Much of the talk surrounding the health care reform debate has been misunderstandings, misinformation, exaggerations and occasionally out right lies. Despite what many want to say, both sides have engaged in all of these and most continue to do so. It is not too difficult to find an example, but one which has been repeated often and is blatantly false is the contention that the Republicans are merely saying "No" and have no proposals of their own.
Despite President Obama's repetative claim that "the other side has no ideas," Republicans have given several health care alternatives to the President and Congressional Democrats proposals.
Obama didn't directly accuse Republicans of not having a plan. But
he did say he would welcome "serious" health care proposals. "My door
is always open," Obama said.That's when Price held up the sheaf of papers he was carrying — a
copy of H.R. 3400, the Empowering Patients First Act, which Price and
the Republican Study Committee proposed in July. Other GOP lawmakers
held up their own bills. Some raised a list of all the health care
bills — there are more than 30 — proposed by members of the Study
Committee.
Those are just health care bills that have been proposed, that does not include the health care reform suggestions by conservative and libertarian think tanks like the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation.
I would hope everyone involved in the health care discussion would seek to debate the issues as truthfully as possible. If one seeks that end, I would hope this talking point would no longer be used.
I wondered what those papers were that they were holding up.
But as far as lies and misinformation, Obama is as guilty as the 'far right' accusers the MSM likes to parody.
Quite frankly, despite Obama's nice speeches (and his speech today was a good one), many of us *just don't believe him* because of his recent track record.
His initial push to ramrod the health bill through before people read it, his half truths about the bill not funding abortion or covering aliens, his ridiculous contention that it could pay for itself through cutting waste (why doesn't he just cut waste first and see how much money he could save? GOP bills call for such common sense moves WITHOUT creating new bureaucracies and spending boondoggle), and his constant demeaning and disrespect of his opponents in the media and the populace all lead us to believe that he is a self-important opportunist, and could give a crap about those who disagree with him.
Those who blame the 'far-right talk shows' for poisoning the well don't realize that Obama himself owns a lion's share of digging the popularity hole he's in among conservatives, and a growing amount of independents.
He's going to have to do a lot more listening, compromising, peace making, and honest dialogue rather than politicking in order to get cooperation from those of us who see him as an ideological liar.
Hi Daniel:
How is what Obama said about abortions a half truth? How about illegal aliens?
your friend
keith