5:08 am March 22, 2010, by Henry Unger
Like it or not, Congress passed health care reform Sunday.
Now the question is, do you like it or not?
How will the overhaul affect you? Your workplace? Will it make things better or worse? Why?
What do you think about the tortuous political process to get us to this point?
Will what happened affect your vote come November? How?
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1,329 comments Add your comment
lilttle libertarian
March 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
If the government would have put this money for creating more jobs instead of this bogus health care system, people would have health care. That would just make more sense though, working for your health care and just working for yourself in general. Programs like these are the reason lazy Americans don’t get off their fat asses and do anything because everything is free for them. Looks like I should quit my job too? No thanks, I was taught that here in America, YOU work for what YOU get.
With that said who goes by our useless constitution anymore? Oh that right the REAL Americans do, the ones that have worked for everything they have.
lovelyliz
March 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
I woke up this morning and the sun was rising in the east, the sky was blue and the Communist Chinese and Soviets were no where to be seen.
George Bush
March 22nd, 2010
9:49 am
Can we please quit bringing up George Bush as the excuse for EVERYTHING.
No one democratic, independent, or republican was happy with him but dont forget Democrats controlled the house under Bush and Obama as a Senator. A lot of blame to go around past 4 prior years.
Unicorn
March 22nd, 2010
9:49 am
@ Jim: What’s interesting is how all the good people who fought tooth and nail againest the lottery in GA are not fighting tooth and nail to maintain the Hope Scholarships they so covet which are made possible by the very lottery wanted no part of.
As soon as the detractors to this health care bill find something within it of benifit for themselves they will be whistling another tune.
Hugh Howard
March 22nd, 2010
9:49 am
Hussain made a comment last night that the people have spoken. Which people is he talking about? Every poll shows the people of this country say NO to thid idiotic bill. I will be 62 in April. I have always been proud and felt extremely fortunate to be a citizen of this great country. Now I am no longer a citizen. I am a subject. We no longer have a government of public servants but a ruling class.
The vast majority of the people do not want this legislation. It has been crammed down our throats in spite of the protests. I am sickened by the inept way our country is being run. The democrats, or should I say National Socialist Party, has done this to garner votes from those who have no stake in this nation. Next they will legalize the illegals and count on their votes. Our rights are being eroded and we are allowing it to happen. We need to turn all who voted for this out of office. Socialized medicine is a failure everywhere. Why do we want it here? We have a President who hates this country and is trying his best to destroy it.
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
9:50 am
Juice
You don’t HAVE to have car insurance. Just don’t drive—your choice, which is a “choice”, something you and your Lib buddies think only means abortion.
And, with car insurance, you are free to buy it from any state, across state lines…which, the Imperial Federal Government will not allow you to do with health insurance.
And you scream–”RACE, RACE RACE!!!”–There’s nothing “racial” about wanting to keep more of my own money!!! I worked for it, not the Imperial Federal Government to use in it’s idiotic wealth distibution schemes.
Mr. CONSERVATIVE
March 22nd, 2010
9:51 am
Hello SOCIALIST America——–GOODby to my Freedom of Choice..Free to Choose out the window…..
Looking4ASign
March 22nd, 2010
9:51 am
This country is not becoming less Democratic; it is just becoming more ignorant (aka GOP.) God help us all.
Rugger2
March 22nd, 2010
9:53 am
Thank you Congress. I look forward to my increases in health insurance costs and decreases in coverage. I am a cancer survivor but the ‘new’ bill WILL NOT cover the new treatment I received that saved my life and has done so for others. The treatment program is considered too costly.It will only cover the costs of the standard treatment regimen. Which will save costs because when you die, the costs drop to zero. After all, our lives are only worth so much, according to Obama.
Congrads
March 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
Congrads Obama for your campaign promise to work together with the other parties and not to conduct business behind closed doors. You are so honest…
When I hear Democrats say they cant stand this bill but are voting yes…how much did they get paid off? This guys always get sweetheart deals. They dont work for free or people.
Brad
March 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
Hate it. This is not about improving health care. It’s about control and income redistribution. Which is socialism which is what obama is. Less and less small business will hire with this hideous bill. So much for working on the economy and jobs. He does the opposite. I’ll be glad when this loser is gone.
Pompano Jane
March 22nd, 2010
9:57 am
There are only two (2) classes of people. Those that want Security from the Govt. and those that want Freedom. I choose Freedom. It sickens me when I see able bodied people that won’t work and EXPECT the Govt. to send them Welfare checks, food stamps and W.I.C. vouchers. It’s OBSCENE when Oblaba says “it’s what America wants”. This bill was ALL about the minority. A bill for 10% of the American people that the other 90% will have to pay for. I’m sick of more tax and more demanding laws. Well guess what Oblaba? I am among the Baby Boomers and will be retiring this year. You will NO LONGER get my measley $16,000 a year in taxes. To all the Dems. YOU ALL are 2010 history!!! Get ready to VACATE. As for Oblaba, you will go down as the worst President. You’ve made a mockery of your race and it will be a cold day in H-ll before another afro-american will EVER be nominated much less elected.
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
Pompano Jane
Right on!!!!
Thank You
March 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
Thank you for my free healthcare. I dont like to work unless I am forced to. Healthcare costs a lot each month and now I get it for free.
Get Real
March 22nd, 2010
10:00 am
My Dear Sanford Bishop, Hank Johnson, John Lewis and David Scott, I hope you are feverishly working on your resumes since you just signed your resignation with your vote on healthcare!
Looking4ASign
March 22nd, 2010
10:01 am
Like it or not, he is STILL YOUR PRESIDENT. Show a little respect.
guest user
March 22nd, 2010
10:01 am
To all of those hell-bent on thinking that the only people who will benefit from health care reform are sitting at home on their rears doing nothing and looking for a hand out … have you ever heard of the working poor?
Some people work hard all their lives and just don’t make enough money. Not everyone who works hard earns $200,000 a year and can afford a car and a house and all that goes with being in the middle class.
How much you earn (or don’t earn) doesn’t equate to how hard you work (or don’t work).
Paul
March 22nd, 2010
10:01 am
My bet is that the sun will come up again tomorrow, and there will still be very few of us that have actually READ the bill that just passed. Y’all are not part of the solution, just the original problem. In any case, a few years ago I shut down my business and came to work for someone else – yup, couldn’t afford health care for my employees any more. All pitifully uninformed political rhetoric aside, shortly I’ll be opening back up again, able to buy decent policies for my folks. My greatest hope is to NOT inadvertently hire any of the uninformed posters from herein. Catch a clue here – the smart ones were for this, and having my own business is the furthest possible thing from socialism. Then again, those using the term incorrectly are definitely not the shiniest coins in the fountain.
BR549
March 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
oh and when he passes imigration reform and legazlizes the 40+ million illegal immigrants we will be paying for their insurance too! I can’t wait!
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
When the specifics are polled, the overwhelming majority of Americans support what this bill is doing. But, even the basic “Oppose or Support” question only shows a 8% gap. And some of those who oppose are liberals who wanted single-payer or a true public option.
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php
John Lewis
March 22nd, 2010
10:03 am
John Lewis’s main votes come from all the people who are on govt aid in Atlanta already. They will vote strong for him because he keeps piling on the free govt handouts and claims all opposition on anything is racism.
BlackGirl
March 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
My what a wonderul morning! Thanks to all of those that made this possible. A special thanks to David Scott and John Lewis for fighting to hard to make this happen. People need healthcare. Just because you have a job doesn’t mean that you will have health insurance.
Please stop calling a bi-racial man reared by his WHITE mother and grandparents a racist…it’s sounds as stupid as it reads!
lilttle libertarian
March 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
@Thank You: “Thank you for my free healthcare. I don’t like to work unless I am forced to. Healthcare costs a lot each month and now I get it for free.”
I hope you were joking because you might want to stay put with your job a little while longer. You will soon see that this “health care” plan will more so be making out population smaller.
@Rugger2 said: “Thank you Congress. I look forward to my increases in health insurance costs and decreases in coverage. I am a cancer survivor but the ‘new’ bill WILL NOT cover the new treatment I received that saved my life and has done so for others. The treatment program is considered too costly. It will only cover the costs of the standard treatment regimen. Which will save costs because when you die, the costs drop to zero. After all, our lives are only worth so much, according to Obama.”
If that isn’t population control…then what on earth is?!
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
@first sergent
dude if what you said means anything why did my post deserve your response? We don’t share the same political outlook so take your own advise and step the “F” off! Minority and Majority is about numbers not color do some research then holla @ ya boy,lol. Lets see what do you do for people without force???? Well every month on the last sunday I feed the hungry, with “Unity & Peace” a group of men who choose to do good from the heart, not the government. I don’t have rich friends, most of the people I know have it hard but what do they do everyday get up go to work and provide for themselves. Hell if you hungry I will feed yo A$$!
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
guest user
Waht percentage of the working poor, you speak of, are “working poor” because of “their choices” in life?
Doris S.
March 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
How about this idea. Everyone pay the same exact amount for insurance whether sick or well, rich or poor. One set rate. What bothers me is that some will be getting a subsidy and others won’t. there will be plenty that still really can’t afford it who will not get the subsidy. But I also don’t buy this “oh we are rich so we deserve insurance; if you are poor too bad or you will find a way to afford it”.
I hope some of the people so upset about this turn up losing their jobs or getting sick and then eating there words and taking this “handout”.
CB JONES
March 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
American People please open your eyes, why are all the Republicans up in arms, do your research they are paid by the medical establishment, and they are not going to get their checks, if you are foolish enough to think this is a disaster but you did not think the same thing with the war, which you know know was a lie and was used to get the oil from Iraq, which they did not get, you are a fool, corruption is the middle name in government and you are stupid enough to waste your time being upset about a bill which should have pass long ago. Stop being mad at the President and go after your corrupt officials, they are the ones controlling your money and the taxes you are paying. Your Republican party says no more taxes all the while they give the state away to corporation, and now the cat is out of the bag, because of all the big give aways Georgia is now broke, and they cannot put the blame on anyone other than the people in office, your Republican leaders are full of corruptions and illegal deal making. Thank God for our President who did not let the corruption stop him for getting the votes he needed to help the middle class which the pass administration left out in the cold, sorry I am glad he’s helping families get healthcare, and maybe this new law will put the healcare system in check, and everyone must pay, I can see jobs being created instead of all the negative feedback people with healtcare is showing. Why not make your state government work for you instead of letting corrupting get the best of you, stop listening to negative radio and get involved with your goverment to change the rules, instead of complaining about the rules. You have young men and women coming out of this war without healtcare and you thing thats okay, it’s not and you should be ashame of yourself for being so mean and hateful, what have you done for your country lately instead of calling names, get involved and find out what you can do to make this bill work for you and your community. And that’s what Jesus would do!!!!!!!
Rich
March 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
“I still want to know why doesn’t the Congress give the same health care program to the people that THEY have?”
The answer is that Congress did give the same health insurance program to the people that they have. The health care bill establishes standards for health insurance modeled after the federal employee health benefits program. The same health insurance standards that Congress gets.
Paul
March 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
Again, by federal law, ANYONE can ALREADY stroll into ANY emergency room that receives Medicare/Medicaid money and be treated on the taxpayer dime. Under the plan just passed, all that can MUST contribute whatever they can. In my book having even the laziest kicking in something is better than the nothing they used to pay.
Grandmother
March 22nd, 2010
10:07 am
NO, I don’t like it. I also think the Democrat party needs to be voted out of office so my children and grandchildren have a chance of supporting themselves instead of the government bills. My Accounting and Economics classes taught cash flow and balances. This is cash flow out more than can ever come in and balances for a one-sided scale. Gads, America is disappearing before my eyes!
Gail
March 22nd, 2010
10:07 am
I can’t quite figure out how this bill helps with the biggest problem the country is facing – a 9-10% unemployment rate.
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
@ Jason T – Do people choose to get sick? I have a relative with leukemia that always took care of herself. Is it her fault? You can’t apply the same logic here. We require auto insurance AND medical coverage for those injured in most states. We also require seatbelts and that you avoid alcohol and drugs before getting behind the wheel. But, driving is not something that just happens to you, it is a choice! Getting sick is and it shouldn’t ruin your life.
Tom
March 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
I think it’s great. The people spoke in November of 2008 and the majority party did what they were elected to do. Good luck at the polls, with only two Georgia democrats in Washington, even voting them out of office would not have changed the outcome.
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
10:10 am
Yall @ least need to listen to Grandma!
GA
March 22nd, 2010
10:10 am
I suggest they use the other room at the post office for the govt health provider for doctor visits. The other room meaning the areas they closed down like passport office, boxes, etc. since the govt run postal service is hugely in debt. Why not combine these?
Amazing
March 22nd, 2010
10:11 am
It is sooooo amazing how RACISM has shown it’s ugly face on here. Everything is about race….so the truth comes out.
Get Real
March 22nd, 2010
10:11 am
This President will get my respect when he does something worthy of respect. Thus far I have more respect for a pole cat than I do this moron! And, FYI…him being half white and half black has absolutely nothing to do with my opinion! I don’t care if he was pink or purple, I don’t like Socialism!
Downtowner
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Thank God that this Health Care Bill has passed. What has happened to our sense of civic responsibility that so many tried so noisily to prevent this bill that will take care of the poor and minority citizens among us? I hate Republicans for the way that they have acted during this entire debate over the health care bill, and will never vote for one again. I should add that my own income is between $60,000 and $80,000, and I already have good health insurance through work.
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
@gamon
it might not be her fault but it damn sure is not my fault nor my problem! I don’t mean that in a nasty way im just speaking truths.
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
@GAmom
So you’re saying, if I live, the Imperial Federal Government has the right to FORCE me to buy Health Insurance? Where in the hell is that in our Constitution? You have a choice about driving. Your argument is way off.
First Sergeant
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Alecia
March 22nd, 2010
7:28 am
How interesting! There are 78 comments on the board and only 7 agree with healthcare reform. Wow, that tells us what the people really want.
No Alecia, it only proves that you are in “Georgia”. Georgia, in no way, represent a poll of the “American people”. Now, had you said, “racist white people really want”, I would totally agree. You people’s bigotry is soooo deeply ingrained that, if God himself told you that this health care reform legislation was good for the American public, you would slander him. You are a sad person!
Disgustedwithignorance
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Red State Fan… You are so wrong, this measure has just now crippled any chance that our economy will recover. There will be less jobs now, more layoffs etc. Business is not going to pay thiese prices for an arrogant idiot in the White House. For all of you out of work think again, you have to pay for this insurance. Any idea where you plan to get the money? Unemployment going to pay the bill? I think not. How do you insure the homeless? Are we counted no. For all you free loaders that have been living off Americans that do go to workeveryday of course it is good for, can’t understand why you have Medicaid. We did not need Universal healthacre and the majority did not want it. This has set this country back 50 years. There is now no way that if a women decides she wants an abortion that it can be paid for. They have stripped the rights of Americans. I may be pro life but I also believe that a woman is allowed to make her own choices.
As for the woman suffering from Cancer this bill now allows that there be no treatment, based on your age and tyoe of Cancer you have. Maybe if more people took the time to read the bill rather than to assume this would not have happened.
As for blaming Bush get over it. He did not take this country down with this fiscal irresponsibility. It was Obama who spends and spends. So why you leftist cheer in glee you have not seen the worst that this bill will do, For all you that have jobs God Bless you that you are able to keep them, for the unemployed and the homeless it is just going to get worst.
All of these morons will be voted out in November and yes this bill can be repealed. Don’t think that this is over not by a long shot. There are 48 states that are filing suit in the Supreme Court and thankfully our Justices have to abide by the law and the Constitutiion. This has only showed just how arrogant an un Americna the idiot in the White House is. His approval rating with Congress will be thanked until he is officially out of that office and the true Americans White House.
Vet
March 22nd, 2010
10:13 am
I am a veteran and I can tell the govt healthcare sucks. Had a semi heart attack last year near a major hospital and they kicked me out the same day and I was really sick. I found out later from a doctor that if I had private healthcare I would have been in there 4 to 7 days. Oh well, now you all can share the fun!!!
kay
March 22nd, 2010
10:13 am
All this is about is buying votes for the present administration to keep the socialist and communists in office. One day the pie will have been sliced so much, that there will be no more pie.
Watch out next for the immigration bill coming up.
The arrogance of this present administration and those who follow the party line in Congress is totally unbelievable.
Our country as we have known it in the past is now gone – no more free speech, no more “I can look after myself and mine, thank you”, etc.
Good by, good old USA.
Rich
March 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
“I am a cancer survivor but the ‘new’ bill WILL NOT cover the new treatment I received that saved my life and has done so for others”
That statement is nonsense. It implies that the new bill will provide only minimal coverage. That is not true. The new bill requires that insurance offered complies with the federal government employee benefit standards. You may have wondered why the insurance companies were against a proposal that would mandate and subsidize coverage for health insurance. It would seem to be a windfall. However, they will have to provide comprehensive coverage under the bill. They cannot provide “bare bones” coverage and cannot cap expenditures.
peachtype
March 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
For all of you who thank God for Obama, remember, he does not believe in God, he believes in Allah! He and his democratic cohorts have sold us down the river! We will be a socialistic government from this point on unless the American people wake up and vote every democrat out of office in November. This is sick, sleazy, and completely underhanded. Nancy Pelosi is the Devil herself, she even looks like the Devil, always looking so smug and I just hate looking at her.
kay
March 22nd, 2010
10:16 am
Oh – forgot this one. If you are a senior citizen and you break your hip — from now on, Uncle Sam will say – “sorry about that and here is a nice new wheelchair for you to use from now on” – - no more getting people back to as new as possible under this Obamacare crap that Congress approved yesterday, friends.
lovelyliz
March 22nd, 2010
10:17 am
Pompano Jane There are only two (2) classes of people. Those that want Security from the Govt. and those that want Freedom.
——————
There are only 2 classses of people: those who trust corporate health insurance execs with rationing their ever-increasingly expensive health care and those who think the government can’t do a worse job.
FedUp
March 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
First, we will respond to this at the polls.
Secondly, 32 million Americans WON’T be covered until 2014. Now, take into account that all small businesses with 50 employees making at least $50K will be made to offer healthcare, will probably limit salaries to be UNDER $50K and keep their employment UNDER 50 people. Where is the growth?
Consider that an additional 17 million people will be going under Medicare by the time the 32 million people in 2014 are getting their insurance. Now Medicare is being cut by $500 billion, it’s going to go up. Where is the money going to come from, YOUR TAXES.
This is a political ploy to take over insurance and make it big government. Now watch, Student loans are going to be controlled by the government, and now the Treasury Sec. wants to control ALL Banks. Getting the picture? Socialism at work for sure. November can’t come soon enough!
Oh and for the Rob Lopez thanks for your service in the military, but my father in law was 30 years military and just wait till you retire and need to get into the VA hospital for care. He was delayed 3 months for heart surgery and it about killed him.
This Congress is the WORST in history.
lovelyliz
March 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
kay
As opposed to what the health insurance company saying yes and then after you replace your hip they say Oops, my bad! we aren’t going to pay a dime?