Closing Arguments: Time for a Democrat to Say ‘Sorry’?

He wasn’t disrespectful he was telling the Truth!

Oh yes! Grayson should apologize for his remarks and he should have to do on prime time tv in front of the entire US!

Just like “you lie” is the truth.

No apology necessary! He was just stating the truth! I wish more people would stand up to those that say we need to help with health care!

He should not apologize. The Republicans who just say “no” are really saying they don’t care if 50 million people are not covered by health insurance. They should apologize!!

Why should he apologize for telling the truth? Republicans care so little about those in need, including other Republications who suffer without insurance. They enjoy being heartless. Their shock is that someone actually said it!

Grayson …definitely a one termer

Absolutely no apology from the Democrat! – a lot of difference in what Joe Wilson did and what the Democrat said. It’s not anywhere similar!!!

Finally, a Democrat with balls who is willing to tell the truth. Let’s face it, the Republicans are so out of favor that they’ve got to try all kinds of outlandish tactics just to get noticed. I’m more afraid of the reticence of the Blue Dogs.

Grayson should not have to appologize. He is stating that the repulicans are not working with obama on a reformed healthcare system.

He was telling the truth, I like him for that. It’s all the other people who should be saying sorry to US and HIM!

I totally agree with jhw539. Excuse me, Nightline, what about all the times Republicans have been on the floor, with cameras rolling, questioning his citizenship, his religion, plus so many slips of the tongue that were downright insulting. Please give me a break, Nightline!

Actually, he isn’t completely accurate. But, he is close enough to the truth that he is making the republicans upset, so that is why they are so angry. But, the fact is that both sides of the aisle are deeply beholden to the insurance and pharmacy, and lawyer industries, which is why the american public has gotten so much misinformation and has been so manipulated into thinking that we will somehow lose something that we don’t really have.

YES He should apologize as did the other. It is long past due – time to get professionalism back

No, He shouldn’t apologize for tell the truth, at least there are a couple of democrates with a backbone

Apologize for what? For telling the truth? Of course if the republicans had a plan, they could refute his remarks, but they don’t have one do they?

So should we also ask for apologies for the blatant lies about death panels? Isnt this the same thing? This is just revenge whining.

The comment was very good. Someone is standing up to the Republicans and their devious ways of handling life in America.

While the use of the word “holocaust” was not helpful, Grayson did make the correct apology already, to those of us who do not have insurance who are dying every day while health reform is delayed. By Republicans AND Democrats, I might add. Aboslutely no need to apologize to the Republicans for their refusal to participate meaningfully in this debate.

There was a time when what was send on the floor of congress could start an argument, a heated debate, or possibly a duel. But to invoke the need for an apology? Sorry. Opinions are opinions for a reason. Now, if he had thrown an insult at a particular person, then that person could possibly request an apology. But for the “party” to request an apology? Please.

YES APOLIGIZE,he was making up words of fear that no republican ever said.He was putting fear into people’s mind and not the facts!If he has real facts he should state them not just scream falshoods!

No,he should not apologize. Hyperbole abounds in the back and forth between members of Congress, and if every member had to apologize everytime they made an over the top statement, even less of the people’s business would be transacted than is now. Grayson’s statements in no way compare to the willful and unprecedented disrespect shown to the President of the United States, who was, in fact, a guest in the House.

No, he should not apologize. His comments are no more imflammatory that many of the statements I have heard and read that have been made by many other congresspeople. Should we start a list of names of all the other elected congresspeople who have made similar statements either pro or con and ask them all to apologize.

Definitely he should apologize! It was a terrible thing he said and very untrue. I think Republicans, or at least conservatives, care a lot more about people, and about the good of the USA than liberals do.

Why apologize for being honest?

NO! He should not apologize and I hope he does’nt. Because what he said is basically the truth. The only reason the Republicans are against Obama’s healthcare plan, is simply because its a Democrat President’s idea. If George Bush or any Republican was in office and had the same exact healthcare plan that Obama does, they would be behind it 100%. Accept for the ones that the Insurance Co’s. have in their hip pockets of course.

Why should he apologise when more than 40 millions american do not have health care.When mister limbaugh went for rehab who paid for his care.If he was like us with no insurance he would be a homeless by now.

He shouldn’t apologize until the Republicans apologize for saying the health care bill contained death panel provisions.

The Republicans don’t need to try to make Obama look bad. He’s doing just great at that on his own!!!

The Congressional Budget Office has wrongly scored the plans that provide preventative care as being the most costly because they keep people healthier and living longer. The Republicans have blasted those plans which means they are tacitly endorsing plans in which people die quickly and at a young age.

No, he should not apologize. He should continue to tell the truth to the American people.
I’m sick to death of all the commercials against health reform. I think nightline should follow the money on who is financing these commercials.
The American people should be more involved than to have their opinions formed for them by wealthy corporations that can well afford a few dollars to try to maintain the status quo. The status quo that is bankrupting our nation.

NO…he was the speaker and if you noticed noone interrupted him! I want to know which GOP politicians expect an apology-lets see are they the same ones that said joe Wilson didnt have to apologize?

NO, Grayson should be commended for standing up for what is right. He should not apologize for telling the truth. I think he should ask all of our senators and representatives how they like their government healthcare that they belong to, and why all Americans cannot join their health care system. He should also ask that all of them contribute the donations and bribes they have received from health insurance and drug companies to start a public health care system. This way they can make their decisions based on what is ethically right, and not what companies are paying them to do.

Absolutely no apology! Insurance companies (the 21st century incarnation of organized crime) are synonymous with the Republican Party and profit greatly from the deaths of their customers/victims.

He should apologize for this absurd and absolutely false demagoguery. But I hope he doesn’t.
I hope he and his fellow Congressional Democrats, like so many of the rabid partisans commenting here, continue to overplay their hand.
The more they do so, the more the folks in “flyover country” will be revulsed by these arrogant, elitist authoritarians who think they know what’s best for everyone and seem determined to control all aspects of our lives.
The 2010 election is coming soon. And it can’t come soon enough.

Grayson should not apologize. He is telling the truth.
The Republican party should apologize for all the malicious slurs aimed at the President since he introduced his health care reform bill.

If he had something positive to say or something to contribute to the subject, great! But to get up in front of congress and point fingers and call names was very unprofessional and for that he should apologize.

Grayson has got it right! For years we have been hearing how AMERICA could not afford universal healthcare, that it would cost billions. But then BUSH/CHENEY push (& lie to) us into IRAQ and bingo we have plenty of money/TRILLIONS to go to war and send to Iraq to rebuild their country while American citizens are still dying due to a lack of that “unaffordable” healthcare. Republicans should applaud Grayson for saying it like it is! Without healthcare, dying quick is at best the least painful way to go. It is a tragedy and one Republicans don’t seem to give a damn about!

What’s true is true I’m glad he said it.

No apologies. I would have worded what he said differently, but the effect would have been the same.

He was telling the truth. The Republicans do not care about the American people. Their actions speak louder than their words and make their words lies.

Sure, right after the Republicans apologize for saying the same thing about the Democratic bill. So Never.
So now the party of “NO” can not handle the truth, Tough! The majority of the American people want Medicare type Health Insurance and want it now.

HE NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE!! EVERYONE SWARES LIKE REPUBLICANS ARE STRAIT FROM HELL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS: REPUBLICANS DONT WANT TO PAY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAXES, REPUBLICANS DONT WANT THE WAIT TIME FOR DOCTOR VISITS TO SKY ROCKET!!! WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE COME TO THE US???
AND ANYWAYS, WHAT HE DID IS DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER. TALK ABOUT DRAMA KING!!! I DONT LIKE TAXES BUT I DONT CLAIM THAT DEMOCRATS WANT TO DRAIN AMERICANS OF THEIR LAST PENNY.

I do not think he should apologize. He was telling the truth. Republicans are saying way more offensive things every day AND people are dying every day while the system drags its feet. Get on with it already and get me a public option! Hey, did that other cat ever apologize to the senate about saying “you lie!”. Get HIS ass up there to apologize, that was straight disrespect.
Struggling Seattle Mom (unemployed)

The truth hurts but what his collueges don’t understand is that us,we Americans are the ones that are really being hurt and have no alternative but to Die.

Why on earth should he apologize?
Republicans have been screaming negatively about health care reform, but none of them offer any constructive suggestions on how to improve current ideas. Health care in America needs to change!
Lead—-Follow—Or get out of the way!!!

Apparently a “Stupid Bomb” has exploded in Florida..
This guy should be selling aluminum siding and sunrooms, not a Congressional representative.
Die quickly??
What theatrics…
Get real..

i know the left wing has a problem understanding that the reason health care is so expensive is because it has to subsidize medicaid and medicare, which are getting ready to go broke.its not the republicans fault that the left has to make everything about the government.

Why should he apologize for speaking the truth. I have never thought americans (Latino born in California realated to people here before americans came) could be so ignorance and vote against there best interest wish i had the funda to immigrate to a country whose people care about each other and not subjugated by so called christians who feel profit should be in medecine

I don’t think he owes anyone an apology. But he got it wrong. Republicans want you to use up all your money/savings on doctors and drugs and then die quickly once your out of money.
Nightline should ask the “God fearing” Republicans what they think Jesus would instruct them to do regarding healthcare reform.

Absolutely not! The Republicans are just being big babies about his comments, realizing the truth hurts. And, using it as yet another way to delay a decision which will benefit the whole instead of just themselves. Not to mention it’s one thing to disrespect the President and quite another to be addressing other Congress members in a forum which calls for truth and negotiation. They picked the wrong battle.

Now that was the truth!

No Grayson should not have to appologize for telling the truth. I wish I lived in Florida he would get my vote.

Finally, a Democrat who is standing up and standing firm. We need such a leader to keep Democrats from growing complacent. We have to get out the votes in 2010. We must never believe it’s over just because Republicans can SHOUT out lies and distortions. Democrats have to develop a spine. No more Mr. Nice Guy

The very same people in power are the ones that made the laws and failed to watch out for the taxpayers in the first place. I say we should wipe the slate clean in the next election and start with all fresh faces. Have the politicians figured out how the bail out dollars are going to get paid back—oh, that’s right- the taxpayers. Health care reform without price controls are a sure fire way to insure the insurance companies get richer. How many average americans are better off since all the money has been spent bailing out the big companies? We not only need health reform but government reform! I’m an unemployed taxpayer with a $1545 a month health insurance payment….

Yes he should apologize. How arrogant for him to say such things when the bill is written that more people will be losing coverage. of the 40 million so-called uninsured, some personally pay their bills and do not need insurance. Why pay for insurance when you can afford to pay it yourself. About 15 million of them are illegal aliens and do not qualify for American tax funded health care. If they want health caare they should return to their country of origin. Then you have the 18-30 year olds who think they are invincible and would rather buy another case of beer than health insurance. of course, the government will make it illegal to not have health insurance so I guess they will be forced to pay for health care or go to jail. Hmmmmmmm. Then there are those that truly need assistance. Well, they can be covered by the Republican plan ALREADY IN PLACE for those who can’t get health insurance because of previous connditions. It costs a bit more than the lower risk insurance but they would have insurance.
The obamacare plan will deny coverage for about 15 million seniors who pay for their own extra supplemental insurance. Instead of paying to an insurance company (which if shut down would put millions out of work), they will have to hope that there are doctors and workers who will take them.
Just the facts. No distortions. No lies. and ….illegal aliens will get free care, Obama did lie. Just watch the health care committee in action. Every plan proposed by the Republicans are shot down with party lines. Beware people, this is not about health care it is about POWER.

HELL NO, he shouldn’t apologize! He’s just speaking for the millions of us who feel the same way. Thank God someone is actually using the platform he was voted to, for the right reason (I think that’s what the republicans are so upset about. They don’t understand that concept…duh

NO, Grayson should not apologize! He is just telling it like it is! The Republicans are defending the interests of the insurance companies, not those of the patients!

No. There is nothing to apologize for. He is entitled to express his opinion. Now we see government finding another way to do even less than it already does. It is starting to waste its time with an apology fest. Get to work you lazy do-nothing incompetents!

No apology needed. It would be very interesting thought to have both Grayson and Sara Palin appear on the same Sunday talk show. Palin could argue her “death panels” remark against Grayson’s position.

That’s totally ridiculous to think there is any reason Rep Grayson should apologize. He had the floor to speak, he was trying to make a point by being dramatic and exaggerating, but he didn’t make any personal attacks, interrupt anyone, or break any ‘house rules’. And, he’s right!
I’m so sick of republican politicians being over-the-top ridiculous (a la Franks, etc.), it’s depressing. Exactly who was demanding an apology? Sometimes the House of Reps seems like a freak show.

I’ve always thought of the republican party as the “law of the jungle” or “survival of the fittest” party. That’s okay if you have the education (usually with the help from your parents) and as long as you can avoid serious illness or injury. However, should you fail to stay healthy their mantra appears to become “suffer and die, sucker” until you end up on life support and the it becomes “life at all costs”. Serious inconsistency with some insanity thrown in.

Rep. Grayson is absolutely honest and correct and should not have to apologize whatsoever for anything he said here!!! Republicans are unfortunately petty nitpickers who can’t take truth about their own faults, failures, or shortcomings. Disappointedly I hate to point out that while Independents and Democrats are NOT PERFECT by any means, the Republicans unfortunately are too often chronic intractable exaggerators, fear-mongerers, copycat parrots of each others’ rhetoric, gossipers, bashers, maligners, propagandizers, distorters and too frequently contriving in blowing up, misrepresenting and nitpicking about their opponents to suit themselves regardless of the truth of facts. Republicans always really ill-wish, HATE and DESPISE their opponents and wish them always very bad, “ill” or failure because it’s an ego trip WAR for them to be the winning Republicans in power. They claim to be SO socalled “conservative, pro-life and for limited government” but where in HELL were they all to save and spare all our precious irreplaceable soldiers’ lives from continuing abhorrent death tolls in war from President Bush’s mal-executed, devastating wasteful extremely dangerous Pandora’s Box Quagmire Bottomless-Pit Can-of-worms Mismanaged Reckless War upon Iraq without a grasp of the true deep cancerous dangers of Bush’s initiation of war!!! While Democrats may be too “liberal” and tolerant on out-of-control unfair illegal immigration which is absolutely UNFAIR to ALL American citizens and too lax on properly securing our borders as should have been accomplished immediately following 9-11 on President Bush’s watch, the socalled “conservative” Republicans primarily constantly harp and rant about saving their own necks, wealth, taxes and health with little concern for their less fortunate poor struggling homeless American citizens or how to pay for and survive devastating, reckless mal-executed wars they have NO skills or strategies for effectively achieving favorable results.

Why should Grayson apologize? Isn’t the theory behind the Republican party that people should take responsibility for themselves? The logical consequence of this theory is that those who cannot (in this case, purchase insurance) suffer from the result of being unable to assume that responsibility. Granted, it did not sound good to make this statement and have others hear it; however, you have to be willing to deal with the good, bad and ugly of what you champion.

Slightly over stated but close to the truth. Republicans job is to insure the rich get richer and to hell with the rest. In other words if you are poor or middleclass and can’t afford health you don’t deserve it period.

Greyson is results oriented and has little tolerance for whiners in our government, just as the American people have little tolerance for this display of ‘out of touch with reality’ group. Let him ‘call a spade..a spade’ and tell them to finally earn their salaries. If this were a group of all women, you know what these men would have them ‘tagged’ as! Grow up guys, get to work. Either give the American people the same healthcare benefits YOU have, or agree to have the same benefits you are ‘cooking up’ for the general public.

Why is there even a question? Of course he should apologize for this publicity stunt! Have we sunk this low as a country? Shame on us!!!

no apology due from this new democratic congressman.. one should never have to apoligize for telling the truth…

This comparison is akin to apples and oranges, actually no, its akin to apples and shoes…they have NOTHING in common with each other.
First of all, Martin Bashir was incorrect last night with stating that Rep. Joe Wilson apologized to Congress, in fact he refused to and was slapped with a formal reprimand from the House. He only apologized to the President, and that AFTER being forced to do so by his party’s leadership.
Back to the comparison, Rep. Joe Wilson was breaking House rules in his behavior, it was disrespectful to the entire group assembled, AND has been proven that it was he who was wrong NOT the president. His remarks were nothing more than name calling and were an attack directed towards a specific individual.
The only mistake that Rep. Grayson made was using the word Holocaust, as that word really is only for a specific event and time. But everything else he said was in fact, the truth. The GOP has yet to offer up and sort of real solution or plan, they have done NOTHING constructive towards addressing the health care crisis, only choosing to obstruct at every turn. Rep. Grayson made the only logical conclusion one can make from such behavior, that the GOP sees nothing wrong with the current system, for those of us with out coverage or adequate coverage, too bad, don’t get sick! I refer you to the conversation between Rep. Cantor (R-VA) with a person about what to do if one has cancer and no job…his solutions were charity and well, the government, but he will vote against THAT when back in DC.
Finally, we would do well when we see the GOP demand apologies to look over their behavior as of late and see if they have the standing to make such demands…how many times has the GOP accused the Dems and the President as being anti-American, wanting to kill seniors, wanting to indoctrinate our youth in some anti-American idealogy, or WORSE…Rep. Virginia Foxx called Matthew Shepard hate crime “a hoax”, did she ever apologize, or did she just offer up the old non-apology verbage sorry that you took the wrong meaning from my words standard!?!
I applaud Rep. Grayson for his courage to speak the truth and to be straightforward in expressing that truth. We would do well to have more leaders like him in Congress!

One should never apologize for telling the truth!

There is disturbing evidence of something very ugly in the senate and it’s becoming more and more obvious. I cannot believe you senators would come out so naked in your true intent!
We the people, now more than never, have discovered who “our” representatives truly are. There must be a profusion of money going around to force out such a show of loyalty toward soulless corporations. And yet, we know who you are now, we know your names and where you stand for!
It is evident that representatives do not represent the constituents anymore; you do not represent us but the corporations from which you take orders and money!
In millions we voted for President Obama, so we obviously voted for health reforms too. Where are these reforms?
Maybe the power of the people vote is no more, maybe you will get away with this, but mark my word: this is a two way deal, if the representatives do not represent us any more it is like they would not exist anymore, their power and our power goes down together!
Grayson is showing he is not one of them, there is a distinction and a separation between greed and truth, and nobody should ever apologize for the true!
SOLUTION – Mr. President, keep only one thing: alternative health care provided by the government. The PUBLIC option. Leave everything else as it is, if so they like.
“Insurance” was never made to provide basic care. Insurance might have been useful and friendly in the beginning, like a watchdog in the house, but it has been allowed to eat without control, to the point of becoming a monster threatening to eat away our own flesh. I say let us starve the beast, let it test a bit of its own medicine.
Whoever believes we should be freed from the beast, should stop paying the overpriced premiums that keep all the insurances alive, now.
Just name the month, Mr. President, and we’ll take it from there. Let us show them who the real boss is. They are nothing without our money! Let us starve the monster, let us make it weak, and when it is humbled, then we will talk.
Just name the month! Let scare them as they scare us! Let us leave them as they leave us, without a choice or a shred of hope! Let us show the Insurance Companies and the senate, which now are one and the same, that they cannot take away the power of our vote.
A multitude voted for You, Mr. President, because of the promised health care reform, and when summoned, we surely would have said yes to your proposal, and we are a big number! It seems you are our only representative now, not the republic, not the democrats, but only you, you are our eyes, our ears, our only power.
Just name the month, Mr. President and we will destroy greed with the only thing they understand: MONEY! Should they retaliate and cut our own fictitious insurance coverage, then you will have the excuse and the power to give us the Public option, which we clearly expressed our desire for!

you are so right ‘Doris’… this whole apology bit is reminding me of watching a bunch of kindergartners!!! Have we forgotten what the facts are here?