Mr. President, ignore the polls and pass health care reform
It’s still the economy, stupid.
The aphorism from Bill Clinton’s first campaign, conjured up by the inimitable James Carville, is as apt today as it was when Carville plastered it to the wall of the campaign war room in 1992. President Obama and his aides ought to keep that in mind as they work to get health care reform back on track.
A summer of discontent has fed a conventional wisdom that suggests voters have turned against radical changes to the health care system. Obama should be skeptical of that conclusion.
It’s quite likely that the public’s general crankiness is fueled by growing unemployment, continuing tight credit and unabated foreclosures. If the economy were in better shape — specifically, if unemployment were going down instead of up — it’s likely voters would be more willing to trust Obama to make radical changes to the dysfunctional health care system.
Unhappily, there isn’t much more that the president or Congress can do to right the economy. Despite a steady drumbeat of criticism from conservatives, most economists agree that the stimulus package Obama pushed through Congress in February helped to avert a much deeper recession. Now, about all the Obama administration can do is wait for job growth to resume next year.
Meanwhile, the nation needs health care reform. Neither the president nor a Democratic Congress can afford to waste the opportunity worrying about recalcitrant Republicans, next year’s mid-term elections or declining poll numbers.
Take those recent polls showing that the public has suddenly grown very concerned about ballooning deficits. Last month, Quinnipiac University released a poll in which respondents said — overwhelmingly — that they are more worried about the deficit than they are about fixing the health care system. If a health care overhaul would add to the deficit, then, 57 percent said, abandon the health care fix.
There are a few factors underlying those numbers. Certainly, the fact that so many Republicans have spent the summer denouncing health care reform as burdensome, intrusive and costly has shaped public opinion.
Another factor is household debt, which, for many voters, can seem to mirror national debt woes. Americans understand their own personal circumstances, which often include high mortgage interest payments, staggering credit card debt and shrinking savings. Their personal budgets serve as a reminder of what can happen when an individual or a government takes on too much debt.
But what if those worries over the deficit are misplaced? As New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate in economics, has written, Americans grew alarmed over budget deficits in the mid-1930s, as the Great Depression began to recede. Subsequently, the Federal Reserve, Congress and President Franklin Roosevelt began to pull back from the policies that had sparked job growth and recovery. As historians of that period know only too well, that caused a second downturn.
Obama and Congressional Democrats need to stiffen their spines and do what needs to be done. As it happens, about 40 percent of the projected deficit can be explained by the recession, which has stripped the national treasury (state and local treasuries, too) of tax receipts. When job growth returns, tax receipts will increase, and projected deficits will decrease.
Voters’ anxiety about deficits will also decrease as the economy begins to produce jobs, which will go a long way toward getting rid of that nagging feeling that things are on the wrong track. Fixing the health care system will also help lessen voters’ anxiety, since even those who currently have insurance know they can lose it with a pink slip or a troubling diagnosis.
Indeed, Congressional Democrats ought to worry about facing voters next year without having passed substantial health care reform, since that’s one of the reasons they were elected. The last item on Carville’s famous list, tacked up on the wall of the campaign war room, was this: “Don’t forget health care.” That retains its political potency, too.
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© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
109 comments Add your comment
mom to four
September 8th, 2009
8:20 pm
I don’t know a single voter who voted for their congressional representative to fix healthcare.
As for the economy, how is the economy going to improve if small businesses and middle and upper income workers are taxed to death? What jobs are going to be produced under that scenario?
How arrogant of you, Cynthia to claim that our worries about the deficit are misplaced. I guess it is easy to claim my concerns are not warranted when I am paying the bill for you.
Peadawg
September 8th, 2009
8:24 pm
That’s right Obama, ignore the poles. Ignore what the PEOPLE want. Ignore what the PEOPLE think.
That’s smart!!!! ~sarcasm~
Jay
September 8th, 2009
8:33 pm
Why would you want to lessen quality of care and force taxes to go up for generations to come. I do not want to be like Canada and Britain. The 47 million number Obama has suggested is a false number. 20 million have household incomes twice the poverty level, 7 million are illegal immigrants, 9 million are on Medicaid. Most uninsured are only briefly without coverage due to job changes. This means only a few are uninsured out of necessity, which is estimated at 14 million. I have heard several solutions that are being ignored. To bring down costs we could allow the purchase of insurance across state lines, we could make health care costs tax deductible, or we impose tort reform. I do not support this legislation.
DebbieDoRight
September 8th, 2009
8:34 pm
Good Lord!! Why are those people still up? Shouldn’t you guys have had your medication by now? Please, take your meds, go night-night and let the grownups discuss grown up situations. HINT: You’re stinking up the blogs with your ignorance of the facts!!
That’ll do pigs, that’ll do.
DebbieWallowsinSlop
September 8th, 2009
8:49 pm
This country may need health reform… but it doesn’t need the “proposed” health reform.
Scott
September 8th, 2009
8:50 pm
It’s not up to the president to pass health care reform; that’s up to the Congress. Perhaps if Ms. Tucker had a working knowledge of the Constitution, she’d have figured this out. Maybe a knowledge of the Constitution is asking too much of Ms. Tucker. But let me suggest this: If the CONGRESS ignores the polls and passes health care reform, they’ll be a big house-cleaning come 2010. It’s not up to you, Ms. Tucker, to decide what the nation “needs.” The polls show that the nation has its own ideas about what it needs–and Big Government is not one of them.
Scott
September 8th, 2009
8:51 pm
Correction: sentence in the middle of that paragraph should read “there’ll be a big house-cleaning,” not “they’ll”
Jessica
September 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
Listen to yourself! “Mr. President, ignore what the majority of citizens in this country want and force a giant new program down their throats.”
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people like you who want our government to decide what is best for us in as many areas of life as possible. It’s a sad thing to those of us who still believe in individual freedom and personal responsibility — sad to those of us who want liberty, and sad FOR those of you who won’t figure out what that liberty is worth until after you have helped destroy it.
jt
September 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
Cynthia commented-
“Unhappily, there isn’t much more that the president or Congress can do to right the economy.”
Sure there is.
Get out of the away. Go on permanent vacation. We will pay congress and the presisdent to just leave.
The government needs to get out of the business of business.
Sensi
September 8th, 2009
9:10 pm
Last time I checked, policies aren’t chosen because of polls but because of ballots toward a political program, until the next elections people voted in place should be confident enough of their actions toward the common good to ignore the angry crowds and others sheep of panurge. That some people don’t understand that a reform would lower the mid to long term costs, both individuals and collectives, is a reason between others to defuse yet largely ignore their current rants, deceptive pov or misconception.
jt
September 8th, 2009
9:10 pm
Also, I believe that Paul Krugman was an economic advisor for ENRON.
Clay
September 8th, 2009
9:14 pm
This would be great. It will assure we only have to endure one term of this political lightweight as president. It’s been 24 hours–doesn’t have something or someone else for which he needs to express regret?
Of course, I’ve learned that if you don’t love everything about Obama then you’re racist. Oh, and a hater, too.
DebbieWallowsinSlop
September 8th, 2009
9:17 pm
I think what Sinthia is trying to say is “Come on Presbo, just get this damn thing done. I don’t give two hoots about any of the details – just give me my damn healthcare! I’ll complain about it later.”
Anyone with any semblance of a brain has to be wondering… how can this thing work? The Libs are just going to blindly push this through to say they did something. They don’t give a $hit about what’s in the plan… just get it done!
Recent plan says you HAVE to have insurance or you will be fined. I guess this administration is on crack – not a surprise at all, being that it’s the drug of choice for that group.
oldmac
September 8th, 2009
9:20 pm
BTW, Krugman is not exactly known as a genius. Kind of hurts to see a life’s work slip through your greasy fingers eh CT. Say Bye Bye to Obie.
Scott
September 8th, 2009
9:21 pm
I also like how Ms. Tucker dismisses the public’s genuine concerns about government-run health care. She refers to all of that as “crankiness.” You know what, Ms. Tucker? Your snobbery and elitism are plain to see. Maybe you should run for Congress. You’d fit right in with that crowd of self-righteous know-it-alls.
Wes
September 8th, 2009
9:28 pm
Cynthia,
If you’re right this can wait until the economy improves and the people decide they want health care reform. If you’re wrong then we’re forcing something America doesn’t want on itself. Throw in the fact that the states could do this for themselves, and you seem more interested in circumventing the system than recognizing that it is doing what it is supposed to do.
DebbieWallowsinSlop
September 8th, 2009
9:32 pm
Sinthia and Jay Bookwoman are nothing more than “Pot Stirrers” for the AJC. Their pay is based on the number of comments they receive for a blog. The more outrageous BS, the more money they get in their pay check. If they can generate traffic to this site, then they have done their job. If they actually wrote intelligently, no one comment.
Ray Blair
September 8th, 2009
9:41 pm
What a crock. The reason people oppose the “health care reform” that is working its way through Congress is that it is no reform. It just forces more Americans to buy (and/or subsidize) the corrupt system we already have. My brother has health insurance through his work. He needs a relatively inexpensive hernia operation — but to get the operation he needs to pay $5,000 up front (the deductible). He can’t afford it so, despite the fact he (personally) pays $400 a month and his company probably pays another $600 or $700 more a month — he can’t actually use it for what he needs. So he’s got “coverage” but no health care. I’m one of the “cranky” who got laid off due to the Wall Street bank blow up. It’s good to see the banks are recovering so nicely, due to the fact that we (American taxpayers) took on their toxic loans, allowed them to foreclose anyhow and bailed them out to the tune of $ billions. Now their biggest worry is the public perception of the billions in bonuses they want to pay themselves. I guess the insurance corporation is feeling left out — so the American taxpayers to the rescue! Nothing like richer parasites to make me warm and fuzzy all over.
Douglas Patterson
September 8th, 2009
9:58 pm
Ignore the polls!? You killed George W. Bush for ignoring the polls (on the Iraq war). Why do you now advise President Obama to act like President Bush? You usually make sense, Cynthia. Not this time.
Sluggo
September 8th, 2009
9:59 pm
Ignore the polls. Ignore the people. Ignore your own common sense.
Tucker has brought out the big scooper for today’s dose of elitist nonsense. Ms. Tucker believes she knows what is best for us and like wayward children we will one day thank her and her dear leader for the wisdom they showed in disregarding us.
You can’t make stuff like this up. How amazing to have Tucker so open in her brazen disregard for the citizens and taxpayers of this great nation.
The EVIL rich
September 8th, 2009
10:03 pm
Don’t you mean IGNORE the voters?
Dr. R
September 8th, 2009
10:04 pm
Ignore the polls: Isn’t that what Bush’s supporters told him as well? I’ll draw another parallel for you as well. Like the Bush White House, the Obama backers don’t seem to understand that half the country disagrees with their agenda (which has been the case in our country since at least 1992). Instead of trying to understand the other side’s arguments and find middle ground, you go into denial. You hear the Obama folks on TV saying, “well, the American people are demanding we fix health care and are supporting our efforts.” Well, half of them are and half of them are waving torches and pitchforks and going starkers. The sooner they understand that winning an election doesn’t mean a complete mandate, the better they’ll govern. The whole school speech debacle was a perfect example of how tone deaf they are. They took a harmless, innocuous speech but ginned up a bunch of unnecessary angst over their plan to have kids write a letter “to help the president.” Anyone with a clue in the communications office would have see how that might play in the red states. What that White House needs is a smart conservative on board to help them reach out to folks who ain’t in their corner already. Obama is smarter than Bush and ought to figure that out sooner rather than later.
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
September 8th, 2009
10:06 pm
This woman is something else….how does she have a paid job!!! obama plans his day by polls and no you’re telling them to ignore the will of the American people and ram a health care bill down our throats that will reduce the level of service, increase wait times and grow the deficit to a point that the country can’t survive. Great advice!!! You really need to find another job…maybe food service or marta.
Trust the government, ASK an Indian
September 8th, 2009
10:07 pm
Here’s the thought that should keep you up at night. If NObama had pushed government “TeddyCare” BEFORE the stimulus, it would be law already and there was NOTHING the republicans could have done. Thank God he wasn’t THAT smart.
Dr. R
September 8th, 2009
10:18 pm
The great thing about being a Libertarian is to be able to see both sides of the political divide for what they really are. Both are convinced that they’re not only right, but that they are in the solid majority and the other side is completely deluded. Those on the right think the only folks who support Obama are the hippies, the Hollywood types and those city slickers who don’t really work for a living. Those on the left think conservatives are all Jesus freaks who live in the sticks, marry their cousins and believe in Bigfoot. Both sides are right to a degree, but there is a wide demographic spectrum on in our politics that doesn’t fit those narrow views. We can’t find middle ground anymore because no one trusts anyone who doesn’t share their total worldview on every issue. If you’re a Democrat who doesn’t drink the blue Kool-Aid, you’re a Dino and Pelosi grinds her high heel in your face. If you’re a Republican who doesn’t own an Obama voodoo doll full of pins and slurp down the red Kool-Aid, Rush from the Excellence in Oxycontin network calls you a Rino. And those of us who stay away from ALL of the Kool-Aid see them all for what they really are: Loudmouth hypocrites who are teaming up to undo what 233 years of our Constitution and many great Americans have helped build.
Atlanta Native
September 8th, 2009
10:30 pm
Oh, I forgot I was just a prole. I’ll let you Alphas do the thinking and just keep my simple ideas to myself. Thank you for your beneficence. You know, maybe I’m just 3/5 of a person and not equal to you.
Seriously, if someone you disagreed with said ignore the public, do what you think is best, since the masses know no better – what despot from history would you choose to compare the speaker to Cynthia? Say the name . . . . and look in the mirror.
Davis
September 8th, 2009
10:50 pm
That is right, Mr. President, do what Ms. Pulitzer says and I guess we can langish until November 2012…a one termer for sure, and that WILL BE change we can be thankful for!
Libertarian?
September 8th, 2009
10:53 pm
Dr R – are you serious, Libertarian – the land of leagalized hard drugs and open borders, abortion on demand? Yeah, what a pipe dream, talk to me when you can get more than 5% of the vote.
Carter is a Fool
September 8th, 2009
11:22 pm
AJC ignore the public, keep writing this trash and go out of business. You are becoming increasingly irrelevant in this new age of media because you do not reflect the views of the state. This is the same dumb logic that you are proposing.
Shaneneeee Faneneeeeeee
September 8th, 2009
11:25 pm
Change we can believe in: Fines for not having health care. The people who were crying at Obama’s inauguration are really going to be crying now.
Way To GO
September 8th, 2009
11:28 pm
There is nothing wrong here except that the government thinks we are all stupid. That they are the brains and they know what we need. I saw the new bill they are playing with. It calls for heavy fines on People, yes People if we dont get insurance. Well I for one will not be forced to buy something that I dont want and I wont pay a tax at the end of the year for it either.
You want to fix insurance then TARP reform, malpractice, lawsuites, and forcing the insurance companies to make a man pay for maturnity . Anyone see where I am going here.
You want to fix the economy then lower taxes, lower corporate taxes and move out of the way. The economy will fix itself. All they did witht he stimulus was give our tax money to more crooks. None of it went to fix the economy. All they did with Cash for Clunkers is secure that the auto industry will be dead for the next 3 to 4 years. That also will affect the parts industry as the older cars just went to the junkyard. The whole time they are up in washington filling their pockets with our tax money.
Insurance for all is unconstitutional.
Social Security as a general fund is unconstitutional
Sharing our war secrets with terriorist nations? Well that goes way beyond unconstitional and some people just want more of him.
Get rid of the house and senate and vote a new one in. Dont back out and revote them in even if they vote against the bills. Anyone who would vote for the billion page stimulus without reading and understanding it is not fit to represent us. Remember that and go see what your representative for. A yes vote means a no vote from us.
Carter is a Fool
September 8th, 2009
11:31 pm
No rational person wants the government to control if you can see a physician and when you could see a physician. Healthcare will be rationed under this plan. Government will have 7 or more extra layers of costly bureaucracy to administer this boondoogle. Just say no to this move to control our healthcare.
Does healthcare need reform? Yes. TORT reform. Potability of policies across statelines. The ability for trade groups to contract for insurance by forming a group for a group policy,
Carter is a Fool
September 8th, 2009
11:31 pm
Davis is correct. That will be change we will be thankful for.
Chris Salzmann
September 8th, 2009
11:42 pm
oldmac September 8th, 2009 9:20 pm SAID: BTW, Krugman is not exactly known as a genius.
CHRIS SAYS: So, he won the Nobel Prize for what? I believe it had something to do with, , what’s that again? economics, right? ROFLMAO. So, which “right-wing” economist (I know its a glaring contradiction) has won a Nobel Prize in economics recently???
Chaps
September 8th, 2009
11:53 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Ms Tucker. President Obama absolutely should ignore the polls. Congress should definitely ignore the town hall meetings they had. They should pass their programs without a single Republican vote. That way, for my lifetime, and for my kids lifetime, there will not be another Democrat President nor Congressional majority.
Chris Salzmann
September 8th, 2009
11:56 pm
Carter is a Fool September 8th, 2009 11:31 pm SAID: No rational person wants the government to control if you can see a physician and when you could see a physician. Healthcare will be rationed under this plan. Government will have 7 or more extra layers of costly bureaucracy to administer this boondoogle. Just say no to this move to control our healthcare.
CHRIS SAYS: My mother lives under Universal Healthcare in Germany and no one except her physician tells her when to come see her. So much for that argument. I also have relatives living in Switzerland and France. No such issue there either. Actually, for profit insurance companies already dictate exactly you are accusing the government of doing with health reform. Rationing??? It’s already rationed if you have private health insurance. Heck, I have to wait 2 weeks to see my primary care physician and that’s with a gold plated group health plan!!! You don’t have a clue, do you?
Carter is a Fool September 8th, 2009 11:31 pm SAID:Does healthcare need reform? Yes. TORT reform. Potability of policies across statelines. The ability for trade groups to contract for insurance by forming a group for a group policy,
CHRIS SAYS: Tort reform doesn’t work. It’s already been done, as in Texas and rates there haven’t gone down an iota. Portability across state lines??? Explain then why there is no difference in health insurance rates offered in large states such as CA and much, much smaller states such as ND? Trade groups BTW, already have done that which help but not significantly so. Again, without strict mandates, regulation and limits on profitability, health insurance companies will keep screwing the consumer. Also, what do people who have been laid off supposed to do after COBRA runs out? Remember, private insurance companies answer to their shareholders and if the shareholders here win, the consumer lose.
Chris Salzmann
September 9th, 2009
12:04 am
President Bush passed Medicare Prescription benefits with a straight majority vote. The Democrats can do exactly the same. Complaining about costs? The Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 cost the country $2.1 Trillion in lost revenue. But I guess that just shows where Republican priorities are. Tax cuts for the rich over health care reform for the rest of us. Even conservative think tanks call the Bush years as one of the most “fiscally irresponsible” in recent decades. Here’s one question: When Republicans had absolute majorities in the Congress and Senate, why didn’t they do anything about Health Care insurance reform? They won’t give you an answer because they don’t have one. Simple as that. Which is why only about 25% of Americans even call themselves Republican today.
Marc
September 9th, 2009
2:25 am
Cynthia you are as out of touch with the people of America as Obama and the other leading Democrats. Chris Salzman the revenues under Bush were higher than ever what is your source? Bush also spent to much and that is where the fiscal irresponsibility came in just like with Obama.
joel
September 9th, 2009
3:14 am
Chris, you don’t have a clue about you. There are more republicans standing more then there ever has been. This Obama fiasco has to stop. He is nothing but ignorant and bent on his ways. Media won it for him, as many see him the next best thing like on american idol. A boy band as you will. His time is coming to an end. People are blinded by the media, and the star qualities and cute face of Obama.
1.) Obama ‘I am for the agerage jo’ He sends out an investigation on jo the plumber because it was a platform for the republicans, and because he stumped Obama on a theoretical situation. JOE LOST HIS JOB!!
2.) 7 trillion spent in the first three months. Record breaker, everybody complained about the national debt when bush was president, but now Obama…well 7 trillion.
3.) Healthcar reform: It will increase taxes 8 percent, those how can afford it won’t be able to as the result will be increase the insurance and lower benefits to pay for his healthcare. For those business owners who can’t afford healthcare for the employees with be penalized another 8%. Kiss my business good by.
4.) Stimulus plan for the average income. When Obama meant average he didn’t mean the ‘mode’ average but the ‘median’ average. Meaning those who make over 135,000 a year. hmm…that includes him…not me…I don’t know a lot of people that make that much…but he does send it to federal prisoners.
5.) The threatening qoute ‘For those who oppose the health care reform, or doesn’t stand by it will be dealt with SWIFTLY and SEVERLY.’ oops..
Still, the star like apperance covers it all up. hmmm
John
September 9th, 2009
5:08 am
Its SHOCING that the resident communist of the AJC even ALLOWS discussions of her usual inane opinion pieces.
Joel Edge
September 9th, 2009
6:06 am
I agree, the Dems should pass the healthcare reform regardless of what the republicans or the American people think. That should sink the Dems forever.
larry
September 9th, 2009
6:28 am
Ignore ? That’s the root of the word ignorant,isn’t it ?
This is nothing more than an extension of the civil rights agenda.
It is based on non-facts,negative statistics,denial of what will really work in reality to fix things.
Nobody and I mean nobody who lives in Black America,or who is a liberal can name 5 key detailed facts outlined in the proposed health care plan ?
I challenge anyone on this blog to answer this question ?
Ignorant blacks are simply extending themselves once again into being duped into supporting the weak AA political agenda,instead of stepping outside of the box,raising the bar for themselves,their families,and society.
It’s a race thing,it’s a race thing,it’s a race thing………..That’s always the response.
atlpaddy
September 9th, 2009
6:35 am
Dear nutjobs. Sorry that your side lost the election last November. Those who want healthcare reform won. If that isn’t simple enough arithmetic for you then you are helpless. Elections have consequences so deal with. Isn’t that what you all have been screeching the past eight years under Bush?
larry
September 9th, 2009
6:41 am
This issue,like all issues of this administration,and the civil rights agenda is all about ‘I’m black and I’m proud ,I’m black and I’m proud’ ! Lol .
It is dangerous to everyone living in this country to allow this agenda to rule the USA peopele.
Chavez,Putin,Castro…they are laughing at us.
atlpaddy
September 9th, 2009
6:42 am
Larry, it may be easier to type on the computer with your hood off.
Sunshine
September 9th, 2009
6:54 am
Amen Joel! Cynthia, steamrolling legislation right over the masses despite their protests, is what they do in dictatorships. Perhaps its time you wake up and smell the coffee. To use a phrase from a previous Democratic administration…’Its Socialism, Stupid’ If you like socialism, then move to a country that already has socialism and you will be happy. Don’t attempt to drag the rest of us down into that muck that has never worked. Read your History! In reading your previous columns, I have seen very few that made any sense at all. Wait until 2010 & 2012 and see what this kind of socialist thinking brings from the voters.
Democrats=Retards
September 9th, 2009
7:03 am
Maybe we should just ignore all democrats? Because as of right now. There’s not a single one in the nation I would wipe my ass with.
Jim M
September 9th, 2009
7:12 am
Cynthia remember this ” The Declaration of Independence” Read this paragraph. ” We hold these truths to be self evident” This declaration is a powerful piece of paper protecting us from total government control. Also ” Government of the people, by the people and for the people ” When a system fails , what do we do…? Get back to basics!!! This government is out of control and we the people need to retake control as did our forefather long ago.
The next election should be a dozy I cant wait….
larry
September 9th, 2009
7:13 am
BTW….nobody in my family tree ever owned a slave ?
Again, I CHALLENGE ANYONE on this blog who has a functioning brain to list 5 key detailed facts outlined line the health care proposal.
I seriously doubt anyone can answer me ?
And as usual,’it’s a race thing,it’s a race thing’.
It’s easier to repeat that than have to think,work….etc…..
Bozo the clown
September 9th, 2009
7:15 am
Like this blog is a representation of what America wants, a true cross section? Same people same side of the coin no matter what the subject, day in and day out. Blowhards one and all.
atlpaddy
September 9th, 2009
7:21 am
I find it fascinating when conservatives quote the US Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. I mean, who knew that they could read all those big, fancy words?
BitterEXdemocrackkk
September 9th, 2009
7:30 am
How bout we IGNORE Cynthia Tucker? Why would a lieberal like Tucker DARE to encourage voters to ignore the polls? Lieberals live and die by polls. Tucker is coming unglued like all the others who have NO valid solutions for Amerikkka. STRIVE to be SMARTER than the EVIL controlling party of SLAVERY wants you to be!
BitterEXdemocrackkk
September 9th, 2009
7:32 am
Lets have a poll asking WHEN will Obummer be escorted OUT of the District of Criminals into exile?
Jim M
September 9th, 2009
7:34 am
I find it fascinating when liberals cant find intelligent things to say, they just cut down what others say when it does not agree with their agenda.
This is whats wrong with these liberals, it’s their way or no way…
ken
September 9th, 2009
7:51 am
Where can I find the Crystal ball that Cynthia uses for predicting that employment will get better next year and that everything will be rosey. Obama and our wretched congress have put our country in hock for the next 2 decades and she thinks it’s ok to implement a massive program that no one can fully explain yet.
We have one of the best health care systems in the world, yet when you listen the the Liberals it’s the worst.
I suggest the next time Cynthia or her child need medical attention she goes to another country for her care. Maybe then she will open up her liberal eyes and realize just how good we have it in our country.
130on2
September 9th, 2009
7:56 am
Cynthia says that one of the reasons Obama was elected was because the voters wanted health care reform. Now she says to ignore the polls (voters) because they have decided that they don’t want ObamaCare. Typical left wing thinking. They really don’t care what people really want. They merely make up a list of things that sound good to about everyone to take advantage of people’s natural greed. After the election, they then do whatever it is that the left wing wants to do regardless if it is constitutional or makes economic sense. People like Cynthia are dangerous to the country.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 9th, 2009
7:58 am
So, Mr. President, Cindy wants you to ignore the poll numbers like she ignores the lack of comments and the number (or lack of) subscriptions to the AJC.
…don’t know if that’s a good idea
Sid
September 9th, 2009
8:09 am
Once again CT blames “recalcitrant Republicans” when the fact is it’s blue dog Democrats who are keeping health care reform from being passed. I haven’t once heard her, or Jay Bookman put the blame where it belongs. And if you think ANY politician is going to not worry about the next election, then your loonier than everyone thinks. That’s ALL politicians worry about. Once in office, their only concern is staying in office. Most conservatives are actually FOR healthcare reform, just not government controlled healthcare.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 9th, 2009
8:10 am
What a fan club you got here Cindy, you and this bigot atlpaddy.
IMPRESSIVE.
Shawny
September 9th, 2009
8:10 am
OMG…how can you still be employed?!?
Where shall I start? If the economy were in better shape, citizens would be more willing to support H/C changes? No, if the economy were in better shape, historically, citizens would be more prone to support the status quo. In desperate times, people typically turn to more desperate measures, such as a radical overhaul of the healthcare system including govt ran “insurance”. Duh. Dems (and you) know that they absolutely need to strike while the iron is hot to get this passed, or it will NEVER pass.
We need this. Really? If we so desperately need the reform, then why does it not go into law until 2013 (thinkprogress documents this too, BTW), after the next presidential election?!? When dems say it is necessary that we do it now, it has nothing to do with what the citizens need and everything to do with what their party needs, which is more control of $$$$$$ and power. Duh.
Take the blinders off and pay attention.
You can quote Krugman all you want. He is a Kenesian economist and renown liberal. He is all for govt control and against free enterprise.
Job growth? Seems the only jobs being created are these appointed, unaccountable, unconstitutional czars of Obamas. I am sure each of them has their own staff, too.
fromatl1
September 9th, 2009
8:17 am
“As it happens, about 40 percent of the projected deficit can be explained by the recession, which has stripped the national treasury (state and local treasuries, too) of tax receipts. When job growth returns, tax receipts will increase, and projected deficits will decrease.” – - – - Let’s talk about this then.
Rob T
September 9th, 2009
8:27 am
Cynthia did seem to be an admirer of marxism in one of her recent columns so I guess you can understand where her whole argument about ignoring the polls and concerns of American citizens about the cost of a government takeover of their medical care. I’m sure she’d prefer a goverment that could just implement her hero’s Obamacare by fiat. Fortunately for the majority of of us it doesn’t work that way. Also, I find it amusing that Cynthia advocates not worrying about the budget deficit when she used to hammer President Bush over his much smaller budget deficits when he was in office. I also would take anything far left wing advocate Paul Krugman says with a grain of salt. Almost everything that comes out of his mouth or gets written in one of his columns comes from the left wing political advocacy angle. Maybe 40% of the budget deficit can be attributable to the recession, where that figure comes from who knows, but that still leaves 60% that isn’t and it also doesn’t count the 2 trillion dollar cost of Obamacare. It also doesn’t count the permanent depressive affect on the U.S. economy of the Obama cap a trade energy bill that if passed would put the largest engergy cost increase onto the U.S. economy that ever been seen.
Randall
September 9th, 2009
8:32 am
Cynthis Tucker, The Village Idiot.
Kevin
September 9th, 2009
8:33 am
“…it’s likely voters would be more willing to trust Obama to make radical changes to the dysfunctional health care system.”
No, Ms. Tucker. You still don’t understand that we are still a center right nation. This past election was not a mandate to make radical changes in anything other than the lack of bipartisanship in Congress. And if the health care system is dysfunctional, than you must certainly be tarring both Medicare and Medicaid with the same brush, correct? They are government run health programs so why should another dysfunctional government run health program be passed?
“Certainly, the fact that so many Republicans have spent the summer denouncing health care reform as burdensome, intrusive and costly has shaped public opinion.”
It seems to me that there are still many Blue Dog Democrats in the House that have denounced whatever health care reform points are present in the House bill.
And what health care reform should be passed, Ms. Tucker? There is no bill that has been voted on by either house of Congress so what should be debated?
John Ellison
September 9th, 2009
8:35 am
If the corrupt politicians in Washington were serious about reducing the cost of healthcare, they would limit medical malpractice awards (Tort Reform), allow people to purchase health insurance across state and national lines, and allow drug purchases from Canada.
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
8:41 am
it’s not like the Republicans have never passed a bill when they were in control, even though the Democrats were against it.. that’s never happened, ever.. who could ever think the Republicans would do such a thing to the Democrats.. it would just be amazing, wouldn’t it.. to be that selfish.. Personally I don’t ignore polls, I don’t even side with polls, I wasn’t even a part of one and I’m an American, how is that suppose to be a representation of the true voice of America.. I side with my conscious and what I believe is American. since that is my Party.. Health care is a moral issue.. Insurance companies/lobbyists will continue to dish out as much money as they can to push their agendas forward.. they know the largest generation -> baby boobers, are about to enter nursing homes and need a lot of medical care, therefore the insurance companies are not going to give up the fight easily when it comes to the cash crop they are about to reel in, it makes sense for them to fight it, by paying lobbyists, who in turn pay off politicians.. to trick old ladies and Republicans from giving up a right that they should be fighting for, and should have had since the Constitution was inacted. I’m not a Christian, but I thought the majority of Americans were.. that’s what I was lead to believe.. And not to be biased but I believe the majority of Christians are Republicans. I could be wrong tho.. since I thought Christians were suppose to take care of each other and lift each other up, and were not suppose to turn their heads to those who are suffering.. I just don’t get how Americans can sit back watch American families go into bankruptcy from the stacked up premiums they get after having a surgery, heart attack, etc… and besides them there are those who don’t have insurance and have to just hope the pain they feel isn’t serious.. since they can’t afford a doctor to make those stresses go away by telling them it’s just indigestion or whatever it may be. I thought Christians would be diehard about taking care of fellow Americans/Christians/Anyone… Especially more so then being diehard to impose our foreign policies on countries that don’t care what we think.. it’s the selfishness and greed of extremely well off people who are in control of this system, that cause the problems we face.. not this Health Care reform..
The constitutions reads as so.. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
what was that? “promote the general welfare”, what does that mean.. especially morally? Since the Constitution/Declaration of Independence/Bill of Rights are supposedly based on morals and logic… What is the right thing to do? What is the important thing to do? What is the healthy thing to do? If I’m suppose to support the troops, which is run by the government. Shouldn’t I also standup for the ideals of America as well? And America is an Idea, which is not supposed to be defined by the government. I don’t have to believe in my government to be a good American, I have to believe in my country, period..
Health Care is a moral obligation, not a ploy…
Dan
September 9th, 2009
8:42 am
Amazing, Pulitzers now available in Cracker Jack.
Seriously ignore the polls, ignore common sense, ignore what is best for society and continue to use your one true gift, the abiltiy to spin a tall tale devoid of fact and make it sound lovely. Truly a sparkling example of the wisdom of Hans Christian Anderson, and the emperor obliviously striding around in his skivies. ;o)
just say no
September 9th, 2009
8:42 am
No Cynthia, the unrest is from the fact that the new legislation has nothing in it about tort reform or regulation of insurance companies. Those two things must be addressed harshly for health care to truly be “reformed”. But we all know that isn’t going to happen. Both of those entities give to much money to the democratic party for there to be any serious reform.
Dan
September 9th, 2009
8:47 am
Mythoughts, but to what extent is healthcare a moral obligation? and why aren’t the cause and effects considered? The government has an moral duty to provide a safety net, not basic necessities. Nobody who pays for cable or sattelite TV or more thatn $10 for a pair of shoes has any business complaining about a $200 annual physical.
LeeH1
September 9th, 2009
8:52 am
This whole argument is bogus. I personally enjoy contributing monthly to over-paid insurance executives, leaches and salesmen who make a profit from the suffering of others.
I also enjoy the fact that I have insurance and that other people don’t. This makes me smug and self-righteous, and I can lord it over my in-laws and others who can’t afford good health for their children. It is good being in the upper class of those with health insurance. Screw the nephew and neices. _My_ children are safe.
As to the deficit, we can’t pay any more. Bush, by waging the war on terror on a credit card so he wouldn’t have to raise taxes, has already pushed our deficit up from zero under Clinton to “unaffordable” today. Then when he bailed out the bankers in September last year, it was even more unaffordable. And the bills the Republicans piled up for their buddies,, that can never be paid for! I never complained about them, because they said the Republicans were looking out for us. Now those same people who were wrong about the Republicans, are saying the Democrats are irresponsible. I believe the Republicans who lied to me before. After all, they are not enslaved to special interests. They tell me so.
People without insurance who die should die, as that is part of Creationism, i.e., survival of the richest. We want poor people to die in the gutter, as that means there are more resources for us and the even more rich people above us. That is God’s plan, and poor people should just quit complainin’ about it. God has made me rich and white, so I know he loves me and my class.
Support the class distinction! Fight equalization of health insurance! Let the poor die off, as they should!
James Jones
September 9th, 2009
8:56 am
Would the uninsured give up their Earned Income Tax Credit to receive health care? Would it be so terrible for the people who receive an aray of benefits from the tax payers to give up a little in order to get something?
Patty
September 9th, 2009
9:04 am
Where was the concern for the deficit when the Iraq/Afghanistan wars were kept off the yearly budget in the Bush administration? Unless we fix the healthcare system, we cannot fix the economy. I read an article about a Hearing Aid Tax Credit of $500 that may pass in Congress like this is a good program. How will this help millions of elderly who are on Social Security? The question we should ask is why isn’t a hearing aide included in our current insurance coverage. Why isn’t dental healthcare included in our current medical insurance without purchasing an extra dental policy? If we don’t have a public healthcare plan, we will need to regulate insurance companies in order to reduce healthcare costs. The two proposals the administration needs to address are: (1) provide healthcare and (2) require manufacturing companies to make 50 percent of their product in the United States to bring back jobs to the U.S. Our economic problems all stem from lack of regulaton and not having jobs or healthcare.
Patty
Cumming, GA
Pandora
September 9th, 2009
9:07 am
BEFORE President Obama was sworn in; he said that it will take time to correct the problem. We all just need to give him time..
REMEMBER Bush was in office for 8 VERY LONG years and HE is the reason why this country is in trouble and in debt!!!!! THINK ABOUT THAT!!! IT ISN’T PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FAULT….LOOK AT THE REAL PROBLEM..BUSH!!!
May God Continue to Bless President Obama.
reader110
September 9th, 2009
9:09 am
I’d love to see the polls that a lot of you are discussing. According to ALL the polls I’ve seen, Americans want a public option.
Jake
September 9th, 2009
9:13 am
400 years ago Captain John Smith, quoting the Bible, told the first permanent colonists “he who does not work, will not eat”. Now those that don’t work get food, shelter, earned income credit and pretty soon health insurance. Clearly the America our forefathers envisioned has vanished from the earth.
just say no
September 9th, 2009
9:16 am
Amen, Jake.
Ken Vidrine
September 9th, 2009
9:18 am
Please explain in your next opinion what the media will receive to support such a socialistic agenda. Have you been promised something; when you have a monarchy the media is controlled by the government; do you think you will have a job in the long run? The news should be unbiased, not supporting either side but rather tell the news.
reader110
September 9th, 2009
9:18 am
If you had the chance to buy into Medicare before you turn 65, wouldn’t you like to do it? That’s what health care reform would achieve.
Patrick
September 9th, 2009
9:22 am
Please don’t comment or read this person’s writings. Her opinions (and this newspaper) is irrelevant. The only reason she is employed is because she makes people angry and people read her writings. Don’t you have something better to do than support her and this newspaper???
reader110
September 9th, 2009
9:29 am
Gee, Patrick, I kind of feel the same way about Palin, but she just keeps opening her yap.
JackLeg
September 9th, 2009
9:38 am
This is exactly why liberals are losing poll numbers by the day. When idiots like Cynthia Tucker tell the Congress and Senate to ignore your constituents and pass the bad bill. I do believe that would be calling the people who vote them into office stupid. Come on Cynthia if you are so smart why not run for office? Or better yet get Obozo to make you the “Czar of Stupidity”.
yuck
September 9th, 2009
9:39 am
The only possible good to come out of this is that a discussion has begun in D.C. to make our healthcare system better.
The worst that could happen is the extreme of Obama’s plan to pass. I’m very concerned about why our President is so adamant about passing through legislation that much of the country is against. Is it as easy as saying he wants to accomplish something, even if it’s not for the good of the country? Or are their other parties benefitting from the proposed plan?
Ms. Tucker has obviously lost touch with reality. One day she will realize that she has become something she probably used to hate.
Get Real
September 9th, 2009
9:39 am
A guy traveling through
> Mexico on vacation lost his wallet and all of his
> identification. Cutting his trip short, he attempted to make
> his way home but was stopped by the U.S. Customs Agent at
> the border.
>
>
> “May I see your
> identification, please?” asked the agent.
>
>
> “I’m sorry, but
> I lost my wallet,” replied the guy.
>
>
> “Sure buddy, I hear
> that every day. No ID, no entry,” said the
> agent.
>
>
> “But I can prove
> I’m an American!” he exclaimed. “I have a
> picture of Ronald Reagan tattooed on one side of my butt and
> George Bush on the other.”
>
>
> “This I gotta
> see,” replied the agent.
>
>
> With that, the guy
> dropped his pants and showed the agent his
> behind.
>
>
> “By golly,
> you’re right!” exclaimed the agent. “Have a
> safe trip back to Chicago.”
>
>
> “Thanks!” he
> said. “But how did you know I was from
> Chicago?”
>
>
> The agent replied,
> “I recognized Obama in the middle.”
JackLeg
September 9th, 2009
9:42 am
Pandora,
are you insane? If your car needed a tune up would you just throw it away and buy a new one that is 10 times the price? That is exactly what Obozo wants to do, it is not well thought out, and we the people are against it. Don’t they work for us? By the way Bush is out of office, all issues are Obozo’s now….
Get Real
September 9th, 2009
9:43 am
Amazing how everyone that goes against Obama is called Racist! Obama is a half breed, he is half white from a white mother and black from a good for nothing drunken black father that abandoned him! Get over it he’s not black! The only reason people keep calling him black is so they can throw up the race card issue!
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
9:46 am
Dan, the reason I said those things is because I am not insured. It’s not because I choose not to have insurance, it is because I can’t afford it. I just graduated college, I’m a 25 year old man.. I have 2 degrees that took me 6 years. Now that I am out of college, those loans are kicking in and I have thousands upon thousands to pay back.. $600 a month.. isn’t that a nice number. I also have rent, a car and a dog. And did I mention, it’s all on my shoulders.. It’s so nice to be a young newly established citizen in this great country of ours. I basically starve myself and ration my desires everyday just to get by. I’m able to do it, it’s a good feeling that I at least have some control in my life. It would be nice if Americans would help me out a bit and make sure I stay healthy. I don’t want to go bankrupt. I don’t want to hurt my credit. I don’t even want to talk about credit.. Thank God!, all my debt is in student loans and not on credit cards.. that would be tough.. It’s just to me.. I feel if the government doesn’t want to help me be healthy, or at least be some what healthy.. why should they help me put out my fire if my house is ablaze. or why should they arrest criminals that burglarize my house, I should just take care of it.. cause those free safety nets really should be paid out of my pocket, i shouldn’t expect America to help me. I just know now that if I hurt myself.. I can’t afford to call 911. I can’t afford the ambulance ride, let alone to actually go into a hospital. I better be dying if I dare step through those expensive automatic hospital doors, with the fresh breeze that pours down on you to make you feel comfortable. I’m not really welcome there. I’m better off limping down to that town library that is provided by the government, to find a book that might be able to solve what ever health problem I may encounter. it’s a good feeling.. i’m glad stress doesn’t cause health problems..
cpb
September 9th, 2009
9:46 am
Cynthia continues to be an irrational nut case. The entire left wing of the Democratic party is in complete denial. Perhaps if the left leaning media had been honest with the public for the past 200+ days and reported honestly, she and her ilk would realize that people are not as stupid as she thinks.
The ill advised stimulus, the House approved cap and trade, and the CBO’s estimate of the trillion-plus projected health care cost is why there is no stomach for their Universal solution. The major problem with health care, mostly fixed with tort reform, is not even on the table.
The president has squandered an opportunity to do some good. The entire left will rebel when they realize that the Kool-Aid they have been sipping from the likes of Tucker had been not only wrong but dishonest. The moderates and the right have already rebelled.
Add to the mix the embarrassing Obama apologies to every international sector and the upcoming end of September decisions on the Iranian sanctions that have just been superseded by Venezuela’s Chavez gasoline deal.
With impending record deficits, the specter of inflation on the horizon, and the UN now pushing for a non-US dollar based currency, the public will vote in 2010 in “Change that the Can Believe in” and it will result in fewer Democrats in Congress.
One more thing. I thought that they had rid themselves of Cynthia. My home delivery subscription to the AJC has just expired. It will not be renewed.
.
Turker Slayer
September 9th, 2009
9:49 am
Thats right Cynthia, Ignore what the people want and do whatever you believe is good for them. What an idiot. I have a better idea. Lets all ignore what Cynthia Tucker has to say and hopefully AJC will make her another stastic!
Kamchak
September 9th, 2009
9:51 am
Get Real
That joke was funny fifteen years ago when it was about the coaches Tommy and Bobby Bowdon and Steve Spurrier
hryder
September 9th, 2009
10:03 am
When I received my very first pay check over fifty-two years ago I asked my Dad what was this FICA deduction. He explained and I said that I would prefer the money to save and invest for future use. No, you cannot do that, it’s the law, I was told. Well, I, and then we when married, used our income prudently and are financially independent proving that we know best how to handle OUR money. We have no debt, own our home, and have enough to care for all our needs through our lifetime with a large amount remaining for our children and grandchildren. The country is deeply in debt and has no plan for upcoming demands on morally promised retirement income and health care for those who qualify age wise to retire from full time employment. CONGRESS and THE BIG O, sit on your hands! You have demonstrated that you do not know how to prudently handle money and are indicating that you want to put the country more deeply in debt. No legislation on any new expenditures. Go through all current programs and actually eliminate programs that are just “feel good”. Think that life as you know it depends on this course of action, because it does. You will be out of office as a result of the next election if you do not do what the majority of the people desire. Start saying “NO!”, to all of those who scream the loudest or provide you with ego stroking and legal kickbacks.
Katherine
September 9th, 2009
10:03 am
I, too, think President Obama should push forward in making healthcare reform a reality. He has fought a noble fight in trying to have a bipartisan agenda/platform; however, the Republicans seem to be hell bent on going against whatever he is trying to do.
Like Nike’s slogan encourages…Just do it, Mr. President!!
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:07 am
Jake, Captain John Smith wasn’t an American… Our third President Thomas Jefferson who was an American, once said,
“Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting “Jesus Christ,” so that it would read “A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;” the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.”
He also said
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between church and State.”
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:19 am
Jake, also back then, we didn’t have the medical technology we have today with insurance companies and medicine.. etc. etc. etc.. back then you just prayed to God as you waited to die.. there wasn’t anything.. they smoked tobacco and drank to feel good. these are different times, man.. honestly it’s not even comparable to the way things were before there was sanitation..
Zip
September 9th, 2009
10:29 am
“Just do it, Mr. President”?? Um, there is this little thing called “The Legislative Branch”. Civics 101.
yuck
September 9th, 2009
10:32 am
mythoughtscount, sounds like you’re having a pretty intense pity party. Do you really think we should overhaul an entire system that heaps an enormous amount of debt on me, my kids, and their kids so that you can have free healthcare? There are desperate people dying in other countries around the globe that would kill to have enough time and money to be sitting around blogging about this subject like you’re doing today.
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:36 am
yuck, i don’t pity anyone.. even myself.. Nietzsche’s one of my role models.. i’m just speaking on moral grounds..
and yes i believe we should.. it would be a shared burden that would benefit American lives more than all the money we’ve already spent on the wars we’ve waged.. and the pursuits we’ve wasted..
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:40 am
Because We Are The People.. And We Should Take Care Of The People.. Because We Are Americans…
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:42 am
i want my taxes to go towards your child’s health/education/safety/general welfare.. i want to promote his general welfare, because I am an American. And I believe our Constitution means us to do so..
mythoughtscount
September 9th, 2009
10:44 am
stop hiding behind insurance companies! I rather rely on my neighbors, Americans… not corporations..
Jeol
September 9th, 2009
10:49 am
Larry says: And as usual,’it’s a race thing,it’s a race thing’.
It’s easier to repeat that than have to think,work….etc…..
an my thougts is this. Only the stubborn blacks will play yht ‘it’s racist’ card. I feel like a scout ou in the safari.
“watch as the black raises it’s voice, and in defense he tries making himself look swollen and his defense call ‘It’s a racist’ as he is backed in a corner and can’t think of anything logical to say.
Look, i am not racist. But please, why do you use ‘it’s because hes black, or it’s racist’ as a defense when they aren’t able to fight with wits. News flash Larry, you and others like you give the impression of stereotyping. Do you eat chicken and watermelon too? Do drink a 40 of maddog everynight?