President Obama's Health Care Address To Congress : ATOM 0.3

President Obama's Health Care Address To Congress

What do you think..thumbs up, thumbs down, did it help answer some of your questions, too many questions how bout now...?

keroberos32 @ 9/11/2009 12:45:07 PM

« everlonglp3:Very true, but I'm glad someone spoke up. Watch the series John Adams. This country was founded on the basis of many arguments and passion. And we need more passion in congress. We don't vote for them to JUST sit and listen, but to speak up for us. Right?

Yes, in an objective, respectful, considerate and informative way...

An objective representative puts his/her personal convictions aside because he/she speaks for the millions of constituents that elected him/her... It is his/her JOB to listen objectively to both sides of the argument and make informed constructive criticism...

"YOU LIE!" is not an objective, respectful, considerate and informative way to get things done...

lynxears @ 9/11/2009 12:32:32 PM

« everlonglp3 : Very true, but I'm glad someone spoke up. Watch the series John Adams. This country was founded on the basis of many arguments and passion. And we need more passion in congress. We don't vote for them to JUST sit and listen, but to speak up for us. Right?

Sure, speak up: Make their own speeches at appropriate times.

Don't just yell out like a heckler. Or a toddler.

everlonglp3 @ 9/11/2009 12:15:34 PM

« KerOBeroS32 : They were acting as such... when I vote, I elect an adult who is capable of listening and understanding my concerns about the issues...

Not a 5 year-old...

Very true, but I'm glad someone spoke up. Watch the series John Adams. This country was founded on the basis of many arguments and passion. And we need more passion in congress. We don't vote for them to JUST sit and listen, but to speak up for us. Right?

marcopolo90001 @ 9/10/2009 6:54:58 PM

Two thumbs up and a middle finger to Joe Wilson.

shuallyo @ 9/10/2009 2:37:00 PM

« makuus : I thought it waI unny when he got heckled. He said that healthcare wouldn't be for illegal immigrants then someone called out "liar!" Then everyone around him looked really shocked as if someone whould never do that. A very different situation from the House of Coomons.

I love watching British politics on cspan!

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 2:27:41 PM

« DoggySpew : Illegal or not, they remain human. And not treating people because they break the law is even against international law.

Ofcourse, if you know you treating someone who is illegal, it should be allowed to call the police and kick the patient out of the country after treatment.

This will help explain a lot..

I'm sure illegal immigrants were (originally) included in the bill because there are a LOT and they're so firmly entrenched in our society.. Ignoring or removing them from the equation is almost impossible at this point, their presence goes hand-in-hand with every issue there is from health care to education to crime to tax revenues and arguing one point pretty much leads to nothing but circular arguments. Providing comprehensive and non-emergency health care automatically and free to all of them - at the expense of citizens - is bad policy. No one is saying you can't be compassionate and humanitarian, but it ultimately impacts resources and you can't ignore that.

Qpon @ 9/10/2009 1:43:18 PM

« DoggySpew:Illegal or not, they remain human. And not treating people because they break the law is even against international law.

Ofcourse, if you know you treating someone who is illegal, it should be allowed to call the police and kick the patient out of the country after treatment.

Excuse me if I don't want to pay taxes to subsidize the coverage for someone who isn't paying taxes at all. There's a big difference between not providing coverage and not providing health services... I have no problem with illegal immigrants using a hospital as long as they pay for it themselves. If the plan attempts to cover visitors/tourists, etc. ... then all illegal immigrants would need is a passport, say they're just visiting, and they'd be covered.

It hasn't been an issue in other countries because no other country has remotely the same population of illegal immigrants.

DoggySpew @ 9/10/2009 1:37:45 PM

« cb__ : The issue is illegal non-citizens, who broke the law to get or stay here.

Illegal or not, they remain human. And not treating people because they break the law is even against international law.

Ofcourse, if you know you treating someone who is illegal, it should be allowed to call the police and kick the patient out of the country after treatment.

makuus @ 9/10/2009 1:16:30 PM

I thought it was funny when he got heckled. He said that healthcare wouldn't be for illegal immigrants then someone called out "liar!" Then everyone around him looked really shocked as if someone whould never do that. A very different situation from the House of Commons.

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 12:06:40 PM

« makri : Emm, correct me if I'm wrong, but most western countries provide health care to citizens and non-citizens alike, no?... Why would/should this be an issue for US?

I'm fully covered in Canada while not a citizen, my wife was fully covered back in Finland while not a citizen.

The issue is illegal non-citizens, who broke the law to get or stay here.

makri @ 9/10/2009 10:56:07 AM

« shuallyo : I'm actually proud somebody stood up for once. The first bill did actually included care for non-citizens.

Emm, correct me if I'm wrong, but most western countries provide health care to citizens and non-citizens alike, no?... Why would/should this be an issue for US?

I'm fully covered in Canada while not a citizen, my wife was fully covered back in Finland while not a citizen.

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 10:40:28 AM

« shuallyo:I'm actually proud somebody stood up for once. The first bill did actually included care for non-citizens.

from the bill:

“Under H.R. 3200, a ‘Health Insurance Exchange’ would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option…H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange.”

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/09/10/flashback_democrats_boo_bush_at_2005_state_of_the_union.html

Which explains the revised count of uninsured people, from '47 million' to '30 million', Wilson is right (assuming Obama knew what was even in the bill). Still, I didn't think it was the time and place.

shuallyo @ 9/10/2009 10:21:07 AM

« bcgrote:I just hope Joe Wilson (R - SC) apologizes for his interruption and inappropriate comments!

I'm actually proud somebody stood up for once. The first bill did actually included care for non-citizens.

from the bill:

“Under H.R. 3200, a ‘Health Insurance Exchange’ would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option…H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange.”

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/09/10/flashback_democrats_boo_bush_at_2005_state_of_the_union.html

shuallyo @ 9/10/2009 10:17:39 AM

one thumb up and one thumb down

KerOBeroS32 @ 9/10/2009 9:46:47 AM

« JoshSF49 :
They're not little children. Most of them are trying to do what's best for their constituents.

They were acting as such... when I vote, I elect an adult who is capable of listening and understanding my concerns about the issues...

Not a 5 year-old...

dslovesplime @ 9/10/2009 9:45:37 AM

« JoshSF49 : I just find it funny that he's calling an end to bickering. As if the Republicans are causing all these fights that they shouldn't be (that was my assumption, anyway).

They're not little children. Most of them are trying to do what's best for their constituents.

Listen, I think everybody goes into politics for the right reasons. And I believe a lot of them are still there for the right reasons. Unfortunately, the system makes it very hard for politicians to remain focused on their original agenda. When you have elections that come up so frequently, most of their time is spent kissing up to donators, and bowing to the lobbyists. At heart, though, I still feel they all are trying to do what they believe is the right thing.

2manyusernames @ 9/10/2009 9:18:26 AM

« JoshSF49:[...] Most of them are trying to do what's best for their constituents.

Ha ha ha Good one!

Here's another:

A Mexican woodpecker and a Canadian woodpecker were in Mexico, arguing about which country had the toughest trees.

The Mexican woodpecker claimed Mexico had a tree that no woodpecker could peck.

The Canadian woodpecker accepted his challenge and promptly pecked a hole in the tree with no problem.

The Mexican woodpecker was amazed.

The Canadian woodpecker then challenged the Mexican woodpecker to peck a tree in Canada that was absolutely 'impeckable' (a term frequently used by woodpeckers.

The Mexican woodpecker expressed confidence that he could do it and accepted the challenge. The two of them flew to Canada where the Mexican woodpecker
successfully pecked the so-called 'impeckable' tree, almost without breaking a sweat.

Both woodpeckers were now terribly confused. How was it that the Canadian woodpecker was able to peck the Mexican tree, and the Mexican woodpecker was able to peck the Canadian tree, yet neither was able to peck the tree in their own country?

After much woodpecker pondering, they both came to the same conclusion: Apparently, your pecker gets harder when you're away from home!

The above was just a joke Josh. You're right. A large number of the politicians who are arguing for or against the current house version are doing so because their constituents are demanding they do so. Of course it is mostly the ones who are up for election that are concerned about their constituents

Doggylives @ 9/10/2009 8:47:11 AM

« JoshSF49:
They're not little children.

A lot of people are sure acting like it though

Most of them are trying to do what's best for their constituents.

Right, because politicians only want what's best for the public. They never have their own agenda's

JoshSF49 @ 9/10/2009 2:03:23 AM

I just find it funny that he's calling an end to bickering. As if the Republicans are causing all these fights that they shouldn't be (that was my assumption, anyway).

They're not little children. Most of them are trying to do what's best for their constituents.

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 12:32:58 AM

If he wants people to understand and support the bill he has to be specific. Even if it's in written/online form.

Bingo @ 9/10/2009 12:28:37 AM

« cb__ : He's a good speaker for sure, I liked his passion and conviction and, like most people, agree that the system needs major reform. I don't think the details were there though, his plan was much more ideologic than factual..which makes me even more relieved the bill didn't pass. There are still way too many questions than answers at this point.

Well the speech wasn't meant to tell all the little details, he would have been there for hours and hours. That's what they read it for.

I was impressed with him and liked what I heard.

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 12:25:36 AM

« bcgrote : I just hope Joe Wilson (R - SC) apologizes for his interruption and inappropriate comments!

I saw that he did, and rightfully so..that was really disrespectful and wrong.

cb__ @ 9/10/2009 12:24:43 AM

He's a good speaker for sure, I liked his passion and conviction and, like most people, agree that the system needs major reform. I don't think the details were there though, his plan was much more ideologic than factual..which makes me even more relieved the first bill didn't pass. There are still way too many questions than answers at this point, but I do think insurance company policies certainly can be addressed in the meantime.

bcgrote @ 9/10/2009 12:22:15 AM

I just hope Joe Wilson (R - SC) apologizes for his interruption and inappropriate comments!

Bingo @ 9/10/2009 12:13:02 AM

Thumbs up!