And the poor little parasite could go from the left aisle to the right aisle and over to the white house still never find enough nutrition to survive. Mr. Kelley’s cartoon is sadly true. Even more sad, if the ACA is killed as the far right wants, there are many in Louisiana who would be able to afford the treatment to deal with the parasite, and only two victims have survived so far. Those without insurance would be treated on an emergency basis and the costs of those treatments would be passed on to insurance companies and citizens who do have healthcare or resources.The solution to both problems is to be found in gov’ts, state and federal, willing to work in civil, respectful, and bipartisan efforts – talking to professionals in the necessary fields and making informed and educated decisions on what compromises can be made to move our nation forward.Failure to do so will create a level of anger and frustration that will make the words, United States, an oxy moron, if that has not already become the case.Respectfully,C.
Thank you PAJ.As I’ve not found a conservative plan offered, I would appreciate ANY link more recent than the last election with their suggestions. My own searches have not provided one. Beyond that, the only disaster worse than implement the ACA, is, imo, no plan at all.My thanks to you and MsKemple for your thoughtful and more than civil replies.Sincerely,C.
I assure you, PAJ, I’m listening. If ANYONE reading these cartoons can send me links showing the counter proposals to the ACA, I will certainly read them. However, just as we’ve had no ideas for improvements presented by the Right, the Left is equally silent in addressing the issues already being raised. Some may argue that’s because the Right will only stall it, but where legislation and the needs of our nation are concerned, a visible effort to make long term positive legislation should and MUST be seen if either party is to be taken seriously.So, my answer to your liberal question is…Nothing… they’ve done nothing except prevent the Republicans from making it go away. I am very sad I can’t give a better answer.Sincerely,C.
“That is because no one is listenting. I’ll act like a liberal and ask what has the Democrats done to fix ACA, other than offer exemptions.”
You make some good points. You did ignore the challenge to show what the Republicans have in mind as a better plan, which Mitch McConnell has stated more than once on national television is “nothing”.Democrats are scared “witless”. If any of them breathes a word about even a minor flaw (and there are legions of them) in Obamacare, it will justify every criticism the Republicans have ever had, regardless of merit. “See, even the Democrats find it flawed.” So what? Grow a backbone, and admit that no law of that complexity can likely be perfect. The party that works to improve health care in this country is the party that will gain traction. Neither seems willing to do so, and as a result there is nothing left to do but place blame and posture with pretend superiority.When the insurance industry took over health care in the early 1980s, we doctors had the opportunity to stop what we knew was going to be a train wreck. It would have been easy: tell the insurance companies to come up with something better, and we don’t participate until they do. They can’t do it without us. But we, as a group, are spineless. I was published in national journals recommending just that, and I was contacted by many strangers telling me just how right I was. Unfortunately, the next statement was “Too bad it won’t work.” I tried to let them know that their attitudes were what would guarantee the plan’s failures, but they were unmoved. It’s kind of the same as hurtling towards a tree in your car; natural impulse is to head towards the tree and brace yourself, rather than to try to avoid the tree.I predicted at that time that in a couple of decades, the people would have to revolt in order to replace the system with something having a chance to work, and it appears this is happening. The problem at this time is that the people have been intentionally misinformed (death panels, anyone?) and have been intentionally set up (“Your insurance will go up ten-fold!” and now that it’s been said, what’s to stop the insurance companies from doing just that?). The subject is complex enough. Intentional misinformation guarantees that no one will really be able to make logical and valuable decisions. And the more misinformation we are given, the less we can trust any sources. This bodes poorly for our society, and once again this is the responsibility of our “representatives”. It is our only hope to educate ourselves as best we can to vote out the people who place their positions and power above the needs of a society that is getting older, sicker, and is being allowed to be poisoned by the foods we eat. Or is it not as important as whether Miley and what’s-his-name get back together?Sigh.
Two quick examples: “Death Panels”, which earned Politico’s Lie of the Year award in 2009.“Government takeover of health care”, which won Politico’s Lie of the Year award in 2010. Both awards formally awarded to Fox News.
I had a feeling that would rankle you. True enough, Politico is biased. But they are truly lies.
Death panels: Originally, ACA had an amendment sponsored by a Republican, it should be noted. When a patient is in the queue to die, there are many questions, such as whether to resuscitate, use a ventilator, and/or which procedures MAY extend life, and what their consequences may be. The best person to ask those questions to is a doctor. The amendment said that the doctor is entitled to be paid for that consultation. This has nothing to do with Death Panels, but this is where that phrase originated, and it was repeated endlessly, even in another thread here today. The sponsor of the amendment was forced by leadership to withdraw a common-sense amendment.
As to “government takeover of health care”: this is nowhere near the truth. Government forcing insurance into corporate welfare is way more accurate. Obamacare forces people to access the insurance industry, whether it serves their needs or not. If it was universal health care, I could understand how it would be described that way, but I would not.
Regardless, Politico, in these instances, was right. They are both big-time lies specifically crafted to create disapproval of the law. There is much to disapprove of; there is no value in lying to enhance the effect.
Thank you for the effort, but I must be as dense as some folks here suggest I am. the only article I found in conjunction to your reply was this one.^http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/18/house-republicans-file-promote-alternative-obamaca/^There were only two real proposals, start over with a market driven approach and repeal Obamacare in order to have a “clean slate.”Am I missing something? I was hoping for a little more detail.Respectfully,C.
Thanks GP, but even that excellent article by Mr. Romney is from 2009.I was hoping for something from 2012.I’ll keep waiting. What choice do I have?Thanks again.C.
chazandru over 10 years ago
And the poor little parasite could go from the left aisle to the right aisle and over to the white house still never find enough nutrition to survive. Mr. Kelley’s cartoon is sadly true. Even more sad, if the ACA is killed as the far right wants, there are many in Louisiana who would be able to afford the treatment to deal with the parasite, and only two victims have survived so far. Those without insurance would be treated on an emergency basis and the costs of those treatments would be passed on to insurance companies and citizens who do have healthcare or resources.The solution to both problems is to be found in gov’ts, state and federal, willing to work in civil, respectful, and bipartisan efforts – talking to professionals in the necessary fields and making informed and educated decisions on what compromises can be made to move our nation forward.Failure to do so will create a level of anger and frustration that will make the words, United States, an oxy moron, if that has not already become the case.Respectfully,C.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Thank you PAJ.As I’ve not found a conservative plan offered, I would appreciate ANY link more recent than the last election with their suggestions. My own searches have not provided one. Beyond that, the only disaster worse than implement the ACA, is, imo, no plan at all.My thanks to you and MsKemple for your thoughtful and more than civil replies.Sincerely,C.
chazandru over 10 years ago
I assure you, PAJ, I’m listening. If ANYONE reading these cartoons can send me links showing the counter proposals to the ACA, I will certainly read them. However, just as we’ve had no ideas for improvements presented by the Right, the Left is equally silent in addressing the issues already being raised. Some may argue that’s because the Right will only stall it, but where legislation and the needs of our nation are concerned, a visible effort to make long term positive legislation should and MUST be seen if either party is to be taken seriously.So, my answer to your liberal question is…Nothing… they’ve done nothing except prevent the Republicans from making it go away. I am very sad I can’t give a better answer.Sincerely,C.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
“That is because no one is listenting. I’ll act like a liberal and ask what has the Democrats done to fix ACA, other than offer exemptions.”
You make some good points. You did ignore the challenge to show what the Republicans have in mind as a better plan, which Mitch McConnell has stated more than once on national television is “nothing”.Democrats are scared “witless”. If any of them breathes a word about even a minor flaw (and there are legions of them) in Obamacare, it will justify every criticism the Republicans have ever had, regardless of merit. “See, even the Democrats find it flawed.” So what? Grow a backbone, and admit that no law of that complexity can likely be perfect. The party that works to improve health care in this country is the party that will gain traction. Neither seems willing to do so, and as a result there is nothing left to do but place blame and posture with pretend superiority.When the insurance industry took over health care in the early 1980s, we doctors had the opportunity to stop what we knew was going to be a train wreck. It would have been easy: tell the insurance companies to come up with something better, and we don’t participate until they do. They can’t do it without us. But we, as a group, are spineless. I was published in national journals recommending just that, and I was contacted by many strangers telling me just how right I was. Unfortunately, the next statement was “Too bad it won’t work.” I tried to let them know that their attitudes were what would guarantee the plan’s failures, but they were unmoved. It’s kind of the same as hurtling towards a tree in your car; natural impulse is to head towards the tree and brace yourself, rather than to try to avoid the tree.I predicted at that time that in a couple of decades, the people would have to revolt in order to replace the system with something having a chance to work, and it appears this is happening. The problem at this time is that the people have been intentionally misinformed (death panels, anyone?) and have been intentionally set up (“Your insurance will go up ten-fold!” and now that it’s been said, what’s to stop the insurance companies from doing just that?). The subject is complex enough. Intentional misinformation guarantees that no one will really be able to make logical and valuable decisions. And the more misinformation we are given, the less we can trust any sources. This bodes poorly for our society, and once again this is the responsibility of our “representatives”. It is our only hope to educate ourselves as best we can to vote out the people who place their positions and power above the needs of a society that is getting older, sicker, and is being allowed to be poisoned by the foods we eat. Or is it not as important as whether Miley and what’s-his-name get back together?Sigh.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
“Prove it,”
Two quick examples: “Death Panels”, which earned Politico’s Lie of the Year award in 2009.“Government takeover of health care”, which won Politico’s Lie of the Year award in 2010. Both awards formally awarded to Fox News.
chazandru over 10 years ago
links please.C.
oneoldhat over 10 years ago
the questions are will the senate vote for a bill to keep gov running minus obamacare ? and will bho sign it ? or do they want to shut the gov down
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
I had a feeling that would rankle you. True enough, Politico is biased. But they are truly lies.
Death panels: Originally, ACA had an amendment sponsored by a Republican, it should be noted. When a patient is in the queue to die, there are many questions, such as whether to resuscitate, use a ventilator, and/or which procedures MAY extend life, and what their consequences may be. The best person to ask those questions to is a doctor. The amendment said that the doctor is entitled to be paid for that consultation. This has nothing to do with Death Panels, but this is where that phrase originated, and it was repeated endlessly, even in another thread here today. The sponsor of the amendment was forced by leadership to withdraw a common-sense amendment.
As to “government takeover of health care”: this is nowhere near the truth. Government forcing insurance into corporate welfare is way more accurate. Obamacare forces people to access the insurance industry, whether it serves their needs or not. If it was universal health care, I could understand how it would be described that way, but I would not.
Regardless, Politico, in these instances, was right. They are both big-time lies specifically crafted to create disapproval of the law. There is much to disapprove of; there is no value in lying to enhance the effect.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Thank you for the effort, but I must be as dense as some folks here suggest I am. the only article I found in conjunction to your reply was this one.^http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/18/house-republicans-file-promote-alternative-obamaca/^There were only two real proposals, start over with a market driven approach and repeal Obamacare in order to have a “clean slate.”Am I missing something? I was hoping for a little more detail.Respectfully,C.
Enoki over 10 years ago
Maybe, but the kind of bottom feeding bacteria you find in a septic tank thrive!
chazandru over 10 years ago
Thanks GP, but even that excellent article by Mr. Romney is from 2009.I was hoping for something from 2012.I’ll keep waiting. What choice do I have?Thanks again.C.