I was thinking about posting this on my blog but thought it isn't about me so I will put it here. Yes it is a political post.
While in Elkhart again today, Obama said, "I promise you, we will pass reform by the end of this year because the American people need it."
Funny how the American people don't think so...even though over 85% of Americans are insured and over 56% (and growing) don't want Obama's reform. He seems to be deadset against listening to the people.
He was supposed to be a uniter. On this issue, not the case. He also said he wants to get an overhaul of the health care system before the end of the year and, if necessary, without bipartisan support.
And now the Democrats are even throwing a religious twist on it. "The time is closing in," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. "We cannot finish this year without passing major health care reform. It's our sacred duty to the American people."
I know I am not saying anything anyone does not already know, and everyone knows how I feel about such issues but I just had to vent again.
Also how is it when Obama claimed to be a "Community Organizer" it was a great and glorious thing he was doing. Now that some town halls have become active with people against the health care reform, and "organized communities" are suddenly "mobs" and a terrible things.
5 comments:
Your last paragraph is a zinger. Obama, the acolyte of Saul Alinsky and consummate community organizer, now feels what it is like to be on the other side of activist activity. Democracy really bites when it is working against you. When Democrats benefit from ACORN and other organizations busing people around to create a ruckus at various conservative gatherings, it is defined as democracy and grassroots activity at its best! Now that he shoe is on the other foot, it is defined as AstroTurf mobacracy and thugery.
Brian's paragraph did not zing me! I am one who is all for reform and specifically the reforms intended. I have written on the reforms I feel are crucial already many times.
Given the title of Brian's post indicates that Brian feels that the American people don't need it, I would like to ask you if you think any reform is necessary and which reforms, if any, you think would be a good idea.
If better yet, it would be telling to have you and anyone in the family who joins in this discussion state exactly what you do not like in the bill.
I do have issues with the numbers on which Brian bases part of his argument; just because one is insured today does not mean that one will be insured tomorrow, or at an affordable price. The principle issue isn't numbers insured but access and affordable access at all moments in one's life.
Our brother Deric is a prime example of this obvious failure of the current system that is part of the inspiration for reform. But the numbers do count: approximately 48 million uninsured is, regardless of percentage, no trivial population.
Presidents don't always listen to the people and the people are not always right. There are a great many examples. Regardless, as President Bush said, "I have political capital and I am going to spend it." And spend it he did during two terms!
Now the shoe is on the other foot. Oh well. The two parties have set up such partisanship over the last two decades that a winner take all mentality has become the norm. We can thank ideologues of all stripes for this state of affairs. If the people aren't happy, there is an election in 2012 and they can vote him and the dems out and re-write whatever reform eventually succeeds. This reform bill is not, after all, an amendment to the constitution!
I am not the least bit upset by the angry participants in the town hall meetings. Let'em come and scream their hearts out. This is America.
48 million is a number is that is thrown around often by supporters of the health care bill, but that number is misleading (and healhcarebillers know it).
* The Census Bureau itself says that “Health insurance coverage is likely to be under-reported." For example, “16.9 percent of people using Medicaid coverage reported that they were uninsured.”
* 12 million uninsured Americans are eligible for Medicaid and various child health insurances, but they haven’t signed up.
* More than half of the uninsured are between 18 and 34 years of age, a group which has relatively few expensive health issues and for whom self-insuring (paying their own medical bills) makes sense. Only 14% of people over the age of 55% are uninsured.
* Over 9 million of the “uninsured” have household incomes over $75,000.
* Roughly 30% of the uninsured are without insurance for less than 6 months (though this statistic will likely worsen during the current recession).
* Estimates are that between 7.5 million to over 10 million of the uninsured (15% of them or more) are illegal immigrants.
The number of chronically uninsured people who would prefer to have insurance but can’t afford it is likely 10-12 million people, or one quarter of the number often repeated by the media. Reporters who cite the 48 million number without providing a full context do their readers a great disservice.
Alan made my argument on numbers for me. US Census shows 304 million citizens, after the illegals and the people who can afford insurance but choose not to are removed then the figure is closer to 10 million. Agreed a large number but only 1/4th of what is thrown out there.
For example, our friend in our neighborhood, the Ivy's, have always struggled financially due to poor choices. He works freelance construction and she does office work. Uninsured but they just bought a Jeep Cherokee and have payments of over $600 per month!
Many people choose not to have health care insurance because it is not provided for them. For a large number of people it is about choice, not coverage.
And to answer Doug's questions, I do not think governmental reform in this area is necessary. Just stay the heck out of the way.
Personally, through my efforts and support of my wife I have gone to college, paid my dues, and secured a decent living that allows me to buy health insurance for my family. To do so I choose to drive 13, 10 and 6 year old cars. If someone else chooses to live in a bigger house than they can afford, or drive a newer car, or go on vacations instead of providing the basics of life for their families then I do not feel it is the governments position to take from others and fund their choices of not covering their families health needs.
I was simply using the % used in the post.
My arguments, regardless of numbers, remain the same based on my concepts of the principles that animate them.
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