Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Robert Yost, Milwaukee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:28:01 GMT

FR: The hour-long ABC special reminded viewers of the sheer vastness of the legislative project now before Congress. In a single bill, lawmakers will attempt to regulate wasteful end-of-life spending, send more primary care doctors to medical school, prevent kids from getting fat, pay doctors in a more sensible way, eliminate inefficient treatments and cover 46 million uninsured Americans.

And this all comes from career politicians/lawyers that haven't a single clue about what they are doing.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Don't You Find That Interesting — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:29:28 GMT

Notice that tort reform is not mentioned in the laundry list of things Obama and the Democrats are prosposing for the health care bill to have in it.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:30:49 GMT

Smith added, “Various objective studies have shown that Fox is the one that comes closest to interviewing both sides.”
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ha ha ha ha ha ha....make it stop... my sides are hurting!

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

cindy, las vegas, nv — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:31:02 GMT

"Fox is the one that comes close to interviewing both sides".

This is a joke right. What little I see of Fox 20-30 seconds, I have to keep from gagging. I like the way Keith calls them on their BS. Fix News, Pleeeez!

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Chris - IL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:31:18 GMT

The republicans have been getting all the time on health care they need. Their platform consists of:

1 - No
2 - Any Democratic plan will never work
3 - Don't put the government between you and your doctor
4 - We can't afford it/we already have a huge deficit
5 - The best approach is a tax cut

How long do they need? I think they can cover that in about 60 seconds! And since I hear that on the news every day, I don't understand what they are complaining about.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:32:23 GMT

In its write-up of last night’s forum on health care, the AP leads with Obama leaving the door open to taxing health care benefits. “The prime-time program was the latest in a string of events designed to build public support for his plan to slow the rise in health care costs and expand coverage to the nearly 50 million uninsured.”
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Middle America doesn't mind paying higher taxes for HCR. It will be something finally benefits us. I don't think that we are afraid of higher taxes when it's worth while.
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Per NBC’s Luke Russert, House Republicans continued to blame the media yesterday, going so far as to create a group called the Media Fairness Caucus, urging the networks in particular to “argue on behalf of the American people.” Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) again accused the broadcast media of having a liberal bias and used the podium to preemptively attack ABC for its health-care forum -- something the Republican National Committee and House Republicans have done for the past two weeks.

They should piss off, they have Fox noise and all of Murdocks (sp) entities working for republicans. This is a crock.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

jawillie Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:37:23 GMT

>>>Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) again accused the broadcast media of having a liberal bias and used the podium to preemptively attack ABC for its health-care forum -- something the Republican National Committee and House Republicans have done for the past two weeks. "I would challenge them to devote a day to the other side" of the health care debate, said Phil Gingrey (R-GA). Smith added, “Various objective studies have shown that Fox is the one that comes closest to interviewing both sides.”
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But the media did give the GOP some coverage. All anyone could talk about yesterday was Mark Sanford. It practically stole the spotlight from Obama's town hall meeting.

Way to come up with a topper, Repubs.

http://jawillie.blog.com

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:41:13 GMT

I'm glad that President Obama is being open to taxing health care benefits. They are taxable income for employees and should have been taxed all along. If waitresses have to pay income tax on their meager tip income then employees who get employer provided medical insurance can pay taxes on that earned income too.

Ah the limprwristed conservative crybabies are whining up a storm about the Liberal Media's bias, yeah like their fox and freaks propaganda channel hasn't been doing that for years now and even stoop to outright lying and making false accusations. Maybe the repugnant ones ought to get a clue that if they keep attacking the Liberal Media then they should be willing to be attacked back. The repugnant ones just don't like the fact that the Liberal Media is pursuing the truth and nothing but the truth and they ignore liars like the repugnant ones.

In Liberal Media We Trust!
In MSNBC & First Read We Trust!

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

hsr0601 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:47:42 GMT

It is untenable that the ailing people who need to take some rest are forced to keep working, due to the employment-based system with no other choice, and overly high health care prices. It may be one of the reasons that America spends over $2 trillion annually on health care, and today 75 percent of that money goes to chronic disease, there are 133 million Americans with one or more chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, arthritis, hypertension and diabetes.
As seen in the case of swine flu, most of the patients who took some rest and care at early mild stage have got recovery avoiding deadly outcome.
The employment-based system in the U.S. with no other choice and overly high health care prices is similar to an automobile without 'a brake' or 'a safety system', which come at at price, yet is even better than a fatal accident.
Public and private schools across the world help each other, and to date, private insurers have coexisted profitably with Medicare and Medicaid for many years. As we know, public health and education are essential parts of life, in my understanding, health comes first. That is why all of the industrialized countries have public policy in place, I guess.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

katiec — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:50:50 GMT

Urge the media to fight for the American people? How can they possibly portray the republicans as even caring for the American people with their actions these last eight years and continued obstruction of anything that could possibly get us out the the crisises they have created??
They are such dishonorable hyocrits, yet, with their popularity in the gutter, continue to try to destroy our country.
They have totally lost their way.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Moon Dawg — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:57:26 GMT

Does Obama have anothe agenda other than the one to bring America to it's knees?

He doesn't see America as a great nation or a great power. He apologizes for everything this country has ever done ... more of that BS influence of 20 years of Rev. Wright.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Rick in Roselle — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:07:52 GMT

I totally agree with my neighbor, Fiest Redhead in Roselle. My sides are hurting from laughing at Fox's fairness doctrine.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:09:37 GMT

Please, President Obama - don't tax health care benefits for those Americans making less than $250,000 per family. The main reason for my concern is your campaign pledge. I am trying to actively support your agenda here in such a conservative/republican section of New Jersey that we don't even have Democratic Party candidates for local elections on the ballot. Needless to say, I have far fewer friends than I did a year ago. I am so tired of hearing accusations of your "lies," that have no basis that I shudder to think of what will result if you break such an important campaign promise.

A far better strategy would be the luxury tax on excess amounts of those plans that cost more than $15,000 per year, for example. Also, I believe we should reduce the overall payroll tax to 3.5%, which funds social security and medicare, but eliminate the limit for this tax. In other words, this tax should be deducted from total income with no ceiling. There has not been an increase in the payroll tax in years. This would provide a buffer for these programs, which will run out of funds in the near future.

Both the deficit and the cost of universal healthcare would be no problem but for the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy and the cost of the Iraq debacle. Let's get our priorities in order.

Finally, I want to add a thought about what is happening in Iran that I was not able to get posted the past week. All the hype that the president was not being strong enough in condemnation of the theocracy, thus provide support for the freedom seekers is hogwash. These right wing neocons were wrong about Iraq and how the people would welcome our preemptive strike with open arms shows how far from reality these warmongers are. Nobody wants freedom shoved down their throats, especially when the United States is doing the shoving. Iran may well have rebelled years ago if not for our actions in Iraq. Iraq was the balance of power in the region that kept Iran in check. By eliminating the predator (Iraq,) gave free reign for the supreme ruler and his loonies to solidify their power. If not for our help in neutralizing Iraq, Iran's people may have resisted and thrown the mullahs out years ago. So, Lindsey Graham, John McCain and company - keep your mouths shut - you are only fanning the fire...

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Pete Roleum, Detroit, MI USA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:12:27 GMT

MSNBC headline today: BREAKING NEWS: New jobless claims rise unexpectedly to 627,000; continuing claims up slightly

Unexpectedly?

Obama has been in office over 6 months (if you count his phony “Office of the President Elect” stunt). Notwithstanding that the US Constitution has no provision whatsoever for the Office of the President Elect, so pressing were the issues Barack needed to address that he wanted a bill on his desk immediately to fix the crisis Bush supposedly created. None of the current problems are the result of the Democrat controlled congress mind you.

After authorizing another TRILLION dollars, on top of the TARP money already authorized, what has Barack wrought: Unemployment over 10%, gas over $3/gal, manufacturing sector in worst slump since end of WWII, April housing starts lowest on record.

Bush is gone. Obama and Pelosi are running the show and the country is going down the toilet even faster! The “Blame Bush” excuse isn’t helping. When will Obama EVER be held accountable for ANYTHING?

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Jose Von Hussein - The United States of America — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:21:16 GMT

"[Lamar] Smith added, “Various objective studies have shown that Fox is the one that comes closest to interviewing both sides.”

Ha!!! WHAT "objective" studies, Lamar? From right-wing think tanks?

I guess when you're THAT far towards right wing nuttiness, and you see Fox "News" ask questions of the far-right as well as moderate Republicans, it could appear to be "interviewing both sides."

Good lord - it's not like Rachel Maddow doesn't have conservatives on her show regularly. Keith Olbermann has had John Dean (Nixon Administration counsel), Bruce Fein (former Reagan Administration official), Lawrence Wilkerson (former Bush Administration official). Chris Matthews practically wants to plant a wet one on Tom Delay every time he's on. And Katie Couric has "Bossman" Rush Limbaugh do segments on her news show. The list goes on and on and on.

"Objective studies," my ass....

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:22:08 GMT

I totally agree with my neighbor, Fiest Redhead in Roselle. My sides are hurting from laughing at Fox's fairness doctrine.
Rick in Roselle (Sent Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:07 AM)
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Hiya Neighbor! Welcome aboard!!!

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Bea Seeking, Boston MA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:26:55 GMT

We want universal coverage. We want fair pay for doctors and hospitals. We want cheaper prescription drugs. We don't really care if the bloated insurance companies go out of business.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:27:07 GMT

And this all comes from career politicians/lawyers that haven't a single clue about what they are doing.
Robert Yost, Milwaukee (Sent Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:28 AM)
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Yet all these ideas and suggestions came from health care professionals.

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

Sub Sailor — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:35:30 GMT

AARP Magazine (Jul/Aug 2009) - Americans spend more on health care every year than we do educating our children, building roads, even feeding ourselves—an estimated $2.6 trillion in 2009, or around $8,300 per person. Forty-five million Americans have no health insurance whatsoever. These staggering figures are at the heart of the current debate over health care reform: the need to control costs while providing coverage for all. As John Lumpkin, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Health Care Group for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says, "There is enough evidence that it is now time to do something and to do the right thing." The key is to focus on the facts—and to dispel, once and for all, the myths that block our progress.

[The article goes on to list the 8 myths. It is a good short read for those who really want more information about health care.]

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/8_myths_about_health_care_reform.html

Obama agenda: Forum reaction

zap — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:38:34 GMT

Liberals want to bankrupt the country.. that simple.. then what? they dont work or pay taxes so why do they care. Obama has yet to do anything that has worked!! He is a terrorist is sheeps clothing.. destroy USA without firing a shot.. just bankrupt us so we cant defend outself.. wake up

MSNBC is so low in ratings, they should be pulled off the air