Jewish Groups Assail Nazi Comparisons Made by Conservatives in Health Care Debate
“Regardless of the political differences and the substantive differences in the debate over health care, the use of Nazi symbolism is outrageous, offensive and inappropriate,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor. “Americans should be able to disagree on the issues without coloring it with Nazi imagery and comparisons to Hitler. This is not where the debate should be at all.”
In this week’s protests at town hall forums, some conservatives have used Nazi imagery to compare President Obama to Adolf Hitler and congressional Democrats to Nazis.
In an interview this week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said of the town hall protestors loudly assailing President Obama’s health care reform push, “I think they are AstroTurf – you be the judge, carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care. This initiative is funded by the high end. We call it ‘Astroturf,’ it's not really a grass roots movement. It's AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people of America.”
That some of the protestors are comparing President Obama and congressional Democrats to Adolph Hitler and Nazis is unquestionably true.
That they’re “carrying swastikas and symbols like that” because the protestors themselves are supportive of Hitler and the Nazis, does not seem to be true at all.
Pelosi’s office says she meant the former, not the latter.
Conservatives seized upon the latter.
Yesterday, conservative talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh said that “the Speaker of the House accusing people showing up at these town hall meetings of wearing Swastikas – that is not insignificant folks. This woman is deranged. They are unraveling. But that is not insignificant. You have the Democrat Speaker of the House saying that people – citizens – who are concerned about health care are now wearing Swastikas. She’s basically saying that we are Nazis. She is saying that the people who oppose this are Nazis.”
Limbaugh said it’s liberals, not conservatives, who are the ones who invite the comparison.
“Obama's got a health care logo that's right out of Adolf Hitler's playbook. Now, what are the similarities between the Democrat Party of today and the Nazi Party in Germany? Well, the Nazis were against big business — they hated big business. And of course we all know that they were opposed to Jewish capitalism. They were insanely, irrationally against pollution. They were for two years mandatory voluntary service to Germany. They had a whole bunch of make-work projects to keep people working, one of which was the Autobahn. They were against cruelty and vivisection of animals, but in the radical sense of devaluing human life, they banned smoking. They were totally against that. They were for abortion and euthanasia of the undesirables, as we all know, and they were for cradle-to-grave nationalized healthcare.”
Limbaugh said that “this is why I have always bristled when I hear people claim conservativism gets close to Nazism. It is liberalism that's the closest you can get to Nazism and socialism. It's all bundled up under the socialist banner. There are far more similarities between Nancy Pelosi and Adolf Hitler than between these people showing up at town halls to protest a Hitler-like policy that's being heralded like a Hitler-like logo.”
Limbaugh said, “Oh, another similarity. Obama is asking citizens to rat each other out like Hitler did. Obama's the one that's got the snitch website right out of the White House, flag@whitehouse.com, asking citizens to report people who are saying weird, odd things. You know the White House responded, ‘No, no, no, we're not taking names here. We're not taking names. We're just taking people who are putting up faulty arguments and refuting them.’ Well, that's not the intention. Ted Kennedy's dad, by the way, Joe Kennedy, sympathetic to Hitler, sympathetic to the Nazis….[Obama] is sending out his brownshirts to head up opposition to genuine American citizens who want no part of what Barack Obama stands for and is trying to stuff down our throats….Adolf Hitler, like Barack Obama, also ruled by dictate. His Cabinet only met once. One day. That was it. Hitler said he didn't need to meet with his Cabinet; he represented the will of the people. He was called the messiah. He said the people spoke through him.”
The ADL’s Foxman specifically said cited Limbaugh’s comparison as offensive, saying “comparisons to the Nazis are deeply offensive and only serve to diminish and trivialize the extent of the Nazi regime’s crimes against humanity and the murder of six million Jews and millions of others in the Holocaust. I don’t see any comparison here. It’s off-center, off-issue and completely inappropriate.”
The American Jewish Congress issued a statement, “The Limbaugh comments comparing Obama ( and Pelosi )to Hitler and the Nazis are grossly offensive and intolerable. They reflect a nasty and hyperbolic tendency on our political culture, one which makes reasoned discourse impossible, confuses disagreement with evil, and which makes it impossible to distinguish evil from ordinary politics. … It behooves all participants in the political process to unequivocally disavow the comparison and to make it plain that peddlers of such noxious comparison have no place in our politics, no matter how large their audiences. And all Americans should make plain their disgust at the comparisons by talk show hosts by a prompt use of the off button.”
Another such comparison was made in Pueblo, Colorado, shot by an employee of the Democratic-allied Service Employees International Union, as first reported at Talking Points Memo.
In the video, a spokesman for the groups “Patients First” – part of the conservative group “Americans for Prosperity” – describing the health care reform bill as pushing euthanasia for the elderly, which he compares to Hitler’s Final Solution for the Jews.
“When you reach 65 and every five years thereafter you’re going to have to have counseling session with some, um, some federal airhead,” he says.
“Part of this process is called End of Life counseling.” He says, a section of House Bill 3200. “And part of End of Life counseling can be an End of Life order. ’End of Life,’ what’s another word for that? ‘Death.’ ‘Order,’ what’s another word for that? A ‘sentence.’”
He says Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, and Robert Mugabe issued “End of Life” orders — in their respective genocides.
"Adolf Hitler issued six million end of life orders,” the speaker says. “He called his program the Final Solution. I kind of wonder what we're going to call ours."
In House Resolution 3200, page 425 refers to “advance care planning consultation,” defined as a senior and a medical practitioner discussing “advance care planning, if…the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years.” This includes an “explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to,” an “explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses,” and an “explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy.”
It directs the medical provider to give the patients “a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning,” and an explanation “of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title,” as well as “an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders.”
Factcheck.org says the “accepted definition of end-of-life planning means thinking ahead about the care you would like to receive at the end of your life – which may include the choice to reject extraordinary measures of life support, or the choice to embrace them….the bill would not make these sessions mandatory.”
Liberal Salon columnist Glenn Greenwald, pointing out how many conservatives and Jewish groups condemned MoveOn.org in 2004 for two video ad submissions that compared President George W. Bush to Hitler, has challenged the same groups and individuals to condemn Limbaugh.
– jpt

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A rose called by any name is still a rose
Posted by: stardate: 2729.7 | August 7, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
“if you put lipstick on a pig, its still a pig”
Posted by: stardate: 2729.7 | August 7, 2009, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
Yeah,yeah…Oblahblah isn’t smart enought to be compared to Hitler….and the Dem-witts don’t have the guts to be nazi’s….remeber…we out here in the heartland are the ones clinging to our guns and religion…..Obama is just a slick talkin’ con artist who has been dolling out money to the rabble who elected him…Acorn, Moveon.org, Fannie & Freddie, Unions, do I need to go on…
Posted by: Badboy | August 7, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Do the conservatives believe they can win National Elections with the support of only angry white born again Christians. They are doing a great job of turning everyone else off.
Posted by: jim | August 7, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
If they would have condemned Pelosi and Limbaugh, I would agree with them. Just Limbaugh? That doesn’t make sense.
Posted by: Blue Skies | August 7, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
“Where were these Jews when the left was routinely calling Bush an Adolf Hitler?”
Reading is apparently not fundamental for fundamentals.
In the article
“Liberal Salon columnist Glenn Greenwald, pointing out how many conservatives and Jewish groups condemned MoveOn.org in 2004 for two video ad submissions that compared President George W. Bush to Hitler, has challenged the same groups and individuals to condemn”
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
The GOP has really stepped in it when they get slammed by Foxman…
Posted by: matt | August 7, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
“Rush’s sctick is to be as offensive as possible while pushing the poor aggrieved white male meme.
He is catering to the racist base.”
Right Ryan…just like Oblahblah catered to his racist base…(Sharpton, Jackson, Rangel, the black Caucus)you liberals are always the first to cry racism and the first to point out the differences, but the last to try and find any common ground!! Try to make a point that has more fact and less opinion next time. Also, see my other comment…try to argue against that one!
Posted by: Badboy | August 7, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Pillosee!!!Astro turf isn’t real grass, it doesn’t die and go away!Our fore fathers have died and gone away, yet that astro turf is their spirt, the spirt of REAL amricans.
Posted by: william | August 7, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
The GOP is out of control, period.
Posted by: Thinking | August 7, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
ACORN enforcers @ the polls in Nov. 08,
in para military gear look like the bad guy’s to me, and of course bring up obamas desire to create a civilian security force, are more lies and attempts to foul his nest. And of course all of his public statements about a well funded CSF to equal our military, were all taken out of context.
Posted by: ZK | August 7, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
When are the GOP Going to stop spewing HATE?
Posted by: Angie in PA | August 7, 2009, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
Did the media spend a lot of time explaining and defending legislation that came out Bush White House? Did they advocate for him, were they even handed or did they oppose his agenda?
Posted by: Just Askin' | August 7, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
GOP Hate Rallies worked for Sarah Palin. It’s the new wave of communication for the Republican Party.
Posted by: Steve from Danville | August 7, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
It is more than apparent that the left is trying to shut down all dialogue with regards to health care.
They have unleashed union thugs to intimidate and cause violence in heretofor passionate but peaceful meetings.
Wake up and listen, Dems, don’t shut up your neighbors, families and co-workers.
Posted by: Middle English | August 7, 2009, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Who is the leader of the Republican Party? Is it a gnome sitting in front of a computer, Fox News on the TV, making up new ways to spew hate and distrust between Americans? GOP: who is your leader and what do you stand for?
Posted by: Steve from Danville | August 7, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
“GOP Hate Rallies worked for Sarah Palin. It’s the new wave of communication for the Republican Party.”
I wouldn’t say they worked.
They probably did more to push undecideds towards Obama than rally the insane elements of the base.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
When is the Democratic Party going to live up to protecting the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech to the general populace?
When is the Democratic Party going to stop projecting their hatred and prejudices onto others?
When is the Democratic Party going to stop espousing the far leftist agenda of Obama and return to classic liberalism?
Posted by: Skidz | August 7, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Eventually someone will get seriously hurt. It is only a matter of time.
Posted by: Jerald | August 7, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Oh, I guess then it was OK with them when people called Bush a nazi? Or when Pelosi accusaed people of bringing swastikas to town hall meetings? C’mon ABC, let’s hear about that too.
Posted by: leadfoott2 | August 7, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
The Nazi image carries its power because of the image inside the circle, not because of its form. Comparing two American symbols such as the greek symbol of medicine, and Obama’s “O’ logo is near hilarity. And I say that as someone who is not a democrat. This kind of foolishness entertains people and turns us more into barking dogs that humans willing to focus on the real problems at hand. My opinion is you stop pressuring the president to rid his programs of common symbols and put the heat on for him to begin working on the welfare of our country.
Posted by: None Of Your | August 7, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Oh, and as for “where were the Jews when Bush was being compared to Hitler?” question, it’s a far stretch between a man who violates/murders hundreds from his own country in order to install the fear and support of war, than someone who’s got a new logo that is simply one American symbol blending into another.
Posted by: None Of Your | August 7, 2009, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Nancy Pelosi is a conservative?
Posted by: Reality Hammer | August 7, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
The GOP is nuts period!
Posted by: jim | August 7, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
RUSH IS RIGHT!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: no1really knows | August 7, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Is this not pushing the country backwards???? Civilised and educated people do not act like this!!!!! Its a shame.
Posted by: FM | August 7, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
The Nazis were socialists (National Socialist German Worker’s Party)….
Liberals are nazis identical twins (they both HATE capitalism and they both want gov’t to control EVERYTHING), and somehow the constitution-loving conservatives are labeled as carrying swastikas?
It seems saul alinsky’s pupil, barry obama, has learned quite well the art of distraction to take control by any means necessary.
ACORN members are the modern day brownshirts, and we have just elected their leader ernst rohm to the white house.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
This problem is so easy to fix… END ALL MEDICAID, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS IMMEDIATELY. Those that contributed to them get their money back plus an adjustment for inflation minus any funds they have all ready received to date… The rest are on their own or have to get help from their own families… That will end all ‘social programs’ as we know them and end the GOP forever!!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Where was the ADL when the left compared Bush to Hitler? They are not really concerned about Nazi Comparisons. They are just a bunch of hacks
Posted by: Dennis D | August 7, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Obama sent his Union Thugs to break up a peaceful rally of middle class Americans. Obama and his thugs owe America an apology for their violent behavior.
Posted by: Dennis D | August 7, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
The only hate I saw was the Violence against conservatives by Obama Union Thugs.
Posted by: Dennis D | August 7, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
The party introduced Socialized Medicine to Germany. This is a true fact that cannot be disputed.
Posted by: Dennis D | August 7, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
“The Nazi party introduced Socialized Medicine to Germany. This is a true fact that cannot be disputed.”
They also introduced the highway system, the combined use of air and ground forces and Hitler loved dogs.
Any other non sequitars you care to post.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
What can’t someone in D.C. just have the marbles to stand up and say “Health care is broken, and the proposed cure is worse that the problem. Let’s throw out this dribble and do something for the American taxpayer for once. After all, they are footing all the bills for those that can’t or wont.”?
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
“Where was the ADL when the left compared Bush to Hitler? They are not really concerned about Nazi Comparisons. They are just a bunch of hacks”
From the article:
“Liberal Salon columnist Glenn Greenwald, pointing out how many conservatives and Jewish groups condemned MoveOn.org in 2004 for two video ad submissions that compared President George W. Bush to Hitler, has challenged the same groups and individuals to condemn Limbaugh.”
The right wing
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
These Mob Like protesters are only going to make the Democrats unite even stronger this will backfire bigtime
Posted by: Angie in PA | August 7, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Sorry, Foxman and the ADL don’t own “Hitler”. When the White House sets up a snitch email address, they’ve begun their descent. Spin it any way you like, but that type of activity is evil. Hitler is evil. Thus the connection.
I have a shot from the Colbert repot on my site right now, mocking the flag email address. No one can logically support that behavior. Only emotionally. But the enemy of their enemy, in this case, is NOT their friend. Yeah, Bush was a retard. But will “Dreams of my Father” go down as the 21st Century version of “Mein Kampf”? “My Struggle”, the English translation, sounds much less menacing – no?
Posted by: JetTex | August 7, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Where is the outrage at Pelosi’s lie about health care protesters carrying swastikas in San Francisco?
Posted by: common_sense | August 7, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
The Nazi party introduced Socialized Medicine to Germany. This is a true fact that cannot be disputed.
Posted by: Dennis D | Aug 7, 2009 4:06:43 PM
Do you have elderly parents on Social Security or Medicaid??? If so, they ARE ON A GOVERNMENT RUN ‘SOCIAL’ PROGRAM!!! Under your view – they shouldn’t be – nor should any other elderly American – according to YOU and people who think like you – all elderly Americans should have to pay for their own private HEALTH INSURANCE OR have no coverage – period!!! Then they would be forced to use the emergency room like all other non-insured Americans and basically bankrupt this country – because those unpaid emergency room expenses would force hospitals to shut down or force ALL taxpayers to pay higher taxes so our government can pay back those hospitals for taken care of the millions of elderly Americans who have lost their ‘social’ benefits because of people who think like you!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
This will not stand. Freedom will prevail and the liberal socialists will all be voted out of power next year.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | Aug 7, 2009 4:14:40 PM
I know you are right, but at our current spending rate, I’m not so sure we can make it until next year.
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
From Wikipedia (you know, the EASIEST place to find basic information):
“Nazism is often considered by scholars to be a form of fascism. While it incorporated elements from both left and right-wing politics, the Nazis formed most of their alliances on the right. The Nazis were one of several historical groups that used the term National Socialism to describe themselves, and in the 1920s they became the largest such group. The Nazi Party presented its program in the 25 point National Socialist Program in 1920. Among the key elements of Nazism were anti-parliamentarism, Pan-Germanism, racism, collectivism, eugenics, antisemitism, anti-communism, totalitarianism and opposition to economic liberalism and political liberalism.”
So, a real quick summary for you historical dullards.
Nazism/Fascism = Right-wing totalitarianism
Soviet Communism = Left-wing totalitarianism
If you’re planning to make ad hominem attacks on a leftist, and you wish to base your strawman argument on a 20th-century political party, at least pick the right one, for pete’s sake!
Posted by: sacramentum999 | August 7, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
I agree!
Nancy Pelosi should stop using Nazi terms when referring to citizens seeking representation from their Congressional Representatives.
Posted by: N Waff | August 7, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
The Nazi comparison is accurate. When Hitler came to power the majority of the country loved him. The genocide did not start until some time later. What we are experiencing now is the same kind of change that Germany experienced under the beginning of Hitler – the question is – when will the similarities end? The confrontations during the protests were disturbing – where are our rights now? Changed under Obama?
Posted by: Maybe | August 7, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
loling @ the people citing Wikipedia!
Nazism (and Fascism to a lesser extent) has its roots in socialism, which is not a surprise to anyone that knows German history.
Trying to apply an (American) left-right template to it will always result in epic failure.
Posted by: Reality Hammer | August 7, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
obama is a socialist. he hates capitalism and indivual freedom. he feels the state should provide everything for everyone and everyone should work for the greater good (this is pretty much the OPPOSITE of what America’s founders intended).
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
ROFLMAO!
Your rolling on the floor and laughing quite a bit. Just watch the furniture.
Posted by: Mgt. | August 7, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
“The Nazi comparison is accurate. When Hitler came to power the majority of the country loved him. The genocide did not start until some time later.”
In 1945 the majority of Germany still loved him.
And while the genocide may not have started in earnest right away, the restrictive laws on Jews began almost immediately.
If anyone is interested in a fascinating first hand account a German literature professor diary from that time has been translated.
It is called I will bear witness.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
“Nazism (and Fascism to a lesser extent) has its roots in socialism, which is not a surprise to anyone that knows German history.”
This doesn’t even make sense.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
The Nazi comparison is accurate. When Hitler came to power the majority of the country loved him. The genocide did not start until some time later. What we are experiencing now is the same kind of change that Germany experienced under the beginning of Hitler – the question is – when will the similarities end? The confrontations during the protests were disturbing – where are our rights now? Changed under Obama?
Posted by: Maybe | Aug 7, 2009 4:21:29 PM
You can’t be serious… Did you even READ the proposed legislation??? All it does is cover the expense of having a patient and his/her own DOCTOR create a living will – “IF” they want one!!!! Which – BTW – every American should have!!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
I’m sorry that some Jewish groups are
offended but the tactics now being
used by the president and the
Democrat Party are the same as those
used by both the Nazi’s and Communists!
The idea is to “demonize” the opposition
and stifle disent!
The statement that Linda Douglas made
about citizens reporting dissenting
e-mails about the president’s
healthcare plan to the Whitehouse
tells it all! It is what it is.
Put this directive together with the
bogus claims by Democrat lawmakers that
dissenters at town hall meetings are
part of an organized “angry mob” and
you get the picture!
This is the reason the voters should
Never give one political party
Total Control of the Executive and
Legislative parts of our government.
This mistake will be corrected in 2010!
Posted by: reaganfan | August 7, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
Hi Jake – the White House blog entry and “flag” email address are still active. Thank you for helping to bring this issue to light – but do your colleagues actually find this acceptable? Forget fathead Limbaugh – this is just completely anti-American. Absolutely awful and evil. Forget the Jews and Hitler – we obviously have a MUCH bigger problem on our hands at this very moment. Please press your colleagues to do their jobs. This is actually scary. We can have honest discourse without this type of intrusion by our government. The White House represents us all, regardless of our views on Health Care. Please make them stop before it’s too late.
Posted by: FreeThinker | August 7, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | Aug 7, 2009 4:23:52 PM
Do all AMERICANS a favor if you believe the BS that you do… Write a letter to the Social Security Department and Medicare – and GIVE UP ANY AND ALL YOUR RIGHTS TO ANY BENEFIT FROM THESE SO-CALLED ‘SOCIALIST PROGRAMS’ YOU HATE SO MUCH!!!!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Let’s see. Paragraph after paragraph of context about Rush’s statement. How much context did you offer when you got the big ‘scoop’ on that one post on Move On’s web site that called Bush a Nazi? Congrats on that by the way. Excellent career move. Which come to think of it was the context.
Posted by: rapier | August 7, 2009, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want to debate health care reform…….she wants to marginalize the people who oppose this bill. When you can’t attack the message, attack the messenger. I’m SO tired of this. People in this country can have a difference of opinion on how to fix health care.
Posted by: MLM411 | August 7, 2009, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Do all AMERICANS a favor if you believe the BS that you do… Write a letter to the Social Security Department and Medicare – and GIVE UP ANY AND ALL YOUR RIGHTS TO ANY BENEFIT FROM THESE SO-CALLED ‘SOCIALIST PROGRAMS’ YOU HATE SO MUCH!!!!!!
I’d gladly give up all my “social programs” – Just return my 45 years of payments WITH INTEREST. I never wanted in this stupid program. IT WAS MANDITORY – JUST LIKE OBAMA WANTS TO MAKE GOVT HEALTHCARE!
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Let’s face the truth. No matter which side you base your politics. Nancy Pelosi is the poster child for everything that is wrong in America. Isn’t she up for re-election in 2010?
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Sorry
but the current protests by conservatives has an eerie look of the pogroms used by another far right group in the mid to late 30s in a nation of Europe.
Remember Kristallnacht in Germany in 1938?
The current hate and rants of the far right in the USA look very similar.
Also national health care in Germany goes back to the 1870′s. So it was not the Nazi’s who began the program. The Nazi’s however limited free health care to only those of Aryan background- sounds the same as today in the USA.
Posted by: Peter in CT | August 7, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
The 90 pounds of fat Limbaugh lost was all in his head. Alas, it didn’t make him slimmer nor act smarter. What a waste of a human being.
Posted by: indy_voter | August 7, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
geecee… You can keep your current plan, IF it is still available or IF you can afford it. The problem here is Government will compete with private enterprise. The fines levied on private businesses will likely force them into government-run plans.
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
I’ve come to a simple conclusion….Those who are so stupid that they would toss around comparison’s of Obama to Stalin and now Hitler aren’t worthy of a response. They just want to wallow in their stupidity. Have fun with it…but you are doing nothing to further democracy…you are just being idiots.
Posted by: indy_voter | August 7, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Geecee
Believing that people will have the option to keep their health plan once the gov’t takes over is about as ridiculous as believing BO when he said “i had no idea rev wright was saying those things”.
Spit out the koolaid.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
I’d gladly give up all my “social programs” – Just return my 45 years of payments WITH INTEREST. I never wanted in this stupid program. IT WAS MANDITORY – JUST LIKE OBAMA WANTS TO MAKE GOVT HEALTHCARE!
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | Aug 7, 2009 4:34:57 PM
So – give them up – write the letter – get a refund… take those funds and make sure you invest them right to carry you through retirement and cover your private health insurance after age 65… That makes one less person… what about all the rest… Those that are screaming at these townhalls are usually the elderly… Therefore, they are on medicaid and social security demanding that they KEEP those ‘socialist programs’ but deny the opportunity of other Americans not poor enough to get medicare, not wealthy enough to afford private health insurance on their own or the company that they work for doesn’t provide any but these working AMERICANS pay their fairshare of taxes… Why should they be left out of the health insurance system…. They are AMERICANS, they pay taxes – they should NOT be denied an affordable health insurance program – even if it is government run… it beats them going to the emergency room for primary care and costing billions a year… BECAUSE all taxpayers pay for the non-insured one way or the other!!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
“I’d gladly give up all my “social programs” – Just return my 45 years of payments WITH INTEREST. I never wanted in this stupid program. IT WAS MANDITORY – JUST LIKE OBAMA WANTS TO MAKE GOVT HEALTHCARE!”
Very well said!
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
Has anyone here actually READ HR3200? It would be more productive and cheaper just to buy all the uninsured a Blue Cross/ Blue Shield policy and leave the Government red tape out of this. The fist step to fixing health care is by tort reform. Don’t hear any of the lawyers on Capital Hill tossing that idea around, do ya?
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
“Let’s face the truth. No matter which side you base your politics. Nancy Pelosi is the poster child for everything that is wrong in America. Isn’t she up for re-election in 2010?”
Members of the House are up every 2 years.
Pelosi won her safe district with 70% of the vote.
Cindy Sheehan beat the GOP challenger by about 7%.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Pelosi wants to give it you, right where the sun don’t shine, and tell you to smile…its good for you.
She does not care what average Americans want. She wants a big Boeign Business Jet to fly to Tuscany for meetings and parade around like a monarch.
She is every bit as bad as the GOP congressional leadership that led before she did. She is a liability to the country and the President versus helping.
Posted by: scott jeffries | August 7, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
I hope Pelosi keeps talking. It only gets better and better. Her sock puppets Obama and Reid needs to be part of the act.
Posted by: Gina | August 7, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
Thanks Ryan for helping make my point. California is BROKE. Pelosi’s district is out of control. California is the our closest geographical proof that these wreckless give-away programs are just that.
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
The similarity between nazism and communism is that they have both produced MILLIONS of murders (over 100 million est) because the governments became too powerful. BO is all for making the gov’t bigger because he is a socialist. His belief in governmental control vs. individual liberty is what makes him toxic for our country.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
His belief in governmental control vs. individual liberty is what makes him toxic for our country.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | Aug 7, 2009 4:59:27 PM
What planet do you live on??? Why should all American taxpayers have access to an AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PLAN???
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
His belief in governmental control vs. individual liberty is what makes him toxic for our country.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | Aug 7, 2009 4:59:27 PM
What planet do you live on??? Why SHOULDN’T all American taxpayers have access to an AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PLAN???
Posted by: Melanie | Aug 7, 2009 5:02:18 PM
Typo correct above…
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
OK, all those opposed to comparing the democrat’s and the administration’s actions and methods to that of Nazi Germany and Hitler, just change the words to “Chicago style politics”. Both are the same but may not be as offensive to some. The left would not listen on capitol hill so now the conseratives are forcing them to listen and demanding no feedback just as the liberals have done to the conseratie in the House and Senate. Beter listen, I’m just sayin…
Posted by: Bob | August 7, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
Did these same jewish community assail liberals for doing the same thing? Maybe this is just the left wing portion of the Jewish community. Jake, your headline needs to read “Left wing Jewish group assials comparison to Nazi’s made by conservatives..”
Because that’s what this article comes down to, left vs. right, not a concerned Jewish community. Because if they were so outraged they would have assailed liberal in CONGRESS calling the protesters brown shirts. Wheres the outcry? Partisan hacks.
Posted by: KR | August 7, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
“It would be more productive and cheaper just to buy all the uninsured a Blue Cross/ Blue Shield policy and leave the Government red tape out of this” – More productive for who? Blue Cross? By “red tape” do you mean consumer protection? What happens when they start dumping folks for pre-existing conditions? They are notorious.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | August 7, 2009, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
–What planet do you live on??? Why should all American taxpayers have access to an AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PLAN???–
Can gov’t pay my rent too?
Posted by: Lazybones | August 7, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Mark in Atlanta …Good productive post! Just add in the BC/BS payment, No pre-existing exclusions. If “consumer protection” does for health care what it did for the automobile industry. We will be writing a great big check.
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Melanie
Have you ever experienced “affordable healthcare” abroad? I have.
It was terrible and the only way I got better was paying $1,000 to see a private physician for 20 minutes (and this was in London). I waited in a line for 4 hours to see a nurse who suggested aspirin for what was later diagnosed as salmonella food poisoning.
I agree we need to reform our healthcare, but not socialize it. The gov’t screws up everything it touches. You honestly believe that barney frank, nancy pelosi, and harry reid know whats best for you?
Have you heard of the young charismatic speaker from cuba in the 50′s who also took power promising “affordable healthcare”?
Now pregnant women under fidel’s utopia are dying in rafts trying to get to the USA vs. having their babies born in the “free healthcare system”.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Well, President Obama is right on one score. “Elections have consequences.” We all should remember that in 2010 and 2012, and perhaps not allow ourselves to be swayed by an intelligent, good sounding, smooth talking politician who does not have the experience to run a MacDonalds!
Posted by: PappyHappy | August 7, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
“The fist step to fixing health care is by tort reform” – Universal coverage would achieve tort reform by reducing the part of the jury award that does to victims to pay for future injury-related health costs. This should reduce malpractice premiums.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | August 7, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
“It was terrible and the only way I got better was paying $1,000 to see a private physician for 20 minutes (and this was in London). I waited in a line for 4 hours to see a nurse who suggested aspirin for what was later diagnosed as salmonella food poisoning.”
So you paid a $1000 for some Pepto Bismol?
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
So you paid a $1000 for some Pepto Bismol?
Ryan it is obvious that you have never been to England or had Samonella posioning. When it comes to health care, both are deadly!
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Mark, I do not disagree. Health care is indeed broken. IMHO, more Government and MORE borrowed money are just NOT the answers. I not sure anyone knows the real solution. I just don’t think HR3200 is the answer.
Posted by: No Common Sense in DC | August 7, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Ryan C
No, actually I paid 500 pounds for the drugs needed to kill the salmonella in my body and for the physician to come to my flat.
However, if you believe that pepto bismal is sufficient to treat salmonella, i can definately see how you fell for the “hope and change” slogans.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 7, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | Aug 7, 2009 5:11:18 PM
I have GREAT private insurance which I contribute to jointly with my employer… Been overseas many times – never been sick though… BUT I do have friends that live in London and Brighton and they love their insurance… What is your point… Deny working Americans affordable insurance because you rather spend $10 billion a month on two wars…
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
“Ryan it is obvious that you have never been to England or had Samonella posioning. When it comes to health care, both are deadly!”
I’ve had samonella.
Treatment is Pepto or Imodium, plenty of fluids and bed rest.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
However, if you believe that pepto bismal is sufficient to treat salmonella, i can definately see how you fell for the “hope and change” slogans.”
Could you stop changing your screename?
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
I welcome all comments from the right. That their voices should be heard on this issue and loudly is why we have a Democracy. It is pertinent that they are as threatened by health care reform as they would be by fascism. This is an issue that should not be ignored.
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
“I agree we need to reform our healthcare, but not socialize it. The gov’t screws up everything it touches.”
Then why are Republicans so eager to run government if it is inherently flawed?
Perhaps you would like no government…that seems to be working out great in Somalia.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
“Deny working Americans affordable insurance because you rather spend $10 billion a month on two wars…”
Tell Obama.
Posted by: Peace Now | August 7, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
These hateful, ignorant organized disruptors are totally unhinged and scary. They seek to shout down any reasonable discussion and debate, and force their narrow, nonsensical tirades on all of America to keep any positive progress from occurring. Rush Limbaugh is the king of them all, and he is shamelessly buttering his bread with the proceeds he continues to gain by inciting fringe whackos.
Posted by: iamwomaninMI | August 7, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
And I agree, they are too well-funded to call them a grassroots effort, just as were the Fox-sponsored “tea parties”. Who do they think they are fooling? No one but themselves, same as in the 2008 election.
Posted by: iamwomaninMI | August 7, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
“Wow…attacking the Anti-Defamation League because they dared call your hero Rush offensive.”
No, why did they only single out someone from one political spectrum and not the other, whos guilty of doing the exact same thing?
Posted by: KR | August 7, 2009, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
“Deny working Americans affordable insurance because you rather spend $10 billion a month on two wars…”
Tell Obama.
Posted by: Peace Now | Aug 7, 2009 5:33:25 PM
He is doing his best… troops from Iraq should be home by next year according to the time table signed by Bush last December… Afgan… that is a entirely different story… and a totally different problem… We will be there for a long time to come… last 7 years BEFORE Obama was a total waste as an appropriate PLAN was never achieved there… and the RIGHT about of soldiers and material was never sent UNTIL now…
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
He is doing his best… troops from Iraq should be home by next year according to the time table signed by Bush last December… Afgan… that is a entirely different story… and a totally different problem… We will be there for a long time to come… last 7 years BEFORE Obama was a total waste as an appropriate PLAN was never achieved there… and the RIGHT about of soldiers and material was never sent UNTIL now…
Yeah, sure. Just like Gitmo is closed.
Posted by: Peace Now | August 7, 2009, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
“No, why did they only single out someone from one political spectrum and not the other, whos guilty of doing the exact same thing?”
Keep attacking the ADL while defending Rush’s offensive comments.
And you got angry when I talked about racism and the right wing.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 7, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Peace Now:”Yeah, sure. Just like Gitmo is closed. ”
Look, the Right can pound him for being naive and foolish to close Gitmo, or criticize him for not closing Gitmo. But doing both makes you look like you’re TRYING to be the party of Orwellian double-think (which looks plus-plus-stupid).
Posted by: jhw539 | August 7, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Posted by: Peace Now | Aug 7, 2009 5:45:02 PM
Working on that too but the FEAR mongers on Fox and in the RNC convinced stupid Congressmen to pull the funding to transfer those prisoners to Max security prisons in our country because they feared they would escape and be among ‘us’…. Like they are not already…
So Obama will just make deals with other countries and move them there and the rest will probably be sent back to the US controlled airport prison in Afgan…
GITMO will close the timing just might be a bit later than most people would like…
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
These people are not here to learn about health care. Signs with swastickers and hitler inferences have nothing to do with health care. They are scaring the people with this nonesense. No one wants to take your health care away. If you like it, keep it. No one wants to determine what older person dies…it’s a lie. We need to reform health care..or go broke and then no one will have it except the very rich. Companies will not be able to afford it. These meetings are about getting Obama and nothing else.
Posted by: talmag | August 7, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
GITMO will close the timing just might be a bit later than most people would like…
That sounds like a Bush excuse. Another broken promise.
Posted by: Same Old | August 7, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
These meetings are about getting Obama and nothing else.
Posted by: talmag | Aug 7, 2009 5:57:08 PM
So true… especially when they watch Fox News and hear this b/s of wanting elderly people to die…
The legislation includes a part that will cover the cost of creating a ‘LIVING WILL’ – where a patient and their doctor decide on future medical treatment and if the PATIENT wants extraordinary medical intervention OR NOT!!!! Then the RNC and FOX anti-American bunch rework that cause into the ‘let elderly die’ b/s….
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
That sounds like a Bush excuse. Another broken promise.
Posted by: Same Old | Aug 7, 2009 6:01:13 PM
Only in Repubs minds… as they hate him no matter what he does… See your reflection in the mirror???
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
Posted by: Melanie | Aug 7, 2009 6:04:34 PM
Maybe your better off taking that pain pill.
Posted by: Barry O | August 7, 2009, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Only in Repubs minds… as they hate him no matter what he does… See your reflection in the mirror???
Great comeback: You must be a Republican! Whatever works for you i guess. Listen, Bush is no longer President, Thank God. I had actually thought for a minute that Obama would maybe reverse this horrid policy and do the right thing. Fool me once…
Posted by: Same Old | August 7, 2009, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
Calm down, folks. We have the most broken, wasteful and unsustainable health care system in the world and the Obama administration is just trying to fix it so that we as well as our country won’t have to go bankrupt further down the road.
Posted by: teddymaniac | August 7, 2009, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Humana Net Rises 34% on Medicare gains.
Medicare D a blue dog gift to the business.
No wonder Health Insurance corporations want to write health care reform.
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
Is health insurance profiteering on the taxpayer’s dime and the government’s assurance of law mandated coverage really free enterprise?
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
Nancy Pelosi is the one that needs to apologize to us. She is the one who made the statement. She is the lowest of the low.
Posted by: ubu1991 | August 7, 2009, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
Stocks to buy: Wackenhut, Humana, Haliburton, Exxon, Chase, Goldman-Sachs, AIG, and any other government funded corporation not mentioned.
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
If Pelosi is wrong and Rush is right..where does that leave the rest of us?
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
It is childish to use shock and grotesque imagery to bully your views. Both sides need to take a time-out and talk about points they agree on. If the anti-public health care side want to have average folks listen to them they need to focus on civility because they are coming across as hyped-up, curmudgeons that lack an ability of rational thought. The pro-public health side need to embrace their critics and acknowledge they are listening by giving them a seat at the table.
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
Posted by: Same Old | Aug 7, 2009 6:13:35 PM
Hey – Obama didn’t want those pictures released because they show AMERICAN soldiers raping and abusing Iraqi prisoners during the Bush Administration… At least Obama, realized that releasing those pictures might harm current and innocent American soldiers now overseas…
BTW – you are a drone….
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
One of the major groups inciting these mobs is an organization called Conservatives for Patients? Rights, which is run by Rick Scott who used to run Columbia/HCA, a for-profit hospital chain. He had to quit after a fraud charges; the company wound up pleading guilty to charges of overbilling state and federal health plans, paying $1.7 billion.
Half the folks screaming down there are covered by the government run Medicare/Medicaid system. They’re being misled and misinformed. It’s the Republican way. If they believe this, i can get them a great deal on an Iraq war.
Posted by: thebob.bob | August 7, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
I’m amazed at the sheer arrogance of these politicians. When informed citizens show up and demonstrate knowledge and begin to question their motives, the politicians figure that these people are obviously too stupid to think for themselves, so it’s the Republicans fault.
If this were simply a small fringe minority of protesters hired to demonstrate at town hall meetings, then support for the Democrats would continue to climb. The problem with that illogical argument is that these demonstrations are taking place all over the country. Many of these people are leaving their families and sacrificing their lives to stand out in 100 degree heat to have their voices heard. It doesn’t sound like anyone’s pretending to be mad. These people are ordinary citizens that are BOILING mad about what the Democrats are doing to our country.
I have a good answer at why people don’t want to debate. Look at it this way. Would you want to debate with a con artist about his scheme AFTER his scam has already been exposed??
What’s there to debate about? The media have exposed the intentions of the Democrats from as far back as 2007. Obama talks about taking back the house, senate and whitehouse, then makes a detailed statement of gradually phasing out private insurance for a single payer system. This healthcare bill is crafted to do just that. Is it a coincidence that Obama will only sign a plan with a government run system that undercuts the private industry by as much as 30%? We can’t allow the government to gain complete control of one seventh of our economy. They’re too corrupt as it is.
Posted by: Michael | August 7, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Having read the words of Limbaugh, would you say his words are dangerous? Read them very very carefully and think about what seeds they are sowing in the collective minds of the people in America?
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
As a Jewish Holocaust survivor myself, I am also outraged at the GOP for comparing UHC to Nazism.
I have not voted for the GOP in years because of their exploitation of Israel and their hostility to progress.
Posted by: smith | August 7, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
“When informed citizens show up and demonstrate knowledge and begin to question their motives, the politicians figure that these people are obviously too stupid to think for themselves, so it’s the Republicans fault.”
Michael, the outburts in the townhalls are not from citizens armed with information. Had that been the case, an outburst would not have been necessary. Theatrics is not the dialog of one who brings knowledge to the debate.
As for the fringe..well the fringe are the ones that get noticed by their antics.
The rest are doing the real work of citizens and are ignored by the media.
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 7, 2009, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
“…Is it a coincidence that Obama will only sign a plan with a government run system that undercuts the private industry by as much as 30%? We can’t allow the government to gain complete control of one seventh of our economy. They’re too corrupt as it is.”
Posted by: Michael | Aug 7, 2009 6:36:24 PM
You must work for an health insurance company because your are re-writing down right lies and repeating RNC/FOXNews talking pointing funded and paid for by private healthcare lobbyists! HOW MUCH PROFIT SHOULD A PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT PICKS AND CHOOSES WHO IT WILL COVER AND DROPS THOSE THEY DEEM RISKY – HOW MUCH???? THEY MADE RECORD PROFITS AGAIN JUST LAST QUARTER!!!! Their top executives make millions a year!!! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AMERICANS SHOULD MAKE A RECORD BREAKING PROFIT OFF OF THE HEALTH AND ‘SICKNESS’ OF OTHER AMERICANS??!!!
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm
One of the major groups inciting these mobs is an organization called Conservatives for Patients? Rights, which is run by Rick Scott who used to run Columbia/HCA, a for-profit hospital chain. He had to quit after a fraud charges; the company wound up pleading guilty to charges of overbilling state and federal health plans, paying $1.7 billion.
Half the folks screaming down there are covered by the government run Medicare/Medicaid system. They’re being misled and misinformed. It’s the Republican way. If they believe this, i can get them a great deal on an Iraq war.
Posted by: thebob.bob | Aug 7, 2009 6:34:58 PM
So true… GOP – bought and paid for by health insurance companies and corrupt corporate lobbyists…
Posted by: Melanie | August 7, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
The full name for the Nazi party was “National Socialist.” Thru their regulatory and tax power, they harrassed and took over private companies. They surpressed dialog. They calculated the $ contribution of the sick and eliminated many of them. They mandated national service. Another government, the Southern Confederacy of the Civil War also leaned on business and individuals. Businesses who resisted had their employees conscripted. At the end of the Civil War, almost all of the manufacturing was controlled by the national Confederate goverment. If anything, what we see today could be called NSO, “National Socialist Obama.”
Posted by: Colonel Rebel | August 7, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
I think both sides can agree that: 1. The current system financially exploits the sick; 2. Health care costs have outpaced inflation; 3. In order to keep costs lower while keeping share holders at bay, private insurance has denied claims and excluded chronically sick; 4. The folks left out are the sick who loose coverage from loss of job, retirement, divorce or a pre-existing condition that got worse. Is this a start of common ground?
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
LMAO! at those who called these lunatics “informed.” If they were intelligent as you claim, they would be able to form complete sentences and have a civil conversation about why they diasgree with the health care proposals. The townhalls are a place where these disagreements are to be aired but I have not heard one disagreement, all I’ve heard was “grown” people acticting like idiots and screaming. You say it’s ginuine, but I have a hard time believing that beacuse none of this is new. Foreclosures didn’t just started happening, deficits didn’t just start happening, health care hasn’t just started to become almost unobtainable for a growing number of Americans. These issues have been going on for years and many started during the past eight, so these “protesters” had plenty to protest about for years and wjere were they. I believe that their motives are a bit more nefarious than they state. I don’t see this as patriotism or even civil discourse, this is hate, ignorance and fear mongering. Unfortunately, those have become the calling card as of late with the republican party. It’s “white voter” sother strategy may good for exciting the base but I think reasonable Americans will turn on this, as they did during the elections.
Posted by: Ken in Atlanta | August 7, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Both sides of this issue claim they are more american (than the other side). Leave the nazi’s, facists, socialists and other extremists out of your argument comparison if you want to reach the hearts of someone you are trying to influence. It is a sign of weakness when grandious euphamisms are used to make a point.
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
okay, so you are saying it is bad to tax those without “acceptable” health care coverage? In particular, you are concerned over who will determine what coverage qualifies as “acceptable”?
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
I think there’s an obvious place for “socialism” when the free market, a great and wonderful thing – but not a perfect thing – doesn’t get it right. If I own property, I pay for education despite the fact that I have no kids. The Army, of course, is a purely socialist organization which produces no material or goods, and for which we all pay … Read Morewhether we like what they do or not. The Courts are largely socialized, offering equivalent services to all whether they can pay or not. And the Police Department comes to my call and doesn’t stand there and negotiate a price with me in the driveway when I need their services for something. We pay for regulating airplane safety whether we fly or not, drug safety whether we use drugs or not, and workplace safety whether we are in the workforce or not. As for taxes, in the worst case scenario, the current plan is to have marginal taxes on the wealthiest income earners revert to the level of the 1990′s, a rate 20% below that proposed by Ronald Reagan in 1980. Yet nobody every compared Reagan to Hitler or called him a socialist. I don’t understand what everybody’s crying about.
Posted by: nikkikgu | August 7, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
nikkikgu, i think the anti-health care side have a very strong sense of freedom as they routinely quote an ideal that “the problem isn’t with the government, the problem is the government”. Any additional regulation, laws or government controls are refuted because they are socialist. I like your post of similies. There was a time when a fella with an illness could start a business and still reach for the american dream. Instead, he has to choose between going broke to have medicaid cover health costs or trying to increase wealth without treatment. I wish the GOP would come up with a competitive plan to solve the problem rather than deny a problem exists or use american, free-enterprise as their solve-all.
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
Whatever happened to civil discourse, reasoned argument, respect for the views of people who disagree with you? It’s gone the way of the most heinous name calling and labeling I’ve seen in my 55 years as a US citizen. Mr. Limbaugh and people of your ilk, demonizing your fellow Americans doesn’t win any brownies points with me; it inclines me to the REVERSE. And people who PARROT such tripe…well…next time you call someone a name, look in the mirror.
Posted by: sign seeker 17 | August 7, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
sign seeker 17: great post. I agree. One of the most unamerican acts is to bully ideas by getting folks spun-up with dramatic euphamisms. It is not logical but is too often true in politics.
Posted by: 92F150 | August 7, 2009, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
A question for those of you who have read this Health Care Bill: Will the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System be affected if Bill is passed by the House and the Senate and signed by President Obama? Will I, and many thousands of former military personnel, be able to still get the kind of service/treatment we currently receive at VA medical facilities?
Posted by: Percy | August 7, 2009, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
Where were these groups or fancy Nancy when our former President was quite often represented as Hitler in addition to Satan?
Who is quoted as saying when they push, push back harder or if they bring a knife, bring a gun?
I have not seen pictures of anyone wearing nazi uniforms, perhaps there has been some but acorn and other group attend these too so could it be that someone is playing tricks? The pictures I saw were lots of older people or people with kids that were severly disabled.
No doubt some of this is childish but with our Governments irresponsibilty at other social adventures I would be wary of them trying to syncronize redlights in a two traffic light town let alone my healthcare.
Posted by: david | August 7, 2009, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
The solution to the Townhall Trolls is simple – give them a dose of the Banhammer.
A tip-line on Healthcare disinformation is hardly Krystallnacht Part 2. Remember when that guy got tased for trying to ask John Kerry a question? Remember cage-fenced Free-Speech Zones?
Make people at these meetings aware that any attempts to disturb the peace & short-circuit dialog with mob noise will result in prompt expulsion, & have the police present in force to back it up. Make these “regular folks” bring relevant questions & real facts, not scaremongering & intimidation-tactics, or GTFO.
Posted by: jim | August 7, 2009, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
What I don’t understand is why in hell do we need to give health care to ILLEGAL ALIENS and to be expected to pay the bill for them??? I don’t blame the people for being mad as hell, these politicians are clearly not listening to the people.
Posted by: will shure | August 8, 2009, 3:54 am 3:54 am
I read the actual ADL statement, and it criticizes BOTH sides; they spoke up when Bush was attacked and are now speaking up when Obama is attacked. Fair is fair; kudos to ADL. And for those who say ‘how dare they tell Americans…’ please note, ADL members are Americans too.
Posted by: Tom | August 8, 2009, 5:13 am 5:13 am
“Americans should be able to disagree on the issues without coloring it with Nazi imagery and comparisons to Hitler. This is not where the debate should be at all.”
The debate should be on valid points:
1. What is the constitutionality of the WH request to forward all “fishy” arguments against Obamacare?
2. When the president says in a speech in VA that his opponents should stop talking because they caused the problem and we can’t look to them to fix it, is he forgetting that democrats had large majorities in congress for the past 2 and a half years?
3. Why is it wrong for conservative opponents of Obamacare to organize on even a local level, but it is perfectly ok for liberal proponents to get direction nationally from their union leadership to “get out the purple army” (referring to the SEIU president’s conference call yesterday)
4. What makes sense about the argument that the government will run health care cheaper and with better results than a private system? Do we forget the VA, the military medical system, or the IHS (native american health system) where the government has a mandate to cover everyone, but they always seem to run out of money and thus have to ration care?
5. Is it fair that our representatives who are elected by us, but are not otherwise any different or better than us, will not have to give up their premium, high cost federal insurance? (this applies to all federal employees)
6. This plan won’t be fully implemented until 2013 so why is there such an urgency to skip national debate and pass this now if the largest aspect won’t start for four years. (meanwhile the taxes increase in 2011 to help pay for this, but we still have to pay for our current plans on top of the increase in taxes)
7. Do you really want the same quality of care that they get in Britain and Canada? The wait time is so long for dentists in Britain that some people resort to self dentistry. Pulling your own teeth with pliers sounds like a pretty good way to save money for the government, right?
8. If you insist on saying that we are not going to have a British or Canadian style system, then what is the point of getting government more involved? The flaw with Obamacare is it touts increased care and at the same time reduced costs.
Posted by: Jason | August 8, 2009, 8:12 am 8:12 am
devilkev says: “A right wing memo has been leaked. This came from the efforts of Freedom Works:
Rocking the Town Halls – Best Practices
A Political Action Memo”
Kev, the only problem is the devil is in the details. The headings that start each paragraph were not in the memo, they were added by Think Progress. The other laughable point is the link between Freedom Works (which I had never head of prior to this issue, which should show how little impact even they have) and this memo produced by a libertarian who has never voted republican on a national level. He sent this out as guidance for several buddies of his, he didn’t even have a facebook following in the triple digits or a twitter following in the double digits. It is pathetic that liberal groups have seized on this as evidence that Republicans are organizing with explicit directions on a national level.
Posted by: Jason | August 8, 2009, 8:20 am 8:20 am
Who want to give the health cafe lobbyist more money please raise your hand?
if they don’t like government run health care so bad why the lobbyists did not wanted to get rid of Medicare? Of course not, Medicare is public (aka government). Public runs health care will prevent them from raising price.
this is America. Free enterprise and competition are at best. Nothing is wrong with public option. If you don’t like public option then pick a private one instead.
Posted by: kieth | August 8, 2009, 9:14 am 9:14 am
I think when it comes to issues of this magnatude we need to have a vote,lets put forth 2 or 3 ideas for health care programs and let the people vote on it,as long as ACORN isn’t involved.
Posted by: ACT NOW | August 8, 2009, 9:46 am 9:46 am
ObamaCare for Seniors: The Final Solution
Posted by: Sam Deakins | August 8, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am
We are seeing the ultimate expression of GOP and big health corporation nastiness–lies, fist fights, death threats and Nazi Swastikas. We all know the health reform bill is not about Granny Killing and all that other baloney. We all know that the mobs are web-site inspired with the huge health insurance lobbies and the GOP behind the web sites. Also, media outlets like FOX network (with people like Glenn Beck who jokes about poisoning Nancy Pelosi using California wine) are fomenting the anger.
Are a minority of people angry? Yes. Are web sites and TV outlets whipping them up? Yes. Are the billion-dollar corporations, their lobbies, and the GOP behind it? Yes. If things change the corporations lose the exploitative health insurance goose that lays the golden eggs.
So Obama is right. It is time to come out clearly against all this nastiness, to name lies for what they are, and to call shouting down your neighbor at town halls what that is–anti-free speech behavior.
Posted by: JAB | August 8, 2009, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Pelosi started the comparison, Limbaugh responded. It is logical to criticize both because the Nazi movement was horrific. The protesters at the town hall meetings resemble colonial Americans that started our country not Nazis. The democrats are deceptive and manipulative on a grand scale frequently using lawyer like tactics to confuse the issue. Democrats and leftists are the ones who organize special interests to show up at town halls. Democrats and leftists are the ones who manufacture protests. And the democrats accuse others of doing exactly what they actually do and that does resemble the Nazi strategy. Limbaugh should have been careful not to go over board with his comparison. Pelosi started it, and other democrats and leftists in the past also called Bush a Nazi.
Posted by: Henri | August 8, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
“What planet do you live on??? Why SHOULDN’T all American taxpayers have access to an AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PLAN???
Posted by: Melanie | Aug 7, 2009 5:02:18 PM
There is an easy answer. There is no reason why Americans shouldn’t have an affordable health care plan. There is also absolutely no argument as to why the Federal Government has any power or say in it. There are no legal grounds for their involvement. If I wanted to be inflammatory, I’d have to ask you what country you live in. Have you studied your basic civics lessons?
The USA is governed by the rule of law not the whim of elected officials. All laws, all programs, and all aspects of the federal government must conform to the supreme law of the land which is the Constitution.
Where in the Constitution does Congress or the President have any authority at all to get involved into private business such as running an automotive company or forcing a government run insurance system? It doesn’t exist in the supreme law of that land so the entire HR3200 is unconstitutional.
If you want to debate a topic, start with the Constitution and follow the rule of law. If it is not a power afforded to the US Federal Government, then the US Federal Government has to butt out due to the 9th and 10th Amendments.
Squelching verbal dissent and attempts at intimidation by the government are also unconstitutional.
Attempts by posters like this Melanie to try their version of shouting down people are equally uncivil. If your suggestions are not in alignment with the US Constitution, then take it to the state level where it belongs.
A better debate is how much stuff that has been done by the Federal Government should be undone to the health care industry because of their interfering and overstepping of their legal constraints.
As for the Nazi comments, neither side should be saying them and both sides are at fault.
Those who are upset have a justifiable reason to be upset. What is being pushed in HR3200 is absolutely useless and harmful on many, many levels. Read the thing, it is atrocious and highly unconstitutional.
Or are there many who agree that the Federal Government should have direct access to your bank accounts? That’s just one of many things in it.
There is no legal, constitutional, or fiscal reason for the involvement of the Federal Government in “health care reform” or any federal level program for “health care insurance.” They are massively overstepping their bounds and are reckless. That is a solid set of reasons for people to be upset.
As an FYI, I am not a Republican or a Democrat and I’ll rip into both sides equally. I’m an advocate of following the rule of law which begins with the US Constitution. Words and actions of both sides (President saying to hit back twice as hard, SEIU & others getting involved, screaming matches, Congress not listening to the people) are going to escalate the divisions into a very dark time for our country.
Solution – Stay within the framework of the Constitution and return to a civil discourse.
Reality – It seems to be nearly too late.
Posted by: Maturekid | August 8, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
The most foolish outrage in this report is that from the American Jewish Congress, objecting to the comparison of Obama [and Polisi] to Hitler as offensive and intolerable. Objecting because they only appear to consider Hitler’s end resulting assault against humanity, including the Jews. Hitler, in first six months of office, did not take single Jew into a concentration camp. He took power gradually, as he first won the hearts and minds of the people, including those of many Jews. Hitler could never have perpetrated his evil deeds without first, the support of the people through deceptive means. It is the same today, Obama and the democrats in general, driven by their liberal agenda, have worked at winning the hearts and minds of the people, and as the liberal succeed more, they will get to the point of killing millions of humans. Killing humans while advocating the protection of animal, bird and tree life. Many, many Jews playing along, until again, the liberals will turn fully against Israel and work at destroying it from the map. All because of an inherent hatred with anything pertaining to the Most High God and His Christ.
Posted by: Ivanvivian | August 8, 2009, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Henri, No, the people showing up are NOT acting like patriots!
They are acting like terrorists and OBSTRUCTING Civil Discourse!
Since you republicans lost the election you no longer like DEMOCRACY!
Obstruction Civil Discourse in a Democracy is NOT Patriotic!
Posted by: Arliss | August 8, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am
will shure,
“What I don’t understand is why in hell do we need to give health care to ILLEGAL ALIENS and to be expected to pay the bill for them???”
You ALREADY are paying for those who do not have coverage!
Why do you think our Medical Bills are so high? They charge us so much to make up for those who have no coverage.
Why do you think that while in a hospital the medication they give you costs ten times the amount you would pay outside? Or why they will charge you $60 for a box of tissues?
They are now overcharging people to cover those without insurance!
If everyone is covered it means that the costs for everyone will go down.
Posted by: Arliss | August 8, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am
What you “Shills” and “Trolls” do not get is that people have obviously “Had it!” The people do not want to “converse” with the Politicians and hear more of the same. People are tired of listening (mainly to outright lies, deceptions, half-truth and semantics) people want to be HEARD and LISTENED too. Stop telling U.S. that you’re going to do what is best for us, rather than what we want you to do FOR U.S., our wishes, your constituents as our “Duly Elected Representative.”
Posted by: jedediah | August 8, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
What you “Shills” and “Trolls” do not get is that people have obviously “Had it!” The people do not want to “converse” with the Politicians and hear more of the same. People are tired of listening (mainly to outright lies, deceptions, half-truth and semantics) people want to be HEARD and LISTENED too. Stop telling U.S. that you’re going to do what is best for us, rather than what we want you to do FOR U.S., our wishes, your constituents as our “Duly Elected Representative.”
Posted by: jedediah | August 8, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
I GUESS NO ONE REMEMBERS HOW THE US AND FLORIDA GOVERNMENT STARVED TERRY SCHINDLER SHIAVO TO DEATH BECAUSE SHE WAS MENTALLY HANDICAPPED??? Much more of the same will happen to our sick, handicapped and elderly under the Obama “heatlh” care plan.
Factcheck org is a propaganda lying machine for Obama. They prove this by pimping his forged birth certificate on their website.
Posted by: M. Pitcher | August 8, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
Not that I endorse the GOP, but they do have their own plan for reducing health cost and increasing benefits under insurance to include pre-existing conditions, but Pelosi locked every single republican out of all “health” care planning meetings… The Dems and Obama want this plan for more government control over your lives – nothing else. Read the plan yourself. Don’t listen to the lies they spew from their mouths read the death plan yourself and you come up with your own conclusions.
Posted by: M. Pitcher | August 8, 2009, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
I see some are using the Constitution and ask questions such as, “where in the Constitution does it say the government should get involved in private businesses? Where in the constitutiond does it say the government should provide universal health care?”
I don’t know where it does or doesn’t because I’m not a Constitutional Scholar, but where in the Constitution does it say that the government should provide for Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA Hospital system?
As far as the government “taking over” car companies and other businesses, those businesses had the opportunity to just say “no” to any government relief, and simply go out of business.
Posted by: RJDobbs | August 8, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
I don’t listen to Rush, either, because at best, he’s a loudmouth bully; at worst, he is a vile, vicious, hate monger extraordinaire.
Posted by: RJDobbs | August 8, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Interesting comments.
Posted by: Listenpeople | August 8, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
You gotta love the Jews. They listen as Obama plunges the knife into Israel’s back, then defend him and his shills in Congress with blind loyalty. Wonder what they will say when they find themselves betrayed again? Docility is not conducive to longevity or freedom when the wolf is at the door. Speak up, shout, yell, silence the liars and then vote them out.
Posted by: Big Guy | August 8, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.” “If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.” “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.” “The beauty of the second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.”
All quotes belong to Thomas Jefferson. Seems to me he might know a thing or two and it would behoove those in D.C. to reflect on the wisdoms of such sages.
Posted by: Need Fresh Air | August 8, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
And be sure to read The Declaration of Independence!
“This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and so firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.” Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: Need Fresh Air | August 8, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
The trouble is that when the government is following in the same historical path as Nazi Germany did before WW-II, what are we to think?
Sorry, but if the truth hurts, it hurts. Call something what it is and everyone knows the truth. Mask it in some disguise to make it palatable and everyone sees it for what it is…
The truth of health care is that the Obama administration is declaring war on the elderly and the sick. This will be done through rationed health care and formal decisions by government officials to cease treatments according to whatever dictates they like without the patient having input or control of their own destiny.
The best path with this plan, even if passed by our “congress” (note small “c”) is to resist and refuse to cooperate with the officials when they try to push you around.
The Nazi comparison is most correct and needs to be foremost in people’s minds when viewing what the Democrats have become.
Posted by: Jon | August 8, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
Bush gets all the blame–he messed up our country, and when Sarah Palin becomes president, since America is stuck on dividing it self, she will finish us all. Ah… America, I knew you will.
Posted by: Zayas | August 8, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
So riddle me this Batman. If the ADL is so upset about calling Obama a Nazi, why didn’t they object when the left referred to Bush in the same way?
We should all be civil however the reason these Americans are so upset is because the meetings are one way conversations with the Dems telling the unwashed masses why ObamCare is the perfect solution to that nasty capitalism that creates real jobs in this country and the questions are controlled so that only softballs are answered. These Congressmen could have diffused the situation by simply stating very firmly that they work for all the people and were there to learn from them. Furthermore that he/she would stay all night until each and every one had his/her say. The time to make up your mind is never. A quote that would have resonated with this visibly angry group
Posted by: Jim | August 8, 2009, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
Nancy started it – nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah! And YET, most news organizations fail to indicate this fact – yet nobody is upset about that! There are no pictures of people carrying swastikas or wearing swastikas at these meetings – so there she goes again – lying. These people can’t be trusted with what they say, let alone, with our health care. We have a right to speak out, and it is frustrating because the members of congress have NOT been listening – they voted for TARP, the stimulus, cap and trade – they fail to heed the majority of Americans just look at the polls.
Posted by: Tess | August 8, 2009, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
I don’t think we know anything about what they’re planning!
Posted by: LongT | August 9, 2009, 8:50 am 8:50 am
There is a grave and sinister tone to the discussions on how America should be run. We do live in a democracy where freedom of speech and public discourse on the solutions are civic responsibilities, what trouble’s me most is the hateful and beligerent liars such as Limbaugh, Beck and others. They are hell bent to the point of inciting mob violence and supported by some of most violent groups. I think the majority of Americans would like to have the Towns Hall, remain a format of civil, rational discussion as opposed to a forum of belligerence akin to Mob rule! And for a small few such as the birthers, they need to accept that yes a black man is sitting in the White House and get over their insecurities!
Posted by: wave06 | August 9, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am
Rush Limbaugh raises some interesting questions. One is, since he and a handful of others at Fox News, are the only visible leaders of the anti-Obama movement — why doesn’t he run for office?
Another is that free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution, but can anything at all be done to correct outright lies that are reaching millions of us and galvanizing us into actions that are misguided by any civilized standard?
Both Rush’s intentions and his grasp of history are egregious. Three days ago he compared Obama to the USSR for appointing so many “czars.” (Russia pulled down the last Czar in 1917 and killed him and his family.)
Now he makes an extended comparison of Obama with Hitler. “Hitler hated capitalism.” Is he kidding? The foundation of Nazi Germany’s economy was government-endorsed private cartels that were awarded contracts whimsically, more like Boeing and KBR.
And no liberal, Nancy Pelosi included, has ever accused the demonstrators of carrying placards with swastikas and the SS log of representing their own values.
Two months ago, Glen Beck spent one of his programs explaining how Obama’s “socialism” was just a mask for “fascism.” There was a little thud as both Hitler and Stalin rolled over in their graves.
This wouldn’t be so dangerous except that a small but intense group of people who know little of either history or logic are swallowing this stuff and acting on it, to the detriment of the democratic process.
Much of this could be cleared up if Rush and Glen would take part in public debates with people who don’t already agree with them, but it won’t happen.
Why stick their necks out when they can confine themselves to preaching to the choir? The bottom line is ratings.
Posted by: Robert Maxwell | August 9, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
I’ve seen pictures of signs with Nazi symbols at these mob gatherings. One showed a baby in a carriage with a Nazi symbol. I’m not sure, but suspect Pelosi didn’t call those people Nazis. She was saying through their signs and symbols the mob was applying the term to their political enemies.
Posted by: JAB | August 9, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
I am a Jew. I too lost family in the Holocaust. My question for “Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor”, is : Mr Foxman where was the outrage when Nazi symbols were ROUTINELY utilized by the wacko left in caricatures, shirts signs posters and commentary, all directed to Mr. Bush & Mr Cheney?
Posted by: pauldia | August 9, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Corporate propaganda. The spin – “health care”, “conservative”, “jewish”.
Truth – America is becoming more fascist everyday. This is not about right, left, or any special interest. This is about our former freedom. People who get all fired up about what other people think or say, are the same type who would commit the same fascist controlling measures upon others, just in a different way. The government’s role in society is spelled out clearly in the constitution? Those who believe absurdities, WILL commit attrosities.
Posted by: Tim Gallien | August 10, 2009, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
LongT, two points.
(1) SOME of the demonstrators at the town hall meetings have carried placards showing the swastika and the SS logo. They’ve been in photos and are easily looked up. Of course the photos may have been faked by the enemy.
(2) Yes, the demonstrators have a right to be heard. So do the speakers.
Posted by: Robert Maxwell | August 11, 2009, 3:21 am 3:21 am
So is it that they don’t teach history in American schools or is it that they teach Americanized history in schools?
I beg of you all to please, please pick up a history book and read about Hitler and the Nazi’s… so many of you are mistaken, I understand it’s not your fault but the fault of Fox News and their hate.
I’d like to point out that in Canada there is public health care and no one is ever ‘putdown’, nor do you receive a bill for your health care services. You can go to any doctor you’d like and all people are treated as equals. There are no extensive wait times and it seems to work very well and has for a very long time. In regards to talk about ‘death panels’ and such nonsense I leave you with an example:
Republican’s claim that based on “Canadian-style health care” those who are too old or sick will not receive the treatment they require because they are no longer a viable/productive member of society. Recently an 89 year old Canadian man took a fall and was rushed to the hospital. It turns out he needed to have his knee replaced. He met with a specialist and they discussed the procedure and requested that they provide him with his living will so that if there was a problem with the surgery or something drastic happened to him, they would know and honor his wishes. 6 weeks later he entered the hospital and had his knee replaced – no problem, no medical bills and he certainly wasn’t put down. He is now working with a physical therapist to get him back on his feet and expects to be walking around in no time.
I don’t see why you would all be so against this type of treatment… Odd really.
I am 31 years old and I’ve had the discussion about my ‘end of life plans’. For anyone who has parents, siblings, children or friends this is the responsible thing to do. If you were in a serious accident and left brain dead for example, why would you be so selfish as to ask your family to make a tough decision during an already tough time?!?!? To me that is just insensitive. Every single person should have the opportunity to layout their emergency plan and make decisions for their care. Not doing so is just plain ignorant.
Posted by: Schmoozer | August 14, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
The lady from Canada wrote that she has enjoyed the government run insurance and that there are no waiting lines. If that be the case, may I ask you, why did that 88 year old man who had taken a severe fall have to wait, I’m sure he was in pain, for a month and half for his knee surgery. Can’t sell me on government run insurance with that tale. Also, why do such a large number of Canadians come across the border to receive medical attention?
Posted by: Roni | December 26, 2009, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm