UpstateNY's Comments (212)

“I have friends in Arizona who say the same thing. But do you think a Democrat can win?”

“Can't be - not after she said how she, being an ex-journalist, supports free speech. I'm shocked!”

“That's the problem - if the more 'moderate' Republicans are defeated in states that still want to elect Republicans, we'll end up with a party of 'tea-baggers'. Not good for the Republican party and even worse for America.”

“As a 'leader' in the Republican party, he was right there with to obstruct the health care insurance reform debate. He added nothing of value - the old maverick is not so mavericky anymore.”

“When you think about Jesus and what he preached, you come to a realization that people like Chuck Norris would have pilloried him and would never have followed this 'community organizer'.

I wish I could say that I watch Chuck Norris films because then I could say I will never watch another one. i never saw one and probably didn't miss anything.”

“I'm with you - I wish it was better but we do have to start somewhere. I hope for the best.”

“"Death panels. Socialism. Hitler. Government takeover. Socialized medicine. Incomprehensible charts. Incessant whining about the number of pages in a proposal."

I would add the absurd complaint by Olympia Snowe (who is supposed to be a 'moderate' Republican) that she couldn't vote for the bill because it had happened too quickly (where has she been while this torturous process has unfolded). And McCain's complaint that the Republicans are upset because they were not consulted - I've also heard this from McConnell so I guess it is the 'party-line'.

Do they really disrespect the American people so much? I guess the answer is obvious and it's sad because we do need an opposition party that is engaged and brings real ideas to the table.”

“Sorry - glad to be on the same 'team'. I guess I'm a little jumpy.”

“I left a job and found out very quickly how much my employer was paying for my insurance coverage - it was a big shock! I carried the COBRA until I could get something else but it was expensive and very difficult to pay for.

I applaud you for covering your employees and agree that single-payer is the only answer. It would take a big burden off the shoulders of companies like yours and even the larger companies.”

“I don't know where you get your 'costs' but the economy of scale would bring Medicare premiums down. And the competition offered by Medicare would also affect premiums in private insurance plans. Win-win all around!”

“I can't so this but I have read that a big cost for Medicare currently are the millions of new subscribers who come in with illness that were not treated before they reached 65 because the individuals didn't have insurance and were waiting for Medicare. Just getting rid of this major cost would bring Medicare costs down significantly.”

“"in other words,the european socialist medicine which is clearly leaving millions of europeans and canadians dying in the streets while waiting in long,socialist lines to have their ingrown toenails removed,has enabled millions and millions of americans to live much longer lives"

Actually, statistically, Americans live shorter and less healthy lives. We only pay more for it.

I just came back from Canada and missed the people dying in the streets and the long lines - could you please tell me which streets so I can be sure to check them out next time.

People like you are the reason we have the bill we have. I would pity you if you weren't so dangerous!”

“I'm for this 100%. Who needs a bill with over 2,000 pages. Simple is always better.

Medicare is already in place. It works great - just ask anyone on Medicare (the only ones having problems are those with Medicare Advantage programs which are private insurance companies involvement and a Bush attempt to privatize Medicare).

This would be the best solution - and having healthier people paying premium into Medicare without using as many services as the older, sicker population will save Medicare. It could also allow it to pay the hospitals and doctors more and make that part better too.”

“"he is as as good and intelligent and decent a president as America will ever have."

Amen.

I still don't like the health insurance bill but blame the Senate for that one.

Obama's speech at West Point and in Oslo tell the story of a man who understands the gravity of the office of President and Commander-in-Chief. I may not like how some things turn out, but I am every grateful that Barack Obama is our President at this time.”

“I still support President Obama - can you imagine where we would be if McCain/Palin had won - a nightmare scenario if there ever was one.

I think the problem is with our dysfunctional legislature - too many special interests, too many lobbyists and too much money going around. We need reform in this area - perhaps term limits so our Congress people don't get so cozy with the lobbyists, campaign finance reform so people who have not sold their souls to special interests can run. And we need a more educated and thoughtful electorate - one who are not easily led by scare-tactics and the 24/7 onslaught of what passes as news on our cable channels.

I've heard the saying that we get the Congress we deserve - perhaps that is true.”

“Absolutely! And you need to make sure your representatives in Congress know you are watching them. They are responsible for passing legislation! They need to pay more attention to their constituents and less to the big business interests.”

“He hasn't abandoned them. He has to work with Congress. We didn't vote for King or Emperor. Although Congress voted with Bush to destroy our country time and time again - they seem curiously reluctant to vote or work on thing that would help our citizens.

I say - direct your anger where it belongs - on Congress! Make them realize that they will all be thrown out of office if they don't get their act together and start working for their constituents - like getting a Health bill out that make life better for the American people! I just got my health insurance premium for next year - $70.00 more a month. I don't know how I am going to afford it!”

“First of all, it's only been 11 months - if you thought anyone could make the changes you cite in 11 months then you must have believed Obama was Superman. He is not.

Obama is a very smart politician and, I believe, a person who cares about the United States and its citizens. No matter how much I get frustrated with what is happening in Washington, I'm still grateful everyday that we don't have McCain/Palin in office.

Also, although Cheney liked to think the President had all the power in Washington, he does not. He has to work within the confines of the Constitution and that means getting bills passed by Congress. And the Republicans in Congress have been horrible (I would use a stronger word if I could) - they've shown over and over that they would do anything to make "Obama fail" - no matter what it does to the American people. And this is the party you want to vote for - NEVER!”

“I agree with you (proud to be your first fan) - we have politicians in Washington - very few statesmen. They worry first and foremost about being re-elected and they need big bucks to wage their campaigns.

In order for any change, we'll need campaign reform and terms limits. It is often said that our elected representatives go to Washington to 'do good' and stay to 'do well. Let's take away the opportunity to 'do well'.

The framers envisioned 'citizen-legislators not politicians who it a life-time career and lose touch with 'real-life'. Let them go to Washington, do their best and then go home to their own districts where they and their families will be subject to the laws they passed (or failed to pass).”

“"I don't believe anything I hear on Fox. If they said the sun comes up in the east, I would suspect the rotation of the earth has changed."

You are correct - except there are people who think they are getting news on Fox - they believe they are 'fair and balanced' simply because Fox says it is. That's the problem.”

“Beck stands on the air because people watch him. People watch him because he is outrageous. None of these things qualify as newsworthy. People who watch Fox should accept that they are getting entertainment - not that they are getting news!”

“Ratings - yes. Newsworthiness - no! You're getting entertainment on Fox and entertainment has always brought more views than real news. Don't pretend you are getting anything of newsworthy value on Fox.”

“MSNBC is a liberal-leaning network - 100% correct. But the other 'news' outlets (like CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN) try (on their news programs) to provide a pretty fair and balanced accounting of the day's events.

Fox's claim to be 'fair and balance' should come with the requisite "NOT" that my kids used to add when they didn't agree with their own statements - like "I'm going upstairs to clean up my room now Mom - NOT"

Unlike MSNBC, Fox also makes up their own 'news' and then reports on it - like the tea-bagger stories; they have 'opinion-people' like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and report on their nonsense on their news programs. And why do they all do it? Simple - ratings and higher ad revenues and salaries that the higher ratings bring.

They are an embarrassment to all real news people and should be an embarrassment to all the people who rely on Fox for their news. Go to Fox for entertainment, but don't pretend you are getting any news value.”

“Thanks - I have friends in Canada and they are happy with their health insurance too.”

“After the war, the GI bill offered free education to most of our returning veterans - and millions took advantage of this opportunity.

"Veterans made up 49 percent of U.S. college enrollment in 1947. Nationally, 7.8 million veterans trained at colleges, trade schools and in business and agriculture training programs" through the GI bill.

Was this socialism? Don't know - but it was a government program and it made a huge positive difference in the lives of millions of Americans because these 7.8 million vets went out got jobs, created small businesses, had families and helped make the middle class and America strong!”