Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Oh, you must not be listening to the same stations I have watched lately. They are now saying that ALL SOUTHERNERS are racists and that we are against anything the President proposes b/c we are haters. They are no longer saying Southern meetings are "staged." I have written about this and am furious. My question is . . . if that is true . . . then why were the same Southerners against healthcare reform under Clinton - another Southerner?
We are being marginalized here in NC and I don't appreciate it. A lot of folks attend these meetings wanting answers - they are not necessarily opposed to healthcare reform. I, for one, would LOVE to see real healthcare reform. What we are seeing is insurance mandates (and the President is now referring to it that way).
We definitely need to go find out what is and isn't in the bill (wh/ is being re-written - so no one really knows what is being proposed in the end, anyway).
Whether you are for or against changes in our healthcare system, I hope folks will show up and also display decorum, as the last thing we need is being labeled gun-toting, bible thumping haters here - wh/ is what is being said about us, as unfair as that is.
It isn't a souther thing any more. It is now a racial thing. So, were all of the Bush haters racist? Sorry but this country is getting more screwed up every day. I suppose freedom of expression is only permitted for those that are democrats or of a certain race? And I am not a republican.
Personally, I've written Sue's office twice and called once to express my concerns about the current state of disfunction of the existing healthcare system. I'd like to go, and express my concerns and issues, but I have this sinking feeling that the whole town hall will become a shouting match and the voices of those who really need some reform won't ever be heard.
Me too. I've written our senators as well. I'm not pleased with Sue's misrepresentations ... and I doubt many facts will be presented. I'm just going to continue to work behind the scenes for what I believe in, and not cut classes tonight to go the Gastonia meeting.
I hope the meeting tonight is civil, and facts, not opinions represented as fact, prevail.
I just came back from the Gaston Day School Town Hall meeting "conducted" by Sue Myrick. At the beginning, Rep. Myrick stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give folks a chance to express themselves and she would listen. She did state certain aspects of health care reform that she was in favor of such as removing the denial of health insurance due to pre-existing conditions and the purchasing of insurance over state lines, but stated the country did not need to do such a massive overhaul as was being contemplated now. In fact, not doing anything for this year was fine, too, she said at one point.
I'd say the audience definitely skewed 55 and older. There were lots of older white-haired attendees. Some signs, but they didn't seem to be waving them excessively. Wow, was I surprised at the police presence. There must have been at least twenty police there along with flashing blue lights in the parking lots.
And with that, people could line up at the two microphones to speak. Some people stated they were afraid this country was "going socialist and they were scared" while others read from the Constitution. One man made a comment that President Obama was appointing death panels. When Rep. Myrick said nothing, a woman in the audience called out for her to refute it. Only at that point did she do so. Throughout the meeting (I was there about three hours), Rep. Myrick listened as people blantantly said untrue things. Her most common response was "thank you for coming out tonight". Two women asked her to speak up when untrue comments were made and that seemed to take her aback.
At no time did I see Rep. Myrick or her staff of approximately eight people take notes. It did appear that they were recording it, but I'm not absolutely sure.
Many times, Rep. Myrick did not seem to know what the health care bill included or was cognizant on other issues. Her staff was consulted regularly to help her.
One man was escorted out by police for stating that "Obama needs to be taken care of".
Lots of booing and hissing for the handful of people who expressed opinions counter to the majority of the audience.
As a resident of this area for a decade, it seemed to me to be representative of citizens of Gaston County.
It isn't a souther thing any more. It is now a racial thing. So, were all of the Bush haters racist? Sorry but this country is getting more screwed up every day. I suppose freedom of expression is only permitted for those that are democrats or of a certain race? And I am not a republican.
I feel we need healthcare reform but the legislation I have seen does not tackle lowering the COST of healthcare. There are so many things that could be addressed immediately - and it wouldn't take 1000 pages of legislation to do it, i.e. - pre-existing conditions prohibition. There is so much stuff in the legislation that amount to pork, and that upsets me, too. Do something to lower the cost of meds . . . beef up $$$ to free clinics . . .
Everyone in this country will need some kind of healthcare at some point. It really does affect us all and folks are confused. I really wonder how many of our legislators have taken the time to read the legislation now in committee? I figure if I could take out a day to do it, so can they. If they read it, they would see why people have questions. And when people have questions, they are vulnerable for believing misinformation, and there is plenty of it circulating out there right now!
I am disappointed to hear that our Congressional rep was not more articulate at this meeting.
Ari, the reason that every one is confused is simply because there is no health care reform legislation. At this point we have an unresolved proposal in the US House of Representatives and a bunch of hearings, and even less in the US Senate. There have been no formal votes in either body of congress let alone nothing that could even approach some sort of legislation that Obama can sign.
Obama has stated a number of times what he will sign and what he will not sign. But at this point there isn't any bill at all so it remains an academic argument at this point, except there isn't anything learned about it. Death camps, Socialism, Naziism, people showing up with weapons etc, etc, are not signs this is taking place.
Lets keep in mind there is a huge, and I do mean huge entrenched interest in this country to keep health care exactly like it is now because insurance companies, drug companies, many doctors, and others are raking in piles of cash. They are going to fight this every way they can, and past experience, from what I seen, tells me the corporations will win in the end. It always works this way. How many Bank CEOs have lost their jobs in the last 6 months?
Myrick does the public a big disservice in holding a dog and pony show of this nature. First she misrepresents that 1000 pages of paper that she shows up with. She then says she doesn't like the spending on health care even though she voted for every spending bill that Bush came up with over the last 8 years, and last year broke her promise and voted to give the banks $850 billion dollars. However this is what she does, and it's to be expected. She won't vote for health care reform no matter what is in the bill as long as there is a Democrat as President. It's nothing more than politics.
In the end, it's really the problem of the people who put her there. People deserve the politicians they elect. I do find it amusing that most of the people complaining about it at this event, are on Medicare.
Lets keep in mind there is a huge, and I do mean huge entrenched interest in this country to keep health care exactly like it is now because insurance companies, drug companies, many doctors, and others are raking in piles of cash.
There is also a huge interest expressed by the American people not to be subject to government run health care. Doing something, if it's the wrong thing, is not better than doing nothing, even if we all agree that our current system and programs need some work, this is the wrong thing to do. The bills/measures being proposed are a bunch of bureaucratic crap that do little to address the real problems. Even if you believe the 45 million uninsured (with no option to be insured) you don't need a complete overhaul of the current system to address those 45 million people. What is wrong with a incremental steps, smaller changes and programs to make the biggest change possible with the least government involvement and cash outlay? When I read some of the measures being proposed and the possible collateral damage to be done, I became convinced that this isn't about helping those 45 million people as much as it is a big government power grab....they should be ashamed of themselves for making a big fuss, claiming to side with those who really need help and then putting out this 1000 page crap sandwich.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lumbollo
Myrick does the public a big disservice in holding a dog and pony show of this nature. First she misrepresents that 1000 pages of paper that she shows up with. She then says she doesn't like the spending on health care even though she voted for every spending bill that Bush came up with over the last 8 years, and last year broke her promise and voted to give the banks $850 billion dollars. However this is what she does, and it's to be expected. She won't vote for health care reform no matter what is in the bill as long as there is a Democrat as President. It's nothing more than politics.
In the end, it's really the problem of the people who put her there. People deserve the politicians they elect. I do find it amusing that most of the people complaining about it at this event, are on Medicare.
Agreement on Sue Myrick. I guess if all you want is someone to fill the seat on the -R- side of the isle she's about as good as anyone else, but I'd like to see more from our representatives.
As for the folks on Medicare....I'm not going to bash them for it. They paid into it for a long time, not by choice but by force. Does that mean they lose the right to dissent against even more government intrusion? No, they don't. Most of them probably are collecting SS too. It isn't welfare, they've been paying the 'premiums' for years and now get to use the insurance. It's not their fault that system is broken or broke. If you ask them you might find they'd rather have an option that isn't government run.
I will admit that I do not know enough about the health care proposals to have an intelligent debate with anyone. However, I find it amusing when people say they would rather have a for-profit corporation make decisions about their health instead of the government. I have worked in both private and public sectors and I have no doubt a government plan would do more to benefit the patient whereas a private company has the legal duty to act in the best interest of shareholders.
....
As for the folks on Medicare....I'm not going to bash them for it. They paid into it for a long time, not by choice but by force. Does that mean they lose the right to dissent against even more government intrusion? No, they don't. Most of them probably are collecting SS too. It isn't welfare, they've been paying the 'premiums' for years and now get to use the insurance. It's not their fault that system is broken or broke. If you ask them you might find they'd rather have an option that isn't government run.
I think that you will have trouble finding ANY senior what would be willing to give up Medicare for anything else and especially what they had before that. This is an example of a Government run health care system that works very well. My mom is on it and has nothing but good things to say about the service she is getting. She said it certainly is better than what she was getting from the insurance provided by her job. The only thing they don't like is the idiotic prescription drug program that is being run on terms set by the insurance companies. It is confusing, most can't figure it out, and there are big penalties for not playing ball with the insureance industry.
My Dad is a veteran having fought in the Korean war. He relies on the VA which is completely government owned and operated. This is the classic single payer single provider system. He has nothing but good things to say about it. He preferred the VA back in his work days when he could get completely free insurance from his employer.
Both are examples of two government run systems that I don't hear anyone complaining about despite the rhetoric against the government being involved in healthcare.
--------------------
I don't know your age, but the average person once they hit 50 or if they have any medical situation simply can't afford to purchase medical insurance on a single basis if they become unemployed. Kids and pregnant wives have issues too. This is why there are 50 million in this country without insurance. I have a friend that does clinic work for people in this category and the really sick are forced to make decisions between eating, paying for heat or paying for medicine. And this is in the United States.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NCyank
]There is also a huge interest expressed by the American people not to be subject to government run health care.
I will grant you there is a very LOUD interest protesting, but this seems to be more about Obama and the democrats than having anything to do with healthcare.
Finally, there is no proposal out there that would stop anyone from getting private insurance if they so desire it. Even in the UK which has been incorrectly demonized here for the NHS, does not require this. There are private hospitals and private insurance there for the people who have the means and desire to stay out of that system.
I will admit that I do not know enough about the health care proposals to have an intelligent debate with anyone. However, I find it amusing when people say they would rather have a for-profit corporation make decisions about their health instead of the government.
Ever take Economics 101?
There is something called supply and demand. When price no longer dictates demand, demand becomes infinite. With infinite demand and constant supply, something called a shortage occurs.
To solve this, either prices increase (higher taxes) or rationing occurs (your coverage drops).
Also with government run healthcare, something called incentive disappears. Why do better if profit is no objective? (look at the Post Office, public education, government housing)
There is also something called competiton. This means that two or more parties act independently to offer a service to a third party. To gain an advantage, the competitors in the market have an incentive (see above) offer a lower cost, and/or better service. The fact is government run healthcare (single payer, as desired) would eliminate competition, therefore raising cost, and leave no incentive to provide more or better service.
Simple facts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankTheTank2
I have no doubt a government plan would do more to benefit the patient whereas a private company has the legal duty to act in the best interest of shareholders.
That's correct. But wouldn't a lawsuit over denied coverage or a bad reputation lead to lower earnings? Wouldn't having more services and lower prices increase profit, which is their fiduciary duty to stockholders? Yes profit, evil profit. That's why businesses exist. Think your cell phone would cost you $50 a month if their was only one provider?
Profit is the motivation of those "evil" corporations, and that's the reason why this is the best country that has ever existed on the planet earth.
Simple facts.
Become educated in the way the world works, then shape a political opinion.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
