JenniferInMO's Comments (54)

“Why aren't we inundated with political cartoons depicting that image? Good metaphor.”

“I don't know what you are laughing about. You really STILL aren't following the reasoning here.”

“The same thing they are doing now - they will provide basic emergency care to make sure the person is stable then kick them to the curb. Emergency treatment is not health care.”

“BTW: Tort reform is a buzz word for corporate/special interests' effort to limit liability to their customers/­clients/pa­tients. I'm sure the healthcare industry would love as much "tort reform" as they can get.

Here are some basic facts you should consider about so-called "tort reform":

"Tort reform" has been taking place since the '80s. As a result:

Patients are more limited than ever to hold their medical providers responsible for harm caused by negligence.

There is more harm caused to patients by negligence because of the limits, RATIONING, restrictions and pressure to treat patients quickly, cheaply and to keep them away from costly surgeries and hospital stays.

Patients are limited in the amount they can recover in court (often far less than their medical costs to correct or treat the damage), they are also limited in the time they have to sue before they are barred from filing suit (even if they aren't yet aware of the negligence).

Healthcare costs, insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to patients have skyrocketed in spite of "tort reform."

It costs a small fortune to prosecute medical malpractice cases. The costs of hiring other doctors and professionals to serve as witnesses can be $50,000k+ for a small case.

You need to look at facts rather than spewing out corporate talking points. Most of the people at HuffPost have a desire to learn facts, understand them and formulate their own opinions. Your canned talking points don't go over well here.”

“I agree. My husband is a pretty gutsy conservative. He travels a lot so he meets people and regularly strikes up political conversations with strangers (ballsy, isn't he?). Almost all of his stories involve a group of right wing nut jobs regurgitating scare tactics and progressives moving into the discussion as it gets heated. He often finds a good deal of support even in very rural areas of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas where he regularly travels. Stand up, be proud, know the facts and speak them confidently. You will find friends you never knew existed.”

“You just clearly proved the author's point. You haven't read the bill either, have you? And what bill are you referring to? The House bill (not voted on yet) or the Senate bill (there isn't one bill yet). Say hello to Tinkerbell for me.”

“Thank you. It brought a tears to my eyes. It will be a beautiful day when President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama can finally drop that "Elect" from his title.

As an aside, I will be imagining Sasha and Malia jumping on their beds with joyous giggles and carefully placing their favorite Jonas Brother posters in their new rooms. Maybe their happiness will clear out some of the wretchedness left by the previous administration.”

“I remember when Coleman said he'd back out "gracefully" if he was running behind. I forgot about it until now. There were so many ways to smack Coleman with this but Normoyle chose the clever, slow, logical slam dunk approach.

I suppose Coleman would rather have no one represent Minnesota than finally stop kicking that dead horse? Doesn't he have some law suits to defend himself against? An investigation to worry about?”

“Her parents tried to contact me year after year, but I just couldn't talk to them. As years went by I ran into her parents a few times and it was wonderful to see them. Their loving hugs were comforting. They gave me their number, but I never called. I guess I was afraid of causing them pain by reminding them of that awful time.

I am now 45 years old and it has taken a long time to get this through my head but I should have called them. They needed me and I needed them. We could have worked through it together. I wouldn't have been a painful reminder, I would have been a loving reminder. And seeing them would not have caused me pain, it would have helped me to heal.

I recommend to all of Vincent and Stephen's friends if you find yourself not dealing with your grief, if you still feel numb or have problems coping please find a grief counselor. I wish I had. It would have saved me years of struggles and I would have been able to remember my friend with smiles instead of tears much more quickly. Mary needs you and I am sure she wants you to be there to remind her of her two beautiful sons.

Hearing about your tragedy has convinced me that it is time for me to call. I will do that in the morning.

Thank you.”

“Mary,
I wish I could hug you. I am not a mother, but I lost my best friend when I was 16. On her 16th birthday, my best friend (24/7 friend) suddenly went into a coma for no apparent reason. Weeks later, after never regaining consciousness she was the first Toxic Shock Syndrome death.

I walked through the next few months like a zombie. I worked with the student council to raise money for the local Children's Hospital where she lost the battle for her life. I stood by her mother, father and 4 y/o sister as more than 1,000 people showed for the visitation. It had to be extended to 3 days to accommodate everyone. It was amazing to see how many people took time out to show their support.

Soon after, I just started going back to school and stopped talking to her parents. I didn't talk to my parents about it and my parents didn't know what to say to me, so they gave me lots of hugs but said nothing.

Time went by. I had problems at first during college because I had always assumed it would be the two of us. At every milestone in my life I felt an emptiness for her and for her parents. I don't think of her as often as I first did and it isn't as painful. Time does help. But every once in awhile I am sad.

(cont. in reply)”

“That was a beautiful post. I agree with every word, but mention of Warren's HIV/AIDs program bothered me a bit. I read an article this afternoon on his PEACE program: http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/21/rick-warren-pays-himself-first/

I think it is important to read this. Words are wonderful and it sounds like Warren was making a gesture of peace and unity. That is admirable and cannot be discounted, but before volunteering to help with any of his programs, check them out for their true purpose so that we don't find ourselves supporting a mutual cause that isn't mutual after all.

Thank you Melissa. You have a beautiful soul.”

“The more people fight back with the truth the more difficult it will be for Hannity to retain any credibility with his following. Even the most ill-informed will eventually start to doubt him. I used to think ignoring Hannity, Limbaugh and others in their field of entertainment was the best way to deal with them. I was wrong.

Your calm, logical honest statement of truth is the the most effective. But others must do the same. Never let up. Always respond with truth and call him and his brethren to the mat.

Thank you.”

“There is a very good post which lays out an indisputable argument for universal health care. In fact, it is compelling. I would love to hear the comments of those of you who are afraid of universal health care after reading this article. I would like to know whether it changes your mind and if not, please tell me why not: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/25/7564/6432”

“"We, the citizens, need to retain the ability to end universal health care should it fail as in most other nations." WTF? While there are good and bad examples of universal programs they are not failing. In fact, most industrialized nations have universal health care of some sort. The World Health Organizations have found that the countries with the best health care in the world ALL have some sort of universal coverage. We, by the way have poor health care compared to other top industrialized nations and ours costs more than twice as much.”

“That is an absurd comment. Are you really saying that people would be less responsible for their own health if they didn't have to pay a fortune for health insurance?”

“If you are insured or self insured you are getting royally screwed because you are resisting a plan which would result in health care for all. Please see my comment directly above.”

“What you people are missing is that YOU are getting fleeced. We can improve health care, insure ALL Americans and do it for less money than we all pay now.

The line that universal health care would be a hand out to anyone is fear-based tactic that the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists have programmed into all of us.

France, for example has a hybrid system of a single-payer program for all citizens and private companies offer very inexpensive buy-ups. The World Health Organization has rated France's health system the best in the world. Ours is way down the list and we pay TWICE as much per person as France does. AND we have a over 50 million people without any insurance and even more who are underinsured.

Talk about hand outs, when someone has to go bankrupt because they can't pay their bills who absorbs that? The very profitable health insurance companies? Guess again.

And if that doesn't motivate you we have twice as many people (as a percentage) than France who die for lack of adequate health care. A large number of that percentage is our high infant mortality rate. But then who wants to give babies a hand out.”

“You are right. Christ would walk right past the poor and sick. Oh, wait ...”

“I don't need to comment other than to second everything you just said. Thank you!”

“I agree with you on every issue except quality. Quality must be continuously improved, but I think the American car companies have generally caught up on quality.

I have been driving foreign cars my entire life because of the quality issue. My last car was a Saab. I loved it, but and when the warranty went out, so did just about every expensive and bizarre part (one at a time). After that ordeal, we were going to downsize the car anyway to save money and gas. My husband is a car guy so he did the research and he had been impressed with recent Chevy's. It took a little work to convince me, but the test drive was surprisingly pleasant.

We ended up with a Cobalt. I miss the bells and whistles of the Saab, but I have been very impressed at the quality of the car. American car manufacturers have learned to get past the cheap plastic and rattly feel that American cars had throughout the 80s and 90s. It took more than 20 years, but I think they get it now.

We have since purchased a Chevy truck for my husband's work vehicle and relatives and friends have followed suit with a Malibu and a couple of Cobalts. They are equally as happy. GM has increased it's warranty as well.”

“It may also annihilate retirees. While pensions are usually protected there are exceptions. I would hate to see the burden come down on people who have worked for the companies their whole lives, were promised certain benefits and they relied on those promises.”

“Union workers are paid well. But it is very much a myth as to the amount they are paid. It is difficult to discern truth from fact out there because all the numbers seem to compare apples to oranges. From the best I can tell, the average union auto worker is paid $28/hr. The average non-union worker at a foreign auto plant in the US is $23/hr. I can't find reliable figures to compare the burdened hourly rate (i.e. the hourly rate which includes the average employer payment for benefits, employer paid taxes, etc.).

That $70/hr figure that is floated around in the media is a super burdened (my term) rate which includes in the average worker's pay the amount paid to retirees for pension and health insurance contracts. Current employees will not receive the benefits that current retirees have and the salary for new-hires has been cut in half. In a couple of years, when the current employees retire and new-hires are hired in at a lower salary the big 3's super burdened rates will drop dramatically.”

“I don't think "douchebaggery" is in the penal code, but I am sure there is some kind of cause of action or actionable charge which might be worded in some other legalese. :-)”

“I would be mortified if the elections officials had published my address and personal information and no one knows who I am. What a pathetic and nasty stunt. I am sorry that this happened to Mr. Robbins, but the publicity surrounding his ordeal probably helped others to fight when they were denied the right to vote. Shame on Commissioner Soumas. He should be reprimanded or even fired (impeached? is he an elected official in NY) for treating anyone as he did Mr. Robbins and especially for publicizing personal information.”

“I was pissed when I read the title, then read the story and I was fuming. I was trying to formulate a word more powerful than outrage then you hit me with the poem. It pulled the rug out from under me.

I am still outraged at the pronouncement that racism dead, worse that it never existed. Even as a white woman living in a mostly white suburb I have witnessed racism. From this election I have learned so much, specifically the continuum of racism. From the overt form at Palin rallies where racism is pure hatred and fear to the less obvious racial bias which exists in people who live in my neighborhood. I heard it often: "I like everything he says, he seems smart, I don't like McCain, but there is something about Obama. I just don't trust him."

This election has pulled racism out for all of us to see, discuss and understand.

The poem reminded me of the strength that black people must develop to live in a world where they are constantly doubted, scrutinized and challenged. We do live in a world where opportunity is often limited because of skin color and where black people must achieve more to attain the same position and respect as white people. Impressive to me are those many black people who find inner strength and confidence which not only prevents them from going postal, but actually empowers. It is a quality I had never appreciated before this election.”