Sanity in the Healthcare Debate

Getting the truth has been difficult. I used to be a republican (for 21 years), but I am so offended by their uncaring disruptive tactics that I don't see myself ever voting for a GOP candidate. I think what they are doing is not only disgraceful but also harmful to our country.

Gratefully, several GOP Senators broke ranks and voted to confirm our newest Associate Justice. The arguments were along partisan lines rather than substantive (any more than the standard rhetoric that goes both ways).

One of my biggest concerns is that both parties are sacrificing "truth" to "platform". I happen to agree with the need to support all citizens equally, which tends to align with moderates and/or democrats more often at present, but it shouldn't matter who has "control" of Congress ... what matters should be the legislation proposed.

We also have to ask corporations whether they tell the truth in advertisements. It seems that "truth in advertising" is a great slogan, but suspect in practice.

I'm sorry, but I'm just disgusted that the GOP is involved with these town hall disruptions. These were the tactics the Brown Shirts used paving the way for Hitler to come to power. I am sickened this political party would stoop so low. Simply shameful.

Credo sent out an action alert asking that its members attend the meetings to help balance the crowd. I'm thinking about it if my repair job gets done in time.

That these kind of deceptive political games happened to steal the real voice of the common people is a low point in our country's heritage. I just can't believe these people acted so disgracefully and then lied about it. Where is their decency? I won't ask about something these sick trashers of good values don't have, namely integrity. I really am disgusted by their actions and this has nothing top do with my opinion about the Health Care bill.

"Steal the real voice of the common people"

Excellent summary!

Thank you. Truth in this case is simple.

I could never tolerate extremists and liars. Is there any GOP person who isn't??? By keeping silent while these unAmerican activities are going on says a lot about the outhouse mindset of the GOP. I really am disgusted by the GOP's EVIL disinformation campaign. My good republican friends are embarrassed by the bullying tactics and they should be.

I suppose your good GOP friends are as embarrassed as good Democrats have been embarrassed by some of the foibles from their party.

No, this is different. I have never seen so many feel so disgusted. What the GOP is doing is sadly right out of the Nazi playbook. GOP Senators knowingly telling lies. I'm not pro-Democrat, but I've never seen any politician before stoop to the deplorable level the GOP has over the health issue. It would be nice to have an honest debate but these liars and thugs won't allow it. Maybe the GOP should wear brown shirts since it fits their character. I have lost all trust in the GOP to act with decency and good will.

My sister's in laws are shaking in their boots. They are near 90 years old and someone told them that if this bill passes, the government is going to start planned mercy killings of the elderly. I wish I were making this up.

Here are two good articles debunking some of the myths:

RH Reality check

AARP on the Ad Campaigns

Jane, I am an Independent and voted solidly GOP for 21 years. The GOP knows mercy killings are a lie, but yet keep saying it. I think a real Christian would not follow the liars. I'm disgusted with the bullying tactics and the outright lies of the GOP.

Jane,

Want to see how misinformed some people are?
Take a look at my article on the Health Care Provision regarding discussions of end-of-life issues.
"Will Granny Have To Kill Herself?"

The discussions on your article really point this out, Nancy.

Thank you for sharing this. Things keep getting more and more out of hand and I'm honestly afraid that it won't end until there is serious injury or even death. Hopefully many people will read this article, pray to the god that they believe in and come with peaceful solutions.

It is sad that a lot of people are not touched by this until the circumstances you suggest. It is too bad that the media is not presenting the subject in a way we can all understand and evaluate without that "object lesson".

You said that right, Debra. Our media is horse feathers and a disgrace to real journalism. I watch CBC news called The National. I find the Canadians are simply more up front and truthful.

There was a show years ago called "Kids in the Hall" on CBC (which I used to get on channel 9 when living in greater Detroit). One of their standing observations was that Canadians would be realistic rather than complaining or obstructive. While KITH was mainly farce, what points up greater realities?

I watched Kids In The Hall. It was funny sometimes. I prefer Air Farce.

Haven't seen Air Farce (moved from the border before it went on air).

The best Canadian TV show which rivals Green Acres for great TV is Red Green.

Wait til some of these folks with private health insurance exhaust their i million dollar limit (that most plans have) This is equivalent to 1-4 inpatient hospitalizations involving surgery. This is lifetime! After that, you are self pay!! The only people who have better are those who work for the govt. This is what Obama tries to explain to people. The rich, the very poor, govt workers and Medicare don't have limits. Only the working stiffs who are at the town halls screaming that they love their health care.

And let the same people discover that, having no more insurance coverage, they also no longer get the "negotiated rates" the insurance companies pay ... and they now pay full price. And we wonder why people are bankrupted.

Here is another link from AARP for seniors and their families who want answers to questions posed by that market.

Excellent article. Thank you!

For those folks who think there is nothing in it for them because they have good jobs and health care - look around at the increasing number of pink slips being handed out and with the bonus that goes with it - loss of health insurance. (Of yes, there is always COBRA which leaves you paying 102% of the premium now that you don't have a job.) You could be next. Look around at folks you know who have had a heart attack or some other major illness and lost their insurance. Now they have a pre-existing condition and no insurance company will take them on. You could be next. Don't think that because you've taken the precaution of saving up enough money to get you through 6 months of unemployment until you get your next job, that you will survive a layoff without being destroyed financially. Six months is not enough! Unlike those people who spread wild tales trying to scare everyone into thinking Health Care Reform will destroy the USA, I am telling you the cold hard facts learned from experience. You could be next.

In most cases, unemployment insurance will barely cover the cost of COBRA for a single who was given a good health plan by their former employer. Think about families.

You are right, Tina, this is a serious consideration in the debate.

Over 1,000 pages is too long. It smacks of being legislation in restraint of trade to benefit already large operations. This degree of complication will have consequences that are unpredictable. Legislation that cannot be fairly enforced contributes to problems and to our horrific incarceration ratio. Our people must be given choices, including inclusion of previously excluded care such as naturpaths and acupuncturists and including forms of payment such as sliding scale, scholarships, and work equity. Choices respect the individual dignity of our people. Mandates do not. Many would choose to stay in conventional care. It is not conducive of sustainability to force everybody into conventional care. They won't go. They will hide. Allowing those who choose other forms could lessen the bottlenecks in the present system. Forcing everybody into things that already exist without fixing the death and disability from adverse events (search iatrogenic) in existing plans does not strike me as reasonable or compassionate. The logical way to get different plans is to let different states do different things and to publicize outcomes. Some state already have healthier populations than others. Why is that? Could we consider replicating what works, or is that just too sensible to occur to anyone in D.C.? Some states have their own plans or non-profit choices which people could opt into for major medical for a nominal premium while continuing to use neighborhood naturpaths, doctors, or acupuncturists for run-of-the-mill sprains or sore throats, paying as they go. Cooperative arrangements between neighborhood clinics and major-medical needs could mean that hospitals could have clinics to call for background if someone is brought in from an accident who is not previously connected to conventional medicine. This is not a place where one size fits all or where federal mandates are always helpful to the ordinary person.

How many more have to lose their savings and even their homes until our disgusting corrupt politicians get the message something must be done.

And the non-corrupt, sincere politicians too -- who just need to realize how much this is a priority.

Exactly who is not corrupt? The only politician in Michigan I trust is Debbie Stabenow. All of the others I know about have their hand in the lobbyist cookie jar. At least some of the non-leadership position Republicans in our Michigan legislature actually care about our citizens. I can't say that about the democrats here. However, on a national scale, I think almost all in the GOP are disgusting liars.

So let's cheer Debbie Stabenow and encourage her to lead as she can to pass Health Care Reform.

WOW

The solution I believe in would not charge a single citizen for healthcare. If you want to know who would, see ""Who pays for the free stuff?"

Duh. Not enough caffeine yet. If you want to know who would PAY.