Obama Gives Thanks

Here is the full transcript.

And we say a special thanks for the sacrifices those men and women in uniform are making for our safety and freedom

I’ve always wondered what a “special thanks” sounds like. Is it more impactful than just your regular thanks?

Many have lost jobs in this recession – the worst in generations.

And many have lost jobs in the recovery plan you signed into law.

But as I said when I took office, job recovery from this crisis would not come easily or quickly.

But you said that after you said it needs to happen right now, right away. It was after the fact that you changed and said the jobs wouldn’t come soon.

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.

Obama Becoming Bush

The transcript is here.

Over and over again. We’re hearing the same mumbo-jumbo from a different President. The difference: Bush was war on terror; Obama is war on health care. All these Presidents do is repeat and repeat and repeat.

What’s that saying if you say something loud enough and long enough, you’ll start to believe it?

When I took office eight months ago, our nation was in the midst of an economic crisis unlike any we’d seen in generations.

The President cannot shake this anti-Bush mentality. This is your administration mucking things up now sir. Don’t give us this trash about what you inherited eight years ago. We’re sick of hearing you bemoan President Bush.

But yesterday’s report on September job losses was a sobering reminder that progress comes in fits and starts, and that we will need to grind out this recovery step by step.

Backpedaling after promising the people that recovery would happen quickly once your plan was in place. This is the second thing we’re sick of hearing repeated.

And I won’t let up until those who seek jobs can find them; until businesses that seek capital and credit can thrive; and until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes.

This is different, he used to say he wouldn’t rest until the jobs come back. And yet he has time to play Oliver and beg the Olympic Commission to send them to Chicago. (Which failed horribly) But I saw that trial as our President attempting to bring in the big bucks which ties into him finding the resources.

Rising health care costs are undermining our businesses, exploding our deficits, and costing our nation more jobs with each passing month.

Once this reform passes through Congress (and we all know it will) what will be the next thing that is undermining this country that President Obama will save us from? I can guarantee there will be something we will “have to be afraid of”.

This has become the administration of the 21st Century – Pop Culture edition.

“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?

President Obama: Mythbuster

You can find the full transcript here.

We’ve had a vigorous debate about health insurance reform, and rightly so.  This is an issue of vital concern to every American, and I’m glad that so many are engaged.

It makes me wonder how these officials feel after the town hall meetings. I remember, with President George W. Bush, how the tension seemed to rise whenever his choices were brought into question.

Do you think President Obama gets bothered by the average American questioning him over and over?

But it also should be an honest debate, not one dominated by willful misrepresentations and outright distortions, spread by the very folks who would benefit the most by keeping things exactly as they are.

I should think this statement goes both ways. Give us the gritty details about what it will cost and how you will pay for it. There are misrepresentations and distortions coming from both sides of this debate.

Here are the myths to debunk:

Illegal immigrants would not be covered. That idea has never even been on the table.

coverage for abortions would be mandated under reform. Also false. When it comes to the current ban on using tax dollars for abortions, nothing will change under reform

there are no so-called “death panels”

I no sooner want government to get between you and your doctor than I want insurance companies to make arbitrary decisions about what medical care is best for you, as they do today.

If you like your private health insurance plan, you can keep your plan. Period.

Ah, but then you’ll have this government plan that is cheaper and who really wants to pay for anything now-a-days?

Let’s see if President Obama brings clarity to his debunkings.

…

And I’m reading through the address…

…

There is nothing there in which he explains anything. He just repeats the same montra we’ve listened to since he arrived in office.

We need more sir.

Weekly Address: Obama Strikes Back

Click here for the full transcript of the address and let’s dig in.

This week, I’ve been traveling across our country to discuss health insurance reform and to hear directly from folks like you – your questions, your concerns, and your stories.

Is this a good thing as the President trying to be “the people’s President”?

what you haven’t seen – because it’s not as exciting – are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country where Americans are airing their hopes and concerns about this very important issue.

So our officials are allowing us to “air” our hope and concerns but the real question is are things things being taken seriously or will President Obama push through his agenda like he said earlier concerning the Republicans.

every time we come close to passing health insurance reform, the special interests with a stake in the status quo use their influence and political allies to scare and mislead the American people.

This is true. We need to keep our brains about us and siphon out the garbage.

let’s look at one of the scarier-sounding and more ridiculous rumors out there – that so-called “death panels” would decide whether senior citizens get to live or die. That rumor began with the distortion of one idea in a Congressional bill that would allow Medicare to cover voluntary visits with your doctor to discuss your end-of-life care – if and only if you decide to have those visits. It had nothing to do with putting government in control of your decisions; in fact, it would give you all the information you need – if you want it – to put you in control of your decisions. When a conservative Republican Senator who has long-fought for even more far-reaching proposals found out how folks were twisting the idea, he called their misrepresentation, and I quote, “nuts.”

Here’s a great example. Truth is better than the crazy falsehoods out there.

When President Kennedy and President Johnson were working to create Medicare, opponents warned of “socialized medicine.”

Wait, isn’t Medicare pretty much socialized medicine in a small scale?

“I refuse to see us live on the accomplishments of another generation. I refuse to see this country, and all of us, shrink from these struggles which are our responsibility in our time.”

Words from President Kennedy. Good words.

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: Health Care Reform = Dead Horse?

Once again the President is pleading his case for his health care reform. Let’s take a closer look – you can also view the full transcript here.

After giving us the details of one small business owner he spoke with (did he really or did he just hear from him in a letter), President Obama explains how high costs for small businesses is unacceptable and proclaims,

This is unsustainable, it’s unacceptable, and it’s going to change when I sign health insurance reform into law.

He seems pretty confident that his vision will come to pass.

Under the reform plans in Congress, small businesses will be able to purchase health insurance through an “insurance exchange,” a marketplace where they can compare the price, quality and services of a wide variety of plans, many of which will provide better coverage at lower costs than the plans they have now.

This sounds promising but I’m not sure what I think about calling it an “exchange”. Does this simply mean that a business will exchange their current insurance with a newer one? Or will they have to continually “exchange” plans?

Small businesses that choose to insure their employees will also receive a tax credit to help them pay for it.  If a small business chooses not to provide coverage, its employees can purchase high quality, affordable coverage through the insurance exchange on their own.  Low-income workers – folks who are more likely to be working at small businesses – will qualify for a subsidy to help them cover the costs.

All of these tax credits and subsidies are coming from a federal government that is spending this country into the grave.

we’ll limit the amount your insurance company can force you to pay out of your own pocket.

Does this sound more and more like government-run health insurance to anyone else? I thought we had a promise from President Obama that he wasn’t going to do this…

we are closer than ever before to finally passing reform that will reduce costs

What’s funny is that you can say it will reduce costs from paying health insurers but the money has to come from somewhere…or someone.

I’m concerned about our children and grandchildren who will be saddled with deficits

As well you should be sir. Your flippancy with this countries finances should give you reason to go grey early.