Shocked. SHOCKED. Astoturfing Exists. ... Now What? (Town Hellers and ObamaCare)

The Atlantic ^ | August 4, 2009 | Marc Ambinder

[PapaBear3625]

Astroturfing strikes us -- and me -- as dishonest because it masks real motivations, like the desire of industries to maintain the status quo. It allows powerful interests to magnify their voices at the expense of those without a megaphone. Be skeptical of Astrotufing.

The implication of astroturfing is that it is financed by some organization, that the people protesting are being paid to take that position.

While that might be prevalent on the Left, with rent-a-mobs being bussed in with promises of food or entertainment, our side drives over in our own cars and at our own expense.

I think the psychiatric term is "projection": ascribing to others the faults and motivations that you yourself have.

[staytrue]

But how can you justify permitting a company to make huge profits (and hence million dollar salaries) in the provision of health insurance?

Profit is the difference between costs and revenue. And I say the bigger profit is better because you kept costs down and revenue up. If you are overcharging, people will stop paying unless you are a monopoly.

In any non monopoly situation, BIG PROFITS ARE GOOD FOR SOCIETY. Big profits mean big taxes paid. Big profits mean you are providing a great service at a low cost.

If you want to look at what happens when profits are low, look at General Motors.

[micro-faraday]

Very good points. Thank you.

[mojitojoe]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/how-obamas-internet-campaign-changed-politics/

Bump