Obama Rallies Democrats: ‘Don’t Do It for Me’

“and have a chance to make good on those promises you made at the town meetings, constituent breakfasts … all that travelling through the district.”
.
Well, we know democrats did not hold town hall meetings, constituent breakfasts… they didn’t travel through the districts. The democrats were SCARED of their constituents… those that held maybe one meeting definitely were not listening to what those pesky constituents were telling them. So, get your resume’s in order cause in November you will be booted out to the street. We DEEM you gone… might as well start packing now.

Looking back to another president for motivation, he quoted Abraham Lincoln: “We are not bound to win, but we are to be true. We are not bound to success, but to let whatever light we have shine.”
Is he serious? I seriously doubt that Abraham Lincoln used back room deals, arm twisting, perks, delayed benefits, false cost/deficit numbers, and so on… When Lincoln spoke of being ‘true’, he meant it. That means honest. Nothing in this bill has been ‘honest’ from the beginning. And ‘to let whatever light we have shine’ is a joke for this administration. The only light they are shining is the one of lies and corruption. For those representatives who are going to vote ‘yes’ this time because they got ‘extra deals’ or rides on the big plane or threats… you should be ashamed of yourselves for being bought off by the Washington machine. Thanks a lot for listening to your constituents and making your vote based on their concerns. Pitiful.

Well, we know democrats did not hold town hall meetings …
Posted by: gk | Mar 20, 2010 5:47:28 PM
__________________________________
It’s one lie after another from the Republican right . .. sad.

gk, let’s be honest, those dems who didn’t hold town hall meetings knew that the small vocal tea party minority would have made real communication impossible. And that is the purpose of a town hall meeting, for all sides to communicate with each other to share information.
Dell, the American people have consistently shown to favor all of the individual major parts of the bill. The reason the bill in its entirety doesn’t poll well is because of the vast amount of misinformation on it. From phony stories about ‘death panels’ to the government choosing your doctor, the falsehoods are flying fast and furious on many radio and a certain news show. Even regular media has neglected to tell the truth, their idea of ‘reporting’ by showing two opposing people saying sound bites but forgetting that true journalism means also investigating to show the facts of who is right. I miss Walter Cronkite!

“The reason the bill in its entirety doesn’t poll well is because of the vast amount of misinformation on it”
Horse dung.
And you’ll rue the day you ever voted for this ideologue, who’s turning America into a Banana Republic.

“Don’t do it for me”.
Said tongue in cheek. 18,000 IRS agents funded by Healthcare Reform at about 10 billion. Unemployment still humming right along gaining momentum in states and cities and we have this. The process doesn’t matter says the President but to most of us it does, it really does matter when facts are twisted and lies are told to push any agenda.
FDR imposed wage controls and in order for companies to compensate employees the Government granted “permission” for companies to fund healthcare and what had been 6 percent of GDP grew to where we are today. There is no value on something you don’t pay for yet for many of us who have paid and paid all our lives will watch as Obama will usher in brand new participants who have never paid a dime towards contributing to theirs or societies benefit.
What a mess!

Nations broke. Don’t pass it for me.

It has not happened yet, but tomorrow, yes. A moment to live.
Pryaing for the best.

Lydia, you are right! There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding this hijacking of the American healthcare system by the Left.
Here is one REAL FACT: It will force those individuals who currently enjoy their independence of healthcare insurers and HMOs–by paying cash for their medical needs–to purchase healthcare insurance. Thus they will be denied the healthcare coverage they currently have–CONTRARY TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PLEDGE.

Well congrats Mr. Pres you and your party have brought change to America. My extended family all lifelong dems are now so committed to voting against dems in Nov 2010 (I think even more “fired up” than me an independent). I have never seen them this upset with their party in my entire lifetime! Other than ruining our economy (and healthcare system) and saddling future generations with unsustainable debts for entitlements you and your party have pushed forward you have really amazed me by the changes you all have brought.
I just hope any other parties besides those siding with yours accumulate a 2/3rds majority come Nov 2010 to override any Presidential vetoes until at least 2012. That is something we won’t be doing for you either it will be for us the majority who have repeated said don’t pass this awful legislation. Maybe then you will learn to be representatives.

Why do the democrats contend that this
is difficult, and a political risk
if they think they are following the
will of the people ?

In front of the camera–don’t do it for me.
In private–Please, please, I’m begging you vote YES to save my presidency. I want to be the first president to pass HCare. I’ll give you anything you want.
I noticed quite a bit of Obama’s speech was about him, as they always are.

I have a feeling Obama will be getting different kinds of letters after OCare passes. But he won’t read them out loud.
Letters like:
I’m 70 y/o and I can’t get a hip replacement because the gov’t says I am too old.
My mother is 80y/o and the govt told her to take a pain pill and go home to die.
You promised not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $250K but there are taxes on my wheelchair, walker, etc.

How does Obama keep a straight face?
“Good policy makes good politics”, he said.
Obamacare is good policy?
I think his own party would disagree.
His “good policy” took a year’s worth of backdoor deals, bribes, threats, and begging.
If it is so good why are most of the Democrats holding their noses to vote for it?
If we only knew the truth.
How many democrats really despise Obama for wrecking the party and their careers?

While Obama was bragging about the virtues of his historic legislation.
I notice he didn’t mention the sweetheart deals with his pals in the unions, the hospital lobby, and big pharma.
He guaranteed 32M new customers for the HC industry. Didn’t they deserve a shout-out?

Are you aware there are Democrats who are hesitant about this legislation because they don’t think it goes far enough – not including a public option, nor a single payer system?
Posted by: tierra |
Bet you can’t name one.

Are you aware there are Democrats who are hesitant about this legislation because they don’t think it goes far enough – not including a public option, nor a single payer system?
Posted by: tierra |
Bet you can’t name one.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | Mar 20, 2010 9:48:40 PM
Wrong again . .. are you ever right?
____________________________________
Stephen Lynch . .. faulted the Senate bill for not letting states set up a public insurance plan for people who are required by the bill to get coverage.

Stephen Lynch . .. faulted the Senate bill for not letting states set up a public insurance plan for people who are required by the bill to get coverage.
Posted by: tierra |
I can’t find any evidence to support your claim that anti-abortion Rep Lynch is “hesitant” to support this bill because of that. Can you?
Meanwhile, there is zero chance that a Deemocrat will vote no and defend his no vote by saying the legislation didn’t go far enough.

passing this bill is the right thing to do, is good for the country, and good for Democrats.
___________
Yes to the above snip from your post. I disagree with your mischaracterization of the colossal “misread” and political fallout, though I do tend to agree with satirist Alex Pareene (Gawker) who writes
“In the current political climate…pragmatism doesn’t mean “bipartisan,” it means “accomplishing whatever is possible.” And “bipartisanship” is not currently possible… If you’re going to be painted as a socialist for expanding Romneycare nationwide, and you’re not going to win Olympia Snowe’s vote even by giving her everything she wants, why not push for even better subsidies, a national exchange, and a public option? Because you’re scared they’ll call you a double socialist?”

Stephen Lynch . .. faulted the Senate bill for not letting states set up a public insurance plan for people who are required by the bill to get coverage.
Lynch does not oppose health care reform over any of the provisions dealing with abortion.

And yes, Lynch is a strong unionist who disagrees with the surcharge on Cadillac plans union members receive – in other words he’s more left than the legislation on that issue.

Congress has usually waived the cuts to doctors year by year.
____________________________________
If this has been waived by Congress year by year, why should this be included?

Are you aware there are Democrats who are hesitant about this legislation because they don’t think it goes far enough – not including a public option, nor a single payer system?
Yes I am – Stephen Lynch (D-Massachusetts) . .. faulted the Senate bill for not letting states set up a public insurance plan for people who are required by the bill to get coverage.

I’m not a big fan of this particular bill. Those who have read my posts know that I think this kind of minimalist approach is bad for both the country and for the Democrats.
However, since the tea crowd donned their white sheets today and showed their true (hatred for) colors, I have to say that seeing this bill passed will give me much pleasure and satisfaction.
It will be a great victory over the racist, sexist, and homophobic klan that calls themselves Americans but don’t have the slightest clue what that means.

I’m not a big fan of this particular bill. Those who have read my posts know that I think this kind of minimalist approach is bad for both the country and for the Democrats.
However, since the tea crowd donned their white sheets today and showed their true (hatred for) colors, I have to say that seeing this bill passed will give me much pleasure and satisfaction.
It will be a great victory over the racist, sexist, and homophobic klan that calls themselves Americans but don’t have the slightest clue what that means.
Posted by: Flash Override | Mar 20, 2010 11:03:00 PM
______________________________________
The truth comes out . .. and America sees it . . .

Aw, Flash, you don’t really think it was actual committed ordinary fed-up fiscally conservative Tea Party types who were conveniently “donning their white sheets” today, do you? I am not a Tea Party person, but the people I know who do identify themselves as such are “silent majority” types of various races and religions who are simply fed up with the federal government not listening to them and the run-away spending and growth of government. They are not loonies. And they are frustrated that they are being belittled, ignored, and lumped in with truly kooky fringe folks.
You know as well as I do that Tea Party events are “infiltrated” by faux-partyers trying to make the movement look bad, just as left-oriented protest movements have often been “infiltrated” by posers in the past.
You also know that it is not simply Tea Party folks who are rallying against this bill. The country is truly divided on this issue.

I feel the tea leaves are very easy to read.
Posted by: Woody | Mar 20, 2010 10:41:45 PM
Speaking of tea leaves, what is up with the tea partiers today?
I don’t think what I posted proves your point, but we’ll see. I think reasonable people are going to be very turned off by displays of anger, confusion, obstruction, namecalling, threats of violence and overall mean-spiritedness that have come to be synonymous with the GOP and their “conservative” and right-leaning “independent” allies.
Meanwhile, Crooks and Liars has a good post up called The 10 Republican No’s on Health Care, listing things like “No Hope for the 50 Million Uninsured” and “No Drop in the 62% of Bankruptcies Due to Medical Bills” — all with data and details.

has anyone in this forum read this bill yet? just curious because it seems to me that some people have the scoop about this bill and i fairly sure that they have not read it yet. most people are getting their info from others instead of reading it for themselves. there was a comment about the Dems scaring the american people but from what i have observed, the repubs are doing a great job scaring the american people to death. stop the maddness and lets get on with the business of changing America…

They are not loonies. And they are frustrated that they are being belittled, ignored, and lumped in with truly kooky fringe folks.
__________
And yet if those you speak of exist, they are indeed silent, aren’t they? They don’t speak out and, therefore, their silence comes across as condoning and acceptance. In fact, Republicans in Congress congregate with the former “fringe”– now seemingly the mainstream– at rallies and egg them on even, exploiting their fear, hate, anger, confusion and ignorance. Never mind that extremist groups are on the rise. Never mind the nasty signs, namecalling chants or crazy rhetoric.
they are being pandered to. Even you are trying to pretend that they’re from the Left– infiltrators, you claim. Yowza. By not calling them out and making excuses for their behavior, by being their apologist, you are condoning them. Burying your head in the sand. Pretending it isn’t as ugly as its always been — even during the campaign.

This man promised ‘change’ and that what we seem to be getting… only don’t stand there and tell me this bill is what the american people are asking for.. that is a bold lie.. this man is deaf and does not hear the greater majority telling him to STOP and KILL THE BILL..He must of been on of those selfish ones on the playground who had to have his way or he ran crying to Mamma.

So is this bill for the people or for obama? This story pretty much says it and demnstrates the arrogance of this idiot.

Looking back to another president for motivation, he quoted Abraham Lincoln: “We are not bound to win, but we are to be true. We are not bound to success, but to let whatever light we have shine.”
According to the book They Never Said It, there is no documentary evidence that Lincoln ever said it.
How appropriate.

Since President Obama seems to like to quote President Abe Lincoln he should think about this quote by Lincoln-A House Divided Cannot Stand.Maybe he should think about how he has divided this country over this past year with his HC bill and how it will continue to do so.He and the Dems should start over with much less Government control.

The behavior of the Tea Party activists at Capital Hill was reprehensible, embarrassing, stupid, moronic.
Three things: (1) there is no question that this country needs health reform and not just how our insurance companies do business (real wellness would be a refreshing initiative as well), (2) this Bill is a flat out re distribution of the wealth in this country – call it socialism, call it whatever – the government is taxing those that have and giving it to those who do not and (3) This President absolutely believes this bill is doing the right thing.
The difference between the President and the rest of the thinking world is that he believes government has the answer for us, they know what is good for us, they are the protector and provider. The rest of us know better.

“The name calling just makes it easier for the racists, the homophobes and the sexists . ..” – tierra
Dearest tierra,
If the President is an idiot then it isn’t name calling, it’s the truth being spoken.
Grow a skin.
People are going to throw “mean” words around to express themselves and that’s OK.

I don’t know why the WH sent Ms. Anita Dunn to speak for the HCR bill on NBC Meet the Press this morning . Dunn is the former WH communication director, who has publicly stated that the dictator Chairman Mao was one of her two most admired persons because Mao was able to succeed in achieving his goal after great objection.

OH, Talmag, really! You wrote, “We were not divided before the election and President Obama won with an enormous amount of votes.”
We were NOT divided before the election? Really? Then why was candidate Obama talking about how he wanted to unite the country, how he wanted to be a new kind of leader who spoke for all the people, etc. etc. The Iraq war didn’t divide us? The war on terrorism didn’t divide us? The differing philosophies on the role of government in america didn’t divide us? Spiraling government spending didn’t divide us? The bailouts didn’t divide us? I would argue that we were very divided before, during, and after the election of 2008.
Then you continue with the usual: ” Then the republicans, who cannot be good losers, decided to divide the country with their lies, mistruths and anger about losing.” Because Democrats are good losers? Snort. But really, the “lies, mistruths, anger” are certainly confined to one side in this “health care reform” debate. The breadth of the distortions that come out of the mouth of the democrat leadership, including the president, as they push for those last few folks they feel they can sway, is absolutely breathtaking. CHeck out one of the AP’s articles ‘fact checking’ the president’s recent statements on health care, for openers.
Sorry, but with the staggering majorities the democrats have in congress at the moment (but will not have come november) you simply cannot say with a straight face that it is the republicans who are mucking up the works.

Will a few in the crowd who are more disrespectful, rude, fringe get singled out for coverage and labelled the face of the community? I doubt it.
Posted by: moderate
But that’s exactly what has been happening almost since day one.

Funny how the Independents and the far left are saying the same things about Obama.
To the Indep. he pretended to be a centrist and bipartisan, looking out for the middle class instead of his pals on Wall Street.
To the progressives he pretended to be like them. He sold them out by dropping the Public Option in order to make deals with Phrma, and the hospital lobby. Obama kept most of Bush’s policies, did not close Gitmo, and has escalated the war in Afghanistan.
He continued the Patriot Act.
So to a huge part of America–Obama just comes across as a big liar looking out for himself.

“Don’t do it for me . . . .” – Barack Obama
Darn! He almost got it right finally.
If only the quote was – - – “Don’t do it, vote No”
“Everything that goes wrong with health care–Obama will get the blame.” – fran
And rightfully so fran.
He is such a weak leader that he couldn’t garner any Republican Votes.
But that’s not really fair. The bill is so bad even if Obama was a better than average leader he’d would have had a hard time getting Republican Votes.
If only he would have worked hard at the start to come up with a bill that had a chance of working to alleviate the Health Care Problems.
(sigh)

Today America gets another step closer to becoming Greece, Cuba, or Venezuela.
Actually a giant leap.
And Obama is already there but hiding it.
He is already Chavez.
How long before Obama tells us to take a three minute shower?

…for a moment, I thought the POTUS was going to break into a Jeremiah Wright routine……….hope if this thing passes he will stay off tv for awhile as his constant interruptions are getting annoying…..you know, much ado about nothing.

Super…
FLOTUS will send out the food police to make sure we are eating right.
POTUS will send out IRS agents to make sure we have health care acceptable to the government.
And we are paying for all of it.
Those of us that actually pay taxes.

I never thought I would see the day when a bill of this magnitude that is strongly opposed by the majority of the American people and is not supported by any Republicans would have a chance to be passed. I hope the people who are angry over being ignored by this congress remember this in November and vote out any Democrat who votes for it.

What makes liberals most reprehensible on the issue of health care reform is their continual trumpeting of complete lies about the conservative point of view.
They dishonestly and shamefully say that Republicans want to do nothing to improve access to health care.
I don’t know how they sleep at night. I can only surmise they are deceitful and dishonest in all their dealings.
They are despicable in their constant prevarications about the conservative position. Such utter lies are offered as one of their primary justifications for the proposed legislation, which makes their immoral acts all the more fuel for the well-deserved outrage of conservative Americans.
To them, lying, like killing human life that is unborn, is a good act. These are people destined for the eternal outer darkness of separation from all that is good.
They have chosen such a final end for themselves. They have freely chosen it, and they will be given their choice.

Perhaps you could explain what the Republicans did to ‘improve access to health care’ while they held the presidency and congress during the 2002-2006 period.
Posted by: tierra |
RomneyCare. How’s that working out?

I don’t know how they sleep at night. I can only surmise they are deceitful and dishonest in all their dealings.
________
Hmmmm… that actually made me laugh pretty hard. I have no problems sleeping. I know I’m on the opposite side of those making racial slurs, sexist and bigoted statements, threatening violence, and spreading disinformation.I’m on the opposite side of the party that represents profits over people, corporate fascism, self-centered Randian b.s. , the party that defends torture and the criminalization of the DOJ, the souless party of no good ideas, the party that thrives on fear and scaremongering. the party that nearly destroyed the country.
The Dems aren’t saints, but thank God they’re not Republicans.

Romney Care. The closest thing to Obamacare in this country and the Deemocrats’ sycophants refuse to even discuss it. Nobody wonders why.

Once again this “president” sends mixed messages. He just got through telling Congressional DemocRATS that his presidency could be in jeopardy but then turns around for the camera’s and says…don’t do it for me. pfft. What a phony, flim-flam ‘Elmer Gantry.’

people do not “celebrate” the freedom to not be able to afford lifesaving medical care.
Posted by: Truth has a liberal bias |
Right you are.
People “celebrate” the freedom to be forced by the federal gov’t and 18,000 new IRS agents to buy private insurance.
Medicare for all is 100 times better than the current bill.

So tierra, foghorn leghorn just gave you the great example of ROMNEYCARE to answer your question. Can we expect oBamacare to rival ROMNEYCARE in BANKRUPTING this country in the same way it is in Massachusets.

Tierra: They passed medicare D which was unpaid for not like this bill which will be paid for in the end. Also, it was unpopular at the time but he passed it anyway. So Bush passed it even though the people didn’t want it and yet if Obama passes this bill he is wrong. Double standards…he also used reconcilliation and the reed and pass bill was used by the reps over 100 times. Double standards…

They dishonestly and shamefully say that Republicans want to do nothing to improve access to health care.
______________________________________
Perhaps you could explain what the Republicans did to ‘improve access to health care’ while they held the presidency and congress during the 2002-2006 period.
——————————
Tiera,
Your question has nothing to do with my statement, which is about today, not the past.
Posted by: tanarg | Mar 21, 2010 8:01:31 PM
____________________________
Okay, so your answer is when the Republicans had the presidency and the congress they did nothing . .. so step aside.

“The Republican right seems afraid information and education will take away their right to be stupid and poorly informed.” – tierra
Tierra, obviously no amount of information and education is going to take away your right to be stupid and poorly informed.
Kudos to your show of bravery.

gk, no where in the bill is health care nationalized. You are confusing us with perhaps Britain?
Putting regulations on health insurance companies so they can’t rip off patients isn’t nationalized health care, it is just common sense.
Setting up pools so small businesses and individuals can get affordable insurance, isn’t nationalization but helping people take care of themselves and their families.
Thank goodness the health care bill passed. We apparently live in a land where a majority of people have the common sense to see that the insurance system we have in not sustainable, fair or affordable. Thank you to every one who voted yes!