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Obama Talks Health at Latino Convention
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SAN DIEGO, Calif.--During a speech emphasizing his shared values with the Latino community, Barack Obama unveiled another aspect of his health care plan at the annual convention of the National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States.
Obama announced yesterday that his plan would assist small business owners in providing health benefits for their employees by providing tax credits to employers.
"An idea, by the way, that was championed by my friend Hillary Clinton," said Obama in front of a crowd of 2,000, many of whom applauded at the mention of Clinton.
In his speech, which covered many issues important to Latinos, including immigration, education, health care and women's issues, Obama criticized John McCain's health care plan, saying that many people would lose the health care they already have, and it would increase taxes on the middle class.
"It's about the Latino families who are the first ones hurt by an economic downturn and the last ones helped by an economic upturn," he told the audience gathered for brunch at the San Diego Convention Center. Obama argued that Latinos could not afford to live under the Bush economic policies that the McCain camp is supporting.
"Make no mistake about it -- the Latino community holds this election in its hands," Obama said. He named Florida, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico as states that hinge on the participation of the Latino vote.
The Latino population nationwide is estimated at about 46 million, but because many are not citizens or old enough to vote, they make up only 9 percent of the eligible voter population. However in New Mexico, Latinos make up 37 percent of eligible voters, according to the Pew Research Center.
"I'm not taking a single Latino vote for granted in this campaign," Obama said.
To make his point clear, he reminded the audience of the 2004 presidential election, when 40,000 registered Latino voters in New Mexico did not turn out at the polls, and Democrat John Kerry lost the state by less than 6,000 votes.
"I know how powerful this community is," Obama said. "And by the way, so does John McCain."
McCain will address the La Raza audience Monday. The visits to La Raza by both presidential candidates marks the third time they have attended Latino conventions in the past three weeks.
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By the way, Obama also said that Latinos need to take responsibility for having too many babies and hopping the fence, and that he's gonna keep on saying it.
Pander, pander, pander, pander, pander and then pander some more.
Interesting. Pandering is something you say but dont' really believe. This is REACHING out. Why do folks need this explained again and again. Maybe if Americans would reach out to others, they'd understand what it's about.
Let us review some terminology here. What the American people want and need is Universal Healthcare. What we are being offered is Universal Health Insurance.
When we allowed big companies to move from betting on when we will to die to increasing their odds by determing when we will die by denying health care, we set ourselves up for this catastrophe.
Richard Nixon and Ted Kennedy share the blame for our current situation.
Transcript of taped conversation between President Richard Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman (1971) that led to the HMO act of 1973:
Ehrlichman: “Edgar Kaiser is running his Permanente deal for profit. And the reason that he can … the reason he can do it … I had Edgar Kaiser come in … talk to me about this and I went into it in some depth. All the incentives are toward less medical care, because …”
President Nixon: [Unclear.]
Ehrlichman: “… the less care they give them, the more money they make.”
President Nixon: “Fine.” [Unclear.]
In the Senate, Kennedy, author of the HMO Act, also encouraged its passage: ``I have strongly advocated passage of legislation to assist the development of health maintenance organizations as a viable and competitive alternative to fee-for-service practice. I believe that the HMO is the best idea put forth so far for containing costs and improving the organization and the delivery of health-care services.''
Yep, health insurance in the marketplace is a disaster. It's not like anyone can choose when they'll need healthcare; it's not like buying a car. There you choose the car and the insurance. We have a body and it will need healtcare sooner or later. Why don't we join the rest of western civilization and truly care about our people. I figured Obama was nothing but a politician who doesn't want to disrupt the BIG health insurance industry. Is he getting BIG contributions from them?
I agree that singlepayer healthcare is the way to go. Unfortunately, as far as I know,none of the frontrunners have left insurance companies out of the mix in their healthcare plans. This is why I opposed Senator Clinton's plan. Being forced to BUY health care when one feels one can't afford it is not the answer to unaffordable health care.
A crucial distinction indeed... I remember when HMOs were touted as the answer to increasing health costs. What a joke. Maintenance my fanny--they don't even cover a nutritionist appointment if you gain a significant amount of weight and have a family history of diabetes and heart disease. We were sold a bill of goods by Kaiser. Today, we have an obesity epidemic but god forbid an insurer pay a couple hundred bucks to get someone to a nutritionist.
There are many problems with the healthcare system, not the least of which is the lack of universal care driving up costs for those who do have health insurance. Unnecessary medical procedures are another pricey problem, esp. Medicare procedures on the frail elderly which do not promote quality of life and much of the time don't improve health but which bilk the system of money, leaving people alive but without access to quality long term care. Americans need to wake up and learn about the flaws in our healthcare system. There's too much knee jerk rejection of potential solutions.
harleanc: You said, "We were sold a bill of goods by Kaiser."
My post was not designed to point out the failure of HMO's. My intent was to show that Politicians are the problem, not the solution. Richard Nixon, (Republican), promoted a plan that said this, "All the incentives are toward less medical care because
the less care they give them, the more money they make."
In the Senate, (Ted) Kennedy (Democrat and Obama supporter), author of the HMO Act, also encouraged its passage. Read the whole text above, Please.
These two politicians knowingly conspired to enact a law that denied medical care to citizens of the United States so their pals could get rich. The current "Universal Healthcare Insurance Plans" do the same by subsidizing the premiums with our tax money. This is Corporate Welfare and Social Welfare combined into one and I am against both.
Put Insurance companies back in the Life and Accident business where they gamble on when a person will die. They are now in a position where they can help determine not only when but how.
Correct; we need to get the health insurance companies the hell out of medicine. We want preventive care and naturopathic, chiropractic and whatever other medical care we choose and we don't want big business insurance companies in that decision. Please hear that, Senator Obama.
I don't how much money they give to all you politicians but they and the drug companies have to go!!
There is no policy change, but it is a nice nod to Senator Clinton and the similarity of their plans. As people should understand the only significant difference between them was whether the plan was opt-in or mandatory. There are many different opinions on which is better and why, but it would be impossible to assess without an actual bill to look over for the mandatory plan. Any loophole in the mandatory plan would be catastrophic and automatically disqualify it from being a good plan.
Mandatory health care, mandatory premiums, is the only fair system. However, the cost has to be low, as Obama said. But just as people will drive without car insurance, they'll sneak out of paying for health insurance but expect the hospital to care for them if they get hit by a bus.
The biggest secret about mandatory health care is the moment we switch to it, we'll have a severe primary care physician shortage. There's already a shortage because it's such an underpaid job, but once everyone has to sign up with a PCP, none of us will get to see one for a year or two. That shortage has to be addressed with help for medical school students willing to become PCPs.
Underpaid job? Are you serious? I have yet to see one doctor who was struggling. Oh, yeah they'll have a hard time making the payments on the new mercedes and the million dollar home, boo hoo.
Politic, tic and tricks. Obama needs the Latinos, the Latinos needs Obama. America needs Obama, Obama needs Americans vote and support. The world will be in a more rational political game, and the the Mexican people will have a tool to strength their own economy.
Viva la Politica con Obama!
Um don't you mean EDWARD'S health care plan - ?
She took it from him.
Last I checked she had one back in the 1990's. So I do believe everyone took it from her. Really!
flip-flop...filip-flop...flip-flpo.....flip-flop....tick....tock...tick...tock......tick-tock....
hilarious... now even non-flips are called flips... you repugs or pumas or whatever you're calling yourselves must really be afraid of Obama...
wHEN WILL YOU FOLKS REALIZE THAT HIS HEALTH CARE PLAN is not universl!!!!!!!
ON HIS OWN WEB SITE IT USED TO SAY THAT "SOME PEOPLE WILL FALL THROUGHT THE CRACKS."
Both Edwards and Clinton's plans were/are universla because they mandate coverage. HIS DOES NOT.
I AM afraid of Obams, because's he's anothe rpolitician, who panders to whatever side he feels will help him get elected. lets talk FISA, gun control, abortion, faith based initiatives AND THE FLAT OUT LIE about campaign financing. he's been on the sownturn since March, the polls are way closer than she should be, and all of the suden he's having trouble raising money. What does that tell you?
people are waking up to the fact that he's mesmerized with rhetoric, that he's just another plotitician, and it we don't want a 3rd Bush term, WE'RE STUCK WITH HIM.
afraid? you bet we are anything but afraid.
This is how the republican party has been for the last 7 years. Non constructive. Without substance. Faux news style, hyper critical as judgmental, and that's it. It's already a lot I must confess, so we should given them a brake and just show compassion when they only come up with this kind of comment, because right now all they can do it's to spit the venom.
You do feel me?
This is just another reason for Obama to pay Hillary Clintons debt. If he is going to steal her ideas, he should at least have to pay for them.
What an illuminating and informative comment. Bitter much?
You have got to be kidding! How is he going to pay her debt I ask you? It's illegal for Obama to take the contributions he gets from us to pay off her debt.. period! You sound a tad bitter and ignorant.
Senator Clinton championed the idea of tax breaks for business to buy health insurance, she didn't invent it. Should politicians get cash remuneration for every cause they take up? Oh wait, I forgot. That's how the Clintons operate.
Are you suggesting the Clinton's charge nothing for their efforts? How much is their tireless work worth?
Steal her ideas, really? how petty and childish are you? Maybe if Clinton's supporters would stop spoutin the crazy, Obama supporters would pony up some cash.
By similar logic, every time the concept of Universal Healthcare comes up, there should be a fee paid directly to the New Democratic Party of Canada, since without their predecessor (the CCF) North America would have no example of UHC to praise or villify depending on one's political ideology.
That is great.................he can learn a lot from that Lady!
he stole every idea from hillary. don't make me go down the list.
When I worked for a living, I was in heavy, heavy construction. I ran crews of up to 18 men and women.
Three things I always told my crew members was You are not here to get hurt! Do not do anything which could hurt you. Do the job right! We do tend to make money by not having to come back two or three times to fix our screw ups.
Most of all, i believed that any of my crew could have a good idea! These ideas may be better than my idea. Lets talk about our thoughts and perhaps meld the two lines of thought. We may make the job more safe or more profitable by doing what is best.
Why do you have to say bad things about good ideas, no matter who has the idea? At least our next President is willing to give credit to those with good ideas!
Amen!
There's an old saying that you can get anything done if you give up the need to take credit for it. Does anyone really think Clinton or Edwards are going about pouting, "Boo hoo, he stole my idea?" Honestly!
Hillary stole her health care plan from John Edwards, the first candidate to propose one.
Get your facts straight.
duh...i think hill proporse universal health care in 1992....get your facts straight!!!!!!
Actually, Hillary has has pretty much the same plan since 1993.
And I'm an Edwards supporter.
Given that neither idea is anywhere near what Americans really and truly need, and the only candidate wise enough to "get it" was marginalized early in the democratic primary season (hint, it's not John Edwards), I'm not sure why anyone would continually parrot the fact that they had an inadequate, and for that matter failed, idea "first".
It's not the same plan, anyway.
Obama is an intelligent person who is happy to work with all kinds of people, including the "establishment figures" in the Democratic Party, and even some Republicans. He's not afraid of good ideas, wherever they come from. In this way, he is the exact opposite of George W. Bush, who had no interest in anyone else's proposals.
Neem: Really? How about the Education bill with Senator Kennedy? How about "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" again with Senator Kennedy and Senator McCain?
I am certain that there are others, which do not readily come to mind.
The point is, Bush has worked across party lines.
I have no information about any bill which Mr. Obama has worked across party lines.
You have no information because you don't want to have it. Y'all haters are trippin.
feel free to visit Obama's website & inform yourself, then:
www.barackobama.com
Also, you can just google Obama bipartisan bill & see what comes up.
Isn't technology wonderful? Sure beats ignorance.
Obama has worked with Luger (sp.?) on nuclear nonproliferation, for one.
To undo the damage of the last 8 years (and longer, actually), America will require a radical swing way from the types of policies that got us into this mess. That requires a fighter, not a diplomat. It requires bold leadership, not going-along-to-get-along. Obama's "centrist" incrementalism just won't cut it. He will be little more than a band-aid President. I am confident he will win (although not with my vote), but this country will have the same basic problems when he's done. Only more time will have been wasted without addressing the underlying ills of the nation, making them even harder to solve.
You appear to be in the wrong place. War mongering is not part of our solution. If you had a remote clue you would recognize the fact that what we desperately need now is a diplomat...a diplomatic team....The failed B us h administraton has us with our backs to the wall, our resources deleted and borrowing money for this illegal war. Corporatists and people/corporations who feed this war machine are doing fine.Its the rest of us who see the need for change.
According to opensecrets.org Barack Obama's largest campaign contributor is Goldman Sachs, an little info on Goldman Sachs:
"The firm acts as a financial advisor and money manager for corporations, governments, and wealthy families around the world. Goldman offers its clients mergers & acquisitions advisory, underwriting services, and engages in proprietary trading, and private equity deals. It is a primary dealer in the U.S. Treasury securities market."
Talk about corporate sponsorship.
The majority does not share your opinion, this is a democracy, vox populi, vox dei brother.
You don't know that the majority does not share the opinion stated by Helzapoppin. I know you would like to make him the next president NOW, but you can't. We get to vote on that. All of US.
Mindless "fighting", and equally mindless name-calling, does not equate to leadership. What we need is not a warmonger but a thinker who can then effectively use language to communicate the results of that thinking. What we need is someone with the ability to unite the country and repair America's damaged image abroad.
Of the two candidates, which one do you think meets that criteria?
Yeah, yeah, our bitterly partisan Congress has gotten so far with all their fighting. They haven't done anything constructive in years.
Change the headline Obama's plan has always had tax credits to small businesses. He's just being inclusive by mentioning Senator Clinton
The Senator Clinton detractors could take a lesson from him. At this point in the campaign, inclusion of the positive (18 million primary voters) should be what we ALL are doing. Obama and Clinton are doing their part. We will have our hands full trying to keep a positive light on Obama and fighting off the vicious, war mongering republicans.
Obama should quit trying to include Clinton in the mix ... it is offensive to his core constituency and her core constituency will never vote for him.
Th efocus should be on his message ... McCain and his top down way of looking at government as right and the people as whiners.
When "stealing" other's ideas it is always appropriate to give credit LOL
Oh come off of it as if her idea of the great gas tax holiday didn't come from McCain...
"Obama should quit trying to include Clinton in the mix ... it is offensive to his core constituency. "
But we could always send all 2 dozen of them a nice gift basket to make up for it.
Really? 18 million of us voted for Senator Clinton and we see Senator Obama moving ever closer to her position on almost all the issues. Inclusion is mandatory for him to win. Both senators have set the tone for inclusion and cooperation. Then there is you and yours...
THank God he isn't moving closer to her "obliterate Iran" position.
you have any experience bringing people together or uniting anyone??? didn't think so. that's why he is where he is and you are typing to us on a computer.
Ask Senator Clinton if she doesn't want to be included in the mix.
Obama is being very generous because his plan always included various tax subsidies and incentives to increase HCI adoption. A very gracious and smart move to share the credit.
Obama continues to impress. He's willing to share the credit and form alliances to get things done and serve the public. The wisdom of Solomon.
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