Legal Commentary

The Strange Politics Of The Excise Tax

By Big Tent Democrat

Ezra Klein thinks the revival of the public option could kill the chances for a health bill this year. His analysis is impenetrable in my opinion. But I am actually struck by something different -- Ezra Klein never seems concerned that the excise tax is going to kill the health bills period. And not once has Ezra raised any concern about the fallout of the excise tax. Indeed, he has been a big proponent of it despite the political poison that it is.

I think this is fairly easy to explain -- Ezra does not mind the public option, but he really loves the excise tax. Of course, I am just the opposite. But the reality is the reality. There are lots and lots and lots of people on the record opposing the excise tax. Not so many opposing the public option.

The available on the record evidence is that the excise tax is the much heavier lift than the public option. Indeed, I would posit that the only way to save the excise tax is with the addition of a public option. When will the Villagers start worrying about the political problem the excise tax causes? My prediction is never - because they really love that excise tax.

Speaking for me only

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