Howard Dean: Washington Is More Resistant To Change Than Anything "Except A Few Religious Cults"

In an interview with Esquire magazine, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (author of a new book, "Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Health Care Reform," explained why there was so much resistance to a public health care option.

ESQ: Speaking of the Obama plan, you're even stronger than he has been lately in support of the public plan. You say that without it, it's not reform.

HD: It's not. It's a waste of time. Don't pretend you're going to do health-insurance reform unless you're really going to change the system. The discussions in the Senate have not been about changing the system.

ESQ: They seem to be worried about preserving the status quo.

HD: Washington is the most conservative town in America. Its culture is the most resistant to change except a few religious cults.

Yesterday, Dean responded to reports that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was pushing for a public option that would be triggered by future conditions. "I think that a public plan with triggers is not a real public plan and it is going to be a trillion dollar failure," Dean said. "Anyone who thinks a trigger is going to lead us to a good place five years from now is wrong... It is not a sensible policy compromise."

Read the full interview here.

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Comments

[tokenconservative]

Howard Dean may be one of the single stupidest veteran politicians. Ever. Including Joe Biden.

[paulalex]

Dry humor or lunacy?

[IndieBlue]

That may be one of the stupidest statements. Ever. Including "I'm in charge, here."

[olmossy]

Rates right up there with "mission acomplished"

[Json]

I'd nominate W, but I just can't bring myself to call him a "veteran".

(If you want to be the "token conservative" how about offering some thoughtful dissent or counter-arguments? We have our full quota of tr@lls already.)

[BluestateGuyInTX]

Oh, you mean because he tells the truth and actually has the interests of our nation instead of those of the corporate aristocracy at heart. So it is stupid to be good and smart to be bad. Thanks for the info.

[idisVA]

Now we know why they did not want Dean anywhere near the Obama administration

[drkazmd65]

Yep,... exactly,..­.

[jasongrundy]

Howard Dean is a more effective Rahm Emanuel

[FoonTheElder]

Washington is a cult of corporate money whores who have manipulated the law to call it campaign contributions instead of what it really is, bribery. The only political philosophy is that of who gets the most money and can con the most people into re-electing them.

[TotalRecall9]

His comment makes no sense. Washington is conservative, but they are willing to change their religion on a whim? I don't see that.

[liarsclub75]

You fail at reading comprehension.

[nanorich]

I makes sense if one graduated from fourth grade

[paulalex]

Let's educate then.

My take on this is that a religious cult (i.e. all religions) stands by it book of instructions without deviation for an eternity, willing even to go to war to defend its sanctity.

Washington is second only to such organizations when it comes to resistance to change.

[IndieBlue]

I think he meant to say: "With the exception of a few religious cults, its culture is the most resistant to change."

[unwashedmasses]

WE LOVE YOU, Howard!

[alienufo]

VERMONT governor, not MASS!

[marinade]

Washington is another industry, the Big Politics Industry.

[jjkmack]

Error...th­at would be Vermont governor, though I would love to have Howard Dean as governor of Massachusetts ;>)

[nanorich]

I was wondering if that was a promotion.

Or maybe the writer has him confused with Mitt Romney.

[abbienormal]

Rachel, Dean was never the governor of Massachusetts.