Political Hay
Pity-Party Logic
In the health care debates, it’s a game Republican can’t win.
Consider the following argument: “Now some folks say we should abolish slavery. But tell that to the little old lady from Savannah who’s too weak to get out of bed in the morning, so she needs her house boy to fetch her breakfast.”
Logicians refer to this form of reasoning as argumentum ad misericordiam, defined as a calculated appeal to pity or compassion for the sake of getting a conclusion accepted. It’s a standard fallacy in that it doesn’t address the necessity or practicality or even the morality of the conclusion. (Indeed, as in the case above, the conclusion can be profoundly offensive and wrong.) Rarely has the technique been more shamelessly utilized than in the Democratic push for health care reform. It’s not an exaggeration to say that ad misericordiam arguments were both the style and the substance of the Democratic case.
Last February’s health care summit at the Blair House, for example, should have been scored not by the Congressional Budget Office but by violins and cellos. President Obama set the tone is his introductory remarks by mentioning his older daughter Malia’s sudden asthma attack and his younger daughter Sasha’s bout of meningitis — recalling how he’d wondered, both times, as he sat in the hospital emergency room, what would’ve happened if he hadn’t had adequate insurance coverage.…
The President’s recollection opened the floodgates, and afterwards the sob stories came fast and furious:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told of a man from Michigan whose medical bill for his bedridden wife might cause him to sell his home because he was too proud to ask his grown children for help, and of a woman from Michigan whose insurance deductible was going to come out of her family’s food budget. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid then recounted the hardships of a young restaurant owner in Nevada whose daughter was born with a cleft palate; her surgeries were not covered by his insurance policy, leaving him $90,000 in debt. Next came Rep. Steny Hoyer with the story of an uninsured acquaintance who was diagnosed with a tumor; she and her working class husband had to shell out $25,000 for her operation.
Rep. Jim Clyburn mentioned his encounter that morning with a C-SPAN caller who was about to have transplant surgery but was told Medicare would only cover three years of post-operative treatment. Clyburn was one-upped by Rep. Louise Slaughter who claimed that a constituent of hers was forced, presumably by lack of insurance, to wear her dead sister’s dentures. “Do you ever believe,” Slaughter asked, “that in America that’s where we would be?” (It should be noted that Medicaid covers dentures in New York.) Senator Tom Harkin then whipped out a letter from a 57 year old Iowa farmer whose health insurance premiums were about to rise 14 percent, putting his farm business at risk.
Senator Jay Rockefeller chimed in with the story of an eight year old boy with leukemia whose insurance ran out. “And then he died,” Rockefeller stated, “because there was no insurance. Could they have cured his cancer? I don’t know, but that’s what insurance is for.” Next came Rep. Henry Waxman who told of another eight year old boy, this one with a hole in his heart — which would be classified as a pre-existing condition if his mother changed insurance carriers, which meant she was locked into a policy which costs her almost as much per month as her mortgage payment. Senator Dick Durbin then declared that he was against caps on malpractice lawsuits against doctors (which actually might lower the cost of medical treatment and thus insurance premiums). Such limits, he insisted, would impact a constituent of his whose face was scarred during surgery when her oxygen mask caught fire. “Are you saying that this innocent woman is only entitled to $250,000 in pain and suffering? I don’t think it’s fair!”
It was left to Senator Patty Murray to tie a ribbon ‘round the pity party by recounting the plight of an eleven year old boy whose single mom got sick, lost her job, lost her health coverage — and, thus, “couldn’t get in to see a doctor” and died. (Again, however, not a word about Medicaid eligibility.)
It’s natural to be moved by the litany of hard cases put forward by the Democrats at the health care summit — really, you’d have to be a monster not to be moved. But the conclusion that a dramatic overhaul of the health care system is therefore necessary, or practical, or moral doesn’t follow. Which brings us to the fundamental problem with ad misericordiam arguments: They can be invoked both for and against virtually any policy position. We don’t yet know the miseries that will result from the passage of Obamacare. But it’s not hard to imagine them: The father of four who dies of a cerebral hemorrhage — he thought he just had a sinus infection — because his primary-care doctor is too backlogged with new patients to see him for a month. The retiree forced to eat cat food as her premiums rise because younger, healthier people, knowing they cannot be turned down, are putting off buying insurance until they desperately need it. The single mom laid off because her employer wanted to keep his company under 50 workers — since any business with over 50 workers will be compelled, as of 2014, to offer a government-approved health plan.
Such stories are certain to emerge as Obamacare is enacted over the next decade. But if Republicans reflexively cite them in their attempts to roll back, or even repeal, the legislation — if, in other words, they hold their own pity parties — they’ll only be sinking to the Democrats level. (Indeed, subtract ad misericordiam and ad hominem arguments from the Democratic rhetorical toolbox and you’re left with finger wagging, eye rolling and the exclamation “Puh-leeze!”) The dirty little secret of American political discourse is that Democrats do lowbrow better. It’s what their base responds to.
Thus, the more honorable approach for Republicans is likely the more effective approach — which is to argue from principle, not from woeful anecdote, to say going forward what none of them had the intestinal fortitude to say during the health care summit: Life is tough. Within a population of 300,000,000, you’re always going to be able to track down people who suffer because of the status quo… but also people who will suffer because of a change to the status quo. Yet those are the only two options. You either keep the status quo or you change it. Either way, someone, somewhere is going to be hurting.
Which leads, at last, to the higher principle behind the case for rollback or repeal: It is not the proper role of government to dry one person’s tears by confiscating another person’s tissues. Obamacare, at its core, is nothing more than a transfer of grief. It’s an attempt to alleviate current suffering at the cost of creating future suffering. The fact that the former is visible and the latter, for the moment, invisible doesn’t alter the morality of the effort.
The challenge for Republicans is to make that case — and to make it without violins and cellos.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (152) | Leave a comment
Related Articles
More Articles by Mark Goldblatt
More Articles From Political Hay
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/04/06/pity-party-logic
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Nuts to Nutter
- The Demise of Money and Credit
- Consternated Conferences
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.6.10 @ 7:28AM
Mark,
You are correct of course, but the one line that struck me was that "Democrats do low-brow better".
We might as well take the high road as we generate our "alternative solutions".
"Only Transfering grief"...Let's try to alleviate it.
Alan Brooks| 4.6.10 @ 6:34PM
Will keep writing it:
You might point all this out to the GOP so they wont be as complacent next time around in running presidential candidates who are merely wounded or tortured war heroes, or who were only elected because Reagan was their boss or their father's boss.
You MIGHT want to keep that in mind, because if you don't want to do all you can to run better candidates then you will continue to get what you deserve. In this world you rarely get rewarded for botching things up.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:44AM
Ha! "Rarely has the technique been more shamelessly utilized than in the Democratic push for health care reform." Can anybody say "Terry Schiavo"? The entire Republican Government went to that pity party ... please, practice what you preach.
Carpenter| 4.7.10 @ 10:35AM
Interesting that you should bring that up. Since the most effective and frequently used arguments for the Obamacare monstrosity are pitiful anecdotes, the Terry Schaivo story reveals the heartless negation of concern for the weakest individual to make way for the strong. Your comments explicitly point to your sympathy for the strong.
Maybe, Purpleguy, you should re-read your letter and practice what YOU preach.
Melvin| 4.6.10 @ 7:42AM
One of my guiding principles in my life has been, "Truth." The Republicans need to keep hammering, and hammering and hammering in what this Health Care will cost and what Americans will lose.
The Republicans should do this forcefully, and do this every single day that Ombamanation is in effect.
There will be no sweeping vote to disassemble this Health Care Law, but will have to happen is a series of smaller votes to choke funding off over a period of years.
But something has been really nagging at me as of late. I have been reading snippets as of late that the Republicans the back room type do not want this law repealed. Because it takes the burden off them to come up with something entirely new.
In other words the Republicans can tweak the old one to become the new one.
A number of years ago believe it or not during the Bush Presidency a mandatory type of health care insurance was also brought up and Republicans including President Bush were highly receptive to it.
So this is why the hair is standing up on the back of my neck, in completely trusting the Republican Party Leadership with all their smoke and mirror bravado in getting this law repealed.
Bram| 4.6.10 @ 7:44AM
Whenever I get this argument, I ask how much you helped these poor people.
How did these charitable Dems help? By seizing my money, running it through several government bureaucracies, then sending a few pennies on the dollar to the “victims”?
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 9:38AM
Oh sure, Mr. Bram. Pick out the few downsides! But you and people like you ignore the poor and their suffering (see my post below). That lady and her family with no teeth - have YOU or your friends ever try to eat Hot Pockets with no teeth? I didn't think so! It's a pretty pathetic sight, Mr. Bram. It sometimes takes hours to gum their way down to the lava hot cheesy middle only to have it fall out all over the front of their shirt! And that's if they are lucky enough to even have a shirt. So go ahead and take their "Hope For Teeth" program away! Obama dares you!
Paul from SA| 4.6.10 @ 10:50AM
Eric,
Why don't you help poor people like the lady with no teeth? Did you visit her? Did you send her a check to pay for the stuff she needs?
Or do you just like to preach and point fingers?
Why not just do it yourself? Because you don't really care about her. You care mostly about controlling others. If you truly cared, you would help them yourself. You want my money... you want to harm me, and you can use only emotional guilt-trips to pursuade.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 11:03AM
This is why Republicans will lose the next election, people like you, Paul. You just want to keep your money and take care of your own family and expect others to do the same! You don't even care about this poor, toothless family gnawing on their Hot Pockets until the lava-hot, cheesy center plops onto their unwashed, torn shirt!
You and your ilk only want to go to war for oil so you can drive your SUV while cooking a steak on your plug-in Auto-Grill while texting your stock picks to your broker on your Blackberry!
We Democrats care about people on a deeper level! Go ahead, Paul - make the case that everyone should take care of their own family. I'd like to see you sell that to a majority of American voters, especially now that half of Mexico lives here! Go ahead! Try!
Jthomas| 4.6.10 @ 11:13AM
um,Paul, you may want to re-read Eric's posts.
Paul from SA| 4.6.10 @ 11:34AM
Sorry I have not read posts below, just a brief break at work...
No, Eric, I help people. Actual people with my own money and time. Strangers in need. Not your time, not your money. No gov't coercion and theft and politicians are involved. That's the point.
Doorgunner| 4.6.10 @ 11:40AM
No, seriously, you're sarcasm detector is on the fritz. And you don't know who Eric Cartman is, or what a South Park Conservative is.
Doorgunner| 4.6.10 @ 11:41AM
Hell yeah, I want some more Cheezy Poofs.
Stephanie| 4.6.10 @ 12:19PM
Tater Tots here!
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 1:56PM
Yes, yes. Cheesy Poofs and Tater Tots are all well and good for the snacking. But Extra Crispy KFC with mashed potatoes and extra gravy are the dinner of champions. Obamacare better not touch my dinner, damn it! I will declare war on him, I swear by all that is holy!
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 2:27PM
Fritos banditos!
JimE| 4.6.10 @ 11:18PM
I tried to help the woman but since the environmental nazi outlawed tree cutting I couldn't make her a set of teeth.
solpwr| 4.8.10 @ 1:49PM
The fact is that dental is not in the health reform act...somehow dental is not a health issue, nor chiropractic, nor accupuncture or midwifery. My disappointment with Obamacare is the lack of the public option, a buy in to medicare or medicare for all. There is nothing public about it at all and has no characteristics to socialism in the least. Buy healthcare insurance stock because it is going up,up,up. I don't know what republicans are crying about. The industry just picked up 30 million customers and the public got stuck with the tab of the 10 million undocumented going to the emergency room.
Paul from SA| 4.6.10 @ 10:45AM
That's the question I too like to ask.
If you want to help poor people why don't you actually help any?
If you want higher taxes, why don't you pay more?
If you want to reduce CO2 emissions, why don't you reduce your emissions?
Liberals always always want other people to do their work and pay the money.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:35PM
(Applause)
victor| 4.6.10 @ 3:30PM
Paul f'um San Antone:
"If you want to reduce CO2 emissions, why don't you reduce your emissions?"
The only way to stop CO2 emissions is to stop breathing.
I propose that any democrat,i.e. Liberal reader, Drew, Bob, etcetera, hereby be made to hold their breath from 7 AM to 7 PM(high peak CO2 hours) or be required to wear a SCUBA in reverse:
oxygen is permitted to be inhaled, but CO2 will be collected and taken to CO2 Reclamation Center where they will be assessed for every exhalation.
The rest of us normal people will continue to breathe normally and continue to feed and replenish the vegetation around us.
Remember the Tree!
They can't breathe without
You and Me!
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:47AM
It always comes down to money with Republicans ... they can spend what THEY want on what they WANT, but when someone else wants to spend, oh, they are so frugal then ... bunch of hypocritical babies .... and they keep trying to bankrupt the country so they can kill Social Security is all. Remember "Deficits don't matter" ... Only Republicans say that. (Ronald Reagan and Dick Cheney for 2)
equitableveritas| 4.7.10 @ 5:16AM
I would like to speak of the deliberate campaign to disable and make dependent various communities of people for the sake of political gain and virtual enslavement through entitlement, robbing them of incentive and denying them opportunity... and it has been quite successful in doing so. However, those who break free from it, have an awakening, and criticize the policies that created such bondage.
So yes... yes, Bram... the collectivist altruism of brilliant Keynesian (or is it Kenya-sian) economists know quite well just how to get the most bang for your buck.
JW| 4.6.10 @ 8:50AM
Republicans do not need to run on "repeal" (although we do need to do away with Obamacare or at least repeal parts of it) b/c most, if not all, wanted a health care "reform" just not this total government takeover. Maybe they could run on "health care reform done correctly". That is assuming they can do what is really needed to reform health care to actually help reduce cost. This seems to be what people want most. For the most part, actual health care obtained in this country is among the best in the world
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:50AM
Yep, 31st in the world... that's really the best ... it's the best if you're a King or Billionaire, but not for the rest of us stiffs. The HCR bill levels the playing field for all of us and helps us all have access to better care, and saves over a Trillion $ over 20 years. It saves money, if you Republicans will pass the taxes included in the bill. We'll see if you will....
pcisbs| 4.7.10 @ 4:01AM
Purpleguy, please share some of what you're smoking! I don't mean to offend, but are you delusional, a raving idiot, or someone who dreams of having his head deep in Obama's anal cavity? The lunacy you espouse is far too vast to address in this venue. In fact, your comment indicates that your opinion is based entirely and exclusively on the information and data, you gathered watching Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. At least we can all breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that you obviously- do not and have never owned a business, managed employees or ventured into the real world-away from the safety of your home, which is located in the basement of your parent's house.
Not to confuse or overburden you with pesky facts or that always bothersome thing known as-"reality", please ponder and submit a response, justifying the following truism.
If Obamacare is so wonderful, as you gleefully believe it is; then why did the Democrat authors and supporters of the healthcare bill (in both the House & the Senate) go out of their way to unanimously strike down Amendments which would have mandated members of Congress to surrender their private healthcare insurance policies and participate in the same plan; they themselves where jamming down the throats of the citizenry, against its will?
I'm sorry; didn't MSNBC inform you of this tidbit of information? Well allow me: Congress, as well as, each extended family member of anyone who has legitimately served in Congress for a minimum of one calendar day- is exempt from participating in Obamacare for LIFE! Also, the specific staffers who drafted the actual bill and their families are also excluded from participation, potential obligations and all fines associated with Obamacare for LIFE! Oh, let me not forget one more lovely pleasantry- we the United States Tax payer are legally mandated to pay a Minimum of 73% of each covered individual’s total Healthcare costs (premiums, drugs, services) per year-FOR LIFE! Therefore, if private insurance premiums skyrockets to $3000 dollars a month, per person (which undoubtedly they will), don’t fret, your sleazy, scumbag Democrat Congressman will still have the best Healthcare coverage our planet has to offer, thanks to our tax dollars.
Wake up Purplekid, your abject idiocy is pitiful and an embarrassment.
Purplegump| 4.7.10 @ 11:02AM
I'm Purplegump! I'm a regular Joe, Joe Sic-Pack, Six-Pack Working Stiff, Stiff Neck Union Worker, Working For The Man, Man of the House, House Broken, Broke and in Debt! I watch Ed and suck on the screen when Olbermann comes on! They stick up for us regular Joes! I was working at the pillow case plant (Inspector 12) making $25.57 an hour staring at rectangle cloth all day until the Man sent my job to Little Dix Village, West Indies so a 12 year old could do my job for 33 cents an hour! I didn't want to move to any place called Little Dix, since I have a problem in that area, so I had to go into therapy!
That's right, I'm Purplegump! Fighting for the little guy (don't go there!). Obama's my hero, cause he's stickin it to the Man, the Man who sent my job to Little Dix! He'll tax the Man and get me my operation and I'll be able to visit my old job on Little Dix! Woooohoooo! I'm Purplegump!
Rick| 4.6.10 @ 9:02AM
Democrats claim to be the party of tolerance and compassion, yet they call us racist, redneck, bible clinging, gun toting terrorists that only want to violently push our ideas. What happened to tolerance?
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:36PM
You misunderstand their definition of tolerance. They are only tolerant with those that agree with them.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:51AM
You're still here, ain't ya?
Tim*| 4.6.10 @ 9:02AM
The two issues that the democrats want to get away from for The Remember In November Elections are Their Health Scam and This Ongoing Unemployed Economy.
Tea Party Rallies Tax Day ,April 15Th ,Across America !
The Tea Party Express is heading to Davenport , Iowa ,Rockford , Illinois and Madison,Wisconsin Today.
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 9:09AM
Put another way, the reason emotional arguments work is because they seduce people into seeing an easy way to convince themselves they are good, caring and compassionate (thus obviating all those pesky, baser behaviors that keep them earth-bound).
That's one of the main reasons most young people are liberals - it's pain-free to assuage your own moral vanity by telling that guy over there to give the guy standing next to him his money so that you can feel better about yourself.
Logical arguments will never trump emotional arguments in the abstract. This is the immutable law of human nature.
There is only one way health care will be rejected by Obamatons: when it affects people PERSONALLY.
My former best friend, a one-time moderate conservative marinated in the saccharine sweetness of college professorhood, drank the Obama Kook-Aid hook, line and sinker. He told me that human beings really could reach a higher plane of existence in which they put others ahead of their own selfish needs (this, of course, is untenable on its face). Naturally, he's more evolved than I.
And he is EAGER, he said, "to just pay a little more in taxes if it means the poor are covered." (Funny, wasn't that what Medicaid was all about?).
But his mother is 90 now, and as far as the bureaucracy is concerned, she's lived long enough. The costs of keeping her alive take valuable resources from poor children with cleft palates and drug addicts who just can't say no to the free needles handed out to them in bulk by other misguided do-gooders.
She's incredibly spry now, but she's one mishap away from obsolescence. When it happens - or when her ticker finally begins to falter - you can bet it'll a one-way trip behind the dumpster for the elderly Mrs. "Jones."
I guarantee when the death panels pronounce sentence on Mrs. "Jones" ("what can we do? WE don't make these decisions, the actuarial tables do!"), my friend will see health care "reform" from a whole new perspective.
And I will tut tut and say, "Bill, turn that frown upside down and pat yourself on the head! It's for the greater good!"
The State is All
Obama is the State
Long Live Obama!
May his beneficent love and eternal wisdom guide us for 1,000 years!
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:39PM
Reminds me of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The scene where some guy is pushing a cart with dead bodies on it calling out "Bring out your dead!" A body is carried out and piled on the cart, then it talks, "I'm not dead." The cart pusher says, "He's not dead." The guy putting the body on the cart says, "Well, he's mostly dead." Or something like that. Really funny, but too close to home nowadays.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:57AM
Medicaid was for the poor, this bill is for the middle class. If you read it, instead of listening to the fear mongers, you'd know that. Hmmm, insurance companies ration care now, and you can't make them do anything - but you can Congress. Isn't that what y'all are so hept up about? Gonna put your people in power? What are you gonna do? put the insurance companies back in charge of rationing? Good luck with that. Y'all ain't thinking clearly...
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 9:13AM
And what about that lady who shared her dead sister's teeth having to have to then share them with the rest of the family because none of them had teeth - you didn't talk about that, Mr. Goldblatt! They all had to take turns sharing the teeth and it took all day to eat and that's why they couldn't get jobs.
To add insult to injury, they also had to share the teeth with the dog, because he too had no teeth and could only "oof, oof" and not "woof woof " like all the other dogs because he had no teeth and couldn't talk properly.
Do you know what happened, Mr. Goldblatt? When their house was being robbed, the dog was "oof, oofing" and they thought it was the neighbor kid playing the tuba and the thieves took everything including their new 52" plasma TV and theater sound system, that's what! Now they have to watch an old Sony Trinitron on basic cable! So what about the that, Mr. Golblatt?! How cruel are you? You will allow dogs to oof,oof and the poor to have their 52" plasma TVs with theater sound systems stolen!
If we give teeth to these poor people, they could get jobs and the dog could be a real dog again and hold his head high when he's out scavenging the trash cans of the neighborhood. But its neocons like you, Mr. Goldblatt, that want to spend money on wars and not give hope, change and teeth to our nation's families and dogs! Shame on you! As Keith OLbermann says, you're "The worst Person in the World!"
Melvin| 4.6.10 @ 9:29AM
Do you actually believe what you are saying? "If we give teeth to these poor people, they could get jobs."
How do you give a job to a person who doesn't know how to read or know where the, "on" button is for the computer?
There is also 40% of the population that has discovered that,"Why should we work, the government is going to take care of us."
When my wife attended the local Community College, she came home and told me that she was extremely dismayed that in this Country that there were Americans that couldn't even read and their writing, vocabulary was severely limited because they couldn't read.
I'm 52 years old and still have my nose in books, because we as a workforce have to adapt to the new technology.
It is kind of hard to have pity on someone when they decide that they don't need education and make two choices in their lives. Quit school and be dependent on government to take care of them.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 9:46AM
Oh, sure Melvin! Stick up for Mr. Goldblatt and your greedy Republican Tea Partiers! You and Mr. Bram are all alike. Can't you let a little sunshine into your dark heart ? Can't you see that giving these people teeth will hepl them in so many ways?! This is a Jobs Bill as well as a "Hope For Teeth" bill (now law).
I was at that poor lady's house watching her and her family try to eat Hot Pockets (they had misplaced the teeth). What a sad, sad sight! Go ahead! Laugh! You are a dark-hearted cur, Melvin!
Melvin| 4.6.10 @ 10:15AM
If you were at this poor unfortunate woman's house, in your spirit of charity, why on earth didn't you invite this woman and her family into the warm embrace of your humanity?
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 10:41AM
Because, Melvin, it is the government's responsibility to care for this toothless family. They have been housed, clothed , fed and educated by the government since the 60s! It's society's fault they can't eat their Hot Pockets or watch their TV. I don't expect Greedy Republicans to understand that government is like our parents.
As Martin Luther King said, "Republicans just want war, not teeth for the poor!"
Paul from SA| 4.6.10 @ 11:38AM
Everytime the gov't helps somebody, it harms somebody too. When a private citizen helps somebody, it's voluntary, there is no harm, there's no violence or guns involved.
Imagine how much harm is caused when the gov't removes $862 billion (The Stimulus) from the economy?
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:42PM
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Sam| 4.6.10 @ 3:03PM
ERIC- STOP! You are no better than some of the hyper-partisan idealogues who post on this site.
It is the government's responsibility? Who says? You? No, the United States of America was founded on opposition to government and to this day, we have a tradition of limited government. Do I believe Obama's plan amounts to the government taking care of us? No- there is no public option. But don't stand there and tell me that Republicans are greedy and that it is government's responsibility to solve problems.
Right now, independents like me are pretty much okay with how Obama is operating. If he starts operating the way you want (in a far left manner), we will boot him and his congressional buddies right back out.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 3:25PM
Oh, sure Sam! If I didn't have to go to the doctor - who will probably want me to pay for it, the Nazi Bastard - I would argue your points one-by-one.
But tell me this: What about that poor dog and his teeth? All he wants to do is be able to bark correctly and chew on the cat turds from the litter box with pride! And you and your ilk don't want the government to pay for it! God bless Obama for the Cat Turd Chewing Protection Act (the CTCPA) in his health care bill! Now that poor dog can hold his head high and chew with the best of them! Good day to you, sir!
Skinner| 4.6.10 @ 4:35PM
You have to stop!
"Cat Turd Chewing Protection Act"
It took me 15 minutes to get the milk off my monitor and out of my keyboard.
You are skewed. Is it natural, or enhanced? If it's the latter, shame on you for not sharing.
victor| 4.6.10 @ 3:44PM
Sam:
"Right now, independents like me are pretty much okay with how Obama is operating."
Independents?? like you are happy with Dear Leader?
You sir, a Leftist then.
"If he starts operating the way you want (in a far left manner),"
What is he doing that is NOT far left?, eh?
"we will boot him and his congressional buddies right back out."
Are you out of your alleged mind?
He's doing exactly what you Obama-matons want.
The people of the Government, the people for the Government and the people by the Government.
Frankly, my dear Sam, you got the government that you so richly deserve.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 1:00AM
So why don't you get on the Government dole? You seem to know all about it ... can't beat 'em, join 'em!
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 9:47AM
Wait a minute! Someone has a 52" TV? Hey, I don't have a 52" TV. Mine is only 50"!!!!
It's NOT FAIR! I have a right to watch Jersey Wives on a 52" screen!!! It's in the Constitution! How do you expect me to pursue happiness if I can't see that spandex jiggle on a 52" screen!!!
Wah, wah, wah!!!!!! I wan't my 52" TV!
SOMEBODY is violating my rights!
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 9:55AM
This lady has it worse than you, Grz. She can barely make out The Situation's abs on The Jersey Shore! AND that Snooki's color is slightly off so she appears orange. How sad is that?
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 10:05AM
She's clearly being oppressed by Big Television.
I have an idea: Let's start a $2 trillion program to ensure that every man, woman and child in America (regardlessof their legal status) has the tv they want and deserve. Now there are 3D TVs coming on the market. I suppose evil Republicans will deprive crack addicts, welfare mothers and felons their right to be entertained in three dimensions. Can you believe the HATE that comes from the right?
I know what you're thinking: $2 trillion for the 52-inch (minimum) 3D Fair Television Distribution Act of 2010 is pricey. Greedy Republican: First of all, I have PROOF that this program will not only pay for itself, but will actually bring the deficit DOWN by AT LEAST $131 billion. I'll show you the calculations I made on my white board.
Second, if we give EVERY American his, or or its own 52-inch (minimum), 3D Television, it will create at least 400,000 jobs, not to mention provide citizens and non-citizens with the quality of entertainment that is guaranteed to them by our constitution.
But I guess you greedy Republicans don't care about jobs or balancing the budget, or the rights of people of color, or the Constitution.
You are are racist bigot, sir, a fiscal profligate and an all-around rotten human being.
By the way, you know an awful lot about "Jersey Shore!" I guess it's all the rage, but I have yet to partake (since I misnamed it). I guess I'm culturally illiterate!
:-)
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 10:11AM
That's already in the bill. Page 2647, Section XXXIV, Sub chapter 768. "Television for the Lazy, Bored or Otherwise Pre-Occupied Unemployed Person's Act", known as the TLBOPOUPA sub-chapter.
What I worry about all night is Snook'i's horrific skin condition covered? God I hope so!
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 10:26AM
OMG, I couldn't sleep last night wondering whether Snooki would ever obtain that healthy, blemish-free complexion. How can she ever reach her dream of being a "guidette" if her skin doesn't postively glow? (Ok, I googled it).
I even prayed to Gaia for Snooki's recovery - assuming, of course, that effecting said recovery would not in any way harm our fragile planet, which is hanging by a thread as it is.
You know, I didn't read the bill. Why bother? My philosophy is, if a lobbyist put something in there, it must be good. And clearly that is the case. I mean, if not reading bills is good enough for the US Senate, it's good enough for me!
You know the drill: As long as the middle class has two nickels to rub together, one of them belongs to government!
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 10:50AM
I read the bill not being able to sleep at night because of poor Snooki (and the toothless family). But I agree with you. I mean, lobbyist only have our best at heart, right! And it was wise of you to pray to Gaia for help with Snooki. Maybe if we all pray hard enough to our Mother Earf we can bring about Earth-Peace change and Gaia Forgiveness to help Obama morph our country into Socialist Heaven - an Edan of Obama! And clear up Snooki's skin, of course.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:46PM
Eric, Grz: I'm so ashamed. I hope you can forgive me, but although I have many TVs (none of which are 52" HD flat screens), I cannot afford cable or dish. I don't know who Snooki is, but I'm willing to start a "Snooki Blemish Restoration" fund, if it will help the poor girl. I would start a "Give an Old Person Dentures" fund, but I heard the wonderful democrats in Congress and our dear leader, the One, Obama, have already taken care of that.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 2:41PM
MTB - you can rest easy. Under Obamacare, you will be able to take off work to get caught up on all the cable TV shows. And you will be able to get free cable or satellite TV if you can prove you are bored or lazy or just preoccupied with stuff. You are a saint, BTW, for starting the SBR fund! God bless you, sir!
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 3:01PM
MTB, Eric is right.
In addition, don't worry about Snooki; I understand she'll be covered by the Americans (or Whatever) Who Want To Be Famous More Than Anything in the World Act, which, if I'm not mistaken, is on pages 11,358-11,656 in the health care bill.
Apparently, the legislation covers everyone who is or wants to be on a reality TV show, which, statistically, covers approximately 275 million Americans. Skin care, hair care, manicures, pedicures, bunion removal, Botox, angioplasty, hair implants, breast implants, biceps implants and, yes, new teeth are all included.
After all, we have to be fair to those Americans (or whatever) who are so shallow, so vain, so solipsistic that they think other people give a furry rat's ass about their lives, can continue to be shallow, vain and solipsistic. At your expense.
I mean, the pursuit of happiness IS in the constitution, you know.
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 12:47PM
"She's clearly being oppressed by big television."
Very funny!
You know how you can tell who the poor people are in this country? It's the ones who walk around with their baggy pants and designer sneakers with their ipods and cell phones. When they go home they have their digital cable t.v. and high speed internet waiting.
It's ObamaLand, U.S.A.!
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 1:17PM
Yes, Margie - the poor in America would be the wealthy in most other countries.
And 100 years ago, only kings lived in such opulence as our "poor" do today.
But we're mean-spirited, you know, because we don't bend over forward as well as backward for our liberal politicians.
I kinda miss the days when enemies of the state were decapitated and their heads placed on a pike for the townsfolk to throw tomatoes at.
It'd be the first time I'd be happy to see Nancy Pelosi's perpetually surprised-looking face!
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 2:00PM
Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, visions of Nancy Pelosi's surprised looking face? That is more than I would like to bear!
Talk about Social Justice though~ THAT would be closer to the real definition. After all, treason used to be taken quite seriously. But perhaps you should pardon the shorthand so I don't get busted for saying that.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:41PM
You are too funny! Keep up the good work.
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 2:15PM
Doggie Dentures~ how they could look on your doggie~
http://patriotupdate.com/stori.....Us-Barack-
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 2:18PM
Oops. That was the wrong link, still in my copy from earlier. Although it is an excellent one I posted earlier.
But the Doggie Dentures is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPDaQrPjus
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 2:33PM
Yes Margie, now the toothless family's toothless dog will have these great teeth in your video! As of now, his teeth don't fit right and fall out at important times - like barking at the crackheads who break into their house every night. (the dentures are for people after all). It's a terrible sound. Woof! Woof! Gloof! Grumboof! Brumboof! Oof! Oof! Oof! As the teeth go clambering to the floor.
Now, thanks to Obamacare, this dog will be able to hold its head high, proudly chewing the cat turds from the litter box! God bless Obama!
Margie| 4.6.10 @ 2:45PM
Doggies with Dentures for Obama 2012!
The new voting bloc!
ACORN presently accepting voter applications.
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 4.6.10 @ 7:57PM
Cartman: You see what you did today? You got the normally notable, and profound Grzmlyk to buy into your sarcastic cynicism!! I hope you're proud of yourself young man!! And shame on you Grzmlyk, for acting like an injudicious adolescent (and yes, I had to look up some of those words, and I hope I used them correctly?).
Seriously Eric, you might need some help!! But never change!! Never!!
JimE| 4.6.10 @ 11:21PM
Recycling is good, algore says so. Teeth are just one item we can recycle.
MG| 4.7.10 @ 4:59PM
What a great post! If Keith O. does cite me as his World Person in the World, I only hope he mentions my new novel. --the Author
Chalkdust| 4.6.10 @ 9:19AM
Thanks Mr. Goldblatt for reminding those that needed reminding that the Democratic party is made up almost entirely of people whose emotional side of the brain is dominate. For me (not to diminish the timeliness of your article) it was a "Duh moment".
Democrats, when faced with a choice, will almost never respond to facts, logic and reason. It will ALWAYS be the emotional component of any argument that will push their buttons.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 1:06AM
"Democrats, when faced with a choice, will almost never respond to facts, logic and reason. It will ALWAYS be the emotional component of any argument that will push their buttons." Really? And, what emotion is telling them that all the Industrialized nations of the world have national universal healthcare, except one - us. It is YOUR irrational emotional fear of death panels and rationing that sparks the threats to Congressmen, shouts of "baby killer", and angry town hall meetings - you think those are sane, rational people? Ever win an argument when your yelling - everyone simply ignores you. Now that is a logical response to anger. Fear is another emotion that the people you trust use against you... and the Democrats are emotional? Take a look at your Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and others with a critical eye and stop drinking their Kool Aid. they got you by the short ones, and you don't even know it...
Ret. Marine| 4.6.10 @ 9:27AM
I don't know about anyone else, but I cannot see how "stealing" from me, somehow get you to the elevated position of moral authority over those less fortunate than me. I believe every person is unique, no two of are the same, therefore, make good use what the good lord made you to be, yes with the help of kind and generous folks at your back, but do not demand that I be kind and generous, that's theft of my morality. I have often wondered what part of "thou shall not" these fricken do-gooders do not understand.
Merlin| 4.6.10 @ 9:28AM
In many discussion of health care, I cannot tell if we are talking about health care or insurance. The liberal seem to think the two are the same.
And a 10th admendment point that is seldom made explicitly: Just because something is a good thing to do, it does not follow that the federal government should do it. Just as Bram pointed out, the pity partiers could reach into their own pocket or they could try to get their state government to provide whatever they think they want. Health care or insurance or prepaid medical care coverage.
Melvi| 4.6.10 @ 9:32AM
One thing is for certain, that we are not going to receive either because most of the funding will disappear into government funding, just like everything else that the government gets involved in.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:51PM
Well, Melvin, it doesn't really make a difference. All the dems wanted was more money, power and control. And that's what they got. The bill and now law was never really about helping people get medical care, it was about redistributing wealth. Several very prominent democrats actually came out and told the truth (if you can believe it) AFTER the bill and supplemental bill were signed into law. Now they don't care who knows what it was really about. Biden himself said in an interview, "You call redistribution. I call it fair." Fair to who? Certainly not the people who worked hard, took risks and were smart with their money, because they (we) are the ones who will be paying for this.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 1:12AM
Affordable, accessible healthcare is provided by private insurance companies regulated by the Federal govt. That is the basic idea behind the HCR bill. Get it straight. You're all upset about that simple idea, and YOU want the Govt to tell you how to be more healthy? Yeah, that would go far with this crowd. Pffft ... you should be glad this isn't Single Payer or Medicare for all - then you could really bitch like all the Medicare recipients about the Government-run healthcare gonna take over their healthcare... which they wouldn't give up in a million years
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 4.6.10 @ 9:32AM
"It's natural to be moved by the litany of hard cases put forward by the Democrats at the health care summit -- really, you'd have to be a monster not to be moved."
Well I'm not moved!! So I guess I'm a monster!! There's an old saying, that I really love, and it goes like this, life sucks and then you die. And it's true, life's a gamble, sad things happen to good people all the time. But destroying the economy to stop such sad stories, is just going to give everybody a sad story to tell. Do you want to hear mine? Yeah, that's what I thought?
Oof, oof!!
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 11:40AM
I will hear your story, L3! They may not care, those Republicans and Tea Party people! But we do! The Democrat Party does! Tell it brother! Shout it from the mountain tops! Tell me your sad, sad tale!
Oof oof!
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 4.6.10 @ 7:25PM
Cartman: You want it, you got it, here’s the condensed version. I’m pissed off all the time, I’m never happy, and I can’t stand everybody that’s around me, that appears to be happy. It just pisses me off even more!! And here’s another one, I think the Army is trying to kill me, by running me to death, one mile at a time. What did I ever do to the Army that they’re trying to run me to death for? Nothing, that’s what I did, nothing!! And another thing, everybody I know, have no idea about what’s happening to our country right now, and they think that everything is just going to be peachy-keen. But I know better!! And that pisses me off even more that they’re happy, while our Great Country goes to crap!! Meanwhile, everybody I know, just think I’m a total nut job, talking about things that they think will never come to pass. But I know better once again!! But every now and again, mostly while reading articles here at American Spectator, I’ll read a story about a family with no teeth (and their damn dog too), and I realize, maybe, just maybe, some people have it a little worse than me (just a little?). And that brings a small, temporary smile to my face, or at least it does, when I have my partial in (I don’t sleep with it, don’t you know?).
Keep up the sarcasm Eric; it’s one of the highlights of my most unhappy existence, until the Army finally runs that last, final mile on me. Oof, oof!!
Doctor Right| 4.6.10 @ 10:09AM
Once again, I'm in the position of disagreeing with TASOnline.
The Republicans MUST play the game of "argumentum ad misericordiam"...But they need to play it with a serious twist.
The "twits" revolves around how miserable we ALL will be once this monstrosity of a bill actually goes into effect.
Sarah Palin struck a serious nerve when she mentioned "death panels", because the Demo-Rats know that she's telling the truth, although in prose that people will understand. The bureaucrats will sanitize it by calling it something like the "Medicinal and Therapeutic Resource Agency", but we know what's going on - the bureaucrats will ultimately be deciding who lives and who dies based on formulas that makes sense ONLY to them.
As the great Rush Limbaugh says, the Libs will ALWAYS tell you who they fear, thus the relentless attacks on Sarah Palin, AND the attacks on the phrase "death panels".
Therefore, the Republicans must maintain their nerve, and HAMMER not only the death panels, but other issues that will spiral out of the "bill" and cause misery for us all:
1. This bill was NOT about healthcare; it was a greedy power grab designed to give the Demo-Rats control of 1/7th of our economy.
2. The bill SLASHES Medicare; the elderly should be VERY afraid. Around the country, Doctors are already denying care to Medicare recipients because they can't afford to treat them.
3. The bill WILL allow Gov't funded abortions; IGNORE Obama's toothless, fake "Executive Order"...NARAL would never support a bill that didn't fund infanticide.
4. Illegal immigrants WILL be covered. This is an outrage.
5. John Dingell's "CONTROL" comments fits nicely here, too.
6. Death panels.
7. Death panels.
8. etc...
In short, we must turn the Libs playbook against them. We must out-Alinsky the Alinsky-ites, but with the TRUTH.
The Libs and Demo-Rats will scream and cry "FOUL!", but we need to ignore them.
Only Republicans with true guts can pull this off; how many do we actually have?
Petronius| 4.6.10 @ 11:03AM
Sorry Doc
Boooooiiiiiiing. You just fell into their trap. Equality of misery is the reason d'etre on this. The bottom feeders and do gooders care only that nobody will ever again be allowed to get ahead of them. It's the crab bucket theory in action. If a crab tries to climb out the others clamp onto it's legs and pull it back down. This situation will only change when enough people decide to grow up. The liberals will maintain their power by subsidizing their constituents deficiencies with my money and yours.
Doctor Right| 4.6.10 @ 12:04PM
I have no idea what you're talking about...And I think that's a GOOD thing...
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 1:18AM
Wait until they pass immigration reform and 20 million more in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Florida all vote Democratic ... then you should be afraid - a permanent Democratic majority - oh my.
Jeff Perren | 4.6.10 @ 10:36AM
" It is not the proper role of government to dry one person's tears by confiscating another person's tissues."
Absolutely brilliant writing! I'm stealing this one.
Stephanie| 4.6.10 @ 12:28PM
Status it on your Face Book !!! Really!
Obama Rules| 4.6.10 @ 10:48AM
Dr. Right, you're one crazy buffoon.
Doctor Right| 4.6.10 @ 10:50AM
Come November, you'll be hiding in your closet, and those cool "Hope and Change" bumper stickers on your Prius will be all gone...
We're coming for you. And this time, we're pissed.
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 11:26AM
Dr. Right, I was impressed by your argument.
But then I read "Obama Rules’" pithy riposte, and I was swayed by the erudition and facility with which he refuted each and every one of your points.
Although I am a bit confused - why the hate, "Obama Rules?" I thought you Obamatons were utterly without such a base emotion. You're all about love and tolerance and other people's money, right?
Well, no matter, "Obama Rules." You should be proud of yourself. I have a feeling you've got a big future as a central tunnel support along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
Choo choo!
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 11:31AM
I concur, Grz. I was VERY impressed with Obama Rules, until I read Drew and his use of Stalin as rhetorical genius for the Democrats! That is priceless, my friend. I love Obama now more than ever!
Grzmlyk| 4.6.10 @ 12:07PM
Ooh, Eric, I just read Drew's uber-intellectual quasi thought on the topic.
I'm sure he was eager to show us all what he just learned in his 12th grade history class, but the point of the article was that ALL sides can use argumentum ad misericordiam; that it does nothing to add to the merits of an argument per se. He is essentially restating Goldblatt's thesis.
But look at you, Drew, using Stalin's patronymic to show us how smart you are. Such a big brain, such a paucity of thought. Now I understand why they say that the composition of atoms is mostly empty space.
Who's the cute little ersatz intellectual! You are, Drew! Now get up on your hind legs, grab your wallet fetch me my health care.
BTW, Drew, why did you change your name from "Liberal Reader?"
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 1:26PM
Yes, Grz, Drew has a big - no - HUGE brain! Huge, steaming pile of brain!
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 4.6.10 @ 12:55PM
Michael Smerconish, is that you?
Tim*| 4.6.10 @ 10:57AM
Remember In November !
Dissect ,discuss and expose the details of this costly Health Scam and this unemployed economy.
Like the man said ," It's The Economy Stupid !
Tea Party Rallies Across America Tax Day ,April 15th !
Walk The Talk !
victor| 4.6.10 @ 4:17PM
Tim*:
"Remember In November !"
Which Tim*© are you? The Goode Tim*© or the Badde Tim?
Well, no matter, When you used that the last time, I was reminded of Lennon's tune, "Remember", and the last line:
"o, no, remember, remember
The fifth of November."
That had to do with blowing up Parliament.
Nevertheless, that is close enough to the 2nd of November, where we will blow up our own Parliament, the halls of Congress.
First, Fire all the Democrats
and then Fire all of their Hand Maidens,
those who "reach" across the aisle to help them,
thereby lessening our Liberty.
And that goes double for those voting for them or their lily-livered compadres.
And those voting for ersatz third parties.
Anybody doing so will be awarded
the Scarlett "Q".
Those who remember history will know what that means.
April 19th is coming.
Celebrate Patriots Day in every town, large and small!
Remember the "Shot Heard 'Round the World!"
Tim*| 4.6.10 @ 6:44PM
If I'm not mistaken , to Obama and His Socialist Alinskyite Drones , I'm The " Bad Tim " .
Drew | 4.6.10 @ 11:06AM
You'd perhaps be on firmer rhetorical ground is American Spectator hadn't published just yesterday a similar argumentum ad misericordiam from a restaurant owner bemoaning the (at this point somewhat theoretical) woes about to befall him as a result of the passage of healthcare reform.
But no matter. Just to stir up the natives, I'll remind you of an aphorism widely attributed to our favorite dictator, Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili : One death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic
The loathsome source of this quote notwithstanding, it remains essentially true. For the Democrats to say that 30 million Americans lack health insurance, or that twenty thousand per year die as a result, is - if not meaningless - difficult for people to put into perspective.
And so, arguing in favor of their proposals, Healthcare Reform supporters cite examples of how and why the existing system was broken. Unfair; cruel; or counter to our commonly-held system of values: A person who had faithfully paid her health insurance premiums for years - only to lose her coverage when she got sick due to the practice of recission. A person with a child with a pre-existing medical condition unable to change jobs, or start their own business, as a result of the health insurance companies medical underwriting practices.
One may argue against the use of the misericordiam line of argument. But if one does so, unless one wishes to appear particularly hypocritical - then one most also abstain from using the same device to promote one's own positions.
My Girl Friday| 4.6.10 @ 12:40PM
If the Democratic Congress believed in "their" Health Care Plan why did they opt out of the plan? Why too have they extended special exemptions to Muslims, Scientologists, Amish, Christian Scientists, and Native American Indians while denying Christians and Jews the same "conscientious objections" to insurance? The U.S. Constitution grants ALL Americans equal protection of the law but under ObamaCare, some Americans are clearly more equal than others. Those others: Congressional Staffers who wrote ObamaCare, staffers working in a leadership office or for a congressional committee all receive an exemption. So how can a religious exemption include certain religions and not others? Whatever happened to equal protection of the Laws guaranteed in the our Constitution? President Obama and Lawmakers have put themselves and staff above the law. Now, certain special individuals are allowed to opt out too? Before calling Conservatives, Republicans, Independents, Democrats (yes many Democrats), Libertarians, and other groups or any "American" that is against ObamaCare greedy and selfish; I suggest that person/s read the Health Care Bill, and read the U.S. Constitution first. And instead of calling those of us who oppose the takeover names, why not ask your Democratic Congress person/s why they and their staff have the special opt-out privileges. These lucky few that get to opt out of ObamaCare are not forced to buy healthcare insurance they don't want, unlike most Americans, further than that, they don't have to pay the taxes or penalties associated with health care reform. Unlike most of us who will be required to purchase health care coverage deemed appropriate by President Obama and the government or face face heavy fines, these privileged few get to opt out.
Spartuchis| 4.6.10 @ 12:51PM
Staus quo stays, people suffer.
Status quo changes, people suffer.
Just different people.
Screw you guys, I'm going home.
Marc Jeric| 4.6.10 @ 12:53PM
A young healthy man "saves" the health care insurance money for 35 yearsl then he gets sick and wants that damned insurance while paying the same as that other, resposible guy who has been paying for 35 years. Whether the irresposible guy drank his "savings" or not - he really saved about 2 million dollars plus over those 35 years. And now he wants us to pay for his irresposible behavior??
zaniac| 4.6.10 @ 1:05PM
Cartman, your explanation of the TLBOPOUPA Act pushed me so far over the edge laughing that I snorted iced tea up my nose. It's quite painful. I hope there's also a BRPP (Blue Ray Players for the People) Act in there somewhere to help ease my pain. I'm stuck watching crummy DVDs right now, and it's damned unfair.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 1:56PM
Zan, I hope you're okay. You have to be very careful for the next four years until Obamacare kicks in, then you can snort ice tea up your nose and know that you are covered. Whew! That was a close one. On another note, I too hope that there's a BRPP Act in the Law, because I am also stuck watching DVDs on a regular DVD player. I don't even own a recorder. Do you think Obama will make sure I get a Blu Ray? I hope so.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 2:08PM
Yes zaniac, it's in the bill. Section iii, paragraph qi., footnote 76b. The BRPP of the TLBOPOUPA Sub Section.
Democrats feel your pain, zaniac- we know it was unfair. Unfair, I tell you! Just remember that when voting: Republicans want to keep you from having free Blue Ray!
Melvin| 4.6.10 @ 2:34PM
Eric, I noticed that you seem very biased against Sony Trinatron. I own one, and I think they are the best thing since health care.
My Trinatron soothes me, lowers my blood pressure, and it talks me to sleep.
Some that Demcare could never..., never do.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 2:47PM
Melvin - The Sony is a wonderful TV, don't get me wrong. But what kind of society keeps Plasma or LCD HDTVs away from the poor? Obamacare will free up these "health care" funds so the poor can get the subsidized HDTVs - its only fair!
Pete| 4.6.10 @ 2:37PM
This is all part of the coming Black Reparations Or Kompensation Edict (BROKE) of 2011. It is 62,673 pages, but rest assured, all personal electronics are covered and there are voucher provisions for devices that have yet to be invented. Every person who feels they have ever been discriminated against in any way (who votes D) will be issued a Mobile Identification & Normalization to Equality (MINE) device. If they see anyone who has anything that they don't have, all they have to do is push a button and the situation will be rectified and equality restored.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 2:51PM
Pete - you must have connections. That bill is still in Nancy's drawer. My God man! There must be a leak in our operation! Go to "Double Secret" lock down, STAT!
Pete| 4.6.10 @ 2:59PM
From what I hear, she is tied up with her pet project, the Halt Aging & Geriatrics (HAG) legislation which is slated to go through as a rider on the BROKE bill. All of this comes via pirated signals from her home surveillance system...she mumbles at night non-stop...or at least her skin looks like it is always moving.
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 3:14PM
*Shiver* You, you have seen it? The video? I have only heard stories. I have heard it can turn a person to stone if viewed directly. That you have to look at it as a reflection in a mirror. I, uh, I am too scared to even think now. *Shiver*
I have to go to the doctor now. He probably wants me to pay for my appointment. Imagine that! Pay for my health care, the bastard! My health is a right, the Nazi!
Is there a way you can show us this video, or is it held in a vault in some secret place like Area 51? We well understand if you can't. It sounds horrifying!. I'll be back after my appointment if the doctor doesn't put me in the hospital and chop off my foot because he can make more money that way like Obama says. I'll pray for your safety.
Pete| 4.6.10 @ 3:22PM
I thought I had this healthcare thing all figured out...I was going to tan my way to faster/better/cheaper care...but they closed that loophole too. About all that is left is a sex change and then marry ethnic. Surely Obama won't deny me the sex change operation. It is my right as a woman (trapped inside a man's body).
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 3:28PM
One last thought, Pete. I feel for ya, buddy! I've been trying to get trapped inside a woman's body for some time now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Pete| 4.6.10 @ 3:31PM
Best of luck. I feel your pain and admire your persistence.
Ragtop| 4.6.10 @ 3:45PM
Eric,
Thanks for the fun and the great writing...gotta laugh once in a while or I'd go nuts.....hmmm, is psychiatric care covered anywhere in the bill?
Petronius| 4.7.10 @ 12:36PM
Dear Pete
We have a seat open on our entertainment committee down here in Hell. Would you like the job?
victor| 4.6.10 @ 4:20PM
"TLBOPOUPA"
For the sake of euphonia, can I pronounce it:
Tilbo-Poppa?
Eric Cartman| 4.6.10 @ 6:18PM
Tilbo-Pappa? I like it! It's catchy and sounds like my father is there, protecting me! Like Obama is watching over me - *sigh*
Steve| 4.6.10 @ 3:15PM
The democratic party, the kings of B.S. and leaders of the ignorant and stupid. We have plenty of both in the U.S.
Bilwick| 4.6.10 @ 3:58PM
Without the "argumentum ad misericordiam," modern statist pseudo-liberalism, as a political movement, would scarcely exist.
martin j smith| 4.6.10 @ 4:56PM
here is my way of thinking of dealing with the heart strings. First, agree that these poor folks are to be pitied. Then ask for a moment of silence to reflect. Then ask--so what is actually in the bill that will help these pooor folks and others as well. Better yet simply put what is in the bill ?
Tim*| 4.6.10 @ 6:56PM
The Argumentum Ad Misericordiam Club will hold it's weekly meeting In The Democrat Cloak Room .
Tonight's Topic : The Power Of Playing Your Victimhood Card .
Tonight| 4.6.10 @ 9:26PM
Imagine that! Pay for my health care, the bastard! My health is a right, the Nazi!
vibram five finger shoes vibram five finger shoes tory burch shoes tory burch shoes
The Way it Was| 4.6.10 @ 11:17PM
All of these heart-wrenching Obama Tales of Woe make me puke.
Here is how I handled it in 1957.
Husband making $4550 a year teaching school - this was before the unions took over teaching, boosting salaries and lowering competency among teachers, assuring tenure to semi-literates.
My three year old perfectly healthy child was stricken with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He was in the hospital, undiagnosed, for 30 to 45 days at a time eleven times before age nine. With mounting medical bills and inadequate coverage, my husband took a second job, which furnished us with double insurance coverage. and a good thing, too, because my second child was born with alternating strabismus and had three eye surgeries before age three. I stayed home and took care of my children. I did not abandon them to DAY CARE on the crack brain notion that I needed to work, too.
When occupational therapy was no help for my son's wrists, which were fusing from the disease, I enrolled him in art lessons, oil painting to afford him some distraction from the pain and affording disguised therapy for his hands. I paid for this WITH MY OWN MONEY.. When he needed a wheel chair, I rented one from Abbey Rents - I did not go whining to some agency.
When his pool therapy seemed to have a depressing affect on him, in the company of old folks in varying degrees of disability, I cashed in my husband's life insurance and built a swimming pool in our back yard, WITH MY OWN MONEY.
And I bought all the chlorine and expensive pool supplies WITH MY OWN MONEY and paid the heating bill to keep it at 90 degrees.
Think back, my own money was my husband's less than $5,000 a year teacher's salary and part time work in a grocery store. That grocery store also had a lovely aisle of women's wear where I bought tennis shoes for $3 a pair and short sleeve sweat shirts for about a buck fifty. I knew 365 ways to use ground beef. Everyone did back then. Ground beef was 3#/$1.00 on weekends.
This went on for 17 years and I never sought any kind of financial assistance from any agency.
Over the years, my husband's teaching salary went up - but never enough to include vacations or any other frivolity - but lucky me, at 82, I still have all my teeth and they are in excellent condition, which is a good thing - because I have no dead sister from whom to borrow dentures.
I have owned seven homes in my lifetime - never lost one because of a threatened lay-off or because I was spending my mortgage payment in other ways. And max-ing out credit cards. I have never owed more on a house than it was worth. People who are upside down are not of homeowner mentality in the first place - or when they "walk away" they would not trash the house they presumably loved were leaving. They are chicken-today, feathers-tomorrow people who should be renting somewhere until they are evicted for not paying the rent.
It is frankly amazing to me tht Obama "worried" when Natisha and Malaria - yes, I know that is not their name - werre in Emergency Rooms. I was in an Emergency Room in September and if I had not had insurance, I could have paid the bill. I thought Michelle was some kind of high (uh) end power babe in Chicago at the time. Well, let the good times roll. They have White House doctors stumbling over them now.
If everyone is dying for lack of heath care insurance in this country, where did they all get money to stand in line to buy i-pads this last week? I would have liked to have seen a TV reporter going up and down those lines, asking the idiots if they had Health Care Insurance. What, me, dude?
But our taxes are going to go up so they can spend their money of electronic toys and we can buy their insurance.
Oh, and my sons? They are grown, healthy men with families of their own. Have good jobs and have never been unemployed a day in their lives. So far, have put one son through college without a student loan.
If I hear anyone say, "Well, you're just lucky. . ." I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
There was a time when America was not "on the take." And didn't all health care a right.. My husband had a right to go out and get an extra job. Oh, wait a minute, maybe the magic of this whole thing is I had a husband to father my children. And he didn't take a hike when it looked like it was going to cost him money. He had a desire to take care of us.
Nick| 4.7.10 @ 11:55PM
God Bless you, ma'am!
You sound like my late mother. There was nothing her, or my father, would not sacrifice for me or my sisters.
"[...] but lucky me, at 82, I still have all my teeth and they are in excellent condition, which is a good thing - because I have no dead sister from whom to borrow dentures."
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Too, too funny!
Nick| 4.7.10 @ 11:57PM
That should be: was nothing SHE, or my father...
tommy | 11.2.10 @ 9:14AM
Is the SHE a super star in China, I like them a lot.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 1:24AM
Well, aren't you special ?
Nick| 4.7.10 @ 11:57PM
PurpleJackass,
Jealous much?
The Way it Was| 4.7.10 @ 1:42AM
Not special in the way it is used today. As in "My child has special needs - someone else must provide them...."
Osamas Pajamas| 4.8.10 @ 12:35AM
Well, I feel pity for those poor critters used as stage props for the Demo Healthcare Hijacking Scheme. Were it not for the Demos sucking so much money out of us for "other" programs, I have little doubt that charities and private givers would offer some amelioration of these unfortunate folks' problems. I think that it would be better to saw-off and sink to the bottom of the ocean all the government healthcare programs except those which pay for the injuries and illnesses of cops, soldiers, and firemen. And for their coverage, the takeover of the healthcare industry is not required. And of course it is not possible to construct a "perfect" world in which there is "no need" --- and least of all by govenrment pointing a gun at and robbing Peter, in order to buy the vote of Paul. In short, the Demos are mean-spirited and lacking in compassion for the privately-employed taxpayers.
True Religion | 4.8.10 @ 3:36AM
We launched the 2010 latest and most fashionable True Religion jeans
on our shop, welcome you to patronize.Here are many discounts for you.
Our aim is to provide high-quality products and excellent after-sales
service.
http://www.jeanushop.com
gk thomas| 4.8.10 @ 1:20PM
Republicans-Democrats [good cop-bad cop]
When the hell are people going to grow up? It's rich vs poor. Always has been, always will be.
"Men (sheep) following the lead of those who do not believe in men." --Whitman, of course.
Pingback| 4.9.10 @ 7:15PM
Weekly articles « Interned In Northfield links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Ken Hill | 3.6.11 @ 6:02PM
Manchester Escorts Premuim Exclusive Company Escort Agency, Based In North West England For Out Call Services