August 15, 2009
Senate removes death panel provision that wasn't there

President Obama says "death panels" were not in the legislation. Senators now say they have been removed.

But it is reported that the same provision remains in the three bills in the House.

Senate committee scraps healthcare provision that gave rise to 'death panel' claims -- latimes.com:

Reporting from Washington - A Senate panel has decided to scrap the part of its healthcare bill that in recent days has given rise to fears of government "death panels," with one lawmaker suggesting the proposal was just too confusing.

The Senate Finance Committee is taking the idea of advance care planning consultations with doctors off the table as it works to craft its version of healthcare legislation, a Democratic committee aide said Thursday.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, ranking Republican on the committee, said the panel dropped the idea because it could be "misinterpreted or implemented incorrectly."

For Democrats, the decision was an apparent acknowledgment that the provision had become a lightning rod for critics of a proposed overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system. Democratic lawmakers and President Obama are trying to extend health insurance to more people, rein in health costs and make other changes.

Recently, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speculated that Obama and other Democrats wanted to set up "death panels" to decide who gets medical services and who does not.

In reality, the provision was designed to allow Medicare to pay doctors who counsel patients about planning for end-of-life decisions. The consultations would be voluntary and would provide information about living wills, healthcare proxies, pain medication and hospice.

"Voluntary" as in at every decision point every medical person who sees you reminds you that you have the death option.

Posted by Ron Hebron at August 15, 2009 01:45 PM | Email This
Comments
1. Welcome to the most "transparent" administration in our lifetime.

All hail the lyin' king.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2009 01:56 PM
2. This is tiresome, Ron. Even pudge acknowledges that the "death panel" issue is a misrepresentation. And yet, you consider it a victory if lies propagated by conservatives make it more difficult for seriously ill people to obtain end-of-life counseling if they desire. We wouldn't want to ease the suffering of the dying with information on pain management and hospice care. And we wouldn't want them to know how to take control of their own care through living wills.

Not exactly a shining moment in compassionate conservatism.

Posted by: scottd on August 15, 2009 02:14 PM
3. Scottd: Contrary to what you think, the elderly are not exactly stupid. They know about these things already, and for most part want to make their own decisions, not be coerced into posting "Do Not Resuscitate" order and the like because a social worker tells them it's the right thing to do.

Posted by: katomar on August 15, 2009 02:32 PM
4. katomar: I'd respond to your comment if it had anything to do with what was in the proposed legislation...

Posted by: scottd on August 15, 2009 02:35 PM
5. We wouldn't want to ease the suffering of the dying with information on pain management and hospice care.

The culture of death pushed and propped up by the democrat party will have them rapidly retreating into the political wilderness where they belong.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2009 03:11 PM
6. While reading about Seattle Hempfest I was thinking...if, as seems inevitable...we end up with some form of public option for health insurance, should we as taxpayers then have the right to exclude certain behaviors.

For example, I would say that we have the right to exclude smokers. Since this country has numerous laws and warnings about smoking, and the link of smoking and cancer is so strong, why should we taxpayers fund the smokers.

What about drug users? I don't want to pay for drug users. If you want public health insurance, then no using drugs.

And so on...

Posted by: Questioner on August 15, 2009 03:46 PM
7. Pathetic hogwash of a post.

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 15, 2009 04:01 PM
8. questioner, your desires make no sense.

i don't want traitorous clowns that shout false talking points and ignore facts and reason to be able to vote, but that doesn't mean republicans won't get to vote.

Posted by: mike on August 15, 2009 04:09 PM
9. i don't want traitorous clowns that shout false talking points and ignore facts and reason to be able to vote..l.

In other words, you don't want predident obama to vote...

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2009 04:25 PM
10. Obamacare's "Kevorkian" panels are already law...they were crammed in alongside the pork and patronage of the "Swindle-Us" package, passed and signed earlier in the year. Check it out.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/08/death_panel_is_not_in_the_bill.html

Posted by: Saltherring on August 15, 2009 04:41 PM
11. hey are all y'all tracking what's happening in UK?

After Sean Hannity put on one member of the European parliament from the UK conservative party, who said the conservatives in the UK want to do away with National Health Service, David Cameron lept out into the media to say no how no way no no no no no the Conservatives are hte party of NHS and they intend to put more money into NHS!

Hmmm. The party of MAggie Thatcher is the party of NHS.

Glad some conservatives are reasonable.
I hear they also favor having a nationalized communistic program to have roads, and nationalized communistic intrusive regulations into your personal freedom requiring you to drive on the left side of the roads, too, so maybe the conservatives over there are just closet commies on every damn thing!

Posted by: Torture Lawyer on August 15, 2009 05:29 PM
12. It's a sad day in history when britain Daniel Hannan is more American than the POTUS.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2009 05:39 PM
13. Proof that some in Britain are more in tune with the concept of freedom than our curent president.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 15, 2009 05:56 PM
14. People should read Palin's little op-ed at facebook before dismissing the 'death panel' notion.

What I think she is saying is that while section 1233 does not contain the term 'death panel,' it does contain the seeds for such a program. As she says, the context of cost-cutting is crucial here.

Posted by: travis t on August 15, 2009 05:57 PM
15. The dustup over 'death panels' provides yet another fine example of media bias. News stories on the matter take great pains to deny the existence of the 'death panels,' often in the tone of a 6th grade teacher jumping on a 'teachable moment.' The Seattle Times story (from the AP) calls death panels a "debunked claim," then goes on to pointedly inform us "But there will be no 'death panels' under the legislation being considered...."

Contrast that to reporting on stimulus spending. A lot of us thought that the 'stimulus' package was just garden variety pork. Nonetheless, the media embraced the 'stimulus' nomenclature without reservation.

Here , for example, the Seattle Times reports with a straight face that $500,000 in 'stimulus' money is coming to the Seattle area. No disclaimer, caveat, or question as to whether the spending would really stimulate anything other than the bank accounts of the tax-funded arts groups.

Posted by: travis t on August 15, 2009 06:39 PM
16. Look at what a few paragraphs on Sarah Palin's Facebook page has generated.

That kind of stuff should not be in any Congressional bill. First, it isn't their business, and second, it's ripe for abuse.

I mean look... as hard as some people are having agreeing what the language means, imagine some pinhead in DC deciding what it means. Hell, they can't even understand the Constitution.

No, thanks.


Posted by: Gary on August 15, 2009 07:43 PM
17. From Powerline blog...

"According to Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell, Barack Obama vows that he will continue to push for government medicine and an energy tax even if it means that he will be a one-term President:

Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) claims that President Obama told him "he's willing to be a one-term president if that's what it takes to get health care and energy reform," reports Radio Iowa.

Said Boswell: "The president (said), 'I'm not going to kick the can down the road.' And he said that and I said, 'Well, that's something I'm kind of used to from southern Iowa, you know. I know about kicking the can down the road.' And he said, 'No, if it makes me a one-term president, I'm going to, we're going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on.'"

When Hillarycare crashed and burned and the Republicans took control of Congress in 1994, Bill Clinton gave it up. Rather than be a one-term President, he backed off and governed in a more centrist fashion. It's now pretty clear that Obama's plans for government medicine and slow (or no) economic growth fly in the face of the American people's values and preferences. If he, unlike Clinton, persists in trying to force the country far to the Left, he may well make good on his pledge."

Rather disturbing - In order to preserve our country's greatness and avoid a socialist utopia, Obama must fail !!

Posted by: KDS on August 15, 2009 08:26 PM
18. I wish Obama would just go back home wherever that is. This whole mess is like being 6 months behind on your house payment trying to secure financing for a pool in the backyard. Has EVERYONE in this country gone INSANE? We cant afford to buy everyone a Band-Aid for gods sake!

Posted by: Mark on August 15, 2009 09:39 PM
19. Now if they would just dump the abortion items that aren't there.


#17: I would also be willing to see Obama be a one-term president. He makes Hillary look desirable as president (and that, my friends, is pretty dang hard to do).

Posted by: Michele on August 16, 2009 12:26 AM
20. "traitorous clowns that shout false talking points and ignore facts and reason"

You mean like that democrat from Obama's "Organizing for America" group who showed up at a Town Hall meeting pretending to be a doctor "speaking for" doctors on Obamacare? She was outed to be a total fraud and not any kind of doctor.

Posted by: Michele on August 16, 2009 12:42 AM
21. All this is doing is exposing conservatives as being far more sore losers than liberals could ever hope to be. :) How pathetic.

Ahh, well. Have fun with the "debate". I haven't read anything here but ranting, dishonest conservative crap for days now, and it's not worth my time to try to disturb your collective psychotic implosion.

Posted by: demo kid on August 16, 2009 12:49 AM
22. #21

"...not worth my time to try to disturb your collective psychotic implosion."

-
So... why are you here?


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 02:18 AM
23. Dimo Child offers no substance, just his usual hit and run nonsense. If I had his mother's phone number, I'd call her and ask her to spank the living daylights out of him.

Posted by: Saltherring on August 16, 2009 08:11 AM
24. Demo - Interesting that it appears that Obama may finally be listening to the majority of the United States and all you can do is leave in shame!

Posted by: Tim on August 16, 2009 08:35 AM
25. Hmmm, I wonder who the real sore loser is here? I do take some pleasure, I must admit, when leftists throw their little temper tantrums when things begin to go against them. They are simply demonstrating what kind of wonderful human beings they are.

Obama and the Democrats are falling in the polls. It is because Obama and his cronies overplayed their hand. They also foolishly believed liberals are a majority in America.

Why should we trust anything that comes out of the mouths of Democrats? As to "death panels"--why would anyone think that would not be possible from the same people who happily kill unborn children? It's hardly a stretch, it seems to me.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 09:08 AM
26. The AP is saying that the President may drop the 'public option'. And *we're* the sore losers according to demo kid? What have we lost exactly?
They get really touchy when they lose their 'death panel'.

I think this whole thing may fall apart before long.
When these dems start hearing from seniors more and more... look out, Nancy!


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 09:18 AM
27. Bill C and Gary,
I also heard this morning that the Blue Dogs are saying there is not enough support in the House to pass the current House Bill. These Dems from conservative districts are getting swamped with negative comments from their constituents.

If they would actually reform the elements that need reforming rather than using the current situation as an excuse for a major power grab and a major shift to the left, people would actually jump on board. They could:
(1) Do medical malpractice/tort reform;
(2) do more to tie insurance to the individual rather than to their employment (increased portability);
(3) promote the sales of insurance against becoming uninsurable to handle the problem of trying to switch insurers once you have a medical condition (pre-existing condition);
(4) equalize the tax situation between those insured through their employer vs those who buy their insurance as individuals;
(5) promote and expand HSA's combined with high deductible/catastrophic health insurance to start to bring market discipline to the health care market.

These are all things that could be done to actually improve the health care and health insurance market. However, they are just using the current opportunity for their own ends. People are seeing through them now, which is good.

Posted by: Bill on August 16, 2009 09:34 AM
28. @22-25: See? Bitter. Imploding. Little substance. And yes, psychotic.

A majority of Americans believe that our current system has major problems, and understand that access and cost need to be dealt with more appropriately. While a majority of people do not advocate for a "government-run" system, the entire thrust of this healthcare reform initiative is not to create a government-run healthcare system, it is to provide public healthcare options. There is NO socialization of medicine being proposed here, and if you assume that you're "losing this country" because there is this perceived need to take care of one another... well... you have a sad, pathetic, and self-serving image of what this country is all about.

But why debate about any of this when wild hyperbole works just as well, right?

From what I can see here, the posters on (un)Sound Politics have the wondrous and short-sighted belief that because their own coverage plans (self-provided or otherwise) work for them, that there are absolutely no problems with medical care in this country. I would be interested, though, in seeing how this attitude would change if these plans of yours are cancelled in the midst of long-term care for chronic conditions. Would you be so quick to sacrifice yourself to a "death panel" run by market forces if you drew the short end of the economic stick? Would you throw senior citizens and the disabled off Medicare because it's "socialized medicine"?

Posted by: demo kid on August 16, 2009 09:39 AM
29. demo kid, good to see that it is again worth your time.

Maybe you answer a question of mine re: HR3200. Americans will have to pay a special tax if they are un-insured, right? Mandatory coverage, because after all, the use emergency medical care, etc and should pay for it. Fine. I understand the reason, though I am still against that part.

How will the people in the country illegally pay the special tax? How does HR3200 deal with that,
since after all, they also use emergency medical services, etc?

Thanks.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 09:45 AM
30. The short answer to your cynical questions dk is NO we wouldn't, because we aren't deceitful cowardly dhimmicrats.

Posted by: Alphabet Soup on August 16, 2009 09:47 AM
31. Slavery Party Failed Abortion wrote:

I would be interested, though, in seeing how this attitude would change if these plans of yours are cancelled in the midst of long-term care for chronic conditions.

Today, I have recourse; I can find another plan (and, because of HIPAA, I would have pre-existing condition restrictions eliminated).

Under HR 3200 I would have no recourse, since as a private individual I have no choice but to buy in to the "public option". If that drops coverage, I would be legally prohibited from purchasing any other insurance.

Seems to me that HR 3200 will restrict choice and eliminate my options. Why do you want to eliminate choice and options, SPFA?

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 09:54 AM
32. Dan, even Conrad and Sebielus (sp?) are saying today that the 'public option' might be dead. Will have to watch this closely.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 09:58 AM
33. Oh gosh! Look at the white flag on Drudge!

Remain vigilant.

I don't know if the liberals are gonna pass something without a public option...

Apparently, thousands of normal people showing up at various rallies this weekend aren't all well-dressed Nazis! Ha!

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 10:12 AM
34. Do you mean the senate eliminated the death panels that the press said Sarah Palin was lying about?
If the press research P-BO as much as they do Palin, there might be a different image of "The One"

Posted by: PC on August 16, 2009 10:19 AM
35. Yes, PC, and it looks like they might be ready to pull the "government run" part that they also say doesn't exist.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 10:30 AM
36. @31 Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 09:54 AM,

"Today, I have recourse; I can find another plan (and, because of HIPAA, I would have pre-existing condition restrictions eliminated)"

No, you don't. HIPAA's elimination of pre-existing condition restrictions only applies to employer provided and group plans. If you lose your employer provided, tax payer subsidized health insurance and need to acquire health insurance on your own, HIPAA protects your ability to acquire coverage in very limited ways.

"Seems to me that HR 3200 will restrict choice and eliminate my options"

Would love to read what options you have now (either as a covered employee, or private purchaser) that HR 3200 takes away. Will you tell us???


Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 10:31 AM
37. MikeBS,

No, you don't.

Yes, I do.

HIPAA's elimination of pre-existing condition restrictions only applies to employer provided and group plans.

My plan is essentially a "group of 1", that's how it's set up. I can move to a new plan and gain full HIPAA benefits. Didn't know that a group could have 1 person, did you Mike? All my contracting/consulting acquaintances also structure their own insurance this way.

Would love to read what options you have now (either as a covered employee, or private purchaser) that HR 3200 takes away.

Currently, I can buy from literally dozens of private health insurance plans. Can you tell me which ones qualify under HR 3200? Just one, please.

Will you tell us???

Yes, Mike, please tell me which private insurance plans are available for individual purchase under HR 3200. Please name one, just one.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 10:44 AM
38. MikeBoyScout, you run a business, right? Do you provide health insurance for your folks? Would HR3200 prompt you to alter the benefit in any way?

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 10:46 AM
39. Here's my question.

Of the 47 million uninsured...how many don't pay the $200 a month to Blue Cross because they'd rather spend their money on lattes, a new bicycle or recreational drugs?

Insurance, contrary to Obama, is actually cheap.

It can also be gotten cheap from any number of professional organizations.

It can also be gotten cheap from any number of state assistance programs.

Posted by: Tony Tiger on August 16, 2009 10:48 AM
40. I just did a search for individual health care plans at http://ehealthinsurance.com

The first plan came up at $130 a month!!

What is the problem people? Health insurance is cheap cheap cheap!!

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Quote.fs

GroupHealth:

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Quote.fs?mcei.html.screen%2B%2B.IFPOverview.row:0.x=1

Here's one for $106 dollars!!

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Quote.fs?mcei.html.screen%2B%2B.IFPOverview.row:7.x=1

Posted by: Tony Tiger on August 16, 2009 10:51 AM
41. How the Left deals with dissent. So much for wanting an exchange of ideas...

Thugs, liars, and thieves.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 10:55 AM
42. Here's another, Wise Simplicity

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Quote.fs?mcei.html.screen%2B%2B.IFPOverview.row:1.x=1

$117 a month!

To service the 47 million uninsured for 12 months that a mere $63 billion. Way, way below any of the other estimates.

And that's individual plans...not counting savings per person with family plans.

Is it the best? Probably not.

But beggars can't be choosers.

The McCain plan would have given people a $5000 tax credit to choose their insurer.

How many people simply don't want to pony up the $117 a month for health care and spend it on cigarettes instead?

Posted by: Tony Tiger on August 16, 2009 10:55 AM
43. Congressional democrats who are up in 2010 are trying to run away from health care as fast as possible.

That's why they are trying to push the discussion out until January- so they will have time to make it quietly go away.

This is equivalent to having a truck full of toxic waste dumped into your campaign.

Posted by: Andy on August 16, 2009 11:00 AM
44. Not only that, Andy, but the House Dems got burned real bad on cap-and-trade. They put themselves out there and got the rug pulled on in the Senate where it's being shelved.

Now the Senate (which has 60 votes) is gonna pull the 'public option' out.

Some commenter elsewhere said it best when he said some hard-core liberals are gonna be in need of 'end-of-life' counseling now that Obama has betrayed them on the public option. I wonder if insurance covers liberal heads exploding!

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 11:07 AM
45. Tony wrote:

To service the 47 million uninsured for 12 months that a mere $63 billion. Way, way below any of the other estimates.

One of the biggest lies about this package is that it only "costs" $100 billion a year. It's purely a paper game.

It's a $1 trillion expenditure, and HR 3200 supporters claim it is spent over 10 years. The reality is that 90% of the expenditures are in the last 5 years when the plan gets rolling.

It is, in fact, a $200 billion/year plan, with $100 billion in startup costs.

As you point out, we could cut the cost by a factor of 3 and simply buy private insurance for everyone. Eliminate the illegal immigrants, those who have the economic means to not buy insurance (the super-rich), those who qualify for S-CHIP and Medicaid and choose to ignore it, and you're left with about 15 million people.

We could insure all 15 million who are without insurance sometime during the year (remember, it's not people permanently without insurance) for under $21 billion a year.

But then, how would Washington gain the rights to access all your information (as HR 3200 allows)? How could they control the profit-and-loss of 17% of the GDP? No control - they're not interested!

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 11:07 AM
46. @37 Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 10:44 AM,

"Didn't know that a group could have 1 person, did you Mike?" Yes, I do. And, of course, you know that the pricing of your group plan is entirely dependent upon the profit motivation of your provider. i.e. If, God forbid, you (in your group of one) develop a costly condition your provider is not going to carry that loss forward as their expense. While single individual group insurance can be bought and therefore falls under HIPAA - but you've left yourself wide open to assuming the catastrophic risk for all but the term of your current contract.

"Can you tell me which ones qualify under HR 3200? Just one, please" Probably. But you'll need to tell me what you are trying to qualify for.

@38 Gary on August 16, 2009 10:46 AM,
"Do you provide health insurance for your folks?" Yes.
"Would HR3200 prompt you to alter the benefit in any way?" Probably yes. If the legislation reduces the cost escalation to within the rate of inflation, the benefit package would remain stable. Currently to achieve this cost objective insurance providers reduce and/or restrict coverage each year.

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 11:11 AM
47. Dan this whole thing, cap-and-trade and heath care reform is all about telling us what to eat, where to live, what to drive, what our thermostats can be set to, etc. It's the whole ball of wax.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 11:12 AM
48. Mike wrote:

Yes, I do.

Good. So then you agree I am covered by HIPAA.

And, of course, you know that the pricing of your group plan is entirely dependent upon the profit motivation of your provider.

And how would HR 3200 change that situation? Right now, insurance prices are regulated by the State; HR 3200 would add the Feds as well regulating the costs.

And since I would be mandated to buy insurance (whether I wanted it or not), I have no choice but to buy at whatever rate the Federal Government decides is acceptable.

Probably. But you'll need to tell me what you are trying to qualify

OK, how about WiseChoices 20. Good luck!

Once you fail at that, how about ANY private health insurance plan - your choice!

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 11:25 AM
49. Dan, "And since I would be mandated to buy insurance (whether I wanted it or not),..."

That is the next one we have to kill.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 11:30 AM
50. @48 Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 11:25 AM

"And how would HR 3200 change that [your group plan is entirely dependent upon the profit motivation of your provider]situation?"

As currently written in all 3 mark-ups of HR 3200, you as an employer purchasing group insurance for your group of one, would have the ability to
(a) shop for plans via the Health Insurance Exchange
(b) the ability to purchase a plan from the government provider - which is not a for profit enterprise.

"..please tell me which private insurance plans LifeWise Wise Choice 2009 plans are available for individual purchase under HR 3200."

None, as the link you provided shows these policy offerings available in 2009, and we both know these plans shall differ if and when offered post January 2009.

Interestingly and more apropos of this 'death panel' post, I found this wonderful statement on page 4 of
supplemental information about LifeWise plans
:

"Services that are not "medically necessary" are not covered. Medically necessary services are those services,drugs, and supplies which we determine to meet all of the following requirements."

"effective treatment for the medical
condition as demonstrated by:
- sufficient evidence exists to
draw conclusions about the effect
of the health intervention on
health outcomes
- the evidence demonstrates that
the health intervention can be
expected to produce its intended
effects on health outcomes

the least costly available level of
service, supply, or setting which can
be safely and appropriately provided
for the member"

And you whine about the ambiguity of HR 3200. :-p

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 12:01 PM
51. And Dan, my fave supplemental information is

"The fact that services were furnished, prescribed or approved by a physician or other qualified provider does not in itself mean that services were
medically necessary."

So, if your qualified, certified doctor of medicine determines a service is medically necessary, some damn bureaucrat can determine otherwise.

That's a problem with HR 3200, but not with the as-is system today. YOU BETCHA!!!

Sends little starbursts doesn't it? ;-)

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 12:22 PM
52. #51 These problems, as you point out, are for the people to work out, not the federal government.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 12:29 PM
53. As with him saying he's never been for 'single payer', I eagerly await him saying that the 'public option' was never something that he said he must have included in a bill.

I cannot wait.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 12:42 PM
54. These problems, as you point out, are for the people to work out, not the federal government.

Sure, Gary. The newspapers are full of stories of "people" working these problems out with their insurance companies everyday!

Posted by: scottd on August 16, 2009 12:45 PM
55. @52 Gary on August 16, 2009 12:29 PM

"These problems, as you point out, are for the people to work out, not the federal government."

pssst, don't tell anyone, but,We the People of the United States work it out through federal government.

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 12:46 PM
56. scottd, these issues are for the people (including the states) to resolve. Not the federal government.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 12:48 PM
57. Mike,

So have you found a plan that qualifies for HR 3200? Any plan? Any plan at all? I see you telling me a lot about what you perceive to be problems with my current plan, but I see even fewer under HR 3200.

Please, just name ONE private insurance plan that would exist under HR 3200. Just one.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 12:59 PM
58. #55. Oh... we do? Can we get rid of these things called "states" then?

This love of central government is one I will never understand.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 01:00 PM
59. Yeah, I have the same question Dan has. What companies will qualify?

Also, can we work out your business through the federal government? I think you charge too much.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 01:02 PM
60. @57 Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 12:59 PM,

Don't be silly. No defined plans are yet offered for the bill which is not law, so asking anyone to identify one from a set which = zero is just asinine. But don't worry, if HR 3200 passes LifeWise will be there for you.

Gary, sorry to have somehow caused you to tilt by bringing up the constitutional democratic form of our government. Of course, my business operates under federal regulation, even price controls. Neither myself nor my competitors are contemplating re-locating to Somalia where we would not have that burden. :-D

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 01:20 PM
61. No one in Britain takes Hannan seriously. We love our NHS. The facts are that healthcare in Britain takes up half as much GDP as in the US, British people have higher life expectancy than Americans, and infant mortality is higher in the US than the UK.

So, British healthcare costs less than American healthcare, and Britain has better health outcomes. As you Americans like to say "Go figure".

Posted by: Someone from Britain on August 16, 2009 01:29 PM
62. Isn't this great--(via Oubusmax)--Paul Begala calls Sarah Palin "about half a whack job", and Maureen Dowd says Palin sees Obama as "human prey" she seeks to shoot.

All because Palin pointed out a provisioin the liars on left claimed didn't exist...and then took out.

They are freaking out as the country finally finds out who they are.

The left suddenly finds itself demonizing average Americans who are turning on the TV and saying to themselves, "wait a minute, we aren't racists, we aren't thugs, we aren't a mob, we aren't nazis". Lots of these folks are independents who voted for Obama. Now they are realizing what the far left is, and what kind of meanies they are and they don't like it at all. The polls are showing it glaringly.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 01:37 PM
63. Brit raises by far the most interesting point, and one that escapes all the so-called conservative fundamentalists in the rants against Health Care reform. Total health spending accounted for 16.0% of GDP in the United States in 2007, by far the highest share in the OECD.

Because there is no Republican alternative (other than HR 3400, which no-body here but me has ever discussed), the choices to fix the problem are: (i) Do nothing (ii) Accept HR 3200 as written by the Democrats (iii) Get HR 3200 modified to make it better.

All this crap about 'death panels', unconstitutional socialism, being thrown about predicting the end of the world is nonsense. If you don't realize that, you're but a brief bloom on the crazy tree.

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 01:49 PM
64. Ok "Someone from Britain" prove you're British. Tell us where you went to school there, elementary through secondary education. Give us an exact address of were you lived.

Otherwise I just might be suspicious that you are just another lying leftist.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 01:54 PM
65. In my opinion MikeBoyScout the issue is not specific parts of the bill, (well there are actually several bills, aren't there?).

The issue is that it is no big secret that leftists, including Obama, actually want a single payer bill. It is also patently obvious that leftists are serial liars. There is no reason to believe anything the say about this issue, which they wanted rushed through without public examination. Thirdly everything the left touches results in out of control government spending. One only has to rationally look at Social Security, Medicare, and my personal favorite, public education. All three are in constant need of increased funding. When Obama says nationalized healthcare will "control costs" he is simply lying. Leftists care nothing about the truth. The care about their agenda.

Everything the left touches results in disaster and increased costs for those "little people" they pretend to champion. Perhaps that explains why PCC is the most expensive grocery store in the area.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 02:24 PM
66. If HR3200 became law (fat chance) and the Sec of HHS denied all applications to the Exchange, what would happen?

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 02:42 PM
67. @65 Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 02:24 PM,

Yes there are multiple bills and multiple mark-ups. And the devil is always in the details and not the propaganda of either side.

"Perhaps that explains why PCC is the most expensive grocery store in the area."

Or perhaps self government explains why PCC Natural Markets (despite higher prices on some items and a membership fee) is the largest natural foods cooperative in the country for 56 years with its fastest and largest expansion occurring while competing with all the old standards plus WalMart & Costco.

Nah, PCC's longevity of success is best explained by an ACORN conspiracy and the reanimation of Leon Trotsky in the Peoples Republic of Freemont. :-D


Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 02:50 PM
68. Mike wrote:

Don't be silly. No defined plans are yet offered for the bill which is not law, so asking anyone to identify one from a set which = zero is just asinine.

Yet you have no problem with telling everyone not to worry, their plans will be included and you'll have all the coverage you want.

So if it's undefined, how can you be so sure about what will be included?

But don't worry, if HR 3200 passes LifeWise will be there for you.

And you can say that because of? It's undefined, by your own words. As of now - by your own words - not a single plan is included. So your statement is either one of hubris or CYA.

Bottom line: no one knows what plans will be included, or even what coverage will be the minimum level, because HR 3200 leaves those decisions to the Health Commissioner, a person who's not even identified at this time.

Tell you what, Mike: will you sign and date a blank piece of paper for me? Then we can get your signature notarized. Trust me to fill in the page after that, it'll be OK for you. Trust me, really!

Because there is no Republican alternative (other than HR 3400, which no-body here but me has ever discussed)

I'm all for discussing HR 3400. Do you think Pelosi will let it out of committee, though? Do you think Obama's "call for bipartisanship" will be answered by Pelosi and her lackeys in the House?

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 02:54 PM
69. If HR3200 became law (fat chance) and the Sec of HHS denied all applications to the Exchange, what would happen?

What would happen if the FAA decided to deny all applications for new aircraft certification?

You're asking silly questions.

Posted by: scottd on August 16, 2009 02:59 PM
70. Hey MikeBoyScout if you want to pay 40% more for food at PCC than at Fred Meyer...

Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003102934_supermarkets05.html

PCC is a "success" because the area is full of silly politically correct liberals.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 03:11 PM
71. @69 Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 02:54 PM,

Regarding "sign and date a blank piece of paper", assuming you are signed up under LifeWise, you already did that (see my posts #50 & 51).

To your point of predicting the outcome of passed legislation and Gary's (@66 August 16, 2009 02:42 PM) crazy hypothetical, it requires climbing down from the crazy tree and thinking rationally.

Who exactly sits on that board of folks at LifeWise who get to determine (and I love that they put this term in quotes!) if a service is "medically necessary"?

You complain that HR 3200 does not yet name which department of our government will supervise the proposed program, but you ignore that a similar program already exists, Medicare.

Medicare has a publicly available and politically accountable Board of Trustees. Where is the policy holder accountability at LifeWise? And while far from perfect, Medicare has the support of an overwhelming majority of the American people.
Also, something to remember doom, gloom and death critics... There was a boat load of crap predicting the end of the world when Medicare was being crafted, and when RR was president of these United States he didn't lift a finger to repeal the scary SOCIALIST! program of Medicare.... did he?

Battery dying and I gotta grill. bye-bye.

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on August 16, 2009 03:20 PM
72. Scottd wrote:

What would happen if the FAA decided to deny all applications for new aircraft certification?

The aircraft manufacturer can sue the FAA for failure to certify; there are written standards and requirements that the manufacturer can use to support why their plane should be certified.

As of now - and for up to 1 year after the bill is passed - there are no standards or requirements at all about certification or requirements of health insurance.

You're asking silly questions.

Seems to me to be perfectly relevant. Because you don't like the question is no reason to call it silly. The requirements for inclusion in the exchanges is undefined, and the person who makes the decision is also not in place now or even identified, meaning that person - who wields sole power to decide such important guidelines - cannot be examined to have an idea about what they may or may not include.

So how about you, too, Scottd? Will you sign and date a blank page of paper, get it notarized, then turn it over to me to fill out in a way beneficial to you? Trust me to do so?

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 03:25 PM
73. The aircraft manufacturer can sue the FAA for failure to certify; there are written standards and requirements that the manufacturer can use to support why their plane should be certified.

Were those written standards part of the bill when Congress passed legislation giving the FAA authority to regulate airworthiness? If not, when were those standards written and by whom? Have they ever been updated? Who does that?

Dan, you are either ignorant of how legislation and regulations are crafted, or you are being willfully deceitful. In either case, there is no point in arguing with you.

Posted by: scottd on August 16, 2009 03:30 PM
74. Mike,

Regarding "sign and date a blank piece of paper", assuming you are signed up under LifeWise, you already did that (see my posts #50 & 51).

No, I could talk to them ahead of time, as the rules and regulations already exist. And I have many other companies to choose from if I don't like what the options are.

What will be the options under HR 3200, Mike?

And you never answered the question (like Leftists ever answer anything): are you willing to sign and date a blank piece of paper and hand it to me? That's what you're doing with the administration.

You complain that HR 3200 does not yet name which department of our government will supervise the proposed program, but you ignore that a similar program already exists, Medicare.

No, that wasn't my complaint. There is a SINGLE PERSON who exercises that - and greater - power. There is not board of trustees, nor defined rules or regulations.

Blank piece of paper, Mike.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 03:32 PM
75. Scottd,

When the FAA was set up, the aircraft industry was in its infancy. It wasn't 17% of our GDP, and it didn't affect every single person in the US.

Now, the FAA has a board of . It does not have a single person with sole authority, appointed by the President, to decide each and every year what the requirements, regulations, and rules will be.

The FAA does not set the profitability of Boeing and Airbus and Cessna.

The FAA does not require a manufacturer to turn over any and all information about the non-manufacturing businesses of the manufacturer; HR 3200 allows the Health Commissioner to compel every single person in the US to provide any personal information the commissioner deems relevant, and give that information to whomever the commissioner believes should have it.

Seems your example is pretty poor, overall...

So tell me, will you sign that blank sheet for me?

Better yet, will you voluntarily give any and all details asked of you - health, financial, social - to anyone here? Why would you trust it to the Health Commissioner who can then send that information to whomever they choose, without your approval required?

Did you trust President Bush? If not, then why do you want to give the Executive branch this kind of power? How will you feel when the Presidency is held by someone you don't trust - do you want all your information in their hands, and that administration to be able to compel you to share any information from you they deem "necessary"?

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 03:57 PM
76. scottd, is abortion paid for in HR3200? I ask partly because two Dem congressman, both in favor of the bill, think opposite. One thinks it absolutely will not pay for abortions. The other thinks it absolutely will. They both cannot be right.

Do you know?

And if the Sec. of HHS denied my company's request to be the Exchange, would I still be able to keep them because the President said I could?

These are not sill questions, scottd. Your side is obligated to answer them since it is your bill you're trying to get passed.

And illegal immigrants? Nobody on your side has answered how HR3200 will make them carry mandatory insurance, like it will for Americans.

Thanks.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 03:57 PM
77. By the way, this talk about the public option... probably no longer relevant since the President has abandoned it.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 04:00 PM
78. "By the way, this talk about the public option... probably no longer relevant since the President has abandoned it."

You don't really believe that. Of course they want single payer nationalized healthcare. Whether they get there by being honest about it or disguising it in incomprehensible legislation is irrelevant.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 04:10 PM
79. When the FAA was set up, the aircraft industry was in its infancy.

Really? Do you even know when the FAA was set up?

Now, the FAA has a board of . It does not have a single person with sole authority, appointed by the President, to decide each and every year what the requirements, regulations, and rules will be.

You don't seem to know much about how the FAA operates, either. Tell me, who runs the FAA and who appointed him? What is this board you refer to? Was it something Congress specified in its initial legislation, or did it simply authorize the FAA to regulate air safety with details to come later (what you would call a blank sheet of paper)?

Again, I don't see much point in debating with you until you can demonstrate at least some understanding of the subject matter (both FAA and regulation in general). So far, all I see is ignorance...


Posted by: scottd on August 16, 2009 04:33 PM
80. Bill, I think at this point the President wants something passed no matter what, even it means no public option. In trying to make it palatable to the Blue Dogs, he may have lost the liberal wing though.

I guess what he wants (single-payer) and what he can actually do at this point may be two different things.

But like I said before, we must remain vigilant for just what you say.

I want *no* bill at all. We just have to keep chipping away at it.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 04:35 PM
81. I'm sure that's what he's figuring Gary. Just get something passed. Of course there will be loopholes in the bill big enough to drive a semi through which will ultimately lead us to single payer. That's how these sneaky, dishonest people work.

The big lesson most of us already know is that the left is made up of people who cannot be trusted. The rest of America is figuring it out now, too.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 04:58 PM
82. Bill, did you see that piece in the Huffington Post about Obama's deal with the Pharmas? They were hoping that after the bill passed that he would double cross. That was actual phrase used in the piece, "double cross".

The mentality of these people is incredible. And that's exactly (and the honest ones have said so) what they want him him to do for single-payer... double cross all of us if HR3200 passes.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 05:02 PM
83. The White House, and those unsolicited emails from Axelrod:

"We are implementing measures to make subscribing to e-mails clearer, including preventing advocacy organizations from signing people up to our lists without their permission when they deliver petition signatures and other messages on individual's behalf," spokesman Nick Shapiro said in a statement Sunday night.

-
Gee, I wonder if they'll treat our medical records with the same care?

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 05:30 PM
84. That's exactly what I believe Gary. Double crossing us is nothing to these people.

I keep saying it. The modern left is a collection of 1960's radicals and their ideological heirs. The left is where unhappy, angry, maladjusted, dishonest people end up. The lovely people that enjoy telling other people how to live their lives. The same social engineering nitwits that deliberately build an entire light rail system without parking at the terminals.

And they will lie without apparent shame. Witness post #61 in this very thread by "Someone from Britain". These people will lie. It's the kind of people they are.

I never run into conservatives that act the way liberals do.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 05:35 PM
85. And then there was that woman who works for Obama's OFA organization who pretended to be a doctor at Sheila Jackson-Lee's townhall.

The press could have had a field day with that, but they're just upset that she got caught... and by bloggers.


Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 05:42 PM
86. Never in my life did I ever think I would see the day when 87 yr olds were arrested for protesting as Democrats did to the seniorser protesting Democrat Diane Feinstein. Never in my life did I think that anyone disagreeing with this administration would be labelled 'Un-American', what next House 'Un-American' panels?


Finally, I couldn't have ever in a thousand years dreamt that any US government administration would ever setup an email address for one American to snitch on another.

Posted by: pbj on August 16, 2009 05:50 PM
87. Great example Gary. And naturally the press ignores the story.

Democrats constantly lie. On the campaign trail they always "just met someone today" who is suffering some sort of problem only big Democrat government can solve. They use that one over and over. Obama did it, Hillary did it, Edwards did it. You could sit and watch their speeches and just wait for it. It was always there. They were lying and it didn't bother these horrid people a bit.

We're talking here about basically rotten people. They love the Palestinians, Fidel Castro, and idolize Che Guevarra as if he was some kind of rock star. They wage war against Christianity unrelentingly. Every year they try to ruin the Christmas Season for people.

Are the American people finally realizing who these creeps are? I think so.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 06:03 PM
88. Ron fearmongers, ""Voluntary" as in at every decision point every medical person who sees you reminds you that you have the death option."

No, there is no death "option". We all will die. The question is how.

And both "at every decision point" and "every medical person who sees you" are pure paranoid inventions and/or cynical lies.

Posted by: Bruce on August 16, 2009 06:08 PM
89. @#86, yep pbj welcome the the real world of the left.

The same exact people who screamed about "Bush's illegal wiretapping" and accused the Bush Administration was crushing dissent when it never did is now doing what leftists always do when they have power.

It's the left that always stomps on free speech.

They are the bad guys.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 06:12 PM
90. Scottd,

Did the current appointee set all the rules and regulations? No. Do you know how those rules and regulations are set? Do you?

That's the issue - this current bill specifies they are set by ONE PERSON ONLY - the Health Commissioner. He can ignore the recommendations of any group nominated to make them. It's him, and him alone.

Apparently that doesn't bother you. Well, it does bother me, and a lot of other people. And what we get is ridicule and scorn for speaking up. How "bipartisan" of you!

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 16, 2009 06:19 PM
91. "Ron fearmongers" Oh isn't that nice Bruce. That's the way you leftists begin civilized discussion, isn't it?

What is wrong with you leftists? No need to answer that. I already know.

Fearmongering is what the Obama Administration has been doing since day one. Scaring people into passing a huge stimulus package, and now trying to scare people into passing socialized medicine.

Well Bruce I'm sorry to bring you the bad news. The American people are figuring out just who you are.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 06:28 PM
92. I suspect the American people have always known just who and what the leftists are. Difference is, now they are fighting back. About time!

Posted by: katomar on August 16, 2009 06:35 PM
93. I think you are right katomar. What I don't think Americans have realized until now is that the far left has taken over the Democratic Party. Now thanks to Obama's overreaching they can see it. Plus Obama is calling average Americans thugs and racists. I wonder what disgusting tactic his Administration will pull this coming week. Probably planting people at town hall meetings hoisting racist signs and shouting racist slogans...it's the kind of thing these jerks do. Stay tuned.

Older voters still thought of the Democrats as the party of JFK, and Scoop Jackson. Poll numbers are showing that voters who list themselves as independents are abandoning the Democrats en-masse. The so-called "blue dog" Democrats apparently are being so flooded with angry voter sentiment that they are afraid of losing in 2010.

I have alway said that if the left goes too far it could spell their doom. It is too early to be certain that is what is happening. But I am liking the trend!

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 07:05 PM
94. ScottD - You again are totally incorrect bringing up the FAA @ 69 and trying to compare that to Obama's health care propositions. Please go back and do some more research on exactly what Obama is trying to do with our entire United States economy and in particular his Health Care and Cap & Trade propositions!!

Bringing up the FAA and then making remarks that you can no longer discuss Health Care because the FAA is totally off subject is nonsensical!!!

Posted by: Tim on August 16, 2009 07:19 PM
95. Ha! Now the White House is saying that Seibelus (sp?) misspoke, and that the public option must still be in place, and that the media "mis-played it".

Keystone cops in charge of our health care.

Posted by: Gary on August 16, 2009 07:57 PM
96. Don't you just love the left?

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 16, 2009 08:06 PM
97. No Bill, I don't. And the more I hear from them the less I'm liking them...

Posted by: Alphabet Soup on August 16, 2009 08:50 PM
98. You libs can't snitch on us anymore. flag@whitehouse.gov has been turned off.

How utterly embarrassing. I actually am starting to feel bad for the man.


Posted by: Gary on August 17, 2009 07:20 AM
99. Well Alphabet Soup the Obama Administration is just confirming everything I believe about the left.

It's fascinating to watch, actually. I've never seen an administration spend its political capital so quickly.

I wonder what dumb things they'll do this week? Should be fun to watch the poll numbers.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 17, 2009 07:33 AM
100. Problems with Cash for Clunkers:

"The federal government has only reimbursed auto dealers for 2 percent of the claims they've submitted through the popular "cash for clunkers" program, a Pennsylvania congressman said, calling on the Obama administration to help speed up the process.

Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., called for "immediate action" to address the problem in a statement Sunday, after writing a letter to President Obama Saturday expressing his concerns.

In the letter, Sestak said only 2 percent of claims have been paid and that four of every five applications have been "rejected for minor oversight." "

-
Can't wait for them to handle our health care. I wonder what doctors will do if they don't get paid? Gee, that's a toughie.

Posted by: Gary on August 17, 2009 07:51 AM
101. Do the local Marxists/ Democrats deny that under Obamacare there will be panels of appointees set-up who will determine eligible procedures and who will get care? Under such plans in other countries people are denied care based on statistical outcomes, relative worth in society and age. Private insurance companies already have such panels (minus the relative worth part). The difference between private and government panels is that in a private system I can fire my insurance company (switch companies) or sue my insurance carrier. Under socialized medicine, I will not be able to change carriers or sue the government. If Obama appointees such as John Holdren ("science czar" with radical views on coercive population control) or Ezekiel Emanuel (advisor to Obama with radical views on who should get medical care based on relative worth in society) get to decide my level of care then I would say Sarah Palin is correct in her assessments of Obamacare.
Btw, on the way back from eastern Washington I espied a creepy Liberal (but an honest one) motoring in his beater westbound on I-90. He sported the requisite Obama-Biden bumper sticker on the right side of his rear bumper and a circular picture of Karl Marx on the left side of the same. Like I said, at least he's honest.

Posted by: Attila on August 17, 2009 09:55 AM
102. Whether such a provision is in the legislation or not, such a provision would *have* to be eventually included, or the country would just go bankrupt.

The point of pricing mechanisms is to give people the chance to make these decisions themselves. All that we get by attempting to outlaw economics is to create the necessity that someone else do it.

Posted by: bfr on August 17, 2009 12:41 PM
103. Normally I take the time to read all the comments before posting (really I do) but today I did not. The Senate is not in session. Did anyone explain how they can take any action at all? Did they vote via Twitter? What gives?

Posted by: Quincy on August 17, 2009 07:54 PM
104. Gary @98. Don't worry, y'all have already been turned in, so no more need new reporting. Yes, government is efficient. Yer on the list. Congrats. Like Navin Johnson, you're somebody now!

Posted by: Quincy on August 17, 2009 08:00 PM
105. Do the local Marxists/ Democrats deny that under Obamacare there will be panels of appointees set-up who will determine eligible procedures and who will get care?

We have exactly all that now, but the bureaucrats who make our life/death decisions are private, and their only allegiance is to greed. They are paid to deny you the care for which you have paid, and by which your payment in the free market, rightfully belongs to you. Were these nameless, faceless, unknown profiteers instead public servants, they would ultimately have to answer to officials we elect.

But hey, keep playing with private citizen Palin's favorite imaginary friend, Death Panel. (That you're taking your cues from a loser makes our future that much more secure.) Just give us liberals a break, would you? We can only cook our organically-grown, fair-trade, zero-carbon-footprint, argula-scented popcorn so fast, and your oh-so-cute antics are making us consume it at far too fast a pace. Have sympathy for your fellow citizens -- we are in the majority, after all.

Posted by: tensor on August 17, 2009 09:44 PM
106. #105 "we are in the majority, after all."

So pass your bill then... the one that you guys removed the non-existent "Death Panel" from.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/122333/Political-Ideology-Conservative-Label-Prevails-South.aspx#2

Posted by: Gary on August 17, 2009 10:18 PM
107. "we (liberals) are in the majority, after all."

Not for long, it would appear.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 07:06 AM
108. Bill, not even for long. See my link to Gallop at #106. In every state more people describe themselves as conservatives than liberals.

And it's thanks to Obama.

2010 is shaping up to be a doozy. If he can't do it now, he's done.

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 07:09 AM
109. And another thing, CBS News reports that 60,000 AARP members have canceled their membership since July 1st because AARP isn't fighting against Obams's Medicare cuts.

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 07:12 AM
110. Gary,

I know that you don't actually believe for a second that Mike BS is a private employer.
He's co-opting the cred of genuine small business owners.

The only small business MikeBS has ever owned involved (his Mom's) baggies filled with green stuff grown by his neighbor.

Posted by: Amused by Liberals on August 18, 2009 07:24 AM
111. Gary @108--Yes, there it is for everyone to see.

There are a ton of what I would call traditional Democrat voters that actually are not liberals. They are now scratching their heads wondering what the heck they voted for.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 08:09 AM
112. A most interesting reaction to Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin expressed an unsolicited opinion about the "Death Panels," and the nitwits jumped on it like flies to shit. Those who call her a liar are mostly just lazy idiots (Kirsten Powers or Geraldo Rivers) who have either forgotten or never actually knew what a "lie" is. The fraudulent projection of their own habitual excess only highlights their corrupt inanity.

A statement of opinion can be based on untruth and it can contain faulty (even dishonest) logic but it cannot be a lie. Self appointed dogmatists (Pudge) use the "Lie" accusation as a tactic of convenience whenever they are losing arguments because they are either too dishonest to admit they are wrong or too lazy to muster a rational response. Liberals use it as a reflexive feature of their ideology . . . liberalism itself is a lie.

An ordinary probable consequence of Section 1233 can aptly be described as employing the use of "Death Panels," and the fact that the drafters immediately removed the section once Palin's comments were aired casts the truth of her assertion. Palin's lines of reasoning concerning "Death Panels" are thoroughly sound and her opinion is both well stated and appropriate. We need a mandatory reminder for our government you that we have a "death option?" What death option is that, and why do we "need" it? Nonsense.

Sarah Palin's characterization of Section 1233 was no lie. Those who cannot or will not follow the dots only make it easier for the rest of us to see their subterfuge.

Thanks Sarah

Posted by: Amused by Liberals on August 18, 2009 08:30 AM
113. Gary: I read the same thing last night. The point needs to be emphasized with a quote (from the Washington Examiner):

The approximately 60,000 number represents members who specifically cited AARP's stance on the health overhaul debate in canceling their membership between July 1 and mid-August, Nannis said. He said that on average AARP loses some 300,000 members a month, but he couldn't say how many more members had quit for other reasons in that time period.

Too bad so sad. The AARLP (American Association of Retired Liberal Persons) forgot their mission - supporting seniors - and became just another slack-jawed mouthpiece for the dhimmicrat party.

Posted by: Alphabet Soup on August 18, 2009 08:34 AM
114. As for the AARP, every time the GOP suggested some sort of Medicare reform over the years, the Dems and press would accuse them of wanting to kill old people. Now that the Dems are actually proposing deep Medicare cuts, and millions more competing with seniors for the same doctors/hospitals, etc, suddenly the press is silent.

As with the war, when a Dem is president, the libs and the press suddenly lose interest in opposing it.

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 08:46 AM
115. Anthony Weiner (D) Congressman was on TV today saying that the only way to kill private insurance companies, and provide Medicare for wall, was if the 'public option' stays alive.

Anybody here still care to tell us that the 'public option' is not a trojan horse for single-payer?

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 09:48 AM
116. All within a day two or three administration talking heads say that the "Public Option" is in there and an integral part. Then two or three other administration talking heads say that it isn't and is not an important part of the reform. Obama says it's a "small part" and not needed.

This isn't the right hand not knowing what the left is doing as some think but it is purposeful obfuscation to purposefully confuse the issue in an effort to peel off at least some of the many objectors.

Obama isn't "listening to the people" he's doing a rope-a-dope, reformulating how to slip this crap in through the back door when nobody is looking. The commie left has admitted as much any number of times. Reid, Pelosi and the rest have been blabbing their intent to anybody who will listen. This fight isn't anywhere near over and the pressure needs to applied harder than ever.

Posted by: G Jiggy on August 18, 2009 10:18 AM
117. At 116.

Exactly right.

We need our own Town hall meetings to keep up the pressure.

No compromise - kill ObamuCare dead.

Posted by: Amused by Liberals on August 18, 2009 11:56 AM
118. Yup national healthcare is like a vampire, if we don't drive a wooden stake through its heart now it will never die.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 01:42 PM
119. I wonder if Obama pissed of the liberals so badly this weekend that they're disappeared?

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 01:59 PM
120. Please ignore my post at #119. It's a mess typographically.

Posted by: Gary on August 18, 2009 02:12 PM
121. Been there more than once, Gary.

Do get your point though. I haven't seen any gloating posts from longtime lib posters such as Ivan lately.

I warned Ivan after a particularly boastful post after Obama won that in the world of politics the wind can shift very suddenly. Sure enough.

What amazes me about this is how Obama and all these allegedy smart people like Rahm Emanuel appear to have deluded themselves into believing most Americans are liberals.

Obama is about to find himself mirroring the hapless British PM in the classic British series "Yes, Prime Minister". "What about my Grand Design?" he keeps asking his advisor. His advisor, who has seen it all before, merely shrugs.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 03:51 PM
122. Now these charming people on the left are trying to confuse people by talking about a "public option".

Isn't that just a perfect example of how liberals play?

What the heck does "public option" mean? Does it mean government run healthcare? Does it mean the "public" gets to choose where it buys their healthcare? How could one possibly know? It's the deliberate vague language the creepy socialist lawyers who largely make up the left invent.

If they were honest decent people they would call it the "government option".

We are not dealing with honest decent people.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 08:51 PM
123. Here's a living, breathing (not for long, apparently) example of your "Public Option":

Thousands of surgeries may be cut in Metro Vancouver due to government underfunding, leaked paper

Oops. We're running out of Government money, so we'll just cut surgeries and treatments. Too expensive to take care of everyone!

Of course, the US can make it work, given that we have a massive $2 trillion annual deficit, right?

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 18, 2009 09:51 PM
124. Is Death Panel Palin currently in utero near Wasilla? Because private citizen Palin has at least one more teenage mother to raise, right?

Meanwhile, Sen. Grassley's lies about Britain's NHS have UK's Conservatives up in arms. You guys just hate the very idea of the US having allies, dont'cha?

My many votes for Dr. McDermott feel better by the day...

Posted by: tensor on August 18, 2009 09:58 PM
125. I say it ad nauseum here about how nasty people on the left are. Thanks tensor for being yet another leftist that merely confirms what I keep saying.

Just listen to yourself: "Is Death Panel Palin currently in utero near Wasilla? Because private citizen Palin has at least one more teenage mother to raise, right?"

Nasty.

I'll add this since you bring up Sarah Palin. My liberal sister visited with her 9-year old recently. My darling niece announced that "Sarah PALIN,(that's how she said it), shoots wolves". Gosh, I wonder where she got that notion from.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 18, 2009 10:17 PM
126. Hi Bill. That tensor's not nasty, just confused. Here's nasty. Can anyone say FEDERAL FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING? IE ABORTION, IE ROE V WADE? It's high effing time the vast right conspiracy start to admit that the problem with ANY national involvement in health care IPSO FACTO doctors dispensing precedent setting advice beyond abstinence is VERBOTEN. That is frankly the sum of the entire health care issue. The same as SCHIAVO which the vast right wing conspiracy had not one problem interjecting itself into, not because they gave a crap about Terry, but it would have been a precedent setting concession on something else. The stakes were too high. This resistance to a fantastical OBAMACARE DEATH PANELS is not about doctors, fat kids, high insurance, personal bankruptcy, high taxes, bureaucracy, national socialism, debt, or anything other than an insane fear of CONDOMS.
Glad to see you are still at it.
Oh and shooting wolves is for cowards, fighting them with knives is for champions.

Posted by: Acid Brain on August 18, 2009 11:01 PM
127. Another fake doctor showed up at a town hall yesterday to support Obama's plan to make American citizens pay more for worse health care so that illegal immigrants can get better health care for free.

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 07:56 AM
128. I've seen my gp, my dentist; and two specialists in the last week. They are unanimously in favor of an overhaul including national single payer health care if thats what the choice is. Every one of them offered that they would gladly take home lower income in exchange for better preventative care for all and coherent insurance policies. They don't think that we are doing is working well at all, especially for the youngest people.

Posted by: Acid Brain on August 19, 2009 09:02 AM
129. Dems had better watch out becuase some seats are going to be lostas this continues!

Posted by: Laurie on August 19, 2009 09:07 AM
130. You can sure tell when hemp fest is over.

Posted by: Attila on August 19, 2009 10:01 AM
131. #130

Ha! Love it.

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 10:04 AM
132. #128. What did your lawyer say about tort reform?

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 10:06 AM
133. Dealers leaving Cash for Clunker program because they are not getting paid:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9A63DK01&show_article=1

I cannot wait until the government doesn't pay doctors after health care reform. Acid Brain, your doctors' wishes of getting paid less will come true.

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 10:09 AM
134. #128,
Smart to go see your doctors now. You may not be able to if the Dems get their wishes and move us all to single payer...

Posted by: Bill on August 19, 2009 01:39 PM
135. "Democrats on a House committee are seeking detailed financial records from dozens of large insurance companies, officials disclosed Tuesday, part of an investigation into "executive compensation and other business practices" in an industry opposed to President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul health care."

-

In the old days, this would have enraged liberals as much as conservatives. Not anymore. They are now openly in favor of tyranny.

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 03:37 PM
136. According to Obama - we are now all liars!!

Obama: Health care debate is 'heart of who we are'
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/08/68497346/1
"Obama also accused critics of "bearing false witness" about the his proposals, describing claims of federally created "death panels" as an "extraordinary lie.""

Obama has now proven to be a total idiot - he claimed he would have total transparency in his leadership but has proven totally different. He attempted to pass his Health Care Reform before any discussion before the August recess because the health care problems were 'total emergencies' and could not wait for any discussions.

As it turns out - it is not an emergency and yes we need detailed discussions from the Democrat Congress as to each and every problem in detail that needs to be fixed, what are all of the possible solutions, what are all the pro and cons of each solution for each problem, and then what are the recommended solutions for each problem that we can all agree upon...

but Obama, an extreme leftist, is attempting to Socialize our country without any discussion from anyone outside of his small disjointed leadership group.

We need more open discussion of exactly what Obama is trying to change with our country before he and Congress make totally idiotic socialistic laws!!

Posted by: Tim on August 19, 2009 04:09 PM
137. I've seen my gp, my dentist; and two specialists in the last week. They are unanimously in favor of an overhaul including national single payer health care if thats what the choice is. Every one of them offered that they would gladly take home lower income in exchange for better preventative care for all and coherent insurance policies. They don't think that we are doing is working well at all, especially for the youngest people.

Posted by: Acid Brain on August 19, 2009 04:41 PM
138. sorry for the double post there. cache. thumbsup atilla. seriously though, we trust nasa or the pentagon or noaa to undertake generational world changing activities and freak out about whether our elected proxy can provide basic medical service to people not already on medicare? the irony is thick. impenetrable.

Posted by: Acid Brain on August 19, 2009 04:54 PM
139. Acid Brain, the Pentagon is part of the Department of Defense, and defending the nation is one of the powers actually enumerated by the Constitution that the feds can do. Health care isn't.

Have you see Cash for Clunkers? Now tell me, which program do you think is easier to run, Cash for Clunkers, or the nation's health care system?

Cash for Clunkers is a disaster. The Stimulus program is a disaster. We have a $2 trillion deficit *this year* alone. How do you suppose we pay that back?

So, yes. I do freak out when they tell me they're gonna take over my health care.

We.Do.Not.Want.It. How much clearer can we be?

Posted by: Gary on August 19, 2009 08:19 PM
140.
More on the Cash for Clunkers fiasco:

"Some New Mexico auto dealers have backed out of the cash-for-clunkers program and more may do so as the federal government takes its time providing cash reimbursements. Dealers across the state are owed more than $3.6 million, according to a dealers' group which says that so far Uncle Sam has only written three checks totaling about $14,000."

My crystal ball says:

"Some doctors are backing out of the government-run health insurance program... this is causing widespread delays, and rationing across much of the nation..."


Posted by: Gary on August 20, 2009 07:43 AM
141. DC "shut up"...when you lead the way by making yourselves (all White House staff, all senators, all congressmen, all federal employees, uaw, acorn, americorps) dismiss your present health plan and replace it with the bills/plans/government insuranc/government coop you are trying to sell to us! Salesmen! You have forgotten something...never try to sell something you would not buy yourselves!

Posted by: mindy on August 21, 2009 08:14 PM
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