Video: Bernie Sanders says gov’t plan should frighten health insurers
posted at 11:49 am on July 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Gateway Pundit catches Bernie Sanders in the modern definition of a gaffe, which is the accidental telling of truth by a politician. While health-care reform advocates insist that the public plan is no threat to health insurers, Sanders insists that the entire point of the public plan is to strike fear into the hearts of the heartless:
FOX News analyst: But they’re afraid. Private insurance companies are afraid that they will be put out of business. So why shouldn’t they fight it?
Sen. Sanders: They should be afraid. Let me tell you they should be afraid. I think when they deny people health care because somebody has breast cancer a few years ago, when they throw people off of health insurance because people were sick and ran up a health care bill they have a right to be exposed, a right to be afraid.
Sanders accuses the health insurers of spending a million dollars a day, in the aggregate, to fight the public plan. If so, that amounts to $365 million for this year at the most (obviously, they’ll stop once action is taken on the bill or it fails). At that rate, the health insurers would take 2,739 years for them to spend what the CBO estimates ObamaCare will cost over ten years in its least expensive iteration. If we’re going to talk about wasteful spending, let’s put that in its proper perspective.
Meanwhile, hospitals have agreed to find cost cuts that will bring them in line with ObamaCare, but their claims rest on some shaky logic:
Most of the savings — about $100 billion — would come through lower-than-expected Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals, said the two industry sources. About $40 billion would be saved by slowly reducing what hospitals get to care for the uninsured, they added. The reductions would probably not begin for several years, after a significant number of people have enrolled in the new insurance programs.
For their part, hospital officials have an understanding that, if the final legislation includes a new government-sponsored insurance program, it will not pay at Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates, which the industry has long argued do not cover the cost of services.
“We have concerns about a new public program where you have Medicare rates,” one industry representative said. “That would not be part of the plan.”
Agreeing to the plan were the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals and the Catholic Health Association.
If the hospitals are claiming savings while getting paid at better rates than they are now through Medicare and Medicaid, how will that reduce costs? The only way to lower the overall bill while raising compensation rates and adding people to insurance rolls is to reduce the amount of care the hospitals provide. They’ve agreed to ration care more stringently.
Health insurers aren’t the only ones who need to be afraid of this bill.
Blowback
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Trust no one from the northeast.
Wade on July 7, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Americans should be afraid of their federal government; the power grab has started and there is seemingly no end in sight to what they are willing to take from us.
Bishop on July 7, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Americans need to be afraid.
Btw…damn, Ed, I love it when you crunch numbers!
bluelightbrigade on July 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Reflexive hatred of insurance companies is really not the best basis on which to reorganize 1/7th of the U.S. economy.
DrSteve on July 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Be Afraid….Be Very Afraid
cmsinaz on July 7, 2009 at 11:54 AM
didn’t see the bottom caption…sorry about that Ed…
cmsinaz on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
As the X-Files says:
The Truth is Out there.
Trust No One!
upinak on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Sums it up.
myrenovations on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Liberals say: Give me my binky!
lorien1973 on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Sanders accuses the health insurers of spending a million dollars a day, in the aggregate, to fight the public plan.
They aren’t spending government money doing it either. He and the proponents of government health care should be afraid of the private sector.
fourdeucer on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Jeez, the truth must be far worse than any of us imagined.
n0doz on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
The main point and one that should be repeated over and over is
Congress will be exempt from this plan.
Why is this plan good enough for us when it is not good enough for Congress?
Or is Congress the new royality, and we are just the unwitting subjects?
LincolntheHun on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
don’t worry
the adults are in control now
getalife said so…
ladyingray on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Quoting Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster and activist against government-run health care:
Caiwyn on July 7, 2009 at 12:01 PM
That is to say, the insurance companies are in bed with the Obama administration. Why should we defend them?
Caiwyn on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I have yet to hear anyone take the Washington junta to task for their claim that it is the federal government’s job to “provide competition” to private firms in health insurance. This is the most insane and un-Constitutional notion I have heard floated – which is saying quite a bit, seeing how this junta has shredded our Founding document in a way that would have earned all of them heavy neckties from the Founders – and no one is speaking up about this. No one in the press, as these marxists and morons babble on about “government’s role in providing competition in private markets”, none of the GOP, … no one. The talk of government encroaching on private markets (as if it were the government’s main function) is a cancer that any normal American should immediately jump all over, but we allow these traitors in Washington to just propose such obviously un-American ideas without being taken to task.
Even if everything changed tomorrow, there would be no simple recovery from this deep slide into national insanity. All trust in our institutions is long gone and they cannot just be reinflated. They have abused their authority too much to ever be trustworthy without a major cleansing – which means that, until this Washington junta is put on trial and jailed for their treason, this nation will have no chance of recovery, at all.
progressoverpeace on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Obamacare; the very new-born and the old need not apply.
OldEnglish on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
It’s clearly time for a 3rd American Revolution. This is nothing less than an out of control lust for power. The concern for people without insurance is just crocodile tears.
lm10001 on July 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I don’t see insurance companies being charged by the government with any violations of law. That’s because the industry has been “influencing” Congress’ crafting of laws and regulations for decades. Now Congress blames the “evil” insurance companies for complying with present laws and regulations?
Patrick S on July 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
This ignorant freak of a dispicable human life-hating moron is using extremely misleading wording. They didn’t deny people care, they denied people coverage. Private insurance companies do not control whether or not a person can or cannot receive care. However, when the government controls healthcare, as this bill will most certainly lead to it, they CAN deny CARE.
So what the Dispicable Senator Sanders meant to say was this:
leetpriest on July 7, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I’m so glad I left Vermont. When I was in high school this clown went to my school to brainwash the students that universal healthcare is an inalienable right. Regardless Bernie is a communist. When my mother was going to college in Burlington during the Vietnam War this guy was showing anti-war films and communist propaganda films. Later on my father investigated him for writing bad checks, as communists do not have money and only possess hemp/earth toned clothing, hacky sacks, frisbees and bags of weed. I hate this man with a passion.
Shock the Monkey on July 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Some thoughts from the man in charge of making it happen.
http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/07/06/electing-god/#more-4919
a capella on July 7, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Fixed
Del Dolemonte on July 7, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I wish the government wouldn’t default to spending money when they want to ‘fix’ something.
The only industry that is adding jobs now is the health care industry. If a government plan passes, that job creation engine will seize up.
Obama only needs to win one more election in his lifetime. This health care anchor around the neck of the American people will last long after Obama is out of office. His mistakes will cost America growth.
How much do you think Bernie Sanders knows about the health care market? Not much. He doesn’t know what works. How can he know how to fix it?
I can site very specific examples of how the free market has kept the cost of health care low. I can also site specific examples of how a monopoly got abused. If the government wants a monopoly, the costs will be out of control and there won’t be insurance companies to blame.
ThackerAgency on July 7, 2009 at 12:19 PM
hey, hey, HEY!
;-)
D2Boston on July 7, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Congress had better hurry, America is wising up:
RCP +22
Rasmussen -3
29Victor on July 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM
This clown is a disgrace. Will NO ONE ask these fools point-blank “Will you give up your healthcare perks and force your family to participate in the “regular” govt option? The only time it WAS asked was with Obama, who wouldn’t answer. AND the MSM is CAMPAIGNING for it. They’re worse than the pathological liar in the White House!
marklmail on July 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM
29Victor on July 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Speaking of polls, Ohio has soured on Obama, but if the Senate election were held today, Ohio would send another Democrat to DC.
myrenovations on July 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Scary….but not Joe “Gaffetastic” Biden scary. Almost though.
Speaking of which, where is that かわいい little troll? Haven’t seen head nor tail of her in a month. Did someone swing the banhammer???
FontanaConservative on July 7, 2009 at 12:26 PM
That’s unfair. The people actually from Vermont are not the issue, but rather the do-gooding, hippy, crunchy, ultra liberals from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and worst of all NEW YORK (Bernie Sanders is from Brooklyn) that infest areas like Burlington, Montpelier, Stowe and Cabot. These cockroaches infest these towns with dreams of owning and operating a small coffee shop or running an organic farm. In my town, people hunt, vote Republican (which isn’t always a good thing), go to church, sign up for the military, and are no different from any other rural location in the US. It’s the douchebags out of staters (all of whom serve in a state or federal position representing Vermont), that tarnish Vermont’s reputation.
Shock the Monkey on July 7, 2009 at 12:27 PM
do you think the med school students are rethinking their career options?
…..they are probably obama fans who are looking forward to obamacare….
cmsinaz on July 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
she was banned by Ed before the OR…then she came back with a new name but her old style, she got rebanned again (I think)
ladyingray on July 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM
and the northwest, and southwest, and great lakes area…
mizflame98 on July 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
That, and re-electing this socialist every 2 years.
lorien1973 on July 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
agree with you there…was just in white river junction and the people I talked to were are none too happy…
cmsinaz on July 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
The extent to which the health insurance industry is supporting Obama’s health care objectives is a matter of some dispute. If you see their willingness to trade pre-existing condition exclusions (and other new regulations) for an individual or employer mandate as some sort of betrayal, I understand where you’re coming from.
Unfortunately I have to think the industry’s in a better position to defend itself (and many of our own freedoms and prerogatives) than the dwindling number of pro-market folks in Congress.
DrSteve on July 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
the most hilarious part was in the live show when Sanders responded to a question comparing US healthcare to Canadian’s feelings on their health care. to paraphrase, “I live 14 miles from the Candian border…..”
i’ll wait anxiously for an SNL bit on it.
cpr on July 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Bernie Sanders is a communist. Hearing Sanders assure people that a government plan shouldn’t frighten health insurers sounds to me about as reassuring as Heinrich Himmler telling Jews how much they’re going to love those new showers.
oldleprechaun on July 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Fixed. That’s definitely true though. He is continually re-elected because unfortunately there have been few notable candidates to run against him. If native Vermonter’s actually knew anything about him, and trust me very few of them do, he would not be re-elected.
Shock the Monkey on July 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I can see Quebec from my house.
mizflame98 on July 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I have spend nearly my entire career in management for various health care companies.
You would not believe some of the crap people pull in trying to get fraudulent claims paid.
We know Medicare and Medicaid are rife with fraud, but somehow this new wonderful break-the-bank program will bring utopia.
Socialists like Sanders know what they are doing. When the government controls your health care along with your energy and food consumption, they pretty much control your life.
maryo on July 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
He openly admits to being a socialist. He doesn’t even hide it. Yet he’s re-elected each time.
lorien1973 on July 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Yup. Royalty and the class structure is why they so love Europe. The problem will come when the useful idiot liberal commoner realizes that they are not included in that royalty class. Before the election I had a very pro BO co-worker that said that when BO got elected we would all be like Bill Gates sitting on the beach and looking out at our yacht. The saddest part was that he was educated and quite serious. I don’t know how he feels now as I was laid off before the election.
jmarcure on July 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Another reason I don’t visit, ski, travel thru, or do business in the Peoples Republic of Vermont.
diogenes on July 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Health insurers do not provide health care any more than auto insurers provide mechanical work on your car. The attempt to demonize the industry is part and parcel of the liberal agenda.
fourdeucer on July 7, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I don’t need nor appreciate the edit police. You fixed nothing except in your mind. Try originality not policing and claiming it is fixed.
Wade on July 7, 2009 at 12:38 PM
This shows you how scary one-party domination of the media and government is. Doctors have to HATE this crap, and Americans instinctively know that socialist healthcare in Canada and England and France sucks. But there has been virtually no organized opposition to this nationalization plan, and the MSM is not allowing any criticism to get into the public discourse. ABC went as far as to run an all-day informercial for the plan.
If you say a lie is the truth often enough, people will believe it. I hope and pray that SOMEONE stops this before it’s too late. Lives are literally at stake.
Outlander on July 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
That is too bad.
Wade on July 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I know. I hate to sound arrogant, but very few people in Vermont even know what a socialist is. The average Vermonter is apolitical and votes for the most recognizable name. Furthermore, there has not been a notable challenger to Bernie for years or to any democrat for that matter (sorry General Rainville). The only notable member of the GOP in VT is Jim Douglas.
Shock the Monkey on July 7, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Part of the reason you see so much fraud in Medicaid/Medicare billing is because the programs don’t pay enough. Thus, to balance the books, hospitals and doctors feel pressure to “pad” — and feel justified in doing so because of the low reimbursement rate. I’m not saying that fraud is ever OK or allowable; I’m just saying that forcing people to lose money on a deal increases the likelihood that they’ll try to steal.
Outlander on July 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM
I hate this guy with a passion just by looking at him. What a hypocrite. Power to the people except when it comes to universal healthcare; then the Dems should use their supermajority, right Bernie? What a-hole. I hope he doesn’t get sick when this “wonderful” universal right to healthcare comes to fruition. Wouldn’t want him to have to wait months and months to get treatment, right? Oh wait, I don’t care.
NathanG on July 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Fixed it!
Outlander on July 7, 2009 at 12:44 PM
People should be frightened by Bernie Sanders . . next to Obama he should be the most feared.
rplat on July 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
For the days when Exxon-Mobil was going to pay for everything.
Heh.
tomg51 on July 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
The unfortunate truth is that Bernie will never have to seek healthcare under the bureaucratic nightmare he wishes to impose on the rest of us. If Bernie or one of his family members is diagnosed with cancer, they will be treated and receive the world’s best care. Imperfect yes…but the world’s best nonetheless.
Not so much for we plebes under Bernie’s Utopian dream as evidenced by the non-care, or late care afforded terminally or even seriously ill patients.
Term limitations and stripping congress of their perks are the two best and most efficient ways of encouraging sane policies. Only by compelling the ruling class (government) to live under the same rules and limitations they wish to impose on the rest of society will our Republic have a chance of once again gaining a sustainable footing. Otherwise dolts like Bernie will sink the ship.
R Square on July 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
If the government gets their universal health care passed why would there be a need for health insurance of any kind?
The entire industry would be useless.
fourdeucer on July 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
So… eliminating the insurance business would be the cost savings.
tomg51 on July 7, 2009 at 12:52 PM
My point exactly – the government will not pay the charged price for any service; in fact, they will pay less than the insurance companies currently pay.
Results: more fraud, more waste, less care.
maryo on July 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
No, eliminating the insurance business will bring billions of dollars into the government for them to buy votes with.
maryo on July 7, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Oooh … you’re asking for it now :)
progressoverpeace on July 7, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Leahy. This vicious little moron.
Calvin Coolidge is spinning in his grave.
guntotinglibertarian on July 7, 2009 at 1:00 PM
“camping gear” LOL, I trust you included Desiccants and extra scrap metal scattered about to ward off rust and acorns, right?
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Health insureance companies SHOULD be afraid, along with car companies, oil companies, banks, tobaco companies, soda manufacturers, conservative radio and TV, private schools, Catholic hospitals, gun owners, veterans, small business, tax payers, Israel, global warming deniers, the elderly, the employed, anyone from a state that has a surplus and anyone who has been successful and put away for their retirement.
On the other hand, things are looking up for blood sucking socialist/Marxist/Communist/Democrats and freeloaders.
Star20 on July 7, 2009 at 1:07 PM
So, 53% are ok, then?
OldEnglish on July 7, 2009 at 1:13 PM
As long as Barry’s in the WH–no one in this country is safe, not even his supporters though their turn under the bus may not have come up–yet. Barry has the instincts and mind set of a dictator.
jeanie on July 7, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Damn, this plan must really suck if it scares a Marxist puke like Sanders.
-Dave
Dave R. on July 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I see only 26% of MA voters approve of Romney-care now.
And Romney is still darn proud of his handiwork.
guntotinglibertarian on July 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Hey, Romneycare was FORCED on Mitt by the Taxachusetts legislature.
maryo on July 7, 2009 at 1:24 PM
53% of what?
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Hey, Romneycare was FORCED on Mitt by the Taxachusetts legislature.
maryo on July 7, 2009 at 1:24 PM
guntotinglibertarian on July 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM
A lot of hospitals, especially in rural areas, depend heavily on the subsidies they get from the feds to care for the poor and uninsured. In many cases, it’s the only thing that keeps their doors open. These are above and beyond medicare and medicaid payments. I fail to see how reducing the amount the govt is willing to pay changes how many patients there are or the sticker price on medical equipment.
Every iteration of the Obamalini plan I’ve seen screams rationing and artificial cost control. None of it does a darned thing to actually reduce costs. This is the biggest load of crap in a year already full of it.
RobertE on July 7, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Of voters.
OldEnglish on July 7, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Back in November 2008 or Now?
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Got enough “camping gear” you could donate a little to a fellow patriot? Doesn’t have to be fancy stuff; even WW1 surplus gear would do. My part-time job pays peanuts, and the local economy is so badly in the dumps there’s practically no hope for anything better. I literally cannot afford my 2nd amendment rights – and there are others in the same boat.
Dark-Star on July 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM
And is that Real voters or does that include ‘ACORN’ voters
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Correct me if I have the percentage wrong, but I thought 53% voted for what is now occurring.
OldEnglish on July 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM
The industry thinks (IMO) that Obamacare is coming, and is trying to get the best deal it can. Refusing to budge on certain issues, going along with some things they may not like but can survive.
What I’d like to see happen would be an industry pillar stand up and say “No!” to Obamacare, but it isn’t happening yet.
As long as they are at the table and able to work some concessions, it probably won’t happen. But, if the negotiated framework breaks down and the Lefties’ dream plan gets put into action, look for some big names to start yelling “Stop!!”
Unless the administration is able to hide what’s happening until the ink is dry, then we’re really screwed.
cs89 on July 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM
No offense, but do you really think that high of a percentage of the voting population would have voted for Ol’ Barry, IF they really knew what he was planning?
Just because a certain percentage of the voting population was duped back on election day – some more that once, doesn’t mean that the Demonrats can do whatever they want – they still have to answer to the voters don’t they?
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Do you really think that 53% voted for Statism/Fascism/Socialism/Communism/Marxism……. take you pick….. ??
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Get rid of all the lawyers and see how affordable health care can be
Bevan on July 7, 2009 at 2:26 PM
on the plus side, they have done a great job of driving every insurance agent in the U.S. into the GOP camp..
MaximusConfessor on July 7, 2009 at 2:30 PM
One more thing:
I still don’t understand you’re original posting.
The snapshot in time of the 53% from November 4, 2008, can be broken down into several groups – some voted that way because they wanted to be in on an ‘historic’ vote. Sad to say, but some voted solely based on skin color – and that’s racism by the way. Some voted because they were promised a share of the plunder from the rich.
Surely you aren’t going to pretend that the Demoncraps didn’t Lie through their teeth to attain power – it’s what they do, it’s like breathing to them.
They certainly wouldn’t have won if they had told the truth about what they wanted to do, but that seems to be you’re implication.
Am I correct in that interpretation?
Insert witty screen name here on July 7, 2009 at 2:32 PM
You can’t reverse this kind of marxism through normal legislative means once it’s been implemented. There will be no foundation in place to return to. It only ends one way and that is with complete economic ruin.
If the Constitution doesn’t protect us from communism being implemented, then the Constitution is a pointless document.
Buddahpundit on July 7, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Hey Bernie, if you’re reading this (highly unlikely), my wife had ovarian cancer stage 3 last year and a reoccurence of the disease this year.
Our insurance company is picking up the tab for her treatments and her doctor visits 100%, without us having to shell out a dime.
There is no way in hell that I want your goddamned mitts screwing around with health insurance and forcing people to go on your government controlled, bureaucratic run system that is going to end up costing taxpayers millions and possibly risking people’s lives in the process.
So you and your liberal Democrat cronies can take your moron plan for heathcare reform and shove it! We don’t need it, we don’t want it!
pilamaye on July 7, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Disclaimer, I am an analyst for a major health insurance company.
It’s called INSURANCE. You don’t get insurance on your car after you wreck it and expect the insurance company to cover and pay for your car do you? And you don’t wait to get health insurance until after you get cancer and expect the insurance company to cover you.
And as to dropping people because they “ran up a health care bill”. What a crock of s***. The vast vast majority of these cases involve a person ommitting important facts about themselves in their application. If for example a person does not tell us they have diabetes when they signed up, how is it the “private insurers” responsibility to continue to pay for diabetic care for this person. Of course there are anecdotal cases where the system fails, but find me ANY industry that you can’t find anecdotal evidence of issues?
Although I do not believe it will work out in the hospitals favor in the end, one thing to think about is the fact that a huge percentage of the uninsured who visit a hospitals emergency room (often for basic care) never pay the hospital. This is a major problem causing some hospitals to go under. So if there are no longer any uninsured, the hospitals will not get at least some form of compensation for these services tomorrow. Additionally although the government is horrible to deal with, it’s easier to get compensation from a government insurance company, than from the individuals who don’t have money to visit a doctor in the first place.
FireDrake on July 7, 2009 at 3:05 PM
It is not a failure to not see something that isn’t there.
You have passed the test.
BobMbx on July 7, 2009 at 4:13 PM
It has occurred to me that, when people that work hard and live by the rules benefit by having earned a higher standard of living, the not-so-industrious crowd suddenly decide that what the “worked for it” group has is now a right, and it should be provided for them.
I can’t wait till 2 week vacations in the BVI become a right.
Why don’t we, as conservatives, jump the shark and go all in on this “entitled to it” wave, and produce legislation that makes the following a “right”:
1. Large Motorhomes
2. Big Plasma TVs
3. 10 Million free Frequent Flyer Miles
4. Kids that behave (this one is tricky…)
5. Non-government, high paying jobs, like Bill Gates.
6. Free food, delivered!
BobMbx on July 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Michael who?
He is still dead, correct?
Okay, just worried that a zombie or werewolf attack might be coming. Oh yeah, his brain is missing. Either way we are safe.
But Al Sharpton and Joe Jackson are still out there.
Mr. Joe on July 7, 2009 at 6:05 PM
When that happens they’ll just shrug and say they “misread” the situation.
ddrintn on July 7, 2009 at 7:10 PM
First, my apologies for the very late reply – I’m in Australia.
While you are quite correct in your breakdown of the 2008 Democrat vote, It must be remembered that, to anyone who bothered to listen, Obama made it quite clear as to his intentions regarding Cap and Trade, and Universal Healthcare, for example.
Since his personal rating still seems to be above 50%, I can only assume that those people are happy with his policies – in general. Sure, there will be angst among some, with regard to some portion of the changes being made, but they seem prepared to allow him to carry on, as long as they get plenty of free goodies.
Finally, many such people, in any Western nation, rarely go so far as to actually apply a label to a policy brief – they are just glad to be getting what they want.
OldEnglish on July 7, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Ed:
This doesn’t make sense. The money the government spends is (supposedly) to be PROVDING health care (I know, I know…) while the “million per day” spent by the insurance companies is spent in a non-health care area. I strongly oppose government health care but that is a very weak comparison.
CC
CapedConservative on July 8, 2009 at 4:14 AM
OldEnglish:
That’s the operative phrase – they didn’t bother listen and the Statist Controlled Media didn’t do their job in informing people.
He didn’t make it clear what he really wanted to do – he (or rather, the teleprompter) tossed off a few well chosen words, meant to garner the maximum numbers of votes.
Personal approval is vastly different from policy approval – some might like him personally, but not like his policies.
Note the following:
Here we have a well spoken (with a teleprompter) politician who was able to fool a number of people into voting for him with the promise plunder from the rich. Such a system has never worked, and will never work.
He Lied through his teleprompter about what he wanted to do to this country, there is no way that 53% figure is applicable today.
Insert witty screen name here on July 8, 2009 at 11:22 AM
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