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The Spectacle Blog

Durbin Accuses Citizens Opposed to Obamacare of Being Planted By Insurers

By Philip Klein on 8.3.09 @ 5:16PM

With opponents of government-run health care speaking out at town hall meetings in growing numbers and with increased ferocity (watch this video of Arlen Specter hearing it from constituents), liberals are attempting to delegitimize citizens exercising their rights by portraying them as part of some ominous conspiracy run by evil corporations.

Lee Fang of the Center for American Progress’s ThinkProgess blog snarls:

ThinkProgress reported today on the growing number of angry right-wing activists viciously harassing Democratic, as well as moderate Republican, members of Congress on health care reform. Jonathan Cohn wrote that these tactics represent “classic astroturf organizing, in some cases bankrolled by the health care industry.” The insurance industry is sending staff members to over 30 states to “confront” lawmakers about health care reform. Simultaneously, Cohn writes, the health care industry will use the August recess to “flood the airwaves with ads picking apart reform legislation.” Indeed, AHIP, the lobbying juggernaut for the health insurance industry, has promised to change its tone and begin running negative ads on reform soon.

The site also runs a video in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin says:

“These health insurance companies and people like them are trying to load these town hall meetings for visual impact on television. They want to show thousands of people screaming ‘socialism’ and try to overcome the public sentiment, which now favors health care reform. That’s almost like flooding the switchboards on Capitol Hill. It doesn’t prove much other than the switchboards have limited capacity, so we want to have a balanced approach that allows members of Congress to hear both sides of the story, rather than be sucker-punched, or sidetracked by these tactics.”

This is absolutely absurd on several levels. For one thing, I’ve been closely tracking liberal groups involved in the health care fight for some time, and all I’ve been hearing is how much money unions and other activist groups would be pouring into fighting for liberal health care legislation. Last July, the group Health Care for Americans Now announced the start of a $40 million campaign expressly for this purpose, and the groups were loaded with backers from big labor and groups such as MoveOn, Planned Parenthood, and ACORN. As I've reported elsewhere, the group received a $10 million grant from Atlantic Philanthropies, whose CEO, Gara LaMarche, was previously director of U.S. programs for the Open Society Institute, the philanthropic foundation founded and chaired by George Soros.

In June, I attended a news conference in which HCAN and other liberal groups announced they would spend $82 million in an effort to support President Obama's health care push and press for legislation that includes a new government-run plan modeled after Medicare. Howard Dean, former chair of the DNC, is involved in this supposedly grassroots effort.

But aside from this, Durbin’s statement that the American public is supportive of the Democratic health care agenda and thus any people protesting it at townhall meetings are merely tools of the insurance companies flies in the face of the actual polling data we have. For instance, a Pew poll released last week found that just 38 percent of Americans favor the health care proposals making their way through the Democratic Congress, compared to 44 percent who are opposed. And you can’t pin this one on “angry right-wing activists.” The poll also found that among independents, only 34 percent favored the proposals, compared with 49 percent who opposed them (the number opposed rose to 70 percent among independents who said they were following the health care debate closely).

The liberal effort to discredit American citizens who are expressing their views on an issue of vital importance is completely without merit, but it is instructive. It tells us that liberals know that despite their tremendous advantages in terms of resources and power in Washington, they are losing the health care messaging war. It’s becoming clear that Americans are not ready for a government takeover of the health care system, and they aren’t going to sit by idly while Democrats ram it down their throats.

View all comments (45) | Leave a comment

Roy| 8.3.09 @ 6:29PM

Interesting that they are now declaring open war on the insurance companies. On the other hand maybe Durbin just figures nobody would ever attend one of these things if he weren't paid to do so by SOMEBODY, and he knows that the Dems didn't pay these guys like they did the others. I can understand that sentiment.

What they should do| 8.3.09 @ 6:51PM

Unless I missed it in my brief scan, this post makes no sense. Even if polling shows opposition, and even if Dem groups do it too, that doesn't mean that FreedomWorks and their friends aren't trying to get people to act like baboons at townhalls.

What they should be doing is at my name's link.

MarkJ| 8.3.09 @ 7:42PM

Funny thing, leftists have traditionally been for "in your face" and "direct action" tactics...as long as they were the only ones doing it. They're quickly discovering to their shock that conservatives and ordinary citizens can also play the same game.

ConservativeWanderer| 8.3.09 @ 8:05PM

It's easy to see why the lefties would immediately think of "planted" people... didn't both Hillary and Obama do that during the campaign?

Project much, lefties?

Eric Dondero| 8.3.09 @ 8:06PM

Texas Dem Congressman Lloyd Doggett just called opposition to Health Care reform, "organized by the Republican and Libertarian Parties."

He went on to call his constituents who opposed Obama's reform, "a mob." And pledged that no matter how his constituents felt on the issue, he would vote for health care nationalization.

LogicalUS| 8.3.09 @ 8:21PM

That lying excuse will not save these scum when the real Americans show up with the "tar and feathers", but by all means keep dancing to the tune of the radical far-left loons who control Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and see where your arses end up!!!

In the same unemployment lines with all your deadbeat supporters. Barack Obama told his ACORN buddies to "get in their faces". WELL, his chicken are truly coming home to roost!

The silent majority have had ENOUGH!! America hates communists!

LogicalUS| 8.3.09 @ 9:23PM

hate hate hate you. 6000 yrs of your god damn glory. peace. from a tiny brain does evil grow.

Troll Challenger| 8.3.09 @ 9:49PM

More brilliant liberal commentary on display--someone's got a hang up about 6000 years. Tiny liberal brains filled with hate abound; mental illness meds--STAT!

Caroline| 8.3.09 @ 9:51PM

So, democrat politicians are calling their constituents mobs now--that should go over well with the folks back home!

Missy| 8.3.09 @ 9:56PM

Durbin's a liar--every poll I've seen shows ObamaCare going down in flames.

Liberals are pushing this hard because they know it's probably their last chance to effect their Marxist takeover of the U.S. These people must be punished in the court of public opinion.

LogicalUS| 8.3.09 @ 10:01PM

we will not love our country when god and insurance company tells us to reject democracy. we love our money and property more than we love our country. we will pray for gun freedom. we love sweet sarah. she will save us with her brain .she is jesus.

C4P| 8.3.09 @ 10:03PM

Doggett's on thin ice if he made this statement--especially after seeing the level of outrage expressed by thousands of Texans protesting ObamaCare In Austin.

His statements were unwise.

Freud| 8.3.09 @ 10:05PM

LibTroll.b.crazy. needs.meds.fast. will.obama.help? will.Nazi.Pelousy?

Missy| 8.3.09 @ 10:23PM

durbins a liar. i would be less than honest if i neglected to say how i had acrush for him. but can't go that way anymore. i am torn apart by my emotions. I will not be his little girl anymore.now i am not a troll or moron. dems don't get it. sarah please save us from the devil in our heart. how does it feel now?

Missy| 8.3.09 @ 11:09PM

I hope you get help, libtroll. You're disturbed and I feel sorry for you.

Blueinredstate| 8.3.09 @ 11:14PM

welcome to the party gal.

Eagle Eye| 8.3.09 @ 11:28PM

Spoken by a girl who REALLY knows how to party; just ask the truckers of America.

Missy| 8.3.09 @ 11:36PM

Listen you troll,I want you to get help fast.suck on a pistol.

truckerone| 8.4.09 @ 12:01AM

Not all truckers think like you EAGLE EYE. We love our constitution and we love our country. Get your mind out of the gutter.

truckers| 8.4.09 @ 2:54AM

lib.troll.b.crazy.ask.u.s.a.truckers. lib.troll.lives.in.gutter.

Deborah D| 8.4.09 @ 6:10AM

"The first premise is moral: that medical care is a right. It is not. There was no right to such care before doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies produced it. Health care is a service, which we all need, and none of us are better served by placing our lives and our doctors under coercive bureaucratic control." John David Lewis...Duke University.

Guess Durbin would think the associate professor in Duke University's Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program was an insurance company plant if he showed up to protest as well, huh?

Just because they can't get people to protest for their crapola without paying them for it doesn't mean the silent majority (now breaking their silence) don't know when their country is being overrun by left-wingers intent on "transforming" (Obama's words) America into what? A socialist country where the elites will make our decisions for us? Well, Americans are on to you guys. Don't think this will happen without a fight.

Indy Conservative Thinker| 8.4.09 @ 8:37AM

This whole push for "Universal Health Care" is just a way for the Dems to duck having to rein in Medicare by itself. If they can get "Universal Health Coverage", they they can reduce Medicare costs under the guise of covering "everyone". Seniors beware - the Dems are after you and your health coverage. This incredible lack of candor does not bode well for our future. Our economy will NEVER be the same if we let these Socialist Dems have their way.

Your very freedoms are at stake here. If your health care can be relegated to a dollar figure, they your retirement savings will be next. These Dems do not see any limits on what they can enact as "Laws".

G. A. Kevis| 8.4.09 @ 8:56AM

Durbin:

" ... These health insurance companies and people like them are trying to load these town hall meetings for visual impact on television...."

You mean they're being 'organized' ?

Shirley| 2.9.11 @ 1:57PM

Durbin is correct, this is what Charles and David Koch's is paying for the Tea Party to do. Wise up before its to late.

Bill| 8.4.09 @ 9:11AM

Typical,Dick Durbin. Demonize the "Questioners of Obama and the Demoocrats" by linking them with the evil insurance companies!
If anyone has seen these town hall meetings, the cross section of people is amazing! And just how did the insurance companies contact these people, especially the ones who are retired?
This proves just how desperate Durbin and the other Obamaites are . Demonize those who dare question King Hussien Obama and his socialist agenda!
Evil, evil people, who dare defend the Constitution of the United States!

Bob| 8.4.09 @ 9:32AM

Freedomworks is organizing much of this activity. And that is legal -- they are a lobbying company. But you should know that they are guns for hire and not really on YOUR side. Here are a couple of facts:

– Armey’s FreedomWorks is actively organizing against health care reform. Indeed, Armey’s lobbying firm represents pharmaceutical companies, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, that oppose comparative effectiveness research in the health reform plan because such a program may cut into revenue for branded drugs.

– Armey’s lobbying firm represents the trade group for the life insurance industry. Indeed, FreedomWorks mobilizes its members for deregulated life insurance reform.

– Currently, FreedomWorks is focusing their energy activism on supporting the status quo reliance on fossil fuels. In addition to working for various domestic oil companies with a vested interest in opposing change, Armey’s lobbying firm represents Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE, on energy related issues such as maintaining the U.S.-UAE relationship where “U.S companies have played major roles in the development of UAE energy resources, which represent about 10 percent of global oil reserves.”

– In 2006, Armey’s lobbying firm represented the Senado de Republica (Mexican Senate) on “enhancing U.S.-Mexico relations,” and specifically on immigration policy. Curiously, during the same period, Armey’s Freedom Works stood out as one of the few right wing organizations to boldly support comprehensive immigration reform.

The result of this agenda is to RAISE the cost of health care and energy in order to make more profits for Armey's clients. Is that really what you want? Those of you who are participating in this effort are getting what you deserve -- health care you cannot afford.

Now, universal health care is NOT the issue. We already have it. Just go to an emergency room whether you have insurance or not. This is NOT about coverage. This is about costs and what it is doing to the economy. Costs are rising twice as fast as the CPI and are the highest in the world. We are now uncompetitive in manufacturing because of health care costs spending 16% of our GDP on health care.

Neither the Democrats or Republicans are really going after cost control and efficient distribution of health care. They are both doing it to deal with their crazies on the left and right in order to get reelected. The Democrat plans are too expensive and will make us even less competitive. The Republican plans don't deal with the major issues -- they are just designed to get more votes from the extreme right.

We should force all legislators to deal with the problem instead of being lemmings to let them get their agenda as politicians and lobbyists. Both sides are being played and we are the losers.

There are solutions to lowering costs, but neither side is getting there. We need a new type of elected official -- one that is actually on our side.

Shirley| 2.9.11 @ 1:51PM

Bob, you are so correct, to bad more of these bloggers don't research.

Tim| 8.4.09 @ 12:10PM

My guess is that Obamacare is on the knife's edge, based almost solely upon the spamming/moby surge that this site is suddenly taking.
Both sides have rallyied their troops and the forces are in contact. Just ask poor shell shocked Senator Specter.

Trucker One| 8.4.09 @ 2:39PM

Funny liberals: Health Care--a right
Life--not a right

Back@sswards and upside down--today's democrat party.

Bailey| 8.4.09 @ 2:47PM

I saw the video of Specter and Sebelius.

Sebelius is a real piece of work; she couldn't hide her absolute contempt for the crowd.

Queen Kathleen.

Steve| 8.4.09 @ 3:14PM

Great post! Keep up the excellent work!!
COMMON CENTS
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

ps. Link Exchange?

Bev| 8.6.09 @ 11:46PM

VOICE YOUR OPPOSTION by writing (real mail) your senators, congressmen, the White House. Then get your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. It can be very succinct: NO TO HEALTHCARE, NO TO CAP AND TRADE, NO TO MORE STIMULUS, NO TO CASH FOR CLUNKERS. Be sure to sign your letter. It needs to land on their desks for them to take notice. They aren't going to take any stock in posts on the internet with no names.

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Then get your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. It can be very succinct: NO TO HEALTHCARE, NO TO CAP AND TRADE, NO TO MORE STIMULUS, NO TO CASH FOR CLUNKERS.

Shirley| 2.9.11 @ 1:58PM

Many of the insurer campaign contributions are aimed at congressional Democrats’ top Republicans rivals. WellPoint, Humana and Aetna Inc. gave $10,000 to House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, who would probably take Pelosi’s job as speaker if Republicans win the House. Representative Joe Barton of Texas, the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee headed by Waxman, got $4,500 from WellPoint. Many of the other contributions are to Republican candidates trying to knock off vulnerable first-term Democrats.

Democrats passed Obama’s $1 trillion health overhaul in March, after a year of debate in which they blasted insurers’ rate increases, profits and executive pay. The law includes restrictions on how much insurers can vary premiums on the basis of a person’s age and health status, and a requirement that limits profits and administrative spending.

Republicans unanimously opposed the law, and have since offered legislative proposals on the House floor to change or repeal part of it.

Banking on Republicans

The campaign funding numbers represent a shift for insurers, who previously gave to Republicans by only a 2-to-1 margin.

WellPoint, based in Indianapolis, favored Republicans the most among the companies. Not a single dollar of its $144,000 that went to federal candidates and political committees in July was given to a Democrat, the records show.

In the past three months, Louisville, Kentucky-based Humana favored Republicans 3-1, after previously splitting donations evenly between Democrats and Republicans since the start of the two-year election cycle that ends in November.

In May, June and July, the political action committees for WellPoint, Humana and Coventry gave a combined $314,900 to Republicans, 7.6 times as much as the $41,000 those companies donated to Democrats, according to the