Posted on 09/09/2009 9:52:51 PM PDT by PhatHead
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PING!
Exactly. We had no choice in 2008. McCain is the Manchurian candidate, and so is zer0. They were both brainwashed, zer0 from birth, and McC from five years of commie rat torture. He should never have been allowed a seat in gubmint of any kind, nor should any tortured, brainwashed person. McC has been drifting left for years, and he is no Conservative, even though the pitiful, deluded pawn thinks he is. He can’t help what he is, and he should be honored, feted, thanked for his service in the military and in politics, and gently asked to retire.
Bad mental image...eeeeewwwww!
Thank You Gov.Palin!!!
Keep the pressure on!!!
Hi, I'm April Lexington and I approve of this message.
I like McCain. He let us down bigtime and continues to let us down and I suspect he's not a two faced creep. Rather, I suspect he has baggage that might explain his behavior. He is a veteran and a war hero and MUST be respected for his service to our country. I do wish, however, that he would ride into the sunset like all good heroes so his reputation as a "good guy" stays intact.
Upon further reflection, the slap would have been warranted. McCain needs to ride off into the sunset with his dignity, honor and glory intact. I wish he’d hurry up...
O.K. I’m on business travel right now, but when I get home I’ll see what i can do to get you and Elwanda “un-banned”.
Really...AWESOME..I will PM you my facebook user name, wait, you probably have it since we are facebook buddies. thanks so much. I seriously have no clue what the heck happened. I just can’t post there anymore, it’s a real shame. I LOVED posting on her page
Yeah, I’ve got ya! Remember, I’m Jonah Hex. :)
Oh yeah...AWESOME..thanks so much!!
Go Sarah Go!!
McCain is too addicted to the crumbs the demrats throw him. To too many, being a Senator—or any elected official—simply translates to power. They can no more walk away from the perks and sense of being royalty than a heroin addict can walk away from their next fix. Unless Arizonans throw him out of office he’ll be there for life. Besides, didn’t you know, he’s entitled.
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