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Americans voted for health care reform
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 | 2:03 a.m.
I’d like to set the Republicans straight on their opposition to health care reform: They should stop pretending to speak for the majority. They do not.
In November, Americans had their chance to voice their opinions at the polls. Fifty-three percent favored Barack Obama for president and the change he proposed. In addition, after the election, the Democrats had a 60-seat majority in the Senate (if you count the two independents who usually vote with the Democrats) and a 59 percent majority in the House. Numbers like that haven’t been seen in more than 30 years.
The American people have spoken. We’ve had enough of Republicans and their inept handling of our economy, their two “Vietnams” in the Middle East, and their embarrassing idiocy. We voted them out. That’s what we meant by change.
President Obama now wants to help all Americans — even Republicans. His plan would provide an option for people who cannot afford health care and for those of us whose insurance coverage is inadequate. It’s a good start. Our government currently provides health care to millions of federal employees, including members of Congress. Why not make a similar plan available to everyone?
Every other industrialized nation has a universal health care system for its citizens. Sadly, the richest country in the world, the United States, does not. Ask yourself why. Could it be that insurance companies are making billions in profits and want to keep it that way?
When elected officials — who use a government-run health care plan while being against a public option for the rest of us — are swayed by lobbyists and receive money from special interest groups in the form of campaign contributions, you have your answer.
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The fact that we don't have health care and many of the social programs other nations do is the reason we are the most prosperous nation in the world. After nine months voters have changed their mind about Obama and his health care and want neither. Every major poll taken shows that less that fifty persent of Americans want Obama Care. It is time to drop it.
this letter sounds alot like birdie, notice in the letter how the The rebulicans are called idiots? the insurance companies making billions in profits?swayed by lobbyists and receive money from special interest groups? and finally you have your answer, substituted for period, end of story I didn't know he lived in north town
You trolls above need to understand that no matter how much you support the usurious insurance companies and their overpaid executives, you will NEVER be part of their inner circle, nor will you receive a "good boy cookie" for your support! Unless the $.05 you receive per post is big money to you. The majority has spoken, and continues to speak. You "idiots" will not win because you don't even know what you're arguing about, nor do you know how to spell simple words. No credibility for you!
where did Sybill moogie come from?
I wish I was in the business of selling tele promptors to Mr Obama, I would make a fortune with guy.
"The American people have spoken."
And now they DON'T like the details and are changing - that why we have election every two year.
TOO BIG TOO FAIL SENATOR HARRY REID'UM AND WEEP IS UP IN 2010
i have to admit...
i love obama...
love him...
the first politician to inspire me...
but...
i am extremely disappointed with how weak he has appeared on health care...
extremely disappointed...
and if he throws out the public option...
the retarded republicans and their lying and fear mongering and weasel behavior will have won...
and it will be time to look for a stronger candidate in 2012!!!
We are a capitalistic society...in order to switch teams and control gas prices, food, medical care, etc., we would have to completely backpedal on all our traditions which happen to be all the things that make living in America different from living anywhere else and being an American worthwhile. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on capitalism for socialism just yet. Fix what's broke...and be nice about it.
I'd rather see something better brought to the table regarding health care reform that we can all get behind...not just the "53%" who voted for BHO like those of us who didn't vote for him no longer count or have opinions worth respecting.
This isn't the America I was raised with, and the way we are headed, I won't even recognize her in a few years.
What a lot of the Insurance industry dupes do not realize is that participants in these plans are already indoctrinated into the worst form of socialism there is. The caregiver is paid when and if care is given, sometimes not even then, while the administrator of the accounts suck out the bulk of the money to support uber-rich executives, middle man agents, processors and shareholders. It is an odd type of socialism, where your money is shared with not only other people insured through the same agency, but benefits the agency the most.
The purpose not being to insure health but to make profits.
For those who seem to think that the NHS other countries have brought them to ruin, you are very ill-informed. In spite of being devastated from world war, these countries developed into wealthy modern nations even though they adopted a national health service immediately following the war. It goes to show you how misinformed the opponents are, or maybe they are counting on their followers to be just as ignorant as they seem to be.
Back to the topic of the writer:
If the writer is correct in his assumption that since Obama received more votes, then we should accept him in his march to socialism.
So Jeanne... Out of curiosity, what happens to all the educated workers who have spent years working in the insurance field and honing their specialty? They are experts and they are also middle-men. Is it so horrible that they have some self-interest in maintaining their livelihood? I mean this is how they afford to buy cars, homes, food, etc. (which is all economy stimulating). It's seems a little insane to me how easily you guys negate that these people have to make a living too. And where does it stop? If you attack the insurance agents for example, why not attack the guy at Jiffy Smog? Isn't that a scam that only makes money for Jiffy Smog? What new car needs a smog check every single year??? Do you see where I am going with this? First it's the "bad" insurance industry, but who's next?
I think this path we are moving towards "is" the slippery slope to Socialism whether you admit it or not.
Thank you Roberta Doria. Your comments hit the ball out of the park.
A lot of things are being said by a lot of people about what exactly is being proposed regarding health care reform. The radical right wing opponents use the term "socialist" and "facist" and from what they write, they demonstrate they don't know what the terms mean.
What free thinking and informed citizens recognize is that the PHARMA and for proft insurance companies are monopolies.
In fact only the inurance industry and baseball are exempt from anti-trust laws.
There's no question that considerable change is needed -- America's current health care system is one of the most expensive in the world and there is not enough to show for the high cost.
Yes the regorm is complicated and requires close analysis. But we all should be able to agree if our economy is to remain competitive in the global economy and if we are to improve our health care delivery system at an affordable price and make it accessible for all, after 60 years of waiting, we all have a lot at stake in this debate. To make the difference for now and in the future, we must remain informed without the hate and misinformation that is being used by the anti-governent proponents.
Obama's problem isn't with the right, he never had them to begin with. His problem is with the center which is the vast majority of americans. The vague change they voted for wasn't anything like what there getting so the result is in the polls. I think buyers remorse about sums it up. I know it does foe me because I voted for him
Maybe freeandinformed should Google Robert Doria and see exactly how capitalism has given him the life he has now. Too bad his mama never taught him to not bite the hand that feeds him.
Great letter, Mr. Doria.
kozoid, what were you looking for? He made it clear that health care reform would be a priority. What did you think you were getting?
And now the anti-Obama activists are trying to stop schools from playing his speech next week to students. Are they afraid he's going to tell them to get their behinds in gear, turn off the electronics, and do a little homework for a change? He's already made those kinds of remarks to parents, and some just don't like hearing it. They'd rather let their kids do whatever they want all the time, then complain about how the schools are lousy. Some patriots.
If you don't want to buy into the health care changes, then don't change yours; but stop trying to keep the uninsured from getting care. If you don't like what the president says to students, then tell your kids why, but don't censor it before you even know what the man's going to say.
Many of you claim to be all about freedom, but you try to stop others from exercising theirs. That's not called patriotism; that's called hypocrisy.
Jeanna: do you have a clue about who liberated the countries of western Europe during the Big War and who paid for the redevelopment? Are you French?
By the way, I would not broadcast a speech like this in my classroom without reviewing it first, and if I did show it, I would encourage students to think critically about it and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
However, the massive swell of outrage at the "propaganda" that's supposedly happening seems a bit paranoid given what we know of what Obama has said about education in the past, and the fact that the people outraged don't even know what's in the speech they're going crazy about.
"The fact that we don't have health care and many of the social programs other nations do is the reason we are the most prosperous nation in the world"
No, it's because of the massive natural resources that were available compared to the rest of the world that had relatively dense populations for centuries before this country existed. And that time is running out, as we've managed to use up and pollute what's here in no time due to the crazy type of greed-first capitalism we live under.
And for a prosperous nation, there sure are an awful lot of Third-Wordly people and neighborhoods, aren't there? That's capitalism, too.
Teacher. As a senoir I expected health care to cover the uninsurable not the uninsured. and certanly not at the expence of draconian medicare cuts to pay for it.He boxed himself in with raiseing taxes. Rookie mistakes from a rookie politician. Buyers remorse indeed
Africa has more natural resources than anyplace in the world. Russia is a close second, and neither are tnat wealthy. Social programs and government intervention destroy initiative and destroy wealth.
jlb101:
President Obama wants to keep both private
and public insurance so Americans have a choice.
teacher, teacher, I got to go, but first, please give me the definition of "Cult."
This is the definition that I have: A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.
Come on, the President wants to further his socialist agenda and use children to help him.
It's all about him... Hail Caesar...
To mikegino: I do believe that without the French, we would still be a British colony. By the way, we pour billions and billions into many other countries, why are they not as well-off as our European brothers and sisters? Maybe they are self-sufficient after all. Anyhooooo........I would like to be able to get real care when I go to the emergency room, instead of the patch-work, finger in the dam, cross your fingers, go home and come back when I get worse, BS. This has happened to me a few times. I can't afford to pay for insurance and go to a doctor for simple anti-biotics. So I don't buy insurance, and my emergency stitches are billed @ $5000 then sent to NCO Financial who then harasses me forever. All so someone who has figured out how to make money off of my illnesses can keep his job. Somehow I don't feel sorry for him. I have almost died twice because of lack of insurance.
LarryVegas:
You talk about ethics and you back Bush?
To jlb101: You should really stop believing the Faux News channel polls. I personally saw them announce Obama throwing in the towel three times in the last month, then never even acknowledging their mistake later. They don't report the real news, they put on Monday night wrestling matches, with the winner being whoever benefits Faux News interests. Nothing to do with reality.
Robert: GREAT LETTER!
The majority has spoken.
NO MORE FAKE FOX POLLS.
Mr. teamster... Wrong Again...
Where have you seen anything about me backing Bush, Obama or either parties? I am an Independent voter and try to keep an open mind.
For your information Bush is out of office and is not trying to further his political agenda. President Obama wants to further his socialist agenda and use children to help him.
That is all!!!
"Teacher. As a senoir I expected health care to cover the uninsurable not the uninsured. and certanly not at the expence of draconian medicare cuts to pay for it.He boxed himself in with raiseing taxes. Rookie mistakes from a rookie politician. Buyers remorse indeed"
.. LasVegas
As I read the HR3200 and I would like you to quote any of the "draconian cuts to medicare" to pay for the health care reform proposed in the bill.
You will say anything and do anything to strike fear into the minds of seniors, of which I count myself.
Here is what the languasge of the proposals tell us:
Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
Closes the Drug Doughnut hole: Over time seniors will benefit from the phasing out of the dreaded Doughnut hole causing those of us to continue paying premiums without getting any drug benefit as we pay out of pocket for costly drugs.
Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
The surtax in House bill: applies only to income exceeding $350,000 per year for joint filers. The House health care legislation would establish a 1 percent tax on joint income exceeding $350,000 but not greater than $500,000 per year; a 1.5 percent tax on joint income exceeding $500,000 but not greater than $1 million per year; and a 5.4 percent tax on joint income exceeding $1 million per year. Single filers would be subject to the surtax starting at income exceeding $280,000 per year. Only the highest earning 1.2 percent of American households will pay a surcharge.
If you're in that income category, good luck to you. You should be paying more. You've been treated very well under the Bush adminsitration and now it's time you pay your fair share.
If feels like we have suddenly been thrown back in time to the Cold War socialism witch hunt trials of McCarthyism. I feel sad for our country that we cannot discuss any major changes without it turning into fear-mongering slogans. People in Europe and Canada are truly amused how quickly we turn on ourselves using misinformation as weapons, and equally offended by our outrageous slurs on their health care system.
Says who? If it were you who were protesting... you might have a different opinion and feel it is your right to voice your opinion. And, frankly, I don't think we should be as concerned about other countries opinion of us. They proved with Afganistan and Iraq how much they support the US...well, that is until they need us...again. This is solely an American issue. We have never stepped in line with other countries and for good reason.
hey jeanna...
your mccarthyism analogy is a good one...
the cause for this antagonism is two fold...
w the scum bag liar loser clown and cheney the evil doer lied to get whatever they wanted...
including a war which killed 4,000 americans and wasted over $1 trillion...
they were the retarded republican leaders...
they are bold faced liars...
also...
cluster fox is a network of lies...
lies, lies and more lies...
24 hours a day filled with lies...
and the part that kills me...
the part that makes my blood boil...
the part that makes me fight and fight...
is that retarded republican smile afterwards...
they lie and then they smile...
that retarded republican smile drives me over the edge!!!
udde: so the U.S. only helped? We kept England alive and spearheaded the invasions of North Africa, Italy, and France while the Russians were battering their way west. Who have the Swedes ever saved from anything? The Swedes are a self-centered and arrogant as the effeminate French. I did like the Swedish "K" submachine gun althouth the blowback operation was a liitle awkward.
jeanna: what type of high risk behavior do you engage in that causes a continual requirement for stitches and antibiotics? I suggest you learn how to sew and cultivate natural remedies.
hey biasedthinker...
let me get this straight...
are you saying that we should keep the messed up health care system we have...
let insurance costs skyrocket...
keep 45 million americans uninsured...
so that you can keep your job???
hmmm???
To paraphrase the great american actor and patriot Robert Duvall, "I love the smell of irrational Leftists in the afternoon!"
Birdie you are absolutely out of line with your comments. My job does not hinge on health care reform, not that it's any of your business.
I gave my perspective as I am fairly close to the front lines as opposed to you with your view from a leafy abode. I have said over and over again that reform is needed. I guess you can't read as well as you thought, eh?
Get your facts straight. And more importantly get your numbers straight. You can count, right?
hey biasedthinker...
hmmm...
based on your last post...
me thinks that is exacty what you are doing...
crying to keep your job at the expense of a failed system...
and me thinks you threw in a little fear mongering at the end for good measure...
pathetic...
absolutely pathetic...
also...
let's use your numbers shall we...
let's say there are only 10 million uninsured americans...
that is 10 million lives...
got that skippy...
it is not a number...
those are lives...
you are a fraud...
a total and complete fraud...
you have a vested interest in the health care debate...
you care only about protecting your self interest...
and you seem more than willing to flush your character down the drain to win the argument and protect your job...
sad...
truly sad!!!
To mikegino: A fall off of a horse much in the same manner as Christopher Reeve caused a head concussion and my son needs anti-biotics for the occasional strep throat infection you retarded moron.
Please don't call Birdie a retarded moron...
He is not retarded...
The other time I needed emergency care I had dysentery or something, never found out what. The hospital ran pregnancy tests on me, 3 of them and an x-ray(not a GI series x-ray)even though I told them I was not pregnant. Once it was determined I was not pregnant, they sent me home, still in agonizing pain and unable to even roll over for 3 days. No diagnosis, no pain-killers, nothing.
I think what the person of the above article is failing to realize is that yes 53% of Americans voted for a man with the hope of change in mind (I myself included) but that number has significantly dropped within 5 months of this man being in office. The problem is that people aren't against health care reform they are against the government controlling the health care system. How is it that Obama can say there will be competition between health insurance companies when there already is competition? Since when did the American government become so involved in big business money making and wanting to create competition against small and private business? What I do believe is that the government should revise the socialist programs already established like Medicaid and social security( which are currently failing!!!!) and work with creating more grants for hospitals so they can help cover treatment for people who can't afford it. Quit telling people they won't be taxed and they won't have to pay into yet another failing system as a starter and work from there and to think for one second that all business's in America will continue to offer health care to there employees is Asinine. There won't be any more reason to work. You can collect a paycheck from uncle sam for doing absolutely nothing and receive free medical benefits. To top it all off the dam politicians aren't even waying in on the public's opinions anymore. That's what they were hired for, not to pass there own judgments' and beliefs and defend the Federal government but to speak for the people in which the state they represent. If you want to talk about change than make sure you are ready to fight and die for his country because we are all guilty of living of the death of other peoples loved ones who fought and died for this country and are still doing so today. When Obama calls for you to fight just like the president did during Vietnam you better get off your computer and fight and not run and hide in Canada and sit and hold signs like all those young kids who only created more problems for our troops decades ago. yes i just compared vietnam to obamas presidency.
Good post cmccourt19... It gives us all something to think about...
The people have spoken and all this rhetoric is just that. We will have change or we won't. I hope the next time I have to go to the hospital, I won't have to wait for my pregnancy test to come back negative before I get real care, if I get any care at all. By the way, I make too much money for state assistance, and not enough to pay for insurance and see a doctor too($2000 deductible). Even if I never had to see a Doctor, I still couldn't afford insurance.
Birdie... LMAO!!!
Way too much personal information there, Jeanna.
And I do not appreciate you talking about "Birdie" that way. I don't think he has ever met a "fish squirrel" before...
Jeanna: Why were you riding horses if you didn't have insurance? I'm really sorry that you couldn't roll over for three days. Did anyone miss out? It's also too bad you weren't able to get the pain meds you were seeking. Don't worry, Obama feels your pain because he used to be in the phamaceutical business as a retail salesman.
LarryVegas:
I'm sorry Larry but Republicans and
Independents are the same animal, except
for the sheeps clothing.
hampster: what exactly do you know about sheep and when did you learn this?
I can hear them now...
Baa teamster... Baa teamster
And I guess the cat can be skinned more than one way! Right?
mike germ:
I learned this from listening to indepentents
speaking their right-wing drival.
udde: Ok, I will try to stop thinking...Does this mean I may someday qualify to be a Leftist? I hope you had a great weekend.
Let's give Sweden 3 cheers.
Their robust exports of Iron Ore to Hilter help many good Americans and other allies to die and helped extend the war for many years.
I am sure that Jews just love it, too.
To Sweden:
Hip, Hip, Hooray
Hip, Hip, Hooray
Hip, Hip, Hooray
411 if you have not heard....Sweden is making tons of money off killing the planet.
After attending several town hall meetings, and reading this board it became painfully obvious that liberals have a mental derangement. They are not capable of looking at all sides of the issues and making logical conclusions. In the townhalls it was apparent that they had not read the healthcare bill, even our Reps have not read it. Its NOT a healthcare bill, its a take over your(away) freedom bill.......And who will be inforcing it?.........THE IRS
I see someone can insinuate that I am a drug addicted whore who only goes to the emergency room to get drugs, but my simple over the top joke, which was directed at no one had to be removed. I see conservatives get more freedom to ridicule here. This site is a joke...............
This site is a joke and we are all Jokers... But it gives us a place to cuss and discuss. The posts can get very lively. We are all very compassionate about our views, but wish no one any harm.
Come join us if you like. Feel free to bring your ideas and concerns.
Just please leave the name calling at the door.
jeanna: please call a spade a spade. I am a reactionary.
And stop riding horses!
The article should be titled "53% of Dumbacratic Americans voted for health care reform".
The rest of us 47% didn't.
Not all dumbacrats wanted Obama as president. A small percentage just didn't want a republican in office.
Lets not be rediculous and think that everybody wants health care reform.
Just another whiny liberal. No news here.
Is uddeboda insinuating that the U.S. didn't have a/the major role in freeing Europe from the NAZIS?
Swedish ball bearings? Never heard of them. Are they anything like Swedish Meat Balls?
I suppose the industrial capacity of the U.S. during WWII could not handle making more ball bearings?
I don't want to talk trash about Sweden, so please don't trash the U.S.
For those of you who think the insurance companies and health care industry are working in your best interest, please watch this video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoFBn5I5...
Seems to me they only want your money.