Obama's health care address - a circus

Nothing new really - same rhetoric, same lines. Speaking of, did anyone win the BINGO game? I think I read at least numbers 1, 5 and 6... there was a variation of 11 & 12, and 15, 23 and 25.

Wow... when I heard the opening lines, I had to pause it to make sure I was watching the right speech. "When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis...". This can't be it - I've heard this one before, but I was wrong. New speech, same words.

"I will not let up until those who seek jobs will find them" gets a standing ovation? Don't help us find jobs - stop killing them off. "We have pulled this economy back from the brink" - is this a speech about health care or the economy? Probably going to insist that we improve the economy by passing health care, no doubt. Another standing O... yawn... "I'd like to thank the American people for their patience and resolve during these trying times..." - I wonder if it was the right-wing terrorists that made these "trying" times?

"I am not the first President to take up the task of health care, but I am determined to be the last." - that can be taken two ways, Mr. President. I hope it is true. It's looking like this health care bill isn't going to pass and I hope future presidents stop trying to take away something I have earned. And why have so many presidents tried to reform health care, but failed - ask yourself that. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT IT! That's why!

"These people [who can't afford health care] aren't on welfare. These are middle class Americans." Whom poll after poll has shown that the majority of them that can afford it don't want it. I'm not a middle class American - I have health insurance. Apparently, it costs 3 times as much to buy it privately instead of through an employer. My insurance costs $93 a month, which granted would be a lot cheaper through my employer, but is easily attained by knocking out cable and other extras from the budget. If it's a priority to you, you will make it work. It's just that simple.

"We are the only advanced society to allow such hardship for its people" - good, what's wrong with being different? If we wanted to be like everyone else, then we wouldn't be the United States. He makes it sound like insurance companies deny people every day for having any little ailment and that simply isn't true. Yes, it's more expensive if you have asthma or migraines, like I do. And why shouldn't it be? I need more medical coverage and assistance than someone who doesn't have those conditions. I might get denied by a few companies, but I keep searching for one that will accept me. "30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage" - somehow I think his numbers are fudged.

Oh gawd... cue the sob stories about people who suffered at the hands of the evil insurance companies. Mix it up - tell some horror stories from those other "advanced" societies about people who were refused care. Go on - I dare you. "That's heartbreaking and wrong and no one should be treated that way in the United States of America". So pregnant women should be forced to give labor elsewhere because the ER can't take them, people in their 60's denied treatment because they are "too old", people in real emergencies getting sent home with a band-aid and asprin because the ER is too busy to treat them - is THAT how people should be treated in the United States of America, Mr. President? Because that's how they are treated in other "advanced" societies that have universal health care. Aren't those stories "heartbreaking and wrong"??

Yay, another standing ovation. Maybe these people just keep doing it to stay awake, who knows...
Why are campaigning for universal health care when there are bills already on the table?? Guess I'm just being hateful for asking that.

"Health care is placing a burden on taxpayers" - and you think your plan will solve this...? Our "health care problem IS our deficit problem"???? I thought overspending was our deficit problem, but you are right... if we pass this thing, it certainly will become a deficit problem.

"Now these are the facts. No one disputes them." Oh wow... I got a good hard laugh out of that one, thanks.

Seriously though, "the time for bickering is over"? Great... stop calling me names and call off your attack dogs. I had a co-worker call me an idiot today, but thought Republican representatives were all of a sudden jumping on the health care reform bandwagon. Pay attention to the news before you start calling me names. Republicans alone have offered three health care reform bills of their own and they have been on the table for about three to four months, but you won't know that if you only watch the MSM.

LOVED how PresBo said it would carry a hefty price tag ($900 million), but was still spending less than the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and Bush's tax cuts. "Sure, it's going to cost a lot, but not as much as my predecessor spent". Just as my co-worker's friend said: "Why they keep bringing up this debt? It's not like Obama caused it, so it won't hurt if we make it worse". (Seriously, you can't make these things up) What??? Excuse me... so you are already $100 in debt, but you are going to go buy a car to make yourself thousands of dollars in debt, but it doesn't matter since you are already in debt??? Can someone please explain this to me...

Guess I'm just being "cynical and irreponsible" here (thought the time for bickering has passed?), but he repeats all of his lies - no death panels, you can keep your doctor/plan if you like him/it and how his plan is in the middle of the political spectrum (no gov't run system and not making people buy it on their own) but says "The time for games has passed". Okay, so quit playing games with us and be truthful for once!!!

And I LOVED LOVED LOVED this quote: "I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than to improve it." (But he is ready to listen to ALL ideas... The time for games has passed, Mr. President...) It's not about politics for me - it's about individual responsibility and a way of life. I WILL NOT have my hard-earned money taken away to give someone health care when I have worked so hard to attain it for myself. But it's ok... I really don't want to waste time talking to you about it either, Obama. Glad we are on the same page.

Who else loved the outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson from SC? Thank you, thank you, thank you for calling Obama on his lies. Way to go! And apparently Republicans got a good laugh when Obama said there were still details to be worked out. Looks like MSNBC seemed a little miffed about that...

What a circus! And in the end, the elephants ran away with the ringleader's top hat...


Related links:
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/us_health_care_overhaul/2009/09/09/258146.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul
Part 1 of Obama's health care speech