Republicans Lying to Old People About Euthanasia, Robots

There appears to be a simple two-pronged strategy for killing health care reform.

One of those prongs involves, of course, delaying reform until it's too late. If it's not passed by the end of the year, there won't be the political balls to do so because of the fast approaching 2010 midterms when members of Congress will be much more focused on raising money (health care industry money) and pandering to voters.

Another reason for delaying health care reform is it gives the Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats plenty of extra time to inject their special cocktail of mind-bending crazy into the discourse and make it stick, furthering both the current delay while also eroding any voter impetus to pick up the issue again after the midterms. That'd be prong number two.

Not a single dose of the aforementioned "mind-bending crazy" actually holds up when run through even the most cursory fact-checking scrutiny, and, in every statement, the obstructionists trafficking in these lies further underscore their already obvious contradictions and ideological hypocrisy.

Regarding the latter, I can't recall, for example, this degree of nipple-twisting from Republicans and Blue Dogs about spending and fiscal responsibility when the Bush administration was pitching a blank check invasion and occupation of Iraq on the heels of invading Afghanistan -- all during a recession -- while also passing a $1 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest one percent the year before.

Yet affordable, accessible health care for everyone is a bridge too far, right? (My blood pressure kicks up into the red zone whenever I hear Republicans today suggesting that they were against the Bush administration's spending habits when, in fact, they supported each program individually. After all, opposing the commander-in-chief in wartime emboldened the enemy, no? Not any more apparently since we're still at war and the heretofore "patriotic" far-right won't even admit the president is an American citizen. Consistent of them.)

Back to the mind-bending crazy. I detailed some of these attacks last week, and my friend Michael J. Elston (Washington, DC radio's "Buzz Burbank") hit some of the arguments in his new Huffington Post blog as well. But who knew they would top themselves this week with an attack so simultaneously absurd and shameless that it easily fits comfortably in the Birther/Truther wackaloon syllabus.

This is of course the notion that the president's health care reform plan includes a mandate to kill old people.

First, here's Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-Cuckoo's Nest) on the House floor:

It'll make sure we bring down the cost of healthcare for all Americans, and that ensures affordable access for all Americans, and is pro-life because it will not put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government.

And the de facto leader of the Republican Party, Rush Limbaugh:

According to Politico:

Sean Hannity believes it. So does House Minority Leader John Boehner. Talk show host Fred Thompson calls it "the dirty little secret" of the health care reform debate.

Yes, if you believe what these cranks are selling, the Obama administration is engaged in an elaborate plot to rid the nation of its burdensome population of old people. All this fluff about a public option, all the debate about reducing costs and making health insurance more affordable is merely subterfuge in the White House's scheme to impose a final solution to the nation's obvious elderly problem.

Seriously, this is a legitimate argument being used in mainstream Republican circles right now. This is an idea being circulated by the same party that Max Baucus, Harry Reid, Joe Lieberman, Evan Bayh and Mary Landrieu want to negotiate with and capitulate to, all in the name of their fetishistic obsession with bipartisanship porn.

How many more examples of GOP insanity must we enumerate before the aforementioned Democrats stop taking seriously the nincompoopery on the right? Is there no level of ridiculousness too intolerable before enough is enough? At what point does Harry Reid finally overcome his low-T, call bullshit on these jokers and figuratively pummel their soft skulls using a sledgehammer with the number 60 burnished into the handle? Soon, I hope.

The reality:

House bill that would provide Medicare coverage for an end-of-life consultation once every five years. If a person falls ill with a life-threatening disease, more frequent sessions would be allowed.

Put another way, the bill would actually provide an additional and very optional benefit for senior citizens to consult with their doctors about end-of-life decisions -- decisions we'll all have to make. It's a consultation which is usually an out of pocket expense for the elderly, but now it'll be covered under Medicare. Again, it's an optional benefit for Medicare recipients to meet with their doctor. I repeat: optional benefit. Optional, as in "choice." Benefit, as in something "good" or "helpful." O-p-t-i-o-n-a-l. B-e-n-e-f-i-t.

Furthermore:

"This measure would not only help people make the best decisions for themselves but also better ensure that their wishes are followed," AARP Executive Vice President John Rother said in a statement. "To suggest otherwise is a gross, and even cruel, distortion -- especially for any family that has been forced to make the difficult decisions on care for loved ones approaching the end of their lives."

Why do the old-people-haters at the AARP want to kill old people?

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, House minority leader John Boehner and most other congressional Republicans are taking this wingnut conspiratorial position outlined by Rush Limbaugh. Because naturally they're a very serious political party -- so much so that the Blue Dog Democrats want to work with them rather than laughing them off the floor. Oh the relationships $1.3 million-a-day in healthcare industry lobbying can buy.

You know what this is? The Republicans are trying to trick senior citizens into buying Old Glory Robot Insurance.

The GOP is lying to senior citizens by convincing them that the Obama administration is going to strangle them with their robotic Obama claws -- and when President Obama grabs you with his metal claws, you can't break free. Because he's made of metal. And President Obama is strong.

I can't emphasize enough that this is an actual argument from the mainstream of the Republican Party.

And they're getting away with it because, despite their utter lack of seriousness, they continue to be granted untold latitude and legitimacy through this inexplicable Democratic bipartisanship deference (not to mention a wide berth from the establishment press), while peddling an obvious lie. And then, next week, there will be another one. And another one. Until healthcare reform is dead in the water.

UPDATE: ThinkProgress assembled a compilation video documenting this deception:

Another serious question here is: Are the Republicans knowingly lying to senior citizens, or are they just morons who believe anything they hear on the Rush Limbaugh show? (Answer: Both.)

Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog! Go!

Comments

[Ventoi]

As long as they do not waterboard me from a distance...
or freeze me somewhere so badly that I throw up here at my home.

[pollyrobin]

The right is so wrong on health care reform. My self employed tax dollars goes to pay for every group: Medicare/Medicaid/VA/Military Medicine/Prisoners/Illegal aliens. These groups get affordable or free health care. Why not me? I pay high premiums, high deductibles and LIVE WITH FEAR a claim might be denied, or will I be dropped if I get sick, or if I get sick will I go bankrupt. Or will I not be able to afford insurance at all? I don't see anyone on Medicare complaining they don't get the medical care they need - just the opposite - they don't want to give anything up. I do not have the luxury of debating: choice of doctor or what my next "elective surgery" is going to be, or if they pull the plug on me when I'm 90 and comatose.
I CANT AFFORD TO GET SICK.
Obama, in a recent town meeting, gave a percentage break down of tax dollars that go for Medicare/Medicaid etc. He left something out. US Government spends 500 Billion Dollars a Year on military bases around the world. We spend tax dollars elsewhere - on banks, auto companies, wars and what not. I don't think AFFORDABLE health care should be FREE for some, a necessity for others, but an impossibility for many. It should be for EVERY US CITIZEN.

[Cryostatic]

"The GOP is lying to senior citizens by convincing them that the Obama administration is going to strangle them with their robotic Obama claws -- and when President Obama grabs you with his metal claws, you can't break free. Because he's made of metal. And President Obama is strong.

I can't emphasize enough that this is an actual argument from the mainstream of the Republican Party."

Why hello there, New Sarah. Have fun with your dillusions.

[amamomofsons]

I have an Aunt who got a hip replaced at the age of 97.....yup I said 97....it was ridiculous!!!!!!

[Gatorray11]

Like all Republicas, UNLVGOP thinks privatization is the salavation. Really? Look at Iraq. Blackwater, Halliburton, Parsons Engineering and KBR. We have something like 165,000 to 175,000 private contractors in Iraq. The program was run by inexperienced young Republican campaign operatives and they set up a license to steal. No doubt George II -- the ultimate failed oilman -- would say, "you did a heck of a job." Remember there are $9 billion just missing from the Iraq Reconstruction Fund that nobody can account for. Just typical Bushista incompetence. And the Co-President and Bushista Regime's Liar and War Profiteer In Chief, was kept alive by the best socialized medicine money can buy. No UNLVGOP there is no private insurance for treatment at Bethesda Naval Hospital or Walter Reed. And the five-deferment Vietnam era Chicken Hawk is no veteran.

[Gatorray11]

UNLVGOP wants you to believe Congressmen/women and Senators don't have a public option. Congressmen/women and Senators get special treatment at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Bethesda Naval Hospital and for an extra $600 per month (Senate) or $300 (House) they get access to a Capitol Hill team of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. Read today's Los Angeles Times at latimes.com. That my friend, is a public option.

You say the government can't run anything. So are you in favor of abolishing the Veterans Administration? Would you abolish Medicare and Medicaid? Of course, you will not answer that because while your heart may be in that, you know it would be the death of the Republican Party. All you Republicans scare us with all these BS stories about healthcare everywhere else in the world. But most of these countires are democracies -- and parliamentary democracies. Has anybody ever had a public healthcare system and abolished it? In parliamentary democracies change can be made quickyly since they don't have out system of checks and balances. Canadians were polled if they prefer their system or ours. Over 90 percent they prefer theirs.

[UNLVGOP]

The Public Option:

New York Times reports in 2006:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C04E5D71631F931A35750C0A9619C8B63&scp=2&sq=Conditions%20of%20Walter%20Reed%20Hospital&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/washington/06medical.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=Conditions%20of%20Walter%20Reed%20Hospital&st=cse

Why is it when George Bush was President VA care was attacked, and conditions were questioned....now that Obama is prez and we want universal healthcare...we are suddently forgetting these stories and saying VA healthcare is amazing? Hmmmmmm

[Gatorray11]

Because when government haters run government it doesn't work. George II was good at using military veterans and military men and women for phot ops.

But he really didn't give a rats behind about them. He sent them into Iraq without sufficient body armor. His Republicans lackeys -- including John S. McCain -- tried to block the GI bill for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

It was the same like the treatment New Orleans got from the Bushista administration. Remember while television showed the horrific conditions in the Superdome Michael Brown was out in Baton Rouge eating an expensive meal. Sending out an aide to get a hamburger from McDonald's wouldn't do. And George II told us "Brownie you are doing a heck of a job."

The company that was supposed to prepare an evacuation plan for FEMA never did. Then it was given a contract to investigate why. Government haters can't run government because they hate it. George II -- who ran four oil companies into the ground and was bailed out by the Saudis -- proved that. NLVGOP, it's not the answer you expected? Is it? I can see right through your GOP lies.

[UNLVGOP]

What does that have to do with the reports of substandard care and conditions at VA Hospitals...AKA...the public option...

[crowmeris]

King George and his minions failed to foresee that when soldiers are sent to war zones, soldiers will be wounded. His administration, in its extreme wisdom, failed to ramp up the VA system in advance of the returning warriors.
The result was a nightmare.

[UNLVGOP]

Everyone in this country should write to their congressman and tell them that if they want a public option, that every federal employee must join the program.

Why should tax payers (whether they use the program or not) pay for the public option AND subsidize all the private insurance plans they recieve?

If our gov't officials oppose this....what does it say about the quality of healthcare this public option would provide....

[roboman]

Well, here's a sign of things to come under Obamacare. The UK's NICE is much like the group proposed under some of the health reform proposals to make medical decisions for us. How nice:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5955840/Patients-forced-to-live-in-agony-after-NHS-refuses-to-pay-for-painkilling-injections.html

[Gatorray11]

Roboman are you a Republican or a front man for the insurance industry? This is another BS point. The Barack Obama plan is not a British style takeover of the health system.

The public option is really like being on Medicare. One progressive recently called the Republican falsehood by offering an amendment to abolish Medicare. After all, according to Republican definition, Medicare is socialized medicine and a single payer system. So if it's as bad as the Republicans say it is, why don't they vote to get rid of it? How come it's good enough for their lawmakers?

You knopw how many votes that amendment got? How about 0? The only problem we have in keeping a truth squad, that for every falsehood we correct the insurance industry and the Republicans come up with 100 more.

As to getting between you and your doctor, isn't that what the insurers do now? And it's usually when they try to wiggle out of paying you. When you thought you were covered, suddenly they claim it's "a pre existing condition." If this public option is so bad why don't we take away from our Congressmen/women and U.S. Senators? If a public option is so bad how come the best socialized medicine money can buy was good enough to keep Tricky Dickey II alive during the last eight years? How about passing a bill making him pay it back? Or will that take too much money from his war profiteering?

[nirek]

Thank you!
Why do the republicans try to scare folks? They will lie outright and swear by the untruths they utter. I can't stand much of them before I have to think of something nice.

[roboman]

Wow, you even found a way to work Bush into your talking points. I am not out to scare anyone...I am just expressing my opinion, something liberals hate...that is if you don't agree with them. To say that the healthcare proposals won't have unintended consequences is to simply ignore the history of our own Medicare and Medicaid programs. Each has done much to contribute to the fast-rising rate of inflation in healthcare by underpaying doctors and hospitals, which then shift costs to private insurers, employers and their employees.

Liberals refuse to get the reality of Medicare and Medicaid and the damage it has done to healthcare cost increases. They also refuse to recognize the impact of the trial lawyers' lobby, protective medicine and astronomical medical malpractice insurance costs. Unless you recognize these as contributing issues, you can't say your serious about bringing costs down to a reasonable level.

The horrible truth is that two compromised political parties are going to hammer out some kind gerryrigged healthcare bill they won't even read. Obama will be forced to call it a success. We will have to live with the consequences and the costs we can't afford. We can't even afford Medicare and Medicaid, let alone something bigger. Given the government's track record in healthcare and everything else (financial regulation?), I'm always surprised at Liberals' faith government. Why do you seek to grant MORE power to a government that is compromised?

[bellaliso]

my significant other is British and I live there part time.....I asked him today to give me an overview of the nhs and why there are problems...he said its like all things government thing, everyone complains, but all would riot in the streets if they tried to take it away...he said it was a much better system until Thatcher.... wealthy began seeking private medical care so as not to mingle and began pushing for legislation to reduce money, which of course resulted in limited services, etc....I'm no historian and haven't researched this....just taking his word because I have no reason not to...

[nk007]

All you are doing is use scare tactics to hide your support for continuing the current healthcare nightmare. I've been through this system with a sick child who passed away. I know how devastating it was when the insurance company we had could no longer foot the bill as we had reached the maximum allowed. I am sure that is not not such a big deal for multi-millionaires who run the Insurance companies.

[learneddemocrat]

If the president and Congress truly wanted everyone to have free health care, they would open and fully fund free clinics across the country. I don't mean only a few in every large city, but at least one in every county/parish. Then everyone will have access to free medical care if they needed it. They could even have federal-funded hospitals, much like the VA, so those using the fee clinic and require diagnostic testing or surgery can receive that as well.

Of course this is all contingent on the premise that Congreess and Obama truly are interested in providing healthcare and not controlling the healthcare industry. There is a HUGE difference between the two. And ALL gvt. employees (elected and hired) would use these as well.

[Roses]

I think that President Obama is interested in controlling health care COSTS foremost.
If the costs are not controlled, say goodbye to our economy in just a few years. Healthcare costs are spiraling out of sight and are a burden on people and on America's ability to compete globally.

[learneddemocrat]

Bpb, shame on you for doing the same thing you accuse Republicans of. Putting your own spin on what you perceive is in the reform bill is no different. You stated, "Put another way, the bill would actually provide an additional and very optional benefit for senior citizens to consult with their doctors about end-of-life decisions -- decisions we'll all have to make. It's a consultation which is usually an out of pocket expense for the elderly, but now it'll be covered under Medicare." #1: the consultation will not be optional. #2: Those seriously ill have the option of a paid consultation available to them now. #3: All seniors must participate in the consultation, regardless of health condition, and must participate every five years. I cannot believe you spin to suit your agenda. When will someone be honest about this bill, and not just "interpret" it to suit them or their listeners/readers.

[copernikus]

#1 and #3 are lies.

[caifand]

I've read over that section of the plan and i don't see anything that says it is required. Also this looks like and amendment to the Social Security Act under Health Insurance For The Aged and Disabled in section 1861 titled Definitions of Services, Institutions, etc. Basically, it looks like it is adding this as a covered service under Medicare. It says:

"a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2)
regarding advance care planning, if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years."

Meaning that anyone under Medicare can get this service if it has been more than 5 years since they last had this type of consultation. It also provides for coverage of such a cosultation without the 5 year restriction if, "there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual, including
diagnosis of a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease, a life-threatening or terminal diagnosis or life-threatening injury..."

This is my understanding of what I read. If you think I read incorrectly, please show where in the bill it says that all are required to do this.

[Roses]

Let me quote a very good article by nationally-known activist, Thom Hartmann...."Section 1233 of the Obama Health Care Plan, called "Advanced Care Planning" should have been in place when my dad was diagnosed with a fatal illness in his late sixties because it assists doctors on how to talk to seniors about end of life issues. Do you have a living will? Do you know about having consent forms if you become incapable of making medical decisions for yourself? Do you have a power of attorney for health care (health care proxy)? Do you know what a "do not resuscitate" order is and is that what you want? Do you know what hospice care is? Do you know what palliative care is? Etc.


"Advanced Care Planning" explains what we will all confront as we reach the end of our lives, what the options are and how to do it. It is not how to end your life, but how to deal with end of life issues in a way that doesn't financially destroy you, doesn't wipe out your money you can give to your children and has options that help you avoid being in great pain. It advises you how to optimize the end of life experience. "

[Brightlight]

If these seniors believe that, then they are too stupid to realize they get what they deserve, if nothing more than an ulcer.

[steve-in-abq]

We've all heard this stuff before. It's getting really old. Why don't we debate the fundamental principles behind this debate. Will the public option evolve into a single-payer system? Will it be an extension of the soft tyranny that is already present is this country? Will there be rationing of health care?

Let me answer this last one: YES. Health care has always been, is now and always will be rationed. The only matter that needs to be determined is WHO will do the rationing. Health care is a commodity that is purchased and distributed like anything else. It is not a right. Please stop implying that it is. How can something that changes over time be a human right. If it were a right, then we have more rights that someone who lived hundreds of years ago. Is that what you believe?

[learneddemocrat]

Good post. It will anger/irritate alot of readers, but you have nailed it.


Public option into single payer. Yes. Barney Frank let it slip at a newscomference about three days ago. If Congress gets the public option passed, it will only be a matter of time before the govt. turns it into single payer - which is what they have been after all along.

[marijam]

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Can't have life without health. Therefore, it is a right. Back then, doctors would accept chickens or wheat for payment. Any physicians you know do that today? Health care for profit is immoral and doctors who go into medicine for the money are unethical.

[Gatorray11]

Blaming the doctors is not really getting at the problem. I have no problem with doctors making a lot of money. It is very expensive and it take a long time to get a medical education and they make life and death decisions. Compesating them well is not unreasonable. They have a right to expect their families to be able to have a high standard of living for the sacrifices they made to become doctors and to help people. In fact, I wish we would take the same attitude and pay teachers well.

It's true that doctors have in the past opposed government financed insurance care. But the American Medical Association now supports the Obama reform efforts.

The ones opposing him are the real special interests. First and foremost the insurance companies. Why? They have a good thing going. They cherry pick healthy patients and make those unfortunate enough with pre existing conditions to take care for themselves. At best they can get very expensive plans with high deductibles that don't take care of their real needs.

[steve-in-abq]

"Can't have life without health."

Let's run with this line of reasoning. Since you can't life without health, society owes you free health care. Food? Shelter? Fresh water? Does society owe you all of these as well? And if society owes you all these things, do you deserve high quality stuff or do you deserve second rate stuff? If a non-producer deserves to have society provide him with all the necessities, why do I work? My needs are societies responsibilities.

[nk007]

Well said marijam! I am so sick and tired of these right wing nuts who have absolutely no qualms spending trillions of dollars on war, supposedly to protect us, but get all worked up when it comes to spending money to provide for the well being of all Americans.

[Roses]

The way I see it, there will be no single-payer health care adopted IF the insurance companies can operate either cheaply with good service, or if they fill a "niche". For example a "niche" that caters to people who do not see cost as an obstacle and want cadillac medical service, such as no waiting, coverage for plactic surgery, etc.
It is up to private insurance what will happen. Those that can't compete "die" in the marketplace. That's the capitalist way.

[mac33z]

Keep it simple!
The Republican dogs under the last 8 years, on their watch, nearly destroyed the world.
Climate, tax breaks for the wealthy, and an unending war to keep their “military industrial complex,” buddies happy, have put in place some of the worst international situations ever.
Now they are trying to kill health care mainly for political reasons. They want to defame Obama. The fact that they’re on the payroll of AMA etc, is actually in second place! The “Blue Dogs,” are equally sick on this issue.
One of the first things to consider is that, human life doesn’t matter. That’s why it’s effortless to precipitate war, and kill health care. They are the same agendas. Money is god, and “profit margin,” is paramount, and people don’t matter at all.
I don’t get why the American people haven’t had a bigger reaction to this horror. There should be some way of getting a message to the white house with the following demands:
1) Cancel the Senate and House’s health insurance, immediately
2) Let the American people go to the polls, and vote on the Health issue.
One of the major cornerstones of America is; “By the people, for the people.”
Where has it gone?
Where are the people?

[Brightlight]

Mac, I agree. Keep it simple so simple minded republicans can run amuck with it and their more simple minded followers panic.

[learneddemocrat]

Mac, don't you get it? They don't care about the people. Yet some think these bills they keep reamming through shows the Congress and President do care. It is not about us. It is about them. If this bill was so dam..n wonderful, and for our best interest, why did they eliminate themselves from it first thing? It is like that with all their bills "I will tell you what you must do, must have, must not do or have." "Oh, it doesn't pertain to me." Oh, I am an elected official, I don't have to follow that."

The gvt. scre.wed up the insurance business when they started messing with the Medicare coverage/payment system. They are the ones who instituted regulations, yet they are standing up in Washington pretending it isn't their fault and tell us they are going to fix it. And people are ignorant enough to buy right into it.

[Gatorray11]

Tricky Dickey II cares for some people. Like Scooter Libby, who lied and took the wrap for him. He is PO'ed at his weak partner -- better known as George II -- for not granting Libby a pardon. How cynical and how touching. The best socialized medicine money can buy is a perfect fit for Richard Bruce Cheney. But it is bad for the rest of us.

[UNLVGOP]

If this healthcare plan is so good....why did Democrats block the ammendment to the bill which would have required them to join the public option?

That makes me a little curious. They don't want to go near it...but are telling me I should do so happily.

If we have a public option....all public employees should be mandated to join it....why should we pay for the public option, then pay again for their private evil insurance...that seems odd....lets kill 2 birds w/ one stone.

And why in John Conyers bill, does it say you don't need a Social Security number when you register for their universal care system? That doesn't make sense to me...

[learneddemocrat]

Good points. Oh yeah, UNLVGOP, the social security number question - that is so illegal aliens can be covered as well.

[UNLVGOP]

Kinda figured that one.

[Gatorray11]

Your answer is about as truthful as your GOP Senator -- John Ensign. The bill does not cover illegal alliens. Another Republican and insurance industry falsehood.

While you are at it, why don't your Republicans tell us how much did the best socialized medicine money can buy cost to keep Tricky Dickey alive during the Bushista years? Richard Bruce Cheney -- the five-deferments Chicken Hawk -- sends his daughter Liz out to tell us the reason for the birthers is that Barack Obama is leading us to socialized medicine.

Don't you think she should tell us how much this socialized medicine cost us to keep her father alive? If he doesn't believe in it, why doesn't he reapy the taxpayers the probably millions it cost? But that would cut into his war profiteering. Socialized medicine is good enough for Dick Cheney, but not good enough for average Americans.

Amazing how Republicans want you to vote against your own best interest. Ironically since they don't believe in "socialism, socialized medicine and single payer" a progressive House member put up an amendment to abolish Medicare. Funny, nobody, including Republicans, voted for it. You know why? They would be booted out of office. That is why they make up stories, like you did. I have another simpl;e bill, If public option is not enacted for the American people by the end of the year, that option would cease for all our lawmakers and administration officials. Would you support that?

[pinkibus]

It is hard to understand why Americans don't accept the fact that every developed nation in the world other than the United States has health care. Doctors like it. People live longer. No one abuses the system. Preventive medicine is profitable. Sheesh. Why is it so hard to understand it is a saving and it is ethical. It is good for the country. Calm down and ask yourself - "Do I want the government's hand in my pocket removing one dollar and delivering a better product or do I want an insurance company with its hand in my pocket and removing two dollars and delivering a product which is inferior." Think about it.

[UNLVGOP]

Um...it's not one dollar, and nobody is sure on the quality of the product.

It's 1.5 Trilion dollars, and the CBO says it will not lead to a savings, nothing points to that except what democrats are saying, but not proving.

Nobody even knows the cost...look how bad gov't has been at running cash for clunkers....their computers couldn't handle it, they were way off on the cost, administrative fees were enormous, and the plan started 3 to 4 weeks late. Just imagine when they try to provide healthcare to 300 Million americans....