Obama's Health Care Speech

"Diagnoses vary on Obama health care speech"
By Allen G. Breed, Associated Press

While some were moved to tears by the president's soaring rhetoric, others were moved not at all. Where some saw a new clarity, others saw more vagueness. And while some praised him for reaching out to Republicans, there were those who felt he was overreaching in some ways and not reaching far enough in others.

Americans listened intently to President Barack Obama's much-anticipated speech on health care reform Wednesday night, and not surprisingly, their reviews varied. Few said they had changed their minds.

[READ MORE]

What did you think of the speech? What do you think of the administration's plan? What else should be done? What should not be done?

Feel free to leave a comment below. Please read our Electronic User Agreement before posting.

Comments

[Pol]

i have no idea why they did it))))

[dissertation editing services]

Your blog is really helps for my search and i really like it.. Thanks a lot..:)

[luv2booze]

We need to downsize our Government. We are digging ourselves into a huge hole which will be devastating for all of us.

[Erectile Dysfunction]

I'm sure someone has uploaded a torrent of the speech that Obama made today on health care reforms by now. Can anyone find a link to a torrent?

[Dissertation Editing]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!

[hard to port]

Jason, I would like to know what your sources are for your “blanket” statement, “The government cannot run the VA or Social Security”. Could you show the data on this and cite studies?
If you take away the government program of social security, who will care for the elderly, should we just let them die? Who will care for the Veterans when the government social program called the Veterans Administration is closed down? Are we to return to the warehouse system of Vietnam era or just turn these Veterans out on the streets? Why not just do away with the medics and battlefield treatment then we would not have the social mess of what to do with those who no longer add to society.

[Jason K. Wagner]

I for one do not agree with the President but yelling Liar didn't show much tact even though he is a Liar. The President chooses to go on TV and say that Medicaid and Medicare prove that the government can run health care because they have a good track record. I'm sorry I find this hilarious to say the least. The government cannot run the VA or Social Security either. Some of you should go ask a doctor in private practice what he gets from the government when they file all the papers you might be surprised to find that some of the reason health care is so high is doctors are trying to make up for what the governments sticks them on. I do not agree with our governments social programs and I do not feel we should have them. I'm sorry I don't like paying for people to sit at home and do nothing when they can be working, I do not agree with redistribution of wealth, I do not agree with higher taxes. The government should be able to handle infrastructure and national security and up hold the Constitution not tear it apart. Veterans (myself included) took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Big government has never proven to be good and this health care is just another way for them to move us even closer to Socialism. People need to stop being ignorant and do some research and learn something instead of taking what a politician says at face value or what the media portrays to be the truth.

[Jason K. Wagner]

I for one do not agree with the President but yelling Liar didn't show much tact even though he is a Liar. The President chooses to go on TV and say that Medicaid and Medicare prove that the government can run health care because they have a good track record. I'm sorry I find this hilarious to say the least. The government cannot run the VA or Social Security either. Some of you should go ask a doctor in private practice what he gets from the government when they file all the papers you might be surprised to find that some of the reason health care is so high is doctors are trying to make up for what the governments sticks them on. I do not agree with our governments social programs and I do not feel we should have them. I'm sorry I don't like paying for people to sit at home and do nothing when they can be working, I do not agree with redistribution of wealth, I do not agree with higher taxes. The government should be able to handle infrastructure and national security and up hold the Constitution not tear it apart. Veterans (myself included) took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Big government has never proven to be good and this health care is just another way for them to move us even closer to Socialism. People need to stop being ignorant and do some research and learn something instead of taking what a politician says at face value or what the media portrays to be the truth.

[JimC]

Just imagine, millions of conservatives marching on Washington, usually the right isn't this vocal, so you liberals, I Hope the Change was worth it because you have awaken the sleeping beast and you will find out just how conservative this country really is...

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/12/celebrating-the-912-rallies/

[buy soma]

So what can we say about our President Obama speech? Do any of them have a better idea than his plan for our countries health care system future. I think it is worthy to try his plan rather staying in this rotten current system.

[Azrael]

Jason, your statement of "they cannot even run a cash for clunkers program that needed more funding in just one week" just shows your ignorance, lack of understanding and in no way can be related to the healthcare debate. There was 1 Billion dollars slated for this program and the reason it ran out of cash after one week was because it gave people an incentive to go out and buy a car. Imagine that...a program that actually did what it was intended to do.

The only thing you could blame them for was being conservative in their estimate on just how many people would partake in it, hence the additional 2 Billion dollars that was added to it because it was successful.

If people are soo hell bent on no Government run health care and/or public option and that they have "no business" in health care at all...then Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security should be stopped this instant.

We already have socialized medicane in this county. It just doesn't cover everyone who needs it.

[Jon Hartman]

All of you talking about voting for a looser remember who got us to where we are. It takes some time to get into this and goes back at least 8 years. Much of the problems we see now were under Bush's watch too and he did not do anything to resolve them. Also realize it is not just the president at fault, congress has a lot to do with it. As long as there is all the partisanship and division we will keep watching the ship go down.

[Becky]

Don't agree with this man I idn't vote for this man and th country is going to go down the drain with this man in office. He lies about everything. All I can say is wake up Americans you voted for a loser.

[Jackie]

When are people going to wake up and admit the current problems and downward trend of this country began long before the Bush Administration? The auto companies, postal service, financial institutions,social security, medicare problems didn't just begin during the Bush Administration. The excessiveness of our society throughout the years (since WWII) finally caused the bubble to burst during the Bush Administration. That doesn't make the Bush Administration or any other former President individually responsible for the burst. I read the other day from a columnist...someone with real "class" does not blame. That doesn't say much for our current administration who continues to publicly blame, blame and blame! However, it is so typical of our society who is very quick to blame others and not take responsiblity for their own actions. It seems it is always someone else's fault and has become a common pattern in our society. Our President and politicians should be able to rise above and set an example for our country and citizens. I find it very interesting that former President Bush as well as other Presidents never blamed others publicly even though many of the negative issues that happened resulted from actions of other individuals. Dwelling on the past never makes things better and it only sends a negative message which our country doesn't need at this time or anytime.
Let's be mature, take responsiblity of the current issues, stop blaming, stop the hate, be positive, and display some "American Class" for our country as well as foreign countries!

[Jason Lane]

Do we really want a government running are health care system when they cannot even run a cash for clunkers program that needed more funding in just one week. Wise up people. We will not have a choice like this wise guy says we will on our insurance. Small businesses will pay the tax penalty and stop offereing insurance to their workers because it will be cheaper. But yet Obama says we will have a choice. This guy is so far out there its ridiculous. Yes we need reform but not a new health care system with government running it into the ground like everything else. Look at their history

[Lonnie Greer]

Calling the President a liar may not seem fitting in that setting but there was more truth to that then what the President was saying. The Republicans have offered ideas but were turned down flat. He said the same old things he has been saying in the past--Nothing new. Fascism as a pre-curser to socialism, period. He knew he was lying, everyone in the room knew he was lying and he knew they knew he was lying but he is so self driven to change the face of this Nation (which he has admitted) that he doesn't care. Just look at his Czars,tax evaders and radicals in his administration and as friends. Some are just upset that someone acted like a democrat.

[D.R.]

Noah, I think you are correct about R Boyer. The loser is the former president who started the downward trend in America. When your main focus is outside America's borders it causes neglect on the home turf. Rep Wilson was extremely disrespectful. Yes, plenty of presidents have been booed in the past but calling someone a liar, especially the President of the United States, crosses the line. I don't think Rep Wilson should be kicked out of the congress, that is being drastic, but if I had the choice would I vote to reelect him? No, I prefer my representatives to be professional, respectful individuals.

I feel that with the current state of the UNION it is important for people from both sides of the fence to come together and work for the common goal. I don't support a "socialist" government but hands off government does not work either. We need health care reform, that is obvious. Free hand outs are not my thing but I don't think someone should die because they are poor or be denied coverage because of some trivial previous medical issue.

As Americans we need to quit ripping each other apart and start working together. "We did not come here to fear the future, we came here to shape it." - Barack Obama

[Vicky Berger]

Norma--You're right--my math was off!! I would think nursing home care would be figured into whatever estimates the talking heads are making. Since long term care insurance has not really been around very long, I doubt many current residents have it. And it is pretty expensive & has limits. Medicare covers "skilled nursing care"; after that, it's either out of pocket or for many people, eventually Medicaid. For the Medicaid residents, the Nursing Home simply collects their Social Security check & the resident gets (I think) $40 to keep each month. And there are some people who will spend many years in a nursing home.

[Loki]

Lets look at things that the federal government has done in the past...
Social Security - ponzi scheme, nearly bankrupt
Medicare - nearly bankrupt....
Medicaid - nearly bankrupt....
United States Postal Service - nearly bankrupt over and over and over...
Amtrak - nearly bankrupt
Fanny Mae - nearly bankrupt
Freddy Mac - nearly bankrupt

hmmm do we really want our federal governments fingers in our healthcare now???

Wise up Americans, the progressives in both parties are dragging this nation down to 3rd world status.

[Norma]

First, $50,000 per year for 100 residents is 5 million a year for nursing home care...so which of us is saving for care? insuring for care? -probably those of us who will be footing the taxbill for those who do not save and plan or shelter their money so the taxpayers still foot the bill. I do not even know if nursing home costs are figured into the healthcare costs being talked about.

Second, I was glad to hear some points in Obama's speech, but others were more vague. Will have to see the bill's synopsis before commenting further. I do not trust what any politician says is in a bill because it can be put in simply so there is something to throw out to appease the other side.

[Linda]

FYI - Rep. Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech is NOT unprecedented. In 2005 during President Bush's State of the Union address many Democrats loudly booed him while he was speaking about social security. An opinion was given that Rep. Wilson should be kicked out of Congress for his outburst...maybe all those booing democrats should have been kicked out of Congress for their outburst as well.

[Citizen]

Let's put an ammendment to the healthcare bill that states ALL federal employees, including senate, congress, judicial and executive branch employees are in the same Social Security pool with equal benefits.

[Noah Little]

To Crease:

Freedom of speech does not mean it is free. Expressing one's views can have a cost. I can only image (and I would have agreed with them) what Republicans who be saying had the President been George W Bush and a Democratic congressman yelled the same thing on national TV.

[Crease]

So we are now for kicking people out of congress who express their views? Interesting that freedom of speech only applies when we agree. I don't condone yelling during the President's speech and find it disrespectful, but clearly there is some dishonesty in this administration's future plans. Do some fact checking from the campaign to now and you'll see why the approval ratings for this man have headed south.

[Vicky Berger]

Overall, I thought it was a good speech. The President touched on areas of concern to both Democrats and Republicans--accessibility, affordability, tort reform. I especially like the idea of insurance exchanges where individuals and small businesses can purchase insurance with better rates similar to what might be available for larger groups and corporations. Unfortunately, I do believe there is a segment of the population, including some members of Congress, who chiefly want this President to fail REGARDLESS of what he attempts. This is insane! If we do not get health care costs under control, we will eventually bankrupt our nation. Tort reforms alone will not do it. Universal coverage alone will not do it. We need to accept the fact that everyone can't have everything. People are living longer, and a growing percentage of the population is living with chronic disease/disability. Some of this is due to lifestyle and some to genetic luck-of-the-draw. Visit any nursing home and you will see many examples of people who would not be alive only a few short years ago, thanks to the ability of modern medical technology. All of this comes at a cost, however, and quite often quality of life is near-absent. Nursing home care can cost easily $50,000 per year for one person! Multiply this times 100 and you are looking at a half-million dollars. That is one average sized nursing home. And we have yet to see the baby boomer generation really start to use this level of care. There has to be a better (and less expensive way) to care for this population.
One thing I think is missing from the debate is that we need to start thinking about when "enough is enough". Often people are subjected to very expensive, intensive, and futile care when in reality, they are dying. Many times families are just not ready to say goodbye or simply don't know what to do. And too many people think if they don't "do everything", they are simply given up. Hospice and palliative care (comfort care) are either not offered or well understood. In reality, there are many times, especially at the end of life, where hospice/palliative care is exactly what is needed. Acceptance of death is NOT giving up; it is facing reality. If you have any doubts about this, visit a few nursing homes. Visit those folks who no longer can communicate or recognize their own family members. Visit the ones who almost never get any visitors. It is really pretty sad what we sometimes put other human beings through just because we can't let go.

[Noah Little]

Was R Boyer referring to Rep Wilson for calling the President a liar? This man should be kicked out of Congress.

[r boyer]

why did they elect this loser?