The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Racism and Healthcare???

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Regrettably, my gym tends to feature MSNBC on the television screens. Between Rachel Maddow and other hosts, I’ve seen the mystifying assertion repeatedly made that opposition to nationalizing health care is somehow tied to racism.

This may the easiest argument to refute in the history of arguments.

If we replaced Barack Obama with his clone, but the clone was in favor of dealing with the health care issue through a massive federal lawsuit reform bill, does anyone think conservatives would fail to support him?

Uh, no. Race has nothing to do with it. Simple prudence has everything to do with it.

People oppose the healthcare bill because:

They don’t think the government should determine how a legitimate commercial exchange between consenting adults occurs. OR Because they are satisfied with their current insurance. OR Because they suspect government does not make a good provider of a vital service the private sector can and does provide. OR Because they fear government intrusion would slow or stop the amazing pace of innovation in American medicine. OR Because they are worried about the fiscal impact of national healthcare plans on the debt.

OR any of a dozen other highly legitimate reasons. Try dealing with a few of them.

Think I'm A Clone Now| 8.11.09 @ 11:18PM

Well, maybe we wouldn't support him, but we probably wouldn't be complaining too loudly. You just can bet if 0bama started voting and politicking conservatively like that for no discernible reason, some of us would be saying "All right, who are you and what have you done with the real 0bama?"

It might seem to be a bit ironic that we'd react to such unbridled good news with such skepticism, but if he had, in fact, been replaced with a clone as in your scenario, our skepticism would after all be justified. You know how it is: when something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Of course, we might also react the same way as Dilbert did when he started suspecting his boss (being unusually sensible and nice to his workers) was actually a doppelganger and a space alien, and relayed this suspicion to Dogbert:

Dogbert: "So what are you going to do about it?"

Dilbert: "It was just an observation."

Steven Stine| 8.12.09 @ 2:00PM

This letter is a classic example of the logical fallacy called "The Straw Man." You make a false but easily refuted assertion about your opponent, then knock it down. Contrary to Baker's assertion, very few people are saying that opposition to health insurance reform is due to racism. Therefore, Baker's refutation of that charge is irrelevant to debate on this issue, which a huge percentage of the population believes is one of our major problems. On the other hand, I couldn't agree more with Baker's final statement, "try dealing with [the issues]." Unfortunately, from what I've seen, the overwhelming majority of those protesting health insurance reform are not dealing with the issues. All they want to do is scream, shout, and shut down conversation about the issue. Those are the signs of a person who knows they are losing but doesn't have anything to contribute to the conversation. The few calm commentators, and all the shrill ones, who do attempt to make specific points invariable make false and inflammatory charges about the content of the proposed legislation. For example, SoCan raises the totally fictitious charge of "death panels." I welcome calm, rational, factual debate on this (and any other topic) as a good way to reach a consensus on divisive issues. Too bad so many people would rather shout down people they disagree with. Baker's laundry list of potential reasons to oppose reform is a step in the right direction.

SoCon| 8.12.09 @ 10:31PM

Stene, several prominent liberals have stated their opposition to the end of life counseling clause in ObamaCare. It's not fictitious, it's the truth.

You liberals never wanted debate--that's a lie. Obama tried to ram this crap through in three weeks and failed. You fascists love debate and dissent UNLESS you're losing. ObamaCare is dead. Thank God!

Raymond Carnation| 8.13.09 @ 8:33PM

Hello Staff
My name is Raymond Carnation. I along with two other white Philadelphia Police Officer that opposed racism against African Americans in the Philadelphia Police Department was retaliated against and fired 1999. This occurred under the command of William Colarulo now a Chief Inspector in the Philadelphia Police department. In May of 2008 we won our Precedential racism case and the jury awarded us $10 Million Dollars. The case is Myrna Moore vs. The City Of Philadelphia NOS. 03-1465 and NOS. 03-1473. Feel free to Google the case and my name for a better understanding.
We are now experiencing extreme retaliation from this bias Federal Judge Mary A. McLaughlin, and still the City of Philadelphia after the verdict decision. This is now the second time we have been victimized by government agencies, the City of Philadelphia and now the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court. They are trying to keep a tight lid on the police racism problem in Philadelphia. I believe the media as well as the public should be aware of this problem and scandal in Philadelphia. We are seeking national attention on this matter and would like to see Oprah, Dateline, or 20/20 take a interest. I hope you and your staff will give us the opportunity and privilege to tell our story. Together we will be able to properly address police racism, the cover up, and the disturbing behavior of Federal Judge Mary A. McLaughlin. Below are article written on our case. Thank you so much for your time and concern. I hope to hear from you in the near future.

Warmest Regards,
Raymond Carnation
email around4life@aol.com
cell# (267) 231-8143

http://www.counterpunch.org/washington05162008.html

Racism in Police Departments Must Be on the National Agenda

By Keith Rushing
I hope that the U.S. Department of Justice in the Barack Obama administration on will he do what no ne have done before: take serious measures to end the rampant racism and abuse of power in police departments across America. OF if course, we can’t expect miracles in the span of...
URL to article: http://www .justdemocracy blog. org/?p=791

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