Legal Commentary

Excise Tax In Exchange For The Public Option?

By Big Tent Democrat

I wondered why no one had made this argument proferred by Matt Yglesias:

Given the level of liberal discomfort with the excise tax, the best policy option available would be for progressives to get their way on the public option (where progressives are right) and centrists to get their way on the tax question (where centrists are right) then you’d have an excellent bill.

Forgetting about the policy judgments Yglesias makes, such a political deal could make sense. The Senate bill has no constituency outside the Beltway and a fierce opponent of its excise tax in labor. The public option could rally progressive support for the health bills even in the face of labor opposition to the excise tax. Would it work? I don't know but at least it seems plausible.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 19, 2010 (boomark / email).