What's really behind Obama's sudden plea for troubled health reforms today
Friday afternoons and evenings -- as we've mentioned here previously -- are usually a dumping ground for political news its originators do not want noticed much. Especially entering warm summer weekends.
The flip side of that adage is that there's rarely much competition for the news at those times. Tah-dah! Not by accident Friday nearly an hour late but what else is new, President Barack Obama (despite the shattering death of his beloved teleprompter earlier this week) staged an unscheduled media availability to insert himself into the news.
Not much competition, so he got lots of coverage. And since he walked out afterward without deigning to take any questions, there was no chance of anything else detracting from the message he wanted to insert: Healthcare now!
The president knows his keystone program is in deep trouble and losing momentum. That's why his organization is sending out all those e-mails and organizing local discussion groups to mobilize grassroots support and why he drags the subject into everything he talks about. Why he even dragged it into a speech Thursday night celebrating the NAACP's centennial. And he'll no doubt focus on the same subject in his weekly address tomorrow (Text here as always at 3 a.m. Pacific Saturday).
"Now is not the time to slow down," he pleads.
Which sounds much like winter's successful argument for urgent passage of the economic stimulus bill, whose benefits have yet to appear. We gotta do this now doesn't always work the second time around.
Obama insists Congress get a healthcare reform program drafted before its members leave on....
... Aug. 7 for their next long vacation. Why? Because members may get an earful back home from the 70% of Americans who say they are satisfied with their healthcare plans and the estimated 98% who don't want higher taxes to pay for reforms that benefit others now and maybe them later someday, who knows.
And if Obama doesn't get his beloved healthcare reforms this year when his party has such firm control of both chambers of Congress, 2010 is a midterm election year when such immense spending will be even more controversial and when, historically, the White House party loses members in Congress. (And unemployment rates are predicted to continue rising.)
Obama insists healthcare reform must not increase the federal government's budget deficit, whose digits already outnumber the space on non-federal calculators.
No mention by the president in today's remarks about the Republicans. They say they're for reform, but add, holy moley, look at the costs! Obama's current problem is actually crumbling support among Democrats, dozens of whom are beginning to waver over the scale of such spending, whether some of it eventually gets covered by savings or not.
They know that conveniently predicted future government savings have a way in Washington of not actually ever materializing. But by then it's too late.
And recent estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office not only bruise but basically destroy the administration's argument about costs and savings.
Moments after he didn't answer any media questions this afternoon, the White House Twittered news of his next news conference, a prime-time deal next Wednesday -- 6 p.m. Pacific, 9 p.m. Eastern, 2 a.m. Thursday GMT.
Obama has mentioned several times recently the nation's 24-hour news cycle, as if it's a regrettable reality of modern life. He did it again today as if there had been some mounting demand for him to speak out on the healthcare debate now.
The truth, of course, is that the White House, better than many in recent years, plays the 24-hour news cycle like a concert violinist, as if the youthful Obama studied music in Austria instead of whatever he studied in Indonesia. That skill was a significant factor in his successful $750-million election campaign.
The point, of course, of today's unscheduled appearance and next Wednesday's formal news affair is to drive the D.C. agenda around what the White House wants to talk about -- healthcare reform. And force it onto the Sunday talk show schedule, a political pulse the White House monitors so closely because it helps set the talk agenda for the start of a new week.
The news conference has emerged as a favorite weapon in Obama's bully pulpit arsenal; remember, a few weeks ago Obama called one to get himself on video record about Iran's violent protests and images after Sen. John McCain's emotional Senate speech on Neda, which, of course, had nothing to do with the news conference scheduling.
Remember also, when the president was asked about that at the news conference, Obama smiled dismissively and said, "What do you think?"
Which, if you accept the president's invitation and do think about it, isn't really an answer.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Photo: Jason Reed / Reuters
BO has got to be the biggest egomaniac POTUS ever! I just turn off the TV when he butts in.
If his health care passes, this nation is toast.
Posted by: MissButterfly | July 17, 2009 at 06:22 PM
I don't want the Govt. coming into my bedroom!
Can the Govt. do anything right? So were gonna let them handle health care? Look how they failed in education, the economy and and state govt. California is almost bankrupt!
" The best government is less government!"
- Ronald Reagan
Posted by: steve rodriguez | July 17, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Plain and simple, the guy's a car salesman. He has to make the sale immediately before the sucker walks out the door which would make him not a sucker.
Posted by: michael loehrer | July 17, 2009 at 06:36 PM
When President Obama says "Now is not the time to slow down", that is exactly what we should do. The CBO just said that the Healtcare Reform plans do not lower costs, but raise them! Ouch! There is going to be a new report coming out at the end of the month with revised figures for the updated deficit numbers. It will not be pretty, but it is only responsible to see what those numbers actually are before any decesion is made. We have already fallen once for the "this is too imporatant to wait" line, and we moved ahead in a reckless manner, and now have virtually nothing to show for it, except a huge deficit that puts us in peril. The House and the Senate have a duty and a responsiblity to the taxpayers to get this right, and if they cannot do it within the money that is available, then we should not move forward until we can. The truth is that in the first six months of this administration they have spent all of the money, and have put us on an unsustainable path, according to the CBO. President Obama talks about sacrifice, well maybe he will have to do just that himself and rein in the spending, as he has broke the bank.
Posted by: Jack Gates | July 17, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Since the bill I've read about so far specifically exempts our politicians from participation in the wonderful government-run health care plan, then I can only conclude that it will be less than stellar. And, just as is the case with Social Security, since they don't participate and don't feel the pain, they don't give a hoot! Are we stupid!
Posted by: Beth Tivnan | July 18, 2009 at 04:17 AM
It may be true that Obama is doing a great job. A great job of ruining our government as we have known it. Taking away our freedom that many have fought and died for. The way to take control of a government, the country and its people, is to create4 a crisis. He and our Congress have done that, and will continue to destroy everything we hold dear, unless we stop them. Wake up America!!! Know your enemies.
!!!
Posted by: Lloyd Revalee | July 18, 2009 at 04:17 AM
I am on board with the two ideas, the one suggested by the President Obama: Based on a new report that details how much waste and inefficiency there is in medicare, how best practices are not always used, how many billions of dollars could be saved, the independent groups of doctors and medical experts to oversee long-term cost saving measures every year force congress to make sure that they are acting on these recommendations to bend the cost curve each and every year.
The other idea echoed by New York Times;
"Meanwhile, it will be important to get some guaranteed fast savings from the health care industries by cutting and reallocating hundreds of billions of dollars from projected spending on Medicare and Medicaid...Just to be sure, Congress ought to establish a fail-safe mechanism that could impose additional cuts after a few years if savings are less than projected."
I agree that In the near-term, this type of accountability will ensure that health reform legislation is fiscally responsible and fully financed. In the long-term, it will make certain that our health system, especially Medicare, is sustainable for generations to come. Please visit http://www.newamerica.net/blog/new-health-dialogue/2009/health-reform-finding-trigger-points-controlling-costs-13089 for further details.
Thank You !
Posted by: hsr0601 | July 18, 2009 at 04:29 AM
Now, now Obama, remember what I told you in Moscow. Just keep repeating over and over..... (sarcasm)
CRISES, CRISES, CRISES.
For a change, give OBAMA a CRISES.
RECALL CONGRESS FOR RECESS NOW!
Stop this dictator in his tracks.
BALANCE THE BUDGET: FURLOUGHS for Government Employees.... Starting with Boxer's staff! If it's good enough for California, it's good enough for DC.
Posted by: V_Putin | July 18, 2009 at 05:11 AM
It is like they are saying "Look at the lipstick and quick buy the pig. You''ve got to buy the pig this minute." That is because if you took the time to examine the pig, you woulf find it is rabid and will kill you. That is what this health care is about. That is what everything the Democrats are doing is about.....do it very quickly and don't let anyone look at it so no one knows how bad it is. The legislation that has come out of committee, on page 16, OUTLAWS the sale of private health insurance and outlaws Health Savings Accounts that save us money. Cap and Tax has whole sections that they are making law and THE SECTIONS ARE BLANK...THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WRITTEN YET!...ISN'T THAT LIKE GIVING OBAMA AND CREW A DICTAORSHIP? Then they can make up anything they want and it is law? For me, if they want to do it in a hurry, something is WRONG with the bill. If they want to hurry, my answer to the bill is NO!. I predict that if they pass this, the people will revolt and no Democrat will be elected for the next 100 years.
Posted by: yvette | July 18, 2009 at 05:54 AM
If the health care system in this country is so bad and we are facing a PANDEMIC!!!! then why did my pediatricians office call me this week to ask me to bring my 3 children in to get a H1N1 flu shot? How many countries do you think are this prepared this soon to face this problem? The Obots are in a panic because now even the democrats in congress are not falling for Obama's rules for radicals rush everything through before anyone has a chance to read what is in the bill. Socialized medicine will not be an improvement of the healthcare that we already have, it will merely reduce access to certain procedures. Most likely access by the elderly.
Posted by: Lisa | July 18, 2009 at 06:17 AM
The article quotes that 70% are happy with their health care and 98% don't want to see an increase in taxes. Why is the media enabling the Democrat Party to push this monstrosity through? All the networks did news specials for this bill in the last week. Isn't it time that the media begins to ask the president why he's pushing a bill that is so contrary to the wishes of the people? And where is the debate that tunes the bill and eliminates the pork? And why won't a clean copy of the bill be shared 72 hrs before the vote so that the people can react? Does the media serve the president of the people?
Posted by: ohheck | July 18, 2009 at 06:19 AM
My thoughts on Obama's health care and our 9.5% unemployment devastation is that Obama won't do anything about JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, until he gets his beloved Obama-care bill passed. He is using jobless people to TRY to get his bill PASSED. That is just plain UGLY!!! How can anyone do that to fellow Americans?
Posted by: GaiS | July 18, 2009 at 06:30 AM
They need it passed so that they can commit the country to paying for it later when the cost is in our face. When that time comes, the dems figure we'll pay for it the same way the Europe and Canada do, which is to cut military spending by 80%
Notice that they do not offer to make those cuts now
Posted by: Ursus | July 18, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Read page 16 of the act. No new coverage is allowed in private health care plans after this plan is in place. No changes can be made to existing plans. This plan totally destroys the insurance industry and removes all choice from consumers. Maybe we can keep our present plan and doctors for a little while, but that won't last. Why not introduce tort reform and protect doctors from predatory lawyers? Why not come up with a real plan that provides options for those who are uninsured while not harming everyone else? This is another disaster being created by the Obama Administration and the Dems. Wake up America, this country is quickly being turned to a socialist state and is vecoming overrun by government. Put government back where it belongs and push back on this act. Here's the link ... see page 16. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/AAHCA09001xml.pdf
Posted by: Larry Jost | July 18, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Although I do not like seeing Government involved in our lives, healthcare needs to be fixed. It is too costly and it is due to the greedy coporations in America. After payiing for health insurance over the past 30 years and for the 1st time having to go to the emergency room, I was shocked to see the charges for this vist. Almost $4k for food poisoning! A couple hours in the ER! And then, after my insurance paid, I was left owing almost $900.00! Which I cannot afford. I AM ALL FOR Federal Healthcare now!
Posted by: NCDAD | July 18, 2009 at 07:31 AM
What is American turning to? Do you think Obama is suffering from all this economy downfall and do you think he is going to be affected by healthcare reform? No he is not. Do you think he will be taxed at a higher rate?The answer is probably no. I work for home health and if you have any family that has home health then you better stand up against this healthcare reform. Obama is planning on cutting homecare and forcing our elderly and disabled children into nursing facilities. Is that where you want your mom or dad or child? I don't. We take care of a good many elderly and they want to be left in their house if possible. Well with this so called health care reform that will be impossible. So think about it, Would you rather visit your family member in their own home or in a nursing home? Protect our elderly!!!!!!!They need our help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Veronica Sanders RN | July 18, 2009 at 07:35 AM
The Obama administration is clearly incompetent.
God forbid they destroy our heathcare -- after trashing jobs, the housing market, the auto industry, the Justice Dept., Honduras, and on and on.
Posted by: Buffy Pittman | July 18, 2009 at 07:37 AM
Obama has been pushing reforms (be they all negative) as fast as he can before he is "found out". There is a book by Larry Sinclair available now that Obama, Axlerod and Emmanuel have been trying to suppress and have had bloggers such as "jacksmith-working class" from firedoglake and many others trying to keep Sinclair from publishing. Firedoglake's tactics is one of the entities mentioned in the book.
Barnes and Nobles, Amazom and others now have it available.
There is a stated connection between Obama and a young male who was murdered, but the Chicago Police Dept. has felt it necessary to "keep on ice and not investigate."
Obama and his crew of many have tried, but failed to stop this publication and frankly I think this is "REALLLY BEHIND OBAMA'S....................................."
Posted by: fb | July 18, 2009 at 08:13 AM
What Obama has been doing is destroying our country and our way of life as a nation since the independent day. The liberal government has shown not to work and repeatedly shown this is the case. The case in point is FDR prolonging our depression in the 30's. What the stimulus does is prolonging our recession. Worst, if this Health Care Reform is passed, I believe it will dive our country into a huge depression. The first one will get hit is pharmaceutical companies because the government will start controlling companies' precription drug pricing, then the health insurance companies, then the small business, then hospitals, then doctors and nurses, and then university. Our success and technological advancement as a nation are based on these major institution. If Obama got his way, the flood of destruction follows it will be unstoppable. If liberals and uninformed are not waking up now, what will follow will be unstoppable!
Posted by: Ray | July 18, 2009 at 08:15 AM
The Obominator sounds so desperate to get this passed, I wouldn't be surprised if him and Nutcase Nan decide to declare Martial law, it would be for our own good you know!
Posted by: Beannie | July 18, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Like the article said, Obama wants it NOW or it will never get passed. Totally irresponsible. He doesn't care about it's effect on the economy or people's lives. It's all about control, just like Cap & Trade, the banks, and GM and Chrysler.
Posted by: Dooley | July 18, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Whenever bureaucrats begin to pay for their own health care and have to invest in their own retirement, then and only then should they be making decisions for the rest of us. One term(president, house, senate) and they draw full retirement for the rest of their life. Small wonder they live in Oz when it comes to understanding the problems the rest of us poor dumb serfs must endure. Fire them all and limit all terms to two and actually make them pay for what they get as the rest of us do. Bureaucrats have become our masters and we have become their slaves.
Posted by: Frank Thompson | July 18, 2009 at 10:02 AM
LOL! Well looks like a few folks been drinking a little too much of the conservative kool- aid. As far a arrogance and egomania go, G.W. was the best ever, flight deck, "mission accomplished" banner ring any bells? But in all honesty, yes, the Obama administration manages it's press releases extremely well, and they are very good at timing. And I say so what? The President knows that we have a severe problem with health care, and we need to fix it. Jack Smith is right when he states that our health care plan in America is crap. Lets cut out the middleman, who does nothing to contribute to health care and get rid of the insurance companies, paying money to the doctors and hospitals that actually provide the care. I have to admit that in my case, it will make little difference as I am moving next year to a country that has government run health care. Yes I have been there before, no I didn't have to wait forever to receive care from a doctor, or any of the other horror stories the insurance industry is trying to sell you, to keep health care reform from happening this time. So wake up folks, do you want an insurance executive denying you the care your doctor recommends, so that he can pad the wallets of some fat cat shareholders? Do you want keep spending more than other nations for health care,, and getting worse quality care? If the answer to those questions is yes, than keep tings the way they are. I will be enjoying good care at good prices, and be grateful for it. Anticipating a lot of good riddance comments from you folks, but that's all good.
Posted by: Mister_Clean | July 18, 2009 at 10:13 AM
I've had enough of crazy people making descions on where to spend my money. The economy would have been stimulated by giving the tax paying Americans the money instead of bailouts for everyone. Now the same people that came up with that idea want to be in charge of health care,are you kidding me?
Posted by: JR Miche | July 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I AM AFRAID OF OBAMAS PLAN FOR OUR HEALTHCARE. I SAW A DISCUSSION LAST NITE THEY WERE DISCUSSING PART OF HIS PLAN THAT WOULD REQUIRE OLDER PERSONS TO BE "COUNSELED" ON THEIR HEALTH CARE. THE SUGGESTION WOULD BE YOU WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GO TO HOSPICE, MEANING YOU WOULD THEN NOT RECEIVE ANY LIFE SAVING TREATMENTS , RATHER YOU WOULD BE KEPT PAIN FREE AND ALLOWED TO DIE PEACEFULLY. I AM SURE THE NEXT MOVE WOULD BE TO SUGGEST THE ELDERLY COMMIT SUICIDE OR AS THE ESKIMOS DO GO OUT AND LIE DOWN ON THE ICE AND WAIT TO DIE OR BE EATEN BY POLAR BEARS, MAYBE THIS IS THE PLAN TO SAVE THE POLAR BEARS FROM EXTINCTION.
Posted by: katwomack | July 18, 2009 at 10:41 AM
It is astonishing to me that we can spend untold, unknown and unaccounted-for trillions on ensuring the well-being of defense contractors, but refuse to do the right thing for our citizens. The media is doing every bit as good a job providing facts about the will of the citizenry as it did in the run-up to Iraq. I suppose it is their intention to have this turn out every bit as well.
Here's a wonderful article, very well explained, on the developed nation's health care systems. An easy read if you care to compare:
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_health_of_nations
Stop listening to media that has "war contractor" ownership. The same people also have huge stakes in the insurance industry that they'd rather you didn't know about.
Write your representatives and demand single payer, and ignore the shills for the insurance companies all over the internet on every board, that try to obstruct the solution to this disaster by denying your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, children and dear friends the care they need. All so people like Diamond Bill Maguire can pay himself 1.78 BILLION dollars in compensation.
What did you make? Probably not enough to even have the chance for some insurance company to deny your claim in the first place. Medical bankruptcies, callous refusals to pay for life-saving procedures, delay after delay until you throw up your hands in disgust and just die - this is the legacy of our current system.
We don't have to allow it, so speak out, all people of good conscience, and help make single payer happen.
Posted by: D Zent | July 18, 2009 at 10:48 AM
To Whom It May Concern,
Ron Markowicz
This is a state of emergency because I haven't received any medical treatment for months due to being on the "Broken Workers Comp System" I have brought it to Senator Harry Reid as well as Governor of NV that I am not getting any medical treatment for over four months. Please read an article posted by the Disability Digest Network with over 40, 000 members just in the west coast that have called many medical organizations as well as every media stations why this is happening?
Please read this below article as well as my URL.
Please reply back to my EMERGENCY!!!!!!!
To: Elizabeth Cohen
Senior Medical Correspondent
CNN News
Good Morning Elizabeth,
By way of introduction, I am the west coast editor of The Disability Digest, a 40 thousand member strong nationwide organization.
We are an group made up largely by disabled individuals from many walks of life. Our main function with the Digest is to disseminate valuable information to disabled individuals, particularly those attempting to obtain Social Security Disability benefits. We do not charge for our service, nor do we take any Federal, State, or any governmental funds to operate.
While we are used to many complaints about the Social Security System, and how difficult they are to deal with, we occasionally encounter situations which egregiously represent the worst of what a system of 'health care' can do to a person.
In this particular case, it is associated with the Worker's Compensation system, and in the State of Nevada.
As a former vocational rehab counselor, I can personally attest to how ineffective, and seemingly capricious the worker's comp insurance carriers can be. And there is no reason for this to be the case.
I have seen many situations where a client, already suffering from a loss of income of one-third (not to speak of the pain associated with case) has to deal with the insurance company when they suddenly cut off their desperately needed monthly payment.
And, for no reason.
But the case before us now represents conditions far worse than I have ever seen, truly endangering this individual's life by the insurance carrier's unwillingness to give consent to further medical treatment.
This is very serious, and despite intervention by Congresswoman Dina Titus's office, and the Nevada Governor's office, the person in question still cannot get the emergency treatment he needs. And so, I am turning to you.
To be brief, after 5 surgeries due to a serious fall, there is metal still floating in this man's back, and no one will treat him, strictly because mistakes were made during the surgeries, and lies were told, and now-----the system shuts down because it is a worker's comp case, and everyone involved is concerned about liability. Meanwhile, the patient is in intractable pain, and is in danger of serious complications if not treated immediately.
As a journalist, I understand the power which can be brought to bear by the media---especially when they are taking the position to right a wrong.
I am sending you to a blog post of mine---and at the end is another URL directing you to the specifics of the case (they are not that lengthy)
I am asking for your help by way of publicizing this case----it is absolutely unconscionable what the insurance carrier is doing to this man. At age 38, and having worked diligently in his profession for twenty years, he is in so much pain, he cannot even hold his two year old daughter to give her a hug----he must have had a horrible Father's day.
In any case, CNN is in a position to help----and I am respectfully asking for it.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
John Woodworth
Editor
The Disability Digest
john@thedisabilitydigest.com
http://www.thedisabilitydigest.com/blog/235/missing-in-action-justice-for-disabled-injured-worker/
Posted by: Ron Markowicz | July 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM
"The truth, of course, is that the White House, better than many in recent years, plays the 24-hour news cycle like a concert violinist, as if the youthful Obama studied music in Austria instead of whatever he studied in Indonesia."
If Andrew wanted to say that the White House effectively manipulates the news, he could have said so. But that's not good enough for Andrew; he has to bring in Obama's education in Indonesia and add an element of mystery about what was taught there.
Why does he do this? There are a few answers.
1) Andrew is trying to be pithy and failing. It's happened before.
2) Andrew is subtly raising doubts about Obama's religious beliefs which plays to right-wing fears. The dominant religion in Indonesia is Islam and perhaps "whatever he studied" there was the Koran.
3) Andrew doesn't know what he is doing. I doubt this.
I'm going with "2" above.
Posted by: Clay Landon | July 18, 2009 at 11:17 AM
When I started working, more than 45 years ago, it was not uncommon for employerers to pick up the entire cost of health care as a job benefit. Even with the largest companies and best jobs, those days are over.
The rate of inflation for health care, by far, exceeds even gasoline at its peak. Are politicians so short sighted that they cannot see what the rest of us do.
I have been in a position where I had to take advantage of Cobra and pay my insurance directly, with about half of my unemployment compensation. Many people(especially in this economy), do not have that option.
They need every cent to live, try not to lose their house, or take a kid out of school. When you put those people in a position where they only seek medical attention when hit by a catastrophic accident or disease ( that could have been better treated earlier), they can easily lose their piece of the American dream and even at that,
someone (read WE) will pay. If we don't pay directly, it will come back as increased insurance costs, healthcare costs, hospital bale outs- you pick. How can a society justify money for major banks, corporations and anyone deemed too big to fail, and then decide that doing something for the very people who fund these unfair practices is too expensive. It is definately a "you can pay me now or you can pay me later " scenario.
The major difference is working smarter and taking away those optional $300 toilet seats and bridges to no where and actually be a servant of the people. Does anyone else feel any clarity as to why popularity of the legislature is so low? Obama may not be completely right on this issue, but doing something, even partially right, will be a big improvement on what we've got.
Posted by: KK in MA | July 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM
This is another CON JOB by the statist and liberal elite.
Man Caused Global warming is #1 in statist scams.
Gov't run health care is #2 in statist scams.
One can control the other, but either one as a political tool and mandate will destroy this country.
JL Mealer
Mealer Companies LLC
http://mealercompanies.com
America's Next Major Automaker
and Green Power Source Supplier
Posted by: JL Mealer | July 18, 2009 at 11:23 AM
As I remember it , back around 1984 they change the rules and began charging younger folk less and older folk more for coverage. Cost back then for me at 33 was $35.00 a month. A friend who was fifty $50.00 per month. It was a trick to divide and conquer us ,plain and simple. Then they used numbers and big companies got big savings at the cost of the individual. All men are greated equal !!!. Just begin by charging us all the same. One cost for all!!! Together we stand divided we fall !!!
Else those who make millions should pay out the same 60% each month that I been paying. Let them try that and see if they like it. There wouldn't be such great health care if it wasn't for us little folk. Their money would mean nothing without our faces to rub it in.
Posted by: Melvin Harvill | July 18, 2009 at 11:24 AM
All the present plan does for older folk not cover by a retirement account of some sort, is quarrantee to bankrupt them in a no win game for the Hospitals ,who still won't get pay , or the families who have lost their source of wealth. Find out who really benefits and you find out who it is that's fighting true reform. Those able to scoop up those houses ,for penny's on the dollar ,for one
All at a time when many retirement accounts are failing.
Greed is at work here. You can smell it.
Posted by: Melvin Harvill | July 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Obama's rushing means he does NOT want people to understand the proposal.........IT is NOT an emergency........People are treated today.
He rushed the stimulus and even HE did not fully read it......and it is failing.
Lets be honest, Obama wants free healthcare for blacks.....sure some whites are in there, but it is 92% blacks.....the same people that elect not to work.
Obama should make the doctors going to medical school for free spend 5 years at a hospital/clinic to treat uninsured.
Why give away Free education with NO duty attached.
get welfare people to work and they will get insurance.........Obama's agenda is to make whites "slaves" to Blacks .
Whites work, Blacks get all the freebies and quotas for better schools and jobs!
Healthcare reform is white slavery in disguise.......STOP IT NOW........Write your congressman.....tell them they will lose votes if this is rushed through.
In addition, the elderly worked all their lives and paid into SS for medicare........Obama will cut their services at the expense of Blacks.
he only cares for 2 things........More votes and Black freebies.
You, your kids and generations to come will be forced into Obamas legal slavery.................
Is that what you want to leave your grandkids??
Posted by: Nick C | July 18, 2009 at 11:44 AM
The unemployment rate and the foreclosures rate were already in a downward spiral before he got into office. It took a very long time to feel those negative effects and it will take a long time to feel the positive effects. He can't just jump into office and immediately change the course of foreclosures and unemployment. It takes time.... I don't know exactly what Obama's rush is but I know that our current health care system is not very good. I also know that he is as honest as you are going to get with a president. His intentions aren't based on greed or power. Just give the guy some time to get things turned around.
Posted by: jay adams | July 18, 2009 at 11:50 AM
IF I GET TO HAVE THE SAME INSURANCE THAT OBAMA AND THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPS HAVE AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE, THEN OK' IF WE DON'T GET THE SAME PLAN THEN YOU KNOW WE ARE SCREWED..... WHAT IS GOOD FOR BARACK, MICHELLE, AND THE GIRLS IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME......WE SHOULD DEMAND THIS.
Posted by: irene palmer | July 18, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Those idiots are VOTING on amendments right now....and they dont have any info on what the amendment will cost...........Dems are out if Obama Hussein allows us to vote ever again.....Rep cant do anything....they might as well go home.....independent is the only chance we got (next time)
Posted by: JimmG | July 18, 2009 at 12:25 PM
It is a great thing that these "tea Partiers" have the courage to stand up against this Socialist like reform change. Americans don't want this all pinned on one group of people such as small businesses. If universal healthcare were to pass doctors and nurses would become government jobs. Their pay would be reduced magnificently. If this kind of thing happens then the shortage of nurses shall only get bigger, and the quality of doctoring shall go down. Obama, who I had voted for, has seem to unmask himself and show who he really is. A big question we should ask ourselves is , "why would I want to pay the healthcare of some man or woman who doesn't want to get a job, or is illegal?" I will take a stand against Obama, as well should everyone. If illegal immigrants can be made legal so that they may contribute to our taxes and our social security that would be an accomplishment. If all Americans are made to contribute to a tax so that universal healthcare may exist, it would be fair.
Posted by: Jack Swagger | July 18, 2009 at 12:26 PM
President Obama has been in the office for seven months Jack. As you most likely are unaware, unemployment is a trailing indicator of the economic situation. To help you understand I'll spell it out for you. That means the policies last year (2008) and even previous years is what impacted unemployment in the first half of 2009.
The one issue with judging President Obama by unemployment numbers is the truly crappy situation he was left with and the amount of time it will take to get this turned around. The current recession is not a garden variety recession. The recession started in December of 2007. That makes this recession the longest recession since the Great Depression which was 43 months (1981-82 was 16/17 months).
So if we are still in a recession then unemployment numbers will not hit their peak for some time.
I wish the stimulus package had been larger and also more front money than was passed.
BTW...I'm very well off (Top 5-10%), love my country (for some idiotic reason Republicans believe they are the only ones who do), and think it's sick that Americans don't treat each other with compassion all the time instead of only when there is some tragic situation.
Posted by: New Democrat | July 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM
If it's the right thing to do, then let's not rush headlong into it.
Let's talk and debate about it - which is the exact thing Obama is trying to avoid by rushing this through.
Look over here!
Health Care Reform!
Don't look at the Economy!
Pay no attention to the Crises behind the curtain.
Posted by: Rob | July 18, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Jack Gates:
Obama ran up unemployment to 9.5%? He's been in office for 6 months. The financial crisis started last year. How can you pin this on him. Bush was running up the deficit long before and left a huge mess that, unfortunately, will be expensive to fix. What the heck would Republicans done differently. Oh I know, they would have started a third war, probably with Iran. Health care in this country is shameful. Ask anybody in any other western country if they would trade their system for ours. None would say yes even if they got to pay lower taxes. It will be expensive to fix health care but it will save money in the long run. We're not children. We should be able to think about the long-term benefits to our country and make hard decisions.
Another point: How can you honestly deny global warming. At this point it's like denying the moon landing. Republicans need to get the head out of the sand and face reality before it gets worse.
Posted by: Sol B | July 18, 2009 at 01:27 PM
In addition, I just read the CBO report. This bill will add $65 billion to the deficit over 10 years. That's .07% what the War in Iraq has cost us over the past 6 years. That's not a whole heck of a lot of money for what we'd receive in return.
Posted by: Sol B | July 18, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Jack Gates - The reason all of those things are an emergency has nothing to do with President Obama, although I'm not sure that Senator Obama is entirely innocent. Clinton tried healthcare reform and it was shut down. Eight years of Bush made the chances of working on global warming nil because he refused to even accept that it was happening. Unfortunately, America tends to be Republican-friendly because it doesn't want to do anything until the point of utter catastrophe leaves them no choice. Hopefully, healthcare doesn't have to reach that point, but the Republicans currently screaming the dire warnings of imaginary ills will likely be much richer by then and able to quietly exit into the private sector until the problem gets fixed.
Posted by: Samayavajra | July 18, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Jack Gates, I'm with you....you have hit upon exactly what we all are worried about. I can't imagine anyone thinking that what Obama is doing is "brilliant". "Appalling" is a word that comes to mind.
If Obama is able to force this down everyone's throat. Where do you think he will fly to sign this one? The last URGENT stimulus bill waited until him and the Mrs. had a 3 day weekend in Chicago, then he flew to another state to sign it. Hmm....wonder where our jet setting President will fly for this one at our expense?
Also, do you think that Congress should also sign up for this fabulous health care plan? I would welcome Pelosi and Redi waiting months to get their healtcare needs addressed like the rest of us. Or letting government workers make health decisions for them. That should be a minimum requirement for this plan to go through. if it's good enough for all of us it should be more than adquate for them. And, if they are caught stepping outside of the new health care system...they should be removed IMMEDIATELY from their position.
Posted by: WORRIED Tax Payer | July 18, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Comment by another poster which I feel reflects the feelings of the majority of those AGAINST a Gov't option for health care:
"I don't want the Govt. coming into my bedroom!
Can the Govt. do anything right? So were gonna let them handle health care? Look how they failed in education, the economy and and state govt. California is almost bankrupt!"
OK -
If you don't think the current state of health care is in a deplorable mess, you are in the minutia. Just WHO has bungled and gouged and deceived and denied and KILLED Americans with the current health care system??
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES - THAT'S WHO!!!
If there is no Gov't option, things will only get worse. Those denied coverage (like me) will leach from those of you that do. WHY? Because hospitals HAVE TO treat me if I am sick, and then they pass those costs on to YOU.
The only way I can GET insurance is with the Gov't option. I am willing to pay for it too. Are all you naysayers inclined to deny me insurance? Sure looks like it, and one day you may find yourselves in the same boat as me.
That would be justice - right?
Posted by: CleanOutYourEars | July 18, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Barack Obama is the perfect candidate for the situation that he was thrown violently into after Bush and Cheney destroyed the country. The economy is improving so much more rapidly than anyone ever expected, and all you ignorant right wing dumbasses won't ever change your mind no matter how wrong you are. It's not Obama's fault that the U.S. is trillions in deficit. That is the Bush administration's fault. Healthcare prices have hit the roof, and Obama is actually doing something to lower them. No, this reform will not make America "toast", and no, this reformation will not destroy the country. The swine flu isn't the reason this reform was created, for the swine flu is a bullshit exaggerated "pandemic". Obama is doing better than almost anyone could ever dream of. So if you keep shitting on your president without any knowledge of what is really happening, then fuck off. I'm not some liberal hippy or left wing radical. I'm an average college student that actually knows what is happening in America. Every ignorant comment I've read here makes me so angry that so many people have lost support of the one person that is dragging this country out of the trash heap that was the Bush Administration's work. Obama didn't say that if we "act right now we're finished". If you act quickly in situations, the outcome is usually more successful. Although I'm on the same side as "Jacksmith", I also disagree with the urgency that he puts across. Start supporting the person who is actually helping America and get your heads out of your asses.
Posted by: Harrison | July 18, 2009 at 03:00 PM
All of these problems i.e. rising unemployment rate, health care etc.. were all going to be problems no matter who the president was this term. So the idea that the president could have changed the inevitable in 7 mo. is redundantly ignorant. The Clinton administration should have dealt with health care. Then the Bush administration should have they both failed the nation. Our auto industry has been failing for a long time. It recently hit rock bottom. Why has our auto industry failed? I debated in college. In 2003 was my senior year. I won the national title. The debate was over should the government provide health care. I won not cause my plan was perfect, but because our current system had to be changed. Which brings me to the auto industry. At the time GM could sell a car for 20,000. 5,000 of that would go to fund retiree health care and other benefits. Our research showed that 85% of that 25% of profit that was used was heath care. Do you think that Honda or for that matter any other foreign auto-maker has that burden. The answer is no. Why cause they have national health care systems in place. It is common sense to understand that our auto industry is a large enough part of our economy that its failure would have a detrimental affect on our finance sector. Do you think it was only cheaper labor that GM moved its plants south of the border. This is information that I obtained threw refereed journals as an undergrad. Which some of that info was 5 years old at the time. Neither party could look that far ahead oh wait that was 6 years ago. So we had a democrat and a republican fail at changing this outcome. Which Clinton or Bush could have done something about, but they failed to do so. Although the president doesn't pass laws. I mean sure they sign them into the books. Yeah there is a checks and balance between branches of govt. As far as between the parties and citizens, no there are none. Our society has evolved past a two party system. When we as citizens choose to acknowledge that we might end up with a true democracy. As of now its a revolving door. So I say quit bitching about it and do something.
Posted by: Gus Haskell | July 18, 2009 at 03:17 PM
To understand more about President Obama, his minister, A highly respected preacher who has had a Website in Harlem for 25 years, said this: (Her Name is Ms Ann), on YOUTUBE. This is a MUST READ!
Posted by: Pete | July 18, 2009 at 03:55 PM
FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE WISE MEN NEVER GO.
Posted by: We59 | July 18, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Obama's whole agenda is running into the weeds. This is going to be a spectacular crash and burn, though not a surprise to those of us who took the measure of this (very small and stupid) man last fall. "Jimmy Carter in blackface" doesn't begin to do justice to the epic failure now looming.
You think it's bad now, wait until the unemployment rate tops 12% and the hyperinflation from his foolish print-and-spend, tax-and-spend, and borrow-and-spend policies kicks in. The Chinese are in a position to crush our economy as easily as a child blows a dandelion. They are going to yank our national credit card in a matter of weeks or months. Add to that the specter of the newly unchained Sarah Palin kicking the flaming crap out of his policies four times a week before massive cheering crowds. Even his fellatory media coverage is beginning to wane. The dictator has no clothes.
It will get much worse from here, Democrats, oh yes it will. This is the high water mark for socialism in America. You haven't had this much power for fifty years, and yet it is all about to turn to ashes in your mouth.
Posted by: John Skookum | July 18, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Under Obama's healthcare plan this country WILL go broke. Americans should not be forced to sacrifice and burden their children with debt in order to pay for all the thoughless quick fixes he demands and rush through a partisan congress. Obama is not working for people like me, a mid-low income hard worker who pays for everything I own and everything I get. He's not working for the people who employ me, he wants to tax us much more so he can hand out more welfare to others. His plans will further divide the workers, the rich and the poor and will sink the country into a deeper hole.
Posted by: We59 | July 19, 2009 at 01:47 PM