Just tone it down! That's all we ask. No more attempts to paint people with different political beliefs as your enemy, or un-American, or a tyrant, or a foreigner, or a terrorist, or a racist, or a nazi, or any of the other inflammatory lies you use to rile people up to get votes from nothing but invented fears. And while you're at it, stop it with the violent rhetoric such as 'reload' or 'take aim' or '2nd amendment solutions' and all the completely inappropriate gun imagery (like crosshairs) that is clearly just plain wrong, especially after the tragic shooting in Arizona. No specific instance may be directly responsible for that particular crazy person's violent actions, but there are plenty of other crazies out there who certainly don't need any motivation to act out violently based on irrational hatred.
Fox news and most 'conservatives' are doing everything they can to justify their over-the-top rhetoric with zero accountability or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The reason for this is simply that they must continue to use inflammatory rhetoric because that's all that really works for them on election day. Those are the despicable tactics used only by those who can't win their argument reasonably, logically or factually and is in direct opposition to the noble belief in civil discourse that is essential to our democracy.
We're not trying to tell you what to do or infringe on your rights or whatever your first knee-jerk reaction to this request may be. We are standing up for what is right, fair and reasonable. So, right-wingers, I offer this challenge. Just tone it down and argue your politics based on civility and a respect for the truth. It's what America is suppose to be all about and what makes us so great in case you've forgotten. If you believe so strongly in your cause then is it really necessary to try to scare people with lies? Politics and life in general in our society should be more civil and respectful for a change. Is that too much to ask?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Real Faces of the Glenn Beck "Restoring Honor" Rally
Here are the real faces of the Glenn Beck "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C. Of course, it's really all about Obama - not 'restoring honor' or whatever babble they hide behind. Notice the insane amount of ignorance and delusion. My comments on some quotes from the video are below in parenthesis.
"Take back America" (from Democrats)
"Communist" "Socialist" (victim of fear-mongering and lies)
"America is failing" (un-American BS)
"Bring country back together" (against Obama)
"Blacks don't own this day" (please ignore our attempt to hijack MLK's legacy)
"Beck didn't say Obama was racist or been disrespectful to the president" (ignorance or liars)
"Obama is a racist and elitist" (we watch only Faux News)
"His dad has a deep-seated hatred for white people" (and the son is somehow guilty of the sins of his father?)
"Obama is anti-progress and pride of America - will wilfully destroy country and divide us on issue of race." (Is she talking about Obama or Glenn Beck?)
"I agree with Birthers - he's Muslim at heart" (I believe lies)
"He doesn't have faith or believe in our country" (yet he ran for president)
"Current gov't will take away freedom of speech" (doesn't give one real example when pressed - only more lies ) "They just need to back off!" (You need to turn off Faux News!)
"Protect white cracker babies" (way to fear-monger about the big bad black president...)
"Slap in the face - mosque at ground zero - blah blah blah" (What part of 'restoring honor' includes tossing away our fundamental freedom of religion???)
"Islam is not a real religion blah blah blah" (stupid Islamaphobe)
"Muslims are sticking their thumbs in our eye" (2 1/2 blocks away from ground zero in an old coat store run by an Imam who worked with the Bush admin on counter-terrorism efforts... yeah right)
"Victory mosque" (only wingnuts call a community center that)
"I learned all i need to know about Islam on 9/11" (wow what a moron)
White people are just like Native Americans when it comes to today's illegal immigration. (Are Mexicans committing genocide and I didn't notice?)
"Immigrants are a health risk." (and they're dirty too!)
"Do like the old immigrants did." (be brought over as slaves)
"The come across the border just to have a baby" (way to repeat BS right-wing talking points)
(Love Ben Franklin on the cell phone! About as realistic as this rally's attempt to "restore honor.")
"Take back America" (from Democrats)
"Communist" "Socialist" (victim of fear-mongering and lies)
"America is failing" (un-American BS)
"Bring country back together" (against Obama)
"Blacks don't own this day" (please ignore our attempt to hijack MLK's legacy)
"Beck didn't say Obama was racist or been disrespectful to the president" (ignorance or liars)
"Obama is a racist and elitist" (we watch only Faux News)
"His dad has a deep-seated hatred for white people" (and the son is somehow guilty of the sins of his father?)
"Obama is anti-progress and pride of America - will wilfully destroy country and divide us on issue of race." (Is she talking about Obama or Glenn Beck?)
"I agree with Birthers - he's Muslim at heart" (I believe lies)
"He doesn't have faith or believe in our country" (yet he ran for president)
"Current gov't will take away freedom of speech" (doesn't give one real example when pressed - only more lies ) "They just need to back off!" (You need to turn off Faux News!)
"Protect white cracker babies" (way to fear-monger about the big bad black president...)
"Slap in the face - mosque at ground zero - blah blah blah" (What part of 'restoring honor' includes tossing away our fundamental freedom of religion???)
"Islam is not a real religion blah blah blah" (stupid Islamaphobe)
"Muslims are sticking their thumbs in our eye" (2 1/2 blocks away from ground zero in an old coat store run by an Imam who worked with the Bush admin on counter-terrorism efforts... yeah right)
"Victory mosque" (only wingnuts call a community center that)
"I learned all i need to know about Islam on 9/11" (wow what a moron)
White people are just like Native Americans when it comes to today's illegal immigration. (Are Mexicans committing genocide and I didn't notice?)
"Immigrants are a health risk." (and they're dirty too!)
"Do like the old immigrants did." (be brought over as slaves)
"The come across the border just to have a baby" (way to repeat BS right-wing talking points)
(Love Ben Franklin on the cell phone! About as realistic as this rally's attempt to "restore honor.")
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bush-Era Tax Cuts a Likely Campaign Theme? I Say Bring It On!
The Wall Street Journal reports that Bush-era tax cuts are a likely campaign theme for the November 2010 midterm elections. If so, I say bring it on! Here's why:
With the Republicans' non-stop complaining about too much spending and the increased budget deficit and our huge national debt, they can't have it both ways. Either they want more income coming into the government in the form of increased taxes or they want to cut vital services and entitlements that Americans enjoy and take for granted on a daily basis. They really think that they can just use the old 'Democrats want to raise taxes' attack and think that people are too stupid to know the truth, but a quick examination of the facts easily shows that the proposed tax increase for the rich is actually minimal and hardly enough to cause the negative economic impact that conservatives claim will happen if the Bush tax cuts for the richest Americans are allowed to expire in 2011.
First, nobody making under $250,000/yr will see increased taxes because those Bush tax cuts will be extended. This is exactly what Obama promised during the 2008 presidential campaign and ever since and I'm proud that he's held to that pledge. About 2% of U.S. households earn more than $250,000 annually, according to recent statistics, therefore only 2% of Americans will be affected by this tax increase. Republicans will be choosing to side with the rich and not the middle class (as usual). Some have even been so bold as to propose raising taxes on the middle class and extending cuts for the rich. Good luck with that idea Repubs... Trickle-down economics is an abysmal failure in case they forgot!
Here is a breakdown of the actual dollar amount of tax increases for different tax brackets. As you can see, it is not very much of an increase compared to the annual income levels.
A married couple, two earners, two children making $300,000 will see a tax increase of only $3,995.
A married couple, two earners, no children making $500,000 will see a tax increase of only $6,442.
A married couple, two earners, no children making $1,000,000 will see a tax increase of only $53,175.
This information is based on the chart above created by the Tax Foundation from the Wall Street Journal article.
With the many programs and two wars started by the Bush administration with absolutely no plan to pay for them, including the tax cuts for the rich he implemented as soon as he got in office without a plan to pay for them, it is completely fair to progressively tax the rich in 2011. With increased spending due to the recession and an increasing deficit and huge national debt, even conservatives should agree that it is definitely a necessity. Extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich will add another $2 TRILLION to the deficit over the next 10 years. How hypocritical it would be of Republicans if they allow this to happen over such minimal tax increases for the richest 2% of Americans.
I've shown that these proposed tax increases for the rich are not harsh at all and if I was making that much money every year, believe me, I'd certainly have no problem paying a little extra as my patriotic duty to ensure the success of our nation as a whole. These are the same rates the rich were paying under Clinton and the economy had no problem thriving then. These facts make it a clear losing argument for Republicans if they choose to use it as an issue in the upcoming November 2010 midterms. That's why on this issue I say "Bring it on!"
With the Republicans' non-stop complaining about too much spending and the increased budget deficit and our huge national debt, they can't have it both ways. Either they want more income coming into the government in the form of increased taxes or they want to cut vital services and entitlements that Americans enjoy and take for granted on a daily basis. They really think that they can just use the old 'Democrats want to raise taxes' attack and think that people are too stupid to know the truth, but a quick examination of the facts easily shows that the proposed tax increase for the rich is actually minimal and hardly enough to cause the negative economic impact that conservatives claim will happen if the Bush tax cuts for the richest Americans are allowed to expire in 2011.
First, nobody making under $250,000/yr will see increased taxes because those Bush tax cuts will be extended. This is exactly what Obama promised during the 2008 presidential campaign and ever since and I'm proud that he's held to that pledge. About 2% of U.S. households earn more than $250,000 annually, according to recent statistics, therefore only 2% of Americans will be affected by this tax increase. Republicans will be choosing to side with the rich and not the middle class (as usual). Some have even been so bold as to propose raising taxes on the middle class and extending cuts for the rich. Good luck with that idea Repubs... Trickle-down economics is an abysmal failure in case they forgot!
Here is a breakdown of the actual dollar amount of tax increases for different tax brackets. As you can see, it is not very much of an increase compared to the annual income levels.
A married couple, two earners, two children making $300,000 will see a tax increase of only $3,995.
A married couple, two earners, no children making $500,000 will see a tax increase of only $6,442.
A married couple, two earners, no children making $1,000,000 will see a tax increase of only $53,175.
This information is based on the chart above created by the Tax Foundation from the Wall Street Journal article.
With the many programs and two wars started by the Bush administration with absolutely no plan to pay for them, including the tax cuts for the rich he implemented as soon as he got in office without a plan to pay for them, it is completely fair to progressively tax the rich in 2011. With increased spending due to the recession and an increasing deficit and huge national debt, even conservatives should agree that it is definitely a necessity. Extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich will add another $2 TRILLION to the deficit over the next 10 years. How hypocritical it would be of Republicans if they allow this to happen over such minimal tax increases for the richest 2% of Americans.
I've shown that these proposed tax increases for the rich are not harsh at all and if I was making that much money every year, believe me, I'd certainly have no problem paying a little extra as my patriotic duty to ensure the success of our nation as a whole. These are the same rates the rich were paying under Clinton and the economy had no problem thriving then. These facts make it a clear losing argument for Republicans if they choose to use it as an issue in the upcoming November 2010 midterms. That's why on this issue I say "Bring it on!"
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Is This What Has Become of Conservatism? An Investigation Into Delusional Wingnut Madness
WARNING: If you're a liberal or rational human being these quotes will make you mad but sometimes you just have to laugh at how unbelievably stupid some people can be while pointing out how ridiculous they truly are.
As clear examples of just how delusional and unbelievably hateful conservatives can be, I've compiled some of the comments from the latest couple of posts on the Facebook page for 'Being Conservative' which has almost 1 1/2 million members. Frankly, I've never seen a more ignorant and despicable bunch of moronic assholes. In my opinion those who spread the kind of blatant lies that are being spread there about our president are traitors to our country and should be held accountable.
(NOTE: The names of the people commenting has been left out for privacy concerns. In some instances I have included my own comments on these quotes that are indicated with an arrow like this: <---)
This post was just asking which stupid t-shirt slogan they like the best.
"Fire Congress!
Kick out the american imposter president from Kenya first!"
"IMPEACH OBAMA!!!"
"This is a socialist state and a socialist nation, sad to say!!"
"10,000 fists 1 hanging" <--- CALL FOR MURDER
"Reverend King must be rolling over in his grave, with disgust and burning shame at the overt racism that has become POLICY in the Obama administration."
"Elect a "Man Who Would Be King", then when he does not do as he promises, "Off with his head"! We need to make the people responsible, RESPONSIBLE!"
"Impeach Obama!! before he and Pelosi ruin our country, give it to the Chinese, and turn us into slaves to the Muslim world. Keep drilling!!!!!!"
"If any of them "R" or "D" aint started "IMPEACHING" this "UNCONSTITUTIONAL pRECEDENT!!!!, Then none of them are worth having! Every thing this pRECEDENT has "EVER DONE" is ANTI-USA, and ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL!"
"America was great, but not anymore. You can tell by the current regime. Now we have boarder jumpers voting, getting free health care, and education."
-----
Here's some comments from a post with a poll that blatantly lies about Obama allowing foreign ships to help clean the Gulf oil spill. Of course, the vast majority of people don't bother to investigate if this claim is true or not. Because it fits into their preconceived beliefs it's immediately accepted as fact and even used as an excuse to call for the POTUS to be impeached and even murdered.
I was happy to see that a few brave people dare set the record straight that Obama has indeed been accepting foreign aid for the oil spill including this first quote which made me chuckle.
"I shared your poll link above, then got this news report back from a friend about all the countries the State Department has ACCEPTED help from and are currently working on the oil spill. Get your facts STRAIGHT!! before you try to stir up negative press. You just made republicans look stupid...."
"Obama ISN'T a Christian. He is Muslim. He is one of the most anti-american people out there."
"This country is falling apart under the leadership or lack thereof with Barrack "Osama.""
"Obama allowed many of our soliders to be killed because he took not a day, but month to finally send more help...that shows right there he don't care. Obama never ran a buiness, & never faught in a war, he don't know nothing except to destroy."
"I truly with all my heart wish he could have been the first Black man to fight for our freedom, and show the world he was a good man, but unfotunitly he is working for the devil."
"Obama will destroy our Country, he is building it up to be worst than Hitler, do we want to live like that? Soon Obama will make it so you have no privacy at all. Even those who are illegal will hate him, because Obama is just using them as he is everyone he speaks to. He is working towards a one ruler, & soon we will have serious wars even here if we don't get him out. We are Living in the LAST DAYS."
"Is he TRYING to single-handedly destroy us? Does he really hate America THAT much? Why is he trying so hard to hurt so many people with every decision he makes? I don't understand."
"So it Looks to me that President Obama, & Congress don't care about protecting our Country, they are out to destroy, & take all our rights away, this is just the beginning, they intend to control everyone and I mean control your Life & everything you do. Wake up America lets fight back"
"hes not gonna be happy till hes made the us on the level of a third world country. hes a friggin muslim i don't know why people are so blind. hes on his wat to selling us out..., and not no but hell no i don't agree with his decision hes killing our waters and sealife at a faster rate than the fishieries part of nearly everybodys diet. i don't agree with 99.0% of what he has to say anyway cause it comes from a lyin muslim"
"he is an idiot!!!!! worst president we have ever had-----he needs to be OUT of office, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!"
"BO is out to destroy America any way he can, and he's doing a great job so far. I do not believe he is either an AMERICAN OR A CHRISTIAN!"
"Obammy is using this spill to condemn Big Oil. He DOES NOT want it cleand up quickly! He's following what one of his henchmen said, "never let a good emergency go unused" or something like that. The guy is a PHONY, no experienced, wanna be KING. The arrogant socialist bastard need to be impeached!"
"OBAMA. WORST PRESIDENT, ALREADY..THERE IS A SICKNESS IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND HE IS ITS CZAR..THIS MUST END BEFORE HE DESTROYS THE FINEST CIVILIZATION KNOWN YET TO MAN..THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE."
"BO is a poop head. This was consensus amongst at least eight of us in a bar in Nashville yesterday!"
"Between ODumbo and his pandering fool Holder I'd like to throw both of those a-holes in the Gulf before they sink this country in the hole any further."
"Where is GEORGE W... yes. GEORGE, we miss you."
"What a dick, we need all the help we can get to clean that mess up. That boy needs to step aside and let someone with some sence run this country."
"If the spill were in another country's backyard, say... Iran or some Muslim country... he'd have sent trillions of non-existent dollars plus half the US Navy to assist. He's holding the Gulf Coast hostage!!!"
"Obama-nickname is Dan stands for dumb ass niger lol" <--BLATANT RACISM
"He's an idiot. hes not a US citizen he has no birth certificate. and has no business being the President of the United States. He had divided this country and will go down in history as the worse ever president. The country is bankrupt. Now even nurses can't find jobs."
"Hussein Obama, the muslim in charge, doesn't want it cleaned up, just like he doesn't want to protect our borders. His goal is the destruction of the U.S., the main muslim agenda."
"BO is trying to destroy America, not improve it. At what point will the American people wake up to this socialist?"
"Why can't these people see that. He is evil incarnate..."
"Obama is an obstructionist president." <--- HUH?
"What we need is another Ronald Reagen combined with Abe Lincoln and Washington and some founding fathers to put us on the right path." <--- Zombie Frankenstein "Reagen" in 2012!
"This is payback time for Louisiana for not getting our vote . He wants to destroy us as much as he can. This man is very very evil."
"Obama is not for you or me nor this country.. he's for his self and his muslum buddys.. So as for the oil spill he could care less the same for our milatary were our children are dying everyday for our country while he's sitting on his a$$ doing nothing.. All talk.. no action.."
"I believe Obama is the man with many faces.. he is the devil.. the end days are nearby"
"Stupid is as stupid does. It looks like Forest Gump is running the Country" <--Who honestly thinks Obama is stupid...really...
"This stupid fucking idiot is not a president but a fucking dictator we need to get him out"
"OBAMA IS A TERRORIST LOVING FREEDOM HATING IDIOT!!"
"I think we should throw him in the gulf." <---Call for violence
"HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED AFTER HIS FIRST MONTH."
"He's also from Kenya Africa."
"I vote to impeach him for treson!" <---"Treson"!! Hell, If you gotta make something up for a reason to impeach Obama..it might as well be treson...
"Will someone take this JAGOFF out of office!"
"do not agree he is worse than any OTHER terrorist to hit Americans and he is our president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"blowbama is an idiot" <---Wishful Thinking? (this commentor was a dude)
"obamarxist will pay fot this. It's called karma."
"NO, Obama wants to destroy America. This is another example of how much he hates the US."
"Obama seems through all this mess to continue to help the Muslims. This is a religious thing he is doing."
"He is a terrorist to our country. Let's get him OUT!"
"We are under siege.. The government is taking over our lives.. down with big government and comrad Obama"
"Obammy doesn't want it cleaned up!!! he wants to use this to tighten the Governments grasp on us the people! Jones act Shmones act...This turd merchant O boy, is all about union labor and socialism..."
"Our TERRORIST PRESIDENT, single handedly killing America"
That's all I can stomach right now, but believe me, there's thousands more comments just like these!
---
The vast majority of these people honestly believe Obama (Democratically elected President of the United States of America) is out to destroy our country...on purpose. Most believe this because they honestly think that he's a Muslim infiltrator who has duped the nation. SERIOUSLY! I feel dirty now after reading this garbage and I hardly went through very many comments out of thousands to uncover the alternate reality conservatives seem to live in and I left out a LOT of duplicate opinions. Despite claims from the right-wingers, there is absolutely no equivalent to this kind of insanity and disgusting vitriol with the rhetoric from our side. None whatsoever.
Notice how the majority of them engage in such childish taunts and how they can barely use punctuation, spell correctly, or even write a cohesive sentence. That tells you a lot about their mental capacity IMO. I have to wonder why they believe all this crap they spew or if it just makes them feel better to vent? Regardless, it's a sad state for the conservative movement that they've become so remarkably ignorant, hateful and just plain stupid!
I'm truly amazed anyone could become so brainwashed by Faux News and other right-wing 'news' sources who are willing to feed their delusions. Is this just all code-words for racism, or motivated reason, or what exactly explains the descent into wingnut madness that has become conservatism? I have no explanation for such insanity other than they absolutely hate our democracy when they're not in power and are willing to say anything to try to tear down Obama, even at the expense of our entire country. How despicable!
As clear examples of just how delusional and unbelievably hateful conservatives can be, I've compiled some of the comments from the latest couple of posts on the Facebook page for 'Being Conservative' which has almost 1 1/2 million members. Frankly, I've never seen a more ignorant and despicable bunch of moronic assholes. In my opinion those who spread the kind of blatant lies that are being spread there about our president are traitors to our country and should be held accountable.
(NOTE: The names of the people commenting has been left out for privacy concerns. In some instances I have included my own comments on these quotes that are indicated with an arrow like this: <---)
This post was just asking which stupid t-shirt slogan they like the best.
"Fire Congress!Kick out the american imposter president from Kenya first!"
"IMPEACH OBAMA!!!"
"This is a socialist state and a socialist nation, sad to say!!"
"10,000 fists 1 hanging" <--- CALL FOR MURDER
"Reverend King must be rolling over in his grave, with disgust and burning shame at the overt racism that has become POLICY in the Obama administration."
"Elect a "Man Who Would Be King", then when he does not do as he promises, "Off with his head"! We need to make the people responsible, RESPONSIBLE!"
"Impeach Obama!! before he and Pelosi ruin our country, give it to the Chinese, and turn us into slaves to the Muslim world. Keep drilling!!!!!!"
"If any of them "R" or "D" aint started "IMPEACHING" this "UNCONSTITUTIONAL pRECEDENT!!!!, Then none of them are worth having! Every thing this pRECEDENT has "EVER DONE" is ANTI-USA, and ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL!"
"America was great, but not anymore. You can tell by the current regime. Now we have boarder jumpers voting, getting free health care, and education."
-----
Here's some comments from a post with a poll that blatantly lies about Obama allowing foreign ships to help clean the Gulf oil spill. Of course, the vast majority of people don't bother to investigate if this claim is true or not. Because it fits into their preconceived beliefs it's immediately accepted as fact and even used as an excuse to call for the POTUS to be impeached and even murdered.
I was happy to see that a few brave people dare set the record straight that Obama has indeed been accepting foreign aid for the oil spill including this first quote which made me chuckle.
"I shared your poll link above, then got this news report back from a friend about all the countries the State Department has ACCEPTED help from and are currently working on the oil spill. Get your facts STRAIGHT!! before you try to stir up negative press. You just made republicans look stupid...."
"Obama ISN'T a Christian. He is Muslim. He is one of the most anti-american people out there.""This country is falling apart under the leadership or lack thereof with Barrack "Osama.""
"Obama allowed many of our soliders to be killed because he took not a day, but month to finally send more help...that shows right there he don't care. Obama never ran a buiness, & never faught in a war, he don't know nothing except to destroy."
"I truly with all my heart wish he could have been the first Black man to fight for our freedom, and show the world he was a good man, but unfotunitly he is working for the devil."
"Obama will destroy our Country, he is building it up to be worst than Hitler, do we want to live like that? Soon Obama will make it so you have no privacy at all. Even those who are illegal will hate him, because Obama is just using them as he is everyone he speaks to. He is working towards a one ruler, & soon we will have serious wars even here if we don't get him out. We are Living in the LAST DAYS."
"Is he TRYING to single-handedly destroy us? Does he really hate America THAT much? Why is he trying so hard to hurt so many people with every decision he makes? I don't understand."
"So it Looks to me that President Obama, & Congress don't care about protecting our Country, they are out to destroy, & take all our rights away, this is just the beginning, they intend to control everyone and I mean control your Life & everything you do. Wake up America lets fight back"
"hes not gonna be happy till hes made the us on the level of a third world country. hes a friggin muslim i don't know why people are so blind. hes on his wat to selling us out..., and not no but hell no i don't agree with his decision hes killing our waters and sealife at a faster rate than the fishieries part of nearly everybodys diet. i don't agree with 99.0% of what he has to say anyway cause it comes from a lyin muslim"
"he is an idiot!!!!! worst president we have ever had-----he needs to be OUT of office, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!"
"BO is out to destroy America any way he can, and he's doing a great job so far. I do not believe he is either an AMERICAN OR A CHRISTIAN!"
"Obammy is using this spill to condemn Big Oil. He DOES NOT want it cleand up quickly! He's following what one of his henchmen said, "never let a good emergency go unused" or something like that. The guy is a PHONY, no experienced, wanna be KING. The arrogant socialist bastard need to be impeached!"
"OBAMA. WORST PRESIDENT, ALREADY..THERE IS A SICKNESS IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND HE IS ITS CZAR..THIS MUST END BEFORE HE DESTROYS THE FINEST CIVILIZATION KNOWN YET TO MAN..THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE."
"BO is a poop head. This was consensus amongst at least eight of us in a bar in Nashville yesterday!"
"Between ODumbo and his pandering fool Holder I'd like to throw both of those a-holes in the Gulf before they sink this country in the hole any further."
"Where is GEORGE W... yes. GEORGE, we miss you."
"What a dick, we need all the help we can get to clean that mess up. That boy needs to step aside and let someone with some sence run this country."
"If the spill were in another country's backyard, say... Iran or some Muslim country... he'd have sent trillions of non-existent dollars plus half the US Navy to assist. He's holding the Gulf Coast hostage!!!"
"Obama-nickname is Dan stands for dumb ass niger lol" <--BLATANT RACISM
"He's an idiot. hes not a US citizen he has no birth certificate. and has no business being the President of the United States. He had divided this country and will go down in history as the worse ever president. The country is bankrupt. Now even nurses can't find jobs."
"Hussein Obama, the muslim in charge, doesn't want it cleaned up, just like he doesn't want to protect our borders. His goal is the destruction of the U.S., the main muslim agenda."
"BO is trying to destroy America, not improve it. At what point will the American people wake up to this socialist?"
"Why can't these people see that. He is evil incarnate..."
"Obama is an obstructionist president." <--- HUH?
"What we need is another Ronald Reagen combined with Abe Lincoln and Washington and some founding fathers to put us on the right path." <--- Zombie Frankenstein "Reagen" in 2012!
"This is payback time for Louisiana for not getting our vote . He wants to destroy us as much as he can. This man is very very evil."
"Obama is not for you or me nor this country.. he's for his self and his muslum buddys.. So as for the oil spill he could care less the same for our milatary were our children are dying everyday for our country while he's sitting on his a$$ doing nothing.. All talk.. no action.."
"I believe Obama is the man with many faces.. he is the devil.. the end days are nearby"
"Stupid is as stupid does. It looks like Forest Gump is running the Country" <--Who honestly thinks Obama is stupid...really...
"This stupid fucking idiot is not a president but a fucking dictator we need to get him out"
"OBAMA IS A TERRORIST LOVING FREEDOM HATING IDIOT!!"
"I think we should throw him in the gulf." <---Call for violence
"HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED AFTER HIS FIRST MONTH."
"He's also from Kenya Africa."
"I vote to impeach him for treson!" <---"Treson"!! Hell, If you gotta make something up for a reason to impeach Obama..it might as well be treson...
"Will someone take this JAGOFF out of office!"
"do not agree he is worse than any OTHER terrorist to hit Americans and he is our president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!""blowbama is an idiot" <---Wishful Thinking? (this commentor was a dude)
"obamarxist will pay fot this. It's called karma."
"NO, Obama wants to destroy America. This is another example of how much he hates the US."
"Obama seems through all this mess to continue to help the Muslims. This is a religious thing he is doing."
"He is a terrorist to our country. Let's get him OUT!"
"We are under siege.. The government is taking over our lives.. down with big government and comrad Obama"
"Obammy doesn't want it cleaned up!!! he wants to use this to tighten the Governments grasp on us the people! Jones act Shmones act...This turd merchant O boy, is all about union labor and socialism..."
"Our TERRORIST PRESIDENT, single handedly killing America"
That's all I can stomach right now, but believe me, there's thousands more comments just like these!
---
The vast majority of these people honestly believe Obama (Democratically elected President of the United States of America) is out to destroy our country...on purpose. Most believe this because they honestly think that he's a Muslim infiltrator who has duped the nation. SERIOUSLY! I feel dirty now after reading this garbage and I hardly went through very many comments out of thousands to uncover the alternate reality conservatives seem to live in and I left out a LOT of duplicate opinions. Despite claims from the right-wingers, there is absolutely no equivalent to this kind of insanity and disgusting vitriol with the rhetoric from our side. None whatsoever.
Notice how the majority of them engage in such childish taunts and how they can barely use punctuation, spell correctly, or even write a cohesive sentence. That tells you a lot about their mental capacity IMO. I have to wonder why they believe all this crap they spew or if it just makes them feel better to vent? Regardless, it's a sad state for the conservative movement that they've become so remarkably ignorant, hateful and just plain stupid!
I'm truly amazed anyone could become so brainwashed by Faux News and other right-wing 'news' sources who are willing to feed their delusions. Is this just all code-words for racism, or motivated reason, or what exactly explains the descent into wingnut madness that has become conservatism? I have no explanation for such insanity other than they absolutely hate our democracy when they're not in power and are willing to say anything to try to tear down Obama, even at the expense of our entire country. How despicable!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Montgomery, Alabama "Tea Party Patriots" Support Joe Wilson In Person
Last night President Obama's speech on health care reform to a joint session of congress was marred by the inappropriate and disrespectful outburst from Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina who falsely yelled "you lie" at the president after Obama correctly denied that his health care proposal would cover illegal immigrants. This rude show of incivility was so outrageous that even conservatives like John McCain have admonished Wilson as "totally disrespectful."
What is worse is the indisputable fact that Rep. Wilson is really the one lying because both the House and Senate versions of President Obama’s health care reform plans contain passages explicitly excluding illegal immigrants from receiving federal money to purchase health insurance from either a private or government-run health plan. This is documented by bipartisan fact checking organizations here here and here. Also, PolitiFact rates Wilson's claim that Obama was lying as "FALSE" on their Truth-O-Meter.
How blatant is Joe Wilson's lie? If you actually READ the bill, H.R. 3200 under Subtitle C -- Individual Affordability Credits is Sec. 246 which is titled "No Federal Payment For Undocumented Aliens" which says:
Therefore, Obama is right and Wilson is wrong. CASE CLOSED.
The facts or common decency and respect certainly didn't stop the "Alabama Tea Party Patriots" of Montgomery, Alabama from supporting Joe Wilson. Today, MSNBC reports that members of the group (which is coordinated by known liar Matthew Givens) were the first in line this morning to visit Rep. Wilson's congressional office to offer their support in person.
Yup, Montgomery Alabama's Tea Party Patriots support Rep. Joe Wilson and believe that he was "right" to yell at the president in such a rude and disrespectful manner even though what he yelled wasn't even factual. Congrats Alabama Teabaggers, you've proven yourself as the absolutely moronic fools that you truly are.
What is worse is the indisputable fact that Rep. Wilson is really the one lying because both the House and Senate versions of President Obama’s health care reform plans contain passages explicitly excluding illegal immigrants from receiving federal money to purchase health insurance from either a private or government-run health plan. This is documented by bipartisan fact checking organizations here here and here. Also, PolitiFact rates Wilson's claim that Obama was lying as "FALSE" on their Truth-O-Meter.
How blatant is Joe Wilson's lie? If you actually READ the bill, H.R. 3200 under Subtitle C -- Individual Affordability Credits is Sec. 246 which is titled "No Federal Payment For Undocumented Aliens" which says:
Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
Therefore, Obama is right and Wilson is wrong. CASE CLOSED.
The facts or common decency and respect certainly didn't stop the "Alabama Tea Party Patriots" of Montgomery, Alabama from supporting Joe Wilson. Today, MSNBC reports that members of the group (which is coordinated by known liar Matthew Givens) were the first in line this morning to visit Rep. Wilson's congressional office to offer their support in person.
Starting at around 8:30 a.m. various groups supportive of Congressman Wilson’s comment began to stop by his office. First up: the Montgomery, Alabama Tea Party Patriots. When leaving the office, one of the four women that made up the group said, “He was right, and he needed to know it.”
Yup, Montgomery Alabama's Tea Party Patriots support Rep. Joe Wilson and believe that he was "right" to yell at the president in such a rude and disrespectful manner even though what he yelled wasn't even factual. Congrats Alabama Teabaggers, you've proven yourself as the absolutely moronic fools that you truly are.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
This video explains why Alabama is a "red state"
Complete stupidity and gullibility!
Also, this must have been the slowest news day...ever!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Conservative Arguments FOR Healthcare Reform
Here are conservative argument for health care reform that I think any fair-minded person can agree with regardless of your political affiliation or beliefs.
By passing comprehensive health care reform we have the opportunity for the federal government to truly affect the general welfare in a positive way for all Americans as guaranteed in the United States Constitution. How? It's simple. A healthy nation is a productive nation. Think of all the man-hours being lost today due to workers being ill, in pain, or disabled. If we were all just a little more healthy, a LOT more would get done and therefore, more money would be made and we would ALL prosper.
Also, healthier citizens are happier and that means less crime and violence as well as less division and hate. It would mean less domestic violence and less child abuse. More jobs and better salaries means less burglary and theft, less homeless, less hungry and less poverty. And, of course, it would result in more business too because happier people have a tendency to do more and spend more money. This stuff is just common sense, but it rarely is brought up in the debate for health care reform. Why are you opposing it again?
Let's say you just care about more jobs and economic growth. Great! The 'public option' being proposed by Democrats will give a competitor to the insurance industry to bring costs down. The insurance that businesses provide to their employees will be cheaper and some will even take the public option. That means more small business jobs and more profit for small businesses. The CBO reports that, despite claims by HCR opponents, private insurance companies will actually gain MORE customers due to lower costs.
Want more business arguments FOR health care reform? If 47 million people suddenly have health insurance, there is sure to be an increase in demand for medical services and pharmaceuticals, so expect the stocks for these providers to do extremely well. Those businesses will need to hire more people to meet this demand, therefore more jobs created due to health care reform. Salaries will also be positively affected. The public option is good business, good for jobs and good politics!
But what about the conservative principle of fiscal responsibility, you might ask? The answer is simple: We can't afford to keep things the way they are. Our broken health care system represents 16% of our Gross Domestic Product. Health care costs are leading individuals to bankruptcy at an alarming rate. If nothing is done, it will only get worse. That means less income in the form of taxes for all levels of government and therefore a loss of public services you've taken for granted your entire life. Without economic growth, the only way to go is down. A public option would clearly be good for business, good for American's health, productivity and overall prosperity.
We are still feeling the negative effects from eight long years of a conservative administration and 'representatives' who completely abandoned this supposed principle of fiscal responsibility by turning a surplus into record deficits. When a Republican president wanted to drop bombs, they never questioned the cost, but if Democrats want to reform a broken health care system which will directly help American citizens by protecting our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, suddenly we can't afford it?
Yes, health care reform directly affects all three of these inalienable rights set by our founders in the Declaration of Independence. The "Life" part is obvious. Healthcare is essential for life. "Liberty" involves how insurance companies currently profit by denying health care benefits as well as the lack of real competition in the industry. Currently most people get insurance from their employer. When costs come down, you can choose between companies and coverages because they will be more affordable. It is also an injustice infringing on your liberty that an insurance company decides what medical treatment you get and not a doctor. At least we can vote for whoever represents us in government. That is the power of our great democracy. Your "Pursuit of Happiness" is being infringed on when insurance companies take advantage of you, for example, by denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition or refusing to pay for your benefits solely for their own profit and greed. Obviously, healthiness contributes to happiness and lower costs will reduce financial hardships which are a detriment to an individual's well being. With all three of these inalienable rights currently in jeopardy by a broken health care system, I am shocked that more true conservatives don't come out in support of health care reform.
10 More Conservative Arguments FOR Healthcare Reform
1. Illegal immigrants are explicitly not covered.
2. Legislation does not subsidize abortion.
3. Insurers that deny lifesaving treatment, or ignore Living Wills can no longer keep these practices secret.
4. The bill promotes entrepreneurship by letting people keep their healthcare when they quit their job and start a business.
5. More Choice = More Freedom. The public option is OPTIONAL. It's another choice designed to give much-needed competition to an out-of-control insurance industry that is making record profits by denying health care benefits.
6. Emergency room care for the uninsured is guaranteed at public expense so it makes sense to bring these people into the insurance system, and to offer less expensive, long-term preventive healthcare. This will reduce costs for everybody.
7. Accountability for costs, quality, and value of providers, suppliers, and administrators is public.
8. Coverage does not discriminate by type of illness or ability to pay.
9. Both the Preamble and Article 1 Section 8 of our US Constitution guarantee that the government will promote and provide for our defense AND general welfare. If you believe that the federal government should provide a military for defense, then you should also support the idea of providing health care for all US citizens.
(BTW universal health care would require a 'single-payer' system and not the 'public option' being proposed by Obama and Democrats in congress. Liberals are compromising because a solution to this problem is THAT important.)
10. A Republican party that often cites their own moral values as an advantage should put compassionate common sense in front of ideology and partisanship.
There sure does seem to be a lot of good conservative arguments FOR health care reform. Wonder why you never hear Republicans or right-wingers talking about these positives? Unfortunately, that's because it seems to be all politics and no common sense with so-called 'conservatives' these days.
By passing comprehensive health care reform we have the opportunity for the federal government to truly affect the general welfare in a positive way for all Americans as guaranteed in the United States Constitution. How? It's simple. A healthy nation is a productive nation. Think of all the man-hours being lost today due to workers being ill, in pain, or disabled. If we were all just a little more healthy, a LOT more would get done and therefore, more money would be made and we would ALL prosper.
Also, healthier citizens are happier and that means less crime and violence as well as less division and hate. It would mean less domestic violence and less child abuse. More jobs and better salaries means less burglary and theft, less homeless, less hungry and less poverty. And, of course, it would result in more business too because happier people have a tendency to do more and spend more money. This stuff is just common sense, but it rarely is brought up in the debate for health care reform. Why are you opposing it again?
Let's say you just care about more jobs and economic growth. Great! The 'public option' being proposed by Democrats will give a competitor to the insurance industry to bring costs down. The insurance that businesses provide to their employees will be cheaper and some will even take the public option. That means more small business jobs and more profit for small businesses. The CBO reports that, despite claims by HCR opponents, private insurance companies will actually gain MORE customers due to lower costs.
Want more business arguments FOR health care reform? If 47 million people suddenly have health insurance, there is sure to be an increase in demand for medical services and pharmaceuticals, so expect the stocks for these providers to do extremely well. Those businesses will need to hire more people to meet this demand, therefore more jobs created due to health care reform. Salaries will also be positively affected. The public option is good business, good for jobs and good politics!
But what about the conservative principle of fiscal responsibility, you might ask? The answer is simple: We can't afford to keep things the way they are. Our broken health care system represents 16% of our Gross Domestic Product. Health care costs are leading individuals to bankruptcy at an alarming rate. If nothing is done, it will only get worse. That means less income in the form of taxes for all levels of government and therefore a loss of public services you've taken for granted your entire life. Without economic growth, the only way to go is down. A public option would clearly be good for business, good for American's health, productivity and overall prosperity.
We are still feeling the negative effects from eight long years of a conservative administration and 'representatives' who completely abandoned this supposed principle of fiscal responsibility by turning a surplus into record deficits. When a Republican president wanted to drop bombs, they never questioned the cost, but if Democrats want to reform a broken health care system which will directly help American citizens by protecting our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, suddenly we can't afford it?
Yes, health care reform directly affects all three of these inalienable rights set by our founders in the Declaration of Independence. The "Life" part is obvious. Healthcare is essential for life. "Liberty" involves how insurance companies currently profit by denying health care benefits as well as the lack of real competition in the industry. Currently most people get insurance from their employer. When costs come down, you can choose between companies and coverages because they will be more affordable. It is also an injustice infringing on your liberty that an insurance company decides what medical treatment you get and not a doctor. At least we can vote for whoever represents us in government. That is the power of our great democracy. Your "Pursuit of Happiness" is being infringed on when insurance companies take advantage of you, for example, by denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition or refusing to pay for your benefits solely for their own profit and greed. Obviously, healthiness contributes to happiness and lower costs will reduce financial hardships which are a detriment to an individual's well being. With all three of these inalienable rights currently in jeopardy by a broken health care system, I am shocked that more true conservatives don't come out in support of health care reform.
10 More Conservative Arguments FOR Healthcare Reform
1. Illegal immigrants are explicitly not covered.
2. Legislation does not subsidize abortion.
3. Insurers that deny lifesaving treatment, or ignore Living Wills can no longer keep these practices secret.
4. The bill promotes entrepreneurship by letting people keep their healthcare when they quit their job and start a business.
5. More Choice = More Freedom. The public option is OPTIONAL. It's another choice designed to give much-needed competition to an out-of-control insurance industry that is making record profits by denying health care benefits.
6. Emergency room care for the uninsured is guaranteed at public expense so it makes sense to bring these people into the insurance system, and to offer less expensive, long-term preventive healthcare. This will reduce costs for everybody.
7. Accountability for costs, quality, and value of providers, suppliers, and administrators is public.
8. Coverage does not discriminate by type of illness or ability to pay.
9. Both the Preamble and Article 1 Section 8 of our US Constitution guarantee that the government will promote and provide for our defense AND general welfare. If you believe that the federal government should provide a military for defense, then you should also support the idea of providing health care for all US citizens.
(BTW universal health care would require a 'single-payer' system and not the 'public option' being proposed by Obama and Democrats in congress. Liberals are compromising because a solution to this problem is THAT important.)
10. A Republican party that often cites their own moral values as an advantage should put compassionate common sense in front of ideology and partisanship.
There sure does seem to be a lot of good conservative arguments FOR health care reform. Wonder why you never hear Republicans or right-wingers talking about these positives? Unfortunately, that's because it seems to be all politics and no common sense with so-called 'conservatives' these days.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wingnuts are Mental Cases
I've been trying in vain for ages to get inside the mind of wingnuts who base their opinions on anything but fact and common sense. All attempts have let me to just one conclusion: Delusions. Today I found this great NewsWeek article, and it backs up that argument and explains a lot!
In short, being a wingnut is a mental phenomenon called "motivated reasoning."
The article goes on to compare how some people irrationally believe the outrageous lies being spread about health care reform with those who believe the false claim that Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 attacks - even after being shown proof that clearly discounts their beliefs.
Wsheew, talk about delusional!
The entire article by Sharon Begley is quite insightful for those of us who try to understand the illogical reasoning behind a wingnut's opinions. Now that I know they are mentally handicapped, I may feel a little sorry for them.
In short, being a wingnut is a mental phenomenon called "motivated reasoning."
Some people form and cling to false beliefs about health-care reform (or Obama's citizenship) despite overwhelming evidence thanks to a mental phenomenon called motivated reasoning, says sociologist Steven Hoffman, visiting assistant professor at the University at Buffalo. "Rather than search rationally for information that either confirms or disconfirms a particular belief," he says, "people actually seek out information that confirms what they already believe." And God knows, in the Internet age there is no dearth of sources to confirm even the most ludicrous claims (my favorite being that the moon landings were faked). "For the most part," says Hoffman, "people completely ignore contrary information" and are able to "develop elaborate rationalizations based on faulty information."
The article goes on to compare how some people irrationally believe the outrageous lies being spread about health care reform with those who believe the false claim that Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 attacks - even after being shown proof that clearly discounts their beliefs.
For their study, the scientists whittled down surveys filled out by 246 voters, of whom 73 percent believed in a Saddam-9/11 link, to 49 believers who were willing to be interviewed at length in October 2004. Even after the 49 were shown newspaper articles reporting that the 9/11 Commission had not found any evidence linking Saddam and 9/11, and quoting President Bush himself denying it, 48 stuck to their guns: yup, Saddam Hussein, directly or indirectly, brought down the Twin Towers.
Wsheew, talk about delusional!
The entire article by Sharon Begley is quite insightful for those of us who try to understand the illogical reasoning behind a wingnut's opinions. Now that I know they are mentally handicapped, I may feel a little sorry for them.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
AL.com is Guilty of Censorship
Recently I've been taking the truth to the people in al.com's politics forums. It has been a daunting task as the vast majority of people who post there are right-wingers who promote any and every lie being told about the Obama administration and Democrats with ZERO facts to back up their delusional opinions. I have always conducted myself in an appropriate manner and followed the website's policies without deviation.
However, It didn't take long before my posts, and only my posts, were being deleted for no reason other than some moderator obviously didn't like what I had to say. Today my account was disabled. My crime? Setting the record straight on the common lie that health care reform legislation will supply free health care to illegal immigrants. I was even able to find a blatantly right-wing news source to support the fact that both the House and Senate versions of the bills actually prohibit subsidies to illegal aliens, but the al.com forum moderators can not handle the truth.
Apparently, if you're liberal you get censored and banned, but if you're a wingnut - any crazy conspiracy theory you want to write about, regardless of facts, is perfectly okay. Not only that, but the wingers frequently use childish name calling and rarely engage in anything even vaguely resembling civil discourse. It is clearly obvious that al.com does not want any dissent from the right-wing talking points, propaganda and lies that are the only opinions allowed on their forums. In their forums it is practically North Korea - not the America where our right to freedom of speech is held dear and they should be ashamed of themselves!
However, It didn't take long before my posts, and only my posts, were being deleted for no reason other than some moderator obviously didn't like what I had to say. Today my account was disabled. My crime? Setting the record straight on the common lie that health care reform legislation will supply free health care to illegal immigrants. I was even able to find a blatantly right-wing news source to support the fact that both the House and Senate versions of the bills actually prohibit subsidies to illegal aliens, but the al.com forum moderators can not handle the truth.
Apparently, if you're liberal you get censored and banned, but if you're a wingnut - any crazy conspiracy theory you want to write about, regardless of facts, is perfectly okay. Not only that, but the wingers frequently use childish name calling and rarely engage in anything even vaguely resembling civil discourse. It is clearly obvious that al.com does not want any dissent from the right-wing talking points, propaganda and lies that are the only opinions allowed on their forums. In their forums it is practically North Korea - not the America where our right to freedom of speech is held dear and they should be ashamed of themselves!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My personal stories about why healthcare reform is desperately needed
I'll admit that the health care reform debate is personal to me. Someone very close to me had just started full-time hours at her new job when intense stomach pain caused her to be rushed to the emergency room. It turned out she had an inflamed tumor and, after emergency surgery, it was determined that her stomach was riddled with peritoneal carcinoma - a type of cancer related to ovarian cancer which can be very deadly. Luckily, it was caught in very early stages and we were assured that she was going to be okay after another surgery and a few chemotherapy sessions. Today she is doing well, although the chemotherapy has caused the long-term problem of anemia. Regardless, almost a year-and-a-half later, we are very thankful that she has made an almost full recovery.
The medical care my friend received was excellent but unfortunately her health problem began just a week before her employer-provided health insurance was to begin covering her. Not only did we suddenly have to face this daunting battle with cancer and the long recovery from two surgeries, but also how these outrageously expensive medical bills would be paid for. Thankfully, charity took care of a bulk of the costs, but not all of them. That meant my friend will have to declare bankruptcy or be in debt for the rest of her life just because she got sick a week before her health insurance kicked in. Without charity it is very possible that she would have been denied treatment and eventually died from cancer. Even with charitable help she is facing a desperate financial situation.
It is clear from our experience that costs are simply out of control. Recently, when she was having trouble sleeping and her doctor prescribed her Ambien, we were unable to afford the price of a bottle of pills which was over one-hunderd dollars. This price for a few pills is simply ridiculous, but it is a good indicator of what the broken health insurance system has done to prescription costs. Without insurance, medical treatment and prescriptions are simply not affordable to the average person so never let anybody try to tell you that health care reform is unnecessary.
That's not the whole story and how it relates to why we desperately need health care reform in this country. During her recovery period, my friend was still working when she could at her new job. This was very difficult and she ended up occasionally having to miss a day of work or two due to complications. Even with her recent medical history her employer did not think this was appropriate and they refused to give her full time hours. If fact, to this day, she has yet to get full-time work from her employer. They keep her just under full-time hours so they don't have to supply her health insurance. It is obvious the reason why this is happening. They don't want to pay for her health care because they are afraid she will get sick again which would cost them money. Her employer even went as far as to basically tell her that if she missed just one more day of work she would never get full-time hours from them again. This has caused a great deal of stress as she feels that she must go to work no matter how sick she actually is, and frankly, I find their treatment of her despicable! Now, after a year-and-a-half since her original surgery, they have finally promised that she will get full-time hours, so we'll see what actually happens. I am worried that if she even gets a cold or the flu and has to miss work that they will then take away her full-time hours and she will be without insurance once again. Is this how the American worker is treated these days? It seems that compassion has been replaced with greed and workers are treated as if they are disposable unless they are in perfect health. That doesn't sound like the America I know and love, and those problems are a direct result of a faulty health care system that is desperately in need of reform.
As for me personally, I own my own business and can't afford health insurance due to the high premiums and lack of steady work in a weak economy. I've had my own health problems of late, albeit much less serious than my friend as described above. Recently, I suffered a dog bite while trying to break up a scuffle between our pets and the first thing that went through my mind was: "How much will this cost me?" I had the exact same thought when I also recently came down with gout in my foot, and in both cases I did not go to the doctor because I simply cannot afford it and refuse to be in so much debt for getting hurt or sick. Last month I suffered intense pain daily simply because I couldn't afford health care or medication. It has to make me wonder how many other people are in the same situation or worse off than me. The prospect is frightening and I try not to think of the suffering and death caused by our current broken health care system.
Regardless of the facts, those on the 'right' will continue to try to argue that there is no need for health care reform, or that the answer is simply 'personal responsibility' and in my opinion they are completely delusional. I've seen firsthand how the system is defective and how employer-based healthcare is being held over workers to control them as practically slaves. Frankly, I am disgusted with the status-quo of the health insurance system in our country. This is suppose to be the greatest nation on earth, but our citizens have to worry about going broke just because they get sick. That's just not right. We can do better, and we MUST do better. If our government can spend a trillion dollars fighting an unnecessary war in Iraq, why can't they spend our tax dollars on something that will positively affect the American people on a daily basis? Keeping things the way they are now with an insurance industry that is making record profits off of the pain and suffering of people by denying them health care benefits is just plain disgusting, and we need real change NOW.
The medical care my friend received was excellent but unfortunately her health problem began just a week before her employer-provided health insurance was to begin covering her. Not only did we suddenly have to face this daunting battle with cancer and the long recovery from two surgeries, but also how these outrageously expensive medical bills would be paid for. Thankfully, charity took care of a bulk of the costs, but not all of them. That meant my friend will have to declare bankruptcy or be in debt for the rest of her life just because she got sick a week before her health insurance kicked in. Without charity it is very possible that she would have been denied treatment and eventually died from cancer. Even with charitable help she is facing a desperate financial situation.
It is clear from our experience that costs are simply out of control. Recently, when she was having trouble sleeping and her doctor prescribed her Ambien, we were unable to afford the price of a bottle of pills which was over one-hunderd dollars. This price for a few pills is simply ridiculous, but it is a good indicator of what the broken health insurance system has done to prescription costs. Without insurance, medical treatment and prescriptions are simply not affordable to the average person so never let anybody try to tell you that health care reform is unnecessary.
That's not the whole story and how it relates to why we desperately need health care reform in this country. During her recovery period, my friend was still working when she could at her new job. This was very difficult and she ended up occasionally having to miss a day of work or two due to complications. Even with her recent medical history her employer did not think this was appropriate and they refused to give her full time hours. If fact, to this day, she has yet to get full-time work from her employer. They keep her just under full-time hours so they don't have to supply her health insurance. It is obvious the reason why this is happening. They don't want to pay for her health care because they are afraid she will get sick again which would cost them money. Her employer even went as far as to basically tell her that if she missed just one more day of work she would never get full-time hours from them again. This has caused a great deal of stress as she feels that she must go to work no matter how sick she actually is, and frankly, I find their treatment of her despicable! Now, after a year-and-a-half since her original surgery, they have finally promised that she will get full-time hours, so we'll see what actually happens. I am worried that if she even gets a cold or the flu and has to miss work that they will then take away her full-time hours and she will be without insurance once again. Is this how the American worker is treated these days? It seems that compassion has been replaced with greed and workers are treated as if they are disposable unless they are in perfect health. That doesn't sound like the America I know and love, and those problems are a direct result of a faulty health care system that is desperately in need of reform.
As for me personally, I own my own business and can't afford health insurance due to the high premiums and lack of steady work in a weak economy. I've had my own health problems of late, albeit much less serious than my friend as described above. Recently, I suffered a dog bite while trying to break up a scuffle between our pets and the first thing that went through my mind was: "How much will this cost me?" I had the exact same thought when I also recently came down with gout in my foot, and in both cases I did not go to the doctor because I simply cannot afford it and refuse to be in so much debt for getting hurt or sick. Last month I suffered intense pain daily simply because I couldn't afford health care or medication. It has to make me wonder how many other people are in the same situation or worse off than me. The prospect is frightening and I try not to think of the suffering and death caused by our current broken health care system.
Regardless of the facts, those on the 'right' will continue to try to argue that there is no need for health care reform, or that the answer is simply 'personal responsibility' and in my opinion they are completely delusional. I've seen firsthand how the system is defective and how employer-based healthcare is being held over workers to control them as practically slaves. Frankly, I am disgusted with the status-quo of the health insurance system in our country. This is suppose to be the greatest nation on earth, but our citizens have to worry about going broke just because they get sick. That's just not right. We can do better, and we MUST do better. If our government can spend a trillion dollars fighting an unnecessary war in Iraq, why can't they spend our tax dollars on something that will positively affect the American people on a daily basis? Keeping things the way they are now with an insurance industry that is making record profits off of the pain and suffering of people by denying them health care benefits is just plain disgusting, and we need real change NOW.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)