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GOP’s opposition isn’t constructive
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.
With the trajectory that we are on, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we are going to slide into chaos and the end of our democracy as we know it.
I say this as the political system is failing to deal with and solve our country’s problems in a responsible way.
To have a viable democracy, you need two political parties with members in each who can and do speak their minds. Unfortunately that is not the reality.
We have one party that has outspoken members with different points of view (Democratic) and the other party that is interested only in saying no and destroying the opposition regardless of the cost (Republican). That is a prescription for disaster.
I worked for a company that had a mission statement that governed all its efforts. You either went along or you had the right to leave. It happened to be an excellent company and, in an effort to give employees an opportunity to sound off, it adopted the following policy: Do but complain.
You had to do your job; however, you had the right to voice your opinion. The net result was that many problems were solved as a result of suggestions by individuals who thought we could do things better.
People were listened to because they were achievers, not just naysayers. That was our version of an organized democracy, and it really worked to everyone’s benefit.
If there were a way to communicate this to the Republicans, they would do much better and the country would benefit as well.
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Go ahead, keep blaming the Republicans. The Democrats have the White House, a huge majority in the House and a near fillibuster-proof Senate. What more do you need? Have the courage to pass whatever you want -- AND THEN STAND BY THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR VOTES in 2010, 2012 and beyond.
The dems do not have the guts to go forward on their own, least they may be held responsible for what they do. If they pass anything on their own, like health care, and it bombs, who are they gonna blame?? Its now September, and we still hear its George Bush's fault for everything wrong in the country. The dems are so afraid that they will lose their next election if they can't blame the Republicans for their woes and they do not have the courage to go it alone.
This "chicken little" the sky is falling in theory is pure BS. The people in America are sick and tired of having the policies of this administration shoved down our throats.
I agree with you Houston, but let's swap administration with politicians. To me the two parties take turns on causing and blaming the problems.
I'll agree with Marvin here "Do, but complain".
We hear about bipartisanship but we rarely see it. Out elected officials should do it for the country and leave their parties and big business on the sidelines
our retarded republican friends are children...
they are only interested in what is in it for them...
they are children...
me me me...
there are no adults in the retarded republican party...
w the scum bag liar loser clown was a spoiled rich kid who went to washington to fight for spoiled rich kids...
sadly though...
most retarded republican are too stupid to realize that their interests would be better served as proud liberal democrats...
they are just doing the dirty work for those that are truly rich...
they are being played...
sad...
truly sad!!!
Hey Birdie- When are you ever going to change your tune ? You spout the same garbage everyday to every post. And, have you determined if you had a few bucks, would you be willing to give it away ( read taxes ) to someone who has less than you?? Its always the same with you libs, use someone else's money to pay for you and your give away policies.
We do we sign up for the re-education camps to learn the koolaid goose-step.
Ok Marvin: Fine so your a Democrat!
May God bless our troops and keep them safe. They are doing a great job, but we need to bring them home soon. Afghanistan is a tribal nation from the Stone Age. We, along with the British and Russians have tried to 'civilize' them with western culture, but with no success. They do not want to be westernized!
They prefer to live in caves and mud huts and that is perfectly alright...we need to leave them be. They prefer to wear turbans, heavy robes ,sandals and seldom bath and that is perfectly alright....leave them alone. They prefer that their women not wear bikinis, go pantiless, show their bosoms in see through blouses, but want them to wear body length burkas and that is perfectly ok...leave them alone. They don't want their women educated and trying to do what Afghan men do...they want their women ignorant, barefooted, bankrupt and pregnant...that is ok because it is their culture and their way....leave them alone... The only way they want their women to sweat is on their back making love and getting pregnant...leave them alone...it is none of our business.
Marvin - Think about what you wrote - "I worked for a company that had a mission statement that governed all its efforts. You either went along or you had the right to leave."
The mission statement for this nation is called the Declaration of Independence. It calls for individual liberties, limited government and freedom from government intrusion in our lives.
I will agree with you; those who don't agree with these conservative principles have the right to leave. They don't have the right to change the mission statement.
I'll blame the Republicans, since I was a card carrying member since I was 18 years old until 2008. I changed to become a Democrat and voted for our now President Obama in the Nevada Caucus. The Republicans up until that point was the party of ideas, but now all I just see them doing is trying to break everything by doing nothing. I don't see them have a health plan to counterpoint the Democrats. I have yet see anyone from the Republicans do anything but to blame and not help to solve our problems.
Marvin, it's hard to have a constructive dialogue when you're a demagogue. Painting your political opponents in the manner you do, is no way to have a discussion. Furthermore, you are not paying attention to the deep philosophical and policy debate at hand. You have only focused on the rhetoric, nothing more. You hear them saying no, to what they (and I) believe are your really bad ideas. But you completely ignore the alternatives -- ie the solutions -- that are being promoted.You will achieve nothing doing this, you only become what you loathe.
Thanks Marvin for speaking truth to power.
The radical extreme comments on this page say and do anything to distort the truth and the facts.
They can't admit we are already paying for those who are forced to use the emergency rooms. They ignore that our curent health care system is broken. They won't admit that the high cost of health insurance is going up each year because of the irresponsible for-profit insurance and PHARMA industry.
They won't admit that the private insurers are milking the consumers with rising premiums, higher deductibles and co-pays and outrageous salaries to their CEO's. They never admit that 50% of working family bankruptcies area result of inability to pay their medical bills. They never admit that many familes are denied their insurance coverage even when they pay their premiums. They close their eyes to the thousands of our fellow American who die each day because of lack of affordable and accessible health insurance.
They can't see that they are doing the dirty work of the exploitive private insurers and the PARMA industry while millions in America are under insured, or one catastrophic illness away from bankruptcy. They use false facts and pathetic, unproven arguments to support their narrow minded point of view.
Here is what the different proposals from the House currently provides:
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.
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.
What do the anti-government, Obama-haters offer?
More of the status quo.
True story:
Mr. Smith goes to the emergency room with chest pain. He is fifty years old and could work but instead lives with his mother and sister who basically support him. He has high blood pressure and diabetes.
He is uninsured. He says he smokes 3 packs per day of cigarettes. In his possession are two prescriptions for blood pressure and diabetes medicine that he got from a doctor he saw that are available for 4$ at Wall Mart. They are four days old and, obviously, unfilled.
He has been out of his meds for about three days. When asked why he doesn't stop smoking (at 450.00$/month) and purchase medical insurance he says, "You got me on that one, Doc". When asked why the scripts are not filled he says he hasn't had time to get them. When it is pointed out that he had time to get the smokes he shrugs his shoulders. He gets free medical care and stiffs the hospital and the Docs for the money.
As a Liberal you should:
a. Find Mr. Smith and give him a hug and go to the pharmacy for him every month and make sure he takes his meds?
b. Tell Mr. Smith that he has every right to smoke and live off his mom and sister and that you would be happy to support him with free medical insurance?
c. Start a root cause analysis of why this poor man has these problems and how George Bush must ultimately be responsible?
d. Talk all high and mighty about how you are going to save the world with other people's money?
Any good Lib knows the answer is".All of the Above!
free: Look up the difference between "price" and "cost.
Vegasvampire. Like most liberals you heard another liberal say that the Republicans have no health plan to counter the Democrats. Do you believe everything you hear without any research?
For just one, try researching The Patients' Choice Act of 2009. Senator Tom Coburn and others introduced the legislation before the Dems put forth their government take-over plan. Try here:
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cf...
There are others if you care to find the truth.
pbim72. ....is that the best you have to explain the regressive policies of the extreme right?
Why not deal with the facts.
The proposed legislation helps fix the ills of the current health care system and benefits more Americans that suffer under the broken system.
You response is pathetic.
larry5:
What part of, keep your private plan if you
like it, don't you understand?
Look "free and really biased",
I don't know exactly who you are a shill for but it is obvious that you are paid by someone to spew your leftist BS.
Pathetic? Buddy, your bleeding heart Liberalism is going to ruin this country. You can't think of a single problem that government can't fix. I'm sure that you have spent your life in the employ of others and have resented every day of it.
Anyone can see that your opinions indicate that you have spent your life sucking off others. Let me give you a clue, Guy: those of us who produce things from scratch and employ the workers of this nation have no desire to turn our wealth over to parasites like you. Why don't you cut and paste another list of all the great things that government does for us? Communist like you have no sway over right (correct) thinking people like me.
Address the scenario I outlined. Can't, can you? People like you, who suck off of the productive class, see no problem with milking us for whatever program of the day is on your mind. Tell us all your opinions on what to do with the derelicts, deadbeats, and degenerates who you can't wait to give free health care to.
Take out your check book, pal, and send all your money to Obama. However, I doubt you have any money that someone didn't give you available to send. Get lost, bud.