And you can thank the Republicans and Joe Lieberman for that. When Obama was elected he walked a very middle line, since he was the first black man to be president, he didn’t want to be viewed as the ABM (Angry Black Man). So when the first draft of the ACA was introduced (as single payer) he welcomed his GOP “colleagues” to help amend the bill and pass a bipartian bill, showing that he can work with those he disagreed with. Hence the ample time of 2 years. Some of their suggestions were actually added and modified to show goodwill and was still light years better than what we had before. However two unforseen catastrophies happened during that time.

1. Ted Kennedy died and his seat when to a Republican in a heavy/historically blue district which shocked many and made the Senate vote even more razor thin.

2. Joe Lieberman decided to go “independent” and worked with the GOP to gut most of the things that would have made the ACA great for citizens (like forcing insurance companies to compete against themselves). Because now his vote was the difference between it passing and failing.

So when complaining on much better it COULD have been look no further than the GOP and people like Joe Lieberman. Granted I wish Obama just said fuck y’all here’s what we’re passing but hindsight is always 20/20 especially in politics.

And don’t forget that the corporate tax rate was “insane” compared to current times. Something like 80%+.

I wouldn’t be surprised, the reddit “leadership” has shown it’s either their way or the highway even if their way leads to a cliff.