Local Fox Reporter Attends Town Hall And Finds ‘Some Attendees Admit They Don’t Live In The District’
Local Fox Reporter Attends Town Hall And Finds ‘Some Attendees Admit They Don’t Live In The District’
Last night, Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) hosted a rowdy town hall meeting to discuss health care reform. Fox’s local Houston affiliate reporter, Duarte Geraldino, reported that he talked to the participants and found that “some attendees admit they don’t live in the district.” How did they get there? Geraldino noted “an internet campaign” by far right activists urging their allies to attend and heckle Democratic Representatives. Geraldino then aired a clip showing one participant acting disrespectfully towards Rep. Green. “Pay close attention to the man behind the congressman,” Geraldino says in this clip, “he seems to have forgotten the part about respect.” Watch it:
The crowd was so disrespectful that one frustrated attendee said he had come to the town hall with the intention of giving Rep. Green “a really hard time,” but changed his mind because he was fed up with another man who was “screaming behind my head for the last hour.” The attendee continued, “This is a free country, but I think there’s a certain degree of respect” required. “I won’t be quiet! I won’t sit down! And I won’t let this happen on my watch,” responded the angry conservative activist. Watch it:
During the town hall, one conservative activist turns to his fellow attendees and asks them to raise their hands if they “oppose any form of socialized or government-run health care.” Almost all the hands shot up. Rep Green quickly turned the question on the audience and asked, “How many of you have Medicare?” Nearly half the attendees raised their hands, failing to note the irony.
At another point, a small business owner who supported health reform asks the audience how many people in this room “do not have health insurance of some kind.” Only one hand seemed to be raised. “I think the people who are objecting,” she noted, “are the people who have insurance.”
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Many also admitted to fake storming the polls in Florida in 2000.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:19 pmWhat’s the problem here?
If this were liberals at a republican meeting they’d be taken out by security in handcuffs.
If these scumbags want to disrupt the meeting, just have security escort them out.
Who cares what it looks like on TV? Can’t look any worse than this.
Just have security escort them out and if they resist, arrest them.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:20 pmI wonder how many of those screaming birthers, teabaggers and cranks have any sort of health insurance themselves.
How many bankruptcies-to-happen are in these mobs?
By the way, Lou Dobbs is a moron.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:21 pmHere’s what I have to say about that:
Now THIS story belongs on the national mainstream media!
;-)
August 4th, 2009 at 8:26 pm“I won’t be quiet! I won’t sit down! And I won’t let this happen on my watch,” responded the angry conservative activist.
– - My watch? I don’t think this guy is who Jefferson Airplane had in mind when they performed Volunteers for America.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:27 pm“I won’t be quiet! I won’t sit down! And I won’t let this happen on my watch,” responded the angry conservative activist.
– - Where’s Officer Crowley when he’s really needed?
August 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pmLet’s see… it’s Tuesday of the first week of the House’s month-long recess and already these disruptive, disrespectful and dishonest GNOP teabaggin’ tools are being exposed as the frauds they are.
On ThinkProgress. How long before any of this appears outside of the 8 – 10 p.m. hours on MSNBC?
Teabaggers, meet boiling water.
PEACE
August 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pmRep Green quickly turned the question on the audience and asked, “How many of you have Medicare?” Nearly half the attendees raised their hands, failing to note the irony.
I laughed at first – at their stupidity. But then I stopped laughing because these people are trying to muck things up for those of us who are paying too much for health insurance and those of us who are not insured because they can’t afford to pay! Shame on these basturds!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:31 pmThis is the work of dominionist evangelicals, cultists who will stop at nothing to install an evangelical theocracy in this nation.
These zombies do what they are told to do. Many of them are low-income whites just a payment or two from bankruptcy.
By the way, Lou Dobbs is a moron.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:32 pmYou know evangenital – I thought evangelicals were supposed to be compassionate christians. They’ve proven to be anything but that and it’s so evil what they’re doing! I shouldn’t be shocked but I can’t help but be shocked by their cruelty – using people to do their bidding!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pmShhh, you’re not supposed to actually report that! Didn’t ya get Rupert’s memo?
August 4th, 2009 at 8:37 pmI bet if Hitler’s Nazis were alive today they would be doing the same thing as these wingnuts.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:38 pmObviously some of these folks who are retired and I am paying for their health care need to get a hobby or maybe a J.O.B. so they don’t have so much time on their hands.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:39 pmAnd where was he when George Bush was president? Oh wait! I know! He was busy walking around sobbing holding George Bush’s picture as if he was Jesus Christ. Nevermind.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:40 pmTP posted Harry Reid’s comment earlier, but I think it should be read again because it’s that good:
August 4th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
What did I tell ya! These guys are a fraud. Add the ‘Birthers’ and the American people can smell a scam. These are the same misbegotten wretches who are known as the ‘Tea-Baggers’. The same, sad, old white folks who are the bane of every progressive. They are infuriated a Black guy won the White House. These guys will come from all over to voice their displeasure at any little thing the Pres. suggests. Because they are racists. Plain and simple.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:41 pmThis shyte just ain’t right! Millions of Americans do NOT have health insurance but most of these protesters have medicare! Why try to stop other people from receiving an affordable government run health insurance option when they’ve got health coverage run by the government!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:46 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Gene Green seriously missed out on a teachable moment here. When half the audience raised their hands indicating they were on Medicare, he should have asked one of them to explain why it’s ok for them to have “government run health insurance”, but not for other Americans who have no health insurance at all. I doubt that anyone in that audience would have had an answer for that question.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:47 pmTurkey Turd @18- name one incident when Progressives have shown up screaming and yelling and causing chaos at a townhall meeting. Name one!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:48 pmIf this was a town hall meeting with repug speakers the hecklers would have been forcefully ejected from the room.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:50 pmI live in Berks county PA. When bush was campaigning in 2004 he paid a visit to Kutzown. There was a woman who lived on the bus route where bushes bus passed. She had signs up on her front yard that werent too kind to bush. Bushes security detail made her take them down. The signs were not profane or threatning in anyway. When bush spoke at kutzown university the audience was screened before they could enter. If your not a friend of the repug party, then you aint gettin in.
Repugs dont want honest debate. They just want to shove their family value bible thumping corporate sponsoring big oil fck the middle class and poor uninsured lazy people bullsht down our throats.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Turkey Bacon says:
Progressive “Activists” do the same. You are all mad because the tables have been turned.
Deal with it.
Please name one time where liberals had an organized plan to disrupt conservative town meetings and actually did it. And please don’t use Code Pink as an example because they pretty much only held up signs. The few times they actually spoke up, they were immediately arrested.
Which brings up another question. Why is it that Code Pink protesters were frequently arrested but none of these bought and paid for right wing protesters seem to be getting arrested?
August 4th, 2009 at 8:51 pmTurkey Bacon says:
hormiga brava chavez,
When they harassed Don Rumsfeld by storming into where he was giving a speech.
I’m giving you one chance only. You need to prove what you say (provide a link) or no one is going to pay any attention to what you say. After this it’s going to be nothing but vote down for you.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pmhormiga@17, I have always said that the ‘Baby-Boomers’ were the most selfish generation. And that is saying a lot because I am on the cusp of a ‘Baby-Boomer’ myself. They have had the positon and opportunity that my children will never see. Many have pensions, most have Health Insurance, and they had a a time in which Big Business didn’t have the Middle-Class by the balls. With Regan dismantling the unions, and the Corporate greed of the nineties, and of course the disasterous Bush years, we are pretty much screwed. These old folks will let my children suffer because of their selfishness. kind of pisses me off.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:53 pmhormiga brava chavez says:
Why try to stop other people from receiving an affordable government run health insurance option when they’ve got health coverage run by the government!
Because if they don’t stop Obamacare anyone over 65 will be euthanized. Sheesh man….you really are behind on your news.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:54 pmTurkey@22, This argument is getting tiresome. Rumsfield IS a criminal. Are you a relative of his or something? Why the loyality? Can’t you find another Neo-Con to defend?
August 4th, 2009 at 8:56 pmHey Bilbo – Oh yeah I forgot about the euthanasia clause! Darn!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pmhormiga brava chavez says:
I laughed at first – at their stupidity. But then I stopped laughing because these people are trying to muck things up for those of us who are paying too much for health insurance and those of us who are not insured because they can’t afford to pay! Shame on these basturds!
These are also the people who move into retirement communities in rural areas and then vote against school bond legislation because they feel like they have already paid for their kids educations. There’s a small town in Oregon that practically went bankrupt from the retirees only voting for bond issues that served their needs with no regards for the community that they lived in.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pmTurkey bacon, You are obviously a repug by your comments.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pmAt least your honest though. Turkey bacon is fake bacon just like repugs are fake.
sscncturn64 says:
If this was a town hall meeting with repug speakers the hecklers would have been forcefully ejected from the room.
And that frequently happened. We saw people either ejected or arrested from Bush events for wearing a certain t-shirt. Or what about the guy who was arrested for giving Dick Cheney a piece of his mind on a public street.
Freedom of speech seems to be only reserved for Conservatives. If you are a liberal, not so much.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pmi said it before and i said it again: cuff and stuff them for creating a public disturbance and disorderly conduct.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:03 pmNot even tip top care at affordable pricing where you can’t be denied? No gov’t involvement in health whatsoever?
Does that include the womb?
Who is it opposing gov’t health care?
Those that get it and those that don’t profit from it.
Where does pro-life fall? Seems like it should be for the most covrage anyhow.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:04 pmi see turdkey bacon is on his fifth hour of his meth binge and still annoying the hell out of everyone here.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:04 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins says:
These are also the people who move into retirement communities in rural areas and then vote against school bond legislation because they feel like they have already paid for their kids educations. There’s a small town in Oregon that practically went bankrupt from the retirees only voting for bond issues that served their needs with no regards for the community that they lived in.
That’s just nuts! They fail to realize that we’re all in this boat together. If they want to obstruct and cause chaos – they will suffer too.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:04 pmBilbo@31, In 2004, a young woman was forcibly removed from a Bush rally in PA. because she had a Kerry/Edwards sticker on her car. Unreal when you think about it. The cops would haul you off if you so much as dared to wear a T-Shirt with anti-Bush messages. My how the times have changed.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:05 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
***
ot,
eric prince of blackwater (now xe)
has been implicated in a murder charge.
***
h/t the nation
. . .
August 4th, 2009 at 9:09 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
evening addictedtopills,
August 4th, 2009 at 9:09 pmout of rehab i see
Do you remember the 1st Amendment?
It’s nice to see it again… I missed it during those Bush years.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:09 pmHey Bozo the neoclown, You are right TB is annoying but he is also very comical and entertaining in that beck sort of way.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:10 pmA big fcking joke.
***
the 1st amendment is the right to free speech,
not the right to shout it down.
:)
August 4th, 2009 at 9:10 pmhormiga@35, I basically said the same thing and I was voted down. These older folks don’t take into account that the property taxes they paid all those years were relativly small compared to what the younger generation pays when they but a new home. In PA. we have had a battle about re-assesment. The older folks know if they are re-assesed, they will pay more in taxes. These people have been paying pennies compared to the newer residents who buy new homes. That means older schools, less taxes and no building mantenance. Our kids suffer. It’s not fair to the children.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:11 pm***
tb,
here you go!
:0
August 4th, 2009 at 9:14 pmhey turdkey bacon,
from the article you cited
“Run-of-the-mill hecklers were hauled off”
you’d be screaming holy hell if that happened to these whackjobs. but, thanks for proving once again, cancervatives are a bunch of hypocrites when it comes to the treatment they demand as opposed the treatment they give others.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pmAnother case of IOKIYAR
August 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
PD @45- some would rather tear down and destroy a community instead of building it up. Not fair to the children at all.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:16 pmlooktothehills – the problem is – they’re not speaking coherently! All I hear is NO and boo and nonsense. They’re adults who act like wild hooligans – how are people supposed to respect this as civil discourse?
August 4th, 2009 at 9:18 pmhormiga@51, Very true, but watch out. The trolls are voting down everything we comment on.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pmBe neutral for Jesus.
Jesus loves mauve?
I wonder, did the first amendment specify ‘Free Speech Zones’ like those used by Bush at every public speaking event?
August 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm***
health reform now,
be neutered for jesus.
sincerely,
looktothehills
***
hallelujah.
:)
August 4th, 2009 at 9:20 pmhormiga brava chavez@52,
when you have no solutions and nothing to offer your only option is to act like babies with diaper rash which, is exactly what these clowns are acting like in these clips.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:23 pmConsidering how much publicity is being given to the fact that these demonstrations are being orchestrated the astroturfers, I should think that this is not going to end well for them or the protesters.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:24 pmIf any of you recognize any of these teabaggers, birthers or cranks, feel free to post their names.
By the way, Lou Dobbs is a moron.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:24 pmHey PD – I noticed that some troll is voting us down. They’re such cowards! It just proves that they have no relevance at all. It’s a cheap move – LOL
August 4th, 2009 at 9:25 pm***
what trolls?
these guys?
they get tired fast
and run away.
:)
August 4th, 2009 at 9:27 pmOMG – Rachel Maddow is showing the brooks brothers rioters. Frauds!
August 4th, 2009 at 9:30 pmpags2@58, Agreed. My father, who voted for McCain, said this was a disgrace. These people are making a huge mistake. All over MSM, except Faux news, has basically been doing stories not only debunking Orly Taitz, but the ‘Birthers’ in general. Add the fact Glenn Beck basically pleaded with his viewers not to resort to violence speaks volumes. Even Coulter and Billo denounced the ‘Birthers’ who, we all know, are none other than the ‘Tea-Baggers’. And now they (The Baggers and the the ‘Birthers’) are out in full force disrupting these Town-Hall meetings. Coincidence? I think Not.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:32 pmThe GOP got away with this brooks brothers rioter stuff when BushCo was in power but it’s not going to happen again! Fool us once…
August 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pmWho sent out the invitations to every village idiot in the general vicinity to these town-hall meetings?
Yes, that is a rhetorical question…
Birthers and town-hall village idiots: making moderates become Democrats daily.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:37 pmThese “RATPUBLICAN” like intimidating Democratic Congressman? If Americans who want a better Health Care System than what we have, it might be a good idea to show up at some of those Town Hall Meeting to protect “OUR INTEREST”.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:43 pmHey HRN #49, If you are serious about your comment then I hope you are a senior citizen. That would mean you would be one of the first to go. If you actually listen to aholes like beck,orielly,ect. and believe that bullsht then the fewer people on this planet that think like you the better off all of mankind will be. Do you have any friends? How about family? How about coworkers? Every person that you know has such great health insurance that they wouldnt want an option to get better care. Thats how repugs think, Ive got mine so who gives a sht about the average American who pays taxes wich in turn gets me the best insurance that your money can buy. Dooshbag there are 47 million Americans without health insurance,18 thousand people die each year because they dont have insurance. How would you feel if one of those people(statistics in repugs eyes) was your 5 year old son or daughter? Health insurance provided by our government is not going to hurt you in any way. If anything it will help out a friend or a loved one of yours in the future. So please sit down and shut up. Healthcare is whats best for all of us.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:47 pmDaryll, can define “fascist” for us please?
Thanks.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:48 pmOy. I see Turkey Baster is back.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:49 pmNewsflash.
That ain’t Jesus telling you to not care for the sick and the poor.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pmNo, the civil code takes care of that inbred.
As for Jesus, you’d better pray there isn’t one.
Because if there is, you clowns are screwed.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:54 pm“Failing to note the irony” would be a great bumper sticker for these people, who would of course also fail to note the irony in displaying it.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:55 pmNPR did a really good piece on the Townhalls tonight on “All Things Considered.” It was well written and highlighted what the teabaggers are doing. It looks like this story is beginning to gain traction. Hopefully, it will put these clowns in their place.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:01 pmWAYNEBRO@73, These guys believe they are the chosen ones. Just look at the C-Street’ scandal. Those Repugs think that infidelity, corruption is just fine and dandy as long as you are one of them. The Religious Right has warped into this entity that is unimaginable to us, the common folk. Bush believed it. Ensign and Sanford believes it. Unbelievable. I know people who work their whole lives, they volunteer, they coach and lead good lives, but to the ones who believe they are more worthy (Like the C-Ctreet folks), they are nothing. Strange, ain’t it?
August 4th, 2009 at 10:01 pmjoe cantwell says:
the 1st amendment is the right to free speech,
not the right to shout it down.
__________
And it’s not the right to make threats either.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pmThe revelations coming out now about Blackwater are pretty scary too – they apparently thought they were Christian crusaders literally at war with Islam. I know I shouldn’t be shocked, but the affadavits they just released are far worse than I imagined.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:05 pmThe Republican party has been taken over by fascists. They are not interested in debate, they are only interested in getting out their own paranoid talking points and not allowing anyone with a different viewpoint to speak. These people are modern day Brown Shirts, encouraged by a political party that now consists of a racist white underclass interested only in installing a regime of Christian totalitarianism. The Democratic leadership needs to hold the Republican leadership accountable for this unpatriotic breakdown of order in their party. Americans died in WWII fighting the same brand of fascism in Europe. We can’t allow these people to plunge the United States of America into chaos.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:06 pmYea I think they might be “chosen” too.
;)
The question is, chosen for what?
August 4th, 2009 at 10:12 pmThe Moderate@78, I read that too. Not MSM of course, but the internet is full of stories. How much you want to bet that nobody, CNN, Faux News or even MSNBC will ever mention the name Erik Prince? The fact that Black Water (Or XE, whatever that means) was able to do anything they Goddamn pleased is astonishing. But then again, after the 911 attacks, we the American people, were scared to death, and of course the Bushies took advantage of that and look where we are today. But, I myself am to blame. I fell for the ‘Mushroom Cloud’ argument. NEVER AGAIN.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:13 pmPD – that’s what makes me wary of these types. They think b/c they’re the ‘chosen ones’ that it gives them the right to do whatever they want in the name of God or in the name of Jesus!
Moderate Squad – I was just speachless when I read about this Blackhawk scandal. Crusade against Islam?! What?! It’s insane.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pmAll the democratic leadership needs is to grow a pair and have security escort these anti-American radicals out of the meeting.
:|
I don’t know why that’s so difficult.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pmWAYNEBRO says:
All the democratic leadership needs is to grow a pair and have security escort these anti-American radicals out of the meeting.
Can’t they just tas’ them ‘bro?
August 4th, 2009 at 10:18 pmHey Waynebro,
It’s not difficult because they’re exposing these protesters for who they really are. These tea bagging protesters are what the GOP has chosen to become – the lunatic fringe, the mentally vulnerable, the frightened corner of American society.
The corporate interests, lobbyists, astroturf backers will feel the burn when all of this raucus backfires on them.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:20 pmThat’s the real irony. IF they were the “chosen ones” as they claim, they’d be under even stricter moral and ethical requirements than us average gentiles (or is that genitals?). Oh well, whatever they call us, if they were the chosen they’d have a whole slew of commandments and laws to abide by, most centering around how they treat their fellow man.
Clearly these idiots are too busy waving bibles around to ever actually read one.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:22 pmWAYNEBRO says:
All the democratic leadership needs is to grow a pair and have security escort these anti-American radicals out of the meeting.
:|
I don’t know why that’s so difficult.
—–
All it does is make these people martyrs for their movement and reinforces that the ‘uppity black man’ is out to get them and keep them down.
I wish that these people would be escorted out too, but you have to consider the reaction from the radical right.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:23 pmMight I suggest that people in favor of civil discourse and health care for all show up with a bag containing a tinfoil hat and green pom-poms or items looking like astro-turf and when these unwitting shills start their Fox/Insurance industry-inspired circus acts, put on the hats and pom-poms and cheer them on. Perhaps join their yelling by shouting – “Fox-Scare, Fox-Scare, why doesn’t Fox care?” or something equally inane. Make Fox and the Insurance industry wear their patriotism for all to see. They want a circus, give them one.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:24 pmlol
fine by me.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:24 pmWhen the best you have to offer is cheney/bush than the only alternative is to yell down everyone else. The Dems need to get active and start to do a much better job of pointing out the repub lies, so far they are awful and seem proud of it.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:24 pmP.D., Olberman was all over Prince tonight, but you’re right, the reporting is pretty thin when you consider the magnitude of the allegations.
Erik Prince of Darkness may be charged with murder and conspiracy in either Virginia or N. Carolina.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:25 pmNo, we don’t have to consider anything other than a bunch of paid, bussed in rioters are disturbing the peace and breaking the law.
Worrying about how they might react is why the democrats are labeled as sissies. You think they worried about our “reaction” when they dragged little Cindy Sheehan from the capital simply for wearing a T-Shirt displaying the number of dead in Iraq?
Man where does that spineless side come from?
Stand up to them man. You don’t win by worrying about what they might do.
Newsflash. They’re already doing it. And they’re rolling right over you.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:30 pmIf you can’t stand up to a small handful of fat, soft overweight soccer moms and their husbands at a town hall meeting when you’ve got control of both houses of congress, the White House, the Department of Justice and the Military, then who knows?
Maybe dems are wimps.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:32 pmModerate@91, Thank God for small favors. But only progressives watch Keith. That means many Joe Schmoos have no idea. But thanks for bucking my spirits. I need all the help I can get.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pmWAYNEBRO says:
No, we don’t have to consider anything other than a bunch of paid, bussed in rioters are disturbing the peace and breaking the law.
Worrying about how they might react is why the democrats are labeled as sissies. You think they worried about our “reaction” when they dragged little Cindy Sheehan from the capital simply for wearing a T-Shirt displaying the number of dead in Iraq?
Man where does that spineless side come from?
Stand up to them man. You don’t win by worrying about what they might do.
Newsflash. They’re already doing it. And they’re rolling right over you.
—–
And yet you want to negatively reinforce their views?
The best way to deal with the problem is to sit back, grab a bag of popcorn, and watch the Republican party and the bussed in people implode when you ignore them. Then keep posting the idiocy on Youtube for all to see. Oh, and if you are attending one of these town hall meetings, bring a megaphone to shout over them. ;)
I think it takes more fortitude and patience to ignore them then take the easy way out, which is what you are advocating. Arresting them or removing them sends the message that their tactics are working in my mind.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pmNo.
I don’t give a sh$t about their views.
Their views are not what’s at question here. Disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct, are.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:40 pmI’m with you PD – I luv me some Keith! I’m a liberal but I’m all for progressives!
Religion is such a dangerous tool in the hands of fanatics!
August 4th, 2009 at 10:42 pmYou think so, huh?
Well the Weimar republic tried that in the 1920’s when they let the Brownshirts of Hitler’s SA disrupt public meetings at the taverns and beer halls. The SA bussed in young “patriots” to shout, harass and intimidate the leftist speakers and no one stood up to them.
And we all know how well that worked out.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:45 pmNo, that’s just something losers tell themselves when they can’t summon the courage to stand up to the bullies.
The truth is these people are making a handful of radicals look strong, and the entire democratic party look like a bunch of castrated sheep.
Your fears of what they “might do” or how it “might look” are why they buffalo you every time.
These people are breaking the law. They’re guilty of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct and if there was a single testicle among the democrats they’d stand up to it.
The goal of these people is to “shut you down”.
Shut down all discourse by the democrats in public.
And all you have to do to stop it is to shut them down.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:50 pmThe law says you can’t go into a public meeting and create a disturbance.
So follow the law.
Follow the law and make them irrelevant.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:53 pmThen they can stand and scream their threats and taunts from a street corner.
:|
Three blocks away.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:54 pmFunny you should mention Blackwater, P.D..
Most of these “protesters” look like they’re from Central Casting, and ‘not on my watch guy’ has the demeanor of a political consultant.
Pardon my cynicism, but I don’t believe all these people are for real. They want no solution to their ‘outrage’, and their only intent is obstruction.
And absolutely nobody loves their insurance company that much.
So, what are they?
Fakers?
Psychos?
Bigots?
Fools?
Lonely, unattractive white people?
Or paid private contractors.
Do the republicans know any other way?
August 4th, 2009 at 10:56 pmRemember when you were in school trying to learn how to solve those tricky math problems, or trying to review for the big test, and there was always one or two idiots who continually disrupted the learning by shooting spit wads at other kids…
The health insurance industry, with the full support of the GOP, has decided that the best way to prevent the public from learning what actually is and is not in the various reform proposals is to send groups of people to the town hall meetings and have them act like the “spit wad patrol”.
Remember the 4 D’s of the Republican strategy during the Obama years: Delay, Distract, Distort, Deceive.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:02 pmNothing that the Republicans want is good for this country. They will do anything to ensure that private insurance companies continue to reap profits while Americans go bankrupt paying for care if they can even get access to it at all. The most vile sin the Republicans are committing is getting people who would benefit from healthcare reform to denounce it out of fear of socialism. Lying for the sake of profits when health is concerned is UNFORGIVABLE. The Blue Dog traitors can burn in hell, and the Democrats better start stepping up instead of ceding everything to the Republicans at the behest of Obama.
We are not getting what we voted for.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:08 pmokie dokie says:
So, what are they?
Just a guess but based on experience:
20% paid, or folks whose employer more or less ordered them to attend.
50% folks who oppose any change because they’re ok, or think they are, and fear something will be taken from them. No real understanding of the issue at hand, it just sounds scary to them.
20% hard core believers who perceive themselves as the inheritors of the founding fathers, seek to limit government to the programs that benefit them directly and decry everything else as an unconstitutional power-grab.
10% whack jobs who just like to fuss.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pmThese morons don’t seem to understand that you don’t HAVE to have this plan. It’s not “socialized medicine,” (which itself is no threat, as there’s nothing wrong with socialism), and it’s not single payer. It’s one little new plan to try to help out those who don’t have healthcare at all, and drive down the costs of other companies.
I’ve noticed one major trend in the difference between liberals and conservatives. Time. Liberals always try to think of things from a long-term perspective, and conservatives always think of things in the short-term. “Something’s too expensive to get it off the ground even though it’ll save us money in the long run. Not doin’ it. Jesus is comin’ back in 50 years, we don’t need to plan for the future. Gotta make big profits right now. No use establishin’ long term relationships with a customer or thinking of the stable future of a company.” It’s all short term with them. Always. The public option would cost a lot to get off the ground, yes, but in the long run, it saves countless billions. Why don’t they understand?
Oh, and that bit about them not understanding the irony in that half of them were on medicare… classic. Too stupid to understand sarcasm, wit, and intelligence. Just angry hicks with no minds of their own because they follow jingoists like Hannity and Limbaugh, and O’Reilley.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:38 pm***
turkey bacon,
looktothehills,
healthcare now,
choose your next words carefully.
this is thinkprogress!
:|
August 4th, 2009 at 11:56 pmas seen on The Daily Show -
Health Care Debate:
Keep it stupid, simple.
…
August 5th, 2009 at 12:07 amGood evening, everybody. It looks like we have our usual explosion of sockpuppets. The poor GOP has been reduced to a rabble of toddlers throwing a mass tantrum. It’s truly amazing how close they came to “ruling the World”.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:47 amThis is waaaaaaaay off topic for WAYNEBRO, if he’s still there.
The local branch of the Commemorative Air Force is flying in a newly refurbished P-51C to replace the “D” lost in a fatal accident in ‘07. The late pilot’s fellow “Colonels” funded the plane for the local branch and, if I read it correctly, they established a trust that will last as long as the CAF devoted to keeping a Mustang “stationed” here in the twin Cities.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:55 amLou Dobbs is self absorbed.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:02 amCheck out the maddow show tonight!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32292149
August 5th, 2009 at 1:22 amThe poor GOP has been reduced to a rabble of toddlers throwing a mass tantrum. It’s truly amazing how close they came to “ruling the World
It would be impossible to repeat those two sentences too many times.
Don’t forget their spittle flecked anger.
and the swastikas are unsightly.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32292235
August 5th, 2009 at 1:26 amThese “tea-baggers” have been either bought and paid for or duped by Freedom Works(a lobbying group owned and run by Dick Armey–no virtuous patriot, he!) and other right-wing think tanks to stop healthcare reform in any way and with any method that is effective. They shout, intimidate, bully and use every thuggish method in the book. I noticed a preponderence of grey hair among the ranks of protestors, which leads me (and I am 66, so I’m not prejudiced against oldsters) to believe a lot of fear-mongering (what a surprise!) was used with the vulnerable elderly to make them think that Obama is out to “eliminate” old people by withholding healthcare from them to cut costs. What a bunch of bull!!
The best way to fight this is found in several solutions: limit town hall audiences to identified constituents of the representative(s)of that district; start each session with a statement of the rules (be respectful, don’t shout down questioners, ask pertinent questions, etc.) and note that anyone who does not abide by the rules will be removed. Have a local police presence and remove people who are disruptive and do not allow others to ask reasonable questions and receive reasonable answers.
DO NOT BE BULLIED BY THESE THUGS! Like that “birther” woman in the Delaware town hall last week–WE WANT TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK…FROM THE VIOLENT PROTESTORS WHO HAVE AN AGENDA WHICH IS NOT VALUABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. And, finally, have several reasonable citizens stationed around the venue with video cameras. Many of the protestors would think twice about their stupid actions if they think they will be revealed to the public at large as the thugs they really are. Maybe this will help, maybe not. In any event, progressives who want to help their government return to representing THE PEOPLE and not THE CORPORATIONS must become as active and as vocal (in a smart, respectful way) as those who wish to disrupt the real democracy we are trying to restore.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:28 amHealth Care Debate:
Keep it stupid, simple.
Rethug tentacles wend their way through the tissues of society looking for vulnerable people to exploit. Old people and all other people with compromised discrimination abilities. Then they live on their juices like leaches.
Forget about governing. Ha! The Thugz gave up on that, long ago.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:51 amot:
Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder
August 5th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I laughed at first – at their stupidity. But then I stopped laughing because these people are trying to muck things up for those of us who are paying too much for health insurance and those of us who are not insured because they can’t afford to pay! Shame on these basturds!
August 5th, 2009 at 2:31 amLogically, if half of them are getting medicaid [poverty income level] they arent paying much [if any] tax. Private health insurance, which has risen 120% in a decade, would not benefit many of this ‘interruptus igmonius’ species of political activists.
So I call BS, they are not at the meetings to debate healthcare insurance at all, but just to be obstructive children having a full blown hissy fit. Get up off the floor and go to your bedroom and do that kiddos, I dont want to see or hear it. And dont come back out until you can discuss whats bothering you in a rational and orderly fashion.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:26 amCant you just picture a 6 year old flailing their arms, kicking legs on the floor, beet red, spittle flecking angst, “But I want it my way, wahh, and nobody elses way. Waahhhh!! I dont want facts because my mind is made already made up!! I dont want one man one vote democracy I want it my way, now!!”
August 5th, 2009 at 5:35 amThis is not the exercise of free speech, it is the suppression of free speech. It is an attempt to limit the discussion as to why health care reform is important to the lives of the American people. I have to wonder how many of the teabaggers at these meetings, have no health insurance. When people can be brought in to shout down discussion about something that will benefit their families because they have been maniputated by hate and fear, it is not just sad, it is tragic.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:18 amAnd the disintegration of the GOP continues apace..
August 5th, 2009 at 8:57 amSo funny how you liberTURDs worship the “Community Organizer” (B.O.) who helped promote his cronies to do exactly the same thing…and call it a “Grass Roots Campaign”…but when the shoe is on the other foot…it’s somehow “Hate Speech!”
Do you liberTURDs really know how ridiculous you actually look?
By the way…this movement is still growing and currently it has now started to steamroll. By the end of this month…the bill being touted doesn’t stand a chance…which is good for “Real Americans!”
August 5th, 2009 at 9:27 amhttp://www.fikrinne.blogspot.com says:
I laughed at first – at their stupidity. But then I stopped laughing because these people are trying to muck things up for those of us who are paying too much for health insurance and those of us who are not insured because they can’t afford to pay! Shame on these basturds!
So it’s really ALL about you then!
thought so…. liberTURD
August 5th, 2009 at 9:29 amRealityCheck:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:33 amDo you know anyone leftof center that you don’t try to insult? I am beginning to think you may just be an antagonist and not a real person…
When are we going to hear one of these right-wing-nuts beg ” Don’t Tase Me ,Bro !”
August 5th, 2009 at 9:34 amOh and can I get a definition on “Real Americans” or is that just some trite nonsense? Thanks…
August 5th, 2009 at 9:34 amWhat I really do not get is, if one would act in such a manner in a movie theater, or for that matter at a professional football game, they would be removed and more than likely charged with disorderly conduct. Of course we can disagree with our government, I certainly did from 2000-2008, but I would NOT have been loud and obnoxious even toward Dick Cheney. Disorderly conduct usually carries a small fine and is a misdemeanor. How many of these folks would be willing to shell out $300-$1000 for such actions. I think it is time to find out!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:35 amI hate to say it- but it will probably get worse. These old white folks hate that a smart, BLACK man is the President. BUT don’t worry good people, by 2050 the country will be BROWN,BLACK, YELLOW and mix race. AND WHITE PEOPLE WILL BE THE MINORITY- ENJOY !! :)
August 5th, 2009 at 9:38 amWell well well, the GOP has resorted to importing troublemakers. Guess they have figured out that there is no other way for them to even make a dent in the issue, which means that they do NOT have near the support they are telling the American people they have.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:46 amdarnay says:
I hate to say it- but it will probably get worse. These old white folks hate that a smart, BLACK man is the President. BUT don’t worry good people, by 2050 the country will be BROWN,BLACK, YELLOW and mix race. AND WHITE PEOPLE WILL BE THE MINORITY- ENJOY !! :)
Race has nothing to do with it dumbazz…but I see by you’re own post…you are a racist yourself! Nice job Racist!
August 5th, 2009 at 11:18 amHow many of you have Medicare?” Nearly half the attendees raised their hands, failing to note the irony.
Most people have no idea of the actual definition of socialism, or of communism or capitalism for that matter. Ask one of these people to give you a definition, and you will get back something in the vain of “well, it’s when you live in a country where they take your freedom away…” They think it may be bad, because they heard somewhere it might be. Not a triple digit IQ in sight.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:25 amI work in the same building as John Cornyn’s (R-Sen, TX)office in Dallas and see protests weekly. I have talked to folks supposedly supporting both sides of the issue. The folks protesting Government healthcare have hand made signs, show up around 7:30am, and are willing to debate issues. Around 10:30, homeless guys with pre-made “support healthcare reform” signs show up, stand outside for two hours and have no idea why they are even there. Several of the Healthcare reform supporters claim they were given money and a sign….you tell me which side is Astroturf.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:35 amHi RealityCheck:
August 5th, 2009 at 11:38 amHow’s it going? Still reaching out across the lines…
Obama is now asking citizens to spy on citizens.
From the Whitehouse:
“There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”
Let that sink in – Obama is authorizing the spying of citizen against citizen.
In the least, such a request is disingenuous. It may border on an abuse of power. If tax payer dollars are being used it is beyond the pale.
Recall when Bush authorized NSA wiretaps to intercept the international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations? Recall how ballistic the left went?
The juxtaposition is amazing to behold. President Bush authorizes spying on terrorists plotting to kill Americans – people like you and me, our parents, grandparents, children, and siblings. Obama is authorizing spying on citizens who spread the truth about health care reform – what he calls disinformation. He is authorizing spying on those who disagree with him and his tactics. Warning sirens scream at top decibel upon reading the draconian words “through casual conversation”. At what point do we stand up and say, “enough is enough”?
August 5th, 2009 at 11:53 amWhat is the “truth” about healthcare. Seems to me truth is being confused with opinion once again…
August 5th, 2009 at 11:57 amlooktothehills: “The 1st Amendment never specified a certain volume level. They have a right to speak. Stop acting in a Facist manner. Be neutral for Jesus.”
You’re evidently a Christian, so you should know that Jesus was NOT neutral on matters such as these. Here’s what Jesus thought about health care if we are to believe his friend, Matthew:
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
There it is, psalms-guy, in Jesus’ own words – for the religious crime of heresy, you are going to hell.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pmSo, you are ok with the citizen spying on citizen part?
The truth is that the majority of Americans are happy with their healthcare, and don’t want a government program. The truth is that the majority of Americans don’t want the government screwing up another program and putting us further in debt (meidcare-bankrupt, medicaid- bankrupt, social security- bankrupt, VA-corrupt and operating at a loss, Postal System-losing $20M A DAY!!, Amtrak- disaster, Cash for Clunkers-total disaster, Tennessee and Hawaii scrapped govt healthcare because it was unsustainable, Mass healthcare- bankrupt). Would you like more evidence?
August 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pmRealitycheck: “By the way…this movement is still growing and currently it has now started to steamroll. By the end of this month…the bill being touted doesn’t stand a chance…which is good for “Real Americans!”"
Right! “Real Americans” don’t want more affordable health care! “Real Americans” want to give 30% of their health care dollar to insurance companies!
And, most of all, “Real Americans” will not allow other citizens to engage in civil discussions at Town Halls on the issue of health care.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:08 pmThe truth is what one wishes it to be… Truth is ephemeral and subjective. To think otherwise is to be a fool…
August 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pmstill I am curious how the success of the Clunker thing is indicitive of disaster…
August 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pmflag@whitehouse.gov: “The truth is that the majority of Americans are happy with their healthcare, and don’t want a government program.”
In your opinion. If your opinion was informed by data and not emotions, you would probably know that over 70% of Americans DO think we need to reform our health care system. There are only two explanations: you are either a moronic tool of the insurance and Pharma industries or you are a member of the insurance and/or pharma industry. I guess there is one other possibility: you are insane.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:12 pmLet me define. The truth to a majority in this particular democracy is that they don’t want the government interfering in their relationship with their physician. Latest Rasmussen poll shows that the “truth” is that 86% of Americans are happy with their healthcare. Let’s screw up system that works for 14% of the people?
You still haven’t answered my spying question.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pmWhat poll says that 70% want government run healthcare?
Healthcare reform and government run healthcare are two very different things. I agree that reform is needed, but I don’t think government is the answer.
To clarify cash for clunkers- 1. it is creating another artificial bubble (see housing). 2. The website crashed immediately upon roll-out (government ineptitude). 3. Required authorization from dealers for government access to ALL information on dealer computer to be subject to audit of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-withdrawn after questioned (big brother overstepping boundaries).
August 5th, 2009 at 12:23 pmDear RealityCheck says: I must have hit a nerve. I stand by what I said. Where was the outrage from the right the last eight years?????
August 5th, 2009 at 12:38 pmRealityCheck- “Real Americans” what the Hell does that mean- Oh that is a code word for : White AMericans- take a hike with your girl Sarah the Quitter.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:42 pmflag@whitehouse.gov: “What poll says that 70% want government run healthcare?
Healthcare reform and government run healthcare are two very different things. I agree that reform is needed, but I don’t think government is the answer.”
The latest Time poll shows that 46% think major reform is very important and 23% say it’s important. That adds up to 69%. Last month, a Gallup poll showed that 72% of Americans want major Health care changes. The Time poll also shows that 56% of Americans agree with the plan to tax people making over $280K a year in income.
And, could you people please stop pretending that this is about a government takeover of health care. At most, this is about a government takeover of health insurance which is an entirely different thing. (The other possibility is that you’re not pretending, but that would mean you’re incredibly dense and stupid not to see the difference between health care and health insurance.)
August 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pmFlag@whitehouse.gov: “Latest Rasmussen poll shows that the “truth” is that 86% of Americans are happy with their healthcare.”
Hey stupid! That might work on your fellow teabagging morons, but not on people who check the facts. And it’s not hard to see you’re just a lying sack of crap.
Just go over to Rasmussen right now then. Under “Health Care” you will find the following Rasmussen poll results:
“Forty-eight percent (48%) of U.S. voters now rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent.”
That’s 48%, dumbass, not 86%. Get your facts straight or just crawl back into your stinking hole.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:50 pmWhich part of I agree that healthcare needs reform do you not understand?
I completely understand the difference between health insurance and healthcare. So a takeover of private health insurance is the answer?
OK, so let’s operate under that premise. 1. Approximately 750,000 people work in this industry and make a decent income and will have to find other jobs….immediate hit to taxbase. 2. Insurance companies are motivated by profit/ competition (I know these are dirty words) to provide better services to their clients than their competition at a better rate. What is the governments’ motivation to provide efficient, accurate service without competition? See Post Office, DMV, Amtrak, Veterans Affairs healthcare. 3. What is the governments’ motivation to keep costs down? See Post Office, Amtrak, VA healthcare.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:08 pmI’m going to work under the probably false assumption that you really want to argue on the facts here.
1. The people in the insurance industry will still have auto, fire, home, earthquake, flood and life insurance to work on. Let’s not allow our health care system to be the most expensive per capita in the world for a private-industry jobs program.
2. Yes. The industry is motivated by profit. That’s why Americans pay twice the average among industrial nations for health care per person. The CEO of the nation’s largest HMO accepted a one-year payout of $1.3 billion a few years ago. The difference between our $5750 per person and the closest nation to us, $2700 per person, is the profit we pay to the insurance industry. Many Americans feel that health care, like police and fire departments, should not be run for profit.
3. The VA currently runs with about a 5-6% overhead compared to private insurance industry’s 30% overhead. Medicare, a single-payer system, runs at a 3% overhead. To me, it looks like the government run plans are more efficient. And, consistently, 60 to 70% of medicare recipients say they are completely satisfied and would never want to go back to private insurance.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:19 pmIsn’t this thread about how the right refuses to have a civil dialogue about healthcare, yet it is you resorting to name calling when you are challenged. “Stupid”, “Tea-bagging morons”, “Dumbass, crawl into your stinking hole”…classy.
You are correct on your poll about health care. However, 86% of people are happy with their health INSURANCE…which you submit would be improved by the government.
1. Property and Casualty Insurance is a separate industry from the health insurance industry. You are correct that ther will still be a need for life, dental, vision, AFLAC type products, etc…for the time being, until that is nationalized.
2. Heaven forbid a CEO makes a large amount of money. It is these profits that allow the innovation in the medical device fields, precedural research, and pharmaceutical research that has the leaders, rich, and extreme cases from around the world coming here for healthcare. Strip the profits and where is the motivation for innovation. A miniscule percentage of medical advancements have come from government funded programs. “Many Americans feel that health care, like police and fire departments, should not be run for profit.” What is next to go without profit? Cars, Air Travel(already is), Food, Fuel, Housing….where does it stop, and who determines it? Where does welfare stop?
3.If Medicare is so efficient, why is it broke? Have you seen the VA facilities, or known anyone who was a part of that system? My Father in law died of lung cancer because he was not diagnosed for two years, at the VA…given anti-biotics and steroids since they didn’t want to pay for an MRI. One visit to a private hospital, and an MRI, and he was at level 4 lung cancer. Don’t tell me about VA quality.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:39 pmBack to the original question. Are you ok with the Whitehouse asking citizens to report other citizens voicing their opinions about the proposed health plans? What if this was Bush asking for people to report other people disagreeing with the Iraq War?
This is ridiculous and fascist, no matter who does it. Can we agree?
August 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pmCan you understand that your personal anecdotes are meaningless next to statistics. We don’t know you. For all I know, you could be William Maguire’s illegitimate love child. The level of satisfaction among veterans with the VA ALWAYS exceeds the level of satisfaction people feel about private insurance based care. And Medicare simply needs to be funded just as Social Security. Slight tweaks will keep both solvent. That doesn’t change the fact that Medicare is currently the most efficient way of delivering health care to citizens.
And, finally, enough with the tired old “slippery slope” arguments. Democrats don’t want the government making our cars or shoes. Why don’t we turn this around – if you want to privatize Social Security, why not privatize the police forces around the country and the fire departments. If you’re in the country and it’s not very profitable for the fire department in the town closest to you to come save your house, I guess that’s just the free market at work, right?
And, again, you ARE either a tool, or you’re just plain stupid or possibly insane if you will sit there and defend a single American making $1.3 BILLION in one year profiting off of the health care needs of the American public. That’s just plain crazy and it explains why we pay so much more per person than the rest of the industrialized world. I’m more interested in the well-being of the American people than I am in making sure insurance execs get huge payouts and I’m guessing most Americans would agree with me on that.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:52 pmAnd, for the hundredth time, there is NO EQUIVALENCY between anti war protesters and people obstructing the discussion at Town Hall Meetings.
Protesters were trying to get their voices heard, whereas these teabaggers are trying to prevent peoples voices from being heard by disrupting public gatherings.
Why do you pretend not to get that. It’s obvious.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:56 pmMany people are on layoff from my employer due to the economy. Of course they can keep their health care through COBRA for a time not to exceed 18 months. My point is this the cost to an employee choosing to cover his family is $1,400 a month. The average take home pay at my company is $570.00 a week and of course unemployment is not nearly as generous. You mean to tell me that it is ok to spend more than half of your income on health insurance? WE THINK NOT!
August 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pmSorry junior, but you lost any claim to civility when you inbred twits decided to turn to the tactics of Ernst Rohm and the SA.
As for people being soooooooo happy with their current health insurance (loaded question polling means nothing) then great.
A. Don’t ever complain about it again when your insurance carrier cuts you off when a family member gets ill.
B. Don’t ever complain about it again when your insurance company refuses treatment.
C. When the rest of us are switching to the new programs, you can keep your precious insurance.
:|
Hell you can copulate with it for all I care.
August 5th, 2009 at 2:19 pmIf people are soooooo very happy with their health insurance, then introducing health care for all won’t matter. No one will switch to it, right?
So what are you so worried about moron?
August 5th, 2009 at 2:20 pmI see someone is a fool…
August 5th, 2009 at 2:25 pmThese thugs are infiltrators – found, hired and paid for by the Republican Party, financed by the Insurance and Pharmaceutical companies, plain and simple.
As politically incorrect as it would be, I believe a photo-ID should be required for admission to these meetings. If you are not a member of the district, you will not be allowed to enter.
This has got to stop before somebody gets hurt or killed.
August 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pmIs this what the blogger world has come to? Although there a few civil comments, there is a lot of name calling that just leads to more BS. Why can’t we have factual debates here? Even some of the anecdotal comments have some value. But to make unsubstantiated statements like “They were paid to protest by the Pharma companies” is counterproductive and unless you can prove it, just noise.
Some points to ponder
1. All of the people frustrated with healthcare are not republicans. There are serious issues with the bill and for anyone to champion it with understanding it is pretty foolish. Go to open congress and TRY to read the bill and tell us what it says. Yes there is a problem, yes some people make too much money but that is the fault of the shareholders and the board members. Should we tell some athlete he can’t make $20.0M a year? Or Paula Abdul she can’t make $10.0M for American Idol (NOTE-I don’t CARE or folow the star salaries but it is something everyone has seen)
2. We have started using the term “teabagger” alot lately–Is anyone that is not happy with the current state of affairs a teabagger? Anyone that thinks we are exhibiting some socialist tendencies in the government?
3. I don’t approve of their tactics and even Fox news is starting to call them on it. As near as I can find out, NONE of the people going are “paid” by anyone. They are however given talking points that tell them to “rattle” the speaker but they also tell them to be respectful and factual. For the most part, they are no more or less respectful than the members of Code Pink, ACORN. Not wanting to get into a tit for tat but remember, ACORN bussed people in to protest in front of the homes of some of the AIG people.
4. Regardless of the stated Admin overhead of Medicare or the VA, they are both broke and despite meeting the basic needs of their patients are FAR from the model of efficiency.
Let’s all agree the system needs work and focurefuses to s on getting it fixed before trying to start from scratch with something that will not work in its current form. When a new car model comes out with issues, they FIX it. THey don’t throw it out and start from scratch.
August 5th, 2009 at 3:30 pmBy the way, I don’t want MY taxes to pay for someone that is here illegally or worse. We have whole generations of chronically unemployed BECAUSE of giving them a free ride.
Also, JUST becasue someone doesn’t live in the district doesn’t mean they can’t come to see their representative-They represent ALL of us
August 5th, 2009 at 3:33 pm“The level of satisfaction among veterans with the VA ALWAYS exceeds the level of satisfaction people feel about private insurance based care.” My widow mother-in-law would not agree.
I still don’t understand the vitriol and name calling towards someone presenting the other side of an argument. “Moron”, “Tea-bagger”, “Inbred”, Nazi references (had to look up Rohm).
“As politically incorrect as it would be, I believe a photo-ID should be required for admission to these meetings. If you are not a member of the district, you will not be allowed to enter.” Agreed!! I also think this should be a requirement to vote.
A. Don’t ever complain about it again when your insurance carrier cuts you off when a family member gets ill.- This is not legal today (at least not here in Texas).
B. Don’t ever complain about it again when your insurance company refuses treatment.- Like when the VA refused to give my father-in-law an MRI and he died of cancer…I’ll take my chances with the private sector.
C. When the rest of us are switching to the new programs, you can keep your precious insurance.- Will do.
So you guys think that there is a conspiracy that is so well organized, it can show up at EVERY town hall meeting, demonstrate in front of Politicians offices, and put together tens of thousands of people for TEA parties….and PAY all of these people. People are frustrated on both sides of the political spectrum with this administration, the last administration, and the government in general for overstepping its bounds (Bush included), Wasting money (War, TARP, Stimulus Bill, Healthcare), and CONTINUING cronyism (Bush included). Obama was supposed to be the one to lead us with a transparency never before seen, by reaching out and uniting people, and bringing hope and change. There are plenty of people Left, Right, and Middle at these gatherings that are not paid or organized, but pissed off with an out of control government that is not and has not listened to the people in many, many years.
August 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pmIt is interesting that when the name calling is taken off the table, there are only a few people that will take the time to comment. For Flag, I share many of your sentiments i.e. wasn’t so happy with Pres Bush. In fact, I am pretty disgusted with politicians from BOTH sides but that doesn’t mean I give up and start blaming. RE: VA care, I am a 24 year AF vet and I wouldn’t even CONSIDER the VA–My TRICARE is pretty good and affordable–Not as good as the healthcare (or pensions) of our Union brethern but as long as I do my part and try to stay healthy and in shape, I will not be part of the problem.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:22 pmFolks-We need to listen to BOTH sides and you will learn something that will help us communicate with our reps. Just like Beck isn’t always right, neither are Olberman or Maddow. However, it doesn’t mean they are always wrong either.
Librepub- You are exactly right. There is truth and agenda on both sides, thus it is valuable to watch, read, and listen to all sides and make up your own mind.
By the way, you make an excellent point about staying healthy. As a part of healthcare reform, I think that insurance companies should follow what many large, self-insured plans do to promote wellness. Issue discounts (lower premiums) for things like doing annual wellness visits (amazing how many people don’t…even those with insurance), eat a proper diet, stop or don’t smoke, workout, etc. More healthy people=lower cost.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:38 pmArn Gunnutes says:In Beck’s case, he IS almost always WRONG.
That’s because Olbermann and Maddow use FACTS and DOCUMENTATION.
Beck uses half-truths, lies and FEAR demagoguery.
Response: Kind of like when he pointed out the ridiculous authorization car dealers had to acknowledge in order to access the “Cash for Clunkers” program.
“Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion CARS or the DoT personnel.”
and….
“Unauthorized attempts to defeat or circumvent security features, to use the system for other than intended purposes, to deny service to authorized users, to access, obtain, alter, damage, or destroy information, or otherwise to interfere with the system or its operation are prohibited.”
After exposure: it was taken down.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm@PD 45 – Do Not Go Blaming the Baby Boomers. The EARLIEST Baby Boomers were born in 1945, which means we’ll be hitting 65 in 2010!! We are getting Hit Very Hard by all the recent downturns, as we were Highest Paid and Ancient according to the younger execs. So we are Out on Our Asses with No Insurance, Too Young to retire, to Old to Get a Job (except McDonalds), and we never could save anything because life has been so expensive all the time we were growing up, putting our kids through school, etc.
August 7th, 2009 at 2:10 amThose people at those protests are the Generation BEFORE Baby Boomers.
We are the Democrats trying to make all this work in spite of our rude seniors.
Please get your information straight.
Lisa Born 1952 – Not allow to collect Social Security until 2020, if its still there.
donroberts:
This blog shares many faults with other blogs: it has more personal attacks than comments on the issue involved, too many opinions stated as fact, too many single incidents cited as being universally true.
A statement with a lot of insight, made when talking to one who disagrees with you: “You are entitled to your opinion, even though you are wrong.” That’s probably applicable to most of us.
There is a joke in England:
“The difference between the rich and the poor is when they get their ice: The rich get theirs in the summer; the poor get theirs in the winter.”
For those of us liberals, I submit a variation on this.
“The difference between the liberals and the conservatives is when they do their thinking and make decisions:
The liberals think first and then make a decision.
The conservatives make a decision and then do their thinking – about how to make others agree with them.”
I admit this is an example of my first statement condemning such language. However, I believe that it is a valid analysis of the Limbaugh/Hannity/O’Reilly followers. We should be above all of that. (My opinion.)
August 7th, 2009 at 5:13 pmThe footage that has been playing everywhere shows one distraught woman
nearly in tears –
or else a reasonable actress pretending to be distraught,
(like the woman in the news who recently put on a good show after hiring a hitman to kill her husband. “Hitman” turned out to be a cop).
In some of the same footage another woman tells us what she “believes” about America.
Never mind reality. She creates reality like a schizophrenic, in her chosen belief. And that is all that matters: her emotive appeal.
Do we really need to turn this into an American Idol WAILING contest?
August 7th, 2009 at 6:03 pmShe who wails loudest, wails best?
When did it become an American ideal to obscure information?
August 7th, 2009 at 6:05 pmTo PD#45..LisaMarli#166 is absolutely correct. These folks aren’t babyboomers..not that some of “us” aren’t among this same bunch of loudmouthed louts..the “Babybamboozled”, I’d call ‘em. I was born a couple of weeks after the armistice was declared for WWII..and never thought I’d say so, but will I be glad when I hit 65, for my husband was laid off and we can’t afford Cobra!
No..this bunch is predominately the Bill Haley/Elvis generation or older..Beatniks Gone Bad, if anything. Truly, it’s ironic that they can’t connect the dots (unless they’re on a list of GnOPe talking points) about the contradiction inherent in arguing against government administered programs, while taking full advantage of Medicare..and Social Security, too..you betcha, “my friends”!
Recall the recent Craig Nelson (actor..uhhmm, well..) interview, where he rails against the evils of government-subsidized healthcare or any other stimulus programs afoot. He proceeds to tell us that NO one ever gave HIM a hand, in spite of the fact that they knew some really rough times!
To validate his “bona fides”, as to just how poor he and his family were then, he goes on to proclaim that they had to be on food stamps and get other “assistance”! Oops, Craig..last I checked, food stamps are a federally-subsidized program!
But these gullible fools are so busy getting riled up over nothing..in TERROR of silly words like “socialism” (without even knowing what they mean, at that), that all logic flies out the window! Even more amazing is that they don’t seem to see that what is REALLY between them and their doctors..RIGHT NOW..is the MegaCorp Insura-Mafioso!
No government program could EVER pretend to be as inefficient or corrupt as what these protection racketeers serve up, in the guise of “coverage”! The Insura-thugs intentionally issue inaccurate and incomprehensible bills, under the notion that “if ya can’t find it, ya can’t dispute it”! If you make a habit of looking, then you find tons of “errors” and “ommissions”..and get to spend hours on the phone, only to talk to those who know little and care less!!
The industry’s record on dropping patients and denying coverage is legend! Yet, those on Medicare are happy with “their” insurance? Well, sure they are, but they fail to comprehend that it’s government-run! Plan B is subsidized by the government..the biggest shell game the Insura-mafioso ever ran on the taxpayers and that’s saying a lot!
Sorry, donroberts#167, these people have EARNED these deprecating categorizations..they are not there to learn..or even teach! What this comes down to is that, IF these folks were AUTHENTIC constituents with legitimate QUESTIONS, they would WANT to participate in a DISCUSSION..not just show up to get in a shout-down, trying to DROWN out ACTUAL facts and information, KEEPING it from getting out to the people!
They are NOT exercising their right of free speech..they are attempting to limit that right for others! They ARE thugs and tyrants..no more legitimate than the PHEWMA fakes. I agree that they should be bounced out on their cans for “disorderly conduct”! Personally, I think notices of town hall meetings should include the following..”Respectful discourse encouraged..hecklers will be shot”. Interesting to see how many would show up, then.
When I was young and moving into the working world, insurance was still just a new sort of “perc”, offered by employers to make jobs more attractive (imagine that). The plans were fully paid for by employers and the insurance companies sent you a check. You paid the doctor. The insurers weren’t in the middle, obstructing and controlling everything! There were no HMO’s! Fees and deductibles were reasonable and coverage was extensive. Now, the glass has been upended and it’s the Insura-mafioso that controls the process!
They’ve turned this into a huge “protection” racket! You’re forced to pay (or “go naked” as the Insura-mobsters put it) and must “take what ya get”. They may not be out there actually breaking your kneecaps, but they sure will do everything possible to keep you from getting them cared for! Single-payer..better, universal health care..is the ONLY way to go. Speaking of irony..WHEN it passes, you can bet these same louts will be first in line to take advantage of it!
August 7th, 2009 at 8:40 pmP.D. at 25 -
Please, think about it – these folks who already have Medicare are NOT Baby Boomers. The oldest boomers are 63, not Medicare-eligible yet; 2 years too young.
These folks are the Silent Generation and older, not boomers.
We boomers have a lot of faults, but it is not us clinging to Medicare while denying everyone else health insurance – we are just hoping to hang on long enough to GET to Medicare, and that it won’t be destroyed or bankrupt by then.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:37 pmWhere can I find this “an internet campaign”. If we stop this, we can stop anything.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:13 am