Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Obamacare Dog and Pony Show

We need a lot of pooper scoopers to keep up with the Obama machine the last few days. For awhile he seemed to be sleep walking, letting his underlings handle it. But once Sarah Palin weighed in, WOW, he and millions of Democrats rushed to the rescue of the beaten and bloody health care bill. Misnamed, "America’s Affordable Health Choices Act" (HR 3200) Health Care Blog:
    "As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized health care plan that the current administration is rushing through Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we’re saying not just no, but hell no.

    The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.

    Health care by definition involves life and death decisions. Human rights and human dignity must be at the center of any health care discussion.

    Rep. Michele Bachmann highlighted the Orwellian thinking of the president’s health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the White House chief of staff, in a floor speech to the House of Representatives. I commend her for being a voice for the most precious members of our society, our children and our seniors.

    We must step up and engage in this most crucial debate. Nationalizing our health care system is a point of no return for government interference in the lives of its citizens. If we go down this path, there will be no turning back. Ronald Reagan once wrote, “Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” Let’s stop and think and make our voices heard before it’s too late."

    - Sarah Palin
You may not like her, you may be afraid of strong women who don't ride their husband's coat tails, but Sarah Palin speaks for millions on this issue. As the mother of a special needs child I'm sure she'd opt for the government plan if she thought he'd be better served. But in the back of her mind is probably that pro-choice president and the 93% death rate of pre-born babies with Down Syndrome. Why would he feel any different about those who got out alive? I've read Dr. Emmanuel's stuff, and he's one scary dude, brother of Obama's chief advisor.

11 comments:

Norma said...

"Rahm Emanuel is not enthusiastic about getting his brother's plan passed because there would be too much fear over things like phasing out Medicare and Medicaid. When the economy improves, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel is hoping people will see the advantages." ABC news

Well, Rahm was right about the fear thing--his brother does intend to phase out Medicare and Medicaid.

Goldminer said...

I like Sarah just fine, but she's nuts!

Norma said...

Yes, she's so nuts she got the Senate bill changed just by telling it like it is:

"A Senate panel has decided to scrap the part of its healthcare bill that in recent days has given rise to fears of government "death panels," with one lawmaker suggesting the proposal was just too confusing." LATimes.

Apparently it took Sarah to scare these guys into some common sense.

Goldminer said...

It's doubtful that she's even aware of what she was talking about. Since she was in favor of a "death panel" before she was against it.

Below is the full text of the proclamation from the official website of the State of Alaska:

Healthcare Decisions Day in Alaska
April 16, 2008 as proclaimed by Governor Sarah Palin.

"WHEREAS, Healthcare Decisions Day is designed to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for healthcare decisions, related to end of life care and medical decision-making whenever patients are unable to speak for themselves and to encourage the specific use of advance directives to communicate these important healthcare decisions. WHEREAS, in Alaska, Alaska Statute 13.52 provides the specifics of the advance directives law and offers a model form for patient use.

WHEREAS, it is estimated that only about 20 percent of people in Alaska have executed an advance directive. Moreover, it is estimated that less than 50 percent of severely or terminally ill patients have an advance directive.

WHEREAS, it is likely that a significant reason for these low percentages is that there is both a lack of knowledge and considerable confusion in the public about Advance Directives.

WHEREAS, one of the principal goals of Healthcare Decisions Day is to encourage hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and hospices to participate in a statewide effort to provide clear and consistent information to the public about advance directives, as well as to encourage medical professionals and lawyers to volunteer their time and efforts to improve public knowledge and increase the number of Alaska's citizens with advance directives.

WHEREAS, the Foundation for End of Life Care in Juneau, Alaska, and other organizations throughout the United States have endorsed this event and are committed to educating the public about the importance of discussing healthcare choices and executing advance directives.

WHEREAS, as a result of April 16, 2008, being recognized as Healthcare Decisions Day in Alaska, more citizens will have conversations about their healthcare decisions; more citizens will execute advance directives to make their wishes known; and fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim April 16, 2008, as:

Healthcare Decisions Day in Alaska, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.


Dated: April 16, 2008

Norma said...

I have an advanced directive, witnessed by our lawyer, discussed for hours with my husband, and shown to my children. I hope you have one too. I wasn't aware of this document, but it is excellent. There are special days for all sorts of things to remind people of important issues. Some really odd--like saving Mustangs, or sand dunes or memorializing battles. We don't write those observances into federal law and punish people through the IRS with them. What part of citizen decision/responsibility as opposed to government interference are you confused about? Are you from Obama's fact-check goon squad?

If there was no problem with this being regulated at the federal level, why has the Senate decided to remove it? (I'm sure it will be sneaked back in the final version.) There is probably a regulation in your community about safe water, building codes, and lawn care, but chances are you are responsible enough to do that on your own, but others not. Therefore, local laws are necessary. Not so with first removing medical care because it's too expensive due to age or diagnosis, then having a little chat with the social worker (maybe you could apply for one of these jobs on the compulsory volunteer patrol) to help you make your final decision.

Goldminer said...

Judging by the type of comments you specialize in. Trying to get thru to you is more than likely an exercise in futility. But then I'll read one of your articles on Lakeside or drawing class and think that's the kind of person I'd like to have as a neighbor. Then you bring me back to reality by going and running off a string of stuff that would make Rush Limbaugh blush.

But I'm going to give it another shot. Yes, we do have an advanced directive and have had for quite some time. I personally think everyone should give the idea of having one some serious consideration. I believe it was an excellent idea when Sarah Palin proposed it in Alaska, as it would it have been had it remained in the health care reform bill. Should ever be one. It was to be optional in 3200 and there was no punishment for choosing not to have one. The reason it was dropped? Primarily the ongoing displays of town hall type hysterics and spinelessness of the Blue Dog Democrats. But whether it makes it or not, I'm just glad that promoting my side of this issue doesn't require me to scare impressionable people into believing advanced directives are some kind of government "death panel" for our seniors or disabled.


The thing that puzzles me most about you guys, is this. Where's the wisdom in a long running campaign to depict the United States government as being an omnipresent threat to our liberties. Incompetent to a fault and evil enough to arbitrarily do away with it own citizens. Seriously, like everyone, there have been times when I haven't been happy with some of the decisions the government makes. But I've just never felt the need to further my political beliefs by undermining the faith of people in our own government.

And for those who do feel that way, I just wonder what kind of government they have in mind for us. Perhaps one of these; a Monarchy, Anarchy, Plutocracy, Theocracy, Libertarianism, Ochlocracy or maybe something else. Feel free to enlighten me.

Norma said...

I'd settle for any of the administrations we had in the past, even FDR our most socialist president, anything but what Obama has brought on in 200 days.

Anonymous said...

"But I've just never felt the need to further my political beliefs by undermining the faith of people in our own government."

Hmmm. Just undermine the beliefs and faith of other people he doesn't even know. Sounds like he needs to reread Eric Hoffer to understand his own feelings of inadequacy that he needs to follow Obama so blindly.

Norma said...

"But then I'll read one of your articles on Lakeside or drawing class and think that's the kind of person I'd like to have as a neighbor. Then you bring me back to reality by going and running off a string of stuff that would make Rush Limbaugh blush."

So your neighbors have to agree with your politics or they are Rush Limbaugh? I'm surprised you listen to him--or do you get the filtered, parsed and cut up version from the media watch dogs who want no views but their own presented?

Anonymous said...

Yeah I listen to Rush, it's a good way to keep up with what the unbalanced members of our society are up to.

Norma said...

I'm glad to hear that--you must listen more than I do, because he's drive time for me. I hope you heard the woman from Montana today, whose group was swamped and disrupted by ACORNers. She's never been to a demonstration before.

Also, do I hear glee in his voice? Seems he gets a lot of free advertising on the left who are constantly misquoting him. Maybe all the these media guys all go out for a beer together and yuk it up. They are always talking about each other.