With Obvious Disagreements Looming in Health Care Negotiations, President Obama Focuses on Areas of Consensus

Wherewasthepress:”G-d forbid they shove health care reform down our throats without carefully weighing all the options and extrapolating the unintended consequences of good intentions.”
How long, exactly, does it take them to “carefully (weigh) all the options and (extrapolate) the unintended consequences” in you world?
Bear in mind that health care has been a hotly debated issue for over a decade and a half at this point, during which the status quo has only gotten worse (20% a year premium increases are real killers to small business). And every other first world nation in the world spends about half as much per person as we do, and lives as long or longer while delivering first world quality health care.

“How long, exactly, does it take them to “carefully (weigh) all the options and (extrapolate) the unintended consequences” in you world?”
How long until recess for Congress?

I’ll consider backing obamacare when the president, congress, senate, and ALL their family members sign up for it. Oh, and when president dummy can actually answer questions about the legislation he’s championing.
“The American people, he said, “don’t care who’s up or who’s down politically in Washington. They care about what’s going on in their own lives. “”
Au contraire. I care who’s down politically in Washington- that’d be dopey mcJugears, lately. This gives me still more hope that the non citizen will FAIL. That’s right, I hope this vacuous grinning dunce FAILS. He wants to ruin our country, so I hope he FAILS.
Thankfully, mcspendypants is FAILING.

“1. The One has supermajorities in both the House and Senate and could pass anything he wants if he gets all Democrats to do as he wishes.”
Democrats do not vote in lockstep very often.
That is more a Republican trait.

“Democrats do not vote in lockstep very often.
That is more a Republican trait.”
Perhaps it is because the “lunatic fringe” on the Left is further out than the “lunatic fringe” on the Right and Republicans are able to craft bills that can be supported by all Republicans. Perhaps Republican bills are better crafted. Voting in “lockstep” can be viewed positively as well as negatively.
Obama can get what he wants – Obviously there is something seriously flawed in this legislation.

Iraq Invasion – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Patriot” Act – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
TARP – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Stimulus” Bill – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Healthcare Reform” – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
So much for “Change”. Same old lies and scams being perpetrated on the people by the scum in DC. How long are these lies and tricks going to work?

“Perhaps it is because the “lunatic fringe” on the Left is further out than the “lunatic fringe” on the Right and Republicans are able to craft bills that can be supported by all Republicans.”
Actually its because the Democrats are far more diverse a party ranging from conservatives to progressives.
The Republicans are more and more reliant on the South as they disappear from the NE and lose to conservative Democrats in the west.
Moderate Republicans are derided at every turn by right wing media and the crazies in the base.
“Voting in “lockstep” can be viewed positively as well as negatively.”
It can be a political asset to be sure.
But I’m not sure if near constant lockstep voting bodes well.

“I have a hunch the Republicans are not going to like tussling with Obama.”
I have a hunch you are wrong. What do Republicans have to lose? Obama’s poll numbers are plummeting, furthering emboldening the Republicans.
I think more accurately stated: “I have a hunch the DEMOCRATS are not going to like tussling with Obama.”
The arm-twisting is getting old for some Democrats in Congress.

Obamacare is a risky scheme. The public trust in his truthfulness is plummeting like a stone. Every literate person no knows that he is lying about the effects of his risky scheme on private health insurance.

While it is true that “health care reform” has been a hotly debated topic for decades now, it is a falsehood to suggest that any of the current proposals have been debated at all. In fact, no one can say with any certainty at this moment just what is in the “bill,” if there is one. Obama himself has conceded that he does not know.
None of the provisions in any of the current drafts would take effect until 2013. So anyone who says that it is essential to act now is simply lying–it isn’t essential at all. Obama wants action immediately because he knows that the congressional proposals cannot withstand detailed public scrutiny. So, as usual, he lies.
He said that immediate action was imperative on his stimulus package. Then, after the legislation reached his desk on a Friday, he went off to Chicago for a long weekend and didn’t sign it until the following week. And we now know, of course, that it was a colossal failure, and only served to add $787 billion to the federal budget deficit.
This poor neophyte is off to a catastrophic start (failed stimulus; cap-and-trade DOA; health insurance reform foundering), and the number of mindless cheerleaders for the man and his agenda diminishes daily. That’s very good for our country.

Posted by: jhw539 | Jul 21, 2009 2:30:47 PM
And every other first world nation in the world spends about half as much per person as we do, and lives as long or longer while delivering first world quality health care.
Why should we care about other countries and what they do.We are the US not any other country in the world. They would like to be more like us just ask the people living there. And if you don’t believe that, why are so many coming here illegally????????????

“Why should we care about other countries and what they do.We are the US not any other country in the world.”
Interesting.
We’re the US yet we do not offer the very best healthcare system in the world.

Obama was doomed before he took office. He only won because ppl were upset with repubs. Now that they see what the other option is, dems will be out of office for years to come.

“We’re the US yet we do not offer the very best healthcare system in the world.”
And the best is?

“Approval ratings only tell part of the story. Independents make/break candidates in elections and Obama is losing them quickly.”
Obama technically won’t be running in 2010.
And I would still put his approval by independents against the approval of Republicans by independents.
While the GOP base should be fired up that doesn’t guarantee much (see 2004) if can’t appeal beyond the base.
Then you have the changing demographics of the electorate.
Fewer of the oldest people (65+) and more younger people have voted in the last 3 elections.
I doubt you will see African American turnout match 2008 in 2010 but you could see Hispanics increase their share.
Which is why I have discussed the dangers of the Sotomayor hearings and how Republicans deal with health care and illegal immigrants.

“Public trust is evaporating rapidly. Keep in mind that McCain drew higher % of vote than the Republicans receive in approval ratings – There is not an exact correlation between the two.”
That is because you are comparing apples and oranges.
Obama also drew a higher percentage of the vote than Democrats have as approval.
Again he is not running in 2010 though he certainly will loom large.
And even in that circumstance I would take Obama’s approval rating and the Democrats in Congress’s approval rating over the GOP.
“Again, doesn’t matter. Obama is on his way to Jimmy Carter-like approval numbers. Fast.”
While polls can be useful snapshot comparisons, they are not much value in predicting the future path of Obama’s approval rating.

“Obama also drew a higher percentage of the vote than Democrats have as approval.”
Bingo! Which is why your use of “Republican Approval Ratings” don’t carry much water.
But remain hopeful by all means.

“No, but his agenda, policies, and ideology will be heavily scrutinized and there will be elections decided by Dems who supported The One. By 2010 Dems will own the economy and unemployment will hover close to 10% (+/-). It will be a tough environment for incumbent Democrats.”
Historically the GOP should pick up a couple of seats.
The problem is they have an idiot in charge of the RNC and the Senate & Congressional committees are not beating the Dems in fundraising (RNC beats DNC, DCCC beats NRCC with the Senate committees very close to each other)
“Hispanics are also Americans. Many will be negatively impacted by The One’s economy and some will be looking for “change”.”
So you think they will gravitate to the GOP that will blame them for economic woes?

“Bingo! Which is why your use of “Republican Approval Ratings” don’t carry much water.”
Actually they do.
Because the Presidential vote is far more about the candidate while Congressional ballots tend to be far more party affiliated.
30% approval is not good.

“Pay for it and you got it. End of story. But don’t tell me that I have to pay for YOUR healthcare.”
Psssst we pay for other’s heathcare now.
Whether its your FICA taxes or the premiums charged by your insurance company.

Iraq Invasion – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Patriot” Act – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
TARP – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Stimulus” Bill – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
“Healthcare Reform” – “We’ve got to rush this through, it’s an EMERGENCY!”
This “EMERGENCY!” and “CRISIS!” schtick is worn as thin as tissue paper by this point. Obama needs to pray that Americans don’t wake up from their perpetual stupor and put 2 and 2 together. He’s no different than Carl Rove.

“Congressional ballots tend to be far more party affiliated.”
On what basis? Keep in mind that the approval level for Congress as a whole is in the teens (correct? if not, it is definitely below approval ratings for Republicans as a whole). Keep in mind that independents can often play matchmaker…and independents are peeling away from Dems. Wait until a year from now when unemployment is still close to 10%. It is the Dems economy and they (and Obama in 2012) will have a hard time defending their actions and votes.

“Opponents of reform, he asserted, would rather score those political points…”
Does the President like politics at all? Why did he become President, to serve in the political peanut gallery?
I guess Obama never heard of governing versus legislating. He wants all the glory, while absolving himself from all of the political strategies and tactics he so brazenly uses.
I know leadership when I see it, and I do not see any in this man…

===”Opponents of reform, he asserted, would rather score those political points…”===
I’m not scoring any political points. And I’m not opposed to reform, just the reform being crammed through congress at present. This is why I don’t care to debate anyone about Obama’s health care plan. He doesn’t care what I want. He Won! He doesn’t care about me because I don’t support his agenda. I really can’t stand this man anymore. I didn’t really dislike him, personally, until he actually began governing.

tjp612:”On what basis? Keep in mind that the approval level for Congress as a whole is in the teens (correct? if not, it is definitely below approval ratings for Republicans as a whole).”
Congressional approval rating from gallup was 33% on June 23rd 2009. It hit a 4 year high of 39% in March.

“On what basis? Keep in mind that the approval level for Congress as a whole is in the teens”
Yes in the paradox of everyone hates Congress but is ok with their Congressman or Senator.
Though Congress approval rating has inched up to avg in the 20′s and even touch the 30′s.
” Keep in mind that independents can often play matchmaker…and independents are peeling away from Dems.”
Except there is no evidence the independents are peeling away from Congressional Democrats.
Obama has lost some indie support but looking at breakdowns where available I do not see any shift in independent approval of Democrats in Congress or the Democratic party.

“The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings and inefficiencies to our health care system,” Obama said in remarks after a health care roundtable with physicians, nurses and health care providers.
Totus! Get over here. You saw what I did to your brother. It would be a shame if you had an “accident”, too.

===Wow, you managed to blame Democrats for the Patriot Act. I think that stands as a good testament to your grasp of reality.
Posted by: jhw539 | Jul 21, 2009 4:47:49 PM===
You might want to look up John Kerry/John Edwards quotes on how they helped write it. I don’t blame democrats for anything. I thank them for helping pass it.

–You might want to look up John Kerry/John Edwards quotes on how they helped write it. I don’t blame democrats for anything. I thank them for helping pass it.–
Obviously tricked by Bush.

–You might want to look up John Kerry/John Edwards quotes on how they helped write it. I don’t blame democrats for anything. I thank them for helping pass it.–
Obviously tricked by Bush.
===========
I believe the standard response is Bush had people so scared, the Dems had to pass the bill to appease their constituents.

===I believe the standard response is Bush had people so scared, the Dems had to pass the bill to appease their constituents.===
Oh yeah. I remember now. Dems don’t have a backbone.

Barack Obama will never say to your face what he actually plans to do -or achieve- with these huge new government programs.
Rather, you get some specious auditory performance with styrofoam props to wow the plebes, like the tacky greek columns in Denver. To him, the revolutionary ends justify the Alinskyite means- so the Dear Leader just tells you whatever he needs to.
And the truth is that Obama is out to nationalize health care.. they’ll be no private insurance industry left after five years of Obamacare… but of course he’s lying about it.
As for the American public, the reality that Obama is not up to the job seems to finally be setting-in; the poll numbers are now headed steadily south- is he already facing his Waterloo on this legislation?

“Six months into the Obama presidency, I would say without hesitation that the landscape, atmosphere, conversation, and agenda have strikingly changed compared to the previous eight years.
“In this legislative session, we can envision winning a Medicare-like public option and then going further in the years ahead.
“We can visualize passing tough regulatory reforms on the financial industry, which brought the economy to ruin.
“…In the current political climate, the expansion of union rights becomes a real possibility.
“Much the same can be said about winning a second stimulus bill, and we sure need one, given the still-rising rate, and likely long term persistence, of unemployment.
“Isn’t it possible in the Obama era to create millions of green jobs in manufacturing and other sectors of the economy in tandem with an attack on global warming?
“…The new conditions of struggle are possible only – and I want to emphasize only – because we elected President Obama and a Congress with pronounced progressive and center currents.
“Yes, socialism is our objective and, according to recent public opinion polls, it is increasingly attractive to the American people. But clearly it is not on the immediate political agenda….”
Excerpts from Sam Webb, National Chair of the Communist Party — BIG Obama supporter
Do they even teach the fact that communism killed 100 million people world wide in schools anymore?

“Do they even teach the fact that communism killed 100 million people world wide in schools anymore?”
As opposed to capitalism/colonialism?

This dude speaks with forked tongue! I have NO confidence in his truthfulness at all. He is a very devisive,thin-skinned, vindictive lout!

How the heck will he know what they have consensus on? He is not even “familiar with the provisions.”
The guy is a thin-skinned loser.

Disparate treatment of businesses under Healthcare Reform Act
The bills under consideration result in disastrous disparate treatment of businesses and small business owners.
The legislation under consideration mandates businesses with a payroll of $400,000 or more to pay insurance premiums for employees. The size of a company’s payroll is not an indicator of whether the company makes money or the size of its profit margin. Remember, regardless of the size of a company’s payroll some barely break even, some make a modest profit.
Furthermore, businesses that are labor intensive, typically in service industries, that is with more employees rather than fewer, will be decimated by this legislation. Let me provide an example. Assume you have a company, like mine, with 150 employees all who make between $8 and $10 per hour, that generates about $150,000 in profit, and you have a company of 20 employees that generates $150,000 in profit.
The result of the healthcare legislation is that a company like mine will be mandated to pay $360,000 ($200 per month per employee for insurance premiums) per year in insurance premiums. Thus putting me and others like me into bankruptcy immediately. The company with 20 employees will pay $48,000 per year. They might survive.
The clear point is that the proposed healthcare legislation is worded so that small businesses with many employees will be crushed. That will be disastrous to our country and I can’t imagine this is what is intended.
Pay for any plan with a National sales tax. It makes much more sense.