2009.08.21
Confused? You're not alone
I realize by the passion in which you all have argued at length over health care reform that you have your minds made up. Not so, for many Americans, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
The poll found: Sixty-three percent of the public say they are “hopeful” about reform, 41 percent are “afraid” and 46 percent are simply “confused.”
Since there's an overlap , I wondered who is confused more: "hopeful" or "afraid" It seems they are equally split. The key findings of the poll are worth taking a look as it tracks the same questions from the start of the debate and since the misinformation and ad campaigns.
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"since the misinformation " translated means "anything that doesn't agree with Obama". Funny, we never heard the media mention misinformation campaigns against the Republicans.
Comment by Henry — August 21, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
People could be all three. The biggest problem is Obama himself. He's complaining all over the place about "one voice" drowning out all reasonable rational discussion about his plan. Here's a president that has the bully pulpit, an overwhelming House majority, a bulletproof Senate, all the networks and newspapers in his back pocket, and he's whining that his message is getting scrambled because of Rush Limbaugh.
When protesters voice legitimate concerns about things they don't want in a bill, they get scolded. Obama doesn't have a specific bill out, so he can't point to chapter and verse to refute any claim. We are all supposed to just believe Obama when he says abortions, illegals, death boards, etc aren't included. He's trying to have it both ways. He won the presidency on vague generalities designed to appeal to dimwits. His supporters never asked for specifics; they just trusted His Greatness. Well, now you need specifics, and as rational people already knew, the emperor has no clothes.
Comment by Suzie — August 21, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
The biggest problem is that the corporate interests who do not have the votes or the support to stop this train, decided to use lies, misinformation, misdirection and confusing rhetoric to "plant the seed" of distrust so important to public opinion on anything. Reasonable and rational discussion was not attempted until the vitriol (wink) had done the job and been caught in the head lights and frankly it is too little and too late because the forces of the people who do want health care reform have started speaking up and out. Obama is doing his job and so will Congress despite Fox News, Limbaugh, Corporate Bus Tours, millions spent in false advertising, fake/lying emails and flyers, and the worst wishes by the losers from November. And do you know why? Simple; he is doing the will of the people. Whether the plan will be a success or a half-hearted effort still trying to appease those who will not be appeased is all that remains to be seen.
Legitimate protests and honest questions have not been scolded nor silenced. In fact, Dems have been remarkably patient even in the face of shout downs and lies. Bush never even let them in the room, if you have the decency to honestly recall. You all are not supposed to "just believe Obama" and you will not if it is written into the bill either. The facts of your hatred and blind lashing out with or without anything to back it up is proof of the futility in trying to convince you of anything. He/we cannot please everyone and no one is expecting that this bill will do that.
He won the election on better ideas, better plans, better organization and better support from Americans. He has not lost enough of any of that to make a difference in this debate or the health care reform plan. The specifics will come and they will pass.
People need to remember that Roosevelt was called a Socialist over Social Security. LBJ was vilified and called the same for Medicare. Find anyone who refuses either program or anyone who wants to stop those "government programs". This too shall pass, thankfully the suffering will stop and the basic decency of health care for all will become a reality not controlled by Big Insurance and Corporations with few competitors and only money as a motive.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — August 21, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
Suzie has it nailed !!
People are beginning to wake up and see that this man, who cannot construct 2 sentences without a teleprompter, is seriously floundering and is already a lame duck. His healthcare isnt working, his save or create jobs went nowhere, the cash for clunkers is a bomb so far because the dealers are not getting their money and even the dems are beginning to feel buyers remorse. cant wait for 2010.
Comment by pammala — August 21, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
Suzie has it nailed !!
People are beginning to wake up and see that this man, who cannot construct 2 sentences without a teleprompter, is seriously floundering and is already a lame duck. His healthcare isnt working, his save or create jobs went nowhere, the cash for clunkers is a bomb so far because the dealers are not getting their money and even the dems are beginning to feel buyers remorse. cant wait for 2010.
Comment by pammala — August 21, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
Absolutely.
Unfortunately, those who fell for the "hope and change" spiel continue to support the empty suit rather than admit they contributed to making a huge mistake.
Comment by Patrick — August 21, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
"who cannot construct 2 sentences without a teleprompter"
Teleprompter! ACORN! Soros! Communist! Fascist! Random Talking Point! Rev. Wright! Bill Ayers! Death Panels! Talking Point 74! Kenya! Terrorist Fist Jab! Hatred of white people! Hitler! Liberal Media! Another Random Talking Point! Anti-American! Free Market! Individual Responsibility! Talking Point 218634! Rationed Care! Government Takeover! Hate The Troops! Flag Pin! Oceans No Longer Protect Us! DemocraT Party! Yet Another Talking Point! Blame Game! Aid And Comfort! Cut And Run! Latte Sipping! Elite! Ongoing Investigation! Putting Us At Risk! Talking Point 956! Over There Not Over Here! Old News! Volvo Driving! Evildoers! Rooting For The Terrorists! Far Left! Islamo-fascists! Because Of Our Freedoms! Anti-Christian! Fiscally Conservative! War On Christmas! Bush Derangement Syndrome! Clinton's Fault! No One Could Have Predicted! Tax And Spend! Talking Point 94572943938! Activist Judges! Racist Minorities! Legislating From The Bench! Reverse Racism! Liberal Elite! Take Away Our Guns! Talking Point 5!
Comment by SteveA — August 21, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
ha ha ha ha ROFLOL, keep on telling yourselves all that stuff. Repeat as often as needed. With what your side has to offer, has come into the breach with, has wasted air space with, has mounted as an actual defense of dereliction of duty and has no hope of a real candidate in 2012, yeah we are shaking in our boots. The fear and loathing is just palpable (and pablum).
"teleprompter", seriously? yeah, bring back the brain trust who cannot string two sentences together, he was real popular at speechifying. Thanks for the laugh.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — August 21, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
You forgot "birth certificate." I, too, cannot wait for 2010. You won't be able to elect an obstructionist Republican for dogcatcher.
Comment by Art Hill — August 21, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Me thinks you are in for a HUGE surprise.....
Comment by Jim W. — August 21, 2009 @ 11:36 pm
well Art..you'll be able to elect one as governor of Va. in 2009 though.
Comment by BUD — August 22, 2009 @ 6:46 am
SteveA #6...LOL. It's all about the TELEPROMPTER.
Bush's teleprompter just gave up.
Comment by Kristen — August 22, 2009 @ 8:05 am
who cannot construct 2 sentences without a teleprompter"
Teleprompter! ACORN! Soros! Communist! Fascist! Random Talking Point! Rev. Wright! Bill Ayers! Death Panels! Talking Point 74! Kenya! Terrorist Fist Jab! Hatred of white people! Hitler! Liberal Media! Another Random Talking Point! Anti-American! Free Market! Individual Responsibility! Talking Point 218634! Rationed Care! Government Takeover! Hate The Troops! Flag Pin! Oceans No Longer Protect Us! DemocraT Party! Yet Another Talking Point! Blame Game! Aid And Comfort! Cut And Run! Latte Sipping! Elite! Ongoing Investigation! Putting Us At Risk! Talking Point 956! Over There Not Over Here! Old News! Volvo Driving! Evildoers! Rooting For The Terrorists! Far Left! Islamo-fascists! Because Of Our Freedoms! Anti-Christian! Fiscally Conservative! War On Christmas! Bush Derangement Syndrome! Clinton's Fault! No One Could Have Predicted! Tax And Spend! Talking Point 94572943938! Activist Judges! Racist Minorities! Legislating From The Bench! Reverse Racism! Liberal Elite! Take Away Our Guns! Talking Point 5!
Comment by SteveA — August 21, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
he can ACTUALLY SAY these words but cant use them together in sentences...lol
Comment by pammala — August 22, 2009 @ 9:40 am
"You won't be able to elect an obstructionist Republican for dogcatcher."
Ask Creigh Deeds.
Comment by Henry — August 22, 2009 @ 9:45 am
obstructionist republican..lol...so much better than socialist
ya know obama's so-called 'green job czar' is a self proclaimed communist...real nice
he associates with all sorts doesnt he..a real college boy who says how smart he is but wont show his grades..really? a community organizer..yeh-sure
a bumbling tyrant is trying to take over this country and we will not allow it...roll on the floor and laugh your a$$ off on that...
Comment by pammala — August 22, 2009 @ 10:15 am
I always thought a republican dog catcher would be better for president than any dem anyway...bring it on...
Comment by pammala — August 22, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Exactly, Pammala. As if there could be an "obstructionist Republican" with the majorities they have. But they always have to have a scapegoat at the ready, and the media is happy to help with that. The way they rewrite history, I can see them blaming the powerless Republicans for whatever goes down with this.
Comment by Suzie — August 22, 2009 @ 11:11 am
We already had "a bumbling tyrant" in the White House and we finally got wise and got rid of him before he totally destroyed the country. You are obviously doing your part to restore credibility, honesty and integrity to the Republican Party and at this rate you will win back the nation in at least a decade or three. If Dems could ever master the lockstep your side has down pat, we would have mowed over this campaign of lies and had a plan into law by now. Popular myths notwithstanding, even if this plan for reform is completely dropped (ala Clinton Health Care Reform) it will STILL not be Obama's "Waterloo". Thanks to Bush's monumental damage to the Republican Party and the Nation's psyche, Democrats have only to be working hard for sincere efforts at restoration and we will win for perpetuity. The only people who can screw this up is us and while some of us are easily that stupid, all of us are not.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — August 22, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
"ya know obama's so-called 'green job czar' is a self proclaimed communist...real nice"
In spite of 8 years of Bush/Cheney...it's still not against the law to be a communist, socialist, or anything else...self proclaimed or not. God bless this great nation.
Comment by Kristen — August 22, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
For all the hoopla, the opposition has yet to offer anything that pretends to help fix the problem with healthcare. They had Bush for 8 years playing cowboy while the economy tanked -- there was a pretty good chance there to make some significant progress and nothing happened.
So far the GOP has offered zip in the way of any better ideas to cope with this issue. Instead they want to demonize the plan and the man. And lie. Nice work, Republicans!
If you have a better idea -- and the status quo WILL NOT STAND, mind you -- then put it on the table. And now. Otherwise, get out of the way and let majority rule.
And Democrats? Get it together here and make a change for the better; stop all this petty squabbling (although I know it seems that's what you do best) and serve the will of the people who support affordable health care for all Americans.
Comment by Saintbridge — August 22, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
@ #18: "ya know obama's so-called 'green job czar' is a self proclaimed communist...real nice"
So? I don't care if he's Bhuddist, Independent or Zoroastrian, as long as he does his job. Since when was it a crime to hold certain beliefs in this country? Isn't that why they call it "land of the free?"
Comment by Saintbridge — August 22, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
"In stead they want to demonize the plan and the man. And lie. Nice work republicans."
The whitehouse has asked for emails of people who misrepresent Obama's positions on healthcare.
Obama has said as a senate candidate "I happen to be a proponent of a single payer universal healthcare plan."
As president, "I have not said I am a single payer supporter"
"We have the AARP on board... AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare."
Of course the AARP quickly issued a statement they they have NOT endorsed
the bill and some 60,000 members have disenrolled from AARP membership.
"But if that same diabetic ends up getting their foot amputated, that's $30,000, $40,000 $50,000- immediately the surgeon is reimbursed."
When in fact the range is roughly $700-$1,100.
That darn teleprompter!!
Comment by BUD — August 22, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
"But if that same diabetic ends up getting their foot amputated, that's $30,000, $40,000 $50,000- immediately the surgeon is reimbursed."
When in fact the range is roughly $700-$1,100."
Hilarious. You can't sit in a waiting room for more than 2 hours without being into them for more than that. I'd love to see the surgeon that would amputate a foor for $1000. Maybe in Cuba.
Comment by Kristen — August 22, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
The myth of insurance competition:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hN0cAfY9X-3PKZFdgeAhiCvCUG8gD9A7VCQG0
Comment by Art Hill — August 22, 2009 @ 10:23 pm