Americans Afraid of Government Run Health Care

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: If the media was reporting the truth – it would have the following headline: “Americans Afraid of Government Health Care.” With the rising outcry by the public, even Democrats are now concerned with the number of their constituents saying hold it — we can’t afford any more debt and why should we trust the government to interfere with and or run private health care. President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi wished to push through national health care quickly. Now they are concerned the delay will allow the truth to be shared.

One major truth is that the majority of Americans fear the government running anything including their private health care. However, many individuals felt alone in their feeling that things were amiss — after all President Obama continues to hold press conferences demanding that they cooperate and that health care must be changed right now! This same pattern has been previously used with respect to global warming (cap-in-trade), the failed stimulus, and bailing out the banks and auto industry. Everything had to be done quickly without even elected congressional representatives and Senators reading the bills. Unfortunately, Reid and Pelosi are denying almost 40% of the U.S. Senators and 41% of Representatives input to the legislative process other than voting.

However, with the delay in passage of health care, groups representing the viewpoints of the majority of Americans are getting the word out in spite of the delay in the truth by government influenced media. As an example, consider the CATO Institute which will be releasing an advertising campaign to highlight the under-reported poll data by the media which has really shown that majority of Americans are concerned that current health care reform plans will raise costs, limit choice and reduce the quality of their health care.

Health care reform is needed. However, reforms that increase the role of government and an already massive federal budget deficit – as many proposals would – are bad medicine. The Cato Institute is undertaking nationwide outreach on how free-market reforms, increased consumer choice, and energized competition – not more government control – improve health care’s quality and affordability. This includes outreach through national newspapers and radio stations, and a new web site of key resources. Below is part of the proposed ad:

Your New Doctor?
What really matters is who decides. Under reform proposals before Congress, government would take over more and more of your health care decisions. Whatever it’s called—socialized medicine . . . government-run health care . . . “a public plan”. . . individual & employer mandates — it’s bad medicine.

In a recent national survey* 4 out of 5 Americans were concerned that government run health care would:

REDUCE HEALTH CARE QUALITY

INCREASE COSTS

LIMIT CHOICES OF DOCTORS

INCREASE THE FEDERAL DEFICIT

There is a better, uniquely American solution: freedom. Freedom to choose your doctor and health plan. Freedom to spend your health care dollars as you choose. Freedom to make your own medical decisions. Freedom to keep a health plan you are satisfied with. View Cato’s full page health care reform ad

Uninsured In America

from ARRA News Service

The Hidden Truth Obama does not want you to know!

This video was made by filmmaker Stuart Browning and posted over two years ago. He shares the facts about the uninsured that our government keeps stumbling around. It is time that we all understand and share the truth. Stuart examines the conventional wisdom that 45 million Americans cannot get health insurance and consequently do not have access to health care. The end result is that this figure does not reveal the truth. In 9 minutes, the video shows just how short-sighted it is to provide health insurance to the uninsured. Share this video with others!

The Death of Obamacare

As President Obama’s dream of a government run health care system slips away, he’s becoming ever more desperate.

This month we’ve seen poll numbers indicating the American public is becoming more and more uncomfortable with his vision of “change” for America.

Rasmusssen’s Presidential Approval Index turned negative on June 30 and hasn’t seen positive territory since. In the same surveys, the number of Americans who approve of the President’s job performance fell to its lowest point of his presidency.  Even more surprising results appeared yesterday in a Rasmussen poll where respondents were asked who they would vote for if a presidential election were held today between Mitt Romney and President Obama, and again if such election were held between Sarah Palin and Obama.  The hypothetical Romney-Obama race would be a dead heat with 45% of likely voters preferring Romney and an equal number supporting Obama.  Most surprising of all were the results if such an election were held between Obama and Sarah Palin, the now resigned Alaskan governor who was so maligned by the left-wing media.  After months of vicious personal attacks by left-wing (and even RINO) attack dogs, the embattled governor trails the MSM’s messiah by only 6%, with Obama favored by 48% of voters and Palin by 42%.

Today, on the President’s signature issue of health care reform, Gallup released a poll showing 50% disapprove of Obama’s approach while only 44% approve.  Though 74% of Democrats continue to support the President’s plan, only 40% of independents and 11% of Republicans are convinced he knows what he’s doing.  In each of the  four domestic issues rated by respondents, more disapproved of the President’s performance than approved.  Healthcare: 50% disapprove, 44% approve; taxes: 48% disapprove, 45% approve; economy: 49% disapprove, 47% approve; and budget deficit: 55% disapprove, 41% approve.

For a president who, until recently, has been able to get his every wish through Congress, whose own party holds super majorities in both Houses, and was elected in what most considered a landslide, the President’s waning public support is telling.  Especially considering we’re only 6 months into his term.

Obama managed to quadruple the deficit, dramatically increase wasteful spending, and seize control of large segments of the American economy with a strategy of blaming his predecessor.  That may have worked for the first five months, but now the public is beginning to identify the President as culpable for the failings of his policies.  After all, it was the President who pointed out we’d see peak unemployment of 9% if we didn’t ram his “stimulus” through Congress before members even had a chance to read the bill.  Now we see his so-called “stimulus” was nothing more than a liberal’s dream spending bill that actually had a de-stimulating effect.  What else can we infer since unemployment is now worse than it would have been without the “stimulus.”

Recall the President repeatedly claimed there would be no earmarks, no waste in his “stimulus” bill, it would fund shovel ready jobs and provide an immediate jolt to the economy.  Perhaps if Congress would have had time to read the bill, it would have been so.  Three million dollar turtle tunnels and projects that won’t begin until next year may have been caught and culled from the bill.  But it wasn’t to be.  Now the President has tried to convince us that earmarks are good things, Vice-President Biden tells us they knew waste was inevitable, and the waste and abuse is coming to light.

It’s no wonder Americans are losing faith in our President as he tries the same worn out promises to sell his government health care system.  He’s already proved he either doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing or he’s incredibly dishonest.  Either way, Americans are no longer buying his health care plan.

Thank God.

Obama camp wants me to pressure Senators on health care

Oh, I’m pressuring them alright!

Here‘s the email I received from Obama’s permanent campaign website:

John – Take a look around Arkansas, and you’ll see small business owners struggling, overwhelmed by skyrocketing health care costs. They’re not the only ones — but as the backbone of our economy, they’re a key constituency with the ear of our elected representatives. And their voices are absolutely critical to our campaign. Every day, special interest lobbyists in Washington spend millions to pressure your senators, Senator Blanche Lincoln and Senator Mark Pryor, to oppose reform. But we can counter their influence by demonstrating that the folks who drive our economic growth are depending on them to deliver reform in 2009. I’m a small business owner, and I’d like to add my name to a letter declaring my support for health care reform. Not a small business owner? Chances are, you know one. It could be a family member, friend, or neighbor — or the person who cuts your hair, or owns the local hardware store. Forward them this email, or reach out personally. Talking to someone you know has more power to persuade than any television ad. In recent years, small businesses in Arkansas have been paying more and more for insurance that covers less and less. Small businesses are essential to the nation’s economic recovery, but they can’t grow and create jobs if they’re bearing the weight of skyrocketing premiums. Getting more signatures on our small business letter will have a tremendous impact. We’ll bring the signatures to public events and show the letter to members of the press — and believe me, your senators will pay attention. Small business owners have a crucial role to play in this debate — can you spare a minute to help enlist them in our campaign? And if you own your own business, add your voice today. http://my.barackobama.com/businessletter Thank you for your continued support, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America P.S. — Not a small business owner? In addition to passing this message along to any you know, sign your name in support of the President’s health care principles today.

Perhaps the President should think about putting together a workable health care reform package instead of remaining committed to cramming a government run program down our throats. It’s a certainty that if Lincoln and Pryor’s constituents supported Obama’s health care takeover, the Senators would already be lined up to support it as well.

The President needs to remember he works for us.

Why Won’t They Sign?

UPDATE 3:16 PM CST (7/24/09)–1 more Republican signed (87 so far), ALL Democrats still refuse to sign the pledge!

UPDATE 8:09 PM CST (7/23/09)–3 more Republicans signed (86 so far), NO Democrats have signed the pledge!

UPDATE 7:23 PM CST (7/22/09)–2 more Republicans signed (83 so far), still no Democrats taking the pledge.

UPDATE 12:18 PM CST (7/22/09)–3 more Republicans signed today, still no Democrats taking the pledge.

UPDATE 3:39 PM CST–78 Republicans have now signed, still not a single Democrat

UPDATE 1:17 PM CST–Statement from Senator Blanche Lincoln (see below)

As of 12:16 pm CST, only 76 of the 535 members of Congress have signed The Responsible Health Care Reform Pledge being promoted by Let Freedom Ring, Inc.  Here’s the pledge:

It’s simple and straightforward.  Read and understand the yoke you are placing around our necks and give us ample time to examine it for ourselves before you limit our choices and place our health care system at the mercy of federal bureaucrats.

Not a single Democrat has signed the pledge! Ask yourself why?

We also need to ask why every Republican hasn’t signed yet.  Call your Congressmen and Senators and ask what’s keeping them from taking this pledge.

Early this morning, I contacted the offices of both my Senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and my Representative, Marion Berry.  I identified myself as a constituent and a blogger and was referred to their press secretaries.  None of the three were available so I left a detailed message on their voice mail asking for a statement as to whether they intend to sign the pledge and, if not, why not.  Three hours later, I have yet to receive statements from any of the three.

I’ll update this post if I hear from any of the three.

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Statement from Senator Lincoln’s office “Senator Lincoln shares the concerns of most Americans about the outcome of the current health care debate. As a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, she is working on a daily basis to write a health care reform proposal that will stabilize health care costs, quality, and coverage for all Arkansans and all Americans. This process will leave her well-versed on any proposal put forward by the Senate Finance Committee. This committee is charged with the responsibility of paying for health care reform and Senator Lincoln has made clear that she will support a plan that does not add to the deficit and does not raise taxes on hardworking Arkansas families.”

*Thanks to Senator Lincoln’s Press Secretary Katie Laning Niebaum for responding!

Still no pledge to sign, and no explanation why not but at least the Senator’s office makes an effort to her constituents.

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More of what’s to come w/ Obamacare

Another great video illustrating what Obamacare will look like  in America.

Demint (R-SC) Slams Obamacare, Pledges to Read the Bill

Senator Demint takes Obama to task on his rush to take over yet another segment of the US economy.  The Senator lays out the multitude of legislative attempts put forth by Republicans in Congress over the years that were all killed by Democrats who desire nothing less than complete government control over the life and death decisions now made between you and your doctor.

You might expect that Demint has signed a pledge to read the Obamacare bill before voting for it, but you might not know he’s only one of 72 who will make that committment.  Of those 72 who pledge to read the bill, guess how many are Democrats.

If you guessed zero, you’re right.  No Democrat has signed the pledge.

The House version of the bill is 1,018 pages and the CBO’s latest estimate says it will add another $269 billion to the federal deficit.  But still the Democrats won’t even promise to read the bill.

Call your Senators and Representatives today and demand they sign the pledge!

Oh, and here’s yet another example of the failures of a government-run health care system! A 22-year-old alcoholic is refused a liver transplant because his life’s not worth saving!

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Patients First – Vote No on Government Run Health Care — Sign the Petition

John Allison III Cabot, AR US
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Looking forward to Obamacare –> Rationing

Here‘s a great video that illustrates what’s in store if Obama and his Democratic cronies get their way on Obamacare!

The producers of the video, the Sam Adams Alliance, have also put together a website for the Health Administration Bureau to be created when Obama and his Socialist accomplices bankrupt the private insurance industry, leaving you no alternative but to patronize the government’s version of medical services.

You can register with the Bureau and let Congress know this is NOT the change you want!

Dems’ Health Plan Will Increase Costs for Families, Small Businesses

Mon Jul 20, 2009
By House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio)

Middle-class families are struggling every day with rising costs of housing, food, transportation, and taxes.  But for many, rising costs of health care are the most devastating of all.  That’s why Americans’ top priority during the ongoing health care debate is a plan that will reduce costs.  Unfortunately, the government takeover of health care offered by the Washington Democrats will not reduce costs; instead, it will dramatically increase costs – for your family, America’s small businesses, and all taxpayers.

Last week, Douglas Elmendorf, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) sent shockwaves through Washington when he told Congress that the Democrats’ plans would make health care more costly.  Throughout this debate, President Obama has spoken of the need to “bend the cost curve” or drive health care costs down.  During a congressional hearing, however, Mr. Elmendorf testified that the Democrats’ plans would have the opposite effect, saying that under their proposals, “The curve is being raised” and costs would “significantly expand.”  That’s because the Democrats’ plan adds a new layer of taxes, mandates, and bureaucracy on top of the current system.  If that’s not bad enough, the Democrats’ plan cuts Medicare and takes away choices for millions of seniors.  What does all of this mean?  Higher costs for the medicine and treatments you need.

Not only will the Democrats’ government-run health care plan raise your costs, but it also will raise costs for our nation’s employers – particularly small businesses.  At the heart of their proposal is a small business tax that, for tens of millions, means diminished job security.  The National Federation of Independent Businesses warns that the small business tax and mandates in the Democrats’ plan will destroy 1.6 million jobs – one million of them in small businesses alone.  And according to methodology developed by Dr. Christina Romer, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, the government takeover would cost Americans 4.7 million jobs over the next 10 years.  With our economy at its weakest since the Great Depression and unemployment soaring far beyond the levels promised by the Administration, why would Congress promote policies that make jobs even more scarce?

In addition to warning that the Democrats’ plan will raise health care costs, the Congressional Budget Office also has projected that the House Democrats’ proposal would increase the deficit by another $239 billion over the next 10 years.  And even though the President continues to claim that those who like their current health care plans can keep them under the Democrats’ proposal, independent analysts disagree.  One analysis shows that 114 million Americans may be forced off their current coverage and onto a government-run plan as a result of the House Democrats’ legislation.  That means more costs to the taxpayers.  The bottom line: while Democratic leaders continue to claim that health care legislation must be “paid for,” the House Democrats’ bill is not.  Instead, it will force us to borrow more from China and countries in the Middle East and stick our children and grandchildren with the tab.

Faced with the Democratic bill’s extraordinary costs to families, small businesses, and taxpayers, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) suggested last week that Democrats should go “back to the drawing board.”  I agree, and that’s why House Republicans have offered real reforms that would lower health care costs.   Our plan roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in the system and reforms medical liability rules that cost families millions each year – millions that line the pockets of trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors.  It lets small businesses band together through associations and purchase health insurance for workers at a lower cost, just like large corporations and unions do.  It offers incentives to help Americans who do not have access to quality health care get the coverage they can afford, while giving states tools to design programs that make health care coverage more affordable.  And it reforms regulations so insurance companies compete for your business and you can shop around for the best coverage and price.

Health care reform is too important to rush through a flawed proposal that will raise costs – the opposite of what the American people want.  After the Obama Administration insisted that Congress rush to enact a “stimulus” bill that – by any objective account – has not created the jobs that were promised, Washington cannot afford to make that same mistake on health care.  Nonetheless, it appears Democratic leaders will stubbornly try to ram through this bill before Congress leaves for the August break with little debate or discussion, even as many rank-and-file Democrats express serious concerns about what a costly government-run plan would mean for families and small businesses.  It’s time for Democrats to scrap their government takeover of health care and work with Republicans on a plan that gives more Americans access to affordable coverage.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) is the House Minority Leader and a leading voice in the Republican party. He is currently serving his 10th term representing the 8th Congressional District of Ohio.

Go for the kill!

Original post by William Kristol at The Weekly Standard

With Obamacare on the ropes, there will be a temptation for opponents to let up on their criticism, and to try to appear constructive, or at least responsible. There will be a tendency to want to let the Democrats’ plans sink of their own weight, to emphasize that the critics have been pushing sound reform ideas all along and suggest it’s not too late for a bipartisan compromise over the next couple of weeks or months.

My advice, for what it’s worth: Resist the temptation. This is no time to pull punches. Go for the kill.

…More