On suddenly shy Republicans and ‘end-of-life’ counseling
The Associated Press weighed in this afternoon with a piece on end-of-life counseling, U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson and other Republicans.
Reporter Ben Evans offers detailed historic context that I haven’t seen elsewhere.
Given a second chance, Isakson declined to characterize the concerns of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin and others — she said current House health care legislation would create “death panels” — as “nuts.”
“The best I can read she’s applying the House bill and using her child with Down syndrome as an example,” Isakson said. “I would never question anyone’s defense of their child.”
The AP piece says “Isakson and other Republicans who eagerly backed the idea are distancing themselves from it or lying low in the face of a backlash from the right.”
To which Isakson spokeswoman Joan Kirchner responded:
“The only thing Johnny Isakson is backing away from is the flawed language of the House health care bill that expands Medicare and dictates very specific ‘end-of-life counseling.’ Johnny still supports folks having a living will and durable power of attorney, but only through an approach that empowers the individual to make the choice and that does not expand Medicare to pay for it.”
Here’s the entire AP article:
Washington — Until last week, Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson was among the most enthusiastic backers of end-of-life counseling in government health care programs like Medicare.
That was before conservatives called it a step toward euthanasia and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin likened the idea to a bureaucratic “death panel” that would decide whether sick people get to live. And even though those claims have been widely discredited, the issue remains a political weapon in the increasingly bitter health care debate.
Now, Isakson and other Republicans who eagerly backed the idea are distancing themselves from it or lying low in the face of a backlash from the right.
“Until last week this was basically a nonpartisan issue,” said John Rother, executive vice president for policy at AARP, the seniors lobbying group. “People across the political spectrum recognize that far too often people’s wishes aren’t respected at the end of life and there is a lot of unnecessary suffering.”
The idea for government-backed end-of-life counseling — while delicate given the subject matter — has garnered significant consensus on Capitol Hill, fueled in part by cases such as that of Terri Schiavo, whose divided family fought for years over whether she would want to be kept alive in a vegetative state.
Just last summer, Congress overwhelmingly approved legislation requiring doctors to discuss the issue with new Medicare enrollees. And the government already requires hospitals and nursing homes to help patients with advance directives or living wills if they want support, under a 1992 law passed under Republican President George H.W. Bush.
Supporters say the current House proposal just goes one step further by paying for the counseling, with the idea that doctors and patients would spend more time on it instead of just having a cursory discussion in an initial Medicare visit. The counseling is voluntary.
Isakson and other Republicans such as Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana and Susan Collins of Maine have co-sponsored legislation in recent years promoting the counseling, including in initial Medicare visits and through a proposed government-run insurance program for long-term care.
In the House, Republican Reps. Charles Boustany of Louisiana, Geoff Davis of Kentucky and Patrick Tiberi of Ohio co-sponsored legislation from Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., that would authorize Medicare to pay for the counseling. That measure served as a model for the current House language.
Earlier this summer, Isakson sponsored an arguably more far-reaching measure that would have required that new Medicare patients have a living will or other advance directive.
But the Georgia conservative found himself in a storm of criticism when President Barack Obama said at a town hall meeting this week that Isakson was a chief architect of the House approach. Isakson quickly issued a statement repudiating the proposal.
“The House provision is merely another ill-advised attempt at more government mandates, more government intrusion and more government involvement in what should be an individual choice,” he said.
Pressed later to explain his opposition, Isakson and his spokeswoman, Joan Kirchner, said he doesn’t like the fact that the House bill would expand Medicare costs by paying for the consultations and giving doctors an incentive to conduct them. He also said the House bill is too specific in detailing what must be discussed in the sessions.
“There are similarities … but there are substantial difference,” Isakson said. “I’m not running away from anything but I’m not going to accept the president of the United States telling people I wrote something that I didn’t.”
Isakson, who initially referred to Palin’s criticism of the proposal as “nuts,” declined to assail her characterization that the measure would force people like her baby Trig, who has Down syndrome, “to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panel’ so his bureaucrats can decide … whether they are worthy of health care.”
“The best I can read she’s applying the House bill and using her child with Down syndrome as an example,” Isakson said. “I would never question anyone’s defense of their child.”
Spokesmen for Lugar and Collins — two other longtime proponents of end-of-life planning — declined to comment on the House bill.
Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican and a lead negotiator on health care legislation, told constituents at a community meeting last week that they have good reason to fear the proposal.
“I don’t have any problem with things like living wills, but they ought to be done within the family,” he said. “We should not have a government program that determines you’re going to pull the plug on grandma.”
Grassley said Thursday that lawmakers negotiating on the Senate version of the health care bill had dropped the provision from consideration, citing how it could be misinterpreted.
Comments like Grassley’s puzzle Rother, who said “it’s been a little disappointing” that more Republicans haven’t stepped forward to defend the legislation.
He and Jon Keyserling, a vice president at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, say there is little difference between the current proposal and past legislation that Republicans have supported. The current bill specifies that the counseling would be covered only every five years to prevent people from overusing it, and describes what the consultations must include.
Keyserling said many people wrongly assume that end-of-life counseling is about terminating treatment. But it really is about making sure a patient’s wishes are known, he said, including if that means continuing life-sustaining treatment in all circumstances.
He said he’s been surprised at the backlash, particularly given the close attention that Congress paid to Schiavo’s case, which he said clearly highlighted the need for better end-of-life planning.
Schiavo was removed from life support in 2005, though the Republican-led Congress and President George W. Bush had intervened in the family dispute in an effort to continue her care.
“I think the House bill is about as innocuous and helpful as possible,” Keyserling said. “It’s about making sure people are prepared and informed to make decisions.”
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68 comments Add your comment
SpaceyG on Twitter
August 14th, 2009
6:20 pm
Heck, I’d take Pinochet himself over some of my relations for just picking out a Slurpee at E-Z Serve.
Tbaggins
August 14th, 2009
7:59 pm
Republicans need to grow a spine. They had no problem intervening with before in family matters such as Shivo. This provision provides to payment for counseling, at the request of the individual, from professionals about what the choices are and mean. Even Palin was for this in 2008, but like the bridge to no where, she changes with the political wind instead of doing what is right. Newt himself said that this type of provision would save $30 billion or more. But standing up for what is right and giving Americans reliable information on living wills, health care directives and more does not pay millions in political contributions from an industry trying to kill healthcare.
Shame on you Johnny! Shame on all republicans!
Michael
August 14th, 2009
9:06 pm
Ted Kennedy counseled Barack Obama to run for president before he built up too much of a record in the Senate. This is because Senators are always for the bill before they were against it (to paraphrase John Kerry).
ugaaccountant
August 14th, 2009
9:25 pm
How has the death panel idea been widely discredited? How can we know exactly how everyone will execute this counseling? Put solid laws in place preventing this abuse, and then Obama can continue trying to improve the system. But we absolutely can’t flipantly institute things like this.
ATL Guy
August 14th, 2009
9:41 pm
Smart policy being distorted by foolish people – that’s what this boils down too. America will get its due. The amount of stupidity, ignorance and blatant foolishness coming out of the Republican party is beyond scary. The government (of which the Republican Senators and Congressmen who are so ardently “anti-government” yet haven’t quit) is now the enemy. I am a proud Democrat that loves my country and my government. To do any less is totally un-American no matter how you spin it. The Republican Party has chosen to align itself with racist, uninformed and paranoid folks who make no sense whatsoever.
The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions
August 14th, 2009
9:57 pm
Democrats hate America and are unpatriotic. They view health care “reform” as the final plank in their quest for socialism.
The leftist country-haters have called normal American citizens everything from Nazis to mobsters. Citizens who support the bill either haven’t read it or embrace the leftist drivel coming from the likes of Democrat elected officials who never held a job in the private sector.
Shame on you people.
Tbaggins
August 14th, 2009
9:58 pm
Uga – ummm, not widely discredited? There is no panel. Read the bill, watch respectable television and quit watching the psychos who deal in fear but not reality. The provision, as proposed and pushed by many republicans, allows payment for you to consult with your doctor about living will and health care directives. These forms are available to you on a number of websites, many hospitals, and other places. Even the State of Georgia offers the forms for free at http://www.aging.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DAS/. Perhaps revised Georgia form was passed in 2007 but the forms have been in use for years. These are not death panels. While the forms are out there, people have questions about what the choices mean and how to fill them out properly. Your doctor and lawyer can help. “flippantly institute”? People get counseling about these every day. The only change is to allow those who may have questions but can’t afford to ask their doctors, to be able to consult their doctors about their choices. Let’s deal in facts and no non-existance fears of “abuse.”
boots
August 14th, 2009
10:12 pm
Republicans are masters of fear mongering and disrupting meaningful discussion regarding these needed reforms in healthcare. However, this strategy only works with the ignorant and is destined to backfire among those who think for themselves.
Tbaggins
August 14th, 2009
10:16 pm
Road to Hell — thankfully we have a constitution that allows you the freedom of expression. Fortunately we have a democracy where we vote. Perhaps what you heard in November was the majority in this county deciding that they did not agree with your views and extremism. You may taunt us as “unpatriotic”. Disagreeing with you does not make anyone unpatriotic or hating this country. Of course rather than using intellect to discuss, it is easier to scream unpatriotic and declare a witch hunt. But the point is lost on you I am sure…..
When you read the bill, if you have questions about the big words you can let us know. I happen to read bills and laws as part of my living.
Chris Salzmann
August 14th, 2009
10:17 pm
The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions August 14th, 2009 9:57 pm SAID:
Democrats hate America and are unpatriotic. They view health care “reform” as the final plank in their quest for socialism.
CHRIS SAYS: What the heck do you know about patriotism??? If you want to end socialism (obviously you’re that stupid that you don’t even know what it means) then end Social Security and Medicare. Go ahead, put your money where your mouth is.
The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions August 14th, 2009 9:57 pm SAID: The leftist country-haters have called normal American citizens everything from Nazis to mobsters. Citizens who support the bill either haven’t read it or embrace the leftist drivel coming from the likes of Democrat elected officials who never held a job in the private sector.
CHRIS SAYS: Last I saw, it was idiot drug abusers like Rush Limbaugh and Bottom Boy Hannity calling Democrats Nazis. Job in the private sector? So what jobs did GW Bush hold in the private sector that he didn’t get without the help of his Daddy? Name me one? You’re an idiot and a Moron. I would never call you a Nazi; they had more brains than you.
Rob Moore
August 14th, 2009
11:05 pm
For a brief few days, I felt something odd. I felt a little respect for a Republican politician when I first heard that Isaakson proposed the very sensible and sensitive funding to give people time to make sure that if they were unable to speak for themselves, their wishes would be documented and difficult to ignore. That feeling vanished when Isaakson showed himself to be just another cowardly Republican who was willing to go along with lies and fearmongering rather than risk the ire of the wingnuts such as RoadtoHell who seem to control the GOP, now.
In my view, Isaakson has only one thing on our other senator. He isn’t a lying draft dodger who smeared a real patriot to get his job. Then again, he never had to run against a war hero so who knows what he would have done in Chambliss’s place.
scott
August 14th, 2009
11:19 pm
republicans hate america and hate poor and middle class working people ..they play on the ignorance of poor and working class whites to make them vote away thier interest..the only thing republicans care about are themselves and more money more money and big business..and dividing the country on racial and class lines..dont buy into thier propaganda they are politician the only care about thier interest and not the interest of our country..i applaud our great american president(PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA)AND SUPPORT HIM 150%like most rational white americans i too believe he has the best intentions of the country and its people and wanna do the right thing ..dont let republicans destroy the country with hate and lies and bitterness and greediness
big daddy b
August 14th, 2009
11:35 pm
Johnny Isakson sucks ass!
Bill White
August 15th, 2009
12:01 am
The honorable Sen Isakson doesn’t support this gov’t takeover of 1/6 of our economy. It’s so simple. I read that far lefty Bookman’s column which skewers the honorable senator for sticking with his convixtions. Sometimes Johnny disappoints me, but overall I love him for being a primcipled Christ-centered senator who believes in market solutions, low taxes, few entitlements.
We need to return to a culture of life in this society whereby we outlaw euthanasia and abortion. Anyone who performs either needs to be jailed and in some cases like partial-birth, that violator should be considered for the death penalty.
Emily
August 15th, 2009
12:38 am
Johnny Isakson has shown what a shameful hypocrite he is, just like every other repugnican. They don’t have the cahones to come right out and say what they really think–that they don’t want everyone to have health care because they want America to be like their own personal country club, where only the wealthy and privileged get in and to hell with everyone else.
Dawg80
August 15th, 2009
2:01 am
I thought Johnny had grown a pair. I guess I was wrong.
DLink
August 15th, 2009
5:22 am
I come over here thinking someone’s going to need some help… and find that enough folks know how to use a keyboard that they merely need ‘the nod’ to continue on.
“The ‘Nod’”… Do continue. Your input is valuable and appreciated. It’s good to know my services will not be needed today in this thread, *Swords sliding back into sheaths*.
what a shame
August 15th, 2009
7:06 am
Johnny’s first reaction–to call Palin’s outburst “nuts”–was right. So sad that he lacks the courage of his convictions. Apparently, even the most common-sense policies must yield whenever Palin, like someone with Tourette’s syndrome, emerges to spout off more craziness. To paraphrase a sentiment expressed by someone else: “Seriously, Johnny…grow a pair!!”
nowretired
August 15th, 2009
7:31 am
Bill White “…primcipled Christ-centered senator…”
Mr. White – the BTK killer was “Chris-centered” – Deacon in the church & everything. What does this have to do with Isakson co-sponsoring a
Senate bill that requires all elderly people to have an end of life directive before they can be enrolled in Medicare Part A & B?
Personally, I think it is none of the governments business. But then I am a political conservative & not a political liberal like Isakson.
SharonH, RN
August 15th, 2009
7:33 am
Johnny Isakson and the others who are pushing this idea of death panels have nothing but pure contempt for their constituents. The people who are hysterical and fearful over this fiction are not very bright anyway and are easily persuaded of the most outlandish of suggestions because it conforms to their preconceived prejudices and innate stupidity. They are not even trying to debate the merits of the bill because 1)they cannot and 2)they don’t have to as they know their base. He really should be ashamed of himself, talk about selling your soul to the devil.
sharecropper
August 15th, 2009
7:33 am
Why are we not surprised at that hypocrites populate, almost in its entirety, the Republican Party? Have you people no decency? (I would add “at long last”, but that would be so, ah, McCarthism.) Your party has reached such a low that were my children still of a young age, I wouldn’t allow them to walk past your house.
Kevin
August 15th, 2009
7:48 am
Boy, you talk about a diatribe. Yeap there is some Republican foolishness here like we see from Nancy Pelosi’s on too frequent an occasion (The CIA Lied about Waterboarding; Townhall’s are manufactured and come with Nazi symbols; take a look at the drop in the President’s voter confidence polls if you want to know about American concerns about this bad legislation), but lets not get away for the fact that this bill is unsupportable; anybody remember the Congressional Budget Office’s say this bill is not financially sustainable or do you just want to bury your head in the sand?
Wow
August 15th, 2009
8:02 am
I never knew that Johnny was such a coward.
Sir Lipton VonVlipton
August 15th, 2009
8:16 am
You people vote for johnny & chambliss. Along with the rest of georgia’s politicians, you shouldn’t complain when you get crap for leadership.
JMH
August 15th, 2009
8:20 am
The Republicans are just sitting back and letting the Dems destroy themselves over this “healthcare reform” or whatever you Socialists are calling it these days. Folks are discovering the Democratic party and its hate filled rhetoric, just listen to yourselves. It’s a spendid time to be anything other than a Dem. Enjoy your Change!
Thogwummpy
August 15th, 2009
8:30 am
So basically, Jim Galloway lets the AP pretty much write his column. Look, a lot of this end of life fear is logical. First of all, the financial numbers don’t work…ergo, rationing is expected. If you think that’s absurd, observe other socialist coverage systems like the UK. Moreover, the numbers don’t work for other government schemes like Social Security and Medicare. Only a fool would swallow prima facia the word of Obama that more care will be provided for less money. If their plan were trustworthy, why won’t the political class in Washington endorse it by promising to put their own families on the government program? Additionally, Obama HIMSELF has made statements about withholding medical resources for elderly and terminally ill. He has only himself to blame in causing this concern. The final straw is his penchant for surrounding himself with neo-eugenics supporters; people who actually have drawn out ration charts already based upon a person’s “diminishing value” to the social collective. Palin’s insights are justifiable, LEST WE SLEEP AND LET ATROCITIES RISE. It’s Profile in Courage stuff, folks. History says over and over that there were points when people rolled over into subjegation because they blinded themselves into delusion when the road map gave clues. The GOP should not join the DIM-ocrat press corps in mocking Palin—they should do their job and investigate why her concerns ring valid.
H.S. Coach
August 15th, 2009
8:37 am
Just to straighten a few things out, we don’t live in a democracy, we are a republic nation. That means that we don’t vote on all the issues like health care, we vote people in to do it for us. And the hate and fear mongering goes on both sides if you would open your eyes and stop the hate for the other side.
clyde
August 15th, 2009
9:04 am
It would be so convenient if half the oldsters would simply opt out of life at their first end of life counseling.It would make Obama’s life much simpler.
ATL Guy
August 15th, 2009
9:09 am
I think your name should be “The Road to Hell is Paved with Republicans”
Deirdre
August 15th, 2009
9:18 am
I have 2 aunts living in the UK(England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) One aunt is wealthy, the other is a widow leaving on a fixed income. The wealthy aunt pays for private health insurance. The other aunt gets her medical care “free” from the gov’t. Both were diagnosed with cataracts. The wealthy aunt had the surgery within a week of diagnoses using the most up to date surgical techniques. The other aunt had to wait, and wait, and wait until it was determined that the cataracts had ruined her vision to the point where she could no longer drive. So one and a half years after the wealthy aunt received her surgery, the other aunt got hers.
If you want to know how gov’t sponsered healthcare works, go to the parking lots of us hospitals located near the Canadian border. They are filled with Canadian tags.
jc_atl
August 15th, 2009
10:11 am
Deirdre – how does that differ from two aunts in this country, one with insurance, one without. The one with insurance can get her cataract surgery. The one without has to decide between food, mortgage, other medications of necessity, and paying for expensive eye surgery? In this country the one without insurance just gets screwed (or bankrupted). Many times the needed surgery is not elective (which cataract surgery is) but life-saving, and the aunt without insurance has no choice but to lose everything to save her life.
Wow
August 15th, 2009
10:23 am
Enter your comments here
Devildog
August 15th, 2009
10:36 am
Check out the movie, Soylent Green. At least the death panels made good use of us old people there.
And when the U.S. Govt. begins production, I ask only one thing–let the inscription on the Green Cookie say, “Bite Me.”
Sherl
August 15th, 2009
10:58 am
Remember the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill, the one that passed with the votes of 204 GOP House members and 42 GOP Senators? Anyone want to guess what it provided funding for? Did you say counseling for end-of-life issues and care? Ding ding ding!!
So either Republicans were for death panels in 2003 before turning against them now–or they’re lying about end-of-life counseling in order to frighten the bejeezus out of their fellow citizens and defeat health reform by any means necessary. Which is it?
dmac
August 15th, 2009
11:04 am
Excellent work, Mr. Gallaway. Thanks for all your work to give us the real scoop.
I hope that Isakson calms down and his Republican associates quit freaking-out about something as simple and sensible as encouraging people to make a living-will and end-of-life directives.
Isakson needs to tell the people who answer the phones to quit trying to lie to constituents about this matter. They should just tell us that Isakson is affraid of how his right-wing friends and insurance industry lobbyists will react if he agrees with Obama on anything having to do with health care.
ncgreybr
August 15th, 2009
11:08 am
Kevin: “like we see from Nancy Pelosi’s on too frequent an occasion (The CIA Lied about Waterboarding; Townhall’s are manufactured and come with Nazi symbols; ”
Let’s see…the head of the CIA admitted they lie to Congress and to the Speaker. As for the Nazi symbols at healthcare meetings, I HAVE SEEN THEM. Who am I supposed to believe, my eyes or you?
dmac
August 15th, 2009
11:09 am
Why don’t we just expand Medicare to cover every American.
Both the VA and Medicare receive high marks from the people who use their services. In fact the VA received a 77 percent approval rating from wounded veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a March 2008 Zogby poll.
A Harris poll from a few years ago showed 76 percent of Americans support the program.
These are very popular programs and they are government-run.
ernisTbass
August 15th, 2009
11:20 am
According to Obama we are going to save a few bazillion dollars on healthcare with what the drug companies have promised and medicare reform and ending fraud and on and on. As the saying goes “Show me the Money” Obama also states that we have been talking about this since Truman, so whats a few more months??? or years even?? Use the bazillion dollars in the pipe that he speaks of and phase in the free lunch program as the savings appear. If these funds are sure things as he portends whats the problem???? In the meantime expand community health clinics to keep people from using the emergency room as a general practitioner. How about some type of insurance voucher program similar to food stamps for bare bones insurance for uninsured CITIZENS. With food stamps Kraft and General Mills still make the food, Kroger still sells it and hungry people eat. My sister in law works at a clinic in Virginia that sees patients for 10 bucks and fills prescriptions for 2-10 dollars. Yes they receive govt funding but it works for those that otherwise would end up clogging an emergency room somewhere. There are many available forms of reform that don’t require the govt interventions being proposed. And how can torte reform not even be addressed? You have lawyers trying to reform the medical industry why not have a panel of doctors draw the plans to reform the legal system?? Can anybody explain how the bill mentioned in this article would have had any effect on Terry Shivo??? She was in an accident long before she would have been eligible for Medicare. Why not have a living will option available at the highway dept so just like being an organ donor you could do it then or when you register to vote or when you see any doctor past the age of 18 or any time before you are 65 so you don’t feel like its the a step away from the coffin?
ncgreybr
August 15th, 2009
11:38 am
It always amazes me that some people think “their government” would kill people. Maybe YOUR government will but I’m glad that MY government won’t. As long as there are Democrats in the government, I know I’ll be safe.
ncgreybr
August 15th, 2009
11:43 am
Back in April, Palin was for end of life counseling beefore she was against it. Just a month ago Gingrich was for Medicare having end of life counseling before he was against it. Make up your minds folks.
ncgreybr
August 15th, 2009
11:52 am
Thogwummpy said:He has only himself to blame in causing this concern. The final straw is his penchant for surrounding himself with neo-eugenics supporters; people who actually have drawn out ration charts already based upon a person’s “diminishing value” to the social collective. Palin’s insights are justifiable,”
Would you show us your souce for these ration charts?
JohnD
August 15th, 2009
12:07 pm
What’s that beeping noise I hear?
Is that Johnny putting it into reverse?
Maybe he’s going back to look for his spine.
He dropped it somewhere.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
12:53 pm
Boy, all the midtown liberal fags must be up early today.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:03 pm
“Why don’t we just expand Medicare to cover every American.
Both the VA and Medicare receive high marks from the people who use their services. In fact the VA received a 77 percent approval rating from wounded veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a March 2008 Zogby poll. ”
By all means, let’s intrude on everyone’s lives based on a liberal poll. That is not even worth posting. How many people DO YOU know that are happy with medicare and the VA? I would say none since you are a thirty year old elitist liberal that thinks you know everything. All you know is what huffington and kos spoon feed you. It really is amazing that all of you 20-30 year old libs are such experts on Medicare an VA health care. And you all think you know what all of us need. You do not. I guess you suppose all of the older citizens that made this country what it is today are just going to let you change every aspect of our lives. We will not let that happen.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:09 pm
“It always amazes me that some people think “their government” would kill people. Maybe YOUR government will but I’m glad that MY government won’t. As long as there are Democrats in the government, I know I’ll be safe.”
Not if your fearless kenyan leader sends you to Afghanistan. Or if you live in Atlanta and attend Georgia Tech. Or if you are an unborn child.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:10 pm
“Johnny Isakson sucks ass!”
And what does Barney Frank and Gerry Studds do?
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:12 pm
“Republicans need to grow a spine. They had no problem intervening with before in family matters such as Shivo. This provision provides to payment for counseling, at the request of the individual, from professionals about what the choices are and mean. Even Palin was for this in 2008, but like the bridge to no where, she changes with the political wind instead of doing what is right. Newt himself said that this type of provision would save $30 billion or more. But standing up for what is right and giving Americans reliable information on living wills, health care directives and more does not pay millions in political contributions from an industry trying to kill healthcare.
Shame on you Johnny! Shame on all republicans!”
A good looking assertive female like Palin just drives the gay libs crazy! Palin good, Frank bad.
Jessica
August 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
People who are willing to hand over their healthcare to the federal government have WAY more trust in that government than I do. The Democrats may have the best of intentions, but putting something like this in the hands of politicians is a dangerous step. Take a closer look at world history — sometimes governments fall into the hands of very bad people, even elected governments. If that ever happens here (I hope it won’t) do you really want the government to control something as vital and personal as healthcare? Do you really want bureaucrats controlling your medical records and access to care?
I know it sounds all friendly and noble, helping all the downtrodden, uninsured folks, but I don’t think it’s going to work out that way. I think all but the very rich will end up stuck in a lousy public option within a few years. Some previously uninsured people might be better off, and a lot of people who had insurance in the first place will have WORSE care than before. Given the way the federal government usually does things, you can be sure that medical records will be misused and mishandled, care will be substandard, and costs will be astronomical.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
“Smart policy being distorted by foolish people – that’s what this boils down too. America will get its due. The amount of stupidity, ignorance and blatant foolishness coming out of the Republican party is beyond scary. The government (of which the Republican Senators and Congressmen who are so ardently “anti-government” yet haven’t quit) is now the enemy. I am a proud Democrat that loves my country and my government. To do any less is totally un-American no matter how you spin it. The Republican Party has chosen to align itself with racist, uninformed and paranoid folks who make no sense whatsoever.”
Poor stupid lib. Still blaming the Republicans for this stupid bill. Democrats control all three branches of government, congress, White House. But the stupidity and folly of this insane health bill is the Republican’s fault.
Wrong answer. I’m not buying it or the stupid healthcare bill.
Fail. Try again.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Why don’t all of you goofy, moonbat libs go over to Bookman’s blog and post? He will censor all the conservative comments out for you and control the debate. Just like the kenyan tries to do from the White House.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:22 pm
“Democrats hate America and are unpatriotic. They view health care “reform” as the final plank in their quest for socialism.
The leftist country-haters have called normal American citizens everything from Nazis to mobsters. Citizens who support the bill either haven’t read it or embrace the leftist drivel coming from the likes of Democrat elected officials who never held a job in the private sector.
Shame on you people.”
Good point, but I think the main thing these libs hate are themselves. Hence the rampant homosexuality, lack of family role models, and extreme substance abuse. They pretty much hate everything, and I think in the end they allow that to carry over to all aspects of their lives, including politics and free speech.
Diddly Squat
August 15th, 2009
1:23 pm
Waa, Waaa, Waaaaaa. Republicans, fear mongering? Isn’t THAT exactly how BO got elected? Isn’t that exactly how the “Stimulus” bill passed? Jim, you sniffin’ Jays butt again?
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
“Republicans are masters of fear mongering and disrupting meaningful discussion regarding these needed reforms in healthcare. However, this strategy only works with the ignorant and is destined to backfire among those who think for themselves.”
Another elitest lib blaming the failure of this ignorant bill on the republicans. Even though they control the entire government. Unreal. And very stupid for someone elitest.
Diddly Squat
August 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
Funny, I remember Bush being compared to Hitler, and his cabinet the Gestapo by some of you lib @ssH#les. So how is it NOW that the tables are turned, it’s not fair, it’s mean spirited, it’s un-patriotic…..hahahahahaha…..just the same ole, same ole from the do as I say not as I do Party.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
“When you read the bill, if you have questions about the big words you can let us know. I happen to read bills and laws as part of my living.”
More elitest bs posted from his futon in his mother’s basement.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
“CHRIS SAYS: Last I saw, it was idiot drug abusers like Rush Limbaugh and Bottom Boy Hannity calling Democrats Nazis. Job in the private sector? So what jobs did GW Bush hold in the private sector that he didn’t get without the help of his Daddy? Name me one? You’re an idiot and a Moron. I would never call you a Nazi; they had more brains than you.”
Wow. What do we have here? Homosexual fantasies about Hannity. Intense jealousy of George Bush’s success. All wrapped together with that lib elitest attitude. Notice how these goofs think they are better than everyone else?
Fail.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
“I never knew that Johnny was such a coward.”
Says the guy named “wow”.
Your right, that took a lot of courage.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:34 pm
“You people vote for johnny & chambliss. Along with the rest of georgia’s politicians, you shouldn’t complain when you get crap for leadership.”
This guy is not even in the state. Go post on your own newspaper, weirdo liberal stalker dude. Even the out of state guy has that weird, holier-than-thou, elitest attitude.
Fail.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
“The Republicans are just sitting back and letting the Dems destroy themselves over this “healthcare reform” or whatever you Socialists are calling it these days. Folks are discovering the Democratic party and its hate filled rhetoric, just listen to yourselves. It’s a spendid time to be anything other than a Dem. Enjoy your Change!”
Spot on, old boy. Pip pip.
Pass
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:39 pm
“Check out the movie, Soylent Green. At least the death panels made good use of us old people there.
And when the U.S. Govt. begins production, I ask only one thing–let the inscription on the Green Cookie say, “Bite Me.””
Remember the good old days when we thought that was science fiction?
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:41 pm
“Remember the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill, the one that passed with the votes of 204 GOP House members and 42 GOP Senators? Anyone want to guess what it provided funding for? Did you say counseling for end-of-life issues and care? Ding ding ding!!”
Link? Proof?
Fail. Fail. Fail.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:43 pm
“Isakson needs to tell the people who answer the phones to quit trying to lie to constituents about this matter. They should just tell us that Isakson is affraid of how his right-wing friends and insurance industry lobbyists will react if he agrees with Obama on anything having to do with health care.’
The only ones lying on this topic are the libs. Stop projecting your false hoods onto others.
Fail.
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:47 pm
“Back in April, Palin was for end of life counseling beefore she was against it. Just a month ago Gingrich was for Medicare having end of life counseling before he was against it. Make up your minds folks.”
Moonbats, libs, et al, if you are going to make outrageous claims, post a link for proof. I know you are all elitest and think you know everything, but the fact of the matter is you do not. backup your moonbatterey or save this bs for your next midtown brunch. Facts, ok? Not Dan Rather either!
Fail
yeah right
August 15th, 2009
1:48 pm
That’s about it. Did I miss anyone? Snark on, my elitest lib parrots, snark on.
yabul
August 15th, 2009
2:46 pm
http://yfrog.com/7gcashforcdgersj
Caveman
August 15th, 2009
3:25 pm
Yeah, Johnny Isakson has principles alright. He was not only for “death panels” before he was against them, he sponsored the legislation for them.
yabul
August 15th, 2009
8:42 pm
“Yeah, Johnny Isakson has principles alright. He was not only for “death panels” before he was against them, he sponsored the legislation for them.’
Links??
WTF
August 16th, 2009
6:05 am
dmac 8/1511:09 AM – Only trouble is, Obama tried to give folks a choice and let the for profit insurance companies participate. He should have just gone with Medicare/VA program. Of course the Repugs would be against those too. Isackson is a worthless Wuss.