The GOP have always been better at conveying a message (true or not, although usually false) and in this case were able to define Obama's healthcare legislation instead of him. The article clearly shows this. Obama also placed too much emphasis on bipartisanship, which Hillary (for example) never would have done because she would have known better. Obama, naively, also believed that the GOP would most certainly embrace one of their own former ideas. I mean, what sane person/group would rebel against something they once advocated, right? Wrong.

Medicare for all would have been the best bet, but there were too many blue dogs that simply would not go along with that idea. That being said, while I was not happy with the insurance mandate it was the best option given the system we operate inside; it was a start. I always get a laugh out of the GOP and their screams of "Socialism." Not counting the VA system, our military healthcare, Medicare and Medicaid, our broken system is just that. Those who are not insured go to the ER to be treated for UTIs etc, or other issues that could have been addressed by regular doctor visits. This cost is picked up by those who are insured, which is in itself Socialism. We are already paying for millions of Americans healthcare indirectly. Obama's plan would have shifted this burden from the segment paying the most and required everybody to participate/spread cost, all while enriching the insurance industry. It's all very Republican, while the current system most certainly is not. In essence, the GOP have fought hard to keep Socialism alive and well through this saga, all while claiming the opposite.

Part of me wonders if the mandate will be upheld simply because it benefits the insurance industry so much. In the end I'd imagine they throw out the mandate while keeping most of the other aspects of the bill.

One of those would probably make a cool tool chest in a garage. Throw up an AFD era poster on the wall behind it.

I think the bottom line has always been that Axl is too afraid to put out new material. Especially since that new material features nobody (for the most part) from the old band that the general public knows. Sure you can be the last man standing, sure you can run everybody off, sure you can call yourself "GNR", but guess what? Now it's time to perform to that standard. In fact you may have to exceed that standard given that you are the last man standing. Fair or not, that was the reality I believe.

Chinese Democracy showed that he had something to worry about. It was good, sure, but it was the weakest of all the band's material. Musically GNR are HUGE shoes to fill and he knew that. He knew good and goddamn well that he had to bring the big guns to the table and that's why he fussed over it for so many years. Unfortunately the reality is that you can't recreate lightning in a bottle. All the money in the world (OK, how about just "Millions") and a revolving door of top rated talented musicians couldn't replicate that magic from the old days or produce a cohesive, consistent sound that a true band would conjure up.

This time may be a bit different, since the current line up seems to be firing on all cylinders and appear to be an actual band. If there is that fundamental group connection, and if Axl tried a little LESS in terms of production/obsessive fussing , we might just get some blockbuster music this time around. Sadly though, people don't change and I predict Axl will find a way to derail the good thing he has right now.

My photographer has 20 years experience as an illustrator and does amazing fucking work with photoshop. He's also a close friend of mine. Send me a PM on FB and I'll introduce you two.