Comments on: Republicans: On the Wrong Side of History

By: Melody J Haislip

Melody J Haislip — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:14:02 +0000

I’ve never before been so involved in a big issue like health care, so I’ve never paid such close attention to the process before. But I can recognize a victory when we’ve achieved one. It passed – tattered and bloody but it passed, and we’ll build on it. And if nothing else, attrition will slowly have its way, leaving room for more Obama-like politicians. We just have to work like crazy to get those lazy Democrats out for the next elections. The battle may be over but the fight continues.

By: Trulyfool

Trulyfool — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:37:30 +0000

Once we have a bill signed, a law in place, we can proceed to build on what’s been achieved.

Republicans are showing just how in thrall they are to the more reactionary forces they’ve fed for the dog fights. What could be a ‘moderating’ party is a caricature of every retrograde impulse possible: the plutocratic manipulators, the nativist know-nothings, the dogmatic religionists, the militarists.

Here’s to a greater swerve toward the ‘social democratic’.

By: Carpetbagger

Carpetbagger — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:46:53 +0000

Harrison,

Obviously I found polls from last June, July, Sept, and Oct to prove my point that the public has wanted health care reform throughout the election (Obama campaigned on it and won) and afterward. The closer we get to a bill, the more people get turned off by the process. That’s natural. Same thing happened with Social Security, Medicare, and Civil Rights legislation. You get the best bill you can and then you fix it. Do you expect Dems to windsock with every shift in public opinion?

Were you for health care last summer when the public was for it? Or did you go against public opinion?

Did you vote for Obama when the majority of the public voted for him. Or did you go against public opinion?

Pork spending stick-ups are repugnant, but have a rich history on both sides of the aisle. Check the 2005 Highway bill. According to the Cato Inst, pork spending exploded ten-fold from 1995-2005.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:57:04 +0000

They are selling the nails, too (after they tax them).

By: admin

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:01:08 +0000

Harrison,
You say “Democrats are selling whatever isn’t nailed to the floor”. What a great line! I must admit that the deal with Nelson was a bit odd. I can’t wait to see what 2010 will bring.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:43:07 +0000

Democrat Chris Dodd got $100 million for U Conn to build a hospital, Democrat Nelson got a promise that his state wouldn’t pay for any more Medicare cost increases. Democrats are selling whatever isn’t nailed to the floor. Terrible.

By: VH

VH — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:17:36 +0000

Carpetbagger said: “It’s unconscionable what Lieberman and Nelson did to this bill.”

No, it’s not. They are acting just like the self-interested agents that they are and it is not surprising at all that their interests conflict with the preferences of the general public. You contradict yourself when you chastise conservatives for being against a big, powerful government but yet you consider it “unconscionable” that some politicians are carving out sweet deals for themselves at the expense of everyone else. I suppose that you also believe in a “free” lunch?

To accept this bill as it stands, it opening the door to future wealth for lobbyists and special interests, is reckless and naive. If citizens are willing to damn the details to assert their political world view then, in the long run, we will get what we deserve–a very expensive health care mandate that does little to reduce costs and makes lobbyists very happy.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:00:10 +0000

Carpetbagger way to go! Most of those polls were from June! A few from a couple of months ago. The NINE polls I posted were from this week.

Thanks for proving my point… if you go back in time 4-7 months ago there WAS support. Too bad that’s all gone now.

Try again.

By: Carpetbagger

Carpetbagger — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:21:54 +0000

It doesn't take much effort to find polls that will support your position. Here are a bunch that support health care reform. Undoubtedly the most accurate statement would be that the public is divided on it depending on the time you ask them, how your phrase the question, and what happened in the news the day before the poll was taken. Another fact to remember, Harrison, is that polls often ignore the fact that a chunk of opposition to the current plan comes from those who support reform, but would like to see Congress go further. A late-November AP/Ipsos poll found nearly identical numbers in favor of the bill (34%) and opposed (35%), without describing its content. A crucial 12% initially say they oppose the plan, but told pollsters their opposition was based on their belief that it did not go far enough. So what initially appears to be a 12-point margin against reform is actually an even division. But we get it. You're against it. Time Mag poll USA TODAY poll Christian Science Monitor poll CBS poll New York Times poll Reuters poll AFLCIO poll AFLCIO poll

By: Simon Holmes

Simon Holmes — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:43:46 +0000

Hi Cher,you keep battling for healthcare.What’s more important to your people? A strong military or a healthy nation?
As an outsider it seems to me that those who oppose care for the poor are those who would rather see the money spent in Area 51.
American tax payers do not know how much or on what this black budget is spent.
Mr Obama has an opportunity to divert tax dollars to areas that improve the lifestyles of ordinary Americans and not those who benefit from the killing machine.
America can best serve it’s allies by taking this route.
The morality of peace is the greatest weapon in the World.
Happy Christmas my friend.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:21:07 +0000

Guess you don’t read many polls, do you?

Here are NINE different polls of Americans on healthcare “reform” and not ONE has even 50% approval.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/obama_and_democrats_health_care_plan-1130.html

Time to re-think that statement.

So let’s put it this way… if a majority of Americans are AGAINST healthcare “reform” then which party should be listening to the PEOPLE?

By: Carpetbagger

Carpetbagger — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:10:42 +0000

I’m amazed at how much Conservatives seem to despise this country. Anytime government wants to help people or reform corruption, they cry “Communism” or “Socialism”. Did they never attend a civics class? Do they not realize that a Republic-form of govt trying to help or reform is different than a totalitarian state enforcing their will and crushing people who have no vote or voice? I believe it is possible for the American government to do something effectively and efficiently if we don’t constantly castigate them and underfund the effort. The GOP refuses (chooses?) to see that our form of govt is different and capable of more.

It’s unconscionable what Lieberman and Nelson did to this bill. But it can be fixed. To defeat this bill now would push health care reform back another two decades. This imperfect and flawed bill is just the very beginning. Pass it, and the work of health care reform begins. (And the GOP knows this.)

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:13:43 +0000

VH,
The insurance companies may have scored a temporary victory due to the elimination of the “public option”; however, they will not win in the long run. Health care reform will become a reality very soon, and the insurance companies would not have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Republican campaign funds if they wanted it to happen.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:04:59 +0000

One of the Guys,
I would really love to see the political parties co-operate for the benefit of the American people. Unfortunately, it probably won’t happen with this particular Congress. The Republicans are more ideas-bankrupt than ever, and have fallen lock-step in line with their philosophical leader, Rush Limbaugh. The filibuster is the new way of doing things with the Republicans. Sad!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:57:03 +0000

Harrison,
The American people are, in fact, very supportive of health care reform. The Republicans have shown total disregard for the will of the people by stone-walling health care reform for highly political reasons. The filibuster-happy Republicans will be held responsible for their disgraceful behavior when election time rolls around.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:43:14 +0000

bob,
I don’t have a problem with privately held insurance companies, as long as there is a well-regulated, competitive environment within the insurance industry. This has not been the case in America, where insurance companies maintained virtual monopolies in certain regions. The new care bill should bring down costs, increase competition and provide a mechanism for the millions of uninsured Americans to obtain coverage.

By: One of The Guys

One of The Guys — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:23:13 +0000

I can see from your comments section that the propaganda machine is still at work.

This bill won’t be perfect, but like you said it has to start somewhere.

It’s sad that both parties won’t concede victories to one another even when it benefits the people that voted them in.

By: VH

VH — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:38:08 +0000

Bob said: “Does this mean it doesn’t matter if the Republicans do shut up now, because they have won a result for the insurance companies anyway.”

The insurance companies love the Reid bill…they get 31 million new mandated customers. Pretty sweet deal.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:39:39 +0000

I call a party buying votes with hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes being on the “Wrong side of history” and it’s not the GOP that did it. The American people are against Obama/Pelosi/Reidkare and no Republicans will vote for it so when payback time comes around it will be sweet. The only problem is this country will be bankrupted by greedy ideological Democrats more interested in bringing the pork home for their states than in lower healthcare costs or expanding it. The way the bill has moved through Congress also violates Obama’s cherished pledge to have a transparent process as nobody has time to read a 2,100 page bill before a 1am vote.

By: bob loosemorec

bob loosemorec — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:29:14 +0000

Hi Cher, hope you are well, and will enjoy the kind of holiday you like. Cenk Uygur said, and I quote

” Having private insurance is like having the Sword of Damocles hanging over your head. You never know when they are going to deny you care or for what reason. You never have peace of mind that’s supposed to come with insurance. Because their goal is not to treat you, it’s to make money off of you.

I don’t blame them; that’s the way the system is set up. That’s why the system is wrong. This bill tries to regulate that system, but it winds up reinforcing it because it strengthens the underlying structure by making private insurance companies even larger.”

Does this mean it doesn’t matter if the Republicans do shut up now, because they have won a result for the insurance companies anyway.

Just asking, it doesn’t affect me but I am interested. Bob