President Obama is engaging in a full court press in order to work through significant health care proposals by August. Usually a smooth operator who prefers diplomacy, Barack has finally decided it's time to ruffle feathers to push his reforms through. The president is plainly calling out all those who oppose his plan, stating:
"Deferring reform is nothing more than defending the status quo -- and those who would oppose our efforts should take a hard look at just what it is they're defending."
Those are fighting words for a man nicknamed "No Drama Obama."
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U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks about health care following his meeting with health care providers at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, July 20, 2009. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES HEALTH POLITICS)
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Policemen detain a protestor in front of Parliament as Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili speaks during policy debates in Tbilisi July 20, 2009. Saakashvili, due to host U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden this week, pledged reforms on Monday to answer critics who say he has monopolised power in the former Soviet republic. REUTERS/Nodar Tskhvirashvili (GEORGIA CONFLICT POLITICS)
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US President Barack Obama waves after speaking on healthcare during a visit to the Children's National Medical Center in Washington on July 20, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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Members of the Poker Players Alliance, from left, Paul Mathews, former executive with International Game Technology; Stuart Dross, vice president, Cigital; Dr. Parry Aftab, executive director, Wired Safety; and John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, take part in a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 20, 2009, to discuss how Internet poker can be regulated. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Members of the Poker Players Alliance, from left, Paul Mathews, former executive with International Game Technology; Stuart Dross, vice president Cigital; Dr. Parry Aftab, executive director, Wired Safety; and John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, are seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 20, 2009, before the start of their panel discussion on how Internet poker can be regulated. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili delivers a speech during policy debates at parliament in Tbilisi July 20, 2009. Saakashvili, due to host U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden this week, pledged reforms on Monday to answer critics who say he has monopolised power in the former Soviet republic. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili (GEORGIA POLITICS)
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Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili delivers a speech during policy debates at parliament in Tbilisi July 20, 2009. Saakashvili, due to host U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden this week, pledged reforms on Monday to answer critics who say he has monopolised power in the former Soviet republic. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili (GEORGIA POLITICS)
Reuters
Members of the Poker Players Alliance, from left, Paul Mathews, former executive with International Game Technology; Stuart Dross, vice president, Cigital; Dr. Parry Aftab, executive director, Wired Safety; and John Pappas, executive director of Poker Players Alliance, take part in a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 20, 2009, to discuss how Internet poker can be regulated. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP
Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili delivers a speech during policy debates at parliament in Tbilisi July 20, 2009. Saakashvili, due to host U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden this week, pledged reforms on Monday to answer critics who say he has monopolised power in the former Soviet republic. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili (GEORGIA POLITICS)
Reuters
Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili delivers a speech during policy debates at parliament in Tbilisi July 20, 2009. Saakashvili, due to host U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden this week, pledged reforms on Monday to answer critics who say he has monopolised power in the former Soviet republic. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili (GEORGIA POLITICS)
Reuters
One of our news bloggers has recently asked how the president plans to pay for the new plan, and balks at Barack's idea that savings will occur merely through an overhaul of the current system. While that may be true, he and many other opponents are blanking out on the reality of Obama's message: Things are so broken, we must do something now to fix it, or it will only get worse. Anyone with any real experience of trying to get decent, affordable health care in this country knows this is empirically true. Yes, I appreciate the efforts of conservatives and other groups who seem to want to make sure that a new system does not waste more money, or provide worse care -- if two such things are possible. But most of these pundits come off as complainers with nothing better to offer.
Why are Obama's opponents happy to linger on the edge of action, rather than encouraging our elected officials to take decisive steps towards improvement? Having no plan can't possibly be better than creating a plan that might not be perfect. It's hard to deny that the president is trying to tackle some of the more obvious problems in the system. Rather than whine and bicker, these vociferous dissenters need to develop alternative plans that address glaring issues.
Until that happens, their impotent complaints really do amount to affirmations of our horrible system as is. I hope that the American public is not fooled yet again by conservative babble into fighting against reforms that are for their own good. This is what happened the last time a Democratic president tried to legislate affordable health insurance for all.
Comments: (9)
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By: john foote on 7/21/2009 11:38AM
Obama is in deep water without a life jacket. This Marxist poser should step down for the good of all Americans.
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By: hesba gable on 7/21/2009 2:40PM
All children in this country should have health care, and an holostic approach is needed to prevent sick people going to the emergency rooms. It is sad that health care is so bad in this country, and it is sad that republicans do not care about the health of Americans.
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By: casper on 7/21/2009 4:34PM
To: "hesba gable"...What do you mean health care in America is bad? Name one hospital that will not treat you if you go to the emergency room? What law says all children should have health care? If you can't afford health care for your children, then you shouldn't have them. The problem with America is everybody wants a free ride. Obama says on one hand, "people need to take responsibility" but then wants Govt to take care of you from craddle to grave. If health care is soo bad in America, why do people from Canada and Europe come here for treatment? If Obama puts health care in the hands of Govt. It will be ran just like all Govt. services....long lines and poor treatment! Just look at how they run the VA hospitals!!!
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By: Cecil Jones on 7/22/2009 6:59AM
I don't know if your Mama taught you the same lesson, but mine said, "Beware of smooth talking salesmen." Sometimes, you've got to say "No" to get the best deal possible. Pres. Obama is trying to rush the sale. What's the rush? Let's put everything on the table before we decide? A bug doesn't discriminate and a hurricane doesn't care who's drowning when it's raining. We all need access to healthcare and a child without a parent is an orphan. How many wish they had a parent to protect them from the state? Saying no is our right and Obama can't take that away rushing us.
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By: Jennings on 7/22/2009 12:24PM
Personally I will be willing to except this boondoggle of a sociallistic healthcare reform if Obamam will agree to the same requirements as I have to abide by.
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By: Kalynn on 7/22/2009 1:55PM
Folk NOBAMA for me, he is a Marxist, SOCIALIST liverlipped liberal.
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By: David on 7/22/2009 7:12PM
I gave Obama a falling "C" because I think he had a chance to really make an immediate impact on the economy but chose to just continue with what Bush started. As a person who "worked" in the auto industry, I have been personally impacted by what happened with that issue.
I also think he has missed an opportunity to revamp health care. I know the fight over this issue is not over, but I think Republicans have done enough damage to the current plan, that in the end it will not make it out of congress in a form that makes a difference. Obama had a chance to get everyone to look at good healthcare as a right within the greatest country in the world. If you or a member of your family are sick or dying simply because the money wasn't there to give you care that's available, what does any of the other liberties, and blessings we have in this country matter? The answer is that it doesn't and until healthcare is viewed similarly to education, good roads, a strong military, and clean drinking water, any healthcare legislation will be viewed as a joke. And any health care plan that still has the insurance industry as the middle man will not change what we have now.
Look at some of the crap our tax dollars goes to pay. Couldn't a cut here and a cut there make healthcare for all affordable? The money is already being taxed; our elected leaders just have to be smart enough to dig it out of the wasteful spending we all know takes place daily in Washington.
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By: Marvice on 7/23/2009 2:48AM
I'm getting sick and tired of people making a big deal about everything. In this type of society the majority of us support ALL the programs in America, and I mean ALL the programs. Those who keep ranting about paying for health care for those who don't have it etc... get over it, who do you think is already paying for the poor?, who pays for the welfare checks that go out every month?, who pays for the discount that you get in the store? Who pays for the tax break you get on your mortgage? Who pays for the tax break you get on your business when you take a loss? Who pays for the irresponsible credit card user when the creditor has to write off the loan? Who pays for the library books you never take back? Who pays to pick up the trash that you toss out your window instead of putting it in the trash can? Who pays for the medical bills when you step in a pothole because you had your head down walking while texting? Who pays for the tax refund that you got because you got to claim exemptions such as children, paying childcare, bought a house etc...?DO YOU GET IT YET? WE ALL have already been paying for these things. So Obama should keep doing what he's trying to do and that is go thru the budget and look at programs and projects that we have been wasting millions and billions of dollars on yearly and move that money over to help pay for the health care. Our school systems are going to have to start teaching Civics in school because it is frustrating to have to read these comments that are making no sense. We should all be trying to come up with reasonable suggestions instead of acting like everything has to be perfect or you can't talk about it. When Obama ran, I wondered how long people would be up for the fight, and now he see's people weren't as ready for change as they claimed. They would be happy if the Congress and Senate were just talking about Health Care for a few days, and then wait till two years from now to bring it up again. Well! Obama is right, the time is now! Now let's rally together and help instead of spreading fear and negativity. Some people said ending slavery would cost a lot! But I'm glad the person that didn't care about the cost kept pushing. Somebody probably said it would cost to much to cure Turburculosis, Malaria, AIDS, Cancer, going to the moon etc... But thank GOD they didn't listen to NAYSAYERS and Negative people. If there is one thing people should remember, negative people will never accomplish anything because they have no vision and they are always waiting for that perfect solution, well there is no perfect solution. You have to keep trying until you get it right. Regardless to the cost. Like the old saying goes, PAY NOW or PAY LATER, but you will PAY!
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By: dallassharon4 on 9/12/2009 9:33AM
I am so sick in tired of people complaining, complaining against our President. Those of you who have insurance, BE HAPPY, BUT help those without. The President is not trying to take away what you have he is trying to help those without. I hate to keep making every single thing racist, but to me that is exactly what it is. Since he have gotten into office the least suggestion the President makes everyone is against. So, if you are against why did not run for President and WHAT IS YOU DOING TO MAKE BETTER.
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