Comments on: No Laughing Matter: White House Says Comedian Jon Stewart “Put Awareness” On 9/11 Health Bill

By: Thuan

Thuan — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:42:09 +0000

Jon stewart did cover why they need this money.
4:02 of interview.
Since they belong in unions, and when they get sick they get workman’s comp supposedly. So their health insurance is cut. Comp should pay for their stuff. BUT workman’s comp can argue that their chronic conditions is NOT work related and thus not pay for their medical bills. They are constantly fighting financially and terminal diseases like cancer. The bill also covers their finacial needs, since they can’t work anymore. 342 people have died so far. People who do get benefits have the lowest benefits and must pay enormous copays for their constant visits to clinics for their constant chronic illnesses.

By: Noz

Noz — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:48:40 +0000

“Several people have asked: Why is this bill needed, aren’t the first responders covered by their public job health insurance?” – Glenn
You mean that paragon of nannyness Jon Stewart didn’t cover that on his show!
He did dedicate an hour to the topic.
Looks like he isn’t very well informed.

By: amber

amber — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:55:02 +0000

Thank you, Jon Stewart.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:47:52 +0000

Several people have asked: Why is this bill needed, aren’t the first responders covered by their public job health insurance? I haven’t seen an “real” answer to this, so I am asking again. I’m asking because I seriously don’t know what the genesis for this bill was. Is there some significant group of responders who aren’t covered by insurance? Is there some catastrophe loophole in the insurance policy? I assume whatever gap there is in the coverage has to cover many thousands (tens of thousands?) of people, because the $8.4 billion cost of this bill is a lot of money. So does anyone know why it’s needed?

By: CND FOX

CND FOX — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:18:03 +0000

Come on “Anonymous”…that was not what CRA was about or created for… and you know it. Quit defending the “greed mongers” that dominate our political scene. The ones who control the GOP and make no bones about it. But then again…you have to be paying attention to see that. And 80-90% of the “middle class” does NOT pay attention. EXACTLY what the GOP counts on.m I am so sick of government getting the “bum” rap and being “demonized by those who DON’T pay attention!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:47:37 +0000

CND FOX: “You cannot blame the CRA for what greedy wall street bankers in the cancerous offshoot of that policy.”
I make no excuse for sleazy predatory lenders looking to scam a quick buck, but at the same time we should make no excuse for a government that influenced the creation of a market built on a very flimsy foundation of subprime borrowers. Bankers, borrowers, and government all share some blame, but the government takes most of it as a market to make loans to people who couldn’t pay them back rightly wouldn’t have existed without government intervention.

By: CND FOX

CND FOX — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:15:37 +0000

“Anonymous”…the CRA is also responsible for many owning a home that would have had absolutely no chance at all. You cannot blame the CRA for what greedy wall street bankers in the cancerous offshoot of that policy. Oh…I guess you can. If you are a black and white thinker. But then again…that is not how nations, cultures and populations grow and get better, is it? The moral to the story is, however; the proper regulations have to be put in place and the agencies responsible for its enforcement cannot be “defunded” into dysfunctionality or failure – or else it ends up just as exactly as it did.
And the GOP and their “greedy
supporters” know how to “work that
game” very well.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:59:23 +0000

CND FOX: “. . . and subprime was a direct result of investment banking (you know the too big to fail ones) – not a “direct result” of CRA.”
The point I’m trying to make is that their wouldn’t have been a sub-prime market big enough to crash if the government hadn’t encouraged it. Try doing some research into the creation of the sub-prime market. You’ll find that government influence on the sub-prime market in the mid to late-90s encouraged its sudden expansion shortly thereafter.

By: CND FOX

CND FOX — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:58:55 +0000

“Anonymous”…Wall St out of control was a known tragedy we all experienced (remember how “enraged” everyone was). Besides LOL…I am a “lender” – an honest one who did NO subprime – and subprime was a direct result of investment banking (you know the too big to fail ones) – not a “direct result” of CRA. The only thing Freddie and Fannie did wrong was follow them into the mess (to be competitive). And my “goal” was simply to talk about the NEXT BIG GOP DISTRACTION SCAM that they will use to fire up the “dumbed down base and those independents who don’t pay attention to what is really going on politically. Because they (the GOP) – with their penchant for coddling the richest of our nation – needs “distraction issues” to succeed; and that is the next big one. I am an EDUCATOR “Anonymous” for those who DON’T pay attention to the latest “emotional scams”. And that is why people like you, don’t like me.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:02:48 +0000

CND FOX: “And what I saw was “Wall St out of control” . . . Sorry . . . I cannot “react” emotionally to a “distraction concept” . . .”
That’s exactly what you’ve done as you’ve provided no facts, only anger toward “the rich bad men” behind all of our country’s evils.
CND FOX: “. . . the deleterious effects of deregulation (loss of manufacturing jobs” and a “defunding of government instituions” . . .”
How about the deleterious effects of government over-regulation, like the CRA? The housing crisis was due to massive defaults on sub-prime loans. Prior to increased government regulation related to the CRA in the mid-90s and the policy of government sponsored Freddie and Fannie to purchase up to half of their loans in the sub-prime market, the sub-prime market was virtually non-existent. Government regulation on the private sector can not only choke growth and innovation, but it can also bring down the whole economy. That is why any government intervention on business or the economy must be highly scrutinized.
Forth time now, what country is better and more exceptional than America, and why aren’t you living there? Your lack of an answer to this is an answer in itself. You know of no other country better and more exceptional than the good ol’ US of A. Glad to see you’re at least honest through your silence.
CND FOX: “. . . it keeps everyone arguing about something that is subjective and not real – while the real problems, issues and mistakes – are ignored.”
Was that your goal when you changed the subject from the 9/11 responder bill to American exceptionalism?