration.

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When the King-Anderson bill was submitted anew to the 89th Congress, in January 1965, it was accorded the honor of being the first bill introduced in each chamber (H.R. 1 and S. 1). Immediately afterward, Chairman Mills took charge of re-drafting the bill into its final form. During the next 2 months, the chairman was the focus of a many-sided negotiation process between the various interests that would be responsible for administering the Medicare program, or who had some stake in its operation--physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, nursing home representatives, State health and welfare officials, labor leaders, insurance industry representatives, Federal officials, and many others. Inevitably, there were conflicts over technical matters, some of which had important economic, social, and political implications ; but never during these months was the basic policy decision in doubt, despite last-ditch resistance by organized medicine and some of its allies.

Just after the election, in fact, the AMA held a high level strategy meeting at its Chicago headquarters, at which it was decided to fight on to the very end. Another publicity campaign was mapped. Then, in early January, AMA leaders announced they would support an alternative to Medicare based on the principle of the original Taft-Smith-Ball bill and its many successors--that is, a program operated through private insurance carriers (and the States), with premiums for the low-income elderly subsidized out of Federal and State revenues. "Eldercare," as the AMA's proposal was called, was promptly introduced by two Ways and Means Committee members, A. S. Herlong, Jr., of Florida and Thomas B. Curtis of Missouri (H.R. 3727 and H.R. 3728), and given wide publicity. But ironically, advertising claims that the proposal could provide more comprehensive benefits than Medicare only served to goad the Ways and Means Committee into expanding the scope of the Medicare bill. (36)

Finally, on March 23,1965, the Ways and Means Committee voted 17-8 to substitute a drastically revised committee bill for King-Anderson. (The committee bill, 296 pages long, had 102 separate sections.) The next day, Chairman Mills introduced this "Mills bill" (H.R. 6675) on the House floor, and on April 8, after 1 day of floor debate, the Mills bill passed--without amendment-by 313-l15. (37) It was all very anti-climatic--indeed, almost perfunctory. By mid-1965 public attention had shifted to other issues--the growing racial crisis, the war on poverty and the war in Vietnam. Nonetheless, approval of Medicare by the House of Representatives was a momentous occasion, and President Johnson paused briefly to hail it: "This is a landmark day in the historic evolution of our social security system."

The Mills bill then went to the Senate, where the Finance Committee held hearings in late April and early May, followed by extended executive sessions. The bill was finally reported out--with 75 committee amendments--on June 24 (by a vote of 12-5). During 3 days of debate on the Senate floor, some 250 additional amendments were considered. (38)

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I think many of his accomplishments are being conveniently overlooked or forgotten. I would like to outline a few, and give credit to Sam Stein at Huffington Post and the American Justice blog, as well as others I have linked to in subsequent portions of this post.

On the environment:

• Included funding for "green" jobs in the stimulus bill
  
• Initiated first steps to develop a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide
  
• Dedicated more than $60 billion for clean energy
  
• Instituted "cash for clunkers," getting more fuel efficient cars on the street
  
• Acknowledges reality of climate change and his desire to work on an international policy like Kyoto
  
• Emphasized the value of science (not political opinion) within the EPA
  
• Allocated $2 billion in stimulus cash for advanced batteries systems (for automobiles)
  
• Declared (via EPA) carbon dioxide a threat to health, the first step towards regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act
  
• Funded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, which gives $2.8 billion to cities
  
• Put over 2 million acres of wilderness, thousands of miles of river and a host of national trails and parks under federal protection, the largest conservation effort in 15 years
  
• Funding a $475 million initiative to restore and clean the Great Lakes

On healthcare:

• Overturned the federal funding ban for stem cell research
  
• Instituted better standards for comparative research in medicine and an agency to handle this
  
• Added staff to the FDA and brought back emphasis on science
  
• Allocated over $1 billion to the National Institutes of Health, whose budget Bush let stagnate
  
• Eliminated funding for abstinence-only education
  
• Signed an executive order repealing the "Mexico City policy" or "global gag rule" that withheld U.S. funds from organizations that discuss or provide family planning services abroad
  
• Announced US would resume contributions to the UN population fund for family planning and more than double the previous contribution made in 2001
  
• Appropriated $19 billion in the stimulus package to help implement an electronic medical record system
  
• Set aside billions in budget to overhaul the health care system
  
• Enacted Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization, providing healthcare to 11 million children
  
• Established 65% COBRA subsidy for 7 million unemployed Americans
  
• Allocated $1 billion for prevention and wellness programs
  
• Provided $87 billion to states to bolster their Medicaid programs during the downturn
  
• Increased funding for urban HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness

On Education, Equality, Public Safety, Families, etc.:

• Expressed a desire to overturn Don't Ask Don't Tell
  
• Described the Defense of Marriage Act as "unfair" and "discriminatory" and said they supported it being overturned
  
• Includes atheists in his definition of Americans
  
• Extended tax credits for mothers to return to college, for tuition, and for college textbook purchases
  
• Has agreed to make the visitors' lists to the White House public
  
• Signed executive order requiring Guantanamo to be closed within 1 year and allocated funds/personnel for that purpose
  
• Included provision in stimulus legislation that, for the first time, supported the ideas of Net Neutrality-like non-discrimination and openness for the Internet
  
• The administration demonstrated a new commitment to fighting for change on the UN Human Rights Council by announcing it will run for a seat next year, reversing the Bush administration boycott
  
• Announced that the U.S. will support a United Nations declaration urging nations to decriminalize homosexuality
  
• Created office of Urban Policy
  
• Gave Department of Justice $2 billion for Byrne Grants, which funds anti-gang and anti-gun task forces (cut during Bush years)
  
• Allocated $5 billion for early learning programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, and programs for children with special needs
  
• Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act to protect Americans from unfair and deceptive credit card practices
  
• Enacted the Making Homes Affordable Program
  
• Boosted credit flow to small businesses
  
• Increased focus on funding for high speed rail
  
• Funded the Community Oriented Police program (COPS)
  
• Appointed first Hispanic justice to the Supreme Court and most qualified Supreme Court candidate in decades

On foreign affairs (see link for more complete list):

• Secured $5 billion in aid commitments "to bolster economy and help it fight terror and Islamic radicalism"
  
• Foreign affairs experts insist that Obama's engagement with the Muslim world has been at once remarkable and under-appreciated..."He has been able to dramatically change America's image in that region"
  
• Led global response to the economic crisis through the G20, obtaining commitments of $1.1 trillion to safeguard the world’s most vulnerable economies
  
• Established major agenda to protect Americans from spread/use of deadly weapons, negotiating new nuclear weapon cuts with Russia and committing to the elimination of nuclear weapons
  
• Signed an executive order banning torture and requiring interrogations to conform to Army Field Manual Standards and Geneva Conventions
  
• Signed an executive order to close CIA secret prisons
  
• Cut ineffective, unnecessary and outdated weapons programs such as the F-22, the DDG -1000 destroyer, and Future Combat Systems
  
• Vowed to bring the costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq into the regular budget by 2010
  
• Largest increase for veterans funding in 30 years
  
• Restored the UN Ambassador to a cabinet level position
  
• Signed Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in defense procurement and contracting
  
• Helped free 2 American journalists from a North Korea prison
  
• Led the UN Security Council in voting for strong sanctions against North Korea
  
• Negotiated with Russia to allow overflights over their territory to establish a supply route into Northern Afghanistan

On workers:

• OSHA announced it was moving to protect workers from...popcorn long; last-minute Bush rules would have added 2 years before it could be considered
  
• Revoked Bush administration executive order on regulatory review that enabled political appointees at the White House's OMB to override agencies' rulemaking, undermining everything from worker safety to environmental protection
  
• Signed 3 executive orders, including one reversing a Bush order to limit union representation on federal contracts
  
• Moved to prevent federal contractors from being reimbursed for unionbusting propganda compaigns during collective bargaining
  
• Signed executive order overturning Bush administration's ban on project labor agreements (PLAs) on federally funded construction (PLAs set wages and establish work rules and methods of settling grievances on large multi-contractor construction projects)
  
• Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, guaranteeing the right to sue for wage discrimination based on gender, race, disability, etc.
  
• Extended unemployment benefits for struggling Americans
  
• Obama's Department of Transportation has approved 2,500 highway projects
  
• Cut taxes for 95% of all working families
  
• Provided over $500 million in funding for vocational rehabilitation services to help with job training, education and placement

more

Of those 68, 22 were Southern Democrats nearly all of whom opposed any progressive measures of any kind. Thus he had maybe 50.

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave the President the exclusive right to use military force without consulting the Senate, was based on a false pretext, as Johnson later admitted.<44> It was Johnson who began America's direct involvement in the ground war in Vietnam. By 1968, over 550,000 American soldiers were inside Vietnam; in 1967 and 1968 they were being killed at the rate of over 1,000 a month.<45>

Summary of Party Affiliation on 1965 vote to establish Medicare

Senate Democrats Yea - 57 /Senate Democrats Nay - 7 /Not Voting - 4

Senate Republicans Yea - 13 /Senate Republicans Nay - 17 /Not Voting - 2

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House Democrats Yea - 237 /House Democrats Nay - 48 /Not Voting 8

House Republicans Yea - 70 /House Republicans Nay - 68 /Not Voting 2


http://www.ssa.gov/history/tally65.html

Years later, President Truman wrote: "I have had some bitter disappointments as President, but the one that has troubled me most, in a personal way, has been the failure to defeat the organized opposition to a National compulsory health insurance program. But this opposition has only delayed and cannot stop the adoption of an indispensable Federal health insurance plan."

The consensus among historians is that Hoover's defeat in the 1932 election was caused primarily by failure to end the downward economic spiral, compounded by popular opposition to prohibition. Other electoral liabilities were Hoover's lack of charisma in relating to voters, and his poor skills in working with politicians. As a result of these factors,

After his successful election in November 1928, Hoover entered office with a plan for reform of the nation's regulatory system. A dedicated Progressive and Reformer, Hoover saw the presidency as a vehicle for improving the conditions of all Americans by regulation and by encouraging volunteerism. Long before he entered politics he denounced laissez-faire thinking.<22> As Commerce Secretary he had taken an active pro-regulation stance. As President, he helped push tariff and farm subsidy bills through Congress.

Hoover expanded civil service coverage of Federal positions, canceled private oil leases on government lands, and by instructing the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service to go after gangsters for tax evasion, he enabled the prosecution of gangster Al Capone. He appointed a commission which set aside 3 million acres (12,000 km²) of national parks and 2.3 million acres (9,000 km²) of national forests; advocated tax reduction for low-income Americans (not enacted); closed certain tax loopholes for the wealthy; doubled the number of veteran's hospital facilities; negotiated a treaty on St. Lawrence Seaway (which failed in the U.S. Senate); wrote a Children's Charter that advocated protection of every child regardless of race or gender; built the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge; created an antitrust division in the Justice Department; required air mail carriers to adopt stricter safety measures and improve service; proposed federal loans for urban slum clearances (not enacted); organized the Federal Bureau of Prisons; reorganized the Bureau of Indian Affairs; instituted prison reform; proposed a federal Department of Education (not enacted); advocated fifty-dollar-per-month pensions for Americans over 65 (not enacted); chaired White House conferences on child health, protection, homebuilding and homeownership; began construction of the Boulder Dam (later renamed Hoover Dam); and signed the Norris-La Guardia Act that limited judicial intervention in labor disputes.

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave the President the exclusive right to use military force without consulting the Senate, was based on a false pretext, as Johnson later admitted.<44> It was Johnson who began America's direct involvement in the ground war in Vietnam. By 1968, over 550,000 American soldiers were inside Vietnam; in 1967 and 1968 they were being killed at the rate of over 1,000 a month.<45>

Neither President Obama — nor any of Roosevelt’s successors — has matched that record. But none have faced his challenges. Yes, Mr. Obama is confronting two low-intensity wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a recession, rising unemployment, a failed auto industry and chronic health care, education, energy and environmental problems. These are all severe and they are urgent, but they are not immediate and are in no way comparable to what Roosevelt faced. The safety net provided by the New Deal allows time for government to move deliberately.

Mr. Obama’s approach to governing is also markedly different from Roosevelt’s. While Mr. Obama is a team player, someone who appears most comfortable reaching out for consensus, Roosevelt was a one-man show. During his New Deal years, Franklin Roosevelt was a polarizing figure. His supporters were so numerous it often seemed that Roosevelt was a unifier, but the truth is that he waged unrelenting class war and thrived on the vilification of his enemies. “They are unanimous in their hatred for me — and I welcome their hatred,” he told a Madison Square Garden crowd in 1936.

There is one way in which the resemblance between Roosevelt and Mr. Obama is striking: in their ability to change the nation’s mindset and usher in a new set of assumptions.

In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt became the leader of a nation that for half a century believed government was best when it governed least. President Obama inherited a third-generation spin-off of that sentiment, popularized by Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, that government is the problem, not the solution. In both instances, that mindset was overtaken by events.

The same is true with regard to foreign relations. Roosevelt faced a nation locked in the embrace of a xenophobic isolationism. Mr. Obama confronts its direct descendant, the contemporary doctrine of American exceptionalism. The isolationism of the 1930s caused the United States to ignore the threat of German and Japanese imperialism and to close its borders to Europe’s oppressed. The American exceptionalism practiced by the Bush administration provided a license for unilateralism, the dismissal of long-accepted international rules of behavior and a rejection of the canons of diplomatic practice.

To convert public opinion Roosevelt turned to the radio and the fireside chat. Mr. Obama has turned to text messaging and the Internet, the 21st-century equivalents. And just as Roosevelt benefited from his opponents’ inability to exploit the radio effectively, Mr. Obama has been aided by a technologically inept Republican leadership. (When Roosevelt sought to challenge isolationist sentiment in the country, he shed his partisan mantle, putting Republicans like Henry L. Stimson and Frank Knox in his cabinet — just as Mr. Obama has kept his predecessor’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, on the job.)

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Honestly, this stuff is just dumb. I'm embarrassed for you. If you like him and the job he's doing, fine. But don't insult the gay community by listing a failure as an asset, or put him on Mount Rushmore before he's finished a single year in office.