There have been a rash of teen suicides as of late relating to bullying GLBTQ students. Samantha Kelly was none of those things. Samantha was a 14 year old student at Huron High School in Michigan. She reported having sex with an 18 year old student, which qualifies as statutory rape under Michigan law. In one interview, Samantha also made references that lead people to believe that the sex was not consensual.
The accused student, Joseph Tanopolski, admitted to a local TV station that he did indeed have sex with the 14 year old, essentially admitting to breaking Michigan state law.
Once this story became public, Samantha was forced to endure taunting and bullying by students in the school, many of them taking sides with her accused rapist. She was accosted, screamed at, chased, threatened, and they made her life a living hell.
On November 8, 2010, Samantha Kelly ended her life by hanging herself. She could no longer endure the treatment of her peers. After Samantha hanged herself, the prosecutors decided to drop all charges against her accused rapist saying that they were unable to move forward without Samantha's testimony. They have a confession on tape that was broadcast throughout the community and contributed to the eventual death of a tormented 14 year old girl and they chose to drop the charges. How convenient for Tanopolski.
There will apparently be no justice for Samantha Kelly. This is yet another glaring example of how Michigan, along with a handful of other states, are ignoring bullying in their youth and becoming a de facto contributor to the pain and brutality that they are enduring.
I hope that we don't have more stories about more Samanthas. Sadly, until people stand up and speak out, I fear that this is not the end of the needless loss of life.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Religious Right Concerned About TSA
Yes, you read that correctly. The religious right is concerned about the TSA and not in the way you may think. They are afraid that good, straight people are going to be unfairly subjected to searches by homosexual TSA agents.
Peter LaBarbera from the radical right wing religious organization Americans for Truth About Homosexuality has dedicated his life to curing homosexuality. He also said recently "The reality is, most traveling men would not want Barney Frank to pat them down at the airport security checkpoint," LaBarbera said. "Neither would it be fair to assign Ellen DeGeneres to pat down female travelers."
He went on to say that TSA workers should be required to declare their sexual preference so that it can be determined whether or not they are appropriate to perform security checks on passengers.
Apparently, this guy has never flown, or least not lately. A TSA pat down is as sterile as it can be. I was patted down just a week and a half ago and I can honestly say that I couldn't care less if she was a lesbian or a Muslim or a martian or Jewish or any other identifier. TSA agents perform their duties to the best of their abilities and in the most professional manner possible. The job of a TSA agent is to do their best to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it slightly irritating? Yes. Do I care who pats me down? No.
People like LaBarbera do nothing but incite fear into uneducated people. His accusations are baseless and ridiculous and should be treated as such. We have much bigger problems to worry about.
Peter LaBarbera from the radical right wing religious organization Americans for Truth About Homosexuality has dedicated his life to curing homosexuality. He also said recently "The reality is, most traveling men would not want Barney Frank to pat them down at the airport security checkpoint," LaBarbera said. "Neither would it be fair to assign Ellen DeGeneres to pat down female travelers."
He went on to say that TSA workers should be required to declare their sexual preference so that it can be determined whether or not they are appropriate to perform security checks on passengers.
Apparently, this guy has never flown, or least not lately. A TSA pat down is as sterile as it can be. I was patted down just a week and a half ago and I can honestly say that I couldn't care less if she was a lesbian or a Muslim or a martian or Jewish or any other identifier. TSA agents perform their duties to the best of their abilities and in the most professional manner possible. The job of a TSA agent is to do their best to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it slightly irritating? Yes. Do I care who pats me down? No.
People like LaBarbera do nothing but incite fear into uneducated people. His accusations are baseless and ridiculous and should be treated as such. We have much bigger problems to worry about.
I'll let Jon Stewart handle this one...
Let's take a look at The Daily Show's take on John McCain's stance on DADT.
Yep... That pretty much sums it up.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| It Gets Worse PSA | ||||
| ||||
Yep... That pretty much sums it up.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Update: A Message from the No H8 Campaign
Apparently causing some controversy is enough to make some people change what they believe - or at least what they say they do. After Cindy McCain appeared in a video for No H8, people were all a twitter about the differences and conversations that must be happening in the McCain household. In that ad, McCain says that "our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future." Later, she adds that "they can't serve our country openly."
People were looking at this as an interesting cases of people on the right being able to look at a situation in a manner that is outside of the status quo. From what we have seen over the last couple of days, some serious politicking is going on.
Friday, Cindy took to Twitter to let people know that "I fully support the NO H8 campaign and all it stands for and am proud to be a part of it. But I stand by my husband's stance on DADT." Her husband, Sen, John McCain (R-AZ) has been a vocal opponent to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). He stated on Sunday that there was no rift of opinion between them on DADT.
I wonder what could have happened to have changed her mind so drastically and so quickly?
People were looking at this as an interesting cases of people on the right being able to look at a situation in a manner that is outside of the status quo. From what we have seen over the last couple of days, some serious politicking is going on.
Friday, Cindy took to Twitter to let people know that "I fully support the NO H8 campaign and all it stands for and am proud to be a part of it. But I stand by my husband's stance on DADT." Her husband, Sen, John McCain (R-AZ) has been a vocal opponent to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). He stated on Sunday that there was no rift of opinion between them on DADT.
I wonder what could have happened to have changed her mind so drastically and so quickly?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A Side By Side Comparison
Below, courtesy of The Washington Post via The Rachel Maddow Show, is a side by side comparison of the democrats proposed tax cuts and the republicans proposed tax cuts. As you can see, at the top of the charts, both plans are rather similar, off by only a few dollars from each other.
Check out what happens at the $500,000 - $1,000,000 level. The republican plan triples that tax breaks to this group of people. Now, look at the $1,000,000 + level. The proposed tax cut from the right is 17 times larger than what is being proposed by the democrats.
This shows you in black and white the difference between the two parties. One party wants to give fair tax cuts to all. The other wants to give exhorbitant tax cuts to the extremely wealthy. Who is on your side?
Check out what happens at the $500,000 - $1,000,000 level. The republican plan triples that tax breaks to this group of people. Now, look at the $1,000,000 + level. The proposed tax cut from the right is 17 times larger than what is being proposed by the democrats.
This shows you in black and white the difference between the two parties. One party wants to give fair tax cuts to all. The other wants to give exhorbitant tax cuts to the extremely wealthy. Who is on your side?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Mitch McConnell's Real Thoughts on The Iraq War
In his new memoir Decision Points, George W. Bush states that in September 2006, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) visited him in private and told him that the President's unpopularity was going to cost them the mid-term elections. When asked what the president could do to boost numbers, McConnell then told him to bring some troops home from Iraq. Bush goes on to say in the book that he told McConnell that he would not bring troops home until it was safe to do so and he would most certainly not do it for political gain. In fact, Bush did not only not take McConnell's advice, after elections he increased the number of troops on the ground.
Let me state it again - McConnell told Bush to bring troops home from Iraq in order to boost their popularity to maintain control of Congress. He wanted to use troops as political capital.
During that same time, while democrats were publicly speaking out on the need to reduce the number of troops overseas, McConnell and other congressional republicans were lampooning the idea as bad for America - as "waiving the white flag in the war on terror". Again, he was not concerned with the bloodshed, the wasteful spending, or worldwide ramifications - only the political consequences here at home.
At this point, McConnell has two options - he can publicly call Bush, a former leader of his own party a liar, or admit what he was doing. He can admit that he was attempting to use American soldiers and the emotional attachment that comes along with that to win an election cycle.
This behavior is deplorable. Politicians and leaders are to be held to a higher standard. They are expected to do what is best for the American people. They are not expected to do what is best for their political party, regardless of what is best for the country.
At this point, McConnell has not made any attempted to discount this information. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Let me state it again - McConnell told Bush to bring troops home from Iraq in order to boost their popularity to maintain control of Congress. He wanted to use troops as political capital.
During that same time, while democrats were publicly speaking out on the need to reduce the number of troops overseas, McConnell and other congressional republicans were lampooning the idea as bad for America - as "waiving the white flag in the war on terror". Again, he was not concerned with the bloodshed, the wasteful spending, or worldwide ramifications - only the political consequences here at home.
At this point, McConnell has two options - he can publicly call Bush, a former leader of his own party a liar, or admit what he was doing. He can admit that he was attempting to use American soldiers and the emotional attachment that comes along with that to win an election cycle.
This behavior is deplorable. Politicians and leaders are to be held to a higher standard. They are expected to do what is best for the American people. They are not expected to do what is best for their political party, regardless of what is best for the country.
At this point, McConnell has not made any attempted to discount this information. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Message from the No H8 Campaign
The No H8 Campaign (http://www.noh8campaign.com/) started as a silent protest in response to the passage of Proposition 8. In a little over 2 years, the campaign has featured over 5,500 faces, some famous, some not, but what they have in common is people voiceing their support for equal rights for everyone
Check out this video featuring Cindy McCain speaking out on the issue of bullying.
Wonder what conversations like this are like in the McCain household?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
This is what liberal politicians need to stand up and say!
How sad is it that we have to look to a fictional charecter to say what most of the democrats in America are thinking? Why can't we say this honestly and proudly. As Ed Schultz says, democrats need to get some heart, find their soul, and grow a spine!
What Have We Accomplished Under Obama
Since the right has been painting Obama as a useless leader that has driven this country into the ground, I thought I would list some of the notable accomplishments of this administration in its first 2 years.
1. Health Care Reform
2. Medicare Expansion
3. Added $4.6 billion to the VA budget for mental health care
4. Increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act
5. Lifted travel restrictions for Cuban Americans to visit family and send remittances
6. Eliminated student load middle men allowing more students access to loans for education
7. Increased national parks funding by 10%
8. Expanded Pell Grants to help low income students pay for college
9. Expanded hate crime law through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
10. Established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
11. Banking reform
12. Cut Medicare drug costs by 50%
13. Provided $12.2 Billion in new funding for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
14. Extended benefits to same-sex partners for federal employees
15. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: a $789 billion economic stimulus plan
16. Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during entire Bush years
17. Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history
18. Promoted social responsibility through creation of serve.gov, a national database of volunteer opportunities
19. Reversed 'global gag rule', allowing US aid to go to organizations regardless of whether they provide abortions
20. Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco for the first time
21. Signed New START Treaty - nuclear arms reduction pact with Russia
22. Increased average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg, starting in 2016
23. Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers
24. Provided travel expenses to families of fallen soldiers to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
25. Reversed the policy of barring media coverage during the return of fallen soldiers to Dover Air Force Base
26. Launched recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, providing transparency and allowing the public to report fraud, waste, or abuse
27. Signed the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids -- 4 million of whom were previously uninsured
28. Issued executive order to repeal Bush era restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
29. Developed stimulus package, which includes approx. $18 billion for non-defense scientific research and development
30. Issued executive order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay
31. Ended Bush administration's CIA program of 'enhanced interrogation methods' by requiring that the Army field manual be used as the guide for terrorism interrogations
32. Tax cuts for up to 3.5 million small businesses to help pay for employee health care coverage
33. Tax credits for up to 29 million individuals to help pay for health insurance
There you go - the single most legislatively effective period in American history. More accomplished for more Americans than ever before and the right is still trying to play the same sad song. What will it take for people to wake up and realize that when Democrats are in power, they work to get things done for all of us?
I hope that they take advantage of this lame duck session and push through as much legislation as possible before the right comes into power in the house and stagnates any and all progress.
1. Health Care Reform
2. Medicare Expansion
3. Added $4.6 billion to the VA budget for mental health care
4. Increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act
5. Lifted travel restrictions for Cuban Americans to visit family and send remittances
6. Eliminated student load middle men allowing more students access to loans for education
7. Increased national parks funding by 10%
8. Expanded Pell Grants to help low income students pay for college
9. Expanded hate crime law through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
10. Established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
11. Banking reform
12. Cut Medicare drug costs by 50%
13. Provided $12.2 Billion in new funding for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
14. Extended benefits to same-sex partners for federal employees
15. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: a $789 billion economic stimulus plan
16. Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during entire Bush years
17. Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history
18. Promoted social responsibility through creation of serve.gov, a national database of volunteer opportunities
19. Reversed 'global gag rule', allowing US aid to go to organizations regardless of whether they provide abortions
20. Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco for the first time
21. Signed New START Treaty - nuclear arms reduction pact with Russia
22. Increased average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg, starting in 2016
23. Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers
24. Provided travel expenses to families of fallen soldiers to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
25. Reversed the policy of barring media coverage during the return of fallen soldiers to Dover Air Force Base
26. Launched recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, providing transparency and allowing the public to report fraud, waste, or abuse
27. Signed the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids -- 4 million of whom were previously uninsured
28. Issued executive order to repeal Bush era restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
29. Developed stimulus package, which includes approx. $18 billion for non-defense scientific research and development
30. Issued executive order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay
31. Ended Bush administration's CIA program of 'enhanced interrogation methods' by requiring that the Army field manual be used as the guide for terrorism interrogations
32. Tax cuts for up to 3.5 million small businesses to help pay for employee health care coverage
33. Tax credits for up to 29 million individuals to help pay for health insurance
There you go - the single most legislatively effective period in American history. More accomplished for more Americans than ever before and the right is still trying to play the same sad song. What will it take for people to wake up and realize that when Democrats are in power, they work to get things done for all of us?
I hope that they take advantage of this lame duck session and push through as much legislation as possible before the right comes into power in the house and stagnates any and all progress.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Debunking the right wing
Everyone can have their own opinion - not everyone can have their own facts.
1. Obama is a secret Muslim on a mission to take over the United States
FACT: Obama is not a Muslim because he says he isn't. Even if he was, I wouldn't care and neither should anyone else. The First Amendment is a beautiful thing.
2. Obama's trip to India/Indonesia/etc is costing American tax payers $200 million dollars a day and he took with him 1/10 of our naval resources.
FACT: No, it isn't. While they do not release exact figures for security reasons, both the White House and the SecNav have stated that this is incorrect. Why do people believe it? If Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh repeat it enough, it must be true. Oh yeah - and Indonesia has the largest number of Muslims per capita so that proves number 1.
3. Increasing tax cuts for the wealthiest people boosts the economy and helps reduce the deficit.
FACT: No - it doesn't. 2+2 = 4. In order for the Republican strategy to work, 2+2 would have to equal -$730 billion. If you add something to something already existing, it doesn't get smaller. The subway gets more crowded, my pants get tighter, and the deficit grows.
4. Rand Paul (R-KY) is against earmarks.
FACT: When he ran for office, he was. Now that he is awaiting his oath, he has stated that he will work to get KY their fair share of earmarks and pork. Don't Republicans have a term for that? Oh, yes - flip flop.
More to come on this topic as I am quite sure that the right wing media will give us plenty to talk about!
1. Obama is a secret Muslim on a mission to take over the United States
FACT: Obama is not a Muslim because he says he isn't. Even if he was, I wouldn't care and neither should anyone else. The First Amendment is a beautiful thing.
2. Obama's trip to India/Indonesia/etc is costing American tax payers $200 million dollars a day and he took with him 1/10 of our naval resources.
FACT: No, it isn't. While they do not release exact figures for security reasons, both the White House and the SecNav have stated that this is incorrect. Why do people believe it? If Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh repeat it enough, it must be true. Oh yeah - and Indonesia has the largest number of Muslims per capita so that proves number 1.
3. Increasing tax cuts for the wealthiest people boosts the economy and helps reduce the deficit.
FACT: No - it doesn't. 2+2 = 4. In order for the Republican strategy to work, 2+2 would have to equal -$730 billion. If you add something to something already existing, it doesn't get smaller. The subway gets more crowded, my pants get tighter, and the deficit grows.
4. Rand Paul (R-KY) is against earmarks.
FACT: When he ran for office, he was. Now that he is awaiting his oath, he has stated that he will work to get KY their fair share of earmarks and pork. Don't Republicans have a term for that? Oh, yes - flip flop.
More to come on this topic as I am quite sure that the right wing media will give us plenty to talk about!
Republicans and Fiscal Responsibility... Not So Much
OK... They ran on a plan of fiscal responsibility and lowering the deficit. They have railed and complained about how the Democrats have ran up a huge debt. They have blamed us. They have told people that WE are the problem. They have the uneducated populous convinced that Democrats are giving their hard earned tax money away to anyone and everyone with their hand out.
This is a lie. Plain and simple. It is not a fact. It is not true. They are lying. How much plainer can I be?
The Republicans instituted the Bush tax cuts which were not paid for. That blew a gigantic hole into the balanced budget that the Clinton administration had worked very hard to establish. Then we add in the wars that we are fighting simultaneously and needlessly. So yeah, we're in a pretty big hole. Then here comes tarp and bank bailout - yep, that started under Bush too.
So - somehow, all of their expenses are the Democrats fault. How do we fix the problem? Well, if you're a Republican, apparently you think that adding over $700 billion to the deficit will make the deficit smaller. Yes, I know - I am confused too.
Let me get this right - if you have something and you add 700 billion other somethings to it, it gets smaller? Maybe it's because I went to college at a state funded university, but I am pretty sure that doesn't shake out right.
So, the Republicans plan for shrinking the deficit is to add $700 billion to it? No wonder I am confused. No wonder the Bush administration and his followers ran us into the ground. No wonder we are in the situation that we are in. If you can't see that 5 + 700 billion = more than what you started with, I think I see where the issue is.
This is a lie. Plain and simple. It is not a fact. It is not true. They are lying. How much plainer can I be?
The Republicans instituted the Bush tax cuts which were not paid for. That blew a gigantic hole into the balanced budget that the Clinton administration had worked very hard to establish. Then we add in the wars that we are fighting simultaneously and needlessly. So yeah, we're in a pretty big hole. Then here comes tarp and bank bailout - yep, that started under Bush too.
So - somehow, all of their expenses are the Democrats fault. How do we fix the problem? Well, if you're a Republican, apparently you think that adding over $700 billion to the deficit will make the deficit smaller. Yes, I know - I am confused too.
Let me get this right - if you have something and you add 700 billion other somethings to it, it gets smaller? Maybe it's because I went to college at a state funded university, but I am pretty sure that doesn't shake out right.
So, the Republicans plan for shrinking the deficit is to add $700 billion to it? No wonder I am confused. No wonder the Bush administration and his followers ran us into the ground. No wonder we are in the situation that we are in. If you can't see that 5 + 700 billion = more than what you started with, I think I see where the issue is.
Well, it's been a while...
But this election has renewed my political fever. My new promise to myself is that I will do my best to post to help to educated everyone out there as to what is really going on this world we live in. Wish me luck!
Monday, October 12, 2009
OK...
So, I haven't posted in a while. I was sick, then gone on a business trip, then sick again. Rest assured - I am back!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Joe Wilson's Wiki Page... Check It Out!
Already updated after his idiot move last night... Gotta love the interwebs!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Wilson_(U.S._politician)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Wilson_(U.S._politician)
Jean Schmidt (R-OH) is a Birther!
OK, if you have a secret, don't tell Jean Schmidt because apparently she can't whisper. At a Labor Day tea party event, Schmidt was caught on camera agreeing with a ranting woman about President Obama being illegitimate because he was not born in this country. (Heavy sigh...) Here we go again...
In July, Schmidt issued a statement saying that she believed President Obama was a citizen. On Labor Day, she told this woman that she agreed with her but the courts didn't. Either Jean has changed her mind very quickly or she is a pandering politician that will say whatever is necessary to whomever she happens to be talking to at the moment. I think it's the latter.
After Think Progress released the tape, Schmidt issued a statement saying, "The President is indeed a Citizen of this country and constitutionally qualified to be President of the United States. I may not agree with his politics but there is no doubt he is the President and has my full respect. The video clip being circulated by some is part of a longer conversation with a woman who was very upset about a number of things. I, in no way, agree with her belief that President Obama is not a citizen of the United States. I did agree with her view that the constitution should be strictly interpreted. I was trying to be kind to a woman who was trying desperately and passionately to express her views. She has the right to her beliefs, no matter how much I disagree with them."
Sounds a lot like back tracking to me...
Schmidt also happens to be the representative for my district and I assure you that I did not vote for her and I will do everything in my power to make sure that she does not get reelected. Who wants to help me?
In July, Schmidt issued a statement saying that she believed President Obama was a citizen. On Labor Day, she told this woman that she agreed with her but the courts didn't. Either Jean has changed her mind very quickly or she is a pandering politician that will say whatever is necessary to whomever she happens to be talking to at the moment. I think it's the latter.
After Think Progress released the tape, Schmidt issued a statement saying, "The President is indeed a Citizen of this country and constitutionally qualified to be President of the United States. I may not agree with his politics but there is no doubt he is the President and has my full respect. The video clip being circulated by some is part of a longer conversation with a woman who was very upset about a number of things. I, in no way, agree with her belief that President Obama is not a citizen of the United States. I did agree with her view that the constitution should be strictly interpreted. I was trying to be kind to a woman who was trying desperately and passionately to express her views. She has the right to her beliefs, no matter how much I disagree with them."
Sounds a lot like back tracking to me...
Schmidt also happens to be the representative for my district and I assure you that I did not vote for her and I will do everything in my power to make sure that she does not get reelected. Who wants to help me?
Joe Wilson (R-SC) - I'm sorry but I also need campaign funds... Please help!
In this video, Joe Wilson, the congressman that yelled "you lie!" at President Obama during his address on 9.9.09 issued this video of a half-ass apology and a plea for donations. Wow... he's got cajones. Although, since his opponent has raised over a half-million dollars since his juvenille outburst, he needs all the help he can get!
David Vitter (R-LA) is Vile
Sen David Vitter (R-LA) sent out the following letter to constituents about health care reform. Here is a discussion about it on The Rachel Maddow Show. Below are images of the actual letter and survey that was sent out. Click on the images for a link to a larger, more viewable version of the documents. This guy is unbelievable.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Reason 889,763,009 Why I Love Barney Frank
Check out Barney Frank (D-MA) on The Rachel Maddow Show last night.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sarah Palin's Response to the President's Address
Unemployed Alaskan Blogger Sarah Palin took to her media outlet of choice after last night's Presidential address. Here comments are in italics, mine follow. Enjoy the pandering...
After all the rhetoric is put aside, one principle ran through President Obama’s speech tonight: that increased government involvement in health care can solve its problems.
Actually, he said “You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter -- that at that point we don't merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.” Now, Ms. Palin, if you actually listen to what he has to say, you will see that sometimes it is better to involve the government because it has a proven track record of actually working for the American people.
Many Americans fundamentally disagree with this idea. We know from long experience that the creation of a massive new bureaucracy will not provide us with “more stability and security,” but just the opposite. It's hard to believe the President when he says that this time he and his team of bureaucrats have finally figured out how to do things right if only we’ll take them at their word.
Our objections to the Democrats’ health care proposals are not mere “bickering” or “games.” They are not an attempt to “score short term political points.” And it’s hard to listen to the President lecture us not to use “scare tactics” when in the next breath he says that “more will die” if his proposals do not pass.
Perhaps you are taking this so personally because you are indeed one of the people he is referring to. Your talk of death panels is repulsive and the fact that other prominent people are repeating it is just as disgusting. What you said was an all out lie. What President Obama said is true. If we do not do something to fix health care, people will continue to die. That is not a scare tactic, it is simply the facts. I know you aren’t very familiar with those, so let me explain that facts are not disputable, while lies are.
In his speech the President directly responded to concerns I’ve raised about unelected bureaucrats being given power to make decisions affecting life or death health care matters. He called these concerns “bogus,” “irresponsible,” and “a lie” -- so much for civility. After all the name-calling, though, what he did not do is respond to the arguments we’ve made, arguments even some of his own supporters have agreed have merit.
The time for civility is over and the GOP has done everything they can to push it in that direction. You made your bed, and now you can lie in it. (Pun intended)
In fact, after promising to “make sure that no government bureaucrat .... gets between you and the health care you need,” the President repeated his call for an Independent Medicare Advisory Council -- an unelected, largely unaccountable group of bureaucrats charged with containing Medicare costs. He did not disavow his own statement that such a group, working outside of “normal political channels,” should guide decisions regarding that “huge driver of cost ... the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives....” He did not disavow the statements of his health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, and continuing to pay his salary with taxpayer dollars proves a commitment to his beliefs. The President can keep making unsupported assertions, but until he directly responds to the arguments I’ve made, I’m going to call him out too.
The Medicare Advisory Council is indeed going to be in charge of reigning in ridiculous medical costs. This will not come at the expense of patient care. It will come through negotiating lower costs with health care providers and drug companies. It will also eliminate waste from the program. To insinuate that this is a “death panel”, one of your favorite terms, is disgusting and I will continue to call you out as the liar that you are.
It was heartening to hear the President finally recognize that tort reform is an important part of any solution. But this concession shouldn’t lead us to take our eye off the ball: the Democrats’ proposals will not reduce costs, and they will not deliver better health care. It’s this kind of “healthy skepticism of government” that truly reflects a “concern and regard for the plight of others.” We can’t wait to hear the details on that; we look forward to working with you on tort reform.
That is a backhanded compliment if I have ever heard one. The budget office has said that this proposal will save money over time. Independent doctors have said that this proposal will save money over time. Common sense tells you that collective bargaining saves money over time. Yet, you refuse to acknowledge any of them.
Finally, President Obama delivered an offhand applause line tonight about the cost of the War on Terror. As we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks and honor those who died that day and those who have died since in the War on Terror, in order to secure our freedoms, we need to remember their sacrifices and not demonize them as having had too high a price tag.
President Obama was in no way demonizing our troops or the sacrifice that they have made. He was in no way demonizing the people that died on that day. He was simply stating the fact that the reason that we have the deficit that we do, which was under control during the Clinton administration, is that the Bush administration wrote checks they couldn’t cash. We dug ourselves into a huge hole with a war that we went into under the premise of a lie and by giving tax cuts to wealthy people, instead of the people who really need it. I find your insinuation of this offensive and a desperate bid for media attention.
Remember, Mr. President, elected officials work for the people. Forcing a conclusion in order to claim a “victory” is not healthy for our country. We hear you say government isn’t always the answer; now hear us -- that’s what we’ve been saying all along.
Perhaps that is why you are no longer a member of any governing body?
- Sarah Palin
After all the rhetoric is put aside, one principle ran through President Obama’s speech tonight: that increased government involvement in health care can solve its problems.
Actually, he said “You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter -- that at that point we don't merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.” Now, Ms. Palin, if you actually listen to what he has to say, you will see that sometimes it is better to involve the government because it has a proven track record of actually working for the American people.
Many Americans fundamentally disagree with this idea. We know from long experience that the creation of a massive new bureaucracy will not provide us with “more stability and security,” but just the opposite. It's hard to believe the President when he says that this time he and his team of bureaucrats have finally figured out how to do things right if only we’ll take them at their word.
Our objections to the Democrats’ health care proposals are not mere “bickering” or “games.” They are not an attempt to “score short term political points.” And it’s hard to listen to the President lecture us not to use “scare tactics” when in the next breath he says that “more will die” if his proposals do not pass.
Perhaps you are taking this so personally because you are indeed one of the people he is referring to. Your talk of death panels is repulsive and the fact that other prominent people are repeating it is just as disgusting. What you said was an all out lie. What President Obama said is true. If we do not do something to fix health care, people will continue to die. That is not a scare tactic, it is simply the facts. I know you aren’t very familiar with those, so let me explain that facts are not disputable, while lies are.
In his speech the President directly responded to concerns I’ve raised about unelected bureaucrats being given power to make decisions affecting life or death health care matters. He called these concerns “bogus,” “irresponsible,” and “a lie” -- so much for civility. After all the name-calling, though, what he did not do is respond to the arguments we’ve made, arguments even some of his own supporters have agreed have merit.
The time for civility is over and the GOP has done everything they can to push it in that direction. You made your bed, and now you can lie in it. (Pun intended)
In fact, after promising to “make sure that no government bureaucrat .... gets between you and the health care you need,” the President repeated his call for an Independent Medicare Advisory Council -- an unelected, largely unaccountable group of bureaucrats charged with containing Medicare costs. He did not disavow his own statement that such a group, working outside of “normal political channels,” should guide decisions regarding that “huge driver of cost ... the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives....” He did not disavow the statements of his health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, and continuing to pay his salary with taxpayer dollars proves a commitment to his beliefs. The President can keep making unsupported assertions, but until he directly responds to the arguments I’ve made, I’m going to call him out too.
The Medicare Advisory Council is indeed going to be in charge of reigning in ridiculous medical costs. This will not come at the expense of patient care. It will come through negotiating lower costs with health care providers and drug companies. It will also eliminate waste from the program. To insinuate that this is a “death panel”, one of your favorite terms, is disgusting and I will continue to call you out as the liar that you are.
It was heartening to hear the President finally recognize that tort reform is an important part of any solution. But this concession shouldn’t lead us to take our eye off the ball: the Democrats’ proposals will not reduce costs, and they will not deliver better health care. It’s this kind of “healthy skepticism of government” that truly reflects a “concern and regard for the plight of others.” We can’t wait to hear the details on that; we look forward to working with you on tort reform.
That is a backhanded compliment if I have ever heard one. The budget office has said that this proposal will save money over time. Independent doctors have said that this proposal will save money over time. Common sense tells you that collective bargaining saves money over time. Yet, you refuse to acknowledge any of them.
Finally, President Obama delivered an offhand applause line tonight about the cost of the War on Terror. As we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks and honor those who died that day and those who have died since in the War on Terror, in order to secure our freedoms, we need to remember their sacrifices and not demonize them as having had too high a price tag.
President Obama was in no way demonizing our troops or the sacrifice that they have made. He was in no way demonizing the people that died on that day. He was simply stating the fact that the reason that we have the deficit that we do, which was under control during the Clinton administration, is that the Bush administration wrote checks they couldn’t cash. We dug ourselves into a huge hole with a war that we went into under the premise of a lie and by giving tax cuts to wealthy people, instead of the people who really need it. I find your insinuation of this offensive and a desperate bid for media attention.
Remember, Mr. President, elected officials work for the people. Forcing a conclusion in order to claim a “victory” is not healthy for our country. We hear you say government isn’t always the answer; now hear us -- that’s what we’ve been saying all along.
Perhaps that is why you are no longer a member of any governing body?
- Sarah Palin
- Elizabeth Wright - an informed citizen
One Liner of the Day...
The left has moved to the right and the right has moved to the mental hospital.
- Bill Maher
- Bill Maher
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