Obama Calls for Universal Health Care

Associated Press ^ | 1/25/07 | NEDRA PICKLER

[Sybeck1]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Every American should have health care coverage within six years, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday as he set an ambitious goal soon after jumping into the 2008 presidential race. "The time has come for universal health care in America," Obama said at a conference of Families USA, a health care advocacy group.

"I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country," the Illinois senator said.

Obama was previewing what is shaping up to be a theme of the 2008 Democratic primary. One of his rivals, 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards, also said as he announced his candidacy last month that he will offer a proposal for universal health care.

Obama said while plans are offered in every campaign season with "much fanfare and promise," they collapse under the weight of Washington politics, leaving citizens to struggle with the skyrocketing costs.

He said it's wrong that 46 million in this country are uninsured when the country spends more than any one else on health care. He said Americans pay $15 billion in taxes to help care for the uninsured.

"We can't afford another disappointing charade in 2008, 2009 and Obama said. "It's not only tiresome, it's wrong."

Obama's call was an echo of a speech he made last April when he said Democrats "need to cling to the core values that make us Democrats, the belief in universal health care, the belief in universal education, and then we should be agnostic in terms of how to achieve those values."

His argument Thursday not only will be considered through the prism of the presidential campaign, but weighed against rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's ill-fated plan to overhaul the health care insurance system when she was first lady.

Another candidate, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, also backs universal health care.

[upcountryhorseman]

This is no surprise: check his voting record.

[goldstategop]

He's a socialist to the core. Do not be fooled by his good looks and charm.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Hoosier-Daddy]

In terms of who's more of a baby killer, Pubbies or Dims, the Dims would be wise not to throw terms like that around, lest it hit them right in the face.

[RightWhale]

Every American should have health care coverage within six years

Maybe so, but FedGov should have nothing to do with it or 90% of the other jazz we hear from Hillary! and Obama!.

[Conservative Actuary]

I'm going to go out on limb here and say that Obama's running is part of Hilary's plan to make her self look like a centrist. He will run and split the hard left vote in the primaries with Edwards, this will allow Hilary to win the nomination. She will select Obama for the VP role as a way to both pacify the hard left and to allow the media to portray that anyone who votes against that ticket as being both a racist and sexist.

[xzins]

Well, if it's an Obama Proclamation, then who can even argue?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

The question is not, do you want the government to provide you with health care. The question is, do you want the government to control your health care. And who pays for this? Anyway, I fail to see how health care will be cheaper by adding yet another payee: government bureaucrats. Might as well cut the middle man out and go rob your "rich" neighbors.

Oh, and this would add tremendously to the cost of campaigns. Think how many more things would become hot political issues.

[LIConFem]

As if there was ever a doubt...

[Issaquahking]

Obama Calls for
Universal Health Care Socialism

There, title fixxed.


Socialism, first incremental step towards communism.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

BOHICA alert!

[Jeffrey_D.]

OK, 46 million uninsured and it takes over 15 billion in taxes to cover that??? Sounds cheap, leave it alone.

What's wrong with this picture? Government school math or lying politicians? Me thinks it's both and it stinks!!!

[mewzilla]

Better yet, "Anyone who thinks socialized medicine is such a hot idea should get sick in a country that has it."

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I think just seeing is believing :)

[RWB Patriot]

He just put his foot in his mouth.

[rottndog]

Oh how I wish the best argument against nationalized health care would be front and center in this debate--IT VIOLATES THE 10TH AMENDMENT! The federal government, under the constitution, simply does not have the authority to establish and operate mandatory health care for Americans.

Of course this is true of most everything else the federal government is doing--Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Americorp, etc., etc.

[randita]

He said it's wrong that 46 million in this country are uninsured when the country spends more than any one else on health care.

A large % of those 46 million are between jobs and/or could afford to buy insurance, but choose not to.

Why should we have to foot the bill in either circumstance?

[excalibur1701]

Great...I can drop my current healthcare and live off the givers. Thanks Obama!!

[tcrlaf]

"Dims would be wise not to throw terms like that around, lest it hit them right in the face."

Are you kidding???
Who's going to throw it at them? THE MEDIA? Surely you jest....

Democrats are allowed to say and DO anything, while Republicans that act like Democrats get WEEKS of headline coverage. I'm sure you remember Foley?

Face it, folks...
We have LOST the Propoganda War to the Democrats, and until we find someone who can communicate in the style of Reagan again, we're screwed...

[Sword_Svalbardt]

We wants all the po' to hab health care. We wants y'all rich folk to pay fo' dis' health care, becuase we can't affo'd it.

Obama wants to buy votes - whose gonna' pay for it?

[sheana]

$15 billion here, $15 billion there.......it's all just a drop in the massive bucket.

[chimera]

Always has been. The Republican Party has to get active and make sure this guy's background and beliefs get some publicity. Hillary has been going after him but the 'Pubs should not depend on her. This guy is Fabian Socialist, through and through.