Saturday August 1, 2009, 4:46 pm
An estimated 3,000 people traveled to Wise, Virginia, to receive free health, dental and eye care from volunteer doctors, nurses and support workers, who provided the care at their own expense.

Saturday August 1, 2009, 4:47 pm

Health Care Reform: 450,000 Doctors Can't Be Wrong
The U.S. has a catastrophically fragmented health care system that provides incentives for sick care instead of prevention. The system is in dire need of reform -- reform to save lives, to save families and money for patients and the health care system.



From: "Health care system and health care reform in Germany"

http://www.bmg.bund.de/cln_160/nn_1169696/EN/Gesundheit/gesundheit__node.html?__nnn=true


This is the official website of the Ministry of Health and Social Matters in Germany

Quote:

"However, a health care system is not a "normal" market. After all, it places even more importance on care standards and service quality than other sectors do. Here, too, Germany scores high on quite a few counts:

* It is far easier to obtain out-of-hours medical attention here than in most other countries and, very importantly, this is so regardless of income or insurance status.

* Wait times for hospital care ... are shorter here than elsewhere.

Also, no such thing as "Preconditions" exists in Germany!

And

"Universal coverage

From now on, all citizens in Germany will enjoy health insurance coverage. From 1st January 2009, and for the first time in German social history, all residents are obliged to take out health insurance unless they are otherwise covered. Persons who had lost their insurance cover must return to their most recent insurer. This applies to the statutory and the private insurance system alike. "

Addendum: If someone cannot pay for his own health insurance (minimum wages apply), the state pays the premiums. This is a legalized RIGHT for citizens of Germany!

Don't opt for less, Americans! Don't let them tell you, it can't be done - because it can!

If we can, then you can, too. YES, YOU CAN!

Saturday August 1, 2009, 4:47 pm
13 Republicans Voted To Allow Single-Payer Health Care In States
13 Republicans on the House Education and Labor Committee offered their support for an amendment, offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), that allowed states to set up single-payer health care systems.

Saturday August 1, 2009, 5:03 pm

Nurses on Health Care : Don't Let Up On The Pressure Now, We Need to Remind Them We're Watching and Waiting


AFSCME Nurses urge Congress to support President Obama and pass H.R. 3200. Now. Turn up the heat and keep up the pressure. Make sure you continue
calling and emailing your representatives. Don't let the lobbyists be the only ones whispering in their ears




Nurses Praise House Vote to Permit State Single-Payer Laws
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/07/18-1

A Real Win for Single-Payer Advocates
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/18-5


Canada achieved Universal Health Care one Province at a time. The Federal gov't. was obliged to comply.



Be informed.

READ the bill:

\Short version: http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BILLSUMMARY-071409.pdf

Full test (scroll down to Learn More, then Read Bill Text): http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=1864

Help HuffPo with investigation of same: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-palevsky/hundreds-join-together-to_b_237999.html


Just Go Read It
Everyone who's yapping about the CBO chief's comments about health care costs, should read this piece by Jon Cohn. Another one of those cases where -- shockingly -- it really helps to understand the policy details and not just the political atmospherics.



If Congress Fails to Pass the Obama Health Care Plan

The next time a Member of Congress tells you that he'd love to vote for the President's health care reform package but he represents a tough swing district, remind him about all the ex-members of Congress who said the same thing in 1994 and were retired by the voters to resume their careers selling insurance or practicing law.

Single Payer: Bold, Affordable, Humane
If you believe that every American has the right to quality, affordable health care, then the only affordable means to achieve that goal is through a properly financed, single-payer national health insurance program.

Follow the Money on Health Care Reform "Right now we are the only nation on earth that barters human life for money." -- Geri Jenkins, RN, co-president of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee in her testimony Wednesday, in the one Congressional hearing at which single payer has been on the table


Health Care For All : What If ... We Stripped Away the $13 Billion Insurance Company Profits ...
President Obama's health care plan will get rid of exorbitant corporate profits, bloated CEO bonuses, endless denials, and skyrocketing costs while giving voters more choice and making private insurance companies behave better.



Here is how your Representatives/Senators are voting on the public option.

http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?chamber=&party=&state=&hc_status=&commit=Filter

Contact info, included.



Senate Report Finds Insurers Wrongfully Charged Consumers Billions
24 Jun 2009 Health insurers have forced consumers to pay billions
of dollars in medical bills that the insurers themselves should
have paid, according to a report released today by the staff of
the Senate Commerce Committee. The report was part of a multi-pronged
assault on the credibility of private insurers by Commerce Committee
Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.). It came at a time when
Rockefeller, President Obama and others are seeking to offer a
public alternative to private health plans as part of broad health
reform legislation. Health insurers are doing everything they
can to block the public option.



Public Health Plan Could Save Money Faster: Policy Group
A nationwide health insurance exchange that includes a Medicare-like government option could save $1.8 trillion more than if only private plans are offered, a prominent private U.S. health policy group said on Wednesday.


Medicare for All (Single-Payer) Reform Would Be Major Stimulus for Economy 2.6 Million New Jobs,$317 Billion in Business Revenue

First-of-Its Kind Study: Medicare for All (Single-Payer) Reform Would Be Major Stimulus for Economy 2.6 Million New Jobs,$317 Billion in Business Revenue, $100 Billion in Wages


TransGriot: 10 busted myths about the Canadian health care system.

Americans Who've Used Canada's Health-Care System Respond to Current Big-Lie Media CampaignMy wife and I used Canada's health care system for years, and we've been incensed by the lies we've heard back here in the U.S. about how it's supposedly broken.

Saturday August 1, 2009, 6:05 pm
I believe this is going to happen Obama will get thru

Saturday August 1, 2009, 7:43 pm

NYTimes: How Health Care Reform Will Help You -- Even If You're Insured
Though
many of the crucial decisions about health care reform have yet to be
made, the general direction of the legislation is clear enough to make
some educated guesses about the likely winners and losers.

Sunday August 2, 2009, 3:46 pm
Linda Bergthold: So it Begins -- the August Attack on Health Care Reform

I received a mass email that exhorted the recipients to pray because of the disaster to befall on us if health care reform is passed. I went through every charge and answered it.
.....
Page 29 lines 4-16 -- Your Health Care is RATIONED.
WOW. NOT AT ALL! THIS LANGUAGE SAYS THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY MORE
THAN A SET AMOUNT EACH YEAR FOR YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE. RIGHT NOW YOU
ALL HAVE MAXIMUM AMOUNTS THAT YOUR INSURANCE WILL PAY ANNUALLY AND THEN
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. THE NEW LAW WILL PROTECT YOU FROM HAVING TO PAY
MORE THAN SET AMOUNTS. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY!!
Page 50 Section 152 -- Health Care will be provided to ALL non-U.S. citizens, illegal or otherwise.

THERE IS NOTHING ON PAGE 50 OR SECTION 152 ABOUT ILLEGALS. ILLEGALS
WILL NOT BE COVERED. THIS SECTION PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIGION OR GENDER OR ANYTHING ELSE.
.....

Page 59 lines 21-24 -- Government will have direct access to your bank accounts for electrical funds transfers.
NOT THE GOVERNMENT. AGAIN. YOU WILL HAVE TO APPROVE AN ELECTRONIC (NOT
ELECTRICAL!) FUND TRANSFER IF YOU WANT TO PAY YOUR PREMIUMS THAT WAY.
IT WILL BE THE PRIVATE INSURERS WHO PROCESS THIS, LIKE BLUE CROSS,
AETNA, ETC. HOW DO YOU DO IT NOW?

Page 65 Section 164 -- A payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions and community organizations (ACORN).
NO. THIS IS A PROGRAM WHERE THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP EMPLOYERS WHO
PROVIDE RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TO PAY FOR THOSE BENEFITS IF THEY
EXCEED A CERTAIN AMOUNT. IT'S A REINSURANCE PLAN THAT LARGE EMPLOYERS
REALLY LIKE BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEM TO CONTINUE GIVING THEIR EMPLOYEES
RETIREE BENEFITS WHEN THEY RETIRE BUT NOT BREAK THE PRIVATE EMPLOYER'S
BANK. UNIONS OPERATE HEALTH PLANS JUST LIKE PRIVATE EMPLOYERS SO OF
COURSE THEY ARE INCLUDED. NOTHING SAID ABOUT ACORN HERE.

Page 72 Lines 8-14 -- Government is creating a Health Care
Exchange to bring private health care plans under government control.
IT IS TRUE THAT GOVERNMENT WILL HELP TO REGULATE THE EXCESSIVE ACTIONS
OF PRIVATE INSURERS WHEN THEY DENY YOU COVERAGE BECAUSE OF A
PREEXISTING CONDITION OR BECAUSE YOU WERE SICK. BUT DON'T WE ALL WANT
THAT? EVEN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAS AGREED TO THAT. THE EXCHANGE IS A
WAY TO KEEP OUR PRIVATE INSURANCE SYSTEM WORKING, BUT NOT ALLOW THEM TO
DENY YOU INSURANCE OR CHARGE YOU AN ARM OR A LEG. HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO
BUY PRIVATE INSURANCE BY YOURSELF? IF YOU DID, YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU
WERE EVER SICK, THEY CAN REFUSE TO SELL IT TO YOU OR CHARGE YOU A LOT.

SEE NY TIMESSUNDAY WITH THIS QUOTE:
Lawmakers of both parties agree on the need to rein in
private insurance companies by banning underwriting practices that have
prevented millions of Americans from obtaining affordable insurance.
Insurers would, for example, have to accept all applicants and offer a
minimum package of benefits, to be defined by the federal government.
Nearly all Americans would be required to have insurance. Lawmakers
also agree on the need to provide federal subsidies to help make
insurance affordable for people with modest incomes. For poor people,
Medicaid eligibility would be expanded.

Page 84 Section 203 -- Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private Health Care plans in the Exchange.
THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT PLANS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM, BASIC TO
COMPREHENSIVE DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY. RIGHT NOW, IF YOU ARE
A MEDICARE BENEFICIARY AND CHOOSE TO BUY A SUPPLEMENT OR "GAP" PLAN,
YOU CHOOSE PLANS FROM A MENU AND THE BENEFITS ARE MANDATED AND
CONSISTENT.

Page 85 Line 7 -- Specifications for Benefit Levels for Plans = The government will ration your Health Care.
NO RATIONING HERE. YOU CHOOSE THE BENEFITS YOU WANT TO PAY FOR. ONCE
YOU HAVE YOUR PLAN, YOUR DOCTOR DECIDES WHAT TREATMENTS YOU NEED.
"BENEFITS" MEANS YOU GET HOSPITAL SERVICES AND LAB AND X-RAY. IT
DOESN'T DETERMINE WHEN OR HOW OR WHY. JUST LIKE THE PLANS YOU HAVE NOW
THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER OR WHICH YOU BOUGHT YOURSELF. NO DIFFERENT.

Page 91 Lines 4-7 -- Government mandates linguistic appropriate services. Example -- translation for illegal aliens.
YES, LINGUISTIC SERVICES. NO, ILLEGAL ALIENS. NO SERVICES TO ILLEGAL
ALIENS. THIS IS A BLATANT LIE. THERE IS NO MENTION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS
HERE AT ALL.

Page 95 Lines 8-18 -- The government will use groups i.e.,
ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Government Health
Care plan.
THE BILL SAYS "APPROPRIATE ENTITIES" WILL HELP WITH ENROLLMENT. DOESN'T MENTION ACORN OR AMERICORPS.

Page 85 Line 7 -- Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. AARP members -- Your Health Care WILL be rationed.
NO MENTION OF AARP. NO RATIONING. YOU GET TO CHOOSE THE LEVEL OF BENEFITS YOU CAN AFFORD. ....S SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THEM AND CHOOSE APPROPRIATELY.....




Read more.....

Sunday August 2, 2009, 8:32 pm
If you want the real hard facts on health care, here's the plain and simple truth... studied and researched ... to try and put together a mythbuster, this is more comprehensive than even I would have done. We already have people standing in long lines just to see a doctor, we already have denied/rationed care.

UnitedHealthCare is making record breaking profits and under the guise of The Lewin Group
are advising congress. They actually have health scare talking points like the one about killing granny.http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200907300008

There will only be change when those unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

More myth debunking is taking place at http://healthcarereformmyths.org, a site maintained by dedicated citizens with nothing to gain but possibly some intellectually honest debate





See also, http://www.pleasecutthecrap.com . Handy reference against the rumors.

Monday August 3, 2009, 10:43 am

Republican Right Wingers : The Faces of Ignorance and Hate


Philadelphia, Pa, August 2: This afternoon, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, I saw the face of ignorance and hate--and it wasn't pretty.

Monday August 3, 2009, 12:42 pm
Schumer: Reconciliation Is On The Table For Health Care

Monday August 3, 2009, 12:51 pm
WATCH: Republican Rep Peter King Says Health Care Reform "Not A Major Issue" For Americans

Monday August 3, 2009, 4:48 pm
Robert Kuttner: Faint PraiseWhy is our health system so massively inefficient? Because it is run by and for private insurers, aided and abetted by for-profit drug companies and hospitals. Even if we insure more people, as President Obama hopes to, a fragmented, profit-oriented system dominated by these interests simply cannot yield the most efficient use of health outlays.

Monday August 3, 2009, 11:11 pm
So, thanks to Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Speaker Pelosi says she will bring a vote to the floor on single-payer after the recess. Are you all ready to make those phone calls and write those letters?


Nancy's contact info..http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Send our speaker an e-mail of encouragement.

Tuesday August 4, 2009, 1:05 pm
White House takes on Drudge, slams healthcare 'scare'

Tuesday August 4, 2009, 2:54 pm
* The Democratic National Committee released a pretty hard-hitting statement this afternoon, slamming Republicans for "inciting angry mobs" or "rabid right-wing extremists."

* On a related note, "Town Halls Gone Wild" continued today in a variety of locations.

* CBS News offers a good example of how not to report on the right-wing harassment strategy.

* Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D) of Texas hasn't changed his mind
at all after his run-in with a right-wing mob: "I am more committed
than ever to win approval of legislation to offer more individual
choice to access affordable health care. An effective public plan is
essential to achieve that goal."

* What's more, Doggett told CNN
today, "I'll tell you, unless more Americans who are suffering under
the insurance companies get out there and express their opinion, write
their letter to the editor, call these talk shows -- if they don't get
their message out the insurance companies will win in September and we
just cannot let that happen."

* HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reminds folks of "the reason we're even having this conversation" about reform in a WaPo op-ed.

* Nice to see Blue Dog Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) have a few unkind words about George W. Bush and health care today.

Wednesday August 5, 2009, 10:15 pm
Grassley Uses Kennedy's Brain Tumor To Spread Fear Of Rationing

Thursday August 6, 2009, 1:46 pm
HCAN Playbook For Thwarting Town Hall Protesters
How to deal with the crazy GOPers.

Thursday August 6, 2009, 3:05 pm
Contrary to Steele’s Claim, State Republicans Are Actively Promoting Town Hall Mobs and Violence

Thursday August 6, 2009, 6:06 pm
CNN’s Rick Sanchez leaves Rick Scott fumbling to justify his health care corruption.
CNN’s Rick Sanchez ripped into Conservatives for Patients’ Rights founder
Rick Scott today over his anti-health care reform advocacy efforts. Sanchez pointed out that Hospital Corporation of America/Columbia Hospital Corporation, which Scott founded, was charged with defrauding the government for more than a decade and had to pay the government a record $1.7 billion. “Some would argue, and it would be hard to say they’re wrong,” said Sanchez, “that you would be the poster child for everything that’s wrong with the greed that has hurt our current health care system.”

Thursday August 6, 2009, 10:31 pm
I'm surprised none of the paid RepubliCON $hill$ for the in$urance companie$ $howed up here where there are uninsured people waiting for medicla care ... why not?

They were DIRECTED TO GO el$ewhere by the in$urance company obbyi$t$:





Tampa Town Hall On Health Care Reform Disrupted By Violence
(VIDEO)

Police officers were called to calm down an unruly crowd outside a health care reform town hall meeting in downtown Tampa, Florida on Thursday evening, according to local news reports.

Angry protesters screamed, yelled and banged on windows as officers hurried to guard the entrances to the facility, where U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor was trying to discuss the various health care reform proposals being debated in Congress. One photojournalist said that a fistfight broke out inside the building, reports WTSP.

Many of the hundreds of protesters said that they had been inspired by a conservative activist group promoted by Fox News host Glenn Beck and some received emails from the county Republican party, according to the St. Petersburg Times.....

The Tampa Tribune reports that some protesters carried racist caricatures of President Obama and added details of more fights and scuffles.....

Thursday August 6, 2009, 10:46 pm


Republican Teabaggers yell "Kill Your Parents" at Monday's Health Care town hall with Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH)

Friday August 7, 2009, 3:54 am

Right-Wing Turncoat Gives the Inside Scoop on How the GOP Is Screwing Its Healthcare Baby


The GOP is willing to disrupt the health care debate if they can't win it. Yesterday in Tampa, a mob of Glenn Beck supporters nearly caused a riot. The Republican is an uncaring idiot who cares for no one but itself? To hell with the guy in the street!

Friday August 7, 2009, 6:28 am

SICK FOR PROFIT : Fight Back Against Health Insurance Lies
The Democrats should've launched this campaign six months ago, easy. Take a look at what you're fighting for, teabaggers.

Friday August 7, 2009, 1:38 pm
Anti-Reform Group Takes Credit For Helping Gin Up Town Hall Rallies

Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, the operation that’s running a national campaign against a public health care option, is now publicly taking credit for helping gin up the sometimes-rowdy outbursts targeting House Dems at town hall meetings around the country, raising questions about their
spontaneity.

CPR is the group headed by controversial former hospitals exec Rick Scott that’s spending millions on ads attacking reform in all sorts of lurid ways, a campaign that’s being handled by the same P.R. mavens behind the Swift Boat Vets.

In response to my questions, a spokesman for the group confirmed that it has undertaken a concerted effort to get people out to the town hall meetings to protest reform. The spokesperson, Brian Burgess,
confirmed that CPR is emailing out “town hall alert” flyers, and schedules of town hall meetings, to its mailing list.

These efforts — combined with CPR’s effort to enlist Tea Party-ers, as reported yesterday by TPM — provide a glimpse into the ways anti-reform groups are trying to create a sense of public momentum in their favor.

CPR spokesman Burgess confirmed that the group had set up a list serv designed to reach out to “third party groups” involved in the health care fight, including the Tea Party activists. And in a statement emailed to me, Scott, who was ousted as a health-care exec amid a 1990s fraud probe, took credit for the town hall showings.

“We have invested a lot of time, energy and resources into educating Americans over the past several months about the dangers of government-run health care and I think we’re seeing some of the fruits of that campaign,” Scott said, though he claimed outrage was spontaneous.

Similarly, America’s Health Insurance Plans, or AHIP, the insurance industry group, has stationed employees in 30 states to track local town hall events.

The question is whether these uprisings are actually helpful to the anti-reform cause, or whether their raucus agitprop will work againt them. Dems have blasted out to reporters examples of protestors harrassing House Dems.

“The more you dig the more you learn that this is a carefully orchestrated effort by special interest lobbyists and the Republican Party, who are using fringe elements on the right to protect insurance company profits and defeat health care reform,” said House Dem leadership aide Doug Thornell. “The anger at these events looks very similar to what we saw at McCain/Palin rallies in the fall.”

****************************************

Update: The White House attacks CPR for manufacturing anger.

This blog’s homepage is here.

Posted by Greg Sargent | 08/04/2009, 12:12 PM EST | Categories: House Dems, health care, political advertising

Saturday August 8, 2009, 11:52 am
Michael Moore's health care documentary 'Sicko' can be viewed online in its entirety here.(Hat tip to 'citisven' at Daily Kos.)

Sunday August 9, 2009, 3:16 pm
I heard that this morning on MTP, Gingrich asked Palin, Romney and Huckabee to join him in supporting the next republican grass roots initiative…in an effort to prove conservatives mean what they say, he wants all seniors and vets to renounce medicare, social security and VA benefits. Gingrich says we have to walk the talk. When a befuddled Stephanopoulis said, really? Gingrich said yes, we have to show the left that we don’t need ANY government help. American seniors and vets are strong people, they’ll find a way to get along without these socialist services.

Let's see if the Right is willing to walk the walk and give up their "socialist" programs.

Monday August 10, 2009, 11:24 am
Wherever there's a RepubliCON angry mob ... alway$ follow the money ...

Coal Lobby’s ‘Purest Form Of Grassroots’ Delivered By GOP Voter Fraud Company

Paid staff will both call people already on the group’s list and talk to other people at public events, asking them if they want information or T-shirts or would be interested in asking a question at a town hall meeting. “This is the purest form of grassroots,” Lucas said. “It’s facilitating constituents to talk one-on-one with members of Congress.

The new project will use 225,000 volunteers dubbed “America’s Power Army.” They will visit town hall meetings, fairs and other functions attended by members of Congress and ask misleading questions about energy policy.

Anti-Reform Group Takes Credit For Helping Gin Up Town Hall Rallies
Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, the operation that’s running a national campaign against a public health care option, is now publicly taking credit for helping gin up the sometimes-rowdy outbursts targeting House Dems at town hall meetings around the country, raising questions about their spontaneity.

CPR is the group headed by controversial former hospitals exec Rick Scott that’s spending millions on ads attacking reform in all sorts of lurid ways, a campaign that’s being handled by the same P.R. mavens behind the Swift Boat Vets.

Monday August 10, 2009, 3:43 pm

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check


Get the facts about the stability and security you get from health
insurance reform instead of listening to industry and right wing hype.

Monday August 10, 2009, 6:28 pm

$1.2 TRILLION WASTED : The 6 Biggest Ways Our Health Care System Throws Away Money


More than $1.2 trillion spent on health care each year is a waste of money. That's half of the $2.2 trillion the USA spends on health care each year, according to the most recent data from accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute

Wednesday August 12, 2009, 9:50 am
Whistleblower: Insurance firms behind town hall disruptions
Man arrested at Obama event had loaded gunHeld in police custody; was also carrying pocket knife...
Stewart recalls conservative attacks on anti-war protesters

Wednesday August 12, 2009, 10:55 am
Chris Matthews had on the Ron Paul supporter who showed up with a handgun to the New Hampshire town hall on health care led by President Obama. On Hardball yesterday, he really
laid into the man -- a Kramer lookalike named William Kostric -- with some tough questions about just what the hell he hoped to accomplish:

Matthews: Why did you bring a gun to a meeting with the President of the United States, given the violent history of this country with regard to presidents and assassinations? Why did you bring a gun to a public event with the president? You know the history of this country. If you love this country and its history, you know we've had a problem with people with guns and presidential events. Why did you bring a gun to an event with the president?

... OK, you brought a sign that says, 'The tree of liberty has to be watered with the blood of tyrants,' and you're carrying a goddamn gun at a presidential event. I think those things make people wonder what you're about.

Matthews gets to the core point eventually:

Matthews: I'm gonna ask you: What do you bring to this discussion about health care? By bringing a gun, and that sign that you quote Jefferson from, what does that bring to a debate that this country's engaged in -- and we're looking at your gun right now, and your sign on there -- what did you -- and it's loaded, you pointed that out -- what are you doing to help this debate?

The best that Kostric can do is babble incoherently -- rather Kramerlike, actually -- about "showing the other end of it" so you can "pull people in your direction." He manages to finally blurt out that he actually thinks everyone would have been safer at the Town Hall event if everyone there had been packing heat.

Of course, that begs the questions of whether President Obama would have been safer, doesn't it?

Especially with crackpots like this in the crowd.

Wednesday August 12, 2009, 11:42 am

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check
Get the facts about the stability and security you get from health insurance reform instead of listening to industry and right wing hype.


* Nice work from the LA Times fact-checking common health care claims. (thanks to reader T.C. for the tip)


For some factual info on Health Care Reform go to:
http://HealthActionNow.org
http://Healthcare­factcheck.­com

The only way to fight this is with facts

Wednesday August 12, 2009, 2:30 pm
Obama-Nazi Sign Made By Ill Woman On Medicare

Outside, the gathering verged on a street brawl. The opposing forces lined up like screaming armies on either side of the street, about 1,000 people a side. Diane Campbell of Kingston, N.H., held a sign with Mr. Obama's face superimposed on a Nazi storm trooper, a sign, she said, that was made by her chronically ill mother.

Her mother's hereditary autoimmune disease is treated with expensive transfusions of gamma globulin, paid for by Medicare. Her sister, Louise, was born with no arms and one leg, and is also covered by Medicare, the government-run, health-insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Wednesday August 12, 2009, 3:13 pm

Professor Stephen Hawking Enters U.S. Health Care Debate
"I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the National Health Service," he told The Guardian. "I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.

Sunday August 16, 2009, 1:04 pm
The argument over which system is better at this point is like arguing whether or not global warming is real and human caused. Everyone knows the answer, but some people can turn a profit by denying it.


Who, in the eyes of Canadians, is THE most popular Canadian? Tommy Douglas, the father of the Canadian Medicare System. Watch this video.


http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1463312787?bctid=1463302784


(Also posted at www.lftwings.org.)

Remember, Canada didn't get UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE all at once; it happened Province by Province nd the government could no longer deny Canadians the health care they demanded.



COMPARE health care in:

Australia
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Home
Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/...

England
http://www.propertyshowrooms.com/...

USA videos
http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/...

Sunday August 16, 2009, 2:04 pm
The brutal truth about America's healthcare vs Stephen Hawking, who said, "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.." And a student who suddenly found himself unable to move and had to be supported by his wife would not have been able to get that sort of care in the United States at all, let alone be kept alive and allowed the time to think that made it possible for him to become *the* Stephen Hawking.

Sunday August 16, 2009, 4:20 pm
WHITE HOUSE STILL BACKS PUBLIC OPTION

Tuesday August 18, 2009, 5:33 pm
WATCH: Man Who Brought Assault Rifle To Obama Rally Was Part Of Radio Stunt

The man with the semi-automatic (referred to in interviews as "Chris," no last name) was spotted at the protest by CNN news cameras, in the middle of a Q&A. Today, his interviewer -- Ernest Hancock of conservative talk radio show Declare Your Independence With Ernest Hancock -- went on CNN and explained to host Rick Sanchez that he and Chris were actually in the middle of a radio broadcast. Hancock, also packing heat at the rally, had invited Chris to come down the protest with his rifle to be interviewed. The two men had known each other for two years, through their work for presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

During the segment on CNN, Rick Sanchez said, "the more we look into this, the more it appears that it was really planned." Hancock concurred: "Oh, it's more planned than you think." In addition to scheduling the interview, Hancock had also informed the local police force.

As the interview continued, Rick Sanchez loudly exclaimed, "This was a publicity stunt!"

"Oh absolutely," Hancock responded.

Sanchez pushed on, "isn't there something terribly disingenuous about putting people on like that? And isn't there also something a little bit... dangerous about playing these kinda games--"

"Oh, it's not a game," Chris interjected.

"---with what I imagine is a loaded weapon," Sanchez continued.....

Chris is also featured in a YouTube video produced by the libertarian group Freedom's Phoenix. In this video he expounds further on his right to bear arms. He also explains that he is "absolutely totally against health care... health care in this way, in this manner, stealing it from people. I don't think that's appropriate."

Wednesday August 19, 2009, 2:50 pm
BE THERE ... 9/12/2009 in D.C.


The place to organize for the March on DC
(93)
August 15, 2009 • Category: Blog, Featured
I just wanted to remind everyone that you can connect with other people in your state by joining our ning social networking site. JOIN NOW and find a bus to ride in on, or a caravan of cars coming from your area. Connect with others in your state and work together to spread the word!
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Saturday August 22, 2009, 11:13 am

"Many promoters of health-care reform believe that people have an intrinsic ethical right to health care—to equal access to doctors, medicines and hospitals. While all of us empathize with those who are sick, how can we say that all people have more of an intrinsic right to health care than they have to food or shelter? Health care is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges. A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That's because there isn't any. This "right" has never existed in America."

Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey in arecent Wall Street Journal op-ed on health care.

Whole Foods Backlash & Boycott: Bloggers Outraged Over CEO's Anti-'ObamaCare' Column

Thursday August 27, 2009, 9:43 am
McCain jokes about taking hundreds of thousands from healthcare lobby

Monday August 31, 2009, 2:31 pm

Republican Rep: We'll Repeal Health Care Reform If It Passes

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 10:34 am

Who Will Be Hurt if the Democrats Pass Health Care Alone
If the Democrats pass the health care bill, and are able to do it with a public option, the Republicans will have once again put themselves on the opposing side of groundbreaking legislation.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:52 pm
When it comes to healthcare, there is no lie a conservative will not tell.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 7:28 pm
PUBLIC OPTION WATCH.... Under the circumstances, the chances of passing a health care reform bill with a public option in the Senate will hinge on a dozen or so senators, whose support will make or break the provision. As of last week, two of the 59 senators in the Democratic caucus -- Lieberman and Landrieu -- were definite (or near-definite) opponents of a public option.

This week, the on-the-fence senators are clarifying matters a little further. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) or Arkansas, who just found out she's facing a credible, top-tier conservative Republican opponent next year, now opposes a public option.


"For some in my caucus, when they talk about a public option they're talking about another entitlement program, and we can't afford that right now as a nation," Lincoln said in a speech to the Elder Law Task Force at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Lincoln has said previously she would support whatever health care plan worked, but she indicated Tuesday that a plan including an expensive, government-funded health insurance program would not get her vote.

"I'm not going to vote for a bill that's not deficit-neutral, and I'm not going to vote for a bill that doesn't do something about curbing the cost in the out years, because it would be pointless

... I would not support a solely government-funded public option. We can't afford that," Lincoln told reporters before her speech.


This might be a good time to note that bloggers seem to be the only people in the country who realize that a public option would be cheaper than the alternative. If Lincoln is concerned about what "we can afford," she should be an enthusiastic champion of the public option. I suspect she knows this, but doesn't quite have the courage to explain this to her enraged constituents.

Other than Lincoln, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) seems iffy on the public option, though her in-state colleague, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), is an ardent supporter of the policy.

Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) was considered a "maybe," but he's
making it clear he's a "yes" on the public option. David Sirota argues that this is the result of a credible primary challenger, and I think that's absolutely correct.

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has said he supports a public option, but as of yesterday, he's no longer willing to say whether he backs the measure or not. This probably isn't a good sign.

And then there's Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who offered a muddled position on a public option late last week. Yesterday, Reid's office clarified matters, explaining that the Majority Leader envisions a public option that would be administered in part by private entities, though the HHS would still set the policies.

Of course, there's one point that's always worth emphasizing when this comes up. It matters whether these senators support a public option, but it matters just as much whether these senators would also support a filibuster of a reform package that includes a public option. It's one thing to oppose the policy; it's another to vote with Republicans and prevent the Senate from even voting on the reform package at all.
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Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:45 pm
Why Health Insurance Reform Will Pass This Fall -- It's the High Political Ground

Health insurance reform represents the high political ground for four major reasons:

1). Most Americans - including swing voters - can't stand the health insurance industry. As Congress reconvenes, the Administration and its allies will unleash a major drive to correctly define the battle as a contest between the interests of private health insurance companies and ordinary Americans. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the big coalition of progressive organizations and Labor, will put it this way: If the insurance companies win, you lose. ....

2). The Obama Administration will use every ounce of its political capital to win this battle. The President and his top advisors understand that -- when it comes to health care -- failure is simply not an option. They know that defeat on health care would be a huge blow to the President's ability to pass his entire agenda and his own standing with the voters. People follow successful leaders - not those who fail.

As a result, the President will use every bit of his charm, his persuasive ability and the formidable powers of the Presidency to secure the votes to win.

And make no mistake. While Barack Obama would prefer a bi-partisan bill passed through the regular order with broad consensus, he has an iron will and will pass a bill by one vote using special budget procedures if that is necessary to win. He is a huge fan of Lincoln's Team of Rivals, but in matters of legislation his model is Lyndon Johnson.

Anyone who doubts the strength of his resolve - or his resourcefulness - doesn't yet understand Barack Obama.

be sure to read the entire article ...