Just got this update via Twitter from Matt Yglesias:

Horrible. RT @brianbeutler Kucinich confirms he’s willing to be the deciding vote “against” #hcr http://tpm.ly/….

Really? Really, Dennis Kucinich?

You’re willing to be the deciding vote against healthcare reform?

Come on, people. Enough’s enough.

As NPR reported this morning, we’ve almost forgotten what’s in the Senate bill because of focus on the politics.

Since the Senate passed its version of a health overhaul on Christmas Eve, most of the debate has focused on the politics of the effort. By now, many people have forgotten — if they ever knew — what the bill would actually do.

So here’s a short refresher.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate-passed bill would expand coverage to roughly 30 million of the 46 million people in the U.S. who lack health insurance. Most of the remaining uninsured would be undocumented immigrants, who would be ineligible for benefits under the bill.

As President Obama said on September 9, 2009,

We know we must reform this system. The question is how.

There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada’s, where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everyone. On the right, there are those who argue that we should end the employer-based system and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.

I have to say that there are arguments to be made for both approaches. But either one would represent a radical shift that would disrupt the health care most people currently have. Since health care represents one-sixth of our economy, I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn’t, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch. And that is precisely what those of you in Congress have tried to do over the past several months.

Now, look, Dennis Kucinich. I am a single payer advocate. I fought for it. I think we need to fundamentally change our system so that it puts patients ahead of profits. I do not believe that any value is added to our healthcare system by having insurance companies that exist to make a profit.

However, I’m also a pragmatist and I recognize that each day we wait, the system gets worse.

And so, I am willing to support an incremental approach if it means that 31 million more Americans get health insurance. I’m willing to support an approach that will cut $500 billion of wasteful spending from our Medicare system. I’m willing to do what it takes to make sure that competition works for consumers, not corporations.

The time for games is over. If you vote against health care reform, I will support your opponent.

Another Late Update 9:58 AM CST: I’m a family systems therapist by training and experience. One of the things we all need to learn is this: The people who have the least to lose have the most power in any negotiations process. I think that explains Kucinich, Stupak, Ben Nelson, Joe Lieberman, and the entire GOP. Taking the default “I’m willing to kill the bill” position gives power to the minority, who can hold the other negotiators hostage by their willingness to walk away from the table. All of us need to keep this in mind as we advocate for change, and when we go to the ballot box. Don’t elect terrorists like Rand Paul, Jim Bunning, and Jim Demint. It’s not just about their stand on the policy issues. It’s about the willingness they have to sabotage the entire political process.

(Comment by Paul Evans: The power trip might explain Stupak, Lieberman and Nelson, but it’s fairly obvious that Kucinich is, although wrongheaded, opposing the health care bill for the right reasons. Poor reasoning, but the right reasons. See below.)

See Obama Health Care Push: Back To His Grasssroots, The Huffington Post, March 8, 2010, by Julie Pace and David Espo, excerpt quoted verbatim:

GLENSIDE, Pa. — Stirring memories of his campaign for the White House, President Barack Obama made a spirited, shirt-sleeved appeal for passage of long-stalled health care changes Monday as Democratic congressional leaders worked behind the scenes on legislation they hope can quickly gain passage.

“Let’s seize reform. It’s within our grasp,” the president implored his audience at Arcadia University, the first outside-the-Beltway appearance since he vowed last week to do everything in his power to push his health care plan into law.

The president’s pitch was part denunciation of insurance companies – “they continue to ration care on the basis of who’s sick and who’s healthy,” he said – and part criticism of his Republican critics. “You had 10 years. What happened? What were you doing?” he taunted members of a party that held the White House for eight years and control of Congress for a dozen.

Comment by Evans Liberal Politics owner Paul Evans: Little Known Fact #3 — Don’t people realize exactly what IS in the health care reform bill??? For example, it pushes back the date at which Medicare becomes insolvent TEN YEARS if it passes?? Little stuff like that? Then, too, you might consider 2010, Congressman Kucinich. If you want the Democratic Party dead in the elections, then just go ahead and block the health care bill.

Apparently Dennis doesn’t “get it”. He may as well be a Republican right winger if he votes against the health care reform bill. It has just the same effect, does it not? Dennis, please, don’t facilitate “Obama’s Waterloo”. That goes for any other Democrat who votes against the bill. It’s pretty dumb, so far as I can see.