During what was a rather calm and friendly town hall meeting on Tuesday night in Portsmouth, New Hampshire President Barack Obama sought to reassure both the assembled audience and the country at large that his health care reforms will leave doctors and their patients in charge, not the big health insurance companies or government agencies.
"This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance," Obama told the assembled audience at an area high school "I don't believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions except you and your doctor."
He added" I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling but I don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. Your health insurance will be there for you when it counts, not just when you're paying premiums," Those remarks drew him a sustained round of applause from the majority of the spectators.
Still, Obama has a long way to go. A national telephone survey conducted by Rasmussen reports showed that support for the President's plans has fallen to an all time low of 42%, while opposition has grown to 53%, a full 9 point increase since the end of June.
Although things inside the Portsmouth high school were relatively calm, cordial and Obama friendly at points during the day the mood of some of the crowd outside the hall was less conciliatory.
Outside, earlier in the day, reporters and members of the media covering the event spotted something that surprised even the most seasoned of them. William Kostnic, carrying a placard that read "It’s time to Water the Tree of Liberty" waited for the President to arrive in the grounds of a nearby church. Strapped to his leg observers noticed was a 9mm pistol. As New Hampshire state law decrees that a person may carry a weapon as long as it is not concealed the police declined to take any action against the man.
A bemused MSNBC anchor, in a live interview asked a local reporter on the scene "Just to be clear, You’re saying a guy has a gun in the open - where we already know there are concerns about every president's safety, but certainly this president... and the guy's just being allowed to stay there? Is that right?" The reporter replied that the law did allow Kostnic to do that and that the police were well aware of both his presence and the weapon he was carrying.
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We do not need all this halibelou about a big health care bill .We already have two health care plans (medicare and veterans plan ) that are proven to work ok.All we need is seventeen words in and amendment ," that everyone who is a citizen of the USA ". will be covered by the veterans health plan.
ReplyDeleteThat includes the president,congress and the senate as well as all government workers. The clause that ,if any changes by anyone or any committee would leave the plan as good or better than it was before the change.Any other bill should be rejected flat out.This should be at no premium or co pays to the public.
A MAN SHOULD ONLY CARRY A WEAPON ONLY IF HE PLANS ON USING IT. THEREFORE WHY IS HE WEARING IT, TO INTIMIDATE?
ReplyDeleteMore misinformation to fan the fire. This is the President Carter administration all over again times 2. Obama and the current Congress are bankrupting this country and trying to establish a welfare state - and "O yes" blame it on Bush to hid the real issues - “Bull S**t”. The Democrats in previous administrations always had enough votes in Congress to shut down so called "bad" bills and programs (according to Democrat's definition) along with the associated budgets. They often even had the support of some Republication representatives and independents. So why didn't they?? So where is the blame for today’s mess. I watched the health care town halls on TV today - What a Crock. We are being sold a bill of goods. Even when confronted with the wording of the proposed bill, the politico’s continue to lie to the American people. I don't know about you, I want to keep my hard earned money and select my own health coverage. I don't want to the support the illegals. I don't want to support the “dead beats” that will not (never have) worked and continue to ask for handouts from the government and any place else they can get it – you know who they are (black/white/other, makes no difference). It is the black population that we most hear about - “poor old me” being held down for so many years. Again Bull s**h. It is not my fault that they screwed off and did not get their education and are now confined to low paying jobs. They had the same opportunity as me and everyone else (to include well-to-do blacks) but instead chose to blame their ills on the middle class and well-to-do folks. Put the blame where it lies. I have no problem helping those who through no fault of their own – “and I mean no fault of their own” - fall on hard times. We as a country should take care of these folks in the short term, the very young, the very old, the handicapped, and our disabled vets – again not the dead beats. What say you all???
ReplyDeleteHow can you say health care is NOT a government take over when our tax dollars are going to be used to insure millions who do not make enough to pay for their own health insurance. Don't we the tax payer all ready pay for health care for millions on welfare and access? I have heard many low wage earners say they do not have health insurance because they can not afford it and look to the government to supply it when they do need it. I can not afford it either but I pay each week just in case something happens. I think it should be mantordory for all employees to pay something not matter how little they make. I also think any health care reform should include all of the governemnt workers being on that plan since they are creating it.
ReplyDeleteOMG...We need jobs! We do not need health care reform. The majority of this country would rather just have a job and once we have a solid foundation of employment the health care will just evolve just as it has before. It does not take a brain surgeon to just realize if you give American people the money back in their pockets this will reenergize the economy. If you keep taxing the way you are we are all afraid to spend and that is not good, no one benefits from being afraid of what tomorrow brings. Our America is now afraid of tomorrow and we should all be excited and ready to embrace and set goals for our families and ourselves. Our health care will be find if you please let us not be afraid of what tomorrow will bring, we just need to be sure the economy is thriving and that will bring more jobs put the money in our pockets we will do the right thing by not being afraid we will but it back in the economy where it belongs. I’ve never written anything before but never felt like I needed too.
ReplyDeleteI guess I have to say I am afraid of what is happening to this country. We do not trust our representatives or our senators no matter whether they are republican or democrat. They base their decisions, not on what the people want but what is the best deal they can get for themselves, Our forefathers are litterally spinning in their graves at this point. Why have our morals fallen to the depths of the sea? when we have Our government that is full of pedafiles, felons, drug addicts and alcoholics and we the people sit here and reelect them year after year. I personally feel this health care reform is a disgrace, considering the last stimulus bill that are government officials only read the parts that were specific to them, nothing more. How can any of us make an informed decision on anything that we have not read in the entirety. Government is not the only blame here, We as US citizens know the government does not run on government money, they are not a business, they run on OUR money, tax money. I see all the yelling and screaming being done, we can complain and complain some more but what are we getting for complaining? nothing. We all know the democrats have the super majority, they can pass this health care bill on their own, with no republicans at all. The truth of the matter is we may call our reps and tell them we don't want this bill to pass, but what they decide is what they will do. I have decided that I will not vote for any of the incumbants next election. Democrats or Republicans, I WANT YOU ALL OUT!!!!! We need new fresh people in government that will do what the people want, not what is going to put the Rep/Senators in a better financial situation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
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