Comments on: MnIndy video: Health reform foes at McCollum’s office chant, ‘Kill the bill!’

By: Troy

Troy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:47:53 +0000

We cannot claim to be “the greatest nation”, if individuals are only concerned about their own.

Not being able to supply EVERYONE with adequate food and\or healthcare, (Basic Welfare) because you have may have these things is selfish and un-american.

This nation’s independence was fought against the “haves”, who refused to give up any personal wealth for the greater good of others.

As someone who has served this country in U.S. military for well over a decade…. I’m tired and disappointed at my fellow citizens’ “I’VE GOT MINE” attitude.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:12:40 +0000

It boggles my mind that there are people who would rather have private insurance who is more likely to not cover all of their claims and be denied coverage (i.e Blue Cross Blue Shields), and the be forced to work 2 or 3 more jobs to pay for his or her hefty medical bill. If those people want that kind of insurance, so be it however they should forfeit their rights to have access to Medicare, Medicaid, assistance from the VA (if he or she qualifies for it), and unemployment benefits.

Republicans may say Medicare and Medicaid is bankrupt but frankly I think it works. My parents are over 65 and are on a Medicare plan. My dad has so many health issues up the wazoo (part of it due to his diabetes). If it wasn’t for Medicare (i.e the government), my parents would be struggling to pay for all the doctor visits and operations my father had to get in recent years.

People say they are afraid of the government, well what about credit card companies who have all our personal information on us including our social security numbers, home/work addresses and phone numbers, etc…etc…? I’m more afraid of them than I am of the government because of my past run ins with some scary collection agencies from past credit card debts.

Last thing…a healthy debate between politicians and their constituents is a good thing. Harassing and intimidating politicians is not a good thing. I’m not sorry when I say that these town hall protests have proven to me that the term “ugly American” has never gone away and remains relevant as ever.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:54:34 +0000

Why have there been no new proposals on health care from Republicans (tax cuts, liability limitation, and individual savings accouts are not new proposals)? They have none, and that doesn;t matter. Their concern isn’t about health care reform, or even about preserving the status quo, it’s about trying to foist a failure on the Obama administration. When the demagogues whip people into a frenzy about the bill, understanding or even opposing what it calls for is unimportant. Health care just happens to be the issue of the moment, and if it’s a way to hand the President a defeat, so be it.

By: ha ha

ha ha — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:51:18 +0000

If this didn’t stink of partisan games, I’d enjoy seeing people take their reps to task for once. But it just doesn’t seem genuine. Screaming for corporate board members to be in control of their health care seems to be a strange form of “Patriotism.” Has everyone’s memory become so short that the United Healthcares of the world and their indiscriminate spending and lavish monetary payouts to execs have already been forgotten? Corporatism is more palatable than socialism if the guise of choice is there it would seem.

By: Amuseinc

Amuseinc — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:10:31 +0000

Sure was a lot of folks missing from High School Civics class when the discussion turned to consensus and compromise as elements in the American legislative process. How come the deathers are so convinced that no change is needed? How come they are against Health Insurance reform considering the bill has yet to be written?

By: thomas

thomas — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:49:30 +0000

Dave –

I’ve been struggling with the same issues and I’ve come to the conclusion that we lied to ourselves. We so much wanted the Bushies/Cheneys/McCains of the world to be gone that we saw Barack as the cavalry coming over the hill. He isn’t and he never told us he was – he is a centerist, Chicago-pol. We thought he was more. And he isn’t. I am firmly convinced that our votes for him were the best thing for the country and I still believe it.
I think this is the same kind of disappointment and frustration a person feels on Christmas morning when the present you were hoping for – the BB gun or the Malibu Barbie – depending on a persons orientation – don’t appear under the tree. Let’s just hope that the gifts actually left under the tree move us closer to our goals.

By: thomas

thomas — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:21:54 +0000

“It’s very important we oppose HR3200. Everyone at this meeting was very informed and most realized the importance of opposing HR3200.
Jamie Delton”

Why is it important to oppose something titled:”America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″

I think I would like affordable heath choices.

By: Dave Porter

Dave Porter — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:21:46 +0000

All this uproar and uncertainty about a new health care program.
Why are we even talking about creating a whole new wheel here?
Why not just extend Medicare to the whole population?

We know what it is, how it works, and the administrative costs run
what – about 1.5%? (As opposed to 40% to 60% for our so-called
“system” of private insurance companies taking our premiums until
such time as we actually need coverage…)

Try taking Medicare away from those who have it. Heck, try
taking their health care system from Canadians, or the British.

The most ludicrous thing I’ve heard is the notion that someone
like Stephen Hawkings would never be allowed to live under
the British National Health service. As if he has ever lived
anywhere else, or would have been covered by any private
insurer here.

Another existing system in this country that works really well,
and is well-liked by the 13 million Americans already on it, is
Tri-Care, the coverage provided for dependents of active-duty
military personnel and retired military. Works fine, pays for
independent practitioners to provide needed services.

I am really having my doubts about this administration, though.
They’ve been ignoring us ever since they got elected, disregarding
those who doorknocked until their feet and knuckles were bloody.
No pardon for Don Siegelman. Backing off from gay rights.
Extending Secret Service coverage to a former Vice President
(never done before – ever). No prosecution for Karl Rove. Finding
new jobs for the people at Main Justice who politicized the
District Attorney positions all across the country (remember the
DAs who weren’t fired because they cooperated and pushed specious
criminal investigations against Democratic candidates?).

So now they want our help, in order to make Obama successful and
more popular. To what end? Where the heck is the leadership
we were hoping for?

By: Bernie Hesse

Bernie Hesse — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:11:45 +0000

For us who want medicare for all- the townhall crashers, patriots, whatever are amusing. In America there is freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom to seek redress of your greviances to the elected officials. I am also amused when the tea party folks(?) call the elected officials – socialists, they’re not and it is a stretch of the imagination to call McCollum, Obama, and whoever else that tag. They are moderate democrats and the socialists I know and represent deserve better then to be poured on with them.
Both sides need to be respectful in the debate, perhaps not always polite but respectful (there is a difference)

By: Eric Ferguson

Eric Ferguson — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:54:08 +0000

It looked like they were there to harass, not to say anything coherent or get questions answered. Didn’t these teabaggers have mothers who taught them manners?