Can Obama win back support for health care reform?
Most Americans are confused about the health care reform proposals before Congress. That’s good news.
I had feared that August — featuring some town hall protesters who seemed to believe President Obama was the spawn of the devil — revealed a nation returned to the Dark Ages, willing to believe in witches, evil spells and the perversity of black cats. Anybody who sincerely believed that the president wanted to kill off the frail elderly might believe anything. (After all, the president was devoted to his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who died, at the age of 86, just hours before his election as president.)
If Americans are merely confused about health care reform, as a new CBS poll shows, that’s a relief. Confusion can usually be cleared up with a simple yet persuasive public relations campaign. Indeed, last month, NBC’s Chuck Todd noted:”After being read a statement that includes actual details of the Obama health care plan, a majority — 53 percent — say they are in favor of it.”
But this isn’t the usual campaign for change. This is an all-out battle against entrenched monied interests, including many physicians, most health insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry; health care spending accounts for about 17.6 percent of gross domestic product. Obama and his allies can also count among their opponents a Republican Party determined to stop health care reform at all costs, not because of any principled ideological concerns but because GOP leaders see it as a way to ruin his first term.
So it’s not at all clear whether President Obama has a decent shot at dissipating the distortions, exaggerations and outright lies that his critics have thrown into the debate, like stink bombs, in an effort to kill genuine reform. The president’s poll numbers are sinking like lead.
And he has now even lost the support of some members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which had initially backed his plans for reform as a moral imperative. Ultra-conservative bishops have been misled by the mendacity about taxpayer-funded abortions, euthanasia and “rationing.” “No health care reform is better than the wrong sort of health care reform,” Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa, wrote in a recent pastoral letter, according to The New York Times.
Given a 50-year-history of failed efforts to fund universal access to health care, Obama should have been better prepared for the opposition. So why has he done such a poor job? How could he lose support for a proposition which was popular during the campaign and helped him get elected?
Emory University psychology professor Drew Westen, author of “The Political Brain,” blames Obama’s aversion to conflict and partisan combat.
“This president and his leadership team believe that leadership is channeling hope, and even touching (voters’) anger and anxiety is off limits. It’s the politics of (Michael) Dukakis,” Westen said, evoking the failed Democratic presidential candidate whose bloodless response to a hypothetical question about his wife as a rape victim came to symbolize a campaign that never connected with voters.
Republicans, Westen noted, have no compunctions about using emotion, which always sways voters more effectively than reason. Nor do they have any aversion to engaging in the most egregious demagoguery, if it helps them accomplish their goals.
Obama and his Democratic allies may finally have understood what they are up against. There cannot be any bipartisan approach to health care reform without an opposition party willing to negotiate with a shred of intellectual honesty. The GOP isn’t showing any signs of intellectual honesty, so there’s no reason to waste time reaching for a bipartisanship solution.
And there won’t be broad support for an overhaul of the health care system unless Obama can manage a simple message that cuts through the distortions of his opponents. That might require him to put aside his “no drama” persona and go for the jugular. But he can’t wait much longer.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
115 comments Add your comment
jt
September 2nd, 2009
7:21 am
Here is a message that even I would listen to from President Obama. And he would gain respect.
“”"Americans, I apologize for wasting your time. I will work hard this next year to eliminate the 350 billion dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse that I admitted was inherent in the parts of our medical care system ran by the goverment. If or when I can stop this abuse, then I would like to talk to you Americans again about reform. In the interim, I will concentrate on getting our kids out of the middle-eastern theater of war, because that should REALLY be my priority. Good night and God Bless.”"”"”
Turd Ferguson
September 2nd, 2009
7:27 am
Most Americans are NOT confused. We know the “skinny” and need not you chowder-heads interpreting facts as you see them.
Steve
September 2nd, 2009
7:37 am
I believe that this opportunity should pass. I supported the president on this but feel his usual ability to communicate to the country was less than effective. Health care reform is so complicated that most Americans can’t grasp it. So they fall back on their sense that government can’t do things well. I don’t believe that. I think government can do many things well and should. One is to establish the goals of a national approach to healthcare that includes “everyone in” for at least basic health care. Our local hospitals should not be forced, as they are now, to treat uninsured people and just pass the costs along to the rest of us. Why can’t we just be honest and understand that the best system includes all people, including the healthy young, because that’s what makes large insurance pools work. In addition, people should not be excluded after they get sick. We haven’t begun to hear the horror stories of folks who had health insurance all their life (many times at their own expense) but now find themselves without a job, with a serious illness, and they will (don’t believe otherwise) be denied coverage after their Cobra program runs out in 18 months.
As far as a plan to control costs, please don’t believe that this can be avoided. Health costs are going up three to four times as fast as wages. To this point, employers have generally found a way to lower their costs (often by passing more cost back to the employee) and have continued to cover their staff. But that tide is turning. Without reform, more and more employers will find it beyond their means to provide insurance and people will be on their own, only to find out about all the problems they have heard about, but haven’t believed, are true. I also would hope our country could have a rational approach to figuring out how to control costs, but I don’t believe the time is now. Our country, and more specifically our Congress, is not good at long term approaches to problems. So, there won’t be meaningful reform until there is more of a crisis. I believe it’s still eight years away and actually may be dealt with by a future president, likely a Republican. I voted for Obama but would not mind it if at least one of the houses of Congress was Republican. I think Obama would be a good centrist president but the Democratic landslide of 2008 forced him to let Congress take the lead in writing the legislation and all the Republicans had to do in order to win was say “no.” If they were in control of one of the houses I think they would have come to the negotiating table and would have been forced to find a centrist solution. That day is still coming.
Richard Bunce
September 2nd, 2009
7:45 am
Cynthia, there are plenty of lies on both sides. You covered some of the lies well and I will add one more, “The Public Option is not a gateway to a single payer system.”
Brook
September 2nd, 2009
7:56 am
Most Americans understand that we are broke, Medicare and SS bankrupt and all Obama wants to do is throw a lot of our money at this problem — the same as he is doing with education, the economy, and “climate change”. this is a typical liberal approach, which is why Chicago has the highest municipal tax rate in the country, but no one would argue Chicago is the best place to live in America. Obama left the state of IL in a technically bankrupt situation, and he’s doing the same to the entire country. This, Ms. Tucker, is why we oppose his LBJ style leadership.
mike
September 2nd, 2009
7:58 am
Tucker’s hypocrisy is laughable. She is the most mindless of partisans and nastiest of demagogues. For her to whine about the behavior of hyper-partisan conservatives demonstrates a deep, deep lack of self-awareness.
Peadawg
September 2nd, 2009
8:00 am
What I’m really confused about is how you’ve written about the same subject 2 or 3 days in a row now. Is there nothing else you can talk about? Some columnist…..
Roger
September 2nd, 2009
8:01 am
At this point in time, how could any rational citizen be a Republican? Indeed, how could any serious Christian be a Republican? It is certainly possible to have a difference of opinion about the health care bill. But for the Republicans to organize and distribute false information about the bill is dishonest and destructive to the legislative process. Obama needs to learn how to combat dishonest and destructive Republican politicians, not just do a better job of publicity.
Matthew
September 2nd, 2009
8:02 am
I have only two requirements of the president and the congressional members who support the House Medical bill.
1. Clean up the fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, Peach-care, Shps etc. You will save hundreds of billions of dollars in that to go towards a new health-care option.
2. Have every member of congress, president, cabinet and staffers go on to the same plan they want us on
How dare I ask for these unreasonable requests? Control spending during a recession! JFK, Reagan and Clinton knew that so why doesn’t Rahm Emanuel, Axelrod, Pelosi and President Obama know this?
Peadawg
September 2nd, 2009
8:08 am
Roger, Democrats don’t lie to get what they want? LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL! Both sides do it. get your head out of your butthole.
Elaine
September 2nd, 2009
8:12 am
Are we incapable of connecting dots? Bankers, Wall Street speculators, witless auto CEOs, K-Street hired guns, politicians with million dollar “war-chests”? Now we have mobs marching to “save” the pharmaceutical/medico/insurance titans! Is this a nation of witless sheep? Please! Let’s win ONE of these battle fronts. We simply must not swallow any more nonsense. Fix this system and fix it NOW.
Rick
September 2nd, 2009
8:13 am
Its obvious that the editor of this Article is from the Left and Likes Obama. The Townhall meetings are a way people can speak to our Government and there voice to be heard. Unfortunately when people ask questions and are concerned and angry and in the dark, its no wonder thses things have happened.Yet people talk about Hords of Rightwing or concertaive nutcases.Its a form of Demonizing them by calling them names to which this article reflects that ! Obamas Administraition has said they want clarity. Were is that clarity at? Were tired of the deceitfull Lies and Crap .A majority of the speakers havent even read the Bill but yet are in agreement because of party lines-This leave us Americans screwed. Republican or Democrate,to me there one of the same at this point.The Economic Upturn is just a Media Farse but if you keep telling the Lie long enough,People will start believing it.The Truth is Expect more Unemployment-More Business losses-More Homelessness-More Problems-the Government is all About Confidence-Even when the ship is sinking-the captain will have the Band playing Mozart telling you everything is allright and everythings good. The Media is a powerfull tool that is used to forge and make opinions in peoples minds.Create an atmosphere of FEAR(Swine Flu outbreak,War or a Tragic Event)This coming Fall and People will Flock to sign the Healthcare Bill. They know exactly what they are doing because they are the ones that engineered the Flu in a Scientific Labratory! Cause Fear and heard them into the Corral and they will gladly lift there long sleeves up and willing take the Swine Flu shot.By the way did you know that there is Mercury(thimerosal) and other cancer causing agents in the shot or do you even care because its free? Do a google serach and look up the facts!
A.H.
September 2nd, 2009
8:18 am
I find this statement offensive and inflamatory:
“Obama and his allies can also count among their opponents a Republican Party determined to stop health care reform at all costs, not because of any principled ideological concerns but because GOP leaders see it as a way to ruin his first term.”
Wow. Talk about overgeneralizing/stereotyping. This is the type of statement that only creates more tension and/or hostility in areas such as politics, race, religion, etc.
If your goal, and I’m not sure it is, was to persuade those on the flipside of the argument to see things differently, then I suggest that you take a different approach. You assume too much.
John
September 2nd, 2009
8:41 am
I cannot believe that a person as stupid as this reporter even has a job.
Just because
September 2nd, 2009
8:51 am
What is sad is those individuals who believe that if they have healthcare reform . . . the government is going to pay for everything. Just the other night on tv . . . a person in favor of the proposed healthcare plan said he wanted it not because he didn’t have insurance, because he did but so that his expensive drugs would be covered. Obama and his administration is leading folks to think this federal insurance plan will cover EVERYTHING. Wow!! If that were the case why does it take over 1,000 pages to convey that! Cynthia just how many of those pages have your read!!
Just because
September 2nd, 2009
8:58 am
BTW . . we keep hearing about 14,000 people losing their health insurance every day . . . wow, did it ever occur to anyone that they are losing it because they are losing their JOBS!!! If the administration wants to keep throwing that out . . then why don’t they ask . . why are they losing their health insurance and do something about that instead of marching off to force a government health care program down everybody’s throat!!!
Jay "Numbnuts" Bookwoman
September 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
John –
Sinthia has been called stupid so many times throughout her career, that it’s like water off a ducks back. She’s used to it. She doesn’t choose to hear it.
Jay "Numbnuts" Bookwoman
September 2nd, 2009
9:02 am
“Just because” brings up a good point. What about the lies that the administration and Libs are using to GAIN support for their cause?
Scandalous, I Tell Ya!
Donovan
September 2nd, 2009
9:05 am
The AJC’s little communist now living in Washington must really be concerned over the unraveling of their health scam if she is gracing us with another one of her pep talks so soon after her last rant. Does everyone get the personal profile of this individual and her association with rhetoric that smacks of Lenin and Marx? Tucker embraces the far left idea of socialized medicine but rails against town hall meetings as a protest movement against socialized medicine. She rails against doctors, drug companies, and insurance companies as the enemy of the people. She draws reference to polls by CBS, quotes from NBC, and advice from liberal Emory professors. For those of you who accept her as a valid spokesperson for “reform” then I guess you are part of the problem why we now have a leftist Congress and a leftist president trying to steal away the personal freedoms we have enjoyed for so many years. Read our lips. We don’t want your health care plan. We don’t want your Cap & Trade. We don’t want government running or ruining anymore free market commerce. How do you say, Amtrack, Post Office, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae? The Russian Revolution of 1917 was orchestrated by an individual who spoke very similarly like Ms. Tucker. Every now and then people like Ms. Tucker and the dazzling Obama come along and fill the heads of the poor down-trodden few with pixie dust and illusions. Don’t be fooled twice people.
pat
September 2nd, 2009
9:07 am
nope. The genie is out of the bottle, it’s dead. If he were honestly trying to fix it and not essentially take it over, things would have been different. The public option is to bloated and over bering to ever work…Sure, you can keep your insurance, but at what cost?
Mandating coverage is behaviour control….It’s not the role of government to tell you what to do, only what not to do…Which should be minimal.
Randy
September 2nd, 2009
9:17 am
Cynthia was apparantly sleeping when Nancy Pelosi fought hard AGAINST the Medicare Prescription drug benefit. she was so adamant against it — she threatened any Democrat that voted for it. The party out of power is always the party of NO, Miss Tucker. That’s why they call it an opposition party.
Davo
September 2nd, 2009
9:23 am
“Republicans, Westen noted, have no compunctions about using emotion, which always sways voters more effectively than reason. Nor do they have any aversion to engaging in the most egregious demagoguery, if it helps them accomplish their goals.”
Who are you trying fool, fool? What a glaring example of your narrow-minded, simplistic thinking. Real citizens don’t care if this is a dem/rep position. Using your faulty logic, you would have us believe that it’s all because of hatred for Obama…because he’s black, or a dem, or w/e. Here’s the real reason….we can’t afford it. Real citizens understand this and can seperate the politics from the real issue.
You must think we’re stupid.
dw
September 2nd, 2009
9:28 am
To Cynthia,
persuasive public relations campaign = lib propaganda.
53% of a small carefully selected subset. big deal.
Won’t get rid of Grandma. BHO supports the choice to get rid of children still in the mother. So logic dictates that if you are ok with getting rid of life full of potential and totally defenseless, then getting rid of Grandma who is declining in both potential and defense could easily be okay by BHO and cohorts at some point.
tb
September 2nd, 2009
9:29 am
There is no confusion here. We the people do not want OUR government controlling our lives. Its that simple. The government said that we the people do not know how to save money, so they make law to take our money under the assumption that they will give it back as we get older (Social Security). How’s that working for everyone? Then they say we do not know how to save money for our health when we age, so they make law again to take our money with the promise that our health will be taken care of when we age (Medicare and Medicaid). How’s that working? So, you really think they know how to fund our health? Medicaid and Medicare are two health programs that are broke and they cannot even figure out how to fix them. Health Care is not your RIGHT! This country needs to quit giving away free medical care to illegal aliens, muchers and looters, and get back to basic fundamentals like working hard and taking responsibility for your actions. Then people could afford to pay for their health if they so choose.
Just because
September 2nd, 2009
9:30 am
What a record!!
The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775 – they’ve had 234 years to get it right; it is broke, and even though heavily subsidized, it can’t compete with private sector FedExp and UPS services.
Social Security was established in 1935 – they’ve had 74 years to get it right; it is broke.
Fannie Mae was established in 1938 – they’ve had 71 years to get it right; it is broke. Freddie Mac was established in 1970 – they’ve had 39 years to get it right; it is broke. Together Fannie and Freddie have now led the entire world into the worst economic collapse in 80 years.
The War on Poverty was started in 1964 – they’ve had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our hard earned money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor”.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 – they’ve had 44 years to get it right; they are both broke; and now our government dares to mention them as models for all US health care.
AMTRAK was established in 1970 – they’ve had 39 years to get it right; last year they bailed it out as it continues to run at a loss!
A trillion dollars was committed in the massive political payoff called the Stimulus Bill; it shows NO definitive sign of working; it’s been used to increase the size of governments across America, and raise government salaries while the rest suffer from economic hardships. It has yet to create a single new private sector job. Our national debt projections (approaching $10 trillion) have increased 400% in the last six months.
“Cash for Clunkers” was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009 – - after the majority of cars purchased turned out to be produced by foreign companies, and dealers nationwide are buried under bureaucratic paperwork demanded by a government that is not yet paying them what was promised.
So with a perfect 100% failure rate and a record that proves that each and every “service” shoved down our throats by an over-reaching government turns into disaster, how could any informed American trust our government to run or even set policies for America’s health care system – - 17% of our economy?
Shawny
September 2nd, 2009
9:48 am
That 9:30 post is DEAD ON. Govt intrusion, pitting against private industry is wrong on 2 major levels.
First, the private companies that are established immediately are confronted with “competition” that is partially funded by the taxpayers, so they become disadvantaged.
Second, as the 9:30 post indicates, the govt is so inept, inefficient, and corrupt, that even with those “companies” not paying federal taxes, having pricing advantages, not having to comply with certain federal regulations, etc., they still fail.
So, the question is, why would we want to do that again, this time with an industry that represents 1/6 of our countries GDP? Imagine the influx of taxpayer money that will be thrown at it in future years to keep it afloat. Add that to the existing natl debt, and the US dollar is worthless. We will never emerge financially as a country.
Those that support it are naive and short sighted.
The last Boy Scout
September 2nd, 2009
9:56 am
The lies, half truths, and ignorance of the bill coming from FY09 Congress from the nut job right and Repugs is an outrage. This year the Fed will spent about 420 Billion on Medicare and that is expected to grow at an unsustainable rate. In 2004, 18,000 people die sooner than they should have because of poor or no health insurance (for you right wingers that’s over 2 people an hour die because of this insane system.)
Yet, the Bull stuff keeps coming from nut cases that Obama is going to kill granddad. This land mark bill needs to pass and it MUST HAVE A PUBLIC Option. This is the time and this is the place to show that good men and women can defeat the morons on the right.
Grumpy
September 2nd, 2009
10:04 am
Obama’s mistake was handing this plan over to the extreme left wing of his party in Congress. They just couldn’t control themselves, and wrote a bloated, costly 1000+ page monster of a bill.
It’s fine and dandy for the lefties to cry about “misinformation” regarding rationing/end of life/abortions etc. But that’s not what REALLY caused public perception to sour (especially among independent voters).
The tide turned against the ultra-lefties when the CBO projected it would cost $1 TRILLION. Forget everything else. THAT was the breaking point. The American public simply does NOT believe the Federal Government can cut costs and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. That is the #1 reason why they are against this plan.
Medicare is broke. Washington D.C. has not shown the ability to get it under control. Yet Democrats want more Federal control over healthcare! And they seemed SHOCKED when the public didn’t get right in line and support it. Instead of looking at the real reason people are nervous (costs spiraling out of control) they look for people to blame (those meanies at the townhalls).
Talk about OUT OF TOUCH!
Sam
September 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
Cynthia Tucker is as worthless as Terrence Moore. His sorry couldn’t write azz was runoff the AJC. Let’s do the same to this witless, economically illiterate, fanatical, government boot-licking crusader.
hryder
September 2nd, 2009
10:12 am
The problem is that the Big O is attempting to remain all things to all people. He has offered very few specifics on what he would desire in legislation, just generalities. That is a possibility he will state. But if most people say forget it, the claim is it was just mentioned but not really having any possibility of being included. Just heard that he will offer specifics in a speech next week. Let us hope that he does, because if not, any minor health care industry adjustments are history as well as the Big O being a one term President.
Betty
September 2nd, 2009
10:13 am
The Admin. needs to put out a statememt outling the basis of health care reform in language that the average person can understand. Forget emotions, just state facts. The public can not seem to comprehend that if we had taken health care seriously 15 yrs ago we would not be in the current crisis. The health care crisis affects all Americans weather they have insurance or not. Enought of the nonsense, the public needs to demand that Congress address the issue in an honest and intelligent manner. Forget a bipartisan solution if the Rep. insist on lies at worst and playing fast and loose with the facts at best
Ivan
September 2nd, 2009
10:24 am
“There cannot be any bipartisan approach to health care reform…”
“…there’s no reason to waste time reaching for a bipartisanship solution.”
If this has become the mentality of our government, regardless of party in power, then it is time for it to be thrown out. A government that justifies forcing its own will on its people, is oppressive. Only fools would think it would stop with health care. Ms. Tucker, you might want to take a step back a bit, or you might find yourself “goose-stepping”.
Debbie
September 2nd, 2009
10:36 am
You seem to be the racist. When will black American’s quit playing the race card when they are loosing on a subject. It discredits you. The argument that ppl who disagree with Obama are racist is getting old and frankly proves how out of touch you are.
Question
September 2nd, 2009
10:36 am
NBC’s Chuck Todd noted:”After being read a statement that includes actual details of the Obama health care plan, a majority — 53 percent — say they are in favor of it.”
Comment – What was the statement and what ARE the details of Obamacare, and which poll was this (your numbers sound suspect to me)?
the evil rich
September 2nd, 2009
10:39 am
Come on Cynthia. Most Americans AREN’T confused. We know that the liberal dems want to force “TeddyCare” on us.
William
September 2nd, 2009
10:41 am
NBC? Is that a news reporting agency or liberal media with socialist agendas.
the evil rich
September 2nd, 2009
10:42 am
Roger, Did you leave out, How could any pro-abortion dem be a Christian?
Wes
September 2nd, 2009
10:44 am
Cynthia,
Does it bother you at all that only 53% approve of this? I recognize that there are a number of issues that are in play here. I also recognize that we are one of the most diverse populations on earth. As a side note I believe that 700,000 people per representative might be a bit much. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that using the Federal government as a one size fits all solution is inappropriate?
Sid
September 2nd, 2009
10:53 am
Why keep blaming the Republicans for this failure? I thought the Democrats controlled both the House and Senate and had the votes to pretty much push thru anything they wanted. They don’t need the Republicans and still can’t get this passed. It’s NOT the Republicans who are making this fail, it’s the Democrats. But the liberal media spends little time talking about that, and can only fall back on their old whipping horse, “let’s blame the Republicans, the party of NO!” When that fails, let’s play the race card, “they want Obama to fail because he’s black”. What a sorry excuse for a so called journalist and newspaper.
Bankerrkt
September 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
Americans are not confused. They know exactly what they want and don’t want. It’s very obvious from the townhalls (and reenforced by the polling) that Americans do not want Obamacare. They are weary of the government intrusions and don’t trust a President or Congress who tried to ram through such a massive rework of their persoanl liberties. The President and Congress need to listen to the people and then include the Republicans if they want health care reforms that win support. After all, this is about the peole not a few elites in Washington.
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” Thomas Jefferson
Call it Like It Is
September 2nd, 2009
11:03 am
Amen Sid!
America does not want the Socialist Ideals of Barry the Racist!
Enough Said!
Jackie
September 2nd, 2009
11:03 am
Those that support maintaining the current health care delivery system do not seem to mind 17% of the GDP is consumed by health care costs. They continue to excoriate the government about its lack of efficiency yet fail to realize Medicare/MedicAid has an overhead of roughly 3% while the private insurance providers have an overhead of more than 30%. Simple logic would tell you than private is less efficient than public.
Health care premiums for a family of 4 costs about $1200 per month. If a woman is pregnant and moves from one employer to the next, or loses her job, her pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition and is not covered with her new insurance.
Approximately 64% of the bankruptcy cases in this country are due to medical costs. We are all one illness away from financial ruin.
It is screamed loudly that tort reform is the problem with our current system without knowing that malpractice constitutes 1% of medical costs.
The litany of unfounded “facts” are put into the public forum without having a means of substantiating those “facts.”
Those folks that refuse to objectively review options continue to tell the “big lie.” It has the ring of truth to those that refuse to review the actual facts, therefore the “big lie” gathers steam and is constantly repeated and passed along as being gospel
The question should be asked of those who do not want true reform, “DO YOU WANT HEALTH COST TO BE 40% OF OUR GDP?” If so, what can be done with the remaining 60% of the GDP?
Goldie
September 2nd, 2009
11:04 am
The rude loud-mouths at those townhall meetings are mostly right-wing pawns, sent there by the insurance lobbyists and their overwhelming fear of our “black President” whom they’ve been told is a “socialist”… that’s all the Repub Party has to offer Americans, fear of our new President? Or is it fear of any change at all? The current system we have for healthcare is unsustainable economically, and at least the Dems are willing to try and fix that disaster, while the Repubs say “no, no, no!” to anything at all proposed by this “black President”.
Very sad indeed.
WoodyAZ
September 2nd, 2009
11:07 am
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m confused about the proposed plan, but here are a few things I know for sure:
My insurance company has to operate at a profit to survive
My insurance company does not collect money for my premium PLUS someone’s elses (aka taxes)My insurance company does not own an automaker.
My insurance company does not have to fund and fight a war
Wes
September 2nd, 2009
11:11 am
Jackie,
Medicare/Medicaid is fast approaching bankruptcy due to politicians inability to regulate benefits and/or raise taxes. The efficiency isn’t the concern that I’d have about a universal program.
As for the 1% malpractice that you quoted, does it include insurance or just the actual cases?
I have no argument that something needs to be done. The questions of what should be done and by whom are still things that should be reasonably debated.
booger
September 2nd, 2009
11:12 am
I’m sure Cynthia’s Emory source is a nonpartisian, level headed academic, but let’s just explore another possible reason Repubs. are opposed to this plan. Their constituents elected them to be good stewards of their tax dollars and they are doing just that. They have resisted a cram through of a hastily crafted, highly flawed plan which has no reliable cost data. This happened with the stimulus plan, and they are trying hard not to allow it to happen again.
It’s also interesting to see Cynthia refer to this as a plan, when it is still totally up in the air as to what the plan is. At this time I have to assume she is referring to the house bill which includes a public option. This is the plan the head of the congressional budjet office claims will actuall increase cost over the next ten years.
Today the majority of Americans are satisfied with their health care arrangements. The problems with our system is overall cost, and accessibility. If the Dems. could craft a plan which addressed the problems without taking over the entire system, and put forth a reasonable explaination as to how it would be financed, they may get some traction.
Until then we are just debating a non existant plan and proposed financial figures even the CBO will not support.
HSR0601
September 2nd, 2009
11:17 am
Faced with unsustainable insurance premiums, the auto industry has little chance to roll out affordable products as the premium inflation plunged it into insolvency before.
With this promising reform that comes in with a balancing function for price in operation, Chevy Volt, too, could earn competitive edge in price along the way, together with Nissan Leaf.
Sunshine and Thunder
September 2nd, 2009
11:22 am
In typical Cindy Tucker manner we see the usual accusations that Republicans are demagogues, liars, misleaders and emotion slingers. Never. NEVER do we hear Cynthia arguing the merits of the case. Just disparaging the methods of the opposition. What a waste of editorial space. She is doing EXACTLY what she accuses Republicans of doing.
Jake
September 2nd, 2009
11:33 am
Everyone wants a $1 million worth of health care and no one wants to pay for it! Government plan, private plan, co-op, whatever, eventually grandma’s gonna have to go sit on the ice.
Sid
September 2nd, 2009
11:37 am
The latter-day “liberal” is actually the direct opposite of the true liberal as that term was originally understood. One of these self-styled modern liberals recently defined himself in the following language: “A liberal is one who believes in utilizing ——-the full force of government——- for the advancement of social, political, and economic justice at the municipal, state, national, and international levels.”