Posted on 11/16/2014 10:50:00 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Washington (CNN) -- Years-old but newly scrutinized videos of MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber ignited a political firestorm this week because the self-described architect of Obamacare thanks "the stupidity of the American voter" for leading to passage of the president's signature piece of legislation.
With Obamacare open enrollment set to begin over the weekend and the Supreme Court set to weigh in again on the law next year, Republicans pounced, using the videos as additional ammunition in their case that President Barack Obama and his administration misled the American public on Obamacare. But it's been kind of a difficult story line to follow.
Why should old videos of an economics professor matter?
Here's the gist: Gruber called voters stupid, Republicans are calling him the Obamacare architect, and Democrats are calling it all a big misunderstanding.
Still confused? This will help:
Was Gruber the "architect" of Obamacare?.....
So why is he being called that? And what did he actually do?......
O.K. but this guy is still calling voters stupid! I vote. Am I stupid?......
So why is he calling us voters stupid?.......
But the controversy over whether the mandate is a "tax" isn't news, right?.....
So why are Democrats trying to distance themselves from Gruber?....
Was Gruber making a larger point here that we're missing?....
But am I? Are you?....
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
He is right and the media is a willing accomplice.
Is Jeremy Diamon:
1. Very stupid and incapable of understanding the very real assault on and undermining of our system of governance?
2. Willfully ignorant and uninterested in the truth?
3. Still shilling for Marxism?
4. A typical modern “journalist” incapable of doing his job?
There can be no other explanations for such an unbelievably stupid article.
CNN is trying to keep the fire from spreading.
The rats and the media are stupid. Conservatives and even RINOs saw through the scheme from day 1. We weren’t the stupid ones, this Gruber tool is just coming out and admitting that they purposely defrauded the congress and the public to get this Marxist crap passed.
How, and for what reason, are these so-called "progressives" who occupy academia and leadership positions in government so certain that "the American people" are so "stupid"?Might the answer to that question be that several decades of "progressive" dominance in control of what is referred to as "education" in America might have had something to do with their deeply-held contempt for the intelligence of the people who pay their salaries?Reading the Constitution as a document is one thing, and it's a good start at rediscovering the object of Sir William Gladstone's praise for that document.Taking time to study the great "seedbed" of ideas underlying the Constitution's philosophical foundation, as summarized in the 1776 Declaration of Independence, however, is going to be required if American citizens are to rediscover and reclaim the Constitution's purpose, as stated in its "Preamble":
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."Since the late 1800's, when then self-described "liberals" (now self-described as "progressives") began their determined effort to "change" America, the so-called "public square" has been censored of many of the essential ideas of liberty enshrined in and underlying the Constitution's protections.Even today, they are systematically dismantling the greatest protections for liberty ever established for a people.
"Ideas have consequences"(Weaver).
The ideas of 1776 came out of a set of ideas consistent with liberty.
We tend to forget, or have never considered, that other world views existed then, as now.
Unless today's citizens rediscover the ideas of liberty existing in what Jefferson called "the American mind" of 1776, we risk going back to the "Old World" ideas which preceded the "Miracle of America."
There are those who call themselves "progressives," when, in fact, their ideas are regressive and enslaving, and as old as the history of civilization.
Would suggest to any who wish an authentic history of the ideas underlying American's founding a visit to this web site, at which Richard Frothingham's outstanding 1872 "History of the Rise of the Republic of the United States" can be read on line.
This 600+-page history traces the ideas which gave birth to the American founding. Throughout, Richard Frothingham, the historian, develops the idea that it is "the Christian idea of man" which allowed the philosophy underlying the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to become a reality--an idea which recognizes the individual and the Source of his/her "Creator"-endowed life, liberty and law.
Is there any wonder that the enemies of freedom, the so-called "progressives," do not promote such authentic histories of America? Their philosophy puts something called "the state," or "global interests" as being superior to individuals and requires a political elitist group to decide what role individuals are to play.
In other words, they must turn the Founders' ideas upside-down in order to achieve a common mediocrity for individuals and power for themselves.
Ed Feulner's (Heritage Foundation) suggestion about reading the Constitution is a good one, but those who treasure individual liberty for themselves and their posterity must do more.
They might begin by consulting the Author of our Declaration of Independence and President of the U. S., Thomas Jefferson, who, in his 1801 Inaugural Address--laid out what might be considered to be "qualifications" for the American presidency:
(Excerpt, "Our Ageless Constitution," p. xiv, reformatted)After the nation's first 50 years under its Constitution, John Quincy Adams, at the invitation of the NY Historical Society, in his "Jubilee" Address, enumerated the nation's noble history to that point, and concluded that address with these words:
"Let us, then, with courage and confidence pursue our own Federal and Republican principles, our attachment to union and representative government. Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from the exterminating havoc of one quarter of the globe; too high-minded to endure the degradations of the others; possessing a chosen country, with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation;- entertaining a due sense of our equal right to the use of our own faculties, to the acquisitions of our own industry, to honor and confidence from our fellow-citizens, resulting not from birth, but from our actions and their sense of them;
- enlightened by a benign religion, professed, indeed, and practiced in various forms, yet all of them inculcating honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude, and the love of man;
- acknowledging and adoring an overruling Providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here and his greater happiness hereafter
—with all these blessings, what more is necessary to make us a happy and a prosperous people?
- Still one thing more, fellow-citizens—a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
- This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.
"About to enter, fellow-citizens, on the exercise of duties which comprehend everything dear and valuable to you,
- it is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Government, and consequently those which ought to shape its Administration. I will compress them within the narrowest compass they will bear, stating the general principle, but not all its limitations.
- Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political;
- peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none;
- the support of the State governments in all their rights, as the most competent administrations for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwarks against antirepublican tendencies;
- the preservation of the General Government in its whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad;
- a jealous care of the right of election by the people—a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lopped by the sword of revolution where peaceable remedies are unprovided;
- absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of republics, from which is no appeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism;
- a well disciplined militia, our best reliance in peace and for the first moments of war, till regulars may relieve them;
- the supremacy of the civil over the military authority;
- economy in the public expense, that labor may be lightly burthened;
- the honest payment of our debts and sacred preservation of the public faith;
- encouragement of agriculture, and of commerce as its handmaid;
- the diffusion of information and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of the public reason;
- freedom of religion; freedom of the press, and freedom of person under the protection of the habeas corpus, and trial by juries impartially selected.
These principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety."
"Fellow-citizens, the ark of your covenant is the Declaration of independence. Your Mount Ebal, is the confederacy of separate state sovereignties, and your Mount Gerizim is the Constitution of the United States. In that scene of tremendous and awful solemnity, narrated in the Holy Scriptures, there is not a curse pronounced against the people, upon Mount Ebal, not a blessing promised them upon Mount Gerizim, which your posterity may not suffer or enjoy, from your and their adherence to, or departure from, the principles of the Declaration of Independence, practically interwoven in the Constitution of the United States. Lay up these principles, then, in your hearts, and in your souls - bind them for signs upon your hands, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes - teach them to your children, speaking of them when sitting in your houses, when walking by the way, when lying down and when rising up - write them upon the doorplates of your houses, and upon your gates - cling to them as to the issues of life - adhere to them as to the cords of your eternal salvation. So may your children's children at the next return of this day of jubilee, after a full century of experience under your national Constitution, celebrate it again in the full enjoyment of all the blessings recognized by you in the commemoration of this day, and of all the blessings promised to the children of Israel upon Mount Gerizim, as the reward of obedience to the law of God." here. (Underlining added for emphasis)
What President, Senator, or Congressman today has the courage to declare what this man who served under that Constitution in many capacities, including as President and, until his death, as Congressman, declared in New York City on that day in 1839?
Any citizen today can access the writings and speeches of the founding period. There is no excuse for ignorance.
May I say, respectfully, you’re stupid if you think government healthcare or Obamacare is going to improve your life and make things better.
Of all the many thousands of government programs, which one made life better? NONE. History clearly teaches us that socialism is a complete and utter failure and disaster. Socialism creates poverty.
Look up (not left or right, but UP) to your freedom and the voluntary cooperation of the free market economy which is freedom at work and the ONLY source of wealth and prosperity.
Does America suffer form Alzheimer’s? What made America great? It was never government but the absence of government which is the definition of freedom. It was the market economy free from government interference that made America the greatest, most powerful, and wealthiest nation on earth.
You are dead on.
It should be repealed.
The health care system is broken precisely because of the government.
We are being imprisoned.
Government health care and weapon confiscation and we are done, the control will be complete.
I have been experimenting with tree bark recipes.
I was talking to somebody more liberal, who stated that these comments are not important, that he wasn’t an employee of the White House or Congress, and that he is not a political person, just an analyst.
Not looking forward to seeing some liberals at Thanksgiving this year, and having to listen to their take on this.........
CNN! YOU called Gruber the architect of ObamaCare right here!
I’m watching the video link now.
Carny is tap dancing real good to deflect and expand on how WONDERFULLY Obamacare is working for the American people, and besides this was modeled after Romneycare.
Bring a turd pie and tell them it’s good like the ACA and that they should shut up, eat it, and like it.
This is one of the many reasons why their ratings are in the tank. They are in complete 100% in denial and drinking the laced Kool-Aid.
They would gain A LOT of respect if they just admit they were wrong.
You know, this is one of the many reasons why they are on a “Death Spriral” to quote Dish Network's CEO.
I wonder if they believe in the Easter Bunny and Keebler elves?
Speaking of Dish Network, I haven’t been able to see CNN recently because they took them off of Dish Network.
On my tier of channels, they substituted MSNBC and Al Jazeera for CNN.
Yep, that’s what I can do. LOL.
Not looking forward to being with liberals on Thanksgiving, who can be so in your face. Certain friends of the family in particular are frustrating to be around. In their world, Obama can do no wrong, the GOP is evil incarnate, we have to believe in global warming, we have to believe in homosexual marriage, we have to oppose voter ID, just all the way down the list of liberal causes.
Blog Briefing Room
Obama brushes off Gruber criticism
Peter Sullivan - 11/16/14 01:45 PM EST
Obama said he completely disagreed with the health reform expert's comments.
Blog Briefing Room
HHS chief: ObamaCare 'based on transparency'
Peter Sullivan - 11/16/14 11:10 AM EST
Burwell said she fundamentally disagrees with Jonathan Gruber's comments.
Blog Briefing Room
David Axelrod tweets: Gruber is 'stupid'
Peter Sullivan - 11/16/14 12:34 PM EST
"If you looked up 'stupid' in dictionary, you'd find Gruber's picture," he tweeted.
Blog Briefing Room
HHS: 100K new O-Care applications on first day
Peter Sullivan - 11/16/14 11:26 AM EST
The website appears to be working much better than it did last year.
CNN thinks its viewers are stupid, too.
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