Barack needs to channel his inner George W.
I thought Mike Luckovich’s cartoon today was excellent. Time to get your hands dirty, Mr. President.
Robert Kaplan, writing for The Atlantic site, makes a similar point:
“The word that best describes President Barack Obama is “finesse,” implying delicate skill, subtlety, and grace — all attributes that former President George W. Bush seemingly lacked. Obama is truly the great finesser: he has finessed his way through life. To exude this quality is to be the opposite of an ideologue – something that comes close to describing Bush. And being the opposite of Bush would seem a good thing, right? Wrong.”
Kaplan argues that Obama needs to become more like Bush, communicating that he cares passionately about health care and other issues and will fight for them. And I’d never thought I’d say this, but he’s right: In that regard at least, Obama does need to channel his inner George.
Writes Kaplan:
“Regarding health care, the more he says, the less impact he seems to have. That’s because he’s not talking about it in crushing moral terms, which he needs to do. The late Sen. Ted Kennedy will always be remembered for the issue because he cast health care as a basic right, not a privilege. Obama needs to communicate a similar austerity of belief.”
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234 comments Add your comment
RW-(the original)
September 1st, 2009
5:22 pm
He’ll be hard pressed to learn how to lead now for the first time in his life.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 1st, 2009
5:25 pm
Roll out the TelePrompter.
Charge, General Custer!
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 1st, 2009
5:26 pm
Snafus in the federal “cash for clunkers” program — which gave people rebates to trade in gas-guzzling cars for more fuel-efficient new vehicles — highlighted how disorganization can hamper government plans. It was the bloodiest month for U.S. troops so far in the war in Afghanistan. Attorney General Eric Holder poked a potential hornets’ nest by appointing a prosecutor to investigate Central Intelligence Agency interrogators. And White House budget forecasters said they now project $9 trillion of additional federal debt over the next decade, adding $2 trillion to an earlier estimate.
And the dimocrats double down, driving on into the maw of idiocy and defeat!
It’s a freaking miracle, I tell you!
Cutty
September 1st, 2009
5:28 pm
So Republicans can push Bush’s tax cuts through reconciliation, which created how many jobs since its inception? Probably a negative number. But they pout and scream if Democrats use the same tactic. Get a spine Obama and do whatever is necessary to reform healthcare. Republicans think its fine as is.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
5:32 pm
Well, well. Looks like the honeymoon is over. I’m going to have to come up with a new name for Fierce Advocate since folks will think I’m referring to health care “reform.”
Obozo
September 1st, 2009
5:34 pm
“UPS and FedEx are doing just fine. It’s the Post Office that’s always having problems.”
Doctors cut off feet for money
Americans should get swine flu vaccine (that doesn’t exist)
Health Care Reform Would Bring “Inefficiencies” To System
AARP has endorsed my health care reform plan
Allah Akbar!
Yes we can!
Normal
September 1st, 2009
5:37 pm
Whiner, Custer didn’t chartge…he tried to run while every Indian in the world rode down upon him…I hope it won’t be true of Obama, but I think I see Indians…
DoggoneGA
September 1st, 2009
5:41 pm
“Doctors cut off feet for money
Americans should get swine flu vaccine (that doesn’t exist)
Health Care Reform Would Bring “Inefficiencies” To System
AARP has endorsed my health care reform plan
Allah Akbar!
Yes we can!”
Poor baby…did your Messiah let you down?
RW-(the original)
September 1st, 2009
5:42 pm
Well I’ll be darned! It looks like Obama is going to finally stand up and sell his health care takeover.
To kids in grades K-6 in a nationwide address to them.
Brad Steel
September 1st, 2009
5:43 pm
The nihilist do appear to be winning through their campaign of fear and misinformation.
Oh well, that frequently referenced 1/7th of our GDP will soon be 1/3rd of our GDP. Thanks for the leadership, GOP. Wonderful victory.
GEORGE AMERICAN
September 1st, 2009
5:45 pm
THE GOVERMENT CAN’T DO NOTHING RIGHT. THEY CAN’T EVEN DELIVER MAIL.
I SURE AS HELL DON’T TRUST THEM WITH MY MEDICARE TREATMENTS!!!
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
September 1st, 2009
5:46 pm
Well, I heard the other day some New Yorker dug a hole 10 feet deep and found copper wiring. He figured out New York had a telephone system 100 years before the telephone was invented. It wasn’t long before somebody in California dug a hole 20 feet deep and found copper wiring. He figured out CA had a telephone system 200 years before it was invented. Then some good old boy from up near Dahlonega dug a hole 30 feet deep in a corn field and didn’t find nothing. He came to the conclusion GA had went wireless 300 years ago.
Anyhow, this Obama is the laziest person I ever seen, not counting my old coon dog Ace. The guy’s just been in office 8 months and he’s already taking vacation. Heck, I had to wait a year before I got my first vacation. And while he’s playing golf we got riots in town hall meetings and soldiers getting kilt by the dozens and nothing but a bunch of fighting’s being done.
I think we need to start impeaching him. He’s blowing the job, and that ain’t quite the same as the kind Clinton got done but it’s still neglect of his duties. Heck, we would of been better off just leaving the White House vacant after My President left.
That’s my opinion and it’s very true. Have a good night everybody.
DoggoneGA
September 1st, 2009
5:48 pm
“I SURE AS HELL DON’T TRUST THEM WITH MY MEDICARE TREATMENTS!!!”
What’s a “medicare treatement”? I never heard of that disease before, or any treatments for it. Is this a new medical breakthrough?
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
5:56 pm
NORMAL–Indians? Unmentionable says “circle the wagons, gv-hna-ge!” Somebody at work asked him what he thought of health care reform as proposed, “this is a gift of blankets without which we can do.” Also, elsewhere…
Davo
September 1st, 2009
6:00 pm
“The late Sen. Ted Kennedy will always be remembered for the issue because he cast health care as a basic right, not a privilege.”
Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty…retards.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:01 pm
Doggone–
“What’s a “medicare treatement”? I never heard of that disease before, or any treatments for it. Is this a new medical breakthrough?”
I don’t care who you are, thass funny!
The Professor
September 1st, 2009
6:02 pm
Anthony Weiner has made the best points I have heard so far concerning the debate on health care.
Part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmlDZXCrWRE&feature=related
Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIF_dWwxAHE
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
6:03 pm
And jettison Bush’s policies! Nothing he can say or do will relieve the paranoia of the right. The Democrats just have to ram a good plan through and implement it effectively. What are the chances of that?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
6:03 pm
I beg to differ Jay, never, ever, never should anyone at anytime channel GWB. EPIC FAIL.
Obama set us up to discuss healthcare this summer and boy did we ever.
He’s aware that this fight is of historical proportions.
While some folks have been talking healthcare others have been telling
tall tales and still others behaving badly in public. The American people figured that sort of nonsense out this time last year.
Remember, until the very morning of the election we were hearing that how people say they will vote and how they actually do in the privacy of the voting booth ain’t always the same – and we’ll never elect that guy.
Then think…the stimulus, the 2010 budget, SCHIP…..
Have a little faith.
Most Americans (85%)like their existing healthcare, mine pays for my annual physical minus an ever increasing co-pay.
Most Americans (77%) want a public option as part of healthcare.
So….most folks who are happy with what they got
still want a public option for those who are less fortunate. That’s a very good thing.
And one reason, among so many, to have faith.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:03 pm
DAVO
“Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty…retards.”
Not to worry, Fierce Advocate hears you!
DoggoneGA
September 1st, 2009
6:06 pm
“I don’t care who you are, thass funny!”
Thank you!
Normal
September 1st, 2009
6:07 pm
Davo
September 1st, 2009
6:00 pm
Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty…retards.
DAVO, What rights will you lose with healthcare?
–
JOSEF, Gotcha
———–
booger
September 1st, 2009
6:08 pm
Could be because he really doesn’t have very good answers for some of the key questions being raised, such as how much will it cost and how do we pay for it.
DoggoneGA
September 1st, 2009
6:09 pm
“Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty”
What liberties do you expect to lose?
Joey
September 1st, 2009
6:12 pm
I don’t think you guys are understanding George American correctly. I see him as similar to Redneck Convert, but with an in-you-face style.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe George is commenting from his heart. But I doubt it.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:13 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
“Have a little faith. ”
“And one reason, among so many, to have faith.”
“To follow by faith alone is to follow blindly.”–Benjamin Franklin
DoggoneGA
September 1st, 2009
6:13 pm
“Maybe George is commenting from his heart. But I doubt it.”
I’m sure you’re wrong…I think he is speaking RIGHT from his heart.
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:14 pm
Funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. “Channel your inner George.”
I’ll bet none of his advisers puts it in those terms.
Mrs. Godzilla
Your 6:03 was a bit longer than “Chill… Obama’s got this…”
I guess he musta lost it and he’s trying to get it back, eh?
Jay
I’ve said before, a key element of leadership is adaptability to new situations. We’ll see if he has it, and if so, if he uses it (RW-(the original) – he’s been a quick study up till now. But I do see your point about ‘begin’ vs ‘adapt’).
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:16 pm
TnGelding–a good plan? Nothing short of free universal care…
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
6:17 pm
Davo
I question this:
“Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty…retards”
I really don’t see how a National Healthcare System in any way infringes on your liberty. If you are part of the top 5% wage earners it might infringe on your liberty to keep all your money and only pay taxes for those programs that have your specific approval.
That’s refered to as Scrooge Kaczynski Amendment right?
Personally I’m still waiting for my refund for Vietnam. I really didn’t
want to pay taxes that for that clusterfudge.
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
6:18 pm
1 in 7 Insured Californians Have Major Medical Debt Study Finds
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/ucla-study-finds-1-in-7-californians-have-medical-debt/?scp=1&sq=a%20look%20at%20the%20underinsured%20&st=cse
Graph of the Health Care Debt in California as a Result of Private Insurance http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/08/31/us/0901nat-DEBT-web.gif
N.J.
September 1st, 2009
6:18 pm
Perhaps, but Obama’s grass roots organization is active and as members of Congress are getting back to Congress they are finding that all of the loudmouths showing up at the town hall meetings in August are not representative of what the vast majority of Americans want. 91 percent of Americans want some form of reform, more than 60 percent want a either a complete overhaul of the system or major reform.
Even in places like Macon, people protesting in front of government offices, looked like a relatively small group, 2000 people, but they delivered 2000 petitions from the Macon County calling for the Congressman Jim Marshall to vote FOR HR 3200.
And as the person who delivered the petitions asserted:
After brief speeches by state Sen. Robert Brown of Macon and Organization for America spokeswoman Alise Marshall of DeKalb County, the group delivered about 2,000 petitions to U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall’s office about a block away.
Brown took issue with those who say the proposed health care changes are moving too quickly.
“As you know, if you look at history, we’ve been working on this about 50 or 60 years,” Brown said. “So I don’t know what too fast really is in this situation.”
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68600&catid=153
the 200 people who protested this week in Macon are the same number as the 200 who protested last week against health reform. But the protesters for came armed with several thousand petitions each signed by no less than several hundred petitioners for health reform with a few having several tens of thousands of signatures.
The group that is doing the protesting, “Organizination for America” is of course Obama’s campaign machine which never shut down after the election but stayed active in every place that Obama had a campaign office.
wyldbyllhyltnyr@gmail.com
September 1st, 2009
6:20 pm
Obama just needs two things to grow a spine to match Bush: 1) moral convistions; and 2) character. Nobody is getting nervous on the conservative side of the house.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
6:20 pm
josef
you and Ben and I and most of the American people are pretty clever.
I said a little faith. You read faith alone. Catholic?
Hef
September 1st, 2009
6:20 pm
MrSteel@5:43-the GOP has that much power?Hmmm or has the public finaly awoken to this gem of a pres and don’t trust him?
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:21 pm
PAUL–below, the liberal memo is up! How many colors? Splutter, splutter… jus’ sayin.!
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
6:23 pm
Any Democratic initiative is couched as “infringing on Repubo liberty.” When the Obama’s took the stage on November 4, 2008 that was a major infringment on Repubo liberty.
What infringes on their liberty is their intentional lack of educaiton and platform of candidates with a marked lack of education. They’re the party of Bachman, Palin, Rush, and DeMint.
The Repubos want the liberty to kill more people like Eric De La Cruz and members of their own families when they get cancer.
How the Current US Healthcare Environment Killed a 31 Year old with Cardiac Myopathy who would have lived with a transplant
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/health/01well.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y
Brad Steel
September 1st, 2009
6:24 pm
Davo blesses us with some more of his genius: Rights don’t come at the expense of others liberty…retards.</i?
Yeah, right Dave-tard. Arlington Cemetery is just chocked fill of people that gave up none of their liberties for your rights. Brilliant deduction, Dave-tard.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:24 pm
Mrs G
“I said a little faith. You read faith alone. Catholic?”
unreal
September 1st, 2009
6:26 pm
Reid: Teddy’s death “going to help us”
Reid: Teddy’s death “going to help us”
Reid: Teddy’s death “going to help us”
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0909/Reid_Teddys_death_going_to_help_us.html
lol
September 1st, 2009
6:27 pm
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0909/Reid_Teddys_death_going_to_help_us.html
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
6:27 pm
Paul
You are extra cute when you’re wrong!
He probably at some point in the next 8 years will “lose it” but you and I will never see it, and frankly considering the nature of the job -
if he didn’t sit and have a good cry or toss an object or make a sailor blush I’d worry about his humanity. Wouldn’t you?
Leader: Job Description
Show the path forward. Over and over if required.
You punkin’ you!
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:28 pm
josef nix
I liked the part where he says Cheney wants his daughter to marry herself!!!
Hef
September 1st, 2009
6:29 pm
MsGodzilla-the of tax “clusterfudge’s” that our illustrious gov has stuck us with are to numerous to mention. Me,that’s why I cringe everytime I hear that the Gov wants in on Health Care(for that matter almost anything to do with finances). They could’nt run a Lemonade stand without it going deep in debt!
lol
September 1st, 2009
6:30 pm
Bookman has Jenna envy.
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:33 pm
Time to clarify terms again.
First, a critique of how this has been bungled.
http://www.nader.org/index.php?/archives/2130-Health-Care-Hypocrisy.html
Then at the bottom of the page there’s a link to healthcare-now.org Click on that and see what it says about single payer. And about how it’s doable.
You’ll notice it has a payroll tax like Social Security. So everyone pays. So that means it’s a nonstarter for Dems, eh?
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
6:34 pm
Obozo
September 1st, 2009
5:34 pm
“UPS and FedEx are doing just fine. It’s the Post Office that’s always having problems.”
Doctors cut off feet for money
Americans should get swine flu vaccine (that doesn’t exist)
What doesn’t exist right now is a vaccine, H1N1 is going to take the stage this month. It’s hilarious to see this version of science and infectious diesase.
The Post Office is in financial trouble because of the byzantine constraints placed on it by imbecilic Repubotards and the exponential digital transmission of documents.
Ah proudly supports Michelle Bachman for Pressodunt and Sarah Palin for Vice Presoodunt. Let’s get some brains leadin’ this country. Let’s put Facebooktress in the White House cause she learn tuh write purty some day.
Doctors do procedures for money because it’s impossible to run an office and eat working for free.
From muh gurl Bachmann–does she evah rock:
“This cannot pass. What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn’t pass.”.
Make sure you don’t miss the radial artery Michelle.
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:35 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
If I said you’re cute when you’re ‘right’ would you be offended?
Or do I need to say you’re cute when you’re correct?
So you can be correct but not on the right?
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
6:35 pm
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:16 pm
But who do you tax and how much to pay for it?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
6:35 pm
Hef
then you better stay off the Interstate!
Grow your own food!
test your drugs and beauty products!
chase bad guys!
chase international badguys!
regulate commerce and communicatons!
watch nature for weather!
keep your air and water clean!
A little “government don’t work” multi-tasking…..
Go fer it! Indeed.
N.J.
September 1st, 2009
6:38 pm
Hysterically amusing. I just finished reading what Michelle Bachmann’s own constituents think of her stance against health reform. It is hilariously funny. Huge numbers of people intent on removing this embarrassment from office next November. Her latest stunt about prayer and becoming “blood brothers” against health reform has got a huge number of people living in her own district deciding to get rid of her next year. This latests wing-nut stuff was in reaction to the petitions that are piling up on her desk in support of reform. Her latest statement that the United States is running out of rich people is getting a major chuckle as well.
The most interesting news is that the recession is causing a good sized waning in those who listen to conservative talk radio, nationwide. In some markets, the Arbitron ratings for some conservative talk show hosts have dropped low enough for the stations in the area to just drop the programming and replace it with something cheaper. In some areas where conservative talk was popular, the radio stations have dropped the programming and replaced it with national programming that elevates Obama above the state and local Republican elected officials.
Disgusted
September 1st, 2009
6:38 pm
They could’nt run a Lemonade stand without it going deep in debt!
They could if Turd Lemonade was there as an advisor.
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:39 pm
Disgusted
No more visuals, okay?
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
TnGelding–tax a flat rate and be done with it..husband our resources…make it a matter of priority right along with defense…
PAUL, MRS. G–I like you both!
Normal–Gotcha!
PAUL–me, too. That was a good one from you! No sense of self-irony!
Hef
September 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
MsGodzilla-Thanx for provin my point.You jest but I’m serious, the list of clusterfu*ks is endless. I would’nt mind if it did’nt cost the taxpayer for their ineptness.To some that’s ok
getalife
September 1st, 2009
6:46 pm
His party rubber stamped his agenda.
Obama wishes he has a lock stepping party to back his agenda but the dems will stab him in the back.
Just ask President Clinton.
N.J.
September 1st, 2009
6:46 pm
Obama’s secret to getting his way in both elections and legislative agenda has always been timing. He has been looking at ALL the polling data and not just the interpretations that the mainstream media has been pulling out of the polls. There is not a poll that yet has found lack of support for a public option, and every poll shows that the vast majority of the public want some kind of reform. Those who think no legislation should be passed make up a tiny, tiny minority single digits in all polls. You are looking at no more than 7 percent who think that health care in the United States needs no government intervention.
Obama’s timing won him the nomination. The experts pegged Clinton as the winner for months, even after Super Tuesday. Obama slowly and quietly plugged on, gathering speed and momentum outside of the public view.
Last year, the public hype was all over Sarah Palin. The Republican stance on health care reform, and the town hall theatrics are the Sarah Palin of this years legislative agenda. Obama and his campaigners are working quietly behind the scenes and they are going to roll over both Republican opposition and conservative melodramatics. Within a few weeks there will be a bill that the Republicans cannot oppose, and that the public will support by large numbers. The myth and rumor about what is in the legislation being spread by conservatives will be dispelled just as Palin’s public image proved to be something unpalatable to the majority of Americans.
jt
September 1st, 2009
6:51 pm
“Barack needs to channel his inner George W.”
Barack needs to channel his goofey-looking arse back to his desk and work on getting our kids out of Afganistan.
Our health -care is non of his beeswax.
N.J.
September 1st, 2009
6:51 pm
Oh yes, and before she slits the wrists, I wanna see Bachmann give up her tax payer funded, government health care. The elected officials in DC have the only health care in the United States that comes close to matching the majority of European universal health care schemes.
Republicans and the main stream media have been carefully avoiding news coverage of the countries that have schemes that most closely resemble Obamas. All provide not only better care than the U.S. but better access. In most cases Americans have to wait 15 times longer than the people in most European nations that have universal health care. Most do not have a “public option” all insurance is completely private. But no one lacks access to it. Government mandates make sure that everyone can get affordable health insurance and that the insurance companies cannot deny claims once a doctor has ordered something.
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
6:52 pm
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
Congress doesn’t have the guts to raise taxes that much nor the will to cut spending on less important things. We simply have to stop making ourselves sick. Does anyone know if H.R. 3200 address mental health or dental care?
Paul
September 1st, 2009
6:53 pm
josef nix
This always struck me as the real problem with single-payer: it’s presented by most as an add-on to what’s there and hence is labeled ‘expensive.’ In this case it’s been reduced as an add-on for uninsured.
Critics hit by saying we’re tinkering with one sixth of the economy. So start with a fresh sheet. What could we get by spending one-sixth of our economy if we didn’t have the current system’s costs? Lots.
But we saw the union resistance to taxing Cadillac plans. Killed that idea. And while people – about 80 percent – say they’re satisfied with their plans, many know that could change with the next mail delivery. So even those who have it good are at risk and those who have it really good and paid for by someone else don’t want to pay much more.
But, bottom line, it appears doable. If it’s a replacement system, not an additive for a few.
md
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
“Congress doesn’t have the guts to raise taxes that much nor the will to cut spending on less important things.”
Not to worry, they have OUR credit card.
jconservative
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
Half the people say they support Obama’s plan. Half the people say they do not support Obama’s plan.
My problem is that I have never been able to find Obama’s plan so I can decide. I sent Axelrod an e-mail & asked him where I could find Obama’s plan. He replied that he would let me know as soon as they found it. They are still looking for it.
Maybe, for once, Jay is right.
Hef
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
Off to the Mansion,its Viagra Martini tuesday for me and the twins!
j$
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
Finessing=Bull$hitting
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:59 pm
getalife…
“Obama wishes he has a lock stepping party to back his agenda but the dems will stab him in the back.”
” I’m not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat!” … Will Rogers
Missed ya!
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
7:02 pm
jt
September 1st, 2009
6:51 pm
How many of our citizens were rejected for military service for WWII because of their poor health? A healthy citizenry is a president’s beeswax. How rampant would infectious diseases be without government programs?
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
7:03 pm
TnGelding, Paul, md–it’s all a matter of priorities and a moral compass…
Normal–answered your question…
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
7:03 pm
Paul and Josef
excuse me
single payer turns me on.
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:03 pm
One more time:
The purposed system(s) do not give health care to anyone that is not already on welfare. It will require that everyone who is not on welfare to purchase health insurance whether it be from the insurers or the government.
If your employers cannot buy it for you, they will be fined, but that fine will not pay for your insurance. You will still be required to buy it.
Republicans cannot stop the mainstream media from showing successful systems like what Obama is purposing because there is no system in the world like what they are purposing.
Why is everyone making it up as they go along?
This system is only going to give welfare recipients health insurance. The rest of us: get your check books ready.
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:06 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
**single payer turns me on.**
So forcing poor families to spend money that they should be spending on food for their children turns you on.
I think that not recognizing what the real issues are turns you on.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
7:09 pm
“G-d helps the rich. The poor can beg.” –Ethiopian Proverb
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
7:11 pm
md
September 1st, 2009
6:54 pm
I think most of them realize that can’t continue.
In case you missed it:
“Obama reduces 2010 pay increases to 2 percent”
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama notified Congress on Monday he is reducing pay increases for federal workers from 2.4 percent to 2 percent.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_FEDERAL_PAY?SITE=GACAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
“Analysis: Obama keeps Bush nominees in top posts”
WASHINGTON (AP) — For all the GOP howling about Barack Obama radically steering the government to the left and leading the nation toward socialism, some of his major appointments are Republican men and women of the middle.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMAS_REPUBLICANS?SITE=GACAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Mrs. Godzilla
September 1st, 2009
7:12 pm
Nothing is free
subsidy under 88m 3rd time
paying your taxes is not like ordering from a menu.
i paid for your foolish wars, you must now pay to keep all Americans healthy.
just in case, subsisdy 88K…..that ones a mulligan
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
7:14 pm
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:03 pm
“Key Questions about Changes for Medicaid and Low-Income Individuals: HR 3200 America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/7952.cfm
md
September 1st, 2009
7:14 pm
“TnGelding, Paul, md–it’s all a matter of priorities and a moral compass…”
It seems politicians have plenty of the former and none of the latter.
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:16 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
Do you just not understand? It isn’t about how much taxes I pay. It isn’t about me. I buy my own insurance and it is great. I pay huge taxes, both on myself and my business. I am able to make a very decent living. I am not talking about me.
I am talking about the lower middle class that is working but is barely getting by. Those people will be forced to buy health insurance.
Let me write it again: Those people will be forced to buy health insurance.
One more time: Those people will be forced to buy health insurance.
Do you understand now?
Paul
September 1st, 2009
7:17 pm
[[It seems politicians have plenty of the former and none of the latter.]]
And with that zinger I’m off -
Pleasant evening, all -
Dusty
September 1st, 2009
7:17 pm
Hey what is this? I demand a slice of Bookman’s pay for today. (I could use a dollar.)
At four o’clock I bring up Luckovich and his anti-Obama cartoons and RedNeck followed up around four thirty. Do we get any credit! No! (Sniff!) You’d think Bookman suddenly had a revelation and we all know that never happens.. But suddenly…:roll:
Anyway, “Vengence is mine! saith the Lord” or something like that. I declare idea plagiarism and demand obsfucation or observation or ostentation, Whatever. As Custer said “Just CHARGE it on my credit card.”, The whole dollar, Bookman!
mike
September 1st, 2009
7:17 pm
The difference is that Bush actually made the case to the American people, something the supposed greatest communicator in human history and his followers on the left have refused to do with health care.
Constantly repeating “Republicans are bad” is not a mechanism for explaining why we should support this particular health care reform policy.
@@
September 1st, 2009
7:17 pm
Barack needs to channel his inner George W. OR Cheney.
I just, I think he’s trying to duck the responsibility for what’s going on here. And I think it’s wrong.
The most dangerous man is one who has nothing to lose.
No way can Obama pull this off. Too much lip schtick from a president afflicted with Peter Pan Syndrome.
Even if he tries, the suspicions are now engrained in the American psyche.
Northern Songs LTD
September 1st, 2009
7:19 pm
hard to communicate a belief if you don’t have one…
Dusty
September 1st, 2009
7:20 pm
There goes my smiley face again.
There..
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
7:21 pm
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
6:52 pm
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
Answer: HR 3200 and every one of the four bills now reported out 3 in House and 1 in Senate expand mental health care significantly and Section 122(b)(10) does cover dental care.
.
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:25 pm
Tngelding
From the site that you pointed me to:
The Act would establish a minimum coverage threshold for Medicaid for individuals with family income up to 133% of poverty ($14,400 for an individual in 2009) which would increase eligibility for parents in many states and newly include adults without dependent children in the program.
Do the math. 133% of 14,400 is 19,152. That means that anyone making over $19,152 will be forced to pay for health insurance.
Minimum wage is $15,080. Anyone making over $9.19 / hour will be forced to buy their own insurance. Are you at least beginning to see what we are being handed?
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
7:26 pm
TnGelding
September 1st, 2009
6:52 pm
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
Does anyone know if H.R. 3200 address mental health or dental care?
Answer: HR 3200 and every one of the four bills now reported out 3 in House and 1 in Senate expand mental health care significantly and Section 122(b)(10) does cover dental care.
N.J.
September 1st, 2009
7:31 pm
The immortal, Michelle Bachmann….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ3Q0Z2d8Do
Mrs. Godzilla that’s exactly how I feel about taxes. When you look at how taxes finally get distributed, direct defense expenditures amount to 33 percent of all taxes, but past obligations, including veterans benefits and payment on the debt for money borrowed to pay for direct defense add another 21 percent for a grand total of 54 percent that go to direct defense spending. Another 20 percent comes from the budgets of other government agencies to perform defense related functions. 15 percent of the Department of Homeland Security’s budget supports military projects. Fifty percent of NASA’s budget does. and 76 percent of the Department of Energy’s budget is funneled into nuclear weapons production. You end up with 74 percent of the budget being spent in some way on defense. Out of the remaining 26 percent, almost half or 12 percent of the total budget is the annual payment of Social Security. Even chunks of the Department of Education’s budget goes towards military. Who do you thinks pays to get soldiers without high school diplomas GED’s of pays for college educations for people in the military. The money is encumbered by departmental function, not by the department it is being spent on, so the Department of Education pays to educate soldiers.
Republicans and conservatives whine about taxation, but the lions share of income taxes are being spent on Republican priorities and its simply time to start demanding our share what the government spends money on.
Its easy to figure this out. All you need is to look at the numbers in the federal budget as they are published every year>
The breakdown of the 2009 budget for example is right here:
Current Military
$965 billion:
• Military Personnel $129 billion
• Operation & Maint. $241 billion
• Procurement $143 billion
• Research & Dev. $79 billion
• Construction $15 billion
• Family Housing $3 billion
• DoD misc. $4 billion
• Retired Pay $70 billion
• DoE nuclear weapons $17 billion
• NASA (50%) $9 billion
• International Security $9 billion
• Homeland Secur. (military) $35 billion
• State Dept. (partial) $6 billion
• other military (non-DoD) $5 billion
• “Global War on Terror” $200 billion [We added $162 billion to the last item to supplement the Budget’s grossly underestimated $38 billion in “allowances” to be spent in 2009 for the “War on Terror,” which includes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan]
Past Military,
$484 billion:
• Veterans’ Benefits $94 billion
• Interest on national debt (80%) created by military spending, $390 billion
Human Resources
$789 billion:
• Health/Human Services
• Soc. Sec. Administration
• Education Dept.
• Food/Nutrition programs
• Housing & Urban Dev.
• Labor Dept.
• other human resources.
General Government
$304 billion:
• Interest on debt (20%)
• Treasury
• Government personnel
• Justice Dept.
• State Dept.
• Homeland Security (15%)
• International Affairs
• NASA (50%)
• Judicial
• Legislative
• other general govt.
Physical Resources
$117 billion:
• Agriculture
• Interior
• Transportation
• Homeland Security (15%)
• HUD
• Commerce
• Energy (non-military)
• Environmental Protection
• Nat. Science Fdtn.
• Army Corps Engineers
� Fed. Comm. Commission
• other physical resources
From:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget_fy2009_default/
The government manages to pay for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps and nutrition programs, the Centers for Disease Control, public housing and federal loan supports for mortgages, the entire department of labor for about half of what is being spent on defense.
In fact the DEBT on defense spending would pay for more than half of all the costs of the social services listed above. It would pay for all of Medicare and Medicaid.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 1st, 2009
7:32 pm
Aahhh, yes, the fax machines at the DNC whirl and sputter-
Most Americans (60 percent) say the President has not clearly explained his health care reform plans. While slightly more than half of Democrats think Mr. Obama has clearly explained his plans, majorities of Republicans and independent voters say he has not.
I see that bookman got his talking points.
You can tell they are from the dimocrat party because they are stupid and make no sense, typical lib speak, I pretty sure that most Republicans know exactly what Obozo has in mind.
Why do you think they yell at their Congressmen?
duh
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:33 pm
Tngelding
All they are doing is increasing the number of people that can be on welfare. Is that really the route we want the country to go? Do you know anything about the welfare system? Do you understand that once you are on assistance, there s very little incentive to get off welfare?
Instead of establishing a larger welfare state, how about some help for small businesses so we can get the economy going again, giving people better jobs and avoiding having to be on welfare.
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
7:35 pm
What Nothing is Free does not understand is that a public option will drastically reduce the price of health care and the level at which or whethr anyone will be forced to provide health insurance is different in all four existing bills (Senate Finance Six has been imploded so that they are now considered a laughing stock and their bill representing 2.2% of the US population is considered a joke whatever it is if it even reports a bill considering Grassly and Enzie have exposed the lie that is bipartisanship.
After the four bills or five or collated, the White House is going to be forced to take a stand and the House and the Senate will pass a bill and then it will go to conference. It’s very likely the Senate will use two bills, and pass public option by reconciliation.
So it’s a little early to tell what the levels will be and they won’t be forced to buy the absurdly expensive private insurance–they’ll have an option with much better coverage, no pre-existing price jack ups, lower premiums, and no taking away insurance when you get sick–12 million people without insurance who got sick and 430 Georgians per day.
What exists now is Bankruptcypalooza courtesy of the Repubotards who perform as hookers at the Bunny Ranch for insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies: The debt and bankruptcies are predominantly for insured people with jobs who are underinsured because the insurance companies design the paradigm that way:
1 in 7 Californians Have Medical Debt, Study Finds
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/ucla-study-finds-1-in-7-californians-have-medical-debt/?scp=1&sq=a%20look%20at%20the%20underinsured%20&st=cse
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
7:35 pm
md
“It seems politicians have plenty of the former and none of the latter.”
And I second that!
DUSTY–I can’t say what I want to about the cartoon. I’m still waiting to see how Lukovich gets a Cross of St Andrew in there…! ‘Sides, I always said just wait til the Obamistas turn on him. We ain’t seen nothing yet…
Soothsayer
September 1st, 2009
7:36 pm
By insurers’ own admission, lack of health insurance contributes to higher medical costs. Asked whether new enrollees who had picked up coverage after a period of being uninsured had contributed to higher costs, Aetna’s Williams concurred. “We always see that pressure to some degree of people coming in from being uninsured, and we factor that into our rates,” he said. (EPI research has addressed the costly problem of people churning in and out of coverage, pointing out that even people who do have employer-sponsored insurance frequently spend part of a year uninsured because of job changes).
“We always see that pressure to some degree of people coming in from being uninsured, and we factor that into our rates,”
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:37 pm
N.J.
I’m glad you both agree that you have no idea what I am even talking about. I’m not talking about my taxes. I’m talking about people being forced to buy health insurance.
I HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. I PAY TAXES!!
This is not about me. It is about the people who are barely making it and will be forced to buy something they cannot afford.
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
7:37 pm
Josef–
You have plenty of time to go door to door for President Bachman and VP Palin. They really love you and Unmentionable yes they do.
md
September 1st, 2009
7:37 pm
“Instead of establishing a larger welfare state, how about some help for small businesses so we can get the economy going again, giving people better jobs and avoiding having to be on welfare.”
You mean hold people accountable for their choices in life? Sorry, never going to happen. The left believe in enabling.
Reform Will Happen
September 1st, 2009
7:38 pm
Nothing is free has health insurance until it gets sick and gets dropped.
josef nix
September 1st, 2009
7:39 pm
@@
“No way can Obama pull this off. Too much lip schtick from a president afflicted with Peter Pan Syndrome.”
I wish. Evita Syndrome.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 1st, 2009
7:39 pm
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A majority of independent voters disapprove of how Barack Obama’s handling his job as president, according to a new national poll.
Fifty-three percent of independents questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday say they disapprove of how Obama’s handling his duties in the White House, with 43 percent in approval. That result marks the first time in a CNN poll that a majority of independents give the president’s performance a thumbs-down.
It’s because they don’t understand this moron, CNN, didn’t you get your talking points memo!
Geez.
We must ram Obozo down their throats some more!
Nothing is Free
September 1st, 2009
7:39 pm
Reform will happen.
That’s so great that the working poor won’t have to pay more than a few more hundred dollars a month for their insurance.
After all, the poorer families that I know always have hundreds of dollars laying around at the end of the month that they are not using.
Do you have a f*cking clue?
Soothsayer
September 1st, 2009
7:41 pm
“For most entrepreneurs, the biggest cause of hesitation before starting a business is the lack of health insurance,” wrote one former small business owner. “You can plan for the loss of income while you start a business, but you can’t plan for a health problem. This becomes truly frightening when you’re out there by yourself. Entrepreneurs are famous for their ability to imagine they can overcome any obstacle, but it’s hard for any responsible adult— especially one with a family—to justify taking a chance like that.” The commenter stressed that for most small business owners, high health care costs represented a much larger impediment than corporate tax rates.
“It’s absolutely true that health care costs are stifling small business formations,” said another commenter. “I’m a 50-something male with routine health issues. The pre-existing screening of health providers makes me uninsurable, as a practical matter, for anything I’m likely to need coverage. The private pay fees are a multiple of the insurance reimbursement making the whole thing untenable.”