The American Spectator

Missy| 7.23.09 @ 2:10PM

Conservatives will be all over this socialized medicine lie. Welcome to the real world, Obummer.

JP| 7.23.09 @ 2:11PM

The GOP must be smart these next 2 months. It is imperative they get the word out. Dick Morris yesterday made an obvious but over looked point -how the elderly would resond the ObamaCare. ObamaCare guarentees the health care for every illegal, but according to the Bill, elderly care would be rationed (Obama alluded to as much earlier this year when speaking of his late grandmother). How would a 71 year old react when his/her medical procedure is declined so a 25 year old illegal can get a transplant?

People 57-75 should be aghast at what the President is suggesting, and Pelosi is planning. Everyone knows how efficient and cold our government bureaucracy is. Think of going to the doctor as visiting the DMV.

The GOP must stay focused on the data and the issues, and not make this personal -keep Obama out of it. They need to remind people that this is a Democratic Plan, and the Dems can pass it at thier leisure if need be. The next 45 days is crucial. I hope RNC Chairman Steele is up to it? I hope the Senate GOP doesn't sell out like they did in the Stimulus Bill.

Bob| 7.23.09 @ 2:16PM

Philip, while your comments are red meat to the right, this is probably a good political move. It "shows" the public that the Dems are team players and are giving careful attention to such an important plan. When it is passed, people won't be able to say Obama pushed it through before its time.

I'd be willing to bet that the left will advertise more than the right on this issue, so the "education" of the public is a two-way road. "Massive set back" is clearly an overstatement unless you are part of the 21% of the voters who are Republicans.

If Republicans would stop talking about Obama's birth certificate and stop overstating their case, they might get the support of more people. Admitting that the health care system needs an overhaul and then just complaining about Obama's plan looks more like politics and less like change. This gets accentuated by the birthers and makes all Republicans look like they don't know what they're talking about.

I wish they'd get behind Judd Gregg's ideas as a starting point. But I don't hear you talking about his plan. Just like the spending versus tax cuts issue, they should try and cut costs before they change the entire plan.

Patriot| 7.23.09 @ 2:19PM

See you never, lying fascist clowns.

Patriot| 7.23.09 @ 2:26PM

RINO Bob, as an older American, I would think that you'd be hesitant about Obama's rationed health care plans.

After all, you old folks are at the top of Obama's death watch list--right behind unborn babies. Duty to die and all, you know?

That's 40% of Americans are Conservatives, putz.

Bob| 7.23.09 @ 2:45PM

Patriot -- I've never supported Obama's plans because I don't think it will save money. My thrust has always been (you can re-read my older posts) that we are not competitive as a country when we spend 16% of our GDP on health care. I care about jobs, and if we continue to pay that much for health care we will continue to lose our competitiveness. As I've said before, I believe that we will get rationing whether or not Obama's plan is adopted. We cannot afford Medicare/Medicaid in 10 years.

You and others make the mistake of calling people "RINO's" who are actually fiscal conservatives. You do that because many of us are social libertarians and think that government should stay out of our private lives.

I've said that we need a tiered system where the government only provides baseline care for those who cannot afford other plans. That plan would be rationed and have waiting times. If you're willing to supplement that with a private plan, you get less rationing and lower waiting times. You get what you pay for. To me, that's the American way. I also would not cover illegals.

But then again, you guys just don't listen. If I don't agree with you on the abortion and gay marriage issues, I must be a liberal. Hmmmm....

Patriot| 7.23.09 @ 3:24PM

Nah, RINO Bob; you wear Obama kneepads, no way are you a conservative. Just remember what I wrote about Obama's death watch list and your duty to die. Be careful what you wish for, old man.

That's 40% of Americans are Conservatives, putz.

WendyG| 7.23.09 @ 3:59PM

The devil's in the details. ;)

Obama and his socialist buddies on the Hill thought he could slide this one by on his charm. But the details came out, much to their chagrin.

And what an opening for the GOP! Hold the line on this and Obama is a very weakened POTUS.

See ya' in the voting booths next year!

WendyG| 7.23.09 @ 4:00PM

C'mon Bob. Smart move by the Dems? Retreat and wound licking is more like it.

Love it!!!

Bob| 7.23.09 @ 4:10PM

Wendy, this keeps the issue alive and makes Republicans look like idiots. The Dems win on this one. In boxing we call this "rope-a-dope".

WendyG| 7.23.09 @ 4:33PM

Yeah right Bob. Keep drinking that Kool-Aid! :)

Patriot| 7.23.09 @ 4:41PM

Republicans look like idiots? Only an Obama knee pad wearing fool would say that.

Health care is a disaster for the democrats! Bob's a troll.

Crusader| 7.23.09 @ 4:43PM

How does this make republicans look stupid? The Dems have clear majorities in the House and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. If they wanted to pass Obamacare they could with NO SUPPORT FROM REPUBS.

This actually makes the libtard dems look stoopid, weak, and the shine is quickly rubbing off the kenyan in chief.

Truth to Power| 7.23.09 @ 5:34PM

"Wendy, this keeps the issue alive and makes Republicans look like idiots. The Dems win on this one. In boxing we call this "rope-a-dope". "

"I've never supported Obama's plans because I don't think it will save money. "

I don't believe 3/5 Bob is worried about anybody looking like an idiot or he would have shut up a long time ago. I think Bob is a troll as well but some days he is worse than others. He seems to imply that it would be better if Congress had passed it now instead of waiting until September when it will pass to the great advantage of Democrats and that he thinks that it is bad. I guess that this is an example of Harvard thinking. Do all Harvard grads act like they are off their meds?

Scott A Joseph, MD| 7.23.09 @ 7:13PM

I practiced in New Zealand from 2006-2007 as a Senior Consultant in Psychiatry at Lakes DHB in Rotorua, NZ (scenery's nice).

NHS is a flinkin' disaster, and so are all government run systems that operate without serious competition (here in MN, the State systems occasionally contract with Mayo, which does not put up with stuff, so they mind their P's and Q's).

Don't take my word for it. Google New Zealand Herald (their largest newspaper), search District Health Boards under the site, and start reading. From personal experience: it's worse than the stories you will read.

Angel| 7.23.09 @ 7:41PM

Trust me, Dr. Joseph, we believe you. The last thing I want is some soulless, brainless liberal bureaucrat between me and my doctor. No way, no how--it sends cold shivers down my spine.

We'll kill this ugly legislation--bet on it!!

Rick V.| 7.24.09 @ 7:00AM

Mr. Klein,

You're correct on all points. This interruption to President Hussein's agenda will also allow more time for the birth certificate issue to fester. You made your feelings clear on that matter, and I respect your opinion but I do not agree. Everything about the ascension and coronation of the Manchurian Candidate is wrong and the truth remains to be found and publicized.

Tim| 7.24.09 @ 8:39AM

This is not a brilliant Obama subterfuge-the truth is that the power is beginning to ebb from his grasp. He is trying to put a smiley face on it. This bill will live or die without one Republican vote. Obama is in trouble with his own party and he knows it.