Lawrence O'Donnell Exposes GOP Congressman's Hypocrisy On Government Health Care (VIDEO)

Lawrence O'Donnell interviewed Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) in a devastating segment on "Hardball" on Friday, implying that the conservative congressman was a hypocrite for opposing a public option yet refusing to cut government-run health-care programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

O'Donnell repeatedly pushed the conservative Congressman to give a straight answer about what federal entitlements he would cut. Culberson refused to give a response for several minutes before finally admitting that he would have voted for Social Security and Medicare despite the fact that they are government-run health-care systems.

O'Donnell kept pressing Culberson to explain how he can defend Medicare and Social Security since they're government-run health care programs, otherwise known as "socialism."

Culberson, who calls himself a "Jeffersonian Republican," said he supports Medicare and Social Security but denied that they're socialistic.

That prompted O'Donnell to ask Culberson: "If Medicare is not socialism, why don't we just delete the over-65 part of Medicare and make it available to everyone? What's your argument against that?"

Again, Culberson refused to give a straight answer and complained about O'Donnell's persistence.

O'Donnell replied: "I don't want you to spin your time away here."

Culberson later admitted that he would have voted for Social Security in 1935 and "probably" would have voted for Medicare in 1965.

An exasperated O'Donnell asked the Congressman: "You know that Medicare is a completely government-run health care system and yet you're saying you would have voted for it."

Culberson's response: "Yes"

By the end, O'Donnell accused Culberson of hypocrisy and more:

"You lie to America about the evils of government-run health care because you people, not one of you liars about government health care is willing to repeal Medicare, to stand up and be consistent... 'I hate government health care so I want to repeal Medicare'... That is a lie that you perpetrate every day."

WATCH:

Comments

[kjwhite]

It's about time we see a reporter actually pin down and expose one of these liars. During Bush's years, such questioning wasn't allowed. Bush ruined more than a few journalists careers for asking "tough questions"---I for one am glad to see them getting their 'nads back.

These conservative fear-mongers are shameless. They have turned the facts topsy-turvy and are selling despicable lies to a gullible segment of the population. As for the gullible, I can't decide whether to be angry with them or pity their foolishness.
They have people (like the woman that got up and spoke) actually terrified of some "communist takeover", it's almost laughable. Don't these people realize that labeling the good guys as "wicked" and warning you to "stay away" from them is the oldest tactic in the book? That the LAST thing the multi-billion dollar insurance industry wants is for you to have CHOICES! They don't want to have to compete for your business---they want you to remain enslaved to them.

They've somehow convinced these people that the insurance companies are the GOOD GUYS. My god, what's wrong with people? Are they so eager to "fault find" with the president that they have totally forgone ANY common sense at all?

Well some of us are bright enough to realize that nothing benefits the consumer more than a little healthy competition. Wake up people, your conservative "heroes" are being paid by the insurance industry to mislead you.

[plsps]

Every one of them should come out and say where they stand. They stand behind so many lies. Most are Pathetic representatives of the American People. Honestly HONESTLY!!

[LadyBeryl]

O'Donnell did a super job! He played "Hardball" and Chris should be pleased. We must call politicians on their inconsistencies, lies, and distortions.

Lawrence, you are my hero!

[Marge Hodgson]

First, let me say it is refreshing that a moderator actually insists the Congressman answer the question asked.
Second, so you want this Congressman to tell you about the waste and fraud in Medicare. Never mind, I will tell you. In the Advantage Plans the government subsidizes private insurers $800. per person per month - THAT'S PER MONTH, unless there is a chronic illness, then it is more.. Plus, the government subsidizes the insured the cost of his/her medicare premium to the tune of $90+ per month. This program was signed into law by George W. Bush. I don't know how the drug plans are handled but some insured under the Advantagae plans pay NO DRUG COSTS. In addition in the Part D Medicare, the drug program, there is no negotiated price for drugs. The Insurance company sets the price. Thus, they can charge the highest rate possible and get you to that famous "donut hole" quick as a wink! This was also signed into law by GWB. Both these programs were UNFUNDED. Now do you see why the Medicare program is faultering? The president wants to undo these two provisions. President Obama wants the healthcare reform bill to be revenue neutral. Now, do you believe that Congressman Culberson would have told you all this had he been given the opportunity. I do not. Our constitution approves these so-called "social" programs with the words - "for the greater good". So stop frightening people with the Socialist tirade. It is disingenuous.

[Lynnwood]

sometimes even doches hit the truth -- nice job ODonnell

[jag97PC]

I can't believe anyone thinks this guy is good for media "news".
He doesn't let anyone speak, he draws his own twisted conclusions on what the interviewee is saying, he interupts any point they try to make, he tries to get one soundbite to put in a headline just like this one...
This is another example, just like his interview on the Ed Schultz show with Peter Schiff, where he is overbearing and obnoxious. If you think this is news, I feel sorry for you. Remember the days of Edward R. Murrow? What happened to journalistic INTEGRITY?

Here is the Schiff interview if you want it... have fun, Libs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRJ1oyhTZAQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsarainitalyblog%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2009%2F08%2Fthere%2Dis%2Dplenty%2Dof%2Dbs%2Dfor%2Dplants%2Din%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded#t=481

[jag97PC]

Lawrence O'Donnell is a JOKE!
For anyone on the left that claim FoxNews is Faux News, and Anyone on the right who thinks CNN and MSNBC are libarel propagandists, I say make your arguments...
But I don't think that ANYONE can argue that Larry O'Donnell is a JOURNALIST.
Listen to the end of the interview, Schiff makes a conditional statement when saying tax healthcare benefits, it is CONDITIONAL on lowering income tax by the same amount, end result, you select what you pay for. I don't care whether you disagree or agree... here is what Larry heard and "reported"... Peter Schiff is for taxing HealthCare benefits. Oops... out of time for a response. EXTRA! EXTRA!
It is newsmakers like this that are destroying the media in newspapers, tv, internet, etc.

[jemborg]

O, I belly-laughed all the way through that... It was like music after a while... So relentless :)

[jag97PC]

This is an interview with a Representative, and he should be asked tough questions on policy. I think it is important to know both sides before they vote.

On the other hand, where do you stand on personal liberty and the government monitoring your email? cell phone? texts? etc?
Was it music when Major Garret was asking Robert Gibbs about unsolicited emails sent to opponents of Obamacare? Where he admitted a list, but did not answer about how they got names? What about when Megyn Kelley asked Bill Burton about how they are handling it? What about how they now changed it from [e-mail] to factcheck@­whitehouse­.gov? Do you see anything wrong with this, or will you say they are trying to clear up misinformation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-94Y5CqEU8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfnjiZIY94Y#

[Pollitrix]

I don't think the windbag listened to himself. He no longer wants Grants issued in the hardest economic times since the depression. I could use a grant right now to save my home.

Take, take take - and expect less prominent americans to pay for everything. Let's give tax breaks to more afflunentual ones.

[joetherealist]

I just sent another email to my Senator, I wish everyone would do the same thing repeatedly. Use mine and change it to your own situation if you want, here it is:

Senator - I am writing today to urge you to come out in support of a strong public healthcare option. I am one of many many people across the USA that can afford healthcare but cannot get it at any cost. I have been denied due to a pre-existing condition that I don't even have.

I strongly believe that we need to get care to everybody who needs it. I have read that hospitals lose some 90 billion dollars a year to unpaid care. This is simply unacceptable, if most of the people who use emergency rooms as their primary care had actual primary care, that number could be eliminated. If we also eliminate subsidies to big insurance and big pharma, we would be close to paying for universal care.

Like so many Americans I am appalled by the misinformation campaign and outright lying going on in Congress and the media, and by the fact that so many members of Congress are obviously pandering to the insurance companies to the point that it seems apparent that votes are being bought. I do not believe you would stoop to the same level as many of your Republican counterparts and I urge you to do the right thing here and support health care for ALL Americans.

[Nancy VanTwistern]

PLEASE!!!! can anyone tell me why ANYONE in the House or Senate can be against Obama's health plan when........ALL OF THEM ARE IN 'GOVERMENT HEALTHCARE' ... they get so many benefits during their POLITICAL JOBS that the American Citizen does not have available to at all. How *&%$ can they get???????

[laocoon]

he needs to let the man answer first the way he wants and then make him answer the real questions. I have seen him recently and he is getting too strident.. it doesnt help, it distracts.

[catnap]

Politicians have perfected the art of spin and stall. If the interviewer doesn't keep prodding for an answer to the actual question asked, the politician will spin and answer only the question he pretends was asked; the issue he wants to talk about. Larry does a great job. Too bad so many cable companies require an extra payment to receive MSNBC, but provide FOX with basic!

[bcarb]

I am now a Larry fan. How he stood up to that pol was amazing. They never answer a question and are spin masters. The best repsonse he could come up with was "nobody watches MSNBC!!" It sounded like a little spoiled kid retaliating to another child with ""no one likes you anyway." Go Larry. Go Larry. Go Larry.

[Bill Housewright]

My motherinlaw 83 years old was in the hospital for about a week, she didn't know she was in the world. Her insurance company nurse, came by and told my wife she had to be taken out of the hospital that day. We (insurance company) will not pay for her treatment, at the hospital any longer. Wife contacted me, after I talked to the nurse, I contacted a Democrat congressman and he got on the phone to the insurance company. Within thirty minutes the nurse informed my wife her mother could stay in the hospital as long as she needed to, and they would pay the bill.
She died three hours later, you can bet, the government or the insurance companies one will call the shots on our health care, I'll take the Government any time.

[colorperdaughter]

This is an appalling story. Sorry for the horror at the end of your mother in law's life.

[joetherealist]

I am sorry for your loss. You had to go through this bureaucratic nightmare with what was essentially an insurance company "Death Panel", but the Republicans and their very scared followers do not want any end-of-life care and call it a death panel. My head is spinning out of control in frustration.

[jag97PC]

I am sorry for your loss. I do not want to be creul at a time of loss, but I would like to give you something to think about...
I have a similar situation with my Grandmother who is in a 24hr Care facility due to advanced Alzheimer's. I live in Florida, she is near St. Augustine. Last year after being in the home for 7 months under Medicare, she was made to go home to my Aunt's house for 3 months with no coverage. My Aunt had to provide the care because we couldn't afford an in-home nurse. Finally she was eligible for another round of benefits, but this can go on indefinitely.
I see your point about insurance companies and I agree profit in healthcare is a quagmire, but you could make a phone call for help, an appeal, a second opinion...
We were dealing with the government... who can we call? Who can we appeal to? Who will give us a second opinion?
It is dangerous to think that government, with limited resources, and higher demand with 47 million more people will do any better. Just think about it.
As for your mother-in-law, God Bless her.

[zoophee]

I wish more commentators had the backbone that Lawrence O'Dodonnell has He was great. great.

I wonder how Jesus would feel about so many uninsured. The ultra Christian right
does not behave like true Christians would. .