Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Health care is surely to be on the minds of legislators as Congress re-convenes on Sept 8th. With the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, an universal health care champion, Senators are likely to feel somewhat re-invigorated to fight Ted's fight in his absence.  That is, the Democratic Senators will. The Republican Senators have taken an entirely different tack.

For example, let's take  Senator Jim DeMint from South Carolina...who has spent the last week and a half not only declaring the health care overhaul to be Obama's "Waterloo," but also is relishing in the fact that if it failed, it "would break him."  Charming guy.  South Carolina is lucky not only to have a philandering sexpig for a Governor, but a total douchebag for a Senator.

South Carolina is an interesting state.  And by "interesting," I mean poor and uninsured and totally Republican.  16.2 percent of South Carolinians are uninsured and 11.8% are unemployed—both higher than the national average. All of their statewide elected officials, other than the Superintendent of Education, is a Republican.

So is DeMint getting booed at his town halls when some shred of this 16.2 percent come and demand their health care?  Are rabid pro-health reform advocates stamping their feet and screaming their opinions over the talking points of the Senator?  No.  They are eating his talking points up.  And by "talking points," I mean lies.

Like this one: The health care overhaul will cover illegal immigrants.  Not true. In fact, specific language says it will NOT cover illegal immigrants.

Or this one: The health care bill allows government to look at your bank records.  Um, not even close.

This is my fave:  Insurance Companies are not making big profits. In fact, profits at the largest 10 health insurance companies rose 428% from 2000-2007.  UnitedHealth alone in the last quarter reported a profit of $830 million.  For a quarter.

So this is just a flavor of what we can expect in the coming weeks as Senators and Congressfolk converge back at the nation's capital to debate five competing health care bills.  Democrats will move to rally people around Ted Kennedy's legacy.  The Republicans are working to knock Obama down a few pegs and set the stage for a midterm comeback.  The Republicans seem to be in the stronger position.  Obama's job approval rating is also slipping to a scary 51 percent. 41 percent approve of the job he's doing around health care, 47 percent disapprove.  Yikes.  Those are HillaryCare numbers.

Don't totally freak out though.  What do people think of Republicans and their handling of health care reform: 21 percent approve. Organizing for America is getting their shit together (You're welcome, OFA, for the brilliant and inspiring post. I am glad to see you are heeding my advice).  Bus tours and campaign style activites are being staged, er, I mean, organized across the land.  2000 house parties and an 11-city bus tour that's sure to make Bret Michaels weep.