Demagoguery

Though I can't say all Republicans are guilty of demagoguery there are many in leadership including the conservative media that are demagoging the health care issue for political means. I would go as far as saying it it the majority of Republican leaders and media. What is most surprising is that rational conservatives I know won't admit it is even going on. It is truly a means to an end which they are fine with.

dem·a·gogue[dem-uh-gog, -gawg]

–noun

1. a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.

2. (in ancient times) a leader of the people.

–verb (used with object)

3. to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.

DNC Strikes Back

The DNC has come up with their own YouTube video in response to the right wingers that are interrupting Democratic town halls across the country.

I believe that everyone has a right to attend the town halls and it is obvious the Democratic congressman do as well as this is how they are getting in. They should ask their congressman the tough questions. I am even ok with a little hell raising but not to disrupt the entire town hall where it doesn't even take place.

Of course what really bothers me is these protestors are likley ill informed. When I see many of them are seniors and likley on Medicare, which is a government run system, they are operating against their own interest. Medicare is going broke! I beleive this is really about "taking back THEIR country" rather than about health care.

AARP debunks myths

I ran across this and thought it was interesting that even though AARP has not taken an official position either way on the still unfinished bill in congress that they are trying to clear up the facts/myths on the issue of health care.

AARP: Myths vs Facts

I have had someone that questioned the credibility of the link. You can find it is on the AARP home page as well. www.aarp.org and click "Myths vs Facts on health care".

Update: I have read on other blogs that AARP has opposed true single payer. This would make sense since they are in tight with United Health Care but I can't speak to that specifically since I haven't seen evidence that they opposed single payer. For now, based on what we have in the bill (even if AARP was part of watering down single payer) it seems AARP is trying to calm fears of the bill working its way through congress.

McCain Gives Credit

I caught this on CNN this morning. John McCain was giving Obama credit for the turn around in the economy but holding him accountable for the debt created. First it adds credence the stimulus is working, secondly Obama has said he is concerned about the defcit but the priority is the economy. I wouldn' t be surprised if when congress returns after break or early next year we see some serious focus on the defcit (right before election season!).

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview aired Sunday that President Barack Obama, his opponent from the general election, should get "credit" for short-term improvements in the economy.

McCain told CNN's John King in an interview taped Friday for "State of the Union":

"I think you could say that it is a short-term improvement in the economy. And I'll be glad to give him credit for that. But the question that I think we should be asking are the long term consequences of this unprecedented debts and deficits — are they beneficial to the country? And I think the answer is no."

Sick Around the World

This is a very well done FrontLine documentary that shows health care systems in other capitalist countries. It was taped back during the 2008 campaign but it is very relevant today.

FrontLine: Sick Around the World

I thought Japan and Taiwan were good example of single payer. Switzerland was a good example of public/private mix. Switzerland seemed the most likley model possible here in the U.S.

If you have time watch the entire 1 hours. If not, Japan and Switzerland are both very interesting and you can just jump to each.

Insurance Frauds

I have recently come across this Bill Moyers video which contains an extensive interview with Wendell Potter a former VP at Cigna a major health care insurance provider. Potter is speaking out against the very industry that he was once was an insider. I believe that makes this interview especially creditable and insightful. It is a great interview, I hope you take some time to watch.

Bill Moyers: Wendell Potter Interview

The Beginning

I have finally decided to blog! I have avoided it for so long and have had many excuses. Mostly it has been lack of time or maybe "the excuse" of not having enough time. I have always considered myself a political junkie of sorts. I like both the politics and understanding policy. I spend so much time and energy on studying both these topics and decided it was about time to write down my thoughts.

My interest in politics started young. Ever since I was a teenager my father and I always talked and debated politics. He was a small business owner, before retiring recently, and more often than not he held the conservative position. This is especially true when it came to taxes and social issues. I, on the other hand, was always more socially liberal and though fiscally conservative not to the degree of my father.

Recently I have been thinking more about how I would politically describe myself. I have always thought of myself an independent. Liberal on some issues, conservatives on others and yet sometimes a moderate on others. In some cases I am a moderate simply because it is more of a compromise position between the two sides.

My first three votes cast in Presidential elections were for Reagan, Bush Sr and Ross Perot. Back then I considered fiscal responsibility more important than social liberal issues. After Clinton's first term it was becoming obvious to me that the GOP was changing and for the worse. It started with Newt Gingrich the new GOP house leader in 1994. The vitriol in politics has reached a new level I have never seen before and to this day I believe its genesis was the Republican revolution of 94.

With the passing of political figures like Tom Delay and G.W. Bush I realize I am further from the GOP than I have ever been. So much so that I have been rethinking how I describe myself politically. Instead of socially liberal and fiscally conservative I am now considering myself socially liberal and fiscally pragmatic. First, I don't think conservatives really are fiscally responsible. This is just a marketing term they throw around. They are only "fiscally responsbile" when there is a Democratic President in the White House. Secondly, there is a right time for government spending. To me that is when spending now will save us money in the long run or when temporary spending can have a long term social benefit.