The Note: Obama Enters ‘What’s In It for Me’ Phase — President Heads to Town-Hall Meetings
Email By TEDDY DAVIS President Obama is about to enter the “what’s in it for me” stage of his health-care push. “I am my brother’s keeper” may have catapulted Obama to national stardom in 2004 but as the president prepares to hold three town-hall meetings on health-care this week, he is planning to de-emphasize what his reforms would mean for the health-care system as a whole. Instead, he will highlight three reforms that are popular among the 85 percent of Americans who already have health insurance. Those three reforms are: (1) ending the practice of denying insurance coverage to people with a pre-existing illness; (2) keeping people from losing their coverage if they get sick; and (3) protecting Americans who face high out-of-pocket medical costs. To drive the three-part message home, the DNC released a new television ad on Tuesday morning — “What’s In It for Us” — making the same three points. “President Obama’s plan will end unfair insurance practices like denying coverage for a pre-existing condition, outrageous out-of-pocket expenses, and dropping coverage when you get too sick,” a narrator says in the DNC’s 30-second ad. “Health insurance reform means your family’s care comes first, not insurance industry profits.” Watch it HERE. The DNC is not releasing the size of the buy but the ad will air on national cable, as well as on local cable in New Hampshire, Montana, and Colorado – three states where the president is planning to hold town-hall meetings this week. (And today’s ad is not the end of it: the DNC’s Brad Woodhouse says the Democratic National Committee is planning additional state-specific ads disputing conservative attacks). Downplaying concerns about the town-hall protests which have occurred around the country, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel tells the New York Times: “Don’t associate loud with effective. What is coming across is a lot of noise and a lot of heat without a lot of light.” Emanuel, a former DCCC chair who led the 2006 Democratic takeover of the House, also told The Times that he detected no anxiety from supportive lawmakers in politically vulnerable districts. While Emanuel is confident that the White House counteroffensive is going to salvage health-care reform, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association made clear on Monday that he sees proposed cuts to Medicare as the Democrats’ Achilles heel. “As someone who was chairman of the Republican Party when we tried to increase Medicare spending more slowly and were attacked by the Democrats for cutting Medicare in a two-year ‘Mediscare campaign,’ I know that the Democrats now do not want to talk to anybody about the fact that they are proposing hundreds of billions of dollars of spending reductions in Medicare,” said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) on a conference call with reporters. On the same call, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R) added: “You’re talking about hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts in spending to Medicare. That’s why I think you see the members of the AARP, separated from the leadership on this issue, because they are just plain scared because they don’t know what it means for them.”
New Hampshire curtain-raisers: President Obama’s first of three town-hall meetings this week takes place in Portsmouth, N.H., at 1:00 pm ET. (His other two take place Friday in Bozeman, Mont., and Saturday in Grand Junction, Colo.). The Concord Monitor has details on the demonstrations planned for this morning. “Unions urged members to turn out, and New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Mark McKenzie was slotted to headline a 9:30 a.m. rally. The state’s largest union, the State Employees’ Association, urged members to show up as early as 9 a.m.” “The New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition, an assortment of groups involved in the state’s ‘Tax Day’ rallies this spring, sent followers an e-mail urging them to attend a rally outside the high school or along the route Obama will drive and noting that protesters likely won’t be able to bring signs into the event.” “The Free State Project, the group that urges libertarians from across the nation to move to the Granite State, directed followers to a Facebook page urging a protest of ‘government takeover of your healthcare’ starting at 11 a.m. And the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition, a conservative group that has backed municipal tax caps in several cities, instructed protesters to arrive as early as 9 a.m., calling its followers those ‘concerned about losing their private healthcare to government bureaucracy and Congressional political favors.’” Per the Union Leader, a “stream of guests came to pick up their tickets yesterday” in advance of today’s town-hall meeting. “Each filled out a form on the White House Web site and were contacted over the weekend by a member of the President’s advance team. They included Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Most said they had never given money to the Obama campaign.”
Obama Puts Off Immigration Bill Until 2010 Talking about immigration reform at a presser in Guadalajara, Mexico, President Obama said on Monday that he expects draft legislation and sponsors by the end of the year, but no action until 2010 because of more pressing issues, including health-care reform, energy legislation and financial regulatory changes.
ABC’s Sunlen Miller, the Washington Post, and the New York Times have more.
Stephen Dinan and Matthew Mosk of the Washington Times write that Obama’s delay on immigration reform “is a clear departure” from the promise he made in July 2008 at the four-day National Council of La Raza Convention, which attracted more than 20,000 people to the San Diego Convention Center. “I think it’s time for a president who won’t walk away from something as important as comprehensive reform just because it becomes politically unpopular,” Obama said. “I will make it a top priority in my first year as the president of the United States of America.”
Palin Loses Stimulus Fight: The Alaska Legislature voted Monday to override former Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R) veto of roughly $28 million in federal stimulus funds intended for energy projects. Per the Anchorage Daily News, “the veto override required a vote of 75 percent of the Legislature, a hurdle that is rarely met. The override passed on a 45 to 14 vote — without a vote to spare. Supporters argued Palin badly overstated the ‘strings’ attached to taking the money, and Alaska could use the assistance.” Palin kept up her fight against the stimulus funds in a Facebook message posted Sunday. “As governor, I did my utmost to warn our legislators that accepting stimulus funds will further tie Alaska to the federal government and chip away at Alaska’s right to chart its own course. Enforcing the federal building code requirements, which Governor Parnell and future governors will be forced to adopt in order to accept these energy funds, will eventually cost the state more than it receives. There are clear ropes attached,” she wrote.
The Kicker: “You want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not secretary of state, I am. If you want my opinion, I will tell you my opinion. I am not going to be channeling my husband.” –Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when a Congolese university student asked her for her husband’s thinking on an international financial matter. (It was later discovered that the person who asked Clinton about the Congo trade deal with China was asking her what President Obama thought, not what her husband thought. The translator made the error).
For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note’s blog . . . all day every day:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America? 
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back?
The more kooks that come means that the president gets a chance to shout down the irrational accusations himself to a large audience, getting replays over and over. This is a perfect start to the new message war. The website is just fluff for the press to chat about…
Posted by: matt | August 11, 2009, 8:58 am 8:58 am
Matt, They’re not ‘kooks’. They’re just stupid un-Americans. Haven’t you heard?
Posted by: LongT | August 11, 2009, 9:04 am 9:04 am
At some point the government is not responsible for me.
Posted by: Kate | August 11, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am
Here is what “ UN-AMERICAN “ is in a calibrated version.
Democrats and Republican elected politicians who put party politics and policies above those of the people.
Republicans and Democrats who voted to saddle the next three generations of our children with a debt mortgaged and held by foreign countries.
The unelected voice of the news medias that report biased slanted articles in support of only the political policies of one political party and do not report the facts.
Senators and Congress members that do not speak up against a President and Administration for collecting emails and conversations and informing the White House on fellow citizens contrary to existing laws and the constitution.
Republicans and Democrats who do not pay their share of taxes yet continue to spend the peoples money as if it were their own with no accountability to anyone but themselves.
Unelected and unaccountable czars that direct and influence policies from closed door meetings and dealings with lobbyists and friends.
Party politics that have divided the country and pit brother against sister not for the best interest of the people but solely for the self serving interest of a political party.
The American people have had it with these continues and every day calibrated UN-American activities that go on in Washington and across the States.
Posted by: peterclarke | August 11, 2009, 9:08 am 9:08 am
I’ve seen and heard them on TV. Look like the regular dull normal Whites that make up most of the Republican base.
Posted by: Moo | August 11, 2009, 9:13 am 9:13 am
ObamaCare is an additional 8% tax on all part-time wages. Thats 60 cents per hour of that raise you just got. Resturants waiters are not exempt. Thats a tax of $5.00 back to the government kitty every night you work. This is a tax, not a healthcare plan. Thats still your problem. You will be penalized 2.5% if you don’t have health insurance. Up to 750.00 bucks per year. IT’s IN the BILL. Don’t believe your politicians, or Kate Snow who thinks otherwise. THIS IS IN THE BILL, FOLKS> Call us nuts. But Batman never faced a villian like these jokers.
Posted by: heavenislikethis | August 11, 2009, 9:19 am 9:19 am
Will this republic (United States of America) make it to 2076 anniversary of 300 years of independence from the English government? I wonder how the history books of the future will look back on this nation. Is America transitioning form a republic form of less government or to democratic form of more government? I wonder what our country will be called in the future: Socialist States of America or ….. never mind I guess our future generations will have to decide. Like all great republics from histories past they usually don’t survive. Can America survive? Will we forget or loss sight on what this country was founded and what makes this country the greatest in the world. Or will be in the future history books that look back and say “America: last of the great republics”.
Posted by: John | August 11, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am
A main talking point for the dems must be the we spend twice as much on health care as other countries, $7000 more per person, but our outcomes are no better. James Carville said this morning and several of the Dem. NC congressmen mentinoed it.
Chris shoudl have asked Carville as all reporters shoudl ask them…if we are already overpaying for our health care, why do we need to spend more money?
Spending more without cutting costs first is a recipe for fiscal disaster. all we need to do is to look at the subprime and toxic asset mess.
have we not learned?
Posted by: scott jeffries | August 11, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
peterclarke – “Senators and Congress members that do not speak up against a President and Administration for collecting emails and conversations and informing the White House on fellow citizens contrary to existing laws and the constitution.”
SOURCES PLEASE….what programme is this? or is this another Palin-like “death panels” charge…? the hysterics on the right would be amusing if it was not such outright lies and deception….
Posted by: indithinker | August 11, 2009, 9:28 am 9:28 am
I think shouting at the meetings and not ask questions is absolutely counterproductive as that does not give the speaker an opportunity to asnwer the question and the public to hear the answer. If the shouters intend to change the minds of those who support healthcare reform, then, shouting is a wrong way to do this.
Democracy does not mean shutting people down by shouting; it means presenting arugments and gaining support of your ideas by discussions and informed judgemnts. Shouting does not accomplish any of these things.
For those who are shouting, let us hear your healthcare reform plans rather than just your shouting. Tell us how you intend to provide health coverage to 46 million people that don’t have health insurance. Surely, what you have as health insurance, others want and deserve that too. Remember, we say USA is the greatest country in the world. Are you saying now that greatest country in the world does not care for its people? Are you saying that the greatest country in the world cannot discuss issues in a civilized manner and has to shout to make sure that others are not heard? That is not the USA I know of and the USA I think we want in our future.
Let us hear, listen, and speak with respect and dignity even if we disagree. Only then can we find solutions to problems that are complex and multifaced.
Posted by: Jeet | August 11, 2009, 9:30 am 9:30 am
Carville said “we spend more on healthcare then other countries”, TRUE, we also spend more on clothes, make-up, and gift wrapping paper. Why don’t see a Hallmark Czar? We spend too much on birthdays, and we don’t have any more than other countries. Something is wrong with our birthdays.
Posted by: Heavenislikethis | August 11, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am
I don’t mind listening to opposing sides, its the yelling, pushing and spreading lies I can’t abide. I think the way the Republicans have conducted themselves during this debate makes them look really, really, really bad.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Moo (9:13 AM); The man beaten up by the SEIU ‘thugs’ was a black man handing out un-American buttons.
Posted by: LongT | August 11, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am
We are all sensitive people–Republicans are just sensitive to guns and wars.
Posted by: Kenneth Pennington | August 11, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am
…”scared because they don’t know what it means for them.” and ““Don’t associate loud with effective.” That about sums it up, doesn’t it. The leadership of this country don’t want to hurt the people of this country – that basic premice should prevent these outbursts, and through calm, intelligent debate and discussion, we can solve this problem in a way that benefits the most people. That’s democracy.
Posted by: Gerald | August 11, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am
Well once again Obama goes before his adoring masses ( you know of course he only speaks in front of invitees) and mouths platitudes about his healthcare reform but never gives anyone specifics! Why is this??? He does this so the Congress & Senate can take the fall if it doesn’t work!!!! No leader here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lovingpolitics | August 11, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
Jeet said, “I think shouting at the meetings and not ask questions is absolutely counterproductive as that does not give the speaker an opportunity to asnwer the question and the public to hear the answer” === Look at the meeting in Georgia with Rep. David Scott. The questioner, a local doctor, wasn’t shouting and wanted to hear the answer, but instead the Representative fell back on the age old politician’s ploy of attacking and ridiculing of anyone who doesn’t agree with them. All politicians are cut from the same cloth or come out of the same mold. They just aren’t use to their own tactics being thrown back on them.
Posted by: tiredtoo | August 11, 2009, 10:16 am 10:16 am
If you dont like the yelling what about acorn or the black pathers and democrats stated vietnam and korea. Drink the coolaid and listen to idiots like carville. Who just repeat the same thing over and over.
Posted by: jim | August 11, 2009, 10:18 am 10:18 am
So you are mad because your taxes will be going up… sheesh! like you want to blame Obama for that? really think about how much debt we had when Bush handed the thrown over… seriously… you people can’t be that dumb to think your taxes would not have to be raised. I am somewhat new in the world of politics and knew everyones taxes would go up. And, for the national health care… Go Obama. Educate yourself with this bill before you go off on some rage. You are smart people act like it. when I say educate yourself that is what I mean do not listen to anyone else on it. Find it, read it, get your questions and concerns answered in a professional adult manner.
Posted by: insight | August 11, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
Republicans and their backers in the insurance industry are hiding behind willfully ignorant people in these well-orchestrated and organized “protests” The only things at stake is the Republican’s profitable relationship with the insurance industry and a loss of billions to the industry trying to actually compete, for once, for your health dollars.
Posted by: DaveM | August 11, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am
I can’t believe BO is actually going to attend one of these town hall meetings. I figured he would duck and cover like so many of his brownshirted henchmen have done and cancel.
The bottom line is that 90% of Americans have health insurance, and are very happy with the treatment they receive. This 90% are contributing members to society who arise to the sound of an alarm clock every morning, and have provided THEMSELVES with heath coverage.
No matter how many liberal politicians like BO tell us that America is a terrible place to live in, the American people know better. They don’t want more gov’t in their lives and they don’t want washington to have more power over the people.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 11, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Kate said, “At some point the government is not responsible for me.” I’m not sure what that means, really. Who paves the road so you can get to your home? Who provides access to water and electricity for that home? Who provides a military that keeps you safe? Who administers Social Security and Medicare, two of the largest “socialist” programs in the world? The government was NOT responsible for you when the banking industry crashed and burned, and millions lost their life savings. And the government is NOT responsible for people with cancer and other diseases who are dropped from their insurance coverage because they are at their max or it is a pre-existing condition. The insurance industry balances patient care with profit. Which do you think carries more weight at the end of the day?
Posted by: DaveM | August 11, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am
90% of Americans who arise to the sound of an alarm clock every morning have provided themselves with health coverage.
The other 10% are still waiting for BO to deliver them a new pair of shoes and purchase them a better car.
Posted by: Liberalsaresocialists | August 11, 2009, 10:32 am 10:32 am
Well, Well, Well, now I’m un-American because I disagree with the so-called “Healthcare Plan Reform”. Funny, I’ve been a registered Democrat for 41 years, my parents were Democrats, and over half of our family. Am I suppose to sit back and agree with everything my party does, or speak up and express my feelings. Obama, Pelosi, and all the Democrats need to wake up and realize that as Americans, we have the right to disagree. I just wish there would be a town meeting close to where I live, I’d be there with bells ringing to get attention. JoannaJ
Posted by: joannaj747 | August 11, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am
I don’t think the GOP is using paid protesters. You could always spot the protesters paid by the Democrats to attend. They were the group where one or more of the protesters held his sign upside down… and neither he nor any of his group noticed.
Posted by: Phil (KY) | August 11, 2009, 10:39 am 10:39 am
I’m not yelling – I downloaded & read HR3200 – I’m not represented by my gov’t at all – - and this “groundswell of grass roots objection” doesn’t represent me either.
I don’t want more gov’t and bigger gov’t and am telling all those elected elite in the most thoughtful way I can. This is not a partisan issue – this is about dependency and control.
Stop the foolish bickering and realize that gov’t cannot take care of you and there is no free ride. Government “generates” absolutely no income and only has what it takes from you & me to pay themselves.
Posted by: JB | August 11, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
Tired of hearing BHO and his ilk push the line that “Majority of Americans want a government healthcare system.” Polls bear out that more than 80% of Americans are satisfied with their healthcare. Suggestion – Do as in that 1976 classic movie NETWORK: Go to your window, open it up and shout at the top of your lungs – “I’M MAD AS HELL, AND I WON’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!”
Posted by: Leo | August 11, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
Got a letter from the union telling me to shout down health care reform, but I’m too broke to make it to a rally since I broke my hip and have been laid up for three weeks. Medical bills are stacking up because my insurance sucks – whats a red-blooded American who believes health care ‘socialism’ is wrong going to do about that?
Posted by: Himthatshallnotbenamed | August 11, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
LongT…yes I have seen the White House posting on the subject…and although worded in an upfortunate way, it does not say anything about “turning in your neighbors” or “gathering email addresses” etc…
it says to send in untrue facts that you find out there…
btw, where was the outrage from the right when Bush/Cheney set up their illegal program to tap American citizens phone and email conversatons…this was a real program, that was against the constitution…why not the outrage about this real progam, vs the made up one here?
Posted by: indithinker | August 11, 2009, 10:45 am 10:45 am
Moo: Please provide me with demographic information of the GOP base.
Posted by: Charlie from Texas | August 11, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
joannaj747
It isn’t un-American to disagree over policy. It’s un_American to shout down people trying to discuss the policy at a town hall, un-American to spread lies and mis-information to try and sway (frighten) others to support your point of view. Do you get the difference?
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
PeterClarke: Couldn’t have said it better myself. People are too caught up in party affiliation…they should be basing their opinions and beliefs on what they feel is right and wrong. Is national healthcare what everyone wants or do some want it only because it is being pitched by their party? Sad to say, but America appears to have been dumbed down to the point where no one looks beyond their own noses.
Posted by: Charlie from Texas | August 11, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Moo: Please give me the demographics of the GOP base.
Posted by: Charlie from Texas | August 11, 2009, 11:13 am 11:13 am
JB
You must really trust your employer and the insurance industry, because you prefer to put your health in their hands, rather than let your elected government try to get everyone covered.
I worked for a company that kept me part-time by laying me off three weeks out of the year – just so they wouldn’t have to offer me health insurance. I’ve worked in restaurants, day care and retail stores that could not offer me health insurance. I finally got health insurance when I took care of a disabled woman, but I lost that when she went into the hospital and the small company that employed me couldn’t pay for insurance.
I currently have insurance working for a better company, and believe me, I am grateful, but it was touch and go there for awhile due to the recession. What if I lost my job? I am a reasonably healthy person, with good genes and healthy habits, but I need to know if that mole on my back starts to bleed, or if I slip on the ice and break my hand – and my employer drops our coverage, that I can still get medical attention without going bankruopt.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
don’t mind listening to opposing sides, its the yelling, pushing and spreading lies I can’t abide. I think the way the Republicans have conducted themselves during this debate makes them look really, really, really bad.
Posted by: Amy B Maine
So the gentleman who stood up at one of rthese meeting and annouced he was a Democrat was lying ?
Amy, open your eyes, stop being such a liberal whiner. The reason ther eis yelling is because everyday people are sick & tired of hearing political talking points instead of straight forward answers.
This time the subject directly touches a big part of everyone’s life. People are not convinced at all that upsetting the apple cart is going to result in a system that works better for them at a lower cost.
Liberals can blame “right-wingers”, fOX news, Limbaugh, Beck & hannity all day, it really is not relevant.
Democrats have total control of the government and very copliant main stream media to get their message out.
Obama even had his little “info-mercial” on ABC in prime time a few weeks back. Still, the American People are not buying into the plan emerging from Congress.
For many Americans, this is wakeup call. It is the first time they have actually seen & read bill. They have trusted their representatives and their gov’t to do the right things. sometimes they have been pleased with the results, other times not.
This time, with so many in the 55+ category, this subject is really coming home to people and they do not like the uncertainity that is swirling around this subject. HR3200 and its derivatives have simply fueled the fire, rather than extinguishing it.
Posted by: Mike_C | August 11, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am
I’m still confused as to where the benefit of this healthcare bill lies (no pun intended…). So far, I see that it is going to quadruple the current national debt over ten years and based on the CBO mark-up of the bill, we all know the cost will be much higher. It will take away choice from the American people and put decision making power (about your health/life) into the hands of the government…the same government who has yet to run a successful program of any sort. It will also take away competition and free markets in the medical field…the two drivers of innovation which is what has made our current system the best in the world. And all in the name of insuring a handful of currently uninsured people (36M of the supposed 47M uninsured will remain uninsured under this plan). Makes no sense to any human with a brain. Completely politically driven and laden with lies and propaganda to sell it to the uninformed Americans.
Posted by: Charlie from Texas | August 11, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
“I am sick and tired of people who call you unpatriotic if you debate this administration’s policies. We are Americans and have the right to participate and debate any administration.” – Hillary Clinton 2008
Posted by: Leo | August 11, 2009, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Social Security does NOT work. Social Security is nothing more then a PONZI scheme, that we the tax payer is NOT suppose to collect on. This HEALTH care plan will tax everyone, just like social security, and who gets what care will be decided by the government. Look Obama’s plan is SOCIALISM…..and government power. Obama lied about lobbiest in his cabinet, domestic drilling, nuclear power, earmarks, ACORN, and many many other things during his campaign, and he has proven himself a liar. Limited government is the best government. When socialist have come to power in history they limit free speech, use lies in media, silence opposition, seize free markets to fund the takeover of freedom, and finally they abuse and destroy the country. SOCIAL SECURITY IS A LIE, A FRAUD, A MASSIVE PONZI SCHEME, and you want the government to handle your healthcare?????
Posted by: jon | August 11, 2009, 11:36 am 11:36 am
The reason these meeetings are so riled up as they have been fed misinformation along the way by Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and Rick Scott. Scott sends e-mails all telling everyone where the meeting is. He and his hospitals were fined 1.7 billion dollars for defrauding the medicare/medicade program and he does not deny it. Is this the person we want to listen to. The really angry people are already programed that the government is out to get them and even when they are told that a certain thing is not in the bill, i.e. death panel..they will not believe it. First and foremost, there is no bill yet, only several floating around to be discussed.
Posted by: talmag | August 11, 2009, 11:41 am 11:41 am
Leo, Noragehere
Democrats did not spread lies and misinformation in protesting the policies of the Bush administration.
Code Pink demonstraters who yelled at Condi Rice were removed from hearing rooms and arrested, and no one says they were being unfairly “silenced” by Nazi-type goons, least of all Rush Limbaugh who is ginning up the base, making them feel victimized after tapes show them disrupting town halls with their shrieking. Do you get the difference?
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Whats in it for me should be changed to “if it is good enough for thee, then it is good enough for me”.
If it is changed for the public then it better be changed for our representatives , the union employees and other behind the scenes policy makers. No ifs ands or buts.
Posted by: david | August 11, 2009, 11:46 am 11:46 am
It’s not the yelling, it’s what the conservatives are NOT yelling about healthcare access for all. Keeping the GOP & partners rich is what it’s all about. Getting their constituents all stirred up about rights, guns, taxes and abortion takes attention off the real issue, and keeps the masses angry at one another, like crabs in a pot.
everyone loses [except those making huge profits] from not taking care of the health of our nation.
Posted by: gus amaral | August 11, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
Like all politicians who like to railroad programs through congress, that aren’t popular, Obama will tell us nothing about the program, that we would like to really know.
This isn’t really government by the people. It is government by the wealthy and powerful. Anyone who thinks otherwise, is simply naive.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 11, 2009, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
I don’t mind listening to opposing sides, its the yelling, pushing and spreading lies I can’t abide. I think the way the Republicans have conducted themselves during this debate makes them look really, really, really bad.
Posted by: Amy B Maine
Amy, If the dems are allowing entry by their supporters prior to the doors opening and they take up the front half of the room, what do you call that? One newsman has it on tape. They were using union men as bouncers for the event. I really don’t believe any of us believe that is fair. The dems have acted badly as well and deserve everything they get for stacking the deck. As Pelosi said, you have to listen to both sides, not just hers.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
Obama is slick, trying to sell his agenda. On one occasion he states “we are our brother’s keeper” and now it is appealing to “what’s in it for me?” As a nurse practitioner I vehemently oppose the public option, it will ration care either passively (elderly physically unable to wait for long hours due to fraility) or actively
( National Health Commissioner will determine type of care Americans are to receive). Congress and other political elite will be spared such hardship. I say try out this experiment on Congress first. A mock system for them could be set up using their inept guidelines. Will their botox take priority over their hemorrhoids?
Posted by: Downwithsocialism | August 11, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
Twice as much as most countries equates to we have a pricing issue. We have mal-practice, fraud issues. We have too many illegal aliens in our system. We need tort reform. We need to address fraud, waste and abuse or the new system will be riddled with it and cost us even more. Only then will we have a normal functional health care plan.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
I commend ABC for at least giving us representatives from BOTH sides of the Health Care debate- Coulter and Carvil on the News show this morning. I can’t watch NBC any more, they are SO biased and never allow for any real questions, reporting or debate from the Right- What are they afraid of? TRUE JOURNALISM AND LET THE PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS!
I can tell you that these people showing up for Tea Parties and Health Care debate, for the MOST part, are legitimate concerned and passionate Americans.
I’ve voted in every local and national election for the last 17 years, but have never before felt so passionate and worried about the direction toward Socialism that our Country is quickly headed- I’ve NEVER BEFORE… protested, called on my Representatives, called my Governor(California), posted comments… THIS YEAR WE’VE DONE ALL THOSE THINGS AND MORE. Most of the people we talk to share our views. These protesters are REAL people- they are me, my husband and people we know and don’t know. KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR LIVES- WE ALREADY HAVE MORE GOVERNMENT THAN IS GOOD FOR US!
Why is the Health Care debate only about establishing a new ‘Government Run Health Care’ department for reform? Why are we not discussing reforming the Private system that we already have and works great for MOST Americans? Because- the Democrats now in power want to seize more and more power, expand the Government in every way possible, as quickly as possible.
WAKE UP AMERICA- BEFORE OUR AMERICA IS NO LONGER AMERICA, BUT IS JUST… CANADA, FRANCE, BRITAIN, or whatever. America rose to be the GREATEST most prosperous country on Earth in less than 250 years!!! Compared to the others around for thousands of years. That is because of how our country was founded- It made us different and GREAT! Now every day we are getting further and further away from those principles, more and more like every other country and our America as a result is falling.
Posted by: Kimberly Clark | August 11, 2009, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
INDITHINKER – if they want the same insurance then go get it but not at my expense. The government does not owe them anything and i sure don’t. The government needs to stay out of insurance and go back to being small.
Posted by: RICHARD GROESBECK | August 11, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
The bottom-line is our government is no better than the bums on wall street – they in this for them selves. After years of abuse it has become clear our congressmen have sold us out for perks or money. So sit back and enjoy the ride we are doomed.
Obama and pelosi will hurt America more than Nixon – Clinton – Carter together.
Posted by: a citizen | August 11, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
The dem lied he other day about a cerebral palsy amendment right to the guys face. They lied on ABC today. The plan on page 427 states if the person has not had interview with a practitioner within 5 years the practitioner SHALL do it. Also, alot is dependent on the practitioner or a health care official of the government when it comes to “end of life” issues. The only thing I like so far is that illegal aliens cannot be on this program. If an illegal alien enters a facility, they should be seen, taken care of, reported to police and deported ASAP. That will clear up that fraud. I am tired of the whitehouse forcing emails down my throat while I am at work. Has anybody else experienced this?
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Kimberly Clark ————Carville was a fool this morning. He blamed everything on “political frustration”, but he defined it as “reps lost and now they are frustrated”. He gave zero mention of the health care bill. When he was told to talk about the bil, he simply went off about needing health care and mentioned no specifics. If that is the way dems act in town halls, no wonder people are getting frustrated. Carville is an idiot.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Kimberly Clark
This is the first time you have protested against something? Really? You didn’t mind Bush trying to privatize social security, which would have earned stock brokers billions in fees, but was defeated by Democrats and AARP. And then the stock market crashed. Gee, what would have happened to our retirement accounts if Bush had succeeded in privatization? But that didn’t bother you? You are bothered because Obama is trying to do something about the rising costs of healthcare, the flood of uninsured people clogging our emergency rooms, the drain on our businesses? The guy is trying to put us on more secure footing and you interpret that as diminishing America’s greatness? ooookkkaaay.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Ifrichar—- Yes, it was hilarious!!! Clearly, the only ‘frustrated’ person in that interview was him – Carville!
The more these people on the Left try to Villianize and discount these Americans TRYING to get their voices heard – the more dedicated they will become to opposing new Government spending and programs. They don’t realize, they are just fueling the fire.
Posted by: Kimberly Clark | August 11, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
In an article titled “five freedoms you’d lose in health care reform,” a Fortune Magazine article examines the heatlh care proposals and articulates what is at risk if reform (as proposed) moves forward. This article should be required reading as it pretty much justifies the anger that many people are feeling.
The article highlights the following as freedoms that will be lost with ObamaCare:
1. Freedom to choose what’s in your plan
2. Freedom to be rewarded for healthy living, or pay your real costs
3. Freedom to choose high-deductible coverage
4. Freedom to keep your existing plan
5. Freedom to choose your doctors
Posted by: Jafe | August 11, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Kimberly Clark
The White House doesn’t have to villanize the rightwingers, they are doing a good job of that themselves, spreading lies about “death panels” that are easily debunked, disrupting town halls with ugly displays of ignorance and uncivility. Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are your spokespeople? Oh yeah, they have a lot of credibility. As I have said before, even I could come up with rational arguments agaist this bill, and I support it. Why aren’t we hearing rational arguments agaist it? All the Republicans have is vitriol and lies: in other words, you have Ann Coulter!
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
If you have insurance coverage, it doesn’t guarantee you will find a doctor to treat you. We probably will see more deadly doctors in ER who prescribe NO TREATMENT.
Posted by: Judy | August 11, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Amy B Maine question: is that why you called out the UNIONS to rough up the UN-AMERICANS.
And for the Townhall meeting only democrats who are in support of the policies are invited everyone else stay out.
Posted by: Lizzie | August 11, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Amy B Maine – death panels really aren’t a lie, they just go by a different name “insurance claims processors” and they work for insurance companies, not the government. People are denied life-saving medical treatment all the time for various reasons – usually because it’s deemed too risky or experimental. Public health plans like Medicaid also have similar denial processes that result in people dying untreated. When insurance companies are married to the government (as reform proposals suggest), claim processors aren’t going to be eliminated – they’re going to get busier.
Under our current system, people are able to set aside money in their tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) so that they can pay for treatment if it is denied by an insurer. That wonderful benefit would be not be an option under reform options currently being discussed (in fact, HSAs would eventually be outlawed) and people will be at the mercy of a government-employed claims processor. Call it what you will, but death panel isn’t that far off.
Posted by: Smiley | August 11, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Amy B Maine ———– Let me explain one problem I have as an example. I have insurance through employment and I am a retiree from the military. I am 45 years old and in my entire life, I have gone to the doctor for medical reasons 2 times. Strep throat and a broken thumb. I have never had a stitch in my body and I am in great health. This means that since 16 years old, my taxes have paid for illegals, lazy fat people, fraudulant claims of disability, medicare, social security, welfare and now he wants to reform the system. I read the plan and there is very little discussion about fraud, waste and abuse. How about rewarding healthy life styles? The only positive I have seen is no illegal aliens will receive this plan, but they will continue to rob me blind in our ER’s. If Obama doesn’t address tort reform, pricing and fraud in our current system, the new system is doomed to fail. I am getting older and may finally need some of the services I have paid for in the past 29 years and I hope Obama’s plan is scrutinized, read “line by line” (I know I’ve heard that somewhere” and then laid out right the first time. I have a vested interest as alot of my hard earned money has gone into our country and I will all but guarantee Obama will have to raise our taxes if this bill, in the form it is in today, passes.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Amy B Main— I was/am not a Bush fan!!! – It’s funny that I can’t speak about a ‘particular’ issue or CURRENT Government, without having to defend a whole PREVIOUS administrations policies? Get out of the PAST, today Obama is President!
-you said –”You are bothered because Obama is trying to do something about the rising costs of healthcare, the flood of uninsured people clogging our emergency rooms, the drain on our businesses? The guy is trying to put us on more secure footing and you interpret that as diminishing America’s greatness?”
YES… Because he’s going about it the wrong way! Why do you guys always see Government as the answer to everything??? You think putting the Health Care system in the hands of the government, will ‘put us on more secure footing’, what ajoke! How secure is our border, how secure is our Social Security, Medicare for future generations, our schools/education are far behind other top Nations. How well has the Government run any program it’s in charge of?
Posted by: Kimberly Clark | August 11, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
If your watching TV right now, only dem who support Pres. Obama are allowed in and cheer. He need this for his EGO.
So stand up and cheer.
Posted by: Lizzie | August 11, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
lfrichar
Your post makes alot of sense. It’s a pleasure to read a rational person’s take on this issue.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Amy, gus & the crew,
Have you never yelled in your life to get your point out there?
Everyone I know has, usually when they get upset or are angry.
What everyone is seeing on tv are the ESPN SPortscenter moments from these town halls. I have attended meetings such as these in the past. I have seen Anti-war protests that have gotten much much more rowdy than these things are.
In general, the raising of voices occurs when one party feels the other is not listening or does not care. what is setting people off at these events is the constant repeating of the BS talking points. People do not want their reps to come home and spew DNC memo speak when they are confronted by hard questions on this issue.
What we are witnessing here may indeed be a changing moment in how we present bills from now on. I am not yet convinced of this because as much as there is geniune outrage over this issue, when things do settle down, the status quo will return and the congress will continue to produce and pass bills that most of them have no real clue about the details.
Right Now, the Dems have a big problem, they have lost the trust of the people on this issue. Regaiining it will be very difficult.
Posted by: Mike_C | August 11, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Lizzie
“And for the Townhall meeting only democrats who are in support of the policies are invited everyone else stay out.”
This is a flat out lie. You are thinking of the Bush years when a couple of quiet, middleaged people in anti-Bush T-shirts were removed from the room.
There are Republican, Independents and Democrats allowed into Obama’s town hall meeting. That is a fact.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
here is the thing. think what you wish about either party, the left or the right. what it boils down to is not whether the usa is a country that takes care of its people, its people MAKE the country. do we want government in our healthcare? no. let the american people pull up their own bootstraps and take care of THEMSELVES. the government is too big and too corrupt to handle this. let them handle the military and build roads, but not concern themselves with another revenue generating project! please, fight this healthcare takeover!!
Posted by: davis | August 11, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Maybe “death panel” is a misnomer, but what do you call it when the government pays doctors to discuss end of life options with elderly patients? Under our current system, patient-doctor conversations are protected by confidentiality. Doesn’t it give anyone the creeps that government wants to invade that privilege and pay doctors for discussing that patient’s end of life?
Posted by: Just wondering | August 11, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
I am listening to Obama’s “town hall meeting” in New Hampshire. He is a dangerous man and must be stopped. I am seeing a demagogue. He is not a man of the people, for the people and by the people.
Posted by: jcarob | August 11, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Lots of people at the demonstrations are carrying signs that say “health care is a human right.”
Food and water is a basic human right too, but most of us work our behinds off to provide it for our families. Government issued food and water isn’t as good or as plentiful. Health care is really no different.
Posted by: Buster | August 11, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Thank you ABC for the “End of Life” fact check video. Love the truth…please keep them coming.
Posted by: insight | August 11, 2009, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
jcarob…. you need to get a grip! We are not stupid people. If he was to “TAKE OUT THE US AND ITS PEOPLE”… hahhaha… I am sure he would be stopped before it happens. Breath just close your eyes and breath.
Posted by: insight | August 11, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
We already talk about “The end of life” with our doctors… you people are nuts… I have Breast Cancer, we talked about what my options are… I decided how I wanted to deal with my disease and or my life. It is my choice now, this bill is just making it a law. I would think you people would want to make your own choices on that. All this bill is saying is every five years you will discuss it with your doctor… NOT YOUR GOVERNMENT.
Posted by: insight | August 11, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
It is clear now that the only thing broken about health care is MEDICARE. This is because of the incompetence of the government to run a health care program. Of course malpractice suits and defenses eat fully 10% of health care costs but Obama refuses to propose anything to solve that situation. Basically the government is at the root of the problem. Why am I not surprised? JUST SAY NO TO OBAMA!!! HE LIES!!
Posted by: brian | August 11, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Amy B Maine ———- Thanks for your kind words. If the government believes someone who cannot afford the current system will be able to afford the govt system, I think they are out of touch with reality. The rampant fraud in all systems linked to health care is immense. I believe all people claiming disability shoud receive a physical, if they are found capable, put them to work in their specialty to earn their money. I believe anyone on Welfare should be drug tested. If they are found to be a user, remove the assistance and place them on treatment. We can’t have the govt paying for drugees right? Much of this is common sense, but I see fraud everyday. Unemployment is high and the govt continues to extend benefits, so put them to work until they find a job cleaning parks and streets. If you receive assistance and are capable, we can use you. Pay for your assistance with improving our communities.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
NBC is SO far in the tank for Obama it is truly embarrassing!
Did anyone catch that buffoon Dan Rather calling for a Presidential commission on the news media?
Dan “the Fraud” Rather and his blatant hatred for Bush, is now calling for a commission on the news media…..
I think it may time for Dan to get fitted for one those nice wrap-around white jackets!
Just when you thought the left could not possibly look or act more stupid!
Posted by: Mike_C | August 11, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Excellent, insight. Now we know where you are coming from. Please read the Lancet paper co-authored by Rahm Emanuel’s brother, who is also an advisor to the administration. Your comment about not being stupid is inappropriate. The opposition to this pathetic healthcare “reform” legislation is coming from people who can connect the dots. Put your partisanship and political baggage aside and look under the covers. What you will see is not pretty.
Posted by: jcarob | August 11, 2009, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
Cheers to ‘Davis’!
Everyone ‘American’ has the ‘right’ for ACCESS to our Health Care – But that doesn’t equate to me and ‘Davis’ and other Americans having to PAY FOR THEM. I am responsible for me and my family and perhaps contributing to some charities- IF I CHOOSE TO DO SO!
Some of our hospitals in the West are shutting down because of the huge burden of Illegals in the emergency rooms. My grandmother is 85 years old, she fell in a parking lot- bleeding from her nose and head, was in a San Diego emergency room for hours. It was FULL of Illegals and their babies- only one other couple in there were Americans. I think It’s safe to assume they were Illegal Immigrants when they only speak Spanish and need Spanish speaking hospital staff to admit them.
We need to first FIX WHAT WE HAVE- not tear it down and start another GOVERNMENT program!
Posted by: Kimberly Clark | August 11, 2009, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
I am a demo, and health CARE needs to be updated. However, it should not be paid for be the middle class (and it will eventually no matter what the messiah says). I don’t want to pay for abortions, people that don’t work, even if they can and illegal aliens. Find another fix.
Posted by: evelyn | August 11, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Obama is a lying con man. Listening to him obfuscate, dodge legitimate questions and filibuster makes me spittin’ angry. He starts out with this so-called “town hall meeting” by saying that he would keep his answers brief if the questions were brief. But all he is doing is using each question as an opportunity to make a speech, most often not even relevant.
Posted by: jcarob | August 11, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
All this bill is saying is every five years you will discuss it with your doctor… NOT YOUR GOVERNMENT.
Posted by: insight |
_____________________________________
How will government reimburse doctors for the conversation if government is not privy to what was said during the conversation?
Look, I don’t know about you, but my doctor works for me — I pay her, not the government. I initiate conversations and my discussions with her are private – absolutely none of the government’s business.
Government reimbursement for doctors who discuss end of life options with their patients is government intrusion at its finest. It’s intrusive and violates doctor-patient confidentiality laws.
Posted by: not so fast | August 11, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
Kimberly Clark
My friend took his sister to a hospital in Boston where she waited hours and HOURS to see a doctor because the place was flooded with people who use emergency rooms as their primary care facility because they are uninsured. They were illegals in Boston: they were just uninsured. This bill is designed to get people covered so they DON’T clog up the emergency rooms. PS, you currently don’t have to be poor to lose your health insurance, you just have to have an employer who can’t afford to cover you.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
They weren’t illegals in Boston: they were just uninsured.
Posted by: Amy B Maine | August 11, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
… the place was flooded with people who use emergency rooms as their primary care facility because they are uninsured.
Posted by: Amy B Maine
The myth of people “flooding” emergency rooms because they don’t have a primary care doctor is really just a myth. Between Medicaid, charitable free clinics and federally-reimbursed clinics for the poor, fewer and fewer people are actually visiting emergency rooms for this reason.
In fact, federal reimbursements to clinics have steadily risen each year and Obama has pledged millions more to keep them running.
Sad fact is, hospitals are often understaffed and most doctors offices are limited in the services they can provide — this is what leads most people to the emergency room. As well, some people fret the small stuff and go the the emergency room unnecessarily.
AmyB, I doubt you talked to every person waiting to see a doctor in that emergency room and without getting first-hand info, you’d have no way of knowing that they were there because they didn’t have a primary care doctor.
Posted by: Note taker | August 11, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Jeff Olson ——– Actually Jeff, I said Carville was an idiot. Did you see his debate this morning? Nothing but stuttering and saying all of the health care complaints were only by “frustrated people who lost the elections” and “political frustration”. He couldn’t speak well at all. His accent makes him sound like a blooming idiot. Is that better for you? Because, you say he could have an argument or a plan of action and he got slammed on both of those accords. He could have been drunk!
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Amy B Maine —— What makes you think if those people couldn’t afford health insurance now, that they can afford the govt covrage. I would be surprised if the govt saves 25% off the existing care. Expecting anything more than that would be unrealistic. Then, we have a system we pay for and do not use because it’s still not cheap enough. Deport the illegals and deal with just the real Americans. That would solve 50% of the 40 million right there.
Posted by: lfrichar | August 11, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Chicago Tribune has a great story of illegal immigrants coming from Mexico to receive charitable kidney transplants. When asked why they didn’t stay in Mexico to take advantage of their nationwide health care coverage — the illegal immigrants laughed. Why would they accept substandard government care when they could come here and receive high quality US care paid by someone else?
Posted by: no name | August 11, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Who cares what the Liberals and conservatives think, because that’s obvious. The independents, who decide elections, are the most important stake holders here. And this independent voter likes to hear that I deserve the same health insurance that congress gets through my tax dollars. I will gladly pay an extra $750 a year to get that stability in health insurance. I will NOT gladly pay the extra $750 a year to bail out the banks, which is what Bush and Paulson extorted from the american people and their representatives.
Posted by: Brendan | August 11, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Posted by: Mike_C | Aug 11, 2009 3:15:26 PM
______________
dear mike underscore c:
you’re writing poetry?…wow.
that’s taking kind of a liberal slant on things…
Posted by: gus amaral | August 11, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
the MYTH that elderly will be required to talk to doctors about “end of life care” is false.
The proposed plan allows Medicare reimbursement for an additional visit, in the event recipients want to discuss and understand advance directives/living wills.
This will help patients, families and healthcare professionals to respect the wishes of the recipient in the event of a medical emergency.
That’s it:
a paid physician visit if a Medicare recipent wants it.
This has become a hot issue [by the conservative platform] for political leverage, not medical or social reasons.
Posted by: gus amaral | August 11, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
@ Note taker | Aug 11, 2009 2:50:51 PM
_______________________
Note taker’s commentary on emergency room visits is not accurate. Matter of fact, it comes across as one fairly uninformed.
Your claim that hospitals “are understaffed” is flippant, lacks factual claim and does not reflect the issue of actual emergent care treatment.
“free and free clinics for the poor” do not handle emergency care, nor are those without insurance necessarily “low income”.
Middle class people are losing jobs, houses, cannot afford COBRA or other coverage. This is why the President is pushing reform.
This is the problem: the middle class has become the poor. [thanks to the conservatives and capitalists].
you lose a paying job, you’ll know exactly how difficult life can become.
Posted by: gus amaral | August 11, 2009, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
The reason helath care is cost so much is our leaders did not regulate industry and did nothing but allow creed to control prices. Health care costs are just rediculous under any scale. A broken leg can cost $14,000.00. I don’t know a doctor who is not a corporation.
As far as mal-practice cost – I have an Idea stop doing mal-practice.
Our government has let us down and that includes spector the old fool. No one takes responsility.
The courts are broken – the laws were designed for the people back in the fifties. The media is so bias you can get the news that you can trust – Hollywood has taken away all our hero’s.
Look at your sports figures – what a shame.
Who are your childrens hero’s today? Not the teachers, not the firemen, not the courts, the legal system that puts more people in jail than the worst countries. The parents have no chance today they use to be hero’s but that is changing.
Health of our country is very sick and it needs to be fixed in so many areas. Lets start with term limits, let reduce our jail population by half by coming up with alternatives that make since.
Let’s do away movies that use the F-word the N-word.
And one last thing – no more Afro-Americans or latino-Americans – just Americans – we never hear of afro-canadians – afro-mexicans – Latino Irainians.
Posted by: a citizen | August 11, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
It must be truly frightening to be a republican. You people are scared by the most ridiculous things, someone’s going to take your guns away, someone if going to force you into a same sex marriage, someone is going to force you to have an abortion, someone is going make you live with illegal aliens, someone is going to take your religion away, someone is going to force you to get health insurance, someone is going to force euthanasia on you, the list just goes on and on and on. You people are just plain sad.
Posted by: JR | August 11, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
LOL at the libs. This will break Obamamania. What a fool.
Posted by: Ryan | August 11, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Taxes are going sky high because of current spending. Obama has already spent more in 6 months than Bush did in three years and he is not through. He doesn’t know what a budget is. He spends on things that won’t help the economy and this healthcare will bankrupt us. Wake up. Remember, the Democrats have been in control almost 3 years now and that is when we started having the issues with the spending. Wake up people. This is about the American people, not Republicans or Democrats.
Posted by: tiff981 | August 11, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
It sounds like people are picking certain parts of the proposed health plan and understanding them to mean whatever suits them.
Posted by: Technology | August 11, 2009, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
He can make those promises happen without making it a National Healthcare plan.He can sign it into law, but we all know that what he wants to eliminate every single healthcare insurance be driven out of business and run entirely as a federal program.He has said it on a televised interview in CAlifornia, within 10 years he said. No sir, I want my insurance and don’t want his plan. Those young naive americans don’t know that they are the ones who will carry a lot of this burden. America is obese and obesity related illnesses are the ones braking the bank, not cancer, no hiv, obesity my friends.Once the money becomes scarce then you will see where the promises go.
Posted by: Frank | August 12, 2009, 12:03 am 12:03 am
indithinker .. Are you so blinded by Obama that can’t see what’s going on ? Of course they are spying on everyone. Both sides are doing it!! Don’t you know that politics are dirty and deadly ? The dems sent hundreds of detectives and lawyers to Alaska to investigate Palin ( a fact)remember ? The Repubs have done the same so somewhere the truth lies and we will find it. Someone is going to make the money. Obama wants this now, why ??? Because he is running out of time,2010 is on the corner and the tide is going to turn little thinker
and I’ll be there to ride it.NO to Socialism !
Posted by: Frank | August 12, 2009, 12:15 am 12:15 am
Teddy is giddy about the “new” phase
of Obama selling his smelly fish at
the market. Judging by his performance
today, it was a predictable, open
mouth, insert foot……..with his
apologists damning Rassmussen daily.
Rassmussen is the most hated man in
the world….but only on the Left.
Posted by: Trajan | August 12, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
“New Hampshire curtain-raisers” contains information from the Concord Monitor that is factually inaccurate. Here is my response (as an LTE) which the Monitor has not yet published but is relevant to this page:
Lauren Dorgan’s August 11th article titled “Town hall incites rally plans” contained an error in its statement about the Free State Project. Lauren stated “The Free State Project … directed followers to a Facebook page urging a protest of “government takeover of your healthcare” starting at 11 a.m.” The Free State Project did not issue such direction. The Free State Project does not take positions on legislation, candidates, or tactics, and does not direct activism in New Hampshire.
The article’s statement that the Free State Project urges libertarians from across the nation to move to New Hampshire is essentially correct. The Free State Project does seek 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire and exert the fullest practical effort towards the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty and property.
Some Free State Project participants believe that increasing government involvement in healthcare goes beyond protecting life, liberty, and property. And some of those participants believe protests are their best effort to limit government to its proper role. The Free State Project itself does not take a position on healthcare legislation nor tactics to affect it one way or another. Lauren may have mistaken the urging of some Free State Project participants to protest as being direction from the project itself but that is not the case.
Varrin
Posted by: Varrin Swearingen | August 12, 2009, 6:06 am 6:06 am