Posted on 09/04/2009 1:00:40 PM PDT by lonewacko_dot_com
On the linked video, Al Franken engages in a debate about healthcare with a group of tea partiers. Based on the title and the reaction from his supporters (link, link), I'm going to guess Franken won the debate handily.
1. While the people in the video might have valid concerns, perhaps it would be smarter if they had put their egos aside and let someone else express those concerns to Franken. Franken is a politician and he's familiar with the legislation; a trial lawyer who's familiar with the legislation might have been able to show how Franken is wrong about various things.
2. If anyone can watch the video and find Franken lying, misleading, or similar please post a partial transcript showing what he said and how he's wrong.
I didn’t see it. Did he go into Stuart Smalley mode?
How come when I click your screen name, it’s different than what is shown on your info page?
Never mind, I was looking at “24Ahead.com”. My error.
And here I thought the town halls were supposed to be so our representatives can hear from the people.
Does anyone really care what a washed up Sen ACORN comic think?
” Franken is a politician and he’s familiar with the legislation; “
2)Franken is a not-very-talented stand-up comic who only *wishes* he were a politician....
2)If Franken is ‘familiar with the legislation’, he is one of a kind, as universally, Senators (both R and D) have dodged the question of “have you read the bill?” with the canard that ‘there’s no bill in front of the Senate, yet’....
Maybe Franken is a lying sack of crap. Or maybe these “tea party” folks were setup. Or maybe they’re actors—pretenders.
Nah, DEMOCRATS WOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER use setup questions to make themselves look good, would they?
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Ping to view video later.
At least Franken talked to them. Most Democrats have decided that actually talking to their constituents is too demeaning.
He's not smart enough.
And doggone it, people don't like him.
Franken is a politician and he’s familiar with the legislation
First, Franken is a politician but only for a few months. Ascribing some sense of superior knowledge to an individual because he’s a politician is ridiculous anyway. Read Mark Twain for a reference.
Secondly, what makes anyone think Franken has an inkling about anything in any of these bills? Certain longtime Dem politicians intimately involved in the health care process have bragged about not knowing what’s in the bill. Franken couldn’t have steeped himself in the health care debate in the short time he’s been there.
he beat anti health insurance protesters? thats awful
Really? You went there and watched the video at the link? Or are you just taking the posters word for it?
His assertion that certain doctors are only in health care for the profit is typical leftist class envy. Arguing that the failures of a few in a group equates to the group as a whole being flawed is illogical and will not stand the test of scrutiny. That would be like asserting that all cops are corrupt based only on the presentation of a few cops working in one district or city.
His assertion that Mayo does things for less cost is not entirely true - Mayo Clinic is a not for profit organization that relies on donations, investments, and trusts to offset their cost structure. Mayo also forgave or deferred over $160 MM in ‘fees’ due from patients last year.
Finally - using Mayo as a prime example should cause the Dems to pause - Mayo Clinic has in fact released a statement to the effect that the current proposals completely miss the mark and will in fact drive up costs for health care. You cannot point to the legislation currently under consideration and say ‘we are just trying to emulate Mayo’ when the folks at Mayo itself have repudiated this plan as a failure waiting to happen.
Their public policy opinions can be found here:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthpolicycenter/recommendations.html
They believe in universal coverage at the individual level - so when they state publicly that this plan is a disaster in the making someone should pay attention. These are people who support government intervention in health care and even they say this plan is mess.
On the other hand - good on the Senator for going out and talking to people face to face - taking questions and attempting to explain his position. He did a lot of dancing and refused to commit to much - but he wasn’t hiding like a lot of the Dems and he didn’t try to tell people what they could or couldn’t do or say at ‘his’ meeting. I disagree with him and think he’s a lightweight, but at least he’s not a complete and total coward.
That qualifies as an “angry mob?”
Did they argue who was the better TV doctor: Marcus Welby or Meredith Grey?
I watched the whole thing and Franken lies every time he opens his mouth.
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