Everywhere & Nowhere: Post-ubiquity, health care action returns to the Hill
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: Remember back when President Obama was everywhere?
A president whose new, new push on health care was all about active engagement, and flooding the messaging zone, has now gone two weeks without holding a health care rally.
Since pulling off the full Sunday spin cycle two weekends ago, the health care interviews have ceased. The White House is consumed by Afghanistan, and the president's gaze is about to shift even further, with his trip to Denmark to land the Olympics for Chicago.
In his absence from the debate, an occasionally overheated week has gotten us a health care bill that's just about where it's been before — with just as many question marks. Where his focus has been, on Afghanistan, the war policy is in a roughly similar sort of limbo, deeper on deliberations than decisions.
The health care action is back squarely on Capitol Hill. The Finance Committee chugs along without public guidance from the top. A public option was rejected by committee without major objection.
Liberals are stirring against moderate Democrats, again. And the House — where the vote was supposed to be comparatively easy — is delayed while details get hashed out. Still.
Roll Call's Keith Koffler: "President Barack Obama has recently vacated the health care reform bully pulpit, just as evidence trickles in that the media blitz he waged earlier this month is paying off. . . . Meanwhile, Congress is in town and struggling to position a health bill for passage in the House and Senate. But White House officials are quick to point out that Obama remains engaged behind the scenes, and they insist world events have not thrown him off the health care track."
We're getting close — or closer, at least: "Democratic aides said the House was working on roughly the same timetable, although after months of missed deadlines, neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nor Reid would provide a detailed schedule," the AP's David Espo writes. "But even now, two weeks before the projected start of debate, key decisions are yet to be made about elements of the bills."
Remember that the House is the easy part: "Democratic leaders must bridge some big cracks in their ranks, especially over taxes and abortion, to keep their defections to a minimum," Jackie Calmes writes in The New York Times. "With Republicans expected to be unanimous in opposition, Democrats can afford no more than 39 defectors. At present, the factions of the disgruntled and politically nervous add up to more than that, though the numbers overlap among some of the groups."
Just about the numbers: "Answering a challenge laid down by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the Congressional Progressive Caucus and several other caucuses have started a ‘whip count' to demonstrate that a public option tied to Medicare rates plus 5 percent can pass the chamber," The Hill's Mike Soraghan reports.
But they're all in 80 percent agreement — right? "No one, however, can offer specifics about what that 80 percent entails, other than to say that everyone agrees on key principles. A lot of lawmakers scoff at the figure, particularly since Democrats disagree sharply on two central elements: Whether to create a government-run health-insurance plan, and how to pay for all the changes under discussion," McClatchy's David Lightman reports.
Remember Rahm Emanuel's ceasefire? Neither do they: "MoveOn.org, the liberal advocacy group, is ‘likely' to launch a television ad targeting Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., for voting [Tuesday] against not only Sen. Jay Rockefeller's, D-W.Va., public option amendment but also Sen. Chuck Schumer's, D-N.Y., more moderate version," ABC's Teddy Davis reports. "The planned television ad against Conrad comes on the heels of MoveOn's announcement earlier today that it is launching radio ads targeting Conrad and the two other Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee – Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. — who voted against the Schumer and Rockefeller amendments."
Where you will find the president (courtesy of David Axelrod's old firm): "The coalition of industry and liberal groups known as the Alliance for Stable Quality Care — that is, PhRMA, the American Medical Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, and FamiliesUSA — have more or less dropped the pretense of being something beyond a checking account for the White House political operation," Politico's Ben Smith reports. "Their latest ad: 30 seconds of Obama."
Where else you'll find the president (he leaves for Denmark Thursday night): "Some of his critics do have a point when they wonder why he's flying off to the land of Hamlet, Tivoli Gardens and Tuborg beer to make a final plea for the 2016 games the week his military and foreign policy teams are meeting in a marathon session on Afghanistan and Congress is voting on health care," Margaret Carlson writes in her Bloomberg column. "Health care, Afghanistan, Iran and a stubbornly high unemployment rate are burning a hole in the country's psyche no games can cure."
How we got here — without a public option: "Democrats have been far too timid in taking on the right wing's arguments against government. They have been defensive when they should be going on offense by insisting that government can expand human freedom and give people options they would not otherwise have," E.J. Dionne Jr. writes in his column. "As for the Obama administration, it's been too ready to hint that it would throw the option overboard. Its highly public unfaithfulness to the view it purported to hold simultaneously enraged progressives and weakened its bargaining position."
Inching in committee: "On the sixth day of a marathon debate in the Senate Finance Committee, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) declared that his panel has the votes to approve a package of reforms that would extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who lack insurance. He and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (Iowa), the ranking Republican on the panel, said they expect to finish the bill by Friday," Ceci Connolly reports in The Washington Post.
Triggers may wait: "I am told [Sen. Olympia] Snowe is considering the possibility of withdrawing that amendment from the Finance Committee deliberations, and waiting instead to offer it when the bill reaches the Senate floor," Time's Karen Tumulty reports.
New ad push from Health Care for America Now: the "Sick of It" campaign against insurance companies continues Thursday with a new TV ad — "Mansion" — juxtaposing the home of UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley with that of a middle-class family. It's a $1 million ad buy, airing for two weeks on national MSNBC, and on local TV in DC, Maine, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.
Where do you go to heat up your rhetoric?From Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., not the sort of apology that makes this all go away: "I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America," Grayson said on the House floor Wednesday afternoon.
Later, on CNN, on his Republican critics: "These are foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals who think they can dictate to America by being stubborn," Grayson said on CNN.
Per the Orlando Sentinel's David Damron: "In an interview afterward, Grayson said he would not apologize to Republicans. ‘They were whining,' he said. ‘That's what they do. They're Republicans.' "
More, well, wrangling: "The House GOP is planning a new resolution to ask Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to step aside as Ways and Means Committee chairman — in the wake of revelations he underreported his assets," Politico's Glenn Thrush reports. "GOP aides say they have been working on the draft for weeks — long before Rep. Joe Wilson bellowed ‘You lie!' and earned his own resolution of disapproval."
Responsibility, on Afghanistan: "The responsibility for the outcome of the war in Afghanistan rests squarely with Mr. Obama. Until now, he seems to have treated the conflict as a distraction from his efforts to nationalize our health-care system," Karl Rove writes in his Wall Street Journal column. "It was easy in 2008 to criticize Mr. Bush's war leadership. But winning a shooting war requires a commander in chief's constant, direct and deep involvement. Mr. Obama could show he understands this if he uses his trip to Denmark this week (where he will serve as pitchman for Chicago to get the 2016 Olympics) to make a surprise visit to Afghanistan."
And new partnerships: "With much of his party largely opposed to expanding military operations in Afghanistan, President Obama could be forced into the awkward political position of turning to congressional Republicans for support if he follows the recommendations of the commanding U.S. general there," Scott Wilson writes in The Washington Post.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "Basically I share [McChrystal's] view," Rasmussen said. The right policy, he added, "is definitely not an exit strategy. It's of crucial importance to stress that we will stay as long as it takes to stabilize the country."
Underway Thursday morning: "Diplomats from Iran and six world powers began talks Thursday morning on Iran's nuclear program at an 18th century villa in the Geneva countryside, a high-stakes encounter that may include the first high-level bilateral meeting between Washington and Tehran in years," Glenn Kessler reports in The Washington Post. The president holds his first fundraiser for the Democratic Governors Association, speaking at 1:50 pm ET at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington. Per a Democratic official, the DGA is expecting to raise $500,000 from individual contributions capped at $5,000. In town: Governors Brian Schweitzer of Montana, Martin O'Malley of Maryland, Jack Markell of Delaware, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Chet Culver of Iowa, Steve Beshear of Kentucky, Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Bev Perdue of North Carolina, and John de Jongh of the US Virgin Islands.Gov. O'Malley (a guest on ABCNews.com's "Top Line" Friday) holds a 10:30 am ET DNC conference call "to discuss the positive budget impact of the President's plan for health insurance reform on state budgets, reducing their share of Medicaid cost."
The president meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner separately on Thursday, before leaving for Copenhagen at 6:35 pm ET.
Already working it: "From the moment her feet touched the ground here in Denmark, first lady Michelle Obama was in campaign mode, lending her clout to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games," ABC's Yunji de Nies reports.
"Barack and I have looked at this — this is like a campaign. Just like Iowa," the first lady said. "The international community may not understand that, but Iowa is like a caucus, and you can't take any vote for granted. Nobody makes the decision until they're sitting there."
"I'm sort of an ambassador," Oprah Winfrey tells de Nies, on "Good Morning America" Thursday.
Sort of a lobbyist: "Two of Chicago's heaviest hitters arrived Wednesday, and first lady Michelle Obama wasted no time in captivating some of the International Olympic Committee members who will decide a 2016 Summer Olympic host-city race considered too close to call," Philip Hersh and Kathy Bergen report in the Chicago Tribune.
"As she passed through the lobby of the Copenhagen Marriott, where the IOC members are staying, she gave two thumbs up and a hug to one of the first members she encountered, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba. Not only that, Hoevertsz said later, but the first lady congratulated her on having been named Tuesday as secretary to Aruba's council of ministers."
Domestic reverberations: "An early warning system introduced after the disastrous Christmas 2004 tsunami worked as planned, U.S. officials say, but failed to prevent the deaths of more than 100 people in Samoa and American Samoa on Tuesday because of the proximity of the originating earthquake," Joseph Weber and Audrey Hudson report in the Washington Times. "It was the first practical test of the system, set up in response to the 2004 wave that killed more than 220,000 people in the Indian Ocean region, primarily in Indonesia."
Democratic messaging preview — from a memo making the rounds on the Hill: "With Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of the passage of TARP, Democrats will be reminding the public that it was the Bush Administration who proposed a three-page, $700 billion bill granting unprecedented, and expansive authority to the Treasury Secretary with no taxpayer protections, no oversight or transparency measures, and no authority for the courts to review the Secretary's decisions. But, thanks to Democratic leaders in Congress who insisted that strong taxpayer protection and oversight provisions be included in the final bill, 30 percent of the funds invested by the government in financial institutions have already been repaid to taxpayers, at a 17 percent rate of return."
Payback: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is now so much of a Mitt Romney fan that he's getting himself listed as a sponsor on his fundraisers: "Yesterday, McCain's gesture helped Romney's political action committee raise about $80,000. It also consummated an 18-month rapprochement between two competitors who battled for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination," Sasha Issenberg reports in The Boston Globe.
Said McCain, in an interview: "He has more respect and appreciation within the party because he has a very strong financial background."
The T-Paw team — plus a new PAC and Website up Thursday: "[Gov. Tim] Pawlenty, who previously has had little political infrastructure, is now being advised by a trio of GOP consultants with presidential experience: Terry Nelson, Sara Taylor and Phil Musser," Politico's Jonathan Martin reports. "And in formally opening his political action committee, Freedom First, Thursday, Pawlenty will also announce two co-chairmen, William Strong, a Morgan Stanley vice chairman, and former Rep. Vin Weber (R-Minn.), both of whom are heavyweight GOP figures, along with a list of prominent Minnesota donors."
"Helping to coordinate the governor's GOP outreach in the nation's capital is Sam Geduldig, a well-connected lobbyist and former senior aide to Reps. John Boehner and Roy Blunt. Serving as the PAC's counsel is Michael Toner, a veteran campaign lawyer in Washington. Alex Conant, a native Minnesotan and former Republican National Committee spokesman, will serve as communications director. The governor has also inked political technology consultants Patrick Ruffini, Mindy Finn, Patrick Hynes and Liz Mair to develop what Pawlenty advisers hope will be the most sophisticated new-media presence of any Republican in the nation. Pawlenty launches a new website, www.timpawlenty.com, Thursday."
Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., in the health care fray: "Gov. Bobby Jindal sent a letter to Louisiana's congressional delegation urging them to oppose any national health care overhaul that would require states to pick up part of the tab," per the AP. "Jindal sent the letter Wednesday, echoing the concerns of several governors who say they worry about a possible expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the needy and disabled."
So that's say no, until it's time to say yes: "I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here's what we're against, and not only here's how we're going to contrast ourselves, but here's what we're for," Jindal told Politico's Jonathan Martin.
If you can't get enough of John Edwards — Politico's Ben Smith is up with a fascinating profile of Andrew Young: "First he was the fall guy, and now he's the sellout, peddling his story in a tell-all book. But the real story of Young is about the passions of politics and the classic political triangle of the candidate, his wife and the sometimes sycophantic aide. The consuming devotion that politicians command from a small handful of loyalists is familiar — and not just in presidential campaigns."
New numbers, in Pennsylvania: "The seesaw 2010 Senate race in Pennsylvania tips to Republican Pat Toomey, who has 43 percent to recently converted Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter's 42 percent, too close to call, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. . . . The good news for Sen. Specter, who was first elected to the Senate as a Republican in 1980, is that he remains far ahead of his Democratic primary challenger, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak from southeastern Pennsylvania, 44 – 25 percent." ;
(Sestak, D-Pa., is a guest on ABCNews.com's "Top Line" Thursday, live at noon ET.)
The Kicker:
"I kind of like being a president." — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a lighter moment at the UN Security Council.
"And you know why they haven't asked me? Because I'm saying what everyone else has been thinking." — Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., on why House leaders haven't asked him to apologize for saying Republicans want Americans to "die quickly" if they get sick.
For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note's blog . . . all day every day:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/
Biden Reflects on Grief, Suicidal Thoughts 
Is Congress Sounding Dumber?
It doesn’t matter to him. He really doesn’t like Americans anyway. His agenda is to bankrupt us.
Posted by: LongT | October 1, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am
“The health care action is back squarely on Capitol Hill.”
Imagine that, the Representative branch of government is working on healthcare reform, with imput from their constituents, instead of direction from some monarchial “Decider.” How bizarre, how avant garde….how, exactly what the founders imagined when they designed a representative government.
PS What happened to last week’s “Is the President Overexposed?”
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
This seems to be the way Obama works, he “runs” from the very things he needs to be addressing, what a joke!
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am
Look the Congress knows what the President wants, The people know what the President wants he has been clear now Members of Congress especially Republicans are dragging their feet,But Democrats you hold a MAJORITY Now use it or Lose it.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am
At least the President lets the Constitution be And lets Congress work on this and not be a Dictator like Bush. this is the way Goverment is suppose to work not ONE Person being the DECIDER.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 9:45 am 9:45 am
How his numbers are still in the low 50′s is beyond me. Everybody I talk to thinks he is a failed president. Around here his approval numbers would be about 20 or less. But I live in flyover country and we’re not “enlightened” yet. Thank
God for that.
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 9:46 am 9:46 am
For those of you bashing the President about the Olympics, I do recall President Bush attending the Olympics for 4 DAYS Last year. while the economy was heading off the cliff, 2 Wars that he started, Mean while he was enjoying himself slapping the Backsides of the soccer girls your hypocrisy is truly funny.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 9:48 am 9:48 am
angie: The people don’t want what the president or Congress wants. Thats whats holding this up. The people have spoken and the senators and reps want to keep their jobs. What is so hard about this reality?
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Angie: It’s “Bush’s fault” is your only reply to everything. That’s getting old. Dmes had congress for 2 years of this downfall.
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
BO STINKS
I know the Fox news poll lies and says No one supports the Public Option but every other Poll shows at least 65 Percent do support it. But I do ask WHAT DO THE REPUBLICANS OFFER? Other then tort reform? and NO?
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
BO STINKS
Can you read where did I blame Bush? I simply stated this is the way Goverment works. And I stated the hypocrisy by the Right regarding the Olympics That he Bush attended for 4 Days not a couple of hours meanwhile the economy was going off the cliff and Wars were going on you Deny this?
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am
BO STINKS
Yes you are right Dems did hold Congress for 2 years but how many times did Bush pull out his VETO Pen? and what about all the fillerbusting Republicans did? Now the Dems hold ALL the Power and they should use it or they will lose it. The people gave them power for a reason perhaps the People WANTS THEIR AGENDA And rejected the Republicans,But if they dont grow a spine and use the Majority they were given the Republicans will regain. maybe or people will not vote at all.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am
Why is it so hard for the liberals on here to understand that the Democrats don’t need the Republicans to pass this bill. The only reason they want the Republicans to joint them is so they will share in the outrage against congress when it fails. The democrats know it is nothing more than an attempt to get more votes from the people that want free give aways and they want the Republicans to be on board with it……….Any Republican or even centrust Democrat who votes for these bills will be replaced.
Posted by: dsimms | October 1, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
The republicans offer the idea of
buying insurance over state lines.
Any one with a basic knowledge of
economics knows that competition forces
companies to try and out do the other
in service and product and price. If you
are watching the process on CSpan, you
would know that the biggest rift is between the dems. The reason for that is
that these people went back to their home states and got an earful from
their constituents. The people are driven only by their need to be re-elected and if they thought this was a
good idea and the majority of people
wanted it, they would vote for it. Would
that clown from Florida who said that
republicans want people to die fast,
accuse his fellow dems who are not on
the fast track of the same thing. By
the way, I am not a republican but
an independent. I can think for myself
and don’t have to drink the kool-aide
from either side.
Posted by: wis134 | October 1, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
In regards to healthcare reform, Monroeliveson asked me yesterday:
1)Is it wrong for the businesses that employ us and feed the government to make a profit and invest their profits as they wish? 2)Is it every citizen’s right to have free healthcare? 3)Is it right for unemployed citizens to enjoy the same income and benefits that productive employed people have earned? 4) Is it wrong for some people to make a career out of relaxing and having fun while others must work to survive?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 10:07 am 10:07 am
wis
So why cant they do Tort reform,Public option,And buying across state lines,all in one? That way everyone gets a little of what they want. but they wont THEY ARE TOO PARTISAN BOTH PARTIES!
Washington is so Polarized its not funny Republicans only want to tear down the President and the Democrats,And Democrats want to let them do it.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:09 am 10:09 am
In answer to Monroeliveson:
You look at healthcare reform as a handout to the poor and dysfunctional people currently without healthcare insurance. You see it as government stepping in to the private sector and taking something away from those who have successfully made a profit managing healthcare.
I don’t see it that way. Personally, I would like to see a public option, because I think some things need a non-profit component, like healthcare. PBS could never survive as a private broadcaster, but I know you appreciate what that non-profit service provides us information-junkies. I’ve never worked harder than I worked in jobs that did not provide benefits: daycare, restaurant work, and retail. It’s not accurate to protray people withoutinsurance as slackers.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 10:17 am 10:17 am
“Republicans only want to tear down the President and the Democrats, And Democrats want to let them do it.”
Too true! Why, why, why are the Democrats letting the Republicans define, publicize, and run the debate?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Yes i agree ,Why is it so hard for everyone to understand that the Dems could pass this health care take over if they wanted too, Its because they want someone to blame when it all goes’s to H..E..LL ,Thats how the Dems are …Blame them .
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
Obama has lost control of his original vision. Now it’s back to basic Chicago politics. Lovely isn’t it. He doesn’t really like us anyway.
Posted by: LongT | October 1, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am
AMY IN MAINE
I dont know but they will pay dearly if they dont stop this. Maybe they feel if they steam roll the Republicans the Public will not like that. Maybe they feel the People want Bi-partisan and we do! but it aint happening with the Republicans and you would be blind not to see the Party of no does not want to play nice.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
LONT T
Really you say he doesnt like us? so why is trying to get people affordiable Healthcare? Why is trying to get the Millions who cant afford Insurance and are going Bankrupt Healthcare? Why is trying to establish Consumer Protection laws to stop the Banks and Mortgage compaines from ripping people off? I would hate to see what he would do if he liked us (sarcaism)
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:32 am 10:32 am
Yes, I do consider this as an entitlement. Right now there are many “single moms” where I work, we have great health ins, but they do not carry their children on the plan, they have medicaid for the kids!!!! Of course none of the fathers are in the picture as far as welfare is concerned! I carried my kids until I could no longer, never asked for anything! This is why most republicans do no want this to pass…….they are playing the system enough today!
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Angie, yes Bush did as you say, but his wife/friend didn’t travel a day ahead or so on Air Force one costing the taypayers double!
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am
I like the way Obama words his words also ,I will not add one cent to the debt in 10 years , So what he really is saying is after 10 years we will add tons to the debt . WOW can people really not hear what he’s really saying . Obama thinks he’s a real slick talker doesn’t he ..LOL
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am
THIS IS WHY MOST REPUBLICANS DON WANT THIS!
LIE They dont want this because LOBBYSIT Money is great, They dont want this because they would rather people die being uninsured then work in a Bi-Partisan way. Republicans do not have a history of doing for the People now Wall St, Big Business, and People who fatten their pockets well thats a different story!
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
Lying eyes
but the Taxpayers did pay for the Saudis to get flown out of the country by Bush after 911 on Tax payers Dime.
Posted by: Angie in PA | October 1, 2009, 10:40 am 10:40 am
Angie, I would bet you that most republicans have healthcare insurance, it’s the dems that want all of the freebies……..I know a lot of dems on the welfare roll that shouldn’t be, and it will only get worse, the more they are given, the more they want. Republicans will NEVER vote for this!
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Obama….
The constant lying.
The staggering arrogance.
The dangerous narcissism.
The astounding incompetence.
The Obama Buffoon wants to put as much of the private economy under government control as possible to create his nanny state utopia where he is the boy king.
Let’s continue to stand strong against Obama in every way and get Congress out of the hands of the insane Pelosi and Reid in 2010.
Obama is a smug, smirking con man.
Nothing more.
Posted by: Derrick | October 1, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
Angie, don’t even get me started about what O has done, Bush is gone, you need to be in today’s world not yesterdays. Unfortunately Obama is in charge now……
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
Remember during the primaries when opposition was making a huge deal of all of Obama’s “present” votes??? The writing was on the wall, why would anyone have expected anything different? Decision making is obviously not one of his strong suits. He hides and distracts – just like he is doing on this Copenhagen trip.
Posted by: Kay | October 1, 2009, 10:53 am 10:53 am
I really can’t believe how many stupid… lacking in intelligence american’s there are out there .
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Pantywaist in Cheif.
I wish he would have faded away before the election, we would all be alot better off.
Posted by: BabsNJ | October 1, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Babs…..he’s fading away even as we speak. He is unable to make a decision on anything. I guess he didn’t know he could not vote “present” when he became president………he’s lost!
Posted by: lyineyes1956 | October 1, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
Angie in PA —– You shouldn’t bring up lobbyists as right now, pharmaceuticals have shifted their percentage of donations to the Dems to the tune of 65% to 35%. Also, how is a government subsidized insurance company going to affect our health care costs? Health care costs are the driving factor for insurance premiums, not the other way around. Maybe we should pinpoint price gouging throughout our health care industry, tort reform, pharmaceutical costs, hospitalization costs, procedural costs, fraud in medicare, social security, unemployment and disability. All of these affect actual health care costs. If health care costs remain high, our subsidized insurance company will pay those high costs and either have to raise our premiums or add to the deficit while subsidizing higher costs.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am
angie : If it’s 65% for public option than why aren’t the Dems pushing this through? They have all the power and the repubs can’t stop it. so what’s up?
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am
angie: even the Gallup poll shows that 2/3 thinks it’s not government that should handle healthcare insurance. go to gallup.com and check it out. rasmussen has similar numbers. You are fighting a losing battle.
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 11:23 am 11:23 am
Angie in PA :
Do you watch any other news channel other Than MSMBC? You asked what are ideas proposed by Republicans on Health care? Believe it or not they do have a few listed on the Republican web page. Kind of Funny the “Main Stream Media” never reports any of it. So I will list them here for your benefit. Dr. Charles Boustany (R-LA) outlined a series of such solutions: Notice he is a DR. that still practices:
We do need medical liability reform, and it needs to be real reform. We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care.”
“Let’s also talk about letting families and businesses buy insurance across state lines. I and many other Republicans believe that will provide real choice and competition to lower the cost of health insurance.”
“All individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.”
“Individuals, small businesses and other groups should be able to join together to get health insurance at lower prices, the same way large businesses and labor unions do.”
“We can provide assistance to those who still cannot access a doctor.”
“[I]nsurers should be able to offer incentives for wellness care and prevention – something particularly important to me. I operated on too many people who could have avoided surgery if they’d simply made healthier choices earlier in life.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 1, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am
“BO stinks”
“even the Gallup poll shows that 2/3 thinks it’s not government that should handle healthcare insurance”
Republicans have done a great job misinforming the public about what this bill is. This bill does not put private health insurance out of business, far from it! It provides millions more clients for the insurance industry. But it also says that insurance companies have to insure sick people (which they hate to do: cuts into their profit.) We have “government” involvemement in lots of private industries: not letting companies sell tainted food, defective appliances, for starters. So why are Republicans so anxious to keep government out of regulating health insurance?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 11:30 am 11:30 am
Denmark? Wow are we in trouble!
Posted by: LongT | October 1, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Amy in Maine …So what you are saying is that the government health care is going to really suck and no one will want it and still have to pay for something that really sucks, Go to jail get a fine ?
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am
“Someone needs to ask Obama about what this health care take over will do to the debt after 10 years”
The bill is deficit neutral, in other words, it does not add to the deficit.
And, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the bill will save $50 billion over the next decade and by even more after that.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 11:39 am 11:39 am
You know the whole Denmark thing is such a farce. Chicago has been promised to Obama, otherwise he wouldn’t be going. So it is an unneccessary trip. Only thing he will actually accomplish is upstaging his wife.
Posted by: Kay | October 1, 2009, 11:41 am 11:41 am
Amy in Maine — Have you read the GOP bill? Have you read Tom Colburn’s bill? You claim the GOP is “anxious to keep government out of regulating health insurance”. Regulating “insurance” has little to do with lowering health care costs, so maybe the GOP is focusing more on what is relevent to help lower costs first. Then, if the insurance premiums do not follow suit, we can then go after them.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Amy in Maine — Now listen, “deficit neutral” means it will not add to the deficit. ALL entities agree this bill will cost $1 trillion over 10 years (give or take a couple billion). Obama says $500 billion will come from cleaning up Medicare fraud. Where’s the other $500 billion coming from? If more people than the government predicts signs on, the cost will rise and how will it be paid? Do you actually trust the governments numbers? They have missed the mark to this point which leads me to believe they will miss it again.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
It doesn’t look like the public option will be included in the bill, so the point is moot.
For some reason, many Americans are more comfortable putting their healthcare decisions in the hands of large corporations rather than their doctors. I think we can thank FOX and their misinformation campaign for that. Oh, and a big “thank you” to the MSM for turning this healthcare debate into a circus, rather than informing the public of the facts, figures and underlying issues. But, that’s the state of journalism today. THat’s what the Internet is for, apparently, us citizen journalists have to go digging for the facts, ourselves.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
You people don’t know what the hell you want. If the president is in front the camera’s clarifying his position on issues, you’re screaming overexposure. If he’s behind the scene’s you’re screaming he’s hiding. When he’s multi-tasking you’re complaining he’s doing too much. When he travels to bring jobs, you scream it won’t work and that he needs to get back to work. When he strategically rebuilds international relationships, you’re screaming he too apologetic. You ARE a bunch of whiner’s just like Phil Gramm stated. Quit your crying, water heads!
Posted by: Coherent1 | October 1, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
Amy, Rasmeussen poll reports 41% favor healthcare and 56% are AGAINST it.
The scariest part of all of this is Washington is not listening to what the PEOPLE want.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | October 1, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am
Angie in PA: Funny you say Obama wants to save us money, but you ignore the Fact that the CBO has continually and openly stated that the healthcare reform being proposed will not only not cut health care cost it will have the opposite effect and raise them. Who pays those cost ? Answer is you and I.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 1, 2009, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Angie in PA, you’ve hit the nail on the head, over and over.
Posted by: Coherent1 | October 1, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am
problem: Healthcare
Answer: healthcare reform
problem: passing bills to reform
answer: Democraticly held congress white house can pass anyting they want.
problem: nothings getting done
answer: Dems are idiots.
Posted by: BO stinks | October 1, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
This is, for certain, a controversial and vastly expensive universal coverage proposal; it would cost between about $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion over 10 years. But the full scope of the president’s health care policy ambitions cannot be understood without accounting for his claim that he needs to do health care this year as part of his long-term plans to reduce the deficit,
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am
The president’s claim only would make sense if this huge proposed undertaking were to be merely the first step in a series of timed policy changes on a path toward nearly comprehensive federal government regulation and management of health care.
What follows is my surmise of what the administration hopes the path to America’s future health care system will look like. Currently, a little less than one-fifth of the American economy is devoted to health care. Of that, about 68 percent of it is in the private sector, with 32 percent run by the government (Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, Defense Department health services, etc.).
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am
lfrichar
George Bush won re-election in 2004, with a majority of Republicans in congress, and their first order of business was to try and put our social security funds in the stock market.
Did they lower healthcare costs or do anything to get more Americans insured? No, they added to the deficit with the Medicare Prescription bill. This idea that Republicans are cost-cutters is a joke: under Republicans, the deficit bloomed like a stinking skunk plant.
Their big idea for cutting costs: tort reform. A misnomer, which means “limiting the amount a patient, who had the wrong limb amputated, can win in a settlement form his doctor.”
So, you are a victim of malpractice and the Republicans want to protect the doctor from getting sued. Oh, that’s helpful.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
This year, the Democrats hope to pass the above described universal coverage law, which would include creating a public insurance option, that is, the federal government would offer health insurance plans to compete with the private-sector health insurance that most of us purchase through our employers. In the face of government’s undercutting the cost of private-sector health insurance, more and more Americans would choose to come under the federal health system.
At some point, the age eligibility for Medicare may be lowered (perhaps to 50 or 55), and the income ceiling for Medicaid may be raised, thus further increasing the percentage of the public covered by government rather than by private-sector health insurance.
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Amy in Maine – Is your name really Buffy in Washington?
The President said he would do away with lobbyists in Washington. Another promise he conviently forgot.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | October 1, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
After first squeezing the private insurance policies by undercutting their offerings with a subsidized federal government health insurance, the government then could undercut the private insurance further by denying the insurers tax deductibility unless they complied with federal health service regulations. As only the wealthiest could afford to buy private health insurance if the cost were not deductible, private health insurance companies would be compelled to follow federal benefits and cost regulations.
At that point, almost all Americans would get their health care pursuant to federally regulated systems. Then the president would be able to begin to deliver on his twin pledges to reduce the cost of entitlements and make health care overall contribute to lower deficits.
The federal regulators could do merely what the British regulators do currently:
–Constantly reduce the compensation of doctors and all other skilled health care providers. (As domestically trained American doctors became scarcer, more not-as-well-trained foreign doctors would be needed.)
–Limit the availability of medical technology. (In Canada, patients have to wait for months for MRIs, so those who can come to America for immediate diagnostic services.)
–Ration available treatment to fit the federal budget requirements. The universal digitized health data could be used to justify non-treatment on a cost-benefit basis. For example, hip replacement for older people may be denied because they are not likely to live long enough to justify the expense.
At that point, Americans would (too late) understand more fully what happens when health care is a right rather than a service purchased by a sturdy, free people in an unfettered free market.
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
As a supporter of Pres Obama..our household NOW BELIEVES when Hillary stated Obama’s makes a good speech…TALK IS CHEAP Mr Pres..you need to start acting like a president instead of a campaigner. YOU NEED TO LEAD on healthcare. I for one hope if a bill that makes us ALL BUY INSURANCE while they get even more obscene profits, once again jabbing the average family in the backside….crashes and burns. Then Obama will pay for his lack of leadership in 2012 and go down as all talk. As for the bought and paid for senators who work for the health industry…like Sen. Snake in the Grassley, Blanche Lincoln,Bill Nelson, Ben Nelson, Sen Carper and poster boy for the health industry Baucas…hope they get a robust boot up their collective arses.
Posted by: Mackie | October 1, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
All american’s want reform , Reform , and they are not reforming health care they want to take it over .
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
kenneth….I am not a Repulican or a Dem , Iam an American , We all know Obama won but does he ? I don’t like what Obama is doing to this country and many more american’s feel as i do.And thats our right to ask question about what the Dems are doing and trying to pull on American’s , Most will not even read what they voting on . The Dems do not even know what they are doing to themselves when they call americans names and try and make them out to be something they are not , This my friend is insult to all Americans. And we will show them all come 2010 .
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
kenneth….I am not a Repulican or a Dem , Iam an American , We all know Obama won but does he ? I don’t like what Obama is doing to this country and many more american’s feel as i do.And thats our right to ask question about what the Dems are doing and trying to pull on American’s , Most will not even read what they voting on . The Dems do not even know what they are doing to themselves when they call americans names and try and make them out to be something they are not , This my friend is insult to all Americans. And we will show them all come 2010 .
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
I don’t understand your first two sentences in this blog, Klein.
[Maybe you've been up too many nights with that new baby].
The President has been quite visible, where have you been?
If you are trying to ‘energize’ the couch-loving poorly-read conservative base, I guess that’s the only value.
Posted by: gus amaral | October 1, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Kenneth: I almost forgot Democrats will lose the next Election!
Posted by: batesba74 | October 1, 2009, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Yeah i believe that the Dems are going to have a big problem getting vote without ACORNS help.
Posted by: candobetter | October 1, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Amy in Maine — I didn’t see any of the “know it all in health care” Dems proposing anything to do with health care under Bush. What happened then, did Bush steal their pencils? Also, give me back what I have paid into SS and I will show our government how to invest it. Some Dems have good ideas and some Reps do too. The problem: Neither wish to compromise on anything. I can’t wait to see where the money comes from to pay for this health care plan. It’s not like I don’t pay enough in taxes. Just wait, whatever is not healthy to eat will get a new “health care tax”. Deficit neutral”, yeah sure.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
Amy in Maine — Tort reform is much more intricate than your simplistic view of it. Are you trying to tell me all law suits paid out by medical insurers are fair or are they exorbant amounts? I work in the aerospace industry and if we make a mistake, we could lose the life of pilots and those on the ground. Doctor’s, unfortunately make mistakes, but fair compensation is what it should be about, not “how much acn I gett because this doctor left a sponge in me”?
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
Angie in PA
How does the past justify the present? The democrats led by Obama are making a MESS of everything. The only job growth was in the GOVERNMENT. Thats INSANE. The health care for ALL is now going to include illegal aliens AGAIN. The liars are enough to make you scream. And I suggest that all the original Town hall people LIGHT up the phones and STOP the Senators from ramming this disaster through.
Posted by: ChicagoBob | October 1, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Angie in PA
Rasmussen polls which are fairly accurate state 56% dont want this health care sham.
Posted by: ChicagoBob | October 1, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
Angie in PA
Rasmussen polls which are fairly accurate state 56% dont want this health care sham.
Posted by: ChicagoBob | October 1, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
“I didn’t see any of the “know it all in health care” Dems proposing anything to do with health care under Bush”
Guess you were asleep during the 90′s when Republicans killed the Clinton Healthcare plan and won seats over it.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 1, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
It doesn’t matter to him. He really doesn’t like Americans anyway. His agenda is to bankrupt us.LongT >>> The Obama idea is to make everyone poor that way there is nothing to hope for and you will allow the government to take over.
Sad Joke Obama and his CREW holding us hostage.
Posted by: ChicagoBob | October 1, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
angie in PA you are right. not one person. lets see, obama takes over GM obama takes over Chrysler, obama takes over some banks,obama takes over AIG, obama takes over health care, obama making us pay more taxes for fuel, energy, soft drinks, cinnimon rolls, hotel tax, rental tax, work tax, sales tax, health tax, death tax, do not have health insurance threw the feds then a tax for that. man your right. Good thing this president hides it well.
Posted by: Jim Rod | October 1, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
Amy in Maine | Oct 1, 2009 1:36:08 PM
Guess you were asleep during the 90′s when Republicans killed the Clinton Healthcare plan and won seats over it.
Well it was a similar Plan and the American public was against it then just like they are against it now!
Posted by: batesba74 | October 1, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
“”"”"”"”Guess you were asleep during the 90′s when Republicans killed the Clinton Healthcare plan and won seats over it.”"”"”
Posted by: Amy in Maine
I was talking about under Bush, but since you brought this up. Don’t you find it interesting that the Democrats can pass anything they want right now and the GOP can’t do anything about it? So, pass your plan and see what happens.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Quoted from Frank Herbert’s Destination: Void(end of chapter 7 if intereste).
“Hempsted angry will be more help to us than Hempstead cool and devious,” Bickel said. ” The angry man will make mistakes. He’ll let some real help slip through to us.”
“What makes you think Big Daddy would try to foul us up?” Timberlake asked.
“He’s a political administrator…Even if it’s unconsious, he’ll put political considerations ahead of anything else. His first efforts will be to himself in power. We’re in a position to throw out the political elements and concentrate on our immediate problem. To do that, we throw monkey wrenches into the political gears and focus just on what we need. The things we need will come through.”
________________________
The reason that not much is getting done for healthcare reform is that we are bogged down by political elements on all sides of the argument. We as the people need to continue to tear appart the political concerns so that we can see the true problem in this issue.
1)9-13 million citizens cannot get insurance coverage because of chronic medical conditions or because they fall between the cracks of goverment assistance programs.2) Regardless of what state you live in you have few companies to choose from in making the choice of what policy you want to purchase to meet your healthcare needs. 3)The overall cost of medical care continues to rise to the point that people, even with medical insurance, will at times avoid care because they cannot afford it, to say nothing about those who do not have coverage.4) We have too few family doctors(general practitioners, pediatricians and geriatric practitioners) in the system to meet our current needs, and we are absurdly short of how many we will need in the coming years.
Until we have a comprehensive healthcare reform bill that addresses all of those issues it will be a waste of good paper and time.
And to the proponents of a “public option”: it *might* help in problems 1-3 but it won’t do anything for #4, if anything it will make that problem worse.
Posted by: bobtherepublican | October 1, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
President Obama had better re-focus his attention on healthcare, which was a campaign promise and Democratic platform issue, or he might find himself out of a job in 2012. For those of us who are struggling to pay exorbitant and ever increasing health insurance premiums, this is THE most important issue. I do not care if Chicago receives the Summer Olympics and I think we should get out of Afganistan and Iraq. Regardless, healthcare is directly related to the US economic issues, and our President needs to be fully engaged in healthcare discussions. Forcing people to obtain coverage is not the answer; for those at the poverty level or unemployed, this just plain does not work.
Posted by: GHicks | October 1, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
Yes i agree ,Why is it so hard for everyone to understand that the Dems could pass this health care take over if they wanted too, Its because they want someone to blame when it all goes’s to H..E..LL ,Thats how the Dems are …Blame them .
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SHEEPLEcandobetter in reality the Dems. do not have a clear 60 vote majority. On the other hand Rpubs. have a 100% minority. The so called BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS vote REBUB. on most bills.
Rep. D- Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas voted twice against a public option.
All polls show 2/3rd’s of Arkansaian’s SHEEPLE are in favor of a public option. How can she logicly vote against it? Perhaps the insurance industry offered her enough in contributions to buy her vote? It’s painfully obvious Baucu Grasslys are in the bag. SHEEPLEcandobetter, the Dems. do not have the 60 votes needed to get a bill passed. They are 5 short of passing a bill that would be fillibuster proof. The party of no, the Republican party just need to push the no button. Repubs. offer no viable alternatives. They just put up roadblocks and say no.
SHEEPLEcandobetter- please do not confuse a political agenda with concern for the SHEEPLE of our great country.
GRASSLY, BAUCUS, have received over 10 million dollars from the health care industry in the form of donations. Both of them are corrupted politicians who make their decisions based on what’s good for the insurance company CEO’s they work for. It’s WE THE PEOPLE against WE THE CORPORATE CEO’s and our elected officials are bought and paid for. It’s a war betwen people, SHEEPLE and our elected officials representing thr corporate world of health care. Think about it. Read articles or listen to the other sides take on what is going on. Hearing both sides of a disagreement gives SHEEPLE a better insight into what is going on.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Enough is enough. Obama has had enough time to know what he feels is needed in a healthcare bill, therefore he should just spell out to Congress what he wants and tell the leaders to write it and pass it. The Republicans are never going to be onboard, no matter what the bill contains. And as for the blue dog Democrats, if they want the national party’s support next election (never mind which way their constituents vote), then they can shape up and vote appropriately , or they will have to call themselves “Independents” (or Republicans, which is what they truely are, but calling themselves “Democrats” works to get them elected in their districts.)I only hope that Obama wants what the American people need; and does not sell out the American people in order to secure his reelection.
Posted by: lwba | October 1, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
“I would bet you that most republicans have healthcare insurance, it’s the dems that want all of the freebies”
You would be wrong. Red states make up the bottom of the barrel when it comes to health insurance. Just like they make up the bottom of the barrel in income, education, etc, etc.
Posted by: gary | October 1, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
secreg756 —- I am saying pass the bill and see what happens. You are interjecting what you think. I can think for myself and do not need you to do it. Read my posts all you want. This bill does not address health care costs, it addresses insurance premiums. But, pass it and we will see.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
secreg756 — I do agree our elected officials should do as we see fit or resign.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
ifichar–based olsely on numbers your comment is correct. But, you know all DEMS are not going to vote for a public option. Max Baucus Chairman of the finance committee-D Wyoming, voting against a public option. I assumed you understood the DEMS can not do what ever they want and get it passed into law. Your posting indicated they could.
But politics is not rality. I was actually paying you a compliment.
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Don’t you find it interesting that the Democrats can pass anything they want right now and the GOP can’t do anything about it? So, pass your plan and see what happens.
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SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
For everyone saying that American people voted him in office to effect change in Washington. And think that one of the major reason’s Obama was elected was his view on Healthcare, you are just wrong. Obama won the election on one issue and one platform. Any Republican would just be Bush’s 3rd term. He won by placing fear in the voters and used race and fear to deflect any criticism he came under “not that the press reported a lot of it!” We did not elect him to take control of out Financial institutions, our Automobile Industry! Cap Salaries (even if out of control this is not the right of the Federal Government) and have the Government run healthcare and Push for Cap and trade reform that will ruin American Industry, We did not Vote for him to make Government all controlling and bigger but the less controlling and smaller. We did not vote for him, to more than triple the National Debt but to be fiscally responsible, we did not vote for him to Apologize for our Country and its faults. We voted out of Great speeches short on substance long on promises and fear. The kind of control he wants the Government is not what our founding Fathers ever wanted or allowed in the constitution. Yes maybe Bush overstepped on what the constitution allowed but Obama is doing the same thing! Do you really want the Government making every decision for you and making it impossible to get by without them? To do that would be to give up your freedom.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 1, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
For a guy wh has only been in office eight months Obama seems to be carrying eight years of baggage. Repubs. are masters at pointing fingers and getting
all of their talking points listened to or heard, or read via FOX ENTERTAINMENE,
The Wall Street Journal, or RUSH : the sweaty fat man ” LIMBAUGH. Carl Rove has a daily op ed position with the Wall Street Journal. Repubs. throw rocks and then yell at the nearest DEM. and asks loudly, why did you throw that rock. It’s a shame the SHEEPLE in this country don’t undertsand they are getting screwed. Instead they let their personal biases affect their votes. I’d be willing to bet if their elected officials were completely honest about a public option. They would overwhelmingly be in favor of it.
SHEEPLE will always be SHEEPLE and that’s exactly why change will never happen. I truly believe this is more about race than it is about public policy. In conservative eyes Obama can not do anything right. Can’t Obama be multi tasking? Is that to much to expect from the President of the United States? Couldn’t he be making calls and sending EM’s to his cionstituents? I have used this phrase before, and through out the years it has sereved me well. If Obama walked on water. The conservatives would say, it’s because he can’t swim. It’s a race issue.
Ifichar-you like a great friend of mine. Would probably agree on more than you know. And what we didn’t agree on we would respect each other and agree to disagree. Unfortunately politicians get paid to keep SHEEPLE at each others throats.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
SECREG_756 —– Most people would agree on “we the people” getting what is neede and deserved, we may disagree on how to get to that point. We probably do have many of the same ideas and, as you, I wish our politicians would put parties aside and do what the public put them in there to do, serve us. I do believe, if our politicians had to use the plan they are trying to put in place, we would see many more changes before even thinking about a vote.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
ifichar, what are some of the proposals you do not like? Do you think change needs to happen? What would you like to see in a final bill if it comes to that?
I will answer the same questions to you.
The Dems. could get a reconciliation vote passed. It would require all Democrats to vote that a vote on the bill itself is required. After that, they could vote against the bill.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
SECREG_756 — I want true health care reform, not another insurance company. If we spend 50% more per person than any other country on health care, we need to first investigate why health care costs are so high. High costs will drive insurance premiums. I would start by a commission investigating costs and price gouging in pharmaceuticals, medical procedures and practices, machinery, tort reform, investigate fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, unemployment, welfare, disability, HUD (specifically section 8 housing), and any other handout program run by our government including illegal immigration. Then we regulate teh costs and start reforming insurance once we have pinpointed all the fraud and price gouging/spiking. Start with costs and our insurance premiums will lower.
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Typical for a young inexperienced rookie. Obama thinks like a lot of other young people I know who think they can handle it all and “multitask”. The problem with trying to “do it all” is you dont do any of it very well. He would do a lot better to cut the size of his plate down and focus on what is important but that wont happen because of his ego.
Posted by: sammy | October 1, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
SECREG_756 — As it is, they dreamt up a government subsif=dized insurance company with no way of paying for it. 6 months later, our President stands up and announces we will find $500 billion from fraud in Medicare to help pay for it and says it will be “deficit neutral”. ALL economic indicators say it will cost minimum $1 trillion in 10 years and nobody really knows where the other $500 billion is going to come from, but we have already promised no higher taxes on those under $250K. Do you not see how strange that whole sequence of events sounds as it is laid out here?
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
SECREG_756– Now, when the President states we have $500 billion in fraud in Medicare, he should have immediately launched a commission to recoup, because he stated it so we must know where it is. No, he just left that statement out there for everyone to hear, which gives the appearance that IF this reform passes, we will go get it, but nothing until then? Does that not seem strange to you?
Posted by: lfrichar | October 1, 2009, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Libs are funny. They get all their facts from the john stewert show which are slanted and taken out of context for comedic value. Try getting your info somewhere else and you’ll wake up to fact that the dems are being voted out in 2010 and obama is as good as gone. He’s already a lame duck 6 months in. Though I do agree that they should ram everything through while they can since they won’t be re-elected anyway.
Posted by: Brian | October 1, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
I wold want to see a strong tort reform bill attached. Doctors should not be fearful of performing an operation where the out come, due to no fault of their own did not work. If the Doctor is competent, sober and didn’t err, then that’s the way things happen. Also, doctors liability should be limited to the cap of their mal practice insurance.
Costs of goods and services should be made known to the public. If a titanium rod costs $50 and after including all expenses involved in running a buisness are accounted for. If the final cost of the rod is $600. Charging $1800 is way to high a mark up. Ifichar, unfortunately our free market society and capitalism is no longer working.
Most of the important oversights on Corporations have been done away with.
Do I want the government in my life? No!
But the reality is Corporations do not treat people any differently than the government would. Capitalism failed and was bailed out by the government. As soon as the corporations were given their fix. Business resumed as usual. It’s not Obama’s fault the banks are not lending. They have the money. it’s their CEO’s policy to keep the balance sheet shored up rather than lend it to small businesses or individual citizens.
I would like to have CEO’s being held personally resposible for taking on riskier transactions and investments than they should.
Getting back to the government. In the future voting will be done at home on a computer. The people will have more to say about who represents them than they do today.
The phrase slippery slope is commonly used by politicians to forecast what events today are going to lead to in the future.
No one can predict the future. Usually, political forecasts referring to expenses are under whelming. One of the reasons retirement from Social Security went from 65 to 67 was the Vietnam War.
Back then every politician was using money from the SS trust for current day spending.Each citing examples of how and when the money would be repaid. most of the borrowed money was never repaid to the SS fund. That is one of the reasons I don’t care if a health plan covering all Americans is not deficit neutral. I like and support paygo. The only asset I owe on is my home. And I am not under water. I could sell my house cheap, and still make money on the transaction.
I have no dog in this hunt. Except for my children. And thankfully none of this is going to mean much to them either. Truthfullness and accepting responcibility for your own deeds is no longer a fabric of America’s society.
A fellow like GRASSLY really pisses me off. Telling elderly people an option will create, “death panels”, the government will pull the plug on “grandma”. All lies. Statements he later took back. Grassly did put the fear of an option into their minds.And scaring the uninformed and elderly is a nasty deed. He did what he gets paid to do. Lie, mislead, take out of context, and defeat a good public plan any way that he can.
Most people do not bother or take the time to educate themselves on issues that are important to them, ergo the term SHEEPLE.
I do not trust corporations one bit. Individuals have no control over corporations malfeasances. Look up the company UNUMProvident. The worlds largest provider of disability insurance in the world. Also the most sued, penalized, and distrusted company in the entire insurance industry.
On the other hand, if the government is part of the scenery, their agency’s will be more resposive to complaints than any corporation would ever be.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
BrianSHEEPLE, where do the rest of the SHEEPLE get their news from. FOX ENTERTAINMENT. Rove at the Wall Street Journal? RUSH “the fat man” LIMBAUGH. Who by the way, could not know what he is saying. If he’s using oxycontin again? Glen BECK? Exactly whom is their audience? SHEEPLE grazing in the pasture should not poop where they graze. In rsponse to Brian, who posted.
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.Libs are funny. They get all their facts from the john stewert show which are slanted and taken out of context for comedic value. Try getting your info somewhere else and you’ll wake up to fact that the dems are being voted out in 2010 and obama is as good as gone. He’s already a lame duck 6 months in. Though I do agree that they should ram everything through while they can since they won’t be re-elected anyway.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
ifichar, I agree with your postings. In fact you’re mostly on the money. Getting everything done you named could take many,many years. I will agree to respect your comments. These are explainations of what you feel and think. Thank you for responding.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg756 | October 1, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Thank goodness Obamacare is now on the backburner. Maybe Obama has finally realized that his gift of eloquent speach is not enough to pull the wool over the eyes of us with common sense.
Posted by: 03christiangirl | October 1, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
Grayson is the neanderthall – How can you complain of GOP lack of support when you cant even get all your Dems in line?? — Go work out your infantile frustrations in a more constructive manner, doofus!!!!
Posted by: MidwestValues | October 1, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
My prediction — If Chicago gets the olympics, Obama will call for OUR tax dollars, federal money, to help build the venues — he’ll call it stimulus — but the joke will be on him — Olympic-gate — Valerie Jarrett’s conflcits of interest (and all the money she’ll make) will bring down both her and Obama!!!!
Posted by: MidwestValues | October 1, 2009, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
Obama Everwhere and Nowhere. That says it all.
Posted by: fedup | October 1, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
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Posted by: seaveg | October 1, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm