Will the new Dem attack on insurers save ObamaCare?
posted at 10:54 am on August 10, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
After seeing their mandate for health-care reform dissipate in a blizzard of CBO analyses showing the costs of ObamaCare and the resistance of Americans to give up choice in coverage, Democrats revamped their message in the last two weeks. Instead of calling their effort health-care reform, they began calling it health-insurance reform. Nancy Pelosi attacked the insurance industry as “villains,” while the White House’s Office For Astroturfing changed its flyers to reflect the new strategy.
Has it worked? Rasmussen says … no. In fact, voters fear government control more than insurers:
When it comes to health care decisions, 51% of the nation’s voters fear the federal government more than private insurance companies. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% hold the opposite view and fear the insurance companies more. Seven percent (7%) are not sure who they fear the most.
Among those who have insurance, 53% fear the government more than insurance companies while 39% take the opposite view. Those without insurance fear the insurance companies more.
Adults under 30 fear the insurance companies more while those in their 40s are evenly divided. However, a solid majority of those over 40 fear the government more.
The age demographics show a counter-intuitive result. The younger (and presumably healthier) one is, the easier it should be to get insured. The youngest demo, 18-29, fear insurers more by 51%-42%, but every demographic above them fears government control more. Voters 40-49 have the strongest majority, 60%-38%, but it’s worth noting that the Medicare set, voters 65 and over, also fears government more, 56%-33% — and they should know.
Independents mirror the overall result, 53%-41%, which shows the danger in pursuing this tactic for the Democrats. It may win them their base, but it will drive away the people who gave them their majorities in Congress if they continue to position themselves as supporters of government control of health coverage. They’re also going to damage themselves among the better educated, one of Obama’s natural constituencies, as solid majorities in college-educated voters fear government control more than the insurance companies.
Republicans and other opponents of ObamaCare have made the right decision in emphasizing its potential to turn into a single-payer system. Wide majorities across almost all demographics oppose a single-payer system in the US (57%-32%), and even large majorities and pluralities believe a single-payer system would both be more costly (45%-24%) and less effective (52%-13%). Emphasizing statements from Obama and his allies in Congress that show their desire to use ObamaCare as a Trojan horse to eliminate insurers will tap into those numbers and burden ObamaCare even further.
Blowback
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Pelosi is so hot.
BadgerHawk on August 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The ‘rats just can’t help themselves; the party of stupid manages to fumble yet again.
Dope and Strange.
Bishop on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I wonder if this demo split has been prevalent all along… meaning, as people grow older (and theoretically wiser) they grow more skeptical of government? I doubt this is just a health care thing.
BPD on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Way to kill a thread…
tom on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
My question is, will the insurers wise up and stop giving to the democrat party after being made their scapegoat.
Rebar on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Thankfully, there will be mental health coverage in ObamAssurance.
myrenovations on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Fear fear fear fear fear
That word is being use a lot lately
What happened to hope and change
Sugarbuzz on August 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM
I don’t think the DNC cares. Their plan is to try and shove it through with the members elected for other reasons in 2006 and 2008. They believe that once this system gets in place, the folks in health care will be forced into their constituency.
Vashta.Nerada on August 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM
If only she could get hot enough to spontaneously combust.
ICBM on August 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Pelosi has such a big butt….
Look at those sexy lips
TimeTraveler on August 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Way to kill a thread…
tom on August 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
tell me about it. i was just about to check out some hot internet porn but came here first. huge mistake and huge #@$%^ killer!
Ghoul aid on August 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
no surprise there, they are a part of that ’47 million’ without insurance…they don’t want to spend their money on insurance…
cmsinaz on August 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
It’s not a Trojan Horse. Trojan Horses are secret.
Lehosh on August 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
“Climate Change” is to “Global Wamring”
as
“Health Insurance Reform” is to…
How wonderfully Orwellian.
Grafted on August 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
nope….they’ll still keep handing them dough…
cmsinaz on August 10, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Citizens shouldn’t have to fear their government and the Speaker of the House shouldn’t be a fear-mongering whore.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:01 AM
To add to the drama around Obamacare, Turban Durbin is now on the record that he is open to a bill without the public option.
ICBM on August 10, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Interesting, under Obamacare, aren’t these nitwits going to be introduced, via individual mandates, to the big bad insurance companies in very short order?
BuckeyeSam on August 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I somehow don’t think the public is going to stand by and abide with a piece of legislation forced through by the so-called nuclear option.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Congressional shock: the citizens are well informed!
Facts over a symphonic persona… how “un-American.”
mjbrooks3 on August 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
They are doing this because we let them get away with the same when they changed the name of “global warming” to “climate change”.
People have to stop treating the left as if they were reasonable people. They are not. The left know nothing but lying, cheating, stealing, and working to weaken this nation. They are traitors and no one should ever shy away from calling them exactly what they are. These insane, traitorous dems need to be treated like the terrorists that they are.
progressoverpeace on August 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
She’s from hell…. waddya expect?
Hog Wild on August 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Hope and Change the name.
LibTired on August 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM
She has sexy lips…and a nice backside.
TimeTraveler on August 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM
They believe that Uncle Government will “control” the insurance companies for the greater good.
LibTired on August 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
What have you been smokin’?
Steve Z on August 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Ra Ra Ra sis boom bah go go Nancy go! Go Nancy Go. Go Libs Go.
Never give up! Never say die! You’re on a roll!
I will cheerlead for what these idiots are doing until their poll numbers are in the minus column. Yip Yip Yip Yah Whooo!
sheriff246 on August 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
They’re going to pass the bill — and it’ll have a public option. No doubt about it. What do you all think will happen then? How will the rage turn?
Rational Thought on August 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
FDR: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Clayface Pelosi: The only thing we have to offer is fear itself.
Percy_Peabody on August 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
And dissenters will be “encouraged” to take advantage of that coverage…
Friendly21 on August 10, 2009 at 11:07 AM
What I’m most afraid about is that the feds will screw this up and me and my family will have to wait weeks or months for necessary treatment.
Because all of the people with nothing better to do than sit in doctor’s offices all day (people who have never had jobs and illegals), will suddenly have gold-plated health insurance, on my tab.
NoDonkey on August 10, 2009 at 11:07 AM
And we all know what a stand-up trustworthy guy Durbin is. It’s nothing more than the reality of the situation coupled with the understanding that the filthy liar and his party can always come back for a second round of “insurance reform” if they get their foot in the door with some plan where government grabs control over a large part of the healthcare industry.
What the GOP needs to be doing now is touting an alternative plan because just killing off the filthy liar’s plot appears obstructionist.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM
hahahaaha – dude you are sick.
that pic that is currently on the drudgereport (8/10 am) looks Like her Botox injections are fading.
ugh
poppieseeds on August 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM
T
Nothing counter-intuitive about it at all, Ed. The further one is from one’s period of formal education, where you are taught to hate insurance companies and love government, the less likely you are to believe what you’ve been taught. By the time someone gets to be 40, he (or she) should understand government depredations well enough to know that the insurance companies, while a pain in the ass, aren’t nearly as malevolent as someone like Pelosi who is here to help you.
Mr. D on August 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
No, the more they “get in faces” and attack with SEIU thugs, the worse it gets for them.
They are completely misreading this. The protesters aren’t all republicans, a great many of them are democrats.
Not to mention their problem is with democrats in the first place, they have 60 senate votes, they have a 70 seat margin in the house, all they need are DEMOCRATS to pass this.
The reason why they don’t is because enough democrats feel that enough democrat voters will vote against them in 2010.
This has nothing to do with us, we can’t stop them, they can only stop themselves, and attacking conservatives and republicans is nothing but a designed distraction so they don’t have to attack the real troublemakers, fellow democrats.
wildcat84 on August 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Keep barking.
bluelightbrigade on August 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
The RAT party can bob, weave, and bloviate all they want now. But come 2010, ALL the good American people they’ve accused of being NAZIS and MOBSTERS, will have the last word! Pelosi, Hoyer and the DNC can take that to the bank.
byteshredder on August 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Hope is almost always a mask for fear.
bluelightbrigade on August 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Maybe because people are starting to realize they would rather fight with a private insurance company than an idiot who’s last job was at the DMV. I keep picturing Patti or Selma from the Simpsons laughing as they deny treatment for me.
Insurance companies don’t seem so bad – definitely the lesser of two evils.
gophergirl on August 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Government is supposed to fear the citizens. When we lost that was when we started losing our Constitution, since a government that has a population that fears it has no motivation to respect the law.
wildcat84 on August 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Based on past evidence, I’d say no. Even though the Dems swear fealty to ambulance chasers, who are a major cost factor for insurance companies.
hawksruleva on August 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I wonder if Pelosi’s health care plan covers her Botox treatments? A brain scan might be in order to see if she actually has one too.
bradley11 on August 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM
The Democrats and tyrants in Washington want to take control over 1/5 of the American Economy. That is their goal. It has nothing to do with compassion, efficiency, coverage, concern, care, hope, or any other lie that eminates from their bloviating heads.
They are power hungry whores and need to be defeated.
daesleeper on August 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Today is Pelosi’s Waterloo.
JammieWearingFool on August 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM
From the weekend:
So, who are the ‘villains’ here????
Bob in VA on August 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I’ve spent the better part of the morning on hold battling with the VA. I don’t want Patti or Selma anywhere near healthcare.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:13 AM
brb… I gotta go stare into the sun.
bloviator on August 10, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Heh, heh. Forward this to all your friends and…enemies.
Rational Thought on August 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM
While I agree, Durbin’s “openness” adds to the dynamics. The libs are quite upset with him now. Obama is on the record that he won’t pass a plan without the public option. If the dems go ahead with a final bill including the public option, can he get enough Blue Dogs to get it passed? Without the public option, can he get enough moderate dem and GOP support to overcome opposition from the libs?
ICBM on August 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM
They are completely insane. They have no idea what this will do to them. This nonsense about the outrage being manufactured is so the wrong tact it makes me laugh watching it…demonizing insurers now? She flits from one wrong tactic to another. This woman is the WORST SOH EVER! She is such a child. She doesn’t have one-fifth the intelligence or savvy that Newt or Tip O’Neil had. Another reason why I left the Dem. party. They let fools like this rise to the top to lead it. Disgusting. They will lose the public option b/c of this. Maybe even the whole thing and that would be the best “public option” there is!
JAM on August 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Why doesn’t anyone mention the deal that the administration made with the insurance companies, i.e., the insurance companies would get a “seat at the table” and have input into the reform bill, so long as they did not run ads opposing reform. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203517304574306303720472842.html
Is that deal off now? I haven’t seen any real oppposition from the insurance companies, and of course the pharmaceutical companies have already made a deal to support Obamacare.
The payoff to the insurance companies is the requirement that everyone buy an expensive, mandated-coverage policy (subsidized with our tax dollars), which will include a lot of coverage many people won’t want or need, but put a lot of money in the insurance companies’ pockets. Of course, that only works if they get rid of the public option, and the eventual conversion to a single payer system, but hasn’t Obama indicated he’s willing to take the public option off the table, at least for now? You can be sure it will return at some point, however, and certainly the liberal members of Congress don’t want to take it out, but there’s no way it will pass with it in. Just taking out the public option does not make it a good bill.
mbs on August 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Heh, heh. Forward this to all your friends and…enemies.
Rational Thought on August 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Oh, and forward to Obama’s snitch squad, too!
Rational Thought on August 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I’ve got our protest song for any and all rallies. Rehearsal starts in 20 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNb9AoY5XXE
Laura in Maryland on August 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
here’s my .02cents.
I’m covered under the ins. provided thru my husband’s work & since 2001 his employer has changed 2 times and our coverage has been thru abut 5-7 different companies. I honestly can’t remember how many ins. co. have covered us because employers change ins. companies frequently.
I’ve NEVER been denied coverage for a procedure by any of those ins. companies. I have had to fill out paperwork when he has changed jobs to prove that we have been covered. The Pre-existing conditions policy is something I loathe b/c I have had cancer. I would love to see this policy eliminated. Why can’t the Congress provide a bill that tackles these sticky issues instead of a complete overhaul…I know – the answer is easy – b/c Obama wants the govt to control our lives.
Just saying – in my life Ins. has always worked. Yes – I’ve had to pay LOTS of bills & I”m ok with that because I’m getting treatment from the best in the world – MD Anderson. Why would I expect to have those Drs. to work for free? I do not think the govt could do a better job telling them how to treat patients. At times it is a hassle to work with ins. companies but that doesn’t mean that they don’t work. I should never expect that all my bills should be covered by the Govt.
We have to speak out and stop this nonsense. Change bad policy not the whole system.
poppieseeds on August 10, 2009 at 11:20 AM
From a strictly strategic standpoint, one of the filthy liar’s biggest failings on this legislation has been the lack of unified message within his own corrupt party. The administration picked out groups like the AMA and PhRMA with promises of special roles in the post nationalization of healthcare. Those promises break down the minute Congress starts declaring that they are not bound by the deals cut with the filthy liar in charge.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
In the past week they have moved on from demonizing the insurance companies straight to demonizing the voters themselves.
bitsy on August 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/unamerican-attacks-cant-derail-health-care-debate-.html
And what do they call what they did for the last 8 years under Pres. Bush?? This is UNREAL!!!
“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” Abraham Lincoln
Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear. Harry S Truman message to Congress, August 8, 1950
Pelosi
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-0100
District Office – 450 Golden Gate Ave. – 14th Floor – San Francisco, CA 94102 – (415) 556-4862
Washington, D.C. Office – 235 Cannon HOB – Washington, DC 20515 – (202) 225-4965
AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html
Steny Hoyer
1705 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone – (202) 225-4131
Fax – (202) 225-4300
E-mail Congressman Hoyer
Greenbelt Office
U.S. District Courthouse
6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 310
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone – (301) 474-0119
Fax – (301) 474-4697
Waldorf Office
401 Post Office Road, Ste. 202
Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone – (301) 843-1577
Fax – (301) 843-1331
reshas1 on August 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/09/senate-democrat-open-health-care-public-option/
I do not think a system of nonprofit cooperatives is better than a public option, the bill stinks either way, but I’m thinking they will go that way to make the bill more palatable to the public. Makes the eventual single payer system a little less obvious.
mbs on August 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Yes Nancy, That kind of rhetoric will surely win support from the people.
GFW on August 10, 2009 at 11:23 AM
And BHO has said that Congress is not bound by the deals he made with the pharmacy companies. Hopefully, other industries will stand up and notice this, and not be so willing to negotiate with him, as he would gladly negotiate with them and than be all too willing to let Congress take the blame for ignoring those deals.
ICBM on August 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Just received the following:
Dear Friend,
Anyone that’s watched the news in the past few days knows that health insurance reform is a hot topic — and that rumors and scare tactics have only increased as more people engage with the issue. Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts about the security and stability you get with health insurance reform.
That’s why we’ve launched a new online resource — WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck — to help you separate fact from fiction and share the truth about health insurance reform. Here’s a few of the reality check videos you can find on the site:
CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.
Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
Matt Flavin, the White House’s Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran’s benefits.
Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.
Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.
There’s more information and a number of online tools you can use to spread the truth among your family, friends and other social networks. Take a look:
We knew going into this effort that accomplishing comprehensive health insurance reform wasn’t going to be easy. Achieving real change never is. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo always use their influence in Washington to try and keep things just as they are.
But don’t be misled. We know the status quo is unsustainable. If we do nothing, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or see their coverage suddenly dropped if they become seriously ill. Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to deal with health insurance costs they can’t afford.
That’s the reality.
Americans deserve better. You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on — that won’t deny you coverage when you need it most or charge you crippling out-of-pocket co-pays. Health insurance reform means guaranteeing the health care security and stability you deserve.
President Barack Obama promised he’d bring change to Washington and fix our broken, unsustainable health insurance system. You can help deliver that change. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck, get the facts and spread the truth. The stakes are just too high to do nothing.
Thank you,
David
David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President
txag92 on August 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I’m tiring of the Nazi accusations.
Time to call out the Dem thugs for what they are: a fifth column.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_column
BuckeyeSam on August 10, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Anyone else creeped out by this?
BuckeyeSam on August 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Healthcare “reform” has to be killed outright. Any healthcare legislation originating from the hands of Pelosi or Obama is suspect. Let them hang themselves by trying to force something on us.
elduende on August 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Hmmph: Toolbag Axlerod thinks he can call me “friend”
received this lil’ ditty in my email today
***********************************
Dear Friend,
Anyone that’s watched the news in the past few days knows that health insurance reform is a hot topic — and that rumors and scare tactics have only increased as more people engage with the issue. Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts about the security and stability you get with health insurance reform.
That’s why we’ve launched a new online resource — WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck — to help you separate fact from fiction and share the truth about health insurance reform. Here’s a few of the reality check videos you can find on the site:
• CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.
• Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
• Matt Flavin, the White House’s Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran’s benefits.
• Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.
• Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.
There’s more information and a number of online tools you can use to spread the truth among your family, friends and other social networks. Take a look:
We knew going into this effort that accomplishing comprehensive health insurance reform wasn’t going to be easy. Achieving real change never is. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo always use their influence in Washington to try and keep things just as they are.
But don’t be misled. We know the status quo is unsustainable. If we do nothing, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or see their coverage suddenly dropped if they become seriously ill. Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to deal with health insurance costs they can’t afford.
That’s the reality.
Americans deserve better. You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on — that won’t deny you coverage when you need it most or charge you crippling out-of-pocket co-pays. Health insurance reform means guaranteeing the health care security and stability you deserve.
President Barack Obama promised he’d bring change to Washington and fix our broken, unsustainable health insurance system. You can help deliver that change. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck, get the facts and spread the truth. The stakes are just too high to do nothing.
Thank you,
David
David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President
ted c on August 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Public, single payer. That’s the end-game. Full-on Socialism – with a mandated ID card. Result – total control.
OldEnglish on August 10, 2009 at 11:29 AM
No doubt. I find it hard to believe that Durbin, from the same state and a Senate colleague as the filthy liar in the White House would say this without a reason. I suspect it is a strawman to see where the greatest concensus is built. Do you alientate (and possibly defeat in 2010) the lapdogs from conservative red-leaning districts? Or do you alienate the uber-libs who see a public plan as the line in the sand that will not be crossed?
Bottom line, what we see unfolding is precisely why the filthy liar did not want this debate to go into the August recess. It’s like the old saying that it is easier to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission. Congressman were supposed to have to defend why they voted for government takeover of the healthcare industry instead of listening to angry constituents demanding that they do not.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM
As I’ve asked before. What will we do when this monstrosity passes as it surely will? What will happen next? Go home and wait for the next election? It’ll be too late.
Rational Thought on August 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM
That is weird…I just received this…
….
Dear Un-friend,
We know your GPS coordinates.
Sincerely,
David Axlerod
Limerick on August 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM
No ID card, just a 3 number tattoo on your forehead.
ted c on August 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM
You forgot the centralized database of medical records available for God knows what by government agencies.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Who knew that the Democrats had obtained a monopoly on scare tactics? I think we can’t beat them on logic alone.
Cindy Munford on August 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I back the health insurance industry 100%. It’s populated with good and honest people, some my neighbors and and friends. They are not the villains they are made out to be, but have become so with the most onerous and vicious regulatory environment created by federal and state governments than just about any industry except the legal industry.
And therein lies the rub. If insurance companies do make mistakes, either of the mal- or mis- kind, people have recourse in the courts.
Not so with the government, to which it has hundreds of millions of deep pockets to draw from in fighting what few recourses it may allow under the law, and failing at at those, have ample ability to just write into law that you can’t redress a grievance, just as they have an explicit provision exempting them from monopolistic practices.
And, mind you, the exemption has little to do with government health care becoming the sole provider, and everything to do with the methods in which they attain that position in the market.
Don’t let the tyrants succeed in vilifying the insurance companies. Don’t leave the insurance companies to stand alone, because once they are gone, you will be next in their sights …
D’oh, what am I talking about. Per Alinsky rules, opponents of this health care O’bomination already are.
Dusty on August 10, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Highly doubtful as Americans don’t like to be bullied.
The Democrat leadership feels compelled to bully instead of persuade because:
1. Their primary idea — “government is the answer to every problem” — is unpopular with the electorate, so persuasion won’t work.
2. They are consumed by power more than ideas. The retention of power without persuasive ideas requires bullying.
3. They know that powerful liberal institutions — the MSM, unions, bureaucracies, etc. — will support them and so they think they can get away with bullying. That institutional support also gives them a false sense of popularity and lets them remain out of touch with the electorate.
4. Above all, they think they are smarter than we are and know what’s best for us. They believe the ends justify the means.
Terrie on August 10, 2009 at 11:32 AM
The reason Obama always says, “If you like your insurance, you can keep it,” is because most people are satisfied with their insurance. Maybe one claim was paid late or got messed up, but over the years, people aren’t getting into big fights over denial of live-saving treatment. Bills get paid according to contract in a fairly timely manner.
So to demonize an industry with which people generally are satisfied is poor strategy.
Wethal on August 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Will these attacks save Obamacare?
Sure, for the trash heap of history, like the rest of this current crop of elitist, Socialist nomenklatura that is Nevada Harry’s and The House Madam’s Biggest Little Whorehouse on the Potomac.
SeniorD on August 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM
My health insurance works quite well right now, Mr. Axelrod. Keep your filthy paws off my coverage. The only change I want to deliver is a new GOP-led Congress in 2010 and a pink slip to the filthy liar you work for as soon thereafer as practicable.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM
If this passes then it will be irreversible. Secession will be the next step. There will be no fixing this in 2011. We are in the home stretch, now. If any one piece, of a slew of the left’s legislation, goes through the damage will be done and all that will be left to those who love our Constitutional structure, individualism, and private property will be to break off and form a country that respects those traditions set down by the Founders.
progressoverpeace on August 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Not unless they mandate it start immediately which is impossible. There will be constitutional challenges immediately no matter what happens and injunctions will be issued. On the street, it’ll be a shitstorm. They won’t be able to do anything else in Congress, at all.
The version of the bill HR 3200, I think, isn’t due to be implemented until after the next election anyway. It can be dismantled. Especially if its done without public support.
elduende on August 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Efficiency. The Death Panel will be able to give an instantaneous decision.
OldEnglish on August 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Back off, she’s mine.
Respectfuly,
Steny
Clink on August 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM
You’re much more optimistic than I am.
progressoverpeace on August 10, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Look, Pelosi did all she could do. They passed the bill in the house, HR3200. Now it’s up to the Senate. They have 60 votes in the Senate. The democrats can pass any bill they want.
What are the democrats afraid of? They can pass the bill. The president will sign it. It will be the law of the land.
What are they afraid of?
Once they have passed the bill, they can go ahead and pass their cap-n-tax bill. No one can stop them.
The next election isn’t until 2010. They can pass any legislation they want to pass.
Democrats are nothing more than loud mouth cowards.
Stop talking and just do it.
Skandia Recluse on August 10, 2009 at 11:39 AM
America is such a great country! Where else can a mentally challenged drone get plastic surgery.
jbh45 on August 10, 2009 at 11:40 AM
So in other words, this isn’t about the majority of Americans, it is about extending benefits to the welfare class, illegal aliens, etc. We all have to settle for a lesser level of excellence as part of a greater wealth distribution ideology.
For the record, I’ve been relatively healthy and have always had decent coverage and my co-pays have never been “crippling.” I don’t want to see that change.
highhopes on August 10, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Exactly. I’d much rather deal with an insurance company “rationing” my care, than the government. You have no recourse against the government.
Single-payer health insurance run by the government is nothing but a giant government-run HMO. And we all know how well HMO’s worked out. They didn’t work, so people were able to seek (or demand from their employers) other types of insurance, which is what happens in a free market system. We won’t have that option with government run single-payer.
mbs on August 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM
HR3200 is about ensuring single party rule for the remainder that this country remains sovereign, which cannot be too long.
daesleeper on August 10, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Not overly optimistic. Just looking at the battlespace and what we need to do to derail these leftists. The States have already come out against this “reform” (something that has been drowned out in the coverage, but its huge). How the Federal government responds to this will be determine how we counter them.
If it passes, we’ll have to wage a running war, legal, cultural, and political to dismantle it, but have faith that it can be done.
Included in that, of course is asserting the 10th Amendment, if that fails then we can move to other more permanent solutions.
elduende on August 10, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Dr. Mengele, sitting at a table in front of a long line of people coming through the gate at Auschwitz, pointing his finger left or right as he decides who lives and who dies.
Bishop on August 10, 2009 at 11:47 AM
I’m sure this line of attack will work wonders too http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/figures-leftists-hurl-racist-insults-at.html
Tazz 55 on August 10, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Note they say “coverage”, not “care“. It’s always fun to parse Democrats.
LibTired on August 10, 2009 at 11:48 AM
If she was hot, she’d melt.
Dino64 on August 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Pelosi has moved on – it is now Americans that are at fault.
I am surprised Pelosi has not offered up the legislation that anyyone against Obamacare will not be eligible for any health care, either private or Government controlled.
albill on August 10, 2009 at 11:51 AM
All pre-determined by your health records.
OldEnglish on August 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
http://doesitallmatter.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/pelosi_flag.jpg
Ghoul aid on August 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Look at this info from Open Secrets….
These dems have raked in the most cash from union contributions.
Pelosi wants to stay on that gravy train.
Hoyer tops the list with $3,596,358
Edward Kennedy is 2nd with $2,741,591
Pelosi is 3rd with $2,737,550
Unions Lobby to Thwart Health Care Deal Breaker
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/07/unions-lobby-to-thwart-health.html
Download a list of contributions from labor PACs to all current members of Congress (including to their candidate committees and leadership PACs) since 1989 here:
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/LaborPAC_Contribs.xls
If you use this info give credit:
http://www.opensecrets.org/MyOS/credit.php
Just counter Pelosi and Hoyer un-American accusations with these facts. National Health Care is a Union Trojan Horse…..
The unions will use they tax free insurance status as a recruiting tool if National Health Care is set in place.
izoneguy on August 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
The reason young people fear insurers more than government is because the brainwashing is only erased after years of reality.
notagool on August 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Democrats cannot get along without a defined enemy.
drjohn on August 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM
HR 3200 has not passed the full house YET. It barely made it out of committee. The democrats CAN pass anything they want.
The American voters can also throw the bums out…..
Let’s make sure all those union contributions amount to jack….
izoneguy on August 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM
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