Obama Makes Moral Case for Health Care Reform

Tonight’s health care reform speech by President Obama in front of a joint session of Congress will be remembered for two things:

The President made a clear moral case for health care reform with a strong appeal of bipartisan action.
Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina behaved like an ass, yelling out “lie” as the president disputed claims that his plan would provide coverage to illegal immigrants.

Let’s go to the video:

At about 1:15 you’ll hear Wilson’s yell and observe a very short pause by Obama (as he seems to be considering whether or not to directly address Wilson’s charge) before he resumes his speech. The look of shock and disbelief on Nancy Pelosi’s face expresses how most members of congress probably felt about Wilson’s behavior.

Before we move on, please do two things immediately.

Call the Republican Party National Headquarters and Rep. Joe Wilson’s office and demand that he apologize for his disrespectful and un-American behavior.

RNC Office of the Chairman: 202-863-8700
Wilson’s offices: 202-225-2452, 803-939-0041, 843-521-2530

UPDATE: Joe Wilson has apologized but you can still call his office to express your displeasure with his behavior.

Thanks, now we can move on to health care reform and reaction to Obama’s speech.

The reaction to the speech from around the blogosphere and news media was very positive. CNN is reporting that 2/3 of watchers favor Obama’s proposals– a very positive reaction indeed.

Obama did four key things in the speech.

He made the moral case for health care reform, referencing Senator Ted Kennedy many times throughout (read the Kennedy’s letter to the president here), saying:

“We are the only advanced democracy on Earth – the only wealthy nation – that allows such hardships for millions of its people. There are now more than thirty million American citizens who cannot get coverage. In just a two year period, one in every three Americans goes without health care coverage at some point. And every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. In other words, it can happen to anyone.”

He made the reasonable case for bipartisanship saying:

“This is the plan I’m proposing. It’s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight – Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open…..

But those of us who knew Teddy and worked with him here – people of both parties – know that what drove him was something more. His friend, Orrin Hatch, knows that. They worked together to provide children with health insurance. His friend John McCain knows that. They worked together on a Patient’s Bill of Rights. His friend Chuck Grassley knows that. They worked together to provide health care to children with disabilities.”

He demonstrated that he will no longer suffer fools:

“But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it. I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.

Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.”

And he provided the Congressional Progressive Caucus the cover it needs to pass a plan with a strong public option:

“Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. The insurance reforms that I’ve already mentioned would do just that. But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange.”

See the full video and text of the Obama health reform speech here.

You can see the Obama health care reform plan here.

And as my parting gift, I give you a screen shot of Rep. Joe Wilson’s Wikipedia entry before it was disabled a few moments ago.

Photo courtesy of CNN and Getty Images

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Subhash J.

6:01PM PDT on Sep 13, 2009

Joe Wilson's behaviour reminds me of the scenes one has witnessed often in our Parliament or state assemblies. This incident was minor considering what has been done by the elected representatives of the people in India.

They are provided immunity from prosecution for their actions within the parliament or assemblies - the accusation by Rep Joe Wilson tantamounts to defamation. Why should he not be liable to criminal proceedings or else not be able to provide tangible evidence in support of his accusation ??

Similarly, why should the Indian elected representatives not be subjected to examplary punishement when they indulge in creating a mayhem and destruction of the house property or make false allegations against fellow members or members of public. Above all, why can't they be expected to adhere to the code of civilised conduct inside and outside the legislatures.

I respect freedom including freedom of speech and would like to give all respect due to the elected representatives but they have to demosntrate by their behaviour that they deserve it. Otherwise, I would appeal to everyone to sign a petition to take away the immunity that they enjoy for their conduct inside the house.

send a green star

Marco C.

9:20AM PDT on Sep 13, 2009

It is interesting to note that rather than accept that Joe Wilsons actions were an example of immature behavior and inappropriate, there would be those that attempt to excuse bad behavior. We all know why it happened, just doesn't make it right. Accept that it shouldn't have happened and move on.

What is at issue here is our health and how we can best achieve a reasonable standard for the greatest majority of us. We don't have a strong country with a weak and infermed population. How do we look like world leaders in health care when our own people cannot benefit from it? Remember we are talking about our fellow countrymen, our communities and those we rely on for our standard of living.

Rosanne G.

2:52AM PDT on Sep 13, 2009

Joe Wilson apologized. It's funny Obama didn't apologize to Officer Crowley & the Police department who acted "STUPIDLY". He stuck his nose where it didn't belong because of his professor buddy Gates. Beer Summit? Ridiculous. If I had money to spare, I would send it to Joe Wilson, not his opponent. It never ceases to amaze me that the left can do no wrong, in their opinion, but the right is always wrong & are held to some politically correct standard set up by the Obamanites. You sicken me. We want sensible answers to this health care debate & all we heard was more of the same; beautiful lying teleprompted speech, with a twist of force & disdain for those like me who just don't agree with this particular bill. He needs to stop calling for Ted Kennedy's vote from the grave & his pity party. He was not bipartisan & his speech was nothing but a reprimand to dissenters. He has a lot of nerve to call on morality for passage of this bill. His track record with abortion, late term & botched is anything but moral. Please, reprimand yourself, Obama, because you are pointing the finger at everyone else but you. Keep your name-calling out of this & actually offer points of discussion.

Charles T.

12:22PM PDT on Sep 11, 2009

Again, Wilson was as wrong doing this as the Dems who booed Bush in 2007 were. He apologized, the Dems never did. Is the only difference the party identifier?

Wilson's rudeness aside, since the present form of the bill prevented asking for proof of citizenship he was right it did not prevent illegals from applying. That he was correct in this was further highlighted last night when Sen Baccus (D-MT) said a proviso requiring proof of citizenship was being added.

Katie G.

12:19PM PDT on Sep 11, 2009

JESUS SAID "YOU ARE YOUR BROTHERS KEEPER"

WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS?

AMERICAN CHRISTIANS STAND UP FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

STAND UP FOR THOSE WHO ARE POOR AND DYING, LOOSING THEIR HOMES AND BEING DRIVEN TO THE POOR HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE COST OF BASIC HEALTH CARE!

IN THIS GREAT NATION THE POOR & MIDDLE CLASS WORK HARD AND YET DON'T HAVE DECENT COVERAGE!

IT IS THE GREED OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, DRUG INDUSTRY, & POLITICIANS BACKED BY LOBBIEST WHO ARE DRIVING UP COVERAGE IN THIS COUNTRY!

SHAME ON YOU ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING!

REFORM IS LONG OVER DUE!

Mark G.

9:22AM PDT on Sep 11, 2009

Tracy, This is deceptive. (No, I didn't call you a liar.)

Like another Congress-critter mentioned on his lap-sign, 'What Bill?'. There have been more bills circulated than just H.R. 3200. When Obama sends me email via Democrats.org, he doesn't specify ANY particular bill, yet I'm supposed to just give my Congress-Critter the green light? This claim about HR 3200 is not clear either. It only refers to tax credits. How many illegals are actually filing? Are there no other sources for Health Care subsidies in any of the possible legislation? And I cannot support 3200 because it illegally tries to mandate that I purchase coverage or be fined. Fat chance (not).
Obama's proposals are excellent talking points. But how can I trust him after he has lied so often already. He invited the Joe Wilson outburst by stating that many Congress-Critters were being deceitful. It is just a game of semantics and double-speak. Of course he won't put onerous things in his talking points. But Wilson has been discussing the actuall billS. Not just one of them.
And how can I trust Congress not to just pass an unread bill that ends up benefiting corporate power and profit in the big Pharma and big Insurance industries anyway. I realize that is not the liberal's intent. But why should I trust any of this after the recent bailout scandal? 700 Billion has grown to 27 Trillion in unaccounted transfers. What we need is to just shut Congress down until we start with a fresh one.

Tracy V.

7:20PM PDT on Sep 10, 2009

For those who insist on believing that the Obama proposal provides health insurance coverage in his plan are simply wrong. All you need to do is READ IT. It does not. Its as plain as the nose on your face.

http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/1210-Read-the-Bill-Illegal-Immigrants-Are-NOT-Covered

Julie R.

10:17AM PDT on Sep 10, 2009

Pres. Obama gave a excellent speech which only the Republicans could violate with their disrespectful outburst and demeanor. They sicken me.

Past Member .

9:45AM PDT on Sep 10, 2009

The polls were also biased I might add, in effect another lie...

9:44AM PDT on Sep 10, 2009

I really did appreciate your website but I am now realizing that Care2 offers far too many political nuances and undertones that I for one do not agree with.
I am here to educate myself to worthy causes, not be a part of any political agenda, but since I was sent this I am here to tell you that it is a fact that the President did in fact lie last evening. Isn't that the worst behavior of all? Doesn't anyone care about that???