Obama Desires to Protect Us

Click here for the full transcript.

there has been an intense struggle in Washington between the lobbyists for the insurance industry and the interests of the American people over what has been called a Patient’s Bill of Rights

Notice he said the “interests of the American people” and not what the American people want. This is key. As Americans, our government is set up to give the people what they want. And every four years we get to make some changes.

Perhaps this particular kind of reform bill is not what the people want, but what President Obama and his people want.

Both the House and Senate bills would make it against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition or illness.

This is a good thing. What else?

Both would stop insurers from charging exorbitant premiums on the basis of age, health, or gender.

Another good thing. Really sticking to those nasty insurers.

Both would prevent insurance companies from dropping your coverage when you get sick.

It’s hard to believe that this actually happens. Let’s go for the government plan!

both would put a limit on how much you have to pay out of pocket for the treatments you need in a year or lifetime.

So who pays for it or would you demand they lower the prices?

These protections are just one part of a landmark reform that will finally reduce the cost of health care.

I’m confused as to why he says this will lower costs, when the bill will be so expensive.

The question is whether the minority that opposes these reforms will continue to use parliamentary maneuvers to try and stop the Senate from voting on them.

It seems as if this will pass through Congress with no hiccups.

Let’s bring this long and vigorous debate to an end.

Every President wants his stuff passed quickly. It’s funny how slow things really work in Congress.

Obama Says My Loss of Job is Good Sign

Here is the transcript. Below I share my thoughts.

These weekly addresses are becoming a joke. The President is giving us the same talking points week after week. Everything in this address has been shared before. Sometimes months ago. It’d be nice if we could have something else to listen to in these things.

Over the past two years, more than seven million Americans have lost their jobs, and factories and businesses across our country have been shuttered.  In one way or another, we’ve all been touched by the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Sometimes I think he just likes to say the words, “worst economic downturn since the Great Depression” so he can feel good about what he’s doing.

The flood of job loss we saw at the beginning of this year slowed to a relative trickle last month.  These are good signs for the future

Job loss has slowed to a trickle? I don’t believe that and neither should you.

We’ll give an added boost to small businesses across our nation through additional tax cuts and access to lending they desperately need to grow.

This would be terrific if it actually worked. Here’s hoping Mr President.

much of it was due to the irresponsibility of large financial institutions on Wall Street that gambled on risky loans and complex financial products, seeking short-term profits and big bonuses with little regard for long-term consequences.

Now that you’re in charge of the private sector, you should have all the CEO’s fired…what? You’ve already done that in some companies?

a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.  This agency would have the authority to put an end to misleading and dishonest practices of banks and institutions that market financial products like credit and debit cards; mortgage, auto and payday loans.

Lead by a new Czar with little or now accountability of their own.

agents in Congress claim that reforms like the Consumer Financial Protection Agency will stifle consumer choice

I guess we’ll see who’s right if this thing is actually created.

But Americans don’t choose to be victimized by mysterious fees, changing terms, and pages and pages of fine print.

And by Americans you mean members of your administration.

I urge both houses to act as quickly as possible to pass real reform that restores free and fair markets in which recklessness and greed are thwarted;

You call on a reform to be passes as “quickly as possible” while bemoaning recklessness. Don’t you see that they’re one and the same?

Obama Wrestles With Money

Here is the full transcript for you to read

Over the better part of the past year, a great debate has taken place in Washington and across America, about how to reform our health care system to provide security for people with insurance, coverage for those without insurance, and lower costs for everyone.

I guess it all depends on what he means by “great”. I don’t think the name-calling and screaming (from both sides) equals anything great. If he means, large – then I will grant him the use of great when talking about the health care reform debate.

we can point to a broad and growing coalition of doctors and nurses, [...] including leading Democrats and many leading Republicans – who recognize the urgency of action.

I don’t think anyone would claim that action is not needed in our health care system. I think it’s the form of action. We all agree something must be done, change must occur. Not all agree on your plan.

But this is not the time to pat ourselves on the back.

As you did when you “learned” of your Nobel Prize??? But we won’t get into that.

No – your administration should not pat the backs quite yet. Jobs are still disappearing and you can no longer blame President Bush for this. This job loss is all on you.

[The Insurance Companies are] filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads. They’re flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions.  And they’re funding studies designed to mislead the American people.

I would like to see the proof of this. I’m not denying that it’s happening, I would just like to see an example or two.

But what I will not abide are those who would bend the truth – or break it – to score political points and stop our progress as a country.

Mark those words Mr. President. You said them and now you are being held accountable. May you never bend the truth to score political points.

Dems Playing Race Card Again!

So let me get this straight, Federal Officials have the authority to deny ownership of an NFL team? I heard Democrats in Congress calling for the denial of Rush Limbaugh to be part owner of the St. Louis Rams.

And their reason?

He’s racist. He does not have the respect for some of the players in the league.

Can we believe that? Can you?

This is coming from the same party who raised a stink over Miss California’s answer to a gay marriage question.

This is getting scary, folks.

I’m seeing the same strategy within the Democratic party: If they disagree with us, they must be racist because they are anti-President Obama.

This is a dangerous road we’re traveling.

If only we could find a candidate who could rally his/her party to be a mix of President Bush & President Obama. Someone who has a thick hide, who can allow free speech without complaining about it being racist; and someone who desires to see true reform and transparency.

Quit calling those who disagree with you racist, it’s insulting.

“You Lie” Seen As Racist

I cannot believe what I’m seeing in today’s political realm.

Georgia Democrat,Representative Hank Johnson claims that Representative Joe Wilson’s, “you lie” comment during President Obama’s speech to Congress was racially motivated and could bring back the power of the Klu Klux Klan!

Is he serious?!?

When did calling someone a liar become a racist comment?

Johnson said,

His outburst was a carefully calculated appeal to a particular constituency who question the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s presidency. The symbolism of his act, which violated the rules of the House and attacked the dignity of the president’s office, emboldened and validated those who believe that President Obama, despite having been lawfully elected, is an illegitimate occupant of the White House.

It may have been calculated but I don’t believe he was questioning the legitimacy of Obama’s presidency. Not like the Democrats bemoaning the legitimacy of President Bush’s. And then Johnson has the nerve to say his outburst violated House rules and attacked the dignity of the office.

Let’s go back to when President Bush, before Congress, made comments about Social Security going bankrupt and the Democrats heckled and “booed” him. Talk about attacking the dignity of the office!

Just days ago, the Speaker made tearful remarks about how words can have damaging effects in the political scene. (She said this in an attack against Republican voters and those not aligned with President Obama’s Health Care Reform) We have her words and then we get exactly what she speaks against by her own party.

Let me explain to you what is really happening here: Our federal government has learned to rule by fear. The Republicans used fear of terrorist attacks (remember the color coded levels?) to keep the people in line. The Democrats are using fear of the economy, and when that strategy didn’t work out, fear of violence against elected officials.

I will promise you that as long as President Obama and the current Representatives are in office, we will hear nothing but “be afraid” in order to keep our minds glued to them as our saviors.

Weekly Address: You Could Be Next

Here is the transcript from this past weekly addresss.

On Wednesday, I addressed a joint session of Congress and the American people about why we need health insurance reform and what it will take to do it.

And most of us know about the “You Lie” comment made. Most in the media are slamming the guy for being a reckless heckler. Yet they seem to forget that when President Bush made a comment about Social Security going bankrupt, he was booed and heckeled too. I suppose if only one person does it, it’s considered bad form. But if a group of people do it, it’s a reasonable remark.

You can’t have it both ways Democrats!

It’s an anxiety that’s keeping more and more Americans awake at night.

My son is who’s keeping me up at night.

Over the last twelve months, nearly six million more Americans lost their health coverage – that’s 17,000 men and women every single day.

You’d think with the oh-so successful economic rescue plan in place, most Americans would have jobs and this number would be going down. Somehow, President Obama will always have us fear something so that he can continue to push his agenda.

But then, most Presidents and Federal Officials want us afraid of something.

we can expect that about half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years.

Translation: “So join me! Be afraid for your lives!”

I refuse to allow that future to happen.

These words he uses are reminiscent of President Bush during his war-speech. President Obama wants to come across as decisive and forceful. Is it working?

And then he goes on to spell out what he said to Congress.

President Obama a Liar?

Here is the full speech in transcript

Last night President Obama shared with Congress his vision for Health Care Reform and gave them a gentle shove to get this ball rolling. With at least one Congressman sharing his distrust vocally, you have to wonder how many were thinking that same thing.

When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

This line has been used so much by this administration and many are documenting that this statement is actually a lie.

A full and vibrant recovery is still many months away.

There’s the quote – “months away”. Lucky for him, he didn’t give a number; how many months.

With regards to the reason he came: Health Care Reform:

I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.

Quite sure of himself and his plan. He actually thinks this plan will never need revision.

A bill for comprehensive health reform was first introduced by John Dingell Sr. in 1943.  Sixty-five years later, his son continues to introduce that same bill at the beginning of each session.

The same bill? After sixty-five years I would hope that things would need changed in that bill.

We are the only democracy — the only advanced democracy on Earth — the only wealthy nation — that allows such hardship for millions of its people.

Fact check?

We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it.

Fact check?

Put simply, our health care problem is our deficit problem.  Nothing else even comes close.  Nothing else.

What about the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Or the cost of running our military? Those are pretty big chunks of change.

Now, these are the facts.  Nobody disputes them.  We know we must reform this system.  The question is how.

Agreed.

I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn’t, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch.

This is good. You’re building steam Mr President.

Instead of honest debate, we’ve seen scare tactics.

Yes! Slam it home Mr President!

Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise.

I get a little nervous when he uses the word, “ideological”. I always think he’s talking about Christians.

And now: THE DETAILS:

First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.

Okay, we’re rocking. Many people are in agreement with this detail.

Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition.

Score number two.

We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick.

Wow, I just saw a statement quite similar on people’s Facebook statuses this week.

And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies because there’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse.

This all sounds great. I think most Americans are on board with you.

if you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who don’t currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices.

if you lose your job or you change your job, you’ll be able to get coverage.  If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you’ll be able to get coverage.  We’ll do this by creating a new insurance exchange — a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices.

What do you think about this idea – an insurance exchange?

It’s how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance.

Well if they can do it…

for those individuals and small businesses who still can’t afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we’ll provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need.

Tax credits – does that mean higher taxes for the rest of America?

And that’s why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.

This sounds good  to me  because it will lower the cost for us because we won’t have to foot the bill whenever an uninsured person goes to the ER.

I believe a broad consensus exists for the aspects of the plan I just outlined:  consumer protections for those with insurance, an exchange that allows individuals and small businesses to purchase affordable coverage, and a requirement that people who can afford insurance get insurance.

I would agree. At least I agree with those details.

the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.

Nor would there be “Death Panels”. And that is a relief.

under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.

Clearing the air. I think state dollars would still fund them though.

I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business.

Good to know. Just wants to lower their profits right?

an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange.

Wow, a not-for-profit option? How will that fuction with government?

It would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance.

we believe that less than 5 percent of Americans would sign up.

I don’t know if I believe that. If there’s a cheaper option, I can’t see private companies lowering their prices and I can see more people flocking to this option.

the public insurance option would have to be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects.

Imagine the premiums!

And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need.

What’s he gonna do? Silence their voice?

Next, HOW TO PAY FOR THIS:

First, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits — either now or in the future.

Interesting – all premiums I guess.

And to prove that I’m serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don’t materialize.

How about even if it isn’t more? Just stop spending so much.

Now, part of the reason I faced a trillion-dollar deficit when I walked in the door of the White House is because too many initiatives over the last decade were not paid for — from the Iraq war to tax breaks for the wealthy.

For the love of God, please let go of your hatred for President Bush. His presidency is over!

What do you think of this new push forward?

Weekly Address: Obama Doesn’t Listen

Below are sections of the transcript from the weekly address which you can read, fully, here.

we received better news than we expected about the state of our economy. We learned that we lost 247,000 jobs in July – some 200,000 fewer jobs lost than in June

So we’re to believe it’s good news that we’re still losing almost 250,000 jobs a month? This is not wise nor is it good leadership to spin something like job loss like this.

And I will not rest until anyone who’s looking for work can find a job.

There’s that proclamation again. I’m telling you, President Obama should be looking exhausted by now.

we must do more than rescue our economy from this immediate crisis

I’ve said it before, I believe this President will use the economic situation as a fear-tactic for his entire term. He will do this in order to pass all of his so-called reforms to better this country.

We will continually hear him speak of the crisis and how there is much more to be done. We will never be out of this crisis as long as President Obama is in the White House.

There are still differences to be reconciled.

Please read as: “Until everyone agrees with my way.”

This isn’t about putting government in charge of your health insurance

I’m afraid many Americans no longer believe that, sir.

If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.

But seriously, who will once a cheaper universal health plan is made available? I think all federal employees should sign up with your health care coverage you’re promoting to the American people Mr. President.

We will require insurance companies to cover routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms, colonoscopies, or eye and foot exams for diabetics, so we can avoid chronic illnesses that cost too many lives and too much money.

But the government is not going to be in charge.

We will stop insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person’s medical history.

But the government will not be in charge.

I still don’t see how your health care plan will lower costs. I just don’t see how the government will pay for it without raising something on us.

Weekly Address: Desperate President

This weekend’s address shows us how desperate President Obama is getting:

Below is some of the transcript which you can find here.

I want to speak with you about the stakes of this debate, for our people and for the future of our nation.

Already we’re getting prepped for the “fear and trembling” politics which President Obama panned as a candidate.

Every worker afraid of losing health insurance if they lose their job, or change jobs. Everyone who’s worried that they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance if someone in their family has a pre-existing condition.

This includes me – so I’m listening. Calm my fears Mr President.

let me take a moment to answer a few of [the special interest group's] arguments.

The problem with letting this President answer a few of the arguments is we are beginning not to believe him. His poll numbers are slipping because people, real-people, the kind of people he was supposed to run for, aren’t seeing the solutions to their problems that he promised.

First, the same folks who controlled the White House and Congress for the past eight years as we ran up record deficits will argue – believe it or not – that health reform will lead to record deficits.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Stop looking in the past! You can not lead with your head turned around. Stop blaming and pointing fingers to President Bush and his administration. This is your era, President Obama. We want to hear your thoughts that don’t include blaming someone you could never run against.

Our proposals cut hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary spending and unwarranted giveaways to insurance companies in Medicare and Medicaid. They change incentives so providers will give patients the best care, not just the most expensive care, which will mean big savings over time.

When I see President Obama spin this by saying, “give patients the best care, not just the most expensive care” I think of someone who needs that expensive care but won’t get it because they need to keep costs down.

And will these proposals cut the number of dollars just like your Recovery package cut how much money from the federal deficit? Yeah, we aren’t buying it Mr President.

I will not sign on to any health plan that adds to our deficits over the next decade.

And yet, that is exactly what this reform will do. It will add costs which the tax payer will dole out.

Those who oppose reform will also tell you that under our plan, you won’t get to choose your doctor – that some bureaucrat will choose for you.

Now this I don’t think is true.

no one should decide that for you either. Under our proposals, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. If you like your current insurance, you keep that insurance. Period, end of story.

This sounds good. If you like what you currently have, keep it. According to President Obama, your premiums will only get lower to compete with the government plan.

We shall see.

opponents of health reform warn that this is all some big plot for socialized medicine or government-run health care with long lines and rationed care.

Because we’ve seen it in Canada and Europe. But there has to be another side to it right? Not all socialized goverment-run health care is evil.

I don’t believe that government can or should run health care.

You also don’t believe government should run a car company – how’s that coming along?

Weekly Address: Obama Promotes Fear

Here is the transcript of Saturday’s address.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a historic piece of legislation that will open the door to a clean energy economy and a better future for America.

It would be interesting if Presidents gave the whole truth. What if he were to add the fact that it barely passed.

The energy bill that passed the House will finally create a set of incentives that will spark a clean energy transformation in our economy.

The businesses that take on these incentives will tax the consumer (us) and we will pay more. So the question is, do you want to pay more for cleaner air?

And most importantly, it will make possible the creation of millions of new jobs.

You know, we’ve heard this phrase over and over with The Obama Administration. Has anyone experienced this creation of new jobs? As far as I know, people are still losing their jobs. I’m (with many Americans) getting fed up with being told the same lies from this President.

Make no mistake:  this is a jobs bill.

Lie #2. This is a tax bill.

In California, 3000 people will be employed to build a new solar plant that will create 1000 permanent jobs.

So 2000 of those people will be out of work?

this legislation will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy.

I’ll believe it when my senses tell me (i.e. see it, smell it, taste it).

Don’t believe the misinformation out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and economic growth.  It’s just not true.

Words no longer mean what they used to Mr President. They were the magic button on the campaign trail, but now that you’re our President, we want to see the facts and results. I won’t believe a word of it until I experience it.

to our constituents, to our children, to God’s creation, and to future generations.

Because they’re the ones who will be paying out the wazoo!