First thoughts: Changing nothing

Lynn Wheatly — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:25:34 GMT

I noticed when Obama went through his list of discrimintated groups when speaking to the NAACP, he didn't mention the white New Haven CT, firefighters. Was that an oversight?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:27:41 GMT

President Obama’s speech to the NAACP was nothing short of exquisite! **Stand & Applause* His PASSION was superb and his message was spot on! Listening to it reminded me again why I worked & voted for the right man at the right time for the right job! Take it to the people again President Obama… I’m standing with you 110%!!

As we come to the end of another CRAZEE week here at FR I wanted to share an e-mail I received from BCBS yesterday. As I’m responsible for negotiating my companies health insurance coverage this e-mail found it’s way into my ‘Junk Mail’ folder under the title (you’re going to LOVE this)

URGENT! GRASSROOTS ACTION ALERT! CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN TODAY!
So before I clicked DELETE I thought it was appropriate to get it out here and prove once again that the FAT CAT insurance companies are not going to go down without a FIGHT! We’re FILTHY RICH and we have every intention of STAYING that WAY! Too F’n bad if Americans die because of our greed – we’ve been getting away with it for decades and don’t plan on giving in to anything that’s for the good of the people!
They sure got the SCARE TACTICS down pat! But not a peep out of them about the 10+% increase they stick us with every year OR pre-existing conditions, out of state/country travel restrictions and on and on and on….
And I did take their advice and contact my congressman – I told him that if he didn’t VOTE YES for Quality Affordable Healthcare WITH a PUBLIC OPTION I would do everything in my power to make sure he was looking for a new line of work in 2010 – my only regret is the b@stard will NEVER know what it feels like or the costs associated with going on Cobra!
I strongly encourage every COMPASSIONATE VOTER out there to do the same! Republicants need not apply!
_____________________________________________
Voice Your Opposition Now to a New Government-Run Health Insurance Plan

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), strongly supports thoughtful health care reform that controls costs, provides all Americans with access to health insurance coverage, and improves the overall quality of our health care system.

But Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and many of our state’s employers are concerned about a proposal currently being debated in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois believes that a government-run insurance plan as described in the House proposal would:

•severely damage the current employer-based system for providing health benefits;
•exacerbate cost shifting;
•eventually squeeze private insurers from the market;
•cause employers to lose any ability to manage the costs of coverage, while still accountable for continued contributions; and
•jeopardize delivery system reforms critical to controlling costs.

Over the years, employers together with private insurance plans, not government health care, have led the way in innovations such as chronic disease management, preventative wellness programs and centers of excellence.

Please make your voice heard in opposition to a new government-run health plan by sending an e-mail message to your representative in Congress today. Let him or her know you support health care reform, but believe a new government-run health plan is not necessary to achieve meaningful reform. Your perspective and expertise on this issue is vitally important to this effort and we thank you in advance for your interest and your advocacy.
_____________________________________

To my fellow lefties another week… another job… well done! The rhetoric from the right is sure ratcheting up a notch or two! Did I miss something? What’s with ALL the Soro’s crap AGAIN? Guess the whack jobs just enjoying going around in circles? Like a dog chasing their tales but getting NOWHERE! Wednesday it was ‘What’s the Rush’ Yesterday it was Soro’s & teleprompters… hell pretty soon we’ll be able to tell what day of the week it is just by the daily talking points spoon fed to them by the RNC – Lush – O’ReilledUP and the rest of the fear mongers! So utterly predictable!

To the uptight righties… keep on typing… more $$$ for MSNBC! Plus as an added bonus you’re fun to have around… if it weren’t for you it would be as monotonous around here as it is over at Fox – nothing but a bunch of Neanderthals patting each other on the back over there! So please do come back now ya hear!

To Mark/Domenico & Ali – Thanks for putting up with us week in & week out! You’re hard work pays off in dividends as having absolutely the best website for political dialogue! It’s also nice to see so many ‘new’ voices on the board… you know variety is the spice of life ;0)

So Happy Weekend…

But before I go…
When is MSNBC going to give Lawrence O’Donnell his own show?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

matt — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:28:30 GMT

The Republican failed miserably in their effort to defeat Sotomayotr and smear the president. They came across as racist bullies who were only interested in terrorizing a wonderful nominee.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

First thoughts: Changing nothing

GKD - DL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:29:51 GMT

Intersting the CBO scored the HCR bill to cost much more then we are currnelty paying for the health care. The CBO says the growth curve of government spending with HCR is "unsustainable". But yet the liberals just keep marching on ignoring the warnings. Why do the liberals hate America so much that they'll take the cost of health care from one fifth of the GDP to one third of the GDP?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

GKD - DL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:29:51 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Jeff, Carson City NV — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:31:09 GMT

For Baucus kneels to his President, then Reid. Spineless twits, both of them.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Steve , NY — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:34:02 GMT

First Read and all you other pundits obsessed with reporting the play by play ... Dem vs Dem disagrements on the Health Care debate, REMEMBER : Health Care reform will get done !

I laugh when I see reporters rush to the door after every meeting trying to pry out any form of disagreement or sign that the process is tough from the lawmakers and make it the banner headline in the new reports.

Its gonna get done.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Pattie H., Chicago IL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:34:10 GMT

Paul Krugman: about Goldman Sach’s profits: “The bottom line is that Goldman’s blowout quarter is good news for Goldman and the people who work there. It’s good news for financial superstars in general, whose paychecks are rapidly climbing back to precrisis levels. But it’s bad news for almost everyone else."

So how is it "bad news for everyone else"? Bad news, as in the people that didn't do a damn thing aren't getting a cut of their "far share"? That is the liberal way, right? Wealth distribution? What does Krugman suggest be done? Tax Goldman Sachs at the 90% rate?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:34:58 GMT

The Joy of Sachs
PAUL KRUGMAN - July 16, 2009
The huge bonuses Goldman will soon hand out show that financial-industry highfliers are still operating under a system of heads they win, tails other people lose. If you’re a banker, and you generate big short-term profits, you get lavishly rewarded — and you don’t have to give the money back if and when those profits turn out to have been a mirage. You have every reason, then, to steer investors into taking risks they don’t understand.
And the events of the past year have skewed those incentives even more, by putting taxpayers as well as investors on the hook if things go wrong.

Read it all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/opinion/17krugman.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:37:54 GMT

*** Biography is destiny:

President Obama’s speech on yesterday evening to the NAACP was a grand slam. It bought back memories of my childhood, the nurturing and appreciation of parents and neighborhood parents that made up the “village to raise a child”. Those were the morales and principals that we (my generation) were raised on. Nosey neighbors were your parents and they would get on to you if they saw you doing something you shouldn’t be doing. We need to get back to those days.

Our parents weren’t rich in money, they were rich in good character, dicipline, morals, faith, love and they were hard workers. I was a single parent for seven years with a young child to raise. Welfare wasn’t an option because were weren’t rasised to accept hand outs.

Education was drilled into our heads, we had a family of supporters. Because of education I was able to secure a career that paid well enough to raise my child in a clean safe environment and marry when I chose to and not out of necessity. Send him to private schools where cultural diversities were celebrated because after all, it is what our nation consist of.

I wanted him to experience the cultural diversity of all nationalities because that would allow him to have a level playing field once he entered society.

I didn’t stop there; while he was coming along I demanded that he give me excellence, I wanted his best and in doing so; He is sharing his best with society as a professional productive citizen..

The greatest gift I could ever receive was the day that my child was selected for a position while still in college over twenty competitors; each one of them…had Masters of Sciences degrees in his field, while he was still a student. He came home from his interview and told me what happen and said; Mom, I got the job! We were both excited…but the greatest gift I could have ever received from him that day, was when he told me Mom…I watched you.

You’ve worked hard, you were up late a lot of nights, you get up and go to work with little sleep…but you always had time to help me with my homework and participate in my activities, you pushed me mom, but you taught me to never quit learning, to dig a little deeper, to explore all options and to face a challenge with a soloution rather than defeat. I use to get so mad at you that I could scream, but today, I am grateful and I just want you to know… that I love you mom. I just boke down in tears when he said that.

I will NEVER forget those words, I will carry them to my grave. They’ve ment more to me than any amout of money ever could.

My mom was a hard task master and use to always tell us; “watch what you say and do around your children because little eye’s are watching and little ears are listening”…that was a true statement, because my own child told me so.

We must work in a cohesive manner to replace what poor judgement allowed to be stolen, enough bickering over problems we know need fixing…let’s restore our children’s inheritance and future.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Joseph Reeder, Maryland — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:38:29 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Caryl S. Foster, San Diego, California — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:40:15 GMT

President Obama's message to the NAACP and the Black community as a whole was outstanding but I wish he had directly stated to our young sons that there is No Excuse for not pulling up their pants and to do so as the first step toward taking personal responsibility to realize their own potential.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Bill, Fairfax, VA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:40:54 GMT

FR: “The Congressional Budget Office cast doubts whether the House Democratic and Senate HELP bills would end up lowering health-care costs…”

CBO did more than ‘cast doubts.’ Today’s Washington Post says they delivered a ‘devastating’ assessment:

“Congress's chief budget analyst delivered a devastating assessment yesterday of the health-care proposals drafted by congressional Democrats, fueling an insurrection among fiscal conservatives in the House and pushing negotiators in the Senate to redouble efforts to draw up a new plan that more effectively restrains federal spending.

Under questioning by members of the Senate Budget Committee, Douglas Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said bills crafted by House leaders and the Senate health committee do not propose "the sort of fundamental changes" necessary to rein in the skyrocketing cost of government health programs, particularly Medicare. On the contrary, Elmendorf said, the measures would pile on an expensive new program to cover the uninsured.”

So there you have it, it’s back to the drawing board Dems, your rush to failure on HCR has been exposed. HCR in its current form is DOA and a nation longing for fiscal sanity breathes a grateful sigh of relief.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Tish Waltrip, Ft. Wayne IN — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:41:29 GMT

Obama when asked by a CBS newsie if he has decided all Americans should be forced to buy insurance. Obama responded "Yes, I've come to that conclusion".

What?! Obama has "come to that conclusion"? Since when did Obama acquire dictortial powers? He has decided? Listen Obama, most people can make their own decisions without you deciding for them. Your little mindless drone supporters may like that you have decided for them, but most people aren't that stupid.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:41:53 GMT

It's good to see the Evil Elephants roll over and play dead for the Senate vote to confirm Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice. Good to see Elephant Trainer Obama has started to tame the wild and wooly bunch of sore losers.

The Senate needs to focus on the House Health Care Reform bill since that has gotten the seal of approval from the AMA. The AMA's sudden and unexpected reversal to now support health care reform with the public option spells the end of the dopes of nope being able to stop the health care reform that Mainstream America wants.

It's nice to see the banks or investment companies or whatever they are nowadays make some money. However while they're making money they are not stimulating the economy with low interest loans for homes and businesses. Time for the greedy bankers to start doing what banks are suppoosed to do or it's time to force them to lend money since that's the real problem. Wall Street does not drive Main Street and if the banks don't get behind lending money our economy will not recover as quickly as it should.

Confirm Sotomayor Now!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Nashville_fan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:42:30 GMT

"The point I made earlier this morning is that it raises future federal outlays more than it reduces future federal outlays.

The coverage proposals in this legislation would expand federal spending on health care to a significant degree and in our analysis so far we don't see other provisions in this legislation reducing federal health spending by a corresponding degree. " - Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Elmendorf

================================================
It would seem to me, that the key words that are being conveniently left of CBO Director Elmendorf's comments to the Senate Budget Committee are "in our analysis so far " . . . as in, that analysis is NOT COMPLETE!

Further down in the article where the above quote was taken is this:

"He said ways to pay for the healthcare programs could include further savings from the Medicare health program or changes to the current exclusion from taxes of employer-paid insurance premiums.

The nonpartisan budget analysis arm of Congress has not yet estimated the cost of the full House healthcare legislation working its way through three House committees."
================================================
So contrary to the oh so convenient spin that is being put on the Director's comments, he is not saying that it CAN'T be done, he is saying that it HASN'T been done YET, in his LIMITED ANALYIS, which does not even include the full House healthcare legislation yet.

I can't stress this enough folks - don't stick with the soundbites - READ IT FOR YOURSELF!

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE56F6GT20090716

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Shared Responsibility — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:43:05 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Willing to Work — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:43:54 GMT

Oh where have all the jobs gone?? Still looking for those jobs Obama promised.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Joyce — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:44:28 GMT

Sotomayor will be confirmed. She's a likable, established, smart woman and she knows her stuff.

Stocks were up for 4 days in a row. Why no comments from the teabaggers? LOL

First thoughts: Changing nothing

True American Tax Payer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:46:58 GMT

So now, young people, when they get a job, are required to pay into Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and now the biggest entitlement of them all, Health Care. After they get done paying for all that, they need to give 28% of their gross income to the feds, another 8-11% (depending where they live) to the state in the form of income and sales taxes, plus their local taxes. They need to pay 40+ cents a gallon in tax for their gas purchases (and that's going way up soon too). So in all, well over 50% of their money goes to the government.

Welcome to America young people! Now pay up!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Cherese Hall, Washington DC — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:47:39 GMT

Why do Obama and the Democrats punish successful people?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Greg P. NW Indiana — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:47:47 GMT

So how is it "bad news for everyone else"? Bad news, as in the people that didn't do a damn thing aren't getting a cut of their "far share"? That is the liberal way, right? Wealth distribution? What does Krugman suggest be done? Tax Goldman Sachs at the 90% rate?

Pattie H., Chicago IL (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:34 AM)
-----------------------------------------------------

Just paying the taxes that they evade by holding multiple offshore accounts will suffice.

Krugman is worried that we've turned a blind eye to the problem that got us here in the first place...goldmen made billions on "derivitives" once again, making the call for others to jump back in the toxic pool.

We need regulation...that's paramount

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Republican 4 life — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:49:25 GMT

Great job to the few sane people on this blog, Bad Chi, Jonathan, MI, nb, nj, nj, and inthemiddle, tx. Way to keep these whacked out liberals on their toes. you know it drives them insane when people don't agree with them or their chosen Messiah B. Huessien Obama.
I can't wait to talk smack when healthcare and crap and tax fails. oh what a sweet day it will be. Feisty, Anita, Eric, Jaw willie, and Clara will need an extra dose of zannex when that day comes!
So keep up the good fight and keep putting those filthy liberals in their place!!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Keep the Change — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:51:49 GMT

Of course, we just have to take Obama at his word when it comes to his biography since he won't produce any records from his past. And experience tells us that we're fools to take Obama at his words since he's broken promises and constantly changes his stories.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:51:56 GMT

Rachel Maddow has been doing a great job exposing the secretive crooked C Street fake church for tax evading repugnhant ones. I think that this C Street Cabal will remember the summer of 2009 as the summer of C Street Sex Scandals. Now we hear that a retired repugnant one named Pickering had a sex scandal problem we didn't know about. Just how many other of these evil wicked sinners from the C Street fake church are guilty of scandals? All of them! Maybe we should just call this nefarious group of sinners The Evil Family.

She should never allow that Crazy Uncle Pat Buchanan on her show anymore as I always change channels when that criminally insane Nixon flake shows his face. It's way past time for MSNBC tv to exile Crazy Uncle Pat to fox and freaks where he belongs with the other crazy disturbed bozos on the televised mental unreality show. His whines about Sotomayor being racist shows he's a card carrying member of the KKK. Him trying to lie about Sotomayor's reading of children's books as her college curriculum was another disgusting lie as she read those books to further complete her childhood reading and she did that on top of graduating with honors and instead of going out partying.

A call to action ad isn't an attack ad and the Democrats need that wake upo call to stand tall and just say No to the dopes fo nope. If the party of sore losers doesn't want to contribute good ideas for legislation then they should just be ignored as if they are a bunch of spoiled brats who don't have the maturity to be treated like adults.

Exile Crazy Uncle Buchanan to fox and freaks!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Obama — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:52:18 GMT

Fellow liberals who feel the wealthy are destroying our nation....where's the outrage over AIG and Goldman Sachs paying out billions in bonuses again now that they're profitable again. They're back to their old greedy ways. We criticized Bush for allowing this...now under Obama it's no different. Raise your voices.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Joe's Off His Leash Again — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:52:39 GMT

Biden is at it again. Told the AARP folks that the federal government needs to "Spend a lot of money so we don't go bankrupt".

Look it up. He said it.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

eagle1776 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:52:42 GMT

When McConnell says he wants to slow down on health care reform just how slow does he intend to go? From his record I would say 40 years or more should about do it in his pointly little head. By then he'll be dead and gone and he won't have to worry about it.

I say we have delayed far too long. While I don't think we should rush we need to make sure this is not delayed long either. I would be happy just getting it this year. Before August recess may be too quickly but we'll see.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Jonathan, Flint, MI — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:53:00 GMT

Paul Krugamn is an idiot. I'm so glad the NY times is going under. It's a waste of ink and paper, and if they can't pay their own bills anymore then they need to adjust or die out.

I get upset because there was a certain group of people that were predicting this mess we are in. The Austrian Economists. They believe personal liberty and the free market work together for the betterment of society, but of course these aren't always the people that we listen to. We still listen to Paul Krugman, who was blindsided by this mess. Jim Cramer who helped propagate the problem along with his so-called channel of financial experts over cnbc. They all laughed when Peter Schiff told them back in 2007 we had a housing bubble, and it was going to burst. They all laughed when he told them buying stock in the financials was toxic. Ben Stein called Merrill Lynch, and Bear Stearns a steal last summer. Jim Cramer was telling everyone Leahman Brothers was a good deal even if it seemed over priced. And we are still calling these people experts!!! I'm sorry but if I was a top of my class surgeon, and I didn't realize that people need a sterile environment when I was working on them I might not be the expert people thought I was...

But who does the media turn too when they want analysis. Well they want someone who was wrong just like everyone else. Maybe they have thin skin and can't handle the gloating of the Free Market folks.

BTW folks on the board do your homework this was not a free market problem. The left will blame it on the free market and lack of regulation, but it was the product of corporatism, meaning some financial companies were regulated while others enjoyed the benefits being able to do whatever they wanted. To make matter worse a lot of banks were getting cheap credit from the THE FED. Which sends the wrong message to the market. An agency that claims its apolitical, the FED is anything but. Interest rates should be high right now. People should be forced into saving and not consuming...but the Paul Krugman's of the world think we can spend our way out of it.

This is going to inflate a bubble only to have it pop again and we end up back in the same boat. We will keep repeating this cycle until the government can no longer spend it's way out of it, and they simply are forced to take control of the economy.

Perhaps this is the agenda. I try not to be a conspiracy theorist, but we keep making the same mistakes, and the government keeps trying to control more and more of the private sector. I don't know what to think anymore.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

MSierra, SF — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:54:05 GMT

Let's hear it for PRINCIPLES !!
As in the American Conservative Union

'...But that wouldn't last. The ACU asked FedEx to pony up a couple million dollars for conservative lobbying expenses. FedEx balked, so two weeks later, the American Conservative Union switched sides, and now backs UPS...'

From Washington Monthly:

'...AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION: PRINCIPLES FOR SALE....

There's been an ongoing and heated dispute between FedEx and UPS lately, stemming from a labor provision currently being debated on the Hill. In a nutshell, UPS already negotiates union contracts with individual locations, and FedEx may soon be forced to do the same, giving up its one national union contract for its express business.

A fierce fight between the two shipping giants has broken out over this, and American Conservative Union, a major conservative lobbying organization, was, as recently as two weeks ago, on FedEx's side. The ACU said in a recent letter, "We stand with FedEx in opposition to this legislation."

But that wouldn't last. The ACU asked FedEx to pony up a couple million dollars for conservative lobbying expenses. FedEx balked, so two weeks later, the American Conservative Union switched sides, and now backs UPS.

In return for the $2 million, ACU offered a range of services that included: "Producing op-eds and articles written by ACU's Chairman David Keene and / or other members of the ACU's board of directors. (Note that Mr. Keene writes a weekly column that appears in The Hill.)"

The conservative group's remarkable demand -- black-and-white proof of the longtime Washington practice known as "pay for play" -- was contained in a private letter to FedEx that was provided to POLITICO.

The letter exposes the practice by some political interest groups of taking stands not for reasons of pure principle, as their members and supporters might assume, but also in part because a sponsor is paying big money.

It's an interesting look at how this process, usually played out behind closed doors, really works. For a price, a company can buy the loyalty of a conservative organization, its lobbying operation, and perhaps even some media attention. In this case, the ACU's Keene didn't necessarily offer to use his print column for paid advocacy, but the fact that it was mentioned as part of the pitch to FedEx suggests a certain, shall we say, ethical flexibility.

And if one fails to pay that price, wouldn't you know it, the conservative organization finds that maybe it doesn't really agree with your principled position after all.

It's tempting to think a revelation like this would permanently undermine the ACU's reputation, but I can't help but wonder if the D.C. establishment, assuming that "everyone does it," and this is just "how the game is played," will tolerate a scandal like this...'

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Dumb & Dumber for $300 Please Alex! — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:54:19 GMT

So there you have it, it’s back to the drawing board Dems, your rush to failure on HCR has been exposed. HCR in its current form is DOA and a nation longing for fiscal sanity breathes a grateful sigh of relief.

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:40 AM)
_____________________________

Wouldn't want to wake you up from that delicous dream you're having - but - the only thing that's DOA are the 2 neurons that are still firing in that neocon brain of yours!

HRC is going to GET DONE and there's not a damn thing you and the rest of the Republicant's can do about it!

Elections have conseequences and remember the majority vote for CHANGE! As WE WON that's what you're going to get - like it or not!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Tim Watters, SF CA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:55:53 GMT

>>> Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), strongly supports thoughtful health care reform that controls costs, provides all Americans with access to health insurance coverage, and improves the overall quality of our health care system. <<<

Which means BCBS are against the proposals going through Congress. The Congressional proposals INCREASE costs to unsustainable levels, they not decrease them. Also the Congressional proposals do not provide universal coverage. So there is a mjor disconnect between what Congress is doing and what BCBS is talking about.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Bill, Fairfax, VA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:56:58 GMT

FR headline: “Potential backlash at Wall Street?”

Oh for crying out loud, here we go again with bashing business. Earth to FR: we want the banks to do better, we want the banks to be healthy and making money again, that was the point of the whole bailout.

As for Bank of America, please stop with the selective reporting. Yes it’s true that their second quarter profit exceeded expectations. But that profit was also 25% less than the profit they made in the second quarter of last year. Also, BoA warned that bad loans credit cards, mortgages and business customers are expected to increase going forward and the bank $13.4B to cover those expected losses, which is 25% more than they set aside in the previous quarter. So these guys aren’t out of the woods yet by any means, and to fixate on the profit number they reported today doesn’t come close to telliong the whole story.

As for Goldman Sachs, love them or hate them they are a premier Wall Street money machine. They have repaid the $10B in TARP funds they were forced to accept. So they can pay their people whatever they darn well please without interference from the government or Paul Krugman.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

New York City — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:57:04 GMT

I'm glad President Obama refers to his biography. Maybe it will help highlight racial controversies, such as the one below, that we still have.
http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/07/my-fight-with-white-supremacists-.html

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Ed, San Antonio — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:57:58 GMT

I was saddened last evening when I watched Rachel Maddow -- the spot with Buchanan.

Rachel my dear, you were cool and composed. Buchanan is a shell of a man. He is filled with hate for everything that is not Buchanan-

Black Guys--good at Olympic Track
White Guys from Minisota--good at Olympic Hockey
Supreme Court--Old White Men who founded this country, built this country....this IS their country. Affirmative Action--the Scourge of the earth mentality.

Buchanan earlier had withered on Hardball Chris up against Mr. Payton, from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and equated Black Firefighters as "Not as Bright"....

Buchanan does not engage in civil discourse, he only uses insulting and denegrating language.

He is fearful..of his position in this Country....fearful that it is being taken/given to others who are less deserving. Let him retreat to the safety of his secure, probably heavily gated community!

He is a shell of a human, there is no Hope for him.

Rachel, you are Great!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Greg P. NW Indiana — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:58:08 GMT

And the wealth re-distribution continues. First, last, and all middle pages for the liberal playbood for how they fund their mega-programs? "Tax the rich".

Your running out of rich people to tax Democrats. Shared Responsibility (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:43 AM)
----------------------------------------------------

10 people are on a deserted island...

1 person knows how to hunt and kill animals
but because he has this knowledge he feels all the spoils should go to him. So he hoards the food so he doesn't go hungry. He has more than enough for 20 people. But it's his. And he's not willing to teach anyone for fear of competition.

The rest know how to build shelter and treat illness.
If the hunter doesn't give up food, the society dies. If the hunter doesn't share enough food, the society becomes to weak to take care of itself. If the hunter shares enough food...the society prospers, and everyone gets to live and figure a way off the f'n island. If the hunter continues his ill begotten ways, society will wake up and find another way to eat. Leaving the hunter to die, disease ridden in the open.

Looks like the hunter is going to have to give up some food if he wants to survive in this society.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Nashville_fan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:58:14 GMT

I keep hearing people say that President Obama needs to abandon his healthcare efforts and focus on jobs.

Question:

What more could the President do to create jobs than he has already done? What specific strategies could be pursued to make more good paying American jobs? (And if your answer is “tax cuts for businesses”, please explain how a tax cut translates into jobs instead of just monstrous profits and bonuses.)

I keep hearing that “now is not the time” to reform healthcare.

Question:

When will be the right time? During the boom years for our economy, when profits were soaring and the government had a surplus, that was not the right time. Now with more people unemployed (and uninsured), you say this is not the right time. When will this magical “right time” appear?

I keep hearing that “raising taxes” to pay for healthcare is bad.

Question:

If that is the case, then why is taxing health care benefits as income such a popular idea with media pundits and Republicans? Could the problem be not the raising of taxes, but rather the rich and powerful not wanting to pay their fair share?

“In 2006, there were approximately 116,011,000 households in the United States. 1.93% of all households had annual incomes exceeding $250,000.[5] 12.3% fell below the federal poverty threshold[6] and the bottom 20% earned less than $19,178.[7] The aggregate income distribution is highly concentrated towards the top, with the top 6.37% earning roughly one third of all income . . .”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Jody, Iowa — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:58:23 GMT

Slow down. Isn't that the typical response. If Congress isn't given deadlines, then they get mired in muck. Companies have project deadlines and our representatives need them also. Yes, get it as close to right as possible, but do something. You can fix what doesn't work later. Did McConnell tell Bush that the American people and Congress needed to understand the Patriot Act or the unsustainable tax cuts--no, it was rammed through with fear.

Pres Obama can address issues of race and educational disparity more effectively than any previous president. The parts of his speech last night that I heard were wise, truthful and inspiring. Imagine what the NAACP attendees felt sitting in that room, celebrating its 100th anniversary, and listening to an African-American president speak.

When were companies ever pro-union. Too many people fail to recognize that their 8-hr days, 40-hr weeks, vacation and benefits are the result of unions. In order to hire and keep good employees, non-union companies had to offer benefits and working conditions similar to union companies. Remember that next time you speak against labor unions. Did some become too powerful, yes, but without his union, my stepdad would not have had a living wage, health insurance and a small pension. Respect the good unions do and complain about those things that seem unreasonable.

How can Pat Buchanan continue to be a republican voice on MSNBC with such a racist attitude. Republicans should be ashamed that his voice is speaking for them. His affirmative action hatred is beyond comprehension. What I see in Buchanan is 1960's pre-civil rights FEAR--fear that his white, male world is ending. Rachel Maddow did her best to keep cool during Pat's ridiculous tirade and that had to be tough. Good thing he wasn't in the room because someone might have poked him in the nose.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Ollie — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:59:19 GMT

There are no jobs. The stimulous package did nothing to create jobs, or help the housing crisis. Only shows that the government can't run anything right. Now they want to manage healthcare.
And by the way Lynn the fire fighters are not discrimminated against. What about our Miss White America. Our United White College Fund. Wet TV station. And don't forget our CNN specials on Whats it like to be White in America!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:09 GMT

*** Changing nothing: In the Sotomayor hearings, there were four days of statements and questioning, several witnesses, wall-to-wall coverage, and it changed … absolutely nothing.

######################################

No because all they want is publicity. Media attention and I don’t understand why, when they continue to make complete asses of themselves.

###############################################

*** The Great American Health Care Fight:

No comment, this has no real substance and I won't venture into racking my brain with maybe's.

############################################

*** Potential backlash at Wall Street? First there was Goldman Sach’s huge quarterly profit.

################################################

My first question is...did they earn the money by honest means? This article snippet is a cliff hanger.
What about Citi Bank, they "are" in trouble. They've mismanged their money.
################################################

To Debate You:
I noticed when Obama went through his list of discrimintated groups when speaking to the NAACP, he didn't mention the white New Haven CT, firefighters. Was that an oversight?
Lynn Wheatly
################################################

Lynn, did you want to write his speech. “You People” have a nerve screaming discrimination when laws are being acted upon in the right way. I watched Rachel Maddow’s Show on last night. You are in the era as Pat Buchanan, you’re both flaming racist. The friggin firefighter had no place being mentioning in that speech.

The NAACP is an organization that originally “had” to be formed for the Black people during a time when that was the only voice “they” had, believe me missy, at the mention of the name, it invoked fear, respect and fairness... Now it is a voice for many nationalities. So check yourself Lynn, before you comment.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:30 GMT

Obama when asked by a CBS newsie if he has decided all Americans should be forced to buy insurance. Obama responded "Yes, I've come to that conclusion".

Tish Waltrip, Ft. Wayne IN (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:41 AM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Care to back that up with something more than a 'CBS Newsie'? Or didn't Rush give you anymore information?

Around here throwing right wing talking points out randomly doesn't FLY!

Back it UP or SHUT UP!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:01:15 GMT

Another great week here at First Read, the best place on the web for political discourse. Plus let's not forget that msnbc.com is the most popular web news site for the past 12 months, eat your hearts out fox and freaks and cnn (fox lite). We should all thank the great First Read crew of Chuck, Mark, Domenico, and Ali for letting all of us have fun commenting here. My thanks to all the great Obama supporters who post such excellent and witty comments. And yes I even thank all the repugnant ones who post here for helping msnbc.com become Number One!

It's time for that deadbeat Mitch McConnell to get to work instead of constantly whining. The health care reform bill doesn't need to be slowed down, the repugnant ones need to get to work or just roll over and play dead as the Demcorats don't need them to pass the bill. If they want input then they need to put up some honest good input instead of whining in front of the cameras constantly. The whining is what needs to be slowed down.

I like Paul Krugman's comments regarding the huge profits that some of the investment banks are making the the ton of cash the same crowd who wrecked our economy are now making. It's time to regulate these banking thieves so they start getting back to doing what banks are suppsoed to do and that is loan money for homes and businesses. So just how much of all that profit trickles down to the rest of us? Yeah none and it's time to jack up the taxes on capital gains back to the regular income tax rates.

In MSNBC.com & tv We Trust!
In First Read We Trust!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Gary G., St. Paul MN — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:02:25 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Paul, Huntsville, AL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:07:15 GMT

I saw a commercial I believe on MSNBC today about health care rationing starring some woman from Canada who had to come to America to get care. The commercial really made me angry. The reason: It's misleading. She was only able to get care in America because she was wealthy enough to afford it, not because our system is somehow superior. As a Canadian citizen she wouldn't have had american insurance, so she would have had to pay a doctor up front. That's fine, and that won't go away under proposed system. But the commercial is misleading because we HAVE health care rationing in the US right now. The only difference is it is the insurance companies doing it.

If she had had her condition in America, there's a good chance her insurance wouldn't even cover the procedure she needed, let alone her having to wait a month. And God help her if she had the condition BEFORE she got the insurance. Then they wouldn't cover jack. And if, as 50 million Americans, she had no insurance because she couldn't afford it, she wouldn't be getting her life saving procedure. Insurance already rations health care like nobody's business. In Canada that woman's story is the exception to the rule. In America that woman's story IS the rule. New regulations on insurance providers along with a strong public option is only going to reduce health care rationing, not increase it.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Houston — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:07:37 GMT

Steven Colbert thought of a brillian way to get health care reform past the Repubs: Put it under the defense department's budget. The Repubs and their corporate media allies don't care how much money is thrown at the Pentagon, even if it goes to corrupt contractors like KBR that build shower stalls at military bases that electrocute soldiers.

Sneaking something worthwhile into the defense budget might be worth a try.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Mike T., Iowa — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:07:41 GMT

Under questioning by members of the Senate Budget Committee, Douglas Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said bills crafted by House leaders and the Senate health committee do not propose "the sort of fundamental changes" necessary to rein in the skyrocketing cost of government health programs, particularly Medicare. On the contrary, Elmendorf said, the measures would pile on an expensive new program to cover the uninsured.”

Bill, Fairfax, VA

Exactly. The only way to make the HCR bill at least balanced, ie., not even reducing costs, is to tax the health care benefits of people. Obama and the Dems will never do this though because that would require shared responsibility of payment for their so called "free" health care.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Judy in AZ — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:09:30 GMT

Joseph Reeder MD: If you lose your healthcare insurance provided by your employer, that same insurance company WILL NOT INSURE YOU IF YOU HAVE A PREXISTING CONDITION. If you do not have such a condition, you cannot get insurance from that company without paying close to $1000.00 per month.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:09:31 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:10:41 GMT

Which means BCBS are against the proposals going through Congress. The Congressional proposals INCREASE costs to unsustainable levels, they not decrease them. Also the Congressional proposals do not provide universal coverage. So there is a mjor disconnect between what Congress is doing and what BCBS is talking about.
Tim Watters, SF CA (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:55 AM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ummm... that was the POINT!

Of course BCBS is AGAINST it - public option will create that pesky competition which in turns means BCBS will no longer be able to gouge it's members as they've done for decades to line their pockets at the expense and lives of Americans!

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Beautiful Brunette — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:11:55 GMT

Back it UP or SHUT UP!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 10:00 AM)

---------------------------------------
Don't worry, Tish, it's a rare occassion when Feisty backs up her rants and name-calling with real facts.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Houston — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:13:32 GMT

Why isn't the creepy story about "the Family" being reported by anyone but Rachel Maddow? This outfit appears to be a genuine rightwing conspiracy in which powerful Republican politicians like the disgraced Sen. Ensign and Gov. Sanford are heavily involved.

The organization's founder did not believe in democracy and thought the counry should be ruled by wealthy and powerful Christians -- like Ensign and Sanford before they were disgraced. The founder was an admirer of Hitler and Chairman Mao for their ability to enforce unquestioning loyalty on their followers.

This isn't a conspiracy theory; it's a conspiracy fact. There's been more at play in the perversion of American politics over the past 8 years than just Bush's incompetence and Cheney's ruthlessness. They've had powerful allies in the Mafia-like "Family." Maybe the corporate media "journalists" are keeping quiet because they're afraid of crossing such a powerful and vicious organization.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Reborn to Post, Boston, MA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:14:04 GMT

The Congressional Budget Office 'cast doubts'--which really means 'health care reform is so complex we can't figure out how to project the savings costs'.

There will be savings, but REAL savings will only come from competition among private insurers with a public option. This is why the CBO can't say with certainty what the savings will be.

Casting doubts doesn't mean health reform won't work.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

E.Mercer, NC — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:15:05 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Feels Good — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:15:25 GMT

Lynn, did you want to write his speech. “You People” have a nerve screaming discrimination when laws are being acted upon in the right way. I watched Rachel Maddow’s Show on last night. You are in the era as Pat Buchanan, you’re both flaming racist. The friggin firefighter had no place being mentioning in that speech.

The NAACP is an organization that originally “had” to be formed for the Black people during a time when that was the only voice “they” had, believe me missy, at the mention of the name, it invoked fear, respect and fairness... Now it is a voice for many nationalities. So check yourself Lynn, before you comment.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama

Looks like we have found an Angry White Female.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Nashville_fan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:16:21 GMT

"I try not to be a conspiracy theorist, but we keep making the same mistakes, and the government keeps trying to control more and more of the private sector. I don't know what to think anymore.
-Jonathan, Flint, MI
=============================================
Jonathan,

You say the government keeps trying to take over more and more of the private sector, but you leave out the reason why.

Who protects the American people from "the private sector"?

Do you propose we just set up a Wild West system where companies do what the want, the government buts out, and then it's just one screwed over consumer versus the coporate goliaths?

I've asked you this before, who protects the American people if not our elected representatives in government?

If we let the corporations hoard all the money and run rough shod over us (like the banks are doing now), what is our recourse?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Bad Chihuahua — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:18:33 GMT

Obie is selling us all out. He has no respect for the congress and senate. They are his patsies. Finally, they're starting to turn on him. His numbers continue to fall.

Don't vote for anyone who has pushed the stimulus through without reading it, and that's everybody. Some of the money went to ACORN, which shows how mentally challenged the house and senate actually are. The BILL itself is mentally challenged.

Obie wants it his own way. The soldier that challenged his birth certificate was sent packing. Thanks, Obie. What the hell are you afraid of?

Hillary is pissed at Obie and Biden is in a state of suspended animation, too often casting our precious prez in a bad light. "We mis-read the state of the economy." These people are worms.

Obie copies Bush and then disses him. An arrogant display. Meanwhile, Obie's own policies are cutting America into pieces and ruining the future of generations to come.

The leader of the free world has lost his way .. no direction and little respect. North Korea and Iran balk at him. India and China will not control their emissions so Obie's yapping didn't do one bit of good.

Fat old Al Gore is getting rich off of his global warmimg scheme. We'll have to pay for it while the rest of the world ignores it. So we are taxed while nothing will get done. It's the $600 toilet seat all over again, isn't it Obie? Care to sit down? The damn thing must be made of solid gold.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

ken from holland, pa — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:18:47 GMT

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:20:07 GMT

Paul Krugamn is an idiot. I'm so glad the NY times is going under. It's a waste of ink and paper, and if they can't pay their own bills anymore then they need to adjust or die out.
Jonathan, Flint, MI

I couldn't agree with you more Jonathan. Your posting was on target. The history of the United States keeps repeating itself every so many years. Until goverenment set in place "good solid laws" that protect our financial systems that can't be changed by elections of new administrations. We will continue the cycle.

I am not sure that will be the answer, but I think that it will be a start...

First thoughts: Changing nothing

BL, CIncinnati OH — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:21:12 GMT

So if a young person/couple wants to forego purchasing health insurance so they can say, put the money into a mortgage, save for their future kids education, or help out their retirned parents with some bills, Obama will tell them no they can't do that. Instead, they must purchase insurance, insurance they will more then likely not use, just so Obama can take the money from them, and give it to someone else.
Gary G., St. Paul MN (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 10:02 AM)

Typical GOP scare tactics.

Problem with your little anecdote is if that couple decides to not buy insurance, and then gets in a car wreck, like many people do every day, and are rushed to the ER for internal bleeding, broken bones, etc... guess who pays for it? Not them. They don't have insurance. The hospital eats it. So they raise costs to those that do have insurance, which then the insurance companies raise premiums to cover.

So... in fact those that already have insurance are paying for those that do not.

You'd think you conservatives would demand the uninsured get coverage and stop leeching off everyone else that has insurance. But then again that would mean that your actual positions would be formed based on logic, which they aren't. They are based on keeping the rich wealthy and powerful, and their brainwashed supporters poor, uneducated, and buying their line of garbage with simplistic slogans and rhetoric.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Vicky, Severna Park, MD — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:22:51 GMT

*** Dem vs. Dem? Nelson, of course, is one of a handful of Democratic senators who is seeing the DNC run TV ads on health care in his backyard.
##################################################

Cool, if they don't like being singled out for being slackers and obstructers, they need to do the job they were elected to do or be replaced in the next election. - Anita
-----------------------------------------------
I think what they were elected to do, Anita, is represent the views of their constituents. As an increasing number of Americans oppose the health care 'reform' as its currently proposed, he's doing the right thing by his constituents.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

MO Attorney — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:28:25 GMT

First Read's comments section is a microcosm of extremism and modern propaganda. I love reading it each morning - I haven't had the opportunity to see such radicalism up close since college. Many thanks to Feisty, Eric, Bad Chi, etc. for providing this opportunity.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Dave, Tn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:30:54 GMT

*** Potential backlash at Wall Street? *****

Should be. Until there are real investigations and prison terms handed out America should organize itself in defense against New York. Until then it should just be assumed they're all in it together against the rest of us.

BTW there was a frontline put out about a month ago that barely scratched the surface. What's really funny about it is the arrogant snobs in NY laughing about the "WalMart version" in NC, but they send their government backed thugs to BofA with a turd covered in sugar and say "here eat this snickers bar" As if that wasn't enough now New York is dumping it's garbage (Madoff) in NC. It's just really funny sorta :-)

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Pagan Baby — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:31:39 GMT

Barack Hussein Obama will win a few battles but lose the war.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Gary G., St. Paul MN — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:32:06 GMT

This is why we are a mess as a country. healthcare should be one of the most important things a child should need before a mortgage or college. not having insurance is a gamble not only for your family, but for the american people who end up footing the bill for those who like to gamble like gary.

ken from holland, pa

If it's so important, then have the parents purchase it. For children, HC is very,very cheap, on the order of a dollar a day.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:33:36 GMT

Stocks were up for 4 days in a row. Why no comments from the teabaggers? LOL
Joyce (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:44 AM)
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Should also be noted the DOW is up 7.8% since Obama took office and since its low point (when all the noise was made) it is up 31%.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

The - Democrat Soldier — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:33:53 GMT

Well, since the banks are making huge profits - courtesy the American tax payers.

It's now time to regulate them and force them to stop with the gotcha penalties and fees.

American corporations have forgotten the customer - they need to get back into the mind set that if it wasn't for the customers - there would be no corporations.

The days of forcing the customer’s hand and dictating out rages fees and cost, because one wants it's services - are numbered, one way or the other.

Most large corporations and franchise companies have dumped providing fair pricing for fair services, now it’s how do we take them for all we can.

For example - I went to franchise auto shop, asked them to put a sensor on my vehicle, it cost me $18.00 for this sensor.

They said I would need to leave my car there for them to look at it and it would cost me $89.00 an hour.

I did my research and scan my car computer, I knew what the problem was, and I just wanted it done now and was willing to pay a fair price.

I had the part already and it would have taken them only 2 minutes to replace.

They refused to do this, made every excuse as to why they should run a diagnostic and charge me a minimal $89.00, then another possible $89.00 to replace the part and then another $25.00 for the part – because they don’t use customer brought in parts.

All the while, I would have to bring the car back the next day and leave it there for them to work on it.

I end up doing this myself with the help of a locally own shop and it cost me $18.00 and it took no longer than 2 minutes. (They let me use their lift, which was all that was really needed).

It's this type of crap that causes Americans to get pissed off and vote for Politians that will deal with crooks like this – needless to say, I made sure all of my friends know how this shop treated me.

So oil companies, banks, Wall Street, franchises, we are tired of you guys taking advantage of U.S., just because you provide a good or a service.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Nice try, but not even close — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:34:24 GMT

Note that page 16 of the just passed Ways and Means health care bill says that if you lose your private insurance from your employer, then you have no other option then to go in to the public Obamacare plan. That's right, you have no choice but to go to Obamacare if your company refuses to pay for your private insurance or if you are layed off.

That doesn't sound too competitive to me? Looks like at some point enough people will be funneled into the public option whether the want to be or not, thus killing private insurance.

The things you learn if you just read a little.
Joseph Reeder, Maryland (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:38 AM)
____________

Dude, way to fearmonger!!!

Note that this is "if you lose your current insurance". So, as it stands today, if you lose your insurance, what are your current options? Hmmmm?

If your job provides benefits, as many do, then you already have other options, right?

So, other than fearmongering, just exactly what was your point?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Julia, Mounds View MN — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:35:59 GMT

"So if a young person/couple wants to forego purchasing health insurance so they can say, put the money into a mortgage, save for their future kids education, or help out their retirned parents with some bills, Obama will tell them no they can't do that."

Gary G., St. Paul MN (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 10:02 AM)

This is why we are a mess as a country. healthcare should be one of the most important things a child should need before a mortgage or college. not having insurance is a gamble not only for your family, but for the american people who end up footing the bill for those who like to gamble like gary.
---------------------------------------------------
Ken, you probably should have read Gary's whole comment. He was talking about future kids, not existing ones. But of course you missed his point, that it should be up to a family whether they're willing to take that gamble.

Our eldest son just graduated with an engineering degree. He's looking hard for a job and we're confident he'll find one, but in the meantime he has no health insurance. Of course we'll cover him if something happens, but as a healthy 22-year old he's willing to chance it. That won't be an option if mandates become law. And it should be a personal option.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

I'm guessing the latter — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:36:44 GMT

Oh where have all the jobs gone?? Still looking for those jobs Obama promised.
Willing to Work (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:43 AM)
__________

I keep asking the question, and you keep ignoring it. Have you contacted your state legislature to inquire about what jobs are being created in your state? Are you even really unemployed? Or are you just posting the same tired graffiti as always, because you have nothing of value to offer except the same old same old?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Rick, NC — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:39:04 GMT

The same party of nope who were able to speed through two war resolutions, tax cuts, spending hikes, prescription drug coverage etc in record times now crab about going to fast on healthcare for Americans...

Apparently the right is ok jumping into an ill advised war and screwy spending priorities but want to go slow on something that is killing thousands of Americans a day...lack of access to affordable healthcare....thanks for nothing republicans

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Guesses anyone?......anyone?............. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:42:48 GMT

Oh where have all the jobs gone?? Still looking for those jobs Obama promised.
Willing to Work (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:43 AM)
___________

Just a thought, but perhaps if you spent less time playing games in political forums, and more time applying for jobs, you might find one. I have been unemployed in the past. Spending time on political sites doesn't find you a job. Spending time in the classifieds does.

So tell us, where do you spend more time every day? Here or actually looking for a job?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Hmmm???? — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:43:51 GMT

Why do Obama and the Democrats punish successful people?
Cherese Hall, Washington DC (Sent Friday, July 17, 2009 9:47 AM)
___________

Why do conservatives fearmonger when they aren't in power?

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Moon Dawg — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:43:56 GMT

Obama:

At the NAACP did you tell them you have the "blood of Africa" in your veins?

I have the "blood of America" in mine and it's just as good.

First thoughts: Changing nothing

Va Ind — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:46:17 GMT

So, based on Joe Biden's comments, I should ask for my income to be reduced by 5% per year and increase my spending by 100% to avoid bankruptcy.... I get it now.