Obama on Health Care

[James48843]

A great speech tonight. Enjoyed the reference to Ted Kennedy.

This has been a long, long road.

Health Care has been a battle for generations. It started in 1915, and was almost passed in 1917.
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=1


We almost got it passed with the Wagner National Health Act of 1939, but conservatives slowed it down, and then World War II took Congress's full attention. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=2

We came close again in 1943- First introduced in 1943, it became the very famous Wagner-Murray- Dingell Bill. The bill called for compulsory national health insurance and a payroll tax. It was reintroduced year after year for 14 years.

Truman’s plan for national health insurance in 1945 was different than FDR’s plan in 1938 because Truman was strongly committed to a single universal comprehensive health insurance plan. Whereas FDR’s 1938 program had a separate proposal for medical care of the needy, it was Truman who proposed a single system that included all classes of society, not just the working class. But conservatives took control of the House in 1948, and blocked all efforts on reform.
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=4

Then there was LBJ- who got medicare for those over 65. It was a heck of a struggle, but, as you see today, those over 65 think highly of medicare.

Clinton tried, but Harry and Louise, and the money from Insurance Companies and the AMA stopped it-


Now, it is finally time.

We can't afford to wait any longer. We need it done, and we need it done now.

Now.

[Handballer]

The Pope and Nancy Pelosi are on the same stage in front of a huge crowd. The Pope leans towards Mrs. Pelosi and said, "Do you know that with one little wave of my hand I can make every person in this crowd go wild with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display, like that of your followers, but go deep into their hearts and they'll forever speak of this day and rejoice!" Pelosi replied, "I seriously doubt that. With one little wave of your hand? Show me" So the Pope slapped her.

[mick504]

I think 'single mama' w/uninsured nanny with 3 kids doesn't know or isn't aware of the SCHIPS program which covers children....with quite decent incomes by State. It's Title 21 for those to don't know about it.

[Viva La Migra]

All I can say is, I didn't know Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina prior to the President's speech, but I liked his "excitable outbursts" during Obama's speech. Sure his outbursts weren't within the Congress' tradition of letting the President speak his mind uninterrupted save for applause from his supporters, but it shows that someone in that body is actually reading the bills written by the bureaucrats and is calling out the President for HIS continued misrepresentations of the bills. I notice too that Representative Wilson didn't apologize for the content of his outburst. He apologized for doing so while the President was giving his speech. He still thinks the President is a liar, but he's sorry he called him out on a nationally televised speech. I like his candor!

Personally, I support H.R. 3438, which would provide all Americans the opportunity to buy into the FEHB program and write the premiums off their taxes. You can read the bill here.

[Viva La Migra]

Originally Posted by James48843

A great speech tonight. Enjoyed the reference to Ted Kennedy.

This has been a long, long road.

Health Care has been a battle for generations. It started in 1915, and was almost passed in 1917.
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=1


We almost got it passed with the Wagner National Health Act of 1939, but conservatives slowed it down, and then World War II took Congress's full attention. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=2

We came close again in 1943- First introduced in 1943, it became the very famous Wagner-Murray- Dingell Bill. The bill called for compulsory national health insurance and a payroll tax. It was reintroduced year after year for 14 years.

Truman’s plan for national health insurance in 1945 was different than FDR’s plan in 1938 because Truman was strongly committed to a single universal comprehensive health insurance plan. Whereas FDR’s 1938 program had a separate proposal for medical care of the needy, it was Truman who proposed a single system that included all classes of society, not just the working class. But conservatives took control of the House in 1948, and blocked all efforts on reform.
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_hi..._us.php?page=4

Then there was LBJ- who got medicare for those over 65. It was a heck of a struggle, but, as you see today, those over 65 think highly of medicare.

Clinton tried, but Harry and Louise, and the money from Insurance Companies and the AMA stopped it-


Now, it is finally time.

We can't afford to wait any longer. We need it done, and we need it done now.

Now.

Why do you think the same people that mismanage our Social Security Trust Fund, Medicare, and Postal Service can do a better job providing healthcare than the private sector? The politicians can't even properly use the best trained and equipped military the world has ever seen to destroy what amounts to a small militia, yet you think they know how to best provide you healthcare? I don't get it.

I disagree that we can't afford to wait for healthcare overhaul legislation. What we can't afford is the President's plan!

[phil]

President Obama made a great speech last night. I enjoyed his reference to elements of the plan that the Republicans wanted included in the overall bill. I look forward to seeing this bill enacted quickly. It's been long enough coming.

[JTH]

Yes the speech was good, as usual, it's too bad they didn't so another one of those highy successful question & answer segments, so we could get some more of his brillant (truthful) comments.

Setting the speech aside, I was annoyed by the display of cheering and clapping while more Americans lose their jobs, and we continue to fight two worthless wars losing lives almost daily. Yes they clap, smile, and cheer while selling our country down the sh$ter...

What a disgrace, fire them all.

[phil]

The world is watching.

I was deeply embarassed by Congressman Wilson's outburst during President Obama's address. Our children are watching this. The rest of the world is watching us.

Did his actions make us look better, or worse? Is this the level of discourse that we want in America? I don't think that Democrats ever did that to former President Bush.

This is the start of something new. I don't think it's a good thing.

[tsptalk]

Originally Posted by phil

The world is watching.

I was deeply embarassed by Congressman Wilson's outburst during President Obama's address. Our children are watching this. The rest of the world is watching us.

You again phil? ... I agree his outburst was totally inappropriate and wrong when it comes to expected etiquette during a president is speaking, but I don't think the rest of the world cares very much. Outbursts are the norm in Britain.



Oh, and...

[phil]

Yeah. It's me again, buddy. Having lived overseas for over 20 years, I am indeed well aware what goes on in most Parliamentary systems. The Prime Minister is not/not the head of State. Unlike the United States, which has a President who has always been a head of State, and who deserves respect. If the Democrats called President Bush a liar during his address, then they also deserve censure. The President carries with him the moral authority of the American people. It's why we elected him. The Prime Minister is elected by his party. In our system, we elect the President directly.

Would the British treat their head of State in this manner, TSPTALK?

In other Parliamentary systems, Presidents do exist as head of State, but not Britain.

Think about it.

[James48843]

I think I get what is going on.

The republicans are claiming that health care reform is intended to make U.S. health care just like the British National Health system.


So Joe Wilson was thinking he was on the floor of the House of Parliment during "Prime Minister's Questions", rather than on the Floor of the U.S. House, during a Joint Session of Congress and Presidential Address.

That's it, right?

(p.s.- I think all the rest of the right side was saying the same thing- only Joe was just a little slow with his response, and waited until the crowd quieted down- so everyone else heard him. Ain't America a great country?)

[phil]

I think also what's going on is that certain Americans really resent the fact that we, the American people, elected President Obama to office. Now, if there's any way they can drag down the office of the President, they'll do it.

What they don't see: It's not about the person, it's about the office. President Obama has the job. Everything they do to destroy the office only makes us weaker, not stronger.

Yes, I do think that the rest of the world would notice how we treat our President. I'm always careful to refer to President Obama as President Obama, not "Obama". I refer to former President Bush as former President Bush, not "W", or any other name. It's not the person, it's the office. Let's treat President Obama as we would treat any other sitting President. That's the American way.

I think that when the reporter threw his shoes at former President Bush, that he should have received a stronger sentence than 9 months in prison. President Bush was acting as the head of State. I see people defending Congressman Wilson's outburst during the speech. I guess we should be thankful he kept his shoes on.