Obama ad pushes health care

Cindi in Louisiana — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:07:29 GMT

As an Obama supporter, I am fastening my seat belt because I am sure that we will hear vicious ads from the McCain campaign ad nauseum. Blah, blah, blah Is he ready to lead? Do you really know him? Is he really like you or an alien from space?? He lacks the judgment to lead; just look at his dubious associations ( Wright, Rezco, and Ayers_) Obama cannot simply hope that voters will stay attuned to the REAL issues. History has shown us how easily people are distracted by this sort of negative campaigning. I think that it is time for Obama to bring up the Keating Five scandal. After all, though McCain was absolved of any legal wrongdoing, he and the other four senators involved were criticized for what?? Using poor judgment!!

Obama ad pushes health care

Mike,CT — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:08:12 GMT

sarah took Bush words out of his mouth.Look at VIDEO guys and email to friends.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27015517#27015517

Obama ad pushes health care

Nj — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:08:24 GMT

This is a DISGRACE

Watching John McCain attack our veterans has become the norm these past few years, with his status as a symbol for the American veteran merely a weird plot twist in his history; We have watched him stand on the Senate floor for five-and-a-half hours, leading the fight against the dwell time amendment that would give our troops more time between tours. We have seen him speak out against the 21st Century GI Bill that would expand education benefits for our troops for the first time since the Senator himself used them to pay for college. Like a bizarro-world version of Mark Foley ruthlessly fighting pedophiles while being one himself, so goes McCain's inexplicable record on veterans issues.

But finally, he's put his mouth where his money is. McCain and Palin, who both have children in the Armed Forces, have declared Ohio troops and hospitalized vets unqualified voters.

I get emails from McCain's Ohio arm to try to keep an eye on what they're doing there, since the state will probably decide the election, but happens to have a Republican party establishment that would purge every voter without a butler from the rolls if it had the chance. This is what they sent out after the debate last night under Palin's name:

The Obama-Biden Democrats and their allies are exploiting loopholes in Ohio election laws that we fear may result in unqualified voters casting ballots.

The "loophole in Ohio election laws" that Palin is talking about is not a loophole at all, just a very sensible premise that is standard for absentee ballots -- that a vote is not technically cast until it is tabulated. Republican groups cited a rule that requires 30 days between registration and voting and sought to disqualify absentee ballots that were filled out on the same day as registration. Same-day registration and filling out of absentee ballots is the best option available to unregistered troops abroad and hospitalized vets in VA facilities. The "Obama-Biden Democrats and their allies" are non-partisan veterans advocacy groups like Veterans For America and IAVA that fought tooth and nail to defeat a lawsuit that challenged this very sensible notion to protect thousands of troops and vets from disenfranchisement.

With deployed troops donating 6:1 in favor of Obama, the cynic in me can see why the GOP doesn't want their votes to count. Then the decent person in me chimes in and says, "I can't see how anyone could try to block a deployed soldier's right to vote and be able to live with themselves."

Despite Gov. Palin's strange relationship with colloquialism ("Hockey Moms across America," anyone? How many are there?), the use of the term "unqualified voters" in a country that generally lets citizens over the age of 18 vote is the kind of phrase that should've been phased out long before the word "email" was phased in. With regards to the only American citizens who don't get to vote, felons, that's left up to the states. In Ohio, felons are only disqualified from voting while incarcerated, and I'm pretty sure she isn't talking about prison visitors stuffing stacks of voter registration forms and absentee ballots into God-knows-where in the name of democracy, though that would be quite the heist.

That leaves the troops and hospitalized veterans, the target of this power-grab. Nope, don't want those dangerously unqualified voters pulling the levers at all...

Obama ad pushes health care

Kathy, Simi Valley CA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:09:30 GMT

A $5,000 coupon to families for health care is not going to solve the health care crisis!

Obama ad pushes health care

Dean, Virginia — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:16:54 GMT

I'm a CPA and financial planner. - AP and Politifact are not getting their facts straight. If the employer pays for an employee's health care coverage under McCain's plan - The cost of the benefit would be taxable income to the employee. The employee "would not" get a tax credit. The employee only gets a tax credit if they purchase insurance on their own. The average cost for a family health care plan is over 12,000 per year. The credit is 5,000. The employee would be out of pocket over 7,000!

Obama ad pushes health care

Hugh P Leesburg, GA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:17:13 GMT

The regulator is now for raising taxes with us taking care of our families now having to be taxed for having insurance. Way to draw us towards you McBush!

Obama ad pushes health care

Libratine — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:33:59 GMT

Even with a tax credit going to the insurance companies, countless millions still can't afford the remaining costs of the healthcare premiums, the deductibles or the uncovered percentages in the event of major illness or injury. It's sounds great to McCain as he stands surrounded by wealth. His insular ideology is so unbelievably "out of touch" with reality. He really doesn't "get it" and he's slipping fast too.

Here is a link to a CNN tour of one of McCain's fully furnished mansions up for sale. I watched it on CNN but it is has recently (thankfully) been uploaded onto YouTube. It is really worth viewing to gain an immediate sense of John and Cindy's PERSPECTIVE - and to see the kitchen table they sat around when they thought about you. Pass it on to other blogs as Obama takes on McCain's healthcare plan. Let's keep the focus on McCain!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf3ErLSix3A

Barack and Joe oppose government run healthcare. Here's their plan: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

Obama ad pushes health care

Jonah Gruber, New York, NY — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:34:11 GMT

Wait, so now the Republicans are saying that their miraculous tax credits HAVE to go to the insurance companies or else we'll "blow our health benefits on cigarettes and beer." Talk about corporate elitism.

Obama ad pushes health care

Rebecca Mesa, Berkeley, CA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:42:06 GMT

I'm a little lost on this. My healthcare plan is approx $4,800 per year. My employer pays about $3,600 and I pay about $1,200. Under the McCain plan, my employer will not longer be paying that 3,600 per year but I will have to and I get $2,500 back in tax credit. What about the extra $1,100 that I will be paying. Who is going to make up that difference?

Obama ad pushes health care

a Mom in Kansas — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:42:11 GMT

I guess, although they want his vote, the McCain folks really don't trust "Joe Six Pack" to handle his own money.

Obama ad pushes health care

DV, CA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:49:05 GMT

So for all his bluster about helpin the middle class, McCain treats them them kids and wont give the tax credit to them directly, but rather pay bloated health care corps directly. Yup, mavrick...but not in the heroic going against the grain sence, more of the mask over the face reach for the sky as I rob you sense....

And Tucker, trying saying something new that doesnt sound like a 5 year old throwing a tantrum.

Obama ad pushes health care

Richard, Delmar NY — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:51:23 GMT

http://health-insurance-carriers.com/blog/health-care-john-mccain-vs-barack-obama/ is a site to check out.
Barack Obama’s plan for better health care in America is to provide quality, affordable and portable coverage for all. He plans to make available a new national health plan to all U.S. citizens, which will include the self-employed and small businesses. Some of the features his plan include:

Guaranteed Eligibility. This will allow sick people (with recent and pre-existing conditions) to obtain health care.
Comprehensive Benefits. This is similar to the package offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. It will cover all necessary medical services, which include preventive, maternity and mental health care.
Affordability. There will be lower premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
Simpler paperwork and reined in health costs.
Public Plan with simple enrollment and ready access to coverage.
Portability and Choice. People enrolled in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (another Obama plan) will be able to move from job to job without jeopardizing insurance coverage.
Quality and Efficiency. The health insurance companies participating in the new plan will be required to report data to ensure that standards for quality are met.
John McCain intends to increase the variety and affordability of health insurance to families in America by fostering innovation and competition.

This is how he plans to do so:

By reforming tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health coverage and providing everyone with a $2,500 tax credit; families will receive $5,000. This will increase incentives for health care coverage.
Allowing families to purchase health care insurance nationwide to maximize choices and heighten competition.
Providing multi-year coverage that moves with you from job to job and from home to home.
Requiring states with Medicaid to develop a financial risk adjustment bonus to high-cost and low income families that will supplement tax credits and funds for Medicaid.
Allowing people to purchase insurance through any organization or association of choice (i.e. churches, employers, individual purchases, and professional associations). The policy chosen will be available to small businesses and the self-employed; and will be portable across jobs. It will also automatically bridge the time between Medicare eligibility and retirement. Certification and rigorous standards would have to be met before plans are approved.

A couple of notes for comparison:
The Obama plan is similiar to those of France and Germany and not the UK and Canada. Both of the former programs have as short waiting lists as do the US, contrary to the UK and Canada.

Second, the tax credit McCain is offering will not cover the cost of a families health care. The result is an increased tax for coverage and a shortfall in return.
Over the first 4 years the number of uninsured increases by about 2 million people under the McCain plan. That is about 2 million people who are currently insured will no longer be. Second the McCain program will cost just about the same as that of Obama - a plan that insures virtually 100% of Americans.

Obama ad pushes health care

Peter Bremerton Washington — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:57:36 GMT

well i starting to think Mccains health care is better then Obama's in the long run. A insurance ran by the government would fall apart. Look at Canada those people come here to get medical needs because they are so far behind and some people are put on a waiting list for months before they get help. That doesn't sound like health care i want.

Obama ad pushes health care

Lee in CA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:59:20 GMT

Again, McCain should NEVER use the word "liar," but if they tax benefits, then re-write the income tax code (!) so you get a tax break, how does this help anyone except people who already have health care, and I don't even see how it helps them.

Obama ad pushes health care

Philip, Tucson — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:59:32 GMT

Dear Senator McCain, Your service in our military is appreciated wholeheartedly and I have actually contributed to your presidential campaign, but you've fallen in step with Obama and the rest of the Washington elite. I am deeply disappointed in your decision to support a bill that is in essence treasonous against the American people. Not only does this bill add the pork that is the plague of our political system, forced upon us by special interest and then endorsed by our elected officials against the will of the poeple, but this is exactly the type of bill that you claim you will veto as President. True Americans have had it, and Obama's war cry rings true, if only in meaning - Enough is Enough! My family is not voting for either of you. Career politicians are a plague on this country, and as far as we can tell, you're all cronies, publicly speaking out against eachother, but best friends behind closed doors. Mavericks do not just follow the herd - they blaze new trails. I know that the majority of the American people were against this bill, because we are dead set against bailing out foregin banks and paying for garbage add-ons, increasing our taxes and swallowing another lie from Washington. If you had really wanted to solidify your Maverick image and clinch my vote and the votes of millions of true patriots who feel about this bill the way I do, you would have voted against it ad infinitum. You are a war hero, but you're no Maverick, and I am deeply saddened by your choices. Your actions have opened my eyes to the realities of our governing body in this country...the majority is corrupt, and so the minority who are true patriots acting on behalf of the voice of the poeple, in the manner which our Forefathers envisioned and intended, cannot make headway. This is a travesty that leads to further decay of our great democracy, and eventually leads to socialism and who know, maybe even another monarchy or communist regime. As I see you, you and Obama are going down the exact same path by voting on the bailout (excuse me...."rescue" as you decided to spin it). It is inexcusable and you lost an amazing opportunity to really show the people that you are on our side; a real opportunity to be the Maverick; and now your opportunity to lead this country is slipping to an even more more corrupt crony, Barack Obama, who I believe will just speed up the process to socialism. The significance of this bill that you supported both times is this: we have now paved the way to a socialist form of government, and the people have become serfs. Don't you know, comprimise is what paved the way for Naziism and the Third Reich to spread so quickly? Why did we need to wait until the final hour to see what is happening? This country will fall into disarray, into socialism or worse if we continue down this path. Do we have to wait until then? Judging by your support and the support of our corrupt senate and their cronies in the House, I guess so. You have painted a picture of yourself for thei campaign that is not true. You are not a Maverick. You are one of "them," not one of us citizens. Sorry, a man's actions speak louder than words. Sincerely, Philip Rose and Family.

Obama ad pushes health care

ben, cosprings, co — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:01:07 GMT

lets see how far that $2,500 will go...hope nothing serious happens, then you're <b>sol</b>.

Obama ad pushes health care

wakeupUSA, OH — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:01:33 GMT

I love it that McCain's clan is saying that Obama's is lying. After all of the lies thsy have told. Of course, we know that before Nov.4th, they are going to come up with some whoppers, just a bushy did on 2004. And if he lies don't work, watch for something to happen here in the USA so that we will hopefully elect Johnny. I put NOTHING past these people, because they are desperate.

Obama ad pushes health care

Mike,Texoma — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:03:10 GMT

Maybe I'm just dense. I do not see anything in the McCain plan that will fix the health care problem in America.

Please explain to me how it is going to reduce the cost of health care? What is the mechanism for covering those tens of millions of Americans whose employers do not offer health insurance and who cannot purchase medical insurance on their own?

What does it do to stop the exodus of manufacturing jobs to Canada, to take advantage of the much lower cost of employee benefits? No need for private health care plans there.

Moreover, I am not smart enough to trace the tax repercussions of McCain's plan through all of the smoke and all of the mirrors, but it looks like at the end of the day the government takes the money and pays it to the insurance companies to purchase the health coverage.

Somebody tell me how government control of all of those health care premium dollars is substantially different from socialized medicine. And, if the employers are going to be the ones that actually negotiate with the insurance companies, what makes McCain think the cost-of-coverage results are going to be any different than they are today?

Obama ad pushes health care

Mary, Abrams, WI — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:04:28 GMT

So you are saying that the govenment will give the tax credit directly to the insurance company and not the indivdual because it might be spent on cigs and beer. So much for the repubs staying out of our lives as promised so often in the McCain/Palin talking points. HMMMMMMMMMMM

Obama ad pushes health care

Mike,Texoma — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:06:32 GMT