The American Spectator

Frank Marschino| 7.24.09 @ 9:57AM

Your key sentence, Ben: "The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008. " It wasn't kindness, Ben...it was ignorance. The signs were all there last fall, but 52% chose to ignore them.

Jerry| 9.23.09 @ 12:40PM

Frankly, Ben. I'm not sure that very many Americans really care what some lawyer from Beverly Hills and Malibu really thinks about what is good for the working and middle classes of this country.

The vast majority of bankruptcy in this country is called by medical costs. Insurance companies use their in-house "death panels" every day to deny people claims for TREATABLE conditions, in fact there are over 100,000 people working in the insurance industry who's job it is to deny as many claims as possible. Being responsible and having expensive, for-profit, health insurance doesn't mean that your cancer will be treated if you get it, or anything else that is expensive. The company will comb over your policy and deny your claim because you had acne, or a rash, 10 years ago. This happens every day.

In YOUR state, Mr. Stein, the 3 largest insurance companies have, over the last 7 years, routinely denied over 32% of claims. You might want to check to see if your coverage is through one of them.

People WITH insurance are routinely going to other countries for medical procedures because paying full price in India, is still cheaper than paying a co-pay and out of pocket here. If you look up the statistics, you'll see that in 2009 1.8 million are expected to leave the U.S. to seek treatment in other countries and by 2010 that is predicted (Deloitte) to be 6 million. The number of people coming to the US from other countries each year is numbered only in the thousands (under 100,000).

We've HAD "socialized" medicine here for years. Medicare, Medicaid, remember? We also have a lot of other SCARY "socialized" programs... like Fire Departments, Schools, Police, the Highway Department, SOCIAL Services. Have any of these programs denied you from exercising any of your "freedoms" (such as the freedom to open your mouth and look like an @SS)? NO.

Fear is spread by using words like "socialist" which, frankly, most people don't even understand. If you look at MOST of the Governments of the world, they are hybrids of different systems.

Our country is called a "Democracy" and technically, it is. However the electorial process is controlled by big corporate money, and many politicians are so afraid of losing corporate sponsorship that they have quit looking out for the people and now consistently support legislation and programs designed to further corporate interests and profits at the expense of the welfare of the people they represent.

Frankly, I don't think "Obamacare" goes far enough. Without a STRONG public option to increase competition, the plan is doing nothing but forcing people to pay for expensive for-profit insurance. In effect, it will deliver millions of new customers to the insurance industry (cha-ching).

Under the current proposed plan people will even get penalized for their religious beliefs since we will get "fined" if we don't get insurance. What about my co-worker who is a Christian Scientist? While I don't agree with her beliefs, why should she be forced to pay for insurance she will never use because she doesn't believe in going to Doctors or Hospitals?

We should just admit that what we have been doing, that put us number 37 in rankings of health care systems, isn't working. Typically the common sense thing to do is to look at systems that do a better job, see what works, and model a system after that. But, since those systems that work better (France for instance), regulate pricing, our corporate-owned government would probably never have the spine to put people's health over corporate profits.

Charles| 9.27.09 @ 1:29PM

America is calle a "democracy"? All of my 73+ years I have been wrong, and someone needs to change the wording of the pledge to the flag
to " and to the democracy for which it stands".
As much as Democrats love to hear the word democrat, this is still a republic.

evm| 10.1.09 @ 10:36AM

Charles....and what about the Republic of China! ?

Sam| 10.5.09 @ 11:58AM

The "Peoples Republic of China" is a communist state lame-brain. America is a democratic-republic. A republic by the people for the people that utilizes democratic voting in order to pick it's leaders. It is a combination of the best aspects of a republic and a democracy. It is neither one nor the other, but a blending of the two.

jjc| 10.9.09 @ 9:20PM

I am a little surprised Sam that you can call someone a lame brain. If you look in the mirror, you will see the lame brain.

Winghunter| 10.27.09 @ 6:51PM

What does it say about you and the other clown when the "lame brain" has got it right and you don't?? Yeah, sucks to be you, doesn't it.

Digitaltripper| 10.31.09 @ 6:00PM

Amen....

JavaSpice| 11.10.09 @ 10:31PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwarnKEswSY

Irv| 11.2.09 @ 3:07PM

The USA is not a democracy. It is a Republic. Big difference. Majority does not rule, but the minority is to be protected. Please understand the difference. I think even Ben would agree.

Dolores| 11.7.09 @ 9:13AM

All I can say is "AMEN"

August P. Hinton Sr| 11.18.09 @ 3:57AM

I whole heartedly agree This is a republic, and I pledge allegiance to the flag of theUnited States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, not Obama,though he seems to think that since he became president he is a god. I pray for the sake of the republic that his days in office may be few. I agree with him we need some changes and those who exploit the so called little man for excess profits have to be dealt with. But that can be done by we the people and not by some ego maniacs that are willing to pervert the constituion of these onceUnited States!

Methos| 9.27.09 @ 10:12PM

Nope. It's far more important to destroy Obamacare now and render him a lame duck. We can come back and deal with tort reform in a few years when there are actual Americans running the government again.

Jonathan| 9.28.09 @ 5:58PM

I think it worth noting that the responses to this well thought-out statement by Jerry are not even close to half the length of what he said. Do we pay so much attention to detractors and critics now, as to destroy any and every hope of something good with a simple "Nope"? I certainly hope not.

lyvngud| 10.2.09 @ 7:05PM

Methos...agreed...lets get real Americans running the show again!

lyvngud| 10.2.09 @ 7:05PM

Methos...agreed...lets get real Americans running the show again!

Bill| 11.9.09 @ 8:24PM

You might want to to look from top to bottom of this website for the "Real" Americans who have served this country in time of war and are now the "Leaders" you seem to refer to --Vietnam vets like myself call your heroes "Chicken-Hawks" and for a good reason--unfortunately your "Real American" blinders will likely prevent you from looking

Bill| 11.9.09 @ 10:57PM

visit http://www.liberalslikechrist......hawks.html

if you can get your blinders off

ROBERT| 11.11.09 @ 8:12AM

Number one, serving in the military does not "make" you a hero, although I have much respect for those who do. A hero is sometimes made in a split second, and could be anyone of us. You make reference to previous presidents and politicians who did not serve in the military and suggest that makes them not real Americans? I hope I misunderstood that one. I do think one thing that does make one an American is pledging an oath to the country, which the current president feels he is not required to do, via not holding his hand over his heart at the playing of national anthem , or producing a birth certificate. And by the way he has not served, nor do I think he ever would, I believe him to be what you term a chicken. Please Bill take your blinders off.....

Dlerra| 11.4.09 @ 2:18PM

Amen ! ! !

Dlerra| 11.4.09 @ 2:18PM

Amen ! ! !

jayd| 11.8.09 @ 10:55AM

GOD BLESS THE USA

albert| 9.28.09 @ 9:28PM

great response.

fred| 9.29.09 @ 11:14AM

Great Post Jerry---let's just have the government decide and do everything for us. We don't need no stinking private sector anyway! All I can tell you is you think it's hard today dealing with private insurance companies, wait till you try and argue about a coverage issue with the U.S Department of Care and Treatment Determinations, with appeal to the Coverage and Treatment Decision Board of Appeals and with final recourse to the US Coverage and Treatment Court.

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 4:16PM

First, I think this site needs to be monitored for name calling, come on people!
Fred is so right. And I would rather deal with an insurance company, who has to provide a certain level of service if they desire loyalty, than deal with a government buearacracy that dictates, (increasingly as the years go by) what ALL policies must look like.
And as to the Americans that seek health care elsewhere, I believe you will find that 1) many go to other countries where treatments are available that have not been authorized by our FDA, 2) health care costs are lower in many other countries BECAUSE a) their policies don't support legal suits with outrageous compensations like ours do, and b) WAGES are lower there! (our union strength has something to do with wages here...)

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 4:21PM

And I have heard nothing about the current health care plan proposal addressing ANY of these issues. All CHANGE is not good. Some is very, very BAD.

Donn| 10.26.09 @ 4:09PM

Anyone see the 60 minutes segement on Medicare abuse last weekend?? That is just another reason NOT to have the government involved in our lives! Billions of our dollars are being wasted with NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

Bill| 9.29.09 @ 7:55PM

Youre a Douch Bag.

Tom| 9.29.09 @ 8:06PM

I Agree with Bill's comment about Jerry (all though he may have been a bit brief). There are far to many people in this world who think they can over-simplify a socialist agenda and compare it to things like schools and police(no, no, Jerry although you may thing you are, you are not original). The fact is people are finally waking up thier not as stupid as they often appear, they know what socialism is and for that matter is not and thats why obamas approval ratings have dropped the farthest in the shortest time period than any other president in history(I suppose he's just out to break all of the presidential first's)

JAYD| 11.8.09 @ 11:00AM

You should learn how to spell......

Robert| 11.11.09 @ 8:28AM

How old are you Bill? You obviously have strong opinions regarding the country and how it is run, unfortunately you will never be taken seriously because you seem to backup your opinions with statements like this one.
My guess is not too many people take you serious, believe your views are your own, or trust your sincerity on just about any issue and this is why you feel the need to stoop to comments like the previous one. Chance are your life is as ridiculous and ineffectual as your opinion. I feel embarrassed for you Bill.......

lyvngud| 10.2.09 @ 7:00PM

No, Jerry, we DON'T have a Democracy, we have a Constitutional Republic! Stop spreading the myth!
Democracy means the majority wins (scary--what if the majority votes for mass-murdering of a certain group of people?), whereas a Constutional Republic offers a vote, but offers a framework and a rule of law. I am MUCH more comfortable with that framework....Thanks!

As for other countries who "do healthcare better".....you have proved yourself an ignorant dolt! These countries place cost caps on things like pharmaceuticals.....which means we, the Americans, are left to pay whatever costs the Pharma companies need to recoup for the 15-20 yrs of research and development it took to develop the latest antibiotic to kill the latest super-bacteria out there! How fair is that? Why is it that any other company is applauded for making a profit, but because THIS particular business makes something our lives may literally depend on, profit is considered evil? They are like any other business operation;they need to make a profit to pay their employees (security, scientists, nurses, ect). France has a MUCH lower survival rate for any given disease that requires above the average treatment (cancer, heart disease)and the French also have a lower rate of expectation from the medical profession than do Americans. People here aren't going to like being told no to care they perceive they need. As a nurse, I anticipate a national guard posted at each hospital ER.

With any luck, your version of America will never get past a footlight, Jerry!

lw| 10.10.09 @ 5:39PM

I find it laughable that it would be Obama's fault, or the US governments fault that pharma companies in this country would agree to sell drugs to other countries at costs below what they would sell them to you in the US. It is not Obama that is corrupt in this case but rather the pharma companies. They most certainly have an option here, they can simply say NO. But somehow you figure out a way to blame Obama for pharma companies choosing to screw you.

btw, if you're going to reference how another country compares to ours in terms of healthcare effectiveness, other folks might actually take the time to listen to your arguments if you'd bother to cite references - which of course you don't because there aren't any that actually support your arguments.

suzyq| 10.28.09 @ 2:20PM

I noticed you didn't cite anything either. Kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.

Gus| 11.10.09 @ 4:49PM

If I lived in France, at least I wouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt just because I got sick.

Iheartfrance| 11.10.09 @ 6:05PM

Yeah, you wouldn't have to worry... beacuse you'd probably be dead!

Luiz Ferreira| 10.3.09 @ 5:52PM

Really...Maybe Jerry should move to his loved country of France and leave US for the Americans to live as a Republican Americans. Ben is right on the money.

lw| 10.10.09 @ 5:47PM

Come on Luiz,

The idea that our system can accomodate people who have fundamental differences of opinion is key to the concept of freedom - or where you looking for a system that only supported your definition?

Steve H| 10.12.09 @ 1:10PM

Not only do Americans subsidize low cost pharma's in those countries that already have rationed medicine aka Obama Care/Single Payer Care......... Americans have been subsidizing the defence of those countries as well. Through Nato and other alliances, the biggest boogeyman of the Leftist/Communists, the American Military has been sheilding these declining socialist countries who spent little or nothing on their own defense. They have been allowed to shift the money from defense to health care, by relying on American largess.

What is going to happen to them when America can no longer afford to defend them?

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 4:33PM

Well put Steve H!

Tim Overturf| 10.11.09 @ 7:50PM

Actually, he prefers India

Sara-Ann Lipson, RN, MSN| 10.4.09 @ 4:46PM

To Jerry. Thanks for the cogent response. Those that would stand by and criticize what is happening to advance the Health and well being of the American People as a whole should be forced to go without for a couple of years and see what it's like to have a sick family member with no where to turn for hope. Shame on those of you who are being obstructionist and reactionist in the face of a great challenge for all of us to get the system that is badly broken repaired and retooled to work for the betterment of our society. The American dream is pretty shallow if you are sick and not able to enjoy any of the benefits of that dream. Jerry had the sense to put this issue in perspective. Those of us in the trenches that see the results of no care or care that has come too late are painfully aware that the system needs to be changed. Completely changed. Please work to help things rather than to scare other citizens with blatant falsehoods. On talk radio I heard a lament that in 20 years there won't be any doctors. After all they spent $100,000 and 10 years of their lives on education and they have a right to expect to earn enormous salaries... My response is what about all of the pHDs out there who have spent just as much time and money on their preparation for their profession. Nurses, educators, social workers with advanced degrees are supposed to be satisfied with bupkis while MD's who are frequently far less educated make more than 20 times as much money. Who are we kidding here? Why do doctors have a right to earn so much more than the other professions? Let take a long hard look at those that are fighting to keep things as they are. Maybe they aren't happy with the basic beliefs in this country after all.

MJN| 10.5.09 @ 1:02AM

I don't get it....people question a doctors right to earn big bucks after they expend a large monetary investment and 10 years of their lives to attain the necessary schooling but have no problem with someone earning a seven figure salary for playing basketball or starring in a movie. What makes us admire and even praise these people who do nothing to improve our lives while criticizing medical professionals who quietly toil to provide us with a better quality of life. Are we really that jealous and shallow.

Shannon| 10.5.09 @ 11:05AM

Good job MJN. I do not believe that the basketball and movie stars have a large Malpractice premium over their heads. And as we all know in the land of the "lawsuit" these premiums only increase in time.

sasssy| 10.8.09 @ 9:46AM

Bless you for your profession; however, I would much prefer to have my life in the hands of a doctor than a professional basketball player or an actor - and, doctors make even less money. I think by golly that those professional basketball players and Hollywoodites even USE doctors to keep them well. I think they can well afford the costs for care without the general public taxpayers footing the bill for them.

Lauren| 10.14.09 @ 5:54PM

I'm interested to know, Nurse Sara-Ann, where you got the idea that MD's are frequently far less educated than nurses, educators, and social workers with advanced degrees. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to not only get into medical school, but stay in and pass all the requirements for licensure, then complete 3-5 years of 80-100 work weeks making minimum wage while trying to pay off student loans so that you can even start seeing patients without supervision? Please, enlighten me to the lack of education here.

Margaret| 10.21.09 @ 4:09PM

Since when in America do we question how much someone earns? This is a freedom we have all enjoyed. If you start your own business make as much as you can legally. If a Dr can work for more money he goes to that office, hosp., whereever. The same for a nurse, teacher, or anyone educated or not. This mind set that people don't have a right to earn at a certain level and should be willing to give up for someone else is nothing short of socialism, Maxist, Communist, dictatorship type of thinking. It needs to stop!
Capitalism is still the greatest in the world. Yes, it is flawed because Congress, who is supposed to be the watchdogs and protect civilians by legislation have been lazy, sloppy, greedy and failed to put stop gaps in to prevent the fraud. The very people who were in charge of oversite like Barney Franks is still employed and has been appointed to yet another committee! Congress is what needs changing - the terms, and salaries which are raised every year even in this economy. Put the blame where blame belongs and stop listening to the fools that put us in this position. Do you really think they know what is best for us now??? Where is the transparency, accountability, and as Obama promised "....no lobbyist appointed...."? Hogwash - he's sure taken his sweet time doing any thing he promised.

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 4:44PM

I too am an RN, with 33 years experience. Certainly I have a heart for the situations you describe. But because a thing is different does not necessarily make it better. There are HUGE problems with the proposal that is being levied here. All 'change' is not good. We must seek answers to these serious problems but we must not be hasty or we will have situations that are worse yet. I totally agree with Ben.

Mike Avery| 10.5.09 @ 4:40PM

Jerry, just wondering. What flavor of Kool Aid do you prefer? Strawberry? Lemon? Lime? Just wondering.

Whatever the flavor, it certainly causes diarrhea of the mouth, or of the keyboard in your case.

See, Jerry, brevity is its own best medicine.

TakeAnEconCourse| 10.6.09 @ 1:04AM

Jerry, I want to talk about one of the points you made:

"If you look up the statistics, you'll see that in 2009 1.8 million are expected to leave the U.S. to seek treatment in other countries and by 2010 that is predicted (Deloitte) to be 6 million. The number of people coming to the US from other countries each year is numbered only in the thousands (under 100,000). "

Assuming that's true, you didn't mention what treatments people are leaving the U.S. in order to obtain, and what treatments people are coming to the U.S. to obtain. This is a crucial piece of the picture you're trying to paint.

People leave the U.S. for medical care because it's *cheaper*, not because it's *better*. The reason medical care is expensive in the U.S. is fairly simple:

1) Higher healthcare costs result in a higher number of people who are uninsured.
2) People who are uninsured use sources of healthcare that are a drain on the industry - either Medicare/Medicaid, who don't pay their bills, or else use emergency rooms as primary care.

3) These costs are then passed on to the people who actually pay for healthcare, increasing the cost of healthcare.

4) Repeat (until we're all out of money).

The root cause of increased cost of healthcare *is* government regulation. Remember all those "well-intentioned" state laws that don't allow health insurance companies to sell cheap, but limited, policies ("minimum coverage" laws)? That's cause #1. Cause #2 are government subsidies to companies for buying health care for their employees. We, even those of us who don't work for companies that provide healthcare, pay for those subsidies with money that we could be otherwise using to buy our own healthcare.

Point is, don't require minimum coverage for a policy, and don't subsidize (at the expense of the individual citizen) companies who buy healthcare in bulk. Also, force our system of existing socialized medicine to pay its bills, and if it runs out of money (which is has), let it fail. Hey, that's what Obamacare proposes for private companies that run out of money. Why should any Government agency that's supposed to "compete" with these companies get to play by different rules?

InconvenientTruth| 10.6.09 @ 1:26AM

You said: "The company will comb over your policy and deny your claim because you had acne, or a rash, 10 years ago. This happens every day. "

Hey, guess which national insurance provider has the highest rate of denied claims?

Medicare.

In fact, in 2007-2008 Medicare, all by itself, denied *five times* more claims than all other major insurance carriers combined.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/p.....rtcard.pdf

Who's the big bad greedy insurance company now? (he he).

TinaB| 10.19.09 @ 6:14PM

It's apparent that everyone on this post has their own view, and it's entertaining to see how adults call eachother names when someone doesn't think the way they do.

You all should stop humiliating yourselves, because it only makes you look worse.

All I can say is that there will NEVER be a President that can do it all, and do it to satisfy EVERYONE. Wake up everyone, Obama won because the majority of the people wanted some change. And how can you say such horrible things about him when all you can do is complain because of your predictions of what is going to happen? Do you REALLY KNOW what is going to happen in the future?

Maybe you people who are "anti-Obama's" should relax and wait. I never criticize anyone unless I have facts to show that they screwed up. And even then, at least they tried!

Winghunter| 10.27.09 @ 7:38PM

After reading Stein's article you can sit there and drool that?? I'ld ask if you were joking but, I know you're not.

Any resident of this country who was braindead enough to treasonously vote for a card carrying Communist to the highest office of the land should be cleaned out of the gene pool...just for trying.

Andrea Connell| 10.29.09 @ 6:48PM

It is true the "majority of people wanted some change"---the problem lies in each person's understanding and expectations of that change.
God Bless America!

LilMizMargi| 11.2.09 @ 10:22PM

What's there to wait for, TinaB? He has already screwed up royally and outspent Bush in all his 8 years including the Iraqi war!!

sassy| 10.8.09 @ 9:36AM

Our country is a REPUBLIC.... or at least it has been until the last 10 months. Anyone who prefers a socialistic country has several to chose from. Bye.

agk| 11.10.09 @ 6:12PM

Well said!

jjc| 10.9.09 @ 9:16PM

I don't know where you are creating your statistics from but you need to read what you wrote. You are way out in left field and obviously way out in the left.
I read this stuff and cannot believe that you do not listen when Mr Obama talks. He said there are 30 million without coverage. Yesterday the CBO laid out the cost which included 25 million without coverage. We are remaking our health care that 83% are happy with. That now leaves only 25 million without coverage and 5 million more who will be covered. Are you an idiot.

Sue| 10.12.09 @ 10:22AM

Don't pull statements out of the sky simply because you wish to disagree with Ben Stein. You're absolutely wrong about denials from insurance companies. I was one of those people who worked for a large medical insurance firm and handled the appeals and complaints. We were very careful about examining the history behind each case and the absolute necessity for a surgical procedure or a medication. A good many denials that came in were re-assessed, and the decisions were turned around almost 85% of the time. True that there were denials, and some denials were due to a lack of total history on the patient. Maybe now that all patient files will be electronic, it will make this process work more smoothly. Cancer patients were never denied their right to treatment -- that's a horrible statement to be made by you. Not only did we work with them to ensure they got the best care, we followed up with patients to see how they were doing. Until you know what you're talking about, don't be putting information down in writing as gospel truth.

Pete| 10.13.09 @ 10:37AM

Hey Sport,
Socialism is scary, and that's what is happening. You base your facts on left leaning studies. We don't rank 37th genius-if that's the case, why does half the world, who can afford it, come here for important medical service? Socialism does not work-and if you had a brain, and open your eyes, you'd see that Obama and the Left want nothing more than a huge Federal Government and control. This is not about healthcare, its about taking freedom away from US citizens. Take from the haves, and give to those who don't have-America was not built on this sensibility, and it will fall if we adopt it. And, sadly, the left, folks like you, want nothing more than to see American crawl before the socialist states of Europe, who happen to be turning more capitalistic in nature as I type.

Do you know the unemployment levels of Western Europe? Spain, 18 %, and France, for years, over 10%-a Socialistic approach to life crushes the tax payers-the few that actually pay the taxes and for the masses who enjoy the free ride, well, they've become accustomed to taking what is handed out to them.
You, should move to France and let us get back to growing America.
PS: Medicare declines more folks than the private sector does-go learn your facts, and stop swallowing the sound bites from NBC and CNN.

TinaB| 10.19.09 @ 6:31PM

Pete, you said "This is not about healthcare, its about taking freedom away from US citizens. Take from the haves, and give to those who don't have-America was not built on this sensibility, and it will fall if we adopt it".

Do you really think that Obama is focused on "taking freedom away from US citizens"? I mean really, that's a pretty big statement.

I don't know, just as you don't know, what his motives are. But the majority of America voted for him, and he is now in office, and just like any other President that was elected, we all waited to see how they would stack up, while making rude comments. Is this American?

In my opinion, I think there are poor people for many many different reasons. Sure, you have the ones that are lazy and don't want to work, and they take advantage of the "system". Then you have the ones that work their tails off, get laid off, collect unemployment (because they need it) and apply for free healthcare (because they need it), and then people like you criticize them and group them in with the "freeloaders".

And you have to admit, that SOME corporate companies get rich because they exploit the lower class (not the freeloaders) by paying them low wages, and sometimes not providing them with affordable healthcare.

And the fact you stated about Medicare declining more folks than the private-sector, well that makes sense to me, since it's free healthcare. People who don't abuse the system understand this, and deal with it.

No offense intended here....everyone has their own opinions and are entitled. But bashing eachother is immature.

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 5:07PM

Bashing??? Sorry to offend you but concerned citizens need to speak out when they see a bad policy or a potential power grab in the making. Maybe it is naivete on our president's part, maybe not, I'll leave THAT to the days ahead to decide. But waiting until proposed drastic measures are implemented to sound alarm?? Wait until they make a mess of our country to call a spade a spade?? I think not. There are historical lessons here to remember...

Donald Welch| 10.15.09 @ 10:06AM

If you think the U.S. is as bad as you describe it, they why in the hell don't you move to one of your favorite countries, like France. We do not need people like you in this country. You are a typical liberal.

Charlie| 11.16.09 @ 12:41AM

So Donald Welch in your America liberals should move to France. Lets see then if I were a Conservative rapist/murderer in your America I could stay ... right.

Ken| 10.16.09 @ 12:06PM

I would be more then happy to buy you a one way ticket to France so you enjoy everything the French have to offer!

Mike| 10.20.09 @ 11:16AM

Yes, we have "socialized" programs in this country
like medicaid, medicare and social security. They are all BROKE! We spend at least 10 times more to keep this programs running than was originally thought. This healthcare bill will be the same it will cost all of us allot more $$ in the long run.

Gary| 10.23.09 @ 3:12PM

I would much rather have an insurance person deny my medical claim than some big government bureaucrat in Washington. I can always go to another insurance company. And if that fails, I can find a way to get the help I need, through friends, family, charity. If Big Government is my only option, as it will eventually be IF the "public option" plan goes through, I would never get a second chance once I'm denied coverage by Obama's cronies.

Make no mistake Mr. Liberal, the Big Government morons will deny coverage to millions if they are over a certain age or deemed to be not valuable enough to society in their eyes.

Jeff| 10.24.09 @ 1:26PM

Prove just one of your contentions, you say 100,000 a day are denied care, how many in Canada and UK are denied care, so much so that simple cancers are death sentences in these countries.
Health insurance companies make a whopping 3.3% net profit.
Keep believing the lies of the left, until people like you start to see the truth, that programs like Medicare and Medicaide only prove that government stepping into the free market is a terrible idea, and that the next step is the public option health insurance which does absolutely nothing to fix the cost of healthcare, just hides it in new taxes and penalties.
Taxes on the middle class that Barry claimed he would never allow, just like he would post all legislation on his website for 5 days. LIES ALL LIES.
If you want to fix the problem, put the expense into the hands of the people, let them decide if they want the $100 perscription or the $4 one, let them ask the doctor how much an office visit is. I guarantee you, you call your doctor and say you are paying cash upfront that $225 office visit becomes $50 buck cash money.
Pass tort reform so practitioners dont have spend thousands and thousands to protect themselves from the trial lawyers, and dont have to order test after test, to give them a defense if they do make and error. Sure compensate the injured, and get Docs out who are bad, but massive malpractice insurance premiums and settlements do neither.

Teresa| 11.13.09 @ 3:55PM

You stated, "I guarantee you, you call your doctor and say you are paying cash upfront that $225 office visit becomes $50 buck cash money." In fact, the opposite is true. If you pay cash, you pay the highest amount. If you have private insurance, you receive a discounted fee, and if you have Medicare/Medicaid, you receive a further discount.

In addition, most medical services are jacked up approximately 300% of their market costs. How do I know this? I have two close friends in hospital administration who have made it very clear that if we as a country do not do something about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, we will, as a country, see a continued increase in costs in the next 10 - 15 years that will bankrupt us.

As one of them said after the President's address to congress on the issue, "That's okay. Don't put in a Public Option. Don't reform healthcare or put a cap on costs. I'll continue to charge you $30 for a Tylenol capsule that costs me less than three cents."

Xena| 10.28.09 @ 3:57PM

You said- "We've HAD "socialized" medicine here for years. Medicare, Medicaid, remember? "

If they are so wonderful, why are they so ripe for waste, fraud and abuse, costing the taxpayers billions? Why can't the government START by cleaning house in those two programs first, making them far more efficient, getting rid of the waste, fraud and abuse, and signing up more of the uninsured population to use those. IF medicaid is so wonderful, why replace it? Also, Obamacare will NOT be free as so many IGNORANT people seem to think. What good is FREE healthcare when you cannot see a doctor and have to pay far more in taxes than you would be paying for private insurance?

shawn| 10.28.09 @ 3:58PM

"Frankly, Ben. I'm not sure that very many Americans really care what some lawyer from Beverly Hills and Malibu really thinks about what is good for the working and middle classes of this country."

Like movie starts in Hollywood know any more?

"The vast majority of bankruptcy in this country is called by medical costs."

No one says the medical system shouldn't be fixed; just not Obama's way.

"People WITH insurance are routinely going to other countries for medical procedures because paying full price in India"

You can't compare third world healthcare to the United States... unless you wait a few years under Obama. 85% of the people in this country are completely satisfied with their healthcare. Why ruin it for them?

"We've HAD "socialized" medicine here for years. Medicare, Medicaid, remember? "

All broke, unsustainable, and not as good as private insurance..

"the electorial process is controlled by big corporate money"

Tell the Tea Party that.

"We should just admit that what we have been doing, that put us number 37 in rankings of health care systems"

No health care system anywhere can afford 100% of everything. People need to be educated on how to buy
healthcare. I have major medical for my family of 5 for $185 per month. I have my total deductible in
a savings account in case I ever need it, but it's still my money to do with as I wish. I'm not rich,
I'm just not stupid. Some people would rather buy 50 DVD's or own an iPod. I choose to have money in the
bank, albeit meager.

Tom| 10.28.09 @ 4:12PM

Yes Jerry. Let's use Police, Fire and Schools as examples of the stunning success of socialism.

Do you actually live in a city controlled by your ideals? Well I live in a city that's been controlled by DemocRATS for decades, with gun registration and heavily unionized Police, Fire and Schools. It ought to be a paradise. Of course, predictably, the schools SUCK! They don't just suck, they suck expensively. Strike one for socialism.

Oh and the Police?! Well don't get in an accident. See, the Police don't respond to accidents. No showing up to direct traffic, see if you're OK, or file a report. If they see an accident, they don't even stop. Nope. Too busy. If someone's seriously injured, they might decide to stop by, but of course the (PRIVATE) ambulance service will get there long before and whisk you away - and if you have a choice, you'll pray the private hospital is closer than the public chop shop. Strike 2 for socialism.

The Highway Department? Jerry, you've got to be kidding. Have you seen our infrastructure? Not to mention our local DOT is under investigation for corruption (hookers traded for looking the other way on inspections) that almost equals that of the county government (also under investigation, also Democrat).

Strike 3 for socialism.

Jack Wilson| 10.28.09 @ 4:51PM

France - isn't that the country where about 15000 people died during a heatwave just a few years ago -2003? A heatwave! This excerpt is from USA Today:
'The new estimate comes a day after the French Parliament released a harshly worded report blaming the deaths on a complex health system, widespread failure among agencies and health services to coordinate efforts, and chronically insufficient care for the elderly. '

bankruptcy lawyer| 10.29.09 @ 3:39AM

Largest bankruptcy are due to the subprime mortgages NOT to medical reason

bonnie dudley| 10.29.09 @ 8:12AM

An Obama paid serial poster here (and every conservative site). Such BULL. Thanks Ben for your very right on conclusion.

Dr. Thorne| 10.29.09 @ 3:11PM

"There are lies, damed lies and statistics." _ Benjamin Disraeli

Gee, Jerry. It's funny how you quote statistics but provide zero attributions.

Bankruptcy is a confusing thicket caused by many factors, but mostly by over-consumption, unemployment, divorce and lack of personal savings according to the recent paper, "Household Consumption and Personal Bankruptcy" written by Ning Zhu of UCDavis. However, your phony medical costs reason was a real nice try.

As far as your citation of the 32% denial rate in CA, do you know what these claims were for? What statistics do you have that determine whether these claims were legitimate or within the contractual payment obligations of the insurance companies? You have no idea, but that 32% figure is a real useful stat even if it's meaningless.

Regarding people leaving the U.S. for cheaper healthcare, Wal-Mart also shops in China to buy cheaper goods. What does that prove? Chilean wine is cheaper than Californian. Should the FedGov bailout Napa wineries? Americans vacation in Mexico because it's cheaper. Does that mean that we should nationalize the U.S. tourist industry?

Medicare and Medicaid will go belly up in just a few years. Does that make them success stories? Only to a progressive.

Your laughable analogy regarding Police or Firefighters makes no sense. Americans are not anarchists. We have no problem paying for professional community services since Police and Firefighters serve their communities in an equal manner. In fact, they tend to overserve low income neighborhoods. Perhaps they should stop doing that and only serve ethnic or income groups according to the amount of taxes those groups pay. Wouldn't that be fair? Maybe old people should only receive healthcare that is equal to their demographic regardless of their need in order to achieve "fairness".

But, wait! What about "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need"? What a dilemma! But, not to worry. The One has the answer: End of Life counselling that will shove those old-and-in-the-way types off the precipice. Doesn't that sound progressive?

I've had to deal with healthcare in Europe and Canada personally. The U.S. is far superior to both. Have you ever been ill overseas? If not, you are a know nothing, but like all progressives you have an opinion you feel is so important that we should all hear it.

A far better plan is opening doors to real competition so that Americans have the opportunity to purchase what they want and can afford. This is called freedom. Funny how progressives want the freedom to do as they please, but also want to curtail anyone else's freedom to purchase healthcare as they wish. What kind of freedom exists when the FedGov tells me I cannot purchase medical care directly or indirectly from a doctor?

Progressives have lost the very concept of freedom. You are so in love with Marxism that you would gladly trade your freedom for it. Luckily, the rest of us (y'know, the ones who actually work) are willing to assert that there is no crackpot utopian economic/political model for which we will trade our freedom.

Mike| 10.30.09 @ 6:34PM

I read Jerry's comment. When he said the United States was a Democracy that pretty much invalidated his entire "speech". Personally, being a man, I like the chances of prostrate cancer survival here (100% first 5 years) vs. Great Britain, 77%. And you can go down the line with every major disease, like breast cancer etc. If you love their system, and think your survival is better in these other countries – move there. But spreading information like you have done here is ridiculous and makes you look like a buffoon. The congress can make changes - eliminate the restrictions for interstate purchasing of health insurance, California only has three or four authorized companies. Increase the use of Health Savings accounts. Makes people responsible – what a concept. And get some TORT reform! Why is it that Pelosi can introduce a 2000 page (Incredible) bill and NOT have tort reform and an open and competitive policy so the existing insurance companies can compete for business – just like the auto insurance does. There are over 2300 RESTRICTIONS on current companies regarding health insurance. In ALL cases, when government gets the hell out of the way things get cheaper and better. And that’s proven.

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:46PM

"Why is it that Pelosi can introduce a 2000 page (Incredible) bill and NOT have tort reform and an open and competitive policy so the existing insurance companies can compete for business – just like the auto insurance does."

Because Pelosi is a political whore!

Alan Gustin| 11.1.09 @ 3:32PM

Jerry, you wrote:
>>We've HAD "socialized" medicine here for years. Medicare, Medicaid, remember? We also have a lot of other SCARY "socialized" programs... like Fire Departments, Schools, Police, the Highway Department, SOCIAL Services. Have any of these programs denied you from exercising any of your "freedoms" ...

BP| 11.2.09 @ 9:37PM

Jerry, Frankly speaking, we are a Republic....Not a Democracy..Look it up Big Guy with the Big Words, the Big Answers, and all the where with all about everything! We learned what we are as a nation in H.S. government...

Jeanne| 11.3.09 @ 10:59AM

Hey Jerry, I care very much what this well-educated and thoughtful man has to say. So he works in the entertainment industry too. That means he has personal experience in business, which is more than most lawyers and politicians can say. What are your credentials? And if you don't care what Ben has to say, why are you reading his articles. Oh, I know. Because the spinmeisters on the far left are deathly afraid of intelligent conversation and debate on important issues. They foster a culture of dependency, not independence, because it is from that stupor of non-thinking reliance on the "government" that people like Pelosi, Reid, and Obama get their power. They are sucking the brains, heart, and soul from Americans. The health care system is in need of reform, but before the Lefties in Washington shove this bureaucratic boondoggle down our throats, let's try some of the simple fixes first--nationwide and portable coverage from private insurers and limits on damage awards for malpractice. I have a special-needs child so I have had to deal with both private insurance and the public options that are available. I can tell you first-hand that those public options are poorly run and more frustrating than any private company I've had to deal with. Throw Obamacare in the trashcan and let's start with small and cautiously with reform.

makaha| 11.5.09 @ 6:12PM

Jerry-I should not have to pay for healthcare if I choose instead to have an HSA but the GOV will impose taxes and penalties whether I want it or not. This is outside the domain of the constitution and frankly will stifle innovation on the medical front. This bill will lead to damaging America in everyway possible and there is already a death panel funded in the stimulus bill if you read it. You should spend the time reading the draft, i do not think you will find it American at all, perhaps more Russian or Chinese.

Irvine Joe| 11.10.09 @ 7:26PM

Hey Jerry ! You are equating fractions to whole numbers ! . . . and blindly supporting asinine legislation makes it even more laughable !! The health insurance coverage you are in favor of WILL bankrupt us . . . because of Cool-Aid drinkers like you and the blind support for the "someone-else-will-pay-for-it" leftists believe that nothing is worth preserving . . .especially this useless, unexceptional nation of ours . . . that has only been a scourge on the world since its infancy. Enjoy your freedoms, my man, this new legislation strips away many of the mundane, everyday liberties that you currently take for granted. Keep grabbing for that brass ring of FREE entitlements . . . until you wring your hands again when we are all under the thumb of your current heroes in political office ! You make me laugh !!

Dealpitcher| 11.10.09 @ 7:55PM

if this plan is so good why isn't Congress and everyone they employ going to be on the plan?

Bob | 11.12.09 @ 4:43PM

While Frank Marschino made some good points he doesn't show a clear understanding of what is necessary to deal with his points.
For example: many families do suffer because their insurance is dropped. It would be simple to just require that insurance companies cannot drop the insurance if they have taken the money from those people for a year or two.
Another issue is the complaint that people are leaving the country to get cheaper treatment in oither companies. That's called competition which he seems to think is a good idea.
In fact, competition could easily be extended by opening up the state insurance companies to competition. With 1,300 insurance companies in the country tthe only way competition can be prevented is by the states restricting the competition. Creating competition is a good idea but doesn't need the federal govt. as one of the competitors.
We know that the fedearl govt. will increase the cost of medical care as it does for everytnig else. We also know that the cost of the federal govt. program will cost far more than we are being told. The govt. virtually always seriously undeestimates the cost of all of their programs. Look at Medicare and Medicaid for example.
Both of those medical programs have cost far more than originally estimated, have placed restrictions on types of medicine that can be practiced, shown themselves inept in their ability to stop fraud, led an increasing number of doctors to shun those patients and put bureaucrats between the patient and the doctor.

Kit| 9.28.09 @ 5:52PM

It wasn't just out of the kindness and ignorance of Americans, it also has a lot to do with GUILT. Finally an African American gets a chance... what a disgrace to his race.

Shannon| 10.5.09 @ 11:14AM

This has nothing to do with race. I get sooooo tired of hearing "just because Obama is black, African American or whatever race he is". (Has anyone got those documents yet) If our country had a problem with race, I really do not believe he would be sitting where he is now. I believe that Obama has good views and good intentions and would like to see nothing more than success in his presidency. I just feel that one, this is going to take time and not push for things so quickly and two, there are too many hidden issues that not all of us know about that leave us unsure.

Winghunter| 10.27.09 @ 7:50PM

Understanding Obama: The Making of a Fuehrer
http://www.faithfreedom.org/obama.html

The Liberal Mind: Psychological Causes of Political Madness by Dr. Lyle Rossiter
Based on strikingly irrational beliefs and emotions, modern liberals relentlessly undermine the most important principles on which our freedoms were founded,”
“Like spoiled, angry children, they rebel against the normal responsibilities of adulthood and demand that a parental government meet their needs from cradle to grave.”
“A social scientist who understands human nature will not dismiss the vital roles of free choice, voluntary cooperation and moral integrity – as liberals do,”
"A political leader who understands human nature will not ignore individual differences in talent, drive, personal appeal and work ethic, and then try to impose economic and social equality on the population – as liberals do. And a legislator who understands human nature will not create an environment of rules which over-regulates and over-taxes the nation’s citizens, corrupts their character and reduces them to wards of the state – as liberals do.”
“The roots of liberalism – and its associated madness – can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind,” “When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious.”

Al Caisse HMCS USN Retired| 10.5.09 @ 4:44PM

Socialist JERRY, If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BULLHIT. Regards, Al

Ron Cole| 10.6.09 @ 8:20PM

Of your 52% 15% were fraudulent / stolen votes and perhaps more.
Clean up the polls and demand voter ID!

Dee| 10.17.09 @ 3:41PM

You are so right, but then the majority of people today are not Christians, oh they claim to be, but that mearly means they are of the Jewish, Catholic faith or soom other denomination. They are probably also church goers because they believe that is the right thing to do if you claim to be a Christian.
But they too, are also choosing to ignore what not only was our country founded on, but fail to know the scriptures that say, only if you are following God's command to obey the Lord and spend time in His word, and have made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, are you a Christian. So it is only natural that those persons would choose to ignore what is so very evident.
But, God is in control and this may mean we are closer to the end than we think, or many would like to believe.
Romans 1:28 say's, And even as they did not like to retain God in thier knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convienient; etc.,etc.... (check the list)
I know you will probably think here is one of those religious nuts, but I assure you I am not; I am merely one who believes the Word of God and will take a stand every chance I get.
Thank you for taking the time to read, even if you do not agree.
Because of His grace,
Dee

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 5:16PM

"God is in control." Wherein lies my peace. Yet, I too, am called to take a stand.

Mark S| 10.28.09 @ 5:56PM

Linda, Yes GOD is in control but he wants us as Christians to witness his glory by showing and telling what this Evil is.

Mark Simmons| 10.28.09 @ 10:25AM

It wasn't the trust of the American people but the sabotage of our banking system that scared the people into voting for him. After the media blamed it on Bush and his cronies (McCann Ect.) the people bought it and voted for the only message the Democrats had to use "Hope and Change"

JB| 11.2.09 @ 11:52PM

Oh the rhetoric! Everywhere we look we see lots and lots of talk about people "waking up" to what is going on around them. However, there is never any action. By action, I mean realization. Realizing the fact that our wonderful country, so full of all of its righteous indignation and finger pointing is all smoke and mirrors. What everyone needs to understand is that our government does not "run" this country, but is merely a facilitator, a mediator if yo will, to do the bidding of the real powers at work: corporations, banks, commodities, MONEY. Those individual who are at the top of the aristocratic ladder. That is a word that everyone seems to forget: Aristocrat! We are all peasants living in 18th century England. Once we have grasped that concept, then we will move forward. What caused Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Hancock, etc. over the edge and to declare their rights to be free? I ask all of you that. Freedom comes with a price. Can you live without your cellphones, your computers, internet, cars, grocery stores, malls, starbucks, cable television, etc.? If you cannot, then they have won. But if you are willing to sacrifice those material things and the easy lives we live, then, and only then will we be free from their tyrannical ways. If money wasn't worth anything, then we would finally be equal.

S G Thomas| 11.7.09 @ 10:01PM

...and your key sentence: "The signs were all there last fall, ......".
The signs have been here a lot longer than that, my friend. I heard about the 'plan' in 1945 and everything has gone 'according to plan'. They tried pushing Ritilin into our schools in 1935, do you know that? The info is there...but the eyes and ears have to be open. The research has to be done.

Tell me Frank, how many times has The Board of Regents lowered our Standards of Education? ...now tell me what the ramifications of this just might be...or the brain-deadening drugs introduced in the 60's...would brilliance be the result?

Wake up...we've been throwing our freedoms away for a very long time and the signs have all been right in front of us (too numerous to list here).

Gerhard J. Pasek| 11.20.09 @ 4:21PM

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE STUPIDITY OF AMERICAN VOTERS !

dcd| 7.24.09 @ 10:01AM

The trend started before Obama and will continue after him. Administrations have ever less time to try to push through an agenda before their support deflates and the oopposition regroups, resulting in bad press, scandal, investigations, and cries for impeachments. Regan was into his second term and bush was in the second half of his first term before things went haywire. Obama won't make it to his second year before things go nuts and the next president, well they might as well hire the special prosecutor now.

bill-tb| 7.24.09 @ 10:18AM

Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling your doctor what he can and cannot do.

dittos ...

amazer98| 9.23.09 @ 8:42AM

Ben is full of it when he writes this. Right now we have insurance company drones deciding which treatments they will authorize. These people are evaluated and rewarded on the "loss ratios" of their departments. That's right, insurance companies consider paying claims to be "losses".

It's a mystery that anyone can have confidence in profit-driven insurance companies to make the right choices to protect their customers' health.

Sure, they will cover the routine broken arm or twisted ankle. But if you have a serious illness or accident, they will review your old, original application to see if you forgot to include some problem or other that you saw a doctor for... and then void your entire policy.

I'll take a public option plan any day over private insurance. I know several people who have been unconscionably ripped off by the brand name insurers.

Plus, there are billions of bucks being wasted because the system requires insurance companies to fight with hospitals and doctors over every dime. All this bureaucratic fighting absorbs a huge amount of health care dollars. Health insurance is one area where profit-driven capitalism has no place.

Bob Landis| 9.28.09 @ 5:56PM

So your solution to fixing a broken healthcare system is destroying it? What a ding dong.

Jonathan| 9.28.09 @ 6:02PM

Bob, what is broken needs to be fixed. If it can't be fixed, it need to be demolished to make way for something possibly better. *Ding-dong* Is anyone at the door, or did you just comment and leave, like an unthinking person?

Darcey| 9.28.09 @ 6:27PM

Government is not and never will be the solution to the problem. Government is the problem.

How quickly we seem to forget...

Shannon| 10.5.09 @ 11:17AM

Amen, they have their locked in medical care at "who's" expense along with paying no taxes and having security the rest of their lives.

Priscilla| 10.22.09 @ 1:16AM

DITTO SHANNON - excellent point !!

Sam| 10.5.09 @ 12:04PM

What a lame response. What do you think inspires companies to develop new treatments and advance care?
CAPITALISM>>>>>>The ability to make a profit. If it weren't for this incentive, we would be 50 years behind where we are now.

amazerIsWrong| 10.6.09 @ 1:13AM

Um, sorry to spoil your fantasy world, but everything that doesn't exist in an infinite quantity (which includes healthcare) has to be "rationed" at some point.

The optimal answer is to leave the rationing up to individuals, who "ration" by deciding what to and not to buy.

Whether it's the government, you, or an insurance company doing the rationing, it's got to happen. (sorry, that's just a fact).

What we've got now is kind of an indirect form of rationing, where insurance companies have to "ration" their costs because if they don't, they go out of business. But if an insurance company doesn't do this well, people can switch to another one.

The "public option" essentially replaces all those separate, competing companies (among which we can choose) with ONE BIG insurance company, where we have absolutely no choice if we don't like how the rationing happens.

How is this better?

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 5:26PM

Your last 2 paragraphs make so much sense and are so well stated I would like to quote you on my facebook page! Any objection?

Inconvenient Truth| 10.6.09 @ 1:31AM

Hey, guess which national insurance provider has the highest rate of denied claims?

Medicare.

In fact, in 2007-2008 Medicare, all by itself, denied *five times* more claims than all of the major private insurance carriers combined.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/p.....rtcard.pdf

Hey, I'm going to fix the last sentence of your comment so that it's no longer flagrantly false. Here goes:

"Health insurance is one (of many) areas where yet again, a non-profit government agency given an effectively infinite pool of resources has managed to fail at the very thing it was designed to fix. (and therefore it has no place existing)."

Facts are stubborn things. And they don't tend to support Obama.

RLP| 7.24.09 @ 10:20AM

Ben, I wonder what the next President is going to have to do to clean up the mess that Obama is leaving us? Probably place him under arrest for corruption is one thing. Maybe remove him after impeachment or unqualification for Presidency when he cannot prove his birthright according to the Constitution.
Whatever, I want him gone!

NK| 9.26.09 @ 9:07PM

The same thing that Obama is trying to do - Cleanup Bush's mess which will be with us for decades.

Basia Kaliszek| 10.5.09 @ 2:04AM

Lets just worry ,how to clean up the mass our

prior president lef us.George W Bush left the

country in total failure.Shame on him.

Shannon| 10.5.09 @ 11:21AM

I often wonder where that issue stands with the birth records, as I stated in a previous blog. Why do these things get swept under the rug? If it were you and I needing to prove we are legal USA citizens because some neighbor thought otherwise, we better had gotten this information to the gov. and fast.

Larry| 7.24.09 @ 10:25AM

Nice essay, Ben. As a Jew I continue to be amazed and disappointed in American Jewry's 80% support for Obama. Truly, Reform Jews are educated far beyond their ability to understand.

S G T| 11.7.09 @ 10:10PM

Larry...I just don't believe it. It's propaganda!!! I can't accept that Jews could be, would be that ignorant. Why do we so readily buy the statistics they feed us? We're fed more propaganda here than any other country in the world. What puzzles me is that we, as a whole, are not smart enough to see through it...

Rob| 7.24.09 @ 10:38AM

I agree, except that the "stimulus" plan is not a great idea, even in theory. It is tired old neo-Keynsianism, and it won't work. We have known this since the 70's at the latest, and it amzes me that political airheads still don't get it.

Sheryl| 7.24.09 @ 10:38AM

Have you stopped smiling yet, Ben? (I recall your saying, amazingly, on CBS Sunday Morning that you "couldn't stop smiling" as you watched our new Prez on TV.) So, just wondering...

Rev Wright is a SAINT| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM

"The government gives them [African Americans] the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

• After September 11, 2001, he said: "We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back into our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost."

• "It just came to me within the past few weeks, y'all, why so many folks are hating on Barack Obama. He doesn't fit the model. He ain't white, he ain't rich, and he ain't privileged. Hillary fits the mold. Europeans fit the mold, Giuliani fits the mold. Rich white men fit the mold. Hillary never had a cab whiz past her and not pick her up because her skin was the wrong colour. Hillary never had to worry about being pulled over in her car as a black man driving in the wrong… I am sick of Negroes who just do not get it. Hillary was not a black boy raised in a single parent home, Barack was. Barack knows what it means to be a black man living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people. Hillary can never know that. Hillary ain't never been called a nigger. Hillary has never had her people defined as non-persons."

• Bill Clinton "did the same thing to us that he did to Monica Lewinsky."
______________________________--

What did Rev Wright say that was not true?

The case of Henry Louis Gates Harvard Professor proves Rev Wrights point.

Americans needs to stop hiding from reality, what the world already knows. Rev Wright only said what every one around the world has been saying for years.

Rev Wright is the only respectable person who lives in America at least he is honest.

America has the biggest prison population in the world. America has the worse human rights record in the world.
America has murdered more people around the world than even Hitler could have dreamed of.

America sponcer state terrorism, and terrorise Millions of Blacks per year.

Paul| 9.21.09 @ 8:56AM

Ain't this and ain't that y'all! [African American] What;s this ? Signed, [European American]

Sara| 9.23.09 @ 11:22AM

As a white person reading these words by Reverend Wright I am shocked. I'm shocked that people even think his words are controversial. Sure, maybe saying "GD America" is a little over the top, but being a little inflammatory is sometimes necessary to get peoples attention, our media is a case in point.

Were these words REALLY what all the fuss was about? I'm shocked.

Richard| 9.24.09 @ 1:28PM

Don't ask what your country can do for you, Ask instead what can I do for my country... What I hear you say is that your a victim? and we should all have to pay for that. Well my friend thats not freedom, That's a curse that I don't feel we as american's should have to pay for. I served my country without complaints.

Charlie| 9.27.09 @ 1:22PM

Jeremiah Wright is a saint? Then Satan must be the son of God.

Bob Landis| 9.28.09 @ 5:59PM

It is time to take your pill and head for basket weaving class young man.

John| 10.5.09 @ 3:51PM

Your racism is showing....

Lee| 10.5.09 @ 7:56PM

A person filled with hatred and a desire for
revenge is driven by emotion, not intelligence.
It is much more comfortable to blame someone else for our problems than to take responsibility for our own choices in life.

Just in case you don't know, Obama is not a poor man, nor is he a Black man., but he is a man whose
beliefs are very similar to people like Karl Marx.

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:14PM

To Lee:
ahhh...a thinking man amongst us...

John Niksich| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM

Thanks, Ben. Finally, someone with national exposure has written a true analysis. God Bless America!

Mr_G| 7.24.09 @ 10:49AM

President of Harvard Law Review = total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher.

Pretty sad, Ben.

Tim| 7.24.09 @ 10:56AM

Somehow that Gates thing got right past his defenses and out poured all the PC Stalinist racialist shit that we are all so tired of hearing.
People were sitting at their TVs and there is the President telling them they are stupid racists in a racist country. Watch those polls drop.

Mr_G| 7.24.09 @ 10:56AM

Rev Wright is a SAINT:

You're not helping here.

Tim| 7.24.09 @ 10:59AM

It also is only a matter of time before reporters and bloggers start posting outrageous quotes from Professor Gates long career in race hustling. Only Obama has already called him his friend on National TV so there can be no disavowal as with Rev. Wright. Let the games begin.

Mr_G| 7.24.09 @ 11:04AM

It also is only a matter of time before reporters and bloggers start posting outrageous quotes from Professor Gates long career in race hustling
Why don't you start? (WTF? NO PREVIEW?)

Andrew Vander Dussen| 7.24.09 @ 11:06AM

You woke up too late Ben - the Dems have supermajorities in both the House and Senate. It's nice that you've figured Obama out now, though. Maybe you'll vote with us next time in 2010.

Bill Pearce| 7.24.09 @ 11:08AM

To: Ben Stein

You are missing the full horror of Obama-care. When the government takes over the financial responsibility for your health-care then the money needed for your health-care is in direct competition with all the other governmental financial responsibility's. To put it bluntly, the money used for your heart-bypass operation is in competition for money for the congressional vote buying schemes. Guess who is going to lose that competition. Look on the bright side, your death due to governmental neglect will pay for a new bike path in Yellowstone National Park.

bun| 7.24.09 @ 11:10AM

to the gentleman who said obama was not white, not rich and not priveledged, i disagree, He IS half white. he IS rich (thanks to his chicago thuggery skills). he IS priveledged due to the affirmative action that enabled him to rise to where he is today with little work or effort.

teri| 7.24.09 @ 11:21AM

i am stunned at this, mr. stein. a longtime fan, i find this article so ugly and filled with disdain. i voted for the "pig in a poke" and while i have many concerns as of late, i thought your article was written with a lot of emotional tones and blanket statements rather than your typically factually based and thought provoking statements. i'm left feeling kind of disturbed. maybe that was your intent...

OnlyRich WhitePeople needs H/C| 7.24.09 @ 11:28AM

ailing health care system By Robert Funke, M.D.

Published July 13th, 2009

It has been nearly 50 years since the U.S. government implemented significant health care reform, providing insurance for all Americans over 65 through Medicare. Doctors were apprehensive toward government sponsored health insurance.

The AMA, which at the time still included a majority of U.S. physicians, led the opposition to Medicare, but did not prevail. Thank goodness. Currently, health care is treated as a privilege for the wealthy, those employed by the state or a large business, and for those over 65. Leaving everyone else uninsured is not just morally wrong, it is economically wrong. Over half of all bankruptcies are due to medical bills, and many of those bankrupted had insurance, but were underinsured with large deductibles or limited benefits.

In recent surveys, two-thirds of Americans have favored universal coverage. The dissenting third probably fears the cost of covering the 50 million uninsured. But as it is, the U.S. spends far more on health care than anyone in the world. We just don’t get much for our money.

Sara| 9.23.09 @ 11:28AM

And... don't leave out the fact that having heath insurance doesn't guarantee you WILL have health care. Not if you have something expensive to treat.

Google what Cigna has done lately to deny people's claims for TREATABLE cancer.

In California, over the last 7 years, the three LARGEST insurance companies have ROUTINELY denied over 32% of claims.

In other areas of consumer law it would be considered a civil, and maybe even criminal (fraud) to sell someone something that was not usable. Yet insurance companies are allowed to charge years worth of premiums and then deny you the coverage you paid for because of a "technicality." Many claims are denied because of spelling errors and typos. Anything thread they can grab at to avoid paying.

YoureWrong| 10.6.09 @ 1:33AM

Hey, guess which national insurance provider has the highest rate of denied claims?

Medicare.

In fact, in 2007-2008 Medicare, all by itself, denied *five times* more claims than all other major insurance carriers combined.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/p.....rtcard.pdf

Who's the big bad greedy insurance company now? (he he).

Christine| 10.18.09 @ 12:24PM

THERE IS ONE SIMPLE THING THAT WILL LOWER HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS AND THAT IS

TORT REFORM

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL NEVER PASS THIS BECAUSE MOST OF THEM ARE LAWYERS. POLITICIANS FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE, FOR THE MOST PART, GREEDY, SELF SERVING, LIARS, MOST OF WHOM SHOULD BE INCARCERATED.

WE ALSO MUST HAVE ONE TERM LIMITS FOR ALL POLITICIANS AT ALL LEVELS!!!

blackelkspeaks| 7.24.09 @ 11:33AM

The election of Hussein proves one thing; America has reached its tipping point into degeneracy. The very fact that the majority of the American people were so ignorant, so blind, so asinine as to eat this p***k's s**t raw is a harbinger of our inevitable destruction. No nation that allows itself to collapse into such collective lunacy has no foundation for recovery. The historical record shows this. It is a hard truth to have to face, but nevertheless, it must be recognized. America, as we once knew it, has already ceased to exist.

Healt Care for all support it | 7.24.09 @ 11:34AM

Ben Stein

Would rather our health insurance go to people like Madoff, a super crook using investors money to support the Israeli government.

Pittsburgh Pete| 7.24.09 @ 11:36AM

Ben you are right, Obama's mask has come off. Thats the real consequence of his failed attempt at health care reform. He is as simple minded and superfluous as tree-huggers or Jane Fonda. Feel good day-dreams is all this man has and Americans are realizing it. Is it over for him?

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:21PM

Pete...It's not over for him because he is doing exactly what he has been primed to do. You don't really believe he was elected, do you?

cary loos| 7.24.09 @ 11:39AM

Tim, Mr G; A quick look at Wikepedia shows a scholar with many accomplishments and honors.
I don't know if a body of knowledge exists to label
him a race baiter. The disapointment that I feel is
that one so dedicated to his scholarship and such a tall tree in our community would fall prey to emotionalism and the old ways of thinking that his studies were undertaken to address.

Grzmlyk| 7.24.09 @ 11:41AM

Marcell, do you think copying and pasting articles anonymously makes you look smart? Puts a kink in anyone's day? Changes anyone's opinions? It's just a matter of scrolling through your irrelevant nonsense.

Dude, get a different hobby. Like making animals out of balloons. I think, with extensive government training, you'd be up to that.

Steve| 7.24.09 @ 11:46AM

Calgary,

Great number, 46 million.
One small problem--do a fact check. The number is a "guestimate". 9 million are not even citizens, about the same number are eligible for things currently in place but are not members, and almost that many again have enough money for insurance but don't buy it.

Ignorance is bliss-read George Will's column on the deception of the number "46 million without..."

Ed| 7.24.09 @ 11:48AM

Thanks Ben: This reminds me of the scene in the "Music Man" when the townspeople finally learn the truth about Professor Harold Hill.

Grzmlyk| 7.24.09 @ 12:05PM

Teri, if you didn't realize what Obama is BEFORE voting for him, I think you've been disturbed for quite a while.

He looked like a sociopathic Marxist; he walked the walk of a sociopathic Marxist, he hung out with sociopathic Marxists; he was raised as a sociopathic Marxist; he's always voiced the dogma sociopathic Marxisim; he wrote two books that embraced sociopathic Marxism.

So I have a question: Why the hell are you surprised that you voted for a sociopathic Marxist?

Oldefarte| 7.24.09 @ 12:12PM

Ben, GREAT, GREAT words, indeed! Some of us realized this before Noverber of last year, but unfortionately NOT ENOUGH of us!!!!!

Grzmlyk| 7.24.09 @ 12:21PM

Besides, Teri, no matter how totalitarian this country becomes, no matter how much American Exceptionalism is destroyed, no matter how much taxpayer wallets are raped, and no matter how abjectly we prostrate ourselves before our enemies, you VOTED FOR A BLACK GUY!

You purchased absolution from the Original White Sin of racism!!!!!

How cool are you?

Bob| 9.23.09 @ 11:30AM

Grzmlyk ... the dry cleaner is calling. You forgot your white hood.

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 6:03PM

So, pointing out that one who votes for a man- based on the color of his skin versus his credentials and wisdom, - has only appeased his guilt, that makes Grzmlyk racist???

Hardly, but calling it racism is such a popular tactic of anyone who cannot bear a disparaging word against their messiah. Love is blind.

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:24PM

Grzmlyk...thanks a lot! I just pissed my pants laughing so hard!!!

TerryO| 7.24.09 @ 12:34PM

Pig in a poke was quite an accurate simile. Many Americans could not bring themselves to believe the truth because it wasn't appearing on their source for news (CBS, NBC or ABC). Many of us stopped using those sources much earlier for news.

Grzmlyk| 7.24.09 @ 12:35PM

By the way, Ed: Love the comparison to The Music Man. Right on the money.

But unlike Harold Hill, when it comes to Obama, I don't think there's a nice guy underneath the con artist. Quite the contrary.

Spike| 7.24.09 @ 12:39PM

Ben,
Great essay! All one had to hear was BO's conversation with "Joe the Plummer". '... I want to spread the wealth around....' We all knew he was liberal but up until that point, BO held his liberal cards very close to his vest. We can only pray, this liberal stampeed can be slowed down and reveresed in Nov. 2010.

Tim| 7.24.09 @ 1:00PM

cary loos
You got me there, I have to say.

Quartermaster| 7.24.09 @ 1:06PM

Ben, your statement, "Either the costs go up or the free society goes away," is inaccurate. If you had said, "cost always go up, and free society goes away," you would have been correct.

No bureaucracy has ever lowered costs on anything it regulates. They also grow and eventually abandon the original mission. Survival of the agency becomes the only real reason for living. Pournelle's Iron law of Bureaucracy encapsulates this fact rather neatly.

Obamacare is just one more Obamanation in a long line. It's going to be an interesting 3 and half years. The moronic 52% that voted for the Obamanation are going to have more than buyer's remorse when it's all over.

Rod Stanton| 7.24.09 @ 1:14PM

I live in a CONSERVATIVE town -Ronnie over 70% in 80 + 84! Most of my friends voted for "O" because he was less liberal than McC! Most of them still think they chose the lesser of 2 evils. McC's attacks on Palin the last 8 months to them are proof of how right they are/were!

Shari Snavely| 7.24.09 @ 1:20PM

This so-called CONSERVATIVE town where Rod lives must be extremely ignorant and uneducated "conservatives.";)

Grzmlyk| 7.24.09 @ 1:22PM

I don't think Obama's less liberal than McCain, but yeah, McCain would have been an unmitigated disaster. Just shows how pathetic the Republican party has become that THIS was our nominee.

Nevertheless, after the animosity Bush engendered, it was going to be a Dem no matter what. So McCain really did fulfill his purpose in life: To be a placeholder.

The guy's a disgrace (along with his poodle, Lindsey Graham).

JohnMc| 7.24.09 @ 1:37PM

Rob| 7.24.09 @ 10:38AM,

Rob, you are too kind, its not even Keynesian. Its rotten to the head, Tammy Hall politics.

Jim Gordon| 9.23.09 @ 5:28PM

I think Tammy Hall was a female evangelist. Now Tammany Hall...

hathum| 7.24.09 @ 1:37PM

The next president cleaning it up? Haven't you been paying attention?

First we pass free health care, next we stack the courts, and then (before the next election) we pass legislation making all illegal immigrants citizens with the right to vote, welfare, and free health care. The Dems will have an undefeatable majority and there will never be a conservative president again! Sounds scary, but look at the facts and their actions.

Hathum

Robyn| 7.24.09 @ 1:41PM

We love you and are among your biggest fans, Mr. Stein, but please realize that there are many of us who saw the writing on the wall long before the election and were vilified, ridiculed and dismissed for voicing our concerns. We only wonder what took you, and everyone else, so long to see the big picture. We also are the American People and, while not petty by nature, finally can proclaim "WE TOLD YOU SO!"

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:27PM

AMEN

RDN in Houston| 7.24.09 @ 1:53PM

I recognized during the campaign that BO shot from the hip and often made up "facts". I've read that he was a B minus student in school. He apparently bobbed and weaved his way through college and law school baffling, his peers with BS rather than relying on a command of facts, which is what real scholars do.

Today, he still plays loose with the facts. He has a poor understanding of quantitative concepts ergo his outrageous, untenable cap & trade, stimulus, and health care bills. He continues to rely on the old BS habit developed early in life even to the point that he lies publicly (almost daily) in trying to sell his snake oil.

BO is an intellectually lazy, Marxist ideologue. It is regrettable that the millions who voted for this fraud didn't get it before the election.

Frank| 9.23.09 @ 11:40AM

"B" minus? What are you smoking? Obama graduated from Harvard "magna cum laude" (with great honors), putting him in the upper percentage of the class.

I'm not sure if you have heard, but Harvard is generally ranked among the top 3 law schools in the country. It's not only difficult to get into Harvard but, once in, the competition is stiff.

To be in the top percentage at Harvard, puts someone in the top 10th of one percent of students nationwide.

But, of course, you know that right? Because you yourself graduated from.... where?

Jim Gordon| 9.23.09 @ 5:32PM

It is called affirmative action! Where have you been Frank?

Lanz| 9.23.09 @ 6:16PM

Frank, if that's the case, why is he fighting to get his writings, transcripts, etc. made public? Until he shows them, he is an F.

Anne| 10.14.09 @ 1:17PM

Harvard didn't get to be one of the nation's top schools by handing out acceptance letters according to a quota system. Don't belittle that accomplishment.

But mainly, I just want to ask where civil and rational discourse has gone? Obama is intelligent and an American citizen, but that doesn't mean you have to agree with his policies or where he's taking the country. It's okay, no, better than okay that we disagree, but let's do it based on facts, not rumor and fearmongering. We all want what's best for our country - get involved so you have some say in how it's done instead of settling for making false or personal attacks...

Charles| 9.27.09 @ 1:44PM

Show me documentation and explain how he got so rich. I haven't even seen a legitimate birth certificate, much less any school records.

frank raiden| 7.24.09 @ 2:13PM

what took you so long, Ben?

Missy| 7.24.09 @ 2:19PM

If Obama is so brilliant where are his transcripts?

SGT| 11.7.09 @ 10:33PM

Missy...since when do used car salesmen have transcripts???

Marc Jeric| 7.24.09 @ 2:36PM

It was all readily predictable. Abu Hussein from Kenya had only one kind of "work" ecperience: a) as a community organizer; b) as a lawyer for community organizers; and c) as a law instructor for future lawyers for community organizers. Now one has to know how to say "community organizer" in Russian, namely "soviet". That was the main invention of VI Lenin that brought him to power in 1917.

moptop| 7.24.09 @ 2:50PM

"This reminds me of the scene in the "Music Man" when the townspeople finally learn the truth about Professor Harold Hill."

But don't worry. The health care is going to work under the "think system", just like the economy, and in just a couple short months we will be marching down main street playing "76 Trombones." It's bond to work, but right now we got trouble, yes sir I said trouble, right here in River City....

BTW, how many brilliant students, who went to privileged high schools start out in community college like Obama did.

John| 7.24.09 @ 2:53PM

Ben, agree. BHO is a contradiction in terms: an Editor who does not write (Harvard Law), an intellectual who does note speak a second language,
a state senator/US senator who has no record of creating, manging and passing challenging legislation. His qualifications are : he is black democrat, very liberal and a great speaker.
After all, BHO fooled 52% of the people into believing that "he was different" and not your typical politician..., now independents are running away, conservatives can say "we told you so". Those who think 9/11 was an "inside job", Bush was worse than Hussein and America is bad...they will continue to love BHO. The emperor has no clothes...even the media can't hide it.

Charles| 9.27.09 @ 1:46PM

BRAVO !

Clay Spann| 7.24.09 @ 3:00PM

We do not have to endure this Marxist clown for 3.5 more years. We need to go full court press on the question of whether he meets the citizenship requirements for president. If this is pressed, Bozo could be out of office by this time next year.

Art Groth| 11.5.09 @ 8:27AM

I agree with Clay, I have felt the Level Playing Field of our President. I sold a business on a contract to a couple who did not pay their payments, I filed to for-close and they filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. The Federal Judge ruled in favor of Obama's Level playing field and ruled that the paper was more important than my signed and sealed con tract, Obama's instruction to Federal Judges can also cost you your life's work. I am not rich, but $65,ooo was for my retirement and with one swipe of a Democrats pen, my income was given away to someone who did not know how to run a newspaper. No, Obama is not Black, He is a Muslim and every day more More strict Muslims are coming into White House positions giving entry to the likes of Iran and Syira. Obama now runs Gen. Motors, Chrysler,, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and a slew of others and now He is wanting to take over our Medical Field. All through History great civilizations fell from
within, because of men like our elected President. They charm the people into trusting them and then when they have the power, they destroy a country, the most powerful country on earth and we don't even check his birth records to see if he is qualified! How stupid can we be. The old watchword was
One if by Land and Two if by Sea: who is keeping watch these days, He even wants to take our guns away so his Muslim Extrimists can March In And Take Over Our Country Without a Fight.
Mark My Words, That Is His Goal. Our Own Military Does Not Want To Salute Him, They Know His True Colors, and He uses the Blacks, the Hispanics to Hate Us Whites and he has taken us back over 30 years to hate. We know your true colors Mr. President, why do you think the Tea Parties all over the country were so well attended? If was not love for you but distrust of you! What happens to Traitors? I know, do you?

moptop| 7.24.09 @ 3:06PM

Better to saddle him with a Republican Congress, the way Clinton was, and hope for the best. I don't think removing him, even if it were true that he is not a citizen, is the best thing for our country in any case.

Geo| 7.24.09 @ 3:10PM

I didn't realize that Ben Stein was such a bigot!

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 6:20PM

Your comment is a reflection of yourself and your ignorance, certainly not of Mr Stein, who is a thinking man.

Sheila| 7.24.09 @ 3:15PM

He's not, Geo--you are, you dumb marxist!

Hathum| 7.24.09 @ 3:18PM

Geo: I think we understand bigotry claims by now. Anytime a liberal doesn't want to discuss the facts (or want's to silence someone who does) the bigotry claim comes out.

If you don't love Barak, you're a bigot and shouldn't be heard.

If you don't believe Global Warming like "everyone" else, you were bought off by "big oil" and shouldn't be heard.

It's just a lame tactic to try to quash any intelligent discussion of the facts. Got to stop those subversives somehow :-).

Nice try...

Hathum

Jim Gordon| 9.23.09 @ 5:35PM

Well done, Hathum, but I believe a simple F U would have sufficed.

Anne| 10.14.09 @ 1:22PM

Just like:

If you don't think we should be in Iraq, you're un-patriotic and don't support the troops.

Conservatives have their ridiculous blanket statements, too. Nobody is blameless in what passes for our political discourse nowadays...

Tracey| 7.24.09 @ 3:50PM

Cary Loos:

As an actual viable resource for factual information, Wikipedia is not really a source because ANYONE can post ANY KIND OF BS on a record. Even college professors who assign essays and research papers tell their students not to use Wikipedia because it is not a valud source. Wikipedia, in fact, has been criticized for removing any type of comment from Obama's Wiki that is not positive.

So using them as a factual source is really stretching it since they obviously are not unbiased!

Kayanna| 7.24.09 @ 4:12PM

Now that we see the light and realize what Obama truly is and what his motives are, the really scary part is ....what's the alternative???? Think about THAT! Biden!! Pelosi!!! That would be like lowering the lid on the coffin of America!

Old Texican| 7.24.09 @ 4:41PM

Kayanna
Look on the bright side. Obama insured his good health.
With dumbunny Biden and Pelosi standing in the wings...it is his insurance. (heh!)

We just need to turn off the money...legally...and watch them choke on their poverts.

Jim Gordon| 9.23.09 @ 5:37PM

At least Nancy is standing now instead of on her back which got her where she is!

basia| 10.5.09 @ 2:47AM

Sir.
Your stupidity is really showing.No wonder we

are laughing stock of the world

Mazzuchelli| 7.24.09 @ 4:42PM

Knock off the Jew stuff.

Ben, great article as one would expect, but it doesn't quash the angst caused when you turned away from the party.

William Rucker| 7.24.09 @ 6:06PM

Ben, please return to the class and take your seat. How can you say socialized healthcare when we already have Medicare, Medicaid, and Healthcare sold by insurance companies.

I know that they are paying you well, but you have to tell the truth. The truth is that Healthcare Insurance companies are rolling in dough just like the banks.

Thus folks in these boards should look at the what Obama is trying to do versus who he is: a Black man.

Get over it already. This nation had a great vision: 'That all men are created equal' (women too)

Linda| 10.21.09 @ 6:30PM

I don't care if he's LIME GREEN! OR PURPLE, OR CHARTREUSE! COLOR is NOT the issue here!!!! What WILL it take for you people to get off the race card???

jr| 7.24.09 @ 6:27PM

Good talk Ben but it sure has taken you, and others, to say what should have been said long before the election. Perhaps we would not be having this exchange now.

kristin| 7.24.09 @ 6:32PM

you are right on bun hussein is white, rich and privelaged congress gets to pick their healthcare my family has none lets give congress the crap healthcare hey are proposing ya think they'll take it?

kristin h| 7.24.09 @ 6:44PM

I don't think anything good will come from Hussein's policies. everyone is losing. This healthcare sham is no different. Perhaps when people start dying in the E.R.'s waiting room they will come to their sense!!

Rosenlundkv| 7.24.09 @ 8:12PM

Ben the truth hurts. You have been able to bring out very clearly the enigma that is known as Barack Obama. I just wanted to add a few thoughts as well.

Let’s face it, Obama may not be the President, it looks like Ron Emanuel is in charge. I have read the Medical bill and the Cap and Trade bill and I can conclude that this is a revenue source that would be channel into deposits directly to the Bank of the World that is being run by the Bilderberg Group. Barack is only a puppet to this organization of world elate. This only seems logical when the Banks have not been able to say where the TARP money went for Bail out. My antennas seemed to pick up signals of “Hay what’s up”.

Take a little of time to watch this, it is not a Disney film but is very informative. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7886780711843120756

Money is the power processor in this show and tell. It just seems to beg the question of what can we do? Fight like hell to Stop Cap and Trade next fall in the Senate, and let the Senate know they are going to loose there ticket if they vote in this scam that is presented as a health care alternative as they did with Cap and Trade. Ask the questions at your town hall meetings this summer. This is not the Wizard of Ozz. “Don’t question the advice of the Magnificent Ozz or Obama”. We do not need to be obligated to pay higher taxes for junk science Cap and Trade and why do we really not need health care insurance socialized. We just need to talk to our insurance providers for efficiency needs in the privet sector, they have our attention.

Eric Goldin| 7.24.09 @ 9:42PM

"Look at me Mommy! "I voted for a black man! What a Good boy am I!"

Hardius| 7.24.09 @ 9:51PM

I believe that ther are only two things wrong with the United States, the Republicans and the Democrats. Until we resolve this issue nothing wholesome is going to happen in this Nation.
These people have been in power for over 100 years. Let's take a quick moment and see where they have taken us. Education is sad beyond definition, the infrastructure is a shambles, the debt and taxes are in position to bury us, our manufacturing is in other countries, our borders are still wide open, and government bureaucrats are suffocating every aspect of our lives.
If we wish for a different outcome we must elect different people.
It turns out that this is our call, all it takes is guts enough to say we have been wrong. Let us send the Democrats and Republicans a good-bye message at the next election.

Richard Baker| 7.24.09 @ 11:24PM

A dictator is a tyrant is a liar. Regardless of what the Kenyan wants, America will not be enslaved. Stay tuned as his dictatorial mindset hardens and becomes even more visible. Harry Truman said never to underestimate the American people. Aye, aye President Truman!

Roscoe| 7.24.09 @ 11:45PM

Ben Stein, there were apparently some words edited out of your last sentence. I know you really meant to say: "Like a big number of other dopes, I was completely duped by this guy, so, next time, I promise I will wake up, beloved America."

Charles Martel| 7.25.09 @ 2:40AM

You morons with the Jewish fixation make me sick. You are no different than that sick bastard who shot up the Holocaust Museum and killed that security guard. You are so twisted with anger and hatred that it's almost amusing to watch you waste your lives in obsessing over fantasies and conspiracies. Watching you spontaneously combust would be even funnier.

I hope this makes you stew in your own juices: the good and decent Americans -- i.e., everyone but you -- will always spring to Israel's defense.

+++

Northern Neighbour| 7.25.09 @ 7:27AM

Whoever wrote the article about Canadian Health Care does not live in the same Canada I live in. Our system is a mess - a big black moneypit and it has been falling down around us for years. More and more Canadians are heading to America for good care to get past the lines and in some cases to save their own lives. The stories that are being circulated in America from Canadians are true and perhaps the reporter who did the story for the "Calgary Herald" should just admit they are a Liberal (Dem) or perhaps an NDP supporter here (socialist) and like that kind of control in their life. CBS News/New York Times - most news sources in the States right now ARE NOT reporting the truth to the American people and have not been for quite a long time. They have become worshipers of an Obama who has shown no love for America itself or the principles it was built on. Say what you want - we ARE Socialized here in Canada and it is a system that does not work. The middle class being the majority of the population are the ones who end up being taxed the highest - tax the wealthy all you want OB - there still will not be enough to share the wealth with ..... As for the so called 'Canadian Reporter' - go back to school and learn how to do some real research before calling real Canadians liars about the situation in their own country (which by the way is what you did),
America - wake your neighbours up - find the brains that were lost during the last election and TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK BEFORE OBAMA DESTROYS IT. A village somewhere is missing its idiot and he is living in YOUR White House along with his own chosen shadow government .....

crookedwren| 7.25.09 @ 9:49AM

Ben,
I grew up in a house full of old-time Democrats, and I love Frank Capra movies. If only Obama could turn out to be an innocent, magnanimous, soulful type -- you know, like Jimmy Stewart going to D.C. and standing up against the political machinery there -- a good guy, loving the Constitution and the American Way.

But Obama was involved with ACORN, a Rathke group -- and Wade Rathke was (surprise!) a member of the SDS. As was Bill A. and "Mrs. Bill."

And I listened to clips on the internet to Rev. Wright "god ***n America."

Now I know that Obama claimed that he didn't know Bill A. well (which was most certainly -- based on reportage -- not the case.) But his work for ACORN? That's the experience on which some Americans voted for him. (We don't know how many of those votes were legitimate, since ACORN has been busy for quite some time now. We know that a certain amount of voter fraud has stemmed from that source.)

But what REALLY made me wonder was

how could a junior senator, with no real experience in legislation, raise more money than Hillary or even -- in the past -- W. and Al G. put together, how could this junior senator get SO MUCH FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

From where did that money come?

And then there's the hidden records --
we don't really know his school record; we don't even know for sure that he's a natural-born citizen, do we?
McCain had an entire group of men study pages and pages of documents before he was considered Constitutionally-speaking a natural-born citizen.

Obama's mother was a minor -- whether he was born in Hawaii or not. Was his father an American citizen? Didn't Obama have to claim Indonesian citizenship when he was young?

But Obama is spending a great deal of money to keep his background, including the details of his birth, a secret.

The man who promised transparency is one of the least transparent men I've ever known.

He promised to place legislation on the internet so that ALL could read it before Congress voted on it.

Yet we all know what's actually transpired. Bills passed through without being read.

This Obama kneels to the Saudi King. WHY?

This Obama apologizes for being an American.

This Obama calls Chavez "mi amigo."

Ben,
This is all adding up, scarily I say, to a man who was raised on Marxist doctrines, a man who sees America through the bitter, smeared and blackened glass of Rev. Wright, a man whose wife confessed to being ashamed of her country.

Now, it's true, America hasn't been free from taint. To my knowledge, no country has been free of such. And certainly a country that has had a powerful influence on the world will be an object of both envy and hate.

But there's another aspect to America -- and I beg young people who've been "educated" in our leftest school systems to examine well this "other" side to the flawed, privileged, greedy nation --

America has been the place for political and economic asylum in a world that punishes free thought, free speech, and individual liberty.

Many have left everything else in life that is of value -- family, friends, personal property -- in order to attain the liberty to pursue their own personal life, liberty, and happiness. Often that journey was filled with risk; many times these brave souls risked life itself to get here.

Look at these comments! I find the anti-Semitism appalling here (and these times of ours frighteningly similar to the years just before Hitler came into power.) I find the applauding of Rev. Wright as misguided. BUT OUR CONSTITUTION DEFENDS OUR LIBERTY TO SPEAK. And that is our national treasure: a treasure we must not let anyone steal from us.

Imagine posting like this in some other parts of our world. We'd be risking our own lives and the lives of our families.

Think of life as it was in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Think of life as it is in Fidel's Cuba. (Michael Moore didn't get the real story there. If you don't believe me, ask some Cubans who got on boats and risked drowning and exposure to get out of there.) It's amazing that what begins from a seemingly compassionate desire to help the poor and the disenfranchised so often turns into a despotic government that enslaves that poor. It's a terrible indictment of Marxism -- but that's how it has always played out.

When called upon by a world in trouble, Americans have fought bravely and well. Sometimes we didn't want to get involved, and then we were attacked for our isolationism. And at times when we've gotten involved, after being implored to help in the fight, we've been accused by our allies of prolonging the difficulties.

But through our history as a nation, we've been quick to recognize that the best government is small in size, for the people and by the people, that limits and checks and balances in power arise from a desire for balance and moderation. Our Founding Fathers wrote a Constitution and a Bill of Rights to keep our Republic free from tyranny of both the masses and the despots.

Obama is crippling this nation. Through debt so great that it cannot be met. Through an ideological shift that ultimately restricts individual choice, limits the enterprise of small and mid-size businesses, and places decisions of moral weight into the hands of pragmatic, fiscal-eyed bureaucrats. Through forcing legislation that is, at the very least, reckless. Through putting our government into the hands of strong-arming Labor Bosses and the legislators and bureaucrats who have brought certain states (i.e. California) to the brink. (And that may be the tip of the iceberg.)

Take a look at the writings of those influencing this so-called reform. Princeton bioethics professor Peter Singer believes in infanticide. And states around this nation are quietly sanctioning the death of the Hippocratic Oath for physicians.

As that courageous woman in Delaware said, holding up a small flag and her own birth certificate -- you know, the kind we need to get a job or a passport -- "I want my country back."

Don't let her go, America. The world will be much worse without her.

MsMeri| 7.25.09 @ 10:18AM

If O wants reform, why doesnt he work on reforming the insurance business instead of healthcare? The reason so many Americans do not have health insurance is that we've realized that we pay in much more in insurance premiums than we get out in health care!

hypocritehunter| 7.25.09 @ 10:22AM

His name should be Ben "playing both side against each other"Stein, Ben"flipflopper"Stein, or Ben Ficklestein.Read some of his earlier posts and you'll understand what I mean.

The other Larry| 7.25.09 @ 11:20AM

Hey Larry - since you are Jewish I was hoping you would know why Jews for the most part support Democrats - I guess if you knew you would have said so. Ever since FDR (the original obama) ignored the railroad's taking millions of Jews to Nazi death camps it has baffled me whenever I hear how much Jewish support most Dems have! It just doesn't make sense.

The Other Larry| 7.25.09 @ 11:25AM

Kristin wrote that when people start dieing in ER's maybe they'll wake up to this problem - unfortunately it will be too late. Obamacare states (pg 16) "buying private health insurace will be illegal!" So the insurance companies we have now, that most people are pretty happy with - will be out of business! There will be NO choice but obamacare!

papamatt| 7.25.09 @ 11:29AM

Ben, you left out one underlining point. How McCain refused to fight for the job too. Romney would have at least challenged BO.

Sean Moriva| 7.25.09 @ 11:33AM

"Ben Stein: ...subprime is tiny. Subprime is a tiny, tiny blip."

Sean Moriva| 7.25.09 @ 11:41AM

Not to mention that Barack Obama is utterly and definitively a centrist. Decry socialism all you want, this is not it.

Anthony| 7.25.09 @ 11:41AM

Obamas not doing a great job, but the fact that this post is being promoted by Karl rove says something. The previous administration was horrible as well. And if Obama is voted out the new republican administration will not be any better.

This is the administration that within a year has put out Sarah palin, Bobby jindal and Michael Steele. Not to mention the terrible job that the right is doing in the senate and congress.

I appreciate this post but simply botching and moaning is the reason Obama was elected in the first place. Last election when people were looking for ideas to help the country John McCain didn't really offer any aside from the usual tax cuts.

It's not that Obama tricked everyone it's that the American people don't believe in the right's agendas.

It's hard to be self righteous and pro choice and get people to believe in republicans when it seems like you don't give a shit about health care. Ask 10 average citizens what they think of the republican alternative to obamas plan and I guarantee you 10 people will say "what alternative."

Ben stein is a smart man but when he writes posts with name calling and no real solutions. This seems to be the party's approach as a whole. Too many Joe the plumbers and nuts screaming conspiracy theorists and not enough republican obamas with ideas (even if they're bad).

GenF Patton| 7.25.09 @ 11:44AM

Once upon a time free speech was respected in this country. Now, if you criticize the President or his administration, you're automatically a 'racist' with no valid opinion. I think there's a simple fact and Ben Stein - good for you - underlines it. America: be careful what you wish for, you might get it. The wrong PERSON, regardless of exterior appearance, was elected to the executive office. He had no credentials, no experience and no connections. He served less than 2 yrs in the Senate and most of his votes there were "present" - not 'yes' or 'no'. He doesn't have a firm grounding in the policies he puts forward, just cobbles together other peoples' opinions that sound good. His ideas don't hold together. He's already back-pedalled with his language on the stimulus bill, the economy and now healthcare. It started out as healthcare reform and was supposed to reduce the costs of getting medical treatment. Now it's become Health INSURANCE reform. I want to hear how to lower the costs, I want to hear how to keep illegal immigrants from continuing to receive free medical care at taxpayers' expense. I want to know how doctor's will be able to lower their malpracticce insurance premiums so they don't have to pass along those costs to patients. The majority of American voters made their choice without doing their homework. they continue today: if you ask anyone who says they're in favor of the President's healthcare plan, ask them to name ONE ACCURATE FACT about it. No one really knows what is being proposed or how it will truly affect each one of us. Do what Ben says: PAY ATTENTION!

halara| 7.25.09 @ 11:59AM

Wake up? We have been awake, and screaming, yet no one listens. We call our legislators, they ignore is, we do all we can as citizens, we are ignored by the "Hill". What more can we do?

ATE| 9.21.09 @ 5:40PM

If it comes to it in the end, We shall use the insurance policy inherent in the very Constitution that draws These United States of America. We shall FIGHT to hold this Republic, purchased for us by teh blood of our father's fathers. Or as Churchhill put it: We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job.

AbleGoodman| 7.25.09 @ 12:00PM

To the "I told you so crowd": yer lame. The reason Obama won was because W had already ruined the GOP brand of fiscal responsibility, and too tweaker, too-old, too McCain-Feingold, too pro-amnesty, too Gang of 14, too contrarian, too manipulative, too pain in the posterior, too you name it McCain was NOT an improvement. The wannabe-clever elitist control-freak W-enabling GOP establishment is SOLELY too blame for O's victory. It was not GOP voter ignorance. It was lack of viable options. O is a "default" Kenyan prez.

Sheila| 7.25.09 @ 12:38PM

W is partly responsible for Obama's victory, but the American people are at fault for their own stupidity.

Thomas Jefferson, "People get the government they deserve." And now we've got it.

NobamaNetwork| 7.25.09 @ 12:51PM

This is not about race or political party! In fact, Obama is equal parts of white and black so put your tired old race cards away. (He is far from our first Black President.)This is about saving our country and Constitution.
NobamaNetwork.com has been warning Americans about who Obama really is for over a year and been called everything from a racists to a conspiracy theorist but never a patriot! If America does not stand up and fight this anti-American administration we will no longer live free. Do you want your children to grow up under an oppressive government and never experience freedom? Time to ask yourself why did he produce a (proven) fake birth certificate? Why did he have his college records sealed? Why is he pumping taxpayer money into ACORN? Why is he pandering to the Muslim and terrorists nations? Why is he preaching transparency while actively hiding the content of his bills from the American people and lawmakers? Why can’t he function without a teleprompter? There are so many more questions to ask. People, who have nothing to hide, hide nothing. Wake up America!

Alan Coman| 7.25.09 @ 12:58PM

Two things I want to say.
1) The "stimulus" package is not a good idea in theory, unless you believe keynesian models. If Keynes were right, France would be the world's sole superpower, followed closely by North Korea, Cuba and Zimbabwe, and emerging markets Nicaragua, Ecuador and Venezuela.
In order to have a "stimulus" the government must tax some people (the more productive) and then hand it back out to others who need be stimulated (i.e. the can't get the money on the market in the first place, or the least productive).

2) Clinton allowing Iran to get nuclear weapons is the worse idea in the world. We see how some mullahs treat their own people. Well, a nuclear armed Iran will treat the Sunni countries around itself (not to mention Israel) ever worse. This will create a new nuclear arms race in the region. I will call this time the nuclear mullah. Don't be shocked if one of them will eventually blow up. By mistake of course.

Timekeeper| 7.25.09 @ 1:21PM

Mr. O's place in history will be marked as a merely a rejection of his predecessor's administration and a rejection of the status quo. Fortunately his term is only 4 years. The Democrats are a fractured party and adding a larger constituecy does not increase their base. Even today they cannot manage their message other than denegrating their opposition. Simply by looking at campaign contributions one can see how corporate america propped up the Dems. Fortune 100 companies have benefitted immensly during the transition. The current administration looks good on paper but lacks depth, thoughtfullness, and consistency in executing the business of governing. I don't think as an incumbent, the president can prevail in the next round in 2012. That would speak volumes in as over 90% of incumbents are selected for continuing in their jobs in the business of governing.

Peter| 7.25.09 @ 1:31PM

Just look at this blog to get the idea......

http://healthcare-or-sickcare.blogspot.com/2009/07/healthcare-health-insurance-is-joke.html

J marcus| 7.25.09 @ 2:30PM

ben
You still don't get it?

mannew| 7.25.09 @ 3:22PM

Maybe I missed it , but I did not see a single mention of George Soros in these articles about Obama. Obama is a disciple of this Megalomaniac. He has groomed Obama for years and now Obama is following orders from him.
Soros hates the US even though he has made his filthy billions here in the U.S. He is for opening borders, legalized drugs and Euthanasia. In his Project on Death in America he stated that with the retirement of the Boomers our health care would be over run. He proposed that medicines and procedures be rationed to the Senior Citizens. It amounted to health care for the fit- Euthansia for the unfit. You know, dying with dignity etc. Every person in the U.S. had better fine out about Soros and act accordingly. Just wait until you read about the citizens Army, which will be just as equipped as the government army. I predict that Obama will this project soon, if he hasn't already.

Brent Hartman| 7.25.09 @ 3:34PM

It seems that the so-called conservatives are upset that Obama is actually expanding government faster than our last president. Where was the outrage for the 8 years of unprecedented governmental growth, and loss of liberty, that took place the 8 years prior to Obama?

It's time to throw them all out and get back to the Constitutional principles that made us a once great nation.

Liberal Reader| 7.25.09 @ 4:25PM

Is Am. Spec. just a crazy fringe site?

I thought it was something else for a while.

The neo-nazi stuff is bad, but in general the wink and nod racism is embarrassing.

CallMeIshmael| 7.25.09 @ 4:31PM

If we can't stop him now, maybe we can at least slow him down. He's spending a great deal of his political capital on his "Health Plan." If it fails his aura of invincibility will be gone. That's why he's laying it all on the line now. His hired thug, Rhambo will take out all the stops in the next week to strong arm the "Blue Dogs" into voting for the plan. If they hold up against his thuggery Obama will not only lose, he'll be humiliated. Bullies' greatest fear is losing face. Once "the little people" lose their fear of the bully he's vulnerable and can be taken down fast. This next week will tell the tale. If Rhambo and Pelosi are crazy enough to bring this to a vote next week their bluffs can be exposed. Let's hope they (Obama/Rhambo/Pelosi) don't back down and the "Blue Dogs" don't lose their courage.

Mr. Science| 7.25.09 @ 4:32PM

Tracey & Cary Loos,
I used to edit Wikipedia. I relied strictly on verifiable facts and peer reviewed content. My contributions were regularly removed and replaced with conjecture, opinion and propoganda across an amazingly broad range of topics. Contributors claiming to be university professors were often the culprits and appealed to their own authority. Yet in almost every case, searches for credentials or faculty status came up short. Wikipedia is a monumental propoganda machine: a court of public opinion masquerading as an impartial, free, universal fountain of knowledge. It's rose-tinted liberalism at its best--bits of truth couched in a milieu of bias, idealogy and lies.

Sean| 7.25.09 @ 5:00PM

Right Wing lunacy and hatred of our sitting president almost makes me wish I was a liberal.

Sean| 7.25.09 @ 5:00PM

Right Wing lunacy and hatred of our sitting president almost makes me wish I was a liberal.

Noel| 7.25.09 @ 5:23PM

Ben....good article but how can we get this type of information published from our media... I'm sick and tired of only getting one side (the Obama side) of every story.

Apparently Conservative | 7.25.09 @ 5:38PM

First of all, the debate is NOT over health care, it is over health care insurance!

Is health care insurance, is it a right or privilege? Let us check the US Constitution. It is not in there! So we have to refer to the TONE the Constitution was written. The Constitution is written in NEGATIVES. What the government should NOT do!

This is the fundamental differences between Liberals and Conservatives!

Liz| 7.25.09 @ 5:55PM

Ben, you are so intelligent, but this article was not very hard hitting. The problem isn't just Obama. The problem is that we have an ignorant America, who is fat and lazy and doesn't want to put the energy into informing themselves of the issues. As long as we have our ipods, cell phones, and what-not, we're happy campers. While the country we know crumbles under the weight of ingrates and the irresponsible, we're just happy to have our kids out of the house, in public schools where they watch movies much of their time, so we can go and pursue our dreams of being the next American Idol. Until we wake up and rediscover the value of knowing our history and doing everything we can to protect our country and its freedoms and its constitution, we're doomed to fail, no matter who our leader is. The fact that we have a charismatic leader this time around, who mesmerized us with his speeches, is only the beginning of our demise unless those who voted for that "pig in a hole" have gained some wisdom and discernment as a result of this whole mess.

Mark Johnson| 7.25.09 @ 5:55PM

I know the word on the street is that Obama is "super likable" but I fail to see it. I've never thought he was anything but an arrogant punk.

joe| 9.28.09 @ 8:15PM

Amen

Lynn| 7.25.09 @ 6:06PM

Just goes to prove any fool can run for President!!
Any takers for the job?? I fear for our country and the outcome that will happen in the next 3 and half years. As was stated and it's frightening, that by the end of his 4 years, illegals will be able to vote and that will be the end of Conservatism in this county.
My father, his brothers and my husband did their time serving for our country for what, this crap. Thinking back, it was all done in vane. What a waste of time.
Another thing I would like to point out, that incident in Cambridge, Ma, was just a cop out to distract the country from the health care issue. That was not the issue at the time of his appearance again on TV, and why is this news, if happens all the time, but it's not what you know it's who you, which by the way, I'm sick of seeing this man constantly on TV. Run the country. it shouldn't be run by Pelosi, Reid and all the other crooks.
God Bless America, He only knows we need it badly!!!!

Mark| 7.25.09 @ 6:12PM

Obama is the smiling Marxist, He changes the wording of what he is trying to do but He is pushing Marxism plain and simple

douglas gentry| 7.25.09 @ 6:41PM

Obama is the only person that i have seen talk for an hour or two and never say nothing,nothing but pander .I will give him credit he studies the focus groups and he knows exactly what the people want to hear and thats what he talks about. I love fox news but ,they help Obama sometimes in this respect,Frank Luntz wires the audience and you know Obama and rahm emanuel are watching . This president has some explaining to do,god help when the next president comes to office and decides to investigate him and his crew

SoCon| 7.25.09 @ 7:25PM

Lib Reader/Jeremiah--we know you post the Neo-Nazi garbage to try and make us look bad.

That crap is what you fascist liberals espouse to, and there's no wink and a nod about it. Nice try, moron.

Missy| 7.25.09 @ 7:26PM

Sean, I don't hate Obama, but I do hate the fact that he's trying to destroy our country. Your stupid post proves you're a liberal.

Nancy| 7.25.09 @ 7:32PM

these are the signs of the "last days"....could Obama be the AntiChrist the Bible speaks of in the latter days?

Vernon| 7.25.09 @ 7:41PM

Lib Reader/Jeremiah -- I laugh at ur Neo-Nazi comment, almost everyone knows that Obama's Rahm Gestapo tries to destroy all who disagree.

bluecollarbytes| 7.25.09 @ 7:41PM

The fact is, 'we' elected an Activist to the presidency. I don't believe Obama will do anything but continue to push Leftward. The Leftist horizon is a moving target, always out of reach, meaning no way can we ever 'arrive' at a place that satisfies the LeftBent.

bobcc| 7.25.09 @ 7:46PM

I never saw racism in my hometown. We attended school together, and there never was trouble...once a bus load of blacks stopped in our town to rile people up..one of our medical doctors, who happened to be black, met this bus at the station, as he knew they were headed our way...he told them, "Don't get off the bus, we have no problems here."

It seems to be worse in big cities, and a lot of it I believe is because of the gangs...there's Asian, Black, Hispanic, and some have Russian gangs.

A friend of mine from S.A., came for a visit and I took her to Atlanta...we were walking towards town and 3 blacks were walking towards us...she immediately turned and walked away...feeling she might have offended them, I grabbed her arm and told her to stop...so please, there are other countries that have racism too.

On the topic of Obama, I do believe he tries to stir the racism pot, just as those on the bus wanted to do...but we had Dr. French!

sputnik| 7.25.09 @ 7:58PM

Here in the UK, you’ll find that most specialists in the hospitals work for the public services and also have a private practice.
Also, it seems that most do something like; Mon Wed Fri = Private, Tue Thur = Public.
In doing so, they draw two salaries and have considerable flexibility. I don’t know much about other countries, but I haven’t heard much about working in the public system bars you from also working in a private capacity.
The other thing I don’t understand is the idea that ‘a bureaucrat will make decisions for you’. In my case the ‘bureaucrat’ is either the local doctor at the surgery who knows all about me, or a specialist at the hospital, you know, the kind of people who you WANT to make decisions for you.
As for it being ‘inefficient’ here’s what happened last time I had a problem.
1) Have pain and swelling in my testes and neck.
2) Pain doesn’t go away after a few days, so make an appointment to see my local General Practitioner(GP), have to wait TWO days for appointment.
3) Spend about 30 mins with Doctor who has all my medical information to hand on a centralised computer system. Decide that I need Blood and Urine samples to test for any infection(s), my Doctor also says that she would like me to have a Chest X-ray, just to be on the safe side. She prints out a referral letter (size A5) for me to take to the local hospitals X-ray department.
4) I go back to the reception and make an appointment for the blood tests the next morning at 8.30 am. (I can have the blood tests done by the resident nurse.)
5) The next day, I take in my urine sample and give my blood samples.
6) For my X-ray, I can wander in at ANY TIME I find convenient between 9.00 am and 6.00pm, so I arrange for someone to take me there and back.
7) On the day of my X-ray, I go into the hospital, straight to the reception, and hand them the A5 referral, which they take from me, and I go to sit in the waiting area which is EMPTY.
8) After 10-15 mins. A nurse comes for me, takes me to a changing room, I get changed and wait for my turn. I wait for about 30 mins for my turn as patients from the Accident and Emergency are X-rayed first. I go in, stand in front of the plate and have my X-ray.
9) After the X-ray, I get changed back and wait for confirmation that the X-ray has been developed properly and that there are no complications. When I get the confirmation, I leave the hospital, total time approx 1.20 hrs.
10) I make another appointment with my GP for a weeks time, when all the tests are due back with her.
11) Go to my GP spend about 30 mins with her, all the tests have been sent back and come up negative, same as my X-ray, most of the time is spend discussing what our options are. We decide on a change of medication, and she prints me off a prescription.
12) I go next door to the pharmacy, sign the prescription and tick the box to say that I have a Pre-Payment Certificate. (This allows me to pay in advance approx $50(US) for six months worth of prescriptions and covers EVERYTHING) I wait for my prescription to be filled and leave.
This whole process took just over a week, and involved my handling TWO Forms, ticking ONE box, and ONE signature.
I don’t mean to rub it in, but FUCK, you can’t get much more efficient or cheap if you really tried, I spent plenty of time discussing my worries, and the whole thing involved little stress or personal expense.

Steve J.| 7.25.09 @ 8:03PM

. We need to go full court press on the question of whether he meets the citizenship requirements for president.

Another reason conservatives will be a minority for a LONG time.

Steve J.| 7.25.09 @ 8:08PM

Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his socialized medicine bill passed?

Unfortunately, it isn't socialized medicine.

DeathofFreedom| 7.25.09 @ 8:15PM

People say Obama is just new not knowing everything yet. WRONG, Obama is a well organized plan, he is our second 911, they did not need planes this time as they have a key to our White House. Obama has always felt like America needs to change and so he is a good salesman that sold the American people a good gab. Now we must not Cast our Pearls before the Swine and we all need to do what ever it takes to stop this man as he is taking this country down, preparing us for the slaughter, and his radical associates are truly happy this is what they have wanted for many years.

Lisa in CA| 7.25.09 @ 8:15PM

what a perfect depiction of where our nation is - I'm very thankful for Ben Stein.

sashal| 7.25.09 @ 8:26PM

Circulatory disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 219
United States: 265
Child maltreatment deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 0.7
United States: 2.2
Digestive disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 17.4
United States: 20.5
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births
Canada: 5.08
United States: 6.3
Intestinal diseases death rate
Canada: 0.3%
United States: 7.3%
Proability of not reaching age 60:
Canada: 9.5%
United States: 12.8%
Respiratory disease child death rate per 100,000
Canada: 0.62
United States: 40.43
Heart disease deaths per 100,000:
Canada: 94.9
United States: 106.5
HIV deaths per million people:
Canada: 47.423
United States: 48.141

Ed Ross| 9.19.09 @ 2:49PM

From what verifiable source were the above statistics obtained?

Anna| 10.12.09 @ 7:13PM

In following the example by this stellar poster, I would like to post here the fact that 82.5% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Christine| 10.18.09 @ 12:17PM

The statistics in the US include illegal immigrants and the number of illegal immigrants is far more than the government states or knows!

WAKE UP AMERICA - GET THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OUT OF THE USA AND PUT UP A 100 FOOT BARBERWIRE FENCE AROUND EVERY INCH OF THE BORDER OF THIS COUNTRY TO STOP FUTURE IMMIGRATION. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE!!!!!!!!

allison| 7.25.09 @ 8:31PM

Does Ben Stein plan to refuse his social security checks?
Does Ben Stein plan to not use Medicare?
Does Ben Stein have an issue with the VA and their healthcare?

These are all "socialized" programs - all passed under democratic administration

UHC (insurance Co) made over 30 Billion dollars last quarter --

I would rather have the government in between me and my doctor than the insurance companies

This is a rich man's point of view - what about the 50 million people who cannot afford healthcare and the rest of us who do pay healthcare but have insanely high deductibles and can only go to the doctors our HMO lets us go to?

Wake up people --
What are you thankful to Ben Stein for?
What has he and the people who think like him EVER done for this country

Ben S| 7.25.09 @ 8:34PM

Ben,

I always respected you and your insight into finance and sometimes political stands, but here you have sunk to the level of a cranky and hateful old man.

You words are truley shocking and slanderous to our commander and chief. Thats right Ben are now what you always hated. The leftists who personally attached Bush rather than making their argument that Bush was professional incompetent are not much better than you right now.

I no longer have any respect for you. You said goodbye to facts and intelligent argument and loaded your gun and fired hate speech and pretty much called our President a terrorist lover and a hater of America.

Why do idiots like you always think who is patriotic and who is not. George Washington would have considered your opinions treasonable offenses.

Just answer this Ben, who the heck got our great country into this financial mess? Obama has been in office 6 months with more to handle than any other leader since WW2.

You party loyalists are nothing but a problem to our country.

Save your fear speech and spiteful crap for someone who cares.

nina| 10.3.09 @ 2:32AM

you are one uneducated individual to make the statements you did. ben stein wrote the truth, Franklin would appreciate his words. YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT YOURE TALKING ABOUT. my guess is your education comes from CNN. Good luck with that....

Amber Wilson| 7.25.09 @ 8:44PM

"Ben Stein"

Fear and (self) loathing -
The only thing the rich white republican male dominated politicians can do is try and strike fear -- and prey upon people who cannot see the future
and that things have to change-

Ben - pal
It isn't working the way you guys ran the government- YOU guys ran up the trillion dollar deficit - YOU guys started two wars (one unnecessary) - YOU guys let the financial system to a near collapse

The only thing we have to fear is more republican rule

Charles Martel| 7.25.09 @ 8:48PM

Obama was not elected to make matters worse, yet his every decision has done so. He thinks he has a mandate to completely remake our country. Such arrogance will limit him to one term, which is already more than he should ever have been allowed to serve.

Leftiosts, your insisting that this is not socialized medicine does not make it not so. Private insurance will vanish; private care will vanish; government bureaucrats will prevent care to those the government does not wish to pay for.

On this last point, I'm always hearing how the elderly vote in greater numbers than other groups. Are they not paying attention?

The Progressives. The National Socialist Workers' Party. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.

Enough already. This must be stopped. Make sure your Congressman knows that.

+++

DeathofFreedom| 7.25.09 @ 8:49PM

Ben did not slander the Commander in Chief, he has spoken the way many Americans feel. Obama was suppose to do better than Bush, instead he has created more debt, way more, than Bush, he has gone to other countries and apologized for this Country giving America no credit for the good we have done all over the world. Obama is all about control, power the history of himself. He has a good gift of gab and fooled the American people into change, it is not the Change America wants. He is worse than Carter and will be a one term President. Carter can feel a little better now because he is not the WORST President anymore, Obama gets that title now. If Obama had good ideas for the country he would have no problem getting his bills passed. The democrats have control and the power and could pass anything he wants. It is the democrats stopping him. THANK GOD.

Steve J.| 7.25.09 @ 8:56PM

some basic truths:

Evolution is a basic truth, Mr. Stein, why do you deny it?

Hootie Patootie| 7.25.09 @ 8:59PM

MsMeri....it goes even deeper than just health insurance costs. The true root of the problem is Medicaid/Medicare & the rampant fraud within those systems to begin with. When you have a taxpayer funded program that is used to supply FREE healthcare to illegals along with every other Tom, Dick, & Harry that's figured out how to work the system, there's a problem. On top of that, the government dictates to doctors & hospitals how much they will pay them for specific procedures that are billed to medicare/medicaid....who do you think the additional costs get passed on to in order to offset those losses by the doctors & hospitals? Yep - you & me, in the form of ever-increasing healthcare costs. Which means that for those of us who do have insurance, when we submit a claim, our claims are higher because medical costs are higher, which means more out of pocket for the insurance companies which means, yep, you guessed it....higher premiums, which means more out of pocket for the consumer. It's a vicious cycle. No amount of "reform" of the healthcare system or private sector insurance cost regulation is going to help one iota until the root of the problem is addressed....and Obamacare does none of the above. "Entitlements" have GOT to be addressed & reformed before anything else can change.

shaggydave| 7.25.09 @ 10:13PM

re sputnik
4) I go back to the reception and make an appointment for the blood tests the next morning at 8.30 am. (I can have the blood tests done by the resident nurse.)

I'm not going to argue the merits (or lack thereof) of U.K. healthcare because I know nothing about it. I am pretty sure however that nurses aren't the ones doing the testing. I am a medical laboratory technician and it seems to me that a lot of people have no idea that there are people who specialize in laboratory testing. Nurses play an important role in patient care but if you start talking to them about Q.C. or spectrophotometry or immunohematological antigen-anibody complexes you get a blank look. It's just not their specialty. Nurses get paid a lot more than I do too, and I'm not saying that they don't deserve enery penny they get. They really do. Due to the fact that nurses are a more visable part of the hospital (and the fact that they have a union) they get paid a fair wage. Laboratories are back in some corner of the hospital and are not unionized, even though there is a severe shortage of lab techs our salaries have not risen as fast as I think they should have. This is beginng to change and with the retirement of baby boomers hospitals will have to adress staffing shortages by giving me more money. Hopefully. The point of all this ranting is that I don't trust any government effort to control costs or limit profits. I like it when doctors (and even insurance companies) make scads of money because it shows that market forces are working and that my future prospects are still OK. If the healthcare industry is forced by Uncle Sam to control prices and cut costs it's not going to be doctors or insurance providers or administrators or anyone else wearing a suit that's going to feel the pinch first. It's going to be me.
If profit is removed from healthcare my career is in the crapper.

shaggydave| 7.25.09 @ 10:20PM

A point about medicare/medicaid, the government is way, way behind in paying money they owe to hospitals. Meanwhile the hospital still has bills that they need to pay, and our creditors don't wait until we get paid for us to pay them. Guess who the hospital has to shaft just to stay afloat?

mattmon1| 7.25.09 @ 11:01PM

Hey there Sputnik-I get it that you described a decent experience with you Brit socialized system which does in fact seem fairly stream-lined. However, you didn't actually have a serious problem that required extensive care or costly investigation. What you described certainly sounds similar to the health care I have through an employer partial-payment plan. I will say that I am very happy with my health care plan and gladly pay the weekly cost as I know I will be taken care of even in dire situations. My understanding is that the system in England does not provide dialysis for people with kidney problems over the age of 55. This is unheard of in the U.S. on any system. We have a very compassionate care system and even health care providers that involve allot of red tape are still very good at making sure treatments are available and timely. My wife is a Russian citizen by birth and she is very paranoid of Doctors and Dentists due to this. It took me several years of convincing and some exceptionally good local Doctors and Dentists to make my wife feel comfortable seeking regular care.
Her parents, which live in Russia until they move here as her brother did do not use the public services in Russia instead they seek out and pay for Doctors with good reputations. Or, they have treatments done here in the U.S. as her Mom did with varicose vien removal.
I had this conversation with a very intelligent, liberal friend (no pun intended) before Obam was elected and he conceded that you cannot have public care and government care coexist in the way AdolfObama explains. This guy is very "compassionate" so he seemed moved to silence due to his control-freak nature when I balked and said I didn't think it was okay for the Government to take away my health care. He didn't know what to say...Liberals preach "compassion" yet the entire agenda is control. They cried foul at Bush listening in on conversations between known terrorists outside the U.S. and people inside the U.S. as being a huge civil rights violation. Yet, they support taking away/running out of business the health care system I have now and happily pay for and replacing it with something that I do not want that I cannot pay my way out of leaving me with no options unless I am a very rich politician that can afford the cost of expensive tests the Government will surely not cover. This is being pushed knowing that the constitution makes no provision for such a plan so, this administration is deciding to destroy the health care system as we know it and change my coverage at its own whim. This is an extreme intrusion of my civil liberties as defined by the constitution. I am glad that Obama exposed his racially motivated feelings and his class bias to the American people when asked about his Harvard buddy and glad that together they are helping Americans once swayed by his talk of change and hope that this is not just any politician this guy is a new brand of Leftist-ANti-American never before seen in an American President.

Katie | 7.25.09 @ 11:10PM

It's hard from where I am when all of your friends are democrats and they hear only what they want to here...I agree with everything you say Ben. We once said that this country would never be a socialist one....But congratulations democrats...we are becoming more like one ever fraking day!

Tiny| 7.25.09 @ 11:21PM

It amazes me that with the VA for veterans and medicare for the elderly and poor, people are talking about Obama's plans being socialism when the systems in place are somewhat socialist and no one even has the details of the new plan. Maybe Nancy Reagan is the real leader of the Republican party, "Just say no"

The birthers are totally clueless! The birth certificate was produced and has been verified by the issuing state. None of the birth conspiracy theorists are even attempting to discredit or explain the Obama birth announcement in the local paper.

The Republican party has no health plan because they belief there is no problem. This lack of empathy for the average American and eight years of GW are the main reasons that the party is on the ropes .

Regina Williams| 7.25.09 @ 11:21PM

Thanks for this enlightening article Mr Stein. You have opened my eyes to a world of truth. The truth being that with bigots like spewing trash like this there is so much work to be done and today I declare to keep up the fight to uproot you and your kind in whatever ways I can.
You glibly insult our collective intellect telling us we voted for a pig in a poke? Take another look in the mirror Sir. His speaking up against characters like you make his writings anti white but its okay to call him a pig in a poke.
Anti american diatribe by Jeremiah Wright? WHAT DID THAT MAN SAY THAT WAS NOT TRUE?
You should be ashamed that you have fed so fat on the fat of the land words like community organizer are like bad words to you. You forget that your first calling as a leader is to serve. Charity always begins at home Sir, thats why he began with his community but of course that would be another dirty word to you.
You complain of a total zero academic record ( maybe you were in Argentina when the documentary of his accomplishments were aired). To your eternal chagrin Sir the confused little boy broke through the oppressive black experience, institutions fueled by the likes of you and is now the PRESIDENT of the most powerful nation on earth - AGAINST ALL ODDS. Its okay to cry Sir, go ahead. Now he is talking about health care for millions of Americans who don't have coverage, helping others yet again. Unleashing another act of terror in your comfort zone. So you embark on this campaign of calumny, to drown him in some WATERLOO? It aint happening. America was founded on freedom justice and EQUALITY for all and so may it remain. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

shaggydave| 7.25.09 @ 11:41PM

Tiny,
It's not that we don't see a problem with the staus quo. I am open to any suggestion to reduce the number of uninsured that does not put the State in a position of authority over healthcare decisions. I don't see how any of the proposals offered by democrats thus far will actually reform healthcare. When Obama says doctors will retain all decision making I don't beleive him.

shaggydave| 7.25.09 @ 11:49PM

Or any other politician.

shaggydave| 7.25.09 @ 11:51PM

Regina, I'm not quite sure how a person could drown in some WATERLOO. If memory serves Waterloo is on dry land. Perhaps you meant Trafalgar?

dennisintn| 7.26.09 @ 1:03AM

well done, mr. stein.
anyone who wants to see and hear the real obama, just watch and listen to the 30 seconds or so that he spends calling the police in the gray case stupid. the mask drops, the deep-seated anger shows and the timbre of his voice even changes.
he has done a remarkable job, up to this instance, of showing us what he wanted the world to think he is.
dennisintn

Ken Hughes | 7.26.09 @ 1:38AM

Karl Marx wouldn’t have bought into this Obama mania. The World Socialist Web is perhaps aside from me one of Obama’s severest critics. Obama has a problem when world socialist won’t recognize him as one of theirs. Obama is a born and beget child of the welfare system where economics doesn’t exist.

Steven| 7.26.09 @ 2:32AM

People voted for Obama because basically the republicans screwed them. The vote was a shout back at the republicans for promising the american people that life would be good if you just followed the republican way of life and as of Oct 2oo8, what happened? Only the rich got richer and the poor and middle class got poorer.

As in the war in Iraq, their fake morality and the republicans "suddenly discovering how serious the health issue is", they now suddenly know whats best for the american people.

So what the majority of people were saying with vote was "Anything is better then the republicans"

Oh by the way does anyone really think the republicans would have done a better job since November? I mean other then making the rich richer, everyone else poorer and being involved in another war with Iran?

Jeremiah| 7.26.09 @ 3:20AM

With Obama's favorable polling numbers in the crapper--along with the economy, we can only hope this incompetent clown is a one termer.

I just hope our country can survive the democrat's disgusting corruption.

FeralCat| 7.26.09 @ 4:16AM

See Obama’s moon slink down in the sky
Every dream he spins is a lie
Here’s the one bitter lesson of Obama’s history
His soul should no longer remain a mystery
His many faces change
What you thought you knew grows ever more strange
And he has so many faces
His real self erases
With all those lies dancing in his empty eyes!

Carlos Lopez| 7.26.09 @ 8:52AM

Ben,

You left out Obama's position in the Honduras crisis, where a tiny country is trying to stand up to the Hugo Chavez tide and the left-leaning OAS.

The continent stands at a crossroads at this moment, and it appears Obama has pretty much thrown Honduras, a historical US ally, under the bus.

William L| 7.26.09 @ 10:10AM

How about people protest all the time in DC reminding him what he said on the campaign trail and embarrass the hell out of this idiot as dictator in chief to the point he cracks and resigns? Lets pound him into submission and see when the fake leader crumbles. Noone can take humiliation all the time. Rip OB to shreads

Some guy| 7.26.09 @ 10:34AM

Those who read Ben Stein's work should not mistake his glibness for actual depth of thought. Stein is an idiot; this is made plain by his embrace of superstition over science. His television show pretended that memorizing trivia is equivalent to wisdom. His film "expelled" was nothing but an extended snivel over nonsense being dismissed as nonsense.

As a lover of freedom, it appalls me to see Ben Stein touted as an advocate for conservative values. He is a caricature of a conservative, which the liberal media uses to discredit all of us who seek a return to constitutional government.

Another guy| 7.26.09 @ 10:58AM

Agree with Some Guy. Ben is a moron. Look at what he has been saying for the last 8 years. He gets everything wrong. He is a right wing religious fundy hack. They are the ones that put us where we are now. The man should not even be allowed a podium.

Tiny| 7.26.09 @ 11:01AM

I, for one, am naive enough to think that a majority of our nation would be happy with any truly workable solution regardless of author. So if there is a Republican plan out there that is superior, let's hear it. I know political infighting and posturing energizes the party bases and fills the war chests, but, what America needs now are solutions to problems that might be a lot easier to solve if all the partisanship was put on hold. And, while we're at it, if all of the politicos would put their energies into working for the people they are supposed to be representing rather than themselves, we'd all be better off.

Tim| 7.26.09 @ 11:02AM

"...Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling your doctor what he can and cannot do. .."

That's interesting because I live in Canada and my doctor doesn't have to call anyone, because everyone has the same coverage and the doctors know what that includes.
Contrast that with the US where different people have different coverage or no coverage and the doctor has to verify what the particular person's coverage entails.
So, they call some call centre to ask. How is that less obstructionist and more efficient. Doesn't that waste possibly critical time. Isn't that just an extra cost to be paid for by premiums?

T| 7.26.09 @ 11:02AM

Above (at 7/25 8:31) Allison wrote that:

"I would rather have the government in between me and my doctor than the insurance companies ."

This is one of the most uninformed statements I have ever seen.

First, you can always refuse to pay insurance premiums and do without, so an insuraqnce company is forced to walk a fine line between providing benefits and collecting premiums or the premiums stop. The government can do what it wants with your tax money--just try and stop paying your taxes.

Secondly, to repeat Bill Pearce from above (7/74 at 11:08) once the government is involved in funding health care, the dollars that pay for your health care are in direct competition with all the other federal dollars doled out frderal programs and pork. Who do you think is going to win the battle between a subsidy for ACORN or cancer treatment for a 60 year old?

Finally, kudos to Bill Pearce, above. This is an incredibly importaqnt insight and Bill is correct, it is the true horror of Obamacare. This point needs to be shared with every independent voter, and every member of congress.

Tim| 7.26.09 @ 11:06AM

Can someone tell me what the the profit margins are for health care companies?

Marc Jeric| 7.26.09 @ 11:24AM

The big complaint about private health insurance companies is that most of them will not accept patients with prior conditions. well, let us see:
1) A guy lives 30 years, healthy, and pays no health insurance thus saving himself about $200,000; at age 55 he develops cancer and wants to buy that insurance. I would say to hell with him! I spent $200,000 just for that contingency and that creep wants now a free ride.
2) In California house insurance for earthquakes is optional - its premium is added to your basic insurance. So you say no - it will save you about $100/year, say for 25 years it's a "saving" of $2,500. Then one day the quake levels your house and then you want to buy that insurance; and I say to hell with you! I do not want my quake insurance to buy you a new house;
3) Say a guy hates paying for car insurance - for accident damage or for damage from uninsured motorist. For 20 years he is "successful" - no accidents and he "saved" some $200,000 over that period. Then one day an uninsured Mexican Indian, illegal alien, totals his car and escapes. Now he wants to buy tha car insurance - and I will tell him go to hell! I do not want my insurance to increase to pay for your criminally neglectful behavior.
What is the difference here with this "prior condition" complaint?

Dennis Poulsen| 7.26.09 @ 11:45AM

Obama will give everything we want and then take
everything we have. We need to take our pitch forks
and march on Washington. God save America.

Charlie| 7.26.09 @ 11:45AM

The irony? It is Roe v. Wade that guarantees the government cannot intervene in our relationships with our doctors.

Carol Herman| 7.26.09 @ 11:52AM

McCain LOST! How did a GOP primary produce him? Well, then, it has something to do with "politics." And, the fact that a few really bad apples got to be nominees.

Can Obama be stopped? What frightens me most is the Orwellian language. And, that nothing seems to interfere with Obama's agenda.

Did Obama make a big whopping mistake? Sure. On the order of Nifong's. But Nifong got punished. This doesn't seem to happen to black race baiters. And, other than Officer Crowley being extremely quiet; and the TAPES of the Gates confrontation have not yet made it to Youtube, I'd suspect somebody is waiting to "see the Whites of their eyes," before shooting off the next round.

It's going to be a long, hard slog even to 2010. While the GOP is almost as disliked by independents, as "the other party."

To escape the Orwellian language you need to be very honest. And, persistent. And, be grateful for the Net.

David Johnson| 7.26.09 @ 11:53AM

He is a rabid racist, a rabid America hater, a pathological liar, a fraud and a phony who would never have been admitted to Harvard, much less made president of its law review, but for the accident of his skin color and his self-claimed foreign status. Surely he must be the only president of that publication who never had a SINGLE article of his own published. Of course there is the poem about apes and figs--somehow that didn't make the cut. He is also literally an ignoramous--how many states again, Barry? This is what you get when affirmative action reaches all the way up to the white house. He is also a racketeer, a cocaine user by his own admission (how do we know he isn't still smoking crack?), a plagarist (who wrote those books Barry?) and a malignant, megalomanical narcissist. A monster, really.

Claude Hopper| 7.26.09 @ 11:57AM

Obama appears ready to ration health care for the old foggies. OK, let's start. Transfer Teddy K. to end of life hospice care.

William L| 7.26.09 @ 12:10PM

How about government giving the people the choice when it comes to health care and any other services?
Force feeding us something that not everyone wants is the issue. Government run healthcare should be optional, not mandatory and forced upon everyone to support. That is where liberals don't get it.

ginaswo| 7.26.09 @ 12:39PM

Ben
Hillary is NOT giving Iran a pass on nukes, TOTUS however is, Hill on MTP today was very very clear she thinks TOTUS will stop Iran. Hill made it clear in our primary debates she would WIPE IRAN OFF THE EARTH if they attacked Israel.
But the Dems selected Obama and 52% and the MILLIONS OF GOP WHO STAYED HOME made it happen
so stop blaming Hill who can only carry out TOTUS' plans. I am sure she will step down when she cannot take it any more, but Hill is no quitter, witness stying with Big Dawg and the party..
I am a mod DEM who voted MAC PALIN and we cannot group together in 2010 to get rid of RINOS and Dem libs if you all keep attacking the woman who would have made the far better POTUS...

heartland| 7.26.09 @ 12:41PM

I don't think Obama is "super nice" at all. He is cold, calculating and manipulative. Besides, he is too skinny. He has that lean and hungry look; such men are dangerous.

Peter M| 7.26.09 @ 12:42PM

Obama took more time to consider what kind of a puppy he should get for White House Photo ops than he gave consideration to the House Bill, which he admits he hasn't read, and doesn't know what it contains.

Richard Palmer| 7.26.09 @ 12:56PM

Obama believes that the purpose of businesses is create jobs.

Obviously, not many American's personally know Obama. So, many people feel they got to know Obama by what he says and how he says it. Others believe they know Obama by his actions. Personally, I feel I know Obama more by his 20 years in Rev. Wright's church, than by his speeches.

Dark Eden| 7.26.09 @ 1:00PM

You know all this was pretty obvious before the election to anyone who was paying attention. The right tried to warn people but you wouldn't hear us. if Obama fooled you, its because you wanted to be fooled.

Michael Asher| 7.26.09 @ 1:14PM

The emperor has no clothes --
http://penetratinginsights.blogtownhall.com/2008/09/11/the_emperors_new_clothes.thtml

woman| 7.26.09 @ 1:19PM

There are so many comments here already and in all those I have read, I must concur.

Also, like Larry, I am a Jew and don't understand how Jews can support someone who early on, just by affiliation, showed us his true character.

Gary| 7.26.09 @ 1:20PM

Lets talk about the 1 percenters. According to government figures, 1 percenters' share of America's total income is the highest it's been since 1929, and their tax rates are the lowest they've faced in two decades.
With 22,000 Americans dying each year because they lack health insurance, Congress is considering universal health-care legislation financed by a surcharge on income above $280,000 - that is, a levy almost exclusively on 1 percenters. This surtax would graze just 5 percent of small businesses and would recoup only part of the $700 billion the 1 percenters received from the Bush tax cuts. In fact, it is so miniscule, those making $1 million annually would pay just $9,000 more in taxes every year - or nine-tenths of 1 percent of their 12-month haul.
I would like to point out to everyone, that Mr Stein is a 1 percenter. Why do so many in the 99 percent group believe the crap the 1 percenters spit out? Follow da money.

dudewithacause| 7.26.09 @ 1:47PM

i love your comcast commercials with shaq. they are awesome...dare i say comcastic. i also saw you on the tube recently shilling for something about debt repayment? i dunno, had a bunch of talking squirrels in it. i'm not sure how relevant you are talking about obama being a sham and telling america to wake up. looks to me like your in a little dream world buddy. anyone, anyone? stop bitching folks and get on with life. this partisan crap is what is killing our country. get to work. make something. do something. jesus!

Toads| 7.26.09 @ 2:11PM

Actually, it is even worse for Obama.

97% of blacks still approve of Obama. Strip them out, and just 42% of whites + Hispanics + Asians approve of Obama.

Blacks will always support a Democrat (particularly a Democrat who is half-black) by 97%, and always disapprove of a Republican by 97%. Blacks are the most hyperpartisan group of all, for reasons that clearly do not include the fact that Robert Byrd and George Wallace were recent Democrats.

So a Democrat always has a 10% advantage over a Republican, no matter what.

So Obama at 49% is identical to Bush being at 39%, if you exclude the black unconditional support.

Thus, whites + Hispanics + Asians already approve of Obama no more than Bush's lowest approval rating among this group. Ponder that.

Of course, this can only mean that Cubans, Chinese, Indians, Colombians, etc. are racist towards the 50% of Obama that is black. /sarc.

Lawyerchik1| 7.26.09 @ 2:12PM

Excellent analysis, Mr. Stein. I have been asking the question "what's the rush?" for a while now, and yours is the first answer that makes any sense.

I voted against Mr. Obama (which only means that I held my nose and voted for McCain), and while there is a certain amount of schadenfreude at being able to say "I told you so" to my liberal friends, that is so overshadowed by the anger and heartsickness I feel over what is happening to this country at the hands of this poseur that it doesn't bring me any real joy. "Elections have consequences" isn't really fair either, since the election was decided by a fairly small margin.

We still have choices, though. We can continue to push our elected representatives (congress people and senators) and we can remind them regularly and often that many of them are up for reelection next year.

Thanks again for rallying the troops. We need all of the national visibility we can get.

Lawyerchik1| 7.26.09 @ 2:16PM

And to the people who whine about the "partisanship" that they believe is "ruining" this country, it's not "partisanship" - it's socialism. Being against socialism is not "partisan" - it's patriotic.

Besides. If there were true "partisanship," there would be more Democrats joining the Blue Dogs (at the very least). There is nothing "partisan" about limited federal government, personal and national fiscal responsibility, or strong defense of our national security.

Thebes| 7.26.09 @ 2:22PM

Ben-

The problem here is the FALSE Left vs Right paradigm. In reality Obama is causing just as much harm to our once great nation as Bush did. They BOTH promulgated an increased Federal Tyranny, usurping the US Constitution and engaged in massive acts of graft to enrich their friends.

Now, Americans do not trust EITHER party, don't trust Big Government at all. But its not just an Obama thing.

BTW, Iran doesn't have nukes, is not working on nukes, has an "inalienable right" to peaceable nuclear power under a treaty signed by them and us, but not by Israel who DOES have nukes.

Please, Ben, stop promoting this false Left vs Right partisan bull-biscuit bickering and START working to bring the Federal Government back down in size to its role as mandated by the US Constitution!

FeralCat| 7.26.09 @ 2:28PM

Marc Jeric: What is the difference here with this "prior condition" complaint?

Somewhere between slim and none, but much much closer to none.

joe| 7.26.09 @ 2:32PM

I hope someone is listening, when did American agree to Socialism?! Why is the American public allowing this President (who should have been an actor with the amount of time he likes to spend in front of the camera instead of doing his job) to both create irrevocable harm with huge debt levels for future generations as well as target the working/educated population of this country as his meal ticket. Has everyone lost sight that this leader (I use that term lightly) has never been involved in creating any legislation and now he is pressuring the country to pass tremendous reform with little more than a few weeks time to review it. IT IS MANIC BEHAVIOR. He is only pursuing such a strategy because the Dems control both t he House and Senate, but to date everything he has pursued has failed. A leader is not someone who just spends money on many types of ideas (TARP, TALF, PIIP) hoping something sticks so he can say his is right, a leader is someone who is decisive. WE all have serious issues in this country and it is not the time to now talk about Health Care; where are the jobs he promised? Where is the "green economy"? Does anyone realize that this proposed change will stall drug development, will create a rationing of care and allow the Government to play GOD with who lives and dies! Health Care is one of the last areas the USA still leads in, people from all around the world come to the USA because of the quality of our care. Mr. Obama wants to destroy that as he is slowing doing to the financial industry where top quality employees are leaving to work outside the USA. All Mr. Obama has really done, due to his naivety, is put this country in unimaginable debt, make us beholden to China that we actually entertain conversations of a "Global Currency", and has made us the laughing stock of N. Korea all while creating a race divide. I beg America, create balance in the House and Senate in the next election so true, thoughtful legislation may be passed. Stop this President's Manic behavior (as well as his comrade in arms Pelosi, her ego has inflated her job description - who voted for her as "President") and/or just refuse to pay taxes. If we, the target masses of Mr. Obama for his funding needs, stand together and stop paying taxes and/or form a "working America rights group" maybe he will understand that he is destroying this country. You have all worked hard for what you have, why are you letting a socialist take it from you? Change is needed, he was not it! Restore balance to the political system, one party should not govern with an iron fist. Mr. Obama will be remembered as the greatest manipulator and the destroyer of the American Spirit.

CHANGE THE BALANCE OF POWER THIS COMING ELECTION AND STOP THE DEMOCRATS FROM BULLYING AMERICA BECAUSE THEY CONTROL BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE!

Seeking new members| 7.26.09 @ 3:13PM

About the Ku Klux Klan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ku Klux Klan is a racist, anti-Semitic movement with a commitment to extreme violence to achieve its goals of racial segregation and white supremacy. Of all the types of right-wing hate groups that exist in the United States, the Klan remains the one with the greatest number of national and local organizations around the country.

More than 40 different Klan groups exist, many having multiple chapters, or “klaverns,” including a few that boast a presence in a large number of states. There are over a hundred different Klan chapters around the country, with a combined strength of members and associates that may total around 5,000.

After a period of relative quiet, Ku Klux Klan activity has spiked noticeably upwards in 2006, as Klan groups have attempted to exploit fears in America over gay marriage, perceived “assaults” on Christianity, crime and especially immigration.

KKK Symbol
Founder: Confederate Civil War veterans Captain John C. Lester, Major James R. Crowe, John D. Kennedy, Calvin Jones, Richard R. Reed, Frank O. McCord
Founded: 1866
Headquarters: Each different Klan group has its own headquarters.
Background: The Klan has fragmented into more than 40 separate factions of varying sizes. There is no “one” Ku Klux Klan.
Estimated size: There are over a hundred different chapters in the various Klan organizations, with varying memberships. Overall, there may be as many as 5,000 members and associates of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan is strongest in the South and in the Midwest.
Criminal Activity: The Klan has a relatively high association with criminal activity, ranging from hate crimes to acts of domestic terrorism.
Media: Mass mailings, leafleting and the Internet
Strategy: Public rallies and protests, "adopt a highway" programs and other attention getting stunts, Internet
Ideology: White supremacist ideology not far from that of neo-Nazis, although it tends to be more Christian-oriented and to stress nativism.
Affiliations: National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations, Christian Identity groups
Financial support: Little. Most funding comes from membership dues and sales of Klan paraphernalia.

The Ku Klux Klan first emerged following the Civil War as America’s first true terrorist group. Since its inception, the Ku Klux Klan has seen several cycles of growth and collapse, and in some of these cycles the Klan has been more extreme than in others. In all of its incarnations, however, the Klan has maintained its dual heritage of hate and violence.

John| 7.26.09 @ 3:29PM

The fascist propaganda about the Obama healthcare plan fails to consider the reality of health care today. Most people with a health plan have a corporate manager siphoning away their access to coverage and the majority of people are NOT happy with the state of affairs. Those without health care (majority are children) do not care if Motor Vehicles runs the system as long as there is access to care. This fear mongering and distortion to preserve the cash cow that is corporate run health care is disgusting and vile and highlights the depths of greed and inhumanity prevalent in crony capitalism. Our politicians have been bought off so this pig won't fly. Just another betrayal of the average American. Trillions for reverse Socialism (Fascism) to Corporate fat cats. Nothing for the citizen in need.

Toads| 7.26.09 @ 4:01PM

Again, I emphasize :

Obama won 52-47.

But he won the black vote 96-4.

Exclude the black vote (11% of the pop), and Obama's vote tally among whites + Hispanics + Asians is just 47%. Yes, that is right : Obama would have LOST the election in a 47-53% landslide if not for the black vote.

It is time that whites + Hispanics + Asians hold black people accountable for their narcissism and selfishness, in foisting this creature upon us.

Black people are a tremendous burden to America, in terms of politics, economics, health costs, crime, and culture. We are effectively carrying an African dictatorship of 38 million people (the size of Kenya or Uganda) within the US, with all the dysfuction, poverty, and barbarism that entails.

Unfortunately, we could never do this, but I dare say that if we paid each black person $1 million to give up their US citizenship and leave to the country of their choice, the return on investment of this scheme would still be positive. Leftism, crime, and poverty would dwindle into virtually nothing.

Anne| 7.26.09 @ 4:28PM

I did not vote for Barak Obama for President of our country. My reasons were not racial in nature. I did not believe that he was quailfied for the position. Black or white or what ever race or ethnic background if I had believed that he was qualified I would have voted for him.

Missy| 7.26.09 @ 4:49PM

Hey, Seeking--just remember: You democrats started the KKK and brutalized black folks for many years. You're still race baiting and dividing Americans today with your Black Panthers.

JOHN BERGER| 7.26.09 @ 6:23PM

B.O's inevitable downward spiral is happening much quicker that even I imagined. When his popularity reposes @

Israelis Killing US Troops | 7.26.09 @ 6:24PM

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ISRAELI SNIPERS KILLING US TROOPS IN IRAQ.
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#1 (permalink) 07-12-2009, 04:08 PM
canuck27
AWE Subscriber Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: canada
Posts: 15,452

ISRAELI SNIPERS KILLING US TROOPS IN IRAQ.

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Israeli Snipers Killing US Troops In Iraq

Israeli Snipers Killing
US Troops In Iraq
Source: Joanna Francis and CNN
11-11-6

Anderson Cooper of CNN showed this video of snipers killing U.S. troops in Iraq on his October 18, 2006 show. CNN says it obtained the video from a "representative" of an unnamed "insurgent leader." Bear in mind that Anderson Cooper used to work for the CIA.

Richard Wilson's hypothesis: Israeli soldiers and/or Mossad agents are killing our soldiers in Iraq in order to enrage American troops so that the slaughter continues.

Proof: At the very beginning of this video clip, you see a rifle with a video camera attached to it. This weapon is made by the Rafael company, an Israeli arms manufacturer, that also makes IEDs. If you watch the video all the way through, it explains how this rifle works. CNN stated that the camera used to film these shootings was not a mounted rifle camera. But as you watch the video, you see that with each shot fired, the camera recoils. That would only happen if it were mounted on the rifle. Why is this significant? Because this kind of rifle-camera is extremely sophisticated and not available to your average Iraqi insurgent. I mean, it's not exactly an easily obtainable Saturday night special! Something this sophisticated points to Mossad.

Mossad is a master at false flag operations, e.g., Oklahoma City, the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, the July 7, 2005 London bombings, the 9-11 attacks in New York, the assassination of the Prime Minister in Beirut, the stoking of Muslim riots in France last year, the bombing of the Hassan al-Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq, etc.

Israelis freely move among US and UK troops in Iraq, and have access to top-level US intelligence. Until July 2003, the head of all US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan was General Tommy Franks, a Zionist Jew. (He is now on the board of directors for Bank of America.) On November 7, 2006 another Zionist Jew became a principle liaison between Mossad and US forces in Iraq: Major General Richard F. Natonski of the Marine Corps. His title is Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations.

Because of this access, the "insurgents" (i.e., Mossad agents) know exactly where US vehicles will be and who will be inside them. This allows them to target for maximum false flag effect.

For example, on July 23, 2005, a detachment of 19 female US Marines was sent to Fallujah to check Iraqi women for bombs. An IED blew up their truck. Two of the young American women were killed, five were critically wounded, and four were captured. The bodies of the four captured women turned up later in a garbage dump with their throats cut. Americans were outraged. Islamic clerics insisted that only Israelis could be so cold-blooded. And who was in charge of US forces in Fallujah at the time? None other than Major General Natonski, the Mossad liaison.

Americans are supposed to believe that rag-tag "insurgents" use IEDs powerful enough to kill three US troops per day, on average. An American soldier even set up a blog on how "Intel" is betraying and targeting US troops. But sometimes Mossad bomb-makers accidentally blow themselves upin Iraq.

According to Richard Wilson, Israeli sniping and IEDs are false flag operations. He says that on March 28, 2005, Americans arrested 19 Mossad agents who fired twice on a US Marine checkpoint. The Marines beat up the Mossad agents and tore off their Star-of-David necklaces. (The US media incorrectly said the agents were Americans.) The Mossad agents said they were employees of Zapata Engineering, which helps the CIA conduct interrogations, and also manages US ammo dumps and US motor pools in Iraq.

IEDs in Iraq are powerful enough to flip over a 70-ton tank. Some of the models shoot depleted-uranium projectiles, and are triggered by electronic devices surreptitiously planted on US armored vehicles. Zapata Engineering (which employs Mossad agents) makes this exact kind of trigger, and oversees some of the US motor pools.

Rumsfeld says the IEDs come from Iran, but Richard says they come from Mossad, and are not "improvised" at all. The Israeli company, Rafael (see above), makes IEDS, which are buried in the middle of a road. Beside the road is a device which emits a laser or radio signal. This device is manufactured by firms like Zapata Engineering, which is controlled by Zionist Jews. The IED mine, manufactured by Israel, is inert until a US vehicle (secretly planted with a triggering device) rolls over it.

Whenever Mossad carries out these false-flag operations they produce a videotape or a recording from an "unnamed source" that is "close to al-Qaeda." Sometimes they say "the claim was posted on an Internet website, but its authenticity could not be verified."

But Israelis would never kill anyone in cold blood, would they? After all, the USS Liberty massacre was "an accident!"

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Satsoomer| 7.26.09 @ 6:25PM

AbleGoodman| 7.25.09 @ 12:00PM--- I do not appreciate your comments. They make me angry and I dislike you for putting those ideas in print. Unfortunately, I can't think of one word with which to refute them.

Protocols| 7.26.09 @ 6:33PM

WORLD CONQUEST THROUGH WORLD JEWISH GOVERNMENT

THE PROTOCOLS
OF THE
LEARNED ELDERS
OF ZION

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PROTOCOL No. 10
1. To-day I begin with a repetition of what I said before, and I BEG YOU TO BEAR IN MIND THAT GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE ARE CONTENT IN THE POLITICAL WITH OUTSIDE APPEARANCES. And how, indeed, are the GOYIM to perceive the underlying meaning of things when their representatives give the best of their energies to enjoying themselves? For our policy it is of the greatest importance to take cognizance of this detail; it will be of assistance to us when we come to consider the division of authority of property, of the dwelling, of taxation (the idea of concealed taxes), of the reflex force of the laws. All these questions are such as ought not to be touched upon directly and openly before the people. In cases where it is indispensable to touch upon them they must not be categorically named, it must merely be declared without detailed exposition that the principles of contemporary law are acknowledged by us. The reason of keeping silence in this respect is that by not naming a principle we leave ourselves freedom of action, to drop this or that out of it without attracting notice; if they were all categorically named they would all appear to have been already given.

2. The mob cherishes a special affection and respect for the geniuses of political power and accepts all their deeds of violence with the admiring response: "rascally, well, yes, it is rascally, but it's clever! ... a trick, if you like, but how craftily played, how magnificently done, what impudent audacity!" ...

OUR GOAL - WORLD POWER
3. We count upon attracting all nations to the task of erecting the new fundamental structure, the project for which has been drawn up by us. This is why, before everything, it is indispensable for us to arm ourselves and to store up in ourselves that absolutely reckless audacity and irresistible might of the spirit which in the person of our active workers will break down all hindrances on our way.

4. WHEN WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OUR COUP D'ETAT WE SHALL SAY THEN TO THE VARIOUS PEOPLES: "EVERYTHING HAS GONE TERRIBLY BADLY, ALL HAVE BEEN WORN OUT WITH SUFFERING. WE ARE DESTROYING THE CAUSES OF YOUR TORMENT - NATIONALITIES, FRONTIERS, DIFFERENCES OF COINAGES. YOU ARE AT LIBERTY, OF COURSE, TO PRONOUNCE SENTENCE UPON US, BUT CAN IT POSSIBLY BE A JUST ONE IF IT IS CONFIRMED BY YOU BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY TRIAL OF WHAT WE ARE OFFERING YOU." ... THEN WILL THE MOB EXALT US AND BEAR US UP IN THEIR HANDS IN A UNANIMOUS TRIUMPH OF HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS. VOTING, WHICH WE HAVE MADE THE INSTRUMENT WHICH WILL SET US ON THE THRONE OF THE WORLD BY TEACHING EVEN THE VERY SMALLEST UNITS OF MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RACE TO VOTE BY MEANS OF MEETINGS AND AGREEMENTS BY GROUPS, WILL THEN HAVE SERVED ITS PURPOSES AND WILL PLAY ITS PART THEN FOR THE LAST TIME BY A UNANIMITY OF DESIRE TO MAKE CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE WITH US BEFORE CONDEMNING US.

5. TO SECURE THIS WE MUST HAVE EVERYBODY VOTE WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF CLASSES AND QUALIFICATIONS, in order to establish an absolute majority, which cannot be got from the educated propertied classes. In this way, by inculcating in all a sense of self-importance, we shall destroy among the GOYIM the importance of the family and its educational value and remove the possibility of individual minds splitting off, for the mob, handled by us, will not let them come to the front nor even give them a hearing; it is accustomed to listen to us only who pay it for obedience and attention. In this way we shall create a blind, mighty force which will never be in a position to move in any direction without the guidance of our agents set at its head by us as leaders of the mob. The people will submit to this regime because it will know that upon these leaders will depend its earnings, gratifications and the receipt of all kinds of benefits.

6. A scheme of government should come ready made from one brain, because it will never be clinched firmly if it is allowed to be split into fractional parts in the minds of many. It is allowable, therefore, for us to have cognizance of the scheme of action but not to discuss it lest we disturb its artfulness, the interdependence of its component parts, the practical force of the secret meaning of each clause. To discuss and make alterations in a labor of this kind by means of numerous votings is to impress upon it the stamp of all ratiocinations and misunderstandings which have failed to penetrate the depth and nexus of its plottings. We want our schemes to be forcible and suitably concocted. Therefore WE OUGHT NOT TO FLING THE WORK OF GENIUS OF OUR GUIDE to the fangs of the mob or even of a select company.

7. These schemes will not turn existing institutions upside down just yet. They will only effect changes in their economy and consequently in the whole combined movement of their progress, which will thus be directed along the paths laid down in our schemes.

POISON OF LIBERALISM
8. Under various names there exists in all countries approximately one and the same thing. Representation, Ministry, Senate, State Council, Legislative and Executive Corps. I need not explain to you the mechanism of the relation of these institutions to one another, because you are aware of all that; only take note of the fact that each of the above-named institutions corresponds to some important function of the State, and I would beg you to remark that the word "important" I apply not to the institution but to the function, consequently it is not the institutions which are important but their functions. These institutions have divided up among themselves all the functions of government - administrative, legislative, executive, wherefore they have come to operate as do the organs in the human body. If we injure one part in the machinery of State, the State falls sick, like a human body, and ... will die.

9. When we introduced into the State organism the poison of Liberalism its whole political complexion underwent a change. States have been seized with a mortal illness - blood poisoning. All that remains is to await the end of their death agony.

10. Liberalism produced Constitutional States, which took the place of what was the only safeguard of the GOYIM, namely, Despotism; and A CONSTITUTION, AS YOU WELL KNOW, IS NOTHING ELSE BUT A SCHOOL OF DISCORDS, misunderstandings, quarrels, disagreements, fruitless party agitations, party whims - in a word, a school of everything that serves to destroy the personality of State activity. THE TRIBUNE OF THE "TALKERIES" HAS, NO LESS EFFECTIVELY THAN THE PRESS, CONDEMNED THE RULERS TO INACTIVITY AND IMPOTENCE, and thereby rendered them useless and superfluous, for which reason indeed they have been in many countries deposed. THEN IT WAS THAT THE ERA OF REPUBLICS BECOME POSSIBLE OF REALIZATION; AND THEN IT WAS THAT WE REPLACED THE RULER BY A CARICATURE OF A GOVERNMENT - BY A PRESIDENT, TAKEN FROM THE MOB, FROM THE MIDST OF OUR PUPPET CREATURES, OR SLAVES. This was the foundation of the mine which we have laid under the GOY people, I should rather say, under the GOY peoples.

WE NAME PRESIDENTS
11. In the near future we shall establish the responsibility of presidents.

12. By that time we shall be in a position to disregard forms in carrying through matters for which our impersonal puppet will be responsible. What do we care if the ranks of those striving for power should be thinned, if there should arise a deadlock from the impossibility of finding presidents, a deadlock which will finally disorganize the country? ...

13. In order that our scheme may produce this result we shall arrange elections in favor of such presidents as have in their past some dark, undiscovered stain, some "Panama" or other - then they will be trustworthy agents for the accomplishment of our plans out of fear of revelations and from the natural desire of everyone who has attained power, namely, the retention of the privileges, advantages and honor connected with the office of president. The chamber of deputies will provide cover for, will protect, will elect presidents, but we shall take from it the right to propose new, or make changes in existing laws, for this right will be given by us to the responsible president, a puppet in our hands. Naturally, the authority of the presidents will then become a target for every possible form of attack, but we shall provide him with a means of self-defense in the right of an appeal to the people, for the decision of the people over the heads of their representatives, that is to say, an appeal to that same blind slave of ours - the majority of the mob. Independently of this we shall invest the president with the right of declaring a state of war. We shall justify this last right on the ground that the president as chief of the whole army of the country must have it at his disposal, in case of need for the defense of the new republican constitution, the right to defend which will belong to him as the responsible representative of this constitution. (Iran? Grenada? Kuwait? Iraq? Panama? Somalia? Bosnia? Kosovo? Indonesia?)

14. It is easy to understand that in these conditions the key of the shrine will lie in our hands, and no one outside ourselves will any longer direct the force of legislation.

15. Besides this we shall, with the introduction of the new republican constitution, take from the Chamber the right of interpolation on government measures, on the pretext of preserving political secrecy, and, further, we shall by the new constitution reduce the number of representatives to a minimum, thereby proportionately reducing political passions and the passion for politics. If, however, they should, which is hardly to be expected, burst into flame, even in this minimum, we shall nullify them by a stirring appeal and a reference to the majority of the whole people ... Upon the president will depend the appointment of presidents and vice-presidents of the Chamber and the Senate. Instead of constant sessions of Parliaments we shall reduce their sittings to a few months. Moreover, the president, as chief of the executive power, will have the right to summon and dissolve Parliament, and, in the latter case, to prolong the time for the appointment of a new parliamentary assembly. But in order that the consequences of all these acts which in substance are illegal, should not, prematurely for our plans, fall upon the responsibility established by us of the president, WE SHALL INSTIGATE MINISTERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE HIGHER ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT TO EVADE HIS DISPOSITIONS BY TAKING MEASURES OF THEIR OWN, for doing which they will be made the scapegoats in his place ... This part we especially recommend to be given to be played by the Senate, the Council of State, or the Council of Ministers, but not to an individual official.

16. The president will, at our discretion, interpret the sense of such of the existing laws as admit of various interpretation; he will further annul them when we indicate to him the necessity to do so, besides this, he will have the right to propose temporary laws, and even new departures in the government constitutional working, the pretext both for the one and the other being the requirements for the supreme welfare of the State. (Presidential Decrees such as F.D.R. employed to debase the US dollar and steal the gold and to place the U.S. under a permanent State of Emergency and War against its own citizens?)

WE SHALL DESTROY
17. By such measure we shall obtain the power of destroying little by little, step by step, all that at the outset when we enter on our rights, we are compelled to introduce into the constitutions of States to prepare for the transition to an imperceptible abolition of every kind of constitution, and then the time is come to turn every form of government into OUR DESPOTISM.

18. The recognition of our despot may also come before the destruction of the constitution; the moment for this recognition will come when the peoples, utterly wearied by the irregularities and incompetence - a matter which we shall arrange for - of their rulers, will clamor: "Away with them and give us one king over all the earth who will unite us and annihilate the causes of disorders - frontiers, nationalities, religions, State debts - who will give us peace and quiet which we cannot find under our rulers and representatives."

19. But you yourselves perfectly well know that TO PRODUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE EXPRESSION OF SUCH WISHES BY ALL THE NATIONS IT IS INDISPENSABLE TO TROUBLE IN ALL COUNTRIES THE PEOPLE'S RELATIONS WITH THEIR GOVERNMENTS SO AS TO UTTERLY EXHAUST HUMANITY WITH DISSENSION, HATRED, STRUGGLE, ENVY AND EVEN BY THE USE OF TORTURE, BY STARVATION, BY THE INOCULATION OF DISEASES, BY WANT, SO THAT THE "GOYIM" SEE NO OTHER ISSUE THAN TO TAKE REFUGE IN OUR COMPLETE SOVEREIGNTY IN MONEY AND IN ALL ELSE.

20. But if we give the nations of the world a breathing space the moment we long for is hardly likely ever to arrive.

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Return to Table of Contents/ . . .
PROTOCOL No. 11
1. The State Council has been, as it were, the emphatic expression of the authority of the ruler: it will be, as the "show" part of the Legislative Corps, what may be called the editorial committee of the laws and decrees of the ruler.

2. This, then, is the program of the new constitution. We shall make Law, Right and Justice (1) in the guise of proposals to the Legislative Corps, (2) by decrees of the president under the guise of general regulations, of orders of the Senate and of resolutions of the State Council in the guise of ministerial orders, (3) and in case a suitable occasion should arise - in the form of a revolution in the State.

3. Having established approximately the MODUS AGENDI we will occupy ourselves with details of those combinations by which we have still to complete the revolution in the course of the machinery of State in the direction already indicated. By these combinations I mean the freedom of the Press, the right of association, freedom of conscience, the voting principle, and many another that must disappear for ever from the memory of man, or undergo a radical alteration the day after the promulgation of the new constitution. It is only at the moment that we shall be able at once to announce all our orders, for, afterwards, every noticeable alteration will be dangerous, for the following reasons: if this alteration be brought in with harsh severity and in a sense of severity and limitations, it may lead to a feeling of despair caused by fear of new alterations in the same direction; if, on the other hand, it be brought in a sense of further indulgences it will be said that we have recognized our own wrong-doing and this will destroy the prestige of the infallibility of our authority, or else it will be said that we have become alarmed and are compelled to show a yielding disposition, for which we shall get no thanks because it will be supposed to be compulsory ... Both the one and the other are injurious to the prestige of the new constitution. What we want is that from the first moment of its promulgation, while the peoples of the world are still stunned by the accomplished fact of the revolution, still in a condition of terror and uncertainty, they should recognize once for all that we are so strong, so inexpugnable, so super-abundantly filled with power, that in no case shall we take any account of them, and so far from paying any attention to their opinions or wishes, we are ready and able to crush with irresistible power all expression or manifestation thereof at every moment and in every place, that we have seized at once everything we wanted and shall in no case divide our power with them ... Then in fear and trembling they will close their eyes to everything, and be content to await what will be the end of it all.

WE ARE WOLVES
4. The GOYIM are a flock of sheep, and we are their wolves. And you know what happens when the wolves get hold of the flock? ....

5. There is another reason also why they will close their eyes: for we shall keep promising them to give back all the liberties we have taken away as soon as we have quelled the enemies of peace and tamed all parties ....

6. It is not worth to say anything about how long a time they will be kept waiting for this return of their liberties ....

7. For what purpose then have we invented this whole policy and insinuated it into the minds of the GOY without giving them any chance to examine its underlying meaning? For what, indeed, if not in order to obtain in a roundabout way what is for our scattered tribe unattainable by the direct road? It is this which has served as the basis for our organization of SECRET MASONRY WHICH IS NOT KNOWN TO, AND AIMS WHICH ARE NOT EVEN SO MUCH AS SUSPECTED BY, THESE "GOY" CATTLE, ATTRACTED BY US INTO THE "SHOW" ARMY OF MASONIC LODGES IN ORDER TO THROW DUST IN THE EYES OF THEIR FELLOWS.

8. God has granted to us, His Chosen People, the gift of the dispersion, and in this which appears in all eyes to be our weakness, has come forth all our strength, which has now brought us to the threshold of sovereignty over all the world.

9. There now remains not much more for us to build up upon the foundation we have laid.

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Return to Table of Contents/ . . .
PROTOCOL No. 12
1. The word "freedom," which can be interpreted in various ways, is defined by us as follows -

2. Freedom is the right to do what which the law allows. This interpretation of the word will at the proper time be of service to us, because all freedom will thus be in our hands, since the laws will abolish or create only that which is desirable for us according to the aforesaid program.

3. We shall deal with the press in the following way: what is the part played by the press to-day? It serves to excite and inflame those passions which are needed for our purpose or else it serves selfish ends of parties. It is often vapid, unjust, mendacious, and the majority of the public have not the slightest idea what ends the press really serves. We shall saddle and bridle it with a tight curb: we shall do the same also with all productions of the printing press, for where would be the sense of getting rid of the attacks of the press if we remain targets for pamphlets and books? The produce of publicity, which nowadays is a source of heavy expense owing to the necessity of censoring it, will be turned by us into a very lucrative source of income to our State: we shall lay on it a special stamp tax and require deposits of caution-money before permitting the establishment of any organ of the press or of printing offices; these will then have to guarantee our government against any kind of attack on the part of the press. For any attempt to attack us, if such still be possible, we shall inflict fines without mercy. Such measures as stamp tax, deposit of caution-money and fines secured by these deposits, will bring in a huge income to the government. It is true that party organs might not spare money for the sake of publicity, but these we shall shut up at the second attack upon us. No one shall with impunity lay a finger on the aureole of our government infallibility. The pretext for stopping any publication will be the alleged plea that it is agitating the public mind without occasion or justification. I BEG YOU TO NOTE THAT AMONG THOSE MAKING ATTACKS UPON US WILL ALSO BE ORGANS ESTABLISHED BY US, BUT THEY WILL ATTACK EXCLUSIVELY POINTS THAT WE HAVE PRE-DETERMINED TO ALTER.

WE CONTROL THE PRESS
4. NOT A SINGLE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REACH THE PUBLIC WITHOUT OUR CONTROL. Even now this is already being attained by us inasmuch as all news items are received by a few agencies, in whose offices they are focused from all parts of the world. These agencies will then be already entirely ours and will give publicity only to what we dictate to them.

5. If already now we have contrived to possess ourselves of the minds of the GOY communities to such an extent the they all come near looking upon the events of the world through the colored glasses of those spectacles we are setting astride their noses; if already now there is not a single State where there exist for us any barriers to admittance into what GOY stupidity calls State secrets: what will our positions be then, when we shall be acknowledged supreme lords of the world in the person of our king of all the world ....

6. Let us turn again to the FUTURE OF THE PRINTING PRESS. Every one desirous of being a publisher, librarian, or printer, will be obliged to provide himself with the diploma instituted therefore, which, in case of any fault, will be immediately impounded. With such measures THE INSTRUMENT OF THOUGHT WILL BECOME AN EDUCATIVE MEANS ON THE HANDS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, WHICH WILL NO LONGER ALLOW THE MASS OF THE NATION TO BE LED ASTRAY IN BY-WAYS AND FANTASIES ABOUT THE BLESSINGS OF PROGRESS. Is there any one of us who does not know that these phantom blessings are the direct roads to foolish imaginings which give birth to anarchical relations of men among themselves and towards authority, because progress, or rather the idea of progress, has introduced the conception of every kind of emancipation, but has failed to establish its limits .... All the so-called liberals are anarchists, if not in fact, at any rate in thought. Every one of them in hunting after phantoms of freedom, and falling exclusively into license, that is, into the anarchy of protest for the sake of protest....

FREE PRESS DESTROYED
7. We turn to the periodical press. We shall impose on it, as on all printed matter, stamp taxes per sheet and deposits of caution-money, and books of less than 30 sheets will pay double. We shall reckon them as pamphlets in order, on the one hand, to reduce the number of magazines, which are the worst form of printed poison, and, on the other, in order that this measure may force writers into such lengthy productions that they will be little read, especially as they will be costly. At the same time what we shall publish ourselves to influence mental development in the direction laid down for our profit will be cheap and will be read voraciously. The tax will bring vapid literary ambitions within bounds and the liability to penalties will make literary men dependent upon us. And if there should be any found who are desirous of writing against us, they will not find any person eager to print their productions. Before accepting any production for publication in print, the publisher or printer will have to apply to the authorities for permission to do so. Thus we shall know beforehand of all tricks preparing against us and shall nullify them by getting ahead with explanations on the subject treated of.

8. Literature and journalism are two of the most important educative forces, and therefore our government will become proprietor of the majority of the journals. This will neutralize the injurious influence of the privately-owned press and will put us in possession of a tremendous influence upon the public mind .... If we give permits for ten journals, we shall ourselves found thirty, and so on in the same proportion. This, however, must in no wise be suspected by the public. For which reason all journals published by us will be of the most opposite, in appearance, tendencies and opinions, thereby creating confidence in us and bringing over to us quite unsuspicious opponents, who will thus fall into our trap and be rendered harmless.

9. In the front rank will stand organs of an official character. They will always stand guard over our interests, and therefore their influence will be comparatively insignificant.

10. In the second rank will be the semi-official organs, whose part it will be to attack the tepid and indifferent.

11. In the third rank we shall set up our own, to all appearance, opposition, which, in at least one of its organs, will present what looks like the very antipodes to us. Our real opponents at heart will accept this simulated opposition as their own and will show us their cards.

12. All our newspapers will be of all possible complexions -- aristocratic, republican, revolutionary, even anarchical - for so long, of course, as the constitution exists .... Like the Indian idol "Vishnu" they will have a hundred hands, and every one of them will have a finger on any one of the public opinions as required. When a pulse quickens these hands will lead opinion in the direction of our aims, for an excited patient loses all power of judgment and easily yields to suggestion. Those fools who will think they are repeating the opinion of a newspaper of their own camp will be repeating our opinion or any opinion that seems desirable for us. In the vain belief that they are following the organ of their party they will, in fact, follow the flag which we hang out for them.

13. In order to direct our newspaper militia in this sense we must take special and minute care in organizing this matter. Under the title of central department of the press we shall institute literary gatherings at which our agents will without attracting attention issue the orders and watchwords of the day. By discussing and controverting, but always superficially, without touching the essence of the matter, our organs will carry on a sham fight fusillade with the official newspapers solely for the purpose of giving occasion for us to express ourselves more fully than could well be done from the outset in official announcements, whenever, of course, that is to our advantage.

14. THESE ATTACKS UPON US WILL ALSO SERVE ANOTHER PURPOSE, NAMELY, THAT OUR SUBJECTS WILL BE CONVINCED TO THE EXISTENCE OF FULL FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND SO GIVE OUR AGENTS AN OCCASION TO AFFIRM THAT ALL ORGANS WHICH OPPOSE US ARE EMPTY BABBLERS, since they are incapable of finding any substantial objections to our orders.

ONLY LIES PRINTED
15. Methods of organization like these, imperceptible to the public eye but absolutely sure, are the best calculated to succeed in bringing the attention and the confidence of the public to the side of our government. Thanks to such methods we shall be in a position as from time to time may be required, to excite or to tranquillize the public mind on political questions, to persuade or to confuse, printing now truth, now lies, facts or their contradictions, according as they may be well or ill received, always very cautiously feeling our ground before stepping upon it .... WE SHALL HAVE A SURE TRIUMPH OVER OUR OPPONENTS SINCE THEY WILL NOT HAVE AT THEIR DISPOSITION ORGANS OF THE PRESS IN WHICH THEY CAN GIVE FULL AND FINAL EXPRESSION TO THEIR VIEWS owing to the aforesaid methods of dealing with the press. We shall not even need to refute them except very superficially.

16. Trial shots like these, fired by us in the third rank of our press, in case of need, will be energetically refuted by us in our semi-official organs.

17. Even nowadays, already, to take only the French press, there are forms which reveal masonic solidarity in acting on the watchword: all organs of the press are bound together by professional secrecy; like the augurs of old, not one of their numbers will give away the secret of his sources of information unless it be resolved to make announcement of them. Not one journalist will venture to betray this secret, for not one of them is ever admitted to practice literature unless his whole past has some disgraceful sore or other .... These sores would be immediately revealed. So long as they remain the secret of a few the prestige of the journalist attacks the majority of the country - the mob follow after him with enthusiasm.

18. Our calculations are especially extended to the provinces. It is indispensable for us to inflame there those hopes and impulses with which we could at any moment fall upon the capital, and we shall represent to the capitals that these expressions are the independent hopes and impulses of the provinces. Naturally, the source of them will be always one and the same - ours. WHAT WE NEED IS THAT, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE ARE IN THE PLENITUDE POWER, THE CAPITALS SHOULD FIND THEMSELVES STIFLED BY THE PROVINCIAL OPINION OF THE NATIONS, I.E., OF A MAJORITY ARRANGED BY OUR AGENTUR. What we need is that at the psychological moment the capitals should not be in a position to discuss an accomplished fact for the simple reason, if for no other, that it has been accepted by the public opinion of a majority in the provinces.

19. WHEN WE ARE IN THE PERIOD OF THE NEW REGIME TRANSITIONAL TO THAT OF OUR ASSUMPTION OF FULL SOVEREIGNTY WE MUST NOT ADMIT ANY REVELATION BY THE PRESS OF ANY FORM OF PUBLIC DISHONESTY; IT IS NECESSARY THAT THE NEW REGIME SHOULD BE THOUGHT TO HAVE SO PERFECTLY CONTENDED EVERYBODY THAT EVEN CRIMINALITY HAS DISAPPEARED ... Cases of the manifestation of criminality should remain known only to their victims and to chance witnesses - no more.

Forward to Next Page/ . . .
Return to Table of Contents/ . . .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/

US TAXES to Kill US Troops| 7.26.09 @ 7:02PM

Israel and Egypt are the two largest recipients of U.S. aid. For its“participation” in the Gulf War, Egypt was forgiven its indebtedness of $9 billion. Israel pays its bills. It receives $2.8 billion every year. Of that amount, $2.0 billion is for military aid and $0.8 billion for economic aid. It’s fair to ask whether this is a good deal for the American taxpayer.

What are the Facts?

Judge Roy Bean| 7.26.09 @ 10:18PM

Republicans did not choose McKainnedy as their candidate. The DNC and their pals in the MSM did. Before caucuses/primairies all we heard from MSM was how McKainnedy was a unifier. At the same time they were taking out Republican challengers. McKainnedy got the upper hand early. Dems figured out a long time before they would win no matter what. No matter what, the Dems were going to do very well with McKainnedy, Hillary, or Obama.

WILLBE| 7.27.09 @ 12:28AM

ALL EMPIRES DECLINE, ROT FROM WITHIN, SMELL IT DON'T YOU?

WILLBE| 7.27.09 @ 12:30AM

ALL EMPIRES DECLINE, ROT FROM WITHIN, SMELL IT DON'T YOU?

sabbetai zevi| 7.27.09 @ 1:01AM

who woulda guessed, this writer doesn't give a d*mn if americans are driven into bankruptcy for lack of medical care, or if they die in the streets for that matter. why? screw his rationalizations, he doesn't care because he views all non-jews as nothing more than animals. their ultimate goal is a global genocide of non-jews, the last thing they want to do in the meantime, while waiting for their final global dominion, is to fork out any of their ponzi-schemed, embezzled, parasatized cash to pay for goyim cattle to visit their goyim "vets".

sabbetai zevi| 7.27.09 @ 1:03AM

we might get a european style health care system, similar to canadas ... we're losing our freedom? how much money have you slipped under the table to the birther conspirators so far, Ben?

Andrew P| 7.27.09 @ 1:07AM

Don't be so confident about GOP gains in 2010. The Democrats know what they are doing. Their Stimulus (Porkulus) law was never intended to stimulate the economy this year. All the stimulation we have now is the result of Bernanke's qunatitative easing and Bush's TARP. Almost the entire Obama Porkulus will be spent in the first 6 months of 2010. It is designed to provide rocket fuel to the economy just as the Democratic Congress is running for reelection, and to give enough of a boost to get them through November. This will work, and will have the result of large Democratic gains in the Senate. The house will probably be a wash in 2010, but it doesn't matter since the Dems already have overwhelming control there. The Senate is where the action is, and a recovery next year, even a very temporary one, is not good for the GOP. Anything that Obama can't get through this heavily Democratic Congress will be totally rammed through the next one.

dan| 7.27.09 @ 1:19AM

I WAS an Obama fan; his "handling" of the Rev Wright matter proved to me that he just another politician, albeit more eloquent.
His comments in the campaign...."...they will try to scare you about me.......did I mention he's black...; I'm not like all those other presidents on dollar bills" coupled with his admittedly uninformed opinion on the Gates arrest situation.......if these comments are not racist/prejudiced, please tell me why.
Until the press stops worshipping him we are stuck as a nation.

Andrew P| 7.27.09 @ 1:23AM

I got news for you, Charlie. I firmly believe that Sotomayor has a covert mission from Obama to provide the 5th vote to overturn Roe v Wade. I have said this many times before on many comment boards. The reasoning is simple. She said that "She never even thought about abortion". This is not the words of someone who believes in the prinicples underlying Roe. And overturning it will be very good for Democrats electorally. Incredibly good in fact. The available evidence is that when the public percieves its abortion rights to be threatened, they vote against the GOP. An election some years ago where Douglas Wilder won the Virginia governorship is the best evidence for this. Since then the public has become complacent, assuming falsely that their abortion rights are secure for all time. If the Supreme Court returns the power to ban abortion to the states and Congress, the public will be very disinclined to elect Republicans to any legislature. The Democrats will make large gains in a year (2012 or 2014) they really shouldn't.

And abolishing the underlying principles behind Roe will be very good for implementing Socialized Medicine. Keep in mind that the principle behind Roe originated in a previous Supreme Court decision that overturned all state Eugenics laws.

"Charlie| 7.26.09 @ 11:45AM
The irony? It is Roe v. Wade that guarantees the government cannot intervene in our relationships with our doctors. "

redbourn| 7.27.09 @ 1:27AM

In case any reader is in doubt about Obama's communist background, you can find details of his membership of the New Party just 12 years ago.

No ifs buts and maybes about this.

http://www.ourchangingglobe.com/obama-now-linked-to-far-left-new-party/

Information about how he concealed his past can be found by checking categories/politicians/Obama/paper trail

Mike

Max| 7.27.09 @ 2:04AM

-A Shameful article Ben Stein and unbecoming of someone with your education . You should know better, but it is clear that big pharma probably has their hands on your keyboard. To watch you fan the flames of hatred and racism represented by these comments is most distressing.

djmelfi| 7.27.09 @ 2:22AM

My step daughter is a professor at a lib college, if you start critisizing Obama she almosts tears up, they will object to you that you are a pawn of FOX, yet they are totally ignorant of what Obama is doing.

I was at dinner table and she says why do you attack my president I didnt attack bush (Which isnt true), and my granddaughter (17 different daughter as mother), "because he's black". So my own granddaughter is going to accuse me of being racist.

This is the only reason Obama is president, he is black, looked like a safe choice and people wanted to do the "RIGHT" thing. They ended up doing the "WRIGHT" thing.

Mike P 310| 7.27.09 @ 2:30AM

Every time I read something by Ben Stein I remind myself of one thing: This guy worked for Nixon.

And I'm a Republican.

Did you have your moral outrage and a desire to "defend freedom" when the man you worked for broke the law and abused the organs of government to further his own personal political objectives?

Yeah, didn't think so.

Talk about buying a pig in the poke: any Nixonite discussing moral outrage should remember the old phrase: "physician, heal thyself."

John| 7.27.09 @ 2:34AM

Once a Nixonite, always a Nixonite...

It seems the race baiting skills Ben Stein learned working for Nixon he remembers well.

Anti-white bias? Jeesh, what a maroon.

It seems you can take the Nixonites out of the white house, but you can't take the Nixon out of them. I'm sure the former president, wherever he is, is proud of your racially tinged rant.

Your rabbi is probably less impressed.

It's even more embarrassing than when you talk about evolution not being true.

typical whitey| 7.27.09 @ 3:35AM

Ben, you are absolutely correct. BO is a fraud - something many of of us have been saying since the campaign last summer. Where in the he** is the birth certificate? Who funded his college career? Why are all his college and medical records sealed?

Revmar| 7.27.09 @ 4:22AM

This article is a lot of right-wing hooey! Of course, so is this magazine.

peter john wickens| 7.27.09 @ 4:50AM

I have not seen so much drivel published as you have done so.
As a Foreigner(an ally ,I might add) looking at the US for more years than I can remember the comments of the ultra far right are as expected.
The US style of unbridled capitalism has damaged the country as a World Leader,espousing total greed as an almost(?) religion.
The Country needed a change for obvious reasons.
The rantings of your correspondants should not sway the Administration to continue it's rightful mission to run the country.

Avi Marranazo| 7.27.09 @ 4:59AM

Stein makes some valid points in the broader context of the standard neo-conservative agenda. That is to say, he does not have America’s best interests at heart, as is evidenced by his referencing ‘terrorists’ and Iran’s nuclear program.

We only have a terrorism because of our support of Israel and Iran’s nuclear program is no more problematic for America than India’s, Pakistan’s or Israel’s—for that matter. Stein's legitimate criticisms of Obama belie an agenda where ethnic loyalties trump all else. That's the heart of neo-conservatism: pursuing Jewish interests from the right.

tc| 7.27.09 @ 5:32AM

Ben:
good column. Freedom and Liberty, as they have always been, are worth fighting for. Our cage is now duly rattled and the big dogs are up now. This half-student, half-lawyer, half-American, half-professor and leader in name only is in for a rude awakening. He is increasingly marginalized and it's showing. No longer will a speech carry the day but I can't wait until the next one. He's proving that his presidency is the only thing around that is shovel ready.

Anne| 7.27.09 @ 7:18AM

It will take decades to undo the damage of these last six months. I don't know that America can withstand another three and a half years, especially if the George Soros party puts their money where their mouth is again in 2010. What if The Won proclaims all illegals to be citizens, and ACORN registers them as Democrats? One-party rule. What if Americans hit the streets to protest their lack of a viable economy, their lack of medical care, lack of jobs, lack of homes, etc.? I can easily see this President suspending the already-heavily-trodden-upon Constitution and declaring martial law should We The People get too uppity. I can see him sending his Americorps troops against us. A Democrat congress will never impeach him. And the Supreme Court has already refused to hear the case of his birth certificate / eligibility. Where's the Hope? What really worries me is that dictators always end up killing people. It's the ultimate power.

cedarhill| 7.27.09 @ 7:24AM

America voted for a Fairy Tale.
The Fairy has flown home to Neverland.
We're stuck with the Tail.

Richard Baker| 7.27.09 @ 7:42AM

Revmar:
Then why are YOU her if this is such nonsense? Kinda like saying in a restaurant that I'll have an order of what I don't like to eat at this lousy place.

johnfisher| 7.27.09 @ 7:47AM

Ben,
Enjoyed your column. Unless the Republicans or a third party or a challenge from a rational Democrat come up with a viable candidate for 2012 we can expect an endless ultra liberal occupancy of the White House. As a fiscal onservative and a socially moderate Republican, I am embarrased by the Limbaugh wing of the party. Sarah Palin, nice lady, worst VP pick in history. Sanctimoneous, self rightous, bible thumping hypocrites representing the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt? Please...we deserve every loss.

johnfisher| 7.27.09 @ 7:47AM

Ben,
Enjoyed your column. Unless the Republicans or a third party or a challenge from a rational Democrat come up with a viable candidate for 2012 we can expect an endless ultra liberal occupancy of the White House. As a fiscal onservative and a socially moderate Republican, I am embarrased by the Limbaugh wing of the party. Sarah Palin, nice lady, worst VP pick in history. Sanctimoneous, self rightous, bible thumping hypocrites representing the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt? Please...we deserve every loss.

johnfisher| 7.27.09 @ 7:48AM

Ben,
Enjoyed your column. Unless the Republicans or a third party or a challenge from a rational Democrat come up with a viable candidate for 2012 we can expect an endless ultra liberal occupancy of the White House. As a fiscal onservative and a socially moderate Republican, I am embarrased by the Limbaugh wing of the party. Sarah Palin, nice lady, worst VP pick in history. Sanctimoneous, self rightous, bible thumping hypocrites representing the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt? Please...we deserve every loss.

g| 7.27.09 @ 7:49AM

America voted for a Fairy Tale.
The Fairy has flown home to Neverland.
We're stuck with the Tail.

Close....we're stuck with what comes out from under the Tail.

TheEnforcer| 7.27.09 @ 8:05AM

With all these anti- Obama posts, why are his poll numbers in the 60's?

They must be polling the wrong people, you know... the Obama lovers.

Fed Up In NYC| 7.27.09 @ 8:11AM

The sad truth is that we deserve what we have gotten. There is only a small group of people who still believe in self determination, responsibility, accountability and ownership of one's actions. The majority of us DON'T want to be responsible for anything we do- look to others to blame for our ills- as well as look to others to fix them. We have sadly become Europe- we have sadly become a nation of entitlement. We ARE a nation of whiners.

Frank| 7.27.09 @ 8:16AM

Anti White Writings? No Scholarship? Mysterious gaps in his history?

These things might be true, but they seem pretty hollow if they're stated as bald assertions without even a weblink for a reference.

I'm no fan of Obama but this article is the only empty scholarship I can find.

Jesse Medlong| 7.27.09 @ 8:42AM

Pure, hideous, and evil mendacity. Not Obama, Ben, but you. Despite Obama's many flaws, at least he does not whip up a fascist froth among eager marks with lies not even fit for a game show host and '80s bit-part actor. Wasn't it your former boss, Tricky Dick, that placed price and wage controls on the entire country and disengaged the dollar from gold? Wasn't it he who signed the foodstamp program into law? How is Obama any more socialist (or even as socialist) as the administration for which you worked. You ought to be ashamed. Disagree if you want, but only these rubes--whose company is not worth the cost--could believe this propaganda. I am ashamed to see a fellow Jew work like Julius Streicher against his fellow countrymen. Is this the Spectator or Der Sturmer?

bp| 7.27.09 @ 8:46AM

Right there with you Ben. How can anyone in this country support BO unless of course they hate Her as much as he does. And I wish the lefties would cut the racist cop-out crap. How old and how lame. It is the ready made answer to anything anti-BO. Let's face it-we don't need the racist "attack". He just is plain evil and destructive. And I would be anti-BO for his inept and dangerous "leadership" if he were purple, grey, or pink. Wake up everyone-you are following the wrong Pied Piper!

kck| 7.27.09 @ 8:50AM

This coming from Ben Stein, a donor to the Al Franken campaign? A mini-Mia Culpa?

Sorry Ben, your credibility is, in my small universe, gone forever.....

Warpublican| 7.27.09 @ 8:53AM

"Now, the American people are starting to wake up to the truth. Barack Obama is a super likeable super leftist, not a fan of this country, way, way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East, way beyond naïveté, all the way into active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future. "

This kind of sophmoric cliche keeps a pseudo like Stein at the margins of political commentary, and, instead, sends him to commercials and appearences on sit-coms. As a serious commentator he's a dope...

bp| 7.27.09 @ 8:57AM

Credibility or not, what he said is true. Even if you don't like Ben Stein it doesn't change the truth about BO. Fitting initials.

JohnR| 7.27.09 @ 9:02AM

Of course the Dems are trying to ram this bill through with zero scrutiny as quick as they can. Exactly the same as they did with the Stimulus Bill and Cap & Trade (congressmen actually ADMIT they didn't read these latter two).

Why? Because scrutiny will cause support to evaporate because people will realize these efforts are nothing but massive new entitlements that are not paid for. This will utlimately result in MUCH higher taxes on the middle class and/or inflation. And health care? You can plan on rationing and lowering of quality.

boo hoo| 7.27.09 @ 9:04AM

[Rev Wright is a SAINT| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM]
First, this essay has nothin to do wit ya homey. It was written for the rich white people and jews
Second,
Hillary is a woman (remember womens sufferage?)
[The case of Henry Louis Gates Harvard Professor proves Rev Wrights point] and that is YOU are ignorant

[Americans needs to stop hiding from reality, what the world already knows] I'm not hidin - why don't YOU come out and play?
[Rev Wright only said what every one around the world has been saying for years] poor logic, victim grouping, spokesperson for "everyone"

[Rev Wright is the only respectable person who lives in America at least he is honest] then to be terribly honest to ya, the world is upside down; love is hate; hate is love

[America has the biggest prison population in the world] untrue
[America has the worse human rights record in the world] go somewhere else to git yo unemployment check then
[America has murdered more people around the world than even Hitler could have dreamed of] not a fan of history are ya? well, in the age of BET I'll bet you 'read' huh?

[America sponcer state terrorism, and terrorise Millions of Blacks per year] that does it! You can't even spell, don't know history, a victim, a spokeperson and above all, WRONG

boo hoo| 7.27.09 @ 9:04AM

[Rev Wright is a SAINT| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM]
First, this essay has nothin to do wit ya homey. It was written for the rich white people and jews
Second,
Hillary is a woman (remember womens sufferage?)
[The case of Henry Louis Gates Harvard Professor proves Rev Wrights point] and that is YOU are ignorant

[Americans needs to stop hiding from reality, what the world already knows] I'm not hidin - why don't YOU come out and play?
[Rev Wright only said what every one around the world has been saying for years] poor logic, victim grouping, spokesperson for "everyone"

[Rev Wright is the only respectable person who lives in America at least he is honest] then to be terribly honest to ya, the world is upside down; love is hate; hate is love

[America has the biggest prison population in the world] untrue
[America has the worse human rights record in the world] go somewhere else to git yo unemployment check then
[America has murdered more people around the world than even Hitler could have dreamed of] not a fan of history are ya? well, in the age of BET I'll bet you 'read' huh?

[America sponcer state terrorism, and terrorise Millions of Blacks per year] that does it! You can't even spell, don't know history, a victim, a spokeperson and above all, WRONG

joe plumber| 7.27.09 @ 9:07AM

[Rev Wright is a SAINT| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM]
First, this essay has nothin to do wit ya homey. It was written for the rich white people and jews
Second,
Hillary is a woman (remember womens sufferage?)
[The case of Henry Louis Gates Harvard Professor proves Rev Wrights point] and that is YOU are ignorant

[Americans needs to stop hiding from reality, what the world already knows] I'm not hidin - why don't YOU come out and play?
[Rev Wright only said what every one around the world has been saying for years] poor logic, victim grouping, spokesperson for "everyone"

[Rev Wright is the only respectable person who lives in America at least he is honest] then to be terribly honest to ya, the world is upside down; love is hate; hate is love

[America has the biggest prison population in the world] untrue
[America has the worse human rights record in the world] go somewhere else to git yo unemployment check then
[America has murdered more people around the world than even Hitler could have dreamed of] not a fan of history are ya? well, in the age of BET I'll bet you 'read' huh?

[America sponcer state terrorism, and terrorise Millions of Blacks per year] that does it! You can't even spell, don't know history, a victim, a spokeperson and above all, WRONG

PerryM| 7.27.09 @ 9:19AM

Don't blame Obama - the American voter wanted everything he said and did not say. Americans have become morally bankrupt - the freebie society is dragging our nation thru the mud.

I don't think Americans care to learn about Obama just as long as they get some goodies from the government and don't have to pay for them.

50% of the "tax payers" pay no taxes - they want more goodies. That's what this is all about and why FREE universal health care will become a reality.

We are the ones shooting ourselves in the foot - not Obama.

Braszman| 7.27.09 @ 9:32AM

Ben,
Go back to game shows. It's obvious by this article that your best work was done in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Your little diatribe is filled with false assumptions and hateful rhetoric. The only thing more disgusting is the litany of goose-stepping pigs that posted even more fear mongering, racist crap in support of it. Guess you should take some of your ill-earned money and spend it on Sarah's campaign. She'll take you all to the promised land.

MAJ Engineer| 7.27.09 @ 9:40AM

Grzmyyk:
I served with COL Lindsay Graham in Iraq. I didn't see you there.

Silence Dogood| 7.27.09 @ 9:43AM

Unfortunately the nonsense spat out by Rev Wright is a SAINT is more of a problem then the Chosen Fraud and his SS cronies. Far too many people have been brainwashed like Rev Wright is a SAINT has.

Go back and read that spew: America has the worst human rights violations; America has murdered more people than Hitler, etc, etc.

Where is this mindset coming from? Answer: Revisionist "Progressives" (aka, Marxists, Socialists, Communists, Anarchists).

Until we defeat this ideology in the field of ideas our great country will continue to rot from within.

Parents join your local PTA and fight against the leftist Government run school system. The same system that brainwashes our children into refusing to celebrate Thanksgiving because it celebrates the annihilation of Native Americans, and on and on.

University Alumni, write your former schools and cease donating to these institutions until the 100% progressive bias is eradicated.

Americans of all colors and creeds, turn off your TV sets, stop going to the movies, and excise the cancer known as "pop culture". The more you succumb to it, the lower your intelligence degrades.

Apathetic American voters - you have the power to end this insanity once and for all. Be they Democrat or Republican - VOTE THEM OUT. All of them.

We're running out of time.

Pliny| 7.27.09 @ 9:56AM

Bravo on a perceptive and direct article. We need more people willing to speak up and rekindle the public discourse.

JayBEE| 7.27.09 @ 10:03AM

Obama got 52% of the vote. As many as 20% of those people are reportedly regretting their vote and saying they will not support him again. But the balance of the voters who helped elect him are probably thinking that he isn't moving fast enough or working hard enough to take over allaspects of American commerce and finance and that he is not doing enough to diminish our authority and leverage in matters of world security.

Many Obama followers still truly believe that he can deliver free goods and services to them. Ironically, much of that population has probably not done much in the way of self reliance in the first place.

MP| 7.27.09 @ 10:07AM

---
As a Jew I continue to be amazed and disappointed in American Jewry's 80% support for Obama.
---
Well, one sliver of silver lining in that black cloud is that my sister-in-law admitted to my wife and I yesterday that she regrets having voted for Obama. Hopefully she's a representative sample of the thirty-something female urban Jewish professional demographic.

Ken| 7.27.09 @ 10:31AM

Obama is a scientist!

Ben Stein, on 'Scientists':

"I was thinking to myself the last time any of my relatives saw scientists telling them what to do they were telling them to go to the showers to get gassed --- That’s where science leads you. Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people."

WW| 7.27.09 @ 10:34AM

"Rev" Write is a saint?

Typical Negro.

Black saint | 7.27.09 @ 10:44AM

Is it time to really discuss race in American without being called a racist and PC? If so here is some interesting statistics to discuss with Obama & Holder!
Statistics based not on convictions, but on witness reports of who they saw commit the crime. I found this though from the FBI (web search something like "percentage of crimes committed by black people") - Here are some statistics:

* Blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder, and eight times more likely to commit robbery.
* When blacks commit crimes of violence, they are nearly three times more likely than non-blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife.
* Hispanics commit violent crimes at roughly three times the white rate, and Asians commit violent crimes at about one quarter the white rate.
* The single best indicator of violent crime levels in an area is the percentage of the population that is black and Hispanic.

Interracial Crime
* Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
* Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Forty-five percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are black.
* Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
* Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes against whites than vice versa.

Gangs
* Only 10 percent of youth gang members are white.
* Hispanics are 19 times more likely than whites to be members of youth gangs. Blacks are 15 times more likely, and Asians are nine times more likely.

Incarceration
* Between 1980 and 2003 the US incarceration rate more than tripled, from 139 to 482 per 100,000, and the number of prisoners increased from 320,000 to 1.39 million.
* Blacks are seven times more likely to be in prison than whites. Hispanics are three times more likely.

So it looks like the incarceration rates are pretty close to reality (7 times more crime, 7 times the number of blacks in prison than whites - exactly the same ratio for Hispanics)
Source(s):
Arrest data: FBI, Crime in the United States, 2001, 2002, 2003

yamamama| 7.27.09 @ 10:54AM

I am starting to believe the rumor, that Axelrod and Emanuel (two left-wing Chicago....(insert description here) are really running the country. Obama is just a pretty mouth piece. When someone asks him a question off the cuff, he has no clue how to reply and whatever comes to him mind he blurts out. I am wondering about a lot of things about him, incl. his academic records and his birth certificate. He really is not qualified to be president, what a mistake. We're all going to pay for it.
Yama

Sans Blinx| 7.27.09 @ 10:56AM

And Obama believes in Darwin too.

What a maroon!

Al Joseph| 7.27.09 @ 11:04AM

This all coming from someone who voted for George Bush twice. Please!

Delmar Jackson| 7.27.09 @ 11:11AM

I am a Democrat, I voted for Carter and Gore. What turned me against Obama was his 20 year association with Rev Wright. How could Obama have a minister for 20 years that chose to give a lifetime achievement award to Minister farrakhan? The minister Farrakhan has for decades preached in church that white people are "blue eyed devils!" I have BLUE EYES!

Farrakhan has blood on his hands. If you look at the fbi crime statistics black people murder white people at nearly a 100 to one ratio and black men rape white women at about a thousand to one ratio.!!!!
There is no plausible reason for this wildly disproprtionate attack by blacks against whites unless you accept the argument that certain blacks are targeting white people (blue eyed Devils).

You costantly hear about black racial profiling on a daily if not hourly basis, yet you will never ever hear about black on white crime and the curious statistics I have described.
Farrakhan, with his decades of preaching in church whites are devils has blood on his hands, and the rev wright and Obama are enablers along with the media.
Good ol Lefty Bill Moyers likes to demonize right wing talk radio for getting abortion doctors killed, but will go to his grave before he calls out blacks for killing white people just for being white!. You want to talk about racism in America!!! There are no places in America left a black man can't go, which is right, but there are neighborhood after neighborhood a white blue eyed man will get shot for showing his face. You know it is true.
Thank you Minister Farakhan, Rev Wright and President Obama!

Obama is not post racial, he is consumed with race!
You want diversity and multiculturalism in America? Thanks to Obama and the lefty media you will soon have white Al Sharptons and White Jesse Jacksons and white La Raza and white NAACP. We will also have white SPLC to proscribe and define who are hate groups and what is hate speech.

I think Diversity and change is coming, just not what you expected.

laurie| 7.27.09 @ 11:15AM

this country didn't elect BHO, HRC should be in the role of President. The DNC gave Barack the office. Actually our president is the TELEPROMPTER....

GRM| 7.27.09 @ 11:19AM

Obama is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the American public. Thanks Ben for telling it like it is.

Laughing Liberal| 7.27.09 @ 11:30AM

Ben, the reason people voted for Obama is because you and your nitwit cronies trashed the Constitution and ran the economy into the ground. Remember?

We weren't duped, bamboozled or brainwashed. We were simply fed up with the arrogance and incompetence of the stupid clowns who nearly destroyed this country.

Oh, and someone who recently defended Nixon so strongly on Glenn Beck's comedy hour that even HE thought you were nuts has no business judging the worthiness of a President ever again.

Nixon should be buried upside down on the Mall in Washington so we can use his a** for a bike rack.

mark| 7.27.09 @ 11:35AM

The detestable media was THE difference in the election. They are criminally complicit in this fraud.

lawren| 7.27.09 @ 11:37AM

no Ben, WE didn't ...you did. It was wise people like you that told America he would be ok and not harm the USA that much....you lied, America died

GarandFan| 7.27.09 @ 11:39AM

Laughing Liberal: Odd, Barry continues the same policies that 'nitwit' used. Are you saying that your Obamassiah is not 'trashing the Constitution'? Careful, your 'nuance' is showing.

Jiminy| 7.27.09 @ 11:43AM

"complete lack of scholarship..." ? Obama graduated with very high honors from Harvard. The rest of your article contains similar errors. But hey, please continue to be an angry Republican. As long as y0u keep doing that you are refusing to admit you have a problem.

Lt. Dangle| 7.27.09 @ 11:44AM

I have some bad news for everybody, unless any GOP frontrunners really step up, you are going to be angry for 7 and a half more years. If only these "family values" politicians can keep their junk in their pants, or stop quitting their jobs to go fishing than they may stand a chance. If not than they don't stand a chance.

Dave| 7.27.09 @ 11:45AM

NONE OF THE HEALTH CARE PLANS BEFORE CONGRESS ARE A GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER OF HEALTH CARE. THEY ONLY PROVIDE FOR A PUBLIC OPTION TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY STOP DENYING COVERAGE FOR NEEDED MEDICAL CARE WHILE CONSTANTLY INCREASING PREMIUMS TO PROVIDE LAVISH MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SALARIES AND BENEFITS TO PRIVATE HEALTH CARE EXECS. EVER TIME A PRIVATE HEALTH INSURER DENIES COVERAGE, IT'S RATIONING BEN.

YOU'RE A LIAR AND AN FRAUD BEN, AND YOU KNOW IT.

Jaycee| 7.27.09 @ 11:46AM

I personally do not know a single Obama voter who is not supporting him still, and I know A LOT of Obama supporters. They may not like Obamacare, but they would rather have him in the W.H. than a Republican. Frank Marschino is right, it is because of ignorance that they voted for him, and it is because of ignorance and apathy that they will continue to support him. I am not so optimistic as to think the general American public will go inform themselves so they know what is going on. Ignorance is bliss.

Dave| 7.27.09 @ 11:46AM

NONE OF THE HEALTH CARE PLANS BEFORE CONGRESS ARE A GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER OF HEALTH CARE. THEY ONLY PROVIDE FOR A PUBLIC OPTION TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY STOP DENYING COVERAGE FOR NEEDED MEDICAL CARE WHILE CONSTANTLY INCREASING PREMIUMS TO PROVIDE LAVISH MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SALARIES AND BENEFITS TO PRIVATE HEALTH CARE EXECS. EVER TIME A PRIVATE HEALTH INSURER DENIES COVERAGE, IT'S RATIONING BEN.

YOU'RE A LIAR AND A FRAUD BEN, AND YOU KNOW IT.

lisa| 7.27.09 @ 11:46AM

"The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008." I don't think it was kindness and trust but ignorance an oblivious. The media became Obama personal mouth piece and didn't bother to really investigate or to call him out on things from his past. Had they done their job more Americans would have been educated as to his Chicago connections and politics.

Nellie| 7.27.09 @ 11:50AM

CrookedWren at 9:49
Wow. Really, really well-stated.

Ben Stein is Right Wing Tool| 7.27.09 @ 11:55AM

It seems like Ben Stein has never had to deal with a private health insurer's bureacracy in trying to get a claim covered. It makes the DMV look like a walk in the park.

When I go to the DMV, it takes time, but at least, I get my license. Heath insurers make you jump through hoop after hoop, and sometimes wont ever pay for prescribed procedures you're entitled to under the policy.

It's an absolute disgrace, kind of like you Ben Stein. Why don't you take your head out of the insurance industry's ass Ben, you dimwit.

Chris| 7.27.09 @ 12:00PM

Well, said Ben. Let's go back to the awesome years of Republican rule when the economy was in shambles, we were burning trillions of taxpayer dollars overseas, the World hated us, our President was an empty suit, and no one in the executive branch had the guts to tackle any of our problems.

Can't believe Spectator actually pays this guy to write. He oughtta be taking orders from Larry Craig in a public men's room. That's a job that would be much more appropriate for Stein's skill set.

CP| 7.27.09 @ 12:02PM

What Ben is referring to when he says there is no record of scholarship is that President Obama, for being a "scholar" has no academic works published. He was one of the few editors of the Harvard Law Review to have never written a scholarly article.

OH Boy| 7.27.09 @ 12:05PM

Hey Dave, guess what happens when a public option that can be backed by the government's money printing press competes with private companies? Private companies fail and the government takes over, just like Walmart does to the local mom and pop shops, except at a national level.

Sometimes you have to look a little farther than what's right in front of you, Dave. Though, as an Obama supporter I imagine you're more comfortable with your head in the sand.

Dark Star| 7.27.09 @ 12:07PM

Yeah, well, I wasn't fooled.

nukeobama| 7.27.09 @ 12:11PM

smother all liberals NOW

don't lie about hillary| 7.27.09 @ 12:12PM

Now now, you may have told the truth about Obama, but don't try to lie about Hillary:

Reuters: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday that Iran would not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and major powers were united to prevent that from happening.

"Your (Iran's) pursuit is futile," she told NBC's "Meet the Press" program, adding that Iran did not have the right to develop a nuclear weapon.

Yardo| 7.27.09 @ 12:15PM

test

Ron Victor| 7.27.09 @ 12:24PM

http://cooperscopy.blogspot.com

Yardo| 7.27.09 @ 12:24PM

Of the 45 Million Americans, the media and 'Crats would have us all believe don't have and can not fairly acquire proper health care.....
Half can acquire it (and afford to acquire it) but choose not to.....
That puts the number down to about 25 Million....
Of those, about 1/3 are illigal aliens.......
that leaves about 16 Million.....
Of those, more that 1/2 are under 35 and single.....

Now I ask you....which poses a more dire situation, 16 Million who can't afford or get health insurance???? Or 45 Million (The Great Lie)?????

Remember, there are over 350 Million Americans......Let's put this into true perspective, not what the Great Pretenders would have us believe.....That is....The Health Care Problem is really only about one-third as urgent as our Masters would have us beleive.......

Ron Victor| 7.27.09 @ 12:24PM

http://cooperscopy.blogspot.com

Not Laughing| 7.27.09 @ 12:25PM

Laughing Liberal - you have the gall to claim Ben Stein's "nitwit cronies" "trashed the Constitution" when your Prophet simply IGNORES the Constitution and makes his own rules?

Have you no comment on how your god has eschewed the Bill of Rights by taking our hard earned income - against our will, to "spread the wealth around" to those who don't work?

Is it constitutional to seize a private company like GM and give it to the union? Do you want to talk about Bush and Co.'s patronage compared to the gargantuan swindle that are Obama's "stimulus" and bailouts?

Have you no shame in your claim of "arrogance and incompetence" when we see it displayed daily by the current Administration? Show me a Democrat who doesn't maintain the arrogant "we know better than you rubes" attitude and I'll show you a pig that can fly.

Perhaps the "clowns" you refer to nearly did destroy the country, but the current mafia in charge IS destroying the country.

Bush and clowns were given pure hell for adding to the deficit. Yet you say NOTHING when your god TRIPLES it.

You and your kind are hypocrites of the worst order.

Rob| 7.27.09 @ 12:29PM

DAVE -

Yah - you will the ALL CAPS. You are an idiot - and now we all know it. A government backed 'public option' will, without a doubt, destroy private insurance. No private company can compete with a government program - because the government programs sets its own rules - and does not need to worry about staying solvent. This is not a problem for guys like you though - because I am sure you would like nothing more that private insurance to collapse - because then the 'one payer' option can be fully ushered in.

TheEnforcer| 7.27.09 @ 12:29PM

Don't blame me.

I voted for the Old Fart and the Cute Chick.

g| 7.27.09 @ 12:34PM

HealthCare:....Yup, this will give us a "public option"...and because it will lack the coverage that 95% of employees current plans contain...and consequently be cheaper to employers.....this is the "plan" that they will "choose" for their employees.....if YOU want to stay with the plan that you currently have, you can (says obama)....sure you can....it will just not be available through your employer any longer....and it will cost you 5 times as much.....WE WILL LOSE!

American veteran| 7.27.09 @ 12:36PM

Rev Wright is a SAINT| 7.24.09 @ 10:39AM
I would like to make a comment from above about Wright being a saint, here goes...............................HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!

jagged| 7.27.09 @ 12:38PM

Where were all of you and this information when America was going ga-ga over Obama in 2008?!! All of this could have been prevented. If you voted for Obama, you have NOTHING to complain about. If you voted for Obama, YOU are who I complain about!

Yardo| 7.27.09 @ 12:45PM

The so-called "Blue-Dog Dems" may actually wind up saving the nation because they can't bring themselves to go along with the radical rank and file while holding their noses. And I'm thinking in all regards, especially foreign policy and national security...not just health care.

Of course they would also have to resist the Bribes (i.e.; "political incentives") along the way also. If this happens, the radical left movement may stall and become contained until the next election, whereby out great nation may have just one more chance.

Tom Kaye| 7.27.09 @ 12:56PM

When someone with "national exposure' who does commercials with Shaq . . . you gotta wonder just what influence he has!

downfive| 7.27.09 @ 1:06PM

Red dawn ................ let it begin.

sters| 7.27.09 @ 1:06PM

"America has the worse human rights record in the world."

Funniest thing I have read all day. Ignorance ABOUNDS!

ster| 7.27.09 @ 1:10PM

As Asians make up a much smaller percentage of the prison population compared to their overall population than whites do... we MUST conclude one thing.

The justice system is biased against whites and favors Asians!

Or... it could be that they just commit less crimes.

The above is a fact. Feel free to substitute and other race in the 1st sentence and see how whacked out these race baiters are.

William & Brenda| 7.27.09 @ 1:14PM

No 52 % was not ignorance unless, you called the dead people -Acorn- acorn wokers who voted 20 times in a day. He did not win nothing ! He is a Fraud in our country. The main stream media played the people of America who I say the main stream media are ignorance becuase of the fact they knew he never did a thing in the denate as well as he there to got in by getting everyone off the ballots with congress and democrats help. Those who voted for this fraud did not know that congress held congress while this Fannie Mae crap was going on.Yes Obama-Michelle and the CEO was in a large room with people as The CEO said.We are in financial trouble but how ever we will continue leanding out loans.Helo Finiancial Trouble.... So, you see how reckless congress - democrats are when the went for this Cap-N-Trade-the Bailouts - taking over GM. The people of small towns of their dealerships that were doing good and gave money to the campaigns which was more for the republicans.Hillary 7,000 and Oabam two hundred dollars well these peoples businesses were the first to go.I did call and email many of these business which been in thier family over 25 years say they know Obama did this cause he wanted to wipre them out in giving in 2010 and more so in 2012

Now for this health bill of Obama stinkest shit of a bill... Did you people read this bill >? I have and we are fighting as hard as we can to stop this bill. Everyone will have health insurance..KEY WORD... Now what that means is we the tax payers pay for those who sit there ass as well as over 2 million illagels . Oh yeah..don't let this Fraud fool you that we can keep our own health coverage..NOPE -NOPE and NOPE we can not. For one thing if you are covered under your employers plans in 5 yeas 5 years that will soon be dumped into the Government pile of this frauds plan. meaning forcing the employer to let go off their employies insurance so we folks now become a part of the government control in our fealth when or how if we do get any treatment which the dmv does control this. And that's not all folks- The older people will have to take a hike the ones who worked gave and have the greastes wisdom of any.. they will be let's say "Put to sleep forever"
There is more then that folks.. Our taxes are paying for this as well as you think we can choose our doctors ? No no and no we can't..Governmemt will choice why ? They want total control over your lives.To think the government right beside you in walking you through what's best for you..HA HA government are just a JOKE ! and to think folks we have no say so or say so how or help our parents tolive.The government will choice if they live or die.

Now are you a daughter or daughter ? When the time comes daughter/ son when the government says no to something that can save your mother father granparents live, they will say no ! So, what they do is to play with the younger people in saying you get health care we all get health care.You see the ypinger people don't read bills-don't want politics-don't watch media many of them don't. so they use our children.

Well children do grown up and then they check news- polititic of many..But the question is. well they say " I let the politians lie to me I let my parents grandparent die by the government. They will never forget what the government did to thier parents/grandparents never.They will have to be the ones who carry the burden of the mass killing of older people as parents grandparents.. May god when will it stop that we the people are used by our government and politian for their own agenda and big ass spending just to put the burden on us hard worker ansd AMERICA ? When ?

There is nothing nothing that has change..The only thing tat has change again we are holding the bag of repaying all this shit back that the governmemt-wall street put on us..

How is your hope going now ? I say no good.SO. take a hard look at your children, real hard look ..look what the fuck you did to our country and our children not just yours or mind but all the children of america..You really screwed this one up by not standing for your country..by not watching all area as well as all campaigns..them and poonly them you would have known that the main stream media did this..they lied to you... as this fraud did..

So now the other trillion dollor question is.. Are you going to start fighting for your country and childrens future ?

WAKE UP AND FIGHT AMERICA...

sic721| 7.27.09 @ 1:18PM

BRAVO!!!
AUTHOR! AUTHOR!
BRAVO!, Ben, BRAVO!!!!

Bob Garcia| 7.27.09 @ 1:26PM

Oh man, Ben.
I used to like you, but this stuff is so ridiculous. He ran on a government health care system, and won. I'd love to see the published scholarly works of George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Anyway, your prejudice against him is obvious. It doesn't matter whether he is black or white, you've "Left"ed him. And that sir is your only criteria for hating him. It's a good thing your fans don't care about your politics, or will you now only accept good reviews , paid tickets and or jobs from the "Right" people. Silly, silly you.

Brett P.| 7.27.09 @ 1:40PM

If you want a sneak peek of what America will look like in about 2 - 3 years if we don't stop Obama, Pelosi, Reid & Co.'s inexorable march to socialism, read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Jeff| 7.27.09 @ 1:41PM

I've said it once and I will say it again. I cannot take any publication seriously that cares about what Ben Stein has to say. Not after Expelled.

m. lesniak| 7.27.09 @ 1:44PM

Sorry, sorry, sorry. White, conservative, Rupugnican America just can't get over the fact that a Black man runs the show. Your dumbass cowboy completely screwed this place up, his evil VP still spews his crap and tired old Uncle Crabby McCain got his ass handed to him by a Black man. Kepp crying among your less than 30% of support - but get used to it because you still haven't figured a way out of it. Losers and bigots - don't know which to write first. It must really hurt.....

Deep Brain Diarist| 7.27.09 @ 1:47PM

Once again, an ultra right winger declares falsehood "true" because "we SAY it's true."

Stick to the comedy, Ben.

Matt| 7.27.09 @ 1:51PM

Wow, what an objective and inspiring piece about Obama. I have not heard such ground- breaking revelations before. Please continue to enlighten us about this man...:-)

Deep Brain Diarist| 7.27.09 @ 1:52PM

See, Ben, there are consequences to elections. If Obama was less than truthful or forthcoming, it was that he wasn't as liberal as we HOPED he would be. Where are the changes to "don't ask, don't tell?" Why do gays continue to wait for the basic human rights the president promised he would make a priority?

No, Ben... and I respect you despite the murderous morons who wish to "smother all liberals" and murder all political opponents in the name of "liberty." This is nonsense. This is a call for treason, for the overthrow of a legitimate election. I would hope you are better than that, Ben.

BB| 7.27.09 @ 1:53PM

Ben:

Anyone who doesn't support the nut cases in Israel must be cozy with the Muslim terrorists. What a surprise...

molly3| 7.27.09 @ 1:53PM

I agree with you Ben that too many Americans voted for Obama but I'm not convinced it was 52%. I think there was a significant amount of voter fraud which actually worries me even more that this health care nightmare. How can we stop this socialist juggernaut if we can't effect change at the polls?

Rod| 7.27.09 @ 1:55PM

The left and moderate right may be succeeding to widen political correctness to include words like socialism, fascism, servitude, and dictator, in association with President Obama’s methods and policies. While the far to middle right were not heard to use these words during the Clinton and Carter years or to describe Democrats in control of the House from 1954 to 2994, they are certainly doing so now notwithstanding attempts by the left to marginalize them.

Do these words have relevance to what is happening in America today, or are they merely strident ravings of a desperate right wing calling for sane economic and social policies?
Is the left in denial or has the right gone too far? What do the facts suggest?

Start with servitude:

The American Heritage dictionary defines servitude as Submission to a master; Slavery; Forced labor imposed for punishment of a crime (penal servitude); A right that grants use of another’s property. American Heritage goes on to elaborate that “servitude is characterized broadly to the absence of freedom. Slavery can refer to subjection to any person or persons or to an economic system.”

Does not taxation of one American for the purpose of redistribution to another American amount to the granting of one Americans property (earned money) to another American? A mans money is the fruit of his labor, and is his labor. We do not trade labor any more; we trade money which is the manifestation of labor. So when the government forces one man to give to another, then it imposes servitude on the giver to the taker. Servitude in America came by small degrees in the form of the progressive tax. It may be that the progression will have no limit until servitude becomes unbearable and revolt reverses or abolishes it. When the population discovered that it could vote cash payments, free health care, or other benefits paid for by other Americans, then is when the slide to dismemberment of the Republic started.

How about socialism? Socialism is centralized hands-on long –term control of the economy and of programs like providing health care. It is government ownership of the means of production including auto production. Socialism is the antithesis of capitalism. There are only two systems of government in the pure sense – socialism and capitalism. We have only to ask, which of the two does the Obama Administration and the current Congress want?

Fascism is government control of business without government ownership of business. The banks come to mind here. Government is now telling banks who they must loan to and is firing bank CEOs that do not comply with government policy. Government is now discarding the longstanding policy of repayment of bondholders after a bankruptcy. In other words, government is cancelling claim of property ownership – a fascist act.

Dictatorship is where an elected or non-elected person or persons seek increased power or to retain permanent office by undermining democratic processes. Gerrymandering is an example of dictatorial behavior. Rigging census taking is an example. Seeking to change voting patterns by legislation is an example. Promising cash payments for votes is an example. Appointing non-elected czars not accountable to Congress and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution is an example. Authoring and passing bills that legislators do not read and not offered for public scrutiny before passage is an example.
Spending trillions of dollars intended to force public indenture to government is and example.

Tim| 7.27.09 @ 1:58PM

It’s got to be this one from OurCountryDeservesBetter PAC. It cites “Obama’s own doctor” as an opponent of President Obama’s health care plan, even though Dr. David Scheiner wants a bigger and more expensive plan than the president. It cites Dick Morris and his wife Eileen McGann as health care “experts.” It’s nearly as good as the political action committee’s “Thank You, Sarah Palin” ad from last year. (Watch after the jump.)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fYorfXOHD9k&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fYorfXOHD9k&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NY7o2Qdx9T0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NY7o2Qdx9T0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Tee| 7.27.09 @ 2:00PM

The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record ... his complete lack of scholarship .... - You mean GW Bush, right?

We'll have bureaucrats taking over healthcare?!? That is such a joke, Mr. Stein. YOU can pay cash and have your own doctor on call like Michael Jackson, but the rest of us already have bureaucrats sitting between ourselves and our doctors- it's called "insurance".

Finally, quit it with the racist comments - saying that Obama is "anti-white" is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.z

Brett P. | 7.27.09 @ 2:01PM

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence; from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependency back again into bondage."

- Anonymous: Unverified Source

Bless Ben| 7.27.09 @ 2:07PM

Thank you for saying what so many are thinking, and have been thinking since this guy got on the national scene.

Mark| 7.27.09 @ 2:08PM

I love how right wingers say that private health insurers could never compete with the gov't. Just like FedEx and UPS can't compete with the US Post Office, right? Don't confuse keeping private insurers honest so they stop ripping off policy holders to make billions with an inability to compete. Only a moron like Ben would do that.

Rod| 7.27.09 @ 2:09PM

A democracy can continue to exist if the people have the will and intelligence to preserve it. Freedom is the key. So long the majority holds freedom above security, then the democracy will continue.

Tokoloshe| 7.27.09 @ 2:11PM

Hey Stein,
Why should ANYONE take ANYTHING you say to heart?
Weren't you one of the idiotic leading 'chorusboys' on Larry Kudlow's idiotic show, praising the 'Goldilocks Economy' to high heaven?
What has changed to make you more credible now?
It seems you are just becoming more and more idiotic as the days pass.

dreamfast| 7.27.09 @ 2:17PM

Ben, it sounds like you have gone off the deep end. Obama's not a fan of this country? Cozy with leftists? C'mon, stop demonizing. Maybe you prefer to bring back Nixon and Cheney - now that's a SCARY thought.

john| 7.27.09 @ 2:21PM

nice to hear you write about the truth obama now. of course i saw you on cnn and you were defending his economic plan before he was annointed and saying it could work. i see so called conservatives/intellectual gop types that say what is popular at the time and surprise, they get thier face on tv. now you see the polls and your singing a differant tune.
i guess your off cnn/msnbc for now but fox will talk to ya.

Bryan| 7.27.09 @ 2:28PM

Race is beside the point when it comes to Obama's numbers. He is losing support in several states, including swing states like Ohio. His number won't be as high as 365 the next time out in the Electoral College (especially with the census coming up). He won in 2008 with 53% of the vote. If he loses just a few pecentage points, the other candidate will have to do very poorly for him to win re-election. Many people will continue to be disenchanted even if the economy eventually comes back within the next 2 years, giving him far less support in 2012. If he passes the heath care plan, that recovery won't happen. Any short-term bounce will be squandered by all the spending on that huge bureaucracy.

Additionally, all this press about the "extinction of the GOP" is simply wishful thinking on the part of mass media types who want people to be scared away from voting for Republicans. After all, it's "unpopular." Republicans have been unpopular before, as have Democrats. Both parties have made numerous "comebacks" through-out history. This will be the case again. 46% of the voting population gave their vote to Senator John McCain, in a year where many had assumed the worst for Republicans. This was a respectable number, historically speaking. McCain carried 22 states, more than most losing candidates have over the last 40 years. Kerry won 19+DC. Gore won 20+DC.

If Obama loses support in states where it was extremely close, such as Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota and Indiana, he may not be re-elected. Those states have a combined Electoral Vote of 96. If his opponent grabbed all those and the same states that McCain carried, it would make the tally that fabled 269-269 split. He would be at the mercy of the House of Reps, which could very well be in Republican hands by then. If Obama loses support in other states, at the gain of a Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich or Rudy Giuliani, he can't win. But that's all speculation at this point. Anything can happen in politics over 3 or 4 years.

Buck D| 7.27.09 @ 2:29PM

Ah, the sound of hysterical republicans shrieking about the America-destroying Obama administration is music to my ears. I'm going to enjoy the next 7 1/2 years immensely. Sweet, sweet schadenfruede!

little old lady| 7.27.09 @ 2:32PM

Regarding Obama's high grades from Harvard and his IQ. Where's the source of his Harvard grades? Why is he the only president or candidate for any office whose IQ has come into play? I bet Bill Clinton's is higher! Intelligence does not out-weigh being smart or wise. (My family all have IQ's nearly as high, as high and higher than this guy who is so secretative about his murkey past. What is he ashamed of? Is there something here for impeachment that he has to bury those facts?

Bryan| 7.27.09 @ 2:33PM

The 96 EV that I calculated, included Iowa (17), just so no one complains that my math is wrong.

Menach Chazan| 7.27.09 @ 2:37PM

The Media, fearing the benighted Despots of the Middle East , who finance the teaching and training of Terrorists and their battle to eradicate Democracy, have joined them in trying to eliminate the one inspired Leader that Amerioca has had in ages.
Start concentrating your anger at the Despots who are so intent on perpetuating their regimes, against encroaching Democracy, that they are willing to sacrifice the last Palestinian/ Iraqi/Afghani "Freedom fighter' and spend their last dollar to achieve their ends.
Obama, is not as easy a target as he seems and may yet
surprise you all by turning America back into the Country that our founders aspired to.

aaron| 7.27.09 @ 2:37PM

Really Ben? Shouldn't a Yale law student know how to write a better article than this.

You offer no proof to your assertions (just like your movie).

You're such a dumbass.

Tom| 7.27.09 @ 2:42PM

Ben: Good article. I agree with you completely. But, your support of Franken in Minnesota gave the Democrats a filibuster proof Senate. Time for you to wake up.

Rod| 7.27.09 @ 2:42PM

It's clear Ben can't be put into the politically correct mold. Thanks to heros who tell it like it is.

By the way, Palins said Obama should "quit making things up".

g| 7.27.09 @ 2:44PM

I just love how all the Lefties immediately go for the "holy grail of gotcha"....the race card....sounds like this....."you rightwing nuts can't stand that a Black man is President and that's all it is"....That's like saying the reason I hated Hitler was I really abhorred little black mustaches, so there!......and If obumbum was White it would be...."you rightwing nutjobs can't stand Obama because he's tall and that's the real reason you hate him and that's all there is to it"....

Listen close you whack job socialist lefties......I (we, like 99%) believe (and have seen it exhibited these last 6 months) the man has a plan to rip up everything "American" and create some abomination of a socialist utopia that he and his academic America haters and anarchists have been trying to do since the 60's....TO HELL WITH HIM AND HIS FRIENDS! ....Are we perfect, no, but if he and his special group of haters with egos like "gods" don't like it here and feel they need to "change it"....they are free to leave.....we'll pack for them too.

Martin| 7.27.09 @ 2:45PM

Don't bother me none!

I'm getting ready for my end of life interview.

I won't be around to pick up the pieces.

Dawn| 7.27.09 @ 2:50PM

Ben, I have such respect for your intellect and want to thank you for your movie "Exposed" also. As a Christian, I see things unfolding in this country that are very anti-biblical. And I had Obama figured out over a year ago. All I had to do was look at his voting record and his associations. It was right in our faces. His socialistic ideologies and under-lying disdain and mis-trust for whites are so apparent, but America was blinded by their "hope for change" in a man that gives empty promises. God save the USA!

destined| 7.27.09 @ 2:52PM

Thanks Ben, you voiced my long-held sentiments exactly.

"Rev. Wright is a Saint"...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

Simple Ben| 7.27.09 @ 2:53PM

Let's see, graduated from Harvard Law, was editor of the Harvard law review, and was a constitutional law professor for twelve years at the university of Chicago. Sounds impressive, doesn't it? But add the name "Obama" before "graduated" in that sentence, and suddenly the academic achievments are irrelevant and Obama's academic record is "zero." That's either willfully ignorant or wildly dishonest. I'll go with both A and B.

Dawn| 7.27.09 @ 2:53PM

Funny...Ben, I meant to say thank you for your movie "Expelled" not "Exposed", but either title is fitting.....

Worried| 7.27.09 @ 2:56PM

I can't velieve the Nazi crap here!! Hello! Is this America?? Israeli troops killing American in Iraq? The protocols of the elders of Zion? Maddof stole money to give it to Israel?C'mon!

Don| 7.27.09 @ 2:59PM

I guess Ben isn't as smart as I thought.
Question Ben:What ever made you think he was "likeable"?

MrDuffin| 7.27.09 @ 3:05PM

Let's see obama's school records. Bush showed his with no problem. What is obama ashamed of? Were his grades that bad?

Joe | 7.27.09 @ 3:05PM

Well, "wake up little suzie" !
What an epiphany !
Let's see before the election, he was foreign born to a moslem father and family. He had a moslem background with no verifiable documents, terrorists and racists as friends, advisors and pastors. Took bribes from Tony Rezko. What more could you ask for! Oh yeah he's an izlamic supremacist, a racist and marxist and the messiah!

Mike| 7.27.09 @ 3:07PM

Your key sentence, Ben: "The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008. " It wasn't kindness, Ben...it was undeserved white guilt.

Louise J.P.| 7.27.09 @ 3:09PM

Great article Ben, better late than never. l figured out Obama before the election, being a Canadian l could see Obama the MSM blind to him and being touted as the messiah, like our past PM Trudeau he will bankrupt your country, too close to commuist leaders and you will lose your country. Fortuantely for you, Americans can vote him out and he can run more than twice. Thank goodness for talk radio and internet as the MS is more like State Radio for soviet style reporting.

Buck D| 7.27.09 @ 3:10PM

@G:
I don't accuse rightwing nutjobs of being racist (although I'm sure there are plenty of them out there), I accuse them of being fanatics. And like fantatics of every stripe, they're incapable of critical thinking or the ability to understand or respect any viewpoint other than their own. Any bit of information that runs contrary to their world view is either filtered out or regarded as pernicious lies spread by the enemy to obfuscate and confuse. Sad, really.

martha belle| 7.27.09 @ 3:24PM

I agree with all who knew what this guy was when he first started running for the White House (before that even) and certainly know what he is now.....so now that we have been over-run with far leftists who are hell-bent for our destruction, somebody please tell me how on earth do we turn things around...?? I am so scared.

M Linburn| 7.27.09 @ 3:27PM

Obama's health plan, particularly the "public option" is just plain BAD and will in the end COST US MORE for LESS healthcare. And who wants the Government telling us what doctors to see or what treatments we are allowed to receive?

And Obama's judgement is POOR. He should never have answered the question about the Harvard professor and racial profiling; it just took away from the intended purpose of his press conference. Heaven help us if this country gets into some real problems.

Winston| 7.27.09 @ 3:38PM

Steiny, Steiny, Steiny. Spokesman for Dolchstoss Republicans now? The chutzpah amazes.

Dan| 7.27.09 @ 4:03PM

The comments in this thread are hilarious. I wonder how crazy you wingnuts would be with an ACTUAL leftist/socialist in office.

Permabear| 7.27.09 @ 4:22PM

This is the same Ben Stein that said the subprime crisis was just a minor blip and the economy was fine back in 2007. This is the same Ben Stein that doesn't believe in evolution. Who in heck would listen to anything this bozo has to say anyway. As for Obama's healthcare plan, it isn't leftist in the least. A leftist healthcare plan would solve America's healthcare problems once and for all by expanding Medicare to serve the entire American population. Obama's plan caters to the health insurance, pharmaceutical and all the other big corporate health interests, and wants to give the American people everything they want and then some. Ben Stein is wrong about almost everything (with the exception of taxing the rich). He has no credibility here or anywhere else.

Gary Marchinke| 7.27.09 @ 4:23PM

Right on Ben!! Obama is a dreamer. Dreams are good, but reality is better!!!!!!

RJ| 7.27.09 @ 4:35PM

I have wept everyday seeing what has become of my country, my beloved country. Americans we must take a stand! liberty is precious ! it is the greatest of gifts! and ultimately it is what we give one another.

Bob Smith| 7.27.09 @ 4:41PM

Every so often I read a something like, "Rev Wright is a SAINT".

If things are so bad, what is your solution? Has your solution ever worked elsewhere? Why do literally millions of people still try to come to this country?

I'm sick of whiners ranting about the "old white guys". Where on the face of this earth is "it" better than here.

Yea we have problems that need to be addressed. But those problems do get talked about. And if you have a constructive idea - let's hear about it.

In the mean time - quit your beefing, do something to help someone, look around and smell the roses. Or maybe you could just go someplace where you think things are truley better.

T. PAINE| 7.27.09 @ 4:43PM

PLEASE show us a single law review article, a text, a term paper, even a report card ...from someone who "graduated from Harvard Law, was editor of the Harvard law review, and was a constitutional law professor for twelve years at the university of Chicago"...I suspect the reason no academic records from kindergarten through law school have been made public is that he obtained tuition benifits as a foreiegn (Indonesian, or Kenyan) dual citizen. (he admits dual Kenyan citizenship...see
“When Barack Obama Jr. was born on Aug. 4,1961, in Honolulu, Kenya was a British colony, still part of the United Kingdom’s dwindling empire. As a Kenyan native, Barack Obama Sr. was a British subject whose citizenship status was governed by The British Nationality Act of 1948. That same act governed the status of Obama Sr.‘s children.

Since Sen. Obama has neither renounced his U.S. citizenship nor sworn an oath of allegiance to Kenya, his Kenyan citizenship automatically expired on Aug. 4,1982.”

David H| 7.27.09 @ 4:49PM

So what you are saying is you have only NOW figured him out?

Where have you been?

Gene M.| 7.27.09 @ 5:04PM

I can't believe the rant and lack of truths. I'm retired military and over 65. All of my experience with military medicine and Medicare has been excellent. Conservatives are showing nothing but ignorance in fighting health care reform. Most of their comments about health care in other countries show that they are either ignorant or liars.

C Buchanan| 7.27.09 @ 5:16PM

How does AS allow you to publish so many lies? I used to believe AS had some integrity, but no more. These aren't even good or clever lies, they're just made up. Yeow.

my friend john| 7.27.09 @ 5:28PM

Wow. I can't believe Ben Stein is that ill informed. I mean, for one thing, the government is only taking over health insurance; they aren't trying to take over the operation of health facilities.

No "clerk from the BMV" is going to be behind the counter when you go to the doctor's office or the hospital. It's going to be the same exact people who've always been there. They are just going to have lower overhead costs because they will only have to pay the government for insurance.

Second, the BMV isn;t the only state run organization. Why would the new healthcare (insurance) plan run like the BMV and not the FBI or the FDA or... you know... all the government organizations that regulate the hospitals right now that force them to provide the best care possible under penalty of law.

Articles like this are nonsense.

Jim O'Brien| 7.27.09 @ 5:37PM

As Milton Friedman pointed out, no one is entitled to medical care. It is not a "right". If it were, then everyone would also have the right to free food, free housing, free vacations, free retirement, and free clothing. Chief Socialist Obama and his comrades in Congress are by definition determined to destroy our freedom and our economy. They would take away our freedom to choose medical insurance, doctors, hospitals, treatment and drugs. They would dictate these things to us, even to the point of destroying private insurance plans, rationing care, and delaying medical treatment. Obama and the Congress have a plan to endanger our lives. The Constitution prohibits the president and the Congress from taking away our property to pay for the medical care of others, and the Constitution prohibits the president and Congress from depriving us of life and liberty. Has the Constitution been repealed, or is it just not being used anymore?

Mycal B| 7.27.09 @ 5:38PM

I have no problem with this article except for bunching us all in one shot as The American people . Not everyone Voted for this Fraud of a President .. Also not all of us fell for his charm and masking of the true man he is .. So please Ben do not put us all in one basket as it were saying the American People

Ted| 7.27.09 @ 6:17PM

"You can fool all of the people some of the time."
- Barack Obama (channeling Lincoln)

Mellen | 7.27.09 @ 6:18PM

Ben, A claims clerk at an insurance company is just as unqualified as a clerk at the department of motor vehicles/department of health to make medical decisions. The key difference is the insurance clerk is motivated by share holder profit and the clerk at the DMV/DOH is motivated by the medical outcome . Please tell me which motive is more reliable.

Bobbie Little| 7.27.09 @ 6:20PM

I've been reading some of the comments about how Obama got elected. It wasn't mainstream America that got him elected. The people who elected him were those who never vote, don't pay taxes and don't have a clue about anything. They had to be scraped off the streets, driven to the polls and given a sample ballot that had been filled out for them. Without those votes, Obama would not have won. Good job Acorn!

Pat Hickey| 7.27.09 @ 6:22PM

Ben is on the money . . .again.

I am a south side Chicago Democrat and have met Barack Obama on several occasions. Nice guy.
I worked actively for John McCain from his Wilderness Campaign through his return to the Wilderness, It seemed to me that Sen. McCain spit out the bit after September 19, 2008. He could have at least acted like he wanted to win in the last days. But that's just me. Now his former helpers are working for the mopes at MSNBC doing an hourly excoriation of Sarah Palin.

Most Americans wanted a handsome black man to be Our President and he is just that. However, he is not too good at the work.

Barack Obama is surrounded by Progressive millionaire muckety-mucks. If that is old school Chicago, excuse me while I toss on new pair skivvies as these are a tad moist.

Nope, Obama is an empty suit, a handsome, speaker ( scrfipt reader) and prbably the biggest frontman for creeps and crooks since Warren G. Harding.

David Opperman| 7.27.09 @ 6:23PM

Ben this is a great article and I am very pleased to see that not all in the media are liberally biased in the USA. Furthermore it is good to see that some journalist are now seeing the light of truth and turning away from their blind support of OBAMA. Many blogsites and other allbeit middle of the road and conservative right leaning journalist tried to warn you Americans of these dangers and OBAMA's true colours before the elction but OBAMA MANIA had taken hold of the USA!
When OBAMA was elected I said to many of my German friends (I live in Germany),who were also OBAMA crazy, that this event is equivalent to the election 11 years ago of a young, charming but naive man called Gehard Schroeder as Chancellor of Germany, and it took him 7 years of his reckless policies to bring Germany to her knees with increased socialist policies, high unemployment and "multi cultural" attitudes where foreigners were better off than German nationals.
I only hope that in 4 years you American voters will be much wiser to the dangers that a continued OBAMA Presidency will have for the USA and I would like to quote a statement from W. Durant which I hope will be embedded in your minds in 2012 when it comes to vote for a new President:
"A GREAT CIVILIZATION IS NOT CONQUERED FROM WITHOUT UNTIL IT HAS DESTROYED ITSELF FROM WITHIN"
I rest my case!!!

Willie B| 7.27.09 @ 6:32PM

T-Paine - Great Points - where does that leave BO on the "Natural Born Citizen" issue?

movedeast| 7.27.09 @ 6:52PM

Red state loosers! The MESS has been made by Republicans. Your "C" school educations and hypocrit values. Your racism and intolerance. Your selfishness and disgust for anything you don't agree with. FUCK YOU ALL.

Jmie Shafer| 7.27.09 @ 7:05PM

Have not read Ben Stein in some time but it is my impression from reading these comments that he supported/voted for Obama last fall, and that is extremely disappointing. What made Ben so dumb? I knew well before the election what O was, and so did many Americans, almost as many as the number who voted for him. I amazed and disgusted at the number of supposed rational Americans who voted for this fraud and if Ben did than I question most of what he writes and says.

Rebecca Steele| 7.27.09 @ 7:07PM

I was very disappointed to read this column. I follow your column in the NYT, which I enjoy and often agree with, particularly when you have written against reflexive tax hatred and about the stock market. Perhaps you should stick with financial, rather than political and policy matters. You seem to be positing that the uninsured should be left in the cold because some of the currently insured will see a decline in their benefits. Our health care/health insurance system is inefficient, unfair, and results in drastic overprovision of procedures for some and drastic underprovision for others. Reform should be welcome by all. If you disagree with the president's plan, put forward your own.

molly3| 7.27.09 @ 7:13PM

http://fredthompsonshow.com/premiumstream?dispid=320&headerDest=L3BnL2pzcC9tZWRpYS9mbGFzaHdlbGNvbWUuanNwP3BpZD03MzUxJnBsYXlsaXN0PXRydWUmY2hhcnR0eXBlPWNoYXJ0JmNoYXJ0SUQ9MzIwJnBsYXlsaXN0U2l6ZT01

tw| 7.27.09 @ 7:13PM

Dear movedeast...you sound very black...mmmh are you? C school education...does that mean Harvard and Yale because those are the only schools that have such pitiful teachers and students. I guess M. Thatcher was right, when the opposition has nothing in their ammo bag they attack with personal insults. ( I paraphrase here) but I think even you can get the message.

Steven G| 7.27.09 @ 7:51PM

The only thing that has been realized is that Ben Stein has embraced the conspiratorial right. He manages to hit every right wing button. Ben must have forgotten to take his meds when he wrote this rant of a column

Frederich| 7.27.09 @ 7:53PM

This just seems like silly exaggeration, Mr. Stein.

Just to take one point: "his total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher, his complete lack of scholarship when he was being touted as a scholar."

He was president of the Harvard Law Review, which is generally considered the highest honor at that school. It's not logical to call that "total zero." Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Roberts, and Stephen Breyer all were editors of the same law review. Are their academic records also "total zero"?

You could say the same about his teaching career. Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago law school -- that's generally considered a sign of high achievement.

The Harvard and Chicago law schools were ranked #2 and #6 in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation's best law schools. Does that count as "total zero"?

The rest of the article seems similarly exaggerated. Can you really believe that the president is "not a fan of this country?" It just doesn't make any sense.

Perhaps you intend to exaggerate for effect, but I'm not sure everyone understands that. I think this kind of harsh, inflammatory talk is bad for honest, useful dialogue.

Thanks for listening.

AshMod| 7.27.09 @ 7:57PM

"A GREAT CIVILIZATION IS NOT CONQUERED FROM WITHOUT UNTIL IT HAS DESTROYED ITSELF FROM WITHIN"

Cmon now, I agree Obama hasn't done a great job until now, and I disagree with most of his policies, but seriously.....we've been sliding into a pit for the last 8 years, not just the last 8 months.

I would hazard a guess that most of you who are reflexively bashing Obama were cheerleading for Bush in the two elections before that. What exactly did Bush achieve for this country? where were the republicans when this country was being dragged into a moral and economic pit during 8 years of the Bush administration? (and PLEASE don't give me the "it was because Freddie and Fannie lent to minorities" garbage --> read "Bailout Nation" for a clear picture).

I think we voted for the Dems mostly because it was inconceivable that anyone could possibly do a worse job than what Bush did. Also, I think the public was crying out for someone who could offer some hope, because they could already see our great country crumbling around them, and in marketing terms, Obama clearly filled that niche.
Having said that, I don't see Obama doing much better right now. Unemployment is rising, we're heading too much towards a an over-socialised government, and higher taxes. At least we're withdrawing from Iraq, which I think was Bush' biggest mistake, and the only area where I can see Obama actually making progress.
Please, can't we get someone who knows what their doing as a president? First Bush, and now Obama.

Mr. Rich| 7.27.09 @ 7:58PM

I can't say it better than "Ben S" did earlier in this thread:

"I always respected you and your insight into finance and sometimes political stands, but here you have sunk to the level of a cranky and hateful old man.

Thats right Ben, you are now what you always hated. The leftists who personally attacked Bush rather than making their argument that Bush was professional incompetent are not much better than you right now.

I no longer have any respect for you. You said goodbye to facts and intelligent argument and loaded your gun and fired hate speech and pretty much called our President a terrorist lover and a hater of America."

Bill Engledow| 7.27.09 @ 8:01PM

Is ObamaCare really "backdoor genocide"? For one to make such an 'audacious' claim, he/she would need to show a strong motive. Well consider this, once government healthcare take holds, a huge block of elderly and largely conservative voters will, do to rationed care, fade into the sunset earlier and in larger numbers than ever before. This will change voter demographics in favor of the far left. Think about and wake up America, your worst nightmare lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Phil| 7.27.09 @ 8:02PM

Can you back up Clinton's statement that allows Iran to have nuclear weapons with a reference?

tennismom| 7.27.09 @ 8:02PM

Ben,

Hit the nail right on the head. I agree with everything you've said. I just thought it would take longer than 6 months for his true colors to be evident.

He was, and is, and always will be just an empty suit. An empty suit who HATES America, as does his wife. He will ruin this country if left in office for 8 years.

The thing is - he's so cocky and arrogant that he just couldn't help himself in showing his true colors. He wasn't able to "save" this country as many thought. What we are left with is a bunch of empty promises, and no hope.

Agree - someone, please help this country, and get this buffoon and fake out of office. Before its too late.

Ira Fews| 7.27.09 @ 8:07PM

What a bunch of garbage, typical of Stein.

"They ignored his quiet acceptance of hysterical anti-American diatribes by his minister, Jeremiah Wright."

Obama had long since cut ties with Wright by the time the election rolled around, but who cares about facts when you can just concoct lie-filled screeds instead?

David Opperman| 7.27.09 @ 8:14PM

I would like to comment on Ira Fews and all the others who believe that OBAMA has cut his ties with the Rev. Jerimiah Wright...If you seriously believe this fact then you also believe in fairies and that "pigs can fly!!!"

AusDem| 7.27.09 @ 8:21PM

Bill Engledow, if in fact that is your real name.
You know that Medicare, a form of socialised medicine, in fact substantially improved the health of seniors in this country. Seniors tend not to be able to afford insurance, as their premiums are insanely high. But, given that they've paid their taxes, and worked hard to build this country, it makes sense to give something back.
The crazy's like yourself are what really brings this country down, too ready to criticize a man who hasn't gotten to be the president to "bring down this country" but to lift it up (albeit based on his idea of what is right). He may not be what you want, and that's fine. Vote for the other side next time........hahaha, can you imagine if Palin gets the Republican nomination? hahahaa, good luck to us all then.........dear god.

Janet| 7.27.09 @ 8:22PM

I agree with Teri. I argued and shouted when Obama was running for the Demo ticket back in 2007. NO ONE would listen. I felt that this person was not true and there was something that was not quite right about him and his ideas. Then after he was elected, no matter what was found out about him, I said "okay, I hope he lives up to all he promised". Now everyone is seeing who he really is. I TRIED TO TELL YOU..........BUT YOU WOULD NOT LISTEN. I hope everyone is happy now. It will not be long before this country will not be known as the USA. I am sure that a name change is already in the works.

bdmike| 7.27.09 @ 8:29PM

Sooo.....Mr. Stein believes Sara Palin would be a better President? You surely do need to torture some logic to believe that is true.

But, I guess Republicans are comfortable torturing anyone who thinks differently than them.

Truly,

Ann Frank| 7.27.09 @ 8:47PM

ACORN is at my door. They want to know how much money I have to donate to the New Socialist Party. Actually, they just told me I have no right to my own money that it all has to go to Obamascare!

chatman| 7.27.09 @ 8:49PM

Well this is a shallow screed, even for you Mr. Stein.

It's one thing to be opposed to the Obama agenda... I get that. But comments like this strip Stein of what little credibility he has a celebrity scrivener...

"The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher,"

Ben himself is a graduate of Yale Law School.. surely he should recognize that being editor of the Harvard Law Review, or a lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, does not go to someone with a "zero" in academic credentials. And then there's impassioned tripe like this...

"not a fan of this country, way, way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East, way beyond naïveté, all the way into active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future."

Without any real justification or example, Stein launches into a near ad hominem attack on Obama's "love" for country and "coziness" with "terrorist" leaders. It's this kind of unsubstantiated drivel that makes it very difficult for people to take Stein seriously. Take a lesson from the likes of Krauthammer, Will, or Nichols; substantiate your views, and check some of your passionate but unsupportable vitriol at the door.

Finally, we can add to all this hyperventilating bilge Stein's adoption of an extreme minority view on global warming. The Waxman-Markey "cap and trade" bill is certainly an awful law, but that's a very different view than the one that Stein advances, which is that global warming either isn't happening, or that we don't contribute to it. This level of idiocy is on part with Stein's sophomoric understanding of evolutionary theory. Good thing all Stein had to say about science in this "article" was a throwaway line...

We can all benefit from a reasoned disagreement on merits of Obama's foreign and domestic policy choices. But Stein's alarmist pap about "active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future" is hyperbole without substance.

Travis| 7.27.09 @ 8:50PM

Thanks Ben. A nice thought provoking article in plain English for the American people to digest - hopefully. :)

>> Obama scares the hell out of me to put it bluntly Ben. Never have so many been so wrong in the voting booths on November 3rd 2008 about a man, whom nobody really seems to know, or worse yet, can even hope to figure during these next 3 1/2 years of his presidency. That's right.. Only 3 1/2 years left to go before he's out and back to doing his community service organizer work with Acorn, etc.

PS: If BHO is calling Henry Gates his friend I'd hate to see his enemies. ;)

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRlIdFcWd5k&feature=player_embedded]Henry Gates Rant In 1996 On "Racist White Institutions"[/url]

Huldah| 7.27.09 @ 8:52PM

Did the Reverend Wright ever tell his congregation to get off welfare? Did the Reverend ever get his congregation to be self-sufficient and become a light to the African American culture? He is Wright about one thing, welfare is modern slavery and those dems who pay into it are the enablers, and those African leaders who say it's okay for their people and ask for more help are as evil as those who 200 years ago sold their people into slavery. Beware the leaders and financiers of the democratic party.

sick_of_Chgo_mobsters| 7.27.09 @ 8:53PM

Hello Ben,

I'm for thug/Chicago mobster B. Hussein Obama's "health care reform" IF, and only IF, all of Congress, (each and every one of the political Gods/thugs, the Prez, and the Supreme Court Princes and Princesses, the Political Elite/the bastards, each and every one of them, ALSO have to live by the same rules, exactly, that they are trying to foist over the population. After, all, as Hussein Obama said: I am not affected by the health care - I have the best in the world." Why SHOULD he? He should get the same shitty care that he is trying to foist on everyone else - the ones that are feeding HIS sorry, lazy, chain smoking butt. Time to knock the politicians on their fat butts and make them live up to the rules they shovel on the rest of us. Murderer Ted Kennedy - let HIM live by the Obama healthcare rules: let HIM set an example - start with that alcoholic scum bag. Let an illegal alien stand in line BEFORE HIM. Why is it that the slime politicians can't live by the same rules that they piss on every one else with?

Mellen| 7.27.09 @ 9:16PM

AusDem on Medicare. Good on ya mate! Medical care is a social responsibility that also makes practical sense. Iron Duke, Otto Von Bismark understood this when he introduced national health to Germany.
Others, please resist temptaion to tell me to move to Germany. I am a Texan and we need change here.

Travis| 7.27.09 @ 9:21PM

I'll post that link again..

Henry Gates Rant In 1996 On "Racist White Institutions" below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRlIdFcWd5k

I wanted to add that the American people are indeed waking up to reality about Barack Obama i.e. that he is not who he says he was back on the campaign trail. He said anything and everything just to try and get elected in my opinion. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, in my opinion, and a majority of the American people unfortunately fell for his grandiose spiel on the campaign trail, and consequently, (and unfortunately) on election day in November.

But the truth is we are only really just scratching the surface of who this man really is. He has spent untold thousands of dollars on lawyers to keep his academic records sealed and untold thousands more on keeping his birth certificate hidden from the American people. Sure, he has the digital certificate on his government website, but that is NOT the original live birth certificate that each and every American has to submit upon getting a marriage license or to get a passport to travel outside the Country, etc.. All the while BHO is trying to do everything in his power to try and keep his "original" live birth certificate secret from the American public. What do you suppose he is he trying to hide?? My guess is that he was indeed born in Kenya (as his own grandmother attests to) and as far as his college records, God only knows what he's trying to hide by keeping those secret.

The truth will eventually come out no doubt, but he will probably already be out of office and out of the public eye and the public's scrutiny. That is unless, of course, some of our government officials actually decide to "grow a pair" and get serious about investigating these otherwise ludicrous anomalies that surround Barack Hussein Obama. ;) The American people deserve to know.

Mellen| 7.27.09 @ 9:28PM

Movedeast I agree wit tw..."when the opposition has nothing in their ammo bag they attack with personal insults". If you want to represent the Blue point of view you have far too much ammunition to find th F word necessary. Keep it civil.

zoltan newberry| 7.27.09 @ 9:47PM

Didn't Ben Stein help elect President Flapdoodle?

Was it not he, in column after column in the New York Times, who kept saying yes we should raise taxes on the rich because it was the rich who prospered so much from this great country of ours.

Didn't he also single out wealthy Jews, who lavished their sons and daughters with $100,000.00 + Bar and Bat Mitzvah's as examples of an uberclass who needed to have their taxes raised.

Well, now that 00bie is actually doing it, Ben's suddenly not so happy.

Can Ben agree to a debate with a real conservative who follows the wisdom of Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan? Is been still too much of a Nixonian to understand that higher taxes sap our economy and kill growth?

Doug Cooper| 7.27.09 @ 9:57PM

My 65-year-old wife is quadriplegic and ventilator-dependent from multiple sclerosis. My IBM retiree medical benefits have covered expensive hospitalizations and round-the-clock nursing at home. I suspect that a government health program would assess her life expectancy in "quality-adjusted-life-years" and refuse to pay for such care.
The apparent goals and the details involved in the legislation make it clear that cost savings, if any, will be achieved by moving most of us off our employer-sponsored programs. Scary for us.

Christina| 7.27.09 @ 10:03PM

At the risk of sounding unintelligent, " DUH!" These were all concerns that I had during the primaries, but the people accepted him anyway. You have to wonder why. Was Hillary Clinton a much bigger threat than he? I didn't vote for him, nor did I vote for McCain, a Dem in Rep clothing. My conscience is clear, and I say this as I'm being systematically stripped of the freedoms that I enjoyed since my birth. I'm sorry to say that the general American public is gullible, and in addition, sadly uninformed. They have no understanding of the issues being debated, no understanding of the economics behind these issues. That's what a public education does for you :)

Will| 7.27.09 @ 10:23PM

The unfounded and hardly factual musings of a segment of America's population that is caught up in a whirling dervish of paranoid rantings and delusional conspiracy theories. You people are sad. The American republic deserves a sane opposition and a responsible, public debate. As long you fools are caught up in the untruths being spun by your supposed intellectual leaders you will be out of touch with the Americans who don't buy into your fallacious theories. And that, dear conservatives, is no way to win elections.

Neo-Cons Go Away| 7.27.09 @ 10:57PM

Ben, you supported Al Franken for Senate so STFU ok? Not interested in what neo-cons have to say after trashing the party.

Karl in Phoenix| 7.27.09 @ 11:03PM

Great essay.

I can hardly wait for the "global warming" that will follow all of the hot air, with the revelation of The Obama's Great Fraud. I write of the Great Fraud of His eventually being "discovered" to be UNQUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Obviously, The Obama is a FELON. The next question is "who knew or should have known" The Obama's "status", other than Nancy Pelosi (who vouched for The Obama's qualifications to be POTUS, making her guilty of conspiracy for this grand group of felonies).

When knowledgeable people spoke/wrote of the "Constitutional Crisis" that would befall America if The Obama was elected, they were correct. There will be a very long list of felons when "Constitution-gate" comes about.

I want The Obama to fail and America to prosper (once more).

God Bless America.

Army Airborne Ranger &
American Nationalist

Whizbang, III| 7.27.09 @ 11:21PM

Jeremiah Wright is a pathological liar, a promoter of Islamic jihad warfare against Christians, and a paranoid nutcase. That having been said the United States does NOT terrorize Africans (although Arabs and other Africans DO). Seeing that the majority of violent crimes in the United States of America have been perpetrated by Afro-Americans (for about the past 100 years) we can see that one major segment of the US population has busy double-dipping another segment through the feigning and collecting off of supposed victimization while perpetrating the very crimes they are claiming to be victims of (while exploiting them to the fullest for political and economic advantages). As for the slavery argument once it was valid, but no one alive today in America was either an actual slave or an actual slaveholder--this is argument is as dead as the crime itself.

jayfree| 7.27.09 @ 11:26PM

I much prefer the Ben Stein of the NY Times and the goofy commercials. I think this is the fake Ben Stein: the rabid right-wing reactionary one.

Florida Native| 7.27.09 @ 11:27PM

To Larry on 7-24, You are DEAD ON about the Jewish support of Obama. I live in South Florida and for the life of me I cannot figure out the Jewish support for left-leaning liberal Democrats. Our legislature down here is infected with left-leaning Obama lovers and our Jewish population here just continues to vote them into office with nary a question. I don't get it, I really don't get it.

owl| 7.27.09 @ 11:27PM

Amazing article, Ben. Amazing in the sense that it's utterly unoriginal and could've been written by Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, or any other disingenuous neocon who says stupid things aimed at stupider people.

Lest we forget that you were a GOP speechwriter in your day (before you became a useless fact regurgitator and a commentator who vomits talking points on Fox News (see: everything you said about our 'nonexistent' economic crisis)). It should explain why your essay reads like something that George Bushes have been saying for twelve years. Yes, that's what we need more of.

Dt-------| 7.28.09 @ 12:06AM

Rich! Poor!? Think about it! What all of you are saying? Go back in history! What "U" are saying-- has been said before, this time, different people different times! REALLY! Maybe, Maybe not, but then again, zoltan newberry, Mellen, Travis, Pingback, sick_of_Chgo_mobsters (Who said it best! Realy?Maybe?) Huldah, chatman, Ann Frank (Ira Fewsthanks Ann) Janet, AusDem, David Opperman, bdmike (U-2), tennismom, Ira Fews, Bill Engledow, Phil, Steven G,....etc
They all said it! What ever they said!
Is it true or not?? Think about it Who is right? Who is wrong?
Big Gov. helping "U" Providing 4 "U" or spending us into oblivian? Or will all the benefits be coming in the mail any day now? A Check 4 $ or a Chzech in prison? Well! what do you think? I think not! I vote------Freedom! No Big Bro! I will continue to contribute to fund government to provide for governing, up-holding the law, funded by the people creating the law to support the law by the people, supporting what the people voted for and/or appointed those to make law--call it the rule of law ?! then believe in "God's Law" as He spelled it out in His operation & maintenance manual the "Bible". Christian? Maybe! Maybe not! But believe "U" me it is written! Feed the Poor as they will be with "U" always, he never said steel from the rich! He did say " it rains n the just & the un-just alike"!

Gfmucci| 7.28.09 @ 12:07AM

Great analogy to The Music Man and the townsfolk finally catching on to Prof. Harold Hill. Ben Stein is a tiny microcosm of the way many other former Hussein Obama supporters feel right now. The mystery is why so many "intelligent" individuals supported him to begin with. Were they not paying attention? Was there a hypnotic trance involved?

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 12:11AM

Thanks for catching on to that! and "The King has no clothes" ! Someone had to say it!

Bosch Fawstin| 7.28.09 @ 12:16AM

B Stein writes:

"..the stimulus bill -- a great idea in theory..." and I stop reading. Cold.

The same was said of Communism, "It's a great idea, but it doesn't work in reality." If it doesn't work in reality, it's a rotten idea.

That's the problem with conservatives and Republicans when it comes to their ideological opponents, they rarely have any principled arguments to make against them, always conceding major points to them, as with health care and any rotten government program that they ought be be against.

David, Thailand| 7.28.09 @ 12:18AM

I absolutely agree with Frank Marschino, and would take it steps further by being peeved each time commentators masturbate the American ego by telling them what wonderful people they are.

Sorry, buddy, they're pig ignorant, naive to the extreme, isolated from the real world and determined to shut their eyes to the horrors their gutless leaders are about to unleash upon future generations. Your grandchildren will revile your inability to fathom the obvious.

Wake up USA, we need you! By snoozing through these defining times and stirring only long enough to hear how blindingly great you are, you are letting down civilisation.

artark| 7.28.09 @ 12:28AM

Ben, how much does it hurt having your head up your ass?

Vickie Castor| 7.28.09 @ 12:35AM

Trust and kindness of Americans, Is that why such a large population of Americans were swindled into voting for this man. The Messages were huge and couldn't have slapped people more in the face had it been physical. People had better be very scared when it comes to this health care bill. I know he is stating that Nurses are also backing his plan. But I am a nurse that has worked in many Large inner city ER's. The medicare and Medicaid system is already very flawed when it comes to health care. But I will strongly urge all to stand out against this bill, it is purely- Slective Govermental GENOCIDE. He and his cronies, of which many are people he and his beloved have brought to DC from their life as friends previous to his presidency. He and them will decide if you get care, treatment or LIVE or DIE, not health care workers. He said it all in his previous speech concerning the woman that asked if her mom of 100 would get a needed pace maker. He said a pain pill. He is not a DR. or Nurse. How is he creditialed to make this decision. Wake up America, He is heading us toward a National disaster. This is a dangerous, evil man who has made it clear that he hates America, white people and the wealthy.

Dt------| 7.28.09 @ 12:37AM

And 52% Chose to ingnore!!!!! T---H----E----M-----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Them Who! The press? No the Signs! or the people (signs,times,market,interest rates, markets, funds,ENRON, Dodd? Clinton? Fanny! May? Lincoln Savings & Loan, McCain, Roosevelt? FHA? power brokers, commodities brokers, Barrrr-neeey Frrraaannnkkkk! etc,) or the people that took their time to try to tell "them" to listen "the signs"! of the times! I don't get it? Are they even listening? Too many IPod's? Good news the re-session is over! NOT@!!!#&%^*#&^!!!

Alex D| 7.28.09 @ 12:47AM

I second the previous comment/question-

Is it as painful as I would imagine it to be?

Seriously, you and Rushie should duke it out for the title of "Blowhard of the Century"- you just may win!

Alex D| 7.28.09 @ 12:53AM

Karl in Phoenix| 7.27.09 @ 11:03PM

Great essay.

I can hardly wait for the "global warming" that will follow all of the hot air, with the revelation of The Obama's Great Fraud. I write of the Great Fraud of His eventually being "discovered" to be UNQUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Obviously, The Obama is a FELON. The next question is "who knew or should have known" The Obama's "status", other than Nancy Pelosi (who vouched for The Obama's qualifications to be POTUS, making her guilty of conspiracy for this grand group of felonies).

When knowledgeable people spoke/wrote of the "Constitutional Crisis" that would befall America if The Obama was elected, they were correct. There will be a very long list of felons when "Constitution-gate" comes about.

I want The Obama to fail and America to prosper (once more).

God Bless America.

Army Airborne Ranger &
American Nationalist

You sir, are a wingnut!

You made me tear up in laughter! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Vickie Castor| 7.28.09 @ 12:35AM

Trust and kindness of Americans, Is that why such a large population of Americans were swindled into voting for this man. The Messages were huge and couldn't have slapped people more in the face had it been physical. People had better be very scared when it comes to this health care bill. I know he is stating that Nurses are also backing his plan. But I am a nurse that has worked in many Large inner city ER's. The medicare and Medicaid system is already very flawed when it comes to health care. But I will strongly urge all to stand out against this bill, it is purely- Slective Govermental GENOCIDE. He and his cronies, of which many are people he and his beloved have brought to DC from their life as friends previous to his presidency. He and them will decide if you get care, treatment or LIVE or DIE, not health care workers. He said it all in his previous speech concerning the woman that asked if her mom of 100 would get a needed pace maker. He said a pain pill. He is not a DR. or Nurse. How is he creditialed to make this decision. Wake up America, He is heading us toward a National disaster. This is a dangerous, evil man who has made it clear that he hates America, white people and the wealthy.

Wingnut #2! A match made in heaven!

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 1:03AM

Alex D! Dude!
It's awaiting game dude!
So far it aint looking so good!
When I'm looking at the Obama-nation in the face they are pick-pocketing me from behind!
I'm outta free-bees-dude! Gotta-go back to work!-Swing Shift-Yah!- I know--------- let's hear it!!!

melissa stover| 7.28.09 @ 1:07AM

do you really think americans are figuring him out? i think far too many are still following blindly not caring what he does as long as he is there. the hero, the savior.

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 1:09AM

Obama! Gates! Dudes! take that bad ass cop down to the harbor & Kick his ass!
Feel better?
Cool!
Now go back to figuring out who will be the next "Home Invasion Czar" so we all can sleep at night!

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 1:11AM

melissa stover---NO!

Alex D| 7.28.09 @ 1:22AM

Dt-

Wow...I am very impressed with your mastery of the word "dude".

Next time, take the 'ludes AFTER you decide to write- you may not sound so dumb...dude!

Nancy| 7.28.09 @ 1:25AM

I only hope and pray that Congress will wake up and not pass his legislation. Obama has got to go in 2012, but before then, his radical changes for America must be defeated and those who support him must be voted out of their jobs in 2010. Americans can survive a recession much easier than the changes Obama wants to make.

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 1:36AM

Wow! Alex D!
Don't be impressed! It's nothing! Everybody uses it!
Now- I'm Impressed! You com-pre-hend !
I know the small things in life impress me, but I did read read Ben's article! Did you? dude!
I'm getting sick thinking about it, oops I cannot aford to get sick as I have to pay for Obama Scare!
No o-fence! It's the "new deal" ! It's just "Change"!

Dt-----| 7.28.09 @ 1:53AM

Alex D---
At least you respond & think about your response! I don't care if you are left or right! I do care that you are an American & I will fight for your freedom of speech! Dude!
Whatever!
Go to bed!
I did read Ben's article, obviously, & agree with him--that's my freedom of speech,-- currently! Hope to enjoy it (freedom) for many years to come & hope that you have grand childern to enjoy it with also! Dude! (kidding)

jim Thinnsen| 7.28.09 @ 1:56AM

Yeah, I sure am glad people are starting to wake
up to the truth about the snake oil salesman/fool in the Black House, hopefully people will revolt
before he drives the whole thing over a cliff!!

joe munroe| 7.28.09 @ 2:03AM

If it looks like a muslim, talks like a muslim,walks like a muslim, has a muslim name, adamanly defends muslims, says the US is no longer a Christian nation, says the US is one of the worlds largest muslim nations, IT'S A MUSLIM!!!!!!!!

D Williams| 7.28.09 @ 2:33AM

So you expect a guy to walk into office and fix the the worst recession in forever, the Iraq war, the wall street mess, the banking mess, the housing crisis, the unemployment mess, our Foreign Policy mess, the CIA mess etc etc etc. Give him and the the new administration more than six months will you. Bush, Cheney et al left the world in a state of havoc unless you happen to be an oil company. What a great breath of fresh air to have a President who can speak in complete sentences again and who doesn't embarass the Nation every time he gives a speech. Those of you who can only bring things up like Muslim, Black, birth certificate and the like; I guess Bush's no child left behind didn't work out in your cases. Ben Stein doesn't worry about good health care because he has money. He doesn't worry about much of anything the working class has to worry about. Stop listening to little, rich white men who can't believe their ponzi scheme of the last 30 years has just fallen down all around them. Don't let them sucker you with words like socialism. Ben Stein knows that big health insurers don't have competition but guys like Ben Stein have made big money investing in companies that don't have competition and they would love to continue to do so. Wake up America. The conservatives in this great land of ours have tricked you into thinking that it is patriotic for them to get filthy rich while the rest of us work harder and don't gain any ground at all. The conservatives of today are not the conservatives of Barry Goldwater's days. They believe in rules that make themselves rich and everyone else be damned. If you are middle class and believe in guys like Ben Stein you are a sucker and need to get educated. Stop believing what these talking heads tell you and figure things out for yourselves. We don't need politicians doing our thinking or our work for us. And we sure as hell don't need weasles like Ben Stein thinking for us. We are Americans and we need to take charge, get back to work and figure things out for ourselves. WE THE PEOPLE can drag the politicians and the talking head weasles along with us, but this time they can take the backseat!

Lary| 7.28.09 @ 2:54AM

Ben, did you actually vote for someone to be President of The United States of America that befriended and associated with a notorious hardcore anti-American terrorist? After,on 9-11, 3000 Americans were murdered by notorious hardcore anti American terrorists? Did you vote for someone that made excuses for a relationship with a notorious hardcore anti-American terrorist such as "the America hating terrorist did his America hating terrorist acts when I was 8 years old", when the truth is that the notorious hardcore anti-American terrorist proved several times in recent years he is still a notorious anti American? Did you vote for someone that attended a gathering for 20 years where its leader spewed anti American, anti Semite and anti white hate speech? Someone that took his 2 children to this gathering?
I submit that any voter that knew full well of these and all the other anti American associations that Obama had, especially after we had 3000 Americans slaughtered by anti Americans on 9-11, are not true Americans.
I hope you had no clue about Obamas anti American associations before you helped elect him to be President of The United States of America. Maybe you didnt cast a vote for him at all. I'd like to believe you are a true American Ben.
God bless the families of those murdered on 9-11 by anti American terrorists. God damn those who murdered 3000 Americans and God damn those who associate, in a friendly manner, with anti American terrorists. And oh by the way, God damn those who make excuses for befriending anti American terrorists and the well informed voters that rewarded Obama for befriending a notorious anti American terrorist by electing him President of The United States of America.
Obama would not have one the election with the uninformed vote alone. It was the voters that knew full well of his anti American associations that put him in the White House.

Jim| 7.28.09 @ 3:40AM

The "stimulus" was the payoff. Anthropogenic global warming is a fraud. Climate changes all the time. CO2 has nothing to do with it. Need for a crisis to distract attention. Listen to Rahm.
Obamacare is rehashed eugenics, another progressive favorite.
All of this was completely predictable. It was written about over and over.
All the other rubbish about Israeli conspiracies, birth certificates and Islam are more distractions. It is way bad enough with an ultra-progressive in the White House and one-party congress. Does Senator Al Franken give anyone a clue how badly progressive Republicans can drive the train off the tracks. We did this to ourselves.

Karl in Phoenix| 7.28.09 @ 4:18AM

To Alex D (07 28 09 12:53am):

The change The Obama and his "Usefull Idiots" are stiving to impose on We, The People, is a socialist order that will fundamentally change this country to something wholely unintended by The Framers. You seem to be one of those "hope & changers" who's vote was bought by The Obama with other people's money-- a sell-out. Very well, there are many of you sell-outs.

The sell-outs want the fruits of other's labors and want to have what is not rightfully theirs, not having earned what the sell-outs covet. Race and class "warfare" are tools of The Obama (S.Alinski, actually) and are easily seen by alert and aware citizens. Those in the muck-pit of The Obama's "influence" see not the truth. This is expected.

I have bled and suffered while serving this country and would have died, too, had the situation demanded it. In contrast, The Obama has done nothing to serve this country. Instead, The Obama has taken from US and caused America to suffer from the day he was sworn-in. The Obama's War Against America has been going strong for just over six months.

By federal law, I could not hire The Obama for any work my company performs. There is no AVALAILABLE information that states The Obama is in America legally and can legally work here. The Obama went to school as a foreign student and accepted foreign student financial aid and is not even a US citizen. Anyone who kisses The Obama's shoes, including the MSM, deserve to follow their leader to the hell that awaits them.

So, Alex D., have a nice laugh and get in line with the other shoe-kissers and follow your leader to the hell of his own making.

If it was not for the dumbing down of this country by liberal educators, we would not be in the fix we find ourselves. Laugh all you can stand, Alex D. Maybe your laughter will light your way to the sewer we Americans will find ourselves if The Obama gets his way.

God Save America

Army Airborne Ranger &
American Nationalist

Conveyor of The Truth| 7.28.09 @ 5:57AM

Melissa Stover (and the rest of you Repugnican clowns):

Whatever Obama may or may not be, he's ten times (100 times???) better than that un-American, unpatriotic GWB, who got us involved --based on fabricated lies--in a totally unnecessary war in Iraq that has now left us financially bankrupt, who (with the aid of other un-American, unpatriotic Zionists such as Cheney) embarked on an illegal wiretapping scheme targeting innocent, unsuspecting Americans, who used his Office of the President and his party's influence at the time in both chambers of Congress to assail our Constitution and the Bill of Rights in ways no other president has ever so shamelessly done in our entire history, all the while ignoring urgent problems at home such as our crumbling infrastructure, joblessness, lack of healthcare for tens of millions of Americans, etc. etc.

The fact is you right-wing, Zionist kooks lost the last battle, and how! If anything good ever came out of Dubya's pathetic presidency, it was that Bush, Cheney & Co. screwed things up so badly as to ensure that for the next decade terms like "right-wing" or "Republican" will be synonymous with "dirt."

So, as The Eagles so aptly sang, "Get over it!"

Conveyor of The Truth| 7.28.09 @ 6:08AM

Ben,

They DID learn quite well how to behave like Nazis.

Just ask any Palestinian.

Alice M| 7.28.09 @ 6:17AM

In 2007, Ben Stein told everyone that the subprime fiasco was nothing to worry about and how it was a great time to invest in the market. I listened to him and lost 70% of my retirement savings. I will retire in 2 years due to age and failing health and basically cry myself to sleep nowadays. Ben, you ruined my life you bastard.

David| 7.28.09 @ 10:40AM

Ben, you make all these inflammatory comments in only about 400 words? Where's the evidence to back all your assertions up? This is very destructive, and anyone who already hates what Obama stands for and is craving Republican ideals will simply say, "Great essay Ben!" How stupid are you people? What garbage.

Jeffrey Kirby| 7.28.09 @ 10:43AM

How can you people call this an "essay"??? It's just rhetoric that you already believe. There is no evidence, no sources to back up some rather outrageous claims, and to top it off, there's a lot of name calling. Good job Ben, you've certainly distanced yourself from the intellectual elite.

David Musamali| 7.28.09 @ 11:09AM

It is about time that the African American community start showing some responsibility to their own community.Why is it every other ethnic community has helped themselves and provided employment for their own people.When the African American community does not get what they want they always smell rascism.Its their crutch.Every time another African American(and there are lots of them)does well in their community they are refered to as an uncle Thom.
The African American community are the racists.A white friend of mine went to Rev Jakes church and was bluntly told white folks are not accepted.The attorney general's remarks "we are a nation of cowards" should have a been a referance made to his own community.
The fact that 97% of the African Community voted for Obama in an indication that they voted for him because of his color.What do they say now when a large group of whites voted for Obama.Was it because they are racists?!!!!!

Conveyor of The Truth| 7.28.09 @ 11:09AM

Karl in Phoenix (or should I call you Jesus?):

Before you lecture us on socialism, class warfare, "The Obama" (?!) and your near-crucifixion at the cross so the rest of us may be saved, learn to spell "useful" correctly and also the difference between "who's" and "whose."

As for the rest of your maniacal rant, it is self-explanatory; it goes to show just how pathetically laughable you marginalized, racist right-wing clowns have become.

Yup, so Barack Obama was formerly the junior U.S. Senator from IL and is now our president because, as you so knowingly state, he is not "in America legally...and is not even a U.S. citizen." LMAO

So when Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) says that Obama was "born in Kapiolani hospital just down the road from where I lived," he's just lying, eh???

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/27/bachmann-hawaii-resolution-obama/

And when the Hawaii Director of Health, the Hawaii Registrar of Vital Statistics, and the *Republican* governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, ALL certify that Obama was born in HI, they also are just going along with "The Obama" conspiracy, huh???

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/01/obamas-birth-certificate-final-chapter-time-we-mea/

What really irks me is how much we taxpayers spend on the military just to have the armed forces turn out so many illiterate wackos like you. Talk about waste!

But let's get down to real business. You sign your post as "Army Airborne Ranger." Are you still in the U.S. armed forces (either active or reserve)? If yes, since it is clear you believe Barack Obama is not in this country legally and is not a U.S. citizen, it would only be logical to deduce that you do not accept President Obama as your commander-in-chief and would feel in the right in disobeying his orders. Would that be true?

In that case, since you seem to be a brave, country-loving patriot who is also quite convinced he's got all the facts correct, in your next post why don't you put down your first name, your last initial, your rank and the U.S. Army division/unit to which you belong, and we'll see what the Army has to say about all this.

What do you say? Care to step up to the plate, big boy???

David Musamali| 7.28.09 @ 11:23AM

Alice says there are 67 million people uninsured.She sure knows how to exagerate.Lets look at the facts.Of the 47 million people uninsured 12 to 15 million people are illegals.There is another 10 million people earning over $72,000 a year that don't bother to purchase insurance.There is also a large portion of people that are eligible for Medicaid.I know since I work with a lot with this population.
15% of Americans do not have Insurance.
So do we throw out the majority who have adequate insurance.No we need to come up with a program that helps the 15%.This can be done instead of Obama providing a national program that is dictated by his socialist ideology.Wake up Alice!

Dingaling| 7.28.09 @ 12:18PM

Maybe Professor (I mean President . . . ) Obama's academic record was less than stellar, but he has made it clear that that the ivory tower is not his primary career goal. There may be plenty of grounds for criticism of the current president, but publishing and academic achievements are hardly paramount.

Comparing the current President with any of the past five, I think I can safely claim that academic achievement and published scholarly contributions have been hardly decisive in whether the presidency was successful or not.

In the case of Professor Obama, on the grounds of his superficial academic career one can at the worst call him a lousy phony.

But then again, this could apply to many of the "illustrious" scholars occupying the ivory tower. And for politicians, phony would be a very mild characterisation for their typical sins.

Nevertheless, Mr. Stien, I respect and enjoy your opinion. Please keep up the good work.

Jerry| 7.28.09 @ 12:21PM

Some people are still under the influence of the cool-aid and believe Barry was down for the struggle. Not so, his white mom and grandmother raised him, and he didn't suffer much attending Princeton and Harvard. I can't see where his 10 % blackness hindered him a bit!

johndoe| 7.28.09 @ 12:21PM

Anyone who thinks more laws can fix the inherent evils that abide in human nature can be called liberal.

Anyone who thinks a completely and utterly free market driven by the powerful, wealthy, elitists is called a republican.

Republican being the "lesser" of the two evils, but both being wrong in their approach using selfish ideals.

Freemarket is necessary with the government stepping in to prevent monopolies and beurocratic control by the hands of the wealthy.

Any politician who takes a bride or "Large Donation" should be immedietly expelled and banned from assuming a chair again. Once you accept a bribe you are defiled and have lost your honor.

(gasp)

We need more GOD fearing men in power. Now men who desire to be GOD.

Conveyor of The Truth| 7.28.09 @ 12:29PM

Karl in Phoenix AKA "Army Airborne Ranger:"

Where are you? Just minutes ago you were a fountain of wisdom. Now you seem to have vanished.

You're not afraid to come out and play now, are you???

Divemaster| 7.28.09 @ 12:32PM

Americans need to wake up to the reality that they elected the first POTUS who hates his own country and tours the world apologizing for it. Polls are not sufficient; start a "re-vote" which will tell the world that B.O. does NOT represent most of Americans and Americans now apologize to the world for voting him into office.

Jesus| 7.28.09 @ 12:35PM

Hey, all you people posting long diatribes in caps and underlined font. I seriously worry about your mental health. Seriously.

Conveyor of The Truth| 7.28.09 @ 12:42PM

Divemaster,

Listen, dude...let me tell you what you meant to say. You meant to say we need to arrest and try GWB, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, John Ashcroft, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales for offering false testimony to Congress (and the American people), for falsification of records, obstruction, crimes against humanity (via the Iraq war), illegal wiretaps, and torture (in Gitmo) for starters.

Now go dive off a cliff, you clown.

Melissa| 7.28.09 @ 12:43PM

Oh Ben... really? Reeeaaally? It's one thing to be a conservative, in the true sense of the word, and quite another to fear monger and present an inaccurate portrayal of "socialized medicine" as fact. Pandering to the people, while playing on their worst fears? Very disappointing.

ProfPaul| 7.28.09 @ 1:04PM

The mask is off... the Republican Party/Conservatives (same thing). They cry "Patriotism!" but the reality is power. They have no program other than obstruction, negativity, serving the status quo, catering to established interests, and opposing progress. Hence the blind opposition to health care reform -- "if it's broke, don't fix it!" -- the lockstep no votes on all court nominees and justice department appointees (not the right kind of activists). The reversion to Cold War rhetoric tells it all--this is a movement that is mired in the past. Can anyone name a single FORWARD-looking policy from the conservatives/Republicans? No, it's all about returning to the good old days of Reagan (who increased the size of government and the national debt but why let facts get in the way of convenient myths?). The party exhibits all the stubbornness, the lack of intellectualism, the backward-looking, the fantasy of seeing things as one wishes rather than as they are, all the traits of Bush.
And as proof of it all, the conservatives/Republicans support Sarah